While the railways face the threat of being divided into production, regulation and operation, the power sector faces a similar challenge of being trifurcated into generation, transmission and distribution.THE joint convention of electricity and railway employees, officers and contract workers, held in Thiruvananthapuram, has resolved to hold extensive programmes against the threats of privatisation of the two key public sector organisations.

IN order to take the message of the Left and democratic forces of Tamil Nadu to the people of the southern-most districts in the state, the fifth edition of Theekkathir was launched from Tirunelveli (Nellai) on September 22. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat inaugurated the edition.

THE crisis in education has been mounting since the lockdown announced to contain the Covid-19 epidemic. All institutions, offices and organisations including all educational institutions were closed down. In the field of education, online teaching and learning was introduced during the lockdown period, which was accessed largely by the urban rich students; students belonging to poor families, particularly in rural areas could not avail of this option due to unaffordability and inaccessibility.

THE killing of a mentally challenged Muslim youth in North-East Delhi's Sundar Nagari over alleged consuming of prasad from a Ganesh Chaturthi pandal has shocked everyone and drawn widespread condemnation. The CPI(M) Delhi state committee, in a letter sent to the commissioner of police on September 28, demanded immediate strong action against all those involved in this hate crime against a disabled person. The role of certain extremist groups in spreading religious hatred in the area also needs to be looked into.

THE Telangana Peasants Armed Struggle anniversary was successfully observed throughout the state from September 10 to 17. Rallies were organised from martyrs' stupas in some districts.