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Kota Neelima
Kota Neelima is an author, political scientist and former journalist, and writes on poverty, gender, electoral reforms and democratic deficit. Dr. Neelima was Senior Research Fellow, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC and is an alumna of Jawaharlal Nehru University and University of Delhi. Her recent initiative, Rate The Debate/Reform TV News, is an extension of her doctoral research on the role of perception in electoral democracies. She also advises on interventions to mainstream peripheries, especially on gender and rural poor. She has authored seven books, ranging from poverty to spirituality. Her recent book, Widows of Vidarbha, Making of Shadows, is a longitudinal study of farmer suicide households. Two of her books have been optioned for a web-series and one has been optioned for a movie.
Sessions
The Tribulations of Trial by Media
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Kota Neelima, Sevanti Ninan and Pushpesh Pant in conversation with Indrani Bagchi
Sensational and often toxic coverage by electronic and print media interferes with due process and judicial enquiry. Accused and victim alike suffer assaults upon their right to privacy and fair trial. In conversation with Indrani Bagchi, reputed journalists and media persons discuss the causes of this criminal responsibility and the ethical and legal framework required to contain this dangerous and despicable trend.
Dystopian Realities: Writing Rural Distress
Namita Waikar and Kota Neelima in conversation with Namita Bhandare
Rural India continues to remain in the periphery of social and media consciousness and agrarian protest and unrest get little media attention even at this moment of present crisis. In conversation with journalist Namita Bhandare, novelists Namita Waikar and Kota Neelima, whose narratives revolve around rural themes, examine the causes and consequences of this indifference and the issues that need to be consistently centre-staged to address this imbalance. A session that seeks to spotlight the crucial gaps in public perception and understanding as well as in the realtime coverage being given to these devastating issues.