Gopalkrishna Gandhi read English Literature at St Stephen’s College, Delhi. A civil servant and diplomat, he was Governor of West Bengal, 2004-2009. He is currently Distinguished Professor of History and Politics at Ashoka University
Articles by Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Take my word for it
It is fascinating to study the history of words, their origins, and how they change over time. But sadly, going into word-roots is becoming rarer by the day, writes Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Updated on Mar 08, 2013 09:48 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Women extraordinaire
The Mahatma — and the Indian Independence movement — lost two determined and courageous women on February 22: Valliamma in 1913 and Kasturba in 1944, writes Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Updated on Feb 22, 2013 10:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi, New Delhi
Not music to our ears
By denying classical music its rightful place on the Padma platform, we are undermining our tradition of giving artistes much-deserved recognition, writes Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Updated on Feb 09, 2013 01:24 AM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Only half our story
We hardly know anything about the wives of several of our great leaders. This is in keeping with our mentality that regards wives as ornamental appendages. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jan 26, 2013 02:45 AM IST
Regal relics of the Raj
It is time something was done in concert to map all historic buildings like the Raj Bhavan of Kolkata and restore them delicately and prudently, Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jan 11, 2013 11:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
The essential India
This year gave us many joys and disappointments. But as long as there are schoolchildren like the ones I met recently, the country has hope. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Dec 28, 2012 11:40 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Getting back on track
If the parties to the Singur case reach an understanding through mediation, the result could herald the agriculture-industry balance that West Bengal urgently needs. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Dec 14, 2012 10:08 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
A time to remember
As 2012 comes to end, three Indians — vastly different in their temperament and lifestyle — have left an indelible mark on me. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Nov 30, 2012 10:30 PM IST
Difficult to define
I do not know what horripilate means. And I do not care since I know the actual thing: coincidence experiences. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Nov 16, 2012 11:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
A symbol of Kakayuga
The crow is cruel and cunning because we are also like that. It need not be our national bird, but it is a national fact, a symbol and a shameful one at that, writes Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Updated on Nov 02, 2012 09:58 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Perfect reverberations
There is no such thing as a perfect being and perfect behaviour. There are only perfect acts and perfect moments. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Oct 19, 2012 11:05 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
India’s Vibgyor man
Unlike many leaders we have today, LM Singhvi thought of and spoke for India as a whole. Sadly, he has become yet another casualty of our systematic amnesia, Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Oct 05, 2012 11:43 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
I’ll say it my way
The slew of economic reforms that the Union government announced recently shows that today’s India is a divided truth. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Sep 22, 2012 01:08 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
It’s not a smart choice
Cleverness is not intelligence. But in India today, the former is seen as a desirable extension of the latter. This blind investment in cleverness is dangerous, Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Sep 07, 2012 10:16 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
In step with tradition
Jawaharlal Nehru wanted culture — and not politics — to guide the relationship between India and Sri Lanka. Admirably, both have managed to stick to that concept. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Aug 24, 2012 08:50 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Frame the future now
Remembering the Mahatma is not at all gratuitous. His life and teachings are relevant even today for India and the world, writes Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Updated on Aug 11, 2012 12:52 AM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Dangerous dichotomy
The Maruti strike is symbolic of two competing cultures in India. The poor are trying to balance hunger with resources while the rich are grabbing all they can. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jul 28, 2012 01:29 AM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
A flagstaff of a man
Radhakrishnan made India realise that the vice-president’s office was not a decorous redundancy but a vitally useful acquisition. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jul 23, 2012 11:53 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Mahatma's choice
Gandhi wanted our first president to be someone who was a political and a moral leader. He placed his trust in a harijan khadi worker, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, writes.
Updated on Jul 08, 2012 11:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
A man to remember
In a country which once had a selfless leader like Jayaprakash Narayan, there is not much idealism left in politics today, Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jun 15, 2012 11:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
We are small men
The great causes of today’s India, where mighty forces are at work, beg great responses. But we are not providing those, thanks to our obsession with short-term gains. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jun 12, 2012 11:42 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
A few home truths
Owning up to falsehoods deserves admiration. For, if lying comes from cowardice, admitting to it takes courage. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on May 18, 2012 10:36 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
The future is now
J&K’s unique bio-diversity, its heritage and resilient people can give the world a model of life. In return, we must give the people the answers they are looking for. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jul 23, 2012 11:55 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Hazratbal, Srinagar
A renaissance man
In his respect for first principles and his ability to look beyond short-term gain, former president R Venkataraman outclassed many politicians of his generation. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Apr 20, 2012 09:26 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
He’s a moral aquifer
In India, there is distrust between society and the State and among different limbs of the State. We could do with the healing touch of the Dalai Lama. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Apr 08, 2012 08:59 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Cruel to be?...kind
India can do with some cruelty in many areas which are not just fiscal. The State must also be kind to itself by listening to advice from our great leaders. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Mar 23, 2012 09:26 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
A blot on democracy
Voters came out in droves in the 2012 assembly elections. We should not let the extensive use of black money overshadow this positive development. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Mar 09, 2012 10:33 PM IST
None | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Packing quite a punch
Politicians slam their foes for power and preferment. But who will slam those who are mauling our civilisation and ecology? Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Feb 24, 2012 11:30 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Beyond the spectrum
The Supreme Court verdict on the 2G scam points not to a grim and grey cloud as much as to its silver lining. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Feb 10, 2012 09:32 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi
We must never forget
Countless brave and unknown people gave their lives to keep India secular and sane. Many continue to do so even today. It's time to honour these martyrs. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.
Updated on Jan 30, 2012 11:02 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Gopalkrishna Gandhi