Of People and Places

How about a little cheer in times of gloom? This is the story of farmers in Karnataka who have formed companies to market and sell the fruits and vegetables that they grow. A story of farmers with very small holdings, mostly tenants who don’t own the land - but who, through collective efforts, have already started supplying to bulk buyers in cities like Bangalore. Since the lockdown, their activities have intensified. Now they have the concept of ‘farm to fork', selling produce in apartment complexes and gated communities directly to people like you and me, out to buy some fresh produce to make our dinners. The unique thing is that when you buy from them, you are not just satisfying your own needs. You are contributing to food security, investing in ecologically safe farming practices, providing employment to a large network of enterprising youth in villages, and strengthening the resolve of farming communities to secure their livelihoods. And you could do ...

Mumbai never fails to astound me.Its energy, the multitude of people and the gorgeous amalgam of different cultures, different temperaments, and a quickness - a jostling that leaves a Bangalorean like me quite breathless. But then some might say it's a stereotype. I don't know. I haven't spent a long time there but whatever I have seen leaves me a bit starry-eyed. When the British came here, they recreated a sense of their home. And one of the most magnificent specimens of Victorian Gothic revival architecture was the Victoria terminus, now renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus. It's a crazy looking place, and it makes me feel like I am in a Harry Potter movie, as do most other buildings in the area. I really love the architecture and how it has withstood changes. Mumbai has evolved rapidly since the time it was built but if you feel like indulging in a bit of nostalgia, in a bit of time travel, all you need to do is take a walk in South Mumbai.

Don't wear a mask like this gentleman here! The three ply mask is roomy enough to accommodate all kinds of noses. And really there is no point in wearing it if your entire mouth and nose are not covered! You'd be surprised at how many people I saw at the airport nonchalantly hanging their noses in the air - breathing in, breathing out like everything's normal. I was in Bhopal when the lock down was announced. And extended. Again, extended. And yet again, extended. But  I have no complaints. I was well taken care of, surrounded by friends who are like family, and plenty of good food. I became something of a culinary expert myself. But then again, who hasn't become one during the lock down? When all else fails, turn to food!Eat food, cook food, feed others. But the way back home was fraught with challenges. I have had flights cancelled five times and had to cancel three train tickets because of the confusion surrounding travel. Nervous, paranoid I stepped into...

I met Rajeshwari ( name changed) when I was assisting in the documentation of a project run by an NGO in some of the garment factories of Bengaluru. Shy, dignified,she told me her story of how she was buoyed up in her struggles with her oppressive family by the strong sisterhood that exists among them because of their involvement in the project. Run like a community mobilization project that sensitizes garment workers about sexual health, gender inequality, domestic violence and alcohol abuse - there is an air of empowerment in all the stories I hear from the women, but with a strain of the old oppression. Mulling over it and my experiences through the whole documentation - I wrote this short story - it contains all the women that I met there and other women that I have observed outside of this experience :) Let me know what you think! At the seams Chandrika gazed out the window of the car, her thoughts far away. The view was monotonous, one of Bangalore’s newly...