Articles
Jan 27 2014
TEA CULTIVATION
Big hopes from small tea
TEA CULTIVATION : Big hopes from small tea
The Assamese small tea sector has seen impressive growth over a relatively short span of time, thanks to the efforts of growers and support from the Tea Board. All it needs now is state support to take it to the next level, reports Ratna Bharali Talukdar.
Jan 26 2014
SOCIAL PENSIONS
Significant, but hardly enough!
SOCIAL PENSIONS : Significant, but hardly enough!
A survey among beneficiaries of the National Social Assistance Programme shows that while it does provide succour for many, a lot remains to be done for it to become sufficient social security for the masses. Anindita Adhikari reports on the survey findings.
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Jan 25 2014
URBAN INEQUALITY
What future for the cities within our cities?
URBAN INEQUALITY : What future for the cities within our cities?

Generalised policies that draw up uniform plans for cities also end up marginalising millions among the urban poor. Shirish Khare emphasises the need for more inclusive and participatory development if India is to meet the huge urbanisation challenge that lies ahead.

Jan 21 2014
EASING FARM WOES
FDI: Neither necessary, nor sufficient
EASING FARM WOES : FDI: Neither necessary, nor sufficient
Though FDI in retail is being projected as a cure-all for the ills in the agriculture and food sector, Devinder Sharma cites examples from the world over to argue why we should not be pinning our hopes on it.
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Jan 21 2014
DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING
Sons and daughters waiting to be rescued
DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING : Sons and daughters waiting to be rescued
As media reports on abuse of domestic help become increasingly frequent, Shoma A Chatterji draws attention to a documentary that reveals the shocking realities of children and young people trafficked for employment as servants in upper and middle class homes, primarily in Delhi.
Jan 21 2014
CLIMATE ACTION PLANS
When will Indian politics wake up to climate change?
CLIMATE ACTION PLANS : When will Indian politics wake up to climate change?
Initiatives that do not factor in climate resilience and related gender concerns cannot address development challenges, but the manner in which state-level climate action plans are being implemented shows these are yet to become electoral planks. Aditi Kapoor reports.
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Jan 20 2014
GAPS IN EDUCATION
The real and present threat to our future
GAPS IN EDUCATION : The real and present threat to our future

India is at a turning point and needs a holistic education system to meet the requirements and expectations of various existing and emerging sectors. Unless there is a revamp, our youngsters have a bleak future, says Ramesh Menon

Jan 19 2014
WHO SHOULD REGULATE?
Old approvals from a new regulator?
WHO SHOULD REGULATE? : Old approvals from a new regulator?
The SC orders the government to constitute an independent environmental regulatory authority. While the flaws in the current arrangement are plain, it is not clear if independence of the regulator alone can address these, writes Kanchi Kohli.
Jan 15 2014
INCLUSION IN EDUCATION
A school for me too
INCLUSION IN EDUCATION : A school for me too

The Nanagu Shaale programme of a Karnataka-based NGO shows why the national Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan's provision of home-based education for children with special needs may in practice defeat the ideological objective of inclusion. Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya reports.

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Jan 14 2014
FINANCIAL INCLUSION
When every Indian has a bank account
FINANCIAL INCLUSION : When every Indian has a bank account
The new vision for financial inclusion In India as unveiled by a committee appointed by the RBI could well be an effective catalyst for transforming the lives of the people, feels Shankar Jaganathan.
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Jan 10 2014
GENDER JUSTICE
Rape laws have changed, but what about the judiciary?
GENDER JUSTICE : Rape laws have changed, but what about the judiciary?
Laws addressing sexual violence may have changed in India, but with judicial response mired in scepticism and age-old attitudes towards rape survivors, there is little hope for justice. In conversation with Pamela Philipose, noted lawyer Vrinda Grover exposes the contradictions in the legal system.
Jan 10 2014
INVISIBLE ACHIEVERS
The Olympic medals India won and ignored
INVISIBLE ACHIEVERS : The Olympic medals India won and ignored
Indian participants won a remarkable 387 medals at the Special Olympic Games for sports persons with intellectual disabilities held in Australia in December 2013. Pushpa Achanta urges greater state and institutional support for these neglected sports persons as she brings us their inspiring stories.
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Jan 05 2014
WATER FOR MUMBAI
Travelling afar for solutions nearby
WATER FOR MUMBAI : Travelling afar for solutions nearby
The plan to erect 12 dams in order to meet the water requirements of cities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is not only objectionable from an environmental perspective, but also undermines the priorities laid out by the 12th Five Year Plan. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports.
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Jan 01 2014
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
At Kandla, no room for marine ecosystem
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT : At Kandla, no room for marine ecosystem
The agreement between the Kandla Port Trust in Gujarat and the Adani Port & Special Economic Zone Ltd appears set to be passed without the kind of environment impact assessment mandated for an eco-sensitive zone such as this. Kanchi Kohli reports.
Dec 30 2013
CAG AUDIT
UP NREGS: Whither guidelines?
CAG AUDIT : UP NREGS: Whither guidelines?
The flouting of scheme guidelines in the NREGS implementation in Uttar Pradesh shows how the programme is still locked in top-down planning. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports on the various findings of the performance audit of the scheme.
Dec 30 2013
AAP IN DELHI
Why Arvind Kejriwal does not need magic
AAP IN DELHI : Why Arvind Kejriwal does not need magic
The question foremost on the minds of both believers and sceptics now is whether AAP will be able to keep its lofty promises to the people. Subramaniam Vincent feels that this may not require rocket science, after all.
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Dec 30 2013
URBAN TRANSPORT
Delhi's cry: No more dead men walking
URBAN TRANSPORT : Delhi's cry: No more dead men walking
Not least among the problems in the national capital is the lack of road safety for pedestrians and those using non-motorised transport. Shambhu Ghatak presents data exposing the stark reality of commute in Delhi and outlines recommendations made to improve the situation.
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Dec 28 2013
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Spaced out in Mumbai
URBAN DEVELOPMENT : Spaced out in Mumbai
India's commercial capital suffers from a deplorable lack of open spaces and falls far below both national and global standards in that respect. Clearly, the BMC is not tuned in to the requirements, as Darryl D'Monte shows in his report on the draft development plan for the city.
Dec 25 2013
SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS
Shunned by law, embraced by cinema
SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS : Shunned by law, embraced by cinema
As outrage spreads over the recent Supreme Court ruling upholding criminalisation of same-sex relationships, Shoma A. Chatterji dwells on a documentary portraying the social and emotional ordeal of individuals belonging to the community, and talks to the makers of the film.
Dec 25 2013
MEDICAL TRAVEL
Wanted: Trains equipped for the sick and infirm
MEDICAL TRAVEL : Wanted: Trains equipped for the sick and infirm
In the concluding part of her series, Malini Shankar looks beyond the needs of the physically challenged and emphasises the criticality of appropriate facilities and infrastructure that would make train journeys convenient for those travelling for medical reasons.