The 2011 provisional figure for the sex ratio in the age group 0-6 (CSR) is a mixed bag of hope and despair. While on one hand the tempo with which CSRs were becoming skewed in favour of boys over the last two decades has slowed down and the worst areas have shown some improvement, on the other, there is rapid spread of low CSRs to regions well beyond the traditional strongholds known for discriminatory practices towards girls. A combination of factors responsible for such spread demand contextualised short and long term interventions.

The State of Chhattisgarh is transforming and contrary to the older generation where tribal or non-tribal status impacted the way people would access amenities such as literacy, the disparities in the population are disappearing rapidly.

The debate on dams explores the classic clash between official discourse on development and people’s aspirations at large. Because of the ecological, cultural and spatial configurations of states, issues for new and existing power projects become uniquely cross border concerns. A carefully architected approach which keeps in sight both environmental sustainability and pro-people stance is the order of the day.

Several scholars have suggested that there is intrinsic affinity between women and nature and both are subordinated by patriarchal processes, women by men and nature by culture – an ideological position known as ecofeminism. Although powerfully argued, such formulation inadequately addresses division of gendered labour within households that assign tasks such as collection of water, free fodder, fuel etc. sourced essentially from natural environs by women. It is the survival dependence on nature added by persistent social conditioning that nurture and care is what they embody, make women care for nature more. Water provides a good case for suggesting an alternative way of looking at the issue in a pragmatic manner.

The State of Chhattisgarh is transforming and contrary to the older generation where tribal or non-tribal status impacted the way people would access amenities such as literacy, the disparities in the population are disappearing rapidly.

Skewed and Gendered Skills: Barring a few exceptions, neither the formal system nor the informal system nor the private entrepreneurs seem to be motivated enough to expand the skill horizon for women per se.