Two-tonne bell, 1-tonne lamp: Gifts pour in for Ram temple from India, abroad

A 108-foot-long incense stick, a 2,100-kg bell, a giant lamp weighing 1,100 kg, gold footwear, a 10-foot-high lock and key, and a clock that simultaneously denotes time in eight countries are among......

A Rainy Day Check-List for Chennaiites

If only you had thought ahead, you would have stocked snacks and biscuits, bread and cake, and vegetables suited for Amma or pondatti to make your favourite bajji and pakoda, observes N Sathiya......

Why Caste Violence Is On The Rise In Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the celebrated home of the 'social justice' movement in the country, yet caste differences and violence has only been increasing in numbers and becoming more brutal in recent years,......

PM's gifts to 80-yr-old Biden include traditional 'Das Danams'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted United States President Joe Biden a special sandalwood box which highlights the value and respect Indian tradition associates with experience, officials......

The Strange Death Of India's Pen King

If there is a morality tale here, it is that debt and death spare no king. IMAGE: Vikram Kothari. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Vikram Kothari had two coronations, first as the Gutkha......

Advertisements that Indians find 'offensive'

Six major triggers were identified – some expected, some new. Veenu Sandhu reports. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com An advertisement showing two women talking about Cars24’s......

Why it's still difficult to do business in India

Do a straw poll of any business friends and you will laugh and weep at what they go through, points out Rahul Jacob.Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com   In the midst of drinks last Saturday......

Meet India's best known teacher

'Kids like something when it is interesting, focused, and offers scope for self-exploration.''We teach them how to learn, not force them,' Byju Raveendran tells Bibhu Ranjan Mishra.Illustration:......

Mithila Is A Happy Pool Girl!

Just where are the stars travelling? We find out. Photograph: Kind courtesy Mithila Palkar/Instagram Mithila Palkar is a water baby: 'All day, pool day.'   Photograph: Kind courtesy Prajakta......

'Stop making people feel like they are Gods'

'At the end of the day, we are all humans.' Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar Pooja Bhatt may be acting in Chup, but there's no way you can silence this outspoken actor-film-maker. After making her......

Mahipal, the Unsung Superstar of Indian cinema

Mahipal, who worked with actresses like Madhubala and Meena Kumari, established himself as a hero in the mythological genre.Prakash Bhandari salutes the superstar on his birth centenary. IMAGE:......

Janta Curfew: How Bollywood spent the day

Bollywood has been practising self-isolation for a few days now, especially on Sunday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Janta curfew. The day then was very different from how......

Deepika's journey: From a 12-year-old to India's Olympic medal prospect

Photograph: Kind courtesy World Archery/Instagram From being rejected as an emaciated 12-year-old kid, to throwing a challenge to prove herself in three months' time to India's top medal......

Chandro and Prakashi Tomar, the world's oldest sharpshooters

Dhruv Munjal gets up close and personal with Chandro and Prakashi Tomar, the inspiration for Saand Ki Aankh. IMAGE: Actress Taapsee Pannu, left, with Chandro Tomar. Photograph: Kind courtesy......