Wednesday, Jun 21, 2023
Journalism of Courage
Advertisement
Neha Banka
Neha Banka is a journalist based in Kolkata, India. Neha reports on Asia with a focus on the Korean Peninsula, Africa, borders and India.
- Follow :
Twitter@NehaBanka
Authors you can follow
More From Neha Banka
When ice was a luxury item and shipped to Calcutta from the USPremium Story
June 20, 2023 16:34 IST
Some three centuries before the British mesmerised Calcutta with ice, Mughal emperor Babur had transported ice on elephants and horseback from Kashmir to Delhi. The British tried to emulate the practice but soon gave up. Then ‘American ice’ happened.
Wed, Jun 21, 2023
From Howrah to the US, how manhole covers forged forward over decadesPremium Story
June 07, 2023 21:04 IST
With costs around 20 to 60 per cent cheaper than what American manufacturers sought, India-made manhole covers became the preferred choice for cities across the United States, a 2007 report in the New York Times states
Wed, Jun 07, 2023
Months before presidential polls, crucial political developments in the Maldives
May 31, 2023 07:40 IST
The elections in Maldives will have ramifications for geopolitics in the Indian Ocean region.
Thu, Jun 01, 2023
Turkey elections show advantage Erdogan: Why the Kilicdaroglu camp fell short
May 17, 2023 19:06 IST
While most opinion polls had given a clear edge to the Opposition alliance, here is why it failed in unseating Erdogan, and what's likely to happen in the runoff elections.
Thu, May 18, 2023
In his Kolkata house-turned-art museum, finding traces of Jamini Roy’s elements of design
May 09, 2023 12:44 IST
Roy’s descendants continued to live in the building until a few weeks ago, when it was acquired by DAG, a Delhi-based art company that wants to convert the space into a private museum focusing on the life and work of the artist.
Tue, May 09, 2023
What Turkey’s neo-Ottomanism means in 2023Premium Story
May 02, 2023 18:13 IST
While neo-Ottomanism as a concept grew sometime in the late 1980s -1990s, to explain Turkey's geopolitical aspirations, some scholars believe that it was also used as a critical term by some of its neighbours, like Greece for instance, with whom it doesn't share amicable relations.
Thu, May 04, 2023
How Kolkata’s Muslim communities are holding on to their unique Ramzan culinary heritagePremium Story
April 20, 2023 18:30 IST
While some Ramzan foods traditionally associated with different Muslim communities like the Bohras and Cutchi Memons are still being eaten in families, many remain only a childhood memory.
Fri, Apr 21, 2023
How Nakhoda Masjid’s neighbourhood in Kolkata grew into a Ramzan food hubPremium Story
April 17, 2023 17:11 IST
Over the years, during the holy month, the neighbourhood is particularly overrun with tourists, both from outside and from within the Kolkata metropolitan area, who are drawn here with the promise of Ramzan-special food
Mon, Apr 17, 2023
Rail, road traffic come to halt in parts of Bengal as Kurmi agitation continuesSign In to read
April 09, 2023 04:47 IST
Since April 5, at least 496 trains have been cancelled on the Kharagpur-Tatanagar and Adra-Chandil sections of the South Eastern Railway, key routes in the state.
Tue, Apr 11, 2023
The mangroves of Kolkata are a sign that the city’s environment is changingPremium Story
April 08, 2023 20:46 IST
The mangroves in Kolkata are an indication that salinity has increased in the Hooghly river.
Sun, Apr 09, 2023
In West Bengal, a mass agitation calls for protection of indigenous rightsSign In to read
March 31, 2023 14:40 IST
Adivasi community groups called for the cancellation of ‘fake’ Scheduled Tribe certificates and protested attempts by the Kurmi community to seek ST status.
Fri, Mar 31, 2023
Nolen gur, West Bengal’s beloved seasonal food stares at a bitter futurePremium Story
March 18, 2023 17:30 IST
Factors like climate change and a complex set of socio-economic conditions are throwing the production of nolen gur or date palm jaggery into jeopardy.
Sun, Mar 19, 2023
Why South Korea’s plan for compensating victims of Japan’s forced labour is drawing criticismPremium Story
March 09, 2023 08:36 IST
During Japan’s colonisation of Korea from 1910-1945, around 1,50,000 Koreans were forced to work in factories in Japan and thousands of Korean women were forced into sexual slavery. The issues have remained contentious between the countries.
Fri, Mar 10, 2023
In rapidly changing times, Santals in West Bengal rethink how to preserve religious and cultural practicesPremium Story
February 25, 2023 15:57 IST
The way Sohrae is celebrated, has been transforming in some villages in West Bengal, in big ways and small, because of changes that have happened within the Santal community.
Tue, Feb 28, 2023
In Fiji, amidst a Hindi conference, a community ponders complexities of language and identityPremium Story
February 17, 2023 13:32 IST
Even as Fijians of Indian descent negotiate the politics of language and debate the use of Fiji Hindi and Standard Hindi, the country’s third-largest city, Nadi, is hosting the 12th edition of the World Hindi Conference.
Fri, Feb 17, 2023
Kim Jong Un’s daughter appears at North Korea’s military parade: What her public appearances signifyPremium Story
February 12, 2023 14:53 IST
Apart from giving more insight into the Kim family, especially as very little is known about Kim Jong Un’s children, for one, the country’s state media refers to Kim Ju Ae as the leader’s “beloved daughter”.
Mon, Feb 13, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: How Entally became a part of the cityPremium Story
February 11, 2023 11:44 IST
Once a neighbourhood largely populated by disadvantaged communities, Entally, which got its name from the ‘hintal’ or date palm that grew on tidal land, has become more cosmopolitan today.
Sat, Feb 11, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: Decoding British Indian Street’s many names through its historyPremium Story
February 03, 2023 13:37 IST
Most of British Indian Street’s old houses and structures have gone but a handful of bars operate in this lane today, serving as remnants of the legacy of Raneemoody Gully.
Fri, Feb 03, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: Beyond an iconic bathing ghat, Ahiritola’s history is intertwined with its diverse residentsPremium Story
January 27, 2023 11:52 IST
Ahiritola may have gotten its name from the milkmen who once called it home but the area also housed a brothel, a thriving publishing business, and devotees of Hindu mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
Fri, Jan 27, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: Why an 18th-century bathing ghat is essential to Kumartuli’s operationsPremium Story
January 20, 2023 12:57 IST
Home to artisans creating large-scale idols of deities, mainly goddess Durga, Kumartuli is changing. Making idols of deities is no longer restricted to men and the idols themselves are no longer made of just clay
Fri, Jan 20, 2023
Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara’s daughter Aleida in India: What is the Guevaras’ connection to India?Premium Story
January 19, 2023 14:55 IST
Aleida Guevara, the eldest daughter of the Cuban Marxist revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his second wife, Aleida March, has been a vocal critic of US policies on Cuba.
Fri, Jan 20, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: Home to iconic mishti shops, Hedua’s history started with lakesPremium Story
January 13, 2023 13:50 IST
Housing several old rajbaris belonging to prominent zamindari families and 139-year-old mishti shops, the bylanes of Hedua are a window to old Calcutta in all its glory.
Fri, Jan 13, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: Long associated with a city court, Bankshall Street was closely linked with Bengal’s maritime historyPremium Story
January 06, 2023 13:25 IST
Historical accounts of Kolkata say the name ‘Bankshall’ refers to the Dutch word for a marine house. The name can be traced to Calcutta during the 1700s when a marine yard was ordered to be built at Kedgeree.
Fri, Jan 06, 2023
Streetwise Kolkata: In Tanti Bagan Lane, the weavers are nowhere to be foundPremium Story
December 30, 2022 10:05 IST
Weavers were the original inhabitants of Tanti Bagan Lane, a street that has been integral to the history of the Muslim community in Kolkata.
Fri, Dec 30, 2022
Streetwise Kolkata: How the Raj Bhavan’s construction brought changes to Council House StreetPremium Story
December 23, 2022 13:38 IST
One of the oldest streets in Kolkata, Council House Street gets its name from the old Council House that once stood here. Erected in 1764, it hosted meetings of the East India Company’s Council and served as the Governor’s residence.
Fri, Dec 23, 2022