India Today

India Today is the leading news magazine and most widely read publication in India. The magazine’s leadership is unquestioned, so much so that India Today is what Indian journalism is judged by, for its integrity and ability to bring unbiased and incisive perspective to arguably the most dynamic, yet perplexing, region in the world. Breaking news and shaping opinion, it is now a household name and the flagship brand of India’s leading multidimensional media group. Additionally, the weekly brings with it a range supplements like Women, Home, Aspire, Spice and Simply which focus on style, health, education, fashion, etc. and Indian cities.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

India Today

THE STATE OF SURRENDER

RAHUL’S ROUGH START

Who’s That Man?

Tipple Tattle

EARLY BIRD

Gehlot’s Acid Test

MISSING THE MIDDLE CLASS • Once an engine of India’s economic growth, now reeling from the pandemic, India’s middle classes find little comfort in Budget 2022

PANDEMIC STRUCK • India’s middle class is still reeling from the body blows of the pandemic—salary cuts, shaky job security and rising levels of debt. Direct support in Budget 2022 would have gone a long way

BANGING ON EMPTY PLATES • Despite the Centre’s massive welfare schemes, the pandemic saw poverty increase and the emergence of two Indias. The budget continues with the one-size-fits-all approach

UNHEALTHY DIVIDE • NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) published in 2021 shows that poor-performing states in healthcare and education are also home to a large share of the BPL population. The gap between the worst-performing states and the top ones is also growing wider

THE BUDGETARY PUSH • Several poor-performing states have tried to improve standards in healthcare and education by allocating a higher share of budgetary expenditure to these two sectors

UNBALANCED DIET • India is home to 25% of the world’s under nourished people. Even in the best states, figures are high, but gap is stark between toppers and laggards

UNEVEN POPULATION GROWTH • Fertility rates remain high among BIMARU states

HELPING HANDS • Central government schemes to provide relief to the poor

NO BOOSTER SHOT FOR HEALTH • Despite the ongoing pandemic and growing healthcare needs, the sector gets little impetus

HEALTH SPENDS

THE PROMISE IS OVER • There is no more talk of doubling farm incomes, and while the emphasis on green farming is good, the sops continue with no clear future roadmap

‘E’ FOR EDUCATION • The expanded e-Vidya scheme sees a big push in the education budget. Can it bridge the divide?

CRYPTO GAINS SOME CURRENCY

MANDAL ON THE MANDOVI? • Amidst all the personal and party rivalries, a novel factor—backward caste politics—reshapes Goa’s electoral map

CRUMBLING PIE • The BJP and Congress have, till now, dominated Goa’s politics

CHECKS AND BALANCES • A look at the strengths, and weaknesses, of the major players

DOING THE DOAB • Identity or livelihood? Between these two streams lies a dilemma for the voters of western UP, ground zero for the most contentious issues of our time

CHARITY ENDS AT HOME • Hemmed in by rivals within the Congress, the former CM is forced to fight a tough election from a BJP bastion

IT’S PART OF THE KULCHA

ARJUNA WAS ELSEWHERE

HOTEL CALANGUTE: THE WARM SMELL OF SORPOTEL

Thakur? No, Mathur

94 NOT OUT… AND NONSTRIKER, 83

Gotcha Chacha

DHARMA OVER SHARMA

Gratitude: The Key to Happiness • Peace and contentment—the building blocks of true happiness—can only come from recognising the value of what you already have

AGAINST THE GRAIN • FILMMAKER SHAKUN BATRA HAS NEVER PLAYED BY HINDI CINEMA’S RULES,...