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Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Residents raise concerns over lack of parking facilities, stalled parking policy
Thane: After issues with water scarcity and waste management, residents and activists have now raised concerns over inadequate parking facilities and the stalled implementation of the city's parking policy. With around 18.5 lakh registered vehicles to date in the city, including few others visiting the city from adjoining cities, the volume of permanent public parking in Thane is too little compared to the demand, motorists complain. Although the municipal corporation announced an ambitious parking policy few years back to address this, the plan appears to be shelved without explanation. Civic officials have surprisingly maintained silence over the issue. As a result, motorists—especially bikers—are forced to park along roadsides, causing congestion and attracting police action. The issue gained renewed attention after the Thane traffic department announced the reintroduction of a towing van facility this weekend. Activists, along with Shiv Sena UBT and BJP members, have opposed the move, demanding the municipal administration implement the parking policy first. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo A BJP team led by former corporators Sunesh Joshi and Mrunal Pendse met traffic authorities, demanding the towing facility be withdrawn due to harassment of bikers. Similarly, Shiv Sena UBT workers also protested the initiative, urging authorities to prioritise parking infrastructure. UBT activists complained that towing staff target bikes parked during emergencies near hospitals and schools, as well as customers briefly stopping outside shops. "Authorities must provide designated parking spots before enforcing such actions," they said. Joshi and Pendse echoed, accusing towing operators of selectively targeting two-wheelers while ignoring four-wheelers and heavy vehicles parked indiscriminately. "Police claim they lack equipment to tackle four-wheelers. This selective enforcement is unacceptable," they said. Motorists also questioned why public parking remains insufficient, with existing facilities often located far from key areas or those near prominent spots like the railway station constantly full. "The administration should create enough parking before penalising motorists," said local driver Rakesh Desai. Repeated requests for comment from Thane municipal officials went unanswered. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
NDTV
7 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.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Pakistan is now Aatankistan': All-party delegation member Priyanka Chaturvedi
Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday lashed out at Pakistan, saying "Pakistan is no more Pakistan but 'Aatankistan' and Operation Sindoor was a complete response to this. While speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi said, "Pakistan is no more Pakistan but 'Aatankistan'. We are going to European countries today, which have also faced many terror attacks, and all those attacks have their roots in Pakistan, right from indoctrination training, to ask them to do jihad, give them arms and also protect them. We are suffering from the terror attacks from the last three to four decades, and we are also giving them a proper response. Operation Sindoor was a complete and final response that if you will induce terror activities here, we are capable enough to destroy you." Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who is part of the delegation of MPs going to various countries to put forward India's position against terrorism, said on Friday that the world needs to be reminded how the "roots of terror" have been found in Pakistan. Earlier today, the various delegation members were briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri regarding their trips to various countries. Highlighting that the members have a united stance against Pakistan's "terror model", Chaturvedi said after the briefing, "Briefing was good, detailed; as an Indian, we are unitedly going out to the world to tell world how Pakistan has developed a terror model, an 'atankistan' model, where the government trains, finances the terrorists, and tells them about strategy." She further criticised Pakistan for supporting terror, calling it a "criminal nexus" between their Army, political parties and terrorists. "When terror camps are targeted, their Army jumps in to retaliate. This criminal nexus of their Army, political parties, and their terrorists needs to be exposed worldwide. The world needs to be reminded that whether it is India, the US with 9/11 or European nations, the roots of terror are from Pakistan, which needs to be reminded to others," she said. Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Tokyo said in a statement that another group of the all-party delegation led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha concluded its visit to Japan from May 22-24. During the visit, the delegation met members of the Indian community, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, and commemorated freedom fighter Rash Behari Bose on his birth anniversary. On Saturday, the delegation interacted with the Indian community in Japan, emphasising India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and highlighting the important role of the diaspora in conveying this message across Japan. The delegation had commenced its Japan visit by paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. As the visit concluded, Sanjay Kumar Jha paid homage to Rash Behari Bose, freedom fighter and national hero, on the eve of his birth anniversary, according to the India Embassy in Tokyo. During their three-day visit to Japan, the delegation held constructive meetings and interactions with a range of stakeholders from the government, media and academia. In these engagements, Sanjay Kumar Jha emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is committed to ensuring the safety and security of every Indian and working with the international community to fight the scourge of cross-border terrorism. The delegation met Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Takeshi Iwaya, Foreign Minister of Japan. The Speaker and the Foreign Minister conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and extended sympathy to the injured, the release added. They firmly condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised that it cannot be justified under any circumstances. They expressed solidarity with Japan with India, and with the world in the fight against terrorism. The delegation also met senior political leaders which included: Yoshihide Suga, former Prime Minister of Japan and currently Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship League, led by its Chairman, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and including Hisayuki Fujii, State Foreign Minister; Minoru Kihara, Former Defense Minister; Shinako Tsuchiya, Director General of the International Bureau of the LDP; Takashi Endo, Chairman of House of the Representatives Committee on National Security; and Yasuhiro Hanashi, Acting Chairman of the LDP's Research Commission on Public Safety, Counter-Terrorism, and Anti-Cybercrime Measures. Japanese political leadership conveyed their support to India's fight against terrorism and emphasised the need to hold the perpetrators of such acts accountable. The delegation also engaged with leading Japanese think tanks, members of the Japanese media, Members of the Diet, political leaders from different prefectures of Japan, senior officials from national and prefectural governments, and foreign diplomats based in Japan, to share India's position on cross-border terrorism and its sponsors.
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Roots of terror have been found in Pakistan" says all-party delegation member Priyanka Chaturvedi
New Delhi [India] May 24 (ANI): Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who is part of the delegation of MPs going to various countries to put forward India's position against terrorism said on Friday that the world needs to be reminded how the 'roots of terror' have been found in Pakistan, Earlier today, the various delegation members were briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri regarding their trips to various countries. Highlighting that the members have a united stance against Pakistan's 'terror model', Chaturvedi said after the briefing, 'Briefing was good, detailed; as an Indian, we are unitedly going out to the world to tell world how Pakistan has developed a terror model, an 'atankistan' model, where the government trains, finances the terrorists, and tells them about strategy.' She further criticised Pakistan for supporting terror, calling it a 'criminal nexus' between their Army, political parties and terrorists 'When terror camps are targeted, their Army jumps in to retaliate. This criminal nexus of their Army, political parties, and their terrorists needs to be exposed worldwide. The world needs to be reminded that whether it is India, the US with 9/11 or European nations, the roots of terror have been found to be from Pakistan, which needs to be reminded to others,' she said. Meanwhile, BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, who is also part of the same group with Chaturvedi highlighted that India will be explaining that we are not trying to wage a war against a country, but rather against terrorism that is being state-sponsored. 'Our point would be that we are not waging war against any one country but rather against terrorism that is being state-sponsored,' she told ANI. This delegation is led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad and will visit the UK, France, Germany, the EU, Italy, and Denmark. Other member are: Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena (UBT)), Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M J Akbar, and Ambassador Pankaj Saran. In the context of Operation Sindoor and India's continued fight against cross-border terrorism, seven All-Party Delegations are visiting key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council later this month. The All-Party Delegations will project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations. They would carry forth to the world the country's strong message of zero-tolerance against terrorism. (ANI)
News18
14-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘By Your Side Through Good And Bad Times': Turkey's Erdogan Backs Pakistan Despite Indians' Boycott
Last Updated: Turkish President Erdogan's remarks came even after the Indians called for a complete boycott of his country for open support to Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor. Despite facing boycott calls by Indians for openly backing Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday reiterated his support to 'brotherly" Islamabad, stating that Ankara would 'continue to stand by your side through both good times and bad". His remarks came in response to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's post on X, where he thanked Erdogan for 'strong support and unwavering solidarity" for Pakistan. 'My dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's strong support and unwavering solidarity with Pakistan have deeply touched me. Pakistan takes pride in its long-standing, time-tested, and enduring fraternal ties with Türkiye, which grow stronger with each new challenge. I am particularly grateful for His Excellency's constructive role and determined efforts in promoting peace in South Asia. May the bonds between Pakistan and Türkiye continue to strengthen and flourish as we work together to build a bright and prosperous future for our two countries and peoples," Sharif posted on X. Responding to his post, Erdogan described Pakistan as a 'brotherly nation" and vowed to stand by the country through thick and thin. 'The brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan — a bond that few nations in the world are fortunate to share — is one of the finest examples of true friendship. As Turkey, we attach great importance to Pakistan's peace, stability, and prosperity. We sincerely appreciate the Pakistani state's prudent, patient approach and its commitment to dialogue and reconciliation in resolving conflicts. Just as in the past, we will continue to stand by your side through both good times and bad. Through you, I extend my heartfelt greetings to our dear friend and brotherly nation, Pakistan," he posted on X. Boycott calls picked up pace in India after Turkey backed Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor and provided Islamabad with its drones, which were used to target Indian civilians and military installations — the efforts of which were thwarted by India's strong air defence systems. 'Preliminary reports indicate that the drones are Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models," Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had earlier said at a press briefing, when the Op Sindoor was underway. Indians gave a clarion call to boycott Turkey as a tourist destination and also as a business partner for its backing of Pakistan. Several prominent figures, including politicians such as Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, trade associations, and businesspeople, called for a boycott of the country, which worked against India's national interest and backed the enemy at a time of crisis. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 14, 2025, 09:34 IST
