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As Navratri celebrations evolve, a broader conversation is emerging about balancing religious devotion, cultural traditions, personal freedom and the growing influence of social media.(SDNA) Special Feature: Navratri is much more than a festival of dance, music and colourful celebrations. It is a time to worship Goddess Durga, reflect on spiritual values and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Garba and Dandiya, with their rhythmic movements, devotional songs and vibrant community participation, represent an important part of India’s cultural heritage. Yet, as celebrations evolve with changing lifestyles and digital trends, an important question deserves thoughtful consideration: Are some Garba events giving greater prominence to fashion, glamour and social media attention than to the...

Internationally acclaimed tabla maestro with over three decades of musical experience to guide students across skill levels in Indian classical rhythms, technique and the art of rhythmic expression.(SDNA) Westchester, New York, October 17, 2026: As communities prepare to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, New York is set to welcome an enriching experience in Indian classical music. Renowned tabla player Pandit Aditya Narayan Banerjee will conduct a special tabla workshop on November 7, 2026, offering music enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the intricacies of Indian rhythmic traditions under the guidance of an experienced performer. According to information provided by the organisers, the workshop will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at 50 Sutton Road, Briarcliff Manor, New Yor...

A few heartfelt lines on “My Father” unveil the untold story of a man who puts his children’s happiness before his own needs, dreams and desires.(SDNA) Special Emotional Feature: Children are often asked to write essays about their families, parents and everyday experiences at school. Sometimes, however, a child’s simple words reveal truths that adults may overlook for years. One such emotional story captures the quiet sacrifices of a father who spends his life fulfilling his family’s needs while leaving his own wishes unspoken. According to the story, a school principal once invited a student’s parents to meet him. The teachers had asked the children to write an essay on the topic “My Father,” but one student’s composition had moved the staff so deeply that the principal wanted the parent...

A political conversation involving Ashok Kumar Pandey and Sheetal Singh draws attention to questions surrounding allegations against political leaders, Uttar Pradesh’s electoral landscape, and the relationship between business interests and political power.(SDNA) New Delhi: Questions about political accountability, the wealth of public figures and allegations of corruption continue to shape India’s political discourse. Against this backdrop, a video featuring senior journalists Ashok Kumar Pandey and Sheetal Singh is reportedly attracting attention on social media. The discussion touches on several contentious subjects, ranging from Uttar Pradesh’s electoral politics to national political developments, allegations involving political leaders and the influence of major industrialists. These...

RBI encourages customers to register or update nominations for bank deposits and safe deposit lockers, helping families navigate claim procedures more smoothly when an account holder passes away.(SDNA) New Delhi: Financial security is not just about saving money; it is also about ensuring that loved ones can access the appropriate banking services and assets when unforeseen circumstances arise. Whether it is hard-earned money deposited in a bank account or valuables stored in a safe deposit locker, maintaining an up-to-date nomination can help simplify the process for family members. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) encourages banking customers to pay attention to nomination facilities for deposit accounts and safe deposit lockers. Registering a nominee and reviewing the details periodicall...

Comscore figures for October 5–11, 2026, show 36.78 million social media interactions associated with Rahul Gandhi, compared with 20.79 million for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the difference between audience size and online engagement.(SDNA) New Delhi: In the digital age, the popularity of political leaders cannot be measured by follower counts alone. While the number of followers indicates the size of an account’s audience, interactions reflect how actively users respond to its content. Recent social media figures associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi illustrate why these metrics need to be examined separately. According to the Comscore India Weekly Social Scorecard for October 5–11, 2026, Rahul Gandhi recorded 36,777,079 social media...

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate questions the framing of India’s epics as stories for gaming, reigniting discussion over religious sentiment, cultural heritage and the commercial use of mythology.(SDNA) New Delhi: A political debate has emerged over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion that India’s great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, could inspire video games and other digital content. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the language used to describe these revered texts, arguing that their significance extends far beyond entertainment. The discussion centres on remarks made by Modi during the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on January 12, 2026. He encouraged young people to explore opportunities to bring India’s cultural heritage an...

LVGC-backed business associate programme aims to expand local courier booking networks; first 1,000 booking partners to receive ₹500 in complimentary wallet balance under a limited-period promotional offer running from October 18 to November 8, 2026(SDNA) | Special Report INDIA. Creating new avenues for self-employment and encouraging grassroots entrepreneurship, SDDC Cargo Pvt. Ltd. (Sachcha Dost Direct Courier Services), in collaboration with Luniya Vinayak Group of Companies (LVGC), has introduced a business associate model designed to help individuals explore opportunities in the courier and logistics sector without an initial investment, subject to the programme’s applicable terms and conditions. 📢 Join SD News Agency and Get Every News Update on Your Mobile!Stay updated with the late...

Briarcliff Manor to host an immersive Indian classical music experience on November 7; dedicated training sessions planned for beginners, intermediate learners and advanced tabla studentsWESTCHESTER, NEW YORK. As the spirit of Diwali illuminates communities with cultural celebrations and artistic expression, the timeless rhythms of the tabla are set to add a distinctive musical dimension to the festivities in New York’s Westchester region. A special tabla workshop featuring renowned percussionist Pandit Aditya Narayan Banerjee, acclaimed as Taal Samrat and Taal Ratna, will offer music enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the depth and discipline of Indian classical percussion. More than a conventional music lesson, the workshop aims to introduce participants to the intricate relationship ...

‘Purkhouti’ Family Directory and ‘Jain Charitra Bodh’ Book Released During Kshamavani Celebration in Bhilai(SDNA) Bhilai, Chhattisgarh: Celebrating community unity, family bonds and the preservation of Jain cultural heritage, the Golapurva Digambar Jain community organised its state-level family gathering at Sanmati Palace in Risali, Bhilai. Marking a significant milestone, the event was held for the first time at the state level since the formation of Chhattisgarh. The programme featured a Kshamavani celebration, the release of the community’s family directory ‘Purkhouti’ (2026), and the launch of ‘Jain Charitra Bodh – Part 1 (Children’s Education)’. Members from different regions of the state came together to strengthen social relationships, exchange ideas and reaffirm their commitment t...