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.
Fish sellers of Chittranjan Park found themselves in a state of disbelief last week when the anti-meat overdrive of the Hindu right hit the local markets with a warning to shut shops because they were close to a temple.
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.
Among the last few ceremonies celebrated with Her is the Sindoor Khela where married women apply sindoor on Maa Durga's forehead and feet.
The violence broke out at Maharajganj under Mahsi tehsil on Sunday over the alleged playing of loud music outside a place of worship during a Durga Puja immersion procession, in which Ram Gopal Mishra (22) died of gunshot injuries.
'The BJP lacks a credible mass leader who matches Mamata Banerjee's popularity.' 'Given the division of votes among Opposition parties, the West Bengal government's dole-giving strategy, and the consolidation of the poor, significant sections of scheduled caste groups and Muslim minorities behind the ruling party, it will be difficult to dislodge the Trinamool from power.'
New data from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission suggests that ice might be present at more locations on the Moon's surface than previously believed. The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, analyzed temperature data collected by the ChaSTE probe onboard the Vikram lander. The researchers found that significant variations in surface temperatures can influence the formation of ice, with slopes angled away from the Sun potentially providing favorable conditions for ice accumulation. The findings have implications for future lunar exploration, suggesting that water-ice resources could be more accessible than previously thought.
Amidst glitz and glamour surrounding the larger than life Durga images worshipped all over Kolkata, a young artist from a small town of Assam has come down to the city to exhibit the world's smallest Durga idol.
Many devotees have been thronging this makeshift pandal in Kolkata, which has been decorated using more than 150 Dhak (drum).
Briti Chatterjee sings Bangla folk songs on her handmade Dotara. This Durga Pujo, she is booked for 17 shows in pandals across Kolkata.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out how much you know about the Salman Khan-Shah Rukh Khan starrer.
The organisers, however, remained unfazed, insisting it was in line with the 'communal harmony' theme chosen by the committee for this year's puja.
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".
Don't miss these pictures from the festivities.
Bollywood stars turned revelers during the ongoing Durga Puja and Navratri.
Members of Joint Platform of Doctors, in their letter to Banerjee, referred to the steep rise in coronavirus cases in Kerala after the recent Onam festival, and a similar situation in Spain following International Women's Day celebrations and a football match to make their point.
Rediff readers went pandal hopping and shared these pictures.
If the Puja as a brand can be marketed more effectively outside Bengal, even overseas, it might do wonders for the economy, says Atanu Biswas.
Rediff reader Debmalya Mazumder sent us these pictures of Durga pooja in Kolkata.
Durga Puja celebrations are on in the city and Bollywood has joined in with great gusto!
'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has made the decision to withdraw from the upcoming 4th T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Pakistan
A Durga Puja pandal in New Delhi turns literature into art.
'I truly believe that Durga resides in us, women,' says Rani Mukerji. 'If a woman believes that and she chanalises that energy, she will be able to ward off a lot of things.'
As part of Navratri celebrations we bring you some of the most unique temples dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Here's looking at the celebrations.
Temple festivals, Christmas mass, sunrise prayers for the new year at Vivekananda Rock -- Tamil Nadu's southern districts are the place to be.
Rhea Purvi Sarvanan edged out amateur Saanvi Somu in the first play-off hole after both players were tied at 1-under 215 for three days.
A look at how an age-old tradition still adds colour to Durga Puja.
Durga Puja, the festival that honours goddess Durga and celebrates her victory over the mythological demon named Mahishasura, kickstarts on Tuesday.
Tigress Durga gave birth to three cubs on June 28 at the Gandhi zoological park in Gwalior.
Temples across Uttar Pradesh were packed with devotees on Sunday for Ram Navami, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple. Heavy crowds were witnessed at temples in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi, where security was heightened. In Gorakhpur, Adityanath performed the traditional kanya pujan ritual, while in Varanasi, a 51-foot statue of Lord Ram has become a major attraction. The festival was celebrated with enthusiastic fervor across the state.
This "Special Eleven Team" has been equipped with a dedicated control room, a senior officer said.
The Kerala high court gives a go-ahead to the controversial Malayalam film.
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.
Tripura's Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury alleged that a bus on the way to Kolkata from Agartala was attacked in Bangladesh.
