Insight: Is Vijay Bahuguna In Control On Uttarakhand?

By Sanjay Singh / Delhi

Sushma Swaraj’s tweet pointing fingers at Uttrakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna’s efficiency or lack of it in rising to the occasion may have sparked off a heated exchange between the Congress and the BJP, first on the Twitter and then through verbal bites, but there are many in the ruling party who share the feelings of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Travelouge: In The Himalayas, Journeys Of Faith And Flowers

By Kavita Rani (Guest Writer)

Deep in the gorge that it carves through the Himalayas, the Alaknanda River rushed beneath a footbridge. On the right bank sat a busy Indian village, Govindghat, its one street lined with spartan hotels and shops brimming with Sikh religious items and souvenirs. On the left bank, a man wearing a frayed sweater-vest and a ski cap greeted me imploringly.

'Banta Lemon Soda': India's Forgotten 'Desi Cool Drink'

By Kajol Singh / Delhi

The Codd-neck bottle, better known as banta, is 141 years old and forgotten in most parts of the world, but in Delhi it refuses to retire.

It is not taste that sells the banta. The entire weight of its popularity rests on the fascination of a marble-stoppered bottle in the 21st century and the brief but satisfying whoosh of carbon dioxide escaping when the marble is pushed to unseal it. That's probably also why Delhi's quintessential street drink will survive the competition from newer entrants on the soft drink scene.

Objectivity Or Gym: What It Takes To Stay Fit In Bollywood?

By Piyasree Dasgupta (Guest Writer)

There are two Bollywoods in our heads. One thrives in theatres and shows Salman Khan dispatching bad guys like they’re Frisbees. Then there’s the other, which is an equivalent of Azkaban to Indian families. The horror stories about Bollywood are many – casting couches, exploitation, poverty – and it doesn’t help to have films like Heroine, in which pretty, intelligent girls turn into cigarette-munching zombies because of Bollywood.

What It Took To Live Through The Horror Of Kedarnath?

By Anubha Bhonsle (Guest writer)

Pilgrimages are difficult journeys. They are designed to be so. It’s the idea of the pilgrimage. An old picture from the 19th century of the Kedarnath Temple from the archives of the Geological Survey of India shows the temple stand tall amidst a landscape of nothing but imposing mountains. Mystics and wanderers have spoken of streams of consciousness and energy flowing in such places. With no distraction, just the vastness of nature all around the pilgrim finds a sense of penance and his self. Over the years, such journeys have become easier, with better transport, road connectivity and Kedarnath is no exception. But still people come from all corners, suffering extremities for days before they reach their destination. And once they do, every hardship, every stiff joint of the body finds itself alive and exhilarating with joy.

Telangana: Is It Show Of Strength Or Demo Of Weakness?

By Ramesh Reddy / Hyderabad

Telangana leaders of the Congress party have used the ‘Telangana Sadhana Sabha’ held at the Nizam College grounds on Sunday for its show of strength. They decided to show that it was not the TRS or the ‘T’ JAC that could mobilize crowds, they could also do it. So, naturally a day’s stay for sight-seeing, Biryani packets, night entertainment and the usual cash payment for shouting Jai Congress, Jai Telangana, Jai Sonia Gandhi, Jai Rahul Gandhi’ etc. were promised to mobilize the people.

Is Actor John Abraham AirAsia Brand Ambassador?

By M H Ahssan / Hyderabad

That’s the buzz doing the rounds right now – that Bollywood star and model John Abraham will be presented shortly as the brand ambassador for AirAsia.

Why John Abraham?

To begin with, there is every likelihood that AirAsia India will be headquartered in, based on various statements — Chennai or Kochi. Whatever the final decision, AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes has made it clear that the airline’s focus will be on the southern markets.

New 'Telangana State' Would Soon Be A Reality: Congress

By M H Ahssan / Hyderabad

Congress leaders from Telangana exuded confidence that the separate Telangana state would soon be a reality. In their first-ever show of strength, Congress leaders held a public meeting here, amid the intensified efforts by the party's central leaders to find a solution to the contentious issue.

Thousands of people from various parts of the region attended the meeting at Nizam College Grounds, bringing traffic to halt in several busy areas in the heart of the city. The meeting urged the party leadership to take a decision on granting separate statehood to the region without any further delay. Senior leaders including those who met party president Sonia Gandhi a few days ago, claimed that the party would soon deliver the separate state.