Articles
Mar 23 2016
ANIMAL CRUELTY & FILMS
Of animals and lesser animals: Shaktimaan and his brothers
ANIMAL CRUELTY & FILMS : Of animals and lesser animals: Shaktimaan and his brothers
The shocking physical abuse inflicted on police horse Shaktimaan has rightly created a furore in society. But cruelty towards animals does not just manifest itself in stray, isolated incidents. Shoma Chatterji draws attention to the treatment of animals in film making and stresses the need for strict monitoring.
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Mar 19 2016
SUSTAINABLE FOOD
Rays of hope for the ‘local’ in Meghalaya
SUSTAINABLE FOOD : Rays of hope for the ‘local’ in Meghalaya
Even as many pockets of the state, including its capital, battle the ravages of development and consumerism, a couple of villages visited by the author stand as examples of resilient local economies and lifestyles. Aditya Vikram Rametra describes what he saw here.
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Mar 16 2016
ACID ATTACK SURVIVORS
Lucknow’s new landmark Sheroes upholds the indomitable spirit of humanity
ACID ATTACK SURVIVORS : Lucknow’s new landmark Sheroes upholds the indomitable spirit of humanity
Manjari Singh reports on the opening of the Lucknow branch of Sheroes Hangout, a café run and managed by acid attack survivors under the guidance of the humanitarian organisation “Stop Acid Attacks”.
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Mar 15 2016
INDIA TOGETHER NEWSLETTER - March 15th 2016
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Trade rules and what they eclipse | The Supreme Court just made it easier for you to save lives; here’s how!
In this edition, we celebrate the International Women's Day by bringing out inspiring stories of Soni Sori and the girl footballers from Chennai. We also look into why India's solar mission is in dispute with WTO, the Good Samaritan guidelines that are made compulsory now, and more.
Mar 14 2016
FILM REVIEW
In the aftermath of a hooch tragedy
FILM REVIEW : In the aftermath of a hooch tragedy
In a terrible, but not-so-rare tragedy in rural West Bengal, 170 people lost their lives after consuming illicit liquor. But what actually happens after an incident such as this? Cholai, a well-researched black comedy, reveals the moral and social degradation that cuts across spheres, writes Shoma Chatterji.
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Mar 14 2016
REDUCING ROAD FATALITIES
The Supreme Court just made it easier for you to save lives; here’s how!
REDUCING ROAD FATALITIES : The Supreme Court just made it easier for you to save lives; here’s how!
You don’t have to fear police harassment if you report or help an injured accident victim. You don’t even have to reveal personal details unless you wish to testify. Here’s a summary of the “Good Samaritan” guidelines that the apex court has now made compulsory for states to follow.
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Mar 11 2016
BOXING GIRLS
Chennai girls learn to land a solid punch
BOXING GIRLS : Chennai girls learn to land a solid punch
These days, select impoverished neighbourhoods in Chennai have become the nursery of future champion boxers. Girls in these neighbourhoods are receiving training in boxing, something that has given them the confidence to stand up for themselves and dream big, reveals Hema Vijay.
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Mar 08 2016
WOMEN AND THE STATE
The women whose voices we seek to stifle, but can’t
WOMEN AND THE STATE : The women whose voices we seek to stifle, but can’t
High rhetoric and token gestures abound on International Women’s Day. Yet, a brave woman of the soil was threatened, attacked and prevented from holding a rally that would have voiced the real issues faced by many women. Freny Manecksha met Soni Sori days before she was attacked, and recounts her story.
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Mar 06 2016
SOLAR MISSION DISPUTE
Trade rules and what they eclipse
SOLAR MISSION DISPUTE : Trade rules and what they eclipse
The ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s dispute settlement body (DSB) in a complaint filed by USA against elements of India’s solar mission is again in the news. Shalini Bhutani helps to piece together the sequence of events and points out how the global trade architecture keeps domestic laws and policies under intense scrutiny. She also reminds us of the real danger of abandoning the development agenda of the global trade body.
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Mar 03 2016
SYRIAN CEASEFIRE
Can India provide a new lens to the ISIS challenge in Syria?
SYRIAN CEASEFIRE : Can India provide a new lens to the ISIS challenge in Syria?
Is military combat the only way to deal with the Islamic state and its likes? Firdaus Ahmed ponders about the role India can play in making the ongoing temporary ceasefire in the five-year old Syrian civil war a more permanent one.
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Mar 01 2016
INDIA TOGETHER NEWSLETTER - March 1st 2016
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No matter who’s ruling, they just won’t brook dissent! | Is the Hubli-Ankola Railway line approved?
In this edition, we find out how free speech and dissent has never been welcomed in our country by any of the ruling parties, why the approval of the Hubli-Ankola railway line is not yet final, the gaps in the social security law for unorganised sector being proposed by the finance minister, the brutal and brave stories of some rape survivors, and more.
Feb 28 2016
MINING IN HASDEO ARAND
Too many questions? Take away the right to ask!
MINING IN HASDEO ARAND : Too many questions? Take away the right to ask!
The Chhattisgarh government has nullified the community rights of a section of villagers under the Forest Rights Act, as it was being used by them to oppose mining in the region. But why are the local people up against mining? Shripad Dharmadhikary reports.
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Feb 26 2016
FREE SPEECH
No matter who’s ruling, they just won’t brook dissent!
FREE SPEECH : No matter who’s ruling, they just won’t brook dissent!
2009 – mid 2014: UPA. Mid 2014 – present: NDA. This map will show you that irrespective of who’s at the helm, national policies and issues considered sacrosanct are not open to debate in our country.
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Feb 24 2016
RAILWAYS
Is the Hubli-Ankola Railway line approved?
RAILWAYS : Is the Hubli-Ankola Railway line approved?
Media reports that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given clearance to Railways to approach the state government regarding the Hubli-Ankola rail link, which will pass through the dense Western Ghats in Karnataka. Kanchi Kohli writes on how the orders of NGT do not necessarily imply a complete go ahead for the railway line as the seems to suggest.
Feb 19 2016
THE AFTERMATH OF RAPE
For rape survivors and families, the nightmare continues
THE AFTERMATH OF RAPE : For rape survivors and families, the nightmare continues

Radha. Zahira. Neha. Names and tales that serve to remind us that despite the reams written, laws passed and discourses held on sexual violence in the country, the road to justice for rape survivors remains as arduous as ever. Manjari Singh reports.
Feb 17 2016
UNORGANISED LABOUR
An endless wait for social security
UNORGANISED LABOUR : An endless wait for social security
The finance minister’s dream of extending social security cover to all unorganised workers in the country is a lofty one undoubtedly, but Kathyayini Chamaraj identifies the many gaps in the existing law that need to be addressed for that dream to be realised.
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Feb 15 2016
INDIA TOGETHER NEWSLETTER - Feb 15th 2016
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Ration to cash, a harsh transition | The Dalit in Indian cinema
In this edition, we look into the reformation of our Public Distribution System, how Dalits are portrayed in Hindi cinema, emergence of grassroots movements in different parts of India for sustainable and equitable way of living, interesting stories from the state of Manipur, and more.
Feb 14 2016
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION
Towards radical democracy in India
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION : Towards radical democracy in India
A multitude of grassroots movements are emerging across the country in resistance to the mainstream economy and polity. These initiatives are exploring sustainable, equitable and just paths to human well-being. Ashish Kothari and Pallav Das offer an insight into the need for such movements.
Feb 10 2016
DIFFICULT DIALOGUES
Eradicating caste from people’s minds
DIFFICULT DIALOGUES : Eradicating caste from people’s minds
Casteism and the state of our civil society were the major issues discussed at the recently held Difficult Dialogues Conclave in Goa. It was organised by the South Asia Centre of the London School of Economics India Summit 2016 and the Television Trust for the Environment. Darryl D’Monte, who participated in one of the panel discussions, reports.
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Feb 06 2016
FEATURE
The Dalit in Indian cinema
FEATURE : The Dalit in Indian cinema
Shoma Chatterji talks about caste and the portrayal of Dalit in Hindi cinema beginning with Bombay Talkies Achhut Kannya (1936) to Bimal Roy’s Sujata (1959) followed by many mainstream films, and the small-budget, low-key ones which have focused on this significant social issue in the past so many years.
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