Latest news with #Beena
The Hindu
07-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Weave the Future 2.0: A textile journey from seed to stitch
On National Handloom Day, August 7, the Crafts Museum in New Delhi opened its doors to a textile exhibition that looks beyond fabric and the Future 2.0 – The Regenerative Edition, organised by the Ministry of Textiles, turns our attention to the origin of textiles — from soil and seed to handloom and stitch — and the systems that sustain them. Scheduled till August 17, the exhibition brings together over 30 brands, artisans, designers, and grassroots organisations working with indigenous cotton and regenerative practices. Rather than showcasing just finished products, it invites visitors to explore the entire journey of textile-making where tradition, ecology, and design come together to shape a sustainable future. While the first edition of Weave the Future focussed on upcycling, this year goes further into its roots. 'It felt like the natural next step was to go beyond reuse and begin asking: What are the systems behind what we consume? Can we heal them, not just extend their life?' says Dr M Beena, Director-Commissioner (Handlooms), who led the curatorial vision. This shift toward regeneration, she explains, is both philosophical and practical. 'It's about nurturing soil, knowledge, culture, and dignity across the textile chain. It offered a way to reconnect the dots between the land, the maker, and the wearer.' A living narrative Set across the Crafts Museum's village complex, the exhibition unfolds like a narrative. From spinning tools and traditional gins to modern garments and sound installations, each object is chosen not for its form, but for the story it tells about the deeper life of textiles. The story begins with a 'seed altar', an impactful installation that features indigenous cotton varieties, soil samples, and preservation tools. 'As simple as it may seem, the cotton seed carries the weight of history, land, violence, trade, and hope,' Dr Beena adds. Another highlight includes the Cotton 2.0 by Kora Design Collaborative, which traces the complete processing journey of 12 native cotton varieties — from harvest to handloom. Textile and fashion designer Sonam Khetan's soundscape installation documents disappearing natural sounds, while Lafaani's eco-printed textile panels, created with dried flowers and temple offerings, reflect on memory and the sacredness of the handmade. 'We wanted this edition to be experiential, not just educational,' says Dr Beena. 'Art creates a pause. It allows you to feel before you understand. The installations are invitations: to sit, to listen, to touch, and to slow down.' Bridging the system The exhibition consciously avoids a one-sided view of sustainability. It brings together farmers, weavers, policy enablers, and design studios, highlighting the role each plays in the larger textile ecosystem. Participating initiatives range from grassroots groups like Khamir and OOO Farms to responsible fashion brands such as Dhi Earth, Indigene, and 11.11. 'We made sure each participant could speak for themselves, through material, words and presence,' says Dr Beena. 'Rather than flattening differences, we chose to honour them as part of a shared ecosystem.' Workshops running alongside the exhibition include a natural dye lab, interactive demos on cotton processing, and film-led conversations on climate change and community resilience. All are designed to spark dialogue and deepen public understanding of where textiles truly begin. Reviving indigenous cotton At the heart of Weave the Future 2.0 is a quiet revolution: the revival of indigenous cotton. Varieties such as Kala cotton, Punasa cotton, Gavran Kapus, and Kondapatti make up just 2–3% of India's cotton cultivation today, but they hold enormous ecological and cultural value. 'These cotton varieties are hardier, need fewer chemical inputs, and are better suited to local climates,' says Dr Beena. 'They also support decentralised, community-led processing systems that preserve livelihoods and knowledge.' The exhibition argues for a return to these climate-resilient varieties and the traditional techniques — hand spinning, hand weaving and low-energy tools–that support circular, people-first economies. Beyond the museum While the exhibition runs only for 10 days, its goals are long-term. Plans are underway for open-source educational materials, curriculum pilots in design schools, and policy roundtables connecting cotton growers with sustainability frameworks. 'We see this exhibition as a seed planted,' says Dr Beena. 'What moved me most was the gap between people's willingness to make better choices and how hard the system makes it. This is about making invisible efforts visible and bridging that gap.'
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
‘Sir, our mother got our father killed': UP woman gave lover gun in plot to kill husband, drugged kids, say cops
In a shocking case of betrayal and premeditated murder, a woman in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district allegedly handed over a pistol to her lover to kill her husband. The victim, identified as Suresh Kumar, was shot dead following Beena Devi's months-long planning on Thursday morning, police said. UP woman gives country-made pistol to lover to kill 36-year-old husband. (Representative image/HT Photo) The incident is from Mohalla Kothi of Barla town when 36-year-old Suresh Kumar, a security guard working in Noida, was sitting outside his home. According to a Live Hindustan report, his 35-year-old wife, had persuaded him not to leave for work that morning and lured him outside under a pretext. Minutes later, Manoj Kumar, a grocery shop owner and Beena's alleged lover, arrived and shot Suresh in the chest with the pistol Beena had given him earlier, according to the police. The gunshot alerted Suresh's elder brother Vijay, who rushed to intervene. The assailant fired a second shot at him too, which missed and hit a wall, leaving Vijay injured by shrapnel. The 24-year-old Manoj fled the scene soon after and surrendered at the local police station later. Also Read | Woman, infant murdered in Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila, ex-live-in partner on run 'Based on Vijay's complaint, a case of murder and attempted murder has been registered against Beena and Manoj,' police said. Both Beena and Manoj are in police custody. During the interrogation police claim to have uncovered that the murder was executed after months of planning. A failed attempt night before In May, Manoj procured a country-made pistol and handed it over to Beena, who kept it concealed until the day of the killing, Live Hindustan reported. Also Read | On camera, techie beats, drags her mother-in-law while mother films in Ghaziabad On the night before the murder, Beena allegedly gave her husband sleeping pills and tried to strangle him in his sleep, but failed to carry out the act. The following morning, she stopped him from leaving for Delhi and lured him outside, setting the stage for Manoj to execute their plan. 'Shoot him — make sure he doesn't survive' Beena was present during the murder and even urged her lover to finish the job. Shoot as many bullets as needed, but don't let him survive, an eyewitness was quoted as saying by the police. In one of the most disturbing revelations, the couple's children told police that their mother gave sleeping pills to them and their father. 'Sir, our mother got our father murdered. Please send her to jail,' they pleaded at the police station, the Hindi daily's report added. Also Read | Ludhiana man stabbed to death near home, robbed of ₹1,200 and mobile The children made their statement after being taken to the police station by their aunt. Circle Officer Garvit Singh and Inspector Arun Kumar visited the spot along with a forensic team, which collected evidence. Police are now probing the origin of the weapon. Illicit affair and villagers' warnings Beena and Manoj's relationship was no secret in the village. According to the report, their affair had led to at least three panchayat meetings. Four months ago, they were allegedly found in a 'compromising position', and Manoj was handed over to the police. However, Beena gave a statement in his defence, leading to his release. Despite three police complaints, no action was taken against them, the report added. Investigators also claimed to have recovered 'obscene' photos and videos from Manoj's mobile phone. The authorities are also verifying phone call records between Beena and Manoj on the night of the incident.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Former drug user shares powerful recovery story; calls for more women's de-addiction centres in Mangaluru
MANGALURU: Beena, a victim of drug addiction who has now recovered and runs a deaddiction centre and a certified counsellor shared her inspiring story during International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025, observed by Mangaluru City police on Thursday. "It was not an easy journey. I came from a conservative family. I got introduced to cigarettes and beer initially, and eventually ganja. I wanted to live independently, and I told my mother and left the house. I was out of my house for 12 long years. I made money and worked for top firms. I was the multiple drug consumer, and it was controlling me. When I didn't take drugs, my body did not function. I used to work and earn money to buy drugs. Consumption went high and I used to spend up to Rs 35,000 a month," said Beena who is the founder of the Born Again Recovery Centre (BARC). Finally she wanted to end it. "I even decided to end my life. Helpless, I called my mother one day and all she said was to come back. I went back to my house and the withdrawal was a nightmare. My body was shaking and I had hallucinations. My mother put me in a psychiatric ward. I am a victim of this crime, and many women are suffering due to addiction who need help. There is a lack of de-addiction centres for women in Mangaluru. Stigma related to drugs must be addressed ," she said.
Deccan Herald
21-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Deccan Herald
How green is your home?
There were days when indoor plants meant petite potted ferns or rose plants perched on windowsills of large homes or tiny balconies. Today's urbanites have opted for a bold, refreshing trend - bringing large-sized exotic indoor plants to their living spaces, adding a touch of drama and turning them into conversation starters. Apart from adding a dash of colour and elevating the interiors, they also reconnect city souls with Nature. From stylish penthouses to compact apartments, indoor green havens with statement plants are turning into the ultimate design accessory..A case in point is that of Beena Sambargimath. She started with a modest home in Bengaluru around 2019 and then decorated her large sea-facing balcony in Chennai with greens. Today, she is known for curating exquisite, large indoor plants that transform homes and offices, along with custom-designed planters. Beena's work reflects the growing love for lush, over-sized greenery and the need for expert HSR Layout's viral 'hacker house'.Indoor plants in driving this rising passion for large plants indoors? For starters, modern interiors with their minimalist neutral palettes, wide windows and open-plan layouts provide the perfect canvas for leafy giants. In the absence of this green oasis, these homes would look plain. A towering fiddle-leaf fig beside a sleek sofa or a cluster of areca palms in a sunlit corner introduces texture, softness and a sense of well-being. These plants also turn a room into a living, breathing space instantly..'Large plants are living sculptures,' says Beena. 'They bring drama to a space, clean the air and create a soothing ambiance. They are conversation starters and mood lifters.' She adds that though it takes some effort to choose the right plants, planters and the exact placement along with daily care, it's all worth the final fashion entrepreneur Meeta Jagannath experienced the magic first-hand. 'We built a large house in Bengaluru. We did not want too many furniture pieces in it. So, we decided to use plenty of plants instead. Our living room has a huge netted ficus plant which has become the focal point. We also have palms and frangipani at small islands we created and to deck up the stairs landings, driveway and wide corridors', she box - Emotional connect What sets the trend of greening interiors apart is the emotional satisfaction plant parents derive. 'I feel a sense of nurturing and peace' says Ashwin Kallimani a Belagavi-based architect who loves to incorporate large plants into spaces he designs. 'It's not just decor - it's a living breathing presence.' Ashwin always keeps in mind plants while designing homes and works closely with plant curators from the design stage itself. Plants have to be an integral part of the whole design he says.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
28-year-old Assamese woman's body found in Chandigarh forest
A 28-year-old Assamese woman was found dead in the forest behind Dhanas Lake under suspicious circumstances on Sunday afternoon. The woman's body was found by a group of local women, who had gone to offer prayers at a nearby temple. They alerted the police around 2.30 pm. While there were no visible external injury marks on the body, police sources said blood was oozing from her mouth, prompting suspicion of foul play. The body was taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination. The deceased was later identified as Beena Kumari, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26. She worked in the grain market area, and lived with her husband and two children. According to preliminary investigations, Beena had left home on Saturday evening to visit a relative in Khudda Lahora and was reportedly last heard mentioning a visit to the Shani Temple in Sector 19. However, she never returned. Her body was discovered the following morning. Police have initiated inquest proceedings and are also treating the case as a suspected murder. Beena's husband and close relatives are being questioned to gather more details about her last known whereabouts and any possible threats. To trace her final movements, police are scanning CCTV footage from the Shani Temple, the Dhanas area and other nearby locations. A forensic team also visited the scene to collect evidence. Investigation is ongoing and police are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm the cause of death.
