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Saturday, October 4, 2025
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Book Excerpts

Vikram Sarabhai, India’s space-man torn apart by the loss of Indira Gandhi’s trust

On the death anniversary of Vikram Sarabhai, one of the minds behind India's space programme, we take a look back at his life through his biography by Amrita Shah.

Naveen Patnaik’s political eye is so sharp he spotted Dharmendra Pradhan’s talent 18 yrs ago

Odisha CM Patnaik, who has never lost an election, is known to have a strong gut feeling and 'X-ray' eyes ‘Oh! I’ve got a problem,’...

Osho Rajneesh used sex and promiscuity to keep his cult loyal only to him

Attempts to enforce sexual participation at the Pune ashram did not always stop at psychological pressure. Sometimes it allegedly extended to use of violence.

Poet Neeraj said his ‘fattest royalty cheques’ came from Dev Anand songs

Gopaldas Neeraj passed away Thursday. This excerpt from 'S.D. Burman: The Prince Musician', tells how Neeraj wrote 'Rangeela Re' for Dev Anand's Prem Pujari.

Jairam Ramesh recounts what really happened behind the scenes of the Simla agreement

Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh in his new book ‘Intertwined Lives’, drawing on P. N. Haksar’s archives, presents a compelling chronicle of the people...

When a Bihar policeman’s decision to nab a local don set off a chain of deadly events

Amit Lodha in his book, published by Penguin India writes on how a Bihar don played a crucial role in leaking question papers of...

Book on Priyanka Chopra shows why ethnicity of Quantico’s protagonist was not a big deal

Many Indians were waiting for Priyanka Chopra to fail in Quantico and they found her failure in her accent.

Karan Thapar on how his childhood friend Sanjay Gandhi took him on a daredevil jeep ride

Sanjay Gandhi was a daredevil in contrast to his shy & quiet character, writes Karan Thapar in his book 'Devil's Advocate'.

Essential to distinguish religion from practices for Muslim women to progress

Substantive gender equality is a prerequisite for women to become active and equal partners in the creation of a humane society.

The only constant amidst changing circumstances and fortunes was SD Burman’s unfettered quest for perfectness in music

The legendary musician never shied away from experimenting with new shades of rhythms and was eternally resilient to constantly improve his compositions.

On Camera

Manohar Kahaniyan was Crime Patrol of pre-TV era. Now IAF Chief’s metaphor for Pakistani tales

The magazine was a product of its time—when newsprint was cheap, imagination was free, and the hunger for suspense could drive circulation numbers into the tens of thousands.

Nodal officers to fast-tracking NOCs, Kerala govt’s heeding investor concerns, and it means business

As many as 21 policy reforms are under implementation following Invest Kerala Global Summit, as LDF govt works to change perception that the state is not conducive to businesses.

Army chief’s big warning to Pakistan: Stop sponsoring terrorism if you want to exist geographically

Amid continued concerns over cross-border terrorism, General Upendra Dwivedi further warned the neighbour that India will not show restraint if there is an Op Sindoor 2.0.

How Pakistan thinks: Army for hire, ideology of convenience

Pakistan’s army has been a rentier force available to a reasonable bidder. It has never come to the aid of any Muslims including Palestinians or the Gazans, except making noises here and there.