Latest news with #RichaSharma
India Today
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- India Today
How to make old Delhi-Style chhole at home
Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of love, memories, and the comforting taste of family meals. This year, one homegrown brand is adding an extra dash of nostalgia with its Purani Dilli Chhole Masala a ready-to-cook blend that captures the soul of Old Delhi's bustling for festive feasts, this chhole masala pairs beautifully with fluffy pooris for a traditional breakfast, golden-brown bhature for a hearty lunch, or steaming hot rice for a homely dinner. With its rich aroma and authentic spice profile, it's designed to bring people together over plates of comfort food. To understand what makes this masala special, India Today spoke with Richa Sharma, Co - Founder, CURRYiTadvertisement'We wanted to capture the essence of Purani Dilli- the warmth, the robust spices, and the street-side authenticity — in a way that anyone can recreate at home,' said a company Richa Sharma, Co - Founder They added that the blend is crafted from premium-quality spices and comes with easy cooking instructions, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned home FLAVOUR PROFILEThe Purani Dilli Chhole Masala combines aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, black cardamom, and dried pomegranate seeds, balancing tanginess with earthy heat. The mix is slow-roasted to bring out its depth, ensuring a restaurant-style taste in every OF COOKINGPreparing chhole with this blend is simple — just soak chickpeas, pressure-cook them, and stir in the masala mix as per instructions. In under 30 minutes, you have a festive-worthy dish without compromising on IT'S PERFECT FOR RAKHIRaksha Bandhan is all about togetherness, and food often becomes the centre of the celebration. Serving Purani Dilli-style chhole can turn a simple family meal into a memory-rich experience, evoking the tastes and aromas of Delhi's iconic food Rakhi, the Purani Dilli Chhole Masala is more than just a spice mix — it's an invitation to bring authentic Delhi flavours into your home and celebrate sibling love over hearty, soul-satisfying meals- EndsMust Watch
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress made her debut with Dev Anand, was loved for her innocence and beauty, married a superstar, at 32 she died due to…, her name is..
Actress Richa Sharma, who started her career with Dev Anand's 1985 film 'Hum Naujawan', left this world at the age of just 32. This heroine, who earned a name in the glamour world by working in a few films, struggled with a brain tumor and eventually lost the battle of life. Richa Sharma was also known as Sanjay Dutt's wife, along with her career. Why was Richa Sharma popular? Bollywood superstar Sanjay Dutt married Richa, and the two also had a daughter. But Richa fell ill in the early stages of her career and died during treatment in America. What made Richa Sharma so special? Actress Richa Sharma, with her innocent face, charming manners, and beauty, was born on 6 August 1964 in Delhi to Kailash and Meena Sharma. When she was a child, her parents moved to New York. In 1978, at the age of 14, she met Dev Anand during the New York premiere of the film Des Pardes and, without any hesitation, she requested him to cast her in the film. Impressed by Richa's innocence, Dev Anand also promised her that when she grows up, he will make her a heroine. Dev Anand kept his promise and launched Richa as his heroine in the film 'Hum Naujawan' in 1985. Richa Sharma battled a brain tumor The battle with cancer was extremely difficult for Sharma. According to media reports, it was during her treatment in New York that she found out about her husband's affair. Despite personal turmoil, Sharma showed courage and determination and successfully fought cancer. She returned to India with her daughter in 1992. But this relief did not last long as during her battle with the disease, she recovered several times and fell prey to the disease again several times and said goodbye to this world forever on 10 December 1996. But even today Sanjay Dutt often remembers her. Richa's daughter lives in America.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bill may lead to more litigation rather than addressing core issue, say parents
As the Delhi Assembly passed the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025 on Friday, aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, parents across the city responded with a mix of cautious optimism amid lingering concerns over the issue. While principals largely welcomed the move, many parents questioned its efficacy and pointed to gaps in its implementation. The bill, introduced by the Delhi government, mandates a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism, penalties of up to ₹10 lakh for violations, and a formal role for parents in approving fee structures. While principals largely welcomed the move, many parents questioned its efficacy and pointed to gaps in its implementation. 'This law is welcome as all stakeholders are taken into consideration,' said Richa Sharma, principal of Ramjas International School, RK Puram. 'If you look at the grievance redressal mechanisms, each party has been given a voice. We hope this law brings clarity on the kind of investments schools make for students, so fee hike issues are resolved amicably.' Minakshi Kushawa, principal of Birla Vidya Niketan, Pushp Vihar, also supported the law but stressed the need for reforms in government schools to reduce pressure on private institutions. 'Sometimes the lack of facilities at government schools leaves parents with no choice but to opt for private schools, creating a surplus demand. While this law is a good step, equal attention must be paid to all schools in the long run,' she said. Parents, however, were more sceptical. One of the key sticking points is the provision that only a group comprising at least 15% of aggrieved parents can formally raise concerns under the law. 'We've suggested that any individual parent should be allowed to approach the review committee based on valid documentation,' said Divya Matey, a parent at DPS Dwarka. 'If only a quorum can raise issues, many grievances might never reach the committee.' Mohit Arora, a parent at Salwan Public School in Mayur Vihar, said he received a strike-off notice from the school on the very day the bill was passed. 'The school has asked for fees from March to July 2025 and given us until August 12 to pay. This is despite the bill clearly stating that students cannot be struck off the rolls for fee-related issues. We've paid the authorised amount and requested an audit,' he said. Parent groups also raised concerns about legal restrictions imposed by the bill. 'The formation of so many committees, the provision barring parents from approaching courts, and the requirement of a minimum number of complainants — all of this only makes the process harder,' said Aparajita Gautam, president of the Delhi Parents Association. 'This is likely to result in more litigation and doesn't address the core issue of arbitrary hikes.'
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
A moving tale of belonging in a shifting world!
What happens when life changes in an instant—but the real damage is invisible? In 'Finding Home Again – Our Quest To Belong', debut author Richa Sharma explores that quiet heartbreak with honesty and grace. Set against the backdrop of a train derailment in flood-hit Assam, the novel gently unfolds the emotional journeys of three women—Mridula, Maya, and Kranti—as they deal with loss, memory, and the deeper meaning of home. Mridula is trapped in a relationship she's grown numb to. Maya hides behind denial, afraid of her own grief. Kranti, drawn to Maya, searches for anchoring in uncertain ground. Their paths cross during a shared tragedy, but what truly connects them is an inner ache that many readers will recognise: the feeling of being unmoored, in life and in identity. The three women don't know each other at first. But the tragedy connects their journeys. As they search for loved ones after the accident, each of them begins another kind of search—a personal one. They face old wounds, hard truths, and unspoken emotions. Richa Sharma, an alumna of the Department of Communication, SN School, University of Hyderabad, brings an emotional clarity to her writing. The storytelling allows each character to reveal themselves fully to the reader. The fictional towns of Maajorghat and Sigo Dolung are lovingly crafted, rich in detail and atmosphere. They give the story a grounded, almost timeless feel—rooted in the Northeast yet open enough for every reader to connect. The emotional themes in the book—displacement, belonging, silence, trauma—are heavy. But Richa never lets the story feel weighed down. There are moments of warmth, connection, even humour. The relationships are tender and complicated, especially between the women. There is no forced redemption or perfect ending. But there is hope. And a sense that even small steps forward matter. 'Finding Home Again – Our Quest To Belong' is a novel for readers who appreciate stories that breathe. It's for those who value characters, emotions, and truth. And once you finish the last page, you don't feel like you've just read a novel. You feel like you've been through something. You feel like you've been spoken to—not in grand speeches, but in a voice that's calm, careful, and kind.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Hyderabad author Richa Sharma's book explores ideas of home and identity
A recurring theme in Richa Sharma's debut novel, Finding Home Again (published by Nu Voice Press and distributed by Penguin Random House India), is the search for belonging. Is home the place where one is born and raised? Or is it the space one builds in a new city through education, career, or marriage? Can one truly belong to more than one place, absorbing the best of multiple cultures? Set in the aftermath of a train derailment following floods in Assam, the novel traces characters searching for their loved ones — unfolding deeper ideas of home, identity, and displacement. Richa was raised in Arunachal Pradesh, though her parents hail from Uttar Pradesh. 'My father moved to Arunachal in 1970. As a state government schoolteacher, he helped establish schools in remote interiors,' she says, over coffee at a café in Hyderabad. She and her siblings eventually moved to different cities for higher education. Richa studied journalism, psychology, and literature in Bengaluru before pursuing a Master's in mass communication at the University of Hyderabad — where she met actor Priyadarshi Pulikonda, whom she later married. Her love for books, she says, stems from her parents. 'My mother was a voracious reader,' she recalls, picturing her lost in books at libraries in Agra. 'Her family read and wrote extensively. My father also encouraged me to read.' The storytelling Reflecting on the lasting influence of her mother, whom she lost recently, Richa says, 'Mum wrote poems and even compiled a book of recipes. She was a gifted storyteller, often regaling us with anecdotes about her parents and grandparents —progressive thinkers in the 1940s who defied norms. All of that shaped who I am today.' Both her parents were Hindi teachers, and their empathy left a deep impression on her. 'I remember mom making tea for our house help, noticing when she was upset. Dad, on the other hand, would calmly wait for a snake to slither away rather than harm it. That sensitivity stayed with me.' Shades of these qualities appear in some of the characters in her book. The idea for Finding Home Again took root over a decade ago, inspired by the annual floods in the North East. 'I've witnessed firsthand how the monsoons affect lives in the region, but until recently, much of the country remained unaware of their severity. While studying in Bengaluru, I often had to explain that Arunachal lies beyond Assam.' Several portions of the novel pay homage to the North East — its food, its rhythm, its people — though set in fictional towns. The use of imagined news clippings about floods and a train derailment was a conscious choice, to avoid any direct parallels with real-life tragedies. Richa coined the town names — Maajorghat and Sigo Dolung — with care, wanting them to reflect a sense of place, yet remain unanchored to one specific location. 'Maajorghat refers to a large river bank, and Sigo Dolung to an underground water source in a village. I checked with friends, who in turn asked their elders, to ensure the names felt rooted and authentic.' However, the book does not currently contain a note clarifying that the towns are fictional. 'Maybe we'll include one in the next print run,' she adds thoughtfully. Question of identity Richa admits she once felt a sense of displacement. Her understanding of home and identity evolved over the years. 'At home in Arunachal, we spoke a purer form of Hindi, but with friends, we'd switch to Arunachali Hindi. I often found myself wondering — who am I? Over time, I came to realise that it is possible to belong to more than one place. ' Writing, she says, became the space where she felt most at home. 'I tried various jobs, including a brief stint in journalism, but nothing felt right.' Her novel began as a love story and underwent several transformations across six drafts. After she completed it, Richa submitted the manuscript to numerous publishing houses. 'It was rejected 35 times over two years,' she says. 'Along the way, I was advised to make it pacier, to tone down the characters' internal conflicts. Some said, 'Who wants literary fiction from a debut writer?' But I stayed true to what I believed in.' The story centres on three main characters — Kranti, Maya, and Mridula — each on a journey of search and reckoning. Richa confesses there is a part of her in each of them, and traces of her mother in Maya's mother. The writing process was unhurried. 'I waited for the characters to bloom. I had to be patient enough to see the world through their eyes.' Not every character finds the closure they seek — whether that means reuniting with a loved one or even finding their body after the accident — but they come to terms with their reality. 'Transformation takes time,' she reflects. 'It involves internal conversations.' To write about the aftermath of a train derailment, Richa read extensively on railway accidents and survivor testimonies. 'It was emotionally difficult,' she admits. Through it all, she is grateful for the support she received from her husband Priyadarshi, her in-laws, her sister, and close friends. 'Darshi is an artist — he understands what it takes to create something from the ground up.' Finding Home Again marks the beginning of Richa's journey as a writer. 'There are more ideas brewing,' she says, smiling —'fiction, non-fiction, even poetry.'
