logo
Vizag artist comes up with asana practising PM's millet portrait

Vizag artist comes up with asana practising PM's millet portrait

Hans India13-06-2025
Visakhapatnam: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been advocating holistic health by promoting awareness about yoga and millets at global level, local artist Moka Vijay Kumar has come up with a customised portrait, incorporating millets ahead of the International Yoga Day.
With Visakhapatnam gearing up to host a record-breaking International Yoga Day celebration, involving largest participation on June 21, the Visakhapatnam-based artist says that he worked on a millet portrait, contributing his part to the biggest event.
Incorporating millets on the canvas, Vijay Kumar has crafted an artwork where the Prime Minister is practicing various yoga asanas. The millet portrait depicts Narendra Modi in seven different asanas along with a meditating PM at the centre of the frame. 'The portrait was designed in a 5X5 frame. I wish I could present this portrait to the Prime Minister during his visit to Visakhapatnam,' Vijay Kumar told The Hans India, adding that if it is not possible, he would like to handover the portrait to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalayan.
With an aim to promote consumption of millets and make people understand their nutritional value, Moka Vijay Kumar worked on various millet-based portraits.
Employed at the Diesel Loco Shed (Grade-I) of Waltair Division, a majority of his artworks focused on health, tribal communities and a number of impressive themes.
During G20 Summits, Vijay Kumar's artworks hogged the limelight in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. About 38 millet portraits belonging to various countries were gifted to 38 health ministers during the G20 Summit held in Hyderabad.
Under the banner of 'health art', Vijay Kumar has come with several millet-based portraits. His dedication towards art and innovative thoughts made him earn a place in the International Book of Records, Nobel World Records, World Records Union, among others. Vijay Kumar's artworks found a place in India Book of Records as an IBR Achiever for bringing out 50 paintings of prominent celebrities, political leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam and industrialists, incorporating millets.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tribal women continue menstrual seclusion practice in Thalavadi Hills in Erode
Tribal women continue menstrual seclusion practice in Thalavadi Hills in Erode

The Hindu

time2 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Tribal women continue menstrual seclusion practice in Thalavadi Hills in Erode

In several tribal hamlets of the Thalavadi Hills, adolescent girls and women continue the long-standing practice of menstrual seclusion, staying in small, separate rooms outside their homes during their monthly cycles. Though not enforced by any external authority, the practice is deeply rooted in religious and cultural beliefs. Women voluntarily refrain from entering their homes and use separate utensils for four days every month, viewing it as an act of devotion to deities such as Jadasamy, Mariamman, Rangasamy, Madeswaran, and Nanjundeshwara. Food is delivered in utensils at the doorstep without direct contact, and women are required to remain inside the room throughout their cycle. Their interaction with family members and neighbours is minimal, and they are not allowed to participate in social activities during this period. Both educated and uneducated women uphold the tradition, which has been passed down through generations. The isolation rooms, typically small spaces accommodating two to three women, are either attached to homes or shared within the community. The practice is prevalent in Kalithimbam, Ittarai, Thadasalatti, Mavanatham, Mavallam, Pudukadu, and Gethesal hamlets, located within and beyond Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in the hilly region. A 27-year-old woman from Mavallam, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the practice stems from long-standing taboos. 'We know there is no stigma. But we strongly believe in our deities, and we will follow this practice,' said the mother of two. Among the 35 tribal families in the hamlet, many women have studied only up to Class 8 before dropping out. Another woman, aged 33, echoed the sentiment, saying, 'We won't break the customs. It has been followed for generations.' Though some men claimed they had no objection to women entering homes during menstruation, in practice, many preferred that the tradition be maintained. In response, the Sathyamangalam-based Rights Education and Development Centre (READ) has begun conducting awareness campaigns in the hamlets, promoting a scientific understanding of menstruation and advocating for gender equality. The campaign emphasises that menstruation is a natural biological process, not associated with impurity or religious defilement. At a recent awareness programme in Mavallam, part of Hasanur panchayat, READ Director R. Karuppasamy urged residents not to exclude women or expose them to physical and emotional risks. 'This is not about challenging faith, but about understanding science. Menstruation is natural and has no link to theettu (ritual impurity),' he said. Mr. Karuppasamy also highlighted serious safety concerns, particularly the risk of wild elephant attacks faced by women staying outside in forest-fringe villages near the reserve. As part of its long-term strategy, READ plans to select two youths from each hamlet for intensive training to serve as peer educators. These trained individuals will help sensitise communities, especially men, to menstrual health, safety, and inclusion. 'Menstrual isolation is not only unscientific, but also a form of gender-based violence against a vulnerable group,' Mr. Karuppasamy said. He clarified that the initiative did not aim to undermine religious beliefs, but sought to protect the health, dignity, and rights of women.

‘Why Leave Home Early?': NHAI Lawyers Bizarre Remark After 3 Deaths In 40-Hour Traffic Jam
‘Why Leave Home Early?': NHAI Lawyers Bizarre Remark After 3 Deaths In 40-Hour Traffic Jam

India.com

time3 hours ago

  • India.com

‘Why Leave Home Early?': NHAI Lawyers Bizarre Remark After 3 Deaths In 40-Hour Traffic Jam

The argument by the advocate representing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)'s case in the Madhya Pradesh High Court has left many shocked. This comes in the aftermath of a 40-hour-long traffic jam that brought the Indore-Dewas road in Madhya Pradesh to a standstill on June 27 (Friday), severely affecting the region. NHAI is an autonomous government agency that is responsible for the management of the Indian road network. There were over 4,000 vehicles trapped in an 8-kilometre-long stretch, according to IANS. Furthermore, the traffic jam led to the death of three individuals- Kamal Panchal from Indore, Sandeep Patel from Gari Pipalya, and Balram Patel from Shujalpur. Meanwhile, the NHAI's advocate posed a question in the open court that stunned everyone. "Why do people even leave so early without any work?" according to a report by NDTV, the NHAI's advocate said. Three Individuals Lost Their Lives As per IANS, Kamal Panchal (62) farmer and resident of Bijalpur, Indore, was on his way with family to attend his sister's post-funeral ceremony, and his vehicle became stranded near Arjun Baroda village due to a traffic diversion. The senior citizen began experiencing distress and collapsed inside the car. With no medical help accessible and traffic unmoving for over 90 minutes, his family could only get Panchal to a nearby hospital in Dewas after the jam was cleared, and there he was declared dead upon arrival. Meanwhile, Sandeep Patel (32) developed chest pain and was being transported from Gari Pipalya to Indore. After doctors in Mangalia recommended immediate transfer to a larger facility, the vehicle got stuck in gridlock for three hours near Talavli Chanda and Dewas Naka. Sandeep died of a suspected heart attack during the delay. Balram Patel (55) from Shujalpur, whose oxygen cylinders had depleted while his family tried unsuccessfully to escape the jam. Despite having two cylinders in the vehicle, one ran out in Dewas, and the second failed, while the car stuck for two hours. Balram passed away in the vehicle, IANS reported. Petition In Court The MP High Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Dewas-based advocate Anand Adhikari, following the massive traffic jam that started on Friday and extended well into Saturday. The bench of Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi expressed concern over the incident. IANS reported that during the proceedings, NHAI's counsel, Advocate Anita Sharma, informed the court that the congestion was primarily caused by ongoing construction work near Mangalia, being executed by a private company. The court inquired whether the presence of MPs and ministers at the site had led to the eventual clearance of the jam, hinting at administrative inertia. HC Seeks Reply The Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench, has sought a detailed response within seven days from the NHAI, the Indore district Collector, and other concerned authorities over the 40-hour traffic jam. The case is listed to be heard again next week, with the court expecting comprehensive replies from all parties involved. The petitioners have demanded accountability and a long-term traffic management plan to prevent such tragedies in the future. The jam exposed serious administrative lapses in traffic management, ultimately leading to fatal consequences.

More beds for patients with rare diseases
More beds for patients with rare diseases

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

More beds for patients with rare diseases

Kolkata: Prodded by the Calcutta HC, the state on Tuesday submitted that a 50-bed critical care unit at the Kolkata Police Hospital was on the verge of completion. In this unit, three ICU beds on the ground floor would be reserved for persons suffering from rare diseases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das recommended that the state reserve at least five ICU beds, of which three would be reserved for patients suffering from muscular dystrophy. The division bench also directed the centre of excellence in the state to arrange for sleep study tests for patients with muscular dystrophy. The Chief Justice wanted the Kolkata Police Hospital to have the necessary facilities to conduct sleep study tests and BIPAP machines. The state counsel also submitted that, upon the directions of the division bench on May 23, the govt was actively considering increasing the stipend of such patients from the existing Rs 1,000. The division had also observed that tablet deflazacort, a costly medicine used to treat patients with muscular dystrophy, should be supplied free of cost to patients, at least for two months. The state counsel submitted that the supply already started. Keeping in view the other ailments these patients suffer from due to the application of steroids in treatment, the division bench held that necessary medicines should be provided to such patients along with tablet deflazacort. The Chief Justice directed the additional solicitor general to take instructions from the director of the National Institute of Locomotor Disability, Bonhooghly, to supply knee orthosis, braces, and belts for spines, after being informed that the institute provided these aids free of cost to the disabled. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Chief Justice, upon suggestions from the petitioner over the availability of lightweight non-mechanised wheelchairs for children suffering from the disease, asked the petitioner to obtain a proforma from a Bidhannagar-based company so that the state could consider procuring them. The Chief Justice noted that despite requests earlier, the chambers of commerce had not responded to the appeal for sponsoring some of the mechanised wheelchairs. The division bench urged the lawyers in touch with the chambers of commerce and corporate houses to take it up with their clients. The Chief Justice directed the state to submit a report in the form of an affidavit during the next hearing of the matter on July 15.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store