scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
HomePageTurnerBook Excerpts

Book Excerpts

The divine and royal past of ceremonial fly-whisks

Fly-whisks are used ritually to fan temple idols and sacred objects such as the Sikh holy book in gurudwaras, and are a common motif across religions in Indian visual culture.

Doctors failed to embalm Indira Gandhi’s corpse. Only face was saved, says ex-AIIMS director

In 'The Woman Who Ran AIIMS', Sneh Bhargava offers a frank and candid memoir, which is also the story of the medical profession in post-Independence India.

Thakkar Bapa created an education plan for tribal regions in 1946. First word taught was ‘Ram’

In ‘Islands against Civilisation’, Saagar Tewari offers a history of late-colonial discussions around the future of tribal communities in South Asia.

Morarji Desai reversed the changes Indira Gandhi made to PMO. Starting with the name

In 'PMO', Himanshu Roy traces the evolution of the Prime Minister's Office since Independence and explores the impact different prime ministers have had on it.

India trusted UN with Kashmir in 1948. And strengthened Pakistani presence near Poonch

'Commanded by Destiny' recounts the story of India’s 2nd Chief of Army Staff, General SM Shrinagesh, through the notes he left behind.

Punkahs, punkahwallahs, and White sahibs in Colonial India

Punkah' is a colonial-era anglicisation of the Hindustani term pankha, which referred to handheld fans. Punkah-pullers were made to work in deliberately uncomfortable conditions.

Chettiars were Tamil Nadu’s pioneer movie financiers. Great Depression led to risk-taking

In 'Fortune Seekers', Raman Mahadevan explores the fascinating history of Nattukotai Chettiars, the Tamil region's most prominent business community.

‘10 Saal Anyay Kaal’—when Mallikarjun Kharge released a chargesheet of BJP’s decade in power

In 'Contesting Democratic Deficit', Salman Khurshid, with Mritunjay Singh Yadav, examines the narratives at play during the 2024 general elections.

When Cheteshwar Pujara stood between the Australians and the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

In 'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife', Puja Pujara offers a rare glimpse into Cheteshwar Pujara's journey to becoming one of India's greatest Test cricketers.

It’s the boss’s boss who decides your promotion

In 'Dear Rookie, Don't Panic', Pawan Kumar Marella offers a guide to thriving in today's corporate landscape.

On Camera

Pakistan is getting new friends. Conflicts with India will only grow

Pakistan is likely to enjoy closeness with the US, China and Saudi Arabia. This is different from its relative isolation of recent years.

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.

In Nepal, young dreams of serving in Indian Army crash as Agnipath halts a centuries-old tradition

Since 1815, Nepali Gorkhas have served in Indian & British Armies, as well as in Bihar, Bengal & Assam Police. Since Agnipath scheme came in, no Nepal-domiciled Gorkha has enlisted.

Something’s hidden in the Oval Office photo of Trump, Munir, Sharif. India must look closely

What Munir has achieved with Trump is a return to normal, ironing out the post-Abbottabad crease. The White House picture gives us insight into how Pakistan survives, occasionally thrives and thinks.