Voting begins in the epic 2014 Indian election tomorrow. In the first in a series profiling the character, history and expectations of the various regions as they get their turn to vote, Nirupama Subramanian visits the remote north-east.

The monumental scale of the BJP's "Modi-slide" - and the humiliation of the ruling Congress party - is explicit in contemplating the breakdown of seats in the next Indian Parliament. 

Despite the street protests over attacks on women in India in recent years, issues of violence, gender and women's representation have been largely lost in the election campaign, argues Swati Parashar.

Energised by a new leader with a formidable mandate, India is about to stir. Australia must reach out to capitalise on the moment, argues Amitabh Mattoo.

Indian students at the University of Melbourne reflect on the campaign: Oishik Sircar (doctoral candidate, Melbourne Law School), Mayur Bedre (Master of International Relations) and Shantanu Mehra (Masters of Islamic Studies, Asia Institute) join Australia India Institute fellow Nirupama Subramanian.

In the wake of the ruling Congress Party's near annihilation in the polls, the question is on many lips. Is this the end for the Gandhi family and its epic political legacy? By Mosiqi Acharya 

Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Nicholas Reece and Nirupama Subramanian go through the key features of the election in this Election Watch primer presentation.