Rating system: (4=Don't miss, 3=Good, 2=Worth a look, 1=Forget it)

For more reviews, click here.

Eat Pray Love (PG-13) (3) [Appeal for brief strong language, some sexual references, and male rear nudity.] [DVD and VOD only] After divorcing her husband (Billy Crudup) and breaking up with her actor boyfriend (James Franco) to the concern of her agent (Viola Davis) and best friend in this engaging, factually inspired, romantic chick flick, which is based on Liz Gilberts bestselling memoir and filled with gorgeous scenery, a discontented and unhappy New York City travel writer (Julia Roberts) seeks balance and a new zest for life by indulging in fabulous food and making new friends (Welker White, Silvano Rossi, Giuseppe Gandini, et al.) in Italy, by seeking spiritual enlightenment and inner peace at an ashram in India with the help of a guilt-ridden divorced man (Richard Jenkins), and by opening herself up to love in Bali when she meets a sensitive, caring Brazilian import/export businessman (Javier Bardem).

The Expendables (R) (2.5) [Strong action and bloody violence throughout, and some language.] [DVD and VOD only] Nonstop action and explosions dominate this fast-paced, bullet-riddled, violent, star-dotted (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Dolph Lundgren) film in which a motley group of hired mercenaries (Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture, and Terry Crews) head to a South American island to assassinate a greedy rogue CIA agent (Eric Roberts), his right-hand man (Steve Austin), and a puppet leader (David Zayas) whose artistic daughter (Giselle Iti) has risked her life to help the Americans and her country.

The Girl in the Caf (NR) (3.5) [DVD and VOD only] A delightful charming, captivating, and touching 2005 film in which a reserved, regimented, lonely, workaholic British civil servant (Bill Nighy) finds his personal and professional life turned upside down when he meets a mysterious, shy woman (Kelly Macdonald) at a caf and then invites her to join him in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he is attending the annual G8 summit with his boss (Ken Stott) and coworkers.

Grinder (NR) (1.5) [Available on various VOD platforms.] While a gay, nave, 16-year-old model (Tyler Austin) escapes his abusive, drunk, unemployed father after he smears lipstick all over his face and ends up in the apartment of an abusive, manipulative, pedophile modeling agency owner (Jon Fleming) who also produces a porn magazine in New York City in Brandon Ruckdashels dark, gritty, clich, poorly-acted, predictable, 82-minute, 2016 film, a jogging-loving photographer (Brandon Rucksdashel) living on the down low neglects his unsuspecting fiance (Sarah Lazar) and hooks with random men (Joshua Dye, et al) even as he tries to convince himself that he is straight.

The Ice Road (PG-13) (2) [Strong language and sequences of action and violence.] [Netflix Only] After 26 Canadian miners (Holt McCallany, Martin Sensmeier, Ray McKinnon, et al.) become trapped in a diamond mine in northern Manitoba due to a methane explosion and their available air supply is rapidly depleting in Jonathan Hensleighs disappointing, lackluster, violent, predictable, star-studded (Matt Salinger, Matt McCoy, and Benjamin Walker), 108-minute thriller loosely inspired by the long-running, factually based television series Ice Road Truckers, four brave truckers (Liam Neeson, Laurence Fishburne, Marcus Thomas, and Amber Midthunder) encounter unscrupulous, money-hungry people when they take on an extremely dangerous, time-sensitive rescue mission by driving over melting ice roads in an attempt to deliver life-saving, 25-ton wellshead equipment to the mine.

Osso Bucco (NR) (2) [DVD only] A wacky, silly 2008 comedy about two feuding Chicago detectives (Aaron Roman Weiner and Antoine McKay) who are trapped in an Italian restaurant during a blinding snow storm with two Mafia gangsters (Mike Starr and Christian Stolte), a fesity waitress (Illeana Douglas), a passionate Italian chef (Perry Anzilotti), a Mexican waiter (Eddie Martinez), and a cheating host (Michael Gilio).

Racially Charged: Americas Misdemeanor Problem (NR) (4) [Available on Vimeo and YouTube.] Mahershala Ali narrates Robert Greenwalds powerful, educational, eye-opening, poignant, ire-inducing, 35-minute, 2020 documentary, which was inspired by Harvard law professor Alexandra Natapoffs Punishment without Crime: How Our Massive Misdemeanor System Traps the Innocent and Makes America More Unequal book, that examines the unfair, disturbing, racist judicial system in which more than 13 million Blacks and Hispanics are charged annually with misdemeanors such as jaywalking, broken car taillight, and driving with a suspended license that negatively impact many areas, including employment and housing, and consists of archival photographs, historical film clips, and insightful commentary by people (such as Michael Brown, Eddie Gray, Faylita Hicks, Chris Lollie, Fernando Martinez, Demario Davis, Michael Robinson, and Bradley Haggard) who were unjustly arrested for a misdemeanor and professors Alexandra Natapoff, Paul Delano Butler, Irene Oritseweyinmi Joe, Douglas A. Blackmon, Gaye Theresa Johnson, andKhalil Gibran Muhammad.

Silat Warriors: Deed of Death (NR) (2.5) [Subtitled] [Available July 6 on Blu-ray and DVD and June 4 on Hi-YAH! on http://www.hiyatv.com.] After an immature, thoughtless, and reckless gambling addict (Fad Anuar) loses the deed to his familys home during illegal fights and drag racing in Areel Abu Bakars award-winning, action-packed, violent, well-choreographed, evenly-paced, low-budget,102-minute, 2019 film, his martial-arts teacher father (Namron), sister (Feiyna Tajudin), and brother (Khoharullah Majid) join forces as a spiritual, close-knit, silat-skilled family to fight to save their Malaysian property when a ruthless loan shark (Faizal Hussein) and his gang members give them one week to pay off the debt.

The Tomorrow War (PG-13) (3) [Intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language, and some suggestive references.] [Available July 2 on Amazon Prime Video.] When time travelers (Jasmine Mathews, et al.) from 2051 show up in 2022 to get help to defeat menacing, hungry aliens that threaten mankind in Chris McKays convoluted, action-packed, fast-paced, bullet-riddled, violent, star-dotted (J. K. Simmons, Gary Weeks, Felisha Terrell, Seychelle Gabriel, and Kiley Casciano), 140-minute sci-fi thriller, a Florida science high school teacher (Chris Pratt), who has a wife (Betty Gilpin) and young daughter (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), along with other civilians (Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge, Keith Powers, Theo Von, Mike Mitchell, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Chibuikem Uche, et al.) are drafted and transported into the future in a last-ditch effort to defeat the aliens while a dedicated, tenacious scientist (Yvonne Strahovski) desperately tries to determine a way to kill the aliens through a biological serum.

Wendy Schadewald is a Burnsville resident.

Read this article:

Short Redhead Reel Reviews for the week of July 9 - ECM Publishers

As India fights the COVID-19 pandemic, NGOs across the country have been working relentlessly to help those affected. With limited resources, these organisations have helped the underprivileged sections of the society by providing relief materials.

Despite the challenges, NGOs and volunteers came forward risking their lives to keep the spirit of humanity alive.

Humanity United Together (HUT), a volunteer-driven NGO from Bengaluru, is also helping a number of families affected by the pandemic.

The organisation was started in 2016 by a group of seven engineering students from Bengaluru Adil Hamza Khan L, Rishabh Jain, Haneefa Nida, Priyanka C, Roushan Meraj, Aaron Geoffrey, and Prerana Reddy P.

HUT Paatashaala's event at Gauribidnooru Government School, Karnataka

Initially, they pooled in whatever they could to visit charitable organisations like Anand Ashram, Kidwai Cancer Memorial Hospital, and Holy Faith Orphanage in the city. They also made necessary donations based on the requirements like food packets, essentials, etc.

HUT was officially registered as an NGO in 2021 to provide relief to different communities.

During the pandemic-induced lockdown in 2021, around 60 student volunteers from nearly 12 universities across Karnataka came together as part of HUTs relief work and distributed ration kits and fed the stray dogs who had no access to food.

The ration kits were sufficient to provide for a family of three to four for about a month. The team distributed these kits to about 150 families across the city during the pandemic, and has been doing that since May.

Lubna shares that abandoned dogs, cats, and the strays had a difficult time as the restaurants, which usually feed the leftovers to these animals, were closed during the lockdown.

We provided food to stray animals on a regular basis locality-wise. We also provided food and rations to pet shelters overburdened by abandoned pets, she says.

In addition, the team also collected blankets for stray animals to protect them during the monsoon and the subsequent cold weather in the city.

A volunteer from the NGO feeding the stray dogs

During the peak of the second wave, the team arranged hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and refills, and medication, among others, for the families impacted by COVID-19. We are also providing counselling to COVID patients and their families, says Lubna.

Apart from COVID relief work, HUT is also spreading awareness about afforestation, deforestation, and the importance of growing trees for the future. It organised a seed ball dispersion event, which were thrown around in certain sparse areas of Lalbagh in April 2021.

Seed balls, also known as earth balls or Nendo Dango, consist of a variety of different seeds rolled within a ball of compost.

If at least 10 percent of them grow, then that is a huge achievement, says Lubna.

ALSO READ

[COVID Warriors] How Vrikshit Foundation is aiding the underserved during the pandemic

The HUT team is divided into four factions Paatshaala, Saathi, Anveshna, and Prachaar. The NGOs work is executed under each of these verticals by the volunteers.

Paatashala aims to provide knowledge and awareness to underprivileged children.

On the other hand, the volunteers at Saathi are spreading awareness on mental health and wellness for timely diagnosis of mental illnesses. Psychology students are the main volunteers of this faction, where they conduct sessions and help people understand their mental health condition.

The Saathi volunteers also reached out to the families who lost their loved ones and helped them through difficult times, says Lubna.

HUT's seed ball dispersion event

Anveshana, HUTs fact-checking authority, does a complete background check of the event location, needs, requirements, etc. The volunteers also provide verified information about available beds, oxygen cylinders, and others with the help of some of the volunteers who were UPSC aspirants.

Lastly, Prachaar is the social media team of HUT, which is in charge of keeping its followers up-to-date on events and activities. In fact, Lubna is one of the core members of this team.

Madeeha Chowdhary, another volunteer, says, Though I have been associated with other NGOs, I really liked HUTs approach. The team is friendly and enthusiastic to serve the society.

ALSO READ

COVID Warrior: How Saarthi Education is empowering women, educating over 8,000 children amidst COVID-19

The HUT team has so far reached out to over 150 families by providing monthly rations. The volunteers also provide food for about 40-60 dogs about two to three times a week.

In order to meet these requirements, the team pooled in their own money and also received some donations from well-wishers. The team also organised a charity bake sale through which they were able to raise funds for ration kits for about 20 families.

However, the biggest challenge for the team was the movement, because while it may be a good cause, they might be putting people at risk.

HUT is now preparing for the third wave of the pandemic in the coming months. The team is looking to conduct more awareness campaigns with video conferences and other engaging activities to protect people from the third wave.

Now, with most of us having been vaccinated, we want to visit Kidwai Cancer Memorial again because the joy that we experience with them is unmatchable, says Lubna.

Read more:

How this NGO helped people and animals in distress during the pandemic - YourStory

Saint Leonardreturns with new single 'Always Night' - the first release from his forthcoming new album,recorded in Berlin during lockdown alongside members of the Fat White family.

A sparse noirish love song. 'Always Night' is laced with haunting skeletal Rhodes piano chords and a stark saxophone line played by Alex White, peaking alongsideSaint Leonard's eerily intoned vocals and Nathan Saoudi's electronic pop tinged squalls that nestle amongst the arrangement.

The songwriter has been on a number of journeys, swapping English gloom for travels across India and the the Himalayan mountains, visiting The Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh and studying Transcendental Meditation with the monks of the Kesar Devi Temple. Following up his acclaimed debut album, Saint Leonard released 'Light Years' a song recorded at Paul Epworths Church Studio, featuring The Horrors Josh Hayward on guitar, Panda (bass) from TOY and former Klaxons drummer Steff Halperin.

His new single lands as a precursor to forthcoming album, tune in to the lyric video now...

- - -

Saint Leonard has also announced his first live show since the pandemic, back in the U.K. he will be performing at The Albion Rooms in Margate on the 20th of August.

Golden Ticket Winners from Saint Leonards' lockdown live transmission series in association with Black Tot Rum will be granted free entry, general entry tickets are available via Leonard's channels now HERE.

- - -

- - -

Read the original here:

Saint Leonard Announces New Single 'Always Night' And Live Show At The Albion Rooms - Clash Magazine

IRVINE, Calif. As the world struggles to heal physically and psychologically after battling a global crisis, the well-being humanity precariously hangs in the balance. Millions of people still reel under the impact of COVID-19, not only physically but also mentally, since the pandemic has left many isolated because of the social restrictions imposed in order to survive this challenge. The need for sustenance has never been greater and the ancient science of exercise and healing Yoga is more relevant now than ever.

In keeping with the spirit of sustaining and rejuvenating the body, the mind and the spiritual self, the day of summer solstice June 21, 2021 was celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Yoga. Mirroring the practice, the day marking the return to equilibrium was celebrated in Irvine, California, by members of the Divine Art of Yoga Center and OC India Association.

During the COVID-19 time, every Saturday, live Yoga was taught by Gautam Bahiji from DAYC from the OC India Association Facebook page and a lot of people were benefited. DAYC was recognized and honored on this day in person. People of all fitness levels and ages gathered at the peaceful confines of Sweet Shade Park in Irvine and practiced various Yoga poses. Participants were encouraged and guided to perform Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation, Pranayama and other Asanas while touching their toes, arching towards the sky and breathing in and out mindfully.

Chanting OM and finding their physical, inner and spiritual balance with the lotus position or downward facing dog pose, the participants could explore the environment with their heightened senses. For the elderly in the group, chair yoga provided a gentle full body practice to provide relief from physical stresses and stiffness. As the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere unfolded, this day of special significance was truly celebrated as the Yogic day of well-being.

The mission of DAYC is to help spiritual seekers realize their own divinity through yoga, meditation, and spiritual discourses while helping them achieve a deep and lasting peace whose vibrations will radiate out and benefit all life on Earth. It is their profound belief that existence and presence of human beings here on Mother Earth can and should be one of joy, bliss and tranquility.

DAYC, through its Ashram, provides spiritually guided yoga and meditation practices to help individuals achieve harmony of body, mind and soul. As an organization, their yoga classes, which are open for all age and skill set levels, focus on enlightening and guiding the spiritual journey of each being. They strive to achieve unity with the inner divine self though meditation, yoga, spiritual discourses and charitable As food satisfies hunger, and exercise leads to good health, so does seeking inner peace stabilize the mind. The Center focuses on bringing that stabilization to people regardless of race or religion by utilizing their own foundation to further their progression on lifes journey.

The goal of OC Indian Women is to put people together and encourage them to live a healthy live. There are more than 2000 members of OC Indian Women, who stay connected with each other on a daily basis through social media.

Original post:

Divine Art of Yoga Center, OC India Association Mark International Day of Yoga: Now More Relevant Than Ever - India West

Israeli gymnasts picked up gold and bronze medals in the European Championships on Sunday.

Artem Dolgopyat, 23, won first prize for the floor exercise, with an overall score of 15. He placed third for the vault exercise, behind Belarussian and Ukrainian competitors, with a score of 14.483.

Alexander Myakinin won bronze for the high bar (14.2000 points), coming in gymnasts from Croatia and Lithuania.

Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

Last year, Dolgopyat won the silver medal in the floor exercise competition of the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, clinching his ticket to the Olympics, which has been postponed until next year amid the pandemic. He is seen as one of Israels greatest hopes for an Olympic medal.

Dolgopyat was twice the Ukrainian national champion in his age group before immigrating to Israel with his family in 2009, at age 12.

Last month, Israeli rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram won a gold medal at the European Championships in Kyiv. Ashram narrowly defeated Belarussian Alina Harnasko to take home the all-around title, with a total score of 100.9. Her victory came two days after Israels rhythmic gymnastics team took the gold in the group all-around category. The category included performances using hoops, clubs and balls.

Rhythmic gymnastics is one of Israels stronger sports. Ashram has won numerous medals in recent years and is seen as another of the countrys leading hopes in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.

Last day to give a Hanukkah gift!

At this time when so many feel isolated, heres a Hanukkah gift that connects you and those you care about to Israel, the Jewish people and to one another.

Its not so easy to visit Israel - or, in many cases, each other - this year. So our connections through shared values, ideas and discussion are now more important than ever.

A Times of Israel Community gift membership entitles your recipient to one full year of membership benefits, at a special, discounted price.

Youre serious. We appreciate that!

Were really pleased that youve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.

Thats why we come to work every day - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.

Read more:

Israeli gymnasts win gold, bronze medals at European Championships - The Times of Israel

(Rptg correcting error in headline) Lucknow, Dec 16 (UNI) In order to ensure better education to the students of the weaker section, the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department will be constructing "Ashram" system-based government schools in 20 districts of the state.

These schools will be completely modern and will be having facilities like computers, smart classes, projectors, etc.

"The state government is dedicatedly working to ensure that each and every person in the state gets all the benefits extended through various schemes and the Lucknow tribal museum will soon be set up in the state capital," Ramapati Shastri, the minister for social welfare, said, here on Wednesday.

At present, there are 103 ashram system schools in the state and while 49 are of CBSE board, 54 are affiliated to the UP board. In the financial year 2016 -17, 32,616 students were registered here and in 2019-20, they increased to 34,281, he added.

To facilitate students preparing for civil services, the department is also constructing a coaching centre at a cost of Rs 8.71 Crores in Gorakhpur and this centre will start operating in the 2021-22 financial year.

At present, seven coaching centres are being operated in the state providing assistance in the preparation of civil services to the students of scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and general categories," the minister said. These centres have produced 51 IPS and PCS and 438 candidates got selected in other services in the last four years, informed Mr Shastri. He also informed that the annual scholarship of the students of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and general students has also been increased from Rs 2250 to Rs 3000 and the monthly pension of the beneficiaries of the old age pension scheme has also been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 500. In 2017, there were 36.53 Lakhs beneficiaries of the old age pension scheme and this increased to 51.21 Lakhs in the year 2020-21. There has been increase of 14.68 Lakhs beneficiaries, Mr Shastri said. As many as 1,05,427 couples have also benefited from the chief minister Samuhik Vivah scheme and the expenditure amount per couple has also been increased to Rs 51,000. By 2016-17, there were old age houses in 22 districts and on the directions Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, old age homes have been established and are being operated in remaining 52 districts. Under the Swarojgar scheme, as many as 1,07,772 people were given a grant of Rs 107.72 Crore and an interest free loan of Rs 462.54 Cr. Along with this, 3,749 villages were also identified under the Pradhanmantri Adarsh Gram Scheme and infrastructural works were conducted, Lalji Nirmal, the president of the scheduled caste finance and development corporation, informed. To ensure better education to students, Eklavya model residential schools have also been constructed and are operational in Behraich and Khiri and the construction work is in progress in Lalitpur and Sonebhadra. Besides this, the construction of hostels is in progress in Gorakhpur, Khiri, Balia, Gonda and Balrampur, Nirmal added. Besides, the scheme of buying 87 small forest products at minimum support price has already started, said Mr Nirmal. UNI MB GK 2027

Visit link:

Ashram system schools to be set up in 20 districts of UP - United News of India

Lucknow, Dec 16 (UNI) In order to ensure better education to the students of the weaker section, the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department will be constructing "Ashram" system-based government schools in 20 districts of the state.

These schools will be completely modern and will be having facilities like computers, smart classes, projectors, etc.

"The state government is dedicatedly working to ensure that each and every person in the state gets all the benefits extended through various schemes and the Lucknow tribal museum will soon be set up in the state capital," Ramapati Shastri, the minister for social welfare, said, here on Wednesday.

At present, there are 103 ashram system schools in the state and while 49 are of CBSE board, 54 are affiliated to the UP board. In the financial year 2016 -17, 32,616 students were registered here and in 2019-20, they increased to 34,281, he added.

To facilitate students preparing for civil services, the department is also constructing a coaching centre at a cost of Rs 8.71 Crores in Gorakhpur and this centre will start operating in the 2021-22 financial year.

At present, seven coaching centres are being operated in the state providing assistance in the preparation of civil services to the students of scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and general categories," the minister said. These centres have produced 51 IPS and PCS and 438 candidates got selected in other services in the last four years, informed Mr Shastri. He also informed that the annual scholarship of the students of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and general students has also been increased from Rs 2250 to Rs 3000 and the monthly pension of the beneficiaries of the old age pension scheme has also been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 500. In 2017, there were 36.53 Lakhs beneficiaries of the old age pension scheme and this increased to 51.21 Lakhs in the year 2020-21. There has been increase of 14.68 Lakhs beneficiaries, Mr Shastri said. As many as 1,05,427 couples have also benefited from the chief minister Samuhik Vivah scheme and the expenditure amount per couple has also been increased to Rs 51,000. By 2016-17, there were old age houses in 22 districts and on the directions Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, old age homes have been established and are being operated in remaining 52 districts. Under the Swarojgar scheme, as many as 1,07,772 people were given a grant of Rs 107.72 Crore and an interest free loan of Rs 462.54 Cr. Along with this, 3,749 villages were also identified under the Pradhanmantri Adarsh Gram Scheme and infrastructural works were conducted, Lalji Nirmal, the president of the scheduled caste finance and development corporation, informed. To ensure better education to students, Eklavya model residential schools have also been constructed and are operational in Behraich and Khiri and the construction work is in progress in Lalitpur and Sonebhadra. Besides this, the construction of hostels is in progress in Gorakhpur, Khiri, Balia, Gonda and Balrampur, Nirmal added. Besides, the scheme of buying 87 small forest products at minimum support price has already started, said Mr Nirmal. UNI MB GK

Visit link:

Ashram system schools to be set up in 20 districts of UP : Tribal Museum in Lucknow - United News of India

Aaditi Pohankar has been ruling hearts all over the country with her ongoing web series Aashram on MxPlayer. In the web series, she portrays the character of Pammi - a strong headed, young lady and a wrestler who dreamt big and made sure to not compromise towards the patriarchal and unjust ways of society. Directed by Prakash Jha, the crime drama also features Bobby Deol, Tridha Choudhury, Anupriya Goenka and Adhyayan Suman in pivotal characters. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Aaditi opens up about her journey in the series, and the kind of preparations she took for pulling off the character with perfection. She also opened up about her childhood days concerning the choices she made for becoming an actor. Here are excerpts from the chat with ETimes. Being an athlete to an actor

On an opening note, Aaditi shared about her initial days as a runner, who never imagined about being an actor. When I was a runner, I never ever thought about being an actor because I was really focused on sports. I wanted to go to the Olympics and I was working for it; I was looking forward to the Commonwealth at that point under 19. I even had my whole life planned based on that.

I was just 15. I lost my mom, amidst all my plan-making stages. My mom always wanted me to be an actor. She wanted to see me on a bus hoarding - something like 100 on 100 - Aditi Pohankar' - that kind of thing. But woh toh nahi ho payabecause I wasnt that studious. So I decided now I will be on every other billboard all around town, and I will make my mom proud. This is why I started acting.

Losing out on roles

Well, of course. I mean, I auditioned like hundreds of them. And there were parts when I really thought that I would probably do this. I realised the more you hold it tight, the more it slips out of your handso when it comes to audition, I look at it like a practice and leave it and dont let it get into my skin.

I think acting has become like a life for me. Mostly what I have realised is that acting or cinema or theatre, for that matter is nothing but life and life is nothing but drama. I read somewhere that we all are desperately under rehearsed, and nothing else in life.. I think this makes it easy for me to perform when I'm on set, it doesn't make a difference to me, because I'm pretty much doing that every single day of my life.

I was fortunate enough to get these scripts so that I could portray what I feel; this is what I have been feeling for a very long time because when we were runners also there used to be some kind of discrimination between a man and a woman always. Obviously boys are faster than girls no doubt, but what I feel is that more than just discrimination, there is acceptance of the discrimination.

You know, from the women of the world, there is an acceptance of it. As an actor, portraying Bhumika the real twist is where she realises her power through sexuality; This is what makes this script so interesting, because that's when she realises her self worth. And you just need to explore it, you need to understand it and you need to use it very tactfully in the sense of jitna kam use karo na, utna impact zyada hota hain. You just have to be silent, steady, and calm.

Dealing with mental health, setbacks and failures

Well, it might sound philosophical, but these words don't exist with me like I don't really look at anything as a failure at all because I think I've learned so much from it. If I fall I know that I'm gonna get up and start running again. After I fall, I know why I fell and I won't do it again. So I think it's such a blessing in disguise which is called failure.

So whatever I have, I make sure to give my hundred percent and then I leave it up to the directors I don't even look at the monitor. My 100% is what matters the most.

There are two scenes - one is where she comes to know that Baba is the one who's done this to up. That's one scene and second is, when she gets to know that something like this act has been performed and this has actually happened to her. Pammi was just in the best place or safety wise for that matter that she could have ever imagined because she was in the ashram. And when this happens to her she has no idea of why this has happened.

Here is the original post:

Exclusive! 'Ashram' actor Aaditi Pohankar: Explore the power inside you, then nobody can stop you from fu - Times of India

Mangaluru: In Bible, according to Matthew 25: 31-40 it says, For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me . When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Drinking Water Facility at the Bishops House, Kodialbail

Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Drinking Water Facility at the Milagres Church., Hampankatta

Following these words from the Bible, a few Catholic churches and religious institutions have provided DRINKING WATER FACILITY for the public, to quench their thirst, especially now during the treacherous hot summer days. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, thats right- passing by pedestrians and motorists can quench their thirst by using these pure filtered water installed at few Catholic Churches/religious institutions, like in front of Mangaluru Diocese Bishops House; Milagres Church., Fatima Retreat House; St Anthony Charitable Institutions (St Anthony Ashram), Jeppu, among others.

Drinking Water Facility at St Anthonys Ashram, Jeppu

Ms Nagamma, a pourakarmika of Antony Waste Handling Cell who was quenching her thirst using water from the drinking water facility at Bishops house speaking to Team Mangalorean said, When we dont have money to buy bottled water from stores, I appreciate and thank the kind gesture of the Mangaluru Bishop towards the general public, by providing this purified water. Every morning few of the pourakarmikas use this facility, to quench their thirst. Once again I thank the Bishop for his generosity towards the people.

Drinking Water facility at Fatima Retreat House, Valencia

Shanker Bhat, who resides a few blocks from Bishops House said, I am very thankful to the Bishop and management here, for providing clean and safe drinking water since at home I get dirty water from MCC. Every morning, I collect two-three one-litre bottles of purified water from this facility at Bishops House, for drinking and cooking purposes. Truly appreciate the kind gesture from the Bishop. The Bishops House purified water facility was inaugurated in March 2016, by the then Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul DSouza.

The drinking water facility at St Anthonys Ashram was launched in 2016, at Milagres Church in 2016, and at Fatima Retreat House on 25 October 2020.. (Ref: Pure Drinking Water Purifier for Public launched at Fatima Retreat House). In conclusion, Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful to humans. It is important because it is needed for life to exist. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water. Therefore, all these Purified Drinking Water facilities provided indeed shows the kind gesture of the Catholic Churches/institutions for the benefit of the public, without any discrimination of caste or creed.

Read more:

For I Was Thirsty & You Gave Me Something to Drink! Churches Provide Drinking Water Facility - Mangalorean.com

While official records of his life remain sparse for the most part, the Sikkimese government recognised Trilochan Pokhrels contributions with the LD Kazi Award for Democratic Movement in 2018.

In 1861, the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim and the British Empire signed the Treaty of Tumlong. This treaty effectively made the present-day Northeastern state a de facto protectorate of the British Indian government.

(Image above: Trilochan Pokhrel courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Their objective in bringing Sikkim under their purview was to establish a trade route into Tibet. Within the context of The Great Game against the Russian Empire, the British colonialists sought to increase their influence in the region.

Nearly three decades later, however, the British established a formal protectorate over Sikkim, which the Chinese recognised in the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890. As a consequence of these events, the British assumed responsibility of the Sikkimese kingdoms defence and external affairs, while its subjects were subject to the same protections as Indians travelling abroad and restrictions when it came to dealing in foreign exchange.

Its within this context of growing British influence on Sikkimese affairs that Trilochan Pokhrel, a forgotten freedom fighter from the state, was born sometime in the last decade of the 19th century, according to scholars Dr. Binod Bhattarai, an Assistant Professor of sociology at Sikkim University, and his senior colleague Dr. Rajen Upadhyay.

Emulating Gandhi

Popularly known as Gandhi Pokhrel, stemming from his love of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhis ideals of non-violence and Satyagraha, he was born and raised in Tareythang region of Pakyong subdivision, East Sikkim. Growing up in a rural area, Trilochen was heavily influenced by Gandhis actions, particularly during the Non Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements through the early 1920s and 1930s.

However, there are no concrete historical records to ascertain his participation in these movements. His participation in the freedom struggle kicked off during the Quit India Movement of 1942, when he lived with Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat and Sarvodaya Ashram in Bihar, and learned his philosophy from close quarters.

During his stay there, Pokhrel is known to have spent his time spinning the charkha (spinning wheel) and rendering his services for the ashrams along with assisting Gandhi in his daily affairs. He had immense faith in the teachings of the simple life led by Mahatma Gandhi. It is acknowledged that late Pokhrel was highly influenced by Gandhi Jis teaching and his lifestyle. His contemporaries in Tareythang village inform us that he used to visit his native village donning similar clothing as the naked fakir Gandhi, notes Binod and Rajen in this article.

Bande Pokhrel

There are various accounts of how during his regular visits back home, Pokhrel began propagating the boycott of British-made goods and promoting the concept of Swadeshi or indigenously made goods among the Sikkimese peasantry.

As Dr. Binod notes for East Mojo, during his leisure time Pokhrel, used to visit local hatt-bazar (such as Rongli, Rhenock, Pakyong, Rangpo etc) and sit there with his charkha to make cotton threads. In fact, he would even dress up as Gandhi wearing a piece of cotton dhoti and wooden slippers, and would often greet elders in his village with the Bande Mataram salutations. This is what also got him the Bande Pokhrel moniker.

He used to convey the message of Vande Mataram and inculcate the spirit of Swadeshi Movement i.e. to spin and wear swadeshi cloths, to establish Khadi and village industries etc. so that the villages could be developed and income generation for the poor, he adds.

Following Independence on 15 August 1947, Sikkim retained some semblance of its independence as Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, agreed to maintain the erstwhile kingdoms special protectorate status. While the Sikkimese kingdom maintained internal autonomy, it let the Indian Union handle external affairs. However, things came to a head with the Chinese crackdown in the late 1950s and heavy immigration from Nepal.

Meanwhile, Pokhrel continued on his travels across India with his last visit home happening in 1957 when Nehru visited the erstwhile kingdom. As per official records, he passed away on 27 January 1969 in Purnia district, Bihar, while his descendents migrated to Assam. Only six years after his demise later did Sikkim become an official state of the Indian Union.

While official records of his life remain sparse for the most part, the Sikkimese government recognised his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle when it conferred the LD Kazi [first chief minister of Sikkim] Award for Democratic Movement during the 43rd State Celebration in May 2018. There is evidently a lot we dont know about his life, but recognitions like these do offer hope that one day it will inspire more scholars from Sikkim to learn more about this forgotten figure of the Indian freedom struggle.

(Edited by Yoshita Rao)

We at The Better India want to showcase everything that is working in this country. By using the power of constructive journalism, we want to change India one story at a time. If you read us, like us and want this positive news movement to grow, then do consider supporting us via the following buttons:

See the article here:

Gandhi Pokhrel, The Unsung Freedom Fighter Who Pioneered Swadeshi In Sikkim - The Better India