India Together : PUNJAB

AAP IN PUNJAB

Why Punjab still holds aloft the flag of 'new politics'

AAP IN PUNJAB : Why Punjab still holds aloft the flag of 'new politics'

While the entire country appeared unimpressed by the Aam Aadmi Party and its promises, Punjab not only sent four of its candidates to the Lok Sabha, but also overcame the rural-urban divide in its mandate for the party. Srinivasan Ramani explores why.

#Elections #Government

Jun 2014

AGRICULTURE IN PUNJAB

Scars of the Green Revolution

AGRICULTURE IN PUNJAB : Scars of the Green Revolution

Sick soils, declining yields, growing debts and rising malnutrition stalk the Punjab farmer, as the practices of the boom years catch up with him, writes Bhaskar Goswami.

#Agriculture Policy #Agriculture

Feb 2011

AGRICULTURE

Natural farmers of Punjab

AGRICULTURE : Natural farmers of Punjab

During the last four to five years, the soil in several parts of Punjab has been regenerated and rejuvenated. Natural farmers are convinced it is working. The movement is led by experienced farmers who believe in Guru Nanak's tenet of Sarbat da bhala (well being of all). Umendra Dutt writes about the transformative work hundreds of farmers are doing.

#Agriculture

Nov 2007

HEALTH

Sorrow and distress, thy home is Jajjal

HEALTH : Sorrow and distress, thy home is Jajjal

The elections in Punjab have unseated the Congress and ushered in the Akali-BJP. But will this change the fortunes of hundreds of cancer-impacted families in the Malwa region? Village after village is plagued by pesticide-linked cancer and rising debt. Umendra Dutt writes about Jajjal, one of them.

#Environmental Hazards #Health

Feb 2007

FOETICIDE IN PUNJAB

Babies in the well

FOETICIDE IN PUNJAB : Babies in the well

In the vicinity of a private hospital in Patiala district, a 30-ft-deep well yielded 50 dead foetuses, all female. The location of the well near the clinic was not accidental. For, clearly, despite the PNDT Act, the aborting of female foetuses continues virtually unchecked. The 'unacceptable crime' is still flourishing, writes Kalpana Sharma.

#Gender Violence #Kalpana Sharma #OP-ED #Kalpana's Commentary

Sep 2006

PUNJAB DIARY

Farmers persist with organic, see results

PUNJAB DIARY : Farmers persist with organic, see results

For a number of reasons including frustration with chemical agriculture, improved economic prospects and concern for nature, some farmers in Punjab are growing organic. Kavitha Kuruganti travelled around parts of the state to meet a number of farmers and dealers of organic products last month.

#Organic #Agriculture

Oct 2005

Poison in their veins

: Poison in their veins

Researchers at the New Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment have found alarmingly high levels of pesticides in blood samples of villagers in Punjab, the showpiece state of India's green revolution. India needs to urgently take a tough look at the indiscriminate and careless use of pesticides, writes Ramesh Menon.

#Environmental Hazards #Agriculture

Jun 2005

Was the Bhakra dam worth it?

: Was the Bhakra dam worth it?

Three years of painstaking research has shattered many a myth around the most revered hydropower project in the country. A mere 20 per cent of all cultivable area in Punjab is under the dam's command area. Sudhirendar Sharma reviews the recently released Unravelling Bhakra : Assessing the Temple of Resurgent India.

#Water #Agriculture #HARYANA

May 2005

The slow poisoning of Punjab

: The slow poisoning of Punjab

Damaged soil, ill-effects from pesticides, and falling water tables are the legacy of practices that were once thought great for the state. Ramesh Menon reports.

#Agriculture #Health

Feb 2004

Rooted in paddy

: Rooted in paddy

Can rice farmers make do with less water than they've always thought their crop has needed? Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma reports on a promising innovation.

#Water #Agriculture

Nov 2003

Stopping virtual water trade

: Stopping virtual water trade

Punjab needs water, and that means some of the water-guzzling crops must go. But questions of food security and corporatized agriculture confront the state's proposed shift, says Sudhirendar Sharma.

#Water #Environment

Sep 2003

Unsafe custody in Punjab's prisons

: Unsafe custody in Punjab's prisons

An INASAF investigation finds the state grossly indifferent to the health, medical needs, and humane treatment of its prisoners, some of whom haven't even received trials.

#Human Rights

Jul 2003

Save the vultures

: Save the vultures

Rahul Bedi says declining vulture numbers have triggered serious public health problems.

#Environment #Health

Jun 2003

Missing justice

: Missing justice

The National Human Rights Commission should investigate Punjab's forced disappearance, says Human Rights Watch

#Human Rights

Jun 2003