Category Archives: Records, All

B’khand home to water conservation marvels

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All

Lucknow:

Acute drinking water crisis adversely affecting common life across the country has prompted scientists to formulate principles on surface water management and activists to push ‘save water’ campaigns. Historians in UP, on the other hand, offer lessons on water conservation from parched Bundelkhand.

“Bundelkhand has had a strong tradition of water conservation. Water bodies in Mahoba are a classic example,” said Navratna Kumar Pathak, chief of Archaeological Survey of India’s Lucknow circle.”Based on the principle of rainwater harvesting, these water bodies were built by the Chandela kings about 800 years ago in public interest,” Pathak added.

“The success of the simple effort can be guaged from the fact that one of the five main ponds, the Madan Sagar, supplies drinking water to entire population of Mahoba even today,” Pathak said. Some of these bodies are spread across several kilometres and have a huge catchment area to trap every drop of water in its range. Pathak said that to spread awareness on rainwater harvesting, ASI held several events along a pond named Kirat Sagar on the occasion of World Heritage Day on April 18.

Chief patron, Indian Journal of Archaeology, Vijay Kumar said, “Water Sructures in Ajaigarh, Kalinjar Fort, Jhansi” were a perennial source of inspiration for water conservation. Prof Vinod Kumar Singh, archaeologist at Centre for Advance Studies, department of history, Aligarh Muslim University, who has brought out more than 50 publications on water conservation in Bundelkhand, said the ponds amaze researchers in hydrology and history.

“Locals find the ponds miraculous but there is simple science behind the secret. The biggest reason for their perennial character are the extensive topographical studies done before selection of spot for the pond,” he said.

Citing an example, he said, “The natural flow of water is driven towards a depression from where it is stored.”

He added that the Chandela kings promoted conservation and harvesting by associating it with religion. “Temples were constructed to prevent people from misusing the place,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / Shailvee Sharda / TNN / April 19th, 2016

‘Kathak queen’ of Kashi wants to be social worker

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
Clasical dancer Soni Churasiya broke the world record of longest dance marathon with her non-stop dance performance in Varanasi on Sunday. Chaurasia danced continuosouly for 124 hours and broke the five-year old previous record held by Kalamandalam Hemalatha of Kerala in the year 2011 (PTI Photo)
Clasical dancer Soni Churasiya broke the world record of longest dance marathon with her non-stop dance performance in Varanasi on Sunday. Chaurasia danced continuosouly for 124 hours and broke the five-year old previous record held by Kalamandalam Hemalatha of Kerala in the year 2011 (PTI Photo)

As of now, I want to leave on some lone adventure trip to Bali or Hrishikesh, kathak dancer Soni Chaurasia, who claimed to have broken the Guinness world record in longest dance marathon said on Sunday. The ‘kathak queen’ of Kashi said that she plans to engage herself in social work and do something for the society.

“Everything is possible if you have strong will power, determination and dedication. I am out of words to describe how I am feeling. For now, I am happy receiving words of appreciation from everyone around me,” she said.

Soni had begun her dance performance at an auditorium of a school in the city in the evening on April 4. Her trainer and mentor Rajesh Dogra said that she has created a record which would find her a place in Guinness Book of World Records. Soni had performed non-stop for 126 hours and 5 minutes on Saturday midnight against the previous record of 123 hours 20 minutes set by Keralite Kalamandalam Hemalatha.

She is the third person from the city to have sealed a place in the world record book. Others who have set a world record are social activist Jagadeesh Pillai and lyricist Sameer. Pillai holds a world record in film making for having scripted and screened an animation film ‘Elly the Clever’ in 3 hours and 24 minutes while Sameer made his way into the world record book in February this year for writing the highest number of lyrics for Bollywood films.

Soni, who was on her way to Sankat Mochan to seek blessings of the Almighty, said that she is yet to read the greetings conveyed by the PM and is grateful to everyone who had prayed for her. “I was told that the PM had sent his best wishes to me and also lauded my efforts for making the city proud. After visiting some of the temples to seek blessings of Almighty and finishing off my physiotherapy sessions in afternoon, I will see the letter and re-read it,” she smiled and said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / April 11th, 2016

103-year-old kin of WWI soldier wins pension fight

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Lucknow :

After a nine-year legal battle, the 103-year-old daughter of a First World War soldier has won back the right to her late father’s pension.

Giving the verdict in favour of Siri Kumari Gurung, the Lucknow bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal ruled that her pension was arbitrarily stopped by the Principal Controller of Defence Account (Pension), Allahabad. Passing the order, a bench of Justice DP Singh, member (Judicial) and Air Marshal Anil Chopra, member termed PCDA decision as “ex-parte and against the canon of just ice”.

The tribunal also imposed Rs 1 lakh cost on the respondents – Government of India and Army officers concerned – which would be given to the petitioner within four months. It also directed the respondents to refund the recovered amount of pension (Rs 1.17 lakh) to her along with 10% interest.

Siri Kumari’s pension was stopped in 2007 on the grounds that she was not entitled to two pensions. She was also asked to refund Rs 5 lakh received in pension. Her father, Naina Singh Gurung, served in the First World War and died in 1916 in Italy. Siri, then a 5-year-old, got family pension which was sanctioned for life with effect from March 1916. Siri now lives in Nepal.

Sire married an armyman in 1930. After her husband’s death in 1964, she became entitled to his pension. This way, Siri started getting two pensions. In 2007, the matter came to the knowledge of Principal Controller of Pension Department, Allahabad. He wrote a letter that her pension sanctioned in 1916 be stopped and since it had been paid illegally, recovery may be made.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / Arunav Sinha / TNN / April 16th, 2016

Rail expo: Sneak peek into era long gone

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Allahabad:

A railway exhibition is on in the city to transport people to the era of early trains.
North Central Railway has organised the exhibition which contains rare photos and old models right upto the present times.

As one enters the exhibition, there is an old photograph of Mahatma Gandhi in a railway coach being welcomed by people. The Father of the Nation toured the entire country on the instructions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale. History was created through this journey as he laid the foundation of our freedom struggle.

There are other rare photos of a special train carrying the urn containing his ashes when it halted at Tundla and Kanpur stations.

In another photograph, first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru can be seen laying the foundation of Allahabad junction.

It also has a rare photograph of the old Kanpur station whose foundation was laid in 1928 and the structure was completed in 1929. The cost of the building and other structures came to about Rs 20lakh.

The foundation of Indian Railways in the year 1853 made headlines in British newspapers. The exhibition also showcases some of the important bridges of North Central Railway including the completion of about 150 years of Naini bridge on river Yamuna in Allahabad.

The fastest train, Gatimaan Express, which runs between Hazrat Nizamuddin station ( Delhi) and Agra stations, finds place at the exhibition. Its speed is 160 km/hr which is the highest in Indian railways till now.

The exhibition also attempts a look into the future with Talgo coaches. These coaches run at about 200 km/hr and their trial run is expected to be in June. About nine Talgo coaches are arriving on April 21 by a special ship at Mumbai seaport.

These coaches also consume 30 per cent less electricity.

The exhibition will remain open for general public till Wednesday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / April 13th, 2016

Agra resident wants to present rare photos of Elizabeth visit to Will-Kat

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Agra:

An Agra resident who has a rare collection of pictures of the visit by Britiain’s Queen Elizabeth II to Taj Mahal in 1961 wants to meet Prince William and Princess Kate and present the collection to them as a gift during their visit on April 16.

Surendra Sharma, 70, president of Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, in a letter to the British High Commission has sought a two-minute meeting with the royal dignitaries on April 16 to present an album containing pictures of William’s grandmother during her visit.

Sharma informed TOI that the pictures were taken by his uncle Kailash Nath Sharma. “During that time, there were just two photo studios in Agra and one of them was owned by our family. My uncle, who is now no more, had clicked pictures of Queen Elizabeth from close quarters. There were not so many restrictions in place at Taj Mahal back then. Even vehicles were allowed inside the premises of the monument,” he said.

“It will be a historical and emotional moment when the royal couple visit the Taj. William’s will be the third generation to tread the footsteps of their predecessors at the monument, and our intention is to make it more memorable. I hope the British High Commission will pay heed to my request and allow a two-minute meeting,” Sharma said.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, had visited the 17th century marble monument during their six-week long royal visit to India in 1961.

Later Lady Diana, mother of Prince William, visited the Taj Mahal in 1992. It will be the first time after the Diana visit that someone from the British royal family will be visiting the monument of love.

It is also being anticipated that William and his wife would hopefully re-create Diana’s famous photo taken at the monument’s central tank’s bench.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Agra / by Aditya Dev / TNN / April 11th, 2016

History department of Allahabad University celebrates 60th anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Allahabad :

The department of Ancient History, Culture & Archaeology of Allahabad University celebrated the completion of 60 years of its foundation, on Saturday. Former DG of ASI (archeological survey of India), Prof Professor Gautam Sengupta of Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan was the chief guest of the function.

The function, attended by retired teachers, faculty members, research and PG students of the department and scholars from colleges and other departments, was presided over by AU VC, Prof RL Hangloo who also inaugurated the Kausambi Uddyan, at the department.

The special feature of this celebration was an invited lecture delivered by Prof Sengupta, a renowned archaeologist and art historian, who also served the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi as Director General (2010-13).

His lecture, titled, Raja Rajendralal Mitra and his ideas of archaeology highlighted his untiring contestation with empiricist approach to Indian history and culture, especially James Fergusson’s biased projection of Indian art.
The programme was introduced by Prof UC Chattopadhyaya, the head of the department.

Earlier, Prof Hangloo, after welcoming the chief guest, mentioned the importance of Prof Sengupta’s theme of presentation. He also described department’s museum as one of the best museums in India. He encouraged students to make use of the opportunities being provided to them.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / Rajeev Mani / TNN / April 09th, 2016

Now, cheaper surgery for kidney stones

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Lucknow:

Patients needing surgery for removal of kidney stones will have to spend less money now following re-development of a key equipment used in the process.

The appliance is called dilator and has been devleoped by Dr Diwaker Dalela, a consultant in urology department atKGMU. Appreciated for surgical precision by different urological societies, the device cuts down the price of stone removal surgery by 70%.

Dr Dalela said he has applied for a patent on the equipment. “to remove kidney stones, surgeons create an access between abdomen and kidney using a dilator.”

The traditional one has 10 screw like pins are inserted one at a time which took time and led to blood loss which is prevented by this dilator.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / April 08th, 2016

Kathak dancer aims to set Guinness record

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion

Varanasi:

The 30-year old Kathak dancer Soni Chaurasia, who had failed to break the 124-hour Guinness world record in dance in November last year, again took to stage at a school on the outskirts of the city on Monday evening.

On Monday evening, Chaurasia took to stage again and began her dance performance with Ganesh Vandana. Her trainer and mentor Rajesh Dogra said that Soni started at 6pm on Monday and completed 24 hours on Tuesday evening. As there are requirements which need to be followed before claiming for the Guinness world record, so the district administration has made all the arrangements. Supervisors have also been assigned byDM Rajmani Yadav for various sessions to be held during the next couple of days. The dance marathon will end on April 9 at 9pm.

Between every eight-hour, Chaurasia is eligible for a break of 40 minutes. After getting her act of non-stop Kathak dance on roller skates for 24 hours enrolled in Limca Book of Records in 2010, Chaurasia had started a dance marathon at Arya Mahila PG College on the occasion of Children’s Day last year to break the 123 hours and 15 minutes Guinness record in Mohiniattam dance form made by Hemlata Kamandalu of Kerala in 2011. But after performing for 87 hours and 18 minutes, Chaurasia fell unconscious.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / April 06th, 2016

Meerut girl part of US team that cracked Zika structure

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Devika Sirohi, born and brought up in Meerut, is a doctoral student at Purdue University in the US. She will submit her thesis by year end
Devika Sirohi, born and brought up in Meerut, is a doctoral student at Purdue University in the US. She will submit her thesis by year end

Meerut :

Devika Sirohi, 29, a doctoral student at Purdue University in the United States, is the youngest member of a team of seven researchers which has, for the first time, determined the structure of the Zika virus. The breakthrough is revealing insights crucial for the development of effective treatments for the deadly disease.

Sirohi, born and brought up in Meerut, spoke to TOI about the intense work that lay behind the breakthrough. “It took us four months to identify the structure of the virus. Out of the seven-member team, three were professors and four students, including me. During the period of the research, we barely slept for two to three hours a day, but our hard work finally paid off. This discovery will help doctors and researchers to find a cure for the deadly disease that has been reported in 33 countries,” she said.

Determining the structure of the virus was a major hurdle for researchers, and the team’s find, Sirohi said, would now make it possible to create effective anti-viral treatments and vaccines. The seven-member team included Sirohi, postdoctoral research associates Zhenguo Chen, Lei Sun and Thomas Klose; biological sciences professor Michael G Rossmann, Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases director Richard J Kuhn, and Theodore C Pierson, chief of the viral pathogenesis section of the Laboratory of Viral Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“When I first arrived in the US, I never expected to achieve this much. It has been five years now since I started my doctoral research and I will submit my thesis by the end of this year. The entire journey of discovering the structure of Zika was full of challenges, but all is well that ends well. Now that the structure has been determined, it will be easier to research further and combat the spread of the disease,” said Sirohi, based in West Lafayette near Chicago and pursuing PhD in ‘Structure and Maturation of Flaviviruses’.

The Meerut girl completed her schooling from the city-based Dayawati Modi Academy. She went on to pursue honours in biochemistry from Delhi University and MSc from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. Both her parents are citybased doctors; her mother, Reena, being a pediatrician. Elated by her success, her father, SS Sirohi, a pathologist who lives in Delhi’s Defence Colony, said, “It is a matter of pride not only for my family, because she is my daughter, but for the whole country that an Indian was part of the team that made this breakthrough.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> India / by Ishita Bhatia / TNN / April 06th, 2016

Carpenter gifts Gita carved in wood to PM

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Kanpur:

A 32-year-old carpenter from the city got an opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and gift him a unique Bhagvad Gita carved on wood.

Sandeep Soni, who took three years in creating the wooden Gita, had long wanted to meet the PM, but was unsuccessful despite several attempts.

After an invitation by the PMO, Sandeep, his mother Saraswati Soni and a friend met Modi and handed him over the Gita, having all 18 chapters and 706 ‘sholakas’, in Delhi yesterday.

Modi later tweeted a picture of him receiving the Gita from Soni on his official Twitter handle.
“Sandeep Soni presented to me a copy of the Gita, carved on wood. I thank him for his kind gesture,” the PM tweeted.

Soni said he was elated after meeting the PM.

“I got emotional after meeting the Prime Minister because I never thought my dream would come true. He was very impressed by the Gita and praised my work in creating it,” he said.

Soni also conveyed to the PM that he wanted to start his own business under the ‘Make in India’ scheme, following which Modi directed officials to provide all the necessary help.

Soni, who earns a meagre Rs 9,000 a month, had been invited by the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) last month to hand over his creation, but was not able to personally meet the PM.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / March 10th, 2016