Journalism of Courage
Advertisement
Raakhi Jagga
Raakhi Jagga is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Ludhiana. With over two decades of experience, she is a leading voice on the socio-economic and political pulse of Punjab, particularly the Malwa region. Professional Background Specialization: She is widely known for her extensive on-ground coverage of agrarian distress, the 1971 war history, and the industrial challenges of Ludhiana (often called the Manchester of India). Key Coverage Areas: She has been at the forefront of reporting on the Farmer Protests, the impact of drug addiction on Punjabi youth, and the intricacies of the state's rural governance (Zila Parishads and Panchayats). Reporting Style: Her work often bridges the gap between high-level policy (like the MGNREGA or central farm laws) and their raw, grassroots impact on farmers and small-scale industrialists. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her reporting in late 2025 has focused heavily on rural elections, administrative controversies, and environmental policy: 1. Rural Governance & Politics "Punjab Zila Parishad polls: How candidates are placed and funding sources" (Dec 11, 2025): A comprehensive "Explained" piece breaking down the mechanics and financial structures of the 2025 rural body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailed reporting on the AAP's dominance in the recent local polls. "Before criticising VB-G RAM G, explain Punjab's MGNREGS work days" (Dec 19, 2025): Covering the political back-and-forth between the BJP and the AAP regarding the state’s employment guarantee performance. 2. Education & Labor Protests "Why experienced teachers in Punjab are protesting against govt-mandated bridge course" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the friction between the state government and veteran educators over new training mandates. "Punjab government cancels recruitment drive for psychologists" (Dec 21, 2025): Investigating the abrupt cancellation of a recruitment drive in favor of outsourcing. 3. Agriculture & Industry "Anti-stubble-burning move backfires: Paddy waste left to rot in Fatehgarh Sahib" (Oct 24, 2025): An investigative report on the failure of supply chains intended to move stubble to biomass power plants. "Punjab farmers forced to buy other products with subsidised urea" (Oct 16, 2025): Detailing the persistent issue of "tagging," where farmers are coerced into buying unwanted products to get essential fertilizers. "Diwali 2025: Amid date confusion, here’s when industries will celebrate" (Oct 18, 2025): A localized report on how Ludhiana's massive industrial sector navigates holiday calendar discrepancies. 4. Crime & High-Profile Incidents "Ex-Punjab IPS officer IG Amar Singh Chahal shoots himself after cyber fraud" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering the tragic fallout of a massive ₹8.10 crore cyber fraud targeting a retired high-ranking...
Authors you can follow
More From Raakhi Jagga - Page 155
Most deras in Malwa hub operate without bank accountSubscriber Only
August 31, 2017 00:16 IST
Salabatpura in Bathinda, Punjab’s largest dera spread over 125 acre, has no bank account. Punjab government had recently asked all districts to identify moveable and immovable dera properties in their respective areas.
Thu, Aug 31, 2017
Dera violence: Code phrases used to trigger violence on Aug 25, say policeSubscriber Only
August 29, 2017 08:06 IST
Most of the followers who went to Sirsa or Panckula had been told there was going to be a satsang and free langar, and that Ram Rahim would be appearing personally before the followers.
Tue, Aug 29, 2017
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh sentence: No dera sealed in Punjab, but naam charcha comes to a haltSubscriber Only
August 28, 2017 08:07 IST
Two-hour prayer meetings — which include shabad gyan, pravachan and guru mantra jap — were being held across state’s 98 deras till Aug 25
Mon, Aug 28, 2017
Malwa: 33 FIRs, 200 booked in dera violenceSubscriber Only
August 27, 2017 03:14 IST
In Bathinda alone, 9 FIRs have been lodged and nine arrested while 42 others have been taken into preventive custody. In Muktsar, a total of 96 persons were booked in five separate FIRs.
Sun, Aug 27, 2017
Gurmeet Ram Rahim rape case: Scared, faith shaken, followers can’t wait to get homeSubscriber Only
August 27, 2017 02:46 IST
A day after Panchkula erupted in clashes over Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s conviction in two cases of rape, his followers streamed back to their villages in Punjab - in small groups of ones and two. Many of them said they were just glad to be alive.
Sun, Aug 27, 2017
Punjab: Violence, chaos grip Malwa belt, curfew imposed in 10 districtsSubscriber Only
August 26, 2017 05:32 IST
The districts under curfew were — Sangrur, Moga, Bathinda, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Barnala, Patiala, Fazilka, and Mansa. Government-run Sewa Kendras across districts bore the brunt of the attacks.
Sat, Aug 26, 2017
Inside Punjab’s biggest dera, it’s business as usualSubscriber Only
August 25, 2017 06:21 IST
The throng of devotees has reduced to a trickle over the past few days, but the sewadars have beem showing up without fail to carry out routine duties. Nearly 300 followers, mostly senior citizens, were spread out in the dera carrying out various duties. Of them, around 100 are on the dera’s rolls, while the rest are all sewadars.
Fri, Aug 25, 2017
Ram Rahim verdict: Sale of petrol in bottles, cans banned in parts of PunjabSubscriber Only
August 24, 2017 03:03 IST
There were reports of people in panic storing ration and vegetables for a week.
Fri, Aug 25, 2017
Ram Rahim verdict: Not storing petrol or weapons, say Dera followersSubscriber Only
August 24, 2017 02:18 IST
During the recent Punjab Assembly polls, nearly 60 SAD candidates had sought Dera’s support.
Thu, Aug 24, 2017
Shuttling for nectar: A rags-to-riches ‘Bee-School’ success storySubscriber Only
August 24, 2017 02:08 IST
Kumar learnt about beekeeping initially from Buta Singh, a farmer from Badal. In 2002, he underwent formal training in apiculture from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Bathinda.
Thu, Aug 24, 2017Verdict on Ram Rahim in rape case: 75 companies of central forces arrive in Punjab, DGP visits sensitive areasSubscriber Only
August 23, 2017 00:45 IST
A detailed intelligence briefing was given to officers on available inputs about the plans of Dera Sacha Sauda followers and other groups. Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar districts share borders with Sirsa and have a large number of Dera followers.
Wed, Aug 23, 2017
Ahead of verdict, officials meet Dera representativesSubscriber Only
August 22, 2017 05:00 IST
Meanwhile, Ram Singh, member of the political arm of the Dera Sacha Sauda, told The Indian Express, “We have got no instructions from the Dera and hence we are organising our regular satsangs at Nam Charcha ghars across the state."
Tue, Aug 22, 2017
Malerkotla: ‘Torn’ pages of Quran found, probe launchedSubscriber Only
August 21, 2017 04:46 IST
A case was registered against unidentified persons for hurting religious sentiments, said Raj Kumar, Superintendent of Police, who added that CCTV footage of the area would be checked
Mon, Aug 21, 2017
Sangat darshans over, but ex-CM remains amid people through condolence meetingsSubscriber Only
August 20, 2017 01:55 IST
Known for devising the sangat darshan to connect with people by visiting villages, holding meetings where he would both listen to grievances and hand out cash for pre-approved projects, Badal appears to have substituted sangat darshans with condolence visits.
Sun, Aug 20, 2017
Loan waiver issue: Massive protest rally on August 22, warn farmersSubscriber Only
August 19, 2017 05:54 IST
As per the records available with the farmer unions, after formation of the Congress government in the state, a total of 130 farmers committed suicide and thus the issue of farmer suicides will also be discussed on top priority.
Sat, Aug 19, 2017
Punjab farmers warn of huge protest rally on August 22Subscriber Only
August 19, 2017 03:02 IST
The outfits have said that as per information available with them, 130 farmers have committed suicide after the Congress formed the government in the state.
Sat, Aug 19, 2017
Inter-state cotton surveillance :Water shortage, late sowing discussed at meetSubscriber Only
August 13, 2017 01:36 IST
Agriculture officials from the three states categorically maintained that the next 25 days were crucial for the cotton crop and special care needs to be taken. Nearly one-lakh hectare area under cotton was sown late and hence it needs to be monitored on a regular basis, said Dr Bains.
Sun, Aug 13, 2017
Punjab: Over 9 lakh trees chopped in past 5 years; ‘Translocating mature trees costly, not feasible’Subscriber Only
August 13, 2017 01:31 IST
It was a cost-intensive project in Bathinda as Rs 6,000 was the cost of shifting one tree. But if it is done in bulk and with sophisticated machines, the cost can be reduced, observed Ashwini Joshi, running an NGO, Green International, who had also filed a PIL in HC seeking relocation of trees .
Sun, Aug 13, 2017
Pesticide stores in cotton belt to be open todaySubscriber Only
August 13, 2017 01:11 IST
“Police will be called only in case of any emergency,” said Dr Jasbir Singh director, agriculture department, Punjab. Bunty Goyal, a union leader of pesticide dealers from Muktsar, also confirmed that the shops would be open on Sunday.
Sun, Aug 13, 2017
A day after CM Amarinder Singh, Khaira visits Mansa villagesSubscriber Only
August 13, 2017 00:52 IST
‘Nexus between pesticide manufacturers and ministers’
Sun, Aug 13, 2017
After 9 deaths, 58 positive cases, swine flu gives Punjab a summer scareSubscriber Only
August 11, 2017 07:49 IST
Such is the situation that Patiala’s Rajindra Medical College has exhausted its stock of testing kits and the lab is now waiting for kits from the Centre.
Fri, Aug 11, 2017
Farmer ‘commits’ suicide, blames CM Amarinder Singh, commission agent for extreme stepSubscriber Only
August 10, 2017 08:02 IST
“The commission agent filed a case in the court against the farmer. He had deposited a cheque in the bank without informing the farmer. The deceased remained stressed after the court case which eventually made him take this extreme step,” said Jasveer Singh of Bharti Kisan Union(Ugrahan).
Thu, Aug 10, 2017Whitefly attack in Bathinda, Mansa: Panic forces farmers to switch from cotton to other cropsSubscriber Only
August 10, 2017 07:52 IST
“He had a bad experience two years back and hence he decided to plough the fields. Moreover, he had no money to buy pesticides,” said Gora Singh Bhainibaga, a farmer of the same Khiyala Kalan village.
Thu, Aug 10, 2017
In 24 hours, 3 farmer suicides in MansaSubscriber Only
August 08, 2017 08:06 IST
In Mansa’s Ramditewala village, farm labourer Narinder Pal Singh took his own life by jumping before a train Sunday evening.
Tue, Aug 08, 2017
‘Gangster’ owns up rice miller’s murder on Facebook, warns othersSubscriber Only
August 03, 2017 00:58 IST
Following the murder which was captured on CCTV, police have lodged an FIR against 15 persons in Muktsar, Faridkot, Bathinda and Moga mostly relatives of Behbal and his accomplices, for allegedly harbouring the offenders
Thu, Aug 03, 2017Journalism of Courage
Install the Express App for
a better experience
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us