Indian small retailers on edge as big foreign retailers push for entry

  WASHINGTON, Jan 31, 2012 (IPS) – Home to over 44 million small retailers, many of them family- owned, neighbourhood stores no bigger than 200 square feet, India is a land renowned for its various “wallas” – small traders who produce,...

Power Minister Shinde Leading India’s Rapid Power Sector Surge

India's Central Power Minister, Mr. Sushilkumar Shinde speaking at the 1st Australia-India Energy and Minerals Forum, in Perth, Australia on June 07, 2010. PHOTO: PIB By Rajeev Sharma New Delhi & Melbourne: The electricity sector in India...

Ancient Bamiyan Buddha’s will not be rebuilt – UNESCO

By Andrea Lunt United Nations, March 11, 2011 (IPS) – Afghanistan’s historic Bamiyan Buddhas, destroyed by the Taliban 10 years ago, will not be reconstructed despite claims the 1,500-year-old statues could be repaired, the United Nations...

PAKISTAN: Deaths of ‘Unwanted’ Babies On The Rise

By Zofeen Ebrahim KARACHI, Mar 14 (IPS) – The graves at a cemetery in Moach Goth have no epitaphs, no verses from the Koran, not even the names of the deceased. The only inscription on the small wooden signs that serve as headstones is a number...

Delhi chokes on winter smog

By Ranjit Devraj NEW DELHI, Jan 16 (IPS) – Winter in the Indian capital is a season of mists, minus the mellow fruitfulness. The air becomes charged with toxic emissions and particles that cannot disperse due to a meteorological phenomenon...

MAKING A DIFFERENCE : ABILITY BEYOND DISABILITY REKINDLED HOPE

RESTORATION OF DIGNITY-- A Local Fruit vendor, whose right leg was amputeed on an accident is provided with a tricycle at the camp site. There is a foundational connection between the information and social obligation, need to pay attention to the weaker...

Pakistan: Educated, glamorous and wearing a Hijab

By Zofeen Ebrahim KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov 18 (IPS) – They are young, educated, urban women who frequent cafes, shop at ritzy fashion outlets, and go to yoga classes whenever they have time off work.But they also wear the ‘hijab’...

VIEWPOINT ON BABRI CASE: Mythology and theology as facts has serious implications for minorities

Response of Dr John Dayal, Secretary General, ALL INDIA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL, to the Judgement on Ayodhaya by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court: New Delhi, Sept 30, 2010 The judgment of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High court today [30th...

India: Cereals rot in the rain while the poor stay hungry

By Ranjit Devraj NEW DELHI, Sep 13 (IPS) – When India’s Supreme Court reacted to the news that thousands of tonnes of grain were rotting in the rain due to lack of granary space and ordered the government to distribute the surplus free...

“Rakhi’ (Sister’s Day) celebrated

A sister in New Delhi ties ‘Rakhi’ to his brother. PHOTO: Rajeev Sharma Melbourne, New Delhi: ‘Rakhi’ (Sister’s Day) was celebrated all over India and by Indian people all over the world yesterday. Sister’s tied ‘Rakhi’...