English translation of famous Hindi novelist Shivani’s memoir to release in May
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The English rendering of “Amader Shantiniketan”, a charming memoir by the late Hindi writer Shivani, translated by her daughter Ira Pande, will be released under Penguin Random House India’s Vintage imprint next month. This timeless memoir was written by Shivani nearly 50 years ago from her perspective as a child […]
Read MoreIs Modi era the end of Congress?
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) A timely and comprehensive political critique of India’s ‘grand old party’, the Indian National Congress, author Amit Bagaria’s new book “Congress-Mukt Bharat: Is the Modi Era the End of Congress?” is a compelling and multi-dimensional take on the political, ideological and structural downfall of this 135-year-old party and the ascent […]
Read More‘Sans baggage, Indian businesses uniquely positioned to leverage new digital media’ (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Without legacy systems of the past, Indian businesses are uniquely positioned to leverage the new digital media, says Will Page, former Chief Economist of music streaming app Spotify, in his new book “Tarzan Economics” (Simon & Schuster), extrapolating the global music industry’s journey in coping with the threat […]
Read MoreMastering the art of letting go for achieving spiritual awareness
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Contemporary and internationally respected spiritual teacher Nithya Shanti unveils the art of letting go and returning to a ‘zero state’, a state of mind that has only intentions and no desires, in “Call Your Own Bluff: An Incredible Journey to Your True Freedom” (Penguin) as he guides you on the […]
Read MoreI don’t think about who is at top and who isn’t: Subodh Gupta
By Sukant DeepakNew Delhi, April 14 (IANS) From brass utensils to stainless steel tiffins. From cow dung to buckets — in the world of one of India’s best known contemporary artists, Subodh Gupta, the universal derives from the personal even as the past and future emerges as a time of both hope and conflict. Known […]
Read MoreIdentifying great opportunities and leveraging them when they arrive
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Are you waiting for that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change your life, change your business or change the world? How will you know when it comes? How will you be sure you’re ready? “Opportunity – Seize the day. Win at life.” (John Murray Press/Hachette) is not about waiting for an opportunity […]
Read MoreBook on dramatic rise, meteoric downfall of YES Bank to be adapted for screen
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) “The Banker Who Crushed His Diamonds” that charts the trajectory of the YES Bank from its inception to its dramatic rise and meteoric downfall, capturing the story of the people behind one of the biggest banking failures in Indian history, is to be adapted for the screen, its publisher, Penguin, […]
Read More‘The Gopichand Factor’ flatters to deceive (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Hero or hurdle? That’s the question one is left wondering after reading “The Gopichand Factor” (Westland) given author Abhijeet Kulkarni’s praising sky high only the second Indian to win the All-England badminton title but also grudgingly admitting how he has been an impediment to the game while being […]
Read More‘Once, there was a seed’ to germinate at Vadehra
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Vadehra Art Gallery in the national capital is organising a solo exhibition by artist Sachin George Sebastian, who brings new drawings and cut-out sculptures cast in metal and paper in his latest body of work titled ‘Once, there was a seed’. Sebastian has often articulated his long-standing interest in […]
Read MoreTwo trend-setting books set to clear the air on Indian data
New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Two new books by Chennai-based data journalist Rukmini S, “Whole Numbers and Half-Truths: What Data Tells Us About Modern India” and “India in 100 Charts”, to be published by Westland, are set to release in quick succession The first is a sleek, ambitious book that sets out to answer 10 […]
Read MoreCentre’s new initiative to promote tribal craft, culture
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) As tribes are among the disadvantaged sections of the society, a quiz has been started by the Centre at promoting and preserving their craft, culture and lifestyle to improve their income. Tribes constitute over 8 per cent of our population. Started by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the innovative contest called […]
Read MoreOf the power of books and the bonds of friendship
New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) The obsession with World War II continues — and from all indications, is not likely to die down anytime soon. Paris, 1939: Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all — Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; Remy, her twin brother who she […]
Read MoreBiography of last Travancore ruler silent on his Dewan’s machinations (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 31 (IANS) A biography of the last Maharaja of Travancore that attempts to provide an “authentic” account of his accession and his legacy is, however, silent on the shenanigans of his Dewan, Sir C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar, to retain the independence of the province in 1947 and his deal with the […]
Read More‘Parrikar ensured transparent, simpler defence acquisition procedures’ (Book Review)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Manohar Parrikar transformed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) from a “slumberous, mammoth and slow-moving organisation, happy to trudge along, least bothered about time-bound outcomes” and “personally led changes that have resulted in transparent and simpler” acquisition procedures” and implemented “three big decisions”, says a new book on his […]
Read MorePatrolling increased to ensure visibility during festivals: Delhi Police
New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) The Delhi Traffic Police have said they have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety of motorists on the roads and also to check the incidents of drunk and driving, over-speeding, reckless driving, etc. In a press note issued by Meenu Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), she said, “This […]
Read MoreKalaGhar empowering Odisha women, reviving handicraft
By Rajnish SinghNew Delhi, March 28 (IANS) Starting its journey from a small village in Odisha’s Balasore district with six artisans five years ago, KalaGhar is not only creating employment opportunities for rural women artisans, but also reviving handicrafts in Odisha. The craft-based social enterprise has empowered over 200 rural women aged between 19 and […]
Read MoreAnamika, reincarnated
By Sukant DeepakNew Delhi, March 28 (IANS) Remember the massively popular ‘Kala Sha Kala’, ‘Kahi Karta Hoga Intezaar’, ‘Sona Disda’ — the numbers that grooved an entire generation in the 90’s? Well, singer Anamika Grover is all set to re-release her old classics to introduce youngsters to her music now. “But I’m not going to […]
Read More‘Think out of the box, no set formula for success’ (Book Review)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 27 (IANS) When he was 11, family members and friends thought he would become a monk. When he was 18, people thought he would run away from IIT-Bombay because he didnt know English. At 25, given his lifestyle and habits, most of his friends thought he would not reach 50. […]
Read MoreIndia’s Bagai family asks Pak PM to stop dismantling its palace in KP
By Hamza AmeerDera Ismail Khan (Pakistan), March 26 (IANS) The Bagai family in India has urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to refrain from dismantling its historic ancestral palace located in the Dera Ismail Khan city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. “I am writing to draw your immediate attention on the demolition of a […]
Read MoreJournalist, writer, film critic, engineer: Anil Dharker wore many hats during illustrious career (Obituary)
Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) With his wavy, silvery mane and erudite wit, Anil Dharker, who passed away late Thursday night, was an essential fixture at literary events in the city, was a promoter of New Cinema, a film critic of note, and as a journalist, was the editor of some of Indias best known publications. […]
Read MoreItaly marks poet Dante’s 700th death anniversary
Rome, March 26 (IANS) Events were held across Italy to commemorate the 700th birth anniversary of poet Dante Alighieri, whose “The Divine Comedy” is deemed the most important poem of the Middle Ages and the greatest literary work in the Italian language. More than 100 events were held on Thursday after March 25 was decreed […]
Read MoreNoted journalist, writer Anil Dharker passes away
Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Well known journalist and writer, Anil Dharker, the Founder Director of the Mumbai International Literature Festival, has passed away, family sources said. He had been hospitalised for a heart ailment and he breathed his last here late Thursday. “Sad to hear about Anil Dharker’s passing. He was briefly my editor at […]
Read MoreMelody queen Asha Bhosle conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan award (Ld)
Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Veteran singer Asha Bhosle has been selected for the prestigious ‘Maharashtra Bhushan-2020’ honour, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said here on Thursday. The announcement was made following a meeting of the Maharashtra Bhushan award’s selection committee presided over by Thackeray, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Cultural Affairs […]
Read MoreMastering 5 elements to maintain emotional, mental wellness (Book Review)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Mental health rides on how we feel, and our emotions, in turn, are considerably shaped by socio-cultural norms. Thus, our early environment is crucial to the clues we take for anger an indignation, love and fear, says filmmaker and writer Vandana Kohli with an interest in the human […]
Read MoreMETA 2021 to be held virtually from March 26 to May 1
New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The 16th edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and Festival 2021 will be held virtually from March 26 to May 1 in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Every weekend for five weeks, there will be conversations with the minds behind each of the plays as well […]
Read More‘Sometimes, stories lie dormant in mind for years’ (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 22 (IANS) An idea, an experience or even a fleeting moment can become a story. But the story does not get written immediately after you think of it. Sometimes the story ideas live dormant in the mind for years and then one day become stories, says the multifaceted Dr C.S. […]
Read MoreRenowned Odissi dancer Laxmipriya Mohapatra passes away
Bhubaneswar, March 21 (IANS) Eminent Odissi dancer Laxmipriya Mohapatra, the wife of legendary Odissi dance guru late Kelucharan Mohapatra, passed away at her residence here on Saturday night. She was 86. Mohapatra was suffering from age related ailments for a long time, family sources said on Sunday. Several dignitaries, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and […]
Read More7 mantras to cope with volatile-complex digital world (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 20 (IANS) The VUCA — Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous — world we live in has become an all-pervasive mega-trend, dramatically changing the lives of individuals, business models of enterprises, and the Indian economy. It requires unlearning the old rules and learning the new or losing unrecoverable ground, says Nitin Seth, […]
Read MorePenguin to publish Booker Prize finalist Sunjeev Sahota’s multigenerational saga
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) “China Room” by 2015 Booker Prize nominee Sunjeev Sahota, a riveting novel about two characters separated by more than half a century but united by blood inspired in part by the authors own family history, is to be simultaneously published by Penguin Random House India and Penguin Random House in […]
Read MoreGiving Sita a #MeToo-inspired voice (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 19 (IANS) When Indian American writer Sini Panicker, a trained chemist who is a heroin profiler for the US government, began her research into the Ramayana in early 2018, the #MeToo Movement was extremely popular and highly successful in the United States. And, in her debut novel, “Sita: Now You […]
Read MoreExploring the world of publishing from behind the scenes
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The Indian publishing industry is thriving with a wave of new publishers, international contracts, and authors but the average Indian reader and first-time author knows very little about the intricacies of the publishing process. In an attempt to bridge this gap between readers, writers, editors and publishers, Mumbai-based literary company […]
Read MoreAMU lecture: Gandhi was for individual freedom, says Rajmohan
Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), March 17 (IANS) Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of the ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi, delivered an online lecture on “Does the Arc of History bend towards Justice? Some Reflections”, organised by the Sir Syed Academy, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) under the varsity’s centenary celebrations lecture series. “National independence is not enough […]
Read MorePresenting Ganesha in an entirely new light
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) For the lovers of the “Lord of the Rings” and the “Bartimaeus Trilogy”, here’s an exciting new voice who packs fantastic, action packed quests and brilliant world building into an emotional roller coaster of a book. Rohit Gaur’s “Ganesha’s Temple” (Penguin Random House India) presents Ganesha in an entirely new […]
Read MoreMumbai’s grand, iconic, British-era GPO springs alive in e-book
By Quaid NajmiMumbai, March 17 (IANS) Like many of the magnificent British-era buildings, the iconic General Post Office of Mumbai is a riot of turrets, big and small spires, minarets, big and small windows which allow light and air inside, topped off by a majestic dome looking at the early-summer clear blue skies. Standing on […]
Read MorePicture books that introduce children to Parsis, Anglo-Indians
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Here are two gorgeously illustrated picture books on the culture and lives of lesser-known communities in India, starting with the first two books in the Have You Met series (Penguin Random House India), for younger kids to know the culture and customs, the heritage and food habits, and the festivals […]
Read More‘Adopt a Heritage’: Private party to develop Dara Shikoh Library
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) The development and operation of the Dara Shikoh Library building in the national capital has been awarded to ‘Monument Mitras’ under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project, an official statement said on Tuesday. The Tourism Ministry statement said that the 28th MoU under the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” […]
Read MoreMaha: Sunday picnic unearths centuries-old Satavahana era mystery cave
By Quaid NajmiJalgaon (Maharashtra), March 16 (IANS) A casual Sunday outing in the forests near the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border by an archaeologist resulted in a major discovery – a 2,000-plus year old mystery cave dating back to the Satavahana dynasty era. The cave is hidden and obviously in a secret location, 9 km from the […]
Read MoreUnveiling a new learning style for a positive impact on society
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Our generation is growing up in a time where we are seeing problems that have never existed before. Older tools and techniques don’t necessarily work anymore to solve such issues. We need a different approach that builds on the latest developments in science and takes an alternate path to innovation. […]
Read MoreMy own story relates to evolving global economy: Indra Nooyi
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Indra Nooyi is one of the worlds foremost business visionaries, who broke the glass ceiling in global business as a woman of Indian origin and immigrant leading an iconic American company that operates in 200 countries. Now, she essays her journey in “My Life In Full: Work, Family And Our […]
Read MoreUnfair to compare me to Vishwa Mohan Bhatt: Salil Bhatt
By Sukant DeepakNew Delhi, March 16 (IANS) The moment we start talking about his creation, the ‘Satvik Veena’, he makes it clear, “It is the one that plays me, never vice-versa.” Stressing that it is paramount for every artist to have a peculiar style, signature and identity, musician Salil Bhatt, whose latest album ‘Slide to […]
Read MoreTisca Chopra unveils cover of new book
Mumbai, March 14 (IANS) Bollywood actress and author, Tisca Chopra, unveiled the cover of her second book “What’s up with me” on Sunday. Actress took to Instagram to share the cover of the book and captioned it: “Thrilled to unveil the cover of my latest book — a friendly, practical and empathetic guide for pre-teen […]
Read MoreIndian-origin crypto investor buys $69.3 mn artwork
New Delhi, March 14 (IANS) Singapore-based Indian Cryptocurrency investor Metakovan has bought an artwork by digital artist Beeple for $69.3 million. Various media reports cited that Metakova is a pseudonym of the investor, which means King of Meta in the Tamil language. His real identity is not known, but the investor is the co-founder of […]
Read MoreArundhathi Subramaniam, Anamika, M Veerappa Moily win Sahitya Akademi Award
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Poets Arundhathi Subramaniam and Anamika, and politician and writer M Veerappa Moily are among the twenty writers who will be conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020. Announcing this on Friday, the Akademi said that Subramaniam has won the award for her poetry collection ‘When God is a Traveller’ (English) […]
Read MoreUnravelling the India Covid story
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) When WHO first declared Covid-19 a global pandemic in March 2020, there was a great deal of apprehension about how India — the country with the highest TB cases and diabetes, inadequate health infrastructure and a population of 1.3 billion — would fare. Between the Janata Curfew and the first […]
Read MoreAfghans commemorate destruction of 2 Buddha statues
Kabul, March 12 (IANS) Afghans commemorated the two decades since the Taliban destroyed the two giant Buddha statues in Bamiyan province, with a pledge to preserve the world’s cultural heritages. “Although the Taliban dynamited the two statues, the monuments are still popular as many people annually get together in Bamiyan to commemorate the giant Buddhas […]
Read MoreOnce an ace IAF navigator, he now focuses on short stories (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, March 9 (IANS) Subroto Bandopadhyay was all of 10 when the 1971 India-Pakistan war inspired him to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). Commissioned in 1982, he served for 26 years, rising to the rank of Group Captain, and in 2003 played a key role in circumnavigating a huge Il-76 aircraft […]
Read MoreRaised in deprivation, Karunanidhi became a metaphor for modern TN
New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) In “Karunanidhi: A Life” (Penguin), A.S. Panneerselvan tells the story of the man who became a metaphor for modern Tamil Nadu, where language, empowerment, self-respect, art, literary forms and films coalesced to lend a unique vibrancy to politics. Writer-politician Muthuvel Karunanidhi is among the most important political leaders India has […]
Read MoreBanksy to auction artwork for UK’s NHS
London, March 8 (IANS) Banksy, the acclaimed anonymous British street artist, has offered to auction a piece of his artwork in an effort to raise funds for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the media reported on Monday. The artwork, called ‘Game Changer’, appeared at the Southampton General Hospital in May 2020 when the country […]
Read MoreDeclare NSD an institute of national importance, says Paresh Rawal
New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The National School of Drama (NSD) in the Capital is pushing several major initiatives to strengthen the present system of imparting theatre education and reaching out to more practitioners and theatre enthusiasts across the country. Along with infrastructural development, the vision is to recruit highly trained faculty, increase the number […]
Read MoreWhat does it mean to love?
New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) “Klara and the Sun”, the first novel by Kazuo Ishiguro since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse, and […]
Read MoreFirst-ever virtual New Delhi World Book Fair from March 6-9
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) The 29th edition of the much-awaited New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) will be held virtually this year from March 6-9. The virtual editions theme pavilion will be National Education Policy 2020, the National Book Trust announced on Thursday. The organisers said that over 15 countries, including the UK, the […]
Read MoreRome’s Mausoleum of Augustus set to reopen
Rome, March 2 (IANS) For the first time in its more than 2,000-year history, the Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome will be fully open to the public starting from Tuesday. But Roman history buffs may have to wait a little longer to see the inside of the resting place of the Roman Empire’s most iconic […]
Read MoreCan a cursed inheritance be turned into a blessing?
New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) Award-winning author and poet, Sutapa Basu brings to you a heady mix of mystery and the paranormal, a treasure hunt, and an amateur detective at work that will remind readers of the works of Satyajit Ray and Ruskin Bond. Set in a huge, dilapidated mansion in Kolkata, “The Cursed Inheritance” […]
Read MoreI see my book as a journey of healing, forgiveness: Sarah Maas
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) To celebrate the publication of the sequel to ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ (ACOTAR) titled ‘A Court of Silver Flames’, American author Sarah J. Maas was in a live conversation with Mumbai-based writer Deepanjana Pal at the 14th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival(JLF). The author talked about the […]
Read MoreOn the trail of 12 Indian fugitives who fled to London
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) At a time when a British court has ordered the extradition of diamantaire Nirav Modi to India to stand trial in a Rs 13,500 crore bank fraud after dismissing arguments of his “mental health concerns,” saying they are not unusual in a man in his circumstances, while that of billionaire […]
Read More‘The Code Breaker’ is an uplifting tale in trying times
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) In these days of the coronavirus pandemic, Walter Isaacson, the bestselling author of “Leonardo da Vinci” and “Steve Jobs”, returns with “The Code Breaker” (Simon & Schuster), a gripping account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, […]
Read MoreRailways to restore 8 heritage stations in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Feb 26 (IANS) The South Western Railway (SWR) would restore 8 heritage stations in its Bengaluru division, with the help of Intach (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), an official said on Friday. “We have signed an agreement with Intach to restore and preserve the century-old heritage structures in 2 phases at […]
Read MoreJLF-2022’s venue becomes key question for literary aficionados
By Archana SharmaJaipur, Feb 26 (IANS) As Jaipur Literature Festival continues to hold its sway, even in its 2021 virtual avatar, the venue of its next edition, hopefully in a physical form, is a hot topic of discussion amongst literature lovers of the Pink City and elsewhere. The current edition of the JLF is being […]
Read MoreCombing nuances of poetry, music into Kangra’s miniature paintings (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) His keen interest in the ‘riti genre of Hindi poetry (romantic works of the 18th-20th centuries) and classical music helps him understand the nuances of Rangmala paintings that depict variations of Indian musical modes. Today, art historian and art critic Vijay Sharma is widely recognised as a fine […]
Read MoreRekindling a forgotten Himalayan story
New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Did the CIA, in association with Indias Intelligence Bureau, clandestinely plant nuclear devices on Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India, in the 1950s to spy on Chinas nuclear programme and which are said to have led to a glacier break and triggered the devastating floods in Uttarakhand earlier […]
Read MoreGirish Karnad Memorial Lecture on ‘US Politics: Why Here, and Where from Here?’ on March 12
Bangalore, Feb 25 (IANS) At a time when US President Joe Biden is known to have a China plan in which India has a role, and a clutch of Indian American have been named to key positions in the new administration, renowned journalist and commentator Edward Luce, who was the New Delhi-based South Asia Bureau […]
Read MoreWhen Arthur Conan Doyle responded to the call of a Parsi lawyer
New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) In the village of Great Wyrley near Birmingham, someone is mutilating horses. Someone is also sending threatening letters to the vicarage, where the vicar, Shahpur Edalji, is a Parsi convert to Christianity and the first Indian to have a parish in England. His son George — quiet, socially awkward and […]
Read MoreThe race to create a world-class ventilator to combat Covid-19
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) A raging pandemic, a dearth of life-saving equipment, and 90 days to manufacture a world-class ventilator. On March 24, 2020, a nationwide lockdown was imposed in India in the wake of a formidable adversary, the Covid-19 pandemic. With the number of cases increasing exponentially, hospitals were faced with a dangerous […]
Read MoreSuicide preventer comes to terms with suicide
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) In April 2017, Nandini Murali lost her urologist husband Dr T.R. Murali to suicide. In the wake of that devastation, her life changed forever. As she struggled to find her feet and begin to live again, Murali, a certified life coach and a suicide prevention and mental health activist, discovered […]
Read MoreBalochistan: In the Crosshairs of History (Book Review)
By Aditi BhaduriThe year began on a subdued note with the assassination of journalist and activist Karima Baloch, one of Balochistan’s few, fiery and brilliant women freedom fighters. Her dead body was found in a lake in Toronto, Canada. The death is strongly alleged to be that of the Pakistani deep state. It, however, did […]
Read MoreAwakening your ‘soulprint’ to find happiness and success (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) It was a chance discovery of a book written 100 years ago by his great great grandfather that blended spiritual wisdom to aid decision-making that inspired writer and life coach Aditya Nath to delve deeper into the subject and pen his debut novel, “Awaken Your Soulprint – Discovering […]
Read More2nd phase of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav to be inaugurated in Darjeeling
New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel will inaugurate the second phase of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav on February 22 at Raj Bhawan in Darjeeling. The closing ceremony of the three-day even will be attended by West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar. A choreographic presentation by […]
Read MoreEijaz Khan on how Bigg Boss 14 cemented bond with Pavitra Punia
Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Former Bigg Boss 14 contestant Eijaz says the show gave him a chance to discover the love of his love. Eijaz and evicted housemate Pavitra Punias romance gathered ground while they spent time in the season 14 house. “Both of us had an exceptional journey in the ‘Bigg Boss’ house. We […]
Read MoreRemo D’Souza calls his music label an extension of his efforts to nurture talent
Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Filmmaker and choreographer Remo Dsouza has launched his music label B-Live, and he says his effort is to support budding singers in small town as well as the cities. “B-Live music is an extension of my continued efforts towards nurturing and promoting new talent in an industry which is very hard […]
Read MoreUnderstanding nuances of world cinema through 10th century Kashmiri philosopher Abhinavagupta (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) A new book that unravels the nuances of world cinema harkens back to the 10th century philosopher Abhinavagupta (924-1020), a highly revered Kashmiri Shaiva master, as it pays tribute to his commentary on the “Natyasastra” (an ancient treatise on dramaturgy) and the concepts of “Rasa Siddhanta” (theory of […]
Read MoreMy career has never been dependent on my co-actors: Priyanka
By Sukant DeepakNew Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) “There is no rulebook for me and I don’t believe in planning too much. I have never allowed my work to define me completely. All my life, I have chosen diverse roles — across genres, continents and platforms, and my career has never been dependent on my co-actors,” […]
Read MoreGood Girls: A tale of what it means to be a woman in modern India
By Sukant DeepakNew Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) She was in London when she saw the image of the hanging children, aged 16 and 14, circulating on Twitter. Though she had planned to write a book about the wave of sexual violence, seeing that visual of two teenage girls — Padma and Lalli who disappeared from […]
Read MoreJaipur Literature Festival debuts in digital avatar on Friday
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Hailed as the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’, the 14th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2021, will open on Friday on its brand new virtual platform. The festival, this year features over 300 speakers and performers representing around 25 Indian and 18 international languages and over 23 nationalities as […]
Read More‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power’ a grim wake-up call for India (Book Review)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) With Artificial Intelligence helping “biological materialism sneak in through the back door”, the world is witnessing a real clash of civilisations with “the battle between algorithm and being” writes Rajiv Malhotra, one of the most respected venture capitalists of Silicon Valley and a former chairman of the powerful […]
Read MoreSayajirao III: A Baroda ruler whose far-sighted reforms still resonate (IANS Interview)
By Vishnu MakhijaniNew Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) He was born in the family of a farmer who, though he bore the name Gaekwad, was considered to be to the cadet branch of the Baroda royal family or that of the younger sons of a previous ruler and thus not eligible to succeed to the throne. […]
Read MoreChina’s national museum kicks off ox-themed exhibition
Beijing, Feb 14 (IANS) The National Museum of China has kicked off a themed exhibition to mark the Year of the Ox, showcasing a selection of cultural relics and artworks related to the zodiac animal. More than 160 items have been put on display, offering a glimpse into the history, culture, festival customs and beliefs […]
Read MoreGovt orders removal of encroachments from ASI monuments
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) The Centre has ordered the removal of encroachments from the monuments and sites protected by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) across the country. Currently, there are 3,693 monuments of national importance under ASI’s protection. The removal of encroachments from the premises of the protected monuments was recently ordered as […]
Read MoreKolkata Book Fair to be held in July
Kolkata, Feb 4 (IANS) Considering the upcoming Assembly elections and multiple board exams in West Bengal, the 45th International Kolkata Book Fair will be held in the month of July this year at the Central Park Mela Ground in Salt Lake. Earlier, the fair, which is held at the end of January every year, was […]
Read MoreAbout searching for love and rediscovering yourself
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) What if you ran away from your life today? Twenty years later, three people are looking for you. One is dying to meet you again. The other wishes you had never met them. The third wishes they could have met you at least once. You are one person. Arent you? […]
Read MorePranab Mukherjee’s diaries may soon be a book
New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) Sharmistha Mukherjee, national spokesperson of the Congress and the daughter of former India President late Pranab Mukherjee, said that she is contemplating to come out with a book based on her father’s handwritten diaries. Announcing this at a session with Rasheed Kidwai during the Kalinga Literary Festival, Sharmistha said that […]
Read MoreThis artist pays tributes to martyrs differently since 1999
By Archana SharmaJaipur, Jan 31 (IANS) Meet artist Chandraprakash Gupta who is paying rich tributes to Army martyrs differently since the Kargil War of 1999. He has been making oil paintings of the war heroes and gifting them to their families after travelling miles to their villages to ensure they get a feel of how […]
Read MoreHandwara youth wants Bhadrakali temple development, return of Kashmiri Pandits
By Hitesh TikooJammu, Jan 28 (IANS) A youth leader from north Kashmir’s Handwara has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, asking for the development of the Mata Bhadrakali temple, expansion of spiritual tourism in the Union territory and the return of Kashmiri Pandits. In a letter by […]
Read MoreDelhi-NCR to get major arts centre
By Sukant DeepakNew Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) The Delhi-NCR region is all set to get a major new cultural centre for the arts, a space that will encourage experimentation, research, education, residences, and performances of all kinds including visual, performing, and culinary arts. A virtual launch of Confluence Ideathon 2021 x Serendipity Arts Foundation, an […]
Read More3 generations in K’taka fought for 40 yrs over ‘Kalasha’, Lok Adalat resolves in 4 days
By N.B. HombalBagalkot (Karnataka), Jan 24 (IANS) Three generations from two adjacent villages in Karnataka fought over who should possess a ‘kalasha’ (holy pot) placed on a temple car during the annual fair of Garuda Siddeshwara temple, for nearly four decades. The feud was was finally resolved last week in a district Lok Adalat through […]
Read More18 book covers in Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize longlist
By Siddhi JainNew Delhi, Jan 24 (IANSlife) The Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize has announced its longlist for the sixth edition at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2021. The nominated books in the longlist include: Sarojini’s Mother; Magical Woman; Girl in White Cotton; Women of Prey; Calcutta Nights; The Courtesan, The Mahatma and the Italian […]
Read More‘The Death Script’: A haunting account of the Maoist insurgency
By Ashutosh Kumar ThakurNarrated in multiple voices, ‘The Death Script’ is a creative biography of ‘Dandakaranya’ that combines the rigour of journalism, the intimacy of a diary, the musings of a travelogue, and the craft of a novel. Through the prism of Maoist insurgency, the book also looks at larger questions of violence and betrayal, […]
Read MoreKerala town to flaunt coir, port and labour movement museums
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 18 (IANS) Once a bustling maritime town on the west coast and now a global houseboat tourism hub, Alappuzha in Kerala will launch India’s first Labour Movement Museum, showcasing the fascinating history of the world labour movement that also left a deep imprint on the grim struggle of the workers here for their […]
Read MoreRepublic Day parade to feature 321 schoolkids, 80 folk artists
New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Schoolchildren from four Delhi schools and folk artists from Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata will take part in the cultural programme during the Republic Day parade here on January 26. The number of participating children and folk artists have been cut down to 400 this year, compared to more than […]
Read MoreAn unforgettable adventure in the underworld of a dystopian Paris
New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Paige Mahoney has eluded death again. Snatched from the jaws of captivity and consigned to a safe house in the Scion Citadel of Paris, she finds herself caught between those factions that seek the downfall of Scion, the powerful governing system that controls several major world cities in the late […]
Read MoreAnalysing Article 370, anti-CAA sentiments against backdrop of Islamic theology
New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Delving deep into Islamic theology and politics and how they shaped contemporary India, a compelling new book explains the two landmark legislative interventions of the Central government in the first six months after returning to power in 2019 — nullification of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and enactment of […]
Read MoreA gripping tale of one of modern India’s biggest banking failures
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Who is Rana Kapoor and, more importantly, what role did he play in the rise and fall of YES Bank? On September 28, 2018, after announcing that he was going to step down as the managing director of YES Bank, Rana Kapoor had claimed: “Diamonds are forever. My promoter shares […]
Read MoreKLF Bhava Samvada hosts author Sandeep Bamzai on ‘Princestan’
New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS) Kalinga Literary Festival’s virtual platform KLF Bhava Samvad hosted author Sandeep Bamzai who conversed on his latest book ‘Princestan’. The session took place with moderator Pallavi Rebbapragada, a journalist. Beginning with the session, Pallavi said, “Gandhi in 2nd round table conference told that ‘You shouldn’t toe the British line and […]
Read MoreDelhi to get Konkani academy soon
New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) The Delhi government on Friday approved the setting up of a Konkani academy here to facilitate the growth and promotion of Konkani language and culture in the national capital — a step intended to strengthen Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) foothold in Goa ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections. The academy […]
Read More‘Kasheer’ in English voices diabolical betrayal of Kashmiri Hindus
New Jan 8 (IANS) Originally written by Sahana Vijayakumar in Kannada in 2018, “Kasheer: A Diabolical Betrayal of Kashmiri Hindus” in its English translation brings forth to a larger audience the story of Kashmiri Hindus and the unfortunate mass exodus of the community from their motherland in 1990, against the backdrop of Kashmir’s Islamisation. Translated […]
Read More‘Princestan’ to be discussed at KLF
New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Author Sandeep Bamzai will be in conversation with journalist and writer Pallavi Rebbapragada to discuss different facets of his latest book ‘Princestan’ during the Kalinga Literary Festival’s ‘bhava samvad’ (online) on January 9 at 7 pm. Exploring how in the run up to independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Lord […]
Read MoreA 1,400-year-old tomb discovered in China’s Henan
Zhengzhou, Jan 5 (IANS) Archaeologists have discovered a 1,400-year-old tomb containing a white marble bed in central China’s Henan Province, where elements of both Buddhism and a Persian religion have been found. The brick tomb dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618) was found in Long’an District in the city of Anyang, said Jiao Peng, […]
Read MoreAfter closing down in CP, Madame Tussauds hunts for another location in NCR itself
New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS) Madame Tussauds, the iconic museum of wax statues at Connaught Place in Delhi, has been closed. The exercise of reopening it at another location will begin in Delhi NCR itself. It was closed in the month of March after the onset of the global Coronavirus pandemic. Madame Tussauds is operated […]
Read MoreBhagwat to release book on Gandhi as ‘biggest Hindu patriot’
New Delhi, Dec 26 (IANS) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will release a book hailing Mahatma Gandhi as the “biggest Hindu patriot” on the first day of the new year. On January 1, Modi government ministers Prahlad Patel and V. Muraleedharan will participate in the release ceremony of this book titled ‘Making of a Hindu Patriot’ […]
Read MoreIconic Urdu writer and critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi no more
New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Christmas has turned dark for Urdu literature with the passing away of literary giant Shamsur Rahman Faruqi in Allahabad on Friday morning. The writer and theorist had tested positive for Corona-19 in November though he was discharged from a Delhi hospital after a few days of treatment. Born on September […]
Read More‘For Vajpayee, discrimination on faith was completely no-go’ (Book Review)
New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) At a time when inter-faith marriages have come under pressure and Uttar Pradesh has even promulgated an anti-conversion ordinance, a new book contends that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was vehemently opposed to discrimination based on faith and that religious conversions deeply offended his sensibilities – but he accepted […]
Read More‘Guru Dutt: An Unfinished Story’ a richly layered account of a troubled genius
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Guru Dutt’s filmography has some names which have long been considered as some of the best films to have ever been made in India. His masterpiece “Pyaasa” (1957) was featured in TIME magazine’s All-Time 100 Best Movies list in 2005. His films are still celebrated and revered by viewers, critics […]
Read MoreNorth East Festival off to colourful start
Guwahati/Agartala, Dec 19 (IANS) Union DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday that constructing more railway lines and connecting routes between the northeast and other regions are the priorities of the Central government. Addressing the inaugural function of the two-day North East Festival (NEF), the DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Minister said that the […]
Read More‘Soldier, Teacher, Writer, Spy’: John Le Carre and his dark world (Tribute)
By Vikas DattaNew Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) His brief career in espionage ending with the defection of Kim Philby, the Cold War’s most notorious double agent, David Cornwall alias John Le Carre turned to chronicling it instead and within a few books, became a prominent defining voice of the genre, with his gritty accounts of […]
Read More‘Yashasvi Bharat’ talks about Hindu as worshipers of unity in diversity
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) ‘Yashasvi Bharat’, a book based on collections of 17 speeches of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohand Bhagwat, which is supposed to be released next week, speaks about Hindu as worshipers of unity in diversity in its title. In its page number 27, the book describes “when we talk about […]
Read MoreAjaz Khan’s video song tribute to motherhood crosses 3mn views
Mumbai, Dec 13 (IANS) Actor Ajaz Khan features in the music video Ohh Maa, and the song has garnered over three million views within two days of release. Ajaz says he is also making a short film titled Maa Calling, which presents emotions that Bollywood has forgotten. “I haven’t acted at all while making this […]
Read MoreWorld-class ‘Rudraksh’ convention centre to be set up in Varanasi
By Vivek TripathiVaranasi (UP), Dec 12 (IANS) ‘Rudraksh’, a world-class convention centre, would come up soon in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is slowing gaining centrestage. Soon tourists from abroad would be able to enjoy programmes such as music, drama and exhibitions held at this convention centre. Municipal Commissioner Gaurang […]
Read MoreAIIMS director’s co-authored book on India’s fight against Covid released
New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) “Till We Win”, a definitive account of Indias fight against Covid-19 — how to cope with the pandemic in the days to come and dealing with essential questions like how long will wearing masks be necessary and whether at all a permanent cure is possible — co-authored by AIIMS Director […]
Read More‘Masala Lab’ a joyful, creative playground for culinary experimentation
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) Have you ever wondered why your grandmother threw a teabag into the pressure cooker while boiling chickpeas, or why she measured using the knuckle of her index finger? Why does a counter-intuitive pinch of salt make your kheer more intensely flavourful? What is the Maillard reaction and what does it […]
Read MorePenguin to release ‘VAJPAYEE: The Years that Changed India’ on Dec 25
New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an understated and a singular politician of the kind rarely seen in contemporary times. His patriotism was uncompromising, forged out of the paradoxes of his life: The sensitive poet who summoned nerves of steel to conduct the Pokhran-II nuclear tests; the man from […]
Read MoreNagaland sculptor recreates village landscape on wooden table
Nagaland sculptor recreates village landscape on wooden table
Read MoreHamptons Film Festival selects ‘With Drawn Arms’ documentary as opener
Hamptons Film Festival selects ‘With Drawn Arms’ documentary as opener
Read More21-year old Neelakanta Bhanu Prakash bags ‘World’s Fastest Human Calculator’ title
21-year old Neelakanta Bhanu Prakash bags ‘World’s Fastest Human Calculator’ title
Read MoreWorld Photography Day: Culture minister announces week-long heritage photo contest
World Photography Day: Culture minister announces week-long heritage photo contest
Read MoreSreenivasulu turns used pen refills into miniature sculptures of world landmarks
Sreenivasulu turns used pen refills into miniature sculptures of world landmarks
Read MoreUK to resume socially distanced indoor performances from August 15
UK to resume socially distanced indoor performances from August 15
Read MoreAlmighty Motion Picture nabs rights to ‘The Vijay Mallya Story’
Almighty Motion Picture nabs rights to ‘The Vijay Mallya Story’
Read MoreUrdu poet Rahat Indori dies of heart attack after testing positive for coronavirus
Urdu poet Rahat Indori dies of heart attack after testing positive for coronavirus
Read MoreRahat Indori admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19
Rahat Indori admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19
Read MoreChoreographer Bosco Martis to make directorial debut with ‘Rocket Gang’
Choreographer Bosco Martis to make directorial debut with ‘Rocket Gang’
Read MoreCOVID-19: ‘Friends’ reunion special shoot delayed again
COVID-19: ‘Friends’ reunion special shoot delayed again
Read MoreHulu cancels Zoe Kravitz’ ‘High Fidelity’ after season one
Hulu cancels Zoe Kravitz’ ‘High Fidelity’ after season one
Read MoreEllen DeGeneres considering leaving talk show amid toxic work culture claims: Report
Ellen DeGeneres considering leaving talk show amid toxic work culture claims: Report
Read MoreUnreleased comedy material of comedian Joan Rivers to be out in 2021
Unreleased comedy material of comedian Joan Rivers to be out in 2021
Read MoreIconic ‘Into the Wild’ bus to be displayed at Fairbanks museum
Iconic ‘Into the Wild’ bus to be displayed at Fairbanks museum
Read MoreEmmy Raver-Lampman replaces Kristen Bell as biracial ‘Central Park’ character
Emmy Raver-Lampman replaces Kristen Bell as biracial ‘Central Park’ character
Read MoreHong Kong Film Festival cancelled amid COVID-19 pandemic
Hong Kong Film Festival cancelled amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read More‘The Tonight Show’ make its way back to studio; Jimmy Fallon shares BTS video
‘The Tonight Show’ make its way back to studio; Jimmy Fallon shares BTS video
Read MoreTom Bergeron, Erin Andrews not returning as ‘Dancing With the Stars’ hosts
Tom Bergeron, Erin Andrews not returning as ‘Dancing With the Stars’ hosts
Read More‘Mythbusters’ host Grant Imahara passes away at 49
‘Mythbusters’ host Grant Imahara passes away at 49
Read MoreFind your Sunrise, says author and healer Anushree Painuly announcing her book launch ‘Sunrise Beyond the Dead End’
Find your Sunrise, says author and healer Anushree Painuly announcing her book launch ‘Sunrise Beyond the Dead End’
Read MoreWalt Disney World to reopen tomorrow with utmost safety precautions
Walt Disney World to reopen tomorrow with utmost safety precautions
Read MoreArunachal Pradesh filmmaker bags Dada Saheb Phalke Award for documentary on honey hunting
Arunachal Pradesh filmmaker bags Dada Saheb Phalke Award for documentary on honey hunting
Read MoreJacqueline Fernandez on how Yoga helps her deal with anxiety
Jacqueline Fernandez on how Yoga helps her deal with anxiety
Read MoreLadakhi poet dedicates composition honouring bravehearts of Galwan clash
Ladakhi poet dedicates composition honouring bravehearts of Galwan clash
Read MoreMonuments to open with complete precautions from July 6: Prahlad Singh Patel
Monuments to open with complete precautions from July 6: Prahlad Singh Patel
Read MoreElton John, Kelly Clarkson help Project Angel Food raise nearly USD 700,000 through virtual event
Elton John, Kelly Clarkson help Project Angel Food raise nearly USD 700,000 through virtual event
Read MoreReopening of Disneyland gets delayed as COVID-19 cases spike in California
Reopening of Disneyland gets delayed as COVID-19 cases spike in California
Read MoreAuthor Karan Puri launches new book #MeToo
Author Karan Puri launches new book #MeToo
Read MoreComedian D L Hughley collapses on stage in Nashville, hospitalised
Comedian D L Hughley collapses on stage in Nashville, hospitalised
Read More&TV applauds Ramji Maloji Sakpal, the inspiring father of India’s most inspiring leader, Dr BR Ambedkar, this Father’s Day
&TV applauds Ramji Maloji Sakpal, the inspiring father of India’s most inspiring leader, Dr BR Ambedkar, this Father’s Day
Read More‘So You Think You Can Dance’ to miss season 17 premiere due to coronavirus shutdown
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ to miss season 17 premiere due to coronavirus shutdown
Read MoreKerala CM condoles demise of Malayalam screenwriter KR Sachidanandan
Kerala CM condoles demise of Malayalam screenwriter KR Sachidanandan
Read MoreHong Kong Disneyland to reopen this week
Hong Kong Disneyland to reopen this week
Read MoreSabyasachi’s Mumbai outlet to reopen with safety measures in place
Sabyasachi’s Mumbai outlet to reopen with safety measures in place
Read MoreMet Gala 2020 ticket holders urged to make donations after event’s cancelation
Met Gala 2020 ticket holders urged to make donations after event’s cancelation
Read MoreMumbai artist paints on highway to create awareness regarding COVID-19, show gratitude to cops
Mumbai artist paints on highway to create awareness regarding COVID-19, show gratitude to cops
Read MoreShort films that force us to think .
1) Khud Kushi Khud Khushi? – is a documentary about farmer’s suicides with a question to the society. The documentary displays the irony that the farmers who produce food for the world, can’t live a healthy lifestyle themselves. We’ve researched and presented the reasons for their suicides which majorly comprises of Illiteracy in Farmers and […]
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