Marie Antoinette’s image has been shaped by words not her own, but consistently put in her mouth through the centuries. Two things she did not say continue to be misattributed to her. One, the suggestion that the poor French peasants could have cakes if they lacked bread. And the other, oddly, has to do with...
Author: FREEINDIA
Comfort fit for conservancy workers: how three Indian cities are getting the ‘measurements’ right
In 2021, when the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs urged all urban local bodies to adopt the new design standards in allotting uniforms to sanitation workers, Indore Municipal Corporation sought an exception. It was not a move of defiance, but one of concern, concern for its safai mitras, as its conservancy workers are called....
Chennai RWA shines in TN’s solar race
Bollineni Hillside Phase I in Perumbakkam off Old Mahabalipuram Road sprawls across 45 acres and consists of 1295 dwelling units. For ease of administration, the community is cleaved in the middle, the north side servicing a half of those dwelling units and the south side the other half. Both segments have a separate STP-WTP unit....
Aamir Khan to Star in New Spy Action-Comedy
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is set to appear in a new spy-themed action-comedy film, marking an interesting shift in genre for the actor known for his content-driven and experimental choices. The upcoming project blends espionage, action, and humour, and is already generating buzz within the Indian film industry. According to industry sources, the film will...
Pune International Film Festival (PIFF ’26) Announced
The Pune International Film Festival (PIFF ’26) has been officially announced, with the upcoming edition scheduled to be held in Pune, Maharashtra, celebrating Indian and international cinema. The festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, actors, critics, and cinema enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. According to the organisers, PIFF ’26 will showcase a...
21-Year-Old IIT Student Secures Landmark International Placement
A 21-year-old final-year student from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has achieved a major milestone by securing a record-breaking international placement package, drawing nationwide attention during the current campus recruitment season. The student, enrolled in the Computer Science and Engineering programme, received an overseas job offer with a compensation package reported to be among...
Cooch Behar Trophy Tournament Highlights
The Cooch Behar Trophy, one of India’s premier under-19 domestic cricket tournaments, continues to play a vital role in nurturing young cricketing talent across the country. Organised under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the tournament features state teams competing in multi-day matches following the traditional red-ball format. The...
India’s Brave Warrior Queen: Prime Minister Modi Pays Tribute to Velu Nachiyar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid glowing tribute to Velu Nachiyar, hailing her as one of India’s most courageous women warriors and an inspiring symbol of resistance against colonial rule. In his message, the Prime Minister described Velu Nachiyar as a fearless leader who stood up to British forces in the 18th century, long before...
14 Naxalites Killed in Encounter in Chhattisgarh
At least 14 alleged Naxalites were killed during a security operation in Chhattisgarh, according to official sources. The incident occurred amid an anti-insurgency operation conducted by security forces in a forested region known for left-wing extremism. Officials said the encounter followed actionable intelligence about the presence of armed cadres in the area. A search operation...
Daily 10 Minutes of Newspaper Reading Made Mandatory in Government Schools; Rajasthan Issues Order
The Rajasthan government has issued an order making daily newspaper reading for at least 10 minutes mandatory in all government schools across the state. The initiative aims to improve students’ general knowledge, reading habits, and awareness of current affairs from an early age. According to the directive, students will spend a fixed 10-minute period each...
