Latest news with #Curzon
Scroll.in
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
A new book recounts the formation of the Berlin Indian Independence Committee in 1914
The Germans exhibited no particular interest in India before 1886. That year, they established consular relations with India by opening their first-ever embassy in Calcutta (the capital of British India then). Later, they sent only their best officers, adept at foreign dealings, to take care of affairs with India. They were in a strong position in Europe while Britain stood isolated despite its conquests, guarding its own, lacking the trust of its peers, amongst whom they failed to generate neither faith nor friendship. Along with their suspicions about Russia, France and Japan, Britain was also wary about Turkey with its Pan-Islamism, which invoked the trust of the 85 million Muslims of India. The empire feared the Muslim community and had so far kept them out of the army, reposing its trust in Sikhs, who had not forsaken it in 1857, and the Gurkhas for their loyalty. Muslims in India respected the caliphate and there had been reports of people from the Ottoman Empire instigating Indian Muslims to revolt against British rule. Turkey had just won the war against Greece with the Greeks accepting an armistice on 20 May 1897. The sound of celebrations had reverberated in India too. The Muslim majority in India was angry with the Queen for not supporting the caliphate in the war against Greece and later favouring the Armenians in another conflict. Britain did try a rapprochement of sorts by sending medical missions to Turkey and helping them out with financial aid. But whether this was enough for them to garner the sympathies of their Islamic counterparts would be seen later. It was a question of millions of Muslims who could be easily aroused and angered by outside influences. There was another fear of Russia conquering Turkey and then taking along the Muslim population to invade India. The Germans were keeping a tab on these fears but not meddling with them or provoking them to raise the intensity. Germany, at least on the face of it, did not seem as if they desired India's freedom. The emperor of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was always full of praise for Lord Curzon. He had a motive that would be revealed later. The idea of the white man's supremacy was not lost on the Kaiser and he firmly believed in it. The maintenance and expansion of the British Empire was a dream Curzon visualised with his eyes wide open. He would not let the Russians, the French, the Japanese or even the Germans have a share of what he deemed was the right of the empire. The Persian Gulf was one such area of his interest where he would not let others carry out operations. He had even extracted a secret agreement from Mubarak, the Sheikh of Kuwait, to not let any foreign power conduct operations in the Persian Gulf without British consent. The Kaiser's praise for Lord Curzon, and his desire to have some kind of control over India, was known to Britain and they were wary of the Germans. They did not trust the Germans or their word. There was only an outward show of love and affection between the two nations. The Germans, when they started with their expansionist programme, needed British help to create business in Indian territory. They did not want to antagonise the empire by working against them but on the contrary, they had extended a hand of help when India suffered a famine in early 1900. The Kaiser pledged a sum of half a million marks by sending a telegram to the Queen and Lord Curzon. Lord Curzon too did not lose the opportunity to thank the Kaiser publicly for this generous offer, but this kindness did not wash away the distrust from the mind of the empire. And though the Kaiser wanted to erase this British antipathy at least from India, it was not successful. Germany wanted Lord Curzon to allow Indian immigrant labour to settle in German East Africa, their African colony that was reeling from a labour shortage. This area, spread around 3,85,000 square miles, amounted to twice the size of the German Empire in Europe. Here they had plans to grow rubber, sisal, cotton and coffee. The African wars had taken a toll on the men, leading to a crunch in manpower. The Germans wanted to employ Indian labour to change the prospects of this land, but their hopes could not materialise because the final approval from the viceroy never arrived. They were able to establish illegal colonies of Indian labourers with the help of the Aga Khan, the influential Muslim religious figure. Lord Curzon was so firm in his disapproval that when he came to know about this proposed plan, the Aga Khan had to let it go because there were issues that could not be settled and Indian immigrants could not be accommodated in German East Africa at that time. In the coming years, Indians did follow the Germans and ended up making East Africa their home, adding to the economy by working as traders and artisans. The Kaiser also needed Curzon to approve the high-profile Baghdad Railway project in the Persian Gulf area, a possession very dear to Curzon where he wanted no intrusion despite the reservations of the British authorities in London, who deemed this obsession unnecessary. The Kaiser did get the nod for the Baghdad Railway in the area of the Persian Gulf, which now saw Russian activity as well, but this project would run into difficulties after the Entente powers resolved their differences. Britain, in 1905, included the safeguard of India in its already continuing treaty with Japan. The issues with Russia too were being sorted out as it no longer posed a threat and assured support against any infringement on Indian territory by the signing of a treaty. Thus, the trio of England, Russia and Japan grew strong, painting a grim picture for Germany, who felt that it was being targeted by them along with other European nations for being too ambitious and carrying on its expansionist policies. The Austro-Hungarians were the only ones it could count on as its friends. In the later part of 1907, Germany's fears about this deliberate encirclement policy proved right when England raised fresh objections to the continuation of the Baghdad Railway project. Britain wanted the last stretch of the railways to be handed over to them because it feared that it posed a threat to Indian security. The Kaiser had objected and rebuked them for this folly. The makings of war had begun. Another German fear was the use of the railway for sending Turkish troops into Indian territory in the scenario of a conflict and Turkey lending support to England. That Pan-Islamic Turkey would seek the support of its ardent Muslim followers in India was feared by Britain as well as Russia. The Germans were keeping a tab on the growing friendship between Britain and Russia after the opening of the Russian consulate in Calcutta and the favours being bestowed on them. Along with it, they saw the rise of Indian nationalism, which evoked a curious interest in them. Their prestige rose in the eyes of the Indian Muslim who connected the dots by placing Turkish-German friendliness on an exalted frame. In the Greco-Turkish War, when Turkey won, Kaiser Wilhelm supported them. He negotiated with Greece for the autonomy of one of their islands and refrained from working out an armistice, defying the diktats of Queen Victoria. This attitude of Germany was seen as a sympathetic gesture towards the Turks. Different camps were in the making – the Entente powers or Allied powers versus the Central powers. If Germany had enjoyed the pre-war period with aplomb by making great strides into the Indian economy, garnering business of DM105 million in exports, now was the time to rethink its strategy. The Indian plight from which it had disengaged itself, being a votary of imperialism, suddenly began to haunt them. Educated Indians impressed them with their prowess and intelligence. Indian oppression was beginning to look real and their fight for rights appeared just. There was a sea change in German attitude as the clouds of war began hovering over the horizon, making them see an enemy's enemy as their friend. The Germans would eventually invest themselves in India's independence struggle. Now that war was on the cards, it wanted to weaken the defence of the enemy at all costs, hoping to win or at least expecting a rapprochement from the enemy side. Indian revolutionaries working in London, Paris and other European cities were being hounded by British authorities putting a check on their activities. They drifted towards Berlin, which by now was ready to welcome them. Help from Germany was initially sought by Bengali revolutionaries and groups such as the Dacca Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar, but the right time for this association coupled with German interest only arrived after the initiation of the First World War in July 1914. The Indian National Party, later known as the Berlin Indian Independence Committee, came into existence towards the end of 1914 with Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, who was studying in Germany in early 1914, as its architect. Virendranath Chattopadhyaya was closely involved with Shyamaji Krishnavarma's India House earlier and was a close friend of Savarkar.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Watch: What is the Official Secrets Act?
Watch: What is the Official Secrets Act? | Explained The Official Secrets Act — or OSA — has its roots in the British colonial era. Its earliest version was the Indian Official Secrets Act of 1889. This was brought in to muzzle Indian-language newspapers that were exposing the policies of the British Raj, fuelling political consciousness, and resisting colonial rule. The law was made even more stringent in 1904, under Viceroy Lord Curzon. And the version we follow today was passed in 1923 — a century ago. After Independence, India retained the OSA to deal with secrecy and confidentiality in governance, especially in matters of national security. How does the OSA still shape state secrecy in India today? Presentation: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Video: Thamodharan B Script and editing: Shikha Kumari A
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
One of UK's oldest cinemas first built in the 1930s in stunning Art Deco building to SHUT after bitter legal dispute
The cinema will be improved with new features LIGHTS OFF One of UK's oldest cinemas first built in the 1930s in stunning Art Deco building to SHUT after bitter legal dispute Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN HISTORIC cinema is set to shut down after several years of bitter legal disputes. The cinema will be closing for redevelopments almost a century after it was built in 1934. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Curzon Mayfair was built in 1934 Credit: Alamy 3 Curzon no longer manage the site following years of legal disputes Credit: Alamy 3 It will retain its two screens, as well as getting a bar and restaurant Credit: Alamy After years of legal disputes, the Curzon Mayfair in London has withdrawn from litigation, allowing for the site to be redeveloped which is expected to begin in January 2026. Curzon had spent several years trying to negotiate a new long-term lease with the landlord before it expired in March 2024. A petition to save the cinema was signed by more than 20,000 people who enjoy regular premiere screenings, with directors like Stephen Spielberg attending for his film The Fablemans. Now though, the landlord will be going ahead with plans to refurbish the building themselves, meaning Curzon will no longer run the cinema. In a recent statement, Curzon said: "Sadly, Curzon has concluded that it had no option but to withdraw its legal challenge to the landlord's plans, given the risk of meeting the landlord's enormous legal costs should the challenge prove unsuccessful." They previously expressed concern that: "Curzon Mayfair will become no more than a glorified private members' club rather than a cinema and an iconic cultural institution will be lost forever." The site will be taken over by Fantasio, a development company with a successful history in rejuvenating London social spaces. CEO Dan Zaum said in a statement: "We are passionate about creating London's ultimate cinema experience. "The Mayfair cinema will always have film at its heart - and will become a vibrant venue serving the wider community, creatively, socially, educationally and beyond." They previously promised to spend £15 million on refurbishing the site, hoping to restore the cinema's original features and install new audio and visual screen technology. Final Destination Bloodlines Official Trailer The cinema itself will keep its two screens, while a new bar and dine-in restaurant will be built to enhance the movie-going experience. In a 2023 statement, the CEO of Fantasio said: "I see the Mayfair cinema being reinstated to its former glory and reinventing the art of cinema-going. "This iconic piece of architecture and integral part of London's cinematic history is yearning for revival." They also promised "a wide range of ticket prices" to ensure "that no-one feels this beautiful cinema is beyond their budget." Curzon criticised the landlord's plans, concerned that the cost of development would lead to expensive ticket prices and a "private members' club for the super-wealthy." They also fought back against Fantasio's claims that the cinema was in decline. They said: "Any suggestion by the landlord that it is a venue in decline is demonstrably false." Instead, they said they had experienced 25 per cent year-on-year growth in ticket sales over the past financial quarter. Fantasio previously successfully refurbished KOKO in Camden in a three year project that was delayed by fire and water damage. KOKO's redevelopment cost £70 million and was celebrated with reopening parties by the likes of Jorja Smith and Pete Doherty. They also oversaw the redevelopment of The Ned and The Wolseley, both iconic London venues that have had a new lease of life since the redevelopment.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Steve Coogan greeted penguins every day of filming for The Penguin Lessons
Steve Coogan used to 'greet' and 'chat' to penguins every day of filming for The Penguin Lessons, describing them as 'relaxing' on set. Speaking at the movie's premiere at the Curzon in Mayfair, the 59-year-old actor and comedian said the penguins transformed the energy of the set by making it a serene environment. Set in 1976, the film follows the true story of Englishman Tom Michell, played by Coogan, whose life changes after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach in a divided Argentina. Coogan told the PA news agency: 'I actually found it quite relaxing. I thought it would be chaotic, but in actual fact, when you have a penguin on set you have to look after the penguin's welfare. 'So I would greet the penguins every day with my coffee and have a chat with them and stroke them and talk to them and get them used to my voice. So in actual fact, it sort of took my mind off the acting. 'The penguin becomes this catalyst for people changing their behaviour. It actually happened on set because everyone calmed down a bit. And problems weren't loud problems, they're problems you could solve quietly. The opposite of what I expected, which was chaos, was that it was quite serene. 'And penguins are quite Zen. We project a lot on to them. When you're talking about mental health and anxiety, well, penguins aren't worried about what happened yesterday or not anxious about what's going to happen tomorrow. They're just living in the moment being a penguin. So something we can draw from that.' Directed by The Full Monty's Peter Cattaneo, the film also stars The Two Popes' actor Sir Jonathan Pryce, who plays headmaster Buckle. Coogan is best known for portraying Alan Partridge, a parody of British broadcasters, and starred in the 2013 feature film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. He said he hoped audiences would leave The Penguin Lessons with a sense of 'optimism' to help make the world a little better. He added: 'We live in these rather bleak times at the moment when people are anxious about populism sweeping the world, and I hope that people find some sort of positivity in it (the film), because it's worth engaging in the conversation, even if you think that the idiots are in charge. 'I hope they (audiences) find something hopeful, not naive, not sort of saccharin-coated anything, just a genuine sort of optimism in terms of, the world isn't perfect, but that doesn't mean it's not worth trying to make it better, even in a small way.' The film is an adaptation of the memoir of the same name by Cornish author Michell, about his trip to South America in the 1970s where he saved a penguin's life and brought it back to Argentina through customs. Speaking at the premiere, Michell said he could not believe something he did on 'impulse' years ago has become so impactful. He said: 'It's been a most extraordinary story. Fifty years ago, I picked up a penguin, and the ripples of that are still flushing around, and they're here today. 'The whole thing is quite unreal. 'I'm delighted with the adaptation. I think in some ways they (the book and the film) are different, but I think in some ways the film might even be better.' The Penguin Lessons will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on April 18.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Bridget Jones film surpasses Barbie in advance UK box office sales
The forthcoming Bridget Jones movie, Mad About The Boy, is off to a promising start at the box office, with pre-release tickets already outselling Greta Gerwig's blockbuster movie Barbie. According to data shared by two major UK cinema chains one week ahead of the film's 13 February release, the film was already outselling Barbie in the comparative pre-sale period. Odeon has reported sales of around 70,000 tickets, outselling Barbie in the same period. The company told Screen Daily that 20 per cent of tickets had been sold for the Thursday preview day, and around a third for Valentine's Day (14 February). Curzon has said that advance sales of the film were 20 per cent ahead of Barbie's sales in the same period. Damian Spandley, managing director of programming and sales at Curzon, has credited the film's pre-release sales due to the smart Valentine's Day scheduling. Digital Cinema Media projects the film to rank third at the UK and Ireland box office this year, behind Disney's Avatar: Fire And Ash (19 December release) and Universal's Wicked: For Good (21 November release). However, it's unlikely that the film will surpass total UK and Ireland box office sales of Gerwig's Barbie, which saw huge fanfare at the time of release, with fans arriving at cinemas dressed in Barbie pink. During its opening weekend in the UK and Ireland, Barbie made £18.4 million at the box office, and £95.7 million in total. Forecasts for UK and Ireland opening weekend box office for Mad About The Boy are in line with the £8.1 million achieved by the third film, Bridget Jones's Baby in 2016. The promising early sales for Mad About The Boy could be explained by the anticipation that comes with the nine-year gap from the last film, with the Valentine's Day timing drawing in 'Galentine's' audiences – groups of female friends celebrating 14 February together. The fourth film in the franchise, based on Helen Fielding's 2013 book, sees Bridget navigate 'life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover Daniel. Back to work and on the dating apps, following the death of her husband and father of her children, Mark Darcy'. Uproar over the death of Colin Firth's Mark Darcy made front page news when Fielding's novel was published in 2013. Early film viewers have been left similarly distressed, with many leaving the cinema in tears. Speaking to The Guardian, Zellweger – who has played the titular character since 2001 – admitted Darcy's death had a huge emotional impact on her, too, leaving her feeling 'rotten'. 'I was a crazy person mourning this fictional character,' she said. 'I was weeping.' 'It was also for that shared experience with Colin,' the Oscar-winning actor added. 'Seeing him in his suit and beautiful coat, with his briefcase, looking dapper and very Mark Darcy. 'This is the end…we don't get to do this anymore,' Zellweger said. Following Darcy's death, Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays her son's science teacher, and Leo Woodall are in the film as love interests for Bridget. Speaking at the movie's London premiere this week, Zellweger addressed the age gap between her 51-year-old Bridget and Woodall's 29-year-old Roxster. 'I mean, I think it's nothing new,' she told Variety. 'But maybe the social taboos are melting away… it's never a bad thing. There's certain things that we probably don't need to have opinions about, and where people find love… why would that ever be a problem?'
