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Tehri Dam - Verdict Awaited


A note on Tehri Dam case heard in Supreme Court by Vimal Bhai of the Matu People's organisation.




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Chennai sucking up rural water


Over the last five years the farmers of two rural districts outside Chennai have started selling water from their irrigation wells to the city's water utility. This, to the detriment of cultivation in their own lands and those of neighbouring farmers, reports Krithika Ramalingam.




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Rain or no rain, water for Coke


The Permumatty grama panchayat of Kerala's Plachimada village has appealed to the Supreme Court for revocation of a recent High Court order granting permission to Coca Cola to draw water upto 5 lakh litres per day. The High Court's ruling was based on an investigation that has raised more questions than answered. P N Venugopal and M Suchitra report.




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IIM Kozhikode runs on rainwater


This B-school's 96-acre campus occupies two steep hillocks. There is no independent water source for the entire institute and the average daily water consumption exceeds one lakh litres. The absence of pre-monsoon showers in mid-Kerala is causing worry elsewhere, but IIM-Kozhikode shows no signs of anxiety. Shree Padre finds out why.




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Media campaign brings hope to desert


Shortage of water has been a tale of woe in Rajasthan for decades. But this year, the state's largest circulated Hindi daily, Rajasthan Patrika, has motivated around 155,000 volunteers to clean up 388 discarded traditional ponds and wells. Ramesh Menon reports from Jaipur.




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Paddling hard against the flow


Mere participation as labourers is not enough to mainstream women's concerns in water management. Instead, they must be engaged as partners, whose roles are located in larger social and political structures. Sudhirendar Sharma reviews Flowing Upstream, a collection of essays drawing attention to this distinction.




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Kerala: rain-blessed and short of water


With its enchanting greenery and network of backwaters and rivers, Kerala is thought to be a water-plenty state. After all, Kerala gets 6 months of rainfall, 2.5 times higher than the national average. Despite this, the state has been experiencing water scarcity, with conditions worsening in some regions. P N Venugopal analyses the causes.




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Inaction on panel findings against beverage major


A Pepsi bottling plant in Kerala is extracting excess groundwater and may be subjecting it to contamination risks, a state government study had reported several months ago. Despite meeting five times, a state assembly committee has not acted. M Suchitra digs deeper.




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The empire flows again


The second coming of the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh thus has opened the doors for total private control of Godavari waters. Sir Arthur Cotton's legacy is likely to continue without critical examination, writes R Uma Maheshwari.




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In Palakkad, ‘rain pond’ to the rescue


This dairy in Palakkad, Kerala spent over Rs.2 lakhs buying water from outside in 2008, since borewell yields were insufficient. This year they will spend nearly eight-nine times less, because of a rain pond. Shree Padre has more.




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What ails our Public Services? -- I


An assessment of factors from the book Holding the State to Account by Samuel Paul of the Public Affairs Center, Bangalore.




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What ails our Public Services? -- II


Is incompetence and lack of motivated the cause for the malaise? Second in the series of articles adapted from the book Holding the State to Account by Samuel Paul of the Public Affairs Center, Bangalore.




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AP's largest signature campaign


An Andhra Pradesh federation is aiming to transform the state's panchayats and municipalities into genuine Local Governments.




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Shunglu committee : familiar fait accompli


Both the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister recognised that rehabilitation for Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river was incomplete, but neither was willing to fulfil their legal responsibility to actually stop construction. Instead, the the Shunglu Committee is now "independently" investigating rehabilitation and it appears compromised, worries Mike Levien.




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Look inward: the lesson of Mumbai


Law enforcement cannot make a distinction between 'our' goons and 'their' goons. It has to make a distinction between goons and law abiding citizens, and only then can we be secure, writes Harish Narasappa.




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Is Mumbai growing anymore?


Contrary to popular imagination, there are not that many migrants coming to Mumbai in search of jobs anymore. Planners and politicians need to introspect on why, writes Darryl D'Monte.




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Complaints? Who's listening?


Six years ago the Supreme Court issued a detailed order listing the steps needed to insulate police work from politics, and to make it more accountable. But the progress since then has been slow. Navya P K reports.




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NaMo Narmada: Who gains?


As elections draw closer, state rhetoric over the Sardar Sarovar dam heightening project is slowly reaching a crescendo as evident from various media reports, but who will finally benefit from the moves on the ground? Himanshu Upadhyaya asks some hard questions.




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Can Mumbai become a global city?


A recent consultation between global and local urbanisation experts and bureaucrats focussed on securing Mumbai’s position in the map of ‘Globally Fluent Cities,’ as envisaged by an international initiative. Darryl D’Monte draws attention to a few critical issues that should be included in such deliberation.




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How much do you know about the air you are breathing?


Red, yellow and green are not just about traffic lights any more. Colour coding the air quality in cities is a critical step towards dissemination of pollution data among citizens. But does India’s air quality index satisfy all the necessary conditions for optimal use? Sarath Guttikunda has more.




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Is Europe staring at a second Renaissance?


Across Europe, as economies find themselves tottering in the face of deepening financial and social crises, various alternative initiatives are gaining ground, providing hope for a different future.  Ashish Kothari writes on some of these.




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Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai : Unique example of solidarity


Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts in western Uttar Pradesh had their long standing communal harmony destroyed by the riots that took place there in September 2013. Shoma Chatterji reviews the powerful documentary Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai which looks closely into the how, why and the aftermath of these riots.




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Lost the file? Jail the culprit!


Too many RTI applicants are being fobbed by Public Information Officers saying the file being sought is lost. Well, in that case, ask what action has been taken per the Public Records Act, urges Krishnaraj Rao.




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Struggling against the double whammy of caste and gender


As part of a study on the socio-economic status of women from the ‘Most Backward Castes’, women from the Nayibrahmin or barber community talk of their lives of oppression and deprivation. Akhileshwari Ramagoud recounts their tales.




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Rise in Bond Yields Fan Spain Bailout Fears

An ominous rise in Spanish government bond yields fanned speculation that the country might need a bailout of its own. Matt Phillips reports on Markets Hub. Photo: Reuters.




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Turo, the ‘Airbnb for Cars’, Angers Rental Car Companies

Turo lets individuals rent their personal vehicles. Some “hosts” are building businesses at airports that major car rental companies slam as unfair competition. WSJ’s Jason Bellini reports. Photo: Jake Nicol/The Wall Street Journal




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Carlos Ghosn Details Why He Escaped Japan

Former automotive executive Carlos Ghosn said he "fled injustice" in Japan. WSJ's Chip Cummins explains what Wednesday's crowded press conference in Beirut tells us about Mr. Ghosn's next steps. Photo: Maya Alleruzzo/Associated Press




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Gail Simmons on Learning to Say No

Gail Simmons, food expert and Top Chef judge, tells WSJ's Veronica Dagher how she learned to say no to some opportunities, value her time and follow her passions.




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All Eyes on You: The Latest Tricks of AI Cameras at CES

Two new smart systems use cameras, artificial intelligence and an assortment of sensors to keep watch over you—Patscan looks for threats in public spaces, while Eyeris monitors the driver and passengers in a car. WSJ’s Katherine Bindley visits CES to explores their advantages, as well as their privacy costs.




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How to Safely Groom Your Dog Between Haircuts

After weeks with nonessential businesses closed, many dog owners are stuck with shaggy pups that are barely recognizable. Gary Angell, co-owner and head groomer at My Two Dogs, shares his tips to keep your dog looking fresh while you wait. Photo: Adam Banicki/The Wall Street Journal




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Alibaba’s ‘Ai’ Predicts Winners of China’Hit TV Show ‘I Am a Singer’

Forget artificial intelligence for board games. Alibaba used artificial intelligence to predict the winner of a popular Chinese reality TV singing competition – and got the winner and finalists all correct.




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Max Levchin’s Affirm Raises $100 Million

Max Levchin’s financial technology startup Affirm Inc. has raised a $100 million in Series D, according to a person familiar with the matter.




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Uber Brings Motorcycle Hailing Service to Indonesia

Uber Technologies Inc. this week brought its motorcycle-taxi hailing service to Indonesia, where it will face strong competition from similar apps as startups battle for users in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.




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WSJ’s House of the Year: A Contemporary Home With Hawaiian Spirit

A modern, 7,500 square-foot home connects owner Elizabeth Grossman to the nature and ‘spiritual vortex’ that drew her to Lanikai, a neighborhood on Oahu. She gives us a tour, and explains why it’s time to sell. Photo: Adam Falk/The Wall Street Journal




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Tracking Chennai’s faces in Parliament


Continuing the focus on how Members of Parliament from key urban constituencies have fared in the 15th Lok Sabha, Lavanya Donthamshetty shines the spotlight on the leaders from Chennai.




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Chennai voters wary of disappearing acts


They make an appearance before every election with a basket of promises and some patchwork to impress the electorate, only to disappear later. Chennai residents tell Lavanya Donthamshetty how tired they are of such politicians, wishing for a leader with vision and the commitment to turn it into reality.




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The many nails in the UPA coffin


How strong was the Modi wave? Did recent state elections impact voter choice in parliamentary elections? Did better performing MPs necessarily augur well for their parties? A statistical analysis by Srinivasan Ramani finds interesting linkages between these and the UPA drubbing.




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Phase IV: BSP has most 'tainted' candidates

Phase IV: BSP has most 'tainted' candidates




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Details of Fourth Phase Polling

Details of Fourth Phase Polling




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Keshubhai's party dented BJP prospects in Saurashtra

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's march towards a two-third majority was halted by the presence of Keshubhai Patel's party in Saurashtra and the saffron outfit suffered reverses in Chief Minister Narendra Modi's own backyard of north Gujarat.




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Coronavirus Concerns Prompt Candidates to CFH: Campaign From Home

The coronavirus outbreak is forcing 2020 candidates to suspend rallies, town halls and other events they typically use to connect with voters. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images




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Laptop Webcam Showdown: MacBook Air? Dell XPS? They’re Pretty Bad

In our coronavirus-tainted world, we’re realizing that we depend a lot on our laptop webcams… and they’re not good. WSJ’s Joanna Stern compared the new MacBook Air to the Dell XPS 13, Google’s Pixelbook Go and Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 3.




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Coronavirus Update: Small-Business Aid Deal, Americans Fear Early Restriction Lift

The Treasury and Democrats say they are close on a new rescue deal for small businesses, debate over lockdowns ramps up as the U.S. coronavirus death toll tops 40,000, and what to expect from earnings this week. WSJ’s Jason Bellini has the latest on the pandemic. Photo: David Poller/Zuma Press




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Waiting for 'Captain' to rule Tamil Nadu

'We have tried both DMK and the AIADMK. What have we gained? Nothing! Now, let us give him a chance. If he doesn't perform, we can change him then.'




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What ails nuclear safety?


In-depth field studies in nuclear power plants worldwide have shown that they have common features that are essential for reliable operation. DAE's operations do not exhibit these characteristics. Instead, secrecy invoked in the name of national interest is the norm, leading to avoidable risks, writes Ashwin Kumar.




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Should films have statutory warnings on violence against women?


A 90-second video put together by a group of women activists demands a pop-up statutory warning on screen every time a woman is assaulted or abused. Shoma Chatterji critiques the video, raising several questions over its content as well as the stance that it takes.




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Painting the country Pink


Will a ‘NO’ from a woman remain ‘NO’? Asks Shoma A. Chatterji while reviewing the movie, Pink.




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Nagas revere this bureaucrat from the mainland


In the recent history of development in India, examples of interconnected success -- in local autonomy, forest rejuvenation and agriculture -- such as this, are rare. For Nagaland, it all started under the stewardship of Achyut Madhav Gokhale. Surekha Sule has it all.




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Community conservation gaining


Rasika Dhavse reports on the transition from conventional conservation practices to community based ones.




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Silent Valley: threatened again


Surendranath C reports on a power project proposal that threatens to put the Kerala biodiversity hotspot at risk.