About 70 years ago, the whims of India’s first Minister of Information & Broadcasting led to the birth of the most iconic radio program for Indian listeners. 1/16 In 1952, in the first general elections, the Congress Party led by Pt. Nehru was elected to power with an overwhelming majority. Balakrishna Vishwanath Keskar was chosen by Nehru to take charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 2/16

OTD, 2 years ago, millions of Indians erupted in joy when Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory, as if their own team had won. But long before Messi and Diego, a century ago, another bond linked India and Argentina in the most extraordinary way. Thread. 1/19
It’s easy to see why millions of Indians celebrated alongside Lionel Messi when Argentina became world champions two years ago. Messi, adored by many, felt like one of our own. A hundred years ago, Argentina also embraced one Indian as one of their own. Love knows no bounds. 2/19

It’s a lazy Sunday evening on Park Street, Calcutta. You sit down at your favorite spot, and there it is—Chicken à la Kiev. Your favorite dish. But did you know this iconic dish owes its place in India’s culinary scene to one of the most fascinating men in history? A thread 1/16 Meet Boris Lisanevich: Ukrainian ballet dancer, aviator, tiger hunter, hotelier, and, oh, keeper of a pet python.

Boris was born in 1905 in Odessa, Ukraine, to a wealthy family. His path seemed set for the Russian military—until history intervened. 2/16

At the onset of WWI, 1.3M Indians served across battlefronts, but only one ruled the skies over Europe—Indralal Roy, the first and the only Indian flying 'Ace' in the British Army. On his birthday, let’s revisit his remarkable story. 1/19 About 8 kms north of Barisal District in Bangladesh, the ‘Lakutia Zamindar Bari’ is a massive, abandoned house that still stands tall with its 400 odd years of history – a sight to behold for the history buffs as well as the spooky fiction lovers. 2/19

What connects Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, and Indian households’ beloved 'ghee' (घी / ঘি/घृत)? The answer lies in a linguistic journey spanning millennia, crossing continents, and culminating in an unexpected shared origin. A short thread 1/14 Linguistics often reveals these unexpected connections, reminding us how intertwined human histories are. It begins with the word Christ. Derived from Latin Christus - the origin traces back to ancient Greek khristos, meaning “the anointed one.” 2/14

If you’re a Tintin fan, you might remember this small but intriguing detail in Tintin in Tibet. Did you know the airport Tintin and Captain Haddock used here, has a connection to a pivotal event that changed India’s political history? Let’s dive in. 1/19 In the story, Tintin and the Captain catch a flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu, with a connecting stop in Patna. At Delhi Airport, a crew member directs them to another airport for their Patna flight, scheduled for 2:35 PM. But here’s the catch. 2/19

You may have seen the viral video of Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke ripping up a bill and leading a haka in parliament. It brings to mind a fascinating historical connection—how the Māori economy was boosted by gold, thanks to an unlikely hero: a man from Maharashtra. 1/19
Before European colonization, the Māori were aware of gold’s existence but didn’t mine it. They had no interest in its economic value. This changed dramatically during the Otago gold rush of the 1860s, New Zealand's largest gold strike. 2/19

Archie fans, raise your hands!

This 1969 issue of "Betty and Me" had something extra special - Archie Andrews in a cool Nehru jacket! So, how did Nehru make it into the Archie comics?

A thread on the story behind this unique fashion moment.

1/19 The Nehru jacket—iconic, sophisticated, and daringly distinct. Named after India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, this tailored coat with a mandarin collar broke style barriers in the '60s. But what’s so unique about it? Let’s dive in.

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Earlier this year, something incredible happened near Delhi. Protesting farmers flew kites to counter tear-gas drones deployed by security forces. It might sound simple, but using kites as a tool to fight a battle has a fascinating history.

A thread. 1/21 Kites have long been more than just toys. In ancient China, they were also military tools. In 202 BC, General Han Xin had a brilliant idea: he used a kite to measure the distance over enemy walls. 2/21

Today is Election Day in the USA and we’d like to tell you a story. More than a century ago, a group of men tried to humiliate a woman by nominating her for mayor in a small town in Kansas. It was a lesson to keep women out of politics. But what happened next was remarkable 1/13 The town? Argonia, Kansas. The year? 1887. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) had recently organized in Argonia, and with their newfound voting rights, local women carefully selected a male candidate they trusted to serve the town’s best interests. 2/13

As most of India celebrates #Diwali, Bengal also turns to the fierce and divine godess Kali. This stunning 1916 photo captures a bahurupi, a traditional folk artist, dressed as Goddess Kali, embodying the spirit of the festival.

But who are these bahurupis? A short thread. 1/17 Bengal’s villages hold secrets of forgotten art, and among them, one stands out: the Bahurupis, the 'shape-shifting' performers of folklore. These traveling artists roam from place to place, embodying gods and mythical beings. 2/17

Of every ten firecracker boxes you’d pick up during #Diwali, nine of them would probably contain a label that reads ‘Sivakasi’, a town in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.

A short thread on this unique town that has been synonymous with #DiwaliCelebration
#Revisit
(1/7) Sivakasi city alone produces about 90% fire crackers of the nation while providing employment for about 250K people. The city thrived on an industry of making firecrackers and safety matches for almost a century (2/7)

In the spring of 1941, amidst WWII, one Indian woman boarded a "whites-only" section on a train in the American South. A ticket collector ordered her to move, but what followed was nothing short of remarkable.

Thread.

1/18 As the train sped across the Louisiana border, the ticket collector demanded her to move. Yet this woman, undeterred by the authoritative demand, remained seated. Calmly, she looked up and asked a question that revealed her resolve: “Why?”

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Remember this iconic DDLJ opening scene? Amrish Puri, feeding pigeons in London’s Trafalgar Square, lost in thoughts of Punjab’s mustard fields. It’s etched in Bollywood history. But have you ever wondered why so many pigeons are always present in city squares? A Thread. 1/20 Trafalgar Square is one of London’s most vibrant and iconic spots, featured in DDLJ where Amrish Puri’s character, in a nostalgic monologue, compares himself to urban pigeons searching for food in a foreign land. Throughout the film, pigeons serve as a metaphor. 2/20

Legend has it, the Czar of Russia challenged the brilliant mathematician Leonard Euler with a puzzle he couldn’t solve, despite years of effort. 177 years later, three mathematicians finally cracked it—two of them Indian. Today, we celebrate the birthday of one of them. 1/18 Euler, born in Switzerland, made a name for himself in St. Petersburg, Russia, working under the protection of the czars. His mathematical genius thrived, solving complex problems for both the Academy and the government. 2/18

You’ve probably seen that viral image floating around the internet: a zebra cart trotting through the streets of Calcutta in the 1930s. But the real story of taming zebras? It was a global obsession, and it’s wilder than you think! Thread 1/18 The most unique tale of a zebra-drawn carriage is linked to Calcutta’s Mullick family. You might think this was all about flaunting wealth, but, according to Rajat Mullick, it was much more—a daring answer to a challenge. The Ganges Walk has a brilliant article on this. 2/18

Kolkata’s iconic tram system, since 1873, is nearing its end as the Govt. plans to discontinue most routes. Kolkata—India’s last city with a functioning tram system—will now only keep one route operational. A thread of images from the golden days of #KolkataTram 1/18 Above: Car 205 was converted to normal layout in about 1970, and is seen here thus altered on 3 June 1977.
The car is on the roadside reservation on Kidderpore Road, and has just passed a "K" class car.
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Team India has just made history with a rare double gold at the #ChessOlympiad2024 in Budapest, dominating both the men's and women's events. This is the perfect time to look back at the fascinating story of India’s first chess superstar. Thread 1/16 Mir Sultan Khan was born in 1903 (alt. 1905) in Sargodha of present day Pakistan in a family of religious preachers. His initiation into the game of chess happened at the age of 9 through his father (2/16)

Every year, millions rely on a procedure that’s simple, non-invasive, and life-saving: Endoscopy. It's used to diagnose everything from stomach issues to cancer. But did you know its roots trace back to an ancient Indian circus art? Thread.

1/9 Endoscopy—a flexible tube with a camera to look inside the body—has revolutionized healthcare. But what if I told you it was inspired by something as wild as sword swallowing? Don't miss the full deep dive into this incredible story in our latest YouTube video! Now read on. 2/9

The image below depicts The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai a renowned artwork from Japan's Edo period. Hokusai used a vibrant dye known as Prussian blue to bring the waves to life. But what does this have to do with the color of your living room?Let us explain 1/17 The shade was created by accident in 1704 in Berlin by a dye maker Johann Jacob Diesbach. When the shade became popular in the mid-18th century a German chemist created his own formula for the Prussian blue and started selling it in London. 2/17

Long before the cacophony reached the TV studios of ‘New India’, a newspaper in Bombay took sensationalism to a new high and defined a whole era of tabloid writing. But how is this related to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre? Let us explain. 1/22 On May 10, 1943, a notice was issued to the editor, publisher, and printer of a daily newspaper known as the "Bombay Sentinel" concerning a comment which appeared in its issue of April 28, 1943. The editor at the time was a man called Benjamin Guy Horniman. 2/22