Dating meetup event at Bengaluru's Cubbon Park called off amid objections: Report
ALSO READ | Bengaluru resident questions city's liveability after 9 years: 'We're all just surviving'
After receiving the complaint, cops from the Cubbon Park police station summoned the event organiser for questioning. After the inquiry, the organiser reportedly gave a written assurance and agreed to cancel the event. The event's online promotions were also taken down soon after, The Hindu reported.
In a similar incident, another dating meet-up planned in Koramangala had recently met the same fate, with police stepping in and calling off the gathering.
ALSO READ | L&T terminated Corridor-2, Corridor-4 contracts of suburban rail project illegally: K-RIDE
The Horticulture Department clarified that the event had not received official permission and lodged a complaint soon after spotting its advertisement. Senior department officials also reached out to cybersecurity and police officials to ensure the matter was taken seriously, the report stated.
No private or commercial activities are allowed within Cubbon Park limits, said Kusuma G, Deputy Director of the Cubbon Park Horticulture Department, as per the report. She added that, under existing rules, only government programmes or public walking is permitted in the park.
However, an event listed on Book My Show involving blind dates was allegedly being organised between August 2 and 30, prompting authorities to take legal steps against the platform.
ALSO READ | Japanese man compares Bengaluru airport to a luxury hotel: 'Never seen anything like this before'
As of now, legal action has also been initiated against Book My Show for trying to facilitate a paid event without the necessary approvals, the report further added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Japanese adult movie star Honda Hitomi shocks fans with retirement announcement, set to leave industry by end of 2025
Japanese adult film actress Honda Hitomi has announced that she will retire from the industry in December 2025, bringing an end to a notable five-year career that earned her a devoted following and widespread recognition. The news has quickly spread across online communities, prompting reactions of both support and surprise. Early retirement was always part of the plan Sharing the update on social media, Honda revealed that she had always planned to retire early: "From the beginning, I planned to retire early. But I never expected to make it this far." She thanked her management and colleagues and expressed deep gratitude toward her fans, saying their encouragement helped her continue longer than she imagined: "I've been able to stick with this job until now thanks to everyone who has supported me and loved my work." No reason given, but fans remain curious While her heartfelt message was met with understanding and support, many followers voiced their sadness and speculated about the reason behind her departure. Honda chose not to explain further, keeping the focus on gratitude rather than explanation. From homemaker to breakout star Born in 1992, Honda previously lived as a homemaker before entering the AV industry in 2021. She debuted with leading studio Madonna and quickly gained attention for her elegant charm and strong screen presence. Within a short time, she became one of the most talked-about newcomers in the industry, often referred to as a "rough diamond." Building a brand beyond AV Beyond her film roles, Honda also established herself as a popular model, frequently appearing in lingerie and swimwear shoots. Her down-to-earth personality and frequent social media engagement helped her gain a fanbase that extended far beyond the adult entertainment scene. A graceful farewell to a rising icon Though her career was relatively brief, Honda Hitomi made a lasting impact. As she prepares to step away from the spotlight, her fans are left with admiration for a star who navigated her path with both strength and sincerity.
The Wire
7 hours ago
- The Wire
Culture Meets Commerce: RuPay Backs India's Booming Live Entertainment Market with Strategic Year-Long Partnership with BookMyShow
Through the partnership, RuPay cardholders get privileged access to the biggest festivals and a line-up of top live concerts from the house of BookMyShow. Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – Business Wire India BookMyShow, India's leading entertainment destination and its parent company Bigtree Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. have entered into a strategic, year-long partnership with RuPay, a global card payment network from National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The collaboration spans both digital and on-ground channels, bringing a unified entertainment and payment experience to millions of consumers across India. As the live entertainment ecosystem continues to flourish, this partnership aims to strengthen the intersection of entertainment, access and seamless payment experiences for scores of young, digitally savvy consumers seeking leisure offerings made affordable and seamless. Through this alliance, RuPay cardholders will enjoy special access to some of the most anticipated properties from the house of BookMyShow - Sunburn 2025, Lollapalooza India 2026, Bandland 2026 as well as a curated calendar of live event concerts featuring top Indian and international artists. These benefits include early pre-sale access, exclusive ticketing zones, curated food and beverage offerings, merchandise perks, fast-lane entry for top-ups and access to dedicated lounge areas at select venues. RuPay will also activate experiential spaces on-ground designed to elevate brand-consumer engagement in memorable, high-impact ways. Digitally, BookMyShow will integrate RuPay across key touchpoints including its homepage and post-transaction journey, directing users to discover exclusive RuPay-led benefits and access. This partnership not only unlocks tangible perks for users but also showcases how modern financial services can embed themselves within high-interest cultural moments through immersive offerings, deepening relevance among next-gen consumers looking for not only enriching experiences but also an ease in accessing and paying for them. NPCI spokesperson said, 'Entertainment and cultural experiences are a growing area of interest, especially for younger, digital-first users. We are building deeper engagement with our users by connecting with what resonates to them. Through this partnership, we aim to offer meaningful value combining access, ease, and exclusive benefits to position RuPay not just as a payment option, but as an enabler to rewarding and relevant experiences.' A BookMyShow spokesperson commented on the partnership stating, 'Live entertainment in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation as audiences increasingly seek experiences that are not only entertaining but also personalised, immersive and value-driven. At BookMyShow, we remain committed to innovating at the intersection of technology, culture and consumer expectations to meet this evolving demand for our partner brands. Our partnership with RuPay marks a significant step in re-imagining access and engagement for today's culture-forward consumer ensuring that the joy of entertainment goes beyond mere attendance to becoming something truly experiential, memorable and valued.' With this year-long partnership, BookMyShow and RuPay are poised to shape the future of live entertainment experiences in India bringing together culture, commerce and community in ways that leave a lasting impression. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
8 hours ago
- First Post
China probes what China does: Plagiarism scandal shakes Beijing's state-backed literary scene
In recent months, an anonymous Chinese blogger operating under the alias 'Lyrical Forest' has rattled the foundations of China's state-subsidised literary establishment. Known for his meticulous side-by-side text comparisons, he has published a growing archive of cases where notable Chinese authors appear to have closely mirrored the works of international literary figures. From Ian McEwan to Albert Camus and Gabriel García Márquez, the list of foreign authors allegedly plagiarised reads like a syllabus of global literature's greats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Sanlian Life Weekly, this digital detective began his journey innocently — reading children's literature to his own child — only to discover passages strikingly similar to those of Japanese author Naoko Yasubo. That discovery quickly led to further investigations and a broader campaign, culminating in widespread exposure of what many are now calling systemic plagiarism within the Chinese literary community. Silence of the literary establishment Despite the mounting evidence, China's literary elite has largely chosen to look the other way. Most of the authors implicated—including highly decorated writers published in leading journals such as Harvest, People's Literature and October — have yet to respond to the accusations. Only one author, Sun Pin, has publicly apologised. The rest remain silent, with some issuing vague denials or sidestepping the issue entirely. 'Lyrical Forest', whose online following surged from 1,000 to over 6,000 within weeks, insists his aim is not personal vindication but rather a moral reckoning within the literary world. He told Sanlian Life Weekly that his work was about justice and protecting originality, not shaming individuals. Still, his revelations have been met with hostility by parts of the publishing community, with at least one editor reportedly pressuring him to delete his findings, framing the overlaps as mere 'coincidence.' A crisis of confidence The scandal comes at a moment when public trust in China's cultural institutions is already fragile. The inaction of major literary journals has struck a nerve with readers, many of whom see their silence as complicity. As iNews pointed out, the only serious institutional response has come from Hong Kong Literature, which issued a rare and commendable statement acknowledging the problem, taking responsibility and pledging reform. In contrast, the mainland's major outlets have either ignored the scandal or subtly mocked the whistleblower. This divergence has only fuelled suspicion that China's literary sphere—long subsidised and shaped by the state — is more concerned with preserving its internal hierarchies than safeguarding artistic integrity. From copycat culture to amateur renaissance China's literary community is no stranger to allegations of copying. The case of Ye Weilin in the 1990s, who plagiarised Russian and Chinese writers before ultimately apologising, serves as a notable precedent. But what sets today's situation apart is both the scale of exposure and the digital tools available to track it. Free plagiarism checkers, online archives and widespread reader engagement have enabled a grassroots accountability movement that couldn't have existed a generation ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This climate has sparked a resurgence of what some are calling 'amateur writing.' Uncredentialed writers, many without formal literary backgrounds or publishing contracts, are gaining recognition online. According to commentary shared by Sanlian Life Weekly, many of these newcomers see the scandal as a clearing of the deck — an opportunity to write without conforming to the industry's often insular, and now discredited, gatekeeping structures. 'Lyrical Forest' himself is emblematic of this shift. Formerly employed in trend forecasting, he has no literary pedigree or professional ties to publishing. Yet his precise, methodical approach has outclassed the editorial oversight of entire magazines. He maintains that he never labels works as plagiarised outright, merely presenting the evidence and letting the public decide. Moral bankruptcy or institutional rot? For some observers, the scandal lays bare a deeper moral rot. As iNews put it, the literary world has ceased to be a sanctuary for talent, instead becoming a refuge for mediocrity propped up by mutual praise and prestige awards. Well-known authors like Mo Yan and Yu Hua, who have been associated with some of the plagiarists or praised their work, have remained conspicuously silent. The publication noted that the halo effect — where the fame of an author shields them from scrutiny — has created a space where even poorly written or unoriginal works are applauded. One particularly scathing remark described the literary scene as a 'granary covered with green hair,' suggesting that the problem is no longer a few bad actors but a systemic decay. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this context, plagiarism is not an aberration but a symptom of a literary culture that has lost its ethical compass. Institutions that should have served as arbiters of quality and guardians of originality are now seen by many as hollow facades, resistant to criticism and divorced from the very readers they claim to serve. China's broader copying controversy This literary scandal also taps into a long-running narrative about China's developmental model — one often accused of thriving on imitation. From the replication of Western technological designs to military hardware and even cultural practices, the notion of China 'copying the West' has become a trope in international discourse. Yet what makes this particular episode unique is that the accusation is coming from within. The bloggers, readers and amateur critics now challenging the establishment are not foreign observers but Chinese citizens disillusioned with the lack of originality in their national literature. Their frustration reflects a deeper cultural anxiety about authenticity, merit and moral integrity. An industry at a crossroads The fallout from the plagiarism scandal may well shape the future of Chinese literature. Will it provoke genuine reform, with greater accountability and openness to new voices? Or will the establishment continue its defensive crouch, banking on the short memory of the public? For now, 'Lyrical Forest' continues his solitary battle, bolstered by a community of readers who value honesty over pedigree. Whether or not the industry listens, his work has exposed a truth many already suspected, that behind the façade of state-endorsed brilliance lies a fragile ecosystem — one held together not by creativity, but by silence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
