What in your phone is making you laugh? It’s a meme: A thief entered my room last night. He was looking for money. I joined him in the search. Lovely one. An accurate, mischievous description of today. On the train, a person was calling out loudly: From tomorrow, all over India, everyone’s salary will be…
Read moreLiving with Floods-How to solve Assam’s Flood problem
Floods in Assam have almost become like an absolute reality. Every year, without fail, hundreds of villages are submerged, many lives (both human and animal) are lost. This year alone, about 14 lakh people have been affected; about half of whom are in relief camps, while about 80 people have lost their lives till yet….
Read moreTHINGS I LEARNED RUNNING MY FIRST MARATHON
About 3 months ago, I was not a runner and could not even run a kilometer without panting. From that to successfully completing my first half marathon and writing about it has been a journey. I was an occasional crossfitter, though. But it also stopped because the gym where I worked out, closed down. But…
Read moreTRADE UNIONS AND ELECTORAL POLITICS
I work with South Asian Trade Unions. Interesting as it is, it throws up quite a number of challenges. Of many, Trade Unionists being involved in electoral politics, is one of the very important challenges. I personally do not mind Trade Unions or Unionist having a political ideology or for that matter even participating in…
Read moreMay Day-March Forward and Continue the struggle
With the consistent growth of Neo-liberal mode of development, attacks against workers is on the rise across the world. Workers are being jailed in countries like Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Turkey and many others for standing up for the rights of fellow comrades. In India, there has been a systematic attack on workers’ rights, done through codification…
Read moreDr. Ranoj Pegu’s decision to join BJP will not help the Mising Autonomy Movement
Recently, the Chief of Mising Autonomous Council Dr. Ranoj Pegu joined the BJP in Assam. Dr. Pegu has till yet been spearheading the campaign of the Mising Community for protection under the sixth schedule. His decision, to me not only highlights an ideological vaccum but also dare I say, an obsessive quest for personal political…
Read morePoverty Porn and Development Communication
At the recently concluded Rusty Radiator Award given to the fundraising videos, which uses the worst kind of stereotypes, the Compassion International’s ‘The wait is over’ was a clear winner. The jury while giving the award highlighted that the video promotes deep-rooted perceptions of Western superiority over the South. It reinforces the white savior complex,…
Read moreTHE QUESTION OF TRADE UNION LEADERSHIP IN INDIA
How is it that almost all the leaders of the organized trade union movement in India belong to privileged classes. Interestingly the same lot also belong to the ‘higher castes’ in India.Is it a mere coincidence? or is it by design? Many would say, that is just a coincidence. While those who consider themselves a…
Read moreRohith Vemula, A dalit scholar commits suicide to get his voice heard
Rohith Vemula, a PhD scholar in Hyderabad University committed suicide on Sunday Evening. He was one of the 5 dalit scholars whom the university had asked to vacate their hostel rooms. Vemula was increasinly active politically and was known for speaking out on various issues. He left behind a suicide note…!!! Good Morning, I would…
Read moreYOUNG WORKERS AND TRADE UNIONS
In one of the many workshops I attended as a resource person, my colleague and friend, who was also there to speak to young trade unionists in Nepal, highlighted that “Those not a part of trade union movement yet are the future of the trade union movement” Of course, like expected it did lead to…
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