Latest news with #Gulmohar
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Chandan Roy reveals his childhood love for Bimal Roy and story behind his name change
Bihar (Patna) [India], June 18 (ANI): Actor Chandan Roy, known for his role as the lovable office assistant Vikas Shukla in the popular comedy-drama series 'Panchayat', revealed an interesting tidbit about his early inspiration and how it ultimately led him to change his name professionally. During a candid interview with ANI, Roy shared an anecdote that revealed the deep influence Bollywood legend Balraj Sahni had on his life and career. When asked about role models, Roy revealed, "Balraj Sahni. I want to be like him. I don't want to be like any other actor. I like everyone's acting, but I especially love Balraj Sahni." Roy's admiration for the veteran actor went beyond appreciation for his performances. After watching Sahni's 1953 classic, 'Do Bigha Zamin,' directed by Bimal Roy, he decided to change his surname from "Chandan Rai" to "Chandan Roy." "I was so crazy since childhood," Roy recalled, "I am such an admirer of Bimal Roy's filmography that I changed my name to 'Roy', my real name is Chandan Rai." He added, "What I used to think was that when anybody would see it on the screen, it's Chandan Roy. Bimal Roy. Something like that. I love his films so much." Although Chandan Roy has become a household name with his portrayal of Vikas Shukla in 'Panchayat', his career extends beyond the small screen. The actor has also appeared in feature films, including Gulmohar, in which he shared the screen with acclaimed actors Manoj Bajpayee and Sharmila Tagore. The film went on to win the National Film Award for Best Hindi Feature Film. But his role in 'Panchayat' has truly catapulted him into the limelight, with fans now eagerly anticipating the release of Season 4, which is set to premiere on June 24, 2024. As 'Panchayat' fans gear up for season 4, Chandan Roy spoke with genuine excitement about the upcoming episodes. "So, it's coming on the 24th. I think it will come by the night of the 23rd. So, just watch, and you'll know what's going to happen and what's not. But yes, I want to share one thing with all of you. Season 4... Personally, it's my favourite. More than Season 1, 2, and 3. I'm not saying this just because I want you to watch it. I'm genuinely saying it," he said. For those wondering what makes Season 4 stand out, Roy gave fans a hint of what to expect. He said, "There's a twist. I mean, the nature of Panchayat, its essence, is that this time we're playing around a lot more. We're blowing small things out of proportion, and this is something that happens a lot, especially in North India. Under the peepal tree, near the betel leaf shop, by the tea stall. We're bringing all these elements much more into season 4. So, I hope you will really enjoy it." The Season 3 finale of Panchayat ended with intense suspense, leaving fans with plenty of unanswered questions. The violent confrontation between the villagers of Phulera and MLA Chandrakishore's goons led to an attack on Pradhanji, who was shot in the shoulder. The political fallout also disrupted Abhishek's plans for his CAT exam, setting the stage for more chaos in the upcoming season. As seen in the teaser trailer for season 4, Phulera is evolving into a political battleground. With fiery campaign slogans, rallies, and behind-the-scenes scheming, the battle for the position of Pradhan has intensified between the two major contenders: Manju Devi and Kranti Devi. The show's core cast returns in their iconic roles, including Jitendra Kumar as Sachiv Ji, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, and more. (ANI)
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Aisle of Ambition
In the leafy heart of Lavelle Road, a new kind of gourmet experience has quietly taken root. Foodstories, the thoughtfully curated food retail and café concept by sisters Avni and Ashni Biyani has launched its third India outpost – following its forays in New Delhi and Hyderabad. More than just a store, this 12,000 sq. ft. space is a sensory and cultural immersion into the world of mindful indulgence, conscious consumption, and ingredient-led storytelling. Stocking over 8,000 premium food products, with a seasonally rotating café menu and experiential corners peppered throughout the space, Foodstories aims to spark both discovery and delight. Anchored around a century-old Gulmohar tree, the Bengaluru store blurs the line between hospitality and retail. 'It was born out of our shared passion for food and a desire to offer discerning consumers an unparalleled gourmet experience,' shares Avni, adding, 'Between 2020 and 2022, we saw a dramatic shift in how people approached food. More home cooking, deeper curiosity, and an appetite for quality ingredients. We felt the need for a space that celebrated this change – not just through products but through community.' And choosing Bengaluru was a natural decision. 'The food landscape here is incredibly evolved, diners are well-travelled, experimental, and value provenance. There's a clear understanding of craft and quality – values that lie at the heart of our brand,' she says. One of the standout elements is The Garden Café – a 70-seater oasis conceptualised by prominent interior designer Vinita Chaitanya. 'It's an ode to colonial-era Bengaluru and the timeless calm of Cubbon Park,' says Avni. 'We retained the old Gulmohar tree and built the café around it. The terrazzo flooring, cane and bamboo furniture – all crafted by local artisans – speak to the city's aesthetic. It's a tranquil, park-like space, right in the heart of the city.'
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
83 lakh saplings to be planted, 20% fruit trees
: In an effort to make Sangam city greener, approximately 83 lakh saplings are set to be planted by various government departments this year. Around 20 percent of these will be fruit-bearing trees, including mango, jamun, and jackfruit. According to reports, the forest department will plant about 22.45 lakh saplings, while other government departments have been assigned a combined target of 50.69 lakh saplings. District forest officer Arvind Yadav said that a significant number of trees were cut during the Mahakumbh festival to make way for development works. To make up for this loss, saplings including fruit-bearing varieties will be planted across the district. The forest department has identified Shankargarh, Meja, and Koraon tehsils as the key areas for increasing green cover. These areas were chosen because they have large patches of vacant land. Efforts will focus on planting trees in dried-up ponds, barren land, and fields where trees have died. Neem, Peepal, and Gulmohar trees will be planted in most of these areas. From July onwards, several departments will begin planting trees according to their assigned targets. These include: Environment Department: 2.27 lakh Rural Development Department: 29.98 lakh Revenue Department: 2.51 lakh Panchayati Raj Department: 3.40 lakh Urban Development Department: 1.37 lakh Agriculture Department: 5.99 lakh Horticulture Department: 3.69 lakh Basic Education Department: 30,000 Secondary Education Department: 18,000 Higher Education Department: 24,000 Health Department: 12,000 Cooperative Department: 13,000 Industry Department: 8,000 Railways: 15,000 Transport Department: 1,800 Defence: 4,000 This large-scale plantation drive is part of the city's ongoing commitment to enhance its green spaces and improve the environment for its residents.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Pune ‘miracle tree' with holy water turns out to be leaking pipe, video goes viral
In yet another case of devotion crossing into superstition, a video from Pune has gone viral. It shows locals offering flowers, turmeric, and vermilion to a tree trunk, believing it was exuding holy water. However, a municipal inspection later revealed that the water was actually leaking from an underground pipeline. The incident took place in Pimpri's Premlok Park, where residents began gathering outside Sahara Society after videos surfaced of people treating a Gulmohar tree as sacred. Believing that "miracle water" with 'healing powers' was flowing from the trunk, many began worshipping it with traditional offerings. According to a report by Punekar News, the sudden outpouring of faith drew crowds, with locals convinced they were witnessing a divine event. However, when officials from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) arrived, the truth came out. "It's not a miracle. An old water pipeline runs beneath the tree. Due to a leak, water found an outlet through the hollow trunk," Deputy Engineer Pravin Dhumal told Punekar News. Officials subsequently shut off the water supply and began repair work without removing the tree. A video shared on X summarised the incident: 'In the area of Pimpri Chinchwad, citizens began offering garlands, flowers, turmeric, and vermilion to a tree, worshipping it after seeing water coming from it. Later, some sensible citizens informed the municipal corporation about this, and during the investigation, it was revealed that a water pipeline had burst beneath the tree." The video has since sparked criticism and debate online, with many users expressing concern over growing superstition in urban areas. "Superstition is increasing in urban areas more than in rural areas. What could be the reason?" one user asked. "How can we progress as a nation if these kind of things still happen in 2025," said another.
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘Each tree is worth over one crore': Raghunath Maruti Dhole on his remarkable conservation model
Written by Kivi Lydia Vito 'When I was a child, I saw my mother cooking with firewood. I realised she was cutting trees to feed me. Our 400 generations did this for survival, and now it is my duty to replant,' says Raghunath Maruti Dhole, 69, reflecting on his forest conservation journey. Today he is responsible for a veritable revolution in the preservation of native plants in Pune. Through the Devrai Foundation, Dhole has been working to revive barren land using the model of the Devrai, sacred groves traditionally protected by local communities for spiritual reasons. Though the Naigaon-based Foundation was registered in 2013, Dhole's personal efforts date back to the 1980s. Dhole and his team including close friends–Dhananjay Shedbale, Suresh Namaji Shinde, and Uday Bhanudas Gujar–his wife and children developed a plantation model featuring between 119 and 190 native species of trees and plants. These species are drawn from sacred groves where no planting or cutting has taken place for centuries, reflecting the region's original biodiversity. 'We studied sacred groves from different regions and created a plantation plan for one acre of land, selecting 119 appropriate native species from a pool of 500,' Dhole explained. Speaking about the importance of preserving native plants and the ecological consequences of losing these native plants, he says, 'If a species of tree vanishes, one butterfly species also vanishes because each tree depends on pollination.' He continues, 'Some 40 years ago, I planted two eucalyptus trees and later found out they were exotic. At the time, I didn't know which species were native and which were not,' Dhole said. Highlighting these common planting mistakes, Dhole says, 'Palash is a native tree that attracts many birds, butterflies, and honey bees but instead, we are planting Gulmohar, which is not native to India and provides no food or support to local wildlife.' He adds that many non-native species introduced during British colonial times are vulnerable to heavy rain and winds, undermining the ecosystem's stability. The foundation offers saplings and guidance free of cost but only to those who have one acre of land, water and protection ready. 'Planting is just 1 per cent of the job, growing the tree is 99 per cent. If we charge for saplings, we turn nature into a business. That must be avoided,' Dhole emphasises. He continues, 'So far, we have contributed to 414 sacred groves on barren lands in places like Solapur, Sangli, Amravati, Kolhapur and beyond Maharashtra in Bhopal, Gujarat, Calcutta, and Goa. We have also created more than 80 ghanwans (dense forest), over 200 tree libraries, and set up 18 types of nurseries.' Dhole recounted once sending 43 saplings to Noida by plane, emphasising that roots can be safely wrapped and replanted when they reach their destination. The foundation has donated 3.4 million saplings, with a 70 per cent survival rate, over two million trees still thriving. 'If you multiply that by what a single tree gives back in terms of oxygen, pollution control, soil regeneration, each tree is worth over one crore. This is real wealth,' he adds. In educational outreach, the foundation has also created over 200 tree libraries for schools. These mini-forests feature potted plants with informative cards giving details such as botanical names, flowering periods, and medicinal uses, encouraging students to connect with nature. While acknowledging the inevitability of urbanisation, he believes a balance is possible, he says, 'If a tree must be cut for a road or building we can't avoid it but plant a hundred elsewhere. Go to your native village and invest in trees there.' He urges a return to responsibility towards the land that sustains us. 'Everyone has come from somewhere where the land has given us water, food, and childhood. It is time to repay it.' Operating without external funding, the foundation remains community- driven. 'Everyone has to repay the earth in some way. That is why we created Devrai Foundation, to ensure this work continues after I am gone,' Dhole says. Dhole's commitment is global in outlook. 'If a person wants to plant in Goa or China, let them. Trees do not recognise borders. They are a global asset.' 'What I've learned in 40 years is that people love plants but they just need direction, the right saplings and a reason to start,' he says. He continues, 'This is not charity. We cannot eat money or gold but we can eat fruit, breathe clean air, and drink water. All of this comes from trees. Nature is not asking for charity. It is asking us to remember who we are.'
