By A Representative   On the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, January 30, 2026, rural workers, MGNREGA labourers and Gram Sabha representatives across several states organised protests and collective actions opposing the VB-GRAM G Act and demanding the restoration and strengthening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

By Sunil Kyumar*  “Republic Day is a powerful symbol of our freedom, Constitution, and democratic values. This festival gives us renewed energy and inspiration to move forward together with the resolve of nation-building”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2026. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit subhashita— “Paratantryābhibhūtasya deśasyābhyudayaḥ kutaḥ. Ataḥ svātantryamāptavyaṁ aikyaṁ svātantryasādhanam.”

By Parineeta Dandekar   As we stood on a ridge near the Lakke Wali Mata shrine, a tributary of the Ravi roared through a deep gorge below us. Across the chasm rose a shaded mountain slope, thick with devdar—Himalayan cedar—its green broken only by a steep brown trail cutting diagonally across the mountainside. As we watched the headwaters of the Ravi, it slowly dawned on us that the trail itself was moving. 

By Emily Servante*  It’s an exciting time to be a microbiologist working in rice research . A global push towards the cultivation of water-saving rice is enabling farmers to harness the power of microbes that thrive in less water.

By Harsh Thakor*  Om Puri was a generous, warm-hearted man and one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. His characters revealed how we are all made of the same metal—human, fragile and imperfect. He possessed a boundless sense of humour, cracking endless jokes that were infectious. When others wilted under pressure, he remained energised; no matter the hour, he was always willing to sit down for a drink with cast and crew at the end of a shooting day. On 6 October last year, he would have turned 75, having been born on that day in 1950. Sadly, he passed away on 6 January 2017.

By A Representative   Peace and justice worker and writer Harsh Mander has filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over public statements made on January 27 at an official event in Digboi, Tinsukia district, alleging that the remarks promote hatred, harassment and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.