Rattan is all the rage in the home decor space. From partitions to wardrobe shutters and seating, it provides a subtle statement that is both organic and elegant. Sourced from over 600 species of palms native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australasia
Tushar, Mannat share lead at AM Green IGPL Invitational CongoTushar, Mannat share lead at AM Green IGPL Invitational Congo Published on: Apr 21, 2026 2:19 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Lubumbashi , Young golfers Tushar Pannu and Mannat Brar turned in a matching six-under 67 to share the lead after
Apple will have been planning this succession for a long time. Rumours were circulating for a while that 65-year-old Tim Cook was thinking about stepping down, and while a few potential replacements popped up, the name which stuck was the firm's vice president of hardware, 51-year-old John Ternus
Apple has announced a major leadership change. On April 20, the company named John Ternus as its next CEO, with Tim Cook set to move into the role of executive chairman from September 1. This marks a big shift, as a long-time insider prepares to take charge during an important phase for the company
A simple shoulder cloth, the melthundu, has a rich history in Tamil Nadu. It began as a gesture of respect, was later used to challenge caste norms, and became a symbol of equality. Dravidian leaders adopted it as part of their identity. Today
Backstory: When protests erupted over a ban on feeding pigeons
In August, a strange story from Mumbai appeared in the news.
The city's municipal corporation began to shut down 51 kabutarkhanas in response to a silent health crisis – the bird droppings were causing respiratory troubles for residents. It was not the decision that was strange but the response to it. Rallies and marches were held across the city to demand that the pigeon feeding sites be reopened.
Most of the protestors were Jains, members of a community that believes that feeding pigeons is “punya ka kaam” or a work of charity. They feared that the birds would starve if they were not fed. Even monks from the community went on fasts to press for their demand.
A side note is relevant here. Increasing urbanisation may have wiped out large numbers of birds, such as sparrows, but pigeons have learnt to live around humans, nesting comfortably near air conditioners, on parapets and sheltered ledges. That is why most Indian cities have seen a spike in pigeon populations. It is only in recent years that authorities have begun to identify pigeons as pests whose droppings can cause serious, sometimes fatal, lung infections in humans.
And so I set off to cover the story, chasing pigeons to where they had shifted – to buildings around the kabutarkhanas, now covered in tarpaulin.
Hundreds of pigeons were flying around, perching on tree branches and building ledges, leaving their droppings on balconies and tin roofs as they tried to adjust to the new situation.
When I returned to my scooter, it was covered in bird poop.
While covering the story, I noticed an odd world of human behaviour. Near these kabutarkhanas in Dadar and Matunga squatted many beggars, some in desperate need of food and clothes. But they were ignored by the benevolent pigeon feeders, who chased after the birds to offer them grain.
The bird feeders were also diverting resources from critical tasks. Municipal staffers had been pulled away from cleaning the storm water drains, filling up potholes and pruning trees to patrol the area. In accordance with directions of the Bombay High Court, they were expected to fine people feeding pigeons.
It didn't take long for the bird feeders to figure out the patterns of the civic staff. When I visited the Matunga kabutarkhana, a shop owner told me proudly that he would secretly throw a bag of grain on the road when municipal workers were not around. In the middle of traffic, I saw several birds pecking enthusiastically at grain.
One resident of a nearby building, who was more than 70, said she had been unable to eat for two days because she was not allowed to feed pigeons any longer. She said that she had cried the day the kabutarkhana was shut. I did not doubt her.
Her 60-year-old neighbour told me she had created a new place for feeding on their building terrace. The woman grew emotional when she recounted how her grandmother had fed pigeons described how this charitable practice had been passed on to her generation.
“We never saw anyone die of pigeon shit,” she said. “This is something new. It's a conspiracy by those who hate pigeons.”
Two floors above, I met a family of five, all of them had respiratory troubles. Pigeons nest right outside their balcony; I could see hundreds of birds right by their window. But the family was scared to complain. “It's like being branded anti-national,” the father joked. “People come to fight if we say that pigeons are a nuisance for our building.”
In the same building, I found that pigeons had driven away a family from the in which their daughter was born and had grown up. Some years before, the mother had been diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A doctor advised the family to shift to ensure her survival.
Pigeons had led to people falling sick, had driven away families, had left many too scared to walk without covering their heads – yet they had a prominent lobby.
In September, a state minister inaugurated a kabutarkhana near a temple in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, on land provided by the Jain community. Eventually, the municipal body allotted four more areas for feeding pigeons in various parts of the city.
Pigeon feeding has been restricted in several cities across the world, including New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Venice, Tokyo, Melbourne and Singapore. Even Chandigarh and Ahmedabad have also put restrictions in place. Though animal support groups did protest in some of these places, the municipal corporations did not budge.
Mumbai, it seems, is determined to be unique.
Source: Scroll
Related Posts: Vivo X300 appeared in Geekbench with… Keanu Reeves’ Strange India Story Pisces Weekly Horoscope (18th August – 24th August) Pisces Weekly Horoscope (25th August – 31st August) Aquarius Weekly Horoscope (18th August – 24th August) Aquarius Weekly Horoscope (25th August – 31st August) Assam government tracking ‘strange people’ coming to state Duffer Brothers answer the burning question if Eleven survives Stranger Things 5 The strange role of lead poisoning in humanity’s success Nancy Guthrie’s neighbor claims she saw ‘strange man’ days before disappearance
Over 700 citizens, including former civil servants, academics, activists, and journalists, have written to the Election Commission of India alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the nation on April 18.Over 700 citizens
31 minutes ago
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he considered visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow but not Kyiv "disrespectful". The pair visited the Russian capital late last year as ceasefire talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine gained pace, and again in January
31 minutes ago
'World-class buildings, third-class roads': Mohandas Pai on Bengaluru and Mumbai infrastructureIn a post on X, Mohandas Pai called out glaring gaps between “world-class” private developments and crumbling public spaces in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. Updated on: Apr 21
31 minutes ago
Artist Nalini Malani to reflect on patriarchal violence of wars at Venice BiennaleArtist Nalini Malani to reflect on patriarchal violence of wars at Venice Biennale Published on: Apr 21, 2026 4:56 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, In her latest body of mixed media work
31 minutes ago
Apple's leadership change is the start of a new phase for the iPhone maker, in which the focus will be on whether its deep hardware heritage can be successfully fused with AI to sustain growth in a fast-evolving tech landscape, Wall Street analysts said
31 minutes ago
Indian opener Shafali Verma has risen to sixth in the ICC Women's T20I Batting Rankings. Her half-century against South Africa boosted her position. Smriti Mandhana has dropped to fourth. Harmanpreet Kaur is now eleventh. Jemimah Rodrigues has fallen to fourteenth
31 minutes ago
In a rare call, China’s President Xi Jinping spoke on the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to urge the restoration of transit through the vital waterway. He also pushed for an end to hostilities in the Middle East.In a rare call
31 minutes ago
A viral post on X revealing a kindergarten fee of more than Rs 2.5 lakh a year has sparked fresh outrage online, with many questioning why parents are being asked to pay such a huge amount for pre-primary education. The post, shared by a user named Sakshi, drew widespread attention after she wrote
31 minutes ago
Eleven persons were injured in a clash in a gurdwara in Germany on Sunday following disagreements about the management and financial affairs of the institution, India Today reported. The dispute involves the election of a new board to manage the institution and the administration of community
31 minutes ago
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday supplied a quick clarification soon after the BJP went into a complete uproar over his “terrorist" charge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kharge said all he meant is that Prime Minister Modi, who he said “always threatens"
31 minutes ago
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has released the third round of lottery results for Balvatika and Class 1 admissions for the 2026-27 academic session. Parents who submitted online applications between March 20 and April 2 can now check their child’s selection status on the official KVS
32 minutes ago
Madhav Viradiya has emerged as the Maharashtra topper in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, securing 100 percentile in both sessions 1 and 2. The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results late on Monday evening, with 26 students achieving a perfect 100 percentile
32 minutes ago
The Indian Premier League isn’t just cricket, it’s theatre. It’s swagger, strategy, last-over drama, and personalities that feel larger than life. And much like a well-crafted cocktail, every team brings its own blend of intensity, flair, and character to the field
32 minutes ago
Dyson unveils travel-friendly ‘Supersonic’ hair dryer for users on the moveDyson has introduced a new, compact hairdryer designed for travel that claims to offer consistent styling performance in a smaller, lighter design. Published on: Apr 21
32 minutes ago
The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday granted four more weeks to the Assam government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to respond to petitions seeking action against him for alleged hate speech against Muslims, Live Law reported. During the hearing
32 minutes ago
19 Tamil Nadu fishermen return home following release from Sri LankaThe returnees were greeted with emotional reunions after being caught in the crosshairs of maritime boundary disputes. Updated on: Apr 21, 2026 5:02 PM IST ANI Share via Copy link A group of 19 fishermen from Thangachimadam
32 minutes ago
Are your vitamin D levels low? Experts explain its function beyond bone strength; share why deficiency is commonDespite being a country with ample sunlight, vitamin D deficiency is very common in India. Experts explain why you shouldn't ignore it. Published on: Apr 21
32 minutes ago
'Iran has violated ceasefire': Donald Trump reiterates amid peace talks deadlockDonald Trump has been offering mixed messages about the path ahead for the Iran war as the ceasefire deadline approches. Published on: Apr 21, 2026 5:24 PM IST By Shivam Pratap Singh Share via Copy link US President
32 minutes ago
Apple on Monday (April 20, 2026) named insider John Ternus as its next CEO, tasking the long-time hardware chief to steer the company after Tim Cook as the iPhone maker gears up for an industry change spurred by artificial intelligence. Mr. Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001
32 minutes ago
iPhone-maker Apple has announced a top-deck transition with CEO Tim Cook set to step down and hand over the reins to longtime hardware chief -- a 'reboot' that marks the end of Cook's decade-and-a-half long tenure defined by quiet leadership style and sustained growth
32 minutes ago
US Republican leader Nikki Haley on Tuesday alleged that a vessel recently intercepted by the United States amid a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was en route from China to Iran, carrying chemicals linked to missile development. Taking to X, Haley wrote
32 minutes ago
Daadi Ki Shaadi trailer: Kapil Sharma’s wedding plans go haywire as Neetu Kapoor’s 'savage daadi’ decides to marryKapil Sharma returns with family comedy Daadi Ki Shaadi, featuring Neetu Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Sadia Khateeb. Apr 21, 2026
32 minutes ago
This 43-year-old actor is the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Star 2026’; has a big release aheadA Hollywood star has been named People magazine’s ‘World’s Most Beautiful Star 2026’, with a big upcoming release adding to the excitement around her career. Apr 21, 2026
32 minutes ago
Madonna has offered a reward for the return of the outfit she wore on stage at Coachella last weekend, after several of her vintage costume pieces went missing following the festival. "These aren't just clothes, they are part of my history," the Queen of Pop wrote on Instagram
32 minutes ago
Indian travel plans for the summer are being quietly but decisively redrawn. As tensions in the due to the Iran war disrupt flight routes and raise costs as well as safety concerns, many travellers are stepping back from long-haul trips to Europe and the US. Instead
32 minutes ago
The Skoda Slavia Sportline offers a sportier design with blacked-out styling, sitting between mid and top variants. Priced from Rs 13.49 lakh, it comes with two petrol engine options, strong safety features, and practical space. It balances style, performance
31 minutes ago
Amid the World Athletics’ (WA) decision to designate India as country with “extremely high" risk of doping, the government says it remains firmly committed to the promotion of clean sport and the protection of athlete integrity through a robust and evolving anti-doping framework
32 minutes ago
