In this issue

Droupadi Murmu's remarkable journey from the tribal hinterland in Odisha to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Also read, an exclusive interview with award-winning journalist Tina Brown, and why Ladakh's people aren't happy with the Centre's promises.
These and much more in the latest issue.

Livid in Ladakh

Three years after Ladakh became a Union territory, its people are not happy with the Centre’s promises; the Dalai Lama’s visit could break the ice

5 mins

THE MATRIARCH OF MAYURBHANJ

The remarkable story of Droupadi Murmu's rise from rural Rairangpur to the Rashtrapati Bhavan is one of resilience, pain and hope

8 mins

Peaks and lows

Santhals have many achievers among them, but most in the tribe have a long way to go

4 mins

A day with the Santhals

Simple folk, they are known for their nature worship and colourful culture

4 mins

Disjointed front

Opposition unity seems to be a pipe dream, especially after the coup in Maharashtra

4 mins

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHAPTER IS OVER FOR ME

Viswanathan Anand is back home in Chennai after a hectic tour to pro-mote the Chess Olympiad that Mahabalipuram will host from July 28 to August 10. He also recently played the Leon Masters in Spain, which included a field of Boris Gelfand, Andrey Esipenko and Jaime Santos. That is Anand at 53; he picks and chooses events, with enjoyment being the main criteria. He is not ready yet to retire, but he now has other chess-related things to do and enjoy. One of these was setting up the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy, where he mentors some of India’s most promising talents. He is currently world number 13, but rankings do not matter to him anymore. He now wants to ensure that the next wave of Indian chess players breaches the top 10; the highest-ranked Indian after Anand, right now, is P. Harikrishna at 25. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Anand looks at the chess he is currently playing, the next generation of Indian players, his plans for the coming years and the different demands on his time. Excerpts:

8 mins

Tina Brown On Queen Elizabeth's Dysfunctional Family

Tina Brown's new book on the British royals is deeply researched and filled with delicious anecdotes

5 mins

THE GOOD BAD

The feral joy of watching Vijay Varma as flawed, devious and all too human

4 mins

THE MAN & HIS MAGIC

India’s most famous man is also its most polarising. He also makes for great copy. No wonder then that there has been a proliferation of books on Narendra Modi— from hagiographical to bitterly critical—ever since he became prime minister in 2014. The latest tome comes from senior journalist Ajay Singh, who writes about the pragmatic party builder behind, as his fans would call him, the haloed statesman.

4 mins

WHEN A MOCKINGBIRD KILLS

Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi is a gripping tale of a serial killer who dared to taunt the cops

3 mins

Read all stories from THE WEEK India

THE WEEK India Magazine Description:

THE WEEK is an Indian English-language news magazine published by The Malayala Manorama Co. Pvt. Ltd. It was founded in 1982 and is the largest circulated English news magazine in India.

THE WEEK covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, society, and culture. The magazine is known for its in-depth reporting and its balanced coverage of the news.

THE WEEK has won numerous awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism and the National Magazine Award for General Excellence.

Here are some of the features of THE WEEK India Magazine:

* In-depth reporting: THE WEEK's reporters go the extra mile to bring you the latest news and analysis.
* Balanced coverage: THE WEEK's editors strive to present all sides of the story.
* Compelling storytelling: THE WEEK's writers tell stories that will stay with you long after you've finished reading them.
* Thought-provoking opinion: THE WEEK's columnists challenge you to think about the world in new ways.
* Engaging visuals: THE WEEK's photography and design make the magazine visually appealing.

THE WEEK is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian politics, business, and society.