Gandhian idealism, which consumes the practitioner, could also cleanse souls. His best followers were those who cleaned toilets to become ideal scavengers.

The sly interplay between idealism and ideology keeps excess at bay. In these times of ‘total politics’ in India—characterised by a jam-spread of hatred that leaves isolated, targeted individuals meekly facing a gargantuan State—that healthy mutual vigil has been summarily suspended.

Gandhiji’s vision of India—a moral, secular version of village life and economy—was the opposite of Nehru’s ideals of socialism, democracy and science. Both made compromises in their stands.

Any business has a direct effect on the social condition. In a society such as ours, where the divide between the rich and the poor is gigantic, it becomes the ­responsibility of ­entrepreneurs to act ethically and give back in some way.

Is celibacy or singleness a prerequisite to seek an ideal world? It’s another matter that marital pleasures are fine for temple deities with their consorts.

Call it coincidence or civilisational ­acumen, atop mountains of the Indian political landscape sit ‘single’ leaders

Social acrtivist Medha Patkar has been at it for 30 years with Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), protesting against large dams such as Sardar Sarovar on the river and demanding justice for the displaced.She talks to Outlook about the tougher challenges ahead...

Not tainted ‘opportunism’ but conscience subjugated by ideology is what stands between idealism and the Leftist. Choosing empathy over polemic may turn the tide, leading to reconciliation instead of the familiar spiralling of crimes and suffering.

Early 20th century saw several social reform movements in Kerala succeeding in varied degrees. Yet an undercurrent of casteism persists today to the benefit of politicians.

For great political victories, idealism is a precondition. The ­outstanding success of the BJP and the Sangh ­parivar shows how true it is even in this era of practical politics.

Kerala Muslims have largely followed the path of peace—it’s been one century free of violence. Of late, extremism is rearing its head, but the literate state still has the antibodies.

Broadminded global politics did find proponents in the Indian subcontinent early last century. The country today is embracing hardline positions.

Cinema, the site of endless possibility. Could there have been a better place to create our ­utopias? The ‘independence’ generation tried, then decades of the ‘nation-state’ experience brought in fatigue. Now the landscape is barren, selfish, but flowers bloom in corners.

A school for kids of remote Himalayan villages. A school for Bhil-Bhilala children in the Vindhyas. People chasing dreams, despite the despair. No, idealism isn’t dead.

Indian art issued forth from a deep need to establish an ideal aesthetic. Market forces have hewn off the two, but a vanguard still explores the frontiers.

Simulated to exhibit the best in the human ­spirit, sport was the site of ideal competition. Now, ­individual glory is the one rule of the games.

Holding fast to their beliefs, gaols didn’t daunt, death nor defamation deterred them. We recall them thus.

As India celebrate the 70th Independence Day, an excerpt from Krishna Sobti's recollections of the first I- Day celebrations in the capital-- “Goron apne gharon ko lauto/ab yeh desh hamara hai, ab yeh raaj hamara hai"

As India celebrate the 70th Independence Day, an excerpt from Krishna Sobti's recollections of the first I- Day celebrations in the capital-- “Goron apne gharon ko lauto/ab yeh desh hamara hai, ab yeh raaj hamara hai"

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