BOOK EXTRACT Stories
A journalist’s harrowing account of 1984 anti-Sikh massacre that 'haunts' him even today
In this book excerpt, journalist Rahul Bedi’s reportage on the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom offers a detailed eyewitness account of the mass violence that erupted in New Delhi and other parts of India after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984
- Rahul Bedi
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Heir not apparent: Why 'unknown entity' Ratan Tata was finally handpicked by JRD Tata
In the book ‘Ratan Tata: A Life’, the retired IAS officer and author examines the intrigue, leadership dynamics, and unexpected nature of Ratan Tata’s appointment as JRD Tata’s successor. He also captures the tensions and challenges involved in the succession decision, as well as the contrast between Ratan Tata’s modest personality and the larger-than-life contenders
India has forgotten that without Tilak there would’ve been no Gandhi
In his new book ‘Tilak’, author-journalist Vaibhav Purandare looks at how the legendary leader, dubbed as the ‘father of Indian unrest’, was not only a bugbear for the colonial rulers but also paved the way for many freedom fighters we celebrate today
- Vaibhav Purandare
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
The Kargil hero who gave his life to save 15 soldiers, ensure victory for India
The Kargil War began 25 years ago on May 3, 1999. In this extract from their 2023 book, Meena Nayyar, the mother of Mahavir Chakra awardee Capt Anuj Nayyar, and author Himmat Singh Shekhawat, recount the final moments of a Kargil hero that played a pivotal role in the success of Operation Vijay and India's victory against Pakistan in 1999
- Meena NayyarHimmat Singh Shekhawat
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
When Kashmiri Pandits walked in solidarity with Muslims in Srinagar
In this extract from his recently-released memoir, the veteran theatre actor and director draws on a childhood anecdote when the holy relic — believed by many to be a strand from the beard of the Prophet — went missing the from the Hazratbal Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir in December 1963 (only to be discovered a few days later), leading to widespread protests
- MK Raina
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why ‘superwoman’ title is a trap laid to enslave women
In this extract from her new book, the award-winning journalist looks at how women, in a bid to strive to be the ultimate superwomen, take on more than they can handle, often sacrificing their own needs for the sake of others. Man or woman, this is one piece you should read today
- Nilanjana Bhowmick
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
No, India’s richest don’t live in metros. These findings may surprise you
In her new book, the author who writes on social and cultural change looks at how the small is driving India's mega consumption story. In this book excerpt, she looks at why companies need to adjust their market strategy when expanding from serving the richest 20% to serving the wider swathe of the richest 40% of Indian households
- Rama Bijapurkar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Shashi Tharoor, Mukul Kesavan, Amitav Ghosh: Why St Stephen’s College produced so many illustrious names
In his new book, the acclaimed historian and writer chronicles his over 40-year-old relationship with editor Rukun Advani. In this excerpt he looks back at the role his college played and being around the likes of Mukul Kesavan, Shashi Tharoor, Amitav Ghosh, among others
- Ramachandra Guha
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How Pakistan drove a split in Ulfa
In this book excerpt, journalist and author Rajeev Bhattacharyya lists factors behind Ulfa’s split more than a decade ago. While a faction of the rebel group recently signed a peace accord with the Centre and the Assam government, the hardliners led by elusive military boss Paresh Baruah refuse to negotiate with the government unless their core issue of ‘Assam’s sovereignty’ is discussed
- Rajeev Bhattacharyya
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why India’s total economic output today is where China’s was in 2007
In their new book, the former RBI governor and the noted economist examine why India has not been able to build a strong global manufacturing. They compare with China, which started off at similar levels of per capita income in the 1960s and has a similar population size
- Raghuram RajanRohit Lamba
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Should India's EC have courts-like contempt powers?
With Rajya Sabha passing the legislation on the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners, amid objections by Opposition, this piece by former CEC makes a case for why EC needs full autonomy to function
- S Y Quraishi
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
'Why I didn’t confess to killing Sheena Bora'
As the Sheena Bora murder case trial continues, Indrani Mukerjea, the former media executive who is accused of killing her daughter in 2012 and has been out on bail since May 2022, writes about being questioned by the police and how her relationship with her former husband Peter Mukerjea came to an end
How Balochistan won and lost its independence in 277 days
The writer goes back in history to trace the roots of Balochistan’s rebellions against Pakistan
- Tilak Devasher
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Not just Muslim rulers, Hindu kings too destroyed temples
The noted scholar examines how history is not only being misused but also how the right-wing ideology has been by moulded by the "fallacious idea that the past can be changed through destroying the surviving present-day heritage from the past"
- Romila Thapar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How govt let 7.5 crore slip into poverty in one year
We need clean data before we can make any kind of decision, says economist, commentator and author Parakala Prabhakar. But what happens if the data is not credible? What happens when the government cherry-picks numbers to suit its political needs?
- Parakala Prabhakar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Is the Pakistan army prepared to confront an Islamist enemy?
A look at how instrumentalisation of Islam went from defining the selfhood of Pakistan to being exploited by both political and military leaders alike. Why an ambivalence towards radicalism underlines its military policy
- Maria Rashid
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why Pawar wants Modi to remember their Delhi meetings
In his recently released political autobiography, “Lok Majhe Sangati” (People.. My Lifeline), Sharad Pawar recalls how he mediated between Manmohan Singh’s government and Modi when the two sides were locked in a frosty relationship. He wishes Modi would, in the same spirit, talk to his rivals to resolve differences and find solutions to common people’s problems. An excerpt:
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Meet Maulana Azad. You won't find him in NCERT books anymore
In a newly-released biography, the historian looks at the life and times of independent India's first education minister, and how hard he fought for the idea of one composite India
5 bravehearts who stopped the Parliament attack
December 13 marks 22 years since the deadly attack on Parliament by terrorist groups linked to Pakistan. Excerpts from a book that puts the spotlight on the brave fight put up by the CRPF personnel against five heavily-armed terrorists, who were all shot dead before they could enter the building
- M DhinakaranNitu
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why Narasimha Rao couldn't stop Babri demolition
An excerpt from the former prime minister’s book examines the events leading up to Ayodhya violence in December 1992 and how religious sentiments were politicised
- PV Narasimha Rao
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM