The Spy Who Became A Farmer

'I couldn't have asked for a better retired life.''Of course, it would have been better if I made some profit out of farming!' IMAGE: P K Hormis Tharakan, former chief, RA&W. All photographs: Kind......

'Even If We Have To Die, We Won't Let This Port Come Up'

'Modi knows the people here are opposed to this project, but he is using the might of government to push this port down our throats.' Reportage and Videos: Rediff.com's Hemant Waje, Satish Bodas,......

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......

'Coconut oil doesn't increase heart diseases'

Does coconut oil increase the risk of heart diseases? This question was discussed threadbare at a seminar on 'Coconut oil in human nutrition' organised by the Coconut Development Board in......

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......

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......

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......

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......

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......

Nandi Puja for Deepika

The rituals for the wedding begin. A fortnight before Deepika Padukone's Italian wedding, her parents Ujwala (nee Karakal) and Prakash Padukone -- doyens of the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community......

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......