By Vikas Meshram  In recent years, the Adani Group has emerged as a significant player on the global industrial stage. Under the leadership of Gautam Adani, the group has made remarkable strides in energy, infrastructure, port management, and various international projects. However, allegations of bribery leveled against the Adani Group by the U.S. Department of Justice have put the group, as well as India’s credibility, to a severe test.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  Asia’s wealthiest man, Gautam Adani, and his business conglomerate have been embroiled in numerous allegations of corporate scandals in recent times. From the Hindenburg Report to accusations of fraudulent business practices in the United States, these controversies point to a deeper nexus between business and politics. The allegations of fraudulent practices have expanded as rapidly as Adani's business empire. The meteoric rise in wealth of the so-called self-made billionaire is closely linked to the rise of Hindutva politics, starting with the consolidation of state power in Gujarat and extending to Delhi, where it came to control the union government.

By Joseph Bara*  Birsa Munda, a late nineteenth century Adivasi freedom fighter of Chhotanagpur, represents the Adivasi shade in the variegated freedom struggle of India. Highly adored today by the Indian nation, his stature as a national hero has grown phenomenally in the last few decades. He is unusually honoured by two memorials in the Parliament of India, and his birthday, 15 November, is observed by the Government of India as ‘Janajati Gaurav Diwas’.  The President and the Prime Minister of India spare time to visit his birth-place to pay him homage.

By Harsh Thakor*  "Storming the Gates of Heaven" by Amit Bhattacharya is a comprehensive study of the Indian Maoist movement. Bhattacharya examines the movement's evolution, drawing from numerous sources and showcasing his unwavering support for Charu Mazumdar's path and practice. The book, published in 2016, delves deeply into the movement's historical, social, and political dimensions.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  The political and moral foundation of liberalism as a movement originated as a critique of feudalism, religion, monarchy, and conservative traditions. Its primary aim was to ensure individual liberty, egalitarian democratic governance based on the consent of the people, and equality before the law. The struggles of working people and their revolutionary class struggles were instrumental in bringing these liberal and secular ideas to life. However, over time, ruling and non-ruling elites co-opted liberalism, aligning it with market democracy and transforming liberal society into a market-driven society. Such a transformation granted social legitimacy to capitalism, empowering its narrow and authoritarian market forces as well as reactionary social and political elements.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In October 1991, while sitting at Lokayat, Dr. Mulk Raj Anand’s residence in Delhi, I came across a compelling letter in The Hindustan Times. It spanned three columns, critiquing casteism in the media. The author was V.T. Rajashekar, editor of Dalit Voice. Intrigued, I noted his address and wrote to him. To my surprise, he responded with a few issues of Dalit Voice and a personal note. That marked the beginning of a lifelong connection with a man who profoundly shaped my intellectual journey.

By Bharat Dogra* In Bamauri village of Talbehat block (Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh) Maniram and his wife Shanti work in most difficult conditions to cultivate their small one hectare farm. The farm is located in such a remote place and so highly exposed to grazing by wild animals that few would persist with cultivating this land for long. 

Counterview Desk  Bandkam Shramik Sankalan Samiti comprising of three organizations -- Bandkam Mazdoor Sangathan, Majur Adhikar Manch and Bandhkam Mazdoor Vikas Sangh -- held a one day workshop titled, "Enhancing workers well-being: Impactful schemes and welfare board initiatives" in Ahmedabad on 21st November 2024.  A total of 52 participants attended the workshop, including government labour officers, project managers of the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, contractors, construction workers, trade union members and civil society organization leaders.   The workshop aimed at initiating a dialogue for the introduction of new welfare schemes for construction workers and further corrections in the existing welfare schemes. Recommendations based on the one-day workshop: *** 1. Pension scheme: Immediately start a pension plan for construction workers who have been registered in the welfare board since last three years. As per the BOCW Act, section 22

By Susan Elizabeth Turek*  A decades-long study examining the risks of ultra-processed foods is corroborating what other studies have revealed: Processed meats and sugary drinks aren't doing our bodies any favors. What's happening? As detailed by the New York Times, around 73% of the food supply in the United States consists of ultra-processed foods, from soda and candy to yogurts and breakfast cereals. After monitoring more than 200,000 adults over roughly 30 years, adjusting for risk factors like family health history, sleep habits, and exercise, and combining their analysis with 19 other studies, researchers discovered a worrying connection to heart problems.