News for 'festival of thoughts'

The World Is Applauding Anuparna Roy

The World Is Applauding Anuparna Roy

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

'I asked her whether she stood first. 'Yes Baba' was her reply. Her mother was crying in joy.'

'Zohran's Victory Gives Me Hope'

'Zohran's Victory Gives Me Hope'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

'His campaign reached into every community, every constituency, with a unifying platform of affordability.' 'Zohran began by listening to Trump supporters and brought many of them to his side because they too care about affordability.' 'Care for the poor is a tenet of every faith; this is the best platform to unite us.'

Sunita's village plans Diwali-like festivities for astronaut's return

Sunita's village plans Diwali-like festivities for astronaut's return

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat are celebrating her safe return to Earth with Diwali-like festivities. The village, Jhulasan, is alive with excitement and prayers for Williams' safe return after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station. A grand procession will be held in her honour, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks.

Advertising doyen Piyush Pandey passes away at 70

Advertising doyen Piyush Pandey passes away at 70

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Advertising legend Piyush Pandey has passed away. He was 70. The news of Piyush Pandey's demise was shared by columnist Suhel Seth on X on Friday morning.

Plan To Travel During Diwali?

Plan To Travel During Diwali?

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

'This festival season, advance airfares for major metros are up 20 to 25 per cent from last year.'

When A Mom Was Murdered: The Story Behind The Film

When A Mom Was Murdered: The Story Behind The Film

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

'There have been multiple cases of people being shot for pulling into someone's driveway because they made a wrong turn or ringing the wrong bell because they made a mistake.' 'That is also the pathway to fascism.' 'The way you divide people is to make them fear each other. Then a strong man can come in and say, "I will protect you".'

'We Decided To Give Our Employees What Matters Most -- Their Own Time To Celebrate Life'

'We Decided To Give Our Employees What Matters Most -- Their Own Time To Celebrate Life'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

'For us, it's not always about chasing revenue. It's about sustaining happiness and energy, because that's what drives long-term growth.'

Gandhi Starts With A Kiss In Toronto

Gandhi Starts With A Kiss In Toronto

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival is extra special for India.

The Film Rana Daggubati Is Proud Of

The Film Rana Daggubati Is Proud Of

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

'Every day you're learning and wanting to find something new.'

'I Want To Be The Biggest Superstar In The Country'

'I Want To Be The Biggest Superstar In The Country'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'I was a nobody when I came here, and now I've become something.'

'Gurus Abuse The Very People Who Give Them Power'

'Gurus Abuse The Very People Who Give Them Power'

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

'What is it about the institution of faith that makes somebody get a sense of impunity, that they believe they can get away with anything?'

'We Will Remove Modi From Delhi, BJP From Bihar'

'We Will Remove Modi From Delhi, BJP From Bihar'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

'Without our support Nitish Kumar wouldn't have become chief minister.' 'After the government was formed we became ministers, but our agenda remained the same: Amit Shah had promised reservation for Nishads.' 'He wouldn't listen, so we went to UP and contested 52 seats in the 2022 elections. He didn't like the idea of rebellion.' 'He saw that this man, coming from Bombay, is very sharp. He's made four MLAs now, tomorrow he'll make 40. A time will come when they will make it 125.' 'They bought our MLAs and ousted us from the government.'

'I Love Muhammad' campaign: Cleric among 39 held after violence

'I Love Muhammad' campaign: Cleric among 39 held after violence

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

In a major crackdown, police arrested 39 people, including local cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, in connection with the violence during the 'I love Muhammad' campaign after Friday prayers in Bareilly, while authorities suspended internet service in the district for 48 hours beginning Saturday.

'Bappa Changed Our Lives'

'Bappa Changed Our Lives'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'All the good in our family began with His arrival. For 20 years we have brought Him home with love and reverence.' As Mumbai readies to celebrate its biggest festival, a look at Ganeshutsav through the eyes of a devotee.

'People Know Gandhi As Villain Or Hero'

'People Know Gandhi As Villain Or Hero'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

'They are clueless about the man on the currency notes.' 'They have been fed with WhatsApp forwards, so either Gandhi is vilified or deified. There's nothing in between.'

Tribals to be kept out of ambit of proposed UCC: Rijiju

Tribals to be kept out of ambit of proposed UCC: Rijiju

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarifies that tribal communities in the northeast and other areas will be exempt from the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to preserve their traditional way of life.

Mohanlal, The Man Behind The Actor

Mohanlal, The Man Behind The Actor

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

The cheeky young man who once gave me one-word answers grew into a philosophical, detached star yet remained simple and humble, never letting stardom steal his heart, notes Rediff's Shobha Warrier who first interviewed the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner in 1987.

From Russia With Love

From Russia With Love

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Red Square and VDNKh easily rank among the most striking places I've visited -- both for their historical significance and architectural splendour.
My admiration for Russian culture, vision and ambition grew with every step as I clocked the miles, Nitin Sathe tells us after a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.

'The Day You Truly Need Bodyguards...'

'The Day You Truly Need Bodyguards...'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

'...you won't have to announce it yourself -- people around you will tell you it's time.'

The Maha Kumbh Mela Goes To Toronto!

The Maha Kumbh Mela Goes To Toronto!

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'On our first day at the Kumbh Mela, there was a fire and shook our confidence. 'There must have been a few crore people there.' 'How do we place the camera in between them?'

The Sweet Rise of Indian Chocolates

The Sweet Rise of Indian Chocolates

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

India's craft chocolate makers are changing the market by using local cacao, creating bold new flavours, making chocolate both a luxury and a story.

'Huge Trailblazer' Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away

'Huge Trailblazer' Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

John Michael 'Ozzy' Osbourne, the lead singer of British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has died at 76.

'My Father Bimal Roy's Time Has Come'

'My Father Bimal Roy's Time Has Come'

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

'When you are a pioneer and someone who's put on a pedestal, but then the pedestal gets dusty, people don't look at the statue anymore.' 'They would say, 'Yes, yes, of course I know Bimal Roy. He made Do Bigha Zamin.'.'

'I'm Really Proud To Be A Brahmin'

'I'm Really Proud To Be A Brahmin'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'So my question was, 'What is it that you are proud of? What have you achieved? What is your contribution?' 'He had no answer.'

Sholay Still Speaks to India's Soul

Sholay Still Speaks to India's Soul

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Modi Has Corrected A Historical Wrong With TN Visit

Modi Has Corrected A Historical Wrong With TN Visit

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

The message from Sunday's event will undoubtedly reverberate globally. It's a landmark occasion that will be remembered for generations and will inspire many other states to introduce the story of Rajendra Chola into school curricula, says Tarun Vijay.

'Melody Is Making A Comeback'

'Melody Is Making A Comeback'

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'Some time back, music was just noise.' 'Producers wrongly think item songs sell better.' 'Audiences are intelligent, they accept whatever you give, but that doesn't mean you can fool them.'

Kareena, Aamir Add Glamour To Red Sea Festival

Kareena, Aamir Add Glamour To Red Sea Festival

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival saw Bollywood folk add a lot of glamour in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

'Before Rajiv Gandhi's Murder, No One Knew Suicide Bombers'

'Before Rajiv Gandhi's Murder, No One Knew Suicide Bombers'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

'The LTTE were the pioneers of that.'

'Acting Is In My Karma'

'Acting Is In My Karma'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

'The industry has never accepted me.' 'When I was shooting Aashiqui, I would hear comments like, "Yeh toh bahut lambi hai. Heroine nahin dikhti hai".' 'Aashiqui became such a big hit, and you know how the industry is.' 'You have success, then you have everything.'

'I'm The Only Acknowledged Dalit In All Of Hindi Cinema History'

'I'm The Only Acknowledged Dalit In All Of Hindi Cinema History'

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

'If you look around the world at people of colour, religion, caste, sexuality or any of the marginalised communities, we are always talking in numbers.' 'We are always assigning them a statistic.' 'That is an easy way to assuage your urban guilt. Because you hide your apathy with hollow sympathy.' 'We are, in a way, making them invisible.'

When Hindus Greeted Muslims On Eid

When Hindus Greeted Muslims On Eid

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

'I am determined now to celebrate all festivals together.' 'People don't respond much when you try to convince them by talking about principles of secularism etc. But if we revive our shared cultural practices, specially food, we may get a better response.'

When Sakkeer Hussain Played The Chenda At A Temple

When Sakkeer Hussain Played The Chenda At A Temple

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'The entire town, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, my schoolteachers and the ustads from the madrasa were present to witness my arangettam.'

PIX: Siraj, Nikhat, Khawaja post Eid greetings

PIX: Siraj, Nikhat, Khawaja post Eid greetings

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja was among the first to post Eid greetings on his social media handles.

The Kannada Film That Trumps Adolescence

The Kannada Film That Trumps Adolescence

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

The unspoken subject of Mithya is violence, and the big zinger here is our recognition that the movie is showing us the makings of a juvenile delinquent -- perhaps the finest since Truffaut unleashed his Antoine Doinel, applauds Sreehari Nair.

India revels in Holi, Friday prayers held peacefully

India revels in Holi, Friday prayers held peacefully

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

Holi was celebrated with pomp and splendor across India on Friday, with people soaking in the festivities by smearing 'gulaal' on each other and exchanging greetings and sweets. Homes and streets wore a colourful look as the revellers splashed colours and feasted on traditional delicacies. Public transport did not ply in the morning in most major cities while metro services started functioning from noon. As Holi coincided with the second Friday prayers during the holy Islamic month of Ramzan, security -- including increased patrolling and picketing -- was beefed up in several states. In Delhi, more than 25,000 security personnel were deployed. Police closely monitored about 300 sensitive areas with CCTV cameras and drones.

'There Was Something Beautiful About The Two People'

'There Was Something Beautiful About The Two People'

Rediff.com21 May 2025

'In a world which is full of categories, hatred and ideologies, there was this basic decency.'

Trump Turns Up At Lit Fests All Over!

Trump Turns Up At Lit Fests All Over!

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The dramatic moves of Donald Trump, which have shaken up the global order, dominated the discussion. A sense of bewilderment prevailed, but there was also expectation that President Trump would settle down to a more traditional style of governance after a time of shock and awe, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, an attendee at literary festivals in Calicut, Jaipur, Kochi, Sharjah and Thiruvanathapuram.

'We Are Fixated By White Skin In India'

'We Are Fixated By White Skin In India'

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

'Not just women, but even men are judged by the colour of their skin and have to fight prejudice every day.'

Archie and friends celebrate Holi in new comic book

Archie and friends celebrate Holi in new comic book

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

Archie Comics has released a new story featuring the celebration of Holi in India. The 10-page story, titled "Celebration Surprise," appears in "The World of Betty & Veronica digest #38." Co-CEO of Archie Comic Publications Nancy Silberkleit said the story was inspired by her own experiences celebrating Holi in India and her desire to celebrate Om Arora, the owner of Delhi-based Variety Book Depot, who has been a long-time distributor of Archie Comics in India.