After Ramayana, popular comedy sitcoms 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai'&nbsp;and 'Khichdi'&nbsp;are now set to return to&nbsp;TV from April 6. The shows will be aired from 10 AM to 12 noon every morning. 
 
The news was confirmed by the channel's official twitter handle.

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16 साल बाद, इंद्रवदन आ रहा है आप से मिलने फिर एक बार! 
देखिए ''साराभाई Vs साराभाई'', 6 अप्रैल से, हर-रोज़ सुबह 10 बजे, सिर्फ़ STAR भारत पर!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KhichdiwithSarabhais?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KhichdiwithSarabhais</a> <a href="https://t.co/iGkpoUFxmO">pic.twitter.com/iGkpoUFxmO</a>
— STAR भारत (@StarBharat) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarBharat/status/1246121045238534144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“16 saal baad, Indravadan aa raha hai milne aapse fir ek baar. Dekhiye Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai April 6 se subah 10 baje. Sirf Star Bharat par", tweeted Star Bharat.

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18 साल बाद, प्रफुल आ रहा है आप से मिलने फिर एक बार! 
देखिए 'खिचड़ी', 6 अप्रैल से, हर-रोज़ सुबह 11 बजे, सिर्फ़ भारत पर!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KhichdiwithSarabhais?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KhichdiwithSarabhais</a> <a href="https://t.co/FVoNMqK21K">pic.twitter.com/FVoNMqK21K</a>
— STAR भारत (@StarBharat) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarBharat/status/1246114057586757632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Another tweet read, “18 saal baat Praful aa raha hai appse milne. Dekhiye Khichdi April 6 se subah 11 baje, sirf Star Bharat par. 
 
'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai'&nbsp;was a small family drama that&nbsp;first aired on Star One in 2004. As the second season of the show was also created for OTT platform Hotstar.&nbsp; 
 
'Khichdi'&nbsp;was another crazy family drama which&nbsp;first aired in the year 2001.

Meanwhile, Doordarshan is&nbsp;back with some&nbsp;classic shows like&nbsp;'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/its-confirmed-ramayana-to-return-to-tv-on-dd-national-from-tomorrow-288836">Ramayana</a>'. The serial has&nbsp;almost garnered 170 million viewers worldwide. This is also the highest ever TRP rating for any Hindi General Entertainment Channel programme since 2015.

After Ramayana, popular comedy sitcoms 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai' and 'Khichdi' are now set to return to TV from April 6. The shows will be aired from 10 AM to 12 noon every morning.

After Ramayana, popular comedy sitcoms 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai' and 'Khichdi' are now set to return to TV from April 6. The shows will be aired from 10 AM to 12 noon every morning. The news was confirmed by the channel's official twitter handle. 16 साल बाद, इंद्रवदन आ रहा है आप से मिलने फिर एक बार! देखिए ''साराभाई Vs साराभाई'', 6 अप्रैल से, हर-रोज़ सुबह 10 बजे, सिर्फ़ STAR भारत पर!#KhichdiwithSarabhais pic.twitter.com/iGkpoUFxmO — STAR भारत (@StarBharat) April 3, 2020 × “16 saal baad, Indravadan aa raha hai milne aapse fir ek baar. Dekhiye Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai April 6 se subah 10 baje. Sirf Star Bharat par", tweeted Star Bharat. 18 साल बाद, प्रफुल आ रहा है आप से मिलने फिर एक बार! देखिए 'खिचड़ी', 6 अप्रैल से, हर-रोज़ सुबह 11 बजे, सिर्फ़ भारत पर!#KhichdiwithSarabhais pic.twitter.com/FVoNMqK21K — STAR भारत (@StarBharat) April 3, 2020 × Another tweet read, “18 saal baat Praful aa raha hai appse milne. Dekhiye Khichdi April 6 se subah 11 baje, sirf Star Bharat par. 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai' was a small family drama that first aired on Star One in 2004. As the second season of the show was also created for OTT platform Hotstar. 'Khichdi' was another crazy family drama which first aired in the year 2001. Meanwhile, Doordarshan is back with some classic shows like 'Ramayana'. The serial has almost garnered 170 million viewers worldwide. This is also the highest ever TRP rating for any Hindi General Entertainment Channel programme since 2015.

Comedy sitcoms 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai' and 'Khichdi' return to TV from April 6

With people all over the world practicing home quarantine owing to coronavirus spread, OTT platforms have seen a surge in traffic. With content being key in surviving this tough time, our very own 'Ramayana', one of the most popular Indian shows till date, is returning to television.&nbsp;

Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Information and Broadcasting confirmed in a tweet on Friday that the show will retelecast from&nbsp;Saturday, March 28.&nbsp;

Javadekar tweeted, "Happy to announce that on public demand, we are starting retelecast of 'Ramayana' from tomorrow, Saturday March 28 in DD National, One episode in morning 9 am to 10 am, another in the evening 9 pm to 10 pm (sic)."

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Happy to announce that on public demand, we are starting retelecast of 'Ramayana' from tomorrow, Saturday March 28 in DD National, One episode in morning 9 am to 10 am, another in the evening 9 pm to 10 pm.<a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> 
@PIBIndia<a href="https://twitter.com/DDNational?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDNational</a>
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrakashJavdekar/status/1243381573635825664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Soon after the news came out, Twitter thanked Javadekar, the government for this move. There were also those who asked them to bring back other popular TV shows as people have all the time in the world to consume content. They&nbsp;requested to re-telecast other shows like Mahabharata, Junior G, Shaktiman and Chanakya among others.

India is currently on a 21-day lockdown starting from March 24.

Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayana' starred Arun Govil as Ram and Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, with Arvind Trivedi playing Raavan and Dara Singh essaying Hanuman. The series originally ran from 25 January 1987 to 31 July 1988.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-veteran-actress-nimmi-no-more-at-88-rishi-kapoor-mahesh-bhatt-pay-tribute-288585">Also read:&nbsp;Veteran actress Nimmi no more at 88; Rishi Kapoor, Mahesh Bhatt pay tribute</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-watch-katrina-kaifs-workout-videos-will-keep-you-entertained-while-you-quarantine-288355">Watch: Katrina Kaif's workout videos will keep you entertained while you quarantine</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/8-new-web-shows-films-to-watch-as-you-quarantine-at-home-287555">8 new web shows, films to watch as you quarantine at home</a>

With people all over the world practicing home quarantine owing to coronavirus spread, OTT platforms have seen a surge in traffic. With content being key in surviving this tough time, our very own 'Ramayana', one of the most popular Indian shows till date, is returning to television.

With people all over the world practicing home quarantine owing to coronavirus spread, OTT platforms have seen a surge in traffic. With content being key in surviving this tough time, our very own 'Ramayana', one of the most popular Indian shows till date, is returning to television. Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Information and Broadcasting confirmed in a tweet on Friday that the show will retelecast from Saturday, March 28. Javadekar tweeted, "Happy to announce that on public demand, we are starting retelecast of 'Ramayana' from tomorrow, Saturday March 28 in DD National, One episode in morning 9 am to 10 am, another in the evening 9 pm to 10 pm (sic)." Happy to announce that on public demand, we are starting retelecast of 'Ramayana' from tomorrow, Saturday March 28 in DD National, One episode in morning 9 am to 10 am, another in the evening 9 pm to 10 pm.@narendramodi @PIBIndia@DDNational — Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) March 27, 2020 × Soon after the news came out, Twitter thanked Javadekar, the government for this move. There were also those who asked them to bring back other popular TV shows as people have all the time in the world to consume content. They requested to re-telecast other shows like Mahabharata, Junior G, Shaktiman and Chanakya among others. India is currently on a 21-day lockdown starting from March 24. Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayana' starred Arun Govil as Ram and Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, with Arvind Trivedi playing Raavan and Dara Singh essaying Hanuman. The series originally ran from 25 January 1987 to 31 July 1988. Also read: Veteran actress Nimmi no more at 88; Rishi Kapoor, Mahesh Bhatt pay tribute Watch: Katrina Kaif's workout videos will keep you entertained while you quarantine 8 new web shows, films to watch as you quarantine at home

It's confirmed! Ramayana to return to TV on DD national from tomorrow

Indian Railways will operate a new train based on Ramayan theme from March, officials said on Saturday.

According to the statement, the train which&nbsp;will start operating from last week of March will take pilgrims to locations associated with Lord Rama.

The train's interior and exterior will be based on Ramayana theme and it will give passengers feel of a temple on wheels.

The Ram bhajans will also play inside the train.

Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said, "The train will take people to all places related to Ramayana.&nbsp;The theme of this train will be based on Ramayana.&nbsp; Pictures, thoughts and poems related to Ramayana will be displayed on coaches outside and pictures related to the epic and music will also be played inside."

Earlier, the Railways ran a special train named after Lord Ram, "Shri Ramayana Express", which began its services in November last year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

 
&nbsp;

Indian Railways will operate a new train based on Ramayan theme from March, officials said on Saturday. According to the statement, the train which will start operating from last week of March will take pilgrims to locations associated with Lord Rama.

Indian Railways will operate a new train based on Ramayan theme from March, officials said on Saturday. According to the statement, the train which will start operating from last week of March will take pilgrims to locations associated with Lord Rama. The train's interior and exterior will be based on Ramayana theme and it will give passengers feel of a temple on wheels. The Ram bhajans will also play inside the train. Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said, "The train will take people to all places related to Ramayana. The theme of this train will be based on Ramayana. Pictures, thoughts and poems related to Ramayana will be displayed on coaches outside and pictures related to the epic and music will also be played inside." Earlier, the Railways ran a special train named after Lord Ram, "Shri Ramayana Express", which began its services in November last year. (With inputs from ANI)

Railways to operate new train based on Ramayana theme

According to the latest announcement, Ramayana will get a three-part screen adaptation that will be shot in 3D and in three languages -- Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.&nbsp;

The budget of the trio is currently set at Rs 500 crore.&nbsp;

The announcement did not include any details on the casting as it is yet to be finalised. As for production and direction, big name have attached themselves to the project like Telugu powerhouse Allu Aravind, ex-Phantom Films founder Madhu Mantena and Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus studios, who will jointly produce; Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) and Ravi Udyawar (MOM) are said to don the director’s hats.&nbsp;

The Ramayana adaptation is currently in development and aims to begin filming next year.

In a press release, Nitesh Tiwari and Ravi Udyawar spoke about their personal connections to the Ramayana, "I went with my father and brother to the Ramlila every year and though we all knew the story, it still evoked the same emotions in us when Sita was kidnapped or Ravana's effigy burnt," said Tiwari.

"I heard these stories from my grandmother and mother and passed them on to my children. Everybody knows the story of Ram, Sita and Raavan, it's the story-telling that will make our trilogy memorable and I'm putting everything I have learnt into it to make it fun and engaging while staying true to the original," Udyawar said on the same.

Pre-production includes reference work for scenes in Ayodhya as Lanka, the land of Ravana will be depicted in a wash of gold. Mithila will be shown as green with Nepali architecture.&nbsp;

Tiwari said, "Money and time are not a problem. Our producers have told us to be fearless and fly. So, we are flying visually," said Tiwari.&nbsp;

Actors from across the several Indian film industries will be included in the cast. A 2021 release is being targeted and the makers hope to avoid long gaps between the three parts.

It will be the film industry’s second epic-in-progress after an even more ambitious Rs.1000-crore version of the Mahabharata with Mohanlal in the lead role of Bheem. We last heard that the film has run into some financial troubles.&nbsp;

According to the latest announcement, Ramayana will get a three-part screen adaptation that will be shot in 3D and in three languages -- Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

According to the latest announcement, Ramayana will get a three-part screen adaptation that will be shot in 3D and in three languages -- Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The budget of the trio is currently set at Rs 500 crore. The announcement did not include any details on the casting as it is yet to be finalised. As for production and direction, big name have attached themselves to the project like Telugu powerhouse Allu Aravind, ex-Phantom Films founder Madhu Mantena and Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus studios, who will jointly produce; Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) and Ravi Udyawar (MOM) are said to don the director’s hats. The Ramayana adaptation is currently in development and aims to begin filming next year. In a press release, Nitesh Tiwari and Ravi Udyawar spoke about their personal connections to the Ramayana, "I went with my father and brother to the Ramlila every year and though we all knew the story, it still evoked the same emotions in us when Sita was kidnapped or Ravana's effigy burnt," said Tiwari. "I heard these stories from my grandmother and mother and passed them on to my children. Everybody knows the story of Ram, Sita and Raavan, it's the story-telling that will make our trilogy memorable and I'm putting everything I have learnt into it to make it fun and engaging while staying true to the original," Udyawar said on the same. Pre-production includes reference work for scenes in Ayodhya as Lanka, the land of Ravana will be depicted in a wash of gold. Mithila will be shown as green with Nepali architecture. Tiwari said, "Money and time are not a problem. Our producers have told us to be fearless and fly. So, we are flying visually," said Tiwari. Actors from across the several Indian film industries will be included in the cast. A 2021 release is being targeted and the makers hope to avoid long gaps between the three parts. It will be the film industry’s second epic-in-progress after an even more ambitious Rs.1000-crore version of the Mahabharata with Mohanlal in the lead role of Bheem. We last heard that the film has run into some financial troubles.

Ramayana to get three-part screen adaptation in 3D and in three languages

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/thailands-new-queen-flight-attendant-to-bodyguard-to-royalty-215386&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjFuPPr9fzhAhWBo48KHfMDARAQFjAFegQIBBAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ooQplssbqqUQoR8EPReEU">Thailand`s </a>King <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-king-names-his-consort-queen-days-before-coronation-215170&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimvYea9vzhAhULuo8KHaGNDEwQFjAEegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0IX4g59oEd1t9KFehOfGn2">Maha Vajiralongkorn</a> on Thursday paid tribute to his ancestors in a ceremony ahead of his <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-set-for-coronation-of-king-rama-x-first-in-69-years-215364&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimvYea9vzhAhULuo8KHaGNDEwQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3fpouABYPnQZQTuMGpVOEn">official coronation</a> this weekend, when he will take the formal title King Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty.

In a tradition dating to the 18th century, the Chakri kings have held the formal title Rama, after an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu in the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana.&nbsp;

Here are details of the nine previous kings in the dynasty:

Rama I - King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (born 1737-died 1809)

Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke founded the Chakri dynasty and established Bangkok as the capital of Siam, as Thailand was known, in 1782.&nbsp;

He ruled for 27 years and is best known for repelling the last major Burmese attack on Siam, known as the Nine Armies` Wars, from 1785 to 1786.

Rama II - King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (1767-1824)

King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai succeeded his father in 1809 and ruled for almost 15 years.

His reign was more peaceful.

Art and literature flourished.

The king was an avid composer of poetry, plays and songs.&nbsp;

The most notable poet under the king`s patronage was Sunthorn Phu, known as the "the Shakespeare of Thailand" for his role in literature.

Rama III - King Phra Nangklao (1788-1851)

King Phra Nangklao reformed the tax and treasury system and oversaw a boom in trade with China during his 27-year rule from 1824.

Siam renewed official contacts with western powers for the first time since the late Ayutthaya period, and supported the British in their first Anglo-Burmese War in 1824.&nbsp;

The king did not name a successor and the throne passed to his half-brother.

Rama IV - King Mongkut (1804-1868)

Probably the best-known king of Siam in the West, Mongkut was portrayed in the 1951 Broadway musical "The King and I" and later in a 1956 Hollywood film.&nbsp;

Under growing Western pressure during his 17-year reign, Mongkut signed the Bowring Treaty with the British Empire that abolished a royal monopoly over foreign trade.&nbsp;

Mongkut later died from malaria that he contracted while on an expedition to see a total eclipse of the sun.&nbsp;

Rama V - King Chulalongkorn (1853-1910)

The 42-year reign of King Chulalongkorn, the son of Mongkut, was known for a modernization drive and abolition of slavery.

He also ceded territories to Western powers, including Laos and Cambodia to France, and the Malay sultanates of Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis to Britain.

Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese king to send royal princes to study in Europe. He visited twice and presented Siam as a modern nation to European rulers.

Rama VI - King Vajiravudh (1881-1925)

Vajiravudh`s reign was characterized by the creation and promotion of Siamese nationalism.

He modernized the military and sent troops to join Allied forces in World War One.&nbsp;

He quashed an attempted coup in 1912 by disgruntled military officers who accused the king of financial extravagances and sought to establish a democratic rule.&nbsp;

Rama VII - King Prajadhipok (1893-1941)

Prajadhipok was Siam`s last absolute monarch and its first constitutional monarch after the Siamese Revolution of 1932.

Educated at Eton, he succeeded his brother in 1926. Six years later a group of military officers and civil servants initiated a near bloodless coup.

Prajadhipok abdicated in 1935 and spent the rest of his life with his wife in England.

The couple had no children.

Rama VIII - King Ananda Mahidol (1925-1946)

Ananda ascended to the throne after his uncle abdicated. His father, Prince Mahidol, was a son of King Chulalongkorn.

Ananda was nine years old and studying in Switzerland when he was chosen to succeed Prajadhipok.

The government changed the country`s name to Thailand in 1939.

In 1946, Ananda, 20, was found shot dead in his bedroom inside Bangkok`s Grand Palace in mysterious circumstances, four days before his planned return to school in Switzerland.&nbsp;

Rama IX - King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016)

Bhumibol succeeded his brother in 1946 and reigned for 70 years, the world`s longest reigning monarch when he died.

The American-born king became the face of Thailand, blending tradition with modernity and travelling the world with Queen Sirikit.

During his reign, the country had 30 prime ministers, 10 successful military coups and 17 constitutions.

His intervention in several political crises helped to end the bloodshed.&nbsp;

He was awarded the United Nations` first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 3,000 royal development projects.&nbsp;

Thailand`s King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday paid tribute to his ancestors in a ceremony ahead of his official coronation this weekend, when he will take the formal title King Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty.

Thailand`s King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday paid tribute to his ancestors in a ceremony ahead of his official coronation this weekend, when he will take the formal title King Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty. In a tradition dating to the 18th century, the Chakri kings have held the formal title Rama, after an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu in the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana. Here are details of the nine previous kings in the dynasty: Rama I - King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (born 1737-died 1809) Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke founded the Chakri dynasty and established Bangkok as the capital of Siam, as Thailand was known, in 1782. He ruled for 27 years and is best known for repelling the last major Burmese attack on Siam, known as the Nine Armies` Wars, from 1785 to 1786. Rama II - King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (1767-1824) King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai succeeded his father in 1809 and ruled for almost 15 years. His reign was more peaceful. Art and literature flourished. The king was an avid composer of poetry, plays and songs. The most notable poet under the king`s patronage was Sunthorn Phu, known as the "the Shakespeare of Thailand" for his role in literature. Rama III - King Phra Nangklao (1788-1851) King Phra Nangklao reformed the tax and treasury system and oversaw a boom in trade with China during his 27-year rule from 1824. Siam renewed official contacts with western powers for the first time since the late Ayutthaya period, and supported the British in their first Anglo-Burmese War in 1824. The king did not name a successor and the throne passed to his half-brother. Rama IV - King Mongkut (1804-1868) Probably the best-known king of Siam in the West, Mongkut was portrayed in the 1951 Broadway musical "The King and I" and later in a 1956 Hollywood film. Under growing Western pressure during his 17-year reign, Mongkut signed the Bowring Treaty with the British Empire that abolished a royal monopoly over foreign trade. Mongkut later died from malaria that he contracted while on an expedition to see a total eclipse of the sun. Rama V - King Chulalongkorn (1853-1910) The 42-year reign of King Chulalongkorn, the son of Mongkut, was known for a modernization drive and abolition of slavery. He also ceded territories to Western powers, including Laos and Cambodia to France, and the Malay sultanates of Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis to Britain. Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese king to send royal princes to study in Europe. He visited twice and presented Siam as a modern nation to European rulers. Rama VI - King Vajiravudh (1881-1925) Vajiravudh`s reign was characterized by the creation and promotion of Siamese nationalism. He modernized the military and sent troops to join Allied forces in World War One. He quashed an attempted coup in 1912 by disgruntled military officers who accused the king of financial extravagances and sought to establish a democratic rule. Rama VII - King Prajadhipok (1893-1941) Prajadhipok was Siam`s last absolute monarch and its first constitutional monarch after the Siamese Revolution of 1932. Educated at Eton, he succeeded his brother in 1926. Six years later a group of military officers and civil servants initiated a near bloodless coup. Prajadhipok abdicated in 1935 and spent the rest of his life with his wife in England. The couple had no children. Rama VIII - King Ananda Mahidol (1925-1946) Ananda ascended to the throne after his uncle abdicated. His father, Prince Mahidol, was a son of King Chulalongkorn. Ananda was nine years old and studying in Switzerland when he was chosen to succeed Prajadhipok. The government changed the country`s name to Thailand in 1939. In 1946, Ananda, 20, was found shot dead in his bedroom inside Bangkok`s Grand Palace in mysterious circumstances, four days before his planned return to school in Switzerland. Rama IX - King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016) Bhumibol succeeded his brother in 1946 and reigned for 70 years, the world`s longest reigning monarch when he died. The American-born king became the face of Thailand, blending tradition with modernity and travelling the world with Queen Sirikit. During his reign, the country had 30 prime ministers, 10 successful military coups and 17 constitutions. His intervention in several political crises helped to end the bloodshed. He was awarded the United Nations` first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 3,000 royal development projects.

The 10 Ramas: The kings of Thailand's Chakri dynasty

To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India, Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana.

The stamp, designed by Indonesian sculptor Padmashri Bapak Nyoman Nuarta, features a scene from Ramayana in which Jatayu fought to save Sita, the Embassy of India in Jakarta said in a statement.

A specially signed version of the stamp will be on display at the Philately Museum in Jakarta, the statement said.

The event was attended by India's Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Indonesia's Vice Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India, Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India, Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana. The stamp, designed by Indonesian sculptor Padmashri Bapak Nyoman Nuarta, features a scene from Ramayana in which Jatayu fought to save Sita, the Embassy of India in Jakarta said in a statement. A specially signed version of the stamp will be on display at the Philately Museum in Jakarta, the statement said. The event was attended by India's Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Indonesia's Vice Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir.

Indonesia releases special stamp on Ramayana theme

Learning Hinduism and reading the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata have taken a chunk of Missy Franklin's time ever since the five-time Olympic gold-medallist swimmer announced a shock retirement in December last year.

Chronic shoulder pain forced the 23-year-old to call time on her career but on the bright side, it allowed her to do things that she couldn't do as an active athlete.

Earlier, she did Yoga for fun but after exploring Hinduism, it became a spiritual experience for the bubbly American, who is majoring in religion at the University of Georgia.&nbsp;

"I have been studying religion for a year now and it is so fascinating and eye opening. I love learning different cultures, people and their faith," Franklin told PTI on the sidelines of the 'Laureus World Sports Awards'.

"My own religion is Christianity but two classes I have found so intriguing are Hinduism and Islam. Because those are the two religions I did not know a lot about and after reading and learning about them, I think they are beautiful," said the winner of four gold medals at the London Olympics.

Besides a champion athlete, Franklin also comes across as a bright student who knows quite a bit about Hinduism. She is fascinated by the Ramayana and Mahabharata and has also made a conscious effort to learn the unfamiliar names in the two epics.

"I think the most beautiful aspect of Hinduism is the idea of Karma and of being good to one another, doing good deeds and how that all comes back to you, how the universe works.

"I find their myths and tales incredible, it is also fascinating to know about their gods, reading the Mahabharata and Ramayana has been such an amazing experience for me.

"The family names in Mahabharata would always confuse me but I remember learning about Ram and Sita in the Ramayana. How Sita lived her life, how loyal she stayed to Rama," she said.

As she is not competing anymore, Franklin has decided to not go for a second shoulder surgery. She doesn't swim much due to the constant shoulder pain but keeps herself fit with running and cycling. Yoga too has been in her routine for the last three years.

"My shoulder is still a bit painful because I chose not to get the surgery at all, so it is painful to swim. But for the first time in my life I am able to different kinds of exercises I have never done.

"I love running, cycling, I do yoga and a bunch of stuff I get to pursue that I never did before. I am travelling way more now because I don't have to train,? said Franklin, who is getting married later this year," she said.&nbsp;

Another thing on her to do list is visiting India, the country which has the largest Hindu population in the world. Thanks to her time at the University of Georgia, she also knows a lot more about the history of Yoga.

"Learning about the true roots of yoga and its process, how actual Yogis live their life of renunciation, it is so incredible. I have been doing Yoga recreationally for three years but after learning more about it through Hinduism, it has definitely become a more spiritual experience for me.

"In the west, I think the spiritualism of Yoga was left out and that is a huge generalisation. But it is great learning about what Yoga is all about and how it is about that connection with the divine and creating that oneness," she added.&nbsp;

Learning Hinduism and reading the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata have taken a chunk of Missy Franklin's time ever since the five-time Olympic gold-medallist swimmer announced a shock retirement in December last year.

Learning Hinduism and reading the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata have taken a chunk of Missy Franklin's time ever since the five-time Olympic gold-medallist swimmer announced a shock retirement in December last year. Chronic shoulder pain forced the 23-year-old to call time on her career but on the bright side, it allowed her to do things that she couldn't do as an active athlete. Earlier, she did Yoga for fun but after exploring Hinduism, it became a spiritual experience for the bubbly American, who is majoring in religion at the University of Georgia. "I have been studying religion for a year now and it is so fascinating and eye opening. I love learning different cultures, people and their faith," Franklin told PTI on the sidelines of the 'Laureus World Sports Awards'. "My own religion is Christianity but two classes I have found so intriguing are Hinduism and Islam. Because those are the two religions I did not know a lot about and after reading and learning about them, I think they are beautiful," said the winner of four gold medals at the London Olympics. Besides a champion athlete, Franklin also comes across as a bright student who knows quite a bit about Hinduism. She is fascinated by the Ramayana and Mahabharata and has also made a conscious effort to learn the unfamiliar names in the two epics. "I think the most beautiful aspect of Hinduism is the idea of Karma and of being good to one another, doing good deeds and how that all comes back to you, how the universe works. "I find their myths and tales incredible, it is also fascinating to know about their gods, reading the Mahabharata and Ramayana has been such an amazing experience for me. "The family names in Mahabharata would always confuse me but I remember learning about Ram and Sita in the Ramayana. How Sita lived her life, how loyal she stayed to Rama," she said. As she is not competing anymore, Franklin has decided to not go for a second shoulder surgery. She doesn't swim much due to the constant shoulder pain but keeps herself fit with running and cycling. Yoga too has been in her routine for the last three years. "My shoulder is still a bit painful because I chose not to get the surgery at all, so it is painful to swim. But for the first time in my life I am able to different kinds of exercises I have never done. "I love running, cycling, I do yoga and a bunch of stuff I get to pursue that I never did before. I am travelling way more now because I don't have to train,? said Franklin, who is getting married later this year," she said. Another thing on her to do list is visiting India, the country which has the largest Hindu population in the world. Thanks to her time at the University of Georgia, she also knows a lot more about the history of Yoga. "Learning about the true roots of yoga and its process, how actual Yogis live their life of renunciation, it is so incredible. I have been doing Yoga recreationally for three years but after learning more about it through Hinduism, it has definitely become a more spiritual experience for me. "In the west, I think the spiritualism of Yoga was left out and that is a huge generalisation. But it is great learning about what Yoga is all about and how it is about that connection with the divine and creating that oneness," she added.

After shock retirement at 23, Missy Franklin finds peace in Hinduism

Go to any part of Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, two brilliant temples complexes in Siem Reap, the display from Ramayana and Mahabharata on the walls of the complex will blow you away.&nbsp;

The beauty lies in the detail. The walls of Angkor Wat have full illustration of both epic tales and Samudramanthan which is known as the tale of churning of the seas from which both celestial nectar and poison came out.

The walls have detailing of fight between monkey king Bali and Sugreev and Lord Ram taking a position to go for a kill. The detailing of Mahabharat is also particularly stunning.&nbsp;

From Bhishma being pinned by Arjuna’s arrows to vicious detailing of the 18-day battle adorn the walls of the complex.&nbsp;

The churning of the sea details both Sheshnag and Hanuman involved in the celestial exercise to make ‘devtas’ immortal.

There are abandoned temples, huge where once Lord Shiva was worshipped whom the people in Cambodia also call Rudra.

<img alt="Angkor Wat Temple" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="97be0fbd-4e10-4cfd-9d5e-3f8ade95dc77" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/angor%20vat.jpeg" />

(Angkor Wat temple was constructed during the reign of King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to at least 1145.)

These motifs not only co-exist with Buddhist iconography but also continue to influence the cultural life of Cambodia. The marriage ceremony involves the use of banana (fruit) which is an ancient symbol for fertility.

Even Kaleva (red thread) is used during marriage rituals. Local names are also derived from both Ramayana and Mahabharata tales but pronounced differently. Chandra is pronounced as Chantra and so on and so forth.

Even before, Hinduism got reorganized by the British Raj through law and codification of rituals, there existed a universal appeal of classical Hinduism which still finds space in cultural life of South East Asian countires.

<img alt="angkor wat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e729c63-d749-4c06-9057-8f0ede00fc1b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202019-01-05%20at%2017.25.05.jpeg" />

Though Narsimha avatar is a tale which people know across North India as a fight between a devotee called Prahlad, his daitya father Hirnakashyap and Narsimha avatar of Vishnu.&nbsp;

It is only in South India one finds temples of Narsimha avatar and not in the North India. But you re-discover this tale in Angkor Wat.

The city was also known as Param Vishnu Lok before the Kings of Cambodia converted to Buddhism.&nbsp;

Hinduism as a religion is not a political force today but it is still of daily life.&nbsp;

Whether it is Ravan, Nandi or Bhakta Hanuman, they all co-exist with Buddhist influences. Cambodians are more aware of this heritage than many Indians.&nbsp;

Both these late ancient monuments show the power of India’s two most important epics which shaped many parts of the world. Both these tales continue to shape Indian politics and culture.

<img alt="angkor wat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0992ed8d-c0d5-4140-9aac-cd480ad41f66" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202019-01-05%20at%2017.23.04.jpeg" />

Walking around the late ancient temple complexes reminded me of Ayodhya in Faizabad.&nbsp;

Many Indians today can only relate Ayodhya to the birth place of Lord Ram.&nbsp;

That is one aspect of the city. It was also culturally influenced by both Jainism and Buddhism tremendously.&nbsp;

This has done great harm to India and Hinduism as it undermines rich cultural history.

In Siem Reap both Buddhist and Hindu influences have been illustrated for tourists.&nbsp;

The complex is clean and neat and habit of not littering is encouraged.&nbsp;

Ayodhya on the other hand is gifted with an infrastructure which only exists on papers. That should change.&nbsp;

I do not think that by erecting a tall statue of Lord Ram would change anything.

Some parts of the temple complex in Siem Reap have been maintained and restored by the ASI.&nbsp;

It makes one proud that we have contributed in keeping alive, India’s cultural contribution abroad.&nbsp;

Today BJP is fighting over the birth place of Ram in Ayodhya.&nbsp;

Today, the battle lies in the Supreme Court, but the true message is lost in the bitter political contest. God can be discovered, remembered and felt anywhere in the world. I found him in Siem Reap. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Go to any part of Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, two brilliant temples complexes in Siem Reap, the display from Ramayana and Mahabharata on the walls of the complex will blow you away.

Go to any part of Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, two brilliant temples complexes in Siem Reap, the display from Ramayana and Mahabharata on the walls of the complex will blow you away. The beauty lies in the detail. The walls of Angkor Wat have full illustration of both epic tales and Samudramanthan which is known as the tale of churning of the seas from which both celestial nectar and poison came out. The walls have detailing of fight between monkey king Bali and Sugreev and Lord Ram taking a position to go for a kill. The detailing of Mahabharat is also particularly stunning. From Bhishma being pinned by Arjuna’s arrows to vicious detailing of the 18-day battle adorn the walls of the complex. The churning of the sea details both Sheshnag and Hanuman involved in the celestial exercise to make ‘devtas’ immortal. There are abandoned temples, huge where once Lord Shiva was worshipped whom the people in Cambodia also call Rudra. (Angkor Wat temple was constructed during the reign of King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to at least 1145.) These motifs not only co-exist with Buddhist iconography but also continue to influence the cultural life of Cambodia. The marriage ceremony involves the use of banana (fruit) which is an ancient symbol for fertility. Even Kaleva (red thread) is used during marriage rituals. Local names are also derived from both Ramayana and Mahabharata tales but pronounced differently. Chandra is pronounced as Chantra and so on and so forth. Even before, Hinduism got reorganized by the British Raj through law and codification of rituals, there existed a universal appeal of classical Hinduism which still finds space in cultural life of South East Asian countires. Though Narsimha avatar is a tale which people know across North India as a fight between a devotee called Prahlad, his daitya father Hirnakashyap and Narsimha avatar of Vishnu. It is only in South India one finds temples of Narsimha avatar and not in the North India. But you re-discover this tale in Angkor Wat. The city was also known as Param Vishnu Lok before the Kings of Cambodia converted to Buddhism. Hinduism as a religion is not a political force today but it is still of daily life. Whether it is Ravan, Nandi or Bhakta Hanuman, they all co-exist with Buddhist influences. Cambodians are more aware of this heritage than many Indians. Both these late ancient monuments show the power of India’s two most important epics which shaped many parts of the world. Both these tales continue to shape Indian politics and culture. Walking around the late ancient temple complexes reminded me of Ayodhya in Faizabad. Many Indians today can only relate Ayodhya to the birth place of Lord Ram. That is one aspect of the city. It was also culturally influenced by both Jainism and Buddhism tremendously. This has done great harm to India and Hinduism as it undermines rich cultural history. In Siem Reap both Buddhist and Hindu influences have been illustrated for tourists. The complex is clean and neat and habit of not littering is encouraged. Ayodhya on the other hand is gifted with an infrastructure which only exists on papers. That should change. I do not think that by erecting a tall statue of Lord Ram would change anything. Some parts of the temple complex in Siem Reap have been maintained and restored by the ASI. It makes one proud that we have contributed in keeping alive, India’s cultural contribution abroad. Today BJP is fighting over the birth place of Ram in Ayodhya. Today, the battle lies in the Supreme Court, but the true message is lost in the bitter political contest. God can be discovered, remembered and felt anywhere in the world. I found him in Siem Reap. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Cambodia diary: Ramayana and Mahabharata, India’s two oldest and most durable brand ambassadors

UP deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma made a controversial comment on Friday by claiming that Sita was a test tube baby.

He said that Sita was born from a concept similar to test tube as she was born from an earthen pot&nbsp;

He said, "People say Sita ji was born from an earthen pot, which means at the time of Ramayana, a concept similar to test tube baby must have existed".

Referring to the Mahabharata he further went on to say that the live streaming technology must have existed during the Mahabharata.

He said,"Today, the live telecast is being done, but I think a similar technology was present at the time of Mahabharata when Sanjay presented a 'live telecast' of the battle of Mahabharata to Dhritarashtra".

The latest comments by the BJP leader has added to the list of the BJP ranks who have created controversy by their statements.

Earlier Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb had said that the internet and satellite were not new to the country and existed even during the Maharabharat era.

He had also advocated the people should not run after government jobs instead they should milk cows.

After a series of bizarre remarks, the Chief Minister was called to New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Today, live telecast is being done, but I think a similar technology was present at the time of Mahabharata, when Sanjay presented a 'live telecast' of the battle of Mahabharata to Dhritarashtra: Dinesh Sharma, UP Deputy CM <a href="https://t.co/0AQ3ptHnIW">pic.twitter.com/0AQ3ptHnIW</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1002450834423087104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

He said, 'People say Sita ji was born from an earthen pot, which means at the time of Ramayana, a concept similar to test tube baby must have existed'

UP deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma made a controversial comment on Friday by claiming that Sita was a test tube baby. He said that Sita was born from a concept similar to test tube as she was born from an earthen pot He said, "People say Sita ji was born from an earthen pot, which means at the time of Ramayana, a concept similar to test tube baby must have existed". Referring to the Mahabharata he further went on to say that the live streaming technology must have existed during the Mahabharata. He said,"Today, the live telecast is being done, but I think a similar technology was present at the time of Mahabharata when Sanjay presented a 'live telecast' of the battle of Mahabharata to Dhritarashtra". The latest comments by the BJP leader has added to the list of the BJP ranks who have created controversy by their statements. Earlier Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb had said that the internet and satellite were not new to the country and existed even during the Maharabharat era. He had also advocated the people should not run after government jobs instead they should milk cows. After a series of bizarre remarks, the Chief Minister was called to New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, live telecast is being done, but I think a similar technology was present at the time of Mahabharata, when Sanjay presented a 'live telecast' of the battle of Mahabharata to Dhritarashtra: Dinesh Sharma, UP Deputy CM pic.twitter.com/0AQ3ptHnIW — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 1, 2018 ×

Sita was a 'test tube baby', says UP deputy CM Dinesh Sharma

Some months ago, my friend&rsquo;s young son asked me about Hanuman, the secrets behind his prowess, especially his amazing size-reduction abilities.&nbsp;

His father gave me a nod of approval, &lsquo;Aunty does know something about history for children.&rsquo;

This one short exchange encapsulates the challenges facing history, especially how it is shaped and narrated for younger readers. At first glance, there is everything wrong in the above exchange; the two statements contradict each other. But then understanding may, and indeed does, come from mistaken notions.

First, of course, there is the clear difference between myth and history. Latter is more exact, the rational subject of study, almost like a science with its belief in evidence and argument. And then there&rsquo;s also the play of imagination. Myths, on the other hand, are ancient tales that have travelled. The strange thing is that history can and indeed does tell us about how myths travel or changed shape through the centuries, why some myths and figures became popular, while others perished by the wayside.&nbsp;

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<blockquote>
<h5>There are many sides to a story, and history is never just one story.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
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When it comes to history, and the way it might be told to the younger&nbsp;reader, I might then begin by saying: Don&rsquo;t disbelieve everything, argue your way out.&nbsp;

Doing so especially matters in this age of the Internet, when WhatsApp and other social media has made almost everyone an armchair historian; expert of facts (verifiable or otherwise) available at the mere tap of a button. Images are expertly edited, photoshopped so to be passed off as truth &ndash; irrefutable, definite historical truth. Certain kinds of photos, of course, are ineluctably more popular, for example, those used to discredit any opponent/enemy and/or to demonstrate chest-thumping patriotism.&nbsp;

Some months ago, a photo held up on television by a prominent political party spokesperson showed two Indian soldiers holding up the national flag on a mountain peak, that was passed off as Siachen. This was sad and grotesque in every measure. For one, patriotism hasn&rsquo;t anything ever to do with photoshopping. And then, the original is the well-known 1945 photo taken by Joe Rosenthal of US soldiers on Iwo Jima in the Pacific, during World War II.

One doesn&rsquo;t really need to be an expert to figure out if something&rsquo;s been photoshopped. It is as easy to photoshop something as it is to disbelieve the effort. But the example above might make us think, for example, about the photo&rsquo;s history (even if it a &lsquo;false&rsquo; one), when and why was it taken. Such a thought exercise, coupled with the search for evidence and clues, might lead us down to the present, make us ask why such an exercise relating to photoshopping history was even necessary. &nbsp;

It&rsquo;s as necessary then, almost as a counter to the first rule to: Disbelieve everything, and to trust the evidence you glean for yourself.&nbsp;

But this leads us in turn to evidence itself &ndash; which sadly, is indeed easy to concoct. Photoshopping is just a small part of this. A search on the Internet shows up the many pseudo-history sites that spread hatred; stories of the past being nothing but an endless series of conspiracies, conquests and battles; of humiliations heaped and then avenged. &nbsp;

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<h5>There are always new narratives, there is always new evidence that emerges. It&rsquo;s vital to remember how this &lsquo;evidence&rsquo; is used.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=There are always new narratives, there is always new evidence that emerges. It?s vital to remember how this ?evidence? is used." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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What then is evidence all about? How does one gather evidence &ndash; and does anything in the past, that which is gone, offer up credible evidence? This is where context comes in, and imagination too. For example, one might imagine a time in the future, with someone looking back to our own era. Evil does exist and people find reasons of all kinds to commit evil. Then there are nuances to it too. What makes such systems of tyranny develop? &nbsp;These may, in turn, give rise to other systems that turn out to be even more so. &nbsp;

It is important than to see what lies beneath. And the context.&nbsp;

It is assumed that history is a dry subject; a series of unequivocal statements and dates of the past. But understanding the context also reveals history&rsquo;s vibrancy. There are many sides to a story, and history is never just one story. It is never a story about kings and tyrants, though for a while they did get to write their side of history.&nbsp;

Just as there is a many-sidedness to history, it is an ever-changing subject. There are many perspectives to it, many schools of thought &ndash; which makes it a lively subject, never dull, never really about the dead (pun intended). There are always new narratives, there is always new evidence that emerges. It&rsquo;s vital to remember how this &lsquo;evidence&rsquo; is used.&nbsp;

And while there is new evidence, it is especially important to distrust it - the newer it looks, the more one might distrust it till proven. (Especially yes, when it comes to photos).&nbsp;

For example, it is possible to show stones as evidence across the sea to represent Rama&rsquo;s mythical bridge, but this should only make us ask questions. Not just whether it&rsquo;s possible for a bridge to last for aeons and centuries, but how does something show up in satellite imagery; as students of history, stories like this must make us go into the past in various ways &ndash; whether it&rsquo;s geological history, climatic change, and about the Ramayana itself.&nbsp;The many versions of it, the ones written in the different Indian languages, and the versions of women and other marginalised groups. It might make us ask if symbols are more important than the stories themselves.&nbsp;

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<h5>History must make us ask all the right questions; questions that matter to the present, while they draw on the past. &nbsp;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=History must make us ask all the right questions; questions that matter to the present, while they draw on the past. ?" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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History then isn&rsquo;t just one story, but many stories that exist concomitantly. This makes the past, a fully lived in time-period, a constantly changing place, full of mysteries, of heroes known and unknown. Faced with the immensity of such discoverable riches (of knowledge), violence and hatred seem forces to be countered, for it is, yes about context and what made for this context. History must make us ask all the right questions; questions that matter to the present, while they draw on the past. &nbsp;

It&rsquo;s not a hand me down&nbsp;subject, but the one that makes us not just question things like a science but it seeks empathy and imagination &ndash; as with the humanities. History might yet help us understand ourselves better, and understanding the past is just a step toward a better, more humane future. It&rsquo;d be nice to start early, it makes the work of history writers that much more challenging and at times, inspiring.&nbsp;

History might yet help us understand ourselves better, and understanding the past is just a step toward a better, more humane future.

Some months ago, my friend’s young son asked me about Hanuman, the secrets behind his prowess, especially his amazing size-reduction abilities. His father gave me a nod of approval, ‘Aunty does know something about history for children.’ This one short exchange encapsulates the challenges facing history, especially how it is shaped and narrated for younger readers. At first glance, there is everything wrong in the above exchange; the two statements contradict each other. But then understanding may, and indeed does, come from mistaken notions. First, of course, there is the clear difference between myth and history. Latter is more exact, the rational subject of study, almost like a science with its belief in evidence and argument. And then there’s also the play of imagination. Myths, on the other hand, are ancient tales that have travelled. The strange thing is that history can and indeed does tell us about how myths travel or changed shape through the centuries, why some myths and figures became popular, while others perished by the wayside. There are many sides to a story, and history is never just one story. × When it comes to history, and the way it might be told to the younger reader, I might then begin by saying: Don’t disbelieve everything, argue your way out. Doing so especially matters in this age of the Internet, when WhatsApp and other social media has made almost everyone an armchair historian; expert of facts (verifiable or otherwise) available at the mere tap of a button. Images are expertly edited, photoshopped so to be passed off as truth – irrefutable, definite historical truth. Certain kinds of photos, of course, are ineluctably more popular, for example, those used to discredit any opponent/enemy and/or to demonstrate chest-thumping patriotism. Some months ago, a photo held up on television by a prominent political party spokesperson showed two Indian soldiers holding up the national flag on a mountain peak, that was passed off as Siachen. This was sad and grotesque in every measure. For one, patriotism hasn’t anything ever to do with photoshopping. And then, the original is the well-known 1945 photo taken by Joe Rosenthal of US soldiers on Iwo Jima in the Pacific, during World War II. One doesn’t really need to be an expert to figure out if something’s been photoshopped. It is as easy to photoshop something as it is to disbelieve the effort. But the example above might make us think, for example, about the photo’s history (even if it a ‘false’ one), when and why was it taken. Such a thought exercise, coupled with the search for evidence and clues, might lead us down to the present, make us ask why such an exercise relating to photoshopping history was even necessary. It’s as necessary then, almost as a counter to the first rule to: Disbelieve everything, and to trust the evidence you glean for yourself. But this leads us in turn to evidence itself – which sadly, is indeed easy to concoct. Photoshopping is just a small part of this. A search on the Internet shows up the many pseudo-history sites that spread hatred; stories of the past being nothing but an endless series of conspiracies, conquests and battles; of humiliations heaped and then avenged. There are always new narratives, there is always new evidence that emerges. It’s vital to remember how this ‘evidence’ is used. × What then is evidence all about? How does one gather evidence – and does anything in the past, that which is gone, offer up credible evidence? This is where context comes in, and imagination too. For example, one might imagine a time in the future, with someone looking back to our own era. Evil does exist and people find reasons of all kinds to commit evil. Then there are nuances to it too. What makes such systems of tyranny develop? These may, in turn, give rise to other systems that turn out to be even more so. It is important than to see what lies beneath. And the context. It is assumed that history is a dry subject; a series of unequivocal statements and dates of the past. But understanding the context also reveals history’s vibrancy. There are many sides to a story, and history is never just one story. It is never a story about kings and tyrants, though for a while they did get to write their side of history. Just as there is a many-sidedness to history, it is an ever-changing subject. There are many perspectives to it, many schools of thought – which makes it a lively subject, never dull, never really about the dead (pun intended). There are always new narratives, there is always new evidence that emerges. It’s vital to remember how this ‘evidence’ is used. And while there is new evidence, it is especially important to distrust it - the newer it looks, the more one might distrust it till proven. (Especially yes, when it comes to photos). For example, it is possible to show stones as evidence across the sea to represent Rama’s mythical bridge, but this should only make us ask questions. Not just whether it’s possible for a bridge to last for aeons and centuries, but how does something show up in satellite imagery; as students of history, stories like this must make us go into the past in various ways – whether it’s geological history, climatic change, and about the Ramayana itself. The many versions of it, the ones written in the different Indian languages, and the versions of women and other marginalised groups. It might make us ask if symbols are more important than the stories themselves. History must make us ask all the right questions; questions that matter to the present, while they draw on the past. × History then isn’t just one story, but many stories that exist concomitantly. This makes the past, a fully lived in time-period, a constantly changing place, full of mysteries, of heroes known and unknown. Faced with the immensity of such discoverable riches (of knowledge), violence and hatred seem forces to be countered, for it is, yes about context and what made for this context. History must make us ask all the right questions; questions that matter to the present, while they draw on the past. It’s not a hand me down subject, but the one that makes us not just question things like a science but it seeks empathy and imagination – as with the humanities. History might yet help us understand ourselves better, and understanding the past is just a step toward a better, more humane future. It’d be nice to start early, it makes the work of history writers that much more challenging and at times, inspiring.

Lord Hanuman, History, and why children should be encouraged to ask questions

A northern Indian state will soon begin a multi-million dollar search in the Himalayas for a mythical plant believed to hold life-saving properties, a local minister said today. 
 
Uttarakhand will spend 250 million Rupees ($37 million) of state money hunting the herb Sanjeevani Booti, which is credited in the ancient Hindu text Ramayana with restoring life to the brother of a god. 
 
While many wild plants with medicinal properties grow in the Himalayas, there is scant evidence that the plant ever existed, with sages and modern researchers failing for centuries to find it. 
 
&quot;We have to try and it will never go to waste. If we are determined we will certainly find it,&quot; Surendra Singh Negi, the state&#39;s minister for alternative medicine, told AFP. 
 
The minister said the search will focus on the Dronagiri range of Himalayas near the Chinese border, one mountain of which is mentioned in the epic Ramayana as being the site where the magical herb grows. 
 
&quot;We have set an initial budget of 250 million Rupees ($37 million) for the project,&quot; Negi said. 
 
Scientists will start work in August, the minister said, adding that the central government has refused to fund the project. 
 
Ancient texts say the plant has life-restoring properties, grows in the high mountains of the Himalayas and glows in the dark. 
 
According to Ramayana, the monkey god Hanuman was tasked by the god Rama with fetching the herb after a healer said it would cure his dying brother Laxman. 
 
But Hanuman failed to identity the plant, instead uprooting the entire mountain and carrying it thousands of miles to treat the mortally injured prince during a war with demons in what is now Sri Lanka. 
 
India&#39;s 5,000-year-old medicine system Ayurveda uses herbs to cure ailments and has seen a revival under Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s government. 
 
(AFP)

The herb Sanjeevani Booti is credited in the ancient Hindu text Ramayana with restoring life, but there's scant evidence it exists

A northern Indian state will soon begin a multi-million dollar search in the Himalayas for a mythical plant believed to hold life-saving properties, a local minister said today. Uttarakhand will spend 250 million Rupees ($37 million) of state money hunting the herb Sanjeevani Booti, which is credited in the ancient Hindu text Ramayana with restoring life to the brother of a god. While many wild plants with medicinal properties grow in the Himalayas, there is scant evidence that the plant ever existed, with sages and modern researchers failing for centuries to find it. "We have to try and it will never go to waste. If we are determined we will certainly find it," Surendra Singh Negi, the state's minister for alternative medicine, told AFP. The minister said the search will focus on the Dronagiri range of Himalayas near the Chinese border, one mountain of which is mentioned in the epic Ramayana as being the site where the magical herb grows. "We have set an initial budget of 250 million Rupees ($37 million) for the project," Negi said. Scientists will start work in August, the minister said, adding that the central government has refused to fund the project. Ancient texts say the plant has life-restoring properties, grows in the high mountains of the Himalayas and glows in the dark. According to Ramayana, the monkey god Hanuman was tasked by the god Rama with fetching the herb after a healer said it would cure his dying brother Laxman. But Hanuman failed to identity the plant, instead uprooting the entire mountain and carrying it thousands of miles to treat the mortally injured prince during a war with demons in what is now Sri Lanka. India's 5,000-year-old medicine system Ayurveda uses herbs to cure ailments and has seen a revival under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. (AFP)

Indian state to spend $37 million hunting mythical 'life-saving' plant

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