In a rousing display of patriotism and unity, over 15,000 people from the city On Wednesday participated in a mass singing of national anthem Jana Gana Mana, creating a world record in the process.
'This is not the first time I have refused to stand for this particular song and this will not be the last time,' Lok Sabha MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar. 'I have no problems with Jana Gana Mana.'
As the strains of Jana Gana Mana reverberated, there was, says Raja Sen, a shared moment of immense, overwhelming pride at the Buddh International Circuit.
The sweet chemistry between Rajkummar Rao and Dayana Erappa is breaking the Internet, and everyone wants to know who the lovely lady is!
Vijay Amritraj needs no introduction, in India or abroad. For years, he was the country's brand ambassador on the world's tennis courts, the only reason the Indian flag was unfurled, the reason the national anthem was heard.
Sukanya Verma lists out everything you can catch on OTT this week.
'We were children and could not distinguish freedom from bondage, but we could understand that a momentous and happy event was imminent.'
A G20 dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu describing her position as 'President of Bharat' triggered massive debate on Tuesday, with the opposition alleging that the government is planning to drop India and stay with just Bharat as the country's name.
'Genuine secularism cannot be built on the backs of Hindus alone.' 'In a pluralistic society every religion is duty bound to respect the rights and sentiments of the others.' 'Vande Mataram was a casualty of minorityism. Bharat Mata Ki Jai cannot be allowed to go the same way,' says Vivek Gumaste.
As the curtain comes down on 2022, Roshmila Bhattacharya flashbacks to some of the year's news-makers and events.
As a five year old, Neil Nayyar learnt to play the drums. Today, at 14, he has mastered 107 instruments.
As the curtain come down on 2022, Roshmila Bhattacharya flashbacks to some of the year's news-makers and events.
Dulquer celebrates daughter's birthday... Tamannaah wraps up a film... Preity cooks...
The convoy of Communist Party of India leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who is on a tour of Bihar -- campaigning against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Population Register and National Register of Citizens -- was attacked in Supaul district on Wednesday evening. The former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president escaped unhurt in the attack by a group of youths who were shouting pro-CAA/NRC slogans.
'Let us see the tricolour flutter and soar as we park our vehicles, as we play cricket in the gullies, as we surf the Internet, as we enter our places of worship,' says Ankita Athawale.
The Varanasi mayor has issued orders making it mandatory for every municipal corporation member to sing 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana' after a Bharatiya Janata Party corporator's proposal for singing the songs triggered protests by Congress and Samajwadi Party members.
'The innate fascism of the RSS is overshadowing Modi's development programme,' says Amulya Ganguli.
'Not afraid to look Muslim, not shy of flaunting her nationalism.' 'With a willingness to fight carrying the Constitution, the Flag, the Anthem, Ambedkar, Gandhi and the chant of 'Hindustan Zindabad',' notes Shekhar Gupta.
'When I contracted COVID and was extremely unwell, I almost thought I was not going to make it.' 'But this man (Karan Johar) was like family for us in Bombay. He would send doctors for me, made sure my medication was done correctly and made sure I came out of COVID.'
'Where are the 1.3 billion people?' 'I am overwhelmed when I saw my country, my country had come to a standstill.'
It was 'Yesterday Once More' for the fans as they witnessed an August gathering with legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag from India while Pakistan was represented by Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Each year Rabindra Jayanti is celebrated with fervour and festivity across Bangladesh.
At a time when China is trying to make its foray into South Asia, India should use its shared history to strengthen its ties in the region, says Dr Rup Narayan Das.
The filmmaker said he relied on documentary evidence and public accounts for much of the script.
Rangoon is too fuzzy and half-hearted, feels Sukanya Verma.
Singing the national anthem and watching patriotic movies on Doordarshan.
This Dhanush starrer is a must-watch!
During the hearing, the SC extends exemption to several categories of disabled.
'I don't practise yoga. How am I less of a nationalist than the person who practises it? Is it a crime if I don't practice it?'
According to Modi, the TMC's 'political syndicate' rules in the land of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana-Gana-Mana' and pursues appeasement and vote bank politics.
'Amethi people will not leave the Gandhi parivar even if they do not meet them.'
The recent controversy regarding the national anthem, provoked by Rajasthan's Governor Kalyan Singh, has got many revisiting the lyrics of Rabindranath Tagore's most famous composition.
The prime minister sees himself as the "vikas purush". But realising his government's agenda for development requires not just a more efficient administration but also a credible implementation plan, says Nitin Desai.
'When the national anthem is played it has to be played for 52 seconds.' 'It is mandatory. It is in the law.' 'One or two seconds here and there is fine when kids sing. But you cannot deliberately stretch the national anthem by singing in long aalaps.'
'The fabric of democracy is fraying,' says T V R Shenoy. 'It is being attacked not just by terrorists in Kashmir or by zealots in the North-East, but is being ripped apart even in Allahabad, in the Hindi heartland.'
'I may not indulge in chest thumping to express my patriotism every day.' 'I may be cynical about many things happening in our country.' 'I may not roar Bharat Mata Ki Jai at the top of my voice. But I still love my country, just as one loves one's parents with all their weaknesses.' 'Does that make me any less of a patriot?' asks Shobha Warrier.
Rangoon haunts in unlikely fashion and, while the director's most straightforward picture, holds enough of its own marvels to justify multiple viewings,' notes Raja Sen.
'It used to sound very strange.' 'That the same child who used to sing Jana Gana Mana the loudest in class, who celebrated August 15 and 26th January with such fervour and who has always nurtured the desire to make India a better nation being called desh drohi.' 'It was very painful.'
Modi said Nepal and India can benefit if they cooperate and work together for the promotion of five Ts: Tradition, Trade, Tourism, Technology and Transport.
Tarun Vijay visits 20 Durga Puja pandals in five towns in Bangladesh and comes back impressed.
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