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Martyr’s Day: Artistes pay tribute
Porbandar (Gujarat), Jan 30 Sixty-two years after Mahatma Gandhi's death, nearly 150 artists from across the country have assembled at the beaches here to mould the sand to depict his life and values in time for Martyrs' Day here on Saturday.
Mobile temple for lord Hanuman!
Port-of-Spain, Jan 30 A mobile temple with a seven-foot tall idol of Lord Hanuman is travelling through Trinidad and Tobago as part of a religious procession being taken out by the Hindu community in these islands.
Hampi's royal fest concludes
Hampi (Karnataka), Jan 30 Curtains came down late Friday on the three-day 500th anniversary celebrations of the coronation of the Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya in the ruins of this renowned world heritage site here.
At age 77, cardiologist runs 101st marathon
Chandigarh, Jan 29 Even after creating history in Mumbai on January 17, where 77-year-old Ashis Roy competed in his 100th marathon, the determination to keep running is only growing stronger for this tireless runner.
'Coronation' breathes life into Hampi ruins
Hampi (Karnataka), Jan 29 The ruins of Hampi, the capital city of the mighty Vijayanagara empire for over 300 years in medieval India, have turned into a beehive of activity five centuries after its greatest emperor Krishnadevaraya was coronated in circa 1509.
Ladies' club, where passion meets business
Mysore, Jan 28 You have heard of ladies' clubs, but a ladies' kite club? Kite flying may not be one of the usual hobbies that you hear women take to, but here in Mysore, 10 women who love the sport have come together to form this unique club of women-only kite flyers.
From Finland to Kerala: An elephantine affair
Thekkady (Kerala), Jan 28 It was love at first sight for Laura Gafmine. A native of Finland, she has fallen so much in love with elephants that she is now learning to be a mahout.
How about some Hebrew qawwali
New Delhi, Jan 28 He sings soul-stirring Sufi songs - and he does it in Hebrew. Israeli composer Shye Ben-Tzur believes even if the language is unknown to listeners, they will enjoy if 'the music touches their heart'.
AIDS patient inspires others
Chandigarh, Jan 27 She may be suffering from AIDS, but that has not stopped 28-year-old Pooja Thakur from working for the welfare of other HIV positive patients here - a courage and commitment recognised by the government that honoured her with a state award during the Republic Day celebrations.
Hampi set for coronation 'again'
Hampi (Karnataka), Jan 27 The stage is set to relive the grand coronation of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya on Wednesday at this world heritage site five centuries after he founded the empire in the Deccan plateau of south India.
Radio programme specially for soldiers
New Delhi, Jan 27 A radio programme started during World War II for Indian soldiers posted in Afghanistan has not only gone from strength to strength but has also got its first woman announcer.
Netaji's aide to hand over 'legacy'
New Delhi, Jan 22 Eighty-nine-year-old Trilok Singh Chawla, a close aide of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has a wish before he breathes his last - to return to India two pistols belonging to the freedom fighter - and has sent his son from Thailand to meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Hansiba weaves a success story
Ahmedabad, Jan 17 Twenty-three years back, Hansibaben was just another artisan in a little known village in Gujarat. Today, at 92, she has a cloth brand named after her which has reached such heights that international names are scurrying to have tie-ups with it.
Florence Nightingale of Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Jan 20 In 1998, Shashiprabha Devi stood outside the Capital Hospital here with a strange request. A week into retirement, she wanted to return to her job as a nurse. And she did not want to be paid for it.
Some disabled people conquer all
New Delhi, Jan 16 Some of the disabled conquer everything including their disability.
'A lot of money is given to backward classes to study for employment examinations but we don't get anything,' said Delhi-based Pradeep Raj, both of whose legs are polio- stricken.
God is with devotional music
New Delhi, Jan 16 Devotional music is one genre that has shown no decrease in popularity in India at a time when all other genres of the Rs.7.3 billion a year industry have been affected by Bollywood music, say singers and music sellers.
Astronomy, faith meet in Haridwar
Haridwar, Jan 16 Tradition and astronomy fused on the banks of the Ganges during the annular solar eclipse Friday as temples shut their doors and covered the idols in muslin shrouds and bathers completed their morning pre-eclipse rituals by the time the sun went into the shadow of the new moon.
Faith, science mark solar eclipse
New Delhi, Jan 16 Millions of Hindus bathed in holy rivers and tanks across India after a four-hour celestial spectacle that turned the sun into a 'Ring of Fire', bringing out science enthusiasts to view and record the rare event.
A dip into peace: Bathers at Mahakumbh
Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Jan 15 Deep, unquestionable faith. That's what millions of bathers at the first ritual bath of the Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar shared as they carried forward a centuries-old Indian tradition by taking a holy dip in the Ganges river on Thursday and emerged feeling blissful.
American Buddhist monk displays rare snapshots
New Delhi, Jan 15 A rare snapshot of the Dalai Lama standing on a mat with his hands folded is part of an exquisite collection of 20 black and white photographs that American Buddhist monk Nicholas Vreeland has put together for an exhibition in the capital.
Bollywood advises on student stress
Mumbai, Jan 15 Aamir Khan starrer '3 Idiots' has spurred Bollywood personalities to look at their educational qualifications, how they got their degrees and how students should lead their lives.
Combating climate change, with help from Lord Ram
Sonbhadra/Lucknow, Jan 14 Ram, Ramayana and global warming — the association may sound odd, until you realise how the religious context helped an NGO in Uttar Pradesh combat the ill effects of climate change.
'Chalo Kerala' from January 17
New Delhi, Jan 14 Wondering what holidaying in Kerala would be like? Just drop in at Nizamuddin station Sunday for a view of a stunning montage of backwaters, beaches and the wildlife. Chances are you would come out only to pack up for a trip to God's own country!
Bird fights, feasting on Bhogali Bihu
Hajo (Assam), Jan 14 For a trophy and cash reward of Rs.2,001, up to 400 birds and their owners are locked in a bitter fight — an event that marks Bhogali Bihu, the harvest festival in Assam beginning on Thursday.
Kite festival is a threat to birds in Gujarat
New Delhi, Jan 11 Bird lovers say Gujarat's killer kites are out again. As Uttarayan festivities grip Ahmedabad city, environmentalists and wildlife officials all over the country are concerned over the safety of the winged beauties.
I've gone back to childhood in Lahore
New Delhi, Jan 11 In his new series of works, leading Indian contemporary artist Krishen Khanna has travelled back in time to his days in pre-partition Lahore, which today lies in Pakistan.
Odissi dancers enthral audience at youth fest
Bhubaneswar, Jan 11 The rhythm of Odissi dance — one of the famous classical Indian dances from Orissa — performed by artistes from across the country enthralled the audience on the third day of the National Youth Festival here on Sunday.
India takes cue from French architecture
New Delhi, Jan 11 Courtyards, shaded porticos, built-in gardens, water and solar harvesting and narrow streets — India is taking cues on sustainability and eco-friendliness in architecture from France, considered a champion of new-age architecture.
Jumbos get land as New Year gift
New Delhi, Jan 9 In what is being described as the first such conservation step in Asia, more than 25 acres of land has been donated to the Karnataka forest department so that wild elephants can move freely through a dedicated corridor between two reserve forests.
Theatre music takes in from the world
New Delhi, Jan 8 From Bal Gandharv, who gave the Marathi stage a definite musical genre in the early 20th century, to eminent music director Bhaskar Chandavarkar, who fused traditional Indian music with western jazz and folk, Indian theatre music has acquired a more global face.
This Delhi man collects Metro cards!
New Delhi, Jan 8 When Anil Marwah walked into the Anand Vihar Metro station on Thursday morning and got the first Metro smart card, it was his 13th — one for each of the routes in the Delhi Metro network that has been inaugurated since 2002.
New Year agony on Indian sailor's world voyage
Panaji, Jan 4 Learning to make do with numb hands, a busted autopilot and a couple of rebellious bolts... that's the sum of Commander Dilip Donde's New Year story on board the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei on his daunting marine expedition around the world.
Indian film industry enters New Year with many global milestones
New Delhi, Jan 1 Three Oscars, collaborations with Hollywood studios, a doctorate for Shah Rukh Khan and many more -- the Indian entertainment industry made its mark on the global arena in 2009. Now it is set to move forward with international projects like \'Kites\' and \'My Name Is Khan\' and Grammy nominations for A.R. Rahman and Amjad Ali Khan.
Take home Delhi Metro for Rs.10,000!
New Delhi, Jan 1 In the New Year, be ambitious. Don't buy a motorcycle or a car, instead take home a Delhi Metro train and that too only for Rs.10,000 — well, at least a handcrafted model of the train.
Pak artists bring 'Truck Art' to India
New Delhi, Dec 31 Lanterns, mugs, cups, kettles and jugs painted in colourful floral patterns are just a few examples of Pakistan's well-known Truck Art tradition that have been brought here by an NGO from the country that is participating in the ongoing annual Dastkari Haat Samiti festival.
Tai Ji can make Indian yoga more effective: Chinese-American master
New Delhi, Dec 31 Tai Ji, the ancient Chinese martial art and dance form, can be used for making Indian yoga more relaxing and spontaneous for effective healing and circulation of positive energy in the human body, globally acclaimed Tai Ji master Chungliang Al Huang says.
A tryst with the mythical age in Orissa
Bhubaneswar, Dec 28 Do you want to slip into a time machine and move back to a mythical age? An entire town in western Orissa transports itself back to the Dwapara Yug, one of the four ages described in Hindu scriptures.
Shrine that plays postman to god
Orissa, Dec 28 God's divine intervention can be sought in many ways — you can pray silently, speak aloud or sing. Or you can drop a letter at a shrine in Orissa's Khurda district where devotees believe that god is a reader.
Did Christ come to India to study Buddhism, Vedas?
New Delhi, Dec 25 The spotlight is back on Jesus Christ and his India connection as the world celebrates Christmas Friday. Some historians believe he spent 17 years of early life — from the age of 13 to 30 — in India learning Buddhism and the Vedas.
Irulas say tsunami changed their destiny — for better
Chennai, Dec 24 It's one of life's brilliant ironies. The tsunami that struck India's east coast exactly five years ago in 2004 brings back only sad memories for most — but not the Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu. The killer wave brought them relief they had always been deprived of.
Tagore's chair, teapot found in Bangladesh
Dhaka, Dec 24 A chair and a teapot that Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore used have been found in Bangladesh, over six decades after the poet's death.
300-yr-old 'Sunheri Quran' to shine in museum
Lucknow, Dec 23 A 300-year-old ancestral 'Sunheri Quran' (Golden Quran), with its pages in the shape of golden leaves, the most prized possession of an Uttar Pradesh Muslim family, may soon become the centre of attraction at a museum.
Warm home-stays amid snow-clad Himachal mountains
Shimla, Dec 22 How about celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year in a snug wooden cottage amid the orchards with the snow-clad Himalayas in the backdrop? Himachal Pradesh is promising tourists a cozy year-end with local cuisine and folk culture shows thrown in for good measure.
Indian classical music is spiritual: Khans
New Delhi, Dec 22 Young sarod maestros Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, the sons of legendary sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, feel Indian classical music has an edge over its counterparts 'in terms of years'.
Youth to educate Karnataka's poor kids
Bangalore, Dec 21 Like any other teenagers, Anitha and her classmate Mamtha, both school students in India's tech hub Bangalore, dream to achieve ''big'' in life but are shackled by poverty. Now help is at hand for such poor children in Karnataka to achieve education.
Get ready to cross swords with Rani Lakshmibai!
Lucknow, Dec 19 Rani Lakshmibai, the fiery queen of Jhansi, had taken up arms against the mighty British in 1857 to free her country, and now she might cross swords with you in an action-packed computerised game at a museum.
Western Ghats campaign for the masses
Bangalore, Dec 18 Long before words like 'climate change' came to hit common lexicon, a group of environmentally conscious people in India took up the cause of the Western Ghats, one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots.
400-year-old Jharkhand drummakers struggle to keep trade alive
Adharjhor (Jharkhand), Dec 17 In the heart of a dense forest in the Patamda block, this ramshackle village of 100 thatched huts is fighting a tough battle to keep afloat its 400-year-old traditional craft -- making percussion instruments.
Mumbai remembers 26/11 victims
Mumbai, Nov 26 Sending the strongest possible signal that they would not be deterred by terror, Mumbaikars went to school, college and office as any other day on November 26 but also paused in their tracks to honour the memory of the 166 people killed in the devastating 60-hour terror strike last year.
Bihar villagers get green electricity
New Delhi, Nov 20 A technology that converts rice husk into electricity is gaining ground in Bihar. Some 100,000 households in the state already use electricity produced from biomass and their number is steadily growing.
Flying foxes get sanctuary in Jharkhand
Jamshedpur, Nov 20 Every evening, as dusk gathers on the smoking chimneys of this iron and steel township, an army of giant vampires creeps out of lairs on a small island in the middle of a lake.
Taste of India for US soldiers
New Delhi, Nov 3 Up with the sun to sit cross-legged, finishing the day with curry and naan, the 250-odd US soldiers in India for a fortnight-long joint exercise got more than what they expected -- but they weren't complaining.
Who visualised India's N-capacity...
New Delhi, Oct 29 He laid the foundation of India's huge atomic energy establishment almost singlehandedly, nurturing and expanding it with his dynamic vision.
Nehru to Salman: Visiting Delhi's parantha paradise
New Delhi, Oct 29 If the aroma of hot paranthas draws you while walking down a narrow, crowded lane in Chandni Chowk in Delhi's old quarter, you must have ventured into Paranthe Wali Gali. Some of the shops came up more than 100 years ago, but even today the crispy, spicy and even sweet fare on offer seldom disappoints.
Time Hero to find out sparrows
Mumbai, Sep 17 Wake up in the morning and miss the chirp of the house sparrow? The Indian government wants to know where the little birds have gone and has roped in Time magazine's Hero of the Environment-2008 Mohammed Dilawar to find out.
A cycle rickshaw in London!
London, Sep 15 For an outsider, it's a strange and pleasant sight to see the pedicab -- akin to the cycle rickshaw in India -- weave its way across the London streetscape.
The power of music
Agra, Sep 14 Following his brother's death in 1982, Dinesh Shandilya went through severe depression that led him to attempt suicide. And then, in his darkest hour, he discovered music of the flute in the land of Lord Krishna. Today he finds his name in the record books and is a man at peace with himself.
Bhakti songs still inspiring India: Belgian professor
Brussels, Sep 12 Arguing that India is still inspired by Bhakti or devotional songs, a renowned Belgian professor has appealed for more work in the field.
Durga Puja at in Lucknow White House
Lucknow, Sep 12 How about offering prayers at the 'White House' this Durga Puja? A massive marquee, modelled on the grand official residence of the American president, is about to make that happen right here in Lucknow.
Nomad to National Award winner
Mumbai, Sep 11 From growing up in hilly forests to starring in the acclaimed film 'Tingya' to topping at one of Maharashtra's best educational institutes, 11-year-old National Award winning actor Sharad Goyekar's has been a life-changing journey.
A tribute to – James Prinsep
New Delhi, Sep 9 The story of Varanasi or Benares is synonymous with the life of artist-engineer-architect and visionary James Prinsep, who laid the foundation of modern Varanasi in just 10 years before he died in the city prematurely at 39.
Curry in the land of British queen
London, Sep 8 Steaming hot biryani, mouth watering tikkas and kebabs, delicious south Indian dosa, laced Kerala appam and stew are now part of the British palate through the thousands of Indian curry houses that are doing roaring business in Britain.
Rural BPOs: The IT revolution
Baburayanakoppal (Karnataka), Sep 7 For 23-year-old graduate Jayalakshmi, getting a job as an executive at a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm was a dream. But getting it at her village here, near the historic Srirangapatna town in Mandya district, was the icing on the cake.
The celebrity connection
Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 Lady Di replied to him. So did Michael Jackson, Ronald Reagan, Yasser Arafat, Pele and David Beckham. Why you may wonder are royalty and legends corresponding with a humble Orissa villager? Because one fine day, to find out if celebs actually respond, he shot off a letter to Margaret Thatcher -- and she wrote back!
Behind counter: More women breaching gender 'bar'
New Delhi, Sep 2 Glamorous Sani Rijal never feels out of place behind the counter tossing drinks for her customers. She is an ace bartender at the happening Jouk pub in Hyderabad.
To teachers, with love -- and music
New Delhi, Aug 29 They spend their lives shaping young minds and spreading knowledge, but teachers are an unappreciated lot. Now they can sit back and enjoy some good music as a musical tour paying them a special tribute gets going across India.
Now listen to bird calls on CD
Panaji, Aug 26 Now it won't take a sweaty, tiring, mosquito-bitten stakeout in the Western Ghats forests to hear the song of birds like the Drongo Cuckoo, the Pompadour Green Pigeon or the Grey-headed Bulbul.
Kathak-salsa - a happy fusion for dance lovers
New Delhi, Aug 26 What happens when a kathak maestro meets Latino dancers? A medley of footwork, frenetic hip movement, spins and hand gestures, making for loads of 'happiness' on stage.
Curry and Swiss chocolate at Bollywood atop Europe
Jungfraujoch (Switzerland), Aug 26 Shah Rukh Khan winks from the wall as you bite into your chicken curry and wash it down with champagne, your eyes glued to the latest Bollywood blockbuster. You're at Bollywood, the Indian restaurant in the Alps, 3,500 metres above sea level.
India’s answer to Madam Tussauds
Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Aug 25 Children studying gurukul style in the shade of a tree, farmers having lunch in the fields, cowherds milking their cows...The scene is that of a typical Indian village -- yet not a soul stirs. With its lifelike sculptures, the Siddhagiri Museum in Kolhapur district, around 400 km south of Mumbai, is India's answer to Madame Tussauds in London.
'Carnatic music is finding young listeners'
New Delhi, Aug 24 Carnatic classical music, which was losing out to contemporary music in the southern states, is making a comeback, with a spurt in the number of young listeners over the last few years, says leading Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam.
This Lord Ganash is booked till 2028
Mumbai, Aug 20 Nearly 15 years ago, Mumbai housewife Neha V. yearned for a child. Though she and her husband were not known to have any medical complications, they were unable to have a child. This was when they visited the famous Lord Ganesh temple in Andheri west, renowned as 'Andhericha Raja' (King of Andheri).
The winged beauties of Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Aug 18 'I've watched you now a full half-hour/ self-poised upon that yellow flower/ and, little butterfly! indeed/ I know not if you sleep or feed...'
Plants under stress emit more methane, worsen global warming
Toronto, Aug 18 Methane emission by plants in dry or drought prone areas could aggravate global warming more than previously suspected, says a new study.
Kashmir wooing Bollywood back
New Delhi, Aug 17 Sparkling rivers, regal Chinar trees, flowering meadows and snowcapped peaks -- the beauty of Kashmir had been depicted in several hit Hindi movies like 'Aarzoo', 'Kashmir Ki Kali' and 'Betaab' until insurgency hit the valley. After a long hiatus, filmmakers are once again going there and Piyush Jha's 'Sikandar' is the latest to capture the state's picturesque landscape.
'Let's tailor I-Day to celebrate women's freedom'
New Delhi, Aug 14 Women are no longer the weaker sex and this Independence Day is one more occasion to celebrate the fact that they have come a long way from being just traditional homemakers, women designers in the capital said as India enters its 63rd year of freedom.
Success story of Mumbai dabbawalas
Hisar (Haryana), Aug 13 Explaining the secret behind the success story of the Mumbai dabbawalas, the proverbial lunch-box carriers, a senior official of the 119-year-old association, on Thursday said that it was all due to their sheer discipline and hard work.
Remembering 'Aap Jaisa Koi' girl
New Delhi/Karachi, Aug 13 Remember Nazia Hasan, the Pakistani singer whose song 'Aap jaisa koi' in the film 'Qurbani' made her an instant hit in India? Thursday was her ninth death anniversary.
Seeking freedom through art
New Delhi, Aug 13 A large wooden frame with beams looking like iron rods welcomes you to the art exhibition by inmates of the Tihar jail in the capital. As you peep into the frame, the mirror reflects your face and two words 'born innocent' stare back.
Rajasthan folk festival to revive dying musical tradition
New Delhi, Aug 12 Traditional music of Rajasthan sung by the minstrels of Langa and Mangania communities, European gypsy music, flamenco and urban folk music will be the highlights of the Rajasthan International Music Festival (RIFF) at the sprawling Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur October 1-5.
Muslim restores car and principles
New Delhi, Aug 11 Bollywood seems all set to revisit Gandhigiri. But this time it's debutant director Amit Rai narrating a part-fact-part-fiction story on Mahatma Gandhi's principles through his 'Road To Sangam' while telling the story of how a Muslim man restored the vintage Ford truck that carried Gandhi's ashes in 1948.
Chefs 'sweat' to preparing wazwan
Srinagar, Aug 11 The heat saps energy, but there is work to be done. The season of marriages has arrived before the end of summer and chefs are sweating to live up to their reputation of preparing the wazwan, the elaborate Kashmiri wedding cuisine.
Liberty, recognition for jail art
New Delhi, Aug 9 Pawan, a 20-year-old undertrial from Bihar, has found his calling after five in the confines of the capital's Tihar Jail. The inmate of the men’s ward meant for convicts and undertrials between 18 and 21 is now a budding artist.
Buskers of London Underground
London, Aug 9 For 44-year-old Steve Aruni, busking is a way of life. More commonly known as street performers, buskers are people who sing or perform at public places for money.
India tech revolution led by youth
Washington, Aug 6 Saying that the US needs to wake up to the reality of India's technological revolution being led by IIT-educated 'young men and women under the age of 27', President Barack Obama's nominee for deputy commerce secretary said countries like India, China, Brazil and Russia were going to pose a major challenge to American dominance in the coming years.
White House was her beat before Obama was born
Washington, Aug 5 President Barack Obama celebrated his 48th birthday singing Happy Birthday to himself and a veteran scribe who began reporting from the White House in 1960 -- the year before he was born.
Tastes of India spread to the sky
New Delhi, Aug 5 Food on international flights from the country is becoming more of a home-away-from home experience for frequent fliers. You can now tickle your taste buds with a shahi Indian Thaali, gajar (carrot) halwa stuffed in pancakes and grilled masala lobsters. Menus on airlines are acquiring an Indian taste.
Contraband turns treasure in Goa
Panaji, Aug 3 A two-century-old river-front mansion in the Goan capital called the Blue Building is proud of the contraband it houses. For, it's a delightful museum of goods seized by customs and excise officials throughout the country over the last few decades.
Tastes from streets of India
New Delhi, July 31 Pyrelal Gosar, a street food vendor from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, captures the culinary essence of his state in his wooden cart.
Coimbatore company creates 'confidence' in South America
The name of a small but confident company from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu has inspired confidence among Latin American clients in Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Argentina, who have given it orders worth $500,000 for textile machinery. And this, perhaps, is only the beginning.
India to celebrate joy of giving
New Delhi, July 29 Mohammed Sharif, the owner of a cycle repair shop in Uttar Pradesh, seeks out unclaimed bodies, arranges a casket, calls a priest and gives a decent burial to the dead.
Food, hearty laugh in Bangalore
Bangalore, July 29 How about some rib-tickling theatre and delectable dishes thereafter? Come August and that's what many Bangaloreans will do every weekend for six months.
Artisans carve new image for NE
Bangalore, July 24 ''We have come from a distant land, from far-off northeastern India. Hopefully you'll like our indigenous artefacts.' That was what artisans from northeast India say as they welcome hordes of visitors to an exhibition here.
In Leh, you can shop till you drop
Leh, July 23 Breathtaking Leh, this predominantly Buddhist region bordering China, is not just a pilgrimage place for many, a trekking idyll but also, strangely, a shoppers' paradise.
Watching eclipse from 41,000 ft - breathtaking!
New Delhi, July 22 'It was a breathtaking experience,' said 70-year-old Deepak Bhimani, one of the 35 passengers onboard the special flight to watch the century's longest total solar eclipse from 41,000 feet above the ground.
India as seen by Frenchmen
Chittagong, July 21 India and France have collaborated to organise an exhibition in Bangladesh of photos taken by French lensmen Alain Danielou and Raymond Burnier, who stayed at Shantiniketan in West Bengal at the invitation of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Sikh historian from New Zealand passes away
Chandigarh, July 21 The man from faraway New Zealand who came to Punjab in the 1950s as a Christian missionary but ended up being a globally-reputed historian on Sikhs has passed away. W.H. Mcleod, who dedicated over four decades of his life in researching Sikh history, died in Dunedin Monday night, his wife of 54 years, Margaret, informed friends here.
Changing colours of art from India's northeast
New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Once an extension of Southeast Asian art because of the cultural intermingling down the centuries, art from India's northeast is now using photorealism, cartoon and comic techniques and other neo-contemporary styles, says a young art researcher from the region.
A tale of two Paldis -- in Punjab and Canada
Chandigarh, July 18 Creating the twin of an Indian village in faraway Canada might seem improbable even for the Punjabis, who are known all over the world as a progressive community. But the little known village of Paldi in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district already has a namesake near Vancouver.
Young, urban and draped in that six-yard wonder
New Delhi, July 17 The traditional sari is making a stylish comeback in the wardrobes of young women in cities, with corporate honchos, politicians and actresses inspiring the new generation to drape it not only as evening wear but also to office.
Ranchi prisoners paint their way to salvation
Ranchi, July 17 It is a painting of a man behind bars, regretting his deeds. The artist did not have to stretch his imagination to paint the picture -- he just had to look within.
'Indian celebrity fashion inspires designers globally'
New Delhi, July 16 Indian celebrity fashion inspires designers around the world, says Worth Global Style Network (WGSN), an online research and fashion forecaster that aims to work with leading Indian retail chains to raise their level of pret lines.
UK MPs into curry heaven
London, July 16 Order, order: British politicians are addicted to Indian food. And that comes from the Speaker himself.
Bangalore youngsters on 'sabbatical' to plan career move
Bangalore, July 16 Mohit Ahuja, a 17-year-old Bangalore resident, has just come back from a month-long holiday to Singapore and is in no hurry to hit the college campus. He wants to extend his 'vacation' to think over his next career move.
For the people, by the people
New Delhi, July 15 Two municipal councillors in the national capital have decided to put 'power back into the public's hands' by choosing to hear them out before undertaking any development work in their areas.
Sprightly Manmohan takes a walk
Paris, July 15 Others may have wilted but not India's 77-year-old Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who valiantly stood next to French President Nicolas Sarkozy through much of the two-hour Bastille Day parade and then after it was over decided to abandon his carcade to walk to his hotel.
Adventurous life in Himalayas
Sarchu (Himachal Pradesh), July 12 They have families, jobs and a regular little life in Manali. Yet for around four months each year, many local men here give it all up to play hosts to travellers at icy Himalayan camps -- for the sake of an extra buck, of course, but also for some good old male bonding.
When will one see a 'Love in DC'?
Washington, July 12 Bollywood is yet to discover it, but the sights and sounds of historic Washington, from the massive Lincoln Memorial to a statue of the frail Mahatma Gandhi, have made it one of the most filmed cities in the world.
Why does the world weep for Michael Jackson? Text
My cook Kundan was heart-broken. 'Michael Jackson is gone,' he told me in anguish. Kundan hails from a remote village in India. He has never heard a Jackson song nor seen him perform. Yet he was shattered. I wondered why?
A green school amid a cold desert
Shey (Jammu and Kashmir), July 9 Barely 15 km southeast of Leh, the hilly headquarters of Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir, lies one of India's most innovative 'green' schools that operates on solar power and draws on natural elements to provide 'sustainable education' to poor children.
Driver in Kerala remembers Jackson
Payyanur (Kerala), July 8 Amongst the millions who watched Michael Jackson's funeral in far away Los Angeles was the grief stricken Ramesh family here -- a tearful M.V. Ramesh, who was the pop icon's personal driver, and his eight-year-old son Tanuj who held tightly on to the toys gifted to him by music world's ultimate star.
Motorcycle diaries: importance of a safety kit
Leh, July 8 Riding a motorcycle through rough mountain terrain is never easy, but it helps to be well prepared and carry a riding kit that is a safeguard against injury, as the participants of a trip from Delhi to Leh will vouch for.
Save Mt Everest -- with an apple pie
Kathmandu, July 4 Want to save Mt Everest, the universal symbol of grandeur, toughness and adventure? Then eat an apple pie.
Capturing the soul of old Delhi
New Delhi, July 3 A pair of ice cubes in a glass of rippling rose syrup -- the famous rooh afza of Chandni Chowk -- looks good enough to drink from the framed photograph in which it casts its rosy spell. Pair it with the sizzling chicken tikka kebabs sputtering on iron skewers in the frame next door. Yummy!
Buddhist fest adopts green cause
Hemis (Jammu and Kashmir), July 2 Dancers draped in silk moved to the beat of drums, evil spirits were warded off and over 60,000 plastic water bottles were collected as the annual three-day Hemis festival began.
300,000 flowers will blossom in Delhi during Commonwealth Games
New Delhi, July 1Colourful and fragrant flowers will make Delhi bloom during the Commonwealth Games next year. Scientists at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun are busy developing new species of over 300,000 flowering plants for the games.
The men, machines and the mountains
Khardung La (Ladakh), July 2 It was the ultimate Kodak moment for some, a time for tears at a dream finally come true for others. And for all the 50 bikers gathered at the world's highest motorable pass at a dizzy 18,350 ft in Khardung La, the pinnacle of their adventure that started 2,500 km away in dusty Delhi.
When Jackson came to Manikganj
In the year 2000 I was directing a documentary on the impact of satellite television in South Asia. The skies had opened up with the 'dish' technology over this region and, in turn, it had opened the floodgates for a new cultural universe.
Time to sing the requiem for Agra Gharana?
Agra, June 30 The Rajputs passed it on to the Mughals, in whose courts the classical Hindustani music of Agra Gharana flourished. Now, however with few patrons and students left in the city of its origin, is it perhaps time to sing the requiem of the musical tradition?
Women's empowerment at PCO booths
New Delhi, June 28 Anjali Kher, 33, a small-time designer from Srinagar, keeps in touch with her family in the Kashmir Valley from the public telephone booth next to her home in Delhi.
Slurp! There's a Moplah feast in town
Chennai, June 24 Centuries ago, many trading Arabs who visited Kerala ended up staying back and marrying local women. So it was a matter of time before the Arabic influence pervaded kitchens there to give birth to what is called Moplah food.
Assam fair draws devotees, foreigners
Guwahati, June 23 Hundreds of mystics and seers, who claim to possess psychic powers, have gathered at a unique four-day festival at the Kamakhya temple here where thousands of devotees, including scores of foreigners, have come seeking blessings and fulfilment of wishes.
Kinnaur opens doors to tourists
Shimla, June 11 Want to go to the hills for a vacation but bored with hotels? Now you can stay in a tribal villager's home, savour local cuisine and even work in the fields -- thanks to a 'household tourism fest' in Himachal Pradesh.
French, Spanish -- cops speak it all
Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), June 10 Policemen in this village known for its erotic temple sculptures are hard at work -- learning English, Spanish, French, Italian and more. So the next time a foreign tourist asks for help, they can confidently rattle off a 'Bonjour' or an 'Hola'!
Indians take to grooming salons for pet pooches
New Delhi, June 10 Shampooed hair, fresh breath, trimmed nails, fancy boots and hairstyles -- pet dogs in India never had it so good. Grooming salons and special products for man's best friend have become a rage, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Father Jose Akkara and his 50 kids
Aligarh, June 9 Five years ago when a Catholic priest from Kerala took two street urchins from the Agra Cantt station into his protective care to rid them of the 'drug-sniffing' habit, little did he know he would soon be a father to more than 50 kids who had made the railway platforms their permanent home.
Warm hills of Himachal - yes that's right!
Shimla, June 5 Planning to head to the hills of Himachal Pradesh to beat the heat? You might not get much relief, as global warming, declining forest cover and rise in pollution have rendered the hills unusually warm.
Indians, Pakistanis cheer each other!
London, June 4 Nearly 25,000 passionate Indian and Pakistani fans turned up for an exciting and noisy ICC Twenty20 warmup tie at the Oval cricket ground Wednesday, and guess what -- not a single incident was reported.
Success tale of 'visually impaired'
Kolkata, June 4 Mohammad Asif Iqbal, 30, went door-to-door to enlist in a private tutorial before appearing in a management entrance exam, but was refused every time. Reason: he was visually impaired. But Iqbal finally cracked the entrance test on his own.
Journey from farmer to Deputy Speaker
Ranchi, June 2 Karia Munda, 72, named Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha by his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has come a long way from being a farmer.
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