Latest news with #Banyan
New Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Inclusive art takes centre stage at Backyard
The Banyan, much like the ancient Yggdrasil, does not merely grow, it connects. Rooted in memory, branching through time, it stretches across the now and into what comes next. This tree is culture and art. On a sultry Sunday afternoon in Backyard, Adyar, this idea came alive in form. The third edition of The Living Library of Artists, hosted by Sunshine House in collaboration with 98 Madras and Anchored Hues, transformed the space into a living, breathing archive of queerness, craft, and cultural memory. Unlike the white-walled 'chicness' of traditional galleries, this was art as an encounter. Artistes stood beside their work on display inside the two-storeyed building, not just to be observed, but to be spoken with. 'Think of this as a library,' said Purple, one of the curators of the event. 'You talk to an artiste. Each of them will have a story to tell. Each of them is growing, like branches of a tree, and each one gives a hand.'
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
A young VC closed a $10 million fund for AI seed startups. Here's what he's looking for and the pitch deck he used.
31-year-old venture capitalist Sam Awrabi has raised $10 million to exclusively invest in AI startups, calling the technology "the dominant force of our lifetime." AI advancements will be "bigger than both mobile and web combined," Awrabi said, in part because "the average person's productivity will be increased 50% to 75% in the coming years." Awrabi's AI Fund I will operate within his VC firm, Banyan Ventures, named for the tree whose prop roots enable it to spread. The fund specializes in AI infrastructure and software startups that have had the technology at their core since inception. On the infrastructure front, Awrabi said startups working to reduce AI costs — from inference chips to cooling technology — have a massive opportunity. " Nvidia is already worth $4 trillion, and we're still in the early days," he said. "Imagine what the new winners across the AI-native infra stack could be worth 30 years from now?" On the app front, Awrabi seeks startups with "unique data access" and "high-leverage workflows" that could standardize how work gets done in a particular field. To date, Banyan has invested in 14 companies, including AI inference chip company Positron, GPU server cooling startup Akash, and Italian AI legal assistant Lexroom. It will invest in 36 startups in seed and pre-seed stages, most of which have already achieved revenue, and will cut checks ranging from $200,000 to $425,000. Awrabi serves as the fund's only general partner, and he's entering a fiercely competitive AI landscape. Large VC firms dominate funding, though he believes Banyan's specialization in AI gives it a unique edge. It's also increasingly hard to get in on seed rounds, Awrabi said, because AI startups generally require less funding, are generating more revenue, and are moving to Series A rounds more rapidly. Having worked in AI technical sales since 2018 at Samsung-owned and then at Comet and as an advisor to various AI startups, Awrabi said his long relationships in the field provide a window into prospective deals and talent looking for fresh opportunities. Here's a look at the pitch deck Awrabi used to raise $10 million for Banyan Ventures' AI Fund I. Some slides and details have been redacted in order to share the deck publicly. Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures Banyan Ventures
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bag had clothes, not money, says Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat after video goes viral
A day after the news of IT notice against Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat, a fresh controversy erupted about him. A video of Mr. Shirsat sitting in a room along with a partially opened bag containing what look like bundles of notes went viral on Friday (July 11, 2025). The Shiv Sena Minister disputed the claim that it was a money bag and insisted that it contained only clothes. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who posted the video on X, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should take note. 'I feel pity for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis! How many more times will he just sit and watch his reputation being torn to shreds? Helplessness has another name: Fadnavis!' Mr. Raut posted on X. 'I had travelled and had reached home. The bag had clothes, and not money,' Mr. Shirsat said. Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Shirsat said, 'The house seen in the video is my home. It shows I am sitting (clad in a Banyan) in my bedroom. My pet dog and a bag are also seen. This means that I have just returned from travel and removed my clothes. If I have to keep such a big bag of money, is there a dearth of cupboards? ' 'But they see (currency) notes even in a cloth bag,' Mr. Shirsat said. 'Had there been money, I would have kept it in the cupboard,' he said. Asked if there were only clothes in the bag, the Minister said, 'Of course. There were clothes in it.' 'Such claims won't affect my (political) career,' he added. The video surfaced a day after reports emerged of Mr. Shirsat facing scrutiny from the Income Tax Department regarding a significant increase in his declared assets, which surged from ₹3.3 crore in 2019 to ₹35 crore in 2024. The IT department has requested an explanation for this significant increase in his financial worth between the 2019 and 2024 Assembly elections. Mr. Shirsat told the media on Thursday (July 10, 2025) that he has sought more time to reply to the notice. (With PTI inputs)
Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Green wave: Kashi div leads way, plants 1.81cr saplings, exceeds target
Varanasi: The Varanasi division, comprising four districts — Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, and Chandauli — successfully planted 1.81 crore saplings under the Tree Plantation Campaign 2025, exceeding the target of 1.80 crore plants. This massive plantation drive aimed to increase Uttar Pradesh's forest cover, currently around 25%, with a goal to reach 33%. The people of Varanasi came together to participate in a massive tree plantation drive as part of the Uttar Pradesh govt's environmental protection campaign. On Wednesday, a large-scale event was held at the STP premises in Ramna, where UP minister Ravindra Jaiswal, district panchayat president Poonam Maurya, and MLC Dharmendra Singh planted Peepal, Banyan, and Neem trees in the sacred Triveni forest. This event marked the beginning of a statewide initiative to plant 37 crore saplings. Ravi Kumar Singh, conservator of forests, Varanasi circle, said The Varanasi division successfully planted 18,104,154 saplings against a target of 18,087,500, achieving 100.09% of its goal. Divisional forest officer Swati Srivastava said Varanasi district had a target of 1,828,400, and 1,839,370 saplings were planted, achieving 100.60 per cent. In Ghazipur district, 4,363,900 saplings were planted against the target of 4,365,101, achieving 100.03 percent of the target, while Jaunpur district recorded 5,495,600 tree plantations against the target of 5,499,475, achieving 100.07 percent. Chandauli district planted 6,399,600 saplings against the target of 6,400,208, achieving 100.01 percent.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kashi combats climate challenge by planting 18L saplings in a day
Varanasi: A massive drive was organised in Varanasi as part of the statewide campaign to plant a record 37 crore saplings across the state on a single day on Wednesday. Varanasi was assigned a target of planting over 18 lakh saplings under the campaign. UP minister Ravindra Jaiswal, district panchayat president Poonam Maurya, and MLC Dharmendra Singh inaugurated the event by planting sacred Triveni trees (Peepal, Banyan, Neem) at the STP Ramna premises. Following this, all public representatives, officials, and school children planted trees. District magistrate Satyendra Kumar said that over 18 lakh saplings are being planted in the district. According to statistics, the forest cover in Uttar Pradesh is about 25%, while it should be 33%. He emphasised the responsibility to keep the planted saplings alive and the need to enhance green cover. Schoolchildren were also given saplings to plant at their homes, schools, etc., and take care of them. The goal of the tree plantation campaign is to promote environmental conservation through extensive planting. District panchayat president Poonam Maurya highlighted the annual increase in temperature and said that planting trees was the only way to combat the heat. Planting fruit-bearing and shade-giving trees also offers benefits like fruits and wood. Minister Ravindra Jaiswal said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mortality rate was lowest in villages due to a better environment. The tree plantation campaign "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is being conducted at the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Just as a mother gives life and cares for her children, trees provide oxygen and, like a mother, offer care through oxygen, fruits, wood, and shade. Arjun trees are also being planted for use in Banarasi paan and silk saree production. Saplings like Peepal, Banyan, Pakar, and Neem, which play a special role in environmental conservation, are being planted. He stressed the responsibility of protecting all planted trees and the significance of trees from birth to death, making it our duty to protect them. The students and teachers at Shastrarth College planted saplings on the campus while reciting Vedic hymns. The event was attended by principal Pawan Kumar Shukla, former principal Ganesh Dutt Shastri and others.
