India has survived all the stresses and strains that have beset it for over seven decades because it maintained consensus on how to manage without consensus

In a new biography of Ambedkar, Shashi Tharoor gets a measure of the constitutionalist and nation-builder, contending that an honest survey of Ambedkar’s life and its impact needs to also look at those faults for which he can be legitimately criticised without taking away from his greatness

Indian democracy imposes no narrow conformities on its citizens

Congress must rejuvenate itself, bringing in fresh faces and young blood into its leadership at all levels. It would help if the party took steps to promote inner-party democracy and a more consultative decision-making style: Open up the party to internal elections for its key positions. Seek the views of a wide cross-section of party stalwarts, not just a favoured few. Allow and encourage the emergence of local, state and regional leaders, ratified by periodic votes of party members

What was it about VK Krishna Menon?

Does the ‘F’ word apply to India?

Thoughts on the uses of his ideas on the eve of his 80th death anniversary

Is the role of the individual in history overestimated?

Listen to the whispers of history and be warned

In praise of cooperative leadership

CELESTIAL HEROISM IS a bestseller, unless it is badly made. In it merges great survivor dramas and the romance of breaching the boundaries of human…