9, Sep 2024
Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort Appoints Turiya Joshi as Marketing & Communications Manager

Haryana, September 2024– Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Turiya Joshi as Marketing & Communications Manager. In this strategic role, Turiya will be responsible for driving the resort’s marketing and promotional efforts, enhancing brand visibility, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Turiya Joshi, Marketing & Communications Manager

 With a proven track record spanning over seven years, Turiya brings a wealth of expertise to the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali team. Her experience across various industries, including technology, food delivery, and hospitality, has equipped her with a deep understanding of data analysis, effective collaborations, product marketing, media planning, public relations, content creation, and social media marketing.

 As Marketing & Communications Manager, Turiya will play a pivotal role in developing and executing result-oriented marketing strategies that align with the resort’s goals. Her in-depth knowledge of social media platforms and digital marketing trends will ensure that the resort stays ahead of the curve and effectively engages with its target audience. Additionally, her strong public relations skills will be instrumental in managing the resort’s reputation and fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders.

 “We are thrilled to welcome Turiya to the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali team,” said Rajneesh Kumar, General Manager of the resort. “Her extensive experience and passion for marketing make her a valuable asset to our team. We are confident that her expertise will contribute significantly to our ongoing success and help us deliver exceptional experiences to our guests.”

 Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Aravali, Turiya held marketing positions at renowned brands such as Dunzo, Swiggy, Byjus, and Fairfield by Marriott Dehradun. Her diverse experience and strong educational background, including a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Symbiosis School of Economics, have equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in her new role.

9, Sep 2024
National Conference of Agricultural University VCs at Heartfulness Headquarters to Redefine Education System

Mumbai/Hyderabad, 9 September 2024: Heartfulness in association with the Govt. of India, Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticulture University organised a two-day (6-7 Oct) National Conference of Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities at Kanha Shanti Vanam – the headquarters of Heartfulness in the outskirts of Hyderabad. The event was presided over by Dr. Himanshu Pathak – Secretary, DARE & Director General ICAR and Dr. R.C. Agrawal – Deputy Director General, Agricultural Education ICAR in the Divine Presence of Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. 62 vice chancellors and 11 senior officers and scientists from ICAR participated in the event.

TWO DAY

Dr. R. C. Agrawal – Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education ) ICAR in his address said, “I am thankful to Rev. Daaji for signing the MoU with ICAR. With support of his volunteers for offering Heartfulness meditation to our students, there is a lot of change in terms of concentration, focus, output of the students and our teachers. The latest statistics suggest that 2% youth in vocational training, 93% unorganised work sectors. We need to have a roadmap on how we can train the youth for the next five years and the best way to provide certificate programmes, visit to ICAR institutes, double the intake at agri universities (growing from the existing 10% increase in the numbers of agri seats) and to identify and overcome the constraints for implementation on plan. We want to discuss the guidelines of PPP from valuable inputs of our Vice Chancellors, reformulate and restructure policy for internships and work, discuss the salient features of Dean’s committee.”

Dr. Himanshu Pathak – Secretary, DARE & Director General ICAR in his keynote address said, “Agriculture, nature, progress and peace are interlinked. Viksit Bharat will come with Viksit Krishi and Viksit Krishni will stem from Viksit Shikha. Without this you cannot increase productivity and profitability and sustainability of agriculture. While discussing the education system of ICAR we must remember that Indian agriculture must be friendly on 5 grounds: 1. Nature-friendly 2. Technology-friendly 3. Market-friendly to identify what farmers and markets need and what other countries need for sustainability and profitability 4. Gender friendly 5. Agri must be culture-friendly. Agri is also our heritage. Change will come from agricultural universities and NGOs as Heartfulness. My humble gratitude to Rev. Daaji.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “My special thanks to Shivraj Singh Chouhan ji who could not be here today and to our hon’ble guests. Without agriculture, there is no life. The role of universities is to make agriculture more ‘sakshritik’ with less efforts, high production, more efficiency. Over the years I have been watching what is happening to the upper crust of our earth which contains nutrients. Spraying microdose of sea-water on crops can work wonders. Make agriculture fascinating and interesting. Meditation has a positive impact on farms with increase in productivity. Students can also be taught how lovingly you can play with seeds worshipfully. Before planting there used to be rituals. That culture has to be brought back. Material life and spiritual life have to go together. Please add spiritual component to agri, teach farmers to be more reverential, grains will have positive impact, thoughts will also change when we partake of that food.”

Rev. Daaji led a group meditation session followed by his address. The event also witnessed a discussion on the Job Opportunities for Agri-students (Dr S K Sharma, ADG, HRM and Bimlesh Mann, ADG, EP& HS) as part of the ICAR initiative. This was followed by a visit to Water Harvesting Site and Nursery and on-site discussion with Heartfulness Institute regarding prospects for water harvesting by agricultural universities. A presentation by RRF team (regional facilitators, state in-charge representatives of Heartfulness all over India and representatives of universities and Heartful campus programs team) followed this visit.

The Day 2 of the conference hosted a panel discussion on public-private partnership in higher agricultural education with Dr. S K Sharma, ADG, HRM; discussion on the 6th Deans Reports by Dr. A S Yada, ADG, EQ&R; discussion on Dual degree in higher agricultural education by Dr Bimlesh Mann, ADG, EP& HS; an interaction of Vice Chancellors and ICAR staff with the Heartfulness institute and volunteers regarding the agriculture initiatives to be followed by a tour to the state-of-the-art Tissue Culture lab housed at Kanha and a closing ceremony with a musical cultural programme.

The conference was centered around enhancing the well-being of individuals in the agricultural sector, particularly farmers and agricultural scientists through an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAR and Heartfulness. The MoU comprises integrating meditation, wellness, and holistic practices into the lives of farmers and professionals working in agriculture.

Over 10,000+ students have begun practicing Heartfulness Meditation, with more than 100 events conducted in agricultural colleges across India. Additionally, 5 Agro youth seminars have been organized at Kanha Shanti Vanam, and 8 internships have been offered to agricultural students for various Agro initiatives. Mental Health Support, Capacity Building and Training; Promoting Sustainable Practices; Research Collaboration are the core objectives being achieved through the ICAR-Heartfulness MoU. This collaboration signifies a unique blend of modern agricultural science and ancient wellness practices, aimed at uplifting the overall well-being of the agricultural community in India.

9, Sep 2024
Rashi Entertainment Marks 25 Years with Royal Vivah Utsav: 28 Brides for Underprivileged Daughters

Rashi Entertainment commemorated its 25th anniversary with a magnificent royal wedding ceremony, VIVAH UTSAV, where 28 underprivileged girls were married. This special event took place on Ganesh Chaturthi, September 7th, at Nevaeh, Delhi (NH 8), where 28 brides exchanged garlands with their life partners amidst over 1,000 guests.

Amidst heavy rain, 28 grooms arrived with their wedding processions. The arrival of all the baraatis, greeted by the resonating sound of conches and the chanting of mantras by the acharyas, was truly a breath-taking sight.

VIVAH

The grooms arrived in a mass baraat procession, accompanied by one of the best bands in town, Sohan Lal & Band, to meet their brides at Nevaeh, one of Delhi’s premium venues, which is a dream location for any family.

The weddings were conducted with full traditional rituals, with each couple having a dedicated Pandit to ensure everything was performed according to the Shastras with the background Musical Pheras by Ankit Batra. In addition, each couple received over 50 essential items like, bed, admiral, fan, clothes, dinner sets, ornaments, blankets, water coolers, and many more to start their new married life with new hope.

The mic-dropping moment was when 28 couples exchanged varmalas in a choreographed manner by Laadi. The scene was a treat for the eyes of every guest.

Rajeev Jain, Director of Rashi Entertainment, expressed his joy, stating, “I do not have a daughter, but with God’s grace and Rashi’s success, while celebrating its 25th Anniversary with this noble initiative, we are honored to perform Kanyadan today. This is a gesture that my family and I will never forget throughout our lives. Thanks to Mahaveer Bhagwan for blessing me with the opportunity to perform the Kanyadan for 28 daughters together. It is believed that rain during a significant ceremony brings good fortune, and today, the rain feels like a blessing for us.”

Jain further added, “As a leading agency in the Indian wedding and event industry, where we are known for orchestrating lavish weddings and events for the most prominent families of India, it is a privilege for Rashi to support these deserving couples. The idea behind this beautiful initiative has always been to bring smiles to these underprivileged families.”

The Royal Vivah Utsav was made possible through the support of the Neveah, Ladli Foundation, Beti Foundation, Q Events, Laadi, Purple berry, The Golden Apple, Sohan Lal & Sons Ghoriwala, AD Astra, Pragati Rental Services, Books Wagon, Aarshi Matrimonial JMST Travels, EMG Entertainment, TNBT, Modern Stage Service, Shield Guard, Rapid FX, Badhai Ho Events, Wedding Guests & Beauty Bar, ICCPL Foundation (Foundation for social work, of a USD 30 million conglomerate ICCPL Group), Omega Productions, Witty Shadows, DJ Deepak, Ankit Batra, Pritee Kathpal, Khushbou Sultania, Aditya Singh, Bel-La Monde’, Looks Salon, The Royal International Safa, PEM Hospitality, Swift Events, Show Makerz, Yellow Rental, Magik Touch, Kaliram Chaat, Delhi Indie Project – Parikrama , SSP Events, SR Pulp, BTC, , Tiesutra, Liberty, Gravity Gains, Sujata, Shakkar, Nandini Travels, Sunrise credit inc., ARI, Chhapdoh Instant, Jainson Group, Kundan Agro Foods, Wedlock Matrimonial, and Bikanerwala.

Rashi Entertainment, headquartered in Delhi, is a top-tier event management company specializing in high-profile events, luxury weddings, corporate & government big event, tickets show, etc. With a reputation for creativity and precision, they have delivered exceptional experiences for over 25 years, earning accolades for their innovative approach and seamless execution of memorable events.

9, Sep 2024
Motorola Launches Razr 50: India’s Foldable Market Transformed with 3.6” Display, Gemini AI, and 50MP Camera

Mumbai, 9th September 2024: Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation, today disrupted the foldable smartphone segment yet again, with the launch of its highly anticipated smartphone in the razr franchise, the motorola razr 50. This latest addition to the Razr franchise showcases Motorola’s dedication to advancing smartphone technology, featuring the segment’s largest 3.6” external display with direct Google Gemini access. With moto ai powered impressive 50MP camera system with OIS and Instant All Pixel Focus.

Just like its predecessor, the razr 50 Ultra, the Motorola razr 50 takes foldable technology to new heights with the segment’s largest and most advanced external display. The 3.6″ large pOLED external display safeguarded by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus, offers a stunning visual experience with its 90Hz dynamic refresh rate and peak brightness of 1700 nits. It boasts a high-resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels, delivering breathtaking clarity and vibrant colors with 10-bit depth, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and SGS eye protection. The display’s HDR10 certification further enhances color accuracy and brightness, making it ideal for a wide range of uses. Its increased size—2.4X larger than its previous generation—ensures users can enjoy a more immersive experience, easily navigate apps, reply to messages, and access Google Maps or games without needing to open the phone. The Always-On Display (AOD) adds a layer of personalization with customizable themes and additional displays like Sleep Display. The razr 50 also features functional enhancements such as zooming with volume keys, quick access to Google Gemini via a long press on the power key, and a “see all panels” overview screen for seamless navigation.

MOTOROLA

With the razr 50, users can effortlessly access Google’s Gemini app directly from the external display. Gemini is a personal AI assistant to supercharge creativity and productivity. Whether you need detailed instructions for a project, help planning trips, or drafting emails and thank-you notes, Gemini is ready to assist. Beyond these tasks, it also offers support for brainstorming ideas to improve daily life and provides seamless access to information from Google services like Maps, YouTube, Flights, Gmail, and Drive. Always available, Gemini ensures you have the support you need right at your fingertips.

To further improve the external display experience on the new razr device, Motorola has added access to Google Photos. This allows users to view, delete, favorite, or share photos or videos stored locally or in the cloud without flip opening their phone, making it easier to access memories and find photos quickly. When it’s time to edit these photos, users can open the new razr and use the latest AI-powered editing tools in Google Photos including AI Magic Editor, AI Magic Eraser, AI Photo Unblur, and more. Additionally, tools like

Photomoji transforms their favorite photos into personalized emojis and stickers, adding a visual flair to messages. And with AI Magic Compose, users can receive suggested texting responses in various styles like Excited, Chill, Formal, and Short, enabling them to get creative with their messages.

The Motorola razr 50 is equipped with advanced Moto AI capabilities designed to enhance creativity, capture, and everyday assistance. Moto AI brings your imagination to life with features like AI Magic Canvas, allowing you to create stunning images from text prompts, and AI Generative Theming, which syncs your style to your phone’s wallpaper. When it comes to capturing moments, the AI Photo Enhancement engine ensures the highest quality images by optimizing dynamic range and fine-tuning details, even in low-light conditions. With AI Adaptive Stabilization and Intelligent Auto Focus Tracking keep videos and photos steady and focused. Smart Color Segmentation takes photo enhancement further by individually tuning elements like the sky, skin, and grass for richer colors. For assistance, Moto AI offers features like Adobe Doc Scan for easy document scanning and sharing, RAM Boost 3.0 for optimized performance, Battery Optimization, and Screenshots with Auto Blur to protect your privacy by automatically blurring sensitive content.

The incredible camera system on the motorola razr 50 powered by moto ai captures every moment with incredible clarity and precision. The 50MP high-res camera delivers outstanding low-light performance as it can shoot with 32x more focusing pixels using Instant All-Pixel Focus to get faster, more accurate performance no matter the lighting conditions. The camera’s Quad Pixel technology enhances low-light shots, offering 12.6MP photos with superior brightness and reduced noise, while Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) eliminates shakes for crystal-clear images. The secondary camera on the external display is a 13MP Ultrawide + Macro Vision sensor which captures every detail with the 120º ultra-wide-angle lens. It can fit nearly 4x more in the frame compared to a standard lens and Macro Vision can take the users 4x closer to their subject than a standard lens, capturing every tiny detail. For selfies, the 32MP front camera provides high-quality images and video calls where razr users can even use Flex View to find the best angle for hands-free selfies and video calls. Enhance your photos further with Google Photos AI: remove distractions with Magic Eraser, improve blurry images with Photo Unblur, and transform your shots with Magic Editor’s generative AI.

The motorola razr 50 is designed for durability and style, featuring a sophisticated premium vegan leather finish available in Pantone-curated colors. The device’s innovative gapless, perfectly contoured edge design provides enhanced dust protection and a luxurious feel. The newly designed hinge is not only easier to flick open or snap shut with one hand, thanks to reduced spring tension, but it also integrates a floating hinge plate to minimize creasing on the main display. The hinge and screen have undergone rigorous stress tests, ensuring the razr 50 is built to last, certified for 400,000** folds. Additionally, the device offers IPX8-rated underwater protection, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, while the external display is safeguarded by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus.

When opened, the motorola razr 50 reveals a stunning 6.9″ pOLED display that offers a seamless and immersive viewing experience. The display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling, 3000 nits of peak brightness for vibrant visuals, and 120% DCI-P3 color accuracy for rich, true-to-life colors. With HDR10+ support, users can enjoy deep blacks, brilliant highlights, and a cinematic color spectrum. The creaseless design, made possible by a larger fold radius, ensures a smooth, uninterrupted touchscreen experience. The razr 50 also features Dolby Atmos stereo speakers with Spatial Audio, enhancing the overall entertainment experience. Whether in Koala Grey, Beach Sand, or Spritz Orange, the motorola razr 50 combines cutting-edge technology with an elegant design, making it as durable as it is stylish.

Powering the impressive display, powerful camera, and other cutting-edge features of the motorola razr 50 is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, making it India’s first flip phone to feature this advanced processor. Featuring the ultra-efficient 4nm platform, users can accelerate work and play with improved power efficiency that extends battery life even further. The integrated MediaTek APU 655 further enhances AI capabilities, delivering a seamless experience across all tasks. With 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, users can enjoy smooth multitasking and ample space for all their favorite content.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India said “As the pioneers in the flip phone technology, we have once again set a new benchmark in the segment with the launch of the razr 50. This innovative and intelligent device represents our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of design, AI technology, and user experience. We believe that the razr 50 will not only further democratize the foldable smartphones but also surpass the expectations of our valued customers, just as the razr50 Ultra did.”

Users can enjoy an intuitive, personalized, and secure experience like no other with the new Hello UI with Android 14. They can easily customize their device by choosing fonts, colors, and icons, using intuitive gestures like twist and tap to control different features, or launching their favorite apps. Even set limits on screen time and control access to apps, so kids can learn and play in a safe, dedicated space. Hello UI features include, Moto Gestures, Moto Secure with Thinkshield, Family Spaces, and Moto Unplugged. Smart Connect seamlessly unites multiple devices, enabling effortless task transitions across phone, tablet and PC’s making it a key component for a unified and efficient digital life. Within Smart Connect, users will get multiple functionalities like Swipe to Share, Cross Device Control, Context Aware Phone, Universal Clipboard, Share Hub, App Stream and much more. Each with its own unique advantages designed to facilitate seamless integration.

In terms of the battery performance, the motorola razr 50 is designed to keep up with your day and night, powered by a robust 4200mAh battery that lasts all day on a single charge. With 30W TurboPower™ charging, just a few minutes of charging can give you enough power to get through the day. The device also offers the convenience of 15W wireless charging, and with reverse charging, you can even share power with other devices effortlessly. Additionally, the phone offers a faster 5G experience with support for 16 5G bands and WiFi 7, along with a physical SIM slot and eSIM support for added convenience.

Apart from this, the motorola razr 50 also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos® giving 20% louder sound and 25% stronger bass. Dolby Atmos® unlock new levels of emotion in user’s favorite songs, drawing them closer to the artists they love. Plus, Dolby Atmos® features Spatial Audio, an enhanced experience where sound can flow around them in a virtual space. The smart power amplifier ensures that even louder audio won’t crack, and since the speakers are working together, sound travels from one to the other to match the action on screen. Additionally, the motorola razr 50 offers assured 3 OS updates and 4 years of security patches with Moto Premium Care benefits.

9, Sep 2024
Jiraaf bags ISO 27001 certification for information security management

Bengaluru, 9th September 2024: Jiraaf, a Sebi registered online bond platform, powered by AI Growth, recently bagged the prestigious ISO 27001 certification.

With this announcement, the brand continues to demonstrate its commitment towards implementing best practices in information security management. ISO/IEC 27001 is the global standard for information security management systems (ISMS). This certification is of high significance in the world of finance as security and data protection is the top priority for any bond investor.

Jiraaf cofounders

Jiraaf won the certification for its vigilant risk management system, compliance with legal and regulatory information security requirements, and adherence to globally recognized best practices.

Vineet Agrawal, co-founder of Jiraaf says: “We recommend all investors take into consideration information security standards adopted by online bond platforms and whether they are ISO-certified when choosing an investment platform.”

“Achieving ISO 27001 demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data, as well as the data entrusted to us by our clients, partners, and stakeholders,” says Saurav Ghosh, co-founder of Jiraaf.

“At Jiraaf, security is at the core of everything we do. This certification not only validates our efforts but also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence in information security. As we continue to grow and innovate, our priority remains the same: providing a secure and reliable platform for our clients.”

9, Sep 2024
Greenwood High students outshine at F1 in Schools India Nationals

Bengaluru, September 09, 2024: In a stellar display of teamwork, talent, and engineering skills, five students from Greenwood High International Campus, Sarjapur – Aarush Mohan, Ekatva Jain, Harshita Gogineni, Pranith Gogineni, and Vedant A. Krishnan participated in the F1® in Schools India Nationals held recently in Noida. Their team, Smooth Operators, made a miniature “car” and competed against 95 other teams from all over India and won the first runners-up position in the knockout race, and had the second-best overall race time, showcasing their technical skill and strategic thought.

smooth

For students between the ages of nine and nineteen, F1® in Schools is the only global multidisciplinary competition that requires the participants to design and manufacture a miniature “car” out of the official F1 Model Block using CAD/CAM design tools in groups of 3–6 students, which are launched using CO2 canisters, making the aerodynamics of the car very important. The competition was started in the UK in 1999 with the intention of giving young people a friendly introduction to the engineering discipline. Teams compete in regional and national championships, with the best teams moving on to the World championships. Over 54 participating nations engage in these events, which are frequently conducted in conjunction with a Formula One Grand Prix.

A member of the team is required to launch the car by reacting to the 5 lights going out and pressing a trigger, just like in F1, racing it across a 25m drag strip. Apart from the car itself, the competition required the team to work on aspects such as the pit display, sponsorship management, digital media and marketing, project management, communication and presentation, helping them develop critical skills like teamwork, leadership, creative problem-solving, project management, and effective communication.

Apart from their outstanding performance in the competition, the team demonstrated ingenuity and leadership qualities by successfully raising over ₹1.4 lakhs through sponsorships to cover their participation costs.

“Our students’ display of their abilities on such a prominent stage makes us extremely proud,” stated Ms. Niru Agarwal, Managing Trustee of Greenwood High International School. “In this esteemed competition, their perseverance, inventiveness, and hard work were evident. Most amazingly, it is incredibly satisfying to watch them take up the challenge and use their expertise in this intensely competitive environment. Their self-confidence has grown as a result, and others are motivated to aim higher by them.”

“One key takeaway from our participation is the necessity for increased preparation time. Elements such as pit display, sponsorship management, and social media marketing hold significant importance in the competition and contribute to the final scores. These areas demand a meticulously planned strategy coupled with precise execution, both of which necessitate considerable time investment.” expressed the students from the team – Smooth Operators.

F1® in Schools India Nationals competition provided a great opportunity to use the information gained in STEM topics. Looking ahead, Greenwood High encourages students to be innovative and work together while supporting these bright minds as they follow their interest for science and engineering in the years to come.

9, Sep 2024
The Living Legend To Present His Timeless Classic ‘Cinema Paradiso’ At ‘Cinema Italian Style Festival’ In Mumbai

India, 9th September 2024- The not-for-profit organization Film Heritage Foundation, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, Axis Bank and Education Partner – IED Istituto Europeo di Design are proud to present a first-of-its-kind Italian film festival titled ‘Cinema Italian Style – Celebrating Tornatore And The Masters Of Italian Cinema’.

shivendra

The cultural extravaganza will be conducted from September 27 – 29, 2024 in Mumbai at Regal Cinema, Mumbai.

With a long-term vision to celebrate the legends of Italian cinema and exhibit restored Italian classics from over the past decades, the festival will be headlined by legendary Italian filmmaker and Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore for its inaugural edition

The 68-year-old cinema legend will present the FHF Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection and will not only helm an interactive masterclass for budding film students but also deliver an exclusive sit-down fireside chat for film aficionados and the Indian film fraternity.

To celebrate Giuseppe Tornatore’s inaugural visit to India, the festival will include a mini Tornatore retrospective and will include screenings of his cult classics such as Cinema Paradiso (1988), Malèna (2000) and (2021).

The three-day festival programme is a cinephile’s feast that will showcase restored films of great Italian masters including Luchino Visconti’s Senso (1954), Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), Vittorio de Sica’s Marriage Italian Style (1964) and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon A Time in America (1984).

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Filmmaker and Director, Film Heritage Foundation states, “Film Heritage Foundation is delighted to share that a legend of Italian cinema, Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore has agreed to come to Mumbai for his first visit to India in support of the foundation and the cause of film preservation. During his time in Mumbai, he will present the 4 K restoration of his film Cinema Paradiso, one of the most beautiful and universally loved films of all time, a timeless classic that has the power to move you no matter how many times you watch it. The film will open a 3-day film festival during which Mumbai audiences will have the amazing opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of his films, the music of Ennio Morricone and the greatest of restored Italian classics by Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti and Sergio Leone. Watching these beautifully restored classics will remind the world that cinema is an art form that must be preserved and restored for future generations to enjoy. We are privileged that Giuseppe Tornatore whose film Cinema Paradiso pays tribute to film projectionists has agreed to present the Film Heritage Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection at the opening of the film festival. We would like to thank the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna and Axis Bank for partnering with us to make this unique celebration of Italian cinema possible.”

Guiseppe Tornatore states, “I am so happy to be coming to India for the first time. I have known about the amazing work of Film Heritage Foundation in preserving and restoring India’s cinematic heritage and I am so pleased that Film Heritage Foundation is partnering with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai for “Cinema Italian Style”, a festival of Italian film heritage in Mumbai that will include some of my films. I was delighted to hear that my film “Cinema Paradiso” is known and loved in India and I am honoured that my films will be presented alongside the films of great Italian masters like Vittorio de Sica, Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini and Sergei Leone. I have been told that the Film Heritage Foundation will be presenting their second Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection and it would be my pleasure to present the award to the winning projectionist at the opening of the festival in Mumbai.”

Francesca Amendola, Director, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai states, “If the stars of the great Italian cinema will shine under the sky of Mumbai during such exceptional 3 days’ event, it is thanks to the precious partnership with Film Heritage Foundation, which has been collaborating for years with the best cinema conservators, among which the Italian ones stand out. To seal this, a particularly significant moment will be the FHF film projectionist award, which will be delivered by Maestro Giuseppe Tornatore himself. I would also like to thank the main sponsor of the festival, Axis Bank, and the educational sponsor IED, Istituto Europeo di Design. The 7 great Italian classic movies of this festival have all been restored by highly skilled laboratories that adopt the most advanced and innovative technologies, and I am proud to mention, amongst them, l’Immagine Ritrovata, from Bologna, that has been working also on the restoration of several Indian masterpieces that belong to the world heritage, like, just to mention one, Satyajit Ray’ s Trilogy of Apu. What a pleasure it will be for all of us, to assist at the screenings of Mr Tornatore’s perfectly restored films, together with him, in the same hall, for, as all cinema lovers agree on, attending a wide screen projection, sharing the vision with the rest of the public, enjoying perfectly restored images and sound is a unique experience that resumes the true essence of the cinematic art.”

The screenings are open to the general public on a first come, first served basis.

Film Screenings

1. Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Giuseppe Tornatore’s Oscar-winning moving coming-of-age film – a love letter to cinema that is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

2. Ennio (2021) – Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary celebrating the life and legacy of Ennio Morricone, considered one of the most prolific and greatest film music composers of all time.

3. Malèna (2000) – Giuseppe Tornatore’s acclaimed film starring the gorgeous Monica Bellucci in an unforgettable role

4. Marriage Italian Style (1964) – Vittorio de Sica’s acclaimed romantic comedy starring the glamorous Sophia Loren and screen idol Marcello Mastroianni

5. Senso (1954) – a lush Technicolor tragic romance that is an extraordinary evocation of reckless emotions and deranged lust, from one of cinema’s great sensualists – Luchino Visconti.

6. La Dolce Vita (1960) – Federico Fellini’s biggest hit offering a damning critique of the culture of stardom provides a prescient glimpse of just how gossip- and fame-obsessed our society would become.

7. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – Sergio Leone’s visually stunning, stylistically bold, and emotionally haunting epic crime drama filled with great performances from the likes of Robert De Niro and James Woods.

9, Sep 2024
Hyderabad Emerges as the Next Designer Hub with the Opening of 3 Flagship Designer Stores

Hyderabad, September 9, 2024 – The city of Hyderabad has taken a giant leap in its journey to becoming India’s next designer hub with the grand opening of three flagship stores by renowned Indian designers: Rahul Mishra, Abraham & Thakore and Satya Paul, at the prestigious Sattva Signature Tower. This landmark event is set to redefine Hyderabad’s fashion landscape, further embedding it as a destination for luxury retail and high-end design.

Hyderabad, a city steeped in a rich cultural tapestry, has long been celebrated for its historic artistry, textiles and craftsmanship. The city’s vibrant cultural heritage, paired with a growing appreciation for contemporary fashion, makes it a perfect canvas for showcasing the creative visions of some of India’s most esteemed designers.

Renowned for his intricate craftsmanship and innovative use of textiles, Rahul Mishra brings his unique aesthetic to Hyderabad. Meanwhile, David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, the creative visionaries behind the renowned Abraham & Thakore label and affectionately known as the ‘Masters of Minimalism,’ offer their craft-driven and contemporary designs that have earned them a devoted following. Satya Paul, celebrated for its iconic sarees and contemporary fusion wear, adds a touch of glamor and grace to the store lineup.

The grand opening was graced by prominent personalities and celebrities, including Sobhita Dhulipala, Tamannah Bhatia, Sudha Reddy Niharika Konidela and Pinky Reddy, whose presence underscored the event’s significance and its anticipated impact on the fashion industry.

The launch at Sattva Signature Tower is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the city’s journey to becoming a prominent player on the world fashion map

9, Sep 2024
Walplast empowers young minds and communities through its CSR platform Walplast Welfare Foundation

New Mumbai, 9th September 2024: Walplast, a leading manufacturer of building and construction materials, is committed to driving national progress by empowering and educating girls. Demonstrating this commitment through its CSR arm, the Walplast Welfare Foundation, the company has reaffirmed its dedication by partnering with Project Nanhi Kali for the second year in a row, to promote quality education for 1,000 underprivileged girls. This year’s focus cities include New Mumbai, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Nasik, and Pune. This collaboration aims to support the education of girls in India, enabling them to overcome regressive social norms and fulfill their educational aspirations for a brighter future. As part of this comprehensive program, each girl from Grades 6 to 10 will receive training in 21st-century skills and sports leadership.

 Project Nanhi Kali, an initiative started in 1996 by Anand Mahindra, has been dedicatedly working towards providing holistic support to economically and socially disadvantaged girls enrolled in government schools across India. Over the past two decades, the project has positively impacted the lives of nearly 700,000 girls, across 15 states of India.

 The initiative integrates key elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on multidisciplinary learning and the development of 21st-century skills. The program includes an updated curriculum that emphasizes practical knowledge, teacher empowerment through training workshops and comprehensive academic and after-school support. Each participating girl will also receive a kit, ensuring they have the necessary resources for a successful academic year.

 Showing support for this initiative, Kaushal Mehta, Managing Director of Walplast, stated, “At Walplast, we believe in the transformative power of education. Through Walplast Welfare Foundation we aim to empower young girls with the tools they need to thrive academically and personally. This initiative not only aims to enhance educational outcomes but also to create a supportive ecosystem for girls in rural, tribal, and urban poor regions. By investing in their education and well-being, we are nurturing future leaders who will drive positive change in their communities.”

 For the students, the program offers a multi-faceted approach. During school hours, all students in Grades 6 to 10 will receive life skills training, covering essential financial skills, digital literacy for online safety and job readiness, and soft skills such as critical thinking and communication. Gender relations will be addressed through life skills and sex education.

 The second component of the initiative is the Physical Education program. This after-school curriculum for girls includes a comprehensive health and hygiene curriculum, a dedicated physical education module, and team sports activities. This aspect of the program aims to promote not only physical fitness but also emotional well-being and social skills.

 Modules on socio-emotional learning focus on developing emotional intelligence, empathy, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and problem-solving abilities among students. Comprehensive gender sensitization modules aim to combat stereotypes, promote gender equality, and raise awareness about reproductive health and gender-based violence. Life skills training equips students with decision-making, critical thinking, communication, and assertiveness skills essential for personal and professional growth.

 “At Walplast Welfare Foundation, our commitment to social upliftment is deeply ingrained in our ethos. This initiative is more than just supporting education; it is about breaking down barriers that have held back generations of young girls. By providing them with the tools, skills, and confidence they need, we are investing in a future where these young women can emerge as empowered individuals, ready to lead, work, and inspire. Our goal is not just to educate, but to truly transform lives by equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed and contribute meaningfully to society,” said Aniruddha Sinha, Sr. Vice President, Marketing, CSR, Toll Manufacturing & Business Head – P2P Division, of Walplast.

 It is also worth mentioning, Walplast Welfare Foundation has positively impacted over 800 young girls’ previous year in districts like Palghar, Bharuch, Varanasi, and Nashik. Through meaningful CSR initiatives, Walplast plays a crucial role in bringing about positive societal change and empowering young girls to fulfill their potential.

9, Sep 2024
Hartek appoints Sunil Jit Singh as Group CFO

Hartek Group, one of India’s leading EPC Companies, announced the appointment of Mr. Sunil Jit Singh as the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

With a rich experience of over 28 years, Sunil Jit will play an instrumental role in strengthening the financial operations for the group specifically in the areas of financial management, risk mitigation, and compliance.

Suniljit Singh Hartek CFO

He brings a wealth of experience working with multinational companies and Indian companies in various sectors, including steel, electronic manufacturing, lubricants, automotive and telecom.

Sharing his thoughts on Mr. Singh’s appointment, Mr. Simarpreet Singh Group ED and CEO of Hartek Group said: “We welcome Mr. Sunil Jit Singh to our Hartek Family. With decades of experience in related sectors, we are confident that his contribution will propel us towards new heights of success and growth. His past experience, his passion towards growth seamlessly aligns with the values and culture we have at Hartek Group. We believe this will prove to be an enriching partnership.”

Commenting on the development, Mr. Sunil Jit Singh said, “I am looking forward to working with the enthusiastic team at Hartek Group. I am particularly intrigued by the vision of the company to lead the energy transition and integrate sustainability into all aspects of their operations. Through strategic financial planning I am confident that our path will pave way for a new wave of energy revolution which will be led by Hartek Group”

Hartek Group has been a key player in India’s renewable energy landscape by providing 10GW of Solar Grid connectivity. As a five-time Great Place to Work organization, the company’s Power System Business unit is currently building a 765 KV grid infrastructure for Power Grid Corporation, demonstrating its commitment to reliable grid infrastructure and a net-zero future.