In times of chaos and unpredictability, astrology steps in as a soothing guide, helping us interpret life’s twists and turns. Its broad appeal...
Culture/Living
Red River Rising by Husna, published by the Locksley Hall Publishing LLP and The Book Bakers Literary Agency, is a thriller/fiction based on the deluge of 2018 in the flood plains and hills of the Periyar river in Kerala. It is a compelling natural disaster novel; one of the very few from the genre in India. The plot takes the reader on a roller coaster ride, unsettling at times, resonating with the reality of a post-truth world. The effects of climate change and environmental degradation, area reality that holds us all accountable, and the author has convincingly conveyed this message in a tragic narrative, angry at times and hopeful of others. The characters are so real and the plotting engaging. In an almost anthropomorphic storytelling, veering between heart-wrenching realism and hopeful idealism. The story revolves around 5 characters who are affected by the river, and hose lives become inexplicably entwined.
The narrative opens with a disturbing relationship a young woman, Lakshmi has with the Periyar River. Her traumatic childhood, social conditioning, and relentless search for love push her to the edge.
Radha – an activist from Delhi, travels to the tribal town of Attapadi in search of her husband Krishnan, whom the authorities allege is an Aisha Maoist sympathizer.
Mani – a resident of Attapadi belongs to the Kurumbar tribe and is involved in the marijuana trade in the region and assists Radha in the search for Krishnan.
Sabu, a fisherman from Vypin is instrumental in the rescue and evacuation of those affected by the floods in the Athesteady reserve forest. He stumbles upon vital information regarding Krishnan.
And at the center I, all is – Krishnan, Radha’s husband who has gone missing. In the search for Krishnan, Radha discovers startling truths that have graver implications in both her personal life as well as society at large. The treacherous waters of the deluge thus play the ultimate leveler and revelationist.
How did Krishnan disappear? Where is he? Will Radha be successful in her search for her husband? Can Radha and Mani survive the treacherous waters of the deluge? What is the mystery behind the mass burial in the middle of the forest? All these questions remain the crux of the story.
Red River rising is a potpourri of different genres. Though the central narrative is about a natural disaster it has elements of love, loss, betrayal, and politics woven into it. From the student politics of Delhi to the tribal region of Attapadi, it addresses the human condition that exists in our hyper-consumerist world. Set amidst the devastating Kerala floods of 2018, Red River Rising explores the social, psychological, environmental, and political impact the river has on its unsuspecting protagonists amidst nature’s fury.
Copper Coin Publishing has come out with Sonnet Mondal’s seventh book of poems, An Afternoon in My Mind. Seventy-five poems with a strong feeling of location, particularly ‘home,’ are included in the collection. A warm glow of reminiscence surrounds you at all times. Readers are immersed into a fascinating, sombre, and evocative muck of feelings and reflections that appear transient but linger like a stimulating and sweet aftertaste long after each poem has finished.
Each poem in the book like a story speak of the poet’s unsettled trip into his inner self and of a period that seems to have slipped between the ignored pages of ordinary and vacuous routines of contemporary existence, which he pulls out effortlessly and breathes life into with a timeless beautiful romance.
‘An Afternoon in My Mind’, transports readers back to their childhood memories, mental battles to combat futuristic concepts, healing crevices of darkness, and fighting till the finish with a continual focus on seeing life as a joyful experience. Memories that are redundant, unwanted, or annoying are erased in his poems. They condense into an after-storm breeze, enveloping us in times of tumult and allowing us to walk alone in times of reflection.
In Ranjit Hoskote’s words, “Every road in Sonnet Mondal’s new collection, An Afternoon in My Mind, moves forward to the past. I use this turn of phrase advisedly, for the past is never concluded in Mondal’s poignant and haunting poems, never fully left behind. It suffuses the present as the remembered scent of first rains and muddy streams. It infiltrates the future in the voice of a vanished grandfather and the resonance of a ferry horn.”
Megha Baja has often been referred to as India’s most loved author. Her latest book, The Breakthrough published by Rupa Publications has been playing a humongous role in uplifting human consciousness and has sold 13,000 plus copies already! Megha is one of those authors, whose words simply bypass the mind and go to the heart and create instant transformation. She is an ardent seeker, and a follower of Guru Mahatria.
Megha is an author mentor and an edupreneur whose WoW programs online, and as part of schools curriculums have impacted over a million students, CEO’s, home-makers, entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in the last decade.
The Breakthrough, is a book about you. Though it contains the story of 11 people from across India: Praburam (Alubee), Kavish Gadia (Freadom App), Nitin Nyati (Nyati Builders) Sushiil Mehta (Jains Car Shoppe) Chitra Prasad (NSN group of schools), Dr Asha Vijay (GarbhaGudi IVF), Kanni and Uvaraj (Poorvika Mobiles), Guru Prasad Makam (Guru & Jana Chartered Accountancy Firm), Sandeep Agarwal (Ratnadeep Supermarkets) Arun Kumar Natha (inPace), Mukesh Jain (Meghdoot Textiles) who began their life with nothing, and are today trailblazers, in their stories, you will find yourself. These stories have been inspiring youth and CEOs, entrepreneurs and home-makers – and even eminent film makers who wish to create a series out of the book.
In Megha Bajaj you will find a breath of fresh air – authenticity at its best – fluidity of language and a flow that is inimitable. The book has been a record breaking one and not only had the world’s largest virtual book launch but has been known to gift a breakthrough to anyone who reads it. It is a part of school curriculums, corporate programs. Megha is a sought-after mentor/speaker and film script writer.
The Breakthrough team is conducting an enriching virtual camp this summer called 2022: Summer of Transformation at an unbelievable price for an incredible offer. Your youngster (8-18) will learn writing, speaking, self-confidence and people skills from best mentors across India and the actual cost of this workshop would have been Rs 13,500/- but is being brought to you at just Rs 495/-.
We have partnering schools like NSN Group of Schools headed by the eminent educator Chitra Prasad as well as Gayathri Ram of Shri Natesan Vidyasala – along with other humanitarian educators across the globe who wish to give their students the best experiences possible. Youth organizations are joining hands with us for this summer camp, as are corporates (as part of their CSR) to take the 2022: Summer Of Transformation to as many students as possible across the globe and gift them with life skills that will take them a very long way.
The summer camp will be conducted by bestselling authors, TedX speakers, role-model entrepreneurs and youth icons who will share their stories, their tips and tools to make your youngster have the most incredible real-life learning experiences. Don’t miss this for anything!
Since today is 2-22-22, it is the first palindrome of the year. The word palindrome refers to a sequence of numbers, words, or phrases that read the same backward as they do forwards.
History of palindromes
Henry Peacham is credited with introducing the word ‘palindrome’ in 1638. Intriguingly, the first known palindrome was written in Latin, dating from Roman times; it reads: “Sator arepo tenet opera rotas”, which loosely translates to, “The sower Arepo holds the wheels with effort.”
Even though English writers cited Latin and Greek palindromes in their literary work, poet John Taylor is believed to have coined one in 1614 that read: “Lewd did I live, & evil I did dwel”. This sentence is considered to be the first English-language palindrome. In English, there are many word pairs which are understood to be palindromes. Examples include,
A palindrome date is also believed to bring good fortune to many cultures around the world. On these special days, they use their ‘power of thoughts’ to manifest the life they desire.
Disneyland Paris 30th anniversary celebrations kick off in March 2022 with new attractions and shows at Disneyland Paris encompasses two theme parks, and anniversary celebrations will kick off in just over a month on March 6, 2022.
Image: Disneyland Paris
Disney fans are gearing up for a splendid celebration 30 years after Mickey Mouse began winning hearts in gay Paris. The fact that some of us never outgrow the magic of Disney is just the motivation you need to plan a trip to France this year. Disney Paris just announced what you can expect when you visit – new shows, new attractions, new themed food and drink, and special merchandise.
Disney Village and Main Street Station will feature purple hues and sparkling blue details. The characters will wear new outfits. In addition to Minnie Mouse, you’ll see Mickey, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and the rest of the gang wearing their iridescent outfits.
More than 350 new items will be available for sale in the Disneyland and Disney World theme parks – bags, jackets, mugs, limited edition key chains, headbands, and toys, among others. Sixty new dishes, delicious desserts, and innovative cocktails are available across the different food outlets in Disneyland Paris.
Image: Disneyland Paris
New Attraction: Gardens Of Wonder and Avengers Campus
Ten different themed gardens will surround the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the new Gardens of Wonder. In honor of 30 iconic Disney and Pixar characters, 30 art sculptures will be displayed. It will be a thrill for superhero fans to explore the new Avengers Campus, which offers new restaurants, attractions, a shop, and many opportunities to take selfies with iconic Marvel characters.
New Evening Show: Disney D-Light
At Disney D-Light, familiar Disney tunes, video projections, mist, lighting effects, illuminated water jets, and – for the first time ever – 200 drones will fly in a specially choreographed routine over the castle. A new theme song, Un Monde Qui S’illumine (meaning a world that lights up), was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios by a symphony orchestra.
New Daytime Show
A new show featuring Mickey Mouse, over 30 Disney characters and dancers on the iconic floats performs several times a day in Central Plaza in front of Sleeping Beauty Plaza. Additionally, they will all be dressed in special 30th anniversary outfits.
Image: Disneyland Paris
Loktak Lake, located in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, is the largest freshwater lake in North-East India and is located 48 kilometers from...
A specialist says that a lavender marriage allows a person to be themselves while shielding their private lives from public scrutiny.
Since the trailer for Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar’s upcoming film ‘Badhaai Do’ was released, it has created quite a buzz online. People are enjoying the progressive aspect of the film, which is ostensibly about same-sex relationships.
Despite the long history of excluding LGBTQ+ stories from Bollywood, many interesting scripts are now appearing there, and Badhaai Do seems to be one of them.
Before World War II, public figures and celebrities would hide their sexual preferences – because it was considered taboo – and marry, in order to have a stable career in the film industry.
The term “lavender marriage” has been around for over 100 years, according to mental health counselors and wellness coaches. It is understood that this form of marriage is an ‘act of convenience’ used to perpetrate a deception when two individuals – usually males and females – come together secretly harbouring mixed orientations,”
“An individual who chooses to marry a member of the LGBTQ community is able to remain true to themselves while shielding their personal lives from prying eyes. It is important to bring such concepts to light in order to build a progressive community. Raising awareness about lavender marriages would be extremely beneficial. People often hide their sexual preferences due to societal pressures or family pressures, and after being forced into heterosexual marriages – they remain unfulfilling and burdensome.
Two of our main characters are introduced in the trailer – Rao, who plays a cop, and Pednekar, a physical education teacher. It is interesting to note that even though they are paired opposite one another, there is no romantic element between the two, as Pednekar’s character appears uninterested in men or marriage; rather, she seems to have a romantic tendency for women.
In order to get their parents off their backs and get married, the two decide to get married and live together as roommates instead of getting married and settling down. Rao’s character also appears to be interested in a same-sex relationship in the trailer, which is filled with wit and hilarity.
Social media users started using the term ‘lavender marriage’ after the trailer was released, which is a concept the film is believed to deal with. This is a mixed-orientation marriage between a male and a female, also known as a ‘marriage of convenience’, where one or both partners conceal their sexual orientation from their families or the society as a result of the stigma attached to it. The 2008 film Fashion, was also explored.
Britney Spears made headlines last year due to her dramatic personal life. Now that Britney is a free woman, she’s ready to tell her own story. On January 11, 2022, Britney posted a picture of a typewriter on Instagram with the caption: “Shall I start from THE BEGINNING???”
Britney Spears was finally released from Jamie Spears’ conservatorship on November 21, 2021. A few weeks later, on her 40th birthday in September 2021, she announced her engagement to long-time partner Sam Asghari. She has hinted on Instagram that she is working on a memoir in recent weeks.
She speculated in her post that she is writing a memoir. Several others expressed their excitement over the news, as well as their encouragement and support.
Britney’s journey so far has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, from having a successful career at a young age to living a troubled personal life. However, the artist has remained strong and now plans to live her life according to her own terms. Her conservatorship ended in 2021, and she also accused her family of not being there for her or supporting her while her father was in charge of her conservatorship. According to her earlier Instagram post, she will not be working on her music any longer. The decision to stop making music was Britney’s way of saying, “F*ck you”, even though it only benefits her family by ignoring her real work.
In her new memoir, Things I Should Have Said, Britney Spears’ sister Jamie Spears shared her side of the controversy surrounding her family.
Celebrate Republic Day with our fun, healthy, easy, and tasty recipes that are naturally tri-colored – that’s right, not even a drop of...
Using their recent research, Oxford University Press (OUP) has chosen ‘anxiety’ as the word of the year for children.
Oxford University Press (OUP) had surveyed roughly 8,000 children aged 7-14 from 85 schools in the United Kingdom. Kids were asked to select the words they most often used to talk about health and wellbeing.
Over twenty percent of students chose “anxiety” (21%) as their number one word, reflecting the widespread impact lockdowns and school closures had on their wellbeing.
“Challenging” came in as their second choice (19%) closely followed by “isolate” (14%). “Wellbeing” (13%) and “resilience” (12%) were also in the children’s top five words, demonstrating their positive attitude in the face of recent challenges, according to OUP,’ reads a report by The Bookseller.
In response to the survey’s results, The Children’s Society’s executive director of social impact, Joe Jenkins, told the Guardian that ‘it was concerning that anxiety had been chosen as the top word, but not surprising considering all the restrictions and changes children have been subjected to’.
Teachers were also asked to select the top words they used to communicate with students about health and wellbeing, especially in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. Among the top three words chosen by teachers were “resilience” (31%), “challenging” (19%), and “wellbeing” (18%).
According to The Bookseller, Helen Freeman, director of early childhood and home education at OUP, believes that language is crucial to self-expression, learning, and wellbeing. Specifically, the findings emphasize the important role teachers play in equipping children with appropriate vocabulary for expressing their emotions and supporting their wellbeing. The importance of supporting children’s language development at home and in school has therefore never been greater.”
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