MLA attends installation of Peddamma idol
He performed special prayers. Later he participated in the idol installation ceremony of Sri Potharaju Swamy and performed Abhishekam. The priests then blessed the MLA . He expressed gratitude to the donors of the idol, Gampala Neelamma and Balayya, and to those who supported the temple construction.
Corporators Aruna Victor, Jalgam Anita, Ranjith Rao, mandal president Vaddepalli Prakash, division president Chinta Prakash, Warangal district YC vice-president Chevvu Sivarama Krishna, members of the Mudiraj community, Congress leaders, activists and devotees attended.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Cosmo Para Salt Lake
1 2 3 4 5 6 In the early summer of 1962, a stretch of marshland on the eastern edge of Kolkata began its transformation into what would become one of Bengal's most iconic urban experiments. Guided by the vision of then chief minister Bidhan Chandra Roy, a planned township was carved out from the shallow waters of a vast salt lake — reclaimed cell by cell with slurry pumped from the Hooghly. This land would come to be known as Bidhannagar, or, more famously, Salt Lake. By the early 1970s, the first residents began to arrive — teachers, clerks, govt officers, and professionals — drawn by the promise of clean streets, planned roads, open spaces and quiet living. The timing coincided with a tumultuous historical moment: during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Sector II of Salt Lake temporarily housed over a lakh refugees. Soon after, the township hosted the Congress party's national session. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi stayed in the newly built guest house, later renamed Indira Bhavan, which eventually became the home of CPI(M) patriarch and former CM Jyoti Basu. Through the 1980s and into the '90s, Salt Lake's reputation began to crystallize. With 64 blocks and five sectors, it wasn't just a satellite township any more — it was the address to be at. While the rest of Kolkata struggled with crumbling infrastructure and narrow lanes, Salt Lake represented vision, order and quiet affluence. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Each block was carefully planned, complete with parks, community markets, and housing plots that came with their own garages. The concept of "para" evolved into something more sophisticated: neighbours gathered in well-maintained parks, shopped at clean markets that were zoned, and bonded over morning walks and evening adda sessions in open fields. Residents recall those years with unmistakable fondness. "When we moved here in 1985, it felt like a different country," said Kalyan Chakraborty (80), a former state govt employee and one of the oldest residents of Salt Lake. "Wide roads, green cover, no hawkers cluttering the pavements. It was peaceful and elegant — something Kolkata wasn't." Chandra Mukherjee of AC Block echoed the sentiment: "In the '90s, this was a power address. Ministers, bureaucrats, film stars — everyone who mattered had a house in Salt Lake." Indeed, under the Left Front regime, Bidhannagar became the nerve centre of political power. Former CM Basu resided here, as did cabinet members like former sports minister Subhas Chakraborty and former finance minister Asim Dasgupta. Their presence turned Salt Lake into a fortress of authority and sophistication. It was not uncommon to spot top actors, academics, and senior officials mingling in neighbourhood events or catching an early morning walk around the stadium. Civic infrastructure kept pace. The township boasted of an international-standard football stadium — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan — as well as City Centre mall, a dedicated fairground, and its own swimming pool. Add to that well-planned roads separated by traffic islands, a healthy drainage system, clean water supply and strict building regulations that limited height and prevented congestion, Salt Lake was held up as the model for future Indian urbanism. But like all cities built on dreams, Salt Lake, too, has seen its foundations shift. Over the last 15 years, a slow but steady transformation has taken hold. The children of the original settlers, now professionals in their 30s and 40s, have increasingly moved away — either to other Indian cities or abroad. Left behind are elderly parents, large family homes, and a township gradually hollowing from within. "In most big houses, elderly residents live alone," said Gora Roy, secretary of CF Block residents' association. "Their children live elsewhere and elderly couples are left all by themselves. Many have even moved away with their children, leaving the homes empty." To make practical use of these oversized homes — and to generate income — many residents have converted their ground floors into commercial spaces. Cafes, boutiques, coaching centres, salons and clinics have popped up across blocks. While this has infused Salt Lake with a buzz of activity, it has also opened the doors to more dubious enterprises. In recent years, the township has made headlines for the wrong reasons: fake call centres operating out of residential homes, shady spas, and other illegal set-ups that exploit the lax enforcement in what was once a tightly regulated space. Police crackdowns are now routine and one of the primary jobs of cops now is to check on elderly residents. Adding to this churn is a demographic shift. An increasing number of non-Bengali-speaking families have bought into the township. Older stand-alone houses have been sold, demolished, and replaced by apartment blocks. The skyline is rising but so is the density — and, in some cases, the friction. The once homogenous Bengali para is now more diverse, but also less cohesive. But with commercial interest intensifying, and property rates soaring, enforcement remains patchy. The township, once proud of its uniformity and restraint, now finds itself grappling with the pressures of unregulated growth. Still, there is hope. Salt Lake remains one of the greenest and most infrastructure-rich areas in the greater Kolkata region. Its community parks, while less populated than before, continue to serve as gathering points. The local markets — despite facing competition from malls and online platforms — retain a loyal base of customers. And in quiet corners, some para traditions endure: a shared cup of tea at dusk, neighbourhood Durga Pujas, a Sunday trip to the fishmonger. "During the first few decades, there was no para culture in Salt Lake as people from outside came up and started living here. Slowly, the block associations came up and a community bonding developed. Now, every block has its own para culture with everyone feeling included," said Kumar Shankar Sadhu, former secretary of Bidhannagar welfare association. Salt Lake has never just been about buildings, boulevards, water tanks and traffic islands. It's always been about people — coming together, making a para their own, and turning the township into home.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
150g chicken, 100g rice: Bengaluru municipality rolls out Rs 3 crore diet plan for street dogs, Bengalureans say, 'please add desserts too'
In a first-of-its-kind move, Bengaluru's civic body BBMP is set to serve up chicken and rice, not to school kids or hospitals, but to stray dogs. With a price tag of Rs 2.9 crore, the daily feeding plan aims to calm aggressive street dogs and improve public safety. But while some call it a thoughtful welfare move, others are howling in protest. — ANI (@ANI) Starting soon, 5,000 stray dogs across Bengaluru's eight zones will receive one carefully prepared meal every day. Each meal, costing Rs 22.42, includes: 150g chicken (protein) 100g rice (carbs) 100g vegetables (minerals) 10g oil (fats) Together, this provides 465–750 kcal, perfect for a 15kg dog's daily needs. According to BBMP, these meals will be served at designated feeding points, with each zone hosting 100 to 125 such spots. Vendors will be hired and held responsible for cleanliness at these locations. BBMP believes feeding can reduce dog aggression, help monitor stray populations, and even aid in anti-rabies efforts. 'This is more than a welfare act,' said a senior official. 'It's a public safety strategy.' Live Events Officials say feeding will help track and access dogs more easily, making it simpler to carry out vaccinations and sterilisation, key steps in eliminating rabies by 2030. Public Reacts: From Praise to Pothole Memes Social media exploded with reactions. Some users praised the move, especially those already feeding strays out of their own pockets. 'Protein' Prabhu, who feeds 30 stray dogs and monkeys daily, called it a 'huge relief'. 'I spend around Rs 2,500 on dog food every day. BBMP's help will mean a lot,' he said. Others, however, questioned the timing and priorities. 'My father was chased by strays recently. Shouldn't BBMP focus on sterilising them first?' asked one resident. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram also suggested relocating strays to shelters instead of feeding them on the streets. Meanwhile, X (formerly Twitter) lit up with jokes. One user posted: 'Bengaluru stray dogs eat more protein than North Indians.' Another wrote: 'Dogs from across India are migrating to Bengaluru. No language barrier for them!' A Plan With a Purpose Despite the criticism, BBMP officials are standing firm. Special Commissioner Vikas Kishor explained that feeding will be focused in areas with high dog bite cases or low volunteer activity. 'We're not feeding all 2.8 lakh strays,' he said. 'Just around 2%, for better control and care.' The civic body is also encouraging citizens to chip in, financially or as volunteers. 'It's a shared responsibility,' said Kishor. Inputs from agencies Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Guru Purnima, Shakambari festival celebrations attract thousands
Vijayawada: was celebrated with immense spiritual fervour and devotion across Vijayawada on Thursday. Temples witnessed a massive influx of devotees who participated in special rituals and festivals marking the auspicious occasion. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Sai Baba Temple at Mutyalampadu saw thousands of devotees throng its premises in the early hours to take part in the sacred Abhishekam ritual. The temple resonated with chants and spiritual hymns as the faithful paid their respects to Sai Baba, expressing gratitude on this traditional day dedicated to gurus. Meanwhile, the three-day Shakambari festival concluded at the famed Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam. On the final day, goddess Kanaka Durga was adorned in Shakambari Devi attire, draped in leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits, symbolising her role as the nurturer of vegetation. Thousands of pilgrims were delighted to witness the goddess in this rare form. To mark the occasion, the sanctum sanctorum was artistically decorated with farm produce, giving it a vibrant, earthy look. Vedic scholars conducted Satha Chandi Yagam and Poornahuti, invoking blessings for prosperity and good rains. As part of the celebration, over 12,000 devotees were served 'Kadambham', a special dish prepared with fresh vegetables and dal. Pilgrims praised the smooth arrangements. "Despite the heavy crowd, I had darshan in just 40 minutes," said K Nagaraju from Paruchuru, Prakasam district. Durga temple executive officer Seenanayak expressed joy over the festival's success and thanked staff and volunteers for their efforts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Special shirga darshan was arranged to manage the heavy footfall, while prasadam counters distributed decorated vegetables to eager devotees. At the Malleswara Swamy temple (Shivalayam), Rudra Abhishekam and special prayers were conducted as part of Guru Purnima rituals. Meanwhile, the Shakambari festival at Sri Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy Temple in Srisailam also concluded, with Vedic rituals praying for good rainfall and a bountiful harvest.
