Author: Rabindra

Govt. of India Hosts ‘Special Handloom Expo’ at Handloom Haat, New Delhi

New Delhi: The Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and National Design Centre (NDC) organize a Special Handloom Expo with the theme “ Sutraratnam” gems of threads” at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi from 15th to 22nd September 2024 at Handloom Haat, Janpath, Delhi. The expo will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m daily.

The Special expo aims to showcase the rich heritage of India’s traditional Handloom weaving and its evolutionary journey. 75 Weavers from across the country will display their unique handloom products. The exhibition will feature wide range of sarees viz, Bhagalpuri, Tussar Silk, Kosa, Kota Doria, Pochampally Ikat, Patola, Paithani, Kancheepuram, Banarasi, Chanderi, Maheshwari, Jamdani, Cotton sarees, Matka Silk, Mushroom Silk, Salwar Suits, Dupatta, Pashmina and other shawls, stoles, Kurta, Dhoties, Bedsheets, Home furnishings, Durries etc. etc.

The real handloom Silk & Cotton sarees, suit-dupatta sets, Shawls, Stoles, Bed Sheets, Home Furnishings, Dhoties, Kurtas, Durries etc. from different states of India viz; Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal will be available under a single roof at this special expo.

The expo will present the remarkable journey of threads and showcase the wonderful weaves of India. This will also represent the diversity of traditional attires from India. The event aims to promote the artistry and craftsmanship of India’s weavers and artisans while empowering them. The exporters, wholesalers, customers/ general public is invited to take advantage this unique opportunity to see the rich diversity of India’s textile heritage and experience the shopping of diverse Indian attires and the exceptional artistry and heritage of India’s Handlooms up close.

Vardaan Arora Unveils ‘Good Things’ as the First Track of His New Four-Track EP, Infused with NYC Vibes

The vibrant spectrum of Indian pop music shines even brighter with the release of “Good Things,” a fresh and uplifting single that hit the airwaves this August. The latest track from Vardaan Arora, a dynamic young talent hailing from the heart of India, brings a distinctive blend of catchy melodies and meaningful lyrics that resonate deeply with listeners.

Encapsulating the essence of Vardaan Arora’s unique sound—a blend of infectious rhythms, heartfelt lyrics, and a fresh modern vibe with a touch of classic pop nostalgia. The single is now available across all major streaming platforms, offering a taste of what promises to be a transformative musical journey.

The track is more than just a musical release for Vardaan; it’s a personal affirmation set to melody—a reminder to hold on to hope even when the future looks uncertain. After a series of light-hearted hits, Vardaan felt the need to release a single that merges upbeat production with deep emotional lyrics. With its uplifting lyrics and compelling composition, “Good Things” aims to resonate with listeners, offering them solace and inspiration in their own times of doubt. It encourages listeners to hold onto hope and recognize that enduring the darker days is not just necessary but an act of bravery. The track serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of maintaining hope.

“Good Things’ is more than just a song; it’s a message of unwavering positivity,” Vardaan explains. “It’s about trusting that better times are just around the corner, even when they feel out of reach. This song is very special to me, especially since it’s the first one I’ve released in almost a year. Now that I’m releasing music again, I feel motivated, and excited – which is something I’m grateful for.”

Coordinating with his long-time collaborator Ming, a producer and artist residing in Canada, geographical boundaries were not a barrier to his creativity. Despite the challenges of working remotely, including technical difficulties and time lags, the duo have successfully continued their creative partnership. The single has garnered attention for its optimistic message and intricate production, highlighting how digital collaboration can result in high-quality, emotionally resonant music.

“Good Things” sets the tone for the forthcoming four track EP, which Vardaan describes as a collection of songs that resonate deeply with his artistic vision and personal growth. Fans can look forward to the next single, scheduled for release in September, with the full EP expected to follow shortly thereafter. If all goes as planned, listeners will experience a series of releases that showcase Vardaan Arora’s evolution as an artist and his continued commitment to producing profoundly resonant music.

Vardaan Arora’s big break came with the release of his debut single “Feel Good Song”. His debut EP was “Heartbreak On The Dancefloor.” Vardaan has gained significant recognition across Spotify’s Viral 50 globally, and across notable music publications such as Billboard and Rolling Stone India. Arora currently has over 7 million Spotify streams under his belt.

KIIT College of Engineering Celebrates Engineers’ Day with Hackathon Hack.Build.Shine

Gurugram: KIIT College of Engineering marked Engineers’ Day by organizing an internal hackathon, “Hack.Build.Shine,” as part of its preparation for the upcoming Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, a prestigious AICTE-sponsored event. The hackathon aimed to foster creativity and problem-solving skills among students while aligning with national initiatives.

During the event, 15 innovative ideas were presented by students, offering potential solutions to real-world problems proposed by various ministries of India. These ideas will be further developed and refined for submission to the Smart India Hackathon 2024, where participants will have the opportunity to win prizes worth up to ₹5 lakhs.

 The Guest of Honour, Mr. Vivek Rajan, Head of Partnership at Classplus Private Limited, emphasized the significance of platforms like this in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. He encouraged students to embrace innovation and contribute to national problem-solving through initiatives like the SIH.

Dr. Neelima Kamrah, Registrar of KIIT College of Engineering, expressed her pride in the students’ creativity and dedication. She said, “Our internal hackathon is a great stepping stone for students as they prepare to compete in national-level events like the Smart India Hackathon. It’s exciting to see their enthusiasm and their commitment to solving real-world challenges.”

The event was a great success, with students eagerly looking forward to the next stages of the hackathon journey and the possibility of showcasing their solutions on a national platforms.

Finolex Pipes and Fittings Unveils Captivating Ganesh Chaturthi Campaign: ‘Peedhiyan Badlengi, Parampara Nahi’

Pune, 17th September 2024 – Finolex Pipes and Fittings, India’s leading pipe manufacturer, has launched an innovative campaign for Ganesh Chaturthi titled ‘Peedhiyan Badlengi, Parampara Nahi’ (Generations Change, Traditions Don’t). This compelling initiative aims to showcase the enduring spirit of Ganeshotsav, highlighting how cherished traditions transcend time and generational shifts across India’s diverse cultural landscape.

The campaign features four distinct videos, each narrating a unique regional story of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. It builds on the popular ‘Peedhiyan Badlengi, Pipes Nahi’ campaign, drawing parallels between Finolex’s durable products and India’s lasting traditions. All four videos are already live and set to captivate audiences. The campaign encourages viewers to share personal Ganesh Chaturthi stories, fostering community engagement.

By artfully weaving together narratives from various corners of India, the campaign illustrates how Ganesh Chaturthi unites the nation through shared devotion while respecting regional nuances. This approach reinforces Finolex’s commitment to understanding and serving India’s multifaceted market.

Mr. Pradeep Vedula, President of Marketing and Sales at Finolex Industries, elaborated on the campaign’s vision: “Traditions form the bedrock of our society, much like how our pipes form the foundation of modern infrastructure. ‘Peedhiyan Badlengi, Parampara Nahi’ is our homage to Ganeshotsav’s timeless appeal – a festival that bridges generations and cultures. Through this campaign, we aim to ignite a sense of pride in our shared heritage and the values that bind us together.”

Finolex invites everyone to participate in this celebration of tradition by watching the series of heartwarming videos as they’re released, sharing personal Ganesh Chaturthi stories and experiences on Finolex’s social media platforms, and reflecting on the beauty of traditions that have stood the test of time in their own families and communities.

Finolex Pipes and Fittings has been a trusted name in Indian households for decades, known for its high-quality, durable piping solutions. The company’s commitment to excellence mirrors the enduring nature of Indian traditions, making this campaign a natural extension of its brand ethos.

This is Finolex:

We are India’s most trusted PVC pipes and fittings manufacturer. Over the last 43 years, we have impacted the sanitation-plumbing and agricultural sectors with prudent investments across our value chain. Right from the sourcing of quality raw materials and resin production, to manufacturing, storage, transport, sales, marketing and even further downstream to include customer engagement

To stay focused on making superior quality pipes and fittings, and nothing else but that, for forty years, is no mean feat. Aligning every decision, every action, every resource towards delivering quality pipes and fittings. To choose to do just this one thing, and do it well. So that once our customers install our pipes, they completely forget about us. We take great pride in this dependable quality that has not only earned us ISO 9001:2015 certifications across plants, but also earned us the sincere affection of farmers, plumbers, homeowners, partners, associates and shareholders. They have all come to expect the world from us. Because that’s exactly what we expect from ourselves.

When we choose to diversify, it’s upstream with an open sea jetty to manage our raw materials, and downstream into last mile fulfilment. When we evolve, it has to be in our understanding of customer expectations and finding better machines and processes to meet those expectations. When we choose to expand, it is into newer markets, delivering our pipes and fittings to newer customers. And when we measure our growth, it is in reputation. The effect of which reflects in our bottom line – growing manifold in the last decade.

This quality focus is not just restricted to our products, but defines every aspect of our functioning. Whether quality support for our dealers, vendors and suppliers. Quality opportunities to our employees. Superior quality of life, education and health of the people we serve through our various social responsibility initiatives.

Over the last forty years, we have steadily added depth to our company, instead of spreading ourselves wide and thin. Consistently delivering the exact same products that fulfil the exact same promise. Every time. That’s what makes us a strong brand, with a strong network, and even stronger goodwill. We are Finolex Industries Limited.

NIIT Foundation & Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited Empower Communities

National, September 17th 2024: NIIT Foundation, in partnership with Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited (SSFL), has introduced a Digital & Financial Literacy Program aimed at empowering communities. This initiative offers a 5 hour training course designed to allow the participants aged between 18 to 60 with personal finance management skills and digital literacy. The program aims to bridge the knowledge gap in financial planning and digital transactions, addressing a critical need in today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.

 The program will be covering essential topics such as budgeting, savings, investments, loan management, insurance, and digital payments. The initiative equips individuals with the tools to make informed financial decisions, plan for their future, and navigate the digital financial ecosystem. The training is structured to be both accessible and practical, focusing on real-world applications of financial concepts that can lead to improved financial well-being and quality of life for participants.

 “Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world – with over 100 million credit cards (as of February 2024) – only around 27% of our population is financially literate. With that in mind, SSFL has partnered with NIIT Foundation to enhance financial empowerment in beneficiaries, resonating with our firm belief that financial empowerment is key to community development. This program reflects our commitment to fostering financial inclusion and digital literacy, which are crucial skills in today’s economy,” said Bhanu Prakash, Vice President – CSR & Sustainability at SSFL.

 In an era of increasing digital financial transactions, the program recognizes the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness. A significant portion of the curriculum is dedicated to educating participants about various online frauds, including ATM skimming, phishing, vishing, and mobile wallet scams. This aspect of the program addresses the growing need for digital vigilance, ensuring that as individuals become more financially literate, they are also equipped to protect themselves from cyber threats and financial fraud.

 Further highlighting the significance of the program, Charu Kapoor, Country Director at NIIT Foundation noted, “While financial/economic concepts like inflation and recession are well-known to the masses, concepts like saving accounts, budgeting, making financial plan, digital banking system and interest rates are often overlooked, resulting in higher financial illiteracy among people. A survey conducted by the RBI indicates that 41% of the respondents do not have a monthly budget – which potentially leaves them in an unstable, unpredictable financial situation. Through this collaboration with SSFL, we aim to reach out to rural communities across 6 States (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana and Odisha) and provide them with the tools they need for financial stability and success.”

 Looking ahead, the initiative aims to train 20,000 beneficiaries across 6 states in India. The partners are committed to continually updating the curriculum to address emerging financial trends and cybersecurity challenges, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to thrive in an increasingly complex financial world. Through this initiative, SSFL and NIIT Foundation aspire to create a lasting impact, fostering a culture of financial prudence, digital savviness, and cybersecurity awareness that will benefit individuals and communities for years to come.

Kaagaz Writer Ankur Suman Calls Writing “Most Non-Glamourous Function Of Filmmaking”: There Is No Star…

In an exclusive chat with Zoom, writer Ankur Suman opens up about the fact that writers in Bollywood should get more recognition. He also names THIS writer who has made a name for himself recently.

 The man who penned Kaagaz and Kaagaz 2 – Ankur Suman started out doing advertisements. The versatile writer has now made his mark in Bollywood. Zoom exclusively caught up with Ankur and in the chat, he Spoke about why he thinks writers should get more recognition and how the writer duo Salim-Javed are irreplaceable.

 Ankur Suman on writing being ‘non-glamourous’

 Ankur also spoke about the importance of writers in a project and said, “My favourite line for writers is, ” Ye wo kadhai hai jo sabse pehle chulhe pe chadha diya jata hai. (Writers are the wok that is put on the stove first). Even if there is no budget to put oil, the wok is on the flames, because everything starts with the script.” He said that when anyone has an idea for a project, they are asked to ‘develop’ it first and that is where the work of the writer starts, ” I think, writing starts much earlier and it goes on till dubbing at times.” Ankur said that his intuitive thinking about why writers do not get their due credit is because it does not have stars. “Writing is the most non-glamourous function of filmmaking. There is no star involved or actor involved.” He added, “I know writers in Mumbai who have assigned desks at Starbucks. So, if you have to meet the writer, he would be in Starbucks!”

 “Real filmmakers and people who understand cinema do respect writers. It’s not that writers are completely unnoticed. But they are talked less (about) because maybe the visibility is not there. I was very happy to see Niren Bhatt, the writer of Stree. Maddock is a Production House that has written the writer’s name very prominently. As far as I am concerned, I got lucky to work with people who respected writers. But yes, writers must get their due and get acknowledged.

 Ankur Suman on Salim-Javed

 Talking about writers who paved the way and are iconic – Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar – Ankur said, “There will be no one like them. That kind of aplomb, flamboyance, and respect, which also included the monetary compensation. The kind of glory they brought to writing, nobody else did that before. They brought it to the fore, they brought their names to the poster. So, there was a lot of excitement when people saw that documentary. As writers, most of us in India have followed their work. They already have books on them. I was fortunate that I got to work with Satish Kaushik, who was mentored by Javed Saab. I was like Eklavya. I had a very brief interaction with him where I told him I am like Eklavya. I have heard so much about you from Satish sir that I have learnt a lot from you. “

KaleidEO Unveils a High Resolution Multispectral Payload Delivering the Largest Area Coverage from India

Bengaluru, September 17, 24: KaleidEO Space Systems, a subsidiary of SatSure Analytics India Pvt Ltd, announces the launch of its high-resolution, optical, multispectral payload. The payload is a one-of-a-kind wide swath imager, designed to maximize the area coverage while maintaining higher resolution of image captured. The payload will be able to deliver near 1 meter Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) while covering a 65 km swath. GSD refers to Ground Sampling Distance which is the distance between two consecutive pixel centres measured on ground from air or space.

This development comes in after it successfully completed the aerial testing of the scaled down prototype version of the optical EO (earth observation) payload which captured images at 16 centimeters spatial resolution.

The payload offers at least 15x more area than most payloads in the market today. Presently, such resolution in the industry is achievable with a swath coverage of up to 15 km. KaleidEO’s payload will be able to capture the entire Bangalore city in a single pass.

The industry presently faces a challenge of getting high-resolution images along with high coverage. In order to get a higher resolution image, satellites need to reduce its swath or area coverage, making them almost inversely proportional to each other. KaleidEO’s payload configuration is designed to enable higher assurance on quality of insights derived and efficiency improvement through automation. It will also eliminate the need for depending on the conventional process of stitching multiple images together for capturing a large area.

Currently at Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), the payload will have six bands, viz., Red, Green, Blue, Near Infrared, Red Edge and PAN. Availability of the data in multiple bands allows for identifying and analyzing diverse features on ground such as vegetation health condition, moisture condition, water body and soil features, which otherwise are not visible to naked eyes.

The unique combination of large swath, high resolution and multispectral bands will allow improved identification of objects and features on earth. This enables versatile use applications, supporting large area analytics applications in the areas of crop monitoring, forest health assessment, urban planning, infrastructure asset monitoring, and strategic applications. Apart from this, the payload also employs forward motion compensation and half pixel shift methodology for super-resolving captured images, further improving detail and accuracy.

Speaking about this milestone, Arpan Sahoo, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, KaleidEO said, “The KaleidEO payload emphasizes on a ‘Demand First’ approach unlike the traditional ‘Supply First’ approach. We configured the payload specification to the industry’s need for large area acquisition and automated analytics at scale. We have received positive responses and inquiries from the industry and are open to exploring opportunities to customize the payload to meet specific requirements, as the payload Series offers both COTS and bespoke solutions.”

Commenting on the development, Akash Yalagash, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, KaleidEO said, “KaleidEO’s 1.2 m payload is the first in the official launch of our payload series. The successful demonstration of half pixel shift and forward motion compensation has validated our plans to accelerate to a space flight version of the payload. We are also working on a sub-meter payload which is currently at TRL-3 and are in parallel exploring bespoke requirements from clients for the same.”

Anmol Group installs 16ft tall idol of Lord Ganesha made by 9000 packets of Anmol Yummy biscuits

New Delhi 17th September 2024: Anmol Group, a leading packaged food company, made a grand devotional gesture this Ganesh Chaturthi by creating a 16-foot-tall idol of Lord Ganesha using over 9,000 packets of Anmol Yummy Cream Biscuits. This impressive feat adds to the nationwide celebration of Ganesh Utsav. The massive construction was undertaken by Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Enterprises, a channel partner of Anmol Group based in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh.

Expressing his delight at the successful installation of the idol, Mr. Aman Choudhary, Executive Director-Marketing at Anmol Industries, said, “We appreciate the efforts of Mr. Gupta Ganesh and thank our entire Andhra Pradesh sales team for bringing immense joy to the Ganesh Utsav. This achievement highlights the involvement and love we receive from all our stakeholders, enhancing Anmol’s image and making our journey even more affable. May Lord Ganesha bless everyone with prosperity and wisdom this year.”

Anmol Yummy Cream Biscuits, celebrated for their delightful milk-flavored cream nestled between crispy shells, have become a beloved treat. Renowned for a wide range of biscuits, cookies, rusks, chocolate wafers and cakes, Anmol Industries has been a trusted name among the consumers since its inception in 1994. Anmol caters to all likings with over 70 varieties of biscuits and more than 30 varieties of cakes. The brand has also successfully broadened its range to include wafers and rusks, continuing to delight taste buds everywhere.

Ankura Hospital Successfully saves a three-month-old baby

Hyderabad, 17th September 2024- Ankura Hospital, a leading healthcare facility for women and children, in a recent incident successfully saved the life of a three-month-old infant who accidentally swallowed an open safety pin. The incident occurred when the infant’s six-year-old sibling, during playtime, inadvertently caused the baby to ingest the sharp object.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the infant was immediately examined by Dr. Parijat Ram Tripathi, a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. A radiographic examination revealed that the open safety pin had pierced the infant’s stomach lining, a life-threatening condition that required urgent intervention.

Within 30 minutes of the infant’s arrival, Dr. Tripathi and his highly skilled team prepared for a critical endoscopic procedure. The 2cm safety pin, lodged dangerously in the stomach lining, was successfully extracted using endoscopy, a minimally invasive technique. This approach not only reduced the need for open surgery but also minimized the risks associated with more invasive procedures, such as infection and extended recovery time.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the potential for severe complications. Quick and decisive action was crucial in ensuring the safety of the infant, who was closely monitored for 24 hours post-procedure to check for any complications. The child exhibited positive recovery signs, including normal feeding, no fever, and no signs of infection. Following this period of observation, the infant was discharged in stable condition, much to the relief of the anxious parents.

According to Dr. Parijat Ram Tripathi, a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, “We are grateful that we were able to successfully extract the safety pin via endoscopy. Timely action was essential in averting severe complications. Parents must remain vigilant and seek immediate medical assistance if their children ingest dangerous objects, as delays can result in serious health risks.”

According to Dr Krishna Prasad Vunnam, Founder and Managing Director, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, “The incident serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly harmless household items can pose significant dangers to young children. Parental awareness and rapid response are vital in preventing potentially life-threatening situations. This incident not only highlights the expertise of the medical team but also underscores the importance of vigilance and quick action in paediatric emergencies. Ankura Hospital remains committed to providing exceptional care and ensuring the safety and well-being of its young patients.”