Lucknow anticipates the launch of a transformative initiative as Navya Naveli Nanda, granddaughter of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, along with Samyak Chakravarti's foundation, unveils the Smart Fellowship aimed at empowering over 1000 women to forge successful careers.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the project starting on Saturday., Navya Naveli Nanda stated, "We are delighted to be in Lucknow for our project. It has been many years since I visited Lucknow, and we are excited about the opportunity to work here."
The foundation, named Nimaya, is dedicated to empowering women and eliminating gender discrimination.
Nanda highlighted the programme's focus on providing soft skills training, particularly in technology, which is increasingly pivotal in today's job market.
"In a world where technology is creating jobs, our goal is to equip women from both urban and rural areas with the skills they need to succeed in diverse sectors," she explained.
The initiative aims to foster inclusivity by engaging women from various backgrounds and communities. "Women from different walks of life are part of our programme. We will address all pertinent issues, including gender equality," Nanda affirmed.
Reflecting on the evolving role of women in India, she noted significant strides across industries and sectors.
"We observe a notable shift where women are increasingly contributing to the nation's progress, evident from the appointment of a female president and their prominent presence in business and industry," Nanda added.
Through the Smart Fellowship initiative, the Nimaya Foundation aims to promote gender equality and create pathways for women to thrive in diverse professional landscapes.
By offering skill development and career opportunities, the programme aims to empower women across urban and rural areas, enrich communities and foster economic empowerment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.