Articles
Dec 15 2007
FILMS
Two new documentaries explode Gujarat's myths
FILMS : Two new documentaries explode Gujarat's myths
Following his earlier acclaimed films, Rakesh Sharma has released two new Gujarati documentaries earlier this month. The films -- Sharma has even used RTI to collect government data -- expose unsavoury truths about farmers suicides as well as lower-caste rioters now in prison. Shoma Chatterji reports.
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Dec 13 2007
IDEAS OF FREEDOM
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Science and swaraj in ideas
Contrary to popular understanding, the nationalist struggle recognised that swaraj was to extend beyond politics into the realm of ideas. And it is still a fine tool with which to understand the challenges we face in our continuing encounter with western ideas, writes Rajesh Kasturirangan.
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Dec 12 2007
CASTE IN SCHOOLS
The discrimination 'curriculum' in M.P.'s schools
CASTE IN SCHOOLS : The discrimination 'curriculum' in M.P.'s schools
Schools are meant for making better citizens out of our children but in the Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, they are forging and reinforcing caste-bondages instead. Inclusive education seems a far cry in the villages of Dewas, reports Shuriah Niazi.
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Dec 09 2007
OPINION
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Selectively virtuous
They protest when the BJP or Shiv Sena bans a book or intimidates an artist, should they not do likewise when the CPI(M) does likewise? The Taslima Nasreen case has tested, and will test, the integrity of the Left intelligentsia even more than Nandigram, says Ramachandra Guha.
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Dec 08 2007
LOCAL ECONOMICS
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Villagers protest plans for salt factory
Against the wishes of the local people, and even the State government, a salt factory is proposed to be established on land that has been used freely by 20,000 villagers for decades. In the face of shifting politics, the residents are determined that they will protect their livelihoods. Aparna Pallavi reports.
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Dec 07 2007
OPINION
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Media and Health: Who will heal who?
Why are select medical cases hogging media attention? It is a matter of concern that health coverage is all too often susceptible to manipulation that makes a mockery of the ethics of both the media and the medical profession, says Ammu Joseph.
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Dec 05 2007
OPINION: CLIMATE CHANGE
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What is progress?
The real issues in Bali are not technical or economic. The crisis we face, with climate change, demands a profound philosophical discussion, a reappraisal of who we are and what progress means, writes George Monbiot.
Dec 03 2007
SECURITY
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Expansion in Indian nuclear theology
Retired Army Chief General Shankar Roychowdhury, writing in a popular security magazine, says India's nuclear doctrine must be revised to cover the additional threat of sponsored nuclear terrorism that could, as part of Pakistan's proxy war, prove to be the 'Future Shock'. Firdaus Ahmed analyses the General's views.
Dec 01 2007
WORLD AIDS DAY
HIV: Looking beyond numbers
WORLD AIDS DAY : HIV: Looking beyond numbers

Debates on HIV estimates often take time away from the real issues - those that can only be shared by people infected and affected by the infection. The issue that is truly critical and demands everyone's attention is that of the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, writes Syed Mohammad Afsar, on World AIDS Day.

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Dec 01 2007
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
Crippling Lok Adalats
ACCESS TO JUSTICE : Crippling Lok Adalats
As the justice delivery system gets farther from the people, a serious attempt like the Lok Adalat to make justice accessible to a large chunk of the poor has been appropriated by powerful vested interests. The search for an equitable justice system has come to an end, writes Girish Patel.
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Dec 01 2007
WOMEN'S HEALTH
When it comes to HIV, all women are at risk
WOMEN'S HEALTH : When it comes to HIV, all women are at risk

The expression 'women at risk' can no longer be used to describe only those engaged in sex work, and that strategies to address women's vulnerability to HIV must therefore take into account their varied risks, writes Sumita Thapar.

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Nov 29 2007
OPINION
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Media and people power
With literacy levels increasing rapidly over the past decade, and more and more people having disposable incomes, the media's reach and influence is expanding. But has this expansion and power of media been translated into greater public good? This a haunting and troubling question, writes Jayaprakash Narayan.
Nov 27 2007
RECHARGING GROUND WATER
A stream resumes year-round flow
RECHARGING GROUND WATER : A stream resumes year-round flow
With water run-off patterns in his area disturbed by the Forest Department's plantations, more bore wells being sunk, and pumping of groundwater turning multifold, a Karnataka farmer decided to build his own network for recharging ground water. Surprisingly for him, these efforts have revived his local stream. Shree Padre reports.
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Nov 26 2007
REGULATING GM FOODS
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SC to look into deregulation of GM food imports

Following Gene Campaign's challenge to the government's decision to withdraw all existing regulatory oversight over the import of GE foods, the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, writes Suman Sahai.

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Nov 26 2007
EDUCATION TO SAVE LIVES
Snakes and Ladders arming children against disasters
EDUCATION TO SAVE LIVES : Snakes and Ladders arming children against disasters
Pune-based firm Neeti Solutions has designed a unique version of the popular game Snakes and Ladders, aimed at teaching children about fires and earthquakes and how to cope best in such situations. Rasika Dhavse has more.
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Nov 24 2007
FOREIGN POLICY
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Kabul then, Myanmar now
India's support for the Soviet Union ran counter to the traditions of its own national movement. In the same way, the Indian silence on Burma is in sharp contrast to our consistent support for the democratic opposition in apartheid-era South Africa, says Ramachandra Guha.
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Nov 22 2007
WORRISOME SEX-RATIO
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A world without women
How ironical it is that just when Indians are patting themselves on the back on having the richest man in the world in their midst, when the middle classes are celebrating the rising stock market and more, girls are being killed, women are being bought and they have to fear for their lives in many parts of this country, asks Kalpana Sharma.
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Nov 21 2007
ARTISANS IN ASSAM
Brass metal work losing its shine
ARTISANS IN ASSAM : Brass metal work losing its shine
Hundreds of artisans in Hajo are finding their livelihoods threatened by a local monopoly and other factors that have driven the prices of raw materials very high. The Assam government is intervening to help, but the beneficiaries wish they were consulted more. Ratna Bharali Talukdar writes.
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Nov 20 2007
SOCIETY/THEATRE
In memory of Nati Binodini
SOCIETY/THEATRE : In memory of Nati Binodini
A theatre festival was held in Kolkata between November 1 to November 4 dedicated to the memory of Nati Binodini (1863-1941), a versatile actress whose dramatic and tragic life had more twists and turns than a film script. Shoma Chatterji attended, and has more.
Nov 18 2007
GE CROPS IN INDIA
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Genetically engineered spin
Lobbyists for agri-business interests will promote their agenda, naturally, but we must judge the merit of introducing more GE crops in India ourselves. Common sense, and all the data that is open to scrutiny, suggests that we should not, says P V Satheesh.
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