Postcard: Washington DC's Planet Word museum is ode to power of language and storytelling
May 17, 2025, at 03:54 pm
Planet Word is a one-of-a-kind, interactive museum dedicated to the power of language and storytelling. Housed in the historic Franklin School, the museum, which opened in October 2020, offers immersive exhibits, voice-activated displays, and engaging installations that bring words and communication to life. Must-See Exhibits are The Spoken Word, a voice-activated exhibit exploring how language shapes culture; The Library, a magical, interactive book-filled room where words come to life; Joking Around, a deep dive into the art of comedy and wordplay and Word Worlds, a sensory-driven storytelling experience. Photos by Sujoy Dhar/NITN.
Victoria Memorial draped in Tricolour ahead of International Museum Day celebrations
May 14, 2025, at 11:07 pm
The iconic Victoria Memorial in Kolkata glows in saffron, white, and green as part of the celebrations marking International Museum Day, symbolising India’s national pride amid India-Pakistan conflict. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
In Images: Satyajit Ray's birth anniversary celebrated in Kolkata
May 03, 2025, at 12:24 pm
Legendary filmmaker late Satyajit Ray's residence was illuminated along with graffiti showcasing his iconic works at Bishop Lefroy Road in Kolkata's Bhowanipore area on the occasion of the maestro's 104th birth anniversary on May 2. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
In Images: An evening sonata of river Hooghly
Apr 21, 2025, at 11:28 am
IBNS lensman Avishek Mitra captures the magic moments of a mid-April evening on the bank of river Hooghly against the Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge) in Kolkata .
Christians celebrate Good Friday in Kolkata
Apr 18, 2025, at 06:46 pm
Christians attend a Good Friday prayer at a church in Kolkata, India,on April 18,2025.
In Images: Gajan Festival In Bengal
Apr 13, 2025, at 09:26 pm
Devotee hurls fire toward a temple as part of a ritual marking the conclusion of a religious procession for the Gajan festival in North 24 Pargana District in West Bengal on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Hundreds of devout followers gathered to perform intense acts of devotion, seeking the favour of the Hindu god Shiva. The Gajan festival, observed with fervent rituals and symbolic penance, coincides with the end of the Bengali calendar year and is believed to help fulfill the wishes of participants. (Photos by Rupak De Chowdhuri)
BJP observes Ram Navami in Kolkata
Apr 07, 2025, at 11:19 am
Bharatiya Janata Party supporters took out processions across Kolkata to celebrate Ram Navami on Sunday. (Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
Cherry Blossom Rush In Washington DC
Mar 29, 2025, at 08:52 pm
It is cherry blossom time in Washington DC now and the streets are bursting with flowers- from White House to Tidal Basin. Peak bloom, when 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom, is a key indicator of the best viewing time- end of March to early April. The US capital is buzzing with visitors. Best time to visit DC perhaps. Images by Sujoy Dhar
In image: Kolkata celebrates Ramadan in Zakaria Street
Mar 27, 2025, at 01:00 am
Kolkata celebrates Ramadan with a vibrant mix of religious observance and cultural festivities, particularly in areas like Zakaria Street, known for its street food and festive atmosphere during the holy month.(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
In Images: President Droupadi Murmu hosts breakfast of Parliament
Mar 21, 2025, at 03:21 pm
The President hosted Breakfast of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) on March 21, 2025,Photo- President House
Mar 19, 2025, at 01:39 pm
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore arrived on Earth on Wednesday after staying nine months in space. Bringing the astronauts back to Earth, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 completed the agency’s ninth commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, splashing down safely in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of America. Visuals: NASA
Kolkata's Vivekanada College celebrates Dol Utsav
Mar 17, 2025, at 12:45 pm
Kolkata's Vivekananda College, located in Thakurpukur, welcomed the arrival of spring with grandeur and enthusiasm through the much-anticipated Dol Utsav (also known as the festival of colours Holi in other parts of India) named Bosonter Agomone on Thursday (March 13, 2024).
In Images: Holi celebrations in Kolkata
Mar 14, 2025, at 03:26 pm
People in Kolkata were immersed in colours as they celebrated Holi in the Indian city of Kolkata. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Journalist Rajjyeswar Saha receives Dr. Kadambini Ganguli Memorial Award
Mar 08, 2025, at 12:08 pm
Journalist Rajjyeswar Saha recently received Dr. Kadambini Ganguli Memorial Award of The Science Association of Bengal on National Science Day 2025 in Kolkata.
Diamonds In Dust: Girl scavengers of Indian coal mine paint hope ahead of Women’s Day
Mar 07, 2025, at 10:04 pm
Girl students of the “Coalfield Children Class” paint the wall and perform dance ahead of International Women's Day celebrations at Dipudhorah coal mines in Jharia town of Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on March 7, 2025.(Photo By Rupak De Chowdhuri)
In Images: Muslims observe Iftar in Kolkata in the holy month of Ramadan
Mar 06, 2025, at 10:37 pm
Glimpses of Muslim men having their Iftar (breaking fast) meals on a railway platform during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Kolkata on March 6, 2025. A Muslim boy is also seen reading the Koran (holy book) inside a mosque while a man performs ablution before offering the evening prayer.(Photo by-Rupak De Chowdhuri)
In images : Kolkata gears up to celebrate Holi
Mar 05, 2025, at 08:57 pm
Holi is celebrated with much fervour in India and the preparations for this year's festival have begun. A worker is seen preparing colored powder known as Gulal while a local vendor, selling plastic water toys, awaits customers at a wholesale market in Kolkata on March 5, 2025. (Photos by Rupak De Chowdhuri)
Mime artists captivate Kolkata audience on World Hearing Day
Mar 03, 2025, at 04:56 pm
Suvandu Mukhapadhay and Subrata Das perform a mime act on World Hearing Day in Kolkata.
Women and transgender people march for rights in Kolkata ahead of Women's Day
Mar 01, 2025, at 08:44 pm
Women and Trans-Queers take part in a rally on Saturday (March 1) in Kolkata to demand for same wages, same status rights and recognitions as workers ahead of International Women’s Day. (IBNS Photos: Rupak De Chowdhuri)
Hindu devotees celebrate Maha Shivratri in Kolkata
Feb 26, 2025, at 06:36 pm
Hindu devotees observed fasting, chanted prayers and performed rituals to celebrate Maha Shivratri, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva across the east Indian city of Kolkata on Wednesday (February 26, 2025). (Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
Glimpses of the final snan of Maha Kumbh
Feb 26, 2025, at 02:58 pm
Pilgrims in large numbers gathered in the north Indian city of Prayagraj for the last Amrit Snan (holy bath) in the Triveni Sangam (the meeting point of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati) during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela which will end on Wednesday (Feb 26). Photo courtesy: UP Govt.
In Images: Bengal village women participate in menstrual hygiene awareness
Feb 25, 2025, at 11:22 pm
Members of the Menstrual Health Awareness School demonstrate menstrual hygiene awareness to women of Baloon Village on the outskirts of Kolkata ahead of World Women's Day on February 25, 2025. Sanitary pads were also distributed. Since 2013, approximately 80 villages have been covered under this movement to provide awareness and knowledge about menstrual hygiene across different communities. More than 7,000 women have benefitted so far. (Photo by Rupak De Chowdhuri)
Maha Kumbh 2025: Naga sadhus steal the show on Triveni bank
Feb 03, 2025, at 12:08 pm
The Naga Sadhus became the centre of attraction during the last Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025, captivating a sea of devotees with their remarkable display of discipline, traditional rituals, and martial arts. Their unique presence on the banks of Triveni, combined with their ancient traditions, left spectators in awe. The Shobha Yatra of the Akharas, organized for the Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami, was a spectacular sight. Meanwhile, countless others from across the world took holy dip at the Maha Kumbh, the largest gathering of people in the world. IBNS images by Rupak De Chaudhuri and UP govt.
Maha Kumbh 2025: Glimpses of the greatest Hindu pilgrimage
Feb 03, 2025, at 10:46 am
The sea of humanity continues to pour in at Prayagraj as pilgrims in millions take a dip in the Ganga and Sangam to purge themselves of the sins. Images by Rupak De Chaudhuri / IBNS
Mahakumbh 2025: Snapshots of holy dip in Prayagraj
Jan 22, 2025, at 01:29 pm
More than 8.81 crore took the holy dip in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj till January 20 on the occasion of Mahakumbh in the Indian city. (Photo courtesy: Rupak De Chowdhuri /IBNS)
In Images: Mahakumbh 2025 - The Holy Dip
Jan 14, 2025, at 11:54 am
Almost 10 million people took a holy dip in the cold waters at the Triveni Sangam in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj in their bid to seek forgiveness for their sins, marking the first 'Amrit Snan' (royal bath) of the ongoing Maha Kumbh, on Jan 14. The Maha Kumbh, the biggest religious congregation in the world, is held after a gap of 12 years in Prayagraj, attracting pilgrims from India and across the globe.
Glimpses of Christmas celebrations in Kolkata
Dec 25, 2024, at 10:11 pm
Kolkata celebrates Christmas with fervour and gaiety as Park Street lights up for thousands of revellers on Wednesday. Enthusiastic visitors were seen soaking in the fun clicking photos amidst dazzling lights and queuing up for fancy Christmas food along the boulevard, which is known for its variety of offerings.(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
Christmas: Kolkata cake shop bakes for over 200 years
Dec 24, 2024, at 02:05 pm
Ajmeri's Bakery in Bowbazar, Kolkata is catering to the people for over 200 years in the city with a massive British colonial legacy. Besides their famous fruit cakes, they are churning out items with Nolan Gur and Chhena (Indian Cottage Cheese). The shop is run by the eighth generation of the family and all cakes are baked in wooden-fired ovens in keeping with European Christmas traditions, adding to the flavour of the delectable goodies. Pre-Christmas captures by IBNS lensman Avishek Mitra.
In Images: Vignettes of a winter morning in Kolkata maidan
Dec 15, 2024, at 11:06 am
Winter has finally arrived in Kolkata. IBNS lensman Avishek Mitra captures some glimpses of a December 2024 morning in Maidan, the large urban park in the city's heart.
Dec 06, 2024, at 01:42 am
Wheelchair-bound physically disabled artists perform in front of the historic Victoria Memorial, built during British colonial rule, at the Ami Arts Festival in Kolkata on December 5, 2024.(Photo: Rupak De Chaudhuri /IBNS)