Latest news with #Vaishnavite
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
The Dharmasthala imbroglio shocks India
With a reputation of being the Hindutva laboratory in southern India, Dakshina Kannada region has been regularly in the news for over two decades for its communally charged atmosphere and frequent flare-ups between Hindus and Muslims. This zone has been almost out of bounds for the other communities as far as electing MPs and MLAs are concerned, including in the 2023 Assembly elections where it returned BJP candidates from the majority community overwhelmingly. Of course, the 2024 Lok Sabha polls was a walkover for the saffron party as the nation still reposed faith on Narendra Modi, albeit in a derated manner. The recent controversy over the mass burial issue in Dharmasthala has uncomfortably turned the spotlight on this region again. An unnamed person has declared that he was a witness to mass burials of many women over a two-decade long period in this holy town, which has made almost all concerned to sit up and take notice. The government has understandably been cautious on proceeding in this case. Quite interestingly, this town in Belthangady taluk has a Jain administration for the centuries-old Shiva temple, known locally as Manjunatha. Even more notable is that Hindu priests go about performing puja rituals based on Vaishnavite traditions. Given that both Shaivite and Vaishnavite sects have independent temples all over India, with its followers inter-dependent as far as belief in Hindu traditions go, Dharmasthala is surely under the scanner at present. The Jain community has stressed on an independent SIT enquiry, the Home Minister of the state has affirmed that he would take a comprehensive view of the ongoing affairs, while the political parties are waiting and watching, for the moment. Already, legal recourse to the wildfire in social media circles and electronic media has been sought to be capped with a court order restraining the media from publishing defamatory content. This was after the secretary of the temple knocked on the doors of the court when it threatened to implicate the officials of the temple overseeing the administration. Even as the court gagged media channels, they have moved an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking to quash this move, as per the latest developments. Secular elements, sensing an opening, have welcomed the setting up of SIT and have asked for an impartial investigation. Noting that the FIR in this case was registered 20 days back, the progressive sections of the State have even enquired why the bodies could not have been exhumed if the claim of burying 'hundreds of bodies' was true. With the Chief Minister writing on X declaring that 'there is a possibility that unnatural deaths, murders, rapes, and other serious crimes may have occurred in this area (sic)', it seems that the Pandora's Box has just been opened, with the buzz slowly gaining momentum. Accused of being a minority-appeasing government, the Congress would like to step in, with a forceful style of its own, even as the BJP is cautiously wording its responses, awaiting further developments. Is it going to be the next dharmayudh between the two political rivals? Only time will tell.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chennai: The tale of Doveton Clock Tower
Of late, I have been researching the history of public clocks and clock towers in Chennai. And while I managed to gather material on most, the one that I consistently drew a blank on was the Doveton Clock Tower. Most sources on the internet have it that this was the first clock tower of the city (which is correct) but have given it a date of early 1900s, connecting it in one instance with the inauguration of Ripon Buildings. And as usual it was Karthik Bhatt who drew my attention as to why we may be off by a few decades. 'Look at how it is such an example of Art Deco,' he said. 'And if the first in that style in our city is the Oriental Insurance Building on Armenian Street dating to 1936 then this must have been constructed around that time and not earlier.' I wondered as to why this never had occurred to me before. Maybe you need to be a Gujarati chartered accountant whose family has settled in Tamil Nadu for over 300 years to think that way. Armed with that piece of irrefutable logic, I searched further and came up with some interesting information. The clock tower may have Doveton prefixed to it now but around 50 years ago, it was known as the Vepery Clock Tower, standing as it does on a triangle formed by Purasawalkam High Road and Jeremiah Road. The latter thoroughfare becomes Vepery Church Road and that was where Rao Saheb MC Madurai Pillai (1880-1934) lived. In fact, the triangular park on which the clock tower stands was very likely his land. Madurai Pillai made his fortune supplying manpower to the Kolar Gold Fields and was considered a leader of his community that had a large resident population in that mining town. A staunch Vaishnavite, he did much for temples in South India. He also worked for the uplift of members of his community and began schools in Kolar. The magazine Dravidian too was funded by him. In politics he owed affiliation to the Justice Party and also extended support to the Dalit leader, Rettamalai Srinivasan. His interest in civic matters saw him becoming a councilor of the Madras Corporation where he seems to have interested himself in his favourite topic – education. The triangular piece of land on which the clock tower now stands begins appearing in Corporation street records from the mid 1930s. In these, it is referred to as MC Madurai Pillai Garden Park though there is no mention of the clock tower itself. But from the fact that Sylvan, a hotel run by Madurai Pillai, was close by, we can assume that this land was donated either by him, or in his memory by his descendants, after his passing. And the clock tower seems to have then come up on it. Surprisingly, there is no record of the clock tower either at site or in Corporation records. The absence of any commemorative plaque or a foundation stone only adds to the mystery. It may well have been a private initiative that was later made over to the Corporation. Of course, standing proud with letters of gold are recent refurbishment plaques which somehow seem to have conveniently bypassed the memory of Madurai Pillai himself! The park too does not remember him by name. And no restoration seems to have paid any attention to the clock itself, which stopped working quite a while ago. We need to be thankful that the structure is still standing. (V. Sriram is a writer and historian)
News18
22-07-2025
- General
- News18
Assams sanchipat manuscripts gifted to Rashtrapati Bhavan for preservation
Guwahati, Jul 22 (PTI) The Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society on Tuesday handed over a collection of five ancient 'sanchipat' manuscripts to the Rashtrapati Bhavan library for preservation and display, officials said. During a ceremony, Kalakshetra Secretary Sudarshan Thakur handed over the manuscripts to Rashtrapati Bhavan Secretary Dipti Umashankar, they said. The Guwahati-based Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society coordinated with various 'Satras' (Vaishnavite monasteries) across Assam to collect the 'sanchipat' manuscripts, an official release said. The manuscripts presented include the 'Kirtan Ghosha', composed by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. 'Adi Dasham' – Srimanta Sankardeva's poetic translation based on the 10th skandha of the Bhagavata Purana – has also been donated. 'Nam Ghoxa' by Mahapurush Shri Shri Madhavdeva, and 'Bhakti Ratnavali' by the Vishnupuri monks and translated into Assamese by Mahapurush Shri Shri Madhavdeva, are also part of the manuscripts donated. Moreover, a 'sanchipat' manuscript of 'Geet Govinda', originally composed in Sanskrit by Jayadeva and translated into Assamese by poet Kabiraj Chakravarti in the royal court of Swargadeo Rudra Singha, has also been presented to Rashtrapati Bhavan library for its preservation and display. First Published: July 22, 2025, 19:00 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.
India.com
19-07-2025
- India.com
The Weather's Perfect, The Views Are Insane—8 Places In India To Escape This July
Why July Is the Best Time to Explore India's Hidden Gems – Not Just Goa or Manali Heat can slow down travel plans It can even scare some travelers away But for those who seek fresh experiences July in India offers a quieter canvas for adventure Think fewer crowds lush landscapes and vibrant local festivals waiting to be discovered Beyond the usual hotspots lies a side of India that blooms this month in ways you never imagined What makes July in India different from the usual peak season? It's not just the calendar It's the contrast between expectation and reality Summer months bring many to the beaches hills and heritage sites But July invites you off the beaten path to places where the spirit of discovery thrives While popular spots brim with tourists July allows hidden corners to breathe and reveal their true colors Tired of overcrowded hill stations and beach shacks These eight destinations are waiting to be explored Arunachal Pradesh – The Land of Monasteries and Misty Valleys Located near the India-China border Tawang is famous for its 400-year-old monastery But in July you'll find empty guesthouses fewer selfies and long winding roads that lead to hidden lakes Drive through emerald forests and watch the mist drift over snow-tipped peaks Stay in a homestay to taste local apricot wine and wake up to chants echoing across the valley Karnataka – Lost Kingdom Among Giant Boulders Most visitors come in winter but July's gentle humidity turns this ancient city into a private playground of stone temples and giant boulders No tour groups block the ruins You can scramble over rocks at sunrise explore the royal bath in solitude and join a local kumtha pottery session at Virabhadra Temple The landscapes here breathe history and your footsteps echo in quiet halls Karnataka – Coffee Plantations and Cloud-Kissed Hills While Coorg steals the limelight July in Chikmagalur feels like a secret revealed The rolling coffee estates glow with new foliage Waterfalls are gentle streams and you can hike Mullayanagiri without jostling for space Sip filter coffee straight from the source meet farm families and learn bean-to-cup stories that most tourists miss Madhya Pradesh– Mughal Legacy on the Tapi Burhanpur on the Tapi River you'll find grand Mughal gates hidden behind mango orchards The rains have retreated and the old city walls survive in peaceful glory Wander the Jahaz Mahal in near silence and catch a private glimpse of the textile looms that once clothed emperors Assam – River Island of Culture and Birds July brings rising waters but also fewer boats and a calmer river vibe Majuli is the world's largest river island and home to satras or Vaishnavite monasteries Join a mask-making workshop with local artisans pedal through paddy fields meet migratory birds at dawn and taste ekousera rice beer in a quiet courtyard Himachal Pradesh – Apple Orchards and Snow Passes Forget Shimla July in Kinnaur is pure Himalayan romance without the hustle Tok Tok trees bloom apple buds line the roads and Sangla Valley feels like painting come alive Motor past Baspa River stop at Garh for roadside rajma and sleep in a wood-paneled homestay where the hosts play local folk songs by lantern light Karnataka – Beaches Beyond the Party This coastal town rivals Goa in scenery but July empties the beaches and silences the speakers Om Beach becomes a yogi retreat Kudle Beach offers barefoot walks at sunrise and you can hike between hidden coves without interruption End the day with fresh fish cooked in banana leaves by a beach shack that's open for one guest at a time Madhya Pradesh – Queen of Satpura in Green Attire Known as a colonial hill station Pachmarhi charms in July with carpeted grasslands and gentle waterfalls Bristles of monkey puzzle trees stand guard over forest trails You can explore Bee Falls in peaceful drizzle visit ancient Buddhist caves with no queue and sip hot chai while watching the valley swirl in mist Why Explore These Places in July Isn't It Too Inconvenient Let's flip that idea Monsoon months aren't inconvenient They're honest They strip away filters and expose real culture Here's what July gives you that spring or winter can't Lower crowds mean authentic connections You might share a teacup with the village teacher without a line of tourists behind you Richer landscapes spring to life with fresh blooms and whispering forests Quiet roads allow unexpected stops at roadside temples or family farms Better air comes with cleared dust It's like breathing new life into your journey Practical Tips: How to Travel Like a July Insider Pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry clothes July mornings can be dewy and nights pleasantly cool Carry local snacks and reusable water bottles Support small shops and reduce plastic waste Start early Avoid unexpected power cuts or fog that can delay travel Embrace local hospitality Homestays are your best window into culture and cuisine The hidden economy of off-season travel: Beyond Instagram Visiting lesser-known spots in July builds a hyperlocal economy You help farmers, chaiwallahs, boatmen, and homestays thrive You take pressure off overcrowded monuments and allow them to recover from peak season Wear your footsteps lightly but leave goodwill behind Final Thought India in July is a mosaic of hidden wonders waiting for the curious traveler Not for a checklist Not for a selfie But for the stories that unfold in quiet temples, lush valleys, and seaside coves When your friends ask why you chose July say you were chasing the soul of the land When the calendar flips remember that travel seasons are made by those willing to see beyond the obvious Pack your bags, open your calendar, and prepare to find the India you never knew existed
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Stakeholders discuss commercial potential of oil palm cultivation in Tinsukia
1 2 3 Dibrugarh: The Tinsukia district administration on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting to assess the feasibility and commercial prospects of oil palm cultivation in the district. Chaired by DC Swapneel Paul at his office, the meeting saw participation from revenue circle officers, agriculture department officials, tea board representatives, small tea growers' associations, agricultural production committees, tea estate managers and satradhikars (monastic heads) of Vaishnavite satras. The collective dialogue reinforced the district's push to expand beyond traditional crops like tea and paddy by introducing oil palm as a viable commercial alternative. The discussion focused on reviewing the progress of oil palm cultivation in the district, examining both the opportunities and challenges associated with the alternative crop. "The commercial potential of oil palm cultivation in our district is significant and we are committed to exploring every avenue that can benefit our farmers. This initiative represents a strategic diversification opportunity for our agricultural community," Paul said. Oil palm, a high-yield crop, which is widely cultivated in southeast Asia and parts of South India, has gained attention in Assam due to its economic potential. The plant's crude palm oil (CPO) is used in food processing, cosmetics and biofuels, offering farmers a lucrative market. Centre's National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which promotes domestic oilseed production to reduce imports, has further incentivised its adoption. The crop, which thrives in tropical conditions, offers promising returns for farmers, while contributing to national food security objectives. Following the meeting, officials indicated that detailed action plans will be developed to support interested farmers in transitioning to oil palm cultivation.
