March 18, 2024
U.S. Postal Service issues Garden Delights Stamps, celebrating Hummingbirds' vital role in Spring and Summer Gardens
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio, March 18, 2024 — The United States Postal Service released a collection of four stamps called “Garden Delights.” These stamps celebrate the beautiful flora of America’s spring and summer gardens and acknowledge the crucial role of hummingbirds in pollination. Each stamp features a ruby-throated hummingbird gracefully hovering next to a zinnia, cigar flower, spotted touch-me-not, or sunflower. The ceremony to dedicate these stamps was held today in Strongsville.
The sight of spring flowers blooming is a delight for everyone, whether you’re an avid gardener or not. Gardens provide joy, food, and a sense of purpose to those who tend them and serve as a haven for birds, plants, and animals to find refuge and the necessary resources to survive.
No garden is complete without the buzzes, hums, and musical melodies of nature’s wildlife. Hummingbirds add charm to summer gardens with their unique features and small size.
Hummingbirds are exclusively found in the Americas, with around 16 species native to the United States. Among the smallest hummingbirds are the Ruby-throated ones, weighing about the same as a penny and measuring 3.5 inches long. These birds are the only hummingbirds found in the gardens of the eastern and central parts of the United States.
Hummingbirds are unique birds and remarkable pollinators. They can pollinate more than 7,000 flowering plants, which rely on them to collect and deliver the pollen necessary to produce fruit and seeds.
Greg Breeding used existing photographs by wildlife photographer Ben King to design the USPS stamps.
Source: U.S. Postal Service
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:21 PM | View the original post
March 17, 2024
Lakme Fashion Week March 2024, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI)
Photos: Sara Ali Khan. Models represent various designers. Lakme Fashion Week presented leading designers in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). March 13-17, 2024. Images provided by FDCI/Lakme Fashion Week.
Mumbai, March 17, 2024 — Lakme Fashion Week, India’s premier fashion and lifestyle event, has been redefining fashion for over 25 years.
Over five days, over 100 designers, brands, and industry stakeholders showcase their work, making Lakmé Fashion Week the go-to destination for emerging talent, sustainability, and fashion businesses.
This season, Lakme Fashion Week and FDCI have combined their forces to present a joint schedule comprising the best curation and designers from Delhi, Mumbai, and across India.
Source: Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) / Lakme Fashion Week.
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— Lakmé Fashion Week (@LakmeFashionWk) March 17, 2024
#janhvikapoor for KALKI on Day 5.@kalkifashion @ILoveLakme @fdciofficial #reliancebrandsltd @R1SEWorldwide #UltimateFaceDefinition#KalkiAtLakmeFashionWeekxFDCl#LakmeFashionWeekxFDCI #LFWxFDCI#Lakm?FashionWeek #LFW #FDCI#KALKIpresentsINARA #KALKIInara #SpringSummer24 pic.twitter.com/JeFScluLg8
— Lakmé Fashion Week (@LakmeFashionWk) March 17, 2024
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:13 AM | View the original post
March 15, 2024
Paris 2024 is on track to Welcome the World and deliver an Exceptional Games Vision.
Photos: Paris 2024 is on track to Welcome the World and deliver an Exceptional Games Vision. Images provided by and copyright © IOC Media Relations.
Paris, March 15, 2024 — The Organising Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is working hard to ensure everything is in place for the upcoming event. The Coordination Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the preparations are on track to welcome the Olympic Movement to France. The Commission had its final meeting before the Games, announcing that the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony would start at 7:30 pm local time (CEST) on July 26.
The Coordination Commission Chair, Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, confirmed that Paris 2024 is on track to deliver its exceptional Games vision. The Organising Committee is focused on delivering spectacular, impactful, and sustainable Games with the continued support of stakeholders. The Olympic Torch Relay begins in just over a month and will mark a key milestone in the Organising Committee’s operational activities. It will also amplify engagement and excitement as the Games draw nearer.
Beckers-Vieujant added that Paris 2024 sets an exemplary model for future Games. The engagement initiatives and new approaches align with the reforms of the Olympic Agenda 2020 that make the Games younger, more urban, more sustainable, and more inclusive. These Games will also be the first-ever Olympic Games with gender parity, with the same number of places allocated to female and male athletes by the IOC.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet stressed the importance of remaining focused and humble as the Olympic flame approaches France in just 60 days. The team met with the IOC Coordination Commission for three days to review crucial details. Despite challenges over the past seven years, the team remains confident and proud of their ambition.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will begin on July 26 and continue until August 11.
Source: IOC Media Relations
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:13 PM | View the original post
March 14, 2024
Oppenheimer wins Best Actor, Best Film, and Best Director at the 2024 Oscars.
Photo: Takashi Yamazaki poses with the Oscar for Visual Effects during the live A.B.C. telecast of the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Image provided by Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S., Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Jennifer Lame poses backstage with the Oscar for Film Editing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars at Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Image provided by Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S, Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Robert Downey, Jr. poses backstage with the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live A.B.C. telecast of the 96th Oscars at Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Image provided by Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S., Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Eva Longoria arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Image provided by Mke Baker / A.M.P.A.S., Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: America Ferrera arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Image provided by Kyusung Gong / A.M.P.A.S., Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.
LOS ANGELES, CA, March 11, 2024 - The 96th Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars 2024, occurred on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. It was broadcast live on A.B.C. and in over 200 countries worldwide.
Oppenheimer, a biographical thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, was the big night winner, taking home seven awards, including Best Picture. Nolan and actors Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr earned awards for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. The event ended with a flourish at the Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles.
— The Full List of Oscar Winners 2024 —
• ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
WINNER
CILLIAN MURPHY
Oppenheimer
NOMINEES
BRADLEY COOPER
Maestro
COLMAN DOMINGO
Rustin
PAUL GIAMATTI
The Holdovers
JEFFREY WRIGHT
American Fiction
• ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
WINNER
ROBERT DOWNEY JR.
Oppenheimer
NOMINEES
STERLING K. BROWN
American Fiction
ROBERT DE NIRO
Killers of the Flower Moon
RYAN GOSLING
Barbie
MARK RUFFALO
Poor Things
• ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
WINNER
EMMA STONE
Poor Things
NOMINEES
ANNETTE BENING
Nyad
LILY GLADSTONE
Killers of the Flower Moon
SANDRA HÜLLER
Anatomy of a Fall
CAREY MULLIGAN
Maestro
• ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
WINNER
DA’VINE JOY RANDOLPH
The Holdovers
NOMINEES
EMILY BLUNT
Oppenheimer
DANIELLE BROOKS
The Color Purple
AMERICA FERRERA
Barbie
JODIE FOSTER
Nyad
• ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
WINNER
THE BOY AND THE HERON
Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki
NOMINEES
ELEMENTAL
Peter Sohn and Denise Ream
NIMONA
Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan, and Julie Zackary
ROBOT DREAMS
Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé and Sandra Tapia Díaz
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE
Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal
• CINEMATOGRAPHY
WINNER
OPPENHEIMER
Hoyte van Hoytema
NOMINEES
EL CONDE
Edward Lachman
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Rodrigo Prieto
MAESTRO
Matthew Libatique
POOR THINGS
Robbie Ryan
• COSTUME DESIGN
WINNER
POOR THINGS
Holly Waddington
NOMINEES
BARBIE
Jacqueline Durran
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Jacqueline West
NAPOLEON
Janty Yates and Dave Crossman
OPPENHEIMER
Ellen Mirojnick
• DIRECTING
WINNER
OPPENHEIMER
Christopher Nolan
NOMINEES
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Justine Triet
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Martin Scorsese
POOR THINGS
Yorgos Lanthimos
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Jonathan Glazer
• DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
WINNER
20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL
Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, and Raney Aronson-Rath
NOMINEES
BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT
Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp, and John Battsek
THE ETERNAL MEMORY
Maite Alberdi
FOUR DAUGHTERS
Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha
TO KILL A TIGER
Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim
• DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
WINNER
THE LAST REPAIR SHOP
Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
NOMINEES
THE ABCS OF BOOK BANNING
Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic
THE BARBER OF LITTLE ROCK
John Hoffman and Christine Turner
ISLAND IN BETWEEN
S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien
NAI NAI & WAI PO
Sean Wang and Sam Davis
• FILM EDITING
WINNER
OPPENHEIMER
Jennifer Lame
NOMINEES
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Laurent Sénéchal
THE HOLDOVERS
Kevin Tent
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Thelma Schoonmaker
POOR THINGS
Yorgos Mavropsaridis
• INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
WINNER
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
United Kingdom
NOMINEES
IO CAPITANO
Italy
PERFECT DAYS
Japan
SOCIETY OF THE SNOW
Spain
THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE
Germany
• MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
WINNER
POOR THINGS
Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston
NOMINEES
GOLDA
Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby, and Ashra Kelly-Blue
MAESTRO
Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, and Lori McCoy-Bell
OPPENHEIMER
Luisa Abel
SOCIETY OF THE SNOW
Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé
• MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
WINNER
OPPENHEIMER
Ludwig Göransson
NOMINEES
AMERICAN FICTION
Laura Karpman
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY
John Williams
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Robbie Robertson
POOR THINGS
Jerskin Fendrix
• MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
WINNER
WHAT WAS I MADE FOR?
from Barbie; Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
NOMINEES
THE FIRE INSIDE
from Flamin’ Hot; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
I’M JUST KEN
from Barbie; Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
IT NEVER WENT AWAY
from American Symphony; Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson
WAHZHAZHE (A SONG FOR MY PEOPLE)
from Killers of the Flower Moon; Music and Lyric by Scott George
• BEST PICTURE
WINNER
OPPENHEIMER
Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, and Christopher Nolan, Producers
NOMINEES
AMERICAN FICTION
Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, and Jermaine Johnson, Producers
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, Producers
BARBIE
David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, Producers
THE HOLDOVERS
Mark Johnson, Producer
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, Producers
MAESTRO
Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers
PAST LIVES
David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Producers
POOR THINGS
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, Producers
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
James Wilson, Producer
• PRODUCTION DESIGN
WINNER
POOR THINGS
Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek
NOMINEES
BARBIE
Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis
NAPOLEON
Production Design: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Elli Griff
OPPENHEIMER
Production Design: Ruth De Jong; Set Decoration: Claire Kaufman
• ANIMATED SHORT FILM
WINNER
WAR IS OVER! INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF JOHN & Y.O.K.O.
Dave Mullins and Brad Booker
NOMINEES
LETTER TO A PIG
Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter
NINETY-FIVE SENSES
Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess
OUR UNIFORM
Yegane Moghaddam
PACHYDERME
Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius
• LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
WINNER
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR
Wes Anderson and Steven Rales
NOMINEES
THE AFTER
Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham
INVINCIBLE
Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron
KNIGHT OF FORTUNE
Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk
R.E.D., WHITE AND BLUE
Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane
• SOUND
WINNER
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn
NOMINEES
THE CREATOR
Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
MAESTRO
Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich, and Dean Zupancic
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE
Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon, and Mark Taylor
OPPENHEIMER
Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo, and Kevin O’Connell
• VISUAL EFFECTS
WINNER
GODZILLA MINUS ONE
Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima
NOMINEES
THE CREATOR
Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts, and Neil Corbould
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3
Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams, and Theo Bialek
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE
Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland, and Neil Corbould
NAPOLEON
Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco, and Neil Corbould
• WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
WINNER
AMERICAN FICTION
Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson
NOMINEES
BARBIE
Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach
OPPENHEIMER
Written for the screen by Christopher Nolan
POOR THINGS
Screenplay by Tony McNamara
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Written by Jonathan Glazer
• WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
WINNER
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Screenplay - Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
NOMINEES
THE HOLDOVERS
Written by David Hemingson
MAESTRO
Written by Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer
MAY DECEMBER
Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik
PAST LIVES
Written by Celine Song
Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
— The Academy snubbed India’s official International Feature Film entry for the 2024 Oscars: “2018: Everyone is a Hero.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:15 PM | View the original post
March 13, 2024
Google is partnering with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to promote Authoritative News and Prevent the Spread of False Information.
New Delhi, March 13, 2024 — Google has partnered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide trustworthy information and help people easily access important voting information on Google Search and YouTube. The search engine has also implemented measures to prevent the spread of false information and label AI-generated data during the upcoming general elections.
In a blog post published on Tuesday, Google stated that they are working with the ECI to make critical voting information easily accessible on Google Search in both English and Hindi, including details on how to register to vote and how to vote.
Google believes that supporting elections is a crucial part of its responsibility towards its users and the democratic process. As millions of eligible voters in India will cast their votes for the General Election in the coming months, Google said it is committed to supporting the election process by offering high-quality information to voters, safeguarding its platforms from any possible abuse, and helping people navigate AI-generated content.
Here is how Google will be providing support:
Connecting voters to helpful information
Safeguarding its platforms and combating misinformation
Enforcing its policies and using AI models to fight abuse at scale
Providing ongoing transparency on Election Ads
Working with the broader ecosystem to counter misinformation
Helping people navigate AI-generated content
• Industry Collaboration
Google recently became a member of the C2PA coalition, an initiative to provide more transparency and context for people regarding AI-generated content. As part of this effort, Google pledged, alongside other leading tech companies, to prevent the use of deceptive AI-generated imagery and audio or video content during this year’s global elections. A set of commitments called the ‘Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections’ has been established to deploy technology to counter harmful AI-generated content that may deceive voters.
This initiative continues Google’s work in various countries and regions during elections. Google said it is committed to working with government, industry, and civil society to help voters access authoritative and helpful information online.
Prominent tech companies, including Adobe, Arm, Intel, Microsoft, and Truepic, formed the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) to create open technical standards that can verify the authenticity of digital content on the Internet, working in conjunction with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) that combats traceability issues and misinformation spread to consumers. The CAI comprises media, tech companies, and academics working together to foster the adoption of an open industry standard for content authenticity and provenance.
Source: Google India
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— GlobalGiants.Com is a Member of Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI).
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:13 AM | View the original post
March 10, 2024
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva comments after the first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Brazil.
Photo: The Governor, Reserve Bank of India, addresses the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting. Washington DC. April 12, 2023. (File Photo).
Photo: G20 Meeting in Brazil. G20 Social: Presentation of the priorities of the finance track to civil society. February 8, 2024. Image Credit: Audiovisual G20 Brasil.
Photo: G20 Meeting in Brazil. The first meeting of G20 foreign ministers. February 21, 2024. Image Credit: Audiovisual G20 Brasil.
Washington, DC, March 10, 2024 — After the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ first meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, examined the global economic outlook and highlighted some challenges policymakers face. She also mentioned the IMF’s focus on financial innovations and the importance of sound macroeconomic fundamentals.
Georgieva stated that the global economy’s near-term outlook is improving, which provides an opportunity for G20 policymakers to address medium-term economic challenges. However, there are risks to the downside, such as persistent inflation, financial sector risks, and supply disruptions.
She cautioned policymakers to be careful in 2024 when central banks must decide whether to cut inflation and when government authorities must pursue fiscal consolidation. Georgieva emphasized that structural reforms are necessary for productivity gains, growth improvements, and better living standards. The IMF staff has produced an AI preparedness index for countries that can help inform government efforts to deal with the digital transition.
Georgieva also discussed the IMF’s focus on financial innovations, particularly in three areas:
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) can potentially improve the accessibility, stability, and efficiency of domestic and international payments.
- Crypto assets require a comprehensive policy and regulatory response to mitigate the risks of criminal misuse. The IMF supports countries in implementing the G20-endorsed roadmap.
- Cross-border payments and financial market innovations, including tokenization of assets, are of great interest to the IMF. They aim to make existing payment systems work more efficiently and collaborate closely with the World Bank.
The IMF Managing Director stressed that the organization prioritizes sound macroeconomic fundamentals to promote growth and opportunities while acknowledging the detrimental effects of inequality. The IMF also focuses on strengthening individuals and communities by providing social safety nets, paying attention to labor markets and financial inclusion, and setting a minimum level of social spending to safeguard education and healthcare resources. Furthermore, the IMF recognizes the potential benefits of AI while remaining mindful of its potential risks.
Finally, Georgieva appreciated the focus on financing for development and highlighted the IMF’s collaboration with multilateral development banks to have a more significant impact. She also confirmed the IMF’s commitment to addressing debt vulnerabilities through the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable.
Source: IMF
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:30 AM | View the original post
March 9, 2024
FEF India Fashion Awards x WION address Sustainability through the Lens of Fashion.
Photo: FEF India Fashion Awards x WION addressed Sustainability through the Lens of Fashion.
MUMBAI, India, March 8, 2024 — The 4th edition of the PEPSI presents the FEF India Fashion Awards (FEF IFA) 2024 x WION, started on March 7, 2024.
On the first day of the two-day event held at St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai, several industry experts came together to have insightful conversations. Celebrities such as Tamannaah Bhatia, an actor, and Masaba Gupta, a fashion designer and actor, added style and glamour to the inaugural day and participated in the ‘Fashion for Good’ sessions.
The event revolved around the ‘Fashion for Good’ theme and featured various sessions and panel discussions. These covered insightful and thought-provoking topics that explored the role of fashion in films and beyond.
Vaghish Pathak, the FEF India Fashion Awards Chairman, stated that “Fashion for good” is not a mere trend but a deliberate pledge to incorporate Sustainability into the essence of style. Fashion should reflect the importance of responsible choices that help improve the lives of small artisans and craftsmen who play a crucial role in preserving our heritage.
During a conversation about the significance of fashion, Tamannaah Bhatia, an actress, emphasized that in the past, people expressed more individuality than they do now. Nowadays, people tend to use fashion as a means of self-expression, which is something that happened to her. She further explained that she has become more confident in her choices and no longer needs to apologize.
Fashion Designer and Actor Masaba Gupta highlighted her brand’s sustainable practices, stating that they make small daily changes to ensure Sustainability. They have implemented a solid system to recycle and utilize waste fabric by creating scarves, masks, and scrunchies.
Fashion entrepreneurs showcased their business ideas and took advantage of the opportunity to transform their dreams into reality.
The FEF India Fashion Awards is a highly regarded platform in Asia that recognizes, salutes, and showcases the creativity and innovation of Indian fashion members to a global audience. The organization celebrates and honors fashion designers, models, photographers, artisans, and others whose outstanding contributions take the Indian fashion industry to greater heights.
Source: FEF India Fashion Awards
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:44 PM | View the original post
February 26, 2024
Global Star Nora Fatehi signs Record Deal with Warner Music Group.
Photo: Global Star Nora Fatehi signs Record Deal with Warner Music Group. Image provided by & copyright © Warner Music Group. Image Credit: Apoorv Maurya.
DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 26, 2024 — Global star Nora Fatehi, the multi-talented singer, dancer, and actress whose music has already attracted millions of fans and billions of views and streams, has signed a new deal with Warner Music Group. It is her first agreement with a major global record company.
The partnership is to promote Nora’s global music career, working with teams in the U.S. and worldwide, expanding her fanbase through exciting projects and releases.
Nora is a Bollywood actress born in Toronto, Canada, to a family of Moroccan heritage. She has acted in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films showcasing her versatility. Nora is fluent in several languages, including Darija, Arabic, English, and French, which has helped her build a passionate and diverse fanbase worldwide. She has over 46 million followers on Instagram and 21 million on Facebook. Her music has generated over 1.2 billion streams, and her featured videos have received over 5 billion views on YouTube.
In 2018, she starred in the movie Satyameva Jayate and performed a rendition of the classic Bollywood song “Dilbar.” The song became a huge hit, generating more than 20 million views on YouTube within the first 24 hours of its release. It made it the first song on YouTube to achieve such numbers on the platform. Later, she collaborated with the renowned Moroccan group Fnaïre and recorded an Arabic version of the song, which helped her expand her horizons and captivate a broad audience across the Arab world. She became the first Arab-African artist to hit one billion views on a single music video on YouTube.
Nora has made a name in international music with impressive collaborations with artists such as Tanzanian singer-songwriter Rayvanny for the Afropop track “Pepeta.” Moreover, Nora has also released solo tracks, including “Im Bossy,” while her Bollywood film songs have accumulated five billion views on YouTube. Some of her popular Bollywood songs include “O Saki Saki,” “Garmi,” “Dance Meri Rani,” “Manike,” Kusu Kusu,” and more.
Nora has performed at prestigious events worldwide, including a historic concert with Fnaïre at the Olympia in Paris in 2020 and her performance at the Global Arena of EXPO 2020 in Dubai. Nora’s participation in the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar was a significant highlight of her career, as she shared the stage with celebrated global artists and entertained fans with her exceptional dance moves and performance of “Light the Sky,” the FIFA World Cup anthem.
Nora’s acting career has also been thriving, and her latest film, Crakk - Jeethegaa Toh Jiyegaa, was just released on Friday. It is a Hindi language film promoted as India’s first-ever extreme sports action movie.
Nora Fatehi shared that she has had a successful career, but a new deal has taken her international musical journey to the next level. She aspires to become a global music star and performer, connecting with fans worldwide. She aims to create music and dance that brings people together, using the diversity of her cultural background. Nora is thrilled to collaborate with Warner Music to leverage their experience and expertise to help her achieve her goal.
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs to move entertainment culture globally, with a legacy spanning 200 years.
Source: Warner Music Group Corp.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:08 AM | View the original post
February 6, 2024
Brazilian Football Player Vinícius Junior is named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
Photos: UNESCO’s Director-General visited Real Madrid’s training center to officially present Vinícius Junior with his letter of appointment as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Images provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Juan BARBOSA.
Paris, France, February 6, 2024 — Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has appointed Brazilian footballer Vinícius Junior as Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All during a Real Madrid training center ceremony.
UNESCO’s Director-General visited Real Madrid’s training center to officially present Vinícius Junior with his letter of appointment as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
“Vinícius Junior is not only an exceptional football player; he has also been a committed advocate for equal opportunity through education in Brazil. He is a role model for an entire generation, and UNESCO is honored to count him today among its Goodwill Ambassadors,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.
“Being appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador at just 23 years old is more than an honor. It’s an achievement and a responsibility I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. Of course, I want to be recognized as a great player and a citizen who strives to make a difference. I have advocated for education since I was 19, and my Institute in Brazil is gradually growing. Thanks to the support of UNESCO, we will positively impact the world,” remarked Vinícius Junior, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
The Brazil and Real Madrid prodigy has made a name for himself in recent years by promoting access to education for all young people. In 2021, he set up the Instituto Viní.Jr. to help Brazilian children and teenagers from underprivileged neighborhoods return to school. The Institute draws on the values of sport to inspire students from all backgrounds to learn and continue their education.
Vinícius Junior has been facing discrimination and prejudice, especially from fans, and has been fighting for inclusion. He has collaborated with FIFA and Brazil to raise awareness and promote the values of respect and dialogue. He has actively participated in the “Racism, don’t pretend you don’t see it” campaign. Vinícius Junior’s dedication to social justice was recognized and presented with the 2023 Socrates Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Audrey Azoulay has made promoting education her top priority in the roadmap she has entrusted to Vinicius Junior. Vinicius Junior will speak at UNESCO conferences to member states and the general public and support the Organization’s educational programs worldwide.
According to UNESCO, an estimated 250 million children and teenagers lack access to education today, an increase of 6 million since 2021. Additionally, seven out of ten children cannot read and comprehend an introductory text by age 10. Social inequality is one of the primary reasons behind the high dropout rates and the lack of academic progress.
Vinícius Junior is the second Brazilian football player appointed Goodwill Ambassador. The first was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also called “Pele.”
Source: UNESCO
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:21 PM | View the original post
February 5, 2024
2024 GRAMMYs: Taylor Swift makes GRAMMY History with Fourth Album of The Year Win For 'Midnights'
Los Angeles, February 5, 2024 — Taylor Swift made history at the 2024 GRAMMYs by winning Album of the Year for her album ‘Midnights’ for the fourth time, making her the artist with the most wins in this Category at the Grammys. She surpassed legends like Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon, who have each won the award three times.
During her acceptance speech, Swift expressed her shock and gratitude and thanked her producer, Jack Antonoff, and collaborator, Lana Del Rey, who was also nominated in the same Category. She called Antonoff “a once-in-a-generation producer” and Del Rey “a legacy artist, a legend in her prime right now.”
Swift also said that the award is the work and that she wants to keep making music. She added that she loves her job, which makes her very happy.
Swift had already won the Best Pop Vocal Album award earlier in the telecast, marking her 13th win at the Grammys. It was a big night for her, and she used her first win to announce her upcoming album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ to be released on April 19.
Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus won The GRAMMY for Record of the Year for “Flowers.”
Source: Recording Academy / GRAMMYs
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:40 PM | View the original post
February 3, 2024
UNESCO releases a report entitled "Enhancing Youth Participation in Urban Governance through City Youth Councils."
Paris, France, February 3, 2024 — UNESCO has released a report titled “Enhancing Youth Participation in Urban Governance through City Youth Councils.” The Report highlights the significance of city youth councils in policymaking, which enables young citizens to exercise their civic rights, promotes inclusion, and enhances youth agency in shaping their future.
The Report, the first of its kind, provides a global compilation of city youth councils’ history, compositions, typologies, and functions. It aims to identify the best practices of city youth councils and proposes ideas to foster collaboration, amplify youth voices, and present recommendations for creating inclusive communities.
Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, emphasized the importance of evidence-based methodology in determining the impact and effectiveness of city youth councils.
The Report indicates that city youth councils provide a formalized arrangement for continuous engagement with policymakers. They have played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of leaders, fostering youth participation in decision-making processes, and promoting social change and dialogue.
The survey by the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities served as the basis for the Report’s recommendations.
One of UNESCO’s critical missions is to promote young people’s active and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. As such, it encourages local governments to create spaces where youth can engage in these processes and contribute their unique perspectives and ideas. By doing so, the local administrations can help build a more inclusive and representative society that values the voices of its young people.
Source: UNESCO
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— The Editor is a UNESCO-IIEP-Certified HE Consultant.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:12 PM | View the original post
January 30, 2024
The President of India nominates Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
New Delhi, January 30, 2024 —Today, the President of India nominated Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu to the Rajya Sabha.
Satnam Singh Sandhu, the son of a farmer, is an accomplished educationist in India. He faced difficulties in pursuing education himself, being from an agricultural background. Therefore, he made it his mission to establish a high-quality educational institution, starting with the Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) at Landran in Mohali in 2001. He then went a step further and founded Chandigarh University in 2012. The university has been ranked in the QS World Rankings 2023 and is the top private university in Asia.
Chandigarh University Chancellor Sandhu is also a philanthropist who has financially assisted countless students to pursue quality education. He is actively involved in community efforts to improve health and wellness and promote communal harmony through his two NGOs, the Indian Minorities Foundation and the New India Development (NID) Foundation.
In addition to his work in India, he has made significant efforts for national integration and worked extensively with the diaspora abroad.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:53 PM | View the original post
"Maratha Military Landscapes of India" will be India's nomination for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2024-25
Maratha Military Landscapes of India, developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, represent an extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers.
Photo: The Taj Mahal, Agra, India. The Taj Mahal was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1983. Image Credit: Otis Yang. [File Photo]
New Delhi, January 29, 2024 — The “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” is India’s proposal for UNESCO World Heritage List recognition for 2024-25. The nomination consists of twelve parts, including Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. These parts, located in diverse geographic and physiographic areas, showcase the strategic military powers of Maratha rule.
There are 42 World Heritage sites in India, of which 34 are cultural sites, 7 are natural sites, and one is a mixed site. Maharashtra has six World Heritage Sites, including five cultural sites and one natural site: Ajanta Caves (1983), Ellora Caves (1983), Elephanta Caves (1987), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004), Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018), and Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala (2012), which is a serial property in the natural category.
The Maratha Military Landscapes of India, included in the Tentative List of World Heritage sites in 2021, is the sixth cultural property proposed for inclusion in the World Heritage List from Maharashtra.
Source: Ministry of Culture
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:26 AM | View the original post
January 29, 2024
The Beating Retreat Ceremony at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, India, on January 29, 2024.
Photos: The Beating Retreat Ceremony at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, India, on January 29, 2024.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:44 PM | View the original post
January 26, 2024
India celebrates its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, with a Parade in New Delhi.
Photos: India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, with a Parade in New Delhi.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:45 PM | View the original post
January 23, 2024
Academy announces Oscars Nominations 2024
Photo: Salma Hayek arrives on the red carpet of the 95th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © Richard Harbaugh / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 23, 2024 - Actors Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announced the 96th Oscars nominations from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater via a global live stream, an international satellite feed, and broadcast media.
Beetz and Quaid announced the nominees in 8 categories, followed by the remaining 15 at the live event attended by international media and industry guests.
The Academy members of each of the 18 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories. It means that actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, and so on. However, the Academy selects nominees by a vote of multi-branch screening committees in the Animated Feature Film, International Feature Film, and Live live-action Short Film categories. All voting members are eligible to choose the Best Picture nominees. This year’s voting participation was at an all-time high, with members submitting ballots from 93 countries.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE 96th ACEDEMY AWARDS
• Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
- Bradley Cooper in “Maestro”
- Colman Domingo in “Rustin”
- Paul Giamatti in “The Holdovers”
- Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer”
- Jeffrey Wright in “American Fiction”
• Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
- Sterling K. Brown in “American Fiction”
- Robert De Niro in “Killers of the Flower Moon”
- Robert Downey Jr. in “Oppenheimer”
- Ryan Gosling in “Barbie”
- Mark Ruffalo in “Poor Things”
• Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
- Annette Bening in “Nyad”
- Lily Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon”
- Sandra Hüller in “Anatomy of a Fall”
- Carey Mulligan in “Maestro”
- Emma Stone in “Poor Things”
• Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
- Emily Blunt in “Oppenheimer”
- Danielle Brooks in “The Color Purple”
- America Ferrera in “Barbie”
- Jodie Foster in “Nyad”
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph in “The Holdovers”
• Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
- “The Boy and the Heron” Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki
- “Elemental” Peter Sohn and Denise Ream
- “Nimona” Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan, and Julie Zackary
- “Robot Dreams” Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé and Sandra Tapia Díaz
- “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal
• Achievement in Cinematography
- “El Conde” Edward Lachman
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Rodrigo Prieto
- “Maestro” Matthew Libatique
- “Oppenheimer” Hoyte van Hoytema
- “Poor Things” Robbie Ryan
• Achievement in Costume Design
- “Barbie” Jacqueline Durran
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Jacqueline West
- “Napoleon” Janty Yates and Dave Crossman
- “Oppenheimer” Ellen Mirojnick
- “Poor Things” Holly Waddington
• Achievement in Directing
- “Anatomy of a Fall” Justine Triet
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Martin Scorsese
- “Oppenheimer” Christopher Nolan
- “Poor Things” Yorgos Lanthimos
- “The Zone of Interest” Jonathan Glazer
• Best Documentary Feature Film
- “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp, and John Battsek
- “The Eternal Memory” Nominees to be determined
- “Four Daughters” Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha
- “To Kill a Tiger” Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim
- “20 Days in Mariupol” Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, and Raney Aronson-Rath
• Best Documentary Short Film
- “The ABCs of Book Banning” Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic
- “The Barber of Little Rock” John Hoffman and Christine Turner
- “Island in Between” S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien
- “The Last Repair Shop” Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
- “Nai Nai & Wai Po” Sean Wang and Sam Davis
• Achievement in Film Editing
- “Anatomy of a Fall” Laurent Senechal
- “The Holdovers” Kevin Tent
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Thelma Schoonmaker
- “Oppenheimer” Jennifer Lame
- “Poor Things” Yorgos Mavropsaridis
• Best International Feature Film of the Year
- “Io Capitano” Italy
- “Perfect Days” Japan
- “Society of the Snow” Spain
- “The Teachers’ Lounge” Germany
- “The Zone of Interest” United Kingdom
• Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
- “Golda” Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby, and Ashra Kelly-Blue
- “Maestro” Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, and Lori McCoy-Bell
- “Oppenheimer” Luisa Abel
- “Poor Things” Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston
- “Society of the Snow” Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé
• Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original score)
- “American Fiction” Laura Karpman
- “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” John Williams
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Robbie Robertson
- “Oppenheimer” Ludwig Göransson
- “Poor Things” Jerskin Fendrix
• Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original song)
- “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot”
- Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
- “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie”
- Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
- “It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony”
- Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson
- “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon”
- Music and Lyric by Scott George
- “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”
- Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
• Best Motion Picture of the Year
- “American Fiction” Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, and Jermaine Johnson, Producers
- “Anatomy of a Fall” Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, Producers
- “Barbie” David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, Producers
- “The Holdovers” Mark Johnson, Producer
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, Producers
- “Maestro” Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers
- “Oppenheimer” Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, Producers
- “Past Lives” David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Producers
- “Poor Things” Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, Producers
- “The Zone of Interest” James Wilson, Producer
• Achievement in Production Design
- “Barbie” Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis
- “Napoleon” Production Design: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Elli Griff
- “Oppenheimer” Production Design: Ruth De Jong; Set Decoration: Claire Kaufman
- “Poor Things” Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek
• Best Animated Short Film
- “Letter to a Pig” Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter
- “Ninety-Five Senses” Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess
- “Our Uniform” Yegane Moghaddam
- “Pachyderme” Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius
- “WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko” Dave Mullins and Brad Booker
• Best Live-action Short Film
- “The After” Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham
- “Invincible” Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron
- “Knight of Fortune” Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk
- “Red, White and Blue” Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane
- “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” Wes Anderson and Steven Rales
• Achievement in Sound
- “The Creator” Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
- “Maestro” Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich, and Dean Zupancic
- “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor
- “Oppenheimer” Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell
- “The Zone of Interest” Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn
• Achievement in Visual Effects
- “The Creator” Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts, and Neil Corbould
- “Godzilla Minus One” Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima
- “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams and Theo Bialek
- “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland and Neil Corbould
- “Napoleon” Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco, and Neil Corbould
• Adapted Screenplay
- “American Fiction” Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson
- “Barbie” Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach
- “Oppenheimer” Written for the screen by Christopher Nolan
- “Poor Things” Screenplay by Tony McNamara
- “The Zone of Interest” Written by Jonathan Glazer
• Original Screenplay
- “Anatomy of a Fall” Screenplay - Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
- “The Holdovers “Written by David Hemingson
- “Maestro” Written by Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer
- “May December” Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik
- “Past Lives” Written by Celine Song
Active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all 23 categories beginning Thursday, February 22, through Tuesday, February 27.
The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:45 AM | View the original post
January 22, 2024
Prime Minister Modi participates in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ramlalla in the newly built Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.
• Representatives of the country’s major spiritual and religious sects attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
Photos: Prime Minister Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shree Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on January 22, 2024.
Photos: Glimpses of Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shree Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on January 22, 2024.
New Delhi, India, January 22, 2024 — On January 22, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of Shri Ramlalla in the newly constructed Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir located in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister had received an invitation from the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust for the ceremony.
Representatives of the country’s major spiritual and religious sects attended the historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony. In addition, people from various tribal communities and all walks of life also participated in the event. The Prime Minister addressed this distinguished gathering on this significant occasion.
The Prime Minister interacted with the Shramjeevis, who were associated with the construction of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir. He also visited the Kuber Tila, an ancient Mandir of Bhagwan Shiva, and performed Pooja and Darshan at this restored temple.
The magnificent Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir is constructed in the traditional Nagara style. It has a length of 380 feet (east-west), a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161 feet. Three hundred ninety-two pillars and 44 doors support the temple. The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. The main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor contains the idol of Shri Ramlalla, which depicts the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
The main entrance to the Mandir is on the eastern side. To reach it, you must climb 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar. The Mandir has five halls known as Mandaps - Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap. There is also a historic well called Sita Koop located near the Mandir. This well dates back to the ancient era. In the southwestern part of the Mandir complex, you can find Kuber Tila, where the ancient Mandir of Bhagwan Shiv has been restored, along with the installation of a statue of Jatayu.
The foundation of the Mandir has been built using roller-compacted concrete (RCC) that is 14 meters thick, giving it the appearance of an artificial rock formation. The entire structure has been constructed without the use of iron. A 21-foot-high plinth has been built using granite to protect against ground moisture. The Mandir complex boasts a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, water supply for fire safety, and an independent power station. The construction of the Mandir was carried out using traditional and indigenous technology of the country.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:06 AM | View the original post
January 15, 2024
Deer. And Rabbits. And Owls. And Foxes.
U.S. Postal Service Issues Winter Woodland Animals Stamps.
Photo: U.S. Postal Service Issues Winter Woodland Animals Stamps. Deer. And Rabbits. And Owls. And Foxes.
WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service commemorates four species that reside in North American woodlands with the release of the Winter Woodland Animals stamps. These species, including deer, rabbits, owls, and foxes, are some of the most recognizable wildlife found throughout America and remind us of the stunning natural environment surrounding us.
White-tailed deer are one of the most abundant species in North America and are admired for their beauty and agility. Rabbits often live near the edge of forests to easily find food from gardens, yards, and meadows. Foxes are tough and adaptable creatures that have learned to thrive in almost every environment. Owls are fascinating birds of prey that prefer to nest in tree cavities or abandoned nests of other birds.
The stamps feature whimsical, graphic illustrations of these creatures. Antonio Alcala, an art director for the Postal Service, designed the stamps with Katie Kirk, who illustrated them using geometric shapes of bold, solid color. Each animal appears with details of its habitat in winter, such as a full or crescent moon, snow-covered trees, holly branches with berries, and delicate snowflakes.
Source: U.S. Postal Service
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:10 AM | View the original post
January 2, 2024
Prime Minister Modi addresses the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
Photo: Prime Minister Modi attends the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University at Tiruchirappalli, in Tamil Nadu, on January 02, 2024.
New Delhi, January 02, 2024 — Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, delivered a speech at the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. During the ceremony, he congratulated the graduating students, their teachers, and parents and awarded the meritorious students of the University.
The Prime Minister highlighted the event’s significance, as it was his first public interaction of 2024. He expressed his happiness in being present in the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu and among the youth. Additionally, he mentioned that it was an honor for him to be the first Prime Minister to grace the convocation ceremony at Bharathidasan University.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of knowledge and education in Indian civilization, citing ancient universities such as Nalanda, Takshila, Kanchipuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Madurai. He also quoted Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, saying that education teaches us to live in harmony with all existence.
The Prime Minister urged the graduating students to ponder deeply about the purpose of education and how they can utilize it for societal benefit. He underlined the importance of giving back to society and working towards building a better country. He also acknowledged the role of the entire society in bringing the students to this day.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:07 PM | View the original post
January 1, 2024
Welcome 2024! Happy New Year!
Welcome 2024! Happy New Year!
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:31 AM | View the original post