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Within hours Jubin Nautiyal’s songs top the charts

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The boy with the golden voice Jubin Nautiyal, does it again! This time with a double dhamaal! Within twenty four hours of being released, two not one song of his tops the music charts.

Sawarne lage” from the film ‘Mitron’ by national award winning director Nitin Kakkar  and ‘Akh Lad Jaawe‘ from ‘Loveratri’ under the Salman Khan banner, and directed by Abhiraj Minawala. Both the songs have done extremely well and crossed one crore hits on social media channel YouTube and rated top songs of Bollywood, within a short span of time.

His melodious voice lent to “Sawarne lage” from the film ‘Mitron’ is a haunting tune that’s not meant to be forgotten! It is being presented as the year’s most upbeat and entertaining track which has been composed by Tanishk Bagch.

The second song, “Akh Lad Jaawe‘ is a foot-tapping song picturised in a  discotheque with Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain in debut roles in their upcoming movie ‘Loveratri’.

Talking to Newspost, an elated Jubin tells us, the songs add character to the film and am sure his fans wont be disappointed.

Here are links to both the songs.

FTII’s 3-week Foundation Course in Nainital nears completion

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In the final week of FTII’s on going 3-week Foundation Course in Screen Acting in Nainital, Uttarakhand students rehearsed monologues and scenes.

Participants from nine States of India such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi have enrolled for the Course along with one participant from Japan.

Siddharth Shasta, Course Director also takes their voice and speech exercises.These exercises are important as they stretch the vocal chords and increase blood flow to the larynx and other body parts including lungs, lips and tongue. This reduces vocal fatigue and hoarseness when using voice over long periods. It also lets an actor reach a wider range of pitch, which is important for elevating the speech.

The Course is being held in association with Nainital-based Himalayan Society for Art, Culture, Education, Environment and Film Development (HIMACEEF), promoted by film makers and academicians Rajesh Shah (Cinematography,1992,FTII) and National Award winning film maker Shalini Shah.

FTII alumnus Siddharth Shasta (Acting, 2006) is an Associate Professor of Acting at FTII and belongs to the new generation of acting teachers.

Dehradun GPO all set for Rakshabandhan

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The General Post Office in Dehradun is no stranger to long, unending queues. Students filling in forms, speed post, money order queues or just your regular postal work are endless for those who visit the GPO at any point of time.

So what comes as a pleasant surprise then! With Rakshabandhan around the corner,  special counters dedicated to ladies here specifically to post rakhis with songs dedicated to siblings playing at the General Post office turns it into a unique experience.

For the past twenty days, half a dozen red and black post boxes dot the exterior of GPO building. Dedicated to particular cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkotta, Chennai and others, have been put up for posting only rakhis. Once your rakhi is sealed and stamped you could walk up directly to the postbox and mail it to the city of delivery. We meet one Sarita Pawar who is here to post her rakhi to her brother working in Chennai, she tells us, “The boxes set up outside have made it simpler to post our rakhis to certain metro cities, we dont have to bother about queues for a change.

Keeping in mind the rush around Rakshabandhan more dedicated counters have been put in place. A busy postal officer tells us, “in the past two weeks, from 10:00 am to 7:00 p.m in the evening, we have sent thousands of rakhis by either speed post, postal mail or  registered post, its unending, but its a joyous occasions for us to.

Business leaders from Bengaluru interact with Chief Minister

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The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, met business leaders in Bengaluru ahead of the roadshow, scheduled to be held on August 22, to generate interest among Karnataka business community in the run up to the ‘Destination Uttarakhand: Investors Summit’ scheduled from October 7-8, 2018.  The maiden investor summit, organized in Dehradun will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister met various business leaders and informed them about investment opportunities by the State. Among the industrialists that met the Chief Minister included Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, Vice President, CII & Vice chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd; Mr. Ravi Raghavan, Past Chairman CII Karnataka & MD & CEO, Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd; Mr.  Siddharth Mehta, director, Rajesh exports; Mr. Chandru Kalro, T.T. Jagannathan, Mr. K Shankaran, MD, Chairman & Director TT Prestige; Mr. Arun Aggarwal, Director, Janitri Innovation; Mr. Anand Padmanabhan, President Corporate Affairs, Shahi Exports; Mr. Venkatesh, Vice President, Raymond’s Ltd. and Mr. Sanjay Handur, Associate Vice president, Himatsingka.

The key agenda of the roadshow is to share investment opportunities in Uttarakhand and to seek active participation for the ‘Destination Uttarakhand-Investors Summit 2018’.

During the roadshow, the delegation from Uttarakhand Government will highlight investment opportunities in 12 focus sectors of the state, which include Food Processing, Horticulture, Herbal & Aromatic, Tourism & Hospitality, Wellness & AYUSH, Pharmaceuticals, Automobiles, Sericulture & Natural Fibers, IT, Renewable Energy, Biotechnology, Film Shooting.

Speaking on the occasion,Chief Minister said, “We met senior representatives from the business community in Bengaluru and explored various collaboration opportunities. Given Bangalore’s expertise in the IT sector, Uttarakhand has a lot to offer to the business community of Karnataka. Our vision is to establish the State as a business destination that is sustainable and inclusive by adopting policies best suited for steady operations.

In order to attract investment in the identified focus sectors, the Government of Uttarakhand has drafted various policies that facilitates ease of doing business in the state. These policies provide a roadmap to boost the industrial climate and act as a facilitator of commerce for the business community.The MSME Policy 2015 allows interest subsidies and rebates for all sectors. There are rebates that allow entrepreneurial growth in the state. The Mega Industrial and Investment Policy 2015 allows subsidies on equipment’s utilized in all sectors. From food processing to IT, the state provides subsidies on equipment’s for setting up industries. Single-window Clearance System facilitates a fast and easy clearance system in all major sectors. For example: The state offers, incentives, which aims at providing single-window, hassle-free clearances to investment requests.

About Destination Uttarakhand: Investors Summit 2018

Department of Industries is organizing UKIS 2018 in coordination with all departments related to the 12 focus sectors identified by the state. The Investment Promotion and Facilitation centre in the Directorate of Industries is working as the secretariat to the event. It will be a mega event, gathering investors, manufacturers, producers, policy makers, and organizations from the global business ecosystem. It will provide opportunities for both investment and trade in these sectors for both domestic and international investors.

A successful workshop on Aahar: Food for Consciousness

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A one day successful workshop on health, food and Nutrition was organised by Kiwi Kisan Window an organic and healthy food brand by Dehradun based Social Entrepreneur Abhinav Ahluwalia. KIWI – Kisan Window, an initiative which believes in creating a better lifestyle and healthy living by promoting healthy, organic, local and conscious food locally.

In a country where more than half the population is engaged in agricultural activities we consider the farmers to be the backbone of India. Fair Trade for farmer works through better prices, better working conditions and fair deals for farmers in India,” adds Abhinav.

The workshop was introduced by Abhinav the founder himself. Explaining the importance of food in our life, he said “It won’t be exaggerating to say that the very energy that led to the birth of the universe lives inside us, and it has been given many names over time by many civilizations. We overlook the most important external influence on our body and that is food. The food that’s assimilated into our body to keep it running. But is that all there is to food?”

A Hindi saying, “jesa khaoge ann wesa rahega mann” which roughly translated means, “whatever we eat influences our thoughts and our mental state,” the leitmotif behind the workshop and Kisan Window, to bring about purity of mind and body by bringing you products that are as natural and pure.

The other speakers for the workshop were Mr. Ramawatar, Ms. Bhawna Kapoor and Ms. Ella Garg.

The first workshop was on Seed and it’s importance in our life style including food by Mr Ramawtar Singh. Ramji explained the different usage of seeds in food and it’s Nutritious values. He then did a workshop on making Seed jewellery from seeds readily available around us.

The second workshop was held by Ella Garg. A health enthusiast who promotes the concept of minimalism . She spoke about simple living,eating and how minimalism in life can create a great value system. She also made the participants make some healthy recipes on location.

Garwali food was served to all the participants for lunch.

The final session was conducted by Bhawna Kapoor who spoke about holistic health and different life style diseases and how food can be a prevention and cure for all the health problems we as humans face.

Sunday: ‘Aahar: Food for Consciousness,’ the place to be

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Dehradun, ‘What you eat You Become!‘ In today’s world where majority of diseases are an outcome of the kind of food that you consume and the lifestyle that one leads, there is a growing need of conscious eating and better living. Keeping this motto in mind Dehradun based KIWI-Kisan Window is holding a one-day workshop entitled, “Aahar: Food for Consciousness” @ Alaya by TeaRoom, Rajpur, Dehradun. KIWI firmly believes in making people more conscious of what they put in their mouth.

The first-of-its-kind workshop in the State Capital will be held on 19th August, 2018 Sunday starting at 10 am to 5 pm. Selected speakers for the workshop are Mr. Ramawatar, Ms. Bhawna Kapoor and Ms. Ella Garg.

Mr. Ramawtar Singh is a passionate jewellery designer, but with a difference. The artist has been creating jewellery with seeds and crafting with natural materials since 2005. Ramawtar was first inspired to create jewellery while collecting seeds for farming and herbal gardening, and has not stopped since then.

Bhawna Kapoor is a holistic health coach from Dehradun and founder of Health Nut. She will be talking about healing oneself through five basic elements and incorporating simple plant based meals essential for better health.

Ella Garg, a retail strategist and a interior designer by profession is a health enthusiast and promotes the concept of minimalism . She advocates simple living and eating. Ella will be teaching some on-the-spot recipes at the workshop to the participants.

Aahar: Food for Consciousness is an inter-active workshop, chargeable at a nominal fee of Rs. 1000/- per participant which includes a healthy welcome drink, nutritious lunch and evening tea along with sessions,” adds Abhinav Alhuwalia, Founder KIWI – Kisan Window.

So if you dont have any plans in place for Sunday the 19th of August then “Aahar: Food for Consciousness, @ Alaya by TeaRoom, Rajpur, Dehradun is the place to be!

For queries, please email: [email protected]

Mussoorie hills remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee

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As the news of the sad demise of the Bheeshma Pitamaha of Indian politics broke, a pal of gloom descended over Mussoorie. In conversations laced with nostalgia, local residents remember the great statesman and a greater leader.

While we all know that Atal ji preferred the climes of Manali in Himanchal but he did make it to the hill-station of Mussoorie on several occasions. Some old timers remember those visits. For instance, 95-year-old Shri Ratan Lal ji one of Mussoorie’s octogenarians, remembers Atal ji’s visit in minute details: “I remember him from our RSS days when we did our OTC training in Nagpur. We became pracharaks together. Atalji visited us thrice and came to Nandvilla our family run hotel-cum-home. He preferred home-cooked food that my daughter-in-law Jaijaiwanti put together. My older son Manmohan Karanwal would drive him around the hill-town.

The last time that Atalji came to Mussoorie was in the month of July in 1994. “He held a meeting in Garhwal Terrace and wrote on their visitors book promising to return,” tells us senior journalist Bijendra Pundir. “He used to stay in Aikant Guest House or Modi Bhawan. He preferred walking around Mussoorie, sitting at local shops while visiting old friends.”

Atal ji left behind fond memories with whoever he met and spent time with. His simplicity, humbleness, hearty laughter and his oratory skills were incomparable. He talked to the Mussoorie Rotary Club, and senior members recall the day with fondness.

Of course, the credit of creating a separate hill-state, then known as Uttaranchal, goes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Not only was Uttarakhand created but the new born state was given a Special Industrial Package.

Uttarakhand and its twin hill-stations held a special place in the heart of Atalji and his visits here will go down in the annals of history of the hill-stations golden era.

Uttarakhand youth to aid in relief & rescue in Kerala

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Uttarakhand Youth. 34 year old, Praveen Rangar. Rises to the occasion and plunges head first into helping the flood ravaged ‘God’s own country,’ Kerala.

Praveen brings with him experience and skill as this national kayaking coach and a guest instructor at various mountaineering institutes is amongst the best that Uttarakhand has to offer at this juncture.  Praveen is no stranger to helping out as he has come to rescue time and again whenever, wherever tragedy struck.

In the year 2010 Praveen had led a team to Gulmarg for relief and rescue in which 26 army personnel had been swept away. In 2013 he headed his team aiding and assisting in those who were affected by the Kedarnath deluge.

Today, the young man spearheads a team of thirty qualified rafters and guides. Praveen has handpicked these men, all between the age group of twenty to thirty at the behest of All India Tour Operators, a recognized entity of the Tourism Ministry. The ATOAI have invited Praveen to aid and assist in rescue and relief work in flood affected, Kerala. Taking a quick break from his packing he tells Newspost about his latest expedition, “I just received this letter an hour back, I am preparing to take with me twenty rafts and ten kayaks and around thirty trained guides from all over India to help in relief and rescue.”

The team will leave for New Delhi by road tonight where Vaibhav Kala and Akshay Kumar will be co-ordinating with the team to fly them to Kerala on board an IAF aircraft early tomorrow morning

Adding further, Praveen tells us, “We will first see the situation there and if required, we will get more help from Uttarakhand. I have briefed the team we have to keep our safety first as we are rescuers and then act making sure that there is no further loss to human life.”

We wish this brave heart and his team all the best as they take charge of God’s Own Country.

Jodh Singh Kanwar: A teacher par excellence

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For three and a half years, Pithoragarh has been home to teacher Jodh Singh Kunwar who teaches eight students at a primary school in the interiors of this hill district. 2nd August was just another day for the 45 year old school teacher of Kanya Junior High School, in Danibagadh, Bangapani who set off to work early morning.

Except, on that day, incessant rainfall in the area had the local sub-montane river in spate. It washed away not only the 4 megawatt hydro-project, its dam but also wiped out the only iron bridge over the Jimba-pyaana river. Left with little or no other option, Jodh Singh chose to rappel across a 30 meter zip-line aided by another man to get to school.

While the video of his feat went viral, the self-effacing teacher tells us over the phone, “I had no intention of becoming an overnight-hero by sharing this video, I had to go to school to teach and that was my only motivation. This was the shortest way to get there, as the other route was 7-8 kms long so I settled for this doable option.”

Born and brought up in the hill-district, Jodh Singh was selected under the sports category, he tells us. His physical well-being came in handy as he effortlessly rappelled across the wire, with his blue bag slung across his chest, folded shirt and pants, doing it like a pro.

Looking back, he tell us, “ I have served in the district for close to twenty three years and this was the first time ever that I was faced with a situation like this. My motivation was to get to school and not to seek unnecessary attention or prove my strength and stamina.

Taking note of the video, local MLA of the area Harish Dhami sanctioned money from his MLA fund and a temporary trolley was installed.

Every monsoon, individual stories of valour and bravery surface. Some make it as headlines in national and international news, but many are left to be unearthed by the regional press who, in this instance, did a commendable job, just like this dedicated teacher. As they say, what a teacher is, is more important than what he teaches.

State apathy plagues mountaineer, Praveen Rangar

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“I have never felt as happy on Earth as when I’m getting closer to the sky,” words which describe a passionate Uttarakhandi mountaineer who has scaled every possible peak in the country. Bringing name and fame to the State has been easy for Praveen Rangar but what has been difficult for the young mountaineer is to get funds from the State government for his Mission Everest.

Since sixteen, 34 year old Praveen Rangar has been scaling peaks, breaking old records and setting new ones as he climbs onwards and upwards.  A national level player, today, Praveen runs a rafting camp to earn a living.

Praveen has achieved more than what some of us dream off :

  • He completed his mountaineering course from Uttarakashi Mountaineering Institute.
  • 2009 he completed a snow-skiing course from Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • After receiving an International Mountaineering Certificate he has summited Trishul, Gangotri, Draupdi ka daanda and another 21 peaks.
  • The first in the State to hold a Master’s Degree in water-skiing.
  • A water-skiing course from Srinagar, J&K.
  • Twice participated in National Rafting competitions.
  • A national Kayaking Coach.
  • A guest instructor at various Mountaineering Institutes in India

Talking to Newspost about his achievement, Praveen tells us how he started young, “I have taken part in all adventure sports which the country has to offer and this feat alone, puts me at par with international sportsmen.’ Without mincing his words he adds, ”  when it comes to any kind of assistance from the State, let me tell you I have managed to scale mountains and I assure you it’s harder to battle official indifference than to battle with mountains.

Despite having won laurels and putting Uttarakhand on the map for adventure sports, Praveen highlights how due to lack of funds passionate people like himself have to take up regular jobs when they are capable of much more.

Recently the State Government gave a thumbs-up to promoting adventure sports in the State and people like Praveen Rangar could well be the poster-boy or ambassador for this initiative, but the apathy of the administration for honing such talent goes on to show how serious they are about promoting State talent.

For now a budget of 20-25 lakh is what it takes for high level mountaineering and if the State Government fails to assist Praveen Rangar in any which way, then we will definitely loose an opportunity of having the best amongst us put Uttarakhand on the top of the world @ Everest.