Author: New Delhi Post

The sudden death of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, in a Learjet 45 crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026 has triggered not only formal investigations and widespread political mourning but also a surge of conspiracy theories circulating on social media and within sections of the political class. While official agencies have described the incident as a tragic aviation accident, speculation about hidden motives, foul play and political intrigue has gained traction online and in parts of the public discourse. Official narrative: accident under investigation Government and aviation authorities have consistently characterised the crash as an accident. Preliminary reports…

Ajit Pawar, 66, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and one of the most influential political figures in the state’s rural belt, died today, on January 28, when the Learjet 45 he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati. The accident killed all five people on board, including two staff members and two crew. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The immediate official response reflected the gravity of the event: the Maharashtra government announced three days of state mourning, and obituary references were made in the Lok Sabha. Ajit Pawar was not merely a senior…

An analysis of the latest crime data has underlined a stark gendered reality of child sexual abuse in Maharashtra. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that girls overwhelmingly bear the brunt of crimes registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the state. According to Crime in India 2023, analysed by child rights organisation Child Rights and You (CRY), 98.16% of POCSO victims in Maharashtra were girls. Of the 8,639 POCSO cases registered in the state in 2023, 8,519 involved girls, while only 120 cases (1.39%) involved boys. The numbers reveal not just…

In a significant mobilisation of India’s teaching community, nearly 1,000 educators from schools, colleges and universities across 20 states and Union Territories assembled in Bengaluru recently to convene People’s Parliament on Education, rejecting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and unanimously adopting an alternative framework titled the People’s Education Policy 2026 (PEP 2026). Under the banner of the All India Save Education Committee (AISEC), participants said the gathering was not a symbolic protest but the culmination of year-long consultations and conventions held in multiple Indian cities, aimed at reclaiming education policy as a democratic and parliamentary exercise rather than an…

The Banaras Lit Fest continues to consolidate its position as a serious literary institution with the announcement of the 2nd Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026, declared during an Outreach event at the Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology. Alongside these, the festival also unveiled the Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026, extending its cultural vision beyond literature into the wider domains of public service, institution-building and national life. The most significant recognition this year is the Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award, conferred on Namita Gokhale. A writer of long-standing influence and co-founder of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Gokhale’s honour reflects…

ABOUT THE BOOK In a world obsessed with instant wins and viral unicorns, Failing Before Flying strips away the gloss to spotlight what truly builds a startup: failure, grit, and relentless resilience. This book takes readers behind the scenes of 11 Indian startups that nearly didn’t make it—brands now valued in billions, once standing inches away from exit. These are not tales of easy victories. Founders made wrong hires, launched the wrong products, chased bad markets, and burned through cash. Investors backed out. Yet, through every setback, they chose to learn, adapt, and build again—not by blindly pivoting, but by…

ABOUT THE BOOK “Designed to Win—The Tata Elxsi Story” is a book that gives insight into the success of the Tata Group company. The company is quietly revolutionising the fields of transportation, media and telecom, and healthcare. The book has great components as to how Tata Elxsi delivers innovative solutions across electric vehicles, connected cars, design-led passenger experiences, and software-defined vehicle platforms. What drives Tata Elxsi’s success? What strategies has it employed to overcome significant challenges and emerge as an exceptionally successful organisation that benefits shareholders, investors and consumers alike? What lessons can readers draw from Tata Elxsi in entrepreneurship,…

In the early hours of January 4, the United States announced what it described as a precision military operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power and transferred him to US custody. According to official statements issued by the US President Donald Trump’s administration, the operation was framed as a law-enforcement action aimed at apprehending an “indicted criminal”. Yet the scale of military deployment, the explicit assertion of US authority over Venezuelan territory, and repeated references to oil extraction and administration of the country have placed the episode among the most consequential and controversial uses of American force in…

About the Book Shared Rands, Strategic Interests: India–Nepal Relations in a Turbulent World is a concise and timely exploration of one of South Asia’s closest yet most complex bilateral relationships. Shaped by geography, history and dense human interaction, India-Nepal ties are marked by intimacy as well as periodic tension. This book addresses that reality with clarity rather than nostalgia. The book brings together essays by scholars, diplomats and journalists from both countries, offering a balanced account of how the relationship has evolved and where it now stands. Historical perspectives are used to explain contemporary frictions, not to romanticise the past.…

The year 2025 marked a decisive revival of the book market. Across fiction and non-fiction, history and memoir, children’s literature and thought leadership, a diverse range of new titles made a strong impact, dominated bestseller lists, and shaped public conversation. From compelling narratives and fresh voices to powerful memoirs and rigorously researched works, these books captured readers’ attention throughout the year. Here is our carefully curated list of the standout titles of 2025. Culture, Spirituality & Philosophy Memoirs, Biographies & Inspirational Journeys Social Impact, Self-Help & Motivation Politics, History & Current Affairs Crime, Thriller & Suspense Fiction Romance & Contemporary…