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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Meghnad Desai: Who he was in his thoughts
Lord Meghnad Desai and his wife, Kishwar, were sitting in the first row when, on April 29 this year, my latest book, Echoes of Eternity: A Journey through Indian Thought from the Rigveda to the Present, was launched. Meghnad looked in fine fettle, avidly following the ensuing discussion between Nitin Gadkari, Shashi Tharoor, Shoma Choudhary, and I. After the event, Kishwar and he were very keen that my wife and I join them for a drink, but we could stay only briefly. The next day, we heard he had been admitted to hospital. One never knows in life what the next moment will bring. But Meghnad's passing on July 29 at the age of 85 brought back memories of over two decades. My wife and I were witnesses when Kishwar and he were married at the Marlborough registration office in London in 2004. After the registers were signed, I can never forget how Meghnad pulled out a small pouch from his pocket. It contained sindoor, and he took a pinch and put it in the parting of Kishwar's hair. This public acknowledgement of his cultural roots surprised me, because this was the same man who told me that when he left India at the age of 21 to do his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania, he felt 'no special wrench, and thought to myself that at last my Indian chapter is behind me'. He taught at the University of California in Berkeley, before moving to teach at London School of Economics (LSE). I remember in February 2005, when I was posted in London as the director of The Nehru Centre, we were at their home for dinner, and in the book-lined living room, he spoke at length — while twirling his glass of red wine — about his life's journey. 'I did not see myself as an Indian,' he said. 'I married an Englishwoman. We had three children. Nor did I come across racism. I gave up my Indian passport in 1976. In fact, even before, in 1971, I had joined the Labour Party (of which he was the chairperson from 1986 to 1992). In 1995, when I was made a member of the House of Lords, I made it clear that I did not want to be a community leader or the spokesperson of the Gujaratis. I am British.' But was he? The truth is there are four things you cannot leave behind at immigration — religion, language, colour and culture. For all his denials, Meghnad was more Indian than he was willing to admit. That is why ultimately, he emotionally returned to India when he married Kishwar Ahluwalia. I've known Kishwar for much longer, before she met Meghnad. She was then working in a publishing firm, and editing his book on the iconic actor Dilip Kumar. As she laughingly admits, Meghnad fell head over heels in love with her, overwhelming her with champagne and flowers, until she accepted, even though, given the age gap, and the fact that from her previous marriage she had two children, she was initially reluctant. Marriage did not reduce Meghnad's unabashed and happy rotundity, but I seem to recall that — like some latter-day Desdemona — Lady Kishwar Desai did persuade him to slightly prune his trademark halo of white hair. They were happily married for 21 years. Over the years, through innumerable interactions, I realised that under his easy-going demeanour, Meghnad had a razor-sharp mind. As professor-emeritus at the LSE, and as Lord Desai, he contributed significantly to the public discourse both in India and Britain on economics and politics. He wrote several scholarly books, including two on Marxian economics, established the Centre for the Study of Global Governance at LSE in 1992, and was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2008. Meghnad and Kishwar were a much-loved part of Delhi's social circle, and divided their time between London and Delhi, and Goa where they had bought a home. For me, the great thing about Meghnad was that he was a well-informed and civilised conversationalist, from whom you always learnt something. And, of course, he was a loyal friend, who will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences to Kishwar. Pavan K Varma is author, diplomat, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). The views expressed are personal.
The Print
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Over 3.68 lakh trees to be ‘affected' for Adani mining project in Chhattisgarh, Centre tells LS
Citing the state government's proposal for forest land diversions, the response read that 3,68,217 trees 'will be affected'. In response to a question by Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation MP Raja Ram Singh seeking details on the number of trees impacted for the PEKB coal mining project in Chhattisgarh, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that permissions for the PEKB project expansions were granted twice. New Delhi: Over 3.68 lakh trees will be cut in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Arand for the Parsa East Kente Basan (PEKB) coal mines—an Adani Enterprises project, a reply by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) before the Lok Sabha read Monday. 'The diversion of forest land is allowed subject to conditions including the Compensatory Afforestation (CA), payment of Net Present Value (NPV) and other appropriate mitigation measures,' the reply read. Hasdeo Arand is among the largest contiguous dense forests—continuous stretches of forest lands—in central India. It spans around 1,70,000 hectares and is home to animals like the sloth bear, elephant, and rare plant species, including smilax and epiphytic orchids. The area is divided into 23 coal blocks, six of which are approved for mining. According to government documents, the contracts for four of these approved mining blocks are with Adani Enterprises. Also read: SC bars govt from giving post-facto environmental clearance citing citizens' rights, conservation Environmental impact The Lok Sabha reply read that the Chhattisgarh Environmental Conservation Board (CECB) had held public hearings in Parsa, Kente, Basan, Salhi, Hariharpur, Ghartbara and Parogiya villages in the Sarguja district in 2009 for the project. An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) was formed to consider the issues raised during the public hearing, after which the project was recommended for a mandatory environmental clearance (EC) before going ahead. The environmental clearance was granted in December 2011. Another public hearing was conducted by the CECB in 2016 to increase the capacity of the coal mining and washery from 10 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) to 15 MTPA. 'The issues raised in the public hearing include mine discharge, arrangement of treatment of polluted water, transportation of coal, employment, culture and traditions, rehabilitation,' Monday's reply read. In 2022, another EC was granted to increase the coal production from 15 to 18 MTPA—a 20% increase. 'As part of this expansion project, the proponent has carried out a cumulative impact assessment for the coal mining and the coal washery,' the reply added. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: 8 yrs into probe, CBI books Aditya Birla Group's Hindalco for 'corruption' over environmental clearances
The Age
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Usher cancels Australian tour just weeks after tickets go on sale
R&B icon Usher has cancelled all of his Australian tour dates just months after announcing what was going to be his first tour down under in over a decade. A statement was posted on the Ticketek website on Friday, stating that the promoter of Usher's Australian tour 'regrets to advise that the scheduled shows to take place in November/December will no longer be proceeding'. A Live Nation spokesperson confirmed none of the shows would be going ahead. No specific reason for the cancellation was cited. In March, the My Boo singer shared news of the Australian leg of his Past, Present, Future tour on Instagram, telling fans he would be 'bringing the A to the AUS' later this year. He was scheduled to perform six shows at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena between November 19 to 26, and another six shows at Sydney's Qudos Arena between December 1 and 11. Tickets went on sale in May, less than two months ago. Loading According to the Ticketek website, those who bought tickets will automatically receive full refunds, and no action is required from them. Notably, Ticketek is only responsible for the sale of tickets. 'Customers should allow approximately 30 business days for the refund to appear in their account,' it read. 'Customers who purchased tickets at a Ticketek agency or using Ticketek gift vouchers have been contacted to the email address of their Ticketek account to request additional information so we can process your refund.' Those who bought their tickets via Ticketek also received this information in an email sent on Friday afternoon. It has been nearly 14 years since Usher's previous tour in Australia – the OMG tour in 2011. Demand appeared to be strong for his upcoming tour, which has already taken place in the US and Europe, as the promoter added four additional shows to the schedule after the presale in May.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Usher cancels Australian tour just weeks after tickets go on sale
R&B icon Usher has cancelled all of his Australian tour dates just months after announcing what was going to be his first tour down under in over a decade. A statement was posted on the Ticketek website on Friday, stating that the promoter of Usher's Australian tour 'regrets to advise that the scheduled shows to take place in November/December will no longer be proceeding'. A Live Nation spokesperson confirmed none of the shows would be going ahead. No specific reason for the cancellation was cited. In March, the My Boo singer shared news of the Australian leg of his Past, Present, Future tour on Instagram, telling fans he would be 'bringing the A to the AUS' later this year. He was scheduled to perform six shows at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena between November 19 to 26, and another six shows at Sydney's Qudos Arena between December 1 and 11. Tickets went on sale in May, less than two months ago. Loading According to the Ticketek website, those who bought tickets will automatically receive full refunds, and no action is required from them. Notably, Ticketek is only responsible for the sale of tickets. 'Customers should allow approximately 30 business days for the refund to appear in their account,' it read. 'Customers who purchased tickets at a Ticketek agency or using Ticketek gift vouchers have been contacted to the email address of their Ticketek account to request additional information so we can process your refund.' Those who bought their tickets via Ticketek also received this information in an email sent on Friday afternoon. It has been nearly 14 years since Usher's previous tour in Australia – the OMG tour in 2011. Demand appeared to be strong for his upcoming tour, which has already taken place in the US and Europe, as the promoter added four additional shows to the schedule after the presale in May.
Irish Examiner
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'Super Garden' recreated at local school to honour late gardener
The wife of a talented gardener who died shortly after winning RTÉ's Super Garden competition has said she is delighted to see his creation living on in a local school in their hometown. John Dooley and his wife Elizabeth from Castledermot, Co Kildare, won the top prize for their design "Past, Present, and Future" last year. Their feature garden, which was displayed at last year's Bloom festival, emphasised the importance of using land to produce food and protect the environment. John, a former farm manager and gardener who was self-taught, focused on pollinators, medicinal plants, and vegetables. Tragically, just one day after he began clearing away his design when Bloom ended last June, John suffered a heart attack at home and died. Now, his wife Elizabeth has marked the first anniversary of his death by opening "John's Garden" at Scoil Diarmada in Castledermot, where he donated the creation after his big win. 'The night before his anniversary, I thought: 'Oh no, I will have to go through this ordeal again, and I'd be crying and having red cheeks all the time,'' she told the Irish Examiner."I told myself: Get up and get ready. His garden and the school have really kept me going, this is what John wanted and that has helped me 'John and I were very close and had similar interests, so I talk to him every day. I talk to his photo, and I feel him all around. Liz Dooley, centre, cutting the ribbon at Scoil Diarmada to officially open the garden her late husband John Dooley donated to the school. Picture: Moya Nolan 'John wanted to pass the garden on, he was over the moon when he won, and he wanted the school to have the garden because he felt like the old way of growing your own vegetables was being lost.' Cutting the ribbon at the official opening at the front of the school, Elizabeth told locals: 'John would really love this, and you're all here now in his memory, and I wish everyone joy as they come into the garden.' John, who was 62 and originally from Killeen in Co Laois, was described as a 'laid-back man with a huge talent for gardening'. 'There was nothing he couldn't do,' said his wife. 'I entered him for the Super Garden." The couple, who celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary last July, were 19 and 22 when they got married. 'He came to the dances here in Castledermot and we met there. He was in good health, but suffered a heart attack around nine years ago. But he was going well. He tended to the garden in the local Church of the Assumption after he was made redundant as a farm manager. "That's where we got married there, and that is where his funeral Mass was too.' Elizabeth said she now finds some solace knowing the garden has been donated to the local children. 'His dreams and wishes will live on in that garden," she added. Principal Jennifer Murphy speaking to visitors at the opening of the garden Liz's late husband John Dooley donated to the school. Picture: Moya Nolan Scoil Diarmada principal Jennifer Murphy paid tribute to John and Elizabeth, saying: 'The most important thing we have learned is that gardening is not an instant thing." 'In a world where we don't always understand the promise of time and patience, the children are now learning to appreciate that if you plant a seed it takes a lot of time and care to grow. "This will be the legacy that John leaves us. May he rest in peace." Read More Colin Sheridan: Bloom is the crowning jewel of our capital city
