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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Arunachal celebrates West Bengal statehood day in spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
1 2 3 4 Itanagar: In the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, the statehood day of West Bengal was celebrated at the Raj Bhavan here on Friday. The celebration brought together the Bengali and Gorkha communities of Arunachal Pradesh to showcase the rich heritage of West Bengal. Taking part in the celebrations, Arunachal Pradesh governor KT Parnaik congratulated the people of West Bengal and thanked them for their contributions to the development and progress of Arunachal Pradesh. He said their dedication and cultural vibrancy have enriched the social fabric of the state. Parnaik also acknowledged the pioneering efforts of institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission, along with the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas, in strengthening the education system of Arunachal Pradesh, adding that the Ramakrishna Mission embodies the shared values that bind the people of both states. Highlighting the importance of cultural exchange, the governor said such celebrations provide young students of Arunachal Pradesh a valuable opportunity to learn about the diverse cultures of India. "When children are exposed to the traditions, music, and values of other states, they grow up with greater empathy, understanding, and respect for our nation's unity in diversity," the governor said. The event was marked by cultural presentations by students from the Nrityangan Dance & Music Academy, Itanagar, a Gorkhali dance by Lhamu Dolma Tamang and others, and local folk dance by students of PM SHRI Arunodaya School, Itanagar, traditional Bengali duet folk dance by Techi Ajum of VKV, Itanagar, and Tarh Dai of KV, Itanagar. As a part of the event, the message of West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose was read out. Later, the governor hosted high tea for the participants and interacted with the members of the Bengali and Gorkha communities, praising their efforts to preserve and promote their cultural heritage in their adopted home.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Golden age star, who worked with Sanjeev Kumar, Uttam Kumar, didn't appear in public for 36 years on a holy man's suggestion; rejected Raj Kapoor's ‘personality'
Hollywood actor Great Garbo was one of the biggest stars of the silent films in the 1920s and 1930s. But once she left the movies, she retired from public life and turned into a recluse. No one knew why and people often wondered what prompted a star of her stature to live a lonely life, despite having many fans around the world. Closer home, actor Suchitra Sen went through something similar when she decided to lead a secluded life in the city of Kolkata, where she was widely known and loved. In her heyday, Suchitra was known as Paro from Dilip Kumar-starrer Devdas, the protagonist of Gulzar's Aandhi (who was compared to former PM Indira Gandhi), and her on-screen camaraderie with Uttam Kumar was often compared to the chemistry between Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Suchita primarily worked in Bengali films but she reached a wider audience when she appeared in Hindi films, although she only appeared in a handful of them. But, after her last release in 1978, Pranay Pasha, Suchitra took a retirement from public appearances fully. Many have wondered why she chose to live as a recluse and while some suggest that she never wanted anyone to see her grow old, some have also theorised that there was a deep sadness within her that she did not wish to share with the world. Suchitra was one of the highest paid female actors of her time but as per author Gopal Krishna Roy, who wrote four books on her life, she turned her back on living in a regular society after a holy man told her to do so. Roy shared, in a 2014 chat with NDTV, that after Pranay Pasha flopped, Suchitra was deeply upset about it and headed to Ramakrishna Mission's headquarters near Kolkata. She met a holy man named Bharat Maharaj there and wept for hours. 'I later heard she sat at his feet and wept and wept,' he said and added, 'And Bharat Maharaj told her, 'Ma, ghridho, lobh koro na, don't be greedy. And that, I think, Mrs Sen translated into her own life by becoming a recluse.' Director Buddhadeb Dasgupta, who was an admirer of the actor, told Mint in 2014 that Suchitra, perhaps, wanted to 'remain beautiful for her fans.' 'Maybe, she wanted to remain beautiful for her fans and I see a likeness to Greta Garbo. What surprises me is that she didn't react to anything that happened around the world. Had Satyajit Ray got her to act in his proposed film Debi Chaudhurani maybe we would have seen a different Suchitra Sen, more so because Ray had the ability to get the best acting out of his characters. Maybe she wanted to remain a matinee idol. She did strong, women-centric roles and directors would shape the characters like that. But to be a great actor, you have to come out of that,' he said. ALSO READ | Bollywood star who worked with Rishi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi was arrested for trying to enter an ashram, has been missing for 20 years despite Rishi trying to find him Suchitra was one of the few actors who was offered the chance to work with Ray, and chose not to take it and she did something similar with Raj Kapoor as well. With Ray, when he offered her Debi Chaudhurani, she couldn't commit because he wanted to block a bunch of her dates. She couldn't do that as it would hamper her schedule and the other commitments she had made. Unfortunately, they never got a chance to work together again. In the case of Raj Kapoor, she refused to work with him because she 'did not like his personality.' In a conversation with Amitabh Choudhury for his book Aamar Bondhu Suchitra Sen, she shared that she refused Raj's offer 'almost immediately.' 'In men, I don't look for beauty. I look for intelligence and sharp conversations. I had refused Raj Kapoor's offer almost immediately. He came to my residence offering a lead role and, as I took my seat, he suddenly sat near my foot and offered me a bouquet of roses while offering the role. I rejected the offer. I did not like his personality. The way he behaved – sitting near my foot – did not befit a man,' she said. Suchitra was already married to Dibanath Sen when she was offered her first film. In fact, the offer came via her father-in-law Adinath Sen. But, in 1963, Suchitra and her husband separated, and in 1970, he died during a trip to the US. Their daughter, Moon Moon Sen, was 16 at the time, and Suchitra insisted that Dibanath's remains be brought to Kolkata, so Moon Moon could bid adieu to her late father. After she started living a solitary life in 1978, Suchitra was hardly seen out and about in Kolkata. But, in 1980, when her long-time co-actor and friend Uttam Kumar died, she came out to pay her last respects. Apart from that, she would sometimes be spotted by locals in markets, or on the roads but she would always be careful about walking with a scarf around her face, so no one would recognise her. Such was her resolve about not being in public that when she was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005, she chose not to attend the ceremony. But, despite living a lonely life, her sense of humour never went away. Gopal Krishna Roy, who spent a lot of time with her after she moved away from films, recalled a hilarious anecdote in the same chat with NDTV in 2014. He accompanied her to a gynaecologist's office and after the visit, she confided in him about her conversation with the doctor. He recalled with a laugh, 'Mrs Sen took young Moon Moon on her lap and said, 'Gopal do you know what the doctor told me? The doctor told me I am still… and then she paused. So I said anxiously, what? What? Mrs Sen laughed and said… the doctor said I am still a virgin.' Suchitra left the world the same way she had lived in it for the past 36 years. When she died in 2014 at 82, there was a sea of people on the streets of Kolkata who wanted to catch her last glimpse. But, Suchitra was guarded within a coffin. It was almost like she had made that choice when she was hail and hearty. Nevertheless, her life post-1978 remained a mystery to everyone who knew her as a movie star and the way she detached herself from all the fame, was a constant source of speculation.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
West Bengal statehood day celebrated in Arunachal Raj Bhavan
Itanagar, In the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', the West Bengal Statehood Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at the Raj Bhavan here on Friday, bringing together members of the Bengali and Gorkha communities of Arunachal Pradesh to honour the rich cultural legacy of the eastern state. According to an official statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, the event served as a platform to showcase the traditions, music, and dances of West Bengal while fostering unity through cultural exchange. Taking part in the celebrations, Governor KT Parnaik congratulated the people of West Bengal and thanked them for their contributions to the development and progress of Arunachal Pradesh. He said their dedication and cultural vibrancy have enriched the state's social fabric. Parnaik also acknowledged the pioneering efforts of institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission, along with the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas in strengthening the education system of Arunachal Pradesh, adding that the Ramakrishna Mission represents the shared values that bind the people of both states. Highlighting the importance of cultural exchange, the governor remarked that such celebrations provide young students of Arunachal Pradesh a valuable opportunity to learn about the diverse cultures of India. "When children are exposed to traditions, music, and values of other states, they grow up with greater empathy, understanding, and respect for our nation's unity in diversity," he said. The event was marked by cultural presentations by students from Nrityangan Dance and Music Academy, Itanagar, a Gorkhali dance by Lhamu Dolma Tamang and others, and local folk dance by students of PM SHRI Arunodaya School, Itanagar, traditional Bengali duet folk dance by Techi Ajum of VKV, Itanagar and Tarh Dai of KV, Itanagar. As a part of the event, the message of West Bengal governor Dr CV Ananda Bose was read out. Later, the governor hosted high tea for the participants and interacted with the members of the Bengali and Gorkha communities, praising their efforts to preserve and promote their cultural heritage in their adopted home.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Science
- The Hindu
A.S. Kiran Kumar to speak on ‘ISRO's legacy and beyond' in Mangaluru on June 22
Former Director of ISRO A.S. Kiran Kumar will speak on 'ISRO's legacy and beyond' at a programme to be organised by Ramakrishna Mission at Ramakrishna Mutt in Mangaluru on Sunday, June 22. He will also interact with students on the occasion. The programme, organised in association with Samatha Mahila Balaga, Mangaluru, will be held from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. M.M. Nayak, former Director of the Launch Vehicle Programme Office, ISRO, and former Professor at IISC Bengaluru, will also speak. 'Space on Wheels', a mobile science exhibition presented by U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, will also be featured at the venue. The programme is a confluence of knowledge, science, and inspiration. It is free and open to all, a release from the mission said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Programme on Isro's legacy and beyond on Jun 22
Mangaluru: Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, in association with Samatha Mahila Balaga, Mangaluru, is organising an inspirational programme titled 'Isro's Legacy and Beyond'. This scientific and motivational event will revolve around the extraordinary achievements of India in space technology. The event will be held from 9.30am to 1pm on Sunday, at Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, Ramakrishna Math. The keynote address will be delivered by Padma Shri AS Kiran Kumar, former chairman of Isro, Bengaluru, who will speak on the topic 'Isro's Legacy and Beyond'. The programme will include a talk on the history, achievements, and future vision of Isro, direct interaction with students, and 'Space on Wheels,' a mobile science exhibition will be presented by UR Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. The programme will be graced by Swami Jitakamanandaji, secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru. Kathyayani Bhide, president, Samatha Mahila Balaga, will preside. Sumana Ghate, general manager, Karnataka Bank Ltd, will inaugurate the event. MM Nayak, former director, Launch Vehicle Programme Office, Isro, and former professor, IISs Bengaluru, will deliver the guest address. Vijayalaxmi Rao, Hon president, Samatha Mahila Balaga, will be the guest of honour. This programme is a confluence of knowledge, science, and inspiration. It is free and open to all, especially for students and the public who are passionate about space and science, stated a release.
