South Asia Citizens Web

Conditional cash transfers” (CCTs) are a new buzzword in policy circles. The idea is simple: give poor people cash conditional on good behaviour such as sending children to school. This helps to score two goals in one shot: poor people get some income support, and at the same time, they take steps to lift themselves out of poverty. CCT enthusiasm, however, is often based on a superficial reading of the Latin American experience.

Sarmila Bose discusses her new book about the historical narratives of the 1971 civil war that broke up East Pakistan (Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh War is published by C. Hurst and Co. and Columbia University Press.)

Perhaps you are aware that the hunger fast of Irom Sharmila Chanu has
crossed 10 years, with a demand for repeal of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special
Powers Act, 1958. She has been force fed through her nose by the Government, arrested with charges for attempt to commit suicide, criminalised as a high security prisoner, denying her access to family, friends, supporters and the media. It is a shame that in this land of Gandhi, a non-violent protester has been subjected to such humiliation for more than ten years. Globally, in the history of non-violent resistance, this struggle is unmatched in terms of its resilence and sustaining power.

In a two part interview, Dr Binayak Sen speaks to Tehelka on Human rights, Inequity and Sedition

OSAMA bin Laden’s capture and killing provides the Pakistani state an opportunity to make a clean break with the past.