Sarasvati Theories & the Constraints of Geography

SARASVATI river has for some years been at the centre of attention of government departments and organisations concerned with culture, archaeology and history. Its lower reaches were seen to lie, under the Gulf of Cambay by the minister of human resources development, and its sources were placed high in the Himalayas by the minister of culture of the NDA government in a formal statement.

‘Clean India’: Is the Modi Govt Serious?

‘CLEAN India’, this is one of the slogans given by Prime Minister Modi in his much acclaimed speech on Independence Day. Modi announced that by 2019 all habitations will have safe drinking water and each school will have a toilet and all villages will have latrines for women. The basic infrastructure of 500 small towns will be upgraded. While the repeated announcement of a sanitation drive is always welcome, the launching of a total sanitation and Clean India Campaign is not unique to ‘Modi’s vision’.

CITU Gen Sec Writes to Petroleum Minister on ONGC Complaint of theft of natural gas by RIL

The following is the letter written by Tapan Sen, CITU general secretary and MP to Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas on August 20, 2014

Ebola Epidemic Exposes the Pathology of the Capitalist System

ON August 8, the World Health Organisation declared the West African Ebola outbreak a 'public health emergency of international concern'. The declaration came four months after the WHO reported a major Ebola outbreak in Guinea in Western Africa. Researchers traced the outbreak to a two-year old child who died on December 6, 2013. The epidemic, which broke in Guinea and spread to 3 of its neighbours – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria – is known to have already affected 2,240 people and killed 1,229.

Eliminating the Planning Commission

NARENDRA Modi has not only announced the end of the Planning Commission, but, in the style of the Aam Aadmi Party, has decided to consult the people on what should replace it.

"Hindutva" Militates Against Secularism

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on August 18.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its strong opposition to the various statements being made by the RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat on `Hindutva’ which militates against the secular concept of Indian citizenship. Hindutva is a majoritarian concept which is part of the narrow and divisive agenda of the RSS.

On Winding-up Planning Commission

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement August 19, 2014

PRIME Minister Modi has announced that the Planning Commission would be wound up. This step has been publicly taken a day after the parliament session ended, without any discussion in parliament or consultation with political parties or other concerned entities. This decision is in line with the prevailing neo-liberal view that there is no need even for a semblance of planning in a market oriented economy.

Heights of Brutality: Murder after Gang-Rape in Kanthi Shocks West Bengal

THE horrific incident of gang-rape and murder of a CPI(M) member in Kanthi has shaken the conscience of West Bengal. Thousands came into streets protesting the heinous crime, perpetrated by Trinamool activists in Sunia village of Kanthi in East Midnapore.

Prime Minister’s Independence Day Speech: Talking & Walking in Opposite Directions

INDIA’S new prime minister Narendra Modi’s maiden speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of our Independence Day evoked appreciation from the traditional drumbeaters of the RSS/BJP and a widespread adulation from the growing tribe of `fresh converts’ – including some erstwhile pretentious secular liberals – who seem to be bending over backwards to earn brownie points in the race for some official patronage or appointments to share the spoils of office.

Continuing Assault on Scientific Temper

Akin to a seed cast on the Earth, a word planted in the heart will bear fruit someday. – From A Word Planted in The Heart, Devanur MahadevaTHE high economic growth seeking polity in India today is highly submissive and cooperative towards casteist, communal, obscurantist and occult traditions. This is reflected yet again in the recent incidents of malicious attacks on a science activist and an academic in Karnataka.

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