CATEGORIES

THE YEAR I Won THE WAR Against Cigarettes

A pack and a half a day veteran of 36 years’ standing tells of the agony and the ecstasy

The Remarkable Life and Work of Salim Ali

The story of the great scientist, who inspired three generations of Indian naturalists

THE FAIRY-TALE WRITER WHO CHALLENGED A GOVERNMENT

Just like her creation, Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren wasn’t afraid to upset the apple cart

The DOCTOR of Lennox

This memorable pen-portrait was the very first of the Reader’s Digest series titled ‘The Most Unforgettable Character I Ever Met’

The Best Advice I Ever Had

THIS COUNSEL RANG constantly in my ears when I was a boy: “Go the last mile—and enjoy it.” It has stayed with me ever since, comforted me in difficult times and brought me moments of deep contentment.

Stowaway in the Landing Gear

The thrilling story of a teen who made a daring escape from Cuba—in the frigid belly of a transatlantic DC-8 jet

Has Anybody Seen Me Lately?

A noted humorist describes a predicament in which most of us find ourselves at times

Forever Dev

An interview with a Bollywood legend we lost a decade ago this year

ANDY GOOSE Steps Out

A kind-hearted inventor meets a goose with a special problem

The Road To Recovery

The pandemic did more than attack our health—it hit our wallets too. But smart, sensible investments can bring personal finances back on track in 2021

A Valentine's Day Lesson

As a child, I had a humiliating experience on 14 February. Now that I’m a teacher, my students celebrate the day with love

Three stories to remind us that LOVE CONQUERS ALL

Stories of ending love and partnerships that beat the odds

REUNITED BY SCIENCE

The first time Jay called King Kpodegbe Toyi Djigla, the traditional ruler of the kingdom of Allada in southern Benin, the king hung up. The second time, the king handed the phone to his English-speaking wife, Queen Djehami Kpodegbe Kwin-Epo. She and Jay started messaging each other online. She told him he was a descendant of King Deka, who had ruled Allada centuries earlier. “We would be delighted to welcome you to your home, dear prince,” she wrote.

Politically Incorrect

Much like the politics it depicts, Tandav is messy, clumsy and avoidable

GO AHEAD, DO NOTHING

We push ourselves to work harder, but taking a break can often fuel a burst in productivity and creativity

Department of Wit - I'M NOT SUPERSTITIOUS! (Touch Wood)

No rational, scientific, knowledgable person would bother with lucky colours or ‘slate magic’ ... would they?

“I Didn't Know How Long I'd Survive”

With his leg caught in the sharp, whirling teeth of a gigantic corn conveyor and no one around to hear his cries for help, this farmer grabbed his pocketknife and did the unthinkable

THE SIMPLE LIFE

A life of humility, diligence and unerring compassion is the only way of living known to Sudha Murthy

NO PUTTING HER DOWN

Even though her next book is set in an exclusive club, Anuja Chauhan’s writing is for everybody

10 Foods That Heal

These nutritional powerhouses can make you healthier with every bite.

The Perils of Indifference

It can be tempting to look away. It is easier-to avoid such interruptions to our work, our hopes, Dreams.

The Mark of Kane

A biopic of Herman Mankiewicz, the man who wrote Citizen Kane, Mank is a labour of love

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

In 2020, a year defined by loss, Lijo Jose Pellissery reinvented himself spiritually and as a filmmaker. India might have its Oscar hopes pinned on his film, Jallikattu, but its maker prefers to look beyond

“Don't Look Down!”

Below the trapped miners was an empty elevator shaft, 2,000 feet deep. Only the extraordinary strength of one man might save them

Finding the Silver Lining

Over the past year, many of us have found a new appreciation for life’s simpler joys. RD readers share their discoveries

EXTRAORDINARY INDIANS

Five incredible stories of ordinary people changing the world through courage, compassion and service

Films

MOVIES ON DEMAND

ME & MY SHELF

Deepa Anappara earned high praise from the likes of Ian McEwan and Anne Enright with her very first novel, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. The book recently won the 2020 Tata Literature Live! First Book Award and was also shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature.

Books

HISTORY OF BOOKS

Kindness In The Time Of Covıd

From making face masks for hospitals to making music to entertain neighbours, the COVID-19 crisis is sparking countless acts of generosity. Here are stories from around the world