In Assam, new rice varieties are a lifeline for farmers struggling to adapt to climate change

Flood-tolerant rice developed by Assam Agricultural University have come as a blessing for cultivators.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Jun 03, 2021 · 07:30 pm

Alphonso mango season has been delayed – and Maharashtra’s erratic weather is to blame

The state exports more than 50,000 tonnes of alphonso mangoes every year.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Jan 26, 2020 · 01:30 pm

Pune’s first LGBT Marathi litfest wants to make regional queer literature accessible

The event on Sunday will include readings and a session on getting published.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Nov 23, 2018 · 05:30 pm

‘Hamid: Unsung Humanist’ documentary reintroduces community reformer Hamid Dalwai to young India

The film, directed by Jyoti Subhash, features Naseeruddin Shah, Amruta Subhash and Hamid Dabholkar.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Jun 20, 2018 · 07:30 pm

How crop diversification helped marginal farmers in Maharashtra’s Solapur turn their lives around

They no longer need to work as daily wage labourers as household incomes have increased significantly.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Feb 04, 2018 · 09:30 pm

‘We don’t want this festival here’: Why electronic music event Sunburn is facing opposition in Pune

Right-Wing groups plan to hold a protest against the festival and villages near the venue have signed a resolution against the event.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Oct 06, 2017 · 12:30 pm

‘It glorifies Gandhi’s assassination’: A new play on Godse faces protests in Pune

'He Ram...Nathuram' has been produced by the lead actor in 'Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy', which depicted the assassin's point of view on the Mahatma's killing.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Dec 24, 2016 · 10:30 am

Tale of two pilgrimages: toilets for Kumbh Mela, manual scavengers for Ashadi Ekadashi

Unable to procure enough prefabricated toilets because of the Kumbh Mela, the Pandharpur municipality pressed sanitation workers to clean human waste in July, claims the staff.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Sep 24, 2015 · 12:30 pm

An inhumane Nag Panchami may return to Maharashtra – thanks to the environment minister

In 2014, the Bombay High Court had banned capture and exhibition of snakes on Nag Panchami, which will be celebrated on Wednesday. But Prakash Javadekar has other plans.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Aug 17, 2015 · 06:30 pm

Why a ban on bathing in the Godavari during the Kumbh Mela makes sense

The river, held as sacred, may not survive the influx, given the woefully inadequate arrangements for sanitation and waste disposal, say activists.

Varsha Torgalkar

· Jul 16, 2015 · 03:30 pm