Tina

35 Peafowls Dead This Summer: Stranded Chick in Indore Signals Urban Wildlife Collapse TINA KHATRI Indore A tiny peafowl chick, wide-eyed and panting, perched helplessly on the edge of a second-floor balcony in Alok Nagar on Sunday. The image was startling—not just for its rarity, but for what it revealed: India’s national bird, once a proud presence across Madhya Pradesh, is increasingly being pushed out of its natural habitat and into unfamiliar, hostile urban spaces. Experts say the incident is not an anomaly, but a visible warning of a deeper ecological breakdown in Indore—where rising temperatures, vanishing green cover, and a lack of basic resources are proving fatal for the species. Crisis in Numbers According to local reports, at least 35 peafowls have died in Indore this summer alone, largely due to dehydration and heatstroke. Four were found dead in Kalindi Kunj Society. More carcasses were discovered near the Residency area and Ralamandal—sites where peacocks were once comm...

Ganeshotsav from August 26! Bring Home Joy: Make Your Own Healthy Ganesha and No-Cook Modaks TINA KHATRI As the air fills with the scent of new beginnings, and hearts prepare to welcome joy, Ganeshotsav arrives on August 26 — a festival of love, light, and creativity. This year, bring home your very own Healthy, Happy Ganesha, shaped gently from turmeric and flour, made with your own hands and painted with care. Watch as your creation comes alive with warmth and devotion. Celebrate Ganpati’s arrival by filling a sweet poem with your own words—expressing the love and happiness the festival brings. And don’t forget to taste the magic of easy, no-cook Coconut Modaks, soft and fragrant, a perfect treat to share with family and friends. Healthy, Happy Ganesha Ingredients: 1 cup turmeric powder 1 cup maida (all-purpose flour) or wheat flour Water (as needed) How to make: Mix turmeric and flour in a bowl. Add water slowly and knead into soft dough. Make a thick round base. Roll a big ball fo...

Inclusive in Name Only? CBSE, National Survey Flag Stark Gaps in Support for Students With Disabilities TINA KHATRI Indore Despite legal mandates and policy commitments, inclusion of children with special needs (CwSN) in CBSE-affiliated schools continues to fall short, both in reach and quality. Data released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and findings from the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 have revealed systemic lapses in enrolment, infrastructure, teacher training, and classroom practices. According to CBSE’s examination data for 2025, 9,248 CwSN students from 4,484 schools appeared in the Class X Board examinations, while 5,712 students from 3,107 schools sat for Class XII. Though these numbers reflect a gradual rise in participation, they stand in sharp contrast to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimate that around 15 per cent of any population lives with some form of disability (World Report on Disability, 2011). The gap between the estimated number ...

The photography scene in Indore is evolving rapidly, with photographers expanding their craft beyond traditional portraits to cater to the booming demand for social media content. As reels and short videos dominate platforms like Instagram and Facebook, many local photographers are transforming into reel makers to stay relevant and grow their clientele. Pre-wedding shoots, once focused on classic poses and still shots, now include dynamic reels capturing candid moments, creative transitions, and cinematic storytelling. These reels not only make couples’ stories more engaging but also help photographers gain viral visibility. “Couples want their shoots to be memorable and shareable,” Sanchi Chandani, Indore-based photographer specialising in pre-wedding reels. Social media shoots, another rapidly growing niche, cater to influencers, entrepreneurs, and brands looking for fresh, eye-catching content. Photographers are now experts in crafting tailored reels and posts that boost online enga...

On the eve of Independence Day, the historic Rajwada precinct in Indore resonated with the complete rendition of Vande Mataram, performed collectively by citizens during a programme organised by the Indore chapter of Sanskar Bharati. The event aimed to revive public awareness of the full version of the national song and its historical significance in India’s freedom movement. It was presided over by Padma Shri awardee and Kabir folk singer Bheru Singh Chauhan. Colonel Manoj Barman (Retd), representing the Indian Army, was the keynote speaker. Also present on stage were Kalpana Jhorkar, president of Sanskar Bharati Malwa region, and Bageshwari Joshi, president of the Indore metropolitan unit. Addressing the gathering, Barman spoke on the historical context and national importance of Vande Mataram, tracing its role in fostering patriotic spirit. He said the song had once served as a rallying cry for freedom and continues to hold symbolic power. A dance drama depicting the first complete ...

A protest was held at Regal Square in Indore on Thursday against the Supreme Court’s August 11 order directing the caging and relocation of all stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region. The Court has warned that any obstruction to the implementation of its directive could result in contempt proceedings. The Supreme Court stated in its order: “Infants and young children, at any cost, should not fall prey to rabies. The action should inspire confidence that they can move freely without fear of being bitten by stray dogs. No sentiments should be involved.” The Court referred to a recent case in Delhi involving the death of a six-year-old girl from rabies and stated, “All animal activists and lovers — will they be able to bring back the children who have fallen prey to rabies?” The Court also said, “Not a single stray dog should be released… and if we know that this has happened, we will take stern action.” Protesters in Indore included animal welfare activists, citizens, and representatives of ...

Happy Independence Day!  Celebrating India's Spirit with Flavour and Creativity TINA KHATRI Today, August 15th, marks a momentous occasion in India's history - Independence Day! As we celebrate the nation's freedom and spirit, we're excited to share two fun and creative ways to commemorate this special day. In this article, we'll guide you through making a mouth-watering Tricolour Pasta Delight perfect for a patriotic potluck or family dinner. Plus, we'll walk you through a step-by-step DIY Indian Rosette Badge tutorial that's easy to follow and makes for a great accessory or decoration. To further celebrate India's rich heritage, we've included a Quiz that will challenge and educate you on the nation's history and culture. As we reflect on India's journey to independence, let's honour the nation's spirit with creativity, flavour, and pride. Dive in, get creative, and show off your national pride! Tricolour Pasta Delight Ingredients: ...

A 13-year-old Jain monk set a new world record on Sunday by recalling 100 audience questions in direct, reverse, and random order after a gap of over two hours. The feat was achieved during a Shatavdhan (century of mindfulness) programme at Abhay Prashal Stadium on Race Course Road, Indore, in front of more than 6,000 spectators and a panel of scientists, judges, doctors, chartered accountants, and spiritual leaders from across India. Organised under the banner of Tilkeshwar Parshwanath Teerth Religious Trust, the event witnessed young monk Vijaychandra Sagar answering all 100 questions in just 17 minutes and 4 seconds, after they were posed over a span of nearly 2 hours and 17 minutes. The Golden Book of World Records announced the event would be recorded under five separate categories. Organisers also submitted a claim to the Guinness World Records. The Golden Book of World Records presented a provisional certificate on stage to monk. Questions Asked Across Ten Categories Audience m...

Stray dog menace: SC has spoken! Will IMC hear us now With rising attacks and hygiene woes, the city must leash the stray dog menace or risk chaos TINA KHATRI Indore While stray dogs bite him, her, and them, Indore’s streets are turning into their playground — and residents are fed up In Indore, it seems no one is safe from the sharp teeth and sharp claws of the city’s growing stray dog population. Kids, elders, and even adults find themselves dodging unexpected attacks, while these four-legged roamers rule the streets—scattering garbage, marking territories, and turning once-clean sidewalks into no-go zones. The city, famed for its cleanliness, is now wrestling with a messy reality: stray dogs are making their presence felt everywhere, and residents are barking mad. With dog bites soaring and public frustration reaching a boiling point, Indore faces a tough challenge to reclaim its streets and restore order—especially after the Supreme Court’s recent wake-up call demanding urgent acti...

Where ‘Bhaiya’ is the usual norm, Rakhi forms care-bond Rakhi With a Twist: Indore Set for a Weekend of Rituals, Rakhis and Responsibility TINA KHATRI Indore Tied together with a thread of promise, the bond between a brother and sister is a special celebration of pure love and comfort. In a city, where every girl addresses a stranger as ‘bhaiya’, the city is all set to immerse in this pure, sacred bond of love on Raksha Bandhan this Saturday. The city will witness a variety of events ranging from traditional rituals and symbolic rakhis to tree plantation drives and reform-focused jail visits. Different parts of the city will witness emotional reunions, spiritual offerings, sweet shop queues and environmental pledges. Giant Indigenous Rakhi to Be Offered at Khajrana Ganesh Temple A 40x40 inch rakhi made from items like laddu, paan, betel nut and coconut has been specially prepared by the Palrecha family for this year’s Raksha Bandhan. The rakhi is decorated with gold and silver plating...

Silver Loses Shine as Ghibli Art & Custom Rakhis Take Over Indore Markets As Raksha Bandhan draws near, Indore's bustling rakhi markets are witnessing a major shift in consumer preferences. While silver rakhis have long held a place of prestige, this year tells a different story. A steep rise in silver prices has made many turn away from the traditional choice, with buyers instead gravitating towards creative, personalised, and budget-friendly options like acrylic cartoon rakhis, photo rakhis, and even Japanese Ghibli-art inspired designs. Silver Rakhis See Dip in Sales According to local traders, the demand for silver rakhis has dropped considerably in 2025. Krishna Soni, a silver rakhi seller, shared, “Last year, our silver rakhi sales had crossed ₹1 lakh. This time, the response has been slow. A 30 per cent rise in silver rates per kilo has directly impacted affordability.” Silver rakhis, typically priced between ₹500 and ₹5,000, have become less attractive for budget-consci...

Raksha Bandhan weekend Rhyme poetry, puzzles, crafts & sweet traditions TINA KHATRI This Raksha Bandhan, it’s time to get creative and celebrate with poetry, puzzles, and delicious cookies! Ready to dive in? First, write your own fun Raksha Bandhan poem, then challenge yourself with a brain-teasing Sudoku puzzle. And what’s Rakhi without something sweet? Bake some festive cookies and share them with your loved ones! Let’s turn this festive day into a memorable adventure of learning, creativity, and of course—lots of fun! Festive cookies Ingredients • 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour • 2 tablespoon (15g) cornstarch • ¼ teaspoon salt • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature • ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 3-4 tablespoon jam or jelly of choice Instructions 1. Making The Cookie Dough 2. Line the baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and set it aside. 3. Whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined. ...