As Bengal prepares to vote, its transgender community, with no access to proper housing, education and medical facilities, and still reeling under the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, sees no glimmer of redressal in the midst of lofty promises ahead of the West Bengal elections 2021.

As Bengal prepares to vote, its transgender community, with no access to proper housing, education and medical facilities, and still reeling under the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, sees no glimmer of redressal in the midst of lofty promises ahead of the West Bengal elections 2021.

As Bengal prepares to vote, its transgender community, with no access to proper housing, education and medical facilities, and still reeling under the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, sees no glimmer of redressal in the midst of lofty promises ahead of the West Bengal elections 2021.

In 2017, Shital Pati from Cooch Behar was named an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’, and Ghughumari, Barokodali and Nakkati-Pushnadanga villages identified as important centres of production. However, craftspersons are unhappy due to lack of income. Now, the Government has resumed efforts to revive the craft.

In 2017, Shital Pati from Cooch Behar was named an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’, and Ghughumari, Barokodali and Nakkati-Pushnadanga villages identified as important centres of production. However, craftspersons are unhappy due to lack of income. Now, the Government has resumed efforts to revive the craft.

In 2017, Shital Pati from Cooch Behar was named an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’, and Ghughumari, Barokodali and Nakkati-Pushnadanga villages identified as important centres of production. However, craftspersons are unhappy due to lack of income. Now, the Government has resumed efforts to revive the craft.

The state has a pension scheme for widows, but only 10% avail its benefits, as reflected in a recent World Bank document. By 2041, a fifth of the state’s population is expected to be elderly.

The state has a pension scheme for widows, but only 10% avail its benefits, as reflected in a recent World Bank document. By 2041, a fifth of the state’s population is expected to be elderly.

The state has a pension scheme for widows, but only 10% avail its benefits, as reflected in a recent World Bank document. By 2041, a fifth of the state’s population is expected to be elderly.

The state has a pension scheme for widows, but only 10% avail its benefits, as reflected in a recent World Bank document. By 2041, a fifth of the state’s population is expected to be elderly.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau 2019, West Bengal and Assam are among the top-five states in crime against women. West Bengal’s toll-free 24/7 helpline is dysfunctional while its landline helpline works only five days a week during office hours. Assam’s helpline is under-staffed and cash-strapped.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau 2019, West Bengal and Assam are among the top-five states in crime against women. West Bengal’s toll-free 24/7 helpline is dysfunctional while its landline helpline works only five days a week during office hours. Assam’s helpline is under-staffed and cash-strapped.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau 2019, West Bengal and Assam are among the top-five states in crime against women. West Bengal’s toll-free 24/7 helpline is dysfunctional while its landline helpline works only five days a week during office hours. Assam’s helpline is under-staffed and cash-strapped.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau 2019, West Bengal and Assam are among the top-five states in crime against women. West Bengal’s toll-free 24/7 helpline is dysfunctional while its landline helpline works only five days a week during office hours. Assam’s helpline is under-staffed and cash-strapped.

It’s the festive season in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. Market places are packed with shoppers whose face masks protect their chins instead of mouths and noses. There is zero fear or care for the pandemic.

It’s the festive season in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. Market places are packed with shoppers whose face masks protect their chins instead of mouths and noses. There is zero fear or care for the pandemic.

It’s the festive season in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. Market places are packed with shoppers whose face masks protect their chins instead of mouths and noses. There is zero fear or care for the pandemic.

It’s the festive season in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. Market places are packed with shoppers whose face masks protect their chins instead of mouths and noses. There is zero fear or care for the pandemic.

West Bengal accounts for about 26 per cent marriages of young girls aged 15-19 years in India. More than half the marriages in its Cooch Behar district are child marriages. Between March 1 and August 15 this year, 119 such cases were reported in the district.

West Bengal accounts for about 26 per cent marriages of young girls aged 15-19 years in India. More than half the marriages in its Cooch Behar district are child marriages. Between March 1 and August 15 this year, 119 such cases were reported in the district.