Page 2 - Aditi Phadnis

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

Nepal's Gen Z know who they are against; but who are they fighting for?

The GenZ violence that engulfed Nepal is not only against nepo-babies - its anger is broader and riddled with contradictions, making the task ahead for interim PM Sushila Karki a tough one

Believer's Dilemma: A leader's struggle with power and self-doubt

A new biography unravels Atal Bihari Vajpayee's complex persona, tracing his political journey, inner conflicts, and role in shaping modern Indian politics

Ganpati diplomacy: Thackeray cousins weigh truce as BJP reshapes politics

Maharashtra is now a cauldron of power politics, and both Raj and Uddhav are realising they face a common existential enemy - the BJP

The importance of being Sergio Gor: A pivotal moment for India-US ties

Trump's trusted aide and new US ambassador to India poses both a challenge and an opportunity for India-US ties

The importance of being Sergio Gor, Trump's new Ambassador to India

The fact that Gor has President Trump's ear makes him an extremely valuable commodity for India - he represents both a challenge and an opportunity

Have debt, but spending on capital creation: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

We have a debt but we are spending on capital creation, not revenue expenditure, said Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Politics straddling borders: Bipartisan engagement key for Northeast

With so much happening in the Northeast, more political engagement that is seen to be bipartisan is essential. What remains of 2025 and 2026 promises to be an eventful period for the region

Inside India's polls: flaws, fraud, and the battle to save democracy

Author SY Quraishi dwells on the Model Code of Conduct and other aspects of holding elections, including the role of exit polls, media and hate speech