information society through our personal information

Invitation

This post launch the open work-in-progress drafting of a book  intended for a broad audience: as much curious citizens as specialists in various fields and educators. Its aim: to help understand our information societies from an exploration of the closer reality of our own personal information. Its main challenge: to present useful, but often technical knowledge in clear and simple language. Hence the idea of an open work-in-progress.

The name of the project and the book’s working title: “Beyond Privacy” Project: LIVING BETWEEN THE LINES information society through our personal information.

Chapters will be published as and when they are produced. You are invited to comment. Your comments and suggestions are valuable. They will help improve the discussed contents and the way they are communicated.

Pooja Rani from the Indian state of Haryana started boxing in 2009 in secret.

Only her mom knew: “If I got injured during training, I would stay over with my coach and his family, and my mom told my dad that I was staying with some friend or the other to study,” she told journalist Radruneil Sengupta. Once her dad found out, he was furious but her coach convinced him to let her continue, by saying, “I will treat her like my own daughter.”

She still calls her coach and his wife ‘mom’ and ‘dad.’ Three years later, Pooja won silver at the Asian Championships in 75 kg.

At the Olympic trials in China last May, she faced American boxer Claressa Shields in her opening fight. Yes, that Claressa Shields. Pooja was naturally disappointed by her loss, but at that point Shields was an unknown quantity at the international level so the Indian team didn’t realize they’d just been beaten by a 17-year-old wonderkid from Flint, Michigan, who might just be “the next Muhammad Ali” (in Ameesha’s words).

We already knew Claressa. Earlier, we had watched her take down boxing stars left, right,and centre at the 2012 Women’s Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario. She beat 2010 world champ Roseli Feitosa of Brazil 29-11. She beat three-time world champ Mary Spencer of Canada 27-14. Then at the Olympic trials, she beat Pooja 27-10.

Claressa is a tough opponent and Pooja definitely held her own, on par with some of the world’s best. With a few more years of experience, who knows what could happen.

Support this promising athlete by liking Facebook page.

(Images by of Pooja Rani and Examiner)

We filmed Mary Kom as she prepared for the London Olympics in a film outside her home, in Imphal, Manipur. Back then, there were no other cameras around…

As Mary Kom’s coach Charles Atkinson told us, India has an “incredible pool of talent.” Pinki Jangra is yet another boxer to emerge.

She is one of the few on the team to have actually beaten Mary Kom at the 10th senior national women’s boxing championship in 2009, which is no small feat. She’s been selected as Best Boxer at several Indian competitions and won silver at the 2012 Asian Championships.

Pinki is lucky to have the support of her family, whom we were fortunate to meet during a trip to Hisar, Haryana in 2008. Her brothers, Amit and Ashwani, actively promote their sister and have become big supporters of our film as well (thanks guys!). We also interviewed Pinki with her mother to gain more insight into their lives.

Many of the boxers have short hair to simplify their lives; they can focus on training two to three times per day, not on maintaining their appearance. Chopping off your ponytail also makes it easier to wear the required head protection. Pinki told us that people in town would come up to her, and ask, “Are you a boy or a girl?” just to antagonize her. With their “boy cuts” and track pants, many people didn’t necessarily approve of their appearance.

Though the snide remarks were frustrating, Pinki kept at it. She’s now fighting in 51 kg and hopes to compete at Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Keep your eye on Pinki, and get regular updates, via her Facebook page: “YOUR support and cheer always encourage me to do good in Ring. Please continue this and I’ll keep winning medals for INDIA.”

(Photo courtesy of Pinki Jangra)

Have you heard of Kavita Chahal yet? She’s a real sweetheart who has been quietly winning medals at world championships for the last few years. Find out more about this two-time world bronze medalist via her new Facebook page: Kavita chahal Boxer. Yet another unknown champion on the Indian women’s team!

“HAIL MARY - Champ. Olympian. Icon.” That says it all. India Today’s Woman magazine puts the boxing star on the cover of its September issue. A big budget Bollywood movie about her life is in the works, but what’s this about a Danny Boyle documentary?! Full story

The last month has been a blur but the reality is starting to sink in. ($19,172!!! what an amazing feeling.) The money was not raised by two of us, or even three of us. A team of family/friends, supporters and even strangers carried us throughout the last 30 days and they are really responsible for this success. Not sure how we can ever properly thank them and all of you.

Thank you for making this such a memorable experience. It’s time to start editing…

WE MADE IT! It’s been 12 hours since the campaign ended and we are overjoyed to announce that we have surpassed our goal and have raised $19,172!!! (PLUS cash and cheque contributions).

The last month has been a blur but the reality is starting to sink in. And it’s an amazing feeling. The money was not raised by two of us, or even three of us. A team of family/friends, supporters and even strangers carried us throughout the last 30 days and they are really responsible for this success. Not sure how we can ever properly thank them and all of you.

Thank you all for making this such a memorable experience. It’s time to start editing…

– With love and appreciation from Team With This Ring (Anna, Ameesha, Emily, Tamara, and friends!)

WBAN: Women Boxing Archive Network
Sports News Ireland
Malta Boxing News

15 hours to go and we’ve reached $17,017!

Still not too late to get involved! The campaign ends Wednesday, Aug. 22 at midnight Pacific time. www.indiegogo.com/withthisring

Great news, we’ve got a write up today on CultMTL, thanks to journalist Malcolm Fraser.

(The campaign continues!)