'It's not about how many times you get rejected or you fall down or you're beaten up. It's about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going.'
Ankita Raina realised a long-time dream when she signed up with Romania's Mihaela Buzarnecu and earned a direct entry.
Rediff reader Purnendu Shorey, 48, a former captain in merchant navy based out of Mumbai shares some of his learnings.
It is apparent that an easing of tensions at the border and a disengagement of troops is on the cards, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
A new Coca-Cola commercial depicting US' diversity by showing people of different immigrant communities singing "America the Beautiful" in seven different languages, including Hindi, has sparked a major row.
'I'm a rebel. I'm not easy.' 'Once a top actor wanted me to sing a song and a top music company was involved. They wanted changes in the song. I told them not to take pangas with me.'
'When we were in a room, the only conversation one could have at that time was about the situation that the country was in, the world was in.' 'But the moment the cameras were on, we had to leave all that behind and get on with the show.' 'We had to make it something that everybody wants to watch, laugh, enjoy, and has a good reason to stay home.'
'My mother is a lady with a lot of emotional stability and strength. And wisdom.' 'When I was younger, she would tell me that if I ever refused water to anyone, I would have to drink gutter water.' 'When I grew up, she would say, "Be liberal when you know what you are talking about, and be conservative when you don't".'
Millions of people worldwide are having to embrace life under lockdown -- confined to their own four walls or neighbourhoods for weeks on end as countries battle to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
2019 will be 'a match between the old caste politics and something new which we have not fully understood in UP,' says Aakar Patel.
P Rajendran looks back on the 11 plus years he worked with Arthur J Pais, the India Abroad and Rediff.com editor, who passed into the ages on January 8.
'Looking at how teachers can change lives of students, I asked myself: 'Why don't I become a changemaker and change the lives of underprivileged students?''
Chinese mobile brands are deeply entrenched in the Indian market. A move to bar them may send a bold diplomatic message. But its cost for the local industry is anybody's guess. In the event that Chinese brands face curbs, two handset makers - Samsung and Apple - squarely stand to gain.
Maradona was a uniquely gifted player who rose from the tough streets of Buenos Aires to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
'I couldn't think of anything else the whole day but music and beats,' says Carl Frenais, the Kochi-born singer making waves in Dubai.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite films from the recent Toronto International Film Festival.
Israel has broken its tourism record of Indian arrivals for the second consecutive year!
In 2020, Hindi cinema had a tough time staying on par with its southern counterparts.
The musicians from the Netherlands entertaining fans at the Gangneung Oval are nearly as fond of K-pop as they are of Dutch speed skater Sven Kramer.
Goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli gave Gareth Southgate's side a deserved 2-0 last-eight win over Sweden on Saturday, and they must now prepare to take on Croatia in three days time for a spot in the World Cup final.
War ticks all the components of a masala action entertainer, there's not a single dull moment.
'There were no singers like Lata, Kishore, Rafi or Mukesh. And until now, there is nobody. Nobody with that kind of voice, nobody with that kind of brain to learn. Not only to learn, but to improvise. We improvised music, we improvised the songs. Nowadays, they just listen and copy.'
Farmer leaders on Monday started their day-long hunger strike against the Centre's new farm laws and said protests will be held at all district headquarters later in the day, even as more people are expected to join the ongoing agitation at Delhi border points.
'I'm very opinionated. I do not stay quiet. If somebody said there are snake charmers in India, I will educate them saying that they are there but we use it for entertainment. People tell me India is known for its rapes. I get asked that in every interview. It's so difficult to defend it.' Priyanka Chopra gets candid.
The country of around 4 million people came to a standstill as Croatians watched the game on screens in squares and cafes.
A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
'North Korea could choose to go China's way by selectively opening up the economy, but Kim does not seem enthused by the idea.' 'Getting Pyongyang to give up the nuclear programme may be the best outcome Trump can hope for at the moment,' says Vikram Johri.
On December 10, Kissinger began to encourage the Chinese to take action against India: 'If the People's Republic were to consider the situation on the Indian subcontinent a threat to security, and if it took measures to protect its security, the US would oppose efforts of others to interfere with the People's Republic.' On the 50th anniversary of India's greatest military victory, Claude Arpi recalls how the US suggested that China intervene militarily on Pakistan's side.
'A journalist met me after Mastizaade failed and said, "'Whatever you do in life, you will never get rid of the Sex Comedy King of India tag".' 'She didn't mean to hurt me, but it broke me.'
'We believe in the people of our country. No matter how modern they become, they will not forget their culture and emotions. If you write about the emotions and culture, people will like it and relate to it.' Abbas-Mustan return with Machine.
'It doesn't look as if any sensible, worldly wise, person is in charge in China.' 'If at all anybody is in charge, it can only be a bunch of bumpkins of whom Xi has become a puppet,' observes B S Raghavan, the veteran civil servant.
Aseem Chhabra introduces us to the best of Berlinale.
You don't need to be a fan of Jurassic Park or Jungle Book to head out on these holidays!
The AAP won in 62 with a total vote share of 53.58 per cent. The BJP recorded victory in eight seats, receiving 38.49 per cent of the total votes. The Congress could not even manage a single seat and ended with 4.27 per cent vote share.
Raveena Tandon on turning 40 over the weekend.
Rafael Nadal kept the flag flying for the old guard at the Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Frances Tiafoe on Tuesday for a place in the semi-finals, where he will meet another next generation player in Stefanos Tsitsipas.
'Polish girls, who try to dance to Bollywood songs after having a little bit of wine, are quite funny to watch!' Erika Kaar gets ready for her Bollywood debut, Shivaay.
'Now is the time for India to course correct and for the government also to course correct,' says businessman Mangesh Khatri.
In the test, a space rocket boosted a hypersonic glide vehicle, one capable of carrying a nuclear device, which circled the globe before impacting.
