maharashtra Archives

When Ganpati Came Without Abs and ₹260 Crore Insurance Cover

The Ganesh festival started as a well-intentioned social movement, but has now turned into a game of political one-upmanship and misplaced pride. Now every suburb has a Raja with a hefty insurance cover and the size of every idol is a reflection of the corporator’s ego.

Ramjaane July 17, 2016

People

“Ughich Kashala?” The Two Words That Kill All Maharashtrian Dreams

The attitude of most Maharashtrians can be summed up in two words: Ughich kashala? Literally translated, it means “needlessly why”? It is the reason why we Maharashtrians are diabolically lazy and spectacularly unambitious.

Ramjaane July 8, 2016

POV

Loan-Waiver Schemes Got 99 Problems. And Implementation is One

As Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath announced loan waivers for his state's farmers, the demand across the country has only gotten louder. With the general elections a few months away, the governments might just cave in. But while farm loan waivers might make good political sense, do they make good moral and economic sense?

Hardik Rajgor July 6, 2016

Pop Culture

Why We Need Supermen of Malegaon in the Time of Pragya Singh Thakur

In the last few months, Malegaon has found itself splattered across headlines, thanks to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur’s win in the elections. But in the outrage over Thakur’s win, there’s one aspect of the town that remains in danger of being forgotten – the ability to churn out entertaining spoofs like Supermen of Malegaon.

Ronak Gupta July 3, 2016

People

People of Poi Tanda vs the Grim Reaper

In drought-hit Marathwada, where death looms large, other villages have surrendered. But a nondescript hamlet in Beed is winning the fight.

Saadia S June 26, 2016

Bollywood

Thackeray Review: A Blind Love Letter to the Shiv Sena Supremo

We did not expect Thackeray, produced by Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and directed by MNS’s Abhijit Panse, to be critical of the party supremo. But even their unabashed allegiance can’t prepare you for the relish with which the film glorifies the ugliest parts of Bal Thackeray’s legacy.

Sonali Kokra June 19, 2016

Earth

What Will it Take to End Our Toxic Affair With Plastic?

How do you say goodbye to something you’ve known your entire life? After all, plastic is almost like an honorary family member in most middle-class households. But, to paraphrase Spider Man, “With great awareness, comes great responsibility.”

Dushyant Shekhawat May 9, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Bigg Boss Marathi Reminds Me of My Life in a Chawl

Bigg Boss Marathi reminds me of my life in a chawl – a bunch of Maharashtrians stuffed in one single dwelling with a common bathroom and kitchen. Host Mahesh Manjrekar is like the Ray-Byan-wearing kaka from another shakha and Usha Nadkarni is the judgemental aai of the House.

Damian D'souza May 4, 2016

People

Talk Me Off the Ledge, Please

In a city that crushes many a dream, the line between life and death is gossamer thin. In Mumbai, a group of selfless volunteers keeps the distressed on the safe side of this line.

Kripa Krishnan April 21, 2016

POV

Everything is Fair in Water and War: How I Beat 10-year-olds at Swimming

I never learned to swim as a child; my landlocked family believed that Maths tuition was a more pressing investment. So at 25, when I signed up for classes at Very Maharashtrian Sports ComplexTM, I was in the company of only 10-year-olds. Suddenly, the moustache I grew over the summer felt like a terrible idea.

Pulkit Arora March 17, 2016