The ‘Vocabulary of commons’ is a socio-linguistic enquiry into the legal and livelihood consequences of the term ‘commons’ – a search for a vocabulary that reflects a commons approach to a life with dignity in harmony with Gaia and communitarian aspirations. It is to strengthen community articulation and make their Read more…
A human rights based approach to disasters‘It rains on the rich and the poor alike, but more on the poor since the rich have umbrellas’.Extended a little, it provides a snapshot of the differential effect of disasters. While disasters may or may not affect everyone equally, disaster response is unequal, Read more…
The ten commandments—the ten Cs—of purposive networking are: common values, core competence, critical mass, complementarities, creativity, cost, control, credit, change and complexities. Forming a critical mass is an important part of networking. Networks founded on values are sustainable. Those that are formed as interest groups or for any other reason Read more…
One of the most vicious symbols in the propaganda against the Dalits is the myth of ‘vegetarianism’ being ‘non–violent’ and, as a ‘logical’ outcome, proportional to ritual purity. It is supported by the pseudo–scientific establishment with many reasons—most, if not all, of them false—and naturally so since most of these scientists Read more…
We are standing today at the point of time where the old age ends and the new begins. The old age was the age of Ranade, Agarkar, Tilak, Gokhale, Wachha, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Surendranath. The new age is the age of Mr Gandhi and this generation is said to be Read more…
1 Virtual organisationsVirtual organisations have a long history in India and the world. One of the most famous is the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) that shook the conscience of the world. The national policy and law regarding Resettlement and Rehabilitation is directly the result of their advocacy with the World Read more…
It has been a topic of endless discussion why Ambedkar in the Constitution of India Article 1 said ‘India that is Bharat’. A clue could lie in this passage: “If Hindu Raj becomes a reality then it would be greatest menace to this country. Whatever may Hindus say, actually it Read more…
A Toolkit for workers and unions A toolkit for worker collectives dealing with sexual harassment at the workplace, particularly in garment factories and similar workspaces. This toolkit was put together based on several feedback sessions from members of the Garment Labour Union and Munnade, organisations based in Bangalore. It includes Read more…
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on democracy, equality, and contradictions in Indian society On 26th January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics, we will have equality and in social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value. How long Read more…