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Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan   Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.
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A landscape defined by thirst: Climate, water and energy in Rapar, Kutch

By Gazala Paul*  In the cracked margins of the Little Rann of Kutch , where the monsoon arrives reluctantly—or not at all—life in Rapar is measured in the language of thirst. This district, with its 97 villages and some 250 hamlets, sits on a salt-rimmed plain that tells a stark story: erratic rains, saline groundwater, thin rocky soils, and a sky that often promises more than it delivers. More than two-thirds of Kutch lies barren. 

India’s farmers between policy promises and harsh realities: Double income or double crisis?

By Vikas Meshram*  In a country that proudly calls itself agrarian, the continuing suicides of farmers and agricultural labourers remain a moral and policy failure. The scale of distress is not anecdotal; it is starkly visible in data compiled by institutions such as the Centre for Science and Environment . In 2021 alone, 10,881 people linked to the agricultural sector died by suicide—an average of nearly thirty lives lost every day. This was the highest figure in five years, surpassing even 2016, when 11,379 such deaths were recorded. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent broken households, abandoned fields, and a deepening crisis that refuses to recede.

When learning challenges power: Students, speech, and the limits of freedom

By Raqif Makhdoomi*  We were told, “Knowledge liberates.” Today, the reality often appears otherwise. Knowledge seems to unsettle power, and those who speak through it frequently face consequences. The continued incarceration of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid for several years is cited by many as an example of how dissenting voices rooted in education and political awareness can be treated. Their supporters argue that education compelled them to question what they believed was unjust and to resist it.

The 70,000 crore hole: 'Mismanagement' in Madhya Pradesh’s Electricity Board

By Rajkumar Sinha*  Twenty-three years ago, acting on the advisory directives tied to a loan from the Asian Development Bank, the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board was unbundled into three distinct corporate entities. The stated objective was to eliminate the Board's financial losses. Today, over two decades later, the reality is stark: a deficit that stood at 2,100 crore rupees has ballooned to a staggering 50,000 crore rupees. 

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative   Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Two decades on, Sea the Stars still towers over racing history

By Harsh Thakor*  On April 6, the world of horse racing celebrates the 20th birthday of the equine icon Sea the Stars. In 2009, he transcended racing glory, scaling heights that redefined thoroughbred supremacy in almost mythical terms. He personified the perfect racehorse, combining speed, endurance, temperament, composure, intelligence and an indomitable will to win. In his performances, one could scarcely have asked for more from a thoroughbred—he executed every task with clinical precision, often exceeding expectations.

Minority rights group calls for wider consultation on UCC before governor’s assent

By A Representative    The Minority Coordination Committee Gujarat has submitted a detailed representation to the Governor of Gujarat, urging that assent be withheld from the recently passed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill by the state assembly. The memorandum, submitted from the Committee’s office in Mirzapur, raises constitutional, legal, federal and social concerns regarding the proposed legislation.

A forgotten hamlet on Chandigarh’s doorstep: no water, no roof, no future

By Bharat Dogra   Just 15 kilometres from the gleaming high-rises of Mohali , where Punjab’s urban dream meets Chandigarh ’s manicured lawns, lies a settlement the city prefers not to see. The Valmiki hamlet of Majatri village is close enough to the capital’s comforts, yet light-years away from its basic necessities.

60% non-fossil fuel target misleading without absolute emission cuts, warns climate analyst

By A Representative   A day after the Union Cabinet approved India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the 2031-2035 period, a prominent climate policy analyst has raised serious concerns, arguing that the commitments are insufficient to protect the country’s vulnerable populations and its environment.