(Naperville, Illinois) On the 70th anniversary of India’s independence, President Donald J. Trump, will recognize the occasion with an official letter, declaring in part, “Thanks to the irreplaceable contributions of Hindu and Indian Americans, the future of our valued partnership has never looked brighter, and we continue to foster even greater cooperation for future generations.”
The letter will be presented at the India Day Grand Celebration, tomorrow (August 13, 2017) in Naperville. Hosted by the Indian Community Outreach Organization and sponsored by the Republican Hindu Coalition, the celebration is one of the largest Indian American festivals in the United States.
The event, which is free to the public, will feature food, floats, fashion, and fireworks, along with shopping and classical and modern Indian dance. India’s most popular Bollywood Stars will headline the show, and statesman Nigel Farage is traveling from the United Kingdom to bring special greetings for the occasion. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is also scheduled to attend. Continue reading “President Trump Recognizes India Day Grand Celebration”
Guests booking from India to enjoy flat discounts of 30% and 20% on international & domestic fares
Mumbai, August 10, 2017: Jet Airways, India’s premier full service international airline, today announced a special six-day celebratory fare sale to mark India’s 70thIndependence Day. The sale, starting August 11, 2017, will offer guests an attractive 30 percent discount* on Economy fares and 20 percent* on Premiere fares.
Applicable on both one-way and return tickets, guests can book their tickets for 44 domestic destinations and 20 international destinations across Jet Airways’ expansive network. Tickets purchased as part of the sale for domestic flights, will be valid for travel from September 05, 2017. For international flights, the promotional tickets will be valid from September 15, 2017.
Produced by Eros International and Viki Rajani and directed by National award-winner Sanjay Puran Singh (of Lahore fame), Chanda Mama Door Ke is India’s first epic space odyssey with a massive cast of Sushant Singh Rajput, R Madhavan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui among others.
Sushant Singh Rajput, who is known to get under the skin of all his characters, is going the extra mile for Chanda Mama Door Ke and is currently at NASA’s Space & Rocket Centre at Alabama, in U.S.A. The actor is preparing for the role of an astronaut, by participating in workshops and various training regimes aimed at acquaniting him with the life of an astronaut, in as realistic a manner as possible.
USSRC recently welcomed Sushant Singh Rajput, the first actor from the Indian film industry who will undergo special training at NASA, to step into the shoes of an astronaut on the silver screen. In an official statement released from USSRC, they said, “We would like to welcome Youth Icon and promising Indian Actor, Sushant Singh Rajput for undergoing this training schedule, including the important training regimes such as, ‘Flying a Space Shuttle Simulator’ or ‘Lunar Module/Mars Lander Simulation’, ‘Experiencing Zero G’, ‘1/6’, ‘Wearing a professional Space Suit’, ‘Flying a multi-axis trainer’ and ‘Docking the shuttle to the ISS’. Continue reading “Eros International and Viki Rajani’s Chanda Mama Door Ke becomes the first Bollywood film to be at NASA”
The home of Hogmanay and the place to celebrate New Year, Edinburgh today announces the programme for its 25thHogmanay festival.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2018 is better than ever before with new events, including the family friendly Bairns Afore and a new look ceilidh at the foot of the city’s iconic castle, an extended fireworks display which will rival any other city in the world this New Year, and a revamped and animated Street Party that keeps the celebration going all evening.
The three-day festival opens on 30 December 2017 with the stunning traditional Torchlight Procession which this year blazes a new path seeing the river of light weave its way through the historic heart of the city around Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament before culminating in a stunning visual moment in Holyrood Park: #ScotWord project.
Marking the start of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will celebrate Scotland’s young citizens at the Torchlight Procession and give them the limelight on a Scottish and global stage. A Scotland wide engagement campaign co-designed and led by young people will seek to reach their peers in Scotland between the ages of 8 and 26 over the autumn/winter period this year in a quest to find #ScotWord. This one word will form the fiery finale of the popular Torchlight Procession on 30 December sharing with the world the answer of Scotland’s young people to the question “What makes you most proud to live in Scotland?”. Underbelly is working with Young Scot, the Scottish Government and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate to realise the project. Young Scottish singer and songwriter Nina Nesbitt leads the engagement campaign. Continue reading “EDINBURGH ANNOUNCES HOGMANAY FESTIVAL 2018”
Most people visit Times Square for the ambiance and the billboards spectacle. But the past weekend was extra special for visitors like us. The center of New York City was transformed into a buzzing blend of music, dance and fashion … Continue reading New York: Bollywood & Broadway Bedazzle!!
On the sidelines of the G 20 Summit in Hamburg, the Prime Minister met today the President of the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr Moon Jae-in. Prime Minister Modi extended felicitations in person to President Moon for his victory in Presidential elections. The President recalled the Prime Minister’s congratulatory phone call and tweet in Korean language, which was warmly received by the people of South Korea. Both leaders expressed their commitment to further develop the special strategic partnership between India and South Korea, particularly through participation in programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Start up India, et cetera. The Prime Minister invited President Moon to visit India at an early date. The invitation was accepted.
Prime Minister Modi’s discussions with Prime Minister of Italy H.E. Mr Paolo Gentolini focused on promoting bilateral relations, particularly trade and investment and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi invited Italy’s participation in World Food India – the food processing exhibition to be held in India in November this year. The two leaders stressed the significance of promoting interaction between medium enterprises of the two countries for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. The Prime Minister of Italy appreciated Indian investments in his country, including in industrial sector. The two leaders also discussed ways and means to work together for providing sustainable solutions to prevent climate change and promote development in Africa.
Prime Minister Modi and the Prime Minister of Norway H.E. Ms Erna Solberg discussed bilateral matters, especially strengthening of economic relations. Prime Minister Modi invited participation of Norwegian pension funds in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. The Prime Minister of Norway invited India to participate in the Oceans’ Conference on the sidelines of UNGA.
The City of Mississauga is developing a Climate Change Action Plan to help minimize and prepare Mississauga for the impacts of a changing global climate.
The Plan will include both corporate and community-wide actions to reduce or offset the impacts of climate change. It will also prepare the city for possible future climate scenarios. Completion of the Plan is set for 2019.
“Canadian municipalities have an important role to play in addressing climate change because more than 50 per cent of the population now lives in urban areas,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Climate change is a global priority but taking local action is crucial now more than ever. We have a responsibility to the environment, our economy and the quality of life for our existing and future generations.”
Mayor Bonnie Crombie added, “Developing the Plan is the first step in helping us realize our visionary goal of transforming Mississauga into a net-zero carbon city.
According to climate projections, more extreme weather events such as intense heatwaves, increased rainfall, severe flooding and extreme winter storms are expected for the future.
“Mississauga has personally felt the impacts of extreme weather with recent storms such as the 2009 flood in Cooksville, the rain and windstorms of July 2013 and the ice storm of December 2013,” said Michael Cleland, Acting Director, Environment. “Over the years we’ve taken many actions both within our corporation and out in the community. We’re committed to doing more.”
Swami Ramdev with 800 million followers and Sister Shivani, with 200 million followers lead yoga and meditation sessions
Toronto, June 27, 2017: The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) enthusiastically celebrated the third edition of the International Day of Yoga on an unprecedented scale in the presence of His Holiness Yogrishi Swami Ramdev, world renowned yoga master and Sister Shivani, Spiritual leader, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.
More than 10,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in the yoga sessions held at the International Centre in Mississauga, among them several dignitaries including Kristy Duncan, Canada’s Minister of Science; Patrick Brown, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario; Dipika Damerla, Ontario Minister of Seniors Affairs; Deepak Obhrai, Member of Parliament, Hazel McCallion, the legendary former Mayor of Mississauga and prominent members of the federal, provincial and city political establishments; community and business leaders. The event also witnessed the participation of diplomatic corps based in Toronto.
Swami Ramdev congratulated India’s Consul General Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia, chair of the Advisory Committee of the International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) and Satish Thakkar, chair of organising committee of IYDC.
“Toronto has organised the largest and the best 3rd International Day of Yoga celebrations outside India,” Swamiji Ramdev said expressing happiness at the heartwarming and rousing reception with which he was greeted by the massive gathering. “An individual who follows the true path of yoga will be free from desire & lust. Eschewing desire and worldly entrapments leads to true freedom and happiness. Selflessness alone can lead us to salvation and stability,” he said during the three-hour yoga session he held with over 5000 participants interspersing the yoga exercises with wisdom, wit and yoga techniques. Continue reading “Thousands participate in International Day of Yoga in Toronto”
World Broadcast Premiere –TVO –9:00 PM ,July 1, 2017 Little India: Village of Dreams will be available across Canada day after broadcast on tvo.org
A storied Toronto South-Asian ‘hood serves as a metaphor;For a New Canadian “next-generation” experience
Once accurately described as “Little India,” the stretch of Gerrard Street in Toronto’s East End that sprung up around a now-defunct Bollywood cinema, has morphed over a half-century into a “little subcontinent.”
As depicted in Nina Beveridge’s intimate documentary Little India: Village Of Dreams, premiering on TVO July 1 at 9:00pm, the stresses of Old World conflicts and New World challenges have reshaped the neighbourhood. As a result, Little India is now pan-South Asian, with shops and restaurants representing Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Sri Lankan cultures (alongside gentrified Westernized coffee shops, galleries and health food stores).
Behind the storefronts, family dramas play out. Little India: Village Of Dreams introduces the patriarchs and matriarchs of Little India’s businesses, but focuses on the Millennials and Gen-Xers who feel the lure of Canadian life and conflicted loyalty to their parents’ legacies.
“I love it and I hate it,” says Ronak Diwan, of working in the Paan snack shop started by his father Raju. Henna artist Sumaiyah Shah edges away from her mother’s salon business to collaborate on an events company with her husband. Meanwhile, her athletically-inclined sister Aysha Khan makes plans to join the Toronto Police.
Others embrace their legacy – literally in the case of style-conscious Chandan Singh, whose very name was attached by his parents to the traditional wedding apparel store Chandan Fashion. Harleen Khorana’s red hair and pale complexion almost compels her to prove her “Indian-ness” by dedicating herself to her parents’ store Kala Kendar. And – still mourning the death of his father – Adam Sayani emerges in front of our eyes as a boyish community leader, sharing, with his mother Gulshan, the operation of the famous and popular Lahore Tikka House.
“While making this movie I developed a deep appreciation for the strength of the South Asian family unit,” says Director Beveridge. “I believe it helps their children spring forth with confidence into a new world of Canadian opportunity. They all live together, they work together, they reinforce each other. There’s a collective mindset at work.” Continue reading “Little India: Village Of Dreams: A film by Nina Beveridge”
The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival, regarded as Europe’s largest Indian film festival returns for its 8th edition at 11 cinemas across London including BFI Southbank from 22-29 June, with a new and exciting selection of fabulous cutting-edge films that reaffirm the festival’s position as the ‘punk-rock of Indian cinema’. The festival is title sponsored by the Bagri Foundation with a major support from Grange Hotels, Sun Mark Ltd, and is funded by the BFI’s National Lottery Film Festivals Fund.
As an edgy tie-in, to UK-India Year of Culture and complementing the BFI’s India on Film programme, the festival opens on 22nd June at the BFI Southbank with the red carpet premiere of the historical epic, The Black Prince by Kavi Raz. This powerful UK-produced film was launched at Cannes, and stars Indian music singer Satinder Sartaaj, iconic actress Shabana Azmi (The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Fire), Jason Flemyng (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Amanda Root (Jane Eyre). The film dramatises the little-known story of the last King of Punjab who was abducted by the British Raj to be mentored by Queen Victoria.
Back into the 21st Century for the closing night, on 29th June, BFI Southbank rocks again with the surreal Malayalam road-movie thriller Sexy Durga set in Kerala, directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, which this year won the prestigious Tiger Award for best film at Rotterdam. A tale of a hitch-hiking couple accidentally getting into the car of deranged gangsters and trying to escape a road to hell.
The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival continues to not simply reflect what’s happening in South Asian cinema but instead sparks cutting edge debate through special events, the Satyajit Ray short film award, and ICON awards. LIFF highlights emerging talent and champions lesser known great film makers through the awards presentations. Meanwhile, the festival’s special events recognise the full diversity of film making and South Asian experience from remembering LGTQ+ activism via the works of British Asian auteur and activist, Pratibha Parmar, to cutting edge 21st Century Indian virtual reality film making. The programme will also explore the impact of Brexit on British Asian and other BAME film makers as well as preview the new Indian-UK co-production The Hungry, helmed by Bornila Chatterjee, based on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.
