One word sums up Hrithik Roshan's chat -- hysteria, in capitals at that! The large crowd waiting for the young star in the Rediff chat room went beserk even before Hrithik could say hello.

'I was so nervous and embarrassed that I hid behind a pillar, just watching my son quietly.' 'I could see him very quiet, not communicating with anybody.'' 'I thought he was not interested. But when he gave his first shot, he was perfect!'

Hrithik Roshan was humbled while shooting for Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya.

In an exclusive interview with rediff.com, Hrithik Roshan offers career insights to youngsters, discusses his entry into the glamour industry and tells us about a few of his favourite things.

Long before he became a superstar, long before he summoned the courage to tell his father Rakesh Roshan that he wanted to become an actor, Hrithik Roshan was seized by self doubt.

On his 46th birthday on January 10, Sukanya Verma lists 10 impressive Hrithik scenes.

Believe it or not, our desi Greek God is all of 50 today. Celebrating Bollywood's golden star with 10 of his coolest introduction scenes.

'Later, I asked Hrithik how he could have remained so calm in the circumstances. He told me simply, \"What could have happened? At the most, they would have killed me\".'

One word sums up Hrithik Roshan's chat -- hysteria, in capitals at that! The large crowd waiting for the young star in the Rediff chat room went beserk even before Hrithik could say hello.

'I was so nervous and embarrassed that I hid behind a pillar, just watching my son quietly.' 'I could see him very quiet, not communicating with anybody.'' 'I thought he was not interested. But when he gave his first shot, he was perfect!'

Hrithik Roshan was humbled while shooting for Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya.

In an exclusive interview with rediff.com, Hrithik Roshan offers career insights to youngsters, discusses his entry into the glamour industry and tells us about a few of his favourite things.

Long before he became a superstar, long before he summoned the courage to tell his father Rakesh Roshan that he wanted to become an actor, Hrithik Roshan was seized by self doubt.

On his 46th birthday on January 10, Sukanya Verma lists 10 impressive Hrithik scenes.

Believe it or not, our desi Greek God is all of 50 today. Celebrating Bollywood's golden star with 10 of his coolest introduction scenes.

'Later, I asked Hrithik how he could have remained so calm in the circumstances. He told me simply, \"What could have happened? At the most, they would have killed me\".'

Farah Khan was easygoing, friendly and free to chat with. And the few questions that fell on uneasy ground, she answered with both candour and politeness.

He is giving his creative inputs to mom Honey and sister Zoya, who are making their entry in film direction. Farhan takes time out to reflect on life after Dil Chahta Hai with Lata Khubchandani.

Farhan and Javed Akhtar discuss the new and the classic Don.

'In the mist of all the hungama created on screen, we should not lose sight of the fact that it's about the story.' 'The audience is telling us we are spending a lot of money to watch a film, give us something that is worth it.'

Choreographer and director Farah Khan turns 50 today, January 9.

Choreographer. Film-maker. Mother of triplets. Shirish Kunder's missus. Menaka Irani's daughter. Birthday gal Farah Khan is all this and much more.

Farhan Akhtar turns 34 we look at the different aspect of his life.

'He must have had a gala time playing that part.' 'When I got a chance to do that in Toofaan, I absolutely relished it.'

Padma Subramaniam cherishes her long association with Odissi dance guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Kelucharan Mohapatra was a name synonymous with Odissi dance. Name any great exponent of the dance form in the last four decades and you would find that she had spent at least some time learning the art from Guruji.

Sonal Mansingh remembers Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Sakina Jaffrey looks back at her parents, Saeed and Madhur Jaffrey's acting journey, to map the changing Hollywood landscape for desi artists.

'Once Attenborough had locked the shot, Jaffrey turned to Amitabh and told him in a very controlled but stern voice that he should never talk to an actor in between takes.'

'Jaffrey played all his roles with a characteristic elan and amiability: He looked like a clever, all-knowing, winking Super Mario, gloriously grey around the edges. Irresistible, really.'

'Sent off to interview him in the late 1970s I met him in a cafe in New Delhi's Regal Building called The Parlour. With impromptu send-ups of Laurence Olivier, Sybil Thorndike and the rich, gravelly tones of a well-known All India Radio Hindi newsreader called Devki Nandan Pandey, he soon had the whole restaurant listening in.'

Saeed Jaffrey lives on through his versatile body of work.

'You can't take your eyes off him.'

Irrfan Khan talks about his latest film, Life Of Pi and his stint in Hollywood.

Irrfan Khan, who will be seen in Hindi Medium next, on why 'just doing one comedy is not satisfying.'

Irrfan Khan's fascinating interview with Savera R Someshwar/Rediff.com.

'He was capable, concise, calm, sublime, and profound, and perhaps that's also why Irrfan's passing felt 'personal' to many.'

The gulf between Hindi cinema's finest current actor and his contemporaries widens with each film. But even Irrfan Khan, in Mick Jagger's words, can't always get what he wants. Raja Sen tells us why that's not a bad thing.

Varun Gautam, Irrfan's friend from his Jaipur days, learned about Irrfan's illness when he received a phone call from Sutapa. This was sometime before Irrfan officially announced his illness. He assured her, 'Even if the doctors are concerned, he will still stay alive.'

Sukanya Verma salutes the late actor's spectacular cinematic legacy.

A R Rahman is a man of few words. But once he warms up, he can keep talking.

An exclusice interview with Rahman.

The struggles and celebrations of A R Rahman's life will be documented in his first ever biography, titled A R Rahman: The Musical Storm, which releases June 10. It has been penned by Chennai-based Kamini Mathai, who has worked in newspapers like Indian Express and The Times of India. This is Mathai's first book.

A R Rahman talks about his new film Kadal, his album Infinite Love and his working style.

A R Rahman's victory run is as much the outcome of his genius as his deep connection with goodness and divinity.

One of the most haunting numbers A R Rahman has composed in recent years, the fabulous Khwaja Mere Khwaja, was not originally meant for the film, Jodhaa Akbar. In fact, it was not meant for any film at all.

They say he doesn't talk much, but that is not quite true of Allah Rakah Rahman. Approach him when he is free, and he can -- and does -- talk nineteen to the dozen on his favourite subject, music.

He had just done a concert in Chennai, the time was midnight and you would think AR Rahman was ready to wind up a hard-driving day. But no -- he was upbeat, obviously in a great frame of mind, when he appeared on Rediff chat.

'...spent 1/10th of his time at 24, Akbar Road...' 'He would have met thousands of party workers and ordinary Congress supporters who have love for the party.' 'Left of Centre intellectuals have shaped Rahul's values, but he lacks earthiness.'

'They sell such ideas in the name of 'national interest'.' 'What national interest are they talking about?' 'There is no national interest in this. The only interest that is there is their profit.'

A simple, one-pot dish of fragrant basmati rice, spices and fresh fish.

These simple home remedies aim to improve your overall health and keep your skin glowing, hair healthy and body pain-free no matter how cold it gets, says Smita Naram, co-founder, Ayushakti.

'In Mumbai, isolation is a very different isolation.' 'It's not about actual physical loneliness.' 'It's the loneliness in the company of others, and I felt that that is a very Mumbai thing.' 'You can be travelling in the ladies compartment squashed against everybody's armpits and still be really, really sad and alone.'

'Studying was never an important part of our life, surviving was.'

Instead of hitting the snooze button and snuggling under your blankets, take charge of your health and exercise indoors, advises Dr Manjusha Agarwal.

The secret to building Rs 5 crore corpus lies in one simple decision. But the longer you wait, the more it costs you -- not just in money but in missed opportunities, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

'...spent 1/10th of his time at 24, Akbar Road...' 'He would have met thousands of party workers and ordinary Congress supporters who have love for the party.' 'Left of Centre intellectuals have shaped Rahul's values, but he lacks earthiness.'

'They sell such ideas in the name of 'national interest'.' 'What national interest are they talking about?' 'There is no national interest in this. The only interest that is there is their profit.'

A simple, one-pot dish of fragrant basmati rice, spices and fresh fish.

These simple home remedies aim to improve your overall health and keep your skin glowing, hair healthy and body pain-free no matter how cold it gets, says Smita Naram, co-founder, Ayushakti.

'In Mumbai, isolation is a very different isolation.' 'It's not about actual physical loneliness.' 'It's the loneliness in the company of others, and I felt that that is a very Mumbai thing.' 'You can be travelling in the ladies compartment squashed against everybody's armpits and still be really, really sad and alone.'

'Studying was never an important part of our life, surviving was.'

Instead of hitting the snooze button and snuggling under your blankets, take charge of your health and exercise indoors, advises Dr Manjusha Agarwal.

The secret to building Rs 5 crore corpus lies in one simple decision. But the longer you wait, the more it costs you -- not just in money but in missed opportunities, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

'Before you work on your business plan, before you build your team, you should have a clear idea about what your product is, who your customer is, how valuable the product is, and whether the market is deep and wide.'

Seems daunting? With right financial planning, patience, and commitment, this goal is entirely achievable, says Ramalingam Kalirajan. Here's how

'To access our satellite, you don't need any IQ test, you don't need to write an examination.' 'You can be a Class 1 student, an engineering student, a 60-year-old person, anybody can access our satellite.'

After spending nearly 50 years in a colonial bungalow at 24, Akbar Road, the Congress moved into a new office on January 15. Rasheed Kidwai, who knows the history of the Congress better than the Congress, looks back at the people who breathed life into this address.

While basic policies focus on structural damage, comprehensive ones extend to household contents like furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal belongings.

Rakul Singh and husband Jackky Bhagnani share a beautiful home in the heart of Bandra, northwest Mumbai.

Maria Goretti and Arshad Warsi have beautifully restored a 150-year-old Portuguese home in the sleepy village of Saligao, Goa, and its unique interiors truly transport you to another world.

Sukanya Verma celebrates Hrithik Roshan's silver work anniversary with a playlist of 25 of his chartbusters.

'80% of start ups fail because they don't have a support system to help them in the very early phase.' 'It's not just an idea that takes an entrepreneur through the initial three years of journey.' 'What plays a definitive role in making a start-up successful is idea\+team\+capital\+mentors\+access to a larger ecosystem.'

When in Landour, discovers Supriya Newar, one of the most important things to do and that too in large measures, is to do nothing at all.

Have some cherished pieces from your mother's wardrobe? Go for these celebrity-inspired vintage chic looks.

rediffGURU Dr Anshuman Manaswi answers question on how to follow safety and health measures while opting for cosmetic procedures.

India has its share of both large tech companies and large national laboratories, but why is it that these don't seem to be at the forefront of any innovation news headlines? asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.

Indian English is the only language that uses the expression 'non-veg' for meat, fish, and those who consume them. A fascinating extract from Shashi Tharoor's A Wonderland of Words: Around the Word in 101 Essays.

Gauri wasn't very happy about living the Bombay life. With no friends in the city, she wanted her husband's films to flop so they could go back home, to Delhi.

A Ganesh Nadar meets one of the IC 814 passengers, Prashant Kharwadkar.

Airhostess Sabita Khail Kho says the incident had made her stronger and more positive towards life.

Arun Nathani, one of the passengers aboard Flight 814,
recalls the hijack.

Rachna Katyal, a year after a IC 814 tragedy.

In an exclusive interview to Special Correspondent Onkar Singh, Captain Devi Sharan, commander of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight looks back at the eight-day crisis that shocked the world.

'He told me he was very happy to see the realistic portrayal of the cockpit too.' 'His wife told me that I carried the same kind of personality as her husband in my performance.'

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack begins by asking why the hijack lasted seven days and ends in wondering if the good guys fought the bad ones hard enough, observes Sukanya Verma.

All You Want To Know About The 1999 Hijack.

It was the earliest domestic flight I had ever taken. As the plane took off, I rested my sleepy head on the window, trying to catch a glimpse of the shrinking earth below me. If it hadn't been for the spectacular view that followed, I would have settled for a two-hour nap.

The enduring allure of the Andamans: Get Ahead reader S Ganapathy Subramanian, PMP shares his visit to the Andaman Islands.

'Many tourists are keen to break the law and see the tribals. But what difference would it make? They are humans like us. We do not like intruders, neither do they. Very little of their homes is left, so we might as well let them be,' says Chintan Purohit.

'The people coped with their loss with remarkable grace. And that is what set this village at the edge of Hut Bay so apart.'

'The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an asset that any country aspiring to become a major power would give anything to own.' 'It is disappointing that India has not capitalised on this potential,' says Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd).

Vaihayasi Pande Daniel discovers Ross Island where the clock can never be turned back.

Havelock should be your destination for 2024. It is love at every sight!

The long queue outside Cellular Jail is a testimony to its place in India's national consciousness. The Andamans is also where the only British viceroy was assassinated and where Bose unfurled the Tricolour for the first time in 1943.

Here's a timeline of Rajesh Khanna's iconic life.

These are some of the facts of the superstar's life.

At his peak, Rajesh Khanna was a phenomenon unlike anything Indian cinema had seen. Sadly, it did not last very long.

Remembering the time when he was a newcomer while Rajesh Khanna was a phenomenon, Amitabh Bachchan once said: 'I got famous purely because I was working with Rajesh Khanna in Anand.

Journalist Ali Peter John, a close friend of Rajesh Khanna, followed his career closely and kept in touch till the very end. He shares some interesting facts about the superstar with Patcy N.

We take the opportunity to celebrate Rajesh Khanna, and his contribution to the Hindi film industry, and profile his life.

Rajesh Khanna: 'When I saw Namak Haram at a trial at Liberty cinema, I knew my time was up.' I told Hrishida, \"Here is the superstar of tomorrow\".'

Here's a tribute to the actor as we look at some of his finest performances.

Salman Khan's among the hottest hunks in town today. His Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya has done well and his Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai is doing average business. And all that success at the drop of a shirt. It works only if have a body worth the showing, though.

Salman Khan talks about his upcoming film Bodyguard, and much more.

'The beauty of my job is that no matter how much well I do it, people will say this guy is insensitive, romancing Sonam, dancing with Jacqueline, going to Poland to shoot a film, when he has a hunting case and an accident case against him. He's enjoying himself; he's earning Rs 600 crore but people don't know how much I have. All my good work goes against me.' Salman Khan gets candid.

Salman Khan played a police office in Patthar Ke Phool in 1991. Thirteen years later he returns to reclaim his khaki uniform for debutant director Puneet Issar's Garv: Pride And Honour co-starring Shilpa Shetty.

The actor talks about his film Ready, his co-stars and marriage.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com examines how Salman Khan went from a reviled, spoilt Bollywood brat to being a well-loved superstar.

'Most of the time we do close-ups you'll be looking at the camera or your main lead, your leading lady, is left of the camera, right of the camera -- she's never there. So, your best close-ups are looking at some unfortunate-looking assistant director or a cameraman. All the romantic close-ups I'm looking at some guy.' Salman Khan tells P Rajendran/ Rediff.com how he shoots his romantic scenes.

Salman Khan, star of this year's Eid release Bajrangi Bhaijaan, talks about his journey from supporting actor to superstar.

Salman Khan's among the hottest hunks in town today. His Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya has done well and his Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai is doing average business. And all that success at the drop of a shirt. It works only if have a body worth the showing, though.

Salman Khan talks about his upcoming film Bodyguard, and much more.

'The beauty of my job is that no matter how much well I do it, people will say this guy is insensitive, romancing Sonam, dancing with Jacqueline, going to Poland to shoot a film, when he has a hunting case and an accident case against him. He's enjoying himself; he's earning Rs 600 crore but people don't know how much I have. All my good work goes against me.' Salman Khan gets candid.

Salman Khan played a police office in Patthar Ke Phool in 1991. Thirteen years later he returns to reclaim his khaki uniform for debutant director Puneet Issar's Garv: Pride And Honour co-starring Shilpa Shetty.

The actor talks about his film Ready, his co-stars and marriage.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com examines how Salman Khan went from a reviled, spoilt Bollywood brat to being a well-loved superstar.

'Most of the time we do close-ups you'll be looking at the camera or your main lead, your leading lady, is left of the camera, right of the camera -- she's never there. So, your best close-ups are looking at some unfortunate-looking assistant director or a cameraman. All the romantic close-ups I'm looking at some guy.' Salman Khan tells P Rajendran/ Rediff.com how he shoots his romantic scenes.

Salman Khan, star of this year's Eid release Bajrangi Bhaijaan, talks about his journey from supporting actor to superstar.

'Wanting to see the bright side of things, we always told ourselves, 'It could have been worse!', when the situation got tough.' Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd), who helped rebuild the IAF's Car Nicobar air base after the 2004 tsunami, recalls the devastation on United Nations World Tsunami Awareness Day.

India's southern most Air Force Base at Car Nicobar rises from the tsunami wreckage and is back on its feet once again.

But the smiles never leave their faces. A Ganesh Nadar reports from Harminder Bay on life in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, six months after December 26, 2004.

Life in the Andaman and Nicobar islands six months after the tsunami.

Akkaraipettai village bore the fury of the tsunami like no other place in India.

The only family Meghana lived with after losing her parents and brother in the tsunami was her dog, Alex. When Alex died after 13 years, she took her ashes to where her own family lay under the ocean. \"I wanted her to join the rest of my family and that is one of the best things I have done.\"

Megahna Rajsekhar survived the tsunami and was rescued by an unknown tribal man. 14 years later she tracked him down to say thank you.

14 years after losing her family in the tsunami, Meghana Rajsekhar finally tasted her mother's rasam when her childhood cook invited her for a meal.

Add more fun to your Christmas weekend.

Nothing adds more festivity to a Christmas spread than gingerbread men or shapes and Xmasy cupcakes.

A festival as special as Christmas calls for a special recipe.

We got your Christmas celebrations covered with Taruna Bakshi's impressive recipes.

Dive into some fabulous treats by Chef Ranveer Brar this Christmas.

With Christmas around the corner, it is time to roll up your sleeves and toss up those yummy delicacies. Here are a few recipes from Pankaj Bhadouria to start you off with!

Aditi Bose shares some unique preparations to get you in the mood this festive season.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Captain Devi Saran, the commander of the Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 which was hijacked by five Pakistani nationals on Christmas eve is, understandably, a much relieved man now. For seven days and nights Saran, because of the responsibility he had to shoulder, endured the nightmare of being held hostage by the capricious captors more intensely than all the others.

'They looked at my recent hair cut and asked me if I worked for the intelligence service': Kollattu Ravikumar, one of those who survived the ordeal on IA Flight 814, on his harrowing experience.

Now, reunited with his wife Geeta and sons Rageeth, Raveeth and Ranjeeth in Kochi, Ravikumar recounts his eight-day ordeal in the hijacked aircraft.

Even in captivity, Pooja Kataria received a gift on December 27. A shawl on which was written, 'To our dear sister Pooja, with lots of love and wishes.'

Rachna, Rupin Katyal's bride of 23 days, returned home a widow after her honeymoon in Kathmandu. There is no rationale to her destiny. The Katyals can't see rationale in anything for that matter.

'Ajit Doval said, \"They are threatening us now\".'

Captain Sharan and Flight Engineer Anil Jaggia both confirm that the hijackers seemed to know a lot about flying an aircraft. Without help from the ISI or the Pakistan army, it was impossible, points out Utkarsh Mishra.

All You Want To Know About The 1999 Hijack.

'India has experienced any number of doctors, engineers, and individuals from professional backgrounds being implicated in terrorism. This is not a novel development.' 'These are mobilisations of opportunity. One does not exclusively associate with one's own kind. A comprehensive conspiracy requires diverse skill sets.' 'One needs individuals with local community contacts, those possessing physical capabilities, technical expertise -- an entire spectrum of capacities.'

'Sometimes I wonder whether the meeting really happened. Everything seems like a dream from which I do not want to wake up.'

'Whenever present-day politics do get involved, history sinks to the level of a morality play, with advocates for this or that cause seeking to praise their heroes or condemn their villains.'

...a time when his legacy ledger was still positive and before the debacle against China. With every subsequent election, our leaders tend to become weaker. India should consider passing a law that no person should hold the highest office in our country for more than two terms, points out Harishchandra.

'The male-dominant Indian culture displays a lot of violence, a lot of aggression towards women.'

MUSO is more than a museum; it is a vibrant, innovative playground that fosters curiosity.

'When you are someone's kid, you get easier access to the industry.' 'People will meet you, maybe even give you a first opportunity out of goodwill.' 'But at the end of the day, it's business.'

'People ask me about my biggest action sequence; this is it, because it involved two giants of Indian cinema.'

'India has experienced any number of doctors, engineers, and individuals from professional backgrounds being implicated in terrorism. This is not a novel development.' 'These are mobilisations of opportunity. One does not exclusively associate with one's own kind. A comprehensive conspiracy requires diverse skill sets.' 'One needs individuals with local community contacts, those possessing physical capabilities, technical expertise -- an entire spectrum of capacities.'

'Sometimes I wonder whether the meeting really happened. Everything seems like a dream from which I do not want to wake up.'

'Whenever present-day politics do get involved, history sinks to the level of a morality play, with advocates for this or that cause seeking to praise their heroes or condemn their villains.'

...a time when his legacy ledger was still positive and before the debacle against China. With every subsequent election, our leaders tend to become weaker. India should consider passing a law that no person should hold the highest office in our country for more than two terms, points out Harishchandra.

'The male-dominant Indian culture displays a lot of violence, a lot of aggression towards women.'

MUSO is more than a museum; it is a vibrant, innovative playground that fosters curiosity.

'When you are someone's kid, you get easier access to the industry.' 'People will meet you, maybe even give you a first opportunity out of goodwill.' 'But at the end of the day, it's business.'

'People ask me about my biggest action sequence; this is it, because it involved two giants of Indian cinema.'

They realised that the Portuguese were better prepared to defend Daman than Dadra and Nagar Haveli. If reinforcements from Daman were to reach Silvassa, there was no chance of defeating the Portuguese. They decided that cutting Daman's communication lines would have to be their top priority before attacking Silvassa. A fascinating excerpt from Neelesh Kulkarni's new book, Uprising-The Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

'The core group from Pune, which bought arms, trained people, carried out intelligence gathering and participated in all the stages of the battle, consisted of RSS volunteers.' 'The Pune group raised resources with the help of three stalwarts from the film industry.' 'The stalwarts were Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi and C Ramchandra.'

Can anyone forget S D Burman's classic songs in Devdas, Sujata and Bandini?

'The second Sunday after Sholay's release, Amjad and Shehla had taken Shadaab to Juhu beach. They were strolling leisurely when, to Shehla's shock, he suddenly picked up their son, grabbed her hand and pulled her along, urging her to run. They raced towards their car and had just managed to get in and lock the doors when all hell broke loose. Hundreds started banging on the car, shouting, 'Gabbar Singh bahar niklo!''

He was a storyteller who made me feel the pulse of history, the stakes of human ambition, and the thrill of a well-told tale. Prem Panicker recalls his debt to Frederick Forsyth, who passed away on Monday.

It was a shop that we grew up with and one that saw us grow. As children in boarding school, items bought from Krishnaji's store were like living symbols from home.

'Only a fool would put his life savings into a restaurant at 59... but I did'

'When I woke up on New Year's morning last week, it occurred to me that nobody had bothered to investigate how Christmas and the year end were different in my adopted home town of Bournemouth -- a charming place on the south coast of England -- from what played out on the streets of Pala in Kerala. This was clearly an important omission,' says Chindu Sreedharan, and sets out to correct it.

On Bhagat Singh's 117th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recounts fascinating incidents from the legend's life.

Standing near the noose, he recited a couplet in which he said he wished nothing but to sacrifice his life for the motherland. Utkarsh Mishra remembers Ram Prasad Bismil on the revolutionary leader's 128th birth anniversary.

On the 94th anniversary of the revolutionary giant's martyrdom, Utkarsh Mishra revisits the events of February 27, 1931.

One hundred years ago, a group of 10 revolutionaries carried out an operation that shook the British Empire. Utkarsh Mishra revisits the 'Kakori Conspiracy Case', a turning point in the armed struggle for independence.

The Meerut Conspiracy Case was aimed at curbing communist influence in India. However, it fueled nationwide sympathy, shaping the course of leftist politics in the country.

From Agra Fort and Red Fort to Sabarmati Ashram, Jallianwala Bagh and Kirti Mandir, these sites have had played an important role in India's freedom struggle.

For Vaihayasi Pande Daniel, the granddaughter of a freedom-fighter, Jallianwala Bagh is the most important pilgrimage. The spot where 94 years ago more than 1,000 people were killed in cold blood, was a must-do on her life's itinerary, she writes after a recent visit to the hallowed garden

It took Udham Singh 21 years to avenge the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. And 34 years for his remains to return to India after execution in a British prison.

On Bhagat Singh's 117th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recounts fascinating incidents from the legend's life.

Standing near the noose, he recited a couplet in which he said he wished nothing but to sacrifice his life for the motherland. Utkarsh Mishra remembers Ram Prasad Bismil on the revolutionary leader's 128th birth anniversary.

On the 94th anniversary of the revolutionary giant's martyrdom, Utkarsh Mishra revisits the events of February 27, 1931.

One hundred years ago, a group of 10 revolutionaries carried out an operation that shook the British Empire. Utkarsh Mishra revisits the 'Kakori Conspiracy Case', a turning point in the armed struggle for independence.

The Meerut Conspiracy Case was aimed at curbing communist influence in India. However, it fueled nationwide sympathy, shaping the course of leftist politics in the country.

From Agra Fort and Red Fort to Sabarmati Ashram, Jallianwala Bagh and Kirti Mandir, these sites have had played an important role in India's freedom struggle.

For Vaihayasi Pande Daniel, the granddaughter of a freedom-fighter, Jallianwala Bagh is the most important pilgrimage. The spot where 94 years ago more than 1,000 people were killed in cold blood, was a must-do on her life's itinerary, she writes after a recent visit to the hallowed garden

It took Udham Singh 21 years to avenge the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. And 34 years for his remains to return to India after execution in a British prison.

Admiral (retired) J G Nadkarni on 1971, 31 years later.

It was 40 years ago on December 16 that the world saw the biggest surrender of an army after World War II. Journalist Prem Prakash recounts what happened on that momentous day.

Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam lists the major operational takeaways from the 1971 War in his new book 'India's Wars, A Military History, 1947-1971'.

An exclusive interview with Admiral S M Nanda, who led the Indian Navy during the 1971 war.

Lieutenant General J F R Jacob, Chief of Staff, Eastern Army Command during the 1971 war, revealed how, armed with only a draft surrender document and an aide, he made the Pakistani army led by Lieutenant General A A K Niazi surrender.

According to recent media reports, a portrait capturing what one general called India's greatest military achievement in 1,000 years -- Pakistan's surrender on December 16, 1971 -- has been removed from the army chief's lounge and been replaced by another painting.

'There was plenty of pushing, pulling and jostling going on as everyone wanted to see what was going on at the table.'

'You have been surrounded from all directions, if you want the safety of your troops and your personal safety, we will give you eight hours to make up your mind to surrender.'

Vallabhbhai Patel's great claim to fame originated from his steely leadership of a struggle against a repressive regime, a good three decades before the achievement of states unification, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

I think the 'What-if-it-had-been-Patel?' sentiment represents a yearning for more of what we are already seeing around us in India today, observes Aakar Patel.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's sage advice remains as relevant today as it was during his lifetime, says Vivek Gumaste.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a decisive role in the Constituent Assembly and remained the moving spirit behind some of the landmark provisions of Indian principles.

Leaders of today can pay homage to Sardar Patel by being realists, calling a spade a spade, having sound advisors, playing to our strengths etc, says Sanjeev Nayyar.

The rising tide of Indian nationalism meant that the people of princely states now were keen to become a part of a united and integrated India rather than remain subjects of a princely state. The Congress too supported the people's wish and it fell upon Patel to get the princes to agree. He did so magnificently, using every trick available, whether it was sweet talk or coercion; the rulers buckled and Patel earned the eternal gratitude of the entire nation.

'Most Indians know very little about Patel which is a great shame.'

Generations of Indians don't quite grasp that there would barely be an India had it not been for the Sardar whose steadfastness and guile stitched together that which had been united only in philosophy and spirituality and sometimes not even then -- for thousands of years. A fascinating excerpt from Hindol Sengupta's The Man Who Saved India, Sardar Patel and His Idea of India.

'K Asifsaab was very definite that 'woh Hindustan ka honewala Badshah hai -- woh gana nahin gayega.'

'Dharmendra was paying a little extra attention to me and she didn't like it.'

'Everything in life is about timing.' 'I came to films when the disco craze had started.' Everything just fell into place: The shorts, the slimness, the songs, and my combination with Usha Uthup and Bappi Lahiri.'

'So I started talking to him in Marathi and everything really changed.' 'There was this spark in his eyes and he smiled.' 'It's unbelievable that a man can be so charming with a single smile at 90.'

'Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were already very busy. Then, Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor started signing more films, Paresh Rawalji also got busy... 'Rajkumar Santoshiji got offered Damini he was very excited about it. He told dad that since her dates were available, let me do this film quickly. But aisa hota toh nahin. That film also took time. 'So sabke dates ka problem ho gaya, including the director's.'

'Look after your own mother before looking after your neighbour's mother.' 'I don't believe in starving my own mother and feeding sweets to the neighbours.'

'I never had any nakhras, never threw tantrums, so I got along with all my heroes.'

'We've had our fights, and our laughs too.'

'K Asifsaab was very definite that 'woh Hindustan ka honewala Badshah hai -- woh gana nahin gayega.'

'Dharmendra was paying a little extra attention to me and she didn't like it.'

'Everything in life is about timing.' 'I came to films when the disco craze had started.' Everything just fell into place: The shorts, the slimness, the songs, and my combination with Usha Uthup and Bappi Lahiri.'

'So I started talking to him in Marathi and everything really changed.' 'There was this spark in his eyes and he smiled.' 'It's unbelievable that a man can be so charming with a single smile at 90.'

'Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were already very busy. Then, Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor started signing more films, Paresh Rawalji also got busy... 'Rajkumar Santoshiji got offered Damini he was very excited about it. He told dad that since her dates were available, let me do this film quickly. But aisa hota toh nahin. That film also took time. 'So sabke dates ka problem ho gaya, including the director's.'

'Look after your own mother before looking after your neighbour's mother.' 'I don't believe in starving my own mother and feeding sweets to the neighbours.'

'I never had any nakhras, never threw tantrums, so I got along with all my heroes.'

'We've had our fights, and our laughs too.'

The smoky, charred goodness of foods cooked in a tandoor or tandoori-style is a flavour strongly associated with north Indian cuisine. Anything you stick in a tandoor -- be it meats, seafood or veggies -- gain a scorched exterior, but when you bite into them it's all juiciness and succulence.

Soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, falafels taste divine eaten piping hot, dipped in hummus or rolled in pita or a flatbread.

India has gained a worldwide reputation for its scrumptious flatbreads, some of them stuffed, courtesy TasteAtlas polls. While Alu Parathas are, hands down, the nation's favourite, there are many, many kinds of stuffed parathas out there.

The runaway popular Cilbir, poached eggs served with hung yoghurt, is made umpteen ways in Turkey. Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com seasons with paprika and fresh dill.

One can grate, ghiso, grind a whole range of vegetables, fruit or nutty ingredients and magically, with a lil' food alchemy, transform them into a lip-smackingly good halwa. The amount of sugar or type of sweetener that goes into a halwa is in your hands. So is the amount of ghee.

Science, and the science of nutrition, has been strongly suggesting, for a while now, that the more fruits you have -- not bought juice, please, and cut fruit is preferred over even homemade juice -- the better your day will unfold, healthwise. Don't have just one piece of fruit. Have 3 or 4 daily bindass.

In this modern age, when so many environmental factors erode our health and cause a quicker decline of our bodies, it's important to include food in your diet that's fodder for the brain. This is equally important for people of all ages and the right way to plan your child's nutrition so he/she can excel in every aspect of life.

Looking for recipe which your kids would love to eat. Here are 11 meals which are easy to prepare and tasty to eat.

According to research from Stanford University, people in certain nations barely clock up enough steps each day, revealing just how sedentary modern life has become!

Eating meat in moderation is important for maintaining a healthy diet. Meat provides nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins B12, says Healthline. Excessive consumption -- particularly of red & processed meats -- is linked to risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease, certain cancers.

India's earliest ways of living reflected wisdom in simplicity. Many of these household aids, machines, objects and age-old practices are slowly vanishing. Can you identify any of them?

Walking 30-mins around the place can help you shed roughly 100 to 200 calories. It's something you can easily fit in while preparing meals, catching up on your favourite shows, or chatting on the phone, states Cleveland Clinic.

Upma is the ultimate quick, to-go brekker, ideal for busy mornings, singletons, lazy moods. Versatile, with just a few clever additions it changes form and taste.

Which countries do the most online shopping? E-commerce has reshaped shopping habits worldwide. And according to DataReportal, Digital 2025, these countries have the largest share of digital retail spending.

Flowers aren't just pretty -- they're delicious! Discover how India turns blossoms into exciting bites with these unusual flower-based recipes.

According to dictionaryblog.cambridge.org, these are a few new words of this year you might find useful.

In May, 40 Rohingyas were blindfolded and flown to the Andaman and Nicobar islands and then thrown into the sea and made to swim to an island in Myanmar. And after the Pahalgam attack, at least 300 Muslims were 'pushed back' to Bangladesh from Assam.

'Human rights violations are there in rural areas and in cities. In rural areas it is crude and in the open. In urban areas it is well hidden.' 'Awareness has grown several fold. India has 160 national and state human rights institutions. No other country in the world has this.' 'Unfortunately the right to association, right to assembly, freedom of expression, right to protest and discuss are all being curtailed systematically one by one.'

Human rights are the most basic rights of human life. There is no point in living if a person has no human rights,\" says Norman Dorsen, president, American Civil Liberties Union between 1976 and 1991. Dorsen was in India last fortnight, for the first time, to understand the Indian human rights problem.

'The moment they fall foul of the party in power, they become unsafe. Then nobody can guarantee their safety.'

'Where you change the law and then say, we are following the law.' 'The fact is, the law is not meeting any international standards.' 'How can you call UAPA or PMLA a law when you are guilty until proven innocent?'

'These new laws give complete (impunity) to the police.' 'Whatever little accountability the police had, all that is gone now.' 'There is no accountability mechanism against the police for abusing or misusing in the new laws.'

'Anybody and everybody who opposes this government for whatever reasons will be branded a terrorist and charged in such a manner that all human rights will be taken away.'

'...in the minds of the youth of Assam.' 'Now, no protests happen in Assam because of fear of police encounters.'

'Regardless of whether you invest Rs 100 or Rs 1 crore per month, risk is inevitable.' 'Positive returns at the end of the year can never be guaranteed.' 'This is a fundamental truth every SIP investor must grasp.'

Dr Aarti Ullal lists remedies to help you improve the quality of your sleep.

Dr Nandita Palshetkar, IVF expert and medical director, Bloom IVF, explains how certain behaviour can lead to poor quality of sperm.

Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Are there nations where everyone owns a car? Or even two cars? Let's find out. We look at recent data from Worldpopulationreview.com.

India is not the only country that reveres snakes and worships them as we do on Nag Panchami. Several cultures do.

India climbed 8 spots, dramatically jumping upto the 77th rank on Henley Passport Index 2025. With the addition of Sri Lanka & Philippines, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations.

rediffGURU Anu Krishna, mind coach and co-founder Unfear Changemakers, tells you how to deal with unwanted attention and protect your friendship.

rediffGURU Kanchan Rai explains how to deal with an awkward situation and the emotional mess when your secret online relationship unexpectedly collides with your real life.

While it's important to acknowledge what happened, try to focus on the present and what you both can do to nurture your relationship moving forward, advises relationship coach rediffGURU Kanchan Rai.

Be very cautious about relationships that come from a place of need, warns rediffGURU Anu Krishna. When the need is filled, the relationship invariably breaks.

rediffGURU Ravi Mittal, CEO, Quack Quack tells you how to handle emotional manipulation and identify red flags in a relationship.

If you suspect infidelity, look for patterns instead of relying solely on your fears, suggests rediffGURU Kanchan Rai, relationship coach and founder of Let Us Talk Foundation.

rediffGURU Anu Krishna shares expert advice on how to deal with a monotonous relationship.

rediffGURU Dr Upneet Kaur explains how to deal with a partner who casually flirts and dismisses your feelings as jealousy and highlights why it's important to have certain boundaries in love.

On the 25th anniversary of the battle that made his war cry 'Dil Maange More' part of national lore, we republish that feature to salute Captain Batra's ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

Days after the Lahore summit, in a modest hotel room in Delhi, unbeknownst to anyone but their respective prime ministers, Niaz Naik and R K Mishra conducted the most meaningful dialogue on the Kashmir problem in Indo-Pakistani history.

35 years ago, Indira Gandhi wanted RAW to cultivate Israel's Mossad. She believed relations between the two intelligence agencies was necessary to monitor developments that could threaten India and Israel.

'As I stood there with an iron rod, Suhel, a friend of mine, passed by. He screamed, 'Arre Suhasbhai tame pann? [Suhas, you too?]'

Marshal Arjan Singh on the 1965 War.

wenty-year-old Varun Salvi* is in training to become a front office executive at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. On the night of November 26, he was on his way to work the 11 pm shift when he learned of the terrorist attacks. Able to establish cell phone contact with a colleague trapped inside the hotel, he gives us his story and a blow-by-blow account of how the events that night transpired.

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar talks to Faisal Shariff about his knock against Pakistan and the victory that followed.

The President took forward what he had initiated when he moved into Rashtrapati Bhavan in July 2002: Meeting young Indians from all walks of life, and exchanging ideas with them.

'I have heard that our two doormen at the main porch were among the first to fall prey to the firing and God knows how many more hapless employees succumbed to this horrific attack.'

Twenty-seven-year old Ritik Bhasin, a partner of event management company Couch Potato, was present in the lobby of the Taj Hotel when the terrorists struck on the night of November 26. Here is his harrowing account of what transpired.

Sixteen-year-old college student Shraddha Keswani* was at the Taj Hotel in Colaba, Mumbai, on Wednesday, November 26, when the terrorists attacked. She talks to Rediff.com about her experience.

The 26/11 attacks helped meditation guru Master Charles find the strong core of inner peace.

'The Jews used to feed the poor who came there. They were nice people.'

rediff.com covered the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai from the moment they ensued. Photographs by the rediff.com team from those grim days.

Rediff.com's Matthew Schneeberger, an American citizen working in Mumbai, describes the scene at CST, King George Hospital and JJ Hospital the day after terror attacks in the island city. In the process, he hopes to find the secret to the 'indomitable' Mumbaikar spirit

Two terrorists and 5 hostages were found dead inside the building.

Sachin Tendulkar enjoyed himself hugely on the Rediff Chat. There were many, many, many more questions Planet Earth's Greatest Batsman could answer in the 90 minutes he spent on the Rediff Chat...

Philadelphia, December 19, 2030 hours IST (1000 hours EST): Manoj Night Shyamalan, extremely busy, did the Chat from his residence.

Dr P K Iyengar, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, came in on a bunch of chatters who were both proud and concerned. But the good doctor was a little terse in his replies, understandably perhaps. He fielded questions about the nuclear devices, avoided questions that was out of his area of expertise.

We were nervous. The M F Husain Chat was the first we had scheduled at our new office and we weren't quite sure if the great man would actually turn up. After all, Maqbool Fida is known to pack a bag and zoom off to some faraway destination without a thought.

Charm! That's what Dev Anand is all about. An old-worldly romantic kind of charm that is deferential and yet a little inflexible. The evergreen hero discussed his upcoming movie, his personal font of eternal youth, his belief that only the present matters...

For all those of us who stayed awake that night, he was on time. The first thing that strikes you about Vikram Seth, in India to promote his latest novel An Equal Music, is his height, which is of Napoleonic proportions.

At 6.30 pm on Monday, we had a call from Nayan Momaya, one of V P Singh's associates. The former prime minister's blood pressure had shot up alarmingly, suddenly, and he was in no shape to travel from Raj Bhavan, where he is staying, to the Rediff On The NeT office on Bombay's Homji Street.

Christmas Eve or no, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee charisma works - as Rediff Chat discovered when the BJP frontman appeared on Guest Chat, live.
A houseful audience, questions on issues ranging from the BJP's policies to the political future of the country - we got them all.

Prem Panicker finds that several issues, mainly of survival, exercise the electorate in Ayodhya. But there is only one that ultimately matters -- caste.

What is Change really like in Bihar? Once seen as India's basket-case, what is its turnaround story like?

Life in the Andaman and Nicobar islands six months after the tsunami.

Chindu Sreedharan reports from Kashmir.

An artillery gun goes off, and we nearly jump out of our skin, something that continues to happen. The noise is so loud, so piercing that I doubt if anyone can ever get used to it. When a 130mm artillery gun fires it is like hearing a million crackers go off simultaneously

Senior Editor Sheela Bhatt on the ground reality in Kutch.

Sheela Bhatt's follow-up on the Child God Gave Back in Bhuj.

When a trial for a murder is going on -- with no end in sight -- more than ten years after the crime took place, it will not feel like the murder happened yesterday.

\"The line had to be drawn somewhere and the Hindiwallahas
told where to get off. I was shocked about the proposed Hindi versions of the great English political satire, Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister! How strange that BBC which had helped
the spread of English now decided to stab the noble language in its back.

One is a monster of a motorcycle. It belongs to a youngster who lives a mile away and is the spitting image of a bike I used to have a decade ago, a Norton Dominator, one of a long and distinguished line of single-cylinder four-strokes that the British used to make in large quantities until the Japanese took over the motorcycle industry.

Manjula Padmanabhan on queuing up for voter I-cards

Beginning a new column is like entering into a marriage arranged by others. One worries about a possible incompatibility with the conceptual audience.

In November 2003, the two engineers were awarded a 'Technovators' prize by the Massachusetts Institute of Techonology in the USA. The astonishing thing was, neither I nor anyone else who knew the pair was able to reach them to tell them about this.

In an exclusive interview with rediff.com -- his first with any South Asian media organisation -- President Bush lauded India for being \"an outstanding partner in the global war on terror.\"

'Musharraf presented me with a plan about how mujahideen would infiltrate an area like Kargil.' Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto tells Shyam Bhatia.

On the occasion of the Narendra Modi government completing one year in office, Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com speaks to BJP president Amit Shah who is yin to Modi's yang. Don't miss it!

Because of Mukesh's much-hailed association with Raj Kapoor, it is often overlooked that the singer has also scored hits with almost all major heroes. On Mukesh's 102nd birth anniversary on July 22, Dinesh Raheja recalls some of his classic songs.

Subhash K Jha lists Geeta Dutt's top solo songs on her 53rd death anniversary on July 20.

Between 1969 and 1974, Rajesh Khanna had 16 blockbusters, making him one of India's biggest superstars. On his 13th death anniversary on July 18, Subhash K Jha looks at his top 10 hits.

Before Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda take us on whirlwind of love and heartache in Saiyaara, let's take a look at 10 romantic tales swathed in dard and aansu.

Pran was once Bollywood's top villain but he had many songs picturised on him.

'While shooting the Don song, Chandra Barot ordered 30-40 paans and insisted Amitabh Bachchan eat them all.'

Hrithik Roshan's grandfather, the incomparable composer Roshan Lal Nagrath, known as Roshan, would have been 108 on July 14. Subhash K Jha listens to 10 memorable Roshan songs.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Katrina Kaif's 42nd birthday on July 16.

Because of Mukesh's much-hailed association with Raj Kapoor, it is often overlooked that the singer has also scored hits with almost all major heroes. On Mukesh's 102nd birth anniversary on July 22, Dinesh Raheja recalls some of his classic songs.

Subhash K Jha lists Geeta Dutt's top solo songs on her 53rd death anniversary on July 20.

Between 1969 and 1974, Rajesh Khanna had 16 blockbusters, making him one of India's biggest superstars. On his 13th death anniversary on July 18, Subhash K Jha looks at his top 10 hits.

Before Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda take us on whirlwind of love and heartache in Saiyaara, let's take a look at 10 romantic tales swathed in dard and aansu.

Pran was once Bollywood's top villain but he had many songs picturised on him.

'While shooting the Don song, Chandra Barot ordered 30-40 paans and insisted Amitabh Bachchan eat them all.'

Hrithik Roshan's grandfather, the incomparable composer Roshan Lal Nagrath, known as Roshan, would have been 108 on July 14. Subhash K Jha listens to 10 memorable Roshan songs.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Katrina Kaif's 42nd birthday on July 16.

Harishchandra Shrivardhankar was one of the few people who dared to fight back during Mumbai's night of terror, and survived to tell the tale.

How the brave officers of the Marine Drive Police Station battles terrorists and rescued the guests.

Eyewitness accounts of the police encounter which arrested the terrorist.

Dara Huang and John Fesko had just asked for the check in Leopold's when they heard the first shots. As they made their way out of the cafe and back to the Taj Mahal hotel, little did they know that they were walking into a far more serious and dangerous situation. One month on, Dara recalls the ordeal.

Chand Pasha and his brother Peer were waiters at Leopold cafe. Peer was killed by terrorists on November 26.

Vinita Bisht and Vinita Kamte lost their husbands -- one an NSG commando, the other an IPS officer -- in the 26/11 terror attack. Six years later, Archana Masih/Rediff.com meets them to discover that closure is one of the hardest things to find.

Rajvardhan, a daring police officer who fought the terrorists at the Taj Mahal hotel on 26/11, discusses the terror attacks and its aftermath with Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel in an exclusive interview.

'Crores are spent on Martyrs Day and on lighting candles, but people don't respect living soldiers who are heroes.'

In the first of a four-part series ProPublica's Sebastian Rotella reveals how David Coleman Headley turned from a United States Drug Enforcement Administration to a Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative, who played a key role in launching the most dreadful terror attack on Indian soil on November 26, 2008, and how America botched up chances to stop him.

Post 9/11, Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative David Coleman Headley was under the scanner of the US intelligence who believed he was related to a top ISI official. While there has been indication that he could have worked as an informant for US enforcement agencies in Pakistan, today the US agencies deny it. What's shocking is that despite regular tipoffs on Headley, he was given a clean chit time and again by the US, reports ProPublica's Sebastian Rotella.

In the third of the four-part series ProPublica's Sebastian Rotella reveals how the United States continued to believe that David Headley was an informant, even after receiving complaints from two of his wives about his radicalisation and his Lashkar-e-Tayiba links. The US State Department communicated the warnings to the CIA and FBI, but it remains unclear why they failed to act upon it.

In the fourth and concluding part of the series ProPublica's Sebastian Rotella talks about how Laskar-e-Tayiba operative David Coleman Headley was finally nabbed by United States law enforcement agencies, but only after he hoodwinked them for seven years. But the epilogue in the story is rather like the prologue: full of impunity and mystery

Paula Samore, an American citizen who was at the Taj hotel, recounts two extraordinary days.

The first thing you notice as you enter D B Marg police station in south Mumbai is the photograph of Tukaram G Omble, who died battling terrorists early on the morning of November 27.

The young nurses at Mumbai's Cama and Albless's maternity ward are simple, hard-working women.

The doctors have told Inspector Deepak Dole of the Colaba police station in south Mumbai to avoid sunlight and dust for at least three months. The reason: Large swathes of his skin, burnt by the fire started by terrorists in the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, are peeling off.

'The Indian Army won't induct anyone who has killed Indian soldiers.' 'That's why the army respects these reformed men so much -- they're on the frontline now, protecting India.'

'All governments are scared of a negative image.' 'Somehow, this government has a tendency to create a narrative that things are improving.' 'When the real data gives a different picture, they are upset.'

Aditi Bose suggests a quick lunch recipe. Her easy stir fry Veggie Fried Rice bursts with flavour and colour.

rediffGURU Kanchan Rai explains how to deal with an awkward situation and the emotional mess when your secret online relationship unexpectedly collides with your real life.

Are there nations where everyone owns a car? Or even two cars? Let's find out. We look at recent data from Worldpopulationreview.com.

Like Hulk Hogan, these larger-than-life wrestling icons ruled our TV screens.

Subhash K Jha lists Mukesh classics on his 102nd birth anniversary on July 22.

We celebrate Himesh Reshammiya's 51st birthday on July 23 with his top songs.

'For 40 years, India valued only technical skills. IITs, coding -- that became everything.' 'Soft skills were sidelined. But those are the skills that will keep you employable now, not technical skills.'

According to the WHO, consuming tobacco claims over 8 million lives each year, despite a decline in global smoking rates in recent decades.

Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Characterised by simple flavours and local ingredients, Manipuri cuisine is about fish, rice and green leafy vegetables.

rediffGURU Anu Krishna, mind coach and co-founder Unfear Changemakers, tells you how to deal with unwanted attention and protect your friendship.

'I played five different versions of Woh Subah Kabhie Toh Aayegi for Raj Kapoor, only to be greeted with a totally blank reaction.' 'Thereafter, for 40 minutes, he disappeared, leaving us baffled.' 'But when he emerged, he couldn't stop appreciating our efforts!' 'He said Sahir Ludhianvi's writing was sheer poetry and since all my five tunes were equally wonderful, he would leave it to my discretion to chose the final tune.' 'What could be greater appreciation for an artiste?'

'Pahlaj Nihalani came to my rescue. There was no Instagram in those days so I didn't recognise him.' 'I almost fainted when he told me he was Pahlaj Nihalani, the producer of Ilzaam, the hit film that had just made Govinda a star.' 'I told him I was a model and an aspiring actor, and he responded, \"You have an interesting face. Come and meet me in the office tomorrow\".'

'I fell in love with Suraiya and that was my first real gafla. The more I couldn't get her, the more I wanted her. When I couldn't marry her because the world didn't want it, I cried for the first time.'

While it's important to acknowledge what happened, try to focus on the present and what you both can do to nurture your relationship moving forward, advises relationship coach rediffGURU Kanchan Rai.

Bite into these alu croquettes and experience the wee explosion of pickle and creaminess.

Dr Aarti Ullal lists remedies to help you improve the quality of your sleep.

Be very cautious about relationships that come from a place of need, warns rediffGURU Anu Krishna. When the need is filled, the relationship invariably breaks.

Standing at the edge of Dholavira is witnessing history textbooks crammed in school coming to life. One is suddenly standing face to face with a 4,000-year-old civilisational site that is now but a ruin.

Take purposeful breaks, practise self care, advises Sweta Bothra, lead psychologist at Amaha Health.

Wondeful shots of African women and giraffes roaming Kenyan grasslands were judged the most outstanding photographs of the year.

'I stood in the line for potty. So there was no extraordinary feeling that I had become a hero.'

While it's important to acknowledge what happened, try to focus on the present and what you both can do to nurture your relationship moving forward, advises relationship coach rediffGURU Kanchan Rai.

Bite into these alu croquettes and experience the wee explosion of pickle and creaminess.

Dr Aarti Ullal lists remedies to help you improve the quality of your sleep.

Be very cautious about relationships that come from a place of need, warns rediffGURU Anu Krishna. When the need is filled, the relationship invariably breaks.

Standing at the edge of Dholavira is witnessing history textbooks crammed in school coming to life. One is suddenly standing face to face with a 4,000-year-old civilisational site that is now but a ruin.

Take purposeful breaks, practise self care, advises Sweta Bothra, lead psychologist at Amaha Health.

Wondeful shots of African women and giraffes roaming Kenyan grasslands were judged the most outstanding photographs of the year.

'I stood in the line for potty. So there was no extraordinary feeling that I had become a hero.'

rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries

rediffGURU Dr Karan Gupta offers career guidance to young aspirants on how to choose the best course and career in India and abroad.

'People message me on Instagram saying that because of your novel, I find happiness, it helps me deal with depression. When I see this, I realise that I'm doing something meaningful'

AI is changing jobs in India faster than ever, but professionals are learning the real skill isn't coding -- it's adaptability.

The curtain rose on GENNEXT at Lakm� Fashion Week 2025 with three young, thoughtful designers reimagining craft, sustainability and storytelling.

How Indian modernists are rewriting global auction records.

\"Give me a harmonium and my 'Lota', and I will give you an outstanding composition,\" Sachin Dev Burman once famously declared.

Nithya Menen isn't just known for her powerhouse performances - the Idli Kadai actress has carved a niche in fashion too.

'If your environment is constantly negative or stressful, you'll start feeling that way too.'

'I noticed a nine-year-old child hugging another child every few minutes.' 'The two were sisters and were playing in their village when an armed gang attacked their village and set fire to it.' 'They hid together, only to witness their mother and father being killed.' 'Now, the older child is constantly comforting the younger one.'

rediffGURU Dr Upneet Kaur suggests how to ignore your in-laws' negative behaviour and focus on building a peaceful family life.

Designer Robert Naorem, from Wangjing Awang Leikai in Thoubal, took the city of couture by storm with his collection \"Art of East India.\"

The Lucknow police have uncovered a cheating racket that mimicked the style of exam fraud seen in the first Munnabhai film, where real candidates were replaced by professional impersonators to sit for competitive exams.

The youngest is Malala Yusufzai at 17. Dr Frederick Banting was awarded the Military Cross before the Nobel at 31.

Even though he didn't enjoy the success of Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor sang many memorable songs in his long career. Subhash K Jha highlights 10 Mahendra Kumar gems.

After winning our hearts in Titanic, Kate Winslet, who turned 50 recently, has gone on to make a mark in so many dazzling roles. Deepa Galhot highlights 10 must watch Kate Winslet films.

You don't need a six-figure salary to build wealth -- you need discipline and a smart plan, says Ramalingam Kalirajan. and shows you how

rediffGURU Dr Upneet Kaur, a therapist and marriage counsellor, advises a working professional about how to deal with age gap in a relationship.

'I found the role quite challenging as I have never done anything like this before. I was uncertain as to how I will pull it off. But with each challenge there was a different level of excitement that I felt'

On the way out of the home, I thought, This good-hearted woman carried me for nine months and brought me safely into the world and cared for me till I grew up. How great women are!

'I dreaded meeting him these days because every time he'd say: We have to fight this government, even if it means going to jail.' 'He'd been in jails run by the British, he'd also been in jails in independent India, now he was ready to go to jail under this government.'

Red Square and VDNKh easily rank among the most striking places I've visited -- both for their historical significance and architectural splendour.
My admiration for Russian culture, vision and ambition grew with every step as I clocked the miles, Nitin Sathe tells us after a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.

This year at Manish Malhotra's annual Diwali bash, someone new caught everyone's attention.

Dinesh Raheja charts the highs and lows of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's creative association with five megastars -- Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra.

Your partner's Instagram follower count is not a red flag in itself, says rediffGURU Ravi Mittal, CEO, Quack Quack, an online dating website.

Instead of ticking off bucket-list activities, 'Nap'cations revolve around curated rest. Think blackout curtains, memory foam beds, herbal teas, rejuvenating spa sessions, and even anytime breakfasts.

'For us, it's not always about chasing revenue. It's about sustaining happiness and energy, because that's what drives long-term growth.'

Every 1 per cent per annum of investment costs is a matter of life or death, points out Avinash Luthria.

Most think tax-saving deductions exist only in the old regime. But the New one quietly retains 40\+ ways to ease your tax load

India's richest YouTuber is worth Rs 665 crores.

Shraddha Srinath has been giving one winning look after another, blending glam, grace and just the right amount of drama.

Think shimmery saris and blingy fits that scream drama without burning a hole in your pocket.

At Manish Malhotra's star-packed Diwali bash, all the sparkle in the room couldn't compete with Nita Ambani's Hermes Sac Bijou Birkin!

'For all you know, in the next five years there could be a path-breaking cancer treatment and I may be absolutely fine. Or maybe I won't be. I have to live with both scenarios.'

On October 14, 1956, Dr B R Ambedkar, fulfilling his long-held vow to renounce Hinduism, embraced Buddhism along with over 500,000 followers at Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi, marking a new era of social and spiritual liberation for India's Dalits.

'You don't have to lose your identity to be part of Congress. You can be who you are, as long as you believe in the core principle of strong citizenry and nation-building through that concept'

As the actress turns a year older, Namrata Thakker lists down things you probably still don't know about her, in her own words.

Hollywood's iconic actor passed into the ages on October 11.

While Amitabh Bachchan's chemistry with his heroines -- from Jaya Bhaduri to Rekha to Hema Malini -- brought sizzle to his films, many of his biggest blockbusters have been powered by his combustible combination with male co-stars.

'Hamari duniya bahut alag hain,' Rashmika Mandanna tells Ayushmann Khurrana in the Thamma trailer, spelling out their different worlds. But when Cupid strikes, love blossoms. We look at 10 instances of forbidden love in the movies.

Ready to add a tasty crunch to your dinner?

It's a bewitching combo of greens with seafood.

Spiced potato filling wrapped in bread and then fried is just the snack for a late afternoon piping hot cup of tea or coffee, when the hunger pangs come calling. Recipe courtesy: Swetha Iyer.

Make the ancient, super-nutritious grain often. Use these recipes.

Paneer Dumplings, in a rich buttery sauce, with rice or pulau, is just the most cheering end-of-the-day meal.

From royal kitchens to festive feasts, figs have long symbolised richness and warmth. In every form -- sweet or savoury -- they bring flavour, balance, goodness.

The hilsa is one of the boniest fish in the world but also one of the tastiest. Here's 8 ways to Hero the Hilsa.

Meaty vegetarian kebabs jhatpat.

Ready to add a tasty crunch to your dinner?

It's a bewitching combo of greens with seafood.

Spiced potato filling wrapped in bread and then fried is just the snack for a late afternoon piping hot cup of tea or coffee, when the hunger pangs come calling. Recipe courtesy: Swetha Iyer.

Make the ancient, super-nutritious grain often. Use these recipes.

Paneer Dumplings, in a rich buttery sauce, with rice or pulau, is just the most cheering end-of-the-day meal.

From royal kitchens to festive feasts, figs have long symbolised richness and warmth. In every form -- sweet or savoury -- they bring flavour, balance, goodness.

The hilsa is one of the boniest fish in the world but also one of the tastiest. Here's 8 ways to Hero the Hilsa.

Meaty vegetarian kebabs jhatpat.

Here are 12 books that were taken off the shelves in India.

Mainstream actresses rule the OTT platform as well, according to a recent India Today survey.

From UPI to music on the go-these are India's daily tech essentials.

Cities built over water are magical. A single glance at their pictures make us dream of living there. We've put together a selection of the most charming canal cities...

On average, people spend about 2 hours 31 minutes daily on social media, which accounts for a noticeable share of their awake hours, according to Digital 2023 Report by DataReportal \+ SleepCycle data.

Actors can do it all, Kajol and Twinkle Khanna proved this right with their hosting duties for Two Much. Let's take look at stars who similarly doubled as chat show hosts.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Hrishikesh Mukherjee's birth anniversary on September 30 by listing the best songs from his films.

Language can be fun when animals & birds join in! These quirky idioms make English more coloUrful and interesting. Let's explore some of the most popular animal-inspired sayings and what they really mean!

McDonald's Corporation ranked the countries where they have the largest number of outlets in world.

Chef Ranveer Brar serves up his mother Surinder Kaur's Punjabi Kadhi bobbing with freshly-fried pakoras.

A list of best-sellers is a rough count of copies purchased worldwide and not how many were printed or are sitting on shelves today. This list, as per Wikipedia, leaves out educational books, comic series, propaganda texts and does not include religious books.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers are set to grow at a remarkable pace by 2034. Young people looking for stable and rewarding opportunities may find these fields exciting to explore.

A glimpse at 8 leading lingerie houses along with the nations they belong to.

On Asha Bhosle's 92nd birthday, Subhash K Jha revisits some of the legendary singer's unknown gems.

Unlike the Top 5 Heroines, India's Top 5 Heroes saw only one south star join the Bollywood A-listers, according to a recent India Today survey.

3 of the Top 5 Heroines of 2025 are from the south, according to a recent India Today survey.

Time devoted to television on standard channels, whether live, recorded or on-demand, has fallen, showing a 9 per cent dip since 2020s says Insider Monkey as it looks at the countries that watch the most TV...

Not all his films are available on OTT platforms but many others can be streamed.

Don't write Abhishek Bachchan off just yet; he's among the actors who rule the OTT platform, according to a recent India Today survey.

A comforting delight, this dish brings together the sweetness of corn and the richness of gooey cheese, packed between soft tortillas or bread slices. Neha Deepak Shah's version is easy to make yet full of flavour. Perfect for a quick snack, kids' tiffin, or even a cosy evening bite

Over the past 11 years, the world's political landscape has seen remarkable shifts. Resignations, elections, abdications, unexpected upheavals. Among this whirlwind of change, only 1 nation has stood out for its consistency.

Rajasthan is like a living museum of crafts -- every district has something unique.

10 places where history, culture and architecture transport you straight to Europe, without leaving India.

The Namo Bharat train, operating at its highest speed of 160 kmph on the 55-km section of Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, is the fastest train in the country.

Upload your picture and customise these prompts to generate your own AI generated Nano Banana figurine.

It's time to update your playlist with songs by India's top 5 female singers, according to a recent India Today survey.

Every year, 7.2 lakh plus individuals end their lives worldwide, according to WHO. A large share of deaths are those between 15 and 29 years, says the WHO and a 2025 USNews report.

Aaishvary Thackeray steps into Bollywood with a dual character act as Dabloo and Babloo in Anurag Kashyap's Nishaanchi. Looking at actors who played twins in the movies.

Chef Roopa Nabar's Biscoot Ambode is a sumptuous South Indian snack, created just for chai-time, of lentils, black pepper, fresh coconut, crisped up in the air fryer.

Top 10 Cars for the Budget-Conscious Buyers in India.

The world's longest epic... now retold in stunning animation - from early CGI to Netflix's new epic! Animation brings gods, warriors & cosmic battles alive in ways live action can't.

We are all familiar with the ancient foreign travellers like Hiuen Tsang and Ibn Battuta, who journeyed to India and wrote about it in their books. But what about the intrepid Indian travellers who journeyed abroad to see new lands...

It's time to look at India's top 5 male singers, according to a recent India Today survey.

Here's our list of the 10 best all-purpose SUVs in India.

The castle of the last Sikh Maharaja, memorials to Indian soldiers, Dr Ambedkar's house... A look at historic sites with an India connect.

A look at 10 perfumes, 5 each for women and men, that are pocket friendly.

America stands out as the world's biggest supplier of military equipment, according to Stockhom International Peace Research Institute's 2025 stats.

Durga Mata's strength inspires millions worldwide. There are temples dedicated to her across many countries, serving as centres of worship, Navratri festivities, and cultural pride that bind global Hindu communities

On her 75th birthday, Subhash K Jha lists 10 Shabana songs where she didn't lip-sync.

New York social media marketing agency Amra and Elma recently published a list of the 25 most searched models on Instagram. The list has 2 Indian names. Check out who they are among the Top 10.

Including bunches of greens in your meals can do wonders -- lowering chances of weight gain, heart problems, raised blood pressure, age-related memory issues, states Healthline.

Interstellar comet puzzles astronomers.

Much-loved paneer takes centre stage in this jhatpat, yum snack. After spicing them up, Reshma Aslam shapes them into patties and fries till golden.

Smart governance begins with smart apps. Discover 15 official apps that connect you directly to government services anytime, anywhere.

Tiger Shroff gives us heavy action in Baaghi 4, releasing in theatres on September 5. For more super Tiger action, you can watch these movies at home.

On Sadhana's birth anniversary on September 2, Subhash K Jha recaps her 10 best songs.

In today's world of flashy gadgets and factory-made playthings, traditional handmade toys are slowly fading away. These classic creations each tell a story.

On Rishi Kapoor's 73rd birth anniversary on September 4, Subhash K Jha list his favourite films.

Including bunches of greens in your meals can do wonders -- lowering chances of weight gain, heart problems, raised blood pressure, age-related memory issues, states Healthline.

Interstellar comet puzzles astronomers.

Much-loved paneer takes centre stage in this jhatpat, yum snack. After spicing them up, Reshma Aslam shapes them into patties and fries till golden.

Smart governance begins with smart apps. Discover 15 official apps that connect you directly to government services anytime, anywhere.

Tiger Shroff gives us heavy action in Baaghi 4, releasing in theatres on September 5. For more super Tiger action, you can watch these movies at home.

On Sadhana's birth anniversary on September 2, Subhash K Jha recaps her 10 best songs.

In today's world of flashy gadgets and factory-made playthings, traditional handmade toys are slowly fading away. These classic creations each tell a story.

On Rishi Kapoor's 73rd birth anniversary on September 4, Subhash K Jha list his favourite films.

Where in the world can you expect spic and span cleanliness when you enter a public toilet?

Garlic, with its distinct, bewitching aroma, lifts the taste of food, be it Italian pasta or a Korean-style steak. It has many health benefits too. Who, as per World Population Review, eats tonnes of garlic?

As Sidharth Malhotra's Punjabi boy and Janhvi Kapoor's Malayali girl navigate their cross-cultural romance in Param Sundari, we look at 10 such Bollywood love stories.

Healthy greens fenugreek or methi leaves needs a regular place in your menus. Also because it adds great extra flavour too.

Group studies may let one retain more information quickly, boost our confidence, complete the syllabus faster in easier manner. But self study is a powerful tool too.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Saira Banu's 81st birthday on August 23 with 10 peppy songs.

These names are chosen by thousands of parents every year, making them a common yet cherished presence in many Indian households. It's not unusual to find the same name shared by cousins, aunts, or neighbours-each carrying it with unique pride.

The World Cooking Index, which has 2022 figures, says folks, worldwide, prepared an average of 6.4 home-cooked meals per week, slightly, significantly down from 6.7 in 2021.

Kashmir is a destination like no other. No questions, no debates, it is a fact! Don't think, just plan and go!

Selecting a baby name is serious biz. Ask any Indian family! Endless fam WhatsApp polls. Astrologers weighing in. It's a whole process. These are the current hot boy names according to MomJunction, Name of The Year and other sources.

Meet the very first humans to journey beyond Earth.

What you eat may trigger gout, an uncomfortable joint issue. When too much uric acid gathers in the bloodstream, tiny crystal deposits settle in and around the joints, causing sharp pain, states Mayo Clinic.

In addition to sweets, Ganesh Puja is a time for simple, elegant meals. Tasty Aloo Shak -- shak means vegetable -- can be made in 15 minutes.

Celebrate the Ganpati festival with this playlist.

Across the globe, several grand temples are devoted to Lord Ganesha.

7 Ganpati Temples You Must Visit

For generations, Indian women have nurtured the growth of their children's hair with herbal oil rubs and using natural shampoos, thought to give hair shine, strength, and fullness.

According to World Population Review, the list of banned video games keeps changing. Nations often block titles for reasons like extreme violence, sexual themes. Who bans the most? Who barely bans anything?

Reports from the National Sample Survey highlight that Indians reach for chai far more often than coffee - nearly fifteen times as much. Figures from the Tea Board reveal that the country stands as the world's second-largest grower of tea, and proudly leads in the production of black tea. Yet, most of this brew never leaves the nation's borders, with over four-fifths enjoyed at home, making exports relatively modest.

Gujarati cuisine is varied, flavourful and predominantly vegetarian. But it also has a rich history of meat items.

You can switch up chillas by using different grains or adding additional condiments. Richa Agarwal makes fast, wholesome Dal Ka Chillas.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Manisha Koirala's birthday on August 16 by looking back at her best films.

In Leena Chandavarkar's brief career, which began with 1968's Man Ka Meet and ended abruptly after her marriage to Kishore Kumar in 1980, she was a part of many hits. On her 76th birthday on August 29, Subhash K Jha lists her top 10 songs.

Sholay remains a timeless movie, and an audience favourite even 50 years after it first released on August 15, 1975. We look back at some of its iconic dialogues.

A report prepared by Hurun, that compiles rich lists, in association with Barclays, catalogued the cities in which India's billionaires live.

Pradeep Suresh Pai shares his mother's treasured recipe for Dalitoy, a nourishing, warming Konkani classic from coastal Mangaluru that's super spicy.

Monsoons are about corn. Reshma Aslam briskly transforms tender baby corn into a crispy, tangy rainy-day snack.

Travel \+ Leisure says the finest global cities are those that offer a bit of everything -- remarkable landmarks, outstanding places to stay, sumptuous food, culture and an atmosphere that never loses its charm.

The Hare Krishna movement, also known as ISKCON, have lovely shrines in honour of Lord Krishna in intriguing places all over the world.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Aruna Irani's 79th birthday on August 18 by picking 10 wonderful songs.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Raakhee's birthday month by looking at her superb playlist.

Subhash K Jha picks Saif Ali Khan's finest performances on his 55th birthday.

India's iconic Taj Mahal took over two decades to complete, with an estimated workforce of 20,000 craftsmen and labourers. Back then, the project cost around ₹32 million -a sum that would equal nearly ₹52.8 billion or US$827 million by 2015 standards.

Dementia refers to a decline in memory, difficulties with decision-making, problem-solving and a reduced ability to perform daily tasks without assistance, states John Hopkins Medicine.

The detectives we got to know intimately through television dramas or in books became sorta like friends. Familiar. Fun. Intriguing. Here are 14 more characters you must remember fondly...

Chicken and mushrooms come together, along with other veggies like broccoli, bamboo shoots, in Aditi Bose's classic Chinese entree, that makes a meal with fried rice.

Add a splash of excitement to your cooking and create food enhanced with a touch of alcohol.

India is not just about samosas and jalebis. Our desi cookies are just as legendary and come in every texture -- soft, crumbly, crispy, and crunchy. And let's not get started on the flavours...

Subhash K Jha remembers Composer Khayyam on his 6th death anniversary.

Conservation takes many forms. Protecting the environment from excessive light pollution is one campaign. There are now more than 200 places in 22 countries certified by Dark Sky International as dark sky preserves.

These irresistible cookie creations are for gifting, sharing... or keeping all to yourself!

A creamy drink that can power your day, a Date Milkshake is naturally sweet, nutritious and packed with energy & fibre.

Have leftover Paneer Bhurji? Innovative Sitaram Bandekar makes sandwiches with it.

Baby Prawns Or Jawla Chutney Along the coast, from Maharashtra to Mangalore, tiny dried prawns get dressed up with coconut, onions and more to become a spectacular relish. Recipe by Manisha Kotian.

MasterChef India 4 contestants, Pratibha Kochar and Bhakti Arora served up an Italian-style patty with creamy corn and a tomato sauce. Ideal recipe for guests.

The vegetarian section at a Bengali wedding is always lonely, but here are some popular Bengali veg dishes that can give mutton, prawns and fish, a run for their money.

Lauki or doodhi, also called bottle gourd, isn't one of those easy-to-dismiss, underrated sabzis -- it's a star! Ever since Panchayat on Amazon Prime made it a household name (and meme), the veggie has been in the spotlight!

Like how Butter Chicken and Mango Lassi don't define Indian cuisine, there's more to Maharashtrian food other than its most popular offerings Misal Pav and Puran Poli, says Mayur Sanap.

These irresistible cookie creations are for gifting, sharing... or keeping all to yourself!

A creamy drink that can power your day, a Date Milkshake is naturally sweet, nutritious and packed with energy & fibre.

Have leftover Paneer Bhurji? Innovative Sitaram Bandekar makes sandwiches with it.

Baby Prawns Or Jawla Chutney Along the coast, from Maharashtra to Mangalore, tiny dried prawns get dressed up with coconut, onions and more to become a spectacular relish. Recipe by Manisha Kotian.

MasterChef India 4 contestants, Pratibha Kochar and Bhakti Arora served up an Italian-style patty with creamy corn and a tomato sauce. Ideal recipe for guests.

The vegetarian section at a Bengali wedding is always lonely, but here are some popular Bengali veg dishes that can give mutton, prawns and fish, a run for their money.

Lauki or doodhi, also called bottle gourd, isn't one of those easy-to-dismiss, underrated sabzis -- it's a star! Ever since Panchayat on Amazon Prime made it a household name (and meme), the veggie has been in the spotlight!

Like how Butter Chicken and Mango Lassi don't define Indian cuisine, there's more to Maharashtrian food other than its most popular offerings Misal Pav and Puran Poli, says Mayur Sanap.

Flaxseeds, says Mayo Clinic, are rich in lignans, healthy fats, fibre. 7 gm (1 tbsp) offers around 2 gm omega-3 fats, 2 gm fibre & about 37 cal. Lignans improve one's lipid profile & may reduce cancer, heart disease risk (see Slide 8).

While choosing a cooking oil, go for a variety with under 4 gm saturated fat in each tablespoon, is free from trans fats and is not a hydrogenated oil, says the American Heart Association.

Don't believe in ghosts? But these 9 spots will, nevertheless, bring on the goose bumps. They're spooky and associated with stories of odd happenings...

Bold, spicy and steaming with wholesome veggies, this soup warms you up from the inside out.

Headphones are a must-have tech essential for music enjoyment or podcast listening. A good pair of headphones makes all the difference. The best part? You don't need to break the bank for quality.

Subhash K Jha lists RD Burman's top songs on his 95th birth anniversary on June 27.

On Kishore Kumar's 38th death anniversary on October 13, Subhash K Jha list 10 classic songs.

On Kalyanji's birth anniversary on June 30, Subhash K Jha picks the 10 chartbusters from Kalyanji-Anandji's successful career.

Stepping back in time to peek at Old Kolkata.

In spite of Emergency-era censorship that forced a change in the climax of Sholay and banned Aandhi, many memorable films were released that year.

A recipe with an interesting combination of greens with chicken you must bookmark and try over the weekend.

TasteAtlas, an international platform known for food and travel insights, has unveiled its latest roundup of the top 50 best breakfast worldwide. Among the featured dishes are three beloved Indian staples-misal pav, paratha, and chole bhature -each celebrated for their rich flavours and enduring popularity at the breakfast table.

Assam's black tea is famous, worldwide, for its intense dark hue & toasty, slightly astringent flavour. Commercial cultivation of this type of chai began two centuries ago.

Film folk love to indulge in their favourite food. So what's on their plate?

India is a land of magnificent temples, sacred rivers, and living spirituality. Here, animals are more than just companions-they are divine symbols and sacred vehicles (vāhana) of gods and goddesses. The rat serves Lord Ganesha, the bull belongs to Lord Shiva, and the lion accompanies Goddess Durga. Join us as we explore 9 incredible temples across India where animals hold a sacred place in the hearts of devotees.

Sukanya Verma lists 10 songs immortalising the magic of the bustling metropolitan as Anurag Basu's Metro... In Dino gets ready to release.

Are you vegan or vegetarian and wondering whether you can build muscle? Recent research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, quoted by NPR says a 'vegan diet matches meat for muscle gains'.

Sushi is a beloved preparation of rice paired with usually raw but well-fermented seafood or/and vegetables, wrapped in seaweed & served with pickled condiments. It originated in 7th century Japan as a method to keep fish from spoiling.

Bappi Lahiri and Mithun Chakraborty made a lethal combination. Subhash K Jha celebrates Mithunda, who turned 75 on June 16.

Have you visited these 100-plus-year-old restaurants of Amchi Mumbai yet? Hitesh Harisinghani visits 10 restaurants that started up in Bombay (as the city was known then) a century ago or earlier.

Dates are Nature's Own Sweetener. Plenty of desserts can be made using dates, preferred for their subtle sweetness and the minerals and vitamins they provide.

When the mood is dark, watching an inspiring and uplifting movie may help dispel the gloom. Deepa Gahlot picks 10 films hit the spot.

India is home to several truly beautiful university environments. These are institutions that provide more than just top-quality education -- they also offer quiet, scenic surroundings that encourage study, imagination and self-development.

Subhash K Jha lists some chartbuster songs that celebrate daddies.

Newly-published Global Liveability Index 2025 by Economist Intelligence Unit rated the overall quality of life for 173 cities worldwide.

The possible benefits of drinking warm water.

One of the quickest poha dishes to rustle up, it is a good breakfast or snack.

Bollywood's coaches helped individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their true potential.

Gen Z (born 1997-2012) has completely rewritten the dating playbook. Here are the terms you need to know:

Despite the sad state of soundtracks in Hindi movies, any project boasting of Pritam's music is looked forward to. Metro... In Dino promises an album as melodic as its spiritual sequel, Life In A... Metro.

Sun exposure significantly contributes to early skin ageing. Alongside it, several everyday habits can speed up the aging process of our skin beyond what time would naturally do

Barbie has been a timeless favourite for everyone, especially girls, inspiring us in so many ways. From fashion and styling to messages of empowerment, Barbie has been a part of our childhoods. Whenever we visit festivals like Durga Puja or Laxmi Puja, the first thing that catches our eye in the shops is always Barbie. Dive into the fascinating world of Barbie and explore the dolls that have captured hearts and sparked creativity all around the world!

Saffron, primarily grown in India, in Kashmir, ranks among the expensive culinary items globally, valued higher per ounce than even gold. Let's look at a few of the costlier gourmet foods as per a report by BBC...

When Hindi films celebrated monsoons and rains with the everlasting melody and romance.

The International Labour Organisation, for 2023-2024, has categorised nations by how efficiently their workers contribute to the economy.

Like Sitaare Zameen Par, there are so many underdogs Hindi movies we love.

Silky and seductive, Chef Ranjan Rajani's Vanilla Panna Cotta is pure dessert elegance. It takes about 10 minutes to put together but needs time to infuse flavours and for refrigeration before serving.

Draupadi, beloved Mahabharat heroine, wife of the Pandavas, known for her bravery, outspokenness, loyalty is worshipped devotedly, especially in parts of South India.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Hemant Kumar's 105th birthday anniversary on June 16 by revisiting 10 of his hit songs.

World Sauntering Day is less about sauntering. It's more about easing the pace of our excessively fast-moving lives. And taking small, mindful steps to gently lift your mood and bring a sense of calm.

Once the watchman's 'jaagtey raho' call kept neighbourhoods safe. In the age of CCTVs & better policing, thefts have drastically reduced. The Times of India recently listed the 7 Indian cities where maximum theft occurs. The Times of India newspaper published 7 Indian cities where maximum number of theft takes place

Newly-published Global Liveability Index by Economist Intelligence Unit, unveiled its updated 2025 rankings of the world's most liveable and least liveable urban centres, among 173 worldwide.

There is nothing as tasty as a well-made, light gnocchi, made from potatoes and flour, in a light sauce. Chef Sneha Singhi offers a reasonably simple recipe for this Italian, melt-in-your mouth delicacy.

Some Bollywood movie titles ramble on. Some, simply, don't make sense.

Before we get to see Kajol's protective mother battling supernatural forces to save her daughter in Maa, let's take a look at 10 Bollywood movies that got the mother-daughter dynamic right.

Draupadi, beloved Mahabharat heroine, wife of the Pandavas, known for her bravery, outspokenness, loyalty is worshipped devotedly, especially in parts of South India.

Continuous chest discomfort, unexpected vision loss, intense abdominal pain all require urgent attention. What about less obvious signs? Tricky to decide if an emergency? Here are 7 key warning signs.

It was Midwinter's Day in Antarctica recently. June 20 or 21 is the day of the southern winter solstice in this gorgeous snowy land, the world's seventh and least-populated continent.

Once the watchman's 'jaagtey raho' call kept neighbourhoods safe. In the age of CCTVs & better policing, thefts have drastically reduced. The Times of India recently listed the 7 Indian cities where maximum theft occurs. The Times of India newspaper published 7 Indian cities where maximum number of theft takes place

Newly-published Global Liveability Index by Economist Intelligence Unit, unveiled its updated 2025 rankings of the world's most liveable and least liveable urban centres, among 173 worldwide.

There is nothing as tasty as a well-made, light gnocchi, made from potatoes and flour, in a light sauce. Chef Sneha Singhi offers a reasonably simple recipe for this Italian, melt-in-your mouth delicacy.

Some Bollywood movie titles ramble on. Some, simply, don't make sense.

Before we get to see Kajol's protective mother battling supernatural forces to save her daughter in Maa, let's take a look at 10 Bollywood movies that got the mother-daughter dynamic right.

Draupadi, beloved Mahabharat heroine, wife of the Pandavas, known for her bravery, outspokenness, loyalty is worshipped devotedly, especially in parts of South India.

Continuous chest discomfort, unexpected vision loss, intense abdominal pain all require urgent attention. What about less obvious signs? Tricky to decide if an emergency? Here are 7 key warning signs.

It was Midwinter's Day in Antarctica recently. June 20 or 21 is the day of the southern winter solstice in this gorgeous snowy land, the world's seventh and least-populated continent.

Telangana became India's 29th state 11 years ago on June 2, 2014, carved out from the northwestern region of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh. Much of Telangana is untravelled and tourist-free. And there's loads to see. Pack your bags and head to this amazing state.

Amol Parashar, who plays the do-gooder Dr Prabhat Sinha in Gram Chikitsalay, shares his favourite films and shows that tell heart-warming and poignant stories from rural India.

We live in a world where most nations depend on military power to safeguard their borders. Armed forces are seen as essential. Yet, a small number of countries have taken an entirely different route...

Saffron, primarily grown in India, in Kashmir, ranks among the expensive culinary items globally, valued higher per ounce than even gold. Let's look at a few of the costlier gourmet foods as per a report by BBC...

Like Sitaare Zameen Par, there are so many underdogs Hindi movies we love.

On Mani Ratnam's birthday on June 2, Subhash K Jha lists memorable Rahman songs in Mani movies.

On Karisma Kapoor's 51st birthday on June 25, Subhash K Jha lists her top 10 songs.

Subhash K Jha celebrates Hemant Kumar's 105th birthday anniversary on June 16 by revisiting 10 of his hit songs.

A creamy drink that can power your day, a Date Milkshake is naturally sweet, nutritious and packed with energy & fibre.

A recipe with an interesting combination of greens with chicken you must bookmark and try over the weekend.

Don't eat salads just to lose weight. Eat them because you enjoy them. Make them well, with thought, so they are both tasty and healthy.

Mumbai is known for its love affair with vadas -- hot, crisp, and utterly comforting. Here's a twist you'll love -- say hello to the Aloo Poha Vada!

Sweet potatoes are full of nutrients like beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, and fibre -- all great for your health, states Harvard T H Chan School Of Public Health.

These irresistible cookie creations are for gifting, sharing... or keeping all to yourself!

Milk is full of essential nutrients and including a cup of skim milk in your diet makes sense, especially as one adds on the years. On World Milk Day, why not raise a glass and enjoy some delicious milk drinks?

The highly-popular hazelnut-chocolate paste that some have by the spoonful, from the bottle, and others have on toast is a wonderful surprise ingredient in many a treat.

Stepping back in time to peek at Old Kolkata.

Film folk love to indulge in their favourite food. So what's on their plate?

Flaxseeds, says Mayo Clinic, are rich in lignans, healthy fats, fibre. 7 gm (1 tbsp) offers around 2 gm omega-3 fats, 2 gm fibre & about 37 cal. Lignans improve one's lipid profile & may reduce cancer, heart disease risk (see Slide 8).

TasteAtlas, an international platform known for food and travel insights, has unveiled its latest roundup of the top 50 best breakfast worldwide. Among the featured dishes are three beloved Indian staples-misal pav, paratha, and chole bhature -each celebrated for their rich flavours and enduring popularity at the breakfast table.

Some of the most interesting fiction in the world -- many prize-winning -- have beautiful Indian locales.

Sukanya Verma lists 10 songs immortalising the magic of the bustling metropolitan as Anurag Basu's Metro... In Dino gets ready to release.

India is a land of magnificent temples, sacred rivers, and living spirituality. Here, animals are more than just companions-they are divine symbols and sacred vehicles (vāhana) of gods and goddesses. The rat serves Lord Ganesha, the bull belongs to Lord Shiva, and the lion accompanies Goddess Durga. Join us as we explore 9 incredible temples across India where animals hold a sacred place in the hearts of devotees.

KK was only 53 when he died on May 31, 2022. Subhash K Jha picks his timeless songs.

India's GI-tagged mithais are more than sweets. They're symbols of longstanding food traditions. The tags protect their unique identity, linking each dessert to its place of origin and centuries-old recipes.

Flavoursome and fragrant, this delicious coconut cream-infused curry with rice is the ultimate meal.

Breathe easy, digest better, and boost your mood! Here are 6 compelling reasons to make cardamom a part of your everyday routine.

Ajwain or ajma, also known as carom seeds or bishop's weed, is a spice often used in Indian cooking. Healthline vouches for its valuable nutrients.

India is home to several truly beautiful university environments. These are institutions that provide more than just top-quality education -- they also offer quiet, scenic surroundings that encourage study, imagination and self-development.

Parle Biscuit, Amul Butter, Maggi Noodles, Milkmaid... a nostalgic walk through the tastes that make our hearts go ah!

Spicy food needs a gentle friend. Enter the raita. It is really a tasty salad in creamy yoghurt, with crunch and mild flavours, to cool your palate and brighten your meal.

When the mood is dark, watching an inspiring and uplifting movie may help dispel the gloom. Deepa Gahlot picks 10 films hit the spot.

India's numerous mighty forts still stand tall, sentinels of its enduring past.

India grows some of the most fragrant grains of rice in the world, tasting so good, you can eat a portion of steamed rice just by itself, with a dash of ghee. That's why Ghee Rice is a thing!

MasterChef 4 contestants Pratibha Kochar and Bhakti Arora offer a spicy Indian-style recipe for Soft Mexican Tacos, the beloved Mexican street food.

On World Food Safety Day: Stay safe, eat smart!

These trailblazing women are transforming India's corporate landscape.

Take this fun quiz to guess these hidden gems -- one clue, one guess and a fun fact reveal!

These gorgeous ladies are FIT and FABULOUS, rocking their 50s as if it's the new 30s.

As Dimple Kapadia turns 68, Subhash K Jha looks the best performances of her career.

Aditya Chopra has a keen ear for music. So much so that his close friends often urge him to do the music of his own films.

On Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birth anniversary, May 22, let's journey to the places connected with the physician-author and his writings...

Parrots are part of Indian life. If they aren't screeching obtrusively outside your window, they pop up in the designs on your sari pallu or in the mythological tales you might be reading.

Approximately 87 per cent of whole cow's milk is composed of water, while the remaining 13 per cent delivers a mix of essential proteins, healthy fats, natural sugars, vital micronutrients like Vitamin D

According to American Heart Association, Fewer people are using tobacco these days, but a significant number of young adults-mainly those aged 21 to 34-still use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and similar products. Typically, individuals who smoke lose their life earlier compared to those who don't.

Cake is the answer, no matter the question. Because a good day always ends with cake. Be it either a tiny delicious tidbit of a cupcake. Or an elegant, unfussy tea cake. Else maybe a drippy, triple-layered chocolate masterpiece. Learn how to make them all.

So many of our temples, either in the north or in the South, boast elaborate shikharas, mandapas, vimanas. But the earliest places of worship were sculpted deep into rock faces and hill caves.

Laxmikant Shantaram -- one half of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo, who passed away on May 25, 1998 -- gave us so many timeless classics.

Aditya Chopra has a keen ear for music. So much so that his close friends often urge him to do the music of his own films.

On Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birth anniversary, May 22, let's journey to the places connected with the physician-author and his writings...

Parrots are part of Indian life. If they aren't screeching obtrusively outside your window, they pop up in the designs on your sari pallu or in the mythological tales you might be reading.

Approximately 87 per cent of whole cow's milk is composed of water, while the remaining 13 per cent delivers a mix of essential proteins, healthy fats, natural sugars, vital micronutrients like Vitamin D

According to American Heart Association, Fewer people are using tobacco these days, but a significant number of young adults-mainly those aged 21 to 34-still use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and similar products. Typically, individuals who smoke lose their life earlier compared to those who don't.

Cake is the answer, no matter the question. Because a good day always ends with cake. Be it either a tiny delicious tidbit of a cupcake. Or an elegant, unfussy tea cake. Else maybe a drippy, triple-layered chocolate masterpiece. Learn how to make them all.

So many of our temples, either in the north or in the South, boast elaborate shikharas, mandapas, vimanas. But the earliest places of worship were sculpted deep into rock faces and hill caves.

Laxmikant Shantaram -- one half of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo, who passed away on May 25, 1998 -- gave us so many timeless classics.

India's first airports sprung up one after another in the early 1900s. Leading the pack were the airfields in Allahabad and Bombay, which is where India's tryst with the skies began, long before Independence.

The legendary Majrooh Sultanpuri passed away on May 24, 2000. Subhash K Jha lists his hit songs with his close friend, Lata Mangeshkar.

As global warming intensifies, the urgency to address climate change has never been greater. Amid this environmental crisis, green buildings are an important step in the right direction.

Make them with a golden-crisp exterior but jammy when you bite in.

TripAdvisor announced their 2025 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards based on both the calibre and number of reviews and Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur took the No 1 spot among One-Of-A-Kind hotels.

Except for during the monsoon, India's blue skies and clear weather makes sure a ride on a ropeway, high above her varied landscape, is breathtaking.

We all know Madras became Chennai and Bombay is now Mumbai... How many of us know the ancient names of many a place?

One trillion! That's how many odours our noses can detect, according to science.org. Even people with poorer powers of smell can distinguish at least 80 million. Fragrances are strongly linked to emotion & memories, which is why good smells have the power to lift our mood and make us forget our worries, even if just for a little while.

The most overpowering odours of the nasty kind, can make your eyes water, your stomach turn and feel defenceless, which is why stink bombs are a tool used by governments for crowd and riot control. Israel, the Independent reported in 2004, had developed one such weapon that ensured the smell stays on clothing for 5 years.

Portable speaker/s are the ideal companion when you don't feel like wearing earbuds. For studying, entertaining, leisure or even playing bhajans while you go through your morning routine. This compact device is great sound \+ unmatched convenience. The best part? You can carry it anywhere.

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to a set of symptoms that indicate that the digestive tract becomes chronically irritated. It occurs when the body's defense system repeatedly triggers damaging responses in the gut. It is non-curable disease that one can learn to manage over time.

Mango and walnuts is a great dosti, especially inside curried chicken sandwiches.

On filmmaker Prakash Mehra's death anniversary on May 17, Subhash K Jha looks back at chartbusters songs in his films.

India has around 1,200 musuems, according to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Culture, in nearly every state and union territory.

Forget getting just chips and soda with a few coins, today's vending machines are pushing boundaries in the most unexpected ways. These automated wonders are serving everything from piping hot pizzas in Italy to gold bars in Korea.

Take a page out of the album of Bollywood brides and opt for ageless jewellery ornaments for you wedding.

Many of India's airports honour legends who shaped our history. Test your knowledge of the country's airports and the famous figures they were named after.

On Kaifi Azmi's death anniversary on May 10, Subhash K Jha revisits some of his best songs.

While Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh have been inspiring us, many of Bollywood's actresses have tried to make the uniform their own on screen.

Swimming is a fantastic way to stay active and feel good. It's gentle enough for nearly everyone-young or old, fit or not-so it's easy to join in. Whether you're looking to move more each week or simply want to boost your mood, swimming can do wonders for your body and mind, states BDA, Association of UK Dietitians.

Hearty foods from a Sindhi rasoi will always have meat, usually mutton. They will also showcase a wide variety of sabziyan, especially beeh or lotus stem which is very dear to Sindhi hearts.

These days children (adults too, of course) have just about one toy -- a cellphone. Or else something similarly electronic using a screen. Remember the toys one saw kids playing with, in the Golden Pre-Cellphone Era (PCE). They were so cheery and bright. Intriguing. Handcrafted, they offered a peek into India's regional artistry and folk traditions. Rewind and view 17 of these beauts...

Movies and shows that tell the Kashmir story and where to watch them.

There is whole range of sounds that many of us grew up hearing. They were the soundtrack of our early lives. Many are slowly fading away, going mute and may be only still heard in little quiet corners of India. Dominic Xavier goes looking. Or rather listening...

India has issued over 3,000 postage stamps since Independence -- stamps that are reminders of who we are & our rich inheritance. They honour our identity, culture, leaders, legends, land, animals, plants, monuments, historical events, institutions, scientific achievements.

India has 1,330 prison establishments. Tihar is one of the largest jails in South Asia. Which are India's other large prison complexes?

Who doesn't love perfumes? Their enchanting aroma. The memories they evoke. Don't forget also how much dynamic style a perfume adds to your persona. Which are the most coveted perfumes in the universe and therefore highly expensive? Here's looking at 7 of the priciest bottles of scent, according to a Luxhabitat 2025 listing.

A 2025 news report in nationthailand.com looks at the rates of infidelity in the world and discovers Thailand tops the list.

On Mother's Day this year, we celebrate the unsung mothers-in-law of Hindi movies who go all out to make life heaven for their bahus.

While higher education is a great thing, for some stars the acting dream took precedence over their need for academics.

Punjabi cuisine is one of India's most runaway popular. It's got an enormous following world over too. Who can resist khasta naans floating in makhan? Or creamy Butter Chicken? And the rich paneer delights? Or Dal Makhani?

An Indian train journey is a life experience. Some sweet, some bitter. Either way it is unforgettable, if not memorable.

What did Kashmir look like in the 1930s? And earlier?

Our Indian kitchens of yore were like museum display cases. They had an array of quaint instruments/gizmos/tools, hand-operated, often fashioned solidly out of brass or iron, that are seldom used any more in this age of automation and AI, where every device has been 'smartened' up.

India is home to stunningly beautiful sacred rivers, eye-catching beaches, powerful statues, lovely Himalayan monasteries. It follows that our country would also have a wonderfully gorgeous world of caves. Indeed we do, indeed we do. Some containing prehistoric drawings, others with Buddhist, Jain art, many with awesome stone murthis. Some 1,500 cave structures have been identified.

Before they walked glitzy red carpets, these stars received their academic degrees.

The coldest capital city in the world has winter temperatures that sink to -35 and -40 �C and is known for its extreme, dry winters. Which place?

In answer to a question posed in Parliament, March 2025, details of India's forest cover, were highlighted, state-wise. Madhya Pradesh, with its enviable 11 national parks and plethora of flora and fauna, is the Indian state that boasts the most forest cover. Arunachal Pradesh, however, has the highest percentage of forest.

As Madhuri Dixit turns 58 on May 15, Subhash K Jha looks at her top dance numbers.

Take a page out of the album of Bollywood brides and opt for ageless jewellery ornaments for you wedding.

Who doesn't like khichdi! Bolly diva Kareena Kapoor, we recently discovered, eats it every few days. PM Narendra Modi prefers it too. As did late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Mughals ate a lot of it. A Bengali version called Nani Ma's khichdi is popular in the Bachchan home. There is a khichdi for every mood, weather, diet, state...

Mayur Sanap experiments with the classic Kashmiri eggplant dish that has tamarind as its star ingredient.

A fresh salad that pairs watermelon with feta cheese is one of those classic contrasting sweet-salty combos that is delightful.

There are foods that fight inflammation and it's one of the best weapons you have to prevent the onset of a clutch of chronic diseases, be it diabetes or heart illnes. Thus it is important to plan meals that contain anti-inflammatory foods.

Quality sleep is very essential for overall health and boosting immunity, while reducing the risk of chronic illnesses.

It's the Season For Biryani. During Ramzan many might have already dug into the best of biryanis. But as Eid al-Fitr approaches and the faithful wait for the moon, preparations will begin for the most glorious editions of biryani of all.

Bengali food... Who doesn't love it? Especially if you're a fish lover or hard-core non-vegetarian. Machh, mangsho, shorshe... If you've ever said \"Machh-mangsho na thakle bhalo lage na!\" then this roundup of Bong recipes, that will make you feel like you're in a Kolkata kitchen, is for you. Ebar pet pujo hok!

Add a burst of flavour to your khaana with a range of exotic chutneys. Take your pick!

India, a land of wonderful spiritual diversity, has always honoured her holiest sites by issuing beautifully-crafted postage stamps over the years.

Swarupa Dutt's 10 takeaways on her first time on a Vande Bharat train.

Divorce rates in countries across the world depend on myriad factors. Societal norms, urbanisation, financial independence. And cultural, religious, legal factors. Reasons for a country to have a high or low divorce rate isn't always obvious. For instance, Guam, the Maldives, Greenland have very high divorce rates. India has lowish rates along with Ireland, Qatar, UAE, but not the lowest.

Darker varieties of millets are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that your body turns into vitamin A to boost your immunity, according to WebMD. A good source of fibre, protein, prebiotics, cooking with millets, an ancient grain, is the enlightened way.

The bold-tasting spice hing or asafoetida is a gum resin, famously nicknamed stinking gum thanks to its strong sulphur-like smell. Derived from the roots of the Ferula asafoetida plant, that grows in places like Afghanistan and Iran, the intriguing-looking crystalline substance is also considered a kitchen superstar for its health benefits, according to Healthline.

The Japanese anime art form is taking over the Internet, and slowing down ChatGPT, as everyone rushes to find their Ghibli alter egos or the Ghibli avatars of their heroes. Wonder what the world's most famous paintings look like ghibli-fied?

India is a Blessed Land. Which place in the world has as so many exquisite living shrines of all faiths? Of the estimated 450,000 notable Indian religious sites, 55,000 are mosques.

Where should you go in India to unwind, get well, be healthy and indulge in spas, massage and more? Given India's deep-rooted wellness traditions, there are tonnes of calm, scenic places promising relaxation, rejuvenation, and holistic healing.

Norway remains the world's safest country for driving for the fourth consecutive year. Iceland, previously in the top five, is now the runner-up. Japan has moved up to third place, improving its ranking from last year.

We know being a new mom isn't easy - your whole world has changed, and now you're juggling sleepless nights, diaper duties, and those endless feeding sessions. In the middle of all this, you're also thinking, \"Am I eating right? Is my baby getting everything they need?\"

Is tomato the most loved vegetable maybe after potatoes? We need tomatoes in much of what we cook, be it pizzas, pastas, soups, curries, sandwiches, salads, dals, rasams, sabzis, raitas, sambars. Tomatoes provide health with taste -- they have plenty of antioxidants that help fight inflammation.

Ordinary streets of a city are the best places to find its true essence. True tastes too. I visited Vadodara recently and came back S-A-T-I-S-F-I-E-D. Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com takes us on a food voyage to Baroda in search of garam nashta.

Smart financial planning in your early years lays the foundation for long-term stability and success.

An island holiday is a package deal -- sun, sand, pristine beaches, isolation. Their location makes them off the beaten track. And their distance from the mainland ensures that the pace of life is slower or different. Go island hopping with Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com as he shows you some of the prettiest isles of India.

Our sweets feature now often on international food sites. The New York Times carry their recipes frequently. So does BBC Food. Cook's Illustrated made Indian sweets their cover feature late last year. TasteAtlas highlighted kulfi and rasgullah places. World over folks are discovering just how delicious our sweets are -- so creamy, so milky, so enjoyable.

India's ancient stepwells, some 3,000 of them, are engineering miracles, illustrating such sophisticated water management. Art and sustainability are firm partners in each of these wondrous projects that have so much use and yet boundless beauty. Partially underground, their design is native to India and were used for storing water and as social and religious gathering places too.

Indians have been leaving their homeland or place of birth since the Bronze Age. The Indian diaspora is one of the largest in the world, influencing, sometimes significantly, global cultures and economies. According to Indian Ministry of External Affairs May 2024 figures, approximately 35.42 million Indians reside overseas. 15.85 million are Non-Resident Indians. 19.57 million are Persons of Indian Origin. ​

It's Jaya Prada's birthday month, and a good time for Subhash K Jha to revisit some of her hit songs with Lata Mangeshkar.

Hot air ballooning affords a traveller the unmatched experience of seeing a place like it has never been seen before, the way a bird sees it. Ballooning in India isn't just about rushing thru the air. No, it's soaking in breathtaking views of historical sites and spectacular countryside. There are already a zillion things to see in the length and breadth of our desh. Imagine how much more there is to see by balloon!

In God's Own Country, the food belongs to the gods too, so scrumptious it is. Yes, you have not experienced food unless you have eaten a proper Kerala repast, preferably on a banana leaf, preferably put together by a traditional cook, preferably on a houseboat, preferably floating down a watery backway under palm trees, past fishing hamlets, quacking ducks...

Simple. Refreshing. Healthy. Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com perfects his version of the tasty Maharashtrian drink.

Follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and embark on a pilgrimage to Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, located in Rameswaram, the Kashi of the South.

Which nations are considered the most religious? US News & World Report conducted a global survey and came up with a list of the world's most religious countries.

Always a snazzy dresser, when Prime Minister Narendra D Modi goes travelling, he really pulls out all stops and cuts an elegant figure.

In 1971, music was the food of love and songs of life and longing filled the air.

As he turns 60, Deepa Gahlot offers an Aamir Khan film festival at your own home!

It's not so hard to incorporate a variety of health-giving, glorious greens in your daily meals. Eight recipes that show you how.

The golden, viscous liquid has golden health benefits too.

'Give me a harmonium and my 'Lota', and I will give you an outstanding composition,' Sachin Dev Burman once famously declared.

The height of temples in India is decided by the height of their gopurams or shikharas or vimanas that sit like Indian-style spires above the main sanctum. This listing of 10 temples have the tallest towers rising above the main temple structure.

India is home for most amazing palaces and castles, encompassing architectural beauty and royal history. Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com shows you his favourites.

Lighthouses have history. Lighthouses have navigational purpose. Lighthouses have beauty. There are around 18,600 lighthouses across the world. India has 204 lighthouses, icons of maritime heritage, along its magnificent coastline, according to the Indian Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships, that are still being maintained.

In 1971, music was the food of love and songs of life and longing filled the air.

As he turns 60, Deepa Gahlot offers an Aamir Khan film festival at your own home!

It's not so hard to incorporate a variety of health-giving, glorious greens in your daily meals. Eight recipes that show you how.

The golden, viscous liquid has golden health benefits too.

'Give me a harmonium and my 'Lota', and I will give you an outstanding composition,' Sachin Dev Burman once famously declared.

The height of temples in India is decided by the height of their gopurams or shikharas or vimanas that sit like Indian-style spires above the main sanctum. This listing of 10 temples have the tallest towers rising above the main temple structure.

India is home for most amazing palaces and castles, encompassing architectural beauty and royal history. Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com shows you his favourites.

Lighthouses have history. Lighthouses have navigational purpose. Lighthouses have beauty. There are around 18,600 lighthouses across the world. India has 204 lighthouses, icons of maritime heritage, along its magnificent coastline, according to the Indian Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships, that are still being maintained.

Looking for recipe which your kids would love to eat. Here are 11 meals which are easy to prepare and tasty to eat.

You can only show off a winning smile if you own good oral hygiene practices, like daily brushing, regular dental visits and more. Wanna a million-dollar grin like Madhuri Dixit, read on...

Beetroots also known as beets, are a nutrient-packed vegetable known for their earthy flavour and vibrant colour. Often considered a superfood, rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a great addition to a healthy diet.

Chickpeas, darkened with tea leaves and spiced up with cinnamon, bay leaves and other spices is a fine accompaniment to puris, bhature, rotis or even rice.

The most satisfying venture is to turn leftovers into tasty, fresh dishes. Kitchen recycling has its own joy. It reduces food waste, saves time and calls for great culinary imagination.

The fancy-schmanziest stores across the globe are not just places with roomfuls of steep price tags. Many are stunning museums to retail therapy, constructed in such lavish style, boasting breathtaking architecture, sculpture, chandeliers, marble floors, that they are definitely worth a walk of wonderment.

Travel is heady and magical and is about the joy of seeing new places. The journey to these destinations, that you have never been to before, is part of the fun. And then there are rail voyages on the world's most luxurious trains that are the last word in travel. Here are a few of the world's best, according to Travel \+ Leisure, many operate in India.

According to the World Population Review statistics for 2025, these nations have the tallest average human height in the world.

Anil Shastri, one of the late prime minister's six children, recounts memories of his father.

'He was a man concerned about the common man of India. Can these values return to this country?'

'Shastri told General Chaudhuri, 'I want to reach Lahore before they enter Kashmir'.' 'Today, many regard this initiative of Shastri as the first surgical strike.' A revealing excerpt from Dr Sandeep Shastri's Lal Bahadur Shastri: Politics And Beyond.

Kuldip Nayar, the veteran journalist and MP, worked closely with Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He shares his memories of the Indo-Pak summit in Tashkent in January 1966 with Sheela Bhatt.

The high point of the 19 Shastri months was the 22-day war that he fought against great odds and won in principle, even if military historians often call it a stalemate. Pakistan saw a great opportunity to conquer Kashmir and lost. It was the last time they had the relative strength militarily and diplomatically to take Kashmir. Shastri's resolve buried that dream forever, points out Shekhar Gupta.

As the country comes together to remember Father of the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on his 144th birth anniversary, we take a look at some archival photographs of the life and times of the man who made the biggest contribution in shaping India's future.

'Gandhi has not become out of date, we have.'

On the occasion of Gandhiji's birthday, Rediff.com presents an excerpt from the book that shows how Gandhi changed the face of cricket as it was played then.

The World Happiness Report -- published yearly by the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network & an independent editorial board -- brings new insights on where in the world happiness is a way of life. The 2025 report, while looking at global well-being, discovered that Finland continues to lead as the happiest nation on the planet.

Once the stomping ground of the Portuguese, Dutch and English, Fort Kochi's USP lies in its oldness, feels Archana Masih/Rediff.com.

One can grate, ghiso, grind a whole range of vegetables, fruit or nutty ingredients and magically, with a lil' food alchemy, transform them into a lip-smackingly good halwa. The amount of sugar or type of sweetener that goes into a halwa is in your hands. So is the amount of ghee.

The smoky, charred goodness of foods cooked in a tandoor or tandoori-style is a flavour strongly associated with north Indian cuisine. Anything you stick in a tandoor -- be it meats, seafood or veggies -- gain a scorched exterior, but when you bite into them it's all juiciness and succulence.

In this modern age, when so many environmental factors erode our health and cause a quicker decline of our bodies, it's important to include food in your diet that's fodder for the brain. This is equally important for people of all ages and the right way to plan your child's nutrition so he/she can excel in every aspect of life.

People across the world hold distinct opinions about different countries, shaped by what they read in the news about those countries' military actions, government policy, cultural influences, religion or even the way their tourists behave. In this period of plenty of bitter geo-political tensions the hates are strong. World Population Review has compiled it 2025 list of Most Hated Countries around the globe.

Age is just a number when it comes to love and these celebs make a strong case for it.

What can be more joyous than a playlist of golden melodies? Sukanya Verma curates one for you.

Dal has two great things going for it -- made from lentils, it's amazingly nourishing, nutritious. Secondly, can healthy food be any tastier?

When the urge for pakodas starts up every variation of this irresistible snack deserves to be savoured. And believe us when we say the varieties are limitless. All species taste best with a steaming cup of chai.

Are you preparing for competitive exams like the UPSC Prelims and struggling with note-making? Don't worry, you're not alone! Effective note-making is crucial for exam preparation. With the right strategies, you can make your study sessions more efficient and focused. Here are some tips...

Most nutritionists and doctors are in total agreement: Olive oil is good for you. Packed with antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, anti-inflammatory properties, says Healthline, especially in its extra virgin form, the green nectar supports heart health, lowers bad cholesterol, and adds a nutritious boost to your daily meals.

Serotonin is a natural chemical in your brain that regulates your mood and controls feelings of well-being. Doctors consider it a key player in mental health. When serotonin levels are low, it can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other mental health challenges. Keeping your serotonin levels balanced is important for feeling good both mentally and physically!

Unlike Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, who have countless temples across India, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe and one of the triad of principal Hindu deities, has only a few temples dedicated to him. There are several legends about why this is so. The most-believed version is that Lord Shiva was angry with Lord Brahma, for a lie he told, and cursed him saying no one would worship him on earth.

Not everyone was born in Mumbai, the city of dreams!

Not everyone is a starry eyed hopeful jumping on Bollywood's glamour bandwagon from the word go. These celebrities worked in a completely different capacity before finding fame at the movies.

We continue celebrating Lataji's birthday, as Subhash K Jha picks 12 unknown but exquisite Lata songs

'The credit for giving me my first major break goes to Master Ghulam Haider.'

Glimpses of The Legend from our archives.

'Gulzarsaab's words are lucid and singing them is like painting a picture.'

'It's very difficult, almost impossible, to select my favourite duets with Kishoreda.'

Sukanya Verma presents a playlist of 100 Lata Mangeshkar songs from different decades of Hindi films -- songs that make me sing, smile, sob and sigh.

Sukanya Verma celebrates The Legend's 25 distinctly different moods.

'For those who like romance in their music, I suggest they search for this song.'

A lot of film stars engage in healthy routines, both in terms of diet and fitness, to look the way they look. We can learn a thing or two from their diet chart.

Make the raw mango cooler jhatpat, courtesy a recipe by Manisha Deshpande Kotian.

Spare tomatoes can be converted quickly into fragrant, aromatic South-style Tomato Rice.

Parkinson's disease is defined by Mayo Clinic as a progressive condition that affects the nervous system, leading to movement difficulties. Various bodily functions, including movement are managed by the CNS.

Bengali food... Who doesn't love it? Especially if you're a fish lover or hard-core non-vegetarian. Machh, mangsho, shorshe... If you've ever said \"Machh-mangsho na thakle bhalo lage na!\" then this roundup of Bong recipes, that will make you feel like you're in a Kolkata kitchen, is for you. Ebar pet pujo hok!

Take a culinary journey across India and test your foodie gyan!

The first phase of the Kochi Water Metro, a modern ferry-based, eco-friendly public transport system became operational late 2024 in the Greater Kochi region. India's first water metro and one of the largest integrated water transport systems in Asia, a Scottish vlogger named Hugh recently put it on the international map when he gave it a 10/10, bowled over by its efficiency.

So many of us who did not grow up in Mumbai, got to know the city like it was our own city via Bollywood. Indeed the City of Dreams, because of its very moniker, has had a rather tall, almost domineering presence in our movies. Its skyline, its landmarks, its alluring vibe set the mood of many a film.

A lot of film stars engage in healthy routines, both in terms of diet and fitness, to look the way they look. We can learn a thing or two from their diet chart.

Make the raw mango cooler jhatpat, courtesy a recipe by Manisha Deshpande Kotian.

Spare tomatoes can be converted quickly into fragrant, aromatic South-style Tomato Rice.

Parkinson's disease is defined by Mayo Clinic as a progressive condition that affects the nervous system, leading to movement difficulties. Various bodily functions, including movement are managed by the CNS.

Bengali food... Who doesn't love it? Especially if you're a fish lover or hard-core non-vegetarian. Machh, mangsho, shorshe... If you've ever said \"Machh-mangsho na thakle bhalo lage na!\" then this roundup of Bong recipes, that will make you feel like you're in a Kolkata kitchen, is for you. Ebar pet pujo hok!

Take a culinary journey across India and test your foodie gyan!

The first phase of the Kochi Water Metro, a modern ferry-based, eco-friendly public transport system became operational late 2024 in the Greater Kochi region. India's first water metro and one of the largest integrated water transport systems in Asia, a Scottish vlogger named Hugh recently put it on the international map when he gave it a 10/10, bowled over by its efficiency.

So many of us who did not grow up in Mumbai, got to know the city like it was our own city via Bollywood. Indeed the City of Dreams, because of its very moniker, has had a rather tall, almost domineering presence in our movies. Its skyline, its landmarks, its alluring vibe set the mood of many a film.

There are millions of currency notes of different sizes, colours and feel all across the world and in spite of their differences are easily recognisable as currency. And then there are places where what passes for currency is most unexpected...

Discover the wonderful variety of pulau dishes in this flavourful collection. Each type of rice preparation offers tradition, home-style goodness and loads of taste, of course, in every forkful.

Whether you're a peanut lover or just looking to add more protein options to your menu, you have come to the right place. Choose from any of these 15 recipes for a tasty dish that toasts the humble singdana or mungfali.

Are you overdoing the clothes washing? Or verging on under-doing it? Neither is a great idea. Excessive washing foists a hidden burden on the environment. And well, not washing enough harms you. You need to find the right balance and also preserve your garments. We turn to to which.co.uk for the appropriate advice.

Walking is one of the most accessible and simple forms of physical activity, requiring no special equipment or training. It plays a vital role in maintaining and improving overall health.

There are many Indian towns or cities whose most famous landmark is not a building. Nor a street. Or a monument. But a sweet. In some cases the sweet is more well-known than the place. And the mithai also tells a story about local flavours, festivals and traditions.

Christianity came to India long before it came to Europe and the Western world, and India's spiritual landscape, that had always hosted diverse faiths, quickly adopted the religion as its own. A look at 22 historic Indian churches...

A tribute to legendary Bollywood villains, reimagined as collectibles.

Mayank Jain's book Stop Me if You Can is a light-hearted description of the life of an IIM grad in sales. Here is an excerpt from the book.

King Thibaw, who was crowned in 1878, ruled Burma (now Myanmar) for seven years with his Queen Supayalat. It was a time when the royal family was treated like demigods; they lived richly in the Golden Palace in Mandalay.

In his latest book, 101 Myths & Realities @ The Office, Utkarsh Rai seeks to do just that -- bust the myths of the corporate culture. We bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book.

Answer these questions and find out just how good you are with the use of conjunctions in English grammar!

Think you know entrepreneurs well enough? Ha! Think again! These are seven dark secrets that they will never reveal about themselves.

Life in the metros can be more taxing than you can imagine and nothing is more welcome than a weekend getaway. Aditi Bose lists out her favourite places around Kolkata.

A trek a year is a must, says former foreign secretary Shyam Saran who has been at it for over 20 years. Here he lists his favourite five, all in the Himalayas.

The Big B turns a glorious 70 next month. Here's looking at his 10 most favourite films of all time!

Jawan springs a real surprise when it boldly and directly points fingers at the ineffective government and appeals to recognise the power of the finger and vote. Six months before the next general Indian election, this is no coincidence, observes Sukanya Verma.

If Vikrant Massey does not win a National Award for this film, it will be unjust to an actor who has given a performance of such unalloyed brilliance, applauds Deepa Gahlot.

Instead of feeling her desperation, despair or extreme acts stemming from a mother's primal need to protect her brood, what comes through is hollow theatrics, feels Sukanya Verma.

What makes Ullozhukku worth recommending is its ability to surrender to the surprises and yet grow with its characters, observes Divya Nair.

When you declare 12th Fail as the Best Film and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as the Wholesome Entertainer of the year, you have somehow narrowed the range of the awards, suggesting, in effect, that the entire spectrum of possibility in Indian cinema extends from the Filmfare Awards winner for the Best Film to the Filmfare Awards winner for the Best Film (Critics), points out Sreehari Nair.

'The moment the Army approved the script, they told us that they will give their full support and asked us for our full dedication.'

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani packs in abundant entertainment and hat tips to the KJo brand, observes Sukanya Verma.

Shah Rukh Khan may have won his first National Award but many actors have won multiple awards!

Superstar Mohanlal in a philosophical mood on completing 25 years in the film industry.

'There is no attempt to make different films in the Malayalam film industry,' says Mohanlal.

When I asked for an interview from Mohanlal for this special, the first thing he asked was, \"Is there anything more to say?\"

With a history of togetherness. Both Mohanlal and Mammootty started their acting careers in 1980. Time was when almost all Malayalam films in the 1980s had both of them together.

It is very difficult to pin Mohanlal (left) down for an interview. It is even more difficult to make him answer questions. But it is very easy to like him for he is one of the most genuine, unassuming and unpretentious film stars in India.

When Mohanlal was asked to name his favourite films, the superstar just started reeling out names.

Interview with Mohanlal on his third Bolywood film Tezz.

Padmarajan's Thoovanathumbikal has become a part of Malayali mythology, just as its maker himself now possesses mythological status.

The country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of what is variously termed as the First War of Independence, War of Independence of 1857, Indian Mutiny, the Great Indian Mutiny, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Great Mutiny, the Rebellion of 1857 or the Revolt of 1857.

As India celebrates 150 years of its First War of Independence, one of the key monuments of that era lies ignored, reduced to a urinal.

Woh daur kuch aur tha, Aaj kuch aur hai, Duniya adalti badalti rehti hai' (Those were different times; today is a different time. The world keeps changing). The words come not from a philosopher or poet, but from a man called Robert Robinson, entrusted to protect the graves of British citizens and soldiers who died during the mutiny of 1857.

From the moment one starts reading about a shrouded corpse being escorted by a group of British soldiers to an unmarked grave in a prison enclosure in Rangoon in 1862, to the last page of the magisterial and compulsively readable The Last Mughal, it is difficult to keep track of time.

The country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of what is variously termed as the First War of Independence, War of Independence of 1857, Indian Mutiny, the Great Indian Mutiny, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Great Mutiny, the Rebellion of 1857 or the Revolt of 1857.

From the moment one starts reading about a shrouded corpse being escorted by a group of British soldiers to an unmarked grave in a prison enclosure in Rangoon in 1862, to the last page of the magisterial and compulsively readable The Last Mughal, it is difficult to keep track of time.

After his articles on the Chitradurga Fort, Daulatabad Fort and the Bada Imambara, Rediff reader Nirdesh K Singh sends in this story of Lucknow's famed Residency.

'The summer of 1857 saw violence, perpetrated by the Indians and the Britons, on an unprecedented scale.' 'Never before and never after in the history of British rule in India was there violence at the level that 1857 witnessed.'

The country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of what is variously termed as the First War of Independence, War of Independence of 1857, Indian Mutiny, the Great Indian Mutiny, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Great Mutiny, the Rebellion of 1857 or the Revolt of 1857.

As India celebrates 150 years of its First War of Independence, one of the key monuments of that era lies ignored, reduced to a urinal.

Woh daur kuch aur tha, Aaj kuch aur hai, Duniya adalti badalti rehti hai' (Those were different times; today is a different time. The world keeps changing). The words come not from a philosopher or poet, but from a man called Robert Robinson, entrusted to protect the graves of British citizens and soldiers who died during the mutiny of 1857.

From the moment one starts reading about a shrouded corpse being escorted by a group of British soldiers to an unmarked grave in a prison enclosure in Rangoon in 1862, to the last page of the magisterial and compulsively readable The Last Mughal, it is difficult to keep track of time.

The country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of what is variously termed as the First War of Independence, War of Independence of 1857, Indian Mutiny, the Great Indian Mutiny, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Great Mutiny, the Rebellion of 1857 or the Revolt of 1857.

From the moment one starts reading about a shrouded corpse being escorted by a group of British soldiers to an unmarked grave in a prison enclosure in Rangoon in 1862, to the last page of the magisterial and compulsively readable The Last Mughal, it is difficult to keep track of time.

After his articles on the Chitradurga Fort, Daulatabad Fort and the Bada Imambara, Rediff reader Nirdesh K Singh sends in this story of Lucknow's famed Residency.

'The summer of 1857 saw violence, perpetrated by the Indians and the Britons, on an unprecedented scale.' 'Never before and never after in the history of British rule in India was there violence at the level that 1857 witnessed.'

Sunita added that \"I hope, and I think for sure, I'm gonna be going back to my father's home country and visiting with people and getting excited about the first, or not the first, but the Indian national who's going up on the Axiom Mission coming up, pretty awesome,\" she said.

Sunita Williams' arrival is marked by cameramen running backwards in front of an approaching white car that pulls up two feet from the stage. Dressed in a scarlet tee-shirt and blue jeans, Sunita walks up with her father, the gentle Dr Deepak Pandya -- and the press goes wild. A free-for-all erupts at the foot of the stage as still photographers (quite the inadvertent oxymoron, you do realize) and television cameramen jostle violently for a photo-op.

Day two of Indian American astronaut Sunita William's Gujarat yatra, to three villages in Mehsana district where her father was born and lived -- Jhulasan, Nadipur, Kadi -- was deja vu.

Sunita Williams with her father Dr Deepak Pandya at the Sabarmati Ashram.

Dr Deepak N Pandya, father of astronaut Sunita Williams, tells Managing Editor Sheela Bhatt about his life first in Gujarat and then in America, and how he brought up his children.

The historic pics that Indian-American astronaut may look back on.

After being marooned in space for nine months, Astronaut Sunita Williams is back on earth along with her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore.

Sunita speaks to Rediff India Aborad from space.

A little glamour, no gloss, on the bleaker side of 40, abrasively feminist... Why are people still interested in Shabana Azmi?

An interview with Shabana Azmi

An interview with Shabana Azmi.

An interview with Shabana Azmi.

The Rediff Interview/Shabana Azmi.

'I used to be embarrassed and think what will my friends say if I wiggle my hips.' 'I used to seek comfort in the fact that Meena Kumari and Nutan couldn't dance.' 'I think that was a mistake.'

'Once in a while, I flirt with the idea of direction.' 'If I direct, it will be a human story that touches me.' 'I'm nervous of forcing myself into making a socially relevant film.'

On her 72nd birthday on September 18, Sukanya Verma gives three cheers to the legend and lists 20 of her stellar performances.

Modi is seen as exceptional not only on account of his acts but also owing to his style. He appears to sacrifice his life for the people -- like a fakir, a figure he came to epitomize even more in 2020 by growing a long white beard. Charisma is above accountability, and Modi has grasped these dynamics.

'He never believes in loose talk.' 'If he is done with you, then you go your way, he goes his way.'

'New Delhi showed itself willing -- at least for a period -- to tolerate the risk of conflict and to withstand Beijing's implicit and explicit threats.' 'But it also continued to try to cut some kind of deal with China to reduce tensions.'

'Extravagant new promises can buy him time, but far from solving the problem, they compound the risk.' 'His main alternative is to stress not aspirations, but resentments.' 'He has already de-emphasised aspirational appeals: Nothing has been heard for over two years of the coming of achhe din,' points out James Manor.

'Will Muslims in large numbers react positively, especially in the context of the events of the last thirty years?' 'In the process, could Modi end up alienating his core supporters?' A fascinating excerpt from Jaithirth Rao's The Indian Conservative : A History of Indian Right-Wing Thought.

'In the course of my interactions with him, Modi insisted that he does not believe charisma alone can sustain people's trust for long.' 'That is why Modi consistently refers to Mahatma Gandhi to contextualise his politics.' 'He believes in taking his ideas to the masses and getting their acceptance as an index of approval.'
A revealing excerpt from Ajay Singh's The Architect of the New BJP: How Narendra Modi Transformed the Party.

'From the very start, PM Modi was insistent that visiting foreign leaders should be exposed to an India beyond its capital.' 'Through these experiences, he felt that the full Indian narrative would be much better understood across the world,' explains External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. A riveting excerpt from Bluekraft Digital Foundation's Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery.

The transmogrification of Prime Minister Modi to Saint Modi began with the ground-breaking ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. By identifying himself with Lord Ram, Modi raised himself in popular imagination to a saintly person.

'Unfortunately, most of our students use AI to replace knowledge when they should be using the AI tools to enhance their knowledge.' 'I am sorry to say, even those students who have opted to study AI have no idea what AI is.'

India should encourage the second coming of SAARC with climate change as an urgent agenda and keeping Indian security concerns in mind as the subtext, suggest Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

Lokmanya Tilak lived a life replete with contradictions, although he modified many of his positions later in life.

\"There is a limit when it comes to tolerating abusive behaviour or working styles. Many (employees) find ways to quit,\" says career coach and rediffGURU Pradeep Pramanik.

'People worship Krishna. People don't worship Ved Vyas, who wrote the Mahabharata.' 'It's a cultural thing because we don't see the heroes behind the screen, we see the heroes who are in front of the screen.'

Certain foods can help prevent flare-ups by reducing the production of stomach acid and soothing the digestive system, says Dr Gaurav Kumar Patil.

'If after 25 years, I don't experiment, it's going to be never.'

A sneak peek of some extraordinary entries for the 60th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year event.

Air Marshal Denzil Keelor was an Indian Air Force legend. His nephew Basil Keelor, son of another war hero Wing Commander Trevor Keelor, remembers a remarkable officer and gentleman.

'The odds were stacked against us.' 'Through it all, we were determined to overcome and prevail we did!' Wing Commander Shailesh Singh on the high-risk flying mission for which he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

'If the government sincerely addressed the issue of missing persons, it would alleviate 80% of the grievances in Balochistan.' 'No matter how many development projects Islamabad announces for the region, the people will remain upset as long as their loved ones are missing.'

'We had been deceived by the clouds, taken to the brink of death, but saved by the Almighty.'

IAF pilots and crew dodged low hanging clouds, mist covered hills, steep valleys and landed on broken landing grounds to rescue civilians in Wayanad. In one mission, they had to descend vertically to get close to the survivors. IAF flew over 80 missions, saving lives and giving hope. This is how they did it.

Two sons return to their dead father's village to keep alive memories, and are the only ones living in the crumbling hamlet, discovers A Ganesh Nadar.

Stories are legion about the Karatmeter's use at that time. Hundreds of people standing in queue for testing, customers breaking down after discovering the actual purity of their jewellery and then becoming irate about the jeweller who had gypped them, the local jewellery industry leaning heavily on the Tanishq franchisees to desist from using it, some jewellers even threatening violent action.

'General Paddy was amongst the last line of generals who stood by his convictions and brooked no interference in matters which were his domain.' Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah (retd) salutes his former chief who passed away on August 19.

This dish is for fans of creamy, coconut milk-based soups.

Try an upma with coconut milk and beetroot!

Date palm jaggery and tapioca go into making this delicious pudding.

This classic Maharashtrian dish is made without onions.

This sweet is vegan, gluten-free and not very sugary.

Millets, dal and a bunch of spices can be steamed together for an awesome version of this rice cake.

It pairs beautifully with just dal and rice.

With hilsa prices soaring, when you do cook it you need the finest recipe.

This dish is for fans of creamy, coconut milk-based soups.

Try an upma with coconut milk and beetroot!

Date palm jaggery and tapioca go into making this delicious pudding.

This classic Maharashtrian dish is made without onions.

This sweet is vegan, gluten-free and not very sugary.

Millets, dal and a bunch of spices can be steamed together for an awesome version of this rice cake.

It pairs beautifully with just dal and rice.

With hilsa prices soaring, when you do cook it you need the finest recipe.

'Till my wife called me up one day and said, \"Hey, we need food on the table\".'

Ila Arun on music, movies and threatre.

'I was one of those children who didn't feel I had to adhere to instructions on how to behave.' 'That must have made things very awkward for my parents.'

'God can you get work, but once you get it, you have to do it with honesty and put your 100 percent into it.'

'If you shout at me, I will not take it.' 'If you jump on me and pounce on me or physically come too close to me, that's not acceptable.'

'Garm Hava understands that the scorching, hate-filled, doubt-filled affair between Hindus and Muslims is our national love affair.' Sreehari Nair revisits M S Sathyu's classic film, featuring the incomparable Balraj Sahni at his finest in his final role.

A trip to any of these enchanting waterfalls guarantees a memorable vacation.

Exploring the best of Indian roads.

A toxic friend is always complaining, or finding fault and creating drama to prove that something that happened is your fault.

rediffGURU Anu Krishna, co-founder of Unfear Changemakers, offers expert advice about how you can take charge of your life.

Decide on the pros and cons of what you want from this relationship. If you do go for something casual, detach your emotions, advises rediffGURU Shalini Singh.

Religion and economic barriers continue to define love in modern India, discovers Preshth Bhardwaj.

It is not your job to help her move on from a relationship that she chose to break. You don't owe your ex-partner your unconditional support, counsels rediffGURU Ravi Mittal.

While it's important to work towards saving your marriage, you must also be willing to accept that the outcome may not be what you hope for, says Dr Ashish Sehgal.

Have a calm and open conversation with your wife to understand her perspective, suggests rediffGURU Dr Ashish Sehgal.

rediffGURU Anu Krishna, a mental health coach, offers advice on how to take charge of your life.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan, or SWP, can help you achieve your financial goals. Ramalingam Kalirajan's step-by-step guide on how to effectively use an SWP.

Adopting overly aggressive strategies without considering risk could lead to significant losses during the next downturn.

Many senior citizens 'underestimate the impact of inflation, taxation, health-related expenses, and the heavy premium they will have to pay on health insurance.'

Scammers sometimes misuse personal information collected during tax preparation, leading to identity theft or unauthorised financial transactions.

Only borrow an amount that can be repaid comfortably. The ratio of total EMI to take-home salary should not exceed 40 per cent.

Customers frequently sign without reading the terms and conditions, resulting in a poor understanding of coverage, and eventually leading to partial payouts

Given the prevailing employment market, uncertainty in the United States and the exorbitant expenses associated with studying abroad, it would be prudent for your son to acquire professional experience in India initially, advises rediffGURU Pananjay Tiwari.

Follow this 15 x 15 x 15 rule to become a crorepati without taking big risks. Ramalingam Kalirajan explains how

'Ajit Doval said, \"They are threatening us now\".'

'The struggle of insurgents and pro-independence political activists is fuelled by a deep conviction that not only is a free Balochistan possible, but they also believe that Pakistan will inevitably break apart, leading to Balochistan's independence.'

I am happy I didn't knock anyone down, driving recklessly or trying to show off. However, in one instance of road rage (the consequence of arguing with a driver who disrespected my right to cross the road peacefully) I did find a man in a SUV taking his anger out on me by driving his vehicle over my feet, recalls Shyam G Menon.

'Religion and extremism is going to be a big force, a very important force, in Bangladesh's politics.'

'In the audience's mind there is no urgency to go see a film in the theatre.' 'If you pay for social media buzz it does not convert into bums on seats.'

rediffGURU Dr Pananjay Tiwari lists the options and cost of pursuing an MBBS education outside of India.

Yoga expert R Pushpa, founder of Radiant Yogavibes suggests five simple exercises for senior citizens.

Bullied children could show a sudden reluctance to go to school. Pay attention to any changes in their social dynamics such as avoiding certain friends or becoming increasingly isolated, says Dr Maithili Tambe.

Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.

'One person says let us move ahead, the other doesn't want to.'

'At his wedding with Patralekha, I officiated as the groom's father as Raj has lost both parents, and that's the relationship we share today.'

'That comparison, \"Oh look at Vicky, do you also see yourself being that successful in life?\"' 'Vicky has seen a lot and done a lot and he is where he is. I feel really happy about it.' 'But I have my own journey.'

'Out of sight, out of mind happens.'

'When I started to step into the West in 2006, I believed India was not going to be the back end.' 'I understood that no film-maker wants to believe that they are outsourcing their creativity to a low-end place.' 'The application of technology in the hands of our Indian artistes is identical to any of our artists in the West.' 'Nobody in the world can say this shot was done in India and that in London.'

Perfect occasion to list 30 real-life educators whose unique methods, unwavering dedication or scholarly persona impressed us.

Ananya Pandey's snazzy, selfie-ready style in Call Me Bae is the first thing to have caught our eye about her ultra glamorous debut on OTT this week.

The four Sabres - from Sargodha's 17 PAF Squadron - were being led by their CO, Squadron Leader Azim Daudpota. Neither Daudpota nor his wingmen noticed the four Gnats led by Squadron Leader Denzil Keelor come in at low level behind them.

The 1965 war proved that Indian unity was solid while Pakistan was vulnerable to divisive forces.

The first Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh looks back at the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The 1965 war teaches us that war by escalation is a real possibility. Despite clear threats, Pakistan never believed that India will ever cross the international border. In the age of nuclear deterrence, this failure to deter Pakistan is the central lesson of 1965, says Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

It tremendously increased the pressure on Shastri and his government, forcing him to agree to a ceasefire just when the tide had turned in India's favour on the battlefield.

'News is rife that Pakistan will attack the next day. They have no idea that this is where they will take on the might of 1 Armoured Division of Pakistan in a three-day bloody battle that will be remembered in military history as the Battle of Asal Uttar.' Rachna Bisht Rawat salutes the brave men turned the tide of the '65 war.

Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh, GOC, Western Command, disobeyed the then army chief and took on a superior Pakistani armoured column. The Indian Centurion tanks outgunned the more modern Pakistani Patton tanks in the battle at Khem Karan, that proved the turning point of the 1965 War. Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd) salutes the Soldiers' General.

In what was perhaps the most critical meeting before full-scale war broke out, Shastri defined India's immediate war objectives to his defence minister, army, and air force chiefs: 'To defend against Pakistan's attempts to grab Kashmir by force and to make it abundantly clear that Pakistan would never be allowed to wrest Kashmir from India; To destroy the offensive power of Pakistan's armed forces...' A fascinating excerpt from Shiv Kunal Verma's must-read 1965: A Western Sunrise India's War With Pakistan.

The four Sabres - from Sargodha's 17 PAF Squadron - were being led by their CO, Squadron Leader Azim Daudpota. Neither Daudpota nor his wingmen noticed the four Gnats led by Squadron Leader Denzil Keelor come in at low level behind them.

The 1965 war proved that Indian unity was solid while Pakistan was vulnerable to divisive forces.

The first Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh looks back at the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The 1965 war teaches us that war by escalation is a real possibility. Despite clear threats, Pakistan never believed that India will ever cross the international border. In the age of nuclear deterrence, this failure to deter Pakistan is the central lesson of 1965, says Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

It tremendously increased the pressure on Shastri and his government, forcing him to agree to a ceasefire just when the tide had turned in India's favour on the battlefield.

'News is rife that Pakistan will attack the next day. They have no idea that this is where they will take on the might of 1 Armoured Division of Pakistan in a three-day bloody battle that will be remembered in military history as the Battle of Asal Uttar.' Rachna Bisht Rawat salutes the brave men turned the tide of the '65 war.

Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh, GOC, Western Command, disobeyed the then army chief and took on a superior Pakistani armoured column. The Indian Centurion tanks outgunned the more modern Pakistani Patton tanks in the battle at Khem Karan, that proved the turning point of the 1965 War. Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd) salutes the Soldiers' General.

In what was perhaps the most critical meeting before full-scale war broke out, Shastri defined India's immediate war objectives to his defence minister, army, and air force chiefs: 'To defend against Pakistan's attempts to grab Kashmir by force and to make it abundantly clear that Pakistan would never be allowed to wrest Kashmir from India; To destroy the offensive power of Pakistan's armed forces...' A fascinating excerpt from Shiv Kunal Verma's must-read 1965: A Western Sunrise India's War With Pakistan.

'Today it is not about seeking blessings, but seeking selfies.' Payal Mohanka listens to the 'uneducated guru' Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev explain the mysteries of life.

To immediately purchase Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard or The Inheritance of Loss online click on each title.

'People taunted me, saying 'You are a woman, why are you wrestling?'

'Uttam Kumar transcended the conflict between being a star and an actor... he combined both and became a cultural and social icon for the Bengali race.'

Charlie Sheen is one crazy coot!

'My parents once went to watch Rajkumar Kohli's Insaniyat Ke Dushman. In the film, I \"rape\" Anita Raaj. My father was very upset. My mother left the theatre. Years later, my father asked me to do a positive role with a heroine like Hema Malini. Unfortunately, I never got to do that. I played her brother-in-law in Satte Pe Satta. Now in Ramesh Sippy's Shimla Mirch, I am romancing her but my father is not alive to see it.' Shakti Kapoor, straight from the heart.

'My stay in Mumbai was taken care of by Vinod Khanna, food by Daisy Irani, work was provided by Feroz Khan, and Sunil Dutt paid me without my doing any work. My wife is 12 years younger than me. She was a child artiste. I got the title Shakti Kapoor: Cradle snatcher. But she was too good so I decided to marry her. I will marry Shraddha off after three years. I don't want her to be an older heroine or marry at 40. I want her to marry at the peak of her career. But I will not force her.' Straight talk from Shakti Kapoor.

'I don't think Shami had any doubts that Ravi would stick by his word, but to see the head coach move heaven and earth to ensure his best interests were taken care of at a difficult time must have made a massive impact on him.' A fascinating excerpt from R Sridhar's must-read book Coaching Beyond: My Days with the Indian Cricket Team.

In Sukanya Verma's special series re-visiting great Hindi film classics, we look back at 1960's Parakh, starring Sadhana, Motilal, Nazir Hussain and Durga Khote.

Dinesh Raheja looks back at Manoj Kumar's brilliant 1964 thriller Woh Kaun Thi, and explains just what made it an audio-visual treat.

After the astounding success of his black-and-white blood-curdler, Woh Kaun Thi [1964], Raj Khosla followed with Mera Saaya and Anita, making probably the only big-budget suspense trilogy in Hindi films. All three mystery films starred the enigmatic Sadhana in multiple roles.

R K Nayyar peppers his film with crackling humour.

'Her death has left a small hole in me. That little space that her songs and her screen image always filled in me. She had not worked in films for years, but somehow I always sensed she was there, somewhere in Bombay where movie magic is made.'

'I want my fans to remember me as the Sadhana of Love In Simla, Mere Mehboob, Woh Kaun Thi and Arzoo,' the Bollywood legend, who passed into the ages on Christmas Day, told Dinesh Raheja.

'As the burkha-clad beauty Husna in Mere Mehboob, she inspired Shakeel Badayuni to compose Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat Ki Kasam/Phir Mujhe Un Nargisi Aankhon Ka Sahara De De. Hasrat Jaipuri showered epithets like Nargis-e-Mastaana and Phoolon Ki Rani, Baharon Ki Malika on her in Arzoo.'

'All through the making of Dil Daulat Aur Duniya, Rajesh Khanna never acknowledged me.' 'Dev Anand couldn't carry off a dhoti in Insaaniyat. He told me that he would never wear one again.' 'Shammi Kapoor and I began on an icy note during Raajkumar, but once the cold vibes thawed, we became the best of buddies.'

'We have to be accepting of who we are and what we are, and not dismiss any side of ourselves.' 'Once you accept everything that you are, it's the better way of living life.'

This doctor couple put their faith in India. And in return India has put faith in them.

Rajesh Karkera journeys through verdant countryside to the little-explored pristine Lonar lake in eastern Maharashtra.

'This novel, even after 1,000 years, is still relevant.' 'The politics and psychology is still relevant.' 'It is as contemporary as you can get.'

The less hours you sleep, the higher your blood pressure will rise, cautions Dr Pooja Kohli.

Parental interference is a nuisance for young Indian daters, observes Ravi Mittal, CEO, Quack Quack, an online dating app. They either have a problem with the person their child is dating or with dating in general.

On his 90th birth anniversary, Sukanya Verma lists 20 of her favourite scenes that reiterate his extraordinary grasp on the language of cinema and connect with the viewer.

On his 40th birthday on September 28, Sukanya Verma draws up a playlist of 40 riveting Ranbir songs.

Dress up any fresh seasonal greens with an imli-dal-coconut koottu-style preparation.

A plant-based tasty one-bowl meal.

It's a fusion dish with a South Indian touch.

A simple recipe made without onion and garlic.

At Jolly Aikara's Mumbai home, Onam is as big a day as Christmas and Semiya Payasam is still a hot favourite.

While fancy varieties of modaks have found their way onto festive menus, nothing beats the joy of having the traditional steamed dumplings with coconut and jaggery filling.

Treat yourself to something Rajasthani and traditional on Ganeshotsav.

Golden, deep-fried gulab jamuns in a pastry basket of rabdi are the perfect treat for any Indian festival.

Dress up any fresh seasonal greens with an imli-dal-coconut koottu-style preparation.

A plant-based tasty one-bowl meal.

It's a fusion dish with a South Indian touch.

A simple recipe made without onion and garlic.

At Jolly Aikara's Mumbai home, Onam is as big a day as Christmas and Semiya Payasam is still a hot favourite.

While fancy varieties of modaks have found their way onto festive menus, nothing beats the joy of having the traditional steamed dumplings with coconut and jaggery filling.

Treat yourself to something Rajasthani and traditional on Ganeshotsav.

Golden, deep-fried gulab jamuns in a pastry basket of rabdi are the perfect treat for any Indian festival.

'It was with some shock that I realised he was not much bigger than me, and we are not talking of Atlas here.'

The King of Pop had a tryst with this celluloid city 13 years ago, when he mesmerised thousands of Mumbaikars with his performance at a concert.

The late legend's iconic music video has spawned countless flash mobs, halloween parties and other inspirations all across the world.

'I was ushered in amidst clouds of smoke, in front of 6,000 screaming children. They were convinced, beyond all shadow of doubt, that Michael himself had descended amongst them.'

Here are ten Jackson trivia questions that will help you brush up on the musician who moved the world in the 1980s and 1990s.

Here's a look at the fascinating man and his changing faces.

In celebration of a life that has touched millions of hearts, we look at the songs that propagated his message of love and tolerance.

A look at the ten myth-making works of staggering brilliance.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan salutes the legendary Ustad Vilayat Ali Khan.

Dissonant artistic visions drove Annapurna Devi and her husband Ravi Shankar apart, notes Swapan Kumar Bondyopadhyay.

Pandit Ravi Shankar was George Harrison's link into the Vedic world.

Exquisitely shot, with shadows and light capturing the hypnotic mood of the film, Jalsaghar is a viewing treat you owe yourself.

Believe it or not, Raakhee Gulzar spent weeks learning how to play the sitar from the maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar himself.

Arvind Parikh, Ustad Vilayat Khan's oldest student, pays tribute to the late maestro.

At some point, it became evident to the audience that a subtle musical duel was taking place. By the time the faster taans started, the notes had become sharp arrows shot with the intention to annihilate. A revealing excerpt from Namita Devidayal's The Sixth String Of Vilayat Khan.

9 MUST WATCH videos!

You may be experiencing fear related to a new project, your routine, your pay scale or something even more. In such situations, co-workers will appreciate that you are reaching out and would be happy to offer support and encouragement, suggests Harshit Malik, wisdom coach and enrichment guide.

Priya Surekha, creative makeup expert at Enrich Beauty, shows you how to experiment and create a stunning new look in minutes.

HR Guru Mayank Rautela offers practical advice.

'My father is a postman. My mother is a homemaker. No one in my family had studied medicine.' 'I wanted to be the first doctor in my family so I could listen to people like me and help them feel better about themselves,' says Archana Vijayan, an MBBS student with a disability, who was initially denied admission into medical school, even after passing the NEET twice.

A mouth-watering recipe that won't make you feel guilty.

For his participation in Netaji's INA, Major Ghulam Ahmed Qureshi was put into solitary confinement in the Red Fort, charged with rebellion against the Crown. Despite Nehru, Asaf Ali and a host of top lawyers defending them, Qureshi and his fellow officers were sentenced to death.

On a mission to visit the families of soldiers who have died in action, Vikas Manhas has met over 1,000 families whose loved ones made the supreme sacrifice for the country.

Major Adhikari was a man par excellence and had won our hearts. His supreme sacrifice for the nation shook us till the roots. A fascinating excerpt from Param Vir Chakra Captain (Honorary) Yogendra Singh Yadav's book, The Hero of Tiger Hill.

Dish up this super delicious and low-calorie meal-in-a-bowl in minutes.

Why just eat noodles and samosa separately when you can combine them together for a tasty treat?

Plan a nutritional treat for your bachhas on Children's Day.

Have you ever eaten buttered tagliatelle pasta? If not, you've misssed something big time.

Traditionally thukpa is made with buckwheat noodles and flavoured with yak meat or dried fish.

It makes for a wholesome bowl of love, taste and health.

This dish is for fans of creamy, coconut milk-based soups.

This quick Japanese-style recipe for a noodle bowl comes together in minutes. You may add whatever toppings take your fancy.

We navigate teeming markets, inspect stunning temples, and uncover rich history in the often overlooked Indian metropolis.

Oh, the city of Joy! Kolkata, or Calcutta, is a wonderfully old-fashioned and archaic city. Abhik Bhattacherji takes a nostalgic look at his hometown and gives us the lowdown on what you must do when you come visiting.

As Kolkata marches towards modernity, it is hard to imagine its streets without these cabs, notes Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

'A trip to the banks of the Hooghly without which there wouldn't be a Calcutta/Kolkata is one for the bucket list,' says Kishore Singh.

A fabulous vegetarian spread and an amazing range of sweets are also hallmarks of Bengali cuisine.

5 Must Do Things in Kolkata.

Stepping back in time to peek at Old Kolkata.

Ever since my childhood I have been fascinated with Kolkata and its trams.

Welcome the Lord with his favourite dish.

Bhagyashree Zore shares a traditional recipe.

Wow your guests with these delicious modak preparations.

Food blogger Siddhi Panchal shares her special modak recipe. You can share yours too!

Chef Rupesh Khandekar tells you how to make flavoured modaks.

Ladies from across the country share their household recipes that mark the Ganesha festival.

Welcome the festivities with these delicious delights.

Show-stopping desserts to impress guests on Ganeshotsav.

Welcome the Lord with his favourite dish.

Bhagyashree Zore shares a traditional recipe.

Wow your guests with these delicious modak preparations.

Food blogger Siddhi Panchal shares her special modak recipe. You can share yours too!

Chef Rupesh Khandekar tells you how to make flavoured modaks.

Ladies from across the country share their household recipes that mark the Ganesha festival.

Welcome the festivities with these delicious delights.

Show-stopping desserts to impress guests on Ganeshotsav.

Escaping from the scorching heat is all we desire during summer. But since work took me to Chennai, I decided to spend an extra day to visit the tourist spots within the city limits.

It showcases products that help the differently abled live an independent life.

Elihu Yale rose up the ranks of the East India Company to become governor of Madras and is the controversial benefactor after whom Yale University is named.

The tourism 'off season' is now on, but it is a good time to visit high ground -- these destinations are green, cool, wildlife-rich, even a little adventurous

19 per cent of all travel in India (by bus, train or air) was pilgrimage or religious travel (possibly the single largest after business and family-related travel), discovers Ambi Parameswaran.

Follow these 10 Chennai foodies to track down the great restaurants and awesome food there!

A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com meets Chennai's all-girl street children football team who competed in the Street Child World Cup in Moscow.

The first national flag in Independent India was hoisted at Fort St George in Madras, not at Delhi's Red Fort.

Lokmanya Tilak lived a life replete with contradictions, although he modified many of his positions later in life.

'There cannot be anyone like Air Marshal Keelor -- he was so difficult to emulate.' Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) salutes War Hero Air Marshal Denzil Keelor PVSM, KC, AVSM, VrC who passed into the ages last month.

'Ajit Doval said, \"They are threatening us now\".'

'We had been deceived by the clouds, taken to the brink of death, but saved by the Almighty.'

Rehana Sultan was all set to be a path-breaker. The time was right. Hindi cinema had emerged from the 1960s musicals era. But somehow, leading film-makers of the time did not believe Rehana had that cachet. It was Zeenat Aman who ended up being the definitive taboo-trasher of the era. Dinesh Raheja salutes the trendsetter of the 1970s, Rehana Sultan.

Stories are legion about the Karatmeter's use at that time. Hundreds of people standing in queue for testing, customers breaking down after discovering the actual purity of their jewellery and then becoming irate about the jeweller who had gypped them, the local jewellery industry leaning heavily on the Tanishq franchisees to desist from using it, some jewellers even threatening violent action.

'Here are 25 stories special to me for one reason too many,' says Sukanya Verma who scored 25 years writing about the movies last week.

A sneak peek of some extraordinary entries for the 60th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year event.

A sweet way to celebrate India's independence this August 15.

Celebrate Independence Day with tricolour delicacies.

What's not to love about this layered dessert?

A simple recipe for your Independence Day celebrations at home.