Sunday Exhale: The Kohinoor Story; Aspergers Syndrome Explained

Read a compilation of interesting stories published by The Quint through the week.

You have worked hard this week. You deserve to sit back. Relax. Exhale. And enjoy The Quint’s cool stories through the week.

Kiska Hai Kohinoor?

The Kohinoor diamond, said to have been mined from the Kollur mines in Andhra Pradesh in early 1300s, is also believed to be cursed – the gem can only be possessed by a God, or a woman. All the men who have had it, have met gruesome deaths. But there’s no stopping the craze for the 106-carat diamond, the value of which Babur deemed to be enough to ‘feed everyone in the world for a day’.
 Now, India wants it back. Pakistan stakes its claim too. And Iran is also in the line. So many soliciting the solitaire… who will get it? Now, that’s a gem of a question!

5 Reasons Why Reading a (Real) Book Is Great for Your Health

In the world of omnipresent screens, it is easy to forget the simple pleasure of curling up and flipping the pages of a book. They say, ‘reading is all the therapy you need’, and now medical science agrees with this too. The research published in renowned medical journal Science, shows that reading literary works cultivates areas of the brain which boost focus, attention, comprehension, and make you an empathetic person.

For a Feminine and Edgy Look, Try Giving Leather and Lace a Chance

From the Kardashians to good ol’ Ozzy Osbourne, everyone loves some leather! Still, most people wrongly think they can’t carry off leather – but fashion blogger Deepali Kini finds it to be one of the most versatile and flattering fabrics around (if it is styled well, of course)! She gives us some tips on how to team edgy faux leather with super feminine lace.

All You Need To Know About Aspergers Syndrome

To say that the revelations in the Hrithik-Kangana standoff are ‘shocking’ will be the understatement of the year. However, what’s most intriguing is that in one of the mails Kangana allegedly admits that she has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and has 98% symptoms of the disorder. What is the disorder really, anyway? Here’s all you need to know about Asperger’s Syndrome (AS).

All by Myself: The Joys of Solitary Theatre-Going

The Indian cinema hall, traditionally in thrall to the family unit, which trooped in vast numbers to savor the Barjatya brand of film-making in the 90s, now caters to a more heterogeneous audience.

Where the joint family reigned supreme, replaced soon by the nuclear unit, now we find gangs of young men and women and couples on date night. But what hasn’t changed is the fact that a single female theatre-goer continues to be a social pariah.

In Pictures: India This Week (16 April to 22 April)

Pain, faith, thirst, joy. All this and more in pictures. Beyond the headlines and behind the scenes, The Quint brings you a snapshot of India this week.

Breast Cancer Myths Busted

Though there are a number of legitimate risk factors for cancer, the web is overrun with unsubstantiated claims backed by minimal or poor quality research. So, join Dr. Shubham Pant as he busts the myths about breast cancer, one by one.

Easy to Make, Summer-Friendly Aamras Kadhi

Fajeto (aamras kadhi) has a naughty intonation, which almost means a scandal! It is both a word and a recipe! Catch its recipe here.

Review: Nil Battey Sannata Wows Us With It’s Unconventional Plot

This week’s latest release Nil Battey Sannata doesn’t have big stars or exotic foreign locales to show off. What it does have instead is far more valuable – an original idea, a unique story and some superb performances. Set in Agra, we follow the story of Appu, who has to appear for her class 10 board exams, and her hyperventilating mother, played by Swara Bhasker, who worries about her daughter’s future and her Math exam in particular. The mother-daughter bond fills the film with many endearing moments, while Pankaj Tripathy’s brilliance in front of the camera means we have added it to our “must watch” list!