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Egis in India Leads the Charge for Environmental Sustainability with “Aranaya”

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Egis, a leading global architecture, consulting, construction engineering and mobility service sectors company, continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship through its flagship initiative, “Aranaya.” With a focus on combating climate change and fostering sustainability, Egis in India launched this initiative in 2022, aiming to transform designated areas into vibrant green spaces.

Under the guidance of the CSR Committee of Egis in India, and in collaboration with NGO partner “Hara Jeevan,” the “EgisCleanAndGreen” drive in Gurgaon has made significant strides toward promoting environmental conservation. Recognizing the urgent need for action, Egis chose to support this initiative, aligning with its core values as a responsible corporate citizen.
 
The initiative unfolded in three phases, each aimed at addressing different aspects of environmental conservation. In Phase I, volunteers from Egis India and Hara Jeevan NGO conducted a comprehensive cleanliness drive near NH-8, focusing on removing plastic waste, eliminating weeds, and collecting dried leaves for composting.
 
Phase II witnessed over 100 enthusiastic volunteers from Egis India and Hara Jeevan coming together for a massive plantation drive. Leading by example, Egis Senior Management actively participated in planting ayurvedic and medicinal plants in a specially designated zone within the green belt. To further enrich the ecosystem, eco-friendly measures such as eco fencing, artificial bird nests, and provision of water for birds were implemented, alongside the utilization of tree logs and other waste materials.
 
In phase III, Egis now initiates ‘Aranaya 2.0’ which already have 1000 saplings.
 
Looking ahead, Egis in India is committed to sustaining its environmental initiatives, including the “One Employee One Plant” campaign, which encourages every member of Egis to contribute to greening efforts.
 
Mr. Sandeep GulatiMD, India and South Asia, Egis, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic participation and emphasized Egis’s unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability. He stated, “Through Project Clean and Green, Egis in India aims to create a lasting impact on the environment and inspire positive change in communities.” Egis in India remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the government’s environmental goals and remains dedicated to shaping a greener, more sustainable future for all.
 
Over 7000 saplings and shrubs were planted in the last two years

  • Bargad, Peepal, Neem, Millettia, Jarul, Goolar, Champa – tree saplings
  • Raat ke Rani, Chandini, Hibiscus, Vajradanti, Chitrak, Phycus, Snake Plant, Jarul, Hamelia – Shrubs 
     
    Mr. Sandeep Gulati said, “At Egis Group, we are focused on extending our community engagement and CSR support for a better future. We propagate sustainable ways in all our business practices. Let us all pledge not only to plant trees but also nurture them. Our employees are fully committed and participate in the collective effort to build a healthy and sustainable environment, address climate change and protect the Earth for future generations. I would like to thank everyone associated with Aranaya & Aranya 2.0.” 

Manisha Saini, Chief Executive Officer, Hara Jeevan“We are happy to be part of this initiative and thank Egis for choosing us to become part of the #Egisclean&green drive.”
 
Our ambition: Become the benchmark company for smart, sustainable infrastructure, fight climate change and improve the quality of life for all people.

About the Egis Group

Egis is an international player active in the architecture, consulting, construction engineering and mobility service sectors. We create and operate intelligent infrastructure and buildings capable of responding to the climate emergency and helping to achieve more balanced, sustainable and resilient territorial development. With operations in 120 countries, Egis places the expertise of its 19,500 employees at the disposal of its clients and develops cutting-edge innovation accessible to all projects. Through its wide-ranging fields of activity, Egis is a central player in the collective organisation of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world.

International Dance Day 2024: Date, History, Significance, and All You Need to Know

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International Dance Day

International Dance Day is an annual celebration that highlights the positive impact of dancing on our lives. From its date to its history, here’s everything you need to know about this global event.

International Dance Day serves as a worldwide tribute to the art of dance, a concept initiated by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an essential collaborator of UNESCO in the realm of performing arts. This yearly celebration commemorates the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), often hailed as the father of modern ballet, whose influence reshaped classical and romantic ballet into its contemporary form. The essence of this day lies in promoting participation and enlightenment in dance through a multitude of events and festivals held globally on this significant date. UNESCO formally acknowledges ITI as the architects and coordinators of this culturally enriching celebration.

International Dance Day 2024: Date and History

International Dance Day is observed annually on April 29th, and this year, it falls on a Monday. Established by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), which is UNESCO’s primary partner for the performing arts, the day was created to celebrate dance as an art form and to emphasize its global significance. The selection of April 29th as the date pays homage to Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet master credited with pioneering modern ballet.

The inaugural International Dance Day was celebrated in 1982, and since then, it has evolved into a worldwide celebration. Dance communities, schools, companies, and organizations across the globe organize various events, including performances, workshops, festivals, lectures, and other activities aimed at promoting awareness of dance as an art form and its cultural importance. Each year, the ITI selects a prominent figure from the international dance community to craft a message for International Dance Day, which is disseminated globally. These messages typically reflect on the significance of dance in society, its role in cultural exchange, and the value of artistic expression through movement.

Significance of International Dance Day

International Dance Day holds profound significance as a global celebration of the universal language of movement and expression. Established by the International Theatre Institute, it pays homage to the artistry, cultural diversity, and transformative power of dance, bringing together communities worldwide to appreciate this ancient form of human communication. Beyond its artistic merits, the day serves as a platform to advocate for the importance of dance in education, health, and social cohesion, fostering understanding and dialogue across borders while celebrating the unique traditions and innovations within the world of dance.

Nyun AI Launches Nyun Zero to Revolutionize AI Model Efficiency

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In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving at an unprecedented rate, the cost and resource demand for developing and deploying highly sophisticated AI models remain a significant barrier. Addressing this challenge, Nyun AI, a pioneering tech startup founded in 2022, backed by TEXMiN IIT(ISM) and Tenity Singapore, has introduced Nyun Zero-a state-of-the-art web app and SDK designed to streamline the development of deep learning models while dramatically reducing associated costs and latencies.

A Seamless Integration for Enhanced Model Efficiency
Nyun Zero is engineered to connect effortlessly with a user’s existing infrastructure, whether it be AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or local systems, thus prioritizing data privacy. This innovative tool harnesses advanced scientific algorithms like network pruning, quantization, distillation, and low-rank approximations. These technologies are renowned for their ability to compress deep models-from traditional CNNs to the latest large language models (LLMs)-reducing compute requirements by up to 90%. This not only leads to significant cost savings due to decreased hardware needs but also ensures faster and more efficient task-specific models.


The Technology Behind Nyun Zero
The platform supports a vast array of models readily available on hubs like Hugging Face and GitHub, thanks to its compatibility with various model architectures. Nyun Zero incorporates several in-house and academically derived methods for efficient training and compression of models. Training methods like LoRA, SSF, GLoRA, and QLoRA, alongside compression techniques such as pruning and quantization, are part of the robust toolkit Nyun Zero offers. This toolkit allows models to be directly exported and optimized for the hardware of choice, be it GPUs, edge devices, or CPUs.


Addressing Core Industry Challenges
Prakhar Joshi, the CEO of Nyun AI, highlights the timely intervention of Nyun Zero in the market, “While generative AI continues to fascinate and expand, its practical applications have been hindered by hallucinations, high operational costs and significant latencies. Nyun Zero is crafted to mitigate these issues effectively, enabling fine-tuning of large models on industry-specific data which preserves model intelligence and reduces operational inefficiencies.”


This tool is particularly beneficial for organizations struggling with the deployment of AI models due to the high costs of computation and the latency in model training and inference phases. By enabling data-aware model compression, Nyun Zero ensures that AI implementations are not only feasible but also economically and operationally efficient.


Practical Benefits and Industry Application
Nyun Zero’s benefits extend beyond just cost and time savings. It empowers data science and machine learning teams to deploy models that are not only efficient but also robust and scalable. By reducing the model size and computation needs, teams can deploy AI solutions on a wider range of hardware, including edge devices, enhancing the model’s applicability and accessibility.

CTO Arnav Chavan emphasizes the practicality of Nyun Zero, stating, “The AI landscape is rapidly evolving with continual research on enhancing speed and efficiency. At Nyun AI, we synthesize the latest compression techniques and integrate proven methods rapidly after publication. This allows our users to focus more on implementing and scaling their AI solutions, rather than navigating through the complexity of optimization research.”

Launch Details
Available now, Nyun Zero offers free access to the first few design partners for six months, with subsequent users encouraged to contact the sales team.


To sign up for a design partner fill out this form.


Engaging with Nyun Zero
For tech journalists and consumers eager to explore Nyun Zero, a demo is available on YouTube, and further inquiries can be directed to the founders via mail or company’s LinkedIn page.


With Nyun Zero, Nyun AI not only upholds its mission to make AI accessible, affordable, and fast but also sets a new benchmark in the AI industry for efficiency and performance optimization, ensuring that AI technologies are within reach for developers and businesses across the globe.

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Unveils Privé

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  • Privé is an exclusive customer experience program crafted for a special segment of policyholders 
  • Privé provides access to elevated and unmatched customer service at every touchpoint
  • To become a part of Privé, customers can opt for eligible products under Health, Motor, or Home, with a certain sum insured range, thereby fulfilling the requisite eligibility criteria

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, one of the leading private general insurers in India, today announced the launch of Privé, an exclusive customer experience program offering access to elevated and unmatched customer service excellence.Traditionally, in India, the thrive to increase insurance penetration over the last few years has largely been focused on tapping the customer base across the tier 2/tier 3 locations and rural markets, predominantly covering middle, upper middle class, and rural customers. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, in addition to its strong focus on increasing insurance penetration across all the above-mentioned customer segments, will now also cater to a special segment of customers typically requiring insurance solutions with enhanced coverage limits. Recognizing the multifaceted requirements and comprehensive protection that align with such discerning customers’ financial and lifestyle preferences, Privé goes beyond the traditional insurance offerings. By being part of Privé, the customers gain access to an array of exclusive and prioritized insurance services, ensuring their requirements are met with precision.

To become a part of Privé, the customers have the flexibility to select from a range of products across health, home, motor, personal accident, and cyber,insurance as per their specific needs. Insurance products currently include the My Health Care Plan, offering customizable health insurance coverage, with a minimum sum insured of INR 1 crore as the eligibility criteria; the Global Health Care offers coverage like overseas medical treatment, and planned and emergency treatments both international and domestic, and the customers can choose any of the sum insured options for eligibility. In addition, a motor product along with V-Pay add-on cover will be offered. This add-on cover consolidates the benefits of an array of fragmented motor insurance add-ons under one offering, requiring a minimum Insured Declared Value (IDV) of INR 25 lakhs or more for a motor vehicle. The My Home Insurance All Risk Policy ensures comprehensive insurance coverage for both home structure and valuable contents in the home. The eligibility criteria here would be a minimum sum insured of INR 3 crores for structure, INR 30 lakhs for non-portable contents, and INR 6 lakhs for portable items. Moreover, in conjunction with the above products, customers can also opt for a higher range of sum insured for advanced products like the Global Personal Guard Policy that extends worldwide personal accident coverage with a range of additional add-ons, and the Cyber Care plan, to protect against losses resulting from cyber-attacks owing to the ever-evolving digital space.

Privé is committed to elevating the service experience through experts focused on expediting claims processing and assistance. Such customers would also have access to ‘Privé Connect,’ a dedicated team available to swiftly address all insurance queries and requirements for catering to any service request or claims. In case of health claims, additional services like hassle-free discharge and pre-policy check-ups at home by professionals are also provided. Furthermore, the service is complemented by ‘Care Angels,’ who are trained professionals offering personalized assistance and support throughout the hospitalization journey. For the motor insurance add-on product V-Pay, the claim process is streamlined to provide rapid responses, including surveyor deployment on a priority basis. Non-motor insurance claims, such as home insurance claims, will be similarly handled efficiently, with a claim handler reaching out to the customers within turnaround times, which is amongst the best in the market today. Privé offers a seamless claim experience that will enhance the entire lifecycle of the insurance journey, setting a new standard in customer service excellence.

Privé, being a unique first-of-its-kind program, was launched in Pune. Mr. Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Ltd., also graced the event. At the launch event, renowned Indian music composer duo Vishal Shekar enthralled the attendees with an electrifying musical performance. Fashion designer Rocky S also added glamour to the event by showcasing his unique collection. Mr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, along with a few select partnersalso graced the ramp in the designer’s curated ensembles.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, said, “At our core, we’re dedicated to pioneering insurance solutions that cater to the diverse needs of every individual across our nation. With Prive, we’re reaffirming our commitment to continuously innovate andaddress the unique requirements of discerning individuals. We understand that their sophisticated asset portfolios, astute financial planning, and distinct lifestyles demand insurance offerings that transcend conventional norms. Privé stands out with its best-in-class products and services tailored to the discerning preferences of this exclusive clientele, accessible at their fingertips for unmatched convenience.”

What truly distinguishes Privé is our unwavering dedication to service excellence at every touchpoint. Privé ensures an elevated and seamless service experience from dedicated teams to swift claims resolutions and much more. Our customers can expect unparalleled support and assistance throughout their insurance journey. Privé isn’t just another insurance program – it’s a commitment to delivering unmatched service and protection.

We recognize that individuals of this strata expect nothing but the absolute best in products and services. With Privé, we aspire to be the go-to insurer, consistently surpassing customer’s expectations.”

Privé represents another pioneering initiative by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to create a segmented category for niche customers that addresses theirunique needs with a curated selection of personalized insurance offerings, empowering them to safeguard their lifestyle.

About Bajaj Allianz General Insurance

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance stands as India’s premier private general insurance company. It is a collaborative effort between Bajaj Finserv Limited, India’s most diversified non-bank financial institution, and Allianz SE, the world’s leading insurer and largest asset manager. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance provides a wide range of general insurance products, including motor insurance, home insurance, and health insurance, along with distinctive insurance offerings like coverage for pet insurance, weddings, events, cybersecurity, and the film industry. The company commenced its operations in 2001 and has consistently expanded its reach to be in close proximity to its customers. Presently, it maintains a presence in nearly 1,500 towns and cities across India. Notably, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance holds the issuer rating of [ICRA]AAA from ICRA Limited, signifying the highest level of assurance regarding the punctual fulfilment of financial commitments.

Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya Announces Breakthrough Results in JEE Main 2024

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Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya – India’s only Hybrid Learning platform delivering outcome-based learning at scale – today announced ground-breaking results in the JEE Main 2024. 300 of its enrolled learners have qualified for JEE Advanced 2024.

Among those, 32 learners have attained scores placing them in the 99th percentile or higher, with 3 learners achieving ranks in Top 100 and 11 learners achieving ranks in Top 1000.

Congratulating the achievers, Ms. Sushma Boppana, Co-founder of Infinity Learn and Academic Director of Sri Chaitanya Group, said, I am immensely proud of our learners’ achievements in the JEE Main 2024. Their success highlights our unwavering commitment to excellence and the belief in the potential of every student. We congratulate each learner for their hard work and dedication and reiterate that we remain committed to providing them with the best resources and support to excel further in their academic journeys.”

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, stated, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the top performers of JEE Main 2024. At Infinity Learn, we are dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering success via innovative teaching methodologies and personalized learning experiences, guided by our core principle, ‘Baccha Seekha Ki Nahi’. Today, as we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment of students who have qualified for JEE Advanced and specially Anmol Raj who made us proud by achieving top rank in Patna city. We take immense pride in the fact that Infinity Learn, an outcome-based learning platform, continues to redefine the boundaries of academic excellence and achievement.”
 
The accomplishments of its learners in the JEE Main 2024 fill Infinity Learn with immense pride. As the sole Hybrid Learning platform in India delivering outcome-based education at scale, the company is deeply committed to guiding every student towards academic success. Backed by its dedication to quality resources and ongoing innovation, Infinity Learn strives to simplify and enhance the learning journey, ensuring education is accessible and impactful for all.

About Infinity Learn

Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya is India’s only Hybrid Learning platform delivering outcome-based learning at scale. Serving a community of more than 7 million registered users, with 750K+ actively subscribing for premium content, our primary mission is to nurture and elevate every learner’s potential. Our platform is rich with diverse study resources, including an extensive collection of questions and intuitive learning tools tailored to modern educational needs.

At the heart of Infinity Learn lies a dual commitment: firstly, to our vast learner base, ensuring they always have access to quality content that propels their academic and personal growth, and secondly, to our dedicated team, whose continuous efforts and innovations lay the groundwork for our success. Our overarching vision is to simplify and amplify the learning experience, making education both accessible and affordable for all.

Shobhaa De and Masoom Minawala Inspire Women’s Empowerment at YFLO’s Unveiling of ‘Unleashing Mind – Body – Soul’ Series

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Renowned author Shobhaa De and influential social media figure Masoom Minawala took center stage at a recent Young FICCI Ladies Organization (YFLO) events hosted by its Delhi Chapter, stirring conversations on women’s empowerment and aspiration.

Shobhaa De, known for her insightful commentary and diverse literary portfolio, shared her anticipation for venturing into new literary territories with upcoming works. From journalism to bestselling novels, De’s journey has captivated audiences, as she delved into societal dynamics and personal narratives. Her latest creation, “Insatiable: My Hunger for Life”, intertwines childhood memories with the significance of culinary experiences, offering a poignant reflection on life’s flavors.

Masoom Minawala, celebrated for her digital presence and advocacy for women’s empowerment, unveiled her latest book, “She’ll Never Make It”. Encouraging women to shatter societal norms, Minawala urged them to forge their paths towards their dreams. Additionally, she launched a nonprofit initiative supporting Indian designers, aimed at amplifying recognition for small-scale businesses and artisans. The event also featured a showcase of “Project Katran” by YFLO Delhi, a sustainability initiative merging environmental consciousness with women’s empowerment. Collaborating with the Lakshyam NGO, the project transforms scrap katran into exquisite creations. At the event, Lakshyam’s didis showcased their talent, symbolizing the heart of the initiative: environmental sustainability and empowerment.
 

Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson of YFLO, expressed gratitude for De and Minawala’s presence, recognizing their influential roles as voices for women nationwide. The event, part of YFLO’s ongoing series, “Unleashing Mind – Body – Soul”, provided a platform for candid conversations on women’s issues and aspirations.  
 

As part of the overarching theme, “Unleashing Mind – Body – Soul”, FICCI’s women’s wing continues its commitment to organizing events that empower women and nurture holistic growth.
 

Pangea – The Global Village: Breaking Records of Collaboration on an Online Space

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Elpro International School, Chinchwad and Hinjewadi in partnership with Skillsphere hosted a two-day virtual conference, Pangea – The Global Village, on April 22nd and 23rd, 2024. Over 195 students from 14 schools across 8 nations participated in activities designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and cultural exchange. Pangea brought together educators and learners from the USA, Brazil, UK, UAE, Indonesia, Russia, Malaysia, India, and South Korea, fostering a truly global community.

Some of the participating schools were Wapping High School, Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir and Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir Cambridge, Streatham & Clapham High School-London, IEDA International School-Brazil, SD Muhammadiyah Sapen School-Indonesia, SK SEKSYEN 13-MALAYSIA, GEMS Modern Academy Dubai, Abu Dhabi Indian School, Muroor, Amga secondary school number one named after V.G.Korolenko.

Engaging Activities Spark Creativity, Teamwork, and Cultural Exchange

The conference featured a variety of engaging activities like El Autor-Collaborative blog writing, Alliance-Case study presentations, Global Jigyasa-The world quiz, Cantare-Collaborative cultural singing, Sankshipt-Just a Minute monologue and Chitrakari-The art and doodle exhibition designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and cultural exchange among students.

A landmark event unfolded as educators from diverse institutions convened for a pioneering panel discussion in Milan. The theme, “Fostering Empathy and Global Awareness Among 21st Century Learners,” sparked substantive dialogues among distinguished representatives from various schools.

The summit also featured a dynamic student discussion titled “Aikyam,” where students explored strategies for promoting collaborative learning. Additionally, an engaging Q&A session, “AMA,” offered attendees insights into educational practices, cultural perspectives, and pedagogical philosophies from a diverse range of educators.

Pangea provided a platform for students to develop essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, communication, and intercultural understanding. The event was lauded by dignitaries like Alferd Center, Professor of Practice in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University, and Megan Jansen, Peace Pledge Program Director for Kids for Peace.

On the second day, Dr. Amrita Vohra, Director Principal of the Elpro International School addressed the conference and thanked all the extraordinary students from the amazing schools across the world who participated in this global conference. She said, “I am overjoyed to see the amount of rich experience the kids have got in these two days. The conference was a vibrant celebration of diversity where geographical boundaries transcended through exchange of ideas. I am sure the warmth and friendships that we schools have developed will continue to give our students rich experiences through future collaborations.”

Pangea – The Global Village, was a resounding success, fostering global connections and promoting a spirit of collaboration and compassion among students and educators worldwide.

‘School of Geeta’ Introduces ‘Geeta Contest Junior’ to School Students

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'School of Geeta' Introduces 'Geeta Contest Junior' to School Students

In an endeavor to foster a deeper connection with cultural heritage among the youth, the School of Geeta, affiliated with the Hare Krishna Movement in Jaipur, has embarked on a unique initiative. The ‘Geeta Contest Junior,’ held under the joint auspices of the Hare Krishna Movement and the Krishna Consciousness Centre, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of thousands of students from various schools.

The contest aimed to impart the profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to children, instilling in them values of balance in life and nurturing a spiritual connection. Students ranging from classes five to eight were provided with books authored by Lord Krishna and Prabhupada, followed by an examination to assess their understanding.

Siddha Swaroop Das, the media in-charge of Hare Krishna Movement Jaipur, highlighted that the registration for the Geeta Contest Junior commenced on Geeta Jayanti, drawing significant interest from students across Rajasthan. The winners of the contest were rewarded with bicycles, smartwatches, LCD writing pads, and 100 VR cardboard sets.

Preparatory sessions for the contest were conducted every Monday and Wednesday from 8 to 9 pm, streamed live on the School of Geeta YouTube channel, ensuring participants were well-equipped for the examination.

Das further revealed ongoing preparations for the Geeta Contest Senior Examination in Jaipur, rescheduled to May 12th. Targeted towards individuals above 16 years old, classes are being held from May 3rd to May 5th to prepare candidates for the exam. The winners of the senior contest will be bestowed with a first prize of ₹11,000, a second prize of ₹5,100, and a third prize of ₹2,100, along with 50 consolation prizes. The award ceremony is slated for June 2nd.

Encouraging active participation in the upcoming examination, Das urged individuals to engage enthusiastically in this enriching endeavor to deepen their understanding of spiritual teachings and cultural heritage.

Celebrating Earth Day with Mindful Living: Maahi Roj Festival 2024

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Maahi Roj Festival 2024

Anantaya presents Maahi Roj 2024, Chakra View: A Contemporary Craft Festival

Jaipur: In an ode to Mother Earth and the pursuit of sustainable living, the Maahi Roj festival returns for its 10th Edition, scheduled from April 27th to 28th, 2024, at the historic Kanota Courtyard, Narain Niwas Palace, Jaipur. Translating to “Earth Day Every Day,” Maahi Roj is a celebration of humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the planet, advocating for conscious and mindful practices to ensure a viable future.

Founded by Geetanjali & Ayush Kasliwal, Maahi Roj aims to acknowledge individual efforts and inspire creators in the design and architectural fraternity towards sustainability. With a focus on hyper-local initiatives, the festival seeks to impact livelihoods, mentor the next generation, and foster community engagement.

The theme of the 10th edition, “Chakra View,” delves into the essence of conscious living, urging participants to contemplate the elegant cycles of existence and embrace sustainable practices that harmonize with nature’s rhythms. The festival promises an immersive experience, featuring UNESCO awardees, transformational talks, compelling debates, artisanal shopping, and culinary delights.

The festival will be inaugurated by Chief Guest Somya Gurjar, Mayor of Nagar Nigam, Greater Jaipur, welcoming prominent personalities, designers, architects, students, art enthusiasts, and the press. Through a series of workshops, expert sessions, and interactive experiences, Maahi Roj aims to ignite conversations and inspire action towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Event Highlights:

Day 1 – April 27, 2024

  • Inaugural Ceremony and Keynote Address: Kicking off the festivities with an inaugural ceremony by Somya Gurjar and a keynote address by Maahi Roj co-founder Geetanjali Kasliwal.
  • Workshop: Grow Your Own Food Forest in 6 Months: Presented by Richa Lodha Singh, offering practical insights into sustainable food cultivation.
  • Expert Session: Exploring Quantum Creativity and Consciousness: Delivered by Boman Hoo, diving into the realms of creativity and consciousness.
  • Interactive Session: Shift & Shine – Unlocking Mind Shifts: Led by Dr. Sudipti Arora, Savi Shekawat, Abhishek Sharma, and Dipali Khandelwal, moderated by Shweta Chopra.
  • Workshop: Sound Bath Healing Session: Presented by Shoonya Experiences, offering a therapeutic journey through sound.

Day 2 – April 28, 2024

  • Workshop: Exploring Elemental Energies: A session on yoga, meditation, and mindful living by Taruna Paryani and Tina Kothari.
  • Art Workshop: Expressive Art Wellness: Led by Sagarika Sukhija, promoting awareness and acceptance through art.
  • Food Workshop: Dosha Smoothies: Blending Ayurveda and modern science, presented by Monali Jain.

In addition to workshops, participants can indulge in yoga sadhana, cyclic meditation, handloom experiences, and product launches, all aimed at promoting sustainable living practices.

Event Associate Partners 2024:

  • EBNW
  • La Maison Du Nut
  • Café Arth
  • Vikeshi Naturals
  • Kautan
  • Haathi’s
  • IndeVastra
  • Yog Yug
  • Sthiram Sukham
  • The Kindness Meal
  • Shoonya Experiences

Join Maahi Roj 2024, embrace the beauty of conscious living, and be a part of the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future.

The eyes of this bird resemble a sunflower and the wings resemble sunflower seeds

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In the expansive woodlands and sweeping savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, a mesmerizing creature flits through the foliage, captivating all who behold it. Meet the White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus), a bird of unparalleled beauty and intrigue.

Standing at a modest 19-23 centimeters (7.5-9.0 inches) in length, this medium-sized avian marvel possesses features that seem plucked from the realm of fantasy. Its eyes, reminiscent of the golden hues of a sunflower, draw the gaze with a black iris encircled by a vibrant halo of sunshine yellow or fiery orange. This distinctive trait has bestowed upon them the moniker of ‘sunflower-eyed’ birds, a title that perfectly encapsulates their radiant allure.

But the wonder doesn’t stop there. Take a closer look at their wings, and you’ll find a spectacle akin to the intricate patterns found within a sunflower’s seeds. While not directly likened to sunflower seeds in scientific literature, the bold black and white pattern adorning their wings adds yet another layer of visual intrigue to these captivating creatures.

However, the White Helmetshrike’s allure extends far beyond its aesthetic appeal. These birds are anything but solitary, thriving in bustling communities of 5 to 10 individuals. Constantly on the move, they flit and flutter through the foliage and across the ground, their social bonds evident in their synchronized movements and harmonious calls.

Indeed, it is in their social interactions that the true essence of the White Helmetshrike shines. Their close-knit communities are alive with a symphony of unique calls, ranging from clicks and whistles to a cacophony of strange ratcheting and ringing sounds. Each vocalization serves as a thread in the intricate tapestry of their social fabric, weaving together a narrative of connection and cooperation.

Yet, amidst their vibrant colors and complex social lives, much about the White Helmetshrike remains shrouded in mystery. While scientists speculate that their radiant eyes may play a role in communication within their communities, the exact purpose remains elusive, adding an air of enigma to these already fascinating birds.

From their sunflower-like eyes to their intricate social behaviors, the White Helmetshrike stands as a testament to the marvels of the natural world. As they flit through the African savannas and woodlands, they serve as a reminder of the boundless beauty and wonder that surrounds us, waiting to be discovered and admired.