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<ul><li>Former PM Rajiv Gandhi said, “Do not design this office for me but design it for the Prime Minister of India.” </li><li>All working women are constantly challenged because we live parallel lives.</li></ul>I have been asked to speak about my journey as an entrepreneur and a design professional. Let me begin by saying that when I began work as an interior designer and furniture manufacturer in 1971, there were no words such as “entrepreneur” or “branding” or things like Instagram and various other forms of social media that exist today. I became a designer because of family influences and growing in a city like Lucknow which is imbued with <em>tehzeeb</em> and <em>nazakat</em>. I do not think I could have been a designer if I had had parents other than those I was blessed with. They were interested in reading and the acquisition of knowledge. My father believed that books would always remain the central element of civilisation. For us knowledge came from immersive reading, and we were voracious readers. We were always interested in places and peoples. We delighted in reading the atlas and dictionaries. In the last 50 years there have been so many places which were our dream destinations, and which one has now visited……… and many places like Machu Picchu that one has not! Perhaps it is still not too late.<br /><br />Because of our father’s immense love for travel and discovery we saw so much of India. The first heritage site that I ever visited was at the age of nine. That was Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and the Temple of the Tooth and the Botanical Gardens in Kandy in Ceylon. All of these were early influences and have influenced my design sensibilities.<br /><br />I have a very contemporary mindset but one that is also deeply grounded in our own heritage. This is because one has had the good fortune of travelling through the length and breadth of India. Much as one has enjoyed the cultures of other countries, I have a deep and constant curiosity about our own country. All this informs the way I work. As far as design education is concerned, I became a designer by accident – serendipitously so! The study of literature and Hindustani classical music enriched my mindscape. I do not have formal training in design but grew up surrounded by design…….. with my father visiting many auction houses and k<em>abadiwalas </em>in Lucknow. It fills me with quiet pride that, as a woman without any formal training in design, I became the first designer in India, man or woman, to be conferred the <keyword id="25105" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="padma-shri" source="Orion">Padma Shri</keyword> in 1992. I was reasonably young to be bestowed this honour and I thought at that time that it would open the floodgates to many more interior designers.<br /><br />I have also had the distinction of being the first architect or designer from India to be invited to give an illustrated talk in 2003, at the National Building Museum in Washington DC. This museum is the most visited museum of architecture in the world. Its atrium is the venue of the first presidential ball after a new president has been sworn in. <br /><br />In 2014, I was appointed Chairperson of the Board School of Planning and Architecture in Bhopal, a National Institute of Excellence. That was also a first! But, if you ask me whether I was working towards breaking these glass ceilings, then the answer would be an emphatic no! These happened along the way, as a natural progression in a career in which one had put in much hard work. In my profession one is as good as one’s last project. That gets one more work and not because they like your face. No client is going to spend millions of dollars commissioning you to design their hotel if they do not believe in your talent and your ability to deliver.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="05 South Drawing Room, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi" msid="98578011" hostid="261" sizebytes="111308" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;South Drawing Room, Rashtrapati Bhawan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />From 1985 to 1989, I worked on the restoration and conservation of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and in 1988 to 1989 on Hyderabad House. That was the first time that HH was closed for nine months because it was not just the interior decoration that was attended to but also all the interior architecture and services like air conditioning. I designed both the decrepit courtyards in a Lutyensesque style and restored the gardens in Hyderabad House. As far as British buildings in New Delhi are concerned, I had the great privilege of working in the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretariat in South Block. And am happy to note that it has remained unchanged through the tenures of the last nine Prime Ministers. The primary reason for this was the brief from the former PM, Rajiv Gandhi…… “do not design this Office for me but design it for the Prime Minister of India”. I followed this brief and worked on the building as these I firmly believe belong to the nation. His second brief was that he wanted his executive chair to be the same height as his visitors’ chairs. These are all very telling traits of character. I also designed the official residence of the Prime Minister along with restoring the two buildings that comprise the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum.<br /><br />In New Delhi one has also designed the interiors of the British Council Building and Library. In my career this has been a landmark project because this is the largest of their 80 institutes worldwide. It was inaugurated in 1992 by HRH the Prince of Wales. When we were presented to him, he had a very interesting conversation with me regarding the buildings on either side of the British Council. He certainly has a keen eye for architecture.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="03 National Assembly Building in Thimpu, Bhutan" msid="98578068" hostid="261" sizebytes="195996" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;National Assembly Building, Bhutan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />Another landmark building for me in 1989 was the <keyword id="1142396" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="parliament-building" source="Orion">Parliament Building</keyword> in Bhutan called the National Assembly Building. For me, this was a completely new area of research. In those days so little was known of the art and architecture of Bhutan and neither were any books available. Immersive travelling through Bhutan, to familiarise myself with its architecture and its arts and crafts became essential. His Majesty’s office appointed as my guide, Dasho Khandu who was a living encyclopaedia on Bhutanese art and architecture. These have been amazing projects of learning for me. I like to deeply research new places and new cultures. So maybe, at the end of the day, I think this profession chose me and one is fortunate as this process of working suits my mindset.<br /><br />In a long design career of 50 years, I had a break in 1998. I had simply fallen off a ladder in the house and had fractured two of my cerebral vertebrae. That is when I decided I would stop designing hotels which I had done for the past almost 30 years. At that point I thought I would just design residences in and around India and not travel out to Egypt, Bhutan, England, Timbuktu, etc. But life had other plans! I went on to design a large residence in Sri Lanka and was commissioned to design a boutique hotel in the old city of Lahore. Sadly, that project was eventually abandoned. When I was in Lahore for their Literary Festival at the end of February this year when I saw this building standing as is, it made me quite nostalgic. Lahore is a beautiful city and the people are very hospitable.<br /><br />Along this design journey many institutions have asked me to come to give illustrated lectures. For the ‘Millennium Book on Delhi’, I was one of the eight contributors who wrote an extended essay on ‘The Planning of New Delhi’. <keyword id="118548" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="oxford-university-press" source="Orion">Oxford University Press</keyword>, the publishers of the book have a world-wide reach. That is how the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University heard of this unknown Indian and invited me to give an illustrated talk. Thus began a parallel career in being a speaker. Since Harvard one has given many lectures in many universities and institutions in the US, the UK and in South East Asia on design, architecture, conservation, literature, on ‘Mughal Jewellery as a Statement of Empire’, world heritage cultural sites in India and on social entrepreneurship.<br /><br />One has always believed that women such as oneself are privileged because we are educated. Never mind that we belong to the working classes! We must, with humility and gratitude, help those that are less fortunate. One has been deeply associated with ‘Satyagyan Foundation’ which was an affiliate of ‘World Literacy Canada’. Based in Varanasi, we have worked in about 400 slum areas and have altogether made 23,000 women literate. One has also been associated with ‘Save a Mother’ which was started by the amazing Dr Shiban Gunju. He has reduced the mortality rate of pregnant women by 93%. One was the founding member and last chairperson of ‘Umang’, an NGO that worked for the betterment of street children.<br /><br />These have been my interests and each has been a milestone. Another milestone was co-authoring ‘The Lucknow Cookbook’ with my mother. It is now in its tenth print run and has been declared a classic by Aleph, the publishers. More recently I produced and edited the large formatted book, ‘Kala - Essays on Contemporary Design Aesthetics’ which was launched in Dubai in 2019 by Sheikh Nahan and in October 2022. It had its first proper launches in Milan and London by Artize of the Jaquar Group. In November 2022, it was launched in New York and most recently in February 2023 at the ‘Lahore Literary Festival’.<br /><br />Every stage in life has its own milestones particularly if one is also a wife, a mother and a grandmother. All working women are constantly challenged because we live parallel lives.<br /><br />For me every project, whether large or small, has been a challenge. It has all added to my body of work and to my learning curve. I have never thought of myself as a woman doing all these things……. I think one creates one’s own benchmark and this is the way one has moved forward. I am still working and writing more books as our daughter, the award-winning architect <keyword id="8435490" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kohelika-kohli" source="Orion">Kohelika Kohli</keyword>, has taken over the business of running K2India. She has just launched her new brand of furniture called KOKO by K2India. One feels justifiably proud that one must have done something right. One gave them the tools of a fine education and took them travelling to broaden their minds. And then left them to follow their own passions.<br /><br /><em>(The writer is an award winning architect and an author)</em><br />

A Padma Shri winning architect takes us through her journey from Lucknow to Lutyens

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div>Police have reportedly <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/canada-parliament-shooting-2014-10">confirmed a soldier was shot at the Canadian National War Memorial</a>, which is across the street from the Parliament complex in Ottawa. </p>
<p>Multiple local news outlets have also reported that officials confirmed there have been shots fired inside a government building on Parliament Hill. </p>
<p>The Globe &amp; Mail newspaper has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrGqoISd-do">published video</a> that appears to show police responding to gunfire inside a Parliament building. </p>
<p>Watch the clip below and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/canada-parliament-shooting-2014-10">read here for our ongoing coverage</a>. </p>
<div><biembeddedobject id="e5983ef1-466f-4ce4-e8b3-9ddc71ab4533"></biembeddedobject></div>
<p class="embed-spacer"></p>

Intense Video Shows Shots Being Fired Inside Canadian Parliament 

<p><div class="image-container" style="width:800px"><div class="image"><p class="source">AP</p></div></div><keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword> is seeking to prosecute protesters who posted anti-Putin messages on a government building. According to Ria Novosti, <a href="http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130720/182341383/Navalnys-Supporters-May-Face-Up-to-3-Yrs-in-Jail-for-Vandalism--Police.html">Moscow Police have said that those</a> behind the "offensive" messages on the State Duma would be charged with vandalism. They would potentially face hefty fines and three years in prison.</p>
<p>The messages were one of the stranger parts of Thursday's protests <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/protests-in-moscow-after-navalny-conviction-2013-7">after the sentencing of anti-Kremlin blogger and activist Alexei Navalny</a> to 5 years in jail for an alleged embezzlement scam.</p>
<p>Amongst the messages were hundreds of stickers with Navalny's face on it and the message "Change Russia. Start from Moscow."</p>
<p>Others were more crude, however. One prominent message scrawled on the building said simply "Putin is gay."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Last, this graffiti on the Russian parliament says: Putin is gay. <a href="http://t.co/nn0IZe4nR8">pic.twitter.com/nn0IZe4nR8</a></p>
— Andrew Roth (@ARothmsk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARothmsk/statuses/357988824837660674">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>

<p>While the use of "gay" as a pejorative may seem immature, there may be some thought behind it. Putin's government has overseen a ban on homosexual "propaganda" <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-russia-is-homophobic-2013-6">deemed homophobic by many observers</a>. The law means that holding <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323495604578539220032220406.html">gay pride events</a> or speaking in defense of gay rights can now result in fines of up to $31,000.</p>
<p>Not all the graffiti can be read as an ironic critique, however:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Putin is a penis" graffitied onto state duma <a href="http://t.co/Xjoe8i54OC">http://t.co/Xjoe8i54OC</a></p>
— Ilya Mouzykantskii (@ilyamuz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ilyamuz/statuses/357938578380177409">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>

<p>Navalny was released on bail Friday at the request of the prosecution. He has announced <a href="http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-navalny-return/25051611.html">he intends to stand in Moscow mayoral elections</a>, though it remains likely that he will still face jail time for his alleged involvement in an embezzlement scam.</p>

Russian Police Are Searching For Whoever Scrawled An 'Offensive' Putin Message On Parliament Building

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>A group of disgruntled soldiers and police officers have attacked Papua New Guinea's national Parliament, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/20/papua-new-guinea-parliament-in-lockdown-after-soldiers-attack-building?CMP=share_btn_tw">reports from The Guardian's Australia edition.</a></li><li>Parliament building in Port Moresby was in lockdown Tuesday afternoon.</li><li>According to The Guardian, unpaid police and soldiers were "smashing vehicles and entryways," on Tuesday afternoon (AEDT).</li></ul><p>Angry local police and national soldiers have stormed PNG's Parliament building, shattering windows and tearing up furniture, according to reports from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/20/papua-new-guinea-parliament-in-lockdown-after-soldiers-attack-building?CMP=share_btn_tw">The Guardian's Australia edition</a>.</p><p>According to a person familiar with the situation in Port Moresby, the group is made up largely of military police and the Papua New Guinea correctional services, or CIS.&#xa0;</p><p>The officers are demanding their unpaid bonuses, after working to keep the peace while the capital Port Moresby hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation<span>&#xa0;(</span><a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-focuses-on-pacific-after-apec-meeting-ends-in-disagreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">APEC</a>) summit - a first for the impoverished Pacific nation.</p><p>The rampage by disgruntled members of PNG's Joint Security Forces Taskforces is only the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to unpaid officials, according to the <a href="https://postcourier.com.pg/">Post Courier.</a></p><p>Security forces and line agencies were promised payment first thing Monday, but that did not eventuate, resulting in today's rampage, the Post Courier added.</p><p>Police and witnesses told Agence France Presse, that the soldiers currently outside the Parliament building are on a rampage&#xa0;after failing to receive their expected bonuses hardly 48 hours after&#xa0;<a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-focuses-on-pacific-after-apec-meeting-ends-in-disagreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the international summit concluded without a joint communique for the first time in its 25 year history.</a></p><p>"A group of policemen and soldiers are outside the Parliament and demanding their APEC allowances," PNG police spokesman Dominic Kakas told AFP.</p><p><span>Despite the New Guinean Parliament being in session as the building was attacked, no-one was known to be hurt, Kakas said.</span></p><p>Kakas told AFP that other police were "dealing with it."</p><p>"We don't expect any further damage or confrontation," Mr. Momos said.</p><p>Opposition parliamentarian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/20/papua-new-guinea-parliament-in-lockdown-after-soldiers-attack-building?CMP=share_btn_tw">Allan Bird told the Guardian Australia</a> that he and other opposition MPs were in a locked conference room when they heard the group.</p><p>"We heard them coming in, you could hear them smashing things - the glass entry ways, a few vehicles on the way in," Bird said.</p><p><span>A police spokesman told Guardian Australia there was no further information beyond some "disgruntled" police officers and soldiers had attacked the building.</span></p><p>However, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apec-summit-unrest-idUSKCN1NP0B3?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amp;utm_content=5bf3928504d301790b2f4746&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter">Bird told Reuters</a> that the group was as strong as up to 100 security personnel. He said they forced their way into Parliament.</p><p>"It was the armed forces, police and correctional workers," Bird told Reuters by telephone. "They have entered the Parliament and just smashed everything up."</p><p>"They were yelling: 'corrupt government, bloody government' and so on," Bird said.</p><p>The Post Courier has reported that "opportunists taking advantage of the tense situation (are) commencing looting and fighting."</p><p>Police sources have said the National Capital District Police are trying to contain the situation. The Papua New Guinea Defence Force have also confirmed they are keeping watch on the situation.</p><p>In a press release before the attack on Tuesday afternoon (AEDT),&#xa0;the PNG Police Association said it was "very concerned" that the security personnel (Police, Defence and CIS) allowances for APEC had yet to be paid.</p><p>"What a gross irony! It is a slap in the face of all the security elements, they had worked diligently and tirelessly to provide effective and efficient security to the twenty one economies, their prime ministers and presidents, including business delegates comprising some ten thousand plus dignitaries. They have performed in par with other international security forces," the statement read.</p><p>Harry Momos, a spokesman for PNG's Parliament, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/world/asia/papua-new-guinea-parliament.html?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=tw-nytimesworld">told the New York Times,</a> that about 300 people forced their way into the building, but calmed down after members were able to meet with officials.</p><p>Papua New Guinea, the poorest of all 21 APEC nations, invested millions of dollars over years of preparation into hosting the summit. They quite literally rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit and even purchased and flew in three Bentleys and some 40 Maseratis to drive dignitaries around Moresby's disintegrating roads.</p><div></div><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-faulkner-fox-news-anchor-black-female-cable-news-2018-11">Fox News' Harris Faulkner is the only black woman in cable news with a daily show: 'It's a tremendous amount of responsibility'</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Papua New Guinea's Parliament is reportedly in lockdown as angry, unpaid police and soldiers storm the building

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Liechtenstein's parliament was debating earthquake insurance when a quake struck.</li><li>Video shows one lawmaker discussing the likelihood of a quake when two tremors hit the building.</li></ul><p>Lawmakers debating earthquake insurance in Liechtenstein had a close encounter with the subject at hand when two tremors struck the principality's parliament building on Thursday.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/dwnews/status/1566527017280950273">In a video posted</a> on social media last week, member of parliament Bettina Petzold-Maehr is seen discussing the likelihood of an earthquake affecting Liechtenstein citizens.</p><p>Petzold-Maehr was mid-sentence when a small quake hit at around 2 p.m on Thursday, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-oddities-earthquakes-c84da52f050b66023a54dc67c03f99c5">the Associated Press reported.</a></p><p>She laughed and continued speaking, until a second tremor struck and visibly shook the room.</p><p>"This is getting a bit much, you never know if there'll be aftershocks," speaker Albert Frick can be heard saying, according to a translation by the AP.</p><p>He adjourned the session for 15 minutes, the outlet reported.</p><p><a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000i4af/executive">United States Geological Survey records</a> show a 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck Liechtenstein's capital of Vaduz — where its parliament is located — on Thursday afternoon.</p><p>No injuries or damage were reported, AP reported, citing the Liechtenstein police.</p><p><a href="https://www.mtu.edu/geo/community/seismology/learn/earthquake-measure/magnitude/">Earthquakes measuring 5.4 or lower</a> on the Richter scale can sometimes be felt by humans, but usually cause only minor damage to buildings, if any.</p><p>Liechtenstein, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/liechtenstein-map-gdp-per-capita-population-astounding-facts">a micronation of 39,000 people</a>, has regularly recorded tremors between 4 and 5.3 on the Richter scale since 1955, according to <a href="https://www.allquakes.com/earthquakes/liechtenstein/largest.html">AllQuakes</a>, a website that tracks the history of earthquake reports.</p><p>It has not recorded any more severe quakes in that time frame, per AllQuakes.</p>

Video shows tremors rattling Liechtenstein's parliament as lawmakers debate earthquake insurance

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Imagine a city filled with drones that help the National Health Service send life-saving equipment to an emergency, sensor-controlled waste bins that tell the council your rubbish is ready to be picked up, and robots to fix and maintain crucial infrastructure and transportation. Or even just to deliver your pizza.</p><p>This is a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/249423/bis-13-1217-smart-city-market-opportunties-uk.pdf">Smart City</a>, and it is <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">why Dan Byles, a Conservative politician for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, is leaving parliament. He is taking up two new roles in the private sector to help build a digitised, more efficient Britain. Not just in the private sector but in state-run services as well.</span></p><p>Right after the May General Election, he'll join a tech company that helps provide platforms to held build Smart Cities, <a href="http://www.living-planit.com/what_is_living_planit.htm">Living PlanIT</a>, full-time as part of the senior management team. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">He'll then become the chair of a organisation that helps promote Smart Cities, SmarterUK, around the same time although the exact date is not finalised yet.</span></p><p>"Since 2010, I became increasingly interested in Smart Cities and the complex systems to run a society. It's no longer about standalone verticals, it's about finding a way to use technology to make a country more efficient," Byles told Business Insider during a visit to Portcullis House in Westminster.</p><p>"I saw a gap in the market to bridge policymakers, the private sector and NGOs and charities from making Smart Cities a reality. There is a hunger to talk about this and the <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword> is primed to be the leader in developing this sector. We need better open data sources, streamlining supply chains and better digitally savvy cities."</p><p><strong>From parliament to the complex world of Smart Cities</strong></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>During his four years as an MP, Byles successfully championed and chaired three cross-party parliamentary groups: Unconventional Oil &amp; Gas, Smart Cities, and Skills &amp; Employment.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">He is also</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> a member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and is the sponsor of an historic Private Members Bill on House of Lords Reform.</span></p><p>However, in July last year he announced that <a href="http://www.danbyles.co.uk/conservatives/news/dan-byles-mp-statement">he was going to leave parliament after the General Election in May 2015</a>.</p><p>"I initially stepped down but with no agenda. I was looking what to do next. But I was very fortunate that a lot of offers came my way from the oil and gas sector as well as the Smart Cities arena," said Byles, who also was the youngest serving major in the British army, at the age of 27, before becoming an MP.</p><p>"However, as I said, what interests me in the Smart Cities sector is how energy, infrastructure, healthcare, transportation and many other areas would benefit and become more efficient through technological developments. I can bring all my experience together for this arena."</p><p><strong>Robots, tech infrastructure ... and Uber</strong></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Some of the world's fastest-developing countries are already trying to build numerous cities that resemble something from a sci-fi movie. India is trying to </span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-indias-smart-cities-would-be-stupid-without-disaster-strategy-2015-3">build 100 Smart Cities</a>,<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> to not only improve the quality of life for its </span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-indias-smart-cities-would-be-stupid-without-disaster-strategy-2015-3#ixzz3U4vm8Byl">1.2 billion residents but also to tackle its increasingly extreme weather</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p><p>In Japan, the use of robotics for everything to serving food to <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/japanese-robot-restaurant-goes-to-syndey-2015-1">cleaning your house, is becoming the norm</a>.</p><p>Meanwhile, some of the world's biggest companies are rolling out technological innovations to help make business more efficient and cost effective. For example, <a href="https://vimeo.com/113374910">Amazon uses 15,000 Kiva robots across 10 order fulfilment centres</a> in the US that can collect merchandise. A Kiva can lift 750 pounds. A human cannot. </p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"There's no 'one size fits all' approach to developing Smart Cities as no one has completed a fully realised one yet," said Byles. "But the attitude and mindset from businesses and the public for greater tech infrastructure to make their lives easier is there. It's empowering to see businesses, government bodies and the public wanting to use innovation for everything from procurement to day-to-day business more efficient. We just need to tie this altogether to make Smart Cities. Anything is possible, look how</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Uber has grown in five years."</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Uber, <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/uber-1-million-women-jobs-un-2020-2015-3">the increasingly popular ride-share and taxi-hailing app</a>, was founded in 2009. By December 2014, its service was available in 53 countries and more than 200 cities. It is an example of understanding how an already developed industry could benefit from a streamlined approach to connect the buy and sell side in an easy to use way, says Byles.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The appetite is strong for the latest tech developments to make society run better. Just take a look at the 2015 <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/lg-exec-could-miss-ces-over-sabotaged-washing-machine-2014-12">International CES trade expo in December last year</a>. Window-cleaning robots by Ecovacs Robotics were presented there, and iRobot CEO Colin Angle <span>delivered his keynote address <span>via live video </span></span>on a moving robot.</span></p><p><strong>Smart Cities to accommodate the growing population</strong></p><p class="float_right"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Byles highlighted how the world population, not just Britain's, is expanding rapidly and in tandem the technology available through smartphones and the internet means that the dynamics of globalisation are changing dramatically too.</span></p><p>For example, in Britain's capital alone, the population is estimated to grow by one full tube train every three days, <span>according to Transport for London.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Meanwhile, globally, urban populations are growing by an estimated 1.3 million per week, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). That's the equivalent of the world creating a new city the size of Birmingham weekly.</span></p><p>In tandem, the world's growing population is becoming more hooked up to technology. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The Economist estimated that </span><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21645180-smartphone-ubiquitous-addictive-and-transformative-planet-phones">by 2020 an estimated 80% of adults globally will have access to a smartphone</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> - bringing billions of more people online. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Meanwhile, in a report by McKinsey Global Institute called 'Urban world: cities and the rise of the consuming class in 2012,' by 2025, the world would have built new urban floor space equivalent to the area of Australia.</span></p><p>Byles told us that it will take some time to get all cities up to speed before they become Smart Cities. Even getting fast internet available across the entire span of country is a big feat.</p><p>"There's no single city in the world that has become a fully Smart City but Britain could potentially lead the world in showing how it's done," said Byles. "The UK has already launched a number of pilot projects across a variety of cities which has already shown the cost benefits and efficiency that technology can provide if applied to every day processes from transportation, to infrastructure, to waste disposal to healthcare."</p><p><strong>Starting off small</strong></p><p class="float_right"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span>Last year marked the start of some big Smart City pilot projects in the UK.</span></p><p>In May 2014, Milton Keynes installed <a href="https://futurecities.catapult.org.uk/project-full-view/-/asset_publisher/oDS9tiXrD0wi/content/project-milton-keynes-internet-of-things/">sensors into recycling bins so that the local council would know when the bins were ready to be collected</a>. Birmingham said it is rolling out improved <a href="http://digitalbirmingham.co.uk/projects/">wifi services across the entire city</a> and is even helping fund businesses <a href="http://digitalbirmingham.co.uk/project/birmingham-connectivity-voucher-scheme/">who need a faster broadband connection to do business</a>.</p><p>Manchester, Glasgow, and Bristol are a few other cities are aiming to digitise their landscapes more and create more open data, networks while also putting plans forward to get old and emerging businesses onto computer networks. London already has the Oyster card system train payments system, and that has branched out from the capital to some parts of Surrey. The UK is also looking to roll out fast broadband services to every corner of the country. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">UK train network Crossrail is also looking at how it can develop greater </span><a href="http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com/assets/library/document/c/original/crossrail_innovation_strategy.pdf">Smart City capabilities through its research body</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p><p><strong>Challenges on the horizon</strong></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>To make Smart Cities become a reality, the government, private sector, and NGOs and charities need to coordinate their efforts, says Byles. For example, Britain may face challenges when it comes to applying this dynamic to state-owned institutions like the NHS.</span></p><p>"Any development to something like healthcare is controversial and it's likely this could hold back the sector from getting on board with Smart Cities," said Byles. "But the potential for cutting costs and making it more efficient is incredibly important. The growing population means there is greater strain on our health services and technology can help with dealing with the inflow of new patients." <a href="http://www.nhsconfed.org/resources/key-statistics-on-the-nhs">The NHS deals with over 1 million patients every 36 hours</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. </span></p><p>But as Byles puts it, there is "always a danger in democracy." Every four years bigger projects might be put on hold for the elections. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But he said Smart Cities is a "global phenomenon" and not just something one party concentrates on. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"In fact, look at how everyone is pushing for greater devolution of British cities, Smart Cities would empower local governments, businesses and people," he said.</span></p><p class="tagline"><div id="categorypromo" style="border:1px solid silver; min-height:114px; padding:4px;"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/research-store?IR=T&amp;utm_source=House&amp;utm_term=CtgrPr-Drones&amp;utm_campaign=CtgrPr#!/THE-DRONES-REPORT/p/47962272/category=11987294"></a><strong> Get THE DRONES REPORT now!</strong> Commercial drones are already a reality. <strong>BI Intelligence</strong> takes an in-depth look at the most important aspects, including market forecasts for commercial applications, regulatory process, and the leading players.  <strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/research-store?IR=T&amp;utm_source=House&amp;utm_term=CtgrPr-Drones&amp;utm_campaign=CtgrPr#!/THE-DRONES-REPORT/p/47962272/category=11987294">Get the Report Here »</a></strong></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/largest-ice-glacier-calving-filmed-2015-1">This Video Of The Largest Breakage Of Ice From A Glacier Ever Filmed Is Absolutely Frightening</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="NqbHJucjpzcqR3obKs3FqeMQRi8yolxr" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

This Tory politician is ditching parliament to help build cities full of drones and robots

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>In 1991, Boris Yeltsin stood atop a tank in front of the parliament building in Moscow and called on the people to resist the communist hardliners in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Soviet_coup_d'%C3%A9tat_attempt">August coup</a>.</p><p>Several months later, at the end of the year, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/12/26/gorbachev-resignation-ends-soviet-era/00444c16-0fe3-4b35-96df-e514956ee354/?utm_term=.ddaa3d5bdf16">leaving</a> Yeltsin as the president of Russia.</p><p>Fast forward to December 31, 1999: Yeltsin grabbed the world by surprise once again when he <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/01/world/yeltsin-resigns-overview-yeltsin-resigns-naming-putin-acting-president-run-march.html">resigned</a> during a live televised address.</p><p>In between those shock events, Russia went through an enormous economic, social, and political transition as the state tried to adjust to the global economy following the dissolution of the USSR. During that tumultuous decade, Russia was also involved in two Chechen Wars and was slammed by a financial crisis in 1998.</p><p>We put together 53 archived photographs from Reuters and AP of Russia's tumultuous 1990s.</p>

53 photos of Russia's decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union

New Delhi [India], September 18 (ANI): The five-day special session of Parliament is all set to begin on Monday during which the parliamentary proceedings will shift from the old to the adjacent new state-of-the-art building on September 19.<br /><br />Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs <keyword id="221548" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pralhad-joshi" source="Orion">Pralhad Joshi</keyword> on Sunday stated that the Session will provide 5 sittings spread over a period of 5 days, besides informing that eight legislative items are likely to be taken up during this session. "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings" will also be discussed.<br /><br />On Sunday, Vice President <keyword id="7889551" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jagdeep-dhankhar" source="Orion">Jagdeep Dhankhar</keyword> hoisted the national flag atop "Gaja Dwar" of the new Parliament building. <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> Speaker Om Birla was also present on the occasion. The Special Session of the Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22.<br /><br />After weeks of no information about the agenda, the government last week announced an agenda that included bills to be taken up for consideration and a discussion on "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings".<br /><br />Earlier, on Sunday, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Joshi requested all parties for active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament.<br /><br />The meeting of all the floor leaders of political parties in the Parliament was attended by various ministers including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is also Leader of the House in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword>, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister V Muraleedharan and 51 leaders from 34 parties.<br /><br />Joshi shared with leaders that there would be a photo session from 10.00 am to 10.45 am on September 19, 2023, followed by a function in the Central Hall starting at 11.00 am which will be graced by the Vice-President/Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, Speaker, Lok Sabha, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Leader of Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha and the Members of both the Houses of Parliament.<br /><br />After the conclusion of the function in the Central Hall, both Houses will meet in their respective Chambers in the New Parliament House.<br /><br />The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year.<br /><br />Meanwhile, four bills including a bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session.<br /><br />Apart from the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on August 10, the list includes 'The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023' and 'The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023', already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3.<br /><br />The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Advocates Act, 1961, while the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.<br /><br />Besides, 'The Post Office Bill, 2023' has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. (ANI)<br /><br />

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