Latest news with #RohiniNilekani
Business Standard
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
'Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness' Wildlife Documentary Film to Release in Theatres Nationwide
PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 17: Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, a feature-length wildlife documentary film on India's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - the Nilgiris, will be released in theatres across India on July 18, 2025. Presented by Felis Films and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, and distributed nationwide by Dheeraj Films. The Nilgiris is the first feature-length wildlife documentary to receive a nationwide theatrical release. The film has already won multiple international awards and received acclaim for its cinematic excellence and storytelling. Directed by Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Sandesh Kadur, the film was shot in 8K resolution using the best of Sony Professional and RED cameras. It is a true cinematic celebration of the region's wildlife and landscapes. Speaking about the film, Rohini Nilekani, Executive Producer of the film and Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, said, "With this film - Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, we hope to awaken people to the incredible beauty and biodiversity of this ancient and unique biosphere - the largest protected forest area in the country, now undergoing rapid change driven by human activity. If we wish to continue to conserve it, Samaaj, Sarkaarand Bazaar will have to work in unison to nurture this ecosystem. The documentary is a call to action for everyone who feels connected to these sacred landscapes." Sandesh Kadur, Director and Cinematographer of the film, said, "This is the story of a new wilderness, a mostly human-made landscape, where wildlife continues to adapt and thrive. Where else in the world can you have black leopards, gaur, sloth bears, etc., all living in a tea garden? Although it's in a constant state of change, it also shows nature's resilience and adaptability to survive the odds - if only we allow them the space to do so." Trailer: Releasing in: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Ooty, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Kochi, Trivandrum, Delhi, and other cities across India. As part of a nationwide education initiative, Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness will also be screened through exclusive, discounted student shows across major cities. The initiative aligns with the NEP 2020 vision of encouraging experiential and environmental learning. "I urge school principals, teachers, and parents to bring children to the theatres for this special experience. When young minds witness the beauty of our land--its forests, animals, and landscapes--on the big screen, they are inspired to love, to learn, and to protect. Watching a wildlife film like this in a theatre is rare--and powerful. Unlike small screens, the big screen brings every detail to life. With its high-resolution imagery and immersive sound, it feels as if you're right inside the forest with the animals," says Rohini Nilekani, Executive Producer of Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness. About Felis Creations A Panda Award-winning company, Felis Creations is a Bangalore-based natural history production house founded by Sandesh Kadur, a BAFTA-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer. They specialise in producing high-quality wildlife and conservation documentaries for global platforms including National Geographic, BBC, Netflix, Apple, and Discovery. About Rohini Nilekani Rohini Nilekani is the Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Co-founder and Director of EkStep, a non-profit education platform. She is also the Founder and Former Chairperson of Arghyam, a foundation she set up in 2001 for sustainable water and sanitation, which funds initiatives across India. From 2004 to 2014, she was Founder-Chairperson and chief funder of Pratham Books, a non-profit children's publisher that reached millions of children during her tenure. She sits on the Board of Trustees of ATREE.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
A 'tail' of the wild: Philanthropist Rohini Nilekani on her debut documentary
A story of passion unfolded in the verdant hills of the Nilgiris a couple of years ago. Bankrolled by philanthropist Rohini Nilekani and helmed by Sandesh Kadur, Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness – a documentary, was born, aimed at creating awareness of its unique biodiversity. The journey has garnered several accolades, including the Stories of Nature Award at the Santiago Film Festival and the Platinum Remi Award for documentary feature at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. The film will release in 11 cities, including Bengaluru on July 18. 'For me, the film should make people realise that there are stories about India's biodiversity that needs to be told and for this we need a lot of philanthropists to come forward,' Nilekani emphasises, reflecting on the recognition, adding, 'India's biodiversity is its strategic advantage of us to be resilient.' Through the documentary, she hopes to inspire a new generation to become trustees of India's ecosystems. 'When people see the intricate beauty, the interconnected web of life shown in the documentary – how the smallest and the biggest creatures are tied together in this web, it inspires people to understand, and then they begin to explore. Your mind and heart get involved as you begin to understand, love and appreciate. And from there, you begin to nurture, protect and enhance. So it's a journey we want people to get onto so that young minds can become trustees of our impossible-to-replicate heritage in the future.'
India Today
02-07-2025
- General
- India Today
Supporting youth climate leaders: Philanthropy and UNICEF unite for grassroots impact
UNICEF YuWaah and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies co-hosted 'Shaping the Future with India's Youth,' to spotlight stories of ten Green Guardians, youth-climate leaders and volunteers from across India driving change in their communities. The event featured keynote addresses by Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka; Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies; and Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative. It brought together leading civil society organizations, climate sector experts, and youth leaders, all committed to advancing climate solutions and civic action. advertisementUma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka said "Individual action is the foundation on which lasting change is built. When every citizen has skin in the game; engaged, invested, and involved, we witness powerful transformation. It becomes a collective force that reshapes communities and redefines what's possible."The highlight was ten inspiring stories of grassroots youth climate champions who are bringing impact through their dedication. From Pune, Ojas Phatak, a young environmental advocate and the founder of Ecoforce, a student-led initiative dedicated to fighting pollution and protecting nature has grown Ecoforce into a movement that has removed 2.75 tons of trash from Pune's hills through 150 clean-up events. Similarly, 29-year-old Afsal Mohammed B from Kochi, founder of Captains Social Foundation, a youth-driven platform dedicated to mobilizing young people to create sustainable change has inspired thousands of youth across India, focusing on environmental conservation, community empowerment, and education. advertisement His work includes transforming 13 schools into plastic bottle-free zones through the BottlesUp campaign, developing a plastic bottle shredding machine, and leading beach cleanups that removed 30,000 kg of waste. Also, Barsha Rani Maharana , a passionate volunteer and youth leader from Berhampur, Odisha, committed to community development, women's empowerment, and education has conducted free pad distribution campaigns and raised awareness on menstrual hygiene in rural areas. She is also an advocate for climate action and has earned her recognition, including the Rajya Puraskar Award from the Governor of Odisha. Dedication of Dwishojoyee Banerjee , a young climate advocate and social entrepreneur from Patna and the founder of The Soft Movement has mobilized over 15,000 volunteers across 51 cities in India to replace 200,000+ single-use plastic bags through her innovative Paper Bag Project. The other extraordinary stories included youth from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chattisgarth, Gujarat , West Bengal Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies said "I congratulate Team YuWaah on the Green Guardians program. This will inspire many more young people become a force for positive change. Young people today face so many unprecedented challenges, climate change being a major concern. It is important that they are empowered with the skills needed for active citizenship. I commend the collaborative initiative by UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change to create a safe space, and an enabling platform, to advance youth-led solutions at scale."advertisementA practical workbook titled 'Pathways: From Leadership to Advocacy' to equip young people to take local civic and climate action was launched at the event. The workbook was co-developed by Bring Back Green Foundation and young practitioners with support from UNICEF YuWaah, designed to build youth capacity in identifying local challenges, applying problem-solving approaches and advancing their journey in climate action. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India and Co-chair, YuWaah Board said, "Children and youth-led climate advocacy drives UNICEF's work in climate change in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. We are committed to working in partnership for a safer cleaner healthier environment for children and young people. The partnership with Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies is a step forward in supporting action for, with and by young people for a sustainable future. Investing in youth today, helps build a better future for children and young people in India."Youth led pro-plant actions have contributed to the national citizen engagement movement in the now 50 million action-strong MeriLiFE national portal, developed two years ago in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. MeriLiFE documents and encourages sustainable lifestyle action across India under the Mission LiFE. - Ends advertisement
News18
04-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Bessemer Venture Partners appoints Pankaj Mitra as partner
Mumbai, Jun 4 (PTI) Bessemer Venture Partners on Wednesday announced the appointment of Pankaj Mitra as a partner in its India practice. Mitra joined the VC firm from Cisco and will be focusing primarily on investments in enterprise tech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, according to a statement. *** HDFC Bank to implement solid waste management systems in over 1,000 villages * Largest private sector lender HDFC Bank on Wednesday announced that it will implement solid waste management systems in over 1,000 villages and establish material recovery facilities in 15 urban local bodies this year. It also launched an awareness campaign aimed at customers, employees and the general public against plastic use, a statement said. *** Rohini Nilekani emerges as top woman philanthropist in India * With a donation of Rs 154 crore in FY25, Rohini Nilekani has emerged as the top woman philanthropist in the country, as per a report released on Wednesday. The top-10 givers spent Rs 464 crore on social upliftment during the year, as per the 2025 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List, 2024. PTI AA SHW
NDTV
23-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Nurturing Young Minds Through The Joy Of Play
New Delhi: In a lively neighborhood not too long ago, children spent their days outdoors, laughing together, climbing trees, and creating their own adventures. Their imaginations sparked as they built castles in the sand or played games with friends. Fast forward to now, and many kids are glued to screens, missing out on the joy of play. To celebrate childhood through play and promote less screen time, "Bachpan Manao," an initiative by Ekstep and NDTV, aims to revive the magic of play in early childhood and underscore its importance for children's growth. The Importance Of Early Engagement During the formative years, a child's brain is highly receptive and adaptable, making it a prime opportunity for nurturing their interests and talents. Research shows that positive interactions through playful activities not only enhance cognitive skills but also build emotional connections between children and their caregivers. Rohini Nilekani, Co-Founder and Director of Ekstep Foundation, emphasises the impact of early engagement: "When we show young children things with care and love, they learn a lot and quickly. In the first few years of life, millions of neuronal connections get created every second in the small brain. If we make that very solid, it's gonna be great and can help a lot in learning.' This highlights the idea that when parents and caregivers engage with children through play, it helps them learn and grow in amazing ways. The initiative urges families to cherish and prioritize playtime. Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships at the Ekstep Foundation, stresses the magic that happens during these early years: "Pay attention to the first eight years; something magical is happening. By focusing more on play, we unlock opportunities for children to develop important skills.' The Vital Role of Play Play isn't just for fun; it's essential for a child's growth. Dr. Zirak Marker, a child psychologist, emphasizes that much of a child's learning occurs during play. He shares: "Ninety percent of all your learning and pathways happen because of neuroplasticity. Play helps children develop social skills, manage their emotions, and learn lessons in kindness and empathy that are vital for their future.' Free play nurtures creativity and imagination, providing a safe space for children to experiment with ideas and create new narratives. Mrunal Shah, founder of Sunday Bricks, points out, "If there's hands-on learning, children will always learn, and that's the key to keeping them engaged." Moreover, Harpreet Singh Grover, an Independent Researcher on Parenting, advises, 'You should say 'No' to the child with love, and it's essential to surround them with life; there must be loving adults around them.' Echoing this sentiment, Sunisha Ahuja, a UNICEF Education Specialist, reminds us, 'We must remember that play is incredibly important. We should celebrate play. Parents often think the child is getting bored, but the child is not bored at all. The child is just exploring.' The future of our children, and the world they will create, depends on the rich experiences they develop today through the power of play. Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President of the Early Childhood Association, emphasizes practical approaches, stating, 'Parents should learn four essential things: communication, exercise, play, and reflection; these are vital for children's development.' Conclusion "Bachpan Manao" is a reminder to embrace the joy of play, just like we did in our own childhoods. It calls on parents, grandparents, and caregivers to join in on the fun and create unforgettable moments with children. By making time for play today, we help build a brighter, more connected future for our little ones. Let's come together to ensure every child experiences the joy and benefits of play, filling their lives with laughter, learning, and love.
