Sanatan Archive

In the mid-1870s in Pune, and a man with a light complexion and a strong build dashes through the streets. In his 30s, he carries a thali—a metal plate—and a ladle, banging them together to grab attention. As the sound echoes, he shouts to everyone within earshot, "All should come to Shaniwar-wada grounds this evening. Our country must be free. The Englishmen must be driven out. The ways and means of doing it, I shall explain in my speech."

The date was April 13, 1919, a day that marked the Punjabi New Year, known as Baisakhi, a time meant for celebration and joy. Yet, in the city of Amritsar, hundreds of Indians gathered at a place called Jallianwala Bagh—not just to ring in the festivities, but to raise their voices against a harsh new law imposed by the British rulers. This law, called the Rowlatt Act, had stirred anger across the nation, and nowhere was the unrest more palpable than in Punjab.

When Covid-19 crashed into our lives, it left behind a treasure trove of forgotten heroes whose stories could make anyone’s heart skip a beat. Tucked away in the quiet corners of society, these tales of grit and kindness deserve a spotlight. One such story comes straight from Ghazipur, a district in Uttar Pradesh, where an ordinary man transformed into a local legend—the Sanitizer Man.

A legal dispute over the Shahi Jama Masjid and the Harihar Mandir has gained national attention, as a Bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar reviews a petition filed by the Jama Mosque Committee. The petition challenges a civil court’s order that permitted a survey of the mosque to determine whether it was constructed over the remains of a Hindu temple. The issue took a violent turn on November 24, during the survey in Sambhal, leading to the deaths of four individuals and injuries to many others, including police personnel. Given the gravity of these events, a review of the site’s historical background becomes essential.

Once a dazzling star lighting up the fashion runways from Milan to Paris, London to New York, Cameron Alborzian was a name that echoed through the glamorous world of high fashion. Known as one of the most celebrated top models on the planet, he decided one day to step away from the glitz and the flashing cameras. Tired of the fast-paced life of fashion, he set out on a quieter, more meaningful path—one that would lead him to become Yogi Cameron, a man dedicated to wellness and inner peace.

The world has seen many powerful empires rise and fall, with the British Empire being one of the most famous for its control over the seas, a dominance that lasted until the middle of the 20th century. But today, even with all our modern technology where goods are traded in the blink of an eye and people can talk face-to-face from opposite sides of the planet, the seas are once again at the heart of global concerns. Issues like piracy on the water, keeping shipping routes safe, and nations arguing over who controls which part of the ocean are making headlines. For a country like India, this is a big deal because it has a massive coastline stretching “7,517 kilometers”, a long and exposed border that’s hard to protect fully.

On January 7th, the Supreme Court provided the Karnataka government with one last opportunity to decide on the contentious issue of worship rights at the sacred Datta Peeta shrine in Bababudangiri, Chikkamagaluru district. This holy site is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. The court, emphasizing the urgency of the matter, instructed the state to finalize its decision within eight weeks, warning that any delay could result in penalties, stating, “would be liable to pay costs as would be determined by the Court.”

Jatin Das, revered by many as 'Jatin Da,' was a name synonymous with sacrifice and revolution in India’s struggle for independence. His enduring legacy is often tied to the 63-day hunger strike he embarked on, a journey that would ultimately lead to his tragic yet heroic death. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose fittingly likened Jatin Das to Dadhichi, the mythological sage who sacrificed himself for the greater good. The depth of his conviction shone through as he chose to die in protest rather than succumb to a British-imposed execution.

The final rites of Ratan Tata, the legendary industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, were carried out with full state honors on Thursday evening. Tata, aged 86, passed away on Wednesday night at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. A long list of prominent figures paid their respects to the business tycoon, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and industrialist Mukesh Ambani. Their presence reflected the deep admiration and respect Tata commanded in the business and political spheres.

In an unusual turn of events, a thief who had stolen a Radha Krishna idol from a temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district returned it on the 1st of October. Alongside the idol, he left an apology letter explaining the troubles he had been facing since committing the crime. In his note, the thief confessed to experiencing a string of misfortunes, including his son falling ill, which he attributed to the theft. The idol, made from the sacred ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals), was promptly reinstalled in the temple after performing necessary rituals, restoring peace to the place of worship.