A house of memories

The veteran architect I.M. Kadri, now in his 90s—who has designed iconic projects like the Nehru Centre in Mumbai and the Taj Mahal and Taj Palace hotels in Delhi—has fond memories of growing up in Diwans Bungalow, his ancestral home in Saiyad Wadu in Ahmedabad's Old CIty. The charming bungalow, painted in resplendent white, marries traditional Indian architecture with colonial elements, and was built in 1875 by his great-grandfather Sayad Bavamiyan Kadri, the Diwan of the princely state of Radhanpur.

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Mint

an hour ago

• Mint

Caught on camera: Hot air balloon catches fire, crashes in Brazil, at least 8 killed

At least eight people were killed and 13 injured after a hot-air balloon caught fire and crashed in Brazil on Saturday. The balloon was carrying 21 people and caught fire in southern Brazil, said the governor of Santa Catarina state, where the incident occurred, an AFP report said. "Eight fatalities and 13 survivors," Governor Jorginho Mello said on X. Videos taken by bystanders and carried on Brazilian television showed the moment when the balloon erupted in flames above the coastal town of Praia Grande. The tourism balloon caught fire during the flight in early morning hours, crashing in the city of Praia Grande, according to the state fire department. The basket carrying the passengers plummeted dozens of meters to the ground in flames. Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department, a Reuters report said. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident, another news agency AFP reported. 'We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. We will see how it unfolds, what happened, why it happened. But the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can,' Gov. Mello said in a video on X. Mello said he has asked authorities to head to the municipality 'to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families.' Last Sunday, a balloon fell in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, G1 reported. Praia Grande is a common destination for hot-air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil's south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John. A hot air balloon crashed in central Turkiye on June 15, leaving its pilot dead and 19 Indonesian tourists injured, a local official said. State-run Anadolu Agency said another hot air balloon taking off from the same location of Ilhara Valley also made a hard landing early Sunday morning, and that 12 Indian tourists were slightly injured and taken to hospital. In a statement, the governor's office said the balloons were affected by a sudden change of wind. In the first incident, the balloon was trying to make a hard landing near the village of Gozlukuyu in Aksaray province, when the pilot fell out of the balloon's basket and his feet got tangled in a rope, Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoglu said. 'Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died,' he said, adding that the injured tourists were taken to a hospital. Video from Ilhas News Agency showed one deflated balloon, its passenger basket lying on its side, as emergency services tended to injured people. An investigation is underway.

NDTV

2 hours ago

• NDTV

Video Of Indian Tourists Dancing In Thailand Goes Viral, Internet Reacts

A video of a group of Indian tourists dancing in Thailand is going viral on social media. The clip, shared on X, shows a group of Indian tourists dancing with great energy at Safari World, a zoo in Bangkok. The audience appears to be mostly Indian, though a few onlookers from other countries can be spotted in the background. They appear surprised and a bit upset. The video has an overlay text saying, "When you visit Thailand to see Thai people everywhere." Sharing the video on X, user @baldwhiner wrote, "Dear desi tourists abroad WE BEG YOU ... if you weren't a singer, dancer, stand-up comic or wildlife whisperer back home ... this is not the time to start let's not make the whole planet suffer 2nd-hand embarrassment on our behalf." Watch the video below: dear desi tourists abroad WE BEG YOU 🙏🏼… if you weren't a singer, dancer, stand-up comic or wildlife whisperer back home … this is not the time to start let's not make the whole planet suffer 2nd-hand embarrassment on our behalf — JΛYΣƧΉ  (@baldwhiner) June 20, 2025 The video has gone viral, accumulating more than 549,000 views. It has sparked mixed reactions online, with many criticising the tourists for their behaviour. "Our behavior will ensure that even the 2nd and fellow 3rd world countries will stop issuing visa on arrival," wrote one user. "Embarrassing, I wouldn't mind if they had rhythm and could show some good those pot belly dancing in the group must be banned," commented another. "This is because fellow Indians have been praising this mediocrity back home. It wouldn't happen if we start calling a pot a pot," expressed a third user. However, some users defended the tourists. One user said, "How about you chill out. There is nothing embarrassing about it more than what you make yourself believe." "The song is playing in the background. You never know if they were encouraged to do this. During our Vietnam Cruise, we were encouraged to dance and sing, and so were Japanese and philipino people as well. It was well organised. Background context: it was a party," commented another. "They gave them the stage and space to enjoy, so they are enjoying. Tourists go out to enjoy, to let their hair loose, away from judging known circle. Just be yourself and let others be themselves. If they are breaking rules, let them face the music. They are not kids of ur school," said one user.

Time of India

3 hours ago

• Time of India

7 ancient stepwells that are architectural marvels

Ancient Indian stepwells, known as baolis, vavs, or bawdis, are remarkable examples of India's traditional water management and architectural genius. Built deep into the earth with steps leading down to the water, these structures were practical solutions for water storage. Here are 7 ancient stepwells that are true architectural marvels. 1. Rani ki Vav , Gujarat In the 11th century, Queen Udayamati constructed Rani ki Vav as a memorial to King Bhimdev I. Rani ki Vav is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and among India's best stepwells. Designed in the form of an inverted temple, it has more than 500 sculptures and 1,000 small carvings, predominantly of Lord Vishnu. 2. Chand Baori , Rajasthan Standing in the village of Abhaneri, Chand Baori is India's deepest stepwell that goes down 100 feet with 3,500 steps and 13 levels. Constructed during the 8th and 9th centuries by King Chanda of the Nikumbh dynasty, its haunting beauty has no match. It has a temple nearby dedicated to Harshat Mata, the goddess of joy. 3. Adalaj Stepwell , Gujarat This five-story stepwell at Adalaj, just outside Ahmedabad, was finished in 1499. Built by Rana Veer Singh for his wife Rani Roopba, it was subsequently completed by the victorious Muslim king Muhammad Begda upon Singh's death. Sadly, the queen took her own life in this well. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Dumbest Things Middle-Class Americans Waste Money On FinanceBuzz Undo The structure has stunning Indo-Islamic architecture with ornate pillars and intricate carvings. 4. Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi Concealed in the midst of Delhi, Agrasen ki Baoli is a 60-meter-long and 15-meter-wide stepwell. It is said to have existed since the time of the Mahabharata and was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Agrawal community. Its arcaded niches and symmetrical steps attract photographers and filmmakers alike. The baoli is still shrouded in mystery and has stories of ghostly activity attached to it. 5. Toorji ka Jhalra, Jodhpur Built in the 18th century by a queen of Maharaja Abhay Singh, Toorji ka Jhalra is a stunning stepwell in Jodhpur made up of all rose-red sandstone. It was unearthed and restored in recent times and is now a peaceful place hidden within the chaotic old city. It is a well-known tourist destination and cultural heritage site today. 6. Nahargarh Stepwell, Jaipur Constructed in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the Nahargarh stepwells are special for their uneven construction as per the natural slope of the Aravalli hills. These wells form a part of a smart catchment system, as canals harvest rainwater from the hills and lead it into the wells. The larger stepwell was featured in the Bollywood movie Rang De Basanti. 7. Shahi Baoli , Lucknow Situated at the Bada Imambara complex in Lucknow, Shahi Baoli is an 18th-century imperial stepwell ordered by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. It was first constructed to provide water for use in construction processes. Then it was converted into an elegant guesthouse with fountains and marble floors. Its intelligent design gives visitors' reflections in the water before they approach. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change