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PastForward

PastForward is a deep research offering from ThePrint on issues from India’s modern history that continue to guide the present and determine the future. As William Faulkner famously said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Indians are now hungrier and curiouser to know what brought us to key issues of the day.

For now, this is available immediately to all ThePrint readers. Very soon PastForward will be among the premium offerings that go behind a paywall, only available to subscribers.

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This is why Nehru-Liaquat Pact failed. Its ghost haunted Indian politics for decades

Apoorva Mandhani - 8 April, 2024

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Indian politicians hit the jackpot with 1957 TISCO case. It set the tone for political funding

Rabinder Singh spy scandal exposed R&AW’s ugly sides. But India hasn’t learned from its mistakes

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1967 was the year politics changed. Modi wants to go back to the simpler times before that

Duties, duties, duties. Modi is going back to the Indira Gandhi Emergency era

+TFP Vandana Menon - 21 September, 2023

Speaking in the Old Parliament for the last time, PM Modi said the Central Hall of Parliament inspires us to fulfil our duties. Earlier, he had changed Amrit Kaal to Kartavya Kaal.

When Indira Gandhi nationalised foodgrain and failed — a disaster and a cautionary tale

Vandana Menon - 30 July, 2023

The contrast is glaring — Indira Gandhi tried to edge out private players & failed, while Modi tried to bring in private players through the now-repealed farm laws & also failed.

Nehru’s Hindu Code Bill vs Modi’s UCC— same script, same drama, different Indias

+TFP Vandana Menon - 23 July, 2023

Nehru was trying to build a great nation, in which all citizens had equal rights, but Parliament was holding him back.

‘Air India ki flight mat lo’ — how Canadian neglect led up to Kanishka bombing 38 yrs ago

+TFP Humra Laeeq - 23 June, 2023

An explosives test conducted by the Babbar Khalsa was mistaken to be a 'gunshot'. Surveillance was called off, X-ray screen broke down & an anonymous bag was checked in.

Soviet Midas touch drove Indian economy during Cold War. India rekindling rupee-rouble affair

+TFP Humra Laeeq - 14 May, 2023

India is an outlier for engaging with Russian economy, which has brought back talk of reviving an old Cold War relic: the rupee-rouble trade. But the rupee is in trouble in Russia.

Campa, Coke, Pepsi, politics—cola wars and Indian capitalism. Now Ambani to fuel new battle

+TFP Vandana Menon - 3 April, 2023

This is the story of India’s cola wars. It’s always been a potent mix of politics, nationalism, predatory market practices and good old conspiracy theories.

Gandhi spoke no Sanskrit & Narayana Guru spoke no English when they met during Vaikom

+TFP Rohan Manoj - 2 April, 2023

When MK Gandhi and Narayana Guru met in 1925, they clashed on the non-violent approach to the Vaikom Satyagraha and conversion as a path to freedom for avarnas.

Three men, a great orator, Gandhi—all that led to the birth of Vaikom Satyagraha 99 years ago

+TFP Rohan Manoj - 30 March, 2023

The movement left indelible marks on Kerala society, made leaders and heroes, and gave hope to a dispirited Congress just after Malabar rebellion was suppressed.

Adani controversy brings back the story of how Manmohan Singh govt rescued Satyam

+TFP Vandana Menon - 4 March, 2023

The man behind the Satyam scam, Ramalinga Raju, was a god in his village, was even called Andhra Pradesh’s Bill Gates.

100 yrs of Soviet Union: Nehru-Indira era over, but idea of USSR still rules Indian mind

+TFP Vandana Menon - 29 December, 2022

Soviet babies were named Indira, Sita and Gita, Indian children were called Stalin, Stalinjeet, Natasha. The USSR was a blueprint for Indian nation-building.

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PastForward

For now, this is available immediately to all ThePrint readers. Very soon PastForward will be among the premium offerings that go behind a paywall, only available to subscribers.

This is why Nehru-Liaquat Pact failed. Its ghost haunted Indian politics for decades

Indian politicians hit the jackpot with 1957 TISCO case. It set the tone for political funding

Rabinder Singh spy scandal exposed R&AW’s ugly sides. But India hasn’t learned from its mistakes

1967 was the year politics changed. Modi wants to go back to the simpler times before that

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Opinion

Imtiaz Ali obsesses over vulgarity, misses Chamkila’s cultural resistance against purity

The Beckhams’ PR game is on track. Victoria’s 50th birthday was a pop culture moment

BJP 2024 manifesto on investment, farm income, panchayati raj—lack of clarity is worrying

Economy

Economists vs statisticians — the battle being fought over the soul of India’s GDP data

Defence

India and Japan hold 10th round of consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation, and export control

National Interest

These 6 states are key for Modi’s ‘400 paar’ target. They’re also where Opposition can stop him

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