Shipra Tiwari: Child Counsellor

Shipra Tiwari has 25+ years’ experience. She is counsellor and offers parenting advice as well. She alerts parents whenever there is a cause for concern, for kids should not be stressed out, neither they be overscheduled.

Shipra Tiwari is a counsellor who tells parents “Your child is a Champion!” As an administrator she engages a kid, saying, “You are my favourite kid.”

She hugs children when they come for counselling, believing in what Princess Diana once said: Hugs can do great amounts of good, especially for children.

Her 25+ years’ experience speaks volumes when she alerts parents whenever there is a cause for concern, for kids should not be stressed out, neither they be overscheduled.

“I think there are several things that can be done, certainly for the kids I work with,” she says.

To quote a parent who had recently taken a counselling session for her kid: “My daughter felt perfect about her that day when we met Mrs. Shipra.”

This is really true, as youngsters under her guidance discover skills they had never known they possessed. Parents experience something similar when they encounter Mrs. Shipra, who gives them wonderful parenting advice.

Mrs. Shipra has conducted hundreds of workshops on Early Childhood Education (ECA), sharing simple yet profound learning techniques for spreading education in easy and effective manner.

In recent years, she has dealt with modern challenges like how society, family and religion play role in grooming and spreading education to the kids, and tasks like understanding a kid’s emotions, conception and feeling them.

Her specialization also covers transition from pre-primary to primary; and the challenges faced both by the student and parents.

Mrs. Shipra is expert in dealing with situations where parents blame school and school blames parents.

She says, “The early years are the most critical years of learning. The neutrons develop rapidly and connect to each other shaping the mind of an individual. First 6 years decide the next 80…”

Her expertise includes behavioural issues in the form of tantrums and disobedience. Most of these tantrums, she says, can be treated with the constant correcting measures by the parents.

Her expertise includes adapt handling of situations like Parental Divorce / Disharmony, Bullying in School, Body-Shaming the Child, New Sibling, Change in School and City, Reading, Writing and Learning Disabilities, Bad Friends Group, Substance Abuse.

A bachelor’s in education, and an administrator-counsellor for over 25 years, Mrs. Shipra has been a counsellor for prestigious schools in Delhi NCR including Greenway Modern School, Arwachin School and Parevartan School.

She is also trained in alternative medicine and music which disciplines help her in quickly understanding the issues affecting children.

Hailing from a family of educationists and administrators, she always has had the opportunity and knack for observing, analysing and improving things that catch her fancy.

Schooling at different places – Darjeeling, Mussoorie, Guwahati, Allahabad – gave her the exposure to travel and interact with a cross-section of people, and pretty good work positions at different educational institutions enriched her with some great inputs that she is raring to put into practice with full energy and vigour.

Mrs. Shipra’s website is www.childcounselling which is a G Certified counselling service. Follow Child Counselling on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin, for regular updates.

Podcast on Child Counselling by Shipra Tiwari on Business of BrandsClick on the image above to hear Mrs. Shipra speak to Business of Brands during the ‘Hear Me Out‘ campaign launched on the occasion of Women’ Day. You can also read her columns featured on Hindi news views website www.bharatbolega.com

5 Korean movies you just can’t miss

Korean, Movie, Netflix, Cinema, Train to Busan, President’s Barber, Okja, The Chase, Forgotten

How about exploring different fields of cinema – may be Korean? Yes, the Korean wave is taking over the whole world. You too should catch a whiff of this phenomenon.

Korean cinema is flourishing across all genres. Whether you want to feel romantic, giggly, frightened or otherwise, these movies have all you need.

To get you started, here is a list of five Korean movies which you may find either on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, depending on the availability in your region:

Train to Busan (2016): It is one of the most well-known Korean movies among international audiences. If you are new to Korean cinema, this can be a good start.

Train to Busan
As a zombie outbreak sweeps the country, a dad and his daughter take a harrowing train journey in an attempt to reach the only city that’s still safe.

It is a story of love and sacrifice set in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. A dad and his daughter board a train and the journey becomes one of the most terrifying experiences of their life. Genre: ActionSuspenseHorror.

The President’s Barber (2004): It is a lesser known film but it will leave a lasting impression on you. It is a comic-satire set in the political chaos of late 1900s in South Korea.

The President's Barber
The personal barber to the president, as well as his wife and only son, get tangled in the political chaos that gripped South Korea in the late 1900s.

A naïve barber gets entangled in the politics of his times after being appointed as the President’s barber. It follows the life of this barber and his family through four decades outlining some of the key moments of South Korean history. Genre: Comedy, Drama.

Okja (2017): It is a movie that will make you reconsider your food choices. A young girl and her genetically bred animal (pig) are caught between a materialistic conglomerate and a band of animal rights activists.

Okja
A gentle giant and the girl who raised her are caught in the crossfire between animal activism, corporate greed and scientific ethics.

It exposes the dubious practices of utilitarian companies and the hypocrisy of their consumers. It is a Bong Joon Ho directorial! Need I say more? Genre: Adventure, Drama.

The Chase (2017): Although it is a nail biting thriller, it also has a sense of calmness to it.

The Chase
After people in his town start turning up dead, a grumpy landlord is visited by a man who recounts an unsolved serial murder case from 30 years ago.

It follows an odd pair of a landlord and a former detective as they team up to catch a serial killer. Korean murder mysteries are a class apart and this movie is just a tip of the iceberg. Genre: Action, Thriller.

Forgotten (2017): It is a grim thriller that will leave you shocked by the end. It is the story of a man whose brother is kidnapped and returns after 19 days with no memory of the kidnapping and seemingly a changed man.

Forgotten
When his abducted brother returns seemingly a different man with no memory of the past 19 days, Jin-seok chases after the truth behind the kidnapping.

The events that follow as he tries to find the truth behind his brother’s kidnapping will leave you dumbstruck! Genre: Thriller, Suspense.

10 best things to watch on web

Made in Heaven on Amazon Prime Video

The web has become a haven for some of the best content produced all around the globe. But often it is not possible to keep a note of the best shows on offer.

And so, here is a compilation of 10 programmes currently streaming across Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar. And you just cannot afford to miss any of them.

  1. The Americans

This period spy thriller series is easily the best ever you will see. Set during the Cold War, it revolves around two Soviet KGB Officers who must pose as an American married couple living in the US.

The Americans webseries

‘The Americans’ offers the best mix of drama and thriller elements. Character development and long form storytelling rarely get better than ‘The Americans’. All the six seasons of this Emmy and Golden Globe winning series are currently available on Hotstar.

  1. Outlander

Here is another period drama with a fine mix of history and swashbucklery that’s set a little further in time—1740s Scotland. Yes, you read it right. ‘Outlander’ is based on Diana Gabaldon’s historical time travel book series of the same name.

Outlander

Apart from its eye-catching period detail and breathtaking cinematography, the show offers some memorable acting performances and dialogue delivery. You can stream all the four seasons of ‘Outlander’ on Netflix. The series has already been renewed for a fifth and sixth season.

  1. True Detective

This crime drama series has already enjoyed three seasons of successful run with each season focusing on a separate storyline. While all the seasons have opened to positive reviews, the first seasons with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in the lead remains the most favourite.

True Detective

If you have an appetite for crime dramas, you just can’t afford to miss ‘True Detective’. All the three seasons are available on Hotstar. The storyline for the fourth season is currently being developed.

  1. You

‘You’ is easily one of the most refreshing programmes on offer right now. What makes it stand out is the brilliant way it is shot. You really have to watch it for yourselves to truly appreciate its unique shooting style. At the heart of ‘You’ is a fascinating tale of romance that’s as creepy as it is romantic.

You webseries

If psychological thrillers appeal to your palate, you will definitely love ‘You’. If good old romcoms are your idea of romance there is a possibility that ‘You’ might freak you out. The first season is available on Netflix and the second season has already been commissioned. So what are you waiting for?

  1. Medici: Masters of Florence

‘Medici’ is another must watch show if you love period dramas. The history lovers will devour it. But the show does take some dramatic liberties so it might leave some historians a little annoyed. The Medici family, of course, is one of the greatest families that ever lived and this series does a good job of transporting us to the 15th century Florence.

Medici: Masters of Florence

So far two seasons have been out and both are available on Netflix. The first season focuses on Cosimo de’ Medici, who is often hailed as the Father of Florence. The second season focuses on Lorenzo de’ Medici aka Lorenzo the Magnificent, who is said to have patronized artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo. The third season has already been commissioned.

  1. Sharp Objects

This mini-series starring Amy Adams is based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name about a crime reporter suffering from alcoholism. If you like psychological thrillers, you must check out ‘Sharp Objects’.

The mini-series is brilliantly shot and edited and Adams’ performance further elevates it. ‘Sharp Objects’ is not meant for the faint hearted. It is currently streaming on Hotstar.

  1. Sex Education

If you don’t like dark stuff, ‘Sex Education’ is something you can seriously consider binge-watching. This coming-of-age dramedy series needs to be watched for its fascinating characters and the valuable lessons about life that it offers without even remotely sounding preachy.

Sex Education on Netflix

The series has already been renewed for a second season. For now you can watch the first season on Netflix.

  1. Made in Heaven

Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, ‘Made in Heaven ‘revolves around a Delhi-based gay wedding planner and his best friend and business partner. The series offers an interesting perspective on the Delhi’s elite while offering a critique of their decadent morality.

Made in Heaven

‘Made in Heaven’ is easily one of the best web series to have come out of India. You can watch all the nine episodes on Amazon Prime Video.

  1. Mirzapur

Here is a hard hitting crime thriller that borrows heavily from films such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster. Its USP is easily its acting performances, and its rather edgy content.

The iron-fisted Akhandanand Tripathi is a millionaire carpet exporter and the mafia don of Mirzapur. His son, Munna, is an unworthy, power hungry heir who will stop at nothing to inherit his father’s legacy. An incident at a wedding procession forces him to cross paths with Ramakant Pandit, an upstanding lawyer, and his sons, Guddu and Bablu.

The violence quotient is quite high and so if you don’t have a taste for it, you are better off giving it a miss. You can watch ‘Mirzapur’ on Amazon Prime Video.

  1. The Widow

‘The Widow’ revolves around a Welsh woman in search of her missing husband who presumably died in a plane crash in Congo. At first she too was convinced that her husband is dead but one day when she sees a man in a TV news report that she believes is her husband, she takes a flight to Congo to find out the truth.

A woman's search to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of her husband leads her to the Congo, where she's forced to seek the truth about what happened to the man she loved.

But will she succeed? The thriller series stars Kate Beckinsale in the lead. It can be watched on Amazon Prime Video.

Yoast has a new CEO: Marieke van de Rakt

Yoast ceo Marieke van de Rakt
“I’ve led the company through a pandemic. I’ve built a strong company culture and I’ve successfully completed our acquisition process,” said the outgoing CEO Marieke van de Rakt. “I can’t wait to see how Thijs will take Yoast to the next level. His drive, his intelligence, and his ambition will make him a good CEO,” she added. Marieke van de Rakt will now be focusing mostly on content marketing as Creative Marketing Manager.

Marieke van de Rakt is the new CEO of Yoast. Founder of Yoast Academy and former Chief Strategy Officer at Yoast, she is thrilled to take on her new role.

Joost de Valk, former CEO and founder of Yoast, will start focusing mostly on software development, He becomes the new Chief Product Officer of the search engine optimization company.

Yoast is a search-optimization firm based in Wijchen, Netherlands. It develops and supports the popular Yoast SEO WordPress plugin. The plugin has over 5 million active installations.

Marieke joined the company in 2013 after obtaining her Ph.D. in Social Sciences and working at various universities. In 2015, she started developing Yoast’s first SEO training: Basic SEO. Soon other courses followed.

Today, the company offers an impressive portfolio of SEO courses, tailored to the specific needs of people wanting to learn about SEO.

In 2014, Marieke joined the board. She took on the role of CSO and was heavily involved in the company’s strategy for growth, being responsible for content, marketing, research and project management.

“I don’t think there will be big changes inside our organization,” Marieke said, adding things will pretty much keep running the way they were always running.

“[However,] I am very curious to what extent people will treat me any different now that I am the CEO of the company,” she said.

The Yoast board exists of 4 people. As Marieke van de Rakt takes on the role of CEO and Joost de Valk as CPO, Michiel Heijmans continues to be COO and Omar Reiss remains CTO.

“I first started working with WordPress when my husband build a website for me. At that point, I was working at universities, doing criminological research. As Yoast grew, I became more involved with WordPress,” Marieke said.  

Pinterest says it’s a growing global community

No matter where you’re from, Pinterest gives you the inspiration you need to create a life you love.

As of today, there are now more than 250 million people who use Pinterest each month. That’s a lot of people (more than the population of Brazil!).

But more than the size of the number, what’s truly exciting is how all those people are using Pinterest.

A cross section of people G Caffe interacted with, said they have a unique mindset while using Pinterest.

True, it is said – When it comes to a great idea, you know it when you see it.

No wonder Pinterest is poised to capture its share of advertising since people come to Pinterest to decide what to try or buy.

Pinterest beauty trends
On Pinterest, people all over the world are searching and saving ideas to make themselves look and feel their best. With over 8 billion beauty ideas and 207 million beauty boards, there’s something for everyone… no matter where you are, what your hairstyle is, or what color skin tone you have.

Pinterest says it is helping a quarter billion people find inspiration

At a time when the internet can feel increasingly negative and politicized, it is remarkable that a quarter of a billion people are choosing to spend their time on Pinterest, a place that helps them feel positive and optimistic about the future.People on Pinterest

Pinners across the globe describe Pinterest as their own positive corner of the internet. It’s where they go to learn about their personal tastes, and get the confidence to try new things.


Pinterest CEO Ben Silbermann summarizes the company as a “catalogue of ideas” that inspires users to “go out and do that thing”, rather than as an image-based social network.


Today, when there are popular apps about connecting with friends and inviting more people to join, Pinterest is proving to be a place to reconnect with yourself.

According to a Nielsen study, 98% of Pinners go out and try ideas they find on Pinterest—way more than the 71% social media platform average.

People are going to Pinterest for inspiration—for shoes, for latest design projects, for outfitting new apartment, for recipes, for wall art, for tattoos and what not.

175+ billion ideas and counting

There are now more than 175 billion Pins to explore on Pinterest—up 75 per cent since early last year.

People have been saving all kinds of different ideas here, like products they love, style ideas, art and DIY projects to try.

This means there are now more ideas than ever for other people to discover and get inspired by.


Pinterest also allows businesses to create pages aimed at promoting their companies online. Such pages can serve as a “virtual storefront.”


Evan Sharp, Co-founder, Pinterest
Evan Sharp, Co-founder, Pinterest.

“When we first started building Pinterest eight years ago, we certainly hoped people would use it to get more creative with their daily lives. But we never imagined Pinterest would one day be one of the biggest internet platforms in history,” Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp said.


Pinterest is a web and mobile application company that operates a software system designed to discover information on the World Wide Web, mainly using images and on a smaller scale, GIFs and videos. The site was founded by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra and Evan Sharp. Pinterest was first conceptualized in December 2009. The first prototype was launched in March 2010 and made available to a small group of colleagues and family members. Since its inception, it has developed into a well-funded site financially supported by a group of successful entrepreneurs and investors.

Pinterest logo login ideas

Rajiv Goyal: Find opportunity in adversity

Rajiv Goyal

Business Coach Dr. Rajiv Goyal is preparing business owners to be confident by following certain steps in tough times.

If you are a business owner, you may listen to his podcast which he especially recorded for you.

In this podcast, Dr. Rajiv talks about simple practical things a business owner should do to keep the business running, and then profit by following those steps.

He has tips for all the critical pillars of business, i.e. employees, customers, vendors and the business owner.

Dr. Rajiv says this is the best time to reconnect with your prospective customers. “Make a list and speak to all the customers you have served in the past but who are not buying from you currently.”

“Call them and ask if everything is good at their ends, and, subtly during the conversation, tell them how prepared you are to serve them,” he suggests.

Click Here to Listen to the podcast and trying implementing all his tips. Find opportunity in adversity.


Dr. Rajiv Goyal conducts online interactive workshops for business owners. If you want to know more as to how you can put your business on auto mode and on a high growth path with 100 per cent success rate and 100 per cent money back guarantee, contact him via his website www.passion2grow.in or email him on rajiv@passion2grow.in

Film Review: AXONE

https://www.facebook.com/AxoneFilm/

Pockets of pun, sarcasm, laughter with all shades of humour and emotions make the latest release Axone (pronounced as Akhuni) on Netflix an interesting watch.

The movie Axone grows on you slowly and then catches speed. The film is a subtle blend of humour and emotion.

It is the story of a bunch of students from Northeast India and the difficulties they face in Delhi as they organize a simple wedding function on their own.

Two friends Upasana (Sayani Gupta), a Nepali girl, and Chanbi (Lin Laishram), a Manipuri girl, are organizing the wedding of their best friend Minum.

It spans over just one chaotic day in their life where all that could go wrong, goes wrong!

They fight every difficulty and overcome all, only to be tangled in the web of their own past.

To make the wedding authentic, they prepare a dish called Akhuni which is a Naga dish.

The only problem is that Akhuni is fermented soya bean with a pungent smell which travels at a great speed and that is where the problems begin.

The landlady (Dolly Alhuwalia) has many reservations about her tenants and creates a ruckus each time she sees them.

Some of the neighbours do help the kids eventually, who also include the son-in-law (Vinay Pathak) of the landlady who melts and helps them out.

Sayani-Gupta
Sayani-Gupta

The film reveals many aspects of cultural difficulties which these kids face from almost everyone.

In these events, they stick together as united. It portrays a great divide between the people from Northeast and the rest of Indians.

The great divide is visible in dialogues like, “Har baar koi naya banda dikhai padta hai… Waise bhi tum sab ki shaklein ek hi si hoti hain. Kaise pata chalega kaun rehta hai yahan.”

And look at this response: “Agar hum sab ki shaklein ek hi jaisi hoti hain, to tere ko kaise pata ki har baar doosra banda rehta hai idhar!”

Despite being a culturally united country we are divided greatly when it comes to our own kind. Are we racist, too?

People do show a lot of pride in belonging to their hometown and are often looked down upon by the others when they cluster up.

The film deals with such behaviour very prevalent in the typical neighbourhood, and also how it breaks many of the students.

This 2019 film was released on Netflix this June, having premiered at London and Mumbai Film Festivals.

Directed by Nicholas Kharkongor and produced by Saregama India – Yoodlee Films, the film stars Sayani Gupta, Vinay Pathak, Lin Laishram, Dolly Ahluwalia, Adil Hussain, Lanuakum Ao, Tenzin Dalha and Rohan Joshi. Genre: Hindi-Language Movies, Comedy, Dramas.

Final Statement: Sayani Gupta is a breeze all through and is a delight to watch. Would have loved to watch a bit more of Vinay Pathak and Adil Hussain though.


Director’s Note

Nicholas Kharkongor

I want to thank you for the support you have extended to Axone. I am overwhelmed and grateful. I’ve been living outside the North East for 25 years. And much of this time, I had wanted to make a film about the Northeastern experience of living in the big city. – Nicholas Kharkongor


International Women’s Day Campaign by Business of Brands

Campaign on International Women's Day hear Me Out Podcast by Business of Brands by G Caffe

March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day to recognize women’s contribution to history, politics, and culture. The day is also significant to raise awareness about global gender inequality.

As a tribute to the women who are leading the charge on some of the remarkable initiatives all around the world, Business of Brands has created a month-long series of podcasts that are gaining traction as thought-provoking discussions.

March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day to recognize women’s contribution to history, politics, and culture. The day is also significant to raise awareness about global gender inequality. As a tribute to the women who are leading the charge on some of the remarkable initiatives all around the world, Business of Brands launched a month-long series of podcasts which are making their marks as enriching conversations.The podcasts named Hear Me Out are modest attempts to bring stories of some of the most enterprising entrepreneurs and leaders of India. The campaign features one exceptional woman every single day.

Kat-Katha founder Gitanjali babbar
Gitanjali Babbar of Kat-Katha

The series started with Gitanjali Babbar, the founder of NGO Kat-Katha which works to empower sex workers. As you hear the podcast, Gitanjali takes you to the street of love– Delhi’s red-light area, GB Road. The episode is an eye-opener for our society which marginalizes and excludes sex workers.

Let's Heal Founder and Psychologist Anamika
Anamika of Let’s Heal

Other social issues like mental and menstrual health are also highlighted throughout the Hear Me Out podcast series. Click HERE for the podcast with psychologist Anamika wherein she focuses on the significance of creating a dialogue about mental health.

Despite alarming statistics about the rise of mental health issues in India, it is still unusual to feel ‘safe’ in the society. Often, the people who express their inner concerns are either ignored or ostracized. This podcast will also introduce you to Anamika’s venture Let’s Heal which is a notable effort to raise necessary conversations around mental health.

Jehanara Wasi
Jehanara Wasi

In another enlightening episode of Hear Me Out, writer and editor Jehanara Wasi takes the listeners to a tour of the publishing world. Her rich experience spanning impressive 50 years in this industry is a mine of learnings, love and literature.

Palak Khetan, Co Founder, Delhi Co
Palak Khetan of Delhi Co.

Coming to Real Estate business, Business of Brands introduces you to a young entrepreneur Palak Khetan who is the co-founder of Delhi Co. that offers budget co-working spaces in Delhi NCR. Click HERE to understand what it is like to be a woman in the male-dominated business.

Anuradha Khandelwal, Founder Anu Can Cook So Can You, Masala, Tea
Anuradha Khandelwal of Anu Can Cook, So Can You

Then, in one of the podcasts you get to know the Masala Queen of India. Hear Anuradha Khandelwal to understand how can you thrive on your passion. Anuradha sells homemade spices which she prepares, packs and dispatches herself. Her business is a perfect example of less is more as all the profit earned goes to the education of underprivileged children. Click Here to listen to the so wonderful Anuradha Khandelwal.

Malinie Arora, Founder AUM Spiritual Healing
Spiritual Healer Malinie Arora

As regards spiritual healing, there are many misconceptions which Malinie Arora addresses and corrects in a separate episode of Hear Me Out podcast. Hearing her makes you believe that spirituality is an interesting concept which can mean different things for different people. Click HERE to listen to the podcast wherein Malinie gives the listeners a sneak-peak to the other side while sharing her story as a healer.

Dr Neena Kor High5 Foundation
Dr. Neena Kor of High5 Foundation

In another podcast, the founder of High5 Foundation School Dr. Neena Kor talks about experimenting with new methods of teaching that are being introduced to enhance children’s learning abilities. Click HERE for the episode wherein she narrates some joyous anecdotes while spending time with children.

Anika Parashar of The Woman's Company
Anika Parashar of The Woman’s Company

Business of Brands also got in touch with a very enterprising woman Anika Parashar who stresses the need for spreading awareness about menstrual health through action and education. This podcast with The Woman’s Company founder, Anika, brings to light one of the most underrepresented gender-related issues.

Keep listening to Hear Me Out podcasts where 31 very inspiring stories are being brewed with 31 very enterprising women. These stimulating conversations, lined up one-after-another acknowledge the leading roles played by women.

Indeed, success can mean different milestones for one and all. Share this story if you feel likewise to celebrate the women who dared to fight the odds and established their names in their respective fields.

Hear Me Out podcast by G Caffe Business of Brands

The She we need to See

She webseries

She is aired at a time when there’s a lot of skepticism regarding Netflix content, especially from mainstream Indian entertainment industry.

Director Imtiaz Ali has also been surrounded with criticism regarding mishandling of female characters in all his recent ventures. Will then this web series – She – make any difference?

She is a recent Netflix web series, divided in seven episodes, co-written by Imtiaz Ali and Divya Johry, and directed by Arif Ali and Avinash Das.

Story of a Marathi woman constable’s struggles in patriarchal set up

The protagonist – Bhumika Pardeshi a.k.a. Bhumi (played by Aaditi Pohankar), has a broken marriage, and she solely supports her mother and sister living in a suburban one-room house.

Her life begins to change as she is picked to lead an undercover police operation against drug mafia.

While She traces the otherwise subdued Bhumi’s journey to sexual awakening and empowerment, film critics fault the storyline.

Their discomfort seems to be the objectified portrayal of a woman via male gaze, while some also criticize She for overt sexualization.

What does She deliver in 7 small episodes

She brings to audience the discomfort that Bhumi goes through every day – from being judged for her looks to puncturing her husband’s desire sorties, from being looked down for her timidity, to letting insensitive remarks and unconsolidated male gaze pierce through her body.

While reviewers, such as Quint’s RJ Stutee, complain about Bhumi’s hesitancy and easy subjugation before others, no one traces reasons for her casual submissions.

Why can’t they notice Bhumi’s sexual abuse at a younger age, which scars her entire idea of sexual pleasure?

Being undercover, Bhumi accidently feels sexually aroused for a while, which moment she gradually begins to celebrate with a sense of pride, ability and empowerment.

Amidst many inappropriate reviews, NDTV forwards the weakest of the arguments, and the least the news organization could do was avoid entertaining a male to decide for women.

NDTV’s reviewer Saibal Chatterjee should have been sensitive enough to refer to the 29-year-old independent protagonist as a ‘woman’ and not ‘girl’.

Another review by John Serba on decider.com (Stream It Or Skip It: ‘She’ on Netflix, an Indian Drama About a Female Cop Posing as a Prostitute) views Bhumi’s transition as ‘sexually aggressive’, ‘antithetical’ and ‘regressive’.

Yelling ‘yuck’ multiple times in his review, Serba only highlights the privileged position he occupies in our society.

Most reviews praise Sasya’s character (played by Vijay Varma), and even the averagely written and performed character of Jason Fernandes (played by Vishwas Kini), but they foreshadow Bhumi’s sister, Rupa (played by Shivangi Rangole) who needs appraisal for being carefree, bold and unapologetic.

What is however disappointing about the web series is that even when Bhumi holds the maximum screen presence, the audience gets to know very little about her.

In fact, every information that one learns about Bhumi throughout the series is repeated in the final two episodes only.

As Swetha Ramakrishnan points out in her Firstpost review, giving more screen time ‘in building (Bhumi’s) aptitude as an agent’ and her ‘relationship with sex and sexuality’ could have helped to elate the series from what has been otherwise reduced to an erotic thriller.

Final Word on She

Why should a woman not prefer a man who promises to not hurt her, over the ones who do? What is really so bothering about womxn making choices for themselves!

As She web series wraps, Bhumi offers herself to the elusive don, to save her life. What must not go unnoticed is the way she looks at herself in the mirror, enjoying sexual pleasure and most importantly enjoying herself. That’s She for you.

Film Review: The Lift Boy

The Lift Boy, Movie, Netflix, Review, Audience, Engineering, Examination Friendships, Mumbai, Jonathan Augustin, Ashish Verma, Moin Khan, Nyla Masood

Even a small place like a lift carries a lot of memories and stories. Add to this a lollypop, and you get The Lift Boy.

When a lazy young man replaces his father as the elevator operator of a posh residential complex, what he sees as menial work soon takes on new meaning.

A look at some audience reviews 

An intense story delivered from heart, a presentation so honest. What a beautiful movie. I wish more meaningful movies like this would be made.

A low budget. A simple and inexperienced cast. Limited venues for the shoot. But a good story and tale told well.

Where does the movie take you to

The Lift Boy is the story of a lazy boy failing in engineering examinations. He is forced to take up the job of a lift man when his father suddenly suffers a stroke, while operating the lift.

The Lift Boy, Movie, Netflix, Review, Audience, Engineering, Examination Friendships, Mumbai, Jonathan Augustin, Ashish Verma, Moin Khan, Nyla Masood

The movie breaks many stereotypes – the most important being unusual friendships.

While watching the movie, being streamed on Netflix, you will (might/may) keep on thinking – Why am I seeing this?

But, bet you would not switch to next. The Lift Boy keeps you hooked, more so because you know it is not a long movie with songs or unnecessary extension.

Positivity and Optimism

The Lift Boy, released in January 2019, revolves around a posh building in Mumbai. It is quite interesting to learn that it suddenly found its way through Netflix, now.

Let us know if you start talking in English once you are through with The Lift Boy wherein the protagonist is raised in a chawl and educated in a convent.

Director: Jonathan Augustin, Writers: Jonathan Augustin, Ashish P. Verma (Hindi dialogue), Stars: Moin Khan, Nyla Masood, Saagar Kale, Aneesha Shah, Neha Bam, Damian Alexander D’Souza. Genres: Drama, Independent Movies.

The Lift Boy, Movie, Netflix, Review, Audience, Engineering, Examination Friendships, Mumbai, Jonathan Augustin, Ashish Verma, Moin Khan, Nyla Masood

Director’s Note

“The Lift Boy is inspired by life in Mumbai and an encounter of mine with a liftboy in the city on 4th March 2015. This slice of life, feel good story metaphorically expresses the fact that there is a lift boy in each one of us and life is like a Lift, sometimes it takes us up and sometimes it takes us down depending on the buttons we press aka choices we make. The film celebrates dignity of labour, a strong universal father-son relationship and strives to show the world an aspirational and inspirational India (Panache in Poverty). Come, celebrate life and lift your spirits with THE LIFT BOY.”

– Jonathan Augustin


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Facebook’s More Together Campaign in India

Facebook App More Together

Find inspiration and bring your ideas to life. Decorate the old with the threads of the new. No matter what you want to do, the world on Facebook can help you do it.

This is the new tone social media giant Facebook is setting up at a time when people are coming together despite staying apart and maintaining safer distances.

True, the more you open up to the world, the more the world opens up to you.

Facebook started off as a social networking site where one could connect to the people all around the world.

There were no boundaries on Facebook and it brought us together. However, with time, it lost its basic role to connect people.

People started using Facebook as a platform for hate mongering and virtual abuse.

Facebook’s new advertisement is an attempt to revive the basic message of this platform, as it says – MORE TOGETHER.

This is the first such campaign launched by Facebook in India.

Facebook’s consumer marketing push

When a group of friends comes across a picture of a denim and a sari coupled together, they use all their connections to develop this idea into a full-fledged business.

The setting of this advertisement is also significant as it is set in a remote hilly area.

The background score is a Nepali song which further adds to the humble settings of this advertisement.

The description on this ad reads, “No matter what you want to do, the world on Facebook can help you do it.”

It reminds us that Facebook is a platform which inspires people to do new things and can help fulfil these new ideas through vast social networking.

For a change, Facebook has closed commenting on its new ad posted on its YouTube account. Check out yourself to find that comments are turned off.

Film Review: Bulbbul

Bulbbul

The fairy tale with teeth, as the director Anvita Dutta herself calls Bulbbul. It is Anushka Sharma’s recent release on Netflix.

Bulbbul is an intoxicating yet strange piece of horror with eerie scenes which intrigue you. It is set in Bengal Presidency in 1881.

The portrayal of the patriarchal norms of the ancient Indian society brings goose bumps and scares you to the core.

A happy and inquisitive child grows to become a Thakurain and is mistreated by almost everyone.

The story begins with a typical Bengali wedding between two children Bulbbul (Tripti Dimri) and Satya (Avinash Tiwary), who grow up together with great affection between them or so she thought.

An innocent little girl grows up living in a dream world where together they create many fantasies, and later on live them too.

When a child bride grows up to be an enigmatic woman, harboring a painful past, you get Bulbbul the movie.

The story then twists and turns into various stages of their life where they finally grow up and face the realities of life.

After being separated for many years, the reunion brings about many questions.

The journey of an innocent girl into a woman is beautifully done and the issues are finely dealt with.

We also get to see major patriarchal rigidness in many dialogues, such as when Bulbbul and Satya start writing a story in a diary together and one day she is caught by her husband Bodo Thakur, he asks, “Kya hai ye?” She says, “Kuch niji (personal) kaam hai.”

On that he drops a bomb which goes like, ”Apne pati ke alawa aisa kya hai jo tumhara niji hai?” This shows the mentality of a whole generation.

Bulbbul - This 2020 film was released on 24th June on Netflix.
This 2020 film was released on 24th June on Netflix.

Bulbbul also captures the essence of life – where a woman of the house is often tormented by the other women around.

A young Bulbbul is often countered by the bahu of the house Binodini (Paoli Dam) who controls her every second.

She teaches a young Bulbbul how secrets are kept in families, where she tells her – Thakuron ke ghar byahi ho, ye sab to hona hi tha, aadat daal lo, aur chup rehna.

Rahul Bose is seen in a double role as Bodo Thakur and Mejo Thakur. Goes without saying he does full justice to his characters.

Directed by Anvita Dutta, Bulbbul stars Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Paoli Dam, Rahul Bose and Parambrata Chattopadhyay. Genre: Period Pieces,Social Issue Dramas, Horror, Supernatural Movies.

Final Statement: With an enigmatic smile, Bulbbul conquers the Chudail (witch) in the fantasies of her childhood and her youth. It is strange that we live with so many demons around us who damage in every possible way and yet people are afraid of the Chudail. 


Director’s Note

anvita dutt bulbbul

It’s been a long time coming. The shadows we cast can come back to haunt us. The scariest demons live in the forest of our mind. Bulbbul will make a believer of you. – Anvita Dutt


Wings To Fly by Deepak Sharma

Udayan Care's Deepak Sharma's book Wings to Fly

Social activist Deepak Sharma is all set to launch his debut book Wings to Fly on July 29. Published by Chennai-based Notion Press, the book covers his journey from humble beginnings to highest peaks of his corporate career and then to a completely new phase of his life where he devoted himself to the cause of caregiving.

Having worked in esteemed institutions like NTPC, BSES, ABB, Alstom Power and TATAs, Deepak Sharma discovered the true passion of his life after visiting Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in 1996, the experience of which he describes as ‘heart-wrenching’ and ‘very touching’. This excursion anchored Deepak Sharma’s flight in a totally new direction and he gradually began immersing himself entirely in the act of ‘returning’ to the society.

Deepak Sharma’s book Wings to Fly covers the span of his childhood, adolescence, and adult years. The book takes the readers through the thick and thin of his life and develops a personal connect to the extraordinary story of an ordinary boy who finally got his wings to fly on being associated with the Non-Government Organization (NGO) Udayan Care.

Wings To Fly Author Deepak Sharma of Udyan Care
Deepak Sharma is hopeful that his story will inspire many empathetic minds who are willing to contribute meaningfully to the society and leave a promising impact. “Ultimately, we all live for happiness,” he says on the eve of the launch.

Headquartered in Delhi, Udayan Care functions under the able leadership of Dr. Kiran Modi and works towards the principles of empathy, education, and empowerment of the underprivileged strata of society. Deepak Sharma joined Udayan Care as a part time volunteer in 2009 and ardently devoted himself to the organization since 2013.

Deepak Sharma has left a remarkable imprint wherever he has travelled and whoever he has met. In fact, Wings to Fly is the result of the same. Greatly impressed by his enthusiastic spirits of giving back to the society via the noble cause of charity and caregiving, Deepak Sharma’s friends motivated him to tell the tale of his astonishing journey so far.

The book is all set to launch in New Delhi at the India International Centre, at 2 pm on July 29, 2022. Dr. Neerja Malik (Cancer Counsellor and Author), Anil Sardana (MD and CEO, Adani Transmission Limited) and Dr. Kiran Modi (Founder and Managing Trustee, Udayan Care) will be the Guests of Honour on this occasion.

Once released, Wings to Fly can be purchased from Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press.

Start with the perfect domain name for your business

Search-domain-name-at-G-Caffe-for-your-online-business-website

Thinking about domains – .com, .in, .org?

Do they ring any bell? Are they of any importance to you or your business?

Let me answer that for you.

You can start with the perfect domain name for your business with a shiny website. You can do that with a few clicks at G Caffe.

These are a few of the most prominent top-level domains, just as important an address like the address for your home.

A domain name gives your business instant credibility and puts you in the online marketplace where people are looking for your business.

Are you starting a new online store? A bakery? A professional service? Freelance consultation? The fastest rising domain selling website G Caffe can help you in generating a creative domain name for you. It is a one-stop powerful tool to get you started with your next big idea. When you find the perfect name, you can instantly take the next step and buy a domain.

In the current world scenario, in particular – sitting home – every second person has direct access to the internet.

In turn, every business needs a website to reach them. This makes it necessary to have a domain name so that people can find you easily when they need you or you need them.

Domain has the power of giving a definition of what your business is about. It becomes the first link between you and your audience.

Now comes THE question.

How do we know which domain is good for us? Let me help you with some key points.

Start with the perfect domain name for your business

  • Keeping it simple and short is the key.
  • Get a domain name that is easier to recall.
  • Keep certain keywords related to your niche in the domain name, giving you an upper hand with the search engine ranking.
  • Stay away from names closer to big brands or well-known names. Have your own identity.
  • Getting a top-level domain with the matching extension is an important factor, like .com, .in or .org.

The most important aspect of all – you’ll now always have an online property that belongs to you, just you.

Buying-Domain-Name-Search-Hosting-SSL-Website-Email-creative-agencyLet’s take the next step. Let’s get a domain you need. Stay professional with your web address i.e. your domain name. Search Now.

Film Review: Yeh Ballet

Your dreams don’t know where you come from, says Yeh Ballet – a 2020 Netflix film.

Written and directed by Sooni Taraporevala, Yeh Ballet is based on the real-life stories of two dancers—Amiruddin Shah and Manish Chauhan—who dance their way to global fame with the help of their Israeli-American ballet teacher, Yehuda Maor.

Their characters are named Asif, Nishu and Saul Aron in the movie Yeh Ballet.

Yeh Ballet
Sooni Taraporevala had earlier made a virtual reality documentary with the same name and on the same theme in 2018.

The film is a fictionalised take on the struggles of the two ballet dancers played by Achintya Bose and Manish Chauhan.

English actor Julian Sands plays their teacher, Saul Aron, and Mekhola Bose and Sasha Shetty play the strong and independent characters of Asha and Neena.

They’re both extremely talented dancers but their stories remain a mystery to the audience.

Interesting things about Yeh Ballet

  • Manish Chauhan plays himself in the movie.
  • Manish, Aamir and Achintya have all been associated with Ashley Lobo’s The Danceworx Studio in Mumbai, the place where their talents were discovered.

What makes Yeh Ballet different

Unlike most of the recent Bollywood movies based on dance, Yeh Ballet isn’t jargoned with unnecessary glamour and drama.

It makes the audience feel the beats that throb and thrive in slums.

It portrays the struggles of the male ballet dancers in a society drenched in prejudices but doesn’t limit it to just that.

The film highlights the challenges that underprivileged artists face with respect to limitations of language, resources and support from families.

It also brings to light the otherwise invisible struggles of an artist’s feeling of non-belongingness to a particular space and the flush of emotions that seep in—jealousy, sympathy, self-criticism—along with the other more visible forms of dominating biases of class, caste, gender and religion.

The two ballet boys dance their way out through all these struggles and fly away abroad for their further training.

Audience Wanted More

A little more build-up around the process of the boys’ families changing their minds about their desire to dance, would have made the sudden transition seem smoother.

Yeh Ballet
Two gifted dancers: Achintya Bose and Manish Chauhan.

The Israeli-American ballet master puts in his sweat and blood to carve out the best in the boys, but the audience don’t get to see the master performing a single step throughout the 117 minutes of the film.

Final Statement: Yeh Ballet reassures hope but also reminds us that nothing comes easy. The end of the film is just another beginning of the boys’ lives.


Updated With Director’s Note

Sooni Taraporevala

Thanks so much! Very happy you enjoyed Yeh Ballet & many thanks for the wonderful review. (Also many ballet teachers especially after they reach a certain age don’t dance or demonstrate themselves.) – Sooni Taraporevala

Dealing with the little devil who ends up chewing furniture, shoes, slippers, cushions and what not

Pet accessories and toy gifts from DILO Pet

Romeo is a tiny fellow, barely 3 months old in this world. He’s a pudgy little field spaniel in beautiful shades of gold. You wouldn’t doubt it a bit if I told you that he was the naughtiest one in his litter.

We got him home at just under 2 months of age, wrapped up in a red shawl. He was a delight from the moment he set his cute paws on the floor. It was easier to call him a cat given his level of curiosity about anything and everything.

He boldly ventures where no doggy had ventured before – from the abandoned box behind the hedge in the garden to the little alcove behind the curtain, Romeo just has to know what lies beneath.

Safe, hazard-free, natural fibre filled toy and cat dog accessories from DILO Pet

He loves to run about the sprawling garden of our bungalow and chase all critters he can find. The squirrels, the moles, even the foraging babbler birds are not spared.

Indoors he is a threat to the dolls that belong to my little daughters. They are his favourites amongst all the playthings around.

The younger one has a very special Barbie that Romeo has set his eyes on. He waits for her to stop playing and set aside this doll and then makes a run for it, grabs the doll by the legs and scoots away under the bed where he knows my daughter can’t reach.

Mind you, this is not a chance grabbing. There have been days when the entire family is watching television in another room and suddenly Romeo appears in the doorway with the said Barbie doll in his mouth.

Safe_ hazard-free, natural fibre filled toy and cat dog accessories from DILO PetHe waits for my younger one to notice him – mind you, she’s just about 7-year-old. The moment she sees her favourite doll in a near maul, she shrieks and runs after Romeo who takes off and hides under the bed, playfully gnawing away at poor Barbie’s fingers.

A few minutes later, my daughter comes back triumphant, her hair astray, brandishing a now-fingerless Barbie. And so the saga continues …

If you find this relatable and you have a little devil who ends up chewing furniture, shoes, slippers, cushions and what not, perhaps it’s time to get a more suitable, doggy-safe toy.

The markets are flooded with amazing chew toys that are sure to keep your little devil occupied and far away from the more delicate possessions in the house like children’s toys and home décor items.

One cute exercise is to take your furry baby along and get him (or her) to choose a toy. You’d be amazed at their decision-making abilities.

So, plan a day of shopping with your lil one and buy a safe, hazard-free, natural fibre filled toy together. It will be the best day of your baby’s life – spending time with you and getting to look at amazing stuff.

Safe, hazard-free, natural fibre filled toy and cat dog accessories from DILO Pet