Latest news with #Haldiram
Time of India
20 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
This Heritage Library Speaks Volumes In Whispers
New Delhi: As you walk down the bustling road in Chandni Chowk, it's hard to notice the Marwari Sarvajanik Pustakalaya located above the popular Haldiram's eatery unless one is actually looking for it. Located across Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, the reading oasis can be accessed through an aged, mirrored door and a narrow stairway. Inside, there's a typical library setting, the atmosphere silent with the people in the room absorbed in their books and newspapers. Further inside, the wall facing the reception area reveals the relevance of this place. It showcases the institution's historical importance through framed notes from historical icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Madan Mohan Malviya. These share a cozy presence alongside Delhi Development Authority's 'Heritage Library' recognition certificates. The public library in old Delhi holds immense significance in India's independence movement, the receptionist said in a low tone, pointing to the proof provided in an anachronistic visitors' book, which contains ink signatures and written messages from luminaries of the age of national ferment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain (Search Here) Kneepain | Search Search Now Undo You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Founded by freedom fighter Kedarnath Goenka, a Marwari merchant in 1915, the Sarvajanik Pustakalaya was a common rendezvous for revolutionaries during India's fight for freedom. "In the evenings or on certain days, the place became a meeting place where freedom fighters and intellectuals discussed independence," said Raj Narayan Shroff, member of the founding family of Marwari Charitable Trust, which runs the library. "Goenka, who was inspired by Gandhian ideals, invited Mahatma Gandhi to the library for the first time on Nov 27, 1917." Apart from Gandhi, many others, among them Tilak, Malviya, Vijay Laxmi Pandit, KM Munshi, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Niwas Mirdha and Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, the first chief minister of Delhi, visited the place. Renowned Hindi poets and writers, including Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Maithili Sharan Gupt and Harivansh Rai Bachchan, also came to the library. Prem Singhania, president of the library and dispensary run by the trust, added, "When Goenka joined the Indian National Congress, he inspired the Marwari community, mostly businessmen, to contribute to the freedom struggle and to the running of facilities that would educate people about their rights. Today, this place serves as a treasure trove for scholars seeking printed Hindi resources from the early 1900s. " Wooden platforms in the corners once held stacks of prominent Hindi and Urdu newspapers, allowing visitors' unlimited reading time at no cost. Shroff noted that the collection later expanded to include magazines and books, with a focus on Hindi literature. The building, spread across two floors, previously showcased Victorian architecture with distinctive white pillars. Today, it has a contemporary look, divided into two distinct areas — one designated for readers and the other housing its substantial book collection of over 35,000 books, including 22 old manuscripts and numerous historical volumes, serving book enthusiasts, historians and competitive exam aspirants alike. " Our collection has the manuscripts of Shri Dadu Vani, Bhrigu Samhita, chronicles of the Agarwal Samaj and the Lok Sabha proceedings from the 1960s," said Abhishek Ganediwala, who looks after the library operations. "These valuable documents are preserved with utmost care and protection. We also maintain an extensive collection of periodicals such as Hans, Stree Darpan, Chaand, Dharmyug and encyclopaedias. " Since 1956, the Marwari Charitable Trust's associated families have overseen four educational and healthcare establishments, including a senior secondary school established subsequently on Nai Sadak. The trust has launched a fresh initiative supporting students preparing for competitive exams. This programme enables students to borrow essential books at no cost if they submit a recommendation letter from their educational institutions. Trilok Chand Goenka, representing the third generation of the founder's family, expressed appreciation for those who supported the trust's ongoing mission. "While we didn't have enough funds to open a senior secondary school, Seth Ram Lal Khemka offered us land free of cost and the trust bore the construction expenses. To date, both primary and secondary schools are providing free education to 500 students. The dispensary works for six days and offers free consultancies and medicines," he said. Throughout its hundred-year existence, the trust members took on the challenges, remaining committed to the educational facility. "Although a conventional library in appearance, the pustakalaya's extensive collection is a valuable resource for international universities, academics and research scholars," said trust member Pradeep Gupta. "The facility began serving the public in a period when libraries were scarce in the region. Today, the strategic location near the metro station has transformed it into a preferred destination for children, who come every day to access books without being charged any fee." The library has also been the venue of social initiatives, prominently the Nagari Pracharini Sabha and Hindi Sahitya Sabha. In recent years, it has hosted meetings focused on the cleaning of the Yamuna, according to Gupta.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Coin-sale fake news lures Odisha, J'Khand, Raj residents to Kolkata
Kolkata: Thousands of people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha , Assam, UP and even far off Haryana and Rajasthan queued up outside the Haldiram's outlet opposite CCFC, not to taste a vegetarian delicacy at thefood court on Sunday. But they were lured by fake videos — shared by social media content creators — promising that they could fetch lakhs of rupees by selling old coins at the banquet hall above. A coin exhibition was underway there. Many had travelled hundreds of kilometers to sell so-called "rare" currencies like 'Tractor Wala notes', 'Genda Chap 4 Annas', 'Mata Vaishno Devi' coins, only to learn that they had been taken for a ride by the YouTubers. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Among those in the crowd was Umesh Singh from Bihar, who had come hoping to sell a few coins for lakhs of rupees that would then fund his daughter's wedding. Ashok Kumar from Dibrugarh, Assam learned from the social media that organisers of the exhibition were buying 10 and 20 paise coins for lakhs of rupees. There was also Dhiren Jain, a senior citizen from north Kolkata, who was jostling for space with the hope that he would mint a fortune. Numismatic Society of Calcutta (NSC), the exhibition organisers, were initially stumped by the extraordinary interest in an annual show that usually attracts only those seriously interested in coins and currency notes. The maximum turnout in the past 40 years was 1,200 people two years ago. But on Saturday several thousands were thronging the gate, even threatening to break it down. "We had to make an SOS call to Karaya PS to manage the situation that was getting out of control," said NSC joint secretary, Vinod Jaiswal. After failing to explain that the information they had was false, the cops announced that the exhibition was shut for the day. It took another hour-and-a-half to disperse the crowd. Around 10 cops led by a sub inspector and 15 volunteers from NSC were deployed to manage the queue that branched out in opposite directions, one towards Ballygunge Phari and the other towards Ballygunge Park Road. "For a few views and petty earnings, fake YouTubers are spreading misleading narratives. We have to start a campaign to counter the spread of fake news," said Jaiswal.
Independent Singapore
16-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Temasek strengthens bets on family businesses in India
SINGAPORE: Singapore's state investor Temasek is betting on Indian family-run businesses. This mirrors a larger trend of global capital backing family businesses that run multigenerational companies. Such firms have built deep community roots and loyal customers. This translates to brand equity and emotional resonance. It also makes them uniquely positioned to tap into the opportunities that India's rising middle class creates. In March 2025, Temasek bought a stake in Indian packaged foods company Haldiram. Started by the Agarwal family, which operates in the industry, the company was valued at S$10 billion. Temasek's India investments are themed around building a strong, future-oriented portfolio. This means backing companies that benefit from the growing middle class and consumer demand in India, digitalisation across various sectors; and sustainable living. The investment environment looks promising. Currently, India makes up 5% of Temasek's portfolio. It plans to invest up to US$10 billion in India over the next three years, adding to its existing US$50 billion investment. See also Temasek Holdings and GIC on worldwide buying spree Temasek's portfolio in India has increased by 35%, adding US$13 billion in value. The firm sees great potential in a market marked by steady growth and increasing sophistication. In a media interaction, Ravi Lambah, who heads Temasek's India operations and its strategic initiatives, notes: 'The market is getting bigger, so we need to focus.' Key sectors such as consumption, financial services, healthcare, sustainability, and industrials are part of where the investment firm is looking at developments. Recent investments demonstrate this strategic shift. Apart from its stake in Haldiram's, Temasek raised its stake in Manipal Hospitals to 59% in a US$2 billion deal. It then sold minority stakes to Novo Holdings and Mubadala while keeping majority control. Other consumer bets by Temasek include stakes in eyewear firm Lenskart, online food platform Rebel Foods, as well as a stake in Schneider Electric India. It's also backed SarvaGram, a rural fintech and productivity platform for underserved households. Family businesses attract investors because of their stability and long-term vision. 'When we partner with families, they have longevity of capital,' Lambah explains. See also The secret that is Ho Ching's salary – will we ever know? As India's economy grows, global investors like Temasek are positioning themselves to take advantage of its vast potential. Family businesses, once considered traditional, are now leading this new wave of investment. India is poised to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030. Nominal GDP is predicted to reach US$7.3 trillion, surpassing Germany and Japan. With a growth of 6.2-6.7% annually from 2025, driven by domestic consumption, structural reforms, and a youthful workforce, a. resurgent India is also expected to benefit Singapore. Singapore is a top FDI source for India, with US$159 billion invested in India since 2000. The city-state saw bilateral trade with India valued at US$35.6 billion in 2022-23. This is set to expand, with India targeting $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Seven brands account for 1 in 7 US FDA refusals of Indian food, drug, cosmetic shipments
Seven domestic manufacturers – Haldiram, Sun Pharma, Nestlé, Cipla, Patanjali, Hindustan Unilever, and Himalaya Wellness – account for one in seven (14 per cent) of all India-origin shipments refused entry into the United States by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since October 2020. As of early July, the US FDA has refused 4,089 India-origin shipments in the ongoing US fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) – already exceeding the 3,648 refusals recorded in all of FY24, according to data from the top public health regulator. Haldiram Snacks Food – in which Singapore's Temasek acquired a 10 per cent stake earlier this year at a $10 billion valuation – recorded the highest number of US FDA refusals, with 731 shipments containing Haldiram-manufactured products denied entry since October 2020. Notably, 94 per cent of these rejections occurred in FY24 and the ongoing FY25, the data shows. Haldiram's refusal rate – the share of shipments denied over total shipments sent – rose to 1.7 per cent in FY24 and FY25 (till July), a sharp jump from below 0.1 per cent in FY22 and FY23 combined. The rejected consignments primarily consisted of snack foods, including fried items, flagged for alleged unsanitary manufacturing conditions and the presence of salmonella, a disease-causing pathogen. Haldiram and Temasek did not respond to requests for comment. Nestlé noodles flagged for unsafe additives, mislabelling In the food products category, which accounts for 55 per cent of all US FDA refusals since October 2020, Haldiram was followed by Nestlé India, with 300 shipments rejected. Most of the consignments contained Nestlé-manufactured noodles, and were refused entry for misbranding, mislabelling, or containing unsafe additives or filth. Nearly two-thirds of these rejections occurred in FY24 and the ongoing FY25, with Nestlé recording a refusal rate of 25 per cent – more than five times the 4 per cent in FY22 and FY23. While the US FDA data lists Nestlé India as the firm behind these consignments, a company spokesperson told The Indian Express that these exports were not made by Nestlé India and that no refusals have been recorded in the recent past. The refusal rate of all food consignments from India stands at 0.32 per cent in FY25, up from 0.15 per cent in FY22. Sun Pharma, Cipla face FDA heat In the drugs and biologics category, Sun Pharma led with 335 shipment rejections since October 2020 – mostly for exporting unapproved drugs or failing to meet good manufacturing standards. Its refusal rate between FY22 and the ongoing FY25 stands at 1.8 per cent. In June 2025, the US FDA issued a warning letter to Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd over 'significant violations' of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for finished drugs. The letter followed a December 2023 inspection of the company's Dadra facility, which found that some exported products were adulterated due to non-compliance with CGMP norms. Sun Pharma is followed by Cipla, which has recorded 244 rejections since October 2020, primarily for exporting unapproved drugs. Cipla's refusal rate between FY22 and the ongoing FY25 stands at 1.5 per cent. In November 2023, the US FDA had issued a warning letter to Cipla Ltd, too, for non-compliance with CGMP norms. The refusal rate of all drugs and biologics shipments from India has risen in recent years, from 0.7 per cent in FY22 to 1.06 per cent so far in FY25. These consignments account for 39 per cent of all refusals since October 2020, the second-largest category after food products. Sun Pharma and Cipla did not respond to requests for comment. Patanjali tops cosmetic refusals While cosmetic shipment rejections by the US FDA make up a small share – just 3 per cent, with 136 refusals so far in FY25, trailing 156 in FY24 – Patanjali Ayurved has recorded a high refusal rate of 11 per cent since FY22, data shows. Of the 548 India-origin cosmetic shipments refused since October 2020, nearly 20 per cent contained Patanjali-manufactured products – mostly shampoos, toothpastes and powders, and hair tonics. The most common reasons for rejection include the use of unsafe colour additives, unapproved ingredients, and labelling violations. In addition to cosmetics, Patanjali shipments have also faced rejections in the drugs (44) and food (35) categories. Hindustan Unilever and Himalaya Wellness have faced 51 and 54 shipment rejections, respectively, since October 2020, with refusal rates of 2.1 per cent and 1.2 per cent since FY22. Most of their consignments were flagged for containing unsafe colour additives or unapproved drugs. Hindustan Unilever also recorded 23 refusals in the food category and 8 in drugs. Patanjali, Hindustan Unilever, and Himalaya did not respond to requests for comment. The overall refusal rate for Indian cosmetic shipments rose from 0.16 per cent in FY22 to 0.48 per cent in FY24, before easing to 0.2 per cent so far in FY25. The refusal rate for India-origin shipments across all categories has climbed in recent years – from 0.21 per cent in FY22 to 0.41 per cent in FY24, before easing slightly to 0.36 per cent so far in FY25. In the ongoing US fiscal, India accounts for 17 per cent of all FDA refusals – second only to Sweden at 18 per cent. Swedish shipments, largely consisting of tobacco products, had a notably high refusal rate of 1.7 per cent. China followed with a 12 per cent share of total rejections, but its overall refusal rate was just 0.01 per cent. Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More
The Print
11-07-2025
- The Print
Director of top sweets-snacks firm duped of Rs 9.38 cr by four Mumbai-based persons
Nagpur, Jul 11 (PTI) A director of sweets-and-snacks major Haldiram was duped of Rs 9.38 crore allegedly by four Mumbai-based persons who promised high returns on investments, a Nagpur police official said on Friday. The Kalamna police station official identified the accused as Bandra residents Sameer Abdul Hussain Lalani (51), his wife Heena Lalani (47), their son Alishan Lalani (25) and Prakash Bhosale of Kalyan in Thane district.
