'It is time again for Durga Puja.' 'Time again to be struck by India's astonishing cultural irony, one where the female form is worshipped as divinity while millions of real women are forced to lead restricted lives,' notes Shuma Raha.
A noted Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata this year will depict the agitation over the farm laws in the country, besides the killing of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.
India has expressed serious concern over the increasing incidents of violence and extremist rhetoric against minorities in Bangladesh, urging the interim government to fulfill its responsibility of protecting all minorities. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that India has consistently raised the issue of threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities with the Bangladeshi government. Jaiswal emphasized that these developments cannot be dismissed as mere media exaggeration and called upon Bangladesh to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of minorities.
Kolkata is ready for Durga Puja and Mamata Banerjee is taking an active part in preparations for the festival.
Kajol and Rani Mukerji looked beautiful in shades of red, as they indulged in the Bengali ritual of Sindoor Khela at the North Bombay Sarbojanin's Durga puja pandal in Mumbai.
Many devotees have been thronging this makeshift pandal in Kolkata, which has been decorated using more than 150 Dhak (drum).
Maa Durga's devotees hold one or more dhunuchis in their hands -- and even in their mouths -as they dance to the dhaak (drums) and venerate the Goddess who has come to visit them.
Banerjee, who also takes care of the home department, said Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has offered to resign in the wake of the protests but "we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga puja".
Of the Rs 474.4 crore insurance cover, the largest component -- Rs 375 crore -- has been allocated towards personal accident cover for volunteers.
A look at how an age-old tradition still adds colour to Durga Puja.
Banerjee said she will protect the minority people and their property.
Barely a few kilometres from Nuh, which witnessed communal clashes on July-end, a group of people belonging to different communities is busy preparing for Durga Puja.
At least eight people drowned and several others went missing after they were swept away in the Mal river due to flash floods during idol immersion on Vijayadashami Jalpaiguri, a senior official said.
First-time parliamentarians Nusrat Jahan and Mimi Chakraborty are seen dancing to a Durga Puja song, and the video has already garnered over 1.5 million views on Facebook alone.
'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.'
The Bengalis have their own special variety of spicy-sweet tomato chutney usually had at the end of a meal.
Celebrities share their experience on how they celebrate Navratri
Insisting that Tendulkar will be sorely missed in the Indian team, former selector Raja Venkat enlightens Harish Kotian why, despite such a long and successful career, the batting icon still believes in working hard in the nets and improving every day.
Around 250 workers, who worked in day and night, completed Durga idol of gold in three months.
Bank customers better brace for a whopping 21 bank holidays in October.
Famous clay modeller Mintu Pal is sculpting the fibreglass idol at his Kumartuli studio draping the 'deity' in the Trinamool Congress supremo's favourite white coloured tant saree and her trademark flip-flop slippers to boot.
While the Prime Minister did not spell out the details of the three instances, his remarks are being widely interpreted as a reference to the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack, the 2019 Balakot air strikes after the Pulwama bombing, and the recent cross-border strikes as part of 'Operation Sindoor'.
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly inaugurated a Puja Pandal in Howrah on Wednesday and during the inauguration the former Indian skipper opened up on India's campaign in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.
Smriti Irani's mother is Bengali so it wasn't surprising to see the minister perform the dhunuchi naach at a Durga Puja pandal on New Delhi's Pandara Road on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
The Bangladesh government has assured the country's Hindu community of improved security following attacks on temples and pandals during Durga Puja celebrations.
Alleging that the West Bengal government headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has failed to carry out its basic duties to protect the lives and properties of citizens, Governor C V Ananda Bose on Wednesday said that his office is already intervening in the RG Kar impasse under provisions in the Constitution.
Like they do every year, Kajol and sister Tanishaa Mukerji were present at the Durga Puja celebrations at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Juhu, north west Mumbai.
Three of the junior doctors who were observing 'fast unto death' in Kolkata and Siliguri city in the northern part of the state have so far been hospitalised after their condition deteriorated.
The Director General of Bangladesh's Border Guard (BGB), Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, has denied reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, calling them "exaggerated." He cited the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja as evidence and pointed to the security provided by BGB to minority communities. The BGB also raised objections to India's fencing along the border during the bi-annual talks with the BSF.
Tripura's Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury alleged that a bus on the way to Kolkata from Agartala was attacked in Bangladesh.
This Durga Puja, the world's largest Durga idol will be installed at Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata.
BCCI Boss Sourav Ganguly appears to have decided to skip the IPL 2021 final in the UAE, choosing to -- like what every Bengali would do -- spend time in his native Kolkata during Durga Puja.
'I had an incredible time pandal hopping in CR Park Delhi, participating in the cultural festivities and of course, tasting some amazing Pujo food!'
Film and television stars made their way to the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Juhu, north west Mumbai, to celebrate Ashthami.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last week announced the scheme, and said many priests were reeling under financial crisis and her government was doling out sops to support them. "The Cabinet has given its nod to the 'Rajya Purohit Kalyan Prokolpo' which the chief minister had announced a few days ago," state home secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said at the secretariat.
Despite slowdown, corporates are investing heavily in advertisements not just in Kolkata but also in other metros.
Taking time out of his schedule, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday went around Durga puja pandals in the state capital along with his cabinet colleagues.
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