Monthly Archives: جولای 2020

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) all set to take place in the United Arab Emirates in September, cricket lovers are keen to know whether spectators will be allowed in the stadiums.

However, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said the decision to allow fans in rests solely with the UAE government and not the BCCI.

“We cannot take this decision. Whatever the UAE government says, we will follow. BCCI‘s opinion is of least importance in this case. It [appeal to allow spectators] may not be honoured as it is governed by local authorities,” Patel told mid-day on Thursday.

The IPL Governing Council meeting is slated on August 2, when a host of issues will be discussed and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be finalised along with the schedule.

Anti-China wave

Brijesh Patel

Patel said the title sponsorship issue will also be discussed. Taking into consideration the anti-China wave in the country, the IPL attracts a lot of Chinese sponsors. It remains to be seen whether this will be continue. “We will discuss this matter in the GC on August 2. We have to sort out some important issues on that day and this is going to be one of them. The IPL is still 50 days away. We hope normalcy in life will gradually arrive. The festival season is around the corner, so companies will be tempted to advertise their products. We sense that the situation will definitely improve before the IPL starts,” said Patel.

‘No problem at Sharjah’

While Sharjah has always been an infamous venue for the BCCI ever since the 2000 match fixing scandal. However, there are no concerns in taking the IPL to Sharjah. “The IPL is being organised by the Emirates Cricket Board. They want Sharjah along with Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” said Patel.

When asked whether the eight IPL teams will be put up in different hotels, Patel said: “It all depends on the franchises. We have given them a list of hotels at all three venues. So, it is their call.”

The umpires and match referees will be housed in a hotel which no franchise will be given access to, said Patel. Two months of the IPL is like a caravan, where families and partners of players are normally allowed to be part of, but considering the event will be held in a bio-bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is to be seen if families are allowed this time. “This is an internal matter of the franchisees. If they allow wives, children and girlfriends, it is the responsibility of the concerned franchise to ensure bio-bubble rules and regulations are followed. Safety is foremost for us. Anyone connected with teams should respect the rules and regulations put in place,” said Patel.

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What perceptions do the words ‘Mental Health’ evoke? A concern? An expensive problem? An unnoticed being?

How is it that we always tend to talk about it, after it has destroyed or damaged our emotional space?

Depression. Suicide. Extreme feeling of sadness. Do these emerge as a surprise one day, taking away your happiness, your ability to function or your life the next day?

How does it enter your personal space? Does it knock before it enters or silently insinuates itself inside?

Any negative emotion, when it sneaks into your emotional space, enters with a prick. A needle-like prick and you hear yourself saying ‘Ouch!’

Ouch, and then move on, because in the end, how does a tiny pinpoint of pain count? We are strong, we are stoic; we can easily brush off these insignificant disturbances and get on with life.

Till they fester and transform into a gaping wound, just because you ignored the ‘ouch’.

We really need to start de-mystifying mental health, and the stigma attached to reaching out for help. We really need to stop being so cavalier about our mental and emotional well-being. We really need to start giving our mental ‘ouch’ the respect and care it deserves.

Help is all around but getting the right help can be life-saving. Mental issues, like any other illness, needs an expert! Care and cure is required. As I keep reiterating, while talking to friends and relatives may make you feel better, it takes a mental health professional to help you get better. Don’t refrain from reaching out, with the assumption that you can handle it.

Let’s eradicate the taboo attached with mental health! Your life is precious and priceless. Reach out! Don’t ignore that OUCH!

Habiba Kudrati
Counselling Psychologist
Website: www.habibakudrati.com
Email: habibakudrati@gmail.com

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Right after the COVID-19 crisis was declared as a worldwide pandemic, outdoor activities were completely restricted for people’s safety measures. And with that, many from the industry, starting from the airlines to restaurants, clubs, and more, saw little to no work coming in.

While some are struggling to find the various source of income, there are people who are making the most out of the lockdown by keeping themselves busy and being productive.

Raj Singh aka DJ Blaze is a popular concert/event promoter, music producer, and social media celebrity who is currently hustling with a bucket full of work coming his way.

Touted as one of the top DJs in the South East Asian community, Raj Singh aka DJ Blaze is spinning his way to success and kickstarted his own venture named Blaze Entertainment and Ikonic Media Group.

Raj Singh is gearing up for an upcoming project that came straight out of his dedication and passion under the banner name of Blaze Entertainment and Ikonic Media Group.

He is also busy with private parties, wedding ceremonies held during the lockdown and is leaving no stone unturned in hit the ground running.

He started his career back in 2001 with private parties, wedding ceremonies, and college parties. Soon after gaining immense popularity in the entertainment industry, Raj Singh became a popular name in the Hollywood Clubs across Los Angeles, California, and also got recognition in Bollywood shows.

Over the years, Raj Singh aka DJ Blaze has worked with some very well recognized musicians like Mickey Singh, Jaz Dhami, The Prophec, G Sidhu, Dr. Zues and many more.

In 2012, DJ Blaze took the Midwest South East Asian community to a whole new level by organizing and marketing upcoming talents from India. Ever since then, Raj Singh aka DJ Blaze has been consistently participating in organizing numerous concerts not just in Midwest but also across all the cities in the United States.

Raj Singh enjoys a huge fan base on his social media. Raj aka DJ Blaze has treated the audience with multiple music videos like Demands, Toone Hari Akh and others under the banner of Blaze Entertainment and Ikonic Media Group.

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Top Indian boxer Vikas Krishan has decided to revive his professional career in the US instead of training at the national camp in Patiala as he believes conventional is just not good enough for a podium finish at next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Vikas is currently training in Bengaluru’s Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) with another professional boxer and close friend Neeraj Goyat after being asked to leave NIS Patiala for alleged violation of COVID-19 quarantine norms, later deemed unintentional.

He has no plans of going back even though the Sports Authority of India (SAI) decided to allow him to return after an inquiry.

“I will continue training here (in Bengaluru). I have fallen into a rhythm and I don’t wish to disturb myself by once again taking the trip to Patiala. I don’t see the point,” Vikas, who is training under American coach Ronald Simms at the IIS, told PTI in an interview over phone. Asked about the controversy in Patiala, and Vikas offered a philosophical take.

“I have never harmed anyone. I have made mistakes but the intent is only to do well for the country. I have never caused problems for anyone else. That’s all I have to say,” he said. The 28-year-old Haryana-lad is more eager to talk about his plans to return to the US, where he continues to have a contract with Hall of Famer Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions. The welterweight (69kg category) boxer will compete in the 70kg division in the pro circuit.

“As soon as I manage to get a flight, I am going to the USA. I am in touch with Top Rank Promotions. They have promised to arrange fights for me and I hope to compete in 3-4 bouts before the Olympics,” he said. “That would help my Olympic chances more than anything else because it is in the pro circuit that I learnt the crucial lesson of not believing in luck. It is all about ability, there is nothing called luck,” added the former world bronze-winner, who won his two pro bouts before returning to amateur circuit last year.

The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold-winner will be making third Olympic appearance in Tokyo next year. He is the most experienced among the five men who have made the cut so far. “I took a break from professional with due permission from my promoter to pursue my Olympic dream. Now that I have qualified, I will go back to pro to prepare myself,” he said. Talking of preparations, do High Performance Director Santiago Nieva and national coach C A Kuttappa know of his plans?

“They know and they are supportive. They know what I am capable of and they have encouraged me. I have also got immense support from Boxing Federation of India Executive Director R K Sacheti,” he said.

Less than a year away from his third Olympics, Vikas said he has never enjoyed boxing as much as he does now. “If you watch me fight now, you can see the artistry. In my past two Olympics (2012 and 2016), I used to be bothered by pressure and expectations, not anymore. I fee free of that. “This has made boxing very enjoyable for me. Earlier there was an element of stress,” he explained.

His friend Neeraj, also a pro boxer, has been a constant in his life for the past few years and Vikas said he is grateful for the support. “I don’t think I will be able to do as much for him as he has done for me. He has come to train with me, support me whenever I have asked him,” he said. Amid the strenuous preparations, has he factored in the COVID-19 mayhem, the one which forced the Olympics to be postponed and which still is a threat to the Games going ahead even next year.

“I am destined to win an Olympic medal. Olympics will happen because God can’t be so cruel to me. I know that,” asserted the boxer.

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Monsoon is likely to be normal in the second half of the four-month rainfall season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.

In its Long Range Forecast for rainfall in the second half (August-September) of the 2020 Southwest Monsoon, the IMD said August is likely to receive rainfall that is 97 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA).

“Quantitatively, the rainfall over the country as a whole during the second half of the season is likely to be 104 per cent of the LPA with a model error of plus/minus 8 per cent,” the IMD said.

The LPA rainfall over the country for the 1961-2010 period is 88 centimetres.

Monsoon in the range of 96-104 per cent of the LPA is considered normal. The official rainfall season in the country is from June 1 to September 30.

The onset of monsoon over Kerala was on June 1 and until July 30, the country had received one per cent more rainfall than normal.

The northwest division of the IMD has a 19-per cent deficiency. It comprises Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and the Union territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The deficiency in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is 50 and 59 per cent respectively. Delhi has also recorded a deficiency.

Mumbai Rains: City Received 1502 Mm Showers In July, Highest-Ever In The Month

The central India division has a three-per cent deficiency. The division comprises Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and the Union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The two Union territories have recorded deficient rainfall.

The south peninsula meteorological division of the IMD has received 19 per cent more rainfall than normal. The division covers Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka and the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Puducherry have received excess rainfall.

The east and northeast India division has also recorded 12 per cent more rainfall. The division comprises West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and the northeastern states. Meghalaya and Bihar have witnessed excess rainfall. However, the rainfall has been deficient in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. 

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ZEE5 received augmentative response and love from media and fans alike after the recent announced of ‘CHURAILS’, the very first Zindagi Original. Soon after, netizens shared positive comments and reactions on the poster and now ZEE5 launched the trailer of the most awaited web series ‘CHURAILS’ on social media, check it out!

Check out the trailer here:

The trailer depicts a strong and unconventional narrative packed with gripping and exciting moments of four women from different backgrounds with their unique stories. CHURAILS narrates the story of four self-proclaimed churails who come together to open a covert detective agency hidden under the shop Halal Designs. They set a path to expose cheating husbands amongst the city’s elite. As their operations expand, they come to be the saviors of abused, harassed and mistreated women. The fast-paced storyline covers myriad issues such as child abuse, sexism, domination of class and race.

“‘CHURAILS’ is a story of four strong women characters but it depicts what each and every woman deals with – not just in a particular country but globally. These characters have empowered us and I’m sure even the ones who watch it will feel the same connect. We’re glad that it’s going to be seen by people worldwide!” expressed Yasra Rizvi

“Batool had me at hello. She was cool, fearless and unflinching. She was the friend I’d want to get me out of trouble. And get me out of trouble she did. Playing her has empowered me in lasting ways. We’re in the business of entertainment, I know, but this sisterhood of Churails, playing this part is my way of telling women that I’m here and I have their back. We’re all still living in some version of classic Greek tragedy but these Trojan women are going to kick ass.” expressed Nimran Bucha

“Churails is about having a realisation of what all you can do as a woman. It gives an understanding, insight, awareness, and complete realness of life through the characters and the story. The story is very well written and fabulously directed by Asim Abbasi, he literally took our breath away with his work. It has been an amazing feeling to be part of the super revolutionary change that this project is going to bring. I think Pakistani media will certainly change after Churails. Churails as a show has a lot of caliber and details to catch eyeballs at the international level. I would like to thank Zee5, Zee5 Global and Zindagi official that has given Churails a cherry on top. It was a fabulous journey to be a part of.”expressed Sarwat Gilani

“Playing Zubaida has been a personal milestone of my career. She taught me the value of being a protector, the importance of sisterhood and she is, in essence, a fearless warrior who is so compassionate that seeing other women in jeopardy keeps her up at night.” Expressed Mehar Bano

‘CHURAILS’ will break stereotypes, and challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies. Directed by critically acclaimed director, Asim Abbasi, ‘CHURAILS’ brings together a talented ensemble cast led by Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano and Yasra Rizvi for this power-packed narrative.

‘CHURAILS’ is set to premiere on ZEE5 on 11th August.

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The Ram temple that will come at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh will be on a grander scale compared with one proposed earlier — it will now have five domes and one tower, increasing the temple height by 20 feet to 161 feet.

The temple will be built in Nagara style, following the principles of Vastu Shastra. The temple design finalised in the 90s had visualised a double-storeyed structure with three ‘mandaps’ or domes and one ‘shikhar’ or tower.

According to architect Ashish Sompura, a son of project’s chief architect Chandrakantbhai Sompura, the original design had three ‘mandaps’ — the ‘garbh griha’ or the sanctum, and ‘kudu mandap’ and ‘nritya mandap’. But the new design has ‘rang mandap’ which will be towards the temple front, a ‘kirtan mandap’ and ‘prarthana mandaps’ on both sides as well.

Ashish said that since the height of the temple height and floors has been increased, the temple has to be extended on the sides to balance out the design aesthetically.

The columns, which in the original design were 212, have now been increased to 360.

“In the older times, ‘nritya’ and ‘rang mandaps’ were used for dance by ‘devdasis’ (temple dancers). But now the same space would be used by people to have ‘darshan’ of Lord Ram from three sides,” he explained.

Temple chief architect Chandrakant Bhai Sompura, whose grandfather Prabhakarji Sompura had designed the Somnath temple, said that the temple design is based on ‘Vastu Shastra’.

The 77-year-old said: “My grandfather had written several books on Vastu and for generations we have been using the art in our designs.”

“The Nagara style Ram Mandir is designed keeping the specifications of Shilpa Shastra in mind. All calculations are very particular. For instance, no dimension can be bigger than the sanctum and the direction of the same has to be as per Vastu specifications,” said Ashish. According to the architects, the temple construction will take around three-and-a-half years.

Almost 50 per cent of the work, based on the original design — 106 columns, walls of the sanctum and marble ‘chaukath’ — had been done. But since the design is now for a bigger temple, more stone carvings will have to be done.

Besides, four smaller temples will be built around the main structure. The temple trust plans to meet the construction cost through crowdfunding.

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Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston has revealed his recovery from mild symptoms of Covid-19, and said he donated his plasma with a hope that his antibodies would help others fight the disease. The “Breaking Bad” star opened up about his diagnosis via Instagram with a two-minute video, in which he takes his followers through the plasma donation process, reports variety.com.

“I wanted to announce that I had COVID-19 a little while ago. Very lucky, very mild symptoms,” Cranston said, adding: “So I thought maybe there’s something I can do, so I started a program (at UCLA Blood and Platelet Center) so hopefully the plasma donation can help some other people.”

Along with the video, he wrote: “Hi. About now you’re probably feeling a little tied down, restricting your mobility and like me, you’re tired of this!! Well, I just want to encourage you to have a little more patience. I was pretty strict in adhering to the protocols and still… I contracted the virus. Yep. it sounds daunting now that over 150,000 Americans are dead because of it. I was one of the lucky ones. Mild symptoms. I count my blessings and urge you to keep wearing the damn mask, keep washing your hands, and stay socially distant. We can prevail – but ONLY if we follow the rules together. Be well – Stay well.”

Cranston was able to donate 840 millilitres of plasma to coronavirus research, and said that he plans to return soon to make another donation. The actor encouraged his followers to donate plasma if they have had Covid-19, saying that the process takes only an hour.

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Fresh from two dominant triumphs, Lewis Hamilton will seek to complete an early-season hat-trick and extend his home wins record to seven without his usual impassioned supporters in “super weird” circumstances at this weekend’s British Grand Prix. The six-time world champion and current standings leader has always drawn energy from the big crowds that support him at Silverstone, but this year’s event will be run behind closed doors in front of empty grandstands. “The British Grand Prix is the best and that’s particularly because of the fans — thousands and thousands always turn up to create a great spectacle,” said the Briton. “So, it is going to be super weird to be there without them.”

For Hamilton, that means no crowd-surfing celebrations and keeping his feet on the ground as he bids to add to his wins at the Styrian and Hungarian Grands Prix as the coronavirus-delayed 2020 season returns. This Sunday’s race will be the 71st British Grand Prix and 54th at Silverstone and is followed one week later by a race at the same venue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the inaugural world championship event in 1950. After his recent victories, and given his great record at Silverstone, Hamilton will start as favourite, but can expect a strong challenge from his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who won the season-opener in Austria.

Already the two ‘black Arrows’ drivers have demonstrated the clear supremacy of their unbeaten W11 cars, dubbed “the fastest F1 cars ever” by team chief Toto Wolff this week. He said: “We will miss our fans at Silverstone — but we know that they will be rooting for us from home so we are determined to show our gratitude by putting on a great show. “These are the fastest F1 cars ever built. They have broken the track records at both Spielberg and Budapest and it will be thrilling to see them on the iconic Silverstone circuit.”

Reliability ‘crucial’

The high-speed track’s demanding and fast corners are expected to suit the Mercedes cars, but Wolff said he is taking nothing for granted. “We’ve had a good start to the season,” he said. “We resolved the issues that troubled us on the first weekend, won three out of three races and scored a good amount of points, but they highlighted a crucial factor — the importance of reliability in this shortened season. “We’re one of only two teams that have finished all the races with both cars this year and we know how quickly a DNF (did not finish) can make a points lead disappear.”

Arriving at Silverstone, Hamilton leads Bottas by five points with Max Verstappen of Red Bull third, 30 points adrift, but hoping to close the gap. The Racing Point team’s base is only a few hundred metres from the circuit entrance and, after demonstrating their speed and potential in Austria and Hungary, they hope to be in a scrap with Red Bull to secure a podium finish before Renault lodge another expected protest at the integrity of their ‘pink Mercedes’ car.

Ferrari, the only team to have interrupted Mercedes’ supremacy at Silverstone in recent years, when Sebastian Vettel triumphed in 2018, are likely to continue their struggle for competitive form after a lacklustre start to 2020. Vettel, in his final season at Ferrari, has this year emerged as a close supporter of Hamilton in backing the sport’s anti-racism stance and the wider Black Lives Matter movement, which has not seen clear and unambiguous backing from the drivers. Hamilton called for more unity and leadership on the issue following a confused and muddled pre-race ‘taking the knee’ ceremony in Hungary. McLaren’s Lando Norris, 20, said this week that the drivers would react and he expected to see “a better structure and a better plan in place” than at previous weekends. The Briton suggested that Formula One management would be allocating proper time for a ceremony prior to the national anthem.

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