Latest news with #Sikkim
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Censors and their ridiculous cuts
In 2010, the Indian government undid one of their more contentious decisions. They 'unbanned' the Satyajit Ray documentary, Sikkim. This film, commissioned in 1971 by the Chogyal (king) of Sikkim and then cast aside since he was not happy with its final cut (too much reality … err… poverty!) had been banned in 1975 by the Indian government in the light of Sikkim's controversial accession to India that year. Over the years, the film had vanished from public view and only in 2010 was it screened in Kolkata to a rapturous response. By then, the context had changed, and it was deemed 'safe'. .As far as films were concerned, 1975 (the year of the infamous Emergency) was annus horribilis. That year also witnessed the government come down on Aandhi, directed by Gulzar. The lead character's look and the plot were deemed much too close to Indira Gandhi and her life. And then there was the case of Kissa Kursi Ka (KKK), submitted to the Censor Board in 1975, blacklisted (without due process) owing to its spoofing of Indira and Sanjay Gandhi and their flunkies like Dhirendra Brahmachari and Rukhsana Sultana. Its prints were then secreted away and burnt on the express instructions of V C Shukla, the then I&B minister. This, despite the fact that the movie was directed by Amrit Nahata, who was a Congress MP. The movie was subsequently reshot and released in was common to all of these films was their politics. Sikkim made the larger Indian state uncomfortable. Aandhi and KKK made political leaders calling the shots in the government uncomfortable. That state of affairs continues. .'Superman' can't save Hollywood from superhero one were to list the films that have found themselves in the crosshairs of the Censor Board in recent times, the same terms and conditions apply. Panjab '95 and Santosh question the role of the state and its enforcement wing, the police. L2: Empuraan with its depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots was skating close to the brings us to the case of 'Janaki V v/s State of Kerala'..State as 'sanskari'.Janaki V v/s State of Kerala is about sexual assault. And that its eponymous victim-character bore the name of the goddess who was the epitome of Indian womanhood was what waylaid the film for a while. Why even a kissing scene from 'Superman' had the censor authorities' knickers in a twist and was cut. .This cultural dimension to censorship wasn't always a thing. British-era censorship rules came down mostly on politics. Gandhi, the freedom movement, revolution — it was these that were on their proscribed list. .But it didn't always work. For all their attempts to curb political messaging, the British were daft enough to pass the song 'Door hato, ye duniyawaalon' in the 1943 movie, 'Kismet'. Since it was World War II, they read it as a warning to the Germans and Japanese to stay away from India. All of India knew that the song was aimed at our then-rulers. And it is they who were being asked to leave. .As for the 'sanskari' angle, movies of the 1920s and 30s were decidedly more uninhibited. Kissing was common with movies featuring both many, many kisses (1932's 'Zarina' — 42!) and long, long ones (1933's 'Karma' — allegedly four minutes). But somewhere along the line, the powers that be deemed it necessary to 'save' the Indian public from overtly sensual displays and began to come down hard on what they deemed was 'vulgar' and against 'family values'. These categories, fuzzy as they were, gave the censor authorities a lot of leeway and power. We were then ushered into the era of negotiation as filmmakers and pen-pushers argued, often maddeningly, about art and the 'national interest' and struck deals. The public, who were both to be fed these films and 'protected', were mute spectators. .Is all hope lost? .Are we, the public, then condemned to be patronised and hoodwinked eternally? Are we going to be 'protected' from risqué content because of our 'tender' sensitivities on the one hand and denied political content and ushered into a state of blind obedience, on the other? .Well… yes! If we continue to be so thin-skinned and demand 'bans' on all and sundry on the basis of the dodgy 'hurt sentiments' argument, this is how things are likely to be. In fact, it will probably get worse. A scenario where someone calls for a ban on the cooking or eating of non-vegetarian food on screen is not unimaginable. Equally, another might want to have a say in the 'naming' of characters. Villains cannot bear 'good' names may be the it is time we healed ourselves. Committing to free expression and a willingness to tolerate contrary opinions (political, artistic, whatever) is de rigueur for good citizenship. That is the need of the hour. The state must be held accountable for livelihoods, health and education rather than focusing on censorship..(The author is a well-known writer and editor)
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Income concerns, staff shortage hamper natural farming push: Parliamentary panel
Despite the government's efforts to scale up natural and climate-resilient farming, a parliamentary panel has flagged persistent income concerns among farmers, gaps in implementation, and staff shortages as key challenges that threaten long-term sustainability. The parliamentary Estimates Committee tabled its report in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. (Sansad TV) The parliamentary Estimates Committee, in a report tabled in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, observed that despite the government making significant strides in awareness programmes, 'financial security remains a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of Natural Farming (NF).' The committee noted that while financial aid of ₹31,500 to ₹46,500 per hectare over three years is a welcome move, it falls short in covering transition losses from chemical to organic farming. 'The ₹31,500 to ₹46,500 per hectare over three years, although a step in the right direction, might not be sufficient to fully alleviate the financial strain farmers experience during the first three to four years, a period in which yields tend to be lower and the economic burden heavier,' the report said. It called for 'a more robust and expanded' support system, and flagged the scarcity of bio-fertilisers as a key hurdle in replicating the Sikkim model of chemical-free cultivation. The committee praised government outreach to 11.37 lakh farmers and stakeholders through awareness drives but said the benefits of certification schemes like the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and Participatory Guarantee System (PGSIndia) remain underutilised due to poor farmer awareness. It also flagged budgetary constraints that have hit the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-led NICRA project, which promotes climate-resilient farming practices. It noted a lack of programme implementation in several districts that are at significant risk from climate change. 'Due to budget constraints, NICRA's adaptation activities have only been implemented in only 151 of 310 high-risk districts, leaving a large number of vulnerable areas unaddressed,' the panel said. It added that poor adoption of new seed varieties, low awareness, weak distribution, lack of coordination with states and missing large-scale assessments are hampering results. 'The Committee express their concern to note that so many regions are being neglected due to financial constraints, particularly when the very survival of agricultural livelihoods in these areas is at risk,' the report said. As Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are being used to scale natural farming, the report said funding and staffing shortfalls persist. 'This staff shortfall is significantly impairing the KVKs' ability to effectively carry out their core functions,' it noted, citing 3,500 vacant posts. It also raised concerns about unequal service rules between ICAR and non-ICAR KVKs. 'The service conditions for employees in ICAR KVKs differ from those in non-ICAR KVKs, creating an unequal work environment,' the report said. The NMNF was approved by the Union Cabinet on November 25, 2024, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to promote chemical-free farming using livestock and plant inputs. In Parliament, Union minister of state for agriculture Ramnath Thakur recently said more than 10 lakh farmers had joined the initiative.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IHCL signs agreement with Ambuja Neotia for 15 hotels in India
Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed agreements with the Ambuja Neotia Group to launch 15 new hotels in India. The agreements further expand the companies' existing partnership to more than 40 hotels. IHCL managing director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal said: 'IHCL's pioneering legacy of building destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa and Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands will now extend to unlocking the tourism potential of the East and North East with this agreement. 'We are delighted to extend our partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group, known for their luxury hospitality developments showcasing the spirit of this region.' The new projects, primarily under the Taj brand, are slated to open within the next five years. It will start with four hotel operating agreements for properties including a Taj hotel in Darjeeling, a hotel under the Tree of Life brand in Lataguri, and a SeleQtions in both Kolkata and Siliguri. Comprising a mix of greenfield, brownfield, and conversion projects, the 15 new sites are located across Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim. This expansion encompasses a Taj resort in Sunderban, Shimla, Darjeeling, and Rabong, with some of the projects featuring villas under the Taj brand in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Lataguri, and Raichak. Ambuja Neotia Group chairman Harshavardhan Neotia said: 'This announcement follows closely on the heels of IHCL's strategic partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group for Tree of Life, reflective of the strength and success of our ongoing collaboration. 'The addition of premium room inventory this fiscal to Taj Chia Kutir in Kurseong, as well as the upcoming Taj-branded luxury villas in Darjeeling, Lataguri and Gangtok, reflects the growing demand from the segment.' IHCL's portfolio has more than 400 hotels, encompassing 152 under pipeline, spanning four continents, 14 countries, and over 150 locations. In November 2023, IHCL revealed plans to open a new Taj property in West Bengal. "IHCL signs agreement with Ambuja Neotia for 15 hotels in India" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Gulf Business
19-07-2025
- Gulf Business
‘Left to die': British adventurer Adrian Hayes on resilience at 8,300 metres
British adventurer, author and leadership coach Adrian Hayes (66) recently returned from a perilous expedition to Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain. Known for tackling some of the planet's toughest environments – including summiting K2, reaching the North and South Poles, and crossing Greenland and the Empty Quarter – Hayes faced one of his greatest tests yet on the 8,586-metre Himalayan peak in May this year. After reaching the summit, he ran out of oxygen, broke his hand, suffered frostbite and was eventually left behind in what climbers call the 'death zone.' In this interview with Gulf Business podcast Situation Today , Hayes reflects on the experience, the mental and physical resilience it required, and how the lessons from extreme environments apply to leadership and business today. Watch the full interview here: An edited version of the interview is also posted below. What inspired you to take on Kanchenjunga? It's the third-highest mountain in the world and nearly as steep as K2, but twice as long. It's got the longest summit push from top camp to summit of any mountain. It's brutal. Not avalanche-prone like some peaks, but exhaustion and exposure are the real killers. The mountain is on the eastern Nepal border with Sikkim, close to Tibet. I served in the Gurkha Regiment years ago and used to recruit in that area. I saw the mountain 30 years ago and always told myself, 'One day.' I've been adventuring since I was 17. For me, it's always been about experience, growth and the pursuit of excellence. I had to stop for seven years to raise my daughter — my toughest challenge — but came back to it. We tried Kanchenjunga last year and didn't summit. This year was a second attempt. By all accounts, mountaineering has changed a lot over the years. Has it become too commercial or attention-driven? Yes. Most expeditions are now Sherpa-led, and social media has made everything a performance. People want to prove themselves: show they've done something impressive. It's no longer enough to run a marathon; now it's an ultra-marathon on a mountain. Everest has become a circus. There's a record for everything now: the youngest, fastest, first from a certain country. That shift happened especially after Nirmal Purja climbed all 14 eight-thousanders. It became a Netflix documentary, and suddenly, it was about flying between base camps and beating records. I think we need to get back to the core reason for doing these things: for the experience, the solitude, the clarity. And that doesn't have to be the Himalayas. The UAE mountains are fantastic too — I'm out there every winter weekend. Tell us about the summit attempt. Were you climbing alone or in a team? There were eight of us and eight Sherpas for the summit push. Earlier acclimatisation rotations were mostly solo or with a teammate. By the time we attempted the summit, only five climbers remained, and the conditions weren't great. Everything felt rushed. We left the lower top camp at 6:30 PM on May 10 and reached the summit at 2:30 PM the next day: 20 hours later. I ran out of oxygen on the way up because my Sherpa was behind me. At one point, I ended up leading. Eventually, I got oxygen back and summited strong. But I was desperate for water. READ MORE: How long can you realistically survive without adequate oxygen? You can't, really, not for long. If you're used to climbing with oxygen and it suddenly runs out, it's like pulling the plug on an electric car. You just stop. My Sherpa was inexperienced. I don't want to be harsh, but he was young. I eventually got oxygen again, and we reached the summit in horrible weather. We took a quick photo, quick video, and we started descending. That's when you injured your hand? Yes. On the descent, another climber tripped and crashed into me. I was knocked off a ledge and caught by the fixed rope, but all my weight went onto my hand. It wrapped around the rope and was basically put out of action. Descending with one hand is incredibly difficult. It took us three to four hours to descend just 200 metres. Everyone else made it back to Camp 4. Tragically, one French woman died on the way down: it was her first 8,000-metre peak. Then, I ran out of oxygen again. That's when I started suffering from HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema). I became disoriented and irrational. I told my Sherpa to leave me. I was hallucinating: seeing climbers, lights, even entire teams that weren't there. Eventually, I passed out at 8,300 metres. What was that descent like? It took more than a day to get from 8,300 to around 7,700 metres. I took a wrong turn, slid 30 metres, hallucinated villages and teammates. I talked to people who weren't there. But I kept going. Eventually, I crashed again. Then I heard a voice. A Sherpa had come up with oxygen. He clipped me in, gave me a mask, and got me down to Camp 4. The next day, we reached Camp 2, and I was airlifted out. I'm only here today because I managed to get low enough and because that Sherpa came for me. And you suffered frostbite as well? Yes, in several fingers and my right foot. It's healing. One finger is still bad, and the foot is painful. But it's a small price to pay. I've been told very few people have survived a solo descent like that from the death zone. What kept you going through this experience? Three things. First, a kind of autopilot. That instinct to get down. Second, fitness: I was in top condition. Third, belief. I've descended Everest without oxygen before. I've done big climbs. I knew it was possible. I also shut everything else out. No fear. No panic. No thinking about family. Just one focus: descend. People have asked if I'll suffer PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). I've relived the experience, sure, but there's no trauma. I'm just happy to be alive. You draw lessons from this for the business world too. How does that tie into your work? I've been coaching for 20 years. I'm not just a motivational speaker: I speak on leadership, growth mindset, change, risk and resilience. Resilience is a big one. Many senior execs tell me their teams lack it, especially the younger generations. We've grown up in a risk-averse culture, sanitised and wrapped in cotton wool. That has an impact. We're not teaching people how to think; just what to think. With smartphones and now AI, we've outsourced problem-solving. We've lost basic skills. People can't even navigate without GPS anymore. But life isn't always smooth. Things go wrong. The more you challenge yourself, the better prepared you are. So what advice would you give to business leaders trying to build resilience in their teams? Start with culture. Encourage honest feedback: it's the greatest gift. Get your team aligned on how you work and what culture you want. Create an environment where risk-taking is encouraged, and mistakes are seen as part of growth. Promote problem-solving and critical thinking. Encourage difficult conversations. We need people who can think independently, challenge the status quo, and communicate openly. That's how you build resilience. And finally — what's next? Will you keep climbing? This was my last 8,000-metre peak. I don't see the point in going back to chase all 14. That's been done. But I do plan to return to the 7,000-metre ranges in Tibet, India, or Nepal. Not immediately, but maybe next year. It's not about records anymore. It's about getting away from the noise, being in nature, and reconnecting. And you don't have to go to the Himalayas: the mountains in Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah, and Oman are incredible too. Pictured: Adrian Hayes on a previous expedition.
Mint
11-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Centre extends Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan's tenure till August 22 next year
The Centre on July 11 extended the tenure of Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan till August 22 next year, according to an official order. The extension comes as the country prepares for the long-delayed census with caste enumeration. India's 16th Census with caste enumeration will be carried out in 2027, with the reference date of October 1, 2026, in snow-bound areas like Ladakh and March 1, 2027, in the rest of the country. Mohan, a 1989 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Sikkim cadre, was named the Union Home Secretary in August 2024. He took over the charge from Ajay Kumar Bhalla on completion of his tenure on August 22 last year. Mohan, a 1989 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Sikkim cadre, was named the Union Home Secretary in August 2024. 'The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Mohan's extension in services as Home Secretary beyond the date of his superannuation on September 30 up to August 22, 2026 or until further orders, in terms of the provisions of Fundamental Rules or FR 56 (d) and Rule 16 (1A) of the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958,' said the order issued by the Ministry of Personnel. The rules have provisions to extend the services of such officers. With this extension, Mohan will have two years' tenure on the crucial post, which is mandated to ensure internal security matters, among other things. A seasoned bureaucrat, Mohan was also the government's key officer during the COVID-19 pandemic and was tasked with overseeing the implementation of decisions taken for various protocols and ensuring smooth coordination with the states. Before joining MHA, Mohan worked as Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, in the Finance Ministry from August 2017 to May 2018. He also worked as Principal Resident Commissioner, Sikkim in 2015. Mohan worked as Minister (Economic), Embassy of India, Washington DC, USA from July 2012 to August, 2015. Before that, he worked as Joint Secretary, in the Cabinet Secretariat, from January 2011 to July 2012 -Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (July 1986–March 1988). -Bachelor of Technology, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (July 1982–March 1986) specialising in the general discipline of Electrical Engineering, with electives in the area of Computer Software and Engineering. -Indian School Certificate, St. Francis' College, Lucknow (March 1982).
