Like what you’re reading? This is your chance to support the high-quality, nonprofit, international news you read here. And when you make a gift now, and your donation will be matched.
A group of 15 kids, mostly former dropouts themselves, fan out across Kolkata's slums to free children like themselves from the constraints of child labor and child marriages — by getting them back in school.
The Durga festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the state of Bengal in India. For five days, people worship the goddess of strength and courage who slayed a demon who was going around killing everybody. It's equivalent to Christmas for us Bengalis.
Reporter Rhitu Chatterjee woke up yesterday in New Delhi to the sound of something she hasn’t heard in years — a radio broadcast heralding the start of the Hindu religious festival of Mahalaya. It turns out the program has been the exact same recording for decades, uniting generations of Bengalis.
Delhi-based reporter Rhitu Chatterjee says that protests after two teenagers were gang raped and murdered last week are nowhere near the scale of the movement in 2012, and the lack of public outrage is because of the victim's caste.
In which city in West Bengal, India, would you find a traditional wedding ceremony where a bride covers her face with a betel leaf and where guests blow on a conch shell to celebrate the couple?
India has a growing problem with trafficking of young women. Oftentimes, though, these women aren't sold into prostitution, per se, but rather into forced marriages. It's a problem exacerbated by a culture that has allowed female fetuses to be aborted, leading to many more men than women.
Every year tens of thousands of girls in India are sold into a life of violence and abuse. Many are sold to be brides. That has a lot to do with gender imbalances and the widespread practice of aborting female fetuses in northern India.
We're looking for the name of a town in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. This town in the foothills of the Himalayas gives its name to one of the world's most popular tea varieties.
We're looking for the name of a town in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. This town in the foothills of the Himalayas gives its name to one of the world's most popular tea varieties.
Every year tens of thousands of girls in India are sold into a life of violence and abuse. Many are sold to be brides. That has a lot to do with gender imbalances and the widespread practice of aborting female fetuses in northern India.
India has a growing problem with trafficking of young women. Oftentimes, though, these women aren't sold into prostitution, per se, but rather into forced marriages. It's a problem exacerbated by a culture that has allowed female fetuses to be aborted, leading to many more men than women.
In which city in West Bengal, India, would you find a traditional wedding ceremony where a bride covers her face with a betel leaf and where guests blow on a conch shell to celebrate the couple?
Delhi-based reporter Rhitu Chatterjee says that protests after two teenagers were gang raped and murdered last week are nowhere near the scale of the movement in 2012, and the lack of public outrage is because of the victim's caste.
Reporter Rhitu Chatterjee woke up yesterday in New Delhi to the sound of something she hasn’t heard in years — a radio broadcast heralding the start of the Hindu religious festival of Mahalaya. It turns out the program has been the exact same recording for decades, uniting generations of Bengalis.
The Durga festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the state of Bengal in India. For five days, people worship the goddess of strength and courage who slayed a demon who was going around killing everybody. It's equivalent to Christmas for us Bengalis.
A group of 15 kids, mostly former dropouts themselves, fan out across Kolkata's slums to free children like themselves from the constraints of child labor and child marriages — by getting them back in school.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. To learn more, review our Cookie Policy. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies and Privacy Policy.
Arts, Culture & Media
India Protects Its Most Valuable Tea
The World
December 18, 2012
We're looking for the name of a town in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. This town in the foothills of the Himalayas gives its name to one of the world's most popular tea varieties.
Conflict & Justice
The Trafficking of Girls in India
The World
January 09, 2013
Every year tens of thousands of girls in India are sold into a life of violence and abuse. Many are sold to be brides. That has a lot to do with gender imbalances and the widespread practice of aborting female fetuses in northern India.
Conflict & Justice
Trafficking of young girls in India a growing problem amid gender imbalance
The World
January 10, 2013
India has a growing problem with trafficking of young women. Oftentimes, though, these women aren't sold into prostitution, per se, but rather into forced marriages. It's a problem exacerbated by a culture that has allowed female fetuses to be aborted, leading to many more men than women.
Arts, Culture & Media
An American teacher in India enjoys the traditions of a Bengali wedding
The World
February 05, 2014
In which city in West Bengal, India, would you find a traditional wedding ceremony where a bride covers her face with a betel leaf and where guests blow on a conch shell to celebrate the couple?
Conflict & Justice
Why the vast majority of middle-class Indians didn't protest after the latest gang rape and murder
The World
June 06, 2014
Delhi-based reporter Rhitu Chatterjee says that protests after two teenagers were gang raped and murdered last week are nowhere near the scale of the movement in 2012, and the lack of public outrage is because of the victim's caste.
Media
For Bengali Hindus, radio is an unchanging part of a religious tradition
The World
September 24, 2014
Reporter Rhitu Chatterjee woke up yesterday in New Delhi to the sound of something she hasn’t heard in years — a radio broadcast heralding the start of the Hindu religious festival of Mahalaya. It turns out the program has been the exact same recording for decades, uniting generations of Bengalis.
Belief
Why do we celebrate goddesses, but treat our women so poorly?
The World
October 03, 2014
The Durga festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the state of Bengal in India. For five days, people worship the goddess of strength and courage who slayed a demon who was going around killing everybody. It's equivalent to Christmas for us Bengalis.
Culture
Child 'superheroes' free children from child labor and marriage
GlobalPost
April 16, 2018
A group of 15 kids, mostly former dropouts themselves, fan out across Kolkata's slums to free children like themselves from the constraints of child labor and child marriages — by getting them back in school.
Global Politics
Women are becoming 'electable' candidates in India — even when they don't win
GlobalPost
May 29, 2019
Historically shut out of Indian politics, women are now busting societal prejudices and gaining political power.