Mamata unveils twin gates to honour Vidyasagar's legacy in Birsingha
2
Kolkata: Chief minister
Mamata Banerjee
inaugurated the Barnaparichay Gate at Chandrakona Road, alongside the
Birsingha
Gate and art wall at Birsingha village on Tuesday. These installations aim to establish Pandit Ishwar Chandra
Vidyasagar
's birthplace in Ghatal,
West Midnapore
, as a prominent
cultural tourism
and pilgrimage destination in the state.
The initial phase involved the restoration of Birsingha Bhagabati Vidyalaya and Vidyasagar Smriti Mandir. "Mud buildings that were 150 years old were strengthened, conserved and restored. A day rest and interpretation centre was built using a mix of existing traditional techniques with modern-day knowledge. A landscape resembling a tapoban in a gurukul was added to tie the elements together and create the necessary ambience of cultural tourism," said conservation architect Anjan Mitra.
The state govt's information and cultural affairs department funded the project which received the 2023-24 HUDCO design award first prize in conservation.
The subsequent phase focuses on developing twin gates as tourist landmarks, directing visitors to Vidyasagar Smriti Mandir, a knowledge centre highlighting Vidyasagar's legacy.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed!
IC Markets
Start Now
Undo
Artist Amar Sarkar created the Barnaparichay Gate on Chandrakona Road as a public art installation. It represents an enlarged version of Barnaparichay, the Bengali primer authored by the social reformer in 1855. He also designed a village art wall in the old vernacular style. "What we tried to do here is create an ambience of a 19th-century Bengal village through the art wall that camouflages the disparate entities like shops, toilets and bus stands without displacing them. The art wall is designed so that everyone present becomes a harmonious part of the overall landscape. A platform or stage has also been created where local performances can be held," added Mitra, the project executor.
Artist Purnendu De designed the Birsingha Gate at the entrance to Birsingha village proper. Inspired by commonly seen forms in rural Bengal villages, this gate, replete with carefully crafted terracotta panels, documents the life and teachings of Vidyasagar. A bust of Vidyasagar has also been sculpted and placed within this gate. The project was executed by the PWD Midnapore division.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru Namma Metro: check latest update on the yellow line, expected opening date and more
After multiple delays and much anticipation, Bengaluru's Namma Metro Yellow Line, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra via the bustling Electronic City corridor, is finally nearing completion. As the city battles traffic congestion and mounting urban pressure, the 18.8 km elevated stretch is expected to significantly ease commute times for lakhs of residents in the southern tech belt. Civil works completed, final testing underway The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has confirmed that civil works, including all 16 elevated stations across the Yellow Line, have been completed. Interior station finishing, platform installations, passenger amenities, and Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling systems are now fully in place. The Yellow Line will offer much-needed connectivity to key zones like Electronic City, Bommanahalli, HSR Layout, and Silk Board, linking them with the Green Line at RV Road interchange and eventually the upcoming Blue and Pink Lines. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Safety inspections to begin mid-July The final safety green signal is awaited from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). The Independent Safety Assessment (ISA), a crucial prerequisite, is set to begin post-July 15. Officials believe the inspections and approvals should be completed swiftly, barring any technical red flags. Expected launch timeline: Late July to early August With most infrastructure in place and test runs underway, BMRCL officials are targeting a phased launch between late July and early August 2025. If safety inspections proceed smoothly, the line may open initially with partial services, followed by full operations as more trainsets are inducted. Live Events This timeline marks a significant step forward for Bengaluru's metro network, which has faced repeated delays due to procurement issues, COVID-19 disruptions, and regulatory hurdles. What the Yellow Line means for commuters Length: 18.8 km elevated corridor Stations: 16, including Electronic City, Hosa Road, Kudlu Gate, and RV Road Interchanges: Green Line (RV Road), future Blue Line (Central Silk Board), and Pink Line Train Type: Driverless with CBTC signaling Benefits: Reduced commute time from Electronic City to city centre, enhanced last-mile connectivity
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
UAE adds another flying taxi: US-based firm partners with Abu Dhabi for latest test flight success
Abu Dhabi completes its first successful flying taxi test at Al Bateen Executive Airport, paving the way for commercial launch in early 2026/Image credits: WAM Abu Dhabi has taken a major step toward futuristic transportation by successfully completing the first test flight of a flying taxi at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The flight was conducted by US-based Archer Aviation in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), marking a milestone ahead of the planned commercial launch of air taxi services in early 2026. According to Omran Malek, Head of Autonomous Mobility and Robotics at Adio, the test flight is the first in a series of structured evaluations aimed at launching not just a flying taxi service, but a full-fledged aviation ecosystem. Speaking to local news outlet Khaleej Times, Omran Malek said, 'We don't just test to test, but test to commercialise. We're not just launching an air taxi service, we're building an ecosystem around us , from pilot training to MROs, to talent development, to manufacturing with Archer Aviation, with the facility in Al Ain.' The project also involves collaborations with universities to develop specialised curricula and short diplomas to prepare a skilled workforce for the sector. Testing Under UAE Conditions The testing phase will continue through the summer months to evaluate how the aircraft performs under Abu Dhabi's hot and dusty climate. 'Then we'll bring this aircraft to fly over the city and move into the commercial phase in early 2026,' Malek said. Dr Talib Alhinai, UAE Manager at Archer Aviation, said that the aircraft used in this phase was not piloted, as the goal is to test environmental readiness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One plan. Total peace of mind. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo 'It was a vertical takeoff and landing flight. Our initial flight test operations in the UAE are focused specifically on evaluating the aircraft's performance in high temperature, humidity, and dust,' he noted. Roadmap to Commercial Launch and Manufacturing Once testing is complete, Archer plans to launch a small fleet of air taxis in Abu Dhabi. Key priorities for the launch include: Safe commercial operations Fully developed vertiports Airspace integration 'All that is the priority for us to launch in Abu Dhabi,' said Malek. Looking further ahead, the manufacturing of the aircraft is scheduled to begin in Al Ain in 2027, with future exports planned to other interested countries across the region. A New Mode of Daily Travel Contrary to the belief that flying taxis will be exclusive to luxury travellers, Malek said pricing in Abu Dhabi will be designed to be feasible for the general public. 'As we introduce more vertiports and aircraft, that price will scale down so that it can be used on a daily basis,' he said. The announcement comes shortly after a similar successful test flight by Joby Aviation in Dubai, showing strong momentum in the UAE's push to lead urban air mobility in the region. Dubai's First Flying Taxi Test Flight Just this week, Dubai marked a key milestone in urban mobility with the first test flight of a flying taxi developed by Joby Aviation. The test took place at Joby's test facility at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham, located along the Dubai–Al Ain Road. Dubai is now preparing for a commercial rollout by the first half of 2026, aiming to provide residents and visitors a premium air mobility service. The UAE is leading the way in futuristic transportation, with both Abu Dhabi and Dubai successfully conducting test flights for flying taxis. These milestones reflect the country's commitment to redefining urban mobility, with significant investment in advanced technologies. By embracing innovative transport solutions, the UAE is working to become one of the most livable cities in the world, focusing on convenience, sustainability, and efficiency for residents and visitors alike.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru ‘ORRmageddon': Commuters say walking 10K steps is faster than driving through city traffic
Bengaluru's infamous Outer Ring Road found a new name this week. Muralikrishnan B , Research Scholar at ISB and former Xiaomi India President, summed up the daily ordeal with one line: 'ORRmageddon, 6kms - 1 hour, And FWIW I can run a 10K in 45 minutes.' His words, shared on X, struck a nerve. It paints a clear picture — crawling through Marathahalli, Bellandur, or Sarjapur has turned into an hour-long crawl for a distance one could jog faster. Thousands of commuters related instantly. The term 'ORRmageddon' blends ORR and Armageddon — an apocalypse on wheels. No day passes without jams triggered by rain, a stalled lorry or sheer volume. The road feeds massive tech hubs. Lakhs rely on it daily. They see flyovers and signal-free plans roll out, but these quick fixes rarely dent the gridlock. Monday blues and Pandemic parallels Mondays in Bengaluru feel less like a fresh week, more like a trial by bumper-to-bumper traffic. Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar spoke for many when he posted on X: 'Why can't we pretend there is a pandemic and it's called road traffic and go back to working from home and doing online meetings? It's painful to get stuck for two hours on a Monday morning and act enthusiastic. There is no medicine for the stress from Bangalore traffic.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mountain Gear for Extreme Conditions Trek Kit India Learn More Undo His call found an audience. Users piled on with stories. One wrote, 'Please explain this to corporates and start-ups. My ex-colleague once said people who work from home never work.' Another added, 'No pretence necessary! That exists!' Commuters share cost of chaos The floodgates opened with commuters detailing how daily traffic has twisted their lives inside out. 'Opted for a remote job for the same reason and moved out of Bangalore. While I was there, I lived right across from the office. It was the only way I could manage,' said one user. Live Events Another painted a grim timeline: 'I commute 12 to 15 km one way. I leave at 7:15 am to reach in 45 minutes. But recently, it took me 90 minutes one day and 3.5 hours another. It's unbearable.' Health tolls came up too: 'It affects the entire day. For those with motion sickness or who drive, the late start stretches the day and disrupts the cardiac cycle,' one wrote. Sabeer Bhatia calls traffic out While posts from locals grabbed eyeballs, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia's comment gave the debate new fuel. He didn't mince words: 'I know Bengaluru folks may call this negative… but the traffic here is INSANE. I ride the same distance on my bicycle in 1/3 the time in the Bay Area. How do people tolerate this every day?' Responses flew in. Some agreed. Others pushed back. 'Can you go on a bike to Oakland in the Bay Area after 5 PM? In Bengaluru, people can travel even to Mysuru at midnight and return safely. Try that in Oakland without fearing for your life,' shot back one user. Bhatia's post hit a nerve. Many pointed fingers at bigger problems. 'There's no use complaining. Our government cannot solve even the most basic urban issues. If you really want to help, start creating companies in smaller cities instead of congesting the metros. That's the real way India can grow,' one person wrote. Others explained how they cope. 'We've just adapted,' said a resident. 'I live near a metro station. My wife's office is a kilometre away. My kid's school is even closer. I pay a premium for that location, but it's worth it.' Not everyone has that option. For many, the pandemic offered a glimpse of calm roads. Some now see remote work as the only workable fix. 'WFH isn't a cure for the traffic pandemic, but it's a much-needed painkiller. Companies have the power to relieve this daily suffering, why not use it immediately?' read another post. Once celebrated as India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru's success story now idles in queues of cars and buses. The Outer Ring Road symbolises this tension. Its daily jams tell of breakneck growth outpacing old roads and patchy plans. People are tired. From 'ORRmageddon' jokes to blunt calls for remote work, the city's gridlock is more than a nuisance — it's pushing people to rethink where they live, how they work, and how long they can keep doing this daily crawl.
