What Happens After the Conference Ends? Stories from the Table, Not the Podium
It was lunchtime and participants had gathered outside the National University Hall to collect their food. The organisers wanted people to form two separate...
Jamal Ahmed ‘Jamal’: A 98-Year-Old Poet Who Met Gandhi, Donated Land and Advocates for Unity
Jamal Ahmed 'Jamal', a 98-year-old hotelier and poet from Kolkata, is a philanthropist who donated land in Bihar for a government hospital. Known for his poetry promoting communal harmony, he reflects on meeting Mahatma Gandhi in 1947 and continues to inspire with his advocacy for peace and unity.
Valentine’s Day Is Not A Christian Festival: Forget the Church, February 14 Has Wilder Roots
Valentine’s Day isn’t a Christian tradition—it has ancient pagan roots in Rome’s Lupercalia festival. The Church rebranded it, replacing love deities with Saint Valentine. Similar to India’s Kamadeva, love’s symbols transcend cultures. So why the outrage? Let’s explore how February 14 became a global celebration of romance and affection.
From Prophet Ibrahim’s Devotion to Modern Celebrations: Understanding Eid ul Adha
Most of us are aware that Eid ul Zoha or Eid-ul-Adha — also known as Bakri-Id — celebrates the unflinching faith of Prophet Abraham...
Cultural Capital Without a Crown: The Case for Kolkata’s Modern Art Museum
Today, on International Museum Day, I was invited by K-MoMA, Kolkata Museum of Modern Art, an organisation that was created by the State Government...
From Kolkata to Kerala: A Journey Through India’s New Year Festivities
In Bengal, the New Year’s Day, Poila Boisakh, was originally set by the Surya Siddhanta during the reign of Raja Shashaka of Gour, 594...
