If some are still wondering why the census cannot blank out caste, their answer came bobbing in a country boat today. Bill Gates, who usually crosses continents on his $45-million private jet, took the boat that shuddered in the swift waters of the Kosi to reach a remote Bihar village that had hardly ever seen a district official. One of his first questions was if caste divisions in the country’s backward hinterland...
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Steep rise in India greenhouse gas emissions
India's annual greenhouse gas emissions increased by nearly 60% between 1994 and 2007, a government study says. The government says that emissions grew from 1.2bn tonnes in 1994 to 1.9bn tonnes in 2007, confirming India as one of the world's biggest emitters. India argues its per capita emissions are far lower than that of most industrialised nations. The jump is attributed to the growth of industries such as cement production, electricity...
More »‘State of malnutrition in Delhi worse than sub-Sahara'
“With Delhi having a malnutrition rate of 47 per cent among the urban poor and 35 per cent in the city, the rate of malnutrition is far worse than even sub-Sahara,” stated experts at a consultation on “Declining quality of life of the young child in Delhi' organised by non-government organisation Delhi Forces in the Capital earlier this week. The consultation follows a Jan Sunvai, a collaborative effort of Delhi Forces...
More »SC upholds constitutional validity of MPLAD scheme
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutional validity of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) saying it was for public purpose. The bench said that improvement can be made in the working of the MPLAD scheme, but it is not illegal. Under MPLAD scheme, members of Parliament are allocated Rs two crore annually for development of their constituencies. "We hold that the MPLAD scheme is valid,"...
More »Inside the Maoist insurgency in India's Jharkand state by Alpa Shah
The guerrilla fighter was tough, experienced, leading a platoon of around 60 insurgents. "I am from a very poor family," the fighter told me. "Life was very difficult. I joined the party and now I understand many more things. I think revolution is the only option." One thing you should know about this hardline Maoist rebel - she is a young woman. She is one of the growing numbers of poor...
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