Indians have a new K in their lives. Not Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor but Korean culture factory
K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty — 2020 became the year India embraced the soft power of Korea.
Bollywood wives, matchmaking — 2020’s cringe binging scrapes Netflix, Amazon barrel
If you thought watching Roadies, Splitsvilla or Emotional Atyachar on TV was bad — we now have new online versions, though much better shot & strung together.
Bollywood gets personal. Come live in SRK’s house after a horrendous 2020
Until now, the Bobby cottage in Kashmir, Dil Chahta Hai fort in Goa, and Pangong lake in 3 Idiots were famous tourist attractions. Gauri Khan-designed home has entered the club.
Diana-mania gets a new Gen-Z makeover. Netflix is cashing in
From being dubbed a ‘Gone Girl’ figure to street style icon, Princess Diana has a new legion of fans among Gen-Z and millennials.
‘Chhote Sarkar’ Anant Singh became a social media star without being on Twitter or Facebook
Anant Singh is no more the dreaded Bahubali of Mokama but someone whose media bytes are analysed for the sole purpose of making memes.
If not pollution, Hindu groups still have 2 good reasons to support firecracker ban on Diwali
The use of firecrackers during Diwali did not likely start before the 18th century, when Maratha rulers would organise firework displays for the general public.
Urban Chipko movements like #SaveMollem, Aarey here to stay. Govt will have to keep up
Whether to protect the elephant corridor in Dehradun, or Gurgaon residents walking to save the Aravallis, urban Chipkos are the new-age environmental warriors.
Humble headline? No, it’s a weapon for media, Facebook, Google, your WhatsApp group
We have a problem. Most of us Indians don’t read articles beyond the headline and we are having a tough time distinguishing report and opinion.
Fat tax — What you didn’t know clothing brands are charging you for
After being called out by fashion watchdog Diet Sabya, brands like Gauri and Nainika and Fuel are now owning up to the practice of discriminatory pricing.
Goa is Fun’s Own Country. But it doesn’t need ‘super-spreader’ Sunburn festival
Goa has one of the highest Covid death per million rate in India. And Sunburn 2020 EDM festival ironically carries the tagline: 'Live Again'.
Why the English still can’t let go of the ‘Hand of God’ goal
In England, the continuing anger that Maradona “got away with it” in 1986 comes out of the ashes of empire.
Rupee strong from exports perspective, should depreciate a bit, says Raghuram Rajan
India needs to worry about medium-term growth trajectory and see if the current levels of demand are sustainable in future, the former RBI governor says at ASCENT eConclave 2020.
Defence
Rajnath Singh assures ‘friend’ Vietnam of help modernising its armed forces
India has been in talks with Vietnam, which has maritime border issues with China in the South China Sea, over Hanoi’s interest in acquiring supersonic cruise missile BrahMos.
What the amazing rise & sudden death of a ‘Holy Warrior’ tell us about Islam & politics in Pakistan
Khadim Hussain Rizvi was the face of Pakistan’s radical Islamist politics. His sudden death, however, will not end the mass appeal of religious fundamentalism.