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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The colour and vibrance of Kolkata is going to stay with me: Didier
As Didier Talpain, the Consul General of France in Kolkata prepares to bid farewell to the city after an impactful tenure of nearly four-years, we look back at him as not just a diplomat, but a passionate advocate of cultural exchange through music. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a city where conversations often begin with a melody, his dedication to bridging cultures has painted a vibrant picture of his time here and his hopes for Kolkata's musical future. Now as he heads back to Paris, he leaves behind a legacy rooted in both diplomacy and music. Ahead of his final concert in the city as a conductor, we caught up with him on Wednesday to talk about his musical journey, and the lasting memories of the city he takes with him. Music is a genuine catalyst in starting cross-cultural dialogue Music transcends languages and borders and if you are in Kolkata, you know it is easier to start a conversation over music than anything else. Calling music a means and a catalyst in bridging cultures, the consul general said, 'Music is the only art form where the emotions directly hit the brain. When you appreciate architecture, you do it after seeing and analysing it-you put a lot of filter, but music reaches the brain directly from the ears. If you like it, you like it, no matter if you understand the language or not.' Finding an audience for what he loves the most While Kolkata's love for music is profound, the Western classical genre is still a niche. 'We have done more over 15 concerts in the city in a span of three years, in collaboration with Alliance Francaise Du Bengale. Kolkata has a niche for Western Classical music. Maybe there aren't many who understand and like this genre but music is a lot like grammar, if you know the grammar once, you know all languages,' said Didier who has conducted concerts globally, including Jordan and Kazakhstan. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On a parting note The Consul General has grown fond of the culture and colour of the city. 'Kolkata is a melting pot of cultures and colours which looks great to a musician and a diplomat's eye,' said Didier. When asked about his vision for the city, the musician in him took over and said, 'I wish the city continues to love and appreciate Western Classical music. You never know, Kolkata might host its own Opera someday.' I've conducted concerts globally and would characterise the local talent here as curious. They study music, understand its nuances. It is a two-way learning process Remembering the first time he saw Durga Puja pandals in the city, he said, 'When I explain to people in Europe, I tell them that Durga Puja is a mix of Christmas and Rio Carnival.'
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Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Bangladesh clarifies Durga temple built without permission on Railway land
The Bangladesh government on Friday clarified the circumstances surrounding the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet area, stating that the temple was built without permission on land owned by Bangladesh Railways. According to the Foreign Ministry, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on railway land during Durga Puja last year without prior permission. Although the railway authority later extended permission, the organisers failed to remove the structure after the celebrations, violating their agreement. "The fact remains that last year, during Durga Puja, without having prior permission, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on a piece of land that is undisputedly owned by Bangladesh Railways. Later, the Railway authority extended permission with the condition that as soon as the Puja celebration is over, the organisers would remove the makeshift Mandap. Regrettably, after the Puja was over in October 2024, the organisers declined to remove the makeshift Mandap, violating the mutual agreement. Rather, they established a 'Maha Kali' (Kali Murti) there," the Bangladesh foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry further explained that despite "repeated reminders, they unfortunately took the initiative to make the Mandap permanent, disregarding their own arrangement with the railway authorities." "In December 2024, Railway authorities held consultations with local community representatives, organisers of the Mandap and issued a public notification asking all concerned to remove all unauthorised installations, including vendors, hundreds of shops and political party offices, illegally built on either side of the rail tracks owned by Bangladesh Railway in the area," the statement noted. According to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, the land is owned by Bangladesh Railways, with the ministry stating that 200 feet from the existing rail track is considered solely railway land. Two additional rail tracks are being constructed in the area, and the land occupied by the temple is needed to complete the project. "Basically, 200 feet from the cast of the existing rail track is solely the land of Bangladesh Railway. This is also to mention that 02 (two) more rail tracks are being constructed under a project titled, "Construction of 3rd & 4th DG line in Dhaka-Tongi section and Doubling of Dual Gauge line in Tongi-Joydebpur section of Bangladesh Railway" and this piece of land was a dire need to complete the new lines under this project," the statement added. The ministry highlighted that "over the past months, repeated reminders to the illegal land occupiers went unheeded." The Bangladesh government emphasised its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all communities and protecting places of worship. However, it stressed that building religious structures on public land without permission is not permissible. "On 24th and 25th June, Bangladesh Railways finally asked all to remove all the unauthorised installations, including the Puja organisers to remove the temporarily built Mandap. Finally, on 26th June, following due process, Bangladesh Railways proceeded to the peaceful eviction of all unauthorised structures along the rail track in Khilkhet area. In the course of the eviction process, the idol of the makeshift Mandap was immersed in the nearby Balu River, in due reverence, with the participation of the members of the local Hindu community," the ministry stated. The Bangladesh government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all communities and protecting places of worship, while emphasising that building religious structures on public land without permission is not permissible. "The removal of unauthorised structures in order to recover government land is a regular and lawful administrative activity. While the laws of the land ensure full protection to all places of worship without discriminating against any built in conformity with law, it is not permissible for anyone to build any religious structure encroaching on public land under any circumstances. The organisers of the makeshift Mandap clearly exploited the trust and goodwill of the Railway authorities by violating their own agreement," it added. However, minority organisations in Bangladesh held protests, condemning the demolition and alleging that the authorities did not provide prior notice to the community. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs criticised the interim government of Bangladesh for the demolition on Thursday, stating that the government failed to protect the temple and instead projected the issue as illegal land use. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to protect Hindus, their properties, and religious institutions MEA spokesperson Randhir said, "We understand that extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use, and they allowed the destruction of the temple today. This has resulted in damage to the Deity before it was shifted." "Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus ' properties and religious institutions," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Built on railway land without permission: Bangladesh clarifies on Durga temple demolition
Bangladesh government on Friday clarified the circumstances around the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet area which led to protests held by minority organisations. The government stated that the temple was built without permission on land owned by Bangladesh Railways. According to the Bangladesh government, 200 feet from the existing rail track is considered solely railway land.(Reuters/Representational Image) According to the foreign ministry, the makeshift puja mandap was set up by a local Hindu community during Durga Puja last year without permission, news agency ANI reported. While the railways extended the permission to build it, the agreement was to remove it after the celebrations which the organisers violated. Repeated reminders given to organisers 'Regrettably, after the Puja was over in October 2024, the organisers declined to remove the makeshift Mandap, violating the mutual agreement. Rather, they established a 'Maha Kali' (Kali Murti) there," the report quoted the Bangladesh foreign ministry said in a statement. Further, the ministry elaborated that despite the repeated reminders, organisers made the mandap permanent and went against the arrangement with the railways. The statement also highlighted that the Railways held consultations with the local community and issued a public notification 'asking all concerned to remove all unauthorised installations, including vendors, hundreds of shops and political party offices, illegally built on either side of the rail tracks.' The land on which the mandap was built is owned by Bangladesh Railways, according to the ministry, who has stated that 200 feet from the existing rail track is considered solely railway land. The statement also added that the land is needed to build two new rail tracks under a project The government of Bangladesh said it is committed to safeguarding the rights of all communities and protecting places of worship. However, it also mentioned that constructing religious structures on public land without proper authorisation is not allowed. The official statement said that Bangladesh Railways had issued notices on June 24th and 25th, requesting the removal of all unauthorized structures and on June 26th, following due legal procedure, they peacefully removed all unauthorized installations along the rail tracks. 'In the course of the eviction process, the idol of the makeshift Mandap was immersed in the nearby Balu River, in due reverence, with the participation of the members of the local Hindu community," the ministry stated. The government stated that the removal of unauthorised structures to reclaim public land is a routine and lawful administrative action. Meanwhile, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised Bangladesh's interim government over the demolition, stating that the government failed in its duty to protect the temple and instead framed the incident as an issue of illegal land use. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Bangladesh government holds the responsibility to safeguard the Hindu community, along with their properties and religious institutions.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh clarifies media reports on Durga temple destruction, says temple built without permission, land owned by Railways
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Bangladesh government on Friday clarified the circumstances surrounding the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet area, stating that the temple was built without permission on land owned by Bangladesh to the Foreign Ministry, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on railway land during Durga Puja last year without prior permission. Although the railway authority later extended permission, the organisers failed to remove the structure after the celebrations, violating their agreement."The fact remains that last year, during Durga Puja, without having prior permission, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on a piece of land that is undisputedly owned by Bangladesh Railways. Later, the Railway authority extended permission with the condition that as soon as the Puja celebration is over, the organisers would remove the makeshift Mandap. Regrettably, after the Puja was over in October 2024, the organisers declined to remove the makeshift Mandap, violating the mutual agreement. Rather, they established a 'Maha Kali' (Kali Murti) there," the Bangladesh foreign ministry said in a ministry further explained that despite "repeated reminders, they unfortunately took the initiative to make the Mandap permanent, disregarding their own arrangement with the railway authorities.""In December 2024, Railway authorities held consultations with local community representatives, organisers of the Mandap and issued a public notification asking all concerned to remove all unauthorised installations, including vendors, hundreds of shops and political party offices, illegally built on either side of the rail tracks owned by Bangladesh Railway in the area," the statement to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, the land is owned by Bangladesh Railways, with the ministry stating that 200 feet from the existing rail track is considered solely railway land. Two additional rail tracks are being constructed in the area, and the land occupied by the temple is needed to complete the project."Basically, 200 feet from the cast of the existing rail track is solely the land of Bangladesh Railway. This is also to mention that 02 (two) more rail tracks are being constructed under a project titled, "Construction of 3rd & 4th DG line in Dhaka-Tongi section and Doubling of Dual Gauge line in Tongi-Joydebpur section of Bangladesh Railway" and this piece of land was a dire need to complete the new lines under this project," the statement ministry highlighted that "over the past months, repeated reminders to the illegal land occupiers went unheeded."The Bangladesh government emphasised its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all communities and protecting places of worship. However, it stressed that building religious structures on public land without permission is not permissible."On 24th and 25th June, Bangladesh Railways finally asked all to remove all the unauthorised installations, including the Puja organisers to remove the temporarily built Mandap. Finally, on 26th June, following due process, Bangladesh Railways proceeded to the peaceful eviction of all unauthorised structures along the rail track in Khilkhet area. In the course of the eviction process, the idol of the makeshift Mandap was immersed in the nearby Balu River, in due reverence, with the participation of the members of the local Hindu community," the ministry Bangladesh government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all communities and protecting places of worship, while emphasising that building religious structures on public land without permission is not permissible."The removal of unauthorised structures in order to recover government land is a regular and lawful administrative activity. While the laws of the land ensure full protection to all places of worship without discriminating against any built in conformity with law, it is not permissible for anyone to build any religious structure encroaching on public land under any circumstances. The organisers of the makeshift Mandap clearly exploited the trust and goodwill of the Railway authorities by violating their own agreement," it minority organisations in Bangladesh held protests, condemning the demolition and alleging that the authorities did not provide prior notice to the the Ministry of External Affairs criticised the interim government of Bangladesh for the demolition on Thursday, stating that the government failed to protect the temple and instead projected the issue as illegal land use. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to protect Hindus, their properties, and religious institutionsMEA spokesperson Randhir said, "We understand that extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use, and they allowed the destruction of the temple today. This has resulted in damage to the Deity before it was shifted.""Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus ' properties and religious institutions," he added.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
French museum in Chandannagar reopens with its false ceiling missing as ASI delays restoration
The French Museum in Chandannagar, which had to shut down late last year when its false ceilings collapsed twice, has once again reopened for the public with the ceiling missing, because the Archaeological Survey of India is yet to begin restoration due to lack of funds. But what the museum has got, for the first time, is CCTV cameras — 61 of them in all — given to it by the West Bengal government. The museum is located in a 1740-built structure called Institut de Chandernagor, popularly known as Dupleix House, where Joseph Francois Dupleix lived as the governor-general when Chandannagar was a French colony. The maintenance of the property — which includes a history library and also a wing where French is taught — is the responsibility of the ASI, whereas the functioning comes under the State Government. The first crash happened in October 2024 during the Durga Puja holidays and the second one on November 26, when there were visitors. On both occasions, the artefacts on display had a miraculous escape. Ever since then, ASI officials have been visiting the site and expressing concern; they even considered temporarily shifting the museum to carry out repair work, but no action has been taken so far. No one states it officially but the reason behind this delay is said to be lack of funds. As a result of which, the museum has reopened without repairs. 'We reopened in March 2025, once the false ceiling was fully removed. The artefacts have been placed in more or less their former positions. I wish some repair work was done before the monsoon set in, but we need to keep our activities alive. The number of visitors is quite high these days, sometimes it even touches 200, especially on Sundays,' Basabi Pal, director of the institute since 2022, told The Hindu. While her wait continues for the restoration of the property by the ASI, the State Government was quick enough to agree to her request for CCTV cameras, something the heritage building never had so far. 'Ever since I joined here, I was very keen on having CCTV cameras installed. I sent a proposal to the Department of Higher Education (which is responsible for the teaching of French at the institute) and they agreed! Now we have 61 cameras installed in Dupleix House and we can already see the results. Watchmen are more attentive now and unwanted visitors don't walk in like before,' Dr. Pal said. She said both the Central and State government would do well to come forward to help out in the restoration work and maintenance of artefacts, including the precious Indo-French documents in the library. 'I understand that both the governments are facing a financial crunch, but at least regular visits from higher authorities will be of big help,' the museum director said.
