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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Kullu rises against Bijli Mahadev ropeway
Construction of a ropeway to Bijli Mahadev, a revered pilgrimage site in Kullu, has commenced despite strong local opposition. The project, undertaken by NHLML, involves cutting down trees, sparking protests from residents concerned about environmental damage and the sanctity of the site. KULLU: Despite opposition, work has begun on a ropeway to the iconic Bijli Mahadev, a scenic pilgrimage site atop a mountain in Kullu district, sparking a fresh wave of protests. Last week, a total of 77 deodar trees were cut for the project by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), which is building the ropeway and is a subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This infuriated locals, who obstructed NHLML employees on July 7 from transporting timber loaded in trucks. On July 8, hundreds of locals, including women, met forest department officials to complain about the felling of trees and later protested in Kullu. They believe the 2.4-km-long ropeway would destroy the sacred meadow of Bijli Mahadev, located at an altitude of 2,460 metres on a mountain top above the Kharal valley that faces Kullu town. They then confronted the staff of NHLML again on July 10. On July 8, led by local politician Ram Singh, members of the Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Sangharsh Samiti reached the forest where the trees were cut and forced the staff to leave the spot. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on this meadow, which is one of the largest on any mountaintop in Kullu valley. 'Bijli Mahadev is aplace of pilgrimage for the people of the entire Kullu district. But our politicians have sold it for commercial gains. They have chosen money over faith. But the common people of Kullu valley will continue to oppose this project tooth and nail,' said Fateh Rana, a resident of the Kharal valley and a member of the Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Sangharsh Samiti, which has been formed by locals to oppose the project. Rana said Bijli Mahadev was an eco-sensitive place. 'Many locals are dependent on the forest. Moreover, the Bijli Mahadev meadow land has been sinking, and this felling of trees would make it worse,' Rana added. He warned of a natural catastrophe, unlike any before, if the project was built against the will of Lord Bijli Mahadev. Fissures a concern The meadow of Bijli Mahadev has developed fissures at several places in recent years as environmentalists and locals have been pushing for tree plantation to stop land from sinking in the area. According to Guman Singh, a Kullu-based environmentalist and the coordinator of NGO Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, it's not development but destruction in the name of religious tourism. 'Govt should have conducted a technical feasibility study before going ahead with its project. What the govt is doing is destroying the places of faith in the name of religious tourism. The only people who will benefit from such projects are the ones who will do business and construct hotels at such sites,' said Singh. To be built for Rs 284 crore, the ropeway, stretching from Pirdi village, located next to the Beas, to Bijli Mahadev mountaintop, will have a capacity of 36,000 passenger trips per day, and it will take just seven minutes to reach the top. At present, it takes an hour-long trek from the Kullu side to reach the temple. 'The plan to take nearly 36,000 people to the fragile mountaintop of Bijli Mahadev in a single day is madness. The ropeway will kill this place, but our politicians have been bragging about how a huge number of people could reach the Bijli Mahadev in a matter of a few minutes without realising its environmental implications,' said Shanta Devi, a resident of Kharal valley and a women's group head. Locals said even the Bijli Mahadev deity was against the project. 'Bijli Mahadev does not want the ropeway on the nangi dhar (meadow). The deity's 'gur' (oracle) has already said it. But the developer has not moved the project away from the meadow,' said Vinender Singh Jamwal, the kardar (administrative head) of Bijli Mahadev temple deity. The state govt has also been trying to promote Bijli Mahadev as a tourist destination and believes a ropeway would boost tourism. Last year on March 5, Union Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari performed the bhoomi pujan of the project. According to Ram Singh, a local politician, Bijli Mahadev is not a tourist destination but a place of pilgrimage. 'Residents have been opposing this project, and even Lord Bijli Mahadev has given his dissent through his medium. Still, govt has gone ahead with this project. There are so many other scenic places in Kullu the govt could be developed and where ropeways could be built,' said Singh. 'The irony is that the people's representatives, who swear by gods, are missing and not standing with us. But we will continue to oppose this project. It's a matter of faith for us,' added Singh.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bharat Bandh sees labourers & farmers gather to protest
New Delhi: On a humid Wednesday afternoon at Jantar Mantar, some students stood quietly while the song "Sirf Kehne Ko Nahi Hai Hindustan Hamara" echoed softly. At Delhi's most well-known protest site, a few hundred people had gathered — labourers, farmers, and some children. The reason for their congregation was the All-India Labour Strike on July 9. Ten unions have sounded their support. The Bharat Bandh was for protesting what participants described as govt policies favouring corporations over workers and farmers. The ten unions that supported the strike are the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi At Jantar Mantar, when the students were asked if they had not missed school for being at the protest, one of them grinned. "We are accompanying our mothers," he said, and pointed to the daily-wage labourers of Batla House. Among them was 70-year-old Shakuntala of HMS. She was sitting with her grandson. "I work as a daily-wage labourer in a factory, making handmade envelopes. For 1,000 envelopes a day, I earn a meagre Rs 50. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo I've come here today so that my grandchildren won't have to endure the same struggle," she said. Ram Singh, a 71-year-old farmer from Mathura, was there wearing his Kisaan Mahasabha cap. When asked what had brought him to the protest, he spoke about the challenges farmers like him faced. "Many farmers lack financial security as we still depend on informal sources of credit. Another pressing issue is the problem of stray cattle in Uttar Pradesh. With already low productivity, the damage caused by the animals eating our crops makes our situation worse. " Union leaders at the site addressed the 17-point charter submitted to the labour ministry under Union minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya. Among the protesters was Hriday Kumar (65) from Jaunpur. "The strike's call compelled me to join. I've worked in a factory for 15 years on the same wage — not a rupee raised. I wasn't politically active before, but I've decided to step up for my children's future," he said. A cluster of students sang songs honouring Bhagat Singh. Arvind Singh from Baliya stood out for his precise tambourine beats. "This movement is new to me, but playing the dafli has been a childhood passion. People may see it as political, but for me, it's a way to express what I can't say aloud," he said. Among the younger attendees was 27-year-old Shilpi Negi, a bank employee who had her five-year-old daughter with her. Though not active in the All-India Bank Employees Association, she said, "Even in the formal banking sector, we face serious challenges such as inadequate staffing and unfilled vacancies. There's also the looming threat of privatisation, which govt frequently keeps talking about. To be honest privatisation is one of the reasons why I am here today. " Harish Chandra Pant, who was in his 80s, had come from Uttarakhand. A CITU flag rested on his shoulder. Asked what keeps him involved in the movement, he said: "The issues faced by the poor labour class haven't really changed. That's the saddest reality. I've been part of the labour movement since the 1960s. It's disheartening that even now, I'm still fighting for basic rights, like better wages and more workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). "
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
FIR after fake FB page of pvt univ floated
Lucknow: A case of cyber fraud was registered after a fake Facebook page was found operating in the name of Babu Banarasi Das (BBD) University, Lucknow. The page was allegedly being used to dupe students in the name of admissions. Lodging a complaint, senior security officer of BBD University Vijay Kumar Singh Bhadoriya said that several people recently reported being cheated on pretext of university admissions. It was found that a fraudster created a fake Facebook page impersonating the university's official admission office. The page was reportedly used to lure students with false promises related to university admissions. An FIR was lodged under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. Inspector Ram Singh said further investigations were on. Police have advised the people to verify any admission-related communication through the official channels.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farmers face seed price rise and fertiliser shortage before Kharif sowing
Jaipur: Ahead of the sowing of the Kharif crop, farmers in Rajasthan are grappling with a shortage of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), a widely used fertiliser, and an increase in the prices of seeds. While the state's agriculture minister, Kirori Lal Meena, admitted that the state obtained 90,000 metric tons of DAP against the demand of 2 lakh metric tons, he said that some traders are also engaged in hoarding. Following raids on fake seeds, the prices of seeds, including those of Bajra and Guar, have increased. "The prices of Bajra were Rs 650 per packet and have now increased to Rs 720 per packet. Also, Guar, which was available at Rs 270 is now being sold at Rs 320 per packet. DAP is not available anywhere," said Ram Singh, a farmer from Takrada village near Chomu. Farmers said that in the name of selling genuine seeds, they are being overcharged. "At Sriganganagar, the traders are selling DAP to Punjab at higher prices, and authorities are taking no action," alleged Amar Singh, a farmer from Sriganganagar. When contacted, Kirori Lal Meena, agriculture minister, said, "I am aware of DAP shortage and the fact that many traders are hoarding DAP. Let me repeat that I am not going to let anyone hoard DAP and will ensure its availability to the farmers.: "I have also sought chief minister's intervention to urge the govt to release more DAP since we got 90,000 metric tons against our demand of 2 lakh metric tons," Meena added. Farmers in Sriganganagar said that due to the prevailing problem of less irrigation water, higher prices of seeds, and the non-availability of DAP and other fertilisers, sowing has been limited to only 40% in Sriganganagar. "The authorities should organise more raids at the godowns where traders are hoarding DAP. Also, there should be a check on the prices of seeds and pesticides," said Tejinder Singh, a farmer from Srikaranpur in the Sriganganagar district.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jaipur District Olympic Association honours Olympians Ram Singh and Gopal Saini on World Olympic Day
Jaipur: On the occasion of World Olympic Day (June 23), Jaipur District Olympic Association honoured two prides of the state capital, famous Olympians Ram Singh and Gopal Saini in a grand manner here on Monday. They were honoured by presenting them with a turban, shawl and a memento of the Jaipur Olympics. To make this special occasion more memorable, a "cake ceremony" was also organised by cutting a special cake depicting the Olympic symbol, in which players, guests and representatives of various sports associations participated enthusiastically. During the programme, the famous actor, producer and director of Rajasthani film Manzoor Ali was also honoured for his remarkable contribution in the field of art. The Jaipur District Olympic Association especially appreciated him for promoting Rajasthani culture and regional pride. You Can Also Check: Jaipur AQI | Weather in Jaipur | Bank Holidays in Jaipur | Public Holidays in Jaipur In his address, the president of the Jaipur District Olympic Association, Giriraj Khandelwal said that World Olympic Day is not just a sporting event but a day that gives the message of unity, peace and brotherhood. This day reminds us of life values like discipline, hard work, self-confidence and leadership, which are developed through sports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's The Price for a 1-Day Walk-in Shower In 2025 Homebuddy Learn More He said that the Olympian players coming from the land of Jaipur have brought glory to the country and we salute their contribution. He also announced that in the coming time, Jaipur will be developed as a "Sports City", where youth from every section will get equal opportunities in sports. In the programme, a special slogan "Khelega Jaipur – Badhega Jaipur" was also released by the Jaipur District Olympic Association, which will give a new direction to the sports spirit of Jaipur and encourage the youth. In the end, president Khandelwal called upon all the youth, coaches and sports organisations to make Olympic values a part of their lives and play an active role in building a healthy, united and positive society through sports.
