Aditi Phadnis

Interlocutor's Darjeeling visit in limbo as CM objects, demands unresolved

The interlocutor's Darjeeling visit is in limbo amid CM's objections, leaving Gorkha political demands unresolved

Shivakumar's crucial weekend may open a new chapter for Karnataka Congress

Siddaramaiah's Budget vow and Shivakumar's cryptic remarks revive debate on a stalled power-sharing deal and set the stage for a fresh tussle in Bengaluru

Voice of the people: Book explains why speeches matter in a democracy

Ms Gupta's selection captures not the speeches alone but the parry and thrust that goes on between the treasury and Opposition benches. CPI (M) leader, late Sitaram Yechury never disrupted parliament

NDA's Bihar encore: Nitish Kumar still on top, but challenges galore

Political stability is an asset. It must now be matched with predictable policies, say observers

'Everyone from outside is struck by Bihar's rural road connectivity'

In an exclusive interview with Aditi Phadnis, Bihar's Road and Infrastructre as well as Urban Development Minister Nitin Nabin enumerates the developmental strides the state has taken

As Tejashwi steps into his own political limelight, shades of legacy show

With Sanjay Yadav emerging as a key strategist, Tejashwi reshapes RJD's caste mix and messaging while fending off BJP's "jungle raj" attacks

Can Bihar's industrial push create jobs and stem its migration crisis?

From cheap internet to employment pledges, Bihar's political discourse revolves around migration, joblessness. Despite industrial efforts, most young workers still seek livelihoods outside the state

'Last 20 yrs were about infra growth, next five will be about prosperity'

Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary says there's no anti-incumbency against Nitish Kumar and that the next five years will focus on prosperity after two decades of infrastructure-led growth

Bihar's educational reforms: Nitish Kumar's high grades, and then a dip

The story of Bihar's educational reform is a lesson for all reforms done halfway

With Bihar Assembly polls nearing, the makhana story is getting hotter

As it gains commercial viability, the food will likely become a powerful political currency. Aditi Phadnis writes

When 80 km is too long: Darbhanga to Janakpur, two tales of stalled change

Like in Darbhanga, where people are not happy with their lot but have made their peace with it, in Nepal too, structural change seems a bridge too far

PM Narendra Modi enters Bihar election campaign with EBC outreach

Says NDA will return to power under Nitish Kumar's stewardship

Mithilanchal's rich heritage struggles amid decay and limited employment

Mithilanchal, Bihar's most distinctive region, boasts Maithili culture, Madhubani art and Dhrupad music but suffers from industrial decline, migration and limited economic opportunities

Bihar at takeoff stage… industrialisation next: JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha

Sanjay Jha, national working president, JD(U), tells Aditi Phadnis that his party is still fighting fit and how Bihar is headed for new horizons

The Dravidian Pathway: Book traces evolution of Tamil identity and politics

This deeply researched book seeks to answer these questions, unravelling methodological challenges and dissecting the various components that go into the making of identity

In Karnataka, BJP-JDS alliance appears to be fraying at the edges

The BJP-JDS alliance in Karnataka appears to be fraying at the edges ahead to the crucial civic polls, even as Modi and Deve Gowda share a strong rapport

The Parsis at Mansion House: A celebration of faith, food and identity

These were by no means the only Parsis in the UK. The first Parsi known to have arrived in Britain came as early as 1724

Governance, not caste: The investment strategy that keeps CMs in power

Glib talk of caste explains only part of why some chief ministers stay in power for decades

Dalits look West: Education, capitalism can shape future, as can defiance

Babasaheb B R Ambedkar's central message to Dalits was: Education. Indeed, one of his most famous words of advice was "educate, agitate, organise; have faith in yourselves"

After K Kavitha's exit, Congress and BJP eye gains from BRS setback

Following the departure of K Kavitha, daughter of BRS leader KCR, the Congress and the BJP are looking for ways to capitalise on the setback to the party