Latest news with #GoingGlobal
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Summit offers chance for global break
A Dunedin band feels it is on the verge of breaking out globally after being selected among the best independent acts from New Zealand. Early '90s-inspired alternative rock band IVY has been selected to perform at the Going Global Music Summit in Auckland later this month. The event is an opportunity for the band to perform at the Summit's Showcase Festival and network at its conference with international booking agents. IVY lead guitarist James Axton said it felt surreal to have been given the opportunity. "I found out while I was at work actually and sort of lost my mind a little there." The band had only performed outside of the South Island once. The biggest show they had played at was at Errick's music venue in Dunedin to 300 people with the Dunedin Youth Orchestra backing them. Mr Axton said that felt like a "monumental day" considering it had only been a short while since they were playing in front of about five people at Brighton Rugby Club. The band is made up of four former Bayfield High School students — Mr Axton, Jesse Hanan, Ocean Wilson and Connor Cooper — and former Otago Boys' High School student Louis Stevenson, a violinist who was a late addition to the band. Mr Axton said the band had experienced a mix of struggle and really fast progress as independent artists. "I don't think we've really experienced any sort of tall poppy syndrome as of yet. "Everybody's been super encouraging and supportive of us, which has been fantastic. "But it has been a lot of hard work and it's been quite intense recently, quite a lot of pressure and stress." He said the band always dreamt of going on world tours and were really excited about the opportunity to perform at Going Global. They were planning on releasing their debut album in September and were going to promote it at an R18 gig on October 3 and an all-ages gig on October 5 at Pearl Diver.
Mint
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Jane Austen in Bollywood and beyond
The opening line from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is so well-known ('It is a truth universally acknowledged…") that it's become a kind of cultural shorthand for matchmaking and social expectations. Austen's mix of sharp humour, tangled romances and family dynamics makes her stories perfect for the screen. Austen's enduring themes—struggles with love, class and tradition—also find resonance in Indian cinema, from Bollywood to regional films. At first glance, Regency-era England might seem worlds away from the vibrant, chaotic and melodramatic world of Indian films. But scratch the surface and it becomes clear: Austen's novels were always more than polite parlour dramas. They are rich dissections of social expectations, family pressure, female agency, class mobility and choice—all of which remain reflect the very heart of Indian family and social life. Her characters navigate expectations around marriage, inheritance and social respectability—cornerstones of Indian storytelling as well. In her essay Going Global: Filmic Appropriation of Jane Austen in India, critic Meenakshi Bharat writes that Indian filmmakers naturally gravitate toward Austen because 'she provides a familiar moral structure and social canvas", making her narratives both accessible and adaptable. One of the first noted Indian adaptations of Austen was the 1985 Hindi television serial Trishna, which reimagined Pride and Prejudice for Indian audiences. The Doordarshan show featured characters like Rekha (Elizabeth Bennet) and Rahul (Mr Darcy) as members of a respectable Indian family negotiating arranged marriages and societal snobbery. The show worked, in large part, because Austen's themes and Indian social realities aligned so seamlessly. A far more sophisticated and astute adaptations of Austen is Rajiv Menon's Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000). Loosely based on Sense and Sensibility (1811), it follows two sisters. Tabu plays the emotionally restrained Soumya (based on Elinor Dashwood), while Aishwarya Rai plays the passionate, impulsive Meenakshi (inspired by Marianne). The sisters must navigate love, betrayal, financial dependence, family responsibility and patriarchy—issues that resonated in 19th-century Britain as much as they did in Tamil Nadu at the turn of the millennium. Speaking of Austen's appeal, Menon says, 'Her principal characters experience internal and external transformation. Internally, they discover something new; externally, their view of the world changes—and so does their opinion. Her books build on morals like 'don't judge a book by its cover.' In Kandukondain Kandukondain, you see that, for example, through Meenakshi and her relationships, particularly with Bala (Mammootty). There are clear character arcs. Another thing she did remarkably well was to take the comedy plot, not a downer plot. Her books were endearing because the struggles are unique, but the characters around are deliciously funny and poke fun at society." It's not just Austen's women who appeal to readers and filmmakers. As Menon notes, Austen's men are equally intriguing: 'They are aggressive, proud, nasty but also poetic and sweet. They can also be dangerous and slither away." Perhaps the most globally recognised Indianised Austen adaptation is Gurinder Chadha's 2004 English language film Bride and Prejudice. Starring Aishwarya Rai as Lalita Bakshi, the British production recasts Elizabeth Bennet as a strong-willed woman from Amritsar who clashes with wealthy American Will Darcy (Martin Henderson). With colourful wedding dances, family drama and cross-cultural misunderstandings, the film retains Austen's biting social commentary alongside musical exuberance. In the production notes, Chadha is quoted as saying, 'Once I started adapting the novel, I was convinced Jane Austen was Indian in a previous life. The characters adapted so freely and the story and themes fit perfectly into contemporary India. A mother with four daughters to marry off—who couldn't relate to that?" Family and misunderstanding, tradition and independence, duty and love are tensions Austen wrote of so sharply and themes Indian cinema thrives on. With the 2010 Hindi film Aisha, director Rajshree Ojha presented a glitzy, modern adaptation of Austen's 1815 novel Emma (much like Amy Heckerling's Clueless did in 1995). The setting shifts from the fictional town of Highbury to upper-crust Delhi, with Sonam Kapoor playing the title role of Aisha, a meddling matchmaker. Abhay Deol's Arjun is based on George Knightley. Tonally closer to the satirical Clueless than a literary adaptation, Aisha is swathed in couture fashion and lavish parties. Bollywood conventions—festivals, weddings, songs—offer a modern twist on Austenian courtship rituals. 'While Jane Austen's ballroom scenes provide the ideal setting for the courtship to take place... Bollywood songs and dances not only function to promote social interaction, but also introduce the characters, focus on their feelings, and explore Indian traditions and values," writes Rosa M. García-Periago in her paper Bollywoodizing Jane Austen's Emma: Rajshree Ojha's Aisha, for the Jane Austen Society of North America. While not all Indian adaptations are direct translations, Austen's influence has seeped into the DNA of Indian film—some proudly acknowledging her legacy, others borrowing themes and plots with subtle (or not-so-subtle) nods. The effectiveness of these adaptations often lies in how well Bollywood tropes are integrated with Austen's characters and their dilemmas. Following a classic Elizabeth-Darcy arc, in Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met, Geet and Aditya start off completely mismatched, but their journey together leads to transformation and love. In Ayan Mukerji's Wake Up Sid (2009), Sid is a male archetype of Austen's flawed but redemptive hero, who is emotionally distant but gradually matures professionally and emotionally. Rachel Dwyer, professor emerita at SOAS University of London, notes that filmed adaptations like Clueless, Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility, and BBC's Pride and Prejudice might have had more impact than the novels themselves. 'It's important not to equate Austen's world directly with its contemporary Indian counterpart, but there are similarities between it and Anglophone Indian elite society, which has its own versions of 'good marriages' based on widely agreed conventions such as status, wealth, family background, etc." Austen's settings mirror many Indian realities. Her emphasis on wit, moral growth and social tension—combined with satisfying love stories—makes for enduring, engaging cinema. In a post-colonial Indian film context, Austen's stories may be painted in Indian colours and Bollywood tropes, but her characters and themes remain recognisably Austen. Udita Jhunjhunwala is a writer, film critic and festival programmer. She posts @UditaJ. Also read: Jane Austen's novels are both a mirror and a map for Gen Z and millennials
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Fat cat uni boss who claimed £37,429 of expenses on foreign travel slammed by staff
'His expenses might be first class but his leadership is third rate.' The head of a cash-strapped university who the Sunday Mail revealed claimed £37,429 of expenses on foreign travel has been accused of 'utter contempt' by staff. Professor James Miller, principal of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), went on luxury trips to Barbados, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and South Africa. Lecturers voted for industrial action in an indicative ballot over possible compulsory redundancies after UWS had a £14.4million deficit in 2023-24. Unison bosses have confirmed the union is also moving towards a vote of no confidence in senior figures. Meanwhile, the EIS teaching union says its vote of no confidence has taken place and UWS notified. A survey of EIS members highlighted a litany of alleged failings from Miller which included 'secretiveness' and 'a track record of failure'. Members could anonymously nominate any of the senior team they felt were accountable for mismanagement and overwhelmingly nominated Miller. The survey, seen by the Sunday Mail, included the comment: 'A £14million deficit and £40,000 in travel? That's not leadership — it's negligence' and, 'No trust remains in a principal who flies to Barbados while pleading poverty at home.' Others said: 'His expenses might be first class but his leadership is third rate' and, 'No confidence in a man who gambled with our finances and lost.' We told how the fatcat, 61, who earns £288,000 a year including pension contributions, is among 12 senior uni staff to have claimed expenses of more than £163,000 in less than two years. A trip to Barbados by Prof Miller cost £5970 for flights and hotel stays in November 2023. The four-day event was described on expenses claims as "a Strategic Partnership Agreement" during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus and the UWS. In October 2023 Professor Miller also spent £5631.09 on a trip to attend COP28 Partnership Meetings in Dubai and £5867.28 on return flights to South Africa to present at the GEC+Africa 2024 Congress last February. In August, return flights to attend the two-day "Going Global" conference in Abuja, Nigeria, cost £5058.81 and a trip to Dubai to preside at graduation ceremonies cost £3717.98 in October the same year. Other expenses included £3172.80 for return flights from Dubai to Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur as well as £2782.28 for return flights to New York to attend and participate in the Tartan Day Parade in April 2024. UWS said: 'Our senior leadership team, the university Court and its sub-committees have formulated, approved and overseen the ongoing implementation of our multi-year plan and organisational change project. "UWS cannot comment on unattributable, anonymous surveys which appear to be based largely on misleading information.' Unison Scotland lead for higher education John Mooney said: 'The university top brass need to get their heads out of the sand, take compulsory redundancies off the table and work with unions to resolve the universities' financial issues.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Malay Mail
23-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
The Premier Global ESG and Innovation Summit in Hong Kong
Sign up for FREE PASS : "Going Global" Strategy Forum for outbound enterprises "Going Global" Strategy Forum for outbound enterprises "Cambridge Session" on navigating the European ESG and compliance landscape AI and Climate Tech Pitching Sessions Youth Climate Leadership Forum and the Global Carbon Neutrality Campus Alliance Exchange 20–30 top Mainland Chinese enterprises and over 200 representatives from Hong Kong listed companies across key industries Business diplomats from foreign consulates in Hong Kong Strategic and international business development teams Technology startups and R&D innovators Asset managers, ESG investors, and sustainable finance professionals International and regional chambers of commerce Academia and climate-focused university alliances (Carbon Neutrality leaders from top universities across Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, sharing insights on low-carbon transition and campus sustainability strategies) NGOs and youth advocates engaged in social innovation HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 April 2025 - The World Green Organisation (WGO) proudly presentsThis international flagship summit will bring together over 2,500 global leaders from the fields of ESG, climate finance, sustainable development, and technology two-day summit is designed to unite high-level stakeholders, industry leaders, and innovators to drive transformative actions in sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) theme of this year's event isConference Partners and Key Supporting Orgnisations such as United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Hong Kong Stock Exchanges (HKEX), Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), Cyberport, Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). With a focus on fostering global sustainable development, the summit aims to empower enterprises in achieving green transformation, advance green finance, and enhance regional speakers from ISSB, UNEP FI, TNFD, and GRI, alongside global corporate executives and policy advisors, the Main Stage and Pavilion Stages will address ESG regulatory trends, disclosure standards, and strategic over 30 local and international tech ventures in areas such as carbon neutrality, ESG data, smart cities, AI-powered sustainability, and green supply chain management.A dedicated Networking & Matchmaking Lounge will connect participants with investors, corporate buyers, accelerators, and market advisors from the Middle East, ASEAN, Europe, and Mainland can expect engaging discussions with global leaders, keynote speeches, and specialized workshops on crucial topics such as climate risk modeling, green finance standards, and digital ESG Xchange has established itself as a vital platform over the past years, successfully bringing together diverse stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable solutions. The previous edition attracted over 1,000 participants, including C-suite executives and key decision-makers, demonstrating its significance in the ESG Xchange 2025 is more than a summit — it is a dynamic platform to network, co-create, and transform. Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, investor, or startup founder, this event offers unmatched access to ESG strategies, technologies, and global business 6–7, 20259 A.M - 6 5G, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) miss your chance to be part of this transformative event. For more information and to register, please visitHashtag: #WGO #ESG #Innovation #Sustainability #CarbonNeutrality #ESGXCHANGE2025 #Internationalsummit #HKCEC #UNESCAP #HKEX #FSDC #Cyberport #SFC #ISSB #UNEPFI #TNFD #GRI #TNFD #SBTi #CDP #MSCI The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. World Green Organisation The World Green Organisation (WGO) is an independent non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental conservation and promoting sustainable development. Through science-based public policies, community projects, and partnerships, WGO aims to improve the economy, the environment, and livelihoods, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all sectors of society. For more details about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please visit:
