Tag: Award

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Events Motoring News

Kia wins 2022 Red Dot Award for ‘EV6 Unplugged Ground’

Kia has won another 2022 Red Dot Award for its ‘EV6 Unplugged Ground’ brand cultural space in Seongsu, Seoul…reports Asian Lite News

The innovative complex, where people can experience the award-winning EV6 in fun and imaginative ways, picked up the prestigious ‘Best of the Best title in Red Dot’s ‘Interior Architecture and Interior Design’ category.

With ‘EV6 Unplugged Ground’, Kia wanted to make a statement about its refreshed brand and first dedicated electric vehicle, and create a customer space like no other. From experience zones to test drives and expert product advice, the complex immerses people in the future of mobility within one of Seoul’s most popular districts, Seongsu. Formerly an industrial neighborhood, Seongsu has emerged into a popular hub of creativity and fashion in recent years, and is affectionately known locally as the ‘Brooklyn of Korea’. 

JI-MIN KIM, HEAD OF KOREA BUSINESS STRATEGY GROUP, KIA: “The purpose of ‘EV6 Unplugged Ground’ was to convey a message about a new life – recycling, sustainability, future mobility and electric vehicles. We chose Seongsu as it was a neighborhood that has also been ‘reborn’, much like the Kia brand. For this space to receive recognition from prestigious design experts at Red Dot is a huge boost for everyone at Kia.”

Kia EV6: winner of two Red Dot product awards

Shortly after being crowned 2022 European Car of the Year, the Kia EV6 also picked up two Red Dot Awards: the ‘Best of the Best accolade for its pioneering and forward-looking design as well as being named winner in the ‘Innovative Products’ category.

ALSO READ: Kia EV6 named 2022 European Car of the Year

The Red Dot Design Award is one of the largest design competitions in the world. It is announced annually by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen and is divided into three disciplines: Product Design, Brands & Communication Design, and Design Concept. The history of the traditional ‘Red Dot Award: Product Design’ goes back to 1955. This year’s entries were assessed by a 50-member international jury of independent designers, design professors, and trade journalists.

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Arab News Events UAE News

MENALAC honours best industry players at MENALAC AWARDS GALA 2022

MENALAC Gala Award Winners_LR

26 winners were chosen by a panel of eminent industry & market experts…reports Asian Lite News

The Middle East & North Africa Leisure and Attraction Council (MENALAC) – the trade association for the Middle East and North African leisure market – honoured the best industry players at the MENALAC AWARDS GALA 2022.

In its 4th edition, the MENALAC Awards 2022, the only credible leisure and entertainment awards ceremony took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, DIFC – Dubai, from 7 pm to 11 pm on Tuesday 29 March gathering 134 nominations across 27 awards categories that were judged by 39 industry experts.

The awards ceremony aka the Oscars of the industry was a high-profile celebration that included a welcome reception, a three-course dinner with the awards ceremony, and stunning show performances, with an impressive 320 leading industry professionals in attendance

Attendees were delighted to meet face-to-face on such a tremendous Gala night after surpassing the COVID restrictions, giving them the chance to mingle and enjoy the opportunity to network in person again, reconnecting with current peers while expanding their network with new connections.

The awards have gained prominence and popularity over the years, bringing a number of high-profile industry businesses to sponsor and support this industry initiative, enhancing their profile and brand visibility. Silver sponsors for the awards were Play Enterprises, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co, and Bob’s Space Racers, while bronze sponsors were Amusement Services International and Spree Interactive. The premium Gala dinner & reception was sponsored by Trampo Extreme and Unique Hospitality, while the afterparty event was sponsored by Whitewater and the Worldwide Zoo Consultants, allowing all victors to celebrate their victory.

Like every year, the highly coveted awards celebrated groundbreaking achievements in the leisure and attraction sector across myriad facets of the entertainment industry including cinemas, sustainability, and manufacturers with the introduction of new award categories.

ALSO READ: World Art Dubai announces local and international award winners

Meet the winners in the different categories of the MENALAC Gala Awards 2022

The MENALAC Awards 2022 Construction Technology Awards 2021 recognised and celebrated the best-in-class in the leisure and entertainment industry.

1. BEST THEME PARK: Motiongate Dubai

2. BEST WATER PARK: Atlantis Aquaventure

3. BEST FEC: Tekzone Jeddah – Al Shaya Group

4. BEST UNIQUE VISITOR ATTRACTION: Qasr Al Watan – Farah Experiences

5. BEST EDUTAINMENT / PLAYSCAPE: Little Explorers – MAF Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas

6. BEST SPORT / ADVENTURE-BASED ENTERTAINMENT: CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Farah Experiences

7. BEST NEW LEISURE/ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: Doha Oasis Quest

8. BEST CINEMA EXPERIENCE: muvi Cinemas

9. BEST DAY OUT: Atlantis Aquaventure

10. BEST SALES & MARKETING CAMPAIGN: Annual Pass Campaign – Farah Experiences

11. BEST CSR PROGRAM: muvi Cinemas CSR

12. BEST CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM: Toy Promotion- Landmark Leisure

13. BEST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE: For You Program – Al Hokair Group

14. MOST INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY: Dreamscape – Majid Al Futtaim LEC

15. BEST DESIGN FOR A LEISURE FACILITY: CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Farah Experiences

16. BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR THEME PARKS: Super Air Race (by Zamperla)

17. BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR WATER PARKS: MammothBLAST Water Coaster (by ProSlide)

18. BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR FECS: STORM™ (by TRIOTECH)

19. BEST NEW CONCEPT: HYPER RIDE (by TRIOTECH)

20. SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR: Amusement Services International LLC

21. BEST INNOVATION IN HEALTH & SAFETY: Majid Al-Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment, & Cinemas

22. BEST INDIVIDUAL SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT: Mr. Renjith Radhakrishnan, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co.

23. BEST IMPACTFUL SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR: Atlantis Atlas Project

24. BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER BELOW 250000 VISITOR/TRANSACTION: Moustafa Mohamed – Landmark Leisure

25. BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER ABOVE 250000 VISITOR/TRANSACTION: Shuaeb Abduljalil Musabih – Best Park Manager, Dubai Municipality

26. LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: Prakash Vivekanand, Amusement Services International

27. HALL OF FAME: Prakash Vivekanand, Amusement Services International

Mike Rigby, Chair of the MENALAC Events Committee and Executive VP, Middle East & India, Whitewater: ‘’The event has been a tremendous success. Overcoming many challenges, MENALAC decided to forge ahead and bring the industry together to celebrate our winners and let the industry’s positive energy and optimism triumph over past gloom. We received over 134 entries and it is amazing to see some great names emerging as winners. The Middle East market is very competitive and has emphatically evolved from a being on par with the world to setting global benchmarks. The MENALAC Awards are a step in that direction thereby aiming to raise the profile of the MENA Leisure & Attractions Industry, one award at a time.”

For more information about MENALAC, please visit www.menalac.org

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Events Motoring News

Kia receives eight 2022 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK

Kia K5

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards Kia with eight TSP+ and TSP awards when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights…reports Asian Lite News

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized eight Kia vehicles on its 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards list. The Kia Telluride, Sorento, Seltos, Carnival built after March 2021 (with specific headlights), Sportage and Soul (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights) all received TSP awards. Kia K5 and Stinger qualified as TSP+ winners.

Yaser Shabsogh, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East and Africa, Kia Corporation commented: “As Kia makes tremendous strides towards innovation with our line-up of vehicles, passenger safety remains our upmost priority. These eight TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards from IIHS are a testament to our commitment on delivering the highest standard of safety and quality for our customers.”

ALSO READ: Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

The IIHS judging process recognizes TSP winners that earn ‘Good’ ratings in six crashworthiness tests: driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint. In addition, TSP winners earn ‘Advanced’ or ‘Superior’ ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention tests. The vehicle must also have at least one available headlight system that earns a ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ rating. For the TSP+ designation, the ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ headlight system must be standard equipment.

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India News Kerala

Sreejesh becomes first Indian man to win World Games Athlete Award

Sreejesh becomes the second hockey player to win the award, following in the footsteps of compatriot and India women’s captain Rani, who took the 2019 prize, the FIH said in a release on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

Seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played a crucial role as India men’s team claimed a first Olympic medal in over four decades when it won bronze at last year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, has been named as The World Games Athlete of the Year for 2021.

In a global fan vote conducted on TheWorldGames.org, Sreejesh finished well clear at the top of the 24-strong nomination list, with his tally of 1,27,647 votes being almost twice as many as the second-placed athlete, Spa’n’s Sport Climbing ace Albert Ginés Lopez, who garnered 67,428 votes.

Sreejesh becomes the second hockey player to win the award, following in the footsteps of compatriot and India women’s captain Rani, who took the 2019 prize, the FIH said in a release on Monday.

Speaking about the Award, the shot-stopper — who was also voted as FIH Goalkeeper of the Year for 2021 — said: “I’m very honoured to win this award. First of all, a big thank you to FIH for nominating me for this award, and secondly thanks to all the Indian hockey lovers around the world, who voted for me.

“By getting nominated I did my part, but the rest was done by the fans and hockey lovers. So, this award goes to them, and I think they deserve this award more than me. It’s a big moment for Indian Hockey as well because everyone in the hockey community, all the hockey federations around the world voted for me, so it’s great to see that support from the hockey family,” Sreejesh, a veteran of 244 senior international matches, was quoted as saying by the FIH.

The three-time Olympian further added, “Also, I am a person who doesn’t believe in ndividual awards, especially when you are part of a team. It’s not only the team of 33 players, but you have a lot of people involved behind as well, there’s coaching staff, there’s support staff, there’s a great association like Hockey India who is supporting you a lot, there’s Sports Authority of India (SAI), who are providing you with all the world-class facilities to train, there’s Odisha Government whose unwavering support helps the sport grow and flourish and there’s India Olympic Association (IOA) as well, who’re taking care of you really well. So, it’s a collective effort of a nation to get this kind of recognition.”

FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil said: “On behalf of the global hockey community, I’d like to wholeheartedly congratulate PR Sreejesh for this magnificent achievement. This is a great recognition for him, for his team and for hockey as a whole. We also extend our sincerest thanks to all fans who voted for him. Athletes are the best ambassadors of our sport and India’s goalkeeper certainly is a leader in this field too. We look forward to seeing him in action again in just a few days for the third edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League!”



Congratulating Sreejesh, Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate Sreejesh for winning the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year 2021 Award. This is a very proud and special moment for India as he became the only second Indian athlete to win this honour. I would like to thank FIH, the hockey community around the world, and of course, all his fans for supporting him and voting him to win this award. It’s a big achievement for him as well as to Indian hockey.”

The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The World Games are staged over a period of 11 days, with more than 30 sports in the programme.

Indoor Hockey was featured as an invitational sport at The World Games in 2005, which took place in Duisburg, Germany. Hockey will have a presence with sports demonstrations during The World Games 2022, which takes place in Birmingham, the USA between July 7-17, 2022.

ALSO READ-Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam title makes Tennis history

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Business Motoring News

Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

Awards recognize Kia’s commitment to ‘superior design, innovation and unparalleled function’…reports Asian Lite News

Kia has been awarded two prestigious design awards for two of its latest models, with the Kia EV6 electric crossover and fourth-generation Kia Carnival MPV taking top honors in the ‘Transportation’ category in the annual GOOD DESIGN Awards.

The all-new EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV), and is the first Kia to be based on the brand’s new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), delivering a highly impressive 528km real-world driving range and ultra-fast recharging capabilities.

EV6_Exterior

The EV6’s bold conceptual styling incorporates Kia’s highly acclaimed new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, which takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity. Key exterior highlights include sleek daytime running lights that form part of the car’s ‘Digital Tiger Face’, a contemporary and aerodynamic side profile, and a bold crossover-inspired silhouette. The interior benefits from the E-GMP platform, which facilitates a high-tech, spacious and welcoming environment.

The all-new Kia Carnival MPV, penned at Kia’s California design studio, wears a bold and boxy appearance that conveys the visual language found on the brand’s highly successful line-up of rugged SUVs, including the Telluride, Sorento, and Seltos. Dramatic lines adorn the hood that help to enhance the vehicle’s aggressive character, while the well-defined wheelarches provide a sense of volume to the Carnival’s side profile. The three-row interior, available in seven- or eight-seat configurations, offers a premium and flexible layout resulting in best-in-class passenger and cargo room.

KARIM HABIB, HEAD OF KIA DESIGN CENTER: “Securing these GOOD DESIGN awards is an endorsement of the approach we took with the styling of the Kia EV6 and Kia Carnival, and is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our talented international design team. It truly has been a pivotal year for us; we launched our brand new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, the ethos of which is already transforming our cars, and we are determined to ensure Kia keeps challenging the boundaries of automotive design.”

ALSO READ: Kia Al Jabr announce participation in Riyadh Motor Show

The two accolades are the latest in a string of design awards handed to Kia by the GOOD DESIGN jury in recent years, acknowledging the integrity of the brand’s evolving design ethos. Just last year, the panel awarded the third-generation Kia K5 sedan and the fourth-generation Kia Sorento SUV with the same honor. Prior to this, previous iterations of the K5 and Sorento have been awarded GOOD DESIGN awards, alongside models including the Telluride SUV and the Soul crossover.

First held in 1950, GOOD DESIGN is one of the oldest design competitions in the world, organized by Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Each year the judging panel select products and industry leaders from over 50 countries that have chartered new directions for ‘innovation, sustainability, superior design, and unparalleled function’.

  • Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards
  • EV6_Exterior
  • EV6_Exterior
  • EV6_Exterior
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Lite Blogs Sport Sports

Sreejesh nominated for World Games Athlete of the Year award

Sreejesh was instrumental in India’s incredible performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 where the team ended a 41-year-long wait to stand on the podium…reports Asian Lite News

Indian men’s hockey team’s ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has said that nomination for the World Games Athlete of the Year 2021 award is special as it recognises great team work and “our Olympic performance”.

“I am so honoured to be nominated and this truly goes for the team. It’s because of their hard work that we are being recognised world-over. The credit of all this success also goes to Hockey India for their support, without them none of this could be possible. Now it’s up to the fans to choose the deserving winner for this award,” stated an elated Sreejesh who is currently in SAI, Bengaluru for the ongoing National Coaching Camp.

Sreejesh was instrumental in India’s incredible performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 where the team ended a 41-year-long wait to stand on the podium.
The 24 athletes nominated for this award from 17 countries have been recommended by their respective international federations and in Sreejesh’s case, the FIH has recommended his name for the award for his outstanding efforts in the year 2021.

Earlier in the year, Sreejesh was also elected as the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award and was also conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award by the Government of India for his exemplary career in hockey.

In 2019, Indian Women’s Hockey Captain Rani became the first from India to win the World Games Athlete of the Year with 1,99,477 votes. This will be the Ninth edition of the IWGA initiative that recognises and honours an athlete or a team for their outstanding performance in 2021, or for their social commitment or particularly fair behaviour.

ALSO READ-Khel Ratna winner Sreejesh opens up on dreams

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Dubai UAE News World

Dubai Press Club announces launch of Arab Media Award

Dubai Press Club announces launch of Arab Media Award

Dubai Press Club today announced the launch of the Arab Media Award, which builds on the success of its prestigious Arab Journalism Award…reports Asian Lite News

Under the directives and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Press Club today announced the launch of the Arab Media Award, which builds on the success of its prestigious Arab Journalism Award (AJA).

Dubai Press Club announces launch of Arab Media Award

The announcement of the Arab Media Award was made during a ceremony organised by Dubai Press Club at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Al Wasl Plaza to honour the winners of the 20th and final edition of the Arab Journalism Award in its current form. The event was held in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

Over the past 20 years, the AJA has recognised excellence and promoted creativity in print and digital journalism. With its new structure, the Award seeks to stay abreast of rapid developments in the media landscape and enhance its impact by recognising excellence across three main Arab media sectors: Journalism, TV and Digital Media.

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of Dubai Press Club, said that the creation of the Arab Media Award, which builds on the achievements of the Arab Journalism Award, follows a comprehensive evaluation of the AJA by its Board of Directors and Dubai Press Club, the General Secretariat of the Award.

The AJA’s various categories were assessed to create a new award that is more aligned with the evolution of the media landscape. Based on extensive evaluations and proposals in meetings, it was decided that the Award should cover a wider range of content across media sectors including TV and digital media platforms, besides journalism, she explained.

MONA AL MARRI, VICE CHAIRPERSON AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, DUBAI MEDIA COUNCIL AND PRESIDENT OF DUBAI PRESS CLUB: “We are proud of Arab Journalism Award’s contributions to the region’s media over the last 20 years, which were made possible thanks to the support of the Award’s patron, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Award has played a crucial role in inspiring talent and creativity in various journalism fields and recognising prominent personalities and Arab journalists who have had a significant positive impact. Today, we seek to deepen the impact of the Award with a revamp that reflects the rapid transformations in the media landscape, which will enable us to recognise a broader variety of outstanding creative content across various media sectors.”

The President of DPC and Secretary General of the Arab Journalism Award expressed her appreciation to the members of the AJA Board, who have included leading media figures in the Arab World, for their role in strengthening the Award’s prestigious position in the region and beyond.

The Award has achieved its prominence due to its ability to consistently maintain credibility, transparency and integrity over the past 20 years, Al Marri said.

The Arab Media Award, featuring new categories, will continue to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and impartiality in its evaluation process.

ALSO READ: Sheikh Mohammed unveils Dh3.8 bn Dubai housing plan

Launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Journalism Award is one of the key initiatives of the Dubai Press Club. Other major initiatives by DPC include the Arab Media Forum (AMF), the region’s largest media gathering; the Emirati Media Forum (EMF); the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS); and the Arab Social Media Influencers Award. (WAM)

  • Dubai Press Club announces launch of Arab Media Award
  • Dubai Press Club announces launch of Arab Media Award
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Bollywood Films Lite Blogs

18 feet tall statue to honour Dadasaheb Phalke

The proposed statue is likely to be inaugurated on February 16 to coincide with the 78th death anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke, or April 30 marking his 152nd birth anniversary, said Tiwari…reports Quaid Najmi.

A grand statue honouring Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, famous as Dadasaheb Phalke, the revered father of Indian film industry, will come up in Bandra West by the year-end, said a top film organisation head.

Simultaneously, a swank new township of over 10,000 homes — being built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) — is also taking shape near Shelu, Raigad, as the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Housing Complex’.

“We are all here because of the flame lit by Dadasaheb Phalke. We feel it’s our duty to do something, especially since the younger generations know little about his massive contribution to Indian cinema,” B.N. Tiwari, President, Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees, told.

The proposed statue is likely to be inaugurated on February 16 to coincide with the 78th death anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke, or April 30 marking his 152nd birth anniversary, said Tiwari.

The 15-feet tall statue in black granite stone, erected on a three-feet pedestal with appropriate lighting, landscaping and other attractions will stand in a garden near the iconic Mehboob Studios in Bandra West, said Tiwari.

“We feel the site is very appropriate as Bandra is considered the heart of the film industry, with some of the topmost personalities, including actors, producers, directors and others, living there since over a century,” Tiwari said.

Dadasaheb Phalke (Wikipedia)

Incidentally, Mehboob Studios was founded in 1954 by the acclaimed filmmaker Mehboob R. Khan, who wrote, produced and directed the cult movie ‘Mother India’ (1957), which became the first Indian film to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.

Till now, Mumbai has had a couple of modest statues of the man who laid the foundation for what is today the world’s biggest film industry — one in Dadar East and another in the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari’ in Goregaon East.

“We are thrilled to learn of these two initiatives by the film industry, who are the ‘real children’ of Dadasaheb. We hope the government of India also considers the long-pending proposal of conferring Bharat Ratna posthumously on Dadasaheb,” said the film legend’s grandson Chandrashekhar Pusalkar.

According to Chandrashekhar Pusalkar and his wife Mridula Pusalkar, it’s gratifying to learn that people in the film industry still acknowledge Dadasaheb Phalke’s legacy, 108 years after he scripted history with India’s first feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’ (1913), marking the dawn of the film industry in the country.

Asia’s biggest film body, the seven-decade-old FWICE has 32 different organisations under its fold with over 500,000 members. The two projects shall be dedicated as part of the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, said the FWICE head.

“Many of the poor people in the industry are unable to afford a decent house in Mumbai. So we plan to allot them 1-BHK flats for below Rs 10 lakh in the Raigad township, which will have over two-dozen 16-storey towers, a hospital, a school, garden and other civic amenities,” Tiwari added.

Phalke on a 1971 stamp of India (Wikipedia)

In the statue endeavour, the FWICE initiative is supported by the founder of the Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award Films Organisation (DPIAF), Kalyanji Jana, global founder Ankita Jana, Union Minister for Dairy Parshottam Rupala, and Mumbai North BJP MP Gopal Shetty, among others.

Since 1969, the government of India confers the lifetime achievement honour to top cinema personalities vide the much-coveted ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ annually, the highest film award in the country.

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READ MORE–Stars Shine at DadaSaheb Phalke Awards

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-Top News India News UK News

Indian innovator wins Commonwealth award

He designed a prefabricated sustainable shelter, SpaceEra, that would not only help reduce transmission of the virus but could also house refugees worldwide in the future…reports Asian Lite News.

Emerging Indian innovator Kaif Ali, 20, is one of the 15 winners this year of the prestigious Secretary-General’s Commonwealth Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards.

He has invented low-cost portable housing for Covid-19 quarantine and shelter from extreme weather such as earthquakes and flooding.

Kaif’s design has been recognised by the UN under the top 11 emerging innovation start-ups solving climate challenges.

Each winner of the award received a trophy, 3,000 pounds in prize money and the opportunity to scale up their innovations in collaboration with partners and mentors across the Commonwealth.

During the pandemic, Kaif, an architecture student, researched how architecture could prevent the spread of disease.

He designed a prefabricated sustainable shelter, SpaceEra, that would not only help reduce transmission of the virus but could also house refugees worldwide in the future.

He is now known for motivating his fellow youth trying to imitate his approach to start their own sustainability projects and initiatives.


“Winning the Commonwealth Innovation Award lifts my confidence to a greater level and motivates to me work even harder than yesterday and innovate unprecedented solutions to achieve a sustainable future. I pledge to become the voice of the youth transforming the Commonwealth and to Be the Change!” a statement quoting Kaif said.

He has plans to conduct mentorship programs for grass-route innovators to enrich their knowledge and motivate them to work towards social and environmental issues.

“In the upcoming year, I wish to pursue a Masters in Architecture and harness my future career towards STEM innovations and youth leadership in the multilateral domain. I aim to devote my career towards the well-being of the mass,” he added.

The other winners are Marie-Claire N. Kuja, who founded KujaEcoPads to fight period poverty and help improve the lives of women and girls in Cameroon.

She said: “This award will boost the morale of my employees and improve motivation. It will increase our visibility and help to boost the company profile. It will open pathways for partnerships at a global level and bring new connections and networking opportunities.”

Askwar Hilonga invented a low-cost and sustainable water purification system particularly suited to the needs of local people in Tanzania.

Growing up in rural Tanzania, Hilonga suffered from waterborne diseases throughout his childhood. He used his scientific expertise in nanotechnology and his local knowledge to develop a filter based on nanomaterials.

Richard Ochieng Arwa’s background in biochemistry propelled his interest into bio-ethanol fuel manufacturing in Kenya.

It began as a classroom experiment and transformed into a business centred on providing low-income households with affordable clean cooking energy by converting invasive water hyacinth into ethanol fuel.

Joshua Forte of Barbados is a sustainable environmental management practitioner and the founder and CEO of Red Diamond Compost Inc, a biotech social enterprise that focuses on research, development, and commercialization of clean and green agrochemical solutions.

Made primarily from organic waste materials and invasive plant species, the solutions support fragile organisms responsible for building soil structure, storing organic soil carbon, cycling nutrients to plants, and protecting pollinating insects.


Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland applauded the diverse line-up of change-makers during a virtual meeting in the run up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP26.

She said: “Over many decades, the people of the Commonwealth member nations, through the Commonwealth networks which connect us and encourage us to work together, have found pioneering ways of overcoming daunting challenges and of solving seemingly intractable problems.”

ALSO READ-Media House Shortlisted For Prestigious PR Award

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Dubai Events UAE News

Nominations for the School Librarian of the Year Award open

SLOY winners 2021

The award highlights the significant role that librarians play in instilling reading and enhancing the educational process…reports Asian Lite News

The search is on for the UAE’s top school librarians with the return of the prestigious annual School Librarian of the Year Award. Now in its sixth year, the award is given by the The General Secretariat of Executive Council of Dubai and Emirates Literature Foundation to those individuals who have shown exceptional commitment in championing literacy in their schools and sharing their passion for books. It will be awarded in two categories, school librarians working in public (government) schools in the UAE and school librarians working in private schools in the UAE.  

UAE flag

The year award is now open for nominations and will close on 10 November 2021. The winners will be announced in February 2022.

SHUMOUS BIN FARIS, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR AT THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF DUBAI AND COORDINATOR OF READING INITIATIVES, DUBAI: “We believe in the role of reading. It enriches our culture, and our students have so much to gain from books, in all fields of knowledge. That’s why we continue to support the award since its launch. And we continue to instill the habit of reading in future generations, especially as our students go back to the corridors and libraries of their schools.”

“The role librarians play in encouraging reading has never been more important than in the last 18 months, where the pandemic has meant that many children have been learning from home for long periods of time,” said Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, CEO and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation. “Many of our school librarians have gone above and beyond in imparting their enthisuisam and by making sure that their students have had the right books to enable them to flourish during this uncertain time. This has not only been important for their education, but also in making them appreciate the huge benefits reading can have on our wellbeing, offering escape, insight and entertainment.”
ALSO READ:Jumeirah Group launches UAE National Internship Programme

Nominations

Nominations can be put forward by any individual, including colleagues, head teachers, students, governors and parents. Self-nominations are also welcome and encouraged. Librarians will be assessed by a panel of judges through a sifting process and the shortlisted nominees will be visited in their school libraries. All nominees will be offered Professional Development opportunities.

SLOY winners 2021

Eligibility Criteria

All schools are eligible, whatever their language, but nominations must be entered online in either Arabic or English. Shortlisted nominees from both public and private schools will be judged on the library’s role within the school and wider community in line with the following criteria:

•             How does the library environment promote reading?

•             Does the library make the best use of the resources available to it (including the physical library collection and use of technology)?

•             What is the librarian’s, and the library’s role in raising academic and literacy standards in the school?

•             How does the librarian promote reading for pleasure?

•             What is the library’s role within the school and the wider community?

The closing date for nominations is 10 November 2021.