From a lifelong dog lover to a trainer
Sowbhagya Venkitesh, dancer, social media influencer, vlogger, and daughter of artist Thara Kalyan, who runs the Thara Kalyan Dance Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, lives in such a home. For any pet lover, her house is nothing short of a paradise.
A lifelong dog lover, Sowbhagya traces her love for dogs back to her childhood. 'I used to watch a lot of Japanese anime,' she recalls.
''Heidi', 'Girl of the Alps' was my favourite. The girl in that show lived with her grandparents, and so did I, since my parents were working. So I connect with the movie so much. She had a St. Bernard called Josef, and ever since then, I wanted a dog like that,' Soubhagya says. However, her parents made her wait until she was old enough to care for one.
'In Plus Two, they finally got me a dog. I wanted a big breed like a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler, but my mom said no and brought home a pug instead. And that pug became my first pet.'
Today, her home includes six dogs — a Dogo Argentino, two Cane Corsos, a Golden Retriever, a Shih Tzu, an Indie dog, and that same first pug, now 17 years old. But it was only after marrying Arjun Somasekhar, a dancer, actor, and an even bigger animal lover, that her connection with other animals began to grow.
'I can't explain the bond I have with them. It's a kind of mad love. People often ask me why I get so upset when something happens to one of them. For us, they are everything. We plan our vacations, our house choices, even our daily routines around them. They are part of every decision,' Sowbhagya explains.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
39 minutes ago
- NDTV
Manisha Koirala's Culinary Adventure In UK Featured Flavours From All Over The World
Manisha Koirala recently wandered through the vibrant streets of London. What she garnered was a melange of flavours blending cultural delights from across the world. On Instagram, the Bollywood actress has now offered a delectable insight into her culinary adventures with a series of pictures. The carousel began with Manisha sipping from an iced watermelon mojito beautifully garnished with mint leaves. She captioned her post as "And the food!!! Easily one of the absolute highlights of this trip. I found myself appreciating fusion Indian cuisine more than ever before, and what a delicious surprise that was!" In the following photos, the Dil Se actress was seen posing at various eateries of the country, and also shared mouth-watering photos of the food she enjoyed there. In the caption, she continued, "From the bold, fiery flavours at Fatt Pundit, to the inventive dishes at The Cinnamon Collection, thanks to chef Santosh Shah, we went there and were delighted!!!, to Dr Amir Khan's unforgettable home-cooked spicy fish curry-each meal was a total win!" Manisha added, "Dishoom stole my heart with its nostalgic charm- so reminiscent of a Mumbai local café, especially with that comforting bun maska. The breakfast spread at St. James' Court, A Taj Hotel, was, as always, fabulous and indulgent. The Nepali feast at the Nepali Embassy was packed with flavour and warmth-truly felt like a taste of home." The Bombay actress was also seen posing with the eminent chefs and other staff of those eateries, and the pictures radiated their pure happiness. She further shared, "The Japanese gems blew me away- ROKA London served up some of the most incredible modern flavours, and Kai Mayfair was elegant, refined, and just delicious. And what's a trip to the UK without some proper fish and chips at a cosy local pub? Crispy, golden, and absolutely satisfying-British comfort food at its best." The carousel ended with a video of the actress all set to dive into a hot chocolate brownie ice cream. She was seen seated inside the food joint, where someone opposite her recorded the moment as the waiter poured hot chocolate syrup over the ice cream and brownie. The actress even flaunted her huge smile at the end. "And of course, the glam side of London didn't hold back- Broadwick Soho was all style and sparkle, and at The Dorchester, I had the surreal pleasure of sitting just beneath the portrait of the ever-glamorous Elizabeth Taylor. Pure old-school Hollywood magic in the heart of London," she concluded. Check out her post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manisha Koirala (@m_koirala) This is not the first time that the actress has made her social media community a part of her culinary journey. A week back, she dropped a couple of moments of her enjoying a delicious caramel-flavoured slice of cake, alongside a warm cup of tea. Click here to read the full story.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
41 minutes ago
- First Post
Why is an anime pirate flag causing uproar ahead of Indonesia's independence day?
As Indonesia prepares to mark 80 years of independence, a viral anime pirate flag from One Piece is being seen by some as a symbol of protest and by others as a threat to unity. The 'Jolly Roger' flag is flying in streets and online spaces alike — prompting political crackdowns read more Since premiering in 1999, One Piece has grown into a worldwide sensation, boasting more than 1,000 episodes, over 500 million manga volumes sold, and distribution across more than 80 countries. Representational Image A fictional pirate flag from the widely popular Japanese anime One Piece — known as the Jolly Roger — has gained prominence in various regions of Indonesia ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day. In the lead-up to the milestone, the country's cities, towns, and rural communities are typically adorned with the national red-and-white flag, hoisted with pride on homes, public buildings, and commercial spaces. However, in recent weeks, a different flag has made an appearance in several neighbourhoods and social media platforms: a black banner marked by a skull wearing a straw hat — the flag of the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece, one of the world's most-watched anime franchises. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The flag is well-known to fans of the anime and manga series as a symbol carried by the fictional crew led by protagonist Monkey D Luffy. In the story, this emblem signifies resistance to oppression, pursuit of freedom, and loyalty among outcasts who defy unjust authority. How the One Piece flag protests spread The spread of the pirate-themed flag appears to have been amplified through social media, where photos and videos of it flying from balconies, motorbikes, and flagpoles began circulating widely in July. In some instances, the flag was even placed beside or near the Indonesian national flag — a move that stirred emotional and political reactions from various quarters. Fenomena benderang one piece berkibar mendampingi bendera merah putih di perayaan kemerdekaan tahun ini Apakah ini berupa lambang pengharapan rakyat akan munculnya seorang sensei di dunia nyata, yg akan merubah Indonesia menjadi lebih baik — Never (@neVerAl0nely__) July 27, 2025 Online, many users expressed frustration with the current state of governance and used the flag to articulate that dissatisfaction in symbolic terms. One widely shared post declared, 'The red-and-white flag is too sacred for us to raise right now, at a time when many people are still colonised by those in power.' People in Indonesia 🇮🇩 are waving the Strawhat flag to protest against the govt. One Piece is fueling revolutions worldwide, and Luffy's spirit is inspiring people to rise up and fight for freedom. — ⎈ 𝙽𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚛 𝙳𝚊𝚊𝚔 ☠︎︎ (@NishirDaak) August 2, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another stated the One Piece flag represents 'the spirit of resistance against injustice' that continues to persist in the country. The sentiment behind these posts was echoed by thousands online, some of whom went further by modifying official Independence Day emblems to incorporate the straw-hatted skull motif. A bandeira dos Piratas do Chapéu de Palha de ONE PIECE presente em diversos lugares da Indonésia como símbolo de protesto contra o atual governo do País. O governo indonésio considera este movimento como um ato de rebelião. — Otakus Brasil 🍥 (@_OtakusBR) August 2, 2025 These acts of symbolic reappropriation have not gone unnoticed by authorities, many of whom have characterised the trend as disrespectful and potentially divisive. How the Indonesian govt has reacted Several lawmakers and ministers have openly criticised the phenomenon, warning that it could erode national unity during one of the most important civic celebrations on the calendar. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a senior figure in the Gerindra Party, described the trend as being potentially orchestrated and warned of deliberate efforts to destabilise the nation. He asserted that the hoisting of the One Piece flag did not appear to be coincidental and may be linked to a larger agenda. 'It could be used to sow division in the unity and integrity of the nation,' he told local media. Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Budi Gunawan also weighed in, warning citizens against displaying the anime flag during Independence Day events. Citing Law No. 24/2009 on national symbols, he said such acts could fall within the bounds of criminal activity if perceived as disrespecting or insulting the national flag. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Those flying the One Piece flag on August 17 could face criminal consequences,' he cautioned, referring to the legal framework that penalises any action that undermines the sanctity of the national emblem. Natalius Pigai, the minister for Human Rights, reiterated the state's position, saying the government was within its rights to restrict the flag if it was seen as conflicting with the constitutional spirit of unity. 'I hope that the people understand that this prohibition is for the sake of national unity and integrity during a historical moment, such as the Independence Day commemoration,' he said. How police in Indonesia are tackling the trend Several regional police departments have initiated surveillance efforts and issued statements calling for restraint. In Central Jakarta, police have begun actively monitoring public spaces for the appearance of any non-national flags or symbols that could undermine patriotic sentiment during August. 'We're monitoring the use of non-national flags and symbols that don't align with the spirit of nationalism, including pirate or fictional-themed flags,' said Ruslan Basuki, spokesman for the Central Jakarta Police told local media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that the police were employing a persuasive and educational strategy and that no arrests or legal actions had been taken so far. 'We haven't found any criminal violations. But anyone flying non-national flags will be advised to act wisely and show respect for national symbols,' he explained. In the province of Banten, Deputy Police Chief Hengki issued a more stern warning, cautioning that flying the One Piece flag in close proximity to the national flag could be interpreted as disrespectful. 'We'll take firm action if we find any violations,' he stated. On the island of Belitung, the local National Unity and Politics Agency took steps to discourage the display of the pirate flag. 'We're asking people not to raise the One Piece flag, especially as we celebrate the Republic's 80th anniversary,' said Fedy Malonda, head of the agency. 'It just doesn't fit with our national symbols.' Meanwhile, in Bali, authorities offered a more relaxed perspective. Bali Police spokesperson Ariasandy noted that the flag's use did not, by itself, constitute a violation of any national law. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'As long as it doesn't violate any established national regulations, it's not an issue,' he said. Nonetheless, he encouraged citizens to focus on the red-and-white flag, adding, 'Let's proudly raise our national flag as a sign of gratitude and respect for our independence heroes.' Why Indonesia is protesting In a widely shared article on Medium, writer Farhan Rizqullah contextualised the movement as a response to what many citizens perceive as performative nationalism. He noted that President Prabowo Subianto's recent call for citizens to display the national flag throughout August was met with scepticism by those who feel disconnected from the government's promises. 'They saw it as a demand for performative patriotism from a government whose policies they felt were failing the people, especially the lower classes,' Rizqullah wrote. 'So, they responded with a symbol of their own.' Although many officials have condemned the flag's use, not all voices within the government are calling for suppression. Some politicians and observers view the movement as an opportunity to reflect on the state of civic engagement and freedom of expression in Indonesia. Deddy Yevri Sitorus, a Member of Parliament from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, said the act of flying the anime flag could be viewed as a form of nonviolent political criticism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It should be seen as a public expression of criticism, which is part of a democratic society,' he stated. 'This kind of symbolic action is better than street protests that could turn violent.' Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto echoed this line of thought. 'In my view, such a form of expression is a natural phenomenon in a democracy, as long as it does not contradict the constitution,' he told the Antara news agency, while reaffirming that the red-and-white flag must remain the dominant national symbol. From a legal standpoint, there is no explicit prohibition in Indonesia against displaying cultural or fictional flags on private property. According to official protocols, the red-and-white national flag must always be placed in the position of honour if displayed alongside any other flags. However, no laws outright ban non-national symbols unless they are used in ways deemed disrespectful or seditious. With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Business Standard
Here's why a Manga prediction crashed Japan's tourist numbers in June
Visitor interest in Japan saw a downturn in June, following widespread speculation linked to a prophecy in a Japanese manga predicting a 'disaster' in July 2025. The forecast originated in a 2021 reprint of the manga 'Watashi ga Mita Mirai, Kanzenban', which translates to 'The Future That I Saw, Complete Edition' by artist Ryo Tatsuki. The manga's original 1999 edition featured a reference to a 'disaster in March 2011'. In March 2011, Japan experienced the catastrophic Great Tohoku Earthquake, its most powerful recorded quake, which resulted in nearly 20,000 deaths and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis. The Amazon listing for the manga's reprint, as translated by Google, claimed the author had 'new prophetic dreams' and warned that the 'real disaster will come in July 2025". Prophecy widely circulated across TV networks, influencers CN Yuen, managing director of Hong Kong-based travel agency WWPKG, was quoted as saying by CNBC that the rumour gained major traction in Hong Kong, spreading rapidly across mainstream media, television networks, and YouTube influencers. As a result, tourist arrivals from Hong Kong to Japan fell by 33.4 per cent year-on-year in June, following an 11.2 per cent decline in May, according to data from Japan's National Tourism Organisation. Yuen stated that his agency observed a 50 per cent drop in bookings and enquiries for travel to Japan during April and May compared to the previous year. Broader slowdown across Asia Tourist inflows from other Asian countries also slowed. Visitor numbers from South Korea reportedly rose just 3.8 per cent in June, a fall from May's 11.8 per cent growth. Similarly, arrivals from Taiwan slumped from a 15.5 per cent increase in May to only 1.8 per cent in June. From January to May 2025, overseas arrivals to Japan reportedly rose by an average of 24 per cent year-on-year. However, June saw only a 7.6 per cent increase, signalling a marked slowdown. 'This time, it's different' Yuen noted that travel downturns after natural disasters are common, which usually end after the incident is over. Yuen said that this time was different, as nothing had actually happened and it was merely a rumour or prophecy. Earlier in July, media outlets in both Hong Kong and Japan reported that airlines had reduced flights between Hong Kong and certain Japanese cities, including Nagoya. Zilmiyah Kamble, a senior lecturer in hospitality and tourism management at James Cook University, told CNBC the cultural authority of manga, coupled with memories of past disasters and Japan's real seismic vulnerability, meant such warnings resonated deeply in the region. In this case, she said a fictional narrative amplified by social media could have provided a compelling—though scientifically unfounded—reason for people to postpone their travel plans.
