THE All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), in a statement issued on August 19, has expressed grave concern over the widespread devastation caused by fresh spate of heavy rains and cloud bursts in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. Unprecedented extent of damage to lives, homes, properties and basic infrastructure has rendered the life of the people totally paralysed. AIKS deeply shares the people's agony and tremendous hardships caused due to recent rains even before the suffering people could have recovered from the first round of the monsoon fury.

THE cruel death due to the ragging of a first-year fresher in Jadavpur University (JU) Main hostel has sent shock waves in the university and across the state. Swapnadeep Kundu, who hails from Bagula, Nadia, came to the university just three days before he “fell” from the third floor of his hostel building on the night of August 9 and breathed his last around 4.30 am the next day. The horrific incident sparked a furore, with many terming it a clear case of ragging and murder. The police are investigating the death.

From August 9-11, 2023, an AIDWA team comprising patron Brinda Karat, president P K Sreemathi, and general secretary Mariam Dhawale visited the strife-torn state of Manipur. This report is based on that visit.WE could understand the utter grimness of the situation in Manipur only after visiting the state and interacting with the people there, especially women. The pristine beauty of the hills and forests, the clouds resting on the hill tops, the lush greenery around – but today none of this evokes feelings of happiness and joy.

Tejashwi Yadav agreed to raise honorarium to Rs 2,500 per month and send ‘government employee status’ demand recommendation to centre, say union leaders.ABOUT one lakh ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and ASHA facilitators, who had been on strike since July 12, that is more than a month, announced an end to their indefinite strike on August 13, after reaching an agreement during talks with health minister Tejashwi Yadav on their nine-point demand charter.

AUGUST 24, 2023 will see a historic event in India. For the first time ever, the huge Talkatora Stadium in the nation’s capital Delhi will be witness to a joint convention of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Central Trade Unions (CTUs). These two platforms today represent the broadest sections of the peasantry and the working class of India.Over 5,000 delegates representing several organisations of workers, peasants, and agricultural workers will join this convention. Here, the importance of worker-peasant unity will be stressed.