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Thursday, August 14, 2025

Brandma

‘Mera sapna, meri Maruti’ — how a car became the status symbol of a young, working India

Sleek, colourful Maruti 800 was a rock star in India among Ambassadors and Premier Padminis.

Murphy Radio and a bonny baby are what pre-TV Indian memories are made of

Murphy Radio and the child on its ads are what Indian memories are made of.

Binaca was a brand that brought toothpaste and music together

Binaca toothpaste ruled at a time when radio was king in India.

Campa Cola was India’s answer to Coca-Cola and was the perfect fit

Campa Cola promised ‘the great Indian taste’ and was young India’s drink of choice.

This car was the original Ambassador of Make in India

Ambassador was the enduring symbol of post-Independence India.

HMT watch was all about sturdy functionality, and then India changed

HMT’s catchy advertising campaign centred on the ‘unity in diversity’ theme.

On Camera

Asim Munir wants to be guardian of the Middle East. He’s fated to fail at home

Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

India, US troops to undertake joint military exercise next month, first after Op Sindoor

21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.