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India Gazette
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: LG Manoj Sinha flags off first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Jammu
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 2 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra, which begins today. Before the flag-off, LG Sinha offered prayers at the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu. As the pilgrims departed, chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Bam Bam Bhole' filled the air. Reacting to the start of the Amarnath Yatra, BJP leader Sat Sharma said, 'Thousands of devotees have come here for Baba Amarnath Darshan. Just two months ago, a different environment was created, but today we can see how the devotees are raising Baba Bhole's slogans. The people have faith that they are in safe hands.' A devotee named Shalu, who is part of the first batch, said she was happy with the arrangements and felt completely safe. '...We are delighted... We waited for it for an entire year. The arrangements are excellent, from food to accommodation. There is nothing to be scared of. The security is perfect,' Shalu told ANI. Another devotee, Akanksha, said, '...We planned to be a part of the first batch. We were not scared because we knew that the security would be adequate... The arrangements are very good; food, accommodation, sanitation, and all facilities are very good...' Suman Ghosh, also among the first pilgrims, said, '...We pray that everybody gets the Darshan in peace. There is nothing to fear. The Indian Army and other security forces are here.' The Amarnath Yatra is being conducted through the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The Jammu-Srinagar Highway is a key route for the thousands of pilgrims heading to the shrine. Speaking on the arrangements, LG Manoj Sinha said, '...For the pilgrims, the J&K administration, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the residents of J&K have performed their duties well. From 2022, the facilities for devotees coming for the Amarnath Yatra have been improved. Both routes leading to the cave used to be six feet wide, which are now 12 feet wide. There used to be darkness on the route; now, grid connectivity has been established.' 'Telecom connectivity has become completely prominent throughout the way. High-quality cameras have been installed for the Yatra LIVE feed. Yatra is monitored 24/7 from the Integrated Command and Control Centre in the Raj Bhawan and the Police Control Room... RFID-based tracking system has been established,' he added. (ANI)
Hans India
7 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Sec'bad braces for Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra tomorrow
Hyderabad: Shree Jagannath Swamy Ramgopal Trust would be holding this year's Shree Jagannath Yatra on Friday. Shree Jagannath Swamy Ramgopal Trust Founder Family Trustee Purshottam Malani said that their trust has been organising the Rath Yatra for the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra every year, coinciding with the Rath Yatra at Jagannath Puri. The trust has been conducting this Rath Yatra regularly from the last 130 years from the Jagannath Temple at General Bazaar, Secunderabad. Purshottam Malani, said, 'It is with great joy that we announce the annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath. We expect that devotees from Secunderabad and Hyderabad will seek the blessings of the Lord in large numbers'. The founder trustee further requested all to note the below timings and plan Darshan accordingly. The temple gates will be opened for Darshan from 6.15 AM on June 27 and will be closed by 1 PM. Thereafter, the Rath Yatra procession is scheduled to start from the temple at 4 PM and after passing through General Bazar, it is scheduled to be at MG Road from 6.30 PM – 11 PM, after which it will pass through Hill Street, Ranigunj and will reach back to the temple at around 4 AM the following morning.
NDTV
24-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Tirupati Laddoos Now Available At Easy-To-Use Kiosks For Pilgrims
Hyderabad: The Tirupati laddoo that has a dedicated following of its own, even among those who may not identify themselves as devotees, is now available at kiosk machines set up at laddoos counters in Tirumala. The pilgrim-friendly initiative is an innovation introduced recently by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. This facility allows pilgrims to conveniently pay for additional laddoos using UPI. After payment, a receipt is generated, which can be used to collect the extra laddoos. The intention behind this innovative move by TTD is to improve pilgrims' overall experience by cutting down on lengthy waiting. One of the biggest draws for anyone going to Tirumala for a darshan of Lord Venkateswara is the Tirupati laddoo. Even if it did not have a GI tag, devotees of the laddoo insist that it is so distinctive in flavour and texture that you can make out immediately if it did come out of the "potu", the place in Tirumala where laddoos are made. Very often, pilgrims may not carry physical money with them when going to the temple complex, and digital payment makes it convenient. Through an easy-to-use interface, pilgrims can swiftly complete their 'laddoo purchases' by using the machines. Here is a step-by-step version of the process for using the KIOSK machines for Laddoos: Pilgrims will approach the KIOSK Machine installed near the Laddoo distribution counters. Pilgrims will be presented with two options: one for those with a valid darshan ticket and another for those without a darshan ticket. With Valid Darshan Ticket: Choose this option if you have a valid Darshan ticket. The system will verify the ticket details, and pilgrims can purchase up to 2 additional laddoos per person based on the number of people listed on the ticket. Without Darshan Ticket: Choose this option if you do not have a Darshan ticket. You can still purchase up to 2 additional laddoos by providing a valid Aadhaar number. After selecting the appropriate option, the system will navigate to the payment page, where pilgrims can complete the transaction using UPI. Pilgrims can collect the printed receipt and proceed to the laddoo counters to receive them.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Air India Art Collection at NGMA Bengaluru carries a whiff of nostalgia
Once upon a time, there was a maharajah who flew around on his private jet, sharing glimpses of India with people all over the world. And whenever he returned to his country, he would come laden with tales of the many wonders he had seen during his travels. The Maharajah (for that was his name and title) has long been the mascot for Air India, the country's national carrier; though, over the years, his role has been diminished and he is rarely seen in public. For those who remember his glory days, or wish to relive the nobility of a bygone era, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru (NGMA-B) is displaying art from the Air India Collection. Titled Sanhita : A New Beginning for the Air India Collection, the exhibition showcases works of art that Air India collected over the years. The public rarely gets a chance to view these pieces, which were housed in the Air India offices in Mumbai. They were recently transferred to the NGMA and are on display for the first time in Bengaluru. According to Darshan Kumar YU, deputy curator at NGMA-B, Sanhita is an exceptional offering as it showcases important artworks, particularly from the Progressive Art Group (these were Indian artists who broke away from traditional art forms and established modern Indian styles), and offers insight into the culture and heritage of the times. Start of a repertoire Air India started collecting works of art and cultural assets in the early '60s — a time when modern Indian art needed the patronage, says Darshan, who not only curated the show but also conceptualised its design and display. The idea of creating such a collection began when artist B Prabha walked into the Air India office in Mumbai, following her graduation from the Sir JJ School of Art in the 1950s, to sell her artwork. Six of Prabha's paintings were purchased for 'a sum of 87 rupees and 8 annas each' and were later displayed at the Air India Booking Office in London, garnering a lot of attention. This prompted the start of a project to not only showcase Indian culture, but also give fillip to the airline's reputation and came to be known as the Maharaja Collection. 'These works of art would be displayed at official airline launches and other prestigious events where bhoota kunita and other cultural performances from different States would also be presented,' says Darshan. The collection built up over the years, and in some instances, a barter system was chalked out where artists would give the airline artworks in lieu of airfare. When artist Jitish Kallat had a show in London and the gallery could not afford his fare, Air India sponsored his travel. As a token of his gratitude, he created a painting which is on display at Sanhita, adds Darshan. The untitled piece of acrylic on canvas, was executed in 1998, and reflects Jitish's attention to detail, colour and texture, in his quest to capture contemporary life. Over time, the Air India Art Collection amassed over 10,000 pieces of art and artefacts that comprised paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs and more, besides rare books and clocks, costumes and jewellery. The collection of six decades is testament to both, traditional and modern Indian art history. Change of hands Needless to say, the transfer of this collection from Air India's treasure troves to NGMA's archives was a time-consuming process taking the the better part of five years, and was completed late last year. Darshan says, 'The Air India building in Mumbai housed a huge collection built over a period of time with works from so many artists; there were many formalities that had to be taken care of, especially in terms of documentation, before they were moved to NGMA Delhi.' Sanhita comprises as many as 180 works by iconic Indian artists such as MF Husain, KH Ara, FN Souza, B Vital, Kanchan Chandra, Arpana Caur, Pillo Puchkanwala and Achuthan Kudallur, alongside sculptures by Janaki Ram, Bhadri Narayan and S Nandagopal, among others. A statement by NGMA-B reads, 'The transfer of Air India's collection to NGMA symbolises the enduring connection between Indian art and institutional treasures, ensuring that the legacy of Air India's art collection remains a vital part of our artistic heritage. This collaboration has been instrumental in preserving and promoting India's cultural history.' Royal welcome A passageway in deep red and cream welcomes visitors to Sanhita — starting with a mirror ensconced in a jharokha frame reminiscent of the airline's windows. Illustrations by celebrated cartoonist Mario Miranda line the corridor throwing humorous light on the workings of the industry. 'The purpose of placing a mirror there was to look inwards and associate yourself with the journey of Air India. Not only is it about the art, but also the airline as a cultural asset. At its peak, Air India was a luxurious airline with journals and magazines of its own, crafting souvenirs to hand out to privileged passengers and of course, the use of the Maharaja as their ambassador,' says Darshan. A statuette of the Maharaja welcomes visitors, while brightly-coloured illustrations and souvenirs draw in visitors who may not be art lovers in the classical sense. Posters, postcards and other memorabilia depicting the Maharaja, as a debonair ambassador of all things Indian and his experiences in far off lands, make the showcase imminently relatable, especially a set of coasters designed by cartoonist RK Lakshman in his trademark style. A hand fan with a map of India cobbled together with different tourist attractions, and pages from the Maharaja's Book of Fairy Tales lining a wall, beckons visitors to participate in this immersive exhibition. Pages of an early inflight magazine, blown up and displayed on the wall, shed light on India's culture and heritage. 'These small-format stories make the show interesting and inclusive for visitors of all ages,' says Darshan. 'Besides, there is a clever play of words in The Book of Air, which offer a metaphorical understanding of Air India,' he adds, indicating the sepia-tinted pages which show the Maharajah at the salon in 'Hair-India' or in a rickshaw as 'Fresh-Air-India' or his head as a hot air balloon in 'Lighter-than-Air-India'. According to Darshan, it was not thoughtfulness or gimmickry alone that prompted Air India to bring out souvenirs and miniatures or postcards celebrating '100 Years of Bombay' or a particular wildlife species. 'They were keen on crafting items that were engaging and utilitarian as well. In an age where our entire lives revolve around our phones and laptops, the charm of those days remain unmatched.' Wonder walk While the entire collection includes rare works, a must-see is a piece by Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali. 'The artist was commissioned by the airline to create a souvenir and he crafted an unusual ashtray. From one side it resembles a swan, but when viewed from another angle, one can see two swans and an elephant. If turned upside down, a swan and two elephant heads are visible,' says Darshan. As many as 600 editions of this piece crafted out of glazed bisque porcelain in two iterations — a blue or green serpent forming the rim of the ashtray. For his efforts, Dali requested a baby elephant as payment and the ashtray is part of an immersive and interactive display at Sanhita. 'It is interesting to see a proficient and internationally known artist in contrast with India's art scene at the time. It also captivates viewers' interest on how versatile artists can be.' he says. Among the other works, look out for art by husband-wife duo B Vital and B Prabha, Pilloo Pochkhanawala, tantric artist GR Santosh, a set of small format works by VS Gaitonde, an eight work cluster by Badri Narayan, and a huge canvas from MF Husain's Horses series. 'Anjolie Ela Menon's window works are also on display. Painted on windows, they have a 3D feel and have been beautifully incorporated into the space. With NGMA-B being a 100-year old building, her art offers a different connect,' he says. With over 180 works on display to marvel at, plan to spend the better of your day soaking in the spirit of these masters. It is a chance that may not come by in a while. Sanhita: A New Beginning for the Air India Collection will be on display at NGMA Bengaluru till August 31, 2025, with the possibility of an extension. Call 08022342338 for details.
India Today
17-06-2025
- India Today
Knives, ganja tools, cash found in Bengaluru jail during surprise raid
In a surprise operation, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail on Monday, unearthing a stash of illegal items inside the high-security CCB team seized ganja-smoking paraphernalia, tobacco, sharp weapons including knives, blades and scissors, and Rs 16,180 in cash from the possession of raid, which began in the morning and continued till noon, exposed significant security lapses within the City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed the findings and said the raid also revealed that some jail staff had played a role in smuggling the banned items into the investigation has been launched into the isn't the first time Parappana Agrahara prison has come under August last year, Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, then lodged in the jail in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, was seen receiving VIP treatment in a viral photograph. The undated image showed him relaxing in what appeared to be a park inside the jail, with a beverage and cigarette in hand, alongside a few other photo triggered massive outrage, prompting the Karnataka government to suspend nine prison officials and order an enquiry.'There was a clear lapse. Seven officers were initially suspended, and more will face action. Senior officials including the prison superintendent will be transferred,' Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said at the time. He also directed the Home Minister to take stock of the situation and hold those responsible the controversy, a Bengaluru court ordered that Darshan and other co-accused be shifted to different prisons across Karnataka. Darshan has since been granted bail. IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru#Karnataka
