Soheila Helal — In the walled garden of her house, Soheila Helal waged a quite rebellion against the Taliban. On a patio softened by rugs and book-ended by two small blackboards, she ran a school of 120 students, mostly girls. It was a transgression on two counts: as a woman Mrs. Helal was not supposed to work, and her female …

Smita Agarwal, is a vocal artist for All India Radio, Light Music; the author of Wish-granting Words, Poems and a Professor of English, University of Allahabad, India. Mehndi songs of Uttar Pradesh sung by her and Hema Bhargava, are a tribute to Kumud Bua, a family member, who with her passion and interest in the larger arts, taught them most …

Slavoj Zizek — A self-described Marxist philosopher, sociologist, and cultural critic, Slavoj Zizek is senior researcher at the Institute of Sociology at the University of Ljubljana. He received a Doctor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Ljubljana and studied psychoanalysis at the University of Paris VIII with Jacques-Alain Miller and Francois Regnault. In 1990 he was a candidate …

Sir Donald ‘Don’ George Bradman, AC (August 27, 1908 – February 25, 2001), often called The Don, was an Australian cricketer who is universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time. He is one of Australia’s most popular sporting heroes, and one of the most respected past players in other cricketing nations, as was demonstrated upon the occasion of his …

Sir Chhotu Ram, was born on 24 Nov 1881 in Ghari Sampla in Rohtak district. His father’s name was Chaudhary Sukhi Ram, who died in 1905 leaving behind heavy debt. School and College Life Sir Chhotu Ram joined a primary school in Jan 1891, passing out four years later. He studied for his middle school examination in Jhajjar, 12 miles …

Simao — Portugal’s winger Simao has always been one to rewrite history. Since he made his top-flight debut as a fresh-faced 17 year-old, he has never been out of the limelight. The Atletico Madrid star heads to South Africa this summer hoping to add to his tally of 79 full international caps, a total which makes him the most-capped member …

Shyam Lal Begana, lives with his family in a house by the Naini road. Well known in the village as the ‘Biraha’ Kalakar (artist), he not only performs in AIR (All India Radio) but is also invited to sing in functions such as weddings and ‘Biraha’ competitions to villages in the entire district. Like most performers, he is a master …

Shyam Bihari Gaud, was a ‘Lohar’, a blacksmith by profession till he discovered the aptitude he had for music. He got into it full time and now runs a big group of musicians and dancers. They are well known in Allahabad and perform for various functions. His music is populist – though based on the rustic folk – it incorporates …

Shri Yogendra, was born on 18th November 1897. When his met Guru Pujya Shri Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji, a 119-year-old yogi from Bengal, he was still in college. The meeting with Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji made Yogendra a devoted believer of Yoga. He joined Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji’s ashram in Malsar city of Gujrat and started studying Yoga sincerely. He was a non-conformist and a very …

Shri Yadunathji — His Holiness Param Pujya Goswami 108 Shri Yadunathji Mahodayshri was born on Chaitra Sud Chhath to His Holiness Param Pujya Goswami 108 Shri Vrajeshkumarji Maharajshri. Shri Yadunathji Mahoday is the 17th descendent of Shri Mahaprabhuji who is the founder of “Shuddhadvait Pushtibhakti Marg” popularly known as “Shri Pushti Marg”. Shri Yadunathji earned his graduation from Gujarat University. …