Oct 04, 2014, at 10:46 pm
The festive fever of Durga Puja finally came to an end with the Vijaya Dasami on Friday (Oct 3, 2014) . While the idols were being immersed, there is a tinge of sadness as the wait begins for another year for the annual visit of the Goddess on earth to her parental house. Women on the occasion, however, smeared each other with vermilion, known as Sindoor Khela, as they bid farewell to the Mother Goddess. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkata celebrates last day of festival
Oct 04, 2014, at 10:41 pm
People of Kolkata hit the streets to celebrate the last day of the festival as Maha Dashami puja was held amid a mood of gloominess in the city and the rest of Bengal on Friday (October 3, 2014). Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkata observes Sandhi Puja today
Oct 02, 2014, at 10:57 pm
Amid the performance of the Maha Ashtami puja and the commencement of the Maha Navami, the Bengali community on Thursday (Oct 2, 2014) witnessed the pious Sandhi Puja in Kolkata. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Festive fever reaches peak on Maha Ashtami-Maha Navami
Oct 02, 2014, at 07:05 pm
The festive spirit in Kolkata reached its peak on Thursday,(Oct 2, 2014) as the Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami celebrations of the Durga Puja commenced on the same day. The day began amid the pious 'pushpanjali' (prayers with flowers), where thousands of devotees offer their prayers to the Goddess in empty stomach at various marquees (puja pandal) across the state. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Festive fever grips Kolkata on Mahasaptami evening
Oct 02, 2014, at 06:54 pm
Kolkata on Wednesday (Oct 1, 2014) joined the mood of festivity as large number of people visited pandals across the city to pay homage to Goddess Durga on the seventh day of the festival, known as 'Mahasaptami'. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
India-US 'Yudh Abhyas' concludes
Oct 01, 2014, at 09:04 pm
New Delhi, Sept 30 (IBNS) The Indo-US Combined Military Training Exercise Yudh Abhyas, 2014, which commenced on Sept 17 at Ranikhet and Chaubattia concluded Tuesday.
India, US combined military training exercise in progress
Oct 01, 2014, at 08:57 pm
New Delhi, Sept 29 (IBNS) The India-US Combined Military Training Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2014, which commenced on Sept 17 at Ranikhet and Chaubattia, is in progress.
Oct 01, 2014, at 06:23 pm
As Kolkata celebrates its annual Durga Puja festival, IBNS selects some of the best Durga idols and pandals from across the 'City of Joy'. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkata soaks in Mahasaptami fervor
Oct 01, 2014, at 05:51 pm
The festive spirit, joy and enthusiasm of the Bengali community in Kolkata received an extra fillip on Wednesday on the Mahasaptami day as people upped their celebratory mood to a great deal. On Mahasaptami, some important rituals of the puja are performed with 'Nabapatrika snan' or 'Kolabou snan' (bathing of banana bride) and 'pravesh' (entrance of Goddess in the mandap-the place of worship) at dawn. The stem of a banana plant is bathed and draped in a red and white saree that make it look like a newly wed bride and then placed beside Lord Ganesha as 'Kalabou' is considered to be his wife according to Hindu mythology. IBNS images of the ritual and pandal hopping since morning. Images by Avishek Mitra
Modi reaches out to youths at New York rock concert
Sep 29, 2014, at 06:38 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): After delivering a powerful speech at the UN General Assembly in New York and calling for urgent reform and rejuvenation of the United Nations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rock concert at the Central Park in New York City.
Sharmila, Soumitra get together for puja inauguration
Sep 29, 2014, at 06:33 pm
Bollywood veteran Sharmila Tagore and his first hero, the Dada Saheb Phalke winning Soumitra Chatterjee, were the cynosure of attraction at a Durga Puja opening on Sunday (Sept 28, 2014) in Kolkata. Industrialist Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman, Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee, was present at the inauguration of the Puja, its 72nd year. Filmmaker Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury (Tony) was also present at the famous puja opening at Amherst Street (Raja Ram Mohan Sarani) . Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Bumper year for whisky tourism toasted at Ryder Cup
Sep 26, 2014, at 09:48 pm
Mike Cantlay (Chairman of VisitScotland) and Peter Lederer (Director of Diageo in Scotland and Chairman of Gleneagles Hotel) lining up their putts in the Johnnie Walker Experience at The 2014 Ryder Cup, a visitor attraction designed to promote whisky and golf to spectators at the event.
Mimi depicts 'The Fface of Durga'
Sep 25, 2014, at 07:57 pm
A photo shoot of "The Fface of Durga" on the theme of Women Empowerment was held in Kolkata on Wednesday (September 24, 2014). Tollywood actress Mimi Chakraborty was present at the shoot as she depicted Goddess Durga along with four fresh models as the various forms of the manifestation of Devi Durga. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Mahalaya ushers in Durga Puja countdown
Sep 23, 2014, at 06:38 pm
The dawn of Tuesday (September 23,2014) morning commenced with the enchanting voice of late spiritual poet Birendra Krishna Bhadra narrating the Mahisasur Mardini on All India Radio and thus marking the ocassion of Mahalaya,which also heralds the Durga Puja countdown.Mahalaya marks the start of devipaksha (Fortnight of the Goddess)amid rituals by the pious Hindus in the Ganges.Hundreds of Hindus in Kolkata went to PrincepGhat and Babughat, on the banks of the Ganges to perform Tarpon,which the ritual of praying for their departed ancestors. Images by Somnath Roy Chowdhury/IBNS
Flood ravages Jammu and Kashmir
Sep 23, 2014, at 06:24 pm
Incessant rains and floods have ravaged the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Several people have been killed and huge amount of loss to property has been caused by the deluge which disrupted normal life in the tourist destination for the past several days. Images by Saleem Iqbal Qadri/IBNS
Kolkata observes 'The International Day for Peaace'
Sep 22, 2014, at 07:50 pm
Kolkata, Sept 21 (IBNS) Kolkata joined the rest of the world in observing ‘The International Day of Peace’. With a mission to generate the public awareness about the world peace Youth Peace Foundation in association with Raj Vidya Kender on Sunday celebrated the International day of Peace at Bhasha Bhawan Auditorium Hall in Kolkata’s National Library.
Author Mehrab Irani launches finance fiction genre with Mad Money Journey
Sep 22, 2014, at 07:39 pm
New Delhi, Sept 20 (IBNS) Jaico Publishing delved into the new genre of finance fiction with their new book Mad Money Journey authored by MehrabIrani, the General Manager of Tata investment Corporation.
Kolkata: Mishra attends National Conference and Round Table Meetings on MSME sector
Sep 22, 2014, at 07:34 pm
Kolkata, Sept 20 (IBNS) Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra on Saturday attended the National Conference and Round Table Meetings on MSME Financing and Strengthening MSME Linkages here where he highlighted the crucial role played by the ‘MSME sector to restructure’ the Indian economy and to take forward the country at global stage.
J&K Guv visits Army Cantonment
Sep 22, 2014, at 07:26 pm
Srinagar, Sept 20 (IBNS) Jammu and Kashmir Governor arrived in BB cantonment on Saturday on a visit to review the ongoing relief and restoration operation in the flood-hit state.
NGO launches Durga Puja guide in braille for blinds
Sep 20, 2014, at 07:58 pm
Kolkata, Sept 19 (IBNS): NIP NGO (National Institute of Professionals), an organization that runs computer training centre for the Blinds came up with an innovative initiative of launching Durga Puja Guide in 'braille' for the blinds and organizing 'Differently Abled and Senior Citizen Friendly Durgotsab Awards' for the year 2014.
Spaces Home , Beyond by Welspun travels to Kolkata in festive season
Sep 19, 2014, at 09:47 pm
Mumbai, Sept 18 (IBNS): Spaces Home & Beyond-a premium bed, bath and carpet brand by Welspun is organizing a three days brand activation activity, celebrating the auspicious Durga Puja festivities at the South City Mall in Kolkata.
Vishwakarma Puja celebrated at Kolkata college
Sep 18, 2014, at 06:13 pm
Vishwakarma Puja was celebrated in the campus of Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata on Wednesday (Sept 17, 2014). The same was organized by the Management and Staff members along with the Students Council. More than 100 students and staff members participated in the Puja.
Medical relief ops stepped up in J&K
Sep 18, 2014, at 05:08 pm
Srinagar, Sept 17 (IBNS): With Jammu and Kashmir witnessing the worst flood in six decades and losing about 400 lives in the state, relief operations have been stepped up and measures are being taken to prevent any communicable disease outbreak.
US Consul General interacts with business community in Meghalaya
Sep 16, 2014, at 09:28 pm
Helen LaFave US Consul General Kolkata on her very first visit to Meghalaya, since she took charge as Consul General in August 2013, represented the state’s business community to learn more about the business climate in Meghalaya, in an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Monday (Sept 15, 2014) at Tripura Castle, Shillong.
Self Defense Workshop for women at Heritage Institute of Technology
Sep 16, 2014, at 09:01 pm
Kolkata, Sept 15 (IBNS) Rotaract Club of Heritage Institute of Technology Kolkata had organized a "Self-Defense Workshop for women" on Monday (Sept 15,2014) in the campus which was participated by B.Tech girl students of Heritage Institute and members of the Rotaract Club. The workshop was addressed by Martial Arts Expert Mohammad Imran, who is also Martial Arts Trainer of The Heritage School Kolkata. Along with Imran, three other Martial Arts Trainers from DPS School had participated in the workshop.
J&K: More than 2,34,000 persons rescued
Sep 16, 2014, at 08:48 pm
Srinagar, Sept 15 (IBNS) The Indian government on Monday said more than 2,34,000 persons have been rescued so far by the Armed Forces and NDRF from different parts of Jammu & Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit state.
NCC Sailing Expedition from Farakka to Howrah ends
Sep 16, 2014, at 08:38 pm
Kolkata, Sept 15 (IBNS): A 10-day sailing expedition undertaken from New Farakka Barrage to Kolkata by 60 naval NCC cadets -- including 20 senior wing girl cadets -- was flagged-in at Prinsep Ghat near Howrah, today.
Zambia High Commissioner speaks on India-Zambia tourism
Sep 15, 2014, at 09:47 pm
Brig. Gen. Patrick Tembo, High Commissioner, The Republic of Zambia, was in Kolkata at an interactive session organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Monday (Sept 15, 2014). The session on “Business Opportunities And Tourism: Possibilities Of Co-Operation Between India And Zambia†was attended by Arjun De, Hony. Consul, Zambia, Kolkata, Mukela Mutukwa, First Secretary (Economic/Trade) High Commission of The Republic of Zambia in India and Sanjay Budhia, Past President, ICC. Images by Somnath Roy Chowdhury/IBNS