by Zara Shafiq Khan
“Being an art student I have always had a huge interest in visiting old monumental and historical places. I like to travel and I’m sure most reading this do too. Travel educates us about different culture and societies, which ultimately serves as a very important learning tool. So I’m going to share some of the really cool historical places that are on my bucket list and ones that I plan to visit some day,” said Zara Shafiq Khan.
Stonehenge: There is uncertainty about the usage of these ancient runes, which remain quite a mystery to date. While some say it was religious rituals, no one has been able to definitively figure out its purpose and it’s too bad that we will never know what this place was about. That doesn’t take anything away from the magnificence.
The pyramids of Giza: Egyptian civilisation, art, myths and the great pyramids have fascinated me. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three in that complex. Constructed in the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt, it is still shrouded in mystery and that only adds to its appeal.
The Colosseum: Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it is in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Construction began under emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus. A monument that was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles is a tourist hot spot today.
The Parthenon: This ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Athena stands as a symbol of the power of Athens and a testament to the Greek civilisation. This is the most important surviving building of classical Greece. After the Ottoman conquest, it was turned into a mosque in the early 1460s.
Santorini: Located in the southern Aegean sea, it is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago, which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. My dream is one day to see the famous sunset of Imerovigli, which is a village on the island of Santorini, adjacent to the north of the island capital Fira. The blue dorms and the whitewashed, cubi form houses of its two principal towns, Fira and Oia are a great example of harmony and giving a peaceful feeling.
The Ajanta Caves: These caves simply amaze me. They are 30 (approximately) rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments, which date back to the ancient civilisations. The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art. They are particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form.
Sagrada Familia: A large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated it a minor basilica, as distinct from a cathedral, which must be the seat of a bishop. Construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882 and Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvili near art nouveau forms.
Temple Mount: This was used as a religious site for thousands of years. At least four religious traditions are known to have made use of the Temple Mount; Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Romas. The present site is dominated by three monumental structures from the early Umayyad period; the Al-Aqsa Mosque, The Dome of the Rock and The Dome of the Chain.
Sultan Ahmed mosque: Popularly known as the blue mosque because of the tiles adorning the walls of its interior, it was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Persia’s architecture and their art are full of rich colours, which inspire me a lot.
Lumbini, Nepal: Being a die-hard fan of Buddha, my dream is one day to visit Lumbini, Nepal. Lumbini is one of many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha. Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site status by Unesco in 1997.
(Zara Shafiq Khan is a former model and fashion designer, who is currently the creative head of a major events company in Dubai).
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.