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Book Excerpts

In Ambedkar’s ‘Proposed Preamble’ to Indian Constitution, there was no ‘equality’ clause

Controversies around equality in India have existed since the birth of the Republic on 26 January 1950 and continues to this day.

Of all Bollywood Khans, Shah Rukh’s life & career were built on the Nehruvian idea of India

In his films, Shah Rukh Khan was the bridge between socialist India as it moved toward its hyper-capitalistic future. Today Khan is a lonely figure.

India was not in Trump’s hit list of countries over trade but still had tariffs imposed

India’s trade surplus with US was minor compared to China, Japan and Mexico. But Trump slapped steel, aluminium tariffs & withdrew GSP benefits.

Shayara Bano wouldn’t have to move Supreme Court if she consulted this Rampur madrasa

All Shayara Bano had to do is come down from Kashipur to Rampur to consult the real scholars of Islam on the exact position of divorce in Islam.

Cartier counted on affordable ‘Hindou’ or ‘Tutti Frutti’ Indian jewels in Depression years

Made of carved gemstones Jacques Cartier brought back from the East, the ‘Hindou’ jewels combined the exotic with the modern and were an instant hit.

No IPS officer should head RAW, chief should be PM’s choice — Indira Gandhi told RN Kao

RN Kao made R&AW one of the best intelligence outfits in the world. But from very early on, it was a victim of bureaucratic apathy and peer jealousy.

Why most elite married women of Delhi prefer gurus over temples or gods

A conspicuous aspect of the cult of the guru among Delhi’s rich was the global reach and international character of the guru himself.

Believe it or not — Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone voice was rejected by All India Radio

Mrinal Sen's Bhuvan Shome not only launched the ‘art’ cinema movement, but it also launched the career of Amitabh Bachchan — ironies never cease to exist.

In wrong place at wrong time: Forgotten story of Operation Blue Star’s ‘Jodhpur detainees’

375 unarmed men, women & children were found in Golden Temple when Army entered on 6 June 1984. They remained in Jodhpur Central Jail for the next 4–5 years.

How Rediff On The NeT first created a template for the Hindu Right online in the 1990s

Rediff was, arguably, the first Indian publication, online or otherwise, to unapologetically feature three very strong Hindu Right-wing voices of the time.

On Camera

No insult to Ayurveda. AIIMS an attempt to bring good standards of medical education—Amrit Kaur

On 18 February 1956, 'Rajkumari' Amrit Kaur, India's first health minister, moved the Bill in Lok Sabha for the establishment of AIIMS in Delhi. She wanted it to have the powers and functions of a university because it will 'probably make revolutionary changes in curriculum as well as in modes of teaching'.

Cash-strapped Karnataka hikes fuel tax by Rs 3/l, could earn Rs 2,500-3,000 cr more per yr

Move to bring down differences in commodity prices with neighbouring states, says government. Oppn, dealers blame it on welfare, Congress's guarantees.

With an eye on China, IAF expands taxi track at Leh airport, new shelters being built

Expanded taxi track is smaller than those meant for civilian operations, but is long enough for fighters & military transport aircraft to operate.

Sangh wants BJP to know it’s not dispensable. It’s a rap on the knuckles, nothing more

Occasional lovers’ tiffs have marked history of RSS-BJP relations. To think that Nagpur will bring about any change in leadership is a misreading of both its intent and its power.