The Silai Schools have raised the self-esteem of women within their own family and in the community. Many women who did not have any say in their family are today key decision makers. Sulochana Nagar of Devatiya village of Raisen District, MP, runs a Silai Centre earning Rs.4,000 a month, and also works as an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist). Sulochana says, “Earlier I had to ask my husband for money and he would scold me. Now I earn my own money and spend it. I am not dependent on anyone.” … [Read more...] about Progressing, stitch by stitch
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Why women farmers cannot be left out of the protests against the new farm laws
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, which removes cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onions and potatoes from the list of essential commodities, also removes the limit on stocks and storage of these commodities. This too opens the gates for large businesses to enter, raising another concern for small farmers and increasing their worry about tackling hunger and malnutrition. “If farm produce is purchased by the corporates, how will the government provide rations to those below the poverty line? Everyone has understood this,” says Rajinder Kaur, 42, a Dalit landless agriculture wage worker from Gurditpura village in Patiala district. … [Read more...] about Why women farmers cannot be left out of the protests against the new farm laws
BSF detects another tunnel along Indo-Pakistan border in J&K’s Hirananagar, two in 10 days
The statement further said that in June 2020 the BSF had shot down a Pakistani Hexacopter in the same area carrying load of weapons and ammunition. The BSF troops had also foiled an infiltration bid in the same area in November 2019 wherein BSF troops had fired upon the party trying to infiltrate into India. … [Read more...] about BSF detects another tunnel along Indo-Pakistan border in J&K’s Hirananagar, two in 10 days
Kerala bird flu outbreak | Flu among the feathers
The State government’s compensation plan for the owners of dead/culled birds due to the bird flu has been slammed by poultry farmers as being inadequate. The government has announced a compensation of ₹200 for a bird older than two months and ₹100 for those less than two months old. Besides, ₹5 will be given for each egg destroyed. “The government had given the same amount as compensation during the previous bird flu outbreaks. The prices of ducklings, feed and labour cost have increased in recent years and the government should have considered that while fixing the compensation. I have taken loans from money lenders at exorbitant rates and my family is staring at a debt trap,” Devaraj says. Some farmers say they might not be able to prove the number of birds that perished before the avian influenza was officially confirmed. “I am going to get compensation for the culled birds alone,” says Kutty. … [Read more...] about Kerala bird flu outbreak | Flu among the feathers
Protest by Dalits against land acquisition crosses 1,000 days
K. Nishil Kumar, converner, National Highway Action Committee, said that the proposed alignment from Keecheri to Valappattinam would pass through wetlands and had four curves. One of the curves was deliberately planned to go through the 500-metre stretch from Velappuram to Thuruthi through the Dalit colony, he said. … [Read more...] about Protest by Dalits against land acquisition crosses 1,000 days