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India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Longitude 77 Takes Center Stage at Cannes: A Symphony of Indian Art, Fashion, and Spirit
At the illustrious Cannes Film Festival 2025, Seagram's Longitude 77 Collector's Edition made its grand debut at the India Pavilion, epitomising a harmonious blend of Indian artistry and global luxury. This exclusive unveiling featured packaging designed by the renowned artist Paresh Maity, drawing inspiration from India's 77 East longitude line, symbolising the nation's rich cultural tapestry stretching from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari . The event was further accentuated by the presence of art curator and style icon Shalini Passi, who graced the red carpet in a bespoke Manish Malhotra's fashion piece , embodying the essence of Indian heritage and contemporary fashion. Shalini Passi's red carpet appearance was nothing short of a visual spectacle. Adorned in a custom-designed Manish Malhotra gown, the ensemble was a living canvas, representing the essence of India with Paresh's visualization of India's Longitude The gown featured a tapered corset and a stunning mermaid silhouette, with vivid landscapes and scenic imagery cascading down the fabric, representing India's diverse terrains. Complementing her attire, Passi accessorized with Manish Malhotra's jewelry, a classic Judith Leiber clutch, and was styled by Nupur Mehta, encapsulating a perfect blend of tradition and the artwork, Paresh Maity has depicted the beautiful snow-capped Himalayas, the unique Dal Lake with the Shikaras, followed by Punjab's phulkari works and Haryana's traditional drums along with Madhya Pradesh's majestic tigers. After that comes Karnataka's architecture, which includes the wonders of Hampi and the Mysore Palace, and it goes further down to Tamil Nadu's iconic sculpture of the Mahabalipuram elephant. There are also coconut trees that stand for Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with the painting ultimately merging into the Indian Ocean with a boat and a blue sea. "I wanted to capture the deepest emotions of God's creations, architecture, art, craftsmanship, aesthetics, and the diverse beauty and culture of our country. "With that inspiration in mind, Shalini customised her outfit, asking Manish Malhotra to make it," says Paresh Maity. Beyond the red carpet, Shalini actively engaged in promoting Indian art and culture on the global stage. She participated in the panel discussion around 'India's Finest to the World: Through Art', curated by Longitude 77 and moderated by film critic Anupama Chopra. This platform highlighted India's rich artistic heritage and its influence on contemporary global art forms. Passi's involvement underscored her commitment to elevating Indian craftsmanship and narratives to international unveiling of Seagram's Longitude 77 Collector's Edition at Cannes was more than a product launch; it was a celebration of India's artistic legacy and its seamless integration into global luxury narratives. At the India Pavilion, tribute was paid in a true sense to our country's journey, from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari. Through the collaborative efforts of Paresh Maity's evocative art, Manish Malhotra's couture craftsmanship, and Shalini Passi's visionary representation, the event marked a significant milestone in showcasing India's cultural prowess on an international platform. This initiative not only honoured India's rich traditions but also set a precedent for future endeavours in cultural diplomacy and artistic collaborations. Disclaimer: The material and information contained are for advertorial purposes only. India Today holds no responsibility for the content written on the website as a basis for making any business, legal, or any other decision. Any reliance placed on such material is at your own risk. advertisement
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Deccan Herald
June 6, 2025: Best photos from around the world
A Shikarawala near parked Shikaras at Dal Lake as Kashmir continues to sees low footfall of tourists, in Srinagar Credit: PTI Photo A Saraiki woman shapes and arranges bricks in Shujabad, Pakistan Credit: Reuters Photo Pigeons sit in the shade on a wall during a hot summer day, in Mumbai Credit: PTI Photo Igatpuri tunnel on the Samruddhi Mahamarg on the day of the inauguration of its final 76-km-long stretch, at Igatpuri in Nashik district, Maharashtra Credit: PTI Photo Priests perform 'Ganga Aarti' during Ganga Dussehra celebration at Dashashwamedh Ghat, in Varanasi
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Kashmir prepares for tourism 'long lull' as war cries ring loud
An emloyee walks in front of empty houseboats at Nigeen Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi An emloyee adjusts a room inside an empty houseboat at Nigeen Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi An aerial view shows house boats in the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi A Kashmiri man sits on a bench in front of a clock tower, at Lal Chowk area in Srinagar, Kashmir, April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Kashmiri men catch fish as they sit next to parked \"Shikaras\" or boats on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi SRINAGAR,/PIR CHINASI, Pakistan - Hotels and houseboats in Indian Kashmir are offering discounts of up to 70% after travellers fled following a deadly attack. On the Pakistani side, a tourist hotspot just on the border was sealed off as war cries between the foes grow louder. Residents in the divided Himalayan region known for its snow-covered peaks, fast-running streams and majestic Mughal-era gardens rely heavily on tourism, but their livelihood has become one of the first victims of the latest hostilities between Pakistan and India. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over the disputed region, which they both claim in full while ruling in part, and skirmishes between troops stationed along the de facto border have made Kashmir the frontline of their discord. But a sharp decline in militancy and a ceasefire that largely held for four years sparked a tourism boom, sending more than 3 million travellers to the Indian side of Kashmir last year while nearly 1.5 million vacationed on the Pakistan side. The influx had been touted as a major success story for the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose revocation of Kashmir's autonomous status in 2019 led to massive unrest. Hotels, houseboats and taxis were nearly fully booked at the start of the peak summer season this year too, before the attack last month on tourists killed 26 men in a meadow. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack and announced a series of diplomatic and economic steps against the neighbour. Pakistan has denied any role, unveiled tit-for-tat measures, and warned of an imminent military strike by India. Yaseen Tuman, who runs a more than 100-year-old travel agency and operates multiple houseboats in Srinagar, the main city of Indian Kashmir, said that nearly all his customers had cancelled bookings and his houseboats were empty. "Our houseboats were packed and now we have no guests," Tuman told Reuters, sitting on a wooden sofa in one of the houseboats on Nigeen Lake. Indian travel booking websites show houseboats and hotels offering heavy discounts, but Tuman said he won't cut rates because he did not expect tourists to come in big numbers anyway. "We will have to prepare for a long lull." 'GOING TO HURT BADLY' On the other side in Pir Chinasi, located at an altitude of 9,500 feet, roadside restaurants, hotels and guesthouses were sparsely occupied after authorities advised caution, fearing an Indian strike, though it is not so close to the de facto border. Neelum Valley, which lies on the border and is one of the most favoured tourist destinations in Pakistan, is out of bounds for now, authorities say. All the nearly 370 hotels and guesthouses in the valley are now empty, said Abrar Ahmad Butt, spokesperson for the hotels and guesthouses association of the region. Tourists typically throng the place starting in May as temperatures soar in rest of the country. "It's going to hurt badly this season," he said. Tourism employs around 16,000 people in the region. For Syed Yasir Ali, who works at a foreign mission in Islamabad, not being able to go to Neelum Valley may have been a dampener but he felt no fear in visiting Pir Chinasi with his wife and three sons. "This side is safe", he said, suggesting that others were wrongly fearful of visiting. "I am on the ground, it is safe." But the fear is having real economic consequences for a tuck shop run by Musaddiq Hussain. "Business is completely down," he said. "We should have peace in the country, so that we could prosper. "We want both countries to have peace." In Srinagar, taxi driver Tanveer rues the lost opportunity. "The streets were packed, there was no place to drive in the city before the horrific killing," he said, giving only one name. "I wait for a passenger all day. Before the attack, I had no time to take on more work." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
India, Pakistan exchange gunfire for 2nd day as ties plummet after attack
Indian citizen Zakiya Firdous breaks down as she bids goodbye to her recently married husband and a Pakistan citizen, Sahibzada Munadi Ahmad, as he prepares to leave India after India revoked all visas issued to Pakistani citizens, at the Attari-Wagah border crossing near Amritsar, India, April 25, 2025. India has cancelled visa services to Pakistani nationals \"with immediate effect\" following Tuesday's attack on tourists near south Kashmir's Pahalgam. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis A woman holds an electric candle as she takes part in a solidarity walk condemning a suspected militant attack on tourists near south Kashmir's scenic Pahalgam, in Kolkata, India April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhary Indian security force personnel patrol in a boat in the waters of Dal Lake as tourists ride \"Shikaras\" or boats, following a suspected militant attack near south Kashmir's Pahalgam, in Srinagar April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Indian security force personnel stand guard on the banks of Dal Lake, following a suspected militant attack near south Kashmir's Pahalgam, in Srinagar April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Border Security Force (BSF) security personnel stand guard at the Attari-Wagah crossing on the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar, following Tuesday's attack on tourists near south Kashmir's scenic Pahalgam, India, April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Pawan Kumar SRINAGAR - Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged gunfire for a second straight day on April 26 as ties plummeted between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after an attack on tourists blamed on Pakistani militants killed 26 in India's Kashmir region. The Indian Army said its troops responded to 'unprovoked' small arms fire from multiple Pakistan Army posts that started around midnight on April 25 along the 740km de facto border separating the Indian and Pakistani areas of Kashmir. The Indian Army said Pakistani troops had also opened up with sporadic fire around midnight on April 24. No casualties were reported from the Indian side, it said. There was no immediate comment from the Pakistani military. Kashmir's police have identified three suspects, including two Pakistani nationals, who carried out the April 22 attack. Pakistan has denied any involvement and its defence minister has said an international investigation was needed into the attack. After the attack, India and Pakistan unleashed a raft of measures against each other, with Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines, and India suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that regulates water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries. India and Pakistan have a decades-old ceasefire agreement over the disputed region of Kashmir but their troops still exchange gunfire sporadically. The two nations both claim Kashmir and have fought two of their three wars over it. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Indian Express
Pahalgam attack: Punjab universities step up vigil amid alleged attacks on Kashmiri students
Educational institutions across Punjab have heightened vigilance following alleged incidents where Kashmiri students in other states were targeted in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack. Two such alleged cases have been reported in Punjab—one in Kharar and another in Dera Bassi, according to the president of National Students' Union of India (NSUI). The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, that has around 2,800 students, including nearly 85 from Kashmir, has stepped up alert, despite no untoward incident. 'Our campus is very prosperous. No such issue has occurred here,' Sanjeev Thakur, director of Students' Welfare, said. At Baba Farid Group of Institutions, Bathinda, Harpal Singh, Deputy Director, said that an awareness lecture was held on April 23—a day after the Pehalgam attack—addressed by Heena Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Rural), along with other officials. 'The lecture focused on the importance of unity in diversity. Our hostel wardens have been instructed to remain vigilant, but no specific instructions are being issued to students as the situation remains peaceful,' he added. Meanwhile, Isherpreet Singh Sidhu, NSUI president, Punjab unit, told The Indian Express: 'Two female students were harassed by some boys a day after the Pehalgam attack while they were returning to their PG after college in Kharar. The boys referenced the Pahalgam incident. I also received distress calls from students studying in a college in Dera Bassi.' He said terrorism has no religion. 'We must maintain communal harmony in Punjab. We are committed to protecting our sisters, daughters, and even guests from other states. Students facing any harassment can reach out to me directly.' He, however, alleged that local police have not yet taken appropriate action against the miscreants involved. The Indian Express tried contacting Deepak Parekh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, but he couldn't be reached out. Punjab is home to several institutions that attract students from Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri students are also enrolled in private medical colleges in Bathinda and other parts of Punjab. Several educational institutions in Punjab also conduct seminars in Jammu and Kashmir to encourage enrolment from the region. In October 2021, a clash had occurred between students from Bihar and Kashmir in the hostel of the same institution following an India-Pakistan cricket match. However, the issue was resolved swiftly by the college management within a couple of days. Meanwhile, the J&K students of Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh, paid tributes to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack at Dal Lake, Srinagar, on Friday. In a gesture of solidarity, they organised a tribute ceremony on 26 Shikaras at Dal Lake, displaying posters 'United Against Terror.' Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, Aryans coordinator, said, Aryans Group Chandigarh has a diverse student strength from around 20 states. 'Aryans Group would provide free accommodation to any student facing difficulties until the situation normalized, he said in a statement.
