Author: oiop

The bindi is the ubiquitous Indian, predominantly Hindu symbol of caste, marriage and now, fashion. It has undergone many changes and Shoma A. Chatterji chronicles these changes and what the symbol has meant over the years. Is the bindi a fashion statement, a caste mark or a marriage symbol? It is all three. History shows that men of royalty, priestly families and of high caste, all sported a mark in the centre of their forehead because it was a mandatory cultural custom. It also symbolised whether a man belonged to the Shaivite community or the Vaishnavaite school of philosophy and…

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Human Rights activist Arun Ferreira who was implicated in false cases and arrested under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004 recounts his horrific ordeal at the Nagpur Central Prison, where he was jailed for nearly five years. He was later acquitted of all the charges. But the physical and mental torture he was subjected to, will take time to fade. Post 9/11, in the background of the American led “war on terror”, States throughout the world started viewing people’s movements as a threat to their security. It became imperative that such movements be crushed, organisations be banned, opinions…

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Nagas believe that rice was introduced to Man by the rat. Back in the days when Man lived on roots and fruits, a rat accosted a Naga and made a deal with him. “I’ll show you something that is good to eat,” said the rat, “but you will have to promise that when I die you will give me a decent burial.” “I promise, I promise, I promise!” said the Naga. “Show me this food!” The rat took him to a place where wild rice was growing. “Learn to cultivate it and you will never go hungry,” said the rat.…

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The European settlements of West Bengal, mostly along the Hooghly river, are perhaps the state’s best kept secret. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the Danes, the French, and of course, the British, have all left an indelible mark here, as evident from the churches, cemeteries, mansions and clock towers which bear mute witness to almost 400 years of European presence. While most of these structures have been preserved, some have been lost forever, especially the brief presence of the Germans and the Austrians. But the physical presence apart, this slice of Bengal’s European history is a treasured eulogy to the changes…

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No talk about prison reforms in India can be complete without mention of the outstanding contribution of Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman officer of the IPS (Indian Police Service). The reforms and transformation she initiated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail have gone down in the annals of prison reforms as a worthy, to-be emulated model for prisons in India and worldwide. She was renowned for being a tough, no-nonsense police officer, who earned the respect of her peers and a grateful country for the way she dealt with very challenging situations. Kiran Bedi, 66, who joined the Indian Police Service (IPS)…

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Have you ever heard water producing the gentle tinkle of musical bells? It is possible only on a unique ensemble instrument called jal tarang. It is used mainly in light Hindustani classical music and as an accompaniment in Kathak performances. ‘Jal tarang’ literally means ‘waves in water’. A set of china bowls is filled with water and struck softly with a wooden stick on the rims to get sound. Adjusting the volume of water in each bowl controls the pitch. Large bowls produce low notes while smaller bowls emit highpitched sounds. The number of bowls used depends on the melody…

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Author : Major Saras Tripathi Publisher : Manas Publications, New Delhi (2015) Price : Rs. 995 pp. : 375 This is an intriguing name for a book, especially when its contents are the observations of a recently commissioned young army officer on his first posting to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in the midst of a raging proxy war. The combination of passion, curiosity and professionalism is rarely seen in one so young, but Major Saras Tripathi of 6 Maratha LI (then a young lieutenant) has succeeded in doing so. Many books have been written on the proxy war being waged…

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Gerald Durrell was one of the world’s most famous naturalists. He was born in Jamshedpur, India, in 1925. His family went back to England after his father’s death in 1928. When Gerald was ten, they moved to the Greek island of Corfu. It was an idyllic time for the young boy who was schooled at home and so he spent a large part of his time observing and collecting all the curious animals he came across. Scorpions in matchboxes, reptiles in bathtubs and turtles under the bed — there was never a dull moment for his mother and older siblings!…

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Our prisons are not just overcrowded, but also inhuman. With low budgets for food and clothing, and an overburdened justice system, it is indeed a pitiable situation especially for women prisoners. Sulkhan Singh examines the system and suggests measures to reform it. Is there a need for Prison reforms? Let us see what two of the greatest of men had to say about prisons: “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside the jail. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” – Nelson…

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In this excerpt from ‘No One Has To know: Smart Anti-Ageing For Indian Skin’ wellknown dermatologist Dr. Jamuna Pai elaborates how eating right can slow down ageing and guarantee good health. Whereas all the foods that taste oh-so-good are, in fact, oh-so-bad for the system, a diet that is all about moderation is the right way to feel good and more energetic. Food can age you. So many things you eat, depending on how it gets digested by your body, can prevent or hamper the supply of essential nutrients to the skin and other organs, ageing you both from within…

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