Balaknama - Tale of a Newspaper for Street Children

Introduction

Have you heard of a newspaper for the street children? It is very much in existence in North India where the child labor and exploitation are at the maximum levels. The name of the newspaper is Balaknama. This newspaper is run by a group of street children who gather, compile and edit the news gathered from other street children. Currently, this newspaper is prevalent in the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. In this blog post, we will see how this noble concept came into being, and how it changed the way people looked at the child labor after its emergence.

Newspaper for Street Children

Everyone knows that the street children are put to a lot of hardships by authorities, owners of shops where they are employed and other people in the society. These hapless children have been enduring this for a long period of time. Some of them wanted to respond in kind, resulting in the emergence of this unique concept that could one day mitigate their sufferings. They could have gone to the reputed newspapers or online magazines. They did not do that. Instead, they volunteered to become the reporters, writers, compilers and editors. They chose to call the new newspaper they came out with as Balaknama. The newspaper started reaching readers, primarily the street children for whom it is free. After distributing the newspaper copies to the children, the remaining ones are sold to the public at a nominal cost of Rs. 5.00. The newspaper has been in circulation for past 14 years. The number of copies has risen to 8000 this year. Initially, the cost of publication was borne by the children themselves through their little contributions. From the second year onwards, the cost has been borne by a Delhi-based Non-governmental Organization (NGO). In the formative years, the newspaper used to hit the shelves once in three months. Later, it became bimonthly (once in every two months). Bolstered by the response from the public, the newspaper has become a monthly feature in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

Equipping Children

The NGO Chetana working for the street children’s cause decided to give them a lease of life. Chetana went all the way out to select 35 children by organizing camps for them at various places. These children were brought under a new organization by the name “Badte Kadam”.  They were introduced to the world of letters and given the formal education. After equipping them with words, they were given training in journalism so that they can independently make and edit news from the events happening around them.  The news is brought by the children to the one-room office of Balaknama in south Delhi. The editorial team is drawn from these children. The board under the senior editor then makes the assessment of the news items presented and picks the best ones for publishing. The child editor presides over a meeting of the reporters who bring the news from their localities.  After making the suitable alterations, the news pieces are sent for publishing in the newspaper.

What Effects Did this Newspaper Bring in these Children’s lives?

NGO working with the street children is still conducting camps for the children to identify the latent talents that thrive on the roads and by-lanes of the capital city of the country. After undergoing the training, the children have become more self-reliant and expressive about their daily ordeals at the workplace. Unlike the modern-day newspapers, Balaknama minces no words and hit hard at the aberrations present in the life, especially those involving street children. For instance, the newspaper carried the narration of children who were forced to pick up dead body parts from the railway lines. This news piece created a lot of hue and cry in the public domain, forcing the National Child Rights Commission to take Suo Motto case against cops who forced the children to do this. In another case, the newspaper reported the story of another child who was forced to load and unload the garbage from the truck. This 8-year-old girl used to manually load the foul smelling garbage into the truck and unload the same from the truck at the destination. Apart from these, the child was asked to clean the whole truck after unloading the garbage. This has also shaken the national conscience, forcing the authorities to take some corrective steps.

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Bakshi's – A saga of Exquisite Crafts

Introduction

India is known for a long tradition of artistic excellence, and it has been noted as a land that acknowledges the greatness of art, craft and other forms of creativity. This is evident in every corner of the country where we can see every product made by hand or machine that stand testimony to the craftsmanship and expertise of the artisan. The most common products that people look for buying include garments, jewelry, antiques, the shawls, the blankets or the carpets. These products are known for their multifariousness in designs, utilitarian nature, and high value. Hence, they are high in demand across the world. At Bakshi’s, every effort has been made to keep these high traditions alive.  Hence, it showcases a Saga of Exquisite Crafts that is made in the eastern part of India and exports them to various parts of the world.

Business Growth

It is not metaphorical to state that Mohammed’s elder son Ajar Bakshi has spent his youthful energy to take the business to new milestones of growth. While talking to the Editor of Explorers Travelogue, he became vocal about the transition his family business has gone through. Reminiscing about the humble beginning, he told that the family business was set up as street shops at important business hubs in the state of Kashmir. Looking at the popularity of the products, most prominent hoteliers such as Taj, Hilton, Radisson, etc. have decided to harbor this business outlet in their premises in major cities. Apart from these, the brand has been successful in establishing outlets in other cities like New Delhi, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Kumarakom, and Kashmir.

Important Products

The most selling cakes from this business are Pashmina Shawls and carpets. The other well-known products of this business are handicrafts, antiques, semi-precious and precious statues, jewelry, etc. The shawls and carpets come with handmade designs as well. Currently, Bakshi’s is the only manufacturer of Pashmina Shawls in Kashmir Valley. All the carpets, shawls and other cloth items have incorporated organic dying technology to design colorful patterns.

1. Pashmina Shawls: The name of the shawl comes from the Persian word Pashmina. The literal meaning of the word is “made from wool”. It translates to “Soft Gold”. The raw material for this kind of shawl comes from three breeds of Pashmina goat – Changthangi or Kashmir Pashmina goat, the Chegg and Chyangara or Nepalese Pashmina goat. These shawls are hand spun and woven in Kashmir. Made from cashmere fiber, Pashmina shawls are very soft and warm to wear, especially during winter seasons. The export of these shawls is done in a risk-free manner as it gets custom clearance easily. The parcel service providers such as FedEx and UPS (United Parcel Services) collaborate with Bakshi’s to offer glitch-free and tension-free services to overseas customers.





2. Carpets: We make a one-time investment in buying most exquisite carpet to give appeal and ambiance to our drawing rooms. Kashmiri carpets are most sought-after in this category.  They are usually hand-knotted, not tufted. The artisans work extensively on the instructions made out to them to make nicely designed carpets. The weft threads are usually passed through the trim or design and color specifications before being looped together. The design patterns usually follow Persian or distinct local variations. The yarn used for the carpets may have silk, wool or silk, and woolen base. Depending on the base, the cost may also increase proportionately.





3. Garments: Human being wears dress, garments or other forms of attire on the body to protect it from the vagaries of nature. As the human civilization evolved over time, it began wearing clothes for social and functional reasons. Usually, garments are made from original silk, wool, and leather materials. People can purchase them based on their needs. The garments manufactured at Bakshi's follow a unique weaving tradition that combines innovation and unique excellence of human craft. At Bakshi's, one can see the finest blends of fabrics with other exotic fibers like alpaca, silk, guanaco, etc.





4. Jewelry: Indian jewelry has drawn inspiration from various walks of life. Following the cue from across the globe, Indian jewelry has evolved and varied over a period of time from a form of currency to everyday fashion accessory. Hence, the exquisite designs bearing the mark of artistic expressions started coming in the worlds of yellow metal and gemstone. As the demands increased and customer taste changed, the branded jewelry started carving its niche in the jewelry market. At Bakshi's, all ranges of jewelry items bearing the Kashmiri and Indian traditions are available for sale.





5. Stones and Statues: The Bakshi's showcases most precious stones that evoke life in them. Artisans working at the shop deftly etch out the hidden forms inside them. While looking at the pieces of art, one cannot help seeing the hidden emotions coming out of them. The stones for this exquisite jewelry are hand-picked from quarries and mines across the globe. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, these fine works of art also have therapeutic and astronomical properties. The visitors to Bakshi's can take home these beautiful items and rejuvenate their lives.
   
   
   

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Danushkodi to Get Road Connectivity

Introduction

Till recently, people found it difficult to go into the ghost town of Dhanushkodi, near Rameshwaram. They have to pay the hefty amount to travel in jeeps that are suitable for the rough terrain in Dhanushkodi. Mostly, the road has a number of humps and gutters, shaking the occupants of the vehicles traveling to the ghost town. Despite this, the number of people flocking this lost town has only increased with time. Taking into the view the immense tourist potential, the Tamil Nadu government has laid a new road to this ghost town. The 9.5-kilometer road connects the tip of the land formation with the Tamil Nadu mainland.  In this blog post, we will look at the new development in some detail so that the readers get some benefit out of it.

New Road

The district administration and the state government have understood the tourist potential of Dhanushkodi, and it's historical as well as mythological significance only too well. That was the reason why the work on laying of new road to the Dhanushkodi rubble had begun two years back. The length of the new road is about 9.5 kilometers. While executing this project, every effort was put in to conserve the remains of this old port town. According to the Highways Department, the 9.5-kilometre road has been constructed in two stretches. The first stretch has a length of 5 kilometers, and it connects Mukuntharayarchathiram and Dhanushkodi. The 4.5-kilometre second stretch connects further the old port town to Arichalmunai, the farthest point from the mainland. In order to protect the newly built road from the ravages of the sea, the gabion boxes have been installed on the either side of the road. The authorities believe that these boxes protecting the road will become boulders over a period of time and protect its sides.

Delayed Opening

In the mid of November 2016, the newly laid road to Dhanushkodi had suffered damage due to the banging of strong tidal waves on the land. This has further delayed the opening of this new road to the public. Since the road was well fortified with gabion boxes, the extent of the damage to the road was minimal. It will take another 3 months before the road is thrown open to the general public. The Highways Department will construct a one-kilometre seawall from Mukuntharayachathiram towards Dhanushkodi.  The department will also construct a half kilometer protective wall at the end point – Arichalmunai.  The Public Works Department (PWD) of the Tamil Nadu state government has further proposed to construct a 3.5-kilometre seawall from Mukuntharayachahiram towards the old port town to completely protect the road from the sea.

Dhanushkodi Port Town

This old port town was bustling with various activities till December 23, 1964, when a super cyclone struck it with its destructive force. As a result of this catastrophe, all the government and private institutions in the town, including a port that connected it to Sri Lanka through a ferry service, were washed away. This super cyclone also ruined many structures that were present there. Hence, the place was declared unfit for living. Despite this, a small number of fishing families still live there without any basic amenities.  They interact with the tourists who visit the old port town and earn their sustenance, apart from their routine fishing activities. 

Video Presentation

For the benefit of readers, we are just adding a video presentation on what to expect at the old and abandoned port town near the Sri Lankan island. This video comes from Incredible India.

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10 Facts Revealed by RBI to Parliamentary Panel on Demonetization

Introduction

Even after the time sought by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was over, things did not fall in place, creating more panic reactions among the citizens of the country. Many even tried to question the implementation logic followed by the Central government and the central bank Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Many political parties and their Members of Parliament (MPs) launched a scathing attack on both the implementing parties for their poorer planning. In this context, the MPs from both the houses of parliament decided to take the issue on their hands and asked the Parliament panel to look into the issue to get a larger picture. This forced the RBI to respond to a questionnaire prepared by the panel. In this blog post, we will look at the facts the RBI had revealed to the Parliament panel.

RBI Response to Parliament Panel

After the sought time for normalization of Indian economy post demonetization had lapsed on December 30, 2016, the political parties and their MPs had decided to question the Government and the RBI to know the circumstances in which the said policy was implemented. The panel really wanted to know whether the government and RBI had done enough homework on it. RBI had issued as many as 60 notifications at different points in time to make the corrective measures to ease out the currency crunch in Indian Economic system. After the careful deliberation, RBI had come out with a list of 10 important points for submission to the panel. They are listed below for the readers’ reference.

1.  Joint Decision: High-value currency demonetization was taken jointly by both Indian Government and the central bank RBI.


2.  Demonetization Objective: RBI submitted to the Parliament panel that it was to crack down on counterfeit notes.


3. RBI Suggestion: Few days after Modi came to power at the center, RBI had suggested the introduction of Rs. 5000 and Rs. 10000 notes in the month of October 2014.


4. New Currency: RBI revealed that Rs 2000 note was introduced looking into the currency figures.


5.  Printing Date: RBI submitted that the printing of new currency was started in June 2016.


6. Reasoning:  RBI claimed that it did not introduce the new currency in a phased manner to keep the surprise factor and catch the fancy of the public on its design.


7. Final Push Factor: According to RBI, the final decision on demonetization was taken when the new currency stock in the chest had reached critically low level.


8. Deliberation: When panel questioned about the outcome, RBI revealed that it had weighed in the cash crisis and understood that it might not be possible to replace notes completely.


9. Digital Payment: After it understood the ramification, RBI had initially floated the digital payment option to partially offset the cash crunch load.


10. Impact on Balance Sheet: RBI claimed that its balance sheet was not impacted by the demonetization policy at all.

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Tale of China Freight Train Going to England

Introduction

The People's Public of China has sent its first freight train from Beijing to London. The journey commenced at commenced at Yiwu West railway station in Zhejiang province in China. The Chinese government wanted to reopen the old silk route to help the freight movement across the continents. It wanted to develop this rail route as the sustainable mode of transport of goods to different parts of the world. In this article, we will look into the specifics and the reason of starting this business by the Chinese government.

China Railway Express

In an effort to rekindle the hopes of reviving old silk route that used to transport the goods to European countries, the Chinese government has begun a freight train service from Beijing to London. The journey of the train commenced from the Yiwu West railway station in Zhejiang province in China. The train will complete the journey in the course of 18 days. This is the first direct train link that traverses through different countries in Asia and Europe before terminating in the capital city of Britain. This train carries household goods, suitcases, bags, garments and other things to the London city. It will pass through the countries such as Russia, Germany, Belarus, Poland, France and Belgium before halting at London railway station for offloading the freight there.

Genesis of China Railway Express

This project is part of Chinese President XI Jinping's vision for "One Belt-One Road". Drawing inspiration from the older silk route concept that fuelled the Chinese growth, the state government has designed it as a driving force to boost the country's export in a cost-effective way. Hence, many consider it as the new silk route of the modern times. The authorities are executing the Chinese freight train project to improve the country's economic ties with different countries in Asia, Middle-east, and Europe. The new route unravels a new option for the exporters and importers to carry their goods across the world. At present, the freight movement is either through cheaper and slower sea route or faster and costlier air route.

Old Silk Route

The old silk route commenced in 200 BC. It was majorly used by Chinese traders to various silk products to ancient countries of Europe and Africa. The Chinese caravans used to take the wears to different countries across the continents to fuel the ancient country's economy. This trail in fact provided enormous wealth and prestige to the ancient Chinese Empire. Since then, this silk route became the symbol of Chinese prosperity and might.

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Hyperloop One - Trivandrum-Bangalore Corridor Among Semi-finalists

Introduction

Hyperloop One is a futuristic mode of transport that may carry the things and men to different far off destinations at far lesser costs. The experts in this field believe this mode of transport as the fastest mode of transport conceived by the humanity. They claim that it happens immediately, safely,  and efficiently. A company has come forward with a way to generate ideas to make this concept a reality. If it becomes operational, the authorities can transport people and cargo at the speed of an airline at a bus ticket price. In terms of numbers, a Hyperloop One transport system can theoretically cover 1100 kilometers in a matter of 30 minutes. In this blog post, we will look at this mode of transport and the efforts put by the company to generate ideas to make it commercially viable.

What is Hyperloop One?

It is a futuristic mode of transport to mobilize men and material at the airline speed. The researchers have come out with this type of system theoretically. After learning about the early bird opportunities, a company has jumped on this bandwagon to make it commercially viable. In simple terms, it is a mode of transport of objects between two points immediately, cheaply, efficiently and sustainably. When this mode of transport becomes operational, the passengers and cargo are loaded into pods that can travel at the speed of a Passenger Jet. These pods are actually present in vacuum tubes. After removing air from the tubes, these pods get fired to generate the speed of a jet plane. The fired pods travel through these tubes without any resistance. Hence, this transport system requires lesser energy to transport people and freight. In realistic terms, a person can travel from Mumbai to Delhi in a matter of just 30 minutes. Usually, these pods can easily pick up speeds more than 1000 kilometers per hour in just a few minutes under vacuum conditions.

Generate Ideas

In pursuit of ideas to make this concept a reality, a company has launched a Global Challenge. This open competition is open to people, companies, universities and government bodies. The organizers asked the participants to make comprehensive proposals to develop a model to use this mode of transport. After going through a huge volume of proposals submitted, the company has released a list of 35 semi-finalist places. Amongst places selected, the US has 11 places, India has 5 places and the UK has 4 places. Fortunately, a place in Kerala appears in the list as part of Trivandrum-Bangalore corridor.  The other places from India that have come on the list include Chennai-Bangalore, Port connector, Mumbai-Delhi, and Mumbai-Chennai. A panel of experts in transportation, economics, technology and innovation will check the remaining proposals and prepare another list as well as part of Global Challenge showcase event at New Delhi on February 28, 2017.                              

For the benefit of the readers, we have just uploaded the functioning of the Hyperloop transport module that may revolutionize the way objects are transported in the near future.

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Features of BHIM Mobile Application

Introduction

Last week, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of a mobile application for the digital payments. It is christened as Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM). Another interesting fact is that this application gets its name from the name of the architect of Indian Constitution Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. For now, the mobile app is available only for the Android operating system. In other words, the users of mobiles with iOS and Windows operating systems cannot use this application. It supports Aadhar-based payments. The app uses finger impression to authenticate the users. In this blog post, we will walk the readers through the important features of BHIM mobile application.

BHIM

This mobile application uses the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) developed by National Payments Corporation of India, which is the umbrella organization of all retail businesses in India. In order to do the transactions using this application, the users need to have just a UPI-linked bank account that has a registered mobile number. Currently, almost all banks support this mobile application.

Features of BHIM

BHIM application lets the users send the money to other UPI accounts or addresses. It is also designed to send money through Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) and Mobile Money Identifier (MMID) Code to those users who don’t have UPI-based bank accounts.

1. Quick Response Code: The users also have the option of generating and using their own Quick Response (QR) Code to transfer a fixed amount of money at business outlets. The merchants have to scan this code to deduct the amount from the customer’s account.
2. UPI-based App: Unlike other mobile wallets, the BHIM application is directly linked to the customers’ bank account. On the other hand, the common mobile wallets like Paytm and MobiKwik can some amount and transfer that to the people who use the same wallet. Being UPI-based, BHIM uses the payee’s Virtual Payment Address (VPA) to pay that account. Hence, the users don’t have to remember the account number use this application.

How does the App Work?

After mobile verification, the Android mobile application lets the users to choose their preferred bank. For verification purpose, it sends an SMS. Hence, it is better to use the bank-registered mobile number for verification. In the same SMS, it will ask the users to set their four-digit passcode. Hence, they should use easily memorable number to set the passcode. They have to use this passcode every time to open this mobile application. On choosing the preferred bank, the application either beams the relevant number if the account is UPI-activated or the users have to key in the last six digits of their debit card number and the expiry date. Depending on the type of account, suitable features will come on the screen. In order to send the money, the users need to either type in their mobile number or the VPA address to let the application find them. After verification, the app prompts the users to type in the amount and hit the payment button. If the users don’t have the UPI-linked account, they need to tap on the three dots just above the send money option. In response, the app comes with a window with IFSC and account option. They need to just add the relevant details to pay the amount using this option.

Live Demo

For the benefit of readers, we are also adding the video link to know the BHIM application in close quarters. The first-hand information will help the readers to know more about this wonderful application.

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