Open Magazine - Top Stories

God of the Times: Ganesha epitomises the possibilities of a world in a whirl
God of the Times: Ganesha epitomises the possibilities of a world in a whirl
3 min read
Ganesha’s enormous ears ask leaders to listen. His tiny vehicle reminds the mighty not to mock the small. His broken tusk makes imperfection useful. His belly holds contradiction without indigestion
The Transmission of the Guru
4 min read
Despite living in a remote region of the Himalayas and having no formal organisation, Neem Karoli Baba’s fame spread through the power of stories in a globalising world
The Mindhunters
7 min read
New reality shows are hooking audiences with secrets and mind games over manufactured conflict
Faith Multiplier
9 min read
Soumava Haldar travels to Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand to learn how queues outside Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram have grown longer after the success of Hanuman Ansh
From Mill Gates to Gig Workers: Are Trade Unions Making a Comeback?
4 min read
In this age of AI, trade-union tactics too may change. Militancy could be replaced by thousands of gig workers logging out simultaneously
Boy, Oh Boy! Pulsar’s ‘Bad Boy’ Can’t Kick the ‘Definitely Male’ Habit
6 min read
Pulsar moved from ‘Definitely Male’ to ‘Definitely Daring’. Its anniversary sequel brings back the boy—and makes him bad. Can Indian motorcycle advertising change its vocabulary without changing its i ...
US War With Iran Costs $45.1 Billion—and the Bill is Incomplete: Report
3 min read
A Pentagon estimate shared with Congress puts the cost above earlier assessments, CNN reports. Repairs to damaged US bases remain excluded, while the Congressional Budget Office warns that another mon ...
Ed Sheeran, Macklemore & Gaza: Who Controls the Concert Stage?
3 min read
Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour has triggered fellow artists’ withdrawals and pushed Ed Sheeran into a public debate over Gaza, artistic freedom and the power of concert venues. Here’s how the ...
Asian Games 2026: Elavenil’s Double Silver, Mandhana’s Record Rush
3 min read
Elavenil Valarivan follows team silver with an individual podium finish, Smriti Mandhana becomes women’s T20Is’ leading run-scorer, and India’s hockey team fires 19 goals past Uzbekistan on a busy Sun ...