21, Oct 2023
Dandiya celebrations held on 8th day of ‘Hunar Mahotsav Expo’
Secunderabad, 21 October 2023: Dandiya celebrations were held successfully as part of the Devi Navratri on the 8th day of Hunar Mahotsavam at Gymkhana Grounds near Secunderabad on Friday.
Young men, women and children from the twin cities enjoyed the performances of dance troupes at the event. People who attended the Hunur Mahotsav, enjoyed the ballet and took part in the programme. Dandiya
Exquisite indigenous handmade products such as Applique work, dry flowers, jute-cane, brass products, wooden and clay toys, Ajrakh Block Print, Blue Art Pottery, Pashmina Shawl, Khadi products, Banarasi Silk, Wooden Furniture, Chikankari Embroidery, Chanderi Silk, Lac bangles, Rajasthani jewelry, Phulkari, Leather products, pottery, Jute products etc. are available for sale.
Women and young women residents from various corners in the city have gathered in large numbers to view the exhibition. They expressed happiness as they enjoyed themselves with family and friends. All commodities necessary for daily use along with clothes are available at reasonable prices.
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- By Rabindra
21, Oct 2023
The JCB Prize for Literature announces its Shortlist for the 6th Year
Jaipur, October 21, 2023: In its sixth year, the JCB Prize for Literature announced its 2023 Shortlist at the Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur. The intimate event, prior to the Award Ceremony in November, was attended by authors, translators, and the community of book lovers in the city. Jury members Srinath Perur, Somak Ghoshal and Kavery Nambisan announced the Shortlist of five books including three translations from Bengali, Hindi and Tamil.
The JCB Prize for Literature is a Rs 25-lakh award presented each year to a distinguished work of fiction by an Indian author. Each year, the Literary Director appoints a jury of prominent individuals from various areas of Indian social and intellectual life. Every member of the jury reads every novel entered for the Prize and is alone responsible for selecting the Longlist (of ten), the Shortlist (of five), and the winner.
The announcement was followed by actor Divya Seth Shah, and poet and researcher, Wamiq Saifi reading from the shortlisted books. The dramatized readings were interspersed with a musical performance by Dayam Ali on sarangi and Pt Harihar Sharan Bhatt on sitar, giving the audience a taste of a truly diverse Shortlist spanning across geographies and time.
The 2023 shortlist includes:
The Secret of More by Tejaswini Apte-Rahm (Aleph Book Company, 2022)
The Nemesis by Manoranjan Byapari, translated from the Bengali by V. Ramaswamy (Westland Books, 2023)
Fire Bird by Perumal Murugan, translated from the Tamil by Janani Kannan (Penguin Random House India, 2023)
Mansur by Vikramajit Ram (Pan Macmillan India, 2022)
I Named my Sister Silence by Manoj Rupda, translated from the Hindi by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar (Westland Books, 2023)
Commenting on the shortlist, the chair of the 2023 jury, Srinath Perur said, “In our shortlist meeting we reluctantly set out to eliminate five books from the longlist of ten. It turned out that every book on the longlist was a serious shortlist candidate for at least one jury member. But in the end there were exactly five books that all five of us wanted on the shortlist. None of the books was easy to let go of, and those that made the cut did so by the jury’s unanimous decision.”
As the winner announcement approaches, Mita Kapur, Literary Director, stated, The 2023 Shortlist of five books for the JCB Prize for Literature beautifully captures the kaleidoscope of India’s literary landscape. Each tale is a captivating dance of words—a testament to our rich literary pulse. The contribution of our publishers, bookstores, and the online community in amplifying these voices has been invaluable. As you delve into these books, you’ll discover reflections of our shared human journey, and find myriad emotions and tales that resonate.”
The winner, set to be announced on 18 November, will be granted a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. If the winning entry is a translation, the translator will be presented with an additional cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. Moreover, each of the five authors on the shortlist are awarded Rs 1 lakh, and if the shortlisted piece is a translation, the translator receives Rs 50,000.
Shortlisted books: Jury comments, synopses and author and translator bios:
The Secret of More by Tejaswini Apte-Rahm (Aleph Book Company)
The Jury says
A family saga that offers a social history of Bombay and its merchants rarely described in such imaginative yet accurate detail. The Mulji Jetha textile market at the turn of the century, the intrepid journey of the protagonist into producing the first films before the advent of sound, the playing of the Oriental organ in the theatre, and the unrealized relationship between the protagonist and his movie star – all stay with us like a heady fragrance of jasmine for a long time after the turning of the last page, leaving you with the secret of more.
Synopsis
Into the beating heart of Bombay, a city that spins cotton into gold, a young man, Tatya, arrives to make a living. Ambitious and hard-working, he begins to make a name for himself in the city’s famed textile market. Meanwhile, his new bride, Radha, navigates the joys and the challenges of raising a family in a city that is a curious and often bewildering mix of the traditional and the rapidly modernizing.
Having tasted success in the world of textiles, Tatya chances upon an opportunity in an emerging industry-motion pictures- and is swept up in it despite his initial hesitation about this strange world of make-believe. His success seems unstoppable-the silent films he produces draw in the crowds and his new theatre is a marvel, but his friendship with and attraction to an actress, Kamal, threatens to shake his world and causes him to question his integrity.
Set against the backdrop of bustling colonial Bombay, The Secret of More is a journey of relentless ambition, steadfast love, and grim betrayal, as Tatya strives to unlock the secret of more-of having more and being more. In a story that travels from the clatter of textile mills to the glamour of the silent film industry, from the crowded chawls of Girgaon to the luxury of sea-facing mansions, one man and his family learn that in the city of Bombay you can fly-but if you fall, it is a long way down.
The author
Tejaswini Apte-Rahm is a writer from Mumbai. She is the author of the short story collection – These Circuses That Sweep Through the Landscape, and co-author of The Poop Book! -an environmental education book for children. Tejaswini has worked as a journalist and environmental researcher and has written for Screen, Hindustan Times, the Times of India, and The Asian Age.
The Nemesis by Manoranjan Byapari, translated by V Ramaswamy (Westland Books)
The Jury says
Nemesis is a powerfully told story of young Jibon who migrated from East Bengal (now Bangladesh) to land up in a refugee camp in Calcutta along with hundreds of his compatriots. Unrelenting poverty, the oppressive caste system and an insensitive society shower humiliations on young Jibon. He leaves home to join the Naxal movement, suffers more indignities but ploughs on, despite them. It is a personal, gut-wrenching story of courage and resilience in the face of grim adversity and it ends on a note of hope.
Synopsis
The second part of this extraordinary trilogy takes us into the late 1960s and early 1970s when the rumblings of liberation grew louder in East Pakistan and refugees came pouring into India, seeking asylum in the camps of West Bengal. The Naxalite movement too was gathering momentum; the Communist Party split into CPI (M) and CPI (ML), and a bitter power tussle ensued between them and the ruling Congress Party led by Indira Gandhi. Amidst this bloody battle, we find a twenty-something Jibon in Calcutta, driven to rage by hunger, inequity and a naïve, contagious nationalistic fervour. This burning torch of a novel is a compelling portrait of a youth negotiating the streets of Calcutta, looking to seize a life that is constantly denied to him.
The author
Manoranjan Byapari writes in Bengali. Some of his important works include Chhera Chhera Jibon, Ittibrite Chandal Jibon and the Chandal Jibon trilogy. He taught himself to read and write at the age of twenty-four when he was in prison. He has worked as a rickshaw-puller, a sweeper and a porter. Until 2018, he was working as a cook at the Hellen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Blind in West Bengal. In 2018, the English translation of his memoir, Ittibrite Chandal Jibon (Interrogating My Chandal Life), received the Hindu Prize for non-fiction. In 2019, he was awarded the Gateway Lit Fest Writer of the Year Prize. Also, the English translation of his novel Batashe Baruder Gandha (There’s Gunpowder in the Air) was shortlisted for the JCB Prize 2019, the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2019, the Crossword Prize 2019 and the Mathrubhumi Book of the Year Prize 2020. The English translation of his novel Chhera Chhera Jibon (Imaan) was shortlisted for the JCB Prize 2022. He also received the Shakti Bhatt Prize this year for his body of work. In 2021, Byapari became a member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly.
The translator
V. Ramaswamy is a literary translator of voices from the margins. His previous translations include The Golden Gandhi Statue from America: Early Stories, Wild Animals Prohibited: Stories, Anti-stories and This Could Have Become Ramayan Chamar’s Tale: Two Anti-Novels (shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award, 2019), all by the anti-establishment Bengali writer, Subimal Misra. He was awarded the inaugural Literature Across Frontiers-Charles Wallace India Trust Fellowship at Aberystwyth University to translate the Chandal Jibon novels.
Fire Bird by Perumal Murugan, translated by Janani Krishnan (Penguin Random House India)
The Jury Says
For at least a few thousand years now, humans have longed for a patch of the earth to call home, a place in which to lay down roots. The protagonist of Fire Bird, Muthu, comes from a farming family. An unfair division of land and worsening relations at home make him set out in a bullock-cart with an older, knowledgeable servant to look for land that he can purchase and call his own. Perumal Murugan tells the story of this search in astonishingly fine-grained detail: he knows every plant and tree, bird and animal, the soil and seasons. And how they shape the culture and proclivities of people who have settled there. Janani Kannan’s translation brings the rhythms of the Tamil into English with suppleness and sensitivity. Fire Bird takes an age-old, universal story and makes it profoundly local. It is a deceptively simple book that asks probing questions about some of our deepest impulses.
Synopsis
Fire Bird is a masterfully crafted tale of one man’s search for the elusive concept of permanence.
Muthu has his world turned upside down when his father divides the family land, leaving him with practically nothing and causing irreparable damage to his family’s bonds. Through the unscrupulous actions of his once-revered eldest brother, Muthu is forced to leave his once-perfect world behind and seek out a new life for himself, his wife and his children.
In this transcendental novel, Perumal Murugan draws from his own life experiences of displacement and movement and explores the fragility of our fundamental attraction to permanence and our ultimately futile efforts to attain it. Translated from the nearly untranslatable Aalandapatchi, which alludes to a mystical bird in Tamil, the titular fire bird perfectly encapsulates the illusory and migratory nature of this pursuit. Fire Bird is a thought-provoking and beautifully written exploration of the human desire for stability in an ever-changing world.
The author
Perumal Murugan is an Indian author, scholar, and literary chronicler who writes in Tamil. He has written twelve novels, six collections of short stories, six anthologies of poetry, and many non-fiction books. Ten of his novels have been translated into English: Seasons of the Palm, which was shortlisted for the Kiriyama Prize in 2005, Current Show, One Part Woman, A Lonely Harvest, Trail by Silence, Poonachi or the Story of a Goat, Resolve, Estuary, Rising Heat, and Pyre. He was a professor of Tamil at the Government Arts College in Salem Attur and Namakkal.
The translator
Janani Kannan is a US-based architect, translator, singer and marathon runner. She enjoys translating Tamil novels and short stories and most recently translated Rising Heat, Perumal Murugan’s very first novel. Her interests also include collecting and chronicling anecdotes, recipes and architectural nuggets from Tamil culture.
Mansur by Vikramajit Ram (Pan Macmillan India)
The Jury says
Vikramajit Ram’s slender, yet profound, novel takes us inside the 17th-century Mughal atelier, where the eponymous master artist Mansur is finishing an exquisite, illuminated book, just in time for it to reach the royal summer retreat in Kashmir. But its long journey North is riddled with intrigues brewing in the women’s quarters, fueled by the twisted ambitions of Mansur’s rivals. Like a beautiful miniature painting, Ram’s novel forces us to pay close attention to the details, especially to the wispy characters lurking in the fringes. Mansur is a triumph of minimalist storytelling, every sentence shining with a gem-like clarity.
Synopsis
Saturday, the 27th of February, 1627. The master artist Mansur, who works under the patronage of Mughal emperor Jahangir, must finish his painting of a dodo and prepare for an imminent journey to Kashmir when he is interrupted by a younger colleague, Bichitr. An innocuous remark from this visitor – first to Mansur and a little later to the portraitist Abu’l Hasan – has dire consequences as more characters at the imperial atelier, the library and the Women’s Quarter are drawn into a web of secrets, half-truths and petty rivalries.
At the heart of the story is a jewel-like verse book whose pages Mansur has illuminated and filled with lifelike butterflies. On reaching Verinag, the royal summer retreat in Kashmir, the painter must present the book to its author, the empress Nur Jahan, who had commissioned it as a keepsake for her husband, the emperor Jahangir.
A delay in the book reaching Mansur from the bindery adds to his apprehensions that its very existence is no longer a secret, coupled with dread that so precious an artefact might fall into the wrong hands. What must the painter confront before his masterwork is conveyed safely to Verinag?
The author
Vikaramajit Ram is a novelist and non-fiction writer based in Bangalore. A graduate of the National Institute of design, he formerly practiced as a graphic designer. He is the author of a cultural history of the Indian elephant, ‘Elephant Kingdom: Sculptures from Indian Architecture’; two travelogues, ‘Dreaming Vishnus: A Journey through Central India’ and ‘Tso and La: A Journey in Ladakh; and a novel, ‘The Sun and Two Seas’.
I Named My Sister Silence by Manoj Rupda, translated from the Hindi by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar (Westland Books)
The Jury Says
A novel of epic stature told with great beauty and brevity, it’s power is felt viscerally in Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s translation. The writing offers rich imagery that does the storytelling using soundscapes and landscapes with equal felicity. Manoj Rupda plays on the theme that everything grand is eventually destroyed, be it a majestic elephant, a ship, or an entire tribal civilization eaten away by a corrupt society. The complex and emotionally wrenching relationship between the protagonist and his sister is at the heart of it, making this perhaps the most layered among many novels about sibling relationships.
Synopsis
It is indeed about the black chapters of our history, about places and people we may or may not briefly sympathise with when we read a short news report or an opinion piece.
The places may have no resonance at all for us, except as forested lands with no facilities, not even worth tourism. As for the people, we believe that they are misled by activists who do not want them to access modernity.
While the novel has a seemingly different focus, fitting into the genre of the bildungsroman, detailing the narrator’s life as he grows up and leaves his village (at the insistence of his sister, who ensures he gets an education), and becomes an engineer, and then sails the high seas till his big cargo ship is scrapped (at Alang port, Gujarat) during the global recession. But the novel accompanies him back to the village and his search for his sister who had brought him up in the hostile environment. The return to the village is significant as he attempts to unravel what his sister was up to, trying to understand why she joined the dada log (Naxalites), where she was, and finally just trying to connect with her.
The book has many interesting characters and quite an engrossing trajectory for one that is so short and so focussed. It begins with the narrator saying that anything large that he is interested in — and he is fascinated by large things — comes to a violent, premature end, like the elephant he had followed when he was young.
The author
Manoj Rupda is based in Nagpur (Maharashtra) and writes in Hindi. He is the author of the novels Kaale Adhyaay (of which I Named My Sister Silence is a translation) and Pratisansaar; the collections of stories, Dafan tatha Anya Kahaniyan, Saaz Naasaaz, Aamaazgaah, Tower of Silence, Dahan and Dus Kahaniyan; and a book of essays, Kalaa ka Aaswaad. He is a recipient of the Indu Sharma Katha Puraskar and the Vanmali Katha Samman.
The translator
Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar writes in English; and translates into English from Santali, Hindi, and Bengali. His novel, My Father’s Garden, was shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2019. His collection of stories, The Adivasi Will Not Dance, was shortlisted for The Hindu Prize; while his debut novel, The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey, won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, was shortlisted for The Hindu Prize and a Crossword Book Award, and longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. His book for children, Jwala Kumar and the Gift of Fire, was shortlisted for a Crossword Book Award. His writings have been published in Frontline, The Caravan, Mint Lounge, Reader’s Digest, The Indian Quarterly, The Hindu, The Indian Express, The New York Times, Fifty-two, and other places; while his translations have been published in Asymptote, Poetry at Sangam, The Dalhousie Review, and other places.
ABOUT THE JURY
Srinath Perur (Chair) is the author of the travelogue If It’s Monday It Must Be Madurai. He has translated from Kannada the novel Ghachar Ghochar (by Vivek Shanbhag) and the memoir This Life at Play (by Girish Karnad). He writes on a variety of subjects including science, travel and books.
Mahesh Dattani is a playwright, stage director, and mentor. His works as a playwright have been translated and performed in many languages across India and abroad. For his anthology Final Solutions and Other Plays, Dattani received the Sahitya Akademi Award. His works as a director include an adaptation in English of Tagore’s story Chokher Bali for Barnard College, Columbia University, an adaptation of Lorca’s Blood Wedding for ICS Theatre, New Jersey, Snapshots of a Fervid Sunrise, written and directed by him. Recently he worked with This is Not a Theatre Company in New York to write and direct an audio piece, A Little Drape of Heaven, which was picked by The New York Times as among the top five things to catch in New York.His film work as a writer and director includes Mango Souffle (2000) and Morning Raga (2003). He is the Artistic Director of Playpen Performing Arts Trust, a group dedicated to mentoring and producing new works for the theatre. He lives in Mumbai, India.
Somak Ghoshal has worked in publishing and media with major Indian organizations for over 15 years, especially as a critic and book publisher. His work has appeared in Mint, HuffPost, The Telegraph, Open, The Hindu, The Voice of Fashion, Mekong Review, Index on Censorship, CNN Style, and other Indian and international publications. He is the author of two books for young readers, published by Penguin Random House and Pratham Books respectively. Currently, he works as a learning designer with an ed-tech organization.
Kavery Nambisan started her writing career with children’s books. Her adult novels include The Scent of Pepper, A Story that Must Not be Told and A Town Like Ours. Her non-fiction book A Luxury Called Health is her most recent work. She also contributes articles and essays to national newspapers and international anthologies. She went to Iowa University on an international writing fellowship; to Pakistan on a Fullbright and Iowa sponsored literary progamme; to Shanghai as a writer in residence with her late husband and poet Vijay Nambisan. Kavery graduated in medicine from St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, did her higher surgical training in the UK and obtained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. She has since built her career working as a surgeon in rural India including parts of Bihar, UP and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Kavery Nambisan lives and works in Kodagu.
Swati Thiyagarajan is a multi-award-winning conservation journalist who pioneered conservation and wildlife reporting for television in India. She is the former Environment Editor of NDTV and helmed and created one of their flagship shows Born Wild. She authored the book Born Wild, Journeys into the wild hearts of India and Africa. She is also a documentary filmmaker, her film The Animal Communicator has racked up over 8 million views on YouTube since 2012 and is available on Amazon Prime in the US and UK. She was the Associate Producer on the Academy Award winning My Octopus Teacher and is at present working for the Sea Change Project in Cape Town.
21, Oct 2023
CyberPeace Foundation receives $4 million Google.org grant to help 40 million people combat misinformation across India
New Delhi, 21 October 2023: To help empower Indian internet users with skills to make them resilient to misinformation, and embrace responsible online behavior, Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, has announced it is providing a new grant of US$ 4 million (approx INR 32 crores) to support a nationwide awareness and capability building initiative by the India- headquartered Cybersecurity advocacy global non-profit CyberPeace Foundation. The grant will support the initiative in reaching over 40 million internet users across India, including underserved beneficiaries such as youth, women, rural communities, elderly, through trainings and community engagement programs.
Additionally, the grant will support a multilingual online resource center that will offer 650 hours worth of free multimedia content and learning materials on identifying and countering misinformation and developing responsible online content, in English and 15 Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Odia (Oriya), Malayalam, Punjabi, Assamese, Maithili, Santali, Kashmiri. The online resource center will also include the establishment of helplines across states and regional clusters that will help identify misinformation and share advisories against it, as well as teams composed of experts in digital forensics, social media, and fact-checkers, providing real-time support to ecosystem stakeholders to contain the spread and public impact of new-age cyber threats and misinformation campaigns.
Explaining the initiative, Vineet Kumar, Founder of CyberPeace, said: “In an era in which digital is deeply intertwined with our lives, knowing how to discern, act on, and share the credible from the wealth of information available online is critical to our wellbeing, and of our families and communities. Through this initiative, we’re committing to help Internet users across India become informed, empowered, and responsible netizens leading through conversations and actions. Whether it’s in fact-checking information before sharing it or refraining from sharing unverified news, we all play an important role in building a web that is a safe and inclusive space for everyone, and we are extremely grateful to Google.org for propelling us forward in this mission with their grant support.”
Annie Lewin, Senior Director of Global Advocacy and Head of Asia Pacific, Google.org said: “We have a longstanding commitment to supporting changemakers using technology to solve humanity’s biggest challenges. And, the innovation and zeal of Indian nonprofit organizations has inspired us to deepen our commitment in India. With the new grant to CyberPeace Foundation, we are proud to support solutions that speak directly to Google’s DNA, helping first-time internet users chart their path in a digital world with confidence. Such solutions give us pride and hope that each step, built on a strong foundation of trusted information, will translate into progress for all.”
All the content developed and disseminated through this initiative will be informed by extensive field and secondary research on methods for encouraging responsible content creation, and on mechanisms and measures for effectively countering misinformation and online threats.
To scale and sustain the program’s impact, CyberPeace Foundation will leverage its strong track record in advocacy and stakeholder engagement to engage approximately 100 local ecosystem partners – including prominent educational institutions with strong programs in information technology and media studies, media organizations, government entities, international bodies, as well as other non-profits promoting internet safety and digital literacy – to cascade its content and resources across India.
20, Oct 2023
How to Plan a Road Trip for this Festive Season
A festive season trip is an incredible way to celebrate the season with your loved ones. Ideally, with the long weekend and many days off approaching, a road trip is a perfect option for traveling with your family, giving you the opportunity to bond, share joy, and create lasting memories together. If you’re considering going on one this time, here’s an easy guide on how to plan a road trip this season.
Choose a destination and plan your itinerary
Start by selecting a destination that aligns with your interests. It’s a good idea to choose a destination that isn’t too far away for your first road trip. You should research your destination thoroughly to create an itinerary that includes must-visit attractions, local festivities, and special events. Planning your activities in advance ensures you make the most of your trip.
For those who wish to skip this hassle, the Mappls KOGO app is a great solution. The all-in-one travel platform’s AI Trip Maker helps users pick a destination based on their interests and budget, and it generates comprehensive, personalized itineraries within seconds. These itineraries include routes, accommodations, experiences, restaurants, and attractions, all bookable at competitive prices.
Choose a vehicle
Decide if you’re using your own vehicle or renting one. While it depends on the number of passengers, the terrain you’ll encounter, and your budget, having a car is usually a preferred choice. Not only is it a convenient mode of travel, but it is also safe in case of weather or other uncertainties.
Renting self-drive vehicles has been a very popular option amongst youngsters lately. Service providers such as IndusGo, ZoomCar, and Revv offer a range of well-maintained, clean, and insured cars that suit one’s needs to ensure a hassle-free road trip experience.
Book accommodation
During the festive season, popular destinations can become crowded. It’s advisable to book your accommodation in advance to ensure you have a place to stay without paying hiked prices. Online OTAs, depending on your budget and location, can list a wide range of lodging options, including resorts, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, or even unique holiday rentals such as BnBs.
Pack your essentials and check your documents
Packing for a road trip is a balance of practicality and holiday spirit. It’s extremely important to pack essentials like clothes, toiletries, a first-aid kit, and any specific items you’ll need for the destination you plan to visit. If travelling with family or kids, you can also carry easy-to-play travel games for fun. Simultaneously, ensure that you have all your travel documents, including your Aadhaar, driver’s licence, vehicle registration, and any permits needed for specific regions. It’s generally advised to keep soft copies of all these important documents to be safe in case of theft or loss.
Know and respect the local customs
Before starting your trip, it’s important to acquaint yourself with the local customs and traditions of your chosen destination. Respect should be shown adhering to appropriate attire and behaviours, particularly if you intend to partake in local festivities. Be mindful of varying religious and cultural practices, and interact with the local community with cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Ensure safety
Safety is of great importance on any trip. Before leaving, one should check for the vehicle’s brakes, tires, and engine. A first-aid kit, emergency tools, and a spare car phone charger should be carried. It is also advised to plan your routes in advance and have a downloaded map or GPS navigation system with you.
Explore and enjoy
While it’s important to have a well-planned itinerary, don’t forget to leave room for spontaneity. Take breaks to appreciate the picturesque landscapes and savour the simple pleasures of the road. You can embrace the spirit of adventure and be open to unexpected discoveries. Exploring local markets, trying regional dishes, and engaging with the locals will help you truly immerse yourself in the festive ambiance and make the most of the trip.
20, Oct 2023
IndianOil felicitates teams from Yerawada Central Jail & Bhopal Children Correctional Home
Pune: In a remarkable showcase of talent and dedication, the Indian teams, represented by Yerwada Central Jail Pune, and Children Correctional Home, Bhopal, have clinched the Gold Medal in the Open and Youth Categories respectively at the Intercontinental “Chess for Freedom” online chess championship for prisoners.
Felicitating the team members from both locations, Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil said, “My heartiest congratulations to both the teams for making us and India shine at this global stage. We are extremely proud of this ‘beyond business’ intervention and successes like this give us confidence to further invest in such social stewardship initiatives that have the potential to truly make a difference at the grassroots. This remarkable achievement will further strengthen our resolve to uplift the lives of inmates and offer resilience, hope, and second chances.”
The teams have been coached under Parivartan – Prison to Pride, a flagship social stewardship initiative by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, to rehabilitate prison inmates and juveniles across the country through various sports coaching programs. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has covered 105 prison and juvenile homes, 29 states, and UT over 5,000 inmates and juveniles in five phases.
In the open category, a team from Yerawada Central Jail Pune, who had secured a bronze in the previous edition, beat El Salvador in a climatic showdown to win the title. The team from Children Correctional Center, Bhopal, clinched a convincing win against Serbia to come out on top in the finals.
Previously, to select the teams for the championship, the Corporation and All India Chess Federation had jointly organized the second ‘Parivartan – Prison to Pride Online Chess Tournament’ in September 2023 wherein a total of 21 prisons and correctional homes across India participated in this unique event. The Corporation, in association with the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and Prison Authorities, has provided essential facilities for the tournament, including training, computers, and internet access to all participating Indian prisons.
This three-day tournament, organized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) from October 11-13, 2023, aimed to promote chess as a valuable tool for the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals. The tournament brought together 118 teams from 50 countries, representing all continents, offering inmates a unique opportunity to connect with peers across the globe.
20, Oct 2023
Infiniti Mall’s Navratri celebrations filled with dance, color and joy
Mumbai’s leading shopping, entertainment, and dining destination, Infiniti Mall welcomes audiences for an extravagant Navratri celebration at its Malad location. A chance for all the garba enthusiasts to shake a leg to the energetic and lively beats of conventional classical music.
The celebrations at the mall commenced on 16th October and will conclude on 24th October 2023. With a zestful live DJ on weekdays and a vivacious live orchestra on the weekends, visitors are provided an opportunity to celebrate the festival with a communal spirit. Navratri, a festival to dance your hearts out with everlasting devotion is celebrated on a grand scale across Mumbai with utmost enthusiasm. Infiniti Mall invites patrons to embellish themselves in the most authentic traditional garba couture and twirl under the high colorful chandeliers.
To further encapsulate the festive spirit, the mall has been adorned with plus decor adding to the surging excitement and creating a captivating atmosphere. Infiniti Mall awaits you and your family to join them for some fun celebrations.
Details:
Event: Navratri Garba Dhoom
Date: 16th October to 24th October, 2023
Time: 6.30 PM onwards
Venue: Infiniti Mall, Malad
20, Oct 2023
Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, Bengaluru Presents its 10th Edition Natya Parampara Utsav 2023
Bangalore-20th Oct 2023: Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, Bengaluru Presents its 10th edition Natya Parampara Utsav 2023. The event is curated by Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, Kuchipudi Exponent and Life Trustee Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, Bangalore
Day & Date: Saturday, 28th October 2023
Time: 6:00 pm Onwards
Venue: Ramana Maharishi Heritage Auditorium
Post Office Road, 2nd Street RMV Extension Nagashetty Halli,
Sanjayanagara, Bangalore – 560094
Entry Free: All are welcome
Programmes will include Recognition and honouring the works of senior KuchipudiGuru of the Traditional Kuchipudi family Guru Bhagavatula Mohan Rao from Rajahmundry and Hari & Chethana Kathak Exponents of Bangalore. “BhavaNuta” Kuchipudi Natyam conceived and choreographed by Deepa Narayanan Sashindran will be presented by Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation Ensemble, This Kuchipudi Production is based on Adhyatma Ramayana of Sri Munepalli Subramanya Kavi, lyrics compiled by Rajani Malladi, Music composition by Karnataka Kalashree G Gurumurthy.
Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, Bengaluru a Non-Profit Trust founded by Kuchipudi Exponent and Life Trustee Deepa Narayanan Sashindran is presently offering systematic Kuchipudi dance training and choreography in Bengaluru and Globally to bring forth artists of high calibre.
20, Oct 2023
Rapido collaborates with Bengaluru Traffic Police to enhance road safety
Bengaluru, October 20, 2023: Rapido, India’s leading bike taxi platform, collaborated with Bengaluru Traffic Police to organize an awareness drive by distributing helmets and raincoats to 200 traffic policemen at Shalini Ground, Jayanagara on 19th October 2023. The occasion was graced by Shiva Prakash Devaraju IPS, DCP, Traffic, South Division, Bengaluru, Government of Karnataka, and T. Mahadeva, ACP, Jayanagar Police Station.
In a meaningful gesture, Shiva Prakash Devaraju and T. Mahadeva personally distributed 100 helmets to Rapido bike taxi captains and took the opportunity to speak about the importance of road safety. The company believes that safeguarding riders and law enforcement officers is a shared responsibility, and this endeavor underlines that commitment.
Furthermore, Rapido is also actively investing in enhancing the infrastructure available to traffic police officers. By installing modern traffic police booths at 15 strategic locations throughout the city, including prominent areas like Shalini Ground in Jayanagar 5th Block, Jayanagar Metro Station Signal, Chunchaghatta Signal, 100 Feet Road Sarakki, Delmia Signal, and Forum Mall Signal.
Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido, stressed on the significance of road safety and the partnership with Bengaluru Traffic Police, stating, “At Rapido, we have always placed safety as our top priority. We are excited to team up with the dedicated officers of Bengaluru Traffic Police to further our mission of enhancing road safety in the city. This collaboration highlights our commitment to ensure safer streets in Bengaluru. Together with our esteemed partners, we aim to make a positive impact on road safety for all residents and commuters in the city.”
During the event, Shiva Prakash Devaraju IPS, DCP, Traffic, South Division, Bengaluru said “I extend my first and foremost thanks to Rapido for their remarkable initiatives. It’s noteworthy that Bengaluru currently holds the second position nationwide, just behind Delhi, in terms of the number of two-wheelers on its roads. Based on the current registration trends, it’s foreseeable that in the next 2 to 3 years, Bengaluru will become the city with the most two-wheelers in the country. On this trajectory, Rapido will surpass 20,000 bikes. There are two crucial facets to consider: from the perspective of bike taxi captains, ensuring timely and efficient pick-up and drop-off services for customers is paramount; from the viewpoint of traffic police, irrespective of the mode of transport, our shared objectives remain consistent – promoting safe transportation and mitigating traffic congestion. It is imperative that bike taxi captains establish and maintain regular communication with traffic police officials. Furthermore, I emphasize that prioritizing the use of helmets should be your foremost concern, promoting the safety and well-being of both riders and passengers alike.”
T. Mahadeva, ACP, Jayanagar Police Station, Bengaluru said “Every day, we encounter a multitude of challenges in our daily work routine. The rise in individuals disregarding traffic regulations and the increasing frequency of signal violations are becoming pressing concerns. Nonetheless, we have surveillance cameras strategically positioned at various traffic signals, which continuously monitor and record infractions. Our Traffic Management Center (TMC) diligently processes and registers between 40,000 to 50,000 cases online each day. This robust system underscores the need for Rapido drivers to exhibit responsible behavior by strictly adhering to traffic regulations and working in tandem with our dedicated traffic police officers. By doing so, we play a crucial role in fostering the transformation of Bangalore into a city known for its international standard of safety and responsible driving.”
In addition to providing safety gear, Rapido is actively engaged in promoting safety awareness among its bike taxi captains and the larger two-wheeler rider community. The company educates riders on the importance of adhering to traffic rules, wearing protective gear, and practicing responsible riding behavior. Rapido has distributed 100 helmets throughout India to promote road safety and has previously collaborated with the Noida Traffic Police to enhance road safety.
20, Oct 2023
From Kiara Advani, Raashii Khanna, to Samantha Prabhu, Rashmika Mandanna : 5 Actresses Dominating Pan-India Cinema
The Indian film industry is undergoing a transformation with the rise of Pan-India movies. These films, often made in multiple languages, are bringing together talent from across the country. Among the many actors and actresses making a mark in this new era of Indian cinema, here are a few talented women who are taking the industry by storm.
1. Samantha Prabhu:
Samantha Prabhu, known for her work in Telugu and Tamil cinema, has also ventured into the digital space. Her acting in films like “Rangasthalam” and “Oh! Baby”, has garnered critical acclaim while her latest Netflix film “Kushi” in both Hindi and Telugu is doing wonders at the Pan-India level. Samantha’s willingness to experiment with roles and genres has earned her a dedicated fan base.
2. Kiara Advani:
Kiara Advani’s journey from Bollywood to Pan-Indian cinema has been remarkable. Her breakthrough role in the Telugu film “Bharat Ane Nenu” opposite Mahesh Babu catapulted her to stardom. Her impressive work in Hindi and Telugu films, including “Kabir Singh” and “Laxmii,” , “Satyaprem Ki Katha”, and “Jugjugg Jeeyo” solidified her position as a Pan-India actress. She is now working on Ram Charan Starrer Game Changer which is said to be a pan-Indian film directed by S. Shankar.
3. Pooja Hegde:
Pooja Hegde has emerged as a prominent actress in the Telugu and Hindi film industries. Her roles in Telugu movies like “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo” and “Radhe Shyam” have showcased her acting prowess. Hegde, who also featured in films such as “Beast”, and “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan”, will play the female lead in an upcoming action thriller film, headlined by Shahid Kapoor.
4. Raashii Khanna:
With her captivating performances in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films, Raashii Khanna has earned a reputation as a versatile actress. Her acting skills and on-screen charisma have made her a sought-after name in Pan-India cinema. The actress has started shooting for her upcoming film starring Siddu Jonnalgadda called “Telusu Kada” which attracted a lot of attention with its recently released teaser. Making her Bollywood film debut with Dharma Productions’ “Yodha” Raashii Khanna will be seen opposite Sidharth Malhotra soon.
5. Rashmika Mandanna:
Rashmika Mandanna, often referred to as the “Karnataka Crush,” has been a revelation in the South Indian film industry. Her films such as “Mission Majnu”, ” Pushpa The Rise- Part 1″, and “Sita Ramam” are speedingly carving her Pan-Indian image. Rashmika’s refreshing screen presence and natural acting have made her a popular choice for Pan-India projects.
The world of Indian cinema is witnessing a refreshing wave of talented actresses who are not confined by regional boundaries. Raashii Khanna, Kiara Advani, Pooja Hegde, Samantha Prabhu, and Rashmika Mandanna are just a few examples of actresses who are making their presence felt in Pan-India movies.
19, Oct 2023
ADAMA India Supports The Akshaya Patra Foundation to Nourish Children’s Future
Bangalore, 19th October 2023 — ADAMA India, a leading agricultural solutions provider, reaffirms its dedication to supporting The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s mission to provide nutritious mid-day meal food to government & government-aided school children. With a vision centered on nourishing communities and empowering the next generation, ADAMA India is proud to stand alongside farmers and contribute to a brighter future.
ADAMA India’s longstanding commitment to The Akshaya Patra Foundation has been marked by significant support. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the company provided 4000 happiness kits, reaching even the most remote areas, including Bellary, Srikakulam, Nagpur, and Baran. These kits brought hope and relief to families facing adversity.
In addition to this, ADAMA extended its support by providing sanitization kits in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Guntur, contributing to public health and safety efforts during the pandemic.
In the fiscal year 2021-22, ADAMA India’s contributions amounted to a total sponsorship of 30.98 Lakhs for Happiness Kits, Sanitization kits, and the Mid-Day Meal program at the Mangalagiri location. This commitment continued into the fiscal year 2022-23, with a total sponsorship of 31.72 Lakhs, which included the donation of two vehicles costing 15.86 lakhs each.
The latest initiatives include the inauguration of a vehicle in Bhubaneshwar on September 12, 2023, and another in Varanasi on July 15, 2023. These vehicles have a capacity of 1.91 tons and 1.7 tons, respectively, benefiting over 5500 children and supplying a remarkable 64,970 meals per location.
Ramesh Reddy, Head of Sales – North, ADAMA India, expressed the company’s ethos: “In ADAMA, we take pride in closely working with the farmers and helping them protect their crops. We value our farmers’ hard work in growing food for us, and ensuring every child gets quality food is our way of giving it back to society. We believe nutritious food will keep them healthy and encourage them to pursue education for a successful future.”
Mr. Anant Arora, Chief Sustainability and Communication Officer of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said, “We are grateful for ADAMA India’s continued commitment to providing nutritious mid-day meals to government and government-aided school children. Their unwavering support has enabled us to reach even the most remote areas and provide much-needed relief to families facing adversity. Their generosity is a testament to their commitment to nourishing communities and empowering the next generation.”
ADAMA India remains dedicated to fostering positive change in communities, ensuring that no child goes hungry, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
