Latest news with #Lodhi
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA's 'Om Puri-Sridevi' Analogy Over Roads Sparks Row
Bhopal: As the condition of roads continues to deteriorate across Madhya Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season, a political war of words has erupted between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. Amid public outrage over waterlogged and broken roads, BJP MLA from Pichore, Pritam Lodhi, stirred controversy with a bizarre analogy. Responding to media questions outside the Assembly in Bhopal on Monday, Mr Lodhi said, "During Digvijaya Singh's tenure, the roads were like Om Puri. Now, under our government, they have become like Sridevi. But it is raining heavily. We have to make a compromise with Lord Indra." Mr Lodhi arrived at the Assembly in a private cab instead of his vehicle, citing poor road conditions. "Lord Indra is angry. It is raining heavily, and the roads have turned into water parks. I don't have a boat, nor can I swim here. I had a small car, which wouldn't survive these roads, so I came by Ola," he said with a laugh. While Mr Lodhi's remarks were intended as satire, they quickly drew sharp criticism. Deputy Leader of Opposition Hemant Katare termed the comment a "disgrace to women." In a social media post, he accused the BJP of being insensitive and corrupt. "This statement not only insults women but also mocks the people's sufferings. It reflects the BJP's culture of ignoring public grievances once in power," he wrote. Mr Katare also hit out at BJP minister Rakesh Singh for his earlier remark: "As long as there are roads, there will be potholes." Calling it "an example of real arrogance," he said the statement epitomises the ruling party's indifference to the problems faced by common citizens.
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mehwish claps back at trolls targeting Sahir Lodhi
Sahir Lodhi has recently been trending on social media, with users posting TikTok videos mimicking the actor and television host. Jumping on the bandwagon, Yasir Nawaz also shared a video of himself imitating Lodhi. The clip was received with humour and quickly went viral, sparking what's now known as "The Sahir Lodhi Trend." As the trend went viral, Mehwish Hayat took to social media to defend Lodhi, showing her disapproval of internet culture that thrives on making fun of celebrities. Hayat penned, "It's really not fair how some people make fun of him, often forgetting that he's a human being with feelings, just like the rest of us." The actor showed appreciation of Lodhi's hard work over the years by writing, "He is someone who has worked consistently, shown up with passion, and built a name in an industry that's not easy to survive in." Hayat emphasised that everyone deserves basic kindness, despite their differences. According to her, "You don't have to agree with someone's style or choices but basic respect should never go out of fashion." She had a positive message for the audience, promoting empathy, "Let's normalise kindness, especially towards those who keep showing up, no matter what the world throws at them." Lodhi has been the target of hate ever since he began his career. He has been trolled for imitating the Bollywood actor, Shahrukh Khan, for his over the top hosting style and for not appearing manly enough. His movie, Raasta released in 2017, was also met with a lot of hate for its poor quality, mocking the actor for his self-congratulary attitude. Previously, Lodhi had gracefully responded to his online trolls by stating, "When you are in this profession, you become public property. I think if you cannot take humour or taunts, then you cannot work here." While asked about negative comments, the actor remarked, "Yes, I get a lot of hate and curse words thrown my way. If writing these comments makes these people happy or they believe I am a certain way, then what can I say? Everyone has the right to express and live their life in whatever way they want."
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
India keen to strike trade deal with US, but wary about crossing red lines on agriculture, dairy
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Around 60 per cent of India's 1.4 billion people are engaged directly or indirectly in agriculture. – In the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, soya bean farmer Harnam Singh Lodhi lamented that he has enough difficulties without having to worry about competition from American farmers. 'This year, non-stop rains after sowing have hurt the crop,' said Mr Lodhi, who fears 70 per cent of his soya bean crop was washed out and ruined. 'I am also worried about getting good rates when the crop is harvested in October,' added the farmer, who has an 8.1ha farm in the biggest soya bean producing state in India, on which he also cultivates wheat. 'So how can I, on top of all that, compete with American soya bean farmers?' Soy farmers like Mr Lodhi are contending with a market glut due to a good November harvest, which has pushed average prices down by about 10 per cent since 2024 to around 4,000 rupees (S$59.60) for 100kg. Prices could fall further if the United States gets its way. Soy – along with dairy, wheat, rice and apples – is among the American produce Washington wants India to ease import restrictions on. The US is the world's second-largest producer of soya beans, while India is ranked the fifth. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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But resistance from Indian farmers to the US push for greater market access in agriculture and dairy has been a major sticking point in the government's tariff negotiations. India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a July 1 interview with The Financial Express that these sectors 'have been among the very big red lines, where a high degree of caution has been exercised'. Around 60 per cent of India's 1.4 billion people are engaged directly or indirectly in agriculture, a sector that accounts for about 18 per cent of the annual economic output of the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP. Collectively, farmers wield enormous political clout. Pressure from farmer groups was one key reason behind India's 2019 decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement involving 15 Asia-Pacific countries. In 2021, following 11 months of massive farmer protests, the government was forced to repeal three farm laws which farmers believed to favour large companies. More on this topic India proposes retaliatory duties at WTO against US tariffs on vehicles Pushback to pressure Currently, US agricultural exports to India include nuts such as almonds and pistachios, pulses such as chick peas, and some fresh fruit. US President Donald Trump has said that 'India basically is working along that same line' of the deal struck with Indonesia, which has agreed to buy US$4.5 billion in US produce, among other measures, in exchange for a tariff rate of 19 per cent, down from the original 32 per cent. Agriculture accounts for about 18 per cent of the annual economic output of the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP. PHOTO: AFP Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on July 15 that the two countries are moving quickly to reach a 'win-win' agreement. But farmers' associations in India are against any tariff reduction deal giving American agricultural products unfettered access to the Indian market. They are also against the entry of genetically modified crops, such as corn from the US, which is among the key sticking points in the negotiations. India allows cultivation of genetically modified cotton but does not allow cultivation of any other genetically modified crops domestically. The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (ICCFM), a network of farmers' organisations, has urged the government 'to protect the interests of Indian farmers, ensuring our food sovereignty and security' in the India-US trade deal. The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) – a farmers' organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – has made a similar call. 'We are not on a level playing field when it comes to American farmers. The landholding is smaller in India. How will we compete?' asked Mr Mohini Mohan Mishra, BKS All-India general secretary. 'It will be better to keep discussions on agriculture and dairy out of this deal,' he added. Small Indian farms cannot match the scale and efficiency of US farms, which average 188.5ha and often benefit from large-scale operations, advanced mechanisation, subsidies and better infrastructure. In comparison, India's farms are small, fragmented and hardly mechanised. Some 86 per cent of farmers operate from less than 2ha of land. The agriculture sector also struggles with low productivity, rising costs of items like fertilisers and seeds, poor irrigation infrastructure and an over-dependence on rain for water. While the government supports farmers with guarantees that it will buy certain agricultural products at pre-determined rates, farmers continue to struggle to make ends meet. A single crop failure or a drop in prices for produce could send Indian farmers, who are typically already weighed down by loans, spiralling into financial crisis. Cereals such as rice, wheat, maize and millet account for more than half of India's total agricultural production and two-thirds of agricultural crop area. Indian farmers fear that an influx of these cheaper produce from the US will further erode their earnings amid already difficult circumstances. 'There is no way, because of food security and livelihood issues, that we can expose our farmers to face competition from large agri businesses,' said Dr Biswajit Dhar, a trade expert at the Council for Social Development, a think-tank focusing on justice and equality in development. Dairy sensitivities India is the world's largest producer of milk, but it only has a 0.25 per cent share of global dairy trade due to high domestic consumption. This makes India an attractive market for US dairy. But if US milk were allowed into India, prices are likely to fall by about 15 per cent – spelling a potential annual loss of 103 billion rupees to dairy farmers, a State Bank of India report forecasts. There is also cultural and religious resistance to importing US dairy, due to the American practice of feeding cattle with animal by-products. Recent trade agreements that India inked with Australia and the United Kingdom could offer some ideas on resolving the impasse with the US. The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in 2022 exempted duties on Australian barley, oats and lobsters – but dairy and chickpeas were excluded. In the free-trade agreement with UK, India refused tariff reductions on UK dairy, apples, poultry and sugar to protect farmers. 'What could be done is that India could increase market access for the US in some areas like nuts and processed foods,' Dr Dhar said. 'The government will be worried about facing farmers' wrath. I don't think the government will test them.' BKS' Mr Mishra warned that if the government goes ahead with agriculture and dairy in the deal, 'we will also decide how to go ahead'. 'The government will have to think – there are so many elections coming one after the other,' he said, referring to state-level elections. He added: 'If they don't work for the welfare of farmers, farmers will also not cooperate.'
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mehwish Hayat's message for those trolling Sahir Lodhi
Sahir Lodhi has recently been trending on social media, with users posting TikTok videos mimicking the actor and television host. Jumping on the bandwagon, Yasir Nawaz also shared a video of himself imitating Lodhi. The clip was received with humour and quickly went viral, sparking what's now known as 'The Sahir Lodhi Trend.' As the trend went viral, Mehwish Hayat took to social media to defend Lodhi, showing her disapproval of internet culture that thrives on making fun of celebrities. Hayat penned, 'It's really not fair how some people make fun of him, often forgetting that he's a human being with feelings, just like the rest of us.' The actor showed appreciation of Lodhi's hard work over the years by writing, 'He is someone who has worked consistently, shown up with passion, and built a name in an industry that's not easy to survive in.' Hayat emphasised that everyone deserves basic kindness, despite their differences. According to her, 'You don't have to agree with someone's style or choices but basic respect should never go out of fashion.' She had a positive message for the audience, promoting empathy, 'Let's normalise kindness, especially towards those who keep showing up, no matter what the world throws at them.' Lodhi has been the target of hate ever since he began his career. He has been trolled for imitating the Bollywood actor, Shahrukh Khan, for his over the top hosting style and for not appearing manly enough. His movie, Raasta released in 2017, was also met with a lot of hate for its poor quality, mocking the actor for his self-congratulary attitude. Previously, Lodhi had gracefully responded to his online trolls by stating, 'When you are in this profession, you become public property. I think if you cannot take humour or taunts, then you cannot work here.' While asked about negative comments, the actor remarked, 'Yes, I get a lot of hate and curse words thrown my way. If writing these comments makes these people happy or they believe I am a certain way, then what can I say? Everyone has the right to express and live their life in whatever way they want.' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Echoes of past: How Delhi's forgotten monuments are coming back to life
NEW DELHI: On the Delhi state archaeology department's agenda is the restoration of four historic sites in the city - the Dwarka baoli, the kos minars near Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and at Badarpur border and a minar in Hastsal village. While work on the Dwarka stepwell and the milestone at Badarpur border have been completed, the process is nearing completion at the other two sites. The estimated cost of these projects was over Rs 30 lakh. The baoli at Dwarka, also known as Loharheri ki Baoli, is a 16th-century stepwell built in the Lodhi era to serve the ironsmith community of Loharheri village. Hidden for years under vegetation, it was rediscovered and is now recognised as an important architectural site. Located between a school and residential complex in Sector 12, the restored structure now features repaired stone flooring, lime replastering and repainted grilles and gates. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The kos minar on Mathura Road close to Badarpur metro station is a Mughal-era milestone that once marked distances along imperial travel routes. These minars played a crucial role in communication and navigation during the Mughal period. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nvidia's AI Strategy Is Clear - But Is Wall Street Paying Attention? Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Restoration work at the site included repairs to the rubble masonry boundary wall, stone paving, repointing and repainting of grilles. Work at the kos minar near Apollo Hospital is in its final stages and is likely to be completed at the end of this month. According to INTACH, the minar is a cylindrical, tapering structure with three horizontal moulded sections, an octagonal base and a domed top. Once used to mark distances - one kos equals approximately 3km - these structures were part of India's medieval road system. Restoration includes building a brick boundary wall, stone flooring, masonry reinforcement, chemical cleaning and installation of new grilles and a gate. In Hastsal village, restoration is under way on a 17-metre-high, three-storeyed brick minar built during emperor Shah Jahan's reign. Likely intended as a shooting tower near the Mughal emperor's hunting lodge, the minar features red sandstone facades, a narrow internal staircase and architectural elements reminiscent of Qutub Minar. Ongoing work includes boundary wall construction, lime plastering, red sandstone flooring and painting of grilles and walls. Completion is expected by Aug-end. In addition to these projects, the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation is overseeing the restoration of several other monuments and improve public access to them. These include six monuments within Mehrauli Archaeological Park, three in Lodhi Garden, as well as Ghost Gumbad, Baradari Qudsia, the Tomb of Bijri Khan, Mutiny Memorial, Turkmen Gate and Bawana Jail. Plans include adding amenities like restrooms and lighting wherever space allows. Department officials said that while some sites like Quli Khan's Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Shah Jahan's Turkman Gate will undergo structural stabilisation and restoration, others were being given visitor-friendly features. The Mughal-era tomb of Paik, located near Mukarba Chowk, is getting a complete makeover. An amphitheatre and cafeteria are under construction, along with an interpretation room to help visitors understand the monument's historical significance and boost tourist engagement.
