Latest news with #AvinashKumar
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Culinary art of spice fusion: Chef shares how to pair pan-asian cuisine with Indian flavours
In today's hyper-connected world, cuisines know no boundaries. As they go global, they absorb local, native flavours as well, creating a wonderful culinary exchange that feels refreshing. Pan-Asian cuisine, which typically includes dishes from East and Southeast Asia, such as those from Thailand, Japan, Korea, China, and more, is gaining popularity in India. The strong footing of pan-asian cuisine also has roots in the art of fusion, where Asian cooking techniques and methods are integrated with Indian ingredients and spices. Pan-asian foods are diverse and have a wide variety of flavours.(Freepik) In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Chef Avinash Kumar, Director of Culinary at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, explained the growing appeal of Pan-Asian cuisine among Indian diners. He said, 'In recent years, there has been an increased fondness for Pan‑Asian cuisine amongst Indian diners, not just for its novelty but for its adaptability. This adaptation isn't about fusion as a gimmick; it's about genuine flavour dialogue of an exchange between Asia's classic ingredients and India's rich taste traditions. Serving authentic Asian dishes in India is not about changing the soul of the cuisine but about thoughtfully pairing it with the bold, layered tastes that Indian guests love." ALSO READ: Tea and coffee in fine dining? Chef shares beverage pairing rules, Indian dishes to go with, and brew types What is the secret of fusing the two cuisines? Balance will help to avoid a clash of Indian and pan-asian flavours. (Freepik) With India's strong spice profile and the boldness of Pan-Asian flavours, it's important that any fusion is done in a cohesive, complementary manner that avoids blatant flavour clash. One of the key secrets to successful fusion, as explained by Chef Avinash, is using local Indian ingredients, sometimes as equivalents, while following the principle of flavour synergy. He further elaborated on the essential Asian flavour notes and how to make them complement India's spice profile. Chef Avinash said, 'We curate Pan Asian menus that honour traditional techniques while thoughtfully incorporating subtle local influences. Each dish is designed to strike a harmonious balance among the five essential Asian tastes sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami, complemented by familiar Indian spice notes. " He adds, "For example, adding chilli flakes to our kimchi fried rice evokes the flavour profile of Gochugaru, the traditional Korean chilli powder, while also resonating with the warmth of Indian chilli powder. The key here is to infuse symmetry into those rich palates so that a culinary authenticity is not compromised, but crafted in a manner to cater to the tastes of Indian diners.' Balance is a central focus in Indo–Pan-Asian fusion cuisine, as the Indian spice profile differs significantly from the quick, sharp heat typically found in many Asian dishes. He added, 'Indian cuisine embraces robust, lingering spice, while Asian dishes often use sharper, quick heat, and pairing Asian flavours for Indian palates is an art of balance, not compromise. Try to combine Asian chilis with familiar Indian spices. Add fresh green chilli or black pepper to complement Asian peppery notes." Tips on how to pair asian cuisine with indian flavours Locally sourced ingredients can also be added in the pan-asian cuisine, infusing desi touch.(Freepik) 1. Understand the core flavours: When pairing for an Indian palate, think of how to align with Indian staples. Go for desi parallels, rooted in core flavours. For instance, tangy tamarind resembles Indian kokum or raw mango; miso's depth is similar to rich Indian gravies. 2. Use local ingredients: For Thai-style sourness, opt for kokum or raw mango. Use locally available fish like kingfish or pomfret to recreate Japanese teriyaki. Incorporate seasonal greens in Asian stir-fries. This will keep the flavours authentic yet comforting. 3. Pair with balanced sides: Serve spicy curries with jasmine rice or fluffy millet and offer stir-fries with warm phulkas or steamed buns. Cool down heat by pairing with fresh salads or yoghurt dips.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Yogi: Instil fear of law, ensure zero tolerance against mafia
1 2 Varanasi: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed police officials to instil the fear of law in criminals and act tough against mafia with zero tolerance. Reviewing law and order and progress of ongoing development works and execution of govt schemes in Ghazipur, Yogi said, "Officials should take action against land, mining, and forest mafias, and other criminals with zero tolerance. A list of the district's top 10 criminals should be prepared for effective action." He directed senior officials to monitor works, especially the lodging of FIRs and investigations, effectively. You Can Also Check: Varanasi AQI | Weather in Varanasi | Bank Holidays in Varanasi | Public Holidays in Varanasi "Cases registered under sections of the POCSO Act and crimes against women should be pursued in the courts effectively to ensure punishment for criminals. Accountability of the officials of those police stations which are failing to check cattle smuggling should be fixed," he said. "Prompt action should be taken in cases of religious conversion, and the Mission Shakti initiatives should be effectively advanced," he said, asking officials to finalise preparations for forthcoming festivals. Yogi asked for prompt resolution of revenue disputes, addressing public grievances seriously and sensitively to ensure no disputes remain pending, and stressed that the poor should not face injustice. He said that market for One District One Product Scheme should be identified. Reviewing the implementation of Prime Minister's Awas Yojana and the Chief Minister's Rural Housing Scheme, he said that clean drinking water should be continuously supplied in rural areas under the Jal Jeevan Mission, avoiding unnecessary road cutting for pipeline installation. Yogi said that the dropout rate of students should be zero and funds for uniforms and bags should be transferred to parents' accounts. He said that power supply should be according to the roster and timely transformer replacement should be ensured in urban and rural areas. He mentioned the activation of toll-free number 1912 for resolving electricity-related issues and raising public awareness about its use. He said that officials should work on a war footing to make Ghazipur TB-free by Dec 2025 under the Prime Minister's TB-Free India campaign. In view of the massive plantation programme in July, he encouraged active participation in the 'One Tree in Mother's Name' campaign. Earlier, Ghazipur district magistrate Avinash Kumar said that the district ranks 33rd at the state level in revenue and development works as of May 2025. He also provided details on development works, mentioning 65 cow shelters in the district housing 6,535 cattle. "A dense forest is being established using the Miyawaki method on the Greenfield Expressway," he said. Earlier, DM Avinash Kumar, SP Iraj Raja, and women's self-help groups welcomed Yogi with an ODOP jute wall hanging.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
India No. 8 Avinash Kumar lauds Picklebay as a launchpad for aspiring talent in pickleball
New Delhi, [India] June 10 (ANI): As Pickleball continues its remarkable rise in India, Picklebay has emerged as a promising new platform for players across the country to compete, grow, and get noticed, according to a release from AIPA. Among the top contenders at the Picklebay India Tour is 24-year-old Avinash Kumar, currently ranked No. 8 in India and 24th in Asia in men's singles (as per the DUPR rankings). Avinash, who recently clinched the silver medal in the Men's Open Singles category at the Mumbai leg of the Picklebay India Tour, believes the Tournament Series is setting a new benchmark for the sport in India. 'Picklebay is a fantastic platform, especially for new and emerging players. It gives us the opportunity to play across different states and helps young athletes get the visibility they need. The format and professionalism here make it a tournament that will definitely grow bigger with time,' Avinash Kumar said. Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Avinash's sporting journey began in cricket before he stumbled upon pickleball through a newspaper article around eight years ago. 'I googled it, connected with Bihar Pickleball Association's Secretary, Ranjan Gupta sir, who introduced me to the game, and that's where it all began,' he recalls. What started in a small local academy has since evolved into a full-time sporting pursuit, with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) now backing him as a sponsored athlete. With a rigorous training schedule of nearly 5-6 hours a day, Avinash has already represented India internationally in multiple tournaments. Reflecting on the difference between international and Indian circuits, he noted, 'India has made great progress in infrastructure. Courts are becoming more accessible, especially with platforms like Picklebay. The level of competition is also rising steadily.' He sees pickleball as one of the most inclusive sports today. 'Pickleball is special because it combines the best of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Anyone from age 8 to 80 can enjoy it. It's cost-effective, easy to pick up, and now with more courts coming up in buildings and communities, it's growing organically.' Avinash also had a message for the next generation, 'Young players should seriously consider pickleball as a professional sport. The growth opportunities are real. If you work hard and perform, you'll get recognition--not just in India, but internationally too.' As Picklebay continues its India Tour, players like Avinash are proving just how impactful this Tournament Series can be in shaping the future of pickleball in the country. (ANI)
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Time of India
BDO, revenue employee held for accepting bribe
Patna:Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) on Monday arrested block development officer (BDO) Neelam Kumari and her driver Avinash Kumar from Lalganj block of Vaishali district for accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The case is related to the (PMAY) housing scheme. DG of Vigilance, Jitendra Singh Gangwar, said, "The action was taken following a complaint filed by one Mithilesh Kumar Singh, a resident of Kartaha. Singh reported that after receiving the first instalment of Rs 40,000 under the housing scheme, the BDO's office demanded a bribe to process further payments." After verifying the complaint, the vigilance team set up a trap. The complainant was asked to give Rs 20,000 as a bribe, which was accepted by the driver Avinash Kumar on behalf of the BDO and placed on her table. The vigilance team immediately raided the office and recovered the marked currency notes. In a separate operation on the same day, the VIB also arrested Girish Tiwari, a revenue employee from Lakdi Naviganj circle office in Siwan district, for accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000. The case involved a land ownership dispute where Tiwari demanded money to resolve the matter. He was arrested from a private hotel, located 4 km from the Lakdi Naviganj circle office. After questioning the accused, they were presented before the special court, vigilance, in Muzaffarpur.
India.com
05-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Avinash Kumar on the Rise of AI Replicas: Ethical, Scalable, and Monetizable Synthetic Personas
Avinash Kumar has indeed made an indelible mark in the world today-well through artificial intelligence-changes people. As founder of MetaTwin Inc., Kumar has a rich repository of machine learning experience from Big Tech companies such as Meta Platforms, Lyft, Amazon and Google. S. Avinash Kumar's eclectic work in synthetic media generation models and AI infrastructuring empowers businesses and content developers to use synthetic and AI twins in an ethical, scalable, and monetizable manner. MetaTwin forms the cornerstone of this revolution through its generative AI platform, which creates lifelike AI twins during real-time video and audio synthesis. Synthetic media personas developed through Kumar's low-latency ML models will operate the new creator economy delivering tutoring, coaching services, and interactive content at scale. A Technical Architect of Modern AI Systems It is this synergy of technical proficiency with visionary thought that separates S. Avinash Kumar from others in this generative AI journey. Avinash Kumar worked at Core ML in applied research at Meta Platforms, where he built data-centric AI systems that earned hundreds of millions in annual revenue impact. His foray into driving his vision into reality was at Lyft, where Kumar built fundamental ML algorithms and models that drove self-driving innovation; Amazon and Google Cloud ML were also built around the AI and AI-infused business model. He patented 16 inventions, including six already approved patents, covering self-driving vehicle algorithms and AI-generated AI twins. He published above ten academic papers, besides writing four books that formed the cornerstone of various scholarly works pertaining to ethical ML systems and generative AI. Kumar remains very active in academia by chairing sessions in some major AI events while he also serves as a member in different editorial boards of journals. MetaTwin: Building Future of Synthetic Media MetaTwin Inc. allows Kumar to make avenues of expected capabilities synthetic media come real with its product platform. Content creators, educators, and now even professionals and end-users, have spaces that allow them to create AI twins, as termed, or selected personas handling via a digital platform. Real-time AI twins deployed on multiple audience-facing platforms deliver scalable user experiences. MetaTwin functions with exceptionally innovative generative AI models and AI systems. A system developed by Kumar delivers AI twins at low latency using AI models and training paradigms that require small amounts of data. The combination lowers entry barriers while decreasing costs to make this technology accessible to a wider range of stakeholders. Real-World Impact: Monetization and Engagement Measurable evidence of Kumar's innovative work has already manifested. The early users of MetaTwin's AI twins produce $30,000 worth of monthly revenue through their offerings that include engaging simulations, language tutoring, mentoring, and business coaching. AI-based twins create deeper engagement with users than standard video presentations because they drive engagement and retention rates up according to benchmarking analytics and client witnessing. Ethics At The Core of Innovation Although the technology is potent, Kumar is acutely aware of the ethics of synthetic media. Under his guidance, MetaTwin introduces digital watermarking, consent frameworks, and AI-based identity verification to foster transparency and accountability. 'Our mission isn't simply to make synthetic personas feasible,' says Kumar, 'but safe and aligned with human values.' Ethical AI represents an essential feature of Kumar's executive leadership. Shaping What Comes Next Kumar plans to spend resources on creating highly immersive simulations that allow users to engage with the AI twin in the digital world. Powered by this advancement, synthetic media and the digital world will become more accessible to everyone through a process matching social media sign-up procedures. Through his vision, S. Avinash Kumar sees digital clones providing services to multiple industries such as education, coaching, and business mentorship. According to Kumar, the scope of techniques only depends on the extent of human ethical design principles and creativity boundaries. Conclusion The work of S. Avinash Kumar consists of much more than technology development because he constructs a novel paradigm. Through his contributions, Kumar is developing AI replicas that combine ethical attributes with scalability and monetization potential, which determine interactions between humans and machines and between humans and the digital world. Through visionary leadership and an ethical foundation he creates a blueprint that shows how AI will be equally powerful and intelligent. The innovations of Kumar will be recognized for their founding role in three ways: learning, communication and work, since synthetic media will become fundamental to how humans operate in digital spaces.
