- November 17, 2021
- Comments: 0
- Posted by: admin
The week-long premiere of the 52nd IFFI is going live in Goa on November 20, 2021
To entice the movie buff in you, the 52nd Internation Film Festival of India is going to premiere its week-long shenanigans in Goa, starting November 20. Pegged to be one of the most significant film festivals of Asia, IFFI is a celebration of the world’s top cinematic works, casting them from screens to people’s hearts! Get set ready to grab a bowl of popcorn, sit back and watch the most iconic films play their charm and compete for the annual Golden Peacock award.
The latest edition in Goa has released a line-up of 15 international movies to compete during the festival. Notably, the film festival is setting the screen for the best feature-length fiction films, round the globe and now you’ve got a chance to watch ’em all! :
– Any Day Now | Dir : Hamy Ramezan | Finland
– Charlotte | Dir : Simon Franco | Paraguay
– Godavari | Dir: Nikhil Mahajan | Marathi, India
– Intregalde | Dir : Radu Muntean |Romania
– Land of Dreams | Dir : Shirin Neshat & Shoja Azari | New Mexico, USA
– Leader | Dir : Katia Priwieziencew | Poland
– Me Vasantrao | Dir: Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari | Marathi, India
– Moscow Does Not Happen | Dir : Dmitry Fedorov | Russia
– No Ground Beneath The Feet| Dir : Mohammad Rabby Mridha | Bangladesh
– Once We Were Good For You | Dir : Branko Schmidt | Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
– Ring Wandering | Dir : Masakazu Kaneko | Japan
– Saving One Who Was Dead | Dir : Vaclav Kadrnka | Czech Republic
– Semkhor | Dir: Aimee Baruah | Dimasa, India
– The Dorm | Dir : Roman Vasyanov | Russia
– The First Fallen | Dir : Rodrigo de Oliveira | Brazil
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Backed by the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), in association with the Government of Goa and the Indian Film Industry, IIFI is an honourary stage. Besides being prestigious, each award conferred here comes with substantial prize money. All nominated movies will compete for various categories. These are:
-Best Film or the Golden Peacock Award – The award carries a cash prize of ₹40,00,000/ which is to be shared equally between the Director and Producer. The Director will receive the Golden Peacock and a Certificate, along with the cash component. The Producer, on the other hand, will receive a Certificate in addition to the cash component.
– Best Director Award – To be felicitated with Silver Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹15,00,000/-
– Best Actor (Male) – To be felicitated with Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of ₹10,00,000/-
-Best Actor (Female) – To be felicitated with Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of ₹10,00,000/-
-Special Jury Award – To be felicitated with Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of ₹15,00,000/-. This award may be conferred for any movie or any aspect of the film which the jury wishes to award/acknowledge. An individual can also bag the honour, read the official note. Reportedly, if this award is given to the film, it will handed over to the Director of the film.
The International Film Festival of India was founded in 1952 and since then, has been staged as an annual event. The festival brings the finest silver-screen works and showcases a bouquet of the best films from India and abroad. This year, IFFI will stretch from November 20 to November 28.
A shift-wise vaccination programme has been planned to drive the vaccination process swiftly in remote & rural areas
In a bid to maximise the coverage of COVID vaccination across rural Uttar Pradesh, the state administration has decided to temporarily use schools and colleges as inoculation sites. As per reports, the government has directed health department officials to ensure a seamless transition, for a faster and wider vaccination process. Besides, an additional shift-wise vaccination programme has been planned for all remote locales to forward the defence feet against the pandemic.
Initiating a strong charge against the spread of coronavirus in rural UP, the govt will be converting regional schools and colleges into vaccination centres. This move comes in view of the administration attempt of targeting the unvaccinated population, to avert the crisis of another infection wave of a peak.
On the directives of the CM, a definitive shift-wise vaccination plan will be launched in remote areas of the state to pace up the overall vaccination drive, an informed government spokesperson. “It is important to speed up the process of vaccination in rural areas. For this, inter-departmental coordination should be done”, he added.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
In villages, schools and colleges will double up as vaccination centres to ensure swifter vaccine coverage. A shift-wise programme will ensure longer operational hours of the sites, motivating people to get the anti-COVID jab at their convenience.
Tugging the reins of a successful vaccination drive, Uttar Pradesh is closing on the target of 14 crores jabs as yet – with a total of 13.97 administered shots. It may be noted that over 26% of the state’s eligible population has also taken both doses of the vaccine, effectively reducing the chance of a successive COVID resurgence. Besides, the first jab coverage in UP stands as high as 69%.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Marking a remarkable COVID arrest, the Uttar Pradesh administration and health department claim to have restricted the quarterly rise of COVID-19 cases under the 50 mark. Officials have attributed this pandemic dip to an elaborate tracing, tracking, testing treatment and vaccination scheme of the state.
Around 67 out of the total 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh recorded zero COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, making a bold statement of the state’s prevention and precaution approach. Reportedly, the present active caseload in UP stands at a total of 99 with the detection of 12 new positive cases on Sunday.
The city had reported two cases of the virus on Friday
Following the diagnosis of Lucknow’s first Zika Virus cases on Friday, the administration has begun the work to check the spread of the disease. Measures such as containment zones, door-to-door surveillance and monitoring, specialised health infrastructure and awareness campaigns are being implemented to combat the virus.
Starting today, containment zones spanning 400 metres in radius will be set up around the houses of Zika Virus patients. The patients will be kept in home isolation. This will prevent the virus from spreading within the district.
To keep a track of infected individuals from coming into the city, in charges have been assigned at the airport, railway stations and bus stops. They will maintain a list of passengers travelling from Zika-affected areas.
A total of 550 super-surveillance teams have been constituted so far. 25 teams will be present at every Community Health Centre (CHC). They will be responsible for conducting door-to-door surveys and monitoring of patients. In terms of health infrastructure, specialised Zika Virus wards are being created at 8 hospitals in the district.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
An awareness campaign about the disease will also be started, with hoardings and pamphlets for distribution of information. Additionally, a helpline has been issued for all Zika virus-related queries. People can get any information they require by calling the Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC).
This smartphone app will help villagers with their everyday panchayat-related work
In an attempt to further digitisation, Calangute panchayat has launched an application for smartphones, to help the villagers with their everyday panchayat-related work. With this app that is conceptualised by the village sarpanch- Shawn Martins and Benedict Lobo- a software developer, the civic body has become the first one to develop an app on its own. Notably, a special website dedicated to this panchayat is already operational along with this app. Read on to know more about the features of this application.
With the new application launched by Calangute’s civic body, the residents can now make their house tax payments or even register new business firms with a single touch on their mobile phones. To facilitate smooth financial transactions, the panchayat has partnered with HDFC bank, suggests the reports. Moreover, the app also informs villagers about various events organised by the panchayat.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Notably, the website and the app include information like the number of houses and business establishments in the locality. Additionally, it also includes the status of payment for various sanitisation services, renewal of taxes and gives a heads up before it is time for payment renewal.
Reportedly, attempts to digitise trade licenses of various business firms in the locality will be made in the future. Once the civic body gives a go-ahead, the IT team will upgrade the app to develop unique QR codes for the stores. These codes will be pasted in the form of stickers which will be scanned by the panch inspectors to verify the business’s trade license. While the app caters to the needs of local people currently, with the addition of features like maps and store locators in the near future, it is expected to assist tourists as well.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Mumbai Cricket Association has set up a training camp at Bandra-Kurla Complex ahead of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand
Upon the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is all set to host the test specialists for a preparatory camp at the Bandra-Kurla Complex. With this 4-day camp, team India will be ready to lock horns with New Zealand’s team in the two-match Test series beginning on November 25 in Kanpur and on 3 December in Mumbai. Notably, this Test series is being played as a part of the World Test Championship.
Reportedly, the authority has set up this training camp to provide the much-needed preparation before the beginning of the Test series as there hasn’t been a lot of red-ball cricket for a while now. Since Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are unavailable for the first Test match, Ajinkya Rahane will lead the Indian team in Kanpur.
Apart from Rahane who is already training at the complex, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, KS Bharat and Jayant Yadav are likely to be a part of this camp.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Government has permitted the MCA to host the second test match at its full seating capacity. Scheduled to take place from December 3 to December 7, this international test match will be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after almost five years.
Notably, before this series, India vs New Zealand T20I series will be flagged off in Jaipur on November 17. While the second match of this three-match series will be played in Ranchi on November 19, the last one scheduled on November 21 will take place in Kolkata.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Anyone who calls on the number will be provided security free of cost
The Commissionerate Police Kanpur has launched a new helpline number-112, through which the aim is to provide security to any person travelling with valuables in the district. Anyone who calls on the number will be provided security free of cost.
The police commissioner, Aseem Arun, in his order, said that any person travelling with a lot of cash or valuables can avail the new service if they feel insecure about their belongings. He further assured that the caller would not be asked about the nature of the valuable that is under their possession.
Initiatives like these, help the police in the prevention of crime. Further, it gives citizens peace of mind against the threats of theft and robbery. Overall, the helpline is a welcome initiative that will help in the reduction of crime rates and increase public trust in the authorities.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The body will record real-time data transmissions and web-based visualisations of the river to study the effect of environmental change on its health
Apex technology institute of Kanpur, the IIT has developed an Aquatic Autonomous Observatory named Niracara Svayamsasita Vedh Shala (NSVS) for monitoring the riverine ecosystem of the River Ganga. The body will record real-time data transmissions and web-based visualisations of the river to study the effect of environmental change on the waterbody’s health. With a robust management system, the NSVS will notably sustain itself independently.
As the world stands at the brink of a climate emergency, the Indian Institute of Kanpur has launched the NSVS System to analyse and deter the impending doom of water poisoning or sudden floods in the Ganga. Reportedly, the advanced technology observatory was inaugurated by A.R Harish, Dean of Research and Development at IIT Kanpur at the Laxman Ghat of Bithoor.
The new-age system has been developed as a low-cost, multi-parameter, water-quality monitoring platform, characterised by multiple sensors and automated samplers. The design is semi-submersible, all-weather, robust, and perfectly stable, making it ideal for round-the-clock surveillance.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT Kanpur said, “The Ganga is not just a river but a cultural heritage for us, and therefore it is our responsibility to safeguard it from any harm. IIT Kanpur has been doing rigorous research and developing various mechanisms to study the ecosystem of the Ganga and the impact of climate change on it. I congratulate the team led by Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya on the inauguration of the NSVS system, which will ensure real-time, in-situ monitoring of the river Ganga for ensuring its good health.”
As per reports, a dedicated team of earth scientists, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineers from IIT Kanpur, the NSVS Project, under the leadership of Bishakh Bhattacharya have backed NSVS to sense three important parameters, namely pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen capacity of water. The model can also be used to investigate the total dissolved solids, specific gravity and presence of metallic ions in water, creating a comprehensive monitoring system.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Every 15 minutes, the NVSV system automatically gathers data and transmits it to the institute using a wireless network. Designed to self-sustain, the platform includes a solar cell array and a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) system that can capture energy from the flow of rivers. To notch up its upgrade flexibility, the IIT-K’s platform has been kept open-ended; other institutes developing sensors can integrate it into their systems collaboratively.
As part of a larger strategy, the IIT Kanpur recently launched the Ganga Atlas project and an open-source workflow that enables riverine imagery to be processed and analyzed at a minimum cost. A roundtable discussion was also held on the rejuvenation of rivulets in the Ganga river basin, as well as research on the high resilience of dissolved heavy metals in the river.
These unique Myristica swamp ecosystem can be found in Talauli, Bhati, in the Sanguem district of Goa.
Battling various challenges for over 100 million years, areas with relic jurassic forests continue to thrive inside Goa’s Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. These unique Myristica swamp ecosystem can be found in Talauli, Bhati, in the Sanguem district of the coastal state. This sanctuary is home to this swamp that is endemic to the Western Ghats. Besides, these swamps can also be spotted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Supporting the global need to reduce carbon pollution, the Myristica swamp ecosystem owns a huge amount of carbon storage capacity while performing a major role in maintaining a steady streamflow. Reportedly, these swamp vegetation can be spotted in Barazan and Suryagal areas of Bhati. Categorised as ecologically fragile areas, the Myristica swamps are deemed to be unique evergreen areas. Notably, in the year 1999, the part of the Myristica swamp in Talauli was included in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
However, these patches of barren forests were put at risk of destruction by the administration by permitting to continue the mining work in the adjoining areas. But with the order passed by the Supreme Court’s Centrally Empowered Committee on November 7, 2003, the state government was made to stop even the removal of grass from the sanctuaries. This order eventually helped in retaining the greenery of the swamp vegetation.
After retaining water during the monsoon season, these trees gradually release the same in the lean seasons. Apart from this, these ecosystems house thousands of species of fauna and flora. With the help of knee roots and stilt roots, the forest has stood the test of time by evolving to survive in inundated swamps as well. The stilt roots that crop out of the main trunk provide mechanical support to the tree in the soft and unstable ground, while the knee roots emerging from the soil are useful for exchanging gases. It is upon the administration now to take up special conservation efforts to save this evergreen forest.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
With inputs from the Times of India