FTII Screen Acting in Nainital from 6th to 28th Aug 2018

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June 28, 2018

Nainital, Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in association with Himalayan Society for Art, Culture, Education, Environment & Amp; Film Development (HIMACEEF), Nainital, announces 20 days Foundation Course in Screen Acting at Nainital.

Following are the details:

(1) Dates: 6th to 28th Aug 2018 (excluding 15th Aug and 2 out of 3 Sundays)

(2) Timings: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

(3) No. of participants: 24 (Course will be conducted only if minimum strength of 20 is reached)

(4) Age: Participants must be 18 years or above in age as on 1st Aug 2018

(5) Nationality: Indian

(6) Venue: ROYAL Hotel, Mallital, Nainital

(7) Fees: Rs 25,000/- per participant (Demand Draft to be drawn in favour of “Accounts Officer, Film and TV Institute of India, Pune”, payable at Pune)

(8) Last date to apply: 20th July 2018 by 4 pm

(9) Faculty: Shri Siddharth Shasta

How to apply:

Download application form from websites of FTII or HIMACEEF. Fill – in all
details, attach required Demand Draft and send it by speed post/ courier or deliver it in person to

Shri Rajesh Shah,
Samridhi,
Pilgrim Lodge Compound,
Mallital,
Nainital – 263 001
Uttarakhand

On envelope of application at top left, write “Application for Foundation Course
in Screen Acting”.

Medium of Instructions: The medium of instruction would be mainly English and partly Hindi. Participants are expected to have adequate knowledge of English and/ or Hindi as regards to reading, writing & speaking.

Selection Criteria:

First – Come – First – Served basis. However, course will be conducted only if the minimum strength of 20 participants is reached. Selected candidates would be communicated by email. Course fees of the selected candidates will be non – refundable under any circumstances. Demand Drafts of non–selected candidates would be returned within 7 days.

Certificates:

All participants would be given participation certificate on successful completion of the course. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory.

Accommodation:

Limited accommodation (on first come first served basis) in ROYAL Hotel on twin sharing basis is available for the participants on additional lumpsum payment of Rs 22,500/- which will be inclusive of basic meals. This additional payment is to be made in advance in cash on 5th Aug 2018 directly to the Hotel. Interested participants need to intimate the accommodation requirement in the application form without which the same will not be considered. The accommodation with meals will be available from 5th to 29th Aug 2018.

For more details log onto: www.ftiindia.com

To Beatles with Love: Chaurasi Kutiya, Rishikesh

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Tania Saili

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June 27, 2018

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Rishikesh, From being what once a derelict ruin enveloped in thick undergrowth, yet today, the much-sort-after destination in Rishikesh. Spread over 15 acres, with over two hundred buildings including the famous 84 independent meditation rooms/halls or its Indian equivalent Chaurasi Kutiya built exclusively for visitors to meditate, has survived the onslaught of time.

With a little touch-up here and there by the Uttarakhand Forest and Tourism Department, the Beatles Ashram or Maharishi Mahesh Yogi home and Meditation Centre or just plain Chaurasi Kutiya has become a popular tourist attraction. This historical play-ground of the iconic rock-band Beatles has stood witness to the march of Time when ‘East met West,’ right here, on the banks of the Ganges as it flows quietly onto the plains of India.

Senior Journalist Raju Gusain, and an encyclopaedia on the Fab Four’s 1968 visit to this very ashram, talks with pride, “the shift in focus is already showing positive result. In the past 5 months alone, since the ashram was given a face-lift by the forest as well as tourism department, close to 2,200 foreigners have visited the ashram to-date compared to 1000 odd foreigners who visited in 2017. Revenue too has double–folded from 24 lakhs in five months compared to 18 lakhs in one year.” It’s the call of the place, that has made it popular amongst tourist of all ages, places and walks of life.

And the changes are only beginning. Its serene environment and perfect setting amongst the thick foliage makes it an ideal get-away, a quality that perhaps got the Beatles hooked to the Ashram in the late 70’s.

A gallery with 23 photos by Paul Saltzman dedicated to the memory of the Beatles, a second gallery dedicated to the memory of the man behind the place Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his teachings, last but not the least Forest Department too has put up a personal gallery which boosts of the wildlife which the ashram homes, adds its own charm.

Other tourists facilities include a Cafeteria which caters to the needs of those who come visiting from 10:00-5:00 p.m.. A solar fence protects the area from the entry of Pachyderms and felines which once roamed freely.

Year 2018 marks 50 years since the Beatles travelled to Chaurasi Kutiya in Rishikesh. It is here where the band reconnected and their creativity knew no bounds, composing close to 40 songs in seven weeks. One last look at the place and it hits home! You realise the effect such serenity would have on anyone let alone the rock-and-roll Band of the Beatles!

Industrialists from Panama & Singapore to attend Investors’ Summit

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newspost

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June 27, 2018

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Investors’ Summit to be held in October will include a number of industrialists from Panama and Singapore. Industrialists from these countries are keen on capital investment in Uttarakhand. Master trainer from Uttarakhand will go to these countries and get training in skill development in tourism, IT, urban management etc. After training, they will come to Uttarakhand to impart training in skill development.

This information was given by Indian Ambassador to Panama Mr. Ravi Thapar and Indian High Commissioner in Singapore Mr. Javed Ashraf, who have come to meet Chief Secretary Mr. Utpal Kumar Singh.

Ambassador and High Commissioner, told the Chief Secretary that through video conferencing, talks will be held with investors of Panama and Singapore.

Information about the single window system, available in Uttarakhand as well as about ‘Ease of Doing Business’, will be shared. The blueprint for the Hospitality University in 70 acres in Mussoorie, International Convention Center in Rishikesh, Winter Games in Auli, Water Sports in Tehri and Home Stay in major tourist destinations of Garhwal and Kumaon has been prepared. Proposals have been invited to attract capital investment.

Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Secretary Amit Negi, Dr. Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Dilip Jawalkar, MD SIIDCUL Sowjanya, Additional Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar and other officials were present in the meeting.

Mukesh Negi: Brushing up his painting skill

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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June 26, 2018

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Adding, “I dont paint in any particular style, I try every style be it charcoal, poster, acrylic, pen, tattoo, ink, you name it and I have tried my hand at it.” Lack of family encouragement and financial restriction meant the lack of a proper Arts degree from a fine-arts college, as he glumly tell us, “I am constantly reminded how I cant earn a living by painting and how its a waste of time, but this is my true-calling and I enjoy working with my paints and brush.”

But not the one to call it quits! Mukesh is busy adding acrylic colours to his 24″x20″ canvass of Badrinath Temple, as well as making prints of his painting and sketches so that he can put them up on his Instagram page for those who are eager to buy his work. An attempt to add some money to his kitty as he saves up for admission into a Fine Art College, somewhere in the country.

Mukesh Negi’s work can be viewed on his Instagram ID: Mojartian

Naseeruddin Shah and wife attend last day of FTII’s Film Appreciation course at LBSNAA

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newspost

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June 23, 2018

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Legendary theatre and film actor Naseeruddin Shah and his actor wife Ratna Pathak Shah had an engaging session on the last day of FTII’s Film Appreciation course (June 21-23 2018) at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Naseeruddin Shah, an FTII alumnus, spoke on the origin of theatre and connection between Urdu theatre and Hindi cinema thereby giving an insight about why Indian films have such a unique form. He lamented about the quality of Indian films and wished that more efforts were put in to improve the quality of cinema.

Ratna Pathak Shah said the problem of modern films is that it’s not modern in content. She was unhappy that as a 21st Century woman she was watching many films that were not supporting the feminist cause.

178 officer trainees of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 3 from Royal Bhutan Civil Service (RBCS) participated in the Film Appreciation Course besides teachers and staff from the Academy.

Sankalp Meshram, a five-time National Award winning FTII Editing alumnus, conducted the Course.

This is the first time FTII held a Film Appreciation Course at LBSNAA, a premier Academy reputed for training India’s key policy makers. The Course was conducted under FTII’s countrywide film education outreach initiative SKIFT (Skilling India in Film and Television).

CM Rawat calls for collective efforts to conserve water

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newspost

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June 23, 2018

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister participated in a programme to mark the rebuilding of government primary school, Talla Banas in Yamkeshwar block,Pauri District.

In a programme organized by Shrimadbhagvad Mahapuran and Bhandara Saimiti, Talla Banas , Chief Minister Rawat appealed to the people to make collective efforts for water conservation and plant more trees in the surroundings.

Expressing concern at the depleting forest wealth, Chief Minister said that depleting forest wealth is directly affecting the water resources which in turn in is adversely affecting human life. The Chief Minister expressed concern at depleting natural water resources and water level in the rivers. He said that if the water resources continue to dwindle at the present rate the days are not far when there would only be pipelines in the homes without water.

Chief Minister said that the state government has prepared a work plan to plant record number of saplings. He announced that in the month of July large scale plantation activity will be undertaken by the state government. Besides, the people will also be encouraged to do voluntary plantations. He also praised the efforts of “Maiti Andolan” in plantation. He appealed to people to adopt plantation on the pattern of “Maiti”

Chief Minister termed MANREGA scheme important for self-employment and to meet the water shortages in the hills. He said that solution of all the problems of rural areas is possible through MANREGA.

He also talked about giving encouragement to home stay scheme, making bio-fuels from ‘Pirul’, essence from roses, production of cannabis for self-employment. He also stressed on adopting Kenova farming as it takes less water and less time to fructify and gives good returns. He also talked about adopting voluntary land consolidation and growing lemon grass and putting check dams to conserve water.

Before the programme, Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat also inspected the training given by Hill Mail Foundation. The people of Banas Talla and Malla and other surrounding villages apprised the Chief Minister about the problem of water scarcity and motor road in the Rajaji National park area. Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat assured to get a water scheme prepared for Banas.

Uttarakhand’s Goat Villages beckon all

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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June 22, 2018

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goat village — Pic Courtesy: Nitish Walia

In the darkness that followed the after wash of the Kedarnath floods, a host of volunteers, self-help groups and NGO’s turned their light on what could be done for these hills. Among these is the Green People Organization. In 2014, Rupesh Rai along with a team of eight to ten members have redefined hospitality in some of the abandoned villages, by simply putting these places on the map for off-beat tourist destinations.

pic courtesy: Nitish Walia

Branded as ‘Goat Villages’ that are merely a four-five hour drive from Dehradun but within a radius of some 50-55 kms from each other. Come to villages like Nagtibba, Kanatal and Dayara Bugyal to get a flavour of what life is like for the goat herders who have lent their name.

Speaking to Newspost, Vandana Rai of Green People tells us more about this unique concept: “Ghost villages have been revived and re-structured as eco-tourism destinations as part of the goat rearing tradition.” She adds: “Tourists stay in refurbished homes that once lay abandoned. This is where they get Garhwali cuisine to get a flavour of the hills. Locals are taught hospitality skills to play the perfect host as they double up as mentor to the visitors who flock here.”

bakri chaap

Those who stayed on, flourish in these abandoned homes that have a few more creature comforts. The key is a subtle balance between ancient and modern ways. Natural, organic, home-grown products such as pulses, herbs and crop are being packaged and sold all over under the label ‘Bakri Chaap.’ Goat milk is also packaged and sent off to the plains, as a part of micro-farming. This comes as a boon for those who are unfamiliar with modern marketing skills. Slowly but surely this novel approach is changing the lives of those to whom these mountains are more than just a home. Meanwhile, the visitor finds himself soaking up a life of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, art and culture as a part of a complete-package.

In our times these Goat Villages have created a fourth destination. The core object is to reverse the Male Exodus from the hills. It is a fond hope that this attempt will see the possibility of reverse-migration for those who want to return to their home in the hills.

Film Appreciation Course begins for IAS Officers in Mussoorie

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newspost

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June 21, 2018

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Mussoorie, A 3-day Film Appreciation course (June 21-23 by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Pune began at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand,today.

This is the first time FTII is organising a Film Appreciation Course at LBSNAA, a premier Academy reputed for training India’s key policy makers.

The Course, conducted under FTII’s countrywide film education outreach initiative SKIFT (Skilling India in Film and Television), was inaugurated by Ms Divya Dutta, National Award winning actor in the presence of Ms Upma Chawdhry, Director, LBSNAA, Bhupendra Kainthola, Director, FTII and Sankalp Meshram, Course Director.

178 officer trainees of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 3 from Royal Bhutan Civil Service (RBCS) will be attending the Film Appreciation Course besides teachers and staff from the Academy.

At present, the officers are attending the IAS Professional Course, Phase II (2016 batch) which is a 6-week training the officers undergo after 1 year of district or state-level training. The key aim of the Professional Course is to equip the officer trainees with knowledge, skills and attitudes to effectively occupy field positions such as Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), District Magistrates (DMs) , Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads in the near future and key policy making positions later in their career.

Sankalp Meshram, FTII alumnus and Course Director is a five-time National Award winner. He studied Law and then Film Editing at FTII. He is working as a Film professional in the Mumbai film & television Industry since 1994.

The valedictory session on 23rd June will see eminent film and stage actor Naseeruddin Shah,FTII alumnus and his actor-wife Ratna Pathak Shah address the audience before presenting participation Certificates to them.

In Uttarakhand, FTII has so far conducted Film Appreciation courses in capital Dehradun, at HN Bahuguna Central University in Srinagar, Hardwar, IIT Roorkee and Nainital.

Government is committed to clean rivers by 2020: CM Rawat

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newspost

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June 20, 2018

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Inaugurating the Sewerage Drain Re-Mediation Project constructed courtesy Parmarth Niketan in Chandreshwar Ghat located in Rishikesh, Chief Minister said that,”the common people’s cooperation is very essential in making Ganga clean, and the government is committed to clean the rivers by 2020.”

Chief Minister said that the technology imported from Holland is being used by Parmarth Niketan to clean the sewerage water is capable of making the water clean at low cost. This technique will be used on experimental basis to clean the sewerage going into Ganga through the Chandrabhaga River. When this technique will prove to be effective, it would also be installed in other sewers connected with Ganga, made clean by 2020 that.

Chief Minister said that along with general masses, other organisations will also have to come forward for the cleaning of the 2500 KMs long world famous river Ganges. CM said that Rishikesh has been established as the capital of world Yoga, which is a matter of pride for our state and country. It is the moral responsibility of all of us to keep this world famous beautiful city clean in which the cooperation of various institutions is expected. The work of officers associated with the Ganga cleanliness will be reviewed continuously. On this occasion, Swami Chidanand Ji Maharaj said that Ganga is the heritage of this country and it is the moral responsibility of all of us to keep it clean.

On the occasion, Vidhan sabha Speaker Premchand Aggarwal, Swami of Parmarth Niketan Chidanand Ji Maharaj, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, Director General Namami Gange Rajiv Ranjan, Secretary, Arvind Hayanki besides other officers and public were present.

Shruti Maheshwari: The Perfect Cake-Smith

By

Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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June 20, 2018

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Haldwani, Individual efforts of reverse migration to Uttarakhand rarely makes it to the headlines. But there are one youth who have given ‘reverse-migration’ an entirely new tag, as many have gone onto make their janmbhoomi their karmbhumi as well.

In this league, we talk about Shruti Maheshwari a trained baker from abroad who has given the art of baking a whole new meaning in Kathgodam.

27 year old Shruti studied in Nainital and then did her Graduation in Business from Indraprastha College in New Delhi. A lady with a flare to bake, Shruti took off to Le Cordon Bleu College in London to pursue her passion for baking and did a diploma in patisseries. Armed with her diploma degree Shruti returned to India and then worked in Trident, Mumbai for a little over a year, where she had the opportunity to bake cakes for many Bollywood celebs including Sushmita Sen.

With everything going for the young baker, Shruti took a decision which would ,’change her life for the better‘, as she puts it and returned to her home in the hills. Today the young lady runs her own full-fledged bakery from home ‘Cake Smith by Shruti,’ the one-stop-shop/bakery in Kathgodam, Haldwani for all your bakery needs. Talking to Newspost Shruti tells us, “I have my parents and Chef Lalit Manral and Chef Albert Anthony to thank for being my constant guiding angels.” Shruti takes orders for cakes, cupcakes, cake in a jar, muffins, chocolates, cookies, granola bars and many more mouth-watering delicacies on her FB/instagram/whatsapp in advance to avoid any wastage.

Shruti, at present is honing her skills by using dates and honey to bake cakes and pastries for diabetic patients who want to indulge in some goodies to satisfy their sweet-tooth, “I want to bake items for my diabetic customers as well and want my cakes to be readily available not only in Haldwani but nearby hamlets as well.”

Shruti’s handcrafted bakery-delights are putting smile on the face of her customers. Her detail-oriented and artistic baked goods have everyone craving for more as the young lady ‘Rises and Shines,‘ on her own mantel.

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