History Archive

In 1936, a period when most aspirations, especially those of women, were tethered firmly to the ground, Sarla Thakral, a young mother of 21, shattered societal norms. Flying high in the cockpit of a Gypsy Moth aircraft, Sarla, adorned in the traditional Indian saree, claimed her rightful place among the stars. That historic flight marked her indelible legacy as the first Indian woman to fly.

For the longest time, the heroics of the Indian soldiers during the Battle of Haifa were shadowed, receiving scant attention until Jodha's illuminating research. An annual homage unearths this buried piece of history, shining a light on the bravery displayed on foreign soil.

Nazir Hussain, a name synonymous with Hindi cinema, has been an emblematic figure for over three decades. His benign visage made him the quintessential embodiment of the paternal archetype. By his 50s, Hussain had carved out a unique niche for himself. He became the singular actor with the privilege of portraying the father or father-in-law of cinematic icons like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and others like Shammi Kapoor, Dharmendra, not to mention heroines spanning from Meena Kumari to Hema Malini.

In the golden annals of India's history, a date gleams with extraordinary significance - the 26th of January, 1950. Seven decades have flown since that monumental day, a day that etched the ceaseless labour and dedication of 389 steadfast individuals into the robust framework of a fledgling nation, now standing tall and proud. A beacon of light in the darkness, the Constitution of India was brought to life, embodying the very essence of unity in diversity.

"We, the People Of India." The phrase resonates with deep emotions of pride, history, and unity. Such is the gravitas of our self-imposed Constitution that with these opening words, we pledge an unsaid duty to ourselves and our nation. But, as citizens of this vast and diverse land, do we truly understand the depth and implications of our Constitution? In order to appreciate and uphold the spirit of these written laws, it's imperative that we dive deep into the heart and soul of the Constitution – the debates, the interpretations, and the amendments.

It's truly astounding. Indians emptied their pockets, gave their life's earnings, all for the cause of freedom. Yet, what did Nehru do with the accumulated treasure of the INA? He contemplated giving a chunk of it to Pakistan. The very thought feels like a slap in the face of every Indian who ever contributed. "Pakistan had claimed a part of the said assets and it was agreed that the same should be divided between India and Pakistan in the ratio of 2:1," Nehru, our very first Prime Minister post-Independence, penned in his communication to Bengal's then Chief Minister regarding the INA funds procured from Singapore.

Mahatma Gandhi, an iconic figure in India's freedom struggle, once refrained from allowing 'modern medicine' for his ailing wife, Kasturba. However, when it came to another family member, Manu, his views were seemingly different. This revelation poses a pertinent question: Why was there a difference in his approach?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently brought up a somber memory from India's past in his address to the Lok Sabha. He recollected the day when the Indian Air Force (IAF) was commanded to launch an aerial assault on Aizawl, Mizoram, in 1966. His exact words were, "On 5th March 1966, the Congress-led government commanded its Air Force to target the defenseless residents of Mizoram. The Congress owes an explanation: Was it the Air Force of some foreign land? Weren't the Mizoram people our own citizens? Shouldn't the Indian Government have been their protector?"

"Betrayal is the birthplace of resentment": Diving into murky depths of Nehru & Elwin's policies in Northeast India unveils a legacy of disruption, a region converted, culture exploited & nation betrayed - glaring testament to their ill-conceived actions

In October 1964, an article emerged from United News of India (UNI) with a cryptic statement - Nagaland safe from Sadhus. What did this unusual remark mean?