Shotwithmeraki: Shooting with love and light

By

-

September 20, 2018

Just like our avian friend, Robin! Our Robin Nagar is a restless soul too. Born to a civil servant father, moving base came naturally to him as he travelled the length and breadth of the country.

A Hotel Management degree got Robin his first job as a Cabin Crew in Kingfisher and then Jet International Airways, making sure that his passion to travel was taken care off.

So how did photography happen? “It dint happen to me, I happened to Photography,” quips Robin. Traveling and capturing memories and people in his shutter-bug came naturally to him and Robin turned his hobby into a full time profession.

Today, at the age of 29, Robin boasts of having worked with the likes of legendary International Photographer Ali Ghorbani when he was in Hong Kong for three years, and recently set up Shotwithmeraki, based out of Delhi, Mumbai and now Dehradun as well.

On returning to India, Robin and his wife Uzma, who happens to be his Muse as well, decided to make Dehradun their home. ‘His pad’, he tell us, “is home for now, amidst the greenery. The industry that I worked for ensured that I live out of a suitcase but this place feels like home. The perfect mix of civilization yet being close to nature.’

Robin brings with him international exposure as far as photography is concerned. Shotwithmeraki instagram page gives us a glimpse into his world and what he has to offer. “Meraki” in Greek, means, to put a bit of yourself in your work, and that is Robin’s forte. Equipped with top-of-the-line equipment such as Sony A7S2, Canon 5D mark IV, a plethora of Lenses, a Zhiyun crane and DJI drone Robin breathes life into his stills and videos.

Shotwithmeraki does wedding-shoots, fashion, products and corporate shoots as well. “I am a people’s person so I enjoy shooting anything related to people. If a person is entrusting us with the honour of preserving their their d-day in stills and videos, then we too should give it our all,” is his motto.

Robin signs off by saying, “We at SWM don’t shoot to satisfy our clients, we shoot to impress them.” And impressed we are! Now your turn to get impressed and give him a shot!

Railway Swachhta Diwas on September 22

By

newspost

-

September 19, 2018

0

Under the “Swachhta Hi Sewa” campaign from September 15, 2018 to 02 October 2018, on September 22, under the “Railway Swachhta Diwas”, a cleanliness campaign will be undertaken at Railway Stations across the hill-state.

On 25th September, under the Swachh Bharat Mission, under “Swachhgrahi Se Swachhgrahi– Ek Se Anek”, will spread awareness amongst the people about cleanliness in the village panchayats and also assist in cleanliness work.

For the purpose of public awareness under the “International Mahatma Gandhi Sammelan Diwas” on September 29, seminars related to cleanliness will be organized in the all thirteen districts.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, the “Swachh Bharat Diwas” will be organized at the district and state level. In districts, solid and liquid waste management will be started at any selected village panchayat at the Gram Panchayat level.

On the same day, work of plantation, water resource conservation and cleanliness of water sources, stream, nullahs etc. will also be done in the village panchayats. Under the “Swachhta Hi Sewa” programme, the “Swachharambh Diwas” and “Swachhta Sabha Diwas” were organised in the state on September 15 and 16 respectively.

Love: A six-letter word for our four-legged friend!

By

Tania Saili

-

September 19, 2018

0

Dehradun, Our canine friends are in for a treat! The city’s first café has opened its gates to pamper the Master and his/her Dog!

BowWow, a week old café, was the brain- child of dog lover, Sidhanth Arora, “the response has been tremendous! We have both dog lovers and plenty curious onlookers come by, so no complaints on that account!” He quips. Sidhanth is a confident twenty-two year old BBA Graduate who has been experimenting with innovative ideas for the past three years, with the cafe being his latest enterprise.

The roof-top café, Opposite the Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Jakhan comes equipped with grooming facilities for your canines: spa, blow dry, haircut, Jacuzzi & overall grooming – indeed a treatment fit for Kings and Queens.

Within BowWow is a one-stop shop for all your doggy needs: branded feeders, sleeping pads, toys, t-shirts and mind you, party-wear clothes as well. If that wasn’t enough, 24×7 Trainers along with an on-call vet for any medical needs are available.

The BowWow Café also provides day boarding for those who don’t want to leave their pets unsupervised at home.

For those travelling out-of-station with no alternate arrangement, the 24×7 Night Boarding Facility is tailor-made for you and your pet. Pick one of the five suites equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

“The concept behind the one-of-its-kind cafe was to create a place where you could hang out with your pet,” Sidhanth adds. Now you can bring along your pet for a meal and watch it socialize, play, rest and relax in the play area while you enjoy your meal at the Pefeteria (separate kitchen for Dogs and Master) which serves lip-smacking meals to both.

Next time, when you are in the mood to pamper your furry friend, go to BowWow Café. It could well turn into your favourite haunt in town!

Para-Badminton Arjuna Award Winner: Manoj Sarkar

By

Tania Saili

-

September 18, 2018

1

For what many might consider an answer to their prays, for a chosen few it might not work that way! As we get in touch with 28 year old Manoj Sarkar from Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur, who recently got the news of being selected for the 2018 Arjuna Award under the Para Badminton SL-3 category, we realised we had met one of those ‘chosen-few.’

“To be honest, there were mixed feelings. I was aiming for this award last year too, I had performed brilliantly but dint qualify for the award. Recently when I got the news, I was a bit disappointed, a case of too little too late, as I would have loved to see my father beside me when I received the award, but destiny had other plans, and he passed away last year, without seeing this day.“

Coming from humble beginnings, Manoj’s father, a daily-wage painter brought up his four children with the best that money could afford. Just thirteen months old, his son Manoj contracted Polio leaving his right leg irreversibly damaged. But not the one to let his handicap come in the way, upto 2010 Manoj played badminton in the abled-body and won medals too.

A B.Com graduate Manoj fondly recalls how a chance meeting with DK Sen and then Gaurav Khanna both ace Badminton Coaches changed his life and sports for the better, “When DK Sen saw my game he suggested I play in Para-Badminton Tournaments,” an innocent Manoj asked, “What is that, sir?” And that was the turning point of his sports career.

Since 2014 Gaurav Khanna has coached and perfected Manoj’s game who went on to win two consecutive gold at the 2011 National Para Badminton Tournament and two more golds at the French Para Badminton International Tournament in 2012. There is no looking back as the young talent is on a mission making winning a habit!

Speaking to Newspost, Manoj Sarkar appeals to see the man behind his success, his mentor Gaurav Khanna to be felicitated by the 2018 Dronacharya Award, and rightly so.

Taking a break from his training schedule, Manoj says, “Every sportsperson dream is to play at the upcoming Para Olympics in Tokyo, 2020 and come back with a gold, I know I have it in me to do just that.“

With Badminton being included in Para-Olympics for the very first time in 2020, we hope and pray that our differently-abled shuttler under the guidance of his mentor, creates history here too.

DK Sen selected as Coach for the Indian Junior Badminton Team

By

Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

-

September 17, 2018

0

DK Sen, a resident of Someshwar village of Almora is not new to coaching ace badminton players. Formerly, a renowned badminton coach for the Asian Junior Badminton Championship (15-17) Sen has been recently appointed as the Badminton Coach for the Indian Junior Team, which is due to participate in Myanmar from October 3^rd to 8^th 2018.

Officials of State Sports Department said that Sen would conduct training camps for players at the Almora Badminton Academy from the 16th to the 30^th of September.

Aditi Bhatt, Shivam Mehta and Pranav Sharma qualifiers for the Indian Team belong to Almora District, and have all been trained too under Sens’ watchful eyes earlier.

On his selection as Coach, Senior Director of the Department, including Director of Uttaranchal State Badminton Association Ashok Kumar, and Almora Badminton Association congratulated Sen.

Happy with his selection, an elated DK Sen tells Newspost, “It is a matter of great pride for me to be able to guide the Indian Junior Team. I will give of my best to ensure that the team wins awards and does our country and the hill-state, proud.”

Sen fondly recalls, “The sole credit of making a name for myself in this sport that I love playing goes to my father. He inspired me to play the game and succeed in it.” A diploma holder from National Institute of Sports aka Sports Authority of India, Sen first job found him at NIS, Bhopal; then Meerut and in 1991 he was transferred to SAI Almora Center to coach young talent. Recently Sen opted for voluntary retirement to join the Prakash Padukone, Badminton Academy in Bangalore.

Sen and his team have played an important role in setting up badminton courts in Almora and sending out ace players from his home-district. His children Lakshya and Chirag hold international ranks in the game. While Chirag was at World Number Two in Junior Badminton in 2016, Lakshya was World Number One Player in 2017. Others who have found success are Mansa Rawat, Dhruv Rawat and Shivam. They have won laurels to make their coach proud.

Newspost wishes the team and their coach all the best. May they come home with laurels won and records broken and new ones made.

Mridasheya: The Essence of Clay, comes to Dehradun

By

Tania Saili

-

September 16, 2018

2

Since 2012 Garima Negi, recently turned ‘Tomar’ has been molding clay professionally. Born in Jalandhar, Punjab Garima has her roots in Pauri Garhwal. From an army background, young Garima had the good fortune of travelling all over India.

A professional ceramic potter she completed her Bachelor and Masters in Fine Arts in 2012 from Shantiniketan, with specialization in Ceramic Pottery and Sculpture.

“As a young girl, I was interested in Arts and I am very fortunate that I found the right support at the right time. My father did all the home-work and running around regarding my admission in Shantiniketan, a place, I believe was my true calling and where I polished by skills as a potter.”

Fresh out of college, the talented young lady landed a resident- artist-cum-studio-manager of a Pottery Studio in Taj Vivanta, Coorg. A year later she moved out and worked on and off as a Pottery Instructor in various schools. Her Facebook page ‘Mridasheya’ which implies ‘essence of clay,’ showcases some of the work done by the talented young lady.

On whether she enjoys making figurines or pottery, she tells us. “I like figurative work,” Garima tells us, “it helps me to communicate better and express myself in my work. Making utility articles limit your creativity as you end up thinking of how you going to put it into use, but figurines let your imagination flow.”

In 2011 when her father mentioned Tilu Rauteli, the first woman warrior of Garhwal. Garima tried her hand at a different medium i.e. Bronze and moulded a figurine, that embodies the resilience of Garhwali women folk. The sculpture was first made in clay and later on, when her mentors saw it, they suggested bronze as the metal that would best compliment it.

Two months ago, Garima tied the knot and settled in Dehradun, she dint let her talent lie dormant. Garima has been doing a bit of pottery from home and the couple soon plans to start a home-studio too. Garima tells us, “I would enjoy teaching those who are interested and connect with like minded people as well.”

If pottery is your calling, and you are perseverant, hard working and a fearless innovator then it is probably time for you to find Mridasheya.

Ramawtar: Stringing seeds, creating jewellery

By

Tania Saili

-

September 14, 2018

0

Handful of seeds, a wire, and an artistic touch! What you have is a piece of jewellery straight from the lap of Nature. Amongst us, we have a self-taught artist who has since 2005 been perfecting the art of creating magic with hand picked seeds.

Hailing from Ajmer, Rajasthan, Ramawtar belonged to a farming background which held little attraction to the free-body that he was. Today the naturalist, explores, experiments and uses his innovative ideas to give back to nature what he finds.

A school-walk out, Ramawtar has tried his hands at many a professions including teaching. He taught at the Barefoot College, an NGO and supervised their 150 schools across five districts of Rajasthan. In 2003 the young lad moved to Udaipur and joined Shikshantar –where he worked for six years.

Initially Ramawtar would collect seeds for gardening and help city dwellers in Udaipur set up kitchen gardens in their yard or terrace. Soon, he realized, “how beautiful some were; all different from each other in colour, size, hue, shape and I wondered what all we could do with them and felt inspired to use them,” and he ended up making seed jewellery.

Here comes the Uttarakhand connect! Soon his love for the outdoors brought the young man to Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, where he enjoyed a stance at bird watching, and fell in love with the environs and ended up residing here.

“For my jewellery, I look outdoors. With experience I have zeroed down on durable, unique shape, interesting hues of seeds such as reetha, red-sandalwood tree, Indian screw tree, tiger claws, sword bean as well as pods, feathers, sea shells, coconut shells too,” strung together with copper or brass wire, your beautiful eco-friendly, organic jewellery is ready to be worn.

When not creating something beautiful, Ramawtar is on the move teaching the art of turning natural bounty into items of simple beauty. He encourages his students to treat their outdoors as a virtual art gallery. In a time when silver and gold jewellery are out of reach, how about turning to eco-friendly jewellery?

Aditi Singh crowned “Mrs India Earth, 2018”

By

newspost

-

September 13, 2018

0

‘Mrs India Earth Pageant, 2018,” was a glittering ceremony held on the 7th of September in Delhi, in which Aditi Singh, Principal of Vasant International School, Delhi walked away with crown of Mrs India Earth, 2018.

Chosen from close to forty nine contestants who came from all across India, three beauty queens were crowned under General Category as well as the 40 plus Classic Category in which Aditi bagged the title of Mrs India Earth, 2018, in the General Category.

Married to an Army Officer, presently posted in the Valley, Aditi Singh was born and raised in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh before she settled in New Delhi. An Educationist by profession, Aditi brought with her years of teaching and administrative expertise to the ramp.

Women from all walks of life, qualified doctors, I.T heads, Engineers, Women from the Armed forces as well as Educationists took part in the three day competition.

During their stay, the contestants were tested on various grounds including talent and physical round. The participants were also groomed for skin, hair, eye and over-all care by trained professionals.

Organised by Vinay Yadawa and Ritika Vinay Asia Pacific, the finale was hosted by Aman Verma who added glamour to the show.

Speaking to us, Aditi said, “Its been a long, beautiful journey. The Pageant was a class part and it was wonderful competing for the crown with the best of contestants who brought with them beauty backed with intelligence and charisma.”

Dastangoi to be performed at WIC India Dehradun

By

newspost

-

September 12, 2018

0

Coming Friday highly acclaimed dastangos Valentina Trivedi and Anuja Jaiman will weave magic on stage on 14th of September, 2018, at The World Stage, WIC India Dehradun.

Reviving the century-old lost art form of Urdu Storytelling, WIC India Dehradun will be staging Dastangoi, a rare form of performing art. Dastangos, Ms. Valentina Trivedi’ and Ms. Anuja Jaiman will showcase their passion of storytelling through a tale, musical and narrative.

Based on Satyajit Ray’s popular children’s film ‘Goopi Gyne Bagha Byne‘, a Dastan with songs will unfold on stage, engaging the lovers of theatre, culture, music and tradition on one platform. This rich vocal tradition comes as a complete package with elements of love, war, magic and trickery that make their way into the present.

The hour long musical theatre is definitely going to have you asking for more. The performance will definitely bring out the essence of the story ‘Dastan Goopi Bagha ki,’ keeping the original tunes of Ray intact. Warring kings, a wicked minister, beautiful, coy princesses and a sly magician are some of the interesting characters in this tale of adventure and magic which will be brought to life, in the soulful narration of Valentina Trivedi and Anuja Jaiman, a visual treat you wouldn’t like to miss!

State Government suspends two IAS Officers named in NH-74 scam

By

Tania Saili

-

September 11, 2018

0

For many a month the NH 74 Compensation Scam of Uttarakhand has been grabbing headlines. In a fresh update, today Trivendra Singh Rawat run State Government suspended two senior IAS officers Pankaj Pandey and Chandresh Kumar Yadav, whose names had crept up during the investigations.

Initial investigation revealed that land-use had been changed many a time to pay compensation at inflated rates. During the preliminary investigation carried out at the Commissioner Level, eight PCS officials had been named as the first accused out of which seven officers were suspended and one had retired.

The investigation was then handed over to the SIT, which submitted a report to the government, highlighting the involvement of two IAS officers in the scam. Both Pankaj Kumar Pandey IAS and Chandresh Yadav IAS were District Magistrates of Udham Singh Nagar during the period under the scanner. They were Arbitrators during their respective tenures.

The arbitrator’s recommendation is important for compensation. After the SIT report, the government wrote to the DOPT seeking permission to investigate the above-mentioned officers, and to demand an explanation from them. Today the Trivendra Singh Rawat Government suspended them on finding that their explanations unsatisfactory.

Heavy irregularities arose in land acquisition for the widening of National Highway 74, at that time of Harish Rawat headed Congress government.

The BJP had raised this issue amid much heat and dust in the last Assembly Elections. They had promised to get to the bottom of this murky affair if they came back to power. True to their word, after the BJP government formation, the scam was investigate at a break neck pace, first at the Commissioner level and then by setting up a SIT.

Meanwhile the government had sought and obtained approval from the Central Personnel and Training Department (DOPT) to be able to take action against these two IAS officers without any further delay.

Editor's Choice

Popular Posts