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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Lucknow eyes Unesco's ‘city of gastronomy' tag
1 2 Lucknow: The City of Nawabs, known for its sumptuous kebabs and royal culinary traditions, is now vying for global recognition. Lucknow has been officially nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a "City of Gastronomy" — a title currently held by only one other Indian city, Hyderabad. Confirming the development, Lucknow divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob said, "We have submitted our nomination, and additional data will be sent by the end of June. Post that, Unesco may conduct a field visit to verify our claims. Lucknow's culinary culture is not just historic—it's a living tradition passed down over centuries." The nomination, coordinated by the state's department of tourism and culture, highlights the city's rich Awadhi fare—iconic dishes like Tunday kebabs, galawati, nihari, biryani, khasta, kulfi, and jalebi that have drawn food lovers from across the globe. Heritage conservationist Abha Narain Lambah, appointed to prepare the Unesco dossier, noted, "Lucknow's gastronomic heritage was enriched by the royal kitchens of Awadh and continues to thrive across communities—from Brahmins and Baniyas to Kayasthas, Khattris and working-class families. The city offers a diverse culinary ecosystem, from legendary kebabs to humble khasta and puri-sabzi." "Food Lucknow is a major food destination," she added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pessoas com dores no joelho devem fazer isto à noite Saude News Saiba Mais Undo Special secretary, tourism, Eesha Priya, said the application is now under review by the Union Ministry of Culture. "The blueprint prepared by Abha's team is detailed and data-backed. We're hopeful Lucknow will make the cut," she said. Unesco's Creative Cities Network recognizes cities with vibrant cultural sectors. Globally, cities like Alba (Italy), Arequipa (Peru), Bergen (Norway), Belem (Brazil), and Bendigo (Australia) are already part of the list under the gastronomy category. Experts say Lucknow offers a compelling case. "The artistry in Awadhi cooking—from the dum pukht technique to refined spice layering—is unmatched. Lucknow isn't just about food, it's about storytelling through cuisine," said Ahad Arshad, a local food chain operator. Culinary expert Adil Hussain added, "Hyderabad may be known for its biryani and haleem, but Lucknow offers a deeper, more nuanced food journey—from Mughlai meats to street snacks. It's a complete sensory experience." Officials point out that while the city is celebrated for its non-vegetarian delights, vegetarian and sweet offerings are just as noteworthy. "Dishes like Bajpai ki Puri, Durga ke Khaste, Malai Paan, and Motichur ke Laddoo are integral to Lucknow's identity," said an officer involved in the bid. With the final submission underway and Unesco assessment awaited, Lucknow could soon find itself on the world's gastronomic map—one kebab at a time.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lucknow nominated as UNESCO 'City of Gastronomy'; set to join Hyderabad on global culinary map
Photo credit: AI LUCKNOW: The city of Nawabs, known for its sumptuous kebabs and royal culinary traditions, is now vying for global recognition. Lucknow has been officially nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a 'City of Gastronomy' a title currently held by only one other Indian city, Hyderabad. Confirming the development, Lucknow divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob said, 'We have submitted our nomination, and additional data will be sent by the end of June. Post that, Unesco may conduct a field visit to verify our claims. Lucknow's culinary culture is not just historic—it's a living tradition passed down over centuries.' The nomination, coordinated by the state's department of tourism and culture, highlights the city's rich Awadhi fare—iconic dishes like Tunday kebabs, galawati, nihari, biryani, khasta, kulfi, and jalebi that have drawn food lovers from across the globe. Heritage conservationist Abha Narain Lambah, appointed to prepare the Unesco dossier, noted, 'Lucknow's gastronomic heritage was enriched by the royal kitchens of Awadh and continues to thrive across communities—from Brahmins and Baniyas to Kayasthas, Khattris and working-class families. The city offers a diverse culinary ecosystem, from legendary kebabs to humble khasta and puri-sabzi.' 'Food Lucknow is a major food destination,' she added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wrinkles? No. Philips Garment Steamers Book Now Undo Special Secretary, Tourism, Eesha Priya, said the application is now under review by the Union Ministry of Culture. 'The blueprint prepared by Abha's team is detailed and data-backed. We're hopeful Lucknow will make the cut,' she said. Unesco's Creative Cities Network recognises cities with vibrant cultural sectors. Globally, cities like Alba (Italy), Arequipa (Peru), Bergen (Norway), Belem (Brazil), and Bendigo (Australia) are already part of the list under the gastronomy category. Experts say Lucknow offers a compelling case. 'The artistry in Awadhi cooking—from the dum pukht technique to refined spice layering—is unmatched. Lucknow isn't just about food, it's about storytelling through cuisine,' said Ahad Arshad, a local food chain operator. Culinary expert Adil Hussain added, 'Hyderabad may be known for its biryani and haleem, but Lucknow offers a deeper, more nuanced food journey—from Mughlai meats to street snacks. It's a complete sensory experience.' Officials point out that while the city is celebrated for its non-vegetarian delights, vegetarian and sweet offerings are just as noteworthy. 'Dishes like Bajpai ki Puri, Durga ke Khaste, Malai Paan, and Motichur ke Laddoo are integral to Lucknow's identity,' said an officer involved in the bid. With the final submission underway and Unesco assessment awaited, Lucknow could soon find itself on the world's gastronomic map—one kebab at a time.
Scroll.in
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Savarna voters are angry with the BJP for its caste census – but they have nowhere else to go
For nearly two years, social media activist Anuradha Tiwari has been criticising state governments, including those run by the Bharatiya Janata Party, that pursue social justice policies for the backward castes. But even then, she never thought that the BJP would one day end up endorsing the idea of a caste census. 'Upper castes have been their loyal vote bank,' she said, referring to the fact that the Hindutva party has historically enjoyed the support of communities such as Brahmins, Thakurs and Baniyas. 'If they are going to increase reservations [in educational institutions and government jobs], this is definitely a betrayal. I won't vote for them, for sure.' Tiwari is not alone. The Modi government's sudden announcement on April 30 stating that it would enumerate caste in the next Indian census surprised both its opponents and supporters. Supporters of a caste census contend that members of the Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes have long been undercounted and that affirmative action quotas are smaller than they should be. Scroll spoke to upper-caste activists and Hindutva leaders in four BJP-ruled states to gauge their response to the decision. All of them struggled to explain why the party was making a U-turn on an opposition demand that it has mocked for over a year. Most of them expressed their disappointment in the top BJP leadership for delivering what is, in their view, a major setback to the idea of 'Hindu unity'. But at the end of the day, they also say that upper castes have few political options to the Hindutva party. 'A Mandal moment' Some Hindutva activists questioned the timing of the move and differed with the ruling party on what the government should prioritise at the moment. 'The terrorists in Pahalgam did not ask the tourists about their caste,' a Bajrang Dal member from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh said, requesting anonymity. He was echoing a meme posted by a BJP social medial handle in the wake of the attack, alluding to the fact that the attackers had asked victims for their religion and singled out Hindus. 'I am astonished that the government has announced the caste census at such a time,' his person said. 'The census can be conducted later but first we must fix Pakistan once and for all.' A Vishva Hindu Parishad worker from Haryana, who also spoke on the condition that his name be withheld, went a step further and alleged that the government was diverting public attention from the tourist killings in Pahalgam. 'This is purely political,' he complained. 'People were asking for strong action against Pakistan. To stop that discussion the government has initiated this caste census debate.' Upper-caste community leaders expressed worry that a caste census would invariably bolster demands to increase reservations for backward communities, further shrinking the upper caste-dominated 'general category'. 'The upper-caste anger we saw after Mandal might come out on the streets once again in 2025,' said Raghvendra Singh, national general secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha. Tiwari, the social media activist, also decried the caste census for precipitating another 'Mandal moment'. Both were harking back to the fallout of the decision in 1990 of VP Singh, when he was prime minister, to accept the recommendation of the Mandal Commission to create a 27% quota in government jobs for Other Backward Classes in 1990. Upper castes protested against the decision. Some even immolated themselves to express their anger at the recommendation. Thee Mandal Commission report was based on the findings from the 1931 census, the last one to include caste data. This is, perhaps, why upper-caste organisations are apprehensive about another caste census and its potential for inspiring demands for expanded caste quotas. Singh, who lives in Lucknow, contended the move was part of BJP's strategy for the upcoming Bihar elections. 'The BJP is writing its script for power,' he said. 'I believe the caste census will be used to increase reservations so the BJP can retain its hold on power.' Party workers in a soup Other Hindutva supporters also speculated that the decision had been made with an eye on the eastern state. Bihar is known for its social-justice politics and the BJP has never had its own chief minister there. However, party workers in other states said they were confused about why the BJP would risk appearing to be no different from its opponents when it comes to the caste census. 'I can't tell how it will benefit us but I can see the Congress gaining from this because Rahul Gandhi raised this demand,' said a Madhya Pradesh BJP leader, requesting anonymity so be could express his views candidly. 'The BJP has grown because of its focus on Hindus, not caste politics,' this person argued. 'Brahmins, Thakurs, Baniyas, Kayasthas – upper castes on the whole – view us a certain way. This is not what they expect of us. I don't know what the party leadership is thinking.' The BJP politician claimed that in the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh, where he lives, the caste census announcement has made Brahmin voters so anxious, they are asking if even senior posts in the military would be filled on the basis of caste. In Rajasthan, BJP worker Suresh Mishra, who heads a Brahmin organisation called Chanakya Sena, said he was receiving mixed responses from supporters after the announcement. Upper castes are concerned that numerically dominant non-Savarna groups such as Jats and Meenas would oust them from positions of power, he said. Something similar had happened during the Mandal agitation in the 1990s, when upper-caste representation in Parliament dipped. Mishra feared the census would exacerbate this. 'It's possible that the caste census would reduce the number of tickets upper castes get,' he told Scroll. As a last resort, he argued that upper castes should not be divided into subcastes but counted as broad varna blocs in the census to counter the numerical heft of other voters. 'Brahmins should remain Brahmins, Vaishyas [Baniyas] should remain that way,' he said. 'They should not be split into subcategories. If Hindus are not divided into different castes, then this will turn out to be a good decision.' Nowhere to go Despite these complaints, most Hindutva organisations have so far refrained from calling for agitations. Part of the reason for this is that they are confident the government will eventually listen to their concerns, said Hindu Sena National President Vishnu Gupta. 'This is, after all, a government of the Hindus so we trust it,' he asserted, citing slogans of Hindu unity by BJP bigwigs such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath. 'We will demand that the government reconsider its decision.' The other reason why the upper castes are not up in arms against the BJP is that they have few other political options that they can turn to, explained political scientist Rahul Verma, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Research In recent years, the Congress party and other opposition outfits have focused their attention on what Verma called the 'bottom half of the pyramid', allowing the BJP to present itself as the sole defender of upper-caste interests. As a result, he suggested, upper-caste anger would eventually have to make way for deal-making with the party. 'The BJP will have to convince them that they still get more from it than anybody else,' he said. 'It is highly unlikely that they will vote against the BJP. But they may become mute during the election, skip campaigning or not turn out to vote.' Singh, the Kshatriya activist from Lucknow, underlined this last possibility as a looming threat for the ruling party. The Kshatriyas of Uttar Pradesh, he claimed, had taught the BJP a lesson by not voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. 'It is clear that the upper castes are with the BJP right now because they support the idea of a Hindu rashtra,' he added. 'But if Hindutva leaders start devising caste formulas to capture power, the idea of Hindu rashtra is finished. Why should we vote for the BJP then? Nobody owns our vote.'
Gulf Today
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Baniyas Club crowned champions at Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup
Baniyas Club emerged as champions at the Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup, which concluded at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy. The two-day event showcased high-level matchups among elite female jiu-jitsu athletes, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. Baniyas topped the standings, with Al Jazira Club finishing second and Al Ain Club taking third place. The final day's competitions were attended by a host of dignitaries, including Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Mona Ali Salem Al Dhaheri, Director-General for Operational Affairs at Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, Board Member of the UAEJJF; Shamsa Muaid Al Ahbabi, Managing Director & CEO of Al Khaznah Tannery; Obaid Al Kaabi, Board Member of Baniyas Sports Company; along with club representatives and federation partners. Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, congratulated the winning clubs and acknowledged their role in supporting athletes by providing a well-rounded sports environment that enhances their readiness and offers real opportunities for competition and growth. He highlighted the strong cooperation between the federation and the clubs, emphasising that the partnership between the athletes, their families, their clubs, and the Federation is essential in building a national team capable of competing at the highest level and winning regional and international titles. Alhashmi said: 'The incredible success of jiu-jitsu in the UAE is made possible by the limitless support of the country's wise leadership and its commitment to developing talent. The achievements of Emirati women in local and international competitions demonstrate the success of the Federation's strategy in building a solid foundation of female athletes capable of competing globally and bringing pride to the nation.' Obaid Al Kaabi said: 'We are proud of this achievement, which adds to Baniyas Club's long list of successes. It reflects the significant efforts made on both the technical and administrative levels to ensure our athletes are always prepared across all categories. This success would not have been possible without the strong support and guidance of Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, and Chairman of Baniyas Sports and Cultural Club, who continuously stresses the importance of sustaining achievements and strengthening the club's role as a key pillar of Emirati sports.' Asma Al Hosani, a Baniyas Club athlete and gold medalist in the adults 57kg category, said: 'This victory is the result of months of hard work, refining both physical and mental skills. Winning requires more than strength; it demands strategy, adaptability, and teamwork. 'I aimed not just for personal success but to contribute to my team's achievement. I'm grateful to Baniyas Club and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for their support and will continue striving for more success,' she added. Hamda Alshkeili, an adult category competitor from Baniyas Club, said: 'Competing in the Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup was a huge honour for any player. We're thankful to the federation for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in our growth as professional athletes,' she added.
See - Sada Elbalad
31-01-2025
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
Video: El Neny Clashes with Baniyas Coach
Rana Atef On Friday, Mohamed Elneny, whi plays for UAE's Al-Jazira , clashed with Baniyas coach Daniel Isăilă during the UAE Pro League match between both teams. In the 20th minute of the match, Elneny got into a heated altercation with the Romanian coach, which later developed into physical contact. Players and members of the coaching staff attempted to calm the situation, therefore, the referee issued a yellow card to both. Baniyas defeated Al Jazira 1-0. Marković scored in the 12th minute of the first half. Al-Jazira are in the 6th place with 21 points from six wins, three draws, and five losses. Last week, Al-Jazira lost 2-1 to Shabab Al-Ahli.
