Trends | Holding a mirror
From the reach of tech and cosmetics to sexuality, porn and the market price of Husain’s art, INDIA TODAY had its ear to the ground and finger on the nation’s pulse
Sports | On the podium
India demonstrated its organising prowess in the 1982 Asian Games; with panther-like grace, Prakash Padukone conquered the badminton world and hockey had its last golden hurrah
Television | The colourful entry of the small screen
In television, 1982 was the watershed year: the start of both a unified, national DD network as well as colour broadcasts. Soon, Hum Log enraptured a national audience
Maruti | Small car, big drive
From a stalled, beleaguered dream to middle-class revolution, Maruti’s improbable journey reshaped India’s roads, industries and the everyman’s aspirations
Tycoons | Licence Raj moguls
How a new generation of mega-rich tycoons cashed in despite the country’s lagging growth, a rigid economy and public disapproval of private ostentation
Janata in office | Light that failed
What raised expectations after a righteous democratic triumph collapsed from within, its moral centre splintering into petty dissonance
1977 polls | The answer to tyranny
Socialists, Hindutvists, pro-farmer and pro-business parties and Congress dissidents all united to hand Mrs Gandhi a devastating blow
Baptism by fire
Born when free speech was manacled, INDIA TODAY hit the ground running. Its fearless, objective journalism revolutionised the media industry
1975-1985 | The years of upheaval
The 1975-1985 story is also a tale of resilience. This was a time when India was tested in many ways.
Global Eye | Troubles abroad
In its first decade, INDIA TODAY followed the gathering clouds in the region: Islamisation under Zia in Pakistan and the start of the civil war in Sri Lanka
The Emergency | Democracy interrupted
In 21 months, the Emergency changed deep structures of India’s polity. It ushered in a phase of coalition politics and was the first instance of the intimidation of the judiciary, media and civil society
Oppression during Emergency | The heavy hand of the State
From press censorship to extra-judicial custody and torture to forced sterilisation, oppression took many forms—as did acts of resistance
Indira Gandhi | The comeback
Indira Gandhi bided her time as the Janata leaders squabbled. She stormed back in 1980 before the bloody end of her remarkable career
Operation Bluestar | A dark star over Punjab
A toxic mix of political opportunism and identity politics fuelled a spiral of violence that culminated in the tragedy of Operation Bluestar
Communal conflict | Fear and loathing
As the communal climate warmed dramatically in the 1980s, caste was added to the mix in the controversy over the mass conversion of Tamil Dalits to Islam. In Assam, a student-led ‘anti-outsider’ agitation combined with tribal sentiments to spark a shocking massacre of Bengali Muslims
Bhopal gas leak | The tragic cost of negligence
A newsman recalls his experience covering one of India’s most haunting man-made disasters
Entertainment | The rise of the angry hero
Anger—at injustice and inequality—spilled out on to streets and into gritty films. Its unlikely mascot? A lanky, unconventionally handsome man they often called ‘Vijay’
Cricket | On top of the world
The 1983 World Cup win ushered in a new age and announced the emergence of India as a new cricketing heavyweight
