The Eighth Column

Is BJP losing its grip on Ram as Ramlila mandals want Dussehra stages free of politics?

Yogesh Pawar
20 Oct 2026 6:20 AM IST

Several Ramlila mandals keep politicians off stages and banners, raising questions about whether it is a move to remove politics from religion or tactical distancing from the BJP in the wake of...

Is BJP losing its grip on Ram as Ramlila mandals want Dussehra stages free of politics?
The Eighth Column
Fewer hands, bigger pandals: Durga Puja’s volunteer problem
The Eighth Column

Fewer hands, bigger pandals: Durga Puja’s volunteer problem

19 Oct 2026 6:30 AM IST
Why West Bengal appears to be witnessing a more unidimensional political messaging this Durga Puja
The Eighth Column

Why West Bengal appears to be witnessing a more unidimensional political messaging this Durga Puja

16 Oct 2026 9:05 AM IST
How women are claiming their place in both the spiritual and celebratory aspects of Durga Puja
The Eighth Column

How women are claiming their place in both the spiritual and celebratory aspects of Durga Puja

15 Oct 2026 9:00 AM IST
Why some Indians are looking to ‘rent’ a partner for garba and dandiya events this Navratri

Why some Indians are looking to ‘rent’ a partner for garba and dandiya events this Navratri

14 Oct 2026 8:36 AM IST
How Saraswati seems to be losing out to Lakshmi in age of materialistic pursuits

How Saraswati seems to be losing out to Lakshmi in age of materialistic pursuits

13 Oct 2026 9:11 AM IST
For pharma chemists, why it is important to teach molecules to take a ‘left’ turn

For pharma chemists, why it is important to teach molecules to take a ‘left’ turn

12 Oct 2026 8:18 AM IST
Why experts doubt practicality of Amit Shah’s ‘3-year case disposal’ claim under new criminal laws

Why experts doubt practicality of Amit Shah’s ‘3-year case disposal’ claim under new criminal laws

9 Oct 2026 8:38 AM IST
How Haryana has remained the talent pool for India’s Kabaddi prowess

How Haryana has remained the talent pool for India’s Kabaddi prowess

8 Oct 2026 9:13 AM IST
Why Karnataka govts recognition for Tulu has revived debate on plight of other minor languages

Why Karnataka govt's recognition for Tulu has revived debate on plight of other minor languages

7 Oct 2026 8:33 AM IST
How ISRO’s AstroSat space observatory has transformed our understanding of the universe in 11 years

How ISRO’s AstroSat space observatory has transformed our understanding of the universe in 11 years

6 Oct 2026 7:45 AM IST
Why Delhi’s Astha Kunj ‘gangrape case’ raises questions about access to safe public dating spaces

Why Delhi’s Astha Kunj ‘gangrape case’ raises questions about access to safe public dating spaces

5 Oct 2026 8:31 AM IST
AI is helping non-coders create software, but heres why ‘vibe coding’ is not without challenges

AI is helping non-coders create software, but here's why ‘vibe coding’ is not without challenges

2 Oct 2026 7:45 AM IST
Why Keralam’s women fish vendors seem to be fighting a losing battle against changing retail

Why Keralam’s women fish vendors seem to be fighting a losing battle against changing retail

1 Oct 2026 7:28 AM IST
How the Gen Z protest may have impacted campus politics in the country

How the Gen Z protest may have impacted campus politics in the country

30 Sept 2026 6:54 AM IST
Before AI takes a job, it learns by watching. How that buys time for Indians earning from their handiwork

Before AI takes a job, it learns by watching. How that buys time for Indians earning from their handiwork

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How theatre activist Prasanna’s scheme for women empowerment has transformed these Karnataka villages

How theatre activist Prasanna’s scheme for women empowerment has transformed these Karnataka villages

Naveen Ammembala
25 Sept 2026 6:21 PM IST

The Charaka Mahila Vividdodesha Kaigarika Sahakari Sangha was conceptualised in 1994, spearheaded by theatre activist and writer Prasanna, inspired by...

How planned repatriation of ancestral human remains from UK museum is uniting Naga tribes back home

How planned repatriation of ancestral human remains from UK museum is uniting Naga tribes back home

24 Sept 2026 5:31 PM IST
How a character’s success can limit the actor from experimenting on screen

How a character’s success can limit the actor from experimenting on screen

23 Sept 2026 3:51 PM IST
Beyond political war of words, how the KPSC cash-for-jobs case has impacted govt job aspirants

Beyond political war of words, how the KPSC cash-for-jobs case has impacted govt job aspirants

22 Sept 2026 5:42 PM IST
Why Delhi’s discourse on air pollution seems to have moved from action to adaptation

Why Delhi’s discourse on air pollution seems to have moved from action to adaptation

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Why a new Chinese heritage gallery in Kolkata holds deep, personal significance for the community

Why a new Chinese heritage gallery in Kolkata holds deep, personal significance for the community

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Why scientists’ nearly-100-year-journey towards creating ‘artificial Sun’ continues to face hurdles

Why scientists’ nearly-100-year-journey towards creating ‘artificial Sun’ continues to face hurdles

17 Sept 2026 3:01 PM IST
Why for many of India’s youth the first adulting in an alien city is winning the accommodation battle

Why for many of India’s youth the first adulting in an alien city is winning the accommodation battle

16 Sept 2026 5:37 PM IST
Why Manipuri singer’s death from ‘assault’ highlights problem of linking identity, freedom with noise

Why Manipuri singer’s death from ‘assault’ highlights problem of linking identity, freedom with noise

15 Sept 2026 4:49 PM IST
Ex-intelligence chief targeting Chandrababu, Jagan, not 1st IAS-IPS with political ambition. A recap

Ex-intelligence chief targeting Chandrababu, Jagan, not 1st IAS-IPS with political ambition. A recap

14 Sept 2026 3:57 PM IST
Why Jarange-Patil winning Kunbi quota battle may not be the simple solution to Maratha issue

Why Jarange-Patil winning Kunbi quota battle may not be the simple solution to Maratha issue

11 Sept 2026 5:49 PM IST
Is the state shaping our private choices? From what we eat to who we love and what we read…

Is the state shaping our private choices? From what we eat to who we love and what we read…

10 Sept 2026 5:33 PM IST
How Meta’s US settlement for social media users under 18 reveals gaps in India’s protection framework

How Meta’s US settlement for social media users under 18 reveals gaps in India’s protection framework

9 Sept 2026 4:22 PM IST
Why for Dalits in Uttarakhand there is a silver lining in ‘purification’ row after Kharge visit

Why for Dalits in Uttarakhand there is a silver lining in ‘purification’ row after Kharge visit

8 Sept 2026 11:54 AM IST