26, Oct 2023
“Colour, Stone, Chintz, Grain and Statue – By – Raj Shahani “

Raj Shahani, a contemporary artist known for his sculptures and installations inspired by Indian art and culture, will open his magnum opus at the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in Bikaner House, New Delhi on October 29, 2023.

The exhibition, titled “Colour, Stone, Chintz, Grain, and Statue,” will feature a circular constellation of 27 sculptures in bronze, marble, granite, stoneware, glass, terracotta, ceramic, iron, and paper. Each sculpture is an Apsara, a celestial being from Indian mythology, and together they mirror Raj’s own identity as an artist, performer, and beloved, yet alone individual.

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Raj began his artistic journey as a child, escaping into the world of his own imagination to create alter egos and fantastical universes. His fascination with Apsaras began in his youth when he saw them depicted in popular culture and in the ancient temples and sculptures of India. As an adult, he began to see them as symbols of his own spirit, and he began to create sculptures of them that were both beautiful and fragile.

In his new exhibition, Raj continues to explore the themes of identity, transformation, and repair. He uses a variety of materials and techniques to create his Apsaras, each of which is unique and expressive. Some of the sculptures are made from whole pieces of stone, while others are assembled from fragments. Some are brightly coloured, while others are left in their natural state.

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Through his work, Raj challenges us to think about the ways in which we construct and perform our identities. He also reminds us that even the most broken things can be repaired and made beautiful again.

Event Details:

Preview – Sunday, 29th October, 2023

The exhibition continues until – Sunday, 05th November, 2023

Time – Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Venue – Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Bikaner House 1, Hailey Lane, New Delhi 110001

26, Oct 2023
Merck India hosts 5th Merck-Tagore Award: Honours Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall

Mumbai/ Bangalore, India: Merck, a leading science and technology company, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan India, the official cultural institut of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall with the prestigious fifth Merck-Tagore Award during a celebratory event held at the Goethe-Institute /Max Mueller Bhavan in Bangalore, India.

A pioneer of Intercultural Philosophy, Professor Mall was recognized for his contribution to the intercultural exchange between India and Germany. Professor Mall is the Founder and President of the global “Society for Intercultural Philosophy” and serves as a co-editor for the publication “Studies on Intercultural Philosophy.”

Prof. Ram Adhar Mall

Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and the Family Board of E. Merck KG, handed over the award to Professor Ram Adhar Mall. Addressing the audience in Bangalore, Stangenberg-Haverkamp said, “The foundation of Merck’s success is scientific progress and technological innovation. These depend on curious minds – and on an open exchange of thoughts and ideas across borders and cultural boundaries. Literature and philosophy can be strong catalysts of exactly this. They let us see things from a different perspective. They can open the door to new ways of thinking and to a better understanding of our world. As challenges from climate change to diseases urgently require solutions on a global scale, intercultural dialogue has never been more important. In other words, Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy is more relevant than ever today.”

The jury of the fifth edition of the Merck-Tagore Award consisted of Achim Fabig, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai, Bjorn Ketels, Director, Goethe-Institut /Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai, Sreenath Narayanaiah, Managing Director, Merck Life Science Pvt. Ltd. as well as Dr. Martin Kämpchen, the first recipient of the Merck-Tagore Award.

During his acceptance speech, which was about Rabindranath Tagore and Intercultural Philosophical Orientation, Dr Ram Adhar Mall proposed an intercultural philosophical orientation in curriculum, teaching, and research. He later added, “I am very happy that the work that I have done till now has received recognition and it got recognition in a way that is both German and Indian!”

Pratima Reddy, Country Speaker, Merck India added, “Curiosity plays a vital role in nurturing a scientific mindset, and the realms of art, culture, and literature act as catalysts, igniting and sustaining this curiosity. In line with our core values, Merck takes great pride in the Merck-Tagore Award, which celebrates accomplishments in the humanities. It is our distinct honour at Merck to bestow the award upon Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting intercultural exchange between India and Germany.”

26, Oct 2023
Keep the fervour of Navratri going as Forum Kochi hosts their Forum Dandiya Night

Even if the celebrations of Navratri have ended, the heart of this festival lies in dance, food, and unforgettable memories. Join Forum Kochi for an evening filled with vibrant dandiya beats, live dhol music, and a DJ to keep the dance floor alive. Grab your dandiya sticks and dancing shoes, and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Navaratri.

Forum Dandiya Night

No Navaratri celebration is complete without savouring the flavours of North Indian cuisine. The traditional North Indian food stall offers an array of delectable dishes, from spicy chaats to mouthwatering curries. Come with an appetite and leave with a satisfied heart.

The fun doesn’t end with dance and delicious food as Forum Kochi has lined up amazing surprise gifts to be won throughout the evening. Test your luck and you might be one of the lucky winners to take home a special treat. It’s all part of the joy and excitement of the Navaratri celebration.

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Let’s come together and make this evening a memorable one. The Forum Kochi Dandiya Night promises a night of music, dance, and delightful culinary experiences.

Event Details:

Date: October 28, 2023

Time: 6:00 PM Onwards

Location: Forum Kochi – NH-66, Vyttila, Aroor Bypass, near Kundanoor, Maradu, Kochi, Kerala 682304

Contact: 9606008193/7593067639

26, Oct 2023
Global Legal GRC Solution Provider Exterro Expands in India Through Partnership with mh Service

Coimbatore, India – 26th October 2023 – Exterro, a globally recognized provider of legal Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions, is strategically expanding its presence in India through a partnership with mh Service to address pressing challenges in the Indian forensic landscape. This partnership reflects Exterro’s commitment to expanding its influence in global markets, with a particular focus on India’s dynamic forensic ecosystem and growing technology adoption.

Exterro’s strategic expansion in India involves collaborating with mh Service, a company deeply rooted in the local legal landscape, and equipped with a robust network of clients and partners. This partnership empowers Exterro to leverage mh Service’s expertise and market reach, establishing a stronger foothold in the Indian subcontinent.

Exterro is renowned for its cutting-edge forensic solutions, a preferred choice of law enforcement agencies, government entities, corporations, and law firms worldwide. These solutions empower organizations to conduct comprehensive and efficient forensic investigations by collecting, processing, analyzing, and reviewing digital evidence.

Jignesh Suba,

“This collaboration will enable mh Service to distribute Exterro’s innovative Forensics tools in the South Asia market, this Partnership empowers the DFIR community providing law enforcement agencies, and forensic professionals access to state-of-the-art technology solutions. Clients in South Asia especially India will experience improved efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced compliance capabilities. We understand the nuances of the Indian forensic ecosystem, including regulatory intricacies and client requirements, which will ensure that Exterro’s software solutions are tailored to meet specific Indian needs.” – Jignesh Suba, CEO – South Asia at mh Service.

Geoffrey Brooks Regional Vice President, Exterro, equally enthusiastic, stated “Indian organizations face industry-wide challenges, including a shortage of skilled professionals, limited access to advanced forensic technology, and the pressing need for standardized forensic processes. Challenges such as managing the rising volume of digital evidence, handling the complexity of cybercrime investigations, and improving the efficiency of forensic processes are paramount.

Our partnership with mh Service can be instrumental in addressing and overcoming these hurdles. By providing Indian organizations access to Exterro’s cutting-edge FTK tools, this collaboration empowers them to conduct more comprehensive and efficient forensic investigations, streamline forensic processes, and ensure compliance with data privacy and information security regulations.”

Elevating Forensic Excellence in India

The Exterro-mh Service partnership is a transformative collaboration addressing key challenges within the Indian forensic landscape. It strengthens Exterro’s foothold in India while equipping Indian organizations with advanced forensic solutions. This collaboration is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of forensic investigations, boost forensic capabilities, and facilitate compliance with data privacy and information security regulations.

By doing so, it raises the standards for forensic investigations in India, offering comprehensive and efficient solutions that cater to the diverse needs of the Indian forensic system. Under this partnership, Exterro expands its reach into the Indian market, providing its cutting-edge forensic tools to a broader customer base. This partnership holds the potential to transform the forensic landscape in India and meet critical challenges within the Indian forensic system.

Exterro recently announced the debut of Exterro FTK® 8.0, the award-winning, court-cited digital investigations solution built for speed, stability, and ease of use, with the fastest scalable processing engine on the market. FTK 8.0 delivers powerful time-saving automation to help agencies accelerate forensic workflows to close cases faster. By using FTK Connect to automate case creation and evidence processing, law enforcement agencies can eliminate time spent waiting for jobs to be completed and get cases to examiners in half the time.

25, Oct 2023
Eveready Lighting illuminates Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations with spectacular marketing activations

25th October 2023: Kolkata, India: Celebrated as one of the most vibrant and spectacular festivals in the country, Durga Puja offers a unique opportunity for brands to connect with consumers. In an endeavor to elevate the Durga Pujo fervor, Eveready Lighting, the fastest-growing business category of Eveready Industries India Limited (EIIL), celebrates the festive spirit with an array of innovative marketing activations across pandals in Kolkata by enhancing the joy of this season with its signature lighting products at various puja pandals, offering an illuminating experience like never before.

Setting the stage for a radiant Durga Puja, Eveready Lighting showcases its latest groundbreaking product, Eveready Instacharge Bulb on the bustling streets of Kolkata through innovative marketing activities.

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In a bid to captivate the consumers and engage the young and old alike, Eveready Lighting has initiated a series of innovative marketing activations across pandals such as Golf Green Sarbojonin, Airport City Phase 2, Aikatan Club, Alipore 78 Pally, Tala Prattyay, Barrackpore Shiv Mandir Sarbojanin, and Dumdum Park Bharat Chajra Club to name a few.

Designed to promote Eveready’s Instacharge bulb category, the ‘human balloon activity’, at the Golf Green Puja, was one activity that garnered an overwhelming response, especially from children, thus highlighting the brand’s commitment to delivering lighting solutions that are not only reliable but also fun.

Additionally, Eveready Lighting’s lookwalker activities also have been lighting up key market areas in Kolkata, including Gariahat and New Market, and prominent malls such as City Center, Southcity, Acropolis, and Quest. These engaging activities, along with leaflet distribution, have further amplified the brand’s innovative lighting segment. In addition to this, the brand also had a huge drop-down with an LED section, where a captivating 20-second TV ad is running, ensuring that Eveready remains in the spotlight.

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In addition to this, the introduction of selfie zones at various locations not only brightened up the festive spirit but also captivated the audience’s attention, reinforcing Eveready’s commitment to making the brand synonymous with quality and brilliance.

Speaking on the innovative marketing activations, Mr. Mohit Sharma, Senior Vice President and business Unit Head – of Lighting & Electricals, said, “At Eveready Lighting, we constantly strive to engage with our customers in innovative and exciting ways. Our commitment to providing superior quality products aligns perfectly with the joyous spirit of Durga Puja. We believe in making moments special, and this Puja, we are proud to be a part of the celebrations that light up Kolkata. Our goal is to bring our brand closer to the hearts of people and brighten their festive season.”

25, Oct 2023
Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Rana Daggubati shower love on MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT

MTV’s rap phenomenon, MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT, premiered on 21st October 2023 and has captivated audiences and fans with its superb spectacle and top-notch talent display. Ikka joined the forces as the new Squad Boss along with Dino James, EPR, Dee MC, and Badshah – ‘The Rap Supremo’ increasing the excitement of the fans all across!

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Notably, actor Rana Daggubati showed his support by giving a heartfelt shout-out to Kayden Sharma who was seen representing Hyderabad in his performance. Samantha Ruth Prahu also uploaded a story on her Instagram appreciating the performances on the premiere episode of MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT. This support shows the widespread appeal of MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT and the ability to connect with diverse audiences.

Shoutouts (2)

The recognition from these prominent figures further solidifies MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT’s status as a must-watch setting new benchmarks in the realm of rap battles!

Tune into MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT every Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. only on MTV and right after on Jio Cinema!

25, Oct 2023
12-day Hunar Mahotsav culminates with a grand closing ceremony

Hyderabad, 25th October 2023: Hunar Mahotsav — a festival of crafts and cuisine at Gymkhana Grounds Secunderabad came to an end following a grand closing ceremony on Tuesday. This exhibition, which was held for about 12 days, received a massive response from people who visited from various corners of the twin cities.

Traders of textiles and artefacts from different parts of the country exhibited household goods, essential textiles and artefacts. Organizer M. Deepak Shukla said that there has been an unprecedented response to the goods and items available by textile art dealers at the venue. The organizers have said that there is a demand from the customers to extend the exhibition for a few more days. He said that a similar exhibition will be arranged soon as per the demand.

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M. Deepak Shukla, Director and Assistant Managers Ehsan Asghar, Radha Gaur, L. Mehndi Hasan and B. Mansoor Abbas were among others who were present during the closing ceremony of Hunar Mahotsavam.

Hunar Mahotsav, the 12-day expo stood as a special attraction to visitors as it displayed various art objects, cuisine, rare artefacts and along with cultural programmes and music concerts. The programme Hunar Mahotsav was aimed at providing a stable platform for artists/artisans. More than 300 artists from more than 25 states/UTs have participated in Hunar Mahotsav’. Artists from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Jharkhand, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal etc took part in the event.

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Indigenous products like applique work, dry flowers, jute cane, brass products, wood and clay figurines, Azrakh black print, blue art pottery, pashmina shawl, khadi products, Banarasi silk, wooden furniture, chikan kari embroidery, Chanderi silk, lacquer glass, Rajasthani jewellery, phulkari, leather products, pottery, jute products were put on sale.

Traditional dishes from various regions of the country along with live-music programs and Dandiya Night were special attractions to the event.

25, Oct 2023
Star Studios and Cine1 Studios – “Apurva” Streaming From 15th November

Delhi, 25th October 2023: Star Studios and Cine1 Studios’ edge-of-the-seat survival thriller ‘APURVA’ is all set to release from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the film stars a unique ensemble cast of Tara Sutaria, Abhishek Banerjee, Dhairya Karwa, and Rajpal Yadav who have united to showcase one of the most powerful stories of good over evil onscreen.

The team unveiled the intriguing first look and announced the release date amidst huge crowds and tremendous fanfare at the prestigious Lav Kush Ramlila Ground at Red Fort, Delhi – the first of its kind launch that has never taken place for an Indian film!

Apurva is the story of an ordinary girl who faces extraordinary circumstances and will do anything to Survive and Live. Set in one of the most dangerous places in India – Chambal, the movie is presented by some of India’s leading creative powerhouses who have come together for this gritty thriller.

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Tara Sutaria, who plays Apurva says, “This is a powerful and thrilling story of an ordinary girl whose inner strength, intelligence, wit and courage shape a journey that will keep one at the edge of their seat. It’s the role of a lifetime for me and I am eagerly awaiting audiences to see my transformation in Apurva as we launch our trailer very soon! Hugely excited and looking forward to Apurva releasing from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar.”

Abhishek Banerjee adds, “My character in Apurva is perhaps one of the most menacing and fearsome ones that I have portrayed so far. The powerful script instantly appealed to me when I first heard it, and I can’t wait for the audience to watch the trailer, which will be launched very soon and thereafter the film’s release from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar.”

Rajpal Yadav whose dramatic new look has struck a lot of intrigue says, “Audiences will see me in a very different and unusual avatar in Apurva which will be revealed when our trailer launches very soon. This is just the first glimpse, and I am looking forward to audiences watching Apurva from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar.”

Brace yourself to witness this edge-of-the-seat thriller – Apurva streaming from 15th November onwards only on Disney+ Hotstar.

25, Oct 2023
Dr. Prateep V. Philip,Achieves Historic Milestone with “Fillipisms” Published in Over 40 Languages

October 2023: Dr. Prateep V. Philip, the esteemed Founder, and Chair of Friends of Police (FOP), has made history in the world of literature by compiling and publishing “Fillipisms: 3333 Maxims to Maximize Your Life” in over 40 languages.

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This extraordinary achievement includes major European languages such as German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Portuguese, as well as prominent Asian languages like Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, and Indonesian, along with five major Indian languages, including Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. The entire Friends of Police (FOP) community joyfully celebrated this remarkable feat by its visionary founder, Dr. Prateep V. Philip IPS R, former DGP CBCID TN.

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In each of these languages, “Fillipisms” stands as a monumental accomplishment, setting records on both a global and Asian scale. The translated work is set to be officially unveiled at the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest book exhibition, taking place from October 18th to October 22nd, 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany. Dr. Prateep V. Philip will personally attend the fair to mark the release of 40 translations of “Fillipisms.”

This historic accomplishment is a testament to Dr. Prateep V. Philip’s unwavering dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts in advancing the dissemination of wisdom and knowledge across diverse cultures and languages. As Indians, Tamils, and Asians, we take immense pride in this extraordinary achievement and extend our heartfelt best wishes to him on this remarkable journey.

25, Oct 2023
This Dussehra, ShareChat Karega ‘Bure Trends ka Dahan’

Dussehra, a festival that signifies the eternal triumph of good over evil, holds great cultural and spiritual significance. To underscore the importance of this festival and the symbolic act of burning the effigy of Ravana, which represents the end of negativity, ShareChat has launched a new campaign – ‘Karo Bure Trends ka Dahan’ aligning with these values. The campaign is dedicated to vanquishing negative trends in the digital world, mirroring the festival’s spirit of conquering darkness with light.

India’s largest homegrown social media platform, ShareChat, under this campaign, is dedicated to fostering a safer and more positive online environment by extinguishing the detrimental trends that have taken root. A CGI-enabled film has been launched to visualize this effort. ShareChat has taken a proactive stance to combat negative trends such as trolling, the proliferation of misinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, and doxing, aiming to create a more wholesome digital space.

The film shines a spotlight on adverse digital trends, including celebrities enduring performance-related trolling, body shaming, and the dissemination of misleading headlines. These troubling elements are creatively combined to make a Ravana effigy, which is then burned to symbolize the triumph over ‘Bure trends’ or the bad trends. In a community-driven effort, ShareChat initiated a crowdsourcing campaign, engaging its users in the mission to combat these detrimental trends. Users were invited to share their insights and experiences through in-app surveys, interactive quizzes, and polls, paving the way for the emergence of ‘Khushiyon se Bhare Trends’ – positive trends that spread joy and positivity.

Following the video launch, ShareChat users have the opportunity to explore a variety of heartfelt greetings and warm wishes. They can delve into the significance and rituals of Shastra Puja during Dussehra, immerse themselves in mythological tales, and witness an epic Ramleela. Additionally, users can enjoy Dussehra Live events on the platform, discover remarkable artwork, and find delightful special recipes within the ShareChat app.

Talking more about the video, Mousumi Mishra, Head of Consumer Marketing, ShareChat and Moj said “As we celebrate Dussehra, ShareChat is proud to bring you a campaign that beautifully marries the age-old tradition of burning evil with the dynamic world of modern storytelling. Our ‘Bure Trends ka Dahan’ campaign is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, where we use the symbolism of the festival to ignite positive change in the digital space. In this fusion of cultural nuance and innovation, we aim to inspire people to rise above negativity and light the way towards a brighter digital future.”

Amrita Gupta, Brand Solutions Lead – Schbang said, “Social media is really a powerful place and there’s no platform better known for its regional content. As the festival season unfolds, we for ShareChat wanted to celebrate the spirit of good over evil by taking a stance to reduce negativity prevailing on social media. In this campaign, we have used AI capabilities to build a narrative that brings out a positive change in the way we connect & engage with one another.”

Tanveer Jadhav, Design Lead – Schbang said, “The recent CGI trends have been super cool to look at, but we wanted to use CGI to promote Sharechat’s vision. With creative prowess witness a stunning CGI Raavan engulfed in flames, eradicating negative trends. Our campaign promises a fusion of tradition and innovation, an unmissable celebration of transformation this festive season.”