CATEGORIES
"WE CAN TAKE INDIA-NEW ZEALAND TIES TO THE NEXT LEVEL NOW"
On his first visit to New Zealand in October 2022, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said that the relationship between the two countries is \"due for an update and a refresh\". New Zealand's foreign minister NANAIA MAHUTA sought to further that in a three-day visit to India from February 7 to 10, and discussed with Jaishankar economic coordination, educational exchanges, defence ties and people-to-people contacts. In an interview with India Today Group Editorial Director RAJ CHENGAPPA, Mahuta also talks about India-New Zealand ties, the Quad, the Ukraine war and her country's ties with China. Excerpts:
THE POLITICAL BLOWBACK
The PM looks to deflect Rahul Gandhi's allegations of a 'Modi-Adani' nexus, invoking the \"blessings of 1.4 billion people\". How will this play out for the leaders and their parties?
"Blind men see too many elephants"
Veteran filmmaker ADOOR GOPALAKRISHNAN is a colossus of Indian cinema who, over the past five decades, has also been a cultural ambassador of sorts for his home state Kerala. During this time, the 81-year-old auteur has made 12 features, which include world-renowned gems such as Elipathayam (The Rat Trap) and Vidheyan (The Servile), and some 30 documentaries. He has won the National Film Award 16 times and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. Adoor resigned on January 31 as chairman of the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, Kottayam. This was a corollary to the resignation of Shankar Mohan, a reputed filmmaker and administrator who resigned from his position as director of the institute following student protests and allegations of caste discrimination. Adoor talked to Jeemon Jacob about the circumstances that led to his exit. Excerpts:
BENDING OVER BACKWARDS
Caste seems the ultimate determinant of politics in Uttar Pradesh. In the newest season of Mandal battle offensives, though, it is taking on Mandir in a bare-knuckled confrontation.
THE SLUGFEST SEASON
On February 4, as Chief Minister Hemant Soren was celebrating his party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)'s 51st Foundation Day in Dhanbad, Union home minister Amit Shah came down heavily on his government-calling it the \"most corrupt in the country\"-while addressing a public meeting just over 100 kilometres away at Deoghar district in the state's northeast.
THE OLD FIRM STILL RUNS
It was meant to be a cakewalk for the ruling coalition, but the results of the elections to the Maharashtra legislative council in five seats from the teachers' and graduates' constituencies have come as a rude shock to the BJP and the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS).
VOKKALIGA PREMIER LEAGUE
Over the past couple of decades, the run-up to nearly every assembly election in Karnataka has involved a key question about the Janata Dal (Secular)-its ability to play the kingmaker.
LEFT IN THE COLD
The harsh winter in the surreal moonscape of Ladakh, with temperatures skimming minus 20 degrees centigrade, is hardly conducive to public protests. Yet hundreds of Ladakhis braved the extreme weather and gathered at Polo Ground in Leh on January 31 to show solidarity with educational reformist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk.
Budget 2023 - A Big Boost For Jobs
A fiscally prudent Modi government ramps up capital expenditure in key sectors to generate employment. How far it succeeds will depend on implementation
IS WHAT'S OLD NEW AGAIN?
Menus focussed on native ingredients that preserve food memories and foster biodiversity and sustainability will shine in the coming year. Five of the world’s leading Michelin star chefs weigh in on the culinary storm brewing in the cup.
Ribbon lights, skin conditioner and a 'brow mani'? Yes, please...
From the hot hair colour to conditioner for the face (yes, really), consider this your beauty cheat sheet for 2023
The Cognoscenti
From trends and techniques to how to layer scents for better sillage, and notable fragrance accents for the year, let the nose lead the way.
The Sartorial Report 2023
STYLES, SILHOUETTES AND SEASONAL FAVOURITES-FIVE MEN'S FASHION TRENDS THAT WILL DOMINATE THE MARKET IN THE COMING YEAR.
YEAR OF THE RABBIT
A new year always arrives coasting on hope for better times ahead; a sentiment magnified many times over since the beginning of the pandemic.
Q+A Kitchen Conductor
Celebrity chef Gaggan Anand is back in India after temporarily closing his celebrated restaurant in Bangkok
Hitting the Spot
DAG opens its flagship gallery at Janpath, New Delhi, with a stunning array of artworks
All's Fair in Art
Expect to see the India Art Fair, which will run in New Delhi from February 9 to 12, in its most ambitious avatar ever
HOOKED BY A HOOKAH
The uncertainty that marks Shahidul Zahir's stories makes them at once beguiling and discomfiting
Return to Paradise
Why Sri Lanka is all set to sweep the stakes for top spot when it comes to travel this year
LIFE AS HE KNOWS IT
Renowned Bengali author Sankar's autobiography, now available in English, is as much about him as the people and the city that made him.
A PORTRAIT OF EXILE
Sreemoyee Singh’s documentary about the lives of Iranian artists is born out of years of labour and groundwork
Jumbo Toys
With an Oscar nomination, The Elephant Whisperers has set a benchmark for stories about nature and its relationship with humans
The Grand Makeover
As Mumbai's working-class locality Kamathipura readies for a revamp, its residents hope it will also erase their historic notoriety as a major hub of prostitution neighbourhood's
The Legend
It is the magical blend of time, passion and perseverance that defines the unparalleled generosity of a Balblair whisky.
Rhythm for the Heart and Soul
Shubhendra and Saskia Rao's SaRe Gaayein initiative aims to initiate children, including those marginalised, into classical music so that they grow up as sensitive, kind citizens
The Odia Model for Women's Self-Help
The Odisha government's Mission Shakti scheme is quietly transforming millions of women's lives in the hinterlands by helping them surpass gender barriers and making them financially independent
Viva La Cuba
Celebrating the Cohiba’s cult status—the storied stogie that took Cuba’s Fidel Castro and the world by storm.
RAFALE-M VS THE F/A-18: A TOUGH CHOICE
The Indian Navy mulls which fighter jet to deploy for its new carrier, the INS Vikrant, the French or the American one. Strategic considerations will also play a part
FIGHTBACK IN THE NORTHEAST
THE ASSEMBLY POLLS IN TRIPURA, NAGALAND AND MEGHALAYA ARE A CHANCE FOR THE BJP TO CONSOLIDATE GAINS AND TAKE THE NEXT LEAP FORWARD
RENEGADE SEASON IN THE BJP
The party is poaching leaders left and right to shore up its Punjab state unit and broaden its electoral prospects. But going down that path has its own pitfalls