Counterview

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat   A number of Muslim religious leaders and social activists have recently called for a complete ban on cow slaughter, including a prohibition on the export of Indian beef. Nearly two decades ago, Prof. Iqbal Ansari had written extensively urging Muslims to respect the sentiments of their Hindu brethren by voluntarily giving up beef consumption. At that time, his appeal did not find much resonance within the community, but today similar calls from several Imams appear to be gaining wider attention. Respect for cultural and religious sensitivities is important in a diverse society such as India. However, such respect must remain mutual and cannot become a one-way expectation imposed only upon one community. Food habits are deeply connected not only to economics but also to culture, tradition, and social life. Across South Asia, food is integral to celebrations, festivals, and social bonding. Eating together has historically been an expression of coe...

By Shankar Sharma*  India has set an ambitious target of expanding its nuclear power capacity from the current 9,000 MW to 100,000 MW over the next 20 years. The recently enacted SHANTI Act has added fresh momentum to this push. However, these developments have also raised serious and credible concerns among environmentalists and civil society groups across the country.

By Prof Hemantkumar Shah  Organic farming refers to cultivation without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic manure can be bought and sold, while natural farming generally involves the use of locally available materials as inputs. In India, the term “ organic farming ” is often also used for natural farming. In 2023–24, only about 2.5 to 3 percent of India’s total cultivated land, around 45 lakh hectares, was under organic farming. 

By Bharat Dogra   Keeping in view the wider issue of most rainfall being concentrated in a short rainy season and uneven distribution of rain, as well as more specific issues of various regions, a range of traditional water conservation and irrigation works have evolved over the centuries. These aimed at saving water for the dry season, diverting water towards farms, or achieving other related objectives. In many areas, as long as these traditional water works were maintained, villagers remained self-reliant in meeting their water needs even in very low rainfall situations.

By Sudhansu R Das    A country is not merely a territory marked on a map. It behaves more like a living organism — growing, weakening, healing or declining depending on the environment in which it exists. Just as a human body requires nourishment, protection and balance to survive, a nation too needs strong institutions, healthy natural resources, ethical citizens and a clear vision for development.

By Dr. Palash Baruah*  I recently watched a video of a woman in New Zealand stopping at an unmanned vegetable stall along a quiet national highway. She picked up what she needed, placed her money in a box, and drove away. There was no shopkeeper, no CCTV camera — just trust.