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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Art of the matter: Pens, paintbrushes & palettes in the digital age
What do India's Independence, the Emergency and the pandemic have in common? They helped cement Chennai's reputation as a hub for art supplies and stationery in the south. At the forefront is Hindustan Trading Company (HTC), in Royapettah, which turned 50 last year. "My grandfather P V Narayanan operated a hole-in-the-wall store in Sowcarpet that sold school supplies and cashew, circa 1948," says Amritha Venketakrishnan, the third-generation proprietor. The Make-in-Madras movement picked up steam after Independence. A vestige of the British Raj, the Govt Pencil Factory, was bought by V Perumal Chetty & Sons and rebranded as The Madras Pencil Factory. "My grandfather had made a name for himself in the distribution space. So, with a sturdy Matador van, he took up distribution of Madras Pencil Factory's products, first in North Madras, then around the state. The business model was based on spot sales, trunk calls, and cartons delivered by rail," she says. In 1974, the family set up HTC and the 1990s heralded another shift with liberalisation. As the company focused on art supplies, quick-drying acrylic paints became a game changer. HTC has just one store, spread over 6,000sqft, which doubles up as a community art space every week. It's also planning a six-part documentary on the firm's history. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Another landmark, Anandha Stationery Stores at Thiruvanmiyur, owes its origins to the Emergency declared in 1975. Overnight, it became illegal to operate any business that offered interest on goods pledged. So, Jawaharlal, a trader was compelled to change course and turn his 160sqft pawn shop into a kirana Sri Jain Stores that sold everything from baby food to lottery tickets. The transition to stationery and art supplies happened in the 1990s, when his son Anand joined the business, and a rebranding followed. Today, the family-run firm operates out of its main 1,350sqft showroom in Thiruvanmiyur, and has opened an outlet at Kilpauk. Anand says his father's philosophy was: "Remain afloat for three years, and if you can, stick with it." Jawaharlal still takes interest in the daily business and guides the third generation on taking things forward. The pandemic triggered a demand for art supplies with more people exploring experiential learning. So, in 2020, Kalyana Sundaram, who worked in engineering sales for three decades, and his wife Savithiri co-founded Sketch Lobby, a store in the residential neighbourhood of Adambakkam. "Art hobbyists form the bulk of our customers, apart from students. We took a year to turn around, and saw profits in 14 months. Now, we have tapped the online market also," he says. The digital age is changing the definition of art, but these homegrown companies are banking on the lure of paper, paint and brushes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
JNU cites HC order to deny automatic extension of hostel stay for PhD scholars
NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration clarified on Wednesday that it will not automatically extend hostel accommodation for PhD students who have received academic extensions. Citing a recent Delhi High Court order and institutional hostel rules, the university stated that such requests will now be considered on a case-by-case basis. This announcement comes amid ongoing protests by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), which has been on a hunger strike for 13 days. The students are protesting against the denial of hostel extensions and demanding the restoration of the university's previous entrance examination system. In an official circular, the university referenced the HC's judgment in the Jommani Das vs JNU case, delivered on June 27. The court ruled that PhD scholar Jommani Das must vacate her hostel by August 15, 2025, rejecting her request for an extension until the year's end. The university indicated that this ruling now shapes its policy regarding hostel accommodations. Additionally, the Dean of Students' office issued an undertaking on July 7, stating that PhD scholars seeking extensions must declare their thesis submission date. Approval will depend on room availability and humanitarian factors. The JNUSU also voiced opposition to the shift from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) to a UGC-NET-based admission system, claiming it undermines the university's inclusive ethos. The administration, however, emphasized that its policy is in compliance with the court's ruling.
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Moon-Mars conjunction to dazzle skywatchers
BENGALURU: Skywatchers are in for a celestial event in the early hours of June 30, when the Moon and Mars will appear unusually close to each other in what astronomers call a conjunction. While such alignments between the Moon and planets occur regularly, this particular one stands out for its timing as Mars edges closer to its opposition later this year, gradually becoming brighter in the night sky. In this phenomena, in the pre-dawn hours, observers with clear skies may witness a slender crescent Moon paired with the reddish glow of Mars, both positioned in the same region of the sky — separated by just about 3 degrees. Although the two bodies are actually million of kilometres apart, they will appear side by side from Earth due to a quirk of orbital alignment. Despite the event's potential, seasoned skywatchers and experts caution that those in Bengaluru and much of India may miss out due to monsoon conditions. 'Cloud cover and moisture-laden air during the early mornings can obscure the eastern horizon where the Moon and Mars will rise,' said an official from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), adding that even a thin veil of clouds can completely wash out the view of the crescent Moon.' A conjunction happens when two celestial bodies appear to align in the sky from Earth's perspective. In this case, the Moon, which moves faster along its orbit, catches up and passes near Mars in the background sky. Such close approaches often go unnoticed, but when they involve bright planets and occur during dark-sky hours - like this one - they can create dramatic views. 'This conjunction is unique because of the geometry involved — the thin waning crescent Moon rising shortly before dawn, with Mars just above it, makes for a particularly delicate arrangement,' an official from the IIA said, adding that such well-positioned conjunctions are infrequent. While Moon-planet conjunctions are common, most are either obscured by daylight, occur too close to the horizon, or involve planets that are faint or too close to the Sun. What makes the June 30 event rare is a combination of factors - Mars is steadily brightening, the Moon is in a delicate crescent phase, and the timing - just before sunrise - provides a dark enough sky for good contrast, a senior official from the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium explained.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Residents of Sheva Koliwada move Bombay HC over four-decade wait for rehabilitation
Residents of Sheva Koliwada in Uran taluka of Raigad district, Maharashtra, who have spent the past 40 years in a transit camp, have approached the Bombay High Court against multiple authorities — including the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Divisional Commissioner of Konkan Division, the Raigad District Collector, and CIDCO — alleging false assurances regarding rehabilitation. Filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution, the petition seeks judicial directions against JNPA for what the petitioners describe as a gross failure to fulfil statutory obligations under the Maharashtra Project Affected Persons Rehabilitation Act, 1976. The petitioners — the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union, represented by its president Nandkumar W. Pawar and secretary Ramesh B. Koli — are seeking appropriate orders for permanent and adequate rehabilitation of 256 families displaced due to land acquisition for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Project (JNPT). The petition urges time-bound implementation of a rehabilitation plan approved on January 24, which includes the allocation of 10.16 hectares of land, interim relief, compensation for prolonged displacement, and the appointment of a court-monitored committee to oversee the implementation process. The prolonged struggle has drawn media and administrative attention in recent years. A report titled '40 years in a transit camp' published in The Hindu on November 16, 2024, and a follow-up story on November 20, 2024, highlighted electoral boycotts by the affected community. Following the coverage, officials from the Election Commission of India and the Raigad District Collector visited the area, promising to convey residents' demands to higher authorities. On December 19, 2024, a senior Union government official gave a verbal assurance that permanent housing would soon be provided. However, on April 14, more than 400 residents protested outside the tehsildar's office, displaying a photograph of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and a copy of the Constitution, in a symbolic plea for justice. The protest was held to draw attention to the community's displacement and the delay in rehabilitation by the State and Central governments. Also Read | Party workers tried to force us to vote, Sheva Koliwada transit camp residents say The petition, filed through advocate Siddharth Sonaji Ingle, also seeks ₹50 lakh compensation for each family, citing 'undue hardship, delay, and mental anguish' caused by the non-implementation of rehabilitation measures despite multiple government assurances over four decades. The residents have also demanded immediate upgrades to existing transit camp facilities, including provision of safe drinking water, sanitation, drainage, reliable electricity, structural safety, and other essential services for the project-affected families. Mr. Ramesh Koli, 65, said, 'We have had several meetings with all kinds of government officials all these years, from CMs, to Guardian Ministers, to different Union ministers... We staged protests, filed RTIs, took the matter to Lokayukta, we have been made to run from pillar to post... governments changed in this State and country, but we have remained in the same transit camp, waiting for our independence, hoping some day we will get our lost homes, our village that the country took away from us in the name of development and forgot about the people behind the mega project.' He further stated that affected families were given assurances of employment and local business opportunities during the displacement process. 'But till date no one from affected fisherfolk families received any employment or any business to sustain their families,' he said. 'We are aboriginal, indigenous community of this region who have lost everything under the guise of development. Traditional fishing practices have dwindled due to fishing zones being allotted for various projects and heavy industrial pollution. We are left with no future for our young generation despite the fact that several coastal projects are running their business on our traditional fishing land. Is this democracy or dictatorship?' Mr. Koli added.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
NMC to auction 123 old diesel buses this week
Nagpur: In a major step towards providing safer and more eco-friendly public transport, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) transport department is set to auction 123 diesel buses that are over 15 years old. These buses, originally acquired in 2010 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), deteriorated significantly and are being phased out due to high pollution levels caused by diesel. "We are introducing electric buses to promote environmental sustainability and safer transport in the city. As part of this effort, 15-year-old diesel buses are being phased out in stages. In the first phase, 123 such buses are being auctioned," said NMC's transport department manager Vinod Jadhav. NMC's fleet includes 240 diesel buses, out of which three are non-functional due to fire damage, 112 are operational, and 70 converted to run on CNG. Remaining buses are non-operational. A special committee comprising officials from the state transport department, RTO, and NMC transport department completed valuation of the 123 buses. The online auction process will be conducted this week through the Maharashtra Scrap Trading Corporation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo NMC operates 537 buses on 129 routes, serving approximately 1.39 lakh passengers daily. This fleet includes 230 electric buses, 112 old diesel buses, 150 midi buses and 45 mini buses. NMC is gradually removing outdated diesel buses from service. By June, the city is also expected to receive more electric buses under the PM E-Bus Seva scheme. The auction process is aligned with a central govt policy that mandates proper disposal of outdated vehicles and scrap. Govt departments, including NMC, must first assess and fix an 'offset value' for the scrap material. Registered bidders on the online portal can then bid for items like metal parts and plastic components. The highest bidder above the offset value deposits the amount online and is then granted access to inspect and collect the scrap.
