Latest news with #LadyShriRamCollege
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Rs 20000 crore wealth, Rs 24000 crore home, studied at DU, worked as journalist, her name is..., she is from...
The Maharani of Baroda, is one of the most admired royal figures in India today. Often compared to the iconic Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, Radhikaraje Gaekwad is known not just for her timeless beauty and elegance, but also for being deeply rooted in both tradition and the modern world. She's quite active on social media, where she shares glimpses of her life that reflects a graceful blend of heritage and modern-day living. Recently, Radhikaraje voiced her thoughts on how Indian royals are still being wrongly shown in films and television. Talking about a series called The Royals , she pointed out that the way royals are portrayed hasn't evolved much since India's independence. 'People still think we spend our lives in huge palaces, dressed in pearls and chiffon all day. That image is outdated,' she said. She added that many members of former royal families today are engaged in real work some are politicians, others are entrepreneurs or involved in meaningful social causes. Inspired by her father, she always took her education seriously. She studied Indian History at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi, and before becoming Maharani, she even worked as a journalist with The Indian Express. She once recalled how she used to travel on public buses during her college days, just like any other student. In 2002, she married Maharaja Samarjitsingh Gaekwad of Baroda, a former cricketer. The couple now lives with their two daughters in the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace. This palace, known as the largest private residence in India, is four times the size of London's Buckingham Palace and even bigger than Mukesh Ambani's Antilia. It is valued at an astounding Rs 25,000 crore. The palace boasts 170 rooms, lush gardens, a horse stable, a swimming pool, and even a private golf course. Built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, its construction cost was approximately Rs 25 lakh at the time (equivalent to £180,000). The main architect was British engineer Major Charles Mant. Radhikaraje's journey is a reminder that being royal today means more than just holding a title. She represents a new-age royalty that embraces both tradition and progress with dignity and grace. Radhikaraje Gaekwad's net worth is estimated at around Rs. 20,000 crore.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘Love is universal, but the journey to it isn't': how Kamakshi Madan started Arzoo, the matchmaking service for LGBTQ community
On September 6, 2018, a historic moment unfolded. The Supreme Court struck down Indian Penal Code Section 377, decriminalising homosexuality and igniting celebrations across the nation for the LGBTQ community. For Kamakshi Madan, a homemaker-turned-spirited entrepreneur with no prior connection to the community, this was the spark that changed her life. Watching the news that evening, she felt a stirring curiosity. 'What does this mean for those who can now love freely?' she wondered. That question became the seed for an extraordinary journey. Madan's venture began with a bold idea: matchmaking for the LGBTQ community. She was an outsider, a straight woman with no first-hand knowledge of the community's struggles or joys. Yet, her lack of experience didn't deter this graduate from Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College. Instead, it fuelled her determination to learn. With support and unconditional encouragement from her family, she dove into research, visiting NGOs, meeting activists, and speaking with parents of queer individuals. Madan's mother-in-law, 'a woman way ahead of her times', lauded her initiative and her first contact with an NGO came through her mother-in-law's sister. She consulted affirming doctors and therapists, piecing together the nuances of gender identities, sexual orientations, and the unique challenges faced by the community. From the complexities of gender reassignment surgeries to the emotional weight of coming out to families, Madan absorbed it all. Her research revealed a critical gap: the need for a safe, personalised matchmaking service. Unlike heterosexual matchmaking, which often focused on superficial traits, Madan's service had to account for deeper considerations—family acceptance, mental health struggles, and societal stigma. She designed an offline platform, a deliberate choice to prioritise privacy and security. 'Online apps can be too exposing,' she explains. 'People need a space where they feel safe to be themselves.' Her platform, named Arzoo, required detailed forms but she ensured they were inclusive, asking questions like, 'Are you open to partners with disabilities?' or 'Have you disclosed your identity to your family?' These weren't just checkboxes; they were bridges to understanding. Launching Arzoo in January 2020 was no small feat. The world was on the brink of a pandemic, and Madan faced scepticism as an outsider. 'How can someone not from the community understand us?' the homosexual people asked. She relied on social media to connect, slowly building trust. Her first clients came through word of mouth, often from unexpected sources. From there, the network grew, one story at a time. The challenges were immense. Funding was a constant hurdle. Madan poured her savings into Arzoo, but the costs of mental health support, legal counselling, and medical guidance strained her resources. 'Love is universal,' she told herself, 'but the journey to it isn't.' She noticed that many in the community couldn't afford therapy, yet their need for emotional support was profound. Childhood trauma, identity struggles, and societal rejection created a vicious cycle, making relationships daunting. Madan began offering free mental health sessions, funded by the modest fees she charged for matchmaking—Rs 5,000 per person, a small price for a lifetime of connection. What helped was that, unlike others, she decided to go offline too from the beginning. 'There was no other choice, if I wanted to be sure. So when people sign up with me I visit them and spend at least an hour chatting to get to know them. I then fill up the form for them, make a profile and send it to them to check and verify. Once the profile gets into my database I match it with a suitable person. Only when both people approve of each other's profiles do I share the photographs. Once those are approved, only then do I share the names and addresses,' she explains. Her work wasn't just about pairing people; it was about building a community. In 2021, she started the Coffee Club, a series of events hosted in various cafés across Mumbai. These weren't just matchmaking mixers but safe spaces for queer individuals to laugh, share stories, and feel seen. From movie screenings to speed-dating events, the Coffee Club became a beacon of joy. One evening, a trans woman shared her story of finding love through Arzoo. 'I never thought I'd find someone who saw me as me,' she said, her voice trembling. The room erupted in applause, and Madan felt her heart swell. Yet, not every story had a happy ending. Madan recalled a heart-breaking incident involving a trans woman matched with a man who seemed genuine but later revealed predatory intentions. The woman was devastated, and Madan felt the weight of her responsibility. She tightened her vetting process, requiring declarations and IDs, and banned the man from her platform. 'I can't eliminate every risk,' she admitted, 'but I can make it harder for harm to happen.' These moments tested her resolve, but they also deepened her commitment. Parents played a surprising role in Madan's journey. A father from Delhi called her, seeking a match for his lesbian daughter. 'I just want her to be happy,' he said, his voice thick with emotion. Madan was stunned—parental acceptance was rare. She started a parents' support group, hoping to foster understanding. By 2025, Madan had grown to serve over 200 clients, from trans individuals to non-binary folks, each with unique stories. She celebrated small victories—like the mother from South India who, after Madan matched her son, called to thank her, only to worry later that he was neglecting his studies. Madan laughed, guiding the mother through her concerns. Societal challenges persisted. Some questioned the existence of diverse genders, and funding cuts to NGOs affected the broader queer community. Yet, Madan's work remained untouched by these shifts. 'It's not just about finding love,' she said. 'It's about showing the world we exist, and we're here to stay.' As the Coffee Club prepares for a July event—a flea market with live performances—Madan reflected on her five-year journey. She had no office, no staff, just a laptop and a heart full of purpose. The cafés she hopped between were her office. 'Everyone deserves love,' she told a new client, a non-binary person hesitant to join. 'And if you're not ready for that, come to the Coffee Club. You'll find friends, laughter, maybe even yourself.' Madan's work wasn't perfect. She couldn't erase trauma or guarantee every match would last. But she created something rare: a space where the LGBTQ community could dream without fear. As she sat in a bustling café, planning the next event, a young man approached her. 'You helped my friend find love,' he said shyly. 'Can you help me?' Madan smiled, pulling out a form. 'Let's start here,' she said. At that moment, the 54-year-old knew her journey, sparked by a news headline in 2018, was far from over. It was just beginning.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
At its annual college day, LSR felicitates distinguished alumnae
New Delhi: Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that people are fortunate to live in a time when major transformation is taking place and globalisation is getting challenged. He was addressing the audience at the annual day celebration of Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi. The event also honoured distinguished alumnae of the college for their notable achievements. Among those felicitated were Olympian shooter Manu Bhaker and Member of Parliament Shambhavi Choudhary , both celebrated for their contributions in sports and public service respectively. Kant, also India's G20 Sherpa, served as the chief guest and applauded the college's commitment to holistic education that balances academic rigour with co-curricular excellence. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi During the event, Bhaker was honoured for making history at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first Indian woman shooter to win two medals in a single edition. MP Shambhavi Choudhary, representing Samastipur, Bihar, was recognised as a Promising Young Leader for her work in community empowerment and social justice. At 26, she is among the youngest members of the Lok Sabha. Olympian Maheshwari Chauhan and current student-athlete Rhythm Sangwan were also acknowledged for their achievements at the Paris Olympics. TNN
India.com
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Not an actress, but this beautiful UPSC topper is going viral on social media due to...., her name is...
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most challenging examinations in the country. Every year, candidates appear for this competitive exam; those who qualify the preliminary stage move on to the mains examination, followed by the interview round. Recently, UPSC declared the Civil Services(Main) Examination 2024 final result. This year, Shakti Dubey, who hails from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, secured the All India Rank(AIR) 1 in the UPSC civil services examination. She obtained 1043 marks. After the declaration of the results, a candidate has gained the spotlight not only for her achievement but also because of an Instagram post by her sister, Navya Saharan. Well, the candidate's name is Poorva Choudhary. Poorva Choudhary secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 533 in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024. She scored 771 marks in the written examination, 165 marks in the personality test. Overall, she achieved a total of 936 marks. Her sister Navya, shared a video collage featuring Poorva's pictures with a heartwarming caption: '✨ Sibling goals? One cracked the most difficult exam in our country. The other's writing this caption!!!😌😚' Soon, the post went viral and now has garnered 228,540 likes and over 9 million views. 'The video features several pictures of Poorva Choudhary, including one taken in front of the UPSC building, possibly on the day of her personality test (interview). The video is set to the background music of 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram from the Bollywood movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The comment section is filled with congratulatory messages.' Meanwhile, Poorva has gained over 37k followers on Instagram. She hails from Bolwali village in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan. Both Poorva Choudhary and her sister, Navya Saharan, studied at Lady Shri Ram College. Going by the media reports, their father's name is Omprakash Saharan, and their mother's name is Vikas Saharan. Poorva's father, Omprakash Saharan, is also an RAS officer and is currently serving as the ADM in Kotputli.
