Latest news with #Akshaya
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Chinmayi Unfiltered: I signed up for the struggle, no regrets
What is your creative process as a singer? Nothing special — someone calls me, tells me what time to be at the studio, there are the lyrics, I sing, and leave. My mind actually thinks of a lot of things, like my babies, dogs, house, this, that…My dogs are Uppli, Jiloo, Bobby and Potato. Bobby is the most hyper, he is uncontrollable. (laughs) Uppli actually used to come along for recordings. Now he's like, 'Let me be, I'm not in all this drama.' He has come for so many recordings, has been near the mic, and so many people have been shocked. Even during Kaathalae Kaathalae (Tamil song), he was in the studio. Is there any musical genre you really want to try? Life has been kind with opportunities, and composers have been kind by giving me opportunities where I could sing different types of songs. But something I haven't tried yet…rap. But I don't think I have it in me to write rap songs — I just can't rhyme! But never say never, who knows… You have utilised your reach to support and raise funds for noble causes, particularly those benefiting underprivileged children. What drew you to this? During Covid, many people from economically weaker backgrounds, including daily wage labourers, reached out and asked for help to avail basic amenities. I was wondering what I could do. My friend and I came up with an idea — since this was a time when people could not meet their loved ones and perhaps were missing birthdays, anniversaries, and the like, what I would do is record personalised songs for them. I'd WeTransfer it to them so they could send it to their loved ones. They would, in return, send money directly to the beneficiaries. No point of me being involved in transactions. I then got involved with Akshaya trust, which takes care of old destitutes. A portion of my earnings still goes to the NGO. Akshaya now helps me manage an educational platform, where I take classes for around 100 students, be it doctors, engineers, or anyone who wants to learn music basically. These individuals pay Akshaya Trust or the beneficiaries directly. Either way, the beneficiaries then have money, which they can use to send their children to school. Of course, before teaching these students, I speak with them, trying to understand where they are at. Sometimes, I feel they would benefit if they directly learned from my amma, who brings a wealth of experience, and I chip in wherever required. You took on powerful people during the #MeToo movement. Looking back, what do you feel? Many of us were reading about it, feeling second-hand rage. Even to speak up at that point of time was terrifying. But I crossed that threshold — there was also a wonderful collective energy of other women — and spoke up. I knew no one was going to welcome me and give me an award, but I signed up for the struggle, so no regrets. What do you think about Tollywood? Would you like to sing more songs here? Most definitely! Thanks to people like Supriya (Yarlagadda), Nandini (Reddy), and Jhansi (Laxmi) garu — these women actually took a step and spoke to the film chamber here. If not for their initiative, there wouldn't be an Internal Complaints Committee. I have huge admiration for all these women. What are the biggest life lessons you want to pass onto your children? I hope I live a life well enough, so I don't have to write the lessons. They should learn by observation. Because kids will learn from what they see.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
Alappuzha District Collector warns of strict action as FSTP sees low usage
Despite making the district's first Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) at Anatharaveli in Cherthala operational, the illegal dumping of toilet waste along roadsides and into waterbodies continues unabated in Alappuzha. District Collector Alex Varghese says toilet waste from the district should be transported to the FSTP for scientific processing. He warns of strict action, including fines, against those illegally collecting and dumping waste in violation of the law. The FSTP has a capacity to treat 250 kilolitres of waste per day. However, currently, only 2–3 loads are being processed daily. 'A total of 68 tankers are registered with the Cherthala municipality for toilet waste collection, but only eight of them have delivered loads to the plant so far,' the District Collector said. Mr. Varghese has directed the police and the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) to collect details about the remaining vehicles and where they are transporting their loads. He has also directed that action be taken against vehicles collecting waste illegally. Register via app Residents have been asked to register for septic tank cleaning services through the Chelotha Cherthala app or at Akshaya centres to ensure that household septic waste is scientifically treated at the plant instead of being dumped by the roadside. Officials say legal action will also be initiated against individuals who contact tanker owners to dispose of septic waste illegally. 'If vehicles are caught dumping waste on roadsides or in waterbodies, legal action will be taken against both the person who handed over the waste and the vehicle. A fine of up to ₹25,000 will also be imposed,' says an official. People can register for the service by visiting or by contacting- 7356812811. The Cherthala municipality opened the FSTP two months ago. It was constructed by the civic body on a parcel of land in Thaneermukkom grama panchayat, which is under the possession of the municipality, at a cost of ₹7.33 crore under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative. The plant, according to officials, is operated based on the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor technology, which recycles toilet waste and converts solid waste into fertiliser. The FSTP was established at a time when the district was facing severe environmental and water pollution issues due to the lack of scientific septage treatment systems. The Mumbai-based company that built the FSTP has signed an agreement with the civic body to maintain the plant for 10 years. Rate charged by the municipality (amount payable by tankers to the plant in brackets) Up to 5,000 litres - ₹4,000 (₹1,000) Between 5,000 - 6,000 litres - ₹5,000 (₹1,000) Between 6,000- 8,000 litres - ₹6,000 (₹1,500) Between 8,000- 15,000 litres- ₹8,000 (₹2,000)
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Time of India
Akshaya centre employee held for NEET hall ticket forgery
Thiruvananthapuram: Police on Monday arrested an employee of an Akshaya centre in Neyyattinkara for forging a NEET hall ticket for a student after she failed to submit the student's application despite receiving payment. Pathanamthitta police made the arrest following an investigation based on a complaint from the exam centre observer. During questioning, the accused, identified as Greeshma, a resident of Thirupuram, confessed that she accepted Rs 1,850 from the student's mother, who approached the Akshaya centre to apply for the NEET examination. However, she failed to submit the application on time. When the student repeatedly followed up asking for the hall ticket, Greeshma resorted to forging one to cover up her negligence. In her statement, Greeshma admitted that she assumed the student would not actually travel to Pathanamthitta to write the exam. She said that she found details of an exam centre in Pathanamthitta Thaikkavu Vocational Higher Secondary School through a Google search and inserted this as the centre in the forged hall ticket. The forgery came to light on the day of the exam when the invigilator at the Pathanamthitta centre noticed inconsistencies in the hall ticket. The student's name was mentioned in one section of the document, while a different name appeared elsewhere, raising suspicion. The invigilator alerted the authorities, leading to the intervention of the exam centre observer and subsequently police. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pernas e pés inchados: Experimente isso para ajudar a drenar o fluído do edema aartedoherbalismo Undo Based on the complaint from the observer, a case was registered, and the student who attempted to appear for the exam using the fake hall ticket was arrested. During questioning, the student stated that the hall ticket was handed over by the Akshaya Centre employee, leading the investigation team to Greeshma. Following this lead, Pathanamthitta police reached Neyyattinkara and took Greeshma into custody for questioning. During interrogation she admitted to fabricating the document at the Akshaya centre. She revealed that the forgery was a desperate move after she forgot to complete the student's application despite receiving the fee. The incident has raised serious concerns about oversight at public service centres and the integrity of examination processes. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether more individuals or similar cases are involved.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
KV Rabiya: Kerala's literacy champion dedicated her life beating all adversaries
KV Rabiya, a wheelchair-bound social activist who championed and expanded the boundaries of Kerala's literacy campaign among adults, died on Sunday at a relative's home in Malappuram district following a brief illness and a long battle with cancer, her family said. She was 59. Rabiya, who was born on February 25,1966 as the second of six children of Moosakutty Haji and Beeyachutty Hajjumma in the small village of Vellilakadu in Malappuram district, was diagnosed with polio at the age of 14 and had her further studies confined to her home and bound to a wheelchair. After completing her initial schooling at the Government high school in Tirurangadi, Rabiya enrolled for a pre-degree course at the PSMO College in Tirurangadi when her legs were crippled by polio. After finishing the course from her home, the Vellilakadu resident in the early 90s was attracted by the ideals of the state government's literacy campaign and began teaching words to the illiterate people in her neighbourhood from the confines of her wheelchair at home. Soon, word of her unique teaching style and her dedication to the work drew hundreds of people to her home from across the district. She worked as an instructor with the Sampoorna Saksharatha Mission of the state government. In 1994, she started the 'Chalanam Charitable Society' which worked to address problems in the rehabilitation of differently-abled persons, promoted health awareness among rural population and stressed on the importance of formal education, especially among women. Under 'Chalanam', there were multiple schools for differently-abled children, a small-scale manufacturing unit for women, a library exclusively for women, a youth club and various programmes aimed at tackling social evils like dowry, superstition and alcoholism. For her efforts in advancing literacy among the adult population, Rabiya received the national youth award from then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1994. In 2022, she was bestowed with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour. Other honours included the Youth Volunteer against Poverty, instituted by the Union government and the UNDP, Nehru Yuva Kendra award, Joseph Mundassery award for social work and the Kerala state literacy samiti award. Rabiya also played a key role in the 'Akshaya' programme of the Kerala government, aimed at bridging the digital divide and bringing government services at doorstep through digitialisation, in her native Malappuram district. In the course of her professional achievements, however, Rabiya's personal health took a toll in the form of cancer in the year 2000. But she fought the disease with chemotherapy in Thrissur and advised other cancer patients to take the path of modern science. Two years later, she successfully completed her Hajj pilgrimage. In 2004, Rabiya slipped on the floor of the bathroom, injuring her spine severely and limiting her movements to a great extent. But even as she lay on the bed, the social activist began scribbling her thoughts on a notepad, which came out in the public domain in the form of four books in subsequent years. One of them was an autobiography 'Swapnangalku Chirakukalundu' (Dreams have wings) in 2009, which received critical acclaim. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan consoled her demise and said Rabiya taught everyone that no limit should restrict anyone from accessing knowledge. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said: 'Rabiya's life was dedicated to her fellow human beings even as she struggled with illness and the circumstances of her life. Her fortitude in leading the literacy movement despite her illness was commendable.'
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
K V Rabiya, who fought the odds to become an icon of Kerala's literacy mission, dies at 59
K V Rabiya, known for her prominent role in Kerala's adult literacy programme, died at her home in Malappuram on Sunday. She was 59. A native of Vellikakkad in Malappuram district, Rabiya fought against heavy odds and personal tragedies, right from childhood, to work relentlessly for the betterment of the differently abled and inspired thousands of women to enter the world of letters. In 2022, she was honoured with the Padma Shri for social work. While still a school student, Rabiya contracted polio at the age of 12, which would eventually leave her paraplegic. Despite this, she completed her schooling and joined a college. However, she could not complete the degree course. Rabiya then turned to books, reading everything from science to literature. Wheelchair-bound by then, Rabiya also started taking tuition classes for local children at a nominal fee. It was by chance that Rabiya became a part of Kerala's literacy movement, which began in the late 1980s. A college degree was a must for a literacy instructor. However, an instructor, who could not continue with the programme, sought Rabiya's help. This marked the birth of a social worker and the beginning of her legacy. She started teaching literacy classes in June 1990, and local elderly women and housewives were her students. She worked to convince women from orthodox families about the importance of education, and told them inspiring stories of world leaders and social reformers to get them interested in her classes. When her number of students started swelling, Rabiya became a full-time literacy instructor. Later, she also established a library for women and became instrumental in the development of her locality, which did not have basic facilities such as roads and electricity, telephone, and water connections. She eventually launched a voluntary organisation named Chalanam (movement), which also spearheaded literary programmes. Her intervention was not limited to literacy alone. She started six schools for children with special needs and trained and empowered more than 250 women through a small-scale manufacturing unit. She was also at the forefront of the movement to create awareness against dowry and superstition. In later years, she was also actively involved in the e-literacy programme, Akshaya, in Malappuram. In 2000, Rabiya was diagnosed with cancer, which she later overcame, after which she returned to social work. In her autobiography, Swapnangalkku Chirakukalundu (Dreams Have Wings), Rabiya told the story of her inspiring life and how she chased her dreams. She also authored four other books, including the memoir, Mouna Nombarangal (Silent Pains). A documentary was also made on her life, titled Rabiya Moves. She received several honours, including the Kannagi Devi Stree Shakti Puraskar, instituted by the Child Welfare Department of the Union government, in 2000. She also won the Youth Volunteer against Poverty award, jointly instituted by the Union Youth Affairs Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme.
