Category: India

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Toronto’s Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden wins international achievement award

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The City of Toronto, in partnership with local community groups, has won the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence in Public Space for the innovative Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden. The installation was selected from among 17 qualified submissions in the same category.

The community transformed the intersection into a landmark and gathering space that celebrates the area’s Indigenous history and symbolizes the aspiration to positive international relationships.

“The Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden is the result of hard work and vision by neighbourhood residents, business owners, volunteers and others,” said the Councillor for Ward 14. “I would like to thank the selection committee at the International Downtown Association for recognizing the work of Roncesvalles community and for celebrating the vibrancy of our city.”

The International Downtown Association (IDA) will officially present the award during the IDA Conference and Tradeshow in San Antonio, Texas from October 24 to 26. The Public Space category recognizes capital improvements that have enhanced the urban design, transportation methods, physical function, or economic viability of downtown and the community.

Planning for renewal of the space was initiated by the Friends of the Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden community group along with the Roncesvalles Village Business Improvement Area, and the garden officially opened in June 2016. Representatives of the Mississaugas of the Credit were engaged and a number of local volunteers donated their time to reimagine the space. PLANT Architect Inc. was commissioned to create the design concept. Continue reading “Toronto’s Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden wins international achievement award”

Global, India, SportsLeave a comment

The toughest race in the world, Mountain Biking takes places in November!

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The second edition of the Dalmia MTB Arunachal; Hornbill’s Flight International Race 2018 will be held wef 14th November to 22nd November 2018 from the state capital Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh to Mechuka, an enchantingly beautiful valley nearly 650 kilometers away, in the West Siang district.

The race with an expected Elevation gain of 1,12,000 feet, is claimed to be the toughest race in the world. More than 100 cyclists from over 10 countries will try to outdo each other across the valleys and jungles enroute to lay their claims on the total prize money of Rupees 22.5 lakhs.

This year well known international cyclist like Ilda from Portugal, Celia from Canada, Sarah, Heidi and Lauri from USA, Andrew Seawald, Thomas Bush, Sarah, Frank and Holger from Germany, Catherine from UK, The Indian teams from Army, SSB, Navy, Hero Action Team, Nepal Army and APF Teams, Bhutan Royal Army Team etc. will participate.

The curtain raiser for the same was graced by Union Minister for State (Home) Sh. Kiren Rijiju today in Mumbai. President MTB Arunachal & MLA, Arunachal Pradesh, Sh Pasang Dorjee Sona and popular Bollywood personality Sh. Salman Khan. Continue reading “The toughest race in the world, Mountain Biking takes places in November!”

Health, IndiaLeave a comment

Ayushman Bharat for a new India -2022!

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National health protection Scheme to provide Hospitalisation cover to over 10 Crore poor and vulnerable families

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has launched the health assurance scheme: Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana – at Ranchi, Jharkhand.  The Prime Minister visited an exhibition on the scheme, before arriving on the dais to launch PMJAY at a huge public gathering.  At the same event, the Prime Minister unveiled plaques to lay the Foundation Stone for medical colleges at Chaibasa and Koderma. He also inaugurated 10 Health and Wellness Centres.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that this launch has been done with a vision to provide the poorest of the poor, and the underprivileged sections of society, with better healthcare and treatment. He said this scheme, which envisions health assurance of 5 lakh rupees per family per year, will benefit over 50 crore people, and is the world’s biggest health assurance scheme. He said the number of beneficiaries of this scheme is roughly equal to the population of the European Union, or the population of America, Canada and Mexico, taken together.

This scheme is aimed at making path breaking interventions to address health holistically, in primary, secondary and tertiary care systems, covering both prevention and health promotion. Continue reading “Ayushman Bharat for a new India -2022!”

Global, India, TravelLeave a comment

India is among the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world

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The ‘first ever’ India Tourism Mart (ITM 2018) was inaugurated in New Delhi, India today. The India Tourism Mart is being organized by the Ministry of Tourism from 16th to 18th September 2018, in partnership with the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) and with support of State /UT Governments. The function was held in presence of the Secretary, other senior officials of Tourism Ministry and Chairman/members of FAITH and also delegates from India and across the world.

Inaugurating the event, Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal wished the best to the Tourism Ministry to reach the ambitious goal of US$100 billion FTA receipts/year within 5 years. T The Minister said that the most important element that will help promote Tourism in a complete way is the Government’s cleanliness drive, the Swachhta Abhiyan, which will ensure India becoming a preferred destination for all international tourists.

Speaking at the event, the Tourism Minister announced that ITM will be an annual event hereafter in line with other International Tourism Marts and it will be held in the month of September. The Minister said that India is so vast that there will be something new for everyone to see and experience in this country with its varied geography, culture, traditions, architectural marvels, religions.  Continue reading “India is among the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world”

Global, India, Reel SpinLeave a comment

Jhalki: Tale of a Tireless Sparrow

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Today, One in every Seven child is a laborer. Over 200 million children between ages five and fourteen work worldwide, as some kind of laborer or the other.

Jhalki … a moving tale of lost Childhood, is a lyrical story of the search of a 9 year-old girl for her 7 year-old brother against the backdrop of bonded child labor in the carpet weaving factories of India. This compelling film takes you through a bedtime folk story and by the time you wake up, you may want to be part of a huge revolution that can impact 200 million children worldwide.

Film Jhalki: Tale of a Tireless Sparrow has just been completed and starts its International journey now, ready for Festivals, World Sales & and other movement-based collaborations. It releases in India in February 2019. It has been produced by Brahmanand S Siingh & Annand Chavan, co-produced by Vinayak Gawande & Jayesh Parekh & co-directed by Tanvi Jain.

Here’s an interview with the filmmaker, Brahmanand S Siingh:

What were the casting challenges of getting the lead child actors? How was it to cast for Kailash Satyarthi?

Jhalki had to be a firebrand 11 year old, pre-puberty girl, so that was a big challenge … To find someone who could carry the film on her fragile shoulders. Continue reading “Jhalki: Tale of a Tireless Sparrow”

Business, Global, IndiaLeave a comment

Marriott Hotels And TED Deliver Inspiring ‘Women In Innovation’ Salon

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 Sparks New Perspectives Across Asia Pacific

Marriott International’s flagship brand Marriott Hotels continues to spark creative ideas and meaningful conversations worldwide, hosting its second TED Fellows salon in Asia Pacific on September 6th at the Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield in India.  The event was attended by an engaged crowd of over 200 movers and shakers including innovative entrepreneurs, Marriott Rewards loyalty members, international media and influencers as well as top business school students. Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield was chosen as the destination to host this year’s Marriott TED Fellows Salon because of the city’s reputation as India’s hub of technology and innovation.

At the event, three TED fellows shared personal and professional stories around the theme of “Women in Innovation’. The speakers included women’s health advocate Zubaida Bai from India, a passionate activist for improving global maternal health. Continue reading “Marriott Hotels And TED Deliver Inspiring ‘Women In Innovation’ Salon”

Business, IndiaLeave a comment

‘Retail Beyond Detail’ – The Great Indian Retailing Business

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 India’s most appreciated retail author Dr Gibson G. Vedamani in the presence of Mr. Rakesh Biyani (JMD of Future Group) released his book –‘Retail Beyond Detail’, the Guide to a successful retailing business at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon today.  The book is a perfect guide for the growth and successful development of the retail business industry. The book is sure to enlighten the interesting environment of the retail business in India.

Sharing the extracts with Mr. Biyani from the book during discussion Dr. Gibson held the audience discussing about the instances of the emergence of the Retail in India as one of the fastest growing industry and how it has extended its frontiers worldwide that has the entrance of world renowned giants like Walmart, Ikea, and Carrefour etc. Today, retailing is about so much more than mere merchandising. It is about casting customers in a story, reflecting their desires and aspirations, and forging long-lasting relationships. Retail today has changed from selling a product or a service to selling a hope, an aspiration and above all an experience that a consumer would like to repeat.

Commenting on the book launch Anupam T, Vice President, Oberoi Mall said “The Retail Industry is experiencing quantum shift in dynamics due to fast changing customer behavior and expectations coupled with technology induced challenges for example e-commerce etc. So far India has occupied a remarkable position in global rankings and is expected to become the world’s sixth largest consumption economy. Continue reading “‘Retail Beyond Detail’ – The Great Indian Retailing Business”

Business, Global, IndiaLeave a comment

G20 member nations to promote policies that bridges all forms of digital divide

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At the G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Salta, in the north-west of Argentina, G20 ministers and senior officials issued a declaration that reflects the G20’s commitment towards promoting “policies and actions that catalyze digital transformations. The Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting, held on 23-24 August, was attended by 33 heads of delegation- Ministers, senior officials and representatives from invited countries and international organizations, like EU, UNCTAD, ITU etc. India was represented by Union Minister for Electronics and IT & Law and Justice,Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Building on the contributions of the G20 Digital Economy Task Force, delegates deliberated upon efforts to create conditions that help governments, the private sector and civil society maximize the benefits and confront the challenges posed by technological progress. The other focus area of the meeting was digital inclusion, in particular the gender divide. Other related issued such as Digital government, digital infrastructure and measuring the digital economy were also deliberated.

Addressing the Plenary of the G-20 Digital Economy Ministerial meeting, Sh. Prasad said that India’s digital story is a story of hope and growth; of opportunities and profits. But above all it is a story of digital inclusion and empowerment. Digital India is a mass movement today touching the lives of a billion people. Continue reading “G20 member nations to promote policies that bridges all forms of digital divide”

IndiaLeave a comment

NSS volunteers take part in large number in Kerala Flood Relief Measures

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National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers in Kerala have taken up the relief and rescue operations on war-footing basis. About 1200 NSS units across the state are fully involved in the relief activities. The NSS volunteers are sanitising the affected area, preparing food packets for the flood victims, running common kitchen and distributing medicines.   The Volunteers and other functionaries are distributing food packets to the affected people at various places and are also involved in rescue operations. They are collecting items of daily uses like Dry  ration, clothes, soaps, sanitary napkins,  medicines of regular use, Milk Powder, bleaching powders, Hand wash, sanitizers etc. Collection of  money for the PM Relief Fund and CM Relief Fund of Kerala is also going on in all the NSS units. Volunteers from other states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat ,Karnataka and West Bengal are also participating actively in the relief measures.

NSS volunteers always take up relief and rescue operations on priority whenever a natural disaster occurs in any part of the country. These volunteers work tirelessly to mobilise relief materials and work for the smooth distribution of the collected materials in the affected area in close coordination with the District Administration.

NSS, the flagship programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, is one of the major  programmes for the student youth  across the country. At present about  41 lakh volunteers are enrolled in this programme in 426 Universities covering about 32000 institutions. Continue reading “NSS volunteers take part in large number in Kerala Flood Relief Measures”

Community, India, NationLeave a comment

Panorama India to mark India’s Independence Day by showcasing India’s culture and heritage

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INDIA DAY FESTIVAL AND GRAND PARADE EXPECTED TO DRAW OVER 50,000 PEOPLE AT CITY HALL

  More than 50,000 people are expected to converge at Nathan Philips Square to celebrate the 19th Annual India Day Festival and Grand Parade on Sunday, August 19, 2018.   Organized by Panorama India, with the support of Consulate General of India, the all-day event to celebrate India’s culture and heritage will present music and dance performances, a kids zone and an international bazaar with 100 kiosks exhibiting fashion, jewellery, handicrafts and an array of food.  The King of Bhangra Malkit Singh, Indo-Canadian singer Parichay and Indian Actor Pukhraj Bhalla will be on hand to perform for the massive crowds.

The event kicks off with the National Anthem at 1pm followed by the Grand Parade, marshalled by Bollywood actor Jimmy Sheirgill.  According to organizers, the grand parade will have 20 floats representing the various States of India put together by the diverse number of cultural groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The parade will begin at Nathan Phillips Square, journey west to University Avenue, turning North to Dundas, East to Yonge Street, South to Queen Street and culminating back at City Hall.

Consul General of India in Toronto, Amb. Dinesh Bhatia will preside over the India Day event with participation from several political dignitaries from all levels of government. Continue reading “Panorama India to mark India’s Independence Day by showcasing India’s culture and heritage”