Known for belting out hits such as "Paradise", "A Sky Full Of Stars", 'The Scientist" and "Fix You", British rock band Coldplay is set to take the stage in India’s entertainment capital, Mumbai for the second time. They will be performing on January 18 and 19 at the D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, as a part of the band’s Music of the Spheres World Tour. The much-awaited tickets for the band’s Mumbai concert are set to go live on Sunday, September 22, at 12 PM on BookMyShow. As fans across India prepare to buy the tickets, netizens have expressed their excitement and anticipation to witness the band’s magic live. Netizens react Soon after the teaser was posted on Instagram, the comments section was flooded with fans reminiscing memories of 2016 when the band last performed in the city and expressing excitement for the 2025 concert. One user wrote, “This will be the perfect way to start 2025.” Another user commented, “9 years long wait coming to an end.” “Can’t wait!” wrote several fans. “Gotta get ready for fastest finger first,” a fan commented, due to the possibility of the tickets being sold out quickly. Other details about Coldplay Mumbai concert tickets The starting price of tickets is Rs. 2500 and it goes on till Rs. 35,000 for the lounge tickets which include premium services. One can buy up to 8 tickets in one transaction. As per BookMyShow, the tickets will be home delivered approximately one week prior to the show, and tickets once purchased cannot be refunded. About the tour Since kicking off in March 2022, the Music Of The Spheres World Tour has sold over 10 million tickets across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, making it the most highly attended tour by a group of all time. The tour is also travelling to Abu Dhabi, Seoul and Hong Kong between January and April of 2025. The set list for the band includes tracks like ‘Yellow’, ‘The Scientist’, ‘Clocks’, ‘Fix You’, ‘Viva La Vida’, ‘Paradise’, ‘A Sky Full Of Stars’ and ‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’ into the spectacular stadium show bursting with lasers, fireworks and LED wristbands. This is the second time that Coldplay, which consists of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, will be performing in India. They last visited the country in 2016 when they performed in Mumbai as a part of the Global Citizen Festival. Also Read: Alan Walker collaborates with Pritam for pop ballad 'Children Of The Sun'
21 September,2024 04:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai-based communications professional Shweta Mehrotra has been a F.R.I.E.N.D.S fan for over 24 years now. “Today, I can mouth the dialogues before the characters utter it. That’s how hooked I am,” says Mehrotra, who started it out just watching the show in the early 2000s. “I started slowly realising how people in my college social circle were talking about certain episodes, so I used to catch up with those episodes to make sure I was prepared to participate the next time they spoke about it. This is similar to Joey’s situation when he buys the encyclopedia book volume ‘V’, so he could start participating in his F.R.I.E.N.D.S conversation and appear clever,” she adds. American television sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S premiered its first episode on September 22, 1994. Over the last three decades, the show has developed a cult following and has gone down in pop-culture history as one of the most popular television shows. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, its popularity led it to continue for 10 seasons and finally ended on May 6, 2004. While the show ended 20 years ago, it has left a lasting impression on fans, who watch it even though. While millennials like Mehrotra do re-runs, Gen-Z and the generations after that are only introduced to it because of its popularity that has trickled online on social media through posts, reels and meme pages.Watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S for more than 20 yearsMehrotra shares, “The show is the perfect way to unwind. It is a conversation starter, a means to break the ice with someone or even find a connection on the first date. It’s silly, emotional, funny, comforting and all the things you want in a ‘friend’.” It is no different for Swati Pandit, who has been a fan for more than 25 years now, who started watching it because she enjoyed the humour and characterisation. She says, “It has timeless humour and relatable portrayal of friendships and the ups and downs of navigating life, love, and relationships through your 20s and 30s.”Just like Mehrotra and Pandit, ask Radhika Banta, another Mumbaikar about her fandom and she is quick to reply, “I have been a fan for 20 years and not counting. Could I be more of a fan?” imitating Chandler Bing, one of the six characters in the series, who was played by the late Matthew Perry, who passed away earlier this year. So, it is no wonder when we ask her who her favourite character is. “It is hard to pick, but if I had to choose, Chandler is my favourite. While sarcasm is legendary, I also definitely identify with his awkward humour.” Interestingly, Banta started watching Friends while she was typically on a break from other shows. She narrates, “I started watching it casually during a break from another show, and before I knew it one episode turned to one season and then a fan was born. If my girl math is right, I have spent 5,192 hours approximately of my life watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, which is equivalent to 2.5 years of my full-time work or enough time to read 865 books or equal to two years of sleep. “The themes of friendship, love, and navigating life’s ups and downs are timeless, and that’s why F.R.I.E.N.D.S is still so beloved today,” she quickly adds for anybody who wonders how much of her life she has spent on the show. Also Read: Batman Day: Why do fans love the Dark Knight Unlike Mehrotra, Pandit and Banta, Michelle Simon, another Mumbaikar joined the bandwagon a little later almost 17 years ago. “I started watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S when I was 13 years old. I used to see my mom and cousin watch the show, and I wasn’t allowed to when I was younger. So, when I became a teen, I wanted to know what all that hype was about. It all makes sense now,” says an excited Simon. Just like Banta, even Simon loves Chandler for more than one reason. “I love Chandler because he is not perfect, flaunts his flaws and bad habits. He also expresses love, he is insecure and makes mistakes, plans his finances, is always there to help Joey out, loves his pets and he is perfectly imperfect,” she describes him to perfection.Even Mehrotra adds, “Chandler Bing is my favourite because of his wisecracks and sarcasm. But then he also is the perfect partner a woman seeks – he is not scared to be vulnerable, happy to stay in Monica’s shadow, he’s her biggest cheerleader and reality check. Kudos to him because he went as far as looking for Clunkers the dog, he thought he lost even though he hated dogs.” However, beyond Chandler, who is a clear favourite, she also identifies with Monica Geller, a role immortalised by Courtney Cox, who eventually becomes Chandler’s partner on the show. She is known for her quirks along with her brother Ross Geller, played by David Schwimmer. “I identify the most with Monica because I am organised and I take charge of get-togethers, I love cataloguing, and I think I am slowly becoming a control freak. And yes, like her I love to wear big dial watches,” she adds to the last detail, that only a super fan would know. While they were some of the popular characters, it would be hard to miss out on Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc; Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow, and even Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, who launched her career with the performance in the show.Gulnoor Kaur joined the F.R.I.E.N.D.S fan culture only much later in 2016, almost 14 years after it officially ended. By that time most people had already watched the show once and had even gone through several re-runs. However, it did not take long for the Mumbaikar to become a fan. She explains, “I discovered it right after I completed my college degree. I had watched it in bits and pieces over the years before that but never took to it. However, I kept getting asked by people if I had watched it. So, I watched the show and then liked it very much. Their friendship is aspirational.”It is no wonder then that Chandler is her favourite character like the others this writer spoke to and finds their lives, jobs, and the things they find joy in, that make it relatable to most people that go beyond generations like Millennials and Gen-Z.Finding hope in F.R.I.E.N.D.SEven though many people from many quarters dislike the show for different reasons including being an all-white show, there are fans like Kaur who found Carol and Susan's wedding episode to be quite heartwarming. As Banta likes to put it, the discussion is a “moo point”. “While F.R.I.E.N.D.S was a product of its time and has some outdated moments, I think we can appreciate the humour and still acknowledge where it could’ve done better,” she explains.Even Pandit, who agrees with Banta, chimes in, “Some might argue that the show has outdated humour, with certain jokes that reflect the norms of the 90s, which are now viewed with a more critical lens. However, at the time when the show began or was aired, I thought it was progressive capturing themes in homosexuality and transgender community.”It was a different time then, adds Mehrotra. “We didn’t know what qualifies as a joke and what doesn’t because we all made fun of a lot of things back then. However, the show also supported gay marriage like that of Carol and Susan, child out of wedlock between Rachel and Ross, massive age gap marriage (Frank Jr Jr and Mrs. Knight), Transgender parent (Charles Bing) and surrogacy (Phoebe Buffay), and all of it in good jest. We wouldn’t know of these terms if it wasn’t for the show and the way it was portrayed. Why aren’t we talking about that?,” she asks as she goes through her collection of F.R.I.E.N.D.S paraphernalia that not only include T-shirts and posters but also badges and more.
21 September,2024 10:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Batman Day is observed every year on the third Saturday of September to celebrate the iconic superhero who has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the globe. From the brooding vigilante of the early comics to the triumphant crime-fighter of the Nolan trilogy, Batman has evolved, yet his essence remains constant. His ability to inspire hope, even in the darkest of times, has resonated with countless individuals. Whether it is his swanky gadgets, or unwavering moral compass, generations of fans are enthralled by his enigmatic persona. On Batman Day, passionate fans share their favourite memories and delve into the enduring appeal of Batman. Despite his aura of a loner, Batman truly cares about people For the last two decades, Rachit Sharma has been living a dual life. A 9 to 5 corporate manager, who is a die-hard fan of Batman and arguably one of the biggest statue collectors (currently he has over 250) in the country. His favourite Batman media? “Comics, always comics. That’s what got me into reading, into superheroes and Batman. TV and movies came much later for me. I grew up during the Jim Aparo Batman era, and somehow that is always what I think of when I imagine Batman in my head. By the time I watched Tim Burton’s movies, I was already a massive fan, but those movies helped cement the Dark Knight’s place as my indisputable favourite character,” Sharma tells us. Rachit Sharma with his collection of Batman statues (Photo Courtesy: Rachit Sharma) While superheroes are often portrayed as invincible, what the super fan finds inspiring is Batman’s humanity. He shares, “Traditionally Batman has always signified grit, determination, and willpower. How a normal human being can overcome all odds if he puts his mind to it? That always stood out to me. Of course, that was before lazy writing made him into a semi-god that could defeat anyone given ‘enough prep time’. In the greatest of all Batman stories, he’s been battered, bones broken, spine snapped, bloodied, and yet he got up and persevered. And that, to me, will always be the most inspiring aspect of Bruce.” The super fan reflects a desire for Batman to remain relatable, even in the face of increasingly fantastical storylines. He dwells on Batman’s brooding personality, “The one thing I always found interesting was how despite his aura of a loner, he is truly someone that cares about people and family. I mean, just look at the number of sidekicks he’s had over the years! This shows us that you can be a people person without being too sweet and cuddly.” When asked about his favourite all-time villain, the 46-year-old cautions us of his cliched answer and admits it to be Joker. “I’m not a Nolan fan that loved Joker because of how Heath portrayed him (which was fantastic), I have been a Joker fan for the last four decades. Every other villain has an ulterior motive, they want to rule the town, the country, the world, or even the universe. Joker just wants chaos and destruction for no other reason but that it’s fun!” Sharma concludes by sharing one of his personal favourites, “The best Joker moment, is from the ending of the iconic ‘The Killing Joke’. After all the mayhem he perpetuated, crippling Barbara, torturing Gordon, when he’s finally apprehended by Batman, Joker tells him a joke. And the final page, THAT final page, is both of them laughing together. Glorious!” Also Read: It’s Batman’s world He is arguably the best superhero without any actual superpowers Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, is among the countless 90s kids who grew up with the iconic Batman films starring Michael Keaton. He tells us, “I'm very nostalgic about the Michael Keaton movies and the campy 1960's series with Adam West. The best movies were of course the Nolan trilogy.” While the Michael Keaton films offered a darker, more grounded take on Batman, the 1960s series provided a lighter, more comedic interpretation. The critically acclaimed Nolan trilogy highlights the character's ability to evolve and resonate with audiences in new ways. All three approaches have contributed to the character's rich and diverse legacy, and reflect the enduring appeal of the character across different eras and style. “As a reader, the obvious choices are The Dark Knight series by Frank Miller and The Killing Joke by Alan Moore,” shares Varma. Both titles offer complex and thought-provoking explorations of the character. With such diverse storylines, which qualities draw him to Batman? The pop culture enthusiast shares, “Even though I am partial to Superman, it’s the contrast that Batman provides to him that is interesting to me. He is arguably the best superhero without any actual superpowers.” Contrary to the common portrayal of billionaires as ruthless and aloof, Batman stands out. Referring to a fresh take by the animates series, Varma notes, “You can be a billionaire without necessarily being a jerk.” When asked what is his favourite moment, the 39-year-old shares two, “The most recent one is actually from the Justice League movie - it is more a Bruce Wayne moment. When Bruce tells Clark he bought the bank to save Martha Kent's house. I also find the Batusi dance scene featuring Adam West from the 1960s series hilarious.” His character made me realize how his childhood trauma shaped him into the hero he is Ruchi Nayak, partner at The Catalyst, swears by Batman movies for her dose of adrenaline and views the superhero as a symbol of hope in a world that is marred by senseless violence. "Batman’s brooding vigilante style isn’t just about thrilling action—it’s a beacon of resilience and redemption. He isn’t just a hero for me; he’s a symbol of badassery, channeling his inner darkness into the search for justice. DC movies, especially those featuring Batman, are my go-to for thrilling yet fun cinema. They remind me that even in the darkest of times, adventure and heroism are just around the corner. Batman, as a character, and DC movies shine a light on the power of bravery in a world in chaos.,” shares the Mumbai resident. She goes on to share how Batman’s backstory is a focal point of inspiration for fans like her, “Batman was born in a billionaire family but was also a child who lost his parents at a young age. His character always made me realise how his childhood trauma shaped him into the hero he is. Batman channels his trauma into a force for good, proving that you can rise from your past and transform your pain into strength. It is not just about cool gadgets or fights, it’s about how he harnesses his inner darkness to fight for the ones who can’t fight for themselves. Ultimately, it is also about the pursuit of hope in a world filled with chaos.” I often equate Batman to ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, a duality between the daytime philanthropist and the nocturnal vigilante A Gen Z admirer of Batman, Sahil Mehta grew up reading Batman comics. “Comics are the only medium through which I truly immerse myself in Batman's world. The visual storytelling, every meticulously drawn panel and exaggerated punch, leaves room for my imagination to run wild. It fosters a deep connection as if I'm experiencing the story alongside the Dark Knight,” he shares animatedly. Highlighting Batman’s duality, Mehta says, “I often equate Batman to ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, a duality between the daytime philanthropist and the nocturnal vigilante.” The lifestyle creator further shares his favourite memory from the comics, “One unforgettable comic moment was the confrontation between Batman and Superman. Superman's attempt to intimidate by revealing Batman's identity was swiftly countered by Batman's meticulous research, proving that with sufficient preparation, he can overcome any adversary."
21 September,2024 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalThe North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, one of Mumbai’s grandest and oldest star-studded Durga Puja celebration, is set to be held at a new venue this year. The event will now unfold at the SNDT Ground, Juhu, marking a significant shift from its long-standing home at Tulip Star, Juhu. The announcement was made at a press conference addressed and attended by Debu Mukherjee, Sharbani Mukherjee, Samrat Mukerji, Rego B, Jaan Kumar Sanu, Rema Lahiri, Kasturi Banerjjee and Mainak Chakraborty. The celebrations will take place from October 9 to 12. This year's North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja is expected to be a larger-than-life experience, drawing some of Bollywood’s biggest names. Devotees and fans can look forward to celebrating in the presence of their beloved celebrities, including Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and many more, all making their mark on this prestigious occasion. “This momentous move is about honouring our rich heritage while embracing an even grander vision for the future,” said the members of the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee. “Our devotees can expect the same deep-rooted traditions, only now in a venue that allows for an even more lavish celebration. The heart of our Puja will remain the same, but the experience will be bigger, better, and more magnificent than ever,” they added. The Puja will feature a meticulously crafted idol of Maa Durga and spiritual rituals such as the maha aarti and pushpanjali. As goes the tradition at North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, this year’s edition will also feature cultural performances and bhog, offering a feast of traditional Bengali flavours. The North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja was established in 1948 by Padmashri Sashadhar Mukerji and his wife Satirani Mukerji, making it one of the oldest Durga Puja celebrations in the city. Is is frequented by many stars every year. Durga Puja is a 10-day festival that coincides with Navratri, but the last five days are considered most significant. Although Durga Puja is primarily associated with West Bengal, it is also celebrated in other states like Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Also Read: Durga Puja 2023: How Mumbai pandals prepare delectable Bengali cuisine for bhog
19 September,2024 03:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The 10-day long festival that was celebrated with grandeur and cultural fervour across Mumbai culminated with the Ganesh Visarjan on September 17, which carried onto September 18 for some idols. Mumbaikars bid an emotional farewell to Bappa, reminiscing memories of the past days and wishing for his soon return. While Anant Chaturdashi saw devotees throng beaches and immersion sites in large numbers, the next day saw only volunteers and BMC workers collect waste at these sites. Ganesh Visarjan holds immense significance for the festival, and it is a cultural phenomenon that the city witnesses every year. However, people often overlook the environmental consequences after immersion. Some Ganesh idols wash ashore in a dilapidated condition, especially those made of Plaster of Paris (PoP). Other waste is also generated in large amounts at beaches and other water bodies. To combat this situation, BMC had encouraged immersing Ganesh idols in artificial ponds this year. Around 2.1 lakh idols were immersed in Mumbai over the 11 days of the Ganeshotsav, including over 37,000 idols on the final day. Out of these, 11,364 idols were immersed into artificial lakes. The Bombay High Court (BHC) even directed the mandals to follow guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board in May 2020 regarding the ban on the use of PoP idols. However, this decision by BHC was issued on the eve of Ganeshotsav and PoP idols were used during the festival. The perils of using PoP idols PoP idols are not only harmful for the water bodies but also the marine life that inhabits these water bodies. Stalin D, director of the NGO Vanashakti that had filed a PIL against immersion of PoP idols, explains, “PoP basically has gypsum, glues and paints, which are toxic to the marine environment and they don't degrade or dissolve easily. It makes the water unfit for life forms to survive. Many times, in water bodies, fish have been found floating dead the next day after immersion. The oxygen levels deplete rapidly when you put PoP into the water bodies.” He expresses hope for implementation of the ban on PoP next year. “I believe by next year we should be eradicating at least 90 per cent production of PoP idols. The last window was this year. By some strange twist of fate, our matter was heard only on the eve of the festival. If it was heard two months earlier, this decision would have come up and we would have had time to implement it. We couldn't get the results we wanted, but surely next year it will not be there. In fact, we are asking for a ban on the sale of PoP. We can't stop people from buying something, which is already in the market. So the process has to begin at the manufacturer level,” he informs. Has the negative environmental impact decreased over the years? “Certainly not,” Stalin is quick to say. “I've spent more than 50 years in Mumbai. I was born here. As teenagers, we used to carry the idols and immerse it. It used to be very spiritual. Now, it has become more about other elements like bigger idols, music, gulal, etc.,” he expresses. “PoP is also a culprit because it gives rise to this never-ending competition of making the idols bigger and bigger. To allow these big idols to pass, many trees are also trimmed,” he adds. Suggesting some possible solutions, he says, “There should be some bar on the size of the idol. It has to be made of clay, essentially, and it should be transported and kept in a manner that it does not break or fall in the journey. After the immersion process, it's very heartbreaking to see the idol split and hands or head falling off just because it is not immersed properly.” He continues, “We managed to stop it from being immersed in natural water bodies. But now we need to understand the second part of it. Once the idols are immersed in the artificial tanks, then what happens?” “It is ideally supposed to go for waste management and treatment at Taloja. It doesn't always go there. Authorities need to show some record. The whole process should be carried out in a more organised manner,” he concludes. The waste that washes ashore Several volunteers from NGOs and educational institutions held post-visarjan beach clean-up drives to ensure that all undissolved idols are respectfully managed and the immersion sites return to normal. According to a release by BMC, 550 tonnes of nirmalya (flowers and other offerings) and 360 tonnes of solid waste was cleared from Ganpati immersion sites. Thousands of idols were immersed across the city in 204 artificial ponds and 69 natural water bodies, including lakes and the ones off the beaches. As many as 7,000 civic employees, school and college students and volunteers from NGOs collected the waste. While the issue of waste generation and management needs more disocurse, Dr. Chinuu Kwatra, founder of Beach Warriors, believes that there has been a reduction in waste generated after visarjan over the past few years. “We conducted clean-up drives at Dadar Beach, Prabhadevi and Juhu Koliwada. Every year, we are seeing 10-20 per cent decrease in the waste on beaches. There has been awareness and a lot of people are switching from PoP to clay idols,” he comments. “Secondly, the number of artificial ponds have increased. In Thane, there was an artificial pond every 1 or 2 kms this time. Thirdly, authorities are also conducting extensive clean-up drives now. This is a positive change I have seen after working on ground for 7 years,” he adds. Giving insights on the kind of waste that is still found, he says, “Plastic waste is always there. Apart from that, we also find Bappa’s crown, clothes, jewellery, other ornaments, etc. Some idols do not melt because they are made of PoP. Because of this, Bappa is in a different state after visarjan. It hurts to see this.” “For 10 days, we celebrate the festival with grandeur and on the eleventh day, we are not bothered at all. Environmental impact aside, because that is something people don’t see to care about, we can at least be the change and bring the change for Bappa, so as not to see him in this condition,” he expresses. Shubh Mehta, founder of Change In Us, an organisation that conducted clean-up dirves at Girgaon Chowpatty, reveals, “Post visarjan, we usually find three things during clean-up drives. First are the PoP idols, second are the wooden or metal structures around those idols and the third is flowers, decoration, etc.” Ask him if he has seen any change in the waste produced over the years and he is quick to say, “I think it has remained fairly same. Smaller murtis are immersed on the second, third or fifth day. We usually conduct clean-up drives after the tenth day, so we only find bigger idols. The previous idols and waste are already cleared by BMC by then.” But, he observes, “We are noticing that more and more waste is being generated by people attending the immersion at these sites. If we find idols, it’s understandable. But people are coming at the beach, leaving their slippers, food packets, bottles, etc. That has increased quite a lot.” Other waste generated during the festival Apart from the what is collected from beaches and immersion sites, other waste is also generated during the festive season. Smita Birkar, founder of Earth5R which conducted waste collection and recycling drives during Ganeshotsav in collaboration with BMC, reveals, “During Ganeshotsav, the thermocol waste generation is extremely high and there are people who have been storing it from ages in their house. So, the idea was to create awareness that thermocol can be recycled. Till now, the waste that we have collected is 50 per cent decoration and the other 50 per cent is new packaging of consumer goods people have bought during festive sales like TV, fridge, etc.” She further states, “BMC gave us all the pickup points of driveway centres in Mumbai. Any other society, who wished to register, could do it individually. The dry waste that we collect is condensed, compressed and sent for making picture frames.” Environmental awareness and waste management are two important pillars that can help reduce the impact of the festival on nature and marine life without compromising on traditions. Also Read: Celebrating across borders: How expats cultivate a strong connection with Ganeshotsav
19 September,2024 12:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainAfter successful missions to the Moon and Mars, India is now set to explore Venus, with the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approving the development of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the mission to Venus for scientific exploration. The mission, expected to launch in March 2028, will help unravel the "Venusian atmosphere, geology and generate large amounts of science data probing into its thick atmosphere", according to a Cabinet communique. The Cabinet has also "approved a fund of Rs 1,236 crore for the VOM, of which Rs 824 crore will be spent on the spacecraft". "The cost includes development and realisation of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of the launch vehicle,” the Cabinet said. Venus is the closest planet to Earth and is believed to have formed in conditions similar to Earth. The probe offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently, and to find the causes for the transformation of Venus -- believed to be once habitable and quite similar to Earth. The VOM mission will be accomplished by the Department of Space and is envisaged to orbit a scientific spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus. "ISRO will be responsible for the development of the spacecraft and its launch. The project will be effectively managed and monitored through the established practices prevailing at ISRO. The data generated from the mission would be disseminated to the scientific community through existing mechanisms," the Cabinet communique said. The mission would also enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads, and optimal orbit insertion approaches. Also Read: Chandrayaan-4: India to send astronauts to moon as cabinet approves new lunar mission This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 September,2024 11:17 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
A Mumbai-based professional was once told, “you’re a disaster and that your creative stuff is sh*t”. The professional, who pleaded anonymity, says it was one of the first insults they faced at the workplace. "The power of words can really play with your mind and I was down for a long time," he says. The animation producer like many others didn't do much about it because they had bigger fish to fry. Since then, they have got better pay and that works in his favour because more importantly they have a huge loan that needs to be paid. As much as most people choose to be, like the Mumbaikar, who says their work and professional responsibilities are bigger than these insults, toxic work culture is rampant in India and around the globe. Recently, a video of a bank employee shouting and insulting his colleagues on a video call in Kolkata went viral. Facing severe backlash because of the behaviour, the company suspended the employee and said they do not encourage such behaviour. While action has been taken, this points to a larger problem where employees are often at the receiving end of such insults at the workplace. However, nothing is being done about it by the employers who have failed to recognise a larger problem, that affects mental health. Coincidentally, Mpower recently released a survey ‘Mental Health and Wellness Quotient @Workplace 2023’, which revealed that 48 per cent of corporate employees are struggling with mental health issues. Among them, female corporate employees are more prone to high mental health risk at 56 per cent compared to men at 41 per cent. When this journalist reached out to people for their experiences, he was flooded with messages from people working across various industries. However, many of them choose to remain anonymous fearing repercussions. Toxic workplace culture could affect people in many ways. As Nazneen Chunawala, counselling psychologist and senior manager at Mpower Outreach, explains, "Bad language at office would mean raising voice on the floor, blaming in front of all, being disrespectful to the subordinates and denying their concerns without adequate listening." Mpower is a mental health initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Foundation. The animation producer isn't the only one. A media professional shares, "I have been insulted, bullied and even had personal attacks made by a senior at workplace. I am a journalist. I have been made to feel extremely guilty for getting my hands on a big interview maybe because they thought I didn't deserve to interview such a big star or maybe because they were jealous." It didn't end there because the professional was asked to not take any mental health leaves and instead change it to a sick leave. "Things were so toxic that I resorted to anxiety pills. I was given no leave from work whatsoever and many a times I worked 24x7." The journalist’s toxic times didn’t end at office. It followed them since they were expected to work and answer to messages beyond work hours while working with the organisation. "I broke down a number of times and they didn't bother at all. They were extremely indifferent and borderline sadists.” Insults and toxic workplace cultureThe media professional says they tried writing to their super boss about a deeply-scarring particular incident but no actions were taken against the senior. "I was at the receiving end of intense discrimination and partiality. I eventually left that job but the trauma hasn't left me." While the use of insults and bad language is known, one needs to understand why it happens. Chunawala says there are many reasons. She explains, "Pressure of targets, increased dependency on each other, intense competition, high productivity expectations, stressors at work and personal life and hesitation to question authority and reluctance of authority to listen can be some reasons." When one talks about toxic work culture and insults, it is hard to ignore gender-based insults or how work affects mental health. "Gender discrimination and bias specially against women can make it toxic for her. Mental health concerns of anxiety and depression can reduce the tolerance levels of an individual and increase irritability and aggressiveness. Lack of awareness and lack of support system for the same can lead to toxic work culture," she adds. While some people ignore it, there are others who leave jobs like the media professional. She explains, "It leads to self-doubt for the employees, hurts their honesty and commitment to the organisation, makes them feel devalued and results in increased attrition, decreased productivity, passive aggressive behaviour and deviation or lack of connection to the organisational outcomes." On a more personal level, city-based certified victory and life coach Farzana Suri says it can play on the mental health and well-being of the employee. "It can lead to depression caused by anxiety, anger, anguish, reduced morale absenteeism and isolate them in the team, leading to reduced productivity." However, Chunawala points out that all conflicts or use of disrespectful language do not qualify as toxic work environment. She explains, “It may be toxic for one person but not for all. The affected person should definitely talk to the person concerned and if they find it difficult to deal with, bring it up to the HR." Suri adds to what Chunawala points out. She says that apart from talking one-on-one to those insulting, it is important to be calm and avoid confrontation. "Moreover, do not use similar language to communicate your point. Avoiding these people or keeping quiet is not the answer," she explains. However, the onus isn't only on the employee affected by such behaviour because the managers and bosses also need to take the responsibility to be aware. Chunawala suggests seeking regular feedback from employees, one-on-one discussions to understand their experiences and any concerns related to language or communication. “Be open to listen and act upon the feedback received and make necessary improvements." Yet, these may not always turn out to be helpful like in the case of city-based publicist Megha Nambootiri, who like the animation producer and journalist has also faced such insults. She even reported it to HR. Nambootiri says that she was insulted in front of her colleagues, repeatedly. “It also happened to others in the team when I worked in that organisation." While she did try to engage in a conversation with the person who insulted her, it fell on deaf ears. "When I went to the HR, I was told 'Oh that’s strange, we never received such complaints earlier', which was a lie because everyone I worked with had complained but they were ignoring because the accused had been working in the organisation for a very long time." Nambootiri eventually quit. Since language and culture are inseparable, removing the profane from your work environment can only improve communication and performance and to clean up the culture, it is important for organisations to first clean up the language. Role of organisationsSince the employees are a part of the organisation, the latter needs to make efforts to adopt certain practices that could help in dealing with cases where the language can be an issue. "Organisations need to be proactive by crafting a Profanity or Language Policy," Suri suggests, “Ensure those who wish to complain about the use of offensive language know they are protected.” She says the organisation needs to act to minimise the risk of offensive language. “The policy may also require employees to respect their coworkers' sensitivities. If another employee asks them to not use certain words, then they are required to make every effort to accommodate those wishes. You should prohibit profane language related to body parts and sexual innuendo. Vulgarity, crude jokes, and obscene insults can create a hostile work environment and result in sexual harassment or discrimination." At the end of the day, she says it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that their employees are not exposed to language that they may deem offensive or inappropriate. Posting signs that state "Keep Your Language Clean" in areas such as the employee cafeteria, corridors and restrooms can be helpful. Chunawala seconds Suri's suggestion that there needs to be a strict policy in place. She explains, "Clearly communicate in the office policy and in town hall meetings to all employees that disrespectful language will not be tolerated.” The organisations need to implement regular feedback mechanisms such as anonymous suggestion boxes. Employees and managers with respectful communication should be awarded at the workplace. While policies, feedback and rewards can help, other important aspects of working in the office to learn how to behave is paramount. Chunawala and Suri say. “In fact, Suri some organisations abroad hire a Cuss Control Coach. Just like diversity training, they also have behaviour and language training to help them navigate office communication daily.” The Mpower expert also insists it is an important part of employee training. "Effective communication training – emphasising on active unbiased listening and healthy communication and for being sensitive towards the impact of language choices on others. Team building is also essential. With increase in trust and bond, instances of bad language can be reduced and impact can be less." These sessions need to include all managers, human resource department as well as management, who should be part of such trainings. Additionally, regular sessions for mental wellbeing at the workplace is important and a step in the right direction.
18 September,2024 02:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Humiliation at workplace is a culture no company would like to identify with. However, it is a rampant practice that is pushing people into unhealthy working conditions or quitting altogether. Mumbai-based leadership coach and a seasoned HR, Prabir Jha says, “Despite the ongoing toxicity at workplace, people are finally calling it out and seeking a more fulfilling role. With the evolving awareness and job fluidity, people are more empowered to not live with this malaise.” A recent study by MIT Sloan shows that toxic work culture is a primary factor pushing people to quit their jobs. While LinkedIn bleeds with layoffs, Midday Online spoke to employees who finally put in their papers to end the unbearable whims of a foul workplace. For Anila Maqbool, it had been only two weeks as a publicist with a city-based hospitality firm when she felt targeted by her co-workers. “I was the youngest team member and that was my biggest crime. It began when my colleagues started singling me out to keep me out of the loop. Initially, my tasks would be met with obstacles and my execution was slow. Gradually, I found myself running in circles seeking approvals and chasing deadlines. I developed anxiety issues and my self-esteem suffered a blow.” When Anila spoke to her manager about the recurrent issues, she was met with a bitter response. Her manager scorned: “You act like all the wrongs are happening with you only! The world doesn’t revolve around you and you need to work on your inefficiencies.” Right after this episode, Anila decided to quit and left without collecting her due compensation and the relieving letter. In another instance, Mukul Lodha (name changed), shares a mortifying account of what he went through while working with a Delhi-based human rights law firm. He was hired as a cameraman for a month-long contract to shoot visuals in Tripura. In a telephonic conversation, he explains: “My contract stated that I was supposed to shoot the footage and share the dump. So, I delivered what was asked of me. A month later, I get a call from the CEO who offered me a job at the same firm!” Excited as he was to receive the offer, Mukul decided to visit the office. Upon visiting, he was met with a hostile attitude. The founder asked, “Why didn’t you edit the footage you shot?” To which Mukul explained that he was hired only to shoot and not edit. Mukul recalls the moment when the founder began to scream and caught him off guard. “Do you have no passion for the work you do? How unprofessional of you to just dump your footage and move on? You are a disappointment!” It was a blow to Mukul’s work ethic. Before he could even join, he was treated with humiliation and gross misunderstanding at a workplace that supposedly fights for human rights. Two days later, he sent the edited video along with a statement declining the job offer. Mukul was resolved to prove his capability and also call out the undignified attitude of his employer. Mental health researcher Ishan Shivanand is of the opinion that people demean their colleagues/subordinates to be able to feel intelligent. “In psychological sciences, gaslighting is a way of emotionally manipulating someone to make them believe that their thoughts, viewpoints, emotions or imagination are not right. The bullies consistently emphasise on proving you wrong to feel superior to you. It can be done in any order of hierarchy, as long as the individual is allowing themselves to be bullied.” Read More: 7 tips to manage office politics A bad boss can take a good staff & destroy it, causing the best employees to flee and remainder to lose all motivation. In a similar case, Tanya Pathak recounts her final days of working as a communications associate with a city-based non-profit organisation. She mentions that there were no respectful boundaries that were adhered to at her workplace. “My boss would try to get very personal which would make me feel noxious. I would receive unsolicited opinions on my personal life be it my dressing or friendships. It made me doubt myself and question my choices. I felt gaslit by senior employees and it began affecting my health, both physical and emotional. Ultimately, I resigned as I couldn’t deal with the mounting stress.” Psychological impacts of workplace bullying Bullying and humiliation can have a detrimental impact on an employee’s mental wellbeing. It can build work-related stress and lead to burnouts. Employees may also experience frequent episodes of feeling overwhelmed during the day and end up with mental health concerns including anxiety and depression, shares Ishan, who is also a professor of meditative modalities. “It leaves scars that can undermine one’s confidence forever. The person can draw into a shell, choosing not to ideate or collaborate, and in many ways alter the fundamentals of one’s personality. In cases, this emotional expression can lead to acute depression, with potential life risks” added Prabir. This can be prevented by creating healthier and more productive workplaces for all. Bengaluru-based Myah Payel Mitra has been working with organisations to build motivating and engaging environment inside offices. In a conversation with Mid-day, she shares that people will opt to work at an organisation where they feel recognised, included, valued, promoted, and appreciated. “For many people, work-life balance and employment that keeps their mental health positive is a top priority. People don’t necessarily switch jobs for money only; most of them are looking for respect and mental peace. Anything that costs you your peace of mind is too expensive and many people therefore choose peace over paycheck,” shares Myah who is an award-winning employee engagement and career transition coach. Common signs of a toxic workplace: 1 It’s an environment that lacks physical, mental, emotional and psychological safety.2 Employees don’t feel safe to ask questions, share their opinions, or provide honest feedback.3 Disrespect, discrimination, bullying, and harassment, scapegoating becomes a norm.4 Leaders don’t intervene to protect employees or resolve conflicts.5 There is a lack of trust, transparency and equity amongst employees.6 High levels of stress and burnout, leading to higher attrition rates. Why do toxic bosses get away with this behavior?“Bad bosses are created, nurtured and rewarded by their bosses and organisations. Many deliver a financial number and everything else gets a blind eye. This emboldens them to continue with such behaviour. As a success recipe, this behaviour becomes the template for others and the cancer spreads. Such bosses have rarely had honest feedback, coaching support or reprimands for them to be anything else. In some cases, this may have been a blind spot for long. Worst, poor HR systems make them believe that this behaviour alone delivers business outcomes, a myth they have carefully cultivated”, highlights Prabir who is the CEO of Prabir Jha People Advisory, a boutique platform for retained strategic advisory, talent search & executive coaching. For employees to stand up against such behaviour requires them to personally believe that they must do so. They also need to instil confidence in their organisation that it will stand by them. “Often both are missing. Surely the latter is absent and employees prefer to stay quiet and suffer silently or, if they can, quit at the first opportunity.” Such is the case of Vikrant Mehra, a Mumbai-based creative director working with an ad agency. In a telephonic conversation, he shares how the constant cycle of ideation and rejection has led to his mental burnout. He has been and held back from promotions, his creativity questioned and his ideas quashed as his boss constantly critiqued his credibility. “It’s tough to stand up against my boss. He is seldom receptive to feedback as that makes him far more aggressive, vengeful and wicked. He is selfish to the core. He leans on positional authority and inflicts damage without a second thought. I am seeking other avenues but till then I will not stop calling him out for his toxicity”, shared Vikrant who intends to quit as soon as a better opportunity comes his way. What can employees do to combat humiliation at workplace?Myah shares a guide to deal with workplace inefficiencies. “Firstly, decide if you want to work for the same company or not, given the toxic environment. If you decide to leave, then start working on your exit plan while maintaining the same professionalism at work in your current job. It is best not to gossip about your toxic boss to other co-workers. And if you decide stay on then have a conversation with your boss letting them know how you feel. If the behavior does not change over a period of time and you decide to make a formal complaint to the HR in your organisation, then start keeping a record of the rude behaviors and documenting them before filing a case. Be prepared as the outcome could go either way!” Prabir resonates with Myah and goes one step ahead by saying that the best way is if you could actually speak up to such bosses to their face! Some companies have very effective Ombudsman processes to raise such issues. Some organisations have cultures which look at these situations as unacceptable aberrations. One could speak to the skip level manager or HR in such cases. You could even talk to Employee Assistance Group counsellors that some companies offer. But if none of these are effective, you must explore internal jobs away from this manager or quit altogether. Nothing can be a reason to work with terrible bosses endlessly. The price you pay might be astronomical!
18 September,2024 02:24 PM IST | Mumbai | Ainie RizviThe shortlist for Booker Prize 2024 was announced on Monday, and out of the six books shortlisted, five have been written by women authors. This is the largest ever number of women featured in the shorlist in the 55-year history of the prestigious literary prize. Five women and one man are in the running for prize, from a longlist of 13 authors. They include writers from Australia, the Netherlands, Britain, Canada and the US. The shortlist also features its first Dutch author. The six shortlisted books for Booker Prize 2024 are: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (USA) Orbital by Samantha Harvey (UK) The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Netherlands) James by Percival Everett (USA) Held by Anne Michaels (Canada) Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Australia) English pottery-maker, author and chair of the judges Edmund de Waal said the shortlist comprised of "books that made us want to keep on reading, to ring up friends and tell them about them, novels that inspired us to write, to score music, and even – in my case – to go back to my wheel and make pots". About the shortlisted books Creation Lake: Set in a remote outpost in France, the spy novel follows an American secret agent whose mission is to infiltrate a group of radical eco-activists. Orbital: The book follows six astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). The Safekeep: It is family drama set in the Netherlands 15 years after the end of the second world war. James: It is a retelling of ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, written from the perspective of enslaved Jim. Held: The book is a family saga that explores love and loyalty across four generations. Stone Yard Devotional: This is the story of a woman who leaves Sydney to return to the place she grew up in, wherein she encounters different challenges and friendships. The Booker is open to works of fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024. The Booker Prize ceremony will take place on November 12. Each of the shortlisted authors will receive £2,500, and the winner will get £50,000. Last year's winner was Irish author Paul Lynch and his dystopian novel Prophet Song. Also Read: Exclusive | I’ve always been interested in telling unusual stories: Tisca Chopra (With inputs from AFP)
17 September,2024 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSky gazers are in for a double treat tonight with two celestial events occurring in a rare coincidence -- a super harvest Moon and partial lunar eclipse -- on Tuesday night. The Super Harvest Moon on Tuesday night will experience a partial lunar eclipse making it appear slightly larger in the night sky. The visual delight will be visible in western Asia, North and South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of Antarctica. It will not be visible from India as during the time of the lunar eclipse, the Moon would be below the horizon in the country. It will appear at 8:04 am in New Delhi. The term "Supermoon" was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 as either a new or full Moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90 per cent of its closest to Earth. The Old Farmer's Almanac calls the full moon of September as the Harvest moon, referring to when corn harvests traditionally started. The eclipse occurs when the Moon is slightly closer to Earth, which happens because the Moon's orbit is slightly elliptical, or oval-shaped. As per NASA, the Moon will appear full for about three days, from Monday evening through Thursday morning. The Moon will start entering the Earth's partial shadow at 8:41 pm EDT on Tuesday (6:11 am IST, Wednesday). NASA noted that “the slight dimming of the Moon will be difficult to notice until the top edge of the Moon starts entering the full shadow”. The peak of the eclipse will be at 10:44 pm (8:14 am IST). As it is a partial eclipse, “only the top 8 per cent of the Moon will be in full shadow”. The Moon will finish exiting the full shadow at 11:16 pm and the partial shadow on Wednesday at 12:47 am. "This will be the second of four consecutive Supermoons, appearing larger than last month's Supermoon and effectively tied with the full Moon in October for the closest full Moon of the year," NASA said. Also Read: SpaceX creates history with first-ever private spacewalk This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 September,2024 11:45 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSTito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70. Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, which include global superstars Michael and sister Janet, part of a music-making family whose songs are still beloved today. “It's with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement posted on Instagram late Sunday. The Jackson 5 included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. The family group, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including "ABC," “I Want You Back” and “I'll Be There.” The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the guidance of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitar player who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. As the family's music careers took off, they relocated to California. Born on October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least-heard member of the group as a background singer who played guitar. His brothers launched solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the world's biggest performers known as The King of Pop. Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009. Speaking to The Associated Press in December 2009, Jackson said his younger brother's death pulled the family closer together. “I would say definitely it brought us a step closer to each other. To recognize that the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss,” he said, adding he would personally never “be at peace with it.” “There's still moments when I just can't believe it. So I think that's never going to go away,” he said. In 2014, Jackson said he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson's absence in their shows that continued with international tours. “I don't think we will ever get used to performing without him. He's dearly missed," he said, noting that his spirit "is with us when we are performing. It gives us a lot of positive energy and puts a lot of smiles on our faces." Days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Munich, Germany, on September 11, where he visited a memorial to Michael Jackson with his brothers. “Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We're deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive," he wrote. Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, “Tito Time.” He released a song in 2017, “One Way Street,” and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a sophomore album. Jackson said he purposely held back from pursuing a solo career, because he wanted to focus on raising his three sons: TJ, Taj and Taryll, who formed their own music group 3T. Jackson's website offers a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder titled, “Love One Another.” Tito Jackson also is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and Latoya and their mother, Katherine. Their father died in 2018. Jackson's death was first reported by Entertainment Tonight. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 September,2024 02:57 PM IST | Los Angeles | APADVERTISEMENT
