Bharat, India or Hindustan?

PM Modi wants to use the word Bharat for India. It is a progressive step. But will India become Bharat? When the British left India in 1947, they called it ‘Transfer of Power’. Nehru called it Independence. But virtually nothing changed on that day except the white man left and the brown man took office. All else, the Constitution’s framework, the police force, the ethos of the Army and its institution, the Justice system and most importantly the Indian Civil Service was intact, not only for a short period, but 75 years later, it is still intact as if in a time warp. The Indian intellect didn’t change.  Even the name India remains. Top white officials in the services were phased out and Indians taught by them were phased in.

This is what happens in the USA. When one administration or President loses, the winner doesn’t just walk into the White House but replaces the top brass in many departments. The new President appoints new heads of civil service etc.

Prime Ministers came and Prime Ministers went but the system is essentially British India without the white British. India has effectively been promoting western civilisation in one way or other, adopting its ethics, human rights, democratic system, judicial system curried with a bit of Indian mentality of Indian ethics, cronyism and corruption where it can work, etc etc. This was Lord McCauley’s intention. He dismissed indigenous knowledge, literature and philosophies as worthless, ‘not worth a shelf of European Books’ and set about setting up an education system to train the Indian to be English in temperament and Indian in colour, forever to serve ‘us’.

ALSO READ: Independence Day For A 5,000-Year-Old Civilisation

Under Modi, there is growing awareness of this dilemma. ‘Whence independence’? When did India, if ever it did, become independent. Gandhi’s rhetoric was, ‘we need to get rid of this ‘foreign culture’ and recover our wisdoms. 75 years later, there is no evidence of it.

India was a British creation and Nehru’s inheritance from them. In his autobiography, he says, ‘what they can do, we can do better, why do they think we are uncivilised!’ His and the Congress party started post 1947 with a great sense of inferiority complex and worshipping the superiority of western civilisation. India was to remain India in the image of the British of 1947 and proceed in Nehru’s world to show the west, Indians can reach the levels of ‘civilisation’ that the west had.

I have written before asking why ‘India’. Its genesis is European. It was finally stamped on the region by the British. The word has all the baggage of colonialism. Why not free the chains and first call yourself with the name that you have always been known indigenously to get on the road to true freedom from colonialism.

The choice of course is between Hindustan and Bharat. Hindustan is a name that is packaged with the history of Mughal rule. It is they who coined the word. The word Hindu, despite many ‘Hindus’ stretching etymology with convoluted explanations about evolution from Sindhu etc, is essentially gifted by Arabs and then the Afghani and Persian rulers. It became a ‘stan’ of Hindus and thus Hindustan. Hardly a statement of self discovery.

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So at last, the BJP is moving towards recovery of self-confidence, self-respect and dignity by officially adopting the name Bharat. Bharat is as indigenous as it will get.

Bharat is not perfect but it is a better statement of self identity than Hindustan (Mughal) or India (British). Bharat was a middle sized Kingdom in the past, but it is a name that has long pedigree, emotional sentiment and intricately weaved into the region’s literature, political history and indigenous languages.

Prime Minister Modi’s official renaming of India as Bharat on the world stage will be one of the far reaching statement of post-colonial self-assertion. But a name isn’t enough if the content or character doesn’t also change.

If Nehru embarked on one of the biggest social engineering projects in history by trying to change 5,000 years of civilisation into a European secular imitation and failed, the BJP is no less a villain. It reworked the 1920s European nationalism projects mimicking France, Germany and other nationalisms to create a land of Hindus and Hindutva, one nation idea. That too is failing.

France has an interesting idea of civilisation. It is secularism, French and One France. It went about marginalising all religions, decimating all regional languages and then crushing all indigenous ethnic nationalities under the banner of ‘one nation, one identity’ It maintains this with perpetual blood-letting every two to five years with riots.

The nation is not an idea from the old wisdoms of South Asia. It is a European idea borne after the Westphalian Treaty of 1648. After many bloody wars over ethnic dominances, Europe has finally started to become pluralist like ancient South Asia. The BJP ironically has taken the regressive route, taking the country towards an ideology that was developed and now discarded by Europe. Where is the originality in that, one asks BJP. Where is Bharat in that?

ALSO READ: India’s Fissiparous Politics In Today’s Worldview

The BJP is destroying the most valuable asset and contribution of South Asian civilisation, that of plurality and coexistence. It is also in fact choking the essence of Bharat and taking out the uniqueness of ancient Bharat which followed the Vedas, ekaṁ sad viprā bahudhā vadanti ‘ (Truth is one but the learned know it by many ways or names) . This doesn’t just mean diversity in traditional belief systems but also coexistence with Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc.

Most people in the country wont mind being called Bharatiya Shivaite, Bharatiya Vishnuite, Bharatiya Bengali, Bharatiya Muslim, Bharatiya Christian etc and be able to maintain their cultural, civilisational and regionally evolved identities.

PM Modi needs to be applauded for taking the initiative to rename India as Bharat, but he needs to go further and convince his party that it needs to return to the long held indigenous concepts of coexistence, pluralism, multinational and multi-cultural rule that was Bharat. Only then the name Bharat will truly resonate with its contextual meaning.

The BJP has already distorted the meaning of the word Rashtra to mean nation in a European context instead of country or State. It should not completely fulfill McCauley’s dream by changing the context of Bharat to mean one nation one people.

The question to BJP is, ‘Name Bharat is fine but whence Bharat?’

SC Summons Udhyayanidhi

Udhayanidhi Claims BJP Twisting His Statement On Sanatan Dharma

Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday issued a letter clarifying his statements on ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and questioned the BJP leaders for twisting his speech as ‘inciting genocide’ and said that they are using it as a weapon to protect themselves.

Stalin alleged that the BJP-led central government was twisting his speech delivered on September 2, and accused the centre for doing ‘nothing’ in the last nine years of their governance.

“For the last 9 years, all your (BJP) promises are empty promises. What have you exactly done for our welfare?” is a question currently being raised in unison by the entire country against an unarmed, fascist BJP government,” he said in his letter.

“It is in this background that the BJP leaders have twisted my speech at the TNPWAA conference as ‘inciting genocide’. They consider it a weapon to protect themselves. What is surprising is the Ministers of the Union government like Thiru. Amit Shah and Chief Minister of states ruled by the BJP demanding action against me based on fake news,” he added.

“I am one of the political heirs of Perarignar Anna, the founder of the DMK. Everyone knows that we are not enemies of any religion,” he said in his letter.

Udhyanidhi condemned the statements of Ayodhya Seer Paramhans Acharya for announcing a bounty of 10 crores for beheading his head and said that the saints in this era are in need of advertisement.

“In this era, saints are in need of a lot of advertisements. One such saint has announced a bounty of 10 crores for my head. I am surprised that saint has 10 crores. Many have given police and judicial complaints against me,” he said.

Further, he requested the DMK cadres to not get involved in work that is a waste of time such as burning the effigy of the saint.

“I heard DMK cadres in various places giving complaints against the saint who announced a bounty for my head and also protesting against that Saint by burning the effigy of the saint. I request cadres to avoid such activities. We have a lot of work to do for the benefit of people.  With the guidance of the DMK President and by getting advice from the DMK headship and with the help of the legal department I will face all the cases against legally,” he said.

Meanwhile a delegation of Tamil Nadu BJP leaders led by state chief K Annamalai met Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and submitted a petition to him calling for cases to registered against Stalin junior for alleged hate speech. 

Speaking to reporters BJP leader Karu Nagarajan said ” If Udhayanidhi Stalin says he is to eradicate Sanatanam it means that he is calling for eradicating Hinduism. We gave the petition to the Governor requesting to sack Udhayanidhi Stalin from the cabinet for his remarks on Sanatanam. We also requested Governor R N Ravi to sack HR & CE Minister Sekar Babu as he also participated in the same program. (ANI)

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Joe Biden In Delhi

Biden To Arrive In Delhi Tomorrow

US President Joe Biden will arrive in New Delhi on Friday and is scheduled to hold a bilateral with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House informed.

Beginning Friday, Biden has a packed schedule for three days. After he departs from the US, he will arrive in Ramstein,Germany on Friday for a brief stop over and will arrive in New Delhi the same day.

The US President is scheduled to participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, according to a White House press release.

On Saturday, Biden will participate in an official arrival and handshake with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US President will then participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 1: “One Earth”.

Later in the day, he is slated to take part in the G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 2: “One Family” of the G20. Biden will also participate in a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event. His day will wrap with a dinner and cultural program with G20 Leaders.

On Sunday, the US President will visit Raj Ghat Memorial along with other G20 Leaders.

Biden is then scheduled to travel from New Delhi to Hanoi, Vietnam.

There, he will participate in a welcome ceremony hosted by General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Biden will participate in a meeting with General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The US President and General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam will deliver remarks, following which Biden will hold a press conference, the White House said.

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to hold a discussion on the agenda of G20, particularly the economic cooperation and multilateral investment opportunities, that stand before it and can be on the American leader’s strong desire to see multilateral development bank reform and reshaping, a White House official said.

John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, also pointed out that there is very little possibility that PM Modi and President Biden will discuss on climate and the ongoing Ukraine war.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit, stating leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. (ANI)

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Modi Opening Indian Embassy

Modi Announces Opening Of Indian Embassy In Timor-Leste

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the opening of India’s embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste while addressing the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta 

“Act East in action – Delhi to Dili! At the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, PM @narendramodi announces decision to open our Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste,” posted Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi on X after PM Modi’s announcement.

Dili is the capital city of Timor-Leste, or East Timor, on the country’s north coast. The city holds importance as it recalls the nation’s struggles for independence from Portugal as well as Indonesia. 

India was one of the early countries to establish diplomatic relations with Timor Leste  and was represented at its Independence Day celebrations in May 2002 by a high level delegation led by the then Minister of State for External Affairs. An MOU formally establishing diplomatic relations was signed on 24 January 2003. 

India’s decision to open an embassy in Dilli its commitment to the Act East policy.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi said that ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East policy and it has an important place in India’s Indo-Pacific initiative. He also termed the engagement with the ASEAN group as an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East Policy’.

“Our history and geography unite India and ASEAN. Along with it, our shared values, regional integration, and our shared belief in peace, prosperity and a multipolar world also unite us. ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East Policy. India supports ASEAN’s outlook on ASEAN-India centrality and Indo-Pacific,” PM Modi said in his address in Hindi.

In his departure statement, before leaving for Jakarta on Wednesday, PM Modi noted that engagement with the ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East Policy’, and said he is looking forward to exchanging views with leaders of the grouping on the “future contours” of partnership which has now entered its fourth decade.

“My first engagement will be the 20th ASEAN-India Summit. I look forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders the future contours of our partnership, which has now entered its fourth decade. Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi, who is in Jakarta, will return to New Delhi on Thursday evening ahead of the G20 Summit, which will be held on September 9 and 10. (ANI)

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18th East Asia Summit

18th East Asia Summit Begins In Jakarta

Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Thursday thanked leaders of the East Asia Summit for making it a forum for all in order to strengthen cooperation.

In his address to the 18th East Asia Summit that began in Jakarta today, Widodo said, “Essentially we acknowledge stability and peace as the main key to achieve prosperity. ASEAN is steadfast in making this vision an epicentrum of growth and therefore ASEAN will continue to work to play a role as country leader…”

“ASEAN will really appreciate that if this East Asia summit can agree on a leader statement and its determination as the epicentrum of growth,” Widodo said.

Indonesia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. 

The Indonesian President said that it is at this time when the international community will assess if “we are leaders with the wisdom to make the world a better place for all.”

“I thank once again the leaders of the East Asia Summit of making this forum for us to strengthen the cooperation. I call on all the leaders to show the wisdom, to show the leadership for the success of this,” said Widodo as he declared the East Asia Summit open.

The East Asia Summit would provide an opportunity for leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance.

East Asia Summit is the foremost of the ASEAN-centered mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in providing a platform for dialogue and discussion on matters of strategic importance to the region.

At this 18 th East Asia Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen the East Asia Summit mechanism, as well as exchange views on matters of regional and international interest. 

EAS consists of 10 ASEAN Member States (i.e. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the USA. East Asia Summit is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of ASEAN.

Prime Minister Modi attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit at the invitation of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo. The Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia comes ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 under India’s Presidency this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Indonesia early Thursday morning said that it is an “honour” for him to co-chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India summit.

Earlier PM Modi said he is looking forward to “working with various leaders for making a better planet.” He said, “Last year we celebrated the India-ASEAN Friendship Day and gave it a form of comprehensive strategic partnership…”

The ASEAN-India Summit is the first summit since the elevation of the ties between India and the ASEAN bloc of countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

“Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy,” PM Modi said in his departure statement. The 20th ASEAN-India Summit is a “greatly cherished” partnership, PM Modi said in a post on X. (ANI)

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ISKCON Temple Bengaluru Janmashtami

Devotees Throng ISKCON Temple In Bengaluru On Occasion Of Janmashtami

Devotees flocked to the ISKCON temple in Bengaluru on the occasion of Sri  Krishna Janmashtami on Wednesday.

Devotees were seen offering prayers at the renowned ISKON temple. The idols of Radha Krishna were decorated with flower petals and leaves.

The ISKON temple in Bengaluru is one of the largest Krishna temples in the world.

Janmashtami is also being celebrated in other parts of the country with equal fervour.

Hundreds of kids from a nursery school in Siliguri under the Darjeeling district of West Bengal celebrated Janmashtami on Wednesday morning.

“While few kids dressed up like Lord Krishna and Radha, many carried flutes wearing peacock feathers on their foreheads. The school children enjoyed themselves by performing dance and breaking handi,” said Bivha Surika, a teacher at a nursery school.

The teachers also informed the children about the significance of Janmashtami and distributed pencils, erasers and chocolates among the students.

A five-day-long Janmashtami fair commenced in Rajkot on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Tourism, The fair is being held at Race Course Ground, Rajkot. “It commenced on September 5 and will continue until September 9, and the timings are from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM,” they said.

The Janmashtami fair also called Lokmela, Saurashtra’s biggest fair, is held in Rajkot every year during the Satam-Aathma festival on the occasion of Janmashtami, they added. Janmashtami celebrations also began in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

This fair starts on the sixth day of the festival and lasts for five days till Dasham, an official said.

Meanwhile, in a first, the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde plans to organise a “Pro Govinda” competition, with cash prizes, for this year’s ‘Dahi Handi’, an event associated with the Hindu festival of Janmashtami, state Industries Minister Uday Samant said on Saturday. (ANI)

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Delhi Metro Rail Corporation WPL Finals

Delhi Metro Services To Begin From 4 am During G20 Summit

Ahead of the G20 Summit, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Wednesday announced that from September 8-10, train services will begin at 4 am.

“For the upcoming G-20 Summit to be held in Delhi on 9th and 10th September 2023, the Delhi Metro train services will start from 04:00 AM from terminal stations of all Lines for three days that is from 8th to 10th September 2023,” DMRC said in a statement.

The metro trains will run with a frequency of 30 minutes on all lines till 6 am and after 6 am, metro trains will run as per the normal timetable throughout the day on all lines.

“All Metro stations will remain open for the general public during this period (September 8-10) except Supreme Court Metro Station where no boarding/deboarding of passengers will be allowed on September 9-10 due to security constraints,” said Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC.

“However, as and when directed by the security agencies, entry/exit at some stations may be regulated for a brief period in the New Delhi district on the 9th and 10th of September to facilitate the movement of VVIP delegations,” DMRC said.

Dayal said, “Parking at all Metro stations will also continue to remain available as usual except for three Metro stations falling in the New Delhi district. Parking at these three stations namely, Supreme Court, Patel Chowk and Rama Krishna Ashram Marg will remain closed from 4 am of September 8 till 12 PM of September 11.”

In view of this prestigious G-20 summit being held in the national capital, Delhi Metro also appeals to its passengers to extend all possible cooperation in the smooth running of the Metro services and follow the instructions of station staff and guidelines issued by the authorities from time to time without falling prey to rumours.

For regular updates regarding Metro services, passengers are advised to follow DMRC’s official social media handles @officialDMRC on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram including the ‘Delhi Metro Rail’ App and website www.delhimetrorail.com. Passengers are also advised to use the ‘DMRC Travel’ App for instant booking of QR tickets for travel in Metro eliminating the need to go to ticket counters/stand in queue. (ANI)

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Shweta Sharda on Miss Universe Crown

Looking Forward To Bringing Miss Universe Crown India: Shweta Sharda

Miss Diva Universe 2023 Shweta Sharda is doing her best to bring back the Miss Universe Crown to India.

Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021, and now Shweta wants to emulate this success.

As she returned to her hometown Chandigarh, she spoke to the media and said, “A tremendous sense of satisfaction and excitement comes from winning the Miss Diva India pageant. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for so long, and seeing it come true is simply beyond words. I am incredibly grateful and eager for the journey that lies ahead, and I’m looking forward to making my nation and my family proud by bringing the Miss Universe Crown back to India.”

She gave the entire credit to her mother for her achievement and said, “She is the strongest woman I know. Is khitaan ki asli hakdar vo hai. I am here because of my mother. She sacrificed a lot for our comfort. My parents got separated when I was 12, and since then, she has done everything for me and my brother. She worked so hard so that we get all the comforts of life. Whenever I get tired, she becomes my motivation.”

Dance is her passion and she is a self-taught dancer. At the age of 16, she moved to Mumbai to fulfil her dreams. “I came to Mumbai to fulfil my dreams, though it was not easy but I knew there were a lot of opportunities in this city and I utilized them and worked hard, this is the reason I am sitting here now.”

Sharing her love for dance, she said, “Dancing gives me happiness. I feel like with dance I get solutions to most of the problems in life. I am a self-taught dancer but if you ask me to perform in any style I will do it. I am thankful to God for this talent. It helped me a lot.”

She has featured in several dance shows including ‘DID’, ‘Dance Deewane’ and ‘ Jhalak Dikhlaja’.

“Madhuri Dixit has been my inspiration since childhood when it comes to dancing and I have seen her performing since childhood. On my second dance reality show, where she was a judge, I taught her dance moves. I can never forget teaching dance to Bollywood diva.” (ANI)

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Rakesh Roshan B'day Celebartion

Rakesh Roshan Shares Glimpses Of His B’day Celebartion

Actor, director and producer Rakesh Roshan is celebrating his birthday today. The veteran actor shared a video on his Instagram handle in which he can be seen celebrating the special day with his friends, including ace actor Jeetendra. 

Roshan wrote in the caption, “50yrs friendship (very rare) thankyou Jeetu & friends for bringing in my birthday. Gratitude”

Tusshar Kapoor also wished him on his birthday, saying, “Belated happy birthday guddu uncle”

Rohit Bose Roy mentioned, “How sweet is this.. happy birthday Guddu ji”

After his post, other fans also wished him on his special day.

One of them wrote, “Wishing you a very happy birthday to you sir”

Another wrote, “Let me tell you one thing.. You are the Bestesssttt inspiration, idol in thissss world, that’s why I love you!”

Rakesh has acted in films like ‘Khubsoorat’ (1980) with Rekha and ‘Kaamchor’ (1982) with Jaya Prada. He made his directorial debut with ‘Khudgarz’ (1987). He went to direct movies such as ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ (1988), ‘Karan Arjun’ (1995) and the Shahrukh Khan starrer- ‘Koyla’ (1997. He also worked with his son Hrithik Rosan in films like ‘Koi…Mil Gaya’, ‘Krrish’ series. (ANI)

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Parineeti Co-Stars

Parineeti Misses Co-Stars SSR, Rishi

‘Shuddh Desi Romance,’ starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor, and Rishi Kapoor completed 10 years on Wednesday.

Marking the tenth anniversary of the romantic comedy film Parineeti recalled the enjoyable times she had with her late co-stars Sushant and Rishi.

Parineeti Chopra posted a video on her Instagram account that includes scenes from the set of the movie. She captioned the post, “Time really flies! A decade to this film but the memories are still fresh. This movie was a journey full of laughter, hectic shoots but heartwarming moments.

She added, “What an experience shooting this film with such legendary actors. Rishi sir, we miss you. Sushant, miss you even more. You were one of my favourite co-stars. #10YearsOfShuddhDesiRomance.”

Fans swamped the comment section as soon as she released the video since they too had missed their favourite actor.

A fan wrote, “The charm of this movie was God-level… Missing Sushant Singh Rajput…”

“Always miss you ssr,” another user wrote.

A social media user wrote, “Miss him so badly @sushantsinghrajput.”

Meanwhile, ‘Shuddh Desi Romance,’ released in 2013 is directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced by Aditya Chopra.

The movie explores the complexities of modern relationships in urban India. It tells the story of a young man named Raghu, played by Sushant Singh Rajput who has a fear of commitment and falls in love with two women, Gayatri, played by Parineeti Chopra and Tara, played by Vaani Kapoor.

‘Shuddh Desi Romance’ received praise for its realistic take on contemporary relationships in India. (ANI)

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