Prajakta Joshi

Maharashtra election, teachers, election duty, polls

महाराष्ट्र निवडणूक: मतदानाच्या दुसऱ्या दिवशी सुट्टी देण्याची शिक्षकांची मागणी

India
अनेक सरकारी जबाबदाऱ्यांपैकी एक असलेली निवडणुकीची जबाबदारी पार पाडल्यानंतर शिक्षकांना एक दिवसाचीही उसंत मिळणार नसल्यानं राज्यातील शिक्षकांमध्ये नाराजी आहे. त्यामुळं यावेळी महाराष्ट्र विधानसभा निवडणुकीचं काम मिळालेल्या शिक्षकांना मतदानाच्या दुसऱ्या दिवशीदेखील सरकारनं सुट्टी जाहीर करावी, अशी मागणी करण्यात आली आहे.
BK 16, Taloja Jail, Navi Mumbai, Bhima Koregaon, NIA

Imprisoned BK16 Activists on hunger strike asking to be presented in court

India
Seven human rights activists jailed in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon case began an indefinite hunger strike at Taloja Central Jail from Friday night, after they were refused to be produced before the court physically on Friday, for a third time in a row. Adv. Suresh Gadling, Sagar Gorkhe, Sudhir Dhawale, Ramesh Gaichor, Hany Babu, Rona Wilson and Mahesh Raut, seven of the Bhima-Koregaon 16 (BK16) who still remain in prison, have begun this protest.
Pune, labour laws, glass factory accident

Trade Organisation’s intervention reveals grave ignorance of labour safety

India
The constant pursuit by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) to gain the rightful compensation for the four workers who died on job in a Pune-based glass factory godown has once again exposed the loopholes companies use to avoid being accountable to the safety of the workers.
Indie Journal

Four workers bleed to death in Pune in glass factory accident

India
In a tragic accident on Sunday, four workers bled to death and one was injured in Pune’s Yewalewadi while unloading boxes of large glass panes from a container. The workers were employed by India Glass Solution.
Gokhale Institute, Pune, Ajit Ranade

VC Dr Ajit Ranade removed by GIPE chancellor after ineligibility probe

India
Dr Ajit Ranade, Vice Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), has been removed from his position by chancellor Dr Bibek Debroy with immediate effect. This comes after an inquiry by a fact-finding committee following a complaint that he did not meet the eligibility criteria required for the position.
Indie Journal

FTII student alleges caste discrimination from faculty

India
The student association at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has raised serious concerns after one of the professors, facing allegations of caste-related discrimination against a student, was given a clean chit by the institute. The body has demanded a reinvestigation into the matter.
Indie Journal

TISS administration bans students body, calls it 'divisive' 'illegal'

India
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), on Monday, issued an immediate ban on Progressive Students Forum (PSF), an active students organisation on TISS campuses, calling it 'unauthorised and illegal'. Moreover, the institute, in its order, said that any student or faculty member found to be associated with the group would be subject to ‘disciplinary action’.
Sagar Gorkhe, BK16

Arrested BK16 Poet Alleges Intimidation After Protesting Prison Corruption

India
Poet and activist Sagar Gorkhe, who has been in prison since September 2020 in Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case, has alleged he and his co-accused are being threatened by a senior jailor, who is also instigated criminals accused of serious crimes against them.
Parbhani, voting, election 2024

Maratha-OBC vs fundamental issues: Parbhani's dilemma

India
Parbhani constituency, that is grappled by drought, erratic extreme weather events, agricultural losses, water scarcity and unemployment among other issues, went to poll today in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls 2024. Parbhani is also the district from where the movement for Maratha reservation led by Manoj Jarange took force last year.
Indie Journal

Congress leaders, activists allege threats in Gandhinagar during voting

India
Congress leaders and human rights activists have alleged that, in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar constituency, from where top BJP leader Amit Shah is contesting the Lok Sabha elections, the leaders campaigning for Congress are being intimidated and threatened by the police, for the benefit of the BJP.
Gadchiroli, Adivasis, Election 2024

Election Phase 1: Where will Gadchiroli vote go?

India
Polling day for the Gadchiroli-Chimur Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, on Friday, April 19, comes barely six months after Maharashtra Police cracked down upon the peaceful Adivasi protesters in Todgatta in Gadchiroli district, forcing them to withdraw the over 250-day-protest to save their jungle from mining.
Indie Journal

Jailed journalist's spouse alleges his mistreatment in prison

India
Ipsa Shatakshi, spouse of the jailed Jharkhand journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh, has alleged that Singh has been threatened by a cell incharge in the Shahid Jubba Sahni Central Jail in Bhagalpur, Bihar, where he is currently incarcerated.
Indie Journal

Activists Denounce Transphobic Pune Police Order

India
Trans-rights activists in the city have deemed the controversial prohibitory orders issued by the Pune Police Commissioner against transgender persons in the city as 'Transphobic'.
iron ore, goa mines, electoral bonds, bjp, congress

Goa’s mining giants bought electoral bonds from all political parties

India
The additional data pertaining to the purchase and encashment of Electoral Bonds has revealed that the minings giants of Goa - Salgaocar and Dempo - donated to almost all the political parties in the state, right before the assembly election in 2022.
Indie Journal

Hindutva Parties Received Electoral Bonds From Beef Companies

India
Two Mumbai-based beef exporting companies - whose names appeared on the list of the purchasers of electoral bonds - were found to have donated the money to two big Hindutva parties in 2019, while both these parties were still in a coalition government in the state, new data released by the State Bank of India (SBI) revealed on Thursday.
Indie Journal

Back to back deaths trigger discussion on toxic work culture in journalism

India
In the last two weeks, Maharashtra has lost at least three journalists to cardiac arrests. However, the deaths of these journalists, barely in their 40s and 50s, and several others across the country, has triggered a discussion around the health and well-being of these professionals, chasing news and running the news cycle almost 24x7, most of them without a just remuneration or a conducive work environment.
इंडी जर्नल

आधारमधील माहिती विनासंमती लोकसंख्या नोंदवहीत?

India
राष्ट्रीय लोकसंख्या नोंदणी अर्थातच ‘एनपीआर’साठी देशातील अनेक भागांमध्ये २०१५ साली गृह मंत्रालयानं लोकांकडून ‘ज्ञात संमती’ न घेता, ‘आधार’मधील माहिती वापरली असल्याचा आरोप सिटिझन्स फॉर जस्टीस अँड पीस (सीजेपी) या संस्थेनं केला आहे.
Pune adivasis protest for health services

पुणे जिल्ह्याच्या आदिवासी भागात आरोग्य सुविधांचा प्रश्न बिकट

India
जिल्ह्यातील आंबेगाव, जुन्नर आणि खेड या तिन्ही तालुक्यांतील आदिवासींसाठी किसान सभेनं ग्रामीण रुग्णालय सुरु होण्यात होणारी दिरंगाई, अपुऱ्या आरोग्य सुविधा, १०८ रुग्णवाहिकांचा आभाव, अशा अनेक कारणांसाठी हे आंदोलन पुकारलं होतं.
Indie Journal/Tushar Bidave

Students, HoD arrested, SPPU's Lalit Kala Kendra vandalised

India
A day after the students of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a right-wing student organisation allegedly attacked the students of Lalit Kala Kendra at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and stopped their play performance, five of the performing students and their Head of Department have been booked by the Pune police. Meanwhile, members of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) stormed and vandalised the vacant building of Lalit Kala Kendra, claiming that the play performed by the students there allegedly disrespected Lord Ram and Seeta.
Vadhavan port, people's protest

Vadhavan locals demand another public hearing, this time at project site

India
Villagers in the coastal village of Maharashtra’s Palghar district have called a protest march to the MPCB at Boisar on Thursday. While the District Collector recently held the mandatory public hearing in this regard, the villagers from the project-affected areas have alleged that the hearing was inadequate and have demanded another hearing.
Uddhav Thackeray and Rahul Narvekar

Uddhav faction holds EC, Speaker to task over disqualification, Speaker denies with counter presser

India
In a fiery press conference held in Mumbai today, Shiv Sena (UBT) Party Chief Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at the Election Commission (EC) and Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, following the latter’s verdict regarding the disqualification of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 15 other Shiv Sena MLAs, who rebelled and formed government with the BJP in 2022.
महाबळेश्वर, पाचगणी, घोडे

पाचगणी परिसरात अनेक दशकांपासून घोड्यांच्या विष्टेनं प्रदूषित पाण्याचं सेवन!

India
महाबळेश्वर आणि पाचगणीतील लोकांना आणि पर्यटकांना गेली जवळपास पाच दशकं अतिसार, अन्नातून होणारी विषबाधा आणि अशा अनेक आजारांमागचं अतिशय धक्कादायक कारण गोखले इन्स्टिट्यूट ऑफ पॉलिटिक्स अँड इकॉनॉमिक्सच्या संशोधकांनी केलेल्या अभ्यासातून समोर आलं आहे.
Mauli temple Zolambe, Kavi art, demolition

Last Kavi temple in Maharashtra demolished by villagers for renovation

India
The last original Kavi Art edifice in Maharashtra, Mauli temple in Zolambe village in Sindhudurg district, was demolished on Thursday by the local villagers, in a bid to replace it with a modern-styled temple in the name of restoration, despite the orders by the Department of Archeology and Museums to prevent the destruction of the temple.
फिल्स्टीन गझा

इस्रायलच्या आक्रमणात चिरडली गेलेली पॅलेस्टिनी मुलं

Mid West
आतापर्यंत २०,००० हुन अधिक गाझामधील पॅलेस्टिनी नागरिकांचा मृत्यू झाला आहे, ज्यात जवळपास ८,००० हुन अधिक लहान मुलांचा समावेश आहे. साधारणपणे ५० टक्के लोकसंख्या १८ वर्षांखालील असलेल्या गाझापट्टीतील लोकांचं भवितव्य असलेली ही लहान मुलं इस्रायलच्या हल्ल्यांची सर्वात मोठी आणि भयावह बळी ठरली आहेत.
Indie Journal

Todgatta Protestors find Support in Community

India
In Todagatta in Gadchiroli district’s Etapalli taluka, the adivasis protesting against the proposed mines and a four-lane road going through their villages have found community cooperation to be the key. It is helping them keep the protests going, while still earning a living, as they complete over 150 days of agitation.
Indie Journal

Pune Police take 'preventive action' against activists before PM visit

India
At least three activists were detained by the Pune Police since Monday night, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pune on Tuesday. They were released immediately after the PM left the city Tuesday afternoon. The INDIA front along with a few social activists and civil society organisations in the city had organised a protest at Mahatma Phule Mandai, against the PM’s visit to the city while Manipur continues to burn.
Indie Journal

Why a Democracy so scared of Protests?

India
The Constitution of India recognises the Right to Protest as a fundamental right of every citizen under Article 19(1)(c). However, lately, we see that the vilification of the causes of such protests and the suppression of those who participate in it has become more rampant and bolder than before.
Indie Journal

State's disaster preparedness in question as deadly landslide kills several in Raigad

India
The Chief Minister and several other leaders reached Irshalwadi today, within hours after the landslide occurred late Wednesday night. However, climate activists do assert that despite their insistence, the government has not shown any seriousness in developing better mechanisms for predicting landslides and saving lives.
Indie Journal

Farmers fear crop failure as late rainfall delays Kharif sowing

India
The monsoon activity as well as Kharif sowing across Maharashtra still continues to be concerning. As of July 10, 2023, the area covered under sowing of Kharif crops in the state is merely 46 percent of the area covered by this date last year.
Indie Journal

A day of who dunnit, why dunnit, how dunnit for Maharashtra

India
Hardly anyone in Maharashtra woke up today morning anticipating Ajit Pawar plotting to join the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, as they usually did whenever Pawar’s phone was suddenly found to be out of coverage or he was found to be missing.
इंडी जर्नल

फ्रांस चार दिवसांपासून का धुमसतोय?

Europe
फ्रांसमध्ये दोन दिवसांपूर्वी नाहेल एम या १७-वर्षीय फ्रेंच-अल्जेरियन वंशाच्या अश्वेत मुलाची नाकाबंदीवर पोलिसांच्या गोळीबारात झालेल्या हत्येनंतर फ्रांसही असाच पेटून उठला आहे. या घटनेनंतर पुन्हा एकदा पोलिसी हिंसाचार आणि फ्रेंच पोलिसांकडून सर्रास होणाऱ्या वांशिक प्रोफाईलींग किंवा विभाजनावर नागरीक संताप व्यक्त करत आहेत.
इंडी जर्नल

जीव वाचवण्यासाठीचे जीवघेणे प्रवास: भूमध्य सागरातील निर्वासितांची व्यथा

Europe
ग्रीसच्या दक्षिण किनारपट्टीजवळ भूमध्य समुद्रात बुधवारी निर्वासितांनी खचाखच भरलेली नाव बुडाल्यानं किमान ७८ जणांचा मृत्यू झाला. या घटनेनं भूमध्य सागरातून जीवघेणा प्रवास करत युरोपमध्ये पोहोचण्याचा प्रयत्न करणाऱ्या निर्वासितांचा भीषण प्रश्न आणि त्यांची हतबलता पुन्हा एकदा अधोरेखित केली आहे.
Indie Journal

Ambedkarite youth lynched by Upper Caste mob in Nanded village

India
A 22-year-old Buddhist youth was brutally lynched allegedly by a group of Maratha youth in Nanded’s Bondhar Haveli village late Thursday evening. Activists following the case say that Akshay Bhalerao was attacked and stabbed to death out of spite for organising the first ever Ambedkar Jayanti celebration in the village around a month ago. Six accused have been booked by the Nanded Rural Police.
इंडी जर्नल

माहसाची अमीनीची गोष्ट उघडकीस आणणाऱ्या पत्रकारांवर इराणमध्ये खटला सुरु

Mid West
पेहराव उचित नव्हता म्हणून अटक झालेल्या २२-वर्षीय कुर्दीश तरुणी माहसा अमीनीचा इराण पोलिसांच्या ताब्यात असताना झालेला मृत्यू उघडकीस आणणाऱ्या दोन इराणी पत्रकारांवर सरकारविरोधात षडयंत्र केल्याच्या आरोपाखाली खटले सुरु झाले आहेत. फक्त पत्रकार म्हणून स्वतःचं काम केल्याबद्दल आता त्यांना कठोर शिक्षेचा सामना करावा लागण्याची शक्यता निर्माण झाली आहे.
Indie Journal

Over 30 Adivasi protests ongoing across Central India

India
Jal, Jangal, Jameen (Water, Forest, Land) have been at the centre of over 30 protests that have been taking place in different parts of central India at present. In each of the places where the protest is taking place, the adivasi villagers emphasise on one factor - the lack of consent from the Gram Sabhas.
Indie Journal

The Kerala Story screened at FTII amid political sloganeering

India
Amid demonstrations by the students' association, the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’ was screened at the campus of Pune’s Film and Television Institute (FTII) on Saturday morning. While the screening took place despite opposition from the students, the audience, who were not students, engaged in aggressive sloganeering on campus.
इंडी जर्नल

म्यानमारमधील रोहिंग्या निर्वासित चक्रीवादळातही उपेक्षित

Asia
रविवारी 'मोखा' चक्रीवादळाचा म्यानमारच्या रखायन प्रांताला, तसंच बांग्लादेशमधील कॉक्सेस बझार जिल्ह्याला फटका बसला. या दोन्ही भागांमध्ये रोहिंग्या निर्वासितांच्या छावण्या आहेत. आधीच राजकीय उत्पिडनाचा सामना करत असलेले म्यानमारमधील रोहिंग्या आता या नैसर्गिक आपत्तीलाही तोंड देत आहेत.
Indie Journal

Temperature, humidity high as state braces for heatwave conditions

India
Despite less intense heatwaves, rising temperatures coupled with high Relative Humidity (RH) have made this year’s summer highly uncomfortable, even fatal, for people. At the end of this week, starting Thursday, however, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a possible heatwave condition for Maharashtra.
Indie Journal

The 'Marathi' question in Karnataka's electoral chaos

India
Several Maharashtra leaders belonging to the BJP and Congress campaigning for their respective parties have been met with resistance from the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) over the last few days. While Maharashtra supports the cause of MES, the approach of the Maharashtra leaders has rendered the MES as well as Marathi speaking population in Belgaum confused.
Indie Journal

Bombay HC preserves Barsu activists’ right to protest

India
The Bombay High Court on Thursday agreed to preserve the right of the activists to protest by asking the state to withdraw the externment notices issued to them. Last month, several residents of the villages in Rajapur taluka, who were protesting against the refinery project in the Barsu-Solgaon region, were issued notices prohibiting them from entering Rajapur taluka in Ratnagiri district ahead of the planned survey of the area by the State Government.
Indie Journal

Villagers swarm Barsu's sada areas in scorching heat to protest refinery

India
More than 3,000 people have flooded the sada areas (laterite plateaus) in Barsu village in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district amid scorching heat and intimidation from the state as the government is setting up to conduct surveys of the land there for the proposed refinery project in the area.
इंडी जर्नल

सरकारला पाऊल मागे घ्यावंच लागेल: राजू शेट्टी यांचा रिफायनरी-विरोधी आंदोलनाला पाठिंबा

India
रत्नागिरी जिल्ह्याच्या राजापूर तालुक्यातील बारसू-सोलगाव पंचक्रोशीतील रिफायनरी-विरोधातील जनआंदोलन पुन्हा एकदा पेटलं आहे. या पार्श्वभूमीवर रविवारी स्वाभिमानी शेतकरी संघटनेचे संस्थापक राजू शेट्टी यांनी रिफायनरी आंदोलनाला पाठिंबा जाहीर केला आहे. यासंदर्भात शेट्टी यांनी इंडी जर्नलशी साधलेल्या संवादातील परिच्छेद.
Indie Journal

अवकाळी पावसानं फासेपारधी चिमुकल्यांची तांडा शाळा उध्वस्त केली

India
अवकाळी पाऊस आणि वादळामुळं अकोला जिल्ह्यातील पारधी बेड्यातील काही तरुण चालवत असलेली अक्षरभूमी ही शाळा जमीनदोस्त झाली आहे. शाळेतील सर्व विद्यार्थी सुखरूप आहेत, मात्र मोठ्या कष्टानं गावातील तरुणांनी उभी केलेली शाळा आणि त्यातील साहित्य मात्र उध्वस्त झालं आहे.
Indie Journal

Does India's climate change response prioritise its farmers?

India
The uncertain weather patterns that are emerging as a result of climate change are making it difficult for farmers across the country to grow and sustain any crop all across the year. However, climate change, which is making such a drastic shift in the lives of the farmers, has not yet been significantly reflected at the policy level decision-making pertaining to them.
Indie Journal

राज्यात पुढच्या आठवड्यात मुसळधार पावसाची शक्यता

India
या आठवड्याच्या सुरवातीला राज्याच्या विविध भागांमध्ये झालेल्या मुसळधार पावसानंतर आता भारतीय हवामान विभागानं पुढच्या आठवड्यातही पावसाचा अंदाज वर्तवला आहे.
Indie Journal

Anganwadi workers get partial relief after prolonged struggle

India
These women workers, Anganwadi Sevikas and Helpers, are very crucial in driving the machinery for the welfare of women and children at the grassroot level across the country. The women who work as Anganwadi Sevikas and Helpers are entrusted with implementing several government schemes. However, their struggle for fair compensation against their invaluable work continues.
Indie Journal

IIT-B report denies caste discrimination reason for Darshan Solanki's death

India
An internal panel formed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has ruled out caste discrimination as the cause of student Darshan Solanki’s death by suicide last month in its interim report, citing it has found “no specific evidence of direct caste-based discrimination”.
Prathmesh Patil

Discrimination, apathy, missing forums & caste in Indian Higher Education

India
The institutional caste discrimination at India’s top higher education institutes and universities has been making headlines, since Darshan Solanki, an 18-year-old BTech student at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), died by suicide. Students say that support from institutions is missing and the SC/ST Cells on campuses are often “dysfunctional”.
Indie Journal

Anganwadi Sevikas threatened with action for going on strike

India
The Anganwadi Sevikas protesting in Mumbai’s Belapur on Monday alleged that they were threatened of action against them if beneficiaries were “left deprived” due to the strike. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Commissioner, however, has said that she is conducting an inquiry into the impact of the strike on the Anganwadis in the state in this regard.
Indie Journal

Barsu-Solgaon: Maharashtra govt. forms SIT for probe into killing of journalist

India
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has ordered to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. Varishe, who was known for his consistent coverage of the anti-refinery voices in the Barsu-Solgaon region, was run over by a known influential refinery supporter Padharinath Amberkar, on Tuesday, hours after the journalist published a news report against the latter.
Indie Journal

Budget 23: Could MGNREGA budget cuts worsen India's rural poverty?

India
Amid a global food insecurity, employment crisis and inflation hindering the domestic markets, the Union Government, in its budget has given another blow to India’s rural poor - a drastic cut in the allocations made to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Indie Journal

Will India lose its rare Dolphins in silence?

India
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) recently rescued its 26th Gangetic Dolphin from a canal system of Ganga in the last 10 years. Experts have called for greater patrolling and research around barrages of river Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries in order to boost the dolphin rescue programme.
Indie Journal

Inflation, rainfall, import: The plight of Vidarbha’s Cotton Cultivators

India
The Indian Government’s decision to import around 3 lakh bales of cotton has rendered cotton farmers agitated and afraid, that their cotton will sell at a much lower price than last year. In international markets last year, seed cotton fetched the cotton farmers in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha a good income.
इंडी जर्नल/ सुधीर बिंदू फेसबुक

राज्यात तीन दिवसांत सात शेतकऱ्यांचा विजेच्या झटक्यानं मृत्यू

India
गेल्या तीन दिवसात राज्यभरात वेगवेगळ्या घटनांमध्ये विजेचा झटका बसून सात शेतकऱ्यांचा मृत्यू झाला आहे. जुन्या झालेल्या विजेच्या तारा आणि वीज वितरण यंत्रणेमुळं अशा प्रकारे शेतकऱ्यांचा जीव जात असल्याचं शेतीक्षेत्रात काम करणाऱ्या कार्यकर्त्यांचं म्हणणं आहे.
इंडी जर्नल

चंद्रकांत पाटील शाईफेक प्रकरण: आरोपींवर खुनाच्या प्रयत्नाचा गुन्हा

India
भारतीय जनता पक्षाचे नेते आणि राज्य उच्च व तंत्र शिक्षण मंत्री चंद्रकांत पाटील यांच्यावर शाईफेक करणाऱ्या तिघांवर खुनाच्या प्रयत्नासारख्या गंभीर आरोपासहित तब्बल १२ कलमांअंतर्गत गुन्हे दाखल केले आहेत. घटनास्थळी वार्तांकन करणाऱ्या पत्रकारालाही अटक करण्यात आली आहे.
Indie Journal

60 year old Pardhi man dies protesting for a home

India
On Sunday morning, 60-year-old Apparao Pawar, who hails from Beed’s Pardhi community, died while on a hunger strike in front of the District Collectorate for two days demanding a home. For Apparao, the fight for a home had begun around 14 years ago, when he claimed rights over the land in Vasanvadi, around 10-15 km from Beed, where his family had lived for decades. Apparao’s family is among close to 500 such homeless Pardhi families in and around Beed city alone, who have been waiting for the government to find them a home.
Prathmesh Patil

Lost in discussion - War against climate change

Quick Reads
While there were certainly more expectations from COP27 in terms of setting better environmental goals and ensuring climate assistance, many have been left disappointed. What happened at the discussions, who was part of these discussions and what was or was not their outcome has a huge part to play in this disappointment.
Pune/PMRDA Fire Department

Three workers die manually cleaning drain in Pune's residential society

India
Three workers lost their lives after suffocating in the drainage chamber of a housing society in Pune Wagholi, early morning on Friday. While two of them had entered the drainage tank to manually clean it, a third person, who is known to be the security guard, lost his life after he entered to save the first two.
शुभम पाटील

परतीच्या पावसाचा राज्यातील शेतकऱ्यांना फटका

India
राज्याच्या अनेक भागांमध्ये परतीच्या पावसानं गेला आठवडाभर जोरदार हजेरी लावल्यानं गुरुवारी अनेक ठिकाणी अतिवृष्टी झाली. कोकण तसंच विदर्भात आज भारतीय हवामान विभागानं 'यलो अलर्ट' जारी केला होता. अनेक ठिकाणी अतिवृष्टीमुळं पिकांचं नुकसान झाल्यानं शेतकरी हवालदिल झाले आहेत.
Shubham Patil

The Gram Panchayats fighting to keep their schools from closing

India
Since the State education department issued a notification regarding shutting down schools with less than 20 students, around 100 Gram Panchayats in Washim district in Maharashtra have passed resolutions against the government notification.
Shubham Patil

Another opportunity for Ghaath-maker Chhatrapal Ninawe at Berlinale

India
Independent filmmaker coming from a tribal background Chhatrapal Ninawe, who was prohibited from screening his first Marathi feature film, ‘Ghaath’ at the Berlin International Film Festival by the producer last year, has been invited to screen it again in 2023.
शुभम पाटील

शाळाबाह्य विद्यार्थ्यांना अतिरिक्त शुल्काचा जाच

India
दहावी-बारावीच्या परीक्षांसाठी १७ नंबर फॉर्म भरून खाजगीरित्या परीक्षांना बसणाऱ्या विद्यार्थ्यांना संपर्क केंद्र असणाऱ्या शाळा, महाविद्यालायांकडूनच आर्थिक पिळवणुकीचा सामना करावा लागतोय आणि परीक्षा शुल्क ऑनलाईन भरलेला असतानाही या विद्यार्थ्यांकडून शाळा अवैधरित्या अतिरिक्त पैसे उकळत असल्याचा आरोप पुण्यातील बालहक्क कृती समिती या संस्थेनं केला आहे.
Indie Journal

Interview: KK Shailaja hails scientific, pro-people policies for Kerala’s success

India
KK Shailaja, CPI(M) leader and Kerala's former health minister recently refused the Raman Magsaysay award that was conferred upon her for her exceptional work during the COVID pandemic. She says it was a collective success, not hers alone. In a candid conversation, Shailaja talks about her role during the pandemic, the significance of Kerala’s governance and what’s there to come next.
Shubham Patil

डहाणूच्या गणेशोत्सवातून वाढवण बंदराला विरोध

India
यावर्षीच्या गणेशोत्सवात मुंबईपासून डहाणूपर्यंतच्या किनारपट्टी भागांमधील अनेक गणेश मंडळं देखावे आणि कार्यक्रमांमधून डहाणूमध्ये येऊ घातलेल्या वाढवण बंदराविरुद्ध जनजागृती करत आहेत. ‘एकच जिद्द, वाढवण बंदर रद्द’ हा नारा लगावत मंडळं या प्रकल्पाविरुद्धच जनमत दर्शवत आहेत.
Indie Journal

GN Saibaba's co-accused Pandu Narote in near-death situation

India
Activist and co-accused in the UAPA case registered against Dr GN Saibaba, former professor at the Delhi University, Pandu Narote is reportedly in a near-death situation in the Nagpur Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH).
Shubham Karnick

Don't cultivate, it's a forest. Build a metro, it's not a forest!

India
It’s not just the Mumbai Metro III car shed that gives the adivasis of Mumbai’s Aarey Colony sleepless nights. Adivasis residing in the padas (adivasi hamlets) in Aarey have now alleged that right from hurdles in filing claims to their land under forest rights acts to destroying their ready-to-harvest crops, they are being pressured systematically to force them to leave their forest.
Prajakta Joshi

Coastal road threatens livelihood of Mumbai's traditional fishermen

India
As Mumbai expands more and more into the sea, the livelihood of the fishermen community living in Koliwadas (fishermen’s colonies) along the city’s coastline and depending on the waters for their living, continues to be affected adversely. With the reclamation of the sea and the construction activity for coastal road, their catch near the coast has dwindled. Moreover, the pillars of the coastal road, the fishermen say, would also threaten their boats while venturing into and returning from the sea, and in turn, their lives.
Prathmesh Patil

Mah: Two-minister govt. passes over 700 orders in 30 days

India
A total of 749 Government Resolutions (GRs) were passed by Maharashtra’s newly formed two-man government between June 30 and July 30, 2022. The government has not yet expanded beyond Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, the lack of clarity on cabinet expansion has not stopped the new government from making hurried decisions and passing several GRs. Experts say this goes against the principles of parliamentary democracy.
Indie Journal

Reservation seats left vacant in FTII, say students

India
Students of the Film and Television Insititute of India (FTII) have alleged irregularities in the admission processes saying that the institute has left a few seats as well as waitlist positions in the OBC, SC and ST categories vacant, citing reasons of ineligibility. In the merit list released on July 26th, for the academic year 2021, the students say that while all the General category seats have been filled, the ones reserved have been deliberately left vacant making “a gross mockery of the provisions of Reservation by which these admissions are to take place.”
इंडी जर्नल

आंबील ओढा प्रकरणातील वादग्रस्त बिल्डरवर अट्रोसिटीचा गुन्हा दाखल

India
आंबेडकवादी कार्यकर्ते व रिपब्लिकन बहुजन आघाडीचे अध्यक्ष किशोर कांबळे यांचा छळ केल्याप्रकरणी पुणे जिल्हा न्यायालयानं आज बिल्डर सुर्यकांत निकम, प्रताप निकम व दिलीप देशमुख यांच्याविरुद्ध अनुसूचित जाती अनुसूचित जमाती अत्याचार प्रतिबंधक कायदा १९८९ नुसार गुन्हा दाखल केला आहे. वर्षभरापूर्वी आंबील ओढ्याजवळील एका वस्तीत झालेल्या पाडकामासंबंधी कांबळे केदार असोसिएट्स या बिल्डरविरुद्ध वस्तीतील रहिवाशांसोबत लढा देत होते, ज्यादरम्यान त्यांचा बिल्डरकडून छळ झाल्याची तक्रार त्यांनी केली.
Shubham Patil

It's not just about Europe!

Europe
The heatwave that has grasped almost the entirety of Europe this summer has grabbed the attention of everyone across the globe. The increased instances of such extreme weather events in Europe, US, the developed world, have paced up the discussions around climate change and have been deemed an eye opener. But the fight against climate change needs to be fought beyond regional barriers.
Shubham Patil

Elgar Parishad investigating officer to depose before Inquiry Commission

India
The Bhima Koregaon Commission of Inquiry has asked police officer Shivaji Pawar, to file an affidavit presenting the evidence supporting allegations that provocative speeches made at Elgar Parishad on December 31, 2017 led to violence in Bhima-Koregaon the next day.
इंडी जर्नल

सावित्रीबाई फुले पुणे विद्यापीठात विद्यार्थ्यांचा लढा यशस्वी

India
गेले तीन दिवस भर पावसात शुल्कवाढी विरोधात आंदोलन करणाऱ्या सावित्रीबाई फुले पुणे विद्यापीठाच्या विद्यार्थ्यांना आज दिलासा मिळाला. विद्यापीठानं विद्यार्थ्यांच्या बहुतांश मागण्या मान्य करत प्रस्तावित शुल्कवाढ रद्द केली आहे. त्याचबरोबर पुढील मागण्यांच्या बाबतीत काम चालू असून लवकरच त्यावर उपाययोजना करण्याचं लेखी आश्वासन विद्यापीठानं विद्यार्थ्यांना दिलं आहे.
Indie Journal

Mah Speaker forwards VHP cow concerns to DGP

India
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has written to the Director-General of Police asking to take appropriate action to prevent any instances of ‘Govansh Hatya’ (cow slaughter) taking place in the state on Bakri Eid on Sunday. Interestingly, his letter has referred to another letter of concern in this regard by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a controversial Hindu nationalist organisation.
असोसिएटेड प्रेस/इंडी जर्नल

ऑस्ट्रेलियाच्या सर्वात मोठ्या शहरात ६ महिन्यांत तिसरा पूर

Oceania
ऑस्ट्रेलियातील सर्वात मोठं शहर सिडनीमध्ये गेल्या ६ महिन्यातील तिसरा महापूर आलाय. फक्त सिडनी शहरच नाही तर न्यू साऊथ वेल्स स्टेटच्या अनेक भागांमधील मिळून जवळपास ५०,००० नागरिकांचं पुरामुळं स्थलांतर करण्यात आलंय. हवामान बदल आणि तापमानवाढीचे परिणाम ऑस्ट्रेलिया कधी दुष्काळ, वणवे, तर कधी पुराच्या स्वरूपात पाहतच असते.
Shubham Patil

We will fight for Aarey again - tribals and activists resolve

India
Within hours of swearing-in, Maharashtra’s brand new Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, made the decision to move Mumbai’s Metro car shed back to Aarey. In 2019, the decision to build the car shed in Aarey had brought the wrath of the people not just from Aarey or Mumbai, but from all over the country, to the then Fadnavis-led state government. The activists and adivasis who fought back then now say that they are ready to fight again.
Matthew T Rader/Shubham Patil

ऑस्ट्रेलियात मधमाशा लॉकडाऊनमध्ये!

Oceania
ऑस्ट्रेलियानं देशातल्या सर्व मधमाशांवर लॉकडाऊन लागू करण्याचा निर्णय घेतला आहे. तिथल्या मधमाशांमध्ये आढळून आलेल्या एका रोगामुळं हा निर्णय घेण्यात आला असल्याचं तिथल्या अधिकाऱ्यांनी सांगितलं आहे. जगभरात अनेक ठिकाणी मधमाश्यांच्या मृत्यूसाठी कारणीभूत ठरलेल्या वॅरोआ डिस्ट्रक्टर किंवा वॅरोआ माइट (Varroa mite) हा परजीवी देशात नुकताच आढळून आला आहे.
Shubham Patil

GN Saibaba's health declines after hunger strike in jail

India
Incarcerated former Delhi University professor Dr GN Saibaba’s health has deteriorated after he went on hunger strike from May 21 to 24, against CCTV surveillance of the entre anda cell. However, Saibaba’s wife AS Vasantha Kumari told Indie Journal that despite his bad health, he was not admitted to a hospital, but taken back to his anda cell, after a visit to the prison doctor.
Shubham Patil

4 crore cases pending as India's top courts go on vacations

India
The Supreme Court of India is set to go on a summer vacation of around two months, from today onward. The High Courts as well as several lower civil courts in India have been taking vacations since the summer has started. Can a country with close to 5 crores pending court cases in all its different courts afford these long holidays?
इंडी जर्नल

आदिवासी दिग्दर्शकाच्या मराठी फिल्मची निर्मात्या स्टुडियोकडूनच मुस्कटदाबी

India
आदिवासी समूहातून अत्यंत कष्टानं सिनेमानिर्मिती केलेल्या छत्रपाल निनावे यांना चित्रपटनिर्मितीच्या पहिल्याच प्रयत्नात सिनेमा जगतातील दडपशाहीचा त्रास सहन करावा लागत आहे. एनएफडीसी सारखी राष्ट्रीय संस्थेचा पुरस्कार मिळवलेला त्यांचा पहिलाच चित्रपट रिलायन्स जिओ स्टुडियोज या कंपनीनं हक्क विकत घेतल्यानंतर त्याच्या प्रदर्शनापासून रोखून धरला आहे.
Shubham Patil/Sachin Desai

Dead fish sightings at heritage lake reflect govt neglect

India
Environmentalists and locals raised an alarm after brackish water and dead fish were sighted at the Dhamapur Lake in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district for the last two-three days. While the exact reason behind this is unclear, researchers point out that the condition reflects government apathy and lack of conservation in this biodiversity-rich water body.
इंडी जर्नल

रिपोर्ताज: आपला आपला उन्हाळा...

India
भारताच्या अनेक भागांमध्ये सध्या उष्णतेची लाट आलेली आहे. अनेक ठिकाणी तापमान ४० अंश सेल्सियसच्याही वर गेलेलं आहे. यावर्षीचा एप्रिल महिना वायव्य आणि मध्य भारतासाठी १२२ वर्षांतील सर्वात उष्ण एप्रिल ठरला. उष्णतेची लाट ही एक नैसर्गिक आपत्ती आहे, यावर मात करण्याची अनेक साधनं आहेत, अनेक उपाय आहेत? मात्र हे उपाय, ही साधनं सर्वांना सारखीच उपलब्ध असतात का?
Prathmesh Patil

UGC faces serious allegations of plagiarising recent UG guidelines

India
Several Delhi-based Professors have made allegations that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has plagiarised content from the websites of at least two different foreign universities in its recently released draft curriculum for the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP). Several paragraphs and descriptions of course requirements in the UGC document were pointed out to be identical to similar sections on the websites of the University of Michigan and the University of Arizona.
Indie Journal

सरकारचं काम लोकांचं जीवन सुधारणं, त्यांच्या जीवनात हस्तक्षेप करणं नाही: सुप्रिया सुळे

India
राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेसच्या नेत्या आणि खासदार सुप्रिया सुळे यांनी शुक्रवारी संसदेत समलिंगी विवाहांना कायदेशीर मान्यता देण्याची मागणी सरकारसमोर ठेवली. त्यासाठी त्यांनी विशेष विवाह (सुधारित) विधेयक लोकसभेत सादर केलं, ज्याअंतर्गत विशेष विवाह कायद्याच्या चौकटीत एलजीबीटीक्यू यांच्यासह इतरांना विवाह संबंधित समान हक्क मिळावेत, असा प्रस्ताव त्यांनी संसदेसमोर ठेवला. त्यांच्या या मागणीमागची भूमिका सुळे यांनी इंडी जर्नलच्या प्राजक्ता जोशी यांच्याशी साधलेल्या संवादात मांडली.
शुभम पाटील

१४० वर्षांपूर्वी एका मुलीच्या लढ्यामुळं स्त्री संमतीचा कायदा सुधारावा लागला

Quick Reads
ज्या काळात मुलींची लहान वयात लग्नं होणं ही अगदीच सर्वसामान्य गोष्ट होती, त्या काळात वयाच्या विसाव्या वर्षी महाराष्ट्रातील रखमाबाई राऊत यांनी लहानपणी झालेलं लग्न अमान्य करून नवऱ्याच्या घरी जाण्यास नकार दिला. यासाठी त्यांनी कोर्टात लढा दिला आणि रखमाबाईंचा हा लढा फक्त भारतातच नाही, तर १८९१ साली संपूर्ण ब्रिटिश साम्राज्यात लागू झालेल्या संमतीवयाच्या कायद्यासाठी देखील महत्त्वाचा ठरला.
Shubham Patil/Lalsu Soma Nogoti

Innocent student arrested in Naxal-linked case freed after 14 days

India
After spending 14 long nights in police custody despite being innocent, college student Prakash Pusu Vidpi was finally released from the Central Jail in Chandrapur on the evening of March 7. He was arrested on February 21, in connection with an allegedly Naxal-linked arson incident in a nearby village.
Prathmesh Patil

What made Gadchiroli adivasis protest?

India
Last week, around a thousand adivasis from villages in Gadchiroli's Bhamragad taluka protested against misidentified arrests by police made after a Naxal-linked incident in a nearby village, a month ago. The arrest of Prakash, a student who was not even in the village when the incident occurred stirred a discussion about the misidentified arrests and increasing police presence in the tribal belt.
Shubham Patil

Are marine heatwaves altering India's monsoon?

India
A study by the researchers at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has shown that the instances of marine heatwaves are increasing in the Indian Ocean, and these heatwaves are having an impact on the Indian monsoon as well. In the study published in the journal JGR Oceans, the researchers report a significant increase in marine heatwaves, aided by rapid warming in the Indian Ocean and strong El Niños.
Indie Journal

Schools need more than guidelines as they reopen in third wave

India
Schools are set to reopen in parts of Maharashtra tomorrow. However, with the number of daily COVID cases in several cities still concerning and a lack of clear back-to-school policy from the state, parents have begun expressing worries. Moreover, with almost no tangible support from the government, teachers, especially from rural areas, say they will be finding it difficult to manage schools and keep children safe.
Shubham Patil

परभणीच्या छोट्याशा गावातील पहिल्या इंजिनियरनं बदलला गावाचा चेहरा

Quick Reads
अनेक वर्ष शिक्षण आणि कामानिमित्त बाहेर राहिल्यानंतर पँडेमिक सुरु झाल्यावर आपल्या गावी परत परतलेल्या पुणेस्थित विश्वांबर दुधाटे यांना त्यांच्या गावाची आणि गावकऱ्यांची परिस्थिती बिकट आढळली. परभणी जिल्ह्याच्या पालम तालुक्यातील आरखेड गावात दुधाते यांनी गावकऱ्यांना एकत्र आणून गावात गरजेचे असलेले अनेक बदल घडवून आणायला सुरवात झाली.
Prathmesh Patil

A year of tragedies

Quick Reads
For India and the world, the year 2021 came bearing several tragedies. Covid pandemic, natural disasters and conflicts took several lives in India as well as worldover.
Shubham Patil

A year when climate change became real

Quick Reads
For India, 2021 was a year of floods and landslides and erratic monsoon. While neither floods, landslides, nor heavy rains are rare occurrences for Indians, the unprecedented heavy rainfall, the delay in monsoon withdrawal and the increased frequency of low-pressure belts and cyclonic storms over the north Indian Ocean led to the year 2021 being a year for extreme weather events for India.
Shubham Patil

Filmmakers oppose merger of NFAI, Films Division with corporation NFDC

India
The merger/closure of several public-funded film institutions in the country, including the Films Division (FD) and National Film Archives of India (NFAI), has caused a stir among hundreds of filmmakers and film students, who have written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) seeking more answers and demanding transparency. They have strongly opposed the merger/closure of the institutes like FD, NFAI and Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI) must not be merged with a corporation like National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC).
Manorama Online

Are we learning anything from Kerala floods?

India
As Kerala tries to recover from the extreme rainfall that resulted in flooding and landslides in several districts over the last weekend, the yellow and orange alerts are yet to leave the state alone. While cloudbursts connected to climate change have been blamed for the recent disaster, experts have also pointed out the role of human activities in intensifying the disaster.
Indie Journal

Shocking discoveries regarding Assam eviction violence victims emerge from fact-finding report

India
On September 20, police in Assam’s Darrang district started an eviction drive in parts of Dhalpur village, claiming that the residents in around 800 households had illegally occupied government land. Three days later, police opened fire at some of the evicted residents who were protesting for their rights over their homes, and killed two protesters.
Indie Journal

We were warned of flooding, landslide events for years, so why are we surprised?

India
The monsoon that Maharashtra saw in 2021 was erratic and devastating. While rainfall struggled to reach the annual average, the last four months have been marred by several scattered spells of intense rainfall. There were flash floods and landslides across districts, with a large number of lives and livelihoods lost or affected adversely.
Indie Journal

School students to learn weather science with this campaign

India
Pune’s Vidnyan Bharati has taken it upon itself to start weather units in schools in Maharashtra to train students to learn and forecast weather. The first such weather unit was inaugurated at Grammangal Muktashala in Palghar district’s Aine village.

8 years and a shameful wait later, a chargesheet!

India
Anti-superstition activist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was murdered in Pune in August 2013 during his morning walk on the Vitthal Ramji Shinde (Balgandharva) bridge. In the years that followed, three other like-minded activists Govind Pansare (Kolhapur), MM Kalburgi (Dharwad) and Gauri Lankesh (Bengaluru) were murdered, in attacks that showed stark similarities with the assassination of Dr Dabholkar.
Indie Journal

Every turtle matters!

India
Dr Shailendra Singh, biologist and Director of Turtle Survival Alliance, India programme, was recently awarded with the prestigious Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered species of turtles back from the brink of extinction. In candid conversation with Indie Journal, he speaks about turtle species in India and why every turtle must be protected.
Indie Journal

Thousands of miles from home, Afghan students in India worry for family back home

Asia
Ahmad Zia Rohani had gone back to his home in Afghanistan just around a month ago after completing his bachelor's degree in Pune. He wanted to look for a job in his country and stay with his family. However, the events that unfolded in the past month forced him to run for his life, back to India.
Sourabh Zunjar/Shubham Patil

Floods a punch in the gut for Kolhapur’s lockdown hit traders

India
Last month, several parts of Maharashtra saw record rainfall and flooding. With the rainfall warning by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at hand and the possibility of water discharge from dams, the flood-prone district and city of Kolhapur was prepared to handle floods by evacuating people and property this time. However, intense spells of rainfall within 48 hours led to the flooding of the city within hours, and people had to leave their homes leaving everything else behind.
Indie Journal

60 years since Panshet, survivors remember the incident that changed Pune

India
In the early hours of July 12th, 1961, Panshet Dam, a dam on Ambi River around 50km from Pune, burst right in its first year of storing water, after a heavy night of rainfall. It has been 60 years since the incident, however, the memories of the incident are still fresh in the minds of the survivors.
इंडी जर्नल

यावेळी आम्ही पूराला सामोरं जायची तयारी केलेली आहे

India
२०१९मध्ये महाराष्ट्रातील सांगली, कोल्हापूर आणि सातारा जिल्ह्यात पुरानं थैमान घातलं होतं. पुरापासून शिकवण घेत यावर्षी फक्त सांगली-कोल्हापुरातल्या अनेक पूरग्रस्त गावांमध्ये पूरनियंत्रण आणि स्थलांतराची तयारी सुरु झाली आहे. जिल्हा प्रशासनातर्फे गाव-गावांमधल्या तरुणांना बचावकार्याचं प्रशिक्षणदेखील देण्यात आलंय.
NewsOnAir

All you need to know about the Delta Plus COVID variant

India
On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry flagged the Delta Plus COVID-19 variant as a variant of concern. While there is no sufficient data to prove how much impact the Delta Plus could cause, looking at the havoc in the second wave, experts have cautioned people not to take the new variant lightly. Delta plus is a mutation of the Delta variant that was first detected in India.
Indie Journal

The misfortune of being a migrating tiger in India

India
Over two years ago, on November 2, 2018, tigress T1 or Avni, who was deemed a man-eater after her attacks on people near Pandharkawada-Ralegaon forests of Yavatmal district, was shot dead.
Indie Journal

चक्री वादळांना नावं का आणि कशी देतात? पुढच्या वादळांची नावं कोणती?

Quick Reads
ताऊते चक्रीवादळानंतर आता भारतीय हवामान विभागानं बंगालच्या उपसागरात अजून एक चक्रीवादळ तयार झाल्याचे संकेत दिले आहेत. साधारण २६ मे च्या दरम्यान पश्चिम बंगाल तसंच ओडिशाच्या किनारपट्टीला धडकण्याची शक्यता असणाऱ्या या चक्रीवादळाला 'यास' हे नाव देण्यात आलं आहे.
Indie Journal

As we celebrate Museum Day, India set to lose its National Museum and other historic structures

India
Three iconic buildings in Delhi of historical importance are set to be demolished for the Union Government’s Central Vista Avenue project. Last week, over 75 renowned scholars, artists, writers, curators and museum professionals from all over the world have called for an immediate halt to the project, which is set to begin amid the worst health emergency in India.
Indie Journal

As the world celebrates them, Nurses on COVID duty demand recognition not just praise

India
The World Health Organisation (WHO) commemorates May 12th, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, as the international nurses day every year. This year, the theme of the day is ‘nursing the world back to health’. Nurses have been at the forefront of the COVID crisis around the world over the past year and a half of the pandemic.
Mental health and doctors

The pandemic takes its toll on the mental health of doctors

India
Doctors treating COVID-19 patients are struggling with the feeling of helplessness, as the health system continues to crumble under the pressure of increased cases in the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.
Prathmesh Patil

Supply according to demand, yet Remdesivir remains scarce

India
Around a month after the coronavirus cases began surging in Maharashtra in the second wave, some of the essential medicines, prescribed to several patients, still remain short of supply in most parts of the state. While Remdesivis is an antiviral, Actemra is an anti-inflammatory drug.
Representational image

28 percent hospitals in Pune fail fire audit

India
Of the 218 COVID hospitals within the limits of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Pune Fire Department has issued notices to 61 hospitals regarding inadequacies in the fire safety equipment.
Indie Journal

'गेले ४ दिवस आम्हाला कच्चा माल मिळालेला नाही,' ऑक्सिजन उत्पादकांची कैफियत

India
महाराष्ट्रातल्या अनेक शहरांमध्ये सध्या ऑक्सिजन वायूच्या प्रेशराइझ्ड सिलिंडर्सची तूट आहे. अर्थात शहरांमध्ये बहुसंख्येनं रुग्ण असल्यानं शहरांमध्ये ऑक्सिजनची मागणी प्रचंड वाढली आहे, मात्र त्याचसोबत महाराष्ट्राच्या ग्रामीण भागातही ऑक्सिजन, अर्थात प्राणवायूचा पुरवठा आता तीव्र तुटवड्याच्या स्थितीत पोहोचला आहे.
Indie Journal

Remdesivir to remain scarce till April 20, officials point at production cycle, overprescription

India
The shortage of Remdesivir in Pune is going to last till at least April 20, Dinesh Khivasara, Assistant Commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) said. Pune and several other COVID hotspots in Maharashtra are facing an acute shortage of the antiviral drug administered via injections, which is widely being used to treat the hospitalised COVID patients.
Indie Journal

Why does Maharashtra have the highest number of new COVID cases?

India
On Sunday, April 4th, India registered more than 1 lakh COVID cases in the country in the highest one-day surge for the first time. Alarmingly around half of these fresh cases were found in the state of Maharashtra alone. Meanwhile, neighbours Gujarat reported 3,280, Madhya Pradesh reported 3,722 new cases, Goa reported 2,471, while Karnataka recorded 6,150 new cases, making one ask the question, why?
Shubham Patil

आंबेडकर चरित्र समितीमध्ये २३ सदस्यांपैकी फक्त एक महिला; सचिव पदावरूनही वाद

India
महाराष्ट्र शासनानं दि.३० मार्च २०२१ रोजी घोषित केलेल्या नव्या पुनर्गठीत डॉ बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर चरित्र साधने प्रकाशन समितीतली अनेक नावं ही डॉ बाबासाहेब आंबेडकरांच्या विचार साहित्य, अध्ययनाशी संबंधित व्यक्ती, अभ्यासक, लेखकांना अनभिज्ञ असल्याचं साहित्यिक, अभ्यासक, सामाजिक चळवळीतील कार्यकर्त्यांनी म्हटलं आहे. याविषयी अनेक अभ्यासक आणि कार्यकर्त्यांनी राज्य सरकारला एक खुलं पत्र लिहीलं आहे.
Prathmesh Patil (Indie Journal)

PMPML bus service to remain shut as new COVID restrictions for Pune kick in

India
As part of the new COVID restrictions in Pune from April 3rd, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) bus service will also be shut in Pune for the next seven days. While the PMPML has not yet received any request to run the buses for those in essential services, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will be asking the PMPML to run their buses on certain routes to facilitate the travel of essential workers.
Moneycontrol

घरोघरी लसीकरणासाठी मुंबई महानगरपालिकेची तयारी असतानाही केंद्रानं परवानगी नाकारली

India
बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिकेचा मुंबईत घरोघरी कोव्हीड लसीकरण करण्याचा प्रस्ताव केंद्र सरकारनं नुकताच नाकारला. देशातल्या सर्वाधिक कोव्हीड रुग्ण असलेल्या जिल्ह्यांपैकी एक असलेल्या मुंबईत दारोदारी लसीकरण का नाकारलं जात आहे, असा प्रश्न सोशल मीडियावर उपस्थित केला जात आहे.
The Indian Express (Representational Image)

Vidarbha put on heatwave alert in the next 72 hours

India
The India Meteorology Department (IMD) has signalled caution for Maharashtra’s Vidarbha, as a heatwave has been predicted in isolated pockets of the region in the next 72 hours. At the same time, north and north-central Maharashtra will also register above normal temperature.
Resolver News

Trust and access: Why nationalised banks are much more than their unfriendly image

India
While the public sector banks in India are hailed by their customers as being trustworthy to put their life savings into, they are often criticised on various platforms for their inefficient customer service. However, customer service is not that big a factor that people consider while opening their account at a bank, experts feel.
Shubham Patil

The Second Wave: Loss, trauma and experience of the Pandemic

India
While many are quick to dismiss COVID as ‘just a flu’, many people who have been through the disease with serious symptoms will tell you the difficult aftermath of the disease, weeks, sometimes even months, after recovery.
Indie Journal

महापंचायतींच्या धर्तीवर पुण्यात शेतकरी पंचायती

India
हरयाणामध्ये चालू असलेल्या महापंचायतींच्या धर्तीवर पुणे जिल्ह्यात कालपासून शेतकरी पंचायतींना सुरवात झालेली आहे. काल मौलाना अबुल कलाम आझाद पुण्यतिथीच्या निमित्तानं सुरु झालेल्या या पंचायती, १४ एप्रिल, म्हणजेच डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर जयंतीपर्यंत जिल्ह्यातील साधारण १५० गावांमध्ये भरवण्यात येणार आहेत.
Bar and Bench

Remembering PB Sawant, a rare openly pro-working class judge

India
The former Supreme Court judge PB Sawant breathed his last in Pune on Monday morning. Remembered by many fondly for his extraordinary judgments and nuanced study into the most controversial cases, Sawant has presided over some of the historic judgments and important committees in the country.
Shubham Patil

In case of emergency, shutdown the internet

Quick Reads
It's been just 42 days into 2021, and India has already imposed eight internet shutdowns this year, shows the Internet Shutdown Tracker by the Software Freedom Law Centre of India (SFLC.In).
The Indian Express

85% of Uttarakhand’s districts hotspots for extreme floods: Study

India
Over 85 percent of districts in Uttarakhand are hotspots of extreme floods and associated events, states an independent analysis released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). The report has stated that the frequency and intensity of these extreme floods in Uttarakhand have increased four-fold since 1970.
India.com

It's the development, not just climate change: Activists on Uttarakhand disaster

India
In 1974, the women of Reni village in Uttarakhand were at the forefront of the Chipko Movement, a protest initiated by people, especially women, to save forests and forest rights of locals. Over 46 years later, Reni has become the centre of the glacier burst incident which caused flash floods in Uttarakhand, putting several areas by the river on high alert.
Free Press Journal

Maharashtra to reconsider use of EVMs alone in state polls

India
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Nana Patole has asked the State Cabinet to explore the option of making paper ballots available for voting along with electronic voting machines (EVMs) in State Assembly as well as local body elections.
Indie Journal

On Republic Day, a village protests after waiting years for a gram panchayat

India
The members of Katkari tribe living by the hills on the bank of Dimbhe dam in Pune’s Ambegaon taluka have been left to fend for themselves, as they are not part of any gram panchayat in the area. Living in the homes built for them by the district administration around 10 years ago, their houses or their lands have not even been registered on their names, in the absence of a gram panchayat to accept them.
Indie Journal

Transwoman first wins court battle, then the electoral one

India
After fighting and winning the battle to execute her right to contest an election as a woman, Anjali Patil of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has won the local body election in Bhadli Budruk village of Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. A transwoman, Patil’s candidacy was questioned and rejected, as she had applied from the category reserved for women.
Aaj Tak

Clouds of doubt still looming, India's COVID vaccination drive begins

India
As India begins the world’s largest vaccination drive across the country on Saturday, the doubts and differences around the use of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin also continue to echo as India’s frontline workers get vaccinated in the first phase.
Magicpin

Even as Delhi 'chickens out', Mah govt backs poultry

India
A statement issued by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh on Wednesday said, “It is completely safe to eat eggs and poultry meat, if the eggs and poultry meat are cooked for 30 minutes at a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius.”
Shubham Patil

An atrocity a day in Maharashtra

India
In the first seven days of 2021, Maharashtra police have recorded a total of 11 cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act, 1989.
The Siasat Daily

Konkani Academy in Delhi, political but welcome: experts

India
A year ahead of the Goa Assembly polls scheduled to be held in 2022, the Delhi Cabinet, on Friday, approved the setting up of Konkani Academy in Delhi, reportedly for the promotion of Konkani language and culture.
Indie Journal

The year that was 2020: How lives of India's minorities changed

Quick Reads
The recently released 'South Asia State of Minorities Report 2020' stated that India has become a dangerous and violent place for Muslim minorities since the CAA was passed last year. Right from the beginning of this year, the lives of minorities in India have seen a shift, right from the Constitutional amendments and laws, Supreme Court decisions, to fake news and targeted police brutality and communal violence.
Artistic derivation of Reuters image

New COVID strain not a mutation, doctors clarify

India
The new strain of Coronavirus discovered in the UK is highly contagious, however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that it is not yet out of control. However, doctors and experts have cautioned that while there is no need to be scared, the government should not repeat the mistakes it made at the beginning of the year, and begin testing and tracing soon.
The Indian Express

Why are doctors protesting in India?

India
On December 11, thousands of doctors from across the country went on a day-long strike to register dissent against the Government of India’s new rules allowing Ayurvedic doctors to practice minor surgical procedures.
Indie Journal

“My conscience did not allow me to accept the award.”

India
Dr Varinderpal Singh, Principal Soil Scientist, Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has returned the prestigious ‘FAI Golden Jubilee Award for Excellence’ by the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI).
Hindy.in

Mah govt. announce 5k aid for sex workers; Organisations welcome move, ask for more inclusion

India
The Maharashtra Government, on Thursday, announced that registered sex workers in the state will be provided financial aid of Rs 5,000 per month during the pandemic. While the sex workers and their community-based organisations (CBOs) have welcomed the aid, they have also expressed concern that the CBOs are not part of the committees constituted to implement the scheme.
Shubham Patil

Quoting hatred: Love Jihad and where political parties stand on the issue

India
Last month, after an advertisement by Tanishq jewellery brand, that celebrated interfaith marriage, where a Muslim family was shown to organise a baby shower ceremony for its Hindu daughter-in-law, received an unexpected backlash. People trolled the advertisement calling it a promotion of love jihad. Since then, the term has been receiving even more political attention.
Government of India

EAC to meet twice a month, experts call it a farce

India
In a recent order, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has proposed streamlining of the Environmental Clearances (EC) process in order to avoid the reasons which could apparently delay the clearance process. Several environmentalists have criticised it as a 'farce' by the Ministry in the name of streamlining.
Jean van der Meulen/pexels

Diwali superstitions are endangering owls in the Indian subcontinent

India
Every year, the festival of Diwali becomes a period of concern for owls in India, especially in North India. In India and some surrounding countries, owls are known to be sacrificed under the superstitious belief that the sacrifice will earn them wealth.
Shubham Patil

Students on the streets, go beyond marksheets

India
While the trend of criticising students for protesting has been seen on social media in the past few years, strong student unions and protests have been an important element of the identity of India’s campuses.
Indie Journal

Election tourism is the latest fertile ground for political enthusiasts

India
Amidst loud promises by different political parties, alliances and the looming threat of a possible second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, Bihar Assembly Election is a phenomenon to behold this year. Not just the Bihari public, but the election campaigns and voting have attracted the attention of several socio-political enthusiasts and social activists from across the country.
Indie Journal

The in'disposable' problem of the pandemic

India
Despite a battle against plastic waste, non-biodegradable disposable waste is still a huge part of the country’s garbage. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to this, with plastic and other disposable items, especially pertaining to food and medical material, becoming a crucial part of the day-to-day garbage.
Indie Journal

Anganwadi workers continue protests for recognition as government employees

India
The Anganwadi Karmachari Sanghatana (Maharashtra), in association with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and Akhil Bharatiya Anganwadi Sevika, Madatnis Federation, had organised a nationwide protest today, on October 1. The protest was timed a day before the 45th anniversary of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) on October 2.
Indie Journal

Researchers call for systemic survey of Dhamapur lake area for conservation

India
To promote conservation activity and sustainable tourism in the area around Dhamapur lake in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, experts have called for a systematic study of the biodiversity of the region. Nestled amidst the Western Ghats and rich biodiversity, several areas in the district still remain unexplored and vulnerable to the threats of mining and unplanned developmental and tourist activities.
Indie Journal

Locals oppose to Chattisgarh coal block in already over-mined Mand Raigarh

India
While the commercial coal mine auction for 41 blocks across the country has raised several controversies, Manthan Adhyayan Kendra has released a report demanding the government to stop the auction of the proposed coal blocks in Chhattisgarh’s already over-exploited Mand Raigarh Coalfield.
Indie Journal

Pune Bird Atlas: A people’s project to map the city’s bird diversity

India
Several environmentalists and bird watchers in Pune have come together this year, for the first time, to understand the distribution and abundances of birds in the city. Pune Bird Atlas, as the project is called, is the first of its kind project in Maharashtra that aims to understand the biodiversity in the city.
इंडी जर्नल

मुदत संपत आलेल्या सुगंधी दुधाचं आदिवासी आश्रम शाळा विद्यार्थ्यांना वाटप

India
घोडेगाव येथील एकात्मिक आदिवासी विकास प्रकल्प (आयटीडीपी) कार्यालयांतर्गत शासकीय आश्रमशाळांच्या विद्यार्थ्यांना देण्यात आलेल्या सुगंधी दुधाच्या पाकिटांची मुदत संपण्यापासून दोन दिवसच कमी असल्याचे आढळून आल्यानंतर स्थानिकांनी व आदिवासी संघटनांनी त्वरित चौकशी करण्याची मागणी केली आहे. तसे पत्र त्यांनी विभागीय कार्यालय व आदिवासी मंत्री के.सी.पडवी यांना पाठवले आहे.
Indie Journal

In times of flood and disaster, Kolhapur's wireless man comes to the rescue

India
Since 1988, Kolhapur’s Nitin Ainapure has been working in radio communications after he got licensed for the same. While he is a licensed Ham Radio Operator and also deals in supplying equipment for the marine band (wireless network for fishermen), he also works with government administration before, during and after disasters, to conduct operations using wireless communication.
Indie Journal

A year from the abrogation of article 370, a collective report breaks the silence on Kashmir

India
One year later, when people in Kashmir still face restricted access to internet and movement, Kashmir Reading Room (KRR), a collective of working professionals, has released a report ‘(Dis)Integration at Gunpoint’. On the eve of the day that changed the identity of Jammu and Kashmir, the report was launched by South Asia Solidarity Group in London.
asumed.com

Breast-feeding their children while being COVID-19 positive

India
While getting infected with COVID-19 or coming in contact with the patients is stressful for everyone, it is even more so worrying for new mothers as being close to their babies and breastfeeding become challenging tasks.
डेक्कन क्रॉनिकल

एक्सक्लुझिव्ह मुलाखत: केरळनं लॉकडाऊनमध्येही यशस्वीरीत्या शालेय शिक्षण सुरु कसं ठेवलं, सांगत आहेत केरळचे शिक्षणमंत्री

India
कोरोनाच्या प्रार्दुभावातही डिजीटल क्लासरूम्सच्या माध्यमातून शेवटच्या विद्यार्थ्यापर्यंत शैक्षणिक सुविधा पोहचण्यात केरळ राज्य यशस्वी ठरलंय. डिजीटल लर्निंगच्या मर्यादा लक्षात घेऊन इंटरनेट सुविधांबरोबरच टेलिव्हिजनचाही प्रभावी वापर केला गेला. या पार्श्वभूमीवर केरळचे शिक्षणमंत्री प्रोफेसर सी. रवींद्रनाथ यांनी कोरोना आणि टाळेबंदीच्या काळात डिजिटल डिव्हाईडवर मात करून सगळ्या विद्यार्थ्यांपर्यंत पोहचण्यात केरळला आलेलं यश, याबाबत इंडी जर्नलशी खास बातचीत केली.
Appealing india

Goa’s tourism stakeholders demand conservation of protected forests, promotion of ecotourism in the hinterland

India
In a letter addressed to the Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State as Ministry of Tourism and Minister of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel, officials from the Goa State Government and the National Board for Wildlife appealing to revoke the forest clearances approved for Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in South Goa.
Google Maps

Maharashtra creates 29 sq.km safe corridor for tigers, elephants as Tillari Conservation Region

India
A total of 10 villages in the proposed area Bambarde, Ghatiwade, Kendre Bank, Kendre Khadi, Patiye, Shirange, Konal, Ainode, Hewale and Medhe have been deemed under the Tillari CR by the State Government. This is known to be the only corridor for the movement of large mammals in the area, without which, the northern Western Ghats could be completely inaccessible to these animals.
National Herald

Exclusive: Proposed Arunachal Dibang Valley 'mega dam' has 'no economic viability,' says researcher duo

India
The proposed mega-dam project in Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, which would require clearing of over 2.7 lakh trees, is not economically and financially viable, said, Shripad Dharmadhikary of Manthan Adhyayan Kendra and Ashwini Chitnis, independent researcher and policy analyst, submitting a report to the Ministry of Power (MoP), recommending not to go ahead with this project.
Delhi Air Pollution

India's cities breathe better as air cleans up post coronavirus lockdown

India
The capital city of India, New Delhi, which consistently falls in the ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’ categories of Air Quality Index (AQI) of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), has finally climbed up to the ‘Moderate’ category as of March 20.
HW News

Protest like a girl!

India
The world is celebrating International Women’s Day today. On March 8, 1917, women in Soviet Russia gained the right to vote. However, women at large have been known to have remained away from politics, for a long time. As women across India, inspired by Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh gathered in their own cities and towns in solidarity, they have certainly proven otherwise.
MITCOVER

Only VC approved research papers, articles to be sent for publishing: MIT-WPU

India
A circular issued by the MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) has raised eyebrows as it has asked the staff members to ensure that the content of the research papers/articles that they are publishing 'does not sound being against the Government or any statutory organisation.'
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Solapur's 'Shaheen Bag' gets an unusual letter of support, from the Hindu Mahasabha!

India
While the ongoing politics surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) of India clearly seeks to tell the ‘Right’ from the ‘Left’ in the country, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM), Solapur District has extended support to the anti-CAA/NRC protest by the Solapur women at the city's Poonam Gate.