Web Edits

Afghans in Delhi: Remembering the past, rectifying the future

March 14, 2020 8:10:08 pm

When Afghans started arriving in Delhi in large numbers after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the GOI was very resistant to the idea of giving them ‘refugee status’.

Why 1-page, 4-section Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 is wholly incapable of dealing with coronavirus

March 12, 2020 5:29:18 pm

The Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 was the British government’s reaction to the bubonic plague that hit Mumbai.

Iran-US tensions and the Indian dilemma

February 20, 2020 2:49:57 pm

Despite everything, the Iran nuclear deal is hanging by a thread, the question being, what implications could this have for India? India would like to expand its economic ties with Iran but tensions between Tehran and Washington are hampering New Delhi’s efforts.

Politics of identity, identification — why Delhi elections have scarred us forever

February 13, 2020 4:45:14 pm

And it looks like the trend is here to stay, even for liberals. The vitriol we saw these elections is seen everywhere, even in private WhatsApp groups, social media or conversations around the office water cooler.

How Wendell Rodricks taught a generation of Indian gay men to be comfortable in their skin

February 13, 2020 3:48:32 pm

We treated Wendell Rodricks like an anomaly, who was leading this strange life of domesticity in Goa.

Shaheen Bagh just knows how to fight every battle

January 22, 2020 9:37:05 pm

No matter where you stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and NRC, there is no way that the grit and perseverance of Shaheen Bagh protesters as also their warmth can go unnoticed by anyone.

Expect China to intensify pressure campaign after Tsai Ing-wen’s victory

January 13, 2020 7:23:29 pm

The question to consider going forward is whether Beijing will reorient its approach and seek talks with Tsai or will it double-down with greater intent. The latter, unfortunately, appears far more likely.

IRDAI issues new guidelines on standardisation of exclusions in health insurance

October 1, 2019 8:44:30 pm

As per the IRDAI issued modification guidelines, age-related ailments like Knee-cap replacements, Cataract Surgery, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, etc. which were earlier excluded from the health insurance policy will now be covered by the insurance company.

Forty Years Ago: July 19, 1979

July 19, 2019 12:06:49 am

Prime Minister Morarji Desai is unlikely to resign as leader of the Janata parliamentary party. This indication was available from sources close to the PM.

Barun Haldar’s deep baritone is no more

July 5, 2019 4:12:58 pm

Smarting from a WhatsApp faux pas last month that Barunda, as we fondly called him, had passed away in Dehra Dun, I frantically searched the web and stumbled on this bland headline on the official website of News Services Division of All India Radio. ‘

Life lessons from Vajpayee, thanks to a dad who idolised him

August 18, 2018 6:36:53 am

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speech at Gol market in Delhi in 1977 was a huge influence on my father, who had come to Delhi from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur, and it formed a big part of the life lessons he imparted to his children.

Income tax refund: It’s a slow, agonising process

March 27, 2018 8:14:24 am

The current government’s penchant for everything shiny and new, such as the Rs. 2000 currency notes is a nightmare when it comes to accessing your IT refund.

Why Mumbai rallied behind the farmers on march

March 20, 2018 8:02:33 pm

It started as a face-off between the state and the farmer. And remained so. With the urban dweller rallying behind the farmer.

Ryan murder case: It’s time to teach kids empathy

November 14, 2017 10:08:58 am

Kids need nurturing, a feeling of connectedness and a safe zone where they can discuss their problems and, most importantly, feelings. But, for that, one needs to put away the mobile phone and learn to talk emotions with a child.

Will the twain of North & South Korea ever meet? Unlikely

November 9, 2017 11:07:17 am

At each of these Unification Centres we are shown short films — stark images of starving children, North Koreans crying and fanatically beating their chests at the demise of their Great Leaders, extreme poverty — a generally unhappy people.

Indian struggles in 1917: On the eve of the Russian Revolution

November 7, 2017 9:34:16 am

In India, too, 1917 was a curtain-raiser to events two years later that would mark the beginning of mass involvement in the movement for freedom. As Gandhi’s critic M N Roy acknowledged in his memoirs, Lenin looked upon Gandhi “as the inspirer and leader of a mass movement” and “a revolutionary”.

I am the khichdi, and this is my moment of glory

November 2, 2017 9:10:42 pm

The Khichdi Story: From the high peaks of Himalayas to the serene backwaters of Kerala I withstood your constant demands for moulding me as per your needs. As you battled each other in the name of caste and religion, I stood there sternly uniting you as the one-pot meal suited for all.

Losing Jantar Mantar is like erasing our growing-up years

November 2, 2017 6:09:00 pm

It was at Jantar Mantar that I watched Maya Krishna Rao perform her powerful “walk” in response to the December 2012 rape; heard Imphal-based protest musician Akhu sing about oppression; and saw two men kiss each other passionately and without fear.

Panchkula violence: Haryana CM Khattar has some answering to do, especially to judiciary

August 25, 2017 10:29:09 pm

Gurmeet Ram Rahim case: At least 28 people were killed in the violence by the supporters of Dera chief as paramilitary troops and police personnel deployed outside special CBI court before the judgment failed to prevent the crowd buildup and the resultant mayhem.

Hizbul Mujahideen ban goes global, but will it reach the Valley?

August 17, 2017 7:13:46 pm

Though the Hizbul Mujahideen has been projected as the largest “Kashmiri” militant group, during the last decade and half, it had lost the appeal to a more radical section such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad.