Latest news with #AnindyaSaha
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Plan an ice-cream social with scoops, sprinkles & swirls
Pic: Anindya Saha When the mercury climbs and the sun beats down, there's no sweeter escape than the cool, creamy comfort of an ice- cream social. It's a throwback to simpler times — joyful, hands-on, and perfect for all ages. Kids revel in the chance to build their dream sundaes, while adults indulge their inner child, debating over toppings like rainbow sprinkles or caramel drizzle. The setup is easy, the vibes are high, and the mess is half the fun. Forget sweltering in the heat and plan this fun summer activity for your buddies. From colourful décor and retro music, to the best frozen treats to cool off. Lahoma Bhattacharya played the perfect host, throwing the ultimate ice-cream social for friends Raipurna Halder, Sanjukta Dutta and Imon Sengupta. CT joined in the fun too, capturing every sweet, sticky moment. A sweet sprinkle of toppings An ice-cream social is meant to bring out your inner child so don't hold back on the toppings. Chef Vidisha Batwal suggests getting playful with your ice-cream presentation — think mini tubs like the ones you'd find at a kid's birthday party, perfect for serving up cheerful little waffle sundaes; or go a little extra with bubble waffles rolled into cones and generously filled with your favourite scoops. For something a bit more unexpected, she advises trying crispy crepe rolls that act as both wrap and dessert — a deliciously edible upgrade that adds a gourmet touch. Craft the perfect aesthetic Table runners in pastel stripes or polka dots Small signage like 'Build Your Own Sundae', 'Toppings Bar', or 'Scoop Me Up!' Backdrops with ice-cream illustrations, balloon arches, or ice-cream parlour themes Themed props like waffle cone cutouts and carts Serving displays with labelled jars, cake stands, and tiered trays for toppings Consider adding a DIY sundae or float station, live ice-cream churning demo or hiring a gelato cart Polaroid photo corner with themed props for guests to take the perfect Insta-worthy shot Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pedalling through wetlands that feed & cleanse the city
Pic: Anindya Saha On World Biodiversity Day, Calcutta Times took the off-road bicycling trails of the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW). We ventured on the trail with cyclists who frequent the e marshy fields and tree-laden groves, by the expansive water bodies – to rediscover the 'kidneys of Kolkata'. It cleanses the city's wastewater naturally through its own ecosystem of ponds, algae and fish. Kolkata is the only Indian metro to boast such a natural system – saving an approximate `500 crore per annum in the process (other metros, like Delhi, pay for wastewater treatment). The wetlands, spread across 12,500 hectares, is an ecologically critical and biodiversity-rich ecosystem that also serves as a bicycling hotspot for a large section of the city's riders. But this frail bubble needs better awareness – and the responsibility lies with us. 'Responsibility is key' Wetland mornings see a fair share of recreational cyclists. The venue hosts a range of migratory bird species – which makes it a favourite haunt for birders, who gather around shallow ponds (bheris), mudflats or grassy embankments near Chinarpur, Bantala and Nalban. All of this, however, needs to be handled responsibly. Noise, littering, plastic waste – these are pollutants that elicit a strict no from environment organisations. 'While Ramsar recognition brought awareness, scientific interest and legal recognition to the EKW, it has not been sufficient to counteract the pressures of urbanisation and climate vulnerability,' said Sayantani Dutta of Jaladarsha Collective, an organisation dedicated to the preservation of waterbodies in and around Kolkata. While there has been a rise in community groups and green NGOs conducting 'eco-cycling' tours to raise awareness from Khoriberia to Kheyadoho, ultimately, the onus to preserve the delicate balance of the EKW ecosystem is on us, as citizens. Bicycles, the most important commute Roads in and around the EKW are mostly unpaved — ideal for bikes, not cars. Bicycles act as the backbone of daily logistics in this delicate landscape. This landscape, recognised as a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance), is crucial to Kolkata's food security infrastructure. It supports over 20,000 local fisherfolk and farmers. Most of them use cycles to transport fresh fish and vegetables to local markets in Kolkata. 'Many local schoolchildren commute on cycles, keeping the carbon footprint low,' said Nobina Gupta, founder director of the Disappearing Dialogues Foundation. With pukka roads comes the proliferation of auto-rickshaws, spewing noxious fumes. The Metro Railways, cutting through a part of the wetlands, pose another hazard in terms of noise, especially for crepuscular and nocturnal bird species. EKW is also home to Indian Palm Squirrels, Fishing Cats and Indian Flapshell Turtles Migratory birds sighted at EKW Northern Pintail Wood Sandpiper Rosy Starling Siberian Stonechat Quotes: Unregulated solid waste dumping has led to the water quality in the EKW being affected, with plastic pollution being a major threat to fish and aquatic plants – Sayantani Dutta, co-founder, Jaladarsha Collective Development, if not sustainability-focused, is bound to pose an ecological hazard to the EKW's frail ecosystem – Nobina Gupta, founder director, Disappearing Dialogues FoundationEarly morning wetland views are absolutely breathtaking. It is a Kolkata not many have seen – Ritobrata Patra, cyclist
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Paws & paints: Kolkata's new era of pet adoption
Pics: Anindya Saha Kolkata is giving pet adoption a colourful twist. At Pawcasso & Paints, an adoption drive-turned-art party, animal lovers gathered at a city cafe last Sunday not just to find furry companions but to team up with them for a lively afternoon of painting. Four Indies were up for adoption, two found homes, and many more tails wagged in support as people painted canvases and tote bags with their four-legged friends lending a paw. The bigger picture: Rescues, adoptions, and new beginnings A large part of the event's spirit was driven by rescue stories — like the litter of puppies cared for by Nandita Thirani after their mother was killed in a road accident. "From two and a half weeks old, I brought them up," said Nandita. "Six have been adopted, but Calcutta is not easy for Indies. Most adoptions happened outside the city." Another veteran rescuer, Sutapa Basu, spoke about dedicating over three decades to strays. "I've almost given up my designing career to work only for stray animals," Sutapa said. "Recently I even traveled with puppies by train to Mumbai for adoptions, next stop is Vizag" The event also celebrated existing bonds, like Keshav Mantri's story of Blue, a four-year-old Indie with a special origin story. "She's very friendly — she loves people more than dogs," Keshav said. "My Nandita Thirani and Meenakshi Pandya brother saw her in Manali, and just brought her back. We've had her for four years now." "I think more than me adopting her, she adopted me today. I played with others too, but when she came, she never left." — Puja Sengupta, first-time adopter of a puppy she's naming Cheesecake "The whole idea of getting your kids and dogs together on a Sunday is amazing. I've never tried painting with my dog — maybe this is a sign!" — Alankriti Jain, pet parent to Zoey "My dog passed away two years ago. These events keep me connected till I'm ready again. To interact with dogs and paint at the same time puts two things I love together," -Kinney Shah , who met Layla, a 2.5-month-old puppy, and painted with her perched on his lap. 'Kolkata has always been known for its deep love for art and this event was born from this very spirit — blending the city's passion for both animals and creativity'- Dipti Jain, one of the organisers
