Telangana government plans Rs 4,000 aid for kids in foster care
HYDERABAD: The state government is going to the rescue of the children in foster care, particularly those who have lost their biological parents.
It is initiating measures to strengthen care, sponsorship and post-institutional rehabilitation for orphans.
The cornerstone of the proposed policy is a new financial assistance scheme that would offer `4,000 per month to families or guardians who take in orphaned children under temporary custody or guardianship.
Speaking to TNIE, the officials from the Department of Women and Child Welfare, headed by Minister Dansari Anasuya alias Seethakka, said that the initiative is under active consideration and is expected to be launched during the current financial year.
The government estimates suggest that between 2,500 and 3,500 children could benefit from this targeted foster care initiative.
Fostering emotional and social growth The focus, according to departmental sources, is not only on providing shelter but also on fostering emotional and social growth through a family-like environment.
'Orphans often grow up without meaningful relationships. While orphanages offer basic necessities, they sometimes fall short in teaching human values and emotional bonds integral to the Indian family system. This scheme aims to bridge that gap and ensure holistic development,' said a senior official, requesting anonymity.
In addition to this proposed foster care support, the government is also looking to expand its existing 'sponsorship' programme, which currently provides financial assistance to over 7,000 vulnerable children living with extended family members. Under this programme, beneficiaries receive Rs 4,000 monthly to cover educational and health-related expenses. Authorities are now considering doubling the number of beneficiaries by the fiscal year 2025-26.
Recognizing the challenges faced by orphans as they transition into adulthood, the government is also planning a new post-care initiative designed to support young adults after they age out of institutional care. This transition support programme would aim to equip orphans with life skills and financial assistance to help them move toward independent living.
However, it remains to be seen as to when the government will roll out these social-security schemes designed for the wellbeing of the most disadvantaged children.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Office Para Dalhousie
Once the most politically charged precinct east of Suez, Kolkata's Dalhousie Square — now officially BBD Bag — is a living relic. It was the cradle of modern Indian governance, the workshop of the British East India Company, and the epicentre of Bengal's revolutionary fervour. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As the steel girders of the Mahakaran metro station pierce the subsoil of this historic heartland, and scaffolding wraps Writers' Buildings in a veil of future promise, the Square is slowly shifting its silhouette — from a colonial memoryscape to a dynamic urban commons. At the crossroads of nostalgia and necessity, Dalhousie Square stands at a unique moment in time. It is steeped in layered narratives — from the administrative architecture of the British Empire to revolutionary blood spilled in the name of freedom. Now, the future demands that it evolve into a space that not only honours its past but actively engages the civic life of contemporary Kolkata. "Dalhousie Square is not just a cluster of colonial-era buildings — it is the treasury of governance memories for all of modern south Asia," says Alapan Bandyopadhyay, former Bengal chief secretary and the current chairman of the Bengal Heritage Commission. Bandyopadhyay's relationship with the precinct is intimate. He spent long years working in the Writers' Buildings, the city's oldest and most symbolic secretariat. Its most iconic structure, the red-brick Writers' Buildings, is currently undergoing long-overdue restoration. Once the domain of the Company's "writers" — junior clerks — the edifice morphed into Bengal's administrative core through the 19th and 20th centuries. And yet, in its silent grandeur, it remained a watchtower of colonial nostalgia and an unwilling witness to post-Independence inertia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Heritage must not remain fossilised in nostalgia," Bandyopadhyay insists. "The challenge is to reimagine this historical heart of Kolkata as a dynamic, democratic, and sustainable public space — a cultural and administrative commons where history coexists with contemporary urban life." For decades, Dalhousie Square served as the office para — the de facto central business district (CBD) of Kolkata. While the centrality of this function persists, the precinct today battles dilapidation, traffic chaos, visual clutter, and urban disconnection. The area that once housed India's first reserve bank (Currency Building, 1770), Asia's first hotel (Spence's, 1830), first elevator (Raj Bhawan, 1892), first telegraph line (1854), world's first fingerprint bureau (1897), and now, Asia's first underwater Metro, is being forced to ask itself difficult questions: What is the future of a CBD that still operates on 19th-century blueprints? Can nostalgia become an asset in urban revitalisation? "There is an urgent need to bring pedestrian friendliness, restore architectural harmony, declutter signage, and reactivate historic spaces for civic engagement," says urban planner Dipankar Sinha, former DG (Town Planning) of KMC. "We don't need to turn Dalhousie into a tourist trap, but we must make it a civic spectacle." Bandyopadhyay sees the opportunity as transformative. "In the years ahead, I envision Dalhousie Square as a seamless confluence of preservation and progress," he explains. "Restored heritage structures should house public institutions, museums, think tanks, cultural hubs, and quiet courtyards for civic interaction." If the future is subterranean, Dalhousie is already digging in. The Mahakaran metro station, being built just south of the Writers' Buildings, symbolises not just physical connectivity, but philosophical renewal. Kolkata's first under-river metro is not only an engineering feat but also a metaphor for linking eras — past, present, and future. And while the future promises a cleaned-up square, enhanced public transport, and restored facades, it must also reckon with the emotional landscape that Dalhousie inhabits in the hearts of its citizens. Kolkata has long been called the Capital of Nostalgia, and nowhere is this truer than at Dalhousie. Every forgotten corner here has hosted the arc of empire, revolution, and resistance. The square is more than a site of colonial governance; it was also the theatre of resistance. In 1930, three young revolutionaries — Benoy, Badal, and Dinesh — stormed the Writers' Buildings to assassinate a top British official. Their sacrifice lent BBD Bag its present name. Even earlier, the Rodda Arms Heist of 1914, in which Bengali nationalists stole German Mauser pistols in broad daylight, unfolded in the same alleys. In 1930, C A Tegart, then police commissioner, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt right here. The resistance embedded in Dalhousie's stones still whispers beneath the city's postcolonial calm. Today, a red sign for AG Bengal on the Treasury Building — the former site of Spence's Hotel — sits jarringly over intricate friezes. The room where C V Raman once worked lies unmarked. Even President Rajendra Prasad walked these corridors, now largely anonymous to passersby. Dalhousie's heritage is not just something to be protected; it's a brand, a potential urban identity. "Dalhousie has been left with memories," said Chandranath Chattopadhyay, a cultural commentator. "But that can be a compliment. If only we could reimagine these neighbourhoods, get the world to gawk at their romance, stay in our hotels, carry our stories home—we could turn memory into momentum." Dalhousie's future is more than architectural — it is psychological. For a city battling modernity on uncertain terms, Dalhousie offers a unique roadmap: how to remain old without becoming obsolete, said P K Mishra, an archaeologist who worked for long at Dalhousie. Making of Dalhousie Dalhousie Square's story begins with Job Charnock of the British East India Company, who set up a kuthi (factory) near the Hooghly banks in 1690. From this foothold, the Company built Fort William, established St Anne's Church, and gradually acquired the villages of Sutanuti, Govindapur, and Kalikata — laying the foundation of modern Calcutta British historian H E A Cotton described Dalhousie as the "pivot of the settlement" in 'Calcutta Old and New' (1909), noting its role as the nerve centre of governance, commerce, and communication. Over the years, the square became home to a stunning array of 'firsts' — Asia's first hotel (Spence's), elevator (Raj Bhawan), telegraph line, fingerprint bureau, and more The area also witnessed pivotal moments of political resistance: the Rodda Arms Heist, the Benoy-Badal-Dinesh attack on Writers' Buildings, and multiple assassination attempts on British officials Also known as BBD Bag, the square is undergoing a crucial transformation. As the past is restored and the future built underground, Dalhousie remains the beating heart of a city that remembers — and dreams|
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From concrete to canopy: How Noida's Biodiversity Park turned a bird paradise
Noida: The whistling call of a rain quail pierces through the urban cacophony of Sector 91. It's an unlikely sound in this concrete jungle, but one that's becoming increasingly familiar with visitors of the Noida Biodiversity Park, which has emerged as the city's newest hub for bird enthusiasts. "I thought I was imagining it. The rain quail is mostly found in the grasslands. Hearing it here in the middle of high-rises was a pleasant surprise," recalls Afshan Hussain, describing her first encounter with the elusive bird during an evening walk in 2020. Over the past few years, the park has transformed from a simple recreational space to a thriving observation point for winged guests from across borders. Apart from the rain quail, Afshan has spotted several uncommon birds, such as the thick-billed flowerpecker and paradise flycatcher. "The grey-bellied cuckoo is not uncommon in this region, but it is very difficult to find it in the city area. This speaks much about how the habitat has changed. People usually go birding in Dhanauri, Surajpur, or Okhla. But some of us have started visiting this Sector 91 park regularly," she says. Developed by Noida Authority for Rs 37 crore and inaugurated in July 2019, this 110-acre park is the result of meticulous ecological planning. Nestled between the high-rises of Sector 137 and the residential lanes of Sector 93, it offers 70 acres of developed area with cycling tracks, walking trails, gazebos, and a water body. The park's unique feature, however, lies in its scientific design. There are four distinct biomes based on Yamuna floodplain's geology — Kohi (hilly terrain), Bangar (alluvial uplands), Khadar (sandy riverine areas), and Dabar (low-lying floodplains). More than 200 native species of trees, including babool, neem, jamun, wild grasses, and medicinal herbs, have replaced the previous eucalyptus monoculture, creating a haven that now hosts at least 150 varieties of bird. For longtime residents like Afshan, who has lived in nearby Parasnath Srishti for over 15 years, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. "Before this park, it was mostly quiet. After the native species were introduced, flora and fauna started to flourish. And the birds followed," she says. Despite established sanctuaries like Okhla and Dhanauri wetlands, the Sector 91 park has carved its own niche. Nisha Rai, a Sector 77 resident, discovered it during a cycling expedition in 2021. "Seeing a peacock casually walking near the forest edge was unexpected in Noida," she says, noting the diverse wildlife from eagles to butterflies. The park has also attracted wildlife observers. Ashir Kumar, a professional photographer from Greater Noida, leads nature walks here, including a recent WWF 'City Nature Challenge'. "Even though it's partially curated, dense patches still harbour thriving wildlife here," he says. Community engagement has flourished too. Bidisha Dutta, a publishing professional, has organised nature walks for children. "The park's layout allows for quiet nature pockets away from the main paths — perfect for educational activities. The kids hunt for their favourite colours, build shapes with twigs and leaves, and experience the ecosystems up close," she tells TOI. Bidisha and her husband hosted 20 Bengali families during a picnic last winter. Challenges, however, persist. The central water body is in dire need of maintenance, while excessive manicuring of certain areas has alarmed birders as well. Tapas Misra, a lawyer and birder, observes, "There are two faces to this park — untouched wilderness and landscaped areas. While it's perfect for beginners, it lacks the ecological balance of a sanctuary." Similarly, Eldeco Utopia resident Tripti Upadhyaya, who has spotted Indian paradise flycatchers, orange-headed thrushes, and taiga flycatchers, rues that the waterbody is often filled with muck and needs to be cleaned regularly. "Excessive pruning is an issue as well. Worms come to tall grass, and birds come for the worms. The more manicured a park is, the less welcoming it is for wildlife," she says. Asked about the upkeep, Anand Mohan, director of horticulture at Noida Authority, says, "We carry out regular maintenance work at the park. All washrooms were revamped recently. Yes, the water level at the pond goes low during summers, but we will make some arrangements using motorised pumps." Despite these concerns, the Sector 91 facility continues to evolve, with plans for a deer park in the pipeline.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Save Powai Lake' human chain plan off over BMC fee
Mumbai: A silent "Save Powai Lake" human chain scheduled for Sunday by local residents and nature lovers was cancelled after the BMC demanded a nominal "event fee" of Rs 11,000 to organise it at the lakeside. Green activists alleged they tried in vain to explain to civic officials that this was not an event but a public expression of concern to save the lake from pollution and floating weeds such as hyacinths. The human chain was planned for Sunday, June 8, to focus on the need to conserve Powai Lake as part of Mumbai region's biodiversity, said the activists. "For about a week the BMC was making us go round in circles for a simple no-objection certificate for the human chain after we obtained the police nod," said Pamela Cheema, chairperson of the advanced locality management committee (ALMC). Police suggested that the organisers seek the BMC's approval as well. Cheema said, "Despite the police forwarding them our request and we ourselves presenting the BMC's S ward office our request, the officials were searching for the documents till Friday." The BMC insisted on payment of "a nominal fee of Rs 11,000" for using the Powai Lake premises, she said. BMC's sub-engineer from S ward, Veer Alankar, said he sent the circular and the fee payable to Cheema since it is an event. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "We are not holding a concert or any cultural event," Cheema said. Calling the BMC event fee for the human chain as unprecedented, NatConnect director B N Kumar said, "It amounts to scuttling the democratic rights of environmentalists to freedom of speech. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to a clean environment." Kumar further said they will regroup and discuss the future course to save the lake. In the past two weeks, though, following the local citizens' appeal to save the lake, the BMC has started mechanically removing the water hyacinths from the lake's surface. The process is still on at the lake site by using machines to cut and remove the hyacinths. Local resident and photographer Mukesh Trivedi said, "Perhaps the senior civic officials could have waived off the 'event fee' because none of us were going to form the human chain for any commercial gain." "As much as we have passionately worked towards this cause, we are being forced to not go ahead with it due to bureaucratic hurdles," said Milan Bhat, one of the organisers. "It has been a sad day for our environment, but we haven't lost hope. We will come back stronger," she said.
