Best Of The Week: The Stories Worth Your Time

Scores of articles, videos, podcasts piling up? And when you finally get to them, how many are actually worth your time?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed. So, we’ve changed track.

Swarajya now commits to publishing only one or two well-researched, in-depth articles each day — on politics, economics, technology, foreign policy, culture, and more.

No fluff. No filler. Just what's worth your time.

Still unsure? You decide. Here’s the best from this past week:

1. Ilaiyaraaja: A Life of Syncopated Symphony

A maestro who defies convention—Ilaiyaraaja’s upcoming symphony, Valiant, is set to debut in London. But why did his previous symphony, recorded with the London Philharmonic in 1993, never see the light of day? A critic’s review, an artistic grudge, or something else? The legend's journey through Indian and Western classical music is nothing short of extraordinary

2. India’s Q3 GDP: What’s Worth Celebrating And What’s Worrying?

The economy rebounded with 6.2% GDP growth, but private investment is stagnant, urban consumption is slowing, and savings are declining. Can India sustain high growth, or are we heading toward trouble? Read more.

3. BJP’s Urban Comeback: How Did They Flip the Narrative?

After setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP turned the tide in Maharashtra and held firm in Haryana. Was it a smart recalibration or just the opposition fumbling? We break down the real story hidden in voting data.

4. Xi Jinping’s Secret Tech Summit: What China’s Moguls Were 'Told'

For the first time since 2018, President Xi met China’s top tech CEOs—including Jack Ma. Is Beijing re-embracing its private sector, or just tightening its grip? With AI, semiconductors, and global dominance in play, China’s next moves could shake up the world.

5. USAID & J-PAL: The Foreign Influence Shaping Indian Elections?

Why is a US-backed research group so invested in Indian voter behavior studies? Are these just “poverty alleviation” projects, or tools for manipulating elections? This investigation uncovers the hidden levers shaping India’s democracy.

5. Masir-i-Alamgiri: What Aurangzeb's Own Chronicler Says About His Bigotry?

Audrey Truschke and Western historians spin a secular tale of Aurangzeb. But what does an official Mughal account actually reveal? A historian who worked under Aurangzeb for 22 years left behind a record—one that contradicts modern revisionism.

That’s it. One to two stories a day. No clutter, no noise—just sharp, meaningful insights.

Make space for what truly matters. Read what’s worth reading.

Until next week!