The crash of a private airline—which claimed all 22 lives of passengers and crew—has turned the spotlight on the country’s shockingly poor record of air safety. Turns out taking a flight in Nepal is way riskier than we knew.
Last week, Geetanjali Shree’s ‘Tomb of Sand’ became the first Indian language novel to win the International Booker prize. The achievement marks a significant moment for Indian literature—which has long been represented by English-language authors on the global stage. Here’s a quick guide to the book and its brilliant author.
Champaca Books, the Bangalore-based independent bookstore, brings you reading recommendations from our shelves. Discover books about love and care, read our current favourite speculative fiction novel, and explore our collection of Tara Books.
Details on the mass killing of 19 fourth grade children reveal that the local police did not immediately move to disarm the shooter—and instead assaulted desperate parents urging them to enter the school. Also: Republicans show signs of moving toward a minimal form of gun control called ‘red flag’ laws.
In a story that has become exhaustingly familiar in the US, a teenage gunman killed 19 kids and two teachers in an elementary school. And yet it is highly unlikely the tragedy will lead to new gun control laws. We look at what happened in Texas, the spiralling problem of gun violence—and decode the American addiction to firearms.
The World Economic Forum is a glitzy gathering of the most powerful people in the world—and it once represented a powerful consensus: Global capitalism would cure all. But after two years of the pandemic—and in the midst of war—its future is uncertain, and its worldview lies in tatters.
There’s been a lot of global media coverage of monkeypox—even though there is no indication that there is any serious reason to worry. Here’s a quick guide just so you know wtf is going on with this disease.
A sixteen-year-old with a tongue twister of a name just beat the world chess champion for the second time in three months. Here’s what you need to know about the wonder kid: Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa.
The Heritage Lab, brings you stories about Indian cultural heritage—one museum object at a time. Unravel the story behind an object, up your museum-mojo with our art games, and celebrate the people who made India!
Last month, the government unveiled new regulations that force virtual private networks to store and share their users’ data. And it has now told VPN companies to either follow the rules or get the hell out of the country. Here’s why this should make you unhappy.
This is a very odd story about how a UN agency gave over $60 million to a British businessman and his daughter. It involves a socialite party in Manhattan, a pop song—and missing houses in Goa.
The Supreme Court stepped in to protect the right of Muslims to worship at the Gyanvapi masjid. But there is no clarity on whether it plans to uphold its own precedent—and apply a key law that protects places of worship. Meanwhile, a new mosque is in the Hindutva crosshairs—and the BJP is rethinking its post-Ayodhya stance.
A masjid inside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex has become a legal lightning rod. Hindu petitioners claim that a ‘shivling’ has been uncovered on its premises—thanks to a court-ordered survey. And the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal filed by mosque authorities. We take a look at the mosque’s history—and the legal issues involved.
The Indian men’s team scored a glorious 3-0 victory to bag the gold medal at the Thomas Cup in Bangkok—a first-ever feat for the country. The embarrassing truth is that most of us know next to nothing about these champions. Maybe it’s time to remedy that?
It’s cliched but it’s true—an escape to the mountains is just the tonic you need when the rest of the country gets too hot to bear. Check out Urbanaut’s curated, bookable experiences in Manali and discover a slower, even more special side to the region.
The world was shocked by the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh—who was shot in cold blood while covering an Israeli raid. The tragedy spotlights Israel’s strategy of deliberate targeting of journalists working in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
The Supreme Court suspended all cases filed under the infamous sedition law across the country. What is this law and is this really a big deal? The answer: yes
In this second and final instalment, we look at why Tamil Nadu has emerged as the bastion of anti-Hindi sentiment—and ongoing attempts to overcome the South’s resistance to Hindi. Lost in the shuffle: The many endangered Indian languages that have been pushed to the side in this tussle.
In recent weeks, there has been great social media sparring over Hindi—and claims that it is our national language. What is the root of this stubborn hostility to Hindi? What did our founding fathers intend, and where are we now? In this first part, we look at the history of our linguistic legacy—in the formation of the states and the framing of the Constitution.
For over a month, the Indian government and the WHO have been arguing over just how many Indians died due to Covid. The WHO’s number is nearly 10X the official number. The reporting has been confusing—and the analysis often skewed toward one or the other side. Here’s a quick guide to the controversy.
Proving that the world is truly in retro mode, the Philippines is getting ready to once again elect Ferdinand Marcos—not the infamous dictator but his son. Junior’s astonishing rise in the presidential election has sparked a battle over the memory and legacy of his parents’ 20-year dictatorship.
The fear of Covid appears to have receded from public consciousness—as the world (except China) races back toward business as usual. Is this foolish complacency or just how pandemics end? Here’s a quick check in on our old friend, the coronavirus.
A leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling on a key abortion case indicates that American women may no longer have the constitutional right to an abortion—established fifty years ago by Roe v. Wade. Will abortion become illegal in the US—or a privilege afforded to some and not for others?
Most of us don’t know very much about this annual mela called the India Art Fair, that showcases artists and galleries—highlighting what is new and exciting on the Indian art scene. Here’s a quick guide to what and who’s making waves this year.
‘Garje Gujarat’ was the BJP’s 2017 campaign slogan—and they seem to be fully embracing it as the state gets ready for its next state election. The latest sign: the repeated attempt to arrest independent MLA Jignesh Mevani. So why is the saffron party so trigger-happy when it comes to Mevani?
Champaca Books, the Bangalore-based independent bookstore, brings you reading recommendations from our shelves. Explore books by and about caste, travel with us to Tibet, and discover our favourite books that inspired movies.
