In The News

The Need for WTO Reform

Vandana Shiva November 12, 2002
Farmers in India suffer from WTO rules. Without import restrictions and tariff barriers, subsistence farmers are forced to compete against subsidized firms that can provide artificially low prices. Meanwhile, costs have increased for farmers as multinationals rush into the market with seeds that require expensive fertilizers. Market access for developing countries and lowering subsidies – two...

Bill Gates to Tour India Amid Global Software Debate

Saritha Rai November 11, 2002
With a global battle shaping up between the proprietary Microsoft Windows operating system and freely available Linux, another battle is on for the hearts and minds of India’s half million software programmers . Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is making his third trip to India in two years, with the aim of wooing the programmers to write their codes for Windows. His visit comes in the midst of...

Why Should We Do More to Cut Greenhouse Gases?

P. Sunderarajan October 31, 2002
At the start of a UN conference on climate change in New Delhi, the Indian government is taking offense at the suggestion that India and other so-called developing nations should further decrease their greenhouse gases emissions. Developed nations have called for an increase in developing nations' commitment to gas reduction. Prime Minister Vajpayee calls this proposed standard “...

Bhopal Seethes, Pained and Poor 18 Years Later

Amy Waldman September 21, 2002
When a gas cloud leaked out of the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal 18 years ago, the health threat was the immediate concern. Although health complications continue to loom over the residents – 30,000 people have been diagnosed as suffering from long-term harm – new worries plague the community. The desire for accountability, retribution, and compensation play out on a local stage that seeks global...

Boeing, Airbus Competition Puts Pakistan in a Fix

Masood Anwar August 22, 2002
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) must decide on more than which airplane to buy; it must also find a way to appease the country which produces that airplane. In an effort to help the ailing airline industry, the U.S. and France are using diplomatic power to force PIA to make a decision in favor of either Boeing (U.S.) or Airbus (France). For the moment, PIA has yet to make a final decision,...

Nor Any Drop to Drink

August 22, 2002
Despite India's relative abundance of water, the majority of Indians wonder from where and for how much longer their water is coming. With farmers seeking more for their crops and villages demanding more for drinking, the central government is deferring to the states to regulate the available supply. Andhra Pradesh, a southern state, has created local councils to determine appropriations...

Cybercafe Crackdown May Trip up Leering Boys

Ian Fisher August 1, 2002
In the name of fighting terrorism, the Government of Pakistan has imposed new regulations that would keep track of cybercafe users. The new rules require cybercafes to register with the government and to ask every customer for proof of identity so as to track terrorists and deny them access to public computers. However, like the rest of the world, porn sites, email accounts and chat sites are...