The launch of the first-ever direct train service from Delhi to Kashmir would be a big turning point in the Valley's mood and its integration with India. He had to thwart it at any cost, asserts Shekhar Gupta.
The former Olympian, who heads the Indian Olympic Association-appointed five-member selection committee following the dissolution of the Indian Hockey Federation, says he wants the national hockey team to be a united and powerful force as depicted in the Bollywood film Chak de India.
A salute to Sarojini Naidu freedom fighter, poet, women's right activist on her 146th birth anniversary.
From the pinnacle of Veer Zara's teary romance, the transition to Pathaan and Jawan must have entailed a lot of resetting, rewiring, and recalibration in the mind. But SRK has done it. And done it well, notes Sandeep Goyal.
'I could not believe that such a great player could be so friendly. He was like a father figure to all of us.'
'They have no chance of winning if free and fair polls are conducted.'
Dominic Xavier offers his take on the vote of no-confidence against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan which is slated for March 31.
'The lesson Beijing would have learned is that there is, cost-benefit wise, no better option than to keep the Pakistan military supplied with its most advanced armaments, certain that in hostilities with India these would be used for maximum effect.'
The high point of the 19 Shastri months was the 22-day war that he fought against great odds and won in principle, even if military historians often call it a stalemate. Pakistan saw a great opportunity to conquer Kashmir and lost. It was the last time they had the relative strength militarily and diplomatically to take Kashmir. Shastri's resolve buried that dream forever, points out Shekhar Gupta.
The decision was taken after opposition by right wing Hindu groups across the country, who have called for expulsion of Pakistani artistes from India after the Uri attack that killed 18 soldiers.
'It is important India to stay focussed on its primary national objectives: Combating terrorism; not losing sight of other security and strategic concerns (on the Sino-Indian front for instance); ensuring a strong economy and registering growth which includes improving the lot of common people; and finally making certain that the social fabric remains intact and harmony among people is not jeopardised, at least any further,' asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
The ideal candidate should be deaf to avoid being shocked by the so-called 'shocking revelations' from the dressing room, asserts K R Nayar.
March 15, 2025, Saturday, marks the 50th anniversary of India's landmark victory over Pakistan in the final of the 1975 hockey World Cup.
India had better be prepared. Munir could be back at our throats soon, even within the next 12 months, warns Shekhar Gupta.
How many cricket legends have been elected prime ministers of their countries?
Citing sources within the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA), the Geo News reported that the names of the PTI leaders and its party chief have been added for their involvement in the May 9 violence and desecration of martyrs' monuments.
The reality is that far from being friendless, India is better positioned in the world than at any point post-Cold War, asserts Shekhar Gupta.
Pakistani fans forget that Dubai was once Pakistan's home ground where they played all their international matches until Imran Khan became the country's prime minister.
After being ousted as Pakistan's prime minister after losing a confidence motion, Imran Khan addressed his first rally in Peshawar on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
These are obviously not 'organic' desertions but brought about under intense military pressure, post the 9/5 arrests. It seemed as if the party was being dismantled the same way it was brought into power!, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W, India's external intelligence agency.
Having a left-arm quick of Singh's calibre gives the bowling attack the much-needed heft and variety. It's like having another bow in Team India's quiver, notes Vishal Menon.
Fort Kochi's charm lies in its oldness. Put on that cap, lace up your sneakers and those 10,000 steps are easy-peasy!
Polling for the 288 seats of the Maharashtra assembly will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from hit-and-run attacks to carrying out sophisticated operations with tactical precision. The group's tactics and targets have become increasingly audacious, targeting security forces, Chinese nationals, and innocent civilians. Experts attribute the BLA's evolution to various factors, including the leadership of Bashir Zeb, the group's growing intelligence network, and its exploitation of the grievances of the Baloch people. The BLA's actions are a cause for concern, as the group's sophisticated attacks pose a major challenge to security forces.
'Life does not change in such a way that everything becomes easy. Struggle and hustle is there for everyone. 'The difference is that people have started knowing me.'
'If his health was good he would have become CM again after polls.' 'Those who are with Nitish Babu today will remain with him till the elections to use his name for votes and would definitely play games with him after the polls.'
If General Asim Munir, Pakistan's new army chief, wants to help defuse the current polarised atmosphere and shepherd civilian politicians towards negotiations on an acceptable date for elections, he may need to distance himself from any perception of needless hostility to Imran Khan, explains Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W, India's external intelligence agency.
'Imagine having a conversation with your parents, where you say, "I want to break up with someone because he's bad in bed".'
There is a reason this 11 year phenomenon is a rule as much as it is an observation. It speaks to the nature of man and what humans are like, explains Aakar Patel.
Writers and creators are telling more authentic stories based in states and cities that we may not have seen much of in mainstream media, such as Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Or ones that we have some mistaken notions about like Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, highlights Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.
Film folk queued up to watch Kartik Aaryan perform in his first biopic, Chandu Champion, directed by Kabir Khan, in the film's special screening in Mumbai.
Abid Ali's contributions to Indian cricket remain etched in history. His spirit, sportsmanship, and selfless play defined an era, and his legacy will endure in the annals of the game.
A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
He was a formidable musician but seemed utterly human, a Peter Pan who wore his genius with deceptive lightness. Sandip Roy remembers Ustad Zakir Hussain.
'There is simply too much to watch, read and absorb.' 'Just online consumption (news, entertainment, social media) in India was 2.5 hours a day in November 2024.' 'Add TV (just under 4 hours), other media, and the figure is closer to 7 to 8 hours a day for over one-third of Indians,' points out Vanita Kohli Khandekar.
The photographs from Jamnagar keep coming in...
Former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig was among the 24 candidates in Baramulla constituency whose deposits were forfeited.
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Jackie Shroff began shooting for Rohit Shetty's Singham Again in Srinagar.
The rather amateurish, even ham-handed, attack would lend some credence to a 'false flag' theory, of the PTI leadership staging this incident, to provide new impetus to a flagging agitation, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RAW, India's external intelligence agency.
Dominic Xavier heaves a sigh of relief for Dr Kafeel Khan who has been languishing in Mathura jail since January.
