This analysis explores that apparent contradiction by examining the collapse in women’s education and labour-force participation, the rise of women-led enterprises, and the financial and structural challenges these businesses continue to face. Presentation and editing: Devyanshi Bihani Camera: Thamodharan B. Published – July 03, 2026 04:45 pm IST
Labourers working under MNREGA near Farhatabad in Kalaburagi district in Karnataka | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), which completely overhauls the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), came into force on July 1, despite serious concerns raised by many States. One … Read more
Children watch from atop a promontory overlooking shelters for people displaced by war, as smoke billows in the background near the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on June 19, 2026. | Photo Credit: EYAD BABA What began as a response to the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, … Read more
(1) Fire in Lucknow building: at least 14 killed At least 14 were killed in a fire that broke out in a three-storey building in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on Monday last week (June 22, 2026). The building housed a pet shop and clinic, an IT office, a gaming centre and a coaching centre on its … Read more
In the wake of the milk adulteration incident in Rajahmundry, Food Safety officials conducted inspections across various milk booths, collecting milk samples to check whether quality and safety standards are being maintained, in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | Photo Credit: RAJU V Two suspected cases of food poisoning reported this month, one at … Read more
The Taliban’s draconian restrictions over the past five years have led to Afghan women facing an unprecedented rollback of rights and freedoms. As universities and many formal workplaces become inaccessible, growing numbers of women are turning to small-scale entrepreneurship as one of the few remaining avenues to earn a livelihood and retain a measure of … Read more
(1) Ammonia leaks from factory, kills at least eight Ammonia gas leaked from a seafood processing plant in Tiruvallur district on Sunday last week (June 21, 2026), killing at least eight people and over 60 being admitted for treatment. According to a bulletin, 77 individuals were affected by the leak. Routine industrial operations exposed workers … Read more
CHENNAI, 14/03/2017 : For Tamil Nadu Desk : An electricity pylon tower carries high voltage power lines, the picture taken at Redhills in Chennai. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B The grim financial health of the Tamil Nadu government has been accentuated by the plight of State Public Sector Undertakings (SPSUs), … Read more
After releasing the “Kerala’s Fiscal Health — A Status Report” (white paper), which raised serious concerns over the State’s rising debt burden while strongly criticising the previous Left government for alleged fiscal mismanagement, the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government on Thursday presented its maiden budget. The budget estimates the debt-to-GSDP ratio to come down … Read more
Less than 10% of Indian respondents said they would prefer to have three, four or more children | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B On May 16, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a one-time incentive of ₹30,000 for the third child and ₹40,000 for the fourth. He said that these incentives were a … Read more