High hopes

Independent candidates —who contested the just concluded Assembly Elections — were oddly confident, yet missed the mark I MUST have asked more than a couple of times, “Why do you think you have a chance to win”? And each time, the answers did not justify the energy put into a contest defeat is almost a […]

Kashmiri Delhicacies

Kashmiri cuisine is a blend of authentic ingredients, spices and tradition, surprisingly they can be found far from the valley — at relatively unknown places within the capital Aghar Firdaus bar roo-e -zameen ast, hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast” -Amir Khusrau  THE FAMOUS couplet translates to, “If there is a paradise on earth, it […]

The Urban Artists

An academic and an artist, both educators, join hands to transform a conflict-ridden settlement of migrant workers at Kapashera, by encouraging them to express themselves artistically.  ART IS a powerful instrument of change for the better. It gives expression to the repressed, and many argue more authentic a reflection of the times than the written […]

Love, identity, reckoning

Voices belonging to the LGBTQ community share their stories of struggle “I GOT sick of the intense pressure to get married and finally told my mother that I have no interest in girls. You know what her retort was? “Why? Do you like boys then?’”. Today, Deepak chuckles at the memory, recounting how his courage […]

Delhi’s verdict will be decisive — and not just for its denizens

Though the Capital may not be a full-fledged state, its high decibel Assembly campaign has thrown up weighty issues of nationalism, health insurance and endangered communal harmony. Will voters take stock of these controversies or assess the work done in their constituency?   “THESE ELECTIONS are going to be an election of the country”, said […]

CHEF OF THE WEEK

He started his career with the Oberoi New Delhi at the prestigious Travertino restaurant. From there Chef Amit Singh moved on to Le Meridien New Delhi and then a short stint at Hilton Dubai.  Then he came back and worked at The Leela Palace New Delhi at Le Cirque followed by the Imperial New Delhi. […]

Finest dining

With progressive Mediterranean cuisine and a wide range of eclectic cocktails, this restaurant transports one to exotic shores NESTLED IN the heart of Delhi at Ashoka Hotel, Ophelia is a treat for the eyes from the very first sight. The place is elegant with charming aesthetics, cozy interiors and graceful design. The ambience is enhanced […]

Shades of Manto

Shikari Auratein (Women of Prey) — a collection of some of Manto’s stories and sketches published in 1955, has been recently translated in English by Saba Mahmood Bashir. It shows a different side of the iconic author IN RECENT times, Manto has been read widely. The reason could be the movies and plays that have […]