Jhiri Mela – a tribute to a legendary farmer is an annual fair held in Jammu every year in the months of October – November. The fair is celebrated to salute the courage of a farmer, his sacrifice for the liberation of the farming community. The Samadhi of Baba Jit Mal, popularly known as Baba Jitto at Shama Chak Jhiri, …

जन्मदिन का उपहार: “तुम कल स्कूल क्यों नहीं आईं” रमा मैडम ने अंकिता से पूछा? अंकिता का मन हुआ कि वह गायब हो जाए या फिर कहीं छुप जाए। पर कहाँ, ले देकर एक बेंच ही है जहाँ पर वह दूसरे बच्चों के पैरों के पीछे छुपने की कोशिश कर सकती थी पर उसे तो पता ही नहीं चलेगा कि मैडम …

Munshi Prem Chand, the author of the famous books Godan and Kafan passed away on October 8, 1936. In the memory of this prolific writer, many literary societies and associations will celebrate the death anniversary of the literary master on October 8. A literary giant of the Hindi-Urdu literature, he is recognized in India as the fore-most Hindi-Urdu writer of …

The day we came to stay in our new house, Kalindi received us. She was on the steps. Two friendly, green eyes gazed at us. “What a beautiful black cat”! said my younger sister, Meeta. I almost rushed and picked up the soft, tiny creature and said, “Let us call her Kalindi. This is our cat, a present, a prize.” …

What is Dusshera? Dusshera, as the name suggests occurs on the “tenth” day following the Navratri. It is a festival to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and marks the defeat and death of the demon king Ravana in the epic Ramayana. Huge effigies of Ravana are burnt amidst the bangs and booms of firecrackers. In northern India, especially …

Kanya Sankranti: ]The beginning of the sixth month is largely marked by Kanya Sankranti, according to the Hindu Solar Calendar. Sankranti is the time when Sun changes position from one rashi to another. This day is also celebrated as Vishwakarma Jayanti. All the twelve Sankrantis in the year are highly auspicious for alms giving and charity purpose. In Odisha and West …

Dadima’s Stick: The first thing Govind and I noticed as Dadima (paternal grand-mother) came out through the glass doors of the Bombay airport in a wheelchair was the stick in her hand. Dadima had gone to Dubai for a short stay with Gopal Chacha (father’s younger brother). A week later, she had had a fall, and her artificial left hip …

Name: Phoolan Devi (Bandit Queen) Born: 10 August 1963 – Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, India Died: 25 July 2001 (aged 37) New Delhi, Delhi, India (Assassination by shooting) Occupation: Human rights activist, Dacoit, Politician Parents: Devi Din (father); Moola Devi (mother) Spouse(s): Umed Singh, Vikram Mallah, Putti Lal Political party: Samajwadi Party Phoolan Devi (10 August 1963 – 25 July 2001), popularly …

Time: September – October (Hindu month of Aswija) Venue: Vithappa, Bagalkot, Karnataka State, India Significance: Held in honor of Sri Vithappa Highlights: Village fair and religious procession accompanied by drummers Sri Vithappa fair is the popular fair held in the honor of the Vithappa deity in the village Vithappa. The first fair was held 200 years back since then the …

A Chase of Cheers: Mr. Lootgia Ram’s car had been stolen. And old Mr. Ram had gone crazy about it. Uncle Samanta had taken up the case. Of late he had been trying his hand at chasing criminals. At sixty-one he was full of enthusiasm in his new interest. “This must be the work of Karchori Lal,” he observed as …