NK's Post

Karanth's release ends Bhawans stupor

-
Image
NK SINGH Bharat Bhawan, the controversial "House of Arts" at Bhopal, has started limping back to normalcy with the release on bail of B.V. Karanth—the noted drama director who was recently arrested on the charge of attempted murder. The lake-side multi-arts complex, constructed with public funds and run by a private trust headed by the ruling Congress (1) leader, Mr Arjun Singh, became the centre of unsavoury public attention in the wake of the sensational Vibha-Karanth affair. Normal functioning of the cultural complex was disturbed and the Bharat Bhawan repertory, Rangmandal, was almost paralysed following the arrest of its director, Karanth, and the serious burn injuries sustained by the leading actress of the troupe, Vibha Mishra. Over the last month, little had happened in Bharat Bhawan apart from two minor programmes and a campaign launched to defend the institution against public criticism. Now with Karanth back in action, Bharat Bhawan is restarting its cultural activ...
Post a Comment

Saving the Upper Lake

-

NK SINGH

Babulal Gaur has emerged as a passionate saviour of his beloved Bhopal’s Upper Lake. The Urban Administration and Development Minister has declared in unambiguous terms that he was against any kind of construction on the periphery of the Lake.

The draft Development Plan for Bhopal, released recently, has proposed constructions in several areas around the Lake. Under the plan green belt and no-construction zones have been replaced not only by low-density habitation but also full-fledged residential areas and commercial zones.

Gaur is among the few ministers who feel the pulse of Bhopal. He has also threatened to roll on his famous bulldozer to remove all encroachments around the Lake.

Apparently, he could sense the indignation of the citizens, whom he had invited earlier this week to discuss the status of the lakes in the city.

It was not only the citizens who were alarmed about constructions around the lakes. Even the official presentation made by the Urban Development Department at the meeting underlined the Government’s concern on the subject.

Raghav Chandra, Principal Secretary of the department, made a beautiful presentation at that meeting. It included some photographs of the two lakes.

The photographers capture in vivid details the plight of the water bodies; how construction has killed the Lower Lake and how it is threatening to do the same to the Upper Lake now.

We bring to you today, on the last page of Live Bhopal, these photographs. 

Published in Hindustan Times of  11th September, 2009

 nksexpress@gmail.com
Tweets @nksexpress







Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comment. It will be published shortly by the Editor.