LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome readers to a truly Special Issue of Hollywood Weekly Magazine. Every Issue of HWM is important to us, but this Issue, featuring India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on the Cover, is the pièce de résistance in the career and life of Hollywood Weekly Magazine's Owner and Publisher Prather Jackson. This particular Issue of Hollywood Weekly, which is being delivered to the United Nations for a very special announcement from Prime Minister Modi, is the manifestation of a goal and dream of Prather Jackson that began when he moved to Mississippi from Germany as a young boy, and was introduced to the legacy of cultural insensitivity in the American South. Mr. Jackson’s father was a military man, and he and his wife were stationed in Germany, where Prather Jackson was born. Prather had just completed second grade when his family moved back to America. Southern acclimation for a young black boy coming from Europe was not easy. All of his friends in school back in Germany were children of military parents. It was a multicultural education, but more importantly, there was unity amongst the children: regardless of the color or original heritage or ancestry of any individual child, all Prather’s classmates in Europe were united and bonded by one fact -- they were all American. Things were, to say the least, more black and white for Prather in the United States. By the time Prather Jackson graduated high school, however, he already had a solution for the world. Yes, the world. He wanted to recreate the harmonious, loving friendships he experienced as a child with all the other military children of various ethnicities -- with one exception: growing up on a U.S. Military Base in Europe the children were all bonded by being American. Now, Prather’s dream was to connect people around the planet as Citizens of the World. At his high school graduation in Mississippi, Prather Jackson was awarded The American Legion Award. Prather had already converted everyone who knew him in high school into accepting him as an American and a Citizen of the World, which is how he saw everyone around him, regardless of their color or ancestry. To Prather Jackson, a Citizen of the World is an unbreakable bond that connects all Human Beings. With a degree in Psychology from the historic Tulane University, Prather Jackson began his journey to heal and connect this world. Through his National and International Publication, HWM, Prather Jackson has systematically made his way around the world; spreading the message of multicultural acceptance and “Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry.” I’ve personally worked with Publisher Prather Jackson for the last 15 years. I’ve seen him win numerous Awards from around the world. Dame Dr. Munni Irone’s Arts4Peace has Awarded him twice: once for Hollywood Weekly Magazine as “Best in Media,” and once for Prather Jackson personally by Awarding him her “Global Peace Leader Award.” He has received an Award from Nigeria, given to him from the Nollywood African Film Critics for HW’s Annual International Film Festivals. He has received an Award from Japan, their “World Class Achiever in Excellence Award.” And just this year at the 2019 Unity Golden Gala Awards he received their “Wall of fame Exposure: Hero of the Year.” It has been an amazing journey for Prather Jackson and his Hollywood Weekly Magazine, culminating in this, our presence at the United Nations, to support Prime Minister Modi’s visit to this legendary Global institution. We are so proud to have India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi gracing our Cover. We hope you enjoy this very special celebration of everything Hollywood Weekly Magazine and Publisher Prather Jackson stands for: acceptance, understanding and unity of all cultures. Thank you, readers, as always, for your constant love and support. We are who we are as a Publication because of YOU. We wish you all Peace & Happiness!
Anthony Ewart, Associate Editor
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F A L L E D I T I ON
4 INDIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO MAHATMA GANDHI
Celebration of 150th Anniversary
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS 10 THE PRIME MINISTER Mr. Narandren Modi
18 CHOIR CULTURE AMONG YOUTH IN INDIA GOES INTERNATIONAL INDIA SCRIPTS HISTORY
28 Chandrayaan 2 Launch
36 AIWEFAIn Collaboration With Unite 4 Good Promotes Khadi
NAGA CHOIR 40 AO The Ao Naga Choir was
formed in the year 2009
INDIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO MAHATMA GANDHI
CELEBRATION OF 150TH ANNIVERSARY
First meeting of national committee formed to lay the groundwork for Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations; President Ram Nath Kovind chairs the meeting; Meeting attended by Vice President, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers on 02 May 2018. The Government of India had decided to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, at national and international level to propagate his message. A National Committee (NC) headed by Hon’ble President of India and was constituted for this purpose on 02 May 2018. This Committee included Hon’ble Vice-President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of all states of the country, representatives from across the political spectrum, Gandhians, thinkers, and eminent persons from all walks of life. The NC is tol guide and approve policies/ programmes/activities for the commemoration and also supervise implementation of the decisions taken from time to time. An Executive Committee (EC) headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister with 19 members was. Mandate of EC was to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the commemoration and chalk out the plan, programmes and activities under the commemoration. 4 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations The 114-member committee, comprising Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Ministers and Chief Justice of India, were to discuss the policies, plans and preparatory activities for commemoration of the birth anniversary.The birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation will be commemorated from 2nd October, 2019 to 2nd October, 2020. Many events will be organised at both national and international level to propagate the message of the Mahatma. In his budget proposals, then the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had earmarked 150 crore rupees for the celebrations.
Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birthday celebrated in US Kicking off the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi on 03 October 2018, hundreds of people gathered in cities across the US to celebrate the birthday of the apostle of peace, with speakers describing his preaching of non-violence as more than ever relevant in today's world.
that ensures Mahatma Gandhi continues to be an inspiration for future generations . The President said, “When we work for an India free of caste and religious prejudice, we invoke Gandhiji. When we strive for Swachh Bharat and a cleaner and more hygienic India, we invoke Gandhiji. When we speak of the rights of women and children, and of civil liberties of small and disadvantaged groups, we invoke Gandhiji…” It is decided that every state will have different events, and chief ministers put forward specific comments pertaining to their states. Mr.Kashyap, political scientist and former secretary-general of Lok Sabha made two suggestions in writing to the Ministry of Culture, one of which was to come up with a commemorative volume, focusing on Gandhi’s relevance to present day problems. Since it would not be feasible for the entire national committee to be convened frequently, the meeting resolved to set up a smaller executive committee, headed by the Prime Minister, to take forward the commemoration
Government of India Will Commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi From 2nd October, 2019 To 2nd October, 2020
Gandhi's favourite bhajan titled "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Re Kahiye" along with others were rendered at all these functions. Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna payed floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located outside the Indian Embassy premises in Washington. India's Consul Government of India will commemorate the 150th Birth AnniGeneral in New York, Sandeep Chakravorty, paid floral trib- versary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, during the period from 2nd October, 2019 to 2nd October, 2020. This deutes to the Gandhi statue at Union Square. cision was taken on 12 October 2017 and the National ComHundreds of Gandhi's admirers gathered at his statue in the mittee to be headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi town of Davie, Florida to hear the grandson of Mahatma has been constituted the purpose. It has been decided to Gandhi, Rajmohan Gandhi. The event was also attended by celebrate the event at both national and international levels, to propagate the message of the Mahatma. This Committee the Indian Consul General in Atlanta, Swati Vijay Kulkarni. Rajmohan in addition to his scholarly discourse added a few includes the Chief Ministers of all the states of the country, remembrances of his childhood in the company of 'Bapu' and representatives from across the political spectrum, Gand'Ba' (Kasturba), as recalled when he was about seven years hians, thinkers, and eminent persons from all walks of life. old, he got a new pair of eyeglasses and Gandhiji teased him The Committee will guide and approve policies/programmes/ activities for the commemoration and will also supervise imabout the new glasses. plementation of the decisions taken from time to time. Gandhi's birth anniversary was also celebrated in Bellevue, Washington state, at Gandhi Memorial Center in Bethesda, Maryland and by Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan in New York. PM – led panel to make Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary a global event
The Narendra Modi government has lined up a string of events across the globe to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi, which would include a global cycling event, a vegetarian food festival, compilation of a ‘Gandhi Anthology’ with write-ups from 150 globally reMaintaining that the event should serve to increase aware- nowned persons, and promotion of khadi abroad as an “idea” ness about Gandhi ji globally as well,PM Narendra Modi said and a “health solution”, and not just a “garment”. it is important that the occasion be ceblerated in a manner HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 5
Railway to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary as Community Day
Indian missions abroad have been asked to find innovative ways to promote khadi globally as a “health solution” and as an “idea”, a tool of sustainable development and an employment generation solution, and not merely a garment. Sale of The railways will mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth annikhadi products in India have shot up under the Modi govern- versary as "Community Day", according to an action plan of ment in the past four years. the Railway Board that also includes "shramdaan" (voluntary labour) is to be done by railway men and stakeholders. A Each Indian mission will also organize a ‘Gandhi Cycling special exhibition titled "From Mohan Das to Mahatma" and Event’ on June 3, 2019, on World Cycling Day. An online quiz Railway Board have intimated to all its zones with events and a vegetarian food festival in each Indian mission abroad connected to railways .It has been decided that 150 small are also being planned. Translations of collected works of nurseries are to be set up on railway and the railways will Gandhi will also be presented to universities abroad and mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. each foreign mission will be doing talk events in 12 schools . Murals and quotations related to Gandhi will be put up at All Indian missions and posts also planted 150 trees each on all divisional headquarters' production units and workshops, June 5, 2019, on World Environment Day. The government is and logos outside coaches are to be replaced with the ones also planning to prepare a documentary on all these celebra- approved by the Ministry of Culture, the board has informed tions over the next one year after PM Modi had initiated the its zones.The government in 2018 had set up an executive 150th year celebrations of Gandhi on October 2 this year. committee under the chairpersonship of Prime Minister NarAs many as 150 globally renowned persons have been iden- endra Modi to "spread Mahatma Gandhi's legacy" among the tified, including political leaders, journalists, artists and busi- people at the national and international level. ness leaders to compile a ‘Gandhi Anthology’. They have The committee comprises senior cabinet ministers, the leader been asked to write what Gandhi means to them in the 21st of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, renowned Gandhians, socentury, as per the note. Short talks on Gandhi, named ‘Satya cial activists and noted public figures who would preside over Vaarta’, will also be organized by identifying people who are the two-year-long celebrations to mark the occasion. influenced by Gandhi and upload inspirational talks with them Each Union ministry and its associated departments have been online. instructed to plan their celebrations well in advance to commemorate the day. The railways has also asked its zones to A dozen events have been lined up, as per a government replace current tourism posters provided inside coaches with note to promote a global discourse on Gandhi. Two of these thematic ones based on Gandhi. "All government social meevents are complete, including the Bhajan ‘Vaishnav Jan To’ dia handles will disseminate Gandhi's message at a fixed time in Gujarati by prominent artists globally and digital projection each day of the commemoration year starting from 2nd October of Gandhi pictures on iconic buildings across the world. The 2019, The message/quote will be relevant to the day." government is now pursuing all countries and their postal departments to issue Gandhi stamps this year. Mr. Narendra Modi,the Prime Minister of India quotes :
It is our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfill Gandhiji's vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday released postage stamps on Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary. The postage stamps were issued at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi during Prime Minister 6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomes Indian PM Narendra Modi in Abu Dhabi in this screengrab picture.
Modi's visit. A list of 32 activities has been prepared by the Culture Ministry to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, even as other government departments are in the process of readying their proposals for the October 2, 2018-March 30, 2019 extravaganza. The government, which has already announced its plans to celebrate the occasion both in India and abroad, has asked all
the ministries to keep their proposals ready for approval from the six sub-committees, consisting of secretaries of central ministries, by August-end. The sub-committees were formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month. The Ministry of Culture, the nodal ministry for the celebrations, has drafted the 32-point plan with events ranging from a philatelic exhibition on Gandhi Parv, international seminars, plays, exhibitions on Gandhi across the country to "kavi sammelan" and astronomy shows. It has also planned cycle yatras, a Gandhi-specific tableau was displayed on Republic Day, releasing a commemorative coin, a conference on value addition, Gandhi katha among other programmes. To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Gandhi Global Family (GGF) and Gandhi Gyan Prathisthan (GGP) is planning a massive gathering of 12,000 students dressed in Gandhi's attire. The novel method of celebration is being planned in the presence of about 25,000 people at LB Stadium in the third week of September this year. Before that a similar programme would be conducted in Vijayawada in the second week of August. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7
"Remembering Bapu and his timeless message. To mark Gandhi Ji's 150th Jayanti� a commemorative stamp was released. Mahatma Gandhi whose values of peace, tolerance and sustainability continue to be relevant and guide the world .
The focus is to propagate the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and also promoting national integration, peace and harmony among all sections of the soceity," GGF and GGP secretary G Rajender Reddy and secretary T Purushottam Reddy respectively told media on Wednesday. They said the GGF and GGP have conducted Bala Gandhiji programme on October 2, 2018, in Nalgonda with about 5,149 students dressed like Gandhiji and it was entered into the Guiness Book of world Records. The organizations are international society organizations working on the UN's sustainable development goals. They have been organizing various programmes to sensitize people in achieving these goal like strengthening self help groups promoting skill development programmes, rain water harvesting, organic farming and non-conventional energy. President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi are ensuring in making the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a global event using platforms such as the UN and other multilateral organizations. 8 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The President, while speaking at the first meeting of the national committee for the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the father of the nation, said Gandhi's principle of 'Ahimsa' was very relevant in today's times with the world facing terrorism and other forms of violence. Gandhi strived to lead the country to not just political independence, but to a better India and a society free of caste, religious, economic and even gender prejudices, he said.The meeting for planning this celebrations , starting from October 2,2019 this year will continue till 2020.The President said that the Gandhi's birth anniversary commemoration has a worldwide meaning. "Let us elevate this to a global celebration, using platforms such as the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. The focus should not just be on events, but on tangible, actionable legacies that will make a difference to the lives of ordinary people -- wherever they may be," he said. The principle of Ahimsa is very relevant in today's world, which is experiencing violence in the form of terrorism and other conflicts, he said, adding that
in such times the values espoused by Gandhi can guide "our planet towards a better future". "Mahatma Gandhi was India's conscience keeper. The Mahatma is our past, he is our present and he is also our future," the President said. Gandhi's lessons are relevant in every policy of the country such as Swacch Bharat, rights of women and children, and of civil liberties of small and disadvantaged groups, health and well-being of the Indian farmer and the Indian village. "...When we battle climate change and promote green, eco-friendly living, we invoke Gandhiji. And what is sustainable development if not an expansion of Gandhiji's simple mantra: 'The earth has enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his monthly Sunday radio address “Man Ki Baat ” urged people to observe the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year as a day to make India plastic-free and exhorted municipalities, NGOs and the corporate sector to come up with ways for safe disposal of accumulated plastic waste before Diwali. The call for a mass movement came days after Modi's Independence Day's address in which he had urged people to shun 'single-use' plastic to protect the environment.The prime minister also urged people to participate in the annual 'Swachhta Hi Seva' or 'the quest for cleanliness is service' campaign, which will begin on September 11 this year. "This year, on October 2, when India will celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, we shall not only dedicate to him an India that is open defecation-free but also shall lay the foundation of a new revolution against plastic, by people themselves, throughout the country," he said. The prime minister urged all municipalities, municipal corporations, district administrations, gram panchayats, government and non-governmental bodies to work towards ensuring adequate arrangement for collection and storage of plastic waste. He also appeal to the corporate sector to come out with ways and means for appropriate disposal of all accumulated plastic. It can be recycled; it can be transformed into fuel. This way it can accomplish the task of ensuring safe disposal of plastic waste before this Diwali festival this year on October 27,2019. He said all that is required to take up the challenge is resolve and "what can be a greater inspiration than Gandhi?".In his Independence Day's address, Modi had urged citizens to eliminate 'single-use' plastic and suggested that shopkeepers provide eco-friendly bags to customers. He said people from all strata of the society should celebrate Gandhi Jayanti this year as a day to make "Mother India plastic-free".
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 9
THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRIME MINISTER
MR. NARENDRA MODI Through the verdict , 130 crore Indians have reaffirmed their unwavering faith in politics of development and good governance. The people of India have voted for a strong and stable government , which can fulfill the aspiration of India’s youth. It was all the way for Mr.Narendra Modi and the nation having the greatest faith on the tallest leader getting a historic landslide victory on 23 May 2019 and his government for a second term in office. As the true son of the soil who is leading India from the front after Independence, Mr.Narendra Modi proved to be a strong willed PM, it is the quality that separates Modi from other Indian Prime Ministers. For Mr.Narendra Modi to rise to becoming the Prime Minister of this spiritual nation ,it is the blessings from his humble Mother with her regular prayers who has dedicated her son 10 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
and his life to serve India which is the strongest strength to reach the summit and serve the nation with utmost dedication, honesty and sincerity. This is the true and perfect example set by Mother Teresa as the Global Mother in the “Joy of Giving ” .This “Joy of Giving ” is also dedicated not only to all Mothers in India but across the world. Since independence, India has seen 17 Lok Sabha elections, 22 governments and 15 PMs. No doubt, each of these regimes have contributed to nation building, but had a very limited impact on long term destiny of India. Congress, which has ruled for 55 years in all, has had eight opportunities to serve India with full majority governments, but not even ten measures stand out that would be remembered for ushering in transformational change. The Vajpayee government took serious initiatives to jolt the status quo only to see its policy interventions thwarted because of lack of numbers in
Parliament. His recent political victory has been his clear vision and ability to get the job done against the most formidable opposition. His wisdom and strategy took the political analysts and pundits by surprise and many media and political reporters had no clue about his strategy and initiatives. This is an example to the world leaders to consider working out of the box. To pull it through in a country like India , the largest democracy of the world, his victory has given the hope to the poor and to declare that India has only two types of people ,the poor who wants to transform their life and the other category who are genuine players to work their best in transforming lives of the poor and alleviate their lives, thereby to live with dignity and respect especially rural women and less privileged children.
In many ways, 2014 marks a point of inflection in India’s governance and policy paradigm. For the first time a nonCongress government won a full majority in the Lok Sabha. The Narendra Modi-led government has since rewritten the grammar of change. In the last 63 months, dozens of signature policy initiatives have not only brought about significant qualitative improvement in people’s lives, but also pitch forked India as a global growth engine, cementing its status of eminence among the world’s leading nations. The hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been his strong willed approach. The nullification of Article 370 and abolition of Article 35A, despite the opposition’s inexplicable resistance, as also the lack of majority in the Rajya Sabha, exemplify this determination. Article 370 in its original form and Article 35A were not compatible with India’s development aspirations, as these severely restricted the state’s progress and, also, promoted separatism. Terrorism has killed more than 41,000 people in the state, while a few families merrily pocketed the bulk of central government aid, pushing an entire generation into poverty.
His love for the country, as India first is clearly understood and his passion to see a developed India with the verdict of 130 crore Indians is clearly made out through his regular radio address and other events both nationally and internationally to the Indian Diaspora to the nation expressing his mission and dream to reaffirm the faith of the people of the country who has given a thumping victory to NDA and the BJP government to take this nation forward with him as the leader The peculiar brand of appeasement politics, coupled with leading from the front and his mission that this Government lack of political will, ensured that no leader dared to change plans to make India with a 5 trillion dollar economy. the “special status” of J&K perpetuated through Articles 370 and 35A. The Modi government’s decision on Article 370 and As Prime Minister ,he has been advocating with your Article 35A, and the passage of the relevant Bills in both Motto “ Sabka Saath,Sabka Vikas ,Sabka Vishwas” , creating houses of Parliament illustrate Modi’s resolve and political and awareness amongst the people of India to join him in statesmanship to actualize the “one nation-one Constitution” a mass revolution on two very important subjects which are principle, and lead Jammu and Kashmir into a new era Climate Change and to promote Khadi worldwide from local of development. to global. Maintaining that the event should serve to increase awareness about Mahatma Gandhi to be celebrated globally Likewise, moves such as demonetization, GST, abolition of as well, PM Narendra Modi has taken initiative that the the evil practice of triple talaq, air strike and surgical strike occasion be celebrated in a manner that ensures Mahatma on terror launch pads across the border, one rank one penGandhi continues to be an inspiration for future generations sion, direct benefit transfer (DBT), institutionalization of chief .To pay tribute and celebrate 150th anniversary of Mahatma of defence staff (CDS), UAPA amendment bill and constitutional Gandhi and highlight his vision to promote Khadi worldwide status to OBC Commission, which were hitherto seen as and promotion of Khadi abroad as an “idea” and a “health difficult asks, were executed by the Modi government. These solution”, and not just a “garment”. moves certainly make him the most strong willed prime minister India has ever seen. His influence will continue to encourage the proud tradition Successive governments since independence have implemented of involvement in worthwhile political and social causes to agriculture, and cities-villages. This approach presented a set the people of India. He has created an environment of a New of self-imposed contradictions. There evolved a perplexing India and a true Independence that has been set up by him strand of thought that the poor can develop only if the interest in today’s India victory. He is ensuring full support of some of rich is compromised and vice versa. Modi has demolished initiatives to work for increased funding for education this baffling attitude by making a clarion call: “There are only towards less privileged children who should go to schools two classes: the poor and those who want to eradicate povand empowering the rural women. erty.”
Ensuring ease of living has been the primary pillar of the Modi government’s governance doctrine. Jan Dhan, Mudra, DBT, house for all, electricity for all, LPG for all, crop insurance scheme, increased MSP for farmers, pension schemes for small entrepreneurs and working class, and Kisan Samman Nidhi: all epitomise this approach. In addition specific policy initiatives have been taken for the development of historically marginalized social segments such as SC, ST, OBC and women. Prime Minister Modi is a person of firm resolute and once he undertakes any task; he will finish it completely with immaculate precision. He does not believe in what others say; he ensures he can do what others can never do and that is why he stand above them. Retaining this attitude always and his vision to reach to the farthest of the destinations where others cannot even dream of!
The contrast between previous administrations and the Modi government is clear. While earlier governments’ decisions were primarily guided by the sole objective of retaining power, the Modi government is focused on pushing changes of long-term significance, no matter if they don’t seem popular in the near run. This has resulted in courageous policy and legislative moves even in the face of widely perceived political risks. PM’s popularity shows that when tough measures are taken with popular welfare as the sole consideration, people reward him with wholesome support.
The overwhelming mandate in 2019 that bettered even the 2014 record is a testimony to this. Over the last five years ,the NDA Government has taken path breaking and futuristic decisions that has brought a positive difference in people’s lives. The stupendous work he has done in the last five years Modi has always believed that a country cannot advance and his right effort and determination, he has proved the if the business community does not lead this progress. His impossible can become possible. emphasis on the role of wealth creators in a nation’s growth underlines the importance this government attaches to the Modi was conferred the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for business community. From overhauling a creaky banking 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and system, clamping down on corruption, enhancing investments fostering global economic growth. He is the 14th recipient in infrastructure, to GST and procedural simplification – all of the award and the past laureates included former UN have turned India into a much easier place to do business. Secretary General Kofi Annan India remains the world’s fastest growing major economy and is cantering towards the $5 trillion GDP mark. Modi receives the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 Under Modi’s stewardship India’s status on the world stage has grown by leaps and bounds. When India carried out surgical strikes and air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan, the world’s leading nations stood by India, while the neighbour was, and continues to remain, isolated. Recognition of Yoga International Day, UN’s Champion of Earth Award to Modi, leading role in International Solar Alliance initiative, successful launch of Chandrayaan and highest number of simultaneous satellite launches from India are some examples of India’s growing international stature.
The award was presented to him by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation at a grand ceremony and a short film on the life and achievements of Prime Minister Modi was also screened at the event. Modi expressed his gratitude for the prestigious honour and accepted the award to the success that India has achieved in the last five years is due to aspirations, inspiration and efforts of the people of India.
He said he was honoured that the award conferred on him is in the year that India celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He dedicated the USD 200,000 prize money National security remains non-negotiable for this government. to ‘Namami Gange Programme’, which is flagship programme The decision to appoint a CDS, modernization of the armed of his government to accomplish the twin objectives of forces as well as successful launch of anti-satellite missile effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation demonstrates the government’s steadfast focus to protect of River Ganga. India on all fronts: land, sky, sea and space. The decision to implement the long-standing demand for OROP also mirrors Modi is the 14th recipient of the award and the past laureates the government’s firmness to keep the morale of India’s included former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German soldiers high. Chancellor Angela Merkel and renowned international relief 12 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam. The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at UNESCO HQ in France
The award was established to crystallize Korean people’s yearning for peace on the Korean peninsula and in the rest of the world.At the event, Prime Minister Modi expressed concern over the growing menace of terrorism and recalled that a few weeks before the Seoul Olympics in 1988, an organization called Al-Qaeda was formed. The radicalization and terrorism have become global and are the biggest threats to world peace and security. Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of cross-border strife. All endeavour towards peaceful developments has only too often been derailed by cross-border terrorism. While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders. The time has come for all those who believe in humanity to join hands, to completely eradicate terrorist networks, and their financing supply channels and counter-terrorist ideology and propaganda. Only by doing so, can replace hate with harmony, destruction . Modi lauded President Moon Jae-in for his role in overcoming the legacy of mutual-distress and suspicion between North Korea and the international community and bringing them to the discussion table. This is no small achievement and hoped that peace will soon prevail on the Korean peninsula. India’s growth story is not only good for the people of India but also for the entire world. He expressed that people live in an increasingly interconnected world. The growth and prosperity will inevitably contribute to global growth and development. Also that despite having a historically low carbon footprint, India has been playing an active role in the global fight against climate change. India, as a responsible member of the international community, has been in the forefront of collective fight against climate change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at UNESCO HQ in France and he addressed the Indian community in France during the first leg of his three-nation tour. He also unveiled a memorial for the victims of the two Air India plane crashes in Saint Gervais, near the French Alps.
While conferring the award on Modi, the award committee recognized his contribution to the growth of Indian and global The address was preceded by his meeting with French couneconomies, crediting ‘Modinomics’ for reducing social and terpart Edouard Charles Philippe where issues of bilateral economic disparity between the rich and the poor. and mutual interests were discussed to further boost the The committee also credited him for his contribution toward comprehensive strategic partnership. Prime Minister Modi regional and global peace through a proactive policy with also held one-on-one talks with French President Emmanuel countries around the world.
Macron at Chateau de Chantilly during which the two leaders cultural ethos . reviewed the entire gamut of the dynamic and multi-faceted bilateral relationship. Narendra Modi on a two-day state visit to Bhutan Many highlights during this visit were explained in his method that today in the 21st century the world talk of INFRA. He simplified it as IN+FRA, which means the alliance between India and France. Injustice cannot be done to Muslim women in new India. In ‘New India’, noose tightening on corruption, nepotism, loot of public money and terrorism was a priority. India will achieve most of the climate change goals set for 2030, in the next year and a half.
Narendra Modi was on a two-day state visit to Bhutan and his first trip to the monarch country since he returned as the Prime Minister of India after the BJP won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a resounding mandate. PM Modi had fruitful discussions with H.M. the King, H.M. the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Bhutan PM on the entire gamut of the bilateral relations. He addressed young Bhutanese students at the prestigious Royal University of Bhutan.
Within 75 days of the new government coming to power we took many strong decisions. He emphasized that there is no place in new India for corruption. In new India today, the way action is being taken against corruption, nepotism and terrorism, it has never happened before. The country is quite ahead in the area of start-ups. The world’s biggest health scheme is being implemented in India at present. He has achieved targeted goals due to team spirit. There have been a lot of positive changes in India in the last five years and India moving fast on path of development. There is huge support for French football team in India and India- France friendship unbreakable as it shares historic ties. PM Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community at UNESCO HQ in Paris.
With the Government of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy in mind, Modi termed the India-Bhutan relationship an “important pillar” and called the partnership “of a special character”. India and Bhutan enjoy excellent bilateral ties exemplified by the extensive development partnership, mutually beneficial hydro-power co-operation, and strong trade and economic linkages. These are, reinforced by a shared spiritual heritage and robust people-to-people ties.His visit woud promote the time-tested and valued friendship with Bhutan and consolidate it further for the prosperous future and progress of the people of both our countries.
Modi received the ‘Order of Zayed’, the highest civilian
decoration conferred by the UAE government. The prestigious ‘Order of Zayed’ is conferred on PM Modi at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi Humbled to be conferred the ‘Order of Zayed’ UAE’s highest civilian award, as a mark of appreciation for his efforts to boost bilateral ties between the two nations and thanking the UAE Government for this honour, he dedicated the award to 130 crore Indians more than an individual, which is for India’s 14 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
India Independence Day and how world leaders greeted Indians. Host of key world leaders on wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian citizens on the country’s Independence Day, it was Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s gesture which stood out. The relations between India and Israel are like never before. It’s not merely cooperation, it’s genuine friendship,” said Netanyahu in a short video, posted to mark the occasion. Responding to the greetings, Modi said, “My friend Bibi, as always, your wishes have touched all Indians. May India and Israel become even closer friends in the years to come.” Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu greeting with a “namaste”
on the entire gamut of the bilateral partnership as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Meeting other global leaders attending the Eastern Economic Forum, and interacting with Indian Industry and business representatives participating in it.
and hailing the deepening ties between the two countries. While many leaders greeted Indians and PM Narendra Modi on Independence Day, it was Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s gesture which stood out. Visit to the Russian Far East Region is the first by an Indian Prime Minister.
The forum focuses on development of business and investment opportunities in the Russian Far East Region, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia on a two-day presents enormous potential for developing close and mutually visit during and held summit talks with President Vladimir beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in the region. Putin and attended the Eastern Economic Forum. His visit to the Russian Far East Region is the first by an Indian Prime The Prime Minister accompanied the Russian president to the Minister. Zvezda ship-building complex. For long, the focus of Russian
economic and political development was the nation’s European side, home to cities Moscow and St Petersburg. But amidst the stagnation of the European economy and the rise of East, Putin has increased his focus on the far-east. The Far Eastern Federal District, which is twice the size of India, is rich in resources but has a population of merely 8 million. It is also vastly underdeveloped. Thus Russia needs the help of Asian countries. Putin wants to avoid overdependence on Beijing. Hence, Russia is keen to bring investors other than China into its Pacific region. Ample opportunities for India in Russia’s Far-East
Mr.Modi landed in Vladivostok, capital of the Russian Far East and the crossroads of a dynamic region. Mr. Modi attended the 5th Eastern Economic Forum as the Chief Guest at the invitation of President Putin. He will also hold the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit with Putin.
The resource-rich region provides ample opportunities for India, an energy-hungry nation. India could also provide Russia with much-needed labour for projects in the sparsely populated region. By investing in far-east, Indian companies also get access to a market where it doesn’t compete with Western firms. Both the countries are also looking at opportunities to explore hydrocarbons on the continental shelf in the Arctic and the Russian far-east together.
Before departing for Russia, Modi said he looked forward to discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest with President Putin. Mr. Modi visit underlines the The push in far-east is also an attempt by Moscow to desire of the two countries to diversity and further strengthen consolidate its clout in the Pacific region. The interest of both bilateral relations. Discussion with his friend President Putin New Delhi and Moscow align in the matter of Asia-Pacific HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 15
security. India is a strong power in the Indian Ocean with a serious interest in the Pacific Ocean, Russia is a strong Pacific power with an interest in the Indian Ocean.
PM NARENDRA MODI GETTING BLESSINGS FROM HIS MOTHER
The bilateral relations between Moscow and New Delhi The Modi-Putin meeting is the 20th annual bilateral summit between the nations. The two leaders signed deals on defence, trade, energy as well as industrial cooperation. Politically, there are no disagreements between Russia and India, so the discussions between the two strategic partners are to focus on economic matters. Both the countries, with bilateral trade ties amounting to $11 billion, are to focus on increasing mutual investments and cooperation in the energy sector.That India has gone ahead with the purchase of S-400 missile defence system, for over $5 billion, against US wishes, underlines the strength of the ties. Russia and India in 2015 signed a $1 billion agreement to jointly make Kamov Ka-226 military helicopters, part of the “Make in India” initiative. However, the deal has been pushed back repeatedly. India in March launched a joint venture with Russia to manufacture AK-203 assault rifles. Both these agreements are to get the much-needed boost during the bilateral talks between the two leaders.
September 4 is seen over 70 business events, focusing on ways to expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and developing the economy in Russia’s Far East. PM Modi as the Chief Guest at the Forum, which also see participation from a number of other countries at ministerial level, including China, South Korea, North Korea, Singapore and Indonesia, Mr.Modi looked to further India’s relation with these countries. Prime Minister is hitting the ground running from the word go. By 2022 he wants every Indian to have a home. He wants the income of farmers to be doubled. The Government has extensive plans to make India a 5 trillion dollar economy . To harness the potential of the youth ,he plans to make India the top start –up destination in the world.
Modi and Putin are expected to discuss a proposal to establish a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a five-nation grouping, comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Belarus, formed in 2015 to create conditions for the stable development of economies of the member states. Talks have been concluded on this proposal which is expected to Guided by “ Sabka Saath ,Sabka Vikas,Sabka Vishwas ” he give a fillip to the economic ties between India and the would continue to make development a mass movement Eurasian region. and provide progressive, development oriented and corruption free governance to build a strong ,prosperous and The Eastern Economic Forum inclusive India. The three-day Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held from 16 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Ao Naga Choir
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CHOIR CULTURE AMONG YOUTH IN INDIA GOES INTERNATIONAL
KC LIGHTS CHOIR GROUP-SCHOOL CHOIR CHILDREN FROM KIDDIES CORNER SCHOOL,SHILLONG,MEGHALAYA,INDIA DEPICTING THE TRADITIONAL COSTUMES OF EACH AND EVERY COMMUNITY LIVING IN ALL THE (EIGNT) NORTH EAST STATES WALKING IN TO TEMPLE TREES, THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF SRI LANKA FOR THE AWARD CEREMONY OF THE 4TH ASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES’2017,COLOMBO, SRI LANKA 18 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The choral music in India forms an integral part of the intangible cultural heritage of the colonial period. The cultural geography of a large number of known and unknown towns in India are peppered with various nuances of the Raj culture. Among this is the choral singing which has made a place for itself in contemporary India. Music was an integral to the culture of the Churches in the Raj, quite often included unique pipe organs dating back to the 18th -19thcentury and choral music . The tradition of sacred music and religious festivals , like Christmas and in turn brought a variety of celebrations. Classical Movements in India has remained a rare musical destination few years ago. There was a minuscule population of people who loved Western classical music — an even tinier one that could read it, much less actually studied it. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 19
India has a long history and rich tradition of its own classical music and dance (not to mention the enormous Bollywood industry) and that Western art music didn’t need to fill a void, since none really existed, as is the case in so many other countries. More recently, though, perhaps due to increased globalization and/or the larger number of Indians studying abroad, India’s interest in Western classical music is growing steadily. In fact, the Shillong Chamber Choir from Shillong , capital of Meghalaya from the North East states of India , a Western-style singing group founded only in 2001, won three Gold Diploma at the 6th World Choir Games held in Shaoxing, China, and created history . They have won the popular television competition India’s Got Talent. Their popularity transformed the Choir culture in India. Right now, there are many voice, piano, violin and guitar students in a growing number of Western music schools across the country, representing all communities, ethnicities and economic situations. But for those students a musical instrument is impossible to purchase and maintain. The human voice, however, comes free of charge. And for Classical Movements, it’s pretty easy to transport, too.) Loved by young and old, around the globe, singing is an especially universal ability. Nevertheless, despite that ever-increasing number of music schools for children, in India today, there is no university course that teaches choral singing, or even a program to teach teachers how to teach choral music. The demand abides still. Many Indian singers were wont for vocal training, desperately seeking skilled teachers to come and teach and conduct. Classical Movements had officially launched the India Choral Fellowship (ICF) in 2016, featuring the award-winning singer, conductor and educator Kevin Fox . Indian musicians who, far from abandoning the old ways, blend in with the ancient traditions that make the country so unique, forging a new horizon for classical music in India. Christianity is believed to have been introduced in India by Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles, in the Malabar coast in 52 CE. Another version credits Bartholomew, another of the Apostles, with the introduction of the faith 20 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
in the Konkan coast around the same time. Either way, scholars seem to be in agreement that Christian traditions gained firm roots in India by 6th century CE. Christianity grew in strength in various pockets across India: currently, it is the second largest minority religion in the country after Islam. Like in the rest of the Christian world, music has an important place in Christian worship traditions across India. Christian sacred music includes both liturgical music and non-liturgical music. Liturgical music is played in churches during Holy Mass and other sacred rites. Traditional liturgical music includes Latin hymns and compositions by musical greats like Mozart, Handel, Bach, Palestrina, etc. Non-liturgical music is played in praise of God outside churches, in houses and other meeting places. In states where there is strong Christian presence, like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa and the Northeastern states, Christian sacred music absorbed native influences and flourished while keeping their western roots intact. Hence you find choirs singing in Indian languages, apart from the traditional hymns in Latin and English. This is particularly true of languages like Malayalam, Tamil, Konkani, Mizo, etc. But the accompanying music is mostly on western instruments. This module takes a holistic view of the choral traditions of India and looks at the various diverse strands and practitioners. The leading choirs in Goa, Meghalaya and also Mizoram Christian music traditions, the module also has two highly placed priests of Goa talking about the beginning and evolution of Christian sacred music in the state. In a world where Indian culture is equated with Bollywood, 30 adults and children have come together in an attempt to showcase the country’s rich musical traditions. Hazarika and Vinay Chandra Mudgalya. The Mozart Choir of India of the Austrian Cultural Forum New Delhi was founded in 2006 at the initiative of the Austrian Embassy, the artistic director and president of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, Mr. Gerald Wirth, and the late Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. It aims, on one hand, to provide Indian children with state-of-the art training in Western classical music and choral singing in a joyful, creative environment. On the other hand, the Choir shall promote the Western musical tradition among wider Indian audiences through regular public performances. The Mozart of India includes 30-40 girls and boys aged 8 to 14 years who are trained by a team of high-qualified
choir conductors. The study programme includes weekly choir rehearsals, workshops dedicated to specific topics and is complemented by fun activities such as Christmas and end-of-the-year parties and weekend music retreats. Of particular importance to the musical education of the children are regular public performances. The Austrian Cultural Forum New Delhi is particularly proud to associate with the world-famous Vienna Boys Choir, whose artistic director Mr. Gerald Wirth, acts as a consultant to the Mozart Choir of India, including regular visits and work with the children in Delhi.
Western Music Education Association (WMEA) The Western Music Education Association (WMEA), an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting music education and its teachers in India. WMEA is an affiliate of the largest Music Education Association in the world - The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) from the US. The Western Music Education Association (WMEA) held its 5th Annual Music Education Conference entitled “Establishing Music Education in India” in New Delhi in August 2019. It had featured informative educational sessions which focus on choral education, general music teaching and other relevant music teaching topics. Presenters are professors from the US who are leaders in their field guided attendees in learning techniques, repertoire, skills, and information on music education!
About the Team:
Natalie Sarrazin- Executive Director Natalie is an Associate Professor at The College at Brockport, and Music Studies Coordinator. Dr. Sarrazin holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Masters degree in Music Education from Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. She teaches class piano, ethnomusicology, and music education courses in the Department of Theatre and Music Studies and Arts for Children programs at The College at Brockport. Natalie is the author of numerous books and articles on the film music of India and on Music Education.
Anjli Mata-President Anjli is the Area Coordinator (North India) and Academic Head for Trinity College London in India. She is a Western Classical music educationist specializing in Piano. She has been teaching music for over 40 years and was instrumental in establishing the Theme Music Institute, of which she was the Principal for 15 years. Her main focus since 2013 has been developing an Academic Support program and team for Music & Drama teachers in India. She completed her music education in Kolkata and holds two diplomas, ATCL and LTCL from Trinity College London. She was appointed as the representative for Trinity College London in New Delhi centre in 1999. In December 2013 Trinity College London conferred an Hon TCL degree (honorary membership of Trinity College London) in recognition of her work
Ritesh Khokhar-President Elect Ritesh is one of the most promising pianist and music educators to hail from the capital city of New Delhi in recent years. He is the Chief Executive of Bridge Music Academy, Brand Ambassador for Roland, Country Director for Rockschool London (RSL), Senior Music Consultant with Music Basti (an NGO working with children at risk through music). Ritesh founded one of the first private western music schools in New Delhi/NCR in 2002 and went on to establish Bridge Music Academy in 2009. His 5 years of research into the Hungarian music education system enabled him to author the first series of music textbooks for public schools in India titled “Bridge to Music”. Apart from being much in demand as a senior music educator.
Prachi Chandel-Secretary Prachi Chandel is a professional with over 15 years of experience with corporate like Cipla and Innovest Advisory as both Regional and General Manager. She has done PGDBM in marketing. Her expertise lies in the areas of strategy formulation, sales & marketing, business development, PR & networking, and team handling. Her interest lies in social and philanthropic work which has a social impact on community.
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WMEA 2019: Choir Festival and Annual Conference Report What better way to start a conference of music educators than with song!
Festival of Choirs: The annual Festival of Choirs took place a day previous to the conference at Shiv Nadar School in Gurugram. That the Festival is gaining recognition across the country was very evident, looking at the lineup of the ten performing ensembles, coming, as they did, from Kochi, Chennai, Surat, and Gangtok, apart from Delhi-NCR. The judges were Dr Sam Tsugawa, Western Division President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), from the US, and Sharmila Livingston, director of the Delhi-based Capital City Minstrels. The young choristers showcased both their musicality and
training, presenting songs chosen from a variety of musical styles. Delhi Public School-NOIDA were adjudged the winners, with the second position being taken by the host school, Shiv Nadar, and the third place a tie between the two schools from the South: Kamala Music School, Chennai, and Rajagiri Public School, Kochi. This year, an excellent learning opportunity was provided to the student participants through an educational workshop conducted by Dr Dean Luethi, Associate Professor at Washington State University in the US. The ten choirs sang as “One Voice” in Dr Luethi’s arrangement of the joyous, upbeat “ How Can I Keep From Singing”
Annual Conference: The Conference, held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, was an action-packed day. Welcoming members and speakers, Executive Director, Dr Natalie Sarrazin, emphasized the role WMEA plays in helping educators network effectively. Underlining that point was “FS Harmony” from Fountainhead school, Surat, Gujarat presented their cultural folk song “Krishna Bhagwan Halya” in the form of a choir in the competition organized by WMEA (Western Music Education Association) at Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram (Delhi). The school promotes the culture in each segment of Art like Dance, Drama and Music. They include exploration of different cultures in their teaching and learning to make the students internationally minded.
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the question “ How can WMEA help support you”, with all attendees asked to put their answers on post-its ! President Anjli Mata urged, “Let’s make this happen nationally. Let WMEA be a platform for your voice.” Dr Tzugawa then brought the audience together with his interactive session “Advanced Conducting and Rehearsal Strategies for Error Detection in Choral Conducting”. Through demonstration and curated videos, he led the audience through the many and complex arm and hand movements which control every aspect of music -making, from timekeeping and dynamics to phrasing. He brought his vast experience in pedagogy and as a practicing conductor to explain concepts like scaffolding in rehearsal to help students identify and internalize phrases, measures, pitches, and so on. Multi-faceted music educator, Virgil Vihaan Sequeira, Music Director at the Gandhi Ashram School in Kalimpong, took the stage next, with the theme of his address being choral music with Indian themes. Speaking eloquently about his personal musical odyssey, and the many hats he wears as conductor, arranger, composer, singer and educator, he began with a recording of a powerful a cappella arrangement of Vande Mataram, prominently featuring the tabla ‘takadim’ syllables. By recounting the importance of the influences that shaped him--- piano, theory, electronic keyboard, the bhajan mandals on Mumbai trains—he conveyed the many lenses through which we can explore music: political, ethnic, gender-based, among others. Participants got to listen to some fascinating experiments in the fusion genre: the Solkattu Choir, for example, where Subu Sankaran has employed tarana vocables, and his own Bottle Masala, reflecting his Portuguese-Marathi heritage. Game-playing provided some lively interludes,
as well, with one such, devised by Natalie Sarrazin, using pitch patterns to identify sets like the major mode, octaves, and descending scalar movement. The speakers of the day presented a plethora of ideas and suggestions as valuable takeaways from the conference. Dr Luethi spoke of music education through the prisms of progress and performance, posing some questions that need examining; Amit Kumar Kashyap, Dean of the Asian Academy of Film and Television brought up the ever-relevant subject of the 21st century musician. Talking of the paradox in using 19th century teaching methods, as 20th century educators, connecting with 21st century children and young professionals,he pointed out that today, “the music industry is driving artistes. Kids make money through’writing’ songs. It is necessary to also educate the musician of today about copyrights and how to protect their scores. The fact also is that we have stopped buying music, music stores are going out of business, many artistes are being deprived of their rightful earnings.” Two of India’s foremost performing artistes kept their audiences enthralled: Bruce Lee Mani, guitarist and vocalist for the Bangalore rock band Thermal and a Quarter, and co-founder of the Taaqademy Music School, had some penetrating and witty insights on building a sustainable ecosystem for music in India. “Technology has done a lot—lowered barriers, created new possibilities—but while things have never been easier, they have also never been harder! The counter-culture of the 60s has become an over-the-counter culture!” Speaking of how the filters and gatekeepers have gone, he quipped, “Any monkey with a MacBook can produce a song.” However, he sees the future as hopeful, for a variety of reasons, chief among them being the emphasis being laid on a formal arts education by school boards such as ICSE and CBSE and leading universities like Ashoka Universty and KREA. Speaking of his own academy, he reminisced how from small beginnings, it has grown to four centres employing 75 teachers and over 700 students. One of the reasons for this growth, according to him, is that “there is an openness to having music as a career choice. Developing a sound and an informed aesthetic is being given due importance. A career in music does not have to be confined to performance—it can be in production and there are many openings in the back end. A lot of thought is now going into music education, so it is only a matter of time before we see not just investors but patrons of the arts.”
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Ranjit Barot, who has been described by jazz fusion pioneer John McLaughlin as “ one of the leading edges in drumming”, and who has played in McLaughlin’s band, as well as been a drummer and arranger for such music industry luminaries as A R Rehman, and R D Burman, spoke tellingly, in his trademark informal style, connecting with every participant present. Speaking on the confluence of Indian and Western music, a subject of particular interest to Indian musicians, he drew on his own cultural influences, with his mother being a Kathak dancer who incorporated elements of Western dance in her performances. “We have grown up with Indian traditions, but also with rock n’roll.” He urged music teachers to “identify with your students, and remember that one size does not fit all. And to connect and communicate effectively, you have to be articulate with your instrument.” For teachers of drums, he had a special word of advice,” Technique has to serve imagination.” WMEA had the rare honour of having as the conference’s keynote speaker the acclaimed violinist, composer, educator
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and conductor, Dr L Subramaniam. Renowned the world over for his dazzling virtuosity and the breadth and depth of his musical expression, he spoke of his own beginnings in music, of his chosen instrument, of the role his father played in elevating it from an accompanying instrument into a ‘main’ one, and his transition from a medical student into a fullfledged performing artiste. His many, and varied experiences, made for a riveting story: how he was asked, as a homesick Teaching Assistant in California, where he went on an arts scholarship, to stay on and compose; how his album, Fantasy Without Limits was selected as one of the 10 Best Jazz Albums, when “I was not even a jazz musician!”; his collaboration with Stephane Grappelli, the renowned jazz violinist, the composition Fantasy on Vedic Chants dedicated to his mother. With characteristic humility he said, “I consider myself an accidental composer.” Talking of the popular misconception that music is a last resort for those who are unable to succeed in other areas, he brought home the extreme rigour, discipline and passion that
music demands. He is a great advocate of music education: “By studying music one becomes more creative and spontaneous. But the education has to go beyond playing the notes. In a practical art form, it is not enough to read books about the art, one has to practice and listen continually.” He talked of the syllabus he has helped develop at undergraduate study level, incorporating both global, Western and Indian music forms and styles, a far cry from the antiquated theory-heavy syllabi of yore. This syllabus has given a 70% weight to the practical aspect and 30% to the theoretical. The need of the day, according to him is to have” more committed musicians, who are not looking for quick results and rewards”. His own life is a testimony to that belief; as he has famously said, “Music is a vast ocean and no one can claim to know it all. The more you know, the more you realize how little you know. It is an eternal quest.” Words of wisdom indeed from one of our greats! And a truly fitting conclusion to a conference by music educators for music educators.
where children belonging to the age groups fr\om 10-17 years from KC Secondary School and members of the KC family from various states of the North East sing a wide variety of genre from pop to blues ,gospel to contemporary ,folk to oldies. They would like to use the platform to bring awareness of the culture and traditions of the region and in particular ,their state with special reference to the Khasis ,a major tribe of the state of Meghalaya, India. KC Lights had participated in different events and programmes in and out of their city, Shillong. They have travelled and performed internationally too. The first international competition was the 4th Asia Pacific Choir Games in October 2017 at Colombo ,Sri Lanka and in July 2018 ,they competed at the Grand Prix Thialand-International Festivals of Choirs. They performed well at these competitions and were awarded a Silver Diploma X at the Asia Pacific Choir Games at Colombo,Sri Lanka in 2017. In 2018 ,they were awarded two Gold Medals at the Grand Prix Thailand -11th International Festival of Choirs ,one for the Children’s Category and the other for the Folk Category. They were also awarded the Overall Champions at the competition. Recently KC Lights Choir won a Gold for the Folklore Category and a Silver Medal for the Teenage Category at the 8th Bali International Choir Festival 2019 held at Bali, Indonesia. KC Lights Choir strives to bring a positive change to this beautiful world and through their music as the legendry Bob Marley said “ One thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
KC LIGHTS CHOIR
KC Lights began as a Choir in 2013and now wish to serve a greater purpose to sing for a difference, to use music as a catalyst for a change . KC Lights has a rainbow like versatility
KC LIGHTS CHOIR GROUP(SCHOOL CHOIR OF KIDDIES CORNER SCHOOL,SHILLONG,MEGHALAYA,INDIA)- WINNERS OF SILVER DIPLOMA LEVEL ‘ X ’ IN THE OPEN COMPETITION,CATEGORY-02,YOUTH CHOIRS WITH MR.STEFAN BOHLÄNDER,VICE PRESIDENT, INTERKULTUR ALSO WITH OTHER STAFF MEMBERS-MS.JULIA HOPPE, MS.JELENA DANNHAUER ,MS.ZSUZSANNA LAHMEYER, MR.IKE SINHA,COUNTRY DIRECTOR,UNITE4:GOOD,ASSOCIATE PARTNER,INTERKULTUR IN INDIA AT THE AWARD CEREMONY OF THE 4THASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES’2017 AT
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 25
KC Lights Choir strives to bring a positive change to this beautiful world and through their music as the legendry Bob Marley said “ One thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” KC LIGHTS CHOIR GROUP-SCHOOL CHOIR CHILDREN FROM KIDDIES CORNER SCHOOL,SHILLONG,MEGHALAYA,INDIA DEPICTING ALL THE TRADITIONAL COSTUMES OF EACH AND EVERY COMMUNITY LIVING IN ALL THE 8(EIGNT) NORTH EAST STATES WITH SRI LANKAN SCHOOL VOLUNTEER AS GUIDE AT THE AWARD CEREMONY OF THE 4TH ASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES’2017 COLOMBO,SRI LANKA
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PRESENTING UNITE4:GOOD MEMENTO TO MR.STEFAN BOHLÄNDER,VICE PRESIDENT,INTERKULTUR ON BEHALF OF MR.ANTHONY MELIKHOV,FOUNDER,UNITE4:GOOD BY MR.IKE SINHA,COUNTRY DIRECTOR,UNITE4:GOOD,ASSOCIATE PARTNER OF INTERKULTUR IN INDIA WITH OTHER STAFF MEMBERS-MS.JULIA HOPPE, MS.JELENA DANNHAUER ,MS. ZSUZSANNA LAHMEYER,CHILDREN OF KC LIGHTS CHOIR(SCHOOL CHOIR OF KIDDIES CORNER SCHOOL,SHILLONG,MEGHALAYA,INDIA) AT THE AWARD CEREMONY OF THE 4THASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES’2017 AT COLOMBO,SRI LANKA
KC LIGHTS CHOIR – SCHOOL CHILDREN IN GRAND PRIX THAILAND-11TH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS
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INDIA SCRIPTS HISTORY
CHANDRAYAAN -2 LAUNCH ON 22 JULY 2019 India’s second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22 July 2019. Chandrayaan -2 was to be first mission to land a rover near the lunar South Pole. The mission was originally scheduled to launch on July 15 but that was aborted, with less than an hour remaining, after a technical glitch was discovered.The mission follows the Chandrayaan -1 mission which was launched about 10 years ago. The Chandrayaan-2 ,which was launched from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh included a rover and a lander for the first time in a fully indigenous Indian space mission. Chandrayaan-2 is the first mission in the world going near the “south pole”, where Nasa’s payload M3 on Chandrayaan-1 discovered ice in the shadow of craters. The Chandrayaan -2 weighed around 3,290kg . It would orbit around the moon and carry out remote sensing of the moon. The payloads are to collect scientific information on lunar 28 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
topography, mineralogy, elemental abundance , lunar exosphere and signatures of hydroxyl and water –ice, surface chemical composition, thermo-physical characteristics and atmosphere, leading to a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the moon The spacecraft has an orbiter, a lander (Vikram) named after Dr Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the father of India’s space programme. and a rover (Pragyan). The lander and the rover had the Indian tricolor painted and Ashoka Chakra imprinted on the rover’s wheel and a symbol of the greatest national pride. Chandrayaan-2 is India’s most ambitious Moon mission and India scripts history to become the first nation in the world to reach the south pole.
The mission cost Rupees 603 crore for the spacecraft system and Rupees 375 crore for the launcher which is a GSLV-MKIII. The total cost of Chandrayaan-2 is approximately $140 million, which is less than that of Hollywood movies like Interstellar or Avengers: Endgame.
schools and someone who believed in hard-work and faced challenges with ease. He understood the circumstances and shaped himself in a way that taught him without other’s guidance from family or attending coaching classes. His achievement to become the first graduate in his family and his hard work is an example to every youth of India that being It has been the Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi who a Farmer’s son can also reach the sky with glory. It was his with his leadership quality and fully confident on the passion which was the drive that makes it possible to professionalism of the Indian scientists and in his words are progress in life, to improve things, and to win the heart of the the pride of India, gave free hand to the Indian Scientists to one you love. work together under the leadership of ISRO Chief Dr K. Sivan. Today, Dr Sivan is an inspiration not only to the Indian youth but people from all walks of life, almost a household name in India. DR.K.SIVAN- ISRO CHIEF Dr.K.Sivan put in all efforts to ensure India scripted history and under his leadership as ISRO Chief ,India becomes the first nation in the world to reach the south pole. Having completed schooling in Tamil medium government
Passion lies at the heart of any successful life. If you don’t live life with passion, you will not be able to live life to the fullest.” HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 29
Today the world looks up to India by all sections of people with dignity and honour. The Hon’ble Prime Minister addressed and broadcasted all across the country that India is fully with the Indian Scientists to work together Indian Space Research Organization to achieve more heights in the field of space exploration. It is now official. In a major push for PM Narendra Modi’s Make-in-India initiative. His leadership as Prime Minister is leading the youth of this country to take pride of this rich spiritual nation as India first and the world to look up to India with glory. The ISRO Chief Dr.K.Sivan has received various awards throughout his career, including Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Sathyabama University, Chennai in April 2014 and Shri Hari Om Ashram Prerit Dr Vikram Sarabhai Research award for 1999.
landing on the Moon’s South Pole on September 7. Although the United States, the erstwhile Soviet Union and China have landed their spacecraft, none have targeted the South Pole. ISRO finds the lunar South Pole particularly interesting as the lunar surface area that remains in shadow is much larger than that at the North Pole. There is a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it. The maneouvre was performed at 3.27 pm as planned. This was achieved by using the Mission’s onboard propulsion system for a firing duration of 646 seconds. The orbit achieved was 277 x 89,472 km. All spacecraft parameters were normal. The fifth and final orbit-raising maneouvre of the Mission was scheduled for August 6, between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Once this orbit was reached, the spacecraft was all set to enter a week-long Lunar Transfer Trajectory. The space agency also wants to probe the craters there and there are cold traps and contains a fossil record of the early Solar System. Also probing deeper for water, the presence of which was first indicated by Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, is one of the Rs 978 crore Mission’s primary objectives.
India’s contribution towards space exploration over the years has been instrumental in unraveling discoveries beyond Earth. Chandrayaan- 2 is a breakthrough mission under the leadership of Dr.K.Sivan to enable the scientists across the world community to understand the presence of water on the moon. This is not to benefit India but mankind across the globe. The whole world was excited to witness this historic moment in India and urged all citizens of the earth to witness On August 14, the maneuver called trans-lunar injection, India making history. Chandrayaan-2 maneuvered and left the earth and moved towards the moon. On August 20, it reached the moon. INDIA’S CHANDRAYAAN-2 MISSION TO THE MOON Carrying out the lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver which The 3,850-kg Chandrayaan-2, a three-module spacecraft was fired between 8.34am and 9.02am on Tuesday, ending comprising orbiter, lander and rover, with a successful launch a 28-minute firing of the engines to put the lunarcraft into on July 22, five maneuvers were executed. One step from its destined orbit. Now that the lunarcraft was going around leaving Earth orbit, ISRO completed 4th orbit-raising the Moon, it eased into a different, lowered orbit over the maneuver without trouble .Chandrayaan-2 entered the Moon’s next 10 days, before a ‘soft-landing’ on it is attempted on orbit on August 20 successfully. The spacecraft reached the September 7 and by this process, the Chandrayaan-2 went lunar orbit of 100 x 100 km, the Lander Vikram separated from around the moon on August 20. The spacecraft was doing the Orbiter. very well and all its systems were functioning properly. Subsequently, ISRO had planned to have a series of maneuvers CHALLENGES OF KEEPING MISSION IN ITS PLACE around the moon and finally on September 7, the landing on The mission remained in the exact place that ISRO wanted the moon to take place near its south pole. it to be — at the exact velocity, reducing speed at the exact pace needed, the exact distance in its orbit from the Moon As hearts almost stopped, scientists at the (ISRO) Indian and exact inclination to the Moon. There were four more Space Research Organization who successfully placed lunar burns — the first one on Wednesday, the next three on Chandrayaan-2, the country’s second lunar mission, into its August 28, 30 and September 1.It was then followed by the orbit around the Moon, the whole nation was on their next major event on September 2 when it separated the television set waiting anxiously and the scientists community lander from the orbiter. Till then, all the operations were all around the world to hear the news on the safe landing on carried out by the propulsion system of the orbiter. On the moon. ISRO scientists had taken this challenge as no September 7, it was the start of a powered descent on the other mission has landed on the South Pole. They have all lander to the Moon’s surface at 1.40am. After that “Fifteen landed nearer the Equator of the Moon. But the unique minutes of terror,” as described by ISRO Chairman K Sivan requirement for a landing at the South Pole is that ISRO , the Lander attempted to find a flat surface to make a soft needed to achieve an orbit with an inclination of 90 degrees. 30 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The smallest deviation of even 10cm would change the inclination of the orbit by 7 degrees and this would end up affecting the mission. That was the kind of precision needed for this mission. The spot chosen has a slope of less than 12 degrees, because any slope over this could topple the lunarcraft, as will the presence of many boulders. Secondly, the four thrusters on the lander that will propel it towards the right spot will also be switched off just before it approaches the Moon’s surface, as its operation could end up with moon-dust rising, thus, affecting the mission itself. The lunarcraft was so close that it could even be grazing the mountain-tops on the Moon. However, it hovered over the surface to find the right designated spot between two craters. It hovered over the surface to take pictures and decide on its own if its path is right, while moving itself to the spot. The ISRO Chief had earlier said that it would be the most terrifying 15 minutes in the mission — as the maneuver depended on the on-board systems that were autonomously built — it won’t be controlled from the ground station here in Bengaluru.
and it would slowly start moving. ISRO were confident of landing at 1.55am on September 7, and five and half hours after the landing, the first pictures or data will be sent back here at ISRO.
The ISRO scientists were with big dreams that this mission seeks to find out more about this hitherto unexplored territory CHANDRAYAAN-2 SUCCESSFULLY ENTERS MOON ORBIT of the Moon — its chemical and mineral components, the presence of water, sub-surface temperatures, seismic activity What Happened on Sept 7? along the surface — all of which will go into providing critical inputs for future missions to the Moon. - It is of international Two hours after landing, the rover was to touch the ground interest as NASA has announced plans for a human habitat and an hour after that, the solar panel were to be deployed near the South Pole and data from Chandrayaan-2 will help
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devise such a habitat. That’s one of the reasons this mission ISRO CHIEF SIVAN BREAKS DOWN AS PM MODI HUGS has attracted worldwide attention. The rover is designed to HIM AFTER MOON LANDING GLITCH go around the lunar surface at 1cm per second and will move at best 500m in its entire mission life-span. ISRO’s plan to soft land Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram module on the Lunar surface did not go as per script in the early hours of For 30 minutes, their hearts almost stopped while carrying Saturday, with the lander losing communication with ground out the maneuver (LOI). All of their eyes were glued to the stations during its final descent. control systems, checking on the health of the systems. Everyone was so anxious as they were more terrified (about K Sivan, the Chief of Indian Space Research Organization the 15-minute landing maneuver) and once powered descent (ISRO), was downcast after the space agency lost contact starts, they had no control over it. ISRO scientists team had with Chandrayaan 2 lander ‘Vikram’ just when its descent to done all the simulation possible, for systems and sub-systems, moon was initiated and despite words of motivation by Prime done whatever was humanly possible. Minister Narendra Modi he could not fight back his tears. After PM Modi reached out to K Sivan to shake his hand but ISRO Chairman also said that ISRO has learnt from past the scientists broke down at which the PM hugged him with mistakes — not just in Chandrayaan-1, but from missions of words of encouragement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also other countries. For instance, from Israel’s mission, ISRO’s consoled a teary eyed Sivan outside the mission operations takeaway was to ensure sensor calibration and making the complex after his address to the scientists and the nation. systems more autonomous to function independently, as the The PM too appeared emotional. lander was be doing now. Addressing the scientists hours after ISRO announced that it A LIFE BEYOND 14 DAYS? had lost communication with the lander, he also said that the country’s determination to land on the moon has become even stronger. The Prime Minister said: “Last night, I understood your frame of mind, the look in your eyes said a lot. That is why I did not stay here for long. We might not have reached the lunar surface as planned... You came as close as you could, stay steady and look ahead. We are full of confidence when it comes to our space programme .We came very close, but we need to cover more ground.... Learning from today will make us stronger and better,” he told the scientists, adding, “The best is yet to come in our space programme. India is with you.” Modi had earlier watched the proceedings as the lander began its descent towards the moon surface at the ISRO The mission’s lifespan is just one lunar day, that is, 14 earth centre. After his address the Prime Minister went around days, from September 7 to September 21. After that, when it shaking hands with scientists with words of encouragement, is night on the Moon, the lander will not be able to get solar asking them to look ahead and not lose heart. power to keep its batteries charged up.However, after a lapse of another 14 days, beyond the first week of October, if the INDIA STANDS WITH YOU, BEST YET TO COME –PM sensors and other systems are not affected by the extreme MODI TELLS ISRO temperatures, ISRO could potentially look at re-charging its batteries from solar power when it is day yet again on the PM Modi with ISRO Scientists asking them to look ahead and moon. ISRO had qualified it (the lander and rover) for that kind not lose heart of temperature, but cannot say with confidence it will happen. It may happen if lucky. It can generate up to 50 The Chandrayaan-II located on 8 September 2019 watts. However, its communication would be limited only till Chandrayaan 2 lunar lander Vikram had been located on the the Lander, and will last for a single lunar day, equivalent to moon’s surface and the ground station on 8 September 2019 14 Earth days. But whatever valuable inputs it gathers during and is working to establish contact, quoted ISRO chief K this short span will be immensely valuable. Sivan . ISRO had lost contact with Vikram, one of three 32 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
components of the Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft, on Saturday morning while the lander was attempting a historic soft landing near the south pole of the moon. The lander stopped transmitting just 2.1 kilometres from the moon’s surface.
identification and distribution, surface chemical composition, thermo-physical characteristics of top soil and composition of the tenuous lunar atmosphere for a new understanding of the origin and evolution of Moon.
“Yes, we have located the lander on the Lunar surface. It must have been a hard-landing,” Mr Sivan said, adding that it was unclear to them at this stage if the lander had been damaged. The lunar orbiter had taken a thermal image of the lander.... orbiter had clicked a thermal image of Lander. But there is no communication yet. ISRO were trying to have contact. It will be communicated soon.
Former astronaut Jerry Linenger, who spent five months 'inside the space station Mir, says India’s contribution towards space exploration over the years has been instrumental in unraveling some great discoveries. Linenger is known for surviving a fire during one of the most dramatic missions in space history. He spent nearly five months aboard the Russian Space Station Mir.
India had expected to make space history with the Rs 1,000-crore Chandrayaan-2 mission. A successful soft landing on the moon’s surface would have made the country only the fourth - after the United States, Russia and China - to achieve the feat.
The complete process of the Chandrayaan -2 at the ISRO centre were joined by 60 high school students from across the country to witness live the space feat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with these students and their interests in science and space exploration as future scientists of India at the ISRO centre in Bengaluru.
It would also have made India the first country to complete a soft landing near the South Pole on its first attempt.In a statement to national broadcaster on Saturday, Mr Sivan had blamed faulty execution of the last stage of the operation for the loss of communication. The last part of the operation was not executed in the right manner. It was in that phase that ISRO had lost link with the lander, and could not establish contact subsequently. This is a very complex process and it is new for ISRO. It is a complex process even for those who have already done it. ISRO did this for the first time. Vikram and lunar rover Pragyan, which is housed inside the lander, were scheduled to operate for one lunar day (equal to 14 Earth days) and carry out a series of surface and sub-surface experiments. The lunar orbiter, which is in orbit around the moon, is now expected to be operational for seven years and help in the understanding of the moon’s evolution, mapping of its minerals and water molecules in polar regions. EXPERIMENTS ON MOON:
The Chandrayaan-II has been a spectacular success for many reasons... The unique technological achievements of ISRO by launching Chandrayaan II - which can be best explanation as to why Chandrayaan-2 is a success in so many things: 1. ISRO have used a low power GSLV rocket, good enough to park a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, but entirely out of the league of the US Saturn-V rocket engine, to catapult a space vehicle into moon orbit,using the Earth’s gravitation as the motive force. This is the triumph of mathematics over the brute force of a Saturn-V rocket. This is what scientific elegance is all about. 2.ISRO have been able to develop the telemetry required to monitor and control.
3-Axis motion very precisely in outer space, where telemetry The orbiter will continue to circle around Moon for over seven signals, despite travelling at the speed of light, take several years during which it will also map Moon and take images of seconds to traverse the distances involved. different areas to look for water and “new science”. A passive payload of NASA, Laser Retroreflector Array, 3. ISRO have mastered injection of space vehicles into attached to Vikram will calculate the distance between the orbits of space objects other than our own planet. This Earth and Moon and help detect the exact location of the requires precise mathematics and velocity control at great lander on Moon. distances, to not spin away from the orbit or not crash into the space object. The 13 desi payloads on board the orbiter, lander and rover will do a detailed study of topography, seismography, mineral 4. With Chandrayaan-II, ISRO have mastered command HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33
'module and lander module separation and autonomous operation of the lander module thereafter.
ORBITER SAFE
While Vikram’s fate remains unknown, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continues to be safe in its orbit around the Moon. In fact, it was the orbiter that spotted Vikram on lunar surface on Sunday. ISRO is likely to use the orbiter to find about Vikram’s status. However, the agency does not have a lot of time -Vikram and the rover Pragyaan’s mission life is of just 14 days. No, Chandrayaan-II is not a failure by a long shot. It is in Two days have already passed since Vikram’s attempted fact, a spectacular success for Indian Science and for the landing on the Moon, leaving ISRO with less than 12 days acquisition of a technology that is not available for love to either get in touch with the lander or figure out what or money. happened to it. 5. ISRO have failed in landing the lander module due to what appears to be communications failure. There is enough telemetry data to hopefully give us an insight into the reason for this failure and set it right for our next shot at the Moon.
There is need for ISRO to disseminate more information on its programmes in an open source manner. Like NASA believes, the knowledge gleaned by ISRO should be the property of every Indian.
Landing Vikram and Pragyaan on the Moon was just one part of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. A majority of the mission’s experiments are located on the orbiter, which is safe and is revolving around the Moon.The orbiter will conduct eight experiments, more than Vikram and Pragyaan’s combined CHANDRAYAAN- 2 TO BENEFIT MANKIND ACROSS five. One of the experiments the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter will GLOBE perform will be to estimate the quantity of frozen water present in the Moon’s south polar region. The Chandrayaan-2 India’s contribution towards space exploration over the years orbiter has a mission of a year and is expected to last its life. has been instrumental in unraveling discoveries beyond Earth. On the science front, the mission aims to further expand the With the ISRO spirit and the Lander being located and intact, knowledge about the moon through a detailed study of its also that Vikram is intact , India embraces the ISRO spirit. topography, mineralogy. Chandrayaan -2 will benefit mankind. Another significant reason that makes this mission special is the fact that for the first time ,ISRO has two women scientists leading the mission deserves to be commended and applauded for their contribution-Ritu Karidhal and Muthayya Vanitha. It was close to 30 % of the team working on Chandrayaan -2 comprised of women. WHAT HAPPENS TO CHANDRAYAAN-2 MISSION Vikram went out of contact early Saturday morning while attempting to land near the south pole of the Moon. Vikram, which houses the six-wheeled Chadrayaan-2 rover Pragyaan, lost touch with the mission command centre in Bengaluru when it was just 2.1 km above the lunar surface. Vikram going out of touch sent ISRO into shock and the agency said it was analyzing data to figure out what happened to the Chandrayaan-2 lander. On Sunday, ISRO managed to locate Vikram on the lunar surface and was found to be in a “ single piece” and was lying tilted on the lunar surface.
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AIWEFA (ALL INDIA WOMEN’S EDUCATION FUND ASSOCIATION ) IN COLLABORATION WITH UNITE4:GOOD PROMOTES KHADI
KHADI GOES GLOBAL All India Women’s Education Fund Association (AIWEFA), established in 1929 under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi by Sarojini Naidu, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and others for the education and empowerment of women. For this purpose, AIWEFA founded the Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi in 1932 and generations have pledged their lives for the upliftment of communities. Over the last 90 years, AIWEFA, and generations of students and faculty of the College have pledged their lives for the upliftment of communities. Under the inspiration of the Hon’ble Prime Minister ,Mr.Narendra Modi, AIWEFA re-dedicates themselves to help raise the underprivileged into improved standards of comfortable living. Hon'ble Prime Minister has initiated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations with programmes on khadi-his lasting legacy that embraces the very essence of Gandhian principles. Raising the banner of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship through khadi spinning and weaving to supplement farm incomes, this initiative is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goals and has the potential to help India, ASEAN and BIMS TEC regions reach the 2030 Agenda for Development. AIWEFA's national and 36 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
United Nations programmes have focused on khadi’s awareness creation at the UN Headquarters, New York. At this gathering of 5,000 foreign delegates, AIWEFA held three events on 11, 13, 15 March 2019, with the Side Event being held in partnership with the Permanent Mission of India, New York. Unite4: Good in India have been actively supporting and working with few State Governments and Ministries towards many initiatives taken by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, especially with the Khadi Textiles, the
‘Women weaves’ cooperative Handloom and Handicraft sector which finally empowers women in leading a life with dignity and respect. Unite4:Good contributed towards the release of the Publication to create a Textile India Magazine at the “ Textile India” on 01 July 2017 at Ahmedabad ,Gujarat through the Ministry of Textiles to highlight Indian Handloom which included Khadi as the most important fabric and accessories for fashion from Local to Global to be a unique event to promote Indian Handloom worldwide and to be in digital version . The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and with the Government of Gujarat to support the mega event of Vibrant Gujarat, 10-12 January 2017 with a prelude to conduct a cultural events on 10 January 2017 for the Prime Minister's esteemed guests where Ms.Sunita Bhuyan and Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt performed for these guests by paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the following day on the sidelines continuing to promote Khadi with a Fashion Show, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and it was his vision to make this textile as the soul of India and now a heritage textile . To scale up the grandeur for the overall display with a specialized comprehensive business to business fair for the Indian Textile Sector
that will showcase the entire range of textile products covering ‘Fibre to Fashion’, Unite4:Good requested the Hon’ble Prime Minister's blessings to allow Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Development of North East Region to work together and participate at the Fashion Show for a round of sequence to promote Khadi and Indian Handloom from local to global at the UN Headquarters.
require macro as well as microeconomic responses. One such attempt to understand such a possibility , is All India Women’s Education Fund Association’s (AIWEFA) together with Unite4:Good to make ‘Khadi Goes Global’ program on “Khadi the green economy at community scale.”
Khadi being totally Indian textile and now promoting Khadi could empower both women and men weavers and artisans and a revolution to the Indian Handloom Industry and could meet the sustainable goals of the United Nations.Unite4: Good was active to support the WFTO Conference at New Delhi on 09 November 2017 and promoted Khadi and Indian Handloom at the Fair Trade Fashion Show with the theme “From the Ganges to the World”.
Khadi has a unique history and evokes emotion in India. Khadi is a hand-spun and hand-woven cotton cloth (Gandhi 1955). The term became popular when Mahatma Gandhi started to use it as a relief programme for the lower sections of society to eradicate poverty and unemployment during India’s freedom struggle. Khadi was promoted as an ideology of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Khadi became a key symbol of the Indian freedom struggle. During the first half of the 20th century in India, most farmers were idle for about four months due to the dry season. At the same time the second biggest occupation in the country, the textile sector, which was mainly a decentralised rural industry, was suffering due to export of Indian cotton to England, and subsequent import of costly finished cloth. In the process it deprived the local population of work and profit.
Furthering this initiative, Unite4:Good decided to collaborate with AIWEFA early in 2019 to promote Khadi and take initiative in the preservation of distinctive arts .The number of handicraft and handloom artisans in India is estimated to be more than 10 million. A large number of them comprise of women, and belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes. The growing retail industry in the country including e-commerce and consumer awareness towards green products are big opportunities for the crafts sector. Other than crafts, there are several communities in rural India practicing performing arts. This huge skill base has the potential to develop as a vibrant cultural sector providing steady employment in rural areas.
Khadi Production in India: A Way Forward to Green Economy “A green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”. The single-most important challenge that humanity faces today is the need for economic development within ecological limits. Humanity must live within clear planetary boundaries to attain sustainability in the long run. Human well-being/prosperity is to be the core agenda of an economy, which motivates economic activity and justifies economic output. There is a strong relationship between ecology and prosperity and “prosperity can only be conceived, as a condition that includes obligations and responsibilities to others”. Economic activity, which undermines ecology, will lead to unsustainable prosperity. Unsustainable consumption is at the heart of ecological crisis. It leads to financial instability. The effects of climate change are uncertain, and threaten potentially destabilising costs on society. But curtailing climate change is not an easy task. According to the International Energy Agency, at least $11 trillion required between now and 2030 to shift away from fossil fuels (IEA 2009). According to familiar axioms, the problem of climate change may be tackled by internalising external costs such as environmental and social costs into the market value of a product. This action will send a clear signal to consumers and investors about the real costs of the product. It may also make them think and invest in alternatives. But this idea has been hard to implement effectively over the last couple of decades. Hence many ecological economists are of the view that the combined challenges of recourse scarcity and climate change
Story of Khadi
Mahatma Gandhi raised this issue to protest against British rule, and to simultaneously provide employment for millions of underemployed rural folk. Mahatma Gandhi urged people to grow and harvest their own cotton, produce their own cloth by spinning and weaving during the dry agriculture seasons. Any person can easily learn spinning on wheels and weaving on looms. People responded positively to the idea and it had an impact on British cloth production because of reduced demand for it in India. The success brought enormous courage among Indians to fight for freedom . The Government of India wants to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of using the charkha as a tool for development and economic independence. Khadi and Village Industries’ Commission (KVIC) has rolled out schemes to help Spinners and Weavers specially rural women and economically backward sections of society. The export prospects of Khadi are assured with world moving towards natural and eco-friendly products. More and more people are becoming conscious of responsibility towards the environment and ecology and greater demand is being generated for bio-degradable and eco-friendly products. It is for this reason the new MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme) 2015-20 policy also emphasises on export incentives on eco-friendly textiles giving it a 34 per cent growth last years from 52,000 crore to 70,000 crore turn over
Criteria for Green Enterprise AIWEFA has put forward green enterprise criteria to understand an enterprise from the perspective of “green economy at community scale.” A resource-efficient technology alone is not sufficient to categorise an enterprise as a green economy enterprise, it should also encompass social, political, environmental, and psychological dimensions. Khadi green economy enterprise should be based on shared (socially just), and lasting (ecologically sustainable) prosperity. It should not be just delivering goods and services, but should also maintain, and enhance social and environmental well-being. It should also help people to thrive and communities to flourish by providing stability in markets, security in employments, ecological integrity, sustainability in supply chains, and fairness. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 37
Assessing Khadi Enterprises
E-commerce Impact :
Today poverty and inequality around the globe is increasing. The search for a solution for poverty and unemployment within ecological limits is making it clear that industrialisation cannot provide jobs or wage-based work to entire populations. It is becoming increasingly difficult to provide jobs in modern industries, especially in countries like India, because modern industries are centralised in nature and they need huge capital and infrastructure investments. Hence, to tackle poverty and unemployment, economic activity must be encouraged at a community level. To sustain economic activity at the community level needs continuous market support. It is not easy for a community to be involved in production. So, any production system in the present situation should be able to give employment to people as well as provide them some decent purchasing power. Producing local products using local resources for the local market decreases the cost of goods compared to the goods produced in a distant place if we include environmental costs. Hence, it is necessary to include environmental costs on all goods produced. Once it is done, locally produced goods will become cheaper than goods produced by large-scale industries. In a community-run enterprise the cost of organisation, management, market, infrastructure and machinery, procurement of raw materials will be minimal. The cost of the final product will be lower. When this cost is lower, marketing becomes easy at the local level.
The largest impact on the handloom industry would be the ability to service the market demands. With Indians proliferation all over the world, and with the whole world becoming more of handloom users, the Indian e commerce Industry is the answer to making handloom available to every discerning customer’s door step. The contemporary economic system in future will lead to massive crisis and chaos. But on the contrary khadi enterprises will bring prosperity within ecological constraints. The acceptance of khadi is not backwardness. Khadi brings into production those who are unemployed, who are not contributing anything and who are considered a burden to society. Challenges
The Khadi Goes Global program tries to verify whether a decentralised labour-intensive tool-based enterprise really falls in the domain of green economy and can be labelled a “green economy enterprise.” In this way the khadi meets the last criteria of a green economy enterprise.
Khadi a unique tool for development The level of artistry and intricacy achieved in the handloom/khadi fabrics is unparalleled and certain weaves/designs are still beyond the scope of modern machines. It is ironic that we ignore this existing goldmine, for this is precisely the sector that could make the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ initiatives work. Designers are teaching weavers to change, mix-and-match yarns, dye yarns with different colours, weave different eclectic motifs other the traditional ones and even change the size of the looms to get the desired length of fabric, which is easier to use in Western attire, whereby there is a reduction in wastage of fabric. Government-led schemes such as the cluster handloom development programme for new product development and weaver training programmes seem very promising. Further, larger retail companies have now started to focus on developing brands made in the handloom sector. The new generation of handloom weavers is establishing better ways to communicate with clients. They are participating in a lot of exhibitions. The customers are more aware of every handloom that is shown to them and also are aware of its exclusivity. Three things are creating an impact on the revival of Khadi/handlooms– design, intervention and innovation by designers. They are working at making the weavers evolve and reinterpret traditional designs into newer and more modern versions.
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Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s diverse efforts towards promotion of Khadi right from meeting the issues on raw material procurement, wage levels of rural artisans, technological and design interventions and making it a sustainable and export worthy segment. “Its export worthiness also comes from the fact that Indian Khadi earns a lot of water and carbon foot print since it requires only three litres of water as compared to 56 litres in other fabrics. Apart from the supply side constraints for raw material procurement and production, there is also a strong need for establishing a strong demand in global markets. Khadi requires the innovation in terms of diversification in product and market. Product diversification will make Khadi export basket large, which currently includes silk and muslin, ready-made garments, textile-based Khadi and charkha.
Conclusion Brand Khadi stands for a lot more than a national pride and an all-Indian identity as part of its legacy, it is building a new narrative around sustainable fashion, cracking down on misuse of its label and overhauling its design sensibilities to contemporary flavour. Its image change is being driven by a change in positioning, a hard look at its trademark protection mechanisms and through a differentiated retail strategy. At a time when the need to reduce GHG emissions is so pronounced, technologies which do not involve any GHG emissions to create products of great value and utility should obviously be helped and protected, particularly in a country like India where despite mounting threats to handloom weavers and other artisans they have still survived in significant numbers and hence can provide the base for a wider revival of these skills and technologies. If India can emerge as the leading world centre for protecting hand-weaving and spinning, this will be considered a very significant achievement. “ Khadi is sustainable not only because it doesn’t harm the environment, but also because it provides employment.”
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AO NAGA CHOIR
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The Ao Naga Choir
The Ao Naga Choir was formed in the year 2009. Since then, it has grown to its present strength of approximately 40 members which includes 25 professionally trained musicians. The choir is an affiliate member of the IFCM (USA) & RSCM (UK). Some of the members of the choir have been formally trained abroad in music. The members consist of musicians, working professionals and students in New Delhi and are predominantly from the Ao Naga Tribe as well as other tribes inhabiting the state of Nagaland in the North East of India. In addition to fulfilling their responsibilities in the church and community, members of the Choir undertake an extensive programme of choral music education in a number of schools and institutions as well as performs regular concerts.
We have had the honour to have performed thrice for the Hon’ble President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister of India, Parliamentarians and other heads of government organizations in India as well as having collaborated with the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism for the ‘Incredible India’ Series of the Government of India in the year 2018. Besides this, the choir has had the privilege to perform in Johannesburg & Cape Town in South Africa in June 2016 and have participated in International Festivals – including the ‘1st Salzburg International Choral Festival 2017’, at Salzburg Austria, the 5th Asia Pacific Choral in artistic and social contribution. At the invitation of the Ministry of Culture & Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ao Naga Choir represented India at the "Astana- the Voice of the World" from 5th to 11th of October 2018 as part of the VI Congress of Religious Leaders Championship in October 2017 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the 9th World Peace Choral Festival (WPCF), in July 2018, in Vienna, Austria and also performed at the United Nations, wherein the choir was awarded the ‘Angel Of Peace Award’ and an official Diploma from the UN for excellence that has become one of the world’s most important “religious diplomacy” events and saw the participation of the top 25 choirs of the world at the event. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 41
For our contribution to the promotion of cross cultural learning, the Delhi Police, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Austrian Embassy and the Hungarian Embassy has given Letters of Appreciation and certificates, and has earned a name for our strength in Choral Music both nationally as well as internationally.
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UNITE4:GOOD INITIATED TALKS WITH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO HOST THE ASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES’ 2021 AT NEW DELHI, INDIA India is now taking centre stage not only in Asia but also the world being the largest democracy and Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi getting a second term with a historic mandate as the nation’s most cherished Prime Minister. INTERKULTUR, the organizers of World Choir Games feels it is the right time that Asia Pacific Choir Games is introduced in India with a stable Government. The 4th Asia Pacific Choir Games 2017 was organized by INTERKULTUR and held at Colombo , Sri Lanka from 21-28 October 2017 with over 82 Choirs from Asian countries and was a great success. India was represented by 8 Choir groups from different parts of India . A small country like Sri Lanka could bring so much of young talents to represent their countries in such competition and to live up to the INTERKULTUR motto “Singing together brings nations together” . It is therefore time that India to take this initiative and introduce the next Asia Pacific Choir Games in New Delhi in year ,2021. The magnitude of such an event in India will be much bigger than Colombo. But India has the potential .A truly choral music event of all Asian nations and to unite them in and by the Olympic Idea of “participation is the highest honour ”. It will be the first time in history to hold an international Choir competition of South Asia in India. The Government of India in the month of April this year has made “ Music ,Art & Culture “ become a part of the syllabus from Class 1 to Class 12 by the Central Board of Secondary Education for all schools both Government Schools and Private Schools. Now all students have to learn both Western Music and Indian Music and understand the rich cultural traditions of India . Also the youth of India must learn the Western Classical music to correlate with people all across the world through the field of music and the culture. It is good news that the Choral Music Culture has picked up in schools and colleges, especially in the North East states and the youth from other states now quickly catching up . Many foreign music teachers specializing with Western Classical Music and Choral Music are now coming to India to many cities and towns to teach the school students and also private tutor with school children. Unite4:Good is collaborating with The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Youth Affairs , Government of India talks are on with preliminary meetings and in the planning stage that India to host the Asia Pacific Choir Games 2021 at New Delhi, India . The choir has a wide repertoire ranging from Western classical, folk to popular and spiritual music and choruses from opera, operetta and Broadway musicals. In the year 2016, members of the choir initiated a campaign in schools in collaboration with the Delhi Police Special Police Unit for Northeast Region; to foster better understanding of the Northeast community in the mainland through positive IEC; an ambitious programme beginning with metro cities first and subsequently aim to scale up nationally. The effort is to emotionally assimilate the Northeasterner into mainstream urban society. It seeks to
propagate an understanding and recognition of the positive impact of Northeast in modern Indian cities and societies. Thus, project based learning experience have been initiated at schools by exposure to the rich heritage of the area through a process of integration in the Life Skills school curriculum of the Performing and Visual Art Department wherein students are taught folk music, folk dance, art, and exposure to cultural practices of the North East culminating in a grand festival and competition on the 14th of December 2016 wherein 14 schools participated. Certificates were awarded in collaboration with the Delhi Police, Ministry of Home Affairs and was given by officers from the DoNER Ministry.
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Some of the Programmes are listed as under: • "Astana- the Voice of the World" Kazakhstan October 2018 • 9th World Peace Choral Festival (WPCF), Vienna, Austria July 2018 • 5th Asia Pacific Choral Championship Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 2017 • 1st Salzburg International Choral Festival June 2017 Salzburg Austria • South Africa Tour 29TH June – 20TH July 2016 –Durbanville, Tygerberg, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Sanderton and Randburg • Concert for the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the 15TH of December 2016 - at the invitation of the President of India His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee the choir performed an hour-long concert for the President and his distinguished guests including Heads of Missions and the Council of Ministers. This was our third performance for the President of India. • Mega Easter Service hosted by the DBF 2015 at the Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi • 19th Conference of ABPF from 24 – 30 March 2015, 142 leaders and delegates attended the conference in New Delhi •"MY GLORIOUS" Delhi, Sept 29 2014 • THRIVE – Hymn Festival Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 7:00pm Bethel Methodist Church, E - 97/B, Sector 50, NOIDA • Golden Jubilee Celebrations - Far East Broadcasting Associates October 2014 • 12th Parliamentarian’s Fellowship Meeting 0n Monday, 9 th June 2014, New Delhi • SACRARIUM - Sacred Music In Our Time Thursday, February 20, 2014
Friendship Meet at Salzburg, Austria with choir members from Slovenia HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 45
• Sang For the Members of Parliament, 9th June, 2014 at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption 1, Church Road, North Avenue • Songs of the Season December 15, 2013 New Delhi, India • Concert for the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the 22 June 2013 • "THRIVE 2013" – Church’ Hymn Festival, Feb 25 2013 • Led in worship for the Prime Ministers Christmas Dinner Programme with Christian Leaders, hosted by the Christian Members of Parliament • An exclusive one hour programme of Music before the President of India and his esteemed guests at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the 15th of December 2012 • Parliamentarians Prayer Breakfast At The Cathedral Church of The Redemption on 5th September, 2012 • Led the worship at the Parliamentarians Prayer Meeting at the Cathedral church of Redemption, August 2012. • At the request of the Bishop of Delhi (Church Of North India), led the worship of the Pastors Conference of the Delhi Diocese • Winners of the North East Choral Competition, December 2016, Delhi • Winners of DHWANI 2012 & 2013 - hosted by the Church of North India. • Winners of SWARAM 2012 & 2013 - hosted by the Marthoma Church of India.
Singing for the President of Kazakhstan & world leaders at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana, Kazakhstan October 2018
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Bedside Reading® is entering our 3rd year with a new lifestyle hotel division and partnership at The James New York-Soho in Manhattan. What better way to celebrate than with a PJ party at the hotel’s rooftop bar, JIMMY and with authors, Antoinette Clarke & Tricia Clarke-Stone (Double Down Bet On Yourself and Success on your Own Terms), Barbara Kavovit, (Heels of Steel), and Hank Phillippi Ryan (The Murder List.) The evening was perfect, we even ordered a magnificent sunset and of course, the Universe delivered! A special Thank You! to our generous hosts, Jan Rozenveld, Sr. VP Lifestyle Highgate Hotels, Rene Roman, General Manager, Alex Crossman Director of Rooms and our new friends at JIMMY, Jimmy Swet, David Rabin and Sayora Khamidova. The fun continuted at the afterparty with celebratory cake and coffee and and a group reading by internationally acclaimed Medium, Steven (Left) The ultimate (outdoor) room with a view...Toasting Bedside Reading’s 2nd anniversary with company founder, Jane Ubell-Meyer and authors Hank Phillippi Ryan, Antoinette Clarke, Tricia Clarke-Stone, Barbara Kavovit at JIMMY, the chic rooftop bar atop new lifestyle hotel partner The James New York - SoHo Photo: Lucille Khornak Photography
(above) Jan Rozenveld and Jimmy Swet. (right) Bedside Reading’s East Coast Team: Elisa Fershtadt,Debbie MItchell, Laura Robinson, Jane Ubell-Meyer, Jennifer Blankfein and Alicia Anne McGowan
On Instagram - #bedsidereading #bedsidereadingevents #Jamesreads HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 47
I had a very busy summer—attending the ALA (American Library Association) national conference in Washing-ton DC. Came away with a deeper understanding of how important our libraries are to our country. Also attend-ed the RWA (Romance Writers Association) national conference in New York City and of course, met amazing romance authors from every state in the union. What a wonderful event! We’ll be under the covers again and by the bedside this Fall at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica with another booksigning event. Geanna Culbertson (Crisanta Knight Series), Laurie Gelman (You’ve Been Volunteered), Brendan Kane (One Million Followers), and Mel Greenberg (Runningwith our Eyes Closed). Steven Macek will be joining us again in Los Angeles! Jane Recommends: Q&A: Mel Greenberg, Running with our Eyes Closed Jane: I was thrilled to read every word of Mel Greenberg’s Running with Our Eyes Closed. People compare your book to Eat Pray Love and 50 Shades of Grey. What do you think? MG: Wow! That’s incredible. Samantha is at a crossroads, facing lifealtering decisions. Her journey to Florence definitely feeds her soul and, I think comforts her through it all. The physical love sheand Michael have always shared is relevant. It’s empowering forSamantha, now. Her choices, to hell with convention! Jane: Is this your story? MG: Samantha’s story is fiction, but for all of us who have raised our children, reached mid-life, the questions are real. What’s next? What will my future contributions be? The possibilities are infinite but redefining the journey itself – well I suppose that part of the story is mine! Writing her story has provided such clarity in my own life. Books to Devour: We love our authors and I believe it is my calling to introduce you to voices you need to hear! Jessica Ellicott (Murder in an English Village) , Keenan Powell (Hemlock Needle), Deborah Goodrich Royce (Finding Mrs Ford), Karen Treiger (My Soul is Filled with Joy)
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More… Books to Devour— Tim Tigner (The Price of Time), Kim Sakwa (The Prophecy A Time Travel Romance), Donna Russo Morin (Gilded Summers), Helen Heinmiller (Final Redemption Destiney is Calling)
Emma J. Sykes (Making Waves), Saryon Michael White (Roya Sands and the Bridge Between Worlds), Hayley Rose (The Thankful Unicorn: Release Your Inner Magic), Susan Mallery (When We Found Home)
Jane Recomends: Q&A: Jennifer Moorman, The Baker’s Man Jane: A small-town baker creates a man out of dough, and her life turns upside down. How did you come up with this idea? JM I’m a self-taught baker, I wondered what would happen if a baker made a man out of dough, and the recipe for The Baker’s Man came to life. Jane: Two major themes in The Baker’s Man are following your heart and being true to yourself. How important are these two ideas to you? JM: Following your heart and being true to yourself are some of the most difficult actions to take. Especially when doing either makes us fear we won’t be accepted or fit in. But we aren’t made to fit in; we’re made to shine. Following our hearts and being true to ourselves brightens our light and encourages others to do the same! For additional great books and info: BedsideReading.com HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 49
HITHA
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HITHA'S First Concert INSPIRE in India A Huge Success The 14-year-old POP singer HITHA performed her first solo concert INSPIRE in early August in Chennai, India to a crowd of more than 2,000. The sold-out show was a roaring success. Right from the beginning of the show till the end, the audience had a huge amount of energy, especially the kids who started dancing to her songs. Hitha really enjoyed meeting and dancing with kids on-stage. According to HITHA - “When I perform in front of my fans, I feel connected to them on a different level. I feel proud and thrilled to be performing in front of my fans. And I know I will do my best so that my fans can have a blast”. The reviews are in for the show - “Show Stealer Hitha!!!” - “Teen Singing Sensation” - “Celebrated Her Music Spell” - “Kept the People in a Transfixed State” - “A Wowing Response” - and “The entire crowd gave HITHA A 10-minute standing ovation after the final performance." HITHA is a rising POP STAR from Bay Area in California who has over 500,000 fans worldwide. Her message to everyone, particularly her teenage peers who are her largest following is - BE STRONG, BE YOU and BE INDEPENDENT. Being a teenager can be rough, confusing, overwhelming and stressful. They are increasingly depressed, anxious and suicidal. Overcoming self-doubts may be challenging to many and sometimes it just seems like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Hitha’s goal is to INSPIRE them to become better versions of themselves by depending on their “Inner Self”. According to HITHA “I feel that music is the best platform to reach my peers directly and want to let them know that focusing on what they want to achieve in life and with a positive mentality, they can overcome any hurdle.” Hitha’s recent single, INDEPENDENT– which peaked at 34 on the Top 40 Mediabase Activator Pop Chart – with a potent message: “When you are going through rough times or having negative thoughts, the best person to help you is your ‘Inner Self.’ BE STRONG, BE YOU and BE INDEPENDENT. Similarly, her debut single STANDING UP WITH PRIDE also spreads a message of pursuing your passion that makes you happy, even if that requires you working hard through the things you don’t enjoy getting there. With huge success of her recent single INDEPENDENT, and INSPIRE concert in India, Hitha demonstrates that she is a total entertainer and in coming years, she is all set to combine Positivity and Pop Wizardry to Inspire Young Audiences and take the industry by storm. Hitha’s team is planning upcoming concerts in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. There is a lot of excitement about these upcoming concerts and songs. Hitha’s latest music can be found on all major streaming platforms. Follow her on Instagram at @officialhitha or Facebook at @hitha2018 or website: www.hitha.me HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 51