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The small things for Russia’s Lima

Sometimes in life it is the smallest things that have the biggest consequences. In the case of Russia forward Eder Lima, it was a simple red card that led to him preparing to face Iran in the semi-final of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 on Tuesday. 




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Win the trip of a lifetime with #MyClubWCSmile!




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Ahmad Esmaeilpour of Iran celebrates after scoring his team's first goal

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Ahmad Esmaeilpour of Iran celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Futsal World Cup Semi-Final match between Iran and Russia at Coliseo Ivan de Bedout stadium on September 27, 2016 in Medellin, Colombia. (Photo by Alex Caparros - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Ahmad Esmaeilpour (L) of Iran celebrates

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Ahmad Esmaeilpour (L) of Iran celebrates with players and staff members in the bench after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Futsal World Cup Semi-Final match between Iran and Russia at Coliseo Ivan de Bedout stadium on September 27, 2016 in Medellin, Colombia. (Photo by Alex Caparros - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Mehran Alighadr (R), Ahmad Esmaeilpour (2nd R) and Mohammad Taheri (3rd R) of Iran take a selfie

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mehran Alighadr (R), Ahmad Esmaeilpour (2nd R) and Mohammad Taheri (3rd R) of Iran take a selfie with supporters after the FIFA Futsal World Cup Semi-Final match between Iran and Russia at Coliseo Ivan de Bedout stadium on September 27, 2016 in Medellin, Colombia. (Photo by Alex Caparros - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Bebe of Portugal saves from Ahmad Esmaeilpour of Iran

Bebe of Portugal saves from Ahmad Esmaeilpour of Iran during the FIFA Futsal World Cup Third Place play off match between Iran and Portugal at the Coliseo el Pueblo Stadium on on October 1, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Ian MacNicol - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Fernando Wilhelm (C) of Argentina, Eder Lima (L) of Russia and Ahmad Esmaeilpour (R) of Iran

CALI, COLOMBIA - OCTOBER 01: Fernando Wilhelm (C) of Argentina, Eder Lima (L) of Russia and Ahmad Esmaeilpour (R) of Iran, pose with their awards during the final events of 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia at Coliseo El Pueblo on October 01, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/LatinContent/Getty Images)




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Ahmad Esmaeilpour of Iran is presented with his Bronze Ball Award

Ahmad Esmaeilpour of Iran is presented with his Bronze Ball Award during the FIFA Futsal World Cup Final match between Russia and Argentina at the Coliseo el Pueblo Stadiumon October 1, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Ian MacNicol - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Aljasmi: If you don't focus, you will die




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Smiles on the sand at the Beach Soccer Festival




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Ricardo Quaresma (POR): Portugal - Mexico

Ricardo Quaresma (POR): Portugal - Mexico




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 Ismail Ahmed of Al Ain battles for possession with Mohammed Belaili of ES Tunis 

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 15: Ismail Ahmed of Al Ain battles for possession with Mohammed Belaili of ES Tunis during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Second round match between ES Tunis v Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on December 15, 2018 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Ismail Ahmed of Al Ain competes for a header with Lucas Pratto of River Plate 

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 18: Ismail Ahmed of Al Ain competes for a header with Lucas Pratto of River Plate during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Semi Final Match between River Plate and Al Ain at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on December 18, 2018 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




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Lucas Pratto of River Plate controls the ball from Ismail Ahmed of Al Ain 

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 18: Lucas Pratto of River Plate controls the ball Ismail Ahmed of Al Ain during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Semi Final Match between River Plate and Al Ain at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on December 18, 2018 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)




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IPL 2020: Have been a big fan of Steve Smith's captaincy: Jaydev Unadkat

Fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat said that he feels fortunate to have played with former Australian captain Steve Smith and even played under the star batsman early on in his career. Smith was captain of Rising Pune Supergiant when Unadkat had his breakthrough season in the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Ever since I have played under him, or for that matter since he has known me, he has backed me to the fullest," said Unadkat in a video interview with his Rajasthan Royals teammate Ish Sodhi on the IPL side's Facebook page.

"I am grateful that this happened to me at that time of my career when I was still trying to make a name for myself. I had confidence in myself but you know how important it is to have the captain's confidence. That happened in the 2017 season. I have been a big fan of his captaincy and obviously of him as a player."

The 28-year-old rejoined Smith at the Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 season where he also shares the dressing room with England trio Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer. Unadkat said that he tries to learn from all of them and spoke about how Stokes tried to motivate him when he was feeling low on confidence.

"These guys are not just good on the field, they are pretty lively even in the dressing room," said Unadkat.

"I have been speaking to Jos and Smithy when he was captain. I've had Ben coming to me and giving a nice piece of advice when I have not been confident about my own game and that has boosted me. Jofra was also of equal help, talking about what his mindset is when I asked him in the nets."

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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Navi Mumbai: Businessman kills wife with iron rod over extra marital affair

After killing his wife over suspicion that she was having an extra marital affair, a 40-year-old businessman, Dharma Gauda, surrendered before the Koparkhairane police station in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. Soon after, the cops arrested him and registered an FIR in the matter.

According to the police, on the day of the incident, Gauda had a major fight with his wife Rekha Gauda, following which he hit her with an iron rod twice. She immediately collapsed at the spot and died. When Gauda realised that his wife was dead, he left home and informed a friend about the incident over phone. Thereafter, he went to the Koparkhairane police station and surrendered. Cops further said that the couple used to have frequent fights over the matter and the accused would beat her up.

When the incident took place, their 10-year-old son was in school and 4-year-old daughter was sleeping. On waking up, she found her mother in a pool of blood. Police sources said that the accused runs three bar-cum-restaurants in Navi Mumbai and also has a criminal background.

Speaking to mid-day, Nitin Pawar, deputy commissioner of police, said, “Gauda was suspicious about his wife having an extra marital affair. We arrested him after he surrendered. He will be produced in court on Wednesday. Further investigation into the matter is on."

Also Read: Army Major murders colleague's wife for not accepting his proposal

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever





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Watch video: Vashi foot-over-bridge collapses while being dismantled

On Sunday afternoon, a foot overbridge near the Vashi Police Naka collapsed while a part of it was being removed with a crane. Apart from the driver of the crane, who suffered minor injuries, no one has been affected by the incident. However, the incident led to traffic congestion on the road towards Mumbai coming from Navi Mumbai. 

Following the collapse, the Mumbai Traffic Police immediately took to Twitter to inform commuters to take alternative routes. Though cops claimed that the traffic situation normalised on Sunday night, most vehicles on Monday morning took the alternate route via Airoli to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Watch the video here...

Locals and traffic officials have alleged the Public Works Department (PWD) didn't inform anyone from the Navi Mumbai traffic police or the Vashi police about the dismantling work on Sunday, and that the crane used for it was of a low capacity.

The incident occurred when PWD engineers were dismantling the bridge. When the team was removing a part with the help of a crane, the device couldn't handle the pressure of the bridge, and thus ended up collapsing on the road. Traffic and disaster officials said the crane being used was of a poor capacity.

PWD should have instead brought in two cranes having a good capacity. mid-day reached out to local PWD officer Kishor Patil, but he remained unavailable for comment. PWD built this bridge two years ago. However, locals said that just six months later, it got damaged after a trailer crashed into it. Nobody was using it after that, but PWD decided to demolish it only this month after one-and-a-half years had passed.

Traffic officials said that prior to the collapse, traffic had already been diverted to the other side of the road, so no one was injured in the incident. PWD officials allegedly failed to inform all officials concerned with the area as well as citizens about the demolition, which is why it took longer to manage the situation.

Many users on social networking site Twitter shared videos of the same on their accounts expressing their frustration and anger over the situation. Here's a look at a few.

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Also Read: 4 dead in Pune after hoarding falls on vehicles at Mangalwar Peth

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Sleek, swank, smooth: New trains arrive for Navi Mumbai metro

After a huge delay, the Navi Mumbai Metro trains are finally here. Two trains of three cars each have landed at the Mumbai port from China, and will soon make their way to Navi Mumbai. mid-day gets you a first look at the sleek trains with swank exteriors.

The Navi Mumbai Metro has been delayed much beyond schedule. The first phase (now under implementation) begins from Belapur railway station and ends at Pendhar station near Taloja. The total length of this route is 11.10 km and it will have eleven stations and a depot-cum-workshop which is being developed at Taloja.

"The trains will undergo trials soon. The target is to commission them by 2020," Deepak Hartalkar, Superintending Engineer, Navi Mumbai Metro, told mid-day. He said work on the elevated spans has been 100 pc complete, work on stations and signalling etc is in progress. "Once various kinds of trials and tests are done, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety will be approached for clearances which will take a few months," he added.

The Metro will open for public only after the safety commissioner gives his approval and this might take time till 2020. Work on the first phase approximately costs Rs 3,063.63 crore.

The second phase has been planned between Khandeshwar and Taloja MIDC. The third phase will connect Pendhar and Taloja MIDC and the fourth phase will connect Khandeshwar and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) near Panvel.

Also read: Navi Mumbai Metro brings Howrah Bridge to Mumbai

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India’s push to relax environmental assessment rules amid pandemic draws criticism

Government continues to greenlight projects despite reduced oversight




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Arjun Kapoor shares throwback picture with Will Smith: Hanging out with my boys

While many Bollywood actors are on a photo-sharing spree these days, actor Arjun Kapoor on Monday shared a throwback picture featuring Hollywood star Will Smith. The 34-year-old star shared the picture on Instagram and wrote: "Just hanging out with my boys."

In the shared picture, the '2 States' actor is seen with Hollywood star Will Smith and designer Kunal Rawal during the days when he had not lost weight to pursue acting. "The fresh prince @willsmith himself looking spiffy as ever back in the day when he visited what seems like eons back & @kunalrawaldstress in a rare image wearing a tie...," he captioned the post.

Pointing towards his weight in the old photo, the 'Panipat' actor added: "Side note - the vertical strips really didn't do justice to the fine physical specimen that I was"

The actor has been staying at home like many other Bollywood celebrities amid the nationwide lockdown and is making the best possible use of social media to raise awareness about coronavirus.

Earlier, Kapoor has also extended his support to the PM-CARES Fund, Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund, The Wishing Factory and Bollywood's Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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Aparshakti Khurana's first-ever audio short film - Hisaab Barabar is here to leave you smiling

Fact that Aparshakti Khurana has emerged as one of the ultimate social media buzz makers amidst the lockdown. After initiating digital antakshari, he started interactive Instagram Lives, brand collaborations, musical series called #InstaMusic and even featured in a special Lockdown Anthem video alongside various YouTubers.

With so much on, it won't be wrong to call Khurana the most entertaining and engaging celeb on social media currently. Taking his creativity to another level this time around, Aparshakti has shared his first-ever audio short film - Hisaab Barabar on Instagram which he wanted to present back from his Radio days.

The plot revolves around a girl called Suhani and her schoolmate Rinku, revealing how after disliking each other all these years during school, they end up falling in love with each other. Hisaab Barabar is already winning hearts, thanks to its beautiful storyline and Aparshakti's brilliance at storytelling. He does not just leave you smiling but makes you believe and see these two characters when you're just hearing about them. Well, that truly is the real art of narrating stories on audio.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aparshakti Khurana (@aparshakti_khurana) onApr 18, 2020 at 3:30am PDT

 

The multi-talented star shared Hisaab Barabar on his handle saying, "For those who don’t know, I was working at a radio station 5 years ago and was working on a pilot of my new audio show but destiny had other plans and Dangal happened (which I am grateful of till date), because of which I had to leave the pilot midway. The idea of this audio show was so close to my heart that it continued to linger in my mind for the last 5 years. One of the segments was to be called YEH DILLI HAI MERE YAAR, where in I would have released one audio short film every Friday. Coming up is a story called Hisaab Barabar which is written and voiced by me. Just FYI, I might not have patience and energy to write and voice more stories but I shall try only if you like this one [sic]."

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Sara Ali Khan: Would like to imbibe professionalism from Kareena Kapoor Khan

Sara Ali Khan is all set to appear this Sunday on the upcoming episode of Zee Café's Starry Nights Gen Y. Khan was at her candid best as she shared secrets about her lifestyle while also shining a new perspective on life. Airing on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at 10 PM, the show will see Sara and her mentor, Dinesh Vijan the producer of Love Aaj Kal, in an engaging conversation with Komal Nahta.

Sara Ali Khan didn't mince words when asked about her actor parents and her childhood upbringing in a royal yet humble lifestyle. "While my father is very particular about education, I believe my mother is like the flagbearer of humility. She believes in putting your head down and letting your work speak for itself," said Sara Ali Khan on being brought up by actor parents.

Commenting on studies not being too handy in an actor's life, Sara Ali Khan was quick to interject by saying, "Your education makes you who you are. It gives you confidence, eloquence and most importantly perspective. You have to learn, unlearn and keep growing. That is the only way."

Upon being asked of her one superior quality as compared to her mother, Sara Ali Khan shares, "I am better than my mom in studies. For her 10th maths board exam, she attempted zero questions and signed off as 'Love, Amrita Singh' and left." She added, "Kareena Kapoor always puts her work first and If there was something, I would like to imbibe from her, it would be her professionalism," says Sara Ali Khan on her love and admiration for Kareena.

Talking high and proud of Sara Ali Khan, this is what producer Dinesh Vajan had to say, "I think among her generation, she is the most intelligent girl. Having studied in Colombia, she is aware of everything that is happening, she has a take on everything and most importantly she understands not just social media but every aspect of how it works."

On being questioned about one quality that Sara has to change about herself, Dinesh Vijan says, "She is constantly on fire. Her mind is constantly thinking. Everybody knows that she is here for the long haul, it's just that even she should know that about herself." Sara is known to be quite vocal and outspoken about current global affairs which make for her to be a great conversationalist. Dinesh Vajan says, "I enjoy bonding with Sara over intelligent conversations. The basis of every conversation with her makes a lot of sense though she might get a tad hyper at times."

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My day lights up when you smile: Milind Soman wishes Ankita Konwar on wedding anniversary

It was a pleasant surprise when India's heartthrob Milind Soman got married to his sweetheart Ankita Konwar. Theirs wasn't a much-publicised courting, which made the union even sweeter and special. The couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary in a grand fashion. Due to the coronavirus outbreak and the country observing lockdown the couple decided to celebrate it on social media.

Milind took to his Instagram to wish her. He shared a picture of the two lovebirds togather along with the caption that read, "My day lights up when you smile, and I will do all I can to keep it that way, its 2 happy years today, so happy earth day @ankita_earthy ..p.s that's the only day I remember in the last 6 years that you were ready before me. Meri aankhon ne chuna hain tujhko..' dont know why I thought of that one (sic)."

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milind Usha Soman (@milindrunning) onApr 22, 2020 at 2:16am PDT

Ankita also reciprocated the love in a similar manner by sharing a then-and-now picture. "Then and Now. This day, 2 years back I vowed to be with you and be your partner in everything.So today when you asked if I would climb 300 floors with you to celebrate the beginning of the 3rd year of our marriage, I of course said yes..." she captioned the picture.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ankita Konwar (@ankita_earthy) onApr 22, 2020 at 4:13am PDT

Milind and Ankita dated for five years before they finally got married. Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar exchanged wedding vows in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where they went holidaying. They also had a traditional wedding on this day two years ago.

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Kartik Aaryan shares coronavirus survivor's post on blood plasma donation

Actor Kartik Aaryan has urged all COVID-19 survivors in the country to donate their blood plasma for the recovery of those who are battling the pandemic. Kartik reposted a video of COVID-19 survivor. She is seen donating her blood plasma.

"I donated my blood plasma today A person who has recovered from COVID is able to make antibodies against it. Also if you don't have any pre-existing ailments you are considered a healthy body and CAN donate your blood plasma, if willing, for the benefit of patients in a critical condition. With great joy and pride I am able to share that I fit all the necessary criteria to donate plasma and did so today at the Red Cross Ahmedabad," she wrote in the caption of the video. She then focussed on the procedure to donate the plasma, which she said is similar to donating blood.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

So proud of @sumitisingh 👏🏻👏🏻 I urge all survivors to check with their doctors and donate their blood plasma if eligible to help critical patients who are on the road to recovery.🙏🏻 Also a big Thank You Sumiti for spreading awareness #KokiPoochega . . . #Repost @sumitisingh ・・・ I donated my blood plasma today— A person who has recovered from COVID is able to make antibodies against it . Also if you don’t have any pre existing ailments you are considered a healthy body and CAN donate your blood plasma, if willing, for the benefit of patients in a critical condition. With great joy and pride I am able to share that I fit all the necessary criteria to donate plasma and did so today at the Red Cross Ahmedabad. The procedure:- The procedure to donate plasma is the same as when you donate blood. There is one needle that is used to draw blood from your body, and the blood runs through tubes that carry it into a machine. That machine separates the plasma from the blood . The same needle sends back blood to your body while the (yellowish coloured) plasma is collected in a bag. It's all toO cool. This happens through multiple cycles. I was also informed that the body will replenish the plasma in 24 - 48 hours. Dear Positives/Now Negatives... This was my first blood plasma donation experience. My feelings were oscillating between nervousness and excitement . On one part I was unsure about the procedure and how I’d feel thereafter . On the other hand there was a desire to contribute in any way I could in the war against COVID. If it helped anyone , anywhere I was doing it . Expect 2 needle pricks. The first one to check if you have antibodies .The second one to draw blood out and transfer it back in. The procedure lasted 30-40 minutes. Most of this time I was fine, however for 3- 4 minutes I felt nauseous and light headed. My doctors at the Red Cross, immediately helped me with what I was feeling and put me at ease. I have been completely fine, thereafter. SVP hospital is the first in India to get approvals for trials for Plasma Therapy and I wish them all the luck in the world & thank them for taking me through this. If I can do it.... maybe you can too

A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) onApr 22, 2020 at 4:43am PDT

"There is one needle that is used to draw blood from your body, and the blood runs through tubes that carry it into a machine. That machine separates the plasma from the blood. The same needle sends back blood to your body while the (yellowish coloured) plasma is collected in a bag. It''s all too cool. This happens through multiple cycles. I was also informed that the body will replenish the plasma in 24 - 48 hours, [sic]" she explained.

"Dear Positives/Now Negatives... This was my first blood plasma donation experience. My feelings were oscillating between nervousness and excitement . On one part I was unsure about the procedure and how I''d feel thereafter . On the other hand there was a desire to contribute in any way I could in the war against COVID. If it helped anyone , anywhere I was doing it. Expect 2 needle pricks. The first one to check if you have antibodies .The second one to draw blood out and transfer it back in. The procedure lasted 30-40 minutes. Most of this time I was fine, however for 3- 4 minutes I felt nauseous and light headed. My doctors at the Red Cross, immediately helped me with what I was feeling and put me at ease. I have been completely fine, thereafter. SVP hospital is the first in India to get approvals for trials for Plasma Therapy and I wish them all the luck in the world; thank them for taking me through this. If I can do it.... maybe you can too, [sic]" she wrote.

Kartik had interviewed her on the first episode of his online chat-show Koki Poochega, and lauding her effort he urged all survivors to follow her example.

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Lockdown diaries: Shibani Dandekar cooks pasta; Farhan Akhtar's review will make you smile

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar do not shy away from the media or the public glare to profess their love for each other. Their Instagram account is all about pictures filled with Public Display of Affection (PDA), and their cryptic captions leave their fans scratching heads to decode it.

Recently, Shibani shared a video on Instagram of herself, cooking pasta while Farhan films her. As Shibani cooks pasta with mushrooms, spring onions and cream sauce, Farhan is seen gives us a live-commentary. Shibani captioned the post: "How can anyone be this bad in the kitchen? Making pasta with mushrooms, spring onions and cream sauce! I've made this a thousand times and it still isn't that good! Thank you to my wonderful kitchen assistants and cameraman (sic)."

The alleged couple has been enjoying their quarantine time together. They regularly give us insights about the fun they have through their videos and pictures. Recently, Shibani shared a picture where she can be seen chilling with her "mystery man". "On lockdown with this mystery man #quarantine (sic)", she captioned the post.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shibani Dandekar (@shibanidandekar) onApr 18, 2020 at 4:14am PDT

Farhan too shared a video of Shibani enjoying with his dog Tyson. Shibani is trying to scare Tyson by constantly making noises but to no avail. And as soon as Tyson does the same, she gets scared and shocked and bursts out laughing out of fear and panic.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction 😂😂😂 #tystagram @shibanidandekar

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) onApr 8, 2020 at 5:51am PDT

The Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara actor started dating Dandekar almost a year-and-a-half ago. Later, they started sharing each other's photos on their social media accounts. Farhan was earlier married to Adhuna Bhabani, with whom he has two daughters - Shakya and Akira. Shibani Dandekar is a model-turned-VJ and has participated in reality shows such as Khatron Ke Khiladi and Jhalak Dikhla Ja.

On the work front, Farhan was last seen in Shonali Bose's The Sky Is Pink, co-starring Priyanka Chopra, Zaira Wasim, and Rohit Saraf. The film opened to a positive response from critics but underperformed at the box office. He will next star in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Toofan, a boxing drama releasing on October 2, 2020.

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Flashback Friday: Karisma Kapoor shares old picture with Govinda

Actress Karisma Kapoor on Friday brought back some nineties nostalgia, sharing a throwback picture with Govinda, her co-star in several hits of that era including "Coolie No. 1", "Raja Babu" and "Hero No. 1".

Taking to her Instagram, Karisma posted an image in which Govinda and she posed in front of Eiffel Tower, Paris. She also asked her followers to guess the film from the image. Fans flooded her page with the reply: "Hero No. 1".

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KK (@therealkarismakapoor) onApr 23, 2020 at 11:40pm PDT

Not only this, but Karisma also mentioned in the post that she hopes to see the world returning to normalcy soon. "Dancing around the Eiffel Tower.. hopefully those carefree days will return again very soon ..Which film is this pic from ?

#guessinggame#flashbackfriday #paris #france," she captioned the image.

On the work front, Karisma recently made her web debut with Ekta Kapoor's digital show "Mentalhood".

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Summer health care tips: 7 ways to keep yourself cool with smart food habits



Eating the right fruits, vegetables and spices can ensure you remain cool during the summer season, suggest experts. Chef Sudhir Nair, Executive Chef at Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott, Bengaluru and Chef Kasiviswanathan, the Executive Chef for Radisson Blu Atria, Bengaluru share some easy and interesting tips that will help your body cope with the heat:

1. Opt for a light breakfast: Eat and enjoy a light breakfast every morning comprising of fresh fruits and lots of liquids. Avoid citrus juices and instead opt for tender coconut or melon juice. Cucumber juice or salad would also be a great option. Try and cut down on a heavy breakfast to keep yourself cool and healthy during the summer months.

2. Avoid high starch food: During summer, it is good to avoid high starch foods, especially rice or wheat. Lunch should be the heaviest meal of the day in summers. Keep low on yoghurt consumption. Instead, increase the intake of buttermilk. Keep your food low on spices and high on liquid.

3. Keep yourself away from aerated drinks: Do not drink chilled water or aerated beverages. This is because chilled water or aerated beverages will disrupt the digestive process in the body. Keep a close watch on your sugar consumption. Ice creams though tempting in this time is rich in sugar and cream but an iced fruit lolly would be a legitimate indulgence.

4. Avoid spicy food: Avoid using spices such as mustard, ginger, and chilli. Also, eat less of tomato, peppers and garlic during summer.

5. Use herbs for cooking: Cook with cooling herbs such as fennel, dill, mint, and coriander. Allow use of spices like cumin, cinnamon, green cardamom in your food. Use vegetables such as white pumpkin, broccoli, snake gourds, drumstick and madras cucumber.

6. Boil, steam, and stew: Milk, coconut, butter and ghee in small proportions is cooling for the body. Best methods of cooking these foods would by boiling, steaming and stewing. It is best to avoid fried foods during summer as they would give undue stress to the digestive tract.

7. Enjoy small meals: Enjoying small meals throughout the day during summer is the smartest way to keep yourself cool during the season. Include fruits like ice apples, varieties of melons, sugarcane, and varieties of ripe mango, cashew apples and jackfruit in your diet. All of these are found in abundance in this season.

(Edited by mid-day online desk, with inputs from IANS)

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Strumming for smiles

Somewhere in a township dominated by restaurants and cafés, is a dark-walled space with bright yellow light shining through the glass door — the board above reads Rhythm and Blues (R&B) Academy. We are in Bhabola on Vasai Road, a 10-minute auto ride from the station. The door opens to the sound of keys and strings, and greeting us with a warm smile is Reuben D'silva, the founder of the academy, who has arrived after juggling his full-time job in Andheri. We are seated between the receptionist and two students who have immersed themselves while playing the keyboard and guitar. It's an ongoing practice session, D'silva tells us, as he prepares to discuss his journey — and we know the idle beanbag near us may come in handy.


A Sunday session at the orphanage

The 22-year-old D'silva started learning to play the guitar when he was 14. Then, in the 12th grade, he began taking lessons out of his Vasai residence on weekends. Over the years, he spent some time volunteering in orphanages and slum areas, but it wasn't until the early years of pursuing his Bachelors degree in Economics that he developed an inclination to give shape to a social initiative around music. "I listed myself on Google, and my inquiry rate almost tripled. I then realised that there's a huge market for music in Vasai. There are few competitors, and they're all conventional. You pay monthly fees and there is no end goal. I thought of designing a three-month beginner's course which is a structured way of learning," he tells us.


R&B studio. Pics/Sameer Markande

After graduation, D'silva secured a job with a start-up as a consultant, and worked on materialising plans for the academy. The pay hike he received gave a major boost to his goal. On August 15 this year, he was able to find a rental, with his family supporting him to pay the deposit. It also helped to be social media savvy. D'silva, wrote a Facebook post asking his network if they had any old musical instruments they wish to give to R&B, explaining the agenda of giving music lessons at an orphanage through an initiative he called The Ohana Foundation. The responses were positive; every instrument at the space other than D'silva's two guitars, are donated. "A lot of people still want to give their instruments but I don't have the time to go collect them. We even got an accordion," he says.

The academy is D'silva's commercial venture where he has professional instructors on board for guitar, keyboard, drums, violin and the saxophone. And every Sunday, he heads to the Handmaids of the Blessed Trinity Orphanage in Vasai to teach 60 girls along with a group of volunteers who are trained in music. "I thought of the orphanage because you always have people sponsoring lunch or celebrating their birthdays, but at the end of the day, the children know that the visitors are going to leave them. They also watch TV and are aware of the latest Bollywood songs but they don't know whether they'd ever be able to play them. I wanted to bridge that gap," he explains.

The first session was memorable — D'silva carried the keyboard and guitar with enthusiasm but left the adaptor behind. He recalls, "I saw 60 kids in front of me expecting something. So I said, okay let's not freak out, and a volunteer then started singing Hindi songs for them and everyone was instantly connected. Since then, they sit in a line with their books and wait for us." For two sessions, the girls were divided into three groups with an instructor for each group teaching the guitar, keyboard and cajon. "They observed each group for 15 minutes. After that, we asked them to pick an instrument. So, 25 students chose the guitar, 18 were interested in the keyboard, and the rest selected the cajon," he says.

With plans to enter crowdfunding in December, he aims to expand the initiative. "I got in touch with Music Basti and the Child's Play Foundation, an orchestral music initiative in Goa that gave me crowdfunding advice," but D'silva is keen on keeping the experience authentic. He says, "Money is not everything. We may not make the next AR Rahman, but at least we're making them smile."

AT Kingston Towers, Kauls Heritage City, Vasai West 
CALL 7798044486

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Mystical melodies that takes delves deep into Sufism at this gig

Before there was any conflict between India and Pakistan, there was the Bhakti movement, and Sufism. And when Moinuddin Chisti first brought the latter philosophy to our shores in the 13th century, he came with an inclusive mindset that helped assimilate Sufism with the Hindu way of life. And that message of harmony is also the theme of a concert in the city this weekend.

The performance, called Sounds of the Sufis, will also entail the launch of an album, Ek Hi Rang. It's the brainchild of vocalist Anuraag Bhoundeyal, storyteller Priyanka Patel and percussionist Karan Chitra Deshmukh, who have been working on this debut effort for over a year. Bhoundeyal says, "On the face of it, we are tracing the journey of Sufism through the album. But what we are essentially saying is that instead of looking at the periphery, let's look at what lies at the core of Sufism — and that's love and oneness."

ON March 15, 6.30 pm
AT The Royal Opera House, Girgaum
LOG ON TO insider.in

ENTRY Rs 499 to Rs 1,200

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Mumbai: Shop under CSMT's footover bridge staircase is illegal

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation seized four cylinders on Monday which were kept illegally in the eatery below the staircase of CSMT's FOB which collapsed last month.

The civic officials have said that all other items in the shop were also seized because the place was not granted permission from the health department.

The CSMT FOB had collapsed partly on March 14 but the entire bridge was razed post that. The staircase was spared hence the eatery resumed operations in a few days.

Also read: BMC to re-audit 38 bridges in Mumbai

A routine inspection by the civic fire compliance cell on Monday morning revealed that the four gas cylinders in the shop were illegal. A senior BMC official said that the shop owner did not have licenses. An official told The Times of India, "We will have to demolish the shop, we will follow the due process."

Also read: Mumbai: BMC assistant engineer held in connection with CSMT bridge collapse

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The article has been sourced from third-party source and Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. All information provided on this article is for informational purposes only.





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Mumbai: CSMVS to host first ever guided tour of its space

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya (CSMVS) will host the first-ever guided tour of its space and precincts led by eminent conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, who is also involved in the conservation of the museum, a Grade 1 building in the UNESCO World Heritage Precinct. Later in the evening, a panel discussion will be held on The Craft of Architecture.


Vikas Dilawari

Pop quiz

1) Originally called the Church of St John the Evangelist, its steeple was used as a landmark for ships entering Bombay harbour. Name this church.
2) Inside which building in Fort can you spot a splendid stained glass design of the 12 zodiac signs?
3) From which famous landmark did the last British troops leave India after Independence, in 1948?

Answers:

1) Afghan Church;
2) Convocation Hall inside University Library;
3) Gateway of India

ON Today, 11 am (guided tour); 6.15 pm (panel discussion)
AT Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda.
CALL 22844484
FREE

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Vocalist Aruna Saira: The cosmopolitan Bombay is what I am

When disciples of the late Odissi exponent Kelucharan Mohapatra speak of him, they never fail to quote a life lesson he imparted to them. "Practising hard makes you a good dancer. But the day you embrace humility is when you become an artiste," he would say. More than 1,200 km to the south, Chennai-based Aruna Sairam practises a different classical art form, but what ties the Padma Shri awardee to Carnatic music is the same bond of humility.

Born in Mumbai, she was introduced to the music tradition by her mother. Six decades and several accolades later — she received the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award by the Madras Music Academy in January — she remains open to new experiences to keep her music evolving. Back in the city for a concert this evening, caught up with the vocalist.
Edited excerpts from the interview.

How did your years in Mumbai shape you as an artiste?
I was brought up in Dadar Parsi Colony and went to the JB Vachha school. So, I lived in two happy worlds. One at home, where we spoke Tamil and my mother taught me Carnatic music. And one outside, where I enrolled for western music in school, took up Gujarati as a second language, and learnt Hindi and Marathi on the streets. We moved to Chennai in 2000 because that's the headquarters of the style of music I practise, but the cosmopolitan Bombay is what I am.

The first half of my concerts is dedicated to pure Carnatic music — something I learnt from my guru, Smt T Brinda. But I also sing abhangs in a Carnatic rendition. There are songs of Ganpati Visarjan, the hymn Vaishnav Jana To in folk Gujarati... in the last part.

You've also trained under international voice masters.
Since my school days, I had been introduced to the idea that in the West, they have techniques to hone your voice. So, when I felt I was finding it difficult to fully convey my emotions in my voice, I decided to train under them.

You have been performing since you were eight. What keeps you going?
I was in Jerusalem for a concert recently. I took the help of a professor there to learn a Hebrew song. When I sang it, people got emotional because they felt someone had taken the trouble to learn an important part of their culture. This sense of newness keeps me going.

ON Tonight, 7 pm
AT Fine Arts Cultural Centre, RC Marg, Chembur 
CALL 25222988

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337 million Indians to use smartphones in 2018



More than a quarter of India's population or 337 million people would use a smartphone in 2018 -- a 16 per cent growth which is the highest rate of any country in the world -- market research company eMarketer said on Thursday.

Since its last forecast, eMarketer increased its estimate for the smartphone audience in India by more than 31 million people.

This uptick is thanks to the growth in smartphone usage in urban areas, where affordable smartphones are becoming widely available, the research firm said in a statement.

"India still faces technological challenges that are holding back mass smartphone adoption. "Mobile Internet speeds are among the slowest in the world, around two-thirds of the population still lives in rural areas and feature phones are by no means obsolete," said Chris Bendtsen, Senior Forecasting Analyst, eMarketer.

Advertisers can still be optimistic about the future.

"Smartphones are getting cheaper, mobile data prices have fallen and urbanisation continues. Over the next four years, as speeds and rural reach improve, eMarketer expects the smartphone audience to reach close to half a billion users," Bendtsen noted.

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever





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Samsung to launch Galaxy 'A' and 'J' series smartphones in India soon



Aiming to disrupt India's mid-segment smartphone market, Samsung is set to launch four new smartphones -- two each in Galaxy "A" and Galaxy "J" series -- this month.

The upcoming Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ smartphones could be priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 while the devices in Galaxy "J" series could cost customers Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000, industry sources told IANS on Friday.

Two of the four smartphones in the upcoming line-up would come with dual camera set-up, the sources added.

All of them will be made at the company's Noida facility. The smartphones will feature Samsung's super AMOLED "Infinity Display" -- bezel-less screen that creates an immersive viewing experience.

Notably, Samsung's flagship smartphones such as Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S9 series feature the "Infinity Display". Now, with the upcoming devices, the display feature would be introduced at lower price points in the Indian market.

The South Korean giant first introduced the "Infinity Display" in Galaxy S8 series in 2017.

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OPPO unveils its sub-brand 'Realme 1' smartphone in India from Rs 8,990



Targeted at millennials, Chinese smartphone maker OPPO on Tuesday debuted its sub-brand "Realme 1" smartphone in India for Rs 8,990 (3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage model).

The 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant is priced at Rs 13,990.

The smartphone comes with the world's first 12-nm Artificial Intelligence-based MediaTek Helio P60 chipset with "AI shot" technology.

"Realme 1 is focused at young online consumers and is primed to be a market disruptor with a stylish design," Madhav Seth, Chief Executive Officer, Realme India, said in a statement.

The device will be available on Amazon India, starting May 25, in diamond black and solar red colour variants.

A third variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage, in moonlight silver and diamond black colours for Rs 10,990 will go on sale in June.

Realme users will have access to over 500 OPPO service centres across the country with guaranteed 90 per cent repair cases resolved within an hour.

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College students in India check smartphones over 150 times a day, say study

Illustration/Amit Bandre

New Delhi: On an average, a college student in India checks his mobile phone over 150 times a day, according to a study conducted by Aligarh Muslim University and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

The research, titled "Smartphone Dependency, Hedonism and Purchase Behaviour: Implications for Digital India Initiatives", has been conducted in 20 central universities, where 200 students each were interviewed.

"Anxiety and fear of missing out on information make university students check their mobile devices as many as 150 times a day on an average, an activity which can have adverse effects on the students' health as well as academics. "Only 26 per cent of the respondents said they use smartphones primarily to make calls. The remaining respondents use smartphones for other purposes such as accessing social networking sites, Google searches and for entertainment such as watching movies," said Mohammed Naved Khan, the Project Director.

At least 14 per cent of the students use smartphones for three hours or less in a day while around 63 per cent of them use it for four to seven hours daily.

"It came as a shock to us that around 23 per cent (of students) use the devices for more than eight hours a day," Khan added.

According to the study, eighty per cent of the students own a mobile phone and most of them prefer smartphones owing to convenience in the installation of applications, host of features, and ease of use and also work as affordable substitutes for a computer. The study conducted by researchers at AMU has been funded by the ICSSR with an aim to understand various facets of smartphone dependency and addiction among college-going students.

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New smartphone-based tool may aid patients detect urine blockage

Representational Image

Surgeons are developing a new smartphone-based tool that can detect urethral or urine blockage, potentially making it easier for patients to test themselves for the condition from the comfort of their own homes.

The novel technique could take high-speed photography which could capture subtle differences between a normal steady stream of liquid and a stream of liquid with an obstruction.

Urethral strictures are a slowing or blocking of the natural flow of urine due to an injury or infection. It is normally diagnosed by uroflowmetry, a test administered at a physician's office.

"The problem is that patient follow-up after we treat this condition is very poor," said Matthew Gretzer, Associate Professor at the University of Arizona in the US.

"But we need patients to come back to our clinic for a uroflow test to determine if the obstruction is still present," he added.

In order to test Gretzer's hypothesis on high-speed photography, the team created a model of a urethral structure using tubing hooked to a saline bag that could drain through.

Saline fluid was passed through the tubing with and without blockages, created using 3D printed strictures,placed within the tubing. High-speed photography captured both the regular and blocked stream of liquid exiting the tube.

Gretzer contended that photos can be a medium to diagnose blockages and he hopes that patients could send him these images to analyse and make the diagnosis. He plans to create a mobile app which can be downloaded by the patients.

"All patients would need to do is take high-speed images of their urine flow using a strobe light," Gretzer said.

"Strobe light apps are readily available right now for people to use on their phones".

According to the researchers, as fluid exits an opening, a natural breakpoint occurs where the liquid stream forms droplets, but with obstructions in place, it changes.

The results showed that by analysing photos, they could measure the length to this point of droplet formation. This length then directly related to the presence of an obstruction in the tube.

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SMD Review: Rubbing mostly the right way


The opening scene of Aladdin

We are caught in this familiar tussle between a perfect past and a future of possibilities as the curtains for the Disney Broadway-style musical Aladdin open. As 90s kids, for some of us who just adored Aladdin and his entourage, there was trepidation in our hearts last week — will this musical live up to the 1992 animation film?

As the first scene unfolds on stage, we were not disappointed, not in the least bit. A resplendent multi-level market scene in Agrabah, reminiscent of souks that spell 'Middle Eastern' with projected skies overheard, becomes the playground for a chase during which our daring street rat, Aladdin, enters. Directed by Shruti Sharma, who had formerly assisted in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the re-imagined production with an all-Indian cast begins on a power-packed note, which is sustained through the course of the evening. Watch out for scenes in The Cave of Wonders and the flying carpet. Simply magical.


Mantra excels as Genie

Aladdin, played by Taaruk Raina in the production we saw, ably captures the complex range of human emotions scripted for the part, from flirtatious lover to contrite prisoner. His triad of friends, especially Keith Sequeira as Kassim, is an energetic foil to the character. And, the role of Iago, villain Jafar's sidekick, brings in the much-needed cheekiness and irreverence to this romance. But, the character that will truly steal your hearts is, as always, Genie, played by Puranjit Dasgupta, who goes by the name Mantra. Through him, the musical conveys a local flavour in an international production, the spicy tang of bhel puri amidst clean hummus and pita. It may seem more Bollywood than Broadway at times, also thanks to a heavy dose of melodrama, but, it got the security guards breaking into chuckles as much as the kids in the front row, so that can only be a good thing.

So, what of Jasmine, played by the beautiful Kira Narayanan? The musical does its best to push gender norms, and its stress on themes of personal freedom, especially through this character and Genie, come as gentle reminders to the audiences. Despite this, Aladdin doesn't pass the Bechdel test, and we wish Jasmine and her friends had half as much fun as Aladdin and his bawdy bunch. Jasmine's character is poorly scripted, and it doesn't match up to the original film's feisty, smouldering princess.

It's impossible not to comment on the songs, for this is a musical after all. Some are entertaining, while some, occasionally moving — Aladdin's got the right mix. What may happen for the adults, if not with the kids, is that you may be left wanting a quiet moment in between songs, for there is just far too much excitement on stage. You need to cool off from all that Genie energy.

Aladdin verges on PG at times, though it says suitable for 4+, with lip-locks and some spirited filmi jhatkas. Nothing that should stop your kid, niece or nephew from watching, but we are just putting it out there. Oh, and did we mention that the actors wear shiny sneakers? The kids will want those for school, and that's a conversation you will need to have with them.

WHERE: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point
WHEN: Till May 13. 7.30 PM
ENTRY: Rs 1,250 - Rs 8,250
CALL: 66223737

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Longest-running photography event introduces Mumbai's lensmen to its latest work


A frame from the series, Music for Everyone. Pic/Yuyang Liu

The town of Siem Reap in Cambodia is a fascinating blend of history, modernity and culture. While the magnificent temple complex of Angkor Wat is no more than 6 km away from the picturesque location, it is also home to artisan collectives and Cambodian Cultural Village that gives a glimpse of the country's diverse cultural heritage. Since 2005, the city has also been the venue for Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops (APFW), a non-profit cultural association founded by noted names in photography from across the world - including members of Magnum Photos - to nurture Asia's photographic community by providing an affordable and self-sustainable platform for professional training.


From the series, Two Eyes Good, Four Eyes Bad. Pic/Rebecca Chew

Over the years, emerging photographers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Japan and Cambodia among other Asian countries have attended tuition-free professional workshops, worked on a photo story inspired by their surroundings and showcased their project at the end of the festival. The APFW alumni community is a thriving one, where collaborations and creative exchange is common. Photographers from Mumbai, too, have participated in the festival, and to introduce emerging lensmen from the city to its upcoming edition in December, APFW alumni will conduct an interactive session this Saturday. The session, being held in Mumbai for the first time, is part the Angkor Hangover series of events organised across Asia.


From the series, Bokator, on young Cambodians trying to resurrect a traditional form of martial arts. Pic/Zishaan A Latif 

"The mentors are people whose work I admire. And when a group of 30 individuals with eclectic practices and realities specific to their countries come to learn from them, they also learn from each other," says freelance photographer and filmmaker Aishwarya Arumbakkam, who participated in the festival in 2016 and is one of the organisers of the Mumbai session. Multimedia projections by photographers from the 2016 batch are also a part of the evening.


From the series, Ahp. Pic/Aishwarya Arumbakkam

While applications are shortlisted on the basis of merit, freelance photographer and alumna Karen Dias explains that to keep the programme accessible and inclusive, there is no upper age limit for applicants. Fellow alumnus of the 2009 batch, Zishaan Akbar Latif, recalls, "As a budding photographer, you are terrified of showing your work, but you realise that others are in the same boat, too. Being in that quaint part of the world at a workshop that's different from its uptight counterparts helps you loosen up," he shares.

APFW organising committee member Andrea Fernandes, who has been associated with the festival for five years, sums up its nature, "This event is initiated by alumni and this is the direction we want the festival to go in - where every person associated can have a space to speak about their work and collaborations."

ON: May 12, 5 pm to 7 pm
AT: Trilogy by the Eternal Library, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel.
CALL: 8080590590

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Pop feminism


Posters created for the podcast. Pics courtesy/Chuski PoP Facebook

"Mujhe woh haseen dard de do, jise aaj ke baad main kisi doosre ke saath na baant sakun." This cheesy line from the movie Prem Aggan is the start of what goes on to be a fun, witty podcast about the fascination about Valentine's Day and how V-Day should be called a U-Day.

Welcome to Chuski Pop, a desi podcast starring Sweety and Pappu, 'two desi women riding the fourth wave of feminism in their salwar kameez and golden heels'. Sweety is a graphic designer and Pappu, a copywriter. Their podcast, launched in 2015, has a new episode releasing every second week and has 27 episodes out already.

Each podcast starts with a cheesy, ridiculous line from a Hindi film. It lasts for about an hour or longer, and usually sticks to one topic, but the two women talk about anything that happened through the week. The tone is conversational, with a few over-the-top reactions thrown in for effect. They talk about eating their 'shiny, glossy candy toes', make-up, explain mansplaining, how not to be a cool girl, social media detoxes, body positivity and finding like-minded girlfriends to hang out with.

They've even introduced Bhindi Awards (showing the ladies' finger to patriarchal society) given to women who celebrate being themselves. Past awards gave gone to MIA, Beyonce, Harnaam Kaur and Lily Singh. Their 19th episode was a collaborative one, with fellow desi podcasters Chai Tea Party.





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Here are 6 ways you can tackle sexual harassment in the workplace

 



Sexual harassment is one of the most unfortunate acts that can happen in a workplace. It is a crime in its truest form that puts a woman’s safety and security in question. Sexual harassment is not only difficult to experience, but also an adverse event that is difficult to eliminate. We have heard stories related to sexual harassment in workplaces several times and about female employees getting wrong hints from their male colleagues (managers at times), dirty looks, unwanted dinner invitations, being touched inappropriately or hearing lewd comments. Sexual harassment should be dealt smartly and tactfully. We have listed six such measures to tackle sexual harassment in a workplace:

1. Get in touch with the HR team: Almost every organization has a dedicated Human Resource cell that looks after anti-harassment policies. A woman who falls prey to sexual harassment should immediately get in touch with the anti-harassment team of the HR division for immediate action against the accused and his untoward behavior. Also, the HR team possess good knowledge of anti-harassment policies, which they should implement without any delay.

2. Document the situation: Do not endure sexual harassment and report it immediately. Find out if there are other victims also, gather witnesses and secure the statement of witnesses in written. Also, find out if there are any video recording or CCTV footage of the event. Put all documents and video recordings in front of the HR or top management while complaining.

3. Inform the supervisor: Whoever is harassing you, be it your team member or somebody from other teams, inform your immediate supervisor about the entire incident. Write an official email citing the incident and request the supervisor for a personal meet. A supervisor has the right to know about what is going on with the team members.



4. Draw a line: It is good to engage in jokes and informal talks with colleagues, but do not forget to draw a line and maintain a gap between you and the male colleagues. Be direct and straightforward and speak up when you are not liking their attitude or behaviour towards you. Ask them to stop their 'over-funny' acts and not to cross limits. This will help you tackle sexual harassment in the initial stage right after you get wrong vibes.

5. Talk to the harasser: Do not stay away from the accused and speak with him directly. If he does not apologize and discontinue doing so, let him know that you are going to file an official complaint for being sexually harassed at workplace. If he still continues to harass, take strict and immediate action. Women have the right to go for legal actions too. 

6. Get in touch with senior management: If everything fails and your supervisor cannot take any action against the event, get in touch with the senior management of the organization. Put forth all evidences including video footages and written statements and let the senior management know about it. Ensure that the management handle the situation tactfully and take strict steps against the accused.

Many women who are victims of sexual harassment tend to stay quite because of threats or the fear of losing their jobs. However, this is not the solution to prevent sexual harassment. Women must raise their voice if they are molested or sexually abused in their workplaces. Only if their voices are raised, they will get the strength to fight against such ill acts.

Based on a discussion with Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, the DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) issued fresh guidelines regarding 'sexual harassment of women at workplace' in December 2016. Following are the guidelines the DoPT issued:

1. Brief details of the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act including the number of cases received and disposed shall form a part of the Annual Report of all ministries/ departments and authorities there under.
2. The enquiry of cases must be completed within 30 days and under any circumstances within 90 days from the date of the complaint.
3. The ministries/ departments etc. have to keep a watch on the complainant so as to ensure that she is not victimized in any manner because of her having filed the complaint. The aggrieved woman has been given further option to send representation to the Secretary or head of the organization in case she feels that she is being victimized because of her complaint. The concerned authority will be required to dispose of this complaint within 15 days.
4. All ministries/ departments etc. are now required to submit a monthly progress report to the Ministry of Women and Child Development so that the progress can be monitored.

 





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How to Train Your Dragon 3 Review - The Mesmeric CGI will draw you in

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
U/A: Animation, Action, Adventure
Director: Dean DeBlois
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Rating: 

The much-awaited Hiccup and Toothless' return to the big screen may not be as scintillating and effortless as the first two editions but it's certainly no slouch in terms of form and technique. The cutesy appeal of the ameliorating animation craft adds to the poignancy developed on the unlikely pairing of a rare Night Fury dragon with a brave young Viking. This CG animated feature that finds its inspiration in Cressida Cowell's children's books, is as vividly artistic as its predecessors and culminates in an emotionally resonant finale that apparently puts the cap on any further sequels in the offing.

The storyline finds Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), Chieftain of the tribe, having taken over the title from his late father, Stoick (Gerard Butler) - alongside the fearless Astrid (America Ferrera) and his newly found mother Vulcan (Cate Blanchett), engaged in the noble pursuit of freeing caged dragons and bringing them to the Isle of Berk. But the villainous Grimmel (F, Murray Abraham) is hell-bent on destroying their new-found tranquillity – so the tribe agree to leave in search of their Hidden kingdom, with Grimmel hot-on-their-heels, in pursuit. Amidst this hullabaloo, enters a new pure white lioness known as the Light Fury and she catches Toothless eye, and they engage in a hide-n-seek courtship that forces Hiccup to reassess his own abilities and his relationship with his favourite dragon.

Check out the trailer of How To Train Your Dragon:

Returning director-screenwriter Dean DeBlois, with able help from visual consultant Roger Deakins, presents an opulent harvest of computer-generated visuals – exquisite in details, bathed in a light and shadow so dramatic as to look almost heavenly. The eye-pleasing look of the Light Fury, the mating dance sequence between Toothless and his new love, the flickering flames, the resplendent panoramic and scenic views from the skies are all rendered with an unerring artfulness that is simply splendid to behold. Forget the ennui borne from a repetitive and familiar plotting. This one has the power to give flight to your imagination!

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MMRC completes 28th breakthrough from CSMT to Mumbai Central

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) on Thursday achieved yet another milestone with its 28th breakthrough from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Mumbai Central. Vaitarna-2 is the first TBM to complete the stretch of 4km in a single drive.

Vaitarna-2, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) of this package was commissioned on February 2, from CSMT launching shaft and completed its longest run at Mumbai Central station with 2,730 RCC rings.

"This part of the tunneling was very challenging particularly because the alignment runs very close to old and dilapidated buildings and also parallel to the sea shore and very shallow ground water table which is approximately 1-4 meters below only", said Ranjit Singh Deol, Managing Director, MMRC.

"Another challenge posed before the team was the outbreak of COVID-19. However, we ensured physical distancing and strictly followed all the guidelines stipulated by the state government”, said Deol further.

The 4-km long tunneling, on the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 Corridor, includes the construction of five underground stations beginning from Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Mumbai Central via Kalbadevi, Girgaon and Grant Road.

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COVID-19 in Mumbai: Businessman's OPD cabin keeps doctors safe from infection

While many doctors have been complaining about the non-availability of safety equipment when they examine COVID-19 patients, a businessman has come to their aid by creating a cabin for such examinations, where they need not use PPEs.

The 38-year-old Vile Parle-based man has created an 'OPD' cabin that is divided into two sections for the doctor and patient. The doctor can examine the patient without using a mask or PPE as she/he does not come into direct contact with the patient, and can immediately sanitise the cabin after this. The businessman, Jatin Shah, gave one of the cabins free of cost to the Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Centre at Jogeshwari last week, and every day doctors examine at least a 100 people in it.

Shah is involved with the aluminum industry and has used the material and glass to make the cabin. He has also donated 40 cabins to the Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka governments to examine people at the states' borders.

Shah said, "I saw many videos on social media about the challenges doctors have been facing while treating COVID-19 patients. So I decided to invent something that would help them. Within two days I created this cabin and gave it to the Jogeshwari-based trauma care centre free of cost with the help of an NGO."


Jatin Shah, the businessman

Shah said, "At the borders, 4-6 hours after testing when the report comes, if a traveller is found to be COVID-19 positive, doctors send her/him to hospital and if any patient is found negative, she/he is allowed to enter the state. I took the help of Wipro general electric, which finalised the design of this cabin and asked the Seva trust in Mumbai to contact the hospital and get the cabin approved," Shah added.

Doctor speak

"The cabin is really useful. We sent our four labourers to Shah's factory to help him construct this cabin. We also issued a letter to him from hospital superintendent Vidhya Mane. Within two days he manufactured it and gave it to us," said Dr Rangnath Jawhar of Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Centre.

Features of the cabin

The cabin is 8X4 ft and divided into two spaces separated by glass. One section is used by the doctor and the other by the patient. Screening equipment including a digital thermometer and a fever gun kept inside. Both sides have a mike and speaker. A 20 lt tank stores disinfectant which gets sprayed inside

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Plasma therapy: To use or not to use...

While trials on plasma therapy for COVID-19 continue, they have sparked debate among medical professionals. While one set of experts feels that plasma therapy can work wonders with a supportive line of treatment, the other set opines that it is too premature to make such claims without thorough clinical evidence.

Interestingly, the first set of experts is now further puzzled as to whom they should administer plasma therapy. That's because of the high risk involved as COVID-19 patients may still have existing ailments that may not respond well to plasma therapy.

The concern was raised after the recent death of a 52-year-old man who was given plasma therapy at a Mumbai hospital. The man had co-morbidities and was on ventilator support.


Dr Anoop Kumar, consultant and chief of Critical Care Medicine at BM Hospital, Calicut

Premature to consider it
Dr Asha Kishore, medical director, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, said, "While there have been a few reports of convalescent plasma therapy being effective in treating COVID patients, unless there is a clinical study it is premature to consider it as an accepted form of treatment. It should be considered experimental therapy and should be monitored and regulated by the health ministry. Even data from China is too limited to confirm successful experiment of plasma therapy."

"Our transfusion medicine department has applied for participation in a clinical trial of convalescent plasma for the treatment for COVID-19 called by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The ICMR's sponsored trial will be conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma in patients with moderate COVID-19 infection. We are awaiting approval," said Dr Asha.

Against immunology principle
Dr Wiqar Shaikh, senior allergy and asthma specialist, who had treated the 52-year-old Byculla resident who was treated at home and recovered from COVID-19, said, "Plasma therapy means giving antibodies from a COVID cured patient to one still suffering from it. This is not within the principle of immunology. When a person has a viral infection, the first reaction of the body's immune system is to form IgM (Immuno Globulin M) antibodies and IgG (Immuno Globulin G). However, these are not the important defences against a virus. When the virus enters a body, it does so by mistake and cannot survive within the body and hence enters a cell to survive." Dr Shaikh added, "The COVID virus is an RNA virus, which cannot replicate on its own, it requires the cell apparatus to multiply. Whenever the immune system identifies a virus containing cell, two types of cells are activated. Both are T-lymphocytes, the first category is the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and the second is the Natural Killer (NK) T-lymphocyte, both of which destroy the virus containing cell using bodily chemicals called 'perforins' and 'granzymes'. This cytotoxic and NK cells develop a memory for the virus within the body, and when the person gets infected with the same virus again, the memory cytotoxic and NK cells launch an immediate attack and kill the virus. Therefore, antibodies (plasma therapy), has a very poor role in defence against COVID and hence is of no use, claims Dr Shaikh.


Dr Asha Kishore, medical director, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram

"There are no double-blind placebo-controlled trials anywhere in the world of plasma therapy actually helping in recovery of serious COVID patients. Moreover, such clinical research is a welcome move, but it takes months or years of painstaking research," said Dr Shaikh.

In favour of plasma therapy
Dr Anoop Kumar, consultant and chief of Critical Care Medicine at BM Hospital, Calicut, said, "The Kerala government was concerned about the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and called for a meeting of well-known health professionals in Kerala on March 20. At the meeting it was agreed to make use of plasma therapy, as we have come across case studies of successful results in China, South Korea, and other countries. However, it is yet to be published in the international journal."

"Plasma therapy has been effective in various virus outbreaks in the past, such as Nipah virus in 2018, H1N1 in 2008 and even the 1918 flu outbreak," said Dr Anoop, adding, "We intend to collect plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19. For instance, a 55-year-old recovered patient can donate around 800ml of plasma from the blood, and this can save four lives with a mere 200 ml of plasma."

However, donor protocol mandates that the donor should not have any fever, or foreign travel history or respiratory infection, and should have remained in self-isolation for 14 days post discharge and the swab collected after self-quarantine period should be negative.

200
Quantity in ml of plasma required for treatment

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Lockdown Diaries: Smriti Irani nailing the gibberish challenge is on point; seen it yet?

Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani is undoubtedly one of the coolest politicians. From sharing throwbacks pictures to family pictures and much more, Smriti always manages to tickle the funny bone and keep her followers entertained.

Although being locked at home like others due to the coronavirus epidemic, Smriti Irani recently took to Instagram new trend, the gibberish challenge. For many who don't know, the gibberish challenge on the gram is a much-in-fad filter where users have to guess the word or a phrase.


A screengarb of Smriti's first gibberish challenge

Upon taking the challenge, a random phrase or a word appears on the screen with a set time limit. Once the timer is over, the right answer pops up on the screen. The 44-year-old minister took part in the gibberish challenge twice and guess what? Smriti absolutely nailed it. Smriti also shared videos of the same as her Instagram stories.


A screengrab of Smriti's second gibberish challenge which lefet her shocked and surprised

While Smriti nailed the first one right, in the second gibberish challenge which came with a twist had its own set of challenges. Though she guessed the right answer 'Hugh Jackman', the answer for some reason appeared as 'Ryan Reynolds', which left the minister quite upset and her expressions said it all.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Weaving new possibilities 🙏#supportweavers #makeinindia #handcraftedinindia

A post shared by Smriti Irani (@smritiiraniofficial) onMay 2, 2020 at 12:11am PDT

Before taking part in the gibberish challenge, Smriti shared two pictures where she was seen donning handcrafted face masks made by weavers. Urging people to supports weavers and products made in India, Smriti captioned the picture: Weaving new possibilities!

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Maharashtra seals borders with other states to curb liquor smuggling

In an attempt to prevent smuggling of liquor from neighbouring states during the lockdown, Maharashtra has sealed its borders with them and deployed adequate manpower at a dozen checkposts, an official said on Friday. The move by the excise department has come in the wake of lifting of certain coronavirus-induced curbs, which included allowing reopening of liquor shops. As the demand for alcohol has increased in Maharashtra, there is a possibility of liquor smuggling by inter-state organised syndicates, the official said.

Considering the threat from such syndicates, the excise department has deployed its flying squads and vigilance teams in districts located along the borders with neighbouring states, he said. To avoid any smuggling activity during this period, we have increased our vigil on 12 checkposts and sealed borders with adjoining states," he said. This will help in curbing illegal transportation of liquor or spirit, the official said. With the help of local police, the excise department has initiated action against persons involved in smuggling and transportation of liquor, he said.

Since the lockdown came into force in late March, at least 4,829 offences have been registered for illegal liquor transportation and 438 vehicles seized, he said. Besides, at least 2,104 persons have been arrested so far in such cases, the official said, adding liquor and other material worth Rs 12.63 crore have been seized since the shutdown.

The excise department has started a control room, where people can provide information related to illegal manufacturing or sale of liquor, he said.

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Unisex scents by Indian perfumeries shows growing favour for gender fluid smells

Pooja Sudhir's search for a signature scent ended after graduation. She moved from deodorants to body mists and was finally looking to mature into a perfume user, when she found a scent with musky notes that she instantly liked. "The counter manager rushed to me, saying, 'But, ma'am, this is for men.' I think that's where it all started," she says about her fascination for unisex perfumes. Sudhir, an educator with DSB International School, now oscillates between the male fragrances put out by Body Shop, M&S and Titan Skinn.


Pic/Getty Images

A scent is considered unisex when it uses traditionally masculine notes like leather, smoke and wood, but is meant to be worn by both men and women. Historically, women's fragrances have carried floral or fruity notes. "I have often wondered why female perfumes are gentle and mellow, and almost always with a floral base," Sudhir, 32, says.
The gender stereotyping of scents she is alluding to could in fact, be a product of marketing and not so much about preference.


Educator Pooja Sudhir wonders why female scents are distinguished by floral notes only

The head of communications for Forest Essentials', an indigenous beauty brand with foundations in Ayurveda, says it has little to do with nature telling us what we should or shouldn't wear. "Fragrances are best chosen depending on mood, occasion, seasonality, and your personality rather than gender." Their best-selling body mists are proof. They tend to include oud, Kerala lime or vetiver. "For us, choosing the oud and green tea combination was less about gender and more about picking ingredients that are inherently Indian. That these fragrances have male and female appeal is an added advantage."


Gaurav and Jahnvi

Jahnvi Lakhota Nandan heads The Perfume Library, a four-year-old boutique label that operates from New Delhi and Paris. She speaks of the 30 gender-fluid scents that both, men and women have been seen to pick up. "For instance, the Aphtoori perfume combines notes of jasmine and cigar, and it is our fastest selling among women," she says. Nandan's friendship with designer Gaurav Gupta has propelled a collaboration that's now sealed in a bottle. Gupta launched AGAIN, his debut unisex scent last week, one with zero floral tones. "It [decision to launch a unisex scent] was a no brainer. I am gender-fluid by personality, and I don't see the world in slots. Gender divides are more to do with social conditioning."


The just-launched fragrance, AGAIN

Manan Gandhi, the head of Bombay Perfumery, a-young-but-talked-about fragrance house from the city, would agree. Musk is not only for men, he asserts. Chai Musk, one of his best performing perfumes, blends sandalwood, ginger, lemongrass and musk. Of the eight fragrances he currently offers, two are unisex. "Women are not particularly concerned about female-specific infusions. They look for natural ingredients, intensity and retention. They prefer a scent that lasts," Gandhi explains. Internationally, the unisex beauty concept raged in the 1990s when Calvin Klein launched CK One and Comme des Garçons introduced its eponymous fragrance. It was the big, disruptive idea from 27-years ago.


1020 is one of two unisex scents by Bombay Perfumery

In 2017, fashion continues to champion the genderless idea, whether in clothes or fragrance, and the user is more keen to find an intimate perfume story to participate in than be slotted in grooves. Tom Ford, Chanel, Kiehl's, L'Occitane and the homebred Kama are all part of the gender-neutral narrative in India.

Ahsan Hami doesn't quite get the debate over male and female in the world of scents. "It may be a talking point internationally, but in India, we have always patronised unisex scents. All attars are unisex, and India is one of its earliest manufacturers," he says of a tradition that dates back to the Mughal times. His store, A Hami Bros, on the chaotic Mohammad Ali Road, was established in 1939.

The shelves don't hold "for men" and "for women" labelled bottles. Vetiver, an earthy scent, is usually associated with masculine fragrances, but Hami says his experience has proven that its deep notes and instant cooling effects make it a favourite with his women customers, along with smoky oud. He says, "We don't need international trends telling us unisex perfumes are cool. We've known it for 500 years."





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Liberal designers Masaba Gupta and Kallol Datta choose symbols of conservatism


One of the images in Masaba Gupta’s Insta-only campaign features model TJ Banu in a chiffon saree, the pallu draped around her head like a hijab

In a world divided by political agendas and religious regulation, women's clothing is defined through moral dress codes. "Do we have the freedom to wear whatever we want, when there are no dress codes for men?" asks young Mumbai designer Masaba Gupta, through her "Can't" series of T-shirts and caps launched as part of Tiger Lily, Spring/Summer 2018 line. One of the images in her Insta-only campaign is of model TJ Banu in a chiffon saree, the pallu draped around her head like a hijab (left in pic).


Kallol Datta introduced a range of hijabs, as part of his runway collection in 2015, with pattern cutting experiments of 3D inserts, embellished in tassels and foil print

In January 2016, Dolce & Gabbana released a "modest-wear" range, joining the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Tommy Hilfiger. H&M released a first advert featuring a Muslim woman in a hijab in 2015, and House of Fraser now stocks athleisure hijabs, designed for Muslim women to wear while exercising and swimming. But the rebellious interpretation of a conservative style has seen both criticism and cheer. Veteran designer James Ferreira welcomes the newfound reverence. "We've endured the West's interpretation of fashion for far too long... open any magazine, and there are tits all over," he says. Ferreira first designed and retailed a range of hijabs with badla work (intricate Indian embroidery in metal thread) as long as 30 years ago.

Kolkata-based Kallol Datta's emancipated designs occupy a middle ground between the genders. That he is inspired by the Islamic style of cloaking is a result of having spent his early years in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Kuwait. He began designing abayas and kaftans in 2008, and called his version "sleeping bags". It's only as recently as 2015 (right in pic), when he introduced a range of hijabs with pattern cutting experiments of 3D inserts, embellished in tassels and foil print, and sold them at stores in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.


Masaba Gupta

"It's a cool move," Ferreira says of Gupta and Datta's new designs. "Masaba and Kallol are mending broken ties between communities; it's like what the beard did post 9/11. At a time when the world began associating the beard with a political event, men from across cultures and countries embraced the beard. Solidarity is always heartening," feels Ferreira.


Kallol Datta

How do you explain using femininity as a tool of empowerment or rebellion?
Masaba Gupta: We create clothes on steroids, what we call churning out "maal". While Tiger Lily, our S/S 2018 collection, has a lot of new prints, the colour palette of knockout pinks and bottle greens stays true to my brand's aesthetic. It's an elevated, easy-to-wear collection inspired by the modern-day woman. So it's online campaigns that allow me a creative release, a platform to have an opinion. I was empowered rather than fearful when shooting the campaign. There's always the fear of being trolled on social media, but then that happens anyway.

Kallol Datta: It's not so much about being rebellious as it is about asking, how do you shroud yourself in fabric? As a designer, I pay attention to the fabric's form rather than the human form, hence layering and shaping remain at the core of my designs. It's also a familiar space [hijab] since I spent most of my early life in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain.

Why pick a symbol of conservatism?
Masaba Gupta: The starting point of the idea was to talk about our best-seller sarees. And the saree has been constantly debated... in relation to how it should be worn by a specific type of woman to why the youth are apprehensive about embracing it. That's why the decision to showcase the saree worn by real women, as opposed to models, in the campaign shoot. Middle Eastern women think that a saree is intrinsically Indian, hence the idea of styling this drape like a hijab.

Kallol Datta: I enjoy working with native wear clothing in a template form to realise silhouettes, which keep changing as layers are added or subtracted. The chador, manteau, abaya, kaftan or hijab become great building blocks for me to work with. At the same time, clothes-making for me is rooted in anthropology.

When a politically engaging idea occurs to you, how long before you wonder if controversy will follow?
Masaba Gupta: I don't want to unnecessarily stir up a controversy, and have people protesting outside my home. My brand's business head doesn't always agree with my social media posts (laughs). But I also believe that there's a difference between being brave, creative and downright foolish. That's why I put a caption to the image: 'This is celebratory and not a gimmick. I want women to wear a saree the way they feel best, in keeping with their traditions and their comfort. Most importantly, for them to not justify, why they chose to wear it the way they do'.

Kallol Datta: It never crosses my mind. I've been mindful about not using symbols, or portraying national icons in my designs.

How does fashion become political?
Masaba Gupta: I find fashion a departure from controversy or politics. After India, my biggest business comes from Dubai and Kuwait. My job as a designer is done when my clothes inspire freedom in Muslim women to adopt fashion the way they desire.

Kallol Datta: When Eastern concepts move to the West, they often get lost in translation. A woman wearing a hijab, a man in a kaftan - they become visible markers of their communities. The lack of representation [of these markers] in editorials and fashion journalism means that you're telling them, 'we choose not to see you'. Although Indian designers cater to Islamic countries, it's rare to see indigenous cultural markers in their clothes. Indian designers haven't moved beyond lehengas and sarees; it's their bread and butter. They are ignoring a thriving demographic. It's heartening to see 'modest fashion' come into its own.

Also Read: Jacqueline Fernandez Had Fun Designing For MMA Fighters

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COVID-19 impact: Boxing resumes in Nicaragua with small audience

With the world pretty much devoid of sports events because of the Coronavirus pandmeic, boxing resumed in Nicaragua with a televised eight-fight card in front of a live, though sparse audience in Managua.

Promoter Rosendo Álvarez, a former two-time world champion, had dismissed the threat of the virus. "Here we don't fear the Coronavirus, and there is no quarantine. The three deaths [reported so far by the Ministry of Health] came from outside and nobody within the country has been contaminated," Álvarez said before the event on Saturday night. But his offer of free tickets appeared to fill only about a tenth of the 8,000 seats in the Alexis Argoello gym. Officials did not announce attendance figures. Alvarez said he signed up the 16 local boxers for the card because they needed to work. "Nicaragua is a poor country and the boxers have to eat. They can't stay shut up in their house," he said.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring or nearby countries the regional Central American Integration System has reported roughly 13,000 cases and about 500 deaths. The Nicaraguan baseball and soccer leagues are still playing, and Saturday's local sports pages included stories on a triathlon and school wrestling tournaments.

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