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The living legend of Kathak, <keyword id="5143" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="birju-maharaj" source="Orion">Birju Maharaj</keyword>, who had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few days ago and put on dialysis, died at his home here late on Sunday. He was 83. <keyword id="10032023" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="maharaj-ji" source="Orion">Maharaj ji</keyword>, as he was popularly known, was said to be playing with his grandsons when his health unexpectedly deteriorated, requiring him to be rushed to the hospital, where he died of a heart attack. A recipient of the country's second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, Maharaj ji was also a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer and percussionist. He will be remembered by cinema buffs for the two period dance sequences in <keyword id="14969" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="satyajit-ray" source="Orion">Satyajit Ray</keyword>'s historical drama 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' (for which he sang as well) and for the 'Kaahe Chhed Mohe' track picturised on Madhuri Dixit in the 2002 version of 'Devdas'. Maharaj ji won the National Award for choreographing 'Unnai Kaanadhu Naan' in the Kamal Haasan multi-lingual megahit 'Vishwaroopam' and the Filmfare Awards for the Bajirao Mastani number 'Mohe Rang Do Laal'. Adnan Sami, one of the first artistes to pay his tributes to the doyen of Kathak, said in a tweet: "Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer <keyword id="12966839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandit-birju" source="Orion">Pandit Birju</keyword> Maharaj ji. We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius. May he rest in peace." Another early tribute came from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who tweeted: "Pandit Birju ji Maharaj was a doyen of India's art and culture. He popularised the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance form around the world. ... His passing away is a monumental loss to the world of performing arts." Birju Maharaj was the son of the exponent of the Lucknow gharana, Jagannath Maharaj, better known as Acchan Maharaj, whom he lost when he was just nine. His uncles were the renowned Shambhu Maharaj and Lacchu Maharaj. He taught at the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and the Sangeet Natak Akademi <keyword id="1547242" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kathak-kendra" source="Orion">Kathak Kendra</keyword>, both in Delhi, from where he retired as director in 1998. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/even-after-the-lic-ipo-indian-government-may-be-well-short-of-its-divestment-target/articleshow/88938799.cms">Even after the LIC IPO, Indian government may be well short of its divestment target ⁠— for a third year in a row</a>

Kathak's living legend Pandit Birju Maharaj dies at 83

‘New generations of <keyword id="180553" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kashmiri-Pandits">Kashmiri Pandits</keyword> are born in exile, in refugee camps even after 26 years, ain’t that a matter of utter shame?’ 
 Questions like these are pouring in at Twitter as Kashmiri Pandits mark <keyword id="3213798" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="exodus-day">Exodus Day</keyword>. Twenty six ago in 1990, more than 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits, or Kashmiri Hindus, had fled the Valley, during insurgency, with a hope that peace will restore and they will return back. 
 
More than two decades have passed and the successive governments have failed to ensure normalcy for Kashmiri Pandits. While recounting stories during insurgency, Kashmiri Pandits say their homes were burnt and lands were grabbed. The community says they fear the same as the talks have largely remained on papers. 
 
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government stormed into power in 2014, he spoke about rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, along with various welfare schemes. Even President Pranab Mukherjee backed Modi, saying it was an issue of prime importance and Kashmiri Pandits will not be left out in development schemes. 
 
However, an RTI states the opposite. 
 
Mail Today, which had access to an RTI filed by a member of Roots in Kashmir Rasnik Kher, reported that things are at a standstill even after one and a half years. 
 
Kher said there has been talk on the same, neither the Centre nor the state government seems to be interested in the issue. As per Kher, there is no plan. 
 Meanwhile, Bollywood actor <keyword id="6533" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anupam-Kher">Anupam Kher</keyword> has been active on this issue, raising his voice against the unfair treatment. 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Our destroyed houses still tell our bleeding stories. We once lived there thinking of a bright future. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPExodusDay?src=hash">#KPExodusDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/8bI4AkOd3l">pic.twitter.com/8bI4AkOd3l</a>
	— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnupamPkher/status/689304651565367296">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Today, my fellow Indians i urge you on behalf of lakhs of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KashmiriPanditRefugees?src=hash">#KashmiriPanditRefugees</a> to fight 4 us. Don't pity us. Show us tat you care &amp; love.
	— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnupamPkher/status/689310929855451136">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
Even Twitter is abuzz with photos and comments on the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. 
 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Ticket to exile: Bus ticket purchased by family on 19th Jan., 1990 when we were forced out of Kashmir. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPExodusDay?src=hash">#KPExodusDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/dXBzVrKXoT">pic.twitter.com/dXBzVrKXoT</a>
	— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/689317273337610241">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		This is the temple I visited everyday before our exodus . Its been 27 years now . Asking me why ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPExodusDay?src=hash">#KPExodusDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/z12qCJHpSK">pic.twitter.com/z12qCJHpSK</a>
	— Kolahoi (@PawanDurani) <a href="https://twitter.com/PawanDurani/status/689070453957103617">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Half a million Indians competing 26 yrs of exile in their own country. Yes 26 yrs, no action, no justice not even a enquiry. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPExodusDay?src=hash">#KPExodusDay</a>
	— Amal Magazine (@amalmagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/amalmagazine/status/689014444932792323">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Sarvanand Kaul Premi wrote Bhagwat Gita in Kashmiri,nails were hammered where he would have tilak, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPExodusDay?src=hash">#KPExodusDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/GXL0n1cQGE">pic.twitter.com/GXL0n1cQGE</a>
	— Rashneek Kher (@Rashneek) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashneek/status/689291083096829952">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		It is one of d most unfortunate, silent &amp; generally ignored tragedies of contemporary times <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPExodusDay?src=hash">#KPExodusDay</a>
	— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sharmistha_GK/status/689056753808375808">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		A lesson every minority community should learn from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KpExodusDay?src=hash">#KpExodusDay</a> --&gt; Become a votebank somehow. If not, you are extinct.
	— Soul in Exile (@SoulInExile) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoulInExile/status/292344049510256640">January 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
 
Experts say this is an issue of grave seriousness and the governments, both Centre and state, should take quick steps to ensure rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. 
 
Only time will tell, if the apathy will continue. 
 
(Image: Twitter)

#Nohomeforpandits: 26 years after, nostalgic Kashmiri Pandits await return to their homeland

<ul><li><keyword id="260777" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="shaadi-com">Shaadi.com</keyword> launches a new website WeddingsFromHome to help its users plan virtual weddings. </li><li>It lists all types of vendors right from Pandits/ Priests to DJ’s and Choreographers who are equipped to conduct an online wedding.</li></ul>As the number of cases in the country continue to rise and restrictions still in play, people have accepted this as the new normal. But not all has to come to a halt. Especially not love, because love always finds a way. Keeping in mind the directives across each state Shaadi.com, launches <keyword id="9538692" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="weddingsfromhome-com">WeddingsFromHome.com</keyword>, a website to help couples plan their own Online wedding. As everyone adjusts to the rules of social distancing, large and grand weddings seem to be distant dream. Also, the recent incidents that took place prove that any form of gatherings whether small or large are posing a threat to the society and must be avoided as much as possible. With this intention Weddingsfromhome.com allows users to conduct their entire wedding right from Sangeet, Mehendi and even the puja from their home via a video call. The website is free to use and is open to all. It lists all types of vendors right from Pandits/ Priests to DJ’s and Choreographers who are equipped to conduct an online wedding. The website also features the stories of the online weddings done so far, to give users a glimpse of what goes on. To help the couples find the <keyword id="9538691" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="best-wedding-service">best wedding service</keyword> provides, Shaadi.com has also collaborated with Weddingwire.in to share a robust list of all types of wedding service providers. The user has to identify the service provider that meets his/her requirement and pay for their services directly. Commenting on this, <keyword id="9538693" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="adhish-zaveri">Adhish Zaveri</keyword>, Director – Marketing, Shaadi.com said, “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response we received from our <keyword id="9538694" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="weddings-from-home">Weddings From Home</keyword> initiative. And it opened a whole other avenue for service providers in this industry as well. As we extend this service, we are equipping all couples with the best of options to plan their own virtual weddings with as much fanfare.” Talking about their experience of doing an Online Sangeet, Yogita &amp; Arjun from America said, “The entire event was absolutely seamless. All our family members had put up performances, our friends raised toasts at the E-Sangeet, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had more than 300 people join the video call from across the world. Not only was it more safe to have this function online than in person but we were able to connect with more family &amp; friends virtually than we would have in real life had we had an in-person event. It was wonderful to see people from all over the world many of whom could not have traveled overseas because of the travel restrictions in place. As doctors, we also value the importance of social distancing to minimize COVID-19 exposure. Our guests loved the event and felt so connected to us and the festivities which meant so much to us."

Shaadi.com launches website that can help users host Sangeet, Mehendi Part and Wedding Rituals online

<keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> president <keyword id="19897159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mallikarjun-Kharge" source="keywords">Mallikarjun Kharge</keyword> on Monday wrote an open letter to the country's bureaucracy on the eve of counting of votes for the <keyword id="19923279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-elections" source="keywords">Lok Sabha elections</keyword>, urging officers to adhere to the Constitution and serve the nation "without fear, favour and ill-will against anybody". "Do not get intimidated by anyone. Do not bow down to any unconstitutional means. Do not be afraid of anyone and discharge your duties, based on merit, on this counting day," he wrote. "We owe it to future generations, a vibrant Democracy and a long-lasting Constitution, as penned by the makers of modern India," he said. The counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections will be held on Tuesday. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Infographic"><cdata><![CDATA[]]></cdata></div> "In this hope that India remains truly Democratic in nature, I extend good wishes to each one of you, and expect that our eternal ideals of the Constitution remain untarnished," the Congress chief said. In his appeal to all civil servants and officers, he said he is writing in his capacity of the Leader of the Opposition (Rajya Sabha) and as the president of the <keyword id="19964138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-National-Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian National Congress" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Indian National Congress">Indian National Congress</keyword>. He congratulated the Election Commission of India, the Central Armed Police Forces, state police forces, civil servants, district collectors, volunteers and all in the bureaucracy who were involved in the smooth conduct of the mammoth general elections. "Our inspiration and India's First Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel famously called the civil servants as the 'Steel frame of India'. The people of India are well aware that it is the Indian National Congress which established numerous institutions, laid their solid foundation, and devised mechanisms for their independence, on the basis of the Constitution of India. "Independence of the institutions is paramount, for every civil servant takes oath of the Constitution that they 'will faithfully and conscientiously discharge their duties and will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will'," he said. "In this spirit we expect every bureaucrat and officer - from top to bottom of the hierarchy, to discharge their duties in the spirit of the Constitution, without any coercion, threat, pressure or intimidation either from the ruling party/coalition or from the opposition party/coalition," the Congress chief said in his letter. He said that the Congress, through the Constitution prepared by inspirational founding members such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, B R Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu and countless others, not only created a framework of strong governance, but also ensured affirmative action through representation of the marginalised in the bureaucracy and the civil society. "The last decade has witnessed a systemic pattern to assault, undermine and suppress our autonomous institutions by the ruling party. India's Democratic ethos are being consequently damaged. There is a widespread tendency to turn India into a regimental dictatorship. "We are increasingly seeing some institutions shedding their independence and brazenly following the diktats of the ruling party. Some have completely adopted their style of communication, their way of functioning, and in some cases even their political rhetoric," Kharge said. But it is not their fault, he said. "With brute power, threat, coercive mechanisms and misuse of agencies, this tendency to bow to the powers that have become a way for their short-term survival. Even though, in this denigration, India's Constitution and Democracy have become a casualty." The Congress chief also said that the "will of the people" is supreme, and people want Indian bureaucracy to again be the same 'Steel frame of India' as envisaged by Sardar Patel. "Indian National Congress now urges the entire bureaucracy, to adhere to the Constitution, enact their duties, and serve the nation, without fear, favour and ill-will against anybody," Kharge said. Counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections would be held on Tuesday, and both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc have claimed victory. Meanwhile, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared a purported letter of the Congress in which it has asked all its cadres to reach the counting centres. However, there was no confirmation of the letter from the Congress. "<keyword id="1571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="congress-party" source="Orion">Congress party</keyword>'s instruction to its workers' reads like a manual to riot...There is absolutely no merit in asking people to assembly in state and district offices because counting happens in a designated secure zone for each Lok Sabha, unless the idea is to unleash mobs and disrupt the process," Malviya said in a post on X while sharing the unsigned letter of the Congress.

'Follow Constitution, serve nation without fear': Congress chief Kharge writes open letter to bureaucrats

Kolkata, <keyword id="13839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gautam-Gambhir" source="Orion">Gautam Gambhir</keyword> on Wednesday was named 'Mentor' of Shah Rukh Khan-owned-Kolkata Knight Riders, an IPL franchise that won its two championships under his able leadership back in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir, the hero of India's T20 and 50 over World Cup victories, had led KKR from 2011 to 2017 before parting ways and for the past two seasons was at helm of Lucknow Super Giants as their 'Mentor. Lucknow qualified for play-offs during both seasons but were unable to go the distance which prompted the franchise to bring in former Australian opener and T20 World Cup winning coach Justin Langer. Once the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise roped in Langer, Gambhir's exit was always on the cards. While both LSG and Gambhir vehemently denied the move for longest time, a lengthy meeting in Bollywood superstar's Mumbai home had created a lot of buzz about his apparent move, which finally turned into a reality. Venky Mysore, the all-powerful CEO of KKR, announced that Gambhir will join hands with head coach Chandrakant Pandit. "I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again," Gambhir was quoted as saying in a press note issued by franchise. "I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the 'City of Joy'. I am back. I am hungry. I am number 23. Ami KKR," the former India KKR's principal Shah Rukh Khan said: "Gautam has always been part of the family and this is our 'Captain' coming back home in a different avatar as a "Mentor". "He was sorely missed and now we all look forward to Chandu Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR." Expected to get full authority ================== One thing about Gambhir, who is also an elected Member of Parliament, is that he likes to have his own team and full control of proceedings and he is always ready to bear the brunt of consequences. With Gambhir's re-entry in his "spiritual home", it will be interesting to see the scope and domain for former Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayar, who had a big say in strategic matters related to team selection and combination. With Gambhir, he has always been the "Captain' of the ship as principal owner said in his statement, and KKR fans would hope for a turnaround after a few indifferent seasons.

Gautam Gambhir returns to Kolkata Knight Riders as 'Mentor'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Jamie Pandit and Phil Silva got married on August 28, 2021.</li><li>Pandit, who is transgender, wore a custom sheer dress with three-dimensional appliqué. </li></ul>Jamie Pandit had been dreaming of the perfect wedding dress for years.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNIe40AzVc/">Pandit</a>, 33, a content creator, met her now-husband, Phil Silva, a 40-year-old restaurant owner, on Bumble in 2016 in Toronto, Canada, where they still live today. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@justjamiepandit">Pandit</a> told Insider she and Silva fell fast and hard for each other and were already in love by their third date, which was scary for her because she did not initially come out to him as transgender. "In that time, because I was living in stealth and I passed as a cisgender girl, I didn't really accept my trans identity," she said. "But obviously the time came when I was like, 'Oh my God, we're falling in love. Things are happening so quickly. And I need to tell him.'"Pandit said she "was scared because I didn't want to lose out on love," but her worries faded quickly after she came out to Silva."He said he fell in love with me for who I am," she told Insider. "He said, 'I see you. And that's what matters.'"Silva proposed to Pandit in 2019, and they planned their wedding for August 28, 2021.<div type="image" title="A groom helps his bride walk through a forest." height="3000" width="2000" msid="93834135" hostid="261" sizebytes="802324"></div>Although they were excited to be planning their wedding, Pandit said it was also stressful for her and Silva both because of the pandemic and because Pandit came out to friends, Silva's family, and the public during their engagement.Pandit told Insider receiving negative comments online and facing rejection from some of her loved ones, particularly during such an exciting time in her life, "was very difficult." But one of the reasons she came out while she was engaged was that she wanted to feel like herself at her wedding, she went on to say."I didn't want people to come to our wedding not really knowing who I am and who we are as a couple," she said. "We wanted to celebrate this wedding very loudly and proudly."<h2>Pandit's wedding dress was a big part of the celebration</h2>Although she wasn't always sure she would find someone to spend her life with, Pandit said she had been dreaming of her ideal wedding dress for years. As she shopped, it was difficult to find a gown that lived up to her fantasy. So Pandit ended up having her dream dress custom made by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leegrebenau/">Lee Petra Grebenau</a> through <a href="https://www.instagram.com/powder_bride/">Powder Bridal</a>.The sheer <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/the-one">dress</a> was covered in three-dimensional floral appliqués, which were offset by a textured, sweetheart neckline. The corset-style bodice gave way to a fitted skirt. Pandit's gown also had two removable elements: a <a href="https://www.insider.com/bride-wore-custom-wedding-dress-see-through-bodice-2022-2">sheer</a> train and off-the-shoulder sleeves.<div type="image" title="A bride stands in a forest in her wedding dress." height="3000" width="2000" msid="93834138" hostid="261" sizebytes="483934"></div>Pandit told Insider all of the details on the dress held symbolic meaning for her.To her, the floral vines covering the dress symbolized growth. She said she wanted the sheer details to speak to the years she didn't feel "sexy or feminine," and felt like the subtle sparkly beading on the gown highlighted all the light she has in her life now."I dreamed about these details for years and years, even though I felt like it wouldn't happen to me," she said.When she finally got to wear the dress on her wedding day, Pandit was emotional. "I definitely started crying as soon as I saw myself," she said. "I think for every bride, when you put on your wedding dress, it's special.""I remember my first dress I put on when I started transitioning," Pandit said. "It was red, and I still remember how euphoric it felt. And I think that's the same feeling I felt when I put my dress on. It felt like it was more than a dress."<div type="image" title="A bride and groom look at each other and hold hands in their wedding attire in a forest." height="3000" width="2000" msid="93834140" hostid="261" sizebytes="1537176"></div>Pandit and Silva's photographer, T.H. Jackson Huang of <a href="https://www.ikonica.ca/">Ikonica</a>, captured its beauty. Pandit paired the dress with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jimmychoo/">Jimmy Choo</a> shoes for the ceremony and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/louboutinworld/">Louboutins</a> for the reception, as well as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marklashjewelry/">Mark Lash</a> jewelry. She wore a long veil, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_tania.az/">Tania Az</a> styled her hair in loose waves. Pandit added pearls and silk flowers to her hair for the reception.And for her makeup, Pandit went for a natural, dewy look created by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anielabeauty/">Aniela</a>.<h2>Pandit said walking herself down the aisle was significant to her</h2>Pandit and Silva tied the knot at <a href="https://www.coppercreek.ca/">Copper Creek</a>, a golf club in Kleinburg, Ontario, where metaphysical minister <a href="https://www.trueceremonies.com/">Aaron Milic</a> officiated the nuptials.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/riasdesignsinc/?hl=en">Rias Designs</a> planned and provided flowers for the wedding, which included ribbons in the colors of the transgender flag in Pandit's bouquet, and <a href="https://eventgraffiti.com/">Event Graffiti</a> made their seating chart. The couple hired <a href="https://sdeweddings.com/">SDE</a> as their videographer.Pandit told Insider it was important to her that she <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@justjamiepandit/video/7011648176746695942?_t=8UsuFqbSEso&amp;_r=1">walk herself down the aisle</a>, as she left home when she was just 16 years old."Even though I do have my parents' support and acceptance now, I felt like for most of my life, I had to take care of myself and be my own advocate," Pandit said. "I really wanted to walk alone to honor my journey for myself.""In that walk, I was thinking about how lucky I am and how privileged I am that I get to even do this," she said, adding that she hoped to inspire "little Jamies out there who hopefully will see this wedding" and know "it can happen to them too."Pandit said walking down the aisle by herself also allowed her to focus fully on Silva, which she loved.<div type="image" title="A bride and groom exit their wedding ceremony." height="1333" width="1778" msid="93834143" hostid="261" sizebytes="336618"></div>Silva wore a white tuxedo jacket to the wedding with black pants, and his cuff links had the transgender flag on them, Pandit said.He didn't see her ahead of the ceremony, so Silva was emotional as Pandit entered their ceremony. "He just could not take his eyes off me," Pandit said. "It made me feel so beautiful."<a href="https://ab-limousine.com/">AB Limo</a> provided transportation for the wedding. <a href="https://www.fruitiliciouscakes.com/">Fruitilicious Cakes</a> made the couple's wedding cake. <a href="https://www.allbiz.ca/dj-franky-j-416-893-0470">DJ Franky J</a> was the couple's DJ, while <a href="https://www.platwed.com/">Platinum Entertainment</a> provided audio, visual, and lighting services for the event.They also had saxophonist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jays2smooth/?hl=en">Jay Smooth</a> and performances from both samba dancers from Dance Vibration and Bollywood dancers from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shadowentertainment/?hl=en">Shadow Entertainment</a>. <h2>Pandit and Silva's wedding went viral on social media</h2>Pandit shared videos of her wedding day on TikTok, and several of her <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@justjamiepandit/video/7038435914153987334?_r=1&amp;_t=8UsuJEShtG7&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;item_id=7038435914153987334">videos went viral</a> in December 2021, with <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@justjamiepandit/video/7040236438268480773?_t=8UsuLoNwVnq&amp;_r=1">one</a> getting 10 million views. The video responded to a comment that suggested her in-laws didn't attend the wedding, showing a clip of Phil and his parents entering the ceremony with the caption: "They were there proudly and with lots of love." She said it was a bit overwhelming at times to have so much attention on her day, particularly when she got negative or harassing comments. She went on to say that she hopes sharing her and Silva's life publicly can help people live more authentically themselves."It's hard to even find love, and then hard to find somebody who will love you publicly and openly without wanting to hide your identity," she said of why she thinks it's important to share her relationship online. <div type="image" title="A bride and groom hold hands and look over their shoulders in their wedding attire as they stand in a forest." height="3000" width="2000" msid="93834145" hostid="261" sizebytes="1118632"></div>"I can confidently say my husband chooses me every single day," Pandit said. "We face the world together."But most of all, Pandit says she loves that she married her best friend."I feel like I am with my best friend and partner in crime," she said. "He's always the first person that I want to share any news with. He is my biggest support system."

A transgender bride said she felt 'euphoric' wearing her custom, sheer wedding dress

Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="14666" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bjp" source="Orion">BJP</keyword>) leader <keyword id="908125" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bhupendra-patel" source="Orion">Bhupendra Patel</keyword> has taken the oath of Chief Minister of <keyword id="6354766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gujarat" source="Orion">Gujarat</keyword> for a second consecutive time in Gandhinagar on Monday. Patel was administered the oath as the 18th Chief Minister by Governor Acharya Devvrat at the Helipad Ground near the new Secretariat in Gandhinagar at 2 pm. The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword>, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of BJP-led states. As per sources, about 20 cabinet ministers will also take oath on the same day, along with Bhupendra Patel and will take charge of their respective offices, the very next day. BJP swept the Gujarat Assembly election winning a whopping 156 seats, which is the highest number of seats any party has won after the formation of the state in the year 1960. The BJP's seventh consecutive Assembly poll win in Gujarat is its biggest since the founding of this state in 1960. Patel was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Gujarat on September 13, 2021. He was first elected as BJP legislative party leader on September 12, 2021. He began his political journey as a member in Memnagar municipality and got elected as MLA from Ghatlodia constituency (Ahmedabad) in the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections. Breaking his own record, Patel once again won from Ghatlodia constituency by a staggering margin of 1,91,000 votes in the 2022 election. This overwhelming majority of the BJP in Gujarat depicts the absolute faith of the people in Patel's leadership. Patel has vast experience in administration, having served as the Chairman of the Standing Committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and as a Corporator for Thaltej ward from 2010 to 2015. He began his political career in 1995 when he was appointed as the Chairman of the Standing Committee of Memnagar municipality. He served the municipality for over a decade, becoming Chairman of the local body during 1999-2000 and 2004-2006. He also served as the Vice Chairman of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation School Board between 2008 and 2010. Later on, he served as a Corporator from Thaltej ward from 2010 to 2015. During this tenure, he served as the Chairman of the Standing Committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). In 2015, he was appointed as the chairman of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). In 2017, Patel became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the first time, by winning the election from Ghatlodia constituency with a wide margin of 1,17,000 votes. Born on July 15, 1962, in Ahmedabad, Patel holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Ahmedabad. He is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He is also an active member of Pandit Deendayal Library managed by RSS at Memnagar. The BJP created history in Gujarat with a landslide victory in the 2022 election and its 7th consecutive win. It is the party's largest win in Gujarat since the state's formation in 1960. It is an important win for the BJP. Notably, there has always been a strong contest between the BJP and Congress in Gujarat, but this time around, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) entry made this election an interesting one. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal tried hard to woo the people of Gujarat with the promises of providing free electricity and water, Rs 1,000 per month for women and a loan waiver for farmers. On the other hand, Congress also tried to attract voters with all kinds of sops. The BJP bagged 156 seats in the 182-member Assembly, its highest-ever poll tally in the state. The opposition Congress could manage only 17 seats while Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party had to be content with just 5 seats. Three seats went to Independent candidates while the Samajwadi Party (SP) won a lone seat in the state. The BJP, which has won its seventh straight election in Gujarat, not only improved its own best record of 127 seats in 2002-- the first election with Narendra Modi as Chief Minister -- but the Congress' tally of 149 seats in 1985. 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Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat chief minister

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A couple hosted a four-day Scottish-Indian wedding celebration in June that merged their cultures. </li><li>Alastair Spray, a Scottish groom, and Angie Tiwari, an Indian bride, got engaged in 2021. </li></ul>A <a href="https://www.insider.com/scottish-groom-learned-hindi-for-wedding-speech-surprise-indian-bride-2022-9">Scottish groom and an Indian bride</a> planned their own multi-event wedding in June that celebrated the best parts of their two cultures. Alastair Spray, a 28-year-old researcher, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tiwariyoga/">Angie Tiwari</a>, a 30-year-old sales director who also works as a <a href="https://unearthed.tiwariyoga.com/">yoga and meditation coach</a> in London, told Insider they noticed a lot of similarities between Scottish and Indian culture and hoped to bring that out during their vibrant wedding.<div type="image" title="Angie Tiwari and Alastair Spray after getting engaged in Seville, Spain." height="1108" width="1478" msid="94500008" hostid="261"></div>"From the moment we met and we started dating, Alastair has been aware that my culture is very important to me," said Tiwari, a British-Indian who observes Hinduism.She added that since meeting Spray on Hinge in 2018 and becoming engaged in 2021, she has introduced him to yoga, taught him how to do the Gāyatrī Mantra (ancient chanting), and brought him to celebrate Diwali with her family. The couple also conducted a pujā blessing before moving into their shared London home in 2020. "Scotland also has a very proud and unique culture and I was very excited to share that with Angie," said Spray. He added that they've attended cèilidh nights – Scottish gatherings with music and dance – in London, and he has shown her around Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, and his hometown, Dunblane.<div type="image" title="The alter at St Paul's Cathedral, where Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari had their legal wedding ceremony." height="3333" width="5000" msid="94500011" hostid="261"></div>The couple wove many Scottish and Indian touches into their £25,000, or around $28,000, wedding celebrations that took place over a four-day period in London and Scotland. <h2>The wedding began with an official ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London</h2>On June 18, a Saturday, the couple had their official wedding ceremony among 150 family members and friends at the chapel beneath St Paul's Cathedral, London. They were able to get married at the exclusive venue because Spray's father holds a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), an honor <a href="https://www.royal.uk/queen-and-honours">awarded by the Queen</a>, that made them eligible to marry there. "At St. Pauls, we had one biblical reading that was read by Alastair's aunt, and we were really amazed that our priest said we could have a reading from one of the ancient Hindu scriptures," said Tiwari, adding that her uncle read from the Bhagavad Gita. They also selected five hymns, enjoying aspects of Hinduism and Christianity side by side. <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari marrying at London's St Paul's Cathedral." height="3333" width="5000" msid="94500012" hostid="261"></div>Spray opted for a classic black-tie suit while Tiwari wore a £195, or around $220, white lace corset dress and veil from a charity shop. Her "something blue" was a simple silver necklace with a baby-blue pendant that once belonged to Spray's late grandmother, Tiwari said.Meanwhile, her family brought touches of Indian fashion to the day. "My mom actually wore the sari that she wore on her wedding day," Tiwari said of the pink-and-purple garment. They then had an intimate meal at a low-key Indian restaurant before returning to their home for a mehndi (henna) party. <h2>After traveling to Scotland, the couple undertook Indian wedding rituals </h2>The next day, the wedding party traveled to Scotland where Spray and Tiwari said they hired a barn and converted granary in the Scottish countryside that doubled as accommodation for their guests. On Monday, the couple awoke to rare sunny weather in Scotland and performed Hindu rituals outside. Tiwari wore the yellow sari that her mom wore to her own <a href="https://www.insider.com/couple-put-a-modern-spin-on-a-traditional-indian-wedding-2020-4#the-day-of-the-wedding-started-with-a-haldi-10">Haldi ceremony</a>, a blessing where the bride and groom are covered with turmeric. Tiwari said her uncle led the ceremony and her aunt explained the ritual, while the family came up and put sandalwood paste containing haldi on them.<div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari at their Haldi (turmeric) ceremony." height="3456" width="5184" msid="94500013" hostid="261"></div>Tiwari added that her family are from North India's Kumaoni tribe, who she said wear a distinctive orange-and-yellow scarf with red dots on it, known as a pichora. The couple sat beneath this during the ceremony. This was followed by a sangeet — a pre-wedding celebration with music and dancing that saw 25 of their loved ones gather and perform Indian dances to Hindi songs and Scottish dances to cèilidh music. "It was a really great blend of both of our cultures and exactly what we wanted," said Tiwari. <div type="image" title="Bags and Pipes playing at Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari's Scottish-Indian wedding." height="683" width="1024" msid="94500014" hostid="261"></div>The couple's final celebration took place that Tuesday, and included the Hindu religious ceremony which comprises many steps. The couple chose a Pandit, or Hindu priest, who explained the rituals in English as the service unfolded, so guests knew what was happening at each stage.Spray opted for traditional Indian outfits. "I was wearing this really beautiful blue sherwani, which we'd ordered from India and I got matching gold-and-cream sherwanis for my groomsmen," he said. He added that some friends surprised him by wearing kurtas, and later changing into kilts: "It was really nice touch that just all of my friends fully embraced it," he said. Meanwhile, Tiwari said she wore a traditional red lehenga before changing into a pink sharara for the reception. <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari during the first dance at their wedding." height="683" width="1024" msid="94500017" hostid="261"></div>Tiwari said they found a musical duo called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dholandpipes/">Dhol and Pipes</a> – a South Asian man playing the dhol drum and a Scottish man who plays bagpipes. She said their popularity was "a sign of how many South Asian and Scottish people are getting married."Other nods to their multicultural union included haggis pakoras made by a local Perth restaurant called <a href="https://tablarestaurant.co.uk/">Tabla,</a> and a <a href="https://www.insider.com/scottish-groom-learned-hindi-for-wedding-speech-surprise-indian-bride-2022-9">speech that Spray gave in Hindi</a>, much to the surprise of his new wife. Even the couple's first dance nodded to their unique journey, they said. It began with Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," and ended with "Koi Mil Gaya," an iconic song in the Bollywood film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," which they said was the first Bollywood film they ever watched together.

A couple hosted a joyful 4-day Scottish-Indian wedding to celebrate their cultures with a Haldi ceremony, bagpipes, and haggis pakoras

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Scottish groom learned Hindi to surprise his Indian partner during his wedding speech.</li><li>Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari met on Hinge in 2018, became engaged in 2021, and married in June.</li></ul>A Scottish groom says he secretly took language lessons to surprise an Indian bride by delivering his wedding speech in Hindi. Alastair Spray, a 28-year-old researcher, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tiwariyoga/">Angie Tiwari,</a> a 30-year-old sales director who also works as a <a href="https://unearthed.tiwariyoga.com/">yoga and meditation coach</a>, told Insider they met on Hinge in 2018 and became engaged during a trip to Seville, Spain, in 2021. The couple planned a Scottish-Indian wedding in June that consisted of multiple events and rituals. Tiwari told Insider they hosted 150 guests for an official wedding ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. According to the<a href="https://www.stpauls.co.uk/weddings"> St. Paul's Cathedral website</a>, only select, eligible couples with a relationship to the British Empire or the monument can marry there by securing a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury.Tiwari said they were one of around 30 couples able to marry at the venue that year as Spray's father holds a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), an honor <a href="https://www.royal.uk/queen-and-honours">awarded by the Queen</a>.<div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari posing for photographs on their wedding day." height="1536" width="1024" msid="94333989" hostid="261" sizebytes="91774"></div>After the ceremony, they had an intimate meal at an "unassuming Indian restaurant" and a mehndi (henna ceremony) at home in London. Spray and Tiwari said their next wedding events took place in West Lothian, Scotland. This included the <a href="https://www.insider.com/couple-put-a-modern-spin-on-a-traditional-indian-wedding-2020-4#the-day-of-the-wedding-started-with-a-haldi-10">Haldi ceremony</a>, where the bride and groom are covered with turmeric to bless them and make them glow. The couple said they hosted an outdoor sangeet celebration in the evening, where Scottish and Hindi music played, and cèilidh and Indian dances brought the two families together. The following day, they held their main Scottish-Indian celebration, including their outdoor Hindu wedding ceremony, at a 250-year-old roundhouse and granary among 75 guests. Spray told Insider that he typically enjoys public speaking but he struggled to think of a meaningful idea or a funny format for his wedding speech. An idea later presented itself when he decided to brush up on Hindi. <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari on their wedding day." height="683" width="1024" msid="94333991" hostid="261" sizebytes="110404"></div>"Angie speaks little bits of Hindi around the house and taught me a few things," Spray said. "It was obvious that when we have kids, it's important for them to learn Hindi so I was thinking I should probably start soon." <h2>Spray said he spent six months learning in private to surprise Tiwari during his wedding speech</h2>He said he started learning on Duolingo but struggled with it, so he found an online tutor in India via the e-learning platform <a href="https://preply.com/">Preply</a>."It was quite a challenge to have these one-hour lessons every week without her hearing or noticing. I had to time it just before lunch on a Friday and make sure the door was closed," he said. <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray delivering a wedding speech in Hindi at his wedding to Angie Tiwari." height="683" width="1024" msid="94333993" hostid="261" sizebytes="38094"></div>The seven-minute speech, Spray said, mostly focused on his love for Tiwari and how welcoming her family had been. He added that the speech also included some jokes and touched on how beautiful Hindi is as a language.Spray said he was committed to learning the language for life, not just for the speech. He said he wrote the speech, practiced it with his tutor, and recorded it on his phone to listen back and memorize it. He said his tutor would also make him read the speech and correct any mispronunciations. He started the speech in English and revealed he had a "nice secret" to share, before telling their guests that he had been learning Hindi for months. He said that after the reveal, one of Tiwari's aunties joked: "So you understand what we've been saying about you this entire time?" <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari dancing during their Scottish-Indian wedding." height="683" width="1024" msid="94333994" hostid="261" sizebytes="88342"></div>During their religious ceremony, the couple had to repeat lines in Sanskrit, and the pandit – a Hindu priest – told Spray his pronunciation was "top-notch," said the groom. Tiwari told Insider the big reveal was the most memorable part of their wedding because she didn't see it coming. "I have never been hit with such a surge of emotion in one go. I really had to keep it together," Tiwari said.She noted that Spray is often full of romantic gestures but this one was especially impactful: "Tears were just streaming and streaming. It was the most out of a movie, old-school romantic thing ever but it's also very Alastair."She added: "It showed such a dedication to our relationship, to our love, to our future life together, and my culture."

A Scottish groom surprised an Indian bride by learning Hindi for his wedding speech

New Delhi, Jun 14 () The Railways has deployed 204 isolation coaches in four states, including 54 at Delhi's Shakurbasti railway station maintenance depot, officials said, adding that the number in the capital will be scaled up to 500 in the coming days. Home Minister Amit Shah earlier Sunday had said the Centre would also provide 500 railway coaches to Delhi to overcome the shortage of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients. States like Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi requisitioned these coaches two months after the national transporter converted over 5,000 of its non-air conditioned coaches into COVID care centres. Seventy coaches have been deployed in Uttar Pradesh -- 10 each in Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Faizabad, Saharanpur, Mirzapur and Jhansi. Fifty-four have been deployed at Shakurbasti maintenance depot in Delhi. Sixty coaches have been deployed in Telangana -- 20 each in Secunderabad, Kachguda and Adilabad and 20 coaches in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada. While Uttar Pradesh has asked for 240 such coaches for 24 locations, Telangana has requisitioned 60 for three places and Delhi has asked for 10 such coaches as COVID-19 cases in India surpassed the three lakh-mark. ASG ABH ABH

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