Usha Thiruvengadam, a trained Carnatic vocalist and violin player, has been searching for a job in government-run schools as a music teacher for the past five years. Her struggle for a job despite her disability has earned her a great deal of respect from many of her friends. They also note: “Her husband did not marry her for the assistance. He takes her everywhere.” For many other visually challenged women, trusting...

-PTI   Corruption in India has worsened over the past year, according to a new study released by Transparency International, a Berlin-based anticorruption group.  Journal reports according to Transparency International's corruption perception index, India scored 3.1 on a scale from zero to 10, where anything below five is bad news. Last year, India scored 3.3. The country's rank is better than Pakistan (No. 134) and Nepal, which at rank No 154 is perceived...

In a setback to the climate talks underway in Durban, discussions on finance, a key element of a successful outcome, appear to have hit the slow road.  The discussions on the two integral elements - the Green Climate Fund and sources for long-term funding - have been put on hold.  With the fate of the climate fund with predictable fund source hanging in balance, it is perhaps time for India to push...

The union cabinet is expected to decide on India's stance at the UN climate conference in Durban with environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan suggesting to adopt a hardline approach and shun flexi-approach of her predecessor Jairam Ramesh. In a cabinet note circulated, the environment ministry has sought reiteration of India's stance in 2010 that says no to a legally-binding climate treaty, demands a second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol, ensures climate...

Thin, shy and already balding, his glasses threatening to fall off his nose at every movement, Mohammed Mobashshir Sarwar doesn’t quite look the teen rebel. Yet, at 17, he already has 100 Right to Information (RTI) applications under his belt, all directed at his state-run school, whose management he is now battling in high court for expelling him. Man of a few words he may be, but Sarwar has had no problem...