Topic: Princely states
Once a hunting lodge, part of iconic 1878 Secunderabad Club lost in ashes
While no casualties were reported, the ‘Colonnade Bar’, billiards room, a ballroom, main reception and a staircase of the 144-year-old British-era establishment were damaged.
A Maharajah in court — Why a Baroda king was tried for ‘poisoning’ a British officer
In ‘False Allies’, Manu Pillai writes about the Maharajas of India and the problems their newly appointed East India Company Residents brought into their lives.
When Hope Cooke, the American socialite wife of Sikkim king, asked for return of Darjeeling
In ‘Sikkim’, former diplomat Preet Mohan Singh Malik writes about the Namgyal dynasty that ruled the Himalayan kingdom until it became India’s 22nd state.
On Camera
YourTurn
Why ‘buy now, pay later’ fad doesn’t sit well with RBI
The RBI wants every small-ticket loan to be a marriage officially solemnised in the church of banking. Its new guidelines stop nonbanks from loading digital wallets using credit lines.
Gig economy booming, workers will triple to 2.35 crore by 2030, says Niti Aayog report
Niti Aayog report finds concentration of workers rising in low- and high-skilled categories, maximum share in retail trade and sales.
Defence
Almost 4,000 enrol for IAF’s Agnipath recruitment scheme on day 1 of online registrations
These registrations pertain to the Indian Air Force's Agniveer Vayu programme. The online portal for the first phase was opened at 10 am Friday, and will close on 5 July.
With Agnipath, Modi govt’s shock & awe doctrine may have misfired a vital reform, yet again
Modi govt's biggest flaw has been its disinclination to accept limitations of electoral majorities. This ruined land acquisition and farm reform, stalled labour codes.