Punjab Farmer’s Health Declines as Hunger Strike Reaches 50th Day
The health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a 70-year-old farmer from Punjab, is deteriorating as he enters the 50th day of his indefinite hunger strike on Jan. 14. He has refused medical intervention while continuing his fast to demand a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops.
Punjab Farmer’s Fast Enters Crucial 40-Day Mark
A 70-year-old farmer leader in Punjab reached his 40th consecutive day of indefinite fasting to demand a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops on Jan. 4. A fast beyond 40 days in older adults may lead to the depletion of fat and muscle, increasing the risk of organ failure and sudden cardiac complications.
8 More Protesting Farmers Injured With Tear Gas Shells
Eight more farmers sustained injuries on Dec. 8 when Haryana police discharged tear gas shells at protesters attempting to enter Delhi on foot to voice their demands for legal guarantees for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and other longstanding grievances. The incident is the latest in a series of crackdowns this month, which have already resulted in injuries to at least 15 other farmers.
Farmers’ Protest: 15 Injured and Hospitalised After Haryana Police Use Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets
At least 15 farmers were injured and hospitalised after the Haryana police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters at the Shambhu border on Dec. 5. The demonstrators, who were seeking to enter Delhi, are part of a movement demanding government to address agricultural issues for the last five years.
Supreme Court to Form Panel to Resolve Farmers’ Grievances ‘For All Times’
The Supreme Court has said it will establish a multi-member committee dedicated to permanently resolving the grievances of farmers. The decision includes ongoing dialogues between the Punjab and Haryana governments and the farmers protesting along the Shambhu border. The talks are intended to facilitate the removal of tractors and trollies that have been blocking a crucial highway since Feb. 13.
Kerala Govt Ignores Malayalam Film Industry Abuse
An official investigation report on allegations of abuse and exploitation within the Malayalam film industry details 17 different forms of exploitation faced by women across 30 industry categories. However, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated that his administration will not independently initiate action against individuals named in the report unless a woman comes forward with a complaint.
India’s Economy Disappoints Rural Population: Takeaway #3 from the 2024 Election Results
The mood is sombre among the members and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite their “victory” in the national election. Although they won, the party did not secure enough seats to form a government without relying its coalition. The outcome fell short of their expectations and claims of overwhelming popularity. And the voters who provided a reality check on their actual popularity primarily reside in rural areas, as indicated by the election results. These individuals, who constitute the majority of the Indian populace, were anticipated by the BJP to remain mere spectators to India’s projected economic advancements.
80 Million Workers Delisted from MGNREGS in 2 Years: Report
As many as 80 million registered workers have been delisted from the central government’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) over the past two years, according to a report by two civil society groups.
Farmer Protests May Hurt BJP Despite Little Media Attention
The grievances of the farmers, expressed through their “Dilli Chalo (Let’s go to Delhi)” movement and ongoing protests, reflect deep-rooted issues in the agricultural sector that have significant implications for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the ongoing elections. Though out of sight for many news readers, these protests are a manifestation of widespread discontent among the rural electorate, which forms a substantial portion of the voter base in northern states such as Punjab and Haryana.
The Worsening Plight of Farmers Over the Past Decade
The central government set a target to double farmers’ incomes by 2022, from 8,058 rupees a month to 22,610 rupees, necessitating an annual income growth rate of 10.4%. It also promised that agricultural produce would be procured at a “minimum support price” (MSP) of at least one and a half times the comprehensive cost of production. Despite these plans, the reality on the ground has been starkly different, according to an analysis by the Financial Accountability Network – India.
Can Farmers Afford Cost of Living in India?
India’s national average monthly farm income is 5,298 rupees and the average monthly total income is 10,695 rupees, according to data from the latest National Sample Survey. It’s scant, indeed, but more troubling is that this average fails to reflect the circumstances of the majority of farmers, as shown by The India Forum amid an ongoing farmers’ protest around Delhi.
Empowering Women Through Mobility
In the drought-prone district of Sangli in Maharashtra, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one that has transformed the lives of women grappling with limited mobility. In the episode, “A Ticket to Ride” for Newsreel Asia’s Radio Local podcast, a community radio Yeralavani sheds light on the inspiring stories of Savita Mote and Sakhubai Suryavanshi, illustrating how innovative solutions are breaking down barriers for rural women.
Gender Gap and High Dropout Rate Mar Education in Rural India
The findings of a nationwide survey, focusing on the educational landscape of youths aged 14-18 in rural India, reveal several critical issues. These include a high dropout rate, a significant deficiency in foundational skills, a noticeable gender gap in educational attainment and a stark scarcity of vocational training opportunities. These revelations are consequential, as a substantial 65% of India’s population resides in rural areas.
India’s Retail Inflation Rises, Industrial Production Dips
Retail inflation in India climbed to a four-month high in December 2023, accompanied by a decline in industrial production, as revealed by data from the National Statistical Office. We have analysed these figures to explain their impact on you.
Nearly 18 Million Workers Can’t Seek Work Under MGNREGS
Over 17.8 million “active” workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) can no longer look for work due to the central government’s mandate for the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) for wage payments. The government asserts that workers were given ample time for compliance; however, civil society groups contend that the system is unreliable.
Thousands of Gujarat’s Migrant Children are Missing Out on Education
In Gujarat, a significant number of children from migrant worker families, particularly those involved in sharecropping, are not attending school, according to a report by IndiaSpend, which says this trend is prevalent among over 65,000 sharecropping families in the state, with an estimated 50,000 children migrating annually with their parents and remaining out of school for extended periods.