Election Commission should be broad-based, accountable and transparent

April 17, 2024

Even as the first round of voting begins for 18th Lok Sabha, the politically surcharged atmosphere has every flavour of the season. The Central Election Commission has huge resources and powers to supervise polls but lacks spine and a will to act as impartial observer. Instead, it acts more like...

How about a single date to celebrate Eid?

April 11, 2024

Even as Muslims across the world celebrated Eid ul Fitr festival with gaiety and festivities, the sighting of the moon was a contentious issue with Eid getting celebrated on different dates. Eid ul Fitr, which comes after a month-long season of Ramadan fasting, was celebrated on one day in Kerala...

Govinda dobara

April 4, 2024

Actor turned politician Govinda is all set to stage a political comeback. Having joined the Shiv Sena [Eknath Shinde] all eyes are on him whether the actor would get a Lok Sabha ticket. Govinda’s entry in politics was due to Murli Deora, former union minister and father of Milind Deora....

Sonia, it is said, was never comfortable in film circles

March 30, 2024

At a time when political spotlight is on Kangana, it is worth looking back at Amitabh Bachchan’s short but eventful stint as Lok Sabha MP from Allahabad as a Congress MP and close friend of the then pm Rajiv Gandhi. Kangana Ranaut’s candidature from Mandi Lok Sabha has generated a...

Iftars now out of fashion in Delhi

March 23, 2024

Iftar’s waning appeal in Delhi is having an impact on Bollywood. There are no iftars where Salman Khan could be seen hugging Shah Rukh Khan before retiring to two corners for the rest of the day. The first ten days of the Islamic month of Ramadan have passed but iftars...

West Bengal’s Tryst with ‘Outsiders’

March 15, 2024

The list of non-Bangla speaking persons making it to Lok Sabha from Bengal is long and illustrious. From Yusuf Pathan to B R Ambedkar and V K Krishna Menon, Bengal has a rich tradition of accommodating ‘outsiders’ and ‘visitors’ in Lok Sabha polls. The list of non-Bangla speaking persons making...

BJP recognizes Hema Malini’s Value in Political Arena

March 7, 2024

Ever since her entry in the saffron party, she is pampered, regardless of the transition from Advani to Modi era. Bhartiya Janata party (BJP) ‘s move to field Hema Malini from Mathura despite her age is a recognition of actress’ value in the political arena. Prime minister Narendra Modi and...

Year 1984 marked loss political morality and secularism

February 29, 2024

It’s clear now that Indira and Rajiv ’s follies had approval of ministers, advisers. The Orwellian imagined future may not happened in 1984 but in Indian politics, the year marked loss of political morality, innocence and secularism. Reflecting upon the events that took place 40 years ago, it becomes clear...

How first CEC Sukumar Sen proved Naysayers Wrong

February 21, 2024

According to Sen, who supervised first general elections of Lok Sabha and 18 state assemblies, granting votes to one and all was an act of faith, “faith in the common man of India and in his practical common sense”. As the countdown for another round of general elections begins for...

Debate on Bharat Ratna to Nehru, Indira rekindled

February 7, 2024

When RTI enthusiasts sought records of the recommendations for awarding the Ratna to Nehru, Indira, Prasad, Giri and others, they were told by records and file notings were not available. Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur and Lal Krishna Advani have rekindled the debate and controversy surrounding the time when the...