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Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
What is behind Pankaj Tripathi's unmatched acting? Life lessons from sleeper class travel, stays at dharamshalas, gurudwaras
Travelling is affordable in India Face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Travelling shaped his worldview and craft You Might Also Like: Pankaj Tripathi's father could not buy a tractor. This changed his life and Bollywood got one of its brilliant actors Pankaj Tripathi's work In a world where stardom often comes wrapped in luxury and isolation, Pankaj Tripathi stands out not just for his acting prowess but for his groundedness. His secret? A lifetime of travel rooted in simplicity. From dusty village trails and sleeper class train compartments to humble nights at dharamshalas and gurudwaras , Tripathi's journey through India's heartland has shaped not just his personality but also his his father's passing, Tripathi recently opened up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India about taking time off for physical healing and self-reflection. Alongside a fitness routine, he chose to travel within India and abroad, using the time to reconnect with himself and absorb the world around Tripathi, travel has always been more than a break from routine, it's been an education. In a video shared by The Better India, he had once emphasised how travel teaches more than any classroom could, especially when done modestly. He has long advocated for young people to explore the country via local trains, staying at places like gurudwaras and dharamshalas to keep the experience raw, affordable, and authentic. According to him, such travel helps shape a person's worldview, empathy, and understanding of India's incredible belief in travel's transformative power also finds expression in his role as the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism . In 2024, Tripathi was appointed brand ambassador for the state, a region deeply intertwined with his life and work. Having shot films like Stree, Stree 2, Lukka Chhupi, Oh My God 2, and Ludo there, he feels a personal and professional connection with the place. He credits the landscapes, culture, and people of Madhya Pradesh for enriching his own experience as an actor and on his early life in an Outlook Traveller interview, Tripathi shared how travel was once limited to bullock cart rides within his home district of Gopalganj, Bihar. With little exposure beyond the village, these journeys, often for local festivals, seemed ordinary then. But in hindsight, they became foundational. He believes that the understanding of society, people, rivers, and traditions he gained through those simple travels deeply shaped his worldview and ultimately, his the years, as he explored India's many cultures, cuisines, languages, and landscapes, Tripathi evolved—not just as an actor but as a person. He sees travel as an essential tool in broadening one's mind and breaking out of narrow actor was recently seen in Criminal Justice Season 4. The legal drama series is directed by Rohan Sippy. It stars Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Khushboo Atre and Asha Negi in prominent roles. Pankaj Tripathi is gearing up for his return to the big screen with Metro… In Dino, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit Life… In A Metro, directed by Anurag Basu. The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Saswata Chatterjee, and Tripathi himself. Metro… In Dino is slated for a theatrical release on July 4, 2025.
India.com
01-05-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet Unique 2024s UPSC Toppers: A Puncture Repairmans Son, New Mother And A Cooks Daughter Who Preferred Self-Study
Each year, the announcement of UPSC Civil Services results brings joy to thousands of households across India. But behind the roll numbers are stories rarely told — tales of persistence, sacrifice, and quiet determination that define what true success looks like. These aren't just stories of intellectual triumph — they're testaments to how dreams are often built on the unwavering love of a parent, the resilience of a family, and the fire within individuals who refuse to give up. Whether it's a woman striving forward while her father stands guard, or a young man defying blindness, these journeys go far beyond academic excellence. Here are seven moving narratives from the UPSC 2024 results, shared by The Better India, that highlight the grit, heart, and hope behind the ranks. 1. Shakti Dubey, AIR 1: Daughter of a police officer, driven by purpose In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Shakti Dubey made her family proud by securing the top rank in UPSC 2024. Her father, Devendra Kumar Dubey, a committed police officer, credits her success to her own dedication and divine grace. With a supportive mother and her own determination, Shakti turned a life of quiet discipline into a moment of national pride. 2. Iqbal Ahmed, AIR 998: From bicycle repairs to bureaucracy In the village of Nandaur, UP, Iqbal Ahmed's achievement is a story of grit against odds. His father, once a bicycle puncture shop owner, had to shut it down due to illness. Despite financial struggles, Iqbal pursued education through government institutions and joined UPPSC as a Labour Enforcement Officer before cracking UPSC in his next try. 3. Malavika G. Nair, AIR 45: A new mother who kept going Malavika G. Nair from Kerala showed remarkable resilience, writing her UPSC mains exam just 17 days after childbirth. An IRS officer since 2020, she was determined to become an IAS officer. With her husband in IPS training, and support from her family caring for her newborn, Malavika made her final attempt a memorable one. 4. Harshita Goyal, AIR 2: Powered by loss, led by her father After losing her mother to cancer, Harshita's father moved their family from Rajasthan to Gujarat, seeking a better future. A Chartered Accountant and MSU Baroda graduate, Harshita passed UPSC in her third attempt, inspired by her father's faith in her potential to contribute to society. 5. Manu Garg, AIR 91: A visually impaired achiever guided by a mother's vision Losing his eyesight in Class 9 didn't stop Manu Garg from Jaipur. Abandoned by his father and left isolated, he found strength in his mother's unwavering support. With her help and assistive technology — not Braille — Manu graduated from Hindu College, completed postgrad studies at JNU, and cracked UPSC on his second try. 6. Preethi AC, AIR 263: A self-taught achiever, daughter of a cook When 26-year-old Preethi AC informed her father — a part-time cook who never attended school — about her success, it was a moment of pure joy. Studying solely in government institutions and without coaching, she honored her father's dream, earning a degree in Agriculture and cracking UPSC with Anthropology as her optional. 7. Beerappa Doni, AIR 551: From shepherding sheep to public service Hailing from Nanavadi village in Karnataka, Beerappa Doni learned of his success while herding sheep. A BTech graduate and part of the Kuruba community, he had previously worked with India Post and longed to serve the nation like his brother in the Army. With AIR 551, that dream is closer than ever.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Architects create unbelievable fireproof home out of surprising materials: 'This technique is similar to what is used in commercial aircrafts'
A house made of paper doesn't sound like it should work — wouldn't it go up in flames or collapse in the first rainstorm? But Jaipur-based architects Shilpi Dua and Abhimanyu Singh are proving everyone wrong with Hexpressions, a game-changing solution for affordable, sustainable housing. Using recycled paper honeycomb panels, they're building homes that are fireproof as well as water-resistant and can be assembled in just two weeks — all for a fraction of the cost and environmental impact of traditional buildings. Here's how it works: As detailed in The Better India, the panels are made from recycled paper folded into hexagonal cells, then sandwiched between plywood or cement fiber boards. Reinforced with galvanized iron channels and hollow iron pipes, the result is lightweight but incredibly strong — kind of like the tech used in aircraft but for houses. "The triangle is the strongest shape in construction, as it holds its form. And a hexagon is made up of six triangles, making it incredibly sturdy. This technique is similar to what is used in commercial aircrafts, where aluminium sheets are used for their light yet durable structure," Dua said. Even better? Hexpressions homes start at just 600,000 to 1 million rupees (around $6,903 to $11,505), making them a cost-effective alternative for families looking for resilient, climate-friendly housing. They also use locally made panels and require fewer raw materials than conventional construction, making their environmental footprint 80% lower than those of conventional buildings. Beyond affordability and sustainability, Hexpressions homes are built for climate resilience. The shock-absorbent structure holds up against extreme weather, and since the panels are filled with fly ash and coated in plant-based resin, they're both fireproof and water-resistant. "There is no oxygen between the cells, which prevents the paper from catching fire," Dua said. Plus, they're easy to transport, so housing can be set up quickly in disaster-stricken areas. The duo has already built 50 structures, including hospitals and community spaces. They aim to construct 500 more across India in the next five years. "One square foot can hold up to 100 kilograms of load," Dua added. With Hexpressions, Singh and Dua aren't just rethinking home construction — they're showing the world what's possible when sustainability meets smart design. If a house made of paper can take on fire, floods, and time, the future of eco-friendly housing might be here already. Would you trust a home built by a 3D-printing robot? For sure Only if it was cheaper Only if it was faster No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
