Ear To The Ground

FRA, implemented by UPA Gvernment in the Centre, was implemented in 2006. Since its implementation, the Government at the Centre and State has been violating FRA. The Adivasis' and forest-dwelling communities' rights have been squeezed.  The present NDA Government at the Centre and BJP-led State Governments have been ruthlessly violating the laws and making the forests accessible to corporates.  Read my study at https://www.academia.edu/146181945/Clear_Violation_of_FRA https://www.academia.edu/44196265/FOREST_RIGHTS_ACT_FRA_2006_AND_ITS_IMPLEMENTATION_and_VIOLATIONS  (Chapter 6)

The book ‘And Quietly Come Dawn—Haryana: Its Identity Issues, Grassroots Movements & Alternative Endeavours is m eticulously researched with ground reporting and long, painstaking interviews. This book tells not one story, but so many that individual histories and collective memories become a heady synthesis. For instance, the First War of Independence against the East India Company of white British colonial rulers. Or, the Great Indian Mutiny of 1857. It is also a documentation of the current scenario, the dogged working class and women’s liberation struggle, the formations of trade unions and workers’ collectives, the difficulties of waging a relentless battle for justice against a cold-blooded government and its administration and police, the uncanny and persistent caste question, and the inequalities of land distribution and land reforms, the new reassertion of Dalits and other marginalised groups, much to the anger of the dominant castes. The book also documents the sweet sme...

BOOK LAUNCH PROGRAMME OF 'AND QUIETLY COMES THE DAWN- HARYANA ITS ISSUES, GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS & ALTERNATIVE ENDEAVOURS & वो सुबह कभी तो आयेगी हरियाणा अस्मिता के मुद्दे, ज़मीनी स्तर के आन्दोलन व वैकल्पिक प्रयास AT SURJEET BHAWAN, NEW DELHI, COMMEMORATING LENIN's BIRTH ANNIVERSARY ON 22nd APRIL 2025. PROF ADITYA NIGAM, LABOUR HISTORIAN & SCHOLAR  WAS THE CHIEF GUEST  

  "Marginalised But Not Defeated" by Tarun Kanti Bose, published in 2023 by Uppal Publishing House, is a compelling exploration of the struggles and resilience of communities dependent on natural resources in India. The book, spanning 277 pages, delves into the historical and ongoing marginalisation of these groups, particularly focusing on how they have been progressively deprived of the resources they rely on for survival. Bose, a seasoned public interest journalist, brings a grounded perspective to the narrative, drawing from extensive travels and first-hand accounts of "ordinary and invisible people" in remote regions across India. The book stands out for its vivid storytelling and meticulous documentation. It covers a wide range of topics—demography, topography, society, politics, culture, anthropology, and agricultural practices—painting a detailed picture of civilizations that have endured state repression, indifference, and ecological devastation. A key fo...

Tarun Kanti Bose is a multifaceted figure whose work as an activist, journalist, and intellectual reflects a deep commitment to social justice, grassroots empowerment, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. While the label "left-leaning" is not explicitly self-applied by Bose in available sources, his focus on issues such as indigenous rights, environmental justice, and the struggles of the disenfranchised aligns with progressive and leftist ideologies that prioritize equity, anti-establishment critique, and systemic change. Below is an exploration of how Bose embodies these roles based on his documented contributions: As an Activist Bose’s activism is rooted in his hands-on engagement with marginalized communities and his efforts to empower them through media and education. He has spent decades working at the grassroots level, particularly with Adivasi (indigenous) populations and other disadvantaged groups across India. His work includes conducting over 100 ...

MARGINALISED BUT NOT DEFEATED’ is being published  It comprises of 9 chapters highlighting the historical trend that has impacted communities that are dependent on natural resources and illustrates the gradual marginalisation and deprivation they have experienced over the time. It tracks the historical struggles made by them and the repression they have faced. The 9 chapters of it cover different aspects of struggle and joining the labour force, and is reflected in the diversity of struggle we find across the country. The book is available at https://www.amazon.in/Marginalised-Defeated-Tarun-Kanti-Bose/dp/8195408370 Read the review at https://countercurrents.org/2023/05/book-review-marginalised-but-not-defeated/ https://www.frontierweekly.com/articles/vol-56/56-2/56-2-Marginalised%20but%20not%20Defeated.html?fbclid=IwAR0RGl-QiIwykmegdVOjlQtjBvflE2vQsFF09LXMTk9lFGn

Women from the Tharu tribal community, living in 46 villages of Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh, are at the forefront of the fight to their community’s right to the forest. Organised under the Tharu Adivasi Mahila Mazdoor Kisan Manch (Tharu Tribal Women Workers Peasant Platform), the collective, which was formed in January 2009, demands rights as per the legal conditions under India’s Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA). The FRA recognises the rights of forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources for livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs. Please read the entire story at https://india.mongabay.com/2023/01/tharu-tribal-women-of-dudhwa-battle-for-their-right-to-the-forest/ https://scr l.in/article/1041588/in-dudhwa-national-park-tharu-women-are-engaged-in-a-long-standing-fight-for-forest-rights ol https://www.gendersecurityproject.com/post/tharu-tribal-women-of-dudhwa-battle-for-their-right-to-the-forest

FELICITATED BY MY ALMA MATER, HANSRAJ COLLEGE PRINCIPAL. DR RAMA (ON THE RIGHT) AND MAHENDRA  GOEL (2nd TO THE LEFT), PRESIDENT HANSRAJ COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ON ITS 75th ANNIVERSARY. IT  IS AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE HONOURED AS ONE OF THE LUMINARIES OF MY ALMA MATER. 

  The FOPL policy aims to inform the consumer in a very simple way whether the food is hazardous to them or not, whether it contains more salt, sugar and oil .  If there is more salt, sugar, or fat in the product, one label needs to be inserted, which the food industry is resisting. Thus, it is being seen in some countries that the industry reformulates the food, and reduces salt, sugar, and fat. FOPL is being adopted by a number of countries. Log in at the following links to read the stories in detail: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2022/02/political-parties-ask-for-strong-fopl-to-regulate-packaged-foods https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2021/11/pvchr-leads-a-campaign-for-fopl-to-regulate-indias-junk-food-consumption-and-reduce-ncds

The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) the conjunction of undernutrition and overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases in the post-COVID period has been worrying the mothers in the Musahar villages of the Badagaon administrative block of Varanasi district. When the Central Government is planning for Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) regulations control the poorest of the children consuming ultra –processed with high salt, sugar and fat cheaper packets of noodles, chips, noodles etc. Log in at the following links to read the story: https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/13/21550/Double-Malnutrition-Worries-Young-Mothers-in-Musahar-Villages https://english.junputh.com/open-space/double-burden-of-malnutrition-worries-young-mothers-in-musahar-villages/ https://junputh.com/open-space/double-burden-of-malnutrition-worries-mothers-in-musahar-villages/

AWARDED TILKA MAJHI NATIONAL AWARD 2021 BY EMINENT GANDHIAN RADHA BHATT & OTHERS FOR JOURNALISM, RESEARCH, AUTHORING & GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM AT GANDHI PEACE FOUNDATION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Drfb7mLR14&feature=youtu.be  

  Neo-liberal economic policies launched by India’s Central Government in 1990’s launched the twin onslaughts of communalism and ‘economic reforms’ undoubtedly sharpened and exacerbated the perceptions among the marginalized communities like small farmers, pastoralists, fishers and fish workers, Adivasi, Dalits and minorities and their livelihoods, lifestyles and identities are under further threat. The present Central Government led by Narendra Modi and BJP further accentuated the crisis and changed how economic indicators such as real GDP and unemployment are calculated, they cannot hide the reality of the working class - falling incomes, declining jobs, little to no social support, increasing labour rights violations, worsening environmental conditions, regressive agricultural policies and a general fear of life for India's most marginalized sections and oppressed citizens . Log in for the full study at http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-G...

Protests by farmers are an expression of their anger at Modi and BJP policies favouring the capitalist class and pushing the farmers and workers to the brink of disaster. Since the 1990’s neo-liberal policies have sowed the seeds of despair for farmers and the working class.  Modi and the BJP have accentuated the crisis and changed how economic indicators such as real GDP and unemployment are calculated, they cannot hide the reality of the working class - falling incomes, declining jobs, little to no social support, increasing labour rights violations, worsening environmental conditions, regressive agricultural policies and a general fear of life for India's most marginalized sections and oppressed citizens. Amidst the aggressive pro-capitalist reforms of Modi and the BJP, farmers and workers are taking risks and putting up a brave front against capitalist exploitation. Log in at for the full study http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-Governance...

  Fisheries provide direct livelihoods to over 20 million fishers and fish farmers.  The fishing industry contributes INR 1.75 lakh crore to the gross value added of India's economy every year. The Indian fishery sector leads the way in terms of export earnings and ranks among the top agricultural commodities exported. Rivers in India flow over 17,000 miles and other water channels cover over 70,000 miles. Marine resources include the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, as well as many Gulfs and Bays. India is now the third-largest producer of fish and the second largest producer of inland fish in the world. In addition to being a major foreign exchange earner, it is also a source of cheap and nutritious food. Log in for the full study at http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-Governance-Ch7-Fishers.pdf https://www.academia.edu/50860971/CHAPTER_7_Crisis_for_Fishers_and_Fish_workers_further_deepens

Globally, pastoralists are vanishing at an alarming rate. In India, they are pushed to impoverishment and drudgery Herders of cattle, sheep, and goats play a vital role in protecting and restoring fragile ecosystems. Approximately 35 million pastoralists, spread across 200 communities, manage a livestock population of over 50 million animals. Exports of milk, meat, leather, wool, and animals used for traction and manure contribute to livestock raising's foreign exchange earnings. The study attempts to knit various strands together to show the linkages between ecology and the life support systems and the undermining of these by the State in different forms. The study brings this up very sharply due to non-recognition of the State of pastoralism as valid historic form of livelihood keeping in mind the ecological conditions. The British reduced both pastoralists and forest dependent communities to concessions while simultaneously undermining the life support system on which they dep...

Today the Adivasis, not only in India but also elsewhere in the world, are continuously being threatened with brutal deliberateness to be submerged.  Following the legacy of the British colonial masters, the intention of India’s ruling class since Independence has been ‘to melt the Adivasi with the mainstream’, where the ‘mainstream’ is modelled on the image of the class-in-power.  Log in for the full study at http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-Governance-Ch5-Adivasi.pdf https://www.academia.edu/50123236/Adivasis_struggle_to_survive_where_inequality_rules

  Chhattisgarh formed on 1st November 2000 by partitioning 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking south-eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh. Raipur was made its capital. Chhattisgarh borders the states of Madhya Pradesh in the north-west, Maharashtra in the south-west, Andhra Pradesh in the south, Odisha in the east, Jharkhand in the north-east and Uttar Pradesh in the north. In Chhattisgarh there has been a massive illegal loot of forest and mineral resources. The state ranks second in the nation in terms of total forest land diverted for mining purposes – accounting for 15%. The brunt of this diversion is being faced by the Adivasi communities in the area. The Adivasis have been agitating against displacement on an unprecedented scale - for mining, setting up of industries, dams, sanctuaries, four laning of highways, the posh capital region, and even army and air bases. Log in for full study http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-Governance-Ch4-Chhatisgarh.pd...

Jharkhand is the 28th state of the Indian Union, which was sliced out of Bihar on 15th November 2000 to coincide with the birth anniversary of the legendary Adivasi leader and young freedom fighter Birsa Munda. The state has a total area of 79714 sq. km and shares borders with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The State in an account of its richness in some key ores and minerals and its abundance in cheap labour, thanks to its backwardness, otherwise, has been the site of a good many industrial establishment since pre-Independence days and that industrialization has brought with it concomitant ill effects the worst of which is the devastation of its environment. In the name of the development large forests have disappeared, tracts of inhabited land have gone under water. The chapter has a portion on Father Stan Swamy and his 'Institutional murder'. Log in for full study  http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-Governance-Ch3-...

Maharashtra is the most industrialised and the second most urbanised state assessed through the per capita income it ranks as second richest state in India. The chapter on Maharashtra covers the rural communities and the impact on small farmers. Adivasis, pastoralists, fishers and wage labour originating in the villages.  Log in for full study http://ielaind.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ABMKSS-Study-on-Local-Self-governance-Ch2-Maharashtra.pdf https://www.academia.edu/50122801/Maharashtra_s_marginalized_communities_still_at_the_crossroads _