The global stigma of discrimination will go only when Asians and Africans have the self-confidence to be themselves, says Sunanda K Datta-Ray
'When I see the final moments of Padmaavat, it reminds me of how strong and powerful and intelligent women are.' 'I feel so powerful and alive as a woman.'
'The "Hollandisation" of British policy may not bring the expected gains as the future may show,' says Claude Arpi.
India and the United Kingdom are set to sign a "package of deliverables" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit here that will also see discussions over cooperation in sectors like nuclear energy and defence.
On a high after sealing the series with comprehensive victories, an upbeat India will be aiming to complete a 3-0 rout in order to retain it's No 1 Test ranking, when they meet a listless West Indies in the final Test match of the series in Port of Spain on Thursday. Having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series after their crushing 237-run win in the third Test, Virat Kohli and his men will be aiming to go for the kill and keep their top ranking in Test. India were reinstated as the No.1 Test side after Australia 0-3 whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka.
Siddharth Chauhan, winner of the Satyajit Ray Award
With the festival of colours just around the corner, we dig out some lively bhang-soaked ditties just for you.
'340 films have been shot in Rajasthan in the last 50 years.' 'The Rajput community has never opposed any film except for Jodhaa-Akbar and Padmavati.' 'Rajasthan is known for welcoming guests, but why did these two films get into trouble?' 'They got into trouble because these two filmmakers wanted to create a controversy.'
Could this reluctance be tied to the family's projection of themselves as the last bastion of the aam-aadmi's interests? Do they fear that a full disclosure of their not-inconsiderable assets would go against their carefully-cultivated pro-poor image, wonders Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
If sporting films were pitted against one another, Dangal would be champion, says Raja Sen.
'That Mad Men is currently the best-written show and quite unlike anything else out there is an understatement.'
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'I am not a fan of remakes. The Shaukeens does not have a single scene or character taken from the original.' Abhishek Sharma, director of The Shaukeens, explains why his film is different.
A French doctor treating former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher said on Thursday that the German driver was making progress, but will need years to recover.
'In the name of creativity, Bhansali fudges India's history.' 'Bajirao was such a great warrior, but he was shown as a lover boy by Bhansali.'
Pooja Bhatt's irrepressible cuteness, Rekha's amusing cartoon, Asha Bhosle's super songstress power, Akshay Kumar's sparkling white sneakers and shaved chest find a mention in Sukanya Verma's weekly column.
A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
Sukanya Verma's super-filmi week marks a star-studded start to the year
Zara co-founder Amancio Ortega has toppled Bill Gates to become the world's richest person four times. A peek into the life of the 81 year old even Jeff Bezos can't keep up with!
A historic railway service flounders for an inflexible privatisation policy.
The nullifying of the NJAC Act has put the spotlight on the Judiciary. Concepts like transparency, being open to change, leading from front, management of perceptions that were reserved for the Executive earlier are now relevant for the Judiciary as well, says Sanjeev Nayyar.
Privatisation in Russia was endorsed by technocrats. It led to the rise of Vladimir Putin.
The actress stood out in an off-shoulder shimmery dust blue gown. She teamed her gown with a classic bob, which is similar to the look that she will be seen sporting in her upcoming film Rangoon.
'Talent is very important. It's a mix of everything -- you need to be a great dancer, you need to have good looks, you need to be glamorous... The newcomers these days rarely have all these qualities. It's been a while; no one has that oomph factor yet. Either someone is sexy but okay in performance or somebody is extremely good at performing and okay (looking).' Raai Laxmi turns sexy for Julie 2.
'The year in pictures' treks across the globe, looking back on the moments that shaped 2016. From the United States presidential race, to demonetisation in India to the refugee crisis, the news has kept pouring in. Here are our top 50 moments from the world.
Greg Abel and Ajit Jain would be prime candidates
Rediff reader Ramesh Menon shares his experience of eating on Indian Railways.
If November 9 ushers in a Hillary Clinton presidency, you can bet your last dollar that Huma Abedin will be back at POTUS' side.
According to the agreement, RIL will transfer its existing textile business under the Vimal brand into a newly incorporated company in which RIL will hold 51 per cent stake. The remaining 49 per cent stake will be sold to Ruyi.
John Lang represented Rani Laxmibai in her legal battle against the East India Company to prevent the British from annexing her kingdom of Jhansi. Rediff.com's Archana Masih on a maverick Aussie who spent 22 years in India and became a friend in its dark days of bondage.
'The monumental first Modi wrought in 2014, followed by the miracle in Uttar Pradesh, is not a matter for celebration, but an ominous warning of the perils ahead.' 'There are 5 areas which Modi has to address immediately and relentlessly if he has to live up to all that the people are taking him for,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.
Of the thousands of railway bridges in India, 36,470 are more than 100 years old, and 6,680 are more than 140 years old! But of these, only 21 rank on the Heritage Directorate of the Indian Railways because for them heritage isn't necessarily a function of age, says Bibek Debroy.
Here's what went down in the curtain raiser episode.
Showbiz shaadis that made headlines in 2014.
'Talvar belongs to Irrfan Khan, who plays the chief investigating officer. With each new film, this very fine actor continues to surprise us and delight us.'
Buffett gave no hints about who would succeed him and defended ties with Brazil's 3G Capital during the annual meeting
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Ram Leela is a lavish visual spread and is filled with moments of thrill, ingenuity and splendour.
The kings of the ruling family of India's heartland -- father Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi party supremo, and son Akhilesh Yadav, the UP chief minister -- are at war. And as on any chessboard, the queens have emerged as the power centres. Meet Dimple Yadav and Aparna Yadav.
There is indeed a Bengal Model but it is one which negates generational aspiration, generates animus, thrives on bloodletting and political vendetta, reiterates outdated ideas of vote bank politics, is shorn of any vision or roadmap for reconstruction and is fast depleting the levels of a legitimate tolerance, says Dr Anirban Ganguly.
Not exactly meant for family audiences, Main Tera Hero is a refreshingly unpretentious, says Paloma Sharma.
