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Friday, September 27, 2024
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Book Excerpts

In India, the Supreme Court’s problem is not only judicial overreach but also underreach

Today, the judiciary is often doing with impunity what the executive could not or can never do, since it is answerable to the people.

Dragging dead buffalo to wearing sari: How Ambedkar was trolled by casteist cartoonists

Often when a newspaper carried positive reports on Ambedkar, the cartoonists deliberately targeted Ambedkar even if there was nothing really to make fun of.

Did the British invent caste in India? Yes, at least how we see it now

British Indian government found multiple justifications for not intervening in the biased caste system.

When Shiv Sena’s Aditya Thackeray told Gurmehar Kaur he is a feminist

Even the self-defence classes we organise, I tell the girls that I’m embarrassed that we need to hold these classes, says Aditya Thackeray.

Why capturing & translocating leopards won’t work in India’s dense cities

Across India, leopards pass human habitations every night without incident. This invisible domain of neutral interaction deserves better recognition.

No one could see Shah Jahan eat. But a Portuguese priest once snuck in and here’s what he saw

Friar Sebastian Manriquea was smuggled by a eunuch into the harem to watch Shah Jahan eat dinner.

Before you cheer for Indian cricket team this World Cup, thank Jawaharlal Nehru first

Despite Sardar Patel’s opposition, Nehru agreed with Churchill to keep India in the Commonwealth, a decision that would later impact Indian cricket.

Akharas’ spirituality was intact, until sadhus began promoting Hindutva politics

The influence of Hindutva, which was consolidated in 1960s, gained unusual pace during 1980s and threw the old monastic orders of Hinduism out of gear.

When Narendra Modi called Pranab Mukherjee to ask if he would accept the Bharat Ratna

From choosing Bharat Ratnas to awarding them and now receiving one in his own right, life has come full circle for Pranab Mukherjee.

How Gandhi made Ambedkar a villain in his fight to be the real representative of Dalits

When he did not get his way, Gandhi began his fast from prison. This was completely against his own maxims of satyagraha – it was pure blackmail.

On Camera

India has 2 women CMs now. Atishi and Mamata Banerjee are both victims of bad PR

Women look up to women in power as role models. But so far, Atishi’s public image is that of a woman-in-waiting rather than a woman-in-charge.

Tamil Nadu govt & Ford go way back. How carmaker’s return is new chapter in story that began in 1995

High value of 350-acre Ford plant property drove TN to encourage Ford to return over nearly a yr of negotiations. It's expected to reinforce state's resurgence as global manufacturing hub.

A fitness & fighter aircraft enthusiast, who is Air Marshal AP Singh, the next Chief of Air Force

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh will take over as chief on 30 September. During his service of nearly 40 yrs, he has served in variety of command, staff, instructional & foreign appointments.

Lesson from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan: if you have no patience, you don’t deserve democracy

Sri Lankan transition was smoothly managed. Check Bangladesh for contrast. They forced their incumbent into exile, installed a mostly unelectable govt of non-political people.