India

Wrestlers’ struggle for justice : Will it endure?

Published as the front page story in 'The Indian Express' on May 23, 2023, Vinesh Phogat in her write up titled 'Like many girls, I had to suffer silently all…

‘Digital India Bill’: Some things to worry about

There is talk again of the government coming out with its ‘Digital India Bill’ which is meant to replace the IT Act, 2000. The ‘Digital India Bill’ is an unofficial…

Electricity wasted in Mumbai as energy supply is cut off for hours in towns

The mass scale ugly, blinding illumination of trees all over Mumbai is a terrible waste of energy when many parts of the state are suffering from load shedding. And the…

Samalkha Nestle Workers Union stage protest against preventing formation of Union

On Monday, June 5, at the gate of the Nestle factory located in Samalkha, Haryana, union representatives from different Nestle plants and representatives of the Nestle Workers' Unity of Nestle…

Odisha rail accident- BSNL’s commendable performance- Should India diminish its public sector, allow private oligarchs to profiteer?

To Smt Nirmala Sitharaman Union Finance Minister Dear Smt Sitharaman, I refer to the hasty, sweeping Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) disinvestment policy announced by you in your Budget Speech…

For Balanced Progress, Indian Railways Must Get Their Priorities Right

The recent highly tragic train accident in Odisha has again highlighted the urgency for the Indian Railways to correct their priorities in order to achieve balanced progress on a safe…

Determining Scheduled Area: An Update

Abstract Determining Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule of Article 244 of the Constitution has been left largely to administrative and political interpretations. Mired in ambiguities, most often adverse, this…

The new Parliament house may be dangerously undemocratic

India’s new Parliament House was launched with as much fanfare as there was controversy. For those now in their sixties and seventies who have had occasion to either travel or…

DIPAM’s hasty moves to disinvest the government’s residual share in HZL highly imprudent and against the public interest

To Smt Nirmala Sitharaman Union Finance Minister Dear Smt Sitharaman, It is reported that Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) plans to conduct roadshows this month for disinvesting…

Proper Treatment of Rail Accident Victims Demands Long-term Commitment and Support

Nearly 1000 people have been injured in the recent extremely tragic train accident in Odisha; various new reports have mentioned a figure ranging from 800 to 1100 injured persons. There…

What the Kailasa Con Job Reveals About the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

The international wing of the fascist RSS dupes American elected officials The New Jersey city of Newark was caught in an embarrassing situation in March 2023. Just two months previously,…

The writing is on the wall: Farmers warn Parliamentarians

In a move without precedent, Indian farmers have warned all Members of the Indian Parliament in a letter in both Hindi and English, to raise their voices in Parliament to…

End the culture of impunity and arrest accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh now

Collective statement by women and human rights organisations condemning the state repression and police atrocities on the wrestlers in their struggle for justice against sexual harassment We the undersigned women…

Steaming Ahead: Sikkim’s First Rail Project to Boost Connectivity by 2024

By 2024, Sikkim is set to witness a significant enhancement in its connectivity as it prepares to introduce its first train service and join the national network. This landmark railway…

Railway Safety Has Been Short of Funds, Needs Early Increase

Several senior experts and officials have rightly emphasized that safety should get the topmost priority in railways management. In financial terms railway safety requirements were estimated in year 2015-16 at…

Notes on two recent sensations

The least the present government could have done,even if to save appearances,in response to the ghastly train accident at Balasore,was the Rly Minister's resignation.For there can be no doubt whatsoever…

A shocking picture of health apathy…..

A United Nations report has informed that India does not fare well even among countries that have been found to have a very negative position in terms of maternal and…

Railway accident in Odisha- Are the Railways ready for high-speed trains? Who is to be blamed?

To Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Railway Minister Dear Shri Vaishnaw, The latest railway accident in Odisha, which has resulted in the death of more than 280 passengers and hundreds injured, is…

Preserving India’s Heritage: The Power of International Collaboration for Natural and Cultural Conservation

India, a land steeped in history and natural wonders, holds a profound responsibility to protect and cherish its heritage for the coming generations. With breath-taking landscapes like the mighty Himalayas…

Why distress from railway accidents may be much higher than is commonly believed

The recent disastrous Odisha train accident has re-emphasized the need for ensuring better train safety. Taking an average figure for the last decade, nearly 24,000 deaths are caused by railway…

Modi Regime should be Called to Account for the Deadliest Triple Train Collision at Balasore

Where is the Train Collision Avoidance System developed by Indian Railways in 2011-12? While all have to focus on rescue, relief, medical treatment of the injured and restoration operations following…

Women Wrestler’s Protests: Exposing Beti Bachao Slogan

The protests by women wrestlers Vinesh Poghat, Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik and also male wrestler Bajrang Punia while is aimed at demanding an action against Brijbhushan Singh Sharan who used…

Inauguration of Parliament Building: Coronation Ceremony?

This 28th May 2023 the new and more lavish building of Parliament was inaugurated by Prime Minster Modi. Most opposition parties boycotted this function as they argued that the inauguration…

Strike ends in Belsonika with reinstatement of 10 suspended workers

The strike of the workers, which was staged outside the Belsonica Company in Manesar for the last one month, concluded with an agreement on June 1. On May 30, all…

Unmasking Tourism’s Roadblocks

Most urban dwellers often yearn for a break from their busy lives and seek solace and rejuvenation in hill stations. However, many individuals, including my colleagues working in private firms,…

Metro authorities humiliating ordinary commuters

A seemingly good decision to provide free insurance to commuters of two lines on the Mumbai Metro is also highly discriminatory and almost insulting to suburban train and bus commuters.…

PLI Scheme- Do subsidies to profit-earning private manufacturers yield commensurate societal benefits?

To Shri G C Murmu Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) Dear Shri Murmu, I had earlier written to you on the pros and cons of the Production Linked…

Stolen Heirloom or poppycock

Reading a recent news suddenly my mind raced back across to a time when as an inquisitive child of twelve I used to read all available printed stuff in Assamese…

Rise Up in Solidarity with Protesting Wrestlers

The protest by prominent Indian wrestlers against BJP MP Brij Bhushan for sexual harassment of female wrestlers including a minor is assuming new dimensions with police declaring that they will…

Kya Sharmsaar hai hindustan……are wrestling champions of India going the Mohammed Ali way?

Mohammed Ali born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He won a gold medal in boxing at the 1960 Summer Olympics…

Legislative Gaps Helping Overseas Shell Companies?

Have the legislative gaps provided by the Finance Ministry and SEBI indirectly helped domestic corporates having oveseas shell companies to profiteer? To Smt Nirmala Sitharaman Union Finance Minister Dear…

Has Hindutva been defeated in Karnataka?

The recently published assembly election results of Karnataka has ignited immense conversations regarding the possible impact these results will have on next year’s Lok Sabha elections. And whether Hindutva as…

Symbolism of Sengol

It has become the confirmed habit of the saffron zealots to embroider every claimed achievement of their camp with adulterated facts.No wonder the 'Sengol' presented to Nehru by an influential…

Delay in Census enumeration, unreliable death registration and fake Aadhaar cards adversely impact integrity of elections, leads to misuse of public funds

To Shri A K Bhalla Union Home Secretary Dear Shri Bhalla, The statutory census enumeration exercise, conducted under the Census Act, every ten years, provides reliable data on the composition…

The intertwined history of caste and census in India

The census of India has a long history dating back over 130 years. The British administration conducted the first census in 1853 in the North Western Provinces (encompassing present-day Uttar…

A Tale of Two Indias

They were the best times. They were the worst times. Those were the times which was divided by an India of the Raja and the Praja. One side of an…

Dismantle the structures of sexual violence, NOT the protesters’ tent!

On the day that the Prime Minister was inaugurating a new Parliament house, democratic space was being crushed outside! More than 1150+ people including activists, lawyers, academics, former civil servants,…

CDRO condemns the manhandling of the protesting wrestlers

Leading athletes of the country, like World Championships medal winner Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and others, who were protesting against the sexual harassment of women…

From Deathly Silence to Violence: The journey of Wrestlers struggling for Justice

PUCL Condemns Arrest of Women Wrestlers & supporting Activists And demands their immediate release! PUCL strongly condemns the brutal manner by which the Delhi Police forcibly arrested the women wrestlers…

A Timely Warning on Avoiding the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that Deserves Wide Attention

As past experience has repeatedly shown, in the prevailing economic, trade and investment realities of the world, it is very important from the outset to be very cautious regarding joining…

Tinsel Gods

It is a great disappointment that the Supreme Court bench of JK Maheswari and PS Narasimha has refused to entertain the petition by an advocate seeking a prohibition of the…

Kirti Kisan Union conducts massive rally in Moga on issue of Canal Water

The burning desire of people to resolve the problems of agriculture and water crisis in the Punjab was manifested at it’s highest pitch by the massive rally held by the…

The Importance of Convenient Payment Options in Enhancing Travel Experiences

The availability of digital payment options in tourist destinations, accommodations, restaurants, and other businesses is crucial for enhancing travellers' overall experience and convenience. In today's post-pandemic era, online transactions have…

Modi in Australia: Down Under Bliss for Hindutva

There is an interesting thread that links the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the owner of the gargantuan conglomerate that bears his name, Gautam Adani, and Australia. There is cricket;…

Demand for scrapping of iron fortified rice distribution in India’s public food schemes intensifies

“Reporters’ Collective’s 3-part Investigative Exposé highlights with additional evidence the red flags that ASHA and RTFC have raised on large scale iron-fortified rice distribution in India’s public food schemes” –…

Government destroying public spaces rather than protecting them

Stop the kidnap policy of public space by the Mumbai municipal corporation and the government. That was the theme of a public meeting held at St Michael’s church auditorium in…

Dalit agricultural labour organisations stage protests in Punjab

In the last 2 weeks the resistance of Dalit agricultural labours in Punjab is simmering at full fervour with relentless spirit. Grameen Mazdoor Union protest in Jaitu For the last…

The Influence of Higher Wages and Better Job Opportunities on Migration from Small Towns to Big Cities or Other Regions

Migration from small towns to big cities is a common phenomenon driven by various challenges individuals face in their places of origin. Limited educational and economic opportunities, violence, instability, corrupt…

New Parliament building- Appearance Vs Substance

To Smt Droupadi Murmu President of India Respected Rashtrapati Ji, The new Parliament building, constructed at a great cost to the public, will be inaugurated shortly and perhaps the two Houses…

International body slams Media Repression in Kashmir During G-20 Event

As India holds the G20 meeting in Srinagar, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has slammed the brutal repression of media in Kashmir. Press freedom remains under attack even as…

Shudra Wrestlers Vs Ksatriya Controllers: The Battle For Women’s Rights

“An investigation of police records by The Indian Express reveals that since March 2017, when Yogi Adityanath took charge, and till date, the state has witnessed 186 encounters. This works…

Cracks in India’s armoury – Achilles’ heel in the security and intelligence apparatus

The killing of five Indian soldiers by militants on May 5 in the Rajouri-Poonch sector, once again highlights the failure of our security machinery to protect our jawans. Its agents …

Inauguration of new Parliament complex on Savarkar’s birthday shall not whitewash his anti-national and anti-human crimes

Indian PM Modi is set to inaugurate new complex of Indian Parliament on May 28 (2023) which is also the 140th birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar who is described…