Latest news with #AgaKhanFoundation
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Voices from the Roof of the World
An internationally acclaimed documentary series titled Voices from the Roof of the World, which highlights the human side of the climate crisis and presents it as a source of catastrophic suffering, is being brought to television screens. The production has been sponsored by the Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia and will be telecast by the Express Media Group. The documentary has been honoured with many international awards, including at the International Nature and Environmental Protection Film Festival held in Hungary, in 2023. The project seeks to highlight the human side of the climate-crisis, presenting it as a source of catastrophic suffering instead of what it has long been misunderstood and presented as an "issue" to be addressed down the road. This series breaks with the conventional depiction of climate change by focusing on its day-to-day reality for ordinary people. The roof for much of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia are the mountain ranges of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. The central message of the documentary series states that roofs provide people with shelter and protect them from harm, adding that in the comfort of their homes they shelter individuals from the wrath of nature — rainfall, extreme heat and extreme cold. It further notes that roofs rely on pillars of support to hold them up, and if the burden on them increases beyond capacity and the pillars are damaged and weakened, the same roof would collapse and kill people. It's a production by an Emmy award winning producer Andrew Tkach.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Bihar teacher takes her innovative teaching to Kenya
Patna: Loved by her pupils for her creative and activity-based teaching, middle school teacher Mamta Kumari's efforts have not only led to a notable increase in school enrolment but have also ensured that every child in her surrounding has access to schooling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, the teacher at Nargada Middle School in Danapur near Patna will replicate her teaching methods and efforts in faraway Kenya over three days under 'Schools2030 Global Forum', being held in collaboration with the state govt and Aga Khan Foundation from June 3-5. At the forum, she is slated to delve into her successful implementation of activity-based learning, demonstrating how this methodology simplifies complex subjects for young leaders. Teachers and educators from 10 countries are participating in the international forum, designed to empower innovative educators by providing them with a global platform to address and resolve educational challenges. "Known for integrating creative and activity-based learning into her classrooms, she has made the learning process both seamless and effective for her students," an official from the foundation said. Tirshala Singh, the national coordinator for 'School2030', said, "Our human-centred design process encourages educators to identify local problems and develop sustainable, replicable solutions."
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: American Mirror by Roberto Saba
Photographer Christopher Wilton-Steer's recently published book 'The Silk Road: A Living History' is more than just a travelogue or photo collection. Adorned with 150 original photographs, alongside personal reflections, it is a vivid reminder of the shared history that connects us all. The Silk Road, which began during the Han Dynasty around 130 B.C., played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures and ideas. By the 15th century, however, its influence began to wane. Wilton-Steer set out to build a new bridge between the past and present, and between the old and new. Undertaken just before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, Wilton-Steer retraced that historic Silk Road path between July and November 2019, traveling 40,000 km using trains, buses, camels and horses to fully immerse himself in the places he visited. He took the scenic route, and let his shutter do the talking. Photographs were taken in such places as Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, and, of course, China. As the head of communications at the Aga Khan Foundation, a global nonprofit organization that works to improve quality of life in underdeveloped regions, the London-based Wilton-Steer brought his vision to life. After a pause due to worldwide lockdowns, his photographs from the journey were displayed at an open-air exhibition in 2021 at London's King's Cross, featuring almost 100 photographs. Then, a more intimate selection was showcased at the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, lasting until May 2022. Now, you can travel the Silk Road in the form of the book, without leaving your living room. What makes 'The Silk Road' stand out is the combination of visuals with the author's personal insights. He offers a fresh, personal perspective on the historic trade route that connected the East and West for more than 1,600 years. His writing explores the exchanges that took place on the Silk Road, which continues to shape life today. From the bustling markets or ancient ruins, his insights add depth to the images. The foreword by historian Peter Frankopan provides historical context, but it is Wilton-Steer's own voice that really makes it worth a look. Through his lens, we are reminded that history is not just something of the past — it is very much alive today. And if a photo can tell 1,000 words, there are many more to tell. The Silk Road is no longer merely a mythical path you read about in history books. This book brings it to the present. Published by Hemeria, a publisher specializing in high-quality photo books, 'The Silk Road: A Living History' can be a great addition to your coffee table or bookshelf.
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Arab News
Book Review: ‘The Silk Road: A Living History'
Photographer Christopher Wilton-Steer's recently published book 'The Silk Road: A Living History' is more than just a travelogue or photo collection. Adorned with 150 original photographs, alongside personal reflections, it is a vivid reminder of the shared history that connects us all. The Silk Road, which began during the Han Dynasty around 130 B.C., played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures and ideas. By the 15th century, however, its influence began to wane. Wilton-Steer set out to build a new bridge between the past and present, and between the old and new. Undertaken just before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, Wilton-Steer retraced that historic Silk Road path between July and November 2019, traveling 40,000 km using trains, buses, camels and horses to fully immerse himself in the places he visited. He took the scenic route, and let his shutter do the talking. Photographs were taken in such places as Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, and, of course, China. As the head of communications at the Aga Khan Foundation, a global nonprofit organization that works to improve quality of life in underdeveloped regions, the London-based Wilton-Steer brought his vision to life. After a pause due to worldwide lockdowns, his photographs from the journey were displayed at an open-air exhibition in 2021 at London's King's Cross, featuring almost 100 photographs. Then, a more intimate selection was showcased at the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, lasting until May 2022. Now, you can travel the Silk Road in the form of the book, without leaving your living room. What makes 'The Silk Road' stand out is the combination of visuals with the author's personal insights. He offers a fresh, personal perspective on the historic trade route that connected the East and West for more than 1,600 years. His writing explores the exchanges that took place on the Silk Road, which continues to shape life today. From the bustling markets or ancient ruins, his insights add depth to the images. The foreword by historian Peter Frankopan provides historical context, but it is Wilton-Steer's own voice that really makes it worth a look. Through his lens, we are reminded that history is not just something of the past — it is very much alive today. And if a photo can tell 1,000 words, there are many more to tell. The Silk Road is no longer merely a mythical path you read about in history books. This book brings it to the present. Published by Hemeria, a publisher specializing in high-quality photo books, 'The Silk Road: A Living History' can be a great addition to your coffee table or bookshelf.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
In Bihar, women script a tale of empowerment with goat rearing
Poor, marginalised women in India lack the many tools needed for economic empowerment, especially in states such as Bihar. So, it comes as a story of hope and resilience to learn that a project in Bihar has provided crucial livelihood support for women in form of asset management of livestock, in this case goats, in the process raising a substantial cohort of para-veterinarians. Small livestock is an important economic asset for small and marginal farming households, with women playing a key role in the care and upkeep of small livestock: The project demonstrates how small livestock can transform the lives of women through innovative planning and skill development Project Mesha implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and supported by the Gates Foundation in Bihar has led to goat rearing becoming a key pathway for women's economic and social empowerment. Studies show that when given control of their finances, women not only improve their status within homes, but they also have greater ability to make decisions and increased power to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. This includes food to improve nutrition, schooling for children, visiting a doctor, or even building a toilet. The project supports the development and training of women pashu sakhis (friends of animals): Fee-based health service workers for small ruminants providing vaccinations, de-worming, castration, and other services. Technical training apart, the women receive gender sensitisation and capacity building focused on enhancing women's agency, access, and control over productive resources and resulting income, as well as their mobility and decision-making at the household and community levels. Today, 87% of women in the project solely decide how to spend their earnings. In 2021, Project Mesha, in partnership with the state rural livelihoods mission (JEEViKA), scaled up across 20 districts (out of the total of 38 districts in Bihar), benefiting over 700,000 women. Using the existing self-help group (SHG) forum established and nurtured by JEEViKA, the programme identifies and trains women on how to vaccinate, deworm, and provide other preventive care to goats in their community. It has created a cadre of community-based women para-veterinarians dedicated to preventive animal health services, improving the productivity of goat flocks. The success of such projects, not just in Bihar, but across rural India lies in enabling women with deep ties with the community to steer the change. In the Mesha project, it has rightly also involved building male champions for pashu sakhis by explaining to them that for women to make more money, they need to be freed from some household responsibilities. An interesting game, which could be replicated in other aspects of livelihood enhancement, is one designed by the project where men and women place an equal-sized stone for every task done throughout the day on a weighing scale. This demonstrates how much work a woman does in a day. This simple game facilitates discussion of the unequal work burden of women and how men can support change through shifts in household responsibilities. AKF CEO Tinni Sawhney says, 'This exercise brings to light the invisible, without even having to speak about gender norms.' There are currently 6,085 pashu sakhis reaching over 700,000 households with diverse services across 20 districts of the state. In Muzaffarpur district, where the project was initiated in 2016, almost 60% of pashu sakhis have gone from zero income to ₹3,000 to ₹12,000 per month. In 2023, a women-led and women-managed goat producer company (Mesha Mahila Bakri Palak Producer Company) was set up to ensure the sustainability of interventions and support the collective procurement of inputs and sale of goats. AKF and JEEViKA plan to support the establishment of a cadre of 10,000 pashu sakhis across Bihar. Going forward, the programme plans to incorporate a climate adaptation lens. Pashu sakhis help communities build resilience against the climate crisis. Another vital input is that by focusing on disease prevention, the programme minimises and eliminates the use of antibiotics in goat flocks, directly contributing to a one-health approach. Pilots for fodder also focus on hydroponics and fodder silage strengthening climate resilience. Ragini Devi, a pashu sakhi from the first cohort of pashu sakhis trained under the programme proudly states, 'We have gone down far on the path, there is no looking back, we have made our homes stronger and we know that our work will also make our communities stronger'.
