How Not to Measure Poverty

SEVERAL international organisations are now engaged in the business of measuring what they call “poverty”. The World Bank has been in it for some time, but now we have a new measure of “Multidimensional Poverty” brought out by the UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Neither of these measures however actually measures poverty; they typically end up “prettifying” neo-liberal capitalism.

Why the Results of Haryana Assembly Elections are Unexpected?

CERTAINLY, the results of Haryana assembly elections have been unexpected. Political workers, experts, election analysts, opinion polls, exit poll agencies etc all predicted that there is widespread public discontent (anti-incumbency) against the BJP which has been in power for 10 years and it is going to lose the elections. On the other hand, Congress, being the main opposition party, is in a position of advantage and is going to win the elections with a huge majority.All these predictions were not baseless but had a solid basis.

Gujarat: Tribute to Comrade Sitaram Yechury - A Condolence Meeting in Ahmedabad

A CONDOLENCE meeting for Comrade Sitaram Yechury was held at the Maharashtra Samaj Hall in Ahmedabad on October 2, 2024. Leaders from the Congress Party, CPI, New Socialist Party, and various trade unions attended the gathering. Those unable to attend, sent their condolences including messages from Suresh Mehta, former chief minister of Gujarat, and Professor Hemant Kumar Shah, an economist.

TN: CITU Victory in the Struggle for Collective Bargaining Rights

THE determined struggle of young workers at Samsung India in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, has caught the nation's attention. The right to form a union is a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution. It is not something to be begged from anyone.

Climate Politics and Class

THE climate crisis that the humanity faces has been addressed by bourgeoisie theorists as a non-class issue to be resolved either by restraining consumption or by internalising climate costs in prices that disfavours polluters. The presumption for such theories is that individual consumption patterns involve increasing use of energy and particularly fossil fuel and to restrict carbon emissions climate action calls for restricting consumption.Tax on polluters and subsidizing green goods alters the price signals in the market and facilitates ecologically sustainable consumption habits.

TMC Ruins the Health Sector in Bengal

DR Subarna Goswami, additional general secretary of the All India Federation of Government Doctors' Associations (AIFGDA), stated that the death of a young trainee doctor is closely tied to corruption in the state’s health system. The tragic incident at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal was reported on August 9, 2024. This has led to a wave of protests in the state and across the country, waking up the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

A View of Wayanad

THE little girl has a smile that would light up the darkest space. Stretching out her little hands, she greets us, three strangers, P K Sreemathi, C S Sujatha and myself as though she knows us. We are here in Meppady to meet affected families of the Wayanad tragedy. Even two months later, so deep is the trauma that none of the survivors we meet speak about the horror of that night on July 30th, or how they survived.

Peace and Harmony March in Shimla

ON September 27, in a significant display of solidarity, hundreds of citizens gathered in Shimla to participate in a Peace and Harmony March, organised under the banners of numerous democratic and progressive organisations. This march aimed to promote peace and communal harmony in the state, especially in light of recent tensions.

France Raises Aero-Engine Stakes: Game-Changer?

IN the past few weeks, during exchange visits to India and France by security officials, France has seriously upped the ante on its competitors regarding provision of advanced defence hardware and, more importantly, technology transfer to India.

TN: Chaos as Police Dismantle Protest Tent and Threaten Workers at Their Homes

AS Samsung workers continue their determined struggle for their rights, the Tamil Nadu police have stepped in to disrupt and suppress the protest.On the 31st day (October 9) of the ongoing protest, as Samsung workers had announced they would continue their demonstration, the police took action to prevent them from reaching the protest site. They went to workers' homes – specifically threatening women in the workers' families – and overnight, dismantled the protest tent.Despite the police intimidation, workers held their protest in the pouring rain.

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