Readomania, New Delhi

Dr. Manjiri Prabhu is an award-winning international fiction and non-fiction Writer, a Short-Filmmaker and the Curator & Founder/Director of two international festivals – Pune International Literary Festival and International Festival of Spiritual India (for Humanity & Wisdom).

Destination Thriller as the genre has been a unique initiation by Dr Prabhu in the world of Indian mysteries and thrillers. It not just portrays a place as a backdrop but uses it like a live character playing a very significant role in the progress and plot of the novel. In other words, the story and the mystery would not take place if the destination is removed from the plot.

Prabhu’s 19th work and the third in this series has just been released and is titled Legend of the Snow Queen. A psychological suspense destination novel, set against a Christmassy, Bavarian winter-wonderland, Legend of the Snow Queen blurs the boundaries of truth and imagination and is a haunting love story. It is the third work in the unique ‘Re Parkar series’. Re Parkar is a Private Investigator from Paris, France with the unique ability to foresee a disaster. His parapsychological prowess enables him to unravel the intricate conspiracies and dark secrets behind crimes of all sorts.

Prabhu’s first two novels in this unique ‘Re Parkar series’ were based in (The Trail of Four) in Salzburg, Austria, and (Voice of the Runes) in Lund, Sweden respectively. They received immense positive responses from readers the world over.

Hon. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament and erudite Author graced the occasion and launched this novel. Incidentally, he graciously stated earlier that the world has found a match for Dan Brown in Dr Manjiri Prabhu. Dr. Alka Pande, Historian and noted Art & Festival Curator was in conversation with both of them during the festival.

Mumbai’s biggest retail and entertainment destination, R CITY has a lot in store for its patrons this month. Working towards keeping its visitors entertained, R CITY is bringing two popular names from the stand-up comic scene to deliver a laughter thrill to its audience. Rahul Dua will be performing on 17th February and Biswal Kalyan Rath will be performing on 26th February.

One of the brightest comics of the new generation, Rahul Dua is known for combining small town charm with big city disillusionment, his comedy is as funny as it is relevant. Currently, seen as the host of Shark Tank Season 2, the hilarious Dua will surely create an ambience of delight & laughter. That’s not all, R CITY is also presenting the famous YouTuber, writer and stand-up comic Biswa Kalyan Rath who gained popularity with his famous YouTube comedy series, Pretentious Movie Reviews with fellow comedian Kanan Gill. He has also delivered many standup hits namely Biswa Mast Aadmi, Sushi, Lakhon Mein Ek, etc. The Ex Oracle job holder and Comicstaan Season 1 and Season 2 judge is definitely going to provide a dose of laughter to his audience and fuel their energy with entertainment.

R CITY strives to create a memorable shopping experience for its visitors. Such events help to create a personal connection with them and thus form a community of audience who eventually have begun to identify R CITY as a destination that offers finest entertainment options. Here are the details of the upcoming shows:

Artist: Rahul Dua

Date: 17th February 2023

Venue: Courtyard, R CITY

Artist: Biswa Kalyan Rath

Date: 26th February 2023

Venue: Courtyard, R CITY

Bangalore, February 17, 2023: The Last Mile Mobility (LMM) division of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, has signed a Distribution Agreement with SLA Mobility (SLAML) for electric 3-wheelers in Sri Lanka. The agreement was signed on January 18, 2023, and will involve distribution, and service support. LMM will export the highly lauded electric Treo range and the Zor Grand. These vehicles, based on the Sri Lankan government’s approval, will be imported into Sri Lanka. LMM is also exploring localization or CKD operations in Sri Lanka. SLA Mobility is a part of the Sino-Lanka Group and is focused on introducing EVs to Sri Lanka.

Suman Mishra, CEO of Last Mile Mobility, said, “India’s No.1 electric 3-wheeler company, Mahindra, is pleased to carry the message of sustainability as well as EV propagation to our neighbors. Sri Lanka’s ecosystem will vastly gain from the introduction of Mahindra EVs and together with SLA Mobility, we aim to enhance the lives of our customers.”

Bob Kundanmal, Chairman of SLA Mobility, said “We are proud to be partnered with Mahindra and look forward to untap the manufacturing potential of Sri Lanka. We believe that development in the electric mobility industry is essential for Sri Lanka’s transportation ecosystem.”

LMM currently exports its products to Nepal and the UK. There are also ongoing talks with a few other countries for exports, which will be announced in due course.

Are you a statistician or data science professional looking to expand your knowledge and network with fellow experts in the field? Look no further!

SVKM’s NMIMS Department of Statistics, Nilkamal School of Mathematics, Applied Statistics and Analytics (NSoMASA), hosting the International Conference on Statistics 2023 (ICS 2023) is coming to Mumbai from March 20th to 22nd, 2023. This conference is the perfect opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the field and
connect with professionals from academia, government, and private sectors. With a focus on “New Age Statistics for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence”, you’ll hear from leading experts from around the world. The conference will have speakers from about 12 international Universities like the University of Florida, Michigan State University, and the University of Maryland, to name a few, and 10 leading national institutes like ISI, Kolkata, and ISI Delhi. Besides this, more than 200 faculty and research scholars from Universities in India are expected to attend the conference and present their research work in contributory sessions.

Join us for three invigorating days of knowledge sharing, academic bonding,
networking, and insightful discussions. Submit your abstract by February 28th, 2023.

Hyderabad, 17th February 2023: Bengaluru Torpedoes continued their winning momentum in the second season of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 after defeating the Chennai Blitz 15-11, 8-15, 15-10, 15-13, 10-15 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday. For his impactful performance, Ibin Jose was named the Player of the Match.

Targetting libero Midhun in the middle, Chennai Blitz took advantage as Vyshak Renjith made early errors. Chennai’s defense tackled the threat of Tsvetelin Tsvetanov as Tushar made tremendous blocks. As Tsvetanov started getting more of the ball, Bengaluru found a way back.

Renato tested the Torpedoes’ back line with powerful spikes and service errors further dented Bengaluru’s spirits. But as Ibin Jose and Tsvetanov started combining in the middle, Chennai faltered.

In Akhin’s absence, skipper Naveen Raja Jacob took charge from the middle to bring his side back into the contest, threatening from the service line. Jobin made the most of Torpedoes’ defensive struggles and the Blitz regained control.

The Torpedoes struggled to get into a rhythm with plentiful spike errors. But Ibin improved with his blocks and the presence of Sethu TR brought stability to Bengaluru’s gameplay and the tables turned once again.

Bengaluru’s defense led by Mujeeb and Ibin suddenly started putting pressure on the Blitz, forcing them to come up and play from the middle. But Sita Rama struggled to make a similar impact as Akhin from the position. Alireza Abalooch’s lucky spikes and Blitz’s block errors dented Chennai’s hopes, and Torpedoes won the match 3-2.

Ahmedabad Defenders will be up against Mumbai Meteors and Bengaluru Torpedoes will be up against Kochi Blue Spikers at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on the third day of the Hyderabad leg of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League from 1900 hrs onwards IST on Friday, 17th February 2023.

Hyderabad, 17th February 2023: Calicut Heroes stunned the defending champions Kolkata Thunderbolts in the second season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23, picking a 15-14, 7-15, 15-11, 13-15, 15-13 win at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday. Jerome Vinith was named the Player of the Match as Calicut completed a hat-trick of wins.

A triple-man block led by Jerome provided Calicut Heroes the early advantage. With Jose Antonio Sandoval’s threat looming, Kolkata skipper Ashwal Rai needed to be alert. Targetting Cody Caldwell from the service line, Calicut tried to prevent the Thunderbolts’ attacker to get a say. Spreading the game wide, Jerome closed out Kolkata’s attacks and Calicut took control.

With Rahul’s magic from the service line, Ashwal and Vinit started making more impact. Calicut skipper Matt Hilling appeared puzzled and the defending champions found a way back into the match.

Kolkata started targetting Jerome with serves to keep the game wide, but it led to a few serve errors from the Thunderbolts. Mohan Ukkrapandian’s passes and Jerome’s attacking ensured Calicut remain in the contest.

As things began to get heated, Rahul began combining with setter Hariharan to begin the Thunderbolts’ resistance. Mohan became an integral key to Calicut’s formula and he continued to set up Jerome for spikes. But Vinit’s fiery serves allowed Cody to get a say from the middle and the topsy-turvy battle went right down to the wire.

The game of fine margins eventually turned into a battle between Rahul’s attacks and Ashwin’s blocks. Hariharan started setting up Ashwal for spikes. But with powerful serves, Jerome turned the tables once again in the final minute of the match to help his team get a sensational win.

Ahmedabad Defenders will be up against Mumbai Meteors and Bengaluru Torpedoes will be up against Kochi Blue Spikers at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on the third day of the Hyderabad leg of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League from 1900 hrs onwards IST on Friday, 17th February 2023.

By Ms. Edwina Raj, Head – Clinical Nutrition Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located on the front of our neck below the adam’s apple. This gland produces hormones that help in regulating our metabolism, growth, and developmental activities. When there is an imbalance in the thyroid hormones, it leads to several problems, such as altered metabolism, susceptible to weight gain, bone & hair loss, greater risk of developing heart disease, hormonal imbalance, celiac disease, and diabetes. This is usually referred to as hypothyroidism, where our thyroid is not producing enough hormones, leading to rapid weight gain.

Hypothyroidism can affect any age group, which includes infants and children. If you have an underactive thyroid, then you may feel the following symptoms –

• Fatigue
• Cold
• Constipated
• Puffy face and dry skin
• Increased cholesterol levels,
• Stiffness or pain in joints
• Depression or impaired memory

While patients suffering from hypothyroidism often find it difficult to lose weight, with the right diet changes but this is not a final verdict on your weight and health rather you can still work on your diet and lifestyle to shed those extra inches.

Focus on mindful eating by controlling your portion size and balancing the key nutrients through different range of food groups with an effort to include nutrients necessary for your thyroid health through natural sources which are safe in your daily diet such as foods containing iodine, selenium, zinc, calcium, and protein.

Here are five foods that can benefit you from these key nutrients essential for your thyroid function:

Seeds and Nuts

Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium and zinc that help in better functioning of the thyroid. Additionally, chia and pumpkin seeds are rich sources of zinc and make a great snacking option. Binge eating which is common among such patients can be controlled through oilseeds and nuts which is also a viable option and helps in your weight loss.

Beans and Legumes

These rich sources of protein can improve your metabolism, provide a sense of satiety (feeling of fullness) and prevent you from gaining weight.

Eggs

Thyroid patients looking to lose weight can consume egg yolks and the whites as it will enrich their bodies with zinc, selenium, and protein, which are essential for weight loss and benefits with stronger bone.

Vegetables

Consuming vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers can support thyroid patients in weight loss as they are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.

Water and non-caffeinated beverages

Increasing your water intake can help you with bloating, eliminates toxins from the body, keep your hormones in check and boost your weight loss process.

A caution note:

The road to recovery from hypothyroidism is normal. As long as a patient follows the medication regime, there should not be any complications. However, leaving it untreated can drastically affect your body, such as elevated cholesterol levels, subsequent heart disease, infertility, and osteoporosis. Several studies have also proved how thyroid can lead to the onset of other autoimmune diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and anaemia. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper management of the condition can help you avoid further complications.

Additionally, it is advisable that along with a healthy diet, patients undertake physical activities like yoga that stimulate and support their endocrine system and boost the supply of oxygen in their body, which will help their thyroid tremendously. Lastly, avoiding alcoholism and smoking can help patients improve their thyroid performance.

All the foods mentioned above need to be reviewed by your clinical dietitian and endocrinologist before going overboard.

It is advisable to make a note on foods that interfere in the absorption of your thyroid medication and hence to be avoided immediately in the morning and spaced later during the day such as coffee, soya, papaya, grapefruit, and supplements that contains fiber and calcium too. Read the food labels of packed foods and include iodized salt, sprouted millets, and avoid using non-iodized pink salt to maintain your thyroid health. Nutritional supplements that contain chromium picolinate used for weight loss impairs absorption of thyroid medicine. Limit foods which are high in goitrogens (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, pearl millet, cassava, peanut oil, etc.) but not recommended to avoid completely as they have other antioxidant or cancer fighting properties and source of essential nutrients.

BANGALORE, India – February 16, 2023: Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology services and consulting company, organized the 12th edition of the Wipro earthian awards for the year 2022. The annual awards recognize excellence in sustainability in education in schools and colleges in India. The awards ceremony was held on the 11th of February 2023 at the Wipro Limited, Sarjapur Road campus.

Wipro earthian is one of India’s largest sustainability education programs for schools and colleges. The 2022 edition of the Wipro earthian school program received over 1,200 project entries, out of which 20 winning and 20 shortlisted entries were selected by an independent jury. The teams from schools demonstrated their understanding of biodiversity, waste, and water through a combination of activity-based learning programs and written essays.

The Wipro Climate Challenge for college students was launched in 2022, and had more than 2,000 entries, out of which five teams were selected for the winning start-up ideas.

Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman, Wipro Limited, Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation and Narayan P.S., Global Head of Sustainability and Social Initiatives, Wipro Limited, felicitated the winning teams with certificates and cash prizes. They will also get an opportunity to engage with Wipro’s sustainability partners through collaborative programs that will enable a deeper understanding of issues critical to sustainability.

Narayan P.S., Global Head of Sustainability and Social Initiatives, Wipro Limited said, “Wipro earthian is our flagship program in sustainability education, working with both schools and higher education institutes. Over the years, it has evolved in scale, scope, and geographic coverage. We are particularly gratified at the participation by schools from some of the most remote corners of the country. The challenges of ecological sustainability will, unfortunately, affect future generations the most; we see Wipro earthian as a platform for our children and the young to become agents of change by developing systemic thinking skills combined with sensitivity to the environment and society. We are pleased that the 12th edition of the event brought together students, teachers, thinkers and practitioners. We stay committed to the ideals and goals of Wipro earthian in the years ahead.”

The event featured a keynote talk by Nirupa Rao, a botanical illustrator based in Bengaluru. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Sejal Mehta, the author of the book ‘Superpowers on the Shore,’ Bano Haralu, a pioneering television journalist and conservationist from Nagaland and Arjun Kamdar, a wildlife scientist working on the link between economics, anthropology, and conservation. Noted quizmaster, Lloyd Saldana also hosted the 2022 National Finals of the Wipro earthian Sustainability Quiz. The day ended with a performance by the Bengaluru-based band Swarathma.

The list of winning teams at Wipro earthian awards 2022 can be accessed here.

Since 2011, Wipro earthian has engaged with more than 55,000 institutes, 130,000 students, and 13,000 teachers. This year, we have had our largest participation so far, with more than 1,300 submissions across schools and colleges. The support from Wipro’s education partners such as the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), C.P.R Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC), Wild Ecologues, state governments, organizations, and educators in our Sustainability Educator Program, has helped expand the reach of the program.

Even though Valentine’s Day has passed, it is still an ideal time to surprise your partner and show them how much you value them. While showering them with love and attention is highly recommended, giving them a personal keepsake that is also quite useful for them is an important way to show your love and care. These gifts don’t have to be extravagant or big; even small, meaningful, and useful things go a long way.

Here is a list of some gift items that can be unique and useful gifts for your partners:

1. IGP’s Personalised LED Speaker

IGP’s “Personalized LED Speaker” is the perfect accessory to set up a romantic ambience with good music and flattering lighting. This speaker comes with touch sensitivity, a charging port, and an AUX port. Bluetooth connectivity is quick and easy for all devices. It also has touch buttons to control audio playback. The website lets you personalise the lamp by adding your picture to it, making it a cute gift to give to your loved one as a keepsake.

This speaker is available on IGP’s website at Rs. 795.

• Lyne’s Lance 4 Smart Watch

Lyne’s Lancer 4 smartwatch is the perfect gift for a couple that is always on the go. The watch comes with a 1.75-inch HD screen and a battery that lasts for a long time. The watch is also equipped with Bluetooth to make calls, get phone notification alerts, and use the “Find My Phone” function. It is waterproof up to IP68, has a step counter, and a full health assessment system that measures and keeps track of your vitals, such as your heart rate, body temperature, and stress levels. Additionally, this smartwatch has a unique sedentary reminder function that monitors your body’s MET levels and alerts you when you should get up and walk around. With all of these features and a bright colour range, this smartwatch is an excellent gift choice to give to your partner.

This Lancer 4 smartwatch is available at Rs. 1999.

• ARTIOS Painting Kit for Adults

Whether you are an artist or not, everyone has a creative side to themselves. It is even better to explore that side with your loved ones. Everything you need is in this 95-piece painting kit, including 7 handmade paint brushes in a brush holder, 2 canvas boards, 48 cartridge papers, a sponge, 48 watercolour papers, a wooden easel stand, and a handmade wooden palette. The sheets can be used with nearly any type of paint, making them perfect for paintings using acrylic, gouache, ink, oil, or watercolour. To ensure that you receive all the happiness in one single bundle, this set comes in a durable box. Overall, it makes for a perfect activity to do with your partner.

This art set can be availed for Rs. 1795 from Amazon.

Odd Giraffe’s Begonia Wellness Journal

Journaling is one of the most effective ways to manage stress and gain clarity. Journals are becoming a very popular and thoughtful gift lately. It’s a sweet way of showing care for someone without making it overwhelming. These guided wellness journals by Odd Giraffe are a cute gift for someone who enjoys scribbling their thoughts down and has a creative side. This 208-page journal has 192 unique self-care prompts and 16 blank pages for when you want to go at your own pace. It is easy to carry and fill in every day and would make for a perfect gift to keep someone in check- mentally and physically.

This cute Old Giraffe Wellness Journal can be availed at Rs. 1599.

16 February 2023 – New Delhi, iCubesWire, a leading privately-held digital marketing conglomerate with a portfolio of ad tech digital marketing solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of two senior executives to its leadership team. Ashish Satish Naik has been appointed as the Senior Business Director, West & South, while Ankit Sethi has been appointed as the Business Director, North.

Ashish Satish Naik brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in the industry for 22 years. His most recent position was with OLX India as a Director of business, and he has also worked with leading companies such as Times Internet and Network 18 in leadership roles.

Ankit Sethi is backed by over 14 years of professional experience in digital marketing, advertising, and brand management. In his most recent role, Mr. Sethi was associated with Sharechat as a Business Director and has worked with several reputed organizations such as Paytm, Carwale, Hindustan Times, Reliance Broadcast, 92.7 Big FM, Wipro, and Wisden.

Commenting on the appointments, Sahil Chopra, Founder & CEO, iCubesWire, said, “We are thrilled to have Ashish and Ankit join our team. Their value as leaders and in-depth knowledge and experience in the industry will be invaluable in driving growth and strengthening our position as leaders in the market. We are confident their addition will contribute significantly to our business growth and success.”

Ashish will be at the helm of driving business in the Western and Southern regions of India, working closely with clients to develop effective strategies that deliver measurable results. He will also be responsible for expanding iCubesWire’s business in these regions, identifying new opportunities, and building strong relationships with key clients.

Commenting on the new role, Ashish Satish Naik, said, “I am thrilled to join iCubesWire and lead the team in West & South India. My experience in the industry has taught me that in today’s digitally-driven fast-paced world, it is essential to stay on top of emerging trends and technologies to remain competitive. I plan to use my knowledge and expertise to bring innovation to the team and help iCubesWire reach new heights.”

Ankit will drive iCubesWire’s business growth in the North India market. In addition, his extensive experience and understanding of the digital marketing industry will enable him to help iCubesWire clients achieve their business goals through innovative and effective digital solutions.

Commenting on the new role, Ankit Sethi, said, “I am excited to join iCubesWire as the Business Director, North. I look forward to driving iCubesWire’s revenue growth and contributing to the company’s vision of providing clients with innovative and effective digital solutions. In addition, I am excited to work with the talented team at iCubesWire and help clients achieve their business goals.”