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India.com
17-05-2025
- India.com
Top 7 Must-Visit Places In Visakhapatnam This Summer
Visakhapatnam, popularly called Vizag with love is a cozy coastal city that lies on the eastern seaboard of India. The place is bestowed with scenic beaches, lush greenery and rich cultural heritage making it an ideal destination for summer vacationers who seek a laid-back sojourn or thrilling escapades. Whether you are a nature lover, history aficionado or you just want to go somewhere quiet and peaceful, Visakhapatnam caters to everyone's desires. Here we provide you with some of the best places to visit during summer in Vishakapatnam: 1. Rushikonda Beach Rushikonda Beach located just 8 kms away from the heart of Visakhapatnam city enjoys its reputation as one of the best beaches in town. It has sun-kissed sands and crystal clear blue waters which make it attractive for sunbathing, swimming or even wind surfing and jet skiing over water at this beach. Additionally surrounded by lush green hills these also offer awe-inspiring views and possibilities for trekking adventures. 2. Kailasagiri Hill Park Kailasagiri Hill Park will give you panoramic views of the City and Bay of Bengal too. This picturesque park situated on top of hill comprises manicured gardens, exciting rope-way rides as well as massive statues of Lord Shiva together with Goddess Parvathi. With favourable climatic conditions such as cool breeze visitors can relax here while having picnics with friends and family members. 3. Araku Valley Araku valley is situated about 114 km far away from Visakhapatnam city where one may enjoy refreshing temperatures away from extreme heat associated with summers elsewhere . It is known for its abundant coffee plantations, stunning waterfalls along with tribal culture that tourist could take advantage off during their visit here by riding on Araku Valley Railway which is an exciting train journey, hiking in Anantagiri Hills or visiting tribal museum to learn about local traditions and customs. 4. Simhachalam Temple Lord Narasimha temple commonly known as Simhachalam Temple is a fine example of architectural genius and religious tolerance located at the top of a hill 16 km away from Visakhapatnam. The ancient shrine has intricate carvings and stone pieces that make it so outstanding among other shrines around and in addition to these, there are quiet surroundings with nature sound. Chandanotsavam is an annual festival held here during April-May months, which attracts devotees not only from across the city but also from far off areas. 5. Borra Caves Another underground attraction called Borra caves situated amidst the Anantagiri hills approximately 90 kilometers away from Visakhapatnam serves as the major source of tourist attraction . The caverns are millions year old limestone formations abounding with splendid stalactite action leading to this area being deemed as enchanting landscape while walking through lighted walkways tourists can view natural configurations created by water over time including various geological wonders. 6. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park For family day out choose Indira Gandhi Zoological Park where you will be able to see wide ranges of plant life along with animals variety found here ? This zoo covers an area of 625 acres comprising Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, Indian elephants and other animals. Moreover other entertainment options include toy train rides on children's park facilities for bird watching within premises itself along pathways made inside greenery. 7. Submarine Museum Ramakrishna Beach Road in Vishakhapatnam houses INS Kursura Submarine Museum which tells story about India's naval history across times . It is situated within a retired submarine that was used by navy personnel hence one can expect artifacts related to military service and interactive displays giving an insight into what life it takes for a person living in these submarine. This is a place to see if you are interested in history or would like to learn about how submarines operate during war time. Conclusion The city of Visakhapatnam combines natural beauty, cultural heritage and modern facilities making it one of the best summer holiday destination in India. The town has everything one could want; adventure, relaxation or spiritual awakening among others. Therefore pack your suitcase, get out into the sun and travel in style to Vizag this summer!
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Turbulent, but afloat
The Congress government in Karnataka is all set to mark its second anniversary on March 20 with a mega event in Hosapete in north Karnataka. It has been an eventful two years for the man in the hot seat. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has adroitly managed the State's economy, including the cost of funding the Congress' five 'guarantees'; handled the social welfare agenda; and met developmental and infrastructural needs even if this has meant raising the prices of fuel and liquor to mop up additional resources. His government has rolled out programmes and increased allowances to several segments of society. It has spent close to ₹80,000 crore on the five 'guarantees', including free bus rides for women. It has also successfully conducted a Global Investors' Meet this year and exceeded its target by netting ₹10 lakh crore worth of investments. But the Chief Minister has also weathered many a political storm, including attempts to usurp his post, factionalism in the Congress, alleged scams, and the combined onslaught of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular). His series of troubles began with the alleged multi-crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, which is still under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. This was followed by the alleged illegal allotment of 14 sites (now surrendered) by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to his wife Parvathi; political tensions over the State Backward Classes Commission's Socio-Economic and Educational Survey; and the problem of factionalism. On many occasions, Karnataka also faced social tensions, but the government handled these situations firmly and thwarted attempts to foment caste and communal strife. After its relentless campaign in the 2023 Assembly elections regarding the '40% commission' corruption charges against the previous BJP government, the Congress, ironically, now finds itself tainted in the same manner and seemingly unable to leap ahead on the developmental front. The government set up a judicial inquiry commission to probe the alleged commission in awarding public contracts during the BJP government's tenure. But so far, no conclusive evidence has been found barring some serious lapses and irregularities in COVID-19 management. Meanwhile, the government has also been on a collision course with Raj Bhavan and the Narendra Modi-led Union government. It strongly protested against Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for sanctioning the prosecution of Mr. Siddaramaiah in the MUDA land issue, even while he has not sanctioned prosecution of JD(S) leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy despite repeated requests by the Karnataka Lokayukta. The government also faulted the Governor for withholding Bills passed by the State legislature and for reserving for the President's assent its Bill providing a 4% quota for Muslims (under the Other Backward Classes quota) in public contract works. The Congress dispensation has also often attacked the Modi regime for denying fair share in the devolution of taxes to Karnataka, cutting grants under the 15th Finance Commission, and delaying clearances for long-pending irrigation projects. The government has waded through several law and order issues too. In 2024, a bomb exploded in a café in Bengaluru. The same year, a student, Neha Hiremath, in Hubballi, was stabbed to death; recently, a Hindutva activist, Suhas Shetty, in Mangaluru, was murdered. A few borrowers who were unable to repay loans taken from unregistered microfinance institutions died by suicide. The State Police have also allegedly misused privileges in the gold smuggling case involving actor Ranya Rao. Amid speculation over a possible leadership change, the factions loyal to Mr. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have been involved in shadow fighting in a bid to undermine each other for the last two years. Ultimately, the intervention of All India Congress Committee chief Mallikarjuna Kharge forced the warring factions to calm down, at least for the time being. With India and Pakistan agreeing to a ceasefire, the government has decided to go ahead with its 'Sadhana Samavesha (achievements rally)' on May 20. But going forward, it certainly needs more peace between its factions.
Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ranjini calls Maala Parvathi an ‘opportunist' over controversial remarks trivialising inappropriate behaviour on film sets: ‘Shame on you!'
Condemning Malayalam actor Maala Parvathi's recent remarks in which she purportedly suggested that women should learn how to 'manage' inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, renowned actor Ranjini called her an 'opportunist' who 'supports perpetrators'. Ranjini also stated that she had lost respect for Parvathi with this incident. Recently, Parvathi had drawn significant ire over her comments that seemingly trivialised sexual harassment cases. Many also dubbed her remarks as suggesting that women should not take such incidents seriously all the time and treat them as 'simple jokes'. 'Some people in the cinema don't even understand a simple joke… Nowadays, if someone says something like, 'Let me adjust your blouse,' or 'Shall I come over there?' it turns into this massive stress, and everything seems to fall apart. Why should that be the case? Can't you just say 'Get lost' and move on?,' she said during a chat with a YouTube channel. Several netizens also pointed out that she was indirectly referring to actor Vincy Aloshious' recent allegations, in which she detailed a similar experience from actor Shine Tom Chacko at a film location. 'If we treat every minor incident as a huge deal, how will women sustain themselves in this industry?' Parvathi asked. 'When we step onto the road, lorries and buses are bound to come our way. But if you decide not to cross the road because of that, who really loses out? Similarly, when women enter the workforce, they may inevitably face inappropriate questions and comments — 'Will you come with me? Sleep with me? Join me here?' These are things we must learn to manage. It's a skill,' Parvathi added. While her comments came across to many as victim-blaming, Ranjini wrote a strongly worded response to Parvathi on social media. 'Shame on you Maala Parvathy! You are a trained Psychologist and Lawyer and yet you support perpetrators like these! This shows that you are an opportunist…too sad & I don't have any respect for you (sic),' she noted while sharing photos of Parvathi and Shine Tom Chacko, who was recently arrested on drug charges. After her remarks snowballed into a controversy, Parvathi also issued a clarification, explaining that she was simply highlighting the importance of responding immediately. 'What I meant was that actresses should react promptly when they face inappropriate behaviour. Vincy should have responded then and there, instead of carrying the humiliation in her mind. Why are girls afraid to speak up in such matters? People are now attributing statements to me that I never intended, things I wouldn't even dream of saying,' Kerala Kaumudi quoted her as saying.
The National
21-02-2025
- General
- The National
Maha Shivratri 2025: When is the Hindu festival and why is it more significant this year?
Every year, Hindus around the world celebrate Maha Shivratri, a festival dedicated to Shiva, one of their principal deities. Not to be confused with Shivratri or "night of Shiva", which occurs on the darkest day of every lunar month, Maha Shivratri or "the great night of Shiva" is observed yearly when millions of devotees fast and offer their prayers. Many Hindus believe Maha Shivratri commemorates the day Shiva, who's known as the creator and destroyer of the universe, performed the Tandava, the divine dance of creation and destruction. Some also believe it to be the day Shiva married the goddess Parvathi. Maha Shivratri is considered one of the most auspicious nights in the calendar year when observers believe they can be blessed with diving cosmic energies. It also signifies the triumph of light over dark. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 13th night of Phalguna, the 12th month in the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to around February/March in the Gregorian calendar. While the exact date changes every year, this year it falls on February 26. In India, celebrations take on many forms depending on the region. While the main event at night is usually a solemn one, when devotees stay up all night praying and meditating, the days leading up to it are often filled with raucous religious processions and dances. Devotees throng to temples dedicated to Shiva to offer their prayers, some dressed as the deity and his many embodiments, including his 10-arm form. In southern India, some devotees take part in marathon processions, visiting multiple Shiva temples on foot. Maha Shivratri is an official holiday in Nepal, but it is not recognised as such in India. This year, Maha Shivratri falls on the last day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, a Hindu religious gathering that occurs every 12 years. Touted as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, millions of Hindus have been gathering for the past three weeks at Prayagraj, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, to bathe and perform rituals at the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Indian authorities earlier said more than 400 million people, including tourists, were expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela this year. A vast ground spread over 40 square kilometres along the banks of the rivers has been converted into a sprawling tent city equipped with about 3,000 kitchens and 150,000 restrooms. Divided into 25 sections, the tent city also has housing, roads, electricity, water, communication towers and 11 hospitals. Traditionally, Kumbh Melas are held every three years on dates prescribed by astrology and cycle between four riverbank pilgrimage sites – Prayagraj, Haridwar (along the river Ganges), Nashik (along the river Godavari) and Ujjain (along the river Shipra). The most auspicious of these occurs in cycles of 12 years and is called the Maha Kumbh Mela ('maha' meaning 'great' in Hindi) and is only held in Prayagraj.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Malaysia's Hindus mark Thaipusam festival with fervour
Hundreds of thousands of Hindus flocked to temples across Malaysia to celebrate the Thaipusam festival Tuesday, with many piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers in acts of devotion. Thaipusam is marked with particular zest in multicultural Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation where ethnic Indians make up about seven percent of the 34 million population. One of the most important religious festivals for primarily Tamil Hindus, the event commemorates the day when the goddess Parvathi gave her son Lord Murugan a powerful lance to fight evil demons. The festival is also celebrated in India, Singapore and other areas with large Hindu Tamil communities. Celebrations centred, as they have for more than a century, at the Batu Caves complex on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur. Devotees bearing offerings such as milk pots or carrying elaborate and heavy metal structures called "kavadis" walked barefoot up 272 steps to reach the temple at Batu Caves. Some kavadis can weigh as much as 100 kilogrammes (220 pounds) and those bearing the structures often gyrate to the beat provided by percussionists alongside religious chants and devotional folk songs. Some worshippers pierce themselves with skewers or hang hooks and chains from their bodies in acts of penance. "We will pray every day but once our prayers are a success, we say thank you to Lord Murugan. We are carrying the kavadis and milk pots to fulfil our vows," said Revathi Ramasundra, 45, a senior nurse. Businessman Mahendran Masialamoney, who was at the temple complex, told AFP: "This year, I prayed for my children's education as well as my career prospects." str-skc/jhe/cms/lb
