Latest news with #D'Souza
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Demand flourishes for flowering, indigenous plants at nurseries to grow monsoon gardens
1 2 3 4 5 6 Pune: After an intense summer of searing temperatures, city residents with a green thumb are looking forward to growing flourishing monsoon gardens in more salubrious weather conditions. Garden nurseries have already cited a surge in demand from individuals, housing complexes, and developers for rain-friendly, fast-growing plants. Businesses said customers are stocking up on saplings of flowering plants like hibiscus, periwinkle, balsams, marigolds, and rain lilies this season, while landscapers are buying Indian varieties of forest trees and fruiting plants for under-construction properties. Regina D'Souza, a resident of Fatimanagar, said she has dug up her dried garden patch to plant monsoon-friendly saplings. "March and April were harsh for my garden, and a lot of my plants dried up. Last week, I dug out all the dried plants, put layers of vermicompost, and bought a couple of saplings — it is the ideal time for planting," said D'Souza. Laxmikant Kavade, who runs the Pushpalaxmi Rose Nursery, said demand is picking up for a lot of indigenous varieties of flowering plants. "May is usually the time we prepare saplings to sell during the monsoon. But the rains came early, and we have seen a huge demand for hibiscus, rose plants, orange and yellow tikomas, orchid cactii, snake plants, and more," he said. "Apart from regular flowering plants, we are also seeing good demand for coleus (thrives in damp, shaded areas), impatiens, ferns (used in hanging pots), begonias, and mogra," said Shyam, a helper at a garden nursery in Wanowrie. Anti-fungal sprays, vermicompost, and fertilisers are also in good demand from gardening enthusiasts. An owner of a garden nursery on Pune-Solapur Road said even landscapers are placing bulk orders for saplings at present. "A lot of tree plantation drives are conducted in early monsoon. We have a good demand for indigenous plants like neem, kadamba, etc. Landscapers are also placing orders for ground cover, shrub plants like ixora," he said. Gardening enthusiasts are also replacing their existing vegetable and herb patches with fresh saplings to thrive in less intense sunlight and regular rainfall. Sneha Falane, a resident of NIBM Road, said she had some bulbs of rain lilies purchased from a garden exhibition in Jan. "I planted these mid-May at the entrance of my row house, and they have already started growing. These plants are hardy and grow exceptionally well in the monsoon," she said. People also cautioned that it is important to ensure proper drainage and occasional pruning to prevent waterlogging and fungal issues for plants in the monsoon. "Typically, in the rains, hibiscus plants catch mealy bugs and black fungal spots. It is important to spray neem oil in advance to prevent pest attacks," said Devika Tanna, a resident of Pashan.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Police reformation will reduce communal tensions in Dakshina Kannada: MLC
Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D'Souza said chief minister favoured implementing changes in the police department to address and reduce communal tensions in Dakshina Kannada. D'Souza said here on Thursday that he met the CM on Wednesday and explained to him the situation prevailing in the district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I urged him to initiate appropriate action to put an end to inflammatory speeches being made by right-wing leaders. I also urged the CM to bring in reforms in the police force in Dakshina Kannada and the CM was in favour of them," the MLC said. Appreciating the govt's decision to set up Special Action Force (SAF) for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Shivamogga districts, D'Souza said the force will be able to stop provocative speeches and communal crimes in the region. The MLC expressed his support for the creation of the Anti-Communal Task Force and said he requested the Chief Minister to establish its headquarters in Mangaluru. D'Souza acknowledged certain shortcomings within the police force concerning the recent killings, noting that police do not understand the 'vision' of the govt. Nevertheless, he assured that the administration would implement comprehensive measures to halt sectarian violence throughout the district. District minister Dinesh Gundu Rao will visit the district and conduct a peace meeting, he said. On allegations of the BJP that the district minister failed to give enough time for Dakshina Kannada, D'Souza said Rao attended all Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meetings and showed real concern for the district's development. Following the mass resignation of Muslim leaders from the Congress, the MLC expressed distress regarding the developments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We will make efforts to persuade them to reconsider their decision to step down from their positions," he added. MLC visits Rahiman's house MLC D'Souza visited the house of slain pickup driver Abdul Rahiman, at Kolthamajalu, Bantwal on Thursday. Offering condolences to the family, he assured them that the govt is committed to eradicating the forces behind this crime without any hesitation. He also visited the hospital to meet the injured Kalandar Shafi.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
SC refuses to stall ₹299 crore jetty project near Gateway of India
MUMBAI: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday declined to intervene in the ₹299 crore passenger jetty project near the Gateway of India, observing that the project serves the public interest. Instead, the apex court urged the Bombay High Court to expedite hearings on the pending petitions challenging the development. 'Something good is happening in Mumbai. Now you can reach Versova from South Mumbai in 40 minutes, which used to take three hours,' said Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, citing the Coastal Road as a successful example of contentious yet transformative infrastructure. The bench remarked that opposition to such projects often stemmed from a 'Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)' mindset. 'Everyone opposed the Coastal Road earlier, but now they are happy. This kind of opposition is typical,' the court noted during a hearing on a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Dr Laura D'Souza, president of the Cuffe Parade Residents' Association. The SLP, filed through advocate Anagha S Desai of Desai Legal LLP, challenged the Bombay High Court's May 7 and 8 orders refusing to stay preparatory works on the jetty and terminal. The petition contended that the project would affect over 210,000 residents of the Colaba area and had commenced without adequate public consultation or stakeholder engagement. 'The project was launched without prior public notification or transparency, and poses irreversible damage to one of the city's most historic precincts,' Dr D'Souza argued. Several residents' groups and institutions have raised objections, including the Bombay Presidency Radio Club, business owners, frequent visitors, and elected representatives from both Houses of Parliament. The objectors have called for the jetty to be shifted to Princess Dock—cited in a feasibility report as a less intrusive alternative. Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing Dr D'Souza, alleged that the proposed jetty caters largely to private users taking leisure ferries to Alibaug, framing it as a project designed for elite convenience rather than public necessity. Countering the claim, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati said the jetty is a crucial piece of commuter infrastructure, aimed at easing the city's transport burden and improving connectivity. Dismissing the petition, the court reiterated its view that infrastructure progress often meets resistance from affluent localities. 'Everyone wants a sewage treatment plant, but not behind their house. This is NIMBY syndrome. Colaba is a neighbourhood of elitist people. It's tyanchi (their) Mumbai, not amchi (our) Mumbai,' the bench remarked. Reacting to the verdict, Dr D'Souza said she was disheartened. 'It is distressing to see that the iconic Gateway of India, which is a Grade-I heritage structure (of exceptional historical importance) is being sidelined. We urge the authorities to reconsider the long-term implications and prioritise the preservation of Mumbai's heritage.' She also expressed concern over the 'blatant disregard' for due process. 'The government seems to have bypassed critical steps of public engagement and environmental accountability,' she added. The matter now returns to the Bombay High Court, which has been asked to deliver a verdict on the petitions without further delay.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Tree crashes near Santa Monica jetty in city at 4.30am, no injuries reported
Panaji: A tragedy was averted after a decades-old rain tree (Samanea Saman) crashed across the road in one of Panaji's busiest areas near the Santa Monica tourism jetty around 4.30am on Monday. The fire and emergency services personnel carried out the operation to clear the road, which was closed and traffic was diverted for some time. Vehicles are usually parked at the spot of the tree crash and it is teeming with tourists and others, especially during evening hours. 'Nobody was hurt in the incident,' a fireman told the media at the spot. A 19-year-old girl from Betim had been killed on July 21 last year after a tree had crashed on her near the Garcia de Orta garden at noon. The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had requested the forest department to identify unstable trees and it has carried out pruning of more than 100 out of 390 trees, as per the findings. 'But I had brought to the CCP's notice the unsafe condition of four trees in the city last year. The rain tree near Santa Monica was one of them,' horticulturist and landscape designer, Daniel D'Souza said. He said that he had supervised pruning of a rubber tree at Inox Courtyard, a banyan tree near Caculo Island, while CCP had trimmed the third tree — a banyan tree behind the pharmacy college. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo 'The Ficus species tree near the directorate of survey and land records is another tree that needs urgent trimming,' D'Souza further said. The social media was abuzz with criticism after Monday's incident. 'Why are all the big roadside trees just falling when they stood the test of time?,' a citizen questioned.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Postcard campaign to be launched to build pressure for setting up High Court bench in Mangaluru
A post card campaign will be launched in Dakshina Kannada and in five other neighbouring districts as part of the united fight for setting up a bench on Karnataka High Court in Mangaluru, said Ivan D'Souza, MLC, who is convenor of Mangaluru High Court Peeta Horata Samiti, in Mangaluru on Monday. Talking to reporters, Mr. D'Souza said not just advocates but law students, representatives of different organisations, including those from trade bodies, bus owners and autorickshaw drivers, will be involved in the fight. 'This apolitical fight will go on till fulfilment of the demand,' he said. As part of it, law students from Mangaluru will write about the need for High Court bench in Mangaluru and post it to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Karnataka High Court Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria. Similar letters will be written by students from Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts too. High court bench is necessary for speedy delivery of justice to litigants, he said. A cross section of people from Dakshina Kannada will meet the Chief Minister, the Governor and the Chief Justice of Karnataka, and prevail upon them to set up a circuit bench of High Court in Mangaluru, which will pave away for setting up of High Court bench, Mr. D'souza said. Advocate B.D. Hiremath from Dharwad, who played a prominent role in the fight for setting up High Bench in Dharwad in 2008, said circuit bench can be set up by Karnataka Chief Justice by passing notification under Section 51(3) of State Reorganisation Act. The Karnataka Chief Justice has to pass the notification with the approval of Governor. Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues should be prevailed upon to take up the matter with Karnataka Chief Justice and Governor, he said.
