Articles
Apr 14 2014
POLL PROMISES
How parties are wooing the young voter
POLL PROMISES : How parties are wooing the young voter

The 2014 elections will go down as one of the most exciting in the history of the Indian democracy and the huge number of voters among the youth could well emerge to be the real game-changers. Tanvi Bhatikar looks at the manifestos of the three main parties to see what they have to lure young voters.
Apr 14 2014
COAL ASH MENACE
Ash everywhere; in your food and water, too?
COAL ASH MENACE : Ash everywhere; in your food and water, too?
Fly ash, the residue from coal used in thermal power plants, is not only a headache for plant operators; its use in agriculture and other sectors violates environmental sanctity and poses a serious risk to human health. Shripad Dharmadhikary studies a new CEA report to bring us more.
Apr 10 2014
A NUCLEAR-FREE WORLD
Getting ‘practical’ on No-First-Use
A NUCLEAR-FREE WORLD : Getting ‘practical’ on No-First-Use
PM Manmohan Singh’s plans to minimise nuclear risks, as articulated at a recent conference, revolves around formulation of a ‘global no-first-use’ norm. Firdaus Ahmed points to why a practical solution is less about global norms and rests more likely on issues closer home.
Apr 09 2014
COMPARING MANIFESTOS
Who will spare a thought for the environment?
COMPARING MANIFESTOS : Who will spare a thought for the environment?
With the manifestos of all major national parties finally released, Himanshu Thakkar presents a comparative reading with a lens on environment and natural resource management.
Apr 09 2014
URBAN MP PROFILES
Leading from the capital
URBAN MP PROFILES : Leading from the capital

As Delhi prepares to choose its leaders for the 16th Lok Sabha, Navya P K presents a look at the leaders who represented the key urban constituencies in the last session of parliament.
Apr 09 2014
ELECTIONS IN KERALA
Will the Western Ghats decide Kerala’s mandate?
ELECTIONS IN KERALA : Will the Western Ghats decide Kerala’s mandate?
The controversy over the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports on ecological preservation in the Western Ghats has brought about a churn in politics in Kerala. P N Venugopal wonders if this will determine the decisions of the electorate in the Lok Sabha elections.
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Apr 08 2014
ICDS SCHEME
Why Bihar’s child is different from Himachal’s
ICDS SCHEME : Why Bihar’s child is different from Himachal’s
The Integrated Child Development Services scheme was launched to address the nutrition, health and learning needs of all children below six years of age. Ankita Aggarwal shares findings from a survey that point to the huge variations in implementation and effectiveness.
Apr 04 2014
AS INDIA VOTES
Could Modi be a development disaster?
AS INDIA VOTES : Could Modi be a development disaster?
If the cost of ecological damage and social deprivation are accounted for, Narendra Modi will only be half as tall as he is made out to be, says Ashish Kothari, issuing a grave warning.
Apr 04 2014
COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION HOAX
Rampant diversion, tardy reforestation in Himachal
COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION HOAX : Rampant diversion, tardy reforestation in Himachal
A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reveals blatant procedural and legal non-compliance in respect of compensatory afforestation work in Himachal Pradesh. Himanshu Upadhyaya summarises the findings.
Apr 02 2014
HOLISTIC URBAN PLANNING
Planning for a climate-resilient city
HOLISTIC URBAN PLANNING : Planning for a climate-resilient city
Indian cities have been identified as among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Shrimoyee Bhattacharya and Sujaya Rathi explore how the envisioned plan for Bangalore can build in increased resilience to climatic variations and impact.
Apr 01 2014
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE
Digging deeper into the law
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE : Digging deeper into the law

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 aims to create safer workplaces for women in particular. However, as Anagha Sarpotdar points out, without deeper discussion and interpretation of its provisions, prevention of abuse at workplaces may remain a pipe dream.
Apr 01 2014
TIBETANS’ RIGHT TO VOTE
“What about our dreams of a free Tibet?”
TIBETANS’ RIGHT TO VOTE : “What about our dreams of a free Tibet?”
The Election Commission of India has ordered states to include children of Tibetan refugees born in India between 1950 and 1987 in the electoral rolls. Ramesh Menon finds that even as they acknowledge India’s gesture, the right to vote creates a dilemma for them and leaves them with mixed emotions.
Apr 01 2014
TRIBUTE
Thank you, Khushwant-ji
TRIBUTE : Thank you, Khushwant-ji
As readers and admirers celebrate the many memories left behind by the grand old man of Indian journalism and writing, Shoma Chatterji pays a touching, personal tribute to the inimitable Khushwant Singh.
Mar 29 2014
DAKSH SURVEY
Rating our MPs: A few ground truths
DAKSH SURVEY : Rating our MPs: A few ground truths
What should be the yardstick of performance for our leaders in the Lok Sabha? Should they be held accountable for issues of governance in their local constituencies, or their legislative record in parliament? Kishore Mandyam explains his stance.
Mar 28 2014
KNOW YOUR MP
Tracking Chennai’s faces in Parliament
KNOW YOUR MP : Tracking Chennai’s faces in Parliament
Continuing the focus on how Members of Parliament from key urban constituencies have fared in the 15th Lok Sabha, Lavanya Donthamshetty shines the spotlight on the leaders from Chennai.
Mar 27 2014
MINING TROUBLE
Steeling into Rowghat’s future
MINING TROUBLE : Steeling into Rowghat’s future
Iron ore from the proposed Rowghat mines in Chhattisgarh is crucial for the sustenance of the Bhilai steel plants. This, however, not only poses a grave threat to the forest ecology of the area, but is also itself vulnerable. Kanchi Kohli details the complexities.
Mar 25 2014
PARTY SYSTEM DIVERSITY
Not just one party or the other!
PARTY SYSTEM DIVERSITY : Not just one party or the other!
Mainstream media may play up the parliamentary contest as a battle of Goliaths, but statistical analysis reveals the true diversity in the Indian party system and the inevitability of coalitions. Srinivasan Ramani brings us the real picture.
Mar 24 2014
CELEBRITY MPs
The not-so-glittering stars in Parliament
CELEBRITY MPs : The not-so-glittering stars in Parliament
As parties firm up their candidates in various constituencies, several celebrity names - new and old - are doing the rounds yet again. Shoma Chatterji looks at a few examples from the years gone by to question what we may really expect from these star-turned-politicians.
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Mar 24 2014
WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY
Let the fight go on
WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY : Let the fight go on
Tuberculosis kills close to 300,000 men, women and children in India every year and is estimated to cost the country $23.7 billion annually! R Balasubramaniam describes the fight against the disease so far and the challenges it continues to pose.
Mar 22 2014
KNOW YOUR MP
Of Hyderabad’s ‘Sansad Ratna’ and his peers
KNOW YOUR MP : Of Hyderabad’s ‘Sansad Ratna’ and his peers
Did you know that Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has been among the topmost performers in the Lok Sabha and has been honoured with the Sansad Ratna 2014 award? Arpana H S compiles a quick snapshot of MPs from Hyderabad and adjoining urban constituencies.