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Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Red corridors of Naxalism transformed into green corridors of development: PM Modi
Synopsis Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day. He stated that Naxal-affected "red corridors" have become "green corridors" due to development in the last 11 years. Earlier, over 125 districts were affected by Naxalism. Now, the number has reduced to 20. The government served tribal communities. Bastar now sees sports instead of Naxalism.
The Hindu
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
5 design houses redefining India's furniture through craft
Furniture design today is less about the piece and more about the process. It's storytelling,interwoven with heritage, wrapped into an elegant objet d'art. While the world is looking at India for its heritage crafts and textile traditions, Indian designers are marrying traditional artforms with contemporary purpose. Most designers tend to agree that the craft and materiality are often the muse. We speak to five design houses across the country to find out their inspiration, materiality, forecasts, process, and pet peeves. Scarlet Splendour, Kolkata Founded in 2014 by siblings Suman Kanodia and Ashish Bajoria, the designers envisioned a space where artistry meets fantasy and maximalism is tempered with functionality. From collaborations with international designers to teaching Indian craftspeople French marquetry and resin inlay work, Kanodia opines, 'Indian craftsmen are capable of much more than we think. Skills from one area can be translated into another seamlessly. Italian designer Matteo Cibic was inspired by bone, horn and ivory inlay work, but wanted to recreate the effect sans animal products, in resin. Now our craftspeople are skilled at resin work, and the same goes for the straw marquetry.' Straw imported from France is dyed in Kolkata to create intricate weaves at the workshop. From the Animagic series that imagines andromorphous figures in brass and resin to their forest foray, with a Gorilla Chair fashioned from leather, or the Orbit Bar (Unrealism Collection) with brass and copper marquetry, to the eponymous Nazar cabinet by Lebanese designer Richard Yasmine, where Egyptian myth meets Lebanese escapism and Indian artistry, in mother of pearl, wood and brass, materiality it is both thoughtful and craft- led. 'Today's clientele has a willingness to experiment with material, so architects and designers in India are happy to get into sculptural design. What was originally furniture has now crossed into the art space. Craft is now a living entity, serving a new generation,' explains Kanodia. This and That, Ahmedabad Founded in 2016 by spatial designer Ariane Thakore Ginwala, sustainability and heritage are front and centre at the studio. Working primarily with reclaimed teak, This and That has eclectic collections — the Forest follows biomorphic design drawn from foliage in Borneo, to the Bastar collection that sources unique tribal doors from Chattisgarh. From the laakh (lacquer) work of Gujarat and the intricate inlay work that mimics the extra weft of Mising Assamese textiles, Ginwala immerses herself in the community, to create craft. 'Our work is an interesting mix of craft and furniture. Today, we see a shift where interior designers and clients want to buy Indian craft for every aspect of their living space.' The Bastar collection uses doors carved by the men of the Muriya tribe. These sturdy sal doors bear testimony to their proximity to nature, with floral motifs often adorning them across square sections. These doors are fashioned into cabinets, beds and wardrobes, using reclaimed wood. Playing with tactile elements, Ginwala brought the Aagor collection to life, where thin strips of reclaimed teak and oak meet inlay with sycamore, walnut, padauk and wenge, to offer the texture of handwoven heritage textiles. At the studio, collections are often driven by the mastery of the craft. 'For the Malta series, one of my carpenters who worked with banded inlay pieces over 35 years back, brought the craft, and I just contemporised it with design.' Portside Café Furniture Studio, Delhi The scenes of a city and the allure of leather offer inspiration to principal designer Bobby Aggarwal, who uses his time in Mumbai to inform his latest collection, Denscity. 'It captures the essence of urban landscapes, which are largely unplanned but slowly evolve,' explains Aggarwal, whose muse- Mumbai by moonlight, finds form on tables, partitions, accent chairs and even bar cabinets. Found waste wood, leather and brass, shine a spotlight on the chaos of a city, and the rhythm of life that unfolds within it. 'I like surface elements that offer glimpses, like scenes chanced upon on a train ride, by moonlight.' This ubiquitous moon shows up in an aluminum plate on a table and in parchment for a light fixture. 'Instinctive design is important to me, relying on memory and my reaction to things,' he says. An economics major, who even worked in the shoemaking industry, Aggarwal is upbeat about furniture design in India. 'People all over the world are looking at us, and are proud of the Indian pieces they source.' His pet peeve? 'Some Indian consumers still want the European heavy duty look. I refuse moodboards and designs brought to me,' emphasises the designer, whose latest Art Deco collection of mirrors, coffee tables and bars will be unveiled at ID Mumbai in September. Studio Neon Attic, Chennai Founders Sripriya Ganesan and Rambha Seth stress ergonomics and clean design over fanfare. 'If a chair nips your sciatic nerve, it doesn't matter if it's woven by cherubs. Comfort is the minimum viable vibe,' says Ganesan, adding that material honesty is paramount to good design. 'Let the birch grain show off its freckles.' Climate sensitivity and circularity are important considerations, intrinsic to creating effective and evocative interior spaces. 'Cane 'sings' in sticky coastal air because it breathes,' she explains, while Seth adds, 'Circularity should be serviceable — bolt-off legs, swap-out seat pads, so one can refresh without sending furniture to landfill.' Their process holds space for heritage, without paying homage as a trend. 'Instead of googling 'statement pull handles', we stumbled upon Madras' colonial archives and found a tranche of mint coins. Those coins meet Tanjore gold-leafing,The mash-up keeps the colonial relic honest, and the gold disciplined,' explains Ganesan. Does the duo have any forecasts for new material and technology? 'Kanika & Jwalant's [of andblack design studio] parametric seating proved that CNC [computer programming controls automated machinery, like lathes] and Indian carpentry can play nice,' she says, while Seth is clear, 'In terms of forecasts, expect basalt from the Deccan and recycled HDPE blends. Patina is overtaking high-gloss; people want pieces that age, not peel.' Objectry, Delhi The New Delhi-based studio works with natural materials, creating tables from terracotta and using the founder's experience with pottery to fashion mixed media furniture. Aanchal Goel helms the decade-old studio, where home decor juxtaposes traditional material with inventive design. 'Design is now material-led. With wood, I pay attention to the grain and having studied pottery, I now create with stoneware and clay, sometimes working with Manipuri potterson adding textures to their unique crafts. Cane also lets us take a local craft form and stand out globally.' She says the pandemic forced most homeowners to turn their attention indoors, focusing on buying quality pieces to adorn their living spaces. 'They spent more on coffee tables, consoles, dining tables, as they hosted a lot more,' Goel states. With regard to beds, headboards are the new normal. 'It is a function of space. We cannot make grand, four poster king size beds for apartments, so now even the queen size bed is being redesigned for compact spaces,and you can only jazz up your headboard with leather or fabric,' she reiterates. , adding 'It's a great time to be a creative person with the growing design awareness on social media.' On the flipside, Goel laments the Instagrammification of design, where trends drive demand, and commerce exerts its pressure on creativity. She is hopeful though, 'as long as our furniture goes back to its roots, and we use wood sustainably, it is a good sign.' The freelance writer is based in Chennai.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh electricity tariff revised: Domestic rates up by 20 paise; Congress slams ‘atrocity on public'
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has announced new electricity tariffs for the financial year 2025–26, effective from July 1, 2025. To promote development in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, the state will offer a 10% rebate on electricity bills for mobile towers set up in these regions. Additionally, hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic centres operating in rural areas, and under the Bastar and South Area Tribal Development Authority as well as the Surguja and North Area Development Authority regions, will continue to receive a 5% discount on energy charges. However, electricity tariffs for domestic consumers have been increased by Rs 0.10 to Rs 0.20 per unit, which will impact around 60 lakh consumers in the state. Chhattisgarh Power Distribution Company managing director Bhimsingh Kanwar stated that the integrated electricity tariff has seen a nominal increase of 1.89% compared to the previous year. While some tariff increases have been made for agricultural consumers, the state government will bear this burden, ensuring no additional financial strain on farmers. Additionally, concessions have been extended or maintained for temporary connections, tribal areas, Murmura-Poha industries, and printing presses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Redefine Your Future with a Top Online MBA SRM Online Enquire Now Undo The Chhattisgarh State Power Company's cost of electricity is Rs 7.02 per unit, while the minimum domestic consumer tariff is Rs 4.10 per unit, he said. Electricity tariffs for low to middle-income domestic consumers have increased by 10 paise per unit, and by 20 paise per unit for other domestic consumers. Gau shalas and stay homes located in areas notified by the government under the Bastar and Southern Area Tribal Development Authority and Surguja and Northern Area Development Authority have been included in the domestic consumer category. Meanwhile, the Congress party has criticised the Chhattisgarh government over frequent power outages and hike in electricity tariffs, calling it an "atrocity on the public." Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the state Congress communication department , stated that the government has failed to ensure consistent power supply and has now burdened consumers with increased rates. The tariff hike includes an increase of Rs 0.10 to Rs 0.20 per unit for domestic consumers, Rs 0.25 per unit for non-domestic users, and Rs 0.50 per unit for agricultural pumps. This follows an 11% increase by the Sai government earlier, bringing the total tariff increase over the last 18 months to 19.31%. "The public is already struggling with inflation, and this electricity price hike is like rubbing salt on their wounds," Shukla said. He added that electricity bills have doubled in the last 18 months, causing distress to common citizens. The Congress also opposed the installation of smart meters, alleging they lead to inflated bills. Shukla highlighted that the previous Congress government had introduced the 'half electricity bill' scheme, benefiting 44 lakh domestic consumers and saving each household Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 over five years.
India Today
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Four Naxals killed in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat during encounter, arms recovered
In a major encounter with security forces, four Naxals were shot dead in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday as all efforts are on to wipe out the Naxalites from the country. The deceased included one male and three female naxalites. A cache of arms was also seized from them. The operation is still underway despite heavy rains in the region. advertisement This marks the highest number of naxalites being killed in Madhya Pradesh so far in a year. The earlier high was six in a year. However, the Madhya Pradesh Police has touched the double-figure mark in just five and a half months. India's decades-long battle against left-wing extremism is entering its final stage, with security agencies confirming a near-complete dismantling of the Communist Party of India (Maoist)'s to Bastar IG Sundarraj Pattilingam, only four Politburo members and 18 Central Committee members remain active, most of whom are either in hiding or too old to operate this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had outlined his government's multi-pronged strategy to entirely eliminate the threat of Naxals in India by March 2026. Must Watch
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Adah Sharma on diet, journey, and the most challenging thing she has done as an actor: ‘Used to practice playing a dead bird…'
Adah Sharma has been in the film industry for 17 years, but as she puts it, 'it feels like 105'. From her breakout role in 1920 to the blockbuster The Kerala Story, Adah Sharma has quietly carved a space for herself in an industry often accused of gatekeeping. In this candid interview, she talks about the long haul, criticism over controversial roles, her diet staples, what keeps her grounded (spoiler: millet dosas and squirrel sightings), and why she's not here to promote nepotism. Read the edited excerpts below: Adah Sharma: It feels like 105 years, honestly. From 1920 in 2008 to now in 2025. But all my bones are still intact! Adah Sharma: I didn't even know I was allowed to dream this big as an outsider. I definitely couldn't have imagined being where I am today. Adah Sharma: Traumatic, exhausting, and at the same time, very fulfilling. We had no idea it would become so big. Thanks to the audience. Even a year later, people come up to me and talk about specific scenes with so much emotion. It's nice to know we could transport them into the story. Their insights and understanding of scenes and my performance are so touching. Adah Sharma: I thought everyone would stand against terrorism, and rape, and support a film about girls being forced into it. I understand now why some people had a problem with it and called it a lie. A lot of people react in certain ways because of their political affiliations. For me, the film is about the plight of girls being forced to become suicide bombers. The backlash had started 10 days before the release. But once people watched the film, the love we received drowned out the disapproval from those who didn't even watch it. Adah Sharma: Not really. If criticism comes from people who haven't even watched the film and are just reacting politically, I don't take it seriously. I'm grateful I live in a country where women like me are free to act, travel, dress how we like, and where even my critics are allowed to openly make very personalised hate remarks against me publicly, and others are allowed to say they love the film. Freedom of thought and speech is very important for me. Our film did get banned, though, in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Adah Sharma: There are several projects where I feel I have gotten my due. My debut in 1920 – I believe it was the role of a lifetime! To get to do all those crazy things in my very first film. The Kerala Story, Bastar, Sunflower season 2, and my latest release, Reeta Sanyal, where I got to play 10 characters in one show. I think I'm very fortunate. In Telugu as well, from my debut Heart Attack, which I still get so much love for. That said, I also think nepotism is doing very well and doesn't need me to promote it. Adah Sharma: Being misquoted for clickbait headlines, and answering those 'what would you steal from someone's closet' and 'who would you like to be marooned on an island with?' questions. They give me severe anxiety. I start thinking, how long will we be on the island? What's the sleeping situation? Do we bathe in the ocean? What do we do for food? Am I responsible for the other humans' safety since I got them there? The list goes on. Adah Sharma: Just like the X-ray machine can see the bones, I can read people's minds. Very, very clearly. Adah Sharma: I used to practice playing a dead bird when we shot 1920. There is a scene where I eat a raccoon and then run and lie down like a dead bird. Birds, when they die, harden up. So I used to lie in contorted positions around the house, as still as I could, and hold my breath. A post shared by Adah Sharma (@adah_ki_adah) Adah Sharma: It's different every day. Rice is a staple, so are idlis and dosas. We make millet dosas when I'm home, so there's quinoa or raagi dosas. Also, seeds are a big part of my diet, especially when I travel. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are high in protein and antioxidants. I've been a pure vegetarian since birth, and I don't eat onions. Adah Sharma: In Hinduism, Devi resides in every woman, so I think the film's presentation will please the viewers. Adah Sharma: I definitely use it out of will, and I think the randomness of my feed is proof. I like sharing random stuff from my life: a squirrel who comes to my house, a flower that grew in my garden, the BTS of how a shoot actually took place. I'm lucky the audience has embraced that. It feels natural and unforced. Shweta Sharma leads the lifestyle section at Over the years, she has written about culture, music, art, books, health, fashion, and food. She can be reached at ... Read More
