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Friday, April 17, 2026
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The FinePrint

Medieval Indian engineers in the 7th century built robots. Powered by water and clockwork

Using hydraulics and clockwork, engineers could make wondrous devices that are now lost. These were more credible than claims about pre-modern Indian technology such as UFOs and genetic engineering.

Hindi media’s nostalgia for Brahmin supremacy isn’t over. It’s unapologetic, in your face

One question did not leave me, though: How has the world of Hindi journalism, especially Hindi news television, sunk to this depth?

Modi right to inaugurate Parliament building. Opposition ignoring precedent set by Nehru

While it would be better for the Modi government to invite President Droupadi Murmu at the inauguration function as a matter of moral practice, it is not a legal requirement.

Middle East can be crucial ally for India on Kashmir. Its G20 absence shows challenges ahead

Five nation-states' absence from the meeting might not seem a lot. But with China supporting it, Pakistan may resume nurturing jihadists, even risk war.

This Haryana coach accused a minister of sexual assault. Now her career is in shambles

She says the police assigned to protect her cause her more trouble. She’s also battling with her landlords in order to keep her home. They’ve ‘outed’ her in the process.

Haryana’s Shweta Dull is the voice of aspirants in a scam-ridden govt recruitment system

Dhull's goal is to inform aspirants about lapses in the recruitment process. Her campaign, ‘CET quality nahi to vote nahi’ has become a rallying cry among students.

Hidden ‘labs’, plant-based ephedrine, Afghanistan link — why meth is rich junkie’s new heroin

Last week, cops busted a 'meth lab' in Greater Noida, where 9 foreigners had allegedly been cooking the party drug. Also known as 'ice', meth is steadily making inroads into Indian market.

When Ambedkar broke down before his savarna friend ‘Barrister Samarth’

Hundreds of Ambedkar’s followers would gather when he visited Samarth at Lotus Court in Bombay. Being lawyers, both even fought some cases together.

Vishwaguru vs who in 2024? Oppn has multiple answers if it chooses to look beyond Rahul Gandhi

Among a dozen PM contenders and pretenders, the opposition has three potentially disruptive choices—a Dalit, a woman and an OBC leader.

Bhupesh Baghel’s Kaushalya Mandir is Chattisgarh’s own Ram trail. BJP is ‘uncomfortable’

Chandkhuri: A bridge, a 65-foot statue of Ram, fountains, and lights have put Chhattisgarh’s Kaushalya Mata Mandir on India’s religious tourist map. An obscure...

On Camera

The math behind India’s elections—Why proximity matters

It is one of the most consistent findings in electoral politics: voters are more likely to support candidates who come from their local area.

US ends oil waivers but Russian crude flows to India ‘likely to remain steady’ amid Hormuz disruption

India will need to recalibrate crude sourcing strategy as US ends waivers for Russian & Iranian oil, energy experts say. But Russian crude will likely remain central to energy basket.

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.

The world’s in a flux. India must reform, consolidate & build a strong economy

We now live in a world order that will keep shifting. India must use this window. This also means we remain disciplined enough not to be knee-jerked into reacting to what Pakistan sees as its moment in the sun.