Why is the Koh-I-Noor one of the most valuable jewels on the planet? Were the British the first to take it out of India? Think it’s just a simple diamond? Think again! 1. The Koh-I-Noor was almost left by a river! When Humayun was toppled from his throne and he travelled to the Persian court to seek refuge, he almost...

South India and North India are farther apart than we realise. Whether it’s education or quality of life, as the disparity grows, so does the chasm between us. This could be the next great Indian crisis. Nilakantan RS argues why –  South India: A Different Country Consider a child born in India. This child is, firstly,...

What does it mean to be Indian? Is it the same feeling people had in 1947? Veena Venugopal’s Independence Day explores the common man’s first Independence Day. For some it meant freedom, for some it meant fear. An excerpt explore the communal riots just before Independence faced by Tarun Kumar Roy – By 1946, we were full...

Shivaji has become a Hindutva icon in recent times due to his battles with Aurangzeb. But deeper analysis of how he ran his own state tells us a different story. In his latest book, ‘Shivaji’, Vaibhav Purandare explores –  So what kind of state was Shivaji trying to establish? Was it a secular state, as some have...

Acidity troubles all of us – with more carb heavy eating habits and lesser exercise being the norm, combined with intense work stress – we are more prone to acidity as a chronic condition than ever before! Here is Rujuta Diwekar to guide to to a better diet to battle it –  Soaked Raisins Start your day with soaked...

The son of a Pakistani migrant who crossed over before the Partition became the owner of a premier international art house. How? Born in 1949, Subhash had an older brother, Ramesh, and a younger sister, Sushma. Their family had moved from Lahore to Jalandhar prior to Partition when his father realised there was a...

“The value of a man was reduced to his immediate identity and nearest possibility. To a vote. To a number. To a thing. Never was a man treated as a mind.” Rohit Vemula was a Dalit student leader, a PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad.  His suicide, triggered by a suspension led by ABVP students in his...

In 2018, an unusual comic burst onto the Indian standup comedy scene – Deepika Mhatre, maid by day & performer by night! But, how did she arrive at this juncture? In ‘The Housemaid Who Became A Comedy Sensation’, we explore how her humble origins led to her becoming India’s favourite ‘maushi’! 1. Small Home...

Do you end your day thinking you haven’t done enough? Here are some tips to help you regularise maximum productivity – 1. An Early Sleeper makes an Early Riser A good night’s sleep can improve your efficiency in thinking as well as boost your memory.  2. Stay in the Sun! Going out for a walk may sound impossible...

Why read one free short story when you can have 4! We have one for every mood to help you get through June! Here is our schedule for this week on Live, Laugh, Learn & Love Festival: LIVE –  TUE – Existence Knows No Right and Wrong by Sadhguru There is no need to be orderly or perfect, says Sadhguru. Ranked amongst the...