JBS Haldane’s life, via Samanth Subramanian’s biography, shows why scientists must be political too

In ‘A Dominant Character’, the life of a scientist committed to a political vision, even misled by it, is chronicled with verve.

Dinyar Patel

· Oct 11, 2020 · 08:30 am

How Dadabhai Naoroji’s support for women’s rights helped him get elected to the British Parliament

An excerpt from ‘Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism’, by Dinyar Patel.

Dinyar Patel

· Sep 17, 2020 · 08:30 am

The Art of Solitude: Travel vicariously through Central Asia with Robert Byron’s classic

‘The Road to Oxiana’ is a celebration of the type of wide-ranging mobility currently denied to us.

Dinyar Patel

· Apr 30, 2020 · 11:30 am

Epidemics change the course of nations and transform societies. Here are four lessons from history

The past is no recipe for the future – but it can suggest what to expect.

Dinyar Patel

· Apr 19, 2020 · 07:30 am

SR Mehrotra (1931-2019): A tireless chronicler of India’s struggle for freedom

The London-trained historian paid special attention to two figures from the Congress’ very beginnings, Allan Octavian Hume and Dadabhai Naoroji.

Dinyar Patel

· Jul 22, 2019 · 08:30 am

India must recall legacy of early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji in the age of hyper-nationalism

Remembering one of the most influential leaders of the early Indian National Congress on his 100th death anniversary.

Dinyar Patel

· Jun 30, 2017 · 10:30 am

Navrozji Fardunji, 19th-century reformer and the 'great son' whom India forgot too soon

Today is the 200th birth anniversary of the academic, activist and freedom fighter who contributed immensely to the rise of the nationalist movement.

Dinyar Patel

· Mar 10, 2017 · 11:30 am

Meet the man whom Mahatma Gandhi called 'the Father of the Nation'

The back story to Dadabhai Naoroji’s insistent demand for swaraj or self-rule.

Dinyar Patel

· Aug 08, 2016 · 08:30 am

Indian restaurants: The unlikely symbol of the changing Balkans

A region in the grip of strife till 25 years ago is transforming culinarily.

Dinyar Patel

· Jun 06, 2016 · 11:30 am

Does India need a new Parliament building? History may have some constructive criticism

It would be a shame if Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s call for a new structure is heeded.

Dinyar Patel

· Jan 04, 2016 · 05:30 pm

Global goodwill: Growing intolerance within India threatens to change how it is regarded abroad

Getting a bad name internationally is hardly the worst dimension of what is happening in the country. But international goodwill, once lost or diminished, is very difficult to regain.

Dinyar Patel

· Oct 25, 2015 · 06:30 pm

Why we should all care about the Bombay Parsi Punchayet elections

The administrative body controls a vast corpus of funds as well as significant property: a chunk of the prosperity of contemporary Mumbai.

Dinyar Patel

· Oct 14, 2015 · 12:30 pm