Healthcare efforts fighting the COVID-19 crisis in rural India

The article explores the challenges faced by rural healthcare systems in India during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the efforts of healthcare workers and facilities like the Jan Swasthya Sahyog hospital in Chhattisgarh. It highlights the dedication of doctors who left prestigious careers to serve in low-resource settings, emphasizing the critical role of such institutions in managing the crisis in rural areas.

India: Mother, school principal arrested over anti-CAA play

In Bidar, India, a mother and a school principal were arrested for sedition after a play critical of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was performed at a school. The arrests have sparked criticism and debate over the misuse of sedition laws, with Amnesty India calling for the charges to be dropped. The CAA, seen as discriminatory against Muslims, has led to widespread protests. The play, part of a school event, was seen as a form of dissent against the CAA and related government policies. The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of dissent and freedom of expression in India.

Drought, suicide and India’s water train

The Marathwada region in Maharashtra, India, is experiencing its worst drought in decades, with significant implications for local farmers. The region, which is a considerable distance from Mumbai, has seen insufficient rainfall for three consecutive years, with 2015 rainfall at just 49 percent of normal levels. The drought has severely affected farmers who primarily grow water-intensive crops like sugarcane and cotton, leading to reduced yields and financial distress. The situation has prompted mass migration from villages, with a high number of farmer suicides reported. The government is responding by providing water via special trains to the hardest-hit areas.

Rohith Vemula, Dalit scholar hanged himself in protest

Rohith Chakravarathi Vemula, a Dalit research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, committed suicide on January 17, 2016, following a suspension from the university. He and four other Dalit students, part of the Ambedkar Students Association, were barred from hostels and common areas, leading them to start a hunger strike at a camp named Velivada. The caste system in India places Dalits at the lowest hierarchy, subjecting them to discrimination. The suspension and subsequent suicide were amidst allegations of assault against an opposing student group leader, which led to an inquiry. The decision to suspend the students is alleged to have been influenced by letters from union ministers branding them as 'anti-national' and 'casteist'. Rohith's death sparked protests and highlighted the issue of caste discrimination on campus.

Palestinians Will Pay for Saving Israeli Democracy

The article discusses the recent developments in Israeli politics and the implications for Palestinians. It argues that while Palestinians played a role in saving Israeli democracy by participating in the electoral process and coalition-building, they are unlikely to reap any benefits from this. The authors suggest that the Biden Administration, despite its intentions, has limited ability to influence the situation in favor of the Palestinians. The article analyzes the complex political dynamics between Israel, the Palestinians, and the United States, and expresses skepticism about the prospects for significant progress in the peace process or in improving the conditions for Palestinians.

What Happens When a State Is Run by Movie Stars?

The article discusses the intense political climate in Tamil Nadu, India, focusing on the devotion of followers to Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the former chief minister and general secretary of the A.I.A.D.M.K. party, who was recently imprisoned on corruption charges. Despite the charges and her imprisonment, her supporters showed extreme reactions, including self-harm and suicide. The article also touches on the rivalry between Jayalalithaa and Muthuvel Karunanidhi of the D.M.K. party, highlighting the dramatic and personal nature of Tamil Nadu's politics, which is heavily influenced by the region's film industry and the cult of personality surrounding its leaders.