Divya A
Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues – not necessarily in that order – for The Indian Express. She’s been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India.
Articles By Divya A
The Unplugged Courtyard’s Gurgaon sibling aims to create an oasis of indulgence in the middle of parched Udyog Vihar
The 16,000 sq ft space has an equally mammoth menu — designed as an all-day offering, starting early in the day as office hours demand, and going into late hours, to cater to revellers
Centre announces Gandhi Peace Prize awardees for 2015-18
While Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, won the award for 2015, for 2016, the award has been jointly given to Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International. 2017 award has been given to Ekai Abhiyan Trust and 2018 award is for WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa
Split Down The Middle: At Dilli Haat, a yellow-ribbon campaign to reclaim space for artisans
As part of this, Dastkaari stalls were tagged with a yellow banner and a yellow ribbon was tied on the wrists of visitors to generate awareness.
Infrastructure boost ahead of Kumbh: ‘264 new streets, 10 flyovers, 1.22 lakh toilets in Prayagraj’
During his 20-minute address, Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh emphasised how their government is focusing on cleanliness during the mega event, where as many as 15 crore visitors are expected.
Infrastructure boost ahead of Kumbh: ‘264 new streets, 10 flyovers, 1.22 lakh toilets in Prayagraj’
Singh, who was nominated as minister in-charge during the visit of 70 Heads of Missions to Prayagraj on December 15 ahead of the Kumbh, said, “It was a beautiful moment to see 70 flags, along with the Indian flag, urfurled at the Kumbh site.”
The first-ever fashion showcase at the iconic Red Fort celebrated the textile heritage of India
The Ministry of Textiles organised ‘Artisan Speak’ on Saturday, an event to showcase India’s textiles and honour the people behind the loom.
Kumbh Mela: With 1 lakh makeshift toilets, 40 police stations, Kumbh Nagri set for mega gathering
In the run-up to the mega event, the entire city of Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is under construction. Footpaths and speed-breakers are being built. The roads are dotted with digital hoardings where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet are welcoming visitors to the Kumbh.
Entry to Taj Mahal’s main mausoleum to cost an extra Rs 200
The government has brought out a gazette notification, saying all categories of visitors will be charged the additional amount if they wish to enter the main mausoleum, which houses artistic replicas of the original graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal (in the basement).
Row at Taj over puja, efforts to control crowds blocked
A few months ago, a group of VHP men vandalised the new steel gates installed at the West Gate to control crowds, saying they blocked the entrance to an old Siddheshwar Mahadev temple.
Bent, Not Broken: Stories of prominent Partition survivors come together in a new book
“Millions were impacted by the Partition of India, and each one of them has a story. Each one of them is a story,” says author Malika Ahluwalia.
Chitti Goes to America
Shunned in India, native strays are flying halfway across the globe to find pet parents.
Jallianwala Bagh memorial to get facelift
The government has prepared a blueprint for the year-long commemoration of the massacre — of April 13, 1919 — as part of its efforts to mark the lives of eminent personalities and events of historical importance.
Aadi Mahotsav brings tribal culture, cuisine to Dilli Haat this month
The theme of the Delhi edition of the Ministry’s signature event is “celebration of the spirit of tribal culture, craft, cuisine and commerce”. Nearly 900 artisans have been invited from 27 states to sell their wares.
The Girl Who Fought, and Won
Neelam Rai, 19, from a small village in Madhya Pradesh's Harda, on her journey from being a shy girl to becoming a karate coach
Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary: Telescope at border to view Kartarpur Sahib
A commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released, while a special train will be started to pass through all the places associated with the Guru's life, a ministry statement said.
Travelling Suitcase: Coffee, Kafka
A look at some of the world’s most well-known literary cafés.
ASI, local muslims spar over Supreme Court order on Taj Mahal
Muslims contend that the SC order merely bars non-locals on Fridays while there is no word on not allowing namaz on other days
NMML revamp: Now 3 removed, Arnab Goswami, Jaishankar come in
Commenting on the move, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told The Sunday Express, “This is a continuous process under which some new people have been given a chance to contribute to the NMML Society.”
History, and Her Story
At a book launch on Draupadi, former President Pranab Mukherjee speaks of her inner strength.
We are Still Alone
The story of her courage is now the subject of a film. But the stardust won’t fall on Laxmi Agarwal or other acid-attack survivors like her. In the absence of state support, they remain vulnerable like before.
