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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- 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.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Cross-border couples face uncertain futures
Considering the history of bilateral tensions, for most people on both sides of the Indo-Pak border, the worsening of ties stirs two nonchalant reactions — curiosity or amusement. However, for a small segment of the population — those caught in cross-border marriages — the closing of the border mean bidding an emotional farewell to their loved ones across the divide. Recently, in the aftermath of a terrorist attack targeting tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Indian government announced a series of drastic retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including the closure of the border and the unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. While India's impulsive decision to shut the border and cut off the water supply was met with sarcasm and humour by social media users in Pakistan, the true burden of worsening bilateral ties is borne single-handedly by thousands of couples in cross-border marriages. Afshan Saif, who lives in India's capital, New Delhi, is originally from Karachi, Pakistan. After her marriage she moved to her husband's home in India. "My maternal grandfather is seriously ill and hospitalized. I was supposed to travel to Karachi with my family in May to visit him, however, this will not be possible in light of the recent happenings," lamented Afshan. Similarly, Naseeb Akhtar Bilal, who was married into a family in Karachi, hailed from New Delhi, India. Due to the recent tensions between the two rivals, her hopes of visiting her parents and siblings in India next month seem to be fading. "Now, I can only talk to my family via video calls. I have not met my siblings in years," shared Naseeb. Mohammad Saif, a citizen of New Delhi, told The Express Tribune that he married a woman from Karachi. The true complexities of a cross-border marriage struck the couple during the Covid-19 pandemic, when his wife was visiting her parents in Karachi and the closure of the border prevented them from reuniting. "I know at least 30 couples who have cross-border marriages. Pakistani women who marry into India are granted a "No Objection Return to India" visa, but as soon as tensions escalate, they face many challenges," Saif explained. According to Abdul Basit, former ambassador to India and an expert on diplomatic affairs, cross-border relationships are an underacknowledged reality of the subcontinent. "If we ignore the existence of such marriages, we will actually destroy a natural bridge of peace between the two nations. These couples also face complex legal issues concerning citizenship, the legal rights of their children, and property ownership. If the couple decides to part ways, the court proceedings become entangled in international jurisdiction," Basit elaborated. Emphasizing the ostracization faced by couples in cross-border marriages, Professor Dr Shabnam Gul, Chairperson of the Department of International Relations at the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), revealed that people who had family ties across the border were often viewed with suspicion, particularly regarding their loyalty to their home country. "Such people are taunted for having ties with an 'enemy country'. In India, it has become a common practice to call such people 'Pakistani agents'. As a result, such couples face issues involving personal security, the safety of children and permanent residence. As diplomatic relations deteriorate, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to live in one country. The current situation has disastrous consequences not only at the state level but also socially since the retaliatory measures taken by both the countries have fueled hatred among the people," opined Dr Gul. Dr Gul believed that the brewing of this hatred has isolated families connected across the border. "Sometimes their personal relationships are deeply affected since it becomes difficult to maintain love for one's own country and a negative perception of the spouse's country at the same time. In such situations, restoration of peace and reconciliation efforts become almost impossible because when distrust and hostility prevail in the atmosphere, the voices of peace are suppressed," explained Dr Gul. In light of the prevailing bilateral tensions, diplomatic experts have suggested introducing a special "Family Visa Card" for cross-border families, allowing visa-on-arrival facilities for emergencies like the sickness of parents or a death in the family. They have also proposed establishing a special crossing point at the Wagah-Attari border, where families could meet under specific conditions.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Caught between border barriers
A woman, an Indian citizen who was married to a Pakistani man, speaks to BSF soldiers demanding to allow her through the Wagah border post. Photo: AFP Despite ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India that have led to the closure of the Wagah-Attari border, repatriation of citizens from both countries continues under limited circumstances. On Friday, 191 Pakistani nationals returned home from India, while 287 Indian citizens were repatriated from Pakistan. However, individuals holding long-term visas, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and those with "No Objection to Return to India" stamps were denied border crossing, immigration sources confirmed. Indian-origin foreign nationals, including Sikh families, were also stopped by Indian immigration and security officials. Among those barred from crossing were approximately 18 Indian women and their families, many of whom are married to Pakistani nationals. These women staged a protest at the Indian side of the border after being refused entry into Pakistan. One such woman, Afshan Jahangir, who had travelled over 900 kilometers from Jodhpur to reach the border, expressed her anguish. "At any cost, I need to reach my children today. My husband and two kids are in Pakistan," she said. "If there is an official protocol for married women, why is it not being followed?" Afshan explained that she had come to India for a brief visit to see her parents and seek medical treatment, on a 45-day visa. Her return date was scheduled for March 27, but due to rising tensions, she arrived at the border earlier than planned. "But the authorities simply told me, 'this is beyond our control,'" she added. Another woman, Shadab from Delhi, shared a similar ordeal. "My four children are in Karachi and they cry for me every day," she said. Married for 15 years, she had been frequently travelling between the two countries on valid visas. "Today, I've been stopped even though my application for Pakistani citizenship is under process." Both women alleged that they were denied entry solely because they held Indian passports, despite their deep familial and residential ties in Pakistan. "My children are Pakistani citizens, my husband is Pakistani, and I've completed all the paperwork for my own citizenship. Yet I'm treated like I belong nowhere," said Afshan. They also complained of financial hardship, having spent Rs100,000 to Rs150,000 on their travel. "Is there any law that separates a mother from her children? What crime have we committed other than marrying across the border?" asked Afshan. "Punish the terrorists, but why should ordinary families suffer?" Similarly, an Indian-origin Sikh family from Canada was also denied entry into India and had to return to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Indian authorities reportedly advised them to travel to India via Dubai by air instead of crossing through Wagah. Despite the border being officially closed, limited repatriation operations continue. Indian nationals visiting relatives in Pakistan were allowed to return after routine checks, and Pakistani citizens stranded in India were received at the border under special permissions. However, a significant number of individuals, especially women married across the border, remain caught in bureaucratic limbo amid diplomatic tensions.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The tragic past of the Harry Potter star 'standing by JK Rowling': Afshan Azad was forced to flee from family after her brother assaulted her for 'having a Hindu boyfriend'
Despite starring in the world's most famous movie franchise, British actress Afshan Azad lives a life of relative normalcy today. Afshan, now 37, shot to fame after she was cast as teenage witch Padma Patil in the Harry Potter film adaptations based on controversial author JK Rowling 's bestselling books. However, the role remains Afshan's only acting credit as the Manchester native retreated from the spotlight after the final instalment of the series was released in 2011. When she returned to screens briefly for a presenter role in 2017, Afshan told her fans she had spent the years after Harry Potter 'travelling, eating a lot of food, and generally loving life back at home'. And, it appeared, healing from the personal tragedy that was unfolding in parallel to her professional success. Nearly 15 years ago, Afshan was forced to flee her home in Longsight, Manchester, after her older brother, Ashraf Azad, brutally assaulted and threatened to kill her for having a Hindu boyfriend. Afshan, who has since found love with her husband Nabil Kazi, reportedly climbed out of her bedroom window at the family home and sought refuge with friends in London after the 'nasty and prolonged' attack that lasted three hours. Ashraf, who was arrested and pleaded guilty to assault, flew into a rage after discovering Afshan - whose family are 'devout Muslims' - was romantically involved with a Hindu man at the time. During his trial in December 2010, Manchester Crown Court heard how Ashraf battered his younger sister, leaving her bruised and swollen, and branded her a 'slag' after finding out about her secret affair. At the time, prosecuting lawyer Richard Vardon QC told the court how Afshan was 'the victim of an unpleasant assault by her brother' who disapproved of her relationship. Things came to a head on the night of May 21, 2010, when Ashraf overheard Afshan talking to her boyfriend on the phone and lost his temper. 'I can hear you from here,' he reportedly shouted, before adding: 'Who the f*** do you think you are talking to? Watch what I will do.' The court was told how Ashraf then grabbed Afshan by the hair and threw her across the bedroom, while she was crying and begging him to stop. The extent of his three-hour assault was revealed ahead of Ashraf's sentencing in January 2011 when the court heard how he punched her in the back and to the head as she cowered in a ball on the floor. He reportedly hit her several times before dragging Afshan by her hair to their father Abdul Azad's bedroom and told the patriarch to 'sort your daughter out' for tarnishing the family name. The ordeal continued as Ashraf, who had reportedly been drinking, attempted to strangle Afshan before leaving the house to look for her Hindu boyfriend. Mr Vardon revealed that Afshan was told she had no choice but to marry a Muslim man 'or die' as her mother labelled her a 'prostitute' and asked 'why are you obsessed with sex?' It was reported that Ashraf then said, 'I'm going to kill you. I'm actually going to kill you,' and left the room before he started 'rattling through the kitchen drawers' looking for a knife. 'She was feeling very scared,' the lawyer said, before explaining her decision to run away the next morning. 'She felt that if she stayed things would get much worse. She said she was in genuine fear for her life.' Both Afshan's father, Abul Azad, and brother were subsequently arrested and charged with making threats to kill her. Afshan was also charged with one count of assault with intent to cause bodily harm that he later pleaded guilty to. Despite her initial statement to the police, however, Afshan maintained she never wanted to take any legal action against her family members who she 'loved dearly'. Their lawyer John Wolfson at the time claimed that Afshan had tried to have her statement retracted and also ' pleaded with the Crown Posecution Service not to proceed with the matter'. 'This is a desperately sad situation. She never wanted her father or brother locked up.' Afshan did not testify at the trial and also pleaded for leniency ahead of Ashraf's sentencing, begging the judge not to jail her older brother after both Abul and Ashraf were formally found not guilty of making threats to kill. 'She expresses good feelings about her family in general and brother in particular,' Judge Roger Thomas QC read from her letter. 'She expresses concern about being estranged from her family.' However, the judge sentenced Ashraf - who was said to be 'utterly ashamed by his behaviour' that he blamed on alcohol - to six months in prison to send a 'clear message' that domestic violence 'cannot be tolerated'. Her father accepted to be bound over for £500 to keep the peace for 12 months. Afshan, whose family is originally from Bangladesh, was studying for her AS levels at Xaverian College in Rusholme, Manchester, when she was cast in the 2005 film Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. Before being picked to play the part of Padma Patil, the twin sister of Parvati Patli (Shefali Chowdhury), in the Harry Potter movies, Afshan had never acted and only went to the audition for a laugh. Reflecting on her audition, she called it 'the best experience of my life'. 'I was a bit star-struck – I was a big Harry Potter fan.' Since then, she has continued to thank Rowling - who has been widely criticised in recent years for her stance on trans issues - publicly for creating the fictional universe that launched her career. But her co-stars are less keen to be associated with Rowling while she continues to express divisive views on transgender rights. Rowling - who also writes under the male pen name of Robert Galbraith - has been celebrating after the Supreme Court ruled that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex when interpreting the Equality Act. She shared an image of herself puffing on a cigar on board her superyacht, captioned 'I love it when a plan comes together' after The A-Team character Hannibal, following the ruling, which has sparked protests across the country. Following the post, Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff, who portrayed Quidditch captain Oliver Wood in three films, took to social media to label Rowling a 'bigot'. Other stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have previously voiced support for trans people and publicly dissented against Rowling's views. Though not mentioning the recent storm, Afshan took to Instagram in the days following Rowling's comments on the ruling to share a tribute to the wizarding franchise. She posted a photograph of herself smiling alongside a poster of herself as Patil as she attended German Potter Con at Arenfels Castle in Neuwied. Remaining silent on the Supreme Court ruling, she gushed over how 'lucky' she is to still be involved with the wizarding franchise 24 years after the first movie hit screens. 'I was once in a film you may have watched.. how lucky are we that we still get to travel to meet our incredible fans!' her caption read. The mother-of-two is active on Instagram, sharing images of her life with husband Nabil Kazi, whom she married in 2018, and their two daughters. She is not afraid to comment on political issues, using a May 2024 post to accuse Israel of 'the worst genocide in all of history' amidst its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. She has not, however, commented directly on the Supreme Court case.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Doctor run over and killed at hospital
A doctor was killed in the car park of the hospital where she worked by a delivery driver who did not check his blind spot properly, the Old Bailey has heard. Dr Anjum Afshan, 62, was walking to catch a bus after work when she was run over by Gulamo Remtula, who reversed his van from an entrance outside Clayponds Rehabilitation Hospital in Ealing, west London, the court was told. One of Dr Afshan's colleagues witnessed the incident, which happened at about 15:50 GMT on 12 January 2023, and rushed into the hospital to get help. An hour later Dr Afshan was declared dead. Mr Remtula, 58, of Harrow, west London, denies causing death by careless driving. Dr Afshan was hit from behind and thrown forward by the impact but the van continued reversing and she became pinned by the rear axle, the court heard. Her grieving relatives left the court as CCTV footage of the incident was played to the jury. Prosecutor Frederick Hookway said Mr Remtula was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van with a box trailer and that the vehicle did not have an audible reversing alarm. Mr Hookway told the jury: "In this case, the prosecution invite you to conclude the driving was careless because the defendant reversed through a car park without making adequate checks of his blind spot, and so was inattentive before moving off. "He knew pedestrians shared this space with his vehicle and so it was incumbent upon him to make sure that no-one was behind his van before he began to reverse." Mr Hookway added: "The central issue, and the main thing for you to resolve when you consider your verdict, is your assessment of the defendant's standard of driving and how that contributed to this incident." A post-mortem examination gave Dr Afshan's cause of death as a crush injury to the chest and traumatic asphyxia. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to HM Courts and Tribunals Service
