<p lang="en-US">The government in the Indian state of West Bengal was instructed by the Calcutta High Court to rename the lions&nbsp;who have been named "Akbar" and "Sita” after the names caused a controversy. Both the lions were kept in the same enclosure at the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri.<br />
<br />
A petition was filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the court for changing the name of the lioness after she was recently shifted to West Bengal from Tripura, as per a report published in Live Law.<br />
<br />
The single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, giving an oral direction, asked the state to think about renaming the animals and avoid controversy.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/court-will-decide-who-is-butter-chickens-daddy-but-india-is-surely-the-guru-of-its-globalisation-692776">Court will decide who is Butter Chicken’s daddy, but India is surely the guru of its globalisation</a></p>

<p lang="en-US">"Will you name a lion after a Hindu deity, a Muslim prophet or Christian god or freedom fighter or nobel laureate? Generally anyone who is revered or respected by the people of our country?" Justice Bhattacharyya quipped.</p>

<h2 lang="en-US"><strong>West Bengal considering renaming lions: AAG</strong></h2>

<p lang="en-US">The Additional Advocate General (AAG), who was representing the case from the West Bengal government's side, said that the lions were given the names in Tripura and the state has already been considering renaming the lions.<br />
<br />
The High Court further questioned the reason behind the naming of the lion after "a god, mythological hero, freedom fighter, or Nobel laureate" and questioned why the state did not use&nbsp;the names which were given by Tripura.<br />
<br />
"You are a welfare state and it is a secular state. Why should you draw controversy by naming a lion after Sita and Akbar? This controversy should have been avoided. Not only Sita, but I also don't support the naming of a lion Akbar. He was a very efficient and noble Mughal emperor. Very successful and secular Mughal emperor. If it is already named, the state authority should shun it and avoid it," Justice Bhattacharyya said.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India's Gaganyaan mission: ISRO completes human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-gaganyaan-mission-isro-completes-human-rating-of-its-ce20-cryogenic-engine-692943/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p lang="en-US">In the court hearing, Justice Bhattacharyya further questioned if the AAG had any pets who were named after "national heroes".<br />
<br />
As per the court's direction, the petition filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad will be reclassified as a public interest litigation (PIL) and redirected to a regular bench which can hear PILs.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The government in the Indian state of West Bengal was instructed by the Calcutta High Court to rename the lions who have been named "Akbar" and "Sita” after the names caused a controversy.

The government in the Indian state of West Bengal was instructed by the Calcutta High Court to rename the lions who have been named "Akbar" and "Sita” after the names caused a controversy. Both the lions were kept in the same enclosure at the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri. A petition was filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the court for changing the name of the lioness after she was recently shifted to West Bengal from Tripura, as per a report published in Live Law. The single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, giving an oral direction, asked the state to think about renaming the animals and avoid controversy. Also Read: Court will decide who is Butter Chicken’s daddy, but India is surely the guru of its globalisation "Will you name a lion after a Hindu deity, a Muslim prophet or Christian god or freedom fighter or nobel laureate? Generally anyone who is revered or respected by the people of our country?" Justice Bhattacharyya quipped. West Bengal considering renaming lions: AAG The Additional Advocate General (AAG), who was representing the case from the West Bengal government's side, said that the lions were given the names in Tripura and the state has already been considering renaming the lions. The High Court further questioned the reason behind the naming of the lion after "a god, mythological hero, freedom fighter, or Nobel laureate" and questioned why the state did not use the names which were given by Tripura. "You are a welfare state and it is a secular state. Why should you draw controversy by naming a lion after Sita and Akbar? This controversy should have been avoided. Not only Sita, but I also don't support the naming of a lion Akbar. He was a very efficient and noble Mughal emperor. Very successful and secular Mughal emperor. If it is already named, the state authority should shun it and avoid it," Justice Bhattacharyya said. Watch: India's Gaganyaan mission: ISRO completes human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine In the court hearing, Justice Bhattacharyya further questioned if the AAG had any pets who were named after "national heroes". As per the court's direction, the petition filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad will be reclassified as a public interest litigation (PIL) and redirected to a regular bench which can hear PILs. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian court raps West Bengal govt over naming lions 'Akbar, Sita'

<p>About 950 km south of Ayodhya, the birthplace of revered Hindu deity Lord Ram, in Maharashtra state's Yavatmal, a centuries-old shrine is dedicated to Ram's wife Sita. The temple, which celebrates Sita's single motherhood&nbsp;got a quiet makeover this Diwali ahead of Ayodhya's Ram temple's consecration in January.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In November 2022, the Supreme Court of India&nbsp;allowed the construction of a Hindu temple on the site where a mosque was built by an aide of Moghul emperor Babar in Ayodhya where an ancient temple marking Ram's birthplace had&nbsp;existed. The temple at Ram's birthplace is currently under construction and is scheduled to be consecrated in January 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Why Yavatmal's Sita temple is unique?</strong></h2>

<p>The shrine at Yavatmal's Raveri is unique since it worships Ram's wife Sita's single motherhood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Valmiki Ramayana&nbsp;— the story of Lord Ram's life composed by Sage Valmiki&nbsp;— when Ram was coronated as Ayodhya's King after 14 years of exile, the people of Ayodhya cast doubts on his wife Sita's sanctity, since she was abducted by King Ravana and was forced to live in his kingdom of Lanka.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;India's Diwali economy explained</strong></p>

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<p>As a King true to his subjects who was staunch to follow <em>Raj Dharma&nbsp;</em>or the duty of the king, Ram is said to have given into Ayodhya residents' doubts — following which Sita ended up living outside Ayodhya.</p>

<p>In seclusion, Sita gave birth to her and Ram's&nbsp;children&nbsp;— Luv and Kush&nbsp;— and raised them all by herself.</p>

<p>The Raveri temple celebrates this exact single motherhood epitomised by Sita during period coinciding with India's Vedic times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sita is worshipped without Ram and Laxman's omnipresence in this temple.</p>

<p>The temple was recently renovated and the original, weather-beaten idol was replaced with a newly carved stone replica on November 7, The Times of India reported.</p>

<p>"While attention is focussed on Ayodhya, here in Raveri, we have breathed new life into our temple dedicated to Sita. Our devotion transcends generations, and we are thrilled to have a new idol grace our temple," Wamanrao Chatap, a leader of the farmers' group Shetkari Sanghatana was quoted as saying by the Times of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The organisation's founder, Sharad Joshi, is credited to have brought the spotlight to the shrine in 2001.</p>

<p>"He saw this as symbolising the strength of mothers and made it his mission to reconstruct the temple as a monument to courage. Now, it's an inspiration to all single mothers, particularly widows in farming communities," Chatap said.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


About 950 km south of Ayodhya, the birthplace of revered Hindu deity Lord Ram, in Maharashtra state's Yavatmal, a centuries-old shrine is dedicated to Ram's wife Sita.

About 950 km south of Ayodhya, the birthplace of revered Hindu deity Lord Ram, in Maharashtra state's Yavatmal, a centuries-old shrine is dedicated to Ram's wife Sita. The temple, which celebrates Sita's single motherhood got a quiet makeover this Diwali ahead of Ayodhya's Ram temple's consecration in January. In November 2022, the Supreme Court of India allowed the construction of a Hindu temple on the site where a mosque was built by an aide of Moghul emperor Babar in Ayodhya where an ancient temple marking Ram's birthplace had existed. The temple at Ram's birthplace is currently under construction and is scheduled to be consecrated in January 2024. Why Yavatmal's Sita temple is unique? The shrine at Yavatmal's Raveri is unique since it worships Ram's wife Sita's single motherhood. According to Valmiki Ramayana — the story of Lord Ram's life composed by Sage Valmiki — when Ram was coronated as Ayodhya's King after 14 years of exile, the people of Ayodhya cast doubts on his wife Sita's sanctity, since she was abducted by King Ravana and was forced to live in his kingdom of Lanka. Also watch | India's Diwali economy explained × As a King true to his subjects who was staunch to follow Raj Dharma or the duty of the king, Ram is said to have given into Ayodhya residents' doubts — following which Sita ended up living outside Ayodhya. In seclusion, Sita gave birth to her and Ram's children — Luv and Kush — and raised them all by herself. The Raveri temple celebrates this exact single motherhood epitomised by Sita during period coinciding with India's Vedic times. Sita is worshipped without Ram and Laxman's omnipresence in this temple. The temple was recently renovated and the original, weather-beaten idol was replaced with a newly carved stone replica on November 7, The Times of India reported. "While attention is focussed on Ayodhya, here in Raveri, we have breathed new life into our temple dedicated to Sita. Our devotion transcends generations, and we are thrilled to have a new idol grace our temple," Wamanrao Chatap, a leader of the farmers' group Shetkari Sanghatana was quoted as saying by the Times of India. The organisation's founder, Sharad Joshi, is credited to have brought the spotlight to the shrine in 2001. "He saw this as symbolising the strength of mothers and made it his mission to reconstruct the temple as a monument to courage. Now, it's an inspiration to all single mothers, particularly widows in farming communities," Chatap said. (With inputs from agencies)

Sita without Ram: This ancient temple in India celebrates mother of Luv and Kush

<p>Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena unveiled the Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple and laid the foundation stone for Meditation Centre at Ramayana fame Ashok Vatika site with an aim to attract more tourists from India and beyond.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Gunawardena, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagalay and other dignitaries, issued the cover for Sita Temple near Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The meditation centre, which is believed to signify the place of Ashok Vatika in the epic Rramayana, will add to the facilities at the Temple and help attract more tourists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/half-of-worlds-language-diversity-at-risk-says-study-585261">Half of world's language diversity at risk, frightening trends in some regions: Study</a></p>

<p>"H.E Prime Minister @DCRGunawardena accompanied by High Commissioner and other dignitaries issued a Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple near Nuwara Eliya in 🇱🇰 today. They also laid the foundation stone for a Meditation Centre at the Temple which is believed to signify the place of Ashok Vatika in the epic #ramayana. The Meditation Centre will add to the facilities at the Temple and help attract more tourists from #India and other places," the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">H.E Prime Minister of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DCRGunawardena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCRGunawardena</a> accompanied by High Commissioner and other dignitaries issued a Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple near Nuwara Eliya in 🇱🇰 today. They also laid the foundation stone for a Meditation Centre at the Temple, (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/3YwAOYFqXP">pic.twitter.com/3YwAOYFqXP</a></p>
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainSL/status/1650060137116352513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ashok Vatika is a garden in Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka) that is believed to have been the location where the demon king Ravana held Sita captive in the Hindu epic, Ramayana.</p>

<p>According to the story, Rama and his brother Lakshmana, along with their devotee Hanuman, went to Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana's captivity. In the Ashok Vatika.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelenskyy-signs-law-banning-russian-place-names-in-ukraine-aims-to-restore-national-identity-585227">Zelensky signs law banning Russian place names in Ukraine, aims to restore national identity</a></p>

<p>The garden was named after the Ashoka tree, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is said that Hanuman uprooted the tree to show his strength.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | 'India's high population not a problem,' says Manish Sabharwal, VC Teamlease Services | India Story</strong></p>

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<p>Today, there is a temple in Sri Lanka called the Seetha Amman Temple, which is believed to be located at the site of the Ashok Vatika. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees of Rama and Sita.</p>

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Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena unveiled the Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple and laid the foundation stone for Meditation Centre at Ramayana fame Ashok Vatika site with an aim to attract more tourists from India and beyond.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena unveiled the Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple and laid the foundation stone for Meditation Centre at Ramayana fame Ashok Vatika site with an aim to attract more tourists from India and beyond. Prime Minister Gunawardena, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagalay and other dignitaries, issued the cover for Sita Temple near Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka on Sunday. The meditation centre, which is believed to signify the place of Ashok Vatika in the epic Rramayana, will add to the facilities at the Temple and help attract more tourists. Also Read | Half of world's language diversity at risk, frightening trends in some regions: Study "H.E Prime Minister @DCRGunawardena accompanied by High Commissioner and other dignitaries issued a Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple near Nuwara Eliya in 🇱🇰 today. They also laid the foundation stone for a Meditation Centre at the Temple which is believed to signify the place of Ashok Vatika in the epic #ramayana. The Meditation Centre will add to the facilities at the Temple and help attract more tourists from #India and other places," the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted. H.E Prime Minister of #SriLanka @DCRGunawardena accompanied by High Commissioner and other dignitaries issued a Special Commemorative Cover for Sita Temple near Nuwara Eliya in 🇱🇰 today. They also laid the foundation stone for a Meditation Centre at the Temple, (1/2) pic.twitter.com/3YwAOYFqXP — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 23, 2023 × Ashok Vatika is a garden in Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka) that is believed to have been the location where the demon king Ravana held Sita captive in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. According to the story, Rama and his brother Lakshmana, along with their devotee Hanuman, went to Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana's captivity. In the Ashok Vatika. Also Read | Zelensky signs law banning Russian place names in Ukraine, aims to restore national identity The garden was named after the Ashoka tree, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is said that Hanuman uprooted the tree to show his strength. Watch | 'India's high population not a problem,' says Manish Sabharwal, VC Teamlease Services | India Story × Today, there is a temple in Sri Lanka called the Seetha Amman Temple, which is believed to be located at the site of the Ashok Vatika. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees of Rama and Sita. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sita temple at Sri Lanka's Ashok Vatika, linked to Hindu epic Ramayana, gets special cover

<p>We might have jumped decades in terms of modernisation and advancement in all spheres of our lives but India still reels with the issues of female foeticide and female infanticide. Either because of a lack of awareness or poverty, a staggering number of female babies still don’t make it in comparison to their male counterparts and that’s something to ponder over. Plucking an important chapter from Hindu mythology and Ramayana, Disney Plus Hotstar’s latest short film titled <em>Sita</em> delivers an important message.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Headlined by Om Kanojiya, who plays a backward caste teenage boy who stumbles upon a dead newborn baby girl and struggles to cremate her, serves as an eyeopener for many who want to only remember the glamorous, cosmopolitan India that appears to be more liberal and woke. With a baby girl in his arms and nowhere to go, Om chances upon Shriya Pilgaonkar who plays Maithili, a mysterious woman sitting by the river in pitch darkness. It is there, he learns a lesson for life.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Sita" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4c853f47-ff20-44a3-aeaa-4b4928360c16" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS%20%2897%29.jpg" /></p>

<p>Shriya teaches a thing or two about the real world to Om and the societal norms we need to confirm – like how we don’t burn the body of an infant and only cremate the child (irrespective of religion and caste).&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Sita" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="be6eac62-dd06-4a16-abf7-c0cb89ca1127" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS%20%2896%29.jpg" /></p>

<p>Om Kanojiya and Shriya Pilgaonkar are good in their roles. They have a sibling vibe as they converse on screen as Shriya makes Om understand the travesties of justice and equality in a skewed world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a short 16-minute film, <em>Sita</em> is engaging and never heavy on the heart. It has a smooth flow that only leaves you wanting more. The ending leaves you asking for more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Written and directed by Abhinav, the short film is currently streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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We might have jumped decades in terms of modernisation and advancement in all spheres of our lives but India still reels with the issues of female foeticide and female infanticide.

We might have jumped decades in terms of modernisation and advancement in all spheres of our lives but India still reels with the issues of female foeticide and female infanticide. Either because of a lack of awareness or poverty, a staggering number of female babies still don’t make it in comparison to their male counterparts and that’s something to ponder over. Plucking an important chapter from Hindu mythology and Ramayana, Disney Plus Hotstar’s latest short film titled Sita delivers an important message. Headlined by Om Kanojiya, who plays a backward caste teenage boy who stumbles upon a dead newborn baby girl and struggles to cremate her, serves as an eyeopener for many who want to only remember the glamorous, cosmopolitan India that appears to be more liberal and woke. With a baby girl in his arms and nowhere to go, Om chances upon Shriya Pilgaonkar who plays Maithili, a mysterious woman sitting by the river in pitch darkness. It is there, he learns a lesson for life. Shriya teaches a thing or two about the real world to Om and the societal norms we need to confirm – like how we don’t burn the body of an infant and only cremate the child (irrespective of religion and caste). Om Kanojiya and Shriya Pilgaonkar are good in their roles. They have a sibling vibe as they converse on screen as Shriya makes Om understand the travesties of justice and equality in a skewed world. In a short 16-minute film, Sita is engaging and never heavy on the heart. It has a smooth flow that only leaves you wanting more. The ending leaves you asking for more. Written and directed by Abhinav, the short film is currently streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sita review: Shriya Pilgaonkar charms in an important film on caste-divide

<p>Penned by ‘Baahubali’ writer KV Vijayendra Prasad and helmed by Alaukik Desai, ‘Sita’ is said to be one of the most ambitious projects in progress. And now Ranveer Singh has been roped in for the film.</p>

<p>Told from Sita’s perspective, the film is said to be considering Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor Khan for the title role. Further, a source revealed that Ranveer Singh is being approached to play Ravana.</p>

<p>The source quoted in a report said, "Sita will be mounted on a huge scale and the magnitude of the film will be as big as a Baahubali. While it's a toss-up between Kareena and Alia for the main role, the makers (director Alaukik Desai) have approached Ranveer Singh to play Ravana. Yes, if this happens, it might be the first ever film that Ranveer and Kareena will be doing together. They were supposed to do Ram Leela but it didn't work out. From what we know, both Bebo and Ranveer have loved their parts and are waiting for the final narration to give a go ahead to the project.”</p>


Penned by ‘Baahubali’ writer KV Vijayendra Prasad and helmed by Alaukik Desai, ‘Sita’ is said to be one of the most ambitious projects in progress. And now Ranveer Singh has been roped in for the film.

Penned by ‘Baahubali’ writer KV Vijayendra Prasad and helmed by Alaukik Desai, ‘Sita’ is said to be one of the most ambitious projects in progress. And now Ranveer Singh has been roped in for the film. Told from Sita’s perspective, the film is said to be considering Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor Khan for the title role. Further, a source revealed that Ranveer Singh is being approached to play Ravana. The source quoted in a report said, "Sita will be mounted on a huge scale and the magnitude of the film will be as big as a Baahubali. While it's a toss-up between Kareena and Alia for the main role, the makers (director Alaukik Desai) have approached Ranveer Singh to play Ravana. Yes, if this happens, it might be the first ever film that Ranveer and Kareena will be doing together. They were supposed to do Ram Leela but it didn't work out. From what we know, both Bebo and Ranveer have loved their parts and are waiting for the final narration to give a go ahead to the project.”

Ranveer Singh to play Ravana in Alaukik Desai’s Sita

In an alarming development data of hundreds and thousands of Airline passengers around the world has been hacked via a sophisticated attack on the IT system operator that serves around 90% of the global aviation industry.

Your Story: Airline passengers data hack around the world, SITA confirms cyberattack

<p>India is all set to get back 15th Century Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman&nbsp;from UK. The idols were stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu in 1978. The temple was built-in Vijayanagara period.</p>

<p>In August 2019, Indian high commission in London was informed by India Pride Project that 4 antique idols --Shri Ram, Sita, Lakshman&nbsp;and Hanuman, stolen from India, may be in UK.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian mission raised the matter with Art and Antique Unit of the London's Metropolitan Police and Idol wing of Tamil Nadu police. Tamil Nadu police sent a comprehensive report confirming the theft of 1978 and also provided the expert opinion about the match of the idol with a photo archive.</p>

<p>The London Metropolitan Police who investigated the matter contacted the present owner of the statue and conveyed Indian Mission’s request to return the statue as they were stolen from a "living temple" in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The art collector had bought the idol on good faith including through a check of Art Loss Register Certificates.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The vendor responsible for the sell is now deceased due to which there were no grounds to open an investigation in the UK.</p>

<p>The owner of the Ram&nbsp;idol was also in possession of two other idols of Sita and Lakshman&nbsp;which were handed over to the High Commissioner. All the three idols are being transferred to Tamil Nadu Government.</p>

<p>The Indian mission in a statement said, "HCI is working on many such cases at present. We are confident that in coming days, with this partnership of the ASI, law enforcement agencies, and the independent experts, we will be successful in returning many more pieces of our cultural heritage to India."</p>

<p>The Indian mission in London in the past was able to get back to India, Bramha- Brahmani sculpture which was stolen from the World heritage site Rani-Ki Vav, 12th Century Bronze statue of Buddha, two antiques – a 17th Century Bronze idol of Navanitha Krishna and a 2nd-century limestone Carved Pillar motif.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this year, the mission sent back Shiva statue stolen from the Ghateshwar temple, Baroli in Rajasthan to India.</p>


India is all set to get back 15th Century Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman from UK. The idols were stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu in 1978. The temple was built-in Vijayanagara period.

India is all set to get back 15th Century Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman from UK. The idols were stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu in 1978. The temple was built-in Vijayanagara period. In August 2019, Indian high commission in London was informed by India Pride Project that 4 antique idols --Shri Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, stolen from India, may be in UK. The Indian mission raised the matter with Art and Antique Unit of the London's Metropolitan Police and Idol wing of Tamil Nadu police. Tamil Nadu police sent a comprehensive report confirming the theft of 1978 and also provided the expert opinion about the match of the idol with a photo archive. The London Metropolitan Police who investigated the matter contacted the present owner of the statue and conveyed Indian Mission’s request to return the statue as they were stolen from a "living temple" in India. The art collector had bought the idol on good faith including through a check of Art Loss Register Certificates. The vendor responsible for the sell is now deceased due to which there were no grounds to open an investigation in the UK. The owner of the Ram idol was also in possession of two other idols of Sita and Lakshman which were handed over to the High Commissioner. All the three idols are being transferred to Tamil Nadu Government. The Indian mission in a statement said, "HCI is working on many such cases at present. We are confident that in coming days, with this partnership of the ASI, law enforcement agencies, and the independent experts, we will be successful in returning many more pieces of our cultural heritage to India." The Indian mission in London in the past was able to get back to India, Bramha- Brahmani sculpture which was stolen from the World heritage site Rani-Ki Vav, 12th Century Bronze statue of Buddha, two antiques – a 17th Century Bronze idol of Navanitha Krishna and a 2nd-century limestone Carved Pillar motif. Earlier this year, the mission sent back Shiva statue stolen from the Ghateshwar temple, Baroli in Rajasthan to India.

Britain returns stolen sculptures of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman to India after 40 years

<p>As Indian struggle to remain indoors during countrywide lockdown, we have some solace in the shows and films that we can stream online or watch on TV. Among them, Ramayana is hands down the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/reruns-of-ramayana-mahabharata-make-doordarshan-highest-watched-channel-in-india-291678"> most watched show </a>-- sending TRP for the channel skyrocketing high during this time of pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, the actress who played Sita in the original show, Dipika Chikhlia, has shared a photo of self with LK Advani and the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A black and white photo that she has pulled out of the archives show Dipika dressed in a saree as she sits on a cot alongside LK Advani and a young Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dipika shared the photo and captioned it, "An old pic when I stood for election &nbsp;from baroda now called as Vadodara extreme right is our PM narendra modi ji &nbsp;nxt to hom was LK Advaniji and me and nalin bhatt in charge of the election."&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An old pic when I stood for election from baroda now called as Vadodara extreme right is our PM narendra modi ji nxt to hom was LK Advaniji and me and nalin bhatt in charge of the election <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pmo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pmo</a>#lkadvani##contest#election#ramayan <a href="https://t.co/H5PsttaodC">pic.twitter.com/H5PsttaodC</a></p>
— Dipika Chikhlia Topiwala (@ChikhliaDipika) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChikhliaDipika/status/1249306590299041793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier on Tuesday, Dipika also shared a video of herself urging fans to follow PM Modi's lockdown rules after he addressed the nation regarding the extension of lockdown till May 3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan has made a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/its-confirmed-ramayana-to-return-to-tv-on-dd-national-from-tomorrow-288836">comeback on the small screen</a> after a huge demand from the viewers during lockdown. Ever since it has started re-telecasting on TV, it has broken all records when it comes to viewership. According to an official statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the show managed to earn the highest-ever rating for a Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) program since 2015 when the Broadcasting Audience Research Council (BARC) started measuring the television audience.&nbsp;</p>


As Indian struggle to remain indoors during countrywide lockdown, we have some solace in the shows and films that we can stream online or watch on TV. Among them, Ramayana is hands down the most watched show -- sending TRP for the channel skyrocketing high during this time of pandemic.

As Indian struggle to remain indoors during countrywide lockdown, we have some solace in the shows and films that we can stream online or watch on TV. Among them, Ramayana is hands down the most watched show -- sending TRP for the channel skyrocketing high during this time of pandemic. Now, the actress who played Sita in the original show, Dipika Chikhlia, has shared a photo of self with LK Advani and the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A black and white photo that she has pulled out of the archives show Dipika dressed in a saree as she sits on a cot alongside LK Advani and a young Modi. Dipika shared the photo and captioned it, "An old pic when I stood for election from baroda now called as Vadodara extreme right is our PM narendra modi ji nxt to hom was LK Advaniji and me and nalin bhatt in charge of the election." An old pic when I stood for election from baroda now called as Vadodara extreme right is our PM narendra modi ji nxt to hom was LK Advaniji and me and nalin bhatt in charge of the election @narendramodi @pmo#lkadvani##contest#election#ramayan pic.twitter.com/H5PsttaodC — Dipika Chikhlia Topiwala (@ChikhliaDipika) April 12, 2020 × Earlier on Tuesday, Dipika also shared a video of herself urging fans to follow PM Modi's lockdown rules after he addressed the nation regarding the extension of lockdown till May 3. Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan has made a comeback on the small screen after a huge demand from the viewers during lockdown. Ever since it has started re-telecasting on TV, it has broken all records when it comes to viewership. According to an official statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the show managed to earn the highest-ever rating for a Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) program since 2015 when the Broadcasting Audience Research Council (BARC) started measuring the television audience.

When Ramayana's Sita aka Dipika Chikhlia, met with LK Advani and PM Modi

<p>UP deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma made a controversial comment on Friday by claiming that Sita was a test tube baby.</p>

<p>He said that Sita was born from a concept similar to test tube as she was born from an earthen pot&nbsp;</p>

<p>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".</p>

<p>Referring to the Mahabharata he further went on to say that the live streaming technology must have existed during the Mahabharata.</p>

<p>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".</p>

<p>The latest comments by the BJP leader has added to the list of the BJP ranks who have created controversy by their statements.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>He had also advocated the people should not run after government jobs instead they should milk cows.</p>

<p>After a series of bizarre remarks, the Chief Minister was called to New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1002450834423087104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


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

<p>#MeToo has provided a global social platform for women to talk about sexual harassment, abuse and innuendos that every woman, perhaps all over the world, has undergone or felt, outside and sometimes inside home, and has more often than not, quietly accepted, especially in India because it is in our culture not to speak of such matters. And why? Tradition and mythology have idealised the &lsquo;Sati&rsquo;, &lsquo;Savitris&rsquo; of mythology, but in doing so has drawn a &lsquo;lakshmanrekha&rsquo; &ndash; boundaries that may not be crossed by women for fear of becoming tainted and, therefore, rejected.</p>

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<h5>Indian mythology is full of tales of women, who faced abuse, harassment and punishment for acts for which not they but men were responsible.</h5>
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<p>Indian mythology is full of tales of women, heroines in their own right and often, symbols of &lsquo;purity&rsquo; as defined by men, who faced abuse, harassment and punishment for acts for which not they, but men, sometimes their own husbands, were responsible. &nbsp;And who wrote these stories of yore? Men, of course.</p>

<p>Take the story of Ahalya, most beautiful of women, wife of Gautama Maharishi, lusted after by Indra, mythical God of lightning, thunder and rain and king of the Devas, the most referred deity in the Rig Veda, who took the form of her husband to make love to her. Gautama cursed her for being wanton and made her into a stone, from which she was released only after the foot of Rama, Purushottama, the highest among men and a Vishnu avatar, touched the stone.</p>

<p>And what of Rama? Sita, his wife, crossed the &lsquo;lakshmanrekha&rsquo; literally, to give alms to Ravana, who lusted after her and also wanted to teach Rama and his brother Lakshmana a lesson for cutting off his sister, Surpanakha&rsquo;s, nose (whose only crime was to be enamoured of Rama, to whom she proposed, and who made fun of her proposal and passed her on to Lakshmana, who also made fun of her and additionally, cut of her nose &ndash; this was also a case of #MeToo!).</p>

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<h5>Men&rsquo;s deceit is part of our mythical lore and this is clear in the case of both Ahalya and Sita.</h5>
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<p>He kidnapped Sita by posing as a hermit seeking alms, refusing to take the offerings unless she came across the drawn boundary. And well-bred Sita could not insult a Brahmin by refusing to do so. Men&rsquo;s deceit is part of our mythical lore and this is clear in the case of both Ahalya and Sita. But Sita remains &lsquo;pure&rsquo; because of Ravana, after all, turns out to be a gentleman who keeps her enclosed in a garden but refuses to take her against her will. But what of Rama, Vishnu&rsquo;s avatar? He wants proof of her fidelity and makes her go through an &lsquo;agnipariksha&rsquo;, literally, a trial by fire, and later, on the basis of doubts expressed by a washerman, a subject of Rama&rsquo;s kingdom who should not be denied in Ram rajya, banishes his pregnant wife, who apparently holds a lesser place in the scheme of statehood.</p>

<p>She gives birth to twins in exile and brings them up as a single mother under the protection of sage Valmiki, who teaches the sons the art of war as well as the fine arts. During Rama&rsquo;s Ashwamedha Yagna, they prove to be able sons of their father by capturing Rama&rsquo;s horse and defeating Rama and his three brothers. Getting to know the true identity of these young boy-warriors, Rama wants them back along with his wife, their mother. But Sita has had enough.</p>

<p>She prays to her earth mother, Bhoomidevi, of whom she was born, to take her back, and the earth opens to swallow Vaidehi, Sita &ndash;&lsquo; MeToo&rsquo; Sita would have said if she could speak. The same is true of Yagnaseni, Draupadi, proud wife of the five Pandavas, dusky beauty, who is pawned by Dharmaputra Yudhisthir in a game of dice with the Kauravas, dragged into court by her brother-in-law Dushyasana, and saved the ultimate shame of total public disrobement by Krishna, who adds yards to her robe, making it never-ending. But did any of the stalwarts of the Mahabharata &ndash; Dronacharya, Bhisma Pitama, Dhritarashtra, let alone her five warrior husbands, protest? No. #MeToo.</p>

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<h5>It is not surprising that &lsquo;chherna&rsquo; or sexual teasing, rape and women silently accepting abuse are engrained into popular films of every language, much appreciated and applauded by the male public.</h5>
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<p>And Krishna, the most revered God of the Hindu pantheon, who kept Draupadi&rsquo;s honour? There are many stories of his mischievous behaviour as a child which we indulgently smile at as part of his &lsquo;lila&rsquo;. Gods can do no wrong. But, has anyone thought about what adverse effect some of these stories may have on the minds of aberrant young males? The &lsquo;vastraharan&rsquo; story is well known &ndash; how Krishna stole the clothes of young &lsquo;gopis&rsquo; who were bathing and made them come out of the water nude, with their hands above their heads (which world over, is a symbol of surrender) before he returned their clothes.</p>

<p>While devotees will call this symbolic of total surrender to the sublime, some may think of it as voyeurism. While many things are symbolic in mythology, why are only women subjected to this test of self-surrender, why not men? It is argued that Krishna is the only man, all others are women, but that is not the way artists depict &#39;vastraharan&#39;.</p>

<p>Given this background of &#39;lakshmanrekhas&#39;, male deception, victimisation of women for no fault of theirs as well indulgence towards what would today be called eve-teasing, it is not surprising that &lsquo;chherna&rsquo; or sexual teasing, rape and women silently accepting abuse are engrained into popular films of every language, much appreciated and applauded by the male public. After all, our mythological lores are full of such incidents, and Krishna&rsquo;s lilas are indulgently smiled at. But does one realise the impact that this kind of popular culture can have on society? It can leave so many women writing #MeToo on their Facebook statuses, without much hope of a change in male behaviour.</p>


Indian mythological lores are full of sexual transgression incidents, and Krishna?s 'lilas' are indulgently smiled at.

#MeToo has provided a global social platform for women to talk about sexual harassment, abuse and innuendos that every woman, perhaps all over the world, has undergone or felt, outside and sometimes inside home, and has more often than not, quietly accepted, especially in India because it is in our culture not to speak of such matters. And why? Tradition and mythology have idealised the ‘Sati’, ‘Savitris’ of mythology, but in doing so has drawn a ‘lakshmanrekha’ – boundaries that may not be crossed by women for fear of becoming tainted and, therefore, rejected. Indian mythology is full of tales of women, who faced abuse, harassment and punishment for acts for which not they but men were responsible. × Indian mythology is full of tales of women, heroines in their own right and often, symbols of ‘purity’ as defined by men, who faced abuse, harassment and punishment for acts for which not they, but men, sometimes their own husbands, were responsible. And who wrote these stories of yore? Men, of course. Take the story of Ahalya, most beautiful of women, wife of Gautama Maharishi, lusted after by Indra, mythical God of lightning, thunder and rain and king of the Devas, the most referred deity in the Rig Veda, who took the form of her husband to make love to her. Gautama cursed her for being wanton and made her into a stone, from which she was released only after the foot of Rama, Purushottama, the highest among men and a Vishnu avatar, touched the stone. And what of Rama? Sita, his wife, crossed the ‘lakshmanrekha’ literally, to give alms to Ravana, who lusted after her and also wanted to teach Rama and his brother Lakshmana a lesson for cutting off his sister, Surpanakha’s, nose (whose only crime was to be enamoured of Rama, to whom she proposed, and who made fun of her proposal and passed her on to Lakshmana, who also made fun of her and additionally, cut of her nose – this was also a case of #MeToo!). Men’s deceit is part of our mythical lore and this is clear in the case of both Ahalya and Sita. × He kidnapped Sita by posing as a hermit seeking alms, refusing to take the offerings unless she came across the drawn boundary. And well-bred Sita could not insult a Brahmin by refusing to do so. Men’s deceit is part of our mythical lore and this is clear in the case of both Ahalya and Sita. But Sita remains ‘pure’ because of Ravana, after all, turns out to be a gentleman who keeps her enclosed in a garden but refuses to take her against her will. But what of Rama, Vishnu’s avatar? He wants proof of her fidelity and makes her go through an ‘agnipariksha’, literally, a trial by fire, and later, on the basis of doubts expressed by a washerman, a subject of Rama’s kingdom who should not be denied in Ram rajya, banishes his pregnant wife, who apparently holds a lesser place in the scheme of statehood. She gives birth to twins in exile and brings them up as a single mother under the protection of sage Valmiki, who teaches the sons the art of war as well as the fine arts. During Rama’s Ashwamedha Yagna, they prove to be able sons of their father by capturing Rama’s horse and defeating Rama and his three brothers. Getting to know the true identity of these young boy-warriors, Rama wants them back along with his wife, their mother. But Sita has had enough. She prays to her earth mother, Bhoomidevi, of whom she was born, to take her back, and the earth opens to swallow Vaidehi, Sita –‘ MeToo’ Sita would have said if she could speak. The same is true of Yagnaseni, Draupadi, proud wife of the five Pandavas, dusky beauty, who is pawned by Dharmaputra Yudhisthir in a game of dice with the Kauravas, dragged into court by her brother-in-law Dushyasana, and saved the ultimate shame of total public disrobement by Krishna, who adds yards to her robe, making it never-ending. But did any of the stalwarts of the Mahabharata – Dronacharya, Bhisma Pitama, Dhritarashtra, let alone her five warrior husbands, protest? No. #MeToo. It is not surprising that ‘chherna’ or sexual teasing, rape and women silently accepting abuse are engrained into popular films of every language, much appreciated and applauded by the male public. × And Krishna, the most revered God of the Hindu pantheon, who kept Draupadi’s honour? There are many stories of his mischievous behaviour as a child which we indulgently smile at as part of his ‘lila’. Gods can do no wrong. But, has anyone thought about what adverse effect some of these stories may have on the minds of aberrant young males? The ‘vastraharan’ story is well known – how Krishna stole the clothes of young ‘gopis’ who were bathing and made them come out of the water nude, with their hands above their heads (which world over, is a symbol of surrender) before he returned their clothes. While devotees will call this symbolic of total surrender to the sublime, some may think of it as voyeurism. While many things are symbolic in mythology, why are only women subjected to this test of self-surrender, why not men? It is argued that Krishna is the only man, all others are women, but that is not the way artists depict 'vastraharan'. Given this background of 'lakshmanrekhas', male deception, victimisation of women for no fault of theirs as well indulgence towards what would today be called eve-teasing, it is not surprising that ‘chherna’ or sexual teasing, rape and women silently accepting abuse are engrained into popular films of every language, much appreciated and applauded by the male public. After all, our mythological lores are full of such incidents, and Krishna’s lilas are indulgently smiled at. But does one realise the impact that this kind of popular culture can have on society? It can leave so many women writing #MeToo on their Facebook statuses, without much hope of a change in male behaviour.

#MeToo, say Sita and Savitri

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