Christmas was celebrated with devotion and festive gaiety across India, with churches decked in lights, midnight masses, and community events spreading cheer. Leaders extended greetings, and celebrations took place in various states with prayers for peace and harmony.
What does Neal Mohan, anointed the next CEO of YouTube, have in common with Sir Cliff Richard? They are alumni of St Francis' College. Mohan, who will take over the reins of the social media platform, is arguably the second most high-profile personality after the British music icon to be associated with the all-boys institution ensconced in the heart of Lucknow.
'I remember our priests saying that he liked sea food. So, they cooked sea food for him without masala and spice.' 'It seems he enjoyed Kerala food very much.'
The pontiff, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, appeared for about seven minutes on Rate Field's jumbotron during the event, organized by the Chicago archdiocese and featuring several other local personalities, including Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky.
If given a chance, Yugaratna wants to tell US President Obama, who is also her role model, how much children and youth all over the world are gearing for a better environment and how energetic they are.
At least five people were killed in a shooting incident at a hospital campus on Wednesday (local time) in Oklahoma's Tulsa city, CNN reported, citing police.
With the Republic Day weekend, both days of play have seen the stands brimming with crowds. From school children to adults, all have been waving the Tricolour as Rohit Sharma and Co continue to dominate the visitors.
Pranav Dhanawade, a school cricketer from Kalyan - on the outskirts of Mumbai, has scripted history by becoming the first batsman to score more than 1,000 runs in an innings.
Readers tell us how they are celebrating the Tiranga this 75th Independence Day.
However, police have not booked anybody specifically under the charge.
Prithvi Shaw is back in the headlines. The 14-year-old batsman scored a marathon 546 as Rizvi Springfield piled on the runs in reply to St Francis D'Assisi's first innings total of 92 in the Harris Shield (Under-16) schools cricket tournament in Mumbai on Wednesday.
AzaadiSAT had around 75 small payloads developed by schoolgirls of 75 rural schools.
Heart wrenching scenes were witnessed at a Newton church as two more victims of the Sandy Elementary Hook School massacre -- James Mattioli and Jessica Rekos -- both six-year olds, were laid to rest. George Joseph reports
'At school, on August 15, the Indian flag was raised. There was no national anthem at that time and we sang Rise India Thy Millions Lead,' recalls military legend Major General Ian Cardozo (retd).
'When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to become its leader.' Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com profiles Dr Leo Varadkar who will step down as Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister) next week.
The nun belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
'Our civil society here is vibrant, and courageous, although it is beaten up and beaten down, repeatedly.'
The world celebrates Christmas with great vigour and joy!
'If India maintains the Constitutional set-up that its founders envisaged -- which is that it is a parliamentary democracy, with a broadly speaking market economy, in which all people are equal as everyone votes, in which the rights of minorities are respected -- that will be a great thing.' 'Not just for India. But for humanity.'
The event was also attended by Prince Charles.
'Anglo-Indians have played a significant role at the forefront, meeting every challenge to the security of the motherland.' A fascinating excerpt from Barry O'Brien's The Anglo-Indians: A Portrait of a Community.
The world is slowly going into lockdown trying to stop the spread of the dangerous coronavirus disease, leading to cities and famous attractions turning eerily deserted. Many streets, train stations, mass transit systems and restaurants are now eerily empty. You can scarcely avoid seeing images of the emptiness -- the cleared streets and squares of St Petersburg, the missing throngs outside the temples of Kyoto, the abandoned restaurants in most Chinatowns, some of which have had to close. This astonishing moment when the world hit pause on normal life will never be forgotten by those who lived through it. Take a look.
On this joyous occasion, rediff.com wishes all its readers 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,' as we a take a look at pictures of Christmas festivities from across the globe.
Barring a Shah Rukh Khan, an Akshay Kumar or a Preity Zinta, it is near impossible for most Indians to break into Bollywood's exclusive club of star children. Hearteningly, it is still possible for Indians born in middle class homes to become star technicians like 3 Idiots director Rajkumar Hirani. Patcy N and photographer N V Reuben traveled to Raju Hirani's home town Nagpur last week to discover how his journey to directorial superstardom began.
A cathedral premises and a Catholic school where people had gathered for a religious convention were vandalised allegedly by Hindu activists at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
'Art Deco was the last of the truly international styles.'
Musicians from across the world will gather in Goa for the Ketevan World Sacred Music Festival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who did not make it to the final eight selected by TIME for the annual 'Person of the Year' title, has been hailed as one by its readers in an online poll conducted by the publication. Let's take a look at the 10 names that forced Modi out of reckoning for the title.
'To all the MBAs that burn the candle at both ends, travel half-a-million miles every year, and spend little or no quality time with their families, the rise to riches of Mr Bikhchandani and Mr Banga, should be true inspiration,' notes Sandeep Goyal.
Presenting the Top 20 of 100 science colleges as per India Today's findings.
Presenting the Top 20 of 100 science colleges as per India Today's findings.
'We need to retell this history from many different perspectives.'
'Flattering press, nice photos, no major gaffes.' 'Both sides will be very happy as they are clearly measuring 'success' by a different yardstick than the world used in the past.'
Pope Francis on Sunday declared Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluventhinkal from India as saints at Vatican.
A goal each half gave India a 2-0 victory over Nepal, and made Sunil Chhetri the country's all-time leading goal-scorer, in Tuesday's friendly at the Kanchenjunga stadium in Siliguri.
It beats Netflix any day, exclaims Prithvi Singh.
Computer whiz Jefferson Prince, who has built a 70-employee gaming company from scratch, tells S Saraswathi about motivations and challenges of entrepreneurship.
'Most likely scenario is Modi comes back with either a much smaller majority and no majority at all and a coalition.' 'Very hard to imagine him doing better than he did last time.' 'He will then be a weaker prime minister,' the author of The Billionaire Raj tells Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.
Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap knocked out top seed Lee Hyun Il of Korea in the men's singles opening round of the US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Anaheim, United States.
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