KumKum Dasgupta

The Modi government is short changing dirt-poor tribal communities

Other than diluting the forests rights Act, the Centre also does not want the money collected from diverting forests lands for industry to go to the communities that live in or are dependent on forests but to the corrupt and inefficient forest bureaucracy

India has failed Irom Sharmila, not vice versa

One-size-fits-all plans will not improve India’s stinking sanitation record

In Pali, Rajasthan, a women-led community service group called Mission Poorn Shakti has been a conducting door-to-door campaign to spread awareness. Moreover, families can access a sanitation park and also choose the model of toilets they want

India has failed Irom Sharmila, it’s not vice versa

By ending her fast, Irom Sharmila has handed over the baton of struggle against Afspa to the people. If the cause is strong enough, it will continue on its own steam, with or without Irom Sharmila’s fast

Arrest over FB post: State must stop abusing its power

The arrest of a Kashmiri in Chhattisgarh for ‘liking, forwarding’ ‘anti-India’ posts is one more example of abuse of the sedition law

Politicians must realise that quota as a political tool creates perpetual unrest

The Gujarat High Court ruling on quota for upper caste poor is a huge blow to the BJP in transition in Gujarat

Mahad mishap: Govt officials must pay for failing to maintain key infrastructure

It’s about time that governments in India weave in a ‘liability clause’ with penal liabilities into agreements with contractors/departments/agencies who are responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure

Pilot: I slept for only 45 minutes in last leg

Flew three nights with 45 minutes of sleep, says Solar Impulse pilot

Solar Impulse 2, which landed in Abu Dhabi, is first plane powered by the renewable energy source to tour the globe. An interview with the pilots who made it possible.

Irom Sharmila has done the right thing by ending her fast

‘My struggle is for changing the state of Manipur. In this field of war, I am crying for peace’.

‘Cultural practices of caste-Hindus obstructing justice for Dalits’

The Gujarat violence has got coverage because of media; it is not new, many such incidents have happened in other states

When it comes to hard tackling NGOs, India and Israel are on the same page

While no one is against weeding out fraud NGOs, the real fear is that these laws would be used to clamp down on dissent

Women’s panel a sinecure for out-of-work politicians?

In a country where violence against women is common, staffing such critical organisations with incompetent and insensitive women is gross injustice and shows a lack of commitment on the part of the government on women’s rights.

In water-stressed Andhra, farmers sign pact to share ground water

In Andhra Pradesh’s water-stressed Anantapur district, farmers are signing MoUs to pool and share scarce groundwater

‘Drought to cost Indian economy $100 bn’

Drought will cost India $100 bn. Here’s how industry can weather the storm

Industry must adopt water-efficient technologies, ensure water harvesting and invest in recycling and reuse of the key resource

Don’t blame nature for the drought in Bundelkhand

States are quick to demand central funds to tackle drought, but show little drive to implement water conservation plans

Manipur: Unrest over three controversial bills refuses to die down

While the government claims that the Bills were drawn up after a thorough consultation with all MLAs, including tribal representatives, tribal groups deny it

Glass ceiling is a reality. Men, admit it

Several public sector units have failed to fulfil Sebi rule on women directors. But why are we (acting) surprised

Why Chhattisgarh is India’s hall of shame

Tribal politicians, journalists and human rights activists figure on the state government’s ‘most-wanted’ list

Doonites have their say in smart city plan

In perhaps the first-of-its-kind example of citizens bulldozing their way into a smart city project and demanding their right to have a say in the planning process, residents of Dehradun have united under the banner of Citizens’ Action Group (CAG) in the last four-and-a-half months.

‘Educational improvement takes time, we cannot rush it’

Enhance equity and equality of education to improve student learning

Shifting IPL matches or good rains won’t end our water woes. Here’s why

With the number of rainy days declining due to climate change, water conservation will be important

Ban on alcohol is nothing but a political gimmick

Bihar is dry. Tamil Nadu could follow suit. But the truth is policy reforms are far more important than prohibition

Odd-even rule: Kejriwal shouldn’t have put women on exemption list

Like reservations, there is no point having exemptions if there is no long-term solution of a problem

Why more and more students in India are opting for private tuitions

The excessive thrust on rote learning in State-run schools is fuelling the coaching class boom

Delhi Police badly need an image makeover, post Kanhaiya

For a start, the force must realise that changing its petty behaviour must get precedence over cracking down on petty crime

Presumed guilty, until cleared by NDA: India’s new template on dissent

The Centre’s hard handling of the Jawaharlal Nehru University case, and several other previous cases of dissent involving NGOs and minorities, is providing a template to states and its law enforcement officials on ways to tackle those who question their politics and policies.

Your taxes pay for students to learn to question -- and it’s worth it

Among the many reactions to the current standoff between the Centre and the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Mohandas Pai’s statement that taxpayers subsidise students’ studies and not their politics would easily win an award for cringe-worthy shallowness.

Agro start-ups make for safer fences

A string of ‘agro start-ups’ in resource-rich border areas, where putting up heavy industries is difficult and time-consuming, will not only ensure employment and sustainable development but also curb anti-State activities in this region.