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Tag: Pavan K. Varma

  • India Today Conclave returns with its Mumbai edition on 4-5 November

    India Today Conclave returns with its Mumbai edition on 4-5 November

    Mumbai: The India Today Conclave – Mumbai, is back with its latest edition, scheduled to be held on 4,5 November 2022. An extension of the India Today Conclave, this edition will provide a platform for an intellectual and informed exchange of ideas between voices.

    Branded as the ‘Mumbaikar special’ the conclave positions itself as offering a full spectrum for the intellectual appetite of Mumbai.

    The India Today Conclave brings together entrepreneurs, authors, cultural icons, artists, and political leaders from across the region to share their ideas on various topics. This year’s edition in Mumbai will feature voices such as Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Deepak Bagla, Neelkanth Mishra, Pavan K. Varma, Alex Ellis, Swami Gaur Gopal Das, and others.

    The conclave will also touch upon important topics in the entertainment industry, which will be addressed by Yash, Abhishek Bachchan, Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao, and others.

  • Indian publishing industry needs mechanism for co-existence of printed and e-books

    Indian publishing industry needs mechanism for co-existence of printed and e-books

    NEW DELHI: Renowned author and Rajya Sabha member Pavan K. Varma, who is also the cultural adviser to the Bihar Chief Minister, has urged the publishing industry to provide the choice of printed books and e-books to its readers.

     

    A mechanism should be formulated where printed books and e-books could co-exist to serve readers across all genres, he suggested at the ‘PubliCon 2014: Publishing across Platforms’ conference organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

     

    Varma said the digital format of books is becoming popular amongst youngsters but still people who belonged to the era of printed books prefer hardbound. The older generation finds it more fulfilling to read a printed book rather than on kindle. However, he added that refusing technology will only get these readers marginalised. Varma advised that one should adopt or reject a change only based on rationality. E-books are proving to be a rational change as they have trouble-free accessibility, easier storage and lesser cost as compared to the traditional form of books.

     

    He said the number of books digitally processed at present is small and the revenue model still shows the printed books on top, but this situation is bound to change. With development in technology, more authors and readers are now switching to the digital format as it makes the product globally available.

     

    Department of Land Resources secretary  and author Vandana Kumari Jena said digital publishing is a new facet and the future belongs to it. The profile of both authors and readers has changed drastically over the years, and the young generation has taken to digital publishing quite positively. Numerous bookstores have closed over the past few years, which show the growing impact of digital publishing. However, it will take time to replace the hardbound books completely with digital books on kindle, I-pad and nook in India as the country still has a fair majority who love the look and feel of a printed book. 

     

    Underlining some of the advantages of e-book, Jena said fonts of digital content can be re-sized according to a person’s comfort level. For instance, if a person is visually impaired then s/he could easily increase the font to make the text readable. No additional lighting is needed to read digital books as the electronic devices have inbuilt illumination.

     

    She said digital publishing has even opened doors for self-publishers who were looked down upon earlier. However, the emerging e-books also have some challenges such as fear of plagiarism and piracy, which may deter authors to use the medium.   

     

    FICCI publishing committee chairperson and director of Zubaan Urvashi Butalia said publishing is not limited to printed books, its scope has grown by leaps and bound. The electronic gadgets such as cellphones, laptops, tablets and I-pads have come to the fore as new platforms for information dissemination and books have also found a place.

     

    She said digital publishing has also brought new models of book distribution and new platforms to read and interact with the book. Digital has enabled the creative industries, publishing services, technological innovations and the internet revolution, to become an integral part of the publishing process. Further, existence of numerous publishing apps clearly indicates that publishing is increasingly moving towards a mobile platform.

     

    Speaking on the role of publishers, FICCI publishing committee co-chairman and adviser to Reed Elsevier India Rohit Kumar said a publisher is responsible for taking the thoughts of authors to the world and evolving technology and digitisation has emerged as a potent tool in this regard. In the fast changing world of book publishing, the onus is on a publisher now to adopt and adapt to the demands of both the authors and readers.

     

    Later in his plenary keynote address, Green Gold Animation (Creator of ‘Chhota Bheem’) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said content rules in the publishing industry and one must embrace the technological changes to sustain and survive in the long run. He added that publishers need to keep pace with today’s consumer and plan for tomorrow.

     

    Chilaka stated that digital publishing has emerged as one of the best options for small publishers who want to enter the market as it involves lower start-up cost. Besides, the content never goes out of stock and is available globally with just a click of a button. Also, digital books have easier access as they can be downloaded or purchased from the confines of one’s home and additional costs such as shipping is not associated with it as in case of printed books.

  • An India – Bhutan Foundation Initiative in association with SIYAHI

    An India – Bhutan Foundation Initiative in association with SIYAHI

    Mumbai, 01st August 2013: The Mountain Echoes Literary Festival, 2013 is a recognition of culture, traditions, art and everything in between; it is in the truest sense a celebration of the rich and giving past, an affirmation of the warmth of the present and a powerful beacon to the future. It is about getting together and celebrating everything that brings one pleasure – books, music, art, photos, drama, movies, sports etc.

    The Chief Royal Patron of the festival is Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

    An initiative by the India – Bhutan foundation, Mountain Echoes is produced by Siyahiand presented by USHA. Namita Gokhale and Pramod Kumar KG are the festival directors.
    The sessions will be spread between Taj Tashi, Thimphu and Tarayana Center, Thimphu who are the hospitality and venue partners of the festival.

    The presenting sponsors of the festival, Usha, known for their products in virtually every Indian household, hope to extend the reach of Usha’s Silai (Sewing) Schools Programme into the countless under-served rural communities, particularly those that suffer from a lack of electric power. This initiative, operated in conjunction with local NGO’s, will provide the entrepreneurial village woman with a sewing machine as well as training in sewing, simple mechanics for repair and the knowledge to transfer sewing skills to the future generations. The aim is for women to generate independent incomes and sustain their families and communities. Usha intends that the schools will give these communities, and the women who keep them alive, their fair share in the region’s future. Presently, over 2500 schools are in operation across all the 28 states of India and the number is growing at a thousand schools per year.

    The festival takes off with Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Namita Gokhale, as they look back on her life as the Queen Mother of this mystic Himalayan nation. We have Dasho Kinley Dorji, Pavan K. Varma, Siok Sian Dorji, Kunga Tenzin Dorji, Ratnottama Sengupta, Bachi Karkaria with Malvika Singh blurring the lines between what is known, what is believed and what is said. Moving forth from the time-wrap of patriarchy and the taboo surrounding the word “Feminism” will be Lily Wangchuk, Aparna Sen, Rahul Bose and Namita Bhandare. Lyonpo Paljor Dorji and Dr. Lam Dorji will get down to the nitty gritty of environmental sustainability with Manju Wakhley.Ani Choying will talk about music that is inspired by and inspires emancipation, Amish Tripathi and Meru Gokhale will discuss the writing of the Shiva Trilogy and Amruta Patilpresents Adi Parva and its re-contextualization in contemporary times. Reading selected parts of their works will be Kezang Uden Penjor, Maria Rosa ‘Bing’ N. Carrion, Chorten Tshering and Jerry Pinto. Tarun Tejpal will talk about his work, ideas and the 'alchemy' that may or may not gild things as we know them now.

    Kesang Choden T. Wangchuk and Tshering Tashi will contemplate on the vibrant mural tradition in Bhutan and Christoph Schuler plans to do a delightful presentation of whiteboard animation with Andrea Caprez. Barkha Dutt will speak candidly about her experience as one of leading TV Journalist and anchor with Namgay Zam. Jane De Suzaand Karma Tenzin ‘Yongba’ will bring forward the making of their detective stories withSathya Saran. Omair Ahmad, Lyonpo Om Pradhan and Pavan K. Varma explore the New Bhutan, Sudha Shah and Pramod Kumar KG chronicle history, defining the roots of a nation. Kunzang Choden and Dolma Roderwill revisit the Ogyen Choling manor.Mahesh Dattani will speak about his plays with Kalyan Ray. Outlining the history of the nation-state of Bhutan will be Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Dr. Yoshiro Imaeda, the chronicler of the consolidation of Bhutan talks about his work. Saad Bin Jung will speak about his expeditions and experiences. Kelly Dorji and Dorji Dhradhul read excerpts from their books. Ulap Leki takes on the critical nature of the lighter side of things.

    For those interested in the fields of art, photography and history: Bhutan: An Eye to History is a photographic exhibition by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck showcasing the evolution of Photography in Bhutan; and Kalpana: Masterpieces of Figurative Indian Contemporary Paintings will be showcased at theNehru Wangchuck Center. Tarayana Center, Thimphu will host an Art Exhibition: VAST Summer Show 2013.

    Also at the Nehru Wangchuck Centre, films from various genres will be screened with the support of the Public Diplomacy Division. We have A la Cart!, Harmony Fest, The Joyful Rhythms of a Kashmiri Wedding, Lords of the Arctic, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Hello India, Six Yards of Grace, Silent Screams and The Great Adventure.

    Mahesh Dattani, playwright, director, actor and winner of the Sahitya Academy Award, will conduct the Theatre Workshop open to all those who are interested. Jerry Pinto, journalist, writer and winner of the The Hindu Lit For Life Prize for Fiction in 2013 will lead the Creative Writing Workshop to help all the writers caught in limbo to bring out their latent abilities. The workshops are a step in helping direct the creativity of the youth and to inculcate the atmosphere for a free exchange of knowledge which helps all those involved, grow.

    Bandish is an Indian band popular for its Rock, Pop, Indi-Pop, Sufi and Bollywood music. Ace drummer Chris Powell (Founder Member Nirvana, Ex-Euphoria) formed the band comprising Adil Manuel and Desmond Powell (founder Member Nirvana and True Colours) on guitar, Sanam on vocals, Ulrich Gomes on keyboards, Abhishek on bass and Rohit Kumar on Indian percussions. They are all very excited to be a part of the festival for the first time.