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Time of India
2 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
A spaceship in the mangroves: A cyclone-defying guest house lands hope in the heart of the Sundarbans
1 2 In the cyclone-lashed wetlands of the Sundarbans, where homes are often no match for the tides, something extraordinary has landed — quite literally. It looks like it dropped from the sky. A smooth, bamboo dome perched elegantly on stilts, its curved belly lifted above the floodline, its spiral staircase wrapped like a vine around fluted columns. Locals call it the "spaceship" — not in jest, but in awe. Designed by Kolkata-based architect duo Udit Mittal and Kirti Jalan, this isn't just a guest house. It's a radical rethinking of what rural, disaster-resilient architecture can be: bold, beautiful, and deeply rooted in local knowledge. Commissioned by NGO Mukti for visiting donors, the Aaronyak Guest House is now a symbol — of safety, imagination, and quiet rebellion against climate catastrophe. Four cyclones, zero cracks Since it was completed in early 2023, the structure has faced the wrath of four cyclones — Sitrang, Mocha, Remal, and Dana — with winds up to 120 km/hr. It hasn't flinched. Not a wobble, not a leak. During Cyclone Remal, when rain lashed the Sundarbans for over four days, villagers stood watching, waiting for the thatched roof to give way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo It didn't. Not a single drop entered. 'People didn't believe that a thatch roof could survive a cyclone,' says Udit. 'Now they want the same roof on their own homes.' Why it looks like it flew in from space 'It wasn't supposed to look like a spaceship,' Udit laughs. 'But maybe it makes sense — something alien, but kind.' The design draws from the do-chala roof — the twin-pitched vernacular form found across Bengal. But it also borrows from boats. Udit worked with local boatmakers to shape the curves, their muscle memory guiding the bamboo into aerodynamic dramatic spiral staircase? Improvised on site. 'It wasn't on paper,' Udit says. 'But like a creeper curling around a tree trunk, it made sense. It makes you slow down before entering.' What's so special about this house? Plenty. It looks familiar — sloping roof, mud walls, bamboo bones. But this isn't just a makeover of the bangla ghar . It's a storm-smart home that whispers tradition and mutters rebellion. · A plinth with a purpose : The house doesn't sit on the ground. It hovers two feet up on a concrete plinth, high enough to dodge floods but low enough to feel rooted. · Bamboo gets a smoke bath : The structure uses bamboo cured in a smoke chamber — not just to toughen it against pests, but to echo a forgotten rural technique. · Breathable from all sides : Slits near the floor and roofline let air in and pressure out — small vents that can make a big difference in a storm. · Lime, not cement : The walls are lime-plastered, which keeps the house cool and lets it breathe, unlike cement which traps moisture and cracks. · Double verandahs, double life : A social verandah in the front for chats and chai, and a quieter one at the back to overlook the fields — a nod to Sundarbans rhythms of living. · Roof tiles, reassembled : Those sloping tiles aren't random. They're laid out with just the right gradient to take the wind but not fly off with it. Inside, it's still sparse with just one family living there, testing its strength through storms and heat. But what they're living in is not just a house. It's a prototype for the future of rural resilience — priced at ₹2–3 lakhs, built with local hands, and backed by a quiet architectural revolution. Architecture that breathes and floats The spaceship is not just romantic — it's rigorously engineered: ·Withstands winds up to 180 km/hr ·Raised above flood level on RCC pyramids ·Walls made of staggered bamboo with acoustic cavities ·Thatch panels woven on the ground, then lifted into place ·A GI tendon runs through its spine — giving it flex and fight ·An extended ledge visually expands the space by 50% ·Underneath? An open-air community stage, shaded and cool It doesn't hide its structure — it celebrates it. From the exposed pyramid plinths (meant to evoke mangrove roots) to the ambient lighting that glows through rice-straw thatch, every detail is both functional and poetic. From theatre to thatch: Meet the duo behind the dome Udit Mittal isn't your average architect. He's a trained theatre director, an artist, a cyclist — someone who treats buildings like stories, not products. He lived in Purba Sridharpur during the post-Amphan recovery, bathing in the river, playing football with local kids, and joining Durga Puja processions. His partner in work and life, Kirti Jalan , is a lighting and interiors specialist who ensures the inside of each project feels as intentional as the outside. Together, they founded Architecture firm in 2019 — with a focus on contextual, low-tech, high-impact design. Next: A dinosaur made of bamboo The duo is now dreaming bigger: a four-room structure built entirely of bamboo — roof, walls, even floor — set around a water channel. One worker, Sandeep, described the in-progress frame best: 'Bhalo kore dekh, mone hochhe na ekta bishal dinosaur-er konkaal?' (Look carefully — doesn't it feel like the skeleton of a giant dinosaur?) 'Since the guest house opened, over 50 homes in nearby villages have begun using elements of the design: bamboo bones, mud walls, tile roofs, and most importantly, raised plinths. Mukti is now setting up skills training centres and material banks, so villagers can build their own cyclone-resilient homes without relying on expensive imports.'- Kirti Jalan 'In the Sundarbans, resilience doesn't mean building stronger—it means building smarter, lighter, and with care. This house is not a shelter from the storm; it's a conversation with it.' — Udit Israni
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
National Ice Cream Day 2025: FDA issues risk warning due to 'class II health risk'. Here's what you can do
It's the National Ice Cream Day in the United States and from ice cream chains to restaurants and even grocery stores, there are ways to score freebies and deals all day long. However, on this 'sweet' day, an Ohio creamery has recalled several of its ice cream flavors because of undeclared allergens , reports NewsWeek. Based in Wauseon, Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery has issued a voluntary recall for multiple pint-size products that were distributed to six retail locations. The affected items have been pulled from store shelves. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category others healthcare Finance MCA Management Technology Data Science Others Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Public Policy CXO MBA Healthcare Digital Marketing Project Management Design Thinking PGDM Data Science Leadership Degree Operations Management Data Analytics Product Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details The FDA has classified the recall as 'Class II health risk'- which refers to a situation in which the "use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo ALSO READ: Barack Obama-Michelle finally address divorce rumours: 'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage...' Ohio creamery recalls ice cream flavours Millions of people in US are subject to food allergies or food sensitivities, says FDA. Food sensitivities can range from mild reactions to potentially life-threatening symptoms. The agency recognizes nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, sesame, fish, tree nuts, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Live Events The recall issued by Ohio creamery affects pints of Mocha, Cacao, Cookie Dough, Cookies and Cream, Cacao Brownie Bites, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Avalanche as they may contain "undeclared soy and/or wheat", reports NewsWeek. ALSO READ: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron's divorce bill revealed following Coldplay kiss cam controversy with HR chief While no illnesses have been reported so far, the presence of undeclared allergens poses a potential risk to consumers with soy or wheat allergies. Soy can trigger reactions ranging from mild symptoms—such as hives and stomach cramps—to severe anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals. Wheat allergies can cause similar symptoms—including respiratory issues, skin reactions and, in some cases, life-threatening allergic responses. The recalled ice cream pints were sold in paper cartons with paper lids and distributed to six retailers in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The recall covers all expiration dates, which are printed on the bottom of each carton. "There have been no reports of illness involving products addressed in this recall, however, individuals exhibiting signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction after consuming Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery Ice Cream involved in this recall should contact a physician immediately," according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions can call 419-583-7124.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Ice Cream Recall Update as FDA Issues Risk Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An Ohio creamery is recalling several of its ice cream flavors because of undeclared allergens. Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery, based in Wauseon, issued a voluntary recall for multiple pint-size products that were distributed to six retail locations. The affected items have been pulled from store shelves. Newsweek has contacted Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery for comment via email. Why It Matters According to the FDA, millions of people in the U.S. have food allergies or food sensitivities. Food sensitivities can range from mild reactions to potentially life-threatening symptoms. The agency recognizes nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, sesame, fish, tree nuts, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. A stock image of a spoon in vanilla ice cream. A stock image of a spoon in vanilla ice cream. Sven Hoppe/picture-alliance/dpa/AP What To Know The recall affects pints of Mocha, Cacao, Cookie Dough, Cookies and Cream, Cacao Brownie Bites, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Avalanche—all of which may contain undeclared soy and/or wheat. The FDA has classified the recall as a Class II health risk. This classification is used when exposure to a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, or when the probability of serious adverse health effects is remote. While no illnesses have been reported so far, the presence of undeclared allergens poses a potential risk to consumers with soy or wheat allergies. In sensitive individuals, soy can trigger reactions ranging from mild symptoms—such as hives and stomach cramps—to severe anaphylaxis. Wheat allergies can cause similar symptoms—including respiratory issues, skin reactions and, in some cases, life-threatening allergic responses. Because these allergens were not properly listed in the "Contains" statement on the packaging, affected consumers may unknowingly ingest ingredients that could endanger their health. The recalled ice cream pints, all of which were individually packaged in paper cartons with paper lids, were distributed to six retailers across Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. All expiration dates are included in the recall, with markings located on the bottom of each carton. "There have been no reports of illness involving products addressed in this recall, however, individuals exhibiting signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction after consuming Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery Ice Cream involved in this recall should contact a physician immediately," according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. What Happens Next Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions can call 419-583-7124.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
गायकवाड हल्ला प्रकरण; अक्कलकोट बंदला मराठा समाजाचा पाठिंबा, आरोपींवर मोक्का लावण्याची मागणी!
Pravin Gaikwad Attack Case Maratha Community Supports Akkalkot Bandh Demands To Impose Mocha On The Accused
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Crisis-hit Myanmar urges US to lift sanctions and slash new tariff rates
YANGON/PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Myanmar is calling on the United States to lift its sanctions and ease recently imposed tariffs, citing the country's continued classification as a Least Developed Country and the severe economic hardships it faces. The State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the country has faced numerous challenges from health pandemics to natural disasters that inflicted tremendous suffering for the people since 2020, reported the state media The Global New Light of Myanmar today. According to the statement, he has proposed reducing current US tariff rates on Myanmar's exports to a range of 10 to 20 per cent, while reciprocally applying tariffs of zero to 10 per cent on US exports to Myanmar. His proposal comes after US President Donald Trump's administration imposed a 40 per cent tariff on Myanmar this week, reportedly the highest among ASEAN countries. Neighbouring Laos, another least developed country, faced a 40 per cent US trade tariff. Myanmar's key exports to the US include clothing, seafood, and leather goods-sectors that are vital for employment across the country's population of 55 million. It has been grappling with severe economic challenges over the past five years, beginning with the Covid-19 pandemic and further compounded by the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratically elected civilian government. The US launched new sanctions against Myanmar following the military takeover, which replaced the democratically elected civilian government, further isolating the Southeast Asian nation. In addition, natural calamities such as Cyclone Mocha in May 2023, Typhoon Yagi in September last year and the powerful 7.7-magnitude Mandalay earthquake in March dented the nation's economic recovery. The new tariff structure announced by the US is expected to further strain Myanmar's internal problems, as it prepares for a general election later this year. Min Aung Hlaing said his government is ready to send a high-level negotiation team to Washington to discuss the tariff issue. "He (Min Aung Hlaing) respectfully requests the President (Trump) to reconsider easing and lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar, as they hinder the shared interests and prosperity of both countries and their peoples,' said the statement. According to the World Bank, about three million people have been displaced since the coup. - Bernama
