Ajinkya Sanjay Khandizod Introduction The political landscape in Maharashtra has been characterized by ongoing turmoil, with each passing day bringing new episodes of drama. In the midst of this chaotic environment, the regional party Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has a chance to find a silver lining. Founded in 2019, just ahead of the General Elections, …
The Buddha Vihara as a centre of knowledge: Community libraries in slums
Sumit Jambhulkar “The cultivation of the mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence”, remarked the father of the Constitution of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The community library can be a place of liberation, where a students come and cultivate his mind as well as enhance his intellectual knowledge and develop his personality. Community …
Reading Kanthapura: The Curious Case of the Cat’s Asceticism
Ankit Ramteke Raja Rao wrote Kanthapura in the 1930s when he was a twenty-one-year-old, living “in a 13th-century old castle in the French Alps belonging to the Dauphins of France” (Naik 60). It was first published in 1938, and since then, starting from E.M. Forster’s famous remark — that it was one of the finest …
Inequality exists because freedom was denied far longer than it was ever afforded: US SC Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Pranav Jeevan P The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has deemed Affirmative Action AA) programs in Harvard and University of North Carolina which regard race as a factor for admissions to be unconstitutional. Affirmative action is a policy initiative in which a person’s nationality, sex, religion, race, and caste are considered by an …
Ambedkar’s Call for Individual Agency
Dr. Aniruddha Babar From Blind Idolization to Active Engagement: Ambedkar’s Call for Individual Agency In Democracy’s realm, Ambedkar’s voice resounds, Hero-worship challenged, new paths it bounds. Critical eyes unveil leaders’ true intent, Empowering minds, societal dissent. Injustice crumbles, equality takes flight, Individual agency, shining bright. Ambedkar’s teachings guide the way we tread, A Hero within, …
Social Democracy is a very distant goal in India
Prashant Randive India is one of the world’s largest democracies, with a constitution that enshrines democratic ideals and a political system that is meant to reflect them. However, despite the country’s many democratic achievements, there remain significant challenges and contradictions that continue to affect Indian society and politics. One of the most important figures in …
Beauty Bias: Confronting Prejudices based on Skin Tone
Kavita Janbandhu The concept of beauty is a social construct. It is founded on societally accepted ideas that have become ingrained in our systems and psyches and are accepted as the norm. These ideals of beauty gradually become imprinted in our minds on a micro level, influencing how we act. There is a two-way link …
The Quest for Inclusive Development: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Vision in the 6th Schedule
Dr. Aniruddha Babar The 6th Schedule embodies Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s profound vision of empowering tribal communities and promoting social justice. It is a testament to his commitment to ensuring the autonomy and dignity of marginalized regions, fostering inclusive development, and upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the …
From Scarcity to Sufficiency: A Story of Transformation of Water Resources
Kiran Shrirang Shinde Hello! My name is Kiran Shinde. This story began during my fieldwork (rural practicum) in Chitori Khurd, a small village in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. During that time, our team worked on collectivising, capacity development, and livelihood promotion among the Saharia Community (PVTG- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups). In the village, …