Category: Woman

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Bollywood Lite Blogs Woman

Empowering Voices

 In a diverse landscape of compelling characters across various platforms, women have taken centre stage, embodying strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. From the powerful Helen Black in Audible’s ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow,’ voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan to the fearless Sehmat in ‘Raazi,’ on Prime Video, each of them captures the audiences with their indomitable spirits.

Their stories, filled with courage and resilience, serve as a beacon of inspiration, just like this year’s theme of accelerating progress and encouraging women to embrace their strength and forge ahead. Whether they’re fierce warriors or brilliant minds, these women smash stereotypes and teach us how to be badass and stand out on our own. Here are ten remarkable ladies from whom we can draw inspiration this Women’s Day! 

Helen Black voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Lisa Cartwright voiced by Masaba Gupta

Podcast: ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow’
Platform: Audible

Meet Helen Black, a powerful woman bestowed with the power to save the universe voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Lisa Cartwright, the genius mastermind voiced by Masaba Gupta, who play the role of robust female characters in this podcast series. Helen, a fierce, powerful, and intelligent character clashes with Lisa who doesn’t take herself seriously but is uniquely intuitive and smart. Both the ladies take the lead in their distinct charms assuming the roles of a superhero and spy respectively.  A one-woman deadly fighting force, Helen makes her moves smartly throughout the series, giving the audience a distinct audio experience.

Ash voiced by Prajakta Koli

Podcast: ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Hawkeye’

Platform: Audible

With a tale of justice, resilience, and hope, Ash, voiced by Prajakta Koli, plays the role of Hawkeye’s estranged daughter. Her life takes a tragic turn when she loses the love of her life in a sudden accident. Driven by her youth and impulsiveness, she becomes motivated to seek justice, vowing to finish whoever is responsible. Turning to her father for help, she soon discovers that he, too, has a mission of his own. Pooling their motives of hope and vengeance, the series shows the heartwarming relationship between father-daughter duo Ash and Hawkeye as they collaborate to put an end to those manipulating this emerging dystopian era. Tune into this immersive experience of justice only on Audible!

Zarah Kaul voiced by Kubbra Sait

Podcast: ‘Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution’

Platform: Audible

To discover unspoken revelations with the fearless Zarah Kaul, don’t forget to tune into the riveting series of ‘Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution’ on Audible. The story revolves around the character of psychologist Zarah Kaul who seeks to complete her late father’s unfinished book, ‘Interviews Before Execution.’ With immense bravery and gratitude towards her father, she interviews condemned murderers on death row single-handedly, unravelling the mysteries behind their crimes.

Jenabai voiced by Kalki Koechlin and Gangubai voiced by Radhika Apte

Audiobook: ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’

Platform: Audible

Meet the strong and resilient Mafia Queens, Jenabai and Gangubai, the female dons and masterminds narrated by Kalki Koechlin and Radhika Apte respectively. They bring to life the unforgettable tales of influential women in Indian history. Despite enduring the trauma of sexual assault, in this Audible show, you will know how Jenabai who was the first mafia queen of the Mumbai underworld, climbed her way up in a predominantly male-dominated society; while Gangu finds the inner strength to stand tall and ensures her voice is heard, being a source of inspiration for countless women today.

Kavya Kulkarni voiced by Mithila Palkar

Podcast: ‘Little Things: Jab Dhruv Met Kavya, Season 1’

Platform: Audible

Kavya, a down-to-earth girl, faces life’s challenges with grace and unwavering determination, refusing to compromise on her deeply held values. The podcast narrates the chapters of Kavya and Dhruv’s lives before their paths intertwined, tracing the story of their initial meeting and the journey that led them to become inseparable soulmates. Kavya, narrated by Mithila Palkar, undergoes a remarkable evolution from a nervous individual to a mature and grown-up woman, catalysed by her encounter with Dhruv—the love of her life. As their paths intertwine, Kavya’s character unfolds, revealing layers of patience, love, and newfound wisdom, painting a vivid portrait of her growth into a more self-assured and empowered version of herself.

Amrita Sabharwal played by Taapsee Pannu

Film: ‘Thappad’

Platform: Amazon Prime

In a powerful story, Amrita, a survivor of domestic abuse, bravely refuses to stay silent. When her husband crosses the line by slapping her at a party, she takes a stand for justice. Choosing equality above all, Amrita fearlessly presses charges against him, firmly rejecting his oppressive actions. Her unwavering strength becomes a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the resilience and determination of women who refuse to yield to injustice.

Sehmat Khan Syed played by Alia Bhatt

Film: ‘Raazi’

Platform: Amazon Prime

Introducing Sehmat Khan, a fearless force of courage and sacrifice, where her name becomes synonymous with extraordinary! Once an ordinary college-going girl, she willingly set aside her dreams, youth, and college life to embark on a mission. Her selfless dedication involved providing crucial and confidential information to the Indian Agency, transforming her into a symbol of resilience and unwavering commitment to a greater cause. Her role highlighted her utmost sacrifice and dedication to her country.

Vaishali Singh played by Bhumi Pednekar

Film: ‘Bhakshak’

Platform: Netflix

The fearless investigative journalist Vishali Singh brought to life by Bhumi Pednekar in the vibrant city of Patna, brings in her due diligence. In her relentless pursuit to uncover the truth, she faces numerous challenges, from police interference to obstacles posed by child welfare authorities. Undeterred, Vaishali showcases unwavering resilience, refusing to back down until she exposes a horrifying crime within a girls’ shelter home in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

ALSO READ-Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Launches in India

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Lite Blogs Woman

Motherhood and Societal Expectations

In response, ASICS is recognising and amplifying the positive impact of individuals and grassroots organisations who are breaking barriers for women in sports, to support, empower and inspire more women to move…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of International Women’s Day, Japanese sportswear brand ASICS unveils the results of their unique global study on the gender exercise gap, reaffirming the positive correlation between women’s exercise levels and their mental well-being, with women reporting they’re 52 percent happier, 50 percent more energised, 48 percent more confident, 67 percent less stressed and 80 percent less frustrated when regularly exercising. 

The study which was led by renowned academics Dr. Dee Dlugonski and Professor Brendon Stubbs, and commissioned by ASICS on 24,959 people, alarmingly found that over half of women globally are dropping out or stopping exercise completely, which is negatively impacting their state of mind.

In response, ASICS is recognising and amplifying the positive impact of individuals and grassroots organisations who are breaking barriers for women in sports, to support, empower and inspire more women to move. 

Tomoko Koda, Managing Executive Officer for ASICS said, “ASICS was founded on the belief that sport and exercise benefit the body and the mind. It’s why we’re called ASICS: ‘Anima Sana in Corpore Sano’ or ‘Sound Mind in a Sound Body’. While our study found that many women are not happy with their exercise levels, it also uncovered the tremendous impact that individuals and grassroots organisations are having in helping women to move.

“By launching Move Her Mind, we hope to give these remarkable people a platform, to connect and inspire others, so everyone can achieve a sound mind in a sound body. It’s time more women and girls experience the positive physical and mental benefits of exercise. It’s time for change. It’s time to Move Her Mind.”

Worryingly, the global study revealed that over half of women are unhappy with their exercise levels. All women are experiencing barriers to exercise throughout their lifetime, from time pressures (74 percent) and low self-confidence (35 percent) to intimidating environments (44 percent) or not feeling sporty enough (42 percent).

What’s more, almost two-thirds (61 percent) of mothers cited motherhood as the primary reason they dropped out of doing regular exercise or sport altogether, showing the impact that caregiving responsibilities are having on women’s activity levels. Focus group participants frequently described how societal expectations about gender roles, including that women should bear the majority of family caregiving, and household responsibilities played a major part in them stopping exercise.

Interestingly, men’s perceptions of the challenges women face were different from the reality. Only 34 percent of men recognised lack of time as a barrier to exercise for women, despite three-quarters (74 percent) of women citing the issue. Instead, men thought body insecurities were the leading problem, with 58% of men reporting this as the main barrier, compared to 36 percent of women. In fact, of the top five barriers to exercise perceived by men, only one (costs) featured in the list of most common obstacles reported by women, highlighting a disparity between men’s perceptions and the daily reality felt by women around the world.

Despite this, the study found that over a third of women say their friends are their most important exercise influencers, noting that they’re more motivated to exercise by women like themselves, rather than celebrities. Parents and romantic partners were also influential, showing that both genders can have an impact on women’s participation in sports. When asked why they would exercise, women universally said for their mental (92 percent) and physical (96 percent) health rather than aesthetics.

The study lead, Dr. Dee Dlugonski, Assistant Professor at Sports Medicine Research Institute, University of Kentucky said, “Our study showed that the gender exercise gap is a complex challenge which did not develop overnight. Given it has no sole cause, it will not be solved with one single solution, but when asked what could help, women noted that making the movement more accessible, inclusive, and recognised in all forms, while challenging society’s gendered expectations, would support them in moving more.

“This includes making exercises centred around women and their needs. From providing childcare and catering for all activity levels to fitting around work, being fun, affordable, safe, welcoming, and judgment-free. All these solutions, while small, can have a significant impact and through this study, we identified thousands of individuals and organisations around the world who are already driving change.”

The survey included people like Megha Kishore who commenced her journey to wellness during the early stages of her professional career. Initially, she embraced solo running, but her journey took a positive turn when she became a part of the ASICS Running Community. This community not only provided her to run following a structured routine but also imparted knowledge about the body’s cycle and recovery process. Currently serving as the coach of ASICS Running Club Delhi, Megha continues to be a source of inspiration, encouraging numerous women to engage in physical activity and boost their confidence.

ALSO READ-‘Motherhood for a working mom is challenging’

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-Top News UAE News Woman

Women’s Day: Meet 5 Female Leaders in AI

MBZUAI champions gender equity in STEM in the Emirates, boasting a 28% female student body, five full-time female faculty members, and a gender-balanced workforce….reports Asian Lite News

To celebrate the power of ‘inspire inclusion’ in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of this year’s theme for International Women’s Day 2024, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is highlighting five female leaders and changemakers working in this fast-developing area.

With a focus on developing a diverse community of AI decision-makers within the Emirates, MBZUAI is a champion for gender equity in STEM with a 28 percent female student body, five full-time female faculty members, 40 female researchers, and a gender-balanced workforce (52 percent overall female workforce).

Here are five MBZUAI women making an impact as faculty, researchers, students, or alumni:

Dr. Farida Al Hosani

1) Dr. Farida Al Hosani, vice president of MBZUAI’s Alumni Advisory Board (AAB), MBZUAI Executive Programme (MEP) alumna, and executive director of communicable diseases at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

During her participation in the MBZUAI Executive Programme, Dr. Al Hosani developed a research project to create an AI-based healthcare solution for non-communicable diseases in the Emirati community including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, harnessing AI to better inform healthcare providers through data analysis and improve overall patient experience. She has recently been appointed as the vice president of the university’s Alumni Advisory Board, which will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among alumni, and activate programs, events, and other professional initiatives.

2) Dr. Hanan Aldarmaki, assistant professor of natural language processing (NLP) at MBZUAI

With a specific focus on the Arabic language, UAE national Dr. Aldarmaki’s research at MBZUAI is focused on improving automated speech recognition for low-resource languages, or those which lack sufficient data to train computational models needed for automated speech recognition and virtual assistants. She was recently recognized for the best paper at the inaugural Arabic Natural Language Processing Conference, as part of a team from MBZUAI who shared a study on improving speech processing technologies for the Arabic language through an application that can process both speech and text inputs, and which recognizes different Arabic dialects. Dr. Aldarmaki joined MBZUAI in 2022 from UAE University (UAEU) and has previously contributed to the Statistics Center-Abu Dhabi (SCAD), and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

Salma Alrashdi

3) Salma Alrashdi, master’s student at MBZUAI

Alrashdi, a current master’s student at MBZUAI, is deeply immersed in her field of machine learning, driven by her passion for healthcare applications. A UAE national with a background in molecular biology, her research journey revolves around preventing overfitting in predicting transcription factor binding site model. Her ultimate goal is to develop AI mechanisms underlying cancer evolution, aiming to pave the way for more precise and effective treatments grounded in genetic insights. What sets

Alrashdi apart is her unique blend of biological expertise and cutting-edge AI. Her commitment to harnessing technology to tackle real-world healthcare challenges reflects a deeply rooted desire to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing battle against cancer, showcasing her unwavering dedication to making a tangible impact in the field of oncology.

Karima Kadaoui

4) Karima Kadaoui, MBZUAI alumna and research assistant at MBZUAI

Kadaoui graduated from MBZUAI as part of its inaugural Class of 2022 with a master’s in machine learning. Her thesis was on impaired speech recognition, which aims to learn the patterns of disfluency that someone with a speech disability might have and convert those back to how they would sound if spoken by a healthy individual. The Moroccan remained with MBZUAI as a research assistant and is currently working on democratizing different NLP tasks on the Arabic language and its dialects, whether in the text or speech modalities. While current translation and speech recognition systems work fairly well on standard Arabic, it is different for spoken dialects, which can be almost unintelligible from country-to-country. To be inclusive, it is imperative that systems are developed that work on the dialects spoken in real life. In the future, Kadaoui aims to enroll in a PhD to further deepen her knowledge and wants to continue leveraging AI for disadvantaged communities and use her experience gained in different modalities – such as NLP and computer vision – for a more holistic approach to assistive and inclusive AI.

Hawua Olamide Toyin

5) Hawua Olamide Toyin, current master’s student at MBZUAI

From Nigeria, Toyin is completing a master’s in machine learning at MBZUAI and is president of the Graduate Student Council. She is a member of the university’s Metaverse Center and her thesis focuses on sustainable models in the area of multimodal systems for speech recognition and synthesis, focused specifically on Arabic. Her research has been recognized at a number of external events and conferences including the GITEX Global AI InnovateFest and the first-ever Arabic Natural Language Processing Conference in Singapore. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in applying AI to the identification, correction, and evaluation of speech disorders, ultimately using AI-based solutions to benefit different industries including healthcare to improve quality of life, especially in developing countries.

ALSO READ: UAE Ranks 5th Globally in ‘Women in Parliament 2023’

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Economy India News Woman

Startup Mahakumbh Spotlights Top Women Founders

The event, themed ‘Bharat Innovates’ is scheduled to be held from March 18-20 at Bharat Mandapam and Pragati Maidan….reports Asian Lite News

The much-awaited ‘Startup Mahakumbh’, the largest celebration of Indian startups, will witness top women founders who will share their innovation stories and highlight their pivotal role within the ecosystem.

The event, themed ‘Bharat Innovates’ is scheduled to be held from March 18-20 at Bharat Mandapam and Pragati Maidan.

Women leaders, including Nivruti Rai, MD & CEO, Invest India; Falguni Nayar, Founder & CEO of Nykaa; Nidhi Pant, Co-founder, S4S Technologies; Ghazal Alagh, Co-founder Mamaearth, among other will share their expertise on fostering innovation, scaling businesses effectively, and navigating the entrepreneurial journey.

“At Startup Mahakumbh, we’re not just showcasing startups; we’re enabling an ecosystem where women lead with resilience and creativity, driving forward the global narrative of Indian entrepreneurship,” said Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom, who will be present at the event, in a statement.

“Startup Mahakumbh showcases the critical role of women in shaping an inclusive future for the startup community. We aim to inspire and nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship among young women, encouraging them to lead with innovation,” added Archana Jahagirdar, Member, Organising Committee, Startup Mahakumbh.

The event is reflective of India’s growth story, said Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal, last month. The Minister said that the startup sector has proved its capability to innovate with ideas across various sectors like mobility, food, textiles, etc.

The premier gathering will also bring together a diverse group of participants from the startup ecosystem, including startups, incubators, venture capitalists, accelerators, who will facilitate insightful discussions across sectors including AI + SaaS, D2C/consumer brands, agritech, fintech, deep tech, biotech and pharma, incubators, climate tech, e-sports, and B2B manufacturing.

The event will also feature an exhibition of over 1000+ startups, 10+ thematic tracks, 1000+ investors, 500+ incubators & accelerators, 5000+ conference delegates, 10+ country delegations, 5000+ future entrepreneurs and 40,000+ business visitors.

ALSO READ: India’s Bloomberg Bond Index Entry to Attract $5B+

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Dubai UAE News Woman

FARIDAH: Dubai’s Premier Female Perfumer

The eponymous brand “FARIDAH”, was created by the visionary Faridah F Ajmal, who has over 20 years of perfumery expertise. Faridah’s journey evolved from a passionate exploration of blending fragrances, transitioning from a personal hobby, into an emerging business. FARIDAH, the perfume brand, was launched in February 2024. This marks the first original fragrance brand by an Asian woman perfumer-cum-entrepreneur. Stepping into the role of Founder-Director of Faridah Perfumes, she was intimately involved in the creation process, the bottling, branding of the fragrance. She has also personally designed her first boutique store in Jumeriah on Al Wasl Road, to launch her eponymous label … writes Soniya Kirpalani, Images: Santosh Rai

FARIDAH, is not just her namesake, it translates to ‘Unique’, and keeping this value in mind, she spends time in research and careful study, to craft something fresh and classic fragrance, designing it for those who understand the beauty of aroma, and its deep impact on human mind. The brand’s exquisite fragrances and product lines are meticulously developed over her direct supervision, in their in-house multi-room lab facility, shaping her brand’s legacy with a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Besides a series of fragrances, she has specially designed a set, a His + Her combinations. FARIDAH launches at a time when the UAE’s fragrance market grows at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.88 percent from US$6.4 million in 2022 to US$1.16 billion in 2028.

Faridah Ajmal with her husband Fakhruddin Ajmal and guests during the launch.

FARIDAH also sets another milestone, highlighting the strength of the region’s first women perfumers, highlighting UAE’s reputation of Dubai as a creator hub where new ideas flourish and where dreams are turned into realities.

As she explains “FARIDAH is the realisation of my life-long passion for fragrances that turned into a burning desire to create my own perfumes. While being in this business, I always had a dream to create a fragrance that will reflect my fashion statement and create a uniquely beautiful perfume for those who have taste and care for class, quality, and variety FARIDAH is a carefully conceptualised, curated, and crafted genre of perfume that is unique. Those who understand fragrance will feel the difference when trying the varieties that we have created through a complex blend of oil and other ingredients. These carry my signature and through FARIDAH, we are creating a completely new international brand.”

Faridah Ajmal with her daughters at the launch.

Attending the launch, witnessing several socialites and friends, Emiratis, Arabs, and Asians, all connoisseurs of fragrances and essences, fragrance testing and experimenting with the various ranges of oils, Ouds I heard complimentary words like “Classy, Elite, Royal” to describe the collection. It seemed like the brand was a resonating with its target audience.

Embracing the Holy Month of Ramadan and its festivities, FARIDAH Perfumes has also launched the inaugural Oudh Festival. This 10-day extravaganza showcases several varieties of Oudh, highlighting the origin and growth of this fragrant, dark, and resinous wood extensively used in perfume making. It is a unique opportunity for perfume enthusiasts to delve into the world of Oudh and experience its cultural significance. Approaching life with humility and a forward-thinking mindset, Faridah Ajmal’s perfumes are swiftly gaining prominence in the world of fragrances.

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Lifestyle Woman Your Blog

Silver Linings: Embracing Your Greys with the Magic of Nature

Ah, grey hair. The whispers of time and experience find their way to showcase naturally. However, it is understandable for many of us – the need to slow down this change in life. But instead of waging war by applying chemicals on our hair, let’s explore some natural ingredient-led hair dye alternatives.  With the world moving towards natural and sustainable alternatives, the choice towards softer ingredients is finally expanding.

Harsh chemicals are instruments of hair-hate and are out of the question, so instead let’s dive into the kinds of ingredients we should seek in a hair dye. Along with being successful colour pigments, these ingredients are also beneficial for vibrant and healthy hair.

Mistletoe, known for its calming effect, subsides scalp irritation, creating the perfect environment for nourishing hair. Fennel’s vitamin-rich composition strengthens the hair, reducing breakage and promoting hair health. Yarrow, with its acidic nature, assists in controlling excess hair oil, ensuring a clean and healthy scalp. Balm mint and chamomile join forces to provide a refreshing and soothing experience, making the hair care routine a sensory delight. Meanwhile, Hops, with their antioxidant properties, protects you from hair loss. Together, these natural ingredients are responsible for healthy and nourished hair.

Now, let’s bust some of the myths that could cloud the world of grey.

Myth 1 – Greys are coarse and unmanageable.

However, the reality is that with hair care, such as deep conditioning and using gentle cleansers, Grey hair is just as smooth and manageable.

Myth 2 – Grey hair can’t be coloured.

Hair colours like Bigen, infused with the ingredients mentioned above, can colour your grey hair just as effortlessly and get them looking like your acquired hair colour. To discover more about Bigen and explore their range, visit their e-shop at – https://bigenshop.co.uk/. Additionally, incorporating a balanced diet enriched with vitamins and minerals plays a vital role in maintaining hair health and colour. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and biotin contribute to the overall well-being of your hair, ensuring it remains vibrant and strong.

Myth 3 – Only strong chemicals can colour the greys

Let’s bust this myth once and for all. Due to the lack of natural ingredient led products in the market, many have turned towards chemical-led products. However, with products like Bigen’s Speedy Conditioning Colour that use the essence of natural ingredients to not only colour, but also nourish your hair; it is safe to say that natural led ingredients do the very job without damaging your hair.

So, the next time your greys call out for some maintenance – know that there are gentler and natural friendly options waiting for you to be tried. Remember, there’s always a silver lining.

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Lite Blogs Woman

Women-Led Startups Pioneering Change in India’s Entrepreneurial Landscape

In 2012, Falguni Nayar established Nykaa, swiftly transforming it into a revered beauty and personal care brand. The start-up attained unicorn status in 2020 by securing a substantial INR 100 Crores investment from Steadview Capital at a valuation of $1.2 Billion…reports Asian Lite News

 In the dynamic landscape of India’s burgeoning start-up ecosystem, a notable trend is emerging—the rise of women-led enterprises. This paradigm shift is contributing substantially to the overall growth and diversity within the Indian start-up culture. These visionary women entrepreneurs are not merely breaking the glass ceiling but are, in fact, crafting their narratives, redefining success, and inspiring a generation.

It is imperative to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of these women-led start-ups that are making a tangible impact on society. These trailblazers are fostering innovation, challenging stereotypes, and driving positive change. From technology and healthcare to sustainability and education, these women are not only building successful businesses but are also shaping a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial landscape in India. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the fastest-growing start-ups led by women entrepreneurs.

Nykaa

In 2012, Falguni Nayar established Nykaa, swiftly transforming it into a revered beauty and personal care brand. The start-up attained unicorn status in 2020 by securing a substantial INR 100 Crores investment from Steadview Capital at a valuation of $1.2 Billion. Nykaa further marked its success by going public in 2021, raising an impressive INR 5352 Crores through its initial public offering (IPO). Falguni Nayar’s visionary leadership has not only positioned Nykaa as a market leader but has also set a precedent for successful Indian start-ups in the beauty and personal care industry.

Mamaearth

Established in 2016 by Ghazal Alagh, Mamaearth has quickly become synonymous with transparency and authenticity in the skincare industry. Renowned for delivering on its promise of natural and toxin-free products, Mamaearth earned the distinction of being the first Asian brand to attain ‘MADE SAFE’ Certification. The startup reached unicorn status in 2022, boasting a remarkable valuation of $1.2 Billion, a testament to its commitment to providing conscientious and reliable skincare solutions.

Yodda Elder-Care

Founded by Simran Sharma, Yodda stands out as a premium elder care company leveraging technology to offer Emergency, Health, and Convenience services tailored for the parents of working professionals living away from their families. With a commitment to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of senior citizens, Yodda has carved a niche in the market. The company’s growth trajectory reflects the genuine embrace of its services, illustrating a societal shift toward prioritizing the comfort and welfare of the elderly. Yodda’s dedication to providing comprehensive care reinforces its role as a vital support system for families separated by distance.

Herkey

Founded in 2015 by Neha Bagaria, Bengaluru-based HerKey has emerged as a pivotal online platform empowering women to advance their careers comprehensively. More than just a job portal, HerKey facilitates connections to jobs, communities, mentoring, reskilling, and networking opportunities. This innovative platform goes beyond traditional job searches by equipping women with vital career-related services like mentorship, resume-writing assistance, and career counseling. With over 5000 companies listed on the portal, HerKey is not only transforming the professional landscape for women but is also fostering a supportive ecosystem that catalyzes their professional growth and success.

Hasura

Under the leadership of Rajoshi Ghosh, Hasura, a SaaS-based startup, is revolutionizing web application development with its open-source platform. The company achieved a significant milestone by securing $100 million in its Series C funding round, propelling Hasura to an impressive valuation of $1 billion. This financial backing underscores the industry’s recognition of Hasura’s innovative approach, enabling businesses to accelerate their web application development processes. Rajoshi Ghosh’s leadership continues to drive Hasura’s success, positioning it as a key player in the dynamic landscape of SaaS and web development.

Routematic

Co-founded by Kavitha Ramachandragowda, Routematic is at the forefront of revolutionizing employee transportation in India. The company, dedicated to ensuring a secure and comfortable commute for India Inc. employees, has introduced a technology-integrated fleet solution, solidifying its leadership position in the employee transportation market. Routematic’s innovative approach underscores its commitment to reshaping the landscape of workplace commuting with a focus on safety and convenience.

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Lite Blogs Woman

Kalinga 2024: A Triumph for Women Writers

Nasira Sharma is an acclaimed Hindi writer who has published 10 Hindi-language novels including ‘Parijat’, ‘Mere Priya Kahaniyaan’ and ‘Ajnabi Jajira’…reports Asian Lite News

All four Kalinga Literary Awards for the year 2024 have gone to women writers, informed Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder and Director, Kalinga Literary Festival.

Hindi novelist Nasira Sharma and former assistant secretary-general at the United Nations, Diplomat, writer, novelist, Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, will be conferred Kalinga Literary Awards.

Nepalese writer Prof. Beena Poudyal will receive the Kalinga International Literary Award for her contribution to literature, art and culture while young writer Radhika Iyengar will receive the Kalinga Literary Award (Youth).

KLF-Publishing House of the Year Award will be conferred on Penguin Random House and HarperCollins Publishers India.

The awards will be conferred to the winners at the inaugural Ceremony of the 10th Kalinga Literary Festival on February 9 at Swosti Premium in Bhubaneswar.

Nasira Sharma is an acclaimed Hindi writer who has published 10 Hindi-language novels including ‘Parijat’, ‘Mere Priya Kahaniyaan’ and ‘Ajnabi Jajira’.

Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri has been an Indian Foreign Service diplomat for 28 years. She served in leadership positions at the United Nations for 15 years. She is the recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights, among others. Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri’s debut novel is ‘Swallowing The Sun’

Professor Bina Paudyal lives in Kathmandu, Nepal. In her 40 years of teaching and researching, she has published more than 100 research articles so far in the field of culture, and 19 books, including the history of Nepali culture.

Radhika Iyengar is an Indian journalist, writer, and recipient of the 2018 Red Ink Awards in the category of human rights. After eight years of research on the Dom community of Varanasi, she wrote ‘Fire on the Ganges: Life among the Dead in Banaras’, published in 2023 by HarperCollins India.

The festival will run from February 9 to 11 in Bhubaneswar and will host over 400 speakers from across a vast array of nationalities. It will feature a range of themes including the ongoing climate justice debate under the urgency of borrowed time theme; the great women writers and artists focusing on the female voice and identity, crime fiction, memoir, translation, poetry, economics, tech morality, and Artificial Intelligence, the global crisis, cutting-edge science, India and the World, art and photography, health and medicine, amongst others.

ALSO READ-Kalinga Literary Festival sets ‘India at 75’ as theme

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Lifestyle UK News Woman

Katie Queen: Bridging the gap between spiritual and corporate growth as a Life Coach and Spiritual Teacher

Katie Queue wears many hats-Coaching | Mentoring | Methodologies | Spiritual | Philosophy l Music. She is a UK based World-Renowned Spiritual Teacher, Life Coach and People Manager; with 20+ years’ experience championing diversity, equality and personal growth. With an impressive corporate career, complementing a spiritual upbringing, Katie has the personal passion and corporate experience to bridge the gap between spiritual and corporate growth. A feature by columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.

Katie harmoniously blends the approaches to support people personally and professionally, making Katie the go-to expert for advice, guidance, and information; having quoted for and been featured in numerous publications, including Marie Claire Magazine, Women in Leadership and many more.

Katie said “I am unique in the way that I troubleshoot and identify the parts of you that inflict pain to varying degrees or at the very least, hold you back. I am a Psychic, who has a Worldwide Clientele who also has Celebrity and non-Celebrity clients. I also have over 20+ years in the Corporate field, so I am able to process and strategise your goals in a tidy and productive fashion. I not only highlight your absolute potential but I am able to see what trajectory you are on and allow you the knowledge to manage your life better.”

She went on to say that “I have predicted Worldwide events such as Covid, Financial crashes, Political terms and more recently the unfolding War efforts that are currently taking place. I work with people to eleviate their current energy field and move them into a much better, wholesome and positive space.  I have received THOUSANDS of Testimonials from a Worldwide audience with my Podcast becoming one of the largest growing aspects of my brand of last year. “

Talking about Tarot she said that “ I work with the cards as a visual representation of what I am feeling and picking up on, but the majority of what I do is through channeling. I connect with your Spirit team and mine to get an overall discussion through Council to decipher any messages they would like to pass on and allow you space and time to ask questions. Often it is hard to sift through the noise of our own brains, so I act as a messenger in that regard. 

Katie makes time to explain  different meanings,

Like clairvoyant: a person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact. To Clairaudience: the power or faculty of hearing something not present to the ear but regarded as having objective reality. Finally, Clairsentient: the ability to perceive emotional or psychic energy that is imperceptible to the five standard senses. 

Katie Queue is a Spiritual Teacher and Life Coach and working in the Spiritual field for over 30 years. She was raised in a family with a heavily religious and spiritual backdrop where she learned her skills in tarot, angel cards and mediumship. She has clients all over the world where she guides them on the best path to take and comforts where needed and also works for a number of top worldwide Psychic companies offering the service of psychic medium. 

In her 20’s, Katie decided to carve out an impressive corporate career, focusing on recruitment attraction and direct headhunting for some of the worlds largest companies. She has strategised life plans for clients worldwide, from helping them maximise their career, learn how to be happier, content and more grounded whilst finding the path that is the REAL them. 

By merging the two aspects of human life, Katie has achieved success within the companies she works for but also from a worldwide audience, which has lead to being recognised in a number of different publications including Great Britains best selling Spiritual magazine. 

Katie is also the Founder, Director and Chief Editor of the Katie Queue Magazine; an independent online publication aimed at empowering, supporting and enriching the lives of its readers. Katie offers immense support to her clients and following via numerous services and opportunities, as well as regular blogs, magazine articles and her social media community presence. 

Katie has worked for some of the Top Global Companies in her Corporate Career and voted Top Psychic on many platforms across the Globe. She works with Celebrity and non-Celebrity clientele, helping to heal, release and let go many issues that we hold within us. Katie then helps strategize your life as you on the path to Success.

ALSO READ: ‘The Parents I Met’ By Mansi Zaveri: An Anthology of Conversations With Parents of Successful Individuals

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Indian Republic Day celebrations by IIW– Connecting British Indian Kids to their roots

IIW Inspiring Indian Women ‘Hum aur Hamara Desh’ – was a sincere effort to get all the little ones on stage and show their talent. There were absolutely no auditions, all who had ‘India’ in their hearts were there…reports Asian Lite News

To work that extra mile, take out that extra time and that extra travel for ‘India’ simply because you love your Incredible India and find it an honour and pride to be part of it. More than 300 attended IIW (Inspiring Indian Women) celebrations of Indian Republic Day. Being organised since 2017, this is one of the first and most popular among British Indians as it brings opportunity for British born Indian Kids to express their love for the country of ethnicity. This year it was organised at the iconic Zoroastrian Centre at Rayners lane on the 28th January.

IIW Inspiring Indian Women ‘Hum aur Hamara Desh’ – was a sincere effort to get all the little ones on stage and show their talent. There were absolutely no auditions, all who had ‘India’ in their hearts were there. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm amongst the parents more than the children. The patriotic atmosphere was captivating as parents and children all sat enjoying the performances.

 The Distinguished Guests who could make it were, Chief Guest His Worshipful Mayor of Harrow Cllr Ram ji Chauhan, Guest of Honours MP Bob Blackman CBE Padmashree and Respected Nandita Soni Sahu Attache Hindi and Culture represented High Commission of India, London. Others who graced were Mr Kuldeep Shekhawat, Ms Sonoo Malkani, Mr Suresh Kumar Gupta, Mr and Mr Bharat Parmar and Smita from Eshadoot, Sister Harika from Brahmakumari org, Ms Purnima Raval Former Met Police Officer, Warrant Officer from British Army Mr Ashok Kumar Chauhan, Councillor Kaza, Kuldeep Kaur Gill, Cllr Anjana Patel.

The programme was hosted by Darshini Joshi and Madhurima Dass. The entire project was led by Nilanjana Paul from Indradhanush Kids. Other who worked hard behind the scenes were Sarika Handa , Rupali Ravi,  Heenaba Zala , Nilanjana Paul, Priya kainth,  Betania Francis, Pushpa Makwana, Darshana Shah, Shillpi, Shilpa Choudhary, Geeta Choudhary, Shalini Jain, Gayatri Shenoy, Seema Khandelwal, Shital Kamdar,  Shweta Khanna, Kalpana Doshi and Dharti Vasani

Absolutely free workshops were organised to keep the kids engaged, Soniya Joshi (Glitter Tattoos), Samarpan Arts by Smitha Sonthalia, Kite Making and Saree Draping by VTSUK. Beautiful tricolored balloon decorations by two dynamic girls who recently started their balloon decoration business brought in the festive feel and added to the joy. Many new Entrepreneurs got opportunity to promote and increase client. 

From cute kids in Fancy dress as Subhash Chandra Bose, Bahubali , Shri Ram or Nari Shakti to instrumental violin recital, Piano etc to singing patriotic numbers to speech and dances all made the entire celebration very memorable. Students of Esha Ramesh ( Vedika Academy), We are one Group dance : Nithya Sowmy, Yoga by Prodigy Ishwar Sharma and team , Sambalpuri Dance by Rupali Ravi and team, Gondi Dance of Maharashtra  by Dancerrians group , Punjabi Folk by Shilpa Chowdhary and Meghna Shah, SAM dance group were some of the highlights of the entire programme.

This report would be incomplete if we don’t mention the names of all these children who made special effort to show their love for India – Vishvadhika singh, Aditi Angadi, Khrivisha Manikandan, Reyansh Mangu, Aryahi Kandukuri, Jasroop Kaur, Jaiteg Singh, Riya Shah, Siya Shah,Daviksha, Suryahkumar, Navya Goswami, Aarna Prajapati, Prachi, Saanvi, Ariana, Navya, Devika, Trishika, Reyansh Sharma, Rupali Ravi, Aaradhya Garg, Anay Garg, Yasya Vishwanath, Vihaan Pandey, Kriyan Manikandan, Ishwar Sharma, Gaanavi shetty, Dhruv Diwan , Shakti Sathyan, Jasroop Kaur 9 years, Samar panwar 5 years, Riya Panwar 9 years, Sahana Alooru 10 years,  Sagarika Barua 8 years, Krishiv Alooru 5 years, Tanvika Barua5 years, Jaiteg Singh 3 years, Vallabh Vijay Kumar, Vedaanshi Srivastava, Riyaanshi Srivastava, Gauri khanna, Isha Amar Yadav, Aroop Mitra, Prisha Ghimire, AryaaJoshi, Erine Ghomes, Shreya Paul, Sneha Paul, Reyansh Mangu, Viraat Mangu, Piya Roy, Yuvraj Choudhary, Akshaj Garg, Akash Narayanan , Thiya Sharma, Maanvi Lalwala, Yash Nadhavajhala, Aavya , Mayra, Anaisha, Anukriti, Naryani,  Ridhima, Saanvi and Sara, Dhriti Kalra, Ridhima Saha, Agniv Sen, Arinjoy Pandit, Srinjoy Pandit, Saanvi Chandak, Shlok Chandak, Shanaya Mookerjee , Samridh Mookerjee, Tanush Kumar, Nishka Badri, Anisha Badri, Smruthi Dev, Anjana subash, Anirudh Vimalkumar, Akshara Vimalkumar, Saimridhni Senthilnathan, Adhiti Gopinath, Aarnav, Akash, Ashwin, Anvi, Punyakeerthi, Rithanya, Sahana, Sinchana, Shivaksha, Saranya Patil, Ganveer Jain, Adinaraian Singh, Kiaan Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Shaurya Patil, Krishaa Kanodia.

The mood was upbeat as everyone saw a ‘Little India’ at Rayners lane. Everyone in tricolours had their eyes gleaming with a sense of missing India. It was indeed a great community cohesion with happy faces. ‘Hum aur Hamara Desh’ has become the much awaited annual event by IIW.

ALSO READ-EVENT: IIW SHE INSPIRES AWARDS  2023