Latest news with #Rajarshi
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Parents of alumnus give Presi 16L as 2nd tranche for gym, smart classes
1 2 Kolkata: The parents of a Presidency University alumnus, Rajarshi Bhattacharya , who died while pursuing his PhD at IISC Bangalore, donated Rs 16 lakh to Presidency for its gymnasium and upgradation of the lecture theatre for chemistry department into a smart classroom . In 2023, Rajarshi's parents donated Rs 7 lakh to the chemistry department to buy a spectrometer after reading a TOI article on the lack of funds plaguing several departments, including chemistry. The parents, who requested anonymity, have already handed over Rs 16 lakh to the university, out of which Rs 6 lakh were spent on buying fitness equipment for the gymnasium, and Rs 10 lakh will be utilised for renovating the chemistry lecture theatre. Both these facilities will be named after Rajarshi. "I visited the chemistry department during the Rajarshi Bhattacharya Memorial Lecture and saw that the lecture theatre is not in good shape. There is no podium to deliver lectures. Looking back at the legacy, I felt bad and decided to donate the money for ramping up its infrastructure for teaching and learning. I got in touch with the university authorities and proposed my idea. They welcomed my proposal and told me that the amount can be split and utilised for buying fitness equipment for the gymnasium and upgrading of the lecture theatre," the 76-year-old father said. The retired central govt employee opted for making this donation with a desire that his son would be remembered forever. Moreover, the university was close to his son's heart— a reason that prompted him to take up such an initiative. "A well-equipped gymnasium was a long-standing demand of the students, which has been fulfilled by the kind support of Rajarshi's parents," said dean of students, Arun Maiti. The chemistry department has also submitted its requirement for instruments such as an audio podium, amplifier, interactive panel, wireless mic, and gooseneck mic, to the authorities. Sources said renovation and upgradation of the chemistry lecture theatre will begin shortly. "The smart classroom can also be used to conduct international seminars and talks. This facility will also be the first-of-its-kind in the university. The fund that will be left after the upgradation will be utilised for ramping up facilities for other classrooms," head of the chemistry department, Arnab Halder said. Rajarshi graduated in chemistry in 2016 from the Presidency University. Professors remember Rajarshi as a "meticulous, intelligent, interactive, and ardent lover of the subject." He completed his Masters from Rajabazar Science College, Calcutta University, in 2018 and got admitted to IISC Bangalore as a PhD scholar in the organic chemistry department.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Commuters encounter broken benches, litter at bus stops in Bengaluru
As the summer picks up heat, commuters raise concerns about the condition of bus stops in Bengaluru. It's three in the afternoon, and a crowd has gathered around the HBR Layout bus stop, some waiting for the past 25 minutes for a bus. The broken benches in the shelter force commuters to stand among scattered litter piles. Just as they spot a bus arriving, two autorickshaw drivers decide to park right in front of the shelter. Since the introduction of the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women passengers, Karnataka has seen an increase in ridership, but various issues, like the low frequency of buses in certain areas and the condition and distribution of bus stops across Bengaluru, have made accessing public transport a hassle. The issue has affected the city's students, too, many of whom depend on buses as their sole means of transportation. 'The Vasanth Nagar bus stop is built right next to an open drain, making it difficult to stand and wait for a bus there. Most people don't even stand there because of the smell and the proximity to the drain,' says Ananya, a fourth-year student of Mount Carmel College. Many, tired after a long day, are forced to deal with broken seats, garbage scattered all around, and inconsistent stoppage by BMTC buses. Rajarshi, a 14-year-old student, says, ''At my place in Puttenahalli, BMTC drivers stop at the bus stop at their convenience. The bus stop is mostly surrounded by trash, even early in the morning. Garbage trucks dump the waste right there.' Locating bus stops Many bus shelters in Bengaluru face the issue of having little to no infrastructure, with crowds gathering at spots where they expect buses to halt. Preeti Mishra, a 49-year-old yoga instructor, suffers because of this daily, saying, 'We have to look at a crowd that has gathered and assume that's the bus stop. At Old Town, I have to catch the bus at the signal. It's the same at Santhe Circle as well.' Rajarshi said that a first-time commuter could experience extreme difficulty due to these untraceable bus stops, which are further complicated by several bus stops sharing the same name. 'There are three Puttenahalli's and 10 Dairy Circles. We need to be able to locate bus stops. We end up going to the wrong ones because they aren't updated on Google Maps.' Sarah R., a human resources professional, says that south Bengaluru has better bus stops in general because of better planning and well-marked lanes for pedestrians, public transport users, and private vehicles. She further adds that places like Whitefield, since it's constantly developing and focuses on the metro, fail to account for bus commuters. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) maintains approximately 8,500 bus shelters in the city. A senior BBMP official, in response to questions on poor condition of bus shelters in Bengaluru, said that the BBMP is not directly responsible for either the maintenance or construction of bus stops in the city, but rather entrusts it to three separate agencies. On areas that lack infrastructure, he said, 'We don't build bus stops unless people make a formal request to either us or the BMTC.' He further explains that areas which are currently undergoing metro construction may have to wait until completion of metro work to remedy their concerns.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cultural events & colourful processions mark traditional Shiv Jayanti in Kolhapur
Kolhapur: The traditional Shiv Jayanti , marking the 395th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , was celebrated in Kolhapur city and district with great festive fervour on a grand scale on Tuesday. Several cultural events and processions were planned in the region. People dressed in their traditional attire visited forts, especially the Panhala fort, and offered prayers to the statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In the evening, a grand procession of the equestrian idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was taken out from Mirajkar Tikti Chowk by the Sanyukt Mangalwar Peth and Rajarshi Shahu Mandal in the presence of dhol troops, horses, and bullock carts. Thousands of people took part in this procession. Children sitting on horses, dressed in the attire of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, attracted attention. Sanyukt Uttareshwar Peth, Sanyukt Panchaganga Shukrawar Peth, Bagal Chowk Tarun Mandal, and Vijay Swatantrya Tarun Mandal from the Kasba Bawda area also took out colourful processions. Mahesh Mane, a member of Shukrawar Peth, said, "Shiv Jayanti is almost like a festival for every follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In Kolhapur, all three Shiv Jayantis are celebrated." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Heavy police bandobust was deployed across the city. The city's streets were congested, especially in Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk, Mahadwar Road, Rankala Tower, Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir, Mirajkar Tikti, Rajarampuri, Bagal Chowk, Kasba Bawda, and Panchaganga Ghat Road in the evening.
