Latest Stories from Sahil
The hidden struggle of gay men in urban areas across India
In the shadows of Indiaβs cities, a pervasive crisis of violence continues to plague gay and bisexual men, revealing deep-rooted prejudice that persists despite legal progress.
In bustling metropolitan centres throughout India, a disturbing narrative of violence against gay and bisexual men is unfolding, challenging the nationβs progressive legal stance on LGBTQIA+ rights and exposing deep-rooted prejudice that continues to threaten the communityβs safety and wellbeing.
A ground-breaking
Reimagining queer solidarity in India
Within the countryβs LGBTQIA+ movement, marginal voices are demanding recognition because beyond the rainbow flags and celebratory marches lies a complex landscape of exclusion which challenges the very foundations of what it means to be βproud.β Though the rainbow has long been a symbol of hope, unity, and diverse expression, in the context of Indiaβs Pride movements, it has increasingly revealed deep fissures within the queer community β namely broader...
When consumer choices become political statements
In a world increasingly divided by complex geopolitical tensions, consumers are showing solidarity with humanitarian causes by challenging multinational corporations. Last month, Gaza Cola β the beverage βwith a message and a missionβ β took off in the UK. The popularity of this βapartheid-freeβ alternative to boycotted brands among pro-Palestine supporters was a profound statement of resistance, encapsulating the growing global movement of conscious consumerism. At a time when every purchase can...
Why are ecosystems in west India vanishing?
As developers commodify pristine landscapes to meet the growing demand for luxury coastal living in Goa, the state faces an environmental reckoning that threatens not only its natural heritage, but the survival of its delicate ecological balance. Long celebrated for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, the picturesque coastal state of Goa is facing an environmental catastrophe that extends far beyond the widespread issue of overtourism. As controversies...
Confronting the political weaponisation of transgender issues
In the charged landscape of modern global politics, where culture wars often overshadow human rights, the transgender communityβs struggle reveals deep-rooted systemic inequalities. Political campaigns and electoral systems worldwide continue to marginalise transgender communities, reflecting complex layers of social, economic, and political discrimination. What was once a marginal discussion has become a way to generate votes. In America, the Trump campaignβs unprecedented $29 million investment in advertisements targeting...
Lebanonβs humanitarian crisis has highlighted womenβs resilience
In the shadow of ongoing conflict, the women of Lebanon stand as pillars of strength, navigating a landscape of destruction, displacement, and persistent systemic challenges that threaten to erase their voices and identities. The current crisis in Lebanon is more than just a humanitarian emergency β it is a profound human rights catastrophe that exposes the intersectionality of gender, violence, and geopolitical conflict. Since the escalation of military...
Birth rates are plummeting worldwide
Threatening economic stability, social structures, and the very future of humanity, governments across the globe are desperately intervening to prevent further population decline. The world is witnessing an unprecedented demographic transformation. Countries once concerned about overpopulation are now frantically seeking ways to encourage reproduction, with approaches ranging from creative incentives to deeply controversial and invasive proposals that challenge human rights and personal autonomy. In Japan, especially, the situation has reached a disturbing...
The global financial deadlock at COP29 must be confronted
As the world teeters on the brink of a climate catastrophe, the stakes at COP29 have never been higher and leaders must reckon with the urgency of implementing tangible action. For decades, international climate conferences have been long on rhetoric and short on meaningful action. The current negotiations in Baku have highlighted a stark divide between developing nations and emerging economies requiring $1.3 trillion annually in climate...
Himalayan glacial lakes are expanding at an alarming rate
Driven by climate change and as a result of rising temperatures, this is rapidly heightening the risk of floods that have the potential to devastate communities across the region. Over the past 13 years, the overall area of Himalayan glacial lakes has increased by more than 10 per cent, from 533,401 hectares in 2011 to 591,108 hectares in 2024. This rapid expansion is primarily being driven by the...
Darjeeling zooβs trailblazing efforts to save the endangered red panda
Not only has it successfully rewilded nine in the past two years β with plans to release a tenth soon β but has established Indiaβs first genetic biobank facility to preserve the DNA of vulnerable Himalayan species. At the heart of Darjeeling Zooβs success is its Topkeydara Conservation Centre, where orphaned or rescued red pandas are carefully rehabilitated and made ready for life back in the wild. Caretaker Sudhan Chhetri...
