Telling tales: Books that should be in your reading list
Based on an exhibition of rare maps of Udaipur and Mewar held at the City Palace Museum in Udaipur, this catalogue brings together maps and miniatures from medieval to modern times. Most prominent are riveting archival photos of Mewar, including an album documenting the construction of railways in the princely state.CASTING A SHADOW
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Set to hit Indian bookstores by June-end, this groundbreaking study of Dalit lives examines how caste and caste-based discrimination are experienced around the world. Based on 10 years of research, it spans 15 countries and trains its lens on everything, from 19th-century indentured labourers in the Caribbean to modern-day migrant workers in the Middle East.KEEPING THE FAITH
This new anthology of queer writing from South Asia focuses on the fraught intersection of queerness and faith. Addressing identity and belonging through poetry, memoir and flash fiction, it brings together 24 LGBTQIA+ writers who conjure up worlds which are either fantastical or painfully real.—Compiled by Amit DixitSubscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
This temple in Rajasthan stood against thousands of bombs: The untold story of war, faith and Indian Army
'Sandese aate hain, hume tadpate hain', it's not just a song but the emotions of many! These lyrics are the emotions of every member of a family whose sons and daughters are serving their nations, standing on borders and guarding their homelands with their lives. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Parts of the song, from the blockbuster movie 'Border' were extensively shot near the 1971 Battle of Longewala ground, near Jaisalmer which is also home to the revered Tanot Mata Temple. Tanot Mata is not an ordinary temple. This Hindu temple in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, is located near the border with Pakistan. It is where the Longewala war happened during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 where India came out victorious. Live bombs from the war, the story The temple is unique in many senses as it houses live bombs from the war. During the Indo-Pak war in 1965, the temple was attacked by over 3,000 bombs. But as per local lore, these bombs some missed their target and some did not explode. Soon after, India's Border Security Force (BSF) took charge of the maintenance of the temple and nearby region. Later, in 1971, Tanot was again attacked during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Battle of Longewala). The border was attacked by tanks but they could not get in and went down in the sand. After winning the war, a Vijay Stambha or a Victory tower was built inside the temple. The bombs that did not explode were placed inside the temple. These heavy looking bombs are now put on display on shelves inside the temple covered by glass doors. The tanks are placed close to the temple near the border. There's also a cute cafe called 'Border' cafe and a theater room where only 'Border' (the movie) plays. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Soldiers praying ground This is an important temple for soldiers who regularly pray here. They have immense faith in the deity and believe that the goddess protects them from any harm. It is quite an emotional scene looking at these strong soldiers breaking down in front of the goddess's statue to seek her blessings. Who was Tanot Mata As per history books, the temple was built by the Bhati Rajput King Tanu Rao in 828 AD. And since then, the temple became popular among people of Jaisalmer. As per the Charan records, the deity here is the incarnation of Hinglaj Mata and who later reincarnated as the Karni Mata. Legend has it that a man named Mamadji Charan has no kids. He decided to visit Hinglaj Mata on foot seven times to get a child. Then Hinglaj Mata asked him whether he wanted a son or a daughter, the man asked the goddess herself to take birth at his house in the form of their own kid. Soon after, the man was blessed with seven daughters and one son and one among them was Aavad Mata, also known as Tanot Mata. Victory Memorial and the war museum There is a Victory Memorial and a war museum housing the unexploded Pakistani bombs and tanks. On 16th December every year, the victory of India is celebrated at the temple. Today, the temple along with the war memorial museum are a part of Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Indian Military. It was done to boost border tourism. How to reach By Train : Tanot Mata temple is only 120 km from Jaisalmer city. The Jaisalmer Railway station is the nearest to the temple. Visitors can hire local cabs or taxis to reach here. It takes around two hours to reach. By Air : The closest airport to Tanot Mata is in Jodhpur. From here, you can book cab rentals that take some four hours to reach the city. Best time to visit The best time to explore this temple is between November and January. The weather remains rosy and pleasant during this time. Because the temperature is comfortable, it is easier to explore the temple and nearby regions. So next time you plan a trip to Jaisalmer, make sure you visit Tanot Mata temple.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Kiara Advani once expressed her desire to play Madhubala on screen: 'I don't know enough about her...'
Kiara Advani, now starring in 'War 2' alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, realized her acting passion at age two, idolizing Bollywood icons like Sridevi and Kareena Kapoor. Her Bollywood debut came with 'Fugly' in 2014 after a surprisingly quick audition process. Inspired by Kareena's authenticity, Kiara dreams of portraying Madhubala in a biopic. Kiara Advani has firmly established herself as one of Bollywood's top stars. With War 2, her debut in a major franchise alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR , she's once again in the spotlight—also making headlines for her first-ever bikini scene. But her passion for acting began long before the fame and red carpets. Early Passion for Acting In an old interview with Good Times, Kiara revealed that she realized she wanted to become an actor at a very young age, around two years old. Growing up, she was inspired by Bollywood stars like Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit , and Kareena Kapoor , often dancing and enacting their scenes at home. Her parents noticed her passion and encouraged her to pursue it seriously after completing her graduation, supporting her dream to enter the film industry. The actress made her Bollywood debut in 2014 with Fugly. She landed the role after a single audition, which was quickly approved by the director and producer. Having faced setbacks in previous auditions, Kiara was surprised by how fast everything fell into place. Soon after, she was enrolled in workshops and ready to start filming, marking the beginning of her journey in the film industry. Inspirations and Role Models Over the years, Kiara has often spoken about the actors who inspired her while growing up. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Kareena Kapoor, in particular, holds a special place in her admiration. Kiara has expressed that she finds Kareena's choice of films and her authenticity truly inspiring, noting that her genuine personality and lack of pretence are part of what makes her an enduring icon. Dream Role: Madhubala When asked about biopics she would like to portray, she has said she would love to play Madhubala. She feels there is much to learn about the legendary actress and finds the idea of researching her life and bringing her story to the screen very exciting. Meanwhile, Kiara met the love of her life, actor Sidharth Malhotra on the sets of Shershaah, where their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance. The couple got married on February 7, 2023, in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Last month, they welcomed their first child, a baby girl. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
War 2 Post-Credits Scene Explained: Bobby Deol's Villain Introduces Alia Bhatt's Alpha
Last Updated: War 2's post-credits scene introduces Bobby Deol's villain linked to Alia Bhatt's Alpha, teasing the future of YRF's Spy Universe. Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR's War 2 finally hit theatres today, delivering high-octane action, stylish face-offs, and some big surprises for fans of the YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film also stars Kiara Advani and opened strongly, especially in South India, riding on Jr NTR's star power. While reviews are mixed, the film's post-credit scene has become the hottest talking point, setting the stage for YRF's next big spy outing, Alpha. Spoilers Ahead For War 2 Bobby Deol's Villain Connects To Alia Bhatt's Alpha In the post-credits sequence, Bobby Deol makes a surprise appearance, marking his official entry into the Spy Universe. The scene shows him stamping the logo of an agency on a young girl's hand. When the girl asks what it means, Bobby's character answers, 'Alpha." He explains that Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and their program's motto: 'The first, the fastest, the strongest." ALSO READ | War 2 Review, Rating: Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR Bring Fire But Ayan Mukerji's Spy Thriller Runs Out Of Bullets This intriguing interaction has fuelled speculation online that the young girl may be a younger version of Alia Bhatt's character in Alpha. Bobby Deol is expected to play the main antagonist in the film, possibly with ties to training Alia's character before turning into her nemesis. Fans believe this twist adds a fascinating mentor-turned-enemy dynamic to the upcoming story. War 2 Expands The YRF Spy Universe The post-credits moment has sent fans into a frenzy, as it firmly establishes a bridge between War 2 and Alpha, which also stars Sharvari alongside Alia. By revealing Bobby Deol's villain in advance, YRF has laid the groundwork for a darker, more layered expansion of its Spy Universe. As for War 2 itself, Hrithik Roshan reprises his role as Kabir with effortless charisma, while Jr NTR's Bollywood debut as Vikram/Raghu has been praised for its intensity and screen presence. Critics have pointed out that while the plot feels predictable and the VFX underwhelming at times, the on-screen chemistry between Hrithik and Jr NTR keeps the narrative gripping. Their performances, supported by Anil Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana, create a compelling action spectacle that fans are unlikely to forget soon. With War 2 already pulling strong numbers and setting up Alpha through its post-credit tease, the Spy Universe continues to expand in ambitious new directions. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
