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This Siddi storyteller reclaims her heritage through folklore

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For many years, Gopi Sanna Siddi has been called “crazy” by the people in her village of Kuntagani in Hulasihonda, Karnataka. She wears a delirious smile, talks to herself, and loves telling stories about friendship between animals, birds, and wronged women finding freedom.

Gopi belongs to the community of Siddis—a distinct ethnic group with African ancestry. 

It’s been 35 years since her husband left her for another woman. But Gopi doesn’t let this bother her. Her will of steel is what helps her fight for what’s hers—whether it is getting her farmland of arecanuts from encroachers or putting up a fight to get her book of stories self-published. 

In fact, Gopi had even pawned her jewellery and borrowed money from the people she worked for to get her book published. 

“Gopi is strong-headed, free-spirited and unfazed. Her no-holds-barred personality has earned her the reputation of being a maverick by those who find her too strong and overbearing. But it is her struggles in life that have made her who she is: a vibrant teller of stories of pain, wisdom and resilience,” says Savita Uday, Founder of BuDa Folklore, an NGO in Angadibail in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, which is dedicated to conserving, educating and promoting the indigenous culture and folklore of the region.

Uday encountered Gopi 10 years ago when she was looking for someone to work at her home.

“She is a treasure trove of stories—of grief, freedom, and ecology. They are stories she had grown up listening to, from her mother and grandmother, and she wanted to narrate them to people she met,” says Uday.

In many ways, her storytelling is an act of reclaiming her voice and place in society, says Nishanth Gurumurthy, a filmmaker from Bengaluru who has made a documentary on Gopi. 

The community Gopi belongs to—the Siddis—have lived in India for centuries, concentrated in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, forming a vital part of the country’s cultural mosaic. The Siddi population in India is estimated at 20,000–50,000, with a significant number residing in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada, Dharwad, and Belagavi districts. 

The Siddis, who trace their roots to East Africa, arrived in India in the 7th century through trade, migration, and forced displacement. They were brought in as slaves, mercenaries, or sailors, and later assimilated into Indian society. Over time, many of them adopted the local languages and customs, while maintaining elements of their African heritage, such as music and dance forms like Dhamal, which echo their ancestral traditions.

Challenges and marginalisation

Reports show that Siddis face poverty, limited access to education, healthcare, and stable employment. They also face an identity crisis, as their African physical features make them susceptible to social discrimination and stereotyping, often resulting in their exclusion from mainstream Indian society. 

As many of them depend on forest resources, the Siddhis also have to deal with forest rights and livelihood issues, and bureaucratic barriers that hinder their access to land and rights under the Forest Rights Act. Despite being granted scheduled tribe status in Karnataka in 2003, the community’s space and voice in policy-making remain negligible. 

In many ways, these challenges have brought out the storyteller in Gopi, says Gurumurthy. 

“Do I belong to the home that I was born into, or the home that I was married into, or to the forests that I have protected all my life? Where is my home?” Gopi asks in the film, giving viewers a glimpse into the segregation and displacement her community has faced historically. 

She talks about how speaking her mind has often earned her the ire of society, adding to the discrimination against her community that is already prevalent. 

Gopi recalls how as a child, when she went into town, people would called her “African” or “Negro”, and she would run back home to her grandmother and ask her why they did that. She would tell Gopi that their ancestors were of African origin and brought as slaves to this land in a ship. 

“She wasn’t sure herself, because she was born here as well. The migration happened a few generations before her,” says Gopi. 

Like many of her community members, Gopi has a photograph of Barack Obama in a folderfile. 

The Siddis draw inspiration and pride from their perceived connection to Barack Obama—a connection that stems from their shared African ancestry and the symbolic resonance with Obama’s rise to power. They see this as a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and the potential to overcome systemic challenges.

A teller of truth and stories

As a single mother and an inheritor of vibrant folklore from her ancestors, Gopi was roped in by BuDa Folklore to conduct storytelling sessions with school students from across Karnataka. 

Through her stories in Konkani and Kannada, she takes her audience on a journey into the sacred relationship the Siddis and other local communities like Hallakis share with their land, forests and sea. 

Gopi, who is a wild honey collector, talks about the ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs that her community members hold. She narrates riveting stories of a snake and a mongoose fighting with each other and a fox that feasts on a farmer’s sugarcane harvest, highlighting human-wildlife conflict. She also touches upon the different kinds of ants in the region, each distinguished by unique appearances and characteristics.

BuDa Folklore takes these stories to the children of local government schools to strengthen their connection to their land, heritage, and generational wisdom. The NGO also works with urban schoolchildren across the country to instill curiosity and wonder in them about dying traditions, folklore and cultural practices.

“Sometimes it is mystifying to see how the city children, despite language barriers, grow so fond of me. When it’s time to go home, they embrace me affectionately and say their goodbyes. I let them go with a heavy heart. The sadness I feel at their leaving is at times unbearable,” says Gopi.

Through her stories in Konkani and Kannada, Gopi takes her audience on a journey into the sacred relationship the Siddis and other local communities like Hallakis share with their land, forests and sea.

Through her stories in Konkani and Kannada, Gopi takes her audience on a journey into the sacred relationship the Siddis and other local communities like Hallakis share with their land, forests and sea. Photo: BuDa Folklore

Gurumurthy’s film Gopi, is an earnest dedication to her resilience and a spotlight on her life and work. Produced by Gurumama Films with BuDa Folklore as the associate partner, the film is being screened at various locations across the country as part of the ongoing All Living Things Environmental Film Festival.  

In 2021, Gopi had 1,000 copies of her book of stories published, of which only a few were sold. In August that year, heavy trains submerged her village and destroyed all her belongings, including her books. Gopi also lost one of her dogs to sickness around that time.

“I am a little disappointed and do regret having lost so much money,” she says. “But I still feel good that I have come this far in life. People have identified me with love and respect. I’m not afraid of pain anymore. I will just dust myself and continue my journey.”





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The future of trading: How QuantMan and InstaOptions are empowering retail traders

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Trading can be both exciting and challenging for many individual investors. The market’s complexities, the pressure of making the right choices, and the constant worry of losing money often scare off new traders. According to recent data from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), a shocking 90% of retail traders lose money in the stock market.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) dominate the market with advanced trading systems, high capital, and cutting-edge technology, including algorithmic trading. FIIs use advanced algorithms to make thousands of trades every second, giving them an edge over regular traders. As a result, retail investors find it hard to compete and often lose money, which leads to frustration and discouragement.

The problem facing retail traders

Retail traders, or individual investors, often enter the market with limited knowledge and resources compared to institutional traders. The majority still rely on manual strategies, gut feelings, or tips from unverified sources, which can be risky and unreliable.

Additionally, trading in high-risk segments such as futures and options without understanding proper strategies can quickly lead to financial losses.

Moreover, without access to advanced data analytics or algorithmic trading tools, retail traders are at a significant disadvantage. Algorithms used by large institutional players analyse vast amounts of data at incredible speed, making decisions within milliseconds.

On the other hand, retail traders may not even have access to the data they need to make informed decisions. This gap is growing, and it’s one of the reasons why so many retail traders struggle to make profits consistently.

Enter QuantMan and InstaOptions, two innovative platforms designed to empower retail traders by giving them the same advanced tools and strategies that institutional investors use, without the need for programming skills or huge investments.

QuantMan: Empowering retail traders

QuantMan is an algorithmic trading platform created with retail traders in mind. With over 124,000 active users, the simple, user-friendly platform allows traders of all levels to develop and test their own trading strategies without writing a single line of code.

QuantMan makes trading accessible to everyone, even if they don’t have a background in programming or algorithmic trading.

Key features

User-friendly interface: You don’t need to be a coding expert to use QuantMan. The platform’s drag-and-drop functionality lets you create and back-test strategies with ease.

Advanced analytics: QuantMan provides access to six years’ worth of historical data for Nifty, Bank Nifty, equity stocks, and more. This data is invaluable for identifying market trends and developing strategies that work.

One-click trading: Once your strategy is developed, you can execute it with a single click. This saves time and ensures your trades are executed without delay.

Customisable strategies: You can create strategies based on technical indicators, expiry dates, opening ranges, and more. Quantman allows you to tailor your approach to your unique trading style.

01. Let’s backtest the strategy from 2020 and almost 7 years data available, will be using instrument as nifty and will be using indicator as pivot point and Relative Strength Index.

  • Pivot point: It helps in determining the Support and resistance.
  • Relative Strength Index (RSI): It measures the strength and speed of a market’s price movement.

02. Entry and Exit conditions

  • Entry condition: when the price is above R1 AND RSI should is above 60.
  • Exit condition: RSI is below 40.

Versatile trading options: Whether you prefer intraday trading, positional trading, or options trading, Quantman supports all types of strategies. You can even explore pair trading with top stocks like ICICI, HDFC, and SBIN to develop advanced strategies.

InstaOptions: The solution to options trading

InstaOptions is specifically designed for options trading. With more than 150,000 users, it aims to provide advanced options trading tools that are usually only available to institutional investors.

This platform is perfect for traders who want to dive into the world of options but lack the expertise or tools to do so successfully.

Options trading made simple

Let’s say you are looking at an options trade on BankNifty. The options market is full of data, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Using InstaOptions, you can analyse the open interest, premium, and volatility for specific strike prices. With this data, you can decide whether a trade is worth pursuing or not. This kind of analytical edge is often what separates successful traders from unsuccessful ones, and InstaOptions provides it in an easy-to-understand format.

Key features

Options data analytics: InstaOptions provides detailed options data analytics, which is crucial for making informed decisions in the fast-paced world of options trading.

Real-time data: Access to real-time data ensures that traders can make decisions based on the most up-to-date information available.

Easy-to-use interface: Just like QuantMan, InstaOptions doesn’t require any coding skills. Its user-friendly interface makes it simple for anyone to start trading options, even without prior experience.

Customisable indicators: InstaOptions lets you create your own strategies using technical indicators, strike prices, premium data, and more.

The future of trading: A mission to empower one million traders

The creators of QuantMan and InstaOptions are on a mission to empower one million traders and investors by 2032. Their goal is to make algorithmic trading and data analytics accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience level.

Through continuous innovation and the development of educational resources, they aim to bridge the gap between institutional and retail traders.

Both QuantMan and InstaOptions are designed to make trading less stressful and more rewarding. By automating the technical aspects of trading, these platforms help reduce the emotional and psychological stress that often accompanies trading.

Instead of spending hours analysing data, traders can let the algorithms do the challenging tasks and focus on making strategic decisions that can enhance their profitability.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a complete beginner, QuantMan and InstaOptions are two platforms that can help you navigate the complex world of trading with ease. By providing advanced tools, real-time data, and educational resources, these platforms offer a level playing field for retail traders.

Get started today and join the growing community of over 270,000 traders who are using QuantMan and InstaOptions to take control of their trading and maximise their profits. With the right tools and strategies, you too can succeed in the world of trading.

Visit www.quantman.in and www.instaoptions.in to learn more and begin your journey today!






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Boost productivity today: Transform tasks into games

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In today’s fast-paced world, staying productive can often feel like an uphill battle. Between endless to-do lists, shifting priorities, and distractions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if there was a way to make productivity fun, engaging, and motivating? Enter task gamification—a powerful method to increase focus, enhance performance, and make even the most mundane tasks feel rewarding.

As we move into 2025, the approach to work and task management is evolving. The traditional methods of productivity, while effective, are being redefined by technology and new motivational strategies. Gamification—the use of game elements in non-game environments—has become a popular and innovative way to turn productivity into an exciting challenge.

Whether you’re a professional trying to stay on top of work or a student balancing multiple assignments, gamifying your tasks could be the game-changer you need. Let’s explore five powerful strategies to gamify tasks in 2025 and boost your productivity.

Making productivity fun and rewarding in 2025


1. Set clear goals and milestones

One of the foundations of any good game is the presence of clear objectives and milestones. Without them, players would lose focus and interest. The same principle applies to task management. In 2025, setting specific, measurable goals is crucial to gamifying your productivity.

  • Break your large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps (like levels in a game).
  • Assign points or rewards to each milestone you hit. For example, completing a section of a project could earn you 10 points.
  • Track your progress visually, much like a game’s progress bar, to stay motivated.

2. Incorporate rewards and badges

In games, players are rewarded for their achievements, whether it’s unlocking a new level, earning points, or getting a badge. These rewards are motivating and help players stay engaged. Similarly, when you gamify your tasks, rewards are key to maintaining momentum.

  • Set up a reward system that aligns with your goals. For example, after completing a set number of tasks or reaching a milestone, treat yourself to something enjoyable (a break, a snack, or an activity you love).
  • Create digital badges or certificates that acknowledge your achievements. Apps like Habitica or Todoist allow users to earn badges for completing tasks, mimicking the excitement of levelling up in a game.
  • Keep track of your progress with a visual reward system, like a digital or physical sticker chart.

3. Use gamification apps and tools

Technology has made it easier than ever to gamify your tasks. Apps and platforms specifically designed for gamification can turn your everyday to-dos into a fun, competitive challenge. These tools incorporate elements like points, levels, challenges, and leaderboards to make task management feel more like a game.

  • Try using apps like Habitica, Forest, or Todoist to gamify your tasks. These tools allow you to set goals, track progress, and earn rewards.
  • Some apps allow you to create teams and compete with friends or colleagues, making your work tasks more social and motivating.
  • You can also use Pomodoro timers, where each session completed is a ‘game-level’ achieved.

4. Create friendly competition

Gamification isn’t just about doing tasks yourself—it’s about creating a competitive and collaborative environment that drives you and others to perform at their best. A little healthy competition can be a great motivator, especially when working in teams.

  • Challenge a coworker or friend to a productivity duel. Set a timer and see who can finish a task faster or who can knock off the most items from a list in a set amount of time.
  • Use leaderboard systems, where you track the progress of tasks among a group. Friendly competition can be a powerful way to encourage everyone to stay on top of their responsibilities.
  • If you’re working on a project, turn it into a race to complete key milestones and celebrate the progress together.

5. Integrate storytelling for immersion

Games are immersive because they often incorporate a storyline that keeps players engaged. Whether you’re completing quests or levelling up, the narrative element makes the task at hand more exciting. You can apply the same principle to your productivity routine.

  • Turn your task list into a “quest” or “adventure.” Create a story around your work where you are the hero conquering challenges. For example, completing a task could be framed as “defeating a dragon” or “unlocking a treasure chest.”
  • Create personal challenges or challenges with your team that are part of an overarching storyline. For example, “This week, our quest is to finish the client presentation by Friday—our reward: a team lunch celebration.”
  • Use creative tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion, where you can assign creative themes to tasks and create your own journey or adventure map.

Conclusion

Incorporating gamification into your tasks in 2025 is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful strategy to improve focus, enhance performance, and boost overall productivity. By creating clear goals, rewarding progress, using gamification tools, introducing friendly competition, and integrating storytelling, you can transform your daily tasks into an engaging experience.

Gamify your tasks today and see how turning productivity into a game can make all the difference in achieving your goals efficiently and with greater enthusiasm.





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Jeff Bezos’ leadership playbook: Lessons for every leader

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Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, revolutionised the way businesses operate and connect with customers. Starting with a small online bookstore, he turned Amazon into a global giant that leads in innovation, customer experience, and operational excellence. The key to his extraordinary success lies in his leadership principles, which emphasise creativity, customer focus, and long-term vision.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, Bezos’ strategies offer invaluable insights to help you lead effectively and inspire your team. Let’s uncover these lessons and see how they can shape your leadership journey.

Lessons from Jeff Bezos’ leadership style

1. Put customers first

For Bezos, customer obsession has always been the cornerstone of Amazon’s success. His philosophy is simple: focus on delivering exceptional value to customers, and everything else will follow.

  • Always prioritise your customers’ needs when developing products or services.
  • Collect regular feedback and use it to improve customer experience.
  • Build loyalty by consistently exceeding customer expectations.

2. Embrace risk and innovation

Bezos believes that failure is an essential part of innovation. Amazon’s successes, such as AWS and Prime, were born out of a culture that encouraged experimentation and was unafraid to fail.

  • Foster an environment where employees feel safe to pitch bold ideas.
  • Treat failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
  • Set aside resources to test new ideas, even if success isn’t guaranteed.

3. Think beyond the short term

One of Bezos’ strengths as a leader is his focus on long-term goals. His decisions often prioritise sustainable growth over immediate profits, a strategy that has allowed Amazon to dominate its markets.

  • Create a long-term vision for your organisation and align your strategies accordingly.
  • Resist the temptation to make decisions based solely on short-term benefits.
  • Stay committed to your mission, even during challenging times.

4. Maintain a ‘Day 1’ attitude

Bezos advocates for a “Day 1” mindset, which emphasises continuous improvement and agility. He believes that companies should always operate with the energy and focus of a startup, no matter their size.

  • Avoid complacency by constantly seeking ways to improve.
  • Challenge outdated practices and stay open to new ideas.
  • Encourage your team to stay curious and proactive.

5. Build a strong team

Bezos has often stressed the importance of hiring top talent and empowering them to excel. He believes that the success of an organisation depends on the quality of its people.

  • Set high standards during the hiring process and look for candidates who share your values.
  • Trust your employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
  • Invest in their growth through training and mentorship.

6. Be resourceful and resilient

Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon consistently tackled challenges with creativity and determination. His approach involved setting ambitious goals and finding innovative ways to achieve them.

  • Approach obstacles as opportunities to develop new skills and solutions.
  • Encourage your team to think creatively when faced with challenges.
  • Demonstrate resilience by leading with confidence and positivity.

7. Communicate with clarity

Bezos places great emphasis on clear and effective communication. His insistence on well-written memos and structured meetings ensures that everyone is aligned and focused on the goals at hand.

  • Replace vague instructions with clear, actionable guidance.
  • Use written communication to articulate your vision and expectations.
  • Encourage open dialogue to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Conclusion: Leading with vision and purpose

Jeff Bezos’ leadership style is a blueprint for success in today’s competitive world. His principles of customer obsession, long-term thinking, and fostering innovation can inspire leaders to drive growth and build meaningful connections with their teams.

By adopting these strategies, you can cultivate a leadership style that empowers your team, drives results, and sets your organisation on a path to lasting success. Take the first step today—start leading like Jeff Bezos.





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