Government’s Reckless Push for Massive Palm Cultivation in Northeast
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

Government’s Reckless Push for Massive Palm Cultivation in Northeast

The Union government plans to expand palm oil plantations into six northeastern states, covering an area that exceeds the size of the entire state of Sikkim, Hindustan Times reported. This move comes despite international and local evidence cautioning that such expansion could have devastating impacts on farmers, cultural heritage and biodiversity.

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Disinformation in the Age of Confirmation Bias
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

Disinformation in the Age of Confirmation Bias

While we frequently scrutinise the creators of fake news and deepfake videos, we seldom question why consumers readily accept disinformation without verifying its accuracy. Evidently, the creators recognise that “confirmation bias” has likely reached unprecedented levels in recent years.

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The Right to Abort is Not Just About Women
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

The Right to Abort is Not Just About Women

The Oct. 16 ruling on abortion by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India involves a complex debate that extends beyond women’s reproductive rights and foetal right to life, encompassing disability rights as well.

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Should India Be So Sensitive to Foreign Criticism?
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

Should India Be So Sensitive to Foreign Criticism?

India’s objection to the European Parliament’s recent resolution on ethnic violence in Manipur suggests that New Delhi fails to grasp the essential equilibrium between national sovereignty and international human rights commitments in the modern world.

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India Has the World’s Highest Child ‘Wasting’ Rate
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

India Has the World’s Highest Child ‘Wasting’ Rate

While India is on a path to rapid economic growth and has a burgeoning technology sector, the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023 report has ranked India 111th among 125 countries in combating hunger and malnutrition. The country has slipped four positions compared to last year, with only 17 nations faring worse, among them Timor-Leste, Afghanistan and Somalia.

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Chief Auditor’s Office Transfers 3 Whistleblowers
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

Chief Auditor’s Office Transfers 3 Whistleblowers

Three officials, responsible for auditing key government projects, have been transferred by India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The transfer orders follow their involvement in revealing irregularities in high-profile government schemes.

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Suffering Rises Due to Lowest-Ever MGNREGS Funding
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

Suffering Rises Due to Lowest-Ever MGNREGS Funding

Funding cuts to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is straining rural India, as was expected. About 93% of this year’s budget is already spent in the first half, according to a report by the Economic Times.

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Let’s Make the Upcoming Elections About Us
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

Let’s Make the Upcoming Elections About Us

Upcoming elections in five Indian states, leading up to national elections next year, may overshadow voter concerns in favour of political spectacle and divisive issues. It’s likely because, during an election, focus of media coverage often strays from governance, the core responsibility of elected officials.

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India Needs More Judges with the Courage of Justice Muralidhar
OCT23 Vishal Arora OCT23 Vishal Arora

India Needs More Judges with the Courage of Justice Muralidhar

Justice S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and a judge of the Delhi High Court, spoke openly on Oct. 8 about a midnight hearing he conducted during the 2020 Delhi riots—a move that both saved lives and apparently upset the central government, which regulates the police in the national capital.

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