Innholdsfortegnelse for February 5, 2024 i India Today

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the rituals to consecrate the idol of Balak Ram, in the magnificent new Mandir at Ayodhya on January 22, India turned a chapter in its tumultuous history. It is particularly significant in a country whose history is hardly deficient in epochal and momentous events. But there are many reasons why the pran pratishtha at the new Ram temple looms way above the ordinary scale with which we measure events. Something that was a cause of political conflagrations for over three decades and a contentious dispute between Hindus and Muslims for over a century has now metamorphosed into a spectacular monument. However, it does not fully describe the profound level at which the event seeks to alter the reality of modern India. To be sure,…

➘ Conducted between Jan. 12 and 16 in Urchapal, Paraidhi, Pangur, Tekameta, Musparse and Kukur villages, among others ➘ Joint op by Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guards (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel ➘ 4 Maoists arrested on Jan. 16 after encounter in Kanker district—Aaytu Nureti, 26; Suresh Nuruti, 25; Budhuram Padda, 25 and Manoj Hichami, 22 ➘ 1 Maoist—Todma militia platoon deputy commander, Ratan Kashyap alias Salaam, 31, killed in encounter in Bastar district…

Relocating from one place to another for work is a calculated move. It augurs well for those who are responsible and hardworking. In this case Late Shri Mr. M.G. Jain, moving from Jammu to Gurugram in 1960 proved a wise decision. He started an independent business in 1973 and Mr. Anil Jain joined almost at the same time. With his zeal and passion to excel, Mr. Anil Jain took on his shoulders to create a big conglomerate. The present Chairman of the flagship company Roop Polymers Ltd, he has accumulated more than five decades of fulfilling experience in the arena of rubber and plastic component manufacturing. In addition, he has a true drive to take up philanthropic causes and work for them with tireless zeal. Armed with a BSc. degree…

1528 Babar’s general Mir Baqi builds the Babri Masjid, apparently at the behest of the emperor. Locals believe it was built over a pre-existing Hindu structure 1856-57 Following a communal riot, a railing is set up around the mosque 1858 Nihang Sikhs storm into the mosque and perform rituals 1885 A Nirmohi Akhara monk files a plea in the district court seeking permission to build a temple outside the mosque. It’s rejected 1949 An idol of Ram is installed in the mosque surreptitiously; Hindus begin offering prayers. Local Muslims protest; the city magistrate attaches the property but refrains from removing the idol 1950-1959 Three suits filed by Hindus asking for unrestricted ‘darshan’ 1961 The Sunni Waqf Board submits a claim for regaining possession of the mosque 1984 The VHP launches…

IT was around seven in the morning on January 22, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) was headed towards Bordowa Than, a Vaishnavite monastery in Nagaon district, Assam, the birthplace of 15th century saint Srimanta Sankardev, the state’s most revered social reformer. The visit to the shrine on the same day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was leading the consecration of the Ram idol in Ayodhya was a carefully planned decision. The Congress had declined an invite to the grand event but was not willing to let the Narendra Modi-led BJP paint the Grand Old Party as ‘anti-Hindu’. The visit to Bordowa Than, then, was meant to create a media opportunity to let the people of India know that the Congress may not be part of…

IN THIS SEASON OF TEMPLE AND TEMPLE TOWN makeovers, the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, stole a march over the Ram Temple in Ayo dhya. Or perhaps that was exactly the reason why the Naveen Patnaik government chose to unveil its ambitious temple project—a Rs 800 crore heritage corridor around the 12th century shrine—on January 17, five days ahead of the grand event in Ayodhya on January 22. The early inauguration managed to draw the shrine some attention it would never have been able to attract in the forever afterglow of Ayodhya. And so it was that the Shree Mandira Parikrama Prakalpa—one component of a Rs 4,200 crore project aimed to transform Puri, one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimage centres, into a world-class heritage city—was opened to the public.…

TO TRAP A YEAR IN A HANDFUL OF TRENDS DOES SEEM a bit reductive but an annual forecast is as essential to January as New Year resolutions. Prediction can be a slippery slope in such uncertain times, but with the Spice January issue we hope to offer a foothold on the luxury futurescape. While each segment across our 2024 trend report details its own subtle nuances and road maps, the overarching orientation privileges the hyperlocal, personal eclecticism, a return to tradition, and of course, rarity. We begin, at the source: Food. The most heart warming and interesting development on the culinary map is India’s growing global ascendancy both in terms of popularity and repertoire. Spice charts the path of six Indian chefs across the world who are stirring up a…

Boiling Point If there's a spring 2024 trend worth embracing in a heartbeat it's the boilersuit. Anthony Vaccarello, the designer who rebooted our infatuation with pencil skirts went all out on them in his collection for Saint Laurent, giving a super-luxury look to a wardrobe classic. The shape to have now is long-sleeved and slouchy; imagine a Kwik Fit mechanic with chandelier earrings and scarlet lips. Martini Shorts You don’t need a Tui flight to somewhere hot to get your shorts back on—a Christmas party invitation should suffice. The gods of fashion have decreed that a silky or tailored pair of shorts worn with a long jacket or an oversized top is the new cocktail party essential. This is the micromini trend for women with places to go. The jean…

In Cuba, we don’t have things,” says our guide Edilber, “we can only offer you experiences.” We are at the Rum Museum in Santiago De Cuba relishing a rum named after the eponymous city—Cuba’s second largest—and slowly puffing a Romeo & Julieta cigar. A band uplifts the mood with a rendition of “Guantanamera”, an anthem of sorts in this beatific Caribbean nation. Edilber is indirectly referring to the decades-long US trade blockade and the constant challenges Cubans face because of it. It means that walking into a mercado in Cuba you won’t find Coca Cola or even a packet of potato chips. Not that you need it when you can treat yourselves to a Cuba Libre (try Havana Club rum mixed with local cola), a pina colada or a daiquiri…

For sharp analysis on topical issues by the editors of INDIA TODAY, log on to www.indiatoday.in/india-today-magazine-insight THE BIG STORY Why another Chinese ‘research’ ship in India’s backyard, courtesy Maldives, is cause for alarm By Pradip R. Sagar The docking of vessel ‘Xiang Yang Hong 03’ in the Maldvies only increases India’s apprehensions about China snooping on its military assets under the guise of maritime research in the Indian Ocean Region https://shorturl.at/bcdfS STORY OF THE DAY Why Chhagan Bhujbal is belligerent over move to give Marathas OBC status By Dhaval S. Kulkarni Bhujbal may be attempting a pan-Maharashtra solidarity of OBCs, and in turn challenging the hegemony of Marathas over the state’s political economy https://shorturl.at/cjEZ8 GROUND REPORT: BATTLING MAOISTS How Operation Surya Shakti made inroads into Maoist no-go areas in Chhattisgarh…

In their recent book, Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba propose a development path for India that deviates from the well-trodden sequence countries have historically followed. It is this belief, or the “mould” that has trapped economic thinking (thus most policies and reforms), which needs to be broken if India is to deliver sufficiently high growth to reach middle-income status in the next 25 years. What is the mould? It is the widely accepted view that countries follow a certain path to rise up the value-added chain, namely starting from agriculture, moving to manufacturing and low-end services and eventually to high-end services. This is what early industrialised nations in Europe such as the UK followed, as did the US and, in more recent years, Japan, Korea and China. In fact, there…

“Let’s have the politics of Lord Ram, not politics over Lord”Ram AMISH TRIPATHI Author LOOKING AT THE PAST, the Ram Janmabhoomi temple is symbolic of the resilience of Indian society, and the civilisational resurgence that we have seen for some decades now. This is like a homecoming of Lord Ram all over again, very similar to his return to Ayodhya after his vanvaas in the Ramayana. The temple is, in a way, symbolic of the commitment of our ancestors and a promise to our descendants—our culture will live and thrive. Looking to the future, the temple will be a driver for all that we can be as our nation strives to establish Ram Rajya again. We must use the positive energy unleashed to build a new Ram Rajya, where Dharma…

RAM PATH The 13-km-long, four-lane road connects Sahadatganj in the district to Nayaghat in Ayodhya, also links to Lucknow-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur national highway. Shops and shutters on either side are bedecked with religious symbols; houses are painted in shades of peach with white temple-shaped motifs. Buses and cabs are allowed. BHAKTI PATH A 742-metre-long road from Shringar Ghat to Hanumangarhi and main temple. DHARAM PATH Planned and added later, this four-lane road connects Lata Mangeshkar Chowk to the Lucknow-Gorakhpur highway (NH27). To be lined with 40 ‘Surya Stambhs’—dark grey pillars carved with ‘Sri Ram’ and features showcasing Ayodhya’s history and cultural heritage, topped off with sun-shaped lights. JANMABHOOMI PATH Two-lane road runs along 0.56 km between main temple and Sugreev Qila, where a huge gate has been installed. Walls on either side…

Ananya Panday, at 25, has officially entered the ‘adulting’ club. Or so she’d like to believe. She’s got her own pad, albeit one in the same building as her folks—actor Chunky Panday and Bhavna Panday of Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives fame. “That’s the furthest I will go away from them, at least at this point in my life,” she says. Ananya is currently obsessing over shopping for crockery and hanging with her friends at her new abode. “My house is like a museum right now, because I don’t allow people to eat, wear their shoes or touch anything,” she says with a laugh. Cutting the umbilical cord, she admits, is proving harder than she imagined—she is still sleeping at the family home to be close to her dogs and…

It happens to all of us. We’re hurrying to cross a road or stepping into a shop to buy a pair of socks when—without the slightest warning—we’re whisked away to another time and place. Neither by magic nor by teleportation technology, but by the whiff of frying jalebis or mosquito repellent or raw, splintery wood. It is this magical power of the sense of smell—possibly the most evocative of our five senses—that Divrina Dhingra explores in The Perfume Project. The slim volume is written in a breezy and engaging manner and approaches its subject from various directions. It is an amusing travelogue; a detailed account of the perfume industry in India; an examination of the science of aromatics; and—perhaps most fascinatingly—an attempt to understand why smells are so intertwined with…

BEHOLD! THE WORD IS GOD Hymns of Tukaram Translated by Shanta Gokhale and Jerry Pinto SPEAKING TIGER ₹350; 128 pages This is a selection of 51 abhangas or devotional poems composed in Marathi by the 17th-century Bhakti saint Tukaram, who was a devotee of Vithoba, an avatar of Vishnu. In an interesting approach, each of the abhangas has been translated by both Shanta Gokhale and Jerry Pinto, and the translations appear one after the other, and after the original Marathi in Roman transliteration. For instance, “Aaamhaa ghar dhana shabdaanchicha ratne” is translated by Shanta Gokhale as “Words are the jewels that fill our homes”, while Jerry Pinto’s rendition reads: “Words, our wealth.” CONVERSE Contemporary English Poetry by Indians Edited by Sudeep Sen PIPPA RANN BOOKS ₹899; 616 pages This wide-ranging…

What distinguishes ‘good’ from ‘great’ design isn’t just rooted in aesthetic appeal or versatility of function or even in the use of exquisite materials, but in the mix thereof. And this is where the Paola Navone-designed Chester Moon sofa for Baxter reveals its magic. The upholstery is crafted from the finest Kashmir Lilas leather, which is then carefully hand-stitched so that the skin is as luxurious to the touch as it is a treat for the eyes. Such is the attention to detail that the entire seat, including the back, is treated in the same special way. The exceptional craftsmanship makes the Chester Moon an iconic addition to any décor setting. Inspired by the reinterpretation of a classical model, it’s remarkable how the sofa has managed to seamlessly marry simplicity…

Beyond the cosiness of familiar destinations, the languorous luxury of cruise ships or the adrenaline seeking adventure junkie, there is a growing segment of travel that is looking to expand the idea of a vacation beyond the typical. This burgeoning phenomenon nurtures a growing proclivity for Wellcations, a term that intertwines wellness and vacations, and has rapidly transitioned from a niche interest to a mainstream demand. The Global Wellness Institute projects that the wellness tourism sector could outpace traditional tourism growth substantially. In 2021, the market made an impressive recovery, showing a growth rate that was nearly 50 per cent higher than the overall tourism industry. A Wellcation is more than a conventional getaway; it’s a transformative journey that places emphasis on holistic healing. The concept of wellcations primarily emerged…

Presented by “THIS IS A TEMPLE OF NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS. RAM IS THE FAITH, THE FOUNDATION, THE IDEA, THE LAW AND THE GLORY OF INDIA. RAM IS ETERNAL BUT IS ALSO CONTINUITY”—Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India “WE MUST MAINTAIN GOOD CONDUCT AND END DISPUTES. WE MUST STOP THE HABIT OF FIGHTING OVER THINGS AND LEARN TO LIVE IN HARMONY. THE NATION SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH TRUTH, COMPASSION, WISDOM AND CHARITY”—Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Sarsanghchalak “TO ME, LORD RAM SYMBOLISES THE SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE IN ONESELF, IN SOCIETY AND IN THE NATION. HOW DO WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST INDIVIDUAL, THE BEST SOCIETY AND THE BEST COUNTRY?”—Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Telecommunication and Information Technology “THE RAM MANDIR IS A CULTURAL RECOGNITION THAT WHATEVER WRONG HAPPENED 500 YEARS AGO IS CORRECTED NOW AND…

The celebrations started on the civilian jet aircraft itself that brought us to Ayodhya. The crew chanted Jai Shri Ram on the PA system and the passengers chimed in with mantras, bhajans and Hanuman Chalisa. The newly minted Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was small yet efficient. When we landed, we were welcomed with Jai Shri Ram gamchas and yellow tikas of sandalwood paste by RSS workers. It was like landing at a destination wedding. Garlanded and marked, we were ushered into waiting cars. As we drove down, I was amazed to see how the city stood transformed. The main arterial streets have been widened. All the shopfronts have been painted the colour of Jaipur sandstone and given uniform nameplates with a subtle mandir design on them rather than…

AYODHYA. The name lights up a horizon of thought where the celestial meets the terrestrial—a rich, lambent, ambivalent zone. Is it of this earth, or of the beyond? In India’s supra-rational imagination, it’s both at once. Even in its highest idealisations as a city of paradise, its ethereal light was not devoid of a glint of steel. Prefixed by the negative ‘a-’ in a pattern common to Sanskrit, a-yodhya literally means ‘that which cannot be won in battle’, a place beyond the reach of the warrior’s sword. This is the sense in which it makes its first appearance, in the Atharvaveda, around 1200 BC. Here, Ayodhya is the human body. The metaphor reappears a few centuries later, circa 600 BC, in the Taittiriya Aranyaka—the body, with its eight chakras and…

Ramraj Cotton was founded at Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu by entrepreneur and visionary, Mr K.R. Nagarajan. He started the company with a single, unwavering vision—to deliver quality men's ethnic wear to people in the southern states. While Ramraj Cotton started out small in 1983, Mr Nagarajan's zeal soon helped it scale great heights. Since its inception, Ramraj Cotton has steadily expanded its presence, ushering in a manufacturing revolution and enhancing the significance of our cherished traditional dhotis. With several years of textile marketing experience to back him, the Founder & Chairman of Ramraj Cotton, Mr Nagarajan understood one simple success mantra—the power of branding. He understood that if his product has to stand out, people need to identify it by a brand name. That's how the brand Ramraj was born.…

Market Complex, Daitapadasahi, Badadanda Area: 1.2 acres Vending space for 355 shops Parking for 52 four-wheelers Cost: Rs 49 crore Mahodadhi market complex and commercial/office space, Mochisahi Area: 0.88 acres Vending space for 204 shops (3rd, 4th, and 5th floors are fully air-conditioned) Parking for 90 cars Cost: Rs 50 crore Multi-level car parking-cum-market complex, Jail Road Vending space for 274 shops Parking for 500 four-wheelers and 500 two-wheelers Cost: Rs 82 crore Land acquired Private: 4.9 acres Government: 3.9 acres Shree Jagannath Temple Administration: 8.4 acres Displaced Shops 445, Lodges 30, Mathas 19, Families 282, Persons 663 Street vendors 659 Allotted 440 shops (in Nov. 2023)…

Q How did you find the French novel Le Montecharge from which Merry Christmas is adapted? Earlier, I’d spend Sunday mornings walking through the streets of Churchgate and Fort [in Mumbai] and buy books off footpaths and eventually see a film. That practice is gone as the culture has. Now, I buy books online. What I liked about this was that it’s a very tender story but about crime. It was nice to break away from the twist-turn format of Andhadhun. Q. Vijay Sethupathi has drawn acclaim for his performance in the film. What is it about him as a performer that establishes a connection with audiences? He goes by the moniker Makkal Selvan, which translates to People’s Treasure. He is one-on-one and down-to-earth with everybody he meets. He’s curious…

Four lives are woven skilfully around an art gallery in Manju Kapur’s quietly brilliant seventh novel. Minal, educated and idealistic with her baby, Ellora; Maitrye (Matti), uneducated and unskilled with her baby, Tashi. Then there’s La Galleri itself, a potential space, where commerce and creativity clink wine glasses in the presence of what may or may not be great art. Minal’s husband Alok Sinha is a corporate lawyer and Matti’s husband Krisna is Alok’s fiercely ambitious peon. But the men are mere plot devices in a narrative sculpted by the four main characters and the patterns of tension created by the other women in their lives. Instead of languishing in the trough of two failed romances, Minal accepts an “arranged love” marriage with a peevish, ailing mother-in-law on the ground…

SATHYABAMA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY) CATEGORY — 1 UNIVERSITY BY UGC Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University) is one of India's premier Academic and Research universities that offers multidisciplinary academic programmes in various fields of Engineering, Science, Technology, Architecture, Law, Pharmacy, Dental, Nursing, Management, Arts, Science, Physiotherapy, Allied Health Sciences and Hotel Management. The institution was established in 1987 by Founder Chancellor Dr. Jeppiaar under Sec. 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. It is recognized as a Category I university by UGC, is Accredited with 'A++' Grade by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council and has also received ABET Accreditation. Sathyabama's standing rankings and ratings is unique at the National as well as the International level. There are 15 research centres…

Q. Political biopics have been hard sells in India. Are you hopeful that Main Atal Hoon will change that? There’s a thin line between a political film and a biopic of a politician. There’s, of course, politics in Main Atal Hoon, but he’s also a multidimensional personality; so, there are his thoughts, his journey, the challenges he faces and a focus on his literary side and personal life. There will be things that you didn’t know of. Q. How did you go about embodying a personality who was well known for his oratory and mannerisms? I didn’t want to mimic him. Yes, there were two hours of prosthetics involved and an effort made to catch some speech patterns, but it was more important to nail the internal…his persona, his consciousness,…

Grapewine buzz Whether its philosophy, literature, cheese or olives, the Greeks can reign on any parade. Now apparently, it’s the turn of wines—from Cavino Nemea Agiorgitiko (dry red wine) to Cavino Naoussa Xinomavro (dry red wine), and Cavino Mantineia Moschofilero (aromatic white wine), these nuanced yet approachable Greek table wines serve a plethora of aromas and palates. Price ₹ 1,795; Availability Retail Stores Bare your Sole Sneaker heads have one more reason to rejoice with the latest addition to the Astroloubi range from Christian Louboutin. The mid-cut sneaker for men is a bold contemporary design that flashes signature elements from the Maison, including a CL Varsity logo on the sole, spikes along the back counter, a rubber hook and loop strap, all resting on a two-colour rubber sole. Price on…

You’ve just launched a fabulous spirit. The market is buzzing. Everyone is rushing to grab the bottle and post about it on the Gram and earn a spot of social currency. Your social media team is acing the content game. You’re the talk of the industry and the aficionados for a couple of months. Then, the very next brand that’s launched grabs your market’s attention. Brand loyalty stays, but the excitement diminishes. The onus is now on you to win back their attention and keep the excitement abuzz. And this is how life, read brand cycle, comes full circle… With a virtual tsunami of spirits being launched, brands have to stay on their toes not only to retain their share of the pie, but to do so creatively. That’s where…