The economic challenges are far tougher this time and real euphoria will be when the new leadership surmounts them Every election has its own takeaway and this, too, has one, certainly beyond the noise of violence, rhetoric, bigotry and raging passion. It is that of the silent voter, who has zipped up his choices close to his chest and...
GUEST COLUMN From being a quaint tourist town, known for its scenic beauty and pristine cultural heritage, Dehradun has come a long way into evolving as the bustling provisional capital city of Uttarakhand. Contemporary Dehradun pretty much stands as a minuscule reflection of several overpopulated and impromptu urbanised medium sized Indian cities. Two decades down the lane post its...
USUAL SUSPECTS By Sunday evening, the excruciatingly long general election of 2019 will have come to an end. By the afternoon of May 23, the country will digest the results and slowly come to terms with the overall verdict. In the interregnum there will be the exit polls and a dissection of the role of the Election Commission. There...
THE OTHER SIDE As the day of counting and declaring the results of the Lok Sabha elections draws near, one is thankful that the bombardment of inane statements, especially from those claiming to be “saving democracy” is coming to an end. As many have observed, this election will stand out also for the low level of political dialogue that...
Namo’s Sojourn Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath may have rubbed the opposition Congress party in a wrong way for its leaders are weighing its political fallouts as the country is in midst of a crucial Lok Sabha battle. Politics apart, no one should deny the deep devotion the PM has in his...
The vandalism of Vidyasagar’s bust is way beyond political point-scoring, it is a demolition of the idea of India Had revival of the true Hindu consciousness been the real intention and the mind had indeed perceived its sacredness, then nobody would have smashed the statue of Bengal’s Renaissance man, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, in a seat of learning and knowledge. Perhaps...
Trump must realise that an attack on Iran will bring huge death and destruction not only to Iranians but neighbouring areas as well US President Donald Trump is well-known for his desire to cut American military commitments overseas. Indeed, it is one of his most attractive characteristics. But his attention span is short, he plays a lot of golf and he...
We need a framework for consensual relationships which, for whatever reason, break down and the woman cries ‘rape’ At the very outset, this newspaper unequivocally states that violence against women, including sexual abuse and assault, is a major problem in India, where patriarchal forces still reign. Laws that protect women against such assault have been written and amended over...
HILLBILLY Tucked away in the Valley of the River Aglar, just a few kilometres beyond the hill station of Mussoorie, Devalsari’s natural and cultural endowments make it a destination that is truly divine. Well, so are most other villages in the Himalayas. Even though Devalsari is like any other hill village, surrounded by pristine forest and organic farms, what...
BLANK VERSE People who are new to Dehradun will never know much about this valley’s ‘Suicide Alley’ as it disappeared in the year 2011. A well-known landmark, though sometimes controversial, vanished before our eyes. Within days! Yes, I am talking about the stretch of Chakrata Road from Clock Tower up to Prabhat cinema. Undoubtedly it was the most crowded spot in the city of Dehradun. For years,...