Latest news with #Jagadeesh
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Karnataka High Court shocked over forest department's case against AC
BENGALURU: Expressing shock over the forest department registering a criminal case against an assistant commissioner (AC), the Karnataka High Court quashed the complaint against him. Merely passing a quasi-judicial order against the forest department's claim of forest land and terming it government gomal land by the AC cannot be a crime, observed Justice M Nagaprasanna, allowing the petition filed by BA Jagadeesh, then AC of Hassan subdivision. Jagadeesh questioned the proceedings pending before a trial court on a private complaint filed by the DCF of Hassan division. 'What shocks the conscience of the court is that the Forest Department is registering a crime for the performance of the petitioner's quasi-judicial functions. As an AC, he has passed an order, not bartering away the forest land to a private entity, but observing it as a Sarkari Gomala,' the court said. One TD Dasegowda, submitted an application to the Public Information Officer and the tahsildar seeking documents of a property situated in Sy. No. 22 measuring 61 acres and 32 guntas in Tyavalli village, Hassan. The tahsildar on Oct 28, 2020, informed Dasegowda that the files were not available in the office records. The applicant then filed an RTI before Jagadeesh, the prosecution said. Jagadeesh heard the matter from July 23, 2021 to December 17, 2021, and passed the order on January 5, 2022, directing that the entry in the record of rights be made Sarkari Gomala.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Three mascots for Plastic Free July in Chennai
In a world where every personal plan and public policy clicked neatly into its intended place, Plastic Free July would be a superfluity. But with laws to eliminate single-use plastics having the biting force of the Etruscan pygmy shrew with its almost-invisible teeth, this awareness month is a necessity in our world. It challenges people to avoid banned plastics and minimise the use of legal and unavoidable plastics, to start with, for a month. These three individuals did not need the prodding of a Plastic Free July to free themselves from the entanglements of single-use plastics. They simply emerged as tiny pockets of resistance in a vast landscape of capitulation. Here are their stories. Flowers wrapped in a cause In Adambakkam, Jagadeesh plies his trade near Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple on Brindavan Nagar Main Road. From a shop that can be slipped into a vest-pocket, he sells flowers, making a quiet but firm statement — no plastic covers, only paper wrapping and paper bags. For the past 2.5 years, the 56-year-old has wrapped every garland and bunch of flowers in newspapers, refusing to use plastic covers. He stands his ground when a customer would wince at the sight of flowers being wrapped in paper. 'I will give only paper. If you do not like it, no problem, you can leave' — that is Jagadeesh's response to any complaint from a customer. He developed a distaste for plastic covers during the monsoon three years ago. Following a cloudburst, plastic covers had clogged the drains, resulting in a flooded street. Jagadeesh stepped out and cleared the plastic waste himself. 'People laughed at me, but I knew I had to do something,' he says. Since then, plastic covers have been an anathema: he made them unwelcome where he could without anybody's permission — that is, in his shop. Unlike many others who choose to use old newspapers, Jagadeesh buys 40–50 fresh papers every week from a nearby shop to make clean paper bags. 'Flowers are meant for puja. They should be clean. How can I give something sacred in a dirty paper?' he asks. For customers buying a bunch of garlands, he neatly packs them in white gunny bags. Jagadeesh's daily sales is in the range of ₹900–1000, with flowers priced modestly between ₹20–30. He does not seem to attach an undue value to profits. Other things matter just as much, if not more. 'One out of every 100 customers would get irritated, but most people appreciate it. Some bring their own jute bags now, and I am happy about that,' he says. Jagadeesh also gently explains to customers the harm plastic causes. He notes: 'It is not just about business. We all have to take responsibility at some point in our lives.' 'No plastic zone' in a residential pocket Radhika Premkumar from Khivraj Mansarovar Second Street in Chromepet lets her life be steered by a sustainability philosophy. Trained in commerce through collegiate education, Radhika once had a corporate career. And the nine-to-five rigour allowed little time for mindfulness to the minutiae of everyday living. In December 2015, during the Chennai floods, she found herself facing a fork in the road, pointing her in a new direction. Struck by illness and unable to reach a doctor as the floods had disrupted life, she realised that healing should be built into daily living, various aspects of it being defined by health-promoting choices. Besides turning to natural remedies, including acupressure, Radhika rung in changes that turned her hearth upside down, in a positive way. Her family being on the same page, she could implement these changes without any resistance. In 2016, she switched to biogas cooking. 'By 2018, I began making bio enzymes,' she says. Passion led her to wear a new professional identity as seller of bio-enzymes. Post-pandemic, she co-founded Arani Biotech with Kannabiran and Kumaran; the company manufactures bio enzymes. Of course, the plastic presence in her home did not escape Radhika's introspective look. Wherever possible, she has replaced plastic items with eco-friendly alternatives and single-use plastics do not have a toehold in her household. Here are some of the replacements. Bamboo brushes instead of plastic brushes. Steel straws instead of plastic straws. Vetti ver body brush instead of plastic loofah. Steel water bottles instead of plastic water bottles. Provisions are carried in cloth bags or steel vessels, and she never leaves home without her trusty water bottle. 'Plastic sneaks in sometimes, such as through online food deliveries, but we can always make sure it does not pile up on the planet,' she says. She ensures plastic items that come home uninvited, but unavoidably (examples being plastic juice bottles and milk covers) are dispatched to the recycler or the local scrap dealer. She avoids polyester and steers clear of products with harmful chemicals. Medical waste such as band-aids, adult diapers and needles is packed carefully before disposal. Nothing is tossed out mindlessly. Through awareness sessions in schools via the Rotary Club, Radhika plants ideas of change in young minds. 'My neighbours tell me they think of me when they carry water bottles or switch to cloth pads. That feels like a small win,' she smiles. Her advice is simple: conscious buying, gradual change, and less waste. She says: 'We have to read labels, know the ingredients to know what we re buying. Every habit takes time, but the key is to start.' Catering for the planet's needs In a world hooked on fast food and faster packaging, Sasikala from Velachery 'slows' things down on both fronts. Her homegrown venture, Safe Food Focus offers traditional dishes, neatly packed in butter sheets, cotton boxes or even banana leaves — never plastic. For courier orders, she uses ziplock paper covers. When she cooks for orphanages or parties, she delivers the food in steel vessels. Transportation of steel containers demands the hire of a bigger vehicle adding to the logistics, but Sasikala has learnt to take this challenge in her stride. In her cooking classes and through awareness drives, Sasikala urges people to carry their own plates, spoons, and bottles while travelling. Sasikala prides herself on ensuring personal and planet health. Her first big order in 2023, feeding 100 children, sowed the seeds of Nallaram, an initiative to provide nutritious kanji mixes to children with anaemia. Two years later, the impact is visible by the smiles on those children's faces, notes Sasikala. Like a dress with two colour combinations that can be worn inside out, her kanji mixes — blends of two or three traditional rice varieties — can be turned into kichadi, upma, or even payasam.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- New Indian Express
After 32 years, man reunites with family in Andhra
KURNOOL: In a story reminiscent of the film Lion, a man who went missing as a toddler was reunited with his family after 32 years in Adoni, Kurnool district. K Veeresh Janardhan, now 35, was only three years old when he accidentally boarded a train while playing near Adoni railway station in 1992. The train took him to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where Railway Police placed him in a local orphanage. Unable to communicate his identity, he was later shifted to Mumbai, where he grew up and built a life, all the while searching for his roots. On June 27, Veeresh returned to Adoni in search of his family. With the help of local authorities and a social media appeal, he was identified by his uncle, Kakarla Jagadeesh, who confirmed Veeresh's identity. Jagadeesh recalled that Veeresh's parents, Janardhan and Padma, had died of illness when Veeresh was still a toddler living with his grandmother. After his disappearance, the family lost all hope despite a prolonged search. Veeresh was taken to Sudireddipalle village on the outskirts of Kurnool city, where Jagadeesh lives with his family. Though Veeresh now speaks only Hindi and English and has forgotten Telugu, the emotional reunion with relatives transcended language. He said he was overwhelmed upon seeing photographs of his parents and grandmother. Now based in Navi Mumbai, Veeresh runs a catering business with his wife and has two daughters. He plans to return briefly to Mumbai and later visit again with his family to reconnect with his roots. Relatives from Gangavathi, Ballari, Hubballi, and Hospet have also welcomed him back into the family. 'This is not just my story,' said Veeresh. 'It's about hope, love, and finding your way home.'
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru stampede: Nine eyewitnesses testify in RCB event tragedy that killed 11
As the magisterial inquiry into the tragic stampede at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) event nears completion, nine eyewitnesses, including four journalists, appeared before Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesh on Friday to record their statements, Deccan Herald reported. Fans wave as a bus carrying the IPL 2025 winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru team arrives at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.(HT_PRINT) The testimonies mark the concluding leg of the investigation being conducted by Jagadeesh, who has, over the past three weeks, heard from all relevant stakeholders, including former city Police Commissioner B Dayanand, the report further added. (Also read: Stuck in Bengaluru traffic, resident coins Newton's 'fourth' law: 'Auto at rest will remain at rest') Details of eyewitnesses Among those who deposed was Kamaresh, a 53-year-old resident of Bapujinagar and a poultry shop owner. Recalling the chaos at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, he described a narrow escape, 'There was a sudden rush to enter the stadium from Gate 21 as soon as it was opened. I was in the crowd but decided to step back as the crowd was largely youngsters trying to push each other to get into the stadium,' he said according to the publication. Kamaresh had arrived to see the cricketers after learning that entry to the event was free. (Also Read: Bengaluru commuters brace for toll hikes on elevated expressway starting July 2025: Report) The stampede, which broke out during the RCB victory celebration, claimed the lives of 11 people and sparked citywide outrage over crowd management failures. Prior to Friday's session, the deputy commissioner had already recorded statements from officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB representatives, the event organisers, DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., law enforcement personnel, injured attendees, and families of the deceased. Jagadeesh also visited the stadium earlier and reviewed CCTV footage from the day of the incident. (Also Read: Centre approves suspension of three IPS officers over Bengaluru stampede incident: Report)
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- The Hindu
Anantapur police hand over ₹3.3 crore worth lost mobiles to owners at recovery mela
The Anantapur police on Friday handed over a record 1,216 mobile phones worth ₹3.3 crore to their rightful owners at the mobiles recovery mela held at Police Parade Grounds. Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh highlighted the relentless efforts of the police teams in tracking and recovering stolen and lost property. Speaking to the media, the SP said that the latest recovery took the total number of mobile phones recovered and returned by Anantapur police to 12,594, with an estimated value of ₹24.11 crore. 'The recovery is made in 20 States. The recovered phones number includes 1,179 phones handed back to people from other States, and 2,795 to people from 18 other districts in Andhra Pradesh,' Mr. Jagadeesh said. The value of the mobile phones ranged between ₹499 to ₹1.5 lakh. Though the police traced several devices to other States, the cybercrime wing of the district police ensured speedy tracking and recovery by deploying the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) platform. The SP cautioned the public against buying second-hand mobiles and digital equipment from unknown sources, particularly at bus stands and railway stations. He said that the public while purchasing the mobiles should insist on bills and invoices and original packaging, as this would help avoid legal hassles. Mr. Jagadeesh said that the mobile theft or lost victims can contact the police through the chatbot or the CEIR portal at They can also register complaints at or through Dial 1930.
