Lucknow, Aug 17 (IPS) – On the eve of India’s 76th Independence Day, the president of the country, Droupadi Murmu, received a letter signed by 102 international writers, including authors from India and the Indian diaspora expressing “grave concerns about the rapidly worsening situation for human rights” and calling for the release of imprisoned writers and “dissident and critical voices”.

                                    Three Truths to Address Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment in the UN                                
                                    COP27 Fiddling as World Warms                                
                                    UN chief highlights crucial role of G20 in resolving global crises                                
                                    Somalia: Human rights chief decries steep rise in civilian casualties                                
                                    Ukraine: UN convoy delivers vital aid to residents of Kherson                                
                                    COP27: Week two opens with focus on water, women and more negotiations on ‘loss and damage’                                
                                        A new treatment could restore some mobility in people paralyzed by strokes                                    
                                        What has Perseverance found in two years on Mars?                                    
                                        This robot automatically tucks its limbs to squeeze through spaces                                    
                                        Greta Thunberg’s new book urges the world to take climate action now