The Thakil players of Palakkad are a special group of artists. Thakil/Thavil is a dholak-like (in north India) instrument played in local marriage functions and festival celebrations in temples of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. We recently met three Thakil Players-Murali, Sivan and Mohanan in Palakkad. They make approximately ₹1300 for playing in one event but because they are not able to afford buying a Thakil (costs approx ₹15000), they end up paying ₹300 rent for every performance.

Murali's family of 4 includes his wife and their two children. He works part-time as a construction worker for survival while Sivan's family includes his physically challenged brother, and his elderly mother. He also works as a part-time tiles worker with little to go on. The pandemic closed the possibilities of marriage functions/ temple programmes, bringing this performing art to a standstill. With our Vaapsi (bringing back) initiative of reviving rural livelihood, Goonj reached out and provided thakils worth Rs. 15000 to each of these artists, freeing them from the burden of paying rent. It's also a step towards reviving a unique musical tradition.

India's artists and artisans are in dire straits in the villages of India. What's the solution for them? Should they give up their art and craft and learn a skill to find a job in a city, to serve our needs? Would that be just their loss or our collective loss - of our traditions, culture and heritage? Goonj works on creating a chain of dignity, respect and value from the cities to the villages of India.

Through the experimental and innovative 'Vaapsi' livelihood initiative, we have reached, and continue to reach the disaster hit, far-flung villages. Thus, revitalizing the economy and enabling people to be independent and self-sustaining. By valuing what they know and have, their wisdom, goals and skills; the needs of the area are assessed and dignified opportunities for work are presented to them. This gives them something to value at a time of loss.

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Blue and pink electric autos will roam around the streets of Delhi within two months, along with the green and yellow CNG three-wheelers. Nearly 1,400 of these e-autos, which will be pink in colour, will be reserved for women drivers.

To begin with, the Delhi government has set up an e-auto fair at two locations to attract more people to this greener of transport. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, on Monday, October 25, inaugurated the seven-day electric auto-rickshaw mela at the Institute of Driving, Training, and Research (IDTR) in Sarai Kale Khan. It will be held between 9 am and 4 am each day and will continue till October 31. A similar fair is also being held at IDTR Loni, The Indian Express reported.

"Visiting prospective auto drivers of the national capital will be able to see and drive all available models of e-autos and explore loan terms. E-Auto manufacturers Mahindra, Piaggio, ETO Motors, Saarthi,alternatives and financiers like Bajaj Fincorp, Mahindra Finance, Convergence Energy Services Limited are participating in the fair. Experts at the mela will also guide applicants on how to register these autos. In another two months, these autos will start running on Delhi roads," a statement issued by the Transport Department stated.

Largest Number Of E-Autos In Any Indian City

With this initiative, the national capital intends to induct the largest number of e-autos in any city in the country, Gahlot said, according to Hindustan Times.

"I appeal to not just auto drivers, but all license holders of LMVs (light motor vehicles) in Delhi to visit and learn the benefits of getting an e-auto. They can also take a drive and see the e-autos by themselves," he added.

The campaign, which is in accordance with Delhi's electric vehicle (EV) policy, has a total of 4,261 e-auto permits in the city. At least 1,406 (33%) are reserved for women applicants. The online registration is open till November 1.

Anyone with a valid driving licence for Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) or Three-Seater auto-rickshaws (TSR) can register. The applicant should be a resident of Delhi with an Aadhaar card having a Delhi address. In addition, the applicant will have to obtain a Public Service Vehicle badge within 45 days of the draw of allotment. Applicants can visit transport.delhi.gov.in to apply and can call the 1076 helpline number for any assistance.

Also Read: Yeshwanthpur-Howrah Duronto Express Departs Late To Help Ailing Child With Brain Tumour

The Howrah Duronto special train was delayed for 26 minutes at Yeshwanthpur railway station on Sunday morning, October 24, to tend to the medical needs of a six-year-old girl who had recently recovered from a brain tumour and was on a breathing support machine.

South Western Railway officials said train no. 02246, which generally leaves at 11 am, departed at 11:26 am, The Times of India reported.

The child, Jainab Mondal, had come to Bengaluru in August and was treated at St Philomena's Hospital for more than two-and-a-half months. The patient had respiratory paralysis and had undergone surgery. While recovering, she was on tracheostomy and a BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine.

"The kid was stable with BIPAP machine. She was provided with oxygen cylinders and an oxygen concentrator to avoid any risk," said Dr Rajeev V, head of department, pediatrics, St Philomena's Hospital, Bengaluru.

On Monday, the train reached Howrah at 3:56 pm, ahead of its scheduled arrival time of 4:45 pm.

"The little girl needed an oxygen concentrator for the journey. But due to electricity issues inside the coach, it did not function, so the patient required oxygen cylinder back-up, which was arranged at Bangarpet with the help of railways. Because of this, the train suffered a delay," SWR chief public relations officer Aneesh Hegde said.

Child's Condition Stable

"Jainab is stable now. She did not face any difficulty throughout the journey," the girl's uncle, Humayun Mallik said.

The incident came to the limelight after an eyewitness Kedarnath Reddy tweeted about the incident along with the video.

"Hats off to the team SWR Bangalore division staff, heights of handling a six year-aged kid difficulty in breathing. Detaining the train for more than 20m to provide necessary assistance to ailing kid..Hope the kid is taken care en route," he wrote on his Twitter handle.

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Kerala became India's top state for having the most sustainable transport system in the country. State Transport Minister Antony Raju confirmed the development on Sunday.

The award will be presented in Delhi on October 29 by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri. The state has been recognised for its projects, including the Kochi Metro, Water Metro and e-mobility, providing the best transport facilities to the citizens, The Indian Express reported. 

In addition, the Kochi Open Mobility Network, which digitises and integrates various transport facilities, was also recognised.

"It is as a recognition for our efforts to integrate sustainable modes of transport that the Union government bestowed the award. The Centre has informed us that it was exploring the possibilities of taking Kochi as a model for similar projects all across the country," the media quoted transport minister Antony Raju.

The Centre has also given an in-principle for the second-phase expansion of the Kochi Metro to Kakkanad that is lying pending for years, although the final approval is awaited. 

This might help the city bring international investments in the transport and the automobile sector, primarily based on renewable energy sources. Mayor Anil Kumar said that this enhances the city's chances for top automobile firms to set their feet. 

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd managing director Loknath Behara informed the media about their plan to extend the transport facilities in the city in the next two years, by procuring nearly  8,000 bicycles, more electric and hydrogen buses, using corporate social responsibility funds

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