Latest news with #BhimraoAmbedkar
India Today
16-07-2025
- General
- India Today
Rethinking Indian sculptural heritage in the modern world
India has always built for the long haul. Temples, forts, paintings, works that travel across centuries, outliving the creators, refusing to be forgotten. Something new has been rising across the subcontinent. Not just temples or memorials, but statues, and not modest ones. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat to Bhimrao Ambedkar in Maharashtra, India's recent sculpture boom seems less about sculpture, and more about memory at statues are no ordinary. Rising hundreds of feet into the air, the arts have become the symbol of inspiration. The Statue of Unity towers at 597 feet, making it the world's tallest. The Statue of Belief, a massive form of Shiva, sits at 351 feet in Rajasthan. And the Statue of Equality, honouring Ramanuja, stands 216 feet high near of bronze, steel, and alloy cores, they are designed for permanence, but also for beyond the measurements, what do these statues actually say?WHEN STONE WAS A MEDIUMIndia's sculptural history is long, rich, and precise. From the earliest Indus Valley terracotta figurines to the Yaksha and Yakshi statues of Mauryan times, the human form was never just a form, it remained a way to convey the message to the next the time the builders of Ellora and Elephanta chiselled gods out of caves, the idea had already taken root, sculpture wasn't just art, it was a way to shape belief. It taught, warned, inspired, and Chola bronzes, especially the iconic Nataraja, were not only religious icons but also expressions of movement, balance, and cosmic rhythm, ideas frozen into gigantic Gommateshwara Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola, carved in the 10th century CE, remains a marvel, standing over 57 feet tall, with no structural support, weathering monsoons and centuries Ashoka's stone pillars, scattered across the Gangetic plain, were early uses of sculpture as political broadcast, messages of morality, carved into public tools have changed. Where once hands held chisels, today artists rely on 3D scans, CNC machines, and imported bronze casting is now aided by computer modelling. This isn't a rejection of the old, but a BUILDS, WHO BENEFITS?The questions are not only artistic. They are civic. These statues cost hundreds or thousands of crores. They reshape local economies, land use, and political maps."You don't build a statue five hundred feet tall unless you're trying to shape more than stone, you're trying to shape the story." said Naresh Kumar Kumawat, an Indian builds them? Often, global firms and engineers. Who gains? Politicians claim symbolic victories. Tourists take selfies. Locals get a spike in footfall, for a often missing is the public Statue of Unity drew protests from displaced tribal communities. Others sparked debates about the cost of memory in a country still struggling with healthcare and education PROBLEM WITH SPECTACLEIn earlier times, sculptures were placed inside temples or on town crossroads. People gathered around them. Worshipped. Asked questions. Paid attention."Every monument speaks twice, once through its figure, and again through the silence around why it was built." added attention has a shorter span.A statue is unveiled, drones film it, headlines run, and then, silence. The sheer scale overwhelms the need to the risk with monumental art: it looks impressive, but what does it really mean?Will the next generation stop and feel something in front of these giants?Or just walk past them on the way to something else?India has always carved its values into stone. The question is, what values are we choosing to carve now, and are we ready to live with them?- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Randeep Hooda's half-bald look sparks speculation: ‘Bhimrao Ambedkar biopic loading?'
Randeep Hooda's new half-bald look has fans speculating about a Bhimrao Ambedkar biopic. Known for drastic transformations in 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' and 'Sarbjit', he recently teased his followers on Instagram. Last seen in Jaat, fans eagerly await confirmation of his next challenging role. Randeep Hooda , celebrated for his remarkable physical transformations in movies like 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' and 'Sarbjit', has sparked curiosity once again. After posting a striking and unusual photo on Instagram, fans are eagerly anticipating another significant change in his appearance. A Bold New Look Teases Fans In a recent close-up, Hooda sports a half-bald look, complete with spectacles and a clean-shaven face, dressed simply in a T-shirt. Teasing his followers, he asked, 'What's the tea for this Tuesday? Coffee isn't the only thing that's brewing!' Though he hasn't confirmed if this new appearance is for a film, fans are already buzzing with guesses—some hinting at a Bhimrao Ambedkar biopic, others wondering if a Gandhi ji portrayal is on the horizon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda) Intense Physical Transformations for Roles Earlier, Randeep made headlines for losing 18 kilograms in just 28 days for his role in 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. As reported in Indian Express, he recalled that initially, the plan was to shoot the Punjab portion involving wrestling scenes, but it was suddenly changed. He pointed out that it wouldn't be believable for a man in jail to be in such good health, so he drastically cut down on food and water, which had a significant impact on his body. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like DOES Your Network Cut It? Boost Mobile Australia Learn More Undo During the filming, he remained underweight for nearly one and a half years. To accelerate his weight loss, he practiced fasting, noting that both Hinduism and Islam incorporate fasting, and he recommended it as well. Continued Commitment to Physical Adaptation In addition to his transformation for 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar', Hooda stunned audiences in 2016 by dropping 20 kilograms for 'Sarbjit'. He has also bulked up significantly, increasing his weight from 77 to 94 kilograms for the movie 'Do Lafzon Ki Kahani', demonstrating his dedication to physically adapting for his roles12. Recent Work and What's Next? On the professional front, Randeep Hooda was most recently seen starring alongside Sunny Deol in the film 'Jaat'.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP BJP highlights social engineering at Ambedkar Smriti Sthal
The Bharatiya Janata Party utilised the occasion of the International Yoga Day on Saturday to take forward its social engineering initiative, roping in its scheduled caste and Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Smriti Sthal in Gomti Nagar. Neeraj, Dharampal and Brijlal (HT Photo) Most of the 5000 participants belonged to the SC and OBC communities at the venue where all BJP leaders wore T-shirts with Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's photo. People from Lucknow slums and nearby areas also participated in hour-long yoga sessions under the guidance of yoga instructor Malvika Bajpai. A large number of people, including youth, social organisations, women and differently abled children also took part in the event. BJP's state general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh was the chief guest while party leader Neeraj Singh coordinated the programme. Dharampal Singh is also spearheading the party's OBC outreach programme across the state. Addressing a gathering after the session, Dharampal Singh stated that today, yoga has become a moral and ideological tool in the direction of equality and social justice that Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had envisioned. Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the International Yoga Day is being organized in more than 171 countries today, he added. 'Yoga is not only a physical exercise, but also a medium of social balance and mental harmony. Yoga also strengthens the unity of the country and the feeling of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' Dharampal Singh added. Neeraj Singh stated that Dr Ambedkar struggled throughout his life to eliminate social inequality and to provide social justice to Dalits, the deprived and backward classes. Assimilating the ideals of Ambedkar, a yoga programme has been organised here today with the message of 'Ek Bharat Samras Bharat', Neeraj Singh added. An exhibition was also organised where Dr Ambedkar's life and vision was highlighted through posters. Prominent BJP leaders present at the event included two former DGPs Brij Lal and Vijay Kumar, Ambedkar Mahasabha chairman and MLC Lalji Nirmal, MLA Mukesh Sharma, state president of the SC Morcha Ramchandra Kanaujia, state vice-president of the SC Morcha Devesh Kori and former IAS officer Dinesh Chandra. Others present on the occasion included Harish Kumar, Pankaj Prasun Jatav, AK Gautam, Gangaram Ambedkar, Ram Avtar Kanaujia, Vipin Sonkar and a large number of people from the Scheduled Caste community.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bhim Army protests seeking Ambedkar statue at Gwalior HC
Bhopal: A protest was held by Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission on Wednesday over the ongoing dispute regarding the installation of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's statue in the Gwalior High Court premises. The organization had planned a Mahapanchayat at Phoolbagh Ground, but police stopped members at Niravali Point on the Gwalior-Morena border to prevent them from entering the city. Despite the restrictions, hundreds of supporters gathered at Niravali Point by 2:30 PM, where the Mahapanchayat was eventually conducted. From the protest stage, national president of Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission, Vinay Ratan Singh, along with other leaders, declared their unwavering resolve to install Dr Ambedkar's statue in the High Court. "Babasaheb gave this nation its Constitution, and it's our duty to honour him. Those opposing the statue must understand this. If dialogue fails, the agitation will intensify," Singh was quoted by local media. Protesters traveling from Delhi, Agra, and Dholpur were also prevented from reaching Gwalior. Police set up checkpoints in Morena and Dholpur to stop vehicles and curb the assembling of large crowds in the city. In anticipation of unrest, the administration deployed over 1000 police personnel along with senior officers to monitor the situation from Gwalior to the Morena border. Ambulances were also placed on standby for any emergencies. Prior to this, the Jai Bhim organization had also staged a demonstration in support of the statue's installation.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maya slams oppn to Babasaheb statue in MP
Lucknow: Referring to the opposition over the installation of an Ambedkar statue at the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court by a section of lawyers, national president said that lawyers with a casteist mindset should know that the Bahujan Samaj, which has been oppressed for years, now wants its respect. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She also requested the Madhya Pradesh governor, CM and high court to intervene in the matter and allow the installation of the statue. In a series of posts on X, on Friday, the BSP chief said, "It was the high court that gave permission to install Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's statue at the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court on the demand of the lawyers there, and through the financial support provided by them. It was on the directions of the court that the spot was chosen, and the platform and the statue were readied." However, the installation of the statue is being opposed by a few lawyers due to their casteist thinking, said Mayawati, adding, "There was no action taken against them despite their instigating comments on social media. Those who oppose Babasaheb will have to understand that the Bahujan Samaj, which has been oppressed for years, now wants to get its respect." The former UP CM urged the governor, CM and the HC to remove the roadblocks in the installation of the statue and to get "the creator of the Constitution, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's statue installed respectfully and immediately in the Gwalior bench of the MP high court."
