India is on Saturday observing the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a major role in the country's struggle for independence and subsequently guided its integration into a united, independent nation.

Over the last four days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the heads of over 50 African nations, some of whom have extremely unsavoury reputations. Meet the 10 most controversial leaders who visited Delhi this week.

'Think about this: A widow of a jawan is drawing only Rs 3,500. If OROP is implemented, she will get additional Rs 1,500. These poor girls are young and have no source of income; they are trying their best to just make ends meet. It is the pain of these situations that has driven me to this.' 'We don't want to put pressure on the government -- that's not our intention. We have full faith in our prime minister. We are asking for a meeting with him, and when we get that, we are sure he will not only give us what we are asking for, but 10 per cent extra.' Major General Satbir Singh, who headed the OROP agitation at Jantar Mantar, speaks out.

India's good fortune, experts in the US feel, is not the result of a fundamentally strong economy, but because it is the best of a bad set of options.

Here's your weekly digest of the craziest stories from around the world.

Sehwag's unpredictability and carefree attitude made him a unique batsman.

Gangster Chhota Rajan, arrested in Bali on Monday and who is likely to be extradited to India, was not one to forgive or forget easily. Mumbai's foremost crime writer S Hussain Zaidi recalls the time when Rajan was almost killed in an attack by his rival Chhota Shakeel, and how Rajan extracted revenge across continents.

"There was not a single decision that I took during my second tenure without discussing it with Ranga and getting valuable input from him," says Narayana Murthy.

On Back To The Future Day, Raja Sen lists his favourite movies on time travel.

A video clip on Saturday surfaced on TV channels and social media purportedly showing a man hung upside down and being gruesomely beaten to death by three men.

'Modi is an uncivilised person who is ruling a fascist regime.' 'This is not a one religion country. We are a country of many religions many cultures. India is not a country it is a civilisation and that is what they are trying to destroy.'

A definitive guide to the movers and shakers who sit at the helm of the Asian sports boom.

'Mohammad Akhlaq's death isn't only about a Muslim being killed out of sheer communal bigotry, but also the denial of the Constitutional guarantees of "due process" under Article 21 and the freedom of choice,' says Shehzad Poonawalla, who has moved the National Commission for Minorities over the murder.

The Martian proves to be a light, pleasant watch, says Raja Sen.

John Wright, who coached India between 2000 and 2005, said the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, who passed away on Sunday, was a 'tough' but 'fair' boss.

Contrary to that the BJP would give tickets to more Muslim candidates to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly polls, the saffron party has fielded only two Muslim candidates.

Katti Batti is infuriatingly indecisive, says Sukanya Verma.

Katti Batti is an imbecilic, cliche-ridden embarrassment that made me want to punch it in the mouth, says Raja Sen.

Although now free, Mangal's ordeal may be far from over.

'Talvar belongs to Irrfan Khan, who plays the chief investigating officer. With each new film, this very fine actor continues to surprise us and delight us.'

Bobby Jindal's tirade against Donald Trump -- like his performance in the polls -- hardly got any traction

'I am happy that Aurangzeb will no longer dance before my eyes as I jog down A P J Abdul Kalam Road. Instead, the serene, saintly, smile of the late beloved President will bless me when I take an evening stroll there.'

A lowdown on what's happening in the Tamil film industry.

Action-man Vlad finds a gym buddy in Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The Man From UNCLE is as lovingly tailored as they come, says Raja Sen.

Eating out was never so much fun and seldom so strange.

'Why can't we make it mandatory for all IAS and IPS officers to serve in the armed forces for a year before joining service? What stops us from making it compulsory for every Member of Parliament to spend three months, immediately after taking oath, in military barracks/maybe a few nights in the bunkers on the borders, to learn and understand the life of a fauji?' wonders Tarun Vijay, MP.

If the government does not allow the Opposition a few victories, then it is opening the door to paralysis and an entrenched culture of confrontation.

Easygoing and affable, he was the quintessential relationships man.

Anirban Lahiri, coming in after a short break following events in Europe, was hit by back spasms early in his first round as he carded a 77 in the World Golf Championships-Invitational in Akron, Ohio, United States.

Raju Dabhade is the creator of the game of roll ball that will see its third World Championship in December, 2015, in Pune.

'What adult citizens do in the privacy of their home, what they eat or drink or watch, is not the government's concern.'

Superheroes have been embedded in our daily lives through comics and movies.

The government does not seem to have sufficient grounds to invoke the CBI against Teesta Setalvad.

It all started when JK Rowing decided to lend her support to 33-year-old Serena Williams.

"As far as my comeback is concerned, I am enjoying the journey at the moment without worrying too much about the destination."

'The AIADMK has no Number Two, frankly it does not even have a Number Hundred and Two. There is the Numero Uno, and there is everybody else -- a point that was made very clear when Jayalalithaa made her ministers take the oath of office in unison on May 23. What, after all, was the point of having them do so individually when they lack individuality?'

This is the lowest investment grade rating.

The politician who has come a long way, from being a one-time vegetable vendor to one of the most powerful politicians in the state, is in big trouble today, says Neeta Kolhatkar.

The film will be directed by Rohit Dhawan.