Actor Rana Daggubati is venturing into content creation. He says this is a very exciting time to innovate, experiment and just create.
The actor will launch his digital platform South Bay on November 15. It is a YouTube channel is expected to host varied content including music, unscripted celebrity content and animation.
“This is a very exciting time to be a content producer, to innovate, experiment and just create. Audiences are now more receptive allowing creators to go beyond the threshold and bring exciting, fresh, never seen before content,” Rana said.
“South Bay is just a step towards that vision. We have collaborated with independent talented, vibrant creators and have given them a mainstream platform and with our mainstream talent we are bringing culture focused content, having a healthy mix of both. With South Bay, we want to build a cohesive community and interactive experiences for our audiences,” he added.
There will also be a news segment that will highlight news stories that have gained traction over the internet. Unscripted content includes two shows — “Coming Back To Life” with Lakshmi Manchu and “Secret Box” with Shruti Haasan. The shows will have personalities from across the globe conversing on life post the pandemic.
There will also be a chat show hosted by Rana, titled “Why Are You?”.
For music enthusiasts, there is “Sublime Collective”, which will put the spotlight on independent artistes across the country.
The popular music festival has been cancelled next year owing to the pandemic, it was announced On Monday. The organisers plan to bring back the music gala in 2022.
“Rather than present a diluted version of the festival we love, which would also put fans at risk, we feel we have no other option but to cancel the 2021 edition. However, ‘Be There, Be Free’ continues to embody the spirit of the festival and we will look to the future, knowing we have to make up for lost ground and create a larger than life fiesta next time around, at India’s most-loved multi-genre music festival,” said Nikhil Chinapa, festival curator.
Postponing th festival next year has become necessary. “As we were preparing to unite our SuperFam for an electrifying eighth edition of Vh1 Supersonic, we’ve had to stop and take stock of where the world stands with respect to Covid 19. Several countries are going into a second lockdown, international air travel is restricted and there is still no news of when a viable vaccine will be available to the public,” Chinapa explained.
“Our decision to cancel the festival in 2021 and push it to 2022 has come due to the global uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic. Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of our festival-goers and taking that into consideration, we have decided to cancel the 2021 edition. In the meantime, we are leaving you all with the promise that we will be back bigger and better in 2022,” said Mahesh Shetty of Viacom18.
The seventh edition was held in February this year before the spread of the virus crisis. The line-up included names like Prateek Kuhad, American DJ-record producer Diplo, American rapper Machine Gun Kelly, American musician Illenium and popular rock band Chon.
The news of the cancellation of the next edition comes after Sunburn Goa 2020 was called off last week.
Actress Elisabeth Moss says she has a ridiculous job but then makes a point by calling her chosen career path as “pretty great”.
“My job is pretty great. I have these scripts that are written and I get to pretend and I get to imagine. It’s a ridiculous job and I make money at it and I feel invigorated by it.
“I’ve just never felt that it was a dark place, I’ve always felt that it was a light place,” Moss told independent.co.uk, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
The actress says her characters can help people.
Citing an example of her role in “The Invisible Man”, where she essays a woman escaping an abusive partner, Moss said: “I would have friends who I didn’t know had gone through an experience like that say to me that it was cathartic to watch.
The actress added: “I think we all have experiences where we feel like we were gaslit or taken advantage of or told that we were crazy for thinking or feeling something. That story of abuse is not something that has arisen in the last five years. It’s not a bandwagon anyone can jump on – it’s a tale as old as time.”
Moss calls herself a loner.
“I’m very much a loner. Lockdown for me was kind of a breeze because I have no problem staying at home for long, long periods of time, and I have no problem not seeing anybody. And I also bury myself in my work,” she said.
Researchers have found that parents who frequently plop their kids in front of the TV to give themselves a break, might actually end up more stressed.
The study, published in the International Journal of Advertising, found that the more television that kids watch, the more they’re exposed to advertising messages.
The more advertising, they see, the more likely they are to insist on purchasing items and that, researchers say, may contribute to parents’ overall stress levels, well beyond a single shopping trip.
“The more advertising children see, the more they ask for things and the more conflict is generated,” said study author Matthew Lapierre from the University of Arizona in the US.
The findings explore the potential effects of children’s television-watching habits on their parents’ stress levels.
The researchers looked at the effectiveness of three types of parent-child consumer-related communication: collaborative communication, control communication and advertising communication.
Collaborative communication is when a parent seeks child input on family purchasing decisions, for example, saying things such as “I will listen to your advice on certain products or brands”.
Control communication is when a parent exhibits total control in parent-child consumer-related interactions, for example, saying things such as “Don’t argue with me when I say no to your product request”.
Advertising communication is when parents talk to their children about advertising messages, for example, saying things such as “Commercials will say anything to get you to buy something”.
They found that, in general, collaborative communication is associated with less parent stress.
However, the protective effect of collaborative communication decreases as children’s purchase initiation and coercive behaviours – such as arguing, whining or throwing temper tantrums – increase.
Learning a new skill with your children.
Both control communication and advertising communication are associated with more purchase initiations and children’s coercive behavior, the researchers found, suggesting that engaging less in those communication styles could be beneficial.
However, when children have higher levels of television exposure, the protective effect of engaging in less advertising communication decreases.
“Overall, we found that collaborative communication between parents and children was a better strategy for reducing stress in parents,” the study authors wrote.
Tennis ace Sania Mirza will make her digital debut with the series, MTV Nishedh Alone Together, and says the show aims to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB). Sania will play herself in the fiction series.
A digital spin-off of the TV show “MTV Nishedh”, which premiered in January this year, the “self-shot-at-home” series spotlights on the need to raise awareness around TB and throw light on the importance of proper medication, especially in the Covid-19 era.
“TB continues to be one of the most chronic health issues in our country. With about half of the diagnosed cases under the age of 30, there is an urgent need to tackle fallacies around it and drive a perception change,” Sania said.
“‘MTV Nishedh Alone Together’ conveys that in a unique and impactful way. The youth of today is more aware, sensitive, and conscious about issues that plague our country. TB is a continuing menace, and its impact has only worsened through the pandemic. The fight to curb TB is more difficult now than ever and that’s what prompted me to come on board. As someone who is in a place of influence, I hope my presence helps in some way to collectively fight the societal conventions and bring about a positive change,” she added.
The show will explore the challenges of a young couple, Vicky and Megha (played by Syed Raza Ahmed and Priya Chauhan). Sania will be seen discussing the challenges young couples faced during the lockdown. The show also features Akshay Nalwade and Ashwin Mushran.
The five-episode series will launch on the social media handles of MTV India and MTV Nishedh in the last week of November.
Violators of face mask mandate in South Korea may face fines starting Friday as the country seeks to better combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
The move follows an end to a 30-day grace period for the implementation of the country’s revised infectious disease control and prevention act, which requires people to wear face masks on mass transportation and in public places, Yonhap news agency reported.
People will face a fine of up to 100,000 won (about US$90) if they do not wear masks on public transportation and at demonstrations, as well as medical, religious and care facilities.
Operators of those facilities and rally organizers will be fined up to 3 million won for failing to ensure that users or participants stick to the requirement.
However, people aged under 14 and those who are unable to wear masks due to medical conditions will be exempted from fines. People will also be allowed to skip masks in special cases, such as when they are washing their faces, eating or swimming.
The fine could also be imposed on people who wear masks under their noses in such places. Scarves or certain types of masks that cannot protect others from the virus will not be allowed.
Public places subject to the obligation will hinge on levels under South Korea’s five-tier social distancing scale.
South Korea’s new coronavirus cases hovered above 100 for a fourth day Wednesday, adding 146 more Covid-19 cases. The country’s total caseload came to 27,799 with the death toll reaching 487.
Diwali is just round the corner, and music and telly stars plan to enjoy the festival of lights without increasing noise and air pollution by bursting crackers. They also look forward to celebrating the festival in a different way owing to the pandemic…writes NATALIA NINGTHOUJAM.
Singer Shilpa Rao is going to focus on making food and sweets at home. “As we cannot go out (due to the pandemic), I have planned my Diwali gifts. The best gift this year is homemade food and sweets. If anyone knows how to make sweets and mithai, they should do that with their hands as we all have the luxury of time this year,” the “Ghungroo” singer told IANS.
She believes that people should avoid fire crackers, especially because of the Covid situation. “It is a respiratory disease, so I think it is important that we should not add to air pollution. Instead of creating noise pollution, put on music. It will make you happy. Instead of crackers, put on lights in your house, help the local artisans who make lights and diyas,” said Shilpa.
Singer Jubin Nautiyal is also all for music instead of crackers.
“My family and I won’t burst crackers. Instead of making noise with crackers, I think we will use some instruments for making music,” he said.
In fact, he plans to invite his musician friends over. “This Diwali will be only about diyas, lights and music,” he said.
Former “Bigg Boss” contestant Shefali Jariwala said Diwali this year will be a little different, though there will be no less enthusiasm or excitement.
“Usually every year on Diwali, we have a lot of events, Diwali parties and social gatherings. This year, consciously we have decided not to do that keeping in mind that we need to maintain social distancing because we are in the middle of a pandemic. So it will be a homely Diwali with family and a few friends, with a lot of catching up over good food,” she said.
She added: “I do not burst crackers because I have a pet and I know it can be traumatic to animals and also cause pollution. But yes, I will be about lighting a lot of diyas and festive lights at home like I do every year,” said Shefali.
Actor Sharad Malhotra shared that festivities will be different because of the pandemic this year.
“We will have low-key celebrations at home. We will have Lakshmi puja and we will make rangoli and decorate our house. As a child, I did not hesitate in bursting crackers, but as I grew up I understood how it harms the environment. So, we won’t be bursting crackers. A cracker-free Diwali is the least we can do to help keep our environment clean,” he said.
Actor Vivian Dsena will celebrate the festival with his family in Ujjain this week.
“Because of Covid, I won’t be inviting a lot of people home. It’s about just a few friends and family. Festivals are my cheat days, so I try and eat all that I can’t eat on normal days. I used to burn crackers as a kid but I don’t do that anymore because I know how it can pollute the environment. So I will just decorate my house, put up lights and diyas,” he said.
Singer Shashaa Tirupati feels lucky that after probably a decade, she will be able to celebrate Diwali this year with her family.
“I’m in Vancouver, Canada, at the moment and that’s where my parents and my brothers live. So, Diwali will be (celebrated) with them. It’s going to be a very quiet Diwali because of some familial issues, but I think adversity increases bonding between families. This Diwali will be a special one,” she told IANS.
She is strictly against noise pollution, particularly when it disturbs people and animals alike. “I think any festival should be celebrated with the idea of peace and love in mind. I don’t mind fireworks and everything within a limit. A couple of fireworks for one day of the year is not too bad but I don’t believe in those little bombs because they hurt animals,” she said.
Considering the current pandemic situation, actor Nishant Singh Malkhani will avoid going to crowded places or having a big get-together at home. “But I might go see a few of my friends or call just a few close ones over at home. I am against bursting crackers and it has always been a cracker-free Diwali for me. For me, Diwali is also a festival of hopes and positivity, so I offer my prayers to Lakshmi ji and Ganesh ji, and thank them for everything they gave me, and ask them to bless my family and friends with good luck and happiness,” he said.
Actor Angad Hasija is in Chandigarh, so it’s family time for him. “My whole family is here and a lot of relatives too, so what can be better than having a family get-together on Diwali. We will organise card games, have some good food and sweets. And yes, even this year we will have a cracker-free Diwali, but since my daughter is too small, I may get one or two sparklers for her. But that will be it, nothing more than that.”
Actress Meera Deosthale has vowed not to let her Diwali celebrations suffer because of Covid. “I am going to invite my immediate family and a few close friends in the evening and we will do the Diwali rituals. I am going to make a rangoli, decorate my house and dress up for the day. It won’t be a grand celebration, but I will make sure that we all have a good time. I don’t burn crackers, I have got those glow sticks which we all will use at night,” she said.
The number of people who have died with Covid-19 in Britain has passed 50,000, according to government figures released on Wednesday.
Another 595 people have died in a 24-hour period, bringing the total coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 50,365, the figures showed.
Britain is the fifth country in the world to hit the tragic milestone of 50,000 Covid-19 deaths, following the US, Brazil, India and Mexico, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Another 22,950 people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 1,256,725, the data showed.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the grim figures showed that “we are not out of the woods yet.”
“Every death is a tragedy… we mourn everybody who’s gone,” he said.
“I do think that we have got now to a different phase in the way that we treat it,” Johnson said, referring to the country’s mass testing program and the “realistic prospect” of a vaccine.
“It does still require everybody to follow the guidance, do the right thing, to suppress the disease in a way that we all understand,” he added.
22/09/2020. London, United Kingdom. Boris Johnson address to the Nation during Covid-19. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the White Room of No10 Downing Street, addressing the Nation on Covid-19. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
England last week entered into a month-long national lockdown, the second of its kind since the coronavirus outbreak in Britain, in a bid to quell the resurgence of coronavirus.
To bring life back to normal, countries including Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States are racing against time to find a vaccine.
 Actor Sonu Sood, who had earlier announced that he was writing a book recounting his experience of helping migrant workers during the Covid lockdown, has now revealed its title.
Titled “I Am No Messiah”, the book will be written in first person, revealing the emotional challenges the actor faced while extending help.
“People have been very kind and have lovingly named me messiah. But I really do believe that I am no messiah. I simply do what my heart tells me to. It is our responsibility as human beings to be compassionate and help each other,” Sonu shared.
Sonu Sood.
The book, which will be co-written by Meena Iyer, is expected to be out in December.
“I want to thank god for making me a catalyst in helping the migrants. While my heart beats in Mumbai, after this movement I feel a part of me lives in the villages of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Uttarakhand and various other states, where I have now found new friends and made deep connections. I have decided to put these experiences and stories that are embedded in my soul forever, in a book,” Sonu had previously said.
Winston Churchill’s diabolical plan for the vivisection of India into Hindustan, Pakistan, and Princestan roped in defiant princes like Nawab Hamidullah Khan of Bhopal who, as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes, tried to build a consensus for the princes to stay out of a Congress-ruled India. What egged him on in his role as saboteur was the promise of prime ministership or governor generalship of Pakistan by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
The Nawab acted as a stalking horse for the Nizam of Hyderabad, whose intention was to stay independent of both India and Pakistan, and moved in tandem with Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir and Sir C.P. Ramaswami Aiyer of Travancore.
What they were planning clashed headlong with Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of an India that would include the territories under British rule as well as princely states, both big and small. In this, he was backed by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy and, of course, Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon.
A word about how Mountbatten handled this. The Nawab of Bhopal was apprehensive about being a part of Congress-ruled India. He resigned as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes and announced that he would be free to choose the destiny of his state when the British left India. This is also pretty much what he conveyed to Mountbatten. The Viceroy’s position on the matter was clear. He noted that while the Independence Bill provided that any state that decided not to join either dominion, the British would consider a separate relationship with it, in effect he would not act on any representation to him from the princely states in this matter. This is how he shut the door on the Nawab of Bhopal and others like him.
For the record, it might be said that the princes were under great pressure and wanted to retain their hereditary rights and privileges in a new democratic India.
Veteran Editor Sandeep Bamzai in his book “PRINCESTAN: How Nehru, Patel and Mountbatten made India”, tells the rivetting story of how Nehru got hold of a bombshell of a letter from the Nawab of Bhopal, secretly handed over to Jinnah before he left for London to meet Churchill. The letter provided explosive details of how some Indian princes, working hand-in-hand with the Muslim League, planned to keep their British connections either as individual entities or as part of a combined state on part of Pakistan. Ultimately, the plan to balkanize India went up in smoke.
Bamzai, providing access to other great acts of sabotage against India helmed by Churchill, details a ‘private’ letter from Churchill to Jinnah, where the British Prime Minister exchanges a coded signature for his messages to Jinnah and seeks a similarly secret name from Jinnah so that they could communicate on their plans without being discovered. However, those plans never worked.
Writes Bamzai, who is CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Indo-Asian News Service: “Nawab of Bhopal’s plan as a saboteur in conjunction with Travancore and Jinnah had been foiled, the vagrant princes subdued.”
Excerpts:
Despite Lord Wavell and Political Department boss Sir Conrad’s best efforts, Travancore too slipped out of their grasp. Sir C.P., the canny Dewan of Travancore, like Pandit Ram Chandra Kak in Kashmir — deputies who called the shots on behalf of their respective rulers — had been muted. Both smartly established lines of communication with the Nizam of Hyderabad, who in turn used the Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes, the Nawab of Bhopal, as the conduit to Jinah. Nehru, realizing that incalculable damage may be done to India, asked Blitz and (K.N.) Bamzai to hold on to their expose on monazite sands deliberately.
Nehru finally got an opportunity in the form of the Nawab of Bhopal’s top-secret letter, handed over to Jinnah prior to his departure for London to meet Churchill. The letter, considered a bombshell, hinted at a commitment on the part of the Indian princes, in conjunction with the Muslim League, of the maintenance of the British connection — either as individual units or as a combined state on part of the state of Pakistan, akin to a Confederacy (as mentioned earlier). Confirmation of this move come through another devastating letter marked ‘PRIVATE’, penned by Churchill to Jinnah dated 11 December 1946:
I should greatly like to accept your kind invitation to luncheon on December 12. I feel however, that it would be wiser for us not to be associated publicly at this juncture. I already greatly value our talks the other day and now I enclose the address to which any telegrams you may wish to send me can be sent without attracting any attention in India. I will always sign myself as GILLATT. Perhaps you will let me know what address I should telegraph to you and how you will sign yourself.
Kevadia (Gujarat): The ‘Statue of Unity’ that was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honour of country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Kevadia, Gujarat on Oct 31, 2018. (Photo: IANS/BJP)
It was later learnt that GILLATT, an Englishwoman, was Sir Winston’s secretary and the address was her London home. Obviously a channel had been kept open between Jinnah and Churchill and others interested in British India. In his speech to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on 7 July 1946, and then again three days later in a press conference, Nehru spoke about the issue of minorities and how it was a domestic problem and how British interference in it was not desired. This gave Jinnah the opening he was looking for, and he withdrew the Muslim League’s acceptance to the Mission Plan on 29 July 1946. Nehru got the opportunity he was looking for, and as mentioned earlier, went on to highlight the plan to balkanize India and export monazite sands from India. While denouncing the move, he made a veiled reference to the source of his information and said that it was a friend who had given him the information.
Nawab of Bhopal’s plan as a saboteur in conjunction with Travancore and Jinnah had been foiled, the vagrant princes subdued. Jinnah however continued with his furtive plans, his public pronouncements completely at variance with his secret dealings and machinations.
