Urbanpostcard

Tale of two rallies: Kejriwal’s band baaja Vs Sheila’s snooze fest

Arvind Kejriwal has taken Sheila Dikshit head on. But their campaigns couldn't be more different. Dikshit climbs on a stage and reads a prepared speech. Kejriwal leads vehicle rallies through crowded markets complete with a marching band.

First Sachin, now the aloo in biryani. The world is ending.

Some of us will remember this week as the week Sachin Tendulkar played his last test in Kolkata. And others will remember it as the week we lost the aloo in our biryani. Both threaten our very notion of civilization.

From 1908 to 2013: Stories of unlikely desi activists in US

If Independence Day makes us rue we don't have real heroes anymore think again. A walk in Berkeley uncovers some unexpected desi heroes showing that South Asians have never stopped speaking out.

Lessons in loss: A Delhi postcard

A man grappling with the death of his older brother suddenly runs into a long-lost classmate, one he had pegged as a future socialite. To his surprise, he finds her life has taken an unexpected route. And it carries a few lessons for him as well.

Marriage, Diet Coke, mayoral elections: Gay Pride's changing face

Occupy Kolkata: Notes from a noisy 'silent' march

A great citizens march in Kolkata to protest violence against women drew several thousand people. It was supposed to be a silent march but so many Bengalis in one place means anything but that.

Kagaz ki kashti: Memories of monsoons past

There's something timeless about a flooded street during the monsoons. Something very familiar, even nostalgic. But look closely, and you will see it's not quite the same.

What I gained from losing my wallet in Phnom Penh

An Indian tourist confronts the ultimate nightmare abroad - losing her wallet with her money, credit cards and ID. Yet she gained something far more precious than the lost dollars and riel thanks to a tuk tuk driver in Phnom Penh.

ADB's cover-up advisory: Why it's valid for all Delhi women

The Asian Development Bank has caused a lot of sniggers with its advice to delegates to keep their legs covered in Delhi. But they might just have a point at least outside bubbles like Khan Market and Hauz Khas.

The ABC of the IPL: What you miss on TV

The home team KKR lost. Shah Rukh Khan wasn’t there. Sachin Tendulkar scored two runs off six balls. But the IPL has its own craziness that you just don't get when you watch it on TV.