BMC plaques at 100 landmarks: Plan and execution poles apart, say locals
Mumbai: Over a year after BMC's legacy plaque project at 100 landmarks in D ward to promote its rich historical and cultural heritage, locals have claimed that the vision and the execution have been poles apart—that not only are footpaths now more cluttered but the signage too are difficult to read.
The ward is home to some of Mumbai's most iconic institutions like Jinnah House, Royal Opera House, Sophia College, and Babulnath and Mahalaxmi temples. The Rs 18-lakh project initially proposed installation of physical plaques on or near the landmarks, but due to concerns raised by some property owners over attaching signage directly to these buildings, BMC eventually opted for a more flexible approach: setting up slender poles on footpaths bearing the name of the institution, along with a QR code.
Scanning the QR code takes users to a webpage detailing the site's significance.
BMC began installation of the poles in Nov 2023 and completed it by March 2024. "This was a pilot project. The poles are of an average height of a person," said an official.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
Some residents pointed out that Mumbai's footpaths are already cluttered and the poles have only added to the chaos. "Just having the name on a pole serves little purpose—there should have been a brief history included.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
2 & 3 Premium BHK starting ₹ 2 Cr* at Siddha Sky, Wadala
Siddha Sky
Learn More
Undo
Most of the areas that are part of the project are busy thoroughfares where people can't stop to scan a QR code," said Sarosh Bana, who resides in D ward's Malabar Hill.
Mukul Mehra of Nepeansea Road Citizens Forum said such projects should involve locals in the planning process. "The QR codes are placed so high that scanning them is inconvenient. Even a few lines of history printed on the poles would have been more effective.
People aren't likely to stop on a busy street to scan a code and read a webpage. This concept would have worked far better in public parks, where people have the time and inclination to engage with such content," he said.
BMC officials said the shift was necessary to ensure that the project could move forward without delays. "Our goal is to raise awareness about the historical importance of specific locations in D ward. The digital format also allows us to include more detailed information than a small plaque could," said an official.
Tardeo resident Dr Nilesh Baxi said the concept was promising but its execution has fallen short. "The font is so small that you have to get really close to read it, and even then, it's difficult if there's low light. In many places, these poles have been placed right next to existing road signs with much larger lettering, making them redundant," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Watch: Bihar gets Rs 100 crore road, but trees left in the middle; Drivers dodge danger, call it disaster waiting to happen
A road built at a cost of Rs 100 crore in Bihar's Jehanabad district, around 50 km from Patna, is drawing attention, not for its quality, but for the trees standing right in the middle of it. The 7.48-km stretch on the Patna–Gaya main road was meant to ease traffic and improve connectivity. However, the project took an unusual turn when authorities failed to remove several trees, which now stand awkwardly and dangerously in the centre of the newly widened road. — venkat_fin9 (@venkat_fin9) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Sukamanah (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now During the road-widening process, the district administration approached the forest department for permission to cut down the trees. But the request was denied. The forest department asked for compensation for 14 hectares of forest land, which the administration was unable to provide. Live Events — souravreporter2 (@souravreporter2) Instead of resolving the issue, the road was constructed around the trees, leaving them in the middle of the traffic lane. The trees are not aligned in a straight row. They are scattered unevenly, forcing drivers to swerve suddenly to avoid collisions. Local residents say that the area has already witnessed multiple accidents due to this unsafe road design. Locals describe it as a serious safety hazard, saying, anyone driving at night or at high speed can easily crash into these trees. Despite growing concerns, the administration has not taken any concrete steps to fix the problem. Many locals feel that public money has been wasted, and that the government has put lives at risk. Inputs from agencies
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Manosphere': When influencers normalize misogyny for clicks
Representative Image (AI-generated) Misogyny is spreading on social media through the so-called "manosphere." These masculinity influencers, often young, well-educated men, present themselves as victims of feminism and call for their power to be "reclaimed. " Young users often come across this content by chance and get hooked. They end up existing in a parallel world full of anger, frustration and toxic ideology. The manosphere is a melting pot for anti-feminist narratives, which, thanks to social media, can spread like wildfire. The content ranges from manipulative dating advice to political demands aimed at weakening the social position of women to outright misogyny. What they all have in common is a fundamental rejection of equality between the sexes. Many videos appear professionally produced. "They are men with microphones, usually in podcast situations, ranting about things like how women should not have a high 'body count' — in other words, that they shouldn't have slept with many men. This manosphere claims to be based on natural and traditional values, but it's actually about oppression," says Tara-Louise Wittwer, an author and video producer (@wastarasagt) who has been working on this topic for many years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo "According to this traditional worldview, women are actively chosen by men. This is one of the alpha male's desired motives," says Wittwer. "But the reality here is different: For the most part, a woman can choose someone herself, choose no one at all, choose another woman, or stay alone and perhaps be quite happy at 30 with three cats. That makes these kinds of men angry. They see they are losing power over women." After a few hours scrolling through the world of masculinity influencers, one notices they share a similar perception of the world: Modern society is set against men, and men are therefore at a disadvantage. The desire for old social structures and gender stereotypes dominates these social media channels. The rise of the Christian influencers: Christian influences, or "Christfluencers," as they are sometimes referred to, who invoke religion to restrict women's rights, propagate the same message. "It's an attempt to shift responsibility. Along the lines of, 'It's not our fault that we oppress women, because God or Jesus said so,' or 'Women are just worth less because of biology, are only allowed to be with a few men, are only allowed to do this and that,'" says Wittwer. More and more women are also jumping on board. "Make him a sandwich" is a hashtag used by women who share the views of the manosphere and the ideology of "natural order" in relation to gender. "These women often highlight that it's their choice to live this dependent life — and that is not to be condemned at all. If a woman says, 'I want to be a traditional housewife, I'm fulfilled by being at home, cooking and having children,' then of course that's fine. Feminists fought for a long time to have this choice," says Wittwer. The problem is that when women are primarily active in the home, they disappear from public life and are unable to help shape [political] decisions and processes. Many of these women who share the ideas of the manosphere also create accounts and promote their lifestyle as the only valid one. "Anyone who doesn't do this is labeled mentally ill and told they need therapy. As is so often the case, feminism is portrayed as an illness," says Wittwer. Poisoned discourse on social media: Wittwer is also active online and regularly produces German-language videos on the topic of equality and solidarity among women. She critically analyzes how patriarchal structures and influencers spread misogynistic content on social media — concise, pointed and with subtle humor. But not everyone likes it. Comments like "but you have everything in Germany," in reference to women's rights in the country, are not uncommon. "Statistics, however, show that every other day, women are killed by their partners or former partners," she points out. The criticism directed at her doesn't just come from men, but also from the feminist camp. "For some, I'm not radical enough. For example, I don't sympathize with the 4B movement (This radical feminist movement originates in South Korea and opposes marriage to men; women should not have children, romantic relationships, or sex with men: Eds.), partly because I have a husband myself, whom I wouldn't want to be without. It's not about marriage or not marriage. It's about women having choices and being able to decide. Women and men are not identical, but they are of equal value. And many people don't seem to want to understand that. It's about equal rights and equal value." So, it is exactly the opposite of what the followers of the manosphere, whether men or women, want. The increasing popularity of this misogynistic movement poses great danger, with platforms like TikTok and YouTube serving as the perfect breeding grounds. Influencers sell toxic masculinity images as lifestyle tips and disguise hate as "truth." Young men are particularly vulnerable to this content. Social media is creating a new wave of misogynistic narratives that can be socially explosive.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
APEPDCL to provide electricity to 23000 PVTG tribal households under PM Janajati Adivasi Trijan Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 30 (ANI): The Government of India is providing free electricity connections to houses without electricity through the Pradhan Mantri Janajati Adivasi Trijan Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, whose aim is to provide infrastructure to PVTG tribal settlements living in remote areas, a press release from APEPDCL said. For this scheme, officials from Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) have identified 23,000 PVTG houses without electricity in tribal villages and settlements under its jurisdiction. As part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Man Yojana program, the company officials have taken action on a war footing to provide electricity to remote areas under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The electricity staff worked hard to transport the electricity poles, transformers, conductors and other equipment required to establish the electricity network to remote tribal areas that lack roads and transportation facilities. APEPDCL CMD Prithviraj Imadi would regularly hold special meetings at the electricity substations and provide necessary instructions to the staff, and would also personally visit the tribal villages to inspect the electricity meters installed free of charge for tribal households. Although establishing a network for tribal villages was challenging, the electricity staff, through their collective efforts, provided free electricity connections to more than 22,000 houses in a remarkably short period, bringing electricity to the tribal settlements. While the government's goal is to provide electricity to every household, some tribal villages located in the hills have not been connected to electricity lines. Some tribal families who engaged in shifting cultivation and periodically changed their residences on the hills were provided with five solar-powered LED bulbs, a fan, a charging point, two switchboards, and a solar plant stand. Each family was provided with electricity by providing a free package worth Rs. 50,000. To celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, village assemblies were organised for the PVTG villages that had completed electrification under the APEPDCL area. The company officials certified that all tribal houses in the respective gram panchayat had been electrified, and certificates were given to the village sarpanches who had cooperated in this effort. As of May 17, 23,024 out of 23,087 households without electricity have been connected to the power grid. Through RDSS, 15,102 out of 15,475 households have been supplied with electricity at Rs 48 crores. Through DAJGUA, 487 out of 3,745 families have been provided with electricity, amounting to Rs14.23 crores as of May 17. As part of the Government of India's PM Janman Scheme, electrification and housing are being provided to particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), especially those in remote and migratory habitations with less than five households. Around 1,000 such tribal households have been identified. To address their unique needs, electrification is being implemented in three ways: Individual Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHLS) - Portable kits with solar panels, batteries, lights, and fans for migratory use. Solar mini-grids - For small, isolated communities, particularly those located on hilltops. Solar-Wind Hybrid Mini-Grids - For areas with mixed renewable potential. These efforts are primarily focused on the APEPDCL jurisdiction, which covers the tribal belts from Srikakulam to the Alluri Sitharama Raju districts. About 70% of the 14,312 genuine applicants of the PM Surya Ghar (PMSG) scheme under the Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Power Distribution Company of A.P. Limited (APEPDCL) are generating electricity on their rooftops. Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV) systems have been installed on the roofs of 11 districts under the North Coastal Andhra Power Distribution Company (Discom). (ANI)
