The India Gate at the revamped Central Vista Avenue in New Delhi, on September 8, 2022. AP Photo
The India Gate at the revamped Central Vista Avenue in New Delhi, on September 8, 2022. AP Photo
The India Gate at the revamped Central Vista Avenue in New Delhi, on September 8, 2022. AP Photo
The India Gate at the revamped Central Vista Avenue in New Delhi, on September 8, 2022. AP Photo

Indian PM inaugurates Delhi's revamped colonial avenue


Taniya Dutta
  • English
  • Arabic

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated a revamped ceremonial boulevard connecting the President’s House to the India Gate memorial in New Delhi.

The three-kilometre stretch in the heart of the capital was renamed Kartavya Path, meaning “the path of duty”, earlier this week.

The revamp is part of Mr Modi’s ambitious $2.8 billion Central Vista Redevelopment Project that includes the construction of a new parliament building and alterations to dozens of other British colonial-era government buildings to match the aspirations of 21st-century India.

A statue of India's independence hero Subhas Chandra Bose is unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi near India Gate in New Delhi. AFP
A statue of India's independence hero Subhas Chandra Bose is unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi near India Gate in New Delhi. AFP

Mr Modi’s government has said that the revamp of the more than century-old landmark area was a step to erase the relics of the country’s colonial past.

The prime minister also unveiled an almost 9-metre statue of Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose carved from a granite block, which was placed under the canopy that previously contained the statue of King George V near India Gate — a First World War memorial dedicated to British Indian soldiers.

“The country has got a new inspiration and energy. Today, we are leaving behind the past and adding colours to future images,” Mr Modi said.

The India Gate was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag while the entire stretch was decorated with thousands of multicoloured lights.

Several ministers, actors such as Kangana Ranaut, and veterans from Mr Bose’s Indian National Army that fought for India’s independence, also attended the inauguration ceremony.

The Kartavya Path has lawns with granite walkways, green spaces, vending kiosks, canals on both sides fitted with aerators, underpasses, drinking water and toilet facilities. More than 900 new light poles and 400 benches have been installed.

The boulevard was designed as a grand processional route to the Viceroy’s House, now the presidential residence, during the British Raj.

It was built by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in 1921 after the British moved their capital from Calcutta to Delhi a decade earlier.

After attaining independence in 1947, India has used the avenue for the annual Republic Day military parade on January 26.

With lush green lawns and fountains, the stretch was one of the most popular public spaces in the capital, always buzzing with children and families, youngsters and tourists and ice cream and snack vendors.

“Rajpath was a symbol of slavery which has been wiped out forever, it is a matter of the past now. Today, Kartavya Path has created a new history,” Mr Modi said.

He also highlighted his government’s focus on redeveloping the country’s cultural infrastructure, which he is said is pivotal to developing a modern India.

Opposition parties, historians, architects and former bureaucrats have criticised the multibillion-dollar project, saying the refurbishment is an attempt to erase institutional memories and historical buildings.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is driven along the revamped Central Vista Avenue near the India Gate in New Delhi. AP Photo
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is driven along the revamped Central Vista Avenue near the India Gate in New Delhi. AP Photo

Many have called the revamp a vanity project and accused Mr Modi of trying to create a name for himself by renaming and refashioning the country's existing landmarks.

The project was unsuccessfully subjected to court appeals by citizens over claims that Mr Modi’s government had violated environment and land rules.

It also came in for heavy criticism after it was exempted from the pandemic lockdown imposed in March 2020 that brought the country to a grinding halt for months and left tens of millions of people struggling earn a living.

Mr Modi justified the revamp as a necessity because of the age and deterioration of the current buildings and to rid the country of its colonial past.

The prime minister unveiled the national emblem — four lions standing back-to-back on a circular slab — on the roof of the new parliament building in July.

The building is scheduled to open in winter this year.

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5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Key facilities
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Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

MATCH INFO

Serie A

Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

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Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays

4.5/5

Generation Start-up: Awok company profile

Started: 2013

Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev

Sector: e-commerce

Size: 600 plus

Stage: still in talks with VCs

Principal Investors: self-financed by founder

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War and the virus
Updated: September 08, 2022, 5:15 PM