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The article discusses the challenges faced by working women in India in ensuring their safety while commuting and at work. Women often engage in invisible labor to protect themselves from potential attacks, reflecting the pervasive sense of insecurity in public spaces. The low percentage of women in the Indian workforce is attributed to conservative values and safety concerns. Despite economic privilege offering some security measures, many women still face fear and worry while navigating public spaces. [Extracted from the article]

Kashmiris voted for an opposition alliance in the region's first local election since Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked its special autonomous status in 2019. The election will bring some self-rule back to the region, but the new government will have limited powers after the scrapping of Article 370. The National Conference, a prominent Kashmiri party, won 42 seats, and India's main opposition Congress party won six seats in the 90-member legislature. The Hindu nationalist government argued that the special status worked against the unity of India, while the opposition criticized the move. India and Pakistan have gone to war several times over Kashmir, which each controls part of but claims in full. New Delhi will continue to have direct control over key decisions in the region. The move to scrap Kashmir's special status sparked fears that the region would lose its distinct identity and was accompanied by mass arrests of opposition leaders and mainstream politicians, as well as a lengthy internet and communications blackout. India's Supreme Court upheld the government's move last year, stating that the status was never intended to be permanent. The region's last state election was held in 2014, after which the BJP allied with a Kashmiri party to form a government. The government collapsed in 2018 after the BJP pulled out of the coalition. The recent elections drew a turnout of approximately 64% across three polling dates. Kashmir also saw high turnout during national elections earlier this year. People are hoping that locally elected leaders will be able to address [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the public outcry and protests triggered by the alleged rape and killing of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, India. Topics include the connection to the 2012 Delhi gang rape and its impact on legal reforms, the ongoing societal attitudes towards women and sexual violence in India, and the response from medical professionals, including protests and work stoppages.

India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has intensified its campaign rhetoric against Muslims ahead of the country's election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third term, has described Muslims as "infiltrators" and has warned that the opposition Congress Party will redirect wealth and affirmative-action programs from lower-caste Hindus to Muslims. The Election Commission has ordered the social-media platform X to take down a video from the BJP that violated campaign rules. Critics argue that the BJP's rhetoric is divisive and aims to mobilize its core Hindu voters. [Extracted from the article]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party are expected to win a third national victory in the upcoming elections in India, according to political analysts and surveys. Despite concerns over unemployment and inflation, Modi's personal appeal and promise to strengthen India's Hindu identity have resonated with many voters. The opposition Congress Party has struggled to regain its footing, with many Indians perceiving its leader, Rahul Gandhi, as a privileged member of the elite. While Modi's government has faced accusations of stifling dissent and eroding democracy, it has also implemented social welfare programs and initiatives to attract foreign investment. However, economic concerns persist, with job creation and formal economy participation remaining challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Young, highly educated individuals in India are struggling to find well-paying jobs, according to a report from Azim Premji University. While India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, it is not creating enough jobs for the millions of young people entering the labor force each year. The unemployment rate for college graduates under the age of 25 in India is over 40%, compared to 11% for those who have completed primary school but not college. Recruiters also find that many college graduates are not equipped for the jobs they aspire to, as they often receive general degrees from for-profit colleges that do not prepare them for competitive sectors. The government's efforts to increase employment have not focused on industries that would generate significant job opportunities. Unemployment remains high even for graduates aged 25 to 29, indicating a persistent problem. Many young people are turning to government jobs, which offer job security and benefits, as private job opportunities are limited. [Extracted from the article]

The Indian National Congress, the main opposition party in India, claims that its campaign for the upcoming election has been severely impacted after tax authorities froze its accounts and seized its funds. The party alleges that state agencies are being used against opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The timing of these actions, according to the Congress party, is an attempt to financially cripple them before the election. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party denies these allegations and states that the income-tax recovery action was carried out according to normal legal procedures. [Extracted from the article]

Selfie stations featuring cutouts of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have become popular across India as national elections approach. These selfie points, set up by government departments, celebrate various advancements made by India, such as the expansion of electricity access and the country's space program. While some people enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to take selfies with Modi's likeness, others criticize the selfie points as a misuse of public funds for political purposes. Despite the controversy, Modi's popularity is expected to contribute to his party's success in the upcoming elections. [Extracted from the article]

India's Supreme Court has upheld Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to remove the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan state. The move, which fulfilled a key promise to Modi's supporters, scrapped the autonomy accorded to the Muslim-majority state and was seen by the Hindu nationalist movement as necessary to prevent separatist insurgencies. The court ruled that the government had the right to withdraw the special status, known as Article 370, which was originally intended as a temporary response to wartime conditions. Kashmiri leaders expressed disappointment and argued that the move left the region without basic rights. [Extracted from the article]

Intense rainfall in the mountainous state of Sikkim, India, caused a glacial lake to burst, resulting in flash flooding in the Teesta River valley. At least 19 people, including six soldiers, were killed, and over 100 people, including many soldiers, were reported missing. The flooding destroyed infrastructure, including bridges and a dam, and disrupted communication networks in the area. The South Lhonak Lake, which experienced significant water loss, had been identified as a potential risk for downstream flooding due to melting glaciers. The Himalayan region is highly vulnerable to climate change, which threatens its glaciers and water availability for millions of people. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: wsjworld; photo-commission; leder; gfx-contrib; Asia Pacific; Asia; BRICS Countries; Delhi; Emerging Market Countries; Developing Economies EN wsjworld photo-commission leder gfx-contrib Asia Pacific Asia BRICS Countries Delhi Emerging Market Countries Developing Economies N.PAG N.PAG 1 08/22/23 20230819 NES 230819 Just 24% of women in India are working or looking for work Many countries have followed a similar economic trajectory: As they develop, women increasingly enter the workforce, further fueling the country's upward climb. JCB hired a psychologist to visit its factories in India, in part to counsel female employees on how to handle family pressure, Shetty said. Economists say compared with India, Bangladesh has looser labor laws that have allowed factories to expand quickly and doesn't have as many strong caste rules that encourage social conformity. [Extracted from the article]