August 2011 – Page 2 – New Socialist Alternative

Film Review: Aarakshan (Reservation)

21 August 2011

A name that still rattles the nerves of many people especially the youth across India is the issue of reservation (affirmative action) and has been used by governments time and again to divide people along their caste lines. This film by the noted director – Prakash Jha, which was released recently stoked controversy mainly among some of the pro reservationist section of the Indian establishment who objected to some of the lines in the film. It led to a ban on the film in three states across India namely: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, who cited law and order problem on account of its controversial theme. read more

Life of Hell: Bangalore Garment Workers Woes & Challenges Ahead

13 August 2011

The life of 5 lakh plus (half a million) Garment workers in Bangalore is nothing but hellish existence. This industry which predominantly employs women, is rampant with all known forms of exploitation. Extreme work pressures, lack of secure job , absence of basic facilities, extended working hours without adequate Over Time allowance , denial of leave, bonus, gratuity, PF ( Provident Fund), ESI (Employee State Insurance), which have all added to the miserable existence of these women in the city. read more

Editorial: Dudiyoraa Horaata (Workers’ Struggle)

11 August 2011

(Bi-monthly Kannada Paper of the New Socialist alternative)

Recently certain authorities from the ministry of finance, who thought very clever of themselves, by stating that the situation of poverty in India is not as bad as claimed by the Arjun Sengupta committee on unorganized workers and that the living wages of the poor has actually increased! According to Sengupta committee report (2007), more than 77% of the Indian population lived on less than Rs. 20 a day. But the sycophants of the World Bank, IMF and WTO to sideline the committee report have gone on record stating that the urban poor today live on Rs. 35 a day and the rural poor around Rs. 20 a day. read more

World Economy: Capitalist leaders desperate to calm turmoil

10 August 2011

Trying to control an anarchic and blind system, none of the measures taken stem the downward spiral

As their system continues to slide into its worst crisis since the 1930s, the frantic efforts of world capitalist leaders to reverse the process are farcical, contradictory and ineffective. “Is anyone in control? Is this a runaway train?” asked a presenter on a British news programme on Monday evening – the day Wall Street crashed by 6% and markets everywhere plummeted. read more

Britain:Tottenham riots

10 August 2011

Fatal police shooting sparks eruption of protest and anger

Tottenham is located in the borough of Haringey, north London, where over 10,000 people claim jobseeker’s allowance. One ward, Northumberland Park, is among the most deprived areas in Europe.

The council has voted to add to this immiseration with £41 million in cuts to vital public services and jobs. Tottenham is also where the 1985 Broadwater Farm riots took place, sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett, linked to the police. read more