Latest news with #HimaniSharma
Indian Express
03-08-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Incomplete approach road to Gurgaon residential society: Builder promises solution within one week, residents not convinced
The standoff between the residents of Gurgaon's ROF Alante, the villagers, and the builder continues three weeks after protests first began on the issue of an incomplete 24-metre approach road. Even as ROF says the issue will be resolved from August 8 onwards, homeowners are not convinced. 'We are struggling here; there are so many problems that one would lose count. The approach road is the main problem, and apart from that, the other amenities. No water; how do we make food? Snakes and stray dogs wander about freely, making it difficult for those with emergency health scares,' said Himani Sharma, who moved into the society in Sector 108 three months ago. The society of 728 flats, located near Dwarka Expressway, was built under the Haryana Affordable Housing Policy. ROF had been offering possession of units to the owners since January. According to the record of land rights documents, and a letter issued by the concerned naib rehsildar dated June 4, the whole stretch of the approach road is a revenue road — recorded in official records as belonging to the Haryana government — since at least 2023-24. The very end of the 24-metre approach road was dug up the last week of July. On Saturday, the villagers allegedly installed tin sheets, forcing residents to use a makeshift hole in a room near the entrance. Alok Srivastava, head of facilities and possessions at ROF, told the Indian Express that they, too, want the issue to be resolved at the earliest, and efforts are on. 'I am concerned with their safety. I do not want enmity between the residents and the villagers. Regarding amenities and utilities, we have categorically and consistently shown the documents of necessary work orders being processed and in place to residents,' said Srivastava. Asked why the issue persists when it was supposed to be resolved at least a fortnight ago, he said the villagers who have been claiming that the land around the property is theirs have relented. 'They would dig up the roads earlier; they have since conveyed that they need time to get their maps and property documents in order before the handover is formally complete,' said Srivastava. The revenue road, which consists of the approach, will be demarcated by civic authorities starting Friday. 'The demarcation should be done that day, and then we will fill the dug up end of the approach road immediately. The first car that enters will be ours, let me assure. Regarding utilities, the process is only stuck at the final stage due to the road, and the pay orders for installation and permanent connection have already been received and are in place. We have delivered all internal works as promised, hence people shifted in the first place. Post Friday, within no time, a blacktop road will be fully in place,' said Srivastava The villagers have come on board now, but their conduct was not in the builders' hands earlier, he asserted. 'We have to protect the residents from the heat and the brunt of the villagers with whom they have to live; they should not suffer later.' The assurances notwithstanding, the residents carried out a brief march in the society near the contentious approach road, carrying banners demanding the promised approach road, an end to alleged 'hooliganism' by the builder, and functional utilities. A woman resident named Rama, who has been living here for six months, said she was forced to send her ageing mother-in-law back home because of the lack of facilities and the fear of needing emergency hospitalisation. RK Sharma, 67 and a resident for 6 months, seconded the point about possible medical emergencies. 'It is such a big project in Haryana and we do understand how the road could have been incomplete. We want it fixed so we can live here peacefully.' Babita, a homeowner from Gurgaon who has not moved in yet, explains her decision. 'I purchased the flat hoping to escape paying rent, which most people wish. But I just cannot move in here. In monsoons, water also gets deposited on the approach road.' 'The builder has been lying. Where is the work on the ground? These things should have been sorted before possession was offered. They are only playing the escape card. Now if the road does get built, it is (in a way) a credit to the media,' said resident Shivani Thusoo. A bunch of three young boys were heard saying, 'Yahan toh theek se cycle karne ki bhi jagah nahi hain [There isn't even a space to properly cycle here (because of the road)].'
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
From litchi & shrimp skewers to stuffed, spicy ones, make most of this sweet fruit
Peel, de-seed and puree fresh litchis. Simmer water with sugar, lemon zest and lemongrass to make a syrup. 'Bloom the agar agar in water. Mix coconut milk, cream, sugar, and litchi puree. Stir in the agar agar. Pour into glasses and let it set. Demould and pour over the lemongrass syrup. Garnish with litchis,' says Chef Himani Sharma. The perfect balance of sweet and savoury, to make these skewers, mix coconut sugar and Cajun seasoning. Toss in cleaned shrimp. Chop mangoes, litchis, onions and bell peppers. Skewer the fruits, veggies and shrimp alternating each ingredient. Chef Tushar Mishra says, 'Grill these kebabs and serve with a dip made by blending basil, mint, yoghurt, jalapeños and lime.' Bite-size pockets of fun, these stuffed litchis can be made by whisking softened cream cheese with chopped up bell peppers. Home chef Vedansh Bhargava shares, 'Add some salt, pepper, chilli flakes and oregano to the cheese. Fill the mixture in a piping bag. De-seed the litchi and cut them into half. Pipe in the cheese mixture and serve it chilled.' Sweet and spicy, this combo will make everyone smile. Peel and de-seed the litchi, and add some lemon juice on it. Chef Kriti Srivastava says, 'Freeze the fruit. Roast red chillies and dry grind it. Mix together sugar, salt, chaat masala with the roasted chilli powder. Coat the frozen litchis with the spicy masala mix and enjoy.' Indo-Chinese food is all about bold flavours. Make this dish by chopping tofu and litchi. 'Sauté ginger with Szechuan sauce, soy sauce, ketchup and vinegar. Dump in the tofu and litchis, and toss till the sauce covers them evenly. Serve with a sprinkle of spring onions and sesame seeds,' shares Chef Sandhya Gupta.
