Latest news with #Sharma
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Indiafication of fashion: How global luxury is basically shopping in Sarojini now
Digital journalist, news junkie, and self-proclaimed gossip connoisseur. If it's trending, she's talking about it. From national to international affairs, she's got an eye for the big stories — when she's not busy, she's turning her canvas into a masterpiece. A journalist with a centrist approach and a love for the messy, thrilling world of news. LESS ... MORE Forget yoga on the Ganga, yaar. India isn't just trending, we're low-key taking over the global fashion scene. One Kolhapuri at a time. Let's get this straight. Indians have never been behind in fashion. We created drapes before the West learned about belts. And now, fashion finally catches up, by taking our style and selling it back to us for the price of a small 2BHK in Mumbai (on rent). Take Prada, for example. Their latest 'innovative' sandal bears a suspicious resemblance to what your chacha wears to the market. You know, good old Kolhapuri chappal. Now just with a posh label and a four-figure price tag in Euros. Shabash, Prada. Heritage hai, but haute-ify it. When Milan went full Maharashtra: Prada's Kolhapuri knockoff At Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 men's show in Milan, the models walked the ramp in sandals that made every Indian blink twice. 'Is that? Is that a Kolhapuri chappal?' Yes, beta. But now it's 'Artisanal leather sandal with toe loop.' Fancy. Even the invitation card for the show had a leather toe ring. Somewhere in Kolhapur, a mochi likely got a hiccup and did not know why. People on X in India, of course, lost it. 'You're welcome, Prada. Next time, give us a shoutout.' Because while the sandals walked the global ramp, the credit quietly walked out the back door. Kolhapuri 101: For those who missed the memo In case you've been living under a Swiss rock, the Kolhapuri chappal is not just footwear, it's a way of life. Handcrafted in Maharashtra for over a century, these leather beauties are tough, timeless, and totally wedding-approved. They've even got a GI tag, okay? That's like a VIP pass in the world of craftsmanship. So no, it's not 'rustic minimalism.' It's pure desi swag. Louis Vuitton tries an Indian wedding starter pack Not wanting to be left behind in this cosplay of culture, Louis Vuitton released a fresh range of trunks that yell 'mere cousin ki shaadi is in Noida.' Monogrammed, yes. Luxury, perhaps. Original, definitely not. All Indians will agree that these 'private travel trunks' resemble the very ones Sharma aunty has piled up in her storeroom from her daughter's wedding in 2004. Only LV omitted the nariyal and haldi stains. Puebco's Jhola drama: Now on sale at Nordstrom for Rs 4,200 Ah yes, the humble jhola. That cotton bag you receive free with Basmati rice. Or to carry sabzi in. Or books. Or dreams. Now enter Puebco's rendition. The 'Indian Souvenir Bag.' It's listed on Nordstrom's site for $48. Our verdict? Somewhere in India, an uncle in a banyan is laughing and muttering, 'Arre, mere wale mein jaida jagah hai.' Flashback: Do you remember the polybag purse? Balenciaga once attempted to sell what appeared to be a plastic thela for $2,000. Dior embarked on an embroidery shopping spree in Jaipur. H&M collaborated with Sabyasachi and retailed you what you could purchase from FabIndia, only ten times more expensive and with a waiting list. Moral of the story? Indian design is the moment. But Indian designers are nowhere to be found in the credits. So… appreciation or just appropri-yawn? We get it. Indian motifs are pretty. Embroidery is detailed. Chappals are comfy. But if you're lifting our designs, at least name-drop us, no? It's one thing to be inspired. It's another to repackage a Kolhapuri chappal as 'Rustic Milanese Footwear.' Baba, it's Kolhapuri. Say it. Spell it. Credit it. India's fashion revenge tour has begun From jholas to juttis, desi fashion is dominating international runways, and it's high time we took our place. If a chappal can strut the ramp in Milan, we can enter the dialogue and ask for our due. The next time you spot a $5,000 lehenga on a Paris catwalk, simply say, 'Sab kuch copy hai.' And smile. Because the world may be late to the party, but we threw it. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
The Print
6 hours ago
- Science
- The Print
Rakesh Sharma to Shubhanshu Shukla—India's space programme is entering a bold new era
After multiple delays, the mission finally took flight from the NASA Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. First, the weather, and then leaks observed in the rocket and the Russian module of the ISS, delayed the launch for nearly a month. As part of the Axiom-4 mission, a private human spaceflight led by US space company Axiom Space, Group Captain Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) reached the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. He became the first Indian to ever set foot in the facility. New Delhi: It was a 41-year wait for Indians before they could finally witness one of them put on an astronaut suit, strap into a rocket, and launch into space. Rakesh Sharma did it in 1984, and Shubhanshu Shukla in 2025. The time, the place, and the mission were vastly different, but what did not change was the fervour with which their countrymen rooted for their success. But when the rocket finally took off, the wait seemed worth it. Now that Shukla has reached the ISS, his 14-day stay will be spent leading seven experiments developed by top Indian research institutions. He will also participate in over 60 scientific experiments and other activities in microgravity. With India preparing for its first human spaceflight, Gaganyaan—set to launch by 2027—Shukla's flight to space comes as an important pre-game experience, and that is why India's human spaceflight journey from Sharma to Shukla is ThePrint Newsmaker of the Week. Sharma to Shukla IAF Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was 35 when he was chosen to be a part of the Soviet mission, Soyuz T-11, in 1982. His interaction with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the Russian space station Salyut 7 is etched in history. When asked how India looks from space, he proudly said, 'Saare jahan se accha'. Sharma's selection for the USSR mission was a significant moment in history, not just for India but for the global collaborative space programme. During the Cold War, between 1947 and 1991, the Soviet Union introduced the Intercosmos initiative to partner with allied and friendly countries. India got a chance to send an astronaut-designate as part of this deal. Sharma, who was a squadron leader back then, was also a test pilot with the IAF. This automatically qualified him as a possible applicant. But this was just the first step to a strenuous two-year training. He underwent several training rounds and beat over 150 candidates before his selection. The training involved facing high G-forces or gravitational force equivalents, sensory deprivation tests, and cardiovascular and vestibular stress simulations. 'But it was all worth it. No matter how hard you train, nothing can completely prepare you for space,' Sharma said in an earlier conversation with ThePrint. For Shukla, who was born a year after the Soviet mission, Sharma became a hero. Still unsure of whether he would be able to fly to space like his idol, he followed Sharma's footsteps to become a test pilot first. In 2019, his dream came true. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which had been working to develop the country's human spaceflight, called for applications from test pilots from the IAF to be a part of the mission. Along with Shukla, Group Captain Prasanth B Nair, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Group Captain Ajit Krishnan were also chosen to be a part of India's much-awaited Gaganyaan mission. Thus began nearly four years of training for India's very own human spaceflight. And it was midway through training for Gaganyaan that the opportunity for Axiom-4 came up. Shukla became the chosen one, with Nair as his backup crew in the mission. Also read: Axiom-4 has venture capitalists looking skyward, but investment in space tech needs an attitude reset Setting the stage for Gaganyaan Sharma and Shukla's missions are starkly different—though equally significant—not only because of the countries leading them, but where they stand in history. Axiom-4, with Shukla as the mission pilot, comes at a time when the Indian space programme is powering through. It has already reached the Moon and aims to build its very own space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035. In the five years after that, India aims to land a human on the Moon. ISRO is also designing missions to explore Venus and Mars, and bring back samples from the Moon. With the Indian Space Policy 2023, the government has also opened the sector to private players. Astrophysicist and Ashoka University vice-chancellor Somak Raychaudhury said that learnings from Axiom-4 will help improve India's own human spaceflight. 'There would be a lot of tech and logistical learnings from the mission that we will be able to implement in Gaganyaan,' he added. The mission's impact will go beyond policy rooms, labs, and launch pads to classrooms, social media, and public discussions. Axiom-4 marks the beginning of India's space aspirations for the decades ahead. And Shukla has become the face of it. Views are personal. (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
11 new MSME parks to come up in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has commenced the process for the development of 11 new MSME parks and upgradation of the existing ones to promote modern multi-sector industrial parks at strategic locations. These parks will be equipped with comprehensive facilities that can be scaled according to operational needs, along with modern amenities. The government is also planning to develop MSME parks in every district. Additional chief secretary of Industries and MSME Hemant Sharma said the small and medium enterprises provide employment to around 40.9 lakh people in the state, positioning MSMEs as the largest employment-generating sector after agriculture in the state. Advances to MSMEs have increased from Rs 41,200 crore in 2019-120 to Rs 90,600 crore at a CAGR of 21.8 per cent. The share of micro-enterprises in MSME advances has risen to 10.3 pc as against the benchmark of 7.5 pc. 'The increase in advances is enabling the enterprises to expand, modernise and contribute more significantly to economic diversification and employment in the state,' Sharma said.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi civic body extends 10% property tax rebate till July 31
NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has extended the 10 per cent rebate on property tax payments till July 31. The decision was among several citizen-centric resolutions passed during the first meeting of the Standing Committee held at the Civic Centre on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Satya Sharma , the newly appointed Chairperson of the Standing Committee, and saw active participation from all members, who discussed a wide range of issues concerning public welfare. After the meeting, Sharma said that members raised important matters related to the civic body's monsoon preparedness. She said that the MCD Commissioner assured the committee that the corporation had undertaken more work this year compared to the previous year to tackle waterlogging and drainage issues. "New pumps have been installed, dedicated WhatsApp groups have been created for real-time updates, and helpline numbers have been strengthened to function smoothly across all zones," Sharma said. The committee also directed officials to address all concerns promptly and submit an action taken report (ATR) in the next meeting. Sharma said that around 25 agenda items were passed during the meeting, marking what she described as a "productive and decisive beginning" for the new tenure of the Standing Committee. The meeting, she added, reflects the MCD's renewed focus on transparency, responsiveness, and proactive governance aimed at improving the quality of life for Delhi residents.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Panel confirms July 1 ban for end-of-life vehicles
New Delhi: The Commission on Air Quality Management, in a joint conference on Friday, confirmed that end-of-life (EOL) vehicles would be denied fuel in Delhi from July 1. Not only that, such vehicles would be impounded on the spot and taken for scrapping. The press conference was also addressed by officials of Delhi govt's transport department and Delhi Traffic Police, who said that they had identified hotspots where most EOL vehicles still operated. The officials said that between June 1 and 23, almost 1.4 lakh vehicles were identified as EOL, while overall 8.1 lakh vehicles had been identified as such. They added that automatic number plate recognition cameras have been installed at 498 fuel stations, of which 382 serve petrol and diesel vehicles and 116, CNG. The officials, however, clarified that no action would be taken against overaged CNG vehicles. The ANPR technology enables real-time recording and tracking of vehicle data through a centralised database and access all information, including the age, of the vehicle in microseconds. 'We have finally decided to resolve the longstanding problem of taking EOL vehicles off the streets,' said Virinder Sharma, member, technical, CAQM. 'The matter of removing EOL vehicles on Delhi's roads was taken up in 2015 by the National Green Tribunal and later in 2018 by the Supreme Court. However, it could not be implemented because of the absence of technology like ANPR.' Sharma pointed out that EOL vehicles emit pollutants. Research studies have shown that a BS4 vehicle emits 5.5 times more emissions that a BS6 vehicle. As per the guidelines, petrol vehicles that are 15 years or older and diesel vehicles older than 10 years have reached the end of their lives. Delhi has over 80 lakh registered vehicles, and CAQM said that of this, around 62 lakh vehicles were EOL, of which 41 lakh were two-wheelers. Officials said that the different agencies, including police and the transport department, will deploy people to act against non-compliant vehicles, many of which are running on outdated and high-emission BSII and BSIII fuel norms. India currently adheres to the BSVI, or Bharat Stage VI, norm. Officials said that they had also recognised some EOL hotspots and special teams will be deputed there. 'We have done a lot of publicity and also held meetings with the dealers, seeking their cooperation,' said Niharika Rai, secretary-cum-commissioner, transport department. When asked about action against the EOL vehicles post-detection, she declared, 'They will be impounded and scrapped.' Meanwhile, Delhi Police officers said they would ensure the implementation was peaceful. They do not anticipate any law and order problem at any retail outlet. 'At any fuel outlet, no law and order situation will be allowed to develop. We hope people will cooperate and voluntarily take their EOL vehicles to the scrappers,' said Ajay Chaudhary, Special commissioner of police (Traffic). CAQM said that ANPR would also be installed at all 156 entry points to Delhi soon. At fuel stations, ANPR cameras would detect the EoL vehicles and announce their presence. A nodal officer would then coordinate with the enforcement team. Officials said that an adequate number of police personnel, besides PCR vans, would be posted near the fuel stations, particularly at the hotspots. "Non-compliance by fuel station operators will lead to penalties under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Impounding and further disposal of EOL vehicles identified at fuel stations will be in accordance with RVSF Rules and Guidelines issued by the Delhi govt's transport department, for handling end-of-life vehicles in public places of Delhi,' CAQM said. The same rules will apply to five high vehicle-density cities of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat from Nov 1, while the rule will apply to the remaining NCR districts from April 1 next year, according to CAQM. As per the pollution watchdog, the transport sector in Delhi-NCR contributes around 28per cent of PM2.5, 41per cent of sulphur dioxide and 78per cent of nitrogen oxide emissions to overall air pollution.
