Feb 23 clues & answers
Every clue of this Indian mini crossword by Mangesh Ghogre, with the answer and, where it helps, how the wordplay works. Solve it yourself first: the puzzle is open to subscribers.
Across
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1A
Faces, nowadays (abbr.)
IDS
“IDs” is short for identifications. Nowadays, a person’s ID often includes a photo of their face.
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4A
"Hawa-mahal", "Binaca Geetmala" medium
RADIO
“Hawa Mahal” and “Binaca Geetmala” were popular radio programs in India. Radio is the medium that brought them to listeners.
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6A
Iconic persona on 4-Across, Sayani
AMEEN
Ameen is the first name of Ameen Sayani, the famed Indian radio presenter. He became widely known for hosting the popular program *Binaca Geetmala*.
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7A
Farm animals
GOATS
Goats are animals commonly raised on farms. They provide milk and help clear brush, so “GOATS” fits the clue.
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8A
The "A" of AIR
ALL
AIR can stand for All India Radio. Its “A” stands for “All,” so the answer is ALL.
Down
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1D
Shining example
IDEAL
An ideal is a perfect example of something. So “IDEAL” fits “shining example” as a model worth following.
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2D
Loss-making venture?
DIET
A diet is a “loss-making” venture because its goal is to make you lose weight. The clue plays on “loss” meaning both weight loss and financial loss.
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3D
Tata ___: Indian conglomerate
SONS
“Tata Sons” is the name of the company at the heart of the Tata Group. The group is a major Indian conglomerate, so “Sons” completes the clue.
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4D
Megh Malhar, e.g.
RAGA
Megh Malhar is a well-known raga in Indian classical music. So the answer is RAGA.
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5D
Palekar of "Gol Maal" (1979) and "Farzi" (2023)
AMOL
Amol Palekar is an Indian actor and filmmaker. He appeared in *Gol Maal* (1979) and the 2023 series *Farzi*.