Analysis: Story Of Kiran 'Crane' Bedi More Myth Than Fact

How much of what we hear about Kiran Bedi is based on facts; how much is fiction and what portion of it is just fantasy, including her own? As facts—not new but old—re-emerge, it is becoming easier to separate Bedi from her myth and the image from the person.

We have known Bedi as a no-nonsense cop who had the guts to ‘tow away’ Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s car; a gutsy officer who didn’t flinch for a second before taking on politicians and a brave woman who was not scared to face the consequences of taking on the establishment.

Focus: Virat Kohli, The Apparent Heir Of Tendulkar?

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there is something Tendulkaresque about Virat Kohli. Besides their prolific batsmanship or the match-winning aptitude, only time will verify whether the latter would eventually sneak into the immortal space inhabited by the little man. Their perceptions and philosophies are diverse, if not contrary, and understandably so as they are men of varied spirits who plied in distinct eras. But there has been a certain inevitability about them and the feats they would accomplish.

Their fate, for the outside eyes at least, seemed pre-scripted. So just as the curly-haired wonder-boy from Mumbai was racking up centuries for fun in school cricket, he was ordained to end up as the highest run-getter by the time he retired from international cricket.

‘Speak, For Thy Tongue Is Free’: Urdu Poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz

The language that ignited Ghalib’s tongue and fired Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry is finding new takers in the country.

In 1954 the Central Working Committee of the Bharatiya Janta Sangh, a precursor to the Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) declared Urdu to be “The language of no region in India, it being only a foreign and unacceptable style of Hindi with a foreign script and foreign vocabulary imposed on India during a period of foreign domination.”

Special: Was It The Spice Route? Or, The Spice Web?

It was a network, yes. And, the story of the movement of more than spices. Here’s looking at the yesterday and today of a few ports that made this magical migration of taste possible.

It is a hot Sunday afternoon. Parangipettai, the white town, less than an hour's drive from Cuddalore, is deserted. The Dutch stayed here till the 18th century. The Portuguese called it Porto Novo, the new port; it was the first colonial outpost on the Coromandel coast. Barely a blip on the map now, its only brush with history was the battle that Haider Ali fought with the British.

Ideological Compatibility Among Ministerial Troika Strengthens Modi-Fied Pak Policy

According to the great 6th century BC Chinese general Sun Tzu, who authored The Art of War, “Invincibility lies in the defence, the possibility of victory in the attack.” Now in 21st century India, for the first time since Independence, a strong defence and offence strategy is in place. 

This was evident on Friday when the Indian Coast Guard intercepted a Pakistani boat laden with explosives and terrorists whose ostensible purpose was to repeat the 26/11 attacks. The pre-emptive action was the outcome of a properly coordinated strategy prepared by the ministries of Home, Defence and External Affairs with the PMO fully in the loop on one of the most successful operations against India’s enemies.

Exclusive: Exploring The 'Hidden Secrets' Of Hyderabad

Exploring the hidden secrets of Hyderabad. INNLIVE discovers a high-tech boomtown with new hotels and renovated palaces.

The draw of Hyderabad is its astonishing backstory, which can make you feel at times as if you are in India’s Oz. How else to explain the peculiar magic of this city deep in south-central India? Part Brigadoon and part Epcot, it pulls you almost immediately into its hallucinatory past. On a balmy night in November, down the narrow lanes of the old city, we drive through the pearl bazaar and the throng of auto rickshaws near the Charminar, the grand arch and mosque that is the central artery of Hyderabad. 

Hyderabad Exhibition Blues: A Mishmash Called 'Numaish'

What Sunburn is to Goa, Numaish is to Hyderabad. Numaish, or the All India Industrial Exhibition, is an event to be reckoned with. This annual exhibition that started in 1938 has touched the life of every Hyderabadi and has formed a bond which is, it can only be said, everlasting.

Hyderabad, which is all about Nizam and Numaish, wears a festive look during this season. The calendars for January and February are booked and plans are made, budgets are saved, leaves are spared to visit the All India Industrial Exhibition.

Astonishing Christmas-Themed Mughal Miniatures From The Courts Of Emperor Akbar And Jehangir

Jesuits came to the Mughal court hoping to convert the emperors. Instead, the Indian rulers used Christian images for their own royal propaganda.

When Mughal emperor Akbar invited Portuguese Jesuits from Goa to his court in 1579, they were elated. Converting Akbar to Christianity would be their biggest achievement outside the European world.

They sent excited reports back to their home country, saying that India's largest empire would soon be a part of the Christian world.

Focus: Secularism In A Kolkata's 'Christmas Fruitcake'

It’s the most unlikely Christmas tableau. Montoo’s bakery in a dingy lane in Colootala in Kolkata feels more Dickensian than Willy Wonka. The rooms are cramped and dingy, the paint peeling, the passageways narrow. 

Shirts, lungis and old bags hang from hooks on the wall. Workers squat on the floor briskly stirring mounds of flour with slabs of Amul butter and sugar, cracked egg shells littered around them. Right above their heads other workers sleep on bunk beds, oblivious to the racket.

Why Kerala Is like Kuwait & Madhya Pradesh Is Like Haiti?

For its level of income, India, as well as many of its states, could do a much better job in taking care of their most vulnerable people.

American poet Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”—“Do I contradict myself/ Very well then I contradict myself/I am large, I contain multitudes”—seems tailor-made for India. Which country can India be compared to, in economic terms? Is India’s level of economic development more or less like Vietnam’s, because their per capita incomes, in international dollars and in purchasing power parity terms, are almost the same?

Liberals Beware: Modi Govt Is Sangh’s Stepping Stone To Social, Cultural Domination

The RSS has never had it so good since its inception in 1925. It has a government that is dominated by the BJP at the Centre. At least half of the council of ministers in the Modi regime have either emerged from the Sangh or are its supporters. 

And unlike another Sangh originate and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee---considered a moderate among hardliners--Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen as an unadulterated embodiment of all that the Sangh stands for. Could the Sangh ask for more?

Breaking News: Modi's cabinet rejig rumours: Sushma is safe; I&B for Smriti; Ahir to get coal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming reshuffle of his council of ministers -- likely on 9 November, two days before he leaves for his eight-day three-nation tour -- is going to spring many surprises.

Some incumbent ministers may see their wings clipped or even dropped. New ministers are set to be inducted. Current ministers are likely to be reshuffled, some involving big names.

Exclusive: Loyal Congressman GK Vasan quits party after 14 years: Here's why Gandhis should be worried?

The first major fissure in the Congress has surfaced, with former minister GK Vasan all set to break away from the party to revive his father’s legacy and outfit, the Tamil Maanila Congress in Tamil Nadu. Vasan’s move may have its roots in the conviction of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa who had to step down as chief minister thereby creating a politically fluid situation in which both the ruling party as well as the opposition DMK are in a state of flux.

"This has raised hopes in other parties and leaders who think they can create space for themselves in the state which was dominated by either the AIADMK or the DMK for close to half a century. This is the best opportunity to come their way. And this includes the BJP which is stands benefit the most from the situation in the state where it wants to set up its footprint," said a Congress leader.

How Election Is Making BJP A New Pivot Of Indian Politics?

By M H Ahssan | INNLIVE

SPECIAL REPORT With six major phases of polling still to go in the 2014 general elections, it would be foolhardy to start predicting the results at this stage. For people can still change their minds. But the overall trends have been so consistent for so long in predicting a BJP-led NDA victory, that it is difficult to visualise a major reversal from this stage. 

Three trends have been consistent over the last three months over many opinion polls: a steady and rising vote share for the NDA: a sharply rising prediction of seats; and a rising trend of new alliances for the BJP. At last count, the BJP had 26 parties in its front, four of them major ones (Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, TDP and LJP). 

Travel Times: On Trail Of The 'King Of Mangoes' In Ratnagiri

By Khaja Pasha | Ratnagiri

WEEKEND SPECIAL A visit to Alphonso mango farms on the western coast of India confirms that a mango is never just a mango. "Have you come about mangoes?” asks a man before I am fully out of my car. It’s uncanny how everyone in this town seems to anticipate that my presence has something to do with the fruit.

I am in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, home to the Alphonso mango -- also known as the King of Indian mangoes.

From March to July, India produces more than 1,000 varieties of mango. But none of them are as desirable as the Alphonso. Loyalists swear by its rich creaminess. The flesh is saffron-colored and without a hint of fiber. The taste is exquisitely sweet, with none of the tartness or coyness of its cousins. Every summer, before the monsoon season, India goes mad for the Alphonso.

Will This Election See Higher Turnout After 'Poll Tamasha'?

By M H Ahssan | INNLIVE

ANALYSIS While an increased turnout in Assembly elections is not an indicator of the same in Lok Sabha elections, aggressive campaigning points toward a higher turnout in this poll.

If the pattern of turnout in the Assembly elections held over the last couple of years are of any indication, the turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections should significantly increase. Almost all the Assembly elections held in different States between 2012-13 witnessed a higher turnout compared to those held in previous years. 

Commentary: Rich Grow Richer In India's Sinking Economy

By Rani Bhatiyani | Delhi

The Union Minister Kapil Sibbal told a TV news channel the other day that the GDP growth witnessed during the 10 years of UPA rule was never seen before. No wonder the government has unleashed a barrage of adverts showing the UPA version of “India Shining”. 

Many will take the statement of Sibbal with fistfuls of salt. At the same time, looked at from another angle it would seem largely true. If one cannot quite lump it one might just read on and look at the kind of growth the country has had.

Time For ‘Tantrum Throwing’ Advani To Retire Politics?

 By M H Ahssan | INNLIVE

ANALYSIS In twists and turns marking the top-level rumblings in BJP, LK Advani finally decided to contest from Gandhinagar in Gujarat after the party gave in and allowed him the choice of the constituency in the Lok Sabha elections. 

The 86-year-old leader made the announcement shortly after party president Rajnath Singh issued a statement saying that it was for Advani to choose whether to contest from Gandhinagar or Bhopal, seeking to end a 24-hour drama that exposed the simmering tensions between him and Narendra Modi.

When 'Telangana' Separated With Andhra Pradesh State?

By M H Ahssan | INNLIVE

ANALYSIS Fifty-eight years after the unification of Telangana and Andhra region, the Lok Sabha separated them by dividing the state of Andhra Pradesh. After blacking out the live coverage of the Telangana debate on Lok Sabha TV, the Hower House voted for Telangana state in a controversial voice vote. Interestingly, both Congress and BJP joined hands to divide Andhra Pradesh. Only the TMC and JDU staged a walkout calling it a murder of democracy.

According to experts the Congress which is staring at a rout in most parts of the country is likely to win big in Telangana which has 17 Lok Sabha and 119 Assembly seats. The Congress is expected to be decimated in Seemandhra region.

'Selling Indian Leaders In The Rs 2000 Crore Ad-Scramble'

By Likha Veer | INNLIVE

EXCLUSIVE It’s raining political ads and copywriters are reaping the whirlwind. All major political parties, national and regional, have recruited advertising agencies to sell them in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The size of the election publicity pie is Rs 1,000 crore, estimates Group M, an international media investment arm of the WPP group which may well escalate to Rs 2,000 crore. 

The Congress is spending the most, around Rs 700 crore, mostly with Dentsu India, a Japanese public relations-cum-advertising agency. The BJP’s campaign revolves singularly around Narendra Modi, though party treasurer Piyush Goel maintains that the party hasn’t finalised any agency. It’s an indicator of the changing times that Mayawati’s BSP is also hiring a professional ad agency to mount a catchy poll campaign.