| Conservation |
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Environment enters Punjab discourse
By Devinder Sharma | 21 Dec 2011
Alarmed by deteriorating environmental, social and physical health of Punjab, concerned citizens and organisations join hands to put pressure on the political parties to present a time bound programme to improve the condition of the state. |
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It's all about market!!
By Devinder Sharma | 05 Jun 2010
World Environment Day celebrations get global publicity because these are mostly supported by companies engaged in selling green technologies. |
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| Duties and Rights |
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Fighting hunger without farmlands
By Devinder Sharma | 12 May 2011
Policymakers and supporters of land acquisition for so-called development projects do not realise that by diverting good productive farm land for non-agricultural purposes, they are pushing the next generation into hunger and malnutrition. |
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Don't wait for another Gandhi
By Devinder Sharma | 18 Mar 2011
Despite ongoing dance of death on farmlands and multitude of crises in Indian agriculture, it is beyond comprehension why the various farmer movements in the nation haven't been able to mobilise the suffering masses. |
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Democratic rights under attack
By Devinder Sharma | 06 Jul 2010
The schizophrenia displayed by industry organisations over nation wide protests against price rise indicates their rising intolerance for people's movements. If the suffering people are not even allowed to raise their voice what options they will have other than taking recourse to violence? |
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A crime that goes unpunished for 25 years
By Devinder Sharma | 25 Jun 2010
Ignored and forgotten by successive governments, over 200,000 Narmada Dam oustees have been waiting for a rehabilitation package for almost a quarter of a century. |
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| Education |
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Empowering India with imported wisdom?
By Devinder Sharma | 17 Mar 2010
A section of influential Indian middle class remains obsessed with anything foreign, more so American. No wonder, instead of making efforts to improve the education system of the country, the government is keen to invite the foreign universities to help educate India. |
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| Energy |
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After much hype, Jatropha bubble bursts
By Devinder Sharma | 03 Aug 2010
Projected as the crop of the future, Jatropha was pushed by the industry and the governments with equal force. However, much to the disappointment of the farmers and misery to the poor and hungry, the alternative fuel crop has failed to fulfil the expectations of the world. |
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| Food |
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Food coupons for profit?
By Devinder Sharma | 21 Jun 2012
If in the USA, the food stamp programme ends up adding profits to the corporate balance sheets, isn't it time that India looks at how to make it more effective in own ingenious way rather than blindly aping the US experience? |
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Blindfolded, they grope in dark!
By Devinder Sharma | 06 Nov 2011
With food inflation rising continuously and steeply for years, the low-income groups are badly affected. However, there seems to be a complete lack of motivation on the part of government to bring down the prices of food items as it continues to blame inflation on non-existent reasons. |
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Teary tale of onion trade
By Devinder Sharma | 21 Sep 2011
The recent ban on onion exports resulted in an aggressive lobbying to revoke the ban as demanded by the wholesale traders. The way Chief Ministers and cabinet ministers joined hands against the export ban, it is obvious that onions have become important political tool. |
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Time to revive native cow breeds
By Devinder Sharma | 03 Aug 2011
Very high milk productivity of Indian cow breeds in Brazil proves that with proper nutrition, veterinary care and genetic development our desi cows can help us meet our growing milk demand. After decades of indifference, policymakers are now turning their focus on native breeds. |
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Market opens for camel milk
By Devinder Sharma | 10 Feb 2011
As demand for camel milk is on the rise globally, India can use the opportunity to effectively market the camel milk products and help improve the socio-economic conditions of the camel owners. |
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Bad science joins paid science
By Devinder Sharma | 27 Sep 2010
Entire India, more so its young scientists and students, is left embarrassed and ashamed after expose of ‘copy and paste’ job done by the heads of India’s top science academies to push GM food into India. While these academy heads continue to cling to their posts despite being exposed of disgraceful deeds, the incident only confirms the widespread corruption and incompetence in India’s academic and research institutions. |
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Who will feed Uttar Pradesh?
By Devinder Sharma | 08 Sep 2010
State governments are competing with each other to grab fertile lands of farmers and transfer these to industry. But with increasing population and decreasing arable land, feeding the people will become a huge challenge for states like Uttar Pradesh in the years to come. |
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Empty rhetoric for empty stomachs
By Devinder Sharma | 18 Jul 2010
The establishment needs to think beyond entitlements to completely remove hunger and malnutrition from India. Unfortunately, the proposed National Food Security Act fails to inspire much confidence. |
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Overhaul policies that acerbate hunger
By Devinder Sharma | 31 Mar 2010
India has several programmes to fight hunger but none has been effective. Unless we change the policies responsible for poverty and spread of hunger, National Food Security Act would become another piece of legislation incapable of making any difference to those who live in hunger and penury. |
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Processed food won't feed the poor
By Devinder Sharma | 22 Mar 2010
Government is extending all possible support to the food processing industry on the pretext of food security and reducing wastage. However, the facts say the processing industry prefers imported ingredients over local food leading to increased wastage and rise in food prices. |
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Thou shalt not question GM food!
By Devinder Sharma | 03 Mar 2010
The proposed National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill threatens the very essence of democratic values and freedom. |
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Why we should oppose Bt brinjal?
By Devinder Sharma | 11 Feb 2010
Though the government of India has cancelled the GEAC approval for commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal, majority of people remain unaware of the facts related to the controversy. Here are FAQs to help the readers: |
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Turning People into lab rats
By Devinder Sharma | 19 Jul 2009
Government is in a tearing hurry to allow production and sale of GM food in the country but who will take the responsibility in case its consumption turns out to be harmful for health. |
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Plants have become less healthy, and so have you
By Devinder Sharma | 05 May 2009
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| Global Economy |
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One percent v/s 99 percent
By Devinder Sharma | 21 Oct 2011
"Occupy Wall Street" is an expression of resentment against public policies that treat democracies as private club run by rich, for the rich. In many ways, anti-Wall Street movement is like Mahatma Gandhi's salt satayagrah. |
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Don't expect much from G-20
By Devinder Sharma | 13 Nov 2010
Though the economic policies of the industrialised world continue to widen economic disparities, International groups like G-20 have failed to correct the structural problems behind the global economic crisis. |
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Surrendering Indian agriculture before Obama
By Devinder Sharma | 04 Nov 2010
Having failed to revive U.S. economy and facing rising opposition back home, President Obama is coming to India with the sole aim to demand drastic policy measures to help revive business of US agri-corps and retail giants. |
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Africa needs SAGRA, not AGRA
By Devinder Sharma | 13 Sep 2010
Large agri-business has set its eyes on vast and unexplored market of Africa. The slogan of Second Green Revolution is their pass for a smooth entry. To avoid falling into the trap, Africa should first adopt environmentally sustainable agricultural practices and then create mechanisms to ensure an assured price and market to farmers. |
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Global image, not poor farmers, is India's concern
By Devinder Sharma | 04 Sep 2009
Lately, Indian negotiators in WTO have become extremely accommodating to the interests of the rich and industrialised world, even to the extent of sacrificing livelihood security of its crores of poor farmers. |
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The Great Gene Robbery II
By Devinder Sharma | 24 Jun 2009
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WTO rejoices over Kamal Nath's exit from Commerce Ministry
By Devinder Sharma | 29 May 2009
By removing Kamal Nath from WTO negotiations, Manmohan Singh has cleared the path of US & EU negotiators to conclude the Doha Round as per their liking. |
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US moving towards patenting our Holy Cow
By Devinder Sharma | 26 Apr 2009
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| Governance |
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Include agriculture under MNREGA
By Devinder Sharma | 12 Oct 2011
Started as an effective tool to help rural poor to gainful employment in the villages, the rural job guarantee act has begun to adversely affect agriculture and food production. It is high time to bring convergence between farming and MNREGA to ensure livelihood security. |
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The last hope of common man
By Devinder Sharma | 12 Jul 2011
In recent times, the Supreme Court has given some crucial judgements to curb the anti-people policies being pushed by governments in the name of development and growth. Considering the abject surrender of policymakers and media before the corrupt, judicial activism remains the only hope for the marginalised Indians. |
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Manmohan's policies behind tribal alienation
By Devinder Sharma | 06 Nov 2009
It is high time the country gets over its mindless obsession with the economic growth built on criminal exploitation of the tribal resources |
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| Indian Economy |
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Fooling the farmer
By Devinder Sharma | 30 Nov 2011
The proposal to allow multinational retail giants to enter India is pushed on the pretext of its possible benefits for the poor farmers. What many do not know is that big retail has only aggravated problems for the farmers everywhere they established their chain of mega stores. |
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Saving Punjab farmer
By Devinder Sharma | 04 Oct 2011
To overcome the adverse long term impacts of intensive farming, Punjab needs to make its agriculture more sustainable and farmer centric. |
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Distressed farmers declare crop-holiday
By Devinder Sharma | 15 Sep 2011
To revive agriculture and to make farmers debt-free, government must bring in a Farmers Income Guarantee Act to determine the monthly income package a farm family must receive. |
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Corruption behind farm-crisis
By Devinder Sharma | 07 Sep 2011
Corruption has not only hindered development of India but its role in creating and aggravating farm crisis is no less critical. Corrupt scientists, bank officials and policy makers have pushed farmers to the brink. |
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UP goes the Punjab way
By Devinder Sharma | 25 Mar 2011
Considering the role of mandis in making Punjab food bowl of country, it is urgently required to set up a nationwide network of mandis in India. Though late, but UP government has taken a right decision to increase their number. |
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Better late, than never
By Devinder Sharma | 01 Mar 2011
Pranab Mukherjee has made a beginning to improve the conditions of the deprived and marginalised sections but the policies need much higher allocations to make any positive transformation in the lives of the poor. |
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Dismantling mandis to benefit MNCs
By Devinder Sharma | 28 Jan 2011
Not withstanding poor management, mandis have played a critical role in ensuring remunerative prices and timely purchase for the benefit of farmers and therefore, India needs improvement in mandi system, not its dismantlement as desired by industry bodies and Montek Singh Ahluwalia. |
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Fasting without repentance?
By Devinder Sharma | 23 Dec 2010
TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu's fast to demand higher compensation for rain-affected farmers is being seen as his pro-farmer stance. But can we forget the miseries his faulty agri-policies brought to the Andhra Pradesh farmers? |
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India needs a Seed Liability Bill
By Devinder Sharma | 18 Nov 2010
The proposed Seed Bill 2010 fails to address the long standing demands of the Indian farmers and remains soft towards the seed companies. Only a seed liability bill can provide protection to the vulnerable farmers. |
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Spurious seeds flood the Indian market
By Devinder Sharma | 18 Jun 2010
The poor regulation and absence of strict punitive measures in the present seed law encourage spurious seed manufacturers and sellers to exploit farmers. |
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Assured procurement can boost pulses production
By Devinder Sharma | 15 Jun 2010
Instead of encouraging Indian farmers to grow pulses by ensuring purchase by government agencies at attractive prices, suggestions are put forth to outsource production to other countries without comprehending socio-economic and political implications. |
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Bailing out the richest
By Devinder Sharma | 12 Mar 2010
Forbes magazine says India has almost twice the number of billionaires than last year. Strangely these richest of the rich gained when the world economy was badly hit by the meltdown. Was it despite or due to the economic recession? |
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Budget 2010: Farmer remains neglected
By Devinder Sharma | 01 Mar 2010
The finance minister's four-point strategy to revitalise agriculture is good on intent, but weak in content. |
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A farm model to sustain the world
By Devinder Sharma | 07 Jan 2010
Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture (CMSA) model successfully implemented in Andhra Pradesh is a roadmap for the future of Indian and world agriculture. It has tremendous potential to remove poverty and hunger with a very low carbon footprint. |
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Poverty line or starvation line?
By Devinder Sharma | 18 Dec 2009
The much hyped economic growth figures of India are often twisted and skewed in favour of very rich. While the nation is asked to celebrate few billionaires' multiplying wealth, millions of Indians continue to sink deeper below the poverty line... |
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Making profits from poverty
By Devinder Sharma | 25 Nov 2009
Micro-finance is a highly profitable business. No wonder Micro-finance institutions are competing with each other to extract their pound of flesh while 'helping the poor women'. |
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Agricultural universities ignore sustainable farming
By Devinder Sharma | 10 Apr 2009
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| Risks and Hazards |
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Weather aberrations may exacerbate hunger
By Devinder Sharma | 20 Aug 2010
The devastation wrought by aberrant weather conditions in several parts of the world has posed a larger question about the implications climate change has for food security of a nation. |
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Don't downplay glacier melting
By Devinder Sharma | 10 Nov 2009
It is in the interests of both India and China to allow scientific explorations and put suitable remedial solutions in place to minimise the threat of 'Glacial Lake Outburst Floods'. |
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Climate cost of free trade
By Devinder Sharma | 26 Oct 2009
Climate change has become the buzzword in all development discourses. However, not many realise that the international agencies now trumpeting climate change issues, have long been pushing for free global trade, which is the major cause of global warming. |
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Droughts make the West worried
By Devinder Sharma | 13 Oct 2009
From USA to China, scanty rainfall this year has led to droughts. The developed world fears recurrence of it could make some of its cities uninhabitable. |
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Earth Day Resolve: Close Five Food Giants, Save Water
By Devinder Sharma | 22 Apr 2009
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| Social Welfare |
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The unsung hero of people's economics
By Devinder Sharma | 07 Nov 2009
Renowned food and trade policy analyst Devinder Sharma pays his tribute to veteran journalist and social activist Prabhash Joshi, who died of a cardiac attack on the night of 5th November. |
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| Water and Sanitation |
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Wrong policies behind Rajasthan's water crisis
By Devinder Sharma | 25 May 2010
Desert state Rajasthan, which has long been renowned for its traditional water harvesting methods, is today facing an acute water crisis. Policy makers blame the deficit rainfall for the crisis, but in fact misplaced agriculture and development policies have created the emergency. |
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Need water, pay money!
By Devinder Sharma | 11 May 2010
Governments in power cite water scarcity as the prime reason behind their failure to ensure regular supply of safe drinking water to all citizens. But how come the private tankers and water bottlers always find enough water to sell? |
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