Shirish B Pradhan And Kunal Dutt

Stories by Shirish B Pradhan And Kunal Dutt

Emergency at 50: JP's diary tells nation's darkest tale

Emergency at 50: JP's diary tells nation's darkest tale

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2025

On that fateful day, Narayan, popularly known as JP and a fierce critic of the then-Indira Gandhi government, addressed a massive gathering at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Will rivers in India, Nepal go dry?

Will rivers in India, Nepal go dry?

Rediff.com   30 May 2025

More than twice as much global glacier mass will remain if countries restrict temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to the warming level of 2.7 degrees Celsius resulting from the current policies, says a new study released.

Former Nepal King fined by civic body for vandalism

Former Nepal King fined by civic body for vandalism

Rediff.com   29 Mar 2025

Former King Gyanendra Shah was on Saturday issued a letter demanding fine by Kathmandu's civic body following the damage caused to public property and environment during the pro-monarchy protests in parts of the Nepalese capital a day before.

Maha Kumbh ends with 65 cr attendees, controversies, politics

Maha Kumbh ends with 65 cr attendees, controversies, politics

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2025

The Maha Kumbh, billed as the world's largest gathering, concluded on Wednesday after 45 days, with lakhs of devotees taking a dip in the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite a stampede that killed at least 30 people, millions continued to visit the Kumbh, seeking salvation through the ritual bath. The event saw a mix of faith, tradition, and technology, drawing pilgrims and tourists from across the globe.

Final snan begins as Maha Kumbh 2025 to conclude today

Final snan begins as Maha Kumbh 2025 to conclude today

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2025

The 45-day Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj concluded on Mahashivratri with a record-breaking number of pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. Over 65 crore pilgrims participated in the event, which took place once every 12 years.

History In Minutes: World's First Airmail Flew Over Kumbh

History In Minutes: World's First Airmail Flew Over Kumbh

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2025

In 1911, French pilot Henri Pequet flew the world's first official airmail, carrying over 6,500 letters and postcards, during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, now Prayagraj. The flight, which covered five miles in 13 minutes, marked a significant milestone in aviation and postal history. The mail included letters to Jawaharlal Nehru and King George V, and special commemorative postcards signed by Pequet are now prized collector's items. The event, which coincided with the Kumbh Mela, highlights the intersection of spiritual and technological advancements in India's history.

Indian, Chinese troops exchange sweets on Diwali post disengagement

Indian, Chinese troops exchange sweets on Diwali post disengagement

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2024

The exchange took place at five Border Personnel Meeting points along the LAC, the sources added.

India, China complete disengagement; exchange of sweets on Diwali

India, China complete disengagement; exchange of sweets on Diwali

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2024

Following the disengagement, both sides will soon start the coordinated patrolling in their respective areas, sources added.

Canada agreed to extradite only 5 terrorists: Ex-envoy

Canada agreed to extradite only 5 terrorists: Ex-envoy

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2024

Of the 26 requests sent to Canada for extraditing Khalistani terrorists, Ottawa has resolved only five and the rest remain in limbo, India's top envoy to that country has said, calling it the result of 'inaction'.

Recalled envoy cautions students going to Canada

Recalled envoy cautions students going to Canada

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2024

Indians hoping to study in Canada should think twice because many students have ended up in substandard colleges with no job prospects despite spending lakhs of rupees, resulting in depression and suicide, India's top envoy there says.

Nearly 200 killed, 33 missing in floods, landslides in Nepal

Nearly 200 killed, 33 missing in floods, landslides in Nepal

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2024

Hundreds of people are facing a shortage of food, safe drinking water and sanitation in Kathmandu following the natural disaster, according to eyewitnesses.

Dhaka limps back to normal, but protests yet to die down

Dhaka limps back to normal, but protests yet to die down

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2024

Businesses have resumed but it's not business as usual in the capital city of Bangladesh.

When Hindus, Muslims came together to save Dhaka's ancient temple

When Hindus, Muslims came together to save Dhaka's ancient temple

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2024

On August 13, Muhammad Yunus visited the Dhakeswari Temple and reached out to the distressed Hindu community members in the wake of attacks on the minority communities.

Not angry but...: BNP leader on Hasina's stay in India

Not angry but...: BNP leader on Hasina's stay in India

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2024

'New Delhi has to make up its mind whether it wants to be a friend of the Bangladeshi people or they want to be a friend of a section of people, or one party or one leader'

B'desh crisis: 'India will have to be very vigilant on border'

B'desh crisis: 'India will have to be very vigilant on border'

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2024

'Everyone in Dhaka today is aware that that they need good relations, normal relations with India, but the question... but it's premature to think about that now, right now it is a crisis moment'

Kargil hero recalls how 8 Mountain Division secured LoC

Kargil hero recalls how 8 Mountain Division secured LoC

Rediff.com   27 Jul 2024

Lt Gen (Retd) Puri and several other Kargil veterans who had played a decisive role in the 1999 war were felicitated by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in Delhi recently.

Pilot lone survivor, 18 killed as plane crashes during takeoff

Pilot lone survivor, 18 killed as plane crashes during takeoff

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2024

A Nepalese private plane crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Wednesday, killing 18 people aboard, including a child, and seriously injuring the pilot -- the only survivor.

Prachanda out, Oli sworn in as Nepal PM for 4th time

Prachanda out, Oli sworn in as Nepal PM for 4th time

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2024

The leader of Nepal's largest communist party was appointed as prime minister on Sunday by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead the coalition government with the Nepali Congress (NC), the largest party in Parliament, apart from other smaller parties.

'We Were Fighting With Our Backs To The Wall'

'We Were Fighting With Our Backs To The Wall'

Rediff.com   13 Jul 2024

'There is a sense of achievement but it has come at a great cost.'

Phase V: Women outnumber men as turnout rises to 62.2%

Phase V: Women outnumber men as turnout rises to 62.2%

Rediff.com   23 May 2024

The male-female turnout gap was wide in Bihar and Jharkhand. While in Bihar, the male turnout was 52.42 percent, the female turnout was 61.58 percent.