Articles
Sep 07 2009
ARSENALS
The nuclear numbers game
ARSENALS : The nuclear numbers game
India claims that Pakistan is stockpiling more nuclear weapons than it needs for minimum deterrence. But this could just turn out to be an excuse for it to do likewise, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
1
Sep 06 2009
DNA PROFILING
A public, private database
DNA PROFILING : A public, private database
Indian policymakers must take heed and ensure that the DNA profiling system in India has well-guarded limits so that it protects human rights, writes Sujatha Byravan.
1
Sep 01 2009
SMALL TOWNS
Where history and prejudice collide
SMALL TOWNS : Where history and prejudice collide
While the old town is chaotic and crowded, on the other side the roads are wide and well maintained. There appears to be a complete disconnect between the two halves of Mirzapur, writes Kalpana Sharma.
2
Aug 31 2009
SEZ CLEARANCES
Exempt, but not exempt
SEZ CLEARANCES : Exempt, but not exempt
The Mundra multi-product SEZ project has been be exempted from holding a public hearing, according to the MoEF. But the official response to an RTI filing contends otherwise. Kanchi Kohli reports.
1
Aug 31 2009
CINEMA AND CENSORSHIP
A medium in chains
CINEMA AND CENSORSHIP : A medium in chains
Cinema and Censorship - The Politics of Control in India is a landmark in the world of books on Indian cinema on the one hand, and on the politics of control on the other, writes Shoma Chatterji.
Aug 30 2009
THE HEALTH OF NEWS
#
The Media and the Flu
Why is it that swine flu makes major national headlines in India while encephalitis, which has claimed many more lives this year (not to mention malaria, tuberculosis, gastro-enteritis, etc.), does not? Could it be that the A(H1N1) virus is more glamorous? Ammu Joseph analyses the scoops.
5
Aug 30 2009
HEALTH CARE
HIV and mental disorders
HEALTH CARE : HIV and mental disorders
While those with mental disorders are at increased danger for being infected with HIV, the onset of the virus itself gives rise to a number of mental illnesses. Puja Awasthi reports.
2
Aug 30 2009
RIVER PROJECTS AND PEOPLE
The wrecking sand dunes of upper Assam
RIVER PROJECTS AND PEOPLE : The wrecking sand dunes of upper Assam
Farmers in Assam have had to move out of agriculture during the past two years because sand dunes created over their fertile lands. Comprehensive bungling of river flood control and other ill-thought out projects are the cause, finds Surekha Sule.
3
Aug 29 2009
ENVIRONMENT REGULATION
Red flags over green tribunal
ENVIRONMENT REGULATION : Red flags over green tribunal
The NGT Bill, 2009 includes a number of flawed passages, which would need to be corrected before it is deemed fit for passage from Parliament, writes Gopal Krishna.
1
Aug 29 2009
OPINION: SOCIETY
In praise of conservatism
OPINION: SOCIETY : In praise of conservatism
In the past few hundred years, every revolution has caused much more harm than the evil it sought to eradicate. Perhaps the conservative is on to something after all, writes Rajesh Kasturirangan.
4
Aug 25 2009
OVERVIEW
Environment Report, 2009
OVERVIEW : Environment Report, 2009
The MoEF's assessment of the environment, which should be the foundation for strategic planning in the ministry, is highly inadequate, and is a poor second to similar efforts by environmentalists themselves, writes Shripad Dharmadhikary.
2
Aug 16 2009
INDEPENDENCE
The absent celebrant
INDEPENDENCE : The absent celebrant
Wherever we are this August 15, we would do well to remember, and take heed of, what a very wise Indian said and did on this day 62 years ago, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Aug 16 2009
PRE-EMPTING WAR
Wanted: A peace movement
PRE-EMPTING WAR : Wanted: A peace movement
Arguing against the nuclear enclave and its retainers is a kind of national service, and we must press on, no matter how futile it may appear at times, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Aug 15 2009
ORISSA: MIGRANT ECONOMICS
Put your money down, boys
ORISSA: MIGRANT ECONOMICS : Put your money down, boys
Ganjam migrants in Surat send home Rs. 400 crore a year, a fourth of that through the unique Tappawala courier system. But global recession has seen remittances take a hit, writes P Sainath.
1
Aug 15 2009
ORISSA: MIGRANT ECONOMICS
More migrations, new destinations
ORISSA: MIGRANT ECONOMICS : More migrations, new destinations
Ganjam has been a high-migration district from British times. For two decades, the bulk of its labour force has gone to Surat, but that is changing now, writes P Sainath.
1
Aug 15 2009
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER
AP coastal crisis leaves fishermen marooned
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER : AP coastal crisis leaves fishermen marooned

Moneylender troubles, a fast depleting catch due to reckless pollution, and displacement: it has been raining blow after blow on fisherfolk in Andhra Pradesh recently. Will a meeting with a cabinet minister fix things? Keya Acharya reports.

Aug 15 2009
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
ASEAN FTA - a hasty, unbalanced deal
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT : ASEAN FTA - a hasty, unbalanced deal
Since Kerala and ASEAN countries both produce several similar items, competition from the latter is a cause of worry in the former. But the Centre has over-ridden the State's objections to the free trade agreement, writes Bhaskar Goswami.
4
Aug 15 2009
OPINION: BUDGETS
#
Drought of justice, flood of funds
Ask for expansion of the NREGS, universal access to the PDS, more spending on health and education - and there's no money. But there?s enough to give away to the corporate world in concessions, writes P Sainath.
Aug 14 2009
WOMEN/CHOICE
Abortion law's grey zone: retarded mothers
WOMEN/CHOICE : Abortion law's grey zone: retarded mothers
The SC recently ruled that a 19-year-old Chandigarh-based mentally retarded girl must be allowed to carry on her pregnancy that was caused by sexual assault. The verdict throws open more questions than it answers, writes Kamayani Bali Mahabal.
5
Aug 13 2009
BIRTH OF VIOLENCE
Lalgarh: Deprived of a peace of life
BIRTH OF VIOLENCE : Lalgarh: Deprived of a peace of life
Not many trace their way back to the human tragedy that has given rise to the culture of violence that marks Lalgarh today. The women do not appear scared of any police reaction in response to their protests. Soma Mitra has more.
4