Month: March 2021

Categories
Bollywood Lite Blogs

‘Meezan focuses on being star actor’

Meezan made his acting debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production “Malaal” in 2019, and will soon be seen in the Priyadarshan directorial “Hungama 2″…reports Asian Lite News.

Meezan Jaffrey , one among the sons of notable actor Jaaved Jaafer. Jaaved Jaaferi carved his space as a multifaceted talent over the years, scoring with acting, dancing, dubbing, judging and voiceover skills. However, Jaaved says his son Meezan is focused solely on being a star actor.

“Meezan is very focused. His focus is he wants to an actor, and with his craft be a star actor. He is doing his best. The game is also changing with OTT. The kids today are very focused and they understand the business. I told him that as long as you can keep your feet on the ground and humility in place, everything is okay. He may not be doing random voiceovers like I did but times are different and he is very focused,” Jaaved told.

Meezan made his acting debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production “Malaal” in 2019, and will soon be seen in the Priyadarshan directorial “Hungama 2”.

Also Read-Pankaj adopts relatable acting style

Explaining the concept of a ‘star actor’, Jaaved feels his son has the potential to get there.

“I think he has got a great personality, a screen presence which is very important. There are actors, stars and then there are star actors. Sometimes actors get pushed back because of stars but then there are star actors like Mr Bachchan or Dilip saheb who are evergreen. I think he has potential, even if he is new. He has got eyes which speak and good voice. There are a lot of people who have shown interest, ” he says.

As a father, Jaaved says he has given Meezan the kind of foundation that is important.

“I can give him the foundation, his values, morals , principles, how he should be in life and that is important for me and I have done my part. The rest, money, fame will come and go, “he says.

Also Read-‘Theatre is the most authentic way of learning acting’

Read More-Bilal: Good Acting Inspires To Refine Our Craft

Categories
-Top News USA

Biden reassures Americans again

US President Joe Biden

90 per cent of adult Americans will be eligible to get vaccinated by April 19, the remaining 10 per cent will be eligible by May 1, said Biden…reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden has said 90 per cent of adult Americans will be eligible to get Covid-19 vaccination in three weeks.

He told a White House briefing on Monday that while 90 per cent of adult Americans will be eligible to get vaccinated by April 19, the remaining 10 per cent will be eligible by May 1, Xinhua news agency reported.

Biden’s remarks came as the country has seen a rise in new Covid-19 cases in 27 states.

Biden said cases are “going back” as people relax safeguards. Letting down guard could make the pandemic “worse,” he noted.

Biden vowed to direct governors to reinstate mask mandates.

Earlier this month, Biden said he would direct all states, tribes, and territories to make all adult Americans eligible for Covid-19 vaccines by May 1.

Also read:Biden condemns Myanmar for outrageous violence

Categories
Bollywood Lite Blogs

B-town ladies on action

Sonnalli plays a trained assassin in “Anamika” and she trained in action for the series… Anjuri Nayar Singh.

From jumping off the fifth floor to doing action sequences in high heels, actresses on OTT are coming of age as action queens.

Sunny Leone, who makes her debut in the fiction OTT space with the show “Anamika”, is training for heavy-duty stunts in the series, along with Sonnalli Seygall. Sonakshi Sinha gets to engage in cop action in her web series debut “Fallen”. Poulomi Das recently jumped off the fifth floor of a building for a stunt and Priya Banerjee filmed an action scene where she was required to fall from a height in the show “Bekaboo 2”. Ruhi Singh has performed action sequences in the show “Bang Baang”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhT3R-7Qaq4

Talking about shooting for “Bekaaboo 2”, Priya said: “It was quite fun, although it was my first time. I had to put a harness on and had to fall from a height. It was difficult as you have to know how to balance your body the right way or else you can hurt yourself. It wasn’t easy at all,” she says.

Says Ruhi: “Doing the stunts on my own was indeed a thrilling experience for me. The fun part of my role was doing stunts wearing heels that made me feel empowered, and I am grateful that the audience thoroughly enjoyed the series.”

Sonnalli plays a trained assassin in “Anamika” and she trained in action for the series.

“I play Rhea, a trained assassin who has a killer instinct. She is sharp and intelligent. There are a lot of running, fight and shooting sequences in the series. So, I went through gun training. I had basic fitness training,” she told earlier.

Here are some of the shows featuring actress doing action sequences on OTT:

Sunny Leone and Sonalli Seygall in “Anamika”

The series will see Sonalli play an assassin. The actress underwent special training for the action sequences in the film. Sunny has been shooting for action sequences, too, for the show that marks her debut in the fiction OTT space.

Sonakshi Sinha in “Fallen”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjijT5CNno0

Sonakshi will be seen playing the role of a fierce cop in Reema Kagti’s series. She put out her first look on social media earlier this month where she strikes an intense pose in uniform and stands on a rail track.

Poulomi Das and Priya Banerjee in “Bakaaboo 2”

Both Poulomi and Priya have been performing stunts in the series. While Poulomi jumped from the fifth floor of a building, Priya also posted a video of her falling from a height in a harness.

Ruhi Singh in “Bang Baang”

Ruhi plays the role of an undercover agent. She has trained in kickboxing and Shaolin Kung Fu.

Jennifer Winget in “Code M”

The series was Jennifer’s debut on OTT and she performed action sequences and stunts on the show. She played the role of the Indian Army lawyer named Monica Mehra.

Also Read-‘OTT is the best thing happened’

Read More-Kajal returns to screen for OTT debut

Categories
-Top News UK News

England relaxes Covid-19 contact curbs

UK

Residents in England are expected to start playing football and cricket matches outside as the country experiences a wave of warm weather this week….reports Asian Lite News

England on Monday further eased its coronavirus contact restrictions to allow for larger outdoor meet-ups and team sports.

As part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown, which was unveiled in February, groups of up to six, or two households, can now meet together outdoors, reports dpa news agency.

Minimal travel, but no holidays, are allowed and outdoor parent and child groups can meet with up to 15 parents.

Tennis and basketball courts, outdoor swimming pools, golf courses and sailing clubs can now all reopen.

Residents in England are expected to start playing football and cricket matches outside as the country experiences a wave of warm weather this week.

From April 12, non-essential retail, as well as restaurants and pubs, if serving people outdoors, will be allowed to reopen in England.

UK starts surge testing

In Northern Ireland, six people will be able to meet outside from Thursday, while in Scotland its “stay home” message will be lifted on Friday, allowing people to leave their homes for other reasons aside from school, work, health, exercise or food shopping but they should stay near to their homes.

Also read:‘UK has exclusive deal with AstraZeneca’

In Wales, the “stay home” message has already been lifted.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Johnson said England still on course for “roadmap to freedom”, but warned the impact of Europe’s third wave of infections on the country.

“Bitter experience” had shown a wave like the one in Europe would hit Britain “three weeks later”, he said.

Nearly 30 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

Also read:UK mulls Covid vax certification

Categories
-Top News USA

Indian American nominated as DOL solicitor

Seema Nanda

Nanda, who has specialised in labour and employment law, is now a fellow at Harvard Law School’s Labour and Worklife Program…reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden has nominated Seema Nanda, a former CEO of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), to be the Department of Labour solicitor, the White House announced on Friday.

Her nomination to the senior administration position will have to be approved by the Senate.

She is returning to the Labour Department having served as its chief of staff and deputy solicitor in President Barack Obama’s administration.

At the DNC, she was the CEO for about two years and stepped down last year to facilitate coordinating fundraising with arm of Biden’s campaign.

Nanda, who has specialised in labour and employment law, is now a fellow at Harvard Law School’s Labour and Worklife Program.

In prior stints in government, she has also led what is now the Justice Department’s Office of Immigrant and Employee Rights Section and was a supervisor attorney in the National Labour Relations Board.

US President Joe Biden

Nanda has also been the COO and vice president of Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She was appointed to the position by Vanita Gupta, who was the organisation’s president and is now Biden’s nominee for associate attorney general.

Confirmation of Gupta’s nomination is still pending with the Senate.

Only one Indian American to a senior administration position, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, has cleared the Senate.

Also read:Biden invites 40 world leaders to climate summit

On Thursday the White House formally withdrew the nomination of Neera Tanden for the cabinet-level position of the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

She ran into opposition from Senators of Democratic and Republican parties because of her intemperate tweets.

The Office of the Solicitor “helps our clients make America a magnet for jobs, equip workers with the skills they need to succeed in those jobs, protect them from injuries or illnesses caused by their work and assure workers that they receive promised benefits and statutorily-mandated compensation for their efforts,” according to the department.

The Labour Department’s solicitor oversees a staff of 700, including 400 lawyers, according to the department.

Also read:Biden condemns Myanmar for outrageous violence

Categories
-Top News Asia News China

800K Chinese vaccine doses reach Nepal

Nepal receives 800K doses of Covid vax from China(Twitter)

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi handed over the vaccine shipment to Nepal’s Health Minister Hrydesh Tripathi at a function at the Tribhuvan International Airport….reports Asian Lite News

A day after the Nepal Army received 100,000 doses of Covid vaccine from their Indian counterparts as a goodwill gesture, 800,000 doses donated by China arrived in Kathmandu on Monday.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi handed over the vaccine shipment to Nepal’s Health Minister Hrydesh Tripathi at a function at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

On Sunday evening, the Nepal Army received 100,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and locally manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

“100,000 doses of #MadeInIndia Covid-19 vaccine gifted by Indian Army to the Nepali Army were received at Tribhuvan Airport today,” the Embassy of India tweeted on Sunday evening.

The vaccine provided on Sunday will only be administered to the Nepalese Army personnel.

At a time when Nepal is struggling to continue its inoculation drive against Covid as cases have started to surge across the country, the Covishield vaccine will provide some relief, said officials.

Also read:Nepal President embarks on visit to B’desh

Since India halted the export of Covid vaccine, Nepal was also hit hard by the temporary sanction.

The Chinese vaccine that Nepal has received is developed China’s Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd, under Sinopharm.

Nepal has already granted emergency use authorization of the Sinopharm vaccine but the World Health Organization has not approved it.

Nepal had sent a flight os its national flag carrier to Beijing to transport the Chinese vaccine while India has been delivering the Covid vaccine by its own airplane.

Earlier, India provided 1 million doses of the vaccine to Nepal as a gift.

Later, Nepal procured another one million doses of Covid vaccine from Serum Institute at a discounted rate.

Also read:Nepal relaxes curbs on Tourism

Categories
Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Tricks to maintain carpets hassle free

The longer a stain sits on carpeting, the harder it becomes to get rid of it…writes Puja Gupta.

Cleaning is a hectic work for most of the people. Most home decor products, including carpets and rugs, are designed to last many years, but this investment also comes with a responsibility of maintenance. Making a conscious choice of adding aesthetics and comfort to your home necessitates the right set of maintenance tools as well, so it continues to add beauty and value to your home in the long haul.

With the right tricks and tools, maintenance for carpet becomes hassle-free. Tools like a vacuum, a good stain remover, and a pair of scissors can ensure maximum restorative cleaning and minimum residue. Below are four tricks by Vikas Gupta, CEO, Greyweave.com.

Vacuum weekly. Using vacuum cleaners at least once a week prevents dirt and debris from becoming embedded in the carpet fibres. If the carpet area sees a lot of foot traffic or if you have a pet, you should vacuum more often. Keep in mind the type of vacuum. How you use it can make a noticeable difference. The vacuum should have an efficient airflow and its features should suit your cleaning requirements. Following a frequent vacuuming routine promotes a clean and healthy surface, helps in avoiding infections and reduces the chances of dust build-up on the fibres of the carpet.

Addressing spills on time. The longer a stain sits on carpeting, the harder it becomes to get rid of it. Always try removing the spill immediately by scooping or blotting, and then add a small amount of water and blot with a towel. Use a stain remover only if necessary, and only use the one that suits your type of carpeting. Always try to avoid scrubbing the fibres as it can make stains more prominent.

Also Read-Freshen up your home on monsoon

How do you take care of your carpets?.

Fixing snags. Don’t pull the snags, instead gently cut them away from the base of the carpet using sharp scissors. Then, tuck the cut ends of the carpet back into the surrounding carpet fibres. The same ends can be carefully secured with a dab of quick fix glue or fabric glue to make sure there are no threads popping out. Clipping snags with scissors and discarding it completely is another effective way of fixing carpets and rugs.

Remove dents. You can remove dents caused by heavy and constant pressure easily by a simple trick that can fix them with minimal effort and no expense. Try placing ice cubes on the carpet dent to fill the spot and let the ice melt on it. The moisture from the slow-melting ice cubes will give the carpet fibres time to swell and enable the carpet to regain its original shape.

How do you take care of your carpets?.

The easiest way in maintaining your carpet’s appearance can be to prevent dirt and stains from reaching the carpet but it’s equally hard to stop the dirt and marks from coming in contact with your eye-catching carpet. What can be prevented is the settling of those dirt and stains into the depths of your carpet while making them most durable. Proper tidiness and frequent vacuuming can help you in keeping the carpets clean while making them last longer.

Also Read-Have Some Festive Additions To Home

Read More-Give a spring-like make over to home

Categories
-Top News USA

Biden condemns Myanmar for outrageous violence

Joe Biden

The situation in Myanmar, which has seen almost daily protests since a military coup in February, was “terrible,” said Biden…reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden on Sunday called the military violence in Myanmar “absolutely outrageous” and said Washington was working on reacting with sanctions.

The situation in Myanmar, which has seen almost daily protests since a military coup in February, was “terrible,” Biden said in comments reported by journalists travelling with the US President on his return from Delaware to Washington, DPA news agency reported.

Asked whether the US would respond with sanctions, Biden said “we’re working on that now.”

The bloodiest day of violence so far on Saturday – which marked Armed Forces Day in Myanmar – reportedly left 114 people dead.

Meanwhile, scores of funerals were held across Myanmar on Sunday after the daily death toll resulting from clashes between protesters and the military junta rose to its highest-ever level.

Also read:More Myanmar towns under martial law

The funeral processions were held in cities including Yangon, Meiktila, Monywa and Mandalay, dpa news agency quoted media outlets Mizzima, Khit Thit News and RFA as saying in reports.

Myanmar refugees staged a protest against China’s support to the new military rule in Myanmar at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday 03rd March, 2021. (Photo: IANS)

The latest violence, which reportedly left 114 people dead on Saturday, took the death toll in the suppression of protests since the February 1 coup to 423, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group.

The military seized control of the South-East Asian country after an election which former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy party won by a landslide.

Protests in different parts of the country continued also on Sunday.

Also read:Myanmar deaths toll rises

Categories
Education Lite Blogs

‘Period education is must for girls’

Being a part of this change and seeing them rediscover their confidence and zeal is quite overwhelming…Bhumi speaks with Puja Gupta.

Its astonishing that still girls are being hindered to get education in the rural areas only because of menstruation. Prioritizing period education and protection is the key to ensuring more and more girls continue to stay in school, says Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar.

The actress has been actively participating in the nationwide movement #KeepGirlsInSchool campaign by Whisper, in collaboration with UNESCO. The campaign aims to help keep 90 lakh girls in school and was mobilised to raise awareness and impact young girls, reaching over 5.5 crore people.

Almost 10 lakh people supported Whisper’s petition to integrate a period and puberty education module in school curriculum, which is currently being developed in partnership with UNESCO.

Sharing her excitement on having a positive impact on girls’ future, Bhumi Pednekar said,”Having closely worked with Whisper and UNESCO for their #KeepGirlsInSchool movement, I have personally seen how confident young girls are once they understand periods and how to manage them. Being a part of this change and seeing them rediscover their confidence and zeal is quite overwhelming.

It took me back to my adolescent years that were filled with dreams and ambition that education empowered me to achieve. Reaching over 5.5 crore people and helping keep 90 lakh girls in school to fulfill their dreams is extraordinary. Prioritising period education and protection is the key to ensuring more and more girls continue to stay in school. It was inspirational to see how, together, we can help shape the foundational years of our future generations.”

Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, said,”Managing menstruation with safety, dignity and comfort is essential to ensure gender equality, good health, quality education, and related human rights. In order to achieve these goals, it is imperative that all children and young people have access to age-appropriate comprehensive puberty education and a supportive environment at home and in schools.

UNESCO and Whisper are committed to work with the education sector, civil society and other partners to ensure that everyone has access to puberty education and menstrual hygiene management resources. I am positive that the impact we have seen through the #KeepGirlsInSchool movement will only grow multifold in our partnership with Whisper.”

Why the first two days of your periods are a mess. (Photo Courtesy: Pixabay)

Also Read-Bhumi roped in for ‘KeepGirlsInSchool’ mission

Chetna Soni, Category Leader — Feminine Care, P&G Indian sub-continent, on the success of the campaign said,”Economic emancipation of women starts with education. Whisper, being a force for female good, is committed to ensuring that all girls can confidently go to school even during their periods and continue pursuing their dreams. #KeepGirlsInSchool started as a campaign to drive awareness about the issue of girls dropping out of school at puberty, and stop girls from giving up on a life full of possibilities that education can unlock for them.

It is heart-warming to see that it has transformed into a national movement for girl child education and empowerment. We are a brand that puts purpose at the heart of its functioning and that has resonated with the citizens of India. Our aim is to enable this change at a grassroot level, which is why we are working with UNESCO to integrate our period education module as part of school curriculum. We need to work together to change what periods represent to many — from shame to strength and pride; and we are proud to be leading this change.”

Also Read-Tips to lose weight on a PCOS diet

Read More-Why Painful Periods?

Categories
Bollywood Lite Blogs

Black Adam to be released in July 29

Rock is the intimate name for Dwayne Johnson by which he widely known to us. Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson has announced the release date of his highly anticipated film “Black Adam” on Instagram.

The 48-year-old actor posted a video of the film on Monday (according to India time) to make the announcement from Times Square in the city.

“Disruptive and unstoppable global force of a message from the man in black himself BLACK ADAM is coming July 29, 2022. The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change,” he captioned the video.

Also Read-John Abraham’s ‘Attack’ to release in Aug

Hours prior to the announcement, Johnson had shared a brief video about Black Adam’s origin story as a part of the DC comics, and will now be a part of the DC cinematic universe as well.

“Word on the street is that Black Adam, himself is making an announcement today. Let’s see what he has in store as the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change. Stay tuned,” he had captioned the video.

Production on “Black Adam” is scheduled to kick off in April in Atlanta, Georgia, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Also Read-‘Bulbul Tarang’ to release in OTT

Read More-‘Kamathipura’ release date postponed