Delhi Gymkhana

Erasing Colonial Symbols Won't Feed India's Families: A Call for Economic Pragmatism

But tearing down a clubhouse will not lower a family's grocery bill or write a line of exportable code. India's chance to close the gap with the economies that outran it will not wait for a hearing date in September, and neither should the country's attention.

Taslima Nasrin’s Return and the Politics of Selective Protection

Taslima Nasrin’s homecoming deserves to be welcomed. A writer should be able to return to a city she considers home without fearing violence. The harder test will come when the symbolism fades. Will the government protect her if her criticism becomes inconvenient to the people now celebrating her return?

Jewish Footprints and Connections that Shaped Sri Lanka’s History

Today, the Chabad Houses in Colombo and on Sri Lanka's southern coast have attracted considerable attention amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and rhetoric. It is noteworthy that Colombo once had an active synagogue, which served as a regular place of worship for British Jewish servicemen World War II

Repositioning India as the Capital of Buddhist Tourism: A Blueprint for a Global Destination

Buddhist tourism as an important tool of India’s soft power. The shared Buddhist heritage can help develop cultural ties with Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Mongolia, South Korea, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and several other Buddhist-majority nations through cooperation in archaeology, monk-to-monk dialogues, youth programs, academic exchanges, and cultural festivals

More on Soft Power, Culture and Society

India, Nepal motorcycle rally to bring youth of both countries closer culturally

About 50 Indian and Nepali motorbike enthusiasts are participating in a rally is aimed at showcasing the timeless people-to-people connect between India and Nepal and  strengthen mutual cultural relations

In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, everyone, from journalists to ex-soldiers, are now street vendors

Until a few months ago, they were soldiers, officers, and media workers, and small businessmen and women--all serving and earning in places that somewhat, if not entirely, suited their skills

India-Nepal motorbike rally to consolidate people-to-people ties

Around 50 Indian and Nepali citizens will participate in a motorcycle rally between Kathmandu and Varanasi – the two significant cultural and religious hubs of Nepal and India - from November 11-16

India honors eminent Bangladeshis with their national awards

India honored two Bangladeshis, including one posthumously, at its national awards presentation by President Ramnath Kovind

Why hire women for ads when good looking men are in plenty, asks Pakistan PM adviser

Pakistan's Special Representative of the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony, Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, has criticised advertisers for hiring women to represent their brands though there are "so many good looking men in the country."

India's first rooftop drive-in cinema opens in Mumbai

India's first rooftop, open-air, drive-in theatre opened over the weekend in Mumbai, the country's entertainment capital

Bangladesh minister says hilsa fish production 'wonder of the world'

Bangladesh Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Friday said the country’s production of the delectable hilsa fish, "once on the brink of extinction", has marked a significant rise to 550,000 tonnes due to appropriate measures undertaken by the government

Indian teen's rousing Glasgow COP26 speech in Modi, Biden, Johnson's presence

A 14-year-old girl from India, speaking at the COP26 in Glasgow, told the world that her generation is "angry and frustrated at world leaders who've made empty promises" and made a direct call to action to save the planet

It is pathetic to attack people over religion, says Indian captain Virat Kohli in hitting out at Mohammed Shami's online abusers

Indian captain Virat Kohli hit back at targeted social media abuse against fast bowler Mohammed Shami following India's 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener last Sunday, calling the abusers "spineless people" and saying that "attacking someone over their religion is the most, I would say, pathetic thing that a human being can do"

Kashmir girl wins gold in World Kickboxing Championship; celebrates with Indian flag

A 14-year-old girl, Tajamul Islam, from Jammu and Kashmir, has won the gold medal in the under 14 age category  in the World Kickboxing Championship held at Cairo, Egypt. after defeating Argentina’s Lalina in the final

US returns centuries-old stolen antiquities to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan

The US on Thursday returned 248 antiquities, including a 12th-century bronze Shiva Nataraja, valued at an estimated $15 million to India, the “largest” such transfer of antiquities to the country

Piercing the glass ceiling: 39 women officers get permanent commission in Indian Army after judicial victory

Thirty-nine Indian Army's women officers have got Permanent Commission after winning a protracted legal battle in the Supreme Court, which ordered the government to ensure their new service status is granted within seven working days, NDTV said

Indian medical students' viral dance video: Praise from UN; denunciation from fundamentalists

UN Special Rapporteur for Cultural Rights, Karima Bennoune, has praised a viral dance video of two Kerala medical students, but said the criticism of it shows the dangers to “cultural mixing.”

Monkeys being poisoned in Bangladesh to clear encroached forest land for cultivation

Villagers in one of Bangladesh’s districts are killing monkeys in the Cox Bazaar forest area to clear the land they have allegedly encroached upon for cultivation, environment activists alleged

India-Pakistan match tickets for the T20 cricket World Cup clash sold out within hours

In yet another indication of the huge fan following for cricketing contests between India and Pakistan – two neighbors whose 22-yard clashes have been largely limited by tense diplomatic relations and geopolitical tussles over the years – tickets for their coming encounter in the T20 World Cup has been sold out within hours