As the country celebrates 68th anniversary of her independence this year, recent data from the Census 2011 reveals that the population of Homeless declined by 8.8% between 2001 and 2011 to reach 17.7 lakhs. This means that 4.5 lakh households (of average household size 3.9) still do not have any shelter to sleep safely. Although the percentage share of Homeless in total population is miniscule (i.e. 0.15%), in absolute numbers...

-The Hindu The Hindu investigates behind the rape numbers A six-month long investigation by The Hindu has revealed that the nature of reported sexual assault in Delhi is far more complex than earlier imagined. Among the key findings is that a third of all the cases heard during one year dealt with consenting couples whose parents had accused the boy of rape. Over the last six months, The Hindu analysed all cases involving...

India has witnessed many fiery debates on poverty estimates. Equally contentious has been the issue of inequality. Now a new report on exclusion offers a fresh perspective on poverty, inequality and social justice. (See below a summary of the report) Based on data and knowledge resources available in the public domain, India Exclusion Report 2013-14 highlights the systematic discrimination faced by women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Muslims, persons with...

-The Asian Age   New Delhi: Over 1,000 unidentified bodies, mostly Homeless, have been found in the city till June 7 this year. Interestingly, around 551 such unclaimed corpses were recovered from across the city since April 1. According to data compiled by Centre of Holistic Development (CHD) a Delhi-based NGO working for Homeless a total of 1,012 unidentified dead bodies have been recovered in the city across the 12 police districts since...

-The Pioneer   Bhubaneswar: Home is an integral part of life and determinant of standard of living and progress of society. Rural Odisha witnesses a very poor standard of habitation and lack of proper housing for lakhs of poor people who are dreaming of a house of their own to live with dignity. Socio-cultural barriers, landlessness and lack of credit for housing are some of the major reasons which deprive rural poor of...