Latest news with #Akka
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Indian woman compares domestic workers in Delhi and Chennai, triggers backlash: 'Too much to expect respect?'
An Indian woman has divided social media after she compared the "work ethic and mindset" of domestic workers in the national capital as compared to those working in Chennai, after she lived in the southern city for four years and then moved to Delhi. She claimed that her observations led her to the conclusion that the difference was in the "mindset and ambition" of domestic workers.(Representational) A former news professional took to LinkedIn to share her observations on the "stark difference" she experienced in domestic workers in North and South India. "In Chennai, whether it was professionals or household help, I saw sincerity. My maid started her day at 6.30 AM, worked in 5–6 houses till 1 PM, and then joined an MNC from 2 PM to 9 PM for cleaning. On weekends, she'd take up extra work — tailoring, garland-making-to earn more and give her children a better life," she wrote. She also praised the domestic worker for her honesty after she asked her employer to deduct her salary if she did not show up to work for a period beyond her fixed leave. "No drama — just accountability. Once, when I wasted some food unintentionally, she gently said, 'Akka, if you can't finish something, give it to us. Don't throw it away.' That respect for food and values stayed with me," she added. However, when she moved to Delhi, the situation was quite different. She claimed that within a year, she employed six maids, and all of them constantly took leave without informing herfirst. "When questioned, I got excuses — 'someone died,' 'I fainted,' 'a relative is in hospital.' It became routine. Forget saying 'cut salary' — here, even suggesting it offends them. Boundaries turn you into the villain. Even accepting leftover food was an issue, often rejected with ego. That's when I started wondering: What's really different?," she wrote. She claimed that her observations led her to the conclusion that the difference was in the "mindset and ambition". "In the South, many domestic workers — even without education — speak broken but confident English, value time, and dream of a better future. In contrast, in the North, some seem unwilling to rise above the 'garibi rekha.' With free rations like ₹1 rice and dal, survival is covered, but dreams are sidelined. Education is often a means to midday meals, not growth," she said. The woman claimed that government aid has replaced ambition, hampered growth. "This is not about North vs. South. It's about how values, systems, and the environment shape people. Where work is respected, people thrive. Where support replaces ambition, growth stops," she concluded. However, her post failed to resonate with many users, who labelled it "shortsighted" and "privileged". "Framing the 'good' domestic worker as someone who agrees to salary cuts for extra leave or gratefully accepts leftover food just trivialises the profession altogether. Why is it too much to expect self-respect across all professions?" remarked one user. Another added, "Domestic work is still work - it deserves dignity, fair boundaries, and wages that aren't subject to casual penalties. Comparing two regions by reducing their workers to who is more 'compliant' is problematic," added another. "Maids rejecting the leftover food is an assertion of their self-respect. You should appreciate it rather than expecting them to be submissive," wrote a third user.
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kids' dream stepped up by Padikattugal
MADURAI: 'Akka, when is my birthday?' The question came from a child at Joe Andrea Illam in Kadachanenthal — innocent, disarming, and unforgettable. N Kayal Vizhi, then a college student celebrating her birthday at the orphanage, didn't know how to respond. Later, she learnt that for many children in such homes, the day they arrive becomes their de facto birthday. 'That question just stuck with me,' Kayal recalls. 'It opened my eyes to a reality I hadn't fully understood until then.' It was 2008, and Kayal was still an undergraduate student. That moment, while not a grand turning point, planted a quiet thought that stayed with her — one that eventually led to Padikattugal, a humble initiative that took shape a few years later, with the goal of supporting children and communities in need. Since 2012, Padikattugal has helped more than 500 children, including Sri Lankan refugees, from across Tamil Nadu by providing financial assistance, education support, and emotional care. The initiative wasn't born overnight. It emerged from the friendships, weekend visits, and shared values of a group of young people who simply wanted to do more. 'Back then, we were just a group of students who liked to volunteer,' says Kayal (33). 'During my college days, I worked as a scribe for visually challenged students. That's how I met SP Subramanian Kishore, B Shanmugarajan, VKS Santhosh, Silambarasan Elango and others. Unlike most of our peers, we spent our Saturdays visiting orphanages in Madurai.' With the little money they had, they would buy stationery, sweets, or other small gifts. Eventually, they began celebrating birthdays of children at the homes — a simple gesture that created joy for everyone involved. As more friends and relatives began participating, the idea slowly took on a more structured form.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Air India tragedy: Friends & families of crew members of flight AI-171 Ahmedabad-London mourn their lost ones
As the nation grapples with the tragic AI-171 plane crash where 241 people on board lost their lives, the friends and families of the travellers grieve losing their loved ones. Clive was a kind, humble soul. He fondly called me Akka (elder sister). He was a beloved part of our UBM Christa Kanthi Church in Kurla (Mumbai). Despite his demanding schedule, Clive never missed a chance to greet and connect with each person in the congregation — from the eldest to the youngest — always with a warm smile and genuine interest in their lives. He was so much more than the uniform he wore with pride — flying was truly his passion. His presence lit up every room, and his loss has left a deep void. His family, loved ones, and all of us who knew him are heartbroken. I knew Roshni Rajendra Songhare from an IndiGo flight," shares Shruti Craig, adding, "She was full of life, always greeting people with a smile and spreading positivity. Our job creates a strong, unspoken bond. Her last story was from Ahmedabad, about dinner the night before the incident, and her final post was a joyful hotel room selfie. It's haunting how unpredictable life is. Ek saath pura parivar khatam ho jana, bahut mushkil samay hai hamare liye... Puri zindagi bas 10-12 bags mein samet kar woh London ke liye nikle the. Jate hue unhone selfi le kar bhi bheji. 1:32pm par unhone bataya ki wo run way par hai aur uske baad TV par dekha aur phone aaye ki kya hua hai. Humein bas itna hai ki phone, body ya unka kuch toh mil jaye waapas. Hum sab toote huye hain. Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 40, who was seated in 11A is the only one who's survived. The British National was visiting family in India and was heading back to the UK with his brother, who was seated in a different row. Revealing that he jumped from the plane miraculously at the last moment, he told us: 'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital. My brother was travelling with me and I can't find him anymore.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Viswash at the hospital on Friday. Bhoomi Chauhan was supposed to board the Air India flight to London, but she missed it by 10 minutes due to traffic. 'I am shivering. I am not able to talk. My Ganpati Bappa saved me,' she told Republic TV. Bhoomi lives in London and was going back to her husband after vacationing in India.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Radhika Apte expresses challenges for new mothers in film industry: 'I don't know how I am going to navigate it'
Radhika Apte , who announced her pregnancy last year at the BAFTA Awards, now opened up about the difficulties new mothers face in the demanding film industry. Her British film, Karan Kandhari's black comedy Sister Midnight, which premiered at Cannes last May, is now releasing in India, and Apte's daughter is six months old. Short maternity leave and Industry realities Radhika had a remarkably short "maternity leave," returning to work just a week after her daughter's birth. Last December, she even shared a picture of herself attending a virtual work meeting while breastfeeding, highlighting her immediate return to professional life. While virtually speaking to SCREEN from London, Apte candidly addressed whether the film industry is supportive of new mothers. "I don't think they are. I don't know how I'm going to navigate that going ahead," she confessed. Her statement comes amid a broader discussion within the industry, with reports suggesting actors like Deepika Padukone potentially walking out of films over concerns like requesting eight-hour shifts post-pregnancy. While actor-producer Ajay Devgn recently defended the industry, claiming shorter shifts are now common for everyone, Apte emphasized the unique challenges for new mothers. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Най-продаваните ежедневни обувки това лято – виж защо! ZAROTRAVEL® КУПИ СЕГА Undo "It's really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally, and the time for which we don't get to see the child. So I guess I'll just have to figure it out now," she explained. This challenge is compounded by Apte's long-standing practice of dividing her time between India and London. A shifting focus from acting to screenwriting Even before embracing motherhood, Radhika found herself dissatisfied with the acting roles coming her way, which led her to explore screenwriting. She previously directed the short film The Sleepwalkers, starring Gulshan Devaiah and Shahana Goswami, available on MUBI. "I'm tired of acting because you don't necessarily get the kind of work you want. I'm tired of doing the same thing or doing things just for the sake of it," she admitted, explaining her decision to be more selective. Apte revealed that writing began out of this frustration, allowing her to explore subjects that weren't offered to her as an actor. She unexpectedly found joy in the process, inspiring her to delve deeper into it. On the acting front, Radhika will next be seen in Dharmaraj Shetty's revenge thriller show Akka on Netflix India and Justin Lin's American film Last Days, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year. Embracing character transformation beyond stereotypes Discussing her role as Uma in Sister Midnight, Apte highlighted her fascination with the character, a "small-town misfit who became an accidental outlaw." Uma enters an arranged marriage and undergoes a bizarre, supernatural transformation. When asked if it was fun to break out of the "demure homemaker mould" often seen in roles like her character in Pad Man, Apte clarified her artistic approach. "There's nothing wrong with playing a demure homemaker. It was never my intention to play a badass. It's about the character, the arc, and the story you're trying to tell," she stated. She emphasized the relatability of Uma's journey: "The emotional transformation is the acceptance of who she is. She discovers herself after becoming an outlaw. That self-discovery is very relatable. It's not about womanhood. It's applicable to any individual who finds discomfort in adjusting to a structure or a society.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
News18
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Keerthy Suresh Shines The Brightest ‘In A Sky Full of Stars' — Proof Attached
Last Updated: Keerthy Suresh is set to appear in Hindi film Akka, produced by Yash Raj Films. Keerthy Suresh is quite literally under a sky full of stars. The actress recently shared a stunning picture of herself that has sent fans into a frenzy. She is in the Maldives and making the most of her time by soaking in the relaxing beach vibes of the island nation. In the new photo, Keerthy is seen sitting on a sandy beach. What adds to the charm of the picture is the beautiful night backdrop. The sky behind her is lit up with twinkling stars which makes the scene look magical. The setting feels straight out of a postcard and gives the image a dreamy feel. While her full outfit isn't completely visible, what can be seen definitely stands out. She is wearing a dark blue sleeveless outfit. The actress is also wearing a few bracelets and rings on her hands. Keerthy kept her look natural and fresh with no makeup. Her hair was left open in soft, beachy waves (because, why not?). With her calm pose and radiant smile, she is definitely stealing hearts. She shared the picture with a caption that read, 'In a sky full of stars… Literally. #MaldivesDiaries." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Keerthy Suresh (@keerthysureshofficial) Soon after the photo was posted, fans filled the comment section with praises. One called her a 'Cutie," while another wrote, 'So beautiful." Other comments included, 'Star," 'You are a natural beauty" and 'Amazing," which showed just how much people admired Keerthy's latest look. While Keerthy has worked extensively in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, she has also stepped into Hindi cinema. She was seen in Baby John alongside Varun Dhawan and Wamiqa Gabbi. Now, she is set to appear in her next Hindi film Akka, produced by Yash Raj Films. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Keerthy talked about the exciting yet demanding experience of working in different languages. She gave fans a glimpse of what lies ahead in her career. Keerthy admitted that balancing films in multiple languages can be challenging but said she enjoys it. 'I have to balance between Hindi and all my other language films as they are all equally important to me. I might be signing another Hindi film this year," she added. She mentioned that besides Hindi films, she has also been involved in multiple projects in other languages. The actress shared that she might take on two more Telugu films and one Malayalam film soon. On top of that, she already has one Telugu film and one Tamil film scheduled to release this year. First Published:
