Articles by Harsha Raj Gatty

Bengaluru colleges have tried to adapt to online classes, yet the faculty themselves say these classes are boring and ineffective.

In earlier articles in the Ground Reality series, we looked at cash shortage, food insecurity and domestic conflict in poor urban households during the lockdown. They are now trying to rebuild their lives. This is about how we can help.

Adding alcohol to the already-potent mix of livelihood loss and food insecurity set off a range of mental health issues. It manifested in domestic conflicts in low-income households. Women were often at the receiving end of volatile emotions and domestic violence.

While authorities failed to assess the extent of the crisis, food security and hunger haunted the poor working class throughout the lockdown.

With no income, the lockdown affected every aspect of an informal worker’s life. It was only reverse remittances that kept them afloat, finds out the first of this four-part Ground Reality Series

Bengaluru has lost many of its heritage sites to rapid urbanisation. Last month, state government amended Zonal Regulations so as to identify and preserve a wide range of heritage sites.

In just two years, ‘A Million Wells’ movement has inspired Bengalureans to dig over 1.2 lakh recharge wells. If more citizens take up the cause, it could very well solve the city’s water crisis.

Neighbourhood shops selling essentials have stayed open during lockdown, but even they have suffered severe losses. Disrupted supply chain, extremely low footfalls, lack of movement passes and home delivery staff meant they have a long road to recovery.

Domestic workers who aren’t welcome to work anymore, cab drivers and street vendors who can’t go out – informal workers in the city are a frustrated lot as they have no work or wages anymore. Many are unable to meet basic expenses for food and rent.

The police has received both appreciation and criticism for its enforcement of the lockdown. In this candid interview, DG&IGP Praveen Sood says they weren’t prepared for the situation and are still learning and adapting.

Over four lakh garment factory workers in Bengaluru face uncertainty as managements are unwilling to pay their wages until the lockdown ends. Managements say they need a stimulus package from the government so as to pay wages in April.

In the last few days, street food businesses were evicted following the cholera scare. For what food safety violations has BBMP shut them down? And will this force vendors to stick to standards?