Latest news with #VinodJacob
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
RCB's bitter victory - The cost of celebration
Bengaluru: An aerial view of fans gathering for Royal Challengers Bengaluru�s fan engagement programme after the team won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, near M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo) (PTI06_04_2025_000476B) By Vinod Jacob, Urban strategist and general manager, Namma Bengaluru Foundation The finger-pointing began almost as soon as the news broke. On June 4, a devastating stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium shattered what, less than 24 hours earlier, had been a moment of pure jubilation for Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, celebrating their first IPL trophy win after eighteen agonising seasons. Eleven lives were claimed, and dozens were injured. The irony was palpable: a triumph long yearned for, now overshadowed by loss. Arrests were made. Officials suspended, followed by more resignations, ex gratia promises — and even calls for Virat Kohli's arrest — while the blame game raged on. But this isn't merely about individual culpability. This is about a systemic breakdown — a question of total administrative failure, especially when dealing with an event that touches the very core of India's cricket passion. For a nation where cricket borders on religion, any public gathering of this magnitude demands meticulous foresight. Was M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with its 35,000-seat capacity, ever truly suitable for a city-wide victory parade, particularly one made free after initially being a paid event? The answer, tragically, is no. The entire celebration should have been shifted to a venue, like the Palace Grounds, the BIEC, or a similar venue, offering proper entry/exit points and capacity for millions. The fact that RCB was headed to the finals had been known for a full week. This provided ample time for the responsible authorities to engage in comprehensive planning, coordinate with the police machinery, and anticipate the monumental public turnout. To now deflect blame onto an already overburdened police department, reeling from the previous night's unruly celebrations where citizens went berserk, pulling out barricades, seems not just unfair, but a convenient diversion from deeper administrative shortcomings. And why was there need for two locations? A single, well-planned convergence at one venue could have ensured effective crowd management, robust contingency plans, and, most critically, citizen safety. That safety aspect appears to have been completely disregarded. The stadium's own infrastructure is wanting – narrow, unramped gates with metal obstructions, utterly incapable of handling a rush, even for a normal game, let alone a historic celebration. Bengaluru has hosted large-scale gatherings before; surely lessons could have been learned from major shows that proceeded without incident. Other metros – Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai – have successfully orchestrated similar mass celebrations. Why, then, can Bengaluru, the supposed IT capital, not leverage technology for better crowd management, anticipating flows and ensuring security? A bus parade, like those seen elsewhere, would have been infinitely safer than directing millions to a fixed point of convergence. Unchecked chaos also inflicted damage on Cubbon Park. Trees, plants, and even birds' nests were destroyed due to the event's chaotic spillover — another terrible blow to Bengaluru's strained biodiversity, a particularly painful scar on the so-called 'Garden City'. Fans have every right to celebrate after an 18-year wait; they cannot be blamed for their exuberant outpouring. While citizens do bear some responsibility for failing to adhere to basic crowd control measures like queuing and respecting barricades, the primary culpability lies with the planning. The critical misallocation of manpower at free gates, with too few police for too many unmanned entry points and the added burden of VIP security, tragically sealed the fate for those eleven lives. The euphoria of victory has been drowned out by the cries of anguish. Bengaluru must now reflect, learn, and ensure that no triumph, no matter how sweet, is ever again marred by such preventable sorrow. The blame isn't diffused; it lies squarely with a system unprepared to manage its grand moments. What systemic changes will we truly implement to prevent history from tragically repeating itself ?
Time of India
27-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Activists oppose cutting 368 trees for Cantonment Railway project in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA), under the ministry of railways, has sought permission to chop down 368 trees inside the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony, off Vasanth Nagar, to make way for a proposed commercial development project. This move has sparked strong opposition from environmentalists and citizen groups. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a public notice on April 25, inviting objections and suggestions from citizens regarding the proposed tree removal. The trees identified for felling have been mapped using GPS coordinates within the railway colony premises. Following the notice, citizens' groups and environmentalists voiced their outrage, submitting a formal representation to the authorities. "The destruction of 368 mature trees is unacceptable. Mature trees are vital for maintaining air quality, regulating the climate, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Their removal would worsen pollution, increase temperatures, and severely harm local biodiversity," their letter said. Citizens also criticised the lack of transparency about the commercial project, saying they couldn't fairly assess the need for tree removal without knowing the full details. They pointed out that the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, demands a strong environmental justification for felling trees — something they say hasn't been adequately demonstrated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Miss The Top Packaging Trends Of 2024, Enhance Your Brand With Latest Insights (Check Now) Packaging Machines | Search Ads Search Now Undo "Cutting down these trees is against the interests and sentiments of Bengaluru's citizens," the statement added, urging the authorities to rethink the project. Citizens have been given 10 days from the date of the notice to file their objections, either via email, post, or by hand-delivering them to the deputy conservator of forests (DCF), BBMP. A copy of the feedback must also be sent to the RLDA. The BBMP website ( has published detailed information about the trees marked for removal. The proposal has sparked concern at a time when Bengaluru is grappling with shrinking green spaces and rising urban heat. Chiku Agrawal, a BTM Layout resident, said, "The newspaper notification only says the trees are being cut for commercial purposes, but what exactly is being planned? How important is it? There's no transparency from BBMP or the railways. Without clear information, we're naturally opposed to the felling of such a large number of mature trees." Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation emphasised the historical and functional significance of the Cantonment area. "Cantonment station is a heritage site that continues to serve the city without major redevelopment. We already have the state-of-the-art Visvesvaraya Terminal at Byappanahalli, just 3km away, which remains underutilised. Rather than constructing commercial complexes at Cantonment station, efforts should focus on improving accessibility and last-mile connectivity for passengers. It is alarming that so many trees are at risk for unnecessary commercial development," he said. Neither the railways nor BBMP responded to calls and messages from TOI seeking clarity on the proposed project.
Daily Tribune
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Odia Samaj Celebrates 90th Utkal Dibasa with Grandeur and Cultural Pride
The Bahrain Odia Samaj, a vibrant association of the Odia diaspora in Bahrain, commemorated the 90th Utkal Dibasa with remarkable enthusiasm and grandeur, drawing over 300 attendees, including around 100 Odia families. The celebration was graced by His Excellency Mr. Vinod Jacob, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain, as the Chief Guest. Adding star power to the evening were celebrated Odia comedian Papu Pom Pom, popular playback singer Swayam Padhi, and acclaimed vocalist Anandita Das, whose captivating performances left the audience thoroughly entertained. The cultural showcase reflected the richness of Odisha's heritage, as community members — men, women, and children — took the stage with traditional Koraput and Sambalpuri dance performances, melodious Odia songs, and a fashion show themed 'Mo Odisha.' Participants were honored with trophies and awards in recognition of their vibrant contributions. The event commenced with a warm welcome address by Mr. Prabhakar Padhi, President of Bahrain Odia Samaj, followed by inspiring speeches from noted Odia industrialist Debalokanath Mohanty and Bahrain Member of Parliament, HE Dr. Hasan Eid Bukhamaas, both of whom highlighted Odisha's enduring legacy and cultural pride. The ceremonial lamp-lighting, symbolizing unity and reverence, was led by key office-bearers of the organization — Mr. Shantanu Senapati, Mr. P.D. Ray, Mr. Sarada Pattnaik, Mr. Amresh Panda, Mr. Amarnath Subudhi, and Mrs. Ankita Nayak. The ceremony echoed with the spirited slogan 'Ame Odia, Ama Bhasa Badhiya' (We are Odias, and our language is excellent) and paid homage to legendary Odia personalities and freedom fighters. The evening unfolded with a spectacular array of cultural performances, comedy sketches, and heartfelt tributes, creating an atmosphere of joy, unity, and pride. Guests were honored for their contributions, and the audience celebrated together, dancing to the rhythmic beats of Odia music and sharing traditional Odia cuisine. The event concluded on a high note with a sincere vote of thanks from the organizing committee, expressing heartfelt appreciation to all participants and attendees for making the 90th Utkal Dibasa celebration a memorable and grand success.
