The Writer’s Flight

India's villages have been struggling with lack of proper schools and infrastructure, high school drop out rate and lack of good teaching faculty. With digital learning platforms reaching out to the underserved rural markets during the lockdown period, there is hope of solving one of country's biggest problems- that of illiteracy  By Namrata Kohli  For the first time, India has more rural net users than urban. The latest report by Internet & Mobile Association of India (IA-MAI) and Nielsen shows rural India has 227 million active internet users, ten percent more than urban India’s 205 million. The numbers have been boosted by the cheapest internet connections in the world. In addition, there are 71 million kids, aged 5-11 years who go online using devices of family members. This is pathbreaking as school children are warming up to E-learning models like nobody else. A combination of factors such as greater penetration of smart phones, better telecom infrastructure and co...

Smitten by the writer’s bug? Then tune into this exclusive chat with author Reham Khan who talks about her own journey as an author, the different formats available for publishing and how difficult it is to write an autobiography. Her book, an eye-opener to the secrets of Pakistani society, spills the beans on her hi-profile marriage and divorce to cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.. All this and more, in conversation with Namrata Kohli How difficult is it to write an autobiography? You wrote an autobiographical account and lifted the lid on your marriage to Imran Khan. While crisis always makes a good story look great, as a chronicler of your own life how hard was it to press the rewind button or was it catharsis. It was extremely difficult and painful experience. It was tough for me to sit down and edit it and part of the reason why it took so long for the book to come out was, because I would write something and I didn’t want to read it back again. But luckily, I am blessed w...

When the Covid Crisis ends, should schools return to status quo. This is the question dodging the minds of education fraternity in India and elsewhere By Namrata Kohli Is online schooling the new normal. Are virtual classes better than real. Is education system in for a paradigm change. These were some of the questions raised at a webinar hosted by FICCI and upGrad titled 'Global Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities for EdTech.' According to Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder and Executive Chairman, upGrad, a niche online education service provider- “Today more than ever before, we are at an interesting crossroads when online is in spotlight and it’s been evangelised by everyone. Even the sceptics are now turning evangelists.” He added that going to any particular institution is a one-time event, but learning is not an event but a lifelong process. And for that, you don’t have a choice but to look at online education.” Industry insiders are of the view that there will be a sea chan...

Not just the Original Loverboy, Rishi Kapoor was his Original person, who would stand out for his fearless, unabashed and unapologetic views on anything and everything, much unlike the rest of Bollywood that towed a line of political correctness  By Namrata Kohli  He posted a picture of a sale at Zara's ripped jeans and t-shirts with a caption – ‘Buy two get one begging bowl free.’ That’s Rishi Kapoor for you, who will not keep thinking about pleasing brands, lobbies, khandaans and people but do only one thing-  please himself and unapologetically air his views. He later said in an interview,  to be selling torn jeans for Rs 3,000 i s an insult to India where people live in poverty and we should be ashamed as Indians of actually endorsing it. And yet this would never be said with bitterness. On the contrary there was a child-like enthusiasm and a certain abandon in his personality which made him endearing than others. It was a great experience to read his ...

Think out-of-the-box about entering new segments like making villages smart or infrastructure rather than brooding over demand for premium real estate India’s top tier metro cities only: Nitin Gadkari calls for a radical change of approach while addressing the real estate builder fraternity during the Naredco Knowledge Webinar  By Namrata Kohli The Road Transport and Highways Minister shocked everyone at the outset with the statement that he has no dearth of either funds or demand. His ministry has triple the work and the budget runs into several thousand crores. The developers need to work in newer segments where there is real demand and not stick to the old ways. He quoted how automobile maker Mahindra has tweaked its supply to make more tractors rather than ranting about lack of demand for its cars. The corona war we will win but soon after there is an economic war we will have to wage. It can’t be done unless we have the mindset to win and changed ways to business, said Gadkari...

Yale's most popular class ever on Happiness- "The Science Of Well being" got over a million subscribers just in the last four weeks of Covid pandemic. Dr. Laurie Santos is the person behind the blockbuster Happiness course. Her research shows that just as there is post-traumatic stress, there will be post traumatic growth -all this in an exclusive interview with Namrata Kohli In a nutshell, in your own words -what is the science of well being? What is the secret towards unlocking happiness in life? The science of well being is a course on evidence based practices that can help anyone figure out what makes you feel happier. It’s  not usually what we think- money, accolades and success -but it’s taking time for more social connections, changing our habits like including exercise and sleep and even changing our mindset. Being a little more grateful, a little more present are things that really matter for happiness generally, especially so during this time of Covid 19...

Rera Chiefs: “Without much ado, start construction at site except Covid hotspots but be prepared for localised outbreaks” By Namrata Kohli    The issue of starting work at construction sites has been a bone of contention between builders and authorities. In an exclusive webinar with Rera chiefs that took place on Saturday to take stock of real estate and construction industry, developers put forth the main issues they were facing and begun with the stalemate of work at construction sites. “Forget those workers who have left the town, but let us at least start work with those who are at the site,” said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, National President-NAREDCO, adding that developers have been taking care of "food, medicines, hygiene, and salaries for the month of March and April. But there is a limit to which this can continue. They have been at the site and willing to work but not allowed to. This is ironical." The RERA Chiefs were united in their stance for construction work t...