Latest news with #Kolkata-based
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Former Trinamool MP Jawhar Sircar demands 'answers' for animals missing from Alipore Zoo
Former Trinamool Congress MP and former Culture Secretary to the Government of India Jawhar Sircar on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) raised questions over the 'sudden and gross decline' in the number of animals and birds in Kolkata's Alipore Zoological Garden, referring to irregularities in their inventory data as per annual reports published by the Central Zoo Authority. 'There is no doubt that the number of animals and birds at Alipore Zoo have declined remarkably. In 1996, the Alipore Zoo housed roughly 1,872 animals and birds. As of the opening stock data of 2024, there are only 351 creatures. This drastic decrease has no logic,' Mr. Sircar said at a public meeting called by the Kolkata-based NGO, Save Wild Animal and Zoo and Our Nature (SWAZON). He added that clerical or typographic error in data entry can account for roughly 1% irregularity. 'However, in this case, the discrepancy in inventory data is too large. Where did the animals go? If there are deaths, they need to submit autopsy reports,' Mr. Sircar said. According to the Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian Zoos reports of 2023-24, the total closing stock of all creatures at Alipore Zoo as of March 31, 2023, was 672. However, the opening stock as of the following day, April 1, 2024, was 351 — marking an apparent one day decrease of over 300 creatures. The closing stock as of March 31, 2025, according to the report, is 1084. Mr. Sircar added that the 2024-25 data have no records for big animals like lions, tigers, elephants, and giraffes, and demanded that the State government needs to 'provide answers to explain the fundamental problem behind this discrepancy for public interest.' 'There is either gross negligence or a large conspiracy at play here. The government does not own land; they are the protectors of a certain land. It is their duty to protect such properties,' Mr. Sircar said. It is worth noting that Mr. Sircar in September last year had resigned from his position of MP in the Upper House over the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and allegations of corruption at the hospital. Alleged auction of Zoo land Meanwhile, former Director General of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and member of SWAZON Dipankar Sinha claimed on Wednesday that the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) issued a tender for the e-auction of a part of the Alipore Zoo land. On May 23, HIDCO floated a notice for e-auction inviting offers for the 'for allotment of 166.50 Katha (11137.50 SQ.M) land in premises no. 34A, Belvedere Road, Alipore under ward no 74 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on freehold basis for Commercial use which shall inter alia includes an aquarium.' He alleged that 34A Belvedere Road belongs to the Alipore Zoo and houses the zoo's veterinary hospital and animal rescue centre. 'As we know the Alipore Zoo is located on two sides of the Alipore Road. On one side we have the aquarium, the veterinary hospital and rescue centre, and an auditorium. The land on which the veterinary hospital is located has been put up on auction. But KMC does not own that land, it is not the government's to sell,' Mr Sinha told The Hindu. He added that the veterinary hospital is critical for the welfare of the animals and criticised the proposal for its purported e-auction. Mr. Sinha further said that the alleged 'disappearance' of hundreds of creatures from the zoo coupled with the auction of a part of the zoo land signals a 'grave and dark future' for the city's ecosphere and raises concerns over whether the space is being deteriorated to a lower-tier zoological garden. 'One side of the zoo, of which the address is 2, Alipore Road, is a heritage property. The second part of the zoo, which is located on the opposite side of the same road, strangely has a different address — 34A Belvedere Road. It makes one wonder if there is a concerted effort to eventually sell off the latter entirely, on account of it not being on the same address as the heritage property,' SWAZON member Swarnali Chattopadhyay said. She also highlighted that according to the report on the Annual Inventory of Animals in Zoos, the inventory of animals and birds in Alipore Zoo has shown a gross and sudden decline in earlier years as well. 'If it is indeed a clerical error as zoo authorities claim, then why has the data not been corrected? And have the so-called missing animals been retrieved in consequent inventory reports? Questions remain on how such gross 'typographical errors' are being made year after year, and if there are larger forces at play,' Ms. Chattopadhyay said. Notably, SWAZON filed a Public Interest Litigation at the Calcutta High Court on July 1 alleging that 'attempted alienation of [zoo land] without obtaining prior consent from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), constitutes a direct violation of Section 38-H of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as well as Rules 10, 10.3(8), and 10.4(2) of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.'
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
A spaceship in the mangroves: A cyclone-defying guest house lands hope in the heart of the Sundarbans
1 2 In the cyclone-lashed wetlands of the Sundarbans, where homes are often no match for the tides, something extraordinary has landed — quite literally. It looks like it dropped from the sky. A smooth, bamboo dome perched elegantly on stilts, its curved belly lifted above the floodline, its spiral staircase wrapped like a vine around fluted columns. Locals call it the "spaceship" — not in jest, but in awe. Designed by Kolkata-based architect duo Udit Mittal and Kirti Jalan, this isn't just a guest house. It's a radical rethinking of what rural, disaster-resilient architecture can be: bold, beautiful, and deeply rooted in local knowledge. Commissioned by NGO Mukti for visiting donors, the Aaronyak Guest House is now a symbol — of safety, imagination, and quiet rebellion against climate catastrophe. Four cyclones, zero cracks Since it was completed in early 2023, the structure has faced the wrath of four cyclones — Sitrang, Mocha, Remal, and Dana — with winds up to 120 km/hr. It hasn't flinched. Not a wobble, not a leak. During Cyclone Remal, when rain lashed the Sundarbans for over four days, villagers stood watching, waiting for the thatched roof to give way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo It didn't. Not a single drop entered. 'People didn't believe that a thatch roof could survive a cyclone,' says Udit. 'Now they want the same roof on their own homes.' Why it looks like it flew in from space 'It wasn't supposed to look like a spaceship,' Udit laughs. 'But maybe it makes sense — something alien, but kind.' The design draws from the do-chala roof — the twin-pitched vernacular form found across Bengal. But it also borrows from boats. Udit worked with local boatmakers to shape the curves, their muscle memory guiding the bamboo into aerodynamic dramatic spiral staircase? Improvised on site. 'It wasn't on paper,' Udit says. 'But like a creeper curling around a tree trunk, it made sense. It makes you slow down before entering.' What's so special about this house? Plenty. It looks familiar — sloping roof, mud walls, bamboo bones. But this isn't just a makeover of the bangla ghar . It's a storm-smart home that whispers tradition and mutters rebellion. · A plinth with a purpose : The house doesn't sit on the ground. It hovers two feet up on a concrete plinth, high enough to dodge floods but low enough to feel rooted. · Bamboo gets a smoke bath : The structure uses bamboo cured in a smoke chamber — not just to toughen it against pests, but to echo a forgotten rural technique. · Breathable from all sides : Slits near the floor and roofline let air in and pressure out — small vents that can make a big difference in a storm. · Lime, not cement : The walls are lime-plastered, which keeps the house cool and lets it breathe, unlike cement which traps moisture and cracks. · Double verandahs, double life : A social verandah in the front for chats and chai, and a quieter one at the back to overlook the fields — a nod to Sundarbans rhythms of living. · Roof tiles, reassembled : Those sloping tiles aren't random. They're laid out with just the right gradient to take the wind but not fly off with it. Inside, it's still sparse with just one family living there, testing its strength through storms and heat. But what they're living in is not just a house. It's a prototype for the future of rural resilience — priced at ₹2–3 lakhs, built with local hands, and backed by a quiet architectural revolution. Architecture that breathes and floats The spaceship is not just romantic — it's rigorously engineered: ·Withstands winds up to 180 km/hr ·Raised above flood level on RCC pyramids ·Walls made of staggered bamboo with acoustic cavities ·Thatch panels woven on the ground, then lifted into place ·A GI tendon runs through its spine — giving it flex and fight ·An extended ledge visually expands the space by 50% ·Underneath? An open-air community stage, shaded and cool It doesn't hide its structure — it celebrates it. From the exposed pyramid plinths (meant to evoke mangrove roots) to the ambient lighting that glows through rice-straw thatch, every detail is both functional and poetic. From theatre to thatch: Meet the duo behind the dome Udit Mittal isn't your average architect. He's a trained theatre director, an artist, a cyclist — someone who treats buildings like stories, not products. He lived in Purba Sridharpur during the post-Amphan recovery, bathing in the river, playing football with local kids, and joining Durga Puja processions. His partner in work and life, Kirti Jalan , is a lighting and interiors specialist who ensures the inside of each project feels as intentional as the outside. Together, they founded Architecture firm in 2019 — with a focus on contextual, low-tech, high-impact design. Next: A dinosaur made of bamboo The duo is now dreaming bigger: a four-room structure built entirely of bamboo — roof, walls, even floor — set around a water channel. One worker, Sandeep, described the in-progress frame best: 'Bhalo kore dekh, mone hochhe na ekta bishal dinosaur-er konkaal?' (Look carefully — doesn't it feel like the skeleton of a giant dinosaur?) 'Since the guest house opened, over 50 homes in nearby villages have begun using elements of the design: bamboo bones, mud walls, tile roofs, and most importantly, raised plinths. Mukti is now setting up skills training centres and material banks, so villagers can build their own cyclone-resilient homes without relying on expensive imports.'- Kirti Jalan 'In the Sundarbans, resilience doesn't mean building stronger—it means building smarter, lighter, and with care. This house is not a shelter from the storm; it's a conversation with it.' — Udit Israni
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
City-based real estate company falls victim to cyber fraud
Kanpur: A prominent city-based real estate and trading company fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud. The fraudsters orchestrated the scam by establishing a counterfeit WhatsApp account using the managing director's photograph to communicate with the company's director regarding fund transfers. The deception came to light when the director and the managing director coincidentally met in Delhi. A swift action enabled the bank to withhold Rs 1.28 crore, while the incident was reported to the commissioner's Cyber Crime police station. On Sunday, the perpetrator, posing as managing director on WhatsApp, claimed to be engaged in a crucial meeting and discussed with the director a contract signing that required advance payment. The fraudster provided details of a Kolkata-based pharmaceutical firm, Maa Tara, including bank particulars and IFSC code, requesting a transfer of Rs 1.97 crore with UTR number confirmation. The director, who was in Delhi, processed the transfer but subsequently encountered the managing director, who confirmed no such instructions were issued. Immediate action was taken by contacting ICICI's Delhi headquarters and the Kanpur branch to halt the transaction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nazlat Alsman: Unsold Sofas May Be at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo However, Rs 69 lakh were already disbursed across 15 to 16 transactions to various entities. Initially approaching Gurugram Cyber Crime police station, the company was directed to file the case in Kanpur, where the incident occurred. ACP Cyber Crime Shweta Kumari confirmed ongoing investigations into the transactions and WhatsApp account details.
News18
2 days ago
- Health
- News18
Neuberg unveils Rs 30-cr integrated diagnostics centre in Ranchi
Chennai, Jul 22 (PTI) Neuberg Pulse Diagnostics has inaugurated a state-of-the-art integrated diagnostics centre in Ranchi, Jharkhand, established at an outlay of Rs 30 crore, a top official said. The company, part of the city-based Neuberg Diagnostics, has committed to investing over Rs 100 crore to set up diagnostic facilities across Jharkhand over the next two to three years. For the Ranchi facility, Neuberg has partnered with Kolkata-based Pulse Diagnostics to strengthen its presence in the eastern region, including West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and the Northeastern states. Cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has inaugurated the centre on July 21 by lighting a traditional lamp, in the presence of Neuberg Diagnostics Chairman and Managing Director GSK Velu and Neuberg Pulse Diagnostics CEO and Managing Director Sunaina Bihani, a press release issued on Tuesday said. Located in Harmu Colony, Ranchi, the new centre will offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic services under one roof in pathology, radiology, nuclear medicine, cardiology, and gastroenterology. It will provide over 6,000 routine and super-speciality tests, along with MRI, CT scan, digital and portable X-rays, advanced sonography, and more. Commenting on the launch, GSK Velu said, 'With the opening of Neuberg Pulse's integrated diagnostics centre in Ranchi, we are bringing a complete range of world-class diagnostic services — from preventive tests to advanced pathology and radiology—closer to the people of Jharkhand." 'We are proud to launch this centre at the former residence of cricketing legend MS Dhoni and are happy to partner with him in this venture," he added. Sunaina Bihani said the Ranchi centre would serve as a hub as Neuberg expands across Jharkhand and neighbouring districts. 'The Neuberg Group has committed to investing Rs 100 crore in diagnostic facilities across Jharkhand over the next two to three years, beginning with a Rs 30 crore investment in its first centre," Binani added. 'Our focus is on building a robust, decentralised network to ensure every community has access to world-class diagnostic services at their doorstep," she further said. PTI VIJ SSK VIJ SSK ADB view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 18:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Ash from Union Carbide's toxic waste in Madhya Pradesh found contaminated with heavy metals
INDORE: Laboratory tests conducted on the ashes of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, which were inci erated at the Treatment Storage Disposal Facility (TDSF) in Pithampur, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, revealed the presence of heavy metals. The Regional Pollution Control Board laboratory identified heavy metals, including nickel, zinc, lead, chromium, cobalt, and mercury in the ash. The ash is to be disposed of in a landfill cell with a capacity of approximately 1,000 tonnes, positioned 1.5 meters above ground to prevent ground seepage. S.N. Dwivedi, the Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board in Indore, said, 'We ran a laboratory test on the ash generated from the incineration process, and the results showed the presence of heavy metals." Gases emitted were tested by Kolkata-based Edward Food Research and Analysis Center Ltd. Dwivedi said, "The ash is packed in special packaging bags and secured under a shed in a protected area and will be transferred to a landfill currently under construction near the incineration facility.' In further analysis of the gases emitted during the incineration, laboratory results indicated that levels of dioxins and furans were below the zero detection limits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Dwivedi said, 'The test was conducted to check for dioxins and furans, which typically form at lower combustion temperatures. Since our process exceeded 1,000 degrees centigrade, we were confident about the outcomes.' The hazardous waste was linked to one of the worst industrial disasters in history, when toxic methyl isocyanate leaked from the Union Carbide India Ltd pesticide plant in Bhopal on December 3, 1984, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread exposure to hazardous materials. The ash generated from this incineration will remain in an on-site shed until November, when it is scheduled for transfer to the newly constructed landfill. This incineration process, which involved approximately 337 metric tons of waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, generated a staggering 899 metric tons of ash and residues.
