West Bengal News - India Together

CHILD MARRIAGE
Girls get the power to refuse child marriage

In West Bengal, girls are being empowered to refuse early marriage thanks to a state government initiative that enables them to stay longer in school. The Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme has been remarkably successful in curbing child marriage and promoting girl child education, says Saadia Azim.

Girls' Education Education

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RURAL GREENING

Women lead the way in eco-conservation

Women in the Sunderbans region of West Bengal are setting a trend in climate change mitigation through projects under the "Common Property Resource" initiative, and carving new frontiers in livelihood security in the process. Ajitha Menon reports.

Climate Environment Work+Life

ANTI-ADDICTION CAMPAIGN

Lone crusader warns school-goers against substance abuse

Moved by a personal tragedy, young Bengali engineer-turned-actor Bobby Chakraborty has launched a singular campaign to educate schoolchildren about the impact of alcohol and other addiction and deter them from the path. Shoma A Chatterji brings us his story.

Children Society

PROTEST AGAINST PIRACY

Death knell for music?

The recent closure of a landmark music store in the heart of Calcutta is symptomatic of the larger malaise afflicting the music industry. Shoma A Chatterji reports from a gathering of local luminaries to protest the rising menace of piracy in music.

Economy Culture

POLITICAL BRUTE FORCE

Female and fearful In Mamatas Bengal

Character assassination, social and economic ostracisation and even assault, seem to have become the standard responses to all who protest against the culture of violence against women in West Bengal. Shikha Mukerjee reports on the ground realities in the state.

Gender Violence Society Women

STUDENT POLITICS IN WB

Shielding campuses from violence

Violence during college union elections, the death of a protesting 22-year-old student in police custody and a resultant chain of events have led to earnest debates in West Bengal over whether students should stay away from active politics. Promona Sengupta explores the reality underlying prevailing sentiments.

Education Society

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE

Industrial Tribunal verdict raises hope

Eleven years after journalist Rina Mukherjee was fired following her allegations of sexual harassment against a senior, the West Bengal Industrial Tribunal passes an order against The Statesman, offering hope of redress for other victims. Navya P K reports.

Gender Violence Women

RUNAWAYS

Back to the family

Grounded in its feminist views, Praajak works with runaway boys and young men, to give them livelihood options and help them reunite with their families. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Children

FIRE SAFETY

Setting the stage on fire

A recent fire at one of Kolkata's major film studios puts the spotlight on the poor condition of these establishments, and the risks faced by the film industry in many buildings. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Government Art

MEDICAL AID

All power is within you

The Hathkhola Medical Bank touches thousands of lives each year, quietly and determinedly led by Ashish Das's self-belief. Ruchi Choudhary reports.

Health

FORCED EVICTIONS

Children impacted by forced evictions

Motivated by the media attention in Nandigram, six volunteers of Child Rights and You decided to examine how the urban poor are faring against State-sponsored eviction. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Children Displacement Human Rights

PROSTITUTION

Trapped from all sides

Young women and girls in red light areas face extreme levels of desperation, stemming partly from poverty, but also because of sheer physical exploitation, even by husbands and fathers. Ruchi Choudhary reports.

Society

FILM REVIEWS

Revisiting the Baul movement

Moner Manush is contemporary and topical as it talks of peace, harmony and religious tolerance at a time when India is ridden by fundamentalism and intolerance in different pockets. Shoma Chatterji reviews the film.

Reviews Films History