Both the men’s and women’s events at Paris 2024 Olympics will see 124 boxers participate across the different weight classes, an olympics.com report said…reports Asian Lite News
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 69kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, will need to shift weight class for Paris 2024 as her division does not feature among the six categories announced for women’s boxing.
The International Boxing Association (IBA), after working closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sports Department and other stakeholders, has confirmed the weight classes for the Paris Games.
There will be seven divisions (51kg, 57kg, 63.5kg, 71kg, 80kg, 92kg, +92kg) for men compared to the eight at Tokyo 2020. For women competing in Paris 2024, there will be six weight categories (50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg, 75kg), one more than in Tokyo.
Both the men’s and women’s events at Paris 2024 Olympics will see 124 boxers participate across the different weight classes, an olympics.com report said.
The men’s and women’s 69kg which featured at Tokyo 2020 have both been scrapped, which means Lovlina will either need to move down to the 66kg or move up to the 75kg division to compete.
Notably, all of Lovlina’s major international honours, a bronze each at the world and Asian championships and the Tokyo 2020 medal, have come in the 69kg. She will also be competing in the same division at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China later this year.
Meanwhile, boxer Vikas Krishan, who competed in the men’s 69kg category in Tokyo, also faces the same challenge heading into the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle.
Paris 2024 begins in France on July 24. The boxing event, to be held at the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris, starts on July 27 and will run till August 10.
Estanguet revealed how the Paris 2024 organisers came up with the plan to hold the opening ceremony on the Seine…reports Asian Lite News
Paris is determined to hold the 2024 Olympic Games in some ways never tried before, Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 organising committee, has said. The 2024 Olympics will be games open to the public, said Estanguet, who won Olympic gold in C1 canoe slalom at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and London 2012.
“Through an open Games, we have the ambition to bring sport into the heart of Paris, closer to the fans. The first-ever mass participation marathon on the same day and same course of the Olympic marathon, and an Opening Ceremony on the River Seine, are just some of the ways we plan to open up the Games to a wider audience than ever before,” he told Xinhua in an interview.
“As of today, I can say that we haven’t lost sight of that ambition and that our preparations continue to be on track and on budget,” said the former Olympic champion.
Some competitions of the Paris Olympics will take place in the spectacular heritage, culture and historic landmarks of Paris. For example, The Grand Palais will hold fencing and taekwondo, the Champ-de-Mars Arena will stage judo and wrestling.
“We know we are blessed with one of the most beautiful cities in the world and so our ambition right from the very start was to integrate the Games into the City of Paris as much as possible,” said Estanguet.
“Paris is our field of play, and we plan to make the most of it. This will also create some iconic backdrops for television for the benefit of all fans watching from home,” he said.
Estanguet revealed how the Paris 2024 organisers came up with the plan to hold the opening ceremony on the Seine.
“The idea of holding a ceremony in the city itself, on the Seine, arose from the ambition shared by all the stakeholders involved to produce a ceremony that is spectacular, accessible, open to as many people as possible, and which will mark a turning point in the history of the Games,” he told Xinhua.
“It is an ambition that has been welcomed by the IOC, with its President Thomas Bach encouraging Paris 2024 to work towards such a ceremony.”
“Then, after many months of research and work, the idea became more concrete and with the encouraging results of the feasibility studies conducted over recent months.”
“We are planning a spectacular concept for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony that has never been done before: the first to take place out of the stadium, in the heart of the city, on the River Seine, attended by 600,000 people (10 times more than in a stadium) with free access,” Estanguet said.
He said the Paris Olympic organisers are determined to push ahead with their plan despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As of today, our primary focus is to deliver on our ambition. We must not lose sight of it. Of course, we have to plan for, and be ready to adapt to a whole multitude of different potential scenarios in 2024,” he said.
“However, we take great encouragement by the fact that sporting events in France and all around the world are today able to take place in packed stadia. We remain optimistic that COVID-19 will not have a material impact on the successful delivery of our Games in 2024,” he added.
Estanguet ensured that the athletes who will compete in the Paris Olympics will have an enjoyable experience thanks to the involvement of some former Olympians in the management of these Olympics.
“As athletes, we have experienced what it is like to compete on the greatest stage of all. We also understand how important it is for athletes to have a smooth and enjoyable Olympic and Paralympic experience so that they can focus on what really matters — their performances,” he said.
“That’s why right from the very start, we have included Olympians and Paralympians at the very heart of our concept, planning and decision making.”
“Our project is all about putting on an event that is designed both for the athletes and by the athletes. That’s why we’ve set up an 18-member Athletes’ Commission to give them a voice”
“As a former athlete, I often did not get to enjoy the cities I competed in as much as I would have liked. However, thanks to our innovative ceremony, Olympians competing in 2024 will be able to travel on boats 6km up the River Seine and experience many of Paris’ most historic and spectacular landmarks,” he added.
Noura Al Kaabi meets Saudi Minister of Culture in Paris
Both sides discussed areas of cultural cooperation between the UAE and Saudi Arabia…reports Asian Lite News
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, met with Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture, on the sidelines of the 41st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) held in Paris.
Noura Al Kaabi meets Saudi Minister of Culture in Paris
During the meeting, both sides discussed areas of cultural cooperation between the UAE and Saudi Arabia and ways of unifying their cultural visions and efforts, under the framework of relevant international organisations.
Al Kaabi highlighted the importance of the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the two countries, noting the UAE backed a draft resolution proposed by Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia supported three Emirati resolutions during this year’s UNESCO General Conference.
Al Kaabi, also the UAE pavilion commissioner at Expo 2020 Dubai, highlighted the UAE’s support for Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.
The delegation led by KTR will also meet French industrialists and CEOs of various companies to invite investments to Telangana….reports Asian Lite News
Telangana Information Technology and Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday left for France to address the ‘Ambition India Business Forum’.
He will deliver the keynote address at the business event scheduled to be held on October 29, at the French Senate in Paris.
KTR is leading a delegation that includes Principal Secretary, IT and Industries, Jayesh Ranjan and other officials.
This is KTR’s first visit abroad since Covid-19 pandemic broke out last year.
Pic credits Twitter @MinisterKTR
He will also meet French industrialists and CEOs of various companies to invite investments to Telangana.
The French government invited the minister to address the Forum.
Ambassador of France Emmanuel Lenain had sent a letter to the minister a few days ago. “We believe it creates a great momentum between France and India and would provide a good occasion to promote the State of Telangana. I would hence like to invite you to participate in person in Ambition India 2021, as a keynote speaker after the roundtable ‘Growth: Drafting the future of Indo-French relations in a post-Covid era’,” the ambassador wrote.
“It would be an honour for us to welcome you at the French Senate and organise high-level meetings for you with the French investors,” he added.
KTR had expressed happiness over receiving the invitation and stated that this would be a great global platform to highlight the investment opportunities existing in Telangana.
As part of the Forum, there will be several round tables on doing business in India, healthcare, climate, digital transformation as well as agribusiness. B2B meetings between French and Indian companies are also scheduled during the event.
The business event organised under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron aims to foster trade and investment relations between France and India. It enables companies to be aware of the challenges of the Indian market as well as learn more about investment opportunities through updates on the Indian government’s economic policies and regulatory specificities.
During the previous Ambition India edition, the Forum hosted 700 participants virtually, spread over two sessions with more than 400 companies online, eager to know more about bilateral cooperation.
The protest saw the participation of hundreds of Uyghur youth who had travelled from various European countries as well as public figure…reports Asian Lite News
More than 2000 people gathered in Paris on October 2 and demonstrated against the ongoing rights violations of Uyghurs in Xinjiang by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The protest was organised by multiple Uyghur organisations including the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Institute of Europe. The protest saw the participation of hundreds of Uyghur youth who had travelled from various European countries as well as public figures like Raphael Glucksmann, Member of European Parliament (MEP) and French actress Lucie Lucas.
Thousands protest in Paris against China’s rights violation in Xinjiang. Pic credits : Philarty
The protestors marched from Bastille square to place de ka Republique shouting slogans ‘genocide in progress’ and ‘Save the Uyghurs’ and carrying banners and East Turkestan flags. During the speeches, a call was made to the international community to cancel all agreements between the European Union and China as well as boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022.
Further, many speakers denounced the complicity of multinational fashion companies like Zara, Hugo Boss and Uniqlo, who continued to buy products produced by forced Uyghur labour.
Earlier, the same day, the NGO ‘SumofUs’ in association with the World Uyghur Congress, held a protest outside the flagship Zara store in Paris’s Champs-Elysees, against the brand’s sourcing material from China that used Uyghur labour. This protest, timed to coincide with the Paris Fashion Week, was intended to draw the attention of other fashion brands to stop sourcing commodities from Xinjiang.
Thousands protest in Paris against China’s rights violation in Xinjiang. Pic credits: Philarty
Assal Khamraeva -Aubert, the World Uyghur Congress’s representative in France and co-organiser of the event called on the French government to consider halting imports of products from Xinjiang that were produced using forced Uyghur labour. She added that the WUC hoped that apart from the international community recognising the Uyghur genocide, which would be a ‘symbolic victory’ it was also important to have an impact at the “economic level’.
Ibrahim Bechrouri, campaign manager of “SumOfUs” warned that similar protests would be organised in other European capitals including in Spain.
Some of the protestors specified the demands made by the movement, in particular, “the cancellation of the treaties signed between the European Union and China but also the cancellation of the Olympic Games in Beijing 2022”, due to the “massacre” of Uyghurs. (ANI)
Both Brazil and Denmark are UN Global Champions for Energy Transition….reports Asian Lite News
India is on track to achieve Paris Agreement’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) limit of 40 per cent installed power capacity from non-fossil sources, and will be able to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent over 2005 levels by 2030, said Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Bhagwanth Khuba.
The minister was addressing an event on ‘Ambition to Impact: Opportunities for Global Collaboration in India’s Clean Energy Economy’ at the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE).
The event was co-organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York, and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) on Friday.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of India to the UN, T.S. Tirumurti said in a video message, “India is aiming to deliver universally accessible and sustainable energy at rational prices through several citizen-centric measures. India is constantly engaging with international communities through global initiatives to achieve its targets.”
According to an official communique, “The webinar showcased India’s efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through a citizen-centric energy transition and focused on enhancing the speed of India’s clean energy deployment through global collaboration. It discussed the multilateral efforts required for this transition through conducive international policies, co-development of technologies, pooled finances for demonstrations, and investments to create markets and scale up deployment.”
Expressing strong support for India’s clean energy and climate action initiatives, the Ambassador of Brazil, Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, and the Ambassador of Denmark, Freddy Svane, talked about ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation with India with targeted focus on the field of renewable energy.
Both Brazil and Denmark are UN Global Champions for Energy Transition.
“This is the meaning of the meetings being held today within the G7 and in the UN Security Council, where we are carrying a resolution to this end with the US, Germany and the UK,” he said…reports Asian Lite News.
France has set conditions for the recognition of the Taliban as the new rulers of Afghanistan, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Paris said, adding that “we expect deeds, not words”.
“We are working to form the largest possible international consensus on this subject in cooperation with our partners,” Xinhua news agency quoted the spokesman as saying on Monday.
The country’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian had set five conditions for the recognition of the Taliban government: respect for humanitarian law to allow some Afghans to leave the country; clarity vis-a-vis terrorist movements; respect for rights, particularly of women; acceptance of humanitarian aid on Afghan territory; and the constitution of an inclusive government.
Commenting on the virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers from several countries to discuss their next steps in Afghanistan, the spokesman said that “our common objective is to guarantee the continuation of the humanitarian evacuations of all women and men threatened because of their commitments and who still wish to leave the country by all possible means and in particular by the rapid, safe and secure reopening of Kabul airport”.
“This is the meaning of the meetings being held today within the G7 and in the UN Security Council, where we are carrying a resolution to this end with the US, Germany and the UK,” he said.
President Emmanuel Macron told journalists on Sunday that Paris and London would present a draft resolution for the creation of a “safe zone under UN control” in the Afghan capital Kabul to allow humanitarian operations to continue.
France had evacuated some 3,000 people from Afghanistan before its operation ended ON August 27.
Ethnic groups stage protest in Paris against China's abusive policies on CCP centenary( Pic credits ANI)
During the demonstration, protestors organised street plays to depict China’s crack down on critics …reports Asian Lite News
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, anti-China and dissident groups including Tibetans, Uyghurs, the Falun Gong and Mongolians gathered in front of the French Foreign Ministry on Thursday to protest against the abusive policies of the Chinese regime.
During the demonstration, the protestors enacted street plays to depict how China was muzzling the voices of dissent and carrying out human rights abuses against the various ethnic groups, especially Uyghurs.
Ethnic groups stage protest in Paris against China’s abusive policies on CCP centenary( Pic credits ANI)
China has earned the ire of the international community for gross human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in an attempt to erase their cultural identity. Reportedly, over two million Uyghurs are detained in internment camps in Xinjiang, where they endure torture, indoctrination and other atrocities.
Meanwhile, in what is believed to be a historic decision, a Paris court has called for an investigation in “concealment of crimes against humanity” against clothing brands like Zara, Uniqlo and SMCP because their products are made through forced labour by Uyghurs.
The decision of the court was following a complaint filed by Uyghur Institute Europe, Sherpa and the Bourdon Law firm. The investigation will be carried out by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s office. Earlier, the United States had announced a series of actions aimed against forced labour in China’s Xinjiang.
Ethnic groups stage protest in Paris against China’s abusive policies on CCP centenary( Pic credits ANI)
The Biden administration seeks to ensure that the US continues to remove goods made with forced labour from the supply chains through actions by the Department of Homeland Security’s US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Labor.
“These actions demonstrate our commitment to imposing additional costs on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for engaging in cruel and inhumane forced labour practices and ensuring that Beijing plays by the rules of fair trade as part of the rules-based international order.
The United States believes that state-sponsored forced labour in Xinjiang is both an affront to human dignity and an example of the PRC’s unfair economic practices,” the White House said.
Asian Lite’s FnB columnist Riccha Grrover in conversation with India’s First Certified Bakery, Pastry and Chocolate expert-chefpreneur Sahil Mehta on his bakery and pastry brand in India, called Paris My Love
Chef Sahil Mehta is India’s First Certified Bakery, Pastry and Chocolate expert. His early life was spent in Paris, France which gave him the exposure to the French Culture of Dining.
Sahil Mehta
Chef Sahil completed his education from one of the most reputed school in Paris , L’ecole Internationale de sevres. And further to this he graduated in hotel management from Santos Dumont Paris and went on to study as prestigious institutions such as Lenotre ( Harvard of bakery schools) and at 3 Michelin Alain Ducasses institute. He is trained in Decoupage de fruits de Mer et Fromage, Flambage, Blind Chocolate tasting, innovative pastry creation, bar management, restaurant and patisserie management.
He has worked with Ritz – Paris, Bristol , Salon Wilson, Travelers club m hotel Baltimore, potel et chabot , roland Garros and Unesco in Paris. Chef Sahil returned to India in 2010 and has established bakeries across the country for many hotels , chefs and standalone ventures.
Chef Sahil has been behind brands like L’opera, Chocodiva , Renaissance , Bread et More, Cravity , Honey & Dough , Tesu , Fleur De Lis , The artful baker , Red Mango , Brooklyn bakehouse, Meette , La Mia , Paris my love etc.
He says “My philosophy is simple : Passion is my main ingredient , which reflects in my products and the joy of having loyal clients makes me work harder. I very often travel to France to upgrade my skills.”
RICCHA GRROVER- Tell us about your journey as a chef, did you always plan to be a professional chef or dabble into it as an extension of a hobby?
SAHIL MEHTA– I moved to France in 1993 where I had the opportunity to experience the French way of hospitality. Once I completed my education I decided to do a hotel management course. Further on, when I came back to India, I saw a great opportunity in the bakery and pastry field in India as a chef. Hence I went back to Paris and did a chef’s course in patisserie & boulangerie. That in a nutshell is my journey on how chef life all started!
RG– What have been the challenges to the FnB industry in Covid times and what difficulties have you overcome a FnB entrepreneur in these times?
SM– COVID times have been challenging for the FnB industry in many ways. Delivery service was a very big challenge for a bakery and pastry product such as ours. Delhi summer is very challenging the products could only travel in an air conditioned vehicle and we also had to ensure that our delivery person is safe and protected. There for we decided to stick to delivering in our personal vehicles instead of outsourcing as we didn’t want multiple people entering the premises to collect the orders. We also tried to keep our outstation staff stay at the premises to avoid unnecessary movement . We started our kitchen operations with a limited menu to test the waters during COVID times, there was definitely a need / demand for bakery and pastry products of this niche quality and as everybody was sitting in the house therefore cloud kitchen model to cope with pandemic times was definitely the way forward. We could make a larger audience who are used to travelling for this quality of products abroad taste it and know about the brand with word of mouth promotions that have helped us sail smoothly in a post-Covid world.
Sahil Mehta’s tribute to Paris
RG- What makes Paris my love a unique bakery brand? What inspired you to start this bespoke baking venture? What are the top 5 eats from your curated menu you recommend a first-timer to try.
SM-Through all the culinary consultancies that I have done over time, I realised that each time I set up something with pure passion, post my exit the clients compromise on quality somewhere to economise perhaps hence I started Paris, my love, with the vision of remaining with it, making it authentic and use the best of ingredients, so I guess authenticity and originality make us unique.
Five things I recommend a try are, 1) Zebra 2) Croissants 3) French Country bread 4) Bella 5) Almond Croissant
RG– What is it that keeps you inspired in your profession? What words of advice do you have for budding FnB chefpreneurs?
SM-The ability to be able to create with innovation and the fact that our patrons are a repeat clientele- this sure keeps me inspired. My two top tips of advice would be- Be original, be authentic.
RG- What have been the biggest highs in your artisanal bakery project and what is your vision for it in the future?
SM-Our regular and repeat customers, most of who have become friends and part of Paris my love family is the ultimate high.
The vision that I have for the brand is to be able to spread taste and brand authenticity far and wide and be able to educate people on the same along the way with our products taste speaking for itself and leading by example.
RG– You are said to be India’s First Certified Bakery, Pastry and Chocolate Expert from the Harvard of Bakery Schools Lenotre, France. Is this a big responsibility to showcase French pastries right in the Indian context?
SM– To be from the Mecca of pastry and baking and an institution of that acclaim and repute as such comes with a lot of responsibility indeed. And I walk this journey with gusto, commitment and passion each day to honour that sense of responsibility!
Chef Sahil Mehta, the brainchild behind Paris my love has over 22 years of experience in the food industry in India and France. He spent his childhood and early years growing up in Paris where he developed a strong liking for fine food and gourmet desserts eventually which he converted into his passion.
Chef Sahil Mehta has catered his desserts for many high profile weddings for the Ambanis and Reddys. He has won Pastry/ Bakery chef of the year for Artful Baker in 2015, he was the guest of honour and jury at the Magicka Bakers Awards 2017.
Now with Paris my love, he is concentrating on dessert caterings for weddings, baby showers, high teas, private parties, private chef tables and catering to individual discerning clients. Paris my love aims at creating a world-class pastry and bakery experience for the Indian audience.
Chef Sahil signed off by stating “Paris my love for me is my tribute to Paris in India. Our vision is to bring the best savoire faire francais to each Indian doorstep using the best and the topmost quality ingredients without any compromise on quality.”
