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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Plastic ban falls flat at bhandara events
Days before the World Environment Day on June 5, the city displayed a flagrant disregard for environmental rules with the rampant use of single-use plastic items by the hundreds of bhandara organisers on Tuesday. Based on the figures provided by the waste collection agencies, it is safe to assume that the city generated several tonnes of banned plastic in just a day. Despite Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC's) efforts to promote eco-friendly practices during the ongoing Bada Mangal festivities, the overt use of plastic cutlery also showcased the authorities' inefficiency in implementing the rules, a major part of which is also because of their easy availability. On Tuesday alone, the agencies collected 120 metric tons of surplus waste from 293 registered bhandara events. While the agencies only had the data for this Tuesday, they said a similar amount of waste must have been generated on the last four Bada Mangal days as well. As many as 314 and 376 organisers had registered their events during the festivities held on May 27 and 20, respectively. The nationwide ban on plastic plates, cups, and other cutlery, which remain commonplace at many bhandara events and lead to streets being littered with non-biodegradable waste, has been in effect since July 2022. These reporters visited multiple bhandara events organised in the city on the day and witnessed several lacunas in enforcement. Most organisers continued to use the prohibited plastic items, undermining LMC's 'zero-waste' objectives. While several were found to be using paper plates and bowls to serve food, they served water and juices in plastic cups. Even spoons and bottles offered to devotees were made of plastic. The lack of affordable eco-friendly alternatives was a major reason for this blatant violation, they said. Despite dustbins installed at many places, devotees were seen littering the streets. 'Plastic cups cost only half as much as their eco-friendly counterparts. It is not affordable for everyone to buy paper cups in thousands,' said Satish Mishra, who had set up a stall at Vibhuti Khand. 'We buy plastic items because they are easily available in the market. If the administration wants to ban them, it should then first ban their production and sale,' said Dinkar Soni, the organiser of a bhandara near Bhootnath market. Meanwhile, LMC has already notified all bhandara organisers to mandatorily register their events and adhere to zero-waste protocols. These protocols include the installation of separate bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. However, hardly any location was equipped with such separate dustbins. Surplus garbage Abhay Ranjan, the regional head of a private firm handling waste collection in five city zones, said garbage generation shot up by 100 MT on the days when bhandara events were organised. 'We usually collect 1,400 MT of waste daily. On Tuesdays, this rises to 1,500 metric tons due to bhandara and associated activities,' he noted. Another company managing waste collection in the other three zones reported the collection of a surplus 15–20 MT of waste on Tuesday. 'Fortunately, several shops remained shut, making waste collection slightly easier,' one of its officials added. 'People who don't inform us [about the events] are either managing waste on their own or dumping them on the roads. Our vehicles collect them later,' said an LMC official. 40% events unregistered As many as 293 bhandara events were organised on Tuesday, as per official figures. LMC, which only issued an advisory requesting the public to refrain from using single-use plastic on Tuesday after four Bada Mangal days, was yet to launch any enforcement drive to check the use of plastic at these events. Officials admitted that nearly 40% of bhandara events being organised were unregistered. The registrations were mandated to improve waste collection and management. LMC environmental engineer Sanjeev Pradhan said: 'No special enforcement drive has been carried out during bhandara programmes. We haven't issued any fines for the violations.' Pradhan added LMC collected around ₹17 lakh in fines during anti-plastic drives carried out in several zones in this financial year, so far. LMC chief Gaurav Kumar acknowledged the lapses and said: 'I've instructed all eight zonal incharges to inform bhandara organisers not to use plastic, and to submit a compliance report by the evening.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Veg pulao, ice cream flavour nawab progeny's Mangal feast
Lucknow: In a heartwarming display of communal harmony, Nawab Syed Mohammad Asad, businessman and descendant of the third nawab of Awadh, Muhammad Ali Shah, continued his family tradition of organising bhandara (community feast) on Bada Mangal in the city on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Asad, who has been faithfully carrying forward this legacy dating back to nawabi era, said. "I've been witnessing this tradition since childhood when my father would organise these feasts during the Jyeshtha month of Hindu calendar." The tradition is to serve all regardless of religious belief. Over the years, bhandaras have offered rice with chhhola, rajma, kadhi, puri sabzi, and boondi. This year, Asad offered veg pulao and ice cream of mango, strawberry, orange, pineapple and lemon flavours. "I organise bhandara not only to preserve my ancestral legacy but also because I believe it's my duty to serve those who struggle for two square meals of the day," said Asad. His mother, Husna Begum, emphasised that the tradition aimed to preserve Lucknow's famous Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, where people of different faiths coexist harmoniously. "We hope our future generations will continue the tradition as also our family legacy," she added. Beside the annual feasts, Asad has contributed to the city's interfaith harmony by installing coolers in several temples, including at Koneshwar temple and Lete Huye Hanumanji temple, demonstrating his commitment to fostering communal brotherhood. Meanwhile, Bada Mangal was celebrated by Leaders Club at the Central Bank of India, Faizabad Road. Prayers were offered to Lord Hanuman for communal harmony and national integration, Rahul Dhawan, captain of Leaders Club said, "We have Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in our team and we wish to sustain the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of Awadh," he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Devotees seek blessings on fourth Bada Mangal in Prayagraj
Prayagraj: Thousands of devotees on Tuesday offered prayers at the Lete Hanuman temple at Sangam on the occasion of the fourth Bada Mangal. The devotees started thronging the temple since early hours on Tuesday morning and the influx continued till late evening hours. The idol of Lord Hanuman was decorated with fruits and flowers on the occasion. Similar crowd was witnessed at almost all the city temples. Priests said that Bada Mangal day is considered auspicious for worshipping Lord Hanuman, who is believed to remove negativity and bring peace and prosperity. June 3 (Tuesday) was the fourth Bada Mangal, and the fifth and the last auspicious Tuesday of the Jyestha month would be observed on June 10, they added. Noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour told TOI that Bada Mangal holds significance among devotees as worshipping Lord Hanuman on Bada Mangal is believed to bring blessings and remove obstacles. He added, "Devotees also observe fasts, offer special prayers, and participate in community feasts (bhandaras) on this day." Meanwhile, policemen were deployed to regulate the flow of devotees at prominent temples in the city.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Communal harmony on menu at Bada Mangal bhandaras
In a show of communal harmony and camaraderie, people from different communities organised Bada Mangal bhandaras in the city. While some organised bhandaras single-handedly, others contributed to the cause in one way or the other. Mohammad Arif Farooqui, a businessman who set up a bhandara near Bhootnath market, said it left him with a satisfying feeling. 'I have been raised with values of brotherhood, love and equality. I try organising a bhandara every year. I believe this is one of the ways to serve humanity. At the same time, it provides me with energy that lasts through the rest of the year,' said Farooqui. Sabiha Ahmad, who lent a helping hand to her friend Poonam, the organiser of a bhandara at Wireless Chauraha, said: 'My friend Ritu Talwar and I contributed to the bhandara which is a good social cause. We also supported Poonam in serving poori-sabzi, boondi and sherbet to people. When somebody is hungry, all they look for is food, while religion is immaterial. Serving mankind is the best way to serve God,' Ahmad said. Poonam Chhabra, who organised a bhandara near Patrakarpuram market, said: 'I have grown up relishing food served at the Bada Mangal bhandaras. This is a festival of communal harmony which my friends exemplified by coming together,' said Chhabra. Suresh Chhablani, a businessman who set up a bhandara in Rajajipuram with some of his friends from different faiths, said: 'We believe all humans are equal, and it is our responsibility to bring love and togetherness at the forefront,' said Chhablani. While there was a beeline of people, regardless of religion, at the bhandaras, some like Tabassum Khatoon (25) did not carry their lunch boxes and enjoyed the prasad at their offices. 'Bhandaras reminded me of my college days when my friends and I used to relish food on Bada Mangal,' said Khatoon.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh holds 'victory parade' with 100 SUVs & 10,000 supporters after getting clean chit in POCSO case
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former WFI chief, stated that harassment laws are misused. He spoke after a Delhi court accepted a police report in a Pocso case against him. Singh was welcomed by supporters in Ayodhya. He urged the government to prevent misuse of sexual harassment laws. Singh expressed faith in the judiciary. He said the truth has prevailed. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and ex-MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Tuesday claimed that laws intended to protect people from harassment are often misused as tools against opponents. His remarks came a day after a Delhi court accepted the police's closure report in a POCSO sexual harassment case filed against ex-WFI chief, who arrived at the Ayodhya airport to a grand welcome, led a cavalcade that moved through the temple town, causing long traffic jams on the third 'Bada Mangal' of the month -- a day of major religious significance in the former BJP MP urged govt to take preventive steps to prevent misuse of such laws. "I have great faith in Lord Hanuman, the judiciary and in myself. When the allegations were levelled against me on Jan 18, 2023, I said it was a lie. Today, I stand vindicated," Brij Bhushan case closed on Monday had been filed by a "minor" wrestler. According to the former MP, "truth can be troubled but not defeated". "I do not regret what I lost. The athletes who accused me of harassment once used to call me the God of wrestling. These athletes used to visit my residence, and I participated in their weddings and festivals," Brij Bhushan his concerns, the ex-MP suggested that it was only befitting for the call to change to go out from holy town Ayodhya. "From the sacred land of Ayodhya, I demand that govt stop misuse of sexual harassment laws . It's not about abolishing the law, but it should be reviewed so that its misuse can be prevented," he the media in Ayodhya, Singh said, "I have great faith in Lord Hanuman and in myself. When the allegations were made on January 18, 2023, I said it was a lie, and everything I said has been proven true.""Sections on preventing harassment are being misused today. I have great faith in the judiciary," he to his previous public statement that he would hang himself if found guilty, Singh said, "I had said that if the charges are proven, I will hang myself. What I said has been proven. I am grateful to the judiciary."Singh also alleged that laws intended to protect women, Dalits, and victims of dowry harassment were being misused. "I'm not against such laws. They are important but there is a growing trend of using them to ruin lives and settle personal scores," he said."From the sacred land of Ayodhya, I demand that the government find a way to stop the misuse of sexual harassment laws. This is not about abolishing the law, but about reviewing its implementation."Singh also commented on the wrestlers who accused him, saying, "Those athletes used to call me the god of wrestling. They would visit my home, and I attended their weddings and family functions."His remarks come in the wake of a Delhi court's order on Monday accepting a closure report filed by the police in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) complaint was initially filed by the father of a minor wrestler but was later withdrawn after he made a startling claim midway through the probe that he had made a false complaint of sexual harassment against Singh to get back at him for perceived injustice to the Singh has been cleared in the POCSO case , he continues to face trial in another court on charges of sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation filed by six other women wrestlers. He has pleaded not guilty.
