No Hijab at the Paris Olympics?

No Hijab at the Paris Olympics?

I am writing to address a pressing issue that has recently come to the fore in international discussions: the role of the hijab in global politics and its impact on women’s participation in sports, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding the Paris Olympics. The hijab, a traditional headscarf worn by many Muslim women, has […]

Insane Trend of Vigilantism via Whatsapp

Insane Trend of Vigilantism via Whatsapp

I am writing to express my profound outrage at the recent incident of violence against a transgender woman near Chennai, as reported on this site. The horrifying assault on a member of the transgender community underscores the urgent need for society to confront and address the pervasive discrimination and violence faced by women and gender […]

Gunshot weddings and Bihar

Gunshot weddings and  Bihar

In the Hindu calendar, it is the wedding season. ‘Pakadua Vivah’ or forced marriage is a regular occurrence reported mainly from cities of Bihar. Many people believe that the recent incidents are the only ones in Bihar, but that is where the problem lies. This illegal ritual has been going on for a long time, but […]

Never-ending Cycle of Evasion

Never-ending Cycle of Evasion

Sir, The current state of affairs in our nation demands an earnest examination of leadership and accountability. The recent events in Manipur have brought to light a glaring issue that cannot be ignored any longer—the alarming silence of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in the face of a crisis that has left the people of […]

Treasures of Bihar neglected?

Treasures of Bihar neglected?

Dear Friends As you may be aware I have been engaged for the last few years in drawing the attention to the way the valuable Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayana Collection housed in Patna Museum and the Bihar Research Society has been the victim of neglect and apathy. These two Institutions in their long history of over […]

May 10 Poll in Meghalaya: NOTA 272| BJP 40

May 10 Poll in Meghalaya: NOTA 272| BJP 40

While a lot of attention was on the Karnataka polls, we people did have a tiny by-election in Meghalaya. What’s really interesting is that while 272 votes were polled in the NOTA category (None of the Above), the BJP candidate ended up with just 40 votes. United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh […]

Buying water is a Harsh Reality in the Hills

Buying water is a Harsh Reality in the Hills

A few days ago, I read in the Indian Express newspaper, that  India could be headed for a water shortage this summer. All major reservoirs have reported less water in them than in the previous year at the corresponding time. Except for the northern region, the rest of the four regions of the country’s reservoirs […]

Media should go beyond Elephant Survey reporting and do some follow up

Media should go beyond Elephant Survey reporting and do some follow up

Sir, It is reported in our local newspapers that Aaranyak, a renowned conservation organisation, has completed the first phase of an Elephant Occupancy Survey in Meghalaya. The survey is to help mitigate the increasing human-elephant conflict, as well as to aid conservation efforts.The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the Forests and Environment Department, […]

Institutions matter, but individuals matter too

Institutions matter, but individuals matter too

Sir, With reference to : Shankkar Aiyar: EC Credibility and the Missing Seshan Effect There is a discernible disquiet among the public over the approach and accommodation of political practices by the Election Commission. It is said justice must be seen to be done. Similarly, conduct of elections must be seen to be truly free […]

Bharat Jodo vs Bharat Todo?

Bharat Jodo vs Bharat Todo?

Sir, The popular response to the Yatra shows that significant sections of society are worried about the direction which the country seem to be talking. Instead of focussing on Rahul Gandhi, every Congress MP, MLA and office bearer needed to use this as an opportunity to organise in their own areas, and welcome anyone interested […]

Disturbing, this Web of Hate

Disturbing, this Web of Hate

It is so disturbing to hear the news these days. People killing each other in the name of religion, protests and money. I literally do not understand. The journalist and fact checker, Mohammad Zubair, has been arrested on a tweet made in 2018, because somebody claimed that he had hurt his religious sentiments! In the […]

Priest and Bandits

Priest and Bandits

Sir, It is distressing to note that another two Catholic priests killed in Nigeria over the weekend, one in Kaduna and other in Edo, states of Nigeria. Fr. Vitus Borogo, was serving in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, was killed on June 25 “at Prison Farm, Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia Road, after a raid on the farm […]

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