By Jag Jivan A panel of urban planners, academics and grassroots practitioners has warned that India’s urban crisis is increasingly becoming “a crisis of dignity,” driven by deepening inequality, ecological destruction and the growing marginalisation of the urban poor, according to a discussion hosted by the Balwant Sheth School of Architecture , NMIMS University .
By Rosamma Thomas* In January 2026, a mining firm commenced iron ore extraction in Deepawas village of Neem Ka Thana in Sikar district, Rajasthan . A road was paved, and over 200 trees were felled. A marbles and granite enterprise was about to start mining on 180 hectares, of which 149 hectares are forest land. Three villages in Neem Ka Thana would be affected.