View: Much like the high-pitched campaign, even the average voter in Nandigram has become unabashedly vocal

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China may have split the Communists of Bengal but they never made it to state elections. However, Pakistan and even the Rohingya of Myanmar have surreptitiously crept into Nandigram’s election agenda. “Arrey dada, Pakistan mane Moselman, bujhlen na. Pakistan bolley lokey khaye,” I get my first tutorial on the lay of the land at the … Read more

American democracy could withstand a coup-like assault, but it will be on crutches for a while

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After sending his violent supporters to storm the US Capitol, President Donald Trump is deemed a clear and present danger to the republic. Calls from Democrats are growing for him to resign immediately because he simply should not have access to America’s nuclear codes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threatened to impeach Trump for the second … Read more

How pandemic has made people turn their homes into salons

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Rashna Shakeel Kapadi misses her favourite salon. For the head designer at Club Mahindra, a visit to the beauty parlour was a destressing experience. “I have been going to the same hairdresser since Class VIII,” says the 43-year-old Mumbai resident. But that was before the novel coronavirus struck and her hairdresser had to temporarily relocate … Read more

Will India’s VIP culture disrupt the vaccination programme

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In the early days of the pandemic, reams were being written about how Covid-19 was the great equaliser. Here was something the rich could not insulate themselves from; in fact, the well-heeled globetrotter was more likely to be a carrier than anyone else. Everyone had to jolly well hunker down at home and, for the … Read more

Stakeholders are optimistic of easier visa rules in the Biden administration but the question when will it happen

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The last few years have been unpredictable for overseas business travellers, techies and students in the US. Apart from dealing with delivery deadlines or a job hunt, these people also had to keep an eye out for abrupt changes to visa rules that could make their plans go awry. “You could be in the middle … Read more

DMK sticks to Tamil pride and Centre’s hegemony. Will that translate into votes?

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Over the last few weeks, Tamil Nadu’s principal opposition party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has been increasingly vociferous against Hindi imposition and the decision to hold the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges, both highly volatile subjects in the state. In August, party MP Kanimozhi said her refusal to respond in Hindi … Read more

Farm fix: Two worrisome features of the farm bills that invite valid opposition

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Farmers in Punjab and Haryana are on the warpath against the Centre’s new laws on agriculture. One of the BJP’s oldest allies, the Shiromani Akali Dal, has withdrawn its representative from the Union council of ministers in protest, although she was quiet when the ordinances, which are being replaced with the new laws, were approved … Read more

Pedaling in packs: With pandemic closing down gyms, cycling becomes activity of choice for fitness enthusiasts

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Chef Abhilasha Chandak, 33, has always believed good food and health go hand in hand. During the lockdown, with gyms being closed and running options limited, Chandak, an avid runner and marathoner, could do only so much to further her fitness journey. “I started tinkering with the idea of cycling. It made me so nostalgic … Read more

UP has a new model of development with revived faith in law and order: CM Adityanath

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath talks about the three years of his government — its achievements, challenges and focus areas. Edited excerpts from an email interview with Malini Goyal: You have been chief minister for three years. What are your biggest achievements so far? The biggest state in the country in terms of population … Read more

View: The NEP is an indicator of what India needs to do to improve education

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By Madhav Chavan Policy documents are not binding on the government but they do indicate what the government is willing to do or is thinking of doing. The third National Education Policy of India announced recently, drafted by a committee headed by Dr K Kasturirangan, indicates in most cases what the government needs to do … Read more