Latest news with #Parikrama
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- The Hindu
First batch of pilgrims visit Mansarovar, appeal for more yatra slots to be opened
As the first batch of Indian pilgrims since 2020 visited the Mansarovar Lake, preparing to begin their return journey on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, they expressed the hope that India and China could agree to allow more yatris to make the trek in future years. Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar Lake lie in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This first batch of pilgrims left Delhi on June 15 and arrived this week at Darchen to begin the Parikrama or circular route around Mount Kailash. They will head back on Saturday (June 28, 2025), and cross over into India on July 1, completing a route by road of about 2,000 km, trekking an uphill and rugged terrain of about 52 km on foot. As they touched the pristine blue waters of Mansarovar Lake, the world's highest freshwater lake at 4,588 metres, they burst into meditational chants. The pilgrimage marks the first resumption of a people-to-people mechanism between India and China after the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control began in 2020. 'Widen the experience' 'This yatra happens for only three months, and this year, only 750 people were allowed to come for it. As a yatri, and given the experience that we have got here, we would want that both the governments should allow more and more people so they can get to experience this as well,' said Vineet Gupta, a 43-year-old software professional from Mumbai. Mr. Gupta, one of the 36 pilgrims who completed the arduous trek around Mount Kailash on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) and the Parikrama around Mansarovar Lake on Friday (June 27, 2025), said he felt blessed and energised rather than fatigued. 'In all our scriptures, it is said that the gods come to bathe here every day. So when we take the waters, we believe our sins are absolved and that we achieve salvation,' he said, when asked about the significance of the Mansarovar Lake's water. Rising tourist nunbers According to the Ministry of External Affairs' response to a query in Parliament, the number of pilgrims allowed to join the yatra each year — which is negotiated between the Foreign Ministries of India and China — has fluctuated every year since the route was first reopened in 1981. In 2015, the Nathu La Pass route via Sikkim was also added to the existing route through Lipulekh pass via Uttarakhand, and 999 pilgrims made the pilgrimage. By 2019, the number had increased to 1,364. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the yatra, however, and tensions on the LAC since 2020 casting a shadow, this year's cohort is far smaller. The yatris noted that many whose names were picked by a computerised lottery from about 5,000 applicants did not pass the medical tests. Thus, while each batch is meant to include 50 pilgrims, the first batch only had 36. In recent years, the Chinese government has also restricted visitors to the lake from bathing in the lake, citing 'environmental protection purposes', a Chinese embassy official in Delhi said. 'Educate pilgrims' Retired manager Devi Prasad Ketkar, 61, who has travelled here from Mumbai along with his wife, said that the yatra had been 'beyond his dreams', as he had been disheartened by its suspension for the past six years. Asked whether more pilgrims being allowed to join the yatra could affect the holy sites, Mr. Ketkar said that it was more important to educate visitors than cut their numbers. 'I think restricting the number of pilgrims should not matter as much as the need to educate them about eco-friendly travel and how we must behave towards the environment. That education is much more important for all than restricting travel,' Mr. Ketkar said, in response a question from The Hindu. The first batch of pilgrims includes men and women between the ages of 20 to 69, all of whom have been able to complete the journey thus far without any medical issues, especially given the altitude, the group said. The oldest among them is 69 year old Pradnya Devi. The silver-haired lady beamed with joy as she prayed to Mount Kailash clearly visible from the banks of Mansarovar, and sprinkled water from the lake over her head, as is the custom. Ms. Devi has taken a vow of silence for the term of the yatra and responded to questions only with head shakes. When asked if she would like to stay longer, however, she nodded vigorously and smiled broadly .
United News of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha CM directs Kendrapara Administration to take strict action against Bangladeshi infiltrators
East Kendrapara, June 9 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has directed the Kendrapara district administration to take strict action against Bangladeshi infiltrators. The Chief Minister gave this direction while reviewing the various developmental work of the district during his visit on Monday Majhi also announced that appropriate action would be taken after receiving information about challenges like smuggling and law-and-order issues in the district. He said steps would soon be taken for the development of water resources and industries in the district. The mangrove forest in Kendrapara district would be further expanded, while eco-tourism would be accelerated in Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha, the Chief Minister stated. Majhi also announced that new projects would be inaugurated in the district soon, including the establishment of a medical college in Kendrapara. The meeting also discussed the Parikrama project of the Sri Baladevjew Temple. Majhi said, 'Our goal is to make Kendrapara a model district in the coming days, with a focus on new projects like setting up industries, developing tourism, and promoting renewable energy.' He added that a detailed plan for this should be prepared within the next month. Before the review meeting, the Chief Minister participated in a Tiranga Yatra from the Mausi Maa Temple to the Sri Baladevjew Temple. UNI DP BM
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kareena Kapoor gets a private concert from Saif Ali Khan, son Taimur as she misses Guns N' Roses, see photos
The legendary rock band Guns N' Roses returned to India after 13 years and performed in Mumbai recently at a concert. While Kareena Kapoor Khan seemingly missed attending the event, she is happy to have her 'own band people' right at her home. On Monday morning, Kareena shared two photos on her Instagram story. Kareena quietly captured her actor husband Saif Ali Khan and son Taimur Ali Khan as they jammed together. The photos feature Kareena's eight-year-old son Taimur, sitting in front of his dad Saif and they both have a guitar in their hands. While Saif's face was towards the camera, Taimur was seen sitting facing the other direction. Taking the reference to Guns N' Roses's Mumbai event, Kareena wrote with the first image, 'Might have missed Guns N Roses…' She added on the next one, 'but I got my own band people,' along with fire, red heart, and smiling face with hearts emojis. See Saif Ali Khan and Taimur Ali Khan's photos as they sit with a guitar: Saif Ali Khan is known to be a guitar aficionado and has performed with bands like Parikrama and Strings of Pakistan. In the past, we have seen Saif playing the guitar during family events, like Christmas celebrations, as shared by his wife, Kareena Kapoor, on social media. Taimur, meanwhile, seems to be an all-rounder. He is training in Taekwondo as well as cricket. Love fopr cricket runs in the family. Saif's father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi is a former Indian cricket captain. A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan have two sons: Taimur, born in 2016, and Jehangir Ali Khan (affectionately called Jeh), born in 2021.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Goutam Ghose and son Ishaan win best cinematography at Asian Art Film award for ‘Parikrama'
1 2 3 Kolkata: Goutam Ghose and his son Ishaan jointly secured the Best Cinematography trophy for the film 'Parikrama' at the 1st Asian Art Film Award , hosted in Macau on April 23. Notably, this marks the first time a father-son cinematographer pairing from Kolkata earned an international accolade. After collecting the award, Ishaan shared with TOI that the pursuit of awards is not on their minds during filmmaking. He stated, "Serious filmmaking is a very long process. The most difficult thing in good cinematography is to capture emotions with authenticity. Good cinematography should be seamless and very immersive to get viewers inside the world of the characters. Our film won the award among some really wonderful films. So, I hope the jury saw something authentic and honest." You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Goutam expressed his delight over the recognition and recalled his experience as a National Film Awards jury member in 1986. He recollected that it was the only occasion when the celebrated Subrata Mitra received a National Award. "My co-jury member, Jaya (Bachchan), suggested that the decision for cinematography be left to me since I am a cameraman. I suggested Subrata Mitra's name for the cinematography of 'New Delhi Times' though another jury member said that the film is quite dark. I remember pointing out that the darkness was created by lights! While shooting 'Parikrama', we tried to emulate that process in some interior shots of Chitranganda (Singh) or the early morning or night shoots of Marco (Leonardi)," Goutam said. Reflecting on collaborative cinematography, Goutam mentioned the work of VK Murthy and Govind Nihalini on Shyam Benegal's 'Bhumika'. He reminisced about Ishaan's early exposure to filmmaking, including his visit to the outdoor shooting of 'Antarjali Jatra' as an infant. Later, in 2008-09, Ishaan travelled to Kumbh Mela with a camera while on a break from music studies in America. "He returned with a few photos and declared that he would never return to America. I realised that he has an eye for the camera," Goutam said. Subsequently, he trained and worked with Goutam on various documentaries. The Italian segment of 'Parikrama' was filmed by Goutam before the outbreak of Covid, with Ishaan joining for the Indian segment. Their approach to cinematography involved distinct tonal planning for the Indian and continental parts. "Colourist Debojyoti Ghosh understood that. Accordingly, the colour saturation and colour combination, including the costumes of artists, were planned. Both Ishaan and I love a soft palette. That looks closer to celluloid shoots. It can be manipulated on digital," Goutam said. Shooting in India posed challenges due to the dynamic, run-and-shoot method required. "Ishaan used the gimbal camera to shoot a known actress like Chitrangada along with a multitude of pilgrims with no one facing the camera. We carefully chose the equipment with two cameras with different sensors being used for the shoot in India and Italy," Goutam explained. The father-son duo has different approaches while making films. "Whenever I work with him, the story and his vision come first. The goal is to always do things as simply as possible. But that simplicity takes a lot of work to realise how to subtract unnecessary things," Ishaan said. Gfx: Name of the film: Parikrama Director: Goutam Ghose Cast: Marco Leonardi, Chitrangada Singh, Cristina Donadio, and Aryan Badkul MSID:: 120647885 413 |
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Festival raises funds for treatment of children with congenital heart defects
Chandigarh, NGO Genesis Foundation said Monday it has cumulatively supported over 5,000 underprivileged children diagnosed with congenital heart defects, achieving a 98 per cent success rate across critical interventions. Genesis Foundation issued a statement following the conclusion of the two-day 'Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival 2025', which also serves as a platform to raise awareness and funds for congenital heart defects treatment. The annual music festival held in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh raised funds for children with CHD at the recently held event. Genesis Foundation, which has conceived the music festival, provides financial support for heart treatment to underprivileged children diagnosed with congenital heart defects, from families earning ₹20,000 or less every month. CHD is the most common congenital disorder globally, the NGO said in a statement. In the country, more than 2 lakh children are born with CHD annually, with over 70,000 requiring intervention in their first year of life, the NGO said. Access to pediatric cardiac care remains limited, particularly for families with monthly incomes of ₹20,000 or less. Genesis Foundation funds heart treatment for these children through surgeries, device closures, and post-operative care in collaboration with a network of hospitals across India. The 'Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival 2025', concluded drawing music enthusiasts, families, and supporters from across the country all united by a common purpose: to help save the lives of children born with CHD, the statement said. The 2025 edition of the music festival was held on April 18-19 and featured performances by Euphoria, Parikrama, Rasika Shekhar, Madboy Mink, Indie Republic, Carnatic 2.0, and Aneesha Dass. "At Genesis Foundation, every beat at this festival carries the heartbeat of a child we hope to save. Kasauli Rhythm and Blues is more than a music festival. It is a movement to create impact through joy," said Jyoti Sagar, Founding Trustee, Genesis Foundation. "As the country continues to battle geographic and economic disparities in pediatric heart care, initiatives like this festival are proving that public engagement, cultural platforms, and community-driven philanthropy can together make a tangible difference, one heartbeat at a time," she said.
