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2020 is the worst year since Independence, but not only because of Covid

As the country enters the third decade of the century, one thing is clear: Its institutions and instincts, resources and reserves will face tough stress tests.

How India self-inflicted Vodafone & Cairn humiliation over ‘bad idea’ of retrospective tax

In episode 647 of #CutTheClutter, Shekhar Gupta says India must stop digging the hole and rethink its decision to appeal the rulings against retrospective tax.

Walking librarian — the Kerala woman who distributes over 500 books a month on foot

Residents of the hilly Mothakkara village in Kerala’s Wayanad district had no easy access to books at the library. Then Radhamani took matters into her own hands.

Oli’s distrust of parliament isn’t India’s concern. China’s meddling in Nepal is

The ground reality in the wake of KP Oli's dissolution of the Nepal Parliament has three important aspects that India must carefully assess before considering its options.

The 10 best books we read this year

Books are what got us through this pandemic. Here’s our pick of the top 10 non-fiction titles in English this year.

The 2020 Hall of Fame: The people who shone in a difficult year

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Threatened with ‘Christmas gift’, Karima Baloch’s death leaves more questions than answers

Living in exile doesn’t mean a peaceful life for Pakistan's human rights activists. And mysterious deaths like Karima Baloch’s only add to the distress.

Christian gujiya, burning old man, Hindi carols — desi Christmas’ unbeatable jugaad spirit

We may be flooded with Western images of a sparkly pine tree, red stockings stuffed with gifts, and cake. But you can’t get more desi than one does on Christmas.

Maybe 2020 wasn’t quite as horrible as it seemed

The year saw more scientific & technological progress than in recent memory, which will last long after the Covid threat is gone.

The year ventilation, refrigeration & ultracold freezers were hot in demand

There may or not be as much need for ultracold freezers after the pandemic, but focus on vaccine distribution has brought some astonishing figures to light.

On Camera

Profit margins in lottery industry are tiny. Here’s how Future Gaming paid for its electoral bonds

Neither state govts nor companies earn large profits from lotteries. However, a look at the system shows there’s ample evidence of murky dealings and financial irregularities. 

Amid plans to lift AFSPA, Army starts joint training with Jammu & Kashmir Police

In an interview with Gulistan News this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government would leave law and order to J&K Police and slowly withdraw troops.

For BJP, Kejriwal is an idea whose time has come to be destroyed

The ‘idea’ Kejriwal's politics grew around was a no-holds-barred fight against corruption. That is the reason Modi govt has now tarred him and his entire party with the same paint.