Articles
May 07 2015
TRADE POLICY
Will free trade allow free voices too?
TRADE POLICY : Will free trade allow free voices too?
Shalini Bhutani takes a close look at the law and ensuing policy on trade in India, and asks whether the regulatory framework on trade issues nurtures the idea of public consultation.
May 06 2015
ENERGY MONITORING
Making power supply data a tool for progress
ENERGY MONITORING : Making power supply data a tool for progress

Pune-based NGO Prayas Energy’s ESMI programme provides easily comprehensible data on the extent and quality of power supply in regions across the country, which can be used to demand accountability as well as enable social research. Manasi Mathkar reports.
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May 03 2015
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
The holes that make our coasts vulnerable
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT : The holes that make our coasts vulnerable

From delayed reconstitutions of critical state and national level institutions to glaring loopholes in procedures, Meenakshi Kapoor identifies all that stands in the way of effective plans to manage conservation and sustainable coastal development.
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May 01 2015
RURAL WAGES
Skills-building an imperative for rural India too and here’s why!
RURAL WAGES : Skills-building an imperative for rural India too and here’s why!
A recent report from the Ministry of Labour and Employment reveals that skill-intensive occupations such as plumbing, carpentry and electrical work pay more in rural India. Shambhu Ghatak looks at the data closely to argue for greater efforts towards imparting skills, especially to rural women.
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Apr 29 2015
COAL WASHERIES
Coal-related pollution chokes mining towns in Jharkhand
COAL WASHERIES : Coal-related pollution chokes mining towns in Jharkhand
The Dhanbad and Jharia regions in Jharkhand, noted for rampant coal mining and related operations, face grave environmental issues due to dumping of pollutant by-products from coal washeries. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports after a visit to Dhanbad.
Apr 28 2015
FILM REVIEW
The story that tells you what our courts are really like
FILM REVIEW : The story that tells you what our courts are really like

'Court' narrates a compelling story and evolves into a hard-hitting realistic portrayal of the Indian legal system, far removed from depictions seen so far in mainstream cinema. Shoma Chatterji reviews the film with a deep exploration of all that sets it apart from a regular courtroom drama.
Apr 27 2015
MODI'S CHINA VISIT
China policy: Will economics trump the military stance?
MODI'S CHINA VISIT : China policy: Will economics trump the military stance?
The Indian army’s evolving China strategy, leading to its preparedness for an offensive on that front, seems to have undergone a bit of dilution, as evident in North Block posturing. Is it merely a run-up to Modi’s China visit or is there more to it? Firdaus Ahmed explores.
Apr 27 2015
SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPY
A doctor who cures without a word!
SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPY : A doctor who cures without a word!

Dr Ruffles, an affectionate dog and resident ‘doctor’ at a hospital in Chennai, has helped several children with special needs to overcome their learning disabilities and resolve complex behavioural issues. Hema Vijay reports.
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Apr 24 2015
TRANSPORT POLLUTION
Old or new, cars must make way for buses
TRANSPORT POLLUTION : Old or new, cars must make way for buses

The ban on old diesel vehicles in Delhi and the NCR is just a first step towards addressing the grave levels of air toxicity in the region, but a well-designed BRTS could go a long way in achieving the real end. Darryl D’Monte compiles notes from a recent conference.
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Apr 23 2015
NATIONAL WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL
Womanhood: A synthesis through many forms
NATIONAL WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL : Womanhood: A synthesis through many forms

Shoma Chatterji writes on Samanway 7, a unique theatre festival showcasing performances conceived of and crafted exclusively by women, which evolved into a well-blended expression of feminist questions that have sustained through the ages.
Apr 23 2015
FELLOWSHIP AWARD FOR INDIA TOGETHER CO-FOUNDER
Subramaniam Vincent receives John S Knight fellowship for journalism innovation
FELLOWSHIP AWARD FOR INDIA TOGETHER CO-FOUNDER : Subramaniam Vincent receives John S Knight fellowship for journalism innovation
Every year the Knight fellowships program at Stanford University awards eight international fellowships for journalism innovation. This year, one of the eight is your own newsmagazine’s co-founder.
Apr 22 2015
AFSPA IN ARUNACHAL
Questions over AFSPA continue to echo in ‘disturbed’ northeastern states
AFSPA IN ARUNACHAL : Questions over AFSPA continue to echo in ‘disturbed’ northeastern states
The Centre may have rolled back its sudden unilateral decision to accord ‘disturbed area’ status to Arunachal Pradesh under the AFSPA 1958, but that does little to restore confidence and good faith between the state and the government of India. Anjuman Ara Begum analyses why.
Apr 21 2015
MEDICAL CORRUPTION
When an honest doctor chose to give up medical practice
MEDICAL CORRUPTION : When an honest doctor chose to give up medical practice
Tales of medical malpractice and its impact on patients are all too common in India. But what does the culture of corruption mean for one who wishes to remain true to the noble profession that he had chosen for himself? Pavan Kulkarni finds out.
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Apr 18 2015
A ‘FISHY’ AFFAIR
The alleged sell-out that has left our fishermen fuming
A ‘FISHY’ AFFAIR : The alleged sell-out that has left our fishermen fuming

An expert committee appointed to review the existing marine fishing policy and suggest a new one has come up with recommendations favouring the bigger, foreign players, drawing the ire of the smaller fishing community. P N Venugopal has more on it.
Apr 16 2015
MIGRANT LABOUR
Daily wage-earners in Delhi find little cause to cheer for AAP
MIGRANT LABOUR : Daily wage-earners in Delhi find little cause to cheer for AAP

The AAP manifesto may have talked at length about “a flexible and fair labour policy” and regularisation of contract workers, but for a vast section of daily wage-earners, such promises hold no meaning. Devanik Saha talks to one to find out why.
Apr 14 2015
NET NEUTRALITY
Why you may want to write to TRAI right now
NET NEUTRALITY : Why you may want to write to TRAI right now
No, net neutrality is not just about IT and activists! If you're still wondering why over two lakh people have already written to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) about that, and whether you should follow suit, Supriya Unni Nair has some details for you.
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Apr 13 2015
FARMING CRISIS
Why relief packages and loan waivers won’t be enough to stem farm suicides
FARMING CRISIS : Why relief packages and loan waivers won’t be enough to stem farm suicides
Even in regions touted as India’s food bowl, Rs 3000 a month is all that a farmer earns for his family! Devinder Sharma analyses data from CACP to highlight the grave crisis in the agrarian economy that calls for immediate and unprecedented government action.
Apr 13 2015
DECENTRALISED COASTAL GOVERNANCE
Ignoring the institutions that can save our coastal regions
DECENTRALISED COASTAL GOVERNANCE : Ignoring the institutions that can save our coastal regions

Effective District Level Coastal Committees, provided for by the CRZ notification of 2011, could have been the key link in ensuring legal environmental protection for coastal regions and communities. Manju Menon, Kanchi Kohli and Meenakshi Kapoor discuss how these have been continuously disregarded.
Apr 11 2015
POLLUTION CONTROL
What will it take to make our cities environment-smart?
POLLUTION CONTROL : What will it take to make our cities environment-smart?
PM Modi's vision of smart cities will remain unrealised till we have environmentally-smart urban centres, equipped to mitigate the severe chronic air pollution levels. But what will it entail? Sarath Guttikunda analyses.
Apr 09 2015
REAL ESTATE REGULATION BILL
Commercial real estate set to be brought under new law
REAL ESTATE REGULATION BILL : Commercial real estate set to be brought under new law
While a list of approved amendments to the proposed law on regulation of real estate is yet to be made public, it is now clear that the Bill will apply to commercial projects as well. Here is a round-up of the recent developments, from PRS Legislative Research.