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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
41st anniversary of The Times of India, Bengaluru: Making space for all in the open
BY: V Ravichandar Public Spaces Are Critical In The Creation Of Successful Cities Where They Serve Ecological, Recreational And Aesthetic Roles It is an unfortunate reality that the rapid urbanisation of Bengaluru from the 1980s to date, has led to a realty boom of rampant, unbridled construction and encroachments have shrunk open spaces in the city. A recent study notes a 1,628-hectare reduction of water surface area to 696 hectares between 1973 and 2023. The 1995 masterplan indicated open spaces to be 25%. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The latest estimates are 6%, a 75% reduction. It is stating the obvious when we note that public, community spaces have been rapidly disappearing faster than Ravi Shastri's tracer bullets. A city comes alive in its public spaces. It's in the parks, lakes, performance spaces, community centres, art galleries, gatherings in street corners, fields that we have a shared communal experience that in many ways is an essential part of life. Public spaces are akin to a spa for the mind and soul. Its availability invigorates us; its absence diminishes our quality of living. We revere the city's founder, Kempegowda, but ignore his mother's advice - 'Keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu' (Build lakes, plant trees). Thousands of tanks down to low three digits, many of them riddled with sewage. No large park of note, post Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. The maintenance and upkeep of government auditoriums for public events has been abysmal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Braintree: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo In essence, it's been a story of neglect of public spaces over time. It's not all doomsday news on the public spaces front. Since 2010, there have been many private initiatives with a larger public purpose that are slowly improving the quality of social life in the city. The original Bangalore Habba by Padmini Ravi and Nandini Alva in early 2000s showed what was possible if you considered streets too to be a large open canvas for a city festival. Arundhati Nag's Ranga Shankara made theatre, particularly Kannada plays, accessible to a wide local population – that she managed to complete the project braving the odds is less known. Jagriti by Arundhati and Jagdish Raja was an oasis in parched Whitefield. They were the early trailblazers. Two recent additions have been by enlightened city realtors, who clearly realise the value of fostering spaces for arts and culture: The Prestige Centre for Performing Arts and the Brigade group-upgraded Venkatappa Art Gallery. They were preceded by Indian Music Experience and Museum of Art & Photography by Abhishek Poddar. Currently, NGMA sports a vibrant arts calendar thanks to energetic leadership. And the Chitrakala Parishad has held its own over the years and its annual Chitra Santhe has grown by leaps and bounds, indicative of the city's desire for more. As a tech city, spaces for science has kept pace with the needs. Bengaluru Science Gallery, Param Science Centre and Curiouscity have been attracting visitors old and young. And there have been a host of smaller locations like Atta Galatta, Ahum, Courtyard Koota, Courtyard, Shoonya and others have played host to audiences interested in arts and culture. The Attakkalari Dance Biennale, Nrityagram, Natya Stem academy have catered to varied dance forms. The Happy Streets by The Times of India has been a celebration of the city, locality by locality. One saw similar energy during the Hubba in your parks in 2024. Now BBMP is continuing the Park Habba tradition. There are four initiatives this author has helped catalyse – Bangalore Literature Festival, Bangalore International Centre, Unboxing's BLR Hubba and Sabha. Of these, three are publicly funded, free-to-attend event spaces. The last space is a connect with the past restoring a 160-year building as a public space for arts and culture. This author has self-depreciatingly called himself patron saint of lost causes. He now has cause to graduate to be a self-appointed mayor for public spaces! While many of the above could be considered quasi-elitist and middle class-focused with entry barriers, the recent efforts to make events free is showing some results of increased access. There is much more we must do to make our public spaces truly accessible, akin to the kind of attendance one sees at the karaga or kadalekai parishe or the music season concerts. Author Kiran Keswani has documented the disappearing 'kattes', elements that retain the flavour of the rural past, few of which barely survive the city's rapid expansion and absorption of the peripheral villages. Despite this, kattes have evolved as a bottomup city-making process to meet the daily community needs for a public space and her case study of Dodda Mavalli Katte gives hope of what is possible with community ownership. Public spaces are critical in the creation of successful cities where they serve important ecological, recreational and aesthetic roles. They could be physical spaces or festivals / events many of them in the open. Public spaces have the potential to enhance urban productivity and bring ecological benefits. They act as sites of cross-cultural encounters, where participation in group activities such as festivals and celebrations can occur, where a shared sense of identity can be created. Nationally, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai have been considered the major cultural centres. Of late, Bengaluru is making reasonable strides to catch up and create its own niche. We need more high net worth individuals with a philanthropic mindset to set aside a small portion of their social funding portfolio for arts and culture. The future lies in privately catalysed, public-purpose institutions and city festivals where government acts as an enabler for these spaces and activities to flourish. Future planning activity must increase the extent of open spaces and renewal of older areas as arts and culture districts. What government chooses to do, including creating new spaces, reviving its dilapidated spaces and sponsorship of events, would be the icing on the cake! That it has opened Freedom Park as a public space beyond just protests gives us reason to hope. (Author is a civic evangelist actively working on the city's hard & soft infrastructure)
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rachana Mistry dresses up as a bride for the upcoming sequence in Jagriti-Ek Nayi Subah; says 'The red lehenga made me feel like a real dulhan'
After an emotional journey filled with highs and lows in Jagriti – Ek Nayi Subah, Jagriti (Rachana Mistry) and Suraj ( Vijayendra Kumeria ) have finally acknowledged their feelings for each other and decided to get married. Set against a dreamy backdrop of candles, roses, and warm lighting, the wedding scene becomes a defining moment in the narrative — a culmination of longing and heartfelt connection. This marks a major turning point in the show, promising more layered drama and emotional revelations in the upcoming episodes. What truly elevated this sequence was Rachana Mistry's stunning bridal transformation. Draped in a regal red lehenga adorned with intricate golden embroidery, the actress looked nothing short of resplendent. Her look was completed with traditional bridal jewellery — a statement choker, classic jhumkas, a maang tikka, and a nath — paired with mehendi-clad hands and a luminous bridal glow. The styling struck a perfect balance between elegance and tradition, making Rachana's bridal avatar a true visual delight for viewers. Though this isn't the first time Rachana has donned a bridal look on screen, she shared that this particular avatar felt extra special. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The deep red lehenga, styled with elegance and grandeur, resonated with the character's emotional arc, and Rachana herself was thrilled with how everything came together. Speaking about her experience, Rachana Mistry said, 'Even though I've worn bridal outfits before on screen, this look as Jagriti felt different — more heartfelt, more rooted. The red lehenga with all the intricate details made me feel like a real dulhan. Honestly, whenever I get married in real life, I would love to have such detailing in my bridal look — the statement choker, classic jhumkas, maang tikka, and nath, paired with mehendi-clad hands and that bridal glow — it all just felt magical. What made it even more special was the emotional depth of the scene — Jagriti is finally stepping into love wholeheartedly, and I could feel every bit of her joy and vulnerability. I'm absolutely loving this journey of playing Jagriti — she's strong, emotional, and so real. Shooting this wedding sequence was a beautiful experience, and I can't wait for the audience to see it. ' Iqbal Khan, Rachana Mistry's show Na Umra Ki Seema Ho completes 100 episodes
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Salman Khan's Heartfelt Birthday Post For Brother-In-Law Atul Agnihotri: "I Love You Man"
New Delhi: Earlier today, Salman Khan shared a heartfelt birthday post for his brother-in-law and actor, producer, filmmaker Atul Agnihotri. In the post, the 59-year-old expressed his love and gratitude towards Atul Agnihotri for being a caring husband to his sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri. What's Happening Salman Khan took to Instagram to share a lovely picture of his sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri with Atul Agnihotri on the latter's birthday. Salman Khan captioned it, "Happy birthday Atul my BIL means brother-in-law. Thank you for taking care of my sister, I love you man. Best husband and father now, can you please be the man I knew, one day I will be the man you are. Wake up, brother." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) About Atul Agnihotri And Salman Khan's Sister Alvira Khan Their paths first crossed in 1992 on the sets of Jagriti. Alvira was there to meet her brother, and her first encounter with Atul Agnihotri led to the beginning of their love story. They got married in 1995 and have a son named Ayaan and a daughter, Alizeh, who made her debut with the 2023 film Farrey. In A Nutshell Salman Khan shared a sweet birthday note on brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri's birthday. The actor had met Salman Khan's sister Alvira on the sets of Jagriti, where their romance blossomed.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Salman Khan's birthday wish for jiju Atul Agnihotri leaves the internet confused: ‘Written in full party mode'
Actor Salman Khan took to Instagram to wish his brother-in-law, film producer Atul Agnihotri, a happy birthday, but his post left many fans perplexed. Social media users were left scratching their heads, trying to decipher the unusual message, with some even wondering if it was made in 'full party mode'. Atul first met Salman Khan's sister back in 1992 on the set of the film Jagriti. Salman's birthday wish leaves fans confused Early on Wednesday morning, Salman took to Instagram to share a photograph of the filmmaker with his sister, Alvira Khan Agnihotri. In the image, Atul is seen sleeping with his head on his wife's shoulder as she looks down. Atul turned 55 years old on July 8. Sharing the picture, Salman wrote, 'Happy birthday Atul my bil means brother in law. Thank u for taking care of my sister I love u man. Best husband n father now can u plz be u the man I knew, 1 day I vil be the Man U r. Wake up brother. @atulreellife.' The comment section lit up with fans sharing their reactions, ranging from confusion to amusement. 'Salmon bhai what're you even saying,' one wrote, with another asking, 'Salman bhai esi pic lgaate h… me to RIP likhne wala tha (Do you post such pics? I was about to write RIP)'. 'Seems this message was written in full party mode,' one joked, with another chiming in, 'Bhai daru peeke post mat dala karo (Don't post after drinking)'. 'Post samajh nahi aya... Bday wish thi ya koi dhamki thi (Didn't understand the post, was it a wish or a threat),' shared one. Atul first met Salman's sister back in 1992 on the set of the film Jagriti when she had come to meet her brother. The couple got married in 1995. They have two children: a son, Ayaan, and a daughter, Alizeh. Salman's next project Salman will next be seen in Battle of Galwan, a patriotic drama centred around the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. The actor shared the film's poster earlier this month. The poster shows Salman with bloodstains on his face, donning an army uniform, and a fierce expression in his eyes. The motion poster also included the line: 'Over 15,000 feet above sea level, India fought its most brutal battle without firing a single bullet.' Salman was last seen in Sikandar, in which he starred alongside Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by AR Murugadoss, the film also featured Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Sathyaraj, Jatin Sarna, Sanjay Kapoor, Prateik, Smita Patil, and Kishore. The film was not appreciated by the critics, and underperformed at the box office.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
I'll be the man you are: Salman Khan to Atul Agnihotri in birthday wish post
Bollywood actor Salman Khan wished his brother-in-law and film producer Atul Agnihotri on the occasion of his birthday on social media. The actor shared an adorable photo of the filmmaker with his sister, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, on Wednesday. In the post, the 59-year-old expressed gratitude for Agnihotri's care towards his sister and appreciated his qualities as both a husband and a father. Agnihotri turned 55 years old on July image captures a tender moment with Atul resting his head on his wife's shoulder as she looks down. The post was accompanied by a playful yet sincere caption where the actor wrote, "Happy birthday Atul, my bil means brother-in-law. Thank you for taking care of my sister. I love you man. Best husband and father. Now can you please be you, the man I knew. One day, I will be the man you are. Wake up brother (sic)." Agnihotri first met Khan's sister in 1992 on the set of the film 'Jagriti', where she had come to meet her brother. This first encounter led to a blossoming romance. The couple married in 1995. They have two children: a son, Ayaan, and a daughter, Alizeh. Their daughter made her acting debut in the 2023 thriller drama, 'Farrey'.He has produced several films of the Bollywood superstar. These include 'Bodyguard', 'Hello', 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa', and 'Bharat', contributing to their successful Khan recently announced his upcoming film 'Battle of Galwan' on social media. The first look of the actor generated immense excitement among his fans. The poster showed the actor with blood on his face, a moustache, and sheer patriotism in his is also likely to return as the host of reality TV show 'Bigg Boss' in the latest 'Battle of Galwan' actor was last seen in 'Sikandar'. The film didn't perform as expected at the box office.- EndsMust Watch
