By Bharat Dogra   In 2025, the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG) marks 50 years of invaluable service to ecologically protective development, with a special focus on sustainable farming. These widely recognized achievements stem from the dedicated teamwork of many talented and enthusiastic individuals.  Yet, the exceptional and ongoing contributions of its coordinator and founding member, Dr. Shiraz Wazih, deserve special mention. His blend of deep knowledge, thoughtful insight, and gentle demeanor has earned him immense respect, fostering a strong team spirit and ensuring the continuity of GEAG’s mission—even through challenging times. As a journalist, I had the opportunity to report on GEAG’s work in Eastern Uttar Pradesh during its early years. It was truly inspiring to meet small-scale farmers, including women, who transformed their modest plots through mixed cropping and natural farming methods. These practices not only boosted productivity and ensur...

By A Representative   An academic event at Rutgers University examining Hindu nationalism in the United States has triggered controversy and political reactions, with its organizers reporting online harassment and threats. The October 27 discussion, titled “Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,” was hosted by the university’s Center for Security, Race, and Rights (CSRR). The event explored findings from a recent report that documents what it describes as the growing influence of Hindutva-linked networks in the U.S., including their alleged role in promoting hate and intimidation.

By A Representative   Farmer groups and civil society organizations across India have raised strong objections to the government’s proposed amendments to the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001 , and voiced concern over the yet-to-be-released Seed Bill . They allege that the proposed changes threaten farmers’ rights, seed sovereignty , and national control over India’s genetic resources. 

By A Representative   The Coalition for a GM-Free India has accused the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture of committing what it termed a “scientific fraud” in the ongoing genome-edited rice programme . At a press conference today, the Coalition presented what it described as clear evidence that ICAR’s own official trial data had been manipulated to promote two genome-edited rice varieties — Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) — as false successes.

By Harsh Thakor*  On October 31, India commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , widely regarded as the “ Iron Man of India ” and the “ Bismarck ” who unified the nation. Patel remains one of the most capable, pragmatic, and resolute leaders of the Indian National Congress and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi . His leadership during the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 earned him immense respect and the title of “Sardar.” Many contemporaries even believed he should have been India’s first prime minister.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  National unity means the spirit of togetherness and fraternity among the citizens of a nation—one that transcends cultural, linguistic, and religious differences to bind people as one. It signifies loyalty to the Constitution , respect for national symbols , and a shared commitment to common goals. India celebrates Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , the “ Iron Man of India ,” who integrated 562 princely states after independence, giving India a strong and indivisible foundation. As Patel said, “It is our duty to see that India remains one and indivisible.”

By Ram Puniyani*  The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, stands as an enduring symbol of love and artistic brilliance. Described by Rabindranath Tagore as “a teardrop on the cheek of time,” it remains India’s most recognizable monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Replicas of the Taj have even been gifted to visiting heads of state, signifying its importance as a national emblem.

By Prof. Hemantkumar Shah*  At the luxurious INOX theatre in Sky City Mall, Borivali East, Mumbai, around seventy upper-middle-class viewers attended the 10:45 a.m. screening of Jolly LLB 3. In the film’s concluding courtroom sequence, Arshad Warsi’s character asks the judge whether he would willingly surrender one of his own homes to the government for a development project in Delhi.

By Raniya Zulaikha*  I'm a hijabi, married, and have recently completed my post-graduation in Theatre Arts at a central university. Having said that, I wish to divert the discussion from the historical struggles endured by individuals and communities that have shaped these ‘ Agraharas ’—for someone of my societal positioning to declare the aforementioned statement as my identity. This shift in thought arises from the recognition that it is beyond my capacity to quantify the efforts of those predecessors who, with their sweat, soul, and even blood, cultivated this terrain for our existence. 

By Pankti Jog*  “Are you single? Then you can’t get a room… not just in our hotel, madam, but in any hotel here. Sorry!” Imagine hearing this a day before your trip—how would you feel? Angry? Shocked? Why on earth should a single traveler be denied a room? Can’t someone travel alone?

By A Representative   In a landmark order, the Gujarat Information Commission has urged the state’s Revenue and Panchayat Departments to make land allotment records digitally accessible to citizens. The directive, issued by State Information Commissioner Nikhil Bhatt in Appeal No. A-4898-2024, followed a case filed by Hirabhai Kamabhai Rathod of Moti Matli village, Taluka Kalavad, District Jamnagar. 

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*  In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has ruled that the right to choose a religion is a purely personal matter, and the state cannot interfere with it, as doing so violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

By Dr. Md. Juel Rana*  The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted in West Bengal in 2002 has emerged as a critical point of discussion in the context of the ongoing SIR 2025. An estimate reveals that only 55 percent of electors listed in the 2002 SIR match with those registered in 2025, indicating a substantial mismatch of 45 percent over the past two decades. While such discrepancies are not entirely unexpected given the natural demographic changes that occur over time, the magnitude of this mismatch raises serious concerns about the integrity and completeness of the 2002 SIR exercise.

By Gajanan Khergamker  The United States of America , in its constitutional narrative , prides itself on being a nation of immutable guarantees. The citizen—whether born into the light or welcomed through the solemnity of naturalisation —is supposedly wrapped in the same legal armour. Yet beneath this veneer of equality, a cold, surgical blade is being sharpened in the corridors of power: the denaturalisation scythe . 

By Vijay Prashad   On 26 October, Caroline Willemen of Médecins Sans Frontières stated that Israel continues to use the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza as “means of pressure”. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza has not improved significantly”, she told the press, “as water and shelter shortages persist and hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in tents as winter approaches”. Israel’s armed forces have now annexed more than half of Gaza’s land and are dumping vast amounts of debris into that zone, turning it into a mountain of garbage. To move the rubble without experts and equipment is very dangerous, as about ten to twelve percent of the Israeli bombs dropped on Gaza have not exploded.

By A Representative   The International People’s Tribunal has described the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent advisory opinion ordering Israel to cooperate with the United Nations and allow aid into Gaza as “too little, too late,” criticizing what it calls the continued failure of global institutions to act decisively in the face of ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

By Bharat Dogra  There is a growing unease across the world that the academic community has not lived up to its responsibilities for advancing global peace and welfare. Some academics have even turned into advocates of war or promoters of inequality and injustice. In such distressing times, one eagerly awaits the voices of those few who have steadfastly upheld truth and justice.

By A Representative   The Consulate General of Germany in Bangalore recently hosted a celebration for the 35th Day of German Unity , where Consul General Achim Burkart 's repeated references to the UN Charter in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war were noted by attendees as a positive affirmation of Germany's commitment to democratic multilateralism . However, the omission of the Charter when discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict has drawn pointed criticism regarding the perceived imbalance and partiality of his address.

By Ram Puniyani*  The Government of India gave a red-carpet welcome to the Taliban delegation led by their Minister of Education, Muttaqi . Gen Prakash Katoch asks , “Should India be seen deferring to the Taliban?”  

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava  The meanings and means of Diwali in towns and cities have changed in recent times. With urban areas already struggling with air, water, and soil pollution, it is important that society and the system together find ways to celebrate a cleaner Diwali—and other festivals—in a more responsible manner. More importantly, both must first ask what we are celebrating before finding how to celebrate festivals and events. While the Supreme Court of India’s last-minute relaxation (on October 15, just a week before Diwali) of its blanket ban on firecrackers—allowing them between 6–7 a.m. and 8–10 p.m. on two days—may have brought some joy and commerce to Delhi, it also added more pollution to the already most polluted city in the world. The apex court directed that Delhi residents could use “green crackers” to celebrate Diwali, stating that it was a “balanced approach, taking into account conflicting interests and permitting in moderation, without compromising enviro...

By A Representative   Environmental activist Bhim Singh Rawat, Associate Coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People (SANDRP), has written to several senior officials of the Delhi government and pollution control bodies alerting them to serious water polluting activities along the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) in Bawana, North West Delhi. The letter , sent on October 25, 2025, is addressed to the Delhi Ministers for Water, Health, and Environment, as well as officials from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

By Raqif Makhdoomi*  After a gap of four years, Rajya Sabha elections were finally held in Jammu and Kashmir . These are indirect elections —meaning the people do not vote directly, but their elected representatives do. Similar to presidential elections , the process relies on votes cast by legislators.

By Harsh Thakor* Aleida March Torres, born on October 19, 1936, in Santa Clara, Cuba, came from a campesino (peasant) background that shaped her lifelong commitment to social justice. Her political involvement began through participation in the student movement against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. In 1956, she joined the July 26 Movement, playing an active role in the clandestine struggle that sought to overthrow the regime.

By Rosamma Thomas*  December 2024 marked 80 years since the founding of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), after the conference attended by 44 countries at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, US , to decide on a system of international monetary exchange and secure the economies of nations devastated by World War II . India is now the largest borrower of the World Bank. A recently released report, World Bank on Trial!, details how the WB represents a danger to India’s sovereignty.

By Harsh Thakor*  "The Cell and the Soul: A Prison Memoir" by Anand Teltumbde is not merely a prison memoir but a profound exposition of the Indian state, society, and criminal justice system, revealing their inhumane nature. It stands as one of the most powerful indictments of a democracy teetering on the brink of collapse. The book lucidly explores the stark realities of prison life in India, chronicling not only Teltumbde’s personal struggles but also those of his co-accused, serving as a testament to the resilient spirit of countless imprisoned activists. 

By A Representative   The All-India Feminist Alliance ( ALIFA ) has issued an urgent appeal to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah , demanding a "fair and comprehensive investigation and accountability" into the horrific series of crimes against women in Dharmasthala that have spanned decades. 

By Syed Ali Mujtaba  Bihar remains, in many ways, a “dark continent” even to those who live within it. The geographical and cultural unity seen in other Indian states is absent here. The state continues to be divided along regional lines— Seemanchal , Mithilanchal , Magadh , and others—as well as linguistic divisions such as Bhojpuri , Maithili , and various dialects of Hindi.

By Bharat Dogra   Given the extreme violence that has long afflicted the region, there is no doubt that the conflict involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda , and several armed groups must end as soon as possible. Peace negotiations are therefore welcome. However, despite the urgency of restoring peace, a settlement reached earlier this year with the intervention of the United States appeared unlikely to succeed, as peace issues were subordinated to mining interests . The diplomacy on display was focused more on securing access to minerals than on building lasting stability. Instead of addressing the deeper, complex causes of conflict, the approach reflected short-term measures suited to facilitating mineral deals.

By A Representative    The National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ), a coalition of environmentalists, scientists, lawyers, and civil society groups under the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has issued a strong appeal to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Karnataka government to cancel the proposed 2000 MW Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project (PSP). In a detailed representation sent on October 24, 2025, the group argued that the project, proposed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), poses severe ecological, social, and cultural risks to the Sharavathy River Valley and the Western Ghats , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Conflict in the Forests of Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh is called the " Green Heart " of India because it is one of the states with the largest forest cover in the country. The forests here have not only maintained the state's ecological balance but have also played a historic role in preserving public life, water sources, and wildlife. The evolution of forest management here has occurred in several stages: the traditional, the colonial, and the post-independence periods.

By Nava Thakuria*  Public grief over the untimely death of Assam’s popular singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore has increasingly turned into a political issue. As protests and social media campaigns demanding justice continue, political parties across the spectrum are seeking to associate themselves with the case, with an eye on the forthcoming Assam assembly elections scheduled for early next year.

By Mythri Tewary    A journey through dust, steel, and laughter, carrying the unspoken promise of belonging.Where fleeting rides become reflections on equality, democracy, and shared existence...

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava   Walking on the seafloor is always ecstatic. That first touch of the sea, the sand, and the sun in the sky at Wilhelmshaven’s Wadden Sea was enlightening. Making it a part of everyday life is deeply emotional. Three decades of studying mainland small lakes have now evolved into exploring the world’s largest intertidal transboundary coastal wetland. This leap in the learning curve carries a responsibility, starting with understanding the sea from its smallest drop to its vast expanse. As a beginning, I share a glimpse of the largest unbroken tidal flats system as a co-inhabiting creature among millions, for the coming years.

By Bharat Dogra    Despite decades of international condemnation and repeated United Nations resolutions , the United States continues to enforce one of the most enduring and punitive embargoes in modern history against Cuba. The measures have become so sweeping and entrenched that they are best described as a blockade rather than an embargo. This blockade has cost Cuba over a trillion dollars in lost trade and economic opportunities, while also hurting American businesses that could benefit from normal relations with the island nation.

By Harsh Thakor*  On October 21, the cricket world celebrated the 85th birthday of Sir Geoffrey Boycott . Few batsmen in cricket history have epitomized defensive mastery and mental fortitude as completely as Boycott, whose unflinching concentration and impeccable technique made his wicket among the hardest to claim. His batting reflected a wall-like resilience—unyielding, composed, and textbook-perfect.

By A Representative   During the 2025 southwest monsoon , the Yamuna experienced one low, one medium, and one high flood spell in its upper segment, leading to a temporary but noticeable improvement in water quality along the Delhi stretch. According to a detailed analysis by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) , the river received substantial flows for nearly six weeks—from the last week of July to the first week of September—owing to heavy rainfall in its catchment areas.

By A Representative   ArcelorMittal is facing mounting criticism after cancelling or delaying nearly all of its major green steel projects across Europe, citing an “unsupportive policy environment” from the European Union . The company has shelved projects in Germany , Belgium , and France , while leaving the future of its Spanish decarbonisation plan uncertain. The decision comes as global unions warn that more than 5,500 jobs are at risk across its operations, including 4,000 in South Africa , 1,400 in Europe, and 160 in Canada .

By A Representative   Two new investigations into Johnson & Johnson’s (J & J) history have raised serious questions about the company’s ethics, its approach to product safety, and the failures of regulatory systems in both the United States and India. Writing in Himal Southasian , journalist Disha Shetty reports that the two books — The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson: Inside the Global Pharma Giant’s Scandals by New York Times reporter Gardiner Harris , and The Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant by Indian Express journalist Kaunain Sheriff M — together paint a picture of a multinational corporation that repeatedly placed profits above patient safety while exploiting gaps in regulation and accountability.

By Bharat Dogra    The world today faces a convergence of crises—wars that could turn catastrophic, environmental collapse , proliferation of hazardous technologies , deepening inequalities and humanitarian disasters of staggering scale. The sheer number and gravity of these dangers are no longer in doubt. What remains woefully inadequate is the collective imagination to chart a path out of this morass. The global discourse has done much to diagnose what is wrong, but too little to propose how to put things right. Humanity cannot afford to remain trapped in old paradigms and reactive criticism; it must now discover genuinely new pathways to survival and renewal.

By Harsh Thakor*  The Chinese revolution under Mao Zedong influenced the course of the Pan-African struggle by offering a non-Western interpretation of Marxism that emphasized local conditions and historical circumstances. Maoism was perceived by several African and African-American leaders as an alternative framework to European socialist thought, challenging the notion that socialism must develop in fixed stages or only under certain conditions.

By Martin Macwan*  What is the “ Supreme Court ” of India, and who is Justice Bhushan Gavai ? Many may not know. But even in the remotest village, Dalits know that someone from among “us” — a person of great stature — has been insulted by being struck with a shoe. The sense of humiliation resonates deeply, for in India, caste and insult are wounds that Dalits still live with every day. An insult cuts deep. In the Supreme Court itself, a lawyer hurled a shoe at Justice Gavai, and just a few hours later, the government returned that very shoe to him so that he could wear it home.

By Harsh Thakor*  On October 20, 2025, Indian cinema bid farewell to Govardhan Asrani — fondly known simply as Asrani — the timeless face of laughter and one of Bollywood ’s most beloved comic icons. He passed away in Mumbai at the age of 84 following prolonged respiratory complications. His passing marks the end of a golden era in Hindi film comedy . Fans, colleagues, and generations of film lovers mourned the loss of a man whose expressive eyes, distinctive glasses, and inimitable timing made millions smile across decades.

By Vikas Meshram   According to the National Labour Force Survey (2023–24), women constitute more than 42 percent of India’s agricultural workforce , and in rural areas, nearly two-thirds of women are directly engaged in farming. These figures reflect not only their economic role but also the emotional and social responsibilities they shoulder within rural India.

By Bharat Dogra   In some developed countries that boast of high-productivity agriculture and surplus food for export, this success has come at three heavy costs. Small farmers have been increasingly pushed out as big business interests take over; soil and environmental protection have been neglected; and excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to growing health concerns about the food produced. So serious are these concerns that even poorer nations facing food shortages have often hesitated to import such food.

By A Representative   A new multinational study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2025) has found a clear and consistent link between food marketing and unhealthy dietary choices among children and adolescents. Conducted across six countries — Canada , Australia , Chile , Mexico , the United Kingdom , and the United States — the study analyzed data from 9,057 participants aged 10 to 17. It revealed that children frequently exposed to advertisements for fast food , sugary drinks , cereals , snacks , and desserts were substantially more likely to have consumed those same foods the previous day.

By Raqif Makhdoomi    As the Government of Jammu and Kashmir completes its first year in office, the political atmosphere ahead of the Budgam by-elections appears tense and uncertain. These elections, the first after a five-year gap since the abrogation of Article 370 and the region’s transition into a Union Territory , were initially seen as a step toward restoring democratic representation for people who had long been without local governance. For many, voting was both an assertion of political rights and an expression of discontent with the changes of August 5, 2019 .

By N.S. Venkataraman*  Debates on the most effective form of governance have persisted across the world, with systems such as communism , dictatorship , military rule , feudalism , and democracy all finding supporters. Yet, there is broad agreement among scholars and policymakers that democracy remains the most suitable form, as it upholds the human desire for freedom of thought and action. At the same time, it is acknowledged that freedom in a democracy must operate within limits; liberty is a social contract that requires balancing individual interests with collective welfare.

By Bhaskaran Raman   Five years ago, around this time of year, the world had come to a halt under lockdowns—apparently to contain a novel and dangerous virus. However, the virus was not dangerous to most of the population, as it was not designed to be lethal. Who designed it, and why? 

By Bhavya Raj  From the once-in-a-millennium voice of Lata Mangeshkar to the youthful brilliance of Zubeen Garg , from the sacred resonance of Padma Vibhushan Sharda Sinha to the soulful renditions of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam , Bappi Lahiri , Vani Jairam , and KK —India has lost not just singers, but sacred echoes of its cultural soul. These voices transcended language and geography, becoming the emotional architecture of a billion lives.