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  • EMERGE: NJSO Concert Film Trilogy

    By Mabel Pais

    The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) with DreamPlay Films presents “EMERGE,” an NJSO Concert Film trilogy pairing orchestral performances with stunning visuals, mesmerizing dance sequences and format-bending on-and off-stage elements.

    Music Director Xian Zhang conducts programs featuring a trio of star pianists—Daniil Trifonov, Simone Dinnerstein and Inon Barnatan. The films are directed by award-winning, Newark-raised filmmaker Yuri Alves and produced by DreamPlay Films, part of Newark-based DreamPlay Media.

    The films premiere through June at njsymphony.org/emerge and on the NJSO’s YouTube channel. The films are free for viewing.

    NJSO perform “Emerge” (Photo : Courtesy NJSO)

    “EMERGE Part 1” premieres April 28.

     Zhang leads the East Coast premiere of “Primal Message” by American composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama, whom ‘Gramophone’ has hailed for the “bold mesmerizing character” of her music. Simone Dinnerstein, whose “individual, compelling” (‘New York Times’) interpretation of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” propelled her to international fame, performs Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056. The program closes with Schumann’s Fourth Symphony. The film features captivating images of and inspired by the people of Newark, and is presented in 4K anamorphic widescreen.

    “EMERGE Part 2” premieres May 26.

    Inon Barnatan brings his “penetrating musicianship, compelling interpretive insight and elegant pianism” (BBC Music) to Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement. Zhang pairs the celebrated American concerto with Mozart’s Symphony No. 39.

    The film features dance performances by local dancers Cori Barnes and M.A. Taylor, behind the scenes images of the NJSO musicians, and is presented in black-and-white 4K Ultra HD.

    “EMERGE Part 3” premieres June 23

    Grammy Award winner and “Musical America” 2019 Artist of the Year Daniil Trifonov — “without question the most astounding young pianist of our age” (‘The Times’) — returns to the NJSO. He performs Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto, which also features NJSO Assistant Principal Trumpet Anderson Romero. Zhang brings the series to a close with Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony.

    The film features riveting images of and inspired by the people of New Jersey, presented in 4K Ultra HD.

    The film series, which will be available on demand after the premiere, is part of NJSO Virtual 20–21, the Orchestra’s digital season. For more information, visit njsymphony.org/virtual.

    PROGRAM

    EMERGE: An NJSO Concert Film Trilogy

    A musical journey without boundaries.

    EMERGE Part 1: An NJSO Concert Film

    Wed, Apr 28, at 7:30 pm

    This moment invites us to discover hidden dimensions within, and to see the world with fresh eyes. A new beginning awaits.

    Xian Zhang, conductor

    Simone Dinnerstein, piano

    New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

    Yuri Alves, director

    Igor Alves, producer

    DreamPlay Films

    Tim Martyn, audio producer

    BACH Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056

     NOKUTHULA NGWENYAMA Primal Message (East Coast Premiere)

    SCHUMANN Symphony No. 4

    The film features NJSO and Simone Dinnerstein on stage and captivating images of and inspired by the people of Newark. Presented in 4K anamorphic widescreen.

    EMERGE Part 2: An NJSO Concert Film

    Wed, May 26, at 7:30 pm

    In tune with hope and beauty, the world beckons us to move ahead in solidarity and in purpose. Let us create—from love—a better world.

    Xian Zhang, conductor

    Inon Barnatan, piano

    Cori Barnes, dancer

    M.A. Taylor, dancer

    New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

    Yuri Alves, director

    Igor Alves, producer

    DreamPlay Films

    Tim Martyn, audio producer

    PRICE Piano Concerto in One Movement

    MOZART Symphony No. 39

    The film features the NJSO and Inon Barnatan on stage, dance performances by Cori Barnes and M.A. Taylor and behind-the-scenes images of NJSO musicians. Presented in black-and-white 4K Ultra HD.

    EMERGE Part 3: An NJSO Concert Film

    Wed, June 23, at 7:30 pm

    Light and sound guide our path to grace in the collective soul. It is time to embrace humanity anew and to thrive in the abundance of our destiny.

    Xian Zhang, conductor

    Daniil Trifonov, piano

    Anderson Romero, trumpet

    New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

    Yuri Alves, director

    Igor Alves, producer

    DreamPlay Films

    Tim Martyn, audio producer

    SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 1

    BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

    This film features NJSO and Daniil Trifonov on stage and riveting images of and

    inspired by the people of New Jersey. Presented in 4K Ultra HD.

    NJSO VIRTUAL

    To learn more about NJSO and access, for free, the “Emerge” and former concerts, visit njsymphony.org/virtual

    Connect with NJSO:

    Website: njsymphony.org

    Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NJSymphony

    YouTube: @NewJerseySymphony

    Email: information@njsymphony.org

    YURI ALVES

    Filmmaker Yuri Alves has written and directed films, primetime television programs and commercial projects in the US and Europe. Alves’ films have screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide, earning 20 awards. Alves’ projects include “Grind, On the Cusp and Exit Road” and the European primetime television series “Tempo Final” and “Filha da Lei.” Alves is the co-founder and creative director of DreamPlay Media and served as head of production at Fox Digital Studios. Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Portuguese parents, and grew up in Newark, New Jersey.

    For more, visit yurialves.com | Instagram: @yurialvescinema.

    DREAMPLAY FILMS

    DreamPlay Films develops and produces narrative and documentary films, television programming and more. DreamPlay Films is a division of DreamPlay Media, an original and creative media company, based in Newark, NJ. For more, visit dreamplayfilms.com | dreamplaymedia.com.

    ——————————————–

    MOTHER’S DAY GIFT

    From NJPAC & ALVIN AILEY

    By Mabel Pais

    Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater “Revelations Reimagined”

    Saturday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m.

    Sunday, May 9th at 3:00 p.m.

    Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater!

    Alvin Ailey dancers (Photo : CourtesyNJPAC)

    For 21 seasons, Alvin Ailey has been a beloved tradition at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Although we can’t gather in person this year, NJPAC has something special honoring MOTHERS: a virtual screening of Alvin Ailey’s new dance film, “Revelations Reimagined.”

    Whether your family is near or far, tune in and remember the feeling of live performance. This presentation is a thank you to everyone who has enjoyed Alvin Ailey at NJPAC in the past—and a hopeful reminder of all the soul-stirring performances yet to come.

    “Revelations Reimagined” explores “Revelations” in a new context: past and present, on stage and off, a cultural treasure that transformed modern dance forever and continues to reinvent itself. The beloved Ailey masterpiece pays tribute to African-American heritage — “sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful” — and to the power of the human spirit.

    Program

    Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater “Revelations Reimagined”

    Saturday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m.

    Sunday, May 9th at 3:00 p.m.

    To RSVP, visit njpac.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-revelations-reimagined

    NJPAC

    To learn more about NJPAC, visit njpac.org

     ALVIN AILEY

    To learn more about Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, visit alvinailey.org

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)

     

  • Weekly Horoscope (May 3–9, 2021)

    Shree Ganeshaya Namah!!!

    Aries

    Ganesha says this week is a crucial week for you to take ownership of your actions and choices. You have been trying to find the reason why you’re lagging behind at work and you are not being as productive as you used to be. What you have failed to realize is that you’re the one that’s holding yourself back from working to your full capacity and being happy from within. You often tend to function on autopilot and go through the day just to get over with, which is what you should change this week. Try to be as proactive as possible.

    Taurus

    Ganesha says You can try to go on a spiritual journey this week. You will have a lot of free time to do what you want and this is the perfect opportunity for you to enhance your overall well-being by indulging in activities that give you deep meaning and purpose in life. It could simply be as little as meditating and saying prayers that bring you peace. Some difficult events might occur in the middle of this week which will require you to have a stronghold on your emotions and feelings which is where the spiritual activities and meditation will help you. Do not hesitate to seek help from anyone this week.

    Gemini

    You will be provided with good luck in abundance this week. The planetary motions have moved which will benefit you immensely this week. You will be on an all-time high throughout the week because you will notice how things that have been stuck for the longest time for you are now working out immensely in your favor and causing you to be the happiest you have been in a while. Hence make sure you take the most advantage of all the opportunities that come your way this week and be open-minded about them.

    Cancer

    You will face some challenges at the end of the week because the rest of the week which is the beginning will go so smoothly and easily for you but as time progresses challenges are planted in your way by fate. The fact that your time at the beginning of the week was easy will make it even difficult for you to overcome the obstacles you face towards the end of this week because you will be constantly comparing how things have been working out for you and you will struggle during the end of the day but you will eventually realize that struggles are just as important as easy days for you to learn to grow and be productive.

    Leo

    A week full of surprises is on your way today. You will go through a growth phase from within which means you will be more intellectual by being more introspective, you will have deep and eye-opening conversations with your partner throughout this week which will make your partner fall in love with the beauty of your thinking. You will feel loved and cared for throughout this week but it won’t really matter to you because you will have the means to happy in your own company. You will feel like your health has never been better as you tread through the week full of energy and enthusiasm, you will have a great time this week but you might tend to get egoistic and boastful by the end of it hence you need to stay grounded.

     

    Virgo

    You will have to go through a painful phase when it comes to your health. Your stomach and digestion area seem to be troublesome this week hence you will need to take care and focus on the good things as well as becoming as better as you can. Consulting a specialist in the area that you’re facing trouble in will give you a great start when it comes to improving your health. You will have to stay disciplined when it comes to avoiding certain foods and maintaining a very strict eating schedule. You might want to focus on becoming the healthiest version of yourself this week. You will find it easy at the beginning of the week to stay motivated and on track but as the week passes by you will get bored with the food that you have to eat and the regimen that you have to follow, make sure you seek help but stay disciplined and save yourself from health issues.

    Libra

    You will recognize behavior patterns in your partner that will give you second thoughts and red flags; you will go through a difficult phase internally as you contemplate back and forth regarding the relationship that you’re in. Venus isn’t the strongest in your sign this week which is the reason why your life is in so much commotion. Know that things will gradually but progressively keep getting better and better as the days go by this week. You will need to focus on your work because when you tend to over think it drains a lot of your energy and you have very little control over your thought which is why going through the challenges that you go through this week is a good thing for you. You will realize that you have grown because of what you went through today.

    Scorpio

    Positive energies are mild for you this week. This week you will realize the importance of your family as they will support you despite the mistakes that you have made and your bad behavior during the past few days towards them. Make sure to express your gratitude to them and apologize for your past mistakes genuinely. This week will be a lesson for you which is a positive thing. You won’t be able to be much productive as you will be taking time to relax and unwind which will prove beneficial for you in the long run. Today you will also receive a lot of love from your partner which will make your neutral day lean more towards being a positive one.

    Sagittarius

    New opportunities will arise this week. Choose it wisely. You will want to rush and get into new things, calm your energies down by chanting the Om Namah Shivaya mantra 11 times. Taking strategic steps further will be very beneficial for you and your analytical skills will improve once you start worshiping lord Shiva. The mantra gives you clarity of mind and a lot of confidence. This week might be the time to talk about issues that you have remained silent about. Your love life is going pretty well, it is the right time to say the things you need to say, for you to be able to start thinking about your future. Luck is by your side in matters of love, you shall definitely receive what you want, which is empathy, understanding, and commitment this week. This week is good for you to surprise your partner.

    Capricorn

    The movement of mars will provide the intense positive energy that you need. This is the week it all starts getting better and then goes on to be better than you could have ever imagined. Work on being resilient and self-reliant, it will save you from a lot of heartbreaks in the future. Your personal life will be on the rise. You will receive a positive response from someone that you have been interested in. If you have been thinking about a new venture or going ahead with a new project now is the time. You seem to have a lot of beginner’s luck this week. No significant changes will occur, which is a good thing. You will feel settled and secured about your future with your significant other this week. Their sweet little everyday gestures will prove to you that your partner can make promises and keep them too.

    Aquarius

    Your self-confidence is on the rise this week. You have the ability to be very productive this week tries to finish as much work as you can as you have ample amount of positive energy this week. Don’t let that energy go to waste, use it while it lasts which are your very own business and yourself. High-intensity exercises will benefit you a lot this week. Your love life will be a little troublesome, but not as much as it seems to be at the moment. The best thing you can do is minimize your reaction and reflect on the situation when you feel you can have a neutral take on it. Your stars are in your favor this week. Chant Shiv Panchakshari mantra while offering water to the sun as early in the morning as possible. It will help you reap all the benefits of your luck during this week.

    Pisces

    Your love life is the most positive thing about this week. A lot of love and appreciation from your partner will set a very positive tone for today for you. You will experience a positive shift in everyone’s behavior towards you today; be it your partner, family, or friends, which will make you feel the most special person in the world today.Your partner will be very supportive today. You won’t have much time for your loved ones, but you will receive their love and support regardless. They will put in their work even though they lack expertise in this field they will try their level best and will indeed be very helpful to you this week. Your health is doing great in general. Except for the overworking taking a toll on you. You might feel more tired as you go through the week, which is temporary and nothing to worry about. Make sure to stay away from caffeinated drinks and hydrated.

     

    Birthday Horoscope ( May 3 to 9, 2021)

    May 3

    This day will bring a lot of prosperity and positivity in your life. Today’s positivity will have a long-lasting impact on your life hence make sure you are at your productive best today. You have to make the most of the day today and make sure that you bring your family along with you on the success ladder that you will climb from today onwards.

    May 4

    Life might be a little bit tough today but you will realize that you are tougher than any circumstances or challenges that you come across today. You will be a force to reckon with in the face of adversities that you face today and everything that you do in life will be an inspiration to all those around you from this point onwards.

    May 5

    You will be amazed by the amount of gifts you receive today. Considering how challenging the surrounding days and events have been you were not expecting anything exciting to come your way today. You will need to be very grateful and appreciative about the people who bought you warmth and joy today. Make sure you appreciate everyone individually.

    May 6

    You will have a fun time doing what you love today. Even though you will not have much company and you won’t be able to socialize which might make you sad because you’re a people person and you like being around lots of friends but as you spend the day being by yourself you will realize that being alone is not so bad and you will actually have a fun day today.

    May 7

    You might experience some anxiety today from the fact that you’re supposed to show up and meet all these people which you hate doing. You will have to put up with meeting and talking to new people as well as people you have known which will drain your social battery quiet quickly eventhough you might be a little upset about it, you will do just fine today.

    May 8

    You might be feeling fit and fine mentally and even elated by the love that is being shown to you but physically your health with be like a leash to you which prevents you from having fun and living life to the fullest today. Eventhough the trouble that you have in your health today is quite temporary and won’t go on to bother you as much as it does today in the next few days but today might be a slightly tough day for you.

    May 9

    A very heartfelt day for you today as a lot of your friends will take out the time to come and meet you. You have been feeling quite down lately and today will mist definitely change that. As you go through today, you will realize that you were over thinking about being unwanted and annoying, while in reality, everyone enjoys your company, this realization will bring you great joy and curb your anxiety.

     

     

     

  • HARLEM i FILM FEST

    By Mabel Pais

    Opening Night in-person celebration features World Premieres of

    Tarabu Betserai Kirkland’s “100 Years from Mississippi,”

    Glenn Osten Anderson’s “Coogan’s Way,”

    North American premiere of Anne Via McCollough’s “Full Circle.”

    16th Edition, May 6-9

    The 2021 Harlem International Film Festival (“Hi”) has its 16th edition – a hybrid event – May 6-9.

    The film festival will open with an audacious presentation of two triple-header screenings at the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 Theaters (2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd) with the first Opening Night featuring the world premieres of Tarabu Betserai Kirkland’s “100 Years from Mississippi,” and Glenn Osten Anderson’s “Coogan’s Way,” as well as the North American premiere of Anne Via McCollough’s “Full Circle.”

    The second Opening Night trio features films making their New York premieres including; “Voodoo Macbeth,” a film project from the University of Southern California Graduate students collective, about the first all black cast (in 1936 Harlem) to perform Shakespeare’s MACBETH, directed by a young and arrogant Orson Welles; Rebecca Heidenberg’s “Queens of The Revolution,” a Cuban documentary which is a moving portrait of Mejunje, a cultural center in Santa Clara that paved the road for LGBTQ+ rights in that county, highlighting the bravery of people who have fought for their lives and identities for decades; and Celine Parrenas Shimizu’s “The Celine Archive,” which looks at the remarkable story of Celine Navarro, who was buried alive by her community in 1932. The story exposes issues that still haunt Filipinax American communities today.

    The red carpet in-person event will kick off the film festival’s celebrated showcase of relatively undiscovered international cinematic gems and local New York filmmaking talent and lead into virtual screenings of 71 films and more (31 features, 32 shorts, 2 VR/360 projects, and 6 webisodes) representing over 17 countries.

    The Harlem International (Hi) Film Festival will also offer its signature curated presentations of curated Harlem Uptown and local New York produced and themed short films preceding each of the features screening during the Opening Night event. Harlem International (Hi) Film Festival’s Program Director, Nasri Zacharia, said, “We are thrilled to return to the theater, have a red carpet welcome for our filmmakers, live audiences and Q&As, and experience the magic of film festival discovery in the company of one another the way we did prior to the pandemic. At the same time, we will also utilize the virtual presentations to not just introduce our audiences throughout the state of New York to films from around the world, but also to interact and connect with filmmakers from all over the globe. And, of course, we’ll continue our efforts to truly showcase the filmmakers and the setting of our beloved home neighborhoods of Harlem, Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, which we call the HUB.”

    TICKETS, PASSES

    For Film festival passes, tickets, and more information on the Harlem International Film Festival go to HarlemFilmFestival.org

    OPENING NIGHT TRIPLE FEATURES SELECTIONS

    “100 Years From Mississippi”

    DIR: Tarabu Betserai Kirkland l USA l 59m l World Premiere

    A scene from “100 Years From Mississippi.” (Photo : courtesy Hi Film Festival 2021)

    Mamie Lang Kirkland was seven years old when she fled Ellisville, Mississippi in 1915 with her mother and siblings as her father and his friend, John Hartfield, escaped an approaching lynch mob. John Hartfield returned to Mississippi in 1919 and was killed in one of the most horrific lynchings of the era. For over 100 years…. Mamie vowed never to return to Mississippi. Yet with Mamie’s son, Tarabu’s remarkable find, he urges his mother to finally confront her childhood trauma by returning to Ellisville.

    “Coogan’s Way”                                                                 

    DIR: Glenn Osten Anderson l USA l 1h 7 m l World Premiere

    “Coogan’s Way” Restaurant. (Photo : courtesy Hi Film Festival 2021)

    In the late 1980s and early 1990s, NYC’s Washington Heights neighborhood was considered the epicenter of America’s crack cocaine epidemic. “Coogan’s Way” is the story of how a small bar and restaurant that welcomed all races, religions, and interests became a force for good in the community. And how decades later, when the owners were faced with the challenges of a rapidly changing NYC real estate market, their diverse and dynamic clientele fought for this beloved institution.

    “Full Circle”                                                                                         

    DIR: Anne Via McCollough l USA l 86 min l North American Premiere

    This stunning documentary celebrates one woman’s triumph in conservation, the Great Gull Island Project, Helen Hays’ 50-year quest to save two species of threatened seabirds – Roseate and Common Terns – on a small, uninhabited island in Long Island Sound. The film highlights the myriad of volunteers inspired by Hays over the decades; her extensive collaboration with scientists in Argentina, Brazil and the Azores; and also her remarkable & heartwarming connection with a small fishing village on the north coast of Brazil.

    “Voodoo Macbeth”                                         

    DIR: University of Southern California Graduate students collective l

    USA l 1h 48m l New York Premiere

    In 1936 Harlem, the first all black cast to perform Shakespeare’s MACBETH, directed by a young and arrogant Orson Welles, battles to make it to opening night.

    “Queens of The Revolution”                                                      

    DIR: Rebecca Heidenberg l Cuba l 1h 18 m l New York Premiere

    This moving portrait of Mejunje, a cultural center in Santa Clara that paved the road for LGBTQ+ rights in Cuba, highlights the bravery of people who have fought for their lives and identities for decades.

     “The Celine Archive”

    DIR: Celine Parrenas Shimizu l USA l 1h 9m l New York Premiere

    Adulteress, traitor, heroine, or prey? In 1932, Celine Navarro was buried alive by her community in Northern California. The filmmaker digs up Celine Navarro’s story, exposing silences that haunt Filipinax American communities today, along with Celine Navarro’s family, community members and scholars who know different details about this largely untold event in American history.

    ADDITIONAL FILMS

    In addition to the Opening Night films, there are 11 Narrative Features, 13 Documentary Features, 7 HARLEM/UPPER MANHATTAN/BRONX SHORTS, 18 Other Shorts, 5 Animation Shorts, 2 Virtual Reality Screenings, and 6 Webisodes.

    ABOUT THE HARLEM INTERNATIONAL (Hi) FILM FESTIVAL

    Celebrating the art of cinema in the home of the Harlem Renaissance, The Harlem International Film Festival (Hi) inspires and entertains by honoring dynamic films by anyone about anything under the sun. Conceived from the belief that we all have unique experiences and perspectives to share, the Festival actively seeks and exhibits fresh work. Hi is committed to exemplifying the eminence that Harlem represents and is dedicated to bringing attention to the finest filmmakers from “Harlem and across the globe.”

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)

  • India’s Outreach to the Indian Diaspora – Youth Perspective: Webinar by GOPIO International

    By Alicia Panaser

    I will start placing my perspective as a member of youth representing Indian Diaspora through 4 lenses, my verticals that is Economic. Political, Foreign Policy and Education:

    Economic Front

    Indian diaspora is one of the richest minorities in many developed countries, this helped them to lobby for favorable terms regarding India’s interests. For example, at 2.8 million, Indians may number just 1% of the U.S. population, but they are the most educated and richest minority, according to a 2013 Pew survey. In general, migrants’ remittances have positive systemic effects on the balance of payments. Remittances of $70-80 billion help to bridge a wider trade deficit.

    Political Front

    Many people of Indian origin hold top political positions in many countries, in the US itself they are now a significant part of Republicans and Democrats, as well as the government. The political clout of India’s diaspora can be estimated by the fact, the role it played in turning around doubting legislators into voting for the India-U.S. nuclear deal.

    Foreign Policy Front

    Indian diaspora is not just a part of India’s soft power, but a fully transferable political vote bank as well. rime Minister Narendra Modi’s reception at Madison Square Garden, NY and later in Houston and then in Ahmedabad is a way of thanking the Indian- American community members who played a big part in his electronic campaign and election funding. The institutionalization of “diaspora diplomacy” and now “Vaccine diplomacy” is a distinct indication for the fact that a country’s diaspora community has become considerably more important as a subject of interest for foreign policy and associated government activities.

    Education Front

    Attainment distinguishes the Indian diaspora population from the US German population, and the Indian diaspora was one of the most highly educated off the 15 groups in the RAD analysis. 79% of Indian diaspora each 25 and older in the United States had earned at least a bachelor’s degree compared to 31% of the US population overall. 44% of Indian diaspora age 25 and elders in United States at earned a master’s degree advanced professional degree or PhD versus 11% of the US general public. Indian first-generation immigrants were especially well educated and in fact their academic achievements surpassed that of the second generation the Indian diaspora was unique among the 15 countries 45% versus 39% holding the advanced degree Indian ancestry in the United states did not hold true for woman 51% of Indian first-generation men and 37 of second-generation men held an advanced degree whereas 38% of Indian first-generation woman and 41% of second-generation women hold

     Challenges

    Regulatory Cholesterol: There are many inadequacies of the Indian system for the diaspora to collaborate with India or to invest in the country. Negative Fallout: It must be remembered that having a strong diaspora does not always translate to benefits for the home country. India has had problems with negative campaigning and foreign funding.

    Way Forward

    Indian diaspora can provide the requisite strategic impulse, which makes it all the more important to unlock India’s potential. India should formulate a new NRI policy, the government must immediately work with developed countries to ask that they kick back a portion of the income tax revenues they collect from the Indian diaspora. There is a need for a strategic diaspora evacuation policy from conflict zones in a world where crises materialize without warnings and give very little reaction time for governments. India’s foreign policy aims to translate partnerships to benefits for key projects like Swachh Bharat, Clean Ganga, Make In India, Digital India, and Skill India, the diaspora has plenty of scopes to contribute. VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty) scheme which seeks to formalize a rotation program wherein top NRI scientists, engineers, doctors, managers and professionals serve Indian public sector organizations for a brief period, lending their expertise- is a step in the right direction. Improvement in ease of doing business will go long, in enabling investments from the Indian diaspora.

  • Virat Kohli becomes first player to reach 6000 IPL runs

    Virat Kohli became the first player in history to score 6000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s ten-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, April 22. The 32-year-old, who had played his first IPL match against KKR in 2008, extended his all-time run-scoring record over other batsmen in the cash-rich league by getting to 6021 runs in 196 matches. He has five hundreds and 40 fifties. Chasing a target of 178, Kohli (72* off 47) forged a 181-run opening partnership with Devdutt Padikkal (101* off 52) and helped RCB reclaim the top spot in the points table. So far, they have won all four of their matches. The India captain is also the leading run-scorer in men’s T20 internationals, having racked up 3159 runs in 90 matches. He also leads the batting charts among Indian batsmen in overall T20s, with 9870 runs in the format.

  • Padikkal steals thunder from  Kohli in 10-wicket win for RCB

    Padikkal steals thunder from  Kohli in 10-wicket win for RCB

    Mumbai (TIP): Devdutt Padikkal managed to overshadow none other than the great Virat Kohli with an elegant hundred in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s successful 178-run chase against Rajasthan Royals, in a virtual cakewalk of an IPL contest here on Thursday, April 22.

    It hardly happens that someone as brilliant as Kohli, plays a second fiddle, allowing the talented left-hander use his sinewy wrists to caress the balls to all parts of the ground during a mind-blowing maiden IPL century — an unbeaten 101 off 52 balls.

    RCB never looked in any tearing hurry and yet the target was achieved in only 16.3 overs with all 10 wickets intact.

    Kohli went on the offensive once Padikkal had ensured victory as his contribution was 72 not out off 47 balls in their unbroken opening stand of 181.

    The RCB juggernaut continues to roll with their fourth victory on the trot and a strong foundation in the points table going into the third week of the tournament. Royals, with a team that hardly inspires confidence, are again looking good for bringing up the rear.

    The sixes that came off Padikkal’s blade was more about timing than power as he hit 11 fours and six sixes during his knock. Picking the length of Mustafizur Rahaman’s short ball and getting into the shape to  execute a perfect pull-shot for a six showed why experts feel that it’s only a matter of time before he dons national colors.

    The inside out chip off Riyan Parag over extra cover to complete his half-century off 27 balls, the sweep shots, the slash over backward point and the straight sixes with economy of footwork, were all testimony to his solid technical foundation.

    Once Padikkal was in his mid 80’s, the RCB skipper chanced his arms including a six over extra cover off Royals’ costliest buy Chris Morris.

    Kohli’s 50 came off 34 balls and was followed by a personal milestone of 6000 runs in IPL as Royals surrendered way before the match officially ended.

    Earlier, Rahul Tewatia’s impressive death overs hitting ensured a fighting 177 for 9 for Rajasthan Royals after yet another familiar top order no-show.   On a good batting surface, Royals managed a total which may be 25 runs short but credit for the decent score goes to a counter-attacking effort from all-rounder Shivam Dube (46 off 32 balls) which stemmed the rot and big-hits from Tewatia (40 off 23 balls) that helped them get past 175-run mark.         Source: PTI

  • Lionel Messi double powers Barca to big win over Getafe

    Barcelona (TIP): Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona crushed Getafe 5-2 on Thursday, April 22, to stay in the hunt for the La Liga title.

    Messi gave Barca an early lead with the help of a pin-point pass from Sergio Busquets but Getafe pulled level with an own goal by Clement Lenglet.

    The visitors then conceded a calamitous own goal when Sofian Chakla’s backpass deceived keeper David Soria and trickled over the line.

    Messi extended Barca’s lead before halftime, hitting the post then following up to net from a tight angle and to move on to 25 La Liga goals for the 12th season in a row.

    But the Catalans slowed down in the second half and Turkish forward Enes Unal made for an exciting finish by converting a penalty in the 69th minute following a VAR review for a foul by Ronald Araujo.

    Getafe had a couple of half-chances to level but Uruguayan defender Araujo made amends for his foul on Unal by heading in Messi’s corner in the 87th minute to effectively kill the game.

    Barca earned a penalty in added time but Messi surrendered the chance to score a hat-trick and handed the ball to Antoine Griezmann who slammed in the spot-kick.

    The win took Barca back up to third place on 68 points, five behind leaders Atletico Madrid but with a game in hand.

    “It was a very strange game but the team knew how to get the job done and win which is the important thing,” said Araujo.

    “We suffered a little bit in the second half, we could have been more comfortable. Every game we have left is like a final and every team will give everything.”

    Getafe gave Koeman’s side a guard of honour for their recent Copa del Rey triumph but the visitors also wore T-shirts saying “Earn It”, criticising Barcelona’s decision to sign up to the breakaway European Super League.

  • Mahavir Jayanti

    Mahavir Jayanti

    Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most significant festivals among the Jain community and is celebrated with splendour in India and across the world. The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavira. As per Jain mythology, Lord Mahavira is the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. In 2021, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on the 25th of April.

    History

    As per Jain texts and religious scripts, Lord Mahavira took birth on the 13th day of waxing moon on the Chaitra month (Hindu calendar) in Kundalagrama (now Kundalpur) in Bihar, a few kilometres from Patna. That time, Vaishali was considered to be the capital of the state. However, the year of Mahavira’s birth is disputed. As per Swetambar Jains, Mahavira was born in 599 BC while the Digambar Jains consider 615 BC as his birth year. He was named as Vardhaman by his parents – King Siddhartha and Queen Trisala.

    As per Swetambar community’s beliefs, Mahavira’s mother had 14 dreams, which were later interpreted by astrologers all of whom said that Mahavira would either go on to become an emperor or a sage (Tirthankara). When Mahavira reached 30, he left his throne and family in search of truth. He lived in exile for 12 years as an ascetic. During this time, he preached non-violence treated all everyone with reverence. He got his name “Mahavira” after showing exceptional skills in controlling the senses. It is widely belied that when Mahavira was 72, he attained enlightenment (Nirvana).

    Festivities

    The Jain community takes part in several festivities, which permit them to pledge with families and friends. Lord Mahavir is respected and worshipped by this community. The demonstration of an idol of Lord Mahavir is the most important festivity of the festival. The effigy of Mahavir is washed by the people with fragranced oil and this will denote the purity of the Lord.

    Devotees across India and the globe will visit Jain temples in the country. Antique ancient spots, which are connected to the community of Jainism, are visited by people. One of the renowned destinations to visit during the festival is Gomateshwara. It is quite interesting to notice that many Jains bestow money or food to temples. The festivities will remain the same.

    Public Life

    In India, Mahavir Jayanti is a gazetted holiday. State, local and national level government workplaces will remain closed. The shops and commercial outlets owned by the community of Jains will also remain closed. If not, they may have shortened functioning hours.

    The festival is celebrated to champion the cause of peace and harmony, and also spread the teachings of Lord Mahavira. A procession is carried out in the form of “rath yatra” with Lord Mahavira’s idol neatly placed on the top. Jain temples are decorated with flags while the Jains offer food and clothes to the needy. Jainism vehemently opposes animal slaughter and hence donations are made to stop animal killings.

    Other than charitable acts, prayers are offered in temples dedicated to Lord Mahavira. Some other devotes often engage in meditation—a practice championed by Mahavira. Old and famous Jain temples witness a huge surge in devotees on this day. Teachings of Mahavira and Jainism are recited by monks and nuns.

    Mahavir Jayanti is predominantly a Jain festival and to get the true essence of it, you can visit any of the Jain temples.

    Spiritual destinations

    Consider the following Indian destinations to visit during this festival:

    –              Madhuban: Madhuban, sited in Jharkhand, is the divinest destination for Jains.

    –              Girnarji: Girnarji is a place located in the Indian state of Gujarat.

    –              Gomateshwara: Gomateshwara is the most attractive destination in Karnataka to visit during this festival every year.

    –              Mangi Tungi: Mungi Tungi is another renowned Indian place of adoration for Jains in Maharashtra.

    –              Gajpantha: This is also the best place in Maharashtra. It has a beautiful temple. Devotees have to climb not less than 460 steps to reach.

    Teachings

    Belief in Soul and Karma

    According to Mahavira every element was a combination of material and spiritual factors. While the material factor is perishable, the spiritual factor is external and consistently evolving itself. He held that the soul was held in a state of bondage due to karma.

    The soul can be released from the bondage by getting rid of passions. He believed that the soul could be finally liberated only by the disintegration of Karmik force. According to him with the decay of the karmas the intrinsic value of the soul can be highlighted and the soul shines in full luminosity. When the soul attains infinite greatness it becomes Paramatma, the pure soul, with infinite knowledge, power and bliss.

    Nirvana

    The chief object of life according to Maha­vira is to attain salvation. He therefore insisted on avoiding evil Karmas, prevent all kinds of fresh Karmas and destroy the existing ones. According to him this could be attained through five vows viz., non-injury (Ahimsa), speaking truth (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), non-adultery (Brahmacharya) and non-possession (aparigraha).

    In addition to taking these five vows he also insisted on principles of right conduct, right faith and right knowledge. Right conduct implied a dispassionate attitude towards senses. He said that we must treat the sufferings and happiness on equal planks.

    Right faith meant belief in the Jinas and right knowledge meant the knowledge of the eventual liberation. The above vows and princi­ples were meant for the householders. The Monks etc. had to follow a more severe code.

    Non-belief in God

    Mahavira did not believe in God nor did he believe that he created the world or exercised any personal control over it. According to him the world never comes to an end. No matter ends, it simply changes its form. Since the universe is also composed of certain matters it simply changes its form. We clearly find the influence of the Sankhya philosophy as far as this principle is concerned.

    Mahavira further believed that the emanci­pation of man does not depend on the mercy of any outside autho­rity. The man was the maker of his own destiny. While leading a life of austerity and self-mortification man can get rid of his miseries and sorrows. According to Mahavira the best way to attain salva­tion is through renunciation.

    Rejection of Vedas

    Jainism also rejected the theory of the Vedas and attached no importance to the sacrificial rituals of the Brahmans.

    Ahimsa

    Mahavira laid too much importance on Ahimsa. According to him all creatures, animals, plants, stones, rocks etc. possess life and one should not do any harm to the other in speech, deed or action. Though this principle was not entirely a new one, credit goes to the Jains that they popularized it and thereby put an end to the practice of various types of sacrifices.

    Freedom to women

    Mahavira favoured the freedom of women and believed that they also had the right to attain Nirvana. In this respect Mahavira followed the example of his predecessor, Parsva Nath. Women were allowed in the Jain Sangha and many women became Sarmini and Sravikas.

    It will be evident from the above teachings of Mahavira that he was more of a reformer of the existing religion rather than the founder of a new faith.

  • Plan a trip to Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh

    Plan a trip to Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh

    Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh sits at 1,500 metres above sea level. Located 15 kilometres from Itanagar, it is ornate with dense foliage of pine and bamboo trees. The hills in the valley are studded with around 300 bird and 170 butterfly species. Ziro Valley is famous for its paddy fields, pine forests, bamboo groves, Apatani tribes, and fish farms. The valley is also famous for hosting the Ziro Music Festival, an outdoor music festival that sees more than 40 bands performing.

    How To Reach

    By Air

    Lilabari, Assam is the nearest airport. It is 123 kms from Ziro. The second nearest airport is at Jorhat, 195 kms away. You can also reach Ziro from Tezpur airport, which is around 272 kms from Ziro.

    By Road

    You can take a bus from Guwahati to Ziro. Guwahati is situated 470 kms away, and takes about seven hours to reach. There are direct buses from Itanagar organised by the state government of Arunachal Pradesh. These buses are affordable, but might not be very comfortable, so you can also opt to hire a taxi.

    By Rail

    The nearest railway stations from Ziro are Naharalagun, 100 kms away, and North Lakhimpur that is 117 kms away .You can also take trains to Naharlagun and Kathal Pukhuri from Guwahati. You can hire a taxi to reach Ziro from all these stations.

    Special permissions

    Indian nationals need to take special permission, the Inner Line Permit (ILP) issued by the Arunachal Pradesh government, to enter the state. This permit is accessible online and available at airports at Kolkata, Guwahati or Tezpur.

    Apart from the visa, foreigners are required to have a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Arunachal Pradesh. The PAP is issued for 10 days and you can extend it for another seven days.

    Things to do

    The beautiful landscape of Ziro Valley makes for amazing trekking experiences. The most popular spots are the Dolo Mando hillocks. Midey is also famous for its blue pine trees. Talley Valley is a centre for biodiversity and also has a wildlife sanctuary with diverse flora namely bamboo, fir trees, rhododendron, and ferns. Situated 32 kilometres east of Hapoli, Talley Valley also has rare butterflies, Bhutan glory, Kaiser-i-Hind, and brown gorgon. The valley also provides a good camping experience. If you are looking for more adventure and thrill, be sure to trek the Kile Pakho Ridge that has stunning views of mountains and the beautiful Ziro Plateau. Ziro Valley is also famous for its biking and walking trails.

    The original inhabitants of Ziro Valley, the Apatani continue to live here. The major villages where the tribe live are Hong, Bamin and Hija. The women still follow authentic customs of face tattoos and putting cane plugs on the sides of their nose. Cultivating paddy is one of the major occupations in Ziro Valley. You can visit these lush plantations that are surrounded by pine and bamboo trees. Different fish are farmed in the paddy fields.

    Best time to visit

    Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh has a pleasant climate during summer that fills the place with tourists. The best time to visit Ziro Valley is between April and June.

    The Ziro Music Festival is an important attraction that pulls in huge crowds to Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. The Ziro Music Festival is a four-day event that takes place in September every year. Invited bands play a variety of music ranging from alternative, pop-funk, post-rock, to jazz, hip hop and electronic. The Ziro Music Festival also has local cultural events and cuisine that celebrate the region. The festival has a day and a night stage. The day stage or Daynii or Apatani for Sun has a lot of acoustic songs and folk music that create a melodious and warm atmosphere. The night stage or Pillo Apatani for Moon comes alive with the beats of heavy metal, electronica, alternative rock, and more.

    Dos And Don’ts

    Ziro Valley In Arunachal Pradesh is home to around 26 indigenous tribes. When you visit them make sure to treat them with respect and follow their code of conduct.

    When you visit a religious site make sure to not enter the place with any footwear. Dress appropriately.

    Take special care of nature as the area’s biodiversity is to be protected. Do not litter or harm the environment.

    Stay away from unauthorised travel agents and exchange your currency from government approved vendors only.

    Local Experience

    Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is also known for its delicious food. A must-try delicacy is  bamboo chicken. Arunachal Pradesh is also known to eat distinctive food like rats and silkworms, so if you feel adventurous or experimental, do try. You must also try the local rice beer that adds to the unique flavours of Ziro Valley.

                    Source: Travel.earth

  • World’s biggest stock owner says banks displaced tech as drivers of returns

    World’s biggest stock owner says banks displaced tech as drivers of returns

    The world’s biggest owner of listed equities, Norway’s $1.3 trillion wealth fund, says financial firms have displaced tech stocks as the main drivers of returns.

    Norges Bank Investment Management, which owns about 1.5% of global stocks, beat its benchmark index in the first quarter, and also outperformed the MSCI World Index.

    “Over time, and especially last year, it was technology and green stocks” that drove returns, Trond Grande, the fund’s deputy chief executive, said by phone. “What we’ve seen in the first quarter has been a bit different,” with the best returns coming from finance and energy.

    For finance, “we should see this in the context of rising long rates,” which means banks can “lend at higher margins,” Grande said. Financial stocks make up 14.6% of the fund’s investments. Public records show JPMorgan Chase & Co. is its biggest bank holding, worth about $3.5 billion. The investor owns roughly $2.9 billion of Bank of America Corp. and $2.5 billion in UBS Group AG. Its exposure to the financial sector last year delivered a loss of almost $12 billion.

    The rise in interest rates that Grande says is behind the financial industry’s outperformance comes amid speculation that inflation might be making a comeback, fed in part by record stimulus packages in the US and Europe.

    The fund’s equity portfolio returned 6.6% last quarter. Bonds lost 3.2% while real estate was up 1.4%. Overall, it generated a 4% return. Rising raw material and oil prices propped up the fund’s portfolio of energy stocks, Grande said.

  • Millions of Americans are jobless, yet firms struggle to hire

    Millions of Americans are jobless, yet firms struggle to hire

    Washington (TIP): More than a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of American remain jobless, but even as the economy reopens some employers are finding hiring an unexpected challenge. From fears of being infected with the coronavirus to trouble finding childcare to the lure of generous unemployment benefits, some jobless Americans are holding off on re-entering the workforce. “It’s a paradox for the Covid crisis,” said Gregory Daco, chief US economist at Oxford Economics. “We have, and risk having over the coming months, an imbalance between job openings and demand.”

    The US economy has begun to recover as Covid-19 vaccines allow businesses to return to normal, and companies are starting to recruit to meet growing demand.

    But not all unemployed workers are ready to return to their jobs, analysts say.

    “The main issue is we still have a pandemic, and there is huge concern among job seekers about workplace health and safety,” said Julia Pollak, an economist for job search website ZipRecruiter.         Source: AFP

  • Dorsey, Musk bat for Bitcoin as future of renewable energy

    Dorsey, Musk bat for Bitcoin as future of renewable energy

    Arguing for Bitcoin as a key driver of renewable energy’s future on Earth Day, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have come forward to support the fast-growing cryptocurrency, saying that Bitcoin incentivises renewable energy.

    Dorsey’s digital payment services company Square and global asset management firm ARK Invest have jointly released a white paper on “Bitcoin as Key to an Abundant, Clean Energy Future”.

    In a tweet on Wednesday, April 21, Dorsey said: “Bitcoin incentivises renewable energy.”

    Musk replied: “True,” after tweeting that starting next week, “Tesla Solar Panels and Solar Roof will only be sold as an integrated product ‘with’ Tesla Powerwall battery”.

    In the white paper, Square and ARK Invest said that “the energy asset owners of today can become the essential bitcoin miners of tomorrow”.

    The ‘Bitcoin Clean Energy Initiative’ has developed a short research paper as a “starting point to share our vision for how bitcoin mining — in conjunction with renewable energy and storage – is especially well suited to accelerate the energy transition”.

    To complement this work, ARK Invest has contributed an open source model that demonstrates how bitcoin mining could augment these renewable + storage systems to supply a larger percentage of a grid’s base-load energy demand for comparable or lower cost unit economics.

    “Bitcoin miners are unique energy buyers in that they offer highly flexible and easily interruptible load, provide payout in a globally liquid cryptocurrency, and are completely location agnostic, requiring only an internet connection,” the paper read.

    Bitcoin miners are an ideal complementary technology for renewables and storage.

    “Combining generation with both storage and miners presents a better overall value proposition then building generation and storage alone,” the research paper noted. “By combining miners with renewables + storage projects, we believe it could improve the returns for project investors and developers, moving more solar and wind projects into profitable territory,” it added.

  • S&P flags impact of lockdowns on Indian economy

    S&P Global Ratings on Thursday, April 22, said the Indian economy is projected to grow at 11% in the current fiscal, but flagged the “substantial” impact of broader lockdowns on the economy.

    In its report on Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions, S&P said the control of Covid remains a key risk for the economy. New infections have spiked in recent weeks and the country is in the middle of a second pandemic wave.

    “Our forecast growth of 11% for India in 2021 is followed by a 6.1-6.4% forecast increase for the next couple of years… Some targeted lockdowns have already been implemented and more will likely be needed. The impact of broader lockdowns on the economy could be substantial, depending on their length and scope,” it said.

    S&P, which currently has a ‘BBB-’ rating on India with a stable outlook, has forecast an 11% growth in the Indian GDP for the fiscal beginning April 1 on account of a fast economic reopening and fiscal stimulus.

  • RBI allows commercial banks to pay up to 50% of pre-Covid dividends

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday, April 22, relaxed the dividend payout norms of commercial banks and allowed them to pay up to 50 per cent of what they paid before Covid from the profits for the fiscal ended March 31, 2021. For FY20, the RBI had asked banks not to make any dividend payment on equity shares from the profits in view of the ongoing stress and heightened uncertainty on account of Covid-19. HDFC Bank had last week decided not to pay any dividend on the basis of the previous year’s RBI directive. “In partial modification of the instructions, banks may pay dividend on equity shares from the profits for the financial year ended March 31, 2021, subject to the quantum of dividend being not more than 50 per cent of the amount determined as per the dividend payout ratio prescribed in paragraph 4 of the May 4, 2005 circular. Other instructions in the circular shall remain unchanged,” the RBI said. Cooperative banks are permitted to pay dividend on equity shares from the profits of the financial year ended March 31, 2021, as per the extant instructions, the RBI said. However, all banks must continue to meet the applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements after dividend payment, it added.

  • Twitter adds support for 4K images on Android, iOS

    Twitter adds support for 4K images on Android, iOS

    Twitter started testing support for 4K images for its Android and iOS apps last month. It has now announced it is rolling out support for Twitter users to post 4K images on Android and iOS. Prior to this update, Twitter allowed a maximum resolution of 2048 x 2048 for images uploaded from its mobile app. Twitter users can now upload and view 4K images on their timeline from the Android and iOS apps. Twitter’s web client already supports 4K images in tweets. It looks like the tests were successful as Twitter has made the feature available to all users. To view and upload images in 4K, Twitter users will have to enable the feature from the app’s settings by following these steps:

    –              Open the Twitter app on Android or iOS.

    –              Tap on the hamburger menu to access the app’s settings.

    –              Select ‘Data usage’ under general from the settings menu.

    –              Under images, turn on high-quality image uploads, and high quality images.

    –              You can choose either Wi-Fi or mobile data & Wi-Fi.

    –              Once this is enabled, you will start seeing 4K images on your timeline, and also be able to upload 4K images.

  • Music and tech team up to cut the milliseconds

    Music and tech team up to cut the milliseconds

    Musicians desperate to work together in harmony while kept apart by COVID-19 lockdowns have been collaborating with tech companies to shave milliseconds from delays on their online connections, driving innovations that will transcend music.

    To recreate the experience of performing together live when artists and audiences are apart, a collective effort has been under way to reduce the lag between a sound being produced and being heard, known as latency.

    In rehearsals for Rossini’s Barber of Seville, the San Francisco Opera has used a test version of a device called Aloha, developed by Stockholm-based Elk O.S., in partnership with Ericsson, Vodafone and Verizon.

    The pocket-sized device cuts the lag from around 600 milliseconds, which would make two performers sound out of sync, to roughly 20 milliseconds, which is no greater than if the performers were in the same room. “That was shocking to me that technology has advanced that far,” said soprano Anne-Marie MacIntosh, who is performing in the production scheduled to open to socially-distanced, drive-in audiences.

  • In a first, NASA’s Perseverance rover makes oxygen on Mars

    In a first, NASA’s Perseverance rover makes oxygen on Mars

    NASA’s Perseverance rover keeps making history. The six-wheeled robot has converted some carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere into oxygen, the first time this has happened on another planet, the space agency said Wednesday, April 21.

    “This is a critical first step at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen on Mars,” said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s space technology mission directorate.

    The technology demonstration took place on April 20, and it’s hoped future versions of the experimental instrument that was used could pave the way for future human exploration.

    Not only can the process produce oxygen for future astronauts to breathe, but it could make hauling vast amounts of oxygen over from Earth to use as rocket propellant for the return journey unnecessary. The Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment — or MOXIE — is a golden box the size of a car battery, and is located inside the front right side of the rover.

    Dubbed a “mechanical tree,” it uses electricity and chemistry to split carbon dioxide molecules, which are made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

    It also produces carbon monoxide as a byproduct.

    In its first run, MOXIE produced 5 grams of oxygen, equivalent to about 10 minutes of breathable oxygen for an astronaut carrying out normal activity.

    MOXIE’s engineers will now run more tests and try to step up its output. It is designed to be able to generate up to 10 grams of oxygen per hour.

    Designed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MOXIE was built with heat-resistant materials like nickel alloy and designed to tolerate the searing temperatures of 1,470 degrees Fahrenheit (800 Celsius) required for it to run.

    A thin gold coating ensures it doesn’t radiate its heat and harm the rover.

    MIT engineer Michael Hecht said a one ton version of MOXIE could produce the approximately 55,000 pounds (25 tons) of oxygen needed for a rocket to blast off from Mars.

    Producing oxygen from Mars’ 96 percent carbon dioxide atmosphere might be a more feasible option than extracting ice from under its surface then electrolyzing it to make oxygen. Perseverance landed on the Red Planet on February 18 on a mission to search for signs for microbial life. Its mini helicopter Ingenuity made history this week by achieving the first powered flight on another planet. The rover itself has also directly recorded the sounds of Mars for the first time.

  • Instagram working on new stickers, Star Wars chat themes

    Instagram working on new stickers, Star Wars chat themes

    Instagram is working on a bunch of new stickers for Stories and chat themes. There’s a new link sticker that will let users add links directly to Stories, and a ‘Super Mention’ sticker. Instagram is also working on new Star Wars themes for chats in Direct Message (DM). The new stickers and chat themes were spotted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi (via Social Media Today). The new link sticker will let users add links to Stories that viewers will be able to tap on and directly go to that web page. This feature will most likely be exclusive to accounts with more than 10k followers who currently have access to the ‘swipe up’ feature. This lets Instagram users add a link to their Stories but viewers have to swipe up to open that page. A visible link would be a better call to action feature. While it seems unlikely that all users will get the new link sticker, Instagram is yet to confirm on the same. There’s also a new Super Mention sticker in the works. As the name suggests, this feature will most likely show the mentioned account more prominently in Stories.

  • Facebook tweaks ad tools ahead of Apple’s privacy changes

    Facebook tweaks ad tools ahead of Apple’s privacy changes

    Facebook Inc said on Wednesday, April 21,  it is making changes to its advertising tools to comply with an upcoming privacy update by Apple Inc, limiting the effectiveness of data collection features used by advertisers. The world’s biggest social media company has been at loggerheads with Apple’s ‘App Tracking Transparency’ feature, expected to kick in with the latest iPhone software update next week, which allows users to block advertisers from tracking them across different applications.

    Apple says it defends data privacy rights, but faces criticism from Facebook, app developers and startups whose business models rely on advertising tracking.

    Facebook said on Wednesday the changes on its ad tools would limit the ways in which target audiences can be selected and how the success of an ad campaign is measured.

    The company said it is investing in privacy-enhancing technologies to minimize the amount of data collected from users. Facebook and Apple have also tangled over commission fees the iPhone maker charges apps listed on iOS devices, with the social media giant backing small developers most affected by the policy.

  • Multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics may cut risk of Covid : Study

    Taking multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of testing positive for the novel coronavirus which causes Covid, at least among women, according to a large observational study.

    The research, published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health, found that taking vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements was not associated with a lower risk of testing positive for the virus, the findings show.

    The researchers, including those from King’s College London in the UK, drew on adult users of the Covid Symptom Study app to see if regular supplement users were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.

    The app was launched in the UK, the US, and Sweden in March 2020 to capture self-reported information on the evolution of the pandemic.

    The researchers analysed information supplied by 3,72,720 UK subscribers to the app about their regular use of dietary supplements throughout May, June and July 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic as well as any coronavirus swab test results.

    Between May and July, 1,75,652 UK subscribers regularly took dietary supplements while 1,97,068 did not.

    Around two-thirds (67 per cent) were women and over half were overweight.

    In all, 23,521 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 3,49,199 tested negative between May and July.

    The study found taking probiotics, omega fatty acids, multivitamins or vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 14 per cent, 12 per cent, 13 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.

    No such effects were observed among those taking vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements, according to the researchers.

    When the researchers looked specifically at sex, age and weight (BMI), the protective associations for probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins and vitamin D were observed only in women of all ages and weights.

  • ‘New COVID-19 vaccine may provide protection against existing, future strains’

    ‘New COVID-19 vaccine may provide protection against existing, future strains’

    A new experimental COVID-19 vaccine has shown promising results in early animal testing, according to researchers who say the preventive may provide protection against existing and future strains of the novel coronavirus, and cost about USD 1 per dose. The vaccine developed by researchers, including those from the University of Virginia (UVA) in the US, prevented pigs from being becoming ill with a pig model coronavirus, porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV). PEDV infects pigs, causing diarrhoea, vomiting, and high fever, and has been a large burden on pig farmers around the world. The new vaccine approach might one day open the door to a universal vaccine for coronaviruses, including coronaviruses that previously threatened pandemics or perhaps even coronaviruses that cause some cases of the common cold, the researchers said. According to the researchers, the vaccine offers several advantages that could overcome major obstacles to global vaccination efforts. It would be easy to store and transport, even in remote areas of the world, and could be produced in mass quantities using existing vaccine-manufacturing factories, they said. “Our new platform offers a new route to rapidly produce vaccines at very low cost that can be manufactured in existing facilities around the world, which should be particularly helpful for pandemic response,” said Steven L. Zeichner from UVA. Described in the journal PNAS, the vaccine-production platform involves synthesising DNA that directs the production of a piece of the virus which can instruct the immune system to mount a protective immune response against the virus. “Killed whole-cell vaccines are currently in widespread use to protect against deadly diseases like cholera and pertussis. Factories in many low-to-middle-income countries around the world are making hundreds of millions of doses of those vaccines per year now, for a USD 1 per dose or less,” Zeichner said. “It may be possible to adapt those factories to make this new vaccine. Since the technology is very similar, the cost should be similar too,” he added. The vaccine takes an unusual approach in that it targets a part of the spike protein of the virus, the “viral fusion peptide,” that is essentially universal among coronaviruses. The spike protein helps the virus to enter the human cells. The fusion peptide has not been observed to differ at all in the many genetic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 that have been obtained from thousands of patients around the world during the pandemic. The researchers made two vaccines, one designed to protect against COVID-19, and another designed to protect against PEDV. PEDV and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both coronaviruses, but they are distant relatives. PEDV and SARS-CoV-2, like all coronaviruses, share several of the amino acids that constitute the fusion peptide.

  • Chhola Bhatura

    Chhola Bhatura

    Ingredients

    –              1 cup Chola

    –              Salt to taste

    –              1 packet Tea leaves

    –              1/2 tsp Zeera

    –              2 piece Kadi Patta

    –              1 Onion (1/2 thinly slized and 1/2 to make paste)

    –              1/8 piece of Ginger, 3 cloves of Garlic (add more or less to your taste, mince them)

    –              1 tsp Garam Masala

    –              1/2 big size Tomato and

    –              2 tbsp Tomato Puree (or, 3/4 tomato)

    –              1/4 tsp each Haldi, Mirchi, Dhaniya powder

    –              1 tsp Chola Masala (if not doesn’t matter)

    For Onion Paste

    –              1/2 Onion

    –              2 Red Chillies

    –              Small piece of Cinnamon

    –              3/4 piece Cloves

    –              2 piece Elaichi

    Method

    –              Let chola soak in water overnight.

    –              Next day pressure cook with salt to taste and 1 packet of tea or put little tea leaves, we get in India and wrap it in a cloth.

    –              This will change the color of chola to black. In a pan, in little oil, add Zeera, Kadi Patta.

    –              Then add 1/2 thinly slized onion.

    –              Fry till golden brown.

    –              Then add minced garlic and ginger paste. Then add onion paste.

    –              Fry till oil comes out. Then add tomato and tomato puree.

    –              Add haldi, mirchi, dhaniya and chola masala.

    –              When masala is done, add chola and little water. Check salt.

    –              Let cook for few minutes.

    –              Garnish with chopped onion.

    For Batura

    –              1 cup Maida

    –              1/4 cup Atta

    –              Salt to taste (1/4 tsp)

    –              2 tsp Oil

    –              3 tbs Curd

    Method

    –              Add maida and atta. Add salt and the add oil.

    –              Mix with hand, till you can make balls from atta. Mix dahi. Mix very well.

    –              Add enough water to make atta dough.

    –              Put the dough in a plastic bag.

    –              Roll the bag to remove any air and tie it.

    –              Let stand atleast for 6 hours.(You can do it when you put chola in water, previous night).

    –              Heat the oil and make big size poories (batura).

    –              Eat with chola. Enjoy with Imli Chutney.

  • Angelina says change in family situation after Brad Pitt split impacted career

    Angelina says change in family situation after Brad Pitt split impacted career

    Angelina Jolie has opened up about her life post her divorce from actor Brad Pitt. The actor, who filed for divorce in 2016, revealed that the changes in her personal life have impacted her career. The Mr. & Mrs. Smith actor has been taking care of her six children – 19-year-old Maddox, 17-year-old Pax, 16-year-old Zahara, 14-year-old Shiloh, and 12-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox – while she and Brad fight for custody in court. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Angelina said that the shift in priorities has led to her picking less time-consuming jobs. “I love directing, but I had a change in my family situation that’s not made it possible for me to direct for a few years. I needed to just do shorter jobs and be home more, so I kind of went back to doing a few acting jobs. That’s really the truth of it,” she told Entertainment Weekly. After her filing for divorce, Angelina has appeared in a handful of movies. Her last outings include Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Come Away. She will soon appear in Those Who Wish Me Dead. The actor was also seen filming her maiden Marvel movie, Eternals. She plays Thena in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. Photos from the sets revealed that the children had accompanied her to the shoots.

  • Khloe Kardashian claps back at Instagram user accusing her of ‘insecurity’

    Khloe Kardashian claps back at Instagram user accusing her of ‘insecurity’

    American reality TV star and businesswoman Khloe Kardashian recently addressed a critic who had unkind words for her. This comes a few days after the star made headlines for a leaked bikini photo debacle. According to Fox News, the 36-year-old star shared a carousel of colourful photos on Instagram featuring herself wearing a skin-tight blue bodysuit. The pictures showed off her figure in a series of photos, in which, she struck various poses. “AVATAR,” she captioned the post between a pair of UFO emojis. While many of the comments on the post were positive, one viewer wrote: “If insecurity was a person.” Kardashian didn’t waste any time speaking her mind, however. She wrote in response, “Baby girl, you have to look in the mirror. Only insecure people tear other people down. I’m sending you so much love, health and happiness!” She concluded: “I’m sorry that you’re hurting.”

  • Akshay to star in Mission Mangal director Jagan Shakti’s next project

    Akshay to star in Mission Mangal director Jagan Shakti’s next project

    Akshay Kumar is set to team up again with his Mission Mangal director Jagan Shakti for an action-drama inspired by true events.

    Kumar and Shakti first worked together on the 2019 drama Mission Mangal, inspired by the story of scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who contributed to the Mars Orbiter Mission, India’s first interplanetary expedition.

    The new film is also inspired by true events, a source close to the development said.

    “This is an action-drama with a dash of science. It is set in current times. It is inspired by true events. He will play the role of law enforcement officer,” the source added.

    The script is locked and the shoot is likely to begin next year.

    “As soon as Akshay fulfils his other commitments, we will begin shooting for this film. There are so many things in the pipeline for him, so we are also waiting to go on floors. Currently due to COVID-19, the schedule of all projects is affected,” the source said.