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Monday, October 13, 2025
TopicMani Shankar Aiyar

Topic: Mani Shankar Aiyar

My pick of best books I read in the grim year of 2023: Kapil Komireddi

Azerbaijani novelist Akram Aylisli describes books as our 'salvation from the dirt of the outside world'. And so, here's a small selection of titles from the works I read in 2023.

Gorbachev once asked Rajiv what keeps India together. Then IB chief Narayanan prepared note for him

Narayanan, who was chief of IB then, said PM Rajiv Gandhi asked him to prepare the brief at Gorbachev’s request. But Soviet leader didn’t even ‘glance’ at it later.

‘Narasimha Rao was first BJP PM, doing puja when Babri Masjid fell’—Mani Shankar Aiyar

He was speaking at the launch of his autobiography to a high profile audience that included former VP Hamid Ansari, Sonia Gandhi, former foreign secretaries and MPs.

I told Rajiv Gandhi to visit Pakistan. It was like Prince Edward visiting France: Mani Shankar Aiyar

In 'Memoirs of a Maverick', Mani Shankar Aiyar writes about Rajiv Gandhi's 1988 visit to Pakistan, the first by an Indian PM in 28 years since Nehru went in 1960 for the Indus Water Treaty.

‘Gandhis, Kharge believe I’m a dinosaur, loose cannon’— Mani Shankar Aiyar on being kept out of CWC

Aiyar, whose autobiography ‘Memoirs of a Maverick’ was released Monday, says he won’t leave Congress but laments party’s drift from ‘secularism of Gandhi & Nehru kind'.

‘Vishwaguru’ should look in mirror: Why Ram Navami riots & bulldozers won’t help India’s stature

Can we aspire for moral stature if we respond to criticism with prickliness? The partisan would cheer, but it doesn't mean we lose ability to look within. Or stop listening to friends.

Surprise guest list at Congress G-23 ‘dinner meet’ — Tharoor, Aiyar, Preneet Kaur, Vaghela

G-23 leaders meet for 2nd time in week at Ghulam Nabi Azad’s house after poll results declared. Former CMs Prithviraj Chavan, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also spotted.

Can’t deny top Congress leadership inaccessible — Aiyar, Chacko, Shastri back letter to Sonia

Senior Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar, P.C. Chacko, Anil Shastri and others said they are in “full and complete agreement” with the demands raised in letter.

Congress doing politics only sometimes, says Sandeep Dikshit, echoes Sanjay Jha’s concerns

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar says he hopes leadership gives Sanjay Jha 'a patient hearing' and doesn't shut him up.

Happy if Rahul returns as Congress chief else Priyanka should take over: Mani Shankar Aiyar

Mani Shankar Aiyar, a senior Congress leader, also says no space in the party to express views and so Congress should hold camps like it did at Pachmarhi in 1998. 

On Camera

Imbalance persists in ASI’s modus operandi. Bengal, Bihar demand more attention

The National Policy on Archaeological Excavation and Explorations, which was approved in 2015, mentioned the need for problem-oriented, long-term research projects covering various time periods.

Niti Aayog recommends fully decriminalising 12 offences under new I-T Act to ‘foster more trust’

Recommendations appear in Niti Aayog’s Tax Policy Working Paper Series–II. It says there is a need to shift away from fear-based enforcement to trust-based governance.

India, UK sign £350 mn deal for Martlet. What are these Lightweight Multirole Missiles

In service with the British military since 2019, it is also known as the Martlet missile. Ukrainians have also deployed these missiles against Russian troops.

CJI, IPS, IAS & Homebound: A wake-up call 75 years in the making

Education, reservations, govt jobs are meant to bring equality and dignity. That we are a long way from that is evident in the shoe thrown at the CJI and the suicide of Haryana IPS officer. The film Homebound has a lesson too.