Thursday, January 1, 2026

This slim book of short stories carries considerable weight

By
Humra Quraishi
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What particularly holds out is the simplicity and the easy structuring of each one of these short stories. None of the complex build-ups or any of the dramatic turns or twists, but each story seems unfolding along the natural strain. Easy to read. Easy to absorb.  Easy to relate to! A book review by Humra Quraishi

Title of the book- Birthing Hut and other Stories

Author – Thamizhachi Thangapandian

Translator —  V  Bharathi Harishankar

Publisher – Vitasta

Price – Rs 350

Pages – 73

It’s a slim book of short stories by poet-writer-academic-parliamentarian Dr T. Sumathy aka Thamizhachi Thangapandian, but carries much weight.

Foremost, these stories exposes the non-Tamil reader to Tamil Nadu, to be precise to its  Karisal region. Why this focus on this particular region of Tamil Nadu is because Sumathy comes from this region. To quote her from the  author’s note: “ For readers who are not familiar with Karisal, it  is  the  region which I come from in Tamil Nadu, whose name is  attributed  to the  type of  soil. Most of  the lexicons I have  used  here, hence are  unfortunately termed  as  not  so  mainstream. However, I  feel  delighted  to  have  recorded them…this  is  a  deliberate and self-conscious decision in which I humbly try  to pass  on Karisal’s petrichor to the next generation.”

 For me, what particularly holds out is the simplicity and the easy structuring of each one of these short stories. None of the complex build-ups or any of the dramatic turns or twists, but each story seems unfolding along the natural strain. Easy to read. Easy to absorb.  Easy to relate to …After all, they revolve around the human beings. Bypassing the superficial barriers, in the form of language or the geographical settings, human emotions and the offshoots are the very same! All over! Yes, we all cry at departures and death of the various hues and forms. And we all laugh and smile over bonding and meetings and interactions.

Sumathy’s prose and verse have an abundance of the human factor. And with that comes in the connecting factor.  Why I, as a  reader,  residing in  North  India’s suburbs of  New Delhi, can relate and connect with the  characters residing in  Tamil Nadu’s  Karisal, is simply  because of this basic underlying factor:  that is, we all are human beings!

Let me also quickly add that whilst reading these stories I have rather too automatically  picked up Tamil words. There is the glossary tucked at the end of the book where a long list of  Tamil words stand out with their English counterparts!

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J&K statehood return: no fixed timeline, Centre tells SC

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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The Central government has informed the Supreme Court that it cannot provide an exact timeline for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, while emphasizing that the current union territory status is temporary. 

This statement was made during the hearing of a set of petitions challenging the 2019 Presidential Order that revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories.

The government’s representative, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, explained that the process of progressing towards granting Jammu and Kashmir full statehood is ongoing. However, he stated that due to the complex history of disturbances in the region, it’s challenging to predict an exact timeframe for the complete restoration of statehood. The move to Union Territory status was described as a temporary measure.

Mehta also indicated that the Central government is prepared for elections, with the voter list update almost complete. He mentioned that the decision to hold elections will be taken by the respective State Election Commission and the Election Commission of India.

The Solicitor General provided updates on the progress in the region, citing figures such as reduced instances of terrorist activities, infiltration, and casualties among security personnel. He pointed out that tourist visits to the region have increased and highlighted the decline in incidents like stone pelting.

The Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, clarified that the developmental work undertaken by the Central government since August 2019 would not be a decisive factor in determining the constitutional challenge to the abrogation of Article 370.

The Central government defended its decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in its affidavit, asserting that the move had led to development, progress, security, and stability in the region. It also highlighted a decline in street violence and organized stone pelting incidents associated with separatist agendas.

The hearing involves multiple intervention applications, including those from Kashmiri Pandits who support the government’s decision to remove the special status from Jammu and Kashmir. The Supreme Court is considering a series of petitions that challenge the changes made to the region’s status in 2019.

INDIA bloc leaders accuses BJP of destroying country

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-
Mumbai : Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray arrive at the venue to attend the meeting of I.N.D.I.A leaders in Mumbai on Thursday, August 31, 2023. (Photo:IANS)

Mumbai : Several leaders from Opposition bloc INDIA have launched a scathing attack at the ruling BJP, accusing it of destroying the country, and said its alliance is for rebuilding the country.

“The future of India now as a nation is integrally linked to the future of this alliance (INDIA). This is not a coalition of only parties, this coalition is of ideas. The country has already suffered a lot, which needs healing now, ” said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha, who has arrived here to attend the two-day meeting of the INDIA bloc .

Attacking the ruling dispensation at the Centre, Jha said “This alliance is not only to fight elections, it is for rebuilding the country.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav while taking a swipe at the BJP said, “The alliance of Opposition parties has taken place to save the soul of India. Those sitting in power are destroying India.”

He also exuded confidence that the Opposition will oust the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“We will work unitedly. We will oust them in 2024, ” Yadav said referring to the forthcoming General Elections.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD ) President and MP Jayant Singh said, “This country with its great diversity, history, importance in the world stage, needs collective leadership that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of all sections of society.”

Attacking the government, he said, “The government is so critical of anyone who raises questions (against it). It’s time that those citizens of our country who want India to shine at the world stage, our economy to do better, our young people to get jobs, the farmers to get their right produce, the right of the most underprivileged section of the society to secure, should come out and support INDIA.”

BJP-AAP spar over ‘Shivling shaped’ fountains in Delhi

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar’s allegation that fountains installed at various places in the national capital ahead of the G20 Summit are ‘Shivling-shaped’ has created a controversy with BJP accusing the Kejriwal government of erecting them.

The AAP and the BJP, are now accusing each other of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus.

According to information, Shivling-shaped fountains have been installed between Indira Gandhi International Airport and Dhaula Kuan.

A few days ago, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena also paid a visit to this place.

Now, the AAP spokesperson has accused the L-G of playing with the sentiments of Hindus.

However, BJP has also countered AAP, saying that the Shivling-shaped fountains were installed by AAP.

“A Shivling is not for decoration. And Dhaula Kuan is not Gyanvapi.

“AAP Govt in Delhi has installed Shivling shaped fountains at Dhaula Kuan, ” BJP leader Charu Pragya posted on X

Arvinder Singh Lovely appointed Delhi Congress Chief

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi : With less than seven months left for the Lok Sabha elections and after days of discussions, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday appointed Arvinder Singh Lovely as the Delhi Congress chief replacing Chaudhary Anil Kumar.

In an official communication, Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said, “Congress president has approved the appointment of Arvinder Singh Lovely as the Delhi Congress chief, with immediate effect.”

It also said that the party appreciates the contribution of outgoing state unit chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar.

The development comes days after the Congress president discussed the issue of replacing the Delhi unit chief with several leaders, including former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and several others from the Delhi unit.

Lovely has also served as a minister in the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government in the national capital. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully from the east Delhi Parliamentary seat.

The Congress, which had ruled the national capital for three consecutive terms under Sheila Dikshit has been unable to win a single seat in the Delhi assembly in two consecutive assembly elections.

The appointment comes at a time when the Congress along with 26 like-minded opposition parties have brought the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the BJP at the centre.

The AAP, which is currently a ruling party in the national capital is also part of the alliance and many of the senior leaders of Delhi have objected to having any kind of alliance with it in the national capital. Even several Congress leaders have objected to having any kind of alliance with AAP in Punjab.

PM Modi greets nation on World Sanskrit Day

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the nation on the occasion of World Sanskrit Day.

“Greetings on World Sanskrit Day. I laud all those who are passionate about it. India has a very special relation with Sanskrit.

“To celebrate this great language, I urge you all to share one sentence in Sanskrit. In the post below, I will also share a sentence. Don’t forget to use #CelebratingSanskrit, ” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

Sanskrit Diwas is usually celebrated on Shraavana Poornima, which is the full moon day in the month of Shravana.

It is an annual event that focuses on the ancient Indian language and tells people why they should learn it.

‘People of India want change’, says Pawar on eve of I.N.D.I.A. conclave

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Setting the tone for the two-day I.N.D.I.A. Conclave starting here on Thursday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President SharadPawar said on Wednesday that “the people of the country want a change”, for which the Opposition leaders are gathering here.

Speaking at a joint media briefing, Pawar hinted at the possibility of discussing the prickly issue of seat-sharing for the 2024 LokSabha elections by the national Opposition parties.

The NCP chief said that the first two I.N.D.I.A. alliance meetings were very critical and now the joint strategy of the Opposition bloc to counter the BharatiyaJanata Party is likely to be discussed over the next two days.

He said a panel comprising some senior leaders may be formed and given the task of discussing the seat-sharing formula for the LokSabha polls at the state and local levels.

To a question on the allegations recently hurled by Prime Minister NarendraModi at various national Opposition leaders, Pawar dared the Centre that “if they have the courage, they should investigate the cases and bring out the facts” instead of just making such accusations.

On the likely stance of BSP supremo Mayawati, who is reportedly toying with the idea of joining I.N.D.I.A., Pawar said it remains to be seen, as “she is also having discussions with the BJP”.

The 83-year-old leader was addressing a packed media conference on the eve of the two-day I.N.D.I.A. Conclave scheduled on Thursday-Friday to chart out the national Opposition parties’ gameplan to dislodge the BJP from power.

So far, 28 Opposition parties have confirmed participation in the meeting from all over India. This is the first INDIA Conclave to be held in a state not ruled by any of the bloc’s constituents, unlike the previous two meetings held in Bihar and Karnataka.

PM Modi celebrates Raksha Bandhan with school girls

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated the Raksha Bandhan festival with school girls here from different age groups.

The Prime Minister also interacted with the students.

On Wednesday morning, Modi took to X (formerly twitter) and greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

“Happy Raksha Bandhan to all my family members.This auspicious festival dedicated to the unbreakable trust and immense love between sister and brother is a sacred reflection of our culture.

“I wish, this festival deepens the spirit of affection, harmony and harmony in everyone’s life, ” he said.

Supreme Court questions J&K bifurcation, citing similarities with Punjab, Northeast

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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The Supreme Court of India has raised significant queries regarding the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, drawing the parallels with situations in Punjab and the Northeast.  

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud also expressed concerns about preventing potential misuse of the authority to bifurcate a state, once delegated to the Central government. 

During the ongoing hearing of petitions that challenge the annulment of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the centre has argued for its uniqueness. 

However, Justice SK Kaul, a member of the five-judge bench led by Justice Chandrachud, highlighted that various Indian states have encountered comparable challenges due to shared borders. Chief Justice Chandrachud questioned the authority of parliament to convert an existing state into a Union Territory.

Moreover, the court emphasized that even if the Constituent Assembly’s role had been merely recommendatory concerning Article 370, the President of India cannot unilaterally override it, underscoring that the “end does not justify the means.”

Reduction in cooking gas cylinder prices will provide convenience to all my sisters says Modi

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the reduction in prices of cooking gas cylinders by Rs 200 for all connection holders will give a lot of convenience to all “my sisters and family members on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.”

Modi said that he wishes that all his sisters remain happy and healthy, he wrote on X.

His comment came after the union cabinet announced reduction in prices of cooking gas LPG cylinders by Rs 200 for all connection holders.

The cabinet also announced 75 lakh new connections under the Ujjwala scheme.

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