Latest news with #Majumder
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles: Book mixes Bengali mystery with gothic flair
Agency: PTI Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Blending elements of Bengal's detective tradition with gothic fiction, a new book promises a gripping whodunnit laced with humor and unexpected twists and turns. 'The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles", published by Niyogi Books, is written by Singapore-based writer Hemangini Dutt Majumder. 'Murder mysteries are my happy place. I unabashedly love every trope related to the whodunnit style. That said, the germ of this novel really came from the lead protagonist Olympia Ghoshal Chattergé, or Ollie, the likable doofus, who has lived in my head for several years. '… I thought it would be fascinating to flip the script and make her condition a sort of super-power rather than an affliction," Majumder, who previously authored children's book 'The Mystery of the Many, Many Missing Things", said in a statement. The story follows Ollie, a young woman with an uncanny sense of smell, an unusual symptom of a health condition, and a rare female wine sommelier and beverage consultant. Her life changes quite dramatically when she and her entire family decide to relocate to their ancestral estate, Neelbari, in Chandannagar, where strange and mysterious incidents begin to unfold. 'Is the malevolent spirit of her great-grandmother really haunting Neelbari? And why has their arrival caused so much alarm? What secrets are the walls and gardens of the hundred-year-old estate hiding? Why does no one seem to be telling the truth? What follows is a gripping whodunnit with ample doses of humour and delicious twists and turns?" are among the questions that unravel in the story. The book is endorsed by the likes of celebrated writer and Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) co-director Namita Gokhale and former diplomat TCA Raghavan. While Raghavan lauds Majumder for bringing to life a 'lovable but eccentric Bengali family with wit and empathy", Gokhale described the novel as a 'multilayered literary tribute to the classical Bangla whodunnit". 'It is an olfactory journey through stories and spectres and scary situations," she added. The book, priced at Rs 495, is available for purchase across online and offline stores. PTI MG MG MG view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 14:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Print
‘The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles': Book mixes Bengali mystery with gothic flair
'Murder mysteries are my happy place. I unabashedly love every trope related to the whodunnit style. That said, the germ of this novel really came from the lead protagonist Olympia Ghoshal Chattergé, or Ollie, the likable doofus, who has lived in my head for several years. 'The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles', published by Niyogi Books, is written by Singapore-based writer Hemangini Dutt Majumder. New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Blending elements of Bengal's detective tradition with gothic fiction, a new book promises a gripping whodunnit laced with humor and unexpected twists and turns. '… I thought it would be fascinating to flip the script and make her condition a sort of super-power rather than an affliction,' Majumder, who previously authored children's book 'The Mystery of the Many, Many Missing Things', said in a statement. The story follows Ollie, a young woman with an uncanny sense of smell, an unusual symptom of a health condition, and a rare female wine sommelier and beverage consultant. Her life changes quite dramatically when she and her entire family decide to relocate to their ancestral estate, Neelbari, in Chandannagar, where strange and mysterious incidents begin to unfold. 'Is the malevolent spirit of her great-grandmother really haunting Neelbari? And why has their arrival caused so much alarm? What secrets are the walls and gardens of the hundred-year-old estate hiding? Why does no one seem to be telling the truth? What follows is a gripping whodunnit with ample doses of humour and delicious twists and turns?' are among the questions that unravel in the story. The book is endorsed by the likes of celebrated writer and Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) co-director Namita Gokhale and former diplomat TCA Raghavan. While Raghavan lauds Majumder for bringing to life a 'lovable but eccentric Bengali family with wit and empathy', Gokhale described the novel as a 'multilayered literary tribute to the classical Bangla whodunnit'. 'It is an olfactory journey through stories and spectres and scary situations,' she added. The book, priced at Rs 495, is available for purchase across online and offline stores. PTI MG MG MG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
ADB approves loan to boost potable water services in India's West Bengal
MANILA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Monday it has approved a loan of 101 million U.S. dollars as additional financing to the ongoing West Bengal Drinking Water Sector Improvement Project to scale up access to drinking water services in rural West Bengal, India. The additional financing and the ongoing project demonstrated an innovative, effective, and sustainable service delivery model for rural drinking water supply in West Bengal, the Manila-based bank said in a statement. "The new financing builds on the innovative practices of the ongoing project and aims to expand access to piped water supply systems, reducing communities' reliance on contaminated groundwater sources affected by arsenic and fluoride," said ADB Urban Specialist Sourav Majumder. "It will ensure last-mile water service delivery and empower local communities, particularly women, through inclusive infrastructure and targeted capacity-building efforts," said Majumder.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
SAF ends with ‘Spasm' bagging top award
1 2 3 Kolkata: A one-take short film on the audition of an actress in Iran ('Spasm') and a documentary on a trafficked woman-turned-activist ('Fatima') have won the top awards at 8th South Asian Short Film Festival organized by the Federation of Film Societies of India (Eastern Region). Other films about the musings at a music shop in Kolkata ('The Music Shop - Symphony of the City'), a girl's fight against caste system in India ('Ballad of the Mountain'), the awakening of sexuality in a tribal youth of Jangal Mahal ('My Comrade') and the impact of resettlement in Sri Lanka ('No More Land') also picked up awards. The jury comprising Debalina Majumder, Sudeshna Roy and Saibal Mitra watched 98 films. Sahra Asadollahi's 'Spasm', which won the Ritwik Ghatak Golden Award for short fiction, has overwhelmed the jury members. "To make a film in Iran under the current circumstances is an audacious effort. As a practicing filmmaker, I know how tough it is to retain the viewers' attention when the location and the camera don't shift. The craft of this one-take film is of such a high order that it left me gripped," said Majumder. Tarun Jain's 17-minute short film – 'Ballad of the Mountain' – picked up the Ritwik Ghatak Silver Award for short fiction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Update: The Strategy Uses By Successful Intraday Trader TradeWise Learn More It prompts viewers to dwell on the menaces of caste system. Jain's film is a tale of resilience, courage, and hope. It is an invitation to confront the uncomfortable truths in our society and an opportunity to rewrite the narrative for countless girls who deserve a chance to flourish. "It is an evocative film that is visually poetic. The narrative has been crafted in a way that is intimate and addresses the deep-rooted systematic inequality on the basis of caste. It shows how a vicious cycle of exploitation still goes on," Majumder said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata In the documentary segment, the top award was picked up by Sourabh Kanti Dutta's 'Fatima'. It narrates the compelling story of Fatima who, at the age of nine was married off to a pimp in the red-light area of Forbesganj, escaped the red-light area in 2007 and became an activist. "Considering the rough terrain, 'Fatima' has been shot and edited well. The candid filming gives us a palpable feeling of Fatima's struggle for a just cause,' Mitra said. Naskar & Co - an unassuming music shop in Kolkata – forms the backdrop of Bijoy Chowdhury's 'The Music Shop - Symphony of the City'. Black and white montage shots of the city intercut with interviews of musicians and patrons for a poetic exploration of Arabinda Roy's solitary journey as a master craftsman of Indian classical instruments. The film is populated by footage of enthusiast practitioners and listeners from abroad and Roy's memories of maestros. Impressed with the film, Mitra said, "I was left engrossed by the intelligent structuring of the documentary. The music used and played and the filming style gel well with the subject," Mitra added. Roy added that all the documentaries are incredibly good. "'Fatima' is very incisive about trafficking and women's positioning. 'The Music Shop - Symphony of the City' invokes a pride in making things that have been traditionally with us. Though set in Sri Lanka, 'No More Land' highlights a universal problem. In the short film section, 'My Comrade' was well-researched. It hits viewers in the right spot," Roy said.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Greater Agartala' master plan almost ready; Mayor Dipak Majumder says document will help finalise metro routes
The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Friday announced it will develop 'Greater Agartala' comprising 51 wards of the civic body and 49 gram panchayats. Speaking to reporters after an official meeting, Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder said the master plan for extending the city was almost ready. He added that the concept of 'Greater Agartala' was being formulated keeping in mind the requirements of the city for the next 20 years. 'There was no master plan for Agartala city in the past. The first master plan started being developed after the BJP-led government was formed in the state (in 2018). The first step in that direction was completed today. This will help with finalising routes for metro services, overbridge sites, roads, or suitable sites for industrial areas in and around the city in the future. All these aspects will be marked in the master plan,' Majumder said. The current Agartala city was founded in 1838 by the then monarch Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya Bahadur. The municipality was formed in 1871 under Maharaja Chandra Manikya, with AWB Power, who was the British Political Agent for Hill Tipperah, appointed as the chairman. The last major expansion of the Agartala municipal area was carried out during the tenure of former chief minister Manik Sarkar in 2004, when the civic limits increased from 16.012 sq km to 62.02 sq km.
