'The 2024 general elections proved that UP is not Gujarat.'
The recent 'revelation' by TN fishers freed by Sri Lanka after they had paid up Lankan rupees 50,000 each in fines, that their hair was tonsured in prison and they were forced to remove their garments other than the underpants, and were also made to clean toilets, as if with vengeance, has touched a raw nerve this time, just as another issue or issues had done it ahead of the Jallikattu protests, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.
We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.
"He (Sarabjit) is a simpleton, who had unknowingly strayed into Pakistan. I have even stayed with him in the same jail," said Mehboob Elahi, former Indian prisoner in Pakistan who was released from the prison in 1996. "I have stayed with him in the same cell at Gujranwala jail. Not for a day or two, but at least a year and a half," 52-year-old Elahi told television channel NDTV.
In the volatile international situation where 'nativism' is on the rise and immigrant communities are being targeted, the Leader of the Opposition's statement is like adding fuel to fire. If the Indian diaspora numbering 4 crores is threatened it will constitute a grave threat to national security, warns Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
A procession of barges will take nearly 7,000 athletes along the river past Paris's most famous landmarks, while more than 300,000 spectators will watch from the banks.
The gold coins would be bought with the contributions, collected from the representatives of the 1,200 member-association, he said. The weight of the coins would be decided according to the total amount collected, James, a physics post-graduate who passed out from the college in 1984, said.
The unusual incident occurred around 10.30 am when the students came to write their degree exams at the college.
Describing the unrest among party members as just the "tip of the iceberg," the report shed light on the underlying discontent within the BJP.
The hapless woman, Siluvamma, a resident of the coastal belt, was attacked by a large number of stray dogs at Pulluvila beach, according to her family.
The accused driver has been taken into custody and the injured were admitted to hospital, police said, adding that police personnel have been deployed in the area to ensure law and order.
So far, carcasses of 32 flamingos have been recovered from Ghatkopar area, the police said.
The Indian Army said the soldier, a Corporal in the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA), has been identified as Wang Ya Long and he will be returned to the Chinese military at the Chushul-Moldo border point after completion of formalities.
Jude Bellingham rescued England from crashing out of Euro 2024 against Slovakia on Sunday with a stunning 95th-minute equaliser before Harry Kane's early extra-time winner sent the sub-par pre-tournament favourites into the quarter-finals.
A leopard strayed into a village in north Delhi's Wazirabad early on Monday, creating panic in the area and injuring eight residents before being tranquillised by forest department officials after an over five-hour-long rescue operation.
Celebrate the weekend with Shah Rukh Khan and more on OTT.
The stray tiger that had been on the prowl in parts of Uttar Pradesh for the last four months, was shot down on Tuesday evening. The three-year old animal that had lost its way after stepping out of its natural home in the forests of Pilibhit on the Himalayan foothills , traversed across nearly five districts including Lucknow to finally met its end in the Bachuna forests near Kumarganj in Faizabad district.
'Garm Hava understands that the scorching, hate-filled, doubt-filled affair between Hindus and Muslims is our national love affair.' Sreehari Nair revisits M S Sathyu's classic film, featuring the incomparable Balraj Sahni at his finest in his final role.
'A mid-year review makes the end-of-year financial review manageable and less stressful.'
But senior superintendent of police, operations, Lahore Syed Ali Raza told the Dawn newspaper that "Tamba is still alive but critically injured".
France showcased its cultural diversity, spirit of revolution, impeccable craftsmanship, and architectural heritage in a riveting opening ceremony for the 33rd Olympic Games.
The government is contemplating how to overcome the problems caused by the street dogs and sterilisation process will be also strengthened, he told reporters in Kottayam.
Blame game between Bihar police and Railway Protection Force over compensation for slain Mohd Mustafa, who fell victim of a stray police bullet a year ago in Bihar's Katihar district, has left his blind parents to starve.
On her 50th birthday on June 25, Sukanya Verma celebrates some of her most significant works.
Where do Vijay and his TVK expect to get their votes from? Vijay has a huge fan following among women, but will they automatically become his voters like they had done for MGR's AIADMK, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.
The trigger that led Japan and the Philippines to ink the deal was because of the deteriorating security situation in the South China Sea. China's coast guard increased the frequency and intensity of incursions into Philippine waters, provoking the Philippines to take countermeasures to deter China, explains Dr Rajaram Panda.
Some NGOs and individual petitioners have moved the apex court against the decisions of some high courts, including the Bombay high court and the Kerala high court, to allow municipal authorities to deal with the stray dogs menace as per the rules.
The incident has once again raised security concerns at the Bajpe airport, which had two years ago witnessed one of the worst air crashes in Indian aviation history.
'Sonia did not visit this place once since she won. Who's to say they won't lose this one, too?'
While conditions have improved over the last decade in western UP, there are still unfulfilled needs.
'The Congress in the past backed the demand, but will not support it now since the SP opposes any division of UP.'
People in these villages routinely encounter big cats that stray into their farms from the adjoining Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, a bustling habitat for the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris).
'Sometimes things get stale in a relationship and people seek solace elsewhere.'
Some demonstrations have been held in parts of the state but the overall situation is peaceful.
Tamba was attacked by motorcycle-borne assailants at his residence in Sanant Nagar, a thickly populated area of old Lahore in the afternoon.
Several BJP voters say the Ram temple sentiment may give the ruling party a fillip but are also aware of the herculean task at hand and concede that it is a daunting electoral contest for Dinesh Singh, who lost to Sonia Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com captures scenes from Ayodhya hours before the pran prathishta ceremony.
Close on the heels of a tiger that had strayed into the outskirts of Lucknow in February-March, a leopard was spotted barely 35 km from the state capital on Thursday morning.
Harleen Sethi shows you how you can be both fashion-forward and comfy.
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