South African group to trace roots in India

DURBAN/NEW DELHI – A group of South Africans will arrive in India Oct 12 to trace their roots and know more about the land their forefathers left over 150 years ago to work as indentured sugarcane labourers.

The arrival of the 16-member Christian group from South Africa marks the 150th anniversary of the departure of …. Read the original article  : South African group to trace roots in India.

Pregnant Muslim ordered to remove veil in court

LONDON – A British court asked a Muslim woman to remove burqa to show her facial expression while testifying against her husband in a physical abuse case.

Georgina Richards, 36, who is eight-month pregnant, reluctantly agreed when magistrates said they might not accept her evidence if they could not see her “facial expressions”, according to …. Read the original article  : here.

Rains spoil pre-Durga Puja mood in northeast

AGARTALA/GUWAHATI – Medium to heavy rains over the past three days have badly affected life in most parts of the northeastern region in the run-up to the Durga Puja festival, beginning next week.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre officials in Guwahati, a depression formed over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal earlier … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Rains spoil pre-Durga Puja mood in northeast.

Bipasha wants to go home for Durga Puja

NEW DELHI – Bengali beauty Bipasha Basu is dying to go home to join her family for Durga Puja celebrations.

“Missing Ma and Papa! ‘Aakrosh’ releases on 15th October, otherwise I would have gone to Cal (Kolkata) to celebrate Durga Puja,” Bipasha posted on her Twitter page.
The actress is now considering going to her …. Original source  : Bipasha wants to go home for Durga Puja.

Mysore Dasara promises a feast of pomp and pageantry

MYSORE – The famed Dasara festival that draws thousands of visitors to this cultural capital of Karnataka every year has got under way, promising a feast of pomp and pageantry over the next nine days.

Recreating the aura of the glorious Vijayanagara Empire and the Wodeyar dynasty, which continues the ancient tradition of celebrating …. Source  : Gaea News Network.