VIDYA VENKAT-Frontline

More stories by this author

SHARIFA KHANAM, THE founder of STEPS Women's Development Organisation, which has won a number of awards for social work.-M. MOORTHY

An act of faith

The Tamil Nadu Muslim Womens Jamaat is making significant interventions in the lives of oppressed Muslim women.

At home in Chennai, transgenders relaxing at a game of squares.-

From the shadows

Transgender persons are finally getting their due with the Tamil Nadu government announcing a welfare board for them.

TEXT & PICTURES: VIDYA VENKAT

Shamita Das Dasguptas organisation helps an average of 300 victims of domestic violence every year.-SAPTARSHI DAS

Voice of silence

Interview with Shamita Das Dasgupta, co-founder of Manavi.

Jenitas tale

The story of Smalin Jenita, a victim of alleged marital abuse, points to the perils of rushing into NRI marriages.

At the weaving unit of a mill near Pollachi. A file picture-K. ANANTHAN

Caught in a weave

Thousands of teenage girls in Tamil Nadu, lured by textile mills with promises of good money, are exploited for labour and return empty-handed.

K. Selvaraju, secretary-general, Southern India Mills Association.-K. ANANTHAN

A successful scheme

Interview with K. Selvaraju, secretary-general, SIMA.

Marine engineering trainee cadets at Vels Srinivasa College of Engineering and Technology. Students get to work on a real ship at their Thalambur campus.-S.R. RAGHUNATHAN

Centres of excellence

Private institutions, albeit expensive, meet the demands of the growing higher education market and offer professional courses.

Chain reaction

Direct procurement and sale of vegetables by big players has hit business badly in the Koyambedu market in Chennai.