Just to set the records straight… For all non-Bengalis who confuse Durga Puja (of Bengal) with Navaratri (outside Bengal), there's a simple big difference in the way it's celebrated. While Navaratri could be religious (as people claim it to be), Durga Puja is a cultural festival. There's a remarkable difference between religion and culture. Why is Durga Puja not religious, but cultural? Here's a Bongs take! 1. For most Bengalis, they have nothing to do with devotion, and everything to do with celebration. Religion (as it has become) is an organized way to deal with devotees, and the Bengalis are far far away from any sort of blind beliefs. 2. God/Goddess is an image that's alienated from family of our own lives and seen as an authority. To Bengalis, Durga is just a part of our family. She could be termed as the Goddess, but never seen with a God-like image. There's way more love than devotion. It's a very human connection. She's the daughter of the house who's come for Autumn break to her parents house with kids and friends 3. While people outside Bengal may fast as much as they like, Bengalis will continue to feast on Mutton Biriyanis and all sorts of delicious non-veg food (even at Puja premises where organizers often arrange for meals). Had there been any religious angle, things might not have been so simple. 4. Durga Puja as a festival is deeply connected to arts, crafts, music, theater, films ... everything! It's an all-round celebration. Only a very tiny percentage of people would bother to offer prayers. For the rest of us, Durga and the spirit of Durga puja is all in our heart. Even if we offer 'Anjali' (a prayer), our eyeballs hover all over the surrounding beauties in laal-paar-sada-sarees (a beautiful dress that ladies prefer to wear). 5. Durga puja is all-inclusive. Many Muslims in Bengal celebrate it too. Even there are religious Muslims who are the Presidents and Secretaries of Puja committees. No 'religious' festival could ever break these barriers! 6. There are hundreds of government and private awards given for 'Best Puja'. Not a single parameter in judgement relates to the devotion aspect of it. The Best Puja judgement takes into consideration the artistic finesse of the idol-making, the decorations around it, the lights, the sound, the safety measures, the theme, the concept, the social relevance of the theme, etc. It never considers how devotedly people offer prayers. So, devotion doesn't even come in our way of celebrating Durga Puja. For those who have never witnessed Durga puja in Kolkata but have a lot to comment on it, please do make a visit. Your idea of a festival will change. Our country had no religion, but we thrived on our culture. It's time we pack religions into the sacks and throw them back to the western world (from where it has come) and fall back on our all-inclusive cultural ways of celebrating life once again. Originally penned by Niilanjanaa Daschakraaborty

Behind the fame of Kabir Bedi lies a tragedy no father should ever have to endure. 💔 In 1997, Kabir Bedi lost his son, Siddharth, at just 26 years old. Siddharth was exceptionally bright and studied at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States. But his life took a devastating turn when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Kabir and his family tried desperately to help him through his illness. The actor later spoke openly about the emotional turmoil of watching his son struggle and the pain of being unable to save him. In his memoir, Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor,Kabir confronted this deeply personal tragedy. He also spoke about the guilt that followed, admitting that he had tried to prevent his son's death but could not. The loss came during an already difficult period in his life, when he was also facing serious financial setbacks and professional uncertainty. For an actor who had achieved international fame, none of that success could protect him from the most devastating pain of his life. Years later, the wound remains part of his story. Kabir has spoken about his experience to help people understand the devastating impact of serious mental illness on both the person suffering and their family. Sometimes, a parent can give everything they have and still be unable to save the child they love. His story is a reminder that mental illness deserves compassion, understanding and timely support and that families facing it need support, too. ❤️‍🩹

#WATCH | இசையமைப்பாளர் தேவா உடலுக்கு நடிகர் ரஜினிகாந்த் அஞ்சலி #RIPDeva #Rajinikanth #News18TamilNadu

Who knows the answer?

Saving pocket money for a little cyber café time. Chatrooms, wallpapers, games, songs… simple days. 💻🎶

A friend who works at SBI told me: The bank may close for customers at 4 PM, but employees still have to keep working. Sometimes till 7-8 PM. Many people don't know this. 🙌

🧠 AIIMS Deoghar’s Department of Psychiatry & Student Welfare Committee organized a “Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention” workshop for UG Medical & Nursing students and Academic JRs, focusing on early warning signs, support and gatekeeper roles. @MoHFW_INDIA @JPNadda

Todo este tiempo estuve juntando MAL la basura.

This Youtuber from KanyaKumari showed off her money & jewelry in the vlog. Thieves broke the house & stole 1 Cr. worth of jewelry.

🚨 BIG UPDATE: METRO APPROVES NAME CHANGE OF STATIONS: Kolkata Metro authorities (@metrorailwaykol) have accepted the proposal to rename metro stations after local areas only, rather than after prominent personalities. Proposed Renaming List: 🔹 Mahanayak Uttam Kumar ➡️ Tollygunge 🔹 Netaji Bhavan ➡️ Bhowanipore 🔹 Satyajit Ray ➡️ Panchasayar 🔹 Kavi Sukanta ➡️ Kalikapur Bypass 🔹 Hemanta Mukhopadhyay ➡️ Passport Kendra (Ruby) 🔹 Barun Sengupta ➡️ Science City etc. They will change the names of existing metro stations, along with some planned stations like Titumir, Swapno Bhor, etc., by the end of this year or early next year.

My dear students, As you walk into your examination halls, remember this: an exam measures what you wrote on one day. It does not measure who you are or what you will become. You earned your place at IIT Kharagpur through years of effort, and that strength has not left you. Trust your preparation. Breathe. Take one question at a time. And whenever the pressure feels heavy, know that you are not carrying it alone. My hand is on your shoulder, today and always. This Institute stands behind every one of you, on your good days and on your difficult ones. Give it your honest best. That is all I ask, and it is more than enough. All the very best. Prof. Suman Chakraborty Director, IIT Kharagpur #IITKharagpur #KGPians #AllTheBest #DirectorsMessage #YouAreNotAlone @Suman_iitkgp

India desparately needs a show like Byomkesh Bakshi. A show based on logic, rationale & Scientific temper.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Apple begins the official sale of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max; a large number of people throng the company's store at Jio World Drive in Mumbai