Youngsters in certain parts of India today cannot choose their partners. If they still do and the choice violates arbitrary, extra-legal norms set down by caste panchayats, the consequence can be death. Isn't it time we built a popular movement against the medieval practice of honour killings, asks AMMU JOSEPH. A newly-wed bride and her mother-in-law were killed and the groom seriously injured by the girl's relatives in the Tarn...

Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Ashish Mandloi died at his residence in Chhota Barda in Badwani district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. Mr. Mandloi (38), who was associated with the struggle for the last 20 years, suffered a cardiac arrest. His funeral was attended by thousands of displaced villagers, tribals and activists. Personal loss: Medha On the occasion, NBA leader Medha Patkar said she had suffered a personal loss. “Ashish immortalised the spirit of...

In the cotton fields of Vidarbha in central India, grief is a constant companion. Wherever you turn, there are heart-breaking stories of suicide. In the village of Mangi, friends and family are preparing the body of Laxman Tekam for burial. Women are wailing and men have tears streaming down their cheeks. Laxman was a cotton farmer who hanged himself from the roof beam of his small house after his debts...

All below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL) families in the rural areas will be provided latrines by March, 2012. The state government has decided to set up a sanitation mission for the implementation of the scheme. Chief secretary TK Mishra discussed the issue with the district collectors by video conferencing today. Though the Centre and the state government are providing Rs 1500 and Rs 750 respectively to every BPL...

The Centre is gearing to introduce a tribal policy that has been gathering dust for five years, hoping the move will win the tribals over from the Maoists. The draft of the National Tribal Policy, which proposes land rights for Adivasis and aims to bring their human development indices on a par with the rest of the country by 2020, will be placed before the cabinet this month, tribal ministry officials...