Variety

There is more to life and politics and current affairs. In this section, we attempt to bring you articles that talk about issues and experiences that matter on a more human and personal level

News Reports

Goddess Benzaiten: For ages, the Japanese have worshipped this Buddhist manifestation of the Hindu deity Maa Saraswati

Jhankar Mohta - 26 January, 2023

Did you know that the Japanese Buddhist goddess Benzaiten has origins in the Hindu goddess Maa Saraswati and shares a lot of the same characteristics

Variety

Kidney villages: Know about the illegal kidney-selling markets that once operated in India and are now rampant in Nepal and Afghanistan

Shraddha Pandey - 25 January, 2023

Reportedly, selling kidneys was said to be a woman’s way of earning money in some areas. In many cases, people also sold their kidneys to arrange money for a dowry or pay off loan sharks.

News Reports

Nominal ‘8th Nizam’ buried in Hyderabad after death in Turkey, read about his Ottoman dynasty connection and suppression of Hindus

Gopal Tiwari - 19 January, 2023

Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the nominal eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, was buried at Makka Mosque in Hyderabad after he died in Turkey

News Reports

British historian romanticises ‘love’ of Malwa Sultan – the cowardly Islamic ruler who had abandoned his so-called love leading to her suicide

Gopal Tiwari - 18 January, 2023

British historian romanticizes Malwa Sultan Baz Bahadur’s love for shepherdess Roopmati , didn’t mention that she committed suicide after he abandoned her

Culture and History

Samrat Krishnadevaraya, the greatest and the most famous emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire

अनुपम कुमार सिंह - 18 January, 2023

Emperor Krishnadevaraya was the greatest and most famous emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire

Satire

If New York Times published an Egg Fried Rice recipe, we imagined what it would be like

Amit Kelkar - 17 January, 2023

Modi government is pushing vegetarianism in a country where people even used to do gargle in the morning with leftover chicken curry. In such a scenario, making and eating egg fried rice is an act of resistance, and we resist!

Culture and History

Hari’s Loot: The Kirtan dedicated to Lord Krishna which passes through the streets singing his praises to mark the Sankranti

Dibakar Dutta - 15 January, 2023

Hari's loot is not an isolated ritual. It is preceded by the burning down of a temporary, thatched hut, built on the eve of Poush Parbon.

Culture and History

Watch: Gujarat celebrates Uttarayan; fireworks, kite flying and more

OpIndia Staff - 15 January, 2023

Undhiyu, a traditional spicy winter Gujarati dish, and other local sweets like Chikki and Tal Sakli are among the most popular delicacies during Uttarayan.

News Reports

Odisha governor backs non-Hindu entry into Puri Jagannath Temple despite devotees’ opposition: Here is why they are barred

Shraddha Pandey - 14 January, 2023

Odisha Governor Lal stated that despite knowing that many people are opposed to allowing entry to non-Hindus into the temple, he proposed to allow them entry due to his association with Odisha.

OpIndia Explains