Caste, Class, and Awareness—Makers and Breakers of Common Land Dispute Resolution in Rajasthan
The second half of this investigative series on Rajasthan’s Public Land Protection Cells (PLPCs) finds evidence via RTIs and interviews with locals that explain why the district administration has not been effective in spreading awareness about the Cell's functions. Implementing final orders from the PLPC seems to be largely shaped by class and caste dynamics.
Background Questionnaire in Large Scale Assessments Can Improve Students’ Academic Performance
How can background questionnaires improve students' academic performance and learning? These large-scale assessments can ensure equitable and quality education.
In Rajasthan, a Public Land Protection Cell is Removing Encroachments, But Challenges Abound
A 2019 order passed by the Rajasthan High Court called for the formation of a Public Land Protection Cell, a district-level conflict resolution institution to investigate cases of encroachments on common lands. In this two-part series, The Bastion investigates the efficiency of these unique Public Land Protection Cells through interviews and information received via Right to Information applications. Part 1 uncovers the types of conflicts that occur on these “commons”, and how a delayed start to these cells and slow disposals might be plaguing their functioning.
Food, Festivals, and Heritage: The Climate Crisis is Erasing our Culture
In the temperate regions of North America, there is a small tree called the shadbush. Its name originates from the synchronisation of its flowering...
A ‘Feminist’ Server to Help People Own Their Own Data
Feminist servers could help people own and manage their own data while empowering vulnerable communities to create and store their knowledge. What is a feminist server, and can everyone own their own server?
Up Close: The Under-Recognised Role of Maharashtra’s Education Department Officers
This is the first in a three-part series in collaboration with Leadership For Equity (LFE) highlighting the challenges and needs, administrative and technological, of...
Beyond More Enrolment, RTE Needs to Consider Out-of-Class Lives
In a country that seems to be obsessed with Gross Enrolment Ratios, the lives of Om and Swati, students in Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, force us to pause and reconsider.
Trails of Environmental Jurisprudence in India: National Green Tribunal v/s Urban Air Pollution
A study of cases before the National Green Tribunal revealed poor representation of air pollution cases being heard. What do civil society, the government, and the Tribunals need to do to ensure better resolution of air-pollution-related conflicts?
How India’s Private Infrastructure Projects Risk Economic Stability, Environment, and Public Welfare
This article is the first of #FinancingDevelopment, a series analysing the finances behind India's development journey, in collaboration with the Centre for Financial Accountability.
In India,...
How Does Facebook Influence India’s Democracy?
How exactly was Facebook influencing Indian elections? What are the systems the company has in place to fight manipulated spread, and are they effective?
