By Bharat Dogra*  In a hamlet of Mahuari village, in Hussainabad block, several woman had collected around a small contractor who had been assigned the work for constructing several toilets in their village (located in Palamau district of Jharkhand). They had heard complaints that the toilets were being constructed in a very hurried and poor way. They knew what poor construction meant, as they had seen elsewhere—the toilet work was declared to be completed but the toilet could not be used or its use lasted for only a short time.

By Harsh Thakor*  James Baldwin stands as a towering figure in the struggle against racism and the fight for the emancipation of Black people. Born on August 2, 1924, amidst the rising tide of racial injustice in America, Baldwin’s life and work remain a beacon of hope and defiance. As the world celebrates his birth centenary year, Baldwin continues to inspire as a global symbol in the battle for justice, a literary genius, and one of the most profound voices of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

By Our Representative  Sustainable urban development was in focus on the latest episode of the "What India Needs!" podcast. Dr TV Ramachandra, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Science and an authority on environmental sustainability, joined media entrepreneur and author Shutapa Paul to discuss the pressing issues related to industrialisation, its impact on India's green cover, and the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and resilient systems to combat climate change.

Counterview Desk  JNUTA statement on 'continuing brazenness of the JNU administration':  *** The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) notes that the Honourable High Court of Delhi, in an order dated 10.12.2024 on the contempt petition CONT.CAS(C) 626/2024, has observed that, in its prima facie view, JNU has violated the Court’s order dated 26.08.2019 in W.P.(C) 9185/2019. This matter pertains to the appointment of Chairpersons without adhering to the principle of rotation in the order of seniority. Accordingly, the Court has issued a notice to the University to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.

By Our Representative  The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has issued a strong condemnation of recent raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the residences of labor rights, student rights, and anti-displacement activists across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. The raids took place early on the morning of December 20, reportedly targeting individuals associated with trade unions and social justice movements.

By Harsh Thakor*  Nishtha Jain’s documentary Farming the Revolution provides a compelling portrayal of the historic farmers’ movement in India, chronicling the 16-month-long protest against the Modi government’s contentious agricultural laws. The film captures the scale and resilience of the movement, during which thousands of farmers, predominantly from Punjab and Haryana, occupied highways and state borders to oppose laws they viewed as threats to their livelihoods.

By Aishwarya Singhal  A century ago, fish populations consisted of larger, longer-living species that contributed significantly to marine ecosystems through predation and resilience against environmental changes, such as marine heatwaves. Today, however, the number of these large fish has sharply decreased, affecting not only fish populations and marine ecosystems but also global food security.

By Nava Thakuria*  Curtain came down for the second Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2024 on Sunday evening at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra premises of  Guwahati in northeast India. The closing ceremony also witnessed the presentation of Pragjyotishpur LitFest literature awards to veteran Nepali writer Bidyapati Dahal and Suprakash Bhuyan (promising writer’s category) in gracious presence of  learned academician Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury with many others. Dahal, a Sanskrit scholar who has immensely contributed to Nepali and Hindi literature, expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee for the honour and commented that it has given him the motivation to create more literary works in the coming days. On the other hand, Bhuyan who is a thought-provoking story writer regularly contributing for prominent Assamese literary magazines like  Prakash, Gariyoshi, Prantik, Satsori, etc stated that the award has made him more responsible to his literary act...

By Our Representative  A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups.  For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention. 

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

By Kirity Roy*  The livelihood of the scheduled caste fishermen community of Barnaberia village, Jhaudanga Gram Panchayat, Gaighata Block, North 24 Parganas, is under severe threat. Despite being rightful holders of government-registered Fishermen Cards, they face unjust restrictions imposed by the Border Security Force (BSF) from fishing in the Ichhamoti River—a critical resource for their survival.

By Bharat Dogra*  Any development project having a wide focus must face the challenge of deciding its priorities carefully with community participation. There are many needs of people and the resources are limited. There are pressures from the more influential sections to give more attention to them. The development project must not only be able to resist such pressures but in addition also be able to involve genuinely needy people in taking important decisions regarding priorities and the best possible utilization of available resources.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak   The market, as a social and economic institution, is fundamentally a process designed to facilitate human life by bringing consumers and producers together. It ensures economic activities serve the social purpose of satisfying the diverse needs of human beings. This relationship was not merely based on exchange relationships but also built on trust—trust in the product, the price, and the producer. Historically, market relationships were free from tyranny and grounded in the free choice of producers to sell and consumers to buy, guided by their necessities and abilities. In such a market, there was no invisible power dictating the terms and conditions of the relationship between producers and consumers. Instead, both producers and consumers depended on each other, creating a symbiotic and mutually beneficial bond. This organic and unbreakable relationship, however, was dismantled with the advent of the so-called "free market."

By Harsh Thakor*  On December 19th, the cricketing world celebrates the 50th birthday of Ricky Ponting, a player instrumental in transforming Australian cricket into a nearly invincible force. As one of the most defining figures in the history of the sport, Ponting epitomized the golden era of Australian dominance, leading a side often regarded as one of the greatest teams in cricket. Ponting's journey began in Launceston, Tasmania, where his talent was evident from a young age. At eight, he wore a shirt inscribed with the words, "Under this shirt is a Test player." Rod Marsh famously described Ponting as the best teenage batter he had ever seen. Debuting for Tasmania at 17 and Australia at 20, Ponting displayed his potential immediately, although an unfortunate decision saw him dismissed for 96 on his Test debut in 1995. Ponting’s Batting Mastery Ricky Ponting was a match-winner of extraordinary caliber. In his prime, particularly from 2001 to 2007, Ponting was arguably ...

By Kirity Roy*  The tragic and suspicious death of Mr. Babai Barui, a Dalit daily wage laborer from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has raised serious concerns regarding custodial violence and the violation of fundamental rights. Mr. Barui, son of Sukharanjan Barui, resided in Pallishree Sangsad, Bongaon, and was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) on November 9, 2024, near the Angrail border on allegations of smuggling. The very next day, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances, with visible injuries that point toward possible custodial violence.

Counterview Desk   Concerned citizens from  different states of India states write an open letter to the Prime Minister seeking strict implementation of the Places of Worship Act, 1991: *** In a significant collective appeal, we concerned citizens from different states across India have come together to write an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging immediate intervention for the strict implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This Act is a critical piece of legislation that ensures the religious character of places of worship is maintained as it stood on August 15, 1947, thereby promoting peace and harmony in the country.  

By Aishwarya Singhal, Lubna Das   A team of international scientists has discovered how coral adaptation to ocean warming and marine heatwaves will likely be overwhelmed without rapid reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions.

By Harsh Thakor*  Urmila Matondkar celebrated her milestone 50th birthday on February 4th this year, marking a remarkable journey in Indian cinema. Known for her dynamism, vivacity, and captivating presence on screen, she was among the finest actresses of her time, lauded for her authentic acting style. While many praised her for her sex appeal, it was her adaptability, frankness, spontaneity, emotional depth, intense performances, and remarkable versatility that truly set her apart from her peers. 

By Puneet Kumar Shrivastav*  International Migration Day, celebrated on December 18th every year, aims to honour the vital contributions of migrants to communities, economies, and nations worldwide. It highlights migration's role in fostering cultural exchange, economic growth, and social development. The day highlights migrants' resilience, determination, and diverse talents. It also promotes global understanding and cooperation. Migrants are individuals who relocate from their usual place of residence, either within a country or across international borders, for various reasons, whether temporarily or permanently. 

By A Representative  The Campaign for Peace and Justice in Chhattisgarh (CPJC) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged extrajudicial killing of 18-year-old Pandu Madvi and unlawful detention of seven villagers, including minors and an elderly individual, in Bijapur District, Chhattisgarh. This incident underscores an intensifying human rights crisis in the region, driven by state-led violence, militarization, and impunity. On December 11, 2024, security forces allegedly opened fire indiscriminately on villagers working in the fields of Munga village. Eyewitnesses recount how the unarmed Pandu sought refuge in nearby houses but was pursued and fatally shot by the police. Women attempting to intervene were reportedly assaulted, and the police removed Pandu’s body, leaving behind blood-soaked clothes riddled with bullet holes.

By Shiran Illanperuma  Panelists and attendees championed the cause of sovereignty, modernization, and South-South cooperation at the Global South Academic Forum in Shanghai from December 5–6. Over 250 guests from 35 countries and regions attended the forum, whose theme was “Global South and Global Modernization.”

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The Parliament recently debated the Constitution, but the entire discussion resembled a debate on a Confidence Motion or a No Confidence Motion, depending on one’s political allegiance. Unfortunately, the discourse devolved into political rhetoric of the lowest order, reducing the session to little more than a circus. This lack of constructive debate is detrimental to India, as neither the ruling party nor the opposition appears genuinely interested in engaging in thoughtful discussions that could positively impact the nation.

By Bharat Dogra   Visiting several villages of Karauli district (Rajasthan, India) recently, it was generally not difficult to reach them. However the situation changed dramatically when going to Rawatpura village located in Sapotra block. Here the paths were very difficult to negotiate and at the same time very dusty too. The paths to various widely scattered, remote villages are not at all easy to identify and the task is best left to local persons or those with the experience of very frequent coming and going. One long stretch of a difficult path merely gives way to yet another.

By Vikas Meshram  Our irresponsible behavior towards the Earth raises a critical question: What kind of world are we leaving for the next generation? Issues like air pollution, severe water crises, depleting natural resources, and employment disparities make it clear that future generations will face an undeniably challenging life. This irresponsibility and lack of visionary leadership have compounded the risks posed by the climate crisis to children's futures, making it a matter of grave concern.

By Dr. Rajinder Chaudhary & Kavitha Kuruganti*  The Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing, released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare on November 25, 2024, raises critical concerns for the future of Indian farmers. While the framework ostensibly aims to address the complexities of agricultural marketing, a closer examination reveals a concerted push towards de-regulation, leaving farmers vulnerable to corporate exploitation. This article provides an in-depth critique of the proposed policy and highlights its significant shortcomings.

By Bharat Dogra I recently travelled in the rural area of Atarra (in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh) at a time when paddy harvest was in full swing. Although mechanization of harvesting has started in this region with some harvesters being brought here all the way from distant places, most of the harvesting is still done manually and in the place where I was staying all the harvesting was being done manually. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  In the age of social media and self-promotion on digital platforms, ‘bluffing’ has not only been normalised but has also become an everyday occurrence. Bluffing, both as a personal trait and as a strategy of deception, serves to fulfil transient, immediate needs while concealing individual shortcomings, failures, and inefficiencies. Bluffs exhibit overconfidence in their abilities, setting unrealistic expectations for others and themselves, which deepens self-deception. 

By Bharat Dogra  PM, an educated girl with an MA degree in Hindi literature, comes from Magaura village in Banda district (UP). For nearly 24 years she endured domestic violence and insulting behaviour in her marriage, but when she could take it no more, she came back with her three children (two daughters and a son) to live with her parents in her maternal village. Here she contacted a women’s organization Chingari (translated as spark) and it was in the course of her counselling and sharing here that she developed the consciousness that she can assert her legal rights to get justice. When she formally filed complaints against the violence and injustice inflicted on her, her husband and his father finally expressed regret and agreed to compensate her with a monthly support of Rs. 12500. At the time of writing she has received two such monthly instalments.  With this support PM has a new confidence of her ability to support herself and her children. Her children and particular...

By Harsh Thakor*  On December 6, 2024, activists from numerous organizations gathered for a massive demonstration and public meeting to mark the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. The event, organized jointly by Lok Raj Sangathan and other groups, highlighted the ongoing struggle to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and resist communal violence fueled by divisive politics.

By Kirity Roy*  The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been called upon to address a grave instance of alleged human rights abuse involving Mr. Asmaul Sardar, a resident of Hakimpur village, Swarupnagar Police Station, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The incident occurred between November 2 and November 4, 2024, and reportedly involves severe mistreatment by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed at Tarali Mini Border Outpost (BOP).

By Harsh Thakor*  December 14 marks the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, a filmmaker and visionary who revolutionized Bollywood, elevating it to new heights by exploring uncharted emotional and social territories. Kapoor wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a storyteller who touched the souls of the masses and reflected the pulse of post-partition India with unparalleled depth. His films acted as a unifying force in a divided nation, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

By Vikas Meshram*  In the blind race of modernization, we are increasingly neglecting the importance of the environment. Presently, various parts of the country are facing severe environmental pollution crises. In such a scenario, the significance of environmental preservation has multiplied manifold. Numerous provisions exist in the law to control and prevent pollution in the country. These include the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, the Water Cess Act of 1977, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, the Environment Protection Rules of 1986, the Hazardous Chemicals Rules of 1989, among others. Other regulations include the Hazardous Wastes Rules of 1989, guidelines for the production, storage, and import/export of genetically engineered organisms, the Chemical Accidents Rules of 1996, the Biomedical Waste Rules of 1998, rules for the production and use of recycled plastics of 1999, the Ozone-Depleting Substances Rules of 2000, Noise Poll...

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  The advanced capitalist countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and several Western European nations—have failed to offer their citizens a genuine range of choices in terms of availability and accessibility of multiple political parties, different ideologies, alternative policies options, and visions for the future. Despite relative prosperity and established democratic frameworks within these countries often present limited, binary options within their political systems. These dominant options based on two party system shape political discourse with policies and ideologies that are often indistinguishable. This lack of choice is not accidental; it is a deliberate design to protect the economic interests of both ruling and non-ruling elites within a capitalist framework.

By Steven Lee  Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

By Vijay Prashad  As the rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Syria Liberation Committee) seized Damascus, Syria’s capital, on December 7, 2024, the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad boarded a flight to Moscow , Russia. It was the end of the rule of the Assad family that began when Hafez al-Assad (1930-2000) became president in 1971, and continued through his son Bashar from 2000—a 53-year period of rule. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which seized Damascus, was formed out of the remnants of the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra (Front for the Conquest of Syria) in 2017, and led by its emir Abu Jaber Shaykh and its military commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.

By Harsh Thakor*  On December 3, Abimael Guzmán Reynoso, also known as Chairman Gonzalo, would have turned 90. Guzmán, a key figure in the Peruvian Communist Party (PCP), died on September 11, 2021, after nearly three decades of imprisonment under conditions that included solitary confinement and alleged medical neglect. His arrest and subsequent death remain significant events in the history of revolutionary movements, symbolizing both the challenges and risks faced by such leaders.

By Bharat Dogra, Jagmohan Singh*  Punjab faces a severe environmental crisis, deeply affecting even its remote villages. To secure the long-term welfare of its people, Punjab must prioritize environmental protection and regeneration. However, this vision of environmental care should be rooted in a community-centered approach that aligns with sustainable livelihoods, rather than an elitist interpretation of environmentalism. 

By Nava Thakuria*  As India's billion plus populace are watching an initiative under ‘one nation, one election’ policy by the Union  government in New Delhi proposing to go for simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, State legislative assemblies and local government bodies across the country with an aim to reduce the electoral expenditure, the recent by-polls narrated a different story. The  special elections, conducted for 48 legislative assembly constituencies in 14 States (along with two Parliamentary constituencies in Kerala and Maharashtra) divulged an important fact that no less than 41 assembly seats needed  the by-polls as those were vacated by the respective legislators after they were elected to the lower house of Indian Parliament.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  A young software engineer in Bengaluru recently took his own life, reportedly due to the immense stress caused by a marital dispute with his wife. Before his death, he left a detailed video and a lengthy note describing the harassment he and his family allegedly faced. This tragic incident is one of many that highlight deeper social crises in India, where legal provisions are sometimes misused for personal vendettas or humiliation.

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

By Sudhansu R Das  Bangladesh is our neighbor. Attack on minority Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Buddhist communities and burning of religious places directly affects India’s economy, psychology, social and cultural life. As reported, the minority Hindu community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh faced more than 200 attacks in 50-odd districts following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government on 5th August.  There is widespread protest by people in the USA, Asia and European countries.  India can’t afford to wait and watch the Bangladesh citizens assembling on India’s border to escape the marauding mob attack. It is going to be like the pre 1971 situation when Bangladesh was formed; the native Bangladeshis suddenly found themselves strangers in their homeland.  The problem in Bangladesh is not about atrocity on minority communities only but something more horrific which the world community should address without much delay. 

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan*  (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

By Harasankar Adhikari  Anemia is a serious global public health issue, particularly among children under the age of five. India is no exception. It poses a significant challenge for this age group, with the prevalence being the highest globally (67.20%). Among the total anemic children, 2.2%, 36.30%, and 28.70% are classified as severely, moderately, and mildly anemic, respectively.

By Bhaskaran Raman*  A US house of representatives committee has laid out, with references and evidence, some 550 pages detailing most of the elements of the Covid response “mistakes”: “ After Action Review of the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward ”, 04 Dec 2024.

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

By Jag Jivan  India's social landscape is filled with challenges, but a growing number of NGOs are embracing innovative and unconventional approaches to address these issues. From revolutionizing education funding to empowering rural women with solar technology, these organizations are proving that creative solutions can lead to transformative change. Here are a few NGOs that are leading the way with their groundbreaking initiatives.

By Harsh Thakor*  The Moolwasi Bachao Manch (MBM) is a collective platform in Chhattisgarh representing Adivasi communities across multiple districts. It opposes the establishment of military camps, displacement, environmental degradation, and resource exploitation driven by mining activities supported by both foreign and domestic corporations. MBM has gained prominence over the past three years by resisting state-supported initiatives that prioritize industrial and imperialist development models at the cost of indigenous livelihoods and rights.