Kolkata's creme de la creme turned up at the launch of Bandhan, The Making of a Bank, but the evening nevertheless had an informal touch typical of the young bank with CMD Chandra Shekhar Ghosh personally welcoming the dignitaries, reports Indrani Roy/Rediff.com.
Vinod Kumar from New Delhi shares his incredible weight loss story.
Swachh Bharat Mission could focus on using technological innovation to eradicate the problem of open defecation, says R Gopalakrishnan.
Nehru decided to build The Ashok in New Delhi to host a UNESCO conference. For a prime minister focussed on India building with projects like the Bhakra-Nangal Dam, IITs and factories, "the hotel spoke of the gumption of the country at that time." Manavi Kapur traces the eventful journey of the hotel, which has now completed 60 years.
Mini Ribeiro gets top chefs to share the best chutney recipes.
'The impression I get is bread and butter matters more than freedom and choice. And China is providing bread and butter in plenty.' Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com takes the road less travelled -- to Tibet.
'I want to assure the country that no country, no government can tolerate anybody taking the law into their hands, whether it is an individual or a group.'
'There were assurances that Jaish-e-Mohammad was being reined in as was the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, but Pakistan's security forces could not risk opening too many dangerous new fronts,' notes former foreign secretary Ambassador Shyam Saran, who has just returned from a visit to Lahore.
From nitrogen frozen bhel puri and pav bhaji fondue to duck chilli samosas and paapri pizzas, fine-dining restaurants are now adding a bit of zing to the humble street food
'In 1981 when I had a project in Qatar, those in charge told me they would not like Indians in high positions; they felt Indians could work only as drivers, cleaners and labourers.' 'I challenged them and showed that Indians could do great work in all areas.' 'Today, in the Middle East, they insist on having Indians in all fields. Everybody believes Indians are capable, hard working and trustworthy,' Ravi Pillai, one of the most influential businessmen in the Middle East, tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com
'There are so many dimensions to history that we need to attend to: We need more space for local and regional histories; we need to delve into the histories of particular communities; we need to emphasise gender history and environmental history.' 'We need to think about India's history beyond India's current borders.'
'As a child I was very glad to be around him, to breathe his happiness.' 'I was aware that he would focus 100 per cent on whatever he was doing, whether it was playing with me, or going to the bullfights, or painting -- which he seemed to do non-stop,' Pablo's grandson tells Kishore Singh.
'I am an accidental lyricist,' confesses the superstar who has written Haanikaarak Bapu, Emotional Atyachar, Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin, the songs for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and many, many, more chartbusters.
'There is a difference between the US burger and the Indian vada pav. She should have done some research or watched at least one episode of Bachao before she came on the show.' Comedy Nights Bachao Taaza host Krushna Abhishek reacts to the controversy.
Syed Firdaus Ashraf spends a week in Goa in pursuit of his favourite dish, and discovers a few other things about the state as well.
Mumbai is one of the most liveable cities in the world.
'We have great demographics, and are the fastest growing large economy. And we save.' 'All of which is great for financial services,' Aditya Birla Capital CEO Ajay Srinivasan tells Niraj Bhatt.
PE firm True North's investment model is to take 51% stake in mid-sized companies and make them large, says Niraj Bhatt.
Paris spells r-o-m-a-n-c-e, oodles of it. Those who've visited cannot get enough. Those who haven't cannot stop wishing
You must visit these wonderful places across the globe to experience their rich and vibrant culture.
Dominic Jose understood that luxury has a new definition. It's not ostentation, but the experience that matters.
There is also an interesting name OLX gave the idle stuff lying in our homes: brown money. Over lunch, OLX CEO Amarjit Singh Batra tells Uttran Das Gupta how the company is weaning Indians away from their "irrational emotional attachment to things."
Be prepared to bump into some special people at the pandal.
They will seduce your taste buds with tempting food pics of ghee idli, chicken ghee roast biryani and mysore pak.
Bariatric surgeon Muffazal Lakdawala shares interesting recipes in his new book.
Arun Nadar reviews the Moto Guzzi Audace, a uniquely-styled, Italian cruiser with great dynamics and exclusivity
Tarun Vijay visits 20 Durga Puja pandals in five towns in Bangladesh and comes back impressed.
Mita Kapur has an irresistible love affair... and she's willing to do anything to keep it going.
At a farm? At a pop-up restaurant? Or at home? Harnoor Channi Tiwary explores the new-age dining options.
Ambassador B S Prakash has fond memories of Vinod Khanna, his minister.
It would be a battle between Viswanathan Anand's wealth of experience and Magnus Carlsen's ability to play in any position when the two greats of the game face-off in the much-anticipated World Chess Championship beginning this month, feel a majority of Indian Grand Masters.
Generations of Indian Americans have had Arthur first note their feats and recount it to the world. And that is why so many desis across America have been saddened by his passing.
P Rajendran looks back on the 11 plus years he worked with Arthur J Pais, the India Abroad and Rediff.com editor, who passed into the ages on January 8.
There's more to this country than just the Northern Lights.
Apart from its sight-seeing grandeurs, the city boasts a unique shopping and gastronomical experience.
Owen Brents, the unassuming winner of the sixth season of Masterchef Australia reveals how he went from being a bobcat driver to a culinary sensation
GM is already in our food chain for years. The approval for indigenous GM mustard should put fake fear-mongering to rest, says Shekhar Gupta
'The main meal consisted of one soup, a salad, 2 or 3 vegetarian dishes (including at least 1 green vegetable), a variety of rice, freshly prepared Rotis or Phulkas, Dal, and yogurt.'
'People in Pakistan opened their homes and hearts to me because I was an Indian. I didn't feel alien at all and I felt as if I was in my own country.' 'I believe that there is a strong chance that the Taliban can win over Pakistan. In an era of ideological confusion these people (Taliban) thrive.' 'The Pakistani State is an enemy state not just for India but for Pakistan itself. By funding non-state actors, the Pakistani government is destroying itself.' Film-maker Hemal Trevedi speaks on her experiences when filming a documentary on Pakistani madrasas
In Vrindavan, work is on to build the world's tallest religious structure, a new temple for Krishna by ISKCON-Bangalore
