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Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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Book Excerpts

Was Krishna Menon thinking of a coup against Nehru? COAS Gen Thimayya had privately said this

In his new book A Chequered Brilliance, Jairam Ramesh writes about the rivalry between Gen Thimayya and Nehru’s defence minister V.K. Krishna Menon.

How a case on Minerva Mills challenged and undid Indira Gandhi’s damage to the Constitution

The Minerva Mills case was as important as the Kesavananda Bharati case. And fighting it was Nani Palkhivala, India’s foremost constitutional litigator.

Emergency-era censorship affected films so badly that even a spot of blood was cut out

Kishore Kumar's songs were taken off AIR. Stars such as Dev Anand were harassed. Even Raj Kapoor and Satyajit Ray were given advice on film-making.

Salar Jung and Nizam of Hyderabad kept waiting for a gift for supporting British in 1857

Salar Jung I was India’s most influential statesman in the 19th century under the Nizam of Hyderabad. The British simply couldn't decide what to gift them.

Liberalise culture sector to unlock India’s economic potential: NITI Aayog’s Amitabh Kant

Our heritage is valuable. And there’s a reason why one of the world’s most successful conservation stories is the Humayun’s Tomb project in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area.

When I joined SEBI as chairman, most thought the controversial agency had defective ‘vastu’

Former SEBI chairman UK Sinha faced controversy within months of joining the government body. But never deviated from rules.

How Hindustan Unilever became a CEO factory and a company with good middle-class values

A Raigarh incident from the Emergency era shows why HUL holds its values dear, writes Sudhir Sitapati in his book The CEO Factory.

Why Partap Singh Kairon, man behind Punjab’s industrial and agricultural growth, was killed

As development minister and then CM, Kairon boosted higher education and restored communal harmony in Punjab. Then, he was killed by 3 men in February 1965.

High crime rate, lost green cover: Gurugram has many problems, but it’s getting a makeover

Enthusiastic citizens have organised themselves under the banner ‘I AM GURGAON’, and the movement has succeeded in healing 550 acres of land.

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.

On Camera

China activates ‘freedom in Tibet’ propaganda triggered by US-Dalai Lama meet in Dharamshala

India has avoided using the so-called Tibet card in the past but even this issue isn't off the table now as New Delhi works with the US to address the China factor.

Noida International Airport, Delhi NCR’s 2nd, delayed. To begin operations by April 2025

According to a statement by the airport, commercial operations likely to begin next year 'in view of the current construction status'. It was supposed to commence operations by 2024 end.

India’s 15-yr quest for anti-tank missile: Israeli Spike, DRDO option, back to US for Javelin talks

Recent high-profile visit was of US National Security Adviser this month during which a number of key issues, including military cooperation, was discussed by both sides.

Modi’s new universe: the normal irritants of democracy & awkward chai with Rahul Gandhi

Changed reality for Modi govt in its 3rd innings is by no means rise of a new phenomenon. It's a return to old normal where even majorities had to routinely wrestle with storied million mutinies.