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Pavan K Varma
Articles by Pavan K Varma

Just Like That | Power and loyalty: The wheel of history

When leaders fall, the dip in the loyalty quotient precipitates the betrayal immediately, and the adulation for the new rising star is instantaneous.

Powerful leader fall for self-serving and transient genuflection(HT Photo)
Published on Sep 22, 2024 07:15 AM IST

MK Rasgotra turns 100: A legacy of diplomacy, elegance and wisdom

Known for his elegance and wisdom, Rasgotra’s career and personal anecdotes continue to inspire the foreign service community

Maharaj Krishna Rasgotra (MKR), former foreign secretary of India, celebrated his 100th birthday last week on September 11 (HT PHOTO)
Published on Sep 15, 2024 07:15 AM IST

Chandigarh: Embracing Indian identity beyond Le Corbusier’s vision

Over time, the city has adopted an Indian personality, flourishing with vibrant markets and cultural charm, despite the legacy left behind by the architect.

A bird’s eye view of the Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha at the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 of Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier.(Sanjeev Sharma/HT)
Published on Sep 08, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | English, and India's legacy of languages

As we emerge from Macaulay’s legacy, we are still adrift from our mother tongues and retain a sense of heenta or inferiority to our own languages.

We should respect all our languages, for there is perhaps no other country in the world which has a linguistic heritage as rich as ours. (Photo by Idrees MOHAMMED / AFP)(AFP)
Published on Sep 01, 2024 07:15 AM IST

Just Like That | Natwar Singh’s wit and arrogance of spirit

Kunwar Natwar Singh was passionate about books, and he wrote several himself, the first being an edited tribute to EM Forster.

Natwar Singh at the Parliament (11 Novermber 1986)
Published on Aug 25, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Just Like That | The power of silence: Embracing maun vrat for inner peace

The practice of resolving to abstain from speech, maun, is an ancient one in India

By remaining maun, through your sheer opting out of the continuous cacophony of the world, you feel — even for a short duration — a serenity that is uplifting and soothing.(Pixabay)
Published on Aug 18, 2024 07:00 AM IST

The people’s poet who bridged divides through lyrical simplicity

Nida Fazli's work, influenced by both Sufi and Bhakti traditions, resonated with audiences across linguistic and cultural divides

Renowned lyricist and urdu poet Nida Fazli .(HT FILE PHOTO)
Published on Aug 11, 2024 07:30 AM IST

Just Like That | Bismillah Khan and the shehnai: A legacy of innovation in music

From his early days in Benaras to leading the nation into Independence with his shehnai, Khan’s legacy is a testament to his musical genius

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan performs during an event on October 23, 1995. (Dinesh Kumar / HT Archive)
Published on Aug 04, 2024 08:15 AM IST

Just Like That | Away from the spotlight, a remarkable President

As a person, R Venkataraman was exceptionally polite, carrying his many distinctions lightly. In his work style, he was a bureaucrat-politician

President R Venkataraman addressing the Nation on the occasion of the Independence Day. (HT Archive)
Published on Jul 27, 2024 09:23 PM IST

Just Like That | Devotees of Shiva, Kanwariyas should soak in the spirituality

The miracle of procreation is also a gift of God and there is nothing wrong in associating Shiva with it. The Lingam is the replica of the dome of the cosmos

Varanasi, Jul 19 (ANI): Kanwariyas (Shiva devotees) carrying metal pots filled with water from the River Ganga during their annual Kanwar Yatra, in Varanasi on Friday. (ANI Photo)(Rajesh Journalist)
Published on Jul 21, 2024 07:30 AM IST

Just Like That | The irrelevance of beauty pageants for women

Women need the respect of men, and not their devaluation as commodities to be judged for their exterior attributes.

Agra, Jul 04 (ANI): Beauty contestants pose for a photo during their visit to the Taj Mahal ahead of the Miss Teen International 2024 pageant, in Agra on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (Yatish Lavania)
Published on Jul 14, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Victory and vilification: The dual nature of Indian cricket fandom

The same fans who now praise the Indian cricket team could easily have turned to vehement and unfair criticism had the outcome of T-20 World Cup been different

Fans crowd around a bus as the Indian cricket team members take part in a parade to celebrate winning the ICC men's T20 World Cup, in Mumbai, India, July 4, 2024. REUTERS/Hemanshi Kamani (REUTERS)(HT_PRINT)
Published on Jul 07, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Just Like That | Colonial clubs and the fetish about dress codes

Clubs are entitled to their autonomy, but not to their refusal to change

A view of the prestigious Delhi Golf Club, which was establised in 1930. (Credit: Delhi Golf Club website)
Published on Jun 30, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Yoga’s health benefits are proven but a competent instructor is crucial

While Hatha Yoga has taken the world by storm, people are less aware that Yoga is an eight-layered philosophy, of which the exercises are only the first part.

Mumbai, Jun 21 (ANI): Western Naval Command personnel perform yoga on the 10th International Day of Yoga, in Mumbai on Friday. (ANI Photo) (Deepak Salvi)
Published on Jun 23, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | Tansen: Epitome of India’s syncretic culture

Tansen is one of the best examples of the ganga-jamuni tehzeeb, the syncretic culture combining the best of Hindu and Islamic traditions

Tomb of Tansen in Gwalior district.(HT photo)
Published on Jun 16, 2024 10:58 AM IST

Why humour is the safety valve of a vibrant democracy

Political leaders often take themselves too seriously, but the Indian electorate has a sharp sense of humour, as seen in the explosion of memes on social media

Election Results 2024 memes An X user shared this meme amid the counting of votes. (X/@iamjavedjhan_07)
Published on Jun 09, 2024 07:30 AM IST

Just Like That | In Pune crash, a mirror to our class hypocrisies

What happened in Pune deserves stringent legal action. But it also provides us a mirror to examine our own value systems and introspect.

The condemnable incident rightly created national outrage
Published on Jun 02, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | Raja Bhoj: The overlooked scholar-king of ancient Bhopal

Raja Bhoj's profound impact on arts and sciences remains largely unacknowledged in contemporary education.

Statue of Raja Bhoja in the Upper Lake in Bhopal, India(Bernard Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons)
Published on May 26, 2024 07:30 AM IST

Timeless tunes: A debate on the most romantic songs in Hindi cinema

A personal list of 14 beloved songs, including "Abhi na jao chhod kar" and "Phoolon ke rang se," showcases the timeless appeal of classic melodies.

Shammi Kapoor's chemistry with Sharmila Tagore in Kashmir Ki Kali is timeless.
Published on May 19, 2024 09:00 AM IST

The forgotten Urdu poet who once challenged Indira Gandhi with his verses

Kalim Ajiz, who left an indelible mark on the literary landscape in Bihar, should be celebrated widely for his profound verses

Urdu poet Kalim Ajiz(Padma Awards)
Published on May 12, 2024 09:30 AM IST

Just Like That | The best President India failed to have

Most people will agree that Karan Singh — philosopher, statesman, writer and orator — was the best President our Republic never got.

Karan Singh is the son of the last ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. (Twitter)
Published on May 05, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | Rethinking life and death in the age of longevity

The rapid advancements in medical science and biotechnology are driving the quest for longer lives. In this quest, what does life and death mean for us?

The rapid developments in modern medicine have dramatically improved our lives' longevity(Pixabay)
Published on Apr 28, 2024 08:00 AM IST

The lives, loves and legacies of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand

How the iconic trio who dominated Indian cinema in the 50s and 60s left an indelible mark on Bollywood.

(From L to R) Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar (HT File)
Published on Apr 21, 2024 01:47 PM IST

Just Like That | Behind the enduring veg vs non-veg debate

Recent controversies over politicians' food choices highlight the nuanced relationship between dietary preferences and religious beliefs within Hindus.

Is vegetarianism the new credo of Hindu evangelists?(Unsplash)
Published on Apr 14, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | Why Indian art is a blip on the big global canvas

Indian art is yet to get its due. That will happen when our artists shun mimicry and have far more patrons, if only for investment.

MF Husain in a picture dated 2 January 1969 (N Thyagarajan/Hindustan Times)
Published on Apr 07, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Sadhguru's health crisis and the blend of traditional and modern medicine

Sadhguru's successful recovery from brain surgery using allopathic methods underscores the importance of choosing the right treatment based on circumstances

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev leaving hospital after being discharged(ANI)
Published on Mar 31, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Here's why Kushwant Singh was a beacon of sharp intellectual thinking

Behind Khushwant Singh's image of an iconoclast was a disciplined scholar who left a lasting impact on literature and journalism.

Khushwant Singh (HT File Photo)
Published on Mar 24, 2024 08:30 AM IST

Just Like That | Finding divine beauty in the spring symphony of Semal trees

There is a spiritual connection between the beauty and the divine, embodied by the resplendent Semal tree as it heralds the arrival of spring in New Delhi

The Semal tree's (Bombax Ceiba) blossoms take your breath away as spring commences. (Mayank Singh)(HT_PRINT)
Published on Mar 17, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | The intimate world of Hindustani culture

Decorum, etiquette, elegance and intimacy symbolised baithaks, something possible only in smaller gatherings, sans the small-talk noise of bigger celebrations.

A classical music baithak in progress. (Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Published on Mar 10, 2024 08:00 AM IST

Just Like That | Reimagining female power in Indian culture

Indian women are emerging as powerful forces, wielding influence in elections and society, challenging traditional norms

The Ganga is Ganga Ma (mother). Temples exclusively devoted to the Devi dot the entire religious landscape of India. (PTI)
Published on Mar 03, 2024 08:00 AM IST
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