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The FinePrint

Confessions, curses & 5-rupee book: Seedy world of Andhra ‘pastor’ accused of raping followers

Anil Kumar alias Prem Das of Prema Swaroopi Ministries booked for alleged sexual assault, and arrested. His alleged crimes came to light when 28-yr-old woman approached police.

Delhi’s bespoke shoemakers are carving out a market niche with focus on fit, quality

With offerings ranging from juttis to match your wedding attire to classic leather shoes, these niche shoemakers mostly cater to men, but are making inroads into the women’s market too.

Congress’ decline is not new, data shows shrinking footprint in terms of LS seats since 1985

Congress has gone from winning 82% of seats it contested in 1984 to losing 88% in 2019, with long-term decline in many individual seats. Rise of regional parties among likely factors.

‘Where’s the research?’ Why space institute IIST’s tailor-made graduates don’t stay at ISRO

Many IIST graduates who are contractually obligated to work with ISRO end up leaving midway by paying fees out of their own pocket, and enrolling for further studies.

Mann, Kejriwal, Modi: Why new Punjab CM will have a tough time juggling conflicting interests

Arvind Kejriwal’s national ambition could make life difficult for AAP leader and Punjab's new CM. Bhagwant Mann will have to also keep PM Modi and Centre in good humour.

#GenerationNowhere: India’s young are fighting an invisible epidemic, smartphone addiction

Young Indians are dropping out of college, their IIT aspirations turning to dust and many are now in de-addiction centres. Is smartphone dependency growing?

The hidden world of ‘Gandii Baat’ casts lights on India’s erotic fantasies and desires

Gandii Baat came out in 2018, but is almost unknown among English-speaking audience in metropolitan India. And its runaway success makes it clear that sex is never just sex

Forgotten Kashmir File: How India destroyed a terrorist network 50 yrs ago, without a shot

As New Delhi considers its next steps in Kashmir, the Master Cell story holds out an important lesson – quiet politics can be a much more lethal weapon than bullets.

‘Ab hathiyaar uthao’: A Dadri singer is firing up youth with Rajput-Hindutva DJ tracks

In volatile west UP, Upendra Rana’s hit videos sell a muscular brand of Rajput Hindutva, set to DJ beats and images of guns, swords, bike stunts, and buff men flexing their biceps.

Path to US via YouTube, Insta— How Indian influencers are fuelling ‘New American Dream’

Apply for a visa to a good life in New York — Indian influencers like Yudi J, Aaliyah Kashyap, Avanti Nagral & Aanchal Agrawal are painting new hopes.

On Camera

Indians are musically poor. We aren’t a good market for cutting-edge international bands

Coldplay is an exception. Our taste in western music is orthodox, throwback, out-of-date. When Nirvana, Blur were big, we were still playing Pink Floyd, Queens.

10 yrs ago, battery leasing failed to boost demand for EV cars in India. Now, it’s making a comeback

Under this model, battery is provided to EV owners on a subscription basis or lease. With more people open to buying EV cars, the lower upfront cost could likely drive wider acceptance.

Morocco signs pact with Tata for joint manufacture of WhAP Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The armoured platform is India's first amphibious infantry combat wheeled vehicle. Last year, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces had procured 90 military trucks from the Tata Group.

Islam doesn’t kill democracy. The army-Islam combo does

How come Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Sri Lanka remain constitutional, democratic and stable despite Islam and Buddhism respectively, but Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar don’t?