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Friday, December 19, 2025
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The FinePrint

MGNREGA was democratic state-building. VB-GRAMG turns welfare back to mai-baapism

MGNREGA empowered citizens to engage the state on equal terms. VB-GRAMG recasts them as labharthis, who must prove eligibility to receive the largesse of a benevolent leader.

Nitin Nabin: Reluctant politician once told to ‘keep quiet’ by Nitish, now youngest BJP chief-in-waiting

Now BJP’s youngest power centre, Nitin Nabin was shaped by fate, family legacy and the organisation. A look at the man behind the post & his personal and political story.

Modi govt’s The Kunj is making handicrafts luxe, aspirational. It’s no Cottage Emporium

As India’s first mall devoted to handicrafts, The Kunj has more in common with the swanky DLF Emporio nearby than with its Nehru-era sibling, Cottage Emporium in Janpath.

Indian School of Business isn’t competing with IIMs. ‘We wanted to be globally top-ranked’

In just over two decades, the Indian School of Business has gone from an audacious experiment on the outskirts of Hyderabad to one of the world’s fastest-rising management schools.

Amritsar to Moscow in search of death certificates, bodies of Indians lost in Russian war

As Parminder Kaur spoke into Google Translate at the Russian army social centre, she broke down and was comforted by the women in the room. The Russians softened at this and fast-tracked her work.

Why PM Modi is so upset with Telangana BJP leaders

One of Modi's remarks gave a clear idea of what was weighing on his mind. 'In 1984, we won two seats. Where are we in Gujarat and where in Telangana?'

Malayalam rap is having its moment—it’s gone from ‘junkie’ music to being played at temples

MC Couper compares Malayalam rap to the writings of author Vaikom Basheer. 'The state needs more cultural pillars like rap, that help young people feel connected to their roots.'

2001 Parliament attack families still relive terror. ‘Which child lost a father today?’

Gallantry awards, tribute statues, government jobs, and petrol pumps haven’t been enough to fend off the haunting memories every time there’s a new attack such as the Red Fort blast.

Lt Samuel Kamalesan’s dismissal for religious stand shows colonial mindset. Army must end it

The case of Lt Samuel Kamalesan was a rare clash between an officer’s beliefs and the Army’s traditions, but today’s climate of politicised religiosity and a hierarchy pandering to it makes reform urgent.

Battle for Sunjay Kapur’s empire is no ordinary family feud. Succession meets Kyunki Saas

The death of industrialist Sunjay Kapur has ripped away the image of a happy blended family. Rs 30,000 crore and control of a business empire are now at stake in a Shakespearean showdown.

On Camera

Why India fell off the global middle-class map

A stunted middle class may be a direct result of extreme inequality. Folks at the top don’t see teeming masses as a meaningful market, except for utilities, soap, short videos, and personal loans.

India’s inflation figures tell a growth story, a cautiously optimistic one

Based on inflation figures for the last three months, RBI is expected to look for confirmatory evidence that can mark the beginning of a sustained decline in core inflation.

Israel has ‘realised who its real friend is’, eyes defence expansion in India amid arms curbs by others

It is argued that India-Israel ties are moving from buyer–seller dynamic to one focused on joint development & manufacturing partnership, a shift 'more durable' than traditional arms sales.

India’s top airline just handed sarkar the keys. That’s IndiGo’s real ‘crime’

Don’t blame misfortune. This is colossal incompetence and insensitivity. So bad, heads would have rolled even in the old PSU-era Indian Airlines and Air India.