POLICY AND IDENTITY
Who, exactly, is the public?
POLICY AND IDENTITY : Who, exactly, is the public?

There is rising interest in public policy, but much of the focus so far has been on the 'policy' part. But it is even more important to understand the 'public' part of this phrase.

#Government #Society
PASSIVE EUTHANASIA
Freedom to choose death
PASSIVE EUTHANASIA : Freedom to choose death

The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment has allowed passive euthanasia, thereby giving succour to terminally ill patients and their relatives, but is India culturally ready for this?

#Culture #Health
SHORT FILM
Questioning a sacred relationship

Shoma Chatterji reviews a beautiful short film Amma Meri that was screened recently in a film festival.

#Society Films and Books #Reviews
LOOKING BACK
Muslim identity in Bollywood cinema

With the instant triple talaq being declared unconstitutional, Shoma Chatterji looks back at how Muslim identity has been represented in Hindi cinema, and wonders if it will change now.

#Society Films and Books #Media
COMMUNITY RADIO
New policy dismays Community Radio activists

While stonewalling their demand to broadcast news, the I&B Ministry has said CR stations can air AIR bulletins instead. Geeta Seshu reports.

#Radio #Media
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
There’s nothing to be ashamed about disability

An inspiring account of Malini Chib, disability rights activist and author, who talks about how she got around to developing a strong disability identity that she wants to “celebrate” rather than reject.

#Disability #Women
SURROGACY BILL
Banning commercial surrogacy
SURROGACY BILL : Banning commercial surrogacy

A brief overview of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 by PRS legislative.

#Laws #Women
JUDICIAL VACANCIES
Travesty of justice
JUDICIAL VACANCIES : Travesty of justice

With over 2.19 crore pending cases, the Chief Justice of India pleads again to fill the numerous vacancies in the judiciary at the earliest. Ramesh Menon reports.

#Government #Society
HILL AGITATION
Manipur: Rattled and torn
HILL AGITATION : Manipur: Rattled and torn

It has been more than nine months since a political crisis has snowballed into a battle between the tribals and the non-tribals of Manipur creating sharp divisions. Ramesh Menon surveys the fragile situation.

#Laws #Society #MANIPUR
NORTHEASTERN CINEMA
Telling tales from the Northeast
NORTHEASTERN CINEMA : Telling tales from the Northeast

Shoma Chatterji writes about the challenges faced and efforts being made in the Northeastern states of India to encourage and support film making.

#Films #Media #Society
WASTE DUMP
Residents of a municipal dumping site fight back

The women of Meghpar village of Kutch District are fighting the big port town Gandhidham municipality which is dumping its waste in their village. Vimal Kalavadiya and Shvetangini Patel report from Kutch.

#Waste #Women #GUJARAT
ANIMAL CRUELTY & FILMS
Of animals and lesser animals: Shaktimaan and his brothers

The shocking physical abuse inflicted on police horse Shaktimaan has rightly created a furore in society. But cruelty towards animals does not just manifest itself in stray, isolated incidents. Shoma Chatterji draws attention to the treatment of animals in film making and stresses the need for strict monitoring.

#Society
FREE SPEECH
No matter who’s ruling, they just won’t brook dissent!

2009 – mid 2014: UPA. Mid 2014 – present: NDA. This map will show you that irrespective of who’s at the helm, national policies and issues considered sacrosanct are not open to debate in our country.

#Government #Society
NORTH EAST TRAVEL
Tales from Manipur
NORTH EAST TRAVEL : Tales from Manipur

For decades now the beautiful state of Manipur has been suffering from the violent insurgency and the excesses of the Indian army. Pushpa Achanta visits the state and narrates her experiences which shows how much is not known about the state or its people.

#MANIPUR
CASTE MATTERS
Yes, it is a caste issue!
CASTE MATTERS : Yes, it is a caste issue!

Rohith Vemula's death was the end of his dreams of becoming another Carl Sagan. But so many other dreams have perished because of caste-based persecution that has been a blight on higher education and professional practice in this country. Shahina Nafeesa's touching personal essay, translated by Renu Ramanath, brings out deeply disturbing realities.

#Caste #Society