CATEGORIES

DOING THE DOAB

Identity or livelihood? Between these two streams lies a dilemma for the voters of western UP, ground zero for the most contentious issues of our time

THE STATE OF SURRENDER

In the past one year, as many as seven high-value Maoists operating in Madhya Pradesh have surrendered in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. This includes Diwakar, a divisional commander in charge of the vistaar operations in the newly created Maharashtra-Madhya PradeshChhattisgarh (MMC) zone of the Maoists. However, not a single Maoist has surrendered in MP since 2010. The state police say they are struggling on the information front as they have little ‘access’ to these key operatives.

MORE BANG FOR THE INDIGENOUS BUCK

The government walks the talk on its indigenisation thrust by loosening its purse strings to facilitate R&D funding for the private sector. Policy implementation will remain a key challenge

THE PROMISE IS OVER

There is no more talk of doubling farm incomes, and while the emphasis on green farming is good, the sops continue with no clear future roadmap

REET 2021 SCAM: Gehlot's Acid Test

The fallout of the REET (Rajasthan Eligibility Entrance Test) scam— involving the leak of the question paper for an exam to select 31,000 teachers for state schools, conducted in September last year—has left the Ashok Gehlot government besieged.

NO BOOSTER SHOT FOR HEALTH

Despite the ongoing pandemic and growing healthcare needs, the sector gets little impetus

banging on empty plates

Despite the Centre’s massive welfare schemes, the pandemic saw poverty increase and the emergence of two Indias. The budget continues with the one-size-fits-all approach

FIX THE SPENDING GAP

The capital expenditure outlay has been increased by 35 per cent, but the yawning gap between outlay and actual spend is worrying

AGAINST THE GRAIN

FILMMAKER SHAKUN BATRA HAS NEVER PLAYED BY HINDI CINEMA’S RULES, AND HIS UPCOMING GEHRAIYAAN ONLY REITERATES HIS QUIET ICONOCLASM

Weapons Purchases: Be Indian Buy Indian

The ministry of defence has announced a series of measures to energise the flagging drive to manufacture indigenous weapons. The PMO itself is supervising the initiative. Will it work?

IAS Cadre Rules Centre Vs States

New Delhi’s demand that AIS officers do mandatory central deputation is primed to become another Centre-states dispute

Punjab - The Dark Horse Of Patiala

The Amarinder-BJP joint stock company is banking on a blend of symbolism and ground synergy in this ‘revenge’ election

Can Yogi Make History?

Yogi Adityanath is poised on the edge of a future that can change Indian politics. He brims with optimism, but a resurgent Akhilesh Yadav is giving him the battle of his life in UP

THE PROFLIGATE GENERAL

ANDHRA CM JAGAN REDDY’S POPULIST WELFARE MEASURES HAVE GOT THE PEOPLE’S VOTE, BUT IT HAS ALSO LEFT THE STATE ON THE VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY

‘NOBODY CAN STOP HIM'

WINNER OF THIS YEAR’S INDIA OPEN, SHUTTLER LAKSHYA SEN IS SMASHING HIS WAY TO THE TOP

AS YOUNG AS THE HILLS?

The BJP hopes to stave off anti-incumbency and a troubled legacy by focusing on a critical constituency: the youth

A SERIOUS MAN

Equally feted and talented actor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui on why streaming platforms provide an evolved canvas for both the audiences as well as actors.

FIRMLY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

TAAPSEE PANNU’S PROFESSIONAL TRAJECTORY ENSURES THAT SHE IS THE ANCHOR OF THE FILMS SHE CHOOSES TO BE A PART OF, EVEN AS HER CHOICES ARE FAR FROM FORMULAIC.

GUARDIAN OF OFFENDED SENSIBILITIES

Mishra’s relationship with Shivraj Chouhan has been strained in the present term, so much so that his trip to Delhi led to rumours of an imminent CM change

FOREST COVER-UP

ISFR 2021

KEEPING US GUESSING

The new superhero film Minnal Murali has added to Tovino Thomas’s reputation as a performer who keeps experimenting

REDEFINING REAL TIME

5G NETWORKS

Q+A COMING INTO HER OWN

IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, ANANYA PANDAY HAS RECEIVED HER SHARE OF OPPORTUNITIES, BUT IT’S ONLY NOW THAT FILMS LIKE GEHRAIYAAN ARE TESTING HER METTLE AS AN ACTOR

UP: Priyanka's Gendered Approach

The Congress is nowhere in the contest in up. But at a time when caste is the leitmotif, it makes a virtue out of adversity: feminising politics with 40 per cent seats to women

“CRICKET IS INDIA'S HEARTBEAT”

Ayaz Memon once aspired to be a cricketer, an engineer, a lawyer. That was all until he discovered his true love—journalism. It allowed him to live the many highs and lows of Indian cricket over four decades. Indian Innings, an anthology edited by him, tells stories of key moments that shaped the game.

THE BIG BANK ROBBERY

CROOKS DEFRAUDED BANKS OF Rs 1.38 LAKH CRORE IN 2020-21. SUCH STAGGERING SUMS SWINDLED FROM BANKS EVERY YEAR MOSTLY REMAIN UNRECOVERED. WORSE STILL, THE SCAMS ARE DETECTED MONTHS LATER AND ARRESTS LEAD TO FEW CONVICTIONS

HAUNTING HISTORIES

ABDULRAZAK GURNAH WAS AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE. AFTERLIVES, HIS MOST RECENT NOVEL, HELPS US SEE WHY

As Happy As Can Be

In his latest novel, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka shows us how Nigeria came to find itself stuck in a cycle of recurring despair

Congress: A New-Look Opposition?

Rahul Gandhi may still be the most ideally placed to revive the fortunes of the Congress but Mamata Banerjee is seen as a better candidate to lead an Opposition alliance against the BJP

Economy - The Hope And The Worry

In the third year of PM Modi’s second term and two years into the pandemic, a majority of Indians continue to have faith in the Centre’s handling of the economy. However, high inflation, a lack of jobs and shrinking incomes mar any rosy outlook