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Childrens’ exclusive exhibition to be held in Dehradun

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Giggles

Dateline Dehradun: Coming Sunday i.e. 16th of April got a whole lot better. Dehradun’s first-ever exclusive kids exhibition ‘Giggles’ for toddlers to almost teens is being hosted at Cafe Commune, from 1300 hrs onwards.

The exhibition is being organised by two super-moms Bhavna Bist, Co-owner Cafe Commune and Anubha Daspal, a professional storyteller. Giggles promises to be one-of-a-kind exhibition organized that will cater to a wide range of fashionable items right from kids apparels to their accessories, stationery, hair accessories and many more items to choose from under one roof.  More than 15 stalls will showcase a rich variety of products ‘just-for-kids,’ that will let you pamper your little one.

There is more to it! Plenty of tailor-made workshops to choose from to keep the little ones busy while you take a breather or shop till you drop.  Art of chocolate making, storytelling, robotics & clay sculpting, tattoo making & face painting are just some of the few co-activities on-board that will ensure that parents and children bond.

Giggles, a Pop-Up for kids was born as an idea in the minds of both Bhavna and Anubha while curating events for children. “We have been ideating, curating and co-hosting various events like Storytelling, Vaachak Children’s Literature Festival, Nature Play Date, Messy Masti, for the last 3 years and counting,” says Bhavna a mother to a six year old son, Ayaansh.  “We wanted to hold an exhibition which focuses only on children activities and products. We want to create a unique space dedicated to young minds. It also gives an opportunity and platform to bring together local artisans and entrepreneurs in the district that specifically cater to children,” adds Anubha mother of one year old Ojas.

From quirky, kitsch, fancy and home essentials to kids apparels you name it and they have it. All you need to do is come with your toddler or almost teens and enjoy an event tailor-made for your little one.

Arena Polo returns to Happy Valley, Mussoorie

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Mussoorie: History was in the making when after a gap of eighty years, the famed Happy Valley’s Polo Ground resounded to the thunder of hooves. In what is easily the world’s highest Arena Polo Field, Happy Valley, Mussoorie hosted its first game of six chukars on the 8th of April where teams competed for the coveted Happy Valley Civil Services Arena Polo Cup.

From the clip-clops of horses as they entered the Arena Polo Field with their riders who were happiest on horseback to see them thundering away with the ball and the mallet made for a captivating experience.  The event showcased some of the most talented and skilled polo players of India. There are few things that can match the thrill of watching Shamsheer Ali, India’s Polo Captain bouncing the ball across the field on his mallet’s edge while riding his horse at break neck speed to score goal after goal.

The Happy Valley Arena Polo Cup was instituted by the President of India on the 9th of December 2022, and the first polo game was held this week. Of course horse-riding has been an integral part of the training of Officer’s Training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Twenty-seven horses under the guidance of Instructors on deputation from President Body Guard’s Regiment, an elite cavalry regiment of the Indian Army hone horse riding skills, but Arena Polo is a whole other ball game. Played in 77 countries around the world, one of the oldest team sports finds its roots in the early 1900s in various places as far apart as the United States and Argentina. It continues to attract a new generation of players and fans. An exciting and challenging sport offers a unique twist on the traditional game of polo.  Played indoors or in an enclosed outdoor area, in any kind of weather, it leaves very little room for error as it remains the ultimate adrenaline rush for the both players and its audience.

With an amazing eye for detail, the enclosure has been made by interlocking and can be dismantled within an hour. A fast paced equestrian sport, tools of the game include a horse, its rider, a small ball with a light mallet.

The picturesque field is an ultimate venue for any polo enthusiast. Teams from the Indo Tibetan Border Police, the Border Security Force and the Indian Military Academy competed for the coveted cup this year. Mussoorie’s Arena Polo field finally shows potential  to attract tourists to watch the King of Games or the Game of  Kings. The State’s Tourism Department could easily start a fair or event, tailor-made and then the day is not too far off when Arena Polo will be organised with a much vaster participation from other institutes. This could be done  after ensuring  wide publicity of the event well in advance.

Divya Negi represents Uttarakhand at the National Youth Parliament Festival

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Divya Negi at NYPF

Dateline Tehri: For 23 year old Divya Negi it was a dream come true. Pursuing her Gandhi Fellowship Programme under ADC-NITI with district administration Udham Singh Nagar the young girl from Sunargaon, Tehri Garhwal got the golden opportunity to represent Devbhoomi at the fourth edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival held in New Delhi on the 1st and 2nd of March, 2023.

One of the twenty nine speakers who went on represent their State, Divya cleared several rounds of competitive selection from block to district to state level competing with young-minds her age. Divya came out as a winner and went on to represent Uttarakhand, an experience she holds dear, “it was inspiring and thrilling. It was nice to meet several eminent personalities and hear them speak in the historical Central Hall of Parliament of India.”

Divya Negi at the NYPF

An annual feature, the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) aims to make the voice of the youth of the country heard and give a lifetime experience to the future generation who will be joining various careers including public services in the years to come. The theme for 2023 was ‘ India for the World’ and Divya choose to speak on the topic of “India G-20 Presidency: One Earth, One Family, One Future.” She wore the hill-state’s traditional attire representing its true spirit.

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur took part in the closing ceremony in Delhi; MoS, Youth Affairs & Sports Mr. Nisith Pramanik; Secretary Youth Affairs Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan; Secretary Sports Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi along with other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. Addressing the youth, Mr. Anurag Thakur said, ‘You are the present and the future architects of this country.” The Union Minister stated, “girls are at the forefront in all fields including sports and how out of the 85 participants at the National Youth Parliament Festival, 61 are girls.”

VoW Celebrates International Mother Language Day

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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With the distinct aim of inspiring school students to engage in the joys of speaking in their mother tongue, an oration event was organised by Valley of Words, Dehradun on the 19th of February as a precursor to the International Mother Language Day celebrated all over the world on 21st of February. 

Over four dozen students from six prestigious schools of Dehradun district took part in the two-hour activity held at the VoW Café – Gallery – Library – Studio Sahastradhara Road.  Students from Brooklyn School, Doon International School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, ONGC, Himjyoti School, Oakgrove School, Mussoorie including cadets from RIMC, Dehradun came out in large numbers to participate in this one-of-its-kind cultural event as they represented 25 languages spoken around the country on subjects such as – environment, culture, urbanisation, motivation to achieve goals, urban and rural conflict etc. 

In its 7th year running, Valley of Words celebrates International Mother Language Day to promote cultural diversity. The Festival Director, Dr Sanjeev Chopra said, “VoW is privileged to celebrate the Mother Language Day with renditions from 25 languages – it will perhaps be the most expansive coverage of spoken languages of India. We have Tamil, Bengali, Punjabi, Himanchali, Garhwali, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Dogri, Rajasthani, Assamese, Mizo, Kannada, Odia, Arunanchali, Manipuri, Gujarati, Urdu, Kumaoni, Sanskrit, Nepali, Telugu, Hindi, English, Bhojpuri. Team Valley of Words would like to thank the Principals and staff of Brooklyn School, Doon International School; Kendriya Vidyalaya; ONGC, Dehradun; Himjyoti School; Oakgrove School, Mussoorie for their support in the organisation of this programme.” 

Students of class nine and above, some turned out in their traditional gear recited verse and prose in their mother tongue from across the country, the hill-state was equally represented by students who spoke in Garhwali, Kumaoni and Nepali. The thought behind the event was to strive to promote a sense of pride in one’s mother tongue as when languages fade, opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression are lost. Valley of Words took this opportunity to do their bit in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity through one’s spoken mother tongue. 

Jyoti Dhawan, Curator for International Mother Language Day, Valley of Words felt, “Celebrating richness of linguistic diversity International Mother Language Day is observed on 21st February every year.  A child grows up speaking his mother’s language of communication which has a unique identity reflecting the prismatic hues of the geographical location, traditions and lifestyle specific to the area. It is imperative to promote linguistic and cultural diversity through the mother language and Valley of Words strives to do just that by celebrating this day in a unique way! ”  

The unique event, in its second edition promises to be an annual feat on the cultural calendar of the valley’s prestigious schools as well as that of the Valley of Word, Lit fest with the aim of working towards celebrating the magic of world’s rich fabric of cultural diversity and promoting multi-lingualism in young minds.   

Present at the occasion were Col Vikram Kadian SM Commandant RIMC, Sanjeev and Rashmi Chopra, Ms Jyoti Dhawan, Shalini Butola, Sachin Chauhan, Rakshita Upadhyay, Sneha Bhardwaj, Kalpana Tomar, Megha Chauhan, Bikram Singh, Sunita Dikshit, Rachna Sharma, Rina Bakshi, Pramod Sharma, Ashutosh Kumar amongst many others. 

Uttarakhand tableau ‘Manaskhand’ creates history

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline New Delhi: The vibrant and colourful ‘Manaskhand tableau’ of Uttarakhand received the first prize at the Republic Day Parade held in New Delhi, the State’s first award for a tableau since its creation.

This achievement that was lauded by Chief Minister e Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami who said, “It is a proud moment for all of us. The Garhwal region has been described as Kedarkhand and Kumaon as Manaskhand in Puranas. Mythological temples of Kumaon region are also being developed on the lines of Char Dham under “Manaskhand” Mandir Mala Mission. The tableau brought to the forefront the beauty and divinity of the hill-state.”

After five-rounds of detailed meeting which started in early September with the Ministry of Defence, the tableau of the hill state was finalized and given a ‘thumbs-up.’  The tableau’s theme, design, model and music was successfully projected by Joint Director, Information Department, Kalam Singh Chauhan who explained how over the years, various tableaus from the hill-state have been a permanent fixture making their way down the Kartavya Path but this was special in many ways, “It is a moment of great pride for the entire state of Uttarakhand under the guidance of Honorable Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami as our State Tableau receives the first prize for the very first time after the formation of the hillstate. I am extremely glad that I got this opportunity to perform my duties as the team leader.”

The temple of Jageshwar Dham stood tall and proud amidst the dense deodar trees with Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand, State Animal of Uttarakhand Musk Deer, avian delights such as Peacock, Ghughuti, Pheasant, Chakor, Monal, butterflies adding beauty to the traditional Aipan art painted on its exterior. A troupe of fifteen artists performed the Cholia dance as they accompanied the tableau down Kartavya Path winning hearts.

Manil Suri: Zero to Infinity

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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0
Students of Himjyoti School with Manil Suri

Dateline Dehradun: Renowned author Manil Suri was in town to discuss his latest ‘The Big Bang of Numbers’ How to Build the Universe Using Only Maths published by Bloomsbury at the first edition of ‘Candid Conversations’ held at the VoW Café-Gallery-Studio in Dehradun.

At a close knit gathering organised at the VoW Café, the author took time off to discuss his book at great length with his audience which was an interesting mix of all age groups and gender. The author spoke of how the universe had multiple origin stories, from religious creation myths to the Big Bang of scientists, but if we were to leave those behind and start from nothing – no matter, no cosmos, not even empty space – could we create a universe using only maths?

Manil Suri at VoW Cafe

Celebrated author Manil is a distinguished university Professor of Mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has written three novels, The Death of Vishnu, The Age of Shiva, and The City of Devi. His debut non-fiction book, The Big Bang of Numbers: How to Build the Universe Using Only Maths is an engaging and imaginative tour through the fundamental mathematical concepts – from arithmetic to infinity – that form the building blocks of our universe.

Moderated by Festival Director Dr Sanjeev Chopra, Lead discussant Dr. N. Ravi Shanker, VC DIT University took the session forward stating how Dussehra, Navami Puja, Ashtami, Saptami, Shashti, Chhati, Panchami, and Ganesh Chaturthi mentioned in the Indian Mythology were all based on numericals.

During the conversation, various branches of Mathematics like Arithmetic, Pattern, Algebra, Geometry, Difference between Physics and Mathematics were discussed at length. The author reiterated how, “the interest in Maths depends on how mathematics is taught. To increase the interest in mathematics it becomes important on how easily and interestingly one is taught.”

Distilled from almost four decades of teaching experience Manil Suri touched a chord with young and old alike. Students and faculty of Him Jyoti School took part in the session and walked away with pleasant memories with the renowned author who started at zero and ended at infinity.

Nominate a Book for VoW Book Awards, 2023

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Dehradun: Keeping its date with time, the Valley of Word team is all set to launch its nomination form for this year’s i.e. 2023 Awards entitled ‘Nominate a Book’ from its website starting 15th of January the auspicious day of Makar Sakranti.

The Vow Book Awards are an integral part of the Valley of Words Literary Festival: a literature and arts festival with a distinct multigenre, multilingual and intergenerational approach.  Over the last six years, the Valedictory Session which features announcements of the  VoW Book Awards  has received the highest footfall in the festival.

Books are nominated for the 2023 Edition of the VoW Book Awards in the eight categories given below. Books published in the calendar year 2022, viz from January 1st  2022 to 31st December 2022, are eligible for nomination:

* English Fiction

* English Non-fiction

* Translation from Languages of India to English

* Hindi Fiction

* Hindi Non-fiction

* Translation from Languages of India to Hindi

* Writings for Young Adults – Hindi or English; bilingual (11-16 years)

* Writings/ Picture Books for Children – Hindi or English; bilingual (5-10 years)

With forty odd publishers. Over four hundred books nominated for the coveted award last year i.e. 2022, the team is confident that they will set a new record by receiving multiple nominations under all eight categories.

In its sixth year running, the literary festival has grown in leaps and bounds creating new milestones along the way. The open access, free literature and arts festival brings bibliophiles, literary entrepreneurs, authors, critics, influencers and thinkers from the world of fiction, non-fiction and poetry in its signature two-day event in the town of Dehradun, in the foothills of the Himalayas. The festival has made its way on to the world map of Literary Festivals to contend with. With each passing year, the Valley of Words Literary Festival aka VoW along with its sponsors and institutional partners have taken the onus of celebrating the word in every corner of the country and beyond via its online Afternoons with an Author monthly series.

Talking to us, Festival Director Sanjeev Chopra said, “Inspite of rising paper costs , 2022 was a boom year for publishing , especially as the Covid restrictions came to an end. We have made the nomination process simpler, and really look forward to receiving some great books in all the eight categories.”

Visit:http://valleyofwords.org for more

Valley of Words travels south

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Ending 2022 on a high note the Sixth Edition of the Valley of Words International Literature and Arts Festival travels to Chennai to host its English vertical in partnership with Chennai International Centre.

The event will be held the weekend before Christmas i.e. 17th-18th of December at Rukmani/Arundale auditorium Kalakshetra and CLM, Sishya, OMR School respectively.

Over a dozen authors, reviewers, moderators, translators, panelists and students will join in as we celebrate the written word, down south.

Telling us more about the event, Director Chennai International Centre Dr. C. Chandramouli said, “The Chennai International Centre (CIC) has been conceived with an objective of creating an intellectual hub for the city’s intelligentsia to meet, share, discuss, and evolve transformational ideas. It aspires to be a spa for the mind and soul.” He further added,    “The Chennai Literature and Arts Festival in collaboration with the Valley of Words is a maiden attempt. We hope it will blossom into an annual feature in the social calendar of Chennai.”

VoW Director Sanjeev Chopra complimented Dr. Chandramouli of CIC for inviting Ex-Governor of West Bengal Gopal Krishna Gandhi and the former editor of Hindu N Ravi to the inaugural program.

With an interesting line up on day one: celebrating marathon writer TN Murari; followed by an engaging session with Author Peggy Mohan and Thomas on The Language and Commerce of the Empire with AV Paneerselvam. Hem Mahesh and Peer Mohammad Azeem, Prabha Sridevan and TM Yesudasan will discuss the nuances of translation in Saluting the Tradition of Translation session; while Vidya Singh and Pradeep Chakravarti will discuss Kunti and Durgavati: Queens Across Ages the latest from authors Koral Dasgupta and Nandini Sengupta. Dr Sanjeev Chopra’s book We the People of the State of Bharat will be discussed at Maps & Milestones in the Making of Bharat with TS Tirumurti and C Chandramouli.

Day two i.e. 18th of December is dedicated to young minds. Students of Sishya, OMR School and others will join in to host, participate in book reading and enactments based on Pinkoo Shergill: Pastry Chef, Wild and Wilful, Tales from The History of Mathematics and The Making of Heroes Book 1 of the series The Adventures of Zoe and Scruffy books penned by authors Vibha Batra, Neha Sinha, Archana Sarat and Mamathi Chari respectively.

Talking about Valley of Words event in Chennai, Director Dr Sanjeev Chopra said, “VoW is delighted to collaborate with the Chennai International Centre for  the English language and Translations vertical on the 17/18 December. The partnership between two not for profits – the VoW Foundation and the CIC augurs well for readers and writers – the purposes of both organisations is to spread the word in all its manifestations.”

Copenhagen Business School & Himalayan School of Management Studies strike friendship

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newspost
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Students from Copenhagen Business School, one of the largest institutions of higher education in Denmark and one of the largest business schools in Europe, got an opportunity to interact with students of the Himalayan School of Management Studies, Swami Rama Himalayan University.

SRHU campus was abuzz with fun and camaraderie when students from as many as eleven countries came together on a single platform. Apart from exchanging views on business learning, relevant to their careers and personal development, the students got a rare opportunity to know and appreciate each other’s ethnicity and rich cultural diversity.

The foreign guests, who were at SRHU for a week, were especially taken in by the Yoga and meditation sessions that left them feeling rejuvenated both mentally and physically. They expressed confidence that they would carry the newly acquired insights from India to work with renewed zeal on their master and other degrees. “The purpose was to come to SRHU for a week, and reflect about the lived experience and process it in a way that achieves maximum learning and put it in right perspective,” stated a team member from CBS.

“All this was possible because it’s a beautiful campus, with a lot of green space that provides the right energies to reflect and go deep into our minds to understand our purpose in life,” stated another student.

“We came here to reflect. And this has been a perfect place, quiet and calm. The Yoga sessions have been wonderful and it was so nice to integrate with the students studying here. There was a lot of cultural element that has broadened our knowledge of the world,” stated another group member from CBS.

Dr Vijay Dhasmana, VC Swami Rama Himalayan University interacted and exchanged notes with the guest students and was elated to observe the ease with which the young members of the world were adding to their ‘global perspective.’ “I am confident that the exchange will greatly add to the value to their lives and help them create new networks,” he underlined.

Amongst the highlights of the visit was a talk delivered by Prof Sudhanshu Rai on the significance of ‘Business Skills’ relevant to contemporary times. Dr Amit Nautiyal, Dr Som Aditya Juyal and Prof Amar Sathe coordinated the visit.

Taking forward the art of Dhol and Damaun

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

The meaning of life it to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away

:Pablo Picasso

And that is exactly what 55-year-old Sohan Lal the drummer from Pujargaun a village in Tehri district has been doing. An art form passed down from one generation to the other, Sohan learnt the art  of playing the dhol/drum from his father Granthi Das.  “Without any formal training we are all amateurs, spluttering, unsteady and muddled! But with dedication and practice I have learnt a few things,” says Sohan Lal today.

Once a common sight and sound in Garhwal, especially during festivals. Today a vanishing art form:  Dhol and Damaun  have been an integral part of every ritual, ceremony and festivity in the hills. Sohan Lal is among a few drummers who have kept the art form alive. Though every village in Garhwal still has a drummer family residing in it. Most of them have all together given up. For there is neither status nor money in this vocation.

Sohan Lal with his tools of the trade the drum around his neck and drumsticks in hand has worked relentlessly on passing on the tricks of the trade to over four dozen drummers or dholis.

Sohan lal receives honoris causa by Garhwal University.

The Department of folk performing art and culture, in Srinagar, Garhwal has tried to archive and propagate Garhwal’s rich tradition with courses like theatre, folk music and folk forms imparted by the likes of Sohan Lal, masters in their fields. Prof. D.R. Purohit, has been relentlessly working for over three decades now patronizing drums and drummers:  ‘We have put in our sincerest efforts to pass on vanishing art forms onto the new generation. We have been training our students by the masters of traditional folk arts themselves, who in turn get an opportunity to show case their talent and get monetary benefits as guest faculty.”

He further adds, “A master of 18 beats of Naubaat, 12 beats of wedding and all the beats used in Pandava, Goril, Bagdwal, Disha Dhankudi, Naagraja, and Aachchahri  dances. He has also mastered the narrative singing of all these forms, besides the songs of Narsingh, Bhairava, Nirankar, Chaitvali, Saidwali, Ranbhut, Ghar Bhoot, Gandiyal and many other ritual dance traditions of Uttarakhand.”

Today an appointed Visiting Faculty to the Centre for Folk performing art and Culture of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University to being a Visiting Faculty to Cincinnati University, US, Sohan has reached greater heights. He was recently awarded the honoris causa by Garhwal University.

Amongst the last maestros of this dying art, Sohan Lal is a beacon of hope for the sound of the drum to beat out a rhythm in the hills and valleys of Uttarakhand, for generations to come.

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