Solicitor General Tushar Mehta elaborated on the origins of Hindu law, stating it emanates from the 'Smritis' and highlighting the two prominent schools of thought, Mitakshara and Dayabhaga. He emphasised the dynamic interpretation possible within Hindu legal texts and the foresight of ancient scholars in formulating concepts like prohibited relationships.
'The truth is Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey ultimately isn't about ancient Greece. It's about us. We all carry a Trojan Horse. We all imagine an Ithaca. We all fight monsters. We all battle invisible demons. And eventually, we all discover that arriving somewhere is never the end of becoming someone,' points out Deep Malhotra.
India has actively engaged in cultural diplomacy over the past 12 years, providing grant assistance and expertise for the restoration and conservation of significant heritage sites, including temples and archaeological complexes, across multiple Asian countries, reinforcing shared civilisational ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast, highlighted India's recent achievements in self-reliance, including the maiden flight of the made-in-India C-295 aircraft and the induction of indigenous naval ships. He also lauded the global participation in International Yoga Day and India's success at the World Yoga Asana Championship, alongside Nalanda University's revival of the 'Shastrarth' tradition.
Human skeletal remains from the ancient Indus-Saraswati Civilisation site of Rakhigarhi in Haryana have been formally transferred by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for detailed scientific investigation. This transfer, under a new MoU, aims to advance multidisciplinary research into one of the largest known settlements of the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation, with archaeologists having uncovered eight burials, including three complete skeletons, during recent excavations.
9 fascinating facts about the dinosaur that shattered auction records.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, prohibits only the conversion of religious character but does not prevent the state from acquiring such properties for secular and public purposes. This observation came while dismissing a petition challenging the widening and beautification of the Dalmandi area in Varanasi for the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, which involved the proposed demolition of six ancient mosques.
Researchers have analysed reports of medical procedures involving electrical stimulation of awake patients' brains, identifying distinct brain regions responsible for spontaneous and voluntary laughter. This study sheds light on the complex neural mechanisms underlying human laughter, distinguishing between uncontrollable, emotionally charged laughter and controlled, conversational laughter.
By taking one of the oldest stories and finding new meaning within it, Christopher Nolan has created the most timely film of his career, asserts Mayur Sanap.
'Our new film, Shri Ram Bhoomi, begins shooting today in Ayodhya. How can any new work begin without the blessings of Ram Lalla and Lord Hanuman?'
The Karnataka Assembly has passed two significant bills aimed at social reform and heritage preservation: the Karnataka Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Unity, Freedom, Dignity and Tradition in Marriage Bill, 2026, and the Karnataka Jnana Bhandar Manuscripts and Digitisation Act, 2026.
CAT and MBA expert and rediffGURU Patrick D'Souza explains how a simple daily reading habit can help aspirants clinch 99 percentile in the Common Admission Test this year.
Despite international fame, she remained rooted in village traditions. Friends recalled that success never changed her lifestyle.
The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Madras High Court order that permitted the lighting of a ceremonial lamp on the Thirupparankundram hill. The state government cited concerns over public order and potential communal tensions, while the High Court had dismissed these fears as "imaginary" and affirmed the land belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, not the Waqf Board.
The live-action Moana faithfully recreates the original, but rarely captures its magic.
The first-ever World Yogasana Championships 2026 are set to begin in Ahmedabad, featuring over 400 athletes from more than 60 countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (local time) announced a US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed at achieving "lasting peace and security".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Kolkata, highlighted yoga's dual benefits: boosting personal health and fostering world peace. He emphasised its role in promoting a balanced lifestyle, mental well-being, and healthy ageing across all generations, citing the Bhagwat Gita.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used two major public engagements in Kolkata to outline a broader vision for India's future -- one rooted in inner balance and collective well-being through yoga, and the other in national self-reliance and maritime strength.
A 35-year-old Mahant of Chandrasel Math in Kota was brutally stabbed to death by unidentified assailants. Police suspect the motive behind the murder is a dispute over the ownership of the Math's trust and the Mahant's position. Religious leaders and family members are refusing to perform last rites until the culprits are apprehended, drawing condemnation from the Leader of Opposition.
Yogasana, the ancient Indian practice, is aiming to become a global sport and secure a place in the 2036 Olympics, with India hoping to host the Games in Ahmedabad. The sport has already been included in this year's Asian Games as a demonstration sport and is eyeing the 2030 Commonwealth Games. World Yogasana is working to meet the IOC's requirements for recognition, focusing on expanding its global reach and adhering to anti-doping standards.
Across World Cup co-host Mexico, soccer pitches are laid out wherever communities can find the space. On the edges of towns, on highway underpasses, and even in a volcano crater, spaces are cleared that allow the young and the old to share in the dream of the beautiful game.
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha addressed the 'IMMUNOCON-2026' conference, stressing the importance of translating scientific immunological knowledge into public health action. He urged scientists to focus on precision medicine, immuno-AI fusion, climate immunity, and accelerating translational research to combat infectious diseases and enhance healthcare delivery.
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha emphasised the critical need to translate scientific immunological knowledge into public health action. Speaking at the IMMUNOCON-2026 conference, he highlighted immunology's evolving role in healthcare, stressing continuous innovation and collaboration in areas like immuno-AI fusion, climate immunity, and translational medicine to combat infectious diseases and prepare for future global health threats.
The Smithsonian will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India after evidence showed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the 1950s
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has intensified his demand for the RSS to register itself and disclose its financial dealings, arguing that the organisation cannot wield significant social and political influence while simultaneously claiming no political agenda and evading public accountability. Kharge's remarks follow RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's rejection of such calls, with Bhagwat asserting the organisation is neither secretive nor operating outside public scrutiny.
Sacred spots and soaring peaks: Bucket-listing across the heartland. Roopa Unnikrishnan and her father journey through the heart of India.
As AI enters astrology apps and predictions, technology is becoming a new interface for humanity's oldest questions about uncertainty and the future.
Priests see red over the Rs 2,390 crore project to overhaul infrastructure around one of Bihar's most significant pilgrimage site, particularly for those performing pind daan.
Do you know some of the thoughts, ideas, disciplines and items India has given the world?
'I own a few cars that I have had specified minutely to my taste, and it does feel nice to know that there are no other vehicles like them anywhere in the world.'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the government's argument that the Great Nicobar Island Project is about defence and a trans-shipment port is a "lie", and alleged that it is actually about benefiting one businessman so that he can build hotels and casinos on India's most irreplaceable ecological land.
An explainer on the 'Thucydides Trap' and its relevance to current tensions between the United States and China, as discussed by President Xi Jinping.
Through his commitment to democratic norms, debate, dissent and constitutionalism, Jawaharlal Nehru helped ensure that parliamentary democracy took deep root in independent India. Utkarsh Mishra evaluates Nehru's 17 years as India's first prime minister, examining his role in nation-building, democratic institution-building, economic planning, scientific advancement and foreign policy.
The new NCERT Class 9 mathematics textbook, 'Ganita Manjari', integrates ancient Indian mathematical systems and historical context, marking a shift from previous editions by emphasising indigenous contributions and linking concepts to ancient texts and scholars.
Bihar's greatest resource is not beneath its soil but above it -- its people. With a population approaching 140 million and one of India's youngest demographic profiles, Bihar possesses an asset many societies would envy, explains Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a range of culturally significant gifts during his recent five-nation tour, including a Muga silk stole for the Italian Prime Minister and Madhubani painting for the Dutch Prime Minister, showcasing India's rich artistic heritage.
Param Foundation inaugurates 'ParSEC Whitefield', a 30,000 sq ft experiential science and innovation centre in Bengaluru, designed to engage visitors through interactive exhibits, innovation workshops and public programmes.
If Iran and Oman choose to charge a fee for rendering services to vessels using their territorial waters, so be it. The US is indulging in an irrationally self-destructive act, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Delhi must now purge the delusional hopes of being a 'counterweight' to China in the US calculus, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
