Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Correspondent from India and currently studying in the U.S., looks at the historic and economic roots of poverty. He argues for the need to provide basic necessities and the opportunity to make personal and economic choices. After reading the five different individual stories from John Isbister’s “A World of Poverty”, about people …

“Poverty imposes an inability to make choices” Read More »

Young people with disabilities have numerous concerns, especially in the developing world, writes Vibhu Sharma, 24, a Correspondent from Delhi in India, who notes the problems created by discrimination and social exclusion. It is difficult for most students with visual impairment to seek admission in general schools. Lack of adequate school infrastructure, unawareness amongst teachers …

“Educational inclusiveness for the disabled” Read More »

War and peace has been a focal issue in all periods of history, writes Abhay Shah, 17, a Correspondent from Siliguri in India. Lessons have been learned, but he argues that humankind must learn how to manage ongoing and new crises that threaten peace. The concern of humankind for peace can be assessed by taking …

“Peace and the essence of peace today” Read More »

Micro-financing is often heralded as a path out of poverty for maginalised groups, but Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Correspondent from India and currently studying in the U.S., examines the numbers and outlines the limitations that must be considered. A poor family lives on less than $2 a day, and the family seeks for financial predictability like …

“A case study on micro-finance” Read More »

India can rightly claim to be making continuous efforts to look after persons with disabilities, writes Vibhu Sharma, 24, a Correspondent from Delhi in India, but the issue now is to implement the laws that are on the books. In 1997, India set up a corporation to provide loans to disabled people to facilitate their economic …

“Women with disabilities can earn a living” Read More »

For centuries, the role of the press has been recognised as the Fourth Estate and as a forum for public discussion, writes Abhay Shah, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Siliguri in India. As World Press Freedom day approaches, he describes the balance that the media must strike in maintaining that role. Democracy cannot thrive in …

“Criticising the media to defend democracy” Read More »

Unhappy experience with racism prompts McPherlain Chungu, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Zambia now studying in India, to reflect on the role of apathy. He argues that each individual can combat racism by speaking up and looking for ways in which we are similar rather than different. Just weeks ago, ten Nigerian students sustained severe injuries after …

“Escalating racism is a problem of apathy” Read More »

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have been touted as the pioneers in the field of poverty alleviation in developing countries, writes Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from India currently studying in the U.S. However, he points out that some of their policies have been criticised by international development watchdogs. In Haiti’s case, the criticism arose …

“Development economics in Haiti and Ghana” Read More »

Five years after a rape case that shook society in India and made headlines around the world, Shiboni D’Souza, 23, a Correspondent from Bangalore in India, looks at the changes in law and public perception that have evolved since the horrendous attack on a woman now known as “Nirbhaya”. It has been almost five years …

“Nirbhaya – progress is a work in process” Read More »