Category: Life & Style

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav’ at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, on Friday. The three-day event, running from December 6 to 8, highlights the rich culture, craftsmanship, and economic potential of Northeast India.

In his address, PM Modi praised the Northeast’s vibrant culture and dynamic people, calling the region a key driver of India’s growth. He stressed the need to preserve cultural heritage while unlocking the region’s economic opportunities. After his speech, PM Modi toured various pavilions, interacting with artisans and craftsmen, acknowledging their work as a reflection of the Northeast’s diversity and traditions.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also attended the event, supporting the mission to increase awareness about the Northeast’s contributions to India’s economy.

The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav brings together the eight Northeastern states under one roof, showcasing their traditional arts, crafts, handlooms, and GI-tagged products. The festival also features handmade exhibitions, Grameen haats, and state-specific pavilions, offering visitors an immersive experience into the region’s cultural richness. By promoting tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture, the event highlights the Northeast’s growing role in India’s cultural and economic landscape.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded Nagaland for its strong focus on waste management and sustainability during this year’s Hornbill Festival, currently underway at Kisama Heritage Village.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister extended warm wishes to the people of Nagaland as the festival celebrates its vibrant 25-year milestone. Reflecting on his own visit to the festival a few years ago, PM Modi described it as a vibrant showcase of Naga culture and traditions and encouraged others to experience its unique charm.

“My best wishes for the ongoing Hornbill Festival and congratulations to the people of Nagaland on this lively festival completing 25 years,” he wrote. “I am also glad to see the focus on waste management and sustainability during this year’s festival. I have fond memories from my own visit to this Festival a few years ago and I urge others to visit it and experience the vibrancy of Naga culture.”

A Nagaland Tourism Department official highlighted that the Prime Minister’s recognition emphasizes the importance of blending cultural celebration with environmental consciousness, a key theme of this year’s festival.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited Hornbill Bamboo Carnival-2024, organized by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), kicked off in style at the Bamboo Amphitheater, Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, Sovima, Chümoukedima.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that UNESCO has recognized the state as a leading destination for heritage tourism. She highlighted how the tourism sector has created job opportunities for millions of young people in the state.

Speaking in the assembly, Banerjee underlined Bengal’s advancements in heritage, religious, and tea tourism. “UNESCO has declared Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. We have undertaken major initiatives to develop heritage sites. We are also focusing on religious tourism by enhancing iconic places of worship, such as the Dakshineshwar temple and the Kalighat temple,” she said, according to PTI.

The Chief Minister shared updates on ongoing projects, including the nearly completed Jagannath temple at Digha, which will soon open for devotees. She also highlighted Bengal’s diverse attractions, saying, “We have mountains, forests, and the Sunderbans. We are showcasing the unique features of each location. Thousands of hotels have also been built in tourist areas.”

Tourism Minister Indranil Sen added that 2,489 homestays have been established across the state, with 65% located in North Bengal. Banerjee also announced a tender for constructing a bridge over the Muriganga River in Ganga Sagar Island, known for the annual Gangasagar Mela.

At a grand state banquet at Buckingham Palace, King Charles praised Qatar’s efforts for “tireless mediation over the past year in pursuit of peace.”

The Emir of Qatar is visiting the UK on a state trip. The King highlighted Qatar’s significant role in negotiations related to the Gaza conflict and the return of Israeli hostages.

The UK extended a warm diplomatic welcome to the wealthy, gas-rich nation, known for its strong business and military ties with Britain. Queen Camilla, despite recovering from pneumonia, attended the banquet after missing the outdoor segments of the official welcome.

State banquets, a highlight of such visits, are hosted in Buckingham Palace’s opulent ballroom. Guests dined with a 4,000-piece dinner service.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended the banquet for the first time and sat at the top table with King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, and the Qatari royal couple, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.

Notable guests included Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch, seated next to David Beckham. On Beckham’s other side was Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain football club. Earlier, Beckham was spotted arriving at the event holding hands with his wife, Victoria.

Samaira Hullur, an 18-year-old from Vijayapura, has earned her commercial pilot license, making her one of the youngest in India to achieve this milestone.

Over the course of one-and-a-half years, Samaira cleared six exams and logged over 200 hours of flying experience. She attributes her success to the guidance and mentorship of Captain Tapesh Kumar and Vinod Yadav.

Samaira’s father, Ameen Hullur, an interior designer, proudly shared that she is the youngest in India to pass all tests and obtain the license. She began her journey at the Vinod Yadav Aviation Academy (VYAA) in New Delhi before joining Carver Aviation Academy in Baramati, Maharashtra.

After earning her license, Samaira relocated to Baramati for further training.

Her inspiration, Captain Tapesh Kumar, obtained his license at 25, a milestone that fueled Samaira’s determination to reach her goals at an even younger age.

Mr Hullur said, “We bought tickets and were seated next to the pilot. Samaira was attracted by the pilot’s attire and style and began asking him several questions. He patiently answered them. That was the day she decided she wanted to be a pilot. We supported her by saving money and looking for good quality aviation academies.”

Krish Arora, a 10-year-old Indian-origin British boy, has stunned the world with his extraordinary intelligence, surpassing the IQs of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Scoring a maximum 162 on the Cattell III B test, Krish earned a spot in Mensa International, the prestigious high-IQ society, which recognizes genius-level intelligence for scores above 160.

Living in Hounslow, West London, Krish proudly joins the top 1% of the world’s most intelligent people. “The 11-plus exams were too easy,” he shared, expressing excitement about starting at Queen Elizabeth School in Barnet next year, which he hopes will challenge him more.

Beyond academics, Krish is a well-rounded prodigy. He is a grade 7 piano player and has earned a place in the Trinity College of Music’s Hall of Fame. “I love playing chess and often beat my teacher,” he adds with a smile, recalling how he’s been fluent in spelling and math since he was just four.

Krish’s twin sister, Keira, is equally brilliant, securing admission to four grammar schools. Together, the siblings are setting high standards, showcasing a perfect blend of talent and dedication.

Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi and Maj. Hazza Al Mansouri received First Class Space Medals on Eid Al Etihad, the UAE’s National Day, during a ceremony at Zabeel Palace on Monday. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, presented the awards, with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, in attendance.

“As part of our National Day celebrations, we celebrated a group of the nation’s sons who contributed to the advancement of the space sector, established the UAE’s global position in this field, and contributed to shaping its future in this advanced scientific sector,” Sheikh Mohammed said on X. “Under the directives of my brother Mohamed bin Zayed, we awarded astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri the First Class Space Medal.”

Maj. Al Mansouri, a former Air Force pilot, made history in 2019 as the first Emirati astronaut. His eight-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) marked the beginning of the UAE’s ambitious space journey. Dr. Al Neyadi, now Minister of State for Youth Affairs, followed as the second Emirati in space. Last year, he spent six months aboard the ISS and became the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk.

The Indian Navy successfully tested the K-4 ballistic missile on Thursday from the nuclear submarine INS Arighaat.

The missile, with a range of 3,500 km, was launched in the Bay of Bengal. The trial enhances India’s nuclear deterrence and second-strike capability.

Defence sources said test data is under review, with briefings planned for military and political leaders. The trial bolsters India’s nuclear triad, ensuring retaliatory capacity during a nuclear conflict.

K-4 Ballistic Missile

The K-4, developed by DRDO, is an underwater-launched missile. Extensive trials ensured it met strict operational standards.

INS Arighaat

Commissioned in August 2024, INS Arighaat was built at Vishakhapatnam’s Ship Building Centre. It features advanced technology, surpassing its predecessor INS Arihant. The successful test boosts its operational readiness.

INS Arighaat is equipped with K-4 missiles capable of striking targets over 3,500 km away. This range far exceeds the 750 km range of the K-15 missiles on INS Arihant. The upgrade strengthens India’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet, enhancing strategic defense flexibility and power.

India’s Nuclear Submarine Fleet

India’s nuclear submarine fleet includes INS Arihant, the country’s first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, commissioned in 2018. A third vessel in this class will join the Navy next year, further boosting deterrence capabilities.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while commissioning INS Arighaat, praised it as a symbol of India’s technological excellence and the government’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative.

“Drops of God,” which is a French-Japanese mini-series, won the International Emmy award for Best Drama Series on Monday night.

The show is an adaptation of a Japanese manga hit having the same name. It is about following the estranged daughter of a French wine critic after she starts battling his protege, trying to claim her inheritance.

The season’s first show streamed on Apple TV+ in 2023, and the American streaming service acquired the forthcoming second seasonvice.

Fleur Geffrier, the show’s star, told AFP – “It’s a series about family, bonds, and the search for identity in the world of wine, which is a world of its own,” at the awards ceremony in New York.

The International Emmy Awards recognize television produced outside the United States and are held separately from the awards for American productions.

Dubai is making a bold move towards sustainability with its first flagship marine reef project, set to transform the emirate’s marine ecosystem. This innovative initiative, known as Dubai Reef, focuses on creating artificial habitats to preserve biodiversity and enhance water quality, addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Spanning nearly 600 square kilometers, the project aims to provide a sanctuary for diverse marine species while boosting ecotourism. Over the next four years, Dubai plans to install an impressive 20,000 marine structures. By advancing conservation efforts, the project seeks not only to protect the coastline but also to solidify Dubai’s status as a global leader in eco-friendly innovation.

The first phase has already seen the successful installation of 1,000 modules, marking a significant milestone in the government’s drive to create a greener, more environmentally conscious city.