India played its first ever Twenty-20 (20-20? 20-Twenty?) international last week, against South Africa. In addition to the general frenzy in the way the cricket was being played, there was a panting fielding captain wired up and answering questions from commentators between deliveries, and in-game interviews conducted by a breathless Ravi Shastri with players in the dugout by the boundary (yes, there’s a dugout too). More…
2006
4/12
2006
4/12
Metropolis
Full House Mumbai
by HaftaWhat will it take to get real-estate prices in the city down? If the Government was to be believed, increasing supply of land is one such measure. In fact, recent Court verdicts in the city are also expected to release large tracts of land for development. More…
2006
4/12
Metropolis
A Different Love
by SuryaHomosexuality has long been taboo in India, and anti-gay and lesbian prejudices remain widespread. But, just as is the case in many traditional cultures, there also has long been an underground gay and lesbian culture. More…
2006
27/11
Gloria Steiner in her book “Moving beyond Words” says that our world is divided into two parts: the male and the female. There has always been a wide gap between the roles of the two in every walk of life, especially when it comes to choosing suitable careers. More…
2006
27/11
Politics
The Concept of Nationhood - 1
by HaftaHow will you show affection for you country publicly?” shouts TOI, on the eve of our Republic Day.That day, I stood to examine my thoughts on Nationhood. How relevant, important, misrepresented or misunderstood is it? More…
2006
27/11
Politics
Coffee with Paritran
by HaftaLok Paritran was formed in November 2005 by a team of six graduates from IIT Bombay and IIT Kanpur. The party, which garnered widespread media attention, fielded candidates in the recent Chennai Corporation Elections. In an email interview Ajit Ashwalayan Shukla, Nation Treasurer, shared some his thoughts on critical issues put forth by Hafta Magazine. More…
2006
27/11
Dhoom 2 hit cinema screens on the back of a high voltage publicity campaign. Everyone was left with tantalizing glimpses of Bipasha in a bikini, Aishwarya in assorted short and tight accoutrements and Hrithik Roshan looking fabulous. The trailers were slick and the promos were, pardon the cliché, very international. More…
2006
20/11
Metropolis
Mumbai Voting
by HaftaThe Brihanmumbai Mahanagarpalika, or Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, or just plain old BMC, goes to the polls early next year, to be precise, on 28th January with a provisional date of Feb 4th, both of which are Sundays as per norm. With a budget of Rs9,865crores (or more than US$ 2billion), the BMC is the richest civic body in India. More…
2006
13/11
It is that time of the year when church-going folk are all set to prepare, physically and spiritually, for another Christmas. Pastors and priests will soon spend time with their flocks guiding them through a period of fasting and preparation before the celebrations commemorating the infant Jesus’ birth. More…
2006
6/11
People and Places
Snow and Switchbacks
by HaftaI had my sights set on Mount Whitney last summer when I learned that it was the highest point in the contiguous United States (yes, I am a sucker for superlatives). That hard-fought passes were required for the trail just made it more enticing. More…
