cairo

The Egyptian parliament approved a major government reshuffle Saturday involving 13 ministerial changes. It was the largest change since current Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli was appointed in 2018. None of the major cabinet posts, including the interior minister, foreign minister, finance minister or defense minister were affected.

Egypt's parliament speaker Hanafi el Gebaly asked members of the assembly Saturday to approve a government reshuffle submitted to the body by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, involving 13 new cabinet ministers. It was the largest ministerial makeover since the current prime minister was named in 2018.

Egyptian TV announced the names of the new cabinet ministers, noting that discussions over the new appointments have been taking place behind the scenes for the past several weeks, culminating in Saturday's announcement.

The official appointment of the new ministers is expected to be made by President el-Sissi at the presidential palace Sunday. The Egyptian constitution gives the president the authority to name members of the government.

The shuffle included the ministers of Education, Culture, Health, Military Production, Irrigation, Expatriates, Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Civil Aviation, and Employment.

Egyptian political sociologist Said Sadek tells VOA the changes have been "expected for a long time" and are aimed at appeasing public opinion over economic issues like increases in the costs of food, fuel and electricity, as well as the devaluation of the Egyptian pound.

It seems the government wanted to please everybody by doing some changes that are cosmetic, [but] do not affect what people complain about, which is the economy, [including] the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, he said.

Sadek went on to say that a new Health minister was named after the husband of the outgoing minister was accused of corruption. He noted complaints about the lethargic performance of the ministers of Commerce and Industry and War Production appear to have prompted their replacement.

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Egypt Approves New Ministers in Major Cabinet Reorganization - Voice of America - VOA News

So, what spices should you have at the forefront of your spice cake? First and foremost, we've got to crown cinnamon as king. Is it truly an autumn pastry if it doesn't have a healthy amount of the stuff thrown in? Cinnamon is going to be the most predominant spice in your cake, according to Southern Living. Known for its sweet and intense kick, it is the perfect base for your spice cake because it's so bold and complex.

To follow up the cinnamon andgive the cake more depth, you must add nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, an intense dried berry, pimenta dioica, known for emulating the taste and smell of a variety of spices (via The Spruce Eats). Finally, you can add ground ginger and cardamom to make your cake richerand zestier. Of course, using fresh ingredients is always recommended. Still, if you open up your spice cabinet only to find it all dried up, pumpkin pie spice is an acceptable replacement for the above ingredients.

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What Is The Main Spice In Spice Cake? - Tasting Table

Pune, Aug. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cleanroom technologies market is expected to reach USD 11.46 billion by 2030. Cleanroom Technologies emerges as a promising option for the healthcare sector and boosts the market at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2030, states Growth Plus Reports.

Cleanroom technologies imply to tools which is used for ensuring sterile environment in any life sciences settings. These technologies utilize various equipment for the filtration processes such as HEPA filters, air showers, fan filter units, and so on in the sterile environment. This technology has a vast application in pharmaceutical and medical devices companies, hospitals, and many more. Thus, due to its vast application in various healthcare industries proves to be beneficial for cleanroom technologies market globally.

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Market Drivers

Cleanroom technology is used to decontaminate the air for a suitable environment in different medical industries such as the pharma, biotech, research, and clinical settings, etc. This vast application of cleanroom technologies helps in propelling the market value around the globe. The growth of this market can be attributed to the rising government initiatives on hygiene & cleanliness, rapid development of biotech and pharma industries, and growing base of laboratory and clinical settings demanding aseptic and sterile environment.

However, there are some challenges to the optimum growth of the cleanroom technologies market. These issues are high operational costs, lack of skilled professionals, and issues in customized cleanrooms.

The global cleanroom technologies market has been analyzed from three different perspectives Components, End-User, and Region.

Excerpts from By Component Segmentation

Different components of the cleanroom technologies infrastructure market have been segmented into two categories, viz:

The consumables segment is expected to be the dominating the global cleanroom technologies market. This consumables segment is further subdivided into gloves, lab suits, vacuum systems, etc. High usage and replacement rate and high volume of consumptions attributes to the higher revenue share of this segment.

Additionally, equipment segment has been showing progressive growth and is thus expected to be the fastest-growing section of the overall cleanroom technologies market. This segment is also further classified into various categories such as HEPA filters, cleanroom air showers, desiccator cabinets, and many others. Among these, HEPA filters are utilized most commonly in the life sciences sector and is expected to show continued dominance during the forecast period.

Excerpts from By Region Segmentation

Geographically, the global cleanroom technologies market is collective to :

North America dominates the global market with the largest revenue share. This is attributed to the vast base of pharma and medtech industries, enormous technological base, and huge healthcare expenditure. Therefore, the significant outreach of pharma and biotech industries in this region are the leading factor attributed to the growth of this market. Furthermore, rising demands for cleanroom technologies in developing countries gave a boost to the market in this region. Also, the massive base of the technological and state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure, to provide desired healthcare quality and accessibility are a few reasons that prove to be beneficial for the cleanroom technologies market growth in North America.

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Excerpts from Competitive Landscape

Some of the prominent players operating in the global cleanroom technologies market are:

Report Scope & Segmentation:

VALUE PROPOSITIONS RELATED TO THE REPORT:

CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS:

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About Us:

Growth Plus Reports is part of GRG Health, a global healthcare knowledge service company. We are proud members of EPhMRA (European Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Association).

Growth Plus portfolio of services draws on our core capabilities of secondary & primary research, market modelling & forecasting, benchmarking, analysis and strategy formulation to help clients create scalable, ground-breaking solutions that prepare them for future growth and success.

We were awarded by the prestigious CEO Magazine as "Most Innovative Healthcare Market Research Company in 2020.

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Cleanroom Technologies Market Size to Hit USD 11.46 billion by 2030| With an 5.8% CAGR between (2022-2030), Growth Plus Reports - GlobeNewswire

WHITLEY COUNTY The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 11 Office advises motorists that a bridge replacement project in Whitley County is expected to start on Monday, August 29.

This Whitley County bridge project replace the Powers Hollow Road bridge over Patterson Creek.

Construction is scheduled to mobilize Monday, with traffic control signage in place.

The project will require a full closure of the existing bridge and a traffic detour utilizing Powers Hollow Road, Nevisdale Road and KY 904. The detour will be in effect for up to 60 days.

The new bridge is expected to open to traffic by the end of October.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet asks motorists to be aware of the work zone, expect delays, and to utilize safe driving habits when traveling through the area.

The date and time could be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their reports at http://www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. You can also get traffic information for District 11 counties at http://www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict11 or by following us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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Bridge replacement expected to start Aug. 29 over Patterson Creek - Times Tribune of Corbin

Creating dramatically new kitchens for a fraction of the cost compared to many kitchen remodels is what we are all about. Your kitchen cabinets make the most noticeable difference in a kitchen update.

So how can you revitalize your cabinets without breaking the bank or eating away your remodeling budget? Our team at N-Hance can help you with cabinet door replacement in Sandia Heights. Cabinet door replacement has several significant benefits that may make this the best option for you.

Why Choose Cabinet Door Replacement?

With a standard kitchen remodel, contractors completely remove and dispose of your existing cabinets, then replace the cabinet boxes. This costs you time and money and is just unnecessary if the bones of your cabinets are in good shape but the cabinet faces are old or out of style.

Cabinet door replacement is perfect for cabinets that may be old but are still in great condition. If your cabinets are simply outdated and you want a fresh, new look, cabinet replacement is an extremely cost-effective option.

With cabinet door replacement, you can keep your existing cabinets while only replacing the part thats visiblethe door fronts. You can upgrade the exterior doors with a custom face, edge profile, color, and hardware.

By leaving the existing cabinets in place and only swapping out the drawer and door fronts, your entire space will feel new for a fraction of the cost.

Customizable Cabinet Door Replacement Options

Cabinet replacement professionals can match your cabinet door color perfectly with the existing cabinets, or give you an entirely new color. This process takes a small portion of the time compared to what it would take to completely replace your cabinets.

First, youll choose the style of your cabinet doors. You can hand-select exactly what the face of your cabinets will look like by choosing your preferred profile for the panels, edges, rails, and stiles.

You can also decide on the type of wood you wantlike alder, beech, walnut, cherry, maple, and more. The wood you choose will have its own unique grain and tone.

Finally, youll choose your cabinet color and finish. The best part is, youre not limited to natural colors. You can go as traditional or as bright and bold as youd like!

From country to modern, your cabinet color will blend perfectly with your desired style. You can also select the perfect sheen for your cabinetsgiving them a matte or glossy finish that will really pop.

How Much Does Cabinet Door Replacement Cost?

Most cabinet remodeling projects can cost around $10,000 or more. With cabinet door replacement, the cost will vary depending on the size of the job. The good news: this service will be a fraction of the cost compared to other, more expensive full-cabinet replacement services.Ready for us to start your cabinet door replacement project? Schedule your estimate with us today!

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The Benefits of Cabinet Door Replacement | N-Hance Wood ...

LONDON -- Revelations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff partied while Britain was in a coronavirus lockdown have provoked public outrage and led some members of his Conservative Party to consider ousting their leader.

If they manage to push Johnson out or if he resigns the party would hold a leadership contest to choose his replacement.

Here's a look at who could rise if Johnson falls:

RISHI SUNAK, TREASURY CHIEF

Sunak, 41, is widely regarded as the brightest rising star in the party, the best known of the contenders to the public and the bookies favorite to succeed Johnson.

Sunak was thrust into the spotlight when he became treasury chief in early 2020, tasked with the unenviable job of steering the British economy through its worst economic slump on record due to the pandemic.

Sunak has dished out billions of pounds in emergency spending to help businesses and workers, and his pandemic policies have generally been seen in a positive light.

A big Star Wars fan, Sunak nurtures his personal brand with a slick Instagram account. Opinion polls have suggested that he is one of the most popular Conservative ministers among voters, though his elite education and past work for the investment bank Goldman Sachs and a hedge fund means some see him as out of touch with ordinary people.

He would be Britains first prime minister who is not white. Born to Indian parents who immigrated to the U.K. from East Africa, Sunak attended the exclusive Winchester College private school, studied at Oxford University, and is married to Akshata Murthy, daughter of an Indian billionaire.

LIZ TRUSS, FOREIGN SECRETARY

Truss, 46, took on the high-profile job of foreign secretary in September after serving as trade minister and has been gaining momentum as a contender since.

As well as serving as Britains chief diplomat, she is the U.K.s new lead negotiator with the European Union to deal with lingering issues following Britain's exit from the bloc.

Once a campaigner for remaining in the EU, Truss has become a fervent champion for Brexit. Her prior role as international trade secretary saw her signing post-Brexit trade deals around the world and channeling Johnsons ambitions for Global Britain.

Truss is popular with many Conservatives, who see in the free-market-loving politician echoes of the partys first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. Her supporters have coined the slogan In Liz We Truss.

She is less well known to the general public. When you ask about Liz Truss, 50% of voters say Liz who? said Chris Curtis, a pollster at Opinium Research.

SAJID JAVID, HEALTH SECRETARY

Javid, 52, has been health secretary since June, leading Britains response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before that he served as treasury chief, but resigned in early 2020 after clashing with Johnson over the prime ministers order to fire his team of advisers.

The fact Johnson brought him back to the government to handle the coronavirus response reflects his reputation as a competent and safe pair of hands.

The son of Pakistani immigrants, Javid has billed himself as a common-man alternative to his private school-educated rivals although he had a lucrative career in investment banking before entering politics.

As with Sunak, he'd make history if he were to win.

MICHAEL GOVE, LEVELLING UP SECRETARY

Gove, a party heavyweight, has held many key Cabinet posts and is currently in charge of delivering on the governments promise to level up Britain, that is, address inequality by increasing opportunities in deprived areas.

Gove, 54, played a key role in the campaign to take Britain out of the EU and is widely respected in the party, but not completely trusted. In the 2016 Conservative leadership campaign, he backed Johnson for leader before deciding he would rather run himself a betrayal that many Conservatives have not forgotten.

To the public, he may be best known for being filmed dancing to techno music at a nightclub in Aberdeen, Scotland, in August, in a clip that drew a lot of chuckles when it went viral on social media.

JEREMY HUNT, FORMER CABINET MINISTER

Hunt, a former health secretary and foreign secretary, ran against Johnson in the 2019 leadership race, billing himself as the more sensible, serious candidate. He lost heavily, and was dumped from the Cabinet when Johnson took over.

In a recent interview, the 55-year-old was quoted as saying that his ambition to lead the country has not completely vanished.

He has remained a lawmaker, and kept himself in the public eye by grilling ministers and experts as head of the Health and Social Care Select Committee in Parliament.

As a critic of the governments response to the pandemic, he may appeal to those seeking a change from Johnson though some look on him unfavorably for implementing unpopular policies when he was health secretary.

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British Conservatives set to go for top job if Johnson falls - ABC News

We have just moved into a house in Woodford Green on the edge of London but BT is unable to offer us broadband. The previous occupant had it, and as soon as I had a moving date I asked BT to switch us. However, it seems that this was not processed properly and the connection has been given to someone else in the road.

Incredibly, BT has told me that the local fibre cabinet is full, and there is no longer an old-style copper line connection. We need wifi to work at home and cant believe this is happening in 2022.

PC, Woodford Green

This unusual case has been something of a trial to resolve. Youd have thought that BT would have taken a keen interest in getting you connected given that it lost your original order, but it has been anything but.

Following my call to Openreach, which manages the overall network, an engineer was dispatched to install one of the old copper wires which will deliver you a basic broadband service. You are just waiting for a replacement router.

I fear we will see more of these cases as landlines are withdrawn over the next two years.

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include a phone number. Letters are subject to our terms: gu.com/letters-terms

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Why cant BT connect me to broadband on the edge of London? - The Guardian

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Tongas main island could have its internet service restored within two weeks, although it may take much longer to repair the connection to the smaller islands, a cable company official said Tuesday.

The single undersea fiber-optic cable which connects the Pacific nation to the outside world was severed 10 days ago after a huge volcanic eruption and tsunami.

That left most people unable to connect with loved ones abroad. For days, people couldnt get through on their phones, by email, or through social media.

Since then, Tongas Digicel has been able to restore international call services to some areas by using satellite connections. Some people have been able to send emails or get limited internet connectivity.

Samieula Fonua, who chairs the board at Tonga Cable Ltd., the state-owned company which owns the fiber-optic cable, said a repair ship had left from Papua New Guinea and was due to stop over in Samoa by Monday to pick up supplies. It should then arrive in Tonga by Feb. 1.

Fonua said the CS Reliance had a crew of about 60 aboard, including engineers, divers and medical staff. He said its equipment included a robot which could assess the cable on the sea bed.

Fonua said preliminary estimates indicated the break in the cable was located about 37 kilometers (23 miles) offshore from the main island of Tongatapu. He said that all going well, the crew should be able to repair the cable by Feb. 8, restoring the internet to about 80% of Tongas customers.

The cable runs from Tonga to Fiji, a distance of about 800 kilometers (500 miles), and was first commissioned in 2013 at a cost of about $16 million. It was financed through grants from the World Bank Group and Asian Development Bank, and increased Tongas internet capacity fivefold.

But like many small Pacific countries, Tonga relies heavily on a single cable to stay connected and has little in the way of a back-up plan. Three years ago, a cable break believed to have been caused by a ship dragging its anchor also led to weeks of disruptions.

A second, domestic fiber-optic cable that connects Tongas smaller islands to the main island could prove much more difficult to repair. Fonua said that cable runs near the undersea volcano which erupted and may have been severely damaged. It might need extensive repairs or even a replacement, he said.

Fonua said the focus was on fixing the main international cable, and they could deal with the domestic connections at a later time.

He said Tongans had been somewhat understanding of the communication disruptions caused by the disaster, which killed three people, destroyed dozens of homes and tainted water supplies with volcanic ash.

People are calm. Coming out of a total blackout, just being able to call outside and send an email has settled them a bit, Fonua said. By the time they start getting more frustrated, Im hoping well have the cable connected by then.

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Internet to Tongas main island could be restored in 2 weeks - newsconcerns

Plans to control traffic, new development, and unsightly satellite dishes are being proposed for Cullompton.

Mid Devon District Councils cabinet, which met on Tuesday, January 4, has approved its draft version of the Cullompton Conservation Area Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) following public consultation.

The consultation took place between June 28 and August 13 2021, with a public meeting being held on July 27, as well as face-to-face consultations.

Key areas identified for improvement in the CAMP include:

Volume and Nature of traffic, and Highway Management

The report states: Given the nodal connection to the motorway, there is high volume of traffic in the main streets of Cullompton which is passing through on its way to and from the motorway.

This includes heavy good vehicles passing through the historic core. The volume of traffic results in queuing at the principal junctions, and when deliveries are made along Fore Street.

Along with the narrow pavement widths, this makes the experience of the historic core quite unpleasant, with the noise, fumes and dirt from the traffic, and at times a feeling of danger for those on foot and bicycle.

Traffic Management

The report states: There is clutter from signage, road markings and traffic islands, some of which relates to highways for direction or for restrictions such as parking.

Public Realm

The report states: A number of negative impacts in the public realm have been identified within the conservation area appraisal. Some are site specific whilst others have an impact throughout the conservation area.

The report lists poor quality paving and surface materials which fail to enhance or re-inforce the historic identity of the conservation area , and that the public accessible pathways to the leat, Forge Way car park, and to Shortlands Road are not legible or welcoming.

It adds: The street furniture, as distinct from traffic control, has grown organically. This has led to a cluttered and uncoordinated appearance

The Higher Bullring is dominated by car parking, the volume and nature of traffic passing through it and associated traffic control measures, and street furniture which has been provided organically over time. The listed War Memorial is a key landmark building here. It is compromised by car parking, and uncoordinated street furniture.

Loss of original architectural details and inappropriate building materials

The report adds: Many of the unlisted, and some of the listed, buildings in the conservation area have been adversely affected by the replacement of original timber sash windows, casement windows and doors with uPVC or aluminium, the replacement of natural roof slates with man-made slate or natural slate being turnerised.

In the case of shopfronts there are a number of cases where the replacement or alteration of historic shop fronts and advertisements has spoiled the external appearance of a building and the local streetscape.

Lack of routine building maintenance and repair

The report states: Buildings in the conservation area are generally in good condition but there are instances of the neglect through lack of routine maintenance and repair which results in unsightly buildings.

Unsightly satellite dishes

The report states: Satellite dishes are a feature of modern living. Unfortunately, when located on the front of a historic building, a satellite dish can spoil the appearance of the building and the street scene.

They have a particularly noticeable adverse effect when a black dish is sited on a light background, especially render. In certain circumstances, satellites dishes may have been installed without the need for planning permission and/or listed building consent.

Sub-division of properties into flats

The report states: Sub-division of properties into flats or let for multiple occupancy can tend to erode external character through poorly maintained buildings, gardens and shared areas by absentee landlords. There can be a lack of external storage for bins etc. and multiple external wires for services.

Overhead power lines and telephone lines

The report states: A number of streets retain above ground servicing by telephone and power cables radiating out from and between telegraph poles which adds clutter to the street scene. In many cases the telegraph poles are metal and have been poorly maintained.

Negative sites and buildings

The report states: This appraisal has identified negative buildings and areas i.e. buildings and areas which clearly detract from the character or appearance of the conservation area and could suitably be redeveloped or improved.

In addition, there are is are vacant sites where some form of built development has the potential to improve the town-scape.

At the meeting Councillor Richard Chesterton (Lower Culm, Conservative), cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration explained: Overall, there were 67 submissions from individuals, 61 using the proforma, and were either online by post at the drop off point and six were letters.

Each of the comments made is responded to with an officer comment.

Overall, comments on the CAMP and its contents are positive and proposed changes to the CAMP are listed in detail with the draft CAMP, which has been updated to include all the changes.

The next stage is that the CAMP is taken to full council in accordance with Mid Devon's constitution and the recommendation which reflects this.

The recommendation is cabinet recommends to council that the Draft CAMP including proposed alterations to the extent of the Cullompton Conservation Area of the planning listed building and Conservation Areas Act 1990 is amended, be approved.

Councillor Nikki Woollatt (Cullompton North, Independent) added: What I really like about this is the management plan principles. I'm very keen to see those move forward into an action plan so this is a document that that does bring about improvements rather than just a policy document that gets referred to occasionally.

This could be used to really drive forward improvements in certain areas.

However, Councillor Graeme Barnell said that while it was a great document it did not address the issue of the motor car and the impact it is having on Cullompton.

The issue is the same across all of our towns, he said.

It's not just the road safety issues, it's the noise, air pollution, the continuing dividing of our communities by ever-increasing streams of traffic.

The issue in Cullompton and most of our towns is a debate between retailers who believe that through traffic brings custom and the rest of the population who have to put up with it.

I think we are continuing to duck the issues in many ways here.

I have great respect for Cullompton Town Council and for Nikki and all the other people involved in these issues, but we need to be taking a more robust approach to the need for through traffic and how we might deal with it in our towns.

He said that the Cullompton relief road plan would not make it all go away

He added: We're going to have to really think carefully about how we deal with through traffic through our towns and mitigate the impact it's having on our communities.

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Traffic and ugly satellite dishes targeted in Cullompton - Devon Live

In 1969 when independent Indias finally got round to thinking about a replacement for George V under the canopy behind India Gate, three names were considered, Nehruji never wanted to remove George V from it, and plans to put Gandhiji there also got stymied. However, Netaji will finally prevail

A statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose will be installed at India Gate on his 125th birth anniversary. Image courtesy: News18

Amid the kerfuffle over the rejection of West Bengals tableau for the Republic Day parade and Prime Minister Narendra Modis announcement that a statue of Subhas Chandra Bose will be installed in the canopy that Edwin Lutyens designed for George V, not many will remember a factoid: a gigantic statue of Netaji had already graced Rajpath in 2005. It was part of the tableau of the justice department of the Union government, but that is beside the point!

While it is not known in what avatar West Bengal proposed to celebrate Netaji on their 2022 float, the one that featured in that 2005 Republic Day parade in New Delhi had him in military uniform, arm raised and finger pointing forward, simulating his famous Dilli Chalo! clarion call. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that she will salute that Netaji tableau before Kolkatas Republic Day parade, so the effort has not gone to waste.

Also read: Excluding West Bengal's tableau from Republic Day parade is an assault on representative democracy

It cannot be said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been underrepresented in his home state and the city whose municipal corporation was his first political stomping ground. Besides a clutch of educational institutions and stadia major and minor around West Bengal, Kolkatas international airport bears his name as does a neighbourhood and, confusingly, two major roads in different parts of the city. And countless Netaji busts dot small parks and kerbsides.

But the most iconic statue, without doubt, is the one of a uniformed Netaji astride a rearing horse (with a curiously erect tail), installed in 1969 in the middle of Kolkatas busiest multi-road crossing at Shyambazar, amid a tangle of overhead wires. And last year, a Bengali autorickshaw driver spent all his savings and even borrowed money to the commission, finance and erect a fiberglass statue of his hero also astride a horse in his hometown of Basirhat.

His reason for doing so is telling. He is quoted by The Telegraph as saying, I spent only a few years in school. But I realised Netaji was the real icon of our country. I later heard about him from many learned persons and concluded that without his initiative, Independence would have come late. That feeling runs so strong in Bengali hearts that the announcement that Netaji is about to get pride of place in New Delhis Central Vista will undoubtedly resonate.

For a long time the Bengali community that formed a prominent component of the pre-Independence population of New Delhi has felt under-represented in the city of the Nehru-Gandhis. This, even though the capital has a Netaji Nagar (housing mid-level government servants) and a Netaji Subhas Park (renamed, not named) situated on Netaji Subhas Road near Red Fort that also has a bronze statue of the swashbuckling freedom fighter and stormy petrel.

But now, things cant get bigger (and better) than a statue of Bengals valiant son adroitly juxtaposed between a national war memorial and the Central Vista planned by the British itself being thoroughly reimagined and reconstructed. The commemoration of Bose will also shine a light on the oft-forgotten fact that India did not win freedom by satyagraha and ahimsa alone; and that many sons and daughters of India (including Bengalis) died fighting that good fight.

Interestingly, in 1969 when independent Indias government finally got round to thinking about a replacement for George V under the canopy behind India Gate, three names were considered. The first two names were Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The international news agency Associated Press described the third name as a dark horse and a militant Bengali nationalist: Subhas Chandra Bose. Gandhiji was chosen but never made it to the canopy.

An RTI led to the Central Public Works Department revealing there was no move to install Gandhijis statue in the canopy but added that in 1994 PV Narasimha Raos cabinet decided to develop the area around India Gate as August Kranti Udyan and install a statue there but no specific spot was fixed. In 2009 replying to a question from Congress MP Rajeev Shukla, the Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy said that the decision was taken in 1992.

Roy also said the plan to install Gandhijis statue was put on the backburner after a writ petition in 1995 when a Group of Ministers on directions of the Union Cabinet recommended that the statue be installed at the site of the canopy. In a response to that writ petition from heritage activists, the Delhi High Court passed an interim order in July 1995 restraining the government from altering/ removing/ demolishing the canopy at India Gate complex.

Though the Court disposed of the matter in March 2005, Roy told Parliament there is no immediate demand or proposal to install a Gandhi statue at the India Gate. By then, of course, Gandhijis statue made by the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar for the canopy had already been installed post-haste in the grounds of Parliament in 1993 after the then opposition MP George Fernandes accused the Congress government of leaving it in the middle of the road.

Curiously, the statue of George V continued to preside over Central Vista during the entire long prime ministerial tenure of the third candidate for placement under that canopy, Jawaharlal Nehru. This may seem an inexplicable incongruity, but it must be remembered that Nehru was also one of those who favoured a dominion status for India (recognising the British Crown) post-Independence, a position that was vehemently opposed by Netaji, who wanted total severance.

There will be attempts to stymie the placement of Netajis statue under the canopy too but as there is no proposal to dismantle the Lutyens designed structure, heritage activists may find little cause to oppose it. The proposal has the first-mover advantage as even political parties will now be averse to doing anything to deride the idea. Maybe Mamata Banerjee will propose replacing Queen Victorias statue at Kolkatas landmark Victoria Memorial with one of Netaji too.

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Originally posted here:
Netajis Dilli Chalo campaign finally finds fruition ..tussle over Bengal tableaus exclusion at R-Day parade - Firstpost