News for 'religious sites'

Obamas get a crash course on Indian culture

Obamas get a crash course on Indian culture

Rediff.com26 Jan 2015

The Obamas got a glimpse of Indian culture and ethos at Rajpath on Monday

For whom the bell trolls

For whom the bell trolls

Rediff.com6 Jan 2019

'Some semi-literate lunkhead tweeting at Rs 2 per tweet from a dingy basement in Chennai or San Diego accomplishes nothing, but give hundreds of thousands of them a time, date, and talking points, and they can create a wall of sound -- a nonsensical wall, perhaps, but one that is heard, and that can occasionally prevail just because it's there,' says Mitali Saran.

Will the Election Commission censure BJP leader?

Will the Election Commission censure BJP leader?

Rediff.com18 Oct 2019

The Election Commission sent a notice to Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the BJP's Mumbai chief. This is probably because a leading newspaper highlighted his utterances on its front page.

'Modi is India's PM, and not that of the ABVP'

'Modi is India's PM, and not that of the ABVP'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2016

'You tell me without support, can the ABVP do these things? They are only doing these things because the central government is supporting them.'

PM Modi inaugurates National War Memorial

PM Modi inaugurates National War Memorial

Rediff.com25 Feb 2019

The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during India-China war in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999.

Islamic State claims Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka

Islamic State claims Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com23 Apr 2019

Forty suspects, including the driver of a van allegedly used by the suicide bombers, have been arrested in connection with the attacks which shook Sri Lanka.

China trains tibetan monks in anti-espionage ops close to India border

China trains tibetan monks in anti-espionage ops close to India border

Rediff.com13 Nov 2015

China is training Buddhist monks and nuns in Tibet to carry out anti-espionage operations along the remote Sino-Indian border.

How many more suicide bombers are there?

How many more suicide bombers are there?

Rediff.com18 Feb 2019

'The fact that a rural Kashmiri boy was brainwashed into killing himself and others means there is an active programme that exists which does such recruiting and there will potentially be other such individuals out there,' warns Aakar Patel.

Of passionate riders and a motorcycling career

Of passionate riders and a motorcycling career

Rediff.com20 Nov 2019

Veer Arjun Singh finds out what a bunch of passionate bikers can teach us about the adrenaline-fuelled hobby

Qadri gets martyr-like funeral; 1 lakh people turn up in Pak

Qadri gets martyr-like funeral; 1 lakh people turn up in Pak

Rediff.com1 Mar 2016

While a police official said that over 15,000 people were present inside the sprawling ground in the garrison city, private estimate put the number of those attending the funeral nearly 1,00,000.

Why the World Culture Festival matters

Why the World Culture Festival matters

Rediff.com8 Mar 2016

There will remain those, though, who will remain in opposition to this massive endeavour for world peace with an aim not to improve, but to scuttle the project. But for the rest of us, a cultural and spiritual event of this significance and scale is a feast for the mind and soul, say Sankrant Sanu.

For Ayodhya litigant Hashim Ansari, the case meant everything

For Ayodhya litigant Hashim Ansari, the case meant everything

Rediff.com20 Jul 2016

Though Mohammed Hashim Ansari was the oldest litigant in the case and was against the Ram temple coming up at the site, he never spoke ill of his neighbours who were Hindus.

Nitish Kumar seeks CISF security for Mahabodhi temple

Nitish Kumar seeks CISF security for Mahabodhi temple

Rediff.com7 Jul 2013

"The serial blasts deserve the strongest condemnation in the strongest possible words as the perpetrators targeted the place of religious faith of crores of people with an aim to create fear among them," the Bihar chief minister told reporters after inspecting the blast sites at the Mahabodhi temple and surrounding areas in Gaya district with senior civil and police officials

Thank you Modi & India, tweets Obama as he takes off

Thank you Modi & India, tweets Obama as he takes off

Rediff.com27 Jan 2015

US President Barack Obama left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Protests erupt across India over citizenship law

Protests erupt across India over citizenship law

Rediff.com16 Dec 2019

Several protests -- some peaceful, some violent -- erupted across India on Monday against the police crackdown in Jamia Millia Islamia and the controversial citizenship law as students and political leaders took to the streets, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called these protests "deeply distressing" and appealed for peace.

'Muslims have to be magnanimous'

'Muslims have to be magnanimous'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2019

'If better sense prevails, Muslims should offer the disputed land in Ayodhya back to the government.'

Sadhus and seers take holy dip during Ujjain Kumbh Mela

Sadhus and seers take holy dip during Ujjain Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com26 Apr 2016

Five crore devotees took part in the Kumbh mela on the banks of pious Shipra river this year.

The politics of 'nationalism'

The politics of 'nationalism'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2016

'That's the stunning achievement of two-and-a-half years of this government -- a political bait-and-switch, selling a promise of economic development, and delivering a triumphalist machine that sacralises country, nationalism, majoritarianism and tradition, to achieve Hindutva goals,' says Mitali Saran.

'The nation must stand by a soldier who laid down his life'

'The nation must stand by a soldier who laid down his life'

Rediff.com1 Feb 2019

Two years after Major Akshay Girish sacrificed his life fighting terrorists in J&K, his mother wonders why his valour wasn't duly recognised.

Security beefed up in Delhi ahead of Muharram

Security beefed up in Delhi ahead of Muharram

Rediff.com3 Nov 2014

Amid reports of simmering tensions in some parts of the national capital ahead of Muharram on Tuesday, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi assured that all security measures have been taken, especially in sensitive areas and warned that those found involved in spreading rumours will be dealt with strongly.

Under new boss, Ginger hotels to expand in asset-light mode

Under new boss, Ginger hotels to expand in asset-light mode

Rediff.com21 Jun 2018

The renovations at the old hotels will be complete in two and a half years and tariffs will range between Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,000

Sri Sri meets Adityanath day before visiting Ayodhya

Sri Sri meets Adityanath day before visiting Ayodhya

Rediff.com15 Nov 2017

The Art of Living founder said that he was involved as a mediator in the RamTemple dispute of his own will and would visit Ayodhya on November 16 to meet all stakeholders.

Mining at Niyamgiri hills: Battle takes new turn

Mining at Niyamgiri hills: Battle takes new turn

Rediff.com3 Mar 2016

'As of now there are no mining activities,' but 'who knows the future?'

Can the judiciary also reflect please?

Can the judiciary also reflect please?

Rediff.com26 Nov 2015

The nullifying of the NJAC Act has put the spotlight on the Judiciary. Concepts like transparency, being open to change, leading from front, management of perceptions that were reserved for the Executive earlier are now relevant for the Judiciary as well, says Sanjeev Nayyar.

Three Cheers for the Indian

Three Cheers for the Indian

Rediff.com9 Jan 2018

'Thank you to those citizens of India who, every single day, quietly, anonymously, and decently refrain from targeting, hounding or murdering their neighbours, no matter how much they want to; and thanks also to those who loudly stand up for each other in the face of threat,' says Mitali Saran.

The monk who thinks Indians are his gurus

The monk who thinks Indians are his gurus

Rediff.com3 Jul 2015

Can you find a world leader who has met generations of Indian politicians, most US Presidents, European head of States, several Popes, celebrated cricketers, Hollywood and Bollywood stars, some of the greatest scientists and many ordinary people, including what he calls, 'Chinese brothers and sisters?'

The Making of A Terrorist

The Making of A Terrorist

Rediff.com10 Jul 2017

How did Mansoor Peerbhoy, an academically bright, suave and soft-spoken young man, who never exhibited any jihadist tendencies, go on to head the Indian Mujahideen's media cell?

Yatra ban: We won't let UP become Gujarat, says SP

Yatra ban: We won't let UP become Gujarat, says SP

Rediff.com22 Aug 2013

The Samajwadi Party on Thursday justified the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to ban a proposed yatra by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to garner support for the construction of the RamTemple at a disputed site in Ayodhya.

From snowmen to Viber: Bizarre bans in Saudi Arabia

From snowmen to Viber: Bizarre bans in Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com14 Jan 2015

Women behind the wheel, movie theatres and now snowmen! Everyday things in the outside world are prohibited in Saudi Arabia's incredibly conservative society. Rediff.com compiles a list

Suicide bomber kills 12 near Indian consulate in Kabul

Suicide bomber kills 12 near Indian consulate in Kabul

Rediff.com3 Aug 2013

A blast occurred near the Indian consulate in Jalalabad near Kabul on Saturday. No one was hurt. The police believe it to be caused by a suicide bomber.

Third gram sabha rejects Niyamgiri mining plan

Third gram sabha rejects Niyamgiri mining plan

Rediff.com24 Jul 2013

Of 22 eligible voters in the village, 19 persons -- 12 women and 7 men -- attended the gram sabha, despite heavy rains to voice their opposition to the project. Tadijhola, located on the foothills of Niyamgiri, is predominantly inhabited by the milkmen community.

China's living Buddhas: Nirvana for sale?

China's living Buddhas: Nirvana for sale?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2015

Communist China has recently developed a great expertise in 'soul reincarnation', feels Claude Arpi

Sports Shorts: Asiad gold medallist Panghal nominated for Arjuna

Sports Shorts: Asiad gold medallist Panghal nominated for Arjuna

Rediff.com11 Sep 2018

A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Tuesday.

Can a museum change how the world views an Arabic nation?

Can a museum change how the world views an Arabic nation?

Rediff.com13 Nov 2017

The new Louvre Abu Dhabi puts NO Islamic restrictions on what it displays.

NIA chargesheet in 2006 Malegaon blasts picks holes in ATS theory

NIA chargesheet in 2006 Malegaon blasts picks holes in ATS theory

Rediff.com24 Jun 2013

The NIA's chargesheet in the 2006 Malegaon blasts mocks the investigation conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad into the matter, reports Vicky Nanjappa

The Guru in 'Gurugram'

The Guru in 'Gurugram'

Rediff.com1 Nov 2016

More than Guru Dronacharya, the cult of his wife, Kripi, runs stronger in Gurgaon.

Will India ever get its treasures back?

Will India ever get its treasures back?

Rediff.com18 Jul 2018

'Does a thousand-year-old sculpture worshipped in a thriving religion belong to a foreign museum or the temple from which it was extracted?' Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked angrily. 'They legitimately belonged to India and people of past, present and future generations are interested in re-possessing them,' a central information commissioner declared last month.

Why the British Museum won't return the Harihara

Why the British Museum won't return the Harihara

Rediff.com18 Jul 2018

'It is vital that objects such as the Harihara -- and collections from South Asia generally -- remain here,' the British Museum tells Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.

Why bloggers pay with their lives for speaking up

Why bloggers pay with their lives for speaking up

Rediff.com3 Mar 2015

Crackdowns on bloggers often signal the ominous rise of religious fundamentalism

When Kashmir taught us a lesson in humanity

When Kashmir taught us a lesson in humanity

Rediff.com14 Jul 2016

Local people in Bijbehara defied curfew orders and rushed out to help a group of Amarnath pilgrims whose bus collided with a truck.