News for 'historian'

Kids pelt stones at 'Laat Sahab' during Holi procession in UP

Kids pelt stones at 'Laat Sahab' during Holi procession in UP

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

Some children allegedly threw stones at 'Laat Sahab' during procession in Shahjahanpur city on Friday, but police chased them away.

Gazwa E Hind can only be countered with Gazwa E Pakistan

Gazwa E Hind can only be countered with Gazwa E Pakistan

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

It is time we buried the mantra of 'peaceful and stable Pakistan is in our interest'. It is not, simply because Pakistan's existence -- that is synonymous with its army -- means peace has no chance, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd). It is time we buried the mantra of 'peaceful and stable Pakistan is in our interest' asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).

Golden Opportunity For Modi To Reverse Brain Drain

Golden Opportunity For Modi To Reverse Brain Drain

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

President Trump with his MAWA has unwittingly provided us this opportunity. Will PM Modi grasp this and leave a legacy of an ushered in scientific and technological revolution in India, asks Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

What Husain Painting's Record Sale Will Fund

What Husain Painting's Record Sale Will Fund

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Proceeds from the sale will support the training of future generations of doctors at the Oslo University Hospital. The fascinating story behind the Husain painting which set a new record for modern Indian art.

Mosques covered for 'Laat Saheb' Holi procession in UP town

Mosques covered for 'Laat Saheb' Holi procession in UP town

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

The city of Shahjahanpur in India celebrates Holi with a unique procession called "Laat Saheb," where revellers hurl footwear at a man impersonating a British Lord. The tradition dates back to the 18th century and has evolved over time. The procession involves a seven-kilometer route, prayers at a temple, and a symbolic bribe offered to the police. The event is marked by strict security measures, including barricades, CCTV cameras, and the covering of mosques with tarpaulins. The procession is seen as a way to commemorate the city's history of freedom fighters and to discourage the British colonizers.

Why India Needs Trump's Tariffs To Reform Again

Why India Needs Trump's Tariffs To Reform Again

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

India needs another shot of difficult reform, of the kind only possible at gunpoint. Mr Trump holds that gun to our heads now. A drastic reduction in tariff protection, other elements of sarkari wet-nursing will force entrepreneurial India to become competitive again, argues Shekhar Gupta.

The Scotsman Who Knows India Better Than Many Of Us

The Scotsman Who Knows India Better Than Many Of Us

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Bill Aitken came to India nearly 60 years ago. He never returned. An Indian citizen since 1972, he tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih how India changed his life forever.

Review: The Waking Of A Nation: Boring!

Review: The Waking Of A Nation: Boring!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Ram Madhvani's series is all over the place and also boring to watch, complains Deepa Gahlot.

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

'If we truly wish to understand and apply Marx's insights today, we must reject the rigid dogmas that later 'Marxists' imposed in his name.'

Fadnavis vows to put Azmi in jail as Akhilesh backs his MLA

Fadnavis vows to put Azmi in jail as Akhilesh backs his MLA

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi, suspended from the Maharashtra assembly over his remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, will be '100 per cent' put in jail, Chief Minister Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the legislative council.

'Aggressive lions' lack basic essence of original emblem: Historians

'Aggressive lions' lack basic essence of original emblem: Historians

Rediff.com17 Jul 2022

Animated or aggressive? Debate over the emblem atop the new Parliament building rages with several historians dismayed that the essence of the original 'protective' Ashokan lions has been effaced while others say the differences are minuscule and no two pieces of art can be identical.

Do You Know About The Battle Of Diu?

Do You Know About The Battle Of Diu?

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Why the Battle of Diu is as historic as the Battle of Trafalgar.

Just Who Was Mahatma Phule?

Just Who Was Mahatma Phule?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

The latest biopic on Jyotibai Phule has come at a time when the Department of Taking Offence is super-active. Utkarsh Mishra feels it will be interesting to see if it portrays his attack on Brahminism in the same 'no holds barred' manner-- and, if it does, what reaction it provokes.

Indians Were At X'mas WWI Truce!

Indians Were At X'mas WWI Truce!

Rediff.com26 Dec 2024

The German and British sides, along with the Indian soldiers, met at halfway points, on no man's land and gave the Indian soldiers sweets and Christmas trees and they offered biscuits and cognac in return.

Who Will Define What Is Negative News?

Who Will Define What Is Negative News?

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

The government resolution does not spell out what action would be taken, if any, against those writing and publishing 'negative' news. Nor does it define 'negative news and "misinformation', explains Jyoti Punwani.

Modi, Prez, VP Pay Respects To Dr Singh

Modi, Prez, VP Pay Respects To Dr Singh

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, senior Cabinet ministers, Congress and Opposition leaders paid their respects to former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed into the ages on Thursday night, at his residence in New Delhi on Friday.

Send him to UP, says Yogi as Maha assembly suspends Abu Azmi

Send him to UP, says Yogi as Maha assembly suspends Abu Azmi

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi was on Wednesday suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the ongoing budget session ends on March 26, over his remarks eulogizing Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Paying Homage To Shyam Babu

Paying Homage To Shyam Babu

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Actors, directors and admirers mourned legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal on Saturday evening.

SP's Abu Azmi retracts Aurangzeb remark after massive uproar

SP's Abu Azmi retracts Aurangzeb remark after massive uproar

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi's remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb sparked outrage in the Maharashtra legislature, leading to calls for his suspension and accusations of treason. The issue, which was politicized by both the ruling coalition and opposition parties, led to the adjournment of both Houses of the state legislature. Azmi later retracted his statements, saying they were twisted and that he had not made any derogatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj. The BJP, however, seized the opportunity to slam the Congress and other opposition parties, accusing them of trying to "eradicate" Sanatan Dharma. The Mumbai police have initiated a probe into the matter, registering a case against Azmi for his remarks.

Amit Shah slams Indian historians, says they gave prominence to Mughals only

Amit Shah slams Indian historians, says they gave prominence to Mughals only

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

The home minister said reference books should be written on these empires and if they are written, "the history which we believe wrong will gradually fade away and truth will emerge".

'Shivaji, Sambhaji Were Secular, Visionary Kings'

'Shivaji, Sambhaji Were Secular, Visionary Kings'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

'Shivaji and Sambhaji followed the gospel of humanity. 'They did not discriminate based on religion, caste, or colour.' 'That is the beauty of Shivaji and Sambhaji's Hindvi Swaraj.'

MP: Manager sacked over wedding at 200-yr-old temple

MP: Manager sacked over wedding at 200-yr-old temple

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

A wedding held at a 200-year-old temple in Madhya Pradesh's Indore has kicked up a row, prompting the authorities to order a probe into the matter, officials said on Monday.

How Sholay, Deewar, Aandhi Changed Cinema

How Sholay, Deewar, Aandhi Changed Cinema

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

'Do films today even have the courage to question the establishment?'

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

The US move to align with Russia is prompted by fear of a Sino-Russian joint threat. Russia, fully aware of its military vulnerability vis a vis China may cautiously welcome the American move, assesses Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

HC asks Twitter to remove historian Truschke's tweets against Vikram Sampath

HC asks Twitter to remove historian Truschke's tweets against Vikram Sampath

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

The bench of Justice Amit Bansal also sought the response of Meta Inc, the parent company of social media platform Facebook, on an application filed by Vikram Sampath alleging defamatory content has been circulated on the platform.

Dr Singh, Devoted Husband And Father

Dr Singh, Devoted Husband And Father

Rediff.com28 Dec 2024

Nitin Desai, who has known Dr Singh from 1971, extends his 'deepest condolences to his wife Gurcharan Kaur and to his three talented daughters Upinder, the historian; Daman, the writer; and Amrit, the human rights activist.'

Why Chhaava Has Become Controversial

Why Chhaava Has Become Controversial

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Loud music, bombastic action scenes, over-the-top dialogues that don't have any ring of truth to it followed by scenes of blood-oozing bodies floating in a river definitely don't make for a magnum opus!' exclaims Prasanna D Zore after watching the Chhaava trailer.

History in Minutes: The Meerut Conspiracy Case

History in Minutes: The Meerut Conspiracy Case

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Meerut Conspiracy Case was aimed at curbing communist influence in India. However, it fueled nationwide sympathy, shaping the course of leftist politics in the country.

ChatGPT Vs DeepSeek: The Plot Thickens

ChatGPT Vs DeepSeek: The Plot Thickens

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

The tech community, which was getting ready to use the ChatGPT fever and raise unlimited capital for their businesses, is going to face tougher obstacles now, predicts Ajit Balakrishnan.

Ajmer's popular Hotel Khadim renamed as Ajaymeru

Ajmer's popular Hotel Khadim renamed as Ajaymeru

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

The Rajasthan government has rechristened the state tourism corporation's well-known Hotel Khadim in Ajmer as 'Ajaymeru' with an aim to preserve the cultural heritage of the city, according to an official order.

Will India Have A Peace Keeping Role In Ukraine?

Will India Have A Peace Keeping Role In Ukraine?

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

A peace keeping role for India is a distinct possibility. Indian military has both the numbers and experience to carry out this job, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).

'Controlled Indo-Pak suits both ruling elites': Ex-NSA

'Controlled Indo-Pak suits both ruling elites': Ex-NSA

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

Former National Security Advisor (NSA) Shivshankar Menon has stated that the political dynamics between India and Pakistan have resulted in a "controlled level of hostility" that benefits the ruling elites in both nations. Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival, Menon described Pakistan as a "brand new state" still grappling with its national identity. He argued that India's foreign policy towards Pakistan is influenced by its domestic politics, resulting in an uneasy equilibrium characterized by a "controlled level of hostility." Menon also questioned the concept of a multipolar world, stating that the current global order is merely "confused." He emphasized that the United States remains the world's true military hegemon, while other nations, including China, are regional powers. Menon further argued that there is no binding international order, leading to a state of "between orders." He highlighted the absence of definitive international agreements on crucial issues in recent decades.

History In Minutes: The Communist Manifesto

History In Minutes: The Communist Manifesto

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

On its 177th anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra explores the history and relevance of The Communist Manifesto.

President's Rule In Manipur: Need Of The Hour

President's Rule In Manipur: Need Of The Hour

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The solution to Manipur's problems lies in the government giving concessions to Meitis in jobs and education and to accept autonomy for the tribal dominated areas inhibited by the Kukis, suggests Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Over 2,000 cases of attack against Hindus in Bangladesh: Report

Over 2,000 cases of attack against Hindus in Bangladesh: Report

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

The Centre for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR) on Friday presented a report on the state of minorities in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

Eminently funny historians

Eminently funny historians

Rediff.com22 Jul 2014

All those of us who care about books should welcome the appointment, as head of the Indian Council of Historical Research, of Yellapragada Sudarshan Rao. This is not because Rao has so far distinguished himself as a writer about "history and tourism management", which is the department of Kakatiya University in Warangal he headed before retiring to head an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed project to "write history from a nationalist perspective and popularise Sanskrit", two aims which naturally go together for the RSS.

Atalji@100: Vajpayee's Unmatched Legacy

Atalji@100: Vajpayee's Unmatched Legacy

Rediff.com25 Dec 2024

It was good fortune for India to have Atal Bihari Vajpayee lead the government at a crucial moment in our history. He avoided India meeting the fate of Iraq or Ukraine, asserts military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare passes away

Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare passes away

Rediff.com15 Nov 2021

Purandare was an authority on the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Sky Force Review: Failed Noble Attempt

Sky Force Review: Failed Noble Attempt

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

'I eagerly await the day when we can experience a truly great Bollywood movie rooted in pure historical facts, one that authentically showcases the essence of our armed forces for Indian audiences,' notes Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Emergency: What Priyanka Gandhi Told Kangana

Emergency: What Priyanka Gandhi Told Kangana

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

'Indira Gandhi was a very weak person,' Kangana claimed. 'She had many crutches around and was constantly seeking validation.'