In its technology statement, Aadhaar, the massive Government of India project that seeks to enrol citizens, puts on record its commitment to using open technological standards. However, the government of Kerala — the only State that mandates the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in governance — recently found that the client enrolment software used is only compatible with Windows, the proprietary operating system owned by Microsoft. The Unique...

Last week's column, “The plight of Dalits and the news media” (October 25, 2010), has generated a lively and interesting response from several readers. The column was about the prioritisation of the tasks before the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes (NCSC) by its new Chairman, P.L. Punia (not P.J. Punia as erroneously mentioned in the column.) The concern of most who wrote was over the failure of successive governments...

While renewable energy was always considered more desirable from the point of view of environment protection, its importance has increased several times in these times of climate change. Solar energy is particularly seen as a very promising source in energy planning for the future in tropical countries like India. Interest in realising the potential of solar energy is fast increasing and organisations which have been pioneers in solar energy are...

A temple dedicated to 'Goddess English' coming up in nondescript Banka village of Lakhimpur Kheri district is facing trouble with the builders of the structure alleging that the police has asked them to stop its construction. "Local police led by Uchauliya police station in-charge today asked our workers to stop construction work by citing a Supreme court ruling that no place of worship can be installed without prior permission of the...

Over 50 per cent Indian children faced sexual abuse while over 65 per cent received corporal punishment in schools despite the fact that the practice being illegal, a report has claimed. Corporal punishment and child abuse are widespread in schools in India despite the fact that they are illegal, according to a report by Plan International. According to Plan International, a children's organisation in London, India is dubiously ranked third among 13...