Kaustav Manna

Kaustav Manna

Kaustav Manna, a graduate in psychology, is a photography enthusiast and freelance writer.

  • This main photograph provides a daytime close-up shot of a zebra crossing on a Kolkata street. On the far end the zebra crossing ends at a pavement which has no cut and slope provided for wheelchair users or easier climbing for people with physical disabilities. In the picture, to the right, a man uses the zebra crossing – he is faced away from the camera. To the left, there are three individuals standing on the pavement next to a lamp post. The pavement surface itself seems quite even, but it does not seem to be tactile in nature which would have helped people with visual disabilities. Superimposed on the photograph, to the left, is a quote from Prof. Mainak Ghosh that says: “Raise a voice about universal design! Sit down one fine evening with a cup of coffee and make a check list – am I facing any physical, cognitive or organizational difficulty at home, office or elsewhere? And if it’s not very personal, talk about it, write a blog, discuss it with your friends, family and colleagues . . .” Photo credit: Kaustav Manna
    Insight Oct '17

    Universal design: Your life depends on it (part 2)

    By Pawan Dhall, Kaustav Manna

    Concluding part of Pawan Dhall’s chat with Mainak Ghosh, Associate Professor, Architecture, Jadavpur University on how universal design relates not just to products and built spaces, but also to our...

  • The photograph shows Prof. Mainak Ghosh of the architecture department of Jadavpur University speaking during a presentation on universal design at a workshop on gender and disability. The photograph is accompanied by a quote from Prof. Mainak Ghosh: “Universal design is for both abled and disabled people. It’s not for just some special groups or legal compliances. It’s for everyone, everywhere, any time!” The workshop was organized by Sruti Disability Rights Centre in Kolkata in June 2017. Prof. Mainak Ghosh is standing and making a gesture with his hands to emphasize a point. He is quite tall, spectacled, and dressed in violet shirt, black trousers and brown belt. Behind him can be seen curtains, an air-conditioner and parts of a white board and a screen. Photo courtesy: Sruti Disability Rights Centre
    Insight Sep '17

    Universal design: Your life depends on it (part 1)

    By Pawan Dhall, Kaustav Manna

    Could there be anything more universal than ‘universal design’? Pawan Dhall chats with Mainak Ghosh, who is Associate Professor, Architecture with Jadavpur University, and discovers how it relates not just...

  • This first (main) photograph shows the book launch ceremony during the event ‘Books, Films and IDAHOBIT 2017’ organized at the Alliance Francaise du Bengale Park Street centre in Kolkata on May 4, 2017. Dr. Rohit K. Dasgupta, Pawan Dhall and Stephane Amalir (standing from left to right) can be seen holding the two books launched, smiling and facing the cameras in the audience. The books launched were ‘Digital Queer Cultures in India – Politics, Intimacies and Belonging’ and ‘Social Media, Sexuality and Sexual Health Advocacy in Kolkata, India’. The first was authored by Dr. Rohit K. Dasgupta, Lecturer in Media and Creative Industries at Loughborough University, UK. The second was co-authored by Dr. Rohit K. Dasgupta and Pawan Dhall, queer activist and Founding Trustee, Varta Trust. Stephane Amalir is Director, Alliance Francaise du Bengale. In the background is a screen projection of a graphic highlighting the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Photo credit: Arunabha Hazra
    Happenings May '17

    Digital media, queer lives and ‘Indian-ness’

    By Kaustav Manna, Arunabha Hazra

    Two books on the relationship between digital media and queer lives were launched recently in Kolkata. The event was part of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia observations....

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