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.