Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

INTERNATIONAL: ASIAN REGION – RECORD: Srinagar’s ‘Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden’ enters World Book of Records as Asia’s Largest, adorned with the splendour of over 1.5 million Tulip bulbs

The Commissioner Secretary of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, received the certification from the President and CEO of the World Book of Records (London).

The people of Kashmir are rejoicing as the renowned Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden secures a distinguished position in the esteemed World Book of Records (London).

Nestled amidst the picturesque foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range, this accolade recognizes the garden’s status as Asia’s largest tulip haven, adorned with an awe-inspiring array of 1.5 million tulip bulbs showcasing an astonishing collection of 68 distinct tulip varieties.

Echoing the sentiments of the locals, it’s widely believed that Kashmir holds immense untapped potential. The region’s natural beauty and the magnificence of the tulip garden have once again put it in the spotlight.

In a formal ceremony hosted at the Tulip Garden, the Commissioner Secretary of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, received the certification from the President and CEO of the World Book of Records (London), Santosh Shukla.

The event was graced by the presence of Dilip N Pandit, Editor of World Book of Records (London), the Director of Floriculture Kashmir, various officials, and dedicated gardening staff.

Commending this remarkable achievement, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team at the World Book of Records (London) for acknowledging the splendour of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.

He emphasized that this recognition stands as a monumental milestone, not only enhancing the reputation of Srinagar’s floral treasure but also contributing to the local economy’s growth within the tranquil valleys of Kashmir.

The Commissioner Secretary remarked that the inclusion in the World Book of Records signifies not just the blossoming gem of Srinagar, but also celebrates the enchanting bond between humanity and nature, a sentiment cherished deeply in the hearts of Kashmir’s inhabitants.

Santosh Shukla, President and CEO of the World Book of Records, extended his warmest congratulations to the Central Working Committee of the organization for this exceptional achievement.

He underlined that this recognition underscores the unparalleled beauty and magnificence of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, positioning it as an emblem of both natural splendor and human creativity.

Affectionately known for its breathtaking vistas, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden boasts not only a splendid array of tulips but also provides sanctuary to an array of other flower species.

Delicate Daffodils, fragrant Hyacinths, resplendent Roses, charming Ranunculi, vibrant Muscaria, and enchanting Iris blooms flourish alongside the iconic tulips, weaving an enchanting tapestry of colours and fragrances that captivates visitors.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INDIA’s INDEPENDENCE DAY / AUGUST 15th, 1947 : 77th Independence Day 2023: Theme, History, Significance, celebrations and all you need to know about I-Day

India celebrates its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Know the theme, history, significance and celebration of this day.

India is gearing up to celebrate its 77th Independence Day on August 15. In 2023, India will mark 76 years of freedom from British colonial rule – a significant milestone for the country. Independence Day is celebrated with pomp across the nation and Indians around the globe. It is a reminder of the struggles that won us our liberation from the British Raj after nearly two centuries, the sacrifices made by the leaders, the freedom fighters who laid their lives to win Independence, and more. As we near the date, here’s all you need to know about this year’s theme, history, significance, and celebrations.

Independence Day 2023 Theme:

This year, the theme for Independence Day is “Nation First, Always First”. All Independence Day programmes and events will be based on this theme.

Independence Day 2023 History and Significance:

Led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Independence movement began with World War I. On July 4, 1947, the Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons and was passed within a fortnight. On August 15, 1947, India marked its Independence as the 200-year-old British rule came to an end. Many leaders played a prominent role in the Indian freedom struggle, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, and many more.

Independence Day is a reminder of the many sacrifices and struggles made by the Indian freedom fighters to help the country achieve its freedom from the British Raj and why we should honour this Independence. The day also invokes feelings of patriotism for the nation and the willingness to serve the country and lead it to prosperity. It also creates a sense of unity and duty among citizens.

Independence Day 2023 Celebrations:

Independence Day is marked as a national holiday in India. Every year, the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at Delhi’s Red Fort and addresses the nation, followed by a military parade. On August 15, 1947, the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi. Every Prime Minister has followed that tradition ever since.

People celebrate Independence Day by organising cultural activities in school, colleges and their workplaces, adorning these places in tricolour-ornaments and decorations, wearing triclolur-themed clothes , watching patriotic movies, listening to songs related to India’s history and freedom struggle, and more.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CRAFTS / MUSIC / RECORDS : 3-time Grammy Award Winner Ricky Kej releases ‘Indian National Anthem Rendition with the Largest 100-piece British Orchestra from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in London, UK’

Kej and the Indian mission in London called on members of the diaspora to share the one-minute-long video as they mark the milestone.

On the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day, three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej on Monday released a rendition of the country’s National Anthem recorded with the largest orchestra ever at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.

The recording of ‘Jana Gana Mana’ features a 100-piece British orchestra from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and was recorded a few days ago in time for India’s Independence Day on Tuesday.

Kej and the Indian mission in London called on members of the diaspora to share the one-minute-long video as they mark the milestone.

“A few days ago, I conducted a 100-piece British orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to perform India’s National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London,” Kej tweeted.

“This is the largest orchestra ever to record India’s National Anthem, and it is spectacular! The ‘Jaya He’ at the end gave me goosebumps. Felt great as an Indian composer. I am sharing this historic recording with every one of you this Independence Day – use it, share it, watch it, but with respect. It is yours now. Jai Hind,” he said.

The RPO is recognised as the UK’s “most in-demand” orchestra, founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946 – a year before India’s independence.

Its stated mission is to place orchestral music at the heart of contemporary society and, through collaboration with creative partners, foster deeper engagement with communities to ensure that live orchestral music is accessible to as inclusive and diverse an audience as possible.

“Ricky Kej, three-time Grammy Award winner, always innovative, always at the cutting edge of doing something new in the world of music. This year, we congratulate and thank Ricky for putting together a unique project – celebrating India on its Independence Day with a recording and a performance of India’s National Anthem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London; the largest-ever orchestra to record the Indian National Anthem and put out as a tribute to India,” said Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.

The High Commission in London will mark the occasion with a customary flag-hoisting ceremony and its own rendition of the National Anthem on Tuesday morning.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL : EUROPE: Punjab Police Officer Gurjat Singh Maler Hosts Tricolour on Mount Elbrus – the Roof of Europe, to Commemorate 76 years of India’s Independence

Commemorating 76 years of Independence, Gurjot Singh Kaler, a senior police officer in Punjab, scaled and unfurled the tricolour on the top of Mount Elbrus — the highest and most prominent peak in Russia and Europe.

Kaler, a professionally-trained mountaineer, was adjudged the best mountaineer during his Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) at Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand.

His recent feat is noteworthy considering that the Caucasus’ tallest mountain, Mount Elbrus, is 5,642 metres (18,510 feet) above sea level.

There were four others in Kaler’s team, which reached the top of Mount Elbrus on August 11 at 7 a.m. after battling heavy snowstorms, thunderstorms and atmospheric lightning.

Mount Elbrus is covered in snow through out around and is home to 22 glaciers that feed three rivers — Baksan, Malka and Kuban. Elbrus is part of the Caucasus mountain range, near the Georgian border in the south of Russia.

The Caucasus technically sits in Asia and Europe, although most geographers place it in Europe. It’s a mountain range that spans two continents.

Committed to the spirit of combating climate change and global warming, the mission of Mount Elbrus was dedicated by Kaler to exhort the world community to preserve the environment and create awareness about depleting forest reserves across the planet and melting of glaciers.

“It took five days to successfully do the summit after acclimatisation hikes to Mount Cheget and Pastukhov Rocks. The weather was very turbulent on the day of the summit and there was a lot of lightning and thunderstorms which made the climb very difficult,” Kaler told IANS over phone.

At one point, it looked impossible but the sheer willpower, perseverance and determination served him in good stead throughout the adventurous expedition.

“It is only in tough circumstances that we can test the real toughness of mind,” he said.

Kaler has become the first Punjab Police officer to scale Mount Elbrus. Earlier, he had successfully climbed the summit of the highest mountain in the African Continent — Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

The daredevil officer had also performed a skydive from 15,000 feet during the Covid pandemic to serve as a heartfelt tribute of bravery and courage to the corona warriors who had sacrificed their lives during the pandemic.

He’s currently handling the charge of AIG (Excise and Taxation) and was awarded with the Chief Minister’s Medal for outstanding devotion to duty in January 2023. He was also conferred with the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Raj Yuva Puraskar by the government of Punjab in March 2023 for his fight against drug abuse in Punjab and for promoting the culture of sports.

Kaler feels that his efforts in terms of climbing Mount Ebrus will go a long way in awakening the world community to join hands for combating climate change.

He admits that global warming and climate change is a grim reality of “our times and every region on earth is impacted by our actions”.

“Even the recent ghastly floods in Punjab and Himachal can be attributed to lack of ecological balance and disregard to the Mother Earth. Therefore, it’s very important to understand the precarious situation through which the entire humanity is passing through right now and take concerted actions before its too late.

“Rather, the truth is that we are already quite late in combating global climate change and if we continue to ignore the warnings of Mother Nature, a day will come when everything will be simply lost forever,” Kaler added.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

WORLD: HEALTH & SCIENCE: PM Modi’s ‘Yoga Day Event’ at UN HQ Creates Guinness World Record

The Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday created a Guinness world record.

The Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday created a Guinness World Record for seeing the participation of most nationalities in a Yoga session.

PM Modi – who arrived in the US on Tuesday night (IST) at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, led the historic event at the UN headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Yoga Day. The PM was joined by the President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korisi, deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The event also saw several other UN officials, diplomats, and prominent personalities.

Sporting a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, PM Modi thanked the people for attending the celebration. “I’m delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I’m told that almost every nationality is represented here today,” he said.

Yoga Day event in Surat sets new Guinness World Record

Earlier in the day, the Yoga Day event organised in Gujarat’s Surat set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering for a yoga session in one place with 1.53 lakh people joining the program. The previous world record was set in 2018 in Kota city of Rajasthan when 1,00,984 people participated in a Yoga Day session in one place.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: ARTS & CULTURE / DANCE: 16-year-old girl Srushti Sudhir Jagtap Dances Nonstop for 5 Days, sets World Record

Srushti’s feat, dancing continuously for an astounding “five days straight,” has garnered her a well-deserved place in the prestigious Guinness World Records.

In an extraordinary display of talent and endurance, a 16-year-old girl named Srushti Sudhir Jagtap has accomplished a feat that has left the world in awe. This remarkable young dancer, originating from Latur, Maharashtra, has shattered the existing record for the longest dance marathon, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

Srushti’s feat, dancing continuously for an astounding “five days straight,” has garnered her a well-deserved place in the prestigious Guinness World Records. The official announcement states that Srushti Sudhir Jagtap has not only broken the previous record but has surpassed it by an impressive margin, achieving a staggering time of 127 hours. The previous record holder, Bandana Nepal, a talented dancer from Nepal, held the distinction of dancing relentlessly for 126 hours.

The dance marathon, as governed by its rules, required Srushti to keep her feet constantly in motion, synchronized with the rhythm and melody of the music. It demanded an unparalleled level of dedication, stamina, and passion for dance, all of which Srushti exemplified throughout her extraordinary journey.

Srushti’s astounding achievement was not solely the result of her innate talent and determination. She received comprehensive training from her grandfather, Baban Mane, who imparted his knowledge of Yoga Nidra, a form of guided meditation that is also known as ‘yogic sleep.’ This rigorous training regimen, undertaken for a span of 15 months, played a pivotal role in preparing Srushti for her ambitious record attempt. It provided her with the mental and physical strength necessary to endure the demanding dance marathon.

When asked about her motivation behind breaking this grueling record, Srushti passionately shared her aspiration to represent India through the mesmerizing art of dance. She saw this remarkable feat as an opportunity to showcase her talent and bring glory to her country on a global platform. Srushti’s unwavering commitment to her craft, coupled with her relentless pursuit of excellence, has made her an exemplary role model for aspiring dancers worldwide.

Srushti Sudhir Jagtap’s name will forever be etched in the annals of dance history, serving as a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable nature. Her awe-inspiring accomplishment serves as a reminder to us all that with passion, perseverance, and unwavering determination, we can transcend boundaries and achieve greatness.

source/content: dnaindia.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE / CINEMA: Anurag Kashyap named ‘Head of the Jury for Official Competition Category’ of ’70th Sydney Film Festival’

Anurag will be joined by Mia Wasikowska, Dorothee Wenne, Larissa Behrendt and Visakesa Chandrasekaram as fellow jury members.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose film Kennedy received a seven-minute standing ovation at the 76th Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, has been named the head of the jury for the ongoing 70th Sydney Film Festival’s Official Competition category.

“The ultimate film fan long weekend continues!🍿 The Official Competition jury and filmmakers galore made their way to @statetheatreau for screenings. Meanwhile, The Hub was buzzing all day and night with talks and a special party with our friends Discoteca Tropical🥳,” the official Twitter handle of the festival wrote, sharing photos of the jury members on Monday.

Actor Mia Wasikowska (Australia), film curator-journalist Dorothee Wenne (Germany), writer-director Larissa Behrendt (Australia) and filmmaker Visakesa Chandrasekaram (Australia/Sri Lanka) are part of the jury that Anurag heads.

They will be judging the 12 films shortlisted for the Official Competition category. These films celebrate “courageous, audacious and cutting-edge cinema”, according to the festival organisers. The best film in this category will win a AUD 60,000 cash prize. Sydney Film Festival also presents eight other cash awards over the course of the festival.

Written and directed by Anurag, Kennedy will also be screened at the 70th Sydney Film Festival. Itwas the first Indian film that was screened at the midnight section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Anurag had previously presented films such as Raman Raghav 2.0, Ugly, Bombay Talkies and the two-part gangster drama Gangs of Wasseypur at the Cannes Film Festival.

Starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, Kennedy is based on an insomniac cop who dwells in different circumstances while looking for redemption.

The film festival that began on June 7 will conclude on June 18.

source/contents: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ARTS & CRAFTS: 900 Craftsmen behind Carpets for new Parliament building

The intricacies of the workmanship are so grand that as many as 120 knots per square inch were woven to create the carpets — amounting to over 600 million knots approximately in total.

 At least 900 master craftsmen from two villages in Uttar Pradesh — Bhadohi and Mirzapur — worked for about 18 months and hand-knotted carpets to adorn the new Parliament building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. They crafted 158 carpets for Lok Sabha and 156 for the Upper House before stitching them into a single carpet in the form of a semi-circle to sync with the architecture of both Houses covering an area of 35,000 square feet (sqft). 

The intricacies of the workmanship are so grand that as many as 120 knots per square inch were woven to create the carpets — amounting to over 600 million knots approximately in total. While the carpets in Lok Sabha have the most intricate motifs of the peacock — symbolising India’s national bird, the rugs in Rajya Sabha showcase the exquisite motifs of the national flower — the lotus. Their colour has been primarily inspired by the shade of Kokum Red.

These carpets, adorned with meticulously crafted patterns and embellished with 20-25 shades, stand as a testament to India’s unparalleled artistry. The shade of floor covering in the Lok Sabha is based on Indian agave green, with inspiration from the plumes of the Indian peacock. 

Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman of Obeetee Carpets, the company which had prepared the carpets, said that the mammoth exercise to create the magnificent carpets for Parliament took over a year and a half.  “We began the project in 2020 right in the middle of the pandemic.

The weaving process started by September 2021 and it was over by May 2022, and the installation commenced in November 2022. Crafting each carpet with a high density of 120 knots per square inch took approximately seven months. Being entrusted with the Central Vista project is an incredible honour for us at Obeetee,” he said.  

The workers spent a whopping 10 lakh man-hours, Chatterjee said. The craftsmen hailing from Bhadohi and Mirzapur are carrying on a legacy dating to Mughal Emperor Akbar.  As the legend goes, Akbar had an exceptional fondness for carpets so he decided to bring the finest Persian artists and weavers to India. During that journey, when they reached Gopiganj, a small town in modern Uttar Pradesh, their caravan was attacked by bandits. The weavers who survived that onslaught took shelter in villages around that area, this making Mirzapur famous for carpet weaving. 

“The carpet designs were conceived with great reverence for the halls, exuding intricate artistry, vibrant colours, and subtle elegance. Crafted at Obeetee’s own factory headquarters in Mirzapur, the manufacturing procedure was a tedious process as the weavers had to craft the carpets for halls measuring up to 17,500 square feet each,” Chatterjee added.  Obeetee was founded around 103 years ago by three British entrepreneurs, soon after World War 1 — the name of the company resembles the initials of their three names. 

Carrying on Akbar legacy 
The craftsmen from Bhadohi and Mirzapur are carrying on a legacy dating to Emperor Akbar. As the legend goes, Akbar had fondness for carpets so he decided to bring the finest Persian artists, and weavers to India. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE / DIPLOMACY: PM Modi releases Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea

Tok Pisin is the official language of Papua New Guinea.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape on May 22 released the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language to bring the Indian thought and culture closer to the people of this southwestern Pacific nation.

Modi arrived here on May 21 on his maiden visit to Papua New Guinea, becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit the country. He co-hosted with Marape a key summit between India and 14 Pacific island countries to boost bilateral ties.

Tok Pisin is the official language of Papua New Guinea.

“Indian diaspora keeping alive connect with the motherland! PM@narendramodi & PM James Marape launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea,” the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.

Co-authored by Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain Province, the book brings Indian thought and culture closer to the people of Papua New Guinea, it said.

“In Papua New Guinea, PM James Marape and I had the honour of releasing the Thirukkural in Tok Pisin language. Thirukkural is an iconic work, which provides valuable insights across different subjects,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Thirukkural, a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economic matters, and love, is written by Poet Thiruvalluvar.

“I would like to commend @pngsasi, Governor of the West New Britain Province and Mrs. Subha Sasindran for their effort to translate the Thirukkural in Tok Pisin. Governor Sasindran has done his schooling in Tamil while Mrs. Subha Sasindran is a respected linguist,” he said in another tweet.

Prime Minister Modi has previously released a translation of the book in his mother tongue Gujarati.

He has praised Thirukkural on many occasions.

In one of his speeches, the Prime Minister said, “Thirukkural is not only a literary masterpiece but an extraordinary guide for common living. It shows us the path of righteousness and inspires us to lead a selfless life.” He also stated that Thirukkural “remains relevant even today and can serve as an inspiration for the present generation.” The prime minister has often quoted Thirukkural in his speeches and tweets and even gifted a copy of the book to the late Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in 2014.

“Thirukkural is a treasure trove full of inspiring ideas that youngsters all over the world can read and benefit from,” he had said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: BUSINESS & ECONOMY / ARTS & CULTURE / G.I. Tags: UP now holds 02nd position in GI products as three more crafts bag coveted tag

While Tamil Nadu leads with 55 GI-tagged goods, UP and Karnataka follow with 48 and 46 GI products, respectively.

Uttar Pradesh now holds second position in the country in terms of having the maximum number of Geographical Indication-tagged goods after receiving GI tags for three more crafts.

The crafts that have received GI tags include Mainpuri tarkashi, Mahoba Gaura stone craft, and Sambhal horn craft.

While Tamil Nadu leads with 55 GI-tagged goods, UP and Karnataka follow with 48 and 46 GI products, respectively.

According to GI expert Rajni Kant, a Padma Shri awardee, and head of the Human Welfare Association (HWA) that facilitated these handicrafts to get the GI certification, of the 48 GI goods of UP, 36 products belong to the handicraft category. In the Varanasi region alone, 18 GI-tagged goods out of 23 belong to the handicraft category.

“Uttar Pradesh is not only the biggest exporter of GI-tagged products but it also involves the largest amount of manpower in this sector, making the highest annual turnover in the country,” claimed Kant.

Kant added that 20 more applications from UP for the GI certification are in the final stages.

He said that so far, his organisation has provided technical facilitation to file 175 applications in 18 states, out of which 46 products received GI certification.

“Maximum applications were filed during the Covid period after 2019,” he said.

“With the financial support of NABARD, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, the HWA along with local producer organizations and the state government MSME initiative, prepared the technical documents of the three goods and sent them to the GI Registry in Chennai in 2019 during the difficult times of Covid, and after a long legal and technical process the GI tags were received in May 2023,” he said.

Sambhal horn craft

The horn-bone handicraft products made in Sambhal are immensely popular. The raw material used for making these craft items is procured from dead animals that makes this industry environment friendly. Sambhal’s horn and bone products are known all over the world. Sambhal offers a wide range of decorative horn-bone handicrafts that are available in different attractive looks, designs and patterns.

Mahoba Gaura stone craft

Mahoba is known nationwide for its exquisite Gaura stone craft. Gaura stone craft is made of radiant white-coloured stone that is predominantly found in this region. Gaura stone has a soft texture. It is cut into several pieces which are then used for making various craft items that are used for ornamental purposes.

Mainpuri tarkashi

Tarkashi is a technique of inlaying brass, copper or silver wires in wood. It is a unique and artistic product of Mainpuri district. It is used for decorating jewellery boxes, name plaques and other similar items. The amazing art of tarkashi can also be seen in door panels, trays and lamps, sandook (chest), decorative pieces, tables, flower pots.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)