2011: What you read on Firstpost

2011 will probably be remembered as the year of the Lokpal in India, when people came out on the streets to let their leaders know that they had had enough of corruption. In fact, it will perhaps be best known as the year when many peoples across the world decided that their leaders didn't represent them anymore.  It was also the year that parliament was forced to re-examine and re-assert its role and relevance in the country. We looked at our leaders, at the politics of dynasty and how in many ways they had quite collectively, failed us.[caption id="attachment_169335" align="alignright" width="380" caption="The Padmanaswamy temple in Kerals. Reuters"][/caption]But 2011 was also the year of the Kerala temple treasure, where religion and development went head to head. Add in a mix of arrested leaders, the repeated denial of bail pleas, a splash of Bollywood, a few bars of Kolaveri Di, and we have a most eventful year. And a lot of you chose to read, follow, debate and discuss all that was happening here on Firstpost. Obviously some stories held more resonance than others. And as we wind up 2011, here's a look back at the most popular politics, India and economy stories this year. (Measures in terms of page views)1. An open letter to Anna from Rajdeep Sardesai"You’ve become a symbol of change and hope at a time when a scam culture has assaulted the conscience of the nation. But in every battle there must come a time when you must call a halt. That time may well be approaching."Read more2. True cost of Dynasty: Sonia sends us a Rs 5,45,000 cr billThe various freebies and subsidies given and planned by Sonia Gandhi are going to set us back and damage the economy. Can we afford Dynasty any more?Read more3. Royal lie? Kerala treasure temple vault was opened in 2007Till now, it has been assumed that the temple vault hadn’t been opened for 136 years. But the available documents point to a different story.Read more4. Jagan Reddy, India’s richest politician, lied to EC on assetsJagan Reddy's hyperpopular mandate – meant to prove that he is YSR’s true political heir - has been built on what looks like a fib. A Firstpost investigation shows that there is significant undisclosed assets worth over hundreds of crores.Read more5. RIL funnels money and business to Mukesh’s private companiesSure, he’s the boss. But should Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) be paying Mukesh Ambani Rs 4,300 crore for bankrolling his private companies for fuel, transport, power, water and gas distribution?Read more