Latest news with #Laxmi
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Poor performance will not be tolerated, Minister Satish Jarkiholi warns officials
Belagavi: Public Works Department and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi issued a stern warning to government officials in the district on Monday, emphasising that their services would not be required if they failed to perform their duties caution comes in the wake of a deteriorating law and order situation in the City, which led to the transfer of the police commissioner, a move Jarkiholi described as a warning to all officials to remain vigilant and to reporters here on Monday, Jarkiholi stressed that officials are appointed to fulfill their responsibilities, particularly regarding law and order. 'The police are aware of the ongoing issues and must take necessary precautionary measures. Many incidents could have been prevented with timely action. Such lapses tarnish the government's reputation,' he minister made it clear that the transfer of the police commissioner serves as a message to all departments. Those who fail to discharge their duties adequately are not needed in the district, he Laxmi schemeOn the issue of Gruha Laxmi scheme fund delays, Jarkiholi acknowledged delays sometimes, but clarified that the government has ensured fund allocation. 'At times, we have even credited payments twice a month. It is unrealistic to expect payments on the 30th of every month without delays,' he said. Responding to actor Kamal Haasan's recent remarks on the Kannada language, Jarkiholi condemned the statements, affirming Kannada's rich ancient heritage spanning thousands of years. 'We are unsure about the context of his remarks,' he allocationJarkiholi also raised concerns over the recent allocation of Hidkal Dam water for industrial use in Dharwad, claiming the decision was made without consulting district officials. 'Earlier, when the project commenced, we managed to halt it. But now, the Water Resources Department has proceeded with the works and issued tenders without our input. The decision was taken in Bengaluru,' he said he would write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urging that suggestions of local people should be considered in future water allocations. 'More industries are expected to come up in the district, and we too require water to meet their needs,' Jarkiholi added.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Hyderabad's 16-year-old Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti scales the Globe- Youngest Indian to complete 7 Summits challenge
HYDERABAD Hyderabad teenager Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti has become the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the legendary 7 Summits challenge - scaling the highest peak on each continent, a feat that ranks among the most prestigious in global mountaineering. The 16-year-old's final ascent came on May 27, when he summited Mount Everest (8,848 m) after weeks of gruelling climbing. 'Standing on the summit of Everest and completing the 7 Summits is a dream come true,' said Vishwanath Karthikey. 'This journey tested every part of me- physically, mentally, and emotionally. I'm grateful for the love and support I've received throughout this journey.' His journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when his elder sister Vaishnavi was preparing to trek Rudugaira. Vishwanath, then just 11, expressed interest in joining her. His family was sceptical. 'We discouraged him,' recalled his mother, Laxmi Padakanti, 'but his sister insisted we give him a chance. That first trek ended in failure, but something in him had changed.' From there, he just ascended, fuelled his passion in the snow by enrolling at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering where he trained for a good five months. His first attempt at Mount Elbrus in 2021 was also unsuccessful, but the setbacks only hardened his resolve. Over the years, he went on to summit Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, and Kosciuszko, each climb building towards his final Everest push. Mentorship played a critical role. He trained under Bharath and Lt. Romil Barthwal, an Indian Army veteran and noted mountaineer. 'Vishwanath's achievement is not just a mountaineering milestone,' said the mentors. 'It reflects his humility, discipline, and mental strength. He's proof of what young people can achieve with the right attitude and support.' For his grandparents and his father, Padakanti Rajendra Prasad, the pillars of his strength, the journey has been transformative. 'He was such a lazy child once,' Laxmi, laughs. 'Never played with the colony kids, slacked in studies. Now, he's the most responsible person I know. He also manages his studies alongside by scoring 92% in his Inter First Year.' Still, it hasn't been smooth. 'When we went to embassies for permissions, people would ask if he was adopted or if I even loved him to send him off to expeditions,' Laxmi says. 'But I didn't let it bother me. He's doing what he loves, and I'll support that any day.' As for what comes next, Laxmi says he is only going to up his record. 'He is interested in joining the Indian Army as well. Still deciding. But whatever road he takes, we are willing to support him' she affirms feeling proud.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Indian Express
For me, Ahmedabad is a city of magic — and contrasts
Lately, whenever I write about Ahmedabad, for some strange reason, the image of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing of The Vitruvian Man comes to mind. I cannot stop thinking about it in the context of the outline of the city. I have always been intrigued by this drawing, as it depicts a man inscribed within a circle and a square. It is the visual representation of the human body in harmony with the environment. This is how I used to feel in Ahmedabad, which was then similar to an overgrown village. The scale was just right for me to fit into the city, as its axis resembled an aerial-hoop-performer of a circus. I always felt that the hoop was my tool and I spun, swung, rolled closer to the boundary walls of the city. I could touch it and easily navigate the city. I just had to extend my hand and I was part of the city. In other words, it was my world. For me, Ahmedabad is a city of magic, where dargahs walk, minarets shake; and an eternal light glows in goddess Laxmi's gokhlo. The walls of the city no longer exist, but it has majestic darwazas, which were once connected to the fortified city, symbolic of city, community, society and family. Our ancestral house was close to Delhi Darwaza, which has a special place in my heart. Ahmedabad is a city of contrasts. It has ancient monuments and institutes built by well-known architects from India and abroad. The traffic moves along with camels, cows and elephants, as langurs sit like sentinels on garden walls, and bee-eaters, sunbirds and peafowl add a splash of colour to the city of stories. It was a city with a vibrant living heritage. I was elated when it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2017. Sadly, in recent times, it lacks upkeep and preservation. The river Sabarmati still flows on the outskirts of the city, though. In the Sixties, when it flooded, we carried big-black umbrellas and stood at the bridge, soaking wet, just to see the gushing water, known as ghoda-pur in Gujarati, likened to galloping horses. Then, everything changed. Several bridges were built across the river. I was too young then to understand that the bridges would expand the city and make it bigger. Soon after, our family also moved to the new city. During this period, I had never imagined that one day, Ahmedabad would become one of India's biggest cities, what they now call a smart city. Soon, the innumerable textile mills and their tall chimneys disappeared from our horizon, Ahmedabad transformed into a cement-concrete-glass-jungle of highrises. Until that point, I could take an auto and reach the various nooks and corners of the city. But soon, Ahmedabad began to grow in leaps and bounds to the west, devouring villages, fields, farm lands and all that came in its way, like a giant octopus. It transformed into a large unplanned city, the skyline a jagged edge of highrises, commercial complexes and shops with brand names, standing shoulder to shoulder with elite educational institutes. Slowly, I realised that I had begun refusing invitations to events that were not close enough to reach on the pretext that I did not have a vehicle and it was difficult to find cabs or autos to commute to and from my home. But in my heart, I knew these were excuses. To break this block, I accepted a dinner invitation at a friend's place. I reached late because, predictably, the cab took a long time to arrive. It was an enjoyable evening, but at the back of my mind, I kept worrying about finding a ride back home. Again, predictably, it proved to be arduous. So I decided to walk to the main road and find a vehicle. When I reached there, the road resembled a fiery river of automobiles gushing non-stop on the road, honking and fuming incessantly. When I finally found an auto, it took another two hours to veer through the heartless traffic jam. Exhausted, I returned home and immediately deleted all invitations at the periphery of the city I had once known like the back of my hand. Then, in the half-light, as I switched on my laptop, something touched my foot. Cautiously, I moved back and switched on the lights. A drawing had flown from my table to the floor. I picked it up and saw that it was a copy of The Vitruvian Man. I went into my bedroom and placed it next to my pillow. I felt comforted because that evening, I had felt small and vulnerable in a city that had become so big that I could no longer recognise it as my own. The drawing took me back to the entirely different, entirely illusionary city of my own, where I exist, and I am. David is a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author, artist and art critic
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Laxmi Organic slides after Q4 PAT tumbles 51% YoY to Rs 22 cr
Laxmi Organic Industries slipped 5.59% to Rs 184.90 after the company's consolidated net profit fell 50.89% to Rs 21.76 crore in Q4 FY25 as against Rs 44.31 crore reported in Q4 FY24. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 709.69 crore in Q4 FY25, registering a de-growth of 10.39% from Rs 792.06 crore recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Profit before tax slumped 80.52% year on year to Rs 13.24 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2025. EBITDA tumbled 34% to Rs 590 crore in Q4 FY25 from Rs 900 crore reported in Q4 FY24. The EBITDA margin declined to 8.3% in Q4 FY25, compared to 11.5% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year." On a full-year basis, the company's consolidated net profit declined 5.84% to Rs 113.50 crore on a 4.20% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 2,985.44 crore in FY25 over FY24. Rajan Venkatesh, MD and CEO of Laxmi Organic Industries, said, We have achieved 11% volume growth and a 9.4% EBITDA growth YoY, while maintaining our profitability despite the prevailing environment and the evolving geopolitical backdrop and its consequences. This growth was driven by our focus on a) operational efficiency efforts resulting in both increased volumes and improved cost competitiveness, b) capacity augmentation, c) our customer-centric approach, which has enabled us to expand our market share and reach new customers and industries, and d) prudent cost and fund management. Innovation keeps businesses relevant, dynamic, and poised for long-term success. On that note, we inaugurated Laxmis New Innovation Center at Mahape, Navi Mumbai, in Q4FY25. It is tailored to meet the needs of our dynamic workforce and support our customers' ambitions. Our Fluoro-intermediates site has commenced generating revenues from Q4FY25, expanding our overall specialties intermediate product offerings to our customers. I am excited to share that Laxmi and Hitachi Energy have signed a Letter of Intent to set up production of an eco-efficient gas used in Hitachi Energy's SF6-free high-voltage switchgear portfolio. Commercial production can begin in the next financial year, thus contributing to a sustainable future in power transmission and distribution. This emphasizes Laxmi's focus on supporting our customers' ambitions by leveraging its technology platforms, in this case fluorination. At our upcoming Dahej site, we received Environmental Clearance and Factory License approvals in Q1FY26, and the project remains on schedule in terms of timelines, scope, and cost. As Team Laxmi, we remain #GearedtoWin and #GearedforGrowth as we work diligently towards our plans for FY28. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the entire Laxmi Organic team, our customers, the board of directors, our investors, the communities where we operate our sites, and other related stakeholders. Meanwhile, the companys board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 0.50 per share, subject to approval at the 36th Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed Friday, 18 July 2025, as the record date to determine eligibility for the dividend for the financial year 2024-25, if declared at the AGM scheduled for 31 July 2025. Laxmi Organic Industries is a leading manufacturer of acetyl intermediates and specialty intermediates with almost three decades of experience in large-scale manufacturing of chemicals.
Nylon
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
Interview with Leica photographer, Laxmi, on her incredible photo exhibition that showcases photos of three major festivals in India
Leica Singapore presents one of the most captivating photo exhibitions ever, featuring three major festivals in India, photographed by Laxmi using Leica cameras. The pictures speak for themselves; they are colourful, they evoke emotions, and more than anything, they are thought-provoking, making you wonder how these photos were achieved and the blood and bruises that went into creating them. We had the privilege to speak with the photographer Laxmi, about her pictures, and the meaning behind them. Laxmi Kaul, photo courtesy Leica Singapore. NYLON: What is this exhibition about? LAXMI: Utsav is my love story with India — with its sacred festivals, its deep-rooted traditions, and the people who live them fully. For over a decade, I've immersed myself in documenting three of India's most powerful spiritual festivals: the Kumbh Mela, Holi, and Theyyam. Each one is different in sound, rhythm, and energy — but they're all anchored by one thing: undying faith. If there is no undying faith, there will be no festivals. The photos in this exhibition are basically an amalgamation of three very major festivals that are held; one being the Kumbh Mela, which comes once every 12 years. Then there's Holi — a festival of colours, which happens every year. And Theyyam is another festival down south. The other two are up north in India. The Leica Gallery at Leica South Beach Quarter, featuring Utsav – India in Celebration, a photo exhibition by Laxmi. Photo courtesy Leica Singapore. Each festival is very different in its own way. But the one anchoring point for all the festivals is basically faith. And faith, to me, is a very deep subject. Everybody has their own faith, and everybody likes to follow their own faith in their own way. Faith manifests in different ways, so these are just manifestations of faith in different ways; one with colour and dance, one with taking a dip in the holy rivers and believing that you will get purified and you will be closer to salvation in the journey of your spiritual life… Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. N: What made you want to photograph all these festivals? L: This wasn't a pre-planned project. I didn't start with a roadmap or even a destination. I followed instinct, emotion, and curiosity. What began as something deeply personal — a need to witness, to understand — quickly became something far bigger than me. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. I photographed the mass pilgrimage of the Kumbh Mela, where millions gather to bathe in sacred rivers. I stood in the explosion of colour and chaos that is Holi. And I was drawn to the trance rituals of Theyyam in the south, where men transform into deities through ancient performance. But more than the spectacle, what moved me was the quiet in-between moments; I didn't want to just photograph the chaos — I wanted to find tenderness within it. I searched for the stolen glances, the sacred silences, the rituals happening quietly behind the noise. The truth of these festivals lives in those moments. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. At the heart of every image I made is faith. Faith in something larger, something unseen — and deeply felt. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. If there is no faith in people, That belief is still important; it's very relevant. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. And if you're not going to hold on to our past, what are we going to show our kids and what are we leaving for them? We're leaving only technology and social media, and that's about it. What about our roots? What about our culture, whether it's Indian, Chinese, Thai, be it anywhere in the world; even Christian or Muslim — what are we leaving for them? I want to leave something. I want to leave a footprint behind for people to know that, okay, maybe 50 years down the line, there's no more Holi celebrated; but look, these are the pictures. This is how it used to be. This is my documentation. This is my love. This is the oxygen that flows through my veins. N: How long did it take you to shoot all the photos in this exhibition? L: This exhibition was shot over a decade starting in 2013. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. N: What were some of the challenges that you faced while shooting these pictures? These spaces were not easy to navigate, especially as a woman. Often, I was the only female photographer in intensely male-dominated environments. I was met with suspicion, resistance, and in some moments, outright hostility. I felt violated. I cried. I broke down. But I stayed. I had to. If I walked away, what message would that send to the women coming after me? Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. N: What gear did you use to create these photos? L: My Leica cameras were more than tools. They were companions — extensions of my presence. Whether it was the weatherproof SL during Holi, the intimacy of the M10 with my favourite 50mm lens, or the agility of the Q and Q3 — I shot openly, vulnerably. I never shielded the gear — or myself. I leaned in. For Holi, I used the Leica SL a lot because it's all weatherproof. I also used the Leica M10. I was wearing a raincoat, and I would open the zip and quickly take the M10 out and take a picture and put it back in, just to conceal it. Portraiture has always been the soul of my work. I gravitate to the 50mm because I crave connection — eye to eye, human to human. When the space got tighter and the crowds closed in, I adapted. I went wide. I moved quickly. But always with intention, and always from the heart. Photo by Laxmi, used with permission. But because it's Holi and it's such a large scape, I did shoot with the 28mm lens a lot. [Compared to the M], the SL, of course, is a bit more lenient. I had the 24-70 lens so it gave me a little bit more breathing space so I could be a little further away from the line of fire, and the men getting upset about a woman being there. I could move away and zoom in and use the 70 and shoot. The Leica Gallery at Leica South Beach Quarter, featuring Utsav – India in Celebration, a photo exhibition by Laxmi. Photo courtesy Leica Singapore. I don't go to take photographs. I go to feel. My camera is not just how I see — it's how I listen. The photostories in this exhibition, Utsav, have been unfolding since 2013. This is not just a collection of images. It's a testimony — of identity, of belief, of survival. These traditions are fading, slipping through our fingers. If we don't preserve them, what are we leaving behind? Algorithms? Filters? Noise? Where are the roots? These images are my offering. My proof that this existed. That it mattered. They are not perfect pictures. They are lived truths — of devotion, surrender, resilience. This is the story of faith. The story of people. And through it, I found not just their soul, but my own. Laxmi Kaul's Photo Exhibition, Utsav – India in Celebration runs from 16 May to 30 July 2025 at Leica South Beach Quarter (located at 36 Beach Rd, #01-01 South Beach Quarter, Singapore 189766).
