Criticising a political leader is not only legitimate; it is essential to democracy. But democracy also depends on distinguishing public accountability from private humiliation. A politician’s decisions, claims and conduct in office are open to scrutiny. A person’s family, parentage or private relationships are not automatically fair game merely because that person holds public office….
I watched Hanuman Ansh rather too late. And I came away with something I had not expected from a film that, only a few weeks ago, appeared destined to disappear without a trace: Goosebumps. The film had a meagre opening, little star power and virtually none of the promotional muscle normally associated with a pan-India…
Imagine spending two days watching the leaders of some of the world’s most consequential countries gather in New Delhi, discussing wars, trade, global governance, economic cooperation and the future of the Global South – and then emerging with one burning question: Where was the chicken? That, apparently, is the big takeaway from the BRICS Summit…
I knew this trend of turning our photographs into 1980s versions would take an ugly turn. I had written about the fad when it was still innocent fun – giving ourselves big hair, oversized sunglasses, denim jackets, and that unmistakable grainy finish of an old photograph. It was nostalgia with a touch of AI magic….
Defence pacts, like promises, can be impressive when signed, subject to interpretation when tested. Pakistan has now provided a rather entertaining demonstration of the principle with its Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. When the pact was signed last month, Islamabad seemed to have rediscovered its strategic swagger. With its nuclear arsenal…
AI has discovered the perfect time machine: one that can also fix our hair, clothes and questionable fashion choices There is a new epidemic sweeping across social media. Thankfully, it is neither contagious nor fatal. It merely threatens to make us look considerably better than we actually did four decades ago. I first noticed it…
If the latest revelations by Israeli newspaper Haaretz are proved correct, Benjamin Netanyahu will have an even more damning question to answer than the one that has haunted him since October 7, 2023: What did he know, when did he know it – and why did he keep it to himself? According to an investigation…
Firstly, I have to explain my silence for over two weeks. There has been a wedding in my family, and I haven’t written a word except names on invitation cards. Secondly, I have stayed away from news, views and nonsense. It was blissful. Then came Swara Bhasker. Swara has once again stirred the pot, this…
So, the mystery of the 41-year-old Gen Z has taken a rather entertaining turn. After the internet did what the internet does best- check the numbers – the woman at the centre of the controversy has now appeared in an apology video with a brand-new revelation: she is actually 25. Now, that explains everything. The…
The Income Tax Department’s nationwide verification of suspicious foreign remittances is a necessary move. At a time when financial transactions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and money can cross borders at the click of a button; the tax authorities cannot afford to look at outward remittances in isolation. The Department’s announcement of August 18 is particularly…
