Articles
Dec 27 2006
TECHNOLOGY
#
Bit by byte, IT firms make rural plans
Technology majors are keen to establish direct contact with potential customers in rural areas, and setting up computer kiosks is an important step in this direction. These first steps are hardly catalytic, but that has not deterred the companies, which are thinking of markets far into the future. Gagandeep Kaur reports.
1
Dec 26 2006
PUBLIC FINANCE
#
More self-goals by the PFC
After three years after a loan disbursal to the Jindal Thermal Power Company Ltd. (Jindal) for a power project in Karnataka, the public-sector Power Finance Corporation has drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General for having offered undue benefits to Jindal and causing a loss of Rs.13.48 crores to itself. Himanshu Upadhyaya digs deeper.
Dec 25 2006
OPINION / CASTE
#
The fear of democracy
In the English media, the 50th Ambedkar anniversary rated at best as a traffic problem. At worst, as a potential nightmare. There was not even a pretence of interest in the person. But this is a time to remember that the larger society ignores or distorts the Dalits' struggle for their rights at its own risk, writes P Sainath.
1
Dec 23 2006
URBAN ENVIRONMENT
Hubli's plant doctor
URBAN ENVIRONMENT : Hubli's plant doctor
Setting himself a target of a thousand trees each year, Dr Mahantesh Tapashetti has greened his neighbourhood and surrounding areas in Hubli by himself. Many residents appreciate his work, and the Forest Department has been happy to support him, supplying trees for his care and planting them each year. Shree Padre reports.
2
Dec 21 2006
ADIVASIS/OPINION
#
Move to amend tribal land law dangerous
The Orissa state government is proposing to amend a law that prevents easy selling of tribal land to non-tribals. The government's argument -- that land sale is one of the important ways for needy tribals to raise immediate cash – does not appear as benign as it sounds, writes Pradeep Baisakh.
1
Dec 20 2006
ENVIRONMENT REGULATION
#
Mine? What mine? Ah, yes, the mine.
Is Vedanta's proposed alumina refinery dependent on mining in protected forest lands? The company kept the two apart in its first proposals, but now, having proceeded on one front without the necessary clearances for the other, claims it may incur significant losses if the Supreme Court blocks its plans. Kanchi Kohli reports.
Dec 16 2006
OPINION
#
The new Maharajas
What is it like to be a modern-day Indian prince? Devinder Sharma and Bhaskar Goswami explain how, with the proliferation of Special Economic Zones everywhere, the laws of the land are being redefined to bring in the reality of the royal tag for the rich and beautiful. For the rest of the country, sub-Saharan Africa is the only comparison.
8
Dec 15 2006
WOMEN
#
Chhatisgarh's ray of hope
Crippling poverty, Naxalism and government bungling may have depressed the lives of poor women in Chhatisgarh, but there is now a shining ray of hope. 60,000 women have become trained community health volunteers and are making an impact, notes Kalpana Sharma.
Dec 14 2006
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT
#
A mirage, in the guise of a law
'Protection' is a two-edged weapon. The very fact that this is the principal focus of the Act for women within marriage or out-of-marriage relationships only reinforces the view that women, by and large, are vulnerable to all kinds of violence in their relationships with men, writes Shoma Chatterji.
3
Dec 13 2006
CRISIS IN VIDARBHA
#
No sugar coated pills for cotton farmers
This time three years ago, there were around 300 cotton procurement centres at work in Maharashtra. This year that number is 56. The farmers are being pushed towards private traders. And much lower prices, writes P Sainath.
Dec 13 2006
POVERTY
A steep premium slapped on the poor
POVERTY : A steep premium slapped on the poor
Residents of our slums often pay more than their better-off counterparts for the most essential services. Aditi Dimri and Amiya Sharma discovered the poverty premium through a survey of Sanjay Colony, a slum in Okhla phase II, Delhi, with a population of around 40,000.
1
Dec 12 2006
MANUAL SCAVENGING
No end to a shameful practice
MANUAL SCAVENGING : No end to a shameful practice
Despite laws abolishing the inhuman practice of manual scavenging, over a million dalits in 'superpower India' are caught in a vortex of severe social and economic exploitation. Even the central government pleaded lack of resources in failing to implement the law effectively, writes Sunil Kuksal.
1
Dec 11 2006
SOCIETY/LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Irula panchayat heads push for upliftment
SOCIETY/LOCAL GOVERNMENT : Irula panchayat heads push for upliftment
35 Irula (ST) candidates had contested in the recent local body elections in Tamilnadu and 15 won panchayat presidentships. And this, Irulas hope, will translate into creation of a vocal pressure group of leaders that will ensure development for them. Krithika Ramalingam has more.
2
Dec 09 2006
INTERNATIONAL PEACE FESTIVAL
New lease for documentaries
INTERNATIONAL PEACE FESTIVAL : New lease for documentaries
Film-makers are finding new ways to get around the difficulties of their new environment - the loss of state patronage, subtle self-censorship in the media, and the taboos of mainstream society. They're putting the new IT world to work promoting their films, and setting up their own events to find their audience. Darryl D'Monte reports.
Dec 08 2006
RELIEF
The princely cow and the crisis
RELIEF : The princely cow and the crisis

Both the Maharashtra Chief Minister's and the Prime Minister's relief packages for Vidarbha included for distribution of thousands of cows to the region's beleagured farmers. Jaideep Hardikar finds out that the measure has hurt, not helped.
Dec 07 2006
PROJECT TIGER
#
Conservation in core zones
The people-versus-tiger conflict haunts every protected habitat of the beast, and unless relocated communities' needs are met, conservation efforts will remain uncertain. Rajasthan's plans to relocate villagers from Sariska's core zone will have a profound impact on all other tiger reserves, writes Sudhirendar Sharma.
Dec 06 2006
CASTE/EDUCATION
Caste conflict hurting schooling for dalits
CASTE/EDUCATION : Caste conflict hurting schooling for dalits
In a number of dalit settlements in Gaya, Bihar, there are school structures but no teachers. In some places, where there are both, as in Parariya village, the dominant Yadavs make intrusive and insulting remarks that do not provide a facilitating environment. Rahul Ramagundam reports.
1
Dec 05 2006
MID-DAY MEALS
School meals make slow progress
MID-DAY MEALS : School meals make slow progress
School authorities say, and records show, that while enrolment has not been substantially improved as a result of mid-day meal programmes, school attendance has certainly gone up by 10-12%. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement in the management of the scheme. Padmalatha Ravi reports.
4
Dec 04 2006
WATER
Wells for the well-being
WATER : Wells for the well-being
The Belgaum City Corporation has in the last one decade has revived 16 big and 21 small dug-wells. Today, 2 million gallons (16 per cent) of Belgaum's water supply comes from these local wells alone, leading to precious cost savings that have paid back the revival expenditure long ago. Shree Padre reports.
3
Dec 02 2006
ELECTIONS
#
Telangana by-election hits tobacco warning
At least one controversial issue raging in the Karimnagar by-election race in A.P. has taken its toll. Union Minister Oscar Fernandes has assured the region's beedi workers of modifying a controversial New Delhi order that has mandated a skull-denoted warning on beedi packets. Kondal Rao reports.