Friday, September 12, 2025

Match the type of effort with type of rest

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Thursday, September 11, 2025

Which ones (freelancing platforms) allow people to register as agency or team?

Several major freelance platforms allow registration as an agency or team, enabling groups to bid for projects and collaborate under a unified brand.upwork+2

Platforms Supporting Agency or Team Accounts

  • Upwork: Directly supports agency accounts; one can create an agency profile, invite team members, and manage projects collectively with an Agency Plus subscription.upwork

  • Freelancer.com: Allows users to set up teams under one account so agencies can compete for jobs together, share earnings, and collaborate on projects.linkedin+1

  • Guru: Offers the ability to form “WorkRooms” where agencies or teams can collaborate on projects, track deliverables, and get paid as a group.ddiy

  • PeoplePerHour: Agencies can apply and operate under unified branding, allowing multiple professionals to work together on client projects.peopleperhour

Additional Notes

  • Some platforms like Fiverr and Toptal are more focused on individual freelancers, though Fiverr Business and specialized programs may support agency-style collaboration for select service categories.fiverr

  • Regional platforms and niche boards rarely have built-in agency support, but some may allow for shared profiles or project management features for multiple users.

Table: Agency Registration Availability

PlatformAgency/Team RegistrationKey Feature
UpworkYes upworkAgency account, team invites
Freelancer.comYes linkedin+1Team setup, shared jobs
GuruYes ddiyWorkRooms for collaboration
PeoplePerHourYes peopleperhourAgency accounts, project grouping
FiverrLimited fiverrFiverr Business, select agency options
ToptalNo/IndividualIndividual accounts only

These agency features allow freelancers to scale efforts, present as a company, and pool resources for larger projects with effective coordination.ddiy+3

Where else can I go for freelance gigs? (Apart from UpWork)

Freelance gigs can be found on a wide range of platforms beyond Upwork, including specialized websites and global marketplaces that cater to diverse skills and industries.twine+4

Leading Global Freelance Platforms

  • Freelancer.com: Massive global marketplace for almost every freelance specialty; offers competitive bidding and flexible project options.ciim+1

  • Fiverr: Gig-based platform, ideal for creative work and quick tasks; freelancers set their own prices and packages.lemon+2

  • Guru: Wide range of freelance services, featuring milestone payments and collaborative workspace features.karboncard+3

  • Toptal: Highly selective, focusing on top 3% of talent for tech, design, and finance; ideal for experienced professionals seeking premium gigs.toptal+2

Niche and Regional Options

  • PeoplePerHour: Popular for design, writing, and tech, especially in the UK and Europe; offers 'hourlies' and fixed-price jobs.ciim+1

  • Truelancer: Known for tech, content, design, and marketing gigs, and relatively low competition for Indian freelancers.karboncard+1

  • WorknHire: Good for beginners and small projects with a local Indian focus; supports writing, design, SEO, and admin work.ciim

Remote Job Boards

  • FlexJobs: Curated listings for flexible, remote roles including freelance, contract, and part-time jobs (ad-free and scam-free).novoresume+1

  • Remote.co: Dedicated to remote freelance and contract jobs; covers full-time, part-time, and work-from-anywhere opportunities.remote+1

  • WeWorkRemotely, JustRemote, RemoteOK: Specialized boards for remote and freelance tech, creative, and business positions.novoresume

Tech-Specific and Curated Matchmaking

  • Arc.dev and Gun.io: Focused on freelance tech roles (developers, designers); offer tests and curated matching to top jobs.arc+1

  • SolidGigs: Subscription-based, delivers hand-picked, high-quality leads to your inbox for faster gig hunting.arc

Summary Table

PlatformMain StrengthNiche/Region
Freelancer.comAll categories, global reachWorldwide ciim
FiverrAffordable, creative gigsWorldwide lemon
GuruPaid milestones, wide scopeWorldwide twine
ToptalElite vetting, high-end gigsWorldwide toptal
TruelancerLow competition, varied gigsIndia/Global karboncard
PeoplePerHourFixed/hourly, creative focusUK/Euro karboncard
WorknHireSmall projects, beginnersIndia ciim
FlexJobsScam-free, remote jobsWorldwide flexjobs
Remote.coRemote freelance rolesWorldwide remote

There are diverse options catering to all experience levels and specialties, both globally and locally. Exploring these platforms can boost chances of finding quality freelance gigs suited to specific skills and preferences.everhour+4

Why is upwork job market down as of Sep 2025?

The Upwork job market is currently experiencing a slowdown due to a combination of economic pressures, increased competition, changing platform dynamics, and shifts in client hiring behavior.reddit+3

Economic Factors

  • Persistent inflation and tighter labor markets have led many businesses to cut back on expenses, including freelance hires.cfodive

  • Recession worries have made companies more cautious, with some pausing projects or hiring in-house rather than using contractors.reddit

Increased Competition

  • There is a significant surge in freelancers competing for a declining pool of quality jobs, driving down compensation and making it harder to land projects.reddit+2

  • The disparity between supply and demand is prominent, with more job seekers than available postings on the platform.reddit+1

Platform and Policy Changes

  • Upwork’s recent changes to the connects system and rising fees have made it more costly and inefficient for freelancers to apply to jobs, contributing to dissatisfaction and withdrawal from the platform.reddit+1

  • Many freelancers struggle to afford buying enough connects to apply for multiple jobs, especially with low success rates.reddit+1

Shifts in Client Behavior

  • Businesses and clients have become more budget-conscious, resulting in lower budgets for freelance work and preference for cheaper hires.reddit+1

  • Some companies are moving away from remote or freelance work entirely, favoring permanent/internal staff or reducing their use of platforms like Upwork.reddit

Key Takeaways

  • The slowdown is primarily macro-driven, aggravated by platform-specific issues, intense competition, and changing client needs.

  • Freelancers are advised to specialize and focus on strategic bidding, but many report that opportunities and returns have diminished over the past year.youtubereddit

This combination of economic and platform-specific challenges has resulted in fewer job postings, tougher competition, and reduced earning potential for many on Upwork.cfodive+3

India’s Own ChatGPT? Meet Sarvam AI and the Dawn of Desi Language Models

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5 Key Takeaways

  • Sarvam AI is set to launch India’s first large language model (LLM) by early next year, supported by the IndiaAI Mission.
  • The Indian government is scaling up computing resources to 40,000 GPUs for developers, students, and startups—four times the initial target.
  • Sarvam AI received a record 4,096 NVIDIA H100 SXM GPUs and nearly Rs 99 crore in subsidies, making it the biggest beneficiary so far.
  • The IndiaAI Mission is backed by a Rs 10,000 crore fund, with Rs 111 crore already disbursed in GPU subsidies to support foundational AI models.
  • India is focusing on AI safety with a ‘techno-legal’ approach, establishing the AI Safety Institute to develop tools for detecting defects and biases.

India’s First Homegrown AI Language Model is Coming Soon – Here’s What You Need to Know

Exciting news is brewing in India’s tech world! By early next year, India is set to launch its very own large language model (LLM) – think of it as an Indian version of ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. And leading the charge is a Bengaluru-based startup called Sarvam AI.

What’s an LLM and Why Does It Matter?

A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence that can understand and generate human-like text. It powers chatbots, virtual assistants, and many smart tools we use today. Until now, most LLMs have been developed in the US or China, and they often don’t work as well with Indian languages or local contexts.

That’s about to change. Sarvam AI is building an LLM trained specifically on Indian languages and data, which means it will better understand our culture, languages, and needs.

How is the Government Helping?

The Indian government is backing this effort in a big way through the IndiaAI Mission, a program with a massive ₹10,000 crore fund to boost AI development in the country. One of the biggest challenges in building powerful AI models is having enough computing power. To solve this, the government is making 40,000 high-end graphics processing units (GPUs) available to developers, startups, and students. That’s four times more than what was originally planned!

Sarvam AI has already received a record 4,096 NVIDIA H100 GPUs (these are some of the world’s most powerful AI chips) and nearly ₹99 crore in subsidies to help them build India’s foundational AI model.

Who’s Behind Sarvam AI?

Sarvam AI was founded in July 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, both experienced in AI and technology. Raghavan, for example, played a key role in building Aadhaar, India’s digital ID system. Their goal is to create AI tools that can be used by Indian businesses and for public good, especially in areas like education, healthcare, and government services.

What’s Next?

With this support, Sarvam AI is expected to roll out India’s first homegrown LLM by early next year. This could be a game-changer for Indian tech, making AI more accessible and relevant for everyone in the country.

The government is also focusing on AI safety, working with top institutes like IIT Jodhpur to make sure these new tools are safe and unbiased.

In short, India is taking big steps to become a leader in AI, and Sarvam AI’s upcoming language model is a major milestone on that journey. Stay tuned – the future of Indian AI is just getting started!


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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Vidyakshetra: Bengaluru’s Free School Where Kids Learn by Living

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5 Key Takeaways

  • Vidyakshetra is a free, exam-free school in Bengaluru where 157 children learn through hands-on activities like farming, weaving, pottery, music, and science.
  • The school’s curriculum blends Indian knowledge systems with holistic development, focusing on body, mind, and spirit, and uses the Panchakosha framework.
  • Admissions are based on values and family involvement, not money; the school is sustained by community donations and parent participation.
  • Students consistently excel in board exams, but the emphasis is on meaningful learning, creativity, responsibility, and discovering individual passions.
  • The Acharya Vidyalaya programme is training educators to replicate this gurukul-inspired model, aiming for 108 centres across India by 2047.

Vidyakshetra: The Free School in Bengaluru Where Kids Learn by Doing

Imagine a school where the day starts not with a loud bell, but with the gentle sound of a flute under the shade of neem trees. Welcome to Vidyakshetra, a unique school on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where 157 children learn for free—and not just from textbooks.

A School Without Exams or Fees

Vidyakshetra was founded by Muneet Dhiman, a former techie who left his job in Germany to pursue his dream of meaningful education. He and his wife, Preethi, spent years visiting schools across India, learning from different teaching methods before starting Vidyakshetra in 2016 with just 13 students. Today, the school receives nearly 1,000 applications every year!

Here, there are no uniforms, no heavy bags, and no stressful exams. Instead, children learn by doing—farming, weaving, pottery, music, and even building with mud bricks. They recite Sanskrit verses, experiment in science labs, and stitch cloth bags. The focus is on holistic development, blending traditional Indian knowledge with modern subjects.

Learning Through Experience

At Vidyakshetra, students aren’t grouped strictly by age. Classes are small, with no more than 16 children, so teachers can give everyone personal attention. Kids of different ages often learn together, helping each other and growing as a community.

There are no tests or rankings, but when students do take board exams, they excel—most score between 85% and 96%. More importantly, they leave with practical skills and a love for learning. Subjects include agriculture, pottery, handloom, music, dance, theatre, science, and languages like Sanskrit, English, and Kannada.

Education Is Free—And Supported by the Community

One of the most remarkable things about Vidyakshetra is that it’s completely free. The school doesn’t charge any fees, and admissions aren’t based on money or background. Instead, families and the community support the school through voluntary contributions and donations. Parents help run the kitchen, organize transport, and even teach sports or special subjects.

Preparing Kids for Life, Not Just Exams

Parents say their children gain much more than good marks—they learn responsibility, teamwork, and how to connect with nature and culture. Alumni often return to help out, and some go on to study at top colleges, inspired to make a difference in the world.

Vidyakshetra’s approach is spreading, with 39 people from across India training to start similar schools. The goal? To create 108 such centres by 2047.

At Vidyakshetra, education is about setting children free to discover their passions and serve society. It’s a place where learning is joyful, meaningful, and truly life-changing.


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India’s AI Search Showdown: Freebies, Tech Giants, and the Battle for Your Next Answer

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5 Key Takeaways

  • Perplexity and Google are offering free AI search engine upgrades in India to rapidly grow their user base.
  • India is a key battleground for AI firms due to its huge internet population, linguistic diversity, and openness to global tech companies.
  • Big Tech sees India as a high-pressure testing ground and a vital source of training data for making AI models more robust.
  • India’s domestic AI market is projected to triple to $17 billion by 2027, attracting major investments from global players.
  • Heavy reliance on foreign AI platforms may delay India’s goal of technological sovereignty and impact domestic innovation.

India’s AI Search Wars: Freebies, Big Tech, and the Future of How We Find Answers Online

If you’ve noticed your phone buzzing with offers for free AI tools lately, you’re not alone. India is at the center of a fierce battle between tech giants, all trying to win over millions of users with their latest artificial intelligence (AI) search engines.

It started quietly one morning in July, when Airtel, one of India’s biggest telecom companies, sent a push notification to its 360 million subscribers. The offer? A free one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro, an AI-powered search engine that usually costs around $200 a year. All you had to do was tap “Activate.”

Just days before, Google had announced its own giveaway: every college student in India could get a free one-year upgrade to Google’s AI Pro suite, which includes access to its Gemini AI model, a smart notebook tool, and an early coding assistant.

Why all the generosity? India is the world’s most populous country, with over 700 million internet users and a huge appetite for new technology. With China mostly closed off to American tech companies, India has become the go-to place for testing and training AI tools. Experts say that if an AI can handle India’s many languages and real-world challenges, it’s likely to work well anywhere.

The stakes are high. India’s AI market is expected to triple to $17 billion by 2027, and the global market for AI-powered search could reach $109 billion by 2032. Companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and newcomers like Perplexity and DeepSeek are all racing to become your go-to search engine.

Google has a head start, since most Indian smartphones run on Android and come with Google apps pre-installed. But Perplexity’s free offer quickly made it the top app on Apple’s App Store in India, even beating ChatGPT in daily downloads.

For many users, the choice is simple: which AI search engine makes life easier? Rufaid Sideeq, a biology student at Delhi University, says Google’s Gemini AI saves him time by giving direct answers and even helps with coding and math. He knows Google wants students to get hooked on its AI, and he might even pay for it once the free plan ends.

As India’s tech scene heats up, these freebies are more than just marketing—they’re shaping the future of how millions of people search, learn, and connect online. The only question is: which AI will win your attention?


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Delhi-NCR on the Fast Track: RRTS & Pink Line Metro Extension Launching This September

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5 Key Takeaways

  • Delhi-NCR will see the inauguration of the 82-km Namo Bharat RRTS corridor and the 12.3-km Pink Line Metro extension around PM Modi's birthday on September 17, 2025.
  • The Namo Bharat RRTS will connect Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut, reducing travel time from Sarai Kale Khan (Delhi) to Modipuram (Meerut) to just 58 minutes.
  • Once fully operational, the RRTS will increase train frequency to every 10 minutes, enhancing convenience for daily commuters.
  • The Pink Line extension (Majlis Park-Maujpur corridor) will complete the Metro's ring, feature Delhi's first double-decker viaduct, and include eight new elevated stations.
  • These projects are part of Delhi Metro's Phase IV expansion, with 112 km of new lines under construction to further improve connectivity across the NCR.

Delhi-NCR Set for a Big Travel Upgrade: Namo Bharat RRTS and Pink Line Metro Extension to Open This September

If you live in Delhi or the surrounding NCR region, get ready for some exciting news! This September, just around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17, two major public transport projects are set to open, making travel faster and easier for lakhs of people every day.

What’s New?

First up is the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). This is a high-speed train corridor stretching 82 kilometers, connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It’s designed to make travel between these cities much quicker. Right now, a 55-kilometer stretch from New Ashok Nagar (Delhi) to Meerut South is already running, with trains every 15 minutes. The rest of the line is ready and has passed all trial runs. Once the full corridor opens, trains will run every 10 minutes, and you’ll be able to travel from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut in just 58 minutes! That’s a huge time saver compared to current options.

The final station, Modipuram, is right inside Meerut city, making it much more convenient than the current last stop at the city’s edge. In Delhi, the Sarai Kale Khan station will become a major hub, connecting the RRTS, the Pink Line Metro, Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, and city buses—all in one place.

Metro Expansion: Pink Line Gets Bigger

The second big project is the extension of the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line. The new 12.3-kilometer stretch from Majlis Park to Maujpur will complete the Pink Line’s ring around the city, making it the longest metro line in Delhi at over 59 kilometers. This new section has eight stations, including Burari, Jharoda Majra, Jagatpur Village, Soorghat, Sonia Vihar, Khajuri Khas, Bhajanpura, and Yamuna Vihar—all above ground.

There are some cool engineering highlights too! The new double-decker viaduct between Bhajanpura and Yamuna Vihar will have the metro running above and vehicles below. Plus, the Pink Line will cross the Yamuna River for the fifth time, thanks to a brand-new bridge.

What Does This Mean for You?

Both these projects are part of a bigger plan to improve public transport in Delhi-NCR. With more metro lines and faster trains, getting around will be smoother, quicker, and more comfortable. Whether you’re commuting for work, studies, or fun, these new routes will save you time and make your daily travel a lot less stressful.

So, get ready to hop on board—Delhi-NCR’s public transport is about to get a major upgrade this September!


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