By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*   For many in India, and particularly in Gujarat, 26 March will always be remembered as a black day. On that day in 2003, Narendra Modi , then Chief Minister of Gujarat, introduced the draconian Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act .

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Two eminent personalities passed away recently, leaving a vacuum in their respective fields. Both hailed from different professions yet remained deeply committed to their work, never focusing on shortcuts or courting the media limelight to magnify their contributions. Yes, I am speaking about Professor M. P. Singh , a constitutional expert and academic formerly with Delhi University , who was associated with many important institutions including the National Law Universities and the Indian Law Institute . He passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 86. 

By Manu Shrivastava  In the emerald cradle of the Andaman Islands , where turquoise waves lap against coral-fringed shores and ancient rainforests exhale mist into the dawn, a quiet community has etched its story into the soil and sea for nearly a century. The Karen people , known for their gentle resilience and deep-rooted harmony with nature, first stepped onto these remote shores in April 1925, nearly 100 years ago.

By Vijay Prashad    For Paki Wieland (1944-2026), who fought the cruelty of US imperialism all her adult life... ** The morning of my departure from José Martí Airport , named after the father of the nation, I hugged everybody: the woman who checked me in, the man who stamped my passport, the ground staff. I had hugged all my friends tightly the previous day, my tears fighting for the right to stream down my face. It felt as though, through these hugs, I wanted to somehow transmit my trepidation about what could possibly happen to Cuba, the Cubans, the Cuban Revolution – all of it – because of the madness of Donald Trump .

By A Representative   As the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women moves towards its conclusion on 19 March 2026, public health experts and advocates have stressed that advancing gender equality and human rights is essential to tackling the growing global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) and its partners have called for stronger commitments from governments to ensure gender-responsive policies that uphold the right to health and help prevent drug-resistant infections.

By N.S. Venkataraman*     Since 1995, global climate conferences have convened annually, with the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) held in November 2024. These gatherings attract world leaders and generate extensive media coverage, raising hopes of decisive strategies to address the climate emergency. Yet, despite lofty promises and ambitious targets, the crisis remains unabated.  

By Bharat Dogra   In the ever-continuing efforts of finding better answers and solutions for various development issues, all sincere efforts, big and small, are welcome. One such persistent effort in the Bundelkhand region, in the form of a voluntary organization, is now on the verge of completing 25 years of its many-sided explorations and experiments for social, economic and environmental improvements. 

By Vikas Meshram*   When the lush green fields of turmeric sway in the tribal belt of southern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, it is not merely a spice crop — it is the golden glow of self-reliance. In villages where even basic spices once had to be bought from the market, the very soil today is yielding a prosperity that has transformed the lives of thousands of families. At the heart of this transformation is the initiative of Vaagdhara, which has linked turmeric with livelihoods, nutrition, and village self-governance — gram swaraj.

By Sunil Kumar*  Hundreds of murders take place in Delhi every year, yet only a few incidents become topics of nationwide discussion. The question is: why does this happen? Today, the incident in Uttam Nagar has become the centre of national debate. A 26-year-old man, Tarun Kumar, was killed following a dispute that reportedly began after a balloon hit a small child. In several colonies of Delhi, slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” and “Vande Mataram” are being raised while demanding the death penalty for Tarun’s killers. As a result, nearly 50,000 residents of Hastsal JJ Colony are now living in what resembles a state of confinement.