The Indian-origin head of an extremist Maoist sect, accused of enslaving three women in his home here for 30 years, tried to convince his British followers he was Jesus Christ, a former activist has claimed.
How much would collectors be willing to pay for owning a part of Indian history, asks Kishore Singh.
'What fascinated me always was Alyque's ability to think in the vernacular despite his South Bombay and genteel upbringing,' notes Sandeep Goyal. 'Lalitaji or Hamara Bajaj were obviously not birthed in the hallowed environs of the Bombay Gymkhana.'
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
'They must withdraw the word "miracle" from the sainthood of Mother Teresa.'
Head to these places to enjoy a traditional Christmas celebration.
'As general elections draw near, the BJP and the JD-U (in whatever form it is) will do a deal -- the state to the JD-U in return for support at the Centre for the BJP.'
A cold snap in Europe and parts of America has caused chaos and crippled the lives of thousands. There have been over 20 weather-related deaths across Europe -- with snow continuing to fall across the continent. In America, Washington was blanketed in white after the US capital was hit by its first snow of the year. Here are glimpses from the snow bomb.
'Insignias or not, Dhoni's will remain the deadliest pair of gloves behind the stumps,' notes Shekhar Gupta.
The woman whose lone fight against the establishment all these long years has only the state machinery to keep her safe from the public whose cause she championed all this while.
Nearly 30 per cent work on casting of the monumental bronze statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, billed as the world's tallest sculptural work, has been completed, says noted artist Ram Sutar.
'He was the first creative person to recognise and fully realise the power of film in an era when press ads were the only competence of Indian creatives.'
"Does anyone think it's normal that one of the candidates doesn't even bother to present an election manifesto that can be voted on May 29."
This week's digest of stories that are weird, true and funny.
CONCACAF's congress witnessed an outburst of support for incumbent Sepp Blatter.
India must weave a quick-fix formula to ensure growth.
The Beatles came to Rishikesh to experience Indian spiritualism in 1968. The ashram where they stayed is now a 'Beatles museum'.
It's never too late to start your career in Bollywood.
'In a relationship that does not permit cricket, how can the prime ministers embrace and send a false message,' asks Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
He pointed out that such a restriction is not prevalent in many Islamic countries.
A left-leaning centralised socialist model has created a shortage/entitlement economy. In fact one of the reasons for India's limited progress is that post-independent India is at odds with its true nature. It is something that educated right of centre Hindus are trying to correct, says Sanjeev Nayyar.
'If you are a slave, nobody has any problem. The conflict starts when you question and ask for equal rights.'
Anti-conversion laws are needed since thrusting the idea of a competitive battlefield of religion onto India's pluralistic traditions can only lead to greater communal conflict, says Sankrant Sanu
'India has always been a land of acceptance of diversity. But if the evangelical activities continue unabated, there is no doubt this will cause a backlash.' 'One exclusive ideology begets another. The hit list will spread. The more strident the evangelists, the more strident the voices for Ghar Wapsi will grow.'
'I'm a rascal, I'm going to play a paramahansa?!'
'When you are returning your award you are commenting on the country and not the government.' 'Can we actually say that a vast majority of Indians have become communal? The data shows actually no. That is not true.' 'In religious terms India has a lot to teach the world because we are genuinely liberal, but in gender terms we have to learn lot from the West. In gender terms, we are terrible.'
'If you go up to an average American or British citizen, and tell them you are a Muslim, they look at you suspiciously. It's not a good feeling,' Saif Ali Khan tells Sonil Dedhia.
Indian intelligence agencies have often claimed that left-wing extremists are trying to make inroads in the militancy-hit regions of north-east to foment further unrest. But Jaideep Saikia, noted terrorism and conflict analyst, claims, "People who speak of Maoism taking roots in the north-east have not read history".
'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.
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