Tag: Baghdad

Capital of the Republic of Iraq

Food

Halawet El-Jibn | A Delectable Arabic Dessert

The New Year has to start with some sweets for round-the-year sweet experiences. Halawet el-jibn is made from rolls of soft, sweet semolina and cheese dough that gets stuffed with clotted cream and crowned with pistachios. A drizzle of syrup puts the final seal of perfection. The origin of halawat el-jibn dish is not clear. Some recipes for this dessert give credit to Homs in Syria as its birthplace. Continue reading Halawet El-Jibn | A Delectable Arabic Dessert

Indrajit RoyChoudhury14 Comments
Mixed Bag

Somen Debnath | Cycling around the world for AIDS awareness

Somen Debnath has been travelling across the world on a bicycle to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. Starting from his home at Basanti Village in South 24 Paragana district of West Bengal at the age of 21 on 27 May 2004, Debnath has been on the road and travelled over 185,400 km and visited 170 countries. During his journey, he was in Baghdad, Iraq for a few days in 2013. I then met him and interacted with him during his stay in Baghdad. Continue reading Somen Debnath | Cycling around the world for AIDS awareness

Indrajit RoyChoudhury16 Comments
History, Travel

In Search of Guru Nanak’s Shrine in Baghdad

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent three months in Baghdad with his associates Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala on his return to India from Mecca. The holy site is in the backyard of Baghdad railway station surrounded by graveyards. War, insurgents or looters have wiped any trace of a historical footnote that had preserved the memory of the Sikh Guru’s 16th-century journey through Arabia and his stay in Baghdad. There is no trace of anything Sikh on the site now. Continue reading In Search of Guru Nanak’s Shrine in Baghdad

Indrajit RoyChoudhury33 Comments
History

Agatha Christie Also Lived in Baghdad

Agatha Christie doesn’t need any introduction. We grew up reading the detective novels of the British writer, who authored 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. According to UNESCO’s Index Translationum, she remains the most-translated individual author. After a devastating divorce, she took a trip to Baghdad in 1928 and lost her heart — to the ancient sites of Iraq and archaeologist Max Mallowan. Continue reading Agatha Christie Also Lived in Baghdad

Indrajit RoyChoudhury9 Comments
Culture

World Humanitarian Day | 19 August

Each year, World Humanitarian Day (August 19) focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. This year, the highlight is on the immediate human cost of the climate crisis by pressuring world leaders to take meaningful climate action for the world’s most vulnerable people. Continue reading World Humanitarian Day | 19 August

Indrajit RoyChoudhury14 Comments
Opinion

Woke up to yet another fierce dust storm in Baghdad | Climate Crisis

Dust storms are common in Iraq, but some experts believe they are becoming more frequent due to climate change. The storms are expected to become more frequent due to drought, desertification and declining rainfall. Iraq is classified as one of the world’s five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification. Continue reading Woke up to yet another fierce dust storm in Baghdad | Climate Crisis

Indrajit RoyChoudhury16 Comments
Culture

Holi Celebration in Baghdad, 2022

Holi is considered one of the most revered and celebrated festivals of India and it is celebrated in almost every part of the country. It is also sometimes called the “festival of love” as on this day people get to unite together forgetting all resentments and all types of bad feelings towards each other. Holi was celebrated in Baghdad this year at the Embassy of India with colours, food, and game. Continue reading Holi Celebration in Baghdad, 2022

Indrajit RoyChoudhury17 Comments
Culture

Indian Republic Day, Baghdad, 2021

India celebrates January 26th every year as her Republic Day to mark the date when the Constitution of India came into force. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. Continue reading Indian Republic Day, Baghdad, 2021

Indrajit RoyChoudhury10 Comments