![A film star & our star-trekkers](https://cdn.magzter.com/1366109351/1709794839/articles/L68kAR7CJ1709815636056/A-FILM-STAR-OUR-STARTREKKERS.jpg)
Several million Indian hearts went into seventh heaven watching the chat between prime minister Indira Gandhi and Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma who was orbiting the earth in a Russian space vehicle in 1984. For all you know, the dialogue had been scripted beforehand. No harm. It was played to perfection, and India had its moment of pride.
Narendra Modi's Gaganyaan moment at Thiruvananthapuram last month too was played to the script. The four pilots, training to fly into zero gravity zones, took in the gravity of the moment. As they stood in smart attention, Modi presented them with astronaut wings, and later introduced them as India's four shakti. A billion and more hearts flew to seventh heaven.
Ceremonies of the state are scripted to perfection. The names of the foursome-Group Captains Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla-had been kept under wraps for full four years when they were training in Russia and India. That added to the moment's solemn suspense.
Denne historien er fra March 17, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 17, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Neighbours With Benefits](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/W98d9xvhl1720682850605/crp_NEIGHBOURS-WITH-BENEFITS.jpg)
Neighbours With Benefits
There has never been a better time to pursue a trade deal with China
![Shabbats in 10 Downing Street](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/I2pAAc98e1720685501797/SHABBATS-IN-10-DOWNING-STREET.jpg)
Shabbats in 10 Downing Street
Diwali lamps are out, Shabbat candles are in— at 10 Downing Street.
![Are the Brits racist or are we?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/ZvRiF1W2R1720685408174/ARE-THE-BRITS-RACIST-OR-ARE-WE.jpg)
Are the Brits racist or are we?
While an Indian-origin UK PM has lost his premiership, in the emerging line-up for his succession as leader of the Tory party are two ladies of Indian origin-Suella Braverman and Priti Patel and two contenders of African heritage, James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch. There appears to be only one aspirant of indubitably British origin, Tom Tugendhat.
![Stories by saris](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/JibWkak641720685226449/STORIES-BY-SARIS.jpg)
Stories by saris
I had a Hindu-Muslim wedding more than 20 years ago.
![Copy editors, Oxford commas and other pestilences](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/aCMWRSR9w1720684650759/COPY-EDITORS-OXFORD-COMMAS-AND-OTHER-PESTILENCES.jpg)
Copy editors, Oxford commas and other pestilences
SOMEONE TOLD ME years ago that J.K. Rowling, author of all that Harry Potter nonsense, had her first manuscript rejected eleventy-six times before becoming a sensational bestseller.
![TOUCH OF THE DUTCH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/AFwBfxO0-1720684300619/TOUCH-OF-THE-DUTCH.jpg)
TOUCH OF THE DUTCH
Chef Jacob Jan Boerma wants a Michelin starred restaurant in India
![The unique Anant Ambani](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/kEb1Ov-hs1720684196037/THE-UNIQUE-ANANT-AMBANI.jpg)
The unique Anant Ambani
Anant Ambani, 29-Mukesh and Nita Ambani's youngest child and second son-may turn out to be the most googled man in India when he ties the knot with Radhika Merchant.
![The fact that we humans can break any tyranny is beautiful](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/VLOdjf0cD1720684019551/THE-FACT-THAT-WE-HUMANS-CAN-BREAK-ANY-TYRANNY-IS-BEAUTIFUL.jpg)
The fact that we humans can break any tyranny is beautiful
A journalist reporting from conflict zones for The Times London, Paul Pickering turned novelist to tell the story of Josef Mengele, the 'Angel of Death' at Auschwitz, whom he met in Paraguay.
![RACE TO THE FUTURE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/pQrBJoBbn1720683804377/RACE-TO-THE-FUTURE.jpg)
RACE TO THE FUTURE
China and India aim at reducing STI interdependency risks and enhancing industrial performance through investments
![PRECIOUS FREEDOMS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/mD-9scJOB1720683499461/PRECIOUS-FREEDOMS.jpg)
PRECIOUS FREEDOMS
There is little comparison with China on civil liberties. But India could heed the lessons