“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

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.

2/19

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)