|
Dear Reader,
The invisible threads that link communities of migrants to disparate regions of the country are closely intertwined with caste. Caste networks determine where people travel to, what kind of work they get, and with whom they can eat when they get there.
In this two-part series, The Migration Story visits the endpoints of a typical worker's journey–Ganjam in Odisha, and Surat in Gujarat. In conversations with migrants in villages and cities, the story chronicles how, amidst the ravages of climate and depleting agricultural returns, it is caste that determines the fate of millions of migrants.
Illegal riverbed mining in India is widespread and unchecked, driven by the construction sector, which contributes eight per cent to India's GDP. The growing demand for sand, boulders, and gravel has intensified, leading to severe ecological consequences. Such unchecked extraction activities alter river morphology, cause severe erosion, and pollute life-giving water. The state of the Sota River, which flows through Rajasthan and Haryana, exemplifies these issues.
The Sota River plays a vital role in replenishing groundwater and sustaining ecosystems along its 250 km length. In April, activists petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging widespread illegal mining and stone crushing in the riverbed. Eyewitness accounts and satellite imagery, especially from Rajasthan's Kotputli-Behror district, confirmed these claims. This led to an investigation, during which the NGT, recognising the river’s "alarming condition" and clear violations of environmental laws, ordered an action plan for its restoration. Article 14 reports on why the Sota River serves as a key example of the systemic disregard for environmental laws meant to protect nature.
In Kerala, two villages—Kuthampulli and Eravatthodi—in the Chelakkara mandal of Thrissur district have been known for decades for their exceptional weaving skills. Originally migrants from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, who were specifically invited to the state for their expertise, the community now finds itself in distress. Like other parts of India, where indigenous crafts are disappearing, weavers in Kerala are facing challenges due to the cessation of government incentives, the rise of power looms, and general indifference toward their traditional craft. TrueCopy Think explores what makes their craft unique and why another vital indigenous artisan tradition may be at risk of vanishing forever.
India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, promises accessible services and communication support for individuals with disabilities. However, despite these legal provisions, Speech and Hearing Impaired (SHI) persons continue to face systemic challenges in accessing equal opportunities, disability pensions, transportation benefits, employment, and education. The Probe examines the systemic difficulties they encounter in their daily lives.
And, on behalf of IPSMF and its trustees, I wish you a happy new year.
For more such stories from the grantees this week, please read on.
Warmly,
Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF
|
