Culture & Books

The Ashok: seven decades of Indian hospitality

The Ashok: seven decades of Indian hospitality

Built on Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision, the Delhi landmark has witnessed the evolution of a young nation and its Capital

October 25, 2026

Before the lights: two Diwalis Delhi can never forget

Two terror attacks, eight years apart, struck ordinary shoppers and changed festive celebrations in the national capital forever for the…

October 25, 2026

Books, quiet and no screens: these free libraries take on digital distraction

Coforge opened its first library in Noida in February 2024; it now claims a combined footfall of 3.27 lakh visitors…

October 24, 2026

Delhi University’s Jubilee Hall: what demolition could erase

Established to mark the university’s 25 years, Jubilee Hall has witnessed generations of student life. Its possible demolition now puts…

October 24, 2026

Cheap books, costly bargain: Delhi’s pirated book market

A $780 million market built on pavements, where the pleasure of reading meets the price of books. Students and professors…

October 18, 2026

Where Ramlila speaks Urdu

From Urdu dialogues in Faridabad to Delhi’s historic celebrations, Ramlila has many stories to tell

October 17, 2026

Whose festival is it, anyway?

From a Sikh family in Tilak Nagar performing Shastar Puja to a Malayali household inscribing invocations in rice, six Delhi…

October 13, 2026

80 idols, two weeks, 12-hour days: CR Park’s Durga Puja preparations in full swing

As Durga Puja approaches, artisans in the national capital’s famous Bengali hub are left with little breathing room

October 12, 2026

Delhi’s Post Offices: from Gol Dak Khana to the Parliament House

A look at the city’s historic postal buildings and the changing ways in which its messages have travelled

October 11, 2026

One Road, two temples and Gandhi’s fight against untouchability

At Birla Mandir, Gandhi sought to open the doors of worship to all; at Valmiki Mandir, he started a classroom…

October 2, 2026