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Indian art collectors' space getting new look
Art collection in India has seen some exponential change in the last 15 years. The fledgling culture of private archives to free art from the clutches of government institutions has led to diversity in buying with a generations of artists and their mediums finding a market.
Spotlight on M.F. Husain, price consciousness
A surge of interest in icon M.F. Husain's art, curiosity about new media work, price consciousness and the realisation that European modern classics can be a viable investment were the dominant trends at the fourth edition of the India Art Fair 2012.
Wine and dine al fresco in capital weather
There is a nip in the air, but the nailbiting cold is gone. Just perfect for you to soak in the sun or bask under a starlit sky while feasting on tepenyaki grills, dimsums and other delights at the capital's many outdoor restaurants and cafes.
Goa was birthplace of Indo-Western garments: Rodricks
Veteran designer Wendell Rodricks has carried the sartorial legacy of Goa to a new level by documenting it in 'Moda Goa' - a first-of-its kind pictorial and illustrative fashion chronicle of the state. He says Goa was the cradle of Indo-Western couture.
Where Indian art meets global creativity
New Delhi, Jan 26: Boundaries crumbled when India met Iran, Germany, Britain, US and Africa under one roof at the India Art Fair which opened to the public here Thursday, promising cutting edge creativity as well as classicism.
A glimpse of historic Cellular Jail in Mumbai
Soon a replica of the world-famous Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with some original fittings and articles, will be seen in Mumbai at the country's first upcoming museum dedicated to revolutionaries of the Indian freedom struggle.
Beyond location, panellists debate Rajasthan in Indian cinema
The exotica of the mysterious Thar desert is inextricably crafted into the psyche of mainstream Indian cinema but it has yet to grow cinematic culture of its own, said panellists at a discussion at the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival Monday.
'Fashion weeks just have entertainment value'
Expressing concern over the growing number of fashion weeks, designer Rahul Mishra, who is known for his contribution to Indian handlooms and has featured in a National Geographic documentary, says most of them lack substance and have only entertainment value.
Delhi's pottery market survives amid posh malls
The colourful and fragile products on sale are an eerie reminder of the precarious nature of their makers' existence. An eye-catching pottery market, an oasis of traditional art set against the glass-and-concrete glitz of tony malls just down a busy south Delhi road, is testimony to both the artisans' handcrafting skill and their struggle for survival.
Author backed cocktails to keep spirits soaring in Jaipur
Sample this: Benquiri, Ondaatje Slammer, Pinker Colada, Kunzru Punch, Dalrymple Breezer - a hotel in this city is paying ode to the galaxy of literary stars who are visiting the Jaipur Literature Festival with cocktails named after them.
Waiting for change: Play talks of contemporary Pakistan
Insha, the saviour who offers the hope of deliverance, and Mansha, the horror of intimidation and repression, have timed their appearance well in a play on crisis-ridden Pakistan which is debating change.
When civilistations clashed over search for syphilis cure
The clash of civilisations through the canons of Eastern and Western medicines and historical ties between the Occident and China play out in a powerful narrative in noted Oxford-based writer Kunal Basu's new fiction, 'The Yellow Emperor's Cure'.
Punjabi filmmakers want to tell realistic stories
Punjabi film industry is churning out 40-45 films a year and getting recognition too, but it feels the need to make real life stories like Iranian cinema and improve production and technology.
My art reflects my affair with Lennon: Yoko Ono
From the 'world's most famous unknown artist' to the 'woman who broke up the Beatles', Yoko Ono has had her share of bouquets and brickbats. The conceptual artist, who is putting up her maiden exhibition in India, says her work is an extension of her 'karmic love affair' with late Beatles icon John Lennon.
A dialogue between Hinduism and Buddhism, via fiction
Diplomat and writer Pavan K. Varma, the author of 16 books, is campaigning for literature in the mother tongue. And his debut fiction, set in India and Bhutan, also offers a dialogue between Hinduism and Buddhism.
Feasting times: A hearty Punjabi spread this Lohri
Come Friday and the streets of Delhi would be dotted with bonfires, sales of revri and peanuts will shoot up and kitchens will be running overtime with traditional Punjabi delicacies like sarson ka saag, peshawari chole and gajar ka halwa on the festival of Lohri.
Scaling language wall with Tagore and Thiyam's theatre
Language has ceased to be a wall in Indian visual literature. In 1910, when Rabindranath Tagore wrote the 'King of the Dark Chamber' and it appeared on stage a year later in Santiniketan on his 50th birthday, little did he know that one day it would jump the regional language divide to render itself in Manipuri - sans subtitles.
NRIs shop, soak in Rajasthani delights in Jaipur
Dal-bati-choorma, lak jewellery, bandhej textiles...Most overseas Indians participating in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here are taking time off from their busy schedule to shop, sightsee and soak in the rich culture of Rajasthan.
Recession makes NRIs want to move back to India
With recession affecting the world economy, people of Indian origin settled abroad are now evincing interest in returning to India where they feel the growth story lies.
Winter of discontent for brides? No way, say designers
The chilly winter and bridal wear might seem an oddity. But not any more, thanks to the modern-western fusion by designers who have created layered outfits, embellished jackets, heavy saris teamed up with corsets and much more in velvet and brocade for brides to enjoy a perfect winter trousseau exuding style, glamour and attitude.
For adventurous holiday, head for Kikar Lodge
How about a getaway in the lap of nature, with adrenalin-pumping adventure sports thrown in? Kikar Lodge in a forested part of northern Punjab may be just the place.
'India can be world leader in handmade textiles'
India's handmade textiles industry can spin magic yarns for both domestic buyers and connoisseurs across the globe but government policies are coming in the way of its advancement, rues crafts impresario Jaya Jaitley, who has been associated with the sector for about four decades.
Winter birds flock to Shivpuri
From across the country and beyond, a wide variety of birds, some of them exotic, have descended on one of India's oldest national parks here.
Nostalgia gets 'shelved' in British-era shop
For most Ind, colonial British India exists only in movies or Kipling's novels. But in a 152-year-old shop in this Dharamsala suburb the British Raj continues to live on.
Wanderlust: On the road to self-discovery
It's 10 a.m. and an eatery at the New Delhi Railway Station is bursting at seams with travellers. Nishant Sinha, 23, is slurping his morning cuppa, thrilled as he sets out on his maiden sojourn to the mighty Himalayas -- all by himself.
A progressive madrassa in the heart of Uttar Pradesh
Breaking the stereotypes associated with madrassas, a 50-year-old Islamic seminary here teaches subjects like personality development and home science, runs an elaborate teacher training programme, has a higher girl enrolment ratio and has students who are no less active on social networking websites than their counterparts in the metros.
Kangris and Kashmiris...one can't be separated from the other
For 40-year-old Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, it doesn't matter whether the art of weaving the traditional Kashmiri firepot, the kangri, was introduced here during Mughal rule or earlier. For Bashir, it is the only livelihood he has.
Dance with a purpose, join in the flash mob!
If you're busy shopping at a packed marketplace and someone next to you breaks into a jig, don't fret, just join in! Chances are it may be a flash mob.
Art, drama and poetry on Karmapa's creative canvas
When Ogyen Trinley Dorje is not busy managing his 900-year-old religious order, the 17th Karmapa likes to do more human and colourful things - painting and writing poetry, songs and plays.
Want to save turtles? Go to Maharashtra for turtle fest
The sleepy, fishing villages around this district will come alive for three days next week when scores of nature lovers gather at the popular nesting site of Vengurla beach bordering Goa for the Turtle Festival.
A community effort to curb suicides in Mumbai
Kumbharwada, a hamlet of potters in Mumbai's Dharavi slums, suffered from a very high rate of suicides some three decades ago. Men, women, young boys and girls or even senior citizens would just walk to the nearby railway tracks and end their lives seemingly at the slightest provocation.
Happily unmarried and living in at 50
Shekhar Malhotra had been living an extremely isolated, morbid life as a single for two years, but five days changed it all. Five eventful days when he walked, laughed, held hands and shared drinks and memories with a woman. Five days when the 68-year-old 'lived-in' with a woman.
Waiting for a white Christmas and New Year in Shimla
Oh, for a white Christmas and New Year! That is now the feeling in Shimla where snow on Christmas has become a thing of the past.
A milestone for girls in Uttar Pradesh village
It is a milestone in education for this remote village in Azamgarh district -- 90 percent of its girls are educated and the number of girl students is over double that of boy students in nearby schools and colleges.
Green stoves burn bright in Bihar's tiger land
More than a hundred households living within Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve have switched from the traditional mud stoves to the more efficient eco-friendly 'chulhas' to reduce their dependency on forest for fuel wood - a move that would boost conservation of the big cat.
Modern Bengal on canvas
The Calcutta Painters - a group of 28 artists which has been trying to break free of the traditional language of the Bengal school of art - has made a historic comeback to the capital after 47 years with a group exposition of contemporary Bengal art.
Ice skaters warm up to Shimla chill
It's that time of the year again in Shimla when a red balloon is tethered to the roof of the British-era municipal corporation building. It signals the opening of Shimla's ice-skating rink, Asia's oldest.
Winter fest, youngsters give jazz a chance
Jazz has always had its share of aficionados in India. But growing avenues of live entertainment along with the rise of internet have forced non-mainstream music genres like it to take a backseat.
Guaranteed a laugh, or get your money back!
Watch it. If you like it, you pay for it. If you don't, you get your money back! That's the offer made by an India-born doctor, who also dabbles in film making, for his third movie released on DVD.
Himachal's snowy peaks pull in tourists
Himachal Pradesh's popular tourist resorts like Narkanda and Manali are wrapped up in a blanket of white, with snowfall turning the hill stations more picturesque and magnetic for holidaymakers.
Capital's centenary: A walk down the Kingsway Camp
One hundred years ago, India - which was a colony of the British empire - spent nearly one million pounds sterling to host King George V at the coronation durbar at Kingsway Camp in the capital on December 12.
German artists connect to India with hip-hop graffiti
A 50-yard stretch of a boundary wall behind the German Embassy overlooking the Nehru Park in the posh diplomatic enclave in the capital has become a live hip-hop graffiti art memorial.
1,000 chicks chirp as storks visit Delhi zoo
A steady stream of chirping fills the air in the city's zoo these days, where two of the three ponds have been taken over by the migratory painted storks. More than 1,000 chicks have been born this season in the nearly 300 nests built by these beautiful birds.
Playing blind cricket - and winning
At age 17, Ranthu Munda is an all-rounder in cricket whose best showing has been 50 not out and 4 wickets for 30 runs. And he feels he can be as good a player as anyone else - although he has zero vision.
Little drops make an ocean, Agra woman shows how
Two years ago, she placed 500 piggy banks in as many Agra shops, asking for donations as low as Re.1 per day. Though her dream to collect enough money to build a hospital for the poor is still far from reality, her little known initiative has already saved a life.
The charms of India's black magic capital
Imagine a tiger lazily walking behind you like a pet dog or a man bleating like a sheep instead of talking. Hard to believe, but then black magic practitioners and elderly people in the small roadside village of Mayong claim such things are possible.
Crossing 'knowledge bridge' on an Azamgarh river
They wanted their children to get good quality education which they were bereft of. So people in a small village of Uttar Pradesh funded a bridge to send their kids to study in a town across the river.
For life without a cellphone - dial in
Ankit Varma pores over his worn out, slightly yellowed diary, tracks his own smudged handwriting for a number and thumbs in the digits on his wired landline.
Doctor by day, musician and writer by night
The scalpel gives way to a harmonium and the surgeon in 80-year-old Samir K. Gupta steps aside for the artist as he gives musical life to some poems of 'Gitanjali' by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Sexual minorities fight AIDS with peer group's help
Belgaum (Karnataka) In a dark room in Belgaum district, they sit together looking comfortable. They are in an office and are not even distantly related. But, as is often true of sexual minorities, the homosexuals and transgenders assembled here are as closely knit as biological families.
With 40,000 winged visitors, Pong wetlands a tiny paradise
Pong Dam (Himachal Pradesh) The Pong dam wetlands are playing home to an estimated 40,000 migratory birds right now, once again turning into a paradise for the flapping beauties from central and northern Asia.
Sexual minorities fight AIDS with peer group's help
Belgaum (Karnataka) In a dark room in Belgaum district, they sit together looking comfortable. They are in an office and are not even distantly related. But, as is often true of sexual minorities, the homosexuals and transgenders assembled here are as closely knit as biological families.
With 40,000 winged visitors, Pong wetlands a tiny paradise
Pong Dam (Himachal Pradesh) The Pong dam wetlands are playing home to an estimated 40,000 migratory birds right now, once again turning into a paradise for the flapping beauties from central and northern Asia.
Kashmir cackles with 600,000 winged visitors
Hokarsar Bird Reserve (Jammu and Kashmir): This premier wetland in Srinagar is in the prime of its beauty these days -- it is host to more than 600,000 migratory birds, with the numbers swelling with each passing day.
Buddhism: Moving beyond faith to heal lifestyle blues
Twenty-nine-year-old Gagan Kaur's life fell apart when her 14-year-old relationship ended last year. A Buddhist monk found her sinking in a private clinic in the capital after an abortive suicide bid.
Kashmir cackles with 600,000 winged visitors
Hokarsar Bird Reserve (Jammu and Kashmir): This premier wetland in Srinagar is in the prime of its beauty these days -- it is host to more than 600,000 migratory birds, with the numbers swelling with each passing day.
Buddhism: Moving beyond faith to heal lifestyle blues
Twenty-nine-year-old Gagan Kaur's life fell apart when her 14-year-old relationship ended last year. A Buddhist monk found her sinking in a private clinic in the capital after an abortive suicide bid.
Kashmir cackles with 600,000 winged visitors
Hokarsar Bird Reserve (Jammu and Kashmir): This premier wetland in Srinagar is in the prime of its beauty these days -- it is host to more than 600,000 migratory birds, with the numbers swelling with each passing day.
Buddhism: Moving beyond faith to heal lifestyle blues
Twenty-nine-year-old Gagan Kaur's life fell apart when her 14-year-old relationship ended last year. A Buddhist monk found her sinking in a private clinic in the capital after an abortive suicide bid.
I am yet to tire of 'bindu': Artist S.H. Raza
New Delhi, Nov 28 He's spent over four decades exploring the 'bindu' - or the dot - central to Indian spiritual iconography, and Syed Haider Raza, one of the country's last few surviving masters of contemporary art, is yet to tire of the 'razabindu' - as the dot on his canvas is described by critics.
East meets West in novel music initiative
New Delhi, November 24 Music is assimilating sounds from across the world to create a new language, says Grammy award winning Austrian musician and composer Gerald Wirth, who is in India to lead a classical music repertoire with 16-year-old musician Tara Venkatesan.
Teaching for unity with the Quran, Bhagavad Gita
Varanasi, November 22 Holding the Quran in one hand and the Bhagavad Gita in the other, Mukhtar Ahmad conducts 'a class of communal harmony' at a madrassa in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district to enable students to draw similarities between Islam and Hinduism.
'Rocket Woman' propels India's missile mission
New Delhi, November 21 Forget breaking the glass ceiling, Tessy Thomas has virtually blasted her way through it. The 48-year-old is the first-ever woman director of an Indian missile project and is set to place India in an elite club of nations like the US, Russia and China with the capability to produce their own long-range Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
Old Himachal fair goes from livestock to gadgets
Rampur (Himachal Pradesh), November 18 Once a centre of barter trade with Tibet, the 400-year-old Lavi Fair here has undergone a sea change, with rural people's changing lifestyles and aspirations resulting in greater sale of gadgets and automobiles than farm implements, livestock and dry fruits.
Remembering Bapu through a 60-yr-old FIR
New Delhi, November 17 It is a reminder of one of the saddest dates of Indian history -- Jan 30, 1948, when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. More than sixty years later, the first information report (FIR) of the incident has been displayed in a police station here 'as a homage' to the father of the nation.
Indian soldiers and 11.11.11.11 connection in Belgium
New Delhi, November 14 Every year, at 11.11 hours on November 11, an Indian Army team is in Ypres, Belgium, to observe the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I.
Soccer training in Brazil for six Kashmiri boys
Srinagar, November 11 With dreams in their eyes and the promise of a bright future, six Kashmiri boys, one of them once arrested for stone pelting, leave for Brazil on Saturday to be trained in football.
Indian-origin businesswoman seeks to give back to Ghana
Accra (Ghana), November 10 An Indian-origin woman - one of the many second generation Indians living across West Africa - is striving to give back to society in Ghana, a country that her grandfather adopted as his home after arriving as a 14-year-old in the 1920s and going on to become a successful businessman.
Thousands flock to modern Indian art show in Poland
Warsaw, November 8 For 10 weeks, a modern Indian art exhibition here wowed Polish artists and thousands of other visitors. It was the first extensive showcase of contemporary art from the country presented in Central and Eastern Europe in recent decades.
Making waste management fun, Bangalore style
Bangalore, November 7 Trust Bangaloreans not to waste an opportunity to turn any effort into fun and a 'habba' (festival). Groups of residents of the IT hub are out to prove that the most neglected aspect of Indian cities - waste management - can be fun and a 'habba'.
Two IITians sowing change in Bihar's farmlands
Patna, November 3 A degree from IIT was the big ticket of Shashank Kumar and Manish Kumar to white collar jobs. But instead of chasing corporate dreams, the two youngsters are dirtying their hands in the fields of Bihar, providing solutions to farmers and trying to bridge the gap between buyers and growers.
'Summers for making money, winters for making merry'
Keylong (Himachal Pradesh), November 2 When bone-chilling winds sweep through its vast expanse and snow blocks it off for five months, the mountain district of Lahaul and Spiti comes to life with its people gathering together to celebrate, eat and drink.
International arts fest kicks off
New Delhi, Oct 30 The 15-day Delhi International Arts Festival will open at the 16th century Purana Quila here Monday with a tribute to Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore by troupes from Santiniketan and South Africa.
Himachal reviving Chamba art forms
Shimla, Oct 30 To protect and revive the decades old, globally acclaimed dying art forms of the erstwhile princely hill state of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh is training and improving the skills of artisans, an official said here Sunday.
Chef blazes a trail—Amritsar to New York
New Delhi, October 23 As a boy in the bylanes of Amritsar, he dreamt of having his own chana bhatura stall. But making dhoklas abroad changed life for Michelin-star chef Vikas Khanna, who is now the proud owner of a New York restaurant, Junoon, runs a catering business and is one of the judges of a new cookery reality show in India.
Hyderabad to host seminar on Islamic art, culture
Hyderabad, October 25 A three-day international seminar on Islamic art and culture will be inaugurated by Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari here from Nov 25, organizing secretary Khalid Saeed said on Monday.
India’s oldest man?
Bhopal, October 20 He may be the oldest man alive in India. If Parasram Gurjar’s family tree is to be believed, he is a good 125 years old.
Childhood fairytales revisited in Indian art
New Delhi, October 13 Art and fairytales have moved together since the dawn of storytelling. But the march of civilization has allowed artists to reinterpret old stories in new ways.
A project for uplift of villagers
Dharamsala, October 9 An integrated approach in a Rs.365-crore project funded by the World Bank appears to have worked wonders in some 600 villages in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, fetching higher self-sustaining incomes and literacy for its residents.
She leads them selflessly from darkness to light
Lucknow, October 7 When Aayushi Rastogi undertook it as a regular university assignment — just for scoring good marks in exams — little did she know that her project would end up in spreading the light of literacy in the dingy lanes of a slum.
Bhopal and books — a forever affair
Bhopal, October 3 From 11th century philosopher king Raja Bhoj to the Nawabs and Begums of the 19th century to waiter Nandkishore Kushwaha of this century, one thing has not changed in Bhopal down the ages — people’s love for penning down their thoughts.
Navratri fasting: Feasting or detoxification?
New Delhi, September 30 Fasting during Navratri doesn’t always have a religious meaning. There are many who observe nine-day fast for religious reasons, but others, especially youngsters, do so to abstain from oily food and detoxify their bodies. But experts warn that extreme starvation can play havoc with your system.
Art collectors growing in India
New Delhi, September 25 Emerging art collector Prerna Kohli is not as intimidated by art galleries as she was 10 years ago. “I want to own works by Paresh Maity and Jayasri Burman, a friend, but they are so expensive,” says Kohli, a prominent socialite.
Paraplegic motorist sets sights on Himalayan terrain
Shimla, September 23 It drives home a message of courage. A paraplegic motorist is set to create history by negotiating the twists and turns of the Himalayan terrain in a specially designed vehicle during a motor rally next month.
Expression beyond mindless frill
New Delhi, September 22 Piling heaps of waste and concern for a clean environment have given birth to a strange synergy between natural landscape, ecology, waste and art. Young Indian artists are stretching their creative frontiers to prove art can transcend frilly aesthetic and promote key issues.
Good Samaritan
Noida (Uttar Pradesh), September 20 Every week from Monday to Friday, commuters on the busy Ghaziabad-Noida underpass on National Highway 24 adjoining the capital are greeted by a rare sight — a well-built man, clad in cargo pants and T-shirt, waving his arms frantically and hollering at the top of his voice, standing in the middle of a sea of honking cars.
School comes to them in big yellow bus
New Delhi, September 16 With a book in hand and an eye on the clock, Sumit, 13, knows he isn’t prepared for his test. But at exactly 3 p.m., he runs out to the street along with other slum kids and waits for the yellow bus — his school for the next two hours.
Muslim women creating new art
New Delhi, September 14 Using icons of Islam, a small group of Muslim women is creating a genre of art that seeks to address contemporary socio-political issues and concerns related to the empowerment of women in the society.
Students turn teachers by evening to fight illiteracy
Lucknow, September 12 They are students who become teachers by evening to make street urchins and poor children literate! Ten undergraduates from Uttar Pradesh’s Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad (IIIT-A) feel they are already doing their bit for society. The third year students are fighting illiteracy in their own way by teaching the poor children of the areas adjoining their institute in the Jhalwa area.
Delhi’s forgotten street performers
New Delhi, September 11 “We are like flowers growing in filth,” says Sajjan Bhatt. It takes a walk through Kathputli colony, a Delhi slum, where the puppeteer lives with other street artistes to understand the significance of his words.
History on record
Kolkata, September 9 Trash for some, treasure for others. Meet Sushanta Chatterjee, who has pursued his passion for music and history, collecting over 8,000 gramophone records that include not just songs but also rare speeches and plays.
Youngsters opting for teaching career
New Delhi, September 4 Gone are the days when teaching was considered a low-paying profession. With the proliferation of educational institutes and the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations, it is increasingly becoming popular among youngsters, experts say.
Muslim sings Hindu devotional songs, propagates harmony
Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), August 30 Spreading the message of communal harmony, a Muslim performer here is winning hearts by singing Hindu devotional songs for a living, while the people hail him for bringing the two communities together.
Mumbai fishing village makes jewellery, touches the world
Mumbai, August 26 Nestled in the heart of India’s buzzing financial capital but still cast adrift, the fishing village of Worli has found a unique way to keep pace with the progress around it. Stepping out of their sheltered lives, women of the village are reaching out to markets worldwide through jewellery created from wood, glass and other materials.
Docu-drama on Guru Gobind Singh is bridge between religions: Director
New Delhi, August 22 Thakur Ranvir Singh, who is proud about making the first docu-drama on the 10th Sikh guru, says he traveled to eight Indian states and visited 61 gurudwaras to make In the Footsteps of Guru Gobind Singh, which he feels will build bridges between different religions.
Bards on a train, singing Mumbai morning blues away
Mumbai, August 18 Dhondiram Pujari doesn’t show the grumpiness expected of a typical Mumbaikar on his way to work. He jokes and indulges in loud banter, actually looking forward to the oppressive hour-long journey in a Mumbai local train.
Kolkata’s big library of little magazines
Kolkata, August 10 A man’s movement against the poor upkeep of Bengali little magazines — the independent and experimental not-for-profit periodicals — in Kolkata’s hallowed National Library has now blossomed into a flourishing collection numbering over 60,000.
At long last, Husain comes to Delhi
New Delhi, August 6 Nearly two months after he died in exile, unable to exhibit his works in India, M.F. Husain is splashing colors on the capital’s art canvas this monsoon.
Sacred thread that stitches together Hindus, Muslims
Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), August 3 Worn by Hindus, made by Muslims. Dipped in vibrant reds and yellows, kalawas made in this corner of the country are more than just the sacred Hindu thread tied around the wrist; they are the strands that interweave religions, stringing together generations in a syncretic bond.
Saving the newborn: A word of wisdom for men too!
Guna (Madhya Pradesh), August 4 On an afternoon, a group of six youngsters, including a girl wearing dark red kurta and jeans, are waiting for the rain to stop in Tunk Parolia, a village in Guna district.
Ethnic Gond art finds exclusive boutique on high street
New Delhi, July 30 The Gond tribal artists of Madhya Pradesh, known for their stylised portrayals of folkores and nature, have found a platform on the high street of art in Delhi.
Bollywood badshahs: 40-plus and reigning
New Delhi, July 28 Bollywood can’t get enough of its good old, 40-plus actors -- Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn. They ruled the roost in the 1990s and after two decades, they are still calling the shots as they get the best films, meaty roles, highest remuneration and maximum media coverage.
Moving beyond mere travelers’ tales
New Delhi, July 28 The core of travel writing may not have changed much over the centuries, but an emerging breed of travel writers, both Indians and others, are bringing in a vital change -- focusing more on people and less on places.
Conscience over profit? Not business as usual
New Delhi, July 27 The nature of entrepreneurship is no longer the same. A semblance of conscience, innovation and growing desire to impact the grassroots, have crept into many young Indian businesses, adding a touch of heart to the aggressive pursuit of profit.
How to improve education? Bihar asks students
Patna, July 26 Vivash Kumar Jha is both nervous and excited. The overwhelming feeling of topping the Class 12 board exams had not even sunk in when the 17-year-old got a call from the education board, asking for suggestions to improve the quality of education in Bihar.
Harry Potter and the Indian fan
New Delhi, July 9 No more Hogwarts. No more Pottermania. Is it really 'the end'? Fans in India, as around the world, are heartbroken.
At 100, Sikh marathoner yearns to read biography
London, July 8 At the ripe old age of 100, iconic Sikh marathoner Fauja Singh has one regret. He yearns to read his biography but cannot — he is illiterate.
Forget Indian Idol, Arunachal has Everest Idols
Itanagar, July 8 For a long time, India's northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state had trouble naming homegrown celebrities who could be immediately recognised by other states and beyond.
Joy ride on a toy bike that you just can't miss
Meerut, July 8 A small toy motorcycle is driving the people of Meerut crazy.
A madarassa with a modern touch
Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh), July 8 Re-inventing itself to keep pace with the times, a century-old Islamic seminary in Azamgarh district not only has a broadbased curriculum with science and computers but also a polytechnic to equip its students with vocational skills.
Sweet pill for Kerala - medical tourism
Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 World class hospitals, cost-effective treatment and ample opportunities to relax in the scenic landscape of 'God's own country' — medical tourism promises to be the next big money spinner in Kerala, with a steady stream of overseas patients flocking to the state.
Argentineans sing bhajans in their own Hastinapur
Buenos Aires, July 7 Few in India would know about the city of Hastinapur in Argentina. People here too pay obeisance to Indian gods and the Pandava princes who ruled the Indian city by the same name thousands of years ago.
World's only Sanskrit daily turns 42
Mysore, July 7 Even as English and modern Indian language newspapers continue to flourish in the country, Sudharma, which claims to be the only Sanskrit newspaper in the world, is struggling hard to survive as it enters its 42nd year next week.
A university to manage a rapidly urbanising India
Bangalore, July 3 (IANS) With over 625,000 villages, rural India still dominates the country's landscape even as rapid urbanising is throwing up challenges for planners. To train people manage this massive social transformation and fill the critical human resource and knowledge gap, a group of eminent Indians is setting up a university.
Japanese impressed by Bihar's Super 30
Patna, July 1 A free coaching centre, Super 30, which helps children of labourers, tea stall owners and peons in Bihar reach the prestigious IIT engineering institutes, has impressed people in Japan too, its founder Anand Kumar says.
Bhopal Shatabdi train to carry social messages
Bhopal, June 30 From July 1, the Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express train will be adorned with posters urging people to pay attention to an often neglected section of the society — the differently-abled children.
Tune in to the human radio
Ramabainagar (Uttar Pradesh), June 28 'It's 4.15 in the morning...time for the weather report,' crackles a loudspeaker perched atop a temple here. For the next 30 minutes, the voice dispenses several useful nuggets of information, including train schedules and local news, a pattern not broken for the last two decades. An efficient community radio service? Actually, it's a 59-year-old lab chemist.
A journey from India to Germany - for football
Berlin, June 29 Khushali Darbeshwar, 19, pinched herself several times as she watched the opening ceremony of the women's football World Cup in a jam-packed Olympic Stadium here. From an Indian slum to Germany — it was like a fairytale dream for her to witness the soccer extravaganza Sunday.
'King of racers' aims to conquer Mughal rally
Shimla, June 23 Himachal Pradesh's Suresh Rana, or the 'king of racers' as he is popularly called, is aiming to conquer a motor rally that traverses through the historic Mughal Road, once a favourite route of emperors Akbar and Jehangir, in Jammu and Kashmir.
The sound of music - a healing therapy
New Delhi, June 22 Awkward and shifty-eyed, Raghav Salooja reluctantly enters the room that has a generous display of percussion instruments, dodges his doctor's gaze, half sits on a chair and begins to blankly stare at the wooden flooring. Half an hour into some peppy music, the 11-year-old makes a rare eye contact.
Indian engineer turns big farmer in Ghana
Accra, June 19 Perhaps India's agricultural prowess inspired him. Prabhpreet Khinda, an engineer by training, arrived in Ghana in 2009 after he was devastated by the effects of the 2008 global financial meltdown. Twists and turns later, the 38-year-old from Punjab is today one of the big farmers in the West African country.
US-based Kashmiris bring rock 'n' roll to valley
Srinagar, June 18 Brothers Mubashir and Mohsin are Kashmiris born in the West and play Western rock, but their band is named after a landmark wooden bridge in Srinagar. So when they play in the valley, it will be an interpretation of Kashmiri music through a Western perspective.
Mt Everest! That's the height of British colonialism
Kathmandu, June 14 Have you ever heard of Chomolungma or Sagarmatha? For the uninitiated, these are the Asian names of Mt Everest. An American photographer, mesmerised by the world's highest peak since his boyhood, is calling for it to jettison its popular name as it is a legacy of British colonisation.
Sanjan's 'walking' mango tree 'travels' through time
Sanjan (Gujarat), June 13 An old mango tree has become the pride of this Gujarat village, not merely because of its age, which, according to the villagers, is over a thousand years, but also because of its ability to 'walk'.
At 100, Sikh marathoner lives to see his biography
Chandigarh, June 12 He is perhaps the oldest man to have lived to see his biography published. Hundred-plus Sikh marathoner Fauja Singh's biography 'Turbaned Tornado' is slated for London release next month.
News at fingertips - for the blind
Mumbai, June 9 They say reading is the basic tool in the living of a good life. In Maharashtra, some 24,000 blind people are being initiated into such a life, courtesy Sparshdnyan, a fortnightly newspaper that brings happenings from around the world to them.
India is karmic for Spanish couple on world tour
New Delhi, June 3 A Spanish man who has covered 18,000 km spread over 14 countries since 2009 on a solar hybrid electric bicycle, his Vietnamese wife joining him a year later, will unveil their unique global story here Tuesday.
China lowers Everest guard for Mumbai teen
Kathmandu, June 2 Last year, when two veteran climbers from West Bengal, Basanta Sinha Roy and Debashish Biswas, wanted to climb Mt Everest from Tibet, they were forced to change their plans and go through Nepal instead due to trouble over getting visas and climbing permits from the Chinese authorities.
A French Island reconnects with India
Guadeloupe (Caribbean Sea), May 31 Tears flowed incessantly down dozens of cheeks as the Indian national anthem echoed for the first time in the history of this small island in the Caribbean Sea.
Roses for the world: An Indian success story in Ethiopia
Holeta (Ethiopia), May 29 The world's largest exporter of roses is an Indian who grows and ships hundreds of varieties of the prized flowers, not just out of India but mostly out of farms in Ethiopia and Kenya.
From Punjab to Bihar to IIT, three 'super' stories
Chandigarh, May 29 One is the son of a grocer, one's father sells chole-kulche from a cycle cart and the third's runs a mobile repair shop. But all three have risen from these humble surroundings to crack the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exam, considered one of the most difficult in the country.
'Sholay' to '3 Idiots', Bollywood captivates Ethiopians
Addis Ababa, May 25 Bollywood fever is sweeping Africa's political capital, with a week-long festival of 14 films, including blockbusters like 'Sholay' and 'Three Idiots', enthralling cine goers.
Card with a message: A mission for the blind
New Delhi, May 25 She is an IIM-Kolkata alumnus, a devoted mother, a working woman and an avid blogger. But Nidhi Kaila still finds time for a cause close to her heart — to help visually impaired people, make them self-reliant and independent.
Arunachal women summit Everest
Itanagar, May 24 India's mountainous northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is on top of the world with two tribal women, including a mother of two, summiting the world's highest peak in the past fortnight, a spectacular record of grit and stamina.
'Yeh hai meri India' - in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, May 22 'Yeh hai meri India!' the coffee shop steward greets Indian visitors cheerily at the Hilton Addis Ababa as he pours a cuppa. Asked if he has been to India, the Ethiopian says no, but quotes the line from a Bollywood hit whose name he does not remember.
Holidays? Not for students who would rather intern
New Delhi, May 22 Once a time for relaxing after exams, summer vacations are increasingly about work for many college students who put their holidays to productive use by taking up internships. And media outlets are emerging as the first choice.
Indian schoolboy rewrites history on the Himalayas
Kathmandu, May 20 A 17-year-old schoolboy from a New Delhi suburb, who became a climbing sensation last year by becoming the youngest Indian to conquer Mt Everest, created a new record on Friday by becoming the youngest in the world to ascent Mt Lhotse, the fourth highest peak.
Sup with tribals, explore wilderness - northeast beckons
New Delhi, May 17 Imagine waking up in a Naga home, amid tribals who were once known for the practice of head hunting, and plucking tea leaves or lemons through the day. Or having a close brush with a herd of elephants in the morning and calling it a night with a mug of 'apong' or rice beer in an Assamese village.
Bollywood — Afghan traces their Pathan roots
Kabul, May 17 Over a year ago, when Kabul resident Mehboobullah Khan came to India to work with All India Radio, he could not have imagined that his sojourn would result in a book on Bollywood — tracing how Afghan-origin actors and filmmakers contributed to make it the world's most prolific film industry.
Malaysia's 'Mother Mangalam' turns 85
Kuala Lumpur, May 17 Malaysian Indian social worker A. Mangalam, who turned 85 Tuesday, is a self-confessed worry-wart who never stops worrying about her 'children'.
Haryana's youth lead the way to Everest
Kathmandu, May 16 After proving their mettle in the sporting arena, including bagging the lion's share of medals at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, men and women from Haryana, including a young couple, are now seeking to conquer the world's highest peak. Nine of the 17 Indians individually attempting to scale the 8,848-metre summit hail from the state. 'We were inspired by Mamata Sodha,' says Vikash Kaushik, a 24-year-old computer science student from Kurukshetra University who is among the nine Haryanvis trying their luck, skill and courage on the mountain that has already claimed three lives this season.
Karvi women come up with a recipe for self-reliance
Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh), May 8 They are illiterate and have never undergone any vocational training, but they are churning out 'recipes' of success and self-reliance from their kitchen!
A fitting gift for Bihar's 'green' daughters
Patna, May 8 For the daughters of Bihar's Dharhara village, whose pledge to mother nature has made the place a green haven, a fitting gift is on the way from the state government — a residential school and a children's development centre.
Oh mother! How she's been edited out of Bollywood
The always tired woman in white slaving over a sewing machine, the sacrificing one wracked by coughs but lifting load after load at a construction site or the doughty worker who won't stop at even murder to save her child. The mother figure was for long an enduring cornerstone of Hindi cinema, but not any more.
Once taboo, tattoos now a fashion statement
Kathmandu, May 7 When Lokesh Varma, the son of an affluent army family in New Delhi, announced he wanted to forswear his MBA degree and his job with a multinational company to become a tattoo artist, his parents were speechless with horror.
It's 'back to school' for Deora's geo-scientist
New Delhi, May 5 Seventy-two-year-old Shiv Balak Misra is hardly a pin-up hero. The frail, down-to-earth geo-scientist-turned-social worker and educator, wants to ensure that children in his backwater Uttar Pradesh village have easy access to higher education.
Once criticised, painter Tagore now an icon
New Delhi, May 3 He has inspired generations of painters, yet Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who began to paint at the late age of 67, was dismissed by peers and critics as a 'bad and untrained' artist during his lifetime. 'The first exhibition of Tagore's paintings in May 1930 in Paris that received an overwhelming response was later exhibited in Kolkata (in 1931 and 1932). But the audience there was strangely silent and I remember reading articles criticising his style and technique,' senior artist Niren Sengupta said.
Write god's name 125,000 times to repay 'loan'
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), April 30 In the eight decades of its existence, over 100,000 people have opened accounts here. Ram Ramapati Bank in this popular pilgrim city is a bank all right, but it doesn't deal in money.
From kitchen to classroom, thanks to mothers-in-law
Barmer (Rajasthan), April 27 Nenu Devi, 19, was forced to drop out of school after Class 8 by her conservative parents and married off. But today she is pursuing her graduation thanks to a literal push by her mother-in-law and the prospect of a government job in the village.
India-made stoles for royal wedding
Ludhiana/New Delhi, April 24 Nearly 4,000 soft wool stoles have been shipped for the eagerly awaited wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London this Friday, courtesy a Ludhiana manufacturer. And the royal couple is also expected to take its pick. Ludhiana's Centex Exports has shipped the stoles to London-based popular online fashion business store Boden. They will also be gifted to the guests invited for the wedding at London's Westminster Abbey.
Tourists throng Himachal - to milk cows, pluck vegetables
Shimla, April 21 A chance to pluck vegetables, milk cows and eat buckwheat dishes in the villages of Himachal Pradesh is proving to be a great hit with tourists. Rural homestays have provided employment to around 3,000 people and generated economic activity worth over Rs.4 crore in the state, say officials.
Tourists throng Himachal - to milk cows, pluck vegetables
Shimla, April 21 A chance to pluck vegetables, milk cows and eat buckwheat dishes in the villages of Himachal Pradesh is proving to be a great hit with tourists. Rural homestays have provided employment to around 3,000 people and generated economic activity worth over Rs.4 crore in the state, say officials.
Tourists throng Himachal - to milk cows, pluck vegetables
Shimla, April 21 A chance to pluck vegetables, milk cows and eat buckwheat dishes in the villages of Himachal Pradesh is proving to be a great hit with tourists. Rural homestays have provided employment to around 3,000 people and generated economic activity worth over Rs.4 crore in the state, say officials.
Tourists throng Himachal - to milk cows, pluck vegetables
Shimla, April 21 A chance to pluck vegetables, milk cows and eat buckwheat dishes in the villages of Himachal Pradesh is proving to be a great hit with tourists. Rural homestays have provided employment to around 3,000 people and generated economic activity worth over Rs.4 crore in the state, say officials.
Omelettes, guns and stunts for Bhopal's wonder boys
Bhopal, April 20 Shooting blindfolded while on skates, flipping omelettes over a hundred times in a minute and doing stunts on the cycle, three daring teenagers of Bhopal have made the city proud through a popular TV show. The trio — Mohammad Bilal, 13, Mohammad Shahbaaz Khan, 14, and Abdul Rahman, 18 — performed daring acts that defied their young age in the hit show 'Ab India Todega' programme on Colors channel to make their way into the Guinnes Book of World Records.
When Lord Indra answered the call of Vedas
Panjal (Kerala), April 15 The primal Vedic chants that ring across the rolling greens of this village in Thrissur district are a ceremonial invitation to Lord Indra, the god of rain, to join the ancient fire ritual of Athirathram. Towards the evening, thunder rumbles in the distance, almost as if Lord Indra is responding to the call of the 18 Vedic priests. And it rains. The priests have been chanting round-the-clock for the last three days to build up the energy level.
Kerala's Vedic ritual captured in sketches, photos
Panjal (Kerala), April 10 Kerala-based artist and photographer Gireesan Bhattathiripad has been on an important mission, capturing the 4,000-year-old Vedic ritual of 'Athirathram' in the state's Panjal village. Bhattathiripad has shot over 2,000 photographs of the sun worship ritual over the last six days and said by the end of the event he would be able to create a folio of 10,000 photographs, a statement by the Varthathe Trust, an consortium of Veda advocates and cultural activists organising the ritual, said on Sunday.
Hairstyling the African way in Indian capital
New Delhi, April 6 Pictures of Bob Marley jostle for attention with African fragrances and framed photographs of braiding, Ghana weaving and traditional African attires. Beads, gems, tattoos, bags, shoes and Nigerian energy drinks crowd the shelves even as a flock of young boys and girls await their turn to get their Afro-cuts right. African Lifestyle Unisex Salon & Boutique, owned by Casmir Nwakaeze, a Nigerian, in south Delhi's Krishna Nagar area, is a slice of Nigeria in the capital.
FM to TV, cricket marks generational change in phones
New Delhi, April 6 If the previous edition of World Cup Cricket marked a shift in the way many in this nation kept track of matches, shifting from transistors to FM-radio enabled phones, the tournament this year was the cause of another generational change.
Crafting a new life out of waste paper
Anandpur Sahib, April 5 Defying all odds and setting an example in society, a group of HIV-positive widows in this Punjab town is successfully running a small-scale business of recycling waste paper and making stationery products out of it.
Northeast India's ancient theatre comes to Delhi
New Delhi, April 1 The ancient theatrical genres of northeast India will come out of their traditional bastions with the 'Indigenous Theatre Festival of Northeast India' beginning at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) in the national capital April 2-10.The third in the series of theatre panorama from the northeast, the festival this year will turn its attention to the ancient and traditional forms of theatre from the region unlike last year, when the festival established an inter-cultural dialogue between the northeastern states and Southeast Asia.
The flower that paints Himachal red and pink
Shimla, April 1 The hills have turned a flaming red and pink as spring is in the air. The rhododendrons are busy blooming, the first among the floral species in the wild to do so as the chill thaws in Himachal Pradesh. 'The flowers start appearing during March and will bloom till June depending upon the elevation at which the plant is grown,' Vinay Tandon, principal chief conservator of forests, said.
The flower that paints Himachal red and pink
Shimla, April 1 The hills have turned a flaming red and pink as spring is in the air. The rhododendrons are busy blooming, the first among the floral species in the wild to do so as the chill thaws in Himachal Pradesh. 'The flowers start appearing during March and will bloom till June depending upon the elevation at which the plant is grown,' Vinay Tandon, principal chief conservator of forests, said.
A twirl, a shine... moustache magic in Bollywood
New Delhi, March 31 The power of the moustache is in full flow in Bollywood. Screen idols are banking on it to look different on screen — if Saif Ali Khan has gone for the zappa, Aamir Khan boasts of the chevron and Shahid Kapoor the painter's brush.
Where do Goans go for holidays?
Cavelossim (Goa), March 30 Goa is not a place. It is a state of mind. It is an unshakeable belief in the power of sun, sand and scotch to alleviate human suffering. It also poses a minor problem, if you happen to live there.
Kashmiri women turn to combat sports - and win
Srinagar, March 27 When the hijab-clad Sabiya Kirmani won a gold in the first international championship in thang ta, a Manipuri martial art, she scored a victory not only for herself but also for other young women in Kashmir, which has lived under the shadow of terror for over two decades.The 22-year-old, a post-graduate student of commerce in Kashmir University, has spent most of her life learning the martial art, which she calls her 'first love', with or without the permission of her parents.
Bhopal's 'editor' cobbler on mission to empower
Bhopal, March 29 Suresh Nandmehar's tiny shoe repair shop at a footpath here is crowded every evening. As you approach it, you can hear words like social empowerment, caste atrocities and political opportunism. That's because Suresh is no ordinary cobbler - he is the founder, editor and publisher of a monthly newspaper. Baal Ki Khaal, a four-page tabloid, was born out of a struggle against official highhandedness.
A salute to womanhood through art
New Delhi, March 26 It's a panoramic take on women's empowerment. With 361 creative works spread across the 11 gallery spaces of the Art Mall premises in New Delhi, 'Stree 2011' is a tribute to the spirit of womanhood.
When photographs speak the language of art
New Delhi, March 21 Growing awareness about art as a reflection of surrounding realities, wider markets and a new segment of collectors have brought photography back to the centre-stage of contemporary art. Two international exhibitions of photographic art in the national capital, at the Religare Art in Connaught Place and in the National Gallery of Modern Art, are attracting steady streams of viewers for their depiction of American and British contemporary realities.
Some self-help — and tribal women mean business
Banswara (Rajasthan), March 25 They set out to work in their 'offices', dabble in numbers with ease and bring home more money than their husbands. The fact that they are illiterate tribal women in obscure Rajasthan villages does not dampen their shimmering entrepreneurial dreams.
Girl child adoptions on a rise
New Delhi, March 12 Winds of change are sweeping through urban India, a country traditionally known for its male preference. Many city-dwellers who don't have children of their own are opting for adoption, particularly of girls.
Women cinematographers, photographers breaking myths
New Delhi, March 12 Women photographers and cinematographers have walked into the profession with their talent and heavy equipment: to break the myth that the technical field is for men.
Mumbai's monuments can boost fort tourism
Mumbai, March 12 Standing tall and bearing the scars of innumerable battles, the remnants of forts in Mumbai are a testament to the valour of Maratha warriors in the centuries gone by. But most are in a dilapidated condition or have been renovated in a way that has robbed them of their original grandeur. While this city is known as India's business and entertainment capital, Mumbai is not known outside for its forts. Historians and conservationists believe that if tended with proper care, these monuments can give a boost to 'fort tourism'.
Sikhs in Singapore: With rich tradition of donning uniform
Singapore, March 8 The appointment of Brigadier-General Ravinder Singh, a Sikh, as the next chief of the Singapore Army is the culmination of a long tradition of the community serving in uniform, both as policemen and in the armed forces, in the city-state.
Indian sportswomen - a tale of true grit
New Delhi, March 5 They refuse to tell sob stories even though most come from humble backgrounds. Women who play cricket, hockey and football for India say they have fire in their bellies and can win the world, with a little more support from corporates, the media and the public.
From humble cycle, he gives lessons in English
Lucknow, March 5 He stands in front of his bicycle, which is equipped with a loudspeaker, a microphone, some posters and signboards. 'I am sure you would not have come across such an innovative setup for English training,' grins Aditya Kumar, a Lucknow resident.
Who's Who of world signed on his pictures
Bhopal, March 5 The first man in space, several U.S. presidents, all Indian presidents and 216 heads of state, a retired engineer has preserved a virtual slice of history through his 40-year-old hobby of collecting autographed pictures. Arshad Kidwai, a 62-year-old retired Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) engineer, in Bhopal has spent a lifetime collecting these photographs which is a Who's Who of the world.
Amir Khusrau's legacy to come alive again
New Delhi, March 2 The legacy of 13th century Sufi poet Amir Khusrau will come alive in the capital at 'Jahan-e-Khusrau', the World Sufi Music Festival, to be held March 11-13.Sufi musicians from India, Pakistan, Iran and Canada will congregate to revisit the music and poetry of the Sufi saint at the 14th century Arab ki Sarai, adjacent to the Humayun mausoleum in Delhi.
Community radio crackles to life at Panjab University
Chandigarh, Feb 24 Using spoken words to develop intimate bonds among students and providing a platform to voice opinions, Panjab University has joined the few universities in northern India that have their own community radio.
A 'Pied Piper' offers to get dogs out of Srinagar
Srinagar, Feb 23 For the residents of Srinagar, who live in fear of the city's increasing stray dog population, and the authorities who keep wondering what to do to check this menace, a ray of hope comes in the form of Khurshid Ahmad Mir, who claims he can get the dogs out of the Jammu and Kashmir summer capital and that too without killing them.
Hit Broadway musical's Indianised avatar comes to capital
New Delhi, Feb 22 The path-breaking 1967 Broadway musical about the flower children, 'Hair: The American Tribal Rock Show Musical' is ready to make a three-day splash in an Indian avatar in the capital with an opulent light and laser play.
Visually impaired radio jockey reaches out through his voice
Chandigarh, Feb 22 He cannot see but has always wanted to reach out to people through his voice. Now Rishi, 21, is doing just that, thanks to Panjab University's community radio Jyotirgamaya that gave him a chance to host a radio show.
A big ticket to Bollywood for Bhopal locals
Bhopal, Feb 18 Three assistant directors and more than 65 supporting artists are among the many Bhopal locals who have got a golden opportunity to be part of Bollywood, thanks to Prakash Jha's 'Aarakshan'. Some are just happy to feature in the crowds in film scenes.
Flags of World Cup nations - made in Jaipur
Jaipur, Feb 18 This city is not a venue for the World Cup matches, but flags made in Jaipur will make their presence felt as they swirl and flutter across venues in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for the mega event from Saturday.
Never say no to Bollywood in Senegal
Dakar, Feb 15 From legendary actors Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar to contemporary film icons Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan, Bollywood is now and forever in Senegal, the coastal French-speaking West African country that's madly in love with Indian films, music and cuisine.
'Hum Dono Coloured' and the nostalgic 11
A teenaged girl who came escorting her grandparents and four middle-aged couples were the only viewers at one of Delhi's downtown multiplex theatres for a screening of 'Hum Dono Rangeen', the newly released coloured and high-tech version of the 1961 black and white classic.
Rediscovering the handwritten love letter
New Delhi, Feb 10 When was the last time you penned a sweet love letter? In the age of emoticons and e-mails, the personal touch has died down. So, be different this Valentine's Day — dump the keyboard and use the pen and paper.
Indian ‘jugaad’ comes to New York
New York, Feb 9 Jerry-rigged cars, homemade stoves and do-it-yourself water filtration are all examples of what the Indians call 'jugaad' in Hindi or 'making do' with what they have on hand in Indian cities.
Baul songs — from ektara to fusion music
Kolkata, Feb 3 Baul music has caught on in a big way among Bengali music lovers, with the soulful songs sung by wandering minstrels finding favour with Bengali bands and movies.
Where street kids get a second chance at life
New Delhi, Feb 3 A 19-year-old girl pursues her passion at the Delhi College of Art, an 18-year-old boy trains in a hotel while studying in open school... It may be nothing unusual except that these youngsters were once street kids who got a second chance at life, thanks to a shelter home.
Super successful Sikh is Toronto's biggest Indian car man
Toronto, Feb 2 As the global meltdown grounded the auto industry, Toronto's biggest Indian car man, Nav Bhatia, only thrived. The multimillionaire Sikh has also been helping change stereotypes about Indians in Canada after being mistaken for a cab driver once.
Bollywood takes India-Latin America ties to new high
New Delhi, Feb 2 When Latin American girls start wearing bindis, enquire about Indian superstars and Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan shoots a whole TV series in splendid Argentine locales, there is little doubt that entertainment ties between the two regions are flourishing.
After Antarctica, Kerala travel agency eyes space
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 Kerala Travels has many firsts to its credit. Billed as the first travel agency in Kerala, it was the first to come out with a tourism brochure, offer Antarctica-Arctic packages and now is working on an ambitious plan to send children to space.
From a Punjab kitchen, these sweets have travelled far
Chandigarh, Jan 28 A business formula that originated three decades ago in the kitchen of a homemaker is creating a buzz in international markets. What is more, it counts chains like McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Barista and Cafe Coffee Day as clients.
Of eggs, medicines, and growing Indian connection in Liberia
If you order a couple of fried eggs for breakfast in any restaurant in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, the eggs are almost certain to be from India. Almost 90 percent of pharmaceuticals sold in the West African country are also from India.
Now, pre-paid cards for fresh vegetables
Lucknow, Jan 22 Pre-paid cards are soon to cover packed, garden fresh vegetables. Kaushlendra, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), is getting set to launch it in Lucknow.
Oldest half marathoner wants to run till end
Jalandhar (Punjab), Jan 21 His fellow villagers remember him as always running 'from one place to another'. But 99-year-old Fauja Singh, once a farmer in Punjab who now lives in Britain, took to running with a passion only in his twilight years and says he won't stop till he drops.
Of love and longing for India: A French woman's journey
New Delhi, Jan 20 Christelle Gourdine, a French national of Guadeloupean and Indian origin, has been fascinated by her Indian roots for many years. But she is surprised and saddened that not many know about the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe's Indian connection.
Himachal's aloe vera crop keeps monkeys away
Shimla, Jan 20 Aloe vera, the highly sought after cactus-like plant with multiple medicinal and therapeutic properties, is bringing home good returns for Himachal Pradesh farmers — with an added benefit. It is keeping the monkeys away!
Survivor of Chittagong armoury raid going strong at 101
Barasat (West Bengal), Jan 20 Now the only survivor of the Chittagong armoury raid, Binod Behari Choudhury vividly remembers the day April 22, 1930 when he received bullet injuries fighting the British forces in the Jalalabad hills, an incident that inspired the Bollywood film 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey'.
Gulf-based Hindu builds mosque in Kerala
New Delhi, Jan 15 A Qatar-based Hindu businessman is constructing a mosque in Kerala with the aim of promoting communal harmony. He claims it will be the first mosque to be built in the state by a Hindu in over 1,200 years.
Tales of love and reunion at a kite fest
Ahmedabad, Jan 13 Love soars like kites. And sure enough, tales of friendship and sweet reunion fill the air as kite flyers from across the world mingle at the 21st International Kite Festival in Gujarat's principal city.
A couple seeks to make Delhi poster free
New Delhi, Jan 11 It all began with an idea to remove soggy, half-peeled posters that made walls around his home look ugly after the rains. And now, over a year later, septuagenarian Shivraj Kumar hopes to make Delhi a poster-free and visually clean city with a campaign to remove all such unwanted advertisements that deface buildings and disfigure street furniture because 'this heritage city needs to be cared for'.
Temple town with doorless homes gets a bank sans lock
Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), Jan 11 Shani Shingnapur, the world famous temple town in Maharashtra where houses have neither doors or locks, now befittingly has its first commercial bank branch — with no locks on its front door!
Long or colourful, Delhi re-discovers the overcoat!
New Delhi, Jan 11 As the capital goes through one of its coldest winters, many are discovering the charms of the overcoat, an accessory once consigned to the bottom of cupboards and pulled out only for hilly holidays or snowcapped destinations abroad.
Women artisans forge new links between South Asian nations
New Delhi, Jan 7 Women are the new driving force behind the colourful and rich South Asian crafts traditions. The power of women unfolded at the Dilli Haat, the capital's ethnic mart, Thursday when 70 women artisans from seven South Asian nations unveiled their wares at the 24th annual Crafts Mela of the Dastkari Haat Samiti, a handicrafts promotion forum.
Salsa, Latino edging out Indian classical dances in Bollywood?
New Delhi, Jan 5 When was the last time you saw a Kathak or a Bharatanatyam dance in a Hindi film? With fast-paced Western dance forms like salsa, latino and tango making inroads into Bollywood and being liked by the people, the casualty has been the graceful Indian classical dance forms.
A village that boasts of being crime-free
Lucknow, Jan 4 No murders or kidnappings, not even petty crimes like chain snatchings and thefts in the past 15 years! This is the proud record of a small village in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Zirakpur, the 'wedding capital' of Punjab
Zirakpur, Jan 4 Till about two decades ago, Zirakpur was just a cluster of villages in Punjab on the outskirts of state capital Chandigarh. Today, it has become the unofficial 'wedding capital of Punjab' with nearly 55 wedding venues where hundreds of lavish marriages, including of non-resident Indians (NRIs), are held.
In India, a school for democracies world over
New Delhi, Dec 30 They come every year from many countries to learn how the world's largest democracy works, at a little known school in the Indian parliament that came up five years ago.
A medical tourism company — with end-to-end solutions
Chandigarh, Dec 30 With Punjab and its capital Chandigarh attracting an increasing number of overseas patients, most of them NRIs, a group of doctors has floated a medical tourism company to provide end-to-end solutions, including pick-ups from the airport and doctors' appointments.
Bollywood dances are a hit with young Chinese
Beijing, Dec 10 Bollywood dance numbers are becoming a huge hit in China, particularly with the young.
Reforming prisoners through cultural therapy
Kolkata, Dec 9 Once hardened criminals and now do-gooders for all of society, Nigel Akkara alias Vikki and Debashis Chakraborty bring to life in more ways than one the old age story of robber Ratnakar who metamorphosed into sage Valmiki.
Bhopal too has a Taj Mahal!
Bhopal, Dec 9 Did you know there is a second Taj Mahal in India? While the imposing Taj in Agra has captivated the world for centuries, its less famous counterpart here is lying in ruins.
India’s cougar couples: When a man loves an older woman
New Delhi, Dec 7 Somebody has very rightly said love knows no age. At a time when the dynamics of marriage are changing rapidly and youngsters are experimenting with their lives, 'cougar' relationship is a new phrase catching up among them.
A village head now, he ‘begs’ to differ
Lucknow, Dec 7 As he sets out bedraggled from a dingy hut for his 'business' of begging, Narayan Nat finds people lined up, waiting politely for their turn not only to drop coins into his palm but also to get their civic and other problems addressed!
Brand Bewakoof rings success in Jharkhand town
Giridih (Jharkhand), Dec 6 What's in a name? Had legendary playwright Shakespeare posed this question in Jharkhand's Giridih town, he would have got a collective reply - 'everything'. Because not only has the word 'bewakoof' (stupid) made many a fortune here, it also commands an unflinching loyalty.
This wheelchair-bound weightlifter inspires many
New Delhi, Dec 3 Polio bound him to a wheelchair and he faced ridicule the first time he visited a gym. But Joginder Singh Saluja fought the odds to become a weightlifter who is an inspiration for thousands of disabled people.
Working class malady - Bollywood's on-screen illnesses!
New Delhi, Dec 3 Progeria, paraplegia, anterograde amnesia — Bollywood's current portrayal of unusual ailments might be drawing applause from the elite, but it is leaving front benchers baffled.
Kerala Jews come to relive past, as present fades
Kochi, Dec 2 From thousands, the number of Jews in Kerala has dwindled to a mere 10 and they too live only in Kochi. The exodus of the community started over 60 years ago, though many visit this city to discover their roots and relive the past.
Punjab villagers follow bizarre drill
Kalewal (Punjab), Dec 2 Each day, over 735 people in two Punjab villages follow a bizarre routine. Rounding up their 2,500 animals, they vacate their homes early morning and spend the day at gurdwaras or temporary camps. Why? So that the Indian Army can destroy unexploded munitions!
Once shunned, she now educates people about AIDS
Kolkata, Dec 1 Her husband died just two years after marriage and the young 22-year-old found that he had transmitted the HIV virus to her. It was the beginning of a lone battle against the stigma attached to AIDS for Farzana Begum, who has now dedicated her life to educating society about the disease.
Norwegian theatre akin to Kathakali
New Delhi, Nov 29 The traditional musical theatre of Norway has a lot in common with the ancient Kathakali dance theatre of India, says Lars Oyno, the Oslo-based director of Grusomhetens Teater that adopted Henrik Ibsen's untouched operatic libretto, 'Mountain Bird', as a play.
He begs — to help impoverished women marry
Lucknow, Nov 29 Carrying a bowl in his hands, he wanders around barefoot, seeking alms from people — not for his own survival, but for solemnising the weddings of impoverished women!
After Iron Lady, Manipur produces a Mr. India
Panaji, Nov 24 If Irom Sharmila, who is on a fast for the past 10 years to protest human rights violations by security forces in Manipur, is the state's 'Iron Lady', then Khundrakpam Pradip Kumar Singh is its 'Mr. India'.
Souza's tribute to Tagore highlight of auction
New Delhi, Nov 24 Encouraged by the recovery of the art market after a slowdown of 30 months, a leading Bengaluru-based auction house has lined up rare art works of Indian modern and contemporary artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Rabindranath Tagore, Nikolai Roerich, M.F. Husain, Jamini Roy and F.N. Souza for an auction here on November 30.
People robbed of smiles, but clowns still try!
Panaji, Nov 23 Lives have become so stressed and rushed that even clowns believe making grownups laugh is no joke. But that doesn't mean they'll stop trying.
At 64, ex-IAF man goes back to college
Robertsganj (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 23 He is a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) serviceman with two grown-up sons who are well settled. Yet, Meerut native Jaigopal Tiwari has gone back to college at the ripe old age of 64 — thanks to his passion for learning and for helping spread awareness of basic laws among poor people.
Crorepati' woman to use money on kids' education
Giridih (Jharkhand), Nov 22 A 37-year-old homemaker from a humble family here who has become the first woman to win a crore of rupees in 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' says she will use her whopping prize money to provide 'good education' to her children.
Indian Army officer's daughter is Nepal's new hero
Kathmandu, Nov 22 The daughter of a former Indian Army colonel has become Nepal's new global hero, receiving a prestigious American award for her relentless work to prevent the trafficking of women and children from Nepal and rescuing over 12,000 victims.
Helping slum children dream big — and go to college
New Delhi, Nov 22 Only 30 percent of Delhi's slum children make it to school beyond the age of 14. But defying the statistics and the odds, a clutch of bright-eyed youngsters is now studying humanities and even engineering in well known colleges — with a little help from an NGO.
From selling candles to helping students fulfil foreign dreams
Chandigarh, Nov 20 From selling candles and fabric to teaching computers and from establishing an overseas student recruitment business to a software outsourcing company, Naresh Gulati has covered an enviable journey to entrepreneurial success.
Diving for diamonds — and life in Yamuna waters
New Delhi, Nov 19 Moinuddin and Krishna, though as different as chalk and cheese, have one thing in common. They follow a unique profession that both chanced upon many years ago — diving into Delhi's Yamuna river and fishing out coins thrown in by devotees.
Celebrating Eid-ul-Azha with a 180 kg goat!
Mumbai, Nov 17 Millions of Muslims in Mumbai and others parts of Maharashtra celebrated Eid-ul-Azha with joy and religious fervour on Wednesday. As people hunted for the best sacrificial goats, one that grabbed instant attention was a four-feet tall giant, weighing 180 kg!
Krishna Lila comes alive on streets of Agra
Agra, Nov 15 The century-old theatrical tradition of presenting Sri Krishna Lila for 10 days has seen a revival this year and is even making tales of the cowherd god come alive on the streets of Agra. So much so that it rivals the Ram Lila in its grandeur.
Many Muslim women celebrate Chhath
Patna, Nov 13 They make religious lines blur. Nazma Khatoon and Hasanzado Begum — both devout Muslims — don't think twice about observing a fast and performing other rituals of Chhath, the most popular festival of Bihar that is essentially celebrated by Hindus.
Wanna glam up? Go for coloured contact lenses
New Delhi, Nov 12 If you look deep into her dreamy eyes, you might find love — along with a pair of coloured contact lenses! From green, blue, violet and hazel to basic colours like black, brown and grey — fashion conscious youngsters, women specially, are adding glamour to their appearance with these coloured eye accessories.
Italy lays out pasta, cheese for Indian homes
New Delhi, Nov 10 The two-minute noodles of our childhood is making way for the 10-minute pasta, cheese and sauce. Italy is hardselling its packaged food to middle class Delhi homes, many of which don't mind digging into the quick meals on busy weekdays and lazy weekends.
US president liked Obama Platter
New Delhi, Nov 10 He barely had time to savour the special dish, but US President Barack Obama liked the platter, of lamb dishes and kebabs, named after him at the Bukhara, ITC Maurya's fine-dining restaurant.
A school dropout, he documents Goa's tribal history
Panaji, Nov 10 A school dropout is now emerging as the custodian of Goa's orally rendered tribal history. Too poor to buy a camera, he managed to get one from an NGO to document tales of valour, jungle lore and the importance accorded to the environment among the Velip tribe.
Barack, the man who fires artistic fancy
New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) US President Barack Obama has been a potent source of inspiration for funk artists across the world, spawning a steady stream of irreverent graffiti and poster art since he hit the presidential campaign trail in 2007.
A Dutch film on yoga of sound
Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 2 (IANS) Holland-based Indian origin filmmaker Rishi Chaman, who had earlier made 'Bollywood Blues', is releasing a telefilm on 'nada yoga' in Dutch and English. He says it is a modern, spiritual and musical version of the wellness technique where East meets West.
'English Devi' set to find more devotees in India
Lakhimpur-Kheri (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 30 An eager bunch of devotees await 'English Devi' in many towns and hamlets of India, or so it seems from the requests pouring in at the doors of those behind a unique temple being set up in a village here to popularise English.
St Tropez: French romance with India continues
St Tropez (France), Oct 29 This ultra-chic town in southern France is the playground of the world's rich and famous. But very few, even in Saint Tropez, know about its centuries-old romance with India that began with a Himalayan princess and is now scripting a new tale for golf lovers.
10,000 kids keep guard against littering in Himalayas
Shimla, Oct 29 They may be young, but don't get caught littering in front of them. Over 10,000 schoolchildren are virtually on the prowl in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, ready to teach a lesson or two on non-biodegradable waste.
Use a tablet napkin, pager to order food
New Delhi, Oct 27 How about using a pager to order your food the next time you dine out? Food lovers may soon be able to type their choice of menu and even pay the bill with the help of the gadget placed on their table.
Laddoo king shapes academic careers in Punjab
Jalandhar, Oct 26 The hands that once shaped laddoos are now shaping the academic careers of thousands of students. The Lovely group, which ruled in Punjab as the undisputed makers of the coveted celebratory sweet for decades, is now making a big name in the education sector.
Cow is god: Tripura tribals don’t milk cattle
Bagmara (South Tripura), Oct 25 Tribals of the dirt-poor village of Bagmara in Tripura have been holding on to their age-old custom that forbids consumption of cow milk, though nearly each household has at least one milch cow.
How to keep stress at bay before wedding day
New Delhi, Oct 21 The countdown to your D-day has begun, your wedding trousseau is ready and so is your date with the parlour. But if anxiety is taking over and you are losing sleep — then here is a rundown on how to cope with pre-wedding jitters!
Get off the wheels for a day — to battle pollution
Noida, Oct 20 A couple here who runs a news and information portal wants Indians to observe Jan 30 next year as 'no driving day'.
At this Ram Lila, Ravana refuses to die
Agra, Oct 18 For the first time in the history of the more than 100-year-old Ram Lila on the grounds opposite Agra Fort, Ravana simply refused to die!
India’s oldest student at 100... still going strong
Guwahati, Oct 18 A teacher, a lawyer, a judge and now back to being a student — 100-year-old Bholaram Das has just enrolled for his doctorate, perhaps becoming India's oldest university student.
Bharatpur back in business — with birds
Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Oct 19 The chirping of birds can be heard again in the world famous Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan. Painted storks, cormorants and grey herons are all back to their favourite haunt, now that the sanctuary — parched until two months back — has enough water.
Australian CWG delegate on Cinderella hunt
New Delhi, Oct 14 A pair of 200-year-old embroidered Mughal slippers belonging to an Indian 'princess' has set an Australian delegate to the Commonwealth Games on a Cinderella hunt in India.
Want to be a DJ? Here’s how!
New Delhi, Oct 13 With techno, trance, and hip hop taking over young minds, DJing has become a serious career option in India now. Experts say passion for music, technical expertise and a sharp eye are important elements in making people dance to your tunes.
England paddler's mother wishes an India cap for him
New Delhi, Oct 13 Table tennis player Andrew Baggaley is here representing England in the Commonwealth Games. But mother Yvonne Baggaley, who left India at the age of 19, wishes an India cap for her son.
Remembering Lennon and his Indian connection
New Delhi, Oct 11 He was one pop-rock star who made spirituality a statement, infused the 'rock music bug' in India and was responsible for showcasing Indian culture abroad. One of the world's greatest visionary musicians, John Lennon was born 70 years ago on this day in 1940.
At 85, he spearheads a green campaign
Lucknow, Oct 11 He is a freedom fighter who continues to fight passionately for a cause. Meet Raghuvansh Dubey, 85, a native of Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district who has been spearheading a green campaign for the past nearly 30 years.
Gifted a vuvuzela, Punjab man makes it his business!
Chandigarh, Oct 8 If you hear the sound of the vuvuzela, it might just be 'Made in Punjab'! The monotone bugle and other high-selling sports merchandise is making its way from the state to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Delhi thanks to entrepreneur Manpreet Singh Walia.
Games opener ‘proud moment for India’
New Delhi, Oct 5 She was only one of over 6,000 artistes who stole the thunder at the Commonwealth Games inaugural. But young Kuchipudi dancer Chitkala Balan will cherish the day forever.
Jaipur's lac industry now churns out belts, boxes and more
Jaipur, Oct 5 Belts, necklaces, pendants, rings, bejewelled boxes, photo frames... A few centuries ago, women wouldn't have imagined such exquisite innovations from lac, which was confined to the domain of bangles back then.
CWG canvas: Contemporary artists pool work
New Delhi, Oct 4 An exhibition displaying art by 20 top Indian contemporary artists, 'Looking Glass: The Existence of Difference', opened at four simultaneous venues here Friday ahead of the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games 2010.
Spotlight on Delhi's Jantar Mantar to make astronomy popular
New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) When Sawai Jai Singh of Rajasthan built the Jantar Mantar, the 18th century astronomical monument, he wanted to facilitate naked eye observation to make science of astronomy accessible to as many people as possible, says veteran architect and conservationist Anisha Shekhar Mukherji.
‘New show is about physically challenged people’
New Delhi, Sep 30 Her shortcoming has become her biggest asset. Juhi Aslam, ridiculed for being much shorter than most people, says she has a real life connect with the new TV show 'Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo' in which she plays the protagonist.
Durga Puja organisers send out a green message
Kolkata, Sep 29 It's a green message from no less than mother goddess Durga! Lead-free idols and themes like rainwater harvesting and global warming have caught on at many community marquees that are coming up for the Durga Puja festival this time.
Khaaliqa, all of 12 years, aims for gold at CWG
New Delhi, Sep 29 She studies in class 8, badly misses her mom, has fallen in love with chicken tikka and naan, and she wants a medal — not any, but one at the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games. Meet Khaaliqa Nimji, all of 12 years, from Kenya, one of the youngest competitors at the Games.
Potpourri of Indian culture at Games
New Delhi, Sep 29 Dances, drums, music, yoga, textiles...The sights, sounds and colours of India, encapsulating 5,000 years of the country's culture, are set to mesmerise at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) opening ceremony on October 3 and the creative team behind it says they are ready and waiting!
Indian doctor is Nepal’s heart king
Kathmandu, Sep 27 As World Heart Day was celebrated globally on September 26, Indian doctor Bharat Rawat and his wife Anjali are preparing something special for a special heart patient admitted to their hospital in Kathmandu — dosa without oil and spices.
In Ayodhya, a temple that is open to all faiths
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 25 Idols of Lord Rama, Gautam Buddha, Lord Mahavir, an image of Mecca-Madina, a picture of Prophet Zarathustra... No matter which faith you belong to, chances are you will find your god at the Satyar temple here.
Hollywood bitten by Bollywood bug
New Delhi, Sep 25 Bollywood seems to have become a hot spot for Hollywood actors. From Sylvester Stallone, Kylie Minogue to Brandon Routh, Ben Kingsley and now Drew Barrymore, superstars from the West have started showing interest in Hindi films.
Look up and find bespectacled Bollywood stars!
Mumbai, Sep 24 Call them farsighted, but many Bollywood actors are putting on glasses these days to be in character. Never mind if it makes them look less glamorous on screen.
Garlands of harmony from Ayodhya's Muslim flower artisans
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 23 Muslim artisans here continue to make floral decorations for Hindu devotees, weaving bonds of communal harmony at a time when all eyes are on this ancient town ahead of a much-awaited court verdict Friday on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit contested by Hindu and Muslim groups.
Restoring pieces of history - Adi Granth to Tagore
Lucknow, Sep 23 A portrait of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore dating back to the early 1940s had become dull and lifeless. The colours had faded with cracks and stains visible on the surface. But the canvas has got a new lease of life.
What TV actors do with their first pay cheque
New Delhi, Sep 22 Some bought gifts for the family, some splurged on themselves and some just handed the money over to their parents. TV actors like Gaurav Chopra, Ragini Khanna and Nausheen Ali Sardar share fond memories of their first pay cheque, varying from Rs.2,000 to Rs.200,000.
English and computers now for Mumbai's dabbawalas
Mumbai, Sep 20 Like clockwork, they go about distributing food across India's financial capital, their numerous tiffin boxes clanked together. And now many of Mumbai's famed 'dabbawalas' will be seen clicking away on keyboards as they get English and computer lessons — for personal and professional growth.
Shabana Azmi turns 60 with elan
Mumbai, Sep 20 Shabana Azmi's 60th birthday party Saturday had for its invitees a motley mix of friends, family and selected colleagues from the film industry who had converged at a lounge named Trilogy.
Emotional farewell for metre gauge train in Kerala
Punalur (Kerala), Sep 20 It was all over for the last metre gauge train in Kerala when the Punalur-Chencotta passenger train to Tamil Nadu pulled out of this city on September 19.
Aged 120, living on boiled food, rice beer — and loving it!
Rongmowe (Assam), Sep 18 At 120, she is one of India's oldest women and Kareng Teronpi is still going strong, thanks to a daily diet of bland boiled rice, vegetables, and, of course, a regular bottle of moonshine to keep her spirits high!
As teacher, eunuch chooses a life of dignity
Mughalsarai (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 17 Dressed in a sari and holding a book in one hand, Lata writes a question on the blackboard as her primary class students look on eagerly. There is nothing unusual in this — except that the 35-year-old is a eunuch.
Click, click! Deprived girls to tell their own stories
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Sep 16 Schoolgirls Pooja Bhadoria and Kanchan Mishra are already feeling empowered. In a world where social prejudices are steeped against girls, they are hoping to wield the camera and tell their stories.
Bringing social change in Agra - the children's way!
Agra, Sep 16 A health camp for the underprivileged, education for slum women, a cleanliness drive-these are not government schemes but social projects being carried out by many Agra students as part of an international contest, 'Design for Change'.
Ranthambore's 'Tiger Queen' dethroned by daughter
New Delhi, Sep 14 Ranthambore Fort in the heart of tiger territory seems to be prime real estate that every tiger envies. Machli, the big cat, had ruled it for over a decade till her daughter Satara threw her out in a heartless battle for supremacy.
Ceramic is sculpting tool for artists
New Delhi, Sep 14 Ceramic is becoming a tool for abstract sculptures, says veteran Indian ceramic sculptor P.R. Daroz whose latest works seek to portray sea bed compositions and ruins of lost cities.
Fewer hands to craft Durga idols, courtesy jobs scheme
Kolkata, Sep 14 The city's famous potters' colony of Kumartuli is facing an acute shortage of hands to sculpt Durga Puja idols. Behind this labour scarcity is an unlikely culprit — the rural jobs scheme, which has induced hundreds to stay back in their villages.
These Ganeshas give environment a fighting chance
Mumbai, Sep 13 Ganesha idols made of clay and paper pulp or which use naturally extracted colours have found many takers in Mumbai this year, as environment conscious residents are making sure that the 10-day Ganesha festival celebrations do not come at a cost to nature.
Bengal artisans sculpt Ganesha idols in Karnataka
Hubli (Karnataka), Sep 10 Each year, artisans from West Bengal travel to north Karnataka to sculpt idols of the elephant god Ganesha, lending the images an eastern touch that is reminiscent of goddess Durga who is widely worshipped in their native state.
Rev up those prayers at Bullet Baba’s shrine!
Pali (Rajasthan), Sep 8 It's a shrine dedicated to the Motorbike Devta, also called Bullet Baba. The deity is indeed a motorcycle and such is faith that hundreds of devotees turn up every day to pray for a safe journey.
Stilettos, gladiators, wedges... for the well heeled!
New Delhi, Sep 8 Planning to wear a little black dress? Don't forget to put on a pair of gladiator heels. Or if you prefer a backless gown, go for stilettos. Women can discover a whole world at their feet — with the right kind of heels!
A song on her lips, a style of her own, Asha Bhosle turns 77
Mumbai, Sep 7 She has sung more than 12,000 songs in 18 languages, been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and is still raring to go. Singing legend Asha Bhosle will celebrate her 77th birthday on Wednesday with her position in Bollywood still strong and her legion of fans intact.
13 years on, Mother Teresa still draws tourists
Kolkata, Sep 3 Be it soccer legend Diego Maradona, tennis star Martina Hingis or football World Cup hero Diego Forlan — they have all visited the plain two-storey Missionaries of Charity headquarters here that houses Mother Teresa’s grave. It’s a must-see for foreign tourists visiting eastern India even 13 years after her death.
Literacy behind bars
Naugarh (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 2 Call it an act of atonement. A woman who is in jail in Uttar Pradesh for torturing her daughter-in-law has donned the role of a teacher for fellow prisoners and their children.
Drum beats wake up Mumbai, Govindas seek pot of luck
Mumbai, Sep 2 Mumbaikars woke up to beating of drums on Janmashtami on Thursday as Govindas got together at their venues to strategise and form human pyramids to reach 'dahi handis' — or pots of curd and luck — suspended high.
As breast cancer spreads in India, awareness is key
New Delhi, Sep 1 While bathing one morning, Sunaina Luthra felt a slight lump in her left breast. Thinking it was an allergic reaction caused by a new brand of deodorant used the day before, she ignored it.
Mahabharat gets a new look from Nepal
Kathmandu, Sep 1 After a novel based on the story of Karna, the tragic prince in the Mahabharata abandoned at birth, and a play from the perspective of Gandhari, the queen mother who lived life blindfolded after her marriage to a sightless prince, Nepal is now set to woo London with yet another interpretation of the timeless epic of love, treachery and war.
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