Education, development, and reform to counter debt bondage: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights revisited

A Report on Debt Bondage, Carpet-Making, and Child Slavery In Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy, Dr. Kevin Bales estimates that there are at least 27 million slaves in the world today – more than at any other time in human history. Slavery is on the rise around the world for the simple … Read more

“The world sells humans. What kind of world is this?” – Hindi Movie “Kamla” revisited

“The world sells humans. What kind of world is this? Buying and selling is done every morning and evening. What kind of world is this?” – Hindi song lyrics in this movie (see below) “Kamla” (1984): Hindi movie (duration: 2h), written by Vijay Tendulkar and directed by Dr. Jagmohan Mundhra with English subtitles – to view the … Read more

The Adivasi way of life: Utopian or worth emulating by ‘mainstream’ society? – An ongoing debate

Anyone who has had some meaningful interaction with India’s indigenous or adivasi people, cannot fail to be touched by the encounter. There is a directness in them, an absence of artifice or guile, an almost childlike innocence, born of simplicity combined with a lack of greed and avarice. The more interior and untouched a village, … Read more

Tiruvalluvar revered as ancient king among the Kaani of Kanyakumari district – Tamil Nadu

It is interesting to learn that a hill in Kanyakumari district is named after Tiruvalluvar. […] The Kanyakumari Historical and Cultural Research Centre recently brought to light the existence of Valluvan Kal Potrai in Koovaikkadu hamlet, Surulodu panchayat, Kalkulam taluk, Kanyakumari district. The author, along with two others, went to the hilltop to speak to … Read more

The unique narrative of shawls worn among 16 major tribes: Reflecting one’s social standing and the younger generation’s changing tastes – Nagaland

ANTHONY KURIAKOSE narrates how each Naga shawl is a thing of beauty, mystery, history and eternal appeal. And how each shawl wraps in its folds, a unique narrative. In the textile history of  India, the warrior shawls of  Nagaland have a special place and  like  their counterpart,  the Scottish kilt,  these  too need to be … Read more