Lucknow :

Distributing moti choor laddoos in political events is passe and has made way for authentic local delicacies. The state government on Tuesday served Balia’s famous ‘hathi kaan poori’ and boondi at the inauguration ceremony of the Janeshwar Mishra Park, named after the senior socialist political leader, also known as Chhote Lohiya.

The pooris are a specialty of Ballia, the birth place of Mishra, and are almost the size of an elephant’s ear. They are eaten with a curry of potatoes and pointed gourd (parwal), wet boondi and mango chutney. The same meal was served to about 18,000 people at the event in Gomtinagar Extension.

Around 200 cooks were hired from Ballia for the preparations that began four days ago.

“We are making these pudis since 4am today to feed about 16,000 people who are expected. We have brought eight quintals of desi gourds from Ballia,” said the caterer. The dining options for the VIPs included three additional vegetables and maal puas. There were 36 counters and each served about 500 plates.

For the first time in Uttar Pradesh, aluminum shades from Germany were used to protect the gathering from fire and rain. A popular dancing troop from Mathura was called to perform.

Chief secretary Alok Ranjan said, “This park will be one of the largest parks in Asia and will develop many conceptual gardens based on themes like rose, bougainvillea, Mughal, lily, French, Bombay gardens, etc.” The workers suggested an Ayurvedic garden should also be developed in the park.

The preparations in the run-up to the inauguration had been on for months. Engineers from Lucknow Development Authority had slogged throughout July to complete landscaping, plantation and construction of the 11-acre water body in the park before opening it for the public.

The chief minister, cabinet ministers, chief secretary and senior officials from the housing department visited the site many times to ensure arrangements were in place. However, overcrowding, mismanagement and heavy rains a day before ruined the venue’s decoration.

As water had seeped inside the tent where food had to be prepared, the resultant sludge had to be covered with large quantities of loose sand in the morning. Even then, many areas had turned into muddy pools.

A spectator said, “It doesn’t look like a park in the first impression. Heaps of used sweet boxes are thrown near the entrance and the soil has tuned into sludge. There is no greenery at all.”

Besides, there wasn’t adequate facility for parking cars at the venue. People left their cars in the nearby lanes, near roundabouts and on flyovers.

Info:

Proposed features of the park:

Developing the park in about 376 acres (70 acres have been developed at present)

Creating water bodies in about 40 acres

Plying boats resembling Venice’s gondolas in the water body

Developing a 10.5km pedestrian walkway

Developing a 5.28km cycling track; cycles to be given on rent

Horse riding facility, golf course, 8.85km jogging track

Plantation of 2,500 trees

Children’s play area, workout station, amphitheatre, parking space

Providing sports facilities like cricket, football, skating rink and lawn tennis

Developing volley ball, badminton, basket ball and adventure zone court

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 06th, 2014

Lucknow :

Youth, particularly women, got together in large numbers on Saturday for the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII’s) Young Indians (Yi) session on ‘Let’s Unite for Women Empowerment – ‘Celebrating Malala Day’. The session urged for bold action to embed women’s rights, women’s empowerment and gender equality in all we do, now and beyond.

The session was packed with dynamic panelists including some eminent women achievers like Kiran Bedi, retired IPS, social activist Anjum Chopra, former Indian women’s cricket team captain, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee, Dolly Thakore, Indian theater actress and casting director, Melissa Lee Ohm, former US Marine and CEO and Founder, STaND, Aparna Yadav, brand ambassador, NGO Harsh and classical singer, Niloufar Pourzand, Chief of UP, UNICEF, Deepa Malik, Arjuna Awardee and founder Wheeling Happiness, Kanika Kapoor, playback Singer and musician Sayema Rehman, RJ, Radio Mirchi, New Delhi.

Kiran Bedi expressing her pleasure for being in Lucknow said,”I am here just because this session is in Uttar Pradesh, had it been anywhere else I wouldn’t have gone. I am very concerned about the issue of women security in this state. I have for long wanted to come over and speak to the people here.” Bedi suggested measures for empowering women. “There are 6 Ps that need to be worked upon to ensure that women are treated with dignity, these are – People, Police, Politicians, Prosecution, Prisons and Press.”

The panel discussion ranged from stories of accomplishments and hardships these women achievers had faced. Anjun Chopra spoke about being the captain of Indian women’s cricket team, which is otherwise known to be a men’s game. Dolly Thakore told about her movement of supporting women and how she manages to wear all the hats at once. Melissa Lee Ohm shared how her two daughters inspired her start her own self-defence training and sexual harassment prevention consultation organization. Similarly, Niloufar Pourzand threw light on the serious need to prevent ‘toilet rapes’ in the state.

Deepa Malik’s speech moved the audience to tears as she shared her story. She said in spite of being paralyzed chest down, with three tumour surgeries and nearly 200 stitches between shoulder blades and a life on a wheelchair for the past 14 years has not stopped the 44 year old from taking up challenges, and she is the first and only Indian swimmer, biker, car rallyist and athlete in her category of paraplegic disability, and has numerous awards to her name including the Arjuna Award.

Likewise Kanika Kapoor the latest music sensation of Bollywood expressed that all that glitters in not gold and life of a woman has many challenges and yet she carry it with a broad smile.

Guarav Prakash, founder chair, Yi Lucknow Chapter said, “July 12 is also being celebrated by United Nation, as Malala Day, in support of Malala’s (Yousafzai’s) unparalleled example ,of courage and valour ,and it is appropriate that we also dedicate this day ,to every woman and girl child in this country to applaud the youngsters, who not only raise their voice but are also willing to support the fairer sex.”

He insisted that people who resort to brutalizing and stifling the existence of our female gender, do not come from some other planet, but are from one of us. It is indeed shocking that they are unaware of what harm their actions do, to a society of which they are a part.

Sachin Agarwal, chairman, CII Uttar Pradesh State Council said, “Concerted local, regional and global efforts will have to be made in order to make the world a better place. We should give women a chance to grow up into productive citizens who will meaningfully contribute their share to bring harmony, peace and cooperation both locally and globally.” He added that people should acknowledge their contribution and numerous sacrifices by giving women a chance to prove their abilities and showcase their talents.

Agarwal also informed that CII has launched a special initiative for women, Indian Women Network (IWN), a platform for all women to drive their ambitions and motivate them to achieve their dreams. It is a network of women, for women and by women. Abhishek Mishra, Minister, vocational education, GoUP was the chief guest for the session and Navneet Sikera, deputy inspector general, Lucknow was the guest of honour. Divij Narain, co-chair, Yi Lucknow Chapter and director, Speed Motorwagen gave the vote of thanks.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Priyanka Singh, TNN / July 12th, 2014

Allahabad :

A seminar on renowned litterateur Pandit Shitla Prasad Mishra was organised on Thursday. Various speakers elaborated on diverse aspects of Mishra’s personality. He died June 23 last at the age of 90 years.

Vibhu Ram Mishra shed light on the initial life and education of Mishra. Describing Mishra as an expert on the labour issues, he said that his book ‘Labour problems in Ancient and Medieval India’ and ‘Indian Labour Movement’ effectively summarizes the labour problems in the country. Prof Ramesh Chandra Verma evaluated the personality of Pandit Mishra as a litterateur and commented on his book ‘Akshyavat’ and ‘Sukhi Jeevan’ and other books. Ram Prakash Gupta remembered Mishra as an educationist and lauded his role in establishment of Bamaula School and as manager of Dr Kailash Nath Katju Inter College. Chief guest and former higher education consultant Chandra Vijay Chaturvedi spoke about the various facets of Pandit Mishra and described him as a source of inspiration.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / June 27th, 2014