Amar Singh built an extensive network for the party, and was often spotted with celebrities, from the Bachchans to Anil Ambani to Subrata Roy.
'It is not happening in the same manner as it was happening during the time of the Peshwas.' 'Whatever happened during the Peshwas cannot happen now.'
Who would have thought that tales of gods would sell in millions? But Amish, with his unique narrative vision, has captured the heart of the Indian reader
'How do you expect me to tone down my anger when the most prominent culture in India today is the culture of corruption, in every sphere of life?'
More and more corporates are appreciating Mahatma Gandhi's books as gifts.
'Today, the target of this rage are the weaker sections of society -- Muslims, Dalits, liberal thinkers/writers who challenge its ideology. But tomorrow, it could be anyone stepping out of a pub; reading a book or watching a movie by an artist considered an anti-Hindu/anti-national,' says Durba Dhyani.
'He always seemed one of us, part of the great aspiring middle class -- his values, his simplicity, even the intellectual snobbery which he could barely hide,' observes Mousumi Sengupta.
'I don't care how accomplished you are, and I don't care about your career which has burst into pretty flames.' 'I do care about all the women you've abused and scarred and made life hell for,' says Mitali Saran.
Communalising law and order situations is fraught with danger; we need to tread cautiously. Interjecting a communal angle into what is purely a law and order issue does nobody good; it muddies the picture, fuels unrequited passion and distracts us from the core issue, says Vivek Gumaste.
Privacy allows people a space where they can refuse to conform. And it is in that space where liberty flourishes.
'When I was young, I used to look around the village we lived in.' 'There was a lack of resources -- no proper health centres and schools.' 'I felt that becoming an IAS officer would help solve those issues.'
Give more than 100 per cent to your job, advises author Bikram Dasgupta.
When I met him last year for his 75th birthday, he seemed frail. There was a sense of urgency. I will miss Stephen. His passing fills me with sadness.
Strongly defending Khap Panchayats (caste councils), Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday said they don't order "honour killings" and most such cases involve relatives of boys or girls, whose relations are opposed by their families.
One of the crucial features of the right to privacy judgment is the understanding that democracy is founded on pluralism and diversity, and pluralism and diversity begin in the mind, says Gautam Bhatia.
'All of us wear multiple faces, multiple masks. but who are we really?', J J Valaya, designer and photographer, asks K S Shekhawat.
'The digital age has forced diplomats to be less formal and more accessible, reaching out to ordinary people both within and outside their countries, combining statecraft with streetcraft,' says former foreign secretary Ambassador Shyam Saran.
A breakthrough will come from what we teach and how, says Ajit Balakrishnan.
Why Dalit leaders cross over to the BJP
'Awareness should be raised; protocols and procedures, and reporting mechanisms must be put in place to protect both men and women in the workplace,' notes Jael Silliman.
'Ram Sir was a creator of law. He has his stamp on every leading judgment in criminal law.'
'If the BJP thinks it is going to overnight transform Bengal into Madhya Pradesh, sorry, that's not going to happen because I have faith in our ethos and culture.'
'Deep pockets have become a prerequisite for contesting elections on a major party symbol in most states.' 'Given the premium parties place on self-financing candidates, once you have accounted for the suspected criminals, dynasts, industrialists, and celebrities, there is not much room for anyone else.'
Nemaida's misfortune in life was to be known as Satyajit Ray's 'Boswell'; History will remember Satish Gujral as a renaissance man whose imprint over New Delhi is huge.
'Professor C Y Bayly was undoubtedly the tallest of his generation. For so many of his students who were privileged to be taught by him he was much more than the rarest of rare scholar.' Professor Seema Alavi remembers a teacher who left an indelible imprint on India history.
'It is a travesty that I have to prove my commitment to Gandhi and to this country.'
It would be a huge achievement if the new administration manages a successful transition to some sense of domestic and international normalcy in these frantic times marked by the pandemic and rise of illiberal regimes across the world, observes Shreekant Sambrani.
'Just because you fall in love with someone, who might not belong to the opposite sex does not mean you are different.' 'Love is always Love.' 'You cannot choose which person you will fall in love with.'
Technology is a top priority, whether it's a faster check-out system, vital Wi-Fi or USB ports in rooms, today's travellers need to be constantly connected
'Islam insists on sameness, which is fine but can run the danger to jihad against those who are not the same.' 'Brahminical Hinduism insists on difference, which is fine but can run the danger of an oppressive internal hierarchy: Caste oppression, for instance.' 'In actual fact, humans need both sameness and difference to exist.'
Can we make high speed 4G Internet available at 10 cents per GB, and make all voice calls free of cost -- that too in a large and diverse country like India? Can we make high-quality but simple breast cancer screening available to every woman, that too at the extremely affordable cost of $1 per scan? Can we make a portable, high-tech ECG machine which can provide reports immediately and that too at the cost of 8 cents a test? Can we make an eye imaging device that is portable, non-invasive and costs 3 times less that conventional devices? Can we make a robust test for mosquito-borne dengue, which can detect the disease on day 1, and that too at the cost of $2 per test? Amazingly, says Dr R A Mashelkar, the eminent scientist, all this has been achieved in India, not only by using technological innovation but also non-technological innovation.
To inspire change and emerge as a leader, you need to have a higher sense of purpose and inspire teams to work for the larger good.
'Is a woman's integrity decided on the basis of her wardrobe and sexual confidence?' 'Guilty questions such primitive beliefs and the whole 'she asked for it' mentality,' says Sukanya Verma.
Singh said it was not possible for him to continue with the PDP which 'disregarded the demands and aspirations of Jammu region'.
'There are some castes that grab power, then pass on the benefits to those who belong to their own caste.'
'The participants and organisers have rejected their own political leadership and shown the door to leaders who have tried to claim power at these rallies.' 'Instead, the Maratha masses have reclaimed their power and stakes in the larger scheme of things.'
'Drunken driving is not just a prescribed offence but even a severe social menace'
The American had expressed a desire to meet the Sentinelese tribe, which is known to resist all contact with outsiders, often firing arrows at anyone who comes near.
'Most important were the breathing exercises -- whatever way you like.' 'Pranayam or just deep breathing...' 'Breathing is very, very, very, very, very, very important.'
