From women in science to guerilla fighters, from ISRO to India-Sri Lanka accord, here are our top videos from 2017.
Hearing aids:
A boy looks into the distance as someone fidgets with a device stuck to his ear. The same person steps back a few feet and mutters a signal. ‘Ba-Ba-Ba’. Immediately, the boy’s face lights up in pure joy, as he repeats it. ‘Ba-Ba-Ba’. That is the face of a child who is able to hear for the first time. A happy, hopeful story – this was one of our top watched videos.
Mudhol dogs:
If not babies or little kids, what else would bring a smile on your face? Dogs, of course! And especially so if it’s an Indian breed. This video is about the Mudhol breed of dogs which is the first of its kind to be inducted into the Army. Mudhol hounds can complete a task in 40 seconds, which takes a Labrador or German Shepherd 90 seconds. Watch to know more.
Talking hands:
Ordering food using a QR code or picking out dishes on a tablet, sure. But have you ever ordered using sign language? Watch this heart-warming video where friendly staff of Talking Hands restaurant hand-hold you to communicate with them in sign language and guide you with its alphabet. A meal here is a unique experience that goes beyond just satiating your hunger.
Why did the Centre introduce ₹ 200 note?
If there is one thing that has remained constant ever since the government’s demonetisation move, it is this – the number of questions. In this video, we try to answer why the centre introduced ₹200 notes.
Minerva theatre
There's an old-world charm to Batcha (Minerva), Chennai’s oldest surviving theatre, which still screens Tamil films. This video, one of our top-viewed, brings to life that charm, as our team dives deep into the many dusty lanes of Chennai’s bustling Broadway area.
Infosys Prize
Women are not in the minority anymore when it comes to achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Infosys Prize announced this year included three women out of the six winners. This video, widely viewed by many, shows that it is indeed wonderful to see the scholarship of women being recognised.
Indo-Sri Lanka accord
Did you know that it has been 30 years since Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayawardena signed the historic Indo-Lanka Accord? This video explains the importance of an event that triggered a chain of events that left a mark on the histories of both nations.
In-depth reportage:
Ground Zero is a weekly feature where stories that are less reported in the mainstream media are extensively covered from the hinterlands. Here are two videos which were part of the feature:
- Agents of Death: female foeticide in Maharashtra
An investigation from the ground reveals they way in which inter-State abortion rackets operate and the manner in which people involved use simple codes to hide their crimes.
- The last of Tibet's guerrilla fighters
In March 1959, the only Tibetan guerrilla group helped the Dalai Lama escape to India. They were assisted by the CIA and hunted by the Chinese. Follow their story on this video as they cross the border with the Dalai Lama.
ISRO record:
The Indian Space Research Organisation boosted its reputation further this year. In February, it successfully launched a 104 satellites in one mission. This video explains why this is a record feat.
