faith and culture

Rap icon and actor Snoop Dogg is set to star alongside Brandon Perea in the upcoming boxing drama 'The Faith of Long Beach', according to Deadline.

Amitabh Bachchan highlighted the profound cultural and spiritual significance of 'Namaskaar,' noting its global adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic as a safe, respectful alternative to handshakes. He explained its Sanskrit roots, meaning 'I bow to you,' and its interpretations in Indian philosophy, yogic traditions, Buddhism, and Jainism, emphasizing humility and respect.

Animated feature film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath', which will release across more than 300 screens in Hindi, Odia and Telugu, will begin the first chapter of the 'Sanatan Universe'.

Nobel laureates, global business leaders, and cultural icons are converging at the 'Billionaires for Peace Conclave' in Mumbai. Organized by the 'I am Peacekeeper Movement', the event features panel discussions, keynote addresses, and an awards ceremony. Esteemed guests, including former President Ram Nath Kovind and Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, will also be in attendance.

In Indian culture, nose pins hold deep significance beyond fashion, symbolizing positive energy, emotional balance, and feminine power. Astrologically linked to Venus, they are believed to enhance confidence, marital harmony, and attract prosperity, with specific metals and gemstones offering further benefits. While lacking scientific proof, their practice is rooted in faith, tradition, and cultural values.

Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy established Tech Bulls, Andhra Pradesh's first rural IT company, in Ongole, empowering hundreds of poor women from remote villages. This initiative brought technology-driven jobs to rural areas, enabling women to achieve financial independence and support their families without migrating. The company's success has expanded internationally, with a continued focus on social empowerment and promoting advanced technology education.

Shree Jagannath Society Japan launched an online spoken Sanskrit learning centre, offering a six-month course for beginners. This initiative, in collaboration with Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangha Japan and WSSRC, aims to help NRIs connect with their culture and traditions. Designed by Prof Dambarudhar Pati, the classes will enrich spiritual and cultural understanding for both children and adults.

Kannadasan (born in 1927), the 'king of poets,' remains Tamil cinema's unparalleled lyricist a century after his birth. Despite a challenging start and a period of political activism, he found his true artistic calling in songwriting. His 5,000 film songs, known for their philosophical depth and popular appeal, continue to resonate across generations.

Andhra Pradesh's IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh drew a parallel between the Somnath Temple's restoration anniversary and the inauguration of a 65-foot Trishul at Visakhapatnam's Kailasagiri. He stated that these developments signify a national revival of faith, identity, and cultural pride. The Rs 3 crore Trishul project, enhanced with LED lighting, was inaugurated on May 9.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney is set to announce his new cabinet. Jenny Gilruth is tipped to become Deputy First Minister. Swinney was sworn in for his second term. His government will focus on the cost-of-living crisis and NHS reforms. The SNP won 58 seats in the recent election. New appointments are expected soon.

A heartwarming photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip feeding an elephant named Donna at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo has captured public imagination. The image, taken during the opening of a new elephant care centre, showcased a rare, informal glimpse of the royals' affection for animals, highlighting a moment of simple, relatable human-animal interaction amidst a serious conservation effort.

A Bhopal queen's generous donation funded the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, England, becoming the UK's first purpose-built mosque. This historical sanctuary, a bridge between empires, was saved from demolition by a legal battle, ensuring a visionary Indian ruler's legacy endures.

In a heartfelt revelation, Parag Tyagi, the husband of the late Shefali Jariwala, has expressed his haunting belief that dark forces, perhaps even black magic, might have influenced the circumstances surrounding her untimely death. While he grapples with this 'unfortunate and unnatural' reality, Tyagi clarifies that he holds no one accountable, entrusting the outcomes to divine will.