Radhika Iyengar
Radhika is a Senior Sub Editor with the indianexpress.com She is an alumna of Columbia University. She tweets @radhika_iy
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How journals for girls were used to instill nationalism in early 1900s
Khilauna (Toy) was a journal that was first published 1927. It regularly featured a column dedicated to voicing anti-colonial ideology called, Desh ki Baat. It also carried poems that glorified and valourised battles and fighting for one's nation.
Thu, Nov 30, 2017
A history of the origins of the Vande Mataram and its journey thereafter
In 1937 the Indian National Congress, concerned that the song might inspire communal tensions, took the decision to drop the last three stanzas of the original Vande Mataram, declaring that only the first two, non-controversial stanzas would be sung.
Thu, Jul 27, 2017
How India’s relationship with Israel has been a diplomatic see-saw since 1948
When Israel proclaimed itself as an independent nation in 1948, it immediately sought international recognition. But Nehru, the then Prime Minister of a newly-carved out country, was hesitant. Today, the relationship between India and Israel has changed, dramatically.
Thu, Jul 06, 2017
Why did a young woman join a RSS women’s wing camp?
GenderAnd The Nation: What right wing nationalism teaches young girls about love marriage, western dresses and Hindu culture.
Wed, Jun 28, 2017
RSS women’s wing focuses on gender-specific roles to uphold family values
While training the young girls to combat, the Rashtriya Sevika Samiti also teaches them the importance of 'upholding the family values'.
Wed, Jun 14, 2017
On sex education: ‘Children should be taught sports to contain their super energy’
#GenderAnd The Nation: We speak to Atul Kothari, secretary of right-wing academic organ, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, to discuss how rigorously they are attempting to re-sculpt the academic syllabi taught in government schools and universities.
Thu, Jun 08, 2017
Megyn Kelly should have done her homework
Sound, solid research is a marker of a good journalist. That’s our brand – to be informed, to be prepared, to be accurate. Important, prevalent information should be at the tip of our tongue.
Fri, Jun 02, 2017
Sanitary napkin vending machines in schools is an exemplary step, but is it enough?
Twenty-three per cent of adolescent girls drop out of school since proper facilities are not provided to them when they are menstruating. In schools, girls don't have access to functional toilets, access to clean water and proper sanitation and disposable facilities.
Tue, May 23, 2017
Time magazine’s new cover indicating Kremlin takeover is bold and and portent
Time magazine has been vocal, and pointedly visual, about its opinion on Trump. Last year in August, it depicted Trump – who, at that time was running the Presidential race – as a caricature that was 'melting'. The title that accompanied the image was “Meltdown”.
Sat, May 20, 2017
When Love and Hate Collide
In Chauhan's novel, an IAF instructor, Hosannah Carvalho doles out wisdom to his trainees saying, “Aggression and awareness are the keywords to being a good Fighter.
Sat, May 20, 2017
Fringe right wing outfits now get more clout than they can claim
It is disconcerting to know that peripheral political outfits like Hindu Yuva Vahini (with their agendas driven by violence and hooliganism) can do what they want, without facing any dire repercussions for their actions from the State.
Wed, May 17, 2017
RSS’ custom babies and Hindutva theory of Aryans as the ‘original Hindus’
A local myth suggests that German women traveled to India to be impregnated by the Aryan 'seed'.
Fri, May 12, 2017
These are the reasons why Macron’s win is unprecedented
Macron's win is unprecedented. To have a man who has never held an elected office before, win on a national scale, with a one-year-old party certainly sets a new record for France.
Mon, May 08, 2017
A Suitable Boy to become first BBC television series with non-white cast, but how ‘brown’ will it be?
The problem is authenticity. Even with BBC's earlier adaptation of Tolstoy's War & Peace, each character had a British accent.
Fri, Jun 09, 2017
A pre-Independence history of press freedom in India
How the Indian Press tried to fight severe censorship imposed by the British Government in pre-independent India, starting from the 1850s.
Sun, Jul 18, 2021
The government’s obsession with cows: A case of misplaced priorities
In India, cattle protection has suddenly emerged as the government's prime agenda, marginalising or trivialising other issues higher up on the scale of grave importance.
Wed, Apr 26, 2017
Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi: Here’s what happened 1934 onwards
Within the Babri Masjid compound, there once existed a mosque for Muslims, as well as a shrine for Hindus to pray. A railing functioned as a barricade between the two prayer spaces.
Mon, Apr 24, 2017
By pushing Hindi is the government pushing it?
Language cannot be imposed upon people. Imposition spawns resistance. There are several instances in history that serve as evidence, including the history of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Thu, Apr 20, 2017
What is Nikah halala, how it was established and where it stands in modern India
Nikah halala is a law that requires a woman to marry and sleep with another man in order to return to her first husband.
Mon, Mar 26, 2018
From Pakistan to Egypt, the Muslim countries that have moved ahead from Triple Talaq
In the name of tradition, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB ) finds triple talaq or talaq given in one sitting, sacrosanct and crucial, particularly for women.
Thu, Apr 20, 2017
In UP, a growing online market for cows: Uneasy sellers and discerning buyers
The sale of cattle through conventional means has dropped dramatically. Subsequently, there has been a sudden spike in the number of cow advertisements on e-commerce sites, particularly post the state elections.
Tue, Apr 18, 2017
Are Indians racist? Just ask Tarun Vijay
“If we were racist,” he argues, “why would we have all the entire south, which is completely – you know Tamil (sic), you know Kerala, you know Karnataka and Andhra – why would we live with them? We have black people around us.”
Sat, Apr 08, 2017
Romeo and Eve, and their strange association with sexual harassment in India
Both 'eve-teasing' and 'roadside Romeo' are Indian-invented-English-euphemisms, used particularly in South Asians countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Wed, Apr 05, 2017
In literature and art from over 100 years ago, images of the cow as mother
Back in the day, even bhajans fiercely associated a Hindu’s manhood to his strength in defending the cow.
Wed, Apr 05, 2017
“I’ll have to start my own small karobaar”, says projector operator as Regal Cinema brings its curtains down
Kumar's trajectory of fate is similar to that of Regal's. Kumar and Regal are symbolic of a time when single-screened theater halls and skilled operators had a standing in society.
Mon, Apr 03, 2017