Sangram Singh, Shruti Ulfat, Rehaa Khann, Jaanvi Sangwan & Anusha Srinivasan Iyer Grace Sumit Mishra’s Art Show Vimarsh

Art is and has always been an extremely powerful medium to spawn an intellectual discussion on all facets of society. This, stood true, also for the inaugural ceremony of Art-Director cum Artist Sumit Mishra’s art show, apltly titled Vimarsh.
The inauguration happened at the hands of Wrestler-Actor Sangram Singh, Actor Shruti Ulfat, Miss Mermaid International Asia Rehaa Khann, Filmmaker-Animal Activist Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, Jaanvi Sangwan among other such distinguished guests at Nehru Centre AC Art Gallery, Worli.

Averred Sumit Mishra, “My exhibition is an effort of engaging social and political discussions with its observers. Technically, the flat canvas is synonymous to an experiment to project a third dimension, having presented intellectually and ideologically. Expressing your point of view through Art and the reaction of the observers is the possibility of making my thoughts better.”

Sumit Mishra invites you to take a deeper look at the combination of colours and shapes as an attempt to convey his words.

दिव्यांग और बहादुरी दिखानेवाले हैं असली हीरो!

जाने-माने निर्माता और समाज सेवा में संलग्न डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका ने एम्पल मिशन के सहयोग से भारत प्रेरणा अवॉर्ड्स और शूरवीर अवॉर्ड्स का आयोजन किया। इस कार्यक्रम का आयोजन बॉम्बे स्टॉक एक्सचेंज में उन साधारण लोगों को सम्मानित करने के लिए किया गया, जिन्होंने किसी कार्य के ज़रिए उपलब्धियां हासिल कीं और बहादुरी की असाधारण घटनाओं को अंजाम दिया। इस कार्यक्रम में कॉर्पोरेट, फ़िल्म, टीवी और सामाजिक क्षेत्र से जुड़ी कई हस्तियों ने भाग लिया। 

होस्ट डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका और सिद्धांत मुरारका के अलावा इस कार्यक्रम की शोभा बढ़ानेवालों में   मुकेश ऋषि, पूजा बेदी, राजू श्रीवास्तव और पत्नी शिखा, आभा सिंह, शिबानी कश्यप, देवांगी दलाल, मंजू लोढ़ा, राघव ऋषि, प्राची तेहलान, जिनल पंड्या, जितेन लालवानी, शुभ मल्होत्रा, अशोक धामणकर, बॉबी खन्ना का नाम शामिल है। इन सभी हस्तियों ने अवॉर्ड पानेवाले सभी लोगों के जश्न में शिरकत की और उन्हें आगे भी और बेहतर कार्य करते रहने की प्रेरणा दी। 

इस संस्था के संरक्षक काशी मुरारका ने तमाम डिफ़रेंटली एबल्ड यानि दिव्यांग जनों की बेहद तारीफ़ करते हुए उन्हें प्रोत्साहित किया और उन्हें आगे बढ़ते रहने और 'ख़ुद ही वह बदलाव बनने' की सलाह दी। हर साल होने वाले भारत प्रेरणा अवॉर्ड्स के ज़रिए उनके बेटे डॉ. अनिल मुरारका इसी मंशा के साथ इन अवॉर्ड्स को एक‌ नई ऊंचाई पर ले जाने‌ के लिए इसका‌ आयोजन करते आ रहे हैं। 

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका ने इस मौके पर कहा, " ये पहला मौका है जब हमने भारत प्रेरणा अवॉर्ड्स और शूरवीर अवॉर्ड्स का‌ आयोजन एक साथ किया गया है ताक़ि इसे और‌ बेहतर और प्रभावी बनाया जा सके। 
हमें तमाम गणमान्य हस्तियों और सेलिब्रिटीज़ का सहयोग मिला, उसके लिए हम एम्पल मिशन उनके बेहद आभारी हैं।" उल्लेखनीय है कि शूरवीर अवॉर्ड्स एक ऐसी अनोखी पहल है जो देशभर के उन आम पुरुषों और महिलाओं को सम्मानित करता है, जिन्होंने असामान्य कार्य किए हों। ये ऐसे लोगों की पहचान करता है, जिन्होंने बहादुरी दिखाते हुए, अक्सर बेहद असाधारण काम को अंजाम देते हुए ख़ुद की जान की भी परवाह न‌ की हो।

कुछ नाम जिन्हें शूरवीर अवॉर्ड्स से नवाज़ा गया, उनमें भार्गसेतु शर्मा, गुलफ़शा अंसारी, रेज़ी थॉमस, पुष्पा प्रिया, मुमताज़ चांद पटेल, रेशमा पठान, सीमा वाघमोडे, सूफ़ीया शेख और केतन चोडवैद्य जैसे लोगों का शुमार है। इसके अतिरिक्त, जिन्हें भारत प्रेरणा अवॉर्ड्स से सम्मानित किया गया,‌ उनमें सागर पाटिल, दीविन वसारिया, पूजा शाह, करण शाह, विराग शाह, सारिका जैन,‌ शबाना अज़ीज़, सुशील शिम्पी, समीर कक्कड़, दीपक सैनी और कमलेश पटेल आदि का शुमार है।

ऐसी नायाब पहल को हमारा सलाम

Arbaaz Khan, Lalit Pandit, Kainaat Arora and Stars Launch Jeeoguru App

Jeeoguru, a popular streaming platform and entertainment app with original web series, award winning short films, original fusion music, Bollywood movies, foreign movies and lots more was launched today at a star-studded event at The View, Andheri West.

Soumyajit Ganguly and Sukanya Gupta, the forces behind Jeeoguru, launched the mobile entertainment app in the presence of Chief Guest Arbaaz Khan, music director Lalit Pandit, actors Kainaat Arora, Joy Sengupta, Sayantani Ghosh, Seema Singh, Arun Bakshi, Anang Desai and Piyush Munsi, singers Aneek Dhar, Abhay Jodhpurkar and Meghna Mishra among many others.

The Jeeoguru entertainment launched four new ventures including a talent hunt, beauty pageants and two web-series.

Jeeo Singing Star is a new talent hunt where the youth and the multi-talented from all fields of entertainment, whether it is music, feature or short films, are encouraged to participate and prove their mettle. Jeeoguru’s Soumyajit Ganguly and Sukanya Gupta averred, “In our constant endeavour to find new talents, we are organising a music talent hunt program where the participants need not stand in a queue for the auditions. They could just subscribe to the app and upload their songs.” After the various aspects of judging and factoring in the votes of the judges, the final 24 participants would be hand-picked where they will perform live in front of Chief Guests – Actor Arbaaz Khan and Music Composer Lalit Pandit. That’s not all, Meghna Mishra and Abhay Jodhpurkar would play mentors to the contestants while the entire show will be hosted by singer Aneek Dhar.

Jeeo King And Queen, unlike other reality shows, also incorporates a beauty pageant. Organized by Jeeoguru, there are 3 categories for this reality show, Mr, Miss, and Mrs. On this offbeat glamour hunt, the app owners mentioned, “We don’t believe in so called external beauty. Hence, colour and shape of the body isn’t important. What’s important is their inner beauty and the language they speak and nothing else would not be a barrier to their success.” Actors Arbaaz Khan and Kainaat Arora will be the Chief Judges of the reality show.

M For Mom, a familial web series focusing on a unique mother-son relationship where the son hates his mother but is very close to his fathers’ office colleague. She is the only person who is there beside him in his loneliness. To know why he hates his mom and where does the hate takes them you have to watch it. Starring actors Joy Sengupta, Sayantani Ghosh, Piyali Munsi and Krish Gupta, M For Mom is directed by Jiit Chakrobarty and assisted by Sabysachi Mandal, while the story concept and creative direction is by Sukanya Gupta. The show gets its music from Pinaki Bose.

Bhabiji Main Aaun, another offering of Jeeoguru entertainment app saw its trailer and music launched in the presence of celebrities and dignitaries. A Bhojpuri item number, ‘Bara Baje Aana’, a track voiced by Priyanka Singh while the music composed by S Kumar, followed by one hindi peppy number called ‘Nachenge Saari Raat’, sung and composed by Bengali rapper Tanmoy Saadhak, were released at the celeb studded event. The story, screenplay and the direction by Soumyajit Ganguly brings about a fresh comedy, purely for entertainment, where two young bachelors are attracted to a young married ‘Bhabhiji’. Through the twists and turns, the story turns to an unexpected end. That is not all. For the first time, Seema Singh – the famour Bhojpuri item queen, is doing a full fledged web-series with Prem Singh and Areya while the voiceovers are by Arun Bakshi.

Allowing customers to watch a wide variety of web-series, movies and exclusive shows, Jeeoguru announced a special subscription plan where the subscriber could stream all the media of the app for a nominal subscription fee of just Rs 79 for an entire year. Be it drama, horror, suspense, thriller or comedy, Jeeoguru has it all! The Jeeoguru application is available on iOS on the App Store and Android on the Google Play Store.

Aaditya Thackeray, Sonu Sood, Jackie Shroff, Shaan, Sophie Choudry, Maniesh Paul, Karanvir Bohra, Anu Malik, Shiamak Davar, Vivek Goenka, Zarina Wahab, Aditya Pancholi, Emiway Bantai & Many Others From The Films, Social, Political & Business Fields Graced The Occasion

Air pollution in India is a serious issue, ranking higher than smoking, high blood pressure, child and maternal malnutrition, and risk factors for diabetes. In urban areas, most emissions come from vehicles and industry, whereas in rural areas, much of the pollution stems from biomass burning for cooking and keeping warm. In autumn and winter months, large scale crop residue burning in agriculture fields – a low cost alternative to mechanical tilling – is a major source of smoke, smog and particulate pollution. Air pollution increases the risk of heart diseases, causes allergies, bronchitis, asthama, contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year, and is also responsible for causing mental health issues, including depression. The air pollution epidemic is evident all over the globe; animals have reportedly died after ingesting fumes and breathing in toxic, polluted air.

This World Environment Day, 2019, in India is being organized by Bhamla Foundation along with the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Organization. With Beat Air Pollution as the theme of this year’s event, India is coming together to improve air quality and protect human health.

Bhamla Foundation, through its environment initiatives, is working towards curbing the menace of air pollution, keeping in line with the UNO initiative of ‘Beat Air Pollution’. Following the #BeatPlasticPollution song, ideated by Asif Bhamla, his foundation has come up with, yet another anthem. The #HawaAaneDe musical campaign was made a success by roping in many celebrities and influencers to carry out a message of air pollution threat, with Swanand Kirkire, Shaan and Rajkummar Rao making their presence felt among others.

Asif Bhamla, through Bhamla Foundation, had earlier set the thought in motion among the masses with the sapling plantation drive and make and use the paper bag initiative at the hands of Sanjay Dutt.

Besides Asif Bhamla, Meraj Husain and Saher Bhamla of Bhamla Foundation, Yuva Sena Chief Aaditya Thackeray, Sonu Sood, Jackie Shroff, Shaan, Sophie Choudry, Maniesh Paul, Karanvir Bohra, Anu Malik, Shiamak Davar, Vivek Goenka, Zarina Wahab, Aditya Pancholi, Emiway Bantai, Madhur Bhandarkar, Milind Deora, Ashish Shelar, Sachin Bhau Ahir, Ashok Kapoor, Parmeet Sethi and Archana Puran Singh, Edgard Kagan (Consul Gen of USA), Alok Kumar Choudhary (of SBI), Swanand Kirkire and many others from the films, social, political and business fields livened up the amphitheathre at Carter road, Bandra, and joined in the celebrations. Master of Ceremonies were Meraj Husain and Ruby Bhatia.

"We know how air pollution harms us, there is no excuse not to act. It threatens everyone from unborn babies to children walking to school, to women cooking over open fires. Remember, clean air is your right! Chal #HawaAaneDe," averred Akshay Kumar.

“Clean air is a basic human right. Together, let us pledge to make our lives and country pollution free. Chal #HawaAaneDe,” said Vicky Kaushal.

I am very proud to be associated with this initiative taken by the Ministry of Environment, United Nation, Bhamla Foundation and SBI on fighting air pollution. Clean air is what Nature has gifted us, and we’ve just made it worse,” shared Rajkummar Rao, “It’s high time we take it seriously.”

“Through the current year’s UN environment motto, we wish to inform and educate, not just the youngsters, but everyone,” imparted Shaan.

“We can produce anything in this world, from a pin to a plane. What we do not have is an instrument to produce natural oxygen. Natural oxygen comes from green plants. It’s time for all of us to be aggressive for more plantation of greenery,” expressed Ashish Shelar, MLA – Bandra West.

“Pollution is a hazard that the citizens of this country should really pay attention to. Small changes brought about by many of us will result in a very big change,” added Shankar Mahadevan.

Besides, Ayushmann Khurrana and Janhvi Kapoor have also recorded positive messages for Bhamla Foundation and The Ministry of Environment.

As the video rakes in more and more hits, the movement will gain momentum and awareness will spread among the masses. #HawaAaneDe song and campaign was created by the Bhamla Foundation in association with the Ministry of Environment, United Nations Organization as well as the entire film fraternity. As you see the peril is drawing closer and closer. It is not just an idea but a theoretical reality. Every warning about Global Warming is slowly getting true. It is also reported that unless mankind makes drastic changes in the coming years, the permanent damage because of environmental pollution will become inevitable.

Or as Asif Bhamla of Bhamla Foundation rightly put it, “I am glad that the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, members of the entertainment fraternity have come together with our Bhamla Foundation with a hope to make a lasting difference, so our sons and daughters can breathe air that won’t harm them. This is the time now, to make a difference, before the very air we breathe, kills us!”

In a recent hearing aid distribution drive, recently conducted by JOSH Foundation, six technologically advanced hearing aids were distributed to underprivileged kids. An initiative by eminent ENT specialist Dr. Jayant Gandhi and Audiologist-Speech Therapist Devangi Dalal, JOSH Foundation has distributed over 1000 hearing aids to kids in need! Devangi Dalal said, “Hearing impairment among the underprivileged is an epidemic that our foundation is keen to eliminate. Each digital hearing aid costs over Rs. 60,000. I’m glad we are able to help these children. I urge you to support us in our drive to eliminate hearing loss among the youth.”

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका आणि टीम अँपल मिशनने महाशिवरात्रीचे औचित्य साधून गरजूंना दूध वितरित केले

महाशिवरात्रीच्या शुभ मुहूर्तावर भारताच्या अनेक शहरात हजारो लिटर दुधाची नासधूस होते, हे दुर्दैवी चित्र जवळपास प्रत्येक शहरांमध्ये अधिक प्रमाणात आपल्याला पाहायला मिळते.  परंतु यावर्षी मात्र हे चित्र बदललेलं दिसले. टीम 'अँपल मिशन' जी अनेक सामाजिक आणि परोपकारी कार्यात कार्यरत आहे, यावेळी  मुंबईतील गोरेगाव आणि मालाड परिसरातील गरजू लोकांना वेगवेगळ्या चवीच्या दुधाच्या बाटल्यांचे  वाटप केले. 

 

अँपल मिशनचे संस्थापक डॉ. अनील काशी मुरारका सांगतात की, "प्रत्येक वर्षी, महाशिवरात्री दरम्यान, आपल्या देशात देवाला अनेक लिटर दूध अर्पीत केले जाते आम्ही, 'अँपल मिशन' द्वारे त्यापेक्षा काही वेगळे आणि चांगले करण्याचे ठरविले आहे, आम्हाला त्या वंचित लोकांना मदत करायची होती. आणि त्याबदल्यात त्यांनी  व्यक्त केलेली  कृतज्ञतेची भावना अमूल्य होती.  आम्ही या सर्वांचे खूप आभारी आहोत.”

Ample Missiion's Adivasi Welfare Mission

Team Ample Missiion, a NGO involved in philanthropic work, had recently organised a health outreach programme for tribal women in one of the Adivasi villages located in Aarey Colony, Mumbai. To improve the lives of one of the most impoverished sections of our society, they distributed first-aid kits, sanitary pads and soaps to the residents. They also conducted a hand-wash awareness session, a basic necessity that is often overlooked. “There is an urgent need for more such health initiatives for the tribal population, including a regular health check-up camp. In the coming months, we will look into the same,” expressed Dr.Aneel Kashi Murarka - Founder, Ample Missiion. Check out the adjacent pictures! 

SCARFACE… HIGHLIGHTING THE LIVING DEATH OF ACID ATTACK VICTIMS

As you take a walkthrough of the Press Club, you see ‘scarred faces’ screaming out at you from their frozen frames, from Shirish Shete’s frames in his show titled ‘Scarface’. A veteran media photographer, who has been with the Press Trust of India for over two decades now, Shirish Shete has been dedicatedly shooting acid victim survivors for over half a decade.

India records the highest cases of acid attacks in the world with the worst conviction rates. As is often the case with other crimes against women, acid attacks victims are treated with official apathy and societal indifference. The victims are usually women aged between fourteen and thirty-five, and the attacks often the result of rejection of a marriage proposal or sexual advances; unable to bring enough dowry; for bearing a female child; for professional rivalry; for as petty a thing as having cooked a bad meal, so on and so forth. Often at times, men are also not spared from acid attacks.

The Press Club, overcrowded with enthusiasts, citizens and lensmen, remained silent as Shirish Shete spoke of the system being as much a mute spectator. “I have been shooting this project for over half a decade. And it is still unfinished. It began in Delhi, when I met these survivors and got entwined in their lives and then my documentation work began. Whenever I used to meet the victims, they used to tell me their stories, and there was a point where I had to tell them to stop because I couldn’t bear to hear them continue, the stories were so bad.”

The Chief Guests for the occasion were philanthropist Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka who graced the evening with a group of acid attack survivors, supported by his organization Ample Missiion and Megha Patil, Ex Vice Chairperson of Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Govt. of Maharashtra, Ex Member of State & Central Govt. Committee on Equal Remuneration For Women & Governing Council Member of Maharashtra United Nations Association.

“Nobody even wants to be next to them. These stories are not stories people want to hear. A photograph speaks a thousand words and with the right caption or accompanying the right story, it sensitizes society and raises questions. As a photojournalist, I’d be happy to have contributed in anyway whatsoever,” concluded Shirsh Shete.

On the occasion, the cover of Tezaab Tales, a coffee table book that highlights the alkaline truth behind the acid attack victims' lives. The photo documentary is by Shirish Shete, the text by Anusha Srinivasan Iyer and is being published by philanthropist Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka of Ample Missiion.  

Shirish Shete, who is currently designated as the Chief Photographer with The Press Trust of India, has earlier worked with The Indian Express and Mid-Day, contributed to various magazines like Femina and Debonair among others; has travelled extensively around the globe with the Indian PM Narendra Modi, former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Indian PM Manmohan Singh on their work tours and has previously exhibited in various galleries across India. 

Art Patron Nisha JamVwal Presents Solo Show of Famed Artist Ritu Dhillon

Art Patron & High Priestess of Luxury Nisha JamVwal hosted the unveiling of Ritu Dhillon’s The Thinking Man at a grand art Champagne sundowner where Bombay’s glitterati including Zarine Khan, Suzanne Khan, Nisha JamVwal, Ritu Dhillon, Laila Khan, actor Sonu Walia, Nawaz Modi Singhania, Maya and Sunil Alagh, Brinda Miller, Aahna Miller, Consul General of USA in Mumbai Edgard D Kagan, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai Yaakov Finkelstein, Consul General of New Zealand in Mumbai Ralph Hays with wife Sonia Hays, Fitness Guru Mickey Mehta, Consul General of Canada Annie Dube, media baron Ashok Advani, Consul General Israel Yakov and Nurit Franklin, Richard Rothman and wife Tabu,  Designer Poonam Trivedi, Tanuj Garg, Sonu Walia, Ajoykant Ruia, Shashi Bansal, Dr. Mukesh Batra, Parvez and Roshni Damania, Architect Prem Nath, Shanti and Kasturi Chopra, Cyber Crime Chief Cop Brijesh Singh and Income Tax Officer Anjali Singh, Dr. Swati Pandey Director Film Institute were enthralled by the sparkling evening hosted by Nisha JamVwal, the artworks, the cuisine and floral decor at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda.

Nisha JamVwal, superbly popular with the city’s glitterati and an award-winning luxury consultant and interiors architect known for her penchant for motivating and inspiring women achievers and promoting brilliant talent averred, “Ritu is an artist for the thinking discerning lover of art. I am currently immersed in the journey of her ‘Thinking Man’ sometimes contemplative, sometimes disturbing, sometimes provocative. Ritu’s ‘Thinking man’ immersed me in his contemplations and took me away from my everyday life into his deeply questioning rumination about our sometimes disquieting world order. I am at once uplifted as I am unsettled by his reverie.”

Curated and hung by Jamwal and inaugurated by Zarine Khan, Suzanne Khan and Jamwal, Ritu Dhillon’s solo show was an instant hit, not just with the casual viewers, but also with renowned collectors and lovers of Art who stayed and enjoyed the soirée.

Said an understated Ritu Dhillon, “An exciting evening indeed! Where the viewer is able to make the story of the protagonist their own story - it is then that our communication is complete”

Perhaps the Jehangir Art Gallery hasn’t seen such a swish evening in a long time that Nisha JamVwal managed to conjure with her enigmatic persona, swish in her magnificent in a Ravage by Raj Shroff roseate summer georgette gown.