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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Surge in demand of Lord Ram idols in Prayagraj, Ayodhya & Kashi
1 2 Prayagraj: With the second phase of the consecration ceremony at the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya , the demand for both small and large idols of Lord Ram made of fibre resin material has surged in Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj. The Sangam city and Lucknow-based handicraft units, which makes idols of Lord Ram, has received bulk orders for both sizes of idols, with heights of 6.5 ft and 1 ft, respectively. Anurag Asthana, who introduced the concept of shaping Lord Ram idols using clay modelling techniques and fibre resin materials, told TOI: "There is a record demand for the Lord Ram idols across the markets of the state. A team of five to six artisans is working round-the-clock to cope with the demand." He said the demand for particularly small idols has increased in view of the second phase of the consecration ceremony. Asthana, meanwhile, claimed that the artists first apply clay modelling to prepare the base and then use fibre resin materials to complete the idol. While it takes two to three days to prepare a small idol, it takes about 30 days for a big one. He said the demand for big idols was recorded more in the Prayagraj district. Interestingly, over 5,000 small idols of Lord Ram made of fibre resin material have already been sold out, and shoppers are more interested in purchasing the small idols due to their size and availability. Similarly, idols with a height of 6.5 feet are being made on demand only. Tourists flocking to the holy cities of UP from the rest of the country are purchasing these idols them for themselves as well as for gift purposes. Makers said that they have to take up double production of idols in both Prayagraj and Lucknow after witnessing the increasing demand in the markets.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Hop on to a bicycle and ride your way to weight loss and fitness
Lucknow: When Prabhat Ranjan looked in the mirror at 110 kg, he barely recognised himself. Once a school-level cyclist, the demands of work had long taken him off the saddle. But at 33, alongside his wife Amrita Ranjan, he returned to cycling — and to himself. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Over time, he lost 35 kg and participated in global events like the Paris-Brest-Paris race. Life dealt him a heavy blow when his wife passed away during a cycling ride, yet the same cycle that brought pain also became his path to healing. "I saw myself in the mirror and realised it wasn't me. After 15 years, I returned to cycling, and it changed my life. I even lost my wife while cycling, but it gave me fitness, fame and emotional strength," said Ranjan, while explaining the benefits of cycling on the eve of World Bicycle Day. Sandeep Joshi, 55, began pedalling after struggling with ulcerative colitis and high blood pressure. What started as a health decision soon became a daily escape and therapy, as he now rides 50-60 km a day. "It controlled my BP, weight and heart issues. Cycling is my biggest stress reliever," said Joshi. Lucknow-based fashion designer Mili Malhotra turned to cycling after arthritis and thyroid complications began affecting her mobility and mood. Watching her mother struggle post-knee surgery, she vowed to write a different story for herself. "My mother was treated like a burden after surgery. I didn't want that. Cycling helped with joint pain and menopause mood swings," she said Deepali, 52, a former runner, had to give up running due to arthritis. Advised to try cycling, she has been riding for five years now, regaining mobility and reducing pain. Cancer survivor Satyam Pandey, 22, found mental and physical recovery through cycling after relapse of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL) in 2020. "It's been a lifesaver. Now all my reports are clear," said Pandey Pratima Awasthi, 56, credits cycling for improving both her stamina and mental strength, while 54-year-old Debu Debnath overcame severe knee pain through consistent riding. For theatre artist Bhushan Agarwal, daily rides became the cure for long-term stomach issues. "Cycling helped me recover completely," he said. Shailesh Singh, a bank officer, was suffering from cervical spondylosis and obesity. At 108 kg, he was advised to wear a neck collar indefinitely. He took up cycling with support from the Avengers Cycling Group. Within months, he lost 17 kg and regained his health.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Rekha's Umrao Jaan gears up for re-release, set to clash with Kajol's mytho-horror flick Maa
The re-release trend isn't going away anytime soon! Umrao Jaan starring ever-charming Bollywood diva Rekha is set to release on the big screen again. The cult-classic movie has been restored in 4K quality by the film bodies, National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Termed among the finest Hindi movies of all time, Umrao Jaan is now gearing up for its return to cinemas on June 27th. However, it won't be a clear run for the re-release as the film will be facing a major clash at the box office. Directed by Muzaffar Ali, the timeless classic is all set to face Kajol starrer mythological-horror drama, Maa, in a major clash. While Umrao Jaan is expected to re-release on limited shows, the latter is likely to grab most of the screens with an extensive release. Interestingly, both movies celebrate women in different genres. It will be a treat for cinema lovers to experience two female-led movies in a single day. For the unversed, Kajol's Maa is directed by Vishal Furia and produced by Ajay Devgn and Kumar Mangat Pathak. The horror movie is marketed as a part of the Shaitaan universe, which might help it to attract moviegoers and give it an upper hand against rival releases. Umrao Jaan, on the other hand, holds a legacy of artistic cinema, whose beautifully penned songs often go viral on instagram. The Rekha starrer has the potential to strike chords with the new-gen audience and emerge as a new sensation on social media. Originally released in 1981, Umrao Jaan stars Farooq Shaikh as Umrao's love interest, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Shaukat Kaifi, Dina Pathak, Satish Shah, and others. The movie explores the love, loss, and longing of a 19th-century Lucknow-based courtesan-poetess, played by Rekha. Umrao Jaan was a huge hit during its initial release. It remained etched in every cinephiles' memory because of its evergreen music, composed by Khayyam. Rekha's legendary performance in the film made her win the National Film Award for Best Actress. It also boasts of a soulful music library which includes- Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Aankhon Ki Masti, and more. Restored in 4K version for the contemporary audience, Umrao Jaan will be re-released by PVR Inox as part of their Timeless Classics initiative, which previously re-released some of the landmark movies of Hindi cinema. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
Mint
3 days ago
- General
- Mint
Eid al-Adha 2025: Lucknow Imam calls for private sacrifices, social media restraint – ‘pray for soldiers'
Eid al-Adha 2025: Lucknow-based Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli has urged people to sacrifice animals on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in private spaces and refrain from sharing any videos on social media. The Imam has also advised Muslims to not sacrifice prohibited animals and follow government guidelines. 'This festival will be celebrated on June 7 in the country. A 12-point advisory has been issued by the Islamic Centre of India, Lucknow… The 'Qurbani' can be done on June 7, 8 and 9; cleanliness should be maintained, and it shouldn't be done in any public space,' Maulana Khalid said in a video advisory issued on June 2. 'No photos or videos should be clicked or posted on social media,' he said. 'Pack the meat properly and distribute it. Also, once the Eid Namaz is over, make sure you pray for Palestine and also for brave soldiers guarding our borders,' said Maulana Khalid. Muslims offer speacial Eid prayers in the morning on the occasion of Eid al-Adha Eid-ul-Adha or Eid al-Adha or BariEid is one of the two Eids celebrated by Muslims. It is celebrated on 10th of Zil-Hajj or Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is also known as the 'feast of sacrifice." This year Eid al-Adha falls on June 7 in India and June 6 in Saudi Arabia and other gulf nations. The festivities run for three days. The central ritual of offering a sacrifice (qurbani) commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a test of his obedience to God. As mentioned in the Quran, Prophet Ibrahim received a divine command in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismael as a test of his faith. As Ibrahim prepared to carry out the sacrifice, God intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead, signifying Ibrahim's devotion and submission to God's will. Thus, the sacrifice on Eid al-Adha symbolises the significance of faith, sacrifice, and obedience in Islam. Key Takeaways Eid al-Adha symbolizes faith, sacrifice, and obedience in Islam. Imam advises private sacrifices and discourages social media sharing. Muslims should pray for soldiers and maintain cleanliness during the festivities.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Urban managers' to help small ULBs tackle unique challenges
Lucknow: In a significant step towards strengthening urban centres in Uttar Pradesh, the state govt on Thursday signed an MoU with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The institute would guide the employees deputed in the urban local bodies as well as Lucknow-based directorate to take forward the aspirational cities programme on the right track. Tata Trust is also among the stakeholders helping the state govt to roll out the programme. Principal secretary of the department Amrit Abhijat, secretary, Ajay Kumar Shukla and director of ULBs in UP Anuj Kumar Jha and Shikha Srivastava from TATA Trust and Poonam Praksash from SPA were present when the MoU exchanged hands between the stakeholders. The collaboration addresses a critical gap in urban planning expertise, particularly in smaller towns experiencing rapid growth. By focusing on capacity building, the initiative seeks to create a network of competent 'urban managers' capable of tackling the unique challenges faced by small ULBs. The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework that includes assessing training needs, identifying skilled trainers and developing tailored programs to enhance local planning capabilities. "This MoU represents our commitment to ensuring that no city, regardless of size, is left behind in our urban development journey," said Abhijat. The partnership will deliver an integrated training plan, foster collaborations with state and regional institutions, and provide specialized training manuals to ensure knowledge reaches the grassroots level. Director, SPA, Virendra Kumar Paul, emphasized the initiative's broader vision: "Capacity building is a big thrust for infrastructure development in India. We aspire to create a pool of competent 'Urban Managers' who will contribute to sustainable, climate-resilient, and culturally vibrant cities as a pride of India." The Tata Trust's financial support underscores the program's potential to reshape Uttar Pradesh's urban landscape, said an officer.
