scorecardresearch
Friday, July 25, 2025
HomeThe FinePrint

The FinePrint

Brahmins, Mughal yogis, British propaganda–How Kumbh Mela became world’s greatest gathering

Historical documents suggest the Kumbh Mela is only 150 years old, but it stands as a testament to Hinduism’s amazing ability to reinvent itself under changing regimes.

Indians will never forgive Trudeau. Or forget

Foreigners often fail to appreciate how sensitive India can be when our territorial or internal integrity is threatened.

Indian gaming is a boys’ club. Women gamers are turning to Twitch & YouTube

Women gamers like Shagufta Iqbal, Saloni Pawar, and Payal Dhare are building a strong presence on streaming platforms. But women are still shut out of competitive gaming.

Vaishno Devi ropeway plan throws up a question for Katra. Is it a picnic spot or pilgrimage?

Unlike the past initiatives such as battery-powered cars from Ardhkunwari to Bhawan and helicopter rides, the ropeway project is being seen as the biggest killer of local businesses.

Elon Musk has seized on UK grooming gangs issue for his own cause, not for rape victims

The figure of the Pakistani immigrant sexual groomer is real—but also serves as a pretext for failing to address toxic youth masculinity and deep vulnerabilities of young women.

Narayana Guru’s religious secularism—what makes the reformer-ascetic a puzzle for modern politicians

Row over Kerala CM's comment that Narayana Guru was neither a propagator nor a practitioner of Sanatana Dharma has put focus on his dichotomous legacy as both guru and social reformer.

An IIT Madras team is working on manufacturing in space. It’s planning 20 yrs ahead

Using IIT Madras’ Institute of Eminence funds and access to microgravity, 7 departments collaborated in 2021 to open India’s first research centre dedicated solely to Space 2.0 research.

India must revise its definition of middle class. Those earning Rs 1 cr aren’t ‘rich’ anymore

The tax officials will, of course, have a better understanding of what the revenue implications will be. But let them at least start thinking about expanding the definition.

Bangladesh is becoming a security threat to India. Yunus govt is stoking anti-India politics

Political instability following the regime change in Bangladesh has disrupted its economic relationship, with India, affecting supply chains, tariff policies, and border infrastructure.

Before criticising India’s CAA-NRC, see US H1B visa policy to UK Migration Act

Why is India, under the guise of humanitarianism, being coerced into accepting people with unknown antecedents from countries that don’t want their own people?

On Camera

Mumbai blasts acquittal must not set a precedent. It’ll hurt both agencies and judiciary

Several terror attack cases have been concluded by following the methods Maharashtra ATS used in the 7/11 case. It’s surprising that the high court didn’t find them worthy of legal scrutiny.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan likely used NATO-style aerial tactics taught by China

The Chinese are said to have hired ex-fighter pilots & air force operators from NATO countries over the past several years to help them fine-tune their operational & flying capabilities.

Strategic partner one day, tactical nightmare the next: India’s learning Trumplomacy the hard way

Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.