Bengaluru : Octogenarian Swamy Achar, well-known as M S Achar in close Gandhian circles of yesteryear, is an epitome of selfless service, honesty, commitment, and sacrifice, quite unfamiliar and equally strange words to the present generation. The paradox or tragedy of his life is that the "Gandhian institution", for which he dedicated the prime period of his life for a meagre or meaningless salary, disturbed his personal life, put him into a series of hardships, and literally threw him on the streets. A glistening white attire all along: Thanks to his association with several organisations related to Gandhian principles, M S Achar started wearing a white Khadi shirt and trousers, right from a very young age. He continues to do so to date, and is often seen in glistening white attire, stitching his own undergarments as well! Native of Mandya district: M S Achar was born in Hagaduru village of Malavalli Taluk in Mandya district, to Mrs Siddamma and Siddacharya. The couple ha...
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE: Nawab Mir Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, recently visited Timor-Leste as part of an Indian delegation exploring new opportunities for business, investment and bilateral cooperation. The visit assumes significance at a time when Timor-Leste is seeking to expand its international economic partnerships and strengthen engagement with countries such as India. Nawab Najaf Ali Khan’s participation brought together a distinctive combination of India’s historical legacy, business interests and people-to-people diplomacy. Nawab Najaf Ali Khan is a prominent member of the erstwhile Hyderabad royal family and has been associated with heritage conservation, social initiatives and the preservation of the legacy of the Nizam dynasty. He is also the President of the Nizam Family Welfare Association. His public engagements have frequently focused on Hyderabad’s cultural heritage and the contribution of the Nizam dynasty to education, he...