Articles
Dec 25 2013
STATE VERDICTS 2013
Bad Economics, bad politics
STATE VERDICTS 2013 : Bad Economics, bad politics
The real reason behind the Congress' performance in the recently concluded Assembly Elections may not be the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party per se, but more the economic concerns of the real aam aadmi. Devinder Sharma analyses.
Dec 22 2013
A NEW OMBUDSMAN
2011 to 2013: What has changed in the Lokpal Bill?
A NEW OMBUDSMAN : 2011 to 2013: What has changed in the Lokpal Bill?
PRS Legislative Research provides a quick summary of key amendments in effect in the final version of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, that was passed by both houses of Parliament in December 2013.
Dec 18 2013
CRONY CAPITALISM
Tainted firm escapes scrutiny, but why?
CRONY CAPITALISM : Tainted firm escapes scrutiny, but why?
With the World Bank 'banning' construction major Progressive Constructions Ltd on graft charges, R Uma Maheshwari urges a review of the contracts awarded to it in connection with the critical Polavaram Dam project.
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Dec 17 2013
CHILD LABOUR
Small hands, hard labour in Surat's textile industry
CHILD LABOUR : Small hands, hard labour in Surat's textile industry
The famed textile industry of Surat is one of the pillars of Gujarat's industrial success story. What is less known about it is the unfortunate reality of rampant child employment and exploitation that prevails there. Shirish Khare reports.
Dec 15 2013
DELHI 2013
Does the loser take it all?
DELHI 2013 : Does the loser take it all?
In a rare occurrence in the Indian electoral scene, a losing party is not only hogging a larger share of the limelight but also apparently bringing about real changes in the way that politics has been practised in the country. Anoo Bhuyan analyses the real impact of the Delhi elections.
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Dec 13 2013
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Ministries turn a blind eye to impact of small hydel projects
RENEWABLE ENERGY : Ministries turn a blind eye to impact of small hydel projects
Both the Ministry of Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Forests appear loath to pay attention to the potential environmental impact of small hydel power projects in the country. Parineeta Dandekar underlines the shortcomings in the official stance towards such projects.
Dec 12 2013
INFLATION
Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week!
INFLATION : Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week!
It is certainly not because of mere demand-supply mismatch. Kannan Kasturi deconstructs the supply chain dynamics and credit linkages in the vegetable markets to show how these, coupled with government impotence, have led to uncontrolled, spiralling inflation.
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Dec 12 2013
THOUGHTS AFTER DELHI
When idealism isn't impractical anymore
THOUGHTS AFTER DELHI : When idealism isn't impractical anymore
Debates on a paradigm shift in Indian politics have primarily seen arguments around the feasibility of change, even as they took its desirability as given. Shankar Jaganathan celebrates the developments which promise a triumph for idealism and show its potential of being translated into reality.
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Dec 12 2013
THE AAP PHENOMENON
A tipping point for Indian democracy
THE AAP PHENOMENON : A tipping point for Indian democracy
The translation of support for the Aam Aadmi Party into votes in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2013 augurs well for the Indian democracy, long struggling to break free from a corruption-ridden, archaic political establishment, writes R. Balasubramaniam
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Dec 12 2013
SECTION 377
SC judgment: The gaps in logic
SECTION 377 : SC judgment: The gaps in logic
Going beyond value judgments, T R Raghunandan presents an objective explanation of why the Supreme Court judgment upholding the constitutionality of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code lacks sound reasoning and could have been much better crafted.
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Dec 10 2013
ANALYSIS: DELHI ELECTIONS VERDICT
What makes the Aam Aadmi Party tick?
ANALYSIS: DELHI ELECTIONS VERDICT : What makes the Aam Aadmi Party tick?
Veteran journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta talks to India Together on the phone from Delhi to share his views on what the nation is talking about - the spectacular debut performance of the Aam Aadmi Party in the recent state elections.
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Dec 06 2013
HOUSING A LEGACY
The many stories that Kargil tells us
HOUSING A LEGACY : The many stories that Kargil tells us
The Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum of Central Asian & Kargil Trade reconstructs the vibrant past of trade along the historic Silk Route and preserves its rich legacy. Freny Manecksha visits the museum and finds there's more to Kargil than Indo-Pak conflict.
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Dec 05 2013
WATER DIVERSION
Powerful forces get water for power
WATER DIVERSION : Powerful forces get water for power
The construction of barrages to meet the water needs of thermal power plants in western Chattisgarh shows that irregularities involved in the allocation of this resource may be as large as the ones in coal allocation itself. Shripad Dharmadhikary throws light on the issue.
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Dec 03 2013
GLOBAL BENCHMARKS
Rail travel for the disabled: Learn from the world
GLOBAL BENCHMARKS : Rail travel for the disabled: Learn from the world
Attention to international benchmarks, awareness of rights and proactive provision of basic facilities could make train journeys a less stressful experience for physically challenged passengers in the country, says Malini Shankar in the second part of her series.
Dec 03 2013
DISABLED TRAVELLERS
When travel arouses dread
DISABLED TRAVELLERS : When travel arouses dread
As the world observes the International Day of People with Disability on 3 December, Malini Shankar draws attention through a three-part series to the pathetic lack of attention and consideration for the disabled in the Indian Railways, the only cost-effective means of long distance travel for the masses.
Dec 01 2013
REMEMBERING MADIBA
Moments with Mandela: Meeting South Africa's Gandhi
REMEMBERING MADIBA : Moments with Mandela: Meeting South Africa's Gandhi
As the world mourns the loss of one of history's most remarkable leaders, Devaki Jain reminisces the occasions when she met Nelson Mandela and dwells on the qualities that set him apart.
Nov 30 2013
GARBAGE IN CITIES
Can new technologies tackle urban waste?
GARBAGE IN CITIES : Can new technologies tackle urban waste?
While there is certainly a difference in the methods by which waste is disposed of in the global North and South, there are new European technologies in this field which deserve to be looked at, albeit at some future date. Darryl D'Monte reports from a recent event in Naples.
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Nov 25 2013
SHAH COMMISSION REPORT
Can illegal mining be stopped?
SHAH COMMISSION REPORT : Can illegal mining be stopped?
The Justice M B Shah Commission set up by the Ministry of Mines may have been prematurely discontinued, but its substantial impact in the early stages and interim findings clearly point to what its final report may hold. Kanchi Kohli reports.
Nov 22 2013
DAKSH LECTURE
Exploring state-people relations
DAKSH LECTURE : Exploring state-people relations
The annual Constitutional Day lecture organized by non-profit organisation Daksh this year will be delivered by Usha Ramanathan on 26 November. Find the details here.
Nov 20 2013
CHILD ABUSE
When legal redress isn't enough to protect children
CHILD ABUSE : When legal redress isn't enough to protect children
Hospital-based Collaborative Child Response Units can go a long way in providing immediate medical attention, minimising secondary trauma, and ensuring that children abused sexually get adequate social support. Vinita A Shetty looks at why these CCRUs are so critical for minor victims.