An unprecedented economic growth during the last decade has also seen increasing malnutrition, hunger and starvation amongst certain sections of society. India ranks 66 in the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO’s) World Hunger Index of 88 countries (Inter-national Food Policy Research Institute). More than 200 million people in this country are denied the right to food. One-third of all underweight children (57 million) in the world due to lack of...

A trained volunteer on a motorcycle loaded with an LCD television, a sound system and a generator set could be touring the districts soon to spread the word about the landmark unique identity project that has already seen as many as 34 lakh receive their numbers in Jharkhand. E-Avas, or Ekal Audio Visual Awareness System, designed by a local entrepreneur, will get on the road once an awareness film on the...

The relentless campaign to discredit the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and diminish the institution is continuing. One is not surprised; this has happened before, for instance in the Bofors case. However, one is dismayed because the campaign, unwittingly aided by some elements in the media, seems to be succeeding to some extent. It seems urgently necessary to dispel certain doubts and misperceptions before they gain ground and...

-PTI The Centre has ordered an inquiry against at least 10 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) following reports that they were providing funds received from abroad for fanning political unrest in the country. Government officials said the inquiry has been ordered after the home ministry received information that funds to the tune of crores of rupees received by these NGOs have been given to social activists to stage protests and resort to other agitational...

Most people in the world live in countries with some kind of "right-to-know" law that promises access to various categories of government information. What effect does this have in practice? Not much in many cases, according to a survey released today by the international news agency Associated Press. In an attempt at a global round-robin research exercise, its journalists submitted requests about terror arrests and convictions to 105 states that give citizens...