By Harsh Thakor*  The 40th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots marks a somber reminder of one of the most harrowing communal massacres in India since Partition. On November 1, 2024, citizens across India reflected on the brutal events that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, when over 2,500 Sikhs were systematically murdered. Descriptions alone cannot capture the horror and scale of this massacre, which left deep scars on the Sikh community and strained the long-standing bond between Hindus and Sikhs.

By Rosamma Thomas*  November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.  

By Raqif Makhdoomi*  Drug addiction has become a serious problem, affecting not only Kashmir but communities worldwide. In the shadowy world of drug trafficking, vast networks and powerful organizations play pivotal roles. These criminal enterprises, often bolstered by influential backers, operate with impunity, profiting from human suffering. For those able to evade law enforcement, drug trafficking can lead to staggering wealth; even at a local level, small-time peddlers can earn substantial sums. Despite international efforts to curb this menace, the drug syndicate is highly complex, eluding even the most determined governmental crackdowns due to its global reach and the powerful networks that support it.

By Gajanan Khergamker* In the corridors of justice, the essence of the law frequently clashes with its literal interpretation, particularly when such interpretation undergoes significant transformation. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Justice Code), which came into effect in July 2024, signifies a considerable transition by abolishing Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Once regarded as an archaic provision that criminalised same-sex relations, Section 377 evolved over time, through judicial interpretation, into a protective mechanism for individuals on the fringes of society.

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

By Our Representative  In a strong show of opposition, multiple health associations under the umbrella of the United Organisations for Action against Privatisation of Health Services have condemned the Government of Madhya Pradesh’s recent moves towards privatising public health facilities. They argue that these actions, including outsourcing and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, will compromise the availability and accessibility of essential health services for the state’s citizens.

By Dr Antony KR*  In the history of Public Health in India, a significant mile stone was, the introduction of Target Free Approach in 1996 by the visionary Secretary of Health Shri J.C. Pant. A shift from centrally set targets to the felt and expressed needs of the community in Programming. This was a liberation from the age-old yoke of targets upon the Health Staff, from the lowest cadre ANM to District Medical Officer and State Health department Supervisors. Ever since the first two National Health Programmes of Family Planning and Malaria Control started, it was always a target driven monitoring and performance assessment. Targets and number games have no human face, consideration for patient rights, quality of services, or client satisfaction. This paradigm shift led to the local adaptation in need assessment, approach to community for their involvement and support in programme planning and implementation.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  The simmering border conflict between India and China in the Himalayan region has come to an end, with both nations committing to cooperate in resolving their border disputes. Both countries recognise that such conflicts hinder the progress of peace and prosperity in the region, posing obstacles to establishing a multipolar world and the democratisation of global geopolitics. 

Street play on anti-Sikh riots by Nishant Natya Manch By Shamsul Islam* Inssan abhee tak zindaa hae, Zindaa hone per sharminda hae! (Human beings are still alive; They are ashamed to be alive!) [Renowned cultural-political-human rights activist of Pakistan, Shahid Nadeem's Urdu couplet on the silence of the civil society on attacks on minorities in Pakistan. He received forty lashes for writing and singing these lines by the Zia regime in Pakistan. It would be no different in present day India ruled by RSS-BJP.]