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A burning issue at Okhla


The Supreme Court has ordered a go-slow on waste-to-incineration technology that may be potential harmful to public health, but the MNRE is guided more by its focus on tackling urban waste. Kanchi Kohli reports.




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Delhi is designed for rape


It will require a change in the DNA and design of the city for a reduction in the number of rapes in Delhi. Addressing the structural problems of Delhi is a critical component of improving the situation, argues Jacob John.




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Delhi is designed for rape


It will require a change in the DNA and design of the city for a reduction in the number of rapes in Delhi. Addressing the structural problems of Delhi is a critical component of improving the situation, argues Jacob John.




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Delhi, through women's eyes


The Indian capital with its chauvinistic society and sordid history of crimes against women is the last place that one would imagine women to be attracted to. Zumbish talks to women who live and work in Delhi to know their thoughts on the city.




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What makes the Aam Aadmi Party tick?


Veteran journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta talks to India Together on the phone from Delhi to share his views on what the nation is talking about - the spectacular debut performance of the Aam Aadmi Party in the recent state elections.




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A tipping point for Indian democracy


The translation of support for the Aam Aadmi Party into votes in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2013 augurs well for the Indian democracy, long struggling to break free from a corruption-ridden, archaic political establishment, writes R. Balasubramaniam




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When idealism isn't impractical anymore


Debates on a paradigm shift in Indian politics have primarily seen arguments around the feasibility of change, even as they took its desirability as given. Shankar Jaganathan celebrates the developments which promise a triumph for idealism and show its potential of being translated into reality.




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Does the loser take it all?


In a rare occurrence in the Indian electoral scene, a losing party is not only hogging a larger share of the limelight but also apparently bringing about real changes in the way that politics has been practised in the country. Anoo Bhuyan analyses the real impact of the Delhi elections.




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Why Arvind Kejriwal does not need magic


The question foremost on the minds of both believers and sceptics now is whether AAP will be able to keep its lofty promises to the people. Subramaniam Vincent feels that this may not require rocket science, after all.




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Delhi's cry: No more dead men walking


Not least among the problems in the national capital is the lack of road safety for pedestrians and those using non-motorised transport. Shambhu Ghatak presents data exposing the stark reality of commute in Delhi and outlines recommendations made to improve the situation.




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Sons and daughters waiting to be rescued


As media reports on abuse of domestic help become increasingly frequent, Shoma A Chatterji draws attention to a documentary that reveals the shocking realities of children and young people trafficked for employment as servants in upper and middle class homes, primarily in Delhi.




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Leading from the capital


As Delhi prepares to choose its leaders for the 16th Lok Sabha, Navya P K presents a look at the leaders who represented the key urban constituencies in the last session of Parliament.




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Delhi’s big battle in figures


As Delhi readies for the fiercely contested Assembly elections, here are a few details beyond the din of the campaigns that we bet you didn’t know! S Venkatraman captures them in an infographic.




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Daily wage-earners in Delhi find little cause to cheer for AAP


The AAP manifesto may have talked at length about “a flexible and fair labour policy” and regularisation of contract workers, but for a vast section of daily wage-earners, such promises hold no meaning. Devanik Saha talks to one to find out why.




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A futile struggle for the right to trade


Legislation for street vendors mandates registration of all vendors and allocation of spaces for them by the state in designated zones. Navya P K’s interaction with street vendors in Delhi reveals a reality that is in stark contrast to what the law holds.




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An august dispute : Gandhi and Tagore


Venu Govindu reviews The Mahatma and the Poet : Letters and Debates between Gandhi and Tagore 1915-1941, compiled and edited by Sabyasachi Bhattacharya.




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A man for all times


One hundred and seventy years after his passing, the life of Raja Ram Mohan Roy has much to offer a world full of religious conflict. Melanie P Kumar looks back.




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“What about our dreams of a free Tibet?”


The Election Commission of India has ordered states to include children of Tibetan refugees born in India between 1950 and 1987 in the electoral rolls. Ramesh Menon finds that even as they acknowledge India’s gesture, the right to vote leaves them with mixed emotions.




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A scheme for a better parliament


Though the quality and calibre of our representatives in Parliament, and consequently its functioning, has often come under a cloud, options for induction of apolitical talent in Parliament are limited. P V Rajeev envisions a scheme that could make it possible.




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Homecoming election for Harvard professor, courtesy Mamata


Historian and author Sugato Bose is taking a break from his position at Harvard University to contest the Lok Sabha elections from a key urban constituency in West Bengal as a candidate of the ruling Trinamool Congress. He speaks to Amrita Mukherjee on his plans for parliament if elected.




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“I want to learn the mainstream language of cinema”


The multi-faceted Gulzar, revered equally in intellectual literary and mainstream film circles, was recently bestowed the 45th Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In this interview with Shoma Chatterji, the venerable Gulzar Sahib speaks of his art, his career in Indian cinema, and the changes he has seen over the years.




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Remembering Ananthamurthy, the critical insider


UR Ananthamurthy's brutally honest stance on Brahmanism, or in fact on any of the subjects that concerned him, has been fiercely debated in his life and death. In a tribute to the recently deceased stalwart of public thinking, Prakash Belawadi seeks to find clues to his inquiring spirit.




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The value system of the ruling elite is a threat to India: Xerxes Desai


Hailed for his stewardship of Titan Industries where he built a premium brand from scratch and won for it international renown, Xerxes Desai naturally has one of the keenest perspectives on Indian industry. But his equally deep insights into Indian society and development become apparent through this interaction with Christopher Lopaze.




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The wandering minstrel who turned down Peter Brook’s Mahabharat


He said no to Brook, as he would not be allowed to carry hemp to the US! He had selective praise for Dylan and was openly caustic about contemporary artists. Shoma A. Chatterji reviews a biographical film on Gour Khepa, the brilliant and eccentric baul who lived life on his own terms.




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Subramaniam Vincent receives John S Knight fellowship for journalism innovation


Every year the Knight fellowships program at Stanford University awards eight international fellowships for journalism innovation. This year, one of the eight is your own newsmagazine’s co-founder.




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Let’s hear our children first!


Bengaluru-based The Concerned for Working Children believes that while ending child labour is a worthy goal, preventing children from all work without hearing them out on their actual circumstances could be a big mistake. Eden Ezsak spoke to Kavita Ratna of the CWC some time back.




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The Indian World Cup bid that you haven’t heard of!


For the first time ever, an Indian team will be flying to London to stake its claim in the Under-23 Ultimate Frisbee World Championships. Lavanya Donthamshetty has more on this remarkable sport and how the Indian team came together.




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Are we even ready to talk about superstition?


Rolla Das and Suparna Banerjee comment on the rampant obscurantism and complete lack of informed public debate around the existing and proposed legislation in various states against social evils practised in the guise of religion and faith.




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Saving the Malabar Hornbill in the hills of Tamil Nadu


Farming practices encouraged by existing forest policies have drastically reduced the sources of food for the Malabar Grey Hornbill, once abundant in the Palni Hills of Tamil Nadu. Madhu Ramnath explains what endangers the species and how they can be saved.  




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Elder abuse at home


Elder abuse is on the rise in India even as most senior citizens remain unaware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 and redressal mechanisms. Reshmi Chakraborty and Nidhi Chawla took a look at findings from a recent survey and spoke to elder helpline counselors to find a bleak picture.




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The Other Side of Dr Kalam


E S Ramamurthy, founder of Sikshana Foundation, Bangalore fondly remembers the time he spent with the late Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.




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For Pakistani Hindus in India, hopes start to sour


Hundreds of Pakistani Hindus have taken refuge in India, seeking a better life, especially after the present ruling party had promised in its election manifesto to make India the ‘natural home’ for  all persecuted Hindus. But has India kept its word? Devanik Saha meets the refugees to seek an answer.




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Why do these ghastly stories rarely make news headlines?


Crime and atrocities against Dalits is on rise, while support and justice in these cases are long delayed and the coverage of these crimes is inept, biased or voyeuristic. Pushpa Achanta finds out why media, the fourth pillar of our democracy, is falling short in its duty.




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How prepared are we to tackle a human crisis?


As the refugee crisis deepens in Syria, visuals of millions of people hoping to catch a train to a better life fill the media space. Shalini Bhutani reflects on the state of refugee policies in the South Asian region while remembering her own father’s experience weeks before the India-Pakistan partition.




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The path of Zarathustra


The traditionalists and the liberal Parsis have an never-ending debate on how to keep their community and faith alive. Recently released feature film The Path of Zarathustra directed by Oorvazi Irani looks at this debate and more. Shoma Chatterji reviews the movie and talks to the director.




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Udavum Karangal: A story of love and compassion


With a few more Udavum Karangals, the world would probably be an ideal place! Shoma A. Chatterji chronicles the story of the Chennai-based NGO that has helped thousands among the destitute and underprivileged find a new life of dignity and purpose.

 




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Romila Thapar on the importance of speaking out


A one-on-one with India’s most well-known historian, Romila Thapar, who shares her thoughts on intellectuals protesting the growing communal discord, the ever-shrinking “liberal space” and the need for a dialogue that defines pluralism in the Indian context with Rashme Sehgal.




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Rebuilding their lives with craft


The Board of Directors of this company haven't been to college or school. They don’t have fancy cars, and haven't travelled more than 50 kilometers from their homes. What makes them even more unique is that they're all women who when displaced from their homes in the Ranthambhore forest overcame many challenges, learned new crafts, rebuilt their lives and made their own destiny, writes Supriya Unni Nair.




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Tales from Manipur


For decades now the beautiful state of Manipur has been suffering from the violent insurgency and the excesses of the Indian army. Pushpa Achanta visits the state and narrates her experiences which shows how much is not known about the state or its people.




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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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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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Residents of a municipal dumping site fight back


The women of Meghpar village of Kutch District are fighting the big port town Gandhidham municipality which is dumping its waste in their village. Vimal Kalavadiya and Shvetangini Patel report from Kutch.




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Telling tales from the Northeast


Shoma Chatterji writes about the challenges faced and efforts being made in the Northeastern states of India to encourage and support film making.




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Manipur: Rattled and torn


It has been more than nine months since a political crisis has snowballed into a battle between the tribals and the non-tribals of Manipur creating sharp divisions. Ramesh Menon surveys the fragile situation.




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Travesty of justice


With over 2.19 crore pending cases, the Chief Justice of India pleads again to fill the numerous vacancies in the judiciary at the earliest. Ramesh Menon reports.




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Banning commercial surrogacy


A brief overview of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 by PRS legislative.




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New policy dismays Community Radio activists


While stonewalling their demand to broadcast news, the I&B Ministry has said CR stations can air AIR bulletins instead. Geeta Seshu reports.




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Questioning a sacred relationship


Shoma Chatterji reviews a beautiful short film Amma Meri that was screened recently in a film festival.




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Not quite as planned or promised


The World Bank's Inspection Panel finds that a Bank-backed coal mine disrupted livelihoods by violating guidelines on resettlement, supervision, and the environment.




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Wrong, but still right!


Despite an inspection confirming substantial violations of its lending policies in a Coal India project, the World Bank's board recommends only minimal action, and claims local people gained nonetheless.