Latest news with #Agastya
Hans India
2 days ago
- General
- Hans India
How curiosity and creativity are transforming rural education in India
For Adhirath Sethi—author, entrepreneur, and trustee of the Agastya International Foundation—the journey of capturing Agastya's evolution into a movement of transformation was deeply personal. His book, 'The Moving of Mountains', is not just a commemoration of Agastya's 20-year journey; it is a compelling narrative of how access to curiosity and creativity can uplift entire communities. 'Access to science and creativity,' says Sethi, 'is not just about conducting experiments—it's about unlocking identity.' In rural India, where under-resourced schools often limit learning to rote memorisation, the idea of hands-on science can be alien to most children. 'When a mobile science lab rolls into a village, it's not just delivering lessons—it's delivering permission to imagine,' he reflects. 'It tells a child, 'You are allowed to ask questions, to think differently, to dream.' That's a powerful shift.' Agastya's approach begins with sparking curiosity but goes far beyond. Its educational model places equal emphasis on caring and confidence. 'What we realised,' says Sethi, 'is that children didn't just need tools to learn—they needed someone to believe in their ability to think. Curiosity leads to confidence, and confidence leads to action.' This model has proven especially powerful for girls. Over 424,000 of them have directly benefited from Agastya's programs, learning to code, innovate, and lead. But as Sethi explains, the path isn't easy. 'Systemic barriers like early marriage, limited mobility, and gender stereotypes often restrict a girl's potential before she even has a chance to explore it,' he says. 'Agastya flips that script by creating opportunities for girls to lead—especially through initiatives like the Young Instructor Leader (YIL) program.' In this program, girls are trained to teach others, instantly shifting them from learners to leaders. 'That transition—from being told what to do, to being looked up to—is profound,' Sethi says. 'It transforms not just the individual girl but also how her family and community perceive her.' One powerful story from 'The Moving of Mountains' features a young girl whose family was on the verge of selling their only cow after her father lost his job. Drawing on the problem-solving mindset she had gained through Agastya, she convinced her family to hold on. Shortly after, the cow gave birth to three calves. The resulting income helped stabilise the household, and the girl went on to pursue engineering. 'That wasn't just book learning,' says Sethi. 'It was applied intelligence, grounded empathy, and belief in one's ability to navigate crisis. Stories like this are what make Agastya's model so impactful.' For Sethi, 'The Moving of Mountains' is also a 'blueprint for change'—a phrase he uses intentionally. 'If we want to lift communities out of poverty, we have to stop seeing creativity as a luxury,' he asserts. 'It's foundational. Policymakers and educators must realise that mindset matters more than materials.' He draws an analogy from cricket. 'India has always had talent, but in the past, we judged players purely by statistics like batting averages. That didn't always produce match-winners. As we began to evaluate players more holistically, we saw real champions emerge.' Likewise, Sethi argues, education systems focused solely on marks fail to recognise children's real-world potential. 'Agastya shows us that when you look beyond the surface—beyond grades—you uncover hidden strengths. That's how you nurture children who become match-winners in life.' Sethi's deep-dive into the workings of Agastya involved conversations with everyone—from grassroots educators to senior leadership. What stood out, he says, was the organisation's soul. 'Despite having impacted over 25 million children, Agastya carries no air of self-congratulation,' he observes. 'There is a pervasive humility—an ethos of learning, not arrival.' He shares a memory of a mobile lab instructor who, even after years of service, confessed to feeling nervous before every session. 'He said he wanted to give his best to the children, every single time. That kind of quiet, unmeasured integrity—that's the heartbeat of Agastya.' Writing 'The Moving of Mountains' changed Sethi's own perspective on education and poverty. 'I used to think education was about information delivery,' he admits. 'But I've come to realise it's really about identity formation. The essential question isn't, 'What did the child learn?'—it's, 'What did the child come to believe about themselves after learning?'' He adds, 'Poverty is not just a lack of resources. It's a lack of opportunity to think freely, to ask 'why,' to express curiosity without fear. Agastya creates that opportunity. And that, to me, is where meaningful change begins.' Ultimately, 'The Moving of Mountains' is not merely a tribute to a successful NGO. It's a resonant call to educators, innovators, and changemakers across India. As Sethi writes, transformation doesn't come through grand reforms alone—it comes from one curious child, in one remote village, daring to think beyond their circumstances.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Suhana Khan's Shout Out To Rumoured Boyfriend Agastya Nanda's Ikkis Teaser
New Delhi: Agastya Nanda is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, Ikkis. The movie, directed by Sriram Raghavan, features a stellar cast including Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles. On Saturday, the makers released the teaser for Ikkis, which received a loud shout-out from Agastya's rumoured girlfriend Suhana Khan. The actress shared the teaser on her Instagram Stories. She dropped an angel and heart emojis in the caption. Take a look: The teaser for Ikkis opens with a letter sent to Arun Khetarpal's father during the Battle of Basantar in 1971, informing him that his son had died in action on December 16. The next scene shows black silhouettes engaged in battle, followed by brief glimpses of Arun bravely fighting the enemy on the battlefield. Watch the full teaser here: Set during the pivotal 1971 Indo-Pak war, Ikkis chronicles the bravery and sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The film is set to release on October 2, 2025. Coming back to Agastya Nanda and Suhana Khan, the two have been at the centre of dating rumours for quite some time now. Back in March, the rumoured couple was spotted together in Mumbai. They were accompanied by Agastya's mother, Shweta Bachchan. In a video that surfaced online, the trio are seen stepping out of a restaurant after dinner. While Agastya and his mother walked ahead, Suhana followed a few steps behind. For the evening, Suhana wore a chic satin dress with a soft pastel watercolour print. Agastya, on the other hand, looked dapper in a beige jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans. Shweta Bachchan exuded elegance in a double-breasted blazer over a white top. Read the full story here. Agastya Nanda and Suhana Khan made their acting debut together in The Archies. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film premiered on Netflix in 2023.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Teaser of Agastya Nanda starrer 'Ikkis' drops; Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, Navya Nanda and others shower love
Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda, who made his debut with The Archies, is all set to act in 'Ikkis', a war drama, helmed by the renowned director, Sriram Raghavan. The movie producers formally revealed the film's release date — 2nd October, 2025, which is coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. In addition to this, a strong and captivating motion poster was also released, which shared a glimpse of the film's striking settings, with the viewers. As the teaser dropped on the internet, social media was a buzz with support and love for the young actor. Many of the celebrities wished Agastya good luck on his upcoming movie. Agastya's family and friends cheer for him Suhana Khan who is rumoured to be dating Agastya, took to Instagram to share the teaser and dropped a heart and angel emoji along with it, showing her pride and happiness, while wishing and supporting the young actor. Ananya Pandey, their close friend also pitched in to show her support and excitement. She shared the same poster on her Instagram story with a small, simple yet heartfelt caption, 'Aggy<3' Navya Nanda, Agastya's sister reposted the poster with a patriotic and heartfelt caption. She wrote, '21 years old. One destiny. A nation behind him. Jai Hind.' Abhishek Bachchan also took to social media to share his excitement and support for his nephew. Sharing the teaser of the film, he wrote, 'All the best @ Can't wait.' Film critic, Taran Adarsh also went on social media to share key details about the much-awaited film. About the film Set against the backdrop of 1971 India-Pakistan war, Ikkis follows the real life story of the brave Second Lieutenant, Arun Khetrapal. Arun was the youngest recipient of the esteemed Param Vir Chakra, who laid down his life for his country on the battlefield. Speaking to PTI, Raghavan shared that the film will stay true to reality and won't dramatise Khetarpal's story in a superhero-like way. 'It's not a comic-book hero version," he said. The film skips over his early years and focuses on his time as a young soldier who gave his life for the country just after turning 21. With internet buzz growing and close friends and family rallying behind him, Agastya Nanda is all set to step into the glamorous world of Bollywood with his much anticipated movie, Ikkis. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rajesh Khanna's granddaughter Naomika Saran and Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda again spotted at Maddock Films, netizens say, 'Hath me new movie ki script hai'
Naomika Saran , late superstar Rajesh Khanna 's granddaughter, daughter of former actor Rinke Khanna and niece to Twinkle Khanna, is grabbing headlines amid growing speculation about her Bollywood debut. The young starlet, who has impressed everyone with her striking resemblance to both her iconic grandfather and aunt, has been turning heads at public events and now, her appearances with Agastya Nanda , Amitabh Bachchan 's grandson, have added fuel to the fire. Are Naomika Saran and Agastya Nanda the next on-screen pair? Last week, Naomika was clicked leaving Maddock Films ' office. Interestingly, Agastya was also seen walking out of the same building shortly after her. While Naomika ran back in to dodge the cameras then, she seemed much more relaxed today, smiling and waving at the paparazzi as she exited the office in a pink tank top and denim jeans. Agastya followed soon after, casually dressed and sporting a cap. Reports suggest that Naomika and Agastya are set to debut opposite each other in a romantic comedy produced by Dinesh Vijan . The film is reportedly in its early stages, and Naomika was even seen holding what fans speculate was a script folder during her recent visit to the studio. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pudsey: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo Netizens can't get enough of the Gen-Z star kids Fans flooded social media with reactions to their joint appearance. One user joked, 'Wah! Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan ke nattin or nati 😂,' while another commented on the folder in Naomika's hand, 'Hath me new movie ki script hai 😂.' Several praised Naomika's beauty, calling her 'so beautiful and adorable' and even 'No 1.' Agastya also drew attention for his resemblance to his uncle Abhishek Bachchan, with users noting, 'He gives Abhishek Bachan looks.' Akshay Kumar, Naomika Saran Spotted Out Agastya made his debut last year with Zoya Akhtar's The Archies and is now preparing for Ikkis, a war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan. The film, based on Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetarpal, stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Dharmendra, and Sikandar Kher. Interestingly, Akshay Kumar's niece Simar Bhatia, daughter of his sister Alka Bhatia, is also said to feature in the project. With iconic film legacies behind them and youthful energy on their side, Naomika Saran and Agastya Nanda could very well be Bollywood's next big pairing. All eyes are now on the production house to make the official announcement.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Natasa Stankovic's facts vs opinions game with son Agastya goes viral
Over the years, has shown immense love and care as a mother to her son Agastya. Recently, she posted a delightful video on where she playfully educates Agastya about the difference between facts and opinions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Through this lighthearted moment, Natasa is clearly committed to teaching her child important lessons from an early age. Teaching Facts vs Opinions Through Play The video opens with Natasa asking Agastya whether the statement about her having longer hair is a fact or an opinion. Agastya quickly answers that it is a fact. She then follows up with, 'My hair is better than yours, Is it a fact or opinion?" to which Agastya correctly replies, 'Opinion." This engaging exchange continues as Natasa uses everyday examples, like someone's opinion about his T-shirt, to test her son's understanding. Agastya easily grasps the concepts and responds accurately throughout. Natasa's Thoughtful Caption In the caption, he wrote, 'Yesterday we had a little chat about fact vs. opinion and how not to get caught up in what others say — especially if it's not so kind. At the end of the day, it's our own opinion of ourselves that really matters." Heartwarming Mother's Day Surprise Stankovic recently delighted fans by sharing a heartwarming Mother's Day moment with her son, Agastya. In the video, the little boy quietly walks into the room where Natasa is resting, holding a bouquet of paper roses and some lights. He carefully gives her the gift and wishes her a 'Happy Mother's Day.' The touching clip ends with Natasa showering Agastya with kisses and warm embraces. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the caption, she wrote, 'My heart must have done something right to be blessed with you. Forever grateful for the gift of motherhood and for you, my sweetest boy." Co-Parenting After Separation Natasa Stankovic and got married in 2020 but separated after four years in July 2024. Despite their split, they remain committed to co-parenting their son together.
