Dear Reader,

Every month, our small newsroom sets out to do what journalism is meant to do: ask difficult questions, investigate what matters, add context to the news and tell stories that might otherwise go untold.

August was no different. Here are six stories our newsroom is proud to have reported this month:

Indians tricked into Russia’s war: Families continue to wait for sons lured to Russia with promises of jobs, only to find themselves fighting on the frontline.

Ayodhya land deals: An investigation into how relatives of politicians made large profits from land deals around the Ram temple.

India’s weight-loss drug boom: We looked at the risks of powerful weight-loss medicines being sold and prescribed with little oversight.

Jharkhand’s exam aspirants: Young people are losing years of their lives trying to clear government recruitment exams that have been plagued by delays and controversy.

Mercury in fairness creams: Our investigation found adulterated skin-lightening products leading to a surge in mercury poisoning cases in rural Maharashtra.

Assam’s drought and floods: Farmers went from weeks without rain to devastating floods, highlighting the growing unpredictability of the monsoon.

This is what independent journalism looks like.

If you value this kind of diverse and independent reporting, please support us. Become a Scroll member today!

Regards,
Team Scroll