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The Cities That Shaped Gandhi, The Cities That Gandhi Shaped, Hindustan Times

Mahatma Gandhi famously claimed that ‘India lives in her villages’. The focus of his political and social work, and his philosophical writings, was that India was essentially an agrarian civilization, and that it must remain that way. In fact, India had always lived in her towns too. Our epics spoke of the fabled cities of [...]




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From Indo-Pak to Chindia and Back Again to Indo-Pak, Hindustan Times

On 26th January 2006, the New York Times ran a story headlined ‘India Everywhere in the Alps’. The story began: ‘Delhi swept into Davos on Wednesday, with an extravagant public relations campaign by India intended to promote the country as the world's next economic superstar, and as a democratic alternative to China for the affections [...]




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The Fourth Crisis of The Republic, Hindustan Times

As I have written before, if India had been a start-up in August 1947 not even the most venturesome of venture capitalists would have invested in it. No new nation was born in more inhospitable circumstances. The Partition of the country had been awful enough, in the scale of its violence and the mass displacement [...]




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Standing With Gandhi in Ahmedabad, Hindustan Times

On 30th January I was in Ahmedabad, a city that was central to Mahatma Gandhi’s life and work. It was here that he established the most celebrated of his ashrams, on the banks of the Sabarmati River; here that he revised and refined his moral and political philosophy; here that he conceived and planned the [...]




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Get The Best Minds on Board, Hindustan Times

Years ago, working in the archives in New Delhi, I came across a brief, handwritten, letter from Jawaharlal Nehru to C. Rajagopalachari. It was dated 30th July 1947, and it read: ‘My dear Rajaji, This is to remind you that you have to approach Shanmukham Chetty—this must be done soon. I have seen Ambedkar and [...]




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Is activism against Deepavali firecrackers a one-day campaign against Hinduism?

Air pollution
Why are activists opposing an ‘old tradition’, and why not complain against other festivals? An environmentalist answers.
PTI
The run-up to Deepavali this year saw a fierce debate on religion and tradition versus the environment and pollution. This after the Supreme Court imposed a ban on the sale of firecrackers in New Delhi and NCR in an attempt to curb pollution. With public opinion polarised on the issue, environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman, working with the Vettiver Collective in Chennai, answers some fundamental questions raised in the debate. There are four questions which I am going to address here. The first is - It is just a few days of celebration.  How much harm can it cause? Second - What about the air pollution during the rest of the year? Third – This is a tradition that we have followed for millennia. This was never a problem when we were growing up. Why is it a problem now? Fourth – What about the pollution caused by other festivals? Here's my response. 1. It is just a few days of celebration.  How much harm can it cause? The intensity of the celebration (bursting firecrackers) depends on the number of people bursting, the duration of the celebration and the quantity and type of firecrackers they burst. This can be ameliorated or worsened by weather conditions, and whether you live in a congested area or an open neighbourhood. The unfettered bursting of firecrackers can send air quality plummeting as it did yesterday (Wednesday), when air quality index (AQI) was 15 times worse than satisfactory levels. As I have written, it is a scientific fact that AQI above 400 will harm even healthy people, and may send children and other vulnerable populations to the emergency ward. Even brief exposures to such high levels can cause extreme distress to such people. Our tradition does not teach us to harm others, and I'm sure people who are bursting firecrackers are not doing that to harm others or send children and the elderly to the hospital. They are doing that because they don't know, and are not told that there are healthier ways to celebrate. At such high levels, there is no escape from the killer dust, which will go deep into your bodies and harm you over a long term. The damage due to short exposures to intense pollution can be significant and prolonged. This is particularly so, when the remaining 365 days are also spent in unhealthy conditions, and you allude to that. This brings me to your second challenge. Read: Chennai chokes on Deepavali, air pollution at hazardous levels 2. Why is enough not being done about air pollution during the rest of the year? Why do people cry and shout only during Diwali? You are right that enough is not being done about air pollution during the rest of the year. I work in a collective that lends support to communities in Ennore, a port near Chennai, where coal-fired thermal power plants and heavy vehicle movement has rendered air quality unhealthy throughout the year. No matter how loudly we shout, we are unable to make ourselves heard. We also talk about pollution of the Ennore Creek with oily wastes from the Manali petrochemical refinery. Every day, the refinery and the industrial estate discharges tonnes of toxic, noxious oily wastes into the Ennore Creek and the Bay of Bengal. Fisherfolk have been shouting about it since 1990s. But they are not being heard. It is not because the fisherfolk are not loud enough. Rather it is because we are deaf or unwilling to listen. It was ironic then that when the oil tanker collision sent oily wastes into the Bay of Bengal, all of Chennai was self-righteously indignant. You are right that after Deepavali the air (pollution) clears. When we think that air has returned to normal, air quality levels will still be high enough to harm us. What that should tell us is not that Deepavali pollution should be condoned, but that the pollution during the rest of the year needs to be curbed by tackling its causes – private vehicles, air pollution intensive electricity generation, poor construction practices and inadequate vegetative cover within the city. Also, it is not only during Diwali that we shout. You will notice a similar spike in concern over air pollution in January around Bhogi, when the burning of old things (including tyres) and unfavourable meteorological conditions intensify air pollution. In September, when the Velankanni Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady, the beach in Chennai and all roads leading to Besant Nagar are just trashed by earnest devotees. Clearly the problem is not restricted to any one religion, and all religions and all rituals need to be re-evaluated in light of growing evidence that human lifestyles are harming the environment and humans who need air, water, and food to survive. Also read: Air quality plummets in Hyderabad on Diwali day 3. This is a tradition that we have followed for millennia. This was never a problem when we were growing up. Why are we making it a problem now? This is incorrect. Deepavali is a festival of lights, not a festival of noise and smoke. You are right that bursting firecrackers was a part of the Deepavali ritual when we were growing up. But it was not always that way. Lighting lamps which was an important part of Deepavali is hardly done nowadays, and bursting firecrackers has become more common place. The difference between when we were growing up and now is two-fold: a) There were a lot fewer people. In 1970, India's population was 550 million less than half of what it is now. Chennai had a population of 3 million as against a population of 5 million today – two million additional people live in the same land area. b) Overall, there were fewer people, and disposable incomes were small. Today, the middle class has expanded and the disposable income has increased. Hence, more people bursting more crackers. The same thing that we did a few decades ago with little impact has now become deadly. Traditions are not unchanging. Neither are the changes uniformly bad or good. Complaining about Deepavali's pollution is not an attack on Hindu tradition. It is a plea to change that tradition so that Deepavali can actually become a happy one. But Deepavalis of this loud and smoky kind are not happy for many, and particularly traumatic for animals. We would not permit our children to entertain themselves by stoning a kitten or a puppy; rather, we may teach them to enjoy themselves by petting it or feeding it. Similarly, why can't we kindle the spirit of celebration by engaging in compassionate but equally fun engagements? Why can't Deepavali be a festival of lights – a gentle festival, where we invite friends, sing songs, eat good food? 4. What about pollution caused by festivals of other religions? All our places of worship, and our rituals – irrespective of religion – have become anti-life. Christmas is a vulgar occasion of shopping and gifting things we never knew we needed to people who have no need for any more things. Increasingly, Christmas is less and less about Christ and more and more about shopping. So, you're right that we should be questioning and challenging any practices that make one person's celebration into another person's pain. I can appreciate your angst at the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes. This is done by “followers” of all religions, and there is a prohibition on this beyond 10 p.m. We could do better. Happy Smokeless, Noiseless Deepavali!




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All of Existence Should Be Revered: Hinduism & The Environment

Hinduism is the oldest




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3 musicians to wear jeans and tees at Hindustani classical music concert


Ojas Adhiya, Nandini Shankar and Abhishek Borkar are poised to strike a chord with young urban listeners in Mumbai

For most youngsters, unfamiliar with Hindustani classical music, 'serious', 'formal' and 'boring' are popular adjectives used to define the genre. For as long as we can remember, Hindustani classical, that has given the world several legends, has been performed in sprawling auditoriums — there's not just discipline in the music, but in the attire and in environment as a whole. How would it be then, to see classical being performed in casuals? Turns out, that's not an outrageous thought anymore. First Edition Arts, a Mumbai-based performing arts company is poised to topple status quo with the sole aim of gathering more young, urban listeners. Under a musical series called Come Together, three young Hindustani classical musicians, will slip into casuals and perform for an audience gathered at Cafe Zoe. Starting June 10, this will be a regular series, one in every quarter. While the setting is all-new, the music won't take the fusion route. The first series will feature Abhishek Borkar on the sarod, Nandini Shankar on the violin and Ojas Adhiya on the tabla. The trio will present an instrumental concert in both solo and duet sets.

Catch them young
"When younger musicians try to strike a rapport with young listeners they take the fusion route. We are saying, you don't have to. This music is so exciting on its own, that the young can be hooked," says Devina Dutt, director, First Edition Arts. Six months ago, they had organised something similar at antiSOCIAL at Khar as an experiment, and they were sold out. "We weren't sure of what to expect. But it was a success." That gave them the impetus to take the idea on a larger scale. "The first two sets will be the sarod and tabla. In the third set, Abhishek will invite Nandini to jam with them on stage. The concert will span a little over an hour — not the standard two-and-a-half-hour performance. Young people haven't even heard classical music and they have discarded it. All we are trying to do, is give them a sense of how exciting and rigorous it is. But, in a short dose," Dutt says.


Abhishek Borkar

The protocols will be relaxed too. The bar will be open before and after the concert, and for 20 minutes during the interval. Food and drink services will be terminated during the performance, but, once served, guests can continue with their meal at their tables. "There was no sense in locating it in a space like this and sticking to the rigidity. But, at the same time the character of the music does require attention, it's not the kind that you can hear in the background," she adds.

Break the rules
Ever since the posters of the concert went out, a lot of Shankar's friends and followers on social media have shown interest. The posters, with their vibrant colours and friendly fonts, could well be mistaken for one for a standup gig. "Any new genre is an acquired taste. Over the last couple of years, I have noticed an increase in my young audience. Young listeners are always looking for something new and because most of them have not heard classical music, it is novel to them. If they are exposed to it, they will enjoy it," says the eighth generation violinist. The set-up, she believes, needs to change because "it is important that it appeals to you at first go. That's why the colourful posters. We need to speak the language they understand," adds the 25-year-old. After the concert, the audience can interact with the artists as well. "The milieu becomes more relatable, it's like hanging out with friends. That becomes easier when the age groups are similar. We want to connect on a personal level. In fact, that's the bit I am really looking forward to," adds Shankar.


Nandini Shankar

Tabla ace Adhiya would love to do a Q & A with the audience as well. "That way we can reach out to them and explain what classical music is all about. If they know a few things, they can enjoy it more. And it will all be done in an informal manner," says the 30-year-old who made it to the Limca Book of World Records as the youngest tabla player at the age of 4. Borkar points out that traditionally, Hindustani classical has always been somewhat "intimidating".

"It can appear too proper, rigid and posh, with its sherwanis and bandhgalas. Sometimes I feel even the artists themselves enjoy this air of exclusivity that further distances them from the audience," says the 25-year-old sarod player, adding that he was thrilled about the prospect of performing in casuals. "That's what I wear when I practice or record in a studio. So, why not at a concert? We are even thinking of getting some people to sit on stage if possible," he adds.

Distraction not a concern
The trio believes that the music will be enough to keep people from getting distracted. "It's a new thing for them too, to experience this kind of music in the given setup. And if someone is quietly eating and drinking at their table, that should not bother me. In the olden days, there would be baithaks in people's homes, where classical concerts would be performed. It's the same concept," Adhiya says. Spontaneity will be the key on D-day; the artists will reach the venue, gauge the crowd and accordingly choose the raagas. Borkar says, "I love getting people interested in an instrument they have not seen or heard before. The idea is that if they don't come to our concerts, why don't we go where they hang out? And just because it's unusual that doesn't mean it's wrong."

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates





hindu

Hindustan Zinc Limited - Dividend

Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board......




hindu

Has Christian-born Nayanthara Fully Embraced Hinduism?

Nayanthara, who is a Christian by birth, converted to Hindusim to marry her ex-boyfriend Prabhu Deva, but the actress, with her temple visits, clearly showcases that she did not convert for namesake. Here, we bring you the pictures of her visits to temples in South India.




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From AR Rahman to Simbu’s brother, meet Hindu-born celebrities who converted to Islam in Tamil

Every individual born in the country has the right to choose his religion. A person might have followed a religion by birth, but nothing can stop the person from embracing a new religion.




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Trump turns to God; calls Hindu priest to White House

US President Donald Trump invited faith leaders, including a Hindu priest, to recite prayers at the White House as the country is "engaged in a fierce battle against a very terrible disease." The COVID-19 crisis in the US is worsening with over 1,273,887 confirmed cases as on Friday.




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Over 250 Muslims of 40 families convert to Hinduism in Haryana; here's why

These family members belong to the Dom caste, were forced to embrace Islam under pressure during the time Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.









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Riyaz Naikoo’s killing a shock, says Hizbul Mujahideen boss Syed Salahuddin - Hindustan Times

  1. Riyaz Naikoo’s killing a shock, says Hizbul Mujahideen boss Syed Salahuddin  Hindustan Times
  2. Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin claims responsibility for Handwara attack, says `India has upper ha...  Zee News
  3. DSP among six injured in Budgam as cops, residents clash over lockdown violation  Times of India
  4. View Full coverage on Google News





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J&K Government ducks the Hindu minority benefits issue

The statement from the Mehbooba Mufti government on Monday comes as a jolt to Hindus who comprise more than 28 per cent of the state's population.




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Narendra Modi: Governance and that Hindutva image

Modi seems to prefer that Hindu strongman image remain tucked in reserve, to only come when called; life's been more complicated




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Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai | “Settling” forest rights in “campaign mode” | For Pakistani Hindus in India, hopes start to sour


In this edition we look at a powerful documentary on the Muzaffarnagar communal riots that shook the nation in September 2013, the plight of Pakistani Hindus refugees in Delhi, the intent behind settling the forest rights claims of tribals, the crime, atrocities and discrimination against Dalits which is on  rise, the sad state of our nation's health care system, the message of Pope Francis’s latest Encyclical, and much more.




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Shock & awe on Hindutva Web sites

'There is more introspection already going on on these web sites than in New Delhi and state capitals, and there is more loud thinking than in the endless debates on our television channels.'




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"If anyone speaks about Hinduism, he is branded as a fundamentalist!"


Sir Mark Tully spoke recently in Bangalore on How certain should we be? The problem of religious pluralism. Revathi Siva Kumar caught up with him for this exclusive interview.




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For Pakistani Hindus in India, hopes start to sour


Hundreds of Pakistani Hindus have taken refuge in India, seeking a better life, especially after the present ruling party had promised in its election manifesto to make India the ‘natural home’ for  all persecuted Hindus. But has India kept its word? Devanik Saha meets the refugees to seek an answer.




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Haryana: 40 Muslim families convert to Hinduism




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Hindu Munnani cadre assault DMK man, son




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'If only Hindus are natural citizens, it is a blow to India’s idea of citizenship'




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Sensex, Nifty Slip as Coronavirus Cases Jump; Hindustan Unilever Drops

Indian stocks slid on Thursday, with declines led by banks and Hindustan Unilever, as coronavirus cases in the country crossed 50,000 despite a strict weeks-long lockdown.




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Britain's GlaxoSmithKline to Sell Entire Stake in Hindustan Unilever for Rs 254.8 Billion

GSK has agreed to sell its entire stake in Unilever's Indian business for about 254.8 billion rupees ($3.35 billion) on the open market, cashing in late from the sale of the Horlicks brand.




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Veer Savarkar Believed Some Muslims, And Christians Possess 'All Essential Qualifications of Hindutva', Claims Biography

Savarkar defined his idea of a Hindu resurgence in political terms, not religious.




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We must not ignore the Hindu connection in the 2019 Lok Sabha election

India is not just rising in power, but also in terms of self-confidence in its Dharmic civilisation.




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December 2019: Auspicious Hindu Marriage Dates With Timings

There is a beautiful shloka that is read on the Hindu wedding day - "Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu,Mangalam Garuda Dhwaja,Mangalam Pundari Kaksho,Mangalaya Thanno Hari." When translated in English it means- "May auspiciousness be unto Lord Vishnu,May all auspiciousness be unto the one




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January 2020: Auspicious Dates For Hindu Marriages This Month

In India, it is believed that at weddings too, stars can play an important role as marriages are considered auspicious in which two individuals take vows to share their lives with each other. This is the reason, many people prefer to




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February 2020: Auspicious Dates And Timings For Hindu Weddings In This Month

Marriage is a sacred institution that integrates a man and a woman in a beautiful bond. People in India, believe that in order to make married life blissful, one must make sure if the stars are in the right position. While




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Worshipping Hindu Gods Based On Different Days Of The Week

Hindus believe in worshipping different Gods in different forms. In order to please their deities, they perform several rituals and make offerings for their Gods. But do you know in Hindu mythology, every day of a week is dedicated to




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March 2020: Auspicious Hindu Wedding Dates In This Month

Marriage is not only the union of two people but also about uniting two families. In India, most of us prefer big fat weddings and therefore it is essential to know the auspicious timings to fix the marriage dates. Even though




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April 2020: Auspicious Hindu Wedding Dates In This Month

A marriage is considered to be a sacred union of two souls. It not only unites a couple but also their family members and other things related to them. Due to this, people believe getting married on an auspicious date can




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May 2020: Auspicious Hindu Wedding Dates In This Month

In India marriage is considered to be an extremely sacred bond between two couples and their families. It is believed that getting married on an auspicious day when stars are in the right position can bring marital bliss and prosperity in




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Hindutva is Hinduism that resists

Hindutva is Hinduism that resists. It doesn't matter how plural one is, as soon as one speaks up for Hinduism and defends it against attacks or misrepresentations of others, one would be dubbed "Hindutva" and demonized in the "secular" discourse.




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Hindu priest chants 'Shanti Mantra' at White House as Trump leads National Day of Prayer Service amid COVID-19 pandemic

Pandit Harish Brahmbhatt chanted 'Shanti Mantra' at the invitation of President Donald Trump.




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Majoritarian state : how Hindu nationalism is changing India [Electronic book] / Angana P. Chatterji, Thomas Blom Hansen, and Christophe Jaffrelot.

London : Hurst & Company, 2020.




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Hindustan Oil Exploration Company

Hindustan Oil Exploration Company




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Hinduja National Power Corporation

Hinduja National Power Corporation




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Hinduja Group

Hinduja Group




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Hindustan Construction Company

Hindustan Construction Company




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Hindustan Copper

Hindustan Copper