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Sushim Mukul

Sushim Mukul

Senior Sub Editor

Sushim Mukul is a keen observer, with interest in polity, geopolitics, culture and heritage.

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BY Sushim Mukul

Global

Why Baloch women are taking up arms, raining death on Pak forces

Baloch women fighters played a key role in the BLA's recent coordinated attacks across Balochistan. The involvement of women in the Baloch armed movement is part of the broader trend. After peaceful protests over enforced disappearances and exploitations failed, with men jailed or killed, the once-silent Baloch women are picking up arms, and even turning suicide bombers.

Before the recent attack involving two Baloch women, the trend involving female fighters had begun with the 2022 Karachi University bombing. (India Today Image)

Sunday Special

How Dilan Teer Bija from Pak's Lyari became a hit at Indian weddings

A Balochi song, Dilan Teer Bija, has been a must-play at shaadis in India's Hyderabad for years. Dilan Teer Bija was a political song of Benazir Bhutto's time from Karachi's Lyari, the canvas of Dhurandhar. But how did a PPP song become a staple in marriages in India? This Sunday Special reveals the unusual journey of music across borders.

Before the 1987 polls, Dilan Teer Bija, became Benazir Bhutto's PPP's anthem. Now people in Hyderabadi weddings go crazy on it. (Image: Vani Gupta/India Today Digital)

Business News

How freebies bled Indian economy. Economic Survey suggests a Brazilian model

The Economic Survey 2025-26 flags the unchecked rise of freebies provided by the state governments in India. It says they are draining public finances, widening deficits by leaving little money for investments in infrastructure and human capital. It argues that reforms are needed to the freebie culture, and urges policymakers to adopt outcome-linked, time-bound models like Brazil's Bolsa Familia.

freebies

History Of It

When Ajit Pawar's swap deal helped uncle Sharad remain Defence Minister

In 1991, when PM PV Narasimha Rao named Sharad Pawar the Defence Minister after Congress's election victory, it was Ajit Pawar, a first-time MP, who gave up his Baramati Lok Sabha seat. The move allowed his uncle to contest from Baramati, enter Parliament and continue in the Union Cabinet. But a swap deal was involved too.

Both the Baramati Lok Sabha and Assembly seats have been represented by Ajit and Sharad Pawar. (India Today Image)

The Big Picture

Why BJP is facing the heat over UGC's caste equity rules

The BJP, which receives solid support from upper caste groups, is facing pushback over the UGC's new equity norms to deal with caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. This is why the BJP is being faulted for the UGC's new norms. The Supreme Court on Thursday put the new rules on hold.

Students at the Arts Faculty of Delhi University protest against the UGC equity rules on Wednesday. (PTI Image)

Explained

Are small planes more prone to accidents? If so, why?

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was killed in a crash involving a small charter jet, the Bombardier Learjet 45. This has put the spotlight on the safety of small aircraft. While they are not inherently unsafe, smaller planes are more prone to accidents, show data. This is what makes smaller aircraft prone to crashes compared to the bigger ones.

A Bombardier Learjet 45 typically seats 8-9 passengers, while an Airbus A380 can seat over 500 passengers in standard airline configuration and more than 800 in an all-economy layout. (Image: Author)

The Big Picture

India helped Bangladesh weave a success story. It'll now fight it out in Europe

India didn't just help Bangladesh in its 1971 Liberation War but supported it throughout its development journey. India helped Bangladesh build the ready-made garments sector, which helped pull millions out of poverty. Some say India sacrificed its own textiles industry for that. Now, that very sector will see competition from Indian exports, especially in the European markets.

In 2025, Indiam exports to Bangladesh declined by 5.02% (to $828M). The Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express, suspended in July 2024, remains cancelled indefinitely. (Image: Author)

History Of It

Netaji's Great Escape train completes 160-year run in India

After choosing armed struggle over a Gandhian non-violent path, one of India's greatest sons, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, left the country forever in January 1941. Executing a detailed plan, Netaji boarded the Kalka Mail, which is India's oldest express train and would soon complete 160 years.

A digitally imagined representation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Gomoh station, moments before he boarded the Kalka Mail in 1941. (Image: Author/IndiaToday)

News Analysis

As Carney points a finger at Trump, four fingers pointing back at Canada

At Davos, Canadian PM Mark Carney was right in saying the old order is broken. But Canada cannot pretend it was merely a bystander to the making of American hegemony. Having prospered as the US's closest ally for decades, Ottawa now wants to lead a middle-power bloc. Isn't that off the Mark?

Canadian PM Mark Carney, without naming US President Donald Trump, criticised the US hegemony. (Image: Reuters/Getty/IndiaToday)

News Analysis

Why a seat on Trump's Gaza Peace Board could be a landmine for India

For New Delhi, US President Donald Trump's invitation to its much-hyped Gaza Peace Board could be less of an easy opportunity and more of a diplomatic tight-rope walk. Here we tell you why the membership could force India to balance the pull of a Trump-led platform against its long-standing principles and commitments.

Trump's Gaza board contrasts with the UN General Assembly's universal and inclusive character. (Images: UN/AP/IndiaToday)
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