Latest news with #Sonpari
Time of India
29-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kesar meets its match in pusa arunima
Rajkot: Mango lovers could soon be able to get their fill of the fruit well beyond the traditional April-June window. Farmers in the state's renowned kesar mango belt are successfully cultivating pusa arunima, a hybrid variety that will lengthen the time that mangoes are available. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The cultivar, a cross between north India's Amrapali and the US's sensation, bears fruit in the first week of Aug or even late July in the Gir region. This timing is significant as climate change and unseasonal rain have been shrinking the traditional mango season and affecting yields. Developed two decades ago by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), pusa arunima is gaining traction among farmers in Talala, the heart of kesar mango production. The variety shares many characteristics with the prized kesar variety while addressing some of its key limitations. The hybrid offers advantages in terms of climate resilience, and delivers an average yield of 16 tonnes a hectare compared to kesar's 10 tonnes, while also demonstrating superior pest and disease resistance. Its climate resilience is a crucial factor as traditional mango cultivation faces increasing weather-related disruptions. In terms of quality, pusa arunima maintains competitive standards with kesar. Both varieties are fibreless and rich in vitamin C, containing 43-48mg per 100g. The new variety has a total soluble solids content of 19.5 degrees brix (°Bx), placing it within the sweetness range of kesar mango, which measures between 18-22°Bx. The pusa arunima features a distinctive red peel with light-yellow flesh inside and offers a shelf life of 10-12 days at room temperature after ripening. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Suitable for high-density plantation and container growing, pusa arunima can also be cultivated in pots for home and terrace gardening, bringing its cultivation to urban spaces. Despite these promising characteristics, farmers are yet to fully accept the variety. D K Varu, principal and dean of the College of Horticulture at Junagadh Agricultural University, said, "In our region, no variety matches kesar's taste among mango lovers, which is very unique. The colour of its pulp and aroma is unparalleled. Some farmers have taken to experimentation with other varieties, which are slowly gaining acceptance. " "This year, the kesar crop was badly affected by climate change, but pusa arunima was quite resilient," said Sumeet Jariya, a farmer in Sasan who has been experimenting with 50 pusa arunima trees for five years. His trees recently began producing fruit, validating the variety's potential in local conditions. Earlier, farmers had succeeded in marketing Sonpari, another hybrid variety, and believe pusa arunima could similarly find market acceptance if consumer taste preferences can be developed.
India.com
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress is ruling cinema for around 40 years now, one role made her a star, the role was of..., her name is...
Interesting stories related to the celebrities of the film industry always remain a topic of discussion. Many film actors turn their backs on the world of acting over time. But there are some celebs among them who play a long innings in the field of acting. On this basis, today we are going to tell you about a famous actress who played many popular characters on the small screen, including Draupadi of the Mahabharata and Meerabai. The actress has been active in the film industry for 38 years and still rules the hearts of fans with her amazing acting. Let's know who that actress is. Who is the actress in the photo? The little girl seen in the cover photo is considered a big name in the world of acting. Not only in TV serials but she has also left her mark with her brilliant acting in Bollywood. Giving you a hint, let us tell you that at one time she was the most popular actress in the TV world and became everyone's favourite with the serial Sonpari (Sonpari TV Show). Now you must have understood that here we are talking about veteran actress Mrinal Kulkarni. Yes, Mrinal is the actress who has been active in Bollywood and the TV industry for almost 4 decades. During this time, she has worked in many famous shows and films. Let us tell you that apart from Hindi films, Mrinal has also contributed as an actress in Marathi cinema. What does Mrinal do now? It is known that Mrinal is still active in the entertainment world, and apart from films, she is making a name in the world of web series. In 1990, she married Ruchir Kulkarni and they also have a son named Vrijas Kulkarni. 53-year-old Mrinal was last seen in the web series Paithani in 2024.
India.com
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor who is now a household name, once worked as a salesman, his name is...
Meet actor who is now a household name, once worked as a salesman, his name is... Each day, hundreds of people come to Mumbai with the hope and dream of making it big on the silver screen. While some come with contacts, others come with wealth, but a few rare ones come with sheer belief and unshakeable conviction, and the desire to prove themselves. While what we see onscreen is the glitzy and glamorous side of Bollywood, however, when the curtain falls, there is more than what meets the eye. From facing rejection, self-doubt, to an elongated period of waiting, there are a lot of struggles that come with being a part of this industry. Talking about the highs and lows in an actor's journey, there is one such tale of a now-household name on Indian television. Famously known for his classic role of a nosy reporter in India's favourite sitcom, this actor had big ambitions and no godfather. The person we are talking about is no other than Shyam Pathak Aka 'Popatlal' From 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'. Shyam started his journey in his childhood, when his passion for acting became more intense with every passing year. But instead of getting encouragement, he was always ridiculed and asked to focus on studies and find a 'real job' whenever he expressed his interest in acting. With immense pressure from family, he had to pursue a Chartered Accountancy course and even began his articleship. To support his financial expenses, he also had to do a few odd jobs while he was studying for his higher education. Since Shyam had good communication skills, he did a job as a salesman in a clothing shop where he would help customers politely, while secretly hiding from classmates who chanced to drop by. To fulfill his mother's dream, he completed his 5 years of college and even cleared his Chartered Accountancy exams and started his articleship. But despite all this, he didn't give up on his childhood dream of acting. . Between doing audits for an IT firm and wanting to pursue his dreams, he always wanted to visit NCPA (National Centre for Performing Art) and one day, while travelling, he went to visit the place. He enrolled in a 15-day theatre workshop and shelled out a meager Rs 25 as subscription money that was hard to come by. His poor finances did not deter him from imbibing knowledge. Weekends were spent receiving exposure to plays, at times watching from the backstage with the directors' permission, just to feel a part of the world he yearned to join. The turning point came when he applied to the National School of Drama (NSD). He underwent several rounds of selection, after which he was called to Delhi for a final workshop. That is where his name appeared on the selected students' list for the first time. From that point onward, everything changed. He continued working in productions such as Sonpari and Jasuben Jayantilaal Joshi Ki Joint Family, eventually gaining some stability. However, real success materialized in 2008 with his casting on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. His work on Patrakar Popatlal, with his iconic line of 'Duniya Hila Dunga', made him an endearing presence in Indian families. Behind the wit and impeccable acting skills is a tale of persistent hard work, silent sacrifices, and an idea that wouldn't let go. From seeling clothes to becoming the best-known face on Indian television, Shyam's journey is a proof that one can achieve their dream, if they work enough for it.
India.com
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress, who once worked as maid, eloped with another man despite being married, ended up sleeping on the streets due to...; She was...
If you're a Bollywood buff, you'll recognise the scene in the photo above from the popular movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham , where Ashfaque's family comes to see Ruksar, and Ashfaque's grandmother mistakenly thinks the bride is Sayeeda Begum (Daijaan). Actress Shashikala Saigal, who played Ashfaque's grandmother in K3G, is also well-known for portraying Fruity's grandmother in the beloved TV show Sonpari. With over 100 films to her credit and numerous prestigious awards throughout her illustrious career, some of Shashikala's most iconic films include Anupama, Daku, Waqt, Gumrah, Khubsoorat, Bimla, and many others. Despite spending many years in the industry, she had a troubled personal life. Let's begin with her life before entering the film world, she worked as a maid, sweeping and mopping houses to earn a living. She would often go from one studio to another, searching for work. One day, she met Noor Jehan, who gave her a small opportunity by including her in a qawwali scene for the film Zeenat. In 1947, she landed a side role in Jugnu, alongside Noor Jehan and Dilip Kumar. Shashikala made headlines throughout her illustrious career. At the age of 19, she married Om Prakash Saigal, who belonged to the family of Indian cinema's first superstar, K.L. Saigal. However, after a few years, differences began to grow between them. In an old interview, she shared: 'You can call it infatuation or whatever. I was besotted with O.P. Saigal and married him. I thought I'd settle down, but destiny kept me fettered to the camera as his business failed. Despite the money I made, I was frustrated and angry at how actresses like Shyama had graduated to lead roles while I was stuck with second leads and bit roles, even doing double shifts to keep my kitchen fires burning. The regular fights with my husband saw me send my daughters to a boarding school in Panchgani.' When Shashikala Eloped with Her Boyfriend Despite being married to O.P. Saigal, Shashikala was in a relationship with another man. She later admitted that her boyfriend had misled her at the time, calling it the biggest mistake of her life. With nowhere to live, she ended up sleeping on pavements. In an emotional interview, she recalled, 'Yes, destiny wasn't done playing me a bad hand. Differences between my husband and me worsened when the kids were in boarding school. That's when, in a misguided moment straight out of my film Gumrah, I eloped with another man abroad—leaving behind my husband, kids, and career. It was the biggest mistake of my life, for which I paid dearly. I was humiliated and tortured for days until I returned—crazy and broken. For days, I roamed the streets like a madwoman, sleeping on pavements, eating whatever I could find, and touring ashrams and temples in search of peace.'
