Monthly Archives: August 2017

August 22nd 2017, as it is said, was a day of immense significance. The Supreme Court gave the much awaited judgement and made instant Triple Talaq unconstitutional. In a heterogeneous country like ours with a history of complex relationships between two major religious communities, the judgement has provoked multiple reactions- emotive, political, gross and subtle. We feel that the issue needs to be seen with greater depth and clarity which more often than not television channels or even mainstream newspapers tend to miss. It is in this context that The New Leam editorial team has chosen to throw light on four central issues relating to judgement on Triple Talaq and its socio-political context.

There are some obsessions that are traditional while there are some that are the gift of the modern times; no matter what their origin they curb the ability of a society to think openly and creatively. It is this range of compulsive behaviors that the author has discussed trying to persuade us of the need to contemplate and look beyond for the betterment of human society.

In this article Pritha Sen—a bank employee posted in Siliguri—recalls the days of Emergency, and compares it with the new form of social control she is witnessing at this moment of our history.

Makiguchi was a great Japanese educationist. His major book Education for Creative Living was published in 1930. Here we are reproducing a small section from the book. We believe that it reminds us of the meaning of the vocation of teaching. Society begins to degenerate if teachers lose their moral foundation. At a time when teaching is seen as just another job, it is important to reflect on Makiguchi’s deep concerns.

Goa and the rest of western India is gearing up to celebrate the much cherished Ganpati festival however these festivities have brought us face to face with questions of ecological degradation and environmental pollution in an unprecedented way. How long are we going to turn a blind eye to this alarming crisis?

In this article the author has engaged with two popular films of the 1970s- Anand and Deewar, and examined the philosophy of death that lies hidden in the symbolisms used I these two films.

Arts have a potential to cure tension and stress. They help us by making life aesthetic and meaningful in different ways. Let us explore how we can live more artistically in day to day existence.

As Irom Sharmila enters the conjugal bond and steps into a new phase in her life, we recall her life’s trajectory and the many turbulent moments that made her a rare Gandhian Satyagrahi in times of growing intolerance and aggressive national politics. Here is a tribute to the woman who redefined political leadership and commitment and through her actions proclaimed how powerful the tool of ahimsa could be even when military tanks and armies rule our consciousness.

n a recent ruling the plea of female government school teachers to be allowed to wear ‘churidars’ to work was declined making ‘saree’ the unquestionable choice. This incident shows the archaic mindsets prevalent and the completely misplaced priorities of the state which rather than concentrating on matters of great importance that haunt the nation takes pleasure in dictating women’s sartorial preferences. Are we really in the 21st century?

Humans have resorted to unsustainable life patterns across the globe and this has culminated in unprecedented threats and possibilities of a global disaster- while treaties and agreements on climate change continue to be signed not much has changed radically. What is the way forward for our planet Earth?