North Block’s final chapter in budget-making

As the Finance Ministry moves to the Central Vista, the Union Budget for 2026–27 may be the last to be prepared in North Block. A look at how the iconic building shaped decades of fiscal policymaking, secrecy, and tradition

Jhankis of unity: how Republic Day tableaux reflect India’s soul

Rolling down Kartavya Path each January, Republic Day tableaux — or jhankis — blend art, history and statecraft, turning the parade into a moving canvas of India’s diversity, aspirations and shared national imagination

The coffee house Delhi refuses to forget

Demolished during the Emergency in 1976, the Indian Coffee House at Connaught Place was more than a café. Half a century later, memories of its politics, arguments, friendships and defiance continue to shape Delhi’s cultural imagination

Echoes of Iran in Capital cityscape

At a time when Iran is facing one of its most widespread upheavals in decades—Delhi quietly preserves centuries-old Persian legacies. From Mughal monuments to living cultural institutions, the city reflects an enduring Indo-Iranian bond that has survived borders, politics and time

SRCC at 100: how one man’s vision shaped India’s commerce education

As Shri Ram College of Commerce marks its centenary in 2026, its journey from a modest commercial school in old Delhi to one of India’s most sought-after institutions reflects the enduring educational vision of its founder, Lala Shri Ram

Wenger’s at 100: celebrating a century of sweetness

The bakery, which introduced European-style confectionery to the capital in 1924, has transitioned from an elite colonial tea room into a democratic landmark. Today, the Tandon family continues to serve classic recipes that have survived world wars and independence

North and South in dialogue: Uttar Dakshin opens the year with a rare musical meeting

North and South in dialogue: Uttar Dakshin opens the year with a rare musical meeting

Shivraj Patil and Parliament’s house of knowledge

Conceived under Shivraj Patil as Lok Sabha Speaker, the Parliament Library stands as a quiet testament to his belief in knowledge-driven democracy