Kasmin Fernandes

The year 2021 has begun in the thick of things – the COVID-19 pandemic continues as vaccination programmes roll out, the climate crisis continues while the waste crisis looms over cities like Bengaluru. But this is also a year of hope. People are listening a lot more to science; the vaccines have developed because...

Female representation in science is minute. Today would be as good a day as any to discuss this, but it also happens to be the 6th International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The UN headquarters will hold a virtual Assembly for this reason. The theme is Beyond the Borders: Equality in Science...

As companies adjust to a “new normal,” the role of technology could not be bigger. If the COVID-19 crisis has taught us anything, it is that you need to be ready for any sudden disruption in the market. Large corporations which were slow on the uptake of new tech in the past had to...

Who hasn't grown up in India without munching on Britannia biscuits? If not Good Day, then Milk Bikis. If not the sweet-and-salty 50-50, then the chocolate-sandwich Bourbon. Grown ups munched on Marie Gold with their evening tea while the health conscious adults picked Nutri Choice. Then there is the whole range of breads, cakes,...

Jeff Bezos dropped a bombshell yesterday when he stepped down from his long-held position as CEO of Amazon. He’s at the top of his game right now, having become the world’s richest man for the third year in a row. His personal wealth is estimated at a mind boggling $188 billion. He’s on the...

We have entered a new decade, which the United Nations has dubbed the Ocean Decade. Short for UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030 started out with UNESCO's online global event called ‘A Brave New Ocean’. What is the Ocean Decade? Although the marine realm is the largest component of the Earth’s system, much...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the first paperless budget at noon today. The Union Budget 2021 speech was her shortest, clocking under two hours. Healthcare and Swachh Bharat, big infra projects and public transport, the COVID-19 vaccine and Atmanirbhar Bharat dominated the announcements. The farmers, the poor and the middle class were largely ignored. Was...

Corporate ethics are front and centre after the year 2020. Last year brought us the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death, the shocking Capitol Riots, and anti-CAA and farmers protests on a massive scale in India. These happenings have forced brands to reconsider their purpose. In fact,...

The personal liberty of the very human rights defenders who protect the rights of others is in danger. Despite 72 years as a democracy, the increasing number of violations of the basic rights of activists and peaceful protestors is embarrassing for India on the global political stage. This was more so in October 2020, when...

The Republic Day tractor rally protesting new anti-farmer laws rolled in to Red Fort and made history. Farmers are protesting new legislation that could leave them at the mercy of corporate sharks, and citizens are standing by them. After protesting Aarey deforestation and Citizenship Amendment Act vociferously last year, citizen groups are rallying together...

National Tourism Day couldn't have been more sombre. The hotel and airlines industries in India – as with the rest of the world – suffered from the lockdowns and travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Hotel occupancy was at an all-time low. Consultancy firm ANAROCK puts the estimate of losses at Rs. 90,000 crore. So,...

As we observe National Day of the Girl Child 2021 on January 24, The CSR Journal takes a look back on some of the most successful corporate social responsibility programmes for girls. Sakhiyon Ki Baadi - IIFL ‘Sakhiyon Ki Baadi’ is one of India’s largest girl child literacy programmes active in Rajasthan. IIFL Foundation, the CSR...