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Saturday, September 20, 2025
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Book Excerpts

A martial art tradition from Punjab that was banned by the British

Scholars speculate that gatka was established by the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, who introduced the kirpan (dagger) for self-defence.

Hinduism was losing relevance in 8th century. Shankaracharya revived it through Kumbh Mela

In 'The Divine Kumbh', Deepak Kumar Sen offers an in-depth look at one of humanity’s most significant spiritual traditions with the help of historical insights and striking photos.

G20 India leaders’ declaration nearly failed. A non-negotiable plan saved it: Amitabh Kant

In 'How India Scaled Mt G20', India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant offers a behind-the-scenes look at the intense negotiations that defined the country's G20 presidency.

Bengali Muslims were ridiculed by Hindus & Urdu speakers. This changed in 1920s

'Crossing Paths in America and India' contains articles, essays, and book reviews by Leonard A Gordon on nationalism in India.

Syed Modi, the shuttler who could have surpassed Prakash Padukone

In 'Net Flicks', Akshay Lokapally and Vijay Lokapally trace the rise of badminton in India through anecdotes and expert analyses.

1990 was the last time India was ahead of China. Look at the per person income data

In 'Tarmac to Towers', Pratap Padode attempts to inform, explain, and give expert insight into how realistic India's aspirations of global power are.

How the East India Company picked Madras as a base. It all starts with a love story

In The Tamils, author Nirmala Lakshman crafts a rich and expansive exploration of Tamil history, society, and culture.

My regret is Indians outside Bengal have been deprived of Soumitra Chatterjee: Sharmila Tagore

Soumitra Chatterjee and His World by Sanghamitra Chakraborty is the first definitive biography of the actor. From his partnership with Satyajit Ray to his forays into poetry, editorship and art.

You don’t have to be a Hindu to be moved by Kumbh Mela. It is about the simplicity of faith

Launched alongside Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, 'Amongst The Believers: The Kumbh Mela at Prayag' features Prashant Panjiar’s panoramic photographs, shot over two decades, entirely on film.

When Dalai Lama & Nehru talked about Tibet for 4 hours. ‘He could be a bit of a bully’

In 'The Many Faces of Nehru', Tapan Chattopadhyay offers insights into the less-known facets of Jawaharlal Nehru's personality and life.

On Camera

Was India’s public sector born out of European envy?

For all its obvious blemishes, capitalism alone holds out the most creative and dynamic force that any civilization has ever discovered, wrote BP Godrej in 1980.

Market regulator SEBI clears Adani Group of impropriety alleged by Hindenburg Research

SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.

2 Assam Rifles personnel killed as convoy ambushed in Manipur, on ‘same route Modi took’ fortnight ago

This is the first major attack on central security forces since last November, when a CRPF jawan was killed and four were injured in an ambush in Jiribam on Manipur-Assam border. 

India doesn’t give walkovers to Pakistan in war. Here’s why it shouldn’t do it in cricket either

Many really smart people now share the position that playing cricket with Pakistan is politically, strategically and morally wrong. It is just a poor appreciation of competitive sport.