![TACKLING TEETHING TROUBLES](https://cdn.magzter.com/India Today/1723206452/articles/vGVbBAmHH1723209216900/TACKLING-TEETHING-TROUBLES.jpg)
A political life has a way of bringing a measure to things. If not in a starkly spartan way, Bhajan Lal Sharma retains that good country feel to his daily rhythms: up at sunrise, a brief stroll in the sprawling lawns where the two cows he keeps are always indulged with a spot of patrician patting, and then a busy day interspersed with simple, home-cooked vegetarian meals. A calendar bustling with meetings means he often ends up skipping or delaying-his early dinner. His demeanour, though, is not devoid of rosy reminders of his carefree, younger days when he was fond of eating-he even won a bet once by consuming over two dozen laddoos at a wedding feast without any water in between. In December 2023, no one would have grudged him a few extra sweets when his name was called out, tambola-style, in the game of chance that decided Rajasthan's chief ministership. He was nowhere in the race: a first-time legislator, he was being pitchforked from nearanonymity to high office. But from that moment of elation, it didn't take long to appreciate how much of a "doubleedged sword" politics can be, as Sharma confesses ruefully to INDIA TODAY.
The agony came when the BJP lost 11 of the state's 25 seats in the general election. Sharma can't mask the hurt still, but offers no excuses. Aides say his body language for days after June 4 suggested he took it as a personal failure. Even if he had no say in candidate selection or campaign design, he felt he had let down the party that had elevated him to a much-sought-after office. Clearly, life would have been simpler when he was just a humble apparatchik back in Bharatpur district, where being sarpanch of his village, Atari, was the last administrative office he had held.
This story is from the August 19, 2024 edition of India Today.
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 August 19, 2024 edition of India Today.
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
![The New Weapon Against TB](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/lSSAQTSVV1725624543574/crp_THE-NEW-WEAPON-AGAINST-TB.jpg)
The New Weapon Against TB
With India running against time to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, a new drug regimen offers hope. But persistent shortages of even basic medications threaten to derail progress and fuel drug resistance
![THROW ME ANOTHER TEQUILA, SHEILA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/wY2GCU9k81725626354979/THROW-ME-ANOTHER-TEQUILA-SHEILA.jpg)
THROW ME ANOTHER TEQUILA, SHEILA
Move over tequila sunrise, it's time to sunset into the tequila world at the swanky new Agave Bar at Aasmana at the Ritz-Carlton Pune
![INDUS CREED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/4coEGl4Ya1725626102905/INDUS-CREED.jpg)
INDUS CREED
The freshly minted Ziya at the Oberoi Gurgaon, simply 'shines', much like its name implies.
![THE GREEN MILE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/SbBvGfUez1725626131035/THE-GREEN-MILE.jpg)
THE GREEN MILE
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF VOLVO'S PAST AND THE CURRENT PUSH FOR ELECTRIFICATION IS SHAPING ITS FUTURE
![WALK ON THE WILD SIDE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/HHP01HBRi1725625772858/WALK-ON-THE-WILD-SIDE.jpg)
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Live your version of Man vs Wild in the Australian Outback. Kakadu National Park offers unrivalled natural wonders, more crocs and birds than humans and secrets and legends of the oldest living culture on earth.
![All that Sparkles](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/xBYEYrIkR1725625829832/ALL-THAT-SPARKLES.jpg)
All that Sparkles
FINE LIVING - Style, Hot Launches, Books, Watches
![TO THE MANOR BORN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/_w9aGR_J51725625727452/TO-THE-MANOR-BORN.jpg)
TO THE MANOR BORN
OFFERING AN INTIMATE STAY AND SUPERLATIVE SERVICE, KINWANI HOUSE IN RISHIKESH IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST STUNNING BOUTIQUE HOTEL OPENING OF THE YEAR
![WHERE FLAVOURS CURRY FAVOUR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/cMTFeMFv61725625640260/WHERE-FLAVOURS-CURRY-FAVOUR.jpg)
WHERE FLAVOURS CURRY FAVOUR
WITH DOLLOPS OF AUTHENTICITY, SMEARED WITH REAL FLAVOURS AND OLD WORLD INDIAN HOSPITALITY, BUNGALOW, IN NEW YORK CITY, STIRS UP PASSIONS WITHOUT THE HOOPLA AND HISTRIONICS.
![Old meets Bold](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/JCgK9qTKH1725625600321/OLD-MEETS-BOLD.jpg)
Old meets Bold
Longines Conquest Where vintage charm meets modern precision
![The Devil is in the Details](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/zggW-JT6e1725625575304/THE-DEVIL-IS-IN-THE-DETAILS.jpg)
The Devil is in the Details
One of the rare watchmaker-turned-CEOs, Breguet's Lionel a Marca has a sharp eye for details