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Maldives names Katrina Kaif as global tourism ambassador ahead of PM Modi's visit

Maldives names Katrina Kaif as global tourism ambassador ahead of PM Modi's visit

India Today3 days ago

Actor Katrina Kaif was named the global tourism ambassador for the Maldives, as per an announcement made on Tuesday on social media. The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) announced that they were delighted to have Kaif, a prominent face in the Indian film industry, as the Global Brand Ambassador for the Maldives.The collaboration came amid a major turnaround in ties since January 2024, when India-Maldives relations turned sour. Kaif's appointment has been announced right on the heels of Visit Maldives' special Summer Sale Campaign, designed to entice more travellers to discover the natural beauty, vibrant marine life, and exclusive luxurious experiences that the Maldives offers.
advertisementMeanwhile, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is set to visit the country next month.
Kaif, in an official statement, acknowledged her appointment as the global brand ambassador, and maintained that she is excited to represent the luxury and beauty that the Maldives has to offer. Speaking about her new role as the Sunny Side of Life's Global Brand Ambassador, the actor said, "The Maldives represents the pinnacle of luxury and natural beauty — a place where elegance meets tranquillity. I'm honoured to be chosen as the face of the Sunny Side of Life. This collaboration is about bringing the finest travel experiences to global audiences, and I am excited to help people around the world discover the unique charm and world-class offerings of this extraordinary destination."Kaif is one of the most popular faces in India for brand representation. She is also the face for her own makeup line, called 'Kay by Katrina'. Must Watch
IN THIS STORY#Katrina Kaif

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Drawing Room: Hemant Gavankar on Gieve Patel's Peacock at Nariman Point
Drawing Room: Hemant Gavankar on Gieve Patel's Peacock at Nariman Point

Hindustan Times

time22 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Drawing Room: Hemant Gavankar on Gieve Patel's Peacock at Nariman Point

Most art students face a dilemma at some point in the course of their studies. They are confronted with questions about the very nature of art and creativity, and finding one's artistic voice. When I went through this phase, I sought out the works of some of India's greatest artists. In that process, I discovered Gieve Patel. Patel, who passed away at 83 in 2023, was the kind of artist who over the decades, seamlessly switched from painting to poetry, from sculpture to theatre. He was, until he retired in 2005, also a practising doctor. While realistic urban landscapes and human figures formed the subjects of his earlier works, the abstract and symbolic took over much of his later ones. My favourite work by him is Peacock at Nariman Point, made in 1999. It depicts a man, standing before the south Mumbai skyline, with the sea and distant skyscrapers forming the backdrop. Yet the scene is far from normal. The man is holding a peacock. The painting was inspired by Hoshi Jal's black-and-white photograph published in a newspaper at the time. Despite the change of medium, Patel's version captures the analogue quality of '90s print photography. It highlights the frozen quality of that never-before, never-again moment. The painting is straightforward: Bright and complementary colours, clear visuals. The title is simple too – there's no play on words. But it calls attention to the moment itself – our beautiful, dramatic national bird right in the middle of the biggest office district in the big city. It is Patel's statement about Mumbai's incredible growth after India's economic liberalisation. At a presentation in Chandigarh's Lalit Kala Akademi in 2016, Patel shared that he felt the need to memorialise the peacock's journey, as it would never return to this space. To many who view it, the work also marks a specific point in Indian art – the end of 20th century, with its tremendous cultural, political and social changes. Even the peacock echoes a connection to how frequently the bird recurs as a motif in Indian miniature paintings, as decoration or as a symbol of opulence and power. Patel was slyly clever at what he did. He was unafraid of infusing his works with vivid colours and bold strokes. Even the abstracts display intricate detailing. The human figures he drew benefitted from his medical knowledge of the human anatomy. He also often challenged the perceived placement of the viewer in his works. Whether it was his series of deserted railway stations or his series of wells reflecting the beauty of nature, it still makes us wonder where we are. Are we waiting for a train or are we just arriving at our destination? Are we looking into the well from above or are we inside it, admiring the sky? And with the peacock, what's really on display? I'm intrigued by this sense of ambiguity. ARTIST BIO: Hemant Gavankar's mixed-media paintings and video art explore how gentrification and social change have transformed Mumbai. His work focusses on the simultaneous shifts in physical spaces and inner emotions over time. From HT Brunch, June 14, 2025 Follow us on

Age of the lesbian cop
Age of the lesbian cop

The Hindu

time28 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Age of the lesbian cop

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Israel attacks Iran: Air India issues travel advisory, multiple flights diverted
Israel attacks Iran: Air India issues travel advisory, multiple flights diverted

Time of India

time32 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Israel attacks Iran: Air India issues travel advisory, multiple flights diverted

Air India image for representation. NEW DELHI: Owing to the emergency situation in Iran on Friday, several international flights of Air India were diverted as the airline issued a travel advisory. The flights included those to and from the US, the UK and Canada which were either being diverted or returning to their origin. The advisory came after Israel struck several areas in Iran including capital Tehran, which were followed by uncertainties over the airspace in the region. Air India posted on X, "Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin: AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna AI102 – New York-Delhi – Diverted to Sharjah AI116 – New York-Mumbai – Diverted to Jeddah AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Mumbai AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow – Returning to Mumbai AI119 – Mumbai-New York – Returning to Mumbai AI103 – Delhi-Washington – Returning to Delhi AI106 – Newark-Delhi – Returning to Delhi AI188 – Vancouver-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah AI101 – Delhi-New York – Diverting to Frankfurt/Milan AI126 – Chicago-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah AI132 – London Heathrow-Bengaluru – Diverted to Sharjah AI2016 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna AI104 – Washington-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna AI190 – Toronto-Delhi – Diverted to Frankfurt AI189 – Delhi-Toronto – Returning to Delhi We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimize it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations. We advise all our passengers to check their flight status here ," said Air India in a statement. Earlier, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) issued an advisory to passengers travelling to Iran and Iraq, asking them to check with the airlines they were flying with, to find out the latest schedules and updates. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has also issued an advisory to Indian nationals currently in Israel, urging them to stay vigilant, avoid non-essential movement, and follow local safety instructions.

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