A determined immigrant left his country for India to start a new life created a brand that gave Indians a place to eat and meet during the British Raj, when many places didn't allow Indians to enter. This is the story of Dorabjee & Sons, one of Pune’s most loved restaurants. 1/12 Established in 1878 as a small tea stall selling bun maska and Irani chai, Sorabjee Dorabjee started selling full meals only because the locals asked for it. Today, the restaurant is run by Darius Marazban Dorabjee, Sorabjee Dorabjee’s great grandson. 2/12

This doctor on the left is not just any doctor. The year is 1969. The place is King’s College Hospital, London. And, she is Reita Faria—the first Indian and Asian woman to win Miss World. A woman of beauty, brains, and unstoppable elegance.

12 photos, endless elegance. 1/13 Born in the heart of Matunga, Mumbai, August, 1943, Reita Faria's story begins in a middle-class family where beauty and ambition ran deep. Her father worked in a mineral water factory, her mother ran a beauty salon—little did they know, they were raising a future legend. 2/13

Remember him?

That man in Aradhana, sitting beside Rajesh Khanna in a jeep, playing the mouth organ while the hero sang Mere Sapno Ki Rani to Sharmila Tagore on a moving train.

A scene etched in our memories. But his legacy? Much bigger than you think. Thread 1/15 He was Sujit Kumar and he was not just another character actor in Bollywood. Originally from Varanasi, Sujit never planned on acting. He was studying law until fate intervened. Director Fani Majumdar spotted his talent in a college play and urged him to join films. 2/15

On this day in 1948, bullets were fired—but they could never kill an idea. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, yet his legacy lived on. In 2003, this ad film titled GANDHI, created by Y&R Roma for Telecom Italia was released.

Watch it. Feel the goosebumps. 1/11 In the late 1930s, Gandhi stands before a modern webcam, his voice carried across the world through telecommunication devices. Millions listen as he speaks of love and peace. 2/11

Versailles. The name conjures images of opulence and grandeur—home to the iconic Palace of the French monarchy, just a short ride from Paris.But there’s another story buried in its streets. This is where a genius from Bengal once called home. Today is his birthday. Thread. 1/15 About just 5 mins drive from the palace lies Rue des Chantiers, a quiet street in Versailles. There, at No. 12, is a modest house with a red door. At first glance, it’s unremarkable. But look closer. Between two windows on the first floor, there’s a nearly unreadable plaque 2/15

“Kumbh ke Mele mein bichde huye bhai” - a Bollywood catchphrase born from the fictional plot where families separated at the Kumbh Mela & then dramatically reunited. But behind these stories was a real-life hero who spent his life reuniting countless families. Thread 1/19 For 71 years, Raja Ram Tiwari was on a singular mission: to help people who had become separated from their families in the overwhelming crowds of the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. 2/19

As more and more powerful figures advocate for inhuman work hours in the name of nation-building, it's important to remember that it took humankind hundreds of years to achieve the 8-hour workday. A thread on 10 powerful images to remind us not to turn the progress back. 1/12 The Labor Movement in the 19th Century The fight for fair working hours began during the industrial revolution when workers endured grueling, long hours. The images of these protests show the tireless dedication of workers who fought for better conditions. 2/12

Today marks Tintin's birthday, and what better way to celebrate than diving into an intriguing detail from one of his adventures? Remember the iconic orange taxi in Delhi from Tintin in Tibet? There’s a quirky story and possibly a glaring error behind it! Thread 1/13
Remember that frantic New Delhi scene? Tintin and Captain Haddock rush to catch their plane to Kathmandu via Patna. They hop into a taxi—a striking orange convertible. But here’s the twist: Hergé, the creator of Tintin, made a tiny but delightful error. 2/13

Why did Savitribai Phule carry two saris when she went to school?

Today, on her birthday, let’s talk about a woman who faced unimaginable challenges yet changed the course of history with her courage and determination.

Thread 1/18 In 19th-century India, educating women was seen as a radical and scandalous act. Savitribai Phule, alongside her husband Jotirao Phule, took on this mission, knowing it would draw fierce opposition.

But she couldn’t have imagined the level of hostility she’d face. 2/18

A short thread on the OG brand influencer of India.

Rabindranath Tagore.

Yes, the Nobel laureate endorsed products long before it was cool. Here's how... 👇

1/13 Tagore, known as the symbol of India's cultural rebirth, wasn’t just a poet; he became the face of Swadeshi marketingduring the British era. Brands eager to ride the Made-in-India wave found their perfect icon in him 2/13

As India battles Australia in the thrilling #BGT2024, let’s pause for a moment to revisit a historical link between these two nations. And no, it’s not cricket—it’s rum. A story of trade, rebellion, and Bengal’s unexpected role in shaping Australian history. Thread 1/10 Did you know that once upon a time, a special kind of Indian rum was used as currency in Australia? This was no ordinary rum. It was Bengal Rum, made from palm sugar, and it didn’t just quench thirst—it fueled an uprising. Intrigued? Let’s dive in. 2/10

This is a Christmas story like no other. In December 1941, a young woman from Rangoon went Christmas shopping. Soon after, Japanese bombing began. In the chaos, she lost her sister. For 65 years, they were apart-until a miraculous reunion in Calcutta changed everything. 1/22 23rd December, 1941. The bustling streets of Rangoon in Burma were alive with holiday cheer that morning. It was Christmas season, and the LeFleur sisters, Sybil and Blanche, had plans to celebrate, despite a backdrop of global conflict. 2/22

Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a trailblazer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away yesterday, at the age of 90. His meteoric rise to fame following his debut feature film often eclipses the arduous journey and extensive training he underwent prior to this success. 1/14 Let us reflect on the period before he could bring Ankur (The Seeding) to the screen. Born in Hyderabad, he was one of ten siblings, which probably contributed to his ability to maintain focus amidst noise and crowds. 2/14

In January of 1913, a mathematician at Trinity College, Cambridge G. H. Hardy, received a parcel from Madras, India. Inside was a letter that would go on to change the course of mathematics. The man introduces himself as a clerk in the Accounts Department of the Port Trust Office at Madras on a salary of only £20 per annum. He went on to explain his investigation regarding divergent series in general.

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