Articles
Feb 16 2015
KOLKATA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL
Spotlighting tales of people’s resistance
KOLKATA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL : Spotlighting tales of people’s resistance
The recently held Kolkata People’s Film Festival – an offshoot of the founding movement called The Cinema of Resistance – screened several powerful documentaries and feature films portraying the struggle and resistance of the marginalised and downtrodden. Shoma Chatterji reports on this festival with a difference.
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Feb 13 2015
SHANTA KUMAR COMMITTEE REPORT
Is this committee overestimating leakages in ration to curb the food security act?
SHANTA KUMAR COMMITTEE REPORT : Is this committee overestimating leakages in ration to curb the food security act?
The report of a high level committee under BJP MP Shanta Kumar proposes radical restructuring of the PDS and reduced coverage of the food security act. But is the estimate of leakages in the report flawed in itself? Shambhu Ghatak presents alternative findings.
Feb 12 2015
TALES FROM THE STREET
The invisible makers of the city
TALES FROM THE STREET : The invisible makers of the city
Homeless, vulnerable in equal measure to the vagaries of nature and human whims, and deprived of any form of social security, street dwellers often provide critical services, helping to sustain themselves and also the city. Pushpa Achanta meets some of them in Bengaluru and finds out more about their existence.
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Feb 11 2015
EXPEDITING JUSTICE
The role of data in judicial reform
EXPEDITING JUSTICE : The role of data in judicial reform
It is commonplace to cite the number of cases pending in Indian courts as evidence of a judicial crisis and suggest reforms based on the same. Aparna Chandra highlights why the numbers themselves need to be questioned and understood better for effective reform.
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Feb 10 2015
POLITICS AND DEFENCE
Challenges of the brass in a political minefield
POLITICS AND DEFENCE : Challenges of the brass in a political minefield
A recent announcement by the army chief that officers of all ranks of the army will donate a day’s pay to the PM’s relief fund for Kashmir floods has triggered an interesting exchange, throwing light on the broader trends of politicisation within the military. Firdaus Ahmed has more.
Feb 09 2015
LESSONS FROM THE SEZ EXPERIENCE
Why easy land is no guarantee of industrial growth
LESSONS FROM THE SEZ EXPERIENCE : Why easy land is no guarantee of industrial growth
It’s like a scam unnoticed: even after access to over 45000 hectares of land, with massive tax exemptions and holidays, the SEZ experience has been a sorry story. Devinder Sharma discusses the flaws in the government’s economic reasoning and insists on accountability.
Feb 06 2015
WHITHER DEMOCRACY
When people are merely roadblocks
WHITHER DEMOCRACY : When people are merely roadblocks

A series of recent executive orders, amendments to law and ministerial directives either seek to curtail avenues of public participation and consent over projects of critical impact, or do away with them altogether. Kanchi Kohli tracks the trend.
Feb 04 2015
AICCTU CONFERENCE
What are contract workers across the country pressing for?
AICCTU CONFERENCE : What are contract workers across the country pressing for?

A recent conference organised by the AICCTU in Bangalore saw more than 5000 contract workers marching in protest against the prevailing work conditions and in demand for regularisation of contracts as well as amendments in law. Here’s a list of the primary demands raised by the workers:
Feb 03 2015
CAG PERFORMANCE AUDIT
SEZ today, gone tomorrow!
CAG PERFORMANCE AUDIT : SEZ today, gone tomorrow!
In six states of India, close to 5500 hectares of land acquired for 52 SEZs were subsequently de-notified and diverted for commercial purposes! Himanshu Upadhyaya draws attention to this and other findings in the CAG audit of SEZ performance, which leave several questions unanswered.
Feb 02 2015
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION
'Krisis': Can Greece inspire India?
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION : 'Krisis': Can Greece inspire India?
The dramatic political transformation going on in Greece, with the victory of the leftist party SYRIZA, is worth watching closely for all those in India who hope for a just, sustainable future. Ashish Kothari deliberates upon the lessons to be learnt.
Jan 31 2015
ELECTION TRIVIA
Delhi’s big battle in figures
ELECTION TRIVIA : Delhi’s big battle in figures
As Delhi readies for the fiercely contested Assembly elections, here are a few details beyond the din of the campaigns that we bet you didn’t know! S Venkatraman captures them in an easy-to-grasp visual.
Jan 31 2015
BOAT-MAKING IN BEYPORE
Kerala’s royal connection: The luxury ‘uru’
BOAT-MAKING IN BEYPORE : Kerala’s royal connection: The luxury ‘uru’

In the non-descript town of Beypore near Kozhikode, skilled artisans have revived in a big way the tradition of making luxury ‘urus’, or dhow-shaped boats, as they find a ready clientele in the royal family of Qatar. Akshatha M visits Beypore.
Jan 30 2015
CHILD MALNUTRITION
A sudden cloud over Maharashtra’s nutritional progress
CHILD MALNUTRITION : A sudden cloud over Maharashtra’s nutritional progress
Data from the recently released District Level Household and Facility Survey shows disheartening figures for nutritional indicators, when compared to the last national survey. Shambhu Ghatak delves deeper into the state’s nutrition records and also tracks where others stand.
Jan 29 2015
ASTROLOGY SHOWS
Predicting rape on television!
ASTROLOGY SHOWS : Predicting rape on television!

Mars missions and scientific innovations notwithstanding, a large section of India still reposes great faith in the future predicted by astrologers. Satellite TV leverages that to offer a plethora of shows, one of which recently defied all limits of decency, as Arpana H S reports.
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Jan 28 2015
GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE
GPOD: Bringing management principles to gram panchayats
GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE : GPOD: Bringing management principles to gram panchayats

As Gram Panchayats in Karnataka go to the polls this year, Madhavi Rajadhyaksha explores the untapped potential of these grassroots institutions and suggests ways in which their capabilities may be leveraged and capacity strengthened.
Jan 27 2015
KELKAR COMMITTEE REPORT ON MAHARASHTRA
Pursuing development: The perils of the beaten track
KELKAR COMMITTEE REPORT ON MAHARASHTRA : Pursuing development: The perils of the beaten track
The report of a high level committee led by Vijay Kelkar to promote balanced development in Maharashtra has several important recommendations. But will it all come to nought because of its failure to avoid a few conventional pitfalls? Shripad Dharmadhikary explores.
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Jan 26 2015
SAANSAD ADARSH GRAM YOJANA
Why good governance may need more than adoption of villages
SAANSAD ADARSH GRAM YOJANA : Why good governance may need more than adoption of villages
A new scheme launched by PM Narendra Modi envisages development through a model in which every MP chooses a village to develop, with people’s participation. Vikas Jha looks at the numbers and realities to explore the real needs of rural development at the panchayat level.
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Jan 23 2015
MUZZLING ACTIVISM
What’s ‘fashionable’ about protesting human rights violations?
MUZZLING ACTIVISM : What’s ‘fashionable’ about protesting human rights violations?
A recent observation of the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by a filmmaker challenging censorship of his documentary, has left human rights advocates in the country anguished and puzzled. Shoma A Chatterji explains why.
Jan 22 2015
FEATS OF WILL
Ain't no mountain high enough!
FEATS OF WILL : Ain't no mountain high enough!
Nungshi and Tashi Malik from Dehradun have created history as the only twin sisters in the world to have scaled the seven highest peaks across the seven continents. Surekha Kadapa-Bose brings us the story of their feat in the face of myriad odds.
Jan 20 2015
NEW IPR POLICY
Missing: Intellectual Property Rights with a social lens
NEW IPR POLICY : Missing: Intellectual Property Rights with a social lens
The Modi government has moved fast and furious on charting a new policy regarding intellectual property rights; Shalini Bhutani’s recap of recent developments shows that much of it has been with an overt focus on industry, rather than innovation in general.
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