Karan Thapar: Hello and welcome to Devil's Advocate. How impressive was Rahul Gandhi's speech to the Confederation of Indian Industry? That's the key question I should raise today with one of India's most highly regarded, modern historian Ramachandra Guha. Ramachandra Guha, in January you described Rahul Gandhi as a well intentioned debutant. In December, you said he was completely mediocre with no original ideas and you suggested that he should find another profession. After his speech on Thursday, have you changed your mind or reconfirmed your opinion?
Ramachandra Guha: Well I really haven't changed my mind. But I would now only stress on the well intentioned. He scales across in his speech as a charming likeable young man, more so in the Q&A. Because a speech, as you know Karan, is prepared by his advisor, not by him. So, he came across as a likeable sincere chap, but confused. I was impressed by how well intentioned he is. I still don't think he is capable of running this country. I don't think he is particularly a hard working or focused politician. But he certainly came across likeable in a way that certainly few politicians do.
Karan Thapar:Would you say that he is still mediocre and he still should look for another profession?...
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09:30 PM, Apr 07, 2013
It is in a way most refreshing to read something non-fiction after feasting on fiction, after a long time. The spell broke with Ramachandra Guha's book, 'Patriots and Partisans'. I remember reading, 'India After Gandhi' by him with great fervor, however that was a long time ago and it was quite a long read. 'Patriots and Partisans' on the other hand is a relatively short read and is mainly divided...
01:02 PM, Nov 28, 2012
Eminent historian Ramachandra Guha speaks about his new book 'Patriots and Partisans', which was launched on Tuesday. ...
11:01 PM, Nov 20, 2012
New Delhi: Historian Ramachandra Guha's India After Gandhi and novels and essays by Gopalakrishna Pai, Kashinath Singh and Manik Sitaram Godghate alias Grace are among 22 books which were awarded prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards for this year. Eight books of poetry, seven novels, three essays and one each short story, narrative history, biography and play were selected for this year's awards. While Guha got the award for his book of...
02:11 PM, Feb 15, 2012
New Delhi: Historian Ramachandra Guha's "Makers of Modern India" is No.1 for the fourth time on the non-fiction section of bestsellers while "Room" by Emma Donoghue has topped the fiction list this week. The top 10 in each category are: Non-Fiction 1. "Makers of Modern India" Author: Ramachandra Guha Publisher: Penguin/Viking Price: Rs.799.00 2. "Obama's Wars: The Inside Story" Author: Bob Woodward Publisher: Simon & Schuster Price: Rs.972.00 3. "Arming...
11:25 AM, Nov 25, 2010
Historian Ramachandra Guha shares his thoughts about his book 'Makers of Modern India' with Rajdeep Sardesai. ...
10:32 PM, Oct 25, 2010
Lok Sabha history is dotted with some truly remarkable moments. ...
03:26 PM, Apr 15, 2009
Elections 1984 and 1991 were impacted by two tragic assassinations. ...
03:21 PM, Apr 13, 2009
How has the poll process changed? The modern historian fields answers. ...
11:47 AM, Apr 09, 2009
Guha tells us who were the first Indians to vote in a General Election. ...
01:37 PM, Apr 02, 2009
In 1952, every Indian citizen above the age of 21 was granted the right to vote. ...
08:19 AM, Mar 30, 2009
He was offered close to Rs 1 crore and more by Harper Collins India. ...
03:26 AM, Mar 28, 2009
Historian Ramchandra Guha says it is the ruling government's license that has led to the shift. ...
10:45 PM, Jan 27, 2009
![March through history: 10 moments that defined India]( "March through history: 10 moments that defined India")
Historian Ramachandra Guha chooses the moments that have made a nation. ...
03:13 AM, Aug 17, 2008
Colombo: Australia's batsmen have been busy tuning their skills in tackling spin and inswinging yorkers ahead of Saturday's World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Batsman David Hussey said on Thursday his teammates have practiced sweep shots, using the feet to tackle spin, and have also played yorkers to brace themselves for Sri Lanka strike bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga during the Group A match. "Three very good days of...
07:24 AM, Dec 25, 2007
The big events in the 60 years of Indian independence. ...
12:51 AM, Aug 12, 2007
Eminent historian Ramchandra Guha chats with IBNLive readers on India after Gandhi. ...
01:53 PM, Aug 09, 2007
The eminent historian and author chats on India after Gandhi. ...
10:07 AM, Aug 09, 2007
Historian Ramachandra Guha’s latest book was a daunting task for him as it took him eight years of research writing it. ...
04:19 PM, May 04, 2007
