Stories written by
Ajay Kamalakaran
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Remembering the Gujarati lawyer who fought for Indian indentured labourers in Fiji and Mauritius
Manilal Doctor answered the call of Indians when they needed help to take on an exploitative regime of indentured servitude.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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How a German missionary changed the way houses were roofed in western India
Georg Plebst’s brainchild, the Mangalore tile, has spread as far as Australia and Africa – and yet very little is known about him.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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The story of the Indian immigrant who catalysed the New Zealand gold rush but died in near penury
Although it was Edward Peters from Satara who first discovered gold in Otago, New Zealand, the credit went to an Australian for almost a century and half.
Ajay Kamalakaran
Trending
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Mauritian Bhojpuri is being dressed in Hindu nationalist robes – and I’m in mourning
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Two doctors argue that eggs are the gold standard for all proteins, and the most perfect food ever
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‘When will you kill Muslims and Christians?’ monk asks Hindus at Delhi event
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Young professionals are fleeing crisis-hit Pakistan in hope of a better future
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Watch: ‘3 Idiots’ stars Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan comically reunite to promote new film
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How an Irish poet and playwright became a part of India’s cultural mosaic
James Henry Cousins, an accomplished writer, moved to India in 1915 and dedicated his life to cultural and educational activities in the country.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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Why a plan to link India and Burma with one of the world’s most scenic railroads didn’t work out
In 19th century, engineers trekked through the jungles of Assam and Kachin state to decide the ideal path for a railway line. But economics and war intervened.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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Remembering the ‘Indian Titanic’ that was sunk by the Japanese
In November 1942, SS Tilawa was on its way to Mombasa when it was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy’s I-29 submarine, claiming 280 lives.
Ajay Kamalakaran
Video
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Watch: Actor Arbaaz Khan introduces himself as Roger Federer for an advertisement
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Video: White Sun, the band known for musical renditions of yoga mantras, wins second Grammy
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‘They are just barking, they don’t bite’: Prakash Raj on those who wanted to boycott ‘Pathaan’
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Grammy 2023 speeches: From Beyoncé to Kim Petras, what the winners who made history said
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‘Hold on to my fur’: Musician remixes cat’s meowing to create this song (and others)
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One of the most compelling accounts of Western India in the 19th century was written by this woman
Marianne Postans, who lived in Bhuj with her army officer husband, published a book about the region’s people, customs, traditions and landscapes.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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A Kenyan Goan’s fight against colonialism in Africa and India
Pio Gama Pinto, a key figure in Kenya’s freedom struggle against the British, also supported the liberation movements in Goa and Mozambique.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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The journey of a young Indian Jewish woman to becoming the first lady of Cyprus
Lila Irene Clerides, who was born in Ahmedabad to an illustrious Jewish family, became a beloved public figure in the Mediterranean island nation.
Ajay Kamalakaran
The Reel
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Amit Trivedi lets his music do the talking: ‘There’s one life. We take it way too seriously’
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Start the week with a film: Horses and a quietly thumping heart in ‘The Rider’
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‘Class’ review: An immersive and revealing show about privilege
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‘Jehanabad – Of Love & War’ review: A heavily spiced account of an audacious jailbreak
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‘Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat’ review: A throbbing musical about forbidden passion
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How Hindu cosmology influenced Romania’s national poet
Inspired by Schopenhauer and Kant, Mihai Eminescu combined Indian and Western philosophies to produce Romania’s most celebrated poetic works.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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How a Lutheran missionary became the first cultural bridge between Tamil Nadu and Germany
Mastering Tamil in mere months, Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg became a pioneer of linguistic exchange between the Tamil- and German-speaking worlds.
Ajay Kamalakaran
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How a bank branch in Bombay helped establish a financial relationship between Japan and India
The now-defunct Yokohama Specie Bank bankrolled the cotton trade between the two countries in the 19th century after Japan emerged from self-imposed isolation.
Ajay Kamalakaran
The Field
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Premier League: Harry Kane eyes all-time record after becoming leading scorer for Spurs
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Tennis rankings: Novak Djokovic inches closer to all-time record, Iga Swiatek continues to dominate
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Football: Manchester City charged by Premier League over alleged breaches of financial rules
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ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia’s Meg Lanning – ‘There’s a fair bit I still want to achieve’
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Interview: Belgium high performance coach Adam Commens on women’s hockey, mental health and more