In five districts, just 500 beneficiaries
The Union government’s direct cash transfer scheme linked to the Unique Identification (UID) number was launched with much fanfare in January with pilots in five districts of Rajasthan. The government
Civil Society
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Rescuing the land of Krishna
Visitors to Vrindavan and the fabled land of Lord Krishna, called Braj Bhoomi, are often taken aback by its ramshackle, dirty condition. It has dried up ancient water bodies or kunds, denuded forests and lots of garbage. It also has a dreaded mining mafia running around with dynamite, digging holes and blowing up sacred hills.
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Is Delhi missing the bus?
A project meant to carve out a bus corridor and give pedestrians and cyclists designated space on a 16 km stretch of road in Delhi has resulted in outbursts of anger and acrimony by middle class car owners. Called the bus rapid transit system or the BRT, the roject is aimed at making it easier to move around in Delhi, where traffic is unruly.
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Community radio doesn't boom
How can the voiceless possibly have a voice of their own if the technology is beyond their reach? Community radio technology is simple, accessible and affordable. This is a far cry from the transmitter, antenna and tower erection costs that established and authorised technology players in India have spouted forth. (April 2008)
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Loopholes of loan waiver
Though the Union Budget was hailed as being farmer-friendly, a closer scrutiny reveals that it gives much less to villagers and the weaker sections of society than what appears at first glance. The media was quick to highlight the loan waiver for small farmers but it chose to ignore the fact that the budget for the crucial rural employment guarantee scheme had not been raised to any significant extent despite its expansion from 330 to 596 districts. (April 2008)
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Activists reject land, rehab laws
On February 11, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development had issued advertisements inviting comments on the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill and the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill by February 22. The deadline for comments was very short. Activists were justifiably worried and suspicious. The committee looked like it was in a tearing hurry. (April 2008)
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Good news trickles in from Vidarbha
A ray of hope is dawning in a few hundred villages of Washim and Akola districts, thanks to a project called the Integrated Sustainable Agricultural Programme (INSAP) being implemented by Yuva-Rural (Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action) with the help of Swiss-Aid India.
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Uniting villagers for forest rights
The National Forum for Forest People and Forest Workers (NFFPFW) organised a two-day national conference on February 24 and 25 to discuss ambiguities in the new Scheduled Tribes and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act and how such hurdles could be overcome. (April 2008)
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The fisherman's beacon
Fishermen risk life and limb to get their catch. Helping them assert their rights is the indomitable Mohammed Ali Shah, chairperson of the Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum and a member of the fishing community. "We educate fishermen about their rights,' he says. "We tell them about the importance of their vote. Without struggle, nobody can achieve their rights.' The World Forum of Fisher Peoples, an international organisation, has ranked the Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum as the largest and most exemplary in the world. April 2008
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Kabul likes Sulabh's biogas toilets
The Sulabh toilets are located in five of the most congested areas of Kabul. They are an important contribution to Kabul's non-existent sanitary facilities.
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Hotel with green fingers
The Taj West End hotel in Bangalore implements practices which have won it the prestigious National Tourism Award for being the best eco-friendly hotel in India. The award recognises the hotel's efforts to promote eco-friendly initiatives and its commitment to protect, conserve, and restore the natural environment.