Latest news with #ASI-protected
United News of India
an hour ago
- Health
- United News of India
81 iconic heritage sites form backfor International Yoga Day celebrations
New Delhi, June 21 (UNI) From Adalaj Ki Vav in Gujarat to the Sun Temple in Konark and Red Fort in Delhi, at least 81 architectural wonders served as backdrops for mass yoga participation by people of all ages on International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrated on Saturday. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism embraced yoga at Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, while Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, participated at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Likewise, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution participated in IYD at Group of Temples at Pattadakal, in Karnataka, while other key dignitaries were spotted performing yoga asanas at various locations across the country. In fact, as part of the celebrations, several Union Ministers joined yoga sessions at various iconic ASI-protected monuments, reinforcing the significance of yoga as a national movement which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, said a statement from the Union Culture Ministry here. It said that in a nationwide grand celebration of International Day of Yoga, 81 heritage sites under the aegis of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) hosted yoga sessions, organised in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Ayush on the D Day. The entry was free of cost to visitors to encourage their participation. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', aims to promote the importance of holistic health and well-being globally. The celebrations were marked by the participation of people from all walks of life, including students, professionals, and families, all coming together to practice yoga and experience its health benefits.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Delhi CM, L-G hold meet over security, infra crisis at four main hospitals
NEW DELHI: Amid serious concerns over the safety of medical students and doctors, L-G VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday held an emergency meeting to review the condition of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Lok Nayak Hospital, GB Pant Hospital (GIPMER), and Guru Nanak Eye Centre. The meeting, convened at the request of the Dean and Directors of these institutions, was attended by senior officers and Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh. Officials flagged a worsening situation involving poor security, acute accommodation shortage, crumbling infrastructure, and severe space constraints caused by encroachments. The Dean (MAMC) informed that while the complex was built in 1958 to house 200 students, it now accommodates over 3,200. Rooms meant for two students now hold 6–7, leaving no space even for a study table. Resident doctors are forced to sleep in corridors and outside nursing stations. PWD's plan to build more hostels has stalled as land meant for expansion is under illegal occupation. Encroachments and nearby ASI-protected monuments have stalled construction. Though ASI granted a repair window in 2023–24, the government did not sanction funds, and MAMC had to resort to crowd-funding for minor repairs. Falling plaster and crumbling walls now pose a grave safety threat. Toilets are few and unusable due to unauthorised use. Sewer lines are choked due to encroacher overuse. A detailed presentation revealed that over 25 acres of institutional land have been taken over by illegal flats, shrines, schools, shops, and four jhuggi clusters. Many retired staff continue to occupy government flats, even subletting them. Authorities warned that these encroachments have become hubs for anti-social elements, illegal liquor, and drug trade, making the complex unsafe—especially for women. Gates remain open as the campus has become a public thoroughfare. Ambulance access is blocked due to illegal parking and hawkers. The L-G expressed shock, while the CM blamed political patronage under the previous regime. The Dean sought permission for a delegation of students and doctors to present their case personally.
United News of India
2 days ago
- General
- United News of India
INTACH voices concern over low-level flights near heritage sites from BPIA
Bhubaneswar, June 19 (UNI) The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has raised serious concerns over low-altitude flights taking off from the main runway of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar. Anil Dhir, convenor of the INTACH Bhubaneswar Chapter, has written to the Director of BPIA urging amendments to the existing Standard Instrument Departure (SID) chart for the airport's main runway. Dhir has also brought the matter to the attention of the Superintendent Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bhubaneswar Circle, as well as the Union Culture Secretary. In his letter, Dhir pointed out that many aircraft departing from runway 14/32 at BPIA make a sharp ascending right turn almost immediately after takeoff — sometimes even before the landing gear is fully retracted. This maneuver brings the aircraft alarmingly close to the ancient Lingaraj temple. Based on a two-month study conducted in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar, where the temple is located, Dhir observed that several aircraft come dangerously close to the temple structure. The temple's main spire stands 180 feet (55 meters) tall, while the aircraft at the point of the turn are often at altitudes of just 1,000 to 1,200 feet. A former trainee pilot, Dhir emphasized that although the current departure pattern adheres to the SID outlined by Bhubaneswar Air Traffic Control, it is avoidable. He suggested that delaying the right turn by merely 10 seconds would ensure aircraft fly well clear of the heritage structure. He warned that low-level flights over such ancient monuments, especially during takeoff when engines operate at full thrust, pose significant risks, including physical damage, intense noise pollution, and structural vibrations that may harm the temple. "The structural integrity of the Lingaraj temple is already in a fragile state," Dhir stated. "Continued exposure to such vibrations could exacerbate existing weaknesses, potentially resulting in cracks, loosening of stone joints, and even partial or complete collapse." Dhir has submitted photographs and video evidence, including recordings taken from within aircraft as a passenger. He identified flights operated by Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa as those flying closest to the temple. In contrast, several other aircraft departing from the same runway maintain a straight climb, avoiding the heritage zone altogether. Flying over ASI-protected monuments is generally prohibited within designated restricted zones. Even drones or other aerial devices are banned near such sites under current regulations. Dhir reminded that the ASI bears the responsibility of protecting these historical structures and that any aerial activity posing potential harm is in violation of these protective mandates. Citing the recent Air India Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad Airport, Dhir, a heritage expert, urged authorities to treat this issue with utmost seriousness. UNI DP PRS
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘You've been playing football': Delhi High Court raps ASI and MCD over repair of school adjoining Tomb of Yusuf Qattal
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday warned of contempt proceedings against officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) over their indecision related to the reconstruction of a school in Khirki village despite the court's directions a year ago. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the two authorities to convene a meeting and accord permission for the reconstruction/repair of the school in a fortnight. The MCD primary school, constructed in 1949, shared a wall with the ASI-protected monument of the Tomb of Yusuf Qattal in Khirki. The Khirki Village Resident Welfare Association wrote to the local councillor in 2009 requesting the reconstruction of the school. The deputy education officer of the capital branch approved the request in January 2010. A tender for the work was issued in 2012 and the school was demolished, with a foundation stone for its reconstruction laid in 2013. More than 350 students were shifted at the time to another MCD school at Savitri Nagar, 2 km away. However, the ASI subsequently stopped the reconstruction stating that no-objection certificates were required. The MCD then wrote to the ASI seeking its permission, in October 2020 and 2021. In May 2024, the high court directed the 'competent authority' to decide the MCD's applications 'in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within six weeks'. On Wednesday, the ASI accused the MCD of 'callousness', informing the court that it had been repeatedly writing to the civic body asking for requisite documents but had not received them. The MCD, on the other hand, submitted that the ASI had not taken any decision despite cooperation from the civic body, adding that permission for reconstruction should be accorded as it was a question of 350 students. Justice Gedela proposed that senior officials from the two authorities meet and resolve the issue, orally remarking, 'You people have been playing football…give us a date and time.' Meanwhile, the bench recorded in its order, 'Since the order was passed (in May 2024), a period of a year has elapsed. However, the decision by the court has yet to see the light of the day…. We gather an impression that the authorities—both ASI and MCD—[do] not appear to be serious in getting the sanction for construction/repair of the school being run by the MCD.' 'We are astonished that an order passed by this court, which was to be complied in 6 weeks, has taken about a year and still remains to be complied with…risking initiation of contempt proceedings… Such a situation cannot be approved by the court..,' the order read. The two authorities informed the court that their senior officials would convene a joint meeting at 11.30 am on May 6, adding that Anil Kumar Tiwari, regional director of the ASI's north zone; and Anita Nautiyal, from the MCD's education department, would attend it. The court went on to state, 'We hope and trust the issues will be sorted out at the earliest, say within a fortnight, and requisite permission shall be accorded by the next two weeks. In case the court finds any lacuna in ensuring compliance of court order, the officers named above shall be held responsible.' The court has now listed the matter for consideration on May 28.
