Treading the green path: Delhi mans solo mission to beautify Madikeri
MADIKERI: Astroll on a quaint street near Government Junior College in Madikeri introduces one to a beautification project where flower pots hang on retaining walls of public spaces. In between the flower pots, dustbins are also placed for public use. This beautification project was not taken up by the City Municipal Council or any other government body; it is the effort of an individual from Delhi who moved into the city two years ago in search of clean air. Piyush Agarwal has grand plans to make Madikeri one of the quaintest cities to live in. Piyush, who started on a road trip across India in search of a place with clean and pure air to lead a retired life, says, Madikeri fit the bill the best for my retired life. So, what made him undertake the journey from Delhi to Madikeri? I was in search of a place with a low Air Quality Index (AQI), which I wanted to make my home, he says. The businessman and entrepreneur developed bouts of cough due to high air pollution in Delhi. I had difficulty breathing and developed cough bouts. COVID happened, and my business suffered a bit. That is when I decided that Delhi was not the place I wanted to live in, and it was time for me to get out, he shares. Road trip across 27 states He set off on a road trip across India, travelling from East coast to West coast, the AQI meter as his travel buddy. He checked the air quality in every place he visited. Ooty, Chikkamagaluru, Goa, Kerala, Kanyakumari Piyush travelled the length and breadth of India and covered 27 of 29 states; this was in 2022. I had a few parameters in mind. While air quality was the priority, the other parameters included the kind of people, a not-so-large city, greenery. And Madikeri fit the bill the best, he explains. His travel experience also revealed that the majority of the country is polluted, as air quality level across several regions is above 50. Madikeri had an AQI level of 16, and became my ideal place to settle down for a retired life. Kodagu is among the best districts and nowhere in the country can you find such forests with abundant greenery. Even coffee cultivation is done using shade trees, he opines. Piyush rented out a house and has been a resident for two years. He wants Madikeri to become one of the most beautiful cities in the country and his efforts can be seen in the beautification and cleanliness projects he has undertaken silently. During his first year, Piyush caught the attention of the City Municipality Council after he was spotted picking up litter and clearing garbage in his neighbourhood, equipped with a litter picker stick and gunny bag. Impressed, then CMC president Anita Poovaiah invited Piyush to her office and appreciated his efforts. I am 65 years old and cannot bend down to pick up litter. I bought the litter picker stick online and have a few collections of these sticks. Every Indian wants to keep their house clean, but when it comes to their surroundings, they are not bothered, this is a very Indian sentiment. The road and neighbourhood are an extension of my house and I often clean my surroundings. This introduced me to CMC councillors and now, I have started an initiative to install public dustbins across the city, he says. During his chats with CMC officials, Piyush got permission to instal dustbins (pinned to retaining walls of public spaces) across several wards in the city. Similarly, he put up dustbins in busy public spaces, including tourist spots and outside schools. I approached the youth empowerment department for permission to instal dustbins across the District Ground premises, he says. He got the nod, and installed over 15 dustbins in the grounds, but they were all stolen within 48 hours. I dont want to fix the dustbins permanently as it would be difficult for civic workers to clear them. Cleaning dustbins must be a simple process. However, of the hundreds of dustbins installed across wards, over 50 per cent were stolen. This is when I realised that people of Madikeri dont want dustbins, he points out. Piyush faced several hurdles in the cleanliness project, but this did not stop him from beautifying the city. After the dustbin project, he undertook beautification work by installing flower pots across the city limits. Flower pots with self-watering technology (originally designed by him) are lined up across city limits. Proud to live in Madikeri Piyush has more such initiatives in mind. He aims to install a flower pot and a dustbin on all lampposts. However, getting permission, especially from the CESC department, remains a Herculean task. Imagine if every lamppost was lined with a flower pot and a dustbin. Madikeri will become one among the cleanest cities in the country, and I would be proud to live here. I dont want any government support and I am ready to invest completely on my own. However, CESC denied permission for it and there is nothing I can do to change this, he says, disappointed. Nevertheless, Piyush continues to involve himself in environment-friendly beautification projects. He has planted over 350 varieties of trees across his neighbours private estate and invented eco-friendly measures to water these saplings. I sought permission from one of my neighbours to plant saplings in his estate. I told him I dont want any support or returns, but only oxygen from these saplings. I collected 10,000 plastic water bottles from restaurants and hotels. During monsoons, I collected water in these bottles and these bottles continue to water the self-watering flower pots and saplings I have planted so far, he explains. His routine includes cleaning the neighbourhood of trash, taking a stroll across the estate to take care of his saplings, cycling and golf. While he visits the estate during the morning hours, he ensures to put his food in a solar cooker and keep it under the sun. By the time I am back, I know my food is cooked and this is my routine during summer days, he shares. While the initiative undertaken by Piyush is not known to the majority in the city, people who know him are inspired by his efforts. When I was growing up, pollution was not among the biggest concerns. The environment then was pristine, and we could swim in any stream as the water was clean. I have seen nature deteriorate in my lifetime and river Jamuna in Delhi is proof of that deterioration. Now, I do my bit to keep nature clean, he concludes. He also hopes to garner support from peoples representatives as he is ready to fund the beautification project, provided he has all the permissions in hand.
2 city kids spend summer vacation cycling from Sion to Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari: A Tale Of Victory And Devotion - news24online.com
Kanyakumari: A Tale Of Victory And Devotion news24online.com
Vivek Express is India's longest train journey, covering 4,189 km from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari in 75 hours across 9 states.
Sunset With Moonrise: Kanyakumaris Celestial Spectacle Draws Thousands - News18
Sunset With Moonrise: Kanyakumaris Celestial Spectacle Draws Thousands News18
Abhijit begins 3450 km Kashmir to Kanyakumari Run from Lal Chowk
Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 30: Abhijit Vishnu Bhalerao from Nasik, Maharashtra, was flagged off today from Srinagars historic Lal Chowk for his solo Kashmir to Kanyakumari ultra-marathon. Covering 3450 km, the run symbolizes unity, endurance and the spirit of adventure. The event was organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Adventure Club (JKMAC), with President Sajad Ahmad leading the flag-off. Prominent personalities from Kashmirs adventure community-Yasir Makdoomi, Riyaz Wani, Mehraj Madni, Nazir Ahmad, Majid Gul and Dr. Raiz [] The post Abhijit begins 3450 km Kashmir to Kanyakumari Run from Lal Chowk appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Accused awarded death sentence in Ambalamukku murder case
Kanyakumari native Rajendran fatally stabbed Vineetha at the nursery she was working in the capital and stole her gold chain weighing 4.5 sovereigns. He is the prime accused in a 2014 triple homicide in Tamil Nadu
Hanuman Jayanti: Mahabali's 'Maha Thali' - 56 types grand feasts from Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Jabalpur's Pachmatha temple is celebrating Hanuman Jayanti with a grand three-day event, marking its silver jubilee. A special Maha Thali featuring 56 traditional dishes from across India, symbolizing unity in diversity, has been prepared. The celebration also includes a massive 5,000 kg laddu, with devotees engaging in prayers and chanting to honor Lord Hanuman.
PM Modi To Travel In Train From Chenab Bridge To Katra, Inaugurate Two Vital Bridges Enroute
Rly workers invited for travel in inaugural Vande Bharat Kashmir to Kanyakumari event planned at Railway Station Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Apr 11: Before inauguration of Vande Bharat train to Kashmir from holy town of Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine on April 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel from Chenab railway bridge to Katra in train during which he will inaugurate and inspect the highest bridge as well as cable stayed bridge, which have [] The post PM Modi To Travel In Train From Chenab Bridge To Katra, Inaugurate Two Vital Bridges Enroute appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
PM to travel in train from Chenab bridge to Katra, inaugurate two vital bridges enroute
Rly workers invited for travel in inaugural Vande Bharat Kashmir to Kanyakumari event planned at Railway Station Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Apr 11: Before inauguration of Vande Bharat train to Kashmir from holy town of Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine on April 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel from Chenab railway bridge to Katra in train during which he will inaugurate and inspect the highest bridge as well as cable stayed bridge, which have [] The post PM to travel in train from Chenab bridge to Katra, inaugurate two vital bridges enroute appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
This Glass Bridge In Kanyakumari Must Be On Your Bucket List. Here's Why
The 77-meter-long and 10-meter-wide glass bridge at Kanyakumari was inaugurated in 2024.
Tamil Nadu braces for rain and thunderstorms; IMD issues warnings for several districts
The IMD has issued warnings for rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in parts of Tamil Nadu, predicting moderate rainfall in several districts. Heavy rains have caused waterlogging and traffic disruptions, especially in Tiruppur and Kanyakumari. Other districts like Nilgiris and Coimbatore are also affected. Kerala and Puducherry are similarly experiencing rain and lower temperatures.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm following ruckus over Muslim reservation in Karnataka
NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Monday in the pre-lunch session without transacting any business as treasury and opposition benches sparred over the issue of reservations to Muslims in Karnataka public contracts. While ruling BJP MPs created a ruckus, alleging that a Congress leader has vowed to change the Constitution to provide reservation to Muslims, Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that no force can change the Constitution made by B R Ambedkar. Amid slogan shouting, mostly by the ruling side, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. BJP MPs started moving into the aisle raising slogans just as the House met for the day. Dhankhar gave Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju the floor to speak on what they were agitating about. Rijiju said a senior Congress leader who holds a constitutional post has said the party will change the Constitution to provide reservation to Muslims. Though he did not name the leader, he was apparently referring to D K Shivakumar. We cannot take this statement lightly, the minister said, adding that the statement has not come from any ordinary party leader but from someone holding a constitutional post. Stating that it is extremely serious, he said changing the Constitution to provide religion-based reservation cannot be tolerated. Congress leaders carry the Constitution book in their pockets but are doing everything to undermine it, he said. 'Land, economic, contract jihad': BJP slams Karnataka's 4 per cent Muslim quota When Dhankhar asked what he and his party wanted, Rijiju said the Congress president should make the party position clear and ell the House and the nation why Congress wants to change the Constitution to provide reservation to Muslims. Leader of the House and Union minister Jagat Prakash Nadda alleged that Congress was shredding the Constitution to pieces. Ambedkar while framing the Indian Constitution clearly stated that eservation will not be done on the basis of religion...his is an accepted principle of the Constitution of India, he said. Now, the Karnataka government has provided 4 per cent reservation in public contracts to minorities, he said, demanding a statement from Kharge. Dhankhar asked the ministers to authenticate the statements that were attributed to the Karnataka minister. Kharge said, No one can change the Constitution provided by Ambedkar. We are the people protecting the Constitution. We are the ones who did Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir (and) these are the ones who believe in Bharat Todo (break India), he said referring to BJP. He tried to speak further but was repeatedly interrupted by the sloganeering by BJP MPs. We are the savers of Indian Constitution, Kharge said before Dhankhar adjounred the proceedings till 2 pm.
Kannada actor Asiya Firdose: Acting is an art, a skill
The actor, who has become a household name with Kannada serials such as Kanyakumari and Shravani Subramanya, talks about serials, films and her passion for acting
Heavy Rainfall In Tamil Nadu For Next Two Days: IMD Issues Orange Alert In Four Districts
The IMD has issued heavy to very heavy rain alert for the districts of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari in the next two days.
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 9: A delegation of Women Contingent who are participating in the All-Women Self-Drive Expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today. The delegation briefed the Lieutenant Governor on their 10-day expedition traversing 3,700 kms across the country. The Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations and best wishes to all the participants. The post Women Contingent calls on LG appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Three arrested as DRI, ICG intercept vessel en-route to Maldives, seize 30 kilograms of hashish oil
NEW DELHI: In a joint operation with Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday announced that it has seized 29.954 kg hashish oil worth nearly Rs 33 crore from a tug-barge vessel sailing towards Maldives and arrested three in connection with the case. Officials in the revenue intelligence agency said that the operation was conducted on the intervening night of March 7-8 following actionable intelligence input developed by DRI officers. The DRI officers and ICG sailors based on the input identified a tug vessel towing a barge laden with rock boulders, which had departed from Tuticorin Old Port in which Tuticorin-based gang covertly loaded significant quantities of hashish oil onto the barge mid-sea during its voyage to the Maldives, with the assistance of a crew member from the vessel. A senior official said, At the behest of the DRI, the ICG intercepted the vessel on March 5, 2025, in mid-sea off the Kanyakumari coast and escorted it back to Tuticorin New Port. Following the arrival of the vessel at the Tuticorin New Port, three persons were apprehended including the individual responsible for placing the narcotic drug and his accomplice, the official said, adding that the crew member involved in sharing the vessels location with the gang was also detained for further investigation once the vessel docked. Rummaging of the barge vessel led to recovery of two bags containing 29 plastic packets with description of food items printed on it, but on their examination it was found to contain black-coloured liquid paste like substance, which on testing with the field test kit resulted positive for Hashish Oil, the official said. In total, 29 packets weighing 29.954 kg of Hashish Oil, valued at Rs 32.94 crore in the illicit international market, were recovered and seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The three accused persons have then been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Tamil Nadu Rain Alert: Heavy Rainfall Expected In These Districts; Check School Holiday Updates Here
The affected districts include Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, and Ramanathapuram.
A daring journey led by women, traversing from the breathtaking landscapes of Kashmir to the vibrant shores of Kanyakumari, embodying strength, empowerment, and the spirit of exploration
'Koda' festival begins at famed Mandaikadu temple in Kanyakumari district
The 10-day-long 'Koda' festival commenced on Sunday at the famed Bhagavathy temple at Mandaikadu near here with the 'Kodiyettu' (flag hoisting) ceremony, which was witnessed by thousands of devotees from different parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Tamil Nadu Rain Updates: Heavy rainfall | #WATCH | N18S
Tamil Nadu Rain Updates: Heavy rainfall was reported in several isolated areas of Tamil Nadu on Friday night, including Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari, causing streets and roads to become waterlogged. n18oc_shortsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Tamil Nadu Rain Alert: From Kanyakumari To Chennai, Heavy Showers Likely In 10 TN Districts
TN rain alert: The prediction is particularly worrisome for farmers with the harvest season in full swing in the delta districts
Andamans to Arunachal: Amazon Pharmacy facilitates medicine access across India
Amazon Pharmacy delivers medicines across 100% serviceable pincodes across the country, subject to availability and regulatory requirements, ensuring that customers even in the remotest areasPort Blair and Havelock in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Leh in Ladakh, Kanyakumari, and even Roing in Arunachal Pradeshhave access to essential medication.
Dr. C. N. Maheswaran, I.A.S., Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation Limited, Chennai and Dr. A. M. Moorthy, Advisor, IYA-TNSCC and Director of Sports Medicine and Yoga, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chrompet, Chennai, facilitated the gathering. Thangalakshmi, State Coordinator, of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari for Tamil Nadu and the Treasurer of Indian Yoga Association, Tamil Nadu State Chapter Committee welcomed the gathering and Dr. R. Elangovan, Secretary, Indian Yoga Association, Tamil Nadu State Chapter proposed the vote of thanks.
Kashmir linked to Kanyakumari through Railway Line: Prez Murmu
New Delhi, Jan 31: Kashmir has now been connected to Kanyakumari through a railway line as the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail project is complete, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, the president highlighted the achievements of the Railway Ministry. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, connecting the nation from [] The post Kashmir linked to Kanyakumari through Railway Line: Prez Murmu appeared first on Northlines .
Kashmir Linked To Kanyakumari Through Railway Line: President Murmu
New Delhi, Jan 31: Kashmir has now been connected to Kanyakumari through a railway line as the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail project is complete, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, the president highlighted the achievements of the Railway Ministry. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, connecting the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through a railway line, Murmu said. Under this ambitious project, the Chenab bridge has been constructed, which is the highest railway bridge [] The post Kashmir Linked To Kanyakumari Through Railway Line: President Murmu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
BJP emerges richest party with Rs 7113-crore fund balance, Congress has Rs 857 crore: EC data
NEW DELHI: The BJP, which claims itself as the biggest political party in the world, has a whopping cash and bank balance of Rs 7,113.80 crore against the principal opposition Congress party's Rs 857.15 crore as on March 31, 2024, according to figures provided to the Election Commission. The BJP spent as much as 1,754.06 crore during 2023-24 when Lok Sabha elections were announced, a whopping 60 per cent rise than Rs 1,092 crore spent in 2022-23. In comparison, the Congress spent as much as Rs 619.67 crore during 2023-24, against Rs 192.56 crore in 2022-23. The Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 16, 2024. According to the figures provided to the EC in their annual audit reports, the BJP has received voluntary contributions through the now banned electoral bonds of Rs 1,685.69 crore during 2023-24, against Rs 1294.15 crore in the previous year. The ruling party has also shown having received other contributions to the tune of Rs 2,042.75 crore during the year, against Rs 648.42 crore in the previous year 2022-23. In its audit report to the EC, the Congress has shown having received total contributions of Rs 1,225.11 crore during 2023-24, including Rs 1129.67 crore through grants, donations and contributions. This also includes Rs 828.36 crore received through electronic bonds during the year ended March 31, 2024, which have now been banned by the Supreme Court. During the year, the BJP spent Rs 591 crore in advertisements, including Rs 434.84 crore in the electronic media and Rs 115.62 crore in printed material. The ruling party also spent Rs 174 crore during 2023-24 on aircraft/helicopters, against Rs 78.23 crore in 2022-23 and gave financial assistance of Rs 191.06 crore to its candidates during the year in question, against Rs 75.05 crore in the previous year. The BJP spent Rs 84.32 crore on meeting expenses in 2024 and Rs 75.14 crore on organising morchas, rallies, andolan and call centre expenses in 2023-24. The Congress, on the other hand, spent as much as Rs 207.94 crore on the electronic media and Rs 43.73 crore on printed material during 2023-24. The opposition party also spent Rs 62.65 crore on aircraft/helicopters during 2023-24 and gave financial aid of Rs 238.55 crore to its candidates. It also spent Rs 28.03 crore on publicity expenses and Rs 79.78 crore on social media expenses during the year ended March 31, 2024. The party also stated in its audit report that it spent Rs 49.63 crore on the Bharat Jodo Yatra 2, led by former party chief Rahul Gandhi during 2023-24, against Rs 71.84 crore spent on Bharat Jodo Yatra undertaken by him from Kanyakumari to Kashmir during 2022-23.
Taran and his family are awestruck by the brilliance of engineering that is the Mathur Aqueduct in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
