Voices from author

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Jam session

February 6, 2026, 8:21 AM IST

As elsewhere in India, Goa discovers that the path to traffic-hell is paved with good highways In Goa I’m stuck in what seems to be an unending traffic jam. The jam is not caused by…

February 6, 2026, 8:21 AM IST

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Jam session 

February 6, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

As elsewhere in India, Goa discovers that the path to traffic-hell is paved with good highways  In Goa I’m stuck in what seems to be an unending traffic jam. The jam is not caused by…

February 6, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Seat cheat

February 4, 2026, 7:39 AM IST

A post on social media caught the attention of Messrs Hehra and Pheri (Wheeling is our Dealing). The post described two variations of musical chairs. In the first, nine chairs are given to 10 children,…

February 4, 2026, 7:39 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Never too old 

January 30, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Yesterday’s age-old questions have become today’s age-young answers  When I was a small boy the most frequent question I would be asked was, how old are you? Age was a measure of stature and status….

January 30, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

North vs South 

January 28, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

The two disagree on how to say ‘Yes’ when they mean ‘No’, and vice versa  Back in Goa once again for a visit, I’m struck as I’ve often been, by the several differences of topography…

January 28, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

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On the cards

January 23, 2026, 8:38 AM IST

Colourful stories behind playful Kings, Queens, Knaves Though the country derecognised princes in 1971, millions of Indians continue to hobnob with royalty. Chances are that you too have met King David of Israel, Julius Caesar,…

January 23, 2026, 8:38 AM IST

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World of difference

January 21, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Renamed places can make people wonder where they are In a movie I saw recently a teenaged daughter asks her father the name of the capital of Croatia. The father confesses he doesn’t know.   The admission…

January 21, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Bengal’s dolce vita

January 16, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Bengali is one of the sweetest of languages – and there’s a reason for that  I’ve often been struck by how sweet the Bengali language sounds, particularly when it sings its inimitable Rabindra Sangeet. It’s…

January 16, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Rupee recollections

January 14, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

As the new year dawns, we look back in wonder at the ups and downs of our currency  The story goes that a minister, extolling the achievements of his govt, said that when it assumed office…

January 14, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Multiple mediators

January 9, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

More and more countries claim to have helped end the Indo-Pak conflict  Following Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he intervened to end the Indo-Pak hostilities, China has declared that Beijing also played a hand in…

January 9, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Buy-buy Pakistan

January 7, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Both US and China could turn our neighbouring state into real estate  Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff greets her boss.  CoS: Boss, I’ve got good news and gooder news.  Trump: Gee, that’s great. What’s the good news?  CoS: The good…

January 7, 2026, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

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It’s a big deal

January 2, 2026, 8:15 AM IST

An American negotiator involved in the long-drawn saga of the Indo-US trade deal described India as being “a tough nut to crack”. When it comes to striking a bargain, ensuring that we make a deal…

January 2, 2026, 8:15 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , Edit Page, India , TOI

FROM TOI PRINT EDITION

Scars and strifes forever

December 31, 2025, 8:07 AM IST

Once upon a now, in the centre of a vast farmyard stood a stately white mansion. Inside, in an oval-shaped room was a large, corpulent individual with startling orange-glo hair, ensconced behind the desk on…

December 31, 2025, 8:07 AM IST

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A Calcutta Christmas

December 24, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

A Yuletide gift that brings back memories of a long ago and faraway city This year as always, our friend Derek, MP and Trinamool Congress stalwart, has sent us a special Yuletide present. Derek’s seasonal…

December 24, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Walk the walk

December 23, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

We never stop learning how to take things in our stride  We never stop learning how to walk the walk. The ability to stand upright on their two feet in order to walk gave our…

December 23, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

English anarchy

December 19, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

It’s one of the most difficult languages to learn and also the most fun to play with  Years ago Bunny and I were driving with our friends Robin and Annie to their holiday cottage in…

December 19, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

Voodoo & Hoodoo

December 12, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

It’s super that you and I don’t believe in superstition and all that rubbish  Like the man who said, “Thank God I’m an atheist!”, I claim to be a rationalist who would thank a palmist…

December 12, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

Juggle-Bandhi , India , TOI

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Pollution contest

December 10, 2025, 9:31 AM IST

Delhi & Gurgaon playing a bad air match Gurgaon started off as a suburb of Delhi in early 1980s. People who couldn’t afford property prices in Delhi plonked themselves in more affordable Gurgaon.  However, over…

December 10, 2025, 9:31 AM IST

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Jalebis and democracy  

December 5, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

Electoral politics is a zero-sum game, and not such a sweet deal after all  When people talk politics to me and ask whether I’m pro-govt or anti-govt, pro- opposition or anti-opposition, I ask them how…

December 5, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

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Avocado a la carte

December 3, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

From being a poor man’s food, the fruit has gained celebrity status in the culinary world  It was a green gooey glob in the salad bowl. And it tasted like manna from heaven, with a subtle savour…

December 3, 2025, 5:00 AM IST

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