Telangana Factory Blast: Death Toll Climbs- Negligence Or Systemic Failure?
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Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
Op Sindoor an example to show when fight to maintain Swaraj is needed, says HM Shah
Pune: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the responsibility of creating the India of Shivaji Maharaj's dreams rested with 140 crore Indians, and sometimes, there is a need to fight to protect our 'Swaraj'. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example of this. 'When there was a need to fight for Swaraj, we fought. If there is a need to fight to preserve Swaraj, we will fight. Operation Sindoor is an example of this. But alongside Swaraj, the idea of a great India also encompasses the concept of Shivaji Maharaj,' he stated in his speech after unveiling the statue of the great patriot and symbol of Maratha pride, Shriman Bajirao Peshwa, on the premises of the National Defence Academy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol were among others present on the occasion. 'Our goal should be to create an India where we are number one in the entire world. If there is a personality that inspires effort, dedication and sacrifice for this, it is Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa," he noted. 'PM Modi has given the formula of development and heritage. There have been many personalities in our thousand-year-old culture who keep inspiring us. Their history needs to be given to today's youth. Bajirao never fought for himself. He fought for the country and Swarajya. The British distorted history. Despite having so much prowess and power, Bajirao was a lifelong Peshwa. He fought for Swarajya. In his 40 years of life, he wrote an immortal history that no one will be able to write for many centuries,' said the Home Minister. 'The inspiration that will come from installing the statue of Shrimant Bajirao at the National Defence Academy, where the chiefs of all three armed forces train and graduate, will ensure that no one can touch India's borders,' he asserted. 'Some rules of the art of war never become outdated. The importance of strategy in war, the importance of swiftness, the spirit of dedication, the spirit of patriotism, and the spirit of sacrifice are important. These are what lead armies to victory; only the weapons keep changing. The most exemplary embodiment of all these qualities in 500 years of Indian history is found only in Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa,' said HM Shah. He further stated, 'Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa fought 41 battles in 20 years and did not lose a single one, a record no other commander could match. The most fitting place to install the statue of such a brave warrior, who never let defeat come near him until his death, is the National Defence Academy.' He said the land of Pune is the birthplace of the values of Swaraj. In the 17th century, it was from here that the concept of Swaraj spread across the nation. 'When the time came to fight for Swaraj again in the face of the British, it was Tilak Maharaj who first roared like a lion -- 'Swaraj is my birthright'. The example of how much a person can do for their country in their lifetime was also set by Veer Savarkar from this sacred land of Maharashtra,' he added. HM Shah also connected Bajirao's legacy to the broader historical context, crediting the Maratha warrior and the Peshwas for preserving India's cultural and structural identity through their resistance against external forces. He stated, "Had the battle for Independence that was started by Shivaji Maharaj and taken forward by the Peshwas for 100 years not been fought, India's basic structure would have ceased to exist."
Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Ramleela in Trinidad: An enduring representation of ‘Indianness'
'Our bonds go well beyond geography and generations,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday (July 3) at a community event in Trinidad, calling Lord Ram 'the divine link beyond oceans'. Trinidad and Tobago, a tiny island country in the Caribbean, has a population of around 13 lakh, almost half of which traces its origin to India. The diaspora was brought to the islands as bonded labour in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and brought with them Lord Ram — specifically the tradition of Ramleela, the episodic dramatisation of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. Britain banned slave trade in 1807, and finally abolished slavery in the British Empire in 1834. This created a labour crisis in many British colonies dependent on slave labour — including in Trinidad whose economy revolved around slave-run sugar plantations. In 1838, the enactment of the emancipation legislation in Trinidad was followed by a large-scale emigration of emancipated slaves from the sugar estates. Plantation owners thus turned to indentured labour from India. The very first boatload of indentured Indians came to Trinidad on May 30, 1845. While seen as more humane than slavery, indentured servitude was nonetheless brutal for labourers. 'Agents' back in India would lure unsuspecting Indians with the promise of riches and opportunity, but hold back a part of the labourer's wages till the end of the contract. This effectively ensured that labourers would be under bondage while working in back breaking conditions on plantations in faraway lands. These labourers were colloquially called girmitiyas, a corruption of the word 'agreement' that the labourers had to sign. 'Use of indentured labour from colonies like India… unfolds a story of uneven power relations, between labour in the colonies and capital in the ruling country under State patronage,' economist Sunanda Sen wrote in 'Indentured Labour from India in the Age of Empire' (2016). Indians arrived in Trinidad till about 1917, mostly from present-day eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Indians travelling to distant lands were not able to bring much with them, except for their culture. 'Although Indian Hindus carried only a few belongings to Trinidad, they are said to have brought the Manas [Ramcharitmanas], either in memory or book form,' Paula Richman wrote in her paper 'Ramlila in Trinidad' (2010). Most, she wrote, grew up hearing the text recited and watching it enacted. This is how Ramleela arrived in Trinidad. In villages in the countryside, thronged by Indians speaking Bhojpuri and eating chapatis, Ramleela saw widespread participation of the community. 'Elders who used to play particular roles coach new players. Experts supervise ritual preparation of the grounds. Someone with a large work shed or garage lets the stage crew use it to construct the effigy… Teams of women cook mouth-watering culinary specialties roasted over open fires and served hot each night of the performance,' Richman wrote. Decline and rejuvenation By the later half of the 19th century, however, the popularity of Ramleela began to wane. As formal education spread, Bhojpuri was slowly replaced by English among the Indian population — younger generations were simply not as familiar with the Manas. Urbanisation also played a part. As Indians steadily migrated to urban spaces and erstwhile rural spaces became steadily more urban, many left behind their former social life that revolved around Hindu festivals. But as audiences dwindled, innovation thrived. Today, gender and caste restrictions on participation have been loosened, new dramatic techniques embraced, and dialogue simplified to appeal to younger audiences. And with Indian-origin Trinidadians becoming richer and powerful in the country, Ramleela has enjoyed renewed patronage. Despite changes, however, the essence of the story and performance remain the same. 'The fundamental anchor of Ramlilas in Trinidad remains the Ramcharitmanas… Audiences continue to absorb the teachings of the Manas at Ramlila, whether they realise it or not, and whether they understand Hindi or not,' Richman wrote. In Trinidad, Ramleela remains the foremost representation of one's Indianness, an anchor to one's roots which has evolved over time to become quintessentially Trinidadian. This is an edited version of an article first published in 2023.
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
PM Modi Served Food On 'Sohari Leaf' In Trinidad. India Link And Health Benefits Explained
During PM Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, he was served a ceremonial dinner on a 'Sohari' leaf, hosted by PM Persad-Bissessar A simple leaf turned into a powerful symbol of cultural pride during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, as he was served a ceremonial dinner on a traditional Sohari leaf, a gesture that touched hearts both at home and abroad. The moment, rich in emotion and symbolism, quickly went viral on social media, with hashtags like #PMModi #SohariLeaf #TrinidadVisit trending globally. Hosted by Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the dinner became more than a diplomatic courtesy, it was a celebration of enduring Indian heritage across oceans. The Sohari leaf, used ceremonially by the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean nation, evoked deep emotional resonance. As images of the event flooded social media, Indians across the world remarked how 'India lives wherever Indians do". The roots of this tradition trace back nearly two centuries. Large numbers of Indians arrived in Trinidad and Tobago during the 19th century as indentured labourers under British colonial rule. Over time, despite distance and generations, they preserved their rituals – from festivals to food, language to religion. One such preserved ritual is serving meals on Sohari leaves during weddings, religious ceremonies, and feasts, a practice meant to honour ancestors and retain a link to India. What Is A 'Sohari' Leaf? The Sohari leaf is a large, flat leaf akin to the banana leaf used commonly in southern and eastern India. It is biodegradable, chemical-free, and imbues food with a subtle fragrance. When hot food is served on it, natural antioxidants from the leaf mix into the meal, which is said to aid digestion and enhance taste. The tradition isn't merely nostalgic; it's rooted in ecological wisdom and health benefits. 'Eating on leaves like Sohari or banana is an age-old Indian tradition, not just for aesthetics or rituals, but for health," said Dr Meera Nambiar, an Ayurveda expert. They're hygienic, rich in phytonutrients, and elevate both the physical and spiritual experience of dining, she added. PM Modi Joins In, Social Media Reacts Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the moment on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, posting a photograph of himself seated for the meal. His caption read, 'The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes." The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2025 The post ignited an outpouring of pride. 'This is not just dinner, this is a full-circle moment of culture," wrote one user, while others echoed, 'India is not a country, it's a culture that blooms wherever its people go." While official visits are often marked by formal speeches and protocol, this moment stood apart. Cultural analyst Dr Kavita Ramcharan, based in Port of Spain, explained, 'To serve the Indian Prime Minister food on a Sohari leaf isn't just hospitality. It's a statement, that we remember who we are and where we came from." Even fourth-generation descendants of Indian workers in Trinidad have kept the Sohari tradition alive, using the leaf during Diwali celebrations and pujas. In many households, it's a non-negotiable part of cultural events, just as it is in parts of rural India.
