22, Dec 2023
JioCinema presents ‘Toontastic Winter Carnival’ with a blockbuster line-up of 24 new shows for its ‘Kids and Family’ offering
22st December 2023, National: Following its recent foray into kids’ entertainment, JioCinema is further set to elevate the entertainment quotient for its young viewers and their families with its latest campaign ‘Toontastic Winter Carnival’ to welcome 2024. Promising to make this holiday season the biggest ever carnival and unforgettable for everyone, the festival brings a blockbuster lineup of 24 new shows, providing more than 300 hours of engaging content.
As a part of this, JioCinema will drop new titles every day, presenting a diverse mix of homegrown and international releases from the kids’ network content of Viacom18 Nickelodeon, as well as globally renowned studios such as Warner Bros. and Paramount. Encompassing various genres like action, comedy, and adventure for kids, teens, and parents alike, the extravaganza includes many first-time debuts on JioCinema and will feature popular homegrown IPs – Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family and The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj, along with shows – Shimmer And Shine, Paw Patrol, Avatar : The Last Airbender, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness, The Penguins Of Madagascar, Top Wing, Dora The Explorer, The Legend Of Korra. That’s not all! The carnival will also premiere global hits like Tom & Jerry, Samurai Jack, Karadi Tales, Geronimo Stilton, Teen Titans Go, Ben 10, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Zig & Sharko, Steven Universe, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Wacky Races, Chowder and Megas XLR.
Elevating the interactive experience for digital natives, JioCinema is pulling out all the stops with a watch and win experience ‘Khelo, Dekho, aur Jeeto’ contest, adding an engaging touch to the campaign. Ushering in 2024, JioCinema continues to set the benchmark for unparalleled viewing experience with one of its biggest rollouts of new shows. With the recently added ‘Kids and Family Hub’ offering and the launch of ‘Toontastic Winter Carnival’, the platform aims to create a delightful experience for the young audiences and their families.
Create unforgettable family moments this holiday season with JioCinema! Dive into a world of enchanting shows and movies, making every moment a magical adventure for kids and families alike!
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- By Rabindra
22, Dec 2023
Columbia Pacific Communities Unwraps India’s First #LifeSizeSustainableSantaProject: Seniors Lead the Way to a Greener Christmas
Bengaluru, December 22, 2023: As the season of joy and festivities approaches, Columbia Pacific Communities, India’s largest and most preferred senior living community operators, has taken a ground-breaking step towards sustainability with the launch of India’s first life-size Sustainable Santa Project. Recognising the environmental impact of Christmas celebrations, which traditionally result in a significant amount of waste, and particularly plastic waste, the initiative aims to inspire a shift towards eco-friendly practices during the holiday season.
Every year, Christmas festivities contribute to an estimated 2 to 3 billion kilograms of waste the world over, much of which ends up in landfills, exacerbating environmental pollution and climate change. In response to this alarming trend, residents of Columbia Pacific Communities decided to lead by example, spearheading India’s first #LifeSizeSustainableSantaProject.
The project seeks to emphasize the crucial need for sustainability, especially in the face of global climate challenges. It also challenges stereotypes around the older generation’s environmental impact, showcasing the commitment and enthusiasm of senior residents in promoting conscious living.
Addressing the prevalent use of plastic in Santa Claus dolls that are sold during Christmas, residents of Columbia Pacific Communities engaged in a friendly competition to craft life-size sustainable Santas using upcycled and recycled materials, ensuring a zero-waste outcome. The goal was to create life-size Santas with a zero-carbon footprint, to urge more people to embrace recycling, reusing and reducing wastage, particularly during the festive season.
A video documenting the seniors’ creative process, shared on Columbia Pacific Communities’ Instagram/Facebook handles, showcases the residents employing their handicraft skills to fashion Santas from over 130 kgs of waste materials readily available at home, including upcycled plastic and recycled cloth, wood, PVC pipes, steel wires, sand, packaging material, coconut, cotton wool and newspapers. The top three Santa creations from across the communities were awarded gift vouchers, and the life-size Santas are prominently displayed at prominent locations across Bangalore and Hyderabad including The Oberoi Trident in Hyderabad, Nexus Shantiniketan Mall, Whitefield, Toscano Museum Road and The Biere Club, Lavelle Road in Bangalore, serving as inspiration to the younger generation to embrace a sustainable Christmas celebration. Columbia Pacific Communities has also partnered with NGOs such as The Little Sisters of The Poor in Bangalore and Society for Rural Development (SRD) in Hyderabad, to donate the life-size sustainable Santas.
Piali Dasgupta, Senior Vice President at Columbia Pacific Communities, expressed her enthusiasm for the campaign, stating, “Our senior residents have always challenged and broken stereotypes. With this campaign, they aim to showcase to the world that sustainability can be embraced in every aspect of life, even during celebrating festivals and important occasions. Their willingness to put in extra effort to make the holiday season sustainable and leveraging their talent to contribute meaningfully to the world, perfectly aligns with Columbia Pacific Communities’ brand philosophy of positive ageing.”
By initiating the Sustainable Santa Project, Columbia Pacific Communities sets a powerful precedent for conscious and eco-friendly celebrations, urging individuals of all generations to adopt sustainable practices and make a positive impact on the environment. People are urged to take selfies with the Sustainable Santas in the locations mentioned above and tag the brand sharing it on social media to raise awareness on sustainability and climate change.
22, Dec 2023
SFA Championships 2023-2024 begins India’s grassroots sporting revolution
- SFA Championships conclude the first 6 cities of the calendar year with more than 18,000 matches
- Over 80,000 athletes competed in 6 cities from more than 3,000 schools
- Each city saw more than 3500 matches being scheduled for athletes
Bangalore, December 22st , 2023: Sports For All (SFA), India’s largest tech-enabled multi-sport school competition platform, has set a new benchmark in discovering and empowering young sporting talent, through SFA Championships. With a commitment to host Championships in 10 cities this year, SFA has successfully concluded 6 SFA Championships in 60 days in cities namely Indore, Dehradun, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai. In just about two months, the SFA Championships inspired more than 80,000 athletes from over 3,000 schools, fueling their sporting ambitions and contributing to India’s untapped sporting potential.
The SFA Championships are enabling school sporting competition at a scale never witnessed in the country, especially for multi-sports and backed by technology. This city-based model celebrated the indomitable spirit of sportsmanship, discovering talent that will contribute to the future of the sporting ecosystem. The initial 6 cities of the SFA Championships have discovered the “number one school in sports” across the cities of Indore, Dehradun, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai. Delhi Public School (Nipania) in Indore, Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun, Cambridge Court World School in Jaipur, Vignan Bo Tree School (Nizampet) in Hyderabad, Vidya Valley School (Sus) in Pune, and Don Bosco International School (Matunga) in Mumbai bagged the prestigious title of “number one school in sports”, in the respective cities.
True to the endeavor of giving youth inspiring and joyful sporting experiences, SFA Championships transformed iconic sporting venues in each city for school athletes to play. Stadiums like the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex (in Balewadi) Pune, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Gachibowli Sports Complex in Hyderabad, Abhay Prashal Sports Club and Basketball Complex, Indore, and Shahaji Raje Krida Sankul (Sports Complex) in Andheri fostered a conducive environment for sporting excellence.
Bolstering the athlete’s spirit to play in a professional environment, needs immense support of the local machinery to work seamlessly. Through this sporting platform the local economies have witnessed growth with SFA Championships, thus creating value for every stakeholder and leading towards capacity building for the cities and states to host reputable large-scale multi-sport events. Fostering collaboration with local coaches, academies, vendors, and other businesses, boosting the travel and hospitality industries, providing employment for residents, and opportunities for students, SFA Championships are on their way to strengthen the city’s economic health, through sports. Its noteworthy to recall that on a single day in October, three cities hosted school sports competitions across eight venues, engaging 1242 workforce members, volunteers, and officials across 12 sporting disciplines.
Inching closer to the milestone for 2023-2024, Rajas Joshi, COO & Championships Director, SFA, added, “Reflecting upon how SFA Championships has bought alive a revolution, it becomes apparent that sports transcend beyond a physical activity and is indeed an emotion. The unparalleled enthusiasm at the Championships reaffirms our belief that these young athletes only required a platform, to come play. With 80,000 school athletes playing within a span of 60 days, the “Ab Jeetega India” movement, through the SFA Championships, is a historic beginning for the nation to build a formidable grassroots sporting ecosystem. And a sustainable one that is now available on the screens of Viacom18”.
SFA Championships and Viacom18 have partnered to make school sports accessible to millions of sports fans, across the country. The Championships can now be viewed on JioCinema (app), Sports18-2, and Sports18 Khel (tv channels). This further deepens with visibility of the Championships on DD Sports.
Giving exposure to multi-sports, SFA Championships recognizes the ‘Golden Boy’ and ‘Golden Girl’, where athletes with achievements in multi-sports are awarded. With the remarkable times for female athletes to build their sporting careers, SFA Championships celebrates the initiative ‘She is Gold’, where a day across all Championships is dedicated to empowering and encouraging female athletes to play (since inception, in 2015). More than 5000 female athletes, across 6 cities, joined in with their commitment to building a career in sports.
Building an environment for every school athlete to play, irrespective of the geography or socio-economic backgrounds, SFA Championships has witnessed impressive diversity in participation, with 33% female athletes and 67% male athletes competing on an equitable platform. At the Championships, the top sports opted by girls were athletics, basketball, football, swimming, and skating, while boys preferred to compete in football, athletics, basketball, chess and swimming.
As the SFA Championships concluded, parents, coaches and athletes celebrated a transformative event that went beyond traditional sports competitions. Each child’s dream echoed aspirations of winning at the Olympics and representing the nation at the highest level. SFA’s organizational prowess was evident in bringing together a myriad of sports on such a grand scale, creating a unique platform where several national and international-level players competed across diverse sporting disciplines. SFA Championships is poised to make sports accessible for young athletes across the country, thereby empowering today’s talent to become the Champions of tomorrow.
22, Dec 2023
PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship Makes Sporting History With Over 41,000 Participants, 28,000 Matches in 7 Editions
National, December 22, 2023: PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) has concluded its 7 th edition with unprecedented success, achieving a spectacular World Record recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA). The 7 th edition secured the prestigious title of the ‘Most kids participating in a Badminton Championship in multiple cities,’ surpassing its own record set in 2022.
Launched in 2015, PNB MetLife JBC has evolved into one of the nation’s largest annual open platforms for young badminton enthusiasts, engaging over 41,000 participants in more than 28,000 matches over the past 7 editions. The success of PNB MetLife JBC is attributed to well-planned and executed marketing efforts, contributing to the growing anticipation around the event each year.
Record-Breaking Journey: From its humble beginnings in 2015 across four cities, the championship has expanded exponentially, covering 10 cities in the latest 7 th edition. The anticipation builds annually as players and badminton enthusiasts eagerly await this iconic event, contributing to its growing popularity. The 7 th edition witnessed extraordinary participation of 8257 young champions, reflecting the championship’s commitment to fostering badminton talent at the grassroots level.
Asian Games Gold Medallists as Mentors: The 2023 edition saw the inclusion of Asian Games Gold Medallists, Chirag Shetty & Satwik Rankireddy, who have recently been nominated for the Khel Ratna as PNB MetLife JBC mentors. Their invaluable guidance and expertise significantly contributed to the championship’s success, inspiring young talents to aim for excellence and enhancing the event’s prestige.
Beyond records and numbers, JBC remains a significant platform for aspiring young badminton players. Initiatives like the JBC Boot Camp, an online badminton academy offering tutorial videos by renowned coaches and badminton players, including U. Vimal Kumar, Vijay Lancy, Anup Sridhar, and JBC Mentors Satwik & Chirag covering topics such as badminton techniques, mental ability, fitness, and nutrition. These tutorial videos from badminton stalwarts, provide young athletes professional training across three levels – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Another initiative introduced was the JBC Virtual Dugout. This initiative was launched during Covid-19 that gave young shuttlers an opportunity to directly connect with the top badminton players and experts from the safety of their homes and seek advice and tips on how to stay fit and practice their skills to come-back strong post lockdown. These experts also encouraged the young athletes to ‘Eat Right, Play Hard’ and offered advice on how to retain focus and mental strength.
Mr. Ashish K Srivastava, MD and CEO of PNB MetLife, expressed, “The PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship has evolved into a catalyst for talent development in badminton, nurturing emerging athletes into future stars. The extraordinary feat of securing the World Record for the highest number of participating kids in a badminton championship for two consecutive years underscores our commitment to shaping the future of badminton in India. As we look ahead to future editions, our focus remains on promoting sports and youth development on a broader scale, actively contributing to the growth and well-being of young athletes across the country.”
Sourabh Lohtia, Head of Marketing for PNB MetLife added, “As we celebrate the success of the 7 th edition of JBC, our commitment to expanding its reach and impact in the future remains strong. The journey from a modest 300 registrations in 2015 to shattering the world record with 8255 participants in the 2023 edition illustrates the escalating interest from aspiring shuttlers, emphasizing the prominent standing PNB MetLife JBC has achieved. We are confident in the continued success of JBC and anticipate even larger participation from young shuttlers in future editions.”
Rewarding Excellence: In the 7 th season, Rs 30 Lakhs were awarded to the young champions across 10 cities, reflecting PNB MetLife’s dedication towards creating a platform that is centred around identifying, nurturing, and supporting emerging talents in the Olympic sport of badminton, furthering the mission to safeguard and empower Indian aspirations at world stage.
Overview of PNB MetLife’s JBC Journey:
- 2015: Launched with 4 cities, witnessing over 3000 registrations.
- 2016: Expanded to 8 cities, with 5500 registrations.
- 2017: Reached 10 cities, with over 5800 registrations.
- 2018-2019: Continued growth, expanding to 10 cities and attracting over 8000 and 9500 registrations respectively.
- 2019: JBC Boot Camp launched, offering online training modules by renowned coaches and players.
- 2022: Expanded reach to 12 cities, attracting over 8000 registrations.
- 2023: Covered 10 cities, attracting 8257 participants.
- Overall: Since inception in 2015, PNB MetLife JBC has engaged over 49,000 participants, with over 34,000 matches played.
At PNB MetLife, we believe that physical fitness is as important as the fiscal fitness of individuals. We work not only to help our consumers realize their financial goals but also to attain a healthy way of living.
As PNB MetLife continues its journey to promote badminton excellence, the 7 th edition of JBC stands as a testament to the championship’s evolution and its pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian badminton.
22, Dec 2023
Tagore Children’s Painting Competition concluded at Scope Global Skills University, Bhopal, M.P.
Bhopal, 22 December, 2023: One of the most anticipated cultural and art festivals of India – the Tagore International Literature and Arts Festival, organised by the Rabindranath Tagore University, under the aegis of Vishwarang 2023 was back with its annual Tagore Children’s Painting Competition conducted in Scope Global Skills University.
The competition saw participation from almost 2000 students, primarily from Bhopal, Obedullaganj and Mandideep, displaying their artistic abilities on canvases. More than 50 government, private, and public schools were a part of the competition, which was divided into four categories: the first for students in classes 3 to 5, the second for students in classes 6 to 8, the third for teenagers in classes 9 and 10, and the fourth category for students in classes 11 and 12. With the aim of bringing out hidden talent, this initiative also provides a global platform to promote new and upcoming artists. As there was no set theme for the competition, the students were allowed to express themselves freely.
Selected artists chosen from the competition will have the chance to participate in a unique art workshop led by national artists on the last day of Vishwarang 2023. The event was graced by Mr. Santosh Choubey, Director, Vishwarang 2023, Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Chancellor, Scope Global Skills University and Co-Director, Vishwarang, Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats, Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore University and Co-Director, Vishwarang 2023, Prof. Ajay Bhushan, Vice Chancellor, Scope Global Skills University and Dr. Sitesh Kumar Sinha, Registrar, were especially seen encouraging the children.
Mr. Santosh Choubey, Director, Vishwarang 2023, share his insights on the competition and said, “Participation in such competitions leads to artistic and mental development in children. They should be encouraged to hone such talents and take part in as many co-curricular activities as possible. Even parents play a very important role here because it is their love and support that acts as the biggest catalyst in the young one’s success. It is very joyous to see the event turning out well with all these beautiful drawings coming to life.”
The campus had an artistic flair in the air as students from all around the region gave color to their imaginations. Archit Chaudhary of class 5 from Carmel Convent School Ratanpur made a piece on the Save Earth theme while Iyuti Jain from Carmel Convent School BHEL made one on goddess Sarawati. Ahana of class 4 from Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 3 drew on Save Bees Save World, Ayansh Kulshrestha of Class 4 from St. Mont Fort School made his art on Skill India, Shivika of class 5 from Maharshi Vidya Mandir Ratanpur did Mandala Art while Naisa Yadav of class 6 from Carmel Convent School Ratanpur drew the Chandrayaan.
Other scenes from the venue saw Riddhima Maharan of class 6 drawing about Conservation of Energy, Harsh of class 8 from Jawaharlal Nehru School bringing Lord Hanuman to life, Ahmed Khan of class 9th from School Campion working a piece on Evolution in Technology while Pakhi of class 6th from DPS and Tejaswa of class 7th from Campion School were seen bringing the whole Vishwarang 2023 alive on their canvases.
The paintings of the students selected from the competition will be displayed in Vishwarang 2023 and an award ceremony will be held for the first, second and third winners of all four categories as well.
22, Dec 2023
On the occasion of International Migrants Day, M3M Foundation organized a film screening program for children from labor families
Gurugram: In commemoration of International Migrants Day, M3M Foundation orchestrated a film screening program as part of its ‘iMpower’ program, catering specifically to children from labor families. The primary aim of this event was to bring joy to the lives of these children, who were treated to a screening of the film “12th Fail” at Web Cinema M3M Urbana Premium, Gurugram.
The event garnered participation not only from the children associated with the ‘iMpower’ club but also from their families, alongside more than 300 individuals from the surrounding areas. The film was presented to the children in two sessions, creating a memorable experience for all attendees.
Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee of M3M Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s overarching objective of assisting as many individuals as possible. While watching a movie may be a commonplace activity for the average child, Dr. Kanodia noted that for children from labor families, it holds special significance, transforming it into a noteworthy event. The palpable happiness on the faces of the children during the film screening underscored the success of the initiative.
Dr. Kanodia further highlighted that, under the iMpower program, the foundation extends support to financially disadvantaged children at various intervals. Over the years, the program has made a positive impact on the lives of numerous children and families, assisting in education and health.
The film screening event served as a testament to the M3M Foundation’s commitment to fostering positive experiences for children from vulnerable backgrounds, aligning with its broader mission of social responsibility and community welfare.
21, Dec 2023
Freshworks Chennai Marathon powered by Chennai Runners to be held on Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Chennai, December 21, 2023: The Chennai Runners, a not-for-profit organization run by passionate runner-volunteers since 2006, and Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH), the global software as a service company from Chennai, announced the 12th edition of the Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 6th January 2024. This year the marathon is expected to witness the participation of over 22,000 runners including competitors, corporate honchos, and thousands of running enthusiasts.
The upcoming Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners, will be certified by AIMS (The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), a worldwide association of the organizers of long-distance road running races. Chennai Marathon 2024 is recognized by Abbott World Marathon Majors as a qualifier event.
Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024, powered by Chennai Runners, the largest running event in Chennai and the second-largest marathon in India, will comprise four events for men and women including, a Full Marathon (42.195 Km) – the flagship race of the event, the Perfect 20 Miler (32.186 Km), the Half Marathon (21.097 Km) and the 10 Km Run.
This year the Freshworks Chennai Marathon will see the participation of over 35% women runners. The marathon will have participation from visual impaired runners, blade runners, and wheelchair runners.
Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024, powered by Chennai Runners is all set to rock the city limits as the full marathon is set to be flagged off at the iconic Napier Bridge, Marina Beach, and run through the scenic beach route towards the lighthouse and later it will pass through Madhya Kailash, Tidel Park and to ECR. Like the previous edition, this year’s marathon will also have two start points, Napier Bridge and Elliot’s Beach.
Full Marathon (42.195 Km) the Perfect 20 Miler (32.186 Km) and the 10 Km Run will start from Napier Bridge while Elliot’s Beach will be the starting point of the Half Marathon (21.097 Km). The Indian Maritime University will be the finish point for the full marathon, 20 miler, and the half marathon while the CPT IPL Ground will be the finish point for the 10-kilometer run.
Like the previous edition, this year the Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners seeks to increase awareness of Type 1 diabetics and intends to raise funds for people with insulin needs thereby supporting monthly needs towards their insulin expenses.
Partners
Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners will bring together a host of Chennai-based brands as partners. Baashyaam as the Lifestyle Partner, Sundaram Finance Group as the Silver Partner, Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will be the Metro Partner, Apollo Hospitals will be the Medical Partner, CR Volunteers will be the First Responders, Limca Sportz is the Hydration Partner and Unived is the Marathon Fuelling partner.
The Marathon is also thankful for the support of the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, Greater Chennai Traffic Police, Tambaram Commissionerate, TNAA, the People of Chennai, Cand the vibrant running community of Chennai, and the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 will be a zero-waste marathon and has roped in Urbaser Sumeet as a partner for recycling and waste audits.
Mr. V P Senthil Kumar, Race Director, Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners said, “Chennai Runners are thrilled to announce the 12th edition of our iconic event, Freshworks Chennai Marathon powered by Chennai Runners. Building upon the resounding success of the previous edition we are gearing up for an even more exhilarating experience that promises to leave an indelible mark on the city and the world at large.
Over the years, the event has grown in stature and earned its place among the top marathons organized in the country. The recent recognition from the Abbott World Marathon Majors is a testament This prestigious designation allows athletes who achieve the Automatic Qualifying Time for their respective age groups to secure an immediate invitation to the 2024 Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Championships”.
Mr. Girish Mathrubhootham, Founder and CEO, Freshworks said, “Freshworks is proud to be associated with the iconic Chennai Marathon. Running throught the scenic landmarks of the city, together with a huge number of athletes from all over the world is going to be a special feeling for all of us at Freshworks. We want everyone to take up fitness as a daily agenda and training for a marathon is the best way one can start.”
21, Dec 2023
The Cradles in Which Our Essence Evolved,” featuring the exceptional works of artist Mamta Malhotra
The recent solo art exhibition featuring Mamta Malhotra’s “The Cradles in Which Our Essence Evolved” at the Open Palm Court Gallery, Habitat Centre, New Delhi, was a resounding success. The exhibition, inaugurated by Murli Manohar Joshi, unfolded from December 19th to December 22nd, 2023. Mr. Joshi expressed his admiration for Mamta’s work, acknowledging her artistic prowess.
Mamta’s ability to blend line, color, form, and texture in a harmonious way captivated attendees. Her exploration of urban landscapes, figurative and abstract studies, utilizing oil paint, acrylic, and mixed media, provided a diverse and engaging experience for art enthusiasts. The theme of the exhibition, “Ma,” added depth and meaning to the collection.
The infusion of Sanskrit shlokas and architectural elements in Mamta’s creations created a unique visual vocabulary, seamlessly merging tradition with the contemporary. The artworks resonated with the ephemeral beauty of Varanasi’s urban fabric, reflecting the vitality of its ancient and vibrant lifestyle.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including Vasundhra Broota, Sunit Tandon, Sudip Roy, Sheela Chamaria, Asit Patnayak, Vilas Kulkarni, and Shobha Broota.
Mamta Malhotra’s artworks, characterized by a deep commitment to environmental preservation and cultural heritage, continue to leave a lasting impression. They have found a place of pride in prestigious interiors across India, Dubai, France, and the United States, inviting contemplation on the intersection of tradition and modernity.
Mamta Malhotra’s artworks are available for viewing until December 22nd, 2023
21, Dec 2023
BIF hails the landmark Telecommunications Bill 2023
● The Think Tank body considers it a consumer-centric and investor-friendly bill that will propel the growth of the sector.
New Delhi, 21 December 2023: In its apex Executive Council meeting on 20th instant, Broadband India Forum (BIF), the leading independent Think-Tank and Policy Forum for Digital Communications in the country, discussed the Telecommunications Bill 2023, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw on 18th December 2023. It praised the bill and unanimously adopted the following resolution formally: –
The EC was of the view that this was a historic milestone in the annals of Indian Telecom and truly a giant leap forward for the Bharat Digital Economy. This extremely progressive Bill that consolidates different laws of 1885, 1933 and 1950, to further catalyze this rapidly growing technological age was warmly hailed by the EC. It brings in clarity on a plethora of key issues that have been before the sector – the TRAI power & functions, protection and duties of telecom users, clarity in definition of telecommunication service, exclusion of OTTs from the purview of Telecom regulations, administrative allocation of satellite spectrum and certain other types of spectrum, Right of Way issues, spurring of Universal Service and Innovation/R&D through a Digital Bharat Nidhi and Regulatory Sandbox and many other important aspects.
The BIF EC believes that the landmark Bill will help achieve increased acceleration of internet/broadband penetration and will provide a huge impetus to the growth of the digital economy. It will bring about many consumer benefits besides boosting investor confidence and fetching billions of dollars of FDI in the digital sector. Further, it would help incentivize the exponential growth of the space startups segment which already has 189 startups, thereby boosting India’s Space Mission.
The Executive Council solemnly resolved that BIF and its members will spare no efforts to leverage the Bill and support the Government to further speeding India’s Journey on the Digital Highway.
While praising the bill, Mr. T.V. Ramachandran, President, Broadband India Forum, commented, “The Indian Telecommunications Bill 2023 will serve as a strong enabler for the larger digital ecosystem and, in particular, the innovative OTT Apps and Satellite Sectors in the country. It seeks to address several inhibiting issues and would lead to tremendous boost to investor confidence, thereby causing a quantum jump in the growth of the sector.”
21, Dec 2023
Unwind this winter in Pune with Bhimthadi Jatra
National, December 21st, 2023: Bhimthadi Jatra, founded by Sunanda Tai Pawar, celebrates its 17th year, with a captivating rural extravaganza that offers a unique and vibrant experience for visitors from all walks of life. Held annually in Pune, this extraordinary carnival seamlessly blends culture, tradition, skills, and entertainment, making it a must-visit.
With over 400,000 visitors every year, the Jatra welcomes Punekars, Mumbaikars, and art enthusiasts from neighboring cities. There is a beautiful music anthem attached to Bhimthadi this year with an aim to attract the younger generation to embrace the cultural diversity, bridging the gap between the rural and urban culture at Bhimthadi Jatra.
The 17th year is a platform empowering women to showcase their skills in handicrafts, textiles, and food preparation, contributing to their communities.
In a world where the allure of preserving and revelling in cultural heritage is irresistible, Bhimthadi Jatra emerges as a distinctive and authentic experience that beckons exploration. This annual spectacle, nestled in the heart of Maharashtra, not only showcases the region’s agricultural splendour but also unfolds as a vibrant stage for local artisans, craftsmen, and farmers to showcase their talents and products.
Bhimthadi Jatra has attracted eager visitors who are interested in buying products from rural and tribal women around India. The handicrafts at Bhimthadi are made of materials like khun, neem wood, and bamboo. Specially abled children from NGOs make coasters, warli paintings, and pen holders which are sold at the Jatra. She can give valuable input on the things showcased at the event. The home decor items are upcycled and brought to the event. Furniture, kitchenware, and other items made from neem wood and bamboo are also available.
Since its inception, Bhimthadi Jatra has attracted eager visitors who anticipate the delectable food served annually at the fair. The event also boasts repeat customers who return each year to patronize specific food stalls. Millets have been a staple in our diet for generations and have seen a resurgence in popularity recently. Attendees at Bhimthadi Jatra will have the opportunity to sample local Maharashtrian cuisine at various food stalls. Bhimthadi Jatra also provides support to entrepreneurs seeking certification for their food products and assists with proper branding and packaging strategies for their goods.
Continuing its ongoing approach towards embracing conscious choices and clothing, sustainable fashion wear brands like The Kishkinda Trust, Viva La Vida India and Love for the Loom are going to be participating in Bhimthadi Jatra’s 17th year exhibition.
Bhimthadi Jatra itself as an event follows sustainable practices, encouraging and educating the people who are participating and those attending.
– There is a farmers market where you can purchase organically produced products from direct contact.
– There is a policy for non-plastic, non thermocol plates being used, etc.
– The flexes used at the event for advertising purposes are all sent for recycling, ensuring zero wastage at the event.
– Plastic water bottles are not allowed at the event.
– Zero food wastage is ensured as well.
Date: December 21st – December 25th, 2023
Time: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Venue: Agricultural College Ground, Shivaji Nagar, Pune
