Shani Temple Controversy: Why Are Women Considered ‘Impious?’
What Was The Controversy? In January this year, a group of four hundred odd women belonging to the Bhumata Ranragini brigade, led by Trupti Desai, a 31-year old housewife, attempted to break a tradition no one woman had ever dared of doing before. They tried to barge into the Shani Shingnapur …
New Year’s Eve….Teasing: Still a Long Way for Women Safety
A Reminder to Behave Recently, the UP police sent a reminder SMS to all the men it had records of as eve-teasers or sexual harassers. All those listed as eve-teasers in the police records were supposed to get the following message “You and your phone are still under observation. Hope …
Towards a Better Future: India’s First Transgender Band
Transgenders and Cultural Stigma Trans genders have always been that part of the society that is highly ignored and shunned. A mere difference in biological composition does not make them outcasts. Their struggle is a long one and they will continue till they have freedom. The 6 Pack Band The …
Each One, Reach One: Campaign to End FGM
What is FGM? FGM, female genital mutilation, has an extensive history in India and women have been on a continuous fight to stop the cruel act. Forward UK defines it as, “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female …
From Neck to Head: Women in Households
India seems to be lagging behind in the women’s right movement, but recent actions from the government foreshadow a brighter future for Indian women. The Karta The Delhi high court has finally decided to allow the eldest woman in a family to be the legal head of the household, or …
The Indian Crop Insurance Scheme
Introduction to the Crop Insurance Scheme The Indian government has approved of a $1.3 billion Prime Minister crop insurance scheme for farmers and cultivators, in order to protect them from crop failures, and the depression and misery that ensue in their wake. Indeed, the year-long drought that is steadily annihilating …
Rohith Vemula And The Ugly Side Of Indian Institutions
Background Of The Incident: On January 18, Rohith Vemula, a 26-year old research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, committed suicide on the college premises by hanging himself. He was one of the five Dalit students, who had been protesting against their expulsion from the university’s housing facility. Vemula was …
Balaknama: A Step Forward
Child Labour in Delhi It is no secret that there are vast numbers of young children in India’s capital city who are forced to engage in child labour; however, what is all the more depressing is the fact that most of these cases are left unknown and unreported. Indeed, …
“Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” Expands to 61 More Districts
Introduction The “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (Save Girls, Education Girls) was launched in 100 districts, and recently Union minister Maneka Gandhi announced it will be expanded to 90 more districts. The minister credits the success of the program as the reason behind its expansion. Times of India quotes her as …
Balaknama: Underprivileged Kids Turn Into Journalists
Introduction Balaknama, meaning “children’s voice”, is one of the world’s most unique newspapers. It is written by street kids, about street kids, for street kids. An initiative started by street children under the wing of the NGO Chetna in Delhi, the newspaper is written and edited completely by these youngsters …
