CATEGORIES

Planting Memories

When we think of family heirlooms, jewellery or crockery comes to mind. Olly Mann hopes to save a plant for the future

"Give Me the Baby!"

A commuter takes an unexpected detour to stop a distraught parent

Ghost Busted

How to tell if you’re being haunted

DO YOU KISS YOUR DOG?

Find out how gross your questionable habits really are, according to health experts

HOME AT LAST!

A cat missing for 10 years, a dog who disappeared during a wildfire, and more heartwarming true stories of pets who were lost—and then found

READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS

These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.

Man with printed sarong

A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.

Too Much?

New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body

ME & MY SHELF

Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.

Small Business, Big Heart

Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops

Spill the Beans

Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours

It Happens ONLY IN INDIA

Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

FULL STEAM AHEAD!

I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN

Stressed and Worn Down

More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it

THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP

I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.

Tasty Tacos

Those shells hold a lot of history

About Shipwrecks

If you don’t want your ship to sink, you’d better break a bottle of champagne on it before launching.

Freaky Phobias

Just because it doesn’t make sense doesn’t make it any less scary

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

HOW SHUTTING UP FOR THREE MONTHS AND WALKING NEARLY 1,000 KILOMETRES TRANSFORMED MY LIFE

Taking on Goliath

How one man led a successful campaign that saved 4,45,000 acres of forests from 21 planned coal mines in India

HEARTS of STEEL

FOUR STORIES THAT PAINT A VIVID PICTURE OF BRAVERY, SACRIFICE, AND THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF WAR ON THE HUMAN SPIRIT

ME & MY SHELF

Chitra Divakaruni is the author of 23 books including The Forest of Enchantment, Mistress of Spices and Palace of Illusions. Her latest book is An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayan Murthy.

RD RECOMMENDS-BOOKS

Hanuman Chalisa and More

Who's Getting Colon Cancer

With rates rising among younger people, testing should start sooner

25 Lessons That Last A Lifetime

Suggestions about life are a little like lottery tickets: You may collect a lot of them, but they rarely pay off. Yet if you are truly lucky, you receive a few words of wisdom that inspire you forever. That's called hitting the jackpot

A Symphony Of Irritation

In the 2022 film Tár, Cate Blanchett played a conductor who was affected by misophonia—an acute sensitivity to certain sounds. For Lydia Tár, Blanchett’s character, the clicking of a pen or the beat of a metronome was enough to drive her to distraction.

Is Poverty Alleviation Truly Possible?

We ask economist and Nobel laureate Esther Duflo

The Alpha Dog

To rescue lost animals, she climbs into places most of us avoid

Let's Say Yes!

What started out as a way to get my son to try new foods opened up a world of adventure for my family

Hey Dad, Can You Help Me Return the Picasso I Stole?

A painting went missing in 1969, then turned up at a museums doorstep. No one knew how or why—until now