1. The Foundation of Independent Oversight

In an era where digital news is often ephemeral and prone to manipulation, independent outlets like RMN News Service and its flagship publication The Unrest are redefining the architecture of media accountability. This methodology, which I term “Scholarly Journalism,” serves as a structural defense against the transience of digital discourse.

By utilizing the Zenodo open research platform—operated by CERN under the OpenAIRE program—these reports are not merely articles but permanent, scholarly artifacts. Assigned unique Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), these investigations are transformed into citable, immutable records that resist institutional erasure and provide a durable evidentiary base for public scrutiny. read more

THE SMOKESCREEN — A High-Voltage Political Thriller Film Project by Rakesh Raman

Activities, Democracy, Research, Slider

Guide to Decoding Managed Illusions: Identifying Political Propaganda in Entertainment

In an era of managed illusions, the ultimate democratic act is the ability to perceive the rhythmic fluctuations of power hidden behind the cinematic smokescreen.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | February 17, 2026

1. Introduction: The Concept of the “Managed Illusion”

In the contemporary landscape of political communication, the traditional boundary between a functioning democracy and a carefully orchestrated performance has collapsed. To analyze this shift, we must employ the semiotic framework of the “managed illusion.” This term describes a state of institutional hollowing where the signifiers of democracy remain present while the underlying democratic substance has been extracted.

Definition: Managed Illusion: A “managed illusion” refers to a political environment where the aesthetic architecture of democracy—including elections, judicial proceedings, and a free press—is maintained as a facade to mask systemic institutional capture. In this state, public discourse is not a product of organic civic engagement but a scripted narrative managed by dominant political actors to manufacture consent and obscure authoritarian drift. read more

Understanding Corruption in Delhi's Housing Societies | RMN Foundation Report

Activities, Analysis, Corruption, Human Rights, Slider

The Secret Rulebook: Understanding Corruption in Delhi’s Housing Societies

The corruption is guaranteed to continue because the official channels for accountability and justice have effectively collapsed. Residents who try to fight back find themselves trapped in a system that is either indifferent, corrupt, or actively working against them.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | January 12, 2026

Introduction: The Broken Promise of Community Living

A cooperative housing society is supposed to be a community built on shared responsibility and mutual benefit. It’s an idea that promises residents a secure, harmonious, and well-managed place to live. However, for millions of people in Delhi, this promise has been broken. Their communities have become centers of crime, widespread corruption, and systemic harassment.

This document explains why this is happening by focusing on one central problem: a deliberate and calculated lack of transparency. We will explore how a simple rule designed to ensure honesty has been systematically ignored, creating a hidden world where corruption is allowed to thrive. read more