Eight journalists from Hindi and English media from six states have been selected for the 2013 Inclusive Media Fellowships of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). In the best tradition of investigative and meaningful journalism, the fellows will spend time with rural communities to bring out their issues and anxieties for public and policy intervention. The fellowship Jury comprising Mr Krishna Prasad, Editor-in-Chief, Outlook, Mr Arvind Mohan,...

-The Guardian The media spotlight is on the role of smallholder farmers in poverty reduction and food security, but what they need is action on land rights and support to stand up to powerful partners With the launch of the Enough food for everyone If campaign, global food security is once again high on the public agenda. The UK campaign hopes to harness public support leading up to the meeting of the...

-PTI Six Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for the uplift of women, Dalits and poor have been approved for consultative status with the United Nations. The approval came by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, which is a part of the UN's Economic and Social Council, during the annual ongoing session of the world body panel this week. NGOs enjoying general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements. Prominent among...

A report by a parliamentary standing committee entrusted to examine the National Food Security Bill, 2011 has revived the debate on what measures India must take to end its abysmal track record of hunger and malnutrition, (See several links given below) despite successive years of high growth and record grain procurement. The draft legislation is likely to be debated in the upcoming session of Parliament, even as the recent Jaipur...

-The Indian Express At a recent seminar organised to review the progress made by Muslims since the 2006 Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee report was tabled, speakers debated on whether or not there’s been any positive change on the ground level. Three members of the panel — Justice Sachar, economist Abusaleh Shariff and academician T K Oomen — discussed with experts and politicians what had changed for Muslims in the last six years. Defending...