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Karan Thapar

Karan Thapar is a super-looking genius who’s young, friendly, chatty and great fun to be with. He’s also very enjoyable to read.

Articles by Karan Thapar

Palestine through the eyes of the Israeli State

If one wants to understand the wider relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, they should be aware of how Israel treats its Palestinian citizens

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on December 2, 2023, shows smoke billowing over the Palestinian territory during Israeli bombardment amid continuing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Israel carried out deadly bombardments in Gaza for a second day on December 2 after a week-long truce with Hamas collapsed despite international calls for an extension. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)(AFP)

opinion

Published on Dec 02, 2023 10:39 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

World Cup takeaway: Great team, bad losers

Our cricketers are great players but they have to learn to be good losers. The first is a matter of sporting prowess. The second is a quality of moral fibre

India's Virat Kohli, left, and Mohammed Siraj react after losing the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final match against Australia.(AP)

opinion

Published on Nov 25, 2023 10:50 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Elusive character of Indira Gandhi

After Indira Gandhi, we’ve had other strong rulers. We’ve had many impressively attired prime ministers. So why does Indira Gandhi remain special?

Like Caesar, it’s true of Indira Gandhi as well, the good has been interred with her bones and we only remember the worst. (File)

opinion

Published on Nov 18, 2023 10:39 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Questions Netanyahu’s Palestine policy provoke

Israel has said “obliterating” Hamas is its goal. But at what cost? Is there a level of death and destruction that will satisfy Israel’s quest for punishment?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conference.(REUTERS)

opinion

Published on Nov 11, 2023 10:38 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!

They are voices that cannot be silenced and, therefore, our conscience will continue to speak.

Smoke rising during Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip on October 29, 2023. (Fadel Senna/AFP)

opinion

Published on Nov 04, 2023 10:46 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Bishen, Tiger and Baig: A toast for three friends

“I’m all too aware that often the important thing about friends is the memories that linger with you.”

Bishan’s death on Monday brought back memories of these three friends and this morning, as a toast to them, I want to share them with you.

opinion

Published on Oct 28, 2023 10:54 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

In West Asia, it’s my country right or left

The saddest most lamentable conclusion is that the ground is being laid for another tragic chapter in this unending story of Israel and Palestine.

Israel-Hamas War: A Palestinian boy sits on the rubble of the building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Bureij refugee camp Gaza Strip.(AP)

opinion

Published on Oct 21, 2023 10:36 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Moral choices that confront politicians

Aakar Patel surprises with his novel, revealing a talent for storytelling and deep moral dimension.

After Messiah reveals a talent for imaginative and gripping storytelling alongside the capacity to create characters whose inner struggles give the narrative a deep moral dimension.(Penguin)

opinion

Published on Oct 14, 2023 10:13 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

In divided Manipur, disturbing questions

Manipur throws up disturbing questions from both sides, which is why an answer from just one perspective can only make the situation worse.

The ethnic violence between dominant Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur has since May left at least 175 dead. (PTI)

opinion

Published on Oct 07, 2023 10:00 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

How the West viewed Trudeau’s allegations

How should we respond to such commentary about our country?

opinion

Published on Oct 01, 2023 12:12 AM IST

ByKaran Thapar

The cat that rules 10 Downing Street

Defeat will ensure prime ministers are turfed out of Downing Street. Only death – or old age — can remove the Mouser.

Larry, the official 10 Downing Street cat, seen before the nationwide Clap for Carers to recognise and support National Health Service (NHS) workers and carers fighting the coronavirus pandemic on May 21, 2020.(Frank Augstein / AP)

opinion

Published on Sep 27, 2023 01:11 AM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Ifs and buts about simultaneous polls

We need to reflect on three concerns in particular: The desirability of the concept, the implications of implementing it and the consequences that could follow

One Nation, One Election narrows our democracy by reducing the opportunity for citizens to vote and choose governments. (PTI)

opinion

Published on Sep 16, 2023 10:06 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Reminiscences from a former diplomat

Aftab Seth's memoir, "A Diplomat's Garden," offers a glimpse into the life of an Indian diplomat, filled with action and excitement.

Aftab Seth's deliberate caution is even more apparent when he turns to late former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto(Reuters file photo)

opinion

Published on Sep 11, 2023 02:54 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Save schools from the pitfalls of polarisation

Two harrowing incidents took place in Indian schools. The teachers must be taught a lesson. It’s the least we expect of our government.

The victims are little children. Not only have they suffered physically, but the mental trauma inflicted on them could be deep and ineradicable(Representative Image- File photo)

opinion

Updated on Sep 02, 2023 09:08 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Ruminations on a maverick’s career

Mani Shankar Aiyar's autobiography is long-winded at first, but becomes a gripping narrative with valuable insights into Pakistan and India's foreign service

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar(Photo: Pardeep Pandit/HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Aug 26, 2023 10:21 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

A delightful chronicle of our prime ministers

Neerja Chowdhury's book on six Indian prime ministers combines history and biography with anecdotes and in-depth research, leading to a delightful read

It’s Rao’s relationship with Atal Bihari Vajpayee that transfixed my attention.(HT File)

opinion

Published on Aug 19, 2023 10:25 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Quirks and oddities of past monarchs

Fascinating anecdotes of the foibles and scandals of Pakistan's erstwhile royals

“The Khan explained his position in eloquent Urdu … Jinnah with equal elegance and eloquence in English … Jinnah was as confident he had persuaded the Khan as the Khan was confident that he had persuaded Jinnah

opinion

Published on Aug 12, 2023 08:54 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Politicians can’t stomp on constitutional rights

Gujarat CM suggests making parental consent mandatory in love marriages, potentially breaching constitutional guarantees.

Doesn’t the CM know that unless he can change the Constitution, he cannot make parental consent mandatory in love marriages?(Twitter Photo)

opinion

Published on Aug 05, 2023 11:07 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

The intriguing twists of Ambedkar’s career

A book reveals lesser-known aspects of BR Ambedkar, including his role in the freedom struggle and his struggle to be part of the Constituent Assembly.

Imagine what would have happened if Ambedkar hadn’t made it? (HT Archives)

opinion

Published on Jul 29, 2023 08:54 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Troubling questions on a wrenching video

A horrific incident of rape and sexual assault in Manipur has raised questions about the official response, including the police's role and lack of action.

Members of various organisations stage a protest against the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI)

opinion

Published on Jul 22, 2023 11:59 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

A reckoning with the brutality of caste

In "Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India," Manoj Mitta explores how caste prejudices persist in India, even in the face of caste atrocities.

Even of Ambedkar – and I won’t give away too much – his story is “not one without its share of surprises”. Mitta concludes: “Freedom fighters were not necessarily equality champions.”(HT Archives)

opinion

Published on Jul 16, 2023 01:21 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

3 troubling questions about Manipur crisis

Beyond duty and constitutional requirements, there’s a moral demand for a head of government to articulate the nation’s concern.

First, why has N Biren Singh not been removed as chief minister (CM)?(ANI)

opinion

Published on Jul 09, 2023 09:54 AM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Frost, Nehru, Modi and a book of poems

During his recent US trip, PM Narendra Modi was gifted Robert Frost’s book of poems by the Bidens. Frost was also Nehru’s favourite poet

Jill Biden gifted PM Modi a signed, first-edition copy of

opinion

Published on Jul 02, 2023 03:43 AM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Three lessons from an unforgettable teacher

Guru was the moniker by which Doon School boys knew Gurdial Singh. It was a very apt nickname. It’s also how he’ll be remembered after his death last month.

In the 1960s, Doon valued its sportsmen far more than scholars. This meant that a child who had never swung a cricket bat nor kicked a football was at a significant disadvantage.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

opinion

Published on Jun 24, 2023 08:24 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Tracing the long arc of tennis broadcasts

Football and cricket, unlike tennis, are not individual games. Thus, to understand and appreciate what one player does, you need to know where the others are.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, right, celebrates beating Australia's Nick Kyrgios in the final of the men's singles on day fourteen of the Wimbledon tennis championship(AP)

opinion

Published on Jun 17, 2023 08:42 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

How to hold India’s leaders accountable

PM Modi, for nine long years, has failed to hold a press conference and many people have concluded he’s evading accountability. Let's examine this

In the rest of the democratic world, true accountability is achieved by a different journalistic process.(AP)

opinion

Published on Jun 10, 2023 10:37 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

An unfamiliar portrait of Vajpayee

We all think we knew Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but did we know the man behind the image?

Vajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right by Abhishek Choudhary sheds light on the former PM's life(HT PHOTO)

opinion

Published on Jun 04, 2023 10:47 AM IST

ByKaran Thapar

A memoir sketches a rare portrait of Indira

In his new book, Chinmaya Gharekhan reveals Indira Gandhi was superstitious, loved to amend the drafts of letters, and could spend hours discussing the menu

Chinmaya Gharekhan’s book paints a picture of Indira Gandhi that’s charming and appealing but also a portrait that shows she was often insecure, arrogant and obsessed with her family(HT Archive)

opinion

Published on May 27, 2023 08:31 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

A few warnings for BJP and Opposition

“Our democracy is in crisis, our social fabric is torn, our economy is in peril and we are being dragged back to the dark ages.”

Parakala Prabhakar’s latest book The Crooked Timber of New India: Essays on a Republic in Crisis is a stinging critique of the Prime Minister (PM) and the way he’s transformed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (Wikimedia Commons)

opinion

Updated on May 20, 2023 07:44 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

Take some time off from the poll heat

This morning let me offer you something rather different. It’s a selection of gems culled from the internet and shared by friends.

“Epeolatry”: A person who worships words; (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on May 06, 2023 07:41 PM IST

ByKaran Thapar

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Karan Thapar

Karan Thapar is a super-looking genius who’s young, friendly, chatty and great fun to be with. He’s also very enjoyable to read.

If one wants to understand the wider relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, they should be aware of how Israel treats its Palestinian citizens

Our cricketers are great players but they have to learn to be good losers. The first is a matter of sporting prowess. The second is a quality of moral fibre

After Indira Gandhi, we’ve had other strong rulers. We’ve had many impressively attired prime ministers. So why does Indira Gandhi remain special?

Israel has said “obliterating” Hamas is its goal. But at what cost? Is there a level of death and destruction that will satisfy Israel’s quest for punishment?

They are voices that cannot be silenced and, therefore, our conscience will continue to speak.

“I’m all too aware that often the important thing about friends is the memories that linger with you.”

The saddest most lamentable conclusion is that the ground is being laid for another tragic chapter in this unending story of Israel and Palestine.

Aakar Patel surprises with his novel, revealing a talent for storytelling and deep moral dimension.

Manipur throws up disturbing questions from both sides, which is why an answer from just one perspective can only make the situation worse.

How should we respond to such commentary about our country?

Defeat will ensure prime ministers are turfed out of Downing Street. Only death – or old age — can remove the Mouser.

We need to reflect on three concerns in particular: The desirability of the concept, the implications of implementing it and the consequences that could follow

Aftab Seth's memoir, "A Diplomat's Garden," offers a glimpse into the life of an Indian diplomat, filled with action and excitement.

Two harrowing incidents took place in Indian schools. The teachers must be taught a lesson. It’s the least we expect of our government.

Mani Shankar Aiyar's autobiography is long-winded at first, but becomes a gripping narrative with valuable insights into Pakistan and India's foreign service

Neerja Chowdhury's book on six Indian prime ministers combines history and biography with anecdotes and in-depth research, leading to a delightful read

Fascinating anecdotes of the foibles and scandals of Pakistan's erstwhile royals

Gujarat CM suggests making parental consent mandatory in love marriages, potentially breaching constitutional guarantees.

A book reveals lesser-known aspects of BR Ambedkar, including his role in the freedom struggle and his struggle to be part of the Constituent Assembly.

A horrific incident of rape and sexual assault in Manipur has raised questions about the official response, including the police's role and lack of action.

In "Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India," Manoj Mitta explores how caste prejudices persist in India, even in the face of caste atrocities.

Beyond duty and constitutional requirements, there’s a moral demand for a head of government to articulate the nation’s concern.

During his recent US trip, PM Narendra Modi was gifted Robert Frost’s book of poems by the Bidens. Frost was also Nehru’s favourite poet

Guru was the moniker by which Doon School boys knew Gurdial Singh. It was a very apt nickname. It’s also how he’ll be remembered after his death last month.

Football and cricket, unlike tennis, are not individual games. Thus, to understand and appreciate what one player does, you need to know where the others are.

PM Modi, for nine long years, has failed to hold a press conference and many people have concluded he’s evading accountability. Let's examine this

We all think we knew Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but did we know the man behind the image?

In his new book, Chinmaya Gharekhan reveals Indira Gandhi was superstitious, loved to amend the drafts of letters, and could spend hours discussing the menu

“Our democracy is in crisis, our social fabric is torn, our economy is in peril and we are being dragged back to the dark ages.”

This morning let me offer you something rather different. It’s a selection of gems culled from the internet and shared by friends.

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