Ink, Ego & Insanity: Eight novels that spill the messy, magnificent truth about the writers life

In this compelling overview, we spotlight a diverse collection of novels that take you behind the curtain of a writer's life. These narratives illuminate themes of ambition and sacrifice while laying bare the unforgiving truths of the literary realm.

Gotham was always a rich man's town, but guess what New York just dragged in?

A writer reflects on watching Zohran Mamdanis victory speech, recalling his own experience as a young Gujarati immigrant in New York City in the early 1980s. He describes the citys harsh yet vibrant character, marked by diversity, inequality, and the dominance of wealthy elites.

A rum capitalist defends champagne socialists

The article explores the concept of champagne socialists. It argues that these individuals, who enjoy a good life while advocating for equality, can be effective proponents of socialist ideals. Their lifestyle serves as a powerful advertisement for sharing wealth. The author suggests that this approach can reach broader audiences than traditional socialist methods.

Don't get patronising about womens cricket success

The Indian womens cricket teams World Cup win sparks reflection on how middle-aged men often use awkward or patronising language when praising women athletes, revealing evolving gender perceptions in sport.

Indias consumption story finds a new rhythm: the weekend economy is replacing the festive surge

Younger Indians, especially those aged 18-25 years, are leading this shift toward experience-based spending. They spend on dining, travel and entertainment as expressions of identity rather than indulgence. Women, too, are central to this change. With growing financial independence and digital fluency, their influence extends across categories. Multi-earner families are turning weekends into collective consumption moments, blending recreation with lifestyle choice.

From Brain Fog to Brain Rot: When junk content becomes the new junk food

Regular consumption of junk information can cause brain rot, impairing focus and reasoningmuch like junk food harms the body. A 2025 study found AI models trained on low-quality data also suffer brain rot, producing flawed reasoning and errors. The principle garbage in, garbage out underscores why data quality remains crucial for both humans and machines.

The fate of Trump tariffs and US trade agreements, including with India, hangs in balance

Supreme Court justices scrutinised Donald Trump's tariffs. Concerns arose over presidential power to impose tariffs, traditionally a congressional prerogative. Justices highlighted constitutional issues regarding the taxing authority. A ruling against the tariffs could impact trade deals.

Come clean, MF managers: Lenskart IPO raises a storm of questions on governance, morals

With Indian mutual funds under the spotlight for their involvement in Lenskart's IPO, the conversation has shifted towards the integrity of governance and the reassurance of investor confidence. Financial experts are calling for a shift in practices to improve trust levels.

From unicorn horns to IBC forms: Time to avoid the great Indian startup hangover

India's startup dream faces a reality check as many ventures falter. The article presents nine crucial questions to evaluate business models. These questions probe customer loyalty, innovation impact and recurring revenue potential. Understanding these aspects is vital for distinguishing lasting success from fleeting hype in the Indian startup ecosystem.

If our cities are to deliver ease of living and doing business, they must start with cleaner ledgers

The urban landscape of India is marred by systemic issues largely driven by disorganized financial practices. To pave the way for more effective city governance, it is critical to implement superior accounting and reporting standards. This change will strengthen the capacity of local governments to effectively plan expenditures and deliver key services to the community.

The Asean mirror: Why India is rethinking its trade strategy

India's trade journey with ASEAN highlights lessons learned from the Aitiga agreement, revealing a trade asymmetry that favored imports. Recent negotiations with the UK and EU demonstrate a shift towards calibrated reciprocity and stricter rules of origin, emphasizing domestic competitiveness and phased liberalization to ensure balanced gains.

Robbing Peter to pay Mary? The real debate behind equal pay in cricket

In a groundbreaking decision, the BCCI has announced equal pay for Indias women cricketersan achievement that is widely celebrated. Yet, as noted in recent discussions, maintaining this equality may be challenging in the long term. With current viewership and revenue figures trailing behind the men's game, achieving true parity will require more than just financial equality.

Non-pensioners must be enabled to earn regular inflation-indexed income with their own savings

The state of India's pension system is concerning, trailing behind many nations. Countless Indians are left without reliable income as they age. Theres a growing call for authorities to introduce alternative financial products aimed at delivering consistent, inflation-protected earnings for non-pensioners. Such initiatives could pave the way for a respectful and secure retirement, driven by individuals' own financial strategies.

Cleaning up growth: Why decarbonising steel and cement must be central to climate strategy

Emerging economies need substantial funds to clean up steel and cement production. These sectors are major polluters and require costly carbon capture technology. China and India lead in emissions and investment needs. COP30 in Brazil should focus on these industries. Incentives for private investment and research are vital for affordable solutions.

Power, pride & succession: The great Tanishqprastha tussle over legacy and leadership

In the heart of the beleaguered kingdom of Tanishqprastha, a storm brews in the wake of the beloved king's departure. The throne, now occupied by a self-proclaimed heir, wrestles with the shadows of dissent and rivalry. An ambitious merchant, once a trusted ally, seeks to seize the reins of the empire by questioning the very essence of its revered samvidhaan.

It was written in the stars: Indias World Cup champions won despite the system, not because of it

India's women's cricket team achieved a historic World Cup victory. This triumph marks the culmination of decades of struggle and sacrifice by generations of players. The win signifies a long-awaited moment for equity in Indian sports. It highlights the resilience and determination of these athletes who overcame numerous obstacles.