US-based Raj Gilda profiles Vigyan Ashram and how its vocational training is giving direction to several lives

India is on the path of economic liberalisation and growth, but this process of change will simply bypass over 24 million unemployed youngsters who live in our villages. This may eventually begin to tear the fabric of civil society. “Vigyan Ashram” (“student’s home for learning...

Udit Chaudhuri reports on a unique civic movement that started in Chennai

The monsoon approaches. Traffic hold-ups. Flash floods. Putrid garbage. Civic authorities and citizens bickering… One young man sought to change all that. MB Nirmal, was inspired by the cleanliness and order in Hong Kong. In 1989 he founded Exnor ("EXcellent, NOvel, RAdical ideas to transform society") and motivated the...

Dr Nita Mukherjee writes about an extraordinary woman & her crusade  to help rural women & children

Talking to Alice Garg about her work with downtrodden women, children and orphans in feudal Rajasthan sets off an entire kaleidoscope of emotions. One moment, her eyes well up with tears when she speaks about the opportunities lost by 180 orphans during 1998-2002 when Bal Rashmi was being...