History bears testimony to the delicate balance a nation must maintain between democracy and authoritarianism. When power rests solely in the hands of a dictator or sways unpredictably under the chaotic control of mobs, the results are often disastrous. From economic collapse to widespread civil unrest, such governance models have repeatedly pushed nations to the…
The fall of Bashar Al Assad’s regime marks the end of a brutal era in Syria. After over a decade of civil war, opposition forces now control Damascus and hopes for reconciliation are emerging from the ruins. Rebel leaders have assured religious minorities, including Christians, of their safety and rights, signalling a commitment to inclusivity….
There was a time, not too long ago, when films from south of the Vindhyas were casually dismissed as ‘Madrasi films. That dismissive tag lumped together the diverse cinema of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, and carried a faint whiff of disdain. These films were often seen as regional oddities, rarely transcending linguistic…
The other day, I attended my fellow journalist’s son’s marriage. As the wedding rites were under way, an MLA from the Opposition party arrived with a retinue of hangers-on and security men. Wasting no time, he went straight to the mandap to greet the bride and groom, and with equal haste, prepared to leave. But…
Telangana Tourism’s ambitious dive into adventure sports at Hussain Sagar feels more like a leap of faith into some of the most polluted waters in Hyderabad. Jet skiing, canoeing, and kayaking might sound like fun, but only if you ignore the pungent smell of algae-laden sludge, the perennial water hyacinth or the very real possibility…
‘The Sabarmati Report’, directed by Dheeraj Sarna and produced by Ekta Kapoor, tackles one of the darkest chapters in India’s modern history: February 27, 2002, burning of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra, Gujarat. This heinous act claimed the lives of 59 kar sevaks, many of them women and children, triggering days of violent communal riots….
Political parties in India seem to believe in the mantra: when in doubt, invoke a legacy. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in the Telugu states, where deceased leaders’ names are stamped onto government schemes as if to guarantee their success. But can these parties not stand on their own feet without relying on…
Growing up, I often heard elders bless newlywed couples with wishes for a ‘house full of children.’ In our agrarian past, such blessings were not mere platitudes; they were practical wishes. Larger families meant more hands to till the land, sow seeds, and reap the harvest. Whether one owned land or worked as a farmhand,…
There’s something irresistibly amusing about the annual rituals of picking a Word of the Year or naming a Person of the Year. It’s as if organisations feel compelled to leave their own mark on the calendar before we hit December 31. And this year’s linguistic trophy goes to ‘enshittification’, crowned by the Macquarie Dictionary. What…
Last week, I was at a stationery shop, buying gift wrap for our granddaughter’s birthday presents. As the shopkeeper was busy with other customers, I began browsing through the books haphazardly stacked on a nearby shelf. My casual search led me to an Economics textbook, and I stumbled upon the topic of the ‘Law of…
