corruption Archives

India’s Real Gully Boys & the Art of Protest Poetry: Rapping Up Election 2019

At a time when there is a trust deficit in India’s news media and chilling deaths of RTI activists and journalists are par for the course, the guardians of democracy appear to be India’s street rappers. Their fire rhymes are lighting up an election year. Meet the new breed of “citizen rappers”.

Nair Da July 28, 2016

Pop Culture

Farewell Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, the IPS Officer Who Inspired Udaan… And a Generation of Women

Doordarshan’s Udaan was inspired by Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, India’s first woman DGP, who passed away earlier this week. The show was a first lesson in feminism for a generation of women. And though many of us fondly remember its protagonist Kalyani Singh, it is Bhattacharya we need to doff our hats to.

Chandrima Pal July 6, 2016

POV

AAP Gaye, Gore Rahe

I am relieved that AAP has not come to power in Goa and will be unable to weed out the drugs and the corruption. Let’s be honest, we love Goa for everything that’s wrong with it.

Devaiah Bopanna July 3, 2016

Pop Culture

F/riction: Nirav Modi, Wall Street, & the Glimmer of Unending Greed

With Nirav Modi planning to apply for “political asylum” in the UK, we revisit Oliver Stone’s classic Wall Street. Both Vijay Mallya and Modi have certainly watched the film – but not as a morality play. They watched it as a blueprint for how life ought to be led.

Vishwas Kulkarni May 27, 2016

POV

The 11300 Crore-Rupee Question: Who Pays for These Financial Frauds?

Hint: It’s NEVER the men in the middle of financial storms who pay up.

Hardik Rajgor May 23, 2016

Bollywood

20 Years on, the Hypnotic Charms of Nayak Continue to Endure

Nayak tugs at middle-class righteousness which explains its cult following on Indian television. Like any good hypnotic trick it lets you believe that come the time of opportunity, it’s only the good in us that will surface. It’s a far-fetched dream, but one worth seeing over and over again.

Manik Sharma May 15, 2016

People

The Mixed Legacy of Justice Dipak Misra

Today is CJI Dipak Misra's last day as top judge. He will be remembered as the judge who scrapped Section 377 – but his legacy will be shrouded by the impeachment motion and the Justice Loya investigation.

Kahini Iyer March 16, 2016

People

Goodbye, Kiran Nagarkar: Genius Author, Tireless Activist, Flawed Man

Even in his 70s, Kiran Nagarkar, the Sahitya Akademi award-winning author and playwright, maintained an active interest in Mumbai and its affairs. He was able to straddle the worlds of the intellectual and the common man, while understanding the pulse of both.

Aparna joshi March 13, 2016