Vasant Panchami is synonymous with Saraswati Puja, where students pray for sharp intellects amid stacks of fresh notebooks. Yet, beneath this scholarly reverence lies a joyous ritual honoring Lord Shiva’s impending marriage—the Tilak Utsav. This practice, deeply rooted in Hindu lore, transforms temples into wedding venues in preparation for Mahashivratri. Puranic tales describe Shiva and Parvati’s celestial wedding, with Vasant Panchami acting as the ceremonial kickoff. Nowhere is this more alive than in Varanasi’s ancient ghats and mandirs. Here, Shiva is dressed as a groom: his brow marked with vibrant haldi-chandan tilak, body splashed with gulal, evoking the excitement of…
Author: News Analysis India
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India’s economic growth story hinges on strategic interventions, and as the Union Budget 2026-27 approaches, stakeholders are outlining bold recommendations. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, shared his insights with IANS, urging a sharp focus on accelerating technology uptake in MSMEs, especially those in Tier-2 and Tier-3 urban centers. These enterprises already pump $1.5 trillion into the national economy with a solid 10 percent growth trajectory. By infusing cutting-edge tech, Gupta predicts a leap to 18 percent growth. ‘We need a robust policy to make this happen, and we’re hopeful the budget will deliver it,’ he stated.…
India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav dropped a bombshell at the pre-match briefing in Nagpur: Ishan Kishan is back and will anchor the innings at number three against New Zealand. This marks the explosive batsman’s return after a 26-month international hiatus, fueled by consistent domestic heroics. Kishan, who typically opens but has middle-order experience, faces no adaptation issues. His selection over other contenders, including injury-hit Tilak Varma, underscores his current form. Shreyas Iyer joins the squad as Varma’s replacement, but Kishan’s XI spot looks rock-solid. Against the Black Caps, Kishan’s stats are modest—103 runs across seven outings at 14.71. Yet, his…
A provocative suggestion from singer Anup Jalota has taken the entertainment industry by storm, aimed directly at Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman. Amid backlash over Rahman’s claims of reduced film offers linked to ‘communal’ shifts, Jalota’s response cuts straight to the core. In an exclusive chat, Jalota didn’t mince words. ‘Rahman was Hindu once, then embraced Islam and conquered the world of music. If he now feels his faith is costing him gigs, go back to Hinduism and try again,’ he stated. This comes after Rahman lamented a power pivot in Bollywood, where creative control has slipped to less artistic hands,…
Kerala Assembly Opposition Leader VD Satheesan unleashed a sharp critique against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) on Tuesday, alleging a scripted communal campaign greenlit by the top leadership. The trigger was Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian’s inflammatory comments, which Satheesan portrayed as the culmination of a well-laid plan. According to Satheesan, the blueprint unfolded methodically: Vijayan’s PR team primed national media in Delhi, the CM reiterated the contentious line in a media interaction, then feigned detachment. This was followed by echoes from select community figures, AK Balan, and Cherian’s explosive statement. Satheesan branded Cherian’s words as unprecedentedly outrageous for…
French President Emmanuel Macron used the prestigious Davos stage on January 20 to deliver a stern message to allies across the Atlantic: matching U.S. tariff threats with countermeasures would be ‘madness.’ This came amid heightened friction with President Donald Trump, whose Truth Social post leaking private Macron messages has intensified disputes over trade, Greenland, and global rules. ‘We must not respond to unjust aggression with more aggression,’ Macron stated firmly. He outright rejected impulses toward ‘new imperialism or colonialism,’ insisting the world needs positive momentum on growth, security, and environmental challenges—not bizarre territorial grabs. During his session, he stressed Europe’s…
Actress Bhagyashree, a symbol of resilience in Bollywood, dropped a gem of wisdom on Instagram Tuesday, channeling the legendary Kishore Kumar to teach fans how to shield themselves from societal poison. With a clever metaphor, she compared the human mind to an unbreakable steel tray in the sea. ‘It stays intact until the smallest fissure lets water in,’ Bhagyashree noted. ‘Our happiness endures the same way—until we allow others’ harsh words to infiltrate.’ She masterfully ties this to the iconic track ‘Kuch Toh Log Kahenge,’ emphasizing that chatter from others is just background noise. ‘Rise above it,’ she advises. ‘Simplify…
In a decisive step to restore calm in West Bengal, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has released stringent guidelines targeting the recent uptick in violence. With elections looming, reports of clashes have fueled political blame games, particularly from opposition quarters targeting the ruling dispensation and police machinery. The advisory paints a stark picture: shadowy forces can assemble violent mobs in minutes, wreaking havoc on public peace. Such episodes not only paralyze normalcy but endanger lives, prompting the Governor’s call to action. Key recommendations include fortifying the intelligence apparatus through better synergy among central agencies, state units, and grassroots sources. Real-time data…
On January 21, 2016, India bid farewell to Mrinalini Sarabhai, a titan of classical dance whose life was a symphony of movement and meaning. At 97, her departure left an irreplaceable void, but her choreography and teachings continue to pulse through the veins of Indian performing arts. Mrinalini entered the world in Kerala on May 11, 1918, but her formative years in Switzerland introduced her to Eurhythmics at Dalcroze. Shantiniketan under Tagore’s guidance ignited her passion for holistic arts. Back in India, rigorous training in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali honed her into a virtuoso, bridging diverse dance forms with unparalleled finesse.…
Picture this: You’ve got Rs 1 lakh burning a hole in your pocket and five years to let it grow. Should you go for the rock-solid National Savings Certificate, the reliable Fixed Deposit, or take a calculated shot with mutual fund lumpsum? Let’s break down the numbers and see which delivers the biggest bang. First up, NSC—a government darling for the ultra-cautious. Locked in for five years at 7.7% compounded annually, it’s tax-deductible under 80C. Your Rs 1 lakh blossoms into Rs 1.44 lakh at maturity. No surprises, no stress, just steady growth. FDs are the old faithful. Post offices…