By A Representative   Marking its 30th year of transformative grassroots work, the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), India, has issued an urgent letter to delegates of the Emergency Conference of States on Gaza in Bogotá, Colombia, calling for immediate and decisive action to halt what it describes as the “ongoing genocide” in Gaza. The letter, signed by over 40 grassroots leaders and representatives from across India, aligns with the Hague Group’s initiative and condemns what NAPM terms the "barbarism of our times" — Israel’s military offensive in Gaza which, according to the letter, has killed over 58,000 Palestinians by official estimates, with independent studies citing death and disappearance figures ranging between 109,000 and 377,000 since October 2023. “Israel’s war on Gaza is a live-streamed extermination campaign that systematically targets hospitals, schools, refugee camps and civilians,” the statement declares, accusing Israel of violating humanitari...

By Gajanan Khergamker*  In an era marked by growing friction between environmental preservation and urban development, the decision of the Bombay High Court in Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents Association & Ors. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. delivered in 2025, stands as a watershed moment. The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne, upheld the construction of the ₹229 crore Passenger Jetty and Terminal Facilities Project abutting Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India, striking a delicate balance between constitutional principles, environmental governance, and urban policy.

By A Representative  The residents of Mallabuchan village, Tehsil Pattan, Block Sherabad Khore, District Baramulla, have submitted a formal complaint to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 14 July 2025, alleging corruption, misuse of public funds, and procedural fraud in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in their locality.

By A Representative   In a dramatic early morning rescue, a bull with an aluminum can dangerously stuck in its mouth was saved by a dedicated team of animal welfare volunteers and veterinarians. The incident, which highlights the critical need for specialized equipment for animal rescues, took place in Ganpati Fatsar.

By A Representative The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a collective of civil and democratic rights organisations, has strongly condemned what it describes as the illegal abduction of psychologist and social activist Samrat Singh by a team of Delhi Police officials. The incident occurred on the evening of July 12, 2025, at Singh’s residence in Yamunanagar, Haryana.

By Harsh Thakor*  Gurdial Singh Paharpuri, a Central Committee member of the Communist Party Re-Organisation Centre of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPRCI(ML)), passed away on July 2, marking a significant loss for the Indian Communist Revolutionary movement. For six decades, Singh championed the cause of revolution, leaving an enduring impact through his lifelong dedication to the global proletarian movement. His contributions are considered foundational, laying groundwork for future advancements in revolutionary thought. He is recognized as a key figure among Indian Communist revolutionary leaders who shaped the mass line, and his example is seen as a model for revolutionary communists to follow.

By A Representative   The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has been thrown into turmoil after local authorities denied permission for observing Martyr’s Day on July 13, 2025, a day historically commemorated by Kashmiris. The move, which included keeping the Mazar-e-Shuhada graveyard out of bounds and placing prominent political leaders under house arrest, has drawn sharp criticism from political parties and activists who decry it as a severe blow to democratic principles in the region.

By Prem Singh  The RSS/BJP’s demand to remove the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’—added during the Emergency—has stirred widespread discussion. However, the debate is largely focused on the word ‘secular’; ‘socialism’ appears to be of no concern to anyone. The Indian Express editorial dated 1 July 2025, titled ‘Secularism isn’t just a word. It’s at the heart of India and its Constitution’, is a case in point. 

By A Representative   As trade negotiations between India and the United States continue, a prominent advocacy group, the Coalition for a GM-Free India, has voiced strong concerns regarding potential concessions on genetically modified (GM) crops, seeds, and related products. In a letter addressed to Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, Rajesh Krishnan, Co-Convenor of the Coalition, has urged the Indian government to resist American pressure and uphold the interests of Indian farmers, consumers, and exporters.

By A Representative   Gurugram's real estate market is booming, with South of Gurugram (Sohna) and Dwarka Expressway emerging as top performers. Both micro-markets have seen property values more than double in the past five years, driven by extensive infrastructure development and strong demand from homebuyers and investors.

By Bharat Dogra  For centuries, farmers, including women, meticulously saved, shared, and exchanged a vast diversity of seeds, ensuring self-reliance and accessibility without economic burden. This traditional system, built on wisdom, skill, commitment, creativity, and love, fostered diverse seed availability suited to various needs and locations.

By A Representative   A book titled "Global Warming: A Global Problem" authored by Rajnibhai Dave was launched recently in Ahmedabad, accompanied by a seminar on climate change. The event was organized by Paryavaran Mitra and other civil society organizations in Gujarat working on climate change issues.

By A Representative   India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is facing strong criticism for deliberately delaying the implementation of crucial warning labels on High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) food products. This comes despite a clear Supreme Court order on April 9, 2025, which mandated the completion of the "entire exercise" within three months. Adding to the controversy, the FSSAI is reportedly hiding expert reports and over 14,000 public comments under the pretext of "trade secrets."

By Bharat Dogra  Recent reports from various parts of Punjab, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Phagwara, and Hoshiarpur, indicate growing farmer mobilization against the state government's land-pooling policy for urban estate development. This opposition isn't isolated; similar sentiments are surfacing across the country. Furthermore, indiscriminate and profit-driven urbanization has led to widespread ecological damage, including blocked natural drainage and destructive floods.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Our policies—especially those related to forests—are based on the assumption that we can regenerate natural resources after consumption. The Compensatory Afforestation Programme Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) reflects this idea. But can we truly restore lush green forests after clearing millions of acres? What has CAMPA actually achieved so far?

By A Representative  In the wake of a recent media report suggesting that India's forests are losing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, ecological experts and environmental activists are voicing deep concern over what they describe as a dangerous misreading of scientific data that could embolden continued ecological degradation in the name of development.

By Bharat Dogra  India's pursuit of inclusive development necessitates special attention to its diverse tribal communities. Success in these efforts is often higher when initiatives align with the communities' existing skills, knowledge base, and access to local resources.

By Busani Ngcaweni, Shiping Tang  The post-Cold War order is unravelling. The global trading system and the multilateral order, painstakingly built after the Second World War, have been torn apart. What once stood as a framework for cooperation is now a weapon of mass bullying. Trade wars strike like sudden cyclones. Tariffs rise unpredictably. One day they are 15 percent, then they shoot to 50 percent, jump to 100 percent the following week and drop again to 20 percent days later. Such turbulence shakes small and large economies alike, bringing uncertainty, disrupting supply chains and sending countries scrambling for new markets and solutions. 

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The United States and its steadfast ally, Israel, perceived a decline in Iran's regional power following significant damage to its proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, and the subsequent weakening of the Assad regime in Syria. Believing this opportune, they sought to intensify pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, potentially paving the way for regime change and the installation of a pro-Western government by exacerbating internal instability. However, Israeli strikes on Iran on June 13 and the ensuing 12-day standoff yielded consequences far from their estimations.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  A young woman, a national-level athlete, was allegedly murdered by her father in Gurugram—initially portrayed as a case of wounded pride, mocked by locals for relying on his daughter's earnings. Yet deeper facts reveal a disturbing contradiction: this father lived comfortably, owning and renting out multiple houses in a posh locality. If he could invest in her education and coaching, why resent her success?

By Harsh Thakor*  Omar Sharif, a name synonymous with versatility and groundbreaking achievement, scaled heights unprecedented by an Arab actor. His illustrious career, spanning varied roles, mirrored his extraordinary life—a Christian who embraced Islam for love, an Egyptian actor whose global fame was ignited by a Jewish filmmaker from Hollywood, a champion contract bridge player, author of syndicated columns and books on the game, and an advisor to George W. Bush against the Iraq invasion.

By Bharat Dogra  Every day—indeed, every hour—millions of people around the world perform countless acts of kindness, often at the cost of their own comfort, to help others. These actions, carried out in the midst of adversity, keep alive the faith in humanity and its enduring potential to build a better, safer world.

By A Representative   In a harrowing aviation disaster, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft, VT-ANB, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June 2025, killing 241 people, including both flight crew, almost all passengers, and 19 individuals on the ground. The aircraft, operating scheduled Flight AI171 to London Gatwick, suffered a sudden dual engine shutdown just seconds after liftoff. According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the incident occurred at approximately 13:39 IST during the initial climb phase.

By A Representative Marking two decades of citizen-led governance accountability, the Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA), a coalition of over 3,000 civil society organizations, released its flagship annual report “Promises and Reality 2025”—an independent citizens’ review of the first year of the third term of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA-III) Government. The event, held at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra in New Delhi, featured a powerful panel discussion and brought together academics, activists, journalists, and community representatives to spotlight gaps in governance, democracy, and inclusion.

By Bharat Dogra*  In the tapestry of daily life, vegetables are vibrant threads of health, bursting with essential vitamins, minerals, and the protective power of antioxidants. Yet, for many in weaker sections, the dream of a diverse, fresh diet remains just that—a dream, unattainable due to financial constraints. But in the heart of rural India, a quiet revolution is blossoming, fueled by the simple, profound act of growing one's own food.

By Dr. Prem Singh   I was not personally close to Chandra Shekhar  (17 April 1927 – 8 July 2007), and was unsure if he even knew of me as a socialist activist and writer. However, a friend once informed me that Chandra Shekhar had expressed a desire to meet me. I was told he wanted to discuss his approach to the problem of corruption, about which I had been sharply critical in my writings. Unfortunately, that meeting did not happen before he assumed the office of Prime Minister.

By A Representative   A disturbing new trend has emerged in India: organised refusals to allow Christian families to bury their dead, adding to a climate of hostility and violence that has left the Christian community deeply alarmed. Fact-finding teams and rights groups report that in states like Odisha, tribal Hindu groups have repeatedly obstructed Christian funerals, claiming they violate local traditions. In several recent cases, only the intervention of police allowed burial rites to proceed. This is part of a broader surge in anti-Christian violence and discrimination. Data from the Evangelical Fellowship of India and the United Christian Forum show that over 840 incidents of violence against Christians were reported in 2024, with 640 cases verified. The first months of 2025 have seen over 120 new cases, with 245 incidents reported between January and April alone. The violence includes physical attacks on clergy and worshippers, vandalism of churches, social boycotts, denial ...

By Bharat Dogra  Khudai Khidmatgar (KK), the organization founded by Badshah Khan during India’s freedom movement, continues to carry forward its legacy of non-violent struggle and service. Deeply admired by Mahatma Gandhi for its commitment to justice, KK has been revived in recent times by leading social activist Faisal Khan and his colleagues. The organization now plays an active role in promoting inter-faith harmony and addressing pressing social issues across India.

By Harsh Thakor*  In a major anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a senior Maoist commander identified as Sodhi Kanna was killed during a joint offensive by security forces in the National Park area. Multiple exchanges of fire occurred as security forces moved through the forested terrain in search of armed cadres. The combing operation continues across the region.

By Ram Puniyani*  The RSS General Secretary, Dattatray Hosabale, who holds the second position in the RSS leadership hierarchy, recently stated   that the words "Secularism" and "Socialism" were inserted into the Preamble of the Indian Constitution during the Emergency. He further claimed that these words were not present in the original Preamble drafted by Dr. Ambedkar and, therefore, should be removed.

By A Representative   The tragic collapse of a bridge near Vadodara, which claimed more than 10 lives, has intensified calls from social workers for immediate repairs to a dilapidated and dangerous bridge on the Amreli-Rajkot highway in Amreli district.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  The global diabetes crisis is deepening. According to the International Diabetes Federation’s 2024 Diabetes Atlas, 589 million adults—1 in 9 people worldwide—live with the disease today. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to 853 million. In 2024 alone, diabetes caused 3.4 million deaths—one every nine seconds—and consumed over USD 1 trillion in health expenditures, a staggering 338% increase in just 17 years. If trends continue, that number will exceed USD 1.054 trillion by 2045. This “silent epidemic” has inflicted pain and suffering on an unimaginable scale. But for pharmaceutical giants, insurance firms, and private hospitals, diabetes represents a reliable and lucrative revenue stream. Under the dominant capitalist model—largely shaped by corporate healthcare in the U.S. and Europe—treatment, not cure, is the business. Managing diabetes is more profitable than eradicating it. In this context, illness itself has been commodified. But t...

By Harsh Thakor  AB de Villiers, in his impactful and illustrious career, showcased an extraordinary blend of talent, sportsmanship, and influence that left an indelible mark on the game of cricket. His style epitomised inventiveness, adaptability, and fearlessness in a way few others could emulate. Nicknamed "Mr. 360" for his ability to play shots all around the ground, he elevated the game to a breathtaking dimension. His unwavering commitment to his team and exemplary sportsmanship earned him worldwide respect and admiration.

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra   The massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22 this year—claimed by ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a group affiliated with the Pakistani militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba—marks a disturbing shift in cross-border militant strategies. While earlier attacks primarily targeted military personnel and installations, often with civilian casualties as collateral damage, this attack deliberately targeted unarmed tourists, violating all humanitarian norms and principles of warfare. This heinous act, aimed at soft targets, is not only morally reprehensible but also a serious assault on India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It may have been prevented with more precise and timely intelligence operations, robust surveillance systems, and diligent efforts to secure the border through fencing and monitoring.

By Bharat Dogra*  As the climate crisis intensifies, the need to grow more trees and protect existing forests has become urgent. Equally critical is ensuring that forest-dependent communities, especially tribal groups, can secure sustainable livelihoods. A promising example of how these goals can be combined comes from the grassroots initiatives of the voluntary organization SRIJAN.

By Bharat Dogra  Discerning readers worldwide are searching for media outlets that make honest, sincere efforts to capture the realities of our complex and fast-changing world. When they discover websites or journals that meet these standards of honesty and sincerity, they often follow them closely. However, an increasing number of these vital and credible sources soon face serious problems, often struggling just to survive.

By A Representative   A nationwide general strike called by a joint platform of central trade unions and sectoral federations claimed participation by more than 25 crore (250 million) workers, farmers, and agri-labourers across India. The strike, protests, and related blockades—popularly known as Rasta Roko and Rail Roko—affected both formal and informal sectors and saw significant mobilization in rural and urban areas alike.

By A Representative  A speech delivered at a Hindu community event in Dallas has sparked criticism and led to a police complaint, after the speaker reportedly called for a boycott of Muslim businesses in the area.

By A Representative   A padyatra (foot march) demanding the implementation of a Common School System in Bihar is gaining momentum as it traverses through villages and towns, raising public awareness about the urgent need for equal educational opportunities for all children.

By Mansee Bal Bhargava, Parth Patel  Across India, old black-and-white images of the Sabarmati River are often juxtaposed with vibrant photos of the modern Sabarmati Riverfront. This visual contrast is frequently showcased as a model of development, with the Sabarmati Riverfront serving as a blueprint for over a hundred proposed riverfront projects nationwide. These images are used to forge an implicit public consensus on a singular idea of development—shifting from a messy, evolving relationship between land and water to a rigid, one-time design intervention. The notion of regulating the unregulated has been deeply embedded into public consciousness—especially among city makers, planners, and designers. Urban rivers across India are undergoing a dramatic transformation, not only in terms of their land-water composition but in the very way we understand and define them. Here, we focus on one critical aspect of that transformation: the river’s edge.

By Raj Kumar Sinha  Adivasi communities inhabit 15% of the land area of India. Projects involving forests, mines, dams, and other such developments have significantly impacted their lives and livelihoods. In the 58 tribal-majority districts, more than 67% of India’s forest cover is found. Large parts of these forests have been classified as Reserved Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and National Parks. As a result, the Adivasis living in these areas are now considered as encroachers.

By A Representative   In a detailed letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, energy and climate policy analyst Shankar Sharma has raised grave concerns over the escalating approval and construction of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) across India’s ecologically fragile river valleys. He has warned that these projects, if pursued unchecked, could result in irreparable damage to the country’s riverine ecology, biodiversity hotspots, and forest wealth—particularly in the Western Ghats.

By A Representative   The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is facing growing international condemnation for refusing to investigate its role in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which is being widely criticized as a platform for corporate greenwashing. A coalition of ten civil society organizations and rights-holder groups, representing affected communities across five continents, has gone public with a damning statement denouncing UNEP’s dismissal of a detailed formal complaint submitted in October 2024. The 39-page complaint had accused UNEP of abetting harmful corporate influence in environmental governance through its co-founding and promotion of TNFD—a taskforce whose members include some of the world’s most controversial companies.

By Harsh Thakor*  Iconic Indian director and actor Guru Dutt was just 39 years old when he died in 1964, but he left behind a cinematic legacy that continues to resonate. On July 9, the world marks the birth centenary of this cinematic wizard. Guru Dutt, whose name epitomises the golden era of Indian cinema, left an indelible mark with his talents as a director, producer, and actor. He elevated the art of filmmaking to new heights, bringing innovative storytelling to unexplored domains. Like the protagonist of "Pyaasa", true recognition came to Dutt only after his passing. Cinema enthusiasts continue to wonder what more he might have achieved had he lived longer.

By Bharat Dogra  As millions of admirers in India and around the world observe the birth centenary of the legendary Hindi filmmaker Guru Dutt on July 9, their celebration of his remarkable cinematic legacy is tinged with sorrow—sorrow over the many personal tragedies that marked his short life, culminating in his untimely death at just 39 in 1964, following earlier suicide attempts.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Colonialism spread across the world not only by physically subjugating native and Indigenous communities but also by suppressing their cultures and languages while imposing foreign value systems. The role of the Church and Christianity in advancing the European order in Latin America is well-documented but often treated as an "international secret." However, over time, the Church became a significant force in fostering peace and order in Colombia and emerged as a symbol of resistance against colonial powers. The beautiful church I visited in central Bogotá bears witness to the transformative processes Colombia has undergone since the 15th century. Originally established by Spanish merchants, it later became a symbol of Colombian national identity.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak   British colonialism may belong to the past, but the colonial mindset of the ruling elite in Britain persists. Today, these elites are applying colonial values and repressive political tactics not abroad, but to their own people. 'Home' is now where British colonialism is taking root—threatening civil liberties and undermining liberal democracy. The criminalisation of dissent has become a shared political practice across the Conservative and Labour leadership.

By Nava Thakuria*  Myanmar’s military rulers are once again trying to stage a spectacle — one they call a “general election” — expected by the end of this year or early 2026. But make no mistake: this is not an exercise in democracy. It is an attempt by the junta, which seized power in a violent coup on February 1, 2021, to legitimize its authoritarian rule under the garb of electoral reform.

By Harsh Thakor*  The Awakening of Intelligence is a profound collection of talks and dialogues by Jiddu Krishnamurti—one of the most original and radical spiritual teachers of the 20th century. First published in 1973, the book brings together a wide-ranging and illuminating exploration of Krishnamurti’s philosophical and spiritual inquiries. It transcends conventional boundaries of spirituality, dissecting the human condition at its deepest roots.

By Kay Young   Paetongtarn becomes the third Shinawatra to be ousted from the Prime Minister’s office, following her aunt (Yingluck 2014) and her father (Thaksin 2006). The Shinawatra family, in particular Thaksin, have long been the figureheads behind the Red Shirt movement – a big tent coalition made up largely of the rural poor, but also including some big capitalists and local elites. These were the same people who were killed during the infamous Red versus Yellow street wars of the 2000s.