https://www.scmp.com/rss/501816/feed Rakesh Kumar is a freelance journalist based in Delhi, India. He writes on topics including travel, food, culture, heritage and lifestyle. His stories are regularly published by CNN, the South China Morning Post, The National and The Statesman, among others. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com It is approaching 5pm and the roads around Delhi’s Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, are packed with people. Keepers of kiosks and shops that sell clothes, caps, cold drinks or snacks are straightening their wares. In the mosque’s courtyard, devotees are trying to find space, even though iftar – the breaking of the day-long fast observed by Muslims during Ramadan (a holy month of fasting) – is still 90 minutes away. Families gather around spreads of food and juices laid out on the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3175037/crowds-are-back-old-delhi-first-public-ramadan-celebration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3175037/crowds-are-back-old-delhi-first-public-ramadan-celebration?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Apr 2022 08:15:22 +0000 During India’s recent Covid-19 lockdown, Delhi resident Ashpinder Kaur Marwah, who is in her early 70s, had very little to do. But the arrival of mango season saved her from her boredom and gave the homemaker an opportunity to make pickles, putting to use a skill she had learnt from her grandmother and mother-in-law. The work kept her busy for at least a month. Her son, who was working from home, recorded her work and uploaded it on social media, resulting in many friends and relatives... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3148082/how-indian-pickles-matured-ancient-art-world-beating?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3148082/how-indian-pickles-matured-ancient-art-world-beating?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Sep 2021 00:30:19 +0000 At a cost of US$0.03, a simple newspaper provides an invaluable service to India’s Chinese community: A source of news printed in their language.  Targeted primarily to the tens of thousands of Chinese residents near Kolkata, the paper, named the Overseas Chinese Commerce of India, or Seong Pow, became a source of pride for India’s Chinese community.  Sadly, the paper could close permanently after the sudden death of its editor, Kuo-tsai Chang. Known widely and fondly as KT Chang, the dedicated... https://www.scmp.com/society/indias-last-chinese-language-newspaper-verge-closing/article/3115522?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/society/indias-last-chinese-language-newspaper-verge-closing/article/3115522?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Dec 2020 09:54:25 +0000 Before India went into coronavirus-enforced lockdown in March, each day would begin early for Kuo-tsai Chang, editor of the country’s last Chinese-language newspaper. As he had done almost every working day for more than 30 years, the former tanner cycled to his Kolkata office, ensuring he reached his newsroom before 8am. His first task, like many an editor, was to scan through the important news stories of the day. Next, he would busy himself readying the next edition of the Overseas Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3115286/end-indias-last-chinese-language-newspaper-editors-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3115286/end-indias-last-chinese-language-newspaper-editors-death?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Dec 2020 04:45:05 +0000 The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is usually marked with much gaiety across India and is a community affair. Huge idols of the much-loved, elephant-headed Hindu god, Ganesh, are installed in opulently decorated pandals, or tents, that vie with each other for attention as devotees flock to offer prayers and distribute special sweets. The faithful don new clothes and, over 10 days, visit friends and relatives as well as a number of pandals across their home city. The revelry ends with the idols being... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3102093/religious-festivals-india-adapt-pandemic-new-normal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3102093/religious-festivals-india-adapt-pandemic-new-normal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2020 05:45:08 +0000 The walls of Jaisalmer’s Sonar Quila, or Golden Fort, shine as I step out of the railway station. The desert landscape before me is almost entirely basked in a golden light, lending Jaisalmer its nickname: the Golden City. Nearly all the city’s structures – houses, mansions, forts and palaces – have been constructed from yellow sandstone, making them gleam in the sunlight and cast a mesmerising, bright golden light over the whole city. Located in the south of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is a city... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3023399/golden-city-india-exploring-jaisalmers-mansions-forts-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3023399/golden-city-india-exploring-jaisalmers-mansions-forts-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Aug 2019 02:45:08 +0000