Windows into Wonder: Learning from ECCE Champions in Bangalore
It was early morning in Bengaluru. As the city slowly stirred awake, three of us from Dharmalife—Panchalee, Jharna, and Sreeram—set out on an exposure visit that promised a deep dive […]
A Morning of Discovery: How Nanna Sakhi (My Friend) Transformed Manjula’s Classroom
It was a Monday morning, and Manjula, an Anganwadi teacher at Thindlu Anganwadi 1, felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. The past weekend had been extremely busy, leaving […]
Exploring the Parental Brain: A Conversation with Dr. Jodi Pawluski
On March 11, 2025, the Bachpan Manao team had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Jodi Pawluski, a distinguished neuroscientist and therapist. For those of us deeply engaged in understanding the […]
Thriving Caregivers Enable Thriving Childhoods – Rethinking Caregiver Well-being
Over the past few months, we’ve been in quiet, ongoing conversation with caregivers across the country—mothers navigating urban work-life collisions, grandmothers raising grandchildren in rural pockets, fathers adjusting to new […]
The Misunderstood Toddler Years: From Taming to Honing
The most common phrases I hear from parents is, “my child is going through the terrible twos!” “I am exhausted arguing!” “He (She) seems to have a mind of his […]
Someone Always Notices: Slate Scribbles
At the edge of Bengaluru’s expanding IT corridor—past glass-fronted towers and service lanes—are the settlements that rarely show up on maps. Many of the families here are migrant workers. They’ve […]
Educating Rescued Children – Critical Analysis & Emerging Narratives
The report ‘Educating Rescued Children – Critical Analysis & Emerging Narratives’ by illume research is the culmination of research focused on analysing the educational opportunities offered by Salaam Baalak Trust […]
Beyond Maternity Leave: What It Takes to Make Care Work, Work
In a small tailoring unit on the outskirts of Jaipur, Meena stitches blouses long after sunset, trying to earn enough to keep her children in school. There is no maternity […]
Holding Childhood Together: Care Networks at the Margins
In a small hamlet nestled in the rugged hills of Chhattisgarh, a circle of women gathers beneath a solitary banyan tree each dusk. Their children chase one another over dusty […]
Beyond the Blackboard: What India’s Tuition Spaces for Young Children Are Quietly Holding Together
Over the past few weeks, we spoke with fifteen tuition teachers/centres across three Indian cities—Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar—curious about what actually happens in these spaces for children aged 3 to […]
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