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The FinePrint

Ayodhya joy sweeps NCR RWAs. LED screens, Ram recitals, temple replicas, havans

RWAs and housing societies have become the driving force of the Ram temple outreach programmes of the VHP and RSS across Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram.

IAS officer KK Pathak is the TN Seshan of Bihar schools. But can fear bring reform?

Pathak's 'undemocratic' measures as the additional chief secretary of education are infamous in Bihar. He’s suspending teachers, slashing salaries, striking truant students off rolls.

Bangladesh elections have pitted the West against Sheikh Hasina. But she has Modi’s support

The UK’s BBC has described the Bangladesh elections as a ‘one-woman show’, while the US’ Associated Press says Sheikh Hasina ‘threatens democracy’.

Rama and the King: How an ancient hero was used by Pala poets, Chola emperors

For centuries, Rama has been used by litterateurs and rulers to legitimise themselves.

Tamil Nadu is the new China+1 for shoes. Crocs, Nike, Adidas foot India’s manufacturing push

Taiwan giants like Shoetown, Feng Tay, Pou Chen, and Hong Fu are setting up huge non-leather shoe factories in Tamil Nadu. Made in India footwear will take over world, say industry leaders.

If Rajiv Gandhi had listened to Arun Nehru, Ayodhya politics would look very different

Arun Nehru, who sought to be Court Chamberlain in the Rajiv Gandhi-era, argued to continue with Indira Gandhi’s policy of playing the Hindu card in a subtle way that did not alienate Muslims.

Red Sea attacks a rent-seeking gesture not war cry. Bombing Yemen won’t fix the crisis

For the moment, Israel's conflict in Gaza provides enough legitimacy to deploy substantial peacekeeping forces through the Red Sea, but the model is unsustainable.

Gig dream is fading for Uber, Ola drivers. They are forming picket lines & support groups

The gig sector is booming, but policy inaction, declining incentives from app-based companies, and skyrocketing fuel prices have trapped gig workers in a spiral of diminishing returns.

Ennore Coromandel gas leak was a close shave. People are going from hospital to protest site

A week after the leak, people in the region have started having breathing issues, skin rashes. Children are experiencing fever bouts.

Poonch incident should encourage military justice review. Bring one law for three Services

The Army's image took a severe beating because of the torture videos from Poonch. Even Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of Army winning the hearts and minds of people.

On Camera

What Modi got wrong. Indians don’t want hundreds of new MPs

If the government wants to spend taxpayers’ money to make India a better place, then spend it on building more courts, improving the collapsing bureaucracy. But, of course, politicians will only think of themselves.

Recovery of energy flows will be ‘gradual rather than immediate’ as Hormuz re-opens post ceasefire

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz eases supply fears, but controlled shipping, slow output recovery, and high costs may delay oil flow normalisation for months.

Why Siliguri Corridor is strategically important for India & how it is being secured | Cut The Clutter

This special edition of Cut The Clutter, straight from the Siliguri corridor, details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, and how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to the rest of India.

Trump, Netanyahu’s Iran gamble: The regime change rebound

American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.