Latest news with #Agastya
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sriram Raghavan on Ikkis: I am excited to see Agastya and Dharmendra share the screen
Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan 's upcoming film Ikkis features Agastya Nanda in the lead, alongside veteran actor Dharmendra . When asked about the criticism Agastya faced for his debut in The Archies, Raghavan said, 'I had spoken to Agastya about this film long before he began work on The Archies. I needed someone who came across as vulnerable and sincere, and Agastya fit the role perfectly. He underwent rigorous army training, and he was fully committed.' The film also reunites Raghavan with Dharmendra, whom he previously worked with in the 2007 release Johnny Gaddaar. 'We shot across army establishments in Lucknow, Pune, Chandigarh, and other places, and Dharmendra insisted on travelling with us. That kind of dedication to the film is admirable,' he shared. Raghavan is especially excited about bringing together Agastya whose grandfather, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra — two legends who have a history of iconic collaborations like Sholay and Chupke Chupke. 'The film is currently in the editing stage, and I'm looking forward to seeing Agastya and Dharmendra together on screen. This film is unlike anything I've done before — it's a war drama and a very special project,' he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Flower prices no deterrent to Shrawan devout
Prayagraj: Ahead of Shrawan month, in which devotees flock to temples of Lord Shiva to offer prayers, prices of flowers have gone up. In the wholesale flower market at Naini, roses, which cost around Rs 300-400 per basket, are now selling for Rs 600-700 a basket. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prices of harsingar, white snake saffron flower, lotus and dried lotus stalks, kaner, kusum, kush, ball flowers, conch, bela, jasmine, shephalika and Agastya flowers as also of leaves of bel (wood apple) and dhatura have gone up too. Traders in flower markets at Naini, Ram Bagh, Rajapur, Civil Lines and Chowk said prices of flowers had gone up due to various reasons, including monsoon and limited supply. They claimed that demand for all varieties of flowers had gone up manifold in Shrawan. Overall, price of flowers has increased by 30 to 40 %. Religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour said, "Shravan is one of the holiest and most revered months among devotees to offer special prayers to Lord Shiva during the entire month, which begins from Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashadha. Rahul, who came to buy flowers from the city's wholesale flower market, said prices have risen significantly, with even roses being sold at high prices. "But despite the high prices this year, devotees will buy what all is necessary for rituals," he said.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Natasa Stankovic on Bigg Boss: I didn't know what to do in the house (Exclusive)
Natasa Stankovic walked the ramp at the Bombay Times Fashion Week earlier this year, marked her return to the runway after many years. What made the moment even more special, she shares, was the presence of her son, Agastya, who cheered her on from the sidelines. 'Stepping onto the ramp, I felt such a rush of emotions. I was a bit nervous, excited, and nostalgic at the same time. It was beautiful — like reclaiming a part of myself I hadn't visited in a while.' She adds, 'It was Agastya's wish to come and watch the show, and he really enjoyed it. Later, he said, 'Mama, you were looking so pretty.' He keeps me grounded and reminds me to live in every moment. Yes, I want to get back to work now.' Returning to the ramp stirred a sense of déjà vu for the actor and model. 'It took me back to the early days, when everything was new and exciting. But this time, I felt more present, confident, and powerful," she mentioned. Does this signal more ramp appearances in the future? Natasa doesn't rule it out. 'When you love something, it stays with you. Stepping back into it reminded me just how much I love the art of it. That part of me is still very much alive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo So yes, if the right opportunity comes along, I'd definitely consider it," she adds. Natasa has previously participated in reality shows like Nach Baliye and Bigg Boss 8. Reflecting on her time in the Bigg Boss house, she says, 'When I was in Bigg Boss (2014), I came across as a very shy person who spoke less. Actually, it was more of a language barrier; I was not able to speak much Hindi then. Also, I felt one had to act in a certain way in the house. I just didn't know what to do. I didn't quite understand the whole concept of the show at that time. Of course, I don't regret anything that I have done. Everything has its own timing, and I'm sure I have learnt something from every experience.'
Pink Villa
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
8 Photos of Hardik Pandya's stylish pad – Trophy wall goals and cutest kid corner for son Agastya
We need not introduce Hardik Pandya to you, cricket lovers out there. The Indian player has always been in the headlines for his game, and fans love his lavish lifestyle. The Mumbai Indian captain has a luxurious home in the dream city, and we are sure you all will love the interiors. Today, we will take you inside the dream home of the cricketer and give you a sneak peek of what the Pandya abode looks like. Let's begin with the seating area that has a royal look with a white background. The Sofa set and curtains are off-white in color to give a contrasting look to that lovely-looking space. Then comes the dining area, which looks chic with white panelled walls. The dining table has a grey and white textured granite top and beige colored chairs matching the sofa and curtains. A designated play area for his son, Agastya, is proof that he loves his son a lot. In the picture, we can see the room with an area with a carpeted floor and the remaining with wooden tiles. The walls are white to keep the mood light. There is an open area with a vast space where Hardik Pandya poses with his son, Agastya. The white pillars with shining marble tiles add to the beauty of this area and the picture. A sportsman's house will always be incomplete without a full-fledged gym in it, and Hardik's house has a fancy one in it. In the picture, we can see a treadmill, jumping steps, and a cross trainer. The gym also has long French windows that overlook the mesmerising views of the city. A room full of trophies is the highlight of his house. The golden frame tall rack has several awards kept on it. The adjacent wall has a brown laminate, adding to the beauty. The cutest area of the house is the most creative space in his house. The walls have trees and purple flowers painted on them that make it stand out from the rest of the space. A white stylish shoe rack and a white door with glass on it look out of the box. Hardik Pandya's house is a blend of art, luxury and comfort altogether. It defines his taste and personality.
Hans India
08-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
How curiosity and creativity are transforming rural education in India
For Adhirath Sethi—author, entrepreneur, and trustee of the Agastya International Foundation—the journey of capturing Agastya's evolution into a movement of transformation was deeply personal. His book, 'The Moving of Mountains', is not just a commemoration of Agastya's 20-year journey; it is a compelling narrative of how access to curiosity and creativity can uplift entire communities. 'Access to science and creativity,' says Sethi, 'is not just about conducting experiments—it's about unlocking identity.' In rural India, where under-resourced schools often limit learning to rote memorisation, the idea of hands-on science can be alien to most children. 'When a mobile science lab rolls into a village, it's not just delivering lessons—it's delivering permission to imagine,' he reflects. 'It tells a child, 'You are allowed to ask questions, to think differently, to dream.' That's a powerful shift.' Agastya's approach begins with sparking curiosity but goes far beyond. Its educational model places equal emphasis on caring and confidence. 'What we realised,' says Sethi, 'is that children didn't just need tools to learn—they needed someone to believe in their ability to think. Curiosity leads to confidence, and confidence leads to action.' This model has proven especially powerful for girls. Over 424,000 of them have directly benefited from Agastya's programs, learning to code, innovate, and lead. But as Sethi explains, the path isn't easy. 'Systemic barriers like early marriage, limited mobility, and gender stereotypes often restrict a girl's potential before she even has a chance to explore it,' he says. 'Agastya flips that script by creating opportunities for girls to lead—especially through initiatives like the Young Instructor Leader (YIL) program.' In this program, girls are trained to teach others, instantly shifting them from learners to leaders. 'That transition—from being told what to do, to being looked up to—is profound,' Sethi says. 'It transforms not just the individual girl but also how her family and community perceive her.' One powerful story from 'The Moving of Mountains' features a young girl whose family was on the verge of selling their only cow after her father lost his job. Drawing on the problem-solving mindset she had gained through Agastya, she convinced her family to hold on. Shortly after, the cow gave birth to three calves. The resulting income helped stabilise the household, and the girl went on to pursue engineering. 'That wasn't just book learning,' says Sethi. 'It was applied intelligence, grounded empathy, and belief in one's ability to navigate crisis. Stories like this are what make Agastya's model so impactful.' For Sethi, 'The Moving of Mountains' is also a 'blueprint for change'—a phrase he uses intentionally. 'If we want to lift communities out of poverty, we have to stop seeing creativity as a luxury,' he asserts. 'It's foundational. Policymakers and educators must realise that mindset matters more than materials.' He draws an analogy from cricket. 'India has always had talent, but in the past, we judged players purely by statistics like batting averages. That didn't always produce match-winners. As we began to evaluate players more holistically, we saw real champions emerge.' Likewise, Sethi argues, education systems focused solely on marks fail to recognise children's real-world potential. 'Agastya shows us that when you look beyond the surface—beyond grades—you uncover hidden strengths. That's how you nurture children who become match-winners in life.' Sethi's deep-dive into the workings of Agastya involved conversations with everyone—from grassroots educators to senior leadership. What stood out, he says, was the organisation's soul. 'Despite having impacted over 25 million children, Agastya carries no air of self-congratulation,' he observes. 'There is a pervasive humility—an ethos of learning, not arrival.' He shares a memory of a mobile lab instructor who, even after years of service, confessed to feeling nervous before every session. 'He said he wanted to give his best to the children, every single time. That kind of quiet, unmeasured integrity—that's the heartbeat of Agastya.' Writing 'The Moving of Mountains' changed Sethi's own perspective on education and poverty. 'I used to think education was about information delivery,' he admits. 'But I've come to realise it's really about identity formation. The essential question isn't, 'What did the child learn?'—it's, 'What did the child come to believe about themselves after learning?'' He adds, 'Poverty is not just a lack of resources. It's a lack of opportunity to think freely, to ask 'why,' to express curiosity without fear. Agastya creates that opportunity. And that, to me, is where meaningful change begins.' Ultimately, 'The Moving of Mountains' is not merely a tribute to a successful NGO. It's a resonant call to educators, innovators, and changemakers across India. As Sethi writes, transformation doesn't come through grand reforms alone—it comes from one curious child, in one remote village, daring to think beyond their circumstances.
