Puja Changoiwala

Sanctity Can’t Save India’s Cows

In an environment where India must chase growth, cows are still mistreated in two of the country's largest industries — leather and dairy.

The ‘Period Huts’ of India

Although Nepal’s chhaupadi tradition has come under scrutiny, ‘period huts’ persist in India, too. India’s gaokars are tattered, isolated huts, where women are often banished during their periods. In some cases, the practice even leads to death.

India’s Sex Workers are Still Unbanked

Over 181m women have opened bank accounts in the past few years thanks to a government program, but most of India’s 3m sex workers remain unbanked. A new task force on financial inclusion for sex workers, announced in January, might be too little too late.

The Political Battle on India’s Regional Social Media

As the world’s largest democracy gears up for its general elections, politicians and parties have opened up accounts on Indian-language platforms, hoping to woo the electorate.

The Oscar-winning ‘Pad Man’ of India

A man’s pursuit to ensure menstrual hygiene for his wife sparked a revolution in the sanitary napkin industry, bringing affordable pads to 3.5 million women across India and many more across the world.

The Ghostbusters of Indian Prisons

As more inmates raise alarms of haunted barracks and spirits in Indian prisons, authorities are now compelled to debunk superstitions with science and reason.