News for 'Festival of India'

Is Vikrant Massey Retiring?

Is Vikrant Massey Retiring?

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

In a shocking revelation that has left the film industry in disbelief, Vikrant Massey has announced that he will retire from acting after 2025.

GST collection rises 8.5% to Rs 1.82 lakh cr in Nov

GST collection rises 8.5% to Rs 1.82 lakh cr in Nov

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Gross GST collections grew 8.5 per cent to over Rs 1.82 lakh crore in November on account of increased sales spurred by the festive season.

Maha Kumbh set for auspicious start on 'Paush Purnima' on Monday

Maha Kumbh set for auspicious start on 'Paush Purnima' on Monday

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

The 45-day Maha Kumbh 2025, billed as the world's largest gathering of humans, began on Monday with the first major bathing ritual or 'Shahi Snan' at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, India. This edition of the Kumbh is being held after 12 years, with the Uttar Pradesh government expecting over 35 crore devotees to visit. The event is being touted as a 'Digi-Kumbh' with Artificial Intelligence (AI) being used for various aspects, including security and cleanliness. The Maha Kumbh will be held from January 13 to February 26, and is expected to transform the area into the world's largest temporary city. Thirteen Akharas of seers from different sects are participating in the event, attracting attention from those seeking to learn about Indian spiritual beliefs.

Indian bus attacked in Bangladesh: Tripura minister

Indian bus attacked in Bangladesh: Tripura minister

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

Tripura's Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury alleged that a bus on the way to Kolkata from Agartala was attacked in Bangladesh.

Steel firms prep for festivals, see demand by auto, consumer goods sectors

Steel firms prep for festivals, see demand by auto, consumer goods sectors

Rediff.com23 Sep 2023

The festive season will mean business for the steel industry as it is the time when automotive and consumer appliance companies bump up demand to prepare for higher sales, experts have said. Ranjan Dhar, chief marketing officer at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), said that bookings by auto and consumer appliance industries are 20 per cent higher ahead of the festive season compared to last year. "While this could be for a couple of months, it could normalise later at approximately 10 per cent," he said.

Havells, Polycab flip the switch on high-voltage growth potential

Havells, Polycab flip the switch on high-voltage growth potential

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

The July-September quarter (Q2) results for 2024-25 (FY25) from the largest listed consumer electrical solutions companies, Havells India and Polycab India, followed similar trends, demonstrating robust revenue growth while falling short of profitability expectations. Both companies witnessed overall growth in the 16-30 per cent range, but margins declined by 130-290 basis points (bps) year-on-year (Y-o-Y). Although brokerages are bullish on long-term prospects and have raised revenue projections, earnings forecasts have been revised downward due to margin pressures.

Hotel Rates Hit Record High In '24

Hotel Rates Hit Record High In '24

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

Driven by a boom in domestic tourism, a record number of weddings in November and December, and a surge in extended weekend vacations.

UP Eyes Rs 25,000 Cr Revenue From Maha Kumbh

UP Eyes Rs 25,000 Cr Revenue From Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

... resulting in a Rs 2 trillion economic spinoff.

1.5 cr take holy dip daring intense cold as Maha Kumbh begins

1.5 cr take holy dip daring intense cold as Maha Kumbh begins

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering, began in Prayagraj, India, with millions taking a dip in the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Devotees from across India and the world converged for the 45-day event, which is considered to be a particularly auspicious one this year due to celestial alignments. The event is a major logistical challenge for the government, which has implemented several crowd-control measures and security measures to ensure the safety of the millions of pilgrims.

Thane to Furth! Welcome, Lord Ganesha

Thane to Furth! Welcome, Lord Ganesha

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

You can e-mail your pictures to getahead@rediff.co.in (My Lord Ganesha Pix) with your name, location, details about your Lord Ganesha and what this festival means to you. We will publish the best entries right here on Rediff.com.

Foreign investors to increase participation in NSE IX

Foreign investors to increase participation in NSE IX

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Trading turnover on NSE IX has been witnessing an uptrend and this momentum is likely to continue thanks to the growing global interest in the overall India growth trajectory, MD & CEO of NSE International Clearing Neeraj Kulshrestha has said. Speaking at the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) on Monday Kulshrestha said foreign investors are likely to further increase their participation in GIFT City NIFTY.

Please Send Payal's Film To The Oscars!

Please Send Payal's Film To The Oscars!

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

How wonderful it would be for all of us to watch the Oscar ceremony on March 2, 2025 and watch AWIAL win an Oscar, notes Aseem Chhabra.

Maha Kumbh: World's largest religious gathering begins

Maha Kumbh: World's largest religious gathering begins

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The Maha Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu pilgrimage, commenced in Prayagraj, India on Monday, with over 40 lakh people taking the first holy dip in the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the event, which runs until February 26, will elevate India's ancient cultural and religious traditions to global prominence.

Guess How Much Bhumi's Sari Costs

Guess How Much Bhumi's Sari Costs

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Social media is a treat these days, as film folk dress up in traditional outfits and add glamour to the festive season.

India's Kush Maini wins maiden F2 Sprint race

India's Kush Maini wins maiden F2 Sprint race

Rediff.com21 Jul 2024

India's Kush Maini won his maiden Formula 2 Sprint Race at the Hungarian Grand Prix after initial winner Richard Verschoor's was disqualified due to a technical infringement.

Recipe: Neha's Tender Coconut Kheer

Recipe: Neha's Tender Coconut Kheer

Rediff.com12 Oct 2024

The malai of a coconut is a unusually good addition to sama millet kheer

PV inventory at record high; auto retail sales dip 9%

PV inventory at record high; auto retail sales dip 9%

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

Automobile retail sales in India declined 9 per cent year-on-year in September amid a massive buildup of passenger vehicle inventory due to sluggish demand, dealer's body FADA said on Monday, urging original equipment manufacturers to take corrective steps. The overall registrations declined to 17,23,330 units last month from 18,99,192 units in September 2023, as most of the categories including passenger vehicles and two-wheelers witnessed a year-on-year (Y-O-Y) drop.

Is Vijay The Highest Paid Actor In India?

Is Vijay The Highest Paid Actor In India?

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

And possibly in all of Asia, going by his reported fee of Rs 275 crore for Thalapathy 69, his coming movie.

This Film Has Qualified For The Oscars!

This Film Has Qualified For The Oscars!

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, an award-winning Kannada short film by Film and Television Institute of India students, has qualified for the 2025 Oscars in the live action short film category.

Diwali celebrated on US Capitol Hill on grand scale

Diwali celebrated on US Capitol Hill on grand scale

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

More than two dozen lawmakers and prominent Indian Americans gathered at the US Capitol for the annual Diwali celebration, highlighting the contributions of the Indian American community and the strong US-India relationship. The event, organized by the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, also featured addresses from several Congressmen and Senators who expressed support for Indian Americans and emphasized the importance of the US-India partnership.

Analysts eye 34% upside in RIL post Q3; Jefferies, Citi, CLSA, MS upbeat

Analysts eye 34% upside in RIL post Q3; Jefferies, Citi, CLSA, MS upbeat

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

India's most valued company, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), reported a robust performance in the third quarter of the current financial year (Q3FY25), surpassing analyst expectations. This coupled with positive commentary by brokerages led to the stock of the oil-to-telecom conglomerate surging as much as 4.44 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 1,325.1. It settled at Rs 1,301.3 apiece, up 2.57 per cent.

What's Next For Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light?

What's Next For Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light?

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

'It is for the first time that a film of mine will be released in theatres and Indian audiences will finally be able to buy tickets and experience it on a big screen, where cinema truly comes to life.'

Why are writers protesting UK's bulldozer maker JCB?

Why are writers protesting UK's bulldozer maker JCB?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Over 100 writers, translators, and publishers have signed an open letter accusing the "JCB Prize for Literature" of hypocrisy, highlighting the British bulldozer manufacturer's role in demolitions across India and Palestine. They argue that the JCB's involvement in these projects contradicts its purported support for marginalized and diverse writers. The letter was released ahead of the announcement of the JCB Prize for Literature winners on November 23.

Bengal minister Firhad Hakim defends Muslim population remarks

Bengal minister Firhad Hakim defends Muslim population remarks

Rediff.com15 Dec 2024

Firhad Hakim, a senior minister in West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), has defended his remarks on the Muslim population in the state and India, saying he is a diehard secular and patriotic Indian. Hakim's comments, made at a minority students' event, have sparked controversy with the BJP, Congress, and Hindu monks accusing him of promoting communalism and advocating for a Muslim majority. Hakim, however, clarified that his remarks were taken out of context and that he was merely advocating for the empowerment of the Muslim community. He also highlighted the need for greater representation of Muslims in the judiciary.

Airfares Nosedive For Diwali!

Airfares Nosedive For Diwali!

Rediff.com31 Oct 2024

'The past few quarters have seen prohibitive fares for advance bookings, only to dip closer to departure.'

'Mass Hindu migration from B'desh unlikely at present'

'Mass Hindu migration from B'desh unlikely at present'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee has said the current situation in Bangladesh is unlikely to trigger a fresh round of exodus of minority Hindus into India. He believes that migration is primarily driven by social networks and economic opportunities rather than persecution. Banerjee, known for his work in poverty alleviation, further emphasized that India's overt preference for Hindu migrants from Bangladesh in the past has been a significant factor in their migration, rather than attacks on the community.

iPhone exports from India hit $2 billion in April-May

iPhone exports from India hit $2 billion in April-May

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

Technology giant Apple Inc has pushed the pedal on exporting iPhones from India by racking up exports valued at over $2 billion in the first two months of the current financial year (FY25), according to the data provided by vendors to the government. This accounts for 81 per cent of the country's total production of iPhones worth $2.6 billion. In May, Apple repeated its performance of April and once again crossed $1 billion of iPhone exports.

Wow! A 150 Year Old Ganpati Tradition

Wow! A 150 Year Old Ganpati Tradition

Rediff.com11 Sep 2024

Rediff readers tell us how they are celebrating the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in their homes.

Brilliant! A Toy Themed GaneshUtsav

Brilliant! A Toy Themed GaneshUtsav

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

You can e-mail your pictures to getahead@rediff.co.in (My Lord Ganesha Pix) with your name, location, details about your Lord Ganesha and what this festival means to you. We will publish the best entries right here on Rediff.com.

Celebrating History: Mumbai's First Sarvajanik Bappa

Celebrating History: Mumbai's First Sarvajanik Bappa

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

Mumbai's historic tryst with the Lord of Wisdom began at the Keshavji Naik Chawl in 1893.

Car sales drive up thanks to wedding season, rural buy

Car sales drive up thanks to wedding season, rural buy

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Auto majors report positive sales figs for November.

It's Raining Discounts On Cars!

It's Raining Discounts On Cars!

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

'We are seeing one of the highest discounts in recent years across companies.' 'October is a crucial month with several festivals coming up.'

TMC distances itself from Hakim's Muslim population remark amid backlash

TMC distances itself from Hakim's Muslim population remark amid backlash

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has distanced itself from controversial remarks made by its senior leader and West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim regarding the Muslim percentage in the population. Hakim, in a speech, had claimed that Muslims constitute 33 per cent of the population in West Bengal and 17 per cent nationwide, adding that they could become a numerical majority if they empower themselves. The party issued a statement on Monday condemning Hakim's remarks, asserting that they do not reflect its ideology and commitment to communal harmony. The remarks have sparked a political storm, with the opposition BJP accusing Hakim of attempting to stir communal sentiments. Hakim later clarified that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he was advocating for the empowerment of minorities through education and skill development. However, the controversy has caused ripples within the TMC and complicated the party's messaging.

Double podium finish for India in Portland

Double podium finish for India in Portland

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Several Indian elite middle and long-distance athletes currently training in Colorado are competing in Portland Track Festival.

No politics in temple worship and festivals, says Kerala HC

No politics in temple worship and festivals, says Kerala HC

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

The Kerala high court has held that politics has no role to play in the conduct of daily worship, temple festivals and ceremonies.

'Shyam Had The Answer To Every 'Why' Under The Sun'

'Shyam Had The Answer To Every 'Why' Under The Sun'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

'I find his sense of history astounding, not just history of film, but of life in general.' Another fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book Shyam Benegal.

Yogi Goes All Out For Flawless Mahakumbh

Yogi Goes All Out For Flawless Mahakumbh

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

For Yogi Adityanath the successful management of the fair is a crucial part of building 'Brand UP' and making the state a $1 trillion economy.

Rijiju warns Mahua Moitra over Judge Loya mention in Lok Sabha

Rijiju warns Mahua Moitra over Judge Loya mention in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's reference to the death of judge B H Loya 'long before his time' created uproar in Lok Sabha on Friday as Union minister Kiren Rijiju accused her of raising a matter settled by the Supreme Court, and warned of 'appropriate parliamentary action'.

'Jal Jungle Zameen Trumped Roti Beti Mati'

'Jal Jungle Zameen Trumped Roti Beti Mati'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

'Jairam Mahto's new party dented the NDA because he pulled a lot of the OBC vote.'

What's Ram Charan Doing With Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

What's Ram Charan Doing With Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

'A pleasure to cross paths with Bollywood megastar @AlwaysRamCharan in Melbourne ahead of a massive summer of cricket between Australia and India.'