English newspapers

IT was nine days ago, on a FaceTime call to my best friend Laura, that her frustration with my bewildered, preoccupied face got the better of her and she exclaimed: “For goodness sake, get on Tinder and meet people. You need the distraction, woman!” She was right. This third lockdown has hit me hard — like so many others — and while our struggles are all relative, I’ve found the lack of social interaction tough. Although I live in a nice house and have a great outside space, I’m basically at home with a 12-year-old boy, Malcolm, a 16-year-old girl, Martha, and a dog with leukaemia. The only other adult I see is my ex-husband whenever he picks up or drops off our son. Oh, and obviously I see people on my dog walks. But something has certainly been missing. I have to admit, I have been un­com­promising about the prospect of dating apps. Not only am I a technophobe — I took 12 months to transfer my old phone to my new one ­­— I’m also an old-fashioned bird. I like … [Read more...] about I joined Tinder at 53, I won’t date anyone younger than 26 especially if they send me pics of their ‘Sergeant Major’

'Today, Dalits can become IAS officers, doctors, IPS, MLAs, MPs and even the President due to the Constitution.' IMAGE: Bhim Army Sena members stop a train during the Bharat Bandh call given by Dalit organisations against the alleged dilution of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act in Patna, April 2, 2018. Photograph: PTI Photo On Monday, April 2, north India witnessed violence during the Bharat Bandh protests which were called by Dalit organisations to protest against the dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Already under pressure, the Narendra D Modi government faced internal rebellion when one of its own, Savitri Bai Phule -- the Bharatiya Janata Party MP who represents Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich Lok Sabha constituency -- accused the BJP of not doing enough to defend the rights of Dalits in the country. "I am not opposing the Government of India. I am only saying give respect to Dalits," an anguished Phule tells Rediff.com 's Syed … [Read more...] about The BJP’s Dalit MP who wants Modi to walk the talk

IMAGE: Dalits enforce the closure of markets during a protest in Ahmedabad July 20 against the assault by cow protectors in Rajkot. Photograph: PTI 'Only the smoke is coming out now. Let us prevent the lava from coming out by taking proper measures.' T hough P S Krishnan , 84, retired after three decades of service as an IAS officer in 1990, as the secretary to the Government of India, he continues his work for the socially deprived classes in India. Krishnan, below, left , has been on numerous government committees after retirement, and is currently the advisor to the government of Telangana on backward classes, and the government of Andhra Pradesh on identification of and reservation for socially and educationally backward classes among Muslims. He is also a member of the National Monitoring Committee for Education of SCs, STs and Persons with Disabilities, and a member of the Central Monitoring Committee of the National Mission for Empowering Women. One of the … [Read more...] about ‘You are sitting on a volcano of Dalit anger’

'It is not happening in the same manner as it was happening during the time of the Peshwas.' Image only published for representational purposes. Bhima-Koregaon near Pune witnessed tension and violence this year when Dalits, like they have done for many years now, congregated at the site of the battle between the East India Company and the Peshwa's forces exactly 200 years ago. Aiding the British in the battle of Bhima-Koregaon were the Mahars, a Dalit community who claim the victory against the Peshwa empire as their own and commemorate it every year. This year, events took on an added edge with Jignesh Mevani , the newly elected Dalit MLA from Gujarat, visiting the site, incorporating a Jay Stambh or victory memorial, to pay tribute. Violence broke between those marking the victory over the Peshwas and those protesting the commemoration, in which one person was killed. The Battle of Koregaon on January 1, 1818 marked the last confrontation between the … [Read more...] about ‘There is a Brahminical resurgence’

FROM toy-boys to sizzling sex parties, fifty-something women are getting their kicks between the sheets in all kinds of ways. It will no doubt be a hot topic of conversation for Sex And The City ’s Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte when the show returns to our screens, titled And Just Like That and focusing on life for the trio in their fifties. To get in the mood, Claire Dunwell and Rebecca Pascoe talk to three women about what sex is really like for women in their sixth decade. I’m having the best sex ever with a man 20 years younger SHAKTI SUNDARI has been married twice but says sex with her new partner, business owner Rob, 36, is the best she has ever had. The mum of two and tantric sex teacher, who is from North London, says: " SEX has always been a huge part of my life and now I am in my fifties it is the best it has ever been. "I was a virgin until I was 21, got married at 24 and the sex was so boring. I remember thinking: 'This can’t be all there is.' After my … [Read more...] about I’m 56 and having the best sex of my life with a man 20 years younger – he’s more of a match for my energy and stamina