Remembering Jallianwala Bagh

by Keya Gupta On 13th April 1919, General Reginald Dyer of the British Indian Army opened fire on a large gathering of people in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. What was a joyful and lively gathering of people for the Baisakhi fair and a peaceful protest against the British Raj, turned into a gruesome scene as the […]

The Final 24 Hours of Bhagat Singh

by Keya Gupta and Shree Sauparnika V.  On the evening of 23rd March 1931, a revolutionary walked to the gallows in Lahore Central Jail singing ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. This was Bhagat Singh, who remains one of the most revered personalities of the Indian freedom struggle.  He was sentenced to death, along with his comrades Shivram Hari Rajguru and Sukhdev Thappar, for the killing of […]

Fasting and Feasting: Ramzan and Eid

by Keya Gupta As the month of Ramzan comes to an end, Muslim communities across India and the world are preparing to end their month-long fasts. The month of Ramzan culminates with Eid, a day of celebrations and togetherness.  Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a calendar that follows the lunar cycle rather […]

Holi Beyond Colours: A Glimpse of Regional Flavours

by Sudhalekshmi M. Most of us visualise Holi as a vibrant festival of colours. While it is true, there is more to the festival beyond colours. Come, let us dive into some regional flavours of Holi which would prompt us to look at the festival with a fresh pair of eyes.  Manjal Kuli or Ukuli from Kerala:  Amidst a festival […]

Keeping Mother Tongues Alive

by Keya Gupta Often, the first words we ever speak are in our mother language. As we grow up, due to school, work, and the internet, we end up going about our daily lives in more ‘useful’ or ‘global’ languages. Slowly, the language of our childhood falls silent. We still understand it, but we might hesitate to speak it.   The fear of such loss led to the creation of International Mother Language […]

AKASHVANI: The Voice that United a Nation

by Shree Sauparnika V For nearly a century, a single sound has resonated through the diverse landscapes of India. Long before the era of glowing screens and instant notifications, there was a wooden box that brought the world to our doorsteps. This is the saga of All India Radio (AIR) — known to millions as […]

The Sound of Service: Military Bands of India 

by Shree Sauparnika V.  Each year on 26 January, the sound of military bands marks India’s Republic Day celebrations along Rajpath (Kartavya Path). From the opening notes of the parade to the final march-past, music sets the rhythm of the nation’s most important ceremonial event. These bands do more than accompany the spectacle—they embody discipline, […]

Uttarayan Skies: The History of Kite Flying in India

by Shree Sauparnika V  Makar Sankranti marks a special moment in the Hindu calendar: the day Surya, the Sun God, begins his northward journey, known as Uttarayan. This celestial shift is deeply significant, symbolising the return of light, warmth, and hope. As the days lengthen, the harvest is gathered, and life moves toward renewal, making it an auspicious time […]