A woman from Delhi has claimed that the land earmarked for the construction of a mosque in <keyword id="19897034" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ayodhya" source="keywords">Ayodhya</keyword> after the <keyword id="19895345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court" source="keywords">Supreme Court</keyword> order in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case belongs to her family, and she will move the apex court to get its possession. However, <keyword id="22578546" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rani-Punjabi" source="keywords">Rani Punjabi</keyword>'s claims were denied by Zufar Farooqui, who is the head of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust which has been formed for the construction of the mosque, saying her claims were already rejected by the <keyword id="19928902" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Allahabad-High-Court" source="keywords">Allahabad High Court</keyword> in 2021. Farooqui, who is also the chairperson of the <keyword id="21673877" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunni-Central-Waqf-Board" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Sunni Central Waqf Board" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Sunni Central Waqf Board">Sunni Central Waqf Board</keyword>, said work on the entire project, including the construction of the mosque, will start from October this year. Rani Punjabi, a resident of Delhi, claims that the five acres of land given by the administration to the Sunni Central Waqf Board in Dhannipur village of Ayodhya after the 2019 order of the Supreme Court is a part of 28.35 acres of land owned by her family. Rani told PTI they have all the documents of ownership and she will approach the Supreme Court to get it. According to Rani, her father Gyan Chand Punjabi had to leave the Punjab on Pakistan side after Partition, and he moved to Faizabad (now Ayodhya district) where he was allotted the 28.35 acre of lans in lieu of the land he had to leave behind. She said her family used the land for farming until 1983, when her father's health deteriorated and the family settled in Delhi for his treatment. Since then, the land was progressively encroached upon, she claimed. Rani says she has no objection to the construction of the mosque but she wants the administration to do justice to her. It is not permissible to build a mosque on any disputed land in Islam. However, Farooqui said, "There is no obstacle in the project. As far as the woman's claim on the land is concerned, the Allahabad High Court has already rejected it in 2021. There are some minor issues which are being resolved and it is expected that work on the project will start by October." Asked about the board's previous statement that the construction of the mosque and other buildings would start from May this year, Farooqui said, "Yes, there has been some delay because the design of the entire project is being prepared afresh." Also, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) certificate for raising funds has also not been received yet, he said. A senior official of the project construction committee said on the condition of anonymity that he has met Rani Punjabi several times over her claim and told her that in Islam it is not permissible to build a mosque on a disputed land. "If she has solid evidence in support of her claim, she should present it, but she could not do so." In a historic verdict delivered on November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court had ordered the construction of Ram Temple at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site, while giving five acres land to Muslims at a prominent place in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque. On the orders of the government, the Sunni Central Waqf Board was allotted the land in Dhannipur village in Raunahi of Ayodhya district. The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust formed for the construction of the mosque has also announced to build a hospital, community kitchen, library and research institute along with the mosque on the given land. It was expected that the construction of the mosque would be completed along with that of the Ram Temple. The consecration ceremony of the Ram temple was done in January, but the construction of the mosque is yet to start. Those associated with the project attribute the delay to problems in getting the map approved, lack of funds and other issues.

Delhi woman says land allocated for Ayodhya mosque is hers, trust rejects claim

Nestled in the heart of Punjab, <keyword id="11917951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amritsar" source="Orion">Amritsar</keyword> is not only renowned for its spiritual significance, epitomized by the iconic Golden Temple, but also for its bustling markets that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of the region. From traditional attire to delectable street food and modern shopping complexes, the markets of Amritsar offer a diverse and delightful shopping experience for locals and tourists alike. Amritsar's markets are not just places to shop; they are vibrant hubs where the spirit of Punjab comes alive through colorful wares, aromatic spices, and the warm hospitality of the locals. Let's embark on a journey through the top markets that make Amritsar a shopper's paradise. Hall Bazaar: Begin your exploration at Hall Bazaar, located near the Golden Temple. This market is a visual feast, showcasing traditional Punjabi attire with intricate Phulkari embroidery and vibrant Punjabi juttis. Dive into a kaleidoscope of colors as you browse through souvenirs and local handicrafts. Katra Jaimal Singh Market: Known for its textile shops and handloom products, Katra Jaimal Singh Market is a treasure trove for fabric enthusiasts. Patiala suits and Punjabi dupattas adorn the shelves alongside traditional jewelry and accessories, offering a glimpse into Punjab's rich textile heritage. Guru Bazaar: For a culinary adventure, head to Guru Bazaar, where Amritsari street food takes center stage. Indulge in local delights like Amritsari Kulcha, Chaat, and sweet treats such as Jalebi and Pinni. The market's lively atmosphere makes it a foodie's paradise. Lawrence Road: Modernity meets tradition at Lawrence Road, a hub for shopping enthusiasts. This area boasts a mix of branded clothing, local handicrafts, and a vibrant ambiance, making it an ideal destination for a leisurely shopping stroll. Shastri Market: Catering to budget-friendly shoppers, Shastri Market is the go-to place for wholesale goods. Whether you seek textiles or kitchenware, this market caters to diverse shopping needs without breaking the bank. Katra Ahluwalia: Culinary enthusiasts will find their haven in Katra Ahluwalia, known for its wholesale dry fruits and spices. Immerse yourself in the aromatic flavors of Punjab and stock up on high-quality spices to recreate the authentic taste of Amritsar at home. Lahori Gate Market: Book lovers will rejoice at Lahori Gate Market, a paradise for bibliophiles. Numerous bookstores offer a wide range of titles in different languages, making it an ideal spot to explore both rare and popular reads. Rani Ka Bagh Market: Located near the Rani Ka Bagh garden, this market showcases exquisite Punjabi handicrafts, including Phulkari work, brassware, and wooden artifacts. Immerse yourself in the cultural heritage of Punjab as you explore the diverse offerings. New Amritsar Market: For a contemporary shopping experience, visit New Amritsar Market, featuring a modern shopping complex with national and international brands, multiplexes, and eateries. It provides a blend of tradition and modernity. Amritsar's markets weave a vibrant tapestry of tradition, culture, and modernity. Whether you're seeking traditional attire, delectable street food, or a contemporary shopping experience, Amritsar has something to offer for every shopper. These markets not only cater to material desires but also provide a glimpse into the soul of Punjab, making each visit a memorable and culturally enriching experience. So, next time you find yourself in the heart of Punjab, don't miss the opportunity to explore the diverse and enchanting markets that make Amritsar a true shopper's paradise. Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt.

Best markets in Amritsar every shopper must visit

<ul><li>Gadar, Jailer and OMG2 opening weekend collections are the best the industry has seen in a long time.</li><li>While Deol and Rajnikanth movies charged up single screens, Nolan’s Oppenheimer gave IMAX its biggest ever opening weekend in India.</li><li>Punjabi movie Carry on Jetta 3 entered the Rs 100 crore club while Marathi movie Bhaipan Bharideva is on its way to the landmark.</li><li>Stellar September releases and OTTs slashing budgets bode well for movie theatres, says a research report. </li></ul>Indian movie theatres are dusting off their ‘Housefull’ boards with superhits like Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2, Rajnikanth’s Jailer and a good opening for Akshay Kumar and Pankaj Tripathi’s OMG 2. Thanks to the Independence Day holiday effect, the opening weekend collections of these three movies zoomed to ₹390 crore — the best the industry has seen in a long time. “August looks promising,” says a research report by Nuvama, adding that strong footfalls are likely for extended days given more holidays and pent-up demand for the sequel of Gadar and Jailer. The good times for movie theatres started in July itself starting with the mega success of Barbenheimer. Karan Johar’s Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani and Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One — added to the collections as the much needed footfalls inched higher. While Sunny Deol and Rajnikanth movies charged up the single screens across the nation, Christopher Nolan’s atom bomb magnum opus Oppenheimer brought the shine back to IMAX. “Oppenheimer scored the biggest IMAX opening weekend ever in a diverse collection of markets including India. As he has done throughout his career, Christopher Nolan pushed the boundaries of IMAX technology to deliver unforgettable storytelling with Oppenheimer and audiences are responding in numbers we’ve not seen in our 50-year history,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;" class="redcator-table-advance"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Movie </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India Gross collections </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jailer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹204.3 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Gadar 2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹205 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">OMG 2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹65 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹157.5 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Satyaprem Ki Katha </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹99.8 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Baipan Bhari </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹89.6 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Carry on Jetta 3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹55.9 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Oppenheimer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹124 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Barbie </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹44.7 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mission Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹127 crore </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: Sacnilk.com Punjabi &amp; Marathi movies add to the coffers The story of silver screen successes in the recent past extends beyond Hollywood, Bollywood and Telugu cinema. The recent months have seen a lot of traction from regional movies — extending beyond the South movies. Punjabi movie Carry on Jetta 3, starring Gippy Grewal and Jaswinder Bhalla, became the first movie to cross the ₹100 crore mark in worldwide collections even as it grossed over half of that in India. A Marathi movie — which also boasts of an all-female lead starring Rohini Hattangadi and Baipan Bhari Deva — has also grossed ₹89.6 crore Added to that, many other recent Hindi releases like Satyaprem Ki Katha also came close to becoming superhits – signalling good times for movie makers, theatre owners and investors of PVR. The stock of PVR ran up by 22% in the last three months, and analysts expect better times ahead. “We continue to reiterate our positive stance on multiplexes over the medium/long-term. PVR INOX continues its focus on expanding F&amp;B offerings (especially for INOX chain) and recently introduced F&amp;B items starting at ₹99, gaining good traction. Ticket synergy benefits shall likely kick in from upcoming quarters while the F&amp;B synergy benefits are already as per plans,” said Nuvama. More movies, fewer OTTs The pipeline of big movies in the coming months is also full — with Ayushmann Khurrana’s Dream Girl 2, Hollywood movie, Grand Turismo, and Malayalam movie, King of Kotha, in August. In September, Shah Rukh Khan who is riding high on the success of Pathaan will release yet another movie Jawan. Conjuring universe movie ‘The Nun 2’ will also release next month along with yet another Prabhas starrer, Salaar Part 1. Added to that, the biggest competitor of theatres, the OTT, is slashing budgets, forcing couch surfers to step out. “Recent Hindi films are hinting towards a revival, and we expect international OTTs to cut India budget by 20–30% in FY24, both of which bode well for PVR INOX,” says Nuvama.

Gadar 2, Jailer, Oppenheimer & more resurrect the big screens as people throng to theatres again

Mumbai, Riding high on the back-to-back success of "<keyword id="12756474" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="pathaan" source="Orion">Pathaan</keyword>" and "<keyword id="6363925" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="jawan" source="Orion">Jawan</keyword>", superstar <keyword id="1671" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="shah-rukh-khan" source="Orion">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword> has emerged as numero uno on IMDb's top 10 list of most popular Indian stars of 2023, which is otherwise dominated by female stars like Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and Wamiqa Gabbi. The year is not over yet for <keyword id="4546" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="shah-rukh" source="Orion">Shah Rukh</keyword>, who is now awaiting the release of his third and final film of 2023 with the Rajkumar Hirani-directed "Dunki" on December 21. Bhatt, who claimed the second spot on the list for the second year in a row, had a major success in "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" and made her Hollywood debut opposite Gal Gadot in Netflix movie "Heart of Stone". Padukone played the female lead in "Pathaan" and had an extended cameo in "Jawan". Shah Rukh's "Jawan" co-stars <keyword id="16829" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nayanthara" source="Orion">Nayanthara</keyword>, who features in the fifth spot, and Vijay <keyword id="2933760" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sethupathi" source="Orion">Sethupathi</keyword> also feature in the list. Nayanthara made her Hindi cinema debut with the movie, while Sethupathi (who is on number 10) was the main antagonist. He also played a cop in the Prime Video series "Farzi". Nayanthara is followed by Tamannaah Bhatia, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sobhita Dhulipala. All the three stars had major wins on streaming platforms -- Tamannaah in "Lust Stories 2", Kareena in "Jaane Jaan" and Sobhita in "Made in Heaven 2". Actor Akshay Kumar's much-discussed cameo in "OMG 2", "Mission Raniganj" and "Selfiee" helped him land in the ninth spot on the ranking by the website, a go-to place for information on movies, TV and celebrities. "From Shah Rukh Khan's return to the big screen with two blockbusters, to Alia Bhatt starring in international thriller 'Heart of Stone', the IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars of 2023 list reveals the Indian stars who generated the most fan excitement and engagement across the IMDb global audience this year," said Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, in a statement. "Our unique year-end top 10 list is compiled based on the page views of hundreds of millions of fans globally who rely on IMDb to discover, decide what to watch, and learn more about their favorite stars," Patodia added. Bhatt, who came in second after her "Dear Zindagi" co-star Shah Rukh, thanked her fans. "I've always believed that they are the real kings and queens, and nothing is beyond them. I thank my audience for bringing me to the position that I am at. While I hope to continue entertaining them, I am filled with only love and gratitude. I also promise to keep working hard and bringing more inspiring stories and characters on screen," the actor said. Gabbi, known for her performance in web series "<keyword id="14990" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="jubilee" source="Orion">Jubilee</keyword>", "Charlie Chopra &amp; the Mystery of Solang Valley" as well as film "Khufiya", said she was thrilled to make her debut on the IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars list. "The fact that IMDb represents the sentiment of the global audience makes this even more special for me. From Vishal Bhardwaj's spy thriller 'Khufiya' and Vikramaditya Motwane's period drama 'Jubilee', to the heartwarming web series 'Modern Love Chennai', and as well as the Punjabi film 'Kali Jotta', I've had a busy year working across genres and languages, and it makes me happy and grateful that my fans have appreciated that," she added. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/royal-enfield-himalayan-450-to-launch-on-nov-24-everything-we-know-so-far/slidelist/105411032.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/royal-enfield-himalayan-450-to-launch-on-nov-24-everything-we-know-so-far/slidelist/105411032.cms" target="_blank">Royal Enfield set to launch the new Himalayan – Everything we know so far</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/how-to-link-your-email-with-whatsapp/articleshow/105407877.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/how-to-link-your-email-with-whatsapp/articleshow/105407877.cms" target="_blank">WhatsApp’s safety push – You can now login with your email id</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-strengthens-market-leadership-with-3-25-mn-new-subscribers-vis-decline-slows/articleshow/105289414.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-strengthens-market-leadership-with-3-25-mn-new-subscribers-vis-decline-slows/articleshow/105289414.cms" target="_blank">Jio strengthens market leadership with 3.25 mn new subscribers, Vi’s decline slows</a>

Shah Rukh Khan tops IMDb's list of most popular Indian stars of 2023

<ul><li>Afua Hirsch podcast ‘We Need to Talk About the <keyword id="6407742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="british-empire">British Empire</keyword>’ describes the misdoings of British in the colonial era. </li><li>In the podcast, British-Indian Rani explains how she could never meet her grandfather as the British divided the nations based on religion. </li><li>The Brits still glorify its act of colonising 25% of the world’s land.</li></ul>During the tough times of Colonial aftermath, Indian women had three choices - be killed by the enemy, be killed by their family so as to avoid being killed by the enemy, or kill themselves, said Anita Rani in a recent <a href="https://www.audible.in/pd/We-Need-to-Talk-About-the-British-Empire-Audiobook/B08158F7HH?qid=1581912172&amp;sr=1-1&amp;pf_rd_p=2d02bc98-4366-4f94-99d9-5e898cda0766&amp;pf_rd_r=19ESFWEQ6D2F8HE3GZ6Y&amp;ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1">podcast </a>by Afua Hirsch, a Norwegian-born British journalist. While a few well-read people in India are aware of the atrocities of partition, unfortunately the British education system still tries to glorify colonisation as a ‘golden era’. Hirsch however is dispelling many such myths in a series of interviews that go against the popular word. “We rarely hear the stories of the colonised. It’s the voices of the colonisers that have shaped our ideas of the British empire,” the podcast presenter Hirsch said. The Great White Hope In British schools, children are told how the ‘clever’ Brits arrived in chaotic foreign lands, and bestowed them with world-class structures and roads etc. “Moreover, things went mad in the country after the British left,” said Hirsch. India was the largest colonial empire when they covered 25% of the world lands - claiming the Sun never sets in the British empire. Rani, a British-Indian TV presenter herself, belongs to Punjab. In the podcast, she speaks about her grandfather ‘Sant Singh’ who was in the British-Indian army. The Greatest Modern tragedies The partition in 1947 described as “one of the greatest tragedies in modern human history” created the largest recorded mass migration in history. About 15 million people became refugees overnight as they were forced away from the country they were born in. Sant Singh’s family who, while he was posted elsewhere, were forced to leave their home. Presumed murdered, they were never seen again. Many families were divided and friends turned foes during the vast communal violence as depicted in the moving novel, Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh, a writer and a Punjabi like Rani. Famines, funds and wars In spite of what British claim, for Indians, colonial times were far from wonderful. Though to be fair, the British did establish schools, the railways and even tried to mitigate inequality amongst the ‘natives’ they so abhorred. In fact, they fought a lot of extremists against the violent practice of Sati where young women of deceased husbands were burned on the pyre. <div type="image" title="Bengal famine" msid="74169630" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Credit:BCCL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 Yet, much Indian blood was spilled during the British rule. The Bengal famine of 1943, which ended up claiming over 2 million lives was a <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bengal-famine-of-1943-caused-by-british-policy-failure-not-drought-study/articleshow/68495710.cms?from=mdr">result</a> of the British government’s policies where grain was lifted off to fund its war rations. In India, it resulted in malaria, starvation and malnutrition. Last year in April 2019, India marked the 100th anniversary of <keyword id="190570" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jallianwala-Bagh">Jallianwala Bagh</keyword>, where the British troops fired mercilessly on innocent protestors. No clear, full apology The former British Prime Minister Theresa May expressed “deep regret” for the 1919 <keyword id="103022" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jallianwala-Bagh-massacre">Jallianwala Bagh massacre</keyword>. However, May did not offer an absolute apology; she told the House of Commons, “We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused by the massacre.” Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and other MP’s asked May for a full, clear apology instead. <div type="image" title="Jallianwala Bagh-David Cameron, the former British PM" msid="74169596" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Credit: BCCL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 Queen Elizabeth however apologised for the act in October 1997, when she visited Jallianwala Bagh to pay tribute with a 30-sec moment of silence. In February 2013, British Prime Minister David Cameron while visiting Amritsar, called the massacre “a deeply shameful event in British history”. The Imperial Amnesia Many historians and thinkers refuse to believe that the British truly regret their actions. Shashi Tharoor the Congress MP is one of the many critics who wrote a book called ‘Imperial Amnesia’. <div type="image" title="Jallianwala Bagh- Bullet marks from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre" msid="74169618" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Credit:BCCL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 “There is a statute of limitations on colonial wrongdoings, but none on human memory, especially living memory. There are still millions of Indians alive today who remember the iniquities of the British Empire in India,” <a href="https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=364770436357244;res=IELAPA">the book’s abstract </a>says. <div type="twitter" handle="ShashiTharoor" handlename="Shashi Tharoor" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/928582848784633857/sX6E0-GB_normal.jpg" favoritecount="6724" retweetcount="1842" status="When selected authors were invited to tell a 7-minute “true story” at the opening gala of the… https://t.co/wT0Tn4ZKdr" createdat="1526547346000" id="997037951044337664"></div>

 Hirsch however is one of the few who refuses to forget. She says that “we need to fully recognise our past – not as far away as we imagine – in order to understand ourselves.” The other parts of the podcast available on <a href="https://www.audible.in/a/library/subscription?parentAsin=B08158PKT7&amp;parentTitle=We+Need+to+Talk+About+the+British+Empire&amp;ref=a_a_library_c4_view_all_episodes_0">Audible Amazon</a> have six episodes which include Emmy the Great and Benjamin Zephaniah, are not just telling their own stories but the stories of millions and different British empires. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/patriot-act-godse-debate-kamal-haasan-vs-sadhvi-pragya-bjp/articleshow/69372552.cms">It’s 2019 and India is debating if the murder of Mahatma Gandhi was Godse’s ‘patriot act’</a>

Indian women had to kill themselves —and other bitter stories of British colonialism revealed in a podcast

<ul><li>Cornershop English album ‘<keyword id="8887186" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="England-is-a-garden">England is a Garden</keyword>,’ is played on Indian musical instruments flute, tamboura and tabla. </li><li>Cornershop gained popularity in the UK after their song called ‘Brimful of Asha,’ in 1988.</li></ul>A British Indian Tjinder Singh led band Cornershop released a new English album England is a Garden. The songs played on flute, tamboura and tabla are winning hearts in the UK. The band gained popularity in the UK when it came up with a new song in 1998 called ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM7H0ooV_o8">Brimful of Asha</a>.’ The song topped the charts at number one in February 1998 and even displaced Céline Dion’s foghorn Titanic theme, at that time. The album then was dedicated to Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle and was lauded as an indie-rock triumph, as it called Bhosle “Sadi rani”. ‘England is a Garden’ is the first full-length studio album released by Singh and his partner Ben Ayres, after a five year gap. The previous album of Cornershop was ‘Hold On It’s Easy’, which was released back in 2015. Although the band also released ‘Demon is a Monster’ in 2017 to express their anti-Brexit sentiments. ‘England is a Garden’ follows an Indian Bollywood opening, starting with birds singing in their melodious voice in a garden. Tabla and sitar, which adds a mellow flow at the beginning of the music is followed by woodwind instruments that blend the airs of English folk-rock with Indian folk music. A UK origin newspaper daily, Financial Times, called the album “unmanicured” and said in its <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/2f572f8a-5c90-11ea-8033-fa40a0d65a98">review</a> that, “Singh sing-speaks his vocals in the manner of Lou Reed, although gentler in tone,” in the album. Singh grew up listening to Punjabi folk music in Britain, when his father, who was a headmaster back in India, had moved to Britain in 1965. His father used to work on London buses as he trained to become a teacher in the UK. The Bhujhangy Group, a popular bhangra band in Handsworth, England was a favourite band of Singh before being exposed to the Smiths and the Stooges, he said in an interview with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/01/cornershop-tjinder-singh-brexit-morrissey-music-england-garden">The Guardian</a>. The band has been quite vocal about its Anglo-India ties, and it has reflected widely in its albums. Singh during an interview said, “My uncle was in Wolverhampton before us, and he’d said to my dad, come here, it’s all right. But my father said to me once, they’ll not always want you here in this country. That’s always stuck with me. And that’s why our songs have always reflected that right from the start.” The song released on March 6 gained a lot of attention on social media, as many of the listeners tweeted, showing their excitement even before its release. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="GavinCoughlan" handlename="Gavin Coughlan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1120080789562175491/J7kKRioH_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2" retweetcount="1" status="New @CornershopHQ album out today. Sounds fantastic on first listen. Still one of the finest bands around https://t.co/ZNWxjMVsHx" createdat="1583490469000" id="1235874719565582337"></div>



 
	<div type="twitter" handle="ysachris" handlename="🌈 Saturn Return 🍓🎶" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1220043643211407360/STdSwSrY_normal.png" favoritecount="3" retweetcount="2" status="❤️🎶💎 https://t.co/VP5GWajTi2 This album is 💎✨ ❤️ @CornershopHQ 🎶" createdat="1583480044000" id="1235830994810200068"></div>



 
	<div type="twitter" handle="GoodLaughTerry" handlename="Adm. Spartus Cloud." image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1163198269373276161/EeRTjp52_normal.jpg" favoritecount="4" retweetcount="1" status="Oh, man.. England Is A Garden by @CornershopHQ. I've Waited 10 years for a new 'true' 'shop disc and, despite being… https://t.co/YhlPMlgXeA" createdat="1583535960000" id="1236065523525398533"></div>



 SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-women-had-to-kill-themselves-and-other-bitter-stories-of-british-colonialism-revealed-in-a-podcast/articleshow/74169159.cms">Indian women had to kill themselves —and other bitter stories of British colonialism revealed in a podcast</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/a-us-government-funded-ngo-just-called-kashmir-not-free-and-downgraded-indias-ranking-in-the-free-world/articleshow/74488034.cms">A US-government funded NGO just called Kashmir ‘not free’ ⁠— and downgraded India’s ranking in the ‘free’ world</a>

A British folk-rock song with tabla and sitar is winning hearts in the UK

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/31849102.cms" /> When <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has a mission, you don’t expect it to break the traditional mould and deliver something spectacular. That’s why we were not feeling wildly enthusiastic when two <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword>-centric movies hit the screen just a day before the much-coveted International Women’s Day. One is, of course, <keyword id="1523830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gulaab-Gang">Gulaab Gang</keyword>, the intensely hyped drama flick starring <keyword id="289" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="madhuri-dixit-nene">Madhuri Dixit Nene</keyword> and <keyword id="6371319" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Juhi-Chawla">Juhi Chawla</keyword> as leads. It is <keyword id="132056" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Soumik-Sen">Soumik Sen</keyword>’s directorial debut and going by the storyline – a group of pink-clad women hell-bent on social reform and getting justice for women – loads of fire and spice were expected from this movie. 
 But that was not the case. To begin with, <keyword id="1408081" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sampat-Pal-Devi">Sampat Pal Devi</keyword>, the <keyword id="19496" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="leader">leader</keyword> of the original Gulabi Gang, filed a case against the makers of Gulaab Gang and the <keyword id="6355014" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Delhi-High-Court">Delhi High Court</keyword> passed a stay order against the pan-India release of the movie. However, Delhi HC lifted the ban after another hearing and Gulaab Gang hit around 1,600 screens on March 7 as scheduled. 
 
The pre-launch controversy has, however, taken its toll and in spite of the positive buzz, Gulaab Gang has bombed the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>. It managed to nett around Rs 2.41 crore at home on the opening Friday, followed by Rs 2.97 crore nett on Saturday and another Rs 3.46 crore nett on Sunday, taking the total weekend collection to Rs 8.84 crore nett. Collections tanked again on the crucial Day 4 (Monday, March 10) and were pegged at a little over Rs 1 crore nett. It means the film is literally struggling to get past the Rs 10 crore nett mark in spite of a huge release. 
 
Just like Gulaab Gang, Kangna Ranaut-starrer <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword> started on a slow note on the opening day (Rs 1.75 crore nett at the domestic box office, which was lower than Gulaab Gang). But business picked up soon, thanks to excellent reviews and positive word of mouth. The coming-of-age comedy drama hit 800 screens, against Gulaab Gang’s 1,600, but collected around Rs 10 crore nett in the first weekend at home. Surprisingly, Day 4 collections were better than the opening Friday and stood at around Rs 2 crore nett, taking the total to Rs 12 crore nett in four days. 
 
In contrast, <keyword id="1952335" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Total-Siyapaa">Total Siyapaa</keyword>, the third flick released on March 7, tanked at the domestic box office and only managed Rs 4.09 crore nett in the opening weekend. The rom-com, directed by Eeshwar Niwas and starring <keyword id="6451231" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ali-Zafar">Ali Zafar</keyword> and <keyword id="6356250" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yami-Gautam">Yami Gautam</keyword> (along with veterans <keyword id="6533" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anupam-Kher">Anupam Kher</keyword> and <keyword id="6738" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kirron-Kher">Kirron Kher</keyword>), has hit around 850 screens. But the lacklustre response at the box office is quite a dampener. The Monday numbers are not out yet but according to industry insiders, the movie has made a little over Rs 1 crore. 
 
What makes or breaks these movies 
Going by the box office response, Total Siyapaa is a washout and Gulaab Gang has failed to draw the audience while Queen is slowly building a solid base. Now let us take a close look at what has or hasn’t work for these <keyword id="569603" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-flicks">Bollywood flicks</keyword>. 
 
Gulaab Gang – Old wine in new bottle: It’s not difficult to understand why Gulaab Gang has apparently failed. In spite of some good points, writer-director Soumik Sen has essentially portrayed the age-old Bollywood theme – the good versus the bad. Be it Rajjo the revolutionary (<keyword id="6355846" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Madhuri-Dixit">Madhuri Dixit</keyword>) valiantly fighting against gender discrimination, violence, abuse and poverty, or the <keyword id="2122747" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="all-black-politician">all-black politician</keyword> <keyword id="339288" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sumitra-Devi">Sumitra Devi</keyword> (Juhi Chawla) controlling and manipulating every life – they do it all in the archetypal Bollywood style. So you get some high-sounding dialogues and stick-wielding action sans the inner growth of the protagonist. 
 
Most of Madhuri’s socially committed actions are rituously punctuated by dance numbers as if we are in a kind of dream sequence. And the epic grandeur is essentially missing from this make-believe corrupt world, controlled by a failed system and ruled by larger-than-life women. Nothing is too oppressing or overwhelming in this supposedly sombre world; every issue can be dealt with, however trite the solution, and Women’s Lib has been made easy for the masses, without being given the required depth. The original Gulabi Gang founder has not been acknowledged anywhere in the movie as the makers claim that Gulaab Gang is a work of fiction. And that’s exactly what it is. This flick never rises to the classic height of real life but remains dwarfed in a scripted ambience. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/31849153.cms" /> 
 
Queen – A <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> worth taking: Recently, <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword> has taken to <keyword id="6354616" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> to praise the film, director-writer <keyword id="143066" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vikas-Bahl">Vikas Bahl</keyword> and <keyword id="203866" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="lead-actor">lead actor</keyword> <keyword id="2202" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kangana">Kangana</keyword>. “What a film!!! Guys you have to watch QUEEN!!! Anyone who hasn’t seen it, please go now and see it. Such an important film for every girl, every woman to watch... and in fact every male to watch too! Thank you to Vikas Bahl and his team which made the film. And Kangana... you rock,” he tweeted. 
 Well, that speaks volumes about quality and the flick is worth every word of it. The plot seems pretty familiar, at least in the beginning. Rani (<keyword id="2201" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kangana-Ranaut">Kangana Ranaut</keyword>) is a simple Punjabi girl hailing from Delhi and she gets turned down by the UK-returned fiancé Vijay (Rajkummar Rao) a couple of days before their wedding just because she is not his sort any more. But instead of breaking down, Rani goes on her honeymoon trip alone through <keyword id="106" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paris">Paris</keyword> and <keyword id="22442" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amsterdam">Amsterdam</keyword> – trying to cope, having fun and finally breaking free &amp; living life on her own terms. Of course, you will find stereotypes and clichés here but Kangana sparkles in this coming-of-age movie – making <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword> and growing inwardly as the journey of discovery continues. A must-watch and we must say that the BO verdict has been quite right this time. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/31849197.cms" /> 
 
Total Siyapaa – Not totally doomed: We say that in spite of the poor box office response. Inspired by a Spanish film, Seres Queridos (Only Human), this rom-com features an Indo-Pak pair – Asha (Yami Gautam) and Aman (Ali Zafar) – and their many attempts to iron out the clashing cultures and countries. The backdrop of <keyword id="6354968" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="London">London</keyword> looks both beautiful and homey, but the characters, at times, look lost and confused, as if trying to find their way back to the centre stage. Anupam and Kirron Kher (Aisha’s parents) do their best while <keyword id="16657" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="sara-khan">Sara Khan</keyword>, as Asha’s sister, proves to be tantalising, vivacious and gutsy. You get large dollops of humour as well even as the eccentric and whimsical characters try to make their mark. Overall, an average movie but offers some fun moments. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

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