30th Mahasamadhi Day of Dr. Swami Rama celebrated with grandeur

By
newspost
-
0
The 30th Mahasamadhi Day of Dr. Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT), was observed with great reverence and grandeur at the Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU), Jolly Grant.

Dehradun, November 13: The 30th Mahasamadhi Day of Dr. Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT), was observed with great reverence and grandeur at the Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU), Jolly Grant.

The Chief Guest, Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), in his address, described Dr. Swami Rama as a “heritage of humanity” whose life was devoted to the service of mankind. He praised Swami Rama’s efforts in promoting compassion, education, and healthcare as instruments of human upliftment.

Dr. Vijay Dhasmana, President of SRHU and Member of the Governing Body of HIHT, shared memorable anecdotes related to the founder and highlighted the glorious journey of the institution. He reiterated that HIHT continues to follow Swami Rama’s vision of selfless service and holistic development. He added, “Guided by Gurudev Dr. Swami Rama’s philosophy of ‘Yoga: Karmasu Kaushalam’, HIHT continues to play a leading role in social transformation. This Mahasamadhi Day reminds us to honor his eternal legacy and remain steadfast on the path of human service.”

During the ceremony, 39 employees of the institution were honored with the ‘Outstanding Employee Awards’ in various categories. The HIHT Annual Calendar 2026 was also released on the occasion. The event concluded with a community feast (Bhandara) in which thousands of devotees and visitors partook in the sacred meal Prominent attendees included Swami Rituwan Bharati, Head of Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama, Rishikesh; Prof. Rajendra Dobhal, Vice Chancellor; Dr. Mohan Swami, former Chancellor; Dr. Prakash Keshaviah, Dr. Renu Dhasmana, and others. The program was ably conducted by Garima Kapoor.

Earlier, Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) visited the Swami Rama Centre, where he paid floral tributes to the revered founder and viewed a photo exhibition depicting Dr. Swami Rama’s life, philosophy, and humanitarian work. He said, “Dr. Swami Rama’s contribution through education and healthcare is unparalleled. He is not just India’s but the world’s spiritual heritage. His life teaches us that true humanity lies in serving others. Today, as we remember him, we reaffirm our commitment to spreading compassion and service in society.”

Since 2003, the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) has been presenting the Swami Rama Humanitarian Award annually to an individual or organization contributing exceptionally to the fields of social welfare, environment, science, economics, or spirituality This year, the Swami Rama Humanitarian Award 2025 was conferred upon ‘Sumangali Seva Ashram’, Karnataka — a social organization dedicated to community welfare. The award comprises ₹10 lakh, a citation, and a gold medal. Dr. S. G. Sushilamma, Founder and Chairperson of Sumangali Seva Ashram, received the honor on behalf of the institution.

Founded in 1975 by Dr. S. G. Sushilamma (Founder-Chairperson) and M. Kanthamma (Secretary), the ashram has been tirelessly serving destitute women, orphaned children, the elderly, and economically disadvantaged communities for nearly five decades.

Its major initiatives include:

Premananda Makkala Kutira (Home for Children)

Ragpickers Rehabilitation Centre

174 Anganwadi Centers

Souharda Short Stay Home (Shelter for Women in Crisis)

Punyakoti Vanaprasthashram (Old Age Home)

Self-Help Groups, Schools, Primary Health Centers, and Mobile Clinics.

Through integrated work in education, health, women’s empowerment, and social justice, the ashram has become a beacon of compassion, self-reliance, and humanitarian service.

Scholarships for 108 Underprivileged Children

The Rural Development Department of SRHU awarded scholarships to 108 students from Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, and Tehri districts. Each student received ₹9,700 as part of the university’s outreach initiative. These children include those who are differently abled, orphaned, living with a single parent, or from economically challenged backgrounds but have demonstrated excellence in academics.

A devotional concert titled ‘Shanti Ki Swar Dhara’ (Flow of Peace) was held in the university auditorium. Renowned Japanese musician and peace ambassador Hiroki Okano captivated the audience with his soulful flute recital, filling the atmosphere with devotion and serenity.

SRHU Outstanding Employee Awards 2025

Teacher of the Year: Dr. Garima Mittal, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Pandey, Preeti Prabha
Researcher of the Year: Dr. Manish Raturi
Clinician Award: Dr. Rakhi Khanduri
Administrative Staff Award: Dr. Vineet Mehrotra, Chandra Shekhar Pant, Gaura
Nursing Staff Award: Sunil Kumar Gupta, Rashel Shalini Bodhan, Abdul Kalam, Indraj Saini, Rakesh Kumar Singh
Para-Clinical Award: Mukesh Silswal, Jyoti Rathore, Mukul Mohan, Sushil Saklani
Office Staff Award: Ashu Bahuguna, Surendra Singh Bhandari, Deep Chandra Joshi, Anuj Sindhwal, Bipin Singh, Vishal Tomar
Supporting Staff Award: Pramod Kothari, Sanjeev Kumar, Satish Chandra Pant, Manmohan Bhatt, Kamleshwar Prasad Thapliyal, Sonu Negi, Rohit Jamoli, Mukesh, Tauqeer Hussain, Arvind Kumar, Ramesh Krishali
Outreach Services Award: Jyoti Sharma
Housekeeping Award: Manoj, Lalit Gurung, Dev Bahadur, Rohit

1st Edition of Mussoorie Ultra Marathon on 23rd November

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
-
0
Mussoorie Ultra Marathon

Dateline Mussoorie:   The hill station of Mussoorie is set to host its first edition of Ultra Marathon on the 23rd of November. The marathon is being dedicated to the memory of Mussoorie’s homegrown Late Padmashree Actor-Author Tom Alter.

Telling us more Sandeep Sahni stated, “The idea germinated in 2015. On his yearly visits to Mussoorie I use to meet Tom frequently and he always dreamt of making his hometown a hub for sports, a topic close to his heart. It was back then that he envisioned a full marathon in Mussoorie and now years later is it finally taking shape.”

Taking Tom’s vision forward the Mussoorie Hotel Association, Traders Association Mussoorie, Mussoorie Sports Club, Mussoorie Municipal Board along with the Uttarakhand Tourism Board have joined hands to make this dream into a reality.

In a video message shared by Jamie Alter, Tom Alter’s son, he thanked those who were organizing the run stating, “the dream my father had is being realized thanks to some lovely people who knew him very well in our hometown in Mussoorie,” He appealed to the masses, “to come, run, watch, support and most importantly and see the greatness of Mussoorie and its people.”

Though this is the town’s maiden event, the partners hope that Mussoorie Ultra Marathon becomes a part of its annual calendar attracting tourists by promoting health, fitness and physical strength during the off-season months where participants get a chance to test their endurance running along the first foothills of the Himalaya with a 5 km run, 10 km run, 21 km, a 42.2 kms full marathon and the 50 km Ultra Marathon.

Targeting anywhere between 300 to 400 registrations, the event offers 50% discount for local residents who register. Thus far, close to 200 participants from across the country have registered for the marathon.

While Chairperson, Mussoorie Municipal Board Meera Saklani and Rahul Anand, SDM Mussoorie will flag off the marathon, the felicitation will be by Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi and Tom Alter’s author-sportsperson son Jamie Alter.

To register click on the link : http://www.mussoorieultra.com/

TEMPLE-CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF ‘WORSHIPPING CINEMA’

By
newspost
-
0
TEMPLE turns 25

Dateline Mumbai / Sydney: Twenty-five years ago, one of the first Indian born film graduate from Sydney finished a thesis on Indian cinema and founded films & casting TEMPLE with the motto of “Worshipping Cinema” turning cultural curiosity into a niche industry linking two of the world’s most dynamic screen cultures. TEMPLE has since grown into a pioneering force that reshaped how Australia and India see, shoot, and celebrate each other on screen.

From Dil Chahta Hai and Heyy Babyy to Love Story 2050, TEMPLE, Australia’s first India-specialist film production and consultancy company, celebrates 25 years of a legacy built across over 400 projects and a bridge that changed how India and Australia make movies together.

Anupam Sharma

Founded in 2000 by Anupam Sharma a filmmaker and film entrepreneur once named Czar of Bollywood in Australia as one of the 50 most powerful Australian film professionals, TEMPLE shot to fame with its first few projects for Mr. Feroz Khan, Mr. Rakesh Roshan, Mr Yash Johar, Mr. Aditiya Chopra / Mr. Yash Chopra and then came Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh with Dil Chahta Hai. Over the years, TEMPLE’s high end professional team has not only powered some of Indian cinema’s iconic shoots in Australia, but also provided high end consultancy and crew in India. From animatronics support for Koi Mil Gaya to stunt driving for Dhoom,  fire sequences for Om Shanti Om, and stunts for Lakshya. When Bollywood came calling, Australia opened its arms with TEMPLE leading the charge.

The company also made history by conceptualising the Australia–India Film Fund, announced by the then Prime Minister of Australia in India, producing the cross-cultural hit unINDIAN starring Brett Lee and Tannishtha Chatterjee, which became the first Australian film ever featured on The Kapil Sharma Show. beaming Australian storytelling into millions of Indian homes.

Under the TEMPLE banner

TEMPLE has been a go to for all major professional projects for India’s massive ad industry. From commercials with Percept, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Billoo Sandhu and Kunal Kapoor to campaigns for Tourism Australia and Destination have been among the biggest ever filmed in Australia.

These collaborations soon became a two way street. The company became the first Australian production house to be awarded a project by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to promote Australian films and talent in India, apart from being part of the first India centric Australian reality show Bollywood Star and shooting iconic Australian TV in India. A recognition of TEMPLE’s unmatched understanding of both markets

As it celebrates its silver jubilee, TEMPLE is ramping up a slate of India centric Australian feature films with development support by Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, and Screen NSW among others. An India-Australia co-production treaty in place, a growing Indian diaspora, and the rising success of Bollywood films in Australia, the timing couldn’t be better.

Adding to the celebrations, TEMPLE’s award-winning documentary Brand Bollywood Downunder exploring the India-Australia film connection featuring who’s who of Bollywood icons has just premiered on Netflix ANZ, poetically echoing the company’s 25-year journey.
“It’s cinema karma,” smiles Sharma. “A film about India-Australia film links goes on Netflix ANZ right as we turn 25.

Under his leadership, TEMPLE has launched the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) the country’s first national Indian film festival, showcasing the range and richness of Indian cinema to Australian audiences. The festival opened with overwhelming response and support from Australian and Indian government and private agencies, already expanding to regional Australia.

The company’s footprint is deeply embedded in the creative DNA of both countries. Says Anupam Sharma. “These 25 years are a celebration of Australia’s diversity, of India’s creative reach, and of the enduring power of cinema to connect cultures. A perfect arranged marriage between the most prolific and most professional film industries.”

Spotlight on breast cancer in women under 40

By
Anjali Nauriyal
-
0
Breast Cancer Awareness

Increased incidence of Breast cancer in women under 40 has set alarm bells ringing for medical practitioners. Shielding young girls from Breast Cancer should be our foremost concern in our restorative concerns for posterity. International Conference on Young Women’s Breast Cancer and Health, scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in New Delhi to address this menace.

Breast Cancer in Young Women in proliferating in the context of increased prevalence of toxins in our immediate environment and lack of a safety mindset.This pernicious and largely lethal disease is currently seen to be mainly affecting women under 40— in India and worldwide, with the trend expected to continue until 2040 in India.

This rise is partly due to limited awareness of breast cancer and its preventable risk factors among young adults, lack of self-breast care, and the absence of screening programs for this age group, along with biological factors that are still poorly understood.

This concerning trend not only threatens the lives of young women but also presents unique medical, personal, and social challenges that are not usually seen in older patients.

To address this gap, the Breast Cancer in Young Women (BCYW) Foundation’s global partner, Indian Oncology Foundation (IOF), is hosting its second international conference on Young Women’s Breast Cancer and Health, on November 15–16, 2025, in New Delhi.

The conference would be chaired by Dr. Ashok Vaid, Chairman of Medanta Cancer Institute and Founder of the Indian Oncology Foundation, and Prof. Rakesh Kumar, PhD, Founder and CEO of the BCYW Foundation, USA, and International Endowed Chair Professor at Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun.

“Today’s 18-year-old is tomorrow’s at-risk woman,” said Prof. Kumar. “We must dismantle the misconception that breast cancer is only a disease of older women. Eighty-five percent of cases are not linked to family history—timely awareness and proactive self-care are key to early detection. I believe that early empowerment of young women will have a lasting impact on women’s health and lives.”

This groundbreaking conference will bring together global thought leaders, medical pioneers, and advocates to address key issues in breast cancer in young women. As a pioneering event in India and Asia, it will gather a diverse, multidisciplinary group of national and international experts involved in breast cancer research and treatment, including Nobel Laureate and renowned biochemist Dr. Aaron Ciechanover, from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and Prof. Michael Gnant from Vienna, Austria, who chairs the famous Saint Gallen Breast Cancer Consensus Meeting.

In addition to medical specialists, the conference will feature voices of breast cancer survivors and advocates, including acclaimed Indian actress Mahima Chaudhry.

Its main goal is to equip healthcare professionals and young women with essential knowledge, prevention strategies, actionable insights, and treatment options.

Submitted by :Anjali Nauriyal, PhD, BCYW Foundation’s Global Ambassador – Uttarakhand

The Classic Himalayan Drive 25 rolls into Mussoorie tomorrow

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
-
0
The Classic Himalayan Car Rally At The Savoy, Mussoorie

Dateline Mussoorie: Spanning over a hundred years, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels The Savoy, Mussoorie has always been a regular pitstop for the participants of The Classic Himalayan Drive 25 as they make their iconic journey through the mountains, and this year too the hotel carries forward this tradition.

Turning back the clock, car rally drivers, enthusiasts, volunteers will recreate a part of history as they congregate first at the Royal Ballroom for the customary Cake Mixing ceremony a symbol of ushering in good tidings and happiness followed by Hi-tea at the Royal Ballroom and then a lavish dinner at the Central Lawn.  Kishore Kaya, Owner & Chairperson Welcomhotel The Savoy describes the event as, “it is indeed an honour and a moment of great pride for the hotel to host this remarkable turnout and carry on the baton that was passed on to us years ago.”  

Cake Mixing at The Savoy, Mussoorie

The hill-station and its residents too will witness these forty vintage  beauties roll onto the Mall road tomorrow evening as the magic of the setting sun adds to the beauty of the winter line.

Gautam Valli, General Manager added, “The event is proudly supported by Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, The Savoy, Mussoorie and Club ITC,  as we continue to celebrate the enduring spirit of motoring heritage and timeless hospitality.”

Following morning i.e. 5th November, the beauties on wheel will be flagged off  by  Minister for Agriculture Shri Ganesh Joshi, Owner and Chairman , Welcomhotel The Savoy Mrs & Mr Kishore Kaya, Author & Poet, Ruskin Bond and Author & Historian Ganesh Saili as the cars set off on their way to Kufri in Himanchal Pradesh before arriving at the finishing line in Chandigarh.

The Classic Himalayan Drive 25 marks yet another page in the annals of history of not only Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, The Savoy but also the Queen of Hills, Mussoorie too.

VoW Litfest ‘Poetry Cafe’ Sways Doonites

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
-
0
VoW 2025 Poetry Cafe

Dateline Dehradun: The Poetry Cafe session of the 9th Valley of Words | Shabdavali Literature and Art Festival 2025, was convened on the inaugural day, October 25, 2025 of the Festival at the Madhuban Hotel in the Shabdawali Hall and featured a captivating inter-generational ensemble of five poets from Doon Valley.
​
​The panel of poets represented a professional and educational cross-section of society, including an educationist, a lawyer, a wildlife activist, a psychologist, and an entrepreneur. The participants ranged from the octogenarian Ms. Harjit Lally to the youngest poet, Ms. Nikita Agarwal. They were joined by Mr. Ajay Jugraan, Ms. Dipanjali Singh, and Ms. Shubhra Pandey. The session was moderated by Ms. Aditi Bist from the Department of English, Doon University, Dehradun.
​
​The session’s richness stemmed from the diverse and deeply personal themes presented by the poets:

​Ms. Lally addressed topics considered traditionally taboo, including Infatuation, Sex, and Silence, underscoring the vital components of love that enrich the human experience. ​She also sung out a self-composed folk song dedicated to military wives awaiting their husbands return.

Left to Right: Ajay Jugran, Shubra Pandey, Aditi Bist (Moderator)

​Mr. Jugraan began by reading a stirring poem focused on the vagaries of the Ukraine battlefield using the national flower of Ukraine, the sunflower, as a symbol. He followed that up with a love poem and ended with nature-inspired Haikus drawn from his recently published anthology, Haiku No Hanataba.

Ms. Pandey delivered an emotionally charged tribute to the martyrs of Operation Sindoor and their families, and a lyrical homage to her late mother.​

Ms. Singh recited poems detailing the profound inspiration of her daughters, the muses for her creative work.

​Ms. Agarwal brought out a contemporary focus, discussing the symbolic significance of the colour yellow and exploring, through verse, the mental health demons prevalent in the modern era.

The session was full of intermittent applause from the audience and ended similarly with many taking selfies and seeking autographs from the poets. The Poetry Cafe has been an a consistent part of the VoW schedule and has seen a growing fan-following with each passing tear.

Book Review: On Mullingar Hill by Joyce Burkhalter   

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
-
0
On Mullingar Hill by Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger

ON MULLINGAR HILL: Memory, Movement, and Belonging in a Himalayan a Hill Station

By Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger

Hardcover: Primus Books                                                                          

Pages 337                                                                   

Price: Rs 2450

On Mullingar Hill stretches from the edge of Mullingar and makes it way down to Clock Tower, Mussoorie. Written in the interview format, On Mullingar Hill  recounts oral stories and personal narratives of twenty-odd families who live  in this narrow stretch. Over 311 pages the author takes the reader by the hand, guiding him/her from shop to store; from one home into another, and the book peels back layers of their lives and the place they call home.

From Northern Stores the book ends at Vinod Kumar and Surbhi Agarwal: Vinod’s Art & Antiques and Mussoorie Heritage Centre. Joyce writes with passion about families who have over generations made Landour Bazaar their home.

In Mansa Ram Cricket lives Mohmmad Tahir and Gulam Nabi, who are bakers from Ghoghas in Tehri Garhwal. ‘So, in 1947, when there was some unrest between Hindus and Muslims, and some people from Pakistan came to India, and some from India went to Pakistan  – in the time of my dada, there was the Charles Bakery. And my father used to work there,’ says Mohmmad Tahir. ‘The Raja of Tehri brought us here. Our family members used to make glass bangles (churis). We used to decorate the top of the glass (he shows indented lines in the glass, painted gold). If we hadn’t stopped that profession, we would all own bangle factories now. But our ancestors left bangle-making.’

The author takes the reader back to her days at the nearby school, where Tahir’s father would be found sitting outside the gates selling ‘tuck’, a small shop selling candies and packaged snacks to students. Opening a battered tin trunk that he carried on his back revealed a wide array of pastries and candies. His speciality was macaroons and home-made toffees. Tahir repeated a litany that maps households across the hillside with a tin trunk carried on his head. His list created a geographic and social network between the British-era houses – Ellengown, Bothwell Bank, Fairview, Firs Cottage, Pennington, South Hill, and so many others.

On the narrow road above Mansaram Cricket is another small shoemaker shop, owned by  father and son duo, Sonu Ram Bhatia and his son Ranveer who for years have  cobbled and sold hand-crafted sandals to hordes  of tourists descending up Landour.  Ranveer’s great-grandfather came to these hills from Mandi in nearby Himachal Pradesh. Though they live in nearby Jaunpur, at home the family still speaks a dialect of Himachali. Will they go to Himachal? But for Sonu and Ranveer, the point of no return was crossed a long time ago.

‘There is no one there now. Our uncle also passed away. His family is there, and we have left everything to them.  We are not going to take these things with us; one day, we will leave everything behind. We are doing well here; we are earning well, eating well.’

Around the bend, you will find  Jaswinder Singh, or ‘Smarty Singh’  (as the entire bazaar calls him). You will find him directing traffic on the steep hill, helping tourists and taxi drivers from the plains negotiate the incline opposite his shop. Originally, his family came here from the hills, across the border, and after the initial struggle, settled down in these hills.

What keeps him here?

‘The people here – Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs  – they all live in harmony. They all come to each other’s affairs -festivals, weddings and funerals. He says: ‘ If I am not feeling well, they will come and ask: ‘What happened? Is everything alright? Why didn’t you open the shop yesterday?’  ‘If I am sick and in the hospital, they will come to see me. You don’t have this gesture in Delhi, in metropolitan cities, not even in Dehradun. This thing is only in Mussoorie. If someone dies, the whole bazaar is closed; everyone gathers to pay their condolences for the family, and they go with the dead body as it is carried down the hill until it is taken for cremation on a vehicle.’

On Mullingar Hill is a labour of love for Landour Bazaar – a ‘home’ to everyone who at some point of time was an ‘outsider.’ This excellent piece of research could well be your personal guide as you make your way up the narrow lane of good old Landour Bazaar!

VoW 2025: Dev Bhoomi Mein Mahabharat

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
-
0
Devbhoomi maine Mahabharat

Dateline Dehradun: The ninth edition of the Valley of Words | Shabdavali International Literature and Arts Festival commenced on the 25th and 26th of October at Hotel Madhuban, Dehradun. The festival marked yet another milestone in celebrating literary and artistic excellence, with eight authors being honoured with the prestigious REC-VoW Book Awards across different categories. Alongside literature, the festival also highlighted Uttarakhand’s vibrant heritage with a series of sessions dedicated to the state’s heritage and creative traditions.

Among the many engaging discussions, a session titled “Dev Bhoomi Mein Mahabharat” was organized at the festival’s Shabdavali Hall. The session was moderated by Navneet Gairola, an acclaimed Indian actor and radio presenter, known for his roles in Paan Singh Tomar and The Kashmir Files. With an extensive background in theatre and media. Mr.Gairola also teaches Mass Communication, hosts programs on Radio Zindagi 90.8 FM, and is actively involved in promoting environmental awareness through the Eco Group Society in Dehradun.

Welcoming the speakers and participants, Mr.Gairola initiated a thought-provoking discussion that explored the historical connection between Uttarakhand and the epic Mahabharata. Cultural historian, author, and heritage conservationist Lokesh Ohri reflected on how the epic resonates through Uttarakhand’s traditions, citing examples such as the Pandav Nritya of Jaunsar and local customs that preserve the essence of the Mahabharata. Bureaucrat – Author Neha Mittal further shed light on the existence of the Lakshagrah site in Lakhamandal, Uttarakhand, believed to hold mythological significance in the epic. Researcher and storyteller Ashish Bhandari added a cultural perspective, describing how local communities still maintain subtle distinctions between the descendants of the Pandavas and Kauravas within their oral narratives.

Speaking to Newspost, Ashish Bhandari said, “Right from the word go, it has been a beautiful experience. As a storyteller, I have always believed in the power of stories to shape our thoughts and make us more connected and when I narrated two stories from Mahabharat based in Uttarakhand, it did connect the audience which had a substantial participation from students.”

Neha Mittal added, “Speaking at the Valley of Words (VoW) Litfest was a wonderful experience! The energy, depth, and warmth of the session was full of inspiring conversation and diverse ideas. ”

Concluding the session, the panelists as well as audience remarked that Mahabharata in Uttarakhand is vast and profound, deserving several more sessions to explore its many dimensions. The event concluded with insightful reflections, light-hearted exchanges, and an enduring appreciation for Uttarakhand’s cultural and literary depth.

Doonite Anjali Nauriyal is BCYW Foundation Ambassador

By
newspost
-
0
Dr. Anjali Nauriyal

Dateline Dehradun: In a significant recognition of her multifaceted contributions to journalism, culture, and social causes, Dr Anjali Nauriyal, an eminent journalist, academic, actor, and cultural researcher from Uttarakhand, has been appointed as the Ambassador of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (BCYW Foundation, Denver, USA). A role where she is expected to spearhead awareness initiatives focused on early detection and prevention of breast cancer among young women in the region.

Dr Nauriyal began her journalism career in the early 1990s and went on to become the editor of one of Uttarakhand’s first regional English magazines. She later served as Assistant Professor at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), where she taught English Literature at the Army Cadet College affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University. Combining her literary acumen with her passion for communication, she joined The Times Group and played a pivotal role in launching The Times of Doon, an innovative supplement published along with Times of India which was devoted to issues of Uttarakhand’s development, culture, and environment.

Her professional journey has been equally rich in other domains, having served as Features Editor at Garhwal Post and as Media Head at Himalayan Hospital and Swami Rama Himalayan University. As an actor, she has left her mark in films such as Maazi, Viraam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, The Bathtub, Pieces of Partition, 5th September, Qais Laila, and the web series, Peshawar.

A Senior Fellow of the Ministry of Culture, Dr Nauriyal has also conducted extensive research on the region’s cultural heritage and authored ‘Retelling of the Folk Ballads of Garhwal’, which became a regional bestseller. Her remarkable achievements have earned her several honours, including the Pride of Uttarakhand, Nanda Devi Award, GIAN Award, Uma Shakti Samman, Chief Minister’s Award, and Uttarakhand Ratan. As the founding director of the Sacred Saplings Society, she continues to champion the cause of girls’ empowerment. She is presently working on books based on Kumaoni folk tales and fiction.

Regarding her association with the BCYW Foundation, Anjali Nauriyal said, “I plan to promote awareness regarding breast cancer in young women, especially within educational institutions and community settings.” She further added,  “The Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to saving lives through research, education, and survivorship and it focuses exclusively on women below 40 years of age, which is an age group presently witnessing a rising incidence of breast cancer globally.“

The BCYWF vision is to work together with other non-profit organizations with a shared mission of saving the lives of young breast cancer patients by reaching out to younger women with knowledge and tools for early detection of breast cancer, by engaging inspiring breast cancer survivors and patients to spread the message of hope and strengths to others, and fund advance BCYW research. To sustain these goals for the general good of society, the BCYW Foundation significantly depends on individual contributions; collaborations with local, national, and international partners and collaborators; and support from corporate sponsors.

VoW 2025: Celebrating Authors from the Doon Valley

By
Nikita Aggarwal
-
0

Dateline Dehradun: The Valley of Words 2025 festival celebrated the literary heart of Dehradun through two insightful sessions, “Doon ke Lekhak” and “Authors from the Valley.” Both panels served as a tribute to the region’s creative legacy, reminding audiences that the Doon Valley has long been a cradle of thought, poetry, and storytelling. The sessions explored how writers rooted in the Himalayas transform their surroundings into art, blending realism with reflection, and memory with imagination. The conversations highlighted that the valley’s charm lies not only in its scenic beauty but also in its ability to inspire layered narratives that speak of belonging, loss, and identity, the eternal themes that bridge the personal and the universal.

Doon Ke Lekhak

In the first session, Anil Raturi, Amit Srivastav, and Kripa Ram Nautiyal, in conversation with moderator Anjum Sharma, dived deep into the cultural and emotional fabric of the hills. Raturi shared glimpses from his police memoirs, revealing how life in uniform intersects with humanity and introspection, while Srivastav’s multi-generational novel traced the evolution of relationships and values over time. Nautiyal brought an anthropological depth to the discussion through his portrayal of the Jaunsari community, reflecting on its traditions, transformations, and the pressures of modernity. Together, they painted a vivid portrait of a region in transition, where progress meets preservation, and every story carries the echo of lived experience.

The following session, “Authors from the Valley,” moderated by Deepanjali Singh, featured renowned writers Bijoya Sawian, Ratna Manucha, Neena Nehru, and Kulbhushan Kain, who have each, in their own way, captured the essence of Dehradun in their prose. Their dialogue resonated with warmth and nostalgia as they reflected on the city’s literary heritage, its genteel past, and its evolving character in the face of urban change. From Sawian’s lyrical reflections on folklore and identity to Kain’s contemplative explorations of memory and time, the session was an ode to the writers who have carried the valley’s stories beyond its boundaries.

Supported by Doon University and Graphic Era University, the sessions stood as powerful reminders of how deeply literature and place are intertwined. The Doon Valley emerged not merely as a setting but as a living muse, nurturing imagination, preserving voices, and inspiring writers to tell stories that transcend generations while remaining true to their roots.

123...936Page 1 of 936

Editor's Choice

Popular Posts

©