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Around Town

Lala Lajpat Rai was no Savarkar. He said Hindu Raj ‘would ruin India’

History books often describe him as a Right-wing Hindu nationalist who vigorously fought for Hindu majoritarianism. But according to his great-granddaughter, that wasn't the case.

Vedic Hindu to Mughals, perfumes have shaped Indian culture. It’s intimate

A recent panel discussion on the history of Indian perfumes decoded the country’s powerful and intimate relationship with bottled fragrances.

9 Indian artistes gift-wrapped Ramayana for Americans—Game of Thrones meets The Odyssey

'Jeff's Picks-Ramayana' comprised seven acts, each displaying a distinct Asian narrative style.

Hindu driver & Muslim passenger, blind man & escort—two short films tackle prejudice

Mumbai director Asmit Pathare’s short films Two Way Street and Escort form half of an ambitious anthology examining prejudice in India today.

‘People will rescue democracy’—Ex-law minister’s book launch discusses politics with shayari

The launch of former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar's book 'Democracy in Retreat' was attended by Supreme Court judge AK Sikri, former diplomat Pavan Varma, and journalist Neerja Chowdhury.

Why are India’s best treasures still in England? ‘India can afford spectacular museums too’

India’s ‘Roots and Routes’ delved into a G20 showcase that displayed artefacts from different corners of India – Gandharan sculptures to Amravati and Chola bronzes.

Can psychiatry heal wounds of history? Delhi doctors say ‘battle for the mind’ is political

History and politics play a role in the psyche of a nation and the mental health of its people. Just how much so was the crux of a panel discussion at Delhi’s IIC.

Delhi author talks of spiritual awakening. Scottish guru, milking cows played a role

Author Madhu Tandan launched a revised version of her 1997 memoir, recounting her seven-year spiritual journey to the Himalayas, at Delhi’s IIC

Book on Kabul busts myths about Taliban. ‘Gripping account’ by former journalist of ThePrint

Nayanima Basu said it was important to 'blend in'. That explains why, in the first picture of Basu shown at the launch, she is wearing a headscarf while interviewing the 'Butcher of Kabul'.

Hindi writers showdown at Delhi event. Readers take a backseat as egos clash

India Habitat Centre’s Gulmohar Hall saw the reader’s taste being placed lower in the ‘hierarchical relationship’ the two parties enjoy.

On Camera

Postcards from Hyderabad—stories Europeans told about the city

For all their colonial underpinnings, postcards from Hyderabad also inadvertently preserve a trace of local memory: a glimpse of a street, a face, a forgotten name.

Navigating Trump’s tariffs is no child’s play. Indian toymakers are losing out on orders, enquiries

Indian toymakers are now exploring new markets, but they want govt to negotiate a trade deal with US soon, introduce incentives and subsidies to make the industry more competitive.

What is Project Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Modi from ramparts of Red Fort

The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.

War of IAF, PAF doctrines: As Pakistan obsesses over numbers, India embraces risk, wins

Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?