Articles
May 11 2013
THE FATE OF NOMADIC CASTES
Orphans of our society
THE FATE OF NOMADIC CASTES : Orphans of our society
Ignored by the government, shunned by society and caught in a time-warp of their own, the nomadic castes and tribes of India are almost "non citizens" of the land. R. Akhileshwari describes the abysmal plight of such people from Andhra Pradesh and highlights the injustice and neglect that they are subject to.
2
May 09 2013
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The role of individuals towards a better life
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY : The role of individuals towards a better life
In a country where the need for collective and institutional engagement in social improvement is stark, Shankar Jaganathan explores the role and contours of individual responsibility - both towards self and society - as a necessary precondition for the former.
4
May 08 2013
WATER MANAGEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA
Bhama Askhed Dam: Just another pawn
WATER MANAGEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA : Bhama Askhed Dam: Just another pawn
A dam that was sanctioned upon its claims of being able to irrigate 30,000 hectares in a semi-arid area of Maharashtra does not even have canals 18 years after initiation, but spawns industrial development! Findings by Parineeta Dandekar typify the issues of many large dams in the state.
May 07 2013
OPINION
Why India needs an alternative model of development
OPINION : Why India needs an alternative model of development
Apathetic, inefficient government and mindless pursuit of Western consumerist ideals by a few have brought India's marginalized millions to a state where the judiciary has to intervene to enforce the most basic of rights. Often, without effect, as Sakuntala Narasimhan finds.
3
May 07 2013
PENDING LEGISLATION
Social justice: What two key Bills propose
PENDING LEGISLATION : Social justice: What two key Bills propose
As the Budget Session of Parliament nears its end, the House is expected to decide on at least two key pieces of legislation that propose major reforms in the areas of food security and the rights of the displaced; Sakshi Balani provides a quick round-up of the provisions and issues related to the two Bills.
May 06 2013
FARMING SUCCESS
Living off jackfruit
FARMING SUCCESS : Living off jackfruit
While jackfruit farmers across India lament the lack of fair compensation, one farmer in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu earns an income of two lakh rupees a year from his unique and succulent “Maharajapuram” variety. Shree Padre brings us his story.
7
May 06 2013
CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE
Corporate interests rise above all
CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE : Corporate interests rise above all
Despite privatisation in the power sector, consumer interests are professed to be safeguarded through competitive processes and independent regulatory authorities, but a recent order in favour of Adani Power Ltd. dents such assertions. Shripad Dharmadhikary analyses the implications.
May 06 2013
FILM REVIEW
Preserving history for posterity
FILM REVIEW : Preserving history for posterity
Celluloid Man pays a moving tribute to P.K. Nair, a man whose passion and commitment has kept alive the history of Indian cinema for film lovers, even as it exposes the tragic indifference of the establishment towards Nair, and archiving in general. Shoma A. Chatterji reviews the film.
May 04 2013
STUDENT POLITICS IN WB
Shielding campuses from violence
STUDENT POLITICS IN WB : Shielding campuses from violence
Violence during college union elections, the death of a protesting 22-year-old student in police custody and a resultant chain of events have led to earnest debates in West Bengal over whether students should stay away from active politics. Promona Sengupta explores the reality underlying prevailing sentiments.
1
May 04 2013
INTERVIEW
Wanted: A clamour for better governance
INTERVIEW : Wanted: A clamour for better governance
Bangalore, once the poster-boy of new age India and its development, is now crumbling, having been sorely let down by the administration and politics of the state. As Karnataka heads for polls, Subramaniam Vincent, discusses the prospects and necessary preconditions for change with independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Apr 30 2013
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Of sports, passion and reality
AGAINST ALL ODDS : Of sports, passion and reality
Meet M B Santosh, one of India's only three FIFA-accredited referees, who drives an auto-rickshaw and works as caretaker of an apartment in Kottayam, Kerala to support a family of five. Here, he shares the incredible story of his life and passion with P N Venugopal.
1
Apr 29 2013
GENDER JUSTICE
Ringing the bell against VAW
GENDER JUSTICE : Ringing the bell against VAW
While the global epidemic of violence against women (VAW) stems from a culture of misplaced masculinity, the role of men in ending the same cannot be ignored. Mallika Dutt, CEO of global human rights organization Breakthrough, talks to India Together on the Bell Bajao! campaign that emphasises the fact.
Apr 27 2013
RISING INTOLERANCE
Is free speech an Indian value?
RISING INTOLERANCE : Is free speech an Indian value?
Is freedom of speech and expression deeply accepted in Indian society? Or is it merely a European cultural import that made its way along with the English language and appeared in the Constitution because of the founding fathers' genius? Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya reviews Freedom Song, a film and connects the dots.
Apr 25 2013
MILITARY MIGHT IN KASHMIR
Lethal injuries from 'non-lethal' weapons
MILITARY MIGHT IN KASHMIR : Lethal injuries from 'non-lethal' weapons
Despite the call by human rights organizations to stop the use of weapons such as pellet guns and chilli grenades in tackling riots or mob fury, security forces in the Kashmir Valley continue to deploy the same with impunity. This has led to debilitating injuries and even death, reports Freny Maneksha.
Apr 25 2013
FIGHT FOR AMRUT MAHAL KAVAL
Diversion of forest land denounced
FIGHT FOR AMRUT MAHAL KAVAL : Diversion of forest land denounced

The grant of close to 10000 acres of forest land in Chitradurga district for non-forestry purposes threatens the ecology as well as the means of subsistence of local communities, leading irate villagers to decide to boycott the impending State Assembly elections. Malini Shankar reports.

1
Apr 22 2013
OPINION
Professional or mercenary?
OPINION : Professional or mercenary?
The relationship between professionals such as doctors, lawyers and teachers and the society they serve is increasingly and radically changing. The reasons behind the same, however, may go deeper than the obvious mercenary tendencies of the former. Shankar Jaganathan ruminates.
7
Apr 22 2013
THE ASHA EXPERIENCE
No welfare for social welfare workers
THE ASHA EXPERIENCE : No welfare for social welfare workers
Abysmal pay, low dignity and zero benefits and security unite government-appointed social health activists from Punjab and UP at a protest meet in the capital. Amrita Nandy reveals some of their shocking tales of exploitation and deprivation.
Apr 18 2013
BIODIVERSITY
The Sparrow: Concerns and conservation
BIODIVERSITY : The Sparrow: Concerns and conservation

Were mobile towers primarily responsible for the dwindling number of house sparrows across India? Deepa Mohan studies the findings of a recent survey to explore the more likely reasons behind this wane of the species.

5
Apr 16 2013
NEWS OR VOYEURISM?
Kannada TV channels cross the line
NEWS OR VOYEURISM? : Kannada TV channels cross the line

In a desperate bid to outdo each other in television rating points, regional news channels are increasingly resorting to celebrity coverage bordering on tabloid journalism that infringes the right to individual privacy. B S Nagaraj comments on the trend.

Apr 10 2013
INTERVIEW
Making good cinema
INTERVIEW : Making good cinema
"The producer wanted to make a good film, and we didn't think about anything else", says Unni Vijayan, director of the national award-winning film Lessons in Forgetting. Padmalatha Ravi catches up with the director to know more about this film and its making.