More thought needs to be given to the kind of data generated and its practical implications.  Yesterday when the census enumerator visited, I asked him how he felt about the current debate on counting caste in the census: “Not comfortable at all”, he said, “I don't even like asking whether someone is SC/ST or Other, leave alone what their caste is.” But, he added, “caste is an inescapable reality of...

Though Mother's Day is celebrated across the world to honour mothers and motherhood, a number of women (mothers) in rural areas and urban slums are bound to face hardships and neglect. Even after decades of independence, rural women continue to be in a state of neglect in Naugarh block of Chandauli district. Gender bias, lack of education, excessive responsibility, lack of recognition, conservative attitude of society and lack of awareness...

IN 2005, Gohana in Sonepat district of Haryana witnessed the torching of several Dalit homes by members of upper castes. Now Mirchpur, a village 58 kilometres away and located deep inside Hisar district, has met a similar fate. On April 21, as many as 18 homes belonging to Dalits from the Valmiki community here were set on fire by upper-caste youth over an alleged slight on the part of the...

U.N. report says this will consolidate the region's economic recovery  Even in crisis, Asia-Pacific still the fastest-growing region Increased social spending directly supports income security for households A United Nations report has called upon governments in the Asia-Pacific region to increase social spending to consolidate the region's stronger than anticipated economic rebound and to spur over the long term a fairer, more balanced, and sustained economic recovery. The Economic and Social Survey of...

The Krushak Morcha of the BJP today held the Government responsible for the suicide of 68 farmers in the State. Passing several resolutions in the first State executive committee meeting here, the farmers wing of the party attributed the suicide cases to the faulty agricultural policies of both the State and Central governments. Alleging that farmers have been committing suicide due to crop loss and increasing loan burden, the resolution said that...