As round one of the seven-phase Lok Sabha election began in 91 constituencies across the length and breadth of India, from the hills of Kashmir to the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, reports of unrest and irregularities cast shadows over the world's biggest poll process.
Scattered incidents of violence, including torching of buses and clashes, occurred and 1,600 people were arrested during the 12-hour bandh.
Opposition parties on Thursday launched a vociferous attack on the Centre over its handling of the farmers' agitation, callings its dialogues with the protestors 'monologues', even as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party defended the new laws asserting that its government is committed to the welfare of peasants and increase their incomes.
Bengaluru based Dinesh Malhotra, 54, an ex-Army officer who is working as a human resource professional in a construction firm shares some survival tips.
Kumaraswamy predicted that the political instability would continue in the state.
"The Congress has failed despite ruling for so many years," she said.
Women's share of work in these industries is over 50 per cent, yet they are paid much less than their male counterparts.
'You can only see it when you look for it. Seek and you shall find.'
As the number of cases crossed 2,56,000 with more than 7,100 fatalities, according to Union health ministry figures, and the country made a calibrated exit from the lockdown in non-containment zones, shop shutters in many malls went up for the first time since March 25 but the sprawling retail places were eerily empty.
Singh also claimed that the insurgency situation has improved considerably in the last 18 months since the BJP came to power at the Centre and appealed to all militant outfits in Assam to give up arms and come forward for talks.
The Congress has been reduced from 440 seats in the Lok Sabha to 44 seats due its 'arrogance' but it is still not ready to introspect or correct itself, he said.
In the third of a six-part series T E Narasimhan finds out how the hub of India's firecrackers industry is coping after more than a month of the note ban.
Don't trust what your broker tells you about a house you want to buy!
A heartwarming tale of how they used their time to beautify the schools where they are quarantined.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rajapaksa and said he looks forward to further deepen relations between the two nations.
'The BJP and RSS were working on the ground to define who is an illegal immigrant.'
'The anti-India biases of the Western elite can be attributed to the unease these privileged nations feel at the rise of Asian nations like India and China.' 'But what ought to shock all right-thinking Indians is that many of our own countrymen/women have joined this chorus,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
'From chaiwala he has now become Rafalewala. He speaks a bunch of lies,' the West Bengal CM said.
Millions of Indian children lack access to online education as they do not have smartphones, computers or an Internet connection.
Brands such as Gap, Primark and C&A which source some of their garments from Tamil Nadu say they do regular audits to ensure their suppliers comply with their codes of conduct.
Thomas Markle, 73, was quoted by some US media as saying that he would not attend the royal wedding to avoid embarrassing his daughter and the royal family after paparazzi shots of him seemed to indicate he had been paid to pose for photographers.
Yechury could play the role Harkishan Singh Surjeet had played in 1996 and 2004 to unify the opposition, writes Archis Mohan.
Life virtually came to a grinding halt across Tamil Nadu as the state woke up to deserted streets with shops, including eateries, remaining shut in the wake of the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
In the dangal of UP politics, much as Muzaffarnagar wants to leave its past behind, the shadows are never be far behind.
Shobha Warrier reports from Thiruvananthapuram where a former UN diplomat is battling a former governor for the Lok Sabha seat.
'Most important were the breathing exercises -- whatever way you like.' 'Pranayam or just deep breathing...' 'Breathing is very, very, very, very, very, very important.'
Here's a glimpse of all that happened around the world last month, in 12 images.
Opposition parties think they have until New Year's Eve to build nationwide narrative against demonetisation.
'In UP, the CM actually announced that his administration would 'take revenge' against rioters.' 'That must have been music to his police force's ears for it substantiated what the police always do: Take revenge on an entire community for the violence of a few,' points out Jyoti Punwani.
In Shujaat Bukhari, Kashmir has lost a journalist, an activist, ambassador, a formidable voice and, above all, a great human being, mourns Athar Parvaiz.
With a sulking Jaswant Singh set to contest from Barmer as an Independent after being denied a party ticket, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley on Sunday said leaders should sometimes learn to accept a "no" from the party.
'It might get worse. We don't really know what is it that is resulting in the high value of R now.'
Politicos are making sure they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that their party wins in the area. Vicky Nanjappa reports on these unconventional and sometimes, amusing methods being used
Here's a list of the full first-time ministers in the second term of the Narendra Modi government.
Every cog in the wheel must present its unique services at the moment of instructed haste, says Vikram Johri.
At least 2 persons were killed and over 15 injured including several policemen when police opened fire on a mob of protestors on Wednesday afternoon.
Crossing into the country from Bangladesh seeking a livelihood, illegal immigrants are being handed out valid documents by political parties in West Bengal and Assam, transforming them into a crucial vote-bank. Vicky Nanjappa reports.
Ten trade unions with a combined membership of 15 crore workers in public and private sector, including banks and insurance companies, are on a nationwide strike to protest against changes in the labour laws.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and discussed "important" issues, but said there was no talk on politics in Maharashtra where the Bharatiya Janata Party is in the process of government formation.
KCR is now having to resort to the lowest common denominator in elections: Reservations.
