India’s WhatsApp election: political parties risk undermining democracy with technology
WhatsApp has already been used to misinform voters in elections and spread damaging 'fake news' that has led to serious violence
Forests up for grabs?
The amended Forest Conservation Act opens up large swathes of forestland for different non-forest activities
‘Ocean thermal energy conversion plant coming up in Lakshadweep’
The plant will power the one lakh litre per day low temperature thermal desalination plant, which converts seawater into potable water
Elections 2019: Every fourth voter a distressed farmer
Though the farmers were not an issue in the general elections they now hold the fort for the world’s fastest growing economy despite being …
Missing women voters: 21 mln can't exercise franchise this Lok Sabha polls
Excerpts from The Verdict: Decoding India’s Elections by Prannoy Roy and Dorab R Sopariwala; published by Penguin Random House India
Democracy is good for heart, increases life expectancy
A study of 170 countries between 1980 and 2016 brings out for the first time the impact of democratic systems on population health
It will take 55 years to have one-third women representatives in Parliament
Despite women voting in record numbers, Parliament didn’t enact the Women’s Reservation Bill that promised to keep aside a third of …
Lok Sabha passes Women’s Reservation Bill with two-thirds majority
It will grant 33 per cent seats to women in the Lok Sabha as well as state assemblies, once it becomes law
As told to Parliament (March 24, 2022): Tropical Indian Ocean warmed by 1°C from 1951-2015
All that was discussed in the House through the day
Notes on how the world’s largest democracy presses the button
While the electronic voting machine system is useful and functional, officials and observers shouldn’t assume there’s no way to …
Election Commission, NGT, environment ministry say no to plastics in 2019 poll campaigning
Efforts are on for the first time to reduce the use of non-degradable materials during the upcoming general elections
As told to Parliament (March 16, 2022): India to triple nuclear power capacity this decade
Land injustice, Aadhaar problems dog Jharkhand. Is the Opposition listening
Activists under Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha highlight issues that should make a buzz before the Lok Sabha elections
On the cards in Kerala: A clean, green Lok Sabha polls
Kerala Suchitwa Mission Executive Director R Ajay Kr Verma says mass involvement most crucial
Does the monsoon this year means forests for India?
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill 2015 has crossed the doors of the Lok Sabha, but is set to face the Rajya Sabha test during the monsoon …
Telangana Bill: MPs disrupt Parliament proceedings, 17 suspended
One MP took out a knife in the Lok Sabha and another used pepper spray, say media reports
Rajya Sabha passes Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill amid confusion, concerns
Rights to recognise forest land and register it to lie with the state government, clarifies environment minister
As told to Parliament (August 6, 2021): 65 Zika virus cases reported in Kerala
All that was discussed in the Houses through the day
As ODF deadline nears, govt should focus on key areas
While we near the deadline of October 2, 2019 for ODF, concerns like non-functional toilets, poor sewage and drainage systems, lack of water, and …
In India, WhatsApp is a weapon of antisocial hatred
A new challenge has arisen in the form of social media – specifically WhatsApp. Hate speech, disinformation and scary rumors are already …
How much politics is too much politics for civil society
Should non-profits contest elections? Should they be identified with parties?
No elixir for rural India: Union Budget 2023-24 has very little to offer the rural population; here’s why
The last full budget before the incumbent party seeks re-election in May 2024 should have targeted India’s suffering rural folk to enable …
Adivasis in Jhargram fight a divided battle for the same aim in LS polls
In these General Elections, tribals in West Bengal are sparring among themselves over politicising their struggle for tribal rights
MP raises antibiotics in chicken issue in Lok Sabha, urges government to act
Recent study by Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment had found that 40 per cent of tested chicken samples were contaminated …
Standing Committee asks MNRE to apprise it of efforts to assess tidal energy potential
In theory, estimated potential of tidal and wave power in India is 12,455 MW and 41,300 MW, respectively