Latest news with #Baniya
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'Chalo tum Hanuman Chalisa padho ab': Comedian Gaurav Gupta roasts Pakistani fan at US show
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. In the aftermath, social media accounts of several Pakistani artistes were blocked from public access in India. Amid this, comedian Gaurav Gupta, currently on his US-Canada tour, shared a clip from one of his shows featuring an interaction with a Pakistani audience member. The light-hearted exchange has left fans in splits. (Also Read: FWICE calls for complete ban on Pakistani artists after Pahalgam attack: 'Hindustan ka sadasya agar unke saath kaam…') Gaurav kicked off his US-Canada tour on May 30 with a show in Atlanta, followed by another in Chicago. On Sunday, the comedian shared a clip of his crowdwork comedy from one of his performances, which featured an interaction with a Pakistani audience member. In the clip, Gaurav appears surprised to see a Pakistani man attending his show. As some audience members shouted 'Sindoor' (referring to Operation Sindoor), he asked them to behave during the interaction. Gaurav then joked, 'Brother, you have a lot of guts coming to the show. He thought artistes were banned, but audience members are still allowed.' He continued, laughing, 'Chalo tum Hanuman Chalisa padho ab (Go on, recite the Hanuman Chalisa now),' drawing loud cheers and laughter from the crowd. A post shared by Gaurav Gupta (@gaurav_comic) He then asked the man's name and whether he understood his jokes, being Pakistani. When the man said he did, Gaurav quipped, 'Toh tumhe samajh nahi aata, nahi milega tumhe? Itne saalon se keh rahe hain nahi milega, nahi milega, phir aa jaate ho tum (So you don't understand? You won't get it. We've been saying it for years – still, you keep coming),' subtly referencing the Kashmir issue. Fans flooded the comments section with laughing emojis and praise for the comedian. One user wrote, 'Nahi Milega was brilliant.' Another added, 'He was hesitating while roasting him… but he still did it gracefully.' A third commented, 'Hanuman Chalisa sunao was the best,' while another said, 'More respect and only respect.' However, some Instagram users expressed disappointment with the segment. One commented, 'It was not required! Respect the guy who came to watch your show. It's a very sensitive subject currently – don't blow it off like this!' Another wrote, 'What a missed opportunity, @gaurav_comic! You could have actually celebrated their presence at your show as fans and admirers, despite the politics and government propaganda. People in both countries are simply striving to make a living, seeking peace and harmony. We can't deny that we have more in common than what the political narrative suggests.' Gaurav Gupta is a popular Indian stand-up comedian known for his sharp, relatable takes on middle-class life and Baniya culture. He gained prominence as one of the top 12 finalists on the 2017 reality show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, judged by Akshay Kumar. Since then, he has performed across India and internationally, with hit shows like Not Just Baniya and Market Down Hai.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Use of Hindi on Maharaja Agrasen Memorial plaque sparks major row
PATIALA: A controversy has erupted following the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Maharaja Agrasen Memorial at Aggarwal Park in Nabha, where the plaque bearing information about the ceremony was inscribed in Hindi rather than Punjabi. The event, presided over by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann , drew sharp criticism from several prominent voices within the local Baniya community. Writers, lyricists, and activists from the community strongly condemned the decision to use Hindi on the memorial plaque, arguing that Punjabi is the rightful language of the region and the mother tongue of the local population, including Punjabi Hindus. Veteran social activist Pyarelal Garg expressed his disapproval, alleging ideological influence from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "Hindi is not the mother tongue of Punjabi Hindus, nor is it the national language of India - it is only the official language," he said. Garg emphasised that Punjabi remains the predominant spoken language in Nabha, even among the Baniya community, and called the move a distortion of local cultural identity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "There is a difference between Hindutva and Hindu," he added, warning against ideological impositions. Garg said that RSS was gaining quite a strong hold in Nabha and this decision taken by a few depicted their intrusion. Punjabi lyricist Suresh Bansal, 66, from Malerkotla, also voiced his disappointment. "This move is completely wrong. Punjabi is our mother tongue and we should not abstain from it. I wrote all my work in Punjabi only as a lyricist," he said. Echoing the sentiment, Hakam Chand Singla, widely known by his pen name Preet Kaaljharani, criticised the decision as "unjustified." A noted Punjabi songwriter since the age of 17, Singla wrote for acclaimed singers such as Mohammed Sadiq and Balkar Sidhu. "We should not turn our face from Punjabi," he asserted. Ashok Bansal, a writer from Mansa who authored two books on pre-Partition Punjabi songwriters, said he writes exclusively in Punjabi and considers it his only language. "It is inappropriate not to display Punjabi on such a significant foundation stone," he said. Responding to the criticism, Om Prakash, president of Patiala District Aggarwal Sabha, clarified that the plaque was part of a personal programme organised by the Sabha, and not the govt. "We have always displayed our boards in Hindi, which we consider our national language, while Punjabi is the state language. Only a few people who are idle keep raising such issues," he said.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What we know about Shekhar Chapagai, one of the victims in the New Albany mass shooting
Shekhar Chapagai, who was the youngest of 11 siblings, had a growing family of his own. He had a 5-year-old daughter and was expecting another girl soon. Chapagai, 30, was one of the two people killed in Tuesday night's mass shooting at KDC/One, a cosmetics manufacuring and warehouse facility in New Albany. He died late Wednesday and his name was released Thursday morning by the Franklin County coroner. Chapagai's wife, Muna Baniya, wrote on a GoFundMe page published Thursday afternoon that he lived a life 'full of laughter, love and generosity.' 'Losing him has left a void that can never be filled, and as I prepare to bring our baby into the world without him by my side, I am faced with overwhelming emotional and financial challenges,' Baniya wrote. 'He was the rock of our family, always putting us first and working hard to build a future for our children.' Reached by The Dispatch on Thursday, Chapagai's brother, Hari, said the family is "managing everything right now with what to do next" and declined to comment further at this time. With heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shekhar chapagai. He was suburb shot at work place and was struggling... Posted by Padham Baneya on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Chapagai was born in a refugee camp in eastern Nepal in 1995, the youngest of four brothers and seven sisters. He and his family moved to Colorado in 2009 when he was a teenager, and he attended high school in the Denver area. He has been in the Columbus area since 2016. In the GoFundMe, Baniya wrote that she set up the fundraiser "to provide stability for our children" and cover immediate expenses as well as their education in the future, "ensuring they have the security their father worked so hard to provide." Sudarshan Pyakurel, executive director of the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio organization, wrote in a statement posted to Facebook that one of the victims is part of the Bhutanese American community, 'making this loss even more personal for us.' 'This incident underscores the critical importance of workplace safety and the responsibility of both employers and local authorities to protect all employees. We urge the city of New Albany to thoroughly investigate this tragedy and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future,' Pyakurel wrote. 'In these challenging times, it's essential for our community to remain vigilant and support one another. Let us come together to honor the victims and work toward a safer environment for all.' Chapagai died Wednesday evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. at Mount Carmel East Hospital, according to the Franklin County Coroner's Office. Another victim, identified Thursday afternoon as 38-year-old Kyle Vaver of Pickerington, died inside the KDC/One facility. Four others were wounded. Prosecutors have charged Bruce Reginald Foster III, who was an employee at KDC/One, with aggravated murder. Additional charges will be filed against Foster, whose bond has been set at $20 million at the request of prosecutors during his arraignment Thursday afternoon in Licking County. Dispatch reporter Amani Bayo contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who is Shekhar Chapagai, victim in New Albany shooting?
