All posts tagged: opinion

Beyond the ‘cockroach’ meme: Info war India cannot afford to lose | Opinion

Beyond the ‘cockroach’ meme: Info war India cannot afford to lose | Opinion

There is a playbook, well-documented and repeatedly tested, that hostile networks, both domestic and foreign, deploy across the developing world when they cannot win at the ballot box. The Cockroach Janta Party logo on its website. (Reuters Photo) The objective is never to win a single argument. It is to manufacture a permanent sense of national unease, a slow and creeping suspicion that the country is failing, its leadership is corrupt, and its institutions are broken beyond repair. India, to its credit, has proven harder to break than most. Having failed to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi across three consecutive electoral mandates, these forces have shifted their attention to a softer target: the smartphones of young Indians who form their political opinions almost entirely through social media. What appears to be a meme page is very often something far more deliberate. Recognising that gap between appearance and intent is the first act of resistance. The countries in India’s neighbourhood offer the sharpest and most sobering lessons in what happens when these operations go unchallenged. In …

How Delhi Gymkhana closure will impact India’s global image, writes ex-IPS Azad | Opinion

How Delhi Gymkhana closure will impact India’s global image, writes ex-IPS Azad | Opinion

Delhi’s iconic Delhi Gymkhana Club is heading towards one of the most dramatic institutional disruptions in recent memory. The writing, many would say, had long been on the wall. Delhi Gymkhana Club in New Delhi has been served a notice to vacate by June 5. (HT Photo) The club has been entangled in legal and administrative disputes, from proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal to court interventions and controversies surrounding its management and elections. But the closure order touches upon the State’s relationship with legacy institutions, urban heritage, quality of life, and even India’s global image. Politically, this may appear to be a safe and easy target. No political party is likely to lose votes over the fate of Gymkhana. The Left will not rise in protest, nor will the Right. The “jholawallah” activists will celebrate it as a symbolic blow against privilege. Thousands who could not get membership may privately gloat over an exclusive club finally been brought to heel. The optics are very tempting, of a powerful government cracking down on an …

Delhi Gymkhana Club: Government ends its subsidy to India’s aristocracy, writes Parvesh Verma | Opinion

Delhi Gymkhana Club: Government ends its subsidy to India’s aristocracy, writes Parvesh Verma | Opinion

The Union government has ordered Delhi Gymkhana Club, operating on government land, to hand over its entire premises by June 5, 2026. The order draws the curtains on the club’s more than century-old tale of colonial decadence, post-colonial privilege and an ever-present social and cultural apartheid. “The club’s government-owned land has a huge opportunity cost. Why then, can it not be used to fulfil the larger public interest than to subsidise aristocracy?” asks Parvesh Verma. (HT File) Not to forget the club’s long list of alleged financial irregularities, tax evasion & opaque management, inviting legal wrath from several courts or tribunals from time to time. Thus, the government’s order has ignited several debates around elitism, urban land-use, national security as well as de-colonisation. The order states how the club’s premises, “located in a highly sensitive and strategic area of Delhi, is critically required for the strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes”. It adds, “The land is essential to fulfil urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects, integrated with …

Opinion: Opinion | On Memes, Wars, And Meme-Wars

Opinion: Opinion | On Memes, Wars, And Meme-Wars

The meme ‘warfare’ feels different from traditional forms of propaganda. It is participatory. People are not just consuming the messaging; they are helping spread it themselves. Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

Opinion: Opinion | The Two Bengals, North vs South

Opinion: Opinion | The Two Bengals, North vs South

The divide between north and south Bengal is not merely geographic. It is the gap between two theories of what politics is for. And on the 4th of May, one of those theories will be proven right. Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

‘I will never ask her’: Abhishek Bachchan on daughter Aaradhya Bachchan’s opinion on his films | Bollywood News

‘I will never ask her’: Abhishek Bachchan on daughter Aaradhya Bachchan’s opinion on his films | Bollywood News

3 min readNew DelhiApr 20, 2026 09:45 PM IST Abhishek Bachchan is often regarded as one of the industry’s most underrated performers, with several noteworthy films to his credit. However, he has frequently found himself compared to his megastar father, Amitabh Bachchan. While actors usually value audience feedback, there is one person whose opinion Abhishek consciously avoids seeking—his daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. In a recent conversation with IFP, Abhishek was asked how Aaradhya reacts to his films. His response was clear: “I will never ask her.” Explaining his reasoning, he said, “I will let that thought remain in my head. Once she answers—whether she likes it or not—it’s going to change and alter the way I approach my work. Out of duty, I don’t ask her because maybe I’m not strong enough to hear what she has to say. I would rather live in the illusion of what she might want or not want.” Abhishek further reflected on how today’s children are more expressive and honest. “Children today are very confident and know exactly what they …

‘He cares about your opinion’: How working with Aamir Khan changed Elli AvrRam’s perspective on Bollywood stars | Bollywood News

‘He cares about your opinion’: How working with Aamir Khan changed Elli AvrRam’s perspective on Bollywood stars | Bollywood News

4 min readMumbaiApr 16, 2026 10:06 PM IST Actress Elli AvrRam recently spoke about working with some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Aamir Khan, and how those experiences changed her perception of “big stars.” She also recalled her first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan. Elli AvrRam on working with Aamir Khan During the conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Elli Avram shared her perception of “big stars” and said, “One thing I have learnt from them is that they respect their work a lot. They have great discipline, and they are extremely humble. It’s beautiful to see how professional and dedicated they are towards their craft, and still want to grow and do better. The beautiful thing I have seen working with big stars is that I sometimes feel what younger actors think about how these stars behave is completely wrong. The big stars are very professional, kind to the people they work with, and they don’t show tantrums or throw their weight around.” Also Read: Elli AvrRam claims Salman Khan protects her in the industry: ‘A …

OPINION: Is the Dhurandhar dominance a boon by saving Bollywood or a bane silencing competition?

OPINION: Is the Dhurandhar dominance a boon by saving Bollywood or a bane silencing competition?

The Hindi film industry’s biggest blockbusters, Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, witnessed a historic run at the box office. Helmed by Aditya Dhar, both films opened major conversations about how their success can transform the filmmaking style in Hindi cinema. One major question that arises is whether Dhurandhar’s dominance at the box office is a boon that is saving Bollywood or a bane that is silencing competition. In my opinion, tentpole films like Dhurandhar are a matter of pride for the industry. These movies attract huge footfalls, which eventually drive the business. Big grossers are always welcome, but you can’t have such releases every week. Therefore, the industry needs small and mid-budget films to work consistently. This used to happen quite well in the pre-pandemic era, but everything has changed this decade. Dhurandhar isn’t directly a bane that silences competition. It’s more about the industry not getting the scheduling of films right. Yash made a smart decision by avoiding a clash of Toxic with Dhurandhar: The Revenge, but it …