Panel
Covid Cured: Recording the Recovery
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Anshu Gupta, and Theja Ram about how they coped with COVID-19 and what they learnt about the disease, the health care system, and society in the pandemic. As of September 5, approximately 27 million people were confirmed to have been infected […]
Panel
Rohini’s address at “Building India’s Digital Highways: The Potential of Open Digital Ecosystems
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s talk on Open Digital Ecosystems. Globally, as well as in India, we are seeing more people realising that we need to create enabling infrastructure if we really want to address some of society’s most critical and complex problems. We need to reduce the friction to collaborate between […]
Panel
Grey Matters – Conversations with Women Leaders Defying Ageism in the Pandemic
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with Arundhati Nag, Geetha Narayanan, Nirupama Menon Rao, and Rekha Menon on defying agism in the pandemic. In this session on BIC Streams: Grey Matters, these iconic Bengaluru women, now in their 60’s or more address issues of ageism, sexism, and the uncharted future. As leaders […]
Keynote
Rohini Nilekani’s Opening Comments at eSpire 2020
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s opening address at eSpire 2020, a virtual conference organised by EduMentum on August 7th and 8th. The conference marked the successful completion of their incubation program for 23 organisations across 15 states since 2017. In the past few months, they have witnessed the strength and commitment of […]
Article
Kabini:A Heritage to Conserve
The Japanese have long propagated the joys of Shinrin-Yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, as a meditative practice, especially for urbanites. I was very lucky to spend a few days in the Kabini forest, just before the parks closed. Though partially work-related, it was my most healing experience since the pandemic emerged. The forest was lush green, […]
Keynote
Rohini Nilekani reads aloud Annual Haircut Day – ONCE AGAIN!
Watch Rohini Nilekani read aloud from her new storybook starring Sringeri Srinivas – Annual Haircut Day – ONCE AGAIN! illustrated by Angeline and Upesh Pradhan and guest edited by Mala Kumar. Read the sixth book in the Sringeri Srinivas series on Pratham Books StoryWeaver here!
Article
Digitisation Makes Welfare Schemes Possible. It can be Discontinued When Pandemic Ends
We are in a marathon when it comes to this pandemic. People will need support for longer than anticipated. During a crisis, the emphasis needs to be on including those who really deserve the help rather than making sure the wrong people are kept out.Written by Rohini Nilekani, Gaurav Gupta and Roopa Kudva In a […]
Article
Democracy’s Handmaiden: Humour. In today’s India, we need more of a funny bone in our public life
In these dark times, there is no harm in easing up with some sharp humour. Like the coronavirus, humour is infectious, but can spread much needed joy. The world over, social media is lighting up with witty memes around the pandemic. Bumbling politicians have been prime targets, and especially President Donald Trump. “Calm down, everyone,” […]
Interview
Samaaj, Sarkaar and Bazaar: The New Normal in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with ET Now, about the Coronavirus pandemic and the changes it has brought in her work and in society at large. The pandemic has brought many changes in our lives, some for better and others for worse. The negative repercussions are being felt by people of […]
Article
Lockdown: Online Classes – Let’s Plan, not Ban
In its wisdom, the state has recently banned all online teaching for classes 1-5. The state comes with honourable intentions. The arguments being made are on the grounds of equity, public health and learning. The equity argument is that online learning necessitates reliable access to digital devices, which not all children have. The health argument […]