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Thursday, August 14, 2025
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The FinePrint

Kharge as INDIA bloc’s PM candidate kills 2 birds with 1 stone for Mamata and Kejriwal

Mamata Banerjee floated the idea during the 4th meeting of the INDIA bloc on 19 December, with backing from Kejriwal. Now crowned as INDIA chief, Kharge seems like a logical choice.

Iran’s dramatic airstrikes on Pakistan have brought Middle East proxy war too close to home

As Pakistan faces multiple internal crises, from its economy to terrorist violence, it now has to contend with a battle with its volatile western neighbour.

When did large Hindu temples come into being? Not before 500 AD

Dharmashastras opposed temple-based religious and ritual activities. Vishnu Smriti says that Vedic recitation shouldn't be conducted 'in a temple, in a cemetery, at a crossroads, or on a road.'

A Mumbai police officer is dog’s best friend. He files FIRs against cruelty

Sudhir Kudalkar of MHB police station is on a mission to save street dogs. He has become a social media darling with nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram.

Ramanandis’ historical foes in Ayodhya were Sanyasis, not Muslims — the sect & its claim to Ram temple

Ram Janmabhoomi trust general secretary Champat Rai's claim that Ram temple 'belongs' to Ramanandis has put focus on large & influential sect, whose origins are shrouded in mystery.

Darbhanga to Deoghar, small towns are dreaming big with UDAN airports. With some turbulence

PM Modi's ambitious UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, has introduced 517 new flying routes and 76 airports in small towns and cities over the past 7 years. But flight path has been bumpy.

Congress boycott right. Ayodhya event not about Ram, but coronates Hindutva as state religion

To accept that the spectacle about to be staged in Ayodhya can be extricated from politics is to sanctify the falsification of our living memory.

Army promotions must be based on capabilities, not lineage. Turf protection is main mischief

The nature of discrimination in Army promotions is buried in the rules and procedures, making it harder to notice it. It is experienced by only a few officers when promotion board results are announced.

Shining Gujarat has a health problem. Missing MBBS doctors in rural PHCs

In terms of child malnutrition, Gujarat is worse than Bihar and Odisha. The number of malnourished children in Tamil Nadu is almost half that of Gujarat.

Who should get credit for Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Advani or Modi? Answer blows in the wind

LK Advani’s article in Rashtra Dharma magazine suggests that he is fine with Narendra Modi consecrating Ram Lalla. But he wouldn’t like his own contributions to be swept under the carpet.

On Camera

Asim Munir wants to be guardian of the Middle East. He’s fated to fail at home

Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

India, US troops to undertake joint military exercise next month, first after Op Sindoor

21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.