In Kerala's society, known for its high material standard of living, plunging into a state of having nothing overnight can be terrible for one's social standing and sense of self-esteem. Rehabilitation entails piecing a community back together after a disturbance and while its aim is noble, the act of reassembling will bring alive disparities and inequalities, explains Shyam G Menon.
The Supreme Court of India has directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to cooperate with the Centre in finding an amicable solution to the long-standing dispute over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. The court deemed the de-notification of land acquired for the canal in Punjab an "act of high-handedness" and emphasized the need to consider "wider ramifications" beyond legal considerations. The court has set August 13 for a further hearing if an amicable solution is not reached.
It is important for India to pay close attention to both the tone and substance of authoritative remarks coming out of Pakistan, explains former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
A 24-year-old photographer was stabbed to death in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, after he allegedly made a married woman's photos viral on Instagram. The woman's brother and cousin have been arrested in connection with the murder. Police say the victim, Chandan Bind, was lured to an agriculture plot on the night of March 18, where he was stabbed multiple times and his body dumped in a wheat field. The accused, Surendra Yadav and Rohit Yadav, have confessed to the crime and three knives used in the murder have been recovered.
'He treated stars and assistants with the same unfailing courtesy.'
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday questioned the issue of using "spyware against terrorists" and stated that any report touching upon the country's "security and sovereignty" won't be made public. The court indicated it might address individual concerns regarding privacy breaches, but the report of the technical committee would not be a document for public discussion. The court will examine the extent to which the report can be shared publicly. The court's statement came during a hearing on a petition related to the alleged use of Pegasus spyware for surveillance. The court also emphasized that "having spyware is not wrong, against whom you are using is the question" and that the security of the nation cannot be compromised. The hearing has been adjourned to July 30.
The Karnataka High Court has ordered an investigation into a city civil court judge's conduct after he cited non-existent Supreme Court rulings in a case. The High Court expressed concern over the judge's actions, stating that the matter required further investigation. The case involved a revision petition challenging the civil court's jurisdiction in a commercial dispute. Senior Counsel Prabhuling Navadgi, representing the petitioners, argued that the lower court had rejected their application based on citations of judgments that did not exist. The High Court also allowed the revision petition, finding that the plaintiffs had used a tactic to file the case in a court that lacked jurisdiction.
In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.
Unidentified assailants hurled bombs and opened fire outside the residence of BJP leader and former MP Arjun Singh in Bhatpara, West Bengal, injuring a youth. Singh alleged that Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Sunita Singh's son, Namit Singh, was behind the attack. Police are investigating the incident and have deployed security forces in the area.
Despite the evolution of cinema toward more refined expressions and aesthetics today, the exaggerated comedic style of Andaz Apna Apna remains endearing and entertaining, reminding us that sometimes, we just need a dose of mindless comedy to unwind, feels Shristi Sahoo.
'Naseer does not have the sense of humour that Om Puri has. 'Also Om has a great deal of compassion as a human being. Naseer was too focused on his own self.' A fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book, Shyam Benegal.
The most powerful man in world cricket today himself retrieved the ball from amidst the seats and threw it back onto the field. It was then that everyone realised Jay Shah is a left-hander.
The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of a YouTube video by YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh alleging misconduct against spiritual guru Sadhguru's Isha Foundation. The court found the video's title "clickbait" and restrained Singh from further publishing allegations against the foundation. The court also directed X (formerly Twitter), Meta and Google to remove the alleged defamatory content.
The true story lies beyond the dazzling ramp. It is in the tireless efforts of everyone involved both in front of and behind the camera.
Everything about Radhe Shyam is such a boring waste of time that you can't decide whether to doze off or scratch your head and hope to make some sense of what the film is trying to tell you, sighs Divya Nair.
If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.
'The script of Shyam Singha Roy was so mainstream and yet so unique.' 'I could visualise what a spectacular experience it would be on the big screen, and I am glad it came true.'
Indian origin Hindus living in Europe and US are mulling opening overseas chapters of Prayagraj-based 'Ram Naam Bank' in their countries. On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, the idea of opening a Ram Naam Bank was discussed among the devotees in Sweden.
'He is one of the most down-to-earth and hardworking guys I know, and that's true of all superstars, including Bachchan sahab.'
'I need to work to find some joy in this life.'
Glimpses of how the stars are promoting Radhe Shyam, Bachchhan Paandey, Jalsa.
'After Om's untimely demise, he would call us every Sunday for the next two years to ask, "How are you doing my dear? How's the young fella?"'
Trump's sweeping tariffs and penalties on China-built ships have turned global shipping into the front line of economic war, observes Shyam G Menon.
'I have done a one-hour film on soya bean with him!'
Historically, Hindus made up approximately 22 per cent of Bangladesh's population during the 1971 Liberation War.
It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.
The $22.8 billion CK Hutchison ports deal intensifies geopolitical tensions between the US and China. Chinese media has already called it 'a betrayal of all Chinese people'. Shyam G Menon explains how the proposed sale will reshapes global trade infrastructure.
Police said they have found a note at the scene, in which the accused has purportedly admitted to killing the children due to the "betrayal" in their partnership in a bangle factory, and also mentioned his intent to commit suicide.
The golden rule is to change your toothbrush when it starts to 'flower', says rediffGURU Shyam Jamalabad.
A violent clash broke out in Jalesar town in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, after a group of people opposed construction work on a plot of private land near a dargah, claiming it to be Waqf property. The incident on Sunday evening left several people injured and caused significant property damage. Two accused have been arrested and a case lodged against 16 named suspects and around 150 unidentified others.
'Does 99 percent guarantee character and capacity for an independent awareness of life or does it make you -- barring exceptions -- a compliant careerist beholden to governments and corporations?' 'What kind of political and social choices would such minds make?' asks Shyam G Menon.
A 25-year-old man was killed on a moving train in Telangana after he confronted four men who had stolen his money. The victim, Shashank Ramsingh Raj, was traveling from Secunderabad to Jhansi when the incident occurred. The thieves, who were later detained by the Government Railway Police (GRP), allegedly stole Rs 1,700 from Raj's pocket and also stole another passenger's mobile phone. When Raj confronted them, a brawl ensued, during which Raj was kicked and punched mercilessly. He later vomited blood and fell unconscious. Raj was pronounced dead upon arrival at Nagpur station. The case has been transferred to the GRP at Mancherial in Telangana.
Bromance is a fun film that doesn't take itself too seriously, observes Arjun Menon.
'It was about being part of something so much bigger than myself, witnessing millions coming together in faith, in the hope of something greater,' notes Nidhi Patel.
The Kerala unit of the Congress instantly gets a headache when Shashi Tharoor lets loose one of his observations showering flowers on enemy territory. With every such action triggering controversy within a nervous Congress party, some feel it is high time Tharoor showed a degree of solidarity with the ideals of his party, notes Shyam G Menon.
The last time these two indexes recorded a negative performance on a calendar year basis was in CY19.
He had been admitted to the CritiCare hospital two days ago.
'Trump's aggressive stance towards China and preference for military posturing could shift the Quad's balance towards overt militarisation.'
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has apologized for his remarks about revered poet-saint Meerabai, which drew significant backlash on social media. Meghwal's comments, made during a recent program in Sikar, sparked criticism, particularly from the Rajput community, which demanded an apology from him. He said he has immense respect for Meerabai and "expresses regret and asks for forgiveness" if his words had hurt anybody. The minister had said that Meerabai was troubled not by her husband but by her brother-in-law, who wanted to marry her after her husband's death.
Trump spoke approvingly of his recent telephone conversation with Xi Jinping. This could indicate the possibility of America and China reaching some level of tactical accommodation, which would not be good news for India, points out Ambassador Shyam Saran, a former foreign secretary.