<ul><li>Amid the ongoing coronavirus lockdown in the US, the Indian embassy in Washington has launched an online <keyword id="6386949" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kuchipudi">Kuchipudi</keyword> dance course which will hold classes twice a week.</li><li>The embassy has roped in <keyword id="584579" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhavana-Reddy">Bhavana Reddy</keyword>, one of India's leading young Kuchipudi performers, as part of its ‘Learn from the Masters Series.'</li><li>She has received Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Kuchipudi Dance. </li></ul>Amid the ongoing coronavirus lockdown in the US, the Indian embassy in Washington has launched an online Kuchipudi dance course which will hold classes twice a week, it was reported. The embassy has roped in Bhavana Reddy, one of India's leading young Kuchipudi performers, as part of its ‘Learn from the Masters Series' to hold the weekly classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7 p.m., the American Bazaar said in a report on Wednesday. The inaugural class will be broadcast on Facebook on Thursday. Bhavana Reddy, younger daughter and disciple of legendary dancing couple <keyword id="26721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Raja-Radha-Reddy">Raja Radha Reddy</keyword> and Kaushalya Reddy, is the recipient of the coveted National Award, <keyword id="82290" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sangeet-Natak-Akademi">Sangeet Natak Akademi</keyword>'s Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. She has received Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Kuchipudi Dance by Telugu Reddy has given exclusive Kuchipudi performances for several leading personalities including Ivanka Trump, US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword>'s daughter and senior White House adviser. She has also appeared in major publications like New York Times, Arab Times, The New Yorker and San Francisco Chronicle.

Indian embassy in US launches online Kuchipudi dance course

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27121837.cms" /> When the winter is right upon us and holidays are back with a bang, can festivals be far behind? It is <keyword id="24087" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="carnival">carnival</keyword> time across India – a time to celebrate and share all things good in true Yuletide spirit. So we bring you seven offbeat <keyword id="6385705" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="events">events</keyword> – a mix of modern concepts and traditional happenings that celebrate the varied and vibrant art and culture of the country. And then there will be Christmas <keyword id="192" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Celebrations">celebrations</keyword> all over India. Let go of your toil &amp; care, and connect to retune your life. Happy holidays! 
 
Life at its exotic best – <keyword id="78069" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rann-Utsav">Rann Utsav</keyword> (<keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>) It’s a desert <keyword id="58" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Festival">festival</keyword> with a difference. The white salt marsh, spread across some 7,000 sq km in Gujarat, attracts thousands to the Great Rann every year, revealing the many-hued life and culture of <keyword id="6361801" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kutch">Kutch</keyword>. The journey from Bhuj will take you to the colourful Tent City at <keyword id="1967990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhordo-village">Dhordo village</keyword> and other exotic locations such as <keyword id="1967991" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hodko">Hodko</keyword>, <keyword id="1967994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhirandiyara">Bhirandiyara</keyword>, <keyword id="144766" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Khavda">Khavda</keyword>, <keyword id="476012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalo-Dungar">Kalo Dungar</keyword> (<keyword id="226408" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Black-Hills">Black Hills</keyword>) and the <keyword id="656787" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mandvi-beach">Mandvi beach</keyword>. The great white saltpan in the distance looks mesmeric and nearby, you can catch the haunting tunes played by the locals on their jodia pava (twin-flutes). While you are here, <keyword id="76631" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Folk-music">folk music</keyword>, dances, camel safaris and wildlife viewing will fill your days. A stay at the bhunga (egg-shaped mud huts), a taste of the Kutchi cuisine and the exquisite local art will enthral you further. In mid-January, Kutch celebrates the traditional <keyword id="4062388" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kite-festival">kite festival</keyword> <keyword id="90750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uttarayan">Uttarayan</keyword> and you can watch the spectacular view as thousands of flying beauties dot the sky. 
When: Dec 15-March 18 
What it costs: Rs 7,900-22,500 plus taxes per person on twin sharing basis. 
Image: Rann-utsav.com 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120067.cms" /> 
 
Shake a leg at <keyword id="91958" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunburn-festival">Sunburn Festival</keyword> (<keyword id="826" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword>) If the <keyword id="24879" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sun">sun</keyword>, seas and <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> allure you to distraction, it’s time to head for the coastal capital for a rocking experience. Sunburn is the coolest <keyword id="881528" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="electronic-dance-music-festival">electronic dance music festival</keyword> to invade the <keyword id="1834821" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="indian-beaches">Indian beaches</keyword>, now entering Season 7 with pomp and style. With custom stages in the making, numerous genres of music on offer and some world famous DJs &amp; <keyword id="49237" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Artistes">artistes</keyword> debuting, it is surely going to be an electrifying extravaganza that could be the party of parties in Goa. Get ready for some fun, frolic and froth even as the music captures your soul and you can’t stop dancing. 
When: Dec 27-29 
What it costs: Rs 9,250-15,500 per person. 
Image: Wikimedia Commons 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120166.cms" /> 
 
Super fun at <keyword id="1968003" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vh1-Supersonic">Vh1 Supersonic</keyword> (Goa) Another electrifying <keyword id="6356630" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="EDM">EDM</keyword> (<keyword id="42249" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="electronic-dance-music">electronic dance music</keyword>) event that will be held in Goa this year. A super line-up of artistes and DJs from all over the globe will keep you spellbound with some rocking music while dancing gets even better when you are grooving on the <keyword id="8688" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="SEA">sea</keyword> shore. And guess who is leading the super fest? None other than the electronic music promoter <keyword id="135873" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nikhil-Chinapa">Nikhil Chinapa</keyword> who has left Sunburn and is now starting his own show. The <keyword id="1968004" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Debut-edition">debut edition</keyword> this year is purely for <keyword id="6355317" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dance">dance</keyword> music fans, but it could be a <keyword id="1968005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Multi-genre-festival">multi-genre festival</keyword> within the next year or two. So let’s wait and watch the magic happen. 
When: Dec 26-30 
What it costs: Keep a tab, the organisers will soon come up with the ticket pricing. 
Image: Gosupersonic.in 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120247.cms" /> 
 
Wellness fest at Zambhala (Goa) If you are seeking wellness and harmony this <keyword id="6389817" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-year">New Year</keyword>, the <keyword id="1968009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zambhala-Yoga">Zambhala Yoga</keyword>, <keyword id="1968008" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Music-and-Life-Spirit-Festival">Music and Life Spirit Festival</keyword> could be the <keyword id="1968010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lifestyle-event">lifestyle event</keyword> for you. Debuting this December, it is going to be an annual festival that brings together <keyword id="1968011" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yoga-experts">yoga experts</keyword>, <keyword id="551676" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="spiritual-teachers">spiritual teachers</keyword>, <keyword id="25205" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="doctors">doctors</keyword>, <keyword id="21324" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Therapists">therapists</keyword>, <keyword id="145052" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="healers">healers</keyword>, <keyword id="6367711" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Musicians">musicians</keyword> and <keyword id="1792" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="artists">artists</keyword> from all over the globe. So that one may nurture the power of self and live with positive energy. The yoga part of the festival is especially interesting as it will focus on various methods of yoga and <keyword id="6388212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="meditation">meditation</keyword> – all curated to ensure a better and <keyword id="1968013" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Healthier-living">healthier living</keyword>. Then there will be talks and workshops on <keyword id="639756" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="life-skills">life skills</keyword> and <keyword id="1968014" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alternative-healing">alternative healing</keyword>. Overall, quite a new concept and could be worth joining. 
When: Dec 21-22 
What it costs: Rs 2,800 per person for participation; day passes available at venue for Rs 1,600 while kids under the age of 12 can attend for free. Event to be held at Bardo, Morjim, in North Goa. 
Image: Zambhala.in 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120306.cms" /> 
 
Melody, masti at <keyword id="1968016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mt-Abu-Winter-Festival">Mt Abu Winter Festival</keyword> (<keyword id="6355588" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajasthan">Rajasthan</keyword>) Come December and this hill resort in the heart of Rajasthan pulsates with festive notes. A grand procession marks the beginning, diyas are set floating on the <keyword id="455501" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nakki-Lake">Nakki Lake</keyword> in the evenings and spectacular <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> light up the night sky. <keyword id="29645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Performers">Performers</keyword> and <keyword id="6360759" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="artisans">artisans</keyword> from all over the state assemble here, bringing to life the rich culture and traditions of this princely state. Give in to the serene magic of music – the folk, the shehnai and the <keyword id="6401082" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sufi">Sufi</keyword> strains. Or join the Rajasthani dancers with full zest. The thrilling <keyword id="1968020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fire-dance">fire dance</keyword> of Bikaner, the graceful <keyword id="1968022" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ghoomer">Ghoomer</keyword> and <keyword id="1968023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Terahtali">Terahtali</keyword>, the lively <keyword id="1288524" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalbelia">Kalbelia</keyword> and the fascinating <keyword id="1622221" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gair">Gair</keyword> of Mewar are sure to take your breath away. For the adventurous, there’s a long list of contests – rowing, horse races, tug-of-war, gilli danda, <keyword id="6799761" type="SPORT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kite-flying">kite flying</keyword> and even 20-20 cricket. Shop for exquisite <keyword id="6502685" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Handicraft">handicraft</keyword> and taste the delectable local food to make the most of this colourful carnival. 
When: Dec 29-31 
What it costs: A trip to <keyword id="434732" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mt-Abu">Mt Abu</keyword> suits every budget and starts from Rs 7,000-8,000 per person on twin sharing basis. 
Image: Wikimedia Commons 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120323.cms" /> 
 
The beat of sun, surf &amp; ruins – <keyword id="1968024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mamallapuram-Dance-Festival">Mamallapuram Dance Festival</keyword> (<keyword id="12864" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai">Chennai</keyword>) If you missed the Konark dance festival in Odisha earlier this month, travel south to the beach town of <keyword id="385028" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mamallapuram">Mamallapuram</keyword> (also known as <keyword id="73041" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mahabalipuram">Mahabalipuram</keyword>), around 60 km south of Chennai, and soak in the <keyword id="1968025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Open-air-dance-festival">open air dance festival</keyword>. One can never find a more majestic backdrop with the <keyword id="1968028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Monolithic-rock-sculptures">monolithic rock sculptures</keyword> and temples rising above the golden shore and the endless waves breaking nearby. This ancient port town of the Pallava dynasty hosts a month-long festival that brings to life classical and <keyword id="522230" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="folk-dances">folk dances</keyword> from all over India – <keyword id="14944" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bharatanatyam">Bharatanatyam</keyword>, <keyword id="6386949" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kuchipudi">Kuchipudi</keyword>, <keyword id="255053" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kathakali">Kathakali</keyword>, <keyword id="1300412" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mohini-attam">Mohini Attam</keyword>, <keyword id="6354459" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Odissi">Odissi</keyword>, <keyword id="210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kathak">Kathak</keyword> and more. The exact venue is close to <keyword id="1968030" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjunas-Penance">Arjuna’s Penance</keyword>, a bass relief sculpted on the face of two gigantic adjacent rocks. While in Mamallapuram, you must visit Cholamadal artists’ village and shop for some exquisite handcrafted items. 
When: Dec 27-Jan 26 
What it costs: Most tour operators offer customised pricing, depending on itinerary and package; may cost around Rs 7,000 per person on twin sharing basis. 
Image: Tamilnadutourism.org 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120377.cms" /> 
 
A symphony of Indian traits – <keyword id="1968032" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cochin-Carnival">Cochin Carnival</keyword> (Kerala) This is one colourful carnival that calls for fun, feasting and revelry. It’s an age-old event and dates back to the colonial days when the Portuguese held <keyword id="9735" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-year-celebrations">New Year celebrations</keyword>. Now it offers loads of <keyword id="1783440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="carnival-games">carnival games</keyword>, <keyword id="1968033" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Beach-games">beach games</keyword>, races (how about some dirt biking), dancing and fireworks. Locals dress up in <keyword id="1968034" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fancy-costumes">fancy costumes</keyword> and the grand finale includes a huge procession on New Year’s Day – complete with drum beats, music and embellished elephants. But just like a full-blooded carnival, it has more to offer that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe. While the North and <keyword id="1968035" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="South-Indian-folk-dances">South Indian folk dances</keyword> set the stages on fire, a three-month-long <keyword id="1968037" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="International-exhibition-of-contemporary-art">international exhibition of contemporary art</keyword> (they call it <keyword id="1055137" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kochi-Muziris-Biennale">Kochi-Muziris Biennale</keyword>) was also held across the state in 2012-13. So it should be back next December to delight <keyword id="1643" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Art-lovers">art lovers</keyword> and Aspinwall in <keyword id="6361494" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fort-Kochi">Fort Kochi</keyword> is expected to be the main venue for the second edition. 
When: Dec 25-Jan 1 at Fort Kochi. 
What it costs: A week’s vacation in Kerala may cost around Rs 16,000 per person on twin sharing basis (excluding airfare). 
Image: Keralatourism.org 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/27120517.cms" />

Seven
Indian Festivals You Must Not Miss This December

New York [US], April 5 (ANI): The <keyword id="10561122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bird-flu-pandemic" source="Orion">bird flu pandemic</keyword> with the potential to be "<keyword id="21202249" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="100-times-worse" source="Orion">100 times worse</keyword> than COVID" may be on the horizon after a rare human case was discovered in Texas, experts have warned, the New York Post reported on Thursday. The <keyword id="21202246" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H5N1-avian-flu" source="keywords">H5N1 avian flu</keyword> has spread rapidly since a new strain was detected in 2020 affecting wild birds in every state, as well as in commercial poultry and backyard flocks. But the recent cases detected in mammals, with cattle herds across four states becoming infected and on Monday, federal health officials announced that a dairy worker in Texas caught the virus. "This virus [has been] on the top of the pandemic list for many, many years and probably decades," Suresh Kuchipudi, a <keyword id="95867" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bird-flu" source="Orion">bird flu</keyword> researcher from Pittsburgh, said at a recent panel discussing the issue, the New York Post reported citing the Daily Mail. "And now we're getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic." He noted that the <keyword id="565908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H5N1-virus" source="Orion">H5N1 virus</keyword> has already been detected in species throughout the world and "has shown the ability to infect a range of mammalian hosts, including humans." "So therefore, in my view, I think this is a virus that has the greatest pandemic threat [that is] playing out in plain sight and globally present," Kuchipudi said. John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant for vaccines and the founder of Canada-based BioNiagara who organized the meeting, also expressed his concerns, the Mail reports, the New York Post reported. "This appears to be 100 times worse than COVID -- or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate," he said. "Once it's mutated to infect humans, we can only hope that the [fatality rate] drops." Around 52 per cent of humans who have contracted H5N1 since 2003 have died, according to the World Health Organization. For comparison, COVID currently kills less than 0.1% of those it infects -- though at the start of the pandemic, the fatality rate was around 20 per cent. Symptoms of the bird flu are similar to those of other flus, including cough, body aches and fever, the New York Post reported. Some people may not develop noticeable symptoms, but others can develop severe, life-threatening pneumonia. The dairy worker in Texas who was infected has reported "eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis)" as their only symptom, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted. "The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for [the] flu," the CDC said. The agency and "the whole US government is taking this situation very seriously," CDC Director Mandy Cohen told the Washington Post. She maintained that the virus does not pose much of a risk to the general public, noting that the dairy worker was in direct contact with infected cattle, and the US Department of Agriculture has said there are currently no changes that would make it more transmissible to humans. "While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low," the department said in a statement over the weekend. But the fact that the virus has been found in cattle could mean it is starting to mutate, Cohen told the Washington Post. "We had not seen avian flu in cattle prior to last week. That is new," she said. "It is a reservoir for [the] virus to circulate and potentially change." If the virus does mutate enough to infect humans, it could spread rapidly, the European Food Safety Authority warned on Wednesday, according to Fox News. "If avian A [H5N1] influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large-scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defences against H5 viruses in humans," the Food Safety Authority said. To prevent any potential spread, the US is already testing components used to create a vaccine for the virus, and two candidate vaccine viruses appear to be well-matched to protect against H5N1, the Washington Post reports. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said the Biden administration is monitoring the threat. "We take the health and safety of the American people seriously," she said at her briefing on Wednesday. "It is very important to this president. Our top priority is to keep communities healthy, safe and informed."

Scientists warn of bird flu pandemic that could be '100 times worse' than COVID after rare human case found in US

Nearly 100 local artists are staging various art forms, including Carnatic and Hindustani Music, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and <keyword id="6354459" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="odissi" source="Orion">Odissi</keyword>, at an art festival being organised by the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (<keyword id="5515604" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sifas" source="Orion">SIFAS</keyword>). "The Festival of Arts 2023 showcases how artists can experiment, push borders and expand horizons and yet be entertaining, pure and soulful," said <keyword id="2609525" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="puneet-pushkarna" source="Orion">Puneet Pushkarna</keyword>, Chairman of performances and external relations at SIFAS. "Although steeped in traditional art forms, SIFAS aims to be relevant to the younger generation by finding ways to incorporate different ideas to enhance and uplift their productions," <keyword id="13972628" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="pushkarna" source="Orion">Pushkarna</keyword> said. Featuring independent artists from Singapore, SIFAS teachers, alumni and students, in a 20-piece ensemble unifying instruments of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities called "Kathambam", presents a multi-genre and multi-ethnic musical concert. Themed "Kalpana - Exploring the Past, Imagining the Future", the festival celebrates its illustrious legacy of being the pioneer of Indian Classical Arts in Singapore and its dedicated mission of nurturing young talent by striving to create works that bring new life to the stage for the last 73 years. On Sunday (April 23), the artists will perform at the Esplanade Concert Hall, the city state's top art performing stage. The concert will feature melodies inspired by ancient poetry, Indian classical and folk music, western elements, and various languages. This year, the artists have stepped out of their comfort zones to reimagine the cultural arts landscape, he highlighted. After two long years because of the Covid-19 restrictions, the festival is back and is being held from Thursday (April 20) to the following Monday (May 1). SIFAS has always been an established platform for local artists, giving wings to their artistic dreams, said Pushkarna. The 12-day festival is a celebration of local talent with over 30 events at the SIFAS auditorium. There is also an exhibition showcasing budding visual artists during the entire Festival. "SIFAS attempts to bring a new element every year in its annual festival," added Pushkarna. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/elton-becomes-gaurav-freddy-turns-shaurya-namibian-cheetahs-in-kuno-get-indian-names/articleshow/99662762.cms">Elton becomes Gaurav, Freddy turns Shaurya: Namibian cheetahs in Kuno get Indian names</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/indias-major-ports-handled-highest-ever-cargo-at-795-million-tonne-in-fy23/articleshow/99662039.cms">India's major ports handled highest ever cargo at 795 million tonne in FY23</a>

Singapore artists hold 12-day Indian art festival

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nearly 20 white-tailed <keyword id="6368468" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="deer" source="Orion">deer</keyword> in New York were infected with Omicron this winter, <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.04.479189v1">research</a> suggests.</li><li>The virus seems widespread among US deer, raising concerns about the spillover of new variants.</li></ul>Vaughn Cooper sees white-tailed deer every day in his neighborhood outside Pittsburgh. The species is common in most US states. Pennsylvania alone has around <a href="https://extension.psu.edu/white-tailed-deer">1.5 million white-tailed deer</a> — about 30 per square mile — while the US has <a href="https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/profiles/deer.html#:~:text=There%20are%20an%20estimated%2030,distributed%20throughout%20the%20continental%20US.">around 30 million</a> in total."My dog goes ripping after the deer every morning," Cooper, the director of the Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, told Insider.Interactions between humans and deer — or deer and other <keyword id="11897851" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="animals" source="Orion">animals</keyword> — are a pressing concern among scientists, since the <keyword id="11893194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus" source="Orion">coronavirus</keyword> now appears widespread in the US white-tailed deer population.Researchers at Pennsylvania State University identified nearly 20 white-tailed deer in Staten Island, New York, that were infected with the <keyword id="12616995" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="omicron-variant" source="Orion">Omicron variant</keyword> between December 2021 and January 2022. Their <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.04.479189v1">findings</a>, which haven't been peer reviewed, mark the first report of Omicron spilling over to wild animals. A spillover event occurs when a highly-infected population passes the virus to another species that hasn't encountered it (or that a particular variant) before.The US Department of Agriculture has <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/one_health/downloads/qa-covid-white-tailed-deer-study.pdf">detected coronavirus infections</a> among white-tailed deer in 15 states, a USDA spokesperson <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/health/omicron-deer-staten-island-covid.html?action=click&amp;algo=bandit-all-surfaces_impression_cut_3_filter_new_arm_5_1&amp;alpha=0.05&amp;block=more_in_recirc&amp;fellback=false&amp;imp_id=259234325&amp;impression_id=37afb285-88f1-11ec-a163-7d7199a68375&amp;index=5&amp;pgtype=Article&amp;pool=more_in_pools%2Fhealth&amp;region=footer&amp;req_id=406921319&amp;surface=eos-more-in&amp;variant=0_bandit-all-surfaces_impression_cut_3_filter_new_arm_5_1">told The New York Times</a> on Monday. In <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/119/6/e2121644119">a study</a> published last year, Penn State researchers identified the coronavirus in about one-third of white-tailed deer sampled in Iowa between September 2020 and January 2021. Another research group <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04353-x">found the virus</a> in one-third of sampled deer in Ohio from January to March 2021. "We were not expecting to find this level of widespread infection," Suresh Kuchipudi, associate director of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Penn State, told Insider. "It was quite surprising, and also quite concerning."Scientists worry that deer could serve as a reservoir for the coronavirus, even after <keyword id="11893994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> becomes endemic in humans. In the worst-case scenario, the virus might evolve in deer to become better at evading vaccine protection, then spill over into humans as a more lethal variant.But such a phenomenon would be unprecedented, Cooper said. Most people in the US have some protection against the virus from vaccines or natural infection, making it tough for a new variant to override our existing immune defenses."Could deer become a host that gives rise to successful lineages in humans? I still think it's unlikely," Cooper said, adding, "We're actually becoming a harder population to invade because the leading virus is so prevalent." <h2>A third animal could pass the virus between deer and humans</h2><div type="image" title="deer yard" height="2324" width="3500" msid="89441683" hostid="261"></div>Deer aren't the only animals that can contract coronavirus infections.Scientists have <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html">detected the virus</a> in cats, dogs, ferrets, mink, pigs, and rabbits. But they're paying close attention to white-tailed deer for a few reasons: In addition to being highly vulnerable to infection, white-tailed deer are abundant in the US and live in close proximity to humans."There's no evidence that there's anything special about deer biology that makes them a more worrisome host," Cooper said, adding, "The major thing is that they're everywhere. They are the classic example of changes in human and animal populations brought on by civilization that promotes spillover."For now, scientists don't know whether deer can spread the coronavirus to humans — they just know that the virus is quite good at infecting deer populations. The animals live in herds, making it easy for them to transmit the virus to one another through saliva or feces.For deer to infect humans directly, "you'd basically need to be a hunter," Cooper said. It's also possible that deer could pass the virus to humans through an intermediate host, such as a rodent or household pet. "Whenever you have an animal that is widely infected and virus is circulating, they always can be a source of infection in other susceptible animals — even sometimes humans, if the conditions are right," Kuchipudi said.<h2>One deer in Staten Island showed evidence of reinfection</h2><div type="image" title="white-tailed deer" height="1305" width="1497" msid="89441684" hostid="261"></div>One of the most urgent mysteries is whether the same deer can be infected with multiple coronavirus variants. In that case, scientists wouldn't hold much hope for the virus dying out in deer populations."If we do find that deer can be reinfected, that signals clearly for the continued circulation of the virus in these animals," Kuchipudi said.His <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.04.479189v1">preprint</a> identified a single deer in Staten Island with high levels of coronavirus antibodies, which was also infected with Omicron. The study "hint[s] at the possibility that animals that are previously exposed could be reinfected," Kuchipudi said, but for now, "it's just one animal."Even if the virus spilled over from deer to humans several years from now, Cooper said he's hopeful that genomic sampling and wastewater surveillance could detect it right away, before it "catches fire.""It's legitimate to be concerned about the possibility of this, but the great <keyword id="11893589" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news" source="Orion">news</keyword> is that surveillance is so strong, generally, that we will see this when it happens," he said.As far as historical patterns go, he added, it would be rare for a spillover variant to jump-start a new wave of the pandemic."I'm unaware of new lineages refueling an existing pandemic like this, except for flu," Cooper said. "Flu is clearly driven by continuing exchange back and forth between humans and pigs and fowl."But Kuchipudi cautioned that scientists still have more to learn about whether white-tailed deer are strong reservoirs for <keyword id="13132803" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mutations" source="Orion">mutations</keyword>."We still haven't quite grasped the extent of the problem," he said, adding, "We need to be cautious about concluding if it's likely or unlikely. The honest answer is we don't know yet."

Omicron-infected deer put scientists on high alert for spillover of new variants to humans

The <keyword id="6356955" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="united-states" source="Orion">United States</keyword> will be a key partner in the journey of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> in the next 25 years as the country aspires to ascend to new heights of prosperity, India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh <keyword id="214292" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sandhu" source="Orion">Sandhu</keyword> said. He said The India-US partnership has become one of the most consequential relationships for both the countries and for the world. "As the country (India) is making positive strides, we have more work to do to fulfill the aspirations of future generations. As Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> appealed…The journey of the next 25 years would mark the creation of a new India. The goal of this 'Amrit Kaal' is to ascend to new heights of prosperity," Sandhu said. "In this journey, the United States will be a key partner for India," he said in his remarks after unfurling the national flag at <keyword id="61090" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india-house" source="Orion">India House</keyword> to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Independence Day on Monday in the presence of embassy staff and members of the Indian diaspora. "The India-US partnership, led by PM Modi and President Biden, has become one of the most consequential relationships for both the countries and for the world. We are continuously working together and leveraging our synergies and complementarities to advance global peace, stability, sustainability of the planet, and human development," Sandhu said. He said the Indian diaspora will continue to be a critical pillar in this regard. A short cultural programme involving classical Indian dance performances including Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak and Bharatnatyam performed by Indian-origin students was presented during the ceremony. The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign was commemorated with a large handcrafted tricolor being displayed during the occasion. Independence Day was also celebrated at other Indian consulates in Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco. Leaders from across the United States, including senior members of the Senate and the House of Representatives and dignitaries from the diverse fields of business, arts, science, etc conveyed their greetings on the momentous occasion. Prominent members of the Indo-American community including representatives of various socio-cultural organisations, members of the business community and others also expressed their felicitations. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/galaxy-digital-terminates-1-2-billion-acquisition-of-crypto-firm-bitgo/articleshow/93581711.cms">Galaxy Digital terminates $1.2 billion acquisition of crypto firm BitGo</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/markets-poised-for-positive-momentum-in-august-as-domestic-and-global-inflation-eases/articleshow/93579084.cms">Markets poised for positive momentum in August as domestic and global inflation eases</a>

US will be key partner in creation of new India, says Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu

<ul class="summary-list"><li>"O Saki Saki," a song from a Bollywood movie, has become a viral TikTok dance trend. </li><li>But South Asian creators have criticized the altered dance, saying it sexualizes their culture. </li></ul>In recent months, TikTokers have been taking part in one of the latest dance trends on the app — a Bollywood routine from a scene in "Batla House," a 2019 film produced by Indian record label T-Series. The song, called "O Saki Saki," is beloved by many within the South Asian community, who have been <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nandanibatta/video/6716415439406206210?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">posting</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnoriana/video/6842611376507079938?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">TikToks</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@call_me_mk_/video/6759525039810301185?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">of</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mr.sanket23/video/6718336105831238913?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">themselves</a> dancing to the routine ever since the film's release. But now, the dance has gained popularity among another group of creators, who are primarily white, and who have altered a key move from the routine in the videos. Where "Batla House" actor Nora Fatehi drops to the ground to perform a dramatic series of hip thrusts during the film, TikTokers have switched the move out for a body roll — a dance move characterized by a slow fluid movement of the hips upwards and then downwards. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@kmgaramm/video/7152533413482794245" data-video-id="7152533413482794245" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@kmgaramm" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kmgaramm?refer=embed">@kmgaramm</a> hip thrusts , not body rolls! FAKE BODY <a title="kmgaramm" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kmgaramm?refer=embed">#kmgaramm</a> <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed">#fyp</a> <a title="sakisaki" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sakisaki?refer=embed">#sakisaki</a> <a title="norahfateih" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/norahfateih?refer=embed">#norahfateih</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ O Saki Saki - Remix - Hindi Song &amp; Hindi Music &amp; Hindi Remix Group" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/O-Saki-Saki-Remix-7027174271218616322?refer=embed">♬ O Saki Saki - Remix - Hindi Song &amp; Hindi Music &amp; Hindi Remix Group</a> </section> </blockquote> This trendified version of the routine is commonly used alongside <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7054717094633491205">sped-up version of the song</a>, an audio clip that has featured in 126,000 videosBut it has also sparked backlash from South Asian creators, who told Insider they think the videos are wrongfully sexualizing the routine and that this reflects a broader history of western societies fetishizing and appropriating South Asian culture. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@ahmett_editz/video/7149923318546648325" data-video-id="7149923318546648325" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@ahmett_editz" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ahmett_editz?refer=embed">@ahmett_editz</a> saki saki<a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed">#fyp</a> <a title="01_0_02" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/01_0_02?refer=embed">#01_0_02</a> <a title="iixonur" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/iixonur?refer=embed">#iixonur</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - …" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7054717094633491205?refer=embed">♬ original sound - …</a> </section> </blockquote> <h2>Many South Asian TikTokers are speaking out against white creators getting the dance wrong</h2><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@naomi.nambo">Naomi Namboodiripad</a> is an Indian dance creator with 323,000 TikTok followers who specializes in Indian classical dance forms. Namboodiripad told Insider that the original dance wasn't intended to be sexualized, but rather "energetic," so when a non-South Asian person performs the body-roll version, she thinks it's like they're "fetishizing Bollywood and South Asians in general.""There was no acknowledgment of where it came from, they just took it and sexualized it," she said.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@naomi.nambo/video/7154458942310239534" data-video-id="7154458942310239534" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@naomi.nambo" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@naomi.nambo?refer=embed">@naomi.nambo</a> Replying to @halimah.shah here is just the dance part! I’ll release the singing only video soon <a title="dance" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dance?refer=embed">#dance</a> <a title="bollywood" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bollywood?refer=embed">#bollywood</a> <a title="browngirl" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/browngirl?refer=embed">#browngirl</a> <a title="indian" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/indian?refer=embed">#indian</a> <a title="southindian" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/southindian?refer=embed">#southindian</a> <a title="desi" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/desi?refer=embed">#desi</a> <a title="sakisaki" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sakisaki?refer=embed">#sakisaki</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - …" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7054717094633491205?refer=embed">♬ original sound - …</a> </section> </blockquote> In response to the trend, Namboodiripad, along with several other South Asian creators, made dance videos to demonstrate how to do the dance correctly, along with captions saying things like, "<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aishuadd/video/7151039267102346538?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">That 'body roll' I keep seeing yt ppl do is NOT the original dance</a>," and, "<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@spongegod2/video/7152410684746173697?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;q=saki%20saki%20body%20roll&amp;t=1666094051406">Don't tell us how to dance our dance</a>."<h2>South Asian creators told Insider they think their culture should not have to be sexualized in order to be celebrated</h2>Debotri Dhar, a lecturer in South Asian Studies at the University of Michigan who specializes in Women and Gender Studies, told Insider that the "sexualizing" of the "O Saki Saki" dance is a clear instance of South Asian cultures being "exoticized and orientalized," explaining this refers to <a href="https://monoskop.org/images/4/4e/Said_Edward_Orientalism_1979.pdf">a history of</a> western societies "disproportionately highlighting those aspects of another culture that seem mysterious and intriguing, and playing down any similarities in cultural practices."Dhar told Insider this is a continuation of a "longer history of sexualization" passed down from the colonial era, which she said created "generalizations about the savages and sages of other cultures, sexualizing the bodies of Black and Brown women in the colonies because they did not dress and eat, live, and love per the norms of Victorian morality." <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sully_iqbal">Sully Iqbal</a> is a 25-year-old TikTok creator based in London, of half-Pakistani and half-Indian heritage. He made a<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sully_iqbal/video/7153649418305146118?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;q=saki%20saki%20sully%20iqbal&amp;t=1666178289751"> video</a> saying he thinks backlash to the trend from South Asian people is a "good step forward" for the community as it shows that individuals are using social media to push back against stereotypical portrayals of their culture. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@shakeel.murtaza/video/7152963874965163270" data-video-id="7152963874965163270" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@shakeel.murtaza" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@shakeel.murtaza?refer=embed">@shakeel.murtaza</a> Shoutout all the desi’s <a title="sakisaki" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sakisaki?refer=embed">#sakisaki</a> <a title="desi" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/desi?refer=embed">#desi</a> <a title="bollywood" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bollywood?refer=embed">#bollywood</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - …" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7054717094633491205?refer=embed">♬ original sound - …</a> </section> </blockquote> "I feel like people are finally coming to the opinion that this kind of representation isn't true representation. That an orientalized representation isn't really what we want. We want good representation, which showcases all the other great things about South Asia and the region as a whole," he said, adding, "We want to get to show that we are beautiful, but it does not need to be in a way that's hyper-sexualized." <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@naomi.nambo/video/7151891464891649326" data-video-id="7151891464891649326" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@naomi.nambo" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@naomi.nambo?refer=embed">@naomi.nambo</a> Replying to @itsmeyamiloofficial ik this particular person prob just wanted attention but Indian classical dance is done in bare feet so stop saying it’s gross because you are uncultured and white - I see this so often so plz stop sharing your awful thoughts <a title="dance" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dance?refer=embed">#dance</a> <a title="bharatanatyam" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bharatanatyam?refer=embed">#bharatanatyam</a> <a title="mohiniyattam" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mohiniyattam?refer=embed">#mohiniyattam</a> <a title="kuchipudi" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kuchipudi?refer=embed">#kuchipudi</a> <a title="culture" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/culture?refer=embed">#culture</a> <a title="traditional" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/traditional?refer=embed">#traditional</a> <a title="insensitive" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/insensitive?refer=embed">#insensitive</a> <a title="cultural" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cultural?refer=embed">#cultural</a> <a title="browngirl" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/browngirl?refer=embed">#browngirl</a> <a title="desi" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/desi?refer=embed">#desi</a> <a title="mallu" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mallu?refer=embed">#mallu</a> <a title="southindian" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/southindian?refer=embed">#southindian</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - 1 million followers" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7140462220038703918?refer=embed">♬ original sound - 1 million followers</a> </section> </blockquote> Namboodiripad told Insider she also feels that western society disproportionately picks up on elements of South Asian culture that they can exoticize, such as the "sparkly dresses" seen in Bollywood films, but said she wishes that people showed appreciation for different and more diverse aspects of the culture. On TikTok, she has previously stated that as a performer of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical style that originated in Tamil Nadu, South India, she often receives<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@naomi.nambo/video/7151891464891649326?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1"> judgmental comments</a> about why she dances in bare feet, and she told Insider that many people think of such elements of South Asian culture as "primitive." However, she said she wishes that people broadened their awareness and appreciation of South Asian culture, instead of showing interest in only certain, sexualized representations of it. "I just really wish that South Asian culture was more respected," said Namboodiripad, "and that more people were advocating for a culture where we can be humanized and seen as individuals, who are just one small part of a bigger culture." <h2>The dismissal of the criticism on TikTok is troubling to South Asian creators</h2>Several South Asian creators who called out the modified dance were met with <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@brownie.vibez/video/7152311741760802050?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;q=saki%20saki%20graceful&amp;t=1666093757282">criticism</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@malxaika/video/7152214239002840326?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;q=saki%20saki%20white&amp;t=1666094009584">and</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@__hxrini/video/7152987722032893227?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">negative</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aishuadd/video/7154432095664737579?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;q=saki%20saki%20aggressive&amp;t=1666093668117">comments</a>, mainly from people who said they preferred the routine with the body roll and that the original dance felt too <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aishuadd/video/7151039267102346538?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">"aggressive."</a><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@malxaika/video/7152214239002840326" data-video-id="7152214239002840326" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@malxaika" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@malxaika?refer=embed">@malxaika</a> Bby we know it better than you xx <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed">#fyp</a> <a title="xyzbca" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/xyzbca?refer=embed">#xyzbca</a> <a title="foryoupage" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryoupage?refer=embed">#foryoupage</a> <a title="foryou" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou?refer=embed">#foryou</a> <a title="malxaika" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/malxaika?refer=embed">#malxaika</a> <a title="viral" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/viral?refer=embed">#viral</a> <a title="fypシ" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp%E3%82%B7?refer=embed">#fypシ</a> <a title="sakisaki" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sakisaki?refer=embed">#sakisaki</a> <a title="dance" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dance?refer=embed">#dance</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - logan" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7124697939347360555?refer=embed">♬ original sound - logan</a> </section> </blockquote> Namboodiripad said it was "infuriating" to see South Asian people being criticized for doing the dance the correct way. "The idea of having someone else say, 'Hey, you're doing it wrong,' even though they don't even know what's happening, it makes you feel inferior."She also said that negative comments about the original dance were a reflection of the way Indian culture is often rejected and looked down upon as a lingering effect of colonialism. "Historically, 'aggressive' has been used to describe cultures that are not white, so people describing the dance in this way feels really harmful when you consider that India was colonized and its people were made to feel lesser than white Europeans," she said. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@aishuadd/video/7154432095664737579" data-video-id="7154432095664737579" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@aishuadd" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aishuadd?refer=embed">@aishuadd</a> <a title="duet" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/duet?refer=embed">#duet</a> with @aishuadd also y are u crying in the comments? So loud yet so wrong. Go touch grass @aishuadd <a title="sakisaki" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sakisaki?refer=embed">#sakisaki</a> <a title="bollywood" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bollywood?refer=embed">#bollywood</a> <a title="greenscreen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreen?refer=embed">#greenscreen</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - …" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7054717094633491205?refer=embed">♬ original sound - …</a> </section> </blockquote> <a href="https://www.insider.com/henna-freckles-tiktok-trend-cultural-appropriation-2022-4#:~:text=%22Henna%20freckles%22%20is%20a%20popular,profit%20from%20South%20Asian%20culture.">Insider previously reported that</a> Britain's colonization of India, before the country gained its independence in 1947 and established its constitution in 1950, created a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-women-had-to-kill-themselves-and-other-bitter-stories-of-british-colonialism-revealed-in-a-podcast/articleshow/74169159.cms">notion that white people were intellectually and culturally superior to people of color,</a> and that this notion still persists against minority cultures today.Namboodiripad told Insider that the way many non-South Asian creators who performed the dance incorrectly <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7054717094633491205">still appear as the top videos under the "O Saki Saki" TikTok audio</a>, having received more views and likes than South Asian dancers who did the routine the correct way, demonstrates how false notions of white superiority have entered the social media space."Why are we not being respected for what we do? Why does it have to be a white creator that has to take our culture in order for it to be uplifted?" she said. <a href="https://www.insider.com/culture">For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.</a>

A trendified version of a Bollywood dance routine is going massively viral on TikTok. But South Asian creators say it shows a lack of respect for their culture.

London, Apr 19 () An award winning Indian dancer and choreographer in the UK has started offering a range of online sessions on Indian and Western music under the banner 'Dance Karona' to participants from several nations to beat the blues after the coronavirus lockdown led to cancellations of her upcoming performances in several countries.'Dance Karona' -- says Kuchipudi dancer Arunima Kumar, who begins her class with a digital hug to participants from Poland, Spain, Britain, India, US, Brazil and the UAE.Arunima, former Delhi Police chief Neeraj Kumar's daughter and a London School of Economics (LSE) graduate, left her corporate career to run a dance company in London and the news of the lockdown brought her cancellations for upcoming performances in UK, Poland and France, putting her team under pressure financially and emotionally.However, few days later she had over 100 participants grooving to both Indian and Western music digitally with Arunima offering a range of sessions using Facebook, Instagram and Zoom. The classes include yoga, Indian classical dance, Bollywood fitness, chair dance moves for the elderly with breathing exercises, among others which are also customised as per demands of participants."It was depressing, scary and we felt we had lost our livelihood. It was our darkest hour. I have worked hard past 10 years to build my team and company, engage with my communities through Indian art and culture and at a time when there is so much anxiety and stress, I felt I must stay resilient."I believe that physical distancing may be a new reality in these times but not social distancing. Socially, we must stay connected even more, else we will lose our sanity," she told .She said she was also connecting with artists who have suffered huge losses in their profession due to the lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed more than 160,000 lives worldwide."Without people there are no arts and the gig economy is the hardest hit. So it's critical that artists come together in new ways and continue to do what they love - let arts heal the world. Due to this disruption, technology is enabling us to be connected to anyone across the globe online. The world is our stage, through a screen," she added.Arunima, a trained Kuchipudi dancer, an Ustad Bismillah Khan awardee and Sahitya Kala Parishad Scholarship for Dance in 1998, plans to take performances online too. She is also empanelled as an Established artiste with the Indian Council of Cultural Research.She has 700 performances to her credit which include her dance at the Buckingham Palace for the Queen's reception to mark the UK-India Year of Culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit at Wembley stadium where she presented her choreography before 70,000 people and world media as well as Rashtrapati Bhavan in India. According to Kornelya, a participant from Poland, "we need this, it was super energetic and now I am in a positive mood. Next time, I will bring my husband Roberto"."To me, it was meaningful because I got fired last week from my job. I was so low but today I could smile and dance and be free," she said.For Mala Kumar, "it is fun and fitness at its best and there is a reason to dress up and feel good during the lockdown. After two weeks of isolation, I felt happy. I was e-meeting others and had put on make up. It is also great for kids as they can exercise, sing and dance. They feel normal despite the physical closure of schools".Arunima also has an extra-hand during digital classes. Her 6-year-old daughter Aishwarya Gupta, who is now at home until schools open again."She joins in on most sessions, changes her costumes. This keeps her healthy and happy. It's a special moment for me too," she said.Several countries across the globe have imposed lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly virus which has infected more than 2 million people worldwide. SKL ZHZH

'Dance Karona': Indian dancer's digital classes help beat lockdown blues

<ul><li>According to the government, over 30 vaccine candidates are being developed in India. </li><li>Serum Institute of India has entered phase II/III trials and is leading the vaccine development race in the country. </li><li>Whereas, both Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila are conducting <a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/human-clinical-trials-for-covid-19-vaccine-initiated-in-india-icmr/76969682">phase I/II human</a> trials right now. </li></ul>As India records over 1 million COVID-19 deaths, scientists in India are racing against time to develop an effective vaccine. There are 191 COVID-19 vaccine developments in the works around the world right now, and 41 of them are under clinical evaluation, according to the World Health Organisation. According to the Indian government, over 30 vaccine candidates are being developed in India. Three of them are in the advanced stages of the trial, while four are in the pre-clinical development stage. Serum Institute of India is leading the vaccine development race in the country. SII and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are jointly conducting phase II/III trials of Oxford’s <keyword id="8624004" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</keyword> in India. Here are the latest developments on COVID-19 vaccines in India: No major adverse side-effects reported so far in vaccine trial at PGI Chandigarh The late phase trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield in India, are well underway at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the institute said on Thursday The officials at the premier institute told IANS that no adverse side-effects among the volunteers have been observed so far. "Very few people developed fever or body ache post vaccine administration. It is expected and very normal after the vaccine dose is given. Nothing to get alarmed about," an official informed. The institute is listed as one of the 17 trial sites for conducting the second and third phases of human clinical trials of the Coveshield vaccine. The officials added that 53 participants in the trials have already completed seven days of post vaccination period without developing any major side-effects. They also informed that the institute has screened 97 volunteers till date and 65 of them have already been administered the first dose of the vaccine. Indian-origin researchers use bovine adenovirus to develop coronavirus vaccine Oct 8 (IANS) A team of Indian-origin researchers in the US is working to develop a unique Covid-19 vaccine that uses a bovine adenovirus that will protect all segments of the population, especially older adults. Bovine Adenovirus, also known as BAdV, is a member of the Adenoviridae family that causes disease in cattle. "Adenoviral vectors have emerged as a promising gene-delivery platform for a variety of therapeutic and vaccine purposes during the last two decades," said study author Suresh Kuchipudi from Penn State University in the US Moderna to apply for real-time reviews for its COVID-19 virus in Europe: Reuters US pharma giant Moderna said it will apply real-time reviews in Europe. It is in talks with European countries and is also planning to get approval from U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Real-time reviews will allow researchers to give feedbacks without waiting for studies to conclude, reported <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-moderna/moderna-to-apply-for-eus-rolling-approval-for-covid-19-vaccine-idUSKBN26T21A" data-type="tilCustomLink">Reuters. </a> Government to map out cold chain storage facilities for COVID-19 vaccine delivery With the likelihood of a vaccine against coronavirus being available within months, the government has begun a massive exercise to map out cold chain storage facilities to ensure the vaccine is delivered quickly across the country. A national expert group is talking to public and private sector entities in the pharmaceutical sector, food processing industry and agro businesses as well as food delivery start-ups such as Swiggy and Zomato to identify cold storages or fridges at the taluka level that can stock and distribute the vaccine, sources with direct knowledge of the discussions said. India's drug controller reject Dr. Reddy's proposal to test Russian coronavirus vaccine India's drug controller has rejected Dr. Reddy's proposal to test Russian coronavirus vaccine in a large study stating early-age study to be small. An expert panel of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has asked Dr Reddy's to first conduct small study. Previously, CDSCO asked Dr Reddy's Laboratories to submit a revised protocol for conducting both phase 2 and phase 3 human clinical trials for the Russian vaccine against COVID-19, Sputnik V, in India, sources said Monday.The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company had applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) late last week, seeking permission to conduct phase-3 human clinical trials of the Russian vaccine. India plans procure 400-500 million doses of vaccine for 25 crore people by 2021 Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that the Centre is working on plans to procure 400-500 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, which will be administered to up to 25 crore people by July 2021. He also indicated that the frontline workers and those having underlying health conditions are in the top priority list of the government for vaccine administration, saying that his ministry is currently preparing a format in which states will submit lists of priority population groups to receive the vaccine, especially health workers engaged in the management of Covid-19. In India, three potential COVID-19 vaccines are under advanced clinical trials According to <a href="https://vaccine.icmr.org.in/covid-19-vaccine">ICMR</a>, there are three potential COVID-19 vaccines under human trials — Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN, Oxford’s Covishield, and Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D. Serum Institute of India has already begun phase III trials of Oxford’s vaccine candidate at 17 sites across the country. Whereas, both Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila are conducting <a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/human-clinical-trials-for-covid-19-vaccine-initiated-in-india-icmr/76969682">phase I/II human</a> trials right now. India likely to approve potential COVID-19 vaccine with 50% efficiency The Indian drug regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, earlier this week, said it is planning<a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-may-approve-covid-19-vaccines-that-show-50-efficacy-in-clinical-trials-11600764175238.html"> </a>on approving the COVID-19 vaccine that can protect 50% of the participants in phase III human trials. “To ensure that a widely deployed COVID-19 vaccine is effective, the primary efficacy endpoint point estimate for a placebo-controlled efficacy trial should be at least 50%," the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) The Health Ministry also launched a <a href="https://vaccine.icmr.org.in/">portal </a> on September 29 that will provide important information on vaccine development, ongoing clinical trials and progress made - both locally and globally. Previously, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/who-chief-lauds-pm-modi-for-his-commitment-in-fight-against-covid-19-pandemic-11601181436330.html">lauded </a>Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance that India will use its vaccine production capacity in helping nations fight COVID-19. WHO chief said that the pandemic can be defeated only by mobilising resources for common good. The Indian government is optimistic about getting a COVID-19 vaccine by the start of 2021. Moreover, the Ministry of Health and information <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dont-agree-with-rs-80-000-crore-figure-for-covid-vaccine-distribution-centre-2302956">believe </a>they’ve sufficient funds to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in the country. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/manufacturing-in-india-improved-for-a-second-straight-month-sees-fastest-pace-of-growth-in-over-8-years/articleshow/78422225.cms">Manufacturing in India improved for a second straight month — sees fastest pace of growth in over 8 years</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/reliance-has-bagged-nearly-half-of-all-private-equity-investments-in-india-this-year-and-that-doesnt-include-the-10-billion-from-facebook-and-google/articleshow/78422299.cms">Reliance has bagged nearly half of all private equity investments in India this year – and that doesn’t include the $10 billion from Facebook and Google</a>

India COVID-19 vaccine updates — Oxford's potential coronavirus vaccine reports no side affect so far in vaccine trial at PGI Chandigarh

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/52309806.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
Did you know that the first ever <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=miss+universe&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Miss Universe</a> pageant was held way back in 1952? Yep, that long back. 
 
It was held on June 28 in California, USA and the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=miss+india&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Miss India</a> representing the country for the first time was the gorgeous <keyword id="3366561" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indrani-Rehman">Indrani Rehman</keyword>. She was all of 22 then. 
 
Rehman was also a trained Indian classical dancer of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, all of which she also popularised in the West. 
 
We just happened to stumble upon a picture of her in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=swimsuit+round&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">swimsuit round</a> from the <keyword id="3366562" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="first-ever-Miss-Universe-pageant">first ever Miss Universe pageant</keyword> and boy does she rock the vintage look! 
 
The gajra and bindi with the swimsuit is an added bonus of desi swag. We love it! 
 
Here's the original post: 
 
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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			<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
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			<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFc2YKiwLpZ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">At the 'First' Miss Universe in 1952! Miss India, the lovely Indrani Rahman, unapologetically flaunts her desi style... #vintage #missuniverse #1952 #eastmeetswest #indranirahman #classicaldancer #inspiration</a>
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			A photo posted by House Of Blouse (@houseofblousedotcom) on
		<time datetime="2016-05-16T02:07:07+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">
			May 15, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT</time>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

Meet Indrani Rehman, the first Miss India to compete in the first ever Miss Universe pageant in 1952

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50720394.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> Women dominated this year's <keyword id="6391019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-awards">Padma awards</keyword> for sports with tennis star Sania Mirza and ace shuttler <keyword id="30618" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saina-Nehwal">Saina Nehwal</keyword> getting the nod for the Padma Bhushan, while archer <keyword id="86231" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deepika-Kumari">Deepika Kumari</keyword> was chosen for the Padma Shri here today. 

	All three were in sublime touch last year and brought the country laurels in their respective sports. 
 Sania enjoyed the most sensational run, clinching nine titles -- including two Grand Slams last year with Swiss great Martina Hingis. The exceptional performance propelled her to the top of the <keyword id="935171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="WTA-doubles-rankings">WTA doubles rankings</keyword>. 

	The 29-year-old is currently competing in the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she has reached the women's doubles quarterfinals with Hingis. 
 Saina has also been in spectacular touch, winning silver medals at the All England and World Badminton Championship last year besides clinching the India Open Super Series and <keyword id="2039194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Syed-Modi-Grand-Prix-Gold">Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold</keyword>. 

	Deepika, on the other hand, won a silver at the Archery World Cup Final besides bronze medals at the World Cup Stage II and the Asian Team Championships. 
 

	Saina, who is in the country to compete in this week's Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold Tournament, said the honour has left her surprised. Interestingly, the 25-year-old had expressed her displeasure at being ignored for the award last year. 
 
 

	"It is a great honour and I want to thank the Ministry for giving me the award. I am very happy with the way the last year has gone, I have been performing well. I reached World No.1 last year and now I am World No.2. I am sure this award will give me more motivation to do well further this year," Saina said. 
 

	"It came as a complete surprise to me. I had no clue. I did not expect at all. There was no news of it at all. When I think that I am just 25 and I have received this award, it makes me feel great. But it is still a long way to go." 
 

	Saina was left disappointed after the Sports Ministry decided to reject her application for the award in January last year, citing norms. 
 

	The ministry had picked two-time Olympic-medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar for the honour last year. 
 

	Saina was bestowed the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri in 2010 and also received the Arjuna Award in 2009. 
 

	The 21-year-old Deepika, meanwhile, had also won the team silver along with Laxmirani Majhi and Rimil Buriuly in the World Championships. 
	 
	
		Superstar Rajinikanth, founder of the Reliance empire late Dhirubhai Ambani, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and media baron Ramoji Rao have been chosen for Padma Vibhushan, country's second highest civilian award, this year. 
	 
	
		Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan, former DRDO chief V K Aatre, cancer specialist and chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute Dr V Shanta and eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Krishnamurthi and classical vocalist Girija Devi and Indian-American economist Avinash Dixit have also been named for Padma Vibhushan on the occasion of this year's Republic Day celebrations. 
	 
	
		Noted actor Anupam Kher, singer Udit Narayan, former CAG Vinod Rai, chairperson of media group Bennett, Coleman &amp; Co. Indu Jain, sports star Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal, spiritual leaders late Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Tejomayananda and former US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill are among the 19 eminent people chosen for Padma Bhushan. 
	 
	
		Industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava and eminent architect Hafeez Contractor also figure in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees. 
	 
	
		Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the prosecution counsel in the Mumbai terror attack case, actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra get Padma Shri.
	
		 
		Renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar, Manipuri theatre personality Heisnam Kanhailal, Hindi and Telugu writer Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, Sanskrit scholar N S Ramanuja Tatacharya, Punjabi journalist Barjinder Singh Hamdard, gastroenterologist D Nageshwar Reddy and scientist A V Rama Rao have been chosen for Padma Bhushan. 
	 
	
		Actor the late Saeed Jaffrey, CEO of MasterCard Ajaypal Singh Banga, archer Deepika Kumari, Bharatanatyam dancer Prathibha Prahlad, Gujarati folk musician Bhikhudan Gadhvi, Goa's musician Tulsidas Borkar and scientist Onkar Nath Srivastava were among those who were named for Padma Shri awards.

You Searched For "Kuchipudi" and got 11 results

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A trendified version of a Bollywood dance routine is going massively viral on TikTok. But South Asian creators say it shows a lack of respect for their culture.

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'Dance Karona': Indian dancer's digital classes help beat lockdown blues

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India COVID-19 vaccine updates — Oxford's potential coronavirus vaccine reports no side affect so far in vaccine trial at PGI Chandigarh

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Meet Indrani Rehman, the first Miss India to compete in the first ever Miss Universe pageant in 1952

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Padma Bhushan for Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal

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