Mark Tully and the Making of India’s Election Reporting for Rural India and the World
Mark Tully came to be known in India not simply as a foreign correspondent who stayed on, but as a reporter who learned to listen before he spoke. His contribution to Indian journalism lay less in breaking news than in explaining India to itself, especially to those who were rarely the centre of political attention. Now that he is gone, it is worth recalling how deeply he shaped the way elections and democracy were understood beyond cities and television studios.
ನೀವು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಕೊಡಿಸೋ ಟಾಯ್ಸ್ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಸೇಫಾ?|Pushpa Girimaji |Are the kids toys truly safe?
Toys bring joy, curiosity, and creativity into a child’s world. But are all toys truly safe? Many of us assume so simply because they are marketed for children. In reality, the toy industry is flooded with uncertified, unsafe products—especially in India’s unregulated retail spaces.
Are the toys you buy for your kids truly safe? 🧸 Many cheap, uncertified toys can be dangerous—even fatal. In this episode, Veteran Journali
Veteran consumer journalist Pushpa Girimaji, with 47 years of experience in consumer rights advocacy, raises a crucial red flag: not all toys are safe, and parents need to be more vigilant.
Blind Trust in Toys: A Dangerous Assumption
Every parent wants to see their child happy. When children ask for a toy, we often hand it over without a second thought. But what kind of materials are being used? Is the toy age-appropriate? Is it certified? Most importantly—is it safe?
Many toys, especially those sold in local fairs or roadside stalls, are sold without proper certification. They come without bills, receipts, or warranties. The assumption is that because they’re cheap and fun, they must be harmless. But that’s a false sense of security.
The ISI Mark: More Than Just a Symbol
India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed seven safety standards specifically for toys—covering different materials like plastics, fabric, paints, and design elements. A toy with an ISI mark indicates that it complies with these mandatory safety protocols.
Consumers can verify the ISI mark using the BIS app by entering the license number printed on the packaging. This step ensures the product is genuinely certified and not a counterfeit.
But in practice, how many parents actually do this?
The Tragedy Behind Tiny Toys
In rural areas, especially among low-income communities, manufacturers often target families with snack packets priced at just ₹5 that include a tiny plastic toy inside. The toy may be poorly made, toxic, and small enough to cause choking hazards.
There have been several tragic incidents where children unknowingly swallowed these toys—some cases even resulted in death.
These products are neither regulated nor labeled appropriately. Most don’t mention any age restrictions or safety warnings. Despite FSSAI guidelines urging clear labeling and safe separation of toys and food items, enforcement remains poor.
Small Parts, Big Problems
Many toys have detachable parts—buttons, batteries, or miniature accessories—that toddlers can easily swallow or insert into their ears or noses. Button batteries, especially, are highly dangerous and can cause serious internal burns if ingested.
There are also concerns regarding toxic paints and unsafe plastics. Manufacturers, driven by profit, often cut corners and use substandard materials without regard for health impacts.
This is where BIS safety standards step in—regulating everything from chemical compositions to the mechanical structure of toys.
What Can Parents Do?
1. Check the ISI mark – This should be your first filter while buying toys.
2. Use the BIS app – Validate the license number printed on the packaging.
3. Avoid unlabelled or age-inappropriate toys – Even if they seem harmless, avoid toys without age group indications.
4. Avoid buying from unverified sources – If there's no bill or receipt, you lose all consumer rights if something goes wrong.
5. Educate others – Spread awareness among fellow parents, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.
The Legal Backbone: Consumer Rights
What if the toy is defective or causes harm?
Consumers have the right to report issues through the BIS app. If it is a case of manufacturing defect, BIS can trigger a product recall and ensure that replacements or refunds are issued. But without a purchase receipt, legal action becomes difficult.
This applies not just to toys, but to all consumer products—from electronics to vehicles. Major car manufacturers often recall batches if a component is defective. The same principle applies to all goods.
Personal Incidents That Reflect A Bigger Problem
Pushpa Girimaji shared how a scooter she once bought had misaligned rearview mirrors from day one. Despite multiple service attempts, the issue persisted—until it was recognized as a manufacturing defect. But she, like many consumers, didn’t know she could take the issue to consumer court.
Similarly, a mobile phone she purchased shut down suddenly, wiping all her stored data. Though it was outside the warranty period, it still qualified for redress if it was due to faulty design or manufacture.
These cases are common but rarely pursued—because consumers don’t know their rights.
The Importance of Meaningful Compensation
Most companies, when caught, offer token compensations—₹5,000, ₹10,000, maybe ₹20,000. But these amounts are insignificant compared to the emotional damage caused or the profit these companies make.
In the landmark Supreme Court case Lucknow Development Authority vs M.K. Gupta, the court ruled that compensation should be enough to:
Satisfy the affected consumer
Act as a deterrent for the manufacturer
The goal of compensation is not just to repay money—it is to acknowledge suffering, prevent recurrence, and encourage accountability.
Final Thoughts
Toy safety isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental right for children and a critical responsibility for parents. Awareness is the first step toward safety. Every rupee you spend on a toy should be an informed decision.
Remember:
Just because it looks fun doesn’t mean it’s safe
Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s harmless
Just because it’s for children doesn’t mean it’s child-safe
Let’s create a culture of conscious parenting and informed consumerism—for the sake of our children and generations to come.
ಚಿನ್ನ ತಗೊಬೇಕಾದ್ರೆ ಮೋಸ ಹೋಗಬಾರದು ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಹೀಗೆ ಮಾಡಿ!|Pushpa Girimaji | Gaurish Akki Studio
When it comes to buying gold, appearances can be deceptive—and the consequences costly. In a compelling conversation with consumer rights advocate Pushpa Girimaji, a shocking truth emerged: many gold buyers in India are still being cheated, even today.
Girimaji recounts a survey she oversaw as part of her role in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), where 88% of gold samples from 15 jewelers across 8 states turned out to be impure—some as low as 8K instead of the promised 22K or 24K. This led to a landmark press conference and eventually spurred mandatory hallmarking across the country.
What Is Hallmarking?
The BIS Hallmark is a government certification that ensures the purity of gold. Certified Assaying and Hallmarking Centres test jewelry and stamp each piece with a Hallmark ID (HID) and purity grade.
Why It Took So Long
Although voluntary hallmarking began in 2000, few jewelers participated until customer demand increased. It wasn’t until 2021 that hallmarking became mandatory across India. This delay was due to infrastructure gaps—testing labs, assaying centers, and a lack of BIS-registered jewelers.
What Every Buyer Must Know
Always check for a BIS Hallmark—even on the smallest jewelry items.
Verify the Hallmark ID (HID) using the official BIS mobile app.
Demand an itemized receipt with karat details and GST. The receipt is essential for any future disputes or returns.
Report issues using the app if your gold fails the purity test.
This episode is a reminder: being an informed consumer isn’t just a right—it’s a responsibility. Hallmarking empowers us to demand quality and accountability in a market where fraud once thrived.
Stay tuned for part two, where we explore Right to Repair, consumer appliance safety, and how our choices impact the environment.
ಒಬ್ಬ ಗ್ರಾಹಕನಿಗೆ ಮೋಸ ಆದ್ರೆ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಸಿಗುತ್ತಾ?|Pushpa Girimaji | Gaurish Akki Studio
Consumer rights are essential, but are they truly accessible to all? In India, the Consumer Protection Act was introduced in 1986 and amended in 2019 to empower citizens against faulty products, poor services, and unfair trade practices. Yet many people hesitate to seek justice, fearing legal delays, expenses, and lack of awareness.
Veteran journalist Pushpa Girimaji, a pioneer in consumer advocacy, sheds light on these critical issues in a candid conversation.
What You Need to Know:
Basic Rights: Safety, Information, Choice, Protection from unfair practices, Education, and Redressal.
You’re Eligible only if you’ve paid for a product or service. Free services (like free health camps or government rations) often fall outside the law’s protection.
Where to File a Complaint:
District, State, or National Consumer Commissions
Now, you can file from your place of residence
Use e-filing and attend hearings via video conferencing
Common Hurdles:
Legal delays and adjournments
Intimidation by legal procedures
Lack of awareness, especially among rural and poor communities
Encouraging Reforms:
National Consumer Helpline for faster resolutions
Push for simplified processes, especially for small claims
Advocating for no-lawyer, no-adjournment hearings under ₹2 lakh
Why It Matters:
Real stories—like eye damage from free medical camps or mass poisoning from adulterated mustard oil—show the gaps in our system. With awareness and reform, every consumer can demand accountability.
Justice delayed is justice denied. But with awareness, tech-enabled solutions, and simplified laws, we can make justice accessible, timely, and empowering.
ಅಪ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್ ಆಗಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ಆಸೆಯಿತ್ತು..! ನಾನು ಜರ್ನಲಿಸ್ಟ್ ಆದೆ |Pushpa Girimaji | Gaurish Akki Studio
When we think of journalism, politics and crime often come to mind. But Pushpa Girimaj, a senior journalist with over 47 years of experience, chose a different path—consumer rights.
At a time when others chased headlines, she wrote about contaminated water that led to 19 deaths in Bengaluru, school bus safety issues, telecom failures, and even life-threatening hospital negligence. Her investigations sparked real reforms—from separating sewage lines to tightening regulations in schools and hospitals.
Pushpa’s journey wasn't glamorous, but it was impactful. Her stories helped save lives, inform the public, and hold powerful systems accountable. She reminds us that journalism isn’t just about news—it’s about public service.
Even today, most of us don’t know our rights as consumers. Laws exist, but few are enforced. Pushpa's message is clear: Awareness is our first line of defense. Whether it’s food, water, healthcare, or banking—we all deserve safety, transparency, and respect.
You don’t have to be a reporter to make a change. Know your rights. Ask questions. Demand better.
In a world flooded with information, choosing the right news source is crucial. As we move through 2025, the Indian media scene is more dynamic than ever—shaped by technology, competition, and growing public demand for reliable journalism. Our expert guide lists the top news channels in India based on credibility, audience trust, national reach, and digital influence. From long-standing giants to fast-rising digital leaders, this blog breaks down who’s really leading the conversation in India. Whether you're watching for politics, economy, entertainment, or international affairs, this list helps you stay informed through the most reputable and relevant sources available today.
Click here to read more : https://www.businessapac.com/top-news-channels-in-india/
