
Kargil veteran Col H P Singh releases book in Chandigarh: ‘In the Army, discipline & routine define you'
The book, 'A Life Unfiltered: Wedded to Sabre, Flirting with Quill', is a collection of sixty articles written by the former Army officer rooted in personal experience, wit, philosophy and raw emotion.
Col Singh takes readers on a captivating journey — from childhood memories at a boarding school to life-defining moments in combat zones and helicopter cockpits. His stories, written over a decade and many previously published in leading newspapers, are rich in humour, introspection and philosophical insight.
'In the Army, discipline and routine define you. Writing, for me, became a release — a distillation of thought. This book isn't just about my life. It's about our shared experiences, our small joys, stumbles and triumphs. If even one reader feels inspired to pick up a pen after reading it, I will consider the mission accomplished,' said Col HP Singh.
The book reflects on themes as diverse as loss, camaraderie, humour, marriage, the pandemic and philosophical dilemmas.
'I wanted to move beyond being boxed into 'military writing'. Life offers a broader canvas — and I've tried to explore it with empathy and honesty,' the Colonel explained.
In his comments on the book, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, said, 'Colonel Harvinder Pal Singh, a decorated Army officer and accomplished writer, blends rich life experiences into his book. Spanning childhood, military service, and personal reflections, the articles captivate with humour, insight, and depth, leaving readers eagerly awaiting a sequel.'
Col Singh is a fourth-generation soldier, an alumnus of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and NDA, Khadakvasla. A Kargil War veteran, helicopter pilot, and decorated officer, he has served extensively in high-conflict zones, including Siachen and Kashmir.
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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Why Centre banned 25 OTT platforms
New Delhi: The government has blocked 25 over-the-top entertainment platforms for hosting obscene, vulgar and pornographic content, in a sweeping crackdown on unlawful digital entertainment that officials say violates multiple laws and degrades women. The blocking order, passed on July 23 by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), targets both established and emerging platforms including Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, Desiflix and 21 others. The blocking order, passed on July 23 by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), targets both established and emerging platforms including Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, Desiflix and 21 others. The action covers 26 websites and 14 mobile applications, with nine apps removed from the Google Play Store and five from the Apple App Store. The ministry acted under section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, which empowers the government to direct intermediaries to remove access to unlawful content when they fail to respond to official notices, two MIB officials told HT. 'The legal provision under which this ban was issued assumes importance, since the Government's reliance upon Section 79(3)(b) for ordering online content takedowns is currently under challenge. A petition filed by X (formerly Twitter) before the Bangalore High Court earlier this year argues that issuing content banning orders through Section 79(3)(b) bypasses legal protections available under the IT Act, 2000,' said Vikram Jeet Singh, partner at BTG Advaya and a specialist in Internet regulation laws. 'Depending on the procedure that has been followed to issue these recent bans, the affected OTT players may consider a challenge on the same grounds as X, arguing that a ban on content cannot be issued under Section 79(3)(b),' Singh added. The crackdown followed extensive consultations with the ministries of home affairs, women and child development, electronics and IT, the department of legal affairs, industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in women's and child rights, according to a document shared by an MIB official. According to ministry document, the flagged content contained 'sexual innuendos', extended scenes involving nudity, and depictions of sex in inappropriate contexts, including family relationships. Officials noted that much of the content lacked meaningful storylines or social messages and was largely 'obscene and vulgar'. The ministry had issued warnings to all 25 platforms in September 2024, but several ignored the notices and some resumed publishing objectionable content using alternate domains. Five platforms previously blocked in March 2024 began publishing obscene content on new website domains, officials said. Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Kishan welcomed the government's move. 'Both licensed and unlicensed OTT platforms have been pushing soft porn and unlawful content. This decision reflects the sentiment of the people, who have repeatedly flagged such concerns on X,' he told PTI. 'Entertainment should have its limits, a 'Lakshman Rekha', and this step will help restore that balance.' The ministry said the content violated sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, which prohibit publishing or transmitting obscene and sexually explicit material in electronic form, as well as section 292 of the Indian Penal Code related to sale and circulation of obscene content, and section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The action follows multiple public complaints and references from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in July and August 2024, particularly naming Ullu and ALTT. The ministry issued advisories and notices to OTT platforms, including a February 2025 reminder to adhere to the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021. The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council, a self-regulatory body comprising around 40 OTT members including ALTT and Ullu, had previously ordered edits to certain shows on ALTT, citing scenes that were 'distasteful and bizarre' and featured sex and nudity without contextual justification. On Ullu, over 100 web series were taken down, but investigations found that some were quietly re-uploaded in their original form to evade oversight. Ullu's web series 'House Arrest' was pulled down in May 2025 after government intervention. 'Any depiction that degrades or objectifies women, through media, is a basis to ban platforms, especially for obscene portrayal of women. The law criminalises distribution or performance of obscene content in public places, and, by extension, digital media does not escape public morality standards,' said Gaurav Sahay, founding partner, Arthashastra Legal. The ministry is expected to take further action if violations continue. In all, the following have been blocked by the latest order: Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, ShowHit, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Fugi, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, ALTT, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, Triflicks, Ullu, and Mojflix.


Mint
14 hours ago
- Mint
A new play offers a slice-of-life story on stage
For co-directors Gagan Dev Riar and Jitender Singh, reading A Life in the Theatre was a bit like looking into the mirror. 'Many of the conversations sounded like they had been mined from personal spaces as theatre makers," says Singh. Riar could relate to both Robert and John, and was also reminded of stalwarts in the theatre fraternity he'd crossed paths with. 'We have a lot of senior actors in our midst who are well read, articulate and intelligent. But, it doesn't always translate to the stage. I found that very relatable," says Riar. Riar was sold on the balance of the poetic and the humorous in the language of the play. For Singh, it was the accuracy of the relationships. 'I could also relate to the senior-junior relationship between actors. It made me realise despite the hierarchy there are no systems to bind or separate you," says Singh. 'The pawns and the king go back into the same box at the end of the day," Riar adds. As theatre makers, it brought them a catharsis that came from their own worlds. For co-directors Gagan Dev Riar and Jitender Singh, reading A Life in the Theatre was a bit like looking into the mirror. 'Many of the conversations sounded like they had been mined from personal spaces as theatre makers," says Singh. Riar could relate to both Robert and John, and was also reminded of stalwarts in the theatre fraternity he'd crossed paths with. 'We have a lot of senior actors in our midst who are well read, articulate and intelligent. But, it doesn't always translate to the stage. I found that very relatable," says Riar. Riar was sold on the balance of the poetic and the humorous in the language of the play. For Singh, it was the accuracy of the relationships. 'I could also relate to the senior-junior relationship between actors. It made me realise despite the hierarchy there are no systems to bind or separate you," says Singh. 'The pawns and the king go back into the same box at the end of the day," Riar adds. As theatre makers, it brought them a catharsis that came from their own worlds. Riar and Singh had many concerns, but surprisingly, relatability wasn't one of them. 'Of the 200 people who are watching it, 50 may be watching a play for the first time but they are doing so with the 150 who aren't. We did not want to break everything down for com prehension," says Riar, adding that it can be compared to a visit to the grocery store or an adventure activity. 'They may not understand theatre but they understand life. It's how Mamet puts it—you cannot separate the time spent at a grocery story or pursuing an activity from life itself," he says. Also Read | The Pehel programme in Mumbai helps theatre newbies find their voice But, besides the two-curtained setup and virtually turning the stage inside out, there was a lot that Riar and Singh needed to do to bring a nearly 50-year-old play about theatre to a Mumbai audience. There are a bunch of Indianisms to replace the more archaic expressions and references. Robert (played by Riar) becomes 'Robert da" in the hands of John, played by Avik Goswami. Some of the on-stage scenes written in the styles of Western playwrights were replaced through additional ones by Ira wati Karnik and Saurabh Nayyar. 'For example, a scene about the French Revolution is replaced by a scene from the Mahabharat," explains Riar. 'Those written in the Chekhovian style are traded for those that sound like popular Indian plays Andha Yug, Ashad ka ek Din, or Ek aur Dronacharya," he adds. Singh also wanted to keep the reality of Mumbai theatre actors in mind when telling a story so close to their lives. 'Actors here do plays in both English and Hindi. It is why we've kept some of the on-stage scenes in Hindi," he says. There have been other plays and performances—both in the past and recently—about theatre life. Michael Frayn's Noises Off, written in 1982 —which takes its name from a common stage direction—is set in a rehearsal room. A version of it was produced by Atul Kumar's The Company Theatre in 2013. More recently, Gopal Dutt's musical show titled Aur Karo Theatre has received all kinds of viral fame for its stories and songs about the lives of theatre actors. However, staging a story that they con nected with instantly and is seemingly about their own lives wasn't as easy as they had imagined, Singh and Riar admit. Costume changes never end and the stage theatre actors in mind when tell ing a story so close to their lives. looks like the prop-lined battlefield that their real lives can sometimes look like. Their learnings in the rehearsal room have been interspersed by nostalgia and anecdotes from theatre lives. But, for the audience, Riar tells us, A Life in the Theatre, can be an entertaining ride. 'For the past few years, I've seen a lot of issue-based work in Indian theatre. There hasn't been a simple, slice-of-life story on stage. This play asks questions but also generates laughter and empathy," he says. On 2-3 August, 8pm, Rangshila Theatre, Mumbai. Tickets on Prachi Sibal is a Mumbai-based culture writer.


The Hindu
15 hours ago
- The Hindu
‘Oru Durooha Saahacharyathil': First look of Kunchacko Boban's next, directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, out
The makers of Malayalam filmmaker Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval's next, Oru Durooha Saahacharyathil, unveiled the film's first look on Saturday (July 26). Billed as a psychological comedy, the film is headlined by Kunchacko Boban, Dileesh Pothan, Sajin Gopu and Chidambaram (who directed the acclaimed Manjummel Boys). The first look features the cast in Army green costumes, with Kunchacko, Sajin and Chidambaram using a spaced-out Dileesh's hands to control guns. Oru Durooha Saahacharyathil also features Sharanya Ramachandran, Rajesh Madhavan, Divya Vishwanath, and Sudheesh, among others. With music scored by Dawn Vincent, the film has cinematography by Arjun Sethu and editing by Manoj Kannoth. Kunchacko and Listin Stephen produce the film under their Udaya Pictures and Magic Frames banners. Notably, the film marks a reunion between Ratheesh and Kunchacko after their hit 2022 film Nna Thaan Case Kodu, and its 2024 spin-off Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha, headlined by Rajesh and Chithra.