Latest news with #Bahá'í
Hans India
4 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
IHRO President Nem Singh Premi Receives Royal Maharlika Award in the USA
Dr Nem Singh Premi, President of the International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO), was presented with the Royal Maharlika Award at a ceremony held in Las Vegas, USA. The award was given in recognition of his contributions to the field of human rights at the global ceremony took place during the 7th WCH Royal Summit, held on May 27, 2025, at the Nevada Ballroom, Gold Coast Hotel. Dr Premi also delivered a keynote address during the event. In addition to receiving the award, he was formally knighted for his work in humanitarian headquartered in New Delhi, has operations in more than 50 countries. According to the organisation, Dr Premi has been involved in various missions, including efforts to secure the release of 17 Indians facing the death penalty in Sharjah and the repatriation of 400 bonded labourers from Libya. He also raised concerns at the United Nations over the treatment of the Baháʼí community in Iran. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he facilitated the establishment of a 400-bed India, IHRO has carried out activities in states such as Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Royal Maharlika Awards are presented annually to individuals and groups working in the areas of peacebuilding, humanitarian service, and justice. The summit was convened by Princess Mariam Leonora Torres Mastura, President and Founder of We Care for Humanity (WCH), in collaboration with the Royal Maharlika, the Maguindanao Sultanate, and the Honorary Philippine Consulate in Las participants included G.K. Bansal, Secretary General of IHRO; Bella Aurea Belmonte; Indonesian Senator Maya Oliva Rumantir; the King and Queen of Uganda; and Kenyan Senator Karen Nyamu.
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Jordyn's journey to the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards in New Zealand
JORDYN Joy Pillay, a former South African teenager, achieved national recognition in New Zealand for her commitment to promoting better race relations. Pillay, 16, who lives in Ormiston Flat Bush in Auckland, claimed the title of national champion in the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards. 'This achievement has definitely exceeded many of the accolades I have received so far.' Jordyn, who is formerly from Phoenix in Durban, said the annual awards, which are held by the Race Unit organisation, was a nationwide speech competition. The organisation comprises New Zealand's police, Bahá'í community, Federation of Multicultural Councils and Ministry of Ethnic Communities. She said it was aimed at providing insight and impact on race relation matters across New Zealand, and to propose solutions or a vision for a world with increased cultural diversity. Jordyn, a Year 12 (Grade 11) pupil at Ormiston Senior College, said the awards provided a platform for the voices of the Youth of New Zealand to be heard. She said the regional level competition took place on March 20 during Race Relations Week in New Zealand. 'I was then selected for the national finals, which took place over two days - May 3 and 4. I competed against 21 other youth across New Zealand to advance to the national finals where six students made it through and from there I was crowned as the 2025 national champion.' She said the theme for 2025 was Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau - which is written in Maori - the native language of New Zealand and means The Great Ocean of Diversity. 'My speech involved the metaphor of 'I am the Ocean'. I portrayed humanity as the ocean because sometimes we can be so welcoming and calm, but at other times we could just 'drown others' out in hatred. This is the true state of racism in humanity, always contradicting and changing. 'In my speech, I spoke about tangible effective ways to help see increased cultural diversity within our school and communities. I also shared personal experiences about how racism labelled me as incompatible, but we all have a voice and a story that deserves to be heard. 'The main message of my speech was simply to ask questions about the cultures around you. I proposed the thought, about what if every single one of us took a minimum of just 8 minutes to change a life and listen to someone's story, what a difference we would see,' she said. In addition, Jordyn also received the Tohu Whetumatarau - the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. 'This is an award for the speaker that proposes a solution and vision for what the world would look like with increased cultural diversity. I received the award for the vision as my suggestions were tangible and would be easy to enforce and implement.' Jordyn added that the competition had taught her that through hard work and perseverance, God rewarded you. 'For me personally, this deepened my faith in God as it was only because of him and in his strength that I was able to achieve this. It taught me that I am stronger than I think and that every voice, no matter how small, has the power to create change.' She said while she had many dreams and aspirations, her main focus was to help create a real difference in her community. 'My next steps include working with organisations such as Race Unity and the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, by volunteering and contributing my service to make a change.' She added that she also intended on studying law and journalism. 'I want to form a career doing what I am passionate about, which is speaking and presenting, as well as contributing to make a change in the law field. I am being led wherever God wants to take me, so I am just following his lead. 'I also plan on starting my own organisation called #ItStartsWithMe, because the only way we will see improvement and change, is if we take the first step. The organisation will be a platform where we become the change we want to see in the world by taking the first step to creating a world that is more diverse." Jordyn added that racism and race relations were major issues. 'However, in order for it to change we don't need some huge revolutionary act. We just need little changes that will last life long. In my speech, I mentioned, '1 action, 1 move of acceptance, 1 simple gesture, 1 reaction of kindness; this is the action we need to take to see the change. 'The simple task of taking some time out of your day to just ask someone about their culture, we will be able to learn more together. This will ideally shape the way the upcoming generation thinks too. If we continuously stick to a mindset that says racism will never change, and there's nothing I can do about it, then others will do that too. But if we as individuals, challenge ourselves and take the first step, we will influence others to do the same." Vaneshree Pillay, her mother, said she and her husband, Pregasen, were overwhelmed by the opportunity given to their daughter. 'Jordyn has put her entire self into this competition. It was an exhilarating experience from day one as every child that participated was absolutely brilliant. We are proud of Jordyn and this achievement but we also remember that God has been in control of this situation. 'It was rather stressful for Jordyn and during this time, we were so grateful to my mum, Krishnee Nair, who was visiting us from South Africa. She was incredibly supportive and encouraged Jordyn that this competition was hers to win. She never doubted and true to her word, Jordyn received first place. We also encourage every young person out there, make your requests known to God, believe in yourself, be authentic and all will work out in God's divine time,' she said. THE POST
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation closing amid Blake Lively lawsuits
Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation has come to an end amid the actor-director's legal battle with Blake Lively, who has accused him of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign — all of which he adamantly denies. The charitable subset of Wayfarer Studios announced its decision to close in a statement on its website from billionaire co-founder Steve Sarowitz. Both he and the 'Jane the Virgin' alum adhere to the Bahá'í faith, a cornerstone of Wayfarer. Insiders told TMZ that the move comes as Baldoni and Sarowitz deal with the financial and emotional impact of the lawsuits both from and against Lively, who starred with Baldoni in last summer's hit film 'It Ends With Us.' In a statement on the foundation's site, Sarowitz shared that the board unanimously decided last Friday to start 'the process of sunsetting the Foundation.' The Paylocity co-founder clarified the foundation will 'honor all … current grant commitments' and that he himself maintains his personal commitment to 'making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work.' Wayfarer endeavored to promote economic prosperity, gender equality, racial justice, universal education and the arts, among other causes, according to its website. Lively first leveled her allegations against Baldoni in December, coinciding with a New York Times deep-dive into her claims of sexual harassment and a crisis PR campaign known as astroturfing. On New Year's Eve, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times. The following month, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, also accusing them of civil extortion. The case is scheduled to go to trial in New York next March.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation closing amid Blake Lively lawsuits
NEW YORK — Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Foundation has come to an end amid the actor-director's legal battle with Blake Lively, who has accused him of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign — all of which he adamantly denies. The charitable subset of Wayfarer Studios announced its decision to close in a statement on its website from billionaire co-founder Steve Sarowitz. Both he and the 'Jane the Virgin' alum adhere to the Bahá'í faith, a cornerstone of Wayfarer. Insiders told TMZ that the move comes as Baldoni and Sarowitz deal with the financial and emotional impact of the lawsuits both from and against Lively, who starred with Baldoni in last summer's hit film 'It Ends With Us.' In a statement on the foundation's site, Sarowitz shared that the board unanimously decided last Friday to start 'the process of sunsetting the Foundation.' ADVERTISEMENT The Paylocity co-founder clarified the foundation will 'honor all … current grant commitments' and that he himself maintains his personal commitment to 'making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work.' Wayfarer endeavored to promote economic prosperity, gender equality, racial justice, universal education and the arts, among other causes, according to its website. Lively first leveled her allegations against Baldoni in December, coinciding with a New York Times deep-dive into her claims of sexual harassment and a crisis PR campaign known as astroturfing. On New Year's Eve, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times. The following month, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, also accusing them of civil extortion. The case is scheduled to go to trial in New York next March.
Agriland
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Agriland
Artist draws on childhood farming memories for paintings
Growing up on a dairy farm back in the days when the milking parlour was located really close to the farmer's house, artist Nano Culliton would waken in the summer months to the sound of her dad singing to the cows while milking – a cherished memory that went on to influence her paintings. According to Culliton: 'He allowed me into the pit with him. He said I was too small to worry the cows. 'He died when I was nine. We had to give up the cows then and the land was rented to a local farmer.' One of Nano Culliton's paintings. Image source: Nano Culliton 'I think that time really impacted on me as I paint cows and landscapes all the time. I love the peace and sense of self this gives me.' The artist grew up in Grange Lodge, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, and now lives in Cork city, where she has her own studio and works part-time in St Michael's Credit Union. She and her husband Steve, who builds models as a hobby, have three adult children. 'I've been painting continuously for more than 30 years, it's the pivot around which my life moves.' 'I have a wonderful supportive husband who has always encouraged me and taken on the household stuff so that I have time to paint,' Culliton said. Using oils, mostly on canvas, she works from photographs, sketches and small colour studies she does from life, 'I find the painting can be a bit flat if I don't do some studies on-site,' she explained. One of Nano Culliton's paintings. Image source: Nano Culliton Culliton has exhibited all over Ireland, and has also done a lot of commission work over the years, as she finds that 'most people come back for another painting'. 'I took a break from all commission work for the last 15 months to focus on painting for a solo exhibition. I had an exhibition in On The Pig's Back Café in Douglas, Cork, in January. ' Next up is an exhibition in Abbeyleix Library gallery in Co. Laois from May 1 -31, which will be opened by artist Gemma Guihan. Culliton will also have paintings exhibited in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise towards the end of the year. She said the year has been 'exciting and slight scary'. The artist chose Abbeyleix as a venue for her exhibition because she always looked at the window of the library gallery as she drove through the Co. Laois town and wanted to hang her work there. 'It feels very exposed to have your beloved paintings on display for all to see, but I'm very proud of these paintings. I feel very confident about them,' she said. Prices range from €150 to €600, as Culliton said: 'I genuinely try to keep the prices under control so the paintings are accessible to everyone.' One of Nano Culliton's paintings. Image source: Nano Culliton She greatly admires the work of Edward Hopper and Klimt as well as stained glass artist, Harry Clarke, Ita Freeney, Tom Clement and Vivienne Bogan. Culliton also said that she is a Baháʼí, with her paintings feeding into her religious worship. 'That's my religion. I've been a Baháʼí since my early 20s. In the Baháʼí faith, work is elevated to the station of worship, so I feel my paintings are a form of worship, celebration, a rejoining in the joy of the natural world, the smell of the land after rain, the feel of an early morning walk with the grass soaking your ankles,' she explained.
