26, Jun 2024
Abhyasa School boys show all-round performance in all categories of Hockey competition
Hyderabad, June 26. 2024: Abhyasa Residential School Boys have shown a round performance in the Hockey Competition of A.P and Telangana Regional ICSE & ISC Schools Sports Meet-2024 held in the city. The school has emerged as champion by making a clean sweep of gold medals in all three categories in the Hockey competition. Abhyasa has won in U-14, U-17 and U-19 categories in the Hockey competition of AP and Telangana Regionals-2024-25 conducted at the NASR Boy’s School- Gachibowli in Hyderabad.
The school’s U-14 team won gold beating Future Kids School- Hyderabad with a score of 4-0. The U-17 team has won gold beating The Hyderabad Public School- Hyderabad with a score of 1-0. And the U-19 team has won gold beating NASR School with a score of 3-0.
The Association of ICSE and ISC Schools of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Region conducted the competition. The competition was tough.
- 0
- By Rabindra
26, Jun 2024
The Convergence Foundation co-hosts a landmark conference on ‘Creating Systemic Impact’
Bengaluru, 26th June 2024: The Convergence Foundation, in collaboration with Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, Centre for Exponential Change, and India Impact Sherpas (knowledge partner), hosted a landmark conference on ‘Creating Systemic Impact’, bringing together development practitioners, thought leaders and philanthropists to focus on the practices and enablers of systems change.
Organizations that adopt the systems change approach—System Support Organisations (SSOs)—work closely with governments at both the central and state levels to create large-scale impact by addressing the root causes of problems rather than applying quick fixes or band-aid solutions.
In the keynote address by Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, she emphasized, “This decade is one of the most critical decades in human history, demanding inclusive and exponential social change. We have the best chance ever now to create a different future than is feared. But for that, we need risk capital deployed strategically and urgently to reduce the friction between Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar, and unlock the true potential of each. Philanthropists and foundations must step forward NOW! Let’s think bigger, be bolder in our collaborations, and place better bets on leaders who are invested in systemic change.”
A highlight of the conference was a panel discussion on ‘Unlocking Funding for Systemic Impact’, moderated by Praveen Khanghta, Head of Strategy and Investments at The Convergence Foundation. The panel featured esteemed speakers including Murugan Vasudevan, CEO of Veddis Foundation; Shruti Shibulal, CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences; Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO of Janaagraha; and Sumit Tayal, CEO of Give India.
Bikkrama Daulet Singh, Operating Partner at The Convergence Foundation, while emphasising the urgent need to unlock funding for systemic impact, stated, “The systems change approach holds the highest potential for transformative change. Philanthropists seeking maximum return on investment should prioritize supporting organizations that collaborate with governments to achieve scalable and sustainable results. It is crucial for philanthropists and system orchestrators to learn, reflect, and continuously align their efforts to maximize their collective impact.”
The conference also featured the unveiling of Sanjay Purohit’s book, Think Sustain, the third instalment in the Think book series. The book was launched by Rohini Nilekani. Alongside Think Scale and Think Speed, Think Sustain aims to inspire change that leads to impactful transformations. These Think books serve as companions in the journey to achieving impact at scale.
Sanjay Purohit, the author, CEO, and Chief Curator of Centre for Exponential Change, expressed his gratitude at the conference, saying, “C4EC is an emerging space for co-creation and collaboration bringing together system orchestrators, diverse enablers, and influencers to enable exponential change journeys. The reason why we co-founded this Centre is because we know that the exponential change journey is long and winding and we all need to come together to inspire these ripples of change. Like we strive to conserve natural systems (such as coral reefs and rainforests) that sustain the health of our planet, we must strive to enable system orchestrators, who ensure the health of our society.”
The conference marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration and innovation in addressing India’s complex challenges at scale. The commitment and insights shared by the participants underscored the potential of systems change to drive sustainable and impactful development across India.
25, Jun 2024
YMCA and St. Petersburg Foundation Partner to Offer Free Swim Lessons for Lealman-Area Kids and Teens
Lealman, FL, June 25, 2024 –The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Foundation are thrilled to announce the launch of the Lealman Swim Program, an exciting initiative designed to provide free swim lessons to children and teens in the Lealman area. Thanks to generous funding from Community Foundation Tampa Bay, this program aims to equip young people with essential swimming skills, ensuring they can enjoy the water safely this summer.
Why It Matters
For years, Florida has led the nation in child drowning deaths, and 2023 was no exception. Florida Department of Children and Families data shows 99 kids drowned to death last year. The importance of swim safety cannot be overstated, yet children in the historically underserved, unincorporated Lealman area of Pinellas County have no direct access to a community pool.
For years, Lealman community leaders have expressed their desire to build a pool in Lealman, but have faced funding and logistical challenges. In an effort to solve this issue, nonprofit leaders at the St. Petersburg Foundation, Community Foundation Tampa Bay and the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg put their heads together and came up with a solution: instead of bringing the pool to Lealman, let’s bring Lealman to the pool.
Free Swim Lessons for All Skill Levels
Starting on July 15, the Lealman Swim Program offers free swim lessons every Monday and Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Jim and Heather Gills YMCA in St. Petersburg. These classes are open to children and teens aged 6 to 16, regardless of their swimming experience. Each participant will receive a total of 8 lessons, with a maximum cohort size of 30 to ensure personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. The program will end on August 7, 2024.
Convenient and Accessible
To make participation as easy as possible, the YMCA is providing a dedicated bus service that will pick up and drop off participants at the Lealman Exchange. Additionally, two chaperones with Level 2 background checks will accompany the children throughout the program, ensuring their safety and supervision. Each participant will also receive a complimentary swim bag and towel.
“This program is a fantastic opportunity for youth in the Lealman area to learn a vital life skill,” said Ashley Morales, Engagement Director of the St. Petersburg Foundation. “Our goal is to save lives and empower children, ensuring they have the skills and confidence to stay safe around pools, oceans and all bodies of water. We are incredibly grateful to Community Foundation Tampa Bay for their generous support and the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg for stepping up to host, making it possible for us to offer these lessons at no cost to families. It is truly a team effort and an encouraging showcase of community collaboration to see this program come to fruition.”
Community Support and Lifeguard Training Opportunities
For teens and young adults interested in furthering their swimming skills, the program also offers opportunities to work toward lifeguard certification. Interested individuals can contact the Lealman Exchange at (727) 464-5404 for more details.
Funding from Community Foundation Tampa Bay is also earmarked for Parent & Child swim classes at the YMCA, and scholarships are available on a direct-request basis. “We would love to have mothers and/or fathers bring their little ones for early childhood swim lessons, so we are actively reaching out to families in the Lealman area to offer these lessons, as well,” Morales added.
Sign Up Today
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn valuable skills, make new friends, and have a splashing good time. Sign up for the Lealman Swim Program today and dive into a summer filled with fun and adventure.
25, Jun 2024
Patricia A. Smith Chosen as a Woman of the Month for May 2024 by P.O.W.E.R.
Montgomery, AL, June 25, 2024 — Patricia A. Smith of Montgomery, Alabama, has been chosen as a Woman of the Month for May 2024 by P.O.W.E.R. (Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized) for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of education.
About Patricia A. Smith
Patricia A. Smith is a retired educator who enjoyed a long career in early childhood education. During her tenure, her expertise was in assisting students who were struggling with behavioral issues, improving both their learning and social interaction skills.
Smith began her journey in early childhood education working in a home daycare for 14 years. “From there, I joined the Head Start program,” said Smith. “My next move after three years was to the elementary school working with special needs children from PreK to 5th grade. Then, I transitioned to an Early Head Start program working with infants and toddlers. I decided to retire in 2021.”
Smith received her B.A. in Early Education from Ashford University. An active community member, she served on the Board of Directors for Sav-A-Life from 1996 – 2000. She has 2 children; a son Charles (Satori) and a daughter (Chalise +Dale) and two grandsons; Charles III, and Nazir.
25, Jun 2024
2024 Northport Tea Dance
Northport, MI, June 25, 2024 –Northport Pride’s 2024 Tea Dance, September 29, 2024; 2pm to 6pm at Faro hosted by The Chetcuti Evans Foundation with special guest Monique Madison and The Kunty Kittens and music by DJ Jay Harnish.
The annual Northport Tea Dance is an important event for our region and creates awareness and visibility for the LGBTQ members of our community.
About Monique Madison (@iownamonique2021):
Monique Madison has been practicing the art of female impersonation for 27 years. Monique resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she is the owner/creator of the entertainment company The Kunty Kittens (@thekuntykittens).
Monique is also a published author of The Serial Showgirls series while also being cast at Five15 in Royal Oak, Michigan and a main Bingo hostess for The Comedy Series.
Monique made her film debut in the LGBTQ Christmas film called A Holiday I Do and also just finished filming season one of a comedy sitcom called The Agency as one of the lead roles Parker/Iowna.
About DJ Jay Harnish (@jayharnish):
Jay Harnish is a Grand Rapids based Audio Visual Engineer and Theatrical Producer. With over 20 years of experience working in live production management and design, Jay has worked with events ranging from Broadway tours and orchestras to comedians and musicians.
Jay has spent the last twelve years working nationally as an AV engineer and video director for the PCA Porsche Parade and a production manager for Harry Potter Symphony national tours. He has worked in venues all over the country from Carnegie Hall in NYC to Bass Hall in Austin.
Currently, Jay is reopening Dog Story Theater in Grand Rapids while he tours his home state as an audio engineer for The Kunty Kittens.
The Chetcuti Evans Foundation is a 501c3 Non-profit organization which hosts and sponsors events for the sole purpose of collecting donations which are in turn contributed to Northern Michigan and South Florida charities in need. The Foundation has an emphasis on the LGBTQ and under-served communities. The Foundation also produces events that promote visibility, awareness and inclusion for the LGBTQ community.
25, Jun 2024
The Thinker Opera Premieres at Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati, OH, June 25, 2024 — Mexican-American composer Nathan Felix will present his new immersive opera titled The Thinker at Cincinnati Art Museum on Friday August 16. The Thinker, is a short opera about French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The opera will feature Corbin DeSpain (tenor) as Auguste Rodin, Rachel Kobernick (soprano) as Rose Beuret, Lucianna Astorga (soprano) as Rodin’s stalker Gwen John, Tess Klibanoff (mezzo) as sculptor and lover Camille Claudel, and Michael Hyatt (bass) as painter and colleague Claude Monet.
Felix is known for his guerilla-style approach in presenting classical music in unconventional spaces and The Thinker is no exception, with a performance utilizing space, movement, and acoustics to activate the Cincinnati Art Museum in a unique way. The idea behind Felix’s immersive opera is similar to a flash mob as it revolves around blurring the line between performer and audience by having musical performers move amongst the audience as they perform a cohesive musical composition. The audience is encouraged to follow the narrative of the piece which entails following the soloists but they are ultimately given agency to explore based on feeling, sight and soundscape.
The Thinker, is a short opera about French sculptor Auguste Rodin and his colorful life. The opera highlights and explores Rodin’s humble beginnings, salacious affairs, life-long love for Rose Beuret and his encounters with iconic contemporaries such as Claude Monet. Other featured musicians include conductor Moyue Zhou, violinist Tao Xue, violist Lila Reeser and cellist Colin Gregoire.
24, Jun 2024
Virat Kohli Reclaims Top Spot in Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report with Brand Value of Nearly USD 228 Million
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Kroll, the leading independent global risk and financial advisory solutions firm, announced today the launch of the ninth edition of its Celebrity Brand Valuation Study titled, “Brands, Business, Bollywood”. The study provides a ranking of India’s most powerful celebrity brands based on brand values derived from their brand endorsement portfolios and relative social media presence.
The overall brand value of the top 25 Indian celebrities included in the latest study is estimated at $1.9 billion in 2023, an 18% jump from the previous year.
Key findings of the report include:
● Virat Kohli reclaimed the number one spot with a brand value of $227.9 million, nudging Ranveer Singh to second place at $203.1 million.
● Shah Rukh Khan secures third position with a brand value of $120.7 million on the back of three blockbuster hits in 2023, marking his incredible return into India’s top five celebrity endorsers since 2020.
● Akshay Kumar dropped a rank this year to the fourth position with a brand value of $111.7 million while Alia Bhatt moves to fifth with a brand value of $101.1 million.
● Other notable movements include the meteoric rise in brand value of Kiara Advani moving from rank 16 to rank 12, and Katrina Kaif returned to the list of India’s most valued celebrity brands after five years.
Aviral Jain, Managing Director, Valuation Advisory Services at Kroll said, “Our report recognizes the expansion of celebrity-owned startups across various industries and the spectacular rise of Indian celebrities as global ambassadors of reputed global brands. The year 2023 also witnessed Bollywood’s powerful comeback to the film industry, with blockbusters breaking records to cross the $100 million mark—re-establishing Bollywood’s dominance in the film industry. The synergy between celebrity entrepreneurship, global star advocacy and the resurgence of Bollywood is set to redefine the dynamics of the entertainment and business industries.”
About Kroll
As the leading independent provider of risk and financial advisory solutions, Kroll leverages our unique insights, data, and technology to help clients stay ahead of complex demands. Kroll’s team of more than 6,500 professionals worldwide continues the firm’s nearly 100-year history of trusted expertise spanning risk, governance, transactions, and valuation. Our advanced solutions and intelligence provide clients with the foresight they need to create an enduring competitive advantage. At Kroll, our values define who we are and how we partner with clients and communities.
24, Jun 2024
Snakes & Ladders of Life Through Mokshapatta Offers Path to Enlightenment Through Ancient Vedic Wisdom
Renowned life coach and spiritual advisor Swetta Agarwal on Sunday announced the release of her book, “Snakes & Ladders of Life Through Mokshapatta: Discover Karma, Dharma & The Path to Nirvana.”
This insightful work invites readers on an enlightening journey through the depths of ancient Vedic teachings, using the spiritual tool Mokshapatta to navigate life’s complexities and chart a path toward spiritual awakening.
“As we journey through the complex maze of life, ‘Snakes & Ladders of Life Through Mokshapatta’ offers a unique blend of ancient wisdom and practical guidance, helping us understand the intricate dance between karma and dharma,” says author Swetta. “This book is a beacon for those seeking not just spiritual enlightenment but a balanced life where material success complements spiritual growth. It is my hope that readers will find inspiration and clarity, embracing the path to nirvana while fulfilling their worldly responsibilities.”
Also present at the event were Harsh Malhotra, minister of state for Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highway; Vijay Sampla, former chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Caste; Ram Vilas Das Vedanti Ji, executive chairman Shriram Janam Bhoomi Nyay Samiti; Shilpa Puri, CEO of Summit India, among other dignitaries.
The book delves into the seventy-two levels of awareness and being, providing a comprehensive approach that meets both material and spiritual needs. It emphasizes that true enlightenment does not necessitate renouncing worldly responsibilities but instead integrates them with spiritual growth.
“Snakes & Ladders of Life Through Mokshapatta” is an essential read for anyone fascinated by Vedic wisdom and those seeking practical spiritual guidance. By combining age-old knowledge with contemporary applications, the book ensures readers can achieve both spiritual and material prosperity, leading to a well-rounded and fulfilling life.
24, Jun 2024
Concourse Federal Group and Awen Solutions Group Partner to Fund School Construction in Tanzania
Moneta, VA, June 24, 2024 — Concourse Federal Group (Concourse) and Awen Solutions Group (Awen) are pleased to announce their collaboration in funding the construction of a new school in Tanzania, dedicated to supporting the education of the Maasai tribe. This initiative underscores the companies’ commitment to corporate social responsibility and their belief in the transformative power of education.
The Maasai tribe, renowned for their rich cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle, have long faced challenges in accessing quality education. By funding the construction of this school, Concourse and Awen aim to provide a sustainable solution that will empower the Maasai children with the knowledge and skills necessary for a brighter future.
A Vision for Change
Founded in 2009, Concourse Federal Group is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that has established itself as a leader in healthcare facilities design and management through its innovative software, CHPS 360. Awen Solutions Group, known for its expertise in architecture and engineering services, shares Concourse’s dedication to making a positive impact beyond their business operations.
“Our companies have always believed in the importance of giving back to the community,” said Geoffrey Perkins, CEO of Concourse Federal Group. “This school project in Tanzania is a testament to our commitment to social responsibility and our belief in the power of education to change lives.”
Empowering the Maasai Tribe
The new school will be located in the heart of the Maasai community, providing accessible education to children who have historically been underserved. The curriculum will be designed to blend traditional Maasai knowledge with modern education, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that respects their cultural heritage while preparing them for the future.
“We are thrilled to support the Maasai tribe through this educational initiative,” said Rich Creagh, CEO of Awen Solutions Group. “Education is the key to unlocking potential, and we are honored to play a part in creating opportunities for these children to succeed.”
Community-Centric Approach
The construction of the school will involve close collaboration with local leaders and community members to ensure that the project meets the needs and aspirations of the Maasai tribe. This community-centric approach will foster a sense of ownership and pride among the Maasai people, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the school.
“We believe that engaging the community is essential for the success of this project,” said Thomas Shea, Co-Founder of Concourse Federal Group. “By working together with the Maasai leaders and families, we can create an educational environment that is both effective and respectful of their traditions.”
A Commitment to Sustainable Development
Concourse and Awen Solutions Group are committed to ensuring that the school operates sustainably. The design of the school will incorporate eco-friendly materials and renewable energy sources to minimize its environmental impact. Additionally, the project will include training programs for local teachers, equipping them with the skills needed to provide high-quality education.
22, Jun 2024
JioCinema Premium announces Riteish Deshmukh’s debut series, ‘PILL’; to premiere on 12th July
JioCinema Premium is all set to premiere Riteish Deshmukh’s debut series PILL on 12th July. The motion poster unveiled gives us a glimpse of a whistleblower’s earnest fight against the dark and corrupt world of the pharmaceutical industry through a riveting tale of good versus evil. PILL is produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies and created by Raj Kumar Gupta.
Stay tuned to unravel the truth as PILL premieres on 12th July on JioCinema Premium!
IG Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8gge3AtHgG/?igsh=bnlzaTkyNWRndDBv
