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.

By A Representative   New Delhi, October 22, 2025 — An analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch of the self-sworn affidavits of all 26 ministers in Gujarat ’s reconstituted cabinet, announced on October 17, has revealed that a majority are wealthy and a few face criminal cases. The study, based on affidavits filed before the 2022 state assembly elections and subsequent bypolls, shows that 23 ministers (88%) are crorepatis, with average declared assets of ₹11.12 crore.

By A Representative   A recent appearance by New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli alongside Indian religious preacher Devkinandan Thakur has sparked criticism among sections of the Indian American community. Thakur, who has been accused of making inflammatory remarks against India’s religious minorities, appeared with Ciattarelli at a public event in New Jersey in late August.

By A Representative   The Campaign Against State Repression ( CASR ) has issued a statement expressing concern over the ongoing hunger strike by Dunna Keshava Rao , also known as Azad , a surrendered leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), who has been on strike for seven days at the Jharpada High Security Prison in Bhubaneswar .

By Rajiv Shah  As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém , a new global report has raised serious alarms about the continued expansion of coal-based industries, particularly in India and China. The 2025 Global Coal Exit List  (GCEL), released by Germany-based NGO Urgewald and 48 partners, reveals a worrying rise in coal-to-chemical projects and captive power plants despite mounting evidence of climate risks and tightening international finance restrictions.

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava  This long-pending essay on whether academicians should be changemakers and/or activists finally sees the light of day after a call on World Teachers’ Day (October 5) from my Urban Design teacher (1997–99). While congratulating me for my sustained motivation and dedication toward water issues, he also remarked that had my approach not been so “activist-like,” I might have found a more secure position and made a deeper impact in academia. 

By A Representative    The South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) has said that water releases from the Ichari and Vyasi dams in Uttarakhand may have aggravated the flood situation in the Yamuna River during the 2025 southwest monsoon , when the river witnessed three flood spells in just two weeks between August 17 and September 1. The group’s analysis of official data shows that in several instances, the dam authorities released more water than was flowing into the reservoirs, thereby increasing the flood volume downstream.

By Harsh Thakor*  “ Let’s Call Him Vasu ” by Subhanshu Choudhary offers an illustrative and informative account of the Maoist movement in Bastar , presenting vivid depictions of life, struggle, and conflict in the region. However, while it succeeds in portraying the lived realities of those affected by the conflict, it falls short of offering a comprehensive or analytical understanding of the Maoist movement itself.

By A Representative   The Samerth Charitable Trust , a non-profit organization with more than three decades of service, has released its Annual Report for 2024–2025 , outlining a year of strategic growth and deepened community impact. Guided by a Results-Based Management framework , the organization expanded its reach in education, water conservation, natural resource management, and livelihood enhancement, transforming lives across Gujarat and Chhattisgarh .

By Rajiv Shah  A few days ago, I attended a press conference for the release of a study examining the impact of automation on women workers in Ahmedabad’s construction sector. Conducted by Geeta Thatra and Saloni Mundra for Aajeevika Bureau and Work Fair and Free , the study immediately caught my attention—particularly a passing reference in the presentation to how Marxist theory tends to reduce women’s oppression to class relations and economic structures such as private property, production, and wage labour.

By A Representative   In the Detroj Taluka of Ahmedabad district , a group of tribal construction workers from Gujarat's Mahisagar district and Rajasthan are struggling to recover their unpaid wages after weeks of labouring at a warehouse construction site of a prominent manufacturer of polypropylene composite materials and alloys , used in the automotive and other industries . The workers, including both men and women, were engaged through a contracted and subcontracted arrangement.

By Raqif Makhdoomi   The Indian National Congress , one of the oldest political parties in the country, played a historic role in India’s freedom movement and post-Independence governance. In Jammu and Kashmir , too, it has had a long and complex political history marked by both cooperation and confrontation with regional parties.

By Biljana Vankovska  The announcement of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado has sparked a wave of critical reactions. Many observers have questioned the decision, arguing that it reflects broader political considerations rather than a commitment to peace in the spirit of Alfred Nobel ’s original vision.

By Harsh Thakor*  Dmitry Fyodorovich Pirozhkov , a longtime member of the Proletarskaya Gazeta editorial board and occasional editor-in-chief, passed away on June 19th at the age of 79. He was known for distributing the newspaper at a public spot near Gostiny Dvor on Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg.

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*  The central question being debated among Muslims in Bihar is who they should vote for in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11, 2025. This time, they have several options: the Mahagathbandhan comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress , and others; Asaduddin Owaisi ’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) as part of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA); Prashant Kishore ’s Jan Suraaj Party ; and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ’s Janata Dal (United) [JDU].

By A Representative   The Coalition for a GM-Free India has welcomed the Rajasthan High Court order that restrains the grant of permission for sale, manufacture, distribution, or import of any genetically modified (GM) foodstuffs or edible items in India until statutory regulations are framed under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 . The court further directed that no import of any foodstuff, edible item, or packaged food be permitted unless certified and labelled as GM-free by the exporting country.

By Harsh Thakor*  It is necessary to recall the grassroots heroes who have contributed immensely to people’s struggles and quietly shaped the history of resistance in India. One such inspiring figure happens to be Dwaimati Hantal , a senior member of the Malkangiri Zilla Adivasi Sangh (MZAS) and a member of a small Left group, going by the name of Centre of Communist Revolutionaries of India. She passed away on January 16, 2025, at the age of 60, after battling diabetes for five years.

By Nava Thakuria*  Even a month after the death of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore under mysterious circumstances, thousands of his fans and admirers across eastern India continue their campaign for “ JusticeForZubeenGarg .” A large digital campaign has gained momentum, with over two million social media users from around the world demanding legal action against those allegedly responsible. Although the Assam government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested seven people, and a judicial commission headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court to oversee the probe, public pressure for justice remains strong.