Author: Kejal Rawal

Toxic Liquor Claims Lives, Raises Questions on Government Action. In June 2024, a horrific event unfolded in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, India. Dozens of people lost their lives after consuming toxic liquor laced with methanol, a poisonous substance. The death toll from this tragedy rose to 61, with many others left hospitalized in critical condition. Public Outrage and Government Examination This incident sparked outrage and ignited a firestorm of criticism directed at the state government’s handling of the situation. The DMK government faced accusations of failing to act on its earlier commitments to clamp down on the production and distribution of…

Massive Crowd Gathers for Satsang Led by Self-Styled Godman On July 2, 2024, a religious gathering (Satsang) in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, turned into a scene of utter chaos and heartbreak. The event, led by Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, attracted an estimated crowd of over 2.5 lakh people, significantly exceeding the permissible limit. This massive gathering set the stage for a horrific incident. Stampede Erupts During Bhole Baba’s Departure As Bhole Baba left the venue, his followers surged forward in a desperate attempt to collect dust stirred up by his car. This movement, coupled with reports of…

Our lives are shaped not just by our own experiences, but also by the experiences of those who came before us. This is particularly true when it comes to trauma. Generational trauma refers to the psychological and emotional wounds that are passed down through families. The effects of which can be subtle or profound, impacting individuals across generations. Understanding Generational Trauma The weight of the past can be heavy, especially for children carrying the invisible burden of generational trauma. This emotional and psychological distress, passed down through families, manifests itself, in a child’s behavior as anxiety, depression, or difficulty regulating…

The Taliban, a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun movement, regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Since then, their rule has been marked by reduction of freedoms for Afghan women and girls. Education, employment, and public spaces – once accessible to many Afghan women – are now severely restricted. This has sparked international condemnation and raised serious concerns about the future of Afghan women under Taliban rule. The fate of women in Afghanistan remains uncertain as the United Nations prepares for a meeting with Taliban representatives. The upcoming UN meeting in Doha, Qatar, marks a turning point in the international…

India’s 16th Census Delayed Due to Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted India’s detailed preparations for its 16th census, which was initially set to be conducted in 2021. This nationwide population count, conducted every ten years, serves as the backbone for allocating resources, formulating policies, and analyzing vital demographic shifts. Yet, due to the pandemic’s impact on logistics and public health, the census has been postponed indefinitely, casting doubt on when it will eventually take place. The Importance of Census: A Nation defined The most recent census, conducted in 2011, reported India’s population at an astonishing 1.21 billion. This information…

On June 25th, 1975, the nation entered a period of upheaval known as the National Emergency. This 21-month long episode, declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, remains a defining moment in Indian history. Today, as we mark the 49th anniversary of this event, we delve back in time to revisit the factors that led to the Emergency, its impact on the nation, and the enduring lessons it offers for safeguarding India’s democracy. The official justification for the Emergency stemmed from Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the President to declare a state of emergency in the event of…

A Pivotal moment in Indian Politics – Lok Sabha to have elections for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker The upcoming election for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in India has taken a dramatic turn as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to retain both the positions of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, breaking away from the traditional norms where the opposition typically holds the Deputy Speaker’s post. This decision has resulted in unprecedented elections within the Lok Sabha for the Speaker’s position, signifying a major change in the nation’s political landscape. Scheduled for June 26,…

A disturbing case of child sexual abuse has come to light in Pune, Maharashtra. A 13-year-old girl has alleged she was raped and sexually assaulted by three members of her own family over a period of two years. Details of the Abuse The girl reportedly endured abuse at the hands of her father, uncle, and an elder cousin. She stated that the abuse began in July 2022 and continued until June 2024. The nature of the abuse included rape and other forms of sexual assault. As reported by the police, the survivor’s cousin brother supposedly assaulted her in July 2023 and undermined her with critical results if she…

On June 23rd, 1985, Air India Flight 182, nicknamed Kanishka, was on a seemingly ordinary route from Montreal to London, with a final stop in India. However, this flight became the target of a horrific terrorist attack, shattering the lives of everyone on board. The flight departed Toronto for Montreal, picking up additional passengers. With 329 people onboard, including crew, it took off for London. Everything appeared normal until contact with air traffic control in Ireland. A bomb, cleverly hidden in checked baggage and likely originating in Vancouver, detonated at a staggering altitude of 31,000 feet. The massive Boeing 747…

Amazon Convenience at a Human Cost? Warehouse Workers Allege Anti-Labor Practices Reports of Denied Breaks Spark NHRC Investigation. While Amazon has revolutionized online shopping, its fulfillment centers, the engine powering this convenience, have come under fire for allegedly fostering anti-labor practices. These practices raise concerns about worker well-being and push the boundaries of fair treatment. A recent report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India exemplifies these concerns. The NHRC took Suo motu (on its own motion) cognizance of media reports alleging that a warehouse in Manesar, Haryana, restricted essential breaks for workers. Demanding work conditions The report…