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New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Ayurveda, reinvented for today
At a time when wellness often swings between traditional remedies and high-tech solutions, Hyderabad-based 365veda emerges with a quiet revolution, one that respects the depth of Ayurveda while embracing the precision of modern science. CE sat down with Harshit Gohil, co-founder of 365veda, to understand what sparked this journey, the challenges along the way, and how 365veda is reshaping the wellness narrative through their pioneering Ayurceuticals. Excerpts What inspired you to launch 365veda? The idea for 365veda was born out of a deep respect for Ayurveda and a realisation that its everyday relevance could be amplified through science and innovation. My exposure to the field began early on, as I was closely involved in growing our family's Ayurvedic business, Gohil Ayurved, which had a wide distribution network across East India. That experience gave me a front-row seat to the enduring trust people place in Ayurveda and the systemic limitations that have prevented it from being a part of modern wellness routines. While Ayurveda has always been valued for long-term health, I saw an opportunity to make it more accessible, faster-acting and aligned with today's priorities. With 365veda, the goal wasn't to reinvent the tradition but to reintroduce it in a way that speaks to modern consumers through well-researched formulations, convenient formats, and measurable outcomes. That's how the idea of Ayurceuticals came to life. How has your journey been so far? Intense, unpredictable, and incredibly educational. From the outside, entrepreneurship often looks glamorous, but the reality is a long game of resilience, adaptation and constant learning. The real reward is hearing from someone who's sleeping better, feeling more energised, or trusting Ayurveda again because of something we built. That's what makes this journey meaningful.
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Gangaikonda Cholapuram: From glory to decline
Pomp and gaiety marked the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, which is organised every year in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, about 105 kilometres from Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu, to mark the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I (1012 to 1044 CE). The festival, which the DMK government in the State began holding from 2022, became a high-profile event this time thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the valediction ceremony. The festival also coincided with the completion of 1,000 years of the maritime expedition of the Chola emperor to Southeast Asia and the commencement of the construction of the iconic temple. In his book, A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar, historian K.A. Nilakanta Sastri states that Rajendra Chola's empire was 'the most extensive and most respected Hindu state of his time.' Gangaikonda Cholapuram, established by the Chola ruler, served as the capital of the imperial Cholas for about 250 years (1025 CE-1279 CE). Along with the Brihadeeswara temple in Thanjavur, built by Rajendra Chola's father, Rajaraja Chola I, the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram was included by UNESCO in 2004 under the category of 'Great Living Chola Temples' and declared a World Heritage Site. On July 27, Mr. Modi spent about two hours at the temple. Unlike most of his public events, which are characterised by formal speeches and the inauguration of projects and schemes, this event was different. Wearing a white dhoti, a half-sleeve shirt, and an angavastram (upper cloth), the Prime Minister enjoyed devotional renderings by a group of Oduvars (hymn singers) and by music director and composer Ilaiyaraaja. In his speech, Mr. Modi praised the contributions of the Cholas and explained how their rule remains an inspiration for modern India. The Cholas undoubtedly set a benchmark in various aspects of governance. However, their erstwhile capital is today one of the most backward districts of Tamil Nadu, Ariyalur. It is hard to believe that it was once the seat of power of a great empire for 250 years. 'It is all fine for the Prime Minister to announce the installation of statues for the two Chola emperors. But people in the district had expected him to unveil plans for infrastructure development in the region,' said N. Dhanapal, a resident of Thirumanur village in Ariyalur district. 'We thought he would make a statement on the approval of two long-pending railway projects — from Kumbakonam to Namakkal through Ariyalur and Perambalur, and one connecting Pattukottai, Thanjavur, and Ariyalur. We were disappointed,' he added. A predominantly agrarian district, Ariyalur has cement factories. These were established by large companies given the availability of good quality limestone in the region. After a spell of severe pest attacks about five years ago, farmers virtually stopped raising sugarcane. 'The sugar mill that we had barely functions,' a resident complained. Though the Small Industries Development Corporation set up an industrial estate at Mallur in the district about 10 years ago, it found few takers. The district has a fossil tree park and a fossil museum, which are examples of palaeo-zoology. In fact, the geological community regards the Ariyalur region as important as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, U.S. Yet, the place barely gets any visibility. In fact, despite being a World Heritage Site for more than 20 years, even the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple does not attract as many international visitors as it should, primarily due to connectivity issues and lack of amenities. It is not that there have not been efforts made to improve the district. On the eve of the festival, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced that the Chola Gangam lake, locally known as the Ponneri lake, would be developed at a cost of ₹12 crore, and that facilities for tourists would be improved at a cost of ₹7.25 crore. He also said that renovation work of channels around the tank and other maintenance works would be undertaken. The State government has also planned to construct a museum, spread over 10 acres, at the cost of ₹22.10 crore. However, these plans are not enough. What the people of the district, which was the seat of the ancient capital of the Cholas, want today is sustained attention and focus on economic development of the region. That is what finally matters to them.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
What Does the US's New Import Law Mean for India's Cultural Heritage?
In 2023, the 11th century Apsara that was stolen from Madhya Pradesh was returned to India by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York S Vijay Kumar On July 28, the United States formally implemented import restrictions on a broad category of archaeological and ethnological materials from India, a landmark moment in the legal protection of India's cultural heritage. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai For one, it marks the long-awaited enforcement of the US-India Cultural Property Agreement. The bilateral agreement, signed in 2024 under Article 9 of the 1970 Unesco Convention, reflects years of advocacy, diplomacy and public interest mobilization. It restricts the import of archaeological materials dating from 1.7 million years ago through 1770 CE, including stone, metal, terracotta and paintings and ethnological material such as manuscripts, ceremonial objects and architectural elements produced through 1947. The protections are set for a renewable five-year period, currently effective through July 26, 2029. These import restrictions serve not only to stem the illicit market but also to signal shared ethical commitments between India and the United States. This MoU is a game changer as it allows US customs to proactively seize smuggled Indian antiquities without requiring case-by-case legal battles. It establishes a clear legal deterrent for US-based collectors, dealers and auction houses dealing in undocumented Indian artefacts. It supports India's domestic enforcement by shifting the burden of proof to importers. It creates a presumptive legal shield for future restitution claims, improving the pace and success of repatriation efforts. It aligns India with other culture-rich nations like Cambodia, Peru, and Egypt that benefit from similar agreements and encourages museum sector reform through compliance with international best practices in provenance research. It sends a powerful diplomatic signal of India's commitment to safeguarding its heritage and seeking international accountability. In May 2016, I wrote an op-ed in The Times of India calling for such an agreement. I had warned that without formal mechanisms such as an MoU, the US would remain a major destination for stolen Indian artefacts, protected by the shield of good-faith purchase doctrines and the absence of enforceable import restrictions. I pointed to successful bilateral agreements the US had concluded with countries like Italy and Cambodia, and urged that India needed to catch up before more of its sacred heritage disappeared into private and institutional collections abroad. Nowhere has this heritage loss been felt more acutely than in Tamil Nadu , a state that has borne the brunt of idol theft and temple looting. From the majestic bronzes of the Chola period to intricately carved stone deities, Tamil Nadu's cultural wealth has been disproportionately targeted by international trafficking networks. In case after case — from the infamous Kapoor seizures to court-ordered restitutions in the United States and Australia — evidence has pointed to how artefacts from Tamil Nadu temples have been smuggled via fraudulent export documentation, transited through global art hubs, and sold to prominent museums and private collectors. This MoU introduces, for the first time, clear legal guardrails in the largest art market in the world. It will help ensure that any future attempts to export stolen bronzes or stone sculptures from Tamil Nadu to the US will be intercepted at the border. Furthermore, it creates a disincentive for laundering artefacts through restoration hubs or false provenance narratives, tactics that have historically enabled Tamil Nadu artefacts to lose their identity and re-emerge under Western ownership. In numerous trafficking cases, stolen idols and sculptures have been routed through laundering and restoration hubs in the United Kingdom, where they were cosmetically altered and given new provenance papers. From there, many were routed via transit ports in Hong Kong and Thailand that served as neutral logistics zones to mask their Indian origin. These artefacts would then enter the Western market with clean documentation, often falsely claimed to have been in private collections for decades. The MoU closes critical gaps in this laundering chain by enabling US authorities to challenge and detain such imports on the basis of their material, typology and region of origin, even if paper documentation appears superficially legitimate. It has taken almost a decade for that vision to be realized. The agreement now in force represents the culmination of years of civil society advocacy, diplomatic effort, and sustained public engagement. This milestone would not have been possible without the steadfast efforts of the Cultural Antiquities Task Force, particularly the Antiquities Coalition. I would like to acknowledge Tess Davis and Helena Arose (of Antiquities Coalition) for their advocacy, policy engagement and commitment to cultural justice. Their behind-the-scenes work was instrumental in making this agreement a reality. But this MoU is not a panacea. It must be supported by transparent acquisition policies among US institutions, vigilance at Indian ports, and a legal framework for restitution. But it marks a turning point. From ad hoc repatriations to preventive protection, from lobbying to legally binding enforcement. As someone who has worked closely with networks tracking the global trafficking of Indian antiquities, including the cases of Subhash Kapoor and Vaman Ghiya, I believe this agreement is a foundational pillar in India's evolving cultural diplomacy. The idol may still be silent, but nearly 10 years after the call was made, the law now speaks on its behalf. (The writer is co-founder of the India Pride Project, a citizen-led initiative to combat heritage crimes) The smuggling kingpins Indian-born US national Subhash Kapoor was convicted in 2022 for theft and illegal export of idols from the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district In 2003, police raided the home of Vaman Ghiya in Jaipur and seized hundreds of photographs of sculptures that were reportedly stolen from temples. Ghiya, owner of a handicrafts shop, was charged with possessing and trafficking stolen cultural property
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
US imposes import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological materials from India
CHENNAI: The US has formally imposed import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological materials from India by amending the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These curbs follow an agreement between the US and India under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. Now US customs can detain and repatriate illegally exported Indian antiquities without the burden of individual provenance litigation. The import restrictions will be in place till July 26, 2029, as of now. The laborious and tedious legal and other processes involved in retrieving the stolen artefacts over the years had prompted non-profit organisations both in India and in the US to push for such restrictions. 'This is a historic moment in the legal protection of India's cultural heritage,' India Pride co-founder K Vijay Kumar told TOI. The agreement 'is a foundational pillar in India's evolving cultural diplomacy', he added. On July 26, 2024, India and the US signed a bilateral agreement to bar trade in archaeological material ranging in date from about 1.7 million years ago to 1770 CE, as well as certain categories of ethnological material dating from the 2nd century BCE to 1947 CE. 'The bilateral agreement, signed in 2024 under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention, reflects years of advocacy, diplomacy and public interest mobilisation,' said Vijay Kumar. 'This milestone would not have been possible without the steadfast efforts of the Cultural Antiquities Task Force, particularly the Antiquities Coalition,' he said. The archaeological materials include stone, ceramics, faience, and fired clay, metal, plaster, stucco, and unfired clay, paintings, ivory and bone, glass, paper, leather, birch bark, and palm-leaf, textiles, wood, shell, and other organic material, and human remains. The ethnological material includes architectural elements, religious and ceremonial Items and manuscripts.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Publish inscriptions of Nataraja temple in book format: Villupuram MP Ravikumar
VILLUPURAM: After the union government failed to confirm in Parliament whether it plans to publish inscriptions from the Chidambaram Nataraja temple in book format, Villupuram MP D Ravikumar on Monday asked the Tamil Nadu government to take the lead in compiling and releasing the records, free of cost. 'These inscriptions are vital not just to the history of the Chidambaram temple, but to over a thousand years of Tamil Nadu's cultural, political and social evolution,' Ravikumar said, urging Minister Thangam Thennarasu to prioritise the initiative. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Ravikumar had sought details from the Union government on the status of documentation of inscriptions at the temple, which contains epigraphical records dating back to the 10th century CE, including those from the reign of Aditya Chola I, the Pandyas, and Vijayanagara rulers. In a written reply, Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the Epigraphy Branch of the ASI has documented 297 inscriptions from the temple, mostly from the period of Rajendra Chola I and later. While summaries of these inscriptions were published in the Annual Reports on Indian Epigraphy (1888-1963), and 157 full texts appear in the South Indian Inscriptions series, these publications are available only for purchase at ASI offices, museums, and protected monument sites.
