THE WEEK India Magazine - May 11, 2025

In this issue

PAHALGAM MASSACRE: INDIA’S MILITARY OPTIONS

We are giving our forces a lot more muscle, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at THE WEEK Defence Conclave

Counter-terrorism efforts are being strengthened by a government-led civil society outreach aimed at uniting the public against terrorism

POPE’S FAREWELL: Smell of flowers in the air, shuffle of pilgrims’ feet, sweat of bodies under the Roman sun—witnessing Pope Francis’s final journey

UNTOLD STORIES: A special jackfruit variety, planted by and named after his father, fetches S.S. Paramesha over Rs1 crore annually

@LEISURE: Most Chettinad mansions in south Tamil Nadu now stand as faded echoes of their former grandeur, though a few Chettiars are making efforts to restore them

Tire them out and hit them

Pahalgam has been avenged, partly. Only the knockout punch remains. It will be delivered at a time, spot and in a manner that India and its armed forces, or its other coercive arms, choose.

2 mins

The fifth nerve

Doctor, it is like a tiny gremlin tap dancing on my face!” exclaimed Mrs Sharma, a vivacious woman in her late 40s, who, despite her current predicament, still managed to accessorise her pain with a rather stylish scarf. “And not just any tap dancing,” she continued, her voice rising in pitch, “but the kind with those steel-tipped shoes! The ones that make you want to hide under the table!”

2 mins

ASSERTING POWER ON A GLOBAL SCALE

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to THE WEEK: India is preparing to meet multi-domain threats

4 mins

PLAY THE LONG GAME

India should combine firmness against external threats with compassion and foresight in Kashmir to lay the foundations for a secure, resilient country

6 mins

LOCKING AND LOADING

Escalation is imminent, and multiple arms of the government are on the task

7 mins

THE TRANSFORMATION

Former chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force speak about India's military preparedness and challenges

6 mins

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The state of play on the India-China border will have a major implication on the assistance that China can give to Pakistan

3 mins

GENERAL MISCHIEF

As his country faces failures on foreign, economic and military fronts, army chief General Asim Munir has resorted to the age-old tactic of raising tensions with India

3 mins

WHO'S WITH US?

Countries fighting terrorism and radicalism are quick to identify with India over Pahalgam

3 mins

PERIL IN PARADISE

The tragedy has shattered Pahalgam's spirit, plunging the tourism industry into deep uncertainty

4 mins

STATUS QUO

Terror attack put restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood on hold

2 mins

Omar Abdullah-no 'playboy politician'

Curse be upon me if I ask for statehood now,” said a visibly moved Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, responding to the dastardly terrorist attack on innocents in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives.

2 mins

'FORTRESS INDIA' NOW ONLINE

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches Fortress India, a microsite of THE WEEK, dedicated to defence reporting

1 min

Pilgrim's progress

Smell of flowers in the air, shuffle of pilgrims' feet, sweat of bodies under the Roman sun—witnessing Pope Francis's final journey

4 mins

Pope Francis wanted more women in Church leadership

WHEN THE COLLEGE of cardinals gathers in the Sistine Chapel for the third conclave in 20 years, they will face a complex question: should they choose a successor who will continue Pope Francis's vision, or chart a different course?

6 mins

Hitting the JACK POT

A special jackfruit variety, planted by and named after his father, fetches S.S. Paramesha over ₹1 crore annually

5 mins

It's not cricket

As I picked up the car keys, I made the mistake of telling my wife that I was going to the neighbourhood liquor shop for some beer.

3 mins

RESTORING LOST GLORY

Most Chettinad mansions in south Tamil Nadu are mere shadows of their magnificent past. A handful of Chettiars are trying to revive them

4 mins

Lake of magic

The laws of existence were shattered during illusionist Rob Lake’s first performance in India

4 mins

Putting people first

It was February 2008. The aircraft settled on to the tarmac at Changi airport. As I stepped into the terminal, it felt like entering a meticulously organised world.

2 mins

SHOULD NEW MOMS EXERCISE?

New moms should try to incorporate at least two hours of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise each week during the first three months after childbirth, according to new guidelines published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

1 min

COMMON SUGAR SUBSTITUTE MAY BOOST APPETITE, HUNGER

SUCRALOSE, A WIDELY USED SUGAR substitute and the main sweetener in Splenda, may alter brain activity related to hunger and actually increase appetite and feelings of hunger, especially in people with obesity.

1 min

HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES LINKED TO HIGHER HEART RISKS

A LARGE DANISH STUDY published in The BMJ has found that certain hormonal contraceptives can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

1 min

ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY ACCELERATE COGNITIVE DECLINE IN DEMENTIA PATIENTS

ANTIDEPRESSANTS are often prescribed to dementia patients to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, aggressiveness and sleep disorders. However, a Swedish study published in BMC Medicine finds that a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can speed up cognitive decline in dementia patients.

1 min

TWO DRUG COMBO CAN SIGNIFICANTLY CUT RISK OF HEART ATTACK, STROKE

A STUDY PUBLISHED IN MAYO CLINIC Proceedings suggests that combining two cholesterollowering drugs could prevent thousands of deaths annually from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.

1 min

WHAT ARE THE HEALTHIEST DRINKS FOR KIDS?

THE BEVERAGES CHILDREN consume are just as important as the food they eat. Many drinks marketed to kids, including sports drinks, juices and sodas, contain added sugars that can lead to dental cavities and are associated with long-term health risks such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

1 min

THE PAIN OF PASSION

Repeated strain injury is a gnawing concern among gym-goers

6 mins

Privates message

Efficient communication with both children and parents is key while tackling urological disorders

7 mins

food 10 myths, debunked

In a country as culturally rich and diverse as India, food is more than just sustenance—it is tradition, identity and emotion. However, along with time-honoured culinary practices, many misconceptions about diet and nutrition have also taken root.

3 mins

Tuning in

V.K. Vinod Nair wants to apply a holistic approach not just to individual health but to society as a whole

4 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.