Latest news with #CentralLibrary
News18
4 days ago
- General
- News18
Net Worth Of Over Rs 20L Cr But Smoked Cigarette Stubs Left By Guests: This Hyderabad Man Is...
Last Updated: The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, also wore the same cap for 35 years and never got his clothes ironed. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, is remembered not only for his vast fortune but also for his surprisingly modest lifestyle. At one point, he was considered the richest man in India. He became the ruler of Hyderabad in 1911, following his father's death, and remained in power until 1948, when the princely state was integrated into independent India. During his 37-year reign, his wealth grew to astonishing levels. As per multiple reports, his total fortune was estimated at nearly ₹17.47 lakh crore (approximately $230 billion), putting him on par with some of the richest individuals in the world. Despite this, the Nizam was known for his frugality. He owned gold worth over $100 million and jewellery valued at $400 million. One of his most treasured possessions was the famous 185-carat Jacob Diamond, which today is estimated to be worth around Rs 1,350 crore. Still, in his personal life, he spent very little on himself. Authors Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, in their book Freedom at Midnight, wrote that the Nizam used to collect used cigarette stubs left by guests and smoke them. Not only this, he wore the same cap for 35 years and never got his clothes ironed. He also ate from old tin plates despite owning golden utensils enough to serve 200 people. He had dozens of luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces. But instead of using them, he usually travelled in an old, worn-out car. If he saw someone driving a beautiful car, he would ask them to gift it to him and most people agreed out of fear or respect. But he rarely used those cars himself. Journalist Luke Harding mentioned in The Guardian in 2001, 'A frail, tiny man, and a devout Muslim, he was notorious for his meanness — he wore the same tattered fez for 35 years, dressed in rumpled cotton pyjamas, and ate all his meals off a tin plate while sitting on a mat in his bedroom surrounded by overflowing wastepaper baskets. But he was also, back then, the richest man on the planet." But beyond his eccentric personal habits, he was also known for his contributions to Hyderabad. He helped build many public buildings like the High Court, Central Library, Assembly Hall and State Museum. He is also said to have played a key role in designing India's first airport in Hyderabad. During the 1965 war with China, he donated five tons of gold to the Indian government. No one else had made such a big donation. Mir Osman Ali Khan passed away in 1967 at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy of wealth and contributions to society.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Readers' Letters: Ssshh! Don't make historic library an events venue
The soul of the National Library of Scotland is under threat, reader suggests Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Plans, reported in Scotland on Sunday, for the National Library of Scotland to become an 'events venue' are to be head librarian aka CEO is quoted as planning on opening up the site to host weddings and large events, inspired by the Central Library in New York. The National Library of Scotland in no way resembles a city's central library. It is a copyright library, a national institution providing citizens with a time machine to explore a kaleidoscope of evidence across the wide gamut of Scottish cultural life from the now to the medieval past. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The staff are unfailingly helpful and informed, something I have noted in some 30 years of using the library, they reflect standards of public service others would do well to emulate. Yet I have detected recently they are labouring with cutbacks and the merging of departments. Far from nurturing this human resource they are now to be thrust into the hospitality business. I note the process is already underway and the library is closing early on two days in June for 'events'. Bosses at The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh want the institution to become a destination of choice for weddings and other events (Picture: Neil Hanna/AFP via Getty Images) It would be helpful if the authors, now successful, who rightly laud the NLS as a place that nurtured their fledgling talents would take up the cudgels and oppose this barbarian plan. They could join the budding writers of the future, the students, book groups, those visitors researching family histories, academics and the simply curious citizens anxious to find something out, all of whom use the library as a matchless venue of cultural value, in resisting the attempt to turn it into yet another Edinburgh events venue. Douglas Macleod, Edinburgh Nightmare goes on It beggars belief that Rachel Reeves suggests that the UK might offer support to our 'ally', Israel, in its ongoing missile bombardment of Iran (your report, 27 June). Even Donald Trump has distanced himself attack. Most Israelis are appalled by this unprovoked aggression, scary in its pinpoint accuracy, with deep uncertainty in its longterm consequences. How many enemies does Israel actually need? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The aggressor-in-chief is Benjamin Netanyahu, whose precarious personal position is contained by keeping Israel in a perpetual state of war. He stands accused of war crimes and corruption. Hypocritically, Netanyahu urges the regime change of Iran's equally loathsome government. Arguably, regime change is required in Israel itself, by democratic means. The USA alone has the ultimate leverage to provide that outcome, though Europe has a part to play. Meanwhile, for the people of Palestine, the nightmare continues. Ian Petrie, Edinburgh Iran dilemma The current Israel/Iran situation raises an interesting point for the SNP and Scottish Greens. The SNP leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, has recently intimated that an independent Scotland would have suspended diplomatic relations with Israel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Greens are well known for not being supportive of Israel either. This produces a difficult dilemma for both parties. Assuming they are not in the Israeli camp in the current war ( and how likely is that?) this puts them on the side of Iran. There is really no viable middle ground given such antipathy towards anything Israeli. This implies that both these Scottish parties, despite their well-versed opposition to absolutely anything nuclear, would therefore be happy to see a nuclear-armed Iran. If this is not the case then they must support Israel in its actions to prevent this. This ably demonstrates how neither Scottish party really considers where their policies can lead, a position most Scots understand very well given the last 18 years of SNP rule with much help from the Greens included. Gerald Edwards, Glasgow Nuclear nod I can assure Frances McKie (Letters, 16 June) that an enormous amount of research on the safe long-term disposal of nuclear waste has been done since the Flowers Report of 1976. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Much has been done on corrosion, not by the waste, because it isn't, but by nature – if old iron is left outside it will rust. The results of the research have shown that by using the right kinds of containers it will be possible to store the waste until well after it has gone cold. As for mining uranium in Orkney, it never happened, despite preparatory work for it getting strong support from the EU. Orkney has instead benefited enormously from the oil industry, and no doubt has played a significant role in helping it to generate massive amounts of greenhouse gas, a far more dangerous pollutant than nuclear waste ever has been or is likely to be for the foreseeable future. Hugh Pennington, Aberdeen Great Acorns On 11 June the BBC News website reported that to date the UK Government has pledged £17.8 billion towards the construction of the new Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk. The project is being funded by UK Treasury borrowing. As a consequential of this borrowing a total of £1.513bn will be included within future Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures as this country's 'share' of the total amount being borrowed. This is despite the fact that no nuclear power stations are being built in Scotland. Indeed, Scotland already produces a surplus of electricity and people living in the north east will soon be treated to the sight of massive pylons being constructed throughout their area to carry this surplus power to our southern neighbours. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On 12June the UK Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, stated that a total of £200 million would be allocated to fund the proposed Acorn carbon capture project at St Fergus. While this very long overdue announcement is to be welcomed, it pales into absolute insignificance when compared to the £21.7bn over 25 years to support carbon capture projects in the North East and North West of England. As these projects are being funded through UK Treasury borrowing, Scotland will also be given an allocated 'share' of the consequential debt for them when its future GERS figures are published. The combined funding bill for these projects in England totals (so far) £39.5bn. Scottish taxpayers – present and future – will be required to pay their share of the money borrowed to build them. It has to be asked if people living in Scotland consider £200m for the Acorn Project at St Fergus has been a fair deal when placed against the many billions already set aside for carbon capture in North East and North West England? On last week's BBC Scotland Debate Night show the subject of the UK Government's Spending Review was discussed. Scottish actor Brian Cox said, 'For Starmer, everything is about England'. Given the situation related to the Acorn Project it is difficult not to concur with that particular opinion. Jim Finlayson, Banchory, Aberdeenshire Planet in pain Dictatorships and authoritarian governments are becoming increasingly repressive and democracy is failing, with incompetent politicians increasingly relying on evasion and lies. Excessive greed and poverty are running rampant and hatred and aggression plague the planet, with wars being waged everywhere. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Earth is in distress, with extreme weather conditions becoming more prevalent, much of which is due to human activity. Has mankind outlived its welcome on this or any other planet? John Marsh, Firthmuir of Boysack, Arbroath Brexit tale SNP MSP Stephen Gethins continues with his regular condemnation of Brexit and fulsome praise for the EU (Perspective, 14 June). Taking full advantage of Brexit was thrown off course by Covid, Boris Johnson's self-destruction and Putin's War, so it is too soon to opine that it 'has left us poorer', and nonsense that we are 'less secure and outside the European mainstream'; he ignores the EU's own economic problems. Then prime minister Theresa May wanted to include 'the defence sector', our 'security links' and our better intelligence services in her Brexit talks in early 2017, but the EU reacted like a spoilt child at the notion that the UK would even consider putting them on the table to the potential disadvantage of the EU; so she caved in. Professor Gethins implies he foresaw Putin's threat back in 2004 – but what did he or any other politician, academic, diplomat or military attache say or do then? Precious little in public that I recall; and his former leader Alex Salmond was happy to broadcast his show on Russia Today from 2017. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Of course the Europeans should 'share the burden of continental security' but it is they who have fallen well short of meeting even Nato's 2 per cent of GDP target, and it is primarily the EU which continues to finance Putin's War by even now paying greater sums to buy his oil and gas than it gives to Ukraine in aid! No doubt we can learn from our neighbours (including England?) on free education, a national health service and valuing human rights and the rule of law – but in all of these such learning is a two-way process. And is the no-weapons non-nuclear SNP really a 'reliable part' of European defence? If we are 'hobbled' outside the EU, Prof Gethins should at least acknowledge that it was François Hollande's and Angela Merkel's policies and thin-gruel offers to David Cameron which caused Brexit (and incidentally strengthened Russia) rather than the more substantive EU-wide reforms advocated by the then Dutch prime minister and now Nato leader, Mark Rutte. Finally, to state 'the UK stepped back as the rest of Europe stepped up' is a gross insult to the UK and to our then prime minister Boris Johnson, who was the first, foremost and consistent advocate of supporting Ukraine immediately after Putin's invasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is certain EU members who are at best equivocal about or, astoundingly, even firm supporters of Putin's Russia. John Birkett, St Andrews, Fife Write to The Scotsman
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Los Angeles Public Library to close downtown branches on Saturday amid safety concerns
Citing anticipated protests and ongoing safety concerns in the downtown area, the Los Angeles Public Library announced Friday it will temporarily close three of its branches on Saturday. The closures affect the Central Library, Chinatown Branch, and Little Tokyo Branch. The library also closed the branches on Monday due to ongoing protests. City officials issue curfew guidance for downtown L.A. ahead of the weekend In addition, the 3rd annual June Jubilee: A Celebration of Black Excellence, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed. A new date has not yet been announced. Library officials stated that they hope to reschedule the event in the near future and will provide updates when available. For updates on rescheduled events and reopening information, the public is encouraged to check Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
02-06-2025
- General
- Axios
Why 12 more names were added to the Central Library atrium
You'll notice a dozen new names on the walls the next time you step into the Central Library's atrium. Why it matters: The 12 influential authors memorialized in the downtown library represent the next step in an initiative to shine a light on the literary contributions of marginalized creators. Driving the news: The second phase of the Central Authors Project finished late last month with a renovation of the glass-enclosed public space. Prior to the project's launch, the Central Library walls housed the names of 83 esteemed figures throughout history, with the first names engraved in 1917 and additions made in 2007. Yes, but: Just five of the people included were women, and none were people of color. Flashback: Planning for the Central Authors Project began in 2021 when Indianapolis native and longtime library patron Michael Twyman encouraged the IndyPL to make the lineup more inclusive and provided funding to make it happen. Phase one added the names of 10 Black American authors to the library walls in spring 2022. What they're saying: "Public libraries have the power to shape our community's cultural and intellectual life by curating, sharing and telling stories," Twyman said in a statement. "I am so proud to have been part of this historic project to increase the diversity of authors represented in Central Library's architecture." How it works: Authors were nominated by library visitors and the Indianapolis community at large.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First stage of city library improvements completed
The first stage of improvements to enhance public facilities at Wolverhampton's Central Library has been completed. The 1970s extension to the back of the library has been changed, providing two new first-floor offices, ground floor space for book deliveries, sorting and collections and other facilities. Adult Education Wolverhampton's Alan Garner Building on Old Hall Street is set to be refurbished and remodelled and there are plans to create a two-storey building to connect it to Central Library's 1930s extension. Work on restoring the front of the building and the roof of the Grade II*-listed library began in November. The improved facilities will sit alongside a new facility for City of Wolverhampton College currently being built on the site of the college's former Metro One campus and land on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street. The first stage of improvements at the central library was finished as part of the £61m City Learning Quarter programme. Council cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills Chris Burden said changes to the library and adult education facilities were "integral to our City Learning Quarter vision alongside the new college campus being developed". "Together they will provide state-of-the-art facilities in the city centre and improve life chances for people of all ages through learning, apprenticeship and employment offers. "The restoration and development of the Grade II*-listed library and Adult Education building will enhance the offer for current users of these services and attract new users." Central Library and Adult Education Wolverhampton are continuing to operate during work, which is expected to be completed during the winter. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Library restoration scheme under way in city Library remains open as restoration work begins City of Wolverhampton Council
