By Bharat Dogra*  A lie repeated a hundred times will not turn a lie into a truth. The big media should realize this and stop perpetuating the lie of the green revolution saving India from hunger, long after the world has awakened to the reality of how harmful the green revolution has been from the point of nutrition, food safety, environment and climate change.

Rangers in the REGROW project Area By Bharat Dogra Despite the fact that several highly respected conservationists have been repeatedly advising that the best way of achieving success and sustainability in conservation efforts is by involving local communities in these efforts and not by displacing them, it appears that injustice instead of justice for local villagers is still the path pursued by some authorities and the banks financing them. This certainly appears to have been the sad experience of the villagers including indigenous communities and pastoralists living close to the Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) in Tanzania. In a new report released on September 28 titled ‘Unaccountable and Complicit’ the Oakland Institute, USA, has exposed in this context “how the World Bank is enabling the violent tactics of the Tanzanian government to increase tourism revenue.” In a strong statement the Oakland Institute has stated, “The expansion plans for RUNAPA are greased by rampant violence and ...

By Harsh Thakor  There was a well attended and most lively meeting in memory of Thana Singh of around 2000 persons in Thana Singh’s village of Bhallai Ana in community hall in Muktsar on September 17th, with most encouraging participation of youth. It was a testimony that the spirit of Naxalbari is still not dead and buried with the audience literally reverberating the message of Naxalbari. In spite of every effort of the state to crush the naxalbari movement, it is not dead and buried, as we witnessed here. I was privileged to participate in the event. The meeting began with the singing of the Communist International. Speakers represented diverse sections of the Communist revolutionary camp. The clarity and focus of the speakers was impressive.They included Jaspal Jassi of Surkh Leeh, Mukhtiar Phular of Lal Parcham , Lakhwinder of Pratibadh and Professor Parminder Singh. They all underlined how Thana Singh had planted the roots of the massline and how today’s peasant movement o...

By Gajanan Khergamker*  The roots of “Bharat”, “Bharata”, or “Bharatvarsha” are traced back to Puranic literature, and to the epic Mahabharata. The Puranas describe Bharata as the land between the “sea in the south and the abode of snow in the north”.

By Saurav Sarkar  The ethnoreligious violence in the Indian state of Manipur between Meiteis and Kukis has been ongoing since May, but it was only in July 2023 when a video went viral in India showing two women being paraded naked that the world began to pay attention to the situation in earnest. One of the women was reportedly sexually assaulted after the conclusion of the video. Calls for accountability came from all quarters, including the Indian Supreme Court, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was forced to break his conspicuous silence on the conflict in the northeastern state.

By Chandra Vikash*  While addressing a Ministerial Session on Saturday 23 September 2023 in New York on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session titled ‘South Rising: Partnerships, Institutions and Ideas’, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that economically dominant countries are leveraging production capabilities and those who have institutional influence have weaponized these capabilities. He also cited an example of Covid-19 and stressed that it is still a world of double standards." Jaishankar was speaking at this event hosted by the Observer Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, United Nations India and the Reliance Foundation, a part of the conglomerate which largely finances the ORF which set up a centre in America in 2020, that is headed by the Hon. Minister's son Dhruva Jaishankar. This happened 3 days after the Climate Ambition Summit also in New York on Wed 20 September. Antonio Gut...

By Prof Sudhanshu Tripathi*  The foreign policy of India is a distinguished policy statement regarding independent country’s aspirations to play its tryst with destiny. The core or the focal theme of this policy converges over strategic autonomy for the country that it passionately continues to accomplish under all circumstances. But this does not mean that India would ever break the cardinal features of its rich ancient tradition and so-evolved cultural heritage characterized by eternal and universal moral values viz. peace, love, truth, compassion, justice, freedom and many more, until and unless an unfortunate situation so emerges and that too in the context of protecting core national interests like territorial integrity and state sovereignty apart from peace and security of its citizens and their overall well-being and socio-economic welfare including political stability. Why India always aspires for independent decisions and independence of actions as regards operation of its...

Counterview Desk  Farmer rights group Khedut Ekta Manch Gujarat in a letter to Bhupendrabhai Patel, chief minister, with copies sent to the officials concerned, has asked the Gujarat government to form an independent committee to investigate the recent massive flooding in Narmada, even as seeking proper compensation to those affected by the disaster, many of whom are farmers.

By Bharat Dogra*  Recently, several fruit growers from Himalayan states, particularly from Kashmir, expressed their serious concern and resentment at the slashing of additional duties on imports of apples, walnuts and almonds from the USA. As is well-known, the fruit growers in the USA have the benefit of several government subsidies and it is difficult to compete against them.

By Moin Qazi*  Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary reopens a familiar debate around his legacy every year. How could a frail man use his moral strength to galvanize 400 million Indians in their struggle for independence from the mighty British Empire? How did Gandhi inspire ordinary people to turn fear into fearlessness and anger into love? What were his tools for fighting colonialism? How could he inspire the world to embrace his philosophy of nonviolence? What can we learn from him today? And is he still relevant? Gandhi's legacy has been challenged several times, but its influence continues to grow more relevant as so many of his assumptions come alive. The originality of Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and the example of his life still inspire people around the world today. In recent years, many scholars have asserted that Gandhi had much to say about the issues that make our present times so volatile: inequality, resentment, the rise of demagoguery, and the breakdown of democ...

By Rajiv Shah  In a significant move, Commissioners on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have raised concerns about the “sophisticated, systematic persecution” of religious minorities by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a hearing on India in Washington DC.

Counterview Desk  the New York Council of Churches for its release of an open letter calling on the Biden administration to “speak out forcefully” against rising Hindu extremist violence targeting Christians and other minorities in India. In the letter addressed to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other major elected officials, the NY Council of Churches expressed "grave concern regarding escalating anti-Christian violence" throughout India, particularly in Manipur, where predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo tribals have faced hundreds of violent attacks on their villages, churches, and homes at the hands of predominantly Hindu Meitei mobs.

By Harsh Thakor  On September 26th we celebrated the birth centenary of legendary actor Dev Anand. Dev Saab carved out a new epoch or made a path breaking contribution in portraying romanticism and action in Bollywood cinema, giving his style or mannerisms a new colour. Arguably no Bollywood star manifested glamour in such a dignified or serene manner or struck the core of an audience’s soul in romantic melodies. Possibly we missed this evergreen star being cast in a Hollywood film. Dev Anand is like an inextinguishable soul of Bollywood. Although not as artistic or intense as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor or Ashok Kumar ,Dev Anand surpassed them all for liveliness or flamboyance, with his performances radiating g energy on the screen, in realms rarely transcended. In his own right, Dev Saab, was a craftsman, like his classical contemporaries, with a characteristic composure. Perhaps never was a Bollywood star so suave, bubbling or charming as Dev Anand, who often looked like an Indian v...

Counterview Desk  More than 80 lawyers, legal academics and researchers have written to the Governor of Odisha raising concerns about the “alarming arrests and illegal detentions” of about two dozen persons from Rayagada district in Odisha in anticipation of the upcoming public hearing for the Sijimali bauxite mine proposed by M/s Vedanta Ltd.

J&K RTI Foundation note on RTI Pend's third event successfully held in Magam:  *** September 25, 2023 marked another significant milestone for RTI Pend as it successfully conducted its third event at the J&K RTI Foundation office in Magam. The event, which saw enthusiastic participation, was dedicated to spreading awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act, empowering individuals to exercise their right to access information from government bodies. The event featured Mr. Karar Reshi, the District Coordinator of Baramulla District for J&K RTI Foundation, as the esteemed guest. The discussion, hosted by Mr. Irfan Banka, an anthropologist and the driving force behind RTI Pend, was engaging and insightful. One of the highlights of the informal discussion was the exploration of Section 26 of the Central RTI Act, which delineates the government's responsibility for the implementation of the RTI Act. Participants delved into the significance of the RTI Act, its pro...

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  These are critical times in India’s history: in fact, whether we would like to accept it or not, it is a break or make moment! At stake is the future of Indian democracy based on the visionary Constitution of India, rooted in the four non-negotiables of justice, liberty equality and fraternity.  At the stake is the sanctity of the pluralistic fabric of a nation ensconced in the inviolable dignity of every Indian: child, woman and man; at stake are the fundamental rights protected and guaranteed to every single citizen of India; at stake is the very idea, wealth and beauty of India!

By Srinivas Goli, Md Juel Rana*  The international community has been celebrating World Contraception Day on September 26 every year for the past 15 years. On this day, a number of regional and international healthcare organizations get together to promote contraception among the general public. The theme for World Contraception Day 2023 is "The Power of Options," emphasizing the critical role that contraceptive options play in empowering people to take charge of reproductive and sexual health.

A note by the Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM), an organization working for the issues of sanitation workers in Delhi NCR, on right to life and dignity which still seems light years away for sewer workers: *** Exploitation of Sewer workers is not just a labour issue, but it is rooted in the caste system and cannot be separated from the historical socio-religious-cultural-economic exploitation of the Dalit community! Stated Mr. Y.S. Gill, Senior Journalist and Documentary Film maker in the press conference organised by Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) in Integrated Social Initiatives (ISI), Lodhi Road, New Delhi on issues of sewer workers in Delhi. The press conference was attended by a number of community members, activists, members of the civil society, students etc. Even as the G20 declaration of world leaders claims commitment to promoting decent work, ensuring inclusive social protection policies for all, Mr. Gill, highlighted that contract sewer workers do not ...

By Nava J Thakuria*  An intellectual and interactive treat for the literary enthusiasts, cultural connoisseurs and budding writers is waiting to emerge as Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2023 (PLF) which will unfold a series of literary activities for three days in the virtual capital of northeast India. 

By Rajiv Shah  A new report released by two global NGOs, BankTrack and the Toxic Bonds Network, has claimed to have come up with “a disquieting truth”: that Barclays, a financial heavyweight with a “controversial” track record, is deeply entrenched in a “disturbing” alliance with “the Indian conglomerate and coal miner Adani Group.”

By Ram Puniyani  Coincidentally after the opposition parties came together to form INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance), the ruling BJP is desisting from the use of word India in official communiqués and its parent organizations RSS has issued a fatwa that only word Bharat should be used for our country. While inviting the representative’s participants of G 20, the President issued the invitation in the name of ‘Rashtrapati of Bharat’. Since then BJP is on the track of avoiding the use of the word India in all its pronouncements, saying this word smacks of colonial legacy since this word was given to the country by British colonial rulers. Mr. Hemant Biswa Sarma of BJP said that word India is part of the colonial legacy and should be removed. RSS chief and other functionaries have intensified this message. Speaking at a function at Guwahati Mr. Bhagwat, stated “We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. At times we use India to make those who speak ...

By Dae-Han Song*  July 27 marked the 70th anniversary of the 1953 ceasefire to the Korean War. In the three years leading up to the anniversary, South Korean peace movements organized the international Korea Peace Appeal campaign to replace the armistice agreement with a peace treaty to conclude the 70-plus-year Korean War. The anniversary has come and gone, but, instead of peace, the Joe Biden, Yoon Suk Yeol, and Fumio Kishida administrations are stoking tensions in the Korean Peninsula as a smokescreen to build a NATO-level U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral alliance against China. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has played his supporting role well. By sidestepping long-standing claims for historical accountability of Japanese colonialism, Yoon has cleared the way for an alliance between the United States’ two key allies in the region: its “ cornerstone ”—Japan—and its “ linchpin ”—South Korea. His diplomatic concessions are key in overcoming the United States’ roughshod po...

Counterview Desk  The civil rights group Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization in a statement on plans to crackdown on “64 democratic progressive organisations” in Jharkhand under the pretext of the need to investigate their Maoist link, has alleged that this an attempt to suppress dissent against corporate loot and create an authoritarian state.

By Sudhansu R Das  The Indian political sector is growing faster than any other sector in the world. This sector has been fully liberalised. Political career in India is open to any age group starting from 25 plus to 90 plus; people with any educational background, even an illiterate person can contest election in India. An old man or woman with multiple organ failure can become leader of a political party; they can control party workers from the hospital bed also. Social status, physical and mental ability seldom stand in the way of a political leader. Advanced age is not an issue which can be reversed with effortless ease.  Advanced photo editing software with artificial intelligence rejuvenates the politicians; it makes them look handsome, young and energetic in the photos. Computer generated images reduce the age by 30 to 40 years with a simple mouse click. The will of politicians to rule triumphs over their old age and sickness. The lure of power works like an eli...