Latest news with #Bhattacharjee
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
City debates lungi no-entry to auditorium for theatre show
1 2 Kolkata: On Thursday evening, a theatre practitioner was denied entry to GD Birla Sabhagar for watching a play, due to his wearing a lungi. Despite Sanskriti Sagar issuing a statement clarifying that the auditorium has no dress code and apologising to the actor, it has caused division among the city's culturati. Some advocate that shorts and lungi should be permitted, while others believe that, similar to many auditoria abroad, it is important to uphold at least a smart casual dress code. On Thursday night, Joyraj Bhattacharjee had gone for a show of Koushik Sen's 'Marx in Kolkata', starring Jayant Kriplani and Srjit Mukherji at GD Birla Sabhagar. "Despite having a valid ticket, I was just stopped from entering because I was wearing a lungi. The doorman clearly stated, 'Lungis are not allowed'," Bhattacharjee posted on Facebook. His note made it clear that the organisers — Swapnasandhani theatre group — should not be held responsible. This problem, he wrote, lay with "the authorities, not even with the gatekeeper". "I am very comfortable wearing a lungi and have worn it to various venues in the city, including Academy of Fine Arts, Kalamandir and Tapan Theatre and even during my travels abroad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo No one has stopped me from entering an auditorium because of my attire," Bhattacharjee said. Soon after his post went viral, Team Sanskriti Sagar apologised to Bhattacharjee, invited him to watch the next show after issuing a statement stating: "We would like to clarify that G D Birla Sabhagar has no dress code or restriction on attire, and everyone, regardless of what they choose to wear, is welcome in the auditorium. What happened was a lapse in judgment at the gate, and we are taking immediate steps to ensure such incidents never occur again. " But the incident left open the debate over whether or not the city's auditoria need a dress code. Moulin Rouge, for instance, makes it mandatory for viewers to wear only formals. Those with a ticket but in informal wear have the option of hiring formals available near the entry gate before they are allowed inside. Bhattacharjee said, "There is an opposite instance where certain venues in Berlin don't allow visitors to enter wearing a three-piece suit. I do not support either of these approaches. I feel aesthetically and ethically everyone should have the right to choose what attire he wants to wear for a programme," he added. But what if someone goes shirtless for a play or wears a night suit paired with a dupatta? Sugata Guha, who had gone to watch "Marx in Kolkata" on Thursday, is in favour of having a dress code. "Attire is also part of our cultural consciousness, and the 'anything goes' attitude in the name of freedom shows a certain cultural degeneration for the lack of being able to do anything better. I don't remember Tagore, Ray, Netaji, Uttam Kumar or even Jyoti Basu attending public events in a lungi. I feel there should be a dress code for certain closed-door events," Guha said. Koushik Sen, the play's director, said: "We can understand the difference between someone coming shirtless because of comfort and someone doing it to hog limelight. Yet, I wouldn't want a dress code since that would mean intruding into personal space."
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Embassy Office Parks REIT raises Rs 2K cr via debt issuance at 7.21%
Debt raised for three-year tenor to refinance existing obligations, saving 77 basis points; REIT targets FY26 growth with Rs 24.5-26 distributions per unit Bengaluru Bengaluru-based Embassy Office Parks REIT said on Tuesday that it had raised Rs 2,000 crore of coupon-bearing debt at an interest rate of 7.21 per cent for a three-year tenor. The funds will be used to refinance existing debt, resulting in an estimated interest cost saving of around 77 basis points. 'We are pleased to announce this fundraise. This transaction showcases Embassy REIT's fortress balance sheet and reinforces our standing as the leading credit in India's commercial real estate sector. We maintain a well-diversified and conservative debt book, and this refinancing positions us well to capitalise on future growth opportunities,' said Ritwik Bhattacharjee, chief executive officer, Embassy REIT. The NCD issuance of Embassy REIT Series XIII NCDs (2025) was priced at an effective interest rate, fuelled by demand from institutional investors, with participation from 11 entities. Bhattacharjee said that Embassy REIT has chosen to exercise the call option on its Rs 500 crore Series IX NCDs, which carry a coupon of 8.03 per cent. The early repayment is scheduled for 4 June 2025, three months ahead of the original maturity date of 4 September 2025. For FY26, Bhattacharjee acknowledged current socio-economic challenges but expressed confidence in sustained demand driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs). He emphasised Embassy REIT's commitment to execution, cost optimisation, and meeting its FY26 targets. The REIT projects distributions of Rs 24.50 to Rs 26 per unit — a 10 per cent year-on-year growth at the midpoint — alongside 93–94 per cent occupancy by value and net operating income (NOI) between Rs 35.9 billion and Rs 38.1 billion, reflecting a 13 per cent increase. Embassy REIT is India's first publicly listed real estate investment trust and the largest office REIT in Asia, by area. The company owns and operates a 51.1 million square feet portfolio of 14 office parks in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, the National Capital Region (NCR) and Chennai.
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Embassy Reit's Q4 FY25 NOI grows 17% amid robust leasing, rent escalations
Bengaluru-based Embassy Office Parks REIT (Reit) reported 17 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in its net operating income (NOI), reaching ₹892.3 crore in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024–25 (Q4 FY25). This surge was fuelled by strong office demand within the Reit's key gateway markets, coupled with healthy leasing activity and rent escalations. Adding to the positive results, Embassy Reit declared Q4 FY25 distributions of ₹538 crore, translating to ₹5.68 per unit, marking an 8 per cent Y-o-Y increase. This strong quarterly performance contributed to a total distribution for FY25 of ₹2,181 crore (₹23.01 per unit), exceeding the Reit's mid-point guidance by 1.1 per cent. Notably, since its listing in 2019, Embassy Reit's cumulative distributions have now surpassed ₹12,000 crore. The Reit's Ebitda for the reported quarter also saw an 11 per cent Y-o-Y increase, reaching ₹843 crore. Looking at the full financial year, Embassy Reit achieved a 10 per cent Y-o-Y growth in NOI, amounting to ₹3,283 crore. The Reit's portfolio maintained a strong occupancy by value of 91 per cent across its key markets of Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai during FY25. Ritwik Bhattacharjee, chief executive officer of Embassy Reit, commented on the results, stating, 'In FY25, we leased 6.6 million square feet (msf), delivered 2.5 msf of new development, and acquired a 5.0 msf high-quality asset. Notably, we increased distributions by 8 per cent and are pleased to guide to double-digit distribution growth in FY26. Our business is in excellent shape, and our world-class office portfolio continues to see strong demand from leading companies across the globe.' A significant driver of leasing in FY25 was the strong activity from global capability centres (GCCs), which accounted for 61 per cent of the total leased area. The Reit also made strides in its development pipeline, delivering 2.5 msf of new developments in Bengaluru during FY25 and currently holds a pipeline of 6.1 msf across Bengaluru and Chennai, targeting an 18 per cent yield on cost. Furthermore, Embassy Reit strategically acquired a 5 msf premium business park in Chennai and is actively pursuing further inorganic growth opportunities, including rights of first offer (ROFO) assets from its Embassy sponsor and select third-party acquisitions. The company also successfully refinanced ₹6,300 crore of debt at an average rate of 7.98 per cent. Providing guidance for the upcoming financial year, Bhattacharjee acknowledged the prevailing socio-economic concerns but expressed confidence in the continued demand driven by GCCs. He highlighted the Reit's focus on execution, cost optimisation and achieving targets for the coming year. Embassy Reit has projected its FY26 distributions to be in the range of ₹24.50 to ₹26 per unit, indicating a 10 per cent Y-o-Y growth at the midpoint. The Reit also anticipates occupancy by value to reach between 93 and 94 per cent and forecasts NOI to be between ₹35.9 billion and ₹38.1 billion, representing a 13 per cent growth.
Mint
24-04-2025
- Mint
What is Kalima, the sacred Islamic verse that saved Assam tourist from terrorists during Pahalgam attack?
A professor from Assam narrowly escaped the terrorists' bullets in Jammu Kashmir's Pahalgam because he was able to recite the Kalima, the sacred Islamic verses. The terror attack on tourists on April 22 claimed 26 lives. Two days after the brutal terrorist attack, shocking details have emerged about the close call of Assam University professor Debasish Bhattacharjee and his kin. According to reports, the terrorists were reportedly checking for religious affiliation, singling out non-Muslims and killing them. Debasish Bhattacharjee – who reached Kashmir with his family two days before the attack – was asked by a terrorist to recite the Kalima at gunpoint. His knowledge of reciting the Islamic declaration of faith suddenly turned out to be the saviour as the terrorists spared their lives before fleeing to the jungles. 'A terrorist walked up to me... He asked me, 'What are you saying?' I kept repeating La ilaha illallah... For some reason, he turned and left,' India Today quoted Bhattacharjee, an associate professor in Assam University, as saying. Recalling the incident, Bhattacharjee stated that he did not pay any heed after initially hearing the gunshots, as he was told by a local photographer that this could be the forest department people firing in the air to scare the monkeys away. However, Bhattacharjee's comfort didn't last long when the sound of gunshots pierced their ears. Realising that they were caught in heavy gunfiring, he, along with his wife, son and others, lay down on the ground. "All of us lay down on the ground under a nearby tree. Apart from my wife and son, several other people did the same and started uttering 'la ilaha illallah'," ETV Bharat quoted him as saying. "By seeing them remembering Allah, we followed the same. I felt it was the right thing to do at that moment, and we kept on doing it," he added. Remembering the horror, he said that a terrorist came forward and stopped four meters away, and soon shot a man in front of them. "Then the terrorist came up to me, pointing a gun at my head. I could not see him as my face was downwards, but my son was watching all this. The terrorist asked me, 'Kya bol rahe ho?' (What are you saying?). I didn't give any reply and kept uttering 'la ilaha illallah'," he said. This somehow changed the mind of the terrorist, and he left the family alive, Bhattacharjee said. Kalima is a declaration of faith that affirms the belief in Allah's oneness and Muhammad's prophethood. Knowing Kalima is necessary for all Muslims, as it represents the core of Islamic belief. Muslims recite the Kalima regularly as it reminds them of their commitment to worshipping Allah alone and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. There are six Kalimas, each having its purpose and meaning. 'La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah.'(There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.) 'Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluhu.' (I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, He is One, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger.) 'Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi aliyyil azeem". (Glory is to Allah, all praise is to Allah, there is no God but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.) 'Laa ilaha illal lahoo wahdahoo la shareekalahoo lahul mulko walahul hamdo yuhee wa yumeeto wa hoa haiy yul la yamooto abadan abada zul jalali wal ikraam beyadihil khair. Wa howa ala kulli shayi in qadeer.' (There is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Kingdom, and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. In His hand is all good, and He has power over everything.) 'Astaghfirullah rabbi min kullay zambin aznabtuho amadan ao khat an sirran ao alaniatan wa atubu ilaihee min az zambil lazee aalamo wa min az zambil lazee la aalamo innaka anta allamul ghuyoobi wa sattaarul oyobi wa ghaffar uz zunoobi wala ha ola wala quwwata illa bila hil aliyil azeem.'(I seek forgiveness from Allah, who is my Creator and Cheriser, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I also seek His forgiveness for all sins which I am aware of or am not aware of. Certainly, You (O Allah!), are the Knower of the hidden and the Concealer of mistakes and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and no strength except Allah, the Highest, the Greatest.)
Mint
24-04-2025
- Mint
What is Kalima, the six sacred Islamic verses, that saved Assam tourist from terrorists during Pahalgam attack?
A professor from Assam narrowly escaped the terrorists' bullets in Jammu Kashmir's Pahalgam because he was able to recite the Kalima, the sacred Islamic verses. The terror attack on tourists on April 22 claimed 26 lives. Two days after the brutal terrorist attack, shocking details have emerged about the close call of Assam University professor Debasish Bhattacharjee and his kin. According to reports, the terrorists were reportedly checking for religious affiliation, singling out non-Muslims and killing them. Debasish Bhattacharjee – who reached Kashmir with his family two days before the attack – was asked by a terrorist to recite the Kalima at gunpoint. His knowledge of reciting the Islamic declaration of faith suddenly turned out to be the saviour as the terrorists spared their lives before fleeing to the jungles. 'A terrorist walked up to me... He asked me, 'What are you saying?' I kept repeating La ilaha illallah... For some reason, he turned and left,' India Today quoted Bhattacharjee, an associate professor in Assam University, as saying. Recalling the incident, Bhattacharjee stated that he did not pay any heed after initially hearing the gunshots, as he was told by a local photographer that this could be the forest department people firing in the air to scare the monkeys away. However, Bhattacharjee's comfort didn't last long when the sound of gunshots pierced their ears. Realising that they were caught in heavy gunfiring, he, along with his wife, son and others, lay down on the ground. "All of us lay down on the ground under a nearby tree. Apart from my wife and son, several other people did the same and started uttering 'la ilaha illallah'," ETV Bharat quoted him as saying. "By seeing them remembering Allah, we followed the same. I felt it was the right thing to do at that moment, and we kept on doing it," he added. Remembering the horror, he said that a terrorist came forward and stopped four meters away, and soon shot a man in front of them. "Then the terrorist came up to me, pointing a gun at my head. I could not see him as my face was downwards, but my son was watching all this. The terrorist asked me, 'Kya bol rahe ho?' (What are you saying?). I didn't give any reply and kept uttering 'la ilaha illallah'," he said. This somehow changed the mind of the terrorist, and he left the family alive, Bhattacharjee said. Kalima is a declaration of faith that affirms the belief in Allah's oneness and Muhammad's prophethood. Knowing Kalima is necessary for all Muslims, as it represents the core of Islamic belief. Muslims recite the Kalima regularly as it reminds them of their commitment to worshipping Allah alone and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. There are six Kalimas, each having its purpose and meaning. 'La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah.'(There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.) 'Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluhu.' (I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, He is One, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger.) 'Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi aliyyil azeem". (Glory is to Allah, all praise is to Allah, there is no God but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.) 'Laa ilaha illal lahoo wahdahoo la shareekalahoo lahul mulko walahul hamdo yuhee wa yumeeto wa hoa haiy yul la yamooto abadan abada zul jalali wal ikraam beyadihil khair. Wa howa ala kulli shayi in qadeer.' (There is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Kingdom, and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. In His hand is all good, and He has power over everything.) 'Astaghfirullah rabbi min kullay zambin aznabtuho amadan ao khat an sirran ao alaniatan wa atubu ilaihee min az zambil lazee aalamo wa min az zambil lazee la aalamo innaka anta allamul ghuyoobi wa sattaarul oyobi wa ghaffar uz zunoobi wala ha ola wala quwwata illa bila hil aliyil azeem.'(I seek forgiveness from Allah, who is my Creator and Cheriser, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I also seek His forgiveness for all sins which I am aware of or am not aware of. Certainly, You (O Allah!), are the Knower of the hidden and the Concealer of mistakes and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and no strength except Allah, the Highest, the Greatest.) 'Allahumma innii a'udhu bika min an ushrika bika shai-anw- wa ana a'lamu bihii. Was tagh fi ru ka limaa laa alamu bihee. Tubtu anhu wa tabarra-tu min al-kufri wash-shirki wal-kizdhbi wal-ghiibati wal-bid'ati wan-namiimati wal fawaahishi wal-buhtani w-al-ma'aasii kulliha. Wa aslamtu wa aquulu La illaha illAllahu Muhammadur RasulAllah". (O, Allah! I seek refuge in You from that I should ascribe any partner with You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for the sin of which I have no knowledge. I repent from it. And becoming disgusted by disbelief and idolatry, lying and backbiting, innovation and slander, lewdness and abomination, and all other acts of disobedience, I submit to Your will.) First Published: 24 Apr 2025, 06:03 PM IST
