Latest news with #Nana
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
The kingdom of kindness
From his car seat, my toddler grandson calls to me. Something in his steady tone tells me he is sure of what he wants to say. 'Nana, when I went to get the doll, I couldn't see you, and I was really sad.' 'Yes,' I reiterate. 'You went to get the doll to bring in the car but then you couldn't see Nana or Papa and you thought you were all by yourself.' He joins in, 'I couldn't see you and I was crying and I was really sad.' I continue, 'And then you found me.' He adds, 'And I was running and I was crying ...' Our sentences overlap each other now. 'And Nana gave you a big cuddle and told you we would never leave you all by yourself ...' The little one says with certainty, 'And you cuddled me.' I did cuddle him, my heart banging in my chest to see how utterly bereft this confident little three-year-old looked. One moment on his sturdy legs purposefully heading towards his babushka toy and suddenly alone, he is overtaken by the terror of abandonment. I've been thinking about what this tells me about being human. How fragile we are, how we need one another, how hard it is to be a child. But this is not just about independence or even resilience. I am not sure that this fear of abandonment ever really leaves us. It might change shape in adulthood, but there is still the anticipation of being bereft in the absence of those we love. It is not hard to give reassurance to a beloved grandchild; it actually helps me be gentler towards myself and others, to recognise vulnerability rather than push it away. Australian theologian Sally Douglas calls the kingdom of God 'the Kindness'. This naming redirects us from masculine images of a god taken up with power and kingship and calls out a clarity and generosity of care. In her book, Jesus Sophia, Douglas explores the feminine images of Woman Wisdom in the biblical record that speak to the strength and dignity of this plenitude. Loading Her writing also addresses 'the lie that will not die' – that all pain will be alleviated by belief in some sort of 'Sky Bestie'. So, when I comfort my little one, I am not telling him there is nothing to fear in this world. There is too much to fear. Our current descent into atomised individualism wreaks havoc with our capacities to care as neighbourhoods, communities and countries. But I also know that there is the possibility of the Kindness, of people finding care within and beyond themselves, and offering it to one another.
The Age
a day ago
- General
- The Age
The kingdom of kindness
From his car seat, my toddler grandson calls to me. Something in his steady tone tells me he is sure of what he wants to say. 'Nana, when I went to get the doll, I couldn't see you, and I was really sad.' 'Yes,' I reiterate. 'You went to get the doll to bring in the car but then you couldn't see Nana or Papa and you thought you were all by yourself.' He joins in, 'I couldn't see you and I was crying and I was really sad.' I continue, 'And then you found me.' He adds, 'And I was running and I was crying ...' Our sentences overlap each other now. 'And Nana gave you a big cuddle and told you we would never leave you all by yourself ...' The little one says with certainty, 'And you cuddled me.' I did cuddle him, my heart banging in my chest to see how utterly bereft this confident little three-year-old looked. One moment on his sturdy legs purposefully heading towards his babushka toy and suddenly alone, he is overtaken by the terror of abandonment. I've been thinking about what this tells me about being human. How fragile we are, how we need one another, how hard it is to be a child. But this is not just about independence or even resilience. I am not sure that this fear of abandonment ever really leaves us. It might change shape in adulthood, but there is still the anticipation of being bereft in the absence of those we love. It is not hard to give reassurance to a beloved grandchild; it actually helps me be gentler towards myself and others, to recognise vulnerability rather than push it away. Australian theologian Sally Douglas calls the kingdom of God 'the Kindness'. This naming redirects us from masculine images of a god taken up with power and kingship and calls out a clarity and generosity of care. In her book, Jesus Sophia, Douglas explores the feminine images of Woman Wisdom in the biblical record that speak to the strength and dignity of this plenitude. Loading Her writing also addresses 'the lie that will not die' – that all pain will be alleviated by belief in some sort of 'Sky Bestie'. So, when I comfort my little one, I am not telling him there is nothing to fear in this world. There is too much to fear. Our current descent into atomised individualism wreaks havoc with our capacities to care as neighbourhoods, communities and countries. But I also know that there is the possibility of the Kindness, of people finding care within and beyond themselves, and offering it to one another.
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor, who gave Rs 3000 to Nana Patekar when he was facing financial crisis, has not asked for money so far
Nana Patekar is one of most renowned faces in the industry. The veteran actor started his journey at age of 13 in theatre, where he mastered his craft as an artist. However, after featuring in Salaam Bombay, Nana gained significant momentum, marking the beginning of his impressive acting journey. But, did you know before becoming a phenomenon name in the industry, there was another actor who helped Nana during his most challenging time? Let's identify who this person is. The Veteran Actor Of Bollywood Here, we are talking about actor-comedian Ashok Saraf , who has worked in more than 200 films in Hindi and Marathi industry. His notable work includes Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Joru Ka Ghulam, Gupt, Singham, Yes Boss, Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi and many others. At the starting phase, Ashok was doing two jobs, one was as banking employee, while the other was in theatre due to financial burden as well as his love for cinema. Meanwhile, Ashok used to work in the same theatre where Nana started his journey. During that time, Ashok became a known face and was senior to Nana. He used to earn Rs 250 for play, while Nana used to get Rs 50 at that time. However, this difference did not create any impact on their friendship. When Ashok Helped Nana Patekar Recently, during an interview with ETimes, Nana shared an interesting story about the time when he was facing financial hardships and then how his beloved friend Ashok helped him. He recalled, 'Once I was in dire need of money and when Ashok came to know about this, he went to his house and gave him a blank cheque and told me that he had Rs 15,000 in his account and I could withdraw as much as I wanted. I took Rs 3,000 from his account, which he has not asked for back till date.' More about Nana Patekar and Ashok Saraf Nana Patekar is currently gearing up for this year's highly-anticipated release, Housefull 5 , which has star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Chitrangada Singh, Fardeen Khan, Chunky Pandey, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma, Nikitin Dheer, and Akashdeep Sabir. Helmed by Tarun Mansukhani, the film is all set to hit theatres on 6th June 2025. On the other hand, Ashok Saraf has recently been felicitated with Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
9 Easy Ways To Survive Your Next Family Road Trip
While driving through the countryside—or along the highway—can be a freeing experience, once you have children, the dynamics of road trips change quite a bit. The days of driving long stretches and stopping at no-frills rest stops are replaced with pre-planned breaks and roadside activities. (See parks, playgrounds, attractions, and more.) The music shifts, from one generation to the next, and you better have water and snacks. Lots of snacks. But just because things are different with kids doesn't make them bad. Less than 24 hours after my birthday, the kids and I piled into our Mazda CX-90 for a road trip to my daughter's dance competition—the first of several road trips we would be taking this year. We gathered the necessary provisions: two iced coffees; a Stanley; car games; several fruit pouches; and bags of trail mix, chips, pretzels, and more. We folded down the third row of seats to make room for our luggage, which included one oversized carry on, two backpacks, and a large rolling duffel. We secured my youngest in his car seat before buckling in, and then we used the vehicle's AirPlay feature to navigate our way to the venue. According to the GPS, we were only a few hours away. But a few hours of 'are we there yets' and 'I need to use the bathroom' can be a lot, especially if you're ill-prepared. Here are nine ways to make the most of a car ride, long or short, with your kids. Whether your child is two or 12, it's important to travel with everything you need for your trip—and then some. This may mean bringing a stockpile of formula or diapers. It may mean bringing wet wipes, paper towels, sanitary products, medicine, and a few days worth of clothes. And it may mean packing chargers, phones, tablets, and other electronic devices. The good news is our vehicle, the Mazda CX90, makes it easy to bring it all. With an expansive cargo area, multiple storage compartments, and the option to fold down the third row, this vehicle is ideal for our family of four (who sometimes travels with Nana, and other passengers). It's also great for our bags. Not sure what to pack? Think about what your family needs to get by for the duration of your trip plus a day or two. Children are voracious eaters—well, except at mealtime, but I digress. This means that if you are traveling for four hours you can expect they will eat like you've been on the road for 14. And whether it is the result of boredom or the onslaught of roadside ads (for chicken, hamburgers, and other childhood staples) they are sure to ask for snacks. Be prepared with pre-packaged and pre-portioned goodies. Fruit pouches are good for younger children. Hard boiled eggs, granola bars, baby carrots, and string cheese are all portable options. Animal crackers, dried fruits, and pretzels can be packed in small bags, and avoid choking hazards. Skip hard candies, for example, and popcorn. While the ultimate goal of any road trip is get from point a to point b as quickly as possible, when you are traveling with kids, you need to buffer in time for food and the potty. This may mean leaving an hour (or two) earlier. It may mean changing—or cancelling—plans you have later in the day, after your arrival. And it definitely means being patient and flexible. No matter how prepared you are, unexpected situations can (and will) occur. Being adaptable is key. You've got the kids, the car, the snacks but what about entertainment? Children of every age need a way to stave off boredom, and one of the best ways to do that is to pack an activity bag. But what do you and your child put in said bag? Well, it varies by age but some solid travel toys include activity books, hidden picture books, sticker books, writing tablets, drawing pads (with retractable colored pencils), WikiSticks, Water Wow!, Rubiks Cubes, small fidgets, and more. If your child has a special toy or lovey, make sure to pack that too. Depending on your child's age—and your family's stance on screen-time—the idea of watching something in a car (on a road trip) may be controversial. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under the age of two should have no screen time while children between two and five years should be limited to one hour of screen time per day. That said, many older children are using screens, be it at school or at home. The key is to help them make good choices. Load tablets, phones, and other devices up with good, educational kids' content—like Super Why!, Wild Kratts, or Brainchild—or those that teach valuable life lessons, like Ask the Storybots, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Give them windows of time in which they can be on their devices and windows of time when they should engage in other activities. (We usually hold off on screens until later in our trip, mainly because transitions are tough.) And use meal breaks as a time to reset, if you can—i.e. no screens at the table. In our vehicle, our children can even charge their devices while playing thanks to USB-C outlets in the second row! While bringing an activity bag is great, bringing your imagination is even better. Not only do games encourage thinking outside the box, they encourage family bonding and socialization. Some great ideas for car games include iSpy, Name the Animal or Food, License Plate Bingo, Twenty Questions, and Name That Tune. Some children sleep on long car rides. Many others, however, do not. If you find yourself in the former category, driving through the night may be an option. But if you have a more alert passenger, one who doesn't want to miss out on the fun, you may want to drive during the day, as food options will be more plentiful and rest stops will be more readily available. Driving during the day will also allow them to see the toys and activities they have brought with them. If you're traveling with an infant or a child who still naps, you may want to try and time your trip around their nap schedule—depending on whether they will or will not sleep in the vehicle. You may not be planning to spend an evening away from home. You may just be going on a long drive. But if there is a chance you may be spending a night at a hotel or motel, do yourself a favor and pack an overnight bag. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Just the basics will do. Think clothing and toiletries. But having a few 'creature comforts' goes a long way, especially for and with kids. While your children probably don't care about the type of car you are riding in, choosing the right vehicle can make or break your trip. As I mentioned, we opted for a car with three rows, one of which folded down for added cargo space. It was more fuel efficient than our previous vehicle, which–again–was important to us, and the Mazda CX-90 has a slew of safety features which helps with both short and long trips. (My favorite is the dashboard reminder to check for backseat passengers.) The vehicle also boasts a stunning 360-degree camera to assist with parking and backing up. There were perks the kids enjoyed, too. In between the two back seats was a small armrest/table with cup holders, perfect for snacks and drinks. The sun roof kept both children entertained, especially my space-obsessed six year old. And with AirPlay, they were able to listen to their favorite tunes and podcasts, like Who Smarted? Of course, even with all of our planning, our road trip was far from perfect. Patience were tested—and the children whimpered, whined, and definitely said "are we there yet?" But with some foresight (and the right vehicle) our journey went as smoothly as it could have gone because we were cool, calm, and collected. Well, we were prepared. We were also adaptable. And that's the name of the game. Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Roman Ziemian Announces the Rise of AI-Powered Startups Fueling a Tech Renaissance Across the GCC
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roman Ziemian today announced the emergence of a new wave of AI-driven startups transforming the Gulf region, marking a major milestone in the GCC's technological evolution. With global investors and innovators turning their focus to the Middle East, Ziemian emphasized the region's role in shaping the next phase of smart, purpose-led innovation. From Abu Dhabi to Riyadh, Manama to Muscat, artificial intelligence is no longer a concept of the future. It's rapidly becoming the engine driving solutions across finance, mobility, healthcare, education, logistics, and sustainability. As a long-time advocate for innovation that balances progress with purpose, Ziemian believes the Gulf is uniquely positioned to lead the next frontier of intelligent, inclusive, and locally relevant technologies. Local Talent, Global Tech: The GCC's New Class of Innovators The GCC region is producing a new generation of founders and companies that don't just 'do AI' — they're building smarter solutions for uniquely local challenges. According to Ziemian, the region's most promising AI ventures are rooted in relevance. Tarjama, for example, is revolutionising language accessibility in the UAE through natural language processing. 'In a region with dozens of dialects and industries, Tarjama's AI-powered translation tech is solving a very real need — breaking communication barriers without losing cultural nuance,' Ziemian explains. In Saudi Arabia, Nana is reshaping the grocery industry through predictive inventory management and hyperlocal delivery routes — vital for a country with vast geography and rapidly growing urban centers. Meanwhile, Dubai-based Sarwa is giving young professionals access to smart, Sharia-compliant investment tools through AI-driven portfolio management — a feat that merges tradition with modern tech innovation. Derq, another standout, uses AI and machine vision to make streets safer, reducing accidents by analyzing real-time data from intersections. 'This is smart mobility at its best — preventative, proactive, and aligned with Dubai's ambition to be the smartest city in the world,' adds Ziemian. Other notable startups include Lamsa, a personalised Arabic edtech platform supported by Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem, and Rizek, a homegrown services marketplace that is now integrating AI to match users with skilled professionals based on real-time availability and historical behavior. Government-Led Innovation Fuels Growth Roman Ziemian points out that one of the biggest drivers of AI adoption in the region is top-down commitment. 'The UAE's National AI Strategy 2031 is not just a policy — it's a blueprint. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has placed technology at its core, and Qatar's National AI Agenda is already reshaping education and public services,' he says. From the Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi to Hub71, NEOM's Oxagon, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the region is investing in the infrastructure, education, and capital needed to sustain innovation for decades. 'Where else in the world are governments investing so heavily in AI literacy at both the institutional and individual level? The GCC is not just a launchpad — it's a long-term home for innovation,' says Ziemian. Why the GCC Is the Ideal Playground for AI Entrepreneurs Beyond infrastructure and funding, Ziemian credits cultural adaptability and openness to change as critical to the region's success. 'The Gulf nations are incredibly dynamic — young populations, ambitious leadership, and a desire to leapfrog legacy systems. It's the perfect storm for tech evolution.' He also sees a unique opportunity in cross-border collaboration. 'Startups here have the advantage of scaling across six countries with aligned visions and similar market gaps. What works in Dubai often works in Riyadh, Doha, and beyond.' Ethical AI and the Importance of Purpose While the excitement is palpable, Ziemian urges startups and investors not to lose sight of ethical responsibility. 'AI can do extraordinary things — but without integrity, it can also amplify bias, widen inequality, and erode trust,' he warns. He calls for building AI systems that are transparent, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. 'It's not enough to be data-driven. We must be humanity-driven.' Ziemian is also a proponent of purpose-led entrepreneurship — the idea that tech companies should create value not just for shareholders, but for society. 'In the GCC, we have the opportunity to create a new narrative — one where innovation is rooted in tradition, and progress is measured not just by profit, but by impact.' What's Next for the GCC's AI Future As someone who has spent the last decade mentoring founders and investing in frontier tech, Ziemian sees a golden age ahead. 'We're just scratching the surface. From AI-powered mental health apps to predictive energy grid systems and climate-tech platforms, the next five years will define the region's global footprint.' He encourages venture capitalists to look beyond short-term gains and support companies building original, locally inspired solutions — not just clones of Western models. 'To all the founders in the GCC: be original, be relentless, and be responsible. The world doesn't need another Silicon Valley. It needs something smarter, and that something is being built right here.'Contact:Roman Ziemianroman@ This press release is provided by a sponsor. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or business advice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or financial losses resulting from the use or reliance on the information in this press release. Speculate only with funds you can afford to lose. In the event of any legal claims or concerns regarding this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. 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