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Devyani Onial
Devyani Onial is National Features Editor at The Indian Express, and heads the Sunday Eye (the paper's Sunday magazine section). She is a long-form journalist known for her deep-dive profiles, cultural features, and reporting from the Himalayan region. Professional Focus Her work is characterized by a strong interest in the arts, history, and environmental issues related to the hills. Her reporting beats include: Himalayan Narratives: Deeply connected to Uttarakhand, she writes extensively on the ecology, history, and politics of the hill state. Biographical Profiles: She specializes in intimate "At Home With" features of legendary figures like Ruskin Bond, Irfan Habib, and Nayantara Sahgal. Cultural Commentary: She explores film, literature, and social shifts, often through a lens of dissent and identity. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent portfolio features significant interviews and historical retrospectives: 1. High-Profile Interviews & Profiles "Nayantara Sahgal on the Emergency and her rift with cousin Indira Gandhi" (June 29, 2025): A rare interview with the 98-year-old author at her home in Dehradun. "Ruskin Bond at home in Landour" (April 26, 2025): A look back at the author’s 91-year journey and his views on Landour's transformation into an "Insta destination." "At home with Irfan Habib: The History Keeper" (Jan 25, 2025): A profile of the legendary historian as he reflects on 75 years of the Indian Republic. "Sudhir Mishra on Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and his new series on the Emergency" (June 28, 2025). 2. Uttarakhand & The Hills "New Year Postcards: 'Women fought for Uttarakhand…we hope for a safer place'" (Jan 1, 2025): Recounting the 1994 statehood struggle and the current anxieties of activists. "Are Uttarakhand’s pine trees to blame for the fires?" (May 19, 2024): A historical and ecological investigation into the "pine cone" problem in Mussoorie and Landour. "The Purola Story: How an Uttarakhand town discovered 'love jihad'" (June 23, 2023): Exploring how social fault lines are weaponized in small hill towns. 3. Education & Society "All about a girl: The first girl to graduate from a 50-year-old boys' school" (Nov 9, 2024): A feature on Shekinah, the first girl at Colonel Brown, a historic Dehradun residential school. "Old Rajinder Nagar... and what series and films don't show" (July 31, 2024): An analysis of the crushing pressure on UPSC aspirants following the tragic deaths in coaching centers. Signature Beats Devyani is particularly noted for her literary-historical approach. She has written extensively on Jim Corbett, defending his legacy as both a hunter and a naturalist (specifically arguing against the renaming of Corbett National Park). She also curates the "Explained Books" section, recently covering the legacies of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and...
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More From Devyani Onial - Page 3
Ansari’s visit brightens Algeria plant prospectsSubscriber Only
October 20, 2016 01:42 IST
With Algeria’s phosphate reserves standing at over 5 billion tonne, India is looking to set up a joint venture mega fertiliser plant with a possible investment of $5-7 billion.
Thu, Oct 20, 2016
Secularism bedrock of Indian democracy: V-P Hamid AnsariSubscriber Only
October 18, 2016 03:42 IST
Hamid Ansari said, “The superstructure of a democratic polity and a secular state structure, put in place in modern India, is anchored in the existential reality of a plural society.”
Tue, Oct 18, 2016
Hungary pledges support to IndiaSubscriber Only
October 17, 2016 01:18 IST
Orban was addressing the media along with Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari at the century-old Parliament building Sunday after the signing of two MoUs between the two countries.
Mon, Oct 17, 2016
Fight against terrorism is now a universal subject, says VP Hamid AnsariSubscriber Only
October 16, 2016 02:48 IST
Ansari arrived in Budapest Saturday evening, and over the next two days of his visit, two MoUs will be signed with Hungary, including one on water management — the Cabinet cleared the proposal for which two days ago.
Sun, Oct 16, 2016
The Patriot Game: Starring Arnab the hero v/s artistes as villainsSubscriber Only
October 06, 2016 15:35 IST
Much has changed in succeeding years but it seems the artist is still the villain.
Tue, Nov 01, 2016
Shaktiman statue pulled down before inaugurationSubscriber Only
July 13, 2016 01:10 IST
Chief Minister Harish Rawat was supposed to inaugurate the statue but declined to do so, and on Tuesday morning residents woke up to the missing statue.
Wed, Jul 13, 2016
To Salman: Next time your muscles ache, try ‘painful’
June 22, 2016 15:28 IST
Unfortunately, rape is a word tossed around casually, often by men, sometimes by women. And among the stars, Salman Khan isn't the only one. Remember Chatur's speech in 3 Idiots?
Wed, Jun 22, 2016
Happy days are here again
June 12, 2016 01:10 IST
For those who lived in boarding schools, summer holidays came with the promise of late mornings, books and endless food.
Sun, Jun 12, 2016
Fire on the MountainSubscriber Only
May 14, 2016 23:43 IST
Forest fires are a common occurrence in the hills of Uttarakhand, but this year, the magnitude has been much higher. The story of a village in Tehri Garhwal and the resistance of its women shows why the local community needs to be the first line of defence.
Sat, May 14, 2016
As Sushma responds to US mother’s tweet, daughter gets medical aid in Dehradun jailSubscriber Only
May 13, 2016 07:54 IST
Colette Smith’s friends said she has a host of medical issues and her health has been deteriorating in prison.
Fri, May 13, 2016
Back as CM, Harish Rawat thanks Centre, Mayawati, party leadershipSubscriber Only
May 12, 2016 02:38 IST
The Centre had imposed President’s Rule in Uttarakhand on March 27 after nine Congress MLAs voted with the BJP in the House on the Appropriation Bill on March 18.
Thu, May 12, 2016
Uttarakhand floor test: Congress has numbers, Supreme Court the resultSubscriber Only
May 11, 2016 04:00 IST
The House Speaker disqualified the rebels, and the decision was upheld later by the High Court and Supreme Court, which paved the way for the floor test.
Wed, May 11, 2016
Uttarakhand floor test- A tale of 2 MLAs: Arya in, Arya outSubscriber Only
May 11, 2016 02:38 IST
The Indian Express profiles the two MLAs who switched sides Tuesday.
Wed, May 11, 2016
Uttarakhand floor test: Assured of results, says ousted Cong CM Harish RawatSubscriber Only
May 10, 2016 13:50 IST
The PDF with its four members and two BSP MLAs went with the Congress.
Tue, May 10, 2016
Uttarakhand floor test concludes, SC to declare result WednesdaySubscriber Only
May 10, 2016 12:43 IST
The Congress is confident of getting the numbers. To win, any party has to have the support of 31 MLAs.
Tue, May 10, 2016
Uttarakhand: Nervous Congress gets a BSP signal of supportSubscriber Only
May 10, 2016 05:14 IST
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were invoked in Dehradun from 5 pm ahead of the floor test to be held under strict guidelines of the Supreme Court.
Tue, May 10, 2016
Uttarakhand crisis: In Dehradun, BJP and Cong brace for big testSubscriber Only
May 09, 2016 21:21 IST
The run-up to the big day saw state leaders in a last-minute huddle with national leaders of both parties holding meetings the whole day.
Mon, May 09, 2016
Uttarakhand: Advantage Congress as rebels remain disqualifiedSubscriber Only
May 09, 2016 17:01 IST
After weeks of number crunching, the floor test in Uttarakhand on Tuesday will finally show just who has the numbers.
Mon, May 09, 2016New ‘bribery’ video surface, Harish Rawat alleges threats; focus on BSP MLAsSubscriber Only
May 09, 2016 02:52 IST
Taking potshots at Rawat, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday said he was power hungry and could go to any extent to remain in power.
Mon, May 09, 2016
Uttarakhand: We are presuming it is a House of 61, says BJPSubscriber Only
May 08, 2016 02:49 IST
The Uttarakhand High Court judgment on the disqualification of the nine Congress rebels will be pronounced on Monday, but Bhatt says they are preparing for the floor test without counting the rebel votes.
Sun, May 08, 2016
Uttarakhand crisis: Harish Rawat welcomes SC order on floor testSubscriber Only
May 07, 2016 04:39 IST
Uttarakhand BJP chief Ajay Bhatt said it was ironic that the former CM should accuse them of luring MLAs.
Sat, May 07, 2016
60% doused in Uttarkhand fireSubscriber Only
May 04, 2016 05:18 IST
“There are 7 or 8 major fires in Garhwal now, of which a little over half are fresh fires,” said Sanjay Gunjyal, IG, Garhwal. There was more relief with rain being reported from Uttarkashi and some parts of Garhwal.
Wed, May 04, 2016
Understanding a burning issue for India’s forestsSubscriber Only
May 03, 2016 01:00 IST
Over 4,500 hectares have been affected in Himachal Pradesh, some 40% more than the 3,185 hectares in Uttarakhand.
Tue, May 03, 2016
Uttarakhand crisis: Harish Rawat accepts his ‘presence’ in sting CDSubscriber Only
May 02, 2016 03:02 IST
Deposed Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who had so far been insisting the sting CD of him was "fake", on Sunday virtually accepted his presence in the video.
Mon, May 02, 2016Modi tsunami destroyed our work: Harish RawatSubscriber Only
April 24, 2016 01:59 IST
Confident about proving his majority if the floor test is held on April 29, Rawat dismissed the BJP’s claim of enjoying a majority.
Sun, Apr 24, 2016Journalism of Courage
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