Kerala News - India Together

CHILD ABUSE IN KERALA
Legislation to safeguard children fails to protect them

Post-POCSO Act, reporting of child sexual abuse cases have rocketed in Kerala, but conviction rates remain dismal. State government and judiciary lack the infrastructure to ensure justice for victims, finds Navya P K.

Children Justice

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KERALA’S PLIGHT - III

Rescued child labourers - institutionalised or forgotten

Kerala lacks a system to rehabilitate migrant child labourers. Navya P K finds out how rescued children are sent off to their home districts, and then forgotten. This is the concluding part of a three part series on child labour in Kerala by Navya, who is reporting on this topic for PII-UNICEF Media Fellowship, which was awarded to her recently.

Labour Issues Children Child labour

KERALA'S PLIGHT - II

Ineffective implementation of child labour laws

Cases on child labour or trafficking are rarely filed by the labour department and police. Even when cases are filed, offenders get away quickly. Navya P K reports. This is the second part of a three part series on child labour in Kerala by Navya, who is reporting on this topic for PII-UNICEF Media Fellowship, which was awarded to her recently.

Labour Issues Children Child labour

KERALA'S PLIGHT

The rise of migrant child labour

This is the first part of a three part series on child labour in Kerala by Navya P K, who is reporting on this topic for PII-UNICEF Media Fellowship, which was awarded to her recently.

Labour Issues Children Child labour

FOOD VENTURE

Kerala pioneer eyes new horizons for jackfruit industry

A new food processing company in Kerala proposes to market innovative products, the success of which could well place the largely neglected jackfruit in the focus of attention of bigger players in the state’s food processing industry. Shree Padre reports.

Agriculture Economy

BOAT-MAKING IN BEYPORE

Kerala’s royal connection: The luxury ‘uru’

In the non-descript town of Beypore near Kozhikode, skilled artisans have revived in a big way the tradition of making luxury ‘urus’, or dhow-shaped boats, as they find a ready clientele in the royal family of Qatar. Akshatha M visits Beypore.

Livelihood Economy Art

ORGANIC FARMING

What binds every family in this Kerala Panchayat

The thrust on chemical-free cultivation of vegetables that started as an experiment in the 90s has now evolved into a culture in Kerala’s Kanjikkuzhi Gram Panchayat. P N Venugopal traces the growth and success of this initiative so far.

Organic Agriculture Livelihood Environment

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN KERALA

Are too many ‘gramasabhas’ posing a challenge to governance?

As the Kerala government takes steps to re-inspire citizens to engage in grassroots level governance, P Mohammad Nizar draws attention to certain critical issues that must be addressed for the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state to be effectively revitalised.

Panchayats Government Opinions

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Kerala: A murky ‘state’ of affairs

From misguided attempts at prohibition and moral policing to scams in higher education and declining development, things in Kerala have been taking a rather sordid turn and hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons. P N Venugopal recapitulates some of the most recent developments.

Economy Government Society States

BANGALORE BLASTS CASE

In conversation with an alleged terrorist

Abdul Nasser Madani, a key accused in the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts, waits in vain for his trial to be speeded up after countless adjourned sessions of court. PN Venugopal recounts the circumstances of the case and talks to Madani himself to discover how rules become exceptions in such cases.

Law and Order Interviews Justice Human Rights

CONFLICT BETWEEN STATES

Mullaperiyar: Is the light in the tunnel itself?

With the SC striking down the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, concerns over the Mullaperiyar Dam could create tension anew between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Could a new study contain a potential solution to the issue? P N Venugopal explores.

Water Laws Tamil Nadu States

ELECTIONS IN KERALA

Will the Western Ghats decide Kerala’s mandate?

The controversy over the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports on ecological preservation in the Western Ghats has brought about a churn in politics in Kerala. P N Venugopal wonders if this will determine the decisions of the electorate in the Lok Sabha elections.

Environmental Hazards Mining Elections Government

VISION DEFICIT

The strange case of ICTT Vallarpadam

A PPP project, hailed as a milestone in logistic infrastructure development at the time of launch shows scant growth three years later, costing the Cochin Port trust dearly in the process. P N Venugopal throws light on all that has gone wrong with it.

Public Funds Transport Economy

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Retired Scientist
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