Waking up to Vishu

By Adithya Ganapathy (Age -12) It is the first day of Medam. Crops are about to be harvested, and then Vishu comes. Vishu, also known as the Malayali New Year, is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala.  It is believed that on this day, Lord Krishna killed Narakasura, a demon. It is also celebrated as the […]

The Goan Carnival: A Festive Extravaganza

By Shree Sauparnika V Every year, just before the beginning of Lent, the coastal state of Goa comes alive with the vivid colours, lively music, and infectious energy of the Carnival. This vibrant festival that takes place in February or March, is a unique celebration that embodies the rich cultural heritage and Portuguese influence in […]

Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule

By Shree Sauparnika V In the 19th century, India was grappling with numerous social issues, including caste discrimination, gender inequality, and a lack of access to education, especially for marginalised communities. At this critical juncture, two remarkable individuals emerged as champions of reform: Savitribai Phule and her husband, Jyotirao Phule. Their tireless efforts towards education […]

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

By Mahima Sankar Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is well-known as the founder of the Maratha Empire, but what of the other leaders who continued his legacy? After Shivaji Maharaj, it was his oldest son – Chhatrapati Sambhaji – who went on to expand his father’s empire, becoming one of the most formidable Maratha leaders.  Read more about the […]

Makara Sankranti in Kumaon

By Vijita Mukherjee Makara Sankranti is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. On this day, known as Uttarayani or Ghughuti (घुघुति) in Kumaon, the sun enters the zodiac sign of ‘Makara’ (Capricorn), and starts to move to the north (uttar). With a change of season, the migratory birds start […]

Uncle Pai: India’s Favourite Storyteller

By Sharanya Iyer Everybody loves a good story, but only some have the true gift of storytelling. One such gifted individual was Anant Pai. So intense was his love for storytelling that he built his entire life around it. Known as the father of the Indian comic industry, Anant Pai was an immensely generous person […]

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya  (1861 – 1946)

He was the man who popularised the slogan Satyameva Jayate, Truth will Triumph. Patriot, educationist, social reformer and lawyer, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya is a towering figure in the story of our independence. His vision and hard work created Benaras Hindu University (BHU). He was a prolific writer and journalist. Pandit Malaviya’s political career saw […]

Tarabai Shinde: The Fiery Feminist

By Nainika Nambiar The 19th century saw a lot of changes in Indian society. It was a time of reform and progress in areas like education, gender equality, caste equality and more. During this phase of promoting an equal society, Tarabai Shinde was one of the very few courageous women who stood up to advocate […]