Mohiniyattam at Purana Qila: Old Fort Dance Festival Opens With a Bang

New Delhi, Oct 8, 2015: The majestic ruins of Delhi’s Purana Qila came alive today with the enchanting dance form of Mohiniyattam, as the five-day Old Fort Dance Festival opened to a resounding response.

Bharati Shivaji & Group opened the festival with a performance of Kerala’s beautifully graceful Mohiniyattam, one of the eight classical dance forms of India recognized by the Sangeet Natak Academy. Performer-choreographer, Bharati Shivaji is a Padmashri award winner whose name is today synonymous with the exquisite Mohiniyattam.
Presented by the Sahitya Kala Parishad & Department of Art, Culture & Languages, Government of Delhi, the Old Fort Dance Festival will showcase over five days some of India’s most treasured classical dance forms.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the festival this evening; Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Manish Sisodia was the Chief Guest; and Hon’ble Minister of Water, Tourism, Art, Culture & Languages, Shri Kapil Mishra the Guest of Honor.

The festival of choreographies in classical dance forms will see participation of veteran and legendary dance artists and their groups in multiple dance forms including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Madhvi Mudgal and Leela Samson, among others.

“The repertoire of Indian classical dances represents centuries of culture and tradition that has been preserved and sustained by generations of devoted exponents and earnest artists. Across the globe, Indian classical dance forms are appreciated and loved by dance lovers. We believe the festival will help extend the reach of classical dance forms to not just connoisseurs of dance but also to common people,” says Pandit Birju Maharaj.

“The idea behind the Old Delhi Dance Festival to juxtapose cultural heritage with structural heritage is a wonderful concept. The Purana Qila presents a poignant background to the performance of India’s most notable classical dance forms, some of whom originated centuries back in ancient and medieval times,” says Ms Leela Samson.

Eminent Bharatnatyam exponent, Leela Samson and her group will perform on the second day of the festival, bringing the expressions and sculpturesque poses of Bharatnatyam to an audience of Delhi’s dance lovers.

Kuchipudi, the classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, will be the dance of the day on the third day of the Purana Qila Dance Festival. The eminent dancing couple of Raja and Radha Reddy and their group will bring alive the much-loved art form from south India.

The oldest surviving dance form of India, Odissi will be at centre stage on the penultimate day of the festival, with Padma Shri Madhvi Mudgal choreographing the performance of the soft and graceful dance form.

The festival will end with a performance of Kathak choreographed by none other than Pandit Birju Maharaj and his Group. The legendary exponent of Kathak has received numeours accolades over the years including Padma Vibhushan, sangeet Natak Academi Award and the prestigious Kalidas Samman.

So, if you are a lover of unadulterated classical dance traditions, mark your evenings this week for a memorable rendezvous.

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Adding Extravagance to FDCI Amazon India Fashion Week

New Delhi 8TH October ,2015 :Typhoo UK’s finest tea brand since 1903 joined hands with India's biggest fashion extravaganza-FDCI Amazon India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 and brought alive a stylish Tea Bar adding steam to this haute affair.

Celebrating the high spirit of fashion Typhoo Tea Bar hosted the post show success party for Designer Payal Pratap Singh. The party was well attended by fashionistas and friends of the designer. Prateek Jain, Gautam Rakha, Gautam Seth, Sunaina Chibba, Vikrum Baidyanath to name a few.
The Typhoo Tea Bar served their discerning audience visiting the fashion week and part of Delhi’s stylish milieu. Fulfilling their need to stock, sip and enjoy a rich variety of teas and delightful mocktails, the Typhoo Tea Bar will offer a tasting opportunity of over a dozen flavors and genres.
Besides the expected Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Assam teas, the Typhoo Tea Bar conjures up exciting fruit and herb based beverages, both hot and cold.

Typhoo Green teas (Traditional Tulsi, Masala, Coconut, Jasmine, Lemon Grass and Moroccan Mint, Plain green tea), Typhoo Fruit Infusions (Orange Spicer, Lemon & Lime Zest, Blackcurrant Bracer). Typhoo Black teas (Classic Assam, Darjeeling, Gold, 24 Carat tin, English Breakfast) and Typhoo flavoured teas (Earl grey, Masala chai, Adrak chai, Elaichi chai, lime & lemon) will be showcased amongst various mocktails.

Typhoo will host few more signature events at the Typhoo Tea Bar where fun cocktails and mocktails are rustled up with its fruit and herb based Fruit Infusions range. Some celebratory affairs @ Typhoo Tea Bar are with designer Pia Pauro’s on 9thOctober, designer Aneeth Arora’s post show party on 10th October (wherein visitors will have the sneak peak of Typhoo’s 100% Organic Infusions) concluding with designer Komal Sood’s and Sidhartha Tytler's stylish post show party on 11th October.

A stylish brand that caters to the young and fashion conscious consumer, Typhoo views the Amazon India Fashion week as a perfect platform to showcase their beverages.

Subrata Mukerji -Typhoo India Business Head, said, “We are delighted to have an association with The FDCI Amazon India Fashion Week. Typhoo has selected an extremely exciting range, to serve at the fashion week that compliments the many moods of the creative personalities who will be present at the event.The explosive burst of enticing fresh fruits and exotic herb flavours of100% natural fruit infusions and black tea range. The highlight of the evening will be a creative twist rendered by our innovative and expert mixologists. Who will create unusual concoctions for you to experience Tea like never before!”

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Indo-China Joint Military Exercise HAND-IN-HAND 2015

The Indo-China Combined Military Training Exercise HAND-IN-HAND 2015 will be conducted from 12 to 23 October 2015 at Kunming Military Academy, Yunnan, China.

The exercise will bring together troops of an Infantry sub-unit and a formation headquarter of Indian Army and similar participation from the Chinese Army for the joint training. This will be the fifth exercise in the Hand-in-Hand series, which started in 2007. This exercise will strengthen and broaden interoperability & cooperation between both the Armies as well as complement a number of other exchanges between the two forces. Over the years, the two countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the combined training. The twelve day exercise will lay emphasis on joint handling of insurgency at sub-unit level and related issues, while the aspect of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief will be discussed at formation headquarters level.

Commanders and Staff Officers of both sides will work in close coordination to receive and collate intelligence and to issue suitable operational orders to the combined field training components, who in turn will execute these orders on ground. The exercise curriculum has been planned progressively where the participants will initially be made to get familiar with each others organisational structure, weapons, equipment and tactical drills. Subsequently, under Joint Tactical Exercises Battle Drill of both the armies will be rehearsed.

A Consolidation and Validation Exercise will be witnessed by senior officers and observers of both Armies at the end of the Joint Training, in which troops of both nations will carry out sub-unit level counter insurgency operation training. 

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Intertek inaugurates New Project

Intertek, a leading quality solution provider to industries worldwide, inaugurated its new project on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Swachh Bharat initiative. Recognizing its role and commitment toward the society, Intertek undertook this initiative to enhance general hygiene and sanitation of the Mohan Co-operative area as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Mr. Nidhin Valson, Assistant Commissioner of Police, South East Delhi in the presence of Mr. Anil Kumar, Chairman and Mr. Rajesh Saigal, Regional Managing Director South Asia Intertek, inaugurated the initiative. The Mohan co-operative area consists of slum clusters that lack sanitation facilities and suffer in terms of health and quality of the environment. The initiative comprised of activities including maintenance/provision of adequate drainage system to promote sanitation, filling of the pot holes to avoid water borne diseases, ensuring regular cleanliness of the area and promoting a green environment by regular upkeep of plantation activities.

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Maharashtra No. 1 State for its Tourism potential

Mumbai: The survey compiled by HVS in association with the World Travel & Tourism Council, India Initiative (WTTCII) rated Maharashtra after analysing the state-wise potential of Travel and Tourism in India, and assessing the relative competitiveness of different states in the country.

The evaluation has been carried out for 30 states. Maharashtra ranks 1 in this year's survey moving up one position from the previous edition. The state benefits from a strong economy, good infrastructure, presence of a sizeable quantum of branded hotel rooms and a variety of demand generators to occupy these rooms. In line with these factors, Maharashtra has recorded perfect scores in four parameters – tourist visits, GSDP per capita, effectiveness of marketing campaign and aircraft movement. The state has performed well across all other parameters with the exception of its expenditure on tourism.

Ms Valsa Nair Singh, Secretary State Tourism and Cultural Affairs, GoM, said, “We are proud of being ranked as No 1. This recognition is prestigious, as Travel and Tourism is an integral part of our economy and we are happy that we stand as number one in attracting tourists. This is a team effort, through innovative promotional campaigns, marketing strategies, planned - focused and aggressive ideas we have reached such milestones and we are motivated to do better every day. Our recent thumping success of MITM attracted global buyers and sellers and we are confident to grow over the magic numbers in coming years, making Maharashtra number one destination on the world map.”

As per the Tourism Highlights 2015 Edition report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the total number of International Tourist Arrivals (ITA) worldwide was 1,133 million in 2014, India attracted 0.67% of the world's international tourist arrivals out of which Maharashtra attracted 4.5 million tourists from foreign countries and over 8.4 million domestic tourists, which is largest than any other state in the country.

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INS Trikand Visits Istanbul, Turkey

As a part of Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to West Asia, Africa and Europe, INS Trikand entered Istanbul today 04 Oct 15 for a three day visit. During her stay in Istanbul the ship will engage extensively with the Turkish Navy. Apart from professional interactions, a number of sports and social engagements are also planned, which would go a long way in enhancing co-operation and understanding towards mutually beneficial issues of maritime interest.

Indian naval ships are regularly deployed as part of the Indian Navy’s mission of building ‘bridges of friendship’ and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries as well as to address maritime concerns of the region including piracy in the Gulf of Aden. In addition, Indian Navy has also been involved in capacity building and capability enhancement of friendly navies in the Indian Ocean Region, besides providing assistance in hydrographic survey, search and rescue and improving maritime domain awareness. A notable recent employment of the Indian Navy was for the evacuation of over 3000 Indians and citizens from 35 other countries from strife-ridden Yemen(in April 2015).

India and Turkey share deep historical connections. The bilateral relations have been strengthened by exchange of visits by leaders of both countries in recent times. The two countries share common values including commitment to secularism and democratic principles. The current visit seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries and to strengthen the existing bonds between India and Turkey. Bilateral naval relations are expected to strengthen further due to the planned visit of a Turkish warship for the International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam, India in Feb 2016.

INS Trikand, commanded by Captain Vinay Kalia, is a state-of-the-art warship of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors capable of addressing threats in all the three dimensions – air, surface and sub-surface. The visiting ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, with its Headquarters at Mumbai. 

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No Decision to Close Railway Institute in Jamalpur

It has been reported in some sections of media that Railways have decided to close the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (IRIMEE) at Jamalpur. Ministry of Railways clarifies that there is no decision to close the IRIMEE at Jamalpur. IRIMEE shall continue as a Centralised Training Institute of the Ministry devoted to training Mechanical Engineers and other officers of the Indian Railways.

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Pranab Mukherjee paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 146th birth anniversary, at Rajghat, in Delhi on October 02, 2015. The Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu is also seen.

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Vice President Hamid Ansari pays homage to Gandhiji

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 146th birth anniversary, at Rajghat, in Delhi on October 02, 2015. The Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu is also seen.

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Khadi is the Symbol of National Unity

Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for MSME said that Khadi is the symbol of National unity and integration; hence every citizen should purchase Khadi. After inaugurating “Khadi Utsav” organized by Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, here today, the Minister said that Khadi is able to compete in today's global marketplace and to realize the vision of Gram Swaraj, it is necessary to develop Village industries. He emphasized that Khadi exhibitions should be organized in every district of the country. He also stated that the visionary Prime Minister is well aware the importance of Khadi, therefore he evocated to the people to purchase Khadi.

Shri K. C. Tyagi, Chairman, DRPSC on Industry in his address congratulated everyone associated with Khadi Programme. He told that Ministry of MSME is competent enough to provide employment to lakhs of people.

Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament congratulated everyone on Gandhi Jayanti and appealed to the people specially women to wear Khadi Saree.

Shri Arun Kumar Jha, CEO and Commissioner KVIC told to media that the objective of “Khadi Utsav” is to revive the dormant Khadi production which was famous for its sophistication and fineness, as well as to rejuvenate various the artists, who are generally working as ‘Job Workers’ now. In the Exhibition which has been setup, the products comprising Khadi sarees, dress material and other ethnic products would be a delight for the connoisseur of fabrics and fine art.

On this occasion a colorful Khadi Fashion Show was also organized by the Students of International design institute in association with designer of Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan KVIC, New Delhi. The Khadi Products directory was also released by the chief Guest on this occasion. The special discount on the sale of Khadi products shall also be offered to the customers on the occasion of ‘Gandhi Jayanti’.

Dr. Anup K. Pujari, Secretary, MSME, Shri S.N. Tripathi, Development Commissioner, MSME, Shri B.H.Anil Kumar, Joint Secretary, MSME, senior officers of the Ministry and KVIC, representatives of Khadi institutions, entrepreneurs and representatives of Press & Media were also present at the occassion.

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Prime Minister’s Function: Distribution of LPG Connection in Dumka

Today Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Dumka, Jharkhand. On the occasion, five thousand households from BPL category were handed over LPG connection. Hon’ble Prime Minister personally handed over LPG connections to four households at the event.

Hon’ble Prime Minister, while appealing to voluntarily Giving Up LPG subsidy on the day of Urja Sangam on March 27, 2015 had promised that the subsidy savings will be utilised to Give Back LPG connections to mothers and sisters from poor families. Today during the event he again reiterated the appeal and appreciated that above 30 lakh people have already given up LPG subsidy in such a short time.

Under this Give Back scheme, Government of India has contributed Rs. 1600 per LPG connection to BPL household while Government of Jharkhand has contributed Rs. 918.50 per household connection.

Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan accompanied Hon’ble Prime Minister on the occasion.

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Govt to expedite Onion Import

Government of India has been keeping a close watch on the rise in prices of Onions. A decision has been taken by the Government to import Onions and a tender has also been floated for 10,000 MT of Onions which will be opened on 27th August, 2015.

To increase the availability of Onions in domestic market, it has been decided to raise Minimum Export Price of Onions further to US$ 700 per MT.

MEP was last increased from US$ 250 per MT to US$ 425 per MT. on 26th June, 2015.

The prices of Onions are being reviewed regularly. A meeting is again being held by Secretary (Consumer Affairs) on 24th August, 2015 with SFAC, NAFED, MMTC, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and Govt. of Delhi to review the action taken to keep the prices of Onions in check.

To intervene in the market, Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) and NAFED have procured 5857 MT of Onion. This has been funded out of Price Stabilisation Fund meant to keep prices of essential commodities under control. SFAC has also procured 2511 MT of Onions for the Delhi Govt., making a total stock of 8368 MT of Onions. SFAC is supplying Onions at Rs.30.50 per kg. to SAFAL, which is retailing at Rs.39 per kg. in Delhi. SFAC is also selling Onions to consumers at Rs.35 per kg. through 120 milk booths of DMS. A decision was also taken by Govt. of Delhi to sell Onions at subsidized rate of Rs.40 per kg. through 280 Fair Price Shops, which was further reduced to Rs.30 per kg. w.e.f. 12.8.2015

Prices of Onions have been rising on account of a decline in total production from 189.23 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 as against 194.02 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 i.e. a decrease of 4.79 lakh tonnes. The shortfall has primarily been on account of adverse weather conditions including unseasonal rains which has impacted both the standing and harvested crop at the major producing centres.

In order to contain price rise of essential commodities a National Consultation Meeting was also held with all State/UTs Ministers in-charge of Food and Consumer Affairs on 7th July, 2015 which resolved to keep prices of essential commodities, especially Onions under control. It also recommended effective action against hoarding and blackmarketing to control prices of food items. Chief Secretaries of States / UTs are also being reminded regularly to keep a watch on price rise and take effective action.

Union Government made an amendment of EC Act, 1955 on 1st July, 2015 to enable State Govt./UTs to impose stock limits on Onions for a further period of one year till 2nd July, 2016.

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Northeast to have its own Film Institute: Dr. Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has disclosed that the Northeast will soon have a Film Institute of its own. He was addressing a function for felicitating Shri Aribam Syam Sharma, world renowned “Grand Prix” and “National Award” winning film maker from Manipur, during the 3-day Northeast Film Festival being held at Siri Fort Auditorium, here today.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the entire region of Northeast is bestowed with scenic beauty which can match with the most beautiful locations in the world, but unfortunately this vast potential of the region has remained under - utilized by the film industry. He thanked the Union Finance Minister and I&B Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley who was generous enough to include in the Budget the setting up of a Film Institute in Arunachal Pradesh. This will not only help in boosting the film industry in Northeast but would also facilitate film makers from Bollywood, Tollywood and other parts of the country to explore the exclusive locales of the region, he added.

Dr. Jitendra Singh has said, Shri Aribam Syam Sharma’s work has reflections of some of the greatest Indian film makers like Shri Satyajit Ray, Shri Mrinal Sen and Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He said, just before the award ceremony, he had the opportunity of watching “Ishanou”, a 1990 production by Shri Aribam which is not only rich in content and direction, but unlike most contemporary films, chooses the medium of visuals and silence to convey the theme instead of being loud or noisy. He suggested that the films made by Shri Aribam and other film makers of the same genre should be dubbed into other Indian languages so that these get wider exposure both for the film maker as well as the quality of cinema being produced in Northeast.

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25,000 Students participate in 8th Wild Wisdom Quiz

New Delhi, 21 August 2015: The Delhi City Finals of the 8th Wild Wisdom Quiz was held today. An initiative of WWF- India, the Wild Wisdom Quiz is Asia’s largest and India’s only wildlife quiz at the national level. The quiz aims to provide students a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the wildlife of this country, build their interest towards the rich natural legacy and inspire them to work towards its conservation.

Keeping in tune with United Nation’s declaration of 2015 as the ‘International Year of the Soil’, this year’s Wild Wisdom Quiz highlights the importance and conservation of soil. The quiz tests children’s aptitude and knowledge on soil, minerals, evolution, climate change and sustainability, apart from issues of Indian wildlife and global biodiversity.

The quiz has received participation from 25,000 students, pan-India so far. The first city level quiz was held in New Delhi today and will culminate with the finals on 7 October 2015.

75 schools from Delhi participated at this event at WWF-India’s Auditorium in the Junior and Middle School category. The winners of the Junior level quiz were Susheel G Shenoy & Indra Deshmukh from Scottish High School. The Quiz culminates at this level for them whereas the Middle School winners, Dhriti Bindra & Aryashree Bannerjee from ASN Sr. Secondary School will go on to compete with 14 other teams at the National Level, to be held at New Delhi on 7th October 2015.

The winners were felicitated by Dr. N.Khare from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which is also a supporter of the Quiz this year.

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Forum for India Pacific Island Countries

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in the Forum for India Pacific Island Countries (FIPIC) Family Photo, in Jaipur on August 21, 2015.

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Fragrances from the North East

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal addressing at the inauguration of the Three-day North East Film Festival on the theme of “Fragrances from the North East”, organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, in New Delhi on August 21, 2015.

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Ministry of Minority Affairs launches Nai Roshni

The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Dr. Najma A. Heptulla launching the Online Application Management System of “Nai Roshni”, in New Delhi on August 20, 2015.

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Nirmala Sitharaman at Container Freight Station Inaugural Ceremony

The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing at the Container Freight Station inaugural ceremony, in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on August 20, 2015.

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Piyush Goyal addressing 2nd FIPIC Summit-2015

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing at the Business Interaction in honor of Heads of States and Government of Pacific Island Countries on 2nd FIPIC Summit-2015, in New Delhi on August 20, 2015.

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63rd Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smt. Smriti Irani holding a press conference on the 63rd meeting of the Central Advisory Board Of Education (CABE), in New Delhi on August 19, 2015. The Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Member Secretary, CABE, Shri V.S. Oberoi, the Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Dr. Subash C. Khuntia and the Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri A.P. Frank Noronha are also seen.The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Prof. (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria and the Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Member Secretary, CABE, Shri V.S. Oberoi are also seen.

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