May 14, 2020

And of course, we do too! What happens when the most respected industrialist in the country meets a career architect and a passionate serial entrepreneur to discuss all things design and design thinking? Magic!

In a freewheeling yet insightful webinar Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Mr Ratan Tata, the CMD of the Della Group My Jimmy Mistry and renowned architect Mr Peter Rich came together; their agenda to innovate and find design thinking lead ways to kick start our economies once again, after the significant impact caused by #COVID19.

While the left brained number crunchers like banks, financial institutions and economists are grappling with this very question, Mr Mistry himself is of the opinion that more applied and creative solutions are the answer needed to harness India’s huge potential once again. He firmly believes that this is the time for architects, designers and the like to step up, pool in their combined right brained intellect and help regenerate the wheels of commerce in India again.

These three industry thought leaders, moderated by Utsav Mathur, dwelled on how design and design led thinking will be the differentiator to safeguard human capital in the #COVID19 era while creating innovation in the industry devoid currently of an impetus or a direction. The goal being to serve a huge populace of working professionals, from slum dwellers to executives and senior managers to CXOs, to help them adjust to what is soon to become the new ‘normal’.

It is interesting to note that in a conversation on future design and construction, Peter Rich was the only practicing architect on the panel. In fact Mr Tata was quick to point out that “I never regretted being an architect. I regretted not practicing it” after having received formal training in Los Angeles for 2 years.

We also know by now that Jimmy Mistry is loved and respected in the architectural and design fraternity for his fervour, his passion to practice and execute what is self-learnt and his ability to turn design thinking into a solution providing tool, across real world applications without a formal degree in design or architecture. This goldmine of innovative and free spirited thinking has gone on to resonate with the country and the webinar in a very short span of time has already garnered xxx views across social media platforms.

Do Right by our Human Capital

One of the topics that all three panellists spoke about passionately is slum rehabilitation. Mr Tata was deeply ashamed of the current situation on ground and highlighted the need to enrich human capital instead of dumping them far away from their current addresses and work places. Peter Rich was quick to add that especially in India, it was up to us Indians to find a logical and sustainable solution to the issue.

Jimmy Mistry called upon the usage of design thinking and anthropology to make any solution and subsequent execution in this aspect more human centric in its approach. He lamented on how currently only 17% to 18% of slums in Mumbai are actually redeveloped and even in that design thinking has not been allowed to play its part. He also very rightly pointed out that the solution to this issue was for the SRA to take lead and put out an open tender attracting the foremost developers in the country to take up redevelopment projects. This would allow a new lease of life to roughly 13 million fellow Indians and afford them the respect that they truly deserve.

Working from Home

The conversation then veered from Slum Development and Rehabilitation to another reality that people all over the world are getting used to; the ‘work from home’ conundrum. Jimmy Mistry took the lead in this conversation to explain that regular communication, transparency and complete disclosure, along with a sound restart strategy was the way forward. At the Della Group, he encourages every one of his 1600 employees to don design thinking caps across all positions and designations to reboot and come up with experiential hospitality experiences for patrons post the lockdown.

He also highlighted how India is learning to problem solve in the COVID19 era by looking to offer employment opportunities to global talent while also using deign thinking to attract multi skilled labour in accordance with the Indian Government. In fact all three panellists were in complete agreement with the idea of this being a good time for the Indian design fraternity to seek global opportunities through a series of international collaborations. This would firstly help boost employment and also bring in some much needed impetus into an economy which is currently in the doldrums.

A Shift in Realty

The panellists also had insightful views on how working from home would impact the real estate sector significantly. While Mr Tata believes that working from home is a practice that is new but must be adapted to as soon as possible and can be done across many sectors, Peter Rich advocates the usage of virtual technology to scale international boundaries and divides for the greater good of global industry and commerce.

Jimmy Mistry reiterated that the solution lies in how architects and designers choose to recalibrate and accommodate home offices into their design methodology. Apartment shells will now have to be slightly bigger to accommodate home offices while commercial establishments may be converted into installations that support public utility services.

He adds that for the 30% of the population who can work remotely there will be a reverse migratory trend that we will witness which will include a complete recalibrated shift in their socio economic mind set. For the 70% people who are the labour force that continue to churn the wheels of commerce and industry, it would be prudent for their employers to accommodate them and their families as close to their factories and warehouses as possible, especially if a second wave of the virus were to hit.

This riveting and thought provoking conversation lead by Mr Tata and ably supported by Peter Rich and Jimmy Mistry has gone on to become an industry yardstick with all three unilaterally prophesying on how designers, with their innovative problem solving approaches and rapid prototyping processes, could help fuse impetus into the currently dwindling economic scenario.

 

May 13, 2020

AJ Film Entertainment World All India Release

Filmmakers now have a new passion.  They have understood that if the concept of the film is good, then a hit film can be given by keeping the woman at the center.  During the last few years, many women oriented films have made a mark at the box office.  In view of this, the makers have got courage and they have come forward with the female head subject, one of which is the film Inshallah.  Producer Hemant Yadav and director Nazar Moharsavi Dop are actors of this film of Dilip John. Rajpal Yadav, Raza Murad, Shahid Talwar, Heera Yadav, Sunil Kumar, Amar Mishra, Kuldeep Shukla, Santosh Kumar, Aditya Nath, Akanksha Dixit, Shaifali Singh,  Priyanka Yadav, if it is. This film gives a message in society not to make misconceptions about women.  Usually, the woman is viewed incorrectly in society.  The finger is pointed at his personality or demeanor without any solid reason.

The conclusion of this film, made under the banner of Aditya Film Production, is that it is wrong to take strict decisions against women on the basis of Suni-narration.  At the center of the film are three girls – Akanksha Dixit, Shefali Singh.  Akanksha has a lead role and Shahid Talwar is being portrayed as the hero who plays the director in the film.  Priyanka has a negative role that burns with her sister Akanksha and is trying to trap her.  Rajpaj Yadav’s character is such that you will also see comedy and gray shades too.  The music is by Asif Iqbal, Anil Hazariya and Mushahid.  The film also has qawwali and bhajan.  Holi song will also add color and romantic songs will create romanticism among the viewers.  The special thing is that the film’s producer Hemant Yadav has also acted in the film.  AJ Film Entertainment World All India Release.

नारी के खिलाफ गलत धारणाओं को झुठलाती है ‘इंशाअल्लाह’

ए जे फिल्म एंटरटेनमेंट वर्ल्ड ऑल इंडिया रिलीज

फिल्ममेकर्स में अब एक नया जोश है। उन्हें समझ में आ गया है कि अगर फिल्म का कॉन्सेप्ट अच्छा हो, तो नारी को केंद्र में रखकर भी हिट फिल्म दी जा सकती है। पिछले कुछ सालों के दौरान कई वूमैन ओरिएंटेड फिल्मों ने बॉक्स ऑफिस पर रंग जमाया है। इसी को देखते हुए निर्माताओं में हिम्मत बढ़ी है और वे नारी प्रधान सब्जेक्ट को लेकर आगे आए हैं जिनमें से एक है फिल्म इंशाल्लाह। निर्माता हेमंत यादव और निर्देशक नज़र मोहरसवी Dop दिलीप जॉन की  इस फिल्म के कलाकार हैं।राजपाल यादव, रज़ा मुराद, शाहिद तलवार, हीरा यादव, सुनील कुमार, अमर मिश्रा, कुलदीप शुक्ला, संतोष कुमार, आदित्य नाथ, आकांक्षा दीक्षित, शैफाली सिंह, प्रियंका यादव, इति यदि हैं ।यह फिल्म समाज में यह मैसेज देती है कि औरत को लेकर गलत धारणा न बनाएं। आमतौर पर औरत को समाज में गलत दृष्टि से देखा जाता है। बिना किसी ठोस कारण के उनके व्यक्तित्व या चाल-चलन पर उंगली उठाई जाने लगती है। आदित्य फिल्म प्रोडक्शन के बैनर तले बनी इस फिल्म का निष्कर्ष यही है कि सुनी-सुनाईबातों के आधार पर नारी के खिलाफ सख्त फैसले लेना गलत है।

फिल्म के केंद्र में तीन लड़कियां हैं-आंकाक्षा दीक्षित, शेफाली सिंह । आकांक्षा का लीड रोल है और हीरो के तौर पर शाहिद तलवार को पेश किया जा रहा है जिनका फिल्म में निर्देशक का किरदार निभाया है। प्रियंका का नेगेटिव रोल है जो अपनी बहन आकांक्षा से जलती है और उसे फंसाने की कोशिशों में लगी रहती है। राजपाज यादव का किरदार ऐसा है जिमसें आपको कॉमेडी भी दिखेगी और ग्रे शेड भी। संगीत आसिफ इकबाल, अनिल हजारिया और मुशाहिद का है। फिल्म में कव्वाली भी है और भजन भी। होली का गीत भी रंग जमाएगा और रोमांटिक गीत भी देखने वालों में रूमानियत पैदा करेगा। खास बात यह है कि फिल्म के निर्माता हेमंत यादव ने भी फिल्म में अभिनय किया है। ए जे फिल्म एंटरटेनमेंट वर्ल्ड ऑल इंडिया रिलीज ।

May 10, 2020

On the 4th May, 2020, Dr. Rekha Chaudhari, MD of Oneline Wellness Pvt. Ltd. brought together a panel of discussion with the leaders in the beauty and wellness industry along with Honourable Minister, Mr. Nitin Gadkari.
Mrs. Vaijayanti Bhalchandra (Co-Founder, YLG Salons), Mr. Vikram Bhatt (Founder – Enrich), Mr. Pushkaraj Shenai (CEO – Lakme Salons), MR. Rahul Bhalchandra (CEO YLG Salons), Mrs. Monica Bahl (CEO – B&WSSC), Ms. Preeti Dias (Franchise – Lakme Salons), Mr Rajeev Nair (CEO – Kaya Clinics), Ms. Spoorthy Shetty (CEO – BBlunt) were the others who joined the discussion.
Running for more than 40 days. Multiple industries in nationwide lockdown, the condition is crispy. It has a big number of people with self-employment that are directly connected to beauty and wellness industry enterprises is also included.
People of industry discussed about this industry with minister Nitin Gadkari with a demand to provide many help packages for people battling with raised. This includes insurance, GST exemption, ESIC to Industry, NSE MMME or many other schemes.
There were many issues like salary, relaxation in PF. Many other problems were placed in front of the minister. They heard this problem and assured to carry and take this thing till finance minister and prime minister. 60 percent of the women depend on it.
Dr. Rekha Chaudhari started by thanking the Minister for sparing the time to listen to the issues faced by the industry with suggestions on how the Government could address some of these issues. She stated that due to the limitations of technology only 100 participants from across verticals and geographies could be part of today’s call, where a multiple of that number wanted to be part of this interaction with the hon. Minister. She informed the minister the unique quality of this industry is a majority comprises of women micro entrepreneurs and skilled workers.
In this meeting along with the beauticians it has been told that their number in the country is around 70 lakhs. This includes viewer parlours, barber shops, salons, schools, clinics, academies etc. which directly arrow employ to many people, in this two out of three, ie 60 percent women for whom it is the employment mean. It is said that the institute is like this they do not have a flowing walking capital it happens. As well as on the small-scale salons, frequently financial crisis has occurred.
Mrs. Vaijayanti Bhalchandra summarised the main issues facing the industry which are causing distress. Firstly, Skilled workers being the backbone results in a high cost of manpower around 40% of revenues. Second, due to the extended closure, there has been zero revenue for sixty days causing distress to owners and employees alike, bringing in question survival of many small and medium businesses. If this were to happen it will result in closing of businesses and large-scale unemployment. There is significant migrant worker population in this industry which will create further issues of dislocation subsequently.
Mrs. Preeti Dias presented the second lifeline and requested the Hon’ble Minister that the government gives support to the industry and pay 50% of wages for six months from date of lockdown.
Mr. Vikram Bhatt requested the Hon’ble Minister the measures to give organisations in the industry access to enhanced credit either through: Banks to increase working capital / OD limits. Govt to facilitate collateral free soft loans to the industry participants.

The policy to be made after 17 May
The industry has asked them to do many things under MMME or other schemes. Demand for grant of assistance scheme. Mr. Gadkari said that in green zone, this sector is exempted and in many other sectors it is being discussed in the zone. He told that you will have to work with this disease in future.

After May 17, it will be considered how both move along.
He expressed confidence that the difficult situation due to covid is a war which we as a nation have to fight, and we will definitely be successful in overcoming the corona challenge. He advised the gathering that we have to give first priority to the fight against Corona. He further stated that we will need to learn to live with Covid-19 and take appropriate care by using hand sanitisers, keeping safe distance, use of masks, gloves and taking basic hygiene seriously always, while increasing the immunity of the body. He also shared that the MSME ministry had entered into an MOU with the Ayush Ministry for ayurvedic spas to be opened all over the world and similar initiative could be possible for the Beauty & Wellness industry also. The Minister empathised with the industry on the difficulties faced and expressed the government’s intent is clearly to help the industry in these difficult times.

These are the major demands
Medical insurance cover for all customer facing workers in the industry to be covered under Medial cover of Rs. 5 Lac and Life Cover Rs. 25 Lacs
The government must give support to the industry and pay as DBT 50% of wages for 6 months from date of lockdown.
Consider GST paid by the organisation over FY 19-20 and allow 50% of credit back to the company
Government to remove cap of 100 employees and increase the current ceiling of Rs. 15,000 salary for PF contribution to be paid by the government
Working capital and OD limits should be increased
Loans available at lower rate of interest from CBI or MSME
Automatic renewal of license for 12 months
The Minister suggested that for continued employment opportunities for women and men more skill building centres to be opened. He further stressed that many businesses do not register as an MSME due to fear which is not needed which prevents them to granted benefits under MSME schemes. Regarding benefits asked for by the industry the Hon Minister advised the industry players to register themselves as MSME’s so that they can be made part of regular schemes by the government run for MSME’s like 75% guarantee cover for loans by SIDBI MSME cell and banks MSME cell. The Govt. has ensured a 100,000 Crores loan for MSME where collateral required is just 25%.
Minister thanked the entire set of attendees and presenters for the efforts taken to put together a crisp and pragmatic presentation. He expressed that for the first time he became aware of the large employee base of 65 lac people and women led nature of this industry. This definitely deserves attention from the government to building specific policies towards this sector. He shared that there is already a communication with the labour Minister and he is confident the restrictions on PF support will be eased to make it more inclusive soon.

टाळेबंदीमुळे अडचणीत आले ब्युटी प्रोफेशनल्स व्हिडियो कॉन्स्फरन्सिंगद्वारे गडकरींनी दिले मदतीचे आश्वासन;ग्लोबल वेलनेस अॅम्बेसेडर इडियाच्या एमडी डॉ. रेखा चौधरी यांची मागणी रास्त-केंद्रीय मंत्री नितीन गडकरी
सध्या कोरोनामुळे ब्युटी इंडस्ट्रीत सर्वात अडचणीत आली आहे. या व्यवसायात काम कारणाऱ्यांचा थेट संपर्क ग्राहकांशी होतो. त्यामुळे कोरोनाची लागण होण्याची शक्यता वाढते. त्यामुळे सध्या सर्वच ठिकाणी ब्युटी पार्लर्स आणि इतर संबधित व्यवसाय बंद आहे. या व्यवसायात काम करणाऱ्या काही भारतातील काही प्रमुख व्यक्तींशी केंद्रीय मंत्री नितीन गडकरी यांनी व्हिडियो कॉन्फरन्सिंग द्वारे चर्चा केली. त्यात वन लाईन वेलनेस आणि झेप फाउंडेशनच्या रेखा चौधरी यांनीही सहभाग घेतला होता. त्यात देशभरातून सहभागी झालेल्या प्रमुख ब्युटी प्रोफेशनल्सनी एका खास आर्थिक पॅकेजची मागणी केली आहे.
कोरोनामुळे या व्यवसायाला सध्या अनेक अडचणींचा सामना करावा लागत आहे.या बैठकीला उपस्थित असलेल्यांनी या इंडस्ट्रीसाठी एमएमएमई अंतर्गत आर्थिक मदत देण्याची मागणी केली आहे. या व्यवसायात काम करणाऱ्यांकडे सातत्याने रोख रकमेची अडचण असते. त्यातच सध्या ४० दिवसांपेक्षाजास्त असलेल्या लॉकडाऊनच्या काळात सर्व व्यावसायीक मोठ्या अडचणीत आले आहेत. या व्यवसायात लहान ब्युटी पार्लर, सलुन चालक डॉ. रेखा चौधरी-एमडी वनलाइन वेलनेस, श्रीमती वैजयंती भालचंद्र-सह-संस्थापक, वायएलजी सॅलून, विक्रम भट्ट-संस्थापक-enrich सॅलून, श्री. पुष्करज शेनाई-मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी – लेक्मे सॅलून, एमआर.राहुल भालचंद्र-सीईओ वाय.एल.जी. सॅलून श्रीमती मोनिका बहल-सीईओ बीडब्ल्यूएसएससी, राजीव नायर-सीईओ काया क्लिनिक, सुश्री प्रीती-डायस फ्रेंचायझी लकमे सॅलून यांचा सहभाग होता
गडकरी यांनी सांगितले की सध्या ग्रीन झोनमध्ये या व्यवसायाला परवानगी देण्यात आली आहे. मात्र अडचणीत आलेल्या या व्यावसायिकांना एमएमएमई अंतर्गत मदत करण्याचा निर्णय १७ मे नंतर होऊ शकतो. यासाठी आपण नक्कीच मदत करु, असे आश्वासन गडकरी यांनी दिले.
डॉ. रेखा चौधरी यांनी नितीन गडकरी यांचे आभार मानतांना सांगितले की, या उद्योगांमधील समस्या सोडविण्यासाठी वेळ थोडा वेळ देऊन सरकार या प्रश्नांकडे कसे निसटू शकेल, याकडे लक्ष द्यावे, त्यांनी सांगितले की, तंत्रज्ञानाच्या मयार्दांमुळे, उभ्या आणि भौगोलिक भागातील केवळ १०० भागधारक आजच्या काळातील भाग असू शकतात, जिथे त्या संख्येतील बहुतेक या परस्परसंवादाचा भाग होऊ इच्छित होते. या सूत्राची अनोखी गुणवत्ता ही महिला सूक्ष्म उद्योजक आणि कुशल कामगारांची आहे आणि त्यांनी प्रेझेंटेशन मोनिका बहल यांना दिली.
यावेळी एमएमएमई सहसचिव आणि केंद्रीय मंत्री नितीन गडकरी, वनलाईन वेलनेस अॅण्ड ग्लोबल वेलनेस अॅम्बेसेडर इडियाच्या एमडी डॉ. रेखा चौधरी, वाय.एल.जी. सलूनच्या सह संस्थापक वैजयंती भालचंद्र, समृद्धचे संस्थापक विक्रम भट्ट, लॅक्मे सलूनचे मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी पुष्कराज शेनाई, वायएलजीचे सीईओ राहुल भालचंद्र, बी अॅण्ड डब्लु एसएससीचे सीईओ मोनिका बहल, लॅक्मे सलुनचे फ्रांचायझी प्रीती डायस उपस्थित होते.

◆६० प्रतिशत महिला यावर अवलंबून :
डॉ रेखा चौधरी यांच्या माहितीनुसार देशात या इंडस्ट्री ची संख्या ७० लाख आहे, यामध्ये ब्युटी पार्लर, बार्बर शॉप, सलून, स्पा क्लिनिक, अकॅडमी इत्यादींचा समावेश आहे. जो थेट स्वरूपात लोकांना रोजगार मिळवून देतो. यामध्ये प्रति तीनमध्ये दोन म्हणजे ६० प्रतिशत महिलांचा समावेश आहे आणि ज्यांच्यासाठी रोजगाराचे हेच साधन आहे असेही सांगण्यात आले.
हि संस्था अशी आहे कि यांच्याकडे कोणतेही मोठे वर्किंग कॅपिटल असत नाही. तसेच छोट्या स्वरूपातील सलून, बार्बर शॉप, यासारख्या लोकांकडे या वेळेला मोठे आर्थिक संकट आलेले आहे.

◆१७ मे नंतर योजना राबविणार
इंडस्ट्रीतील लोकांनी त्यांच्या कडे MMME किंवा अन्य स्कीमच्या अंतर्गत काही सहायक योजना देण्याची मागणी केली. श्री.नितीन गडकरी यांनी सांगितले कि ग्रीन झोनमध्ये या सेक्टरला सूट देण्यात आलेली आहे. आणि रेड व तत्सम झोन साठी यावर विचार विनिमय चालू आहे. त्यांनी असेही सांगितले कि यापुढे हि या आजाराशी लढतच काम करावे लागणार आहे. १७ मे नंतर यावर विचार केला जाईन कि कशा प्रकारे दोघांशी सांगड घालता येईल. स्थानिक कालेकटर्स ना याचे अधिकार देण्यात आलेले आहे. त्यांनी या इंडस्ट्री च्या पदाधिकाऱ्यांना दिल्लीत येऊन पदाधिकाऱ्यांसोबत चर्चा करण्यास सांगितले कारण ज्याप्रमाणे आयुष्य सोबत MAU अप तयार केले त्याच प्रमाणे MSME ला सुद्धा काही लाभ मिळतील.

◆या प्रमुख मागण्या उठविण्यात आल्या :

●५ लाख रुपयांचा हेल्थ कव्हर मिळणे
●प्रोफेशनल्स आणि त्यांच्या परिवाराच्या सुरक्षितेसाठी २५ लाख पर्यंतचा लाइफ कव्हर (विमा) मिळणे.
●अंध कर्मचाऱ्यांना सहा महिन्याचे वेतन सरकारकडून मिळणे
●MSM २०२० वर्षात GST मध्ये ५० प्रतिशत सूट मिळणे.
●ESIC च्या माध्यमातून लॉक डाऊन अवधीसाठी ७० प्रतिशत वेतन मिळणे.
●PF च्या १०० मर्मचारी आणि १५००० वेतनाच्या सीमेला संपवून प्रधानमंत्री PF चा लाभ मिळणे.
●वर्किंग केपीटल आणि ओव्हर ड्रफ्ट लिमिटला वाढ मिळणे
●सिडबी किंवा MSME च्या कमी व्याज दराने लोन ची उपलब्धता मिळणे.
●१२ महिन्यानंतर लायसन्स चे ऑटोमाटिक रिन्युवल होणे.

For further details contact:
Naarad PR and Image Strategists

9820535230, 8007476464

anushabrandmaker@gmail.com

www.naarad.net

May 8, 2020

“I am an Indian first, an entrepreneur who takes care of over a 1000 families next. It is time we stop thinking ‘I’ and start thinking ‘we’ . As an Indian I decided to help give meals to the poor and to give Beatle for the COVID19 patients. That is what every Indian should do for his nation.

Every company has disgruntled employees and in our case, it is a handful who want to use media for armtwisting tactics. The investigation of Thinktank dispute is on in Labour Court and we have full faith in the country’s judiciary.. How can anyone tell me I cannot help COVID19 victims,” storms Sachiin Joshi as he confirms that the employees who are trying to armtwist him using media will be immediately served legal notices.

“Are these people asking me not to feed the poor or not to give my hotel to the government for aiding patients misusing media? How dare they” he thunders. Viiking Ventures had acquired a company Tugboat and rechristened it Thinktank.

The deal was that they would be self-sufficient in terms of revenue and we would give them the umbrella and infrastructural support. “But we were left straddled with their frauds and liabilities. There was dual employment, money issues etc. which they have accepted on social media as well Once the frauds are sorted, the liabilities will be too. We have details and letter from some employees accepting that they were doing dual jobs. As we were investigating, they (the ex-employees) tried using Mumbai Mirror to armtwist us. Post that came the lockdown. Now, they are trying to use scare tactics using Mid-Day while the matter is already in court. We are perfectly fine with legal recourse but trying to use media to malign our reputation will only ensure stringent action from our end,” he says.

“I am taking care of a 1000 families, literally. Why are a handful not paid? There must surely be a reason. For a bunch of people whom we tried hard to keep on board to take care of a loss making company that had a chain of frauds, I can say this reputation tarnishing exercise could well be their best work. If only they had used this intelligence and unity to work, the company would have at least been at break-even.”

May 7, 2020

Distressed Indian parents left to fend for their daughter’s rights with the school’s disgraceful demeanour of protecting the offenders

New Delhi, 7 May 2020: Institut Le Rosey, commonly referred to as Le Rosey or simply Rosey and one of the oldest boarding schools in Switzerland is embroiled in a disgraceful situation because of its failure and the serious lack of sensitivity to deal with bullying towards an Indian student. The title of the most expensive private school in the world goes to Institut Le Rosey, with an annual tuition of $115,000 (basic fees plus costs) per year. However, the recent incident of a student from a renowned family from India being subjected to harrowing mental and emotional harassment, at the behest of her fellow students and painfully negligent faculty, puts a serious dent on the image and credibility of such schools that are already charging an exorbitant fee. Serious allegations have been raised that the elitist school failed to protect their daughter from bullying which ultimately led to serious cyber harassment and attacks towards the young teen.

The case is an eye opener for all parents that work hard their entire life to send their children to such seemingly prestigious schools and begs the question ‘Is the name tag ultimately worth it?” As Indian origin parents Radhika & Pankaj Oswal realized! As responsible parents they too had many dreams for their daughter and thought that sending their daughter to an institution like Le Rosey would provide her with not just a world-class education but also the best pastoral care. But they say that “It has become clear, however, that the standards of the school have dropped in recent years, and it is now fast becoming just a playground for rich students to do as they please.”

Commenting on the incident, Radhika Oswal, parent of aggrieved student said “We are disappointed and appalled at the treatment that has been given to our daughter by an institute, and the faculty that has failed miserably to uphold its own code of conduct. The values that the institute ostensibly imparts pertaining to ‘respect’ and ‘physical integrity’ as well as for the ‘religious, philosophical and political convictions’ of students, have been made a mockery of, and are at this point nothing but marketing whitewash!.”

Following a serious set of bullying incidents against their child, the parents raised their concerns to the school and asked for action to be taken to ensure their child’s safety. The school’s senior management however showed no willingness to act or even acknowledge that there was an issue. The bullying meanwhile escalated into systematic harassment and cyber bullying. The student was mocked on social media groups with other students witnessing. Instead of addressing the bullying or trying to come to a reasonable conclusion, Le Rosey cancelled the bullied student’s re-enrolment for the following academic year, without any explanation. The parents say that there is also clear evidence of other Indian children being harassed because of their background, culture and choice to be vegetarian.

Radhika Oswal further added “It is unfortunate that we have heard of other Indian students being taunted for their ethnicity, shockingly even by a member of the faculty. It is sadder that many Indian parents continue the education of their children in this school, despite their children being told disrespectful and racist remarks such as that India is the dustbin of Asia, and that Indian parents look like sweepers. It is shocking when children are taunted and made fun of multiple times on their decision to be vegetarian, their culture and their religious beliefs, but even sadder when parents do not take action”.

Other issues relating to Le Rosey’s Code of Conduct have also been raised. Le Rosey’s fifth ‘Major Rule’ is that ‘possession or consumption of alcoholic drinks on or off-campus throughout the week’ is a ‘major offence’. The code of conduct also deems smoking and ‘leaving a building without authorization’ at night as major offences.

Contrary to this, underage drinking and smoking is reportedly prevalent in the school. First-hand accounts also suggest that unruly students can frequently be seen at clubs outside and bars around Le Rosey during term time, spending lavishly on expensive drinks.

The parents have under righteous obligation, tried to raise their daughter’s concern in front of the school’s management, but apparently in vain, as if a matter of concern of the child’s safety within the school were inconsequential. On the contrary, Le Rosey and its faculty painstakingly were involved in the character assassination of their young daughter by lowering her evaluation grades since she was one of the highest achievers of her class, supporting the students who attacked her mentally, even cancelling her contention for a re-enrollment to the next school year and subjecting her to unimaginable mental torture, in an ultimate bid to try to subjugate her into silence.

Following a failure to reach an agreement in a conciliation hearing, the parents say they had little choice but to take Le Rosey to court. The parents want a public apology for their daughter and a promise that the school will now start to live up to its own – supposedly high – standards. They are concerned that other students at the school may also be victims and be suffering in silence.

Adding to this, Pankaj Oswal said “We are saddened that it has come to this but as parents are duty-bound to act. Le Rosey has failed in their responsibility towards the welfare of a child. It is entirely unacceptable. The school has prioritized having a yacht on Lake Geneva and multiple extravagant events over ensuring the basic levels of care are met. As parents we are in a state of shock and it hurts to know what our brave daughter has had to stand upto at a young age. And just like all parents, we don’t want her to be a victim, but a champion of a cause that has once caused her so much pain, so that it may not do the same to others. To us, she will always be a hero who stood as bravely as she could in the face of her greatest adversity and decided not to be silenced by her oppressors. We hope that this moment makes Le Rosey reflect on what a world-class education really looks like and take action to ensure that this doesn’t happen to any more students.”

The parents have taken the moral onus of fighting for their child’s future and justice for many such future Indian students as their daughter, to uphold justice and parity. With faith in the Swiss legal system and an expectation that truth and justice shall eventually prevail, Radhika & Pankaj Oswal have decided to be the harbingers of change, standing up against bullying and abuse. This is not about money, but principle. They have pledged any financial award to be entirely donated towards charitable causes.

May 6, 2020

Jagadguru Narendracharya Maharaj Sansthan, Nanijdham (Maharashtra)

contributed 52 lacs to PMCares Fund on the 30th of April 2020 to combat Covid-19 pandemic. Sansthan had also contributed 50 Lacs to Maharashtra CM Relief Fund for the same, in addition to distributing grocery packages to the poor during lockdown in Ratnagiri (Maharashtra).

Jagadguru’s commitment towards social responsibility and diligence towards the society and the entire nation is remarkable.

Jagadguru says, “We wish for complete eradication of this pandemic at the earliest.” HH Swamiji also appreciated and encouraged Covid warriors (ie medical staff, cleaning staff, Police, Govt departments like water supply, electricity supply etc), who are selflessly fighting with this unprecedented disease, through his tweets from @_Jagadguru handle.

The Sansthan, established in 1994, has been sincerely working across the nation on multiple social fronts.

———-Wasim Siddique

जगद्गुरु नरेंद्राचार्य महाराज संस्थान, नानीजधाम ने १ करोड़ २ लाख रुपए कोविड-१९ महामारी के लिए रिलीफ में दान किये।

जगद्गुरु नरेंद्राचार्य महाराज संस्थान, नानीजधाम (महाराष्ट्र) ने ३० अप्रैल २०२० को पी एम केयर्स में ५२ लाख का अनुदान किया। संस्थान महाराष्ट्र के रिलीफ फण्ड में भी ५० लाख का अनुदान कर चुकी है। साथ ही रत्नागिरी महाराष्ट्र में गरीबों में खाद्य पदार्थों का वितरण किया।

जगद्गुरु नरेंद्राचार्य महाराज संस्थान, नानीजधाम का यह योगदान समाज के प्रति सराहनीय है।

जगद्गुरु ने पूरे समाज को इस आपदकाल की स्तिथि से उबरने की शुभेच्छा ज़ाहिर की। स्वामी जी ने वर्तमान में कोविड-१९ के खिलाफ जंग में शामिल तमाम डॉक्टरों, उनके स्टाफ, सफाई कर्मचारी, पुलिस विभाग एवं अन्य सरकारी विभाग जैसे पानी, बिजली विभागों की निस्वार्थ सेवा की उनके ट्विटर handle @_Jagadguru पर प्रशंसा की।

जगद्गुरु नरेंद्राचार्य महाराज संस्थान, नानीजधाम की स्थापना १९९४ में हुई थी और तबसे यह सामाजिक कार्यो में संलग्न है।

May 5, 2020

Arsala Qureishi has launched BLOW MEDIA right before the pandemic hit the world. Blow Media’s manifesto is clear, it will create digital content that is relevant, contemporaneous and relatable on an international platform and with international names attached.

Blow Media’s first foray was a Hollywood Bollywood collaboration with STEP UP 2 actor Robert Hoffman in the lead along Actor/Influencer Jas Sagu. It was a music video ‘(Aag Ka Gola L.A.) shot extensively in Hollywood. We were keen to know what the talented director’s next step will be in the face of the New Normal that has hit the entire world.

We got to know that Arsala Qureishi has great plans for 2020. Her book ‘Separated by Ten Inches’ is slated to release later this year and simultaneously she’s working on a screenplay based on the book.

‘Separated By Ten Inches’ is prophetic to the times we inhabit she says’ it’s about an unnamed cataclysmic event that has ravaged the world which induces a state of paranoia; amongst this erupts a story of hate, greed, connectedness and love; reminding us that transition is undulating and often impossible to tell one from the other.

She further adds, ‘We can’t remain trapped in the mental coordinates of a world that no longer exists, our Life and Art will have to depict some semblance of reality or it won’t be relatable. We are living in historic times our response has to be lucid and synchronized with the times.’ We cudnt agree more with her when she further stated that ‘I don’t see a world with boundaries and if there are lines drawn by man they don’t have to exist in our hearts.’

A huge Hollywood name is next on her list, but she doesn’t divulge the name and says it’s going to be a shocker!

‘We are staying true to our tag line ; – Human Through Art. Stories of the human condition interest us and that’s what we promise to bring to screens in the New Normal,’ Arsala sums up with her statement leaving us curious and definitely worth waiting for the unique projects.

May 5, 2020

Due to the lockdown for the last 40 days, people have a big problem of eating and drinking due to the Corona virus. Many people have stopped earning due to the shutdown of work. Due to this, they do not even have money to eat. * Mahashakti Charitable Trust * came forward to help such people. They are making arrangements for food and drink for the needy people. Today, ‘Corona Fighter’ youth leaders are getting Vishal Bhagat introduced.

Vishal Bhagat is a businessman for money, but he loves to do social service. Due to Vishal Bhagat lockdown, he decided to help the poor people with his team of 20 people. Now, along with his team, he is feeding about 250 to 300 people daily in Mumbai.

Vishal Bhagat said that these are people who are homeless. They live on the streets. He could not see those people starving. He said that the above has given him a lot. So they are using it for a good cause. Rekha Tirupathi

While his team distributes food on one side, it also makes people aware of social distancing. The other members of the team, Sikander Sahu, Anil Bhai, Raju Bhai, Das Bhai, Sikander Sahu, Sanjay Sharma, Pintu Gupta, Mithilesh Singh, Joshep, told that the crowd gathered when they reached with food, sometimes with pea cheese and sometimes with cholabatura. is. Three people do the work of distributing food and the remaining people stand at a distance of one meter and make lines.

Sikander Sahu team gets up early in the morning. These people bring pulses, rice and vegetables from the wholesalers. The community cooks food in the kitchen and then in different areas, food distribution arrangements have been made to the people under the leadership of Pankaj Chaudhary in Colaba, like Anushka Chauhan in Ambuj Wadi Malvani, Matha Jetty by Nandan Singh. In Ganpat Patil Nagar Dahisar, Naveen Mishra distributes food to the people daily. While cooking, full care is taken care of, home made mask, hand gloss, head pay cap, and social distress are taken care of, let me tell you that Mahashakti Charitable Trust has taken permission from the metropolitan municipality, the administration With permission. Serving people continuously since last 40 days.

Vishal Bhagat told that he is able to do this work with the help of BMC and administration, now other people are also contacting him so that they can also come and help in this noble cause.

May 2, 2020

Mumbai: 13^th International Festival of Cellphone Cinema has been announced for all those who love short films and ready to shoot stills and movie on their mobile phones, submission of entries to be closed on 15^th May, the date has been extended owing to lock down.

“We are pleased to announce the 13^th edition of our admired festival International Festival of Cellphone Cinema today. The 15^th May is the last date of        receiving entries of films made from mobile phone,” said Sandeep Marwah President of the festival who has been earlier titled as Father of Cellphone Cinema.

This time, well known actor director Satish Kaushik, film director Raju Parsekar and director of short films Vevek Paul along with Prof. Karl Bardosh and Sandeep Marwah are going to be on the jury to announce and distribute number of gifts received from DETEL.

“It is a very interesting festival and I am looking anxiously for the people especially from film and media students to submit their entries. You never know some time you get a unique idea from these films to actually produce a full length feature film and participant gets his due credit,” said Satish Kaushik appreciating the concept of cellphone cinema.

  

The entries can be in four categories namely Still Photos taken by mobile, Movies made by mobile and can be in three different categories that is- News Gathering, -Music Video and -Fiction. All these movies should not be more than 3 minutes in duration.

These films can be uploaded on filmclub@aaft.com or can be sent via Whatsapp to no +918586978492. You can visit the website www.ifcpc.com for further details.

This is the first Cellphone Cinema festival ever started anywhere in the World. Last year Dr. Marwah had taken this festival to Cannes during Cannes International Film Festival in France, to Budapest in Hungary and New York in USA.

May 1, 2020

1 May 2020, Mumbai: Actress Amrita Rao who prides in been born and brought up in Mumbai, took time during the lockdown for her special salutations to the State on the occasion of Maharashtra Day. May 1st is annually marked to commemorate the creation of Maharashtra from the State of Bombay on May 1, in the year 1960.

Amrita said, “Mumbai which happens to be the heart of Maharashtra has been my ‘Janma’ and ‘Karma’ Bhoomi. Even my grandmother was born here so I feel blessed to be a proud citizen of the state. In school, Marathi was a compulsory subject, hence though my mother tongue is Konkani and we are originally from Karnataka, I can speak good Marathi. As a kid, I have witnessed the parade that is held and the address of the governor at Shivaji Park in our summer holidays. I have grown up watching Marathi plays at Shivaji Mandir like Dilip Prabhawalkar’s Haswa Phaswi, Bhakti Bharwe’s last rendition on Tee Phool Raani, and the outstanding play on Shivaji Maharaj – Jaanta Raja at Shivaji Park. I loved listening to Bheemsen Joshi Ji’s ‘Natyasangeet’. Maybe the seeds of being an artist were sown in my sub-conscious then.”

  

Amrita essayed the character of Meenatai Thackeray last year in the biopic of Balasaheb Thackeray which was shot simultaneously in Marathi and Hindi. The film follows the life of the founder of an Indian political party and was released right after his 93rd birthday. Balasaheb’s father Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, was a leading figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement which advocated the creation of a separate state. The movement ultimately lead to the creation of the state thus leading to Maharashtra Day celebrations.

The film will be aired today at prime time on a leading channel specially designed for the Maharashtrian audience. The film strives to celebrate the deep-rooted sense of pride in Marathi ethos making it a rare treat and is a perfect movie to watch and celebrate the day of Maharashtra pride feels Amrita. “Strange are the ways of destiny, as a teen, I have taken countless rounds of Shivaji Park and walked past Meenatai’s iconic statue. I could never imagine portraying on the celluloid; a woman who was the strongest pillar of the family who played the most important part in the creation of the very state in which I was born” says the actress.

“I love the street food like Wada Paav, Misal Paav, Kothmir Wade, Zhunka Bhakar. Also in clothing, the Paithani Saree or footwear like the Kolhapuri Chappal has been an integral part of my life. Maharashtra is the land of great Maratha warriors and Sri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who saved not only Maharashtra but India from being invaded by foreigners. I have visited many forts to pay my obeisance to Shivaji Maharaj like the Raigarh fort where Shivaji was coronated, and the Singhagarh fort in Pune. I strongly feel that Balasaheb Thackeray could have been an ansh of Shivaji Maharaj. ‘Thackeray’ also marks my proud debut in Marathi Cinema. The makers are definitely planning a sequel and It would be an extended honor to be a part of it again. Jai Maharashtra!” exclaimed a jovial Amrita as she signed off.