Latest news with #Noddy
News18
6 days ago
- General
- News18
What's In The Name? Row Over Penguin Names At Mumbai Zoo, BJP Demands Preference To Marathi
Last Updated: The BJP leaders are arguing that the baby Pengiuns are domiciled in Maharashtra by birth, and therefore, should be given Marathi names. The penguins at the Byculla Zoo have again grabbed the headlines after a massive row erupted in the political circles of Mumbai over their names. Intensifying the push for the Marathi language, BJP leaders are demanding that Penguin chicks born in a city zoo should be given Marathi names. Expanding their son or daughter-of-the-soil debate, so far restricted to humans, the BJP leaders are arguing that the flightless birds are domiciled in Maharashtra by birth, and therefore, should be given Marathi names so that Maharashtra's cultural identity and Marathi language are respected. The controversy erupted at a time when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are round the corner in Mumbai, and debate over language and identify are growing in political parties. How It All Began? In March 2025, eight penguins kept in Ranibagh gave birth to three chicks. Following which, the zoological museum administration named the chicks — Noddy, Tom and Pingu. Soon after the baby penguins were named, an objection was raised by the BJP leaders, saying Marathi names should have been given priority while naming the penguins. BJP leader from Byculla constituency Nilesh Bankar objected to this and sent two letters to the zoo administration. 'Giving English names to these penguins is injustice to the Marathi language. Isn't this hatred towards Marathi language?" he said. According to NDTV, the BJP leaders said the penguins were born in Mumbai and described the newborn penguins as 'native residents'/'sons of the soil' i.e., bhumiputra from birth. However, there was no official response from the zoo administration to the BJP BJP leaders have also protested in front of the zoo. First Published: June 04, 2025, 12:23 IST
NDTV
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Why Not Marathi?" Huge Row Over Penguin Names At Mumbai's Byculla Zoo
Mumbai: The penguins at the Byculla Zoo have been in the headlines since they arrived in Mumbai in 2016. The penguins became available for public viewing from 2017 at the zoo and since then have become very popular among visitors to the zoo. An idea initially pushed by Shiv Sena UBT leader and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray, these penguins became a subject of public debate from day one. Seven years later, another round of politics has broken out over the naming of the penguins. BJP leaders say that since new penguins are born in Maharashtra, they should be given Marathi names so that Maharashtra's cultural identity and Marathi language are respected. The controversy comes at a time when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are round the corner in Mumbai, and political parties are giving prominence to issues of identity and language. What's In A Name? In March 2025, eight penguins kept in Ranibagh gave birth to three chicks. The zoological museum administration named them Noddy, Tom and Pingu. This is what the BJP leaders are objecting to. BJP leader from Byculla constituency Nilesh Bankar objected to this and sent two letters to the zoo administration. According to the BJP leader, since Marathi has recently been accorded the classical language status, Marathi names should have been given priority while naming the penguins. "Giving English names to these penguins is injustice to the Marathi language. Isn't this hatred towards Marathi language?" he said. BJP's Push For Marathi Names BJP leaders said the penguins were born in Mumbai. Describing the newborn penguins as 'native residents'/'sons of the soil' i.e., bhumiputra from birth, the BJP argues they should be given Marathi names. Letters were sent, warning the administration that if it did not take positive steps regarding Marathi renaming, the BJP would launch a "strong agitation". Copies of the letters have also been sent to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Guardian Minister, and BMC officials. However, there was no official response from the zoo administration to the BJP leaders, following which Nilesh Banker and other BJP workers protested in front of the zoo. The Big Picture: BMC Elections Mumbai has seen politics over language and cultural identity. Earlier these issues were limited to people and jobs, but now it has reached the penguin colony too. The controversy has become a subject of political, linguistic and cultural debate. The zoo administration hasn't responded to the demands yet and there is no clarity yet on whether there will be any change in the names of these penguins or not. Debate Over Expenditure The opposition in the BMC had described the exercise of introducing penguins as wasteful expenditure and raised questions on whether the penguins will be able to survive in Mumbai's climate even with the climate-controlled facilities created for them. Not only did they survive but the first penguin baby was born in Mumbai in 2018. Unfortunately, it did not survive and died within a week. However, since the programme has had success and the penguins are among the star attractions at the zoo. So far most of the penguins at the Byculla zoo have had English names but this time around that could change.
Sunday World
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sunday World
Hyundai's Inster is a gamechanger for the brand with a starting price of less than €19k
Hyundai's latest is a small wonder that comes in at a very small price, starting at less than €19k Hyundai's Inster has plenty of legroom for a small city car, but the space gained for passengers is sacrificed in the boot When it comes to electric city cars you won't find anything slicker than Hyundai's new amazing Inster. The only complaint I have is the fact that Hyundai Ireland gave me a bright yellow-coloured model to test drive. I mean the only thing it was missing were four red wheel arches and I really would have looked like Noddy driving around Toytown. However, after getting over the initial hue-miliation everything else about the little Inster got my seal of approval. Inside the Hyundai Inster On the outside, it is fair to say that the little city car is extremely quirky to look at, although it may not tickle everyone's tastebuds. But I think it's kind of funky for a city car. I don't know if it was the Fyffes banana colour or my ugly mush, but it certainly turned heads during my week-long test drive. The Inster's exterior looks are loosely based on a Hyundai stablemate called the Casper. Yes, like me, you won't have ever heard of it as it is only sold in Korea in petrol-powered form. Up front, the Hyundai Inster features LED daytime running light signature and pixel-graphic turn signals, tail lamp and bumpers. Offered as an option, if you really want to push the boat out, are LED projection headlamps and a two-tone exterior with a contrasting black roof. Elsewhere, either 15-inch steel with wheel covers, 15-inch alloys or 17-inch alloy wheels are offered depending on specification. But it was the Inster's inside that impressed me the most – especially how much room there is on offer for a small, city car. I actually couldn't believe how much legroom there was on offer for the rear-seat passengers. I mean, I have been in some luxurious executive cars that haven't got anywhere near it. Inside the Hyundai Inster The downside to that though is that the passenger space is obviously taken from the boot space and you certainly won't be fitting two 20kg bags for your summer holidays. However, if you are not towing a couple of rugrats around, the rear two (yes there is no third seat) can be folded offering enough room for even an Ikea run. Inside, Inster provides enhanced technology and convenience with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touch-screen with navigation and a wireless charging dock that forms part of a compact centre console designed to create a greater sense of spaciousness. Access The interior also offers versatility and spaciousness, with the front row seating providing walk-through access. All seats can be folded flat – including the driver's seat – for increased flexibility. A front bench seat option and heated front seats and steering wheel are also available. The second-row seats are split 50/50 and slide and recline. On the road, the new Hyundai Inster is extremely impressive too. For a small, city car the range is excellent with the entry-level model offering a claimed driving range of more than 300km from its 42kWh pack and 355km from the extended 49kWh one. Now down to the best bit. Hyundai Ireland has absolutely nailed this one with a starting price of less than €19k. I mean, you would spend close to that for a two-week family trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida these days. I haven't had a chance to drive the Renault 5 yet, which my colleague has reviewed on the opposite page, but this little Hyundai Inster is top of the (EV) range in my eyes so far this year. TECH SPEC MODEL: Hyundai Inster 49kWh PRICING: Inster from €18,995 inc. incentives, €21,995 as tested POWERTRAIN: electric – 84.5kW electric motor, lithium-ion battery of 49kWh usable energy capacity RANGE: 369km (claimed)
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mumbai: Three new penguins born at Byculla zoo
In the first such event in more than a year, the zoo authorities at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Vanaspati Udyan and Zoo announced the birth of three new baby penguins — Noddy, Tom and Pingu — taking the total tally of the Humboldt penguins at the Byculla zoo up to 21. The eldest of the penguin chicks, Noddy, was born on March 4 to Olive and Poppy while Daisy and Donald gave birth to Tom and Pingu. Tom was born on March 7 while the youngest of the lot was born on March 11. The announcement of their birth, which has sparked immense joy among the authorities, came on April 25 — which is celebrated as World Penguin Day. While the three new additions have been opened for public viewing, officials said that the baby penguins spend most of their time within the nest inside the facility — leaving them inaccessible for visitors' viewing. Biologists at the zoo said that the 'tiniest waddlers' of the zoo are healthy and sound. 'These days, we provide the food to the parents who chew the food, make a flurry and then feed their chicks themselves,' added an official. Prior to this, the Byculla zoo had welcomed three penguins in 2023 when three different pairs of parents gave birth to Coco (female), Stella (female) and Jerry (male). The arrival of the new baby penguins has taken the total tally of Humboldt penguins to 21. Amid the burgeoning population of the species at the zoo, the Byculla authorities have offered penguins for exchange programmes across the zoo in a bid to procure other animals. However, the penguins have found no takers thus — owing to their high costs of maintenance and care — sparking concerns of dwindling space for the penguins at the existing facility.
Spectator
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
2700: Tracking far north
The unclued lights are of a kind on line. Across 4 PC and Noddy seen in trouble. This is so sad (11) 13 Hospital employees tell stories (9) 14 Grand test for Himalayan goat (5) 19 Curious way to row (7) 23 Keys to Welsh steam engine that is small (7) 24 Unfinished detailed examination of breeding establishment (4) 25 Tailleur at play, regularly and in an attentive manner (7) 30 Honoured, but lost a touch of dignity for a while (3,4) 31 Dull English and US coin (4) 32 Inform of a reward, we hear (7) 34 Otherwise, either of two girls I deserted (4) 35 Hebrew girl just a bit harassed – just a bit (7) 37 Peaceful girl, alluring one, topless, at end of promenade (5) 42 United recovered before surrendering lead (6) 43 The direct opposite of poetry's presentation (7) 44 Quick way to British journalism? (5,6) Down 2 Carefully choose material for minister (6) 3 Artificial fishing fly is one left on German article (5) 5 Nobleman nearly at the centre (4) 6 Young herring is rejected for £1/0/1 (4) 7 Put on too much make-up, composer admitted (7) 8 Hedgerow flower is the same and could be gorse! (3,4) 9 On-air rant about the start of Under Milk Wood, say (9) 10 Stuff about Northern Ireland University's head case (7) 17 Canoe re-designed on island – one amongst many? (7) 18 Not open, being short-staffed (11) 26 Archie didn't regularly reveal banker in Germany (5) 27 Gusher to ensure there's no friction (3,4) 28 It would not provide cover from the rain! (7) 29 Brief trip away – make it last longer (4,3) 36 Around second half of year, put up rents (5) 38 Four points for far from modern slave (4) 39 Waxworks? (4) Download a printable version here. A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 12 May. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@
