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The focus of the Assembly elections in four states and a Union territory has centred around West Bengal and the big question is whether the BJP under PM Modi will breach the final barrier, as it were, for the right-wing saffron party. (AP/Bikas Das)

Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr | Modi's pan-Indian image won't help BJP win...

The right-wing party is learning the hard way that multitudinous India is a multipolar political field

10 March 2021 7:21 AM IST

Aakar Patel | India's image in free fall, but govt in denial on real...

The fact is that we do very well on political rights, and in fact the government gets 3/4 on transparency, which is...

9 March 2021 11:28 AM IST

The Indian flag flies at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar on Sunday. The Jammu & Kashmir flag has been removed after the abrogation of Article 370. (Photo: AP)

Mohan Guruswamy | Stop meddle & muddle: Rework regional policy

Our diplomats have tended to be overbearing with the smaller non-hostile neighbours, often treating them like errant...

9 March 2021 11:17 AM IST

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah waves at supporters during his election campaign roadshow at Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (PTI)

Sanjaya Baru | Competitive politics & competitive economy

If the regional parties and the Congress in Assam manage to defeat BJP, these elections will mark a turning point in...

7 March 2021 11:55 PM IST

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (PTI)

Shikha Mukerjee | Mamata's long game: Women's status in Bengal is...

If Narendra Modi and his 56-inch chest is the epitome of male power, the barely 60-inch frame of Ms Banerjee is the...

7 March 2021 11:55 PM IST

Anita Katyal | On Azad, Cong misfired twice; how's Tomar for new MP...

It may appear far-fetched but there is a connection between the West Bengal election and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh...

7 March 2021 4:28 AM IST

Shashi Warrier | Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the most civilized...

A neighbour, an amateur historian, happens to believe that all good things come from India

7 March 2021 4:24 AM IST

To call the worlds largest democracy only partly free is incontrovertible evidence of an attempt to subvert our sovereignty and integrity, an international conspiracy directed against the Indian state. (Photo: AFP)

Pavan Varma | Freedom, conspiracy and other anti-national sins

Frankly, in my view, Freedom House, the Washington based global democracy watchdog, should be booked by our...

7 March 2021 4:10 AM IST

If you have taken the shot before anybody else in your circle -- your bhav goes up instantly! (Representational Photo: AFP)

Shobhaa De | I've vaxxed Have you? Jab' as a status symbol

Meanwhile, Bollywood is all a-flutter dealing with the income tax raids on handpicked filmwallahs

6 March 2021 4:58 AM IST

Farrukh Dhondy | Of patriotism' & nationalism': It may be time to do a...

In any democratic country today, patriotism ought to mean love for and loyalty to a country that defines itself

6 March 2021 4:43 AM IST

A major objective is to promote cannabis and hemp as a major industry for Thailand, bringing huge medical and economic benefits to both Thai producers and consumers.

Lekha Shankar | Thailand's 2nd annual cannabis expo begins today

This year, the expo covers the use of ganja (cannabis) and ganchong (hemp) in various industries, including textiles,...

5 March 2021 4:32 PM IST

Dilip Cherian | Diplomatic pool to get eight new joint secys soon

It is a known fact that India's foreign service is woefully understaffed, with most Indian missions abroad having too...

5 March 2021 7:37 AM IST