‘Giving neighbours a stake in India’s progress, vital’

It gives me immense pleasure once again to address the Combined Commanders Conference of the Indian Armed Forces. You have the singular privilege and honour of leading our gallant soldiers, sailors and air warriors. Our men and women in uniform have demonstrated unflinching devotion to duty each time the nation’s security has been challenged or when we have faced natural calamities.

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Asian cinema dazzles at South Korea festival

Asia’s top film festival drew to a close Friday after nine days packed with screenings that left audiences enthused over the future of the region’s movie industry. The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) rolled out the red carpet to a cast of A-list stars and showcased more than 300 productions from all over the world but it has been the local films that have left cinemagoers buzzing.

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The political culture that silenced Bharatha

After the 1982 Presidential election, an inauspicious period dawned on Sri Lanka Freedom Party. It was just like the dawn of a gloomy period. Persons who steered the election campaign for Hector Kobbekaduwa were locked up in prisons on Nexalite charges. They included Vijaya Kumaratunge, Ossie Abeygunasekera, Felix Perera and Renuka Perera. The main Nexalite charge was levelled against Vijaya Kumaratunge. It is said that the reason for that was a statement made by Anura Bandaranaike.

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No society exists without taboos

There is a five-letter word in the Oxford Dictionary the sound of which has a mixture of warning, embarrassment and contempt wrapped within it. This magic word ‘TABOO’ was originally used by the Filipinos, later adopted by the French and ultimately by the English.

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