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...

Mitali Patel reports on the efforts of Awaaz, which is campaigning against noise pollution

If the police in Mumbai respond to complaints about music blaring after 10pm during traditionally noisy festivals, then all thanks are mainly due to one feisty woman -- Sumaira Abdulali. It has not been an easy task though. For the past few years, Sumaira, along with a bunch of concerned individuals,...