Bengaluru: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is set to bring two beloved Bengaluru food joints to its terminals. Rameshwaram Cafe will open in Terminal 1, and the famous Central Tiffin Room (CTR) will greet travelers at the arrivals area of Terminal 2. "Our mission is to showcase the best of Bengaluru’s culinary heritage," a BIAL source told Moneycontrol.

Currently, the airport features popular South Indian eateries like Hatti Kaapi in the T2 lounge, Ooru Canteen in T1 departures, and Maiyas in T2 departures.

CTR, also known as Sri Sagar Hotel, has been a culinary landmark in Malleswaram since 1920, famed for its signature benne masala dosa (butter masala dosa). A go-to spot for both celebrities and locals, CTR’s legacy continues with its new airport outlet.

Rameshwaram Cafe, which opened its doors in 2021, has quickly become a favorite for its generous use of ghee (clarified butter). Named after the birthplace of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, it’s now a must-visit stop for travelers passing through Bengaluru. However, pricing for these new outlets at the airport has yet to be revealed.

In March 2024, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated two Indira Canteens at the airport, including one near the P7 parking area. These canteens, which offer affordable meals (breakfast at ₹5 and lunch/dinner at ₹10), were introduced in response to cab drivers' demands for low-cost dining options.

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport now connects to more than 100 non-stop destinations and ranks as India’s third-busiest airport after Delhi and Mumbai. Since its opening in May 2008, the airport has handled over 300 million passengers, achieving this milestone in December 2023. Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Group holds a 64% stake in BIAL, with Siemens Project Ventures owning 10%. The remaining 26% is split equally between the Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and the Airports Authority of India.

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New Delhi: A significant political controversy has erupted following the Modi government's decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a move that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. The row was further fueled by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who, while defending the name change, erroneously claimed that Mahatma Gandhi had made the devotional song "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" India’s national anthem.

The central government has rebranded the flagship rural employment scheme from MGNREGA to the "Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission," abbreviated as VB-G RAM G. The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme has been termed an insult to the Father of the Nation by the Congress and other opposition parties.

When questioned by the media outside Parliament regarding the opposition's allegations, Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut defended the government's decision by invoking Mahatma Gandhi's devotion to Lord Ram.

"How is naming it 'Ram Ji' an insult to Gandhi ji?" Ranaut asked. "Mahatma Gandhi made 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' the national anthem to organize the entire country. Therefore, this is an insult to Mahatma Gandhi? The government is fulfilling his dream by giving it the name of Ram."


Ranaut's claim regarding the national anthem was immediately seized upon by the opposition. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared the video of Ranaut’s statement on social media, tweeting sarcastically, "Come on brother, today we learned a new national anthem! The BJP is full of such gems."

Social media users also trolled the MP for the factual error. One user quipped, "Kangana ji forgot to mention that Bapu made this the national anthem after the country got independence in 2014," while another commented that the party finds people who "don't use their brains while forwarding WhatsApp messages."

Beyond the social media mockery, senior Congress leaders criticised the renaming on ideological grounds. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the move.

"The biggest irony is that Mahatma Gandhi was a lifelong devotee of Lord Ram and said 'Hey Ram' in his last moments," Gehlot wrote. "Today, the central government is making a despicable attempt to sideline Gandhi ji under the guise of the same 'Ram' name (VB-G RAM G), which is highly condemnable."