Reportage
Explained: Why are a million public sector bank employees on a two-day strike?
For two days, December 16-17, banking operations at public sector banks across the country will be affected as their employees have gone on a strike in protest against the Indian government’s move to privatise these banks. Why are they against privatisation? Read on to know more.
Arvind Shukla
A Masterclass on Natural Farming: Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat In Conversation with Neelesh Misra
Acharya Devvrat, the Governor of Gujarat, is a farmer at heart and has practised chemical farming, organic farming and natural farming. In a conversation with Neelesh Misra, founder of Gaon Connection, the Governor makes a compelling case for natural farming, which, he explained, makes both economic and ecological sense.
Gaon Connection
IMD issues severe cold wave warning for Punjab, Haryana, parts of Gujarat and north Rajasthan
The Met department has forecasted a fall in minimum temperatures by 2-4 degree Celsius over most parts of northwest and adjoining central India and Gujarat during the next four to five days. Dense fog likely over Punjab, Haryana, and northeast Indian states.
Gaon Connection
Union Cabinet approves raising the legal age for marriage of women to 21 years
India accounts for about a third of the global incidence of child marriage. The country is home to over 223 million child brides. The Union Cabinet has cleared a proposal to raise the legal age of marriage of women from the present 18 years to 21 years.
Gaon Connection
Deep inside rural Mithilanchal in Bihar, vaccine hesitancy is alive and well
The response to COVID19 vaccination drive has been tepid amongst the Musahar and the Muslim communities in Madhepura district of Bihar. Rumours, loss of a day’s wage, distance from health centres, and large migrant population are some of the factors affecting vaccination coverage.
Shruty Yadav
‘For every kilo of petha produced, 400 grams of waste adds to Agra’s pollution woes’
As per the findings of a recent study, Agra’s famous petha industry generates 17,800 kilograms of solid waste per day. The waste is dumped in public spaces which raises the risk of outbreak of diseases like cholera, malaria, dengue and diarrhoea. Details here.
Gaon Connection
Rising heat causing labour losses; 162 lost hours per person per year in India, finds a study
A new study shows India is amongst the most affected countries showing the largest heat exposure impacts on heavy labour, mostly agricultural and construction workers. Midday heat exposure causes productivity losses of upto 20 minutes an hour in the country. Is moving heavy labour to the early morning hours an alternative?
Gaon Connection
‘Immediately sack MoS Ajay Kumar Mishra’: Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha over Lakhimpur Kheri incident
Rahul Gandhi, while talking to reporters outside the Parliament stated that he demands an immediate resignation of Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra, who is the father of the accused.
Gaon Connection
Omicron outbreak unprecedented, vaccines alone won’t help in controlling it: WHO
Amidst rising Omicron cases, there has been a demand to roll out booster doses, especially for those vaccinated early such as health and frontline workers. But the World Health Organization has warned that such programmes will repeat vaccine hoarding and worsen inequality for poorer countries.
Gaon Connection
COVID19 vaccines may not work against new variants: Covid Task Force chief
VK Paul, the chief of India’s COVID Task Force, has stated that the COVID19 vaccines used in India’s vaccination exercise may not be effective in the emerging situations. Details here.