Comparing the two states is comparing an apple to an orange. I ate apples for years. Then I felt I needed some citrus, and I moved to oranges. That doesn't make the apple a lesser fruit, reflects Binu Alex.
From a Vantara-inspired jungle shrine to 21 years of family tradition, Rediff's readers prove Bappa's magic knows no boundaries.
The reconstruction of cricketer Rishabh Pant's ancestral home in Pali-Amdali village, Pithoragarh, has begun, bringing happiness to locals who hope for his increased visits. His mother, Saroj Pant, initiated the rebuilding after a recent visit, aiming to strengthen Rishabh's connection to his roots in Uttarakhand.
Dr Rima Dada, a professor at AIIMS, New Delhi, highlights how modern conveniences like excessive screen time and reliance on food delivery apps are contributing to a surge in lifestyle diseases such as PCOS, obesity, diabetes, and depression.
From lifelong traditions to four generations celebrating together, these Ganeshotsav moments capture the joy of welcoming Bappa home.
Treesa Jolly called her World Championships bronze with Gayatri Gopichand a dream come true, made more special by ending India's 15-year medal wait on home soil.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the Indian women's cricket team for winning the gold medal at the Asian Games. Shah praised their "bedazzling" performance and "unmatched cricketing prowess" after they defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final held in Japan.
The Indian IT Ministry has engaged in 'hard talk' with Meta regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM), leading to increased sensitivity and action from the tech giant. The government asserts that Indian laws must be followed and social media harms mitigated, with no safe harbour for violations. Discussions also covered AI labelling and the WhatsApp username issue, highlighting a global concern over social media harms.
A private school in Thane, Maharashtra, is embroiled in controversy for allegedly fining students Rs 50 for bringing home-cooked fenugreek (methi) vegetable during the Jain festival of Paryushan. The school reportedly also directed students to eat at its canteen, charging Rs 20, sparking outrage on social media and prompting a notice from the local education department.
'A warm meeting with Hon'ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShahji. Grateful for his time and guidance. Wishing him continued good health and well-being.'
Indian shooting contingent members, including Elavenil Valarivan, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Anantjit Singh Naruka, and Raiza Dhillon, received a warm welcome upon their return to Delhi after winning medals at the Asian Games. Elavenil expressed confidence despite missing gold, highlighting her win against world and Olympic champions.
The Indian men's hockey team secured a dominant 8-2 victory over Korea at the Asian Games, largely thanks to a hat-trick from striker Dilpreet Singh. This win marks India's third consecutive triumph, placing them at the top of Pool A and virtually guaranteeing a spot in the semifinals.
Seventeen-year-old Janmoni Konwar from Assam won a gold medal at the National Karate Championship in Delhi, a remarkable achievement given her family lost their home and livelihood to devastating floods just weeks before the competition.
Alexander Zverev hilariously admitted to Carlos Alcaraz that he felt zero pressure and mistakenly thought the score was 4-1 while serving for his US Open championship victory.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala has ordered a police inquiry into the alleged CMRL bribery case, targeting former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas. This decision follows a report from the Enforcement Directorate and legal advice from the Advocate General.
Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations span Jaipur, Odisha, Goa, Mumbai, and Nashville in the USA, as devotees share heartfelt prayers, first-time experiences, and festive joy.
For the first time on foreign soil, 'Vande Mataram' was played before a cricket match, preceding the national anthem at the India vs Japan T20 International in Sano, Japan.
Cricket superstar Virat Kohli has announced that the 2027 50-overs World Cup will be his final appearance for India in the format.
Indian shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, marking his third medal at the continental event. He achieved a throw of 20.64m, while Iran's Mohammadreza Tayebise won gold with a new Games record of 20.81m, breaking Toor's previous record.
Australia is set to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in the country's tropical north, marking the first time since 2003.
'You have to set new boundaries with your parents. This will be uncomfortable but necessary in the long run,' counsels rediffGURU Anu Krishna, a mind coach and co-founder of Unfear Changemakers.
A man in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly shot dead his wife and two priests, was killed in a police encounter after a seven-hour standoff during which he threatened to kill his children.
'Credit to the Japan team for taking on the challenge and putting up a fight.'
Families from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Noida, Nagpur, and even Magdeburg in Germany share their Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations with unique decorations, heartfelt prayers, and festive devotion.
A 23-year-old woman, Neha, who went missing from her home in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, was found dead with her throat slit near a railway crossing. Her family alleges she sedated her sister and took Rs 3 lakh cash and jewellery before disappearing. Police are investigating, detaining suspects, examining her phone, and reviewing CCTV footage.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah experienced food poisoning during his visit to Karnataka, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled events in Hubballi and Belagavi. Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi confirmed Shah's illness but stated he is now "perfect" after suffering weakness from vomiting.
Their stories will go unheard, filed somewhere in the banal footnotes of history. Unwritten, untold, undocumented, notes Binu Alex.
History-sheeter Arjun Ayanki has publicly challenged Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, daring him to reinvestigate a case and warning him against intimidation. This comes as police intensify their search for Ayanki in connection with allegedly threatening a police officer. Ayanki, known for his involvement in a gold smuggling network, has multiple cases against him, including a recent one for his social media post against the minister.
Raphinha's hat-trick led defending champions Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Sevilla, extending their winning streak in La Liga. Elsewhere, Lautaro Martinez secured a 2-2 draw for Inter Milan against Roma in Serie A, while Borussia Dortmund claimed the top spot in Germany. Premier League saw Arsenal lose its top position after a defeat to Brighton.
EPF wage ceiling rising to Rs 25,000 could increase employer statutory contributions by Rs 1,200 monthly per employee.
KL Rahul marked Ganesh Chaturthi with prayers and festive cheer at home, sharing a glimpse of the celebrations with his fans on Instagram.
Khalin Joshi, fresh off a win, shot a career-low 11-under 61 to take a four-shot lead at the Bengaluru Open 2026. The local golfer's bogey-free round included an eagle and nine birdies. Teenager Manoj S is in second place, while the tournament is crucial for players to retain their playing rights on the DP World PGTI tour.
The Lava Bold N4 Pro 5G sports a sleek flat back, with its dual-camera module neatly housed in a raised rounded-rectangle unit at the top-left.
Juventus secured a 2-0 victory over Atalanta, while AC Milan dominated Lecce with a 3-0 win in recent Serie A matches. Napoli, however, were held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta following the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Aastha Kunj Park. The incident has sparked concerns over women's safety in Delhi and led Lady Shri Ram College to shift classes online. NSUI is calling for immediate legal action, an impartial investigation, and improved security measures around student-frequented areas.
A 40-year-old woman in Thane, Maharashtra, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 5.6 lakh by four individuals who convinced her there was hidden treasure beneath her house. The accused performed black magic rituals and extracted cash and gold under false pretences, later fleeing with the valuables. Police have registered a case under relevant laws.
Thank you, Dear Readers, for sharing your pictures of Lord Ganesha.
The aftermath of catastrophic flash floods and mudslides that swept through Nepal's Nuwakot and Dhading districts in September 2026. Survivors in Betrawati, Devighat, Ratamate, Angitar and Galchhi recount narrow escapes and shattered livelihoods, as a damaged school and thousands still missing underscore the scale of a disaster triggered by a glacial collapse.
Gautam Gambhir reflects on two years as India coach, accepting successes and failures, praising four captains for their team-first approach, and backing Shubman Gill's leadership future.
