India’s premier institution for soft power projection, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, faces a severe existential crisis due to paucity of funds India seems to lack a coherent and well-articulated strategic cultural vision. When it comes to projecting our soft power and through it to secure our civilisational space …

Cultural landmarks of the country are languishing for want of proper care and protection. Humayun’s Tomb has been refurbished; others too deserve attention                                                       …

“The truth is that Hindus had historically existed and thrived in the entire region of Goa, the truth is that they were gradually exterminated or exiled through a genocidal process known as the Inquisition and the truth is that for such a past treatment, the Hindus never sought to retaliate …

The growing immigrant Islamic population in the West has failed to blend with the mainstream society of the nations it has voluntarily made its home This May, while Stockholm burnt, London seethed and Paris was reminded of the radical activism of Islamist extremists, the politically correct European media was busy …

Just about four years ago, between August and October 2008, around 70 people were killed in clashes between the Bodos and the Muslims in the northern Assam districts of Udalhuri and Darrang. The clashes had seen 100,000 people rendered homeless on either side. The Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in Assam, …

Political equations are changing rapidly and post the monsoon session, national politics seems to be poised for another swivel. Can the West Bengal chief minister handle it, asks Anirban Ganguly. Even as she loudly applauds the first ‘Bengali’ President at his swearing-in, Mamata Banerjee will perhaps be plotting her next …

After the presidential poll, Sangma may well realise that ‘miracles’ and ‘conscience’ do not really exist, especially in Indian politics, they have long become extinct, says Anirban Ganguly.  Purno Agitok Sangma’s finest moment — according to his own admission — came when he, an ordinary person, ‘a tribal from the …

Our current presidential candidates can perhaps take a cue from history and subject themselves to greater self-examination and scrutiny; it will surely augur well for the dignity of the exalted office that they so eagerly aspire for, says Anirban Ganguly.  Despite their — at times — acute political differences and …

Anirban Ganguly recounts moments from the past when Pranab Mukherjee had to face uncomfortable questions from opposition MPs.  In view of spiraling prices, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had to make a statement in the House on the price situation. In his characteristic manner, marshalling statistics, he ended his statement by …

Pranab Mukherkee’s remarkably workable political relationship with the Left is will known in Bengali political lore as is his animosity with Mamata Banerjee, says Anirban Ganguly.  Their public posturing notwithstanding the Left has always had a remarkably workable political relationship with Pranab Mukherjee. Old timers’ recall how a callow Pranab …

It has always been in the nature of the Congress to ensure that the entire process of electing the President be mired in uncertainty, one-upmanship, official confusion and rumour-mongering. Anirban Ganguly recalls an instance from the early days of the republic.  Presidential elections in India have never been a happy …

Culture and cultural institutions in India have begun to bear the brunt of official apathy. In a strange turn of events the present government has reduced the allocation for 2012-13 for the Ministry of Culture. It is indeed unimaginable that in a country likeIndiawhich retains an unparalleled cultural and civilisational …