Hydroelectric Dams Pose Threat to Tribal Peoples, Report Warns

Dams in Brazil, Ethiopia and Malaysia will force people off land and destroy hunting grounds, says Survival International By John Vidal Construction begins on the Gibe III hydroelectric dam in southern Ethiopia. Photograph: Xan Rice for the Guardian Giant hydroelectric dams being built or planned in remote areas of Brazil, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Peru, Guyana and India will devastate tribal communities...

Cry, My Beloved Region

By Prasenjit Biswas When one takes a hard look at how the nation-state of India manages its ethnic and cultural diversity and the attendant issues of social justice, one encounters the claims of being a nation in India’s Northeast as a challenge to the very idea of a national identity called “Indian”. The claim of the Mizo, Naga, Assamese and many other smaller ethno-cultural groups...

The Need to Harness Power Before The Glory

By JB Lama According to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, the North-east can generate about 58,971 MW — 40 per cent of India’s hydro potential – of which barely two per cent has been harnessed. The region also has abundant coal reserves — estimated at 945.03 million tons for thermal power (compared to the country’s 186 billion tons) capable of generating 30,000 MW for 50 years...

Time for Media Soul-Searching

By Patricia Mukhim Journalists churn out millions of words in their lifetime. Whether they write what they do out of love for the profession or simply because the job demands it of them is a matter of personal soul-searching. But having been in this profession (now unfortunately termed a racket after the “paid news” blitzkrieg) you begin to wonder at times why you write what you write....

My First Time: Madison Riley

She’s gone from playing a girl with really bad manners on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 to the sexiest reason to check out this month’s comedian-loaded laughfest Grown Ups. Now listen up as the 20-year-old Salt Lake City cutie shares some fun firsts. Madison Riley First Water Bra I lived in Houston for the first four years of my life, and my first memories were of a friend who lived two doors down...

Jennifer Aniston In Harper's

Jennifer Aniston as Barbra Streisand Jennifer Aniston proves that she's just like the ultimate "funny girl" in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar. "The Bounty Hunter" star dons some of Barbra Streisand's signature looks for the mag that hits stands on Aug. 17. Jen Channels Barbra for Harper's Bazaar Subscribers to Harper's will have this cover on their September issue. Jen tells...

Trouble Brews in Assam Over illegal Immigrants

By Biswajyoti Das Guwahati, Aug 11 : Thousands of students on Tuesday marched through the streets of Assam demanding resumption of work on the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The NRC is aimed at identifying millions of illegal settlers from neighboring countries, with locals fearing they would soon be outnumbered in their homeland by immigrants. Many say the immigrants, mostly from Bangladesh,...

Rallies Held in Manipur Hills For Protection of Tribal Rights And Land

Imphal, Aug 11 : Hundreds of tribals today demonstrated against alleged distortion of district boundaries in the census 2011 during simultaneous rallies marched at six places in areas of hill districts and demanded protection of rights and lands of the tribals. The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) with the support of various Kuki based civil bodies organized the rallies...