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Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai's Hebbar's Heritage Home turns 100 and continues to be a slice of paradise in the heart of the city
In a city that never sleeps and where change happens in the blink of an eye, stepping into Hebbars Heritage Home is like walking into a time capsule. This 'home away from home' is nestled in the bylanes of Fort and has stood the test of time as it completes a century this year. Originally known as the Modern Hindu Hotel, the caretakers of this establishment wanted to add a familial touch 'some 10 years back' and rebranded it with their family name. Founded in 1924 & taken over by Shankar Narayan Hebbar in 1926, he passed the legacy to his son Anantha Krishna. The lodge is now in the capable hands of the third generation of the Hebbar family, Ajit Hebbar. The word hotel means 'means something else abroad and in India, its used very loosely, which is why we changed the named to Hebbar's Heritage Home,' explain Ajit, adding that people were also confused about the word Hindu - 'They didn't understand the concept of us only serving vegetarian food. So we rebranded and modernised ourself. I don't want people to come here and say, it's a hotel, We like the concept of this being a 'home' for travellers.' 'It is very quiet & peaceful, especially as the hostel is in the heart of SoBo. There is a lot of greenery & you can even hear the birds chirping,' says Ajit, as he shows us the various rooms they have available. One can see the love & effort that's gone into maintaining this 100-year-old building and the antiques they house. 'A lot of our money goes into maintenance. It is very tough, but they all belong to my family - the wooden almirahs, trunks that my family traveled with when moving to Mumbai, then Bombay, even the ceramic boxes my grandmum & mum stored wheat & rice in,' he shares. A post shared by HT City Showstoppers (@htcityshowstoppers) 'We encourage community living,' Ajit says, adding, 'We have people coming from all over the world to stay here for business or on vacation, we also get a lot of backpackers. So everyone, from all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds live and even eat together. The hotel used to house an in-house South Indian eatery that served simple, homely & cost-effective 'tiffin'. It was relished by the nearby mill workers, taxi drivers, families visiting & even the politicos working in the nearby Mantralaya & Bombay High Court. However, a court order stating gas cooking wasn't allowed on the ground floor, some 15 years back, put an end to a flourishing business. 'We had several women, wives mostly, who came & asked us to re-start the kitchen,' he saying, laughing, 'Because we used to take care of their husbands' lunch.' Explaining the reason for their popularity, Ajit tells us, 'Nowadays, we all wear similar clothes, talk the same language & even eat the same food; we are global citizens. But think back to 100 years ago, when my ancestors - South Indians from Mangalore - came to Bombay in search of work, they were like fish out of water. And that could be said for a lot of South Indians, who didn't know the language, ate dal & chawal, & wore lungi. This place was started by my grandfather as a way to help them. They would come here & feel happy to find people who ate and looked like them & spoke their language.' Ask Ajit what the future holds for this hostel, that's also a premier shooting location for ads, magazines and films as it retains the Victorian era architecture with hints of Art deco and Portuguese elements. 'I don't think the next generation of Hebbars' will want to take over this business, they have their own aspirations. I was a banker before I took over the family business,' he says, adding, 'Things will take its own course and a place can't run forever. This building will also get old.'
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka BJP expels MLAs Hebbar, Somashekar for six years
BENGALURU: The BJP expelled the defiant MLAs, ST Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar, from the party for six years for repeated anti-party activities. Hebbar is the Yellapur MLA and Somashekar represents Yeshwanthpura constituency. Both were ministers in the Yediyurappa Cabinet. A few weeks ago, Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was expelled from the party for anti-party activities. The BJP Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) Member Secretary Om Pathak said that the party took serious note of their repeated violations of the party discipline. During Rajya Sabha elections last year, Somashekar voted for the Congress candidate. Hebbar in spite of the whip, did not vote. Somashekar did not campaign for the BJP candidate during Lok Sabha polls and attended the Congress event at Belgavi. Hebbar attended a dinner organised by KPCC President DK Shivakumar. BJP did not treat me properly: Hebbar Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra welcomed the party decision. He said the state unit had appealed to the CDC to take action against these two leaders for their anti-party activities. 'Both Somashekar and Hebbar know what have they done to the party. The central leaders also know about their activities. They were given good posts when the BJP was in power. But it looks like they have issues when the BJP is in opposition,'' he said. He said the State Core Committee discussed the issue and, later, they were issued notices. But their replies were not satisfactory, he said. Somashekar and Hebbar quit Congress in 2019 and joined BJP. They won bypolls and joined the BS Yediyurappa's government. They were one among 17 turncoats who quit the Congress and the JDS to join the BJP.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP expels 2 crossover MLAs for 6yrs
Bengaluru: In a crucial move ahead of local body elections, BJP Tuesday expelled two crossover legislators — ST Somashekar and Arabail Shivaram Hebbar — from the party for six years for continued anti-party activities despite multiple warnings. This marks BJP's major disciplinary after expelling former Union minister and Bijapur MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in March. He was removed from the party for six years on charges of indiscipline and launching attacks against the family of former CM BS Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra, who is state BJP president. The expulsion is seen as a message from the BJP central leadership to assert control and discipline within the party, especially as it prepares for local electoral battles and 2028 assembly polls. Somashekar, MLA from Yeshwanthpur in Bengaluru, and Hebbar, MLA from Yellapur in Uttara Kannada, were among the 14 Congress defectors who joined BJP in 2019. Their defection played a key role in toppling the HD Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition govt. Both Somashekar and Hebbar were rewarded with ministerial berths in the cabinets of BS Yediyurappa and his successor, Basavaraj Bommai. After BJP lost the 2023 assembly elections, the two legislators had started aligning openly with Congress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They attended Congress legislature party meetings, didn't participate in BJP-led protests in the assembly, and voted against official BJP candidates during elections to the Rajya Sabha and legislative council. While the state BJP ignored these actions, internal pressure mounted after senior leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal criticised the leadership for targeting him with disciplinary notices while sparing Somashekar and Hebbar. The central disciplinary committee eventually issued show-cause notices to both MLAs, who responded in writing but their action didn't match their words. "These two MLAs had been given sufficient time to rectify their behaviour," BJP state president BY Vijayendra said. "The state unit appealed to the high command to take action in the interest of strengthening the party, especially with elections to local bodies and the Greater Bengaluru civic body around the corner," he added. Brief Profiles: S T Somashekar (Age: 66) Political Career: Three-time MLA from Yeshwanthpur; began in Congress, joined BJP in 2019. Past Roles: Former chairman of Bangalore Development Authority; served as Karnataka's Cooperation Minister under BJP governments (Yediyurappa and Bommai). Elections: Lost from Uttarahalli in 2004 and Yeshwanthpur in 2008 (Congress); won in 2013 and 2018; re-elected in 2019 bypoll and 2023 (BJP). Recent Moves: Cross-voted for Congress in 2024 Rajya Sabha polls; close to CM Siddaramaiah and DyCM D K Shivakumar; speculated to be returning to Congress. Assets (2023): Rs 27 crore Profession: Businessman with interests in transport and real estate Shivaram Hebbar (Age: 68) Political Career: Former Congress MLA from Yellapur; joined BJP in 2019 and served as Labour Minister under Yediyurappa and Bommai. Past Roles: Began public life in 1983 as a member of Yellapur APMC. Elections: Lost in 2008 (Congress); won in 2013 and 2018; re-elected in 2019 bypoll (BJP). Recent Moves: Distanced from BJP post-2023; abstained from 2024 Rajya Sabha vote; campaigned for Congress in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Assets (2023): Rs 21 crore Background: Comes from an agricultural family. Quote It is an internal matter of BJP. Neither Somashekar nor Hebbar has raped anyone in Vidhana Soudha. They haven't conspired to inject AIDS virus to opposition leaders. BJP hasn't taken any action on those who tried to trap Yediyurappa. I thought their party would take action against those who have committed heinous crimes such as rape. Let BJP keep their 'Muttu Ratna' (pearl and gem) with them DK Shiva Kumar | deputy CM
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP expels ‘troublemaker' MLAs: Who are S T Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar
A year after being embarrassed multiple times by two of its MLAs, S T Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar over many issues, the BJP on Tuesday finally cracked the whip and expelled the duo from the party for six years for 'anti-party activities'. Both Somashekar and Hebbar were previously associated with the Congress and were a part of the 14 MLAs who jumped ship to the BJP in 2019, leading to the fall of the H D Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) government. Here is a look at who the two legislators are: Somashekar A three-time MLA from the Yeshwanthpura seat, 66-year-old Somashekar began his political career in the Congress. Previously seen as a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he unsuccessfully contested his first Assembly polls in 2004 from the Uttarahalli seat. Post-delimitation, Somashekar contested the Yeshwanthpura seat first in 2008 as a Congress candidate and lost. However, five years later, he won the seat as a Congress candidate and retained it in 2018. He served as the chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority during the one-year Kumaraswamy regime before switching to the BJP with 13 other MLAs. Somashekar won the 2019 bypoll and was inducted into the B S Yediyurappa Cabinet and retained his berth in the Basavaraj Bommai Cabinet, where he held the important portfolio of Cooperation. In 2023, he successfully contested the Yeshwanthpura seat, this time as a BJP candidate and won. However, his relationship with the BJP has been rocky ever since. In the Assembly, Somasekhar has extended support to several Bills brought in by the Congress government which his party has vocally opposed. During the Rajya Sabha polls in February last year, Somashekar embarrassed the BJP yet again by cross-voting in favour of the Congress, triggering speculations that he was on his way back to the grand old party citing 'free flow of funds for his constituency'. The rumours gained momentum after the Yeshwanthpur MLA was seen on a chartered flight with Deputy CM, D K Shivakumar, with whom he is seen to share a close relationship, leaving political circles abuzz that he could be the Congress's pick for the North Bangalore Lok Sabha seat. However, he lost out to Rajeev Gowda, who lost the seat to BJP's Shobha Karandlaje. The son of a transport business owner, Somashekar has interests in the real estate and transport industry and has declared assets to the tune of Rs 27 crore in his 2023 election affidavit. Shivaram Hebbar Hebbar, 68, is a four-time MLA from the Yellapur seat and has served as the Labour Minister in the Yediyurappa and Bommai Cabinets. Hailing from a humble background, Hebbar is an areca nut farmer and made his debut in public in 1983 after he was elected as a member of the Yellapura Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) following which he joined the Congress. After the Yellapur seat came into existence following the 2008 delimitation, Hebbar contested his first Assembly polls that year from the seat but lost to V S Patil of the BJP. However, five years later he won his first Assembly elections from the seat and went on to retain it four consecutive times, including in the 2019 bypoll following his disqualification from the Assembly for defecting to the BJP. Since his election in 2023 as a BJP candidate, Hebbar has had several run-ins with the party. In the February 2024 Rajya Sabha polls, Hebbar abstained from voting stating he was unwell and could not be present in the Assembly to vote. He also campaigned for the Congress candidate in Uttara Kannada during last year's Lok Sabha polls. He has declared assets worth Rs 21 crore in his 2023 election affidavit.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka BJP expels party MLAs Shivaram Hebbar and S T Somashekar for 6 years over ‘indiscipline'
The BJP's Central Disciplinary Committee Tuesday expelled two party legislators, A Shivaram Hebbar and S T Somashekar, for six years for 'repeated violations of the party discipline'. The action against the BJP MLAs was based on their response to a showcase notice issued by the party Committee on March 25 this year. Before this, the Bharatiya Janata Party expelled firebrand party MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal from its ranks for six years in March this year. Though both were ministers under the erstwhile BJP rule, Hebbar and Somashekar were on the fringes of the party after the Congress came to power. They were previously in the Congress, and had joined the BJP during the 2019 'Operation Lotus' which saw the defection of 17 Congress and JD(S) MLAs. The two MLAs, especially Somashekar, caused an embarrassment for the state BJP unit by defying party diktats. In the Karnataka Assembly, the Yeshwantpur MLA backed several Bills tabled by the Congress government, which the BJP had opposed. He had also refused to walk out with the BJP legislators during their protests inside the House. The trouble for the two started in February 2024 when Somashekar cross-voted for Congress candidates during the Rajya Sabha polls, and Hebbar abstained. Their rebellion was an agenda for the state core committee during its meeting held in December 2024, as they had 'identified themselves with the Congress'. Somashekar and Hebbar, who are three-time MLAs, had also backed Congress candidates during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Though this had not ensured victory for Congress candidates in constituencies, which they were part of, it had attracted the wrath of the BJP leadership. Somashekar was once considered close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He was associated with Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga leader like himself, since Congress came to power in 2023. Somashekar had served as the chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority during the year-long Kumaraswamy regime between 2018 and 2019. Post his switch to the BJP, he held the cooperation portfolio in the B S Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai cabinets. Hebbar hails from Yellapur in the Uttara Kannada district of the state. He, along with Somashekar, is said to have felt sidelined after the BJP lost the recent Assembly elections, and Yediyurappa's influence on the state unit of the party waned. With the two expulsions, the strength of the BJP in the Karnataka Assembly declined to 62. While three MLAs were suspended this year, former CM Basavaraj Bommai had quit as MLA after he won the Lok Sabha polls in 2024.
