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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru entrepreneur's claim on Mumbai auto driver sparks awe, disbelief: ‘Earns ₹5–8 lakh a month without driving'
A post by a Bengaluru entrepreneur about an auto driver outside the US Consulate in Mumbai has ignited a heated discussion on LinkedIn. Rahul Rupani, who co-founded VenueMonk, claimed that the auto driver earns between ₹5 to 8 lakh per month without driving and by offering a simple service. 'I was outside the US Consulate this week for my visa appointment, when security told me I couldn't carry my bag inside. No lockers. No suggestions. Just: 'Figure it out.' While I stood clueless on the footpath, an auto driver waved at me: 'Sir, bag de do. Safe rakhunga, mera roz ka hai. ₹1,000 charge hai.' I hesitated. Then gave in. And that's when I discovered this guy's brilliant business,' Rupani wrote. Rupani then explained how the man works, adding that the driver 'partnered with a local police officer who owns a small locker space nearby.' He keeps all the bags he collects from consulate visitors in that locker. 'And while most people are sweating over US visa interviews, this guy is running a zero-mile, hyper-profitable, bootstrapped operation. No MBA. No startup jargon. Just pure hustle and street-smart product-market fit,' he continued. He further labelled the auto driver as a 'real entrepreneur'. is unable to independently verify the claims presented. A request for comment has been made to Rahul Rupani, and this report will be updated upon receiving a response. While some appreciated Rupani sharing the post, others expressed doubts and questions. An individual posted, 'That's not his income alone. He has to share with multiple people, including police. Otherwise, what stops other auto wallahs from doing the same at a lower price? Also, I guess they don't know that there is a locker facility inside the consulate at a charge of ₹500.' Another added, 'This is a perfect example of smart work and its effective execution. Despite not actively driving the auto or other efforts, people trustingly leave their bags and belongings with him, feeling assured of their safety. Convincing strangers and earning their trust is no small feat. It's really impressive. Wow!' A third remarked, 'Hope you realize what BS you are peddling in the name of hustle. This whole operation is wrong at so many levels… Legally… ethically… that it's not even funny as an anecdote. It's literally making/fleecing money by exploiting someone's misery. And if you feel this is a great inspirational story for Indian entrepreneurs, God save the start-up culture in India.' A fourth wrote, 'And you're saying such a big (unethical, but anyway) opportunity exists, and there's just this one guy exploiting it?' A few slammed the post as a 'Fake story.'
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
People are paying 'witches' on Etsy to cast spells on love, revenge and more: Decoding the phenomenon
If you have been seeing the term 'Etsy witch' floating around and wondered what it means, you've come to the right place. Social media users are shelling out good money to buy spells from Etsy - the American ecommerce website where people can buy and sell unique, handmade, vintage and craft items. Etsy has long been a popular platform for independent creators and artists, but now it seems that another subset of the population has found its niche there. Women who identify as witches, psychics, spiritual healers or the like are selling spells on Etsy - for as little as $2 in some cases - to help with everything from good weather to love to revenge. has reached out to Etsy for a statement. This story will be updated on receiving a response. The phenomenon involves users purchasing spells on Etsy that claim to influence everything from love and luck to revenge and even the weather. The seller, typically identifying as a witch, casts the spell on the buyer's behalf after purchase. Take, for example, the listing for a 'Same Day Custom Spell Casting' where the seller says, 'I am Priestess Aurora, a devoted conduit of ancient magic and divine energies… I will create a unique incantation to magnify your energy and deepen the spell's effectiveness.' The Etsy witch phenomenon is not a new one. There have been several cases over the years of people buying spells on Etsy for good luck, for money, to help their team win a crucial game, to get back at an ex and so on and so forth. However, in late May, influencer Jazmyn Smith began to share content from her wedding on Instagram. One video that really gained traction on TikTok and Instagram was shared with a caption that read: 'When Jaz paid an Etsy witch to make it not rain on her wedding weekend and we got this sunshine.' A post shared by Jaz (@justjazzzyidk) The video exploded on social media and led to people discussing witches, spells and the rituals they have bought online. You can pay a 'witch' to cast a spell for you on pretty much anything. Listings on Etsy include spells for love, healing, obsession, revenge, good weather, lotteries, new opportunities and much more. Take, for example, the listing for a 'Powerful Obsession Spell' which reads: 'This casting is designed to cause your target to become infatuated with obsessive thoughts of lust, intimacy and passion towards you, causing you to be on their mind 24/7 and therefore increasing love, affection and attention towards your connection.' Or take the 'Perfect Wedding Spell' which claims: 'This isn't just a spell, it's a divine enchantment that captures the essence of love and unity, transforming your day into a realm brimming with eternal bliss and harmony.' They can range from anywhere between $2 to more than $2,000. Most listings come with a disclaimer that says: 'Divination and spell-related items are for entertainment purposes only, and must meet Etsy's Seller Policy. Etsy assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, labelling, or content of sellers' listings and products. If you have any questions, message the seller. 'Listings or claims may not offer medical advice, and may not be intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 'Tarot, psychic, or other divination readings must include a tangible good, such as photos of the tarot spread, audio/video of a reading, or text of the reading. Orders that do not provide expected results can't be mediated through Etsy's case system, should concerns arise.'
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
World Environment Day 2025: Bengaluru RWAs lead the way with rainwater harvesting, solar power, and eco-friendly cutlery
As the world marks World Environment Day on June 5, communities across the globe are being urged to take action under the 2025 theme 'Ending Global Plastic Pollution'. In Bengaluru, several Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are setting examples of sustainable urban living through innovative, community-led green initiatives. Another RWA operates one of the largest residential solar power systems in the city, with a capacity of 178 kW. The clean energy generated caters to common area needs and offsets nearly 50% of the total electricity consumption, substantially reducing the community's carbon footprint. Yet another residential community is focusing on waste management. Garden, floral, and electronic waste are segregated and processed. The community also reuses cutlery, under its in-house initiative, 'Rent-a-Cutlery', which provides reusable utensils for eco-friendly events organized by other residential complexes. In a notable case, one resident has designed an aerated apartment model that impressed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is now considering replicating the idea in other developments, Vikram Ray, president of Bengaluru Apartment Federation (BAF), told The model uses water aerator taps that reduce the flow of water and also decrease water consumption. "BAF is supporting the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) Climate Action Cell in celebrating World Environment Day by curating the Bengaluru BluGreen Showcase 2025, an event on June 6, which is a coming together of various RWAs and homebuyer initiatives to display a variety of climate impact initiatives undertaken by them," Ray said. Also Read: World Earth Day 2025: Environmental experts highlight planning as essential for sustainable urban development At Century Saras Apartments, residents can meet the water needs of all 128 units for at least one month during the 3–4 month monsoon season without tapping into borewell resources. "'Every three days, our 1-lakh-litre rainwater tank fills up. This water is then filtered and used for drinking purposes. We also collect greywater, which is treated in our Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), aerated, and purified before being redirected into our water tanks," Shivananda Prabhu, president of Century Saras Apartment Association, told Through these efforts, the residents save around 1.25 crore litres of water annually compared to other apartments. Considering that, as per BBMP guidelines, each apartment typically consumes 3 lakh litres of water per year, we are saving nearly 30% of our water usage across the entire apartment complex," he said. Also Read: Act against environment laws violating projects: NGT to Greater Noida authority Sowmya Raghavan, who oversees waste management at White House Apartments, shared that the project has one of the largest residential solar plants in the city with a capacity of 178 kW. The power generated is used for common areas and contributes around 50% of the total power consumption. "Beyond power, the residents have also implemented a comprehensive waste management system. Garden, floral, and electronic waste are segregated and processed separately. We use reusable cutlery, supported by their in-house brand, Rent-a-Cutlery, which provides reusable utensils to other communities organizing eco-friendly gatherings and replaces the disposable ones,' said Raghavan. The cutlery initiative, originally run by the RWA, was later shifted under a trust set up during the COVID-19 period for better accounting and fund management. Revenue from the initiative is directed toward welfare activities. For instance, the community recently purchased laptops worth ₹36,000 for underprivileged children, partially funded through the ₹25,000 raised from renting and selling cutlery. Their cutlery bank has even supported sustainable weddings, powering two such events so far in Bengaluru. Environmental experts say that resident welfare associations (RWAs) are playing an important role in driving change at the community level in terms of environmental conservation. "However, it is essential for RWAs to not only focus on what they are already doing but also to educate members about traditional practices and their long-term benefits. Their vision must go beyond the boundaries of their housing societies. Instead of limiting their efforts to internal water harvesting systems, which are often minimal, they should become active stakeholders in preserving larger ecological assets like wetlands, lakes, and reservoirs," Akash Vashisht, advocate, National Green Tribunal (NGT) said. Experts say that RWAs, by virtue of their representative structure, have access to skilled individuals, committed leadership, and a sizable population. Their participation is urgently needed, especially as Indian cities continue to struggle with ecosystem degradation and increasing pressure on natural resources, Vashisht said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Terrifying moment captured on camera as tiger lunges at tourist posing for photo
A terrifying moment was captured on camera, reportedly at an animal park in Thailand, showing a tiger suddenly attacking a tourist during what appeared to be an interaction for a photo. The shocking footage has raised serious concerns about visitor safety and the risks involved in close encounters with wild animals. The video, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), opens with three figures walking side by side — a tourist reportedly from India, a chained tiger, and a man with a stick who appears to be the tiger's trainer. The tourist, kneeling to pat the tiger, may have been posing for a photo when, in a sudden turn of events, the tiger launched its attack. For a few seconds, everything appears calm. Then, the tiger suddenly lunges at the man, and the camera shakes violently as the scene descends into chaos. The visuals become blurry, but the panic is unmistakable — loud screams echo in the background as people react to the attack. The post was captioned, 'Apparently an Indian man attacked by a tiger in Thailand. This is one of those places where they keep tigers like pets and people can take selfies, feed them etc etc.?' Though the exact condition of the man is not confirmed, the video has raised serious concerns about such wildlife tourism spots. The location, according to several comments, is Tiger Kingdom in Phuket — a well-known tourist attraction in Thailand where visitors are allowed close interactions with tigers, including feeding, walking, and even posing for selfies. Also read: Elephant in Kerala pulls stuck Toyota Fortuner from lake 'like a toy'. Watch Many took to the comments section to voice their concern. A user wrote, 'Cats generally do not like being petted on the lower (back) body especially near butts. This man was petting the tiger continuously near above mentioned body area which must have frustrated the tiger. Final straw was when the man cupped it for a photo.' One user noted, "My immediate reaction to this video was a chilling realization: that could have been me! This chilling video exposes a dangerous trend: many Indian tourists are lured into risky photo-ops with tigers in Thailand, often due to relentless peer pressure. These wild animals are heavily drugged to appear docile, but their true nature cannot be tamed. As the sedation fades, a tiger can turn violent, posing a grave threat." A user commented, 'Been there. Its tiger kingdom in Phuket. They sedate the tigers Just enough that they dont have the will to attack. Always feared this could happen.' has not independently verified the location of this incident. Also read: Polish woman drops truth bombs about life in India after 2 years: 'No sugarcoating, just real talk.'
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Video of matcha rave in Dubai sparks confusion online: 'I thought this was AI-generated'
A video of a rooftop matcha-themed dance party set against the Dubai skyline has gone viral, sparking questions. In the clip, a group of partygoers can be seen gently swaying to music, sipping matcha drinks, and sampling matcha ice cream, all while a live DJ spins tunes in the background. The video's caption read: 'And you thought matcha was boring?" It described the dance party overlooking Dubai's stunning skyline as 'electric' and asked viewers if they would "hit up the next one?' A post shared by Time Out Dubai (@timeoutdubai) has reached out to the organisers of the event. This story will be updated when a response is received. While the clip racked up thousands of views on Instagram and X, not everyone was sold on the 'rave" aspect of the party. Many users poked fun at the mellow vibes and questioned whether the hype matched the energy of an actual rave. 'I honestly thought this was AI-generated,' wrote one user. 'This is definitely not a rave, and I know this as an old-school raver,' a third added. Overall, most commenters seemed baffled by the concept of a matcha rave. "How are you making a rave around matcha? It's just a green tea," asked another confused viewer. Others were surprised that matcha stole the spotlight, rather than Dubai's viral pistachio-and-knafeh-filled chocolate bars, which recently took the internet by storm and sparked worldwide demand. Matcha and coffee raves are quickly becoming the latest 'Gen Z-approved alcohol-free movement in Dubai', according to a report by Vogue Arabia. The report stated that Dubai's elites are choosing to let go of weekend late nights, hangovers, and 'Sunday scaries' ahead of their packed working week and opting for a smarter and healthier alternative, with minimum side-effects. 'In a city that thrives on high-energy experiences, we're curating a new kind of luxury—one that fuels you, rather than drains you,' Ali Hassoun of PEAQ, Dubai's first social wellness club, told Vogue Arabia.
