Suffering in Silence: A Visual Retrospective of NRC in Assam
More than seven years after the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise concluded in Assam, the issue continues to appear in political debate across the country. The Election Commission (EC)’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has drawn comparisons with the NRC, although the Commission rejects those claims. This mini-documentary, filmed in Assam in 2018, captures the effects of the NRC on people living through the process at that time.
Why Is Punjab Becoming a Gangster Haven? Crime Journalist Answers
Punjab has long been known for its rich culture, music, and resilience. But in recent years, another narrative has been growing: the rise of gang culture. Newsreel Asia’s journalist Gunjan Handa interviewed Jupinderjit Singh on his new book, Gangs of Punjab: Guns, Greed and Girlfriends. In this interview, senior journalist and author Jupinderjit Singh joins us to unpack how and why this transformation has happened. He has also written the book 'Who Killed Moosewala?,' which investigates the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Drawing from decades of reporting on crime and policing in Punjab, Jupinderjit Singh explains how gangs evolved in the state, how social media and diaspora networks have changed the dynamics, and why young men are increasingly getting pulled into this world. He also talks about the role of drugs, politics, policing challenges, and the influence of gangsters on Punjabi pop culture.
Why Millions Stay Poor Despite Working Hard
If hard work alone could end poverty, the poorest people in the world would be the richest. Yet millions remain trapped in poverty for generations. Why? In this episode of Newsreel Asia’s explainer series “We the People,” Harshita Rathore examines why poverty cannot be reduced to individual effort or personal choices.
LIFE IN LAMKA | Economic Impact of Violence on Kuki - Zo Community in Manipur
Benjamin, a Kuki-Zo man and father of five in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, struggles daily to meet his family's needs amid ongoing ethnic violence. The unrest, which began over a year ago, has severely impacted the state's economy, with retail inflation soaring to 11.63% in November 2023, compared to the national average of 5.55%. The prices of essential goods have skyrocketed in this border district, which remains cut off from the commercial hub of the Meitei-dominant Imphal region, about 60 km away. All goods now come through mountainous terrain, covering a distance of over 800 km. How is Benjamin’s family – and other residents – surviving this economic crisis?
RELUCTANT WARRIORS | Why Manipur's Youth is Picking up Arms
Sawmte, a 17-year-old from the Kuki-Zo tribe in Manipur, is deeply affected by the ethnic violence that erupted involving the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal people on May 3, 2023. On witnessing the attacks on their community by Meitei extremist groups, who were allegedly joined by sections of state police, the Kuki-Zo youth – including some teenagers like Sawmte – have put their dreams on hold to defend their tribal homeland. The ongoing struggle casts a long shadow over Manipur’s future, threatening to shape a generation defined by conflict and division.