17, Oct 2023
‘I don’t have deadlines or a flow chart to live life by’ – shares Maanvi Gagroo while talking about her latest release Half Love Half Arranged
Mumbai, 17 October 2023: Amazon miniTV –Amazon’s free video streaming service, the latest rom-com series-‘Half Love Half Arranged, is the perfect blend of emotions, taking viewers on an exhilarating journey with a millennial gynaecologist, Riya Tanwar. The series explores the world of arranged dating in the middle of crazy matches, weird situations, hilarious moments, and love jitters. Maanvi Gagroo is seen in the lead role portraying the life of a modern career-oriented woman caught up in the mess of relationships and marriage, alongside her co-star Karan Wahi.
Talking about her character, Maanvi shared, “She’s the oldest daughter of a Rajouri Garden family and a Type A personality. She’s a gynecologist by profession and is nearing the end of her 30-year marriage goal. But her long-term boyfriend dumps her. With renewed vengeance, she starts on a groom search. Supported by her Bua, a matchmaker, her parents, her best friend, and her life’s flow chart.” She also mentioned the resemblance between her character, Riya, and herself in real life. “Some situations for sure. I mean I don’t have deadlines or a flow chart to live life by, but certain aspects of her life, such as her relationships with her family and friends, felt familiar,” she added.
Sharing her perception about the uniqueness of the show, she mentioned how the narrative adds freshness and brings out different emotions at once. “I think its treatment is very fresh. And that newness lends itself to every department. I mean, it’s not a sitcom, but it is, it’s not a rom-com, but it is”, she shared.
Get ready to relish romance in the middle of modern love and arranged dating filled with laughter, with Riya and Jogi in Half Love Half Arranged. The series is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV available on Amazon’s shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Play Store.
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- By Rabindra
17, Oct 2023
Saba Azad gets candid about her recent show Who’s Your Gynac? says, “It felt real and relatable.”
Mumbai, 17 October 2023: Amazon miniTV- Amazon’s free video streaming service is making headlines for its latest medical drama – Who’s Your Gynac? The show is an interesting take on women’s sexual health that follows the journey of Dr. Vidhushi Kothari, an OB without a baby who believes in being friends with her patients. The series features Karishma Singh, Kunal Thakur, and Aaron Koul, along with the talented Saba Azad, in pivotal roles. Saba is being lauded for her exceptional performance in the series and shares takeaways from the show.
On being asked what made her say ‘YES’ to the show, Saba said, “It read pretty funny on the page, which is rare, usually you have to whip the comedy out of situations and timing on set. This was already in place and felt relatable and light enough to say a loaded thing we otherwise shy away from speaking of and have it be effectively absorbed without much ado.”
Unfold the journey of a Gynac filled with drama, emotions, love, and quirky-confused patients with Who’s Your Gynac? streaming live on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Playstore.
17, Oct 2023
Tahira’s short film Toffee was selected 6 years back on the same date for MAMI as her debut feature film Sharmjee Ji Ki Beti
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, a passionate filmmaker and advocate for girls’ and women’s stories, has seen her journey unfold in a remarkable way. Her first short film, “TOFFEE,” premiered at the prestigious MAMI Film Festival in 2017. Now, in 2023, her debut feature film, “SHARMAJEE KI BETI,” is set to have its world premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival.
What makes this journey even more surreal is that both films were announced on the same day, just six years apart. This unique connection makes us even more excited to see another humane story, woven with the themes of humor, vividness, and uniqueness.
In her recent Instagram post, Tahira also shared a heartfelt note by her daughter, and how it shall always be a source of inspiration from a fiery, independent young girl. As she progresses from #storiesinmyhead to #storiesinyourheart, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s impact on cinema and her advocacy for women’s stories remain a powerful force. Her first short film ‘Toffee’ left an inedible mark, and now with “Sharmajee Ki Beti” having its world premiere at the illustrious MAMI Film Festival, we are ready to be moved, inspired, and uplifted!
16, Oct 2023
ATA Carnet, a passport for goods, facilitates green channel route for doing business in India and Abroad!
Hyderabad, October 16th, 2023: FICCI hosted the Workshop on ‘ATA Carnet’ at Hyatt Place, Hyderabad, today. ATA Carnet is an International uniform customs document issued in 79 countries including India and is considered as a passport for goods, which facilitates the green channel route for doing business in India and Abroad.
Mr D. P. Naidu, IRS, Principal Commissioner, Hyderabad Customs Commissionerate; delivered the Keynote address at the Workshop. Mr Satish Kumar Reddy, Trade Facilitation Expert and Consultant, ADB; enlightened the audience on ‘Customs Perspective on ATA Carnet’; Ms S. Vijayalakshmi, Director, FICCI addressed the gathering on ‘FICCI’s Role on ATA Carnet, Application Procedures & its benefits. Mr Chakravarthi AVPS, Chair, International Trade, FTCCI; Mr Sumeet Gupta, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI; and Mr Suresh Kumar Singhal, Senior Vice President, FTCCI; spoke on the occasion.
ATA Carnet is an International Uniform Customs document issued in 79 countries including India, which are parties to the Customs Convention on ATA Carnet. It permits duty-free temporary admission of goods into a member country without the need to raise customs bonds, payment of duty, and fulfillment of other customs formalities in one or a number of foreign countries. ATA Carnet simplifies the customs procedures and clearance in a foreign land, without payment of duty or a bank guarantee for temporary import into that Country. The initials “ATA” are an acronym of the French and English word “Admission Temporaire / Temporary Admission.” Like a passport for goods, ATA Carnet (pronounced Karnay) allows for the goods for which it was issued to enter any of the participating countries for up to one year.
ATA Convention is signed by 79 countries around the world, the system is a perfect illustration of how close cooperation between business and customs can facilitate and stimulate international trade. Each country in the system has a single guaranteeing body approved by the national customs authorities and the ICC World Chambers Federation. The National Guaranteeing Association is entitled to issue Carnets and to authorize local chambers on the national territory to deliver them on its behalf. In major trading nations, dozens of local chambers have that authority. In India, FICCI has been appointed as the National Issuing and Guaranteeing Association (NIGA) for the operation of the ATA Carnet system.
This service is available to exhibitors at trade fairs, business and sales executives, and traveling professionals, such as film crews, architects, artists, engineers, entertainers, photographers, sports teams, and many more. A single Carnet covers visits to an unlimited number of ATA countries in a year. It thus provides a simple and speedy way to travel abroad with business materials, saving both time and money.
Speaking on the occasion Mr D. P. Naidu said that in Hyderabad mainly, the media, cinema, and entertainment sectors have been using ATA Carnet and not much by other sectors. Major usage was during the formula racing in Hyderabad when cars were imported and exported back. With this awareness initiative of FICCI, more and more may come forward to use this facility. I assure you that Hyderabad customs will be at the forefront in facilitating any ATA Carnet utilization. Hyderabad Air Cargo has an International courier terminal for export at the International airport, we are facilitating courier imports also in a couple of weeks, currently import courier comes through Bangalore.
A lot of trade facilitation measures have been undertaken by the Indian Customs Department, as part of the Government of India’s reforms toward trade liberalization or globalization. Starting from the electronic data the EDI system, an electronic portal for import and export, and the risk management system, where instead of a physical examination of each and every consignment, 90% of consignments are cleared through the risk management system, where the system identifies and gives clearance, only a few cases, the system selects for examination or assessment. We have also a self-assessment for the importers and exporters to assess themselves. As part of ease of doing business lot of other measures have been adopted, the latest being the Turant customs, through which customs brought various partner agencies on a single platform to ensure swift online clearance by everyone.
Through Turant customs assessment is faceless, paperless, and contactless, there is uniformity in assessment and faster facilitation. We also have 24/7 customs clearance in Hyderabad air cargo, though not many people are using it. There is also Direct Port Delivery, where the containers of imported goods can go directly to the factory of the persons who are recognized, instead of opening and examining them, which takes a lot of time.
Similarly, for exports there is a direct port entry, where self-sealing is done at the factory and directly goes to the port, there is no need for the CFS and other formalities. There is an Authorised Economic Operators Program, where certain categories of exporters who are recognized by the department, for whom duty payment differs and faster clearance is accorded. The vision for customs is to use technology to our advantage, facilitate better and faster trade management, reduce dwell time, and reduce logistic costs, which helps make our goods less expensive and we get more export market.
Mr Satish Kumar Reddy said, ATA Carnet is not very popular yet in India, so there is huge potential for it. ATA Carnet is an instrument for temporary admission of goods into one or more countries and bring them back and also bring goods to India and send them back. It’s a globally recognized instrument by approximately a hundred countries and usage is widespread in many countries. It’s useful for sending goods for display at Fairs and exhibitions, for sending commercial samples, for sending equipment for a temporary purpose like media cameras coming from abroad for the World Cup, etc. Annually goods worth $26 are traded under Carnet.
This system works by appointing a national Association in every country, either for issuing the carnet for exporting or for importing to guarantee it. There’s often one association that does both in each country and in India it is FICCI. Carnet provides for duty-free temporary import and temporary export, with no duties involved, and is a very simple custom formality. Carnet serves as a customs declaration, bill of entry, and shipping document and one need not file any other document, this itself is a bond or BG. The Association that issues it will guarantee to Customs that in case of breach or re-export doesn’t happen, the Association will compensate Customs. Carnet is valid for one year and the goods have to be returned in a year.
Advantages of ATA Carnet System
· The ATA Carnet System offers advantages to the customs authorities and the trading community, including individuals, enterprises, and trade organizations who need temporary duty-free importation facilities to prospect outlets for their products on foreign markets.
· ATA Carnet does away with the need for a customs document at each border point, reducing paperwork for customs officials and Carnet holders.
· For businesses, ATA Carnet does away with the need for the deposit of a personal or real guarantee at the border point of each country of temporary admission.
o For both the Carnet holder and the customs: no further customs document needs to be completed nor any other security produced upon arrival in the territory of temporary admission.
· ATA carnet is valid for one year. During this period its holder can use it abroad for the goods covered, for as many trips as he wishes from his home country to one or more of the other countries.
o This is particularly useful if the holder of the ATA Carnet intends to import goods temporarily into various countries in the course of the same journey, e.g. if a commercial traveler wishes to show samples to a number of potential buyers in different countries.
· For customs, the use of the ATA Carnet entails less administrative work and increased customs safety since the payment of import duties and taxes is guaranteed by the Guaranteeing Association affiliated with the ATA guarantee chain in the territory of temporary admission. The guarantee is automatic, and the customs need not check its validity for each carnet.
In addition, the system does not affect the revenue of the nation since the goods covered by the ATA Carnets are intended for re-exportation and not at all for sale in the country of temporary admission. The system is “self-policing” in that, should the Carnet holder fail to re-export the goods within the period of validity of the Carnet, duties become payable.
ATA Carnet in India – Operationalized by Notification No. 157/90 Customs, as amended.
Initially in India, the ATA Carnet system dealt with only those goods covered under the government-approved exhibitions/fairs or similar events. However, with effect from 5th October 2016, CBIC vide Notification No. 58/2016-Cus extended the scope of ATA Carnet to cover private exhibitions/fairs or similar events.
The scope of the system has been further expanded vide CBIC Notification No. 04/2018 dated 18th January 2018 to cover professional equipment meant for TV/film shoots, press/media coverage, sporting events, testing & calibration, etc.
16, Oct 2023
HDFC Bank introduces its ‘Bank on Wheels’ van in, Ashok Circle, Koppal, Karnataka
October 16, 2023, Ashok Circle Koppal, Karnataka: HDFC Bank has introduced a state-of-the-art ‘Bank on Wheels’ van in Ashok Circle, Koppal District of Karnataka. With this initiative, HDFC Bank is taking banking to people’s doorstep in semi-urban & rural geographies to provide access to banking in Karnataka. Earlier bank had introduced the ‘Bank on Wheels’ van in B C Road Bantwal.
Karnataka becomes the eighth state after Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka & West Bengal where HDFC Bank has launched its ‘Bank on Wheels’ initiative.
With this initiative, HDFC Bank has taken banking to people’s doorstep in semi-urban & rural geographies to provide access to banking products and services in all districts of Ashok Circle Koppal.
The ‘Bank on Wheels’ van was flagged off by Shri. Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji Gavimath, Shri. K Raghavendra, Hitnal Member of Legislative Assembly, Shri. Nalini Atul I.A.S Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Shri. Captain Mahesh Malagitti Assistant Commissioner, Shri. Sanjay Kotbal Charted Accountant, Mr. Imran Patcha Circle Head – Retail Branch Banking – South 2, Mr. Hanamanthsa M S – Cluster Head, Retail Branch Banking, and other senior officials of HDFC Bank.
Commenting on the introduction of the ‘Bank of Wheels’ van in Karnataka, Mr. Anil Bhavnani, Sr. Executive Vice President, and Head of Rural Banking, RBB, HDFC Bank said: “We are pleased to take banking to people’s doorstep with the launch of Bank on Wheels Van. There is an enormous opportunity to serve people living in semi-urban and rural areas and this initiative will improve access to banking in under-banked geographies and key congregation points in all districts of Karnataka”.
The van will offer a number of banking services, including Cash Deposit Machine and ATM services, and an exclusive range of products designed specifically for rural banking customers. Going forward, we plan to launch this initiative in several other states.”
The following products and services will be available on the ‘Bank on Wheels’ van:
| Products | Services |
| Savings Account | Cash Withdrawal |
| Farmers Account | Cash Deposit |
| Current Account | Cheque Deposit |
| Fixed Deposit Account | Aadhar Linking with Bank Account |
| Kisan Gold Card | Account Nomination |
| Gold Loan | Banking Queries |
| Tractor Loan | Mobile Banking |
| Car Loan | Digital Banking With UPI |
| Two-wheeler Loan | Financial Literacy |
| Home Loan | Social security scheme by GOI |
| Dukandaar Express Overdraft |
16, Oct 2023
Prestige Group extends a helping hand to Blind Schools and Orphanages on World Food Day
October 16, 2023, Bangalore — Prestige Group, a leading real estate developer in India, takes immense pride in announcing its steadfast commitment to making a meaningful impact on World Food Day. In a heartwarming gesture, the company is extending assistance to blind schools, old age homes, and orphanages across Bangalore. This unique initiative underscores Prestige Group’s unwavering dedication to social responsibility.
World Food Day, observed on October 16th, serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role that food plays in our lives. It highlights the critical importance of food security and hunger relief. In alignment with this, Prestige Group has united to raise awareness about food-related concerns and work towards eradicating hunger.
Prestige Group has generously contributed a substantial quantity of non-perishable food items to various organizations in Bangalore that cater to visually impaired and orphaned youngsters. This endeavor not only addresses immediate food needs but also underscores the significance of supporting underprivileged segments of our society.
Ms Uzma Irfan, Director, of Corporate Communications, Prestige Group, stated on this occasion, “We believe that true success is measured not only in business achievements but also in the positive impact we create in the lives of those in need. On World Food Day, we continue our commitment to making a genuine difference in our society by extending a helping hand to blind schools and orphanages. With compassion and action, we can improve the lives of others.”
Lt. Col. Milan Khurana (Retd), Executive Director of Human Resources at Prestige Group, expressed, “At Prestige Group, we are deeply committed to enriching lives beyond the realm of our business endeavors. On World Food Day, we extend our support to the needy. This aligns with our core values and we firmly believe that by collaborating, we can create a significant impact to brighten the future of these exceptional individuals.”
During the distribution event, Prestige Group employees personally delivered food supplies to the beneficiary institutions. It was a day brimming with compassion, joy, and the spirit of generosity, all of which epitomize the organization’s guiding principles.
Prestige Group urges other businesses and individuals to work together to make a difference in their areas on World Food Day. Small acts of kindness may have a big impact on those who are less privileged.
16, Oct 2023
ZEE Bangla Unveils a Grand Design Refresh, Welcomes Durga Pujo Season with Enhanced Viewer Experience
Kolkata, October 16, 2023: Zee Bangla, a prominent name in the Bangla Entertainment industry, has ushered in the festive season of Durga Pujo with a spectacular unveiling of its redesigned aesthetics, dedicated to enhancing the overall viewing experience. Timed perfectly with the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya, the channel’s design philosophy now reflects the rich cultural heritage of Bengal, embracing the vibrant spirit that defines the region. Central to this transformation is the symbol of the ‘fish’, deeply ingrained in Bengali culture. An omnipresent figure in the life of every Bengali, the ‘fish’ marks this new beginning with the promise of success, prosperity, and progress.
The innovative design strategy, rooted in the latest advancements in “Neuroscience,” maximizes business impact by boosting brand partner visibility and ensuring greater platform recall. This scientific approach, built on a holistic understanding of the consumer journey across broadcast and digital platforms, enhances information retention and captures viewer attention for an unparalleled experience.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Mr. Samrat Ghosh, Chief Cluster Officer – East, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, “Zee Bangla has always been deeply connected with the hearts of the Bengali viewers. As we usher in the auspicious occasion of Pujo, we wanted to bring a fresh and enhanced viewing experience to our consumers, enabling them to rejoice in the festivities with their loved ones. To further deliver on our brand promise of ‘Notun Chhondey Likhbo Jibon’, this year we are urging each Bengali to take a resolution – ‘Amra Bhaalo Rakhbo Maa,’ – uniting all to pave the path toward a brighter tomorrow.”
Speaking on the new development, Mr. Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer – Content SBU, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “Our unwavering mission at ZEE has always been to consistently craft and deliver extraordinary experiences to our viewers. As our stories touch the lives of millions, our design philosophy, rooted in our ‘Soul to Screen’ approach, becomes an authentic reflection of our audience’s world. Led by this, Zee Bangla finds its new design expression in the ubiquitous ‘fish’ – a central figure, holding its place of pride in many traditions across Bengal. The fresh interface captures the Bangaliana energy and verve, symbolizing the channel’s zeal to chart its next phase of growth, further solidifying ZEE network’s commitment to continuously create value for our viewers and build a deeper connection with our brands.”
Navnita Chakraborty, Business Head – ZEE Bangla, added, “Our brand refresh is a celebration of the Bengali culture and takes inspiration from the vibrant spirit of our viewers. It represents our dedication to providing content that resonates and inspires. We are excited to embark on this journey and are confident that the audiences will continue to shower their love and support for Zee Bangla going forward as well.”
Zee Bangla’s metamorphosis revolves around the theme of ‘Vibrance,’ encapsulating the burgeoning inner strength and unwavering confidence of Naya Bharat that is venturing into uncharted territories with unparalleled vigour. This distinctive design philosophy finds its expression through the visual metaphor known as the ‘Circle of Spark,’ illuminating life’s most pivotal moments with impactful stories and aspirational characters.
In the spirit of elevating Pujo celebrations, Zee Bangla has given a unique twist to “Sabaike Bhalo Rakho Maa” – a phrase used in every Durga Puja with reverence. A promise to the Goddess of keeping everyone well has been brought to life with the new expression – “Amra Bhalo Rakhbo Maa” – an offering to the Goddess from all of us.
Furthermore, Zee Bangla is taking inspiration from the age-old Bangla saying, ‘Baro Mashe Tero Parbon,’ which translates to celebrating 13 festivals in just 12 months. The channel is recreating 10 of these rituals with its main characters, each engaging in various festivities. For instance, Porna will be part of the Kajol Utsav, while Simul and her friends will dance to Tushu’s tunes, adding a touch of nostalgia and the true essence of Bangaliana to this festive season. These hyper-local cultural expressions of ‘Banglar Utsab Banglar Garbo’ will allow Zee Bangla to connect at the grassroots level, depicting diverse festival celebrations across Bengal in our vibrant new brand world.
By creating inspiring, immersive, and interactive experiences, the new chapter in Zee Bangla’s journey aligns with the larger network-level effort to prioritize consistency in consumer experience, as it continues to navigate the ever-changing entertainment landscape.
16, Oct 2023
850+ Youth Leaders Attend the Girl Up India Leadership Summit 2023
New Delhi, Delhi – October 16, 2023: Across 2 pre-summit events leading up to the first-ever Girl Up India Leadership Summit, we brought together over 850 young leaders passionate about making a gender-just future a reality. Girl Up India is a girl-centered leadership development initiative with 700+ Clubs across 26 States and Union territories engaging over 25,000 young people in India. The Leadership Summit is Girl Up’s marquee event hosted globally every year since 2012.
The theme of the Girl Up India Leadership Summit 2023 was Future 2030. It fostered enriching, intergenerational conversations that aim to empower, educate, and activate the potential of young leaders. “Our vision was to bring together thought leaders in the movement for gender equality through an innovative girl-driven program. Today is not a moment but our steadfast commitment to the movement for gender equality,” said Girl Up India Country Director, Aditi Arora
The Summit was a day-long event designed to provide girls and youth with the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to become influential leaders in their communities and beyond. The Summit focused on several key topics related to girls’ and youth leadership development, including storytelling, entrepreneurship, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice, gender-based violence, disability rights, and STEM.
The Summit boasted a lineup of remarkable speakers. The day was illuminated by engaging panel discussions and fireside chats featuring powerful voices like Andrea Wojnar, Rajshri Deshpande, Leeza Mangaldas, Aanchal Malhotra, Supriya Paul, and youth champions like Ridhima Pandey and Artika Singh. Moreover, the UN Resident Coordinator for India, Mr. Shombi Sharp, and the incredible actor and producer, Dia Mirza, joined us to honor the exceptional
courage of youth who are working to change the face of our common future. Finally, the Summit came to a close with an inspiring address by Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu.
Speaking at the event, Actor, Producer & UN Secretary General’s Advocate for SDGs, Dia Mirza said, “It’s high time that we come together to break the barriers that hinder the growth and aspirations of 253 million adolescents in India. There’s a growing power in supporting each other out of hardships and let’s hold the door open so that other women can also pass through with us. It is important that we envision a future that includes girls’ leadership. I do believe in the power of empathy and I do believe that girls have infinite empathy, hence, together we can create a more peaceful, compassionate, and beautiful world.”
Greeting the audience, UN Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp said, “Namaskar, mujhe Girl Up Summit mein aakar bohot khushi huyi. We are seeing that India is a leader in terms of women’s engagement within peacekeeping programs, artificial intelligence-related fields and even landing on the Moon with Chandrayaan-3. The United Nations in India is incredibly honored to continue our partnership with the Govt., civil society, and business community towards supporting the all-important issue of our time – gender inequality and tapping the incredible diversity of India’s greatest youth generation.”
“I’m honored to be in a room full of people who’re hopeful and passionate about something. In many parts of the world, menstruation is still silenced, shamed, and stigmatized. That’s why, we announced the Global Menstrual Equity Accelerator on the Global Citizen Stage with the goal of helping 5 million girls in India by 2025. Let us remember that the journey towards gender equity involves unity, collaboration, and standing together as champions of change. You and I, believe in change,” said Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu while delivering an inspiring closing address.
About Girl Up: Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative founded by the UN Foundation. We believe in focusing on equity for girls and women in spaces where they are unheard of or underrepresented. Girl Up operates a global network of regional affiliates reaching 200,000 girls in 152 countries. It functions through 700+ youth Clubs across 26 states in India, engaging over 25,000 young leaders
16, Oct 2023
Saba Azad talks about her latest release Who’s Your Gynac?, and explains how observation is the key to get into the character
Mumbai, 16 October 2023: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, latest medical drama series, ‘Who’s Your Gynac?’ has received plenty of praise since its release, for its strong message and light-hearted narrative. The series is a beautiful exploration of emotions with a tinge of comedy, addressing women’s health concerns. Saba Azad is seen in the role of Dr. Vidushi, an OB-GYN who believes in being a friend of her patients, alongside her co-stars Karishma Singh, Kunal Thakur, and Aaron Koul.
Talking about key preparations for any role, Saba revealed how she believes in the power of observation. She said, “In addition to the obvious work of developing the character’s inner and outer world outside of the existing text, I believe that rehearsing and truly knowing your script is highly underrated. I can only speak for myself when I say rehearsal sets me free; it adds to my spontaneity as opposed to the popular notion that it actually takes it away. Also staying constantly curious helps, I like people watching. If you’ve been observant you can empathise or find a convincing connection with nearly any character, even if they’re totally different from you. Outside of that, it’s pretty straightforward — the script is god just do what it’s asked of you.”
Being praised for her impeccable comic timing in Who’s Your Gynac?, she further shared her perception of the comedic genre. “Comedy can be tricky, there is a fine line between being funny and over-the-top cringey. I have always enjoyed comedy and I find the script is the king as far as comedy goes. Does it come naturally to me? I don’t know, maybe. I am however unafraid to make a fool of myself on camera which helps in a way”, she shared.
Unfold the journey of a Gynac filled with drama, emotions, love, and quirky-confused patients with Who’s Your Gynac? streaming live on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Playstore.
16, Oct 2023
ABP Network’s ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit launched to a Grand Opening to celebrate the Spirit of South India
16th October 2023|Chennai Strengthening the endeavour to celebrate the collective progress and sociocultural richness of India’s Southern states, the first-ever edition of the ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit was launched today at Chennai.
Sharing the context and setting the overview of The Southern Rising Summit, Avinash Pandey, CEO, of ABP Network, said, “The South has already risen. It tells us that when Governance is dedicated to people to improve their health and education; it will be a success. The Southern states have the highest GDP and lowest population growth rates. The story of South is the story of the human spirit.”
Speaking on the role of the Governor, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, said, “The Governor is a bridge and a bridge not only to the central and state governments but also to the people. There should be a good relationship between the CM and Governor.”
In his keynote address, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Govt of Tamil Nadu, said, “A bigger conspiracy is being hatched to punish the Southern States for their good performance through the impending delimitation exercise of Lok Sabha Constituencies. In the 1970s, the Union Government promoted the population control program. The South Indian states implemented the program effectively. Their population growth rate slowed in comparison to states that did not implement the program well, whose population continued to grow at a higher rate. This effectively reduced the population share of the South Indian States. Today, this is being used against us. As you all would know, the Constitution mandates that each state must receive seats in proportion to its population, and constituencies should be of roughly equal size to the population.”
The event also witnessed the presence of renowned actor, Rana Daggubati, popular actress and director Revathy, and music composer, environmentalist and 3 times Grammy Award Winner Ricky Kej who shared their thoughts on a wide ranging issues during the Summit.
Speaking during a session titled ‘India on the World Stage: Rhythm Divine’, Ricky Kej, said,” When it comes to climate change, India is making significant strides. Concern in India on climate change is much larger than anywhere in the world.”
As the summit’s attendees hung on to every word, noted public intellectual, author, and commentator, Gurcharan Das’s session delivered an impassioned address on the pivotal role that freedom plays in shaping human progress. He eloquently stated, “A lot of people, like me, are in the middle of the political spectrum; and I am a liberal. Being a liberal, you are on a lonely road, as there’s no one to vote for.”
Amid the grandeur of Summit, an extraordinary musical journey unfolded in the form of “Making Music: Crafting A New Style.” Featuring the brilliant talents of Mahesh Raghvan and Nandini Shankar, two musical luminaries who have left an indelible mark on the world of music, this session enthralled the audience with its unique blend of tradition and innovation.
As the audience leaned in, P. Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology & Digital Services, Tamil Nadu, delved into the manifold benefits of federalism, remarked advocating for federalism in India stating, “The notion of democracy is that a thousand voices should be heard. We should try and figure out policies; if that doesn’t work, we should recalibrate and readjust.”
A compelling panel of political visionaries, who converged to explore the future of India in a session titled “Whose New India? Past, Imperfect, or Fast Forward.” The panel, featuring John Brittas, Narayanan Thirupathy, and M V Rajeev Gowda, delivered a mosaic of contrasting viewpoints.
John Brittas, a Member of Parliament (CPIM), said, “India is a multi-religious country and you can only have democracy when you have free and independent media. ” He further adds, “India has a rich history of welcoming all cultures and boasts a diverse heritage. South India is the home of reformists. With 18% of the population, we contribute 35% to the GDP.
Narayanan Thirupathy, Vice President of the BJP said, ” Many say BJP can’t have a foothold in Tamil Nadu. In the last 60 years, it is the BJP that has been growing in the state more than other parties. We have done very well; our booth committee is very strong. There is a big vacuum in the absence of Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi, and BJP will definitely fill the vacuum. Definitely, the BJP is going to form the government in 2026.”
Contributing to the discussion and presenting a unique angle M V Rajeev Gowda, Vice Chairperson, State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka and Ex-Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (INC) said “We are experiencing a BJP-free South India. In Karnataka, we saw corruption. The contractors wrote letters to the PM complaining about corruption. We need to provide people with fair prices and a safety net. This is something Congress will continue in the country. The Nyay scheme is also a safety net for people. We are expected to win Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh in a spectacular way.”
Countering to that John added, “The BJP can maintain its optimism, as everyone has the right to dream of coming to power in Tamil Nadu in 2026.”
In the session, “Mahatma Forever: Why We Need Him Now,” Prof. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal clarified that Gandhi did not seek immortality or was not keen on being relevant.
“It was the people from the South India who propelled Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi in South Africa towards’ struggle for India’s dignity in South Africa.” Prof. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, said speaking about the South Indian connect with Gandhi. He outlined, “No South India in South Africa, no freedom struggle led by Gandhi in India”
In a world where social media exerts a profound influence, ABP Network’s ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit unfolded a captivating session, provocatively titled “Social Media: Playground or Business School?”
Speaking at the session, Chaithania Prakash, a digital content creator, shared her perspective, saying, “As influencers, we have a responsibility to ensure that nothing negative impacts our followers. We make sure the content we provide is of high quality to avoid any negative influence on our followers.”
Ardhra Sajan, another Digital Content Creator, spoke about her journey, stating, “Initially, we didn’t know what to do on social media. Our follower count gradually increased, which brought a sense of responsibility.”
Highlighting challenges, Deepika Venkatachalam, another noted digital content creator said, “Some influencers are promoting betting apps, which negatively affect people’s lives, and I find this distressing. Everything is becoming digital, and people are seeking shortcuts. We have a responsibility to follow laws and use hashtags for paid collaborations to make it clear to viewers that it is a promotional partnership.”
During the session, “Women in Politics: A Different Kind of Leader,” Ms. Jothimani Sennimalai’s, said, “To empower women in politics, there’s a need for fundamental changes in the party structure. At the party level, men are present in various positions starting from the local government to the district level. If such opportunities are given opportunities especially to women through that experience they can perform better even when they come to power”
In the session, “General Election 2024: Who Wins, Who Loses?” political heavy weights intensely debated on the upcoming elections.
K. Annamalai, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for Tamil Nadu, said, “BJP Tamil Nadu is an ambitious party, and we are determined to reach our goals. The upcoming 2024 elections are pivotal, with just seven months to go. BJP’s comeback in Tamil Nadu in 2024 will solidify our party’s position.”
To this, Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) – Kamareddy & Nizamabad, Former Member of Parliament (MP), BRS Party countered, “People don’t want power-hungry parties. The people want a decisive Government. She further added, “We are neither with Congress nor BJP. I.N.D.I.A, the alliance will crumble. Post-poll alliances have historically worked, while pre-poll alliances have not. I believe every party will need to rethink their strategy.”
On being asked that India alliance may crumble, Karti P Chidambaram, Member of Parliament for Sivaganga (INC), “It is the Congress party which is present in all 5 southern states. The alliance will not crumble. In these 5 states, INC will perform exceptionally well.”
Speaking at the session, “Making New Myths – Recreating the Old”, Suhasini recalled how Maniratnam made the historic epic Ponniyin Selvan. “I asked him not to make this film. After the failure of some of the politic-historic films we make, I was uncertain, if this idea would work,” she revealed and further added, “The thing that worked for the success of PS, was the fact that the story of Ponniyin Selvan has been there in our culture. People loved it even before we made it.”
Speaking at the session, ‘Reinvention and Resurgence – Staying Alive in the Movies’, celebrated actress turned politician, Kushboo Sundar, shared a reflection from her personal life, “I slept like a log after coming out in open of being a victim of child sexual abuse. There’s nothing for me to be ashamed off.”
The Southern Rising Summit was conceptualized and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. It aimed to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit witnessed profound deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.
