Know your fiancé
In Feb 1948, Ambedkar wrote to his fiancée, Dr Sharada Kabir (Savita Ambedkar after marriage): "You have not cared to inquire into my past. But it will be available to you at any time in the pages of many Marathi magazines."
Culinary files
Ambedkar liked cooked radish and mustard leaves. He would fry them in ghee, like the Punjabis. Otherwise his food was simple: one chappati of bajra, a small quantity of rice, curd and three pieces of fish. Breakfast included toasts, eggs, and tea, a habit formed during his student days at Columbia University.
Strengths and weakness
Ambedkar was ambidextrous and proficient in nine languages-Hindi, Pali, Marathi, Sanskrit, English, French, German, Persian and Gujarati. He played the violin and, while in college wrote a skit, A Wise Girl, based on Shakespeare's King Lear. He also played cricket. But, he had trouble with maths. He once wrote to his college principal that he wished to drop a year as he was weak in maths.
In tune with nature
Ambedkar loved dogs and is said to have sobbed like a child when his pet dog died in an accident. He also enjoyed gardening. The Daily Mail praised the garden he maintained at his official residence.
House of justice
Former IAS officer Kartar Singh 'Polonius' wrote that Ambedkar as law minister patiently heard and redressed the grievances of small government officials and labourers who met him at his bungalow in Delhi. The bungalow thus came to be known as insaaf ki kothi or house of justice. When he left office, he arranged housing and jobs for his staff, from the private secretary to the sweeper.
Books of life
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock