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The FinePrint

Crushed dreams, low morale, pressure from home — Why many army hopefuls in Bihar are anti-Agnipath

While some say their ‘army dream’ was about prestige and pride, for many hailing from poor families, a job in the armed forces came with the promise of financial security.

Broken roads, dirty drains—Surat not AAP’s Gujarat postcard. So harping on Delhi model

AAP wants to make Surat its launchpad in Gujarat. But most development projects won’t be ‘photo-op ready’ before elections in the state.

Gowdas, JD(S) lie in shavasana as Modi reaches Mysuru to perform yoga

The decline of JD(S) in Karnataka is a mouth-watering chance for Congress and BJP as the state goes to the polls in mid-2023. But the Gowdas don't care much.

India’s increasingly-violent young cohort is its biggest national security problem

The main occupation of many young Indians has been 'waiting—for life to happen'. We must learn from Arab Spring the fate that might lie ahead.

‘They’re taking over our hills’: Manipur groups want NRC to weed out Myanmar refugees

Myanmar refugees fleeing the Junta are finding a new home in Manipur, but some ethnic groups fear cultural and demographic change.

Why Modi, Yogi govts are treating Agnipath protesters as ‘their people’

BJP knows better than to concede the goodwill of the social group it has worked hard to capture. Muslims would never get this treatment.

MGNREGS hits record with 3.1 crore families seeking work in May. It’s a cry for help from Bharat

From a record-breaking number of households demanding work under the MGNREGS to the stark decline in consumption and FMCG sales — all signs point to a rural livelihood crisis.

‘Why is your dad wearing a sari?’ South Indian films handle queer with care, unlike Bollywood

Compared to Bollywood’s brash, tone-deaf and stereotypical offerings, South India is producing more nuanced queer films. But it is not enough, say critics.

Buying Russian oil is ruble wise but rupee foolish. It bloodies India’s hands

US has no moral rectitude to deliver ethical sermons. But regardless, India must take a holistic view in purchasing oil from Russia—it's not a rosy picture.

Behind Golden Temple memorial to Khalistan terrorists, a bigger social-media war

A portrait of Dilawar Singh — who assassinated CM Beant Singh in 1995 — was put up at Central Sikh Museum in Golden Temple this week. It came with a tweet for the intended audience.

On Camera

A stronger Iran has emerged from the rubble. US learned the lesson 40 days late

The US and Israel’s assassinations of Iranian leadership ended up bestowing martyrdom on those killed. Shias saw the deaths as a continuity of martyrdom from the Battle of Karbala.

Data centre gold rush risks blackouts, central electricity body warns states against tripping grids

India’s fast-growing data centre sector may strain state electricity networks; Central Electricity Authority has urged Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu to boost capacity.

Theaterisation in play: Air Headquarters to control strategic assets  

Exclusive: Theaterisation proposal has been stuck over how limited air assets would be divided. Consensus reached on division of air assets among 3 theatres, it is learnt.

China insulated itself against energy shocks. India is ‘all talk, no walk’

China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.