Seated on a mat under the shade of a neem tree, Saiba, 11, tosses a red dice in the air and waits for it to land. She cringes when her token lands on a picture of a snake. She passes…
True freedom is freely answering nature’s call
“Those days, we ate only once”, exclaimed 34-year old Mala, breathing a sigh of relief as she glanced at the toilet placed in the corner of her house. “When my daughter asked me for more food, I would say ‘no’.…
Children as Health Warriors
Tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and curable disease, ironically kills more children in India than diarrhoea, malaria or HIV/AIDS.* TB in children is overlooked and is under-reported. It is estimated that about 200 children die of TB every day in India.** These…
Children Use Art to Express Themselves
As a child, drawing forms an important component in development, not only to fine tune motor skills but it also increases the cognitive process. Drawing should not be limited to being a hobby of few. Children must be actively encouraged to draw because…
Against All Odds
Priya*, aged 27, lives along with her father-in-law and two sons Varun* and Karthik*. Priya and her elder son Varun have been living with HIV and AIDS for the last two years. Priya’s husband Ramesh* was also infected. He passed…
A New Beginning Through Football
17-year-old Sadhna fell in love with football only two years ago. Not a day goes by now when she is not on the field. For young girls like her, football is the answer to a society that initially tried to…
Helping Children Be Safe
Vishal lives in Central Kolkata, one of the busiest places in the city. He is studying in the 9th standard and walks to school. “We have lots of traffic here and it is a big problem for students. We don’t have proper…
Over 80% saplings alive and thriving in parched Baran
“My father gave up farming because we haven’t had proper rainfall for the past two years”, exclaims Prakash. He says this as he is walking through well-nourished trees in his own garden in the compound of his house in Baran.…
Creating Ripple Effects
“Mum says we can study as much as we want. My sister wants to be a doctor when she grows up, so do I,” says Sudha*. Growing up, life was tough for Sudha and her siblings. Their father was infected…
#PressforProgress
#PressforProgress The International Women’s Day comes with much fanfare every year. A plethora of ‘gender’ discussions kick-started, films screened, rallies held and what not. But, like any other day, it goes just as quick as it came. This year though,…