By Aysha*  In a press release issued on 10 February, the government described the VB-GRAM G Act, 2025 as more “women-friendly” than MGNREGA. This claim must be examined through the lens of food security. For rural women, an employment guarantee is not a routine welfare measure; it is often the foundation of household survival. The central question is whether the new law genuinely strengthens women’s ability to feed their families or merely expands entitlements on paper. Most of the provisions presented as “women-centric” are not new. The one-third mandatory participation of women already existed under MGNREGA, and in practice women’s participation consistently exceeded 50 percent. This was not symbolic. It demonstrated that MGNREGA functioned as a critical pillar of food security for rural households. When agricultural employment declined or seasonal migration was not feasible, these wages enabled women to purchase grain, pulses, oil and other essentials. The new Act does not clari...

By Neha Desai  The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) is the apex student body of Arunachal Pradesh, representing the interests of students across the state. Established to advocate educational reform, social justice, and youth empowerment, AAPSU has historically played an influential role in public life, often acting as a bridge between society and the government.  Over the years, it has emerged as a powerful platform for student voices. However, in recent times, the organisation has drawn growing criticism for internal dysfunctions, including allegations of corruption, violence, scandals involving office-bearers, and a broader erosion of moral credibility.

Counterview Desk  A recent  commentary, "Cultural Uprising Against Caste Hegemony", by the Editorial Team of the Tamil monthly Puthiya Jananayagam (January 2026 issue), has examined the intensification of caste-based violence, particularly against Dalits and women, and situates it within broader socio-economic and political changes in India. It argues that the rise in honour killings and targeted attacks is not merely a residue of traditional caste dominance but is increasingly driven by organised caste-fanatic groups and right-wing forces resisting social transformation. 

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan  In recent weeks, renewed public attention to court documents and disclosures related to Jeffrey Epstein has once again ignited debate about power, privilege, and accountability. The so-called “Epstein files” have resurfaced in political discourse across several countries, prompting questions about the relationships Epstein cultivated with influential figures in business, politics, academia, and royalty. While the appearance of a name in such records does not in itself establish criminal conduct, the political and reputational consequences of association have proven significant.

By A Representative   Cost pressures showed a moderate uptick in December 2025 even as sales and profit margins remained subdued, according to the latest round of the Business Inflation Expectations Survey (BIES) of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A).

By Harsh Thakor*  On February 17, the horse racing world marks the 50th birth anniversary of the superhorse Spectacular Bid, foaled on this day in 1976. Sired by Bold Bidder out of the mare Spectacular, he carved a permanent niche among the immortals of American Thoroughbred racing. In full stride, he gave the sensation of lightning streaking across the track—his charcoal-grey coat, marked with a star on his forehead, adding to his striking presence.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Dindori has been declared a water-scarce district. This designation indicates that the crisis of inadequate water availability for drinking and irrigation has deepened in the current year, especially with the approaching summer season. In response, restrictions have been imposed on the regulation and use of water resources. The order will remain in force from 10 February to 30 June 2026, aiming to curb unnecessary extraction and promote conservation-oriented practices. The administration has also prohibited unauthorised digging and drilling of private tubewells, borewells, and handpumps to safeguard groundwater levels and availability.

By Dr. Ravi Ranjan*  Ashok Vajpeyi’s poem “Ant” appears, at first glance, to be a quiet meditation on an ordinary insect. Yet beneath its restrained surface lies a powerful philosophical statement about existence, history, truth, and freedom. The poem is not merely about ants; it is about modes of being. Through the image of the ant, Vajpeyi questions the authority of history, the arrogance of “truth,” and the tyranny of time, while offering an alternative vision of life that exists outside these dominating frameworks.

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*  A report published by Awaz–The Voice (ATV), a news platform, highlights 10 Muslim change-makers in Tamil Nadu, among whom four are women. These individuals are driving social change through education, the arts, conservation, and activism. Representing diverse fields ranging from environmental protection and literature to political engagement and education, they are working to improve society across the state.