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Friday, August 15, 2025
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Book Excerpts

What led to Gandhi’s desire for sex into complete lockdown? It’s the sacral chakra

In 'Becoming Gandhi', Perry Garfinkel talks about Gandhi’s relationship with sex, and the controversy that has followed him since his days in South Africa.

MK Stalin’s politics began in a saloon. Hairdressers nurtured the Dravidian movement

The saloons subscribed to most Dravidian Movement publications. It was in these places that rationalism, ethnic solidarity and love for the language were inculcated.

Kailasanatha Temple’s rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb–Gopurams to Ravana sculptures

Kailasanatha Temple's rock-cut glory even attracted Aurangzeb–Gopurams to Ravana sculptures

How docile, pliable silkworms became ‘war animals’ under Hitler

In Silk: A History in Three Metamorphoses, Aarathi Prasad weaves together the complex history of the queen of fabrics.

How Kannadigas justify adding jaggery in Sambar—Sea level, idli-fermentation speed

In Tamilian style, sambhar, chutneys and podi, etc. are all dumped on an idli or dosai. In Karnataka, dosey and idli with chutney is the authentic combination.

Savitribai Phule carried an extra saree to school. Brahmins regularly threw ‘filth’ at her

In ‘Savitribai Phule’, Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta traces the life of the revolutionary and places her in historical context.

Influencers are using their make-or-break power to blackmail companies

In 'The Pursuit of Reputation', Amith Prabhu and Sujit Patil attempt to reveal about the workings of the public relations machinery working behind every brand at present and its potential in the future.

Intellectual dishonesty has survived in The Economist’s editorial room—since 1862

In 'Modi: The Challenge of 2024', author Minhaz Merchant writes how The Economist marked its 175th anniversary in 2018 with an eight-page essay spelling out a 'manifesto for renewing liberalism for the 21st century'.

Vaishnava gods to secular portraits, evolving Thanjavur paintings influenced Raja Ravi Varma

Elements of the Thanjavur style influenced paintings produced as far away as Solapur in Maharashtra as well as various parts of Karnataka in the 18th century.

For the West, the Indian village was ‘ever-present & never-changing’ – even Karl Marx wrote so

In ‘The Indian Village’, sociologist Surinder S. Jodhka examines the changing nature of the country’s rural landscape.

On Camera

India talked big on Russia-Ukraine mediation. Alaska meet offers a window

Europe and Ukraine’s agencies are crucial. Steering the Alaska talks bilaterally between the US and Russia will foil the outcomes before they even start taking effect.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

President awards 1st set of Sarvottam Yudh Seva medals since Kargil, 7 honoured for leading Op Sindoor

This year, the Indian Air Force received four of the seven awards, followed by the Indian Army with two medals, and the Indian Navy with one. 

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.