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Inadequate infra, global slowdown, rivalry & politics — Surat Diamond Bourse has rocky start

Nearly seven months after inauguration by PM Modi, grand plans have barely taken shape — hardly any offices have opened & many players who had left Mumbai for Surat have gone back.

How Karunanidhi clan has carried on inter-caste self-respect marriage legacy ‘without imposing beliefs’

Entering Self Respect Association at 14, Kalaignar was stubborn in his principles as early as 1944. But despite the family being anti-caste, caste system persists in Tamil Nadu.

How VCK won with big margins in Tamil Nadu LS polls when Dalit parties in other states drew a blank

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi won 2 seats while BSP drew a blank in UP & RPI(A) didn't get to contest even a single seat in Maharashtra. Analysts say VCK tying up with INDIA bloc helped.

Changing demographics, redefined Hindutva — the Sena-Muslim dynamic, from Bal Thackeray to Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) has made inroads in assembly segments with a sizeable Muslim population. Eknath Shinde's camp calls its outreach to the community a deviation from Bal Thackeray's legacy.

Debut to dominance? How 2024 campaign set up Udhayanidhi as DMK second-in-command

If 2019 Lok Sabha elections marked Udhayanidhi’s political debut & 2021 state polls his coming of age, then 2024 campaign seems to cement his position as the DMK’s second-in-command.

3 years of Stalin as Tamil Nadu CM — ‘governance style more like Jayalalithaa than Karunanidhi’

In 1st stint as CM, Stalin focused on welfare schemes & empowered civil servants but ‘there are reservations’. Political analysts also point out need for DMK chief to shed 'dead weight'.

Loyalty vs resources, political might vs organisational strength — what’s shaping Sena vs Sena battle

Leaders from both factions say that while majority of political cadre shifted to Shinde’s Sena, some of undivided Sena’s most experienced workers remain loyal to Thackeray.

Saurashtra, Patidar & ‘Zamindar’— what’s fuelling Rajput fury against BJP’s Rupala in ‘Gujarat Garh’

Rajput-Patidar rivalry intensifies as historical grievances resurface in wake of Union Minister Rupala’s remarks, threatening BJP’s prospects in traditional stronghold of Saurashtra.

Sehajdhari Sikhs push for SGPC voting rights ahead of LS polls. ‘Hopeful as SAD & BJP no longer allies’

An amendment to Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925, a central law, barred sehajdharis from voting in SGPC polls. It was challenged by Sehajdhari Sikh Party in 2017 in HC, where case is still pending.

Rameswaram’s fisherfolk furious with Katchatheevu politics. ‘Don’t want island, just fishing rights’

Situation worsened after 2014 as Colombo started to auction seized boats, say fishermen. Risk is taken as catch in Indian waters is just not enough, they explain.

On Camera

The Bads of Bollywood finally gives us the sidekick that everyone needs

Sidekicks are quintessential in Bollywood, and every few years, when a star or lead shines, a filmmaker reminds us that the person next to the hero is a key ingredient in the recipe.

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.

With MiG-21’s exit, India’s squadron strength hits 6-decade low. What are IAF’s plans for the Tejas

While the IAF remains committed to the Tejas programme and has placed orders for 180 Tejas Mk1A, the force is eagerly waiting for the Tejas Mk 2 version.

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.