Vinita Deshmukh profiles Connecting, which helps in prevention of suicide

When a close family member committed suicide, Arnavaz Damania decided to provide a lifeline for youngsters in distress. The renowned hockey player and former president of the Indian Hockey Federation set up Connecting at Pune in 2005, to reach out to those in such distress that death seems the only option. Connecting...

The Forest Rights Act will push forest-dwellers into impoverishment. Mitali Patel reports Vanashakti’s  fight against it

Union tribal affairs minister, PR Kyndiah, announced that the Forest Rights Act, which was notified on 1st January, will be a ‘New Year gift’ to the nation. He also said, “The new document will encompass all matters including guidelines for land acquisition for SEZs in...

Dr Nita Mukherjee looks at a unique meeting point for music aficionados

Nearly four decades ago, when I first met Leeladevi Somani, she was a young mother trying to inculcate in her children - and her extended family in Mumbai - an appreciation of the lyricism and aesthetics of the traditional folk music of Rajasthan. At that time, she would create special songs for various festivities and...