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Showing posts from September, 2024

Rama Mehta Memorial Lecture By Mira Nair

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  Mira Nair’s address at the #RamaMehtaMemorialLecture in Udaipur, which I had the opportunity to attend via Zoom, was a masterclass in both intellectual depth and creative vision. Throughout her lecture, Nair offered a detailed exploration of her film making philosophy, illustrating the careful and thoughtful process behind her selection of subjects for her films. She emphasized that storytelling, whether through cinema or literature, is not merely about narrating events but about deeply understanding and engaging with the complexities of the human experience, culture, and context. Nair argued that without this profound understanding, the authenticity of a narrative is compromised. She underscored the agency of individuals in crafting their own narratives, stressing the necessity of authorship over one's personal or creative story. According to her, allowing others to shape or write one’s story poses the risk of misrepresentation, distortion, or erasure of crucial nuances tha

International Day of Peace

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  The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on September 21 as a day devoted to fostering global peace and reducing violence and conflict. Established by the United Nations in 1981, the day was initially intended to coincide with the opening session of the UN General Assembly. The first official celebration took place on September 21, 1982. World Peace Day is marked by calls for a cessation of hostilities, particularly through ceasefires in conflict zones, providing opportunities for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid in areas of need. The day encourages individuals, communities, and nations to engage in actions that promote peace, reconciliation, and non-violence. Over time, the observance has evolved to include broader themes beyond the cessation of warfare, focusing on the promotion of sustainable development, climate action, human rights, and social justice, all of which are considered essential to achieving lasting peace. Ea

Nepal’s Constitution Day - For celebration & to introspect

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  On September 19, Nepal commemorates Constitution Day with various programs held domestically and internationally. This day sees active participation from federal, provincial, and local governments, political parties and civil society. These diverse groups come together to celebrate and reflect on the significance of the Constitution, which was officially promulgated on September 20, 2015. Nepal's constitution was the culmination of over seven decades of political struggle, which included a ten-year People's War and widespread civil mobilization. The document, consisting of 35 parts, 308 articles, and 9 schedules, is a milestone in the nation's political evolution. It enshrines key principles such as federalism, inclusive democracy, proportional representation, and secularism, aiming to establish a prosperous nation founded on democratic values and socialism. Constitution Day is celebrated annually as both Constitution Day and National Day, reaffirming Nepal's co