I

IANS News

42 Articles

Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

Articles Written By IANS News

Kanye West buys house across street from Kim Kardashian
1624 days ago
Lifestyle

Kanye West buys house across street from Kim Kardashian

Los Angeles, Dec 28 (IANS) Rapper Kanye West has bought a house across the street from Kim Kardashian. ## Although the former couple, who have four children together, are currently going through a divorce, they have remained amicable and Kanye has splurged $4.5 million on the property in Hidden Hills California, in order to remain close to his family, reports femalefirst.co.uk. ## Kanye, who has officially changed his name to Ye, paid $421,000 more than the original asking price so that he could purchase the home directly across from where Kim lives with their children North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three and Psalm, two. ## Kim, 41, and Kanye previously agreed to seek joint legal custody of the kids in their divorce, with a source explaining: "(Kim) wants Kanye to be a big part of the kids' lives. He will be invited to all holidays and family celebrations." ## Earlier this month, Kim filed legal documents asking to be declared legally single as she and Kanye have finished dividing up their assets. ## She stated: "Irreconcilable differences have existed and continue to exist between (West) and me, which have caused our marriage to irretrievably break down. No counseling or reconciliation effort will be of any value at this time. ## "There will be no prejudice to (West) if our marriage is immediately dissolved, especially given the fact that throughout our marriage, we adhered to the terms of our premarital agreement and maintained the separate property character of our assets." ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk For More Updates.

Read Article
Amy Schumer gets rid of face fillers for making her look like 'Maleficent'
1625 days ago
Lifestyle

Amy Schumer gets rid of face fillers for making her look like 'Maleficent'

Los Angeles, Dec 27 (IANS) Actress Amy Schumer tried to get fillers on her face in an effort to maintain her youthful look but she was not really impressed with the results. ## She said she looked like Disney's infamous Mistress of Evil after undergoing the procedure, reports aceShowbiz.com. ## So the actress booked a new appointment to get rid of them. ## "I tried getting fillers. Turns out I was already full. Thank God you can dissolve them I looked like #malificent," she shared. ## The botched beauty treatment came roughly three months after the mother of one got under the knife to have her uterus and appendix removed due to endometriosis. ## "The doctor found 30 spots of endometriosis that he removed. He removed my appendix because the endometriosis had attacked it," she revealed back then. ## "There was a lot, a lot of blood in my uterus and I'm, you know, sore and I have some, like, gas pains." ## She also urged her followers to see doctors if they had similar issues. ## "If you have really painful periods, you may have #endometriosis." ## She later opened up that a tumour was found in her "endo ravaged appendix". "Chocolate cysts in both ovaries," the comedienne said. ## "Endo of the uterus, psoas all over all my lifelong pain explained and lifted out of my body. And anyone wondering if this is connected to my difficult pregnancy and hyperemesis I say f**k yes!" she added. ## "I can't answer medically because there is no research on this s**t because they only happen TO WOMEN." ## Schumer made no secret of her desire to expand her family after welcoming a baby boy with husband Chris Fischer in 2019. She underwent In vitro fertilization (IVF) in a bid to get pregnant again, less than a year after giving birth. ## The mother of one, who also battled Lyme disease, eventually gave up the IVF treatment as her body couldn't take it. She considered surrogacy but decided to put on hold plans for a second baby for now. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk For More Such Updates.

Read Article
Meet Kajol's former co-star who teaches the world yoga today
2233 days ago
Lifestyle

Meet Kajol's former co-star who teaches the world yoga today

Mumbai, April 28 (IANS) Actor Bijay Anand, who is best known for playing the role of Kajol's beau in "Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha", has opened up on how yoga became an important aspect of his life.## "At the age of 33, I had severely high cholesterol and at 36 I had arthritis. I was also suffering from psychological problems like anger and depression. The first time I practiced Kundalini Yoga, my whole life changed. It saved my life and my soul. I now teach Kundalini Yoga to spread the joy that this ancient science brought into my life," Bijay said.## For the uninitiated, Bijay is a certified yoga teacher from the Kundalini Research Institute, Los Angeles.## As world is going through major health crisis due to the novel coronavirus, Bijay has shared some benefits of Kundalini yoga amid the pandemic.## "The best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to develop a strong immune system. There are many great Kundalini yoga kriyas for the immune system, which can help keep one strong both physically and mentally.## "This is one of the toughest times in the history of humanity. There are environmental disasters, earthquakes, pandemics, tsunamis and other ecological disasters apart from wars, genocide and civil unrest are a regular feature of daily newspapers. Almost every major global economy is on the verge of collapse. While this may sound depressing or apocalyptical, it is in fact a deep and profound spiritual shift that is taking place on our planet," he said.## According to Bijay, people will get to see a lot of changes in their life once they start practicing Kundalini yoga.## Bijay added: "This is really then, a time to introspect, go within, and to prepare oneself for the ‘New world order' ingrained in spirituality and bliss which is due to arrive soon."## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Breastfeeding may be effective during COVID-19: Study
2242 days ago
Lifestyle

Breastfeeding may be effective during COVID-19: Study

New York, April 19 (IANS) During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, breastfeeding and the provision of human milk to infants is recommended by national and international organizations because it is effective against infectious diseases-- It strengthens the immune system by directly transferring antibodies from the mother, say researchers.## While the current coronavirus continues to affect all people, families will still give birth and bring new life into the world.## In the study, published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania provides guidance regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19 and reaffirms why it is of paramount importance to promote and protect the use of human milk and breastfeeding.## "While it is unknown if COVID-19-positive mothers can transmit the virus through milk, in limited studies the virus has not been detected in human milk," said study author Diane Lynn Spatz from the University of Pennsylvania in the US.## According to the researchers, during this current pandemic, there have been reports of formula shortages and price gouging the cost of infant formula.## "We should use this pandemic as a way to increase the visibility of the critical role of human milk and breastfeeding for all families at all times and educate the public about the importance of the use of human milk and breastfeeding as lifesaving medical interventions," She added.## The World Health Organisation has advised that mothers with any symptoms who are breastfeeding or practicing skin-to-skin contact should take precautions.## "Practice respiratory hygiene, including during feeding. If you have respiratory symptoms such as being short of breath, use a medical mask when near your child," the WHO said.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Arti Singh: Yoga has positively affected me
2247 days ago
Lifestyle

Arti Singh: Yoga has positively affected me

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) "Bigg Boss 13" contestant Arti Singh urges people to practice yoga during these times of COVID-19 stress.## The quarantine has given a chance to people to do the things that they didn't otherwise get time for, owing to their busy work schedules.## Apart from doing daily household chores, cooking and catching up on films and web-series, Arti has also been practicing yoga.## "I used to practice yoga daily when I was in Lucknow but I lost touch in between. Now that we are all home and have time in our hands, I have got back to doing it daily. Usually, I try to do it as soon as I wake up or in the evenings, depending upon how I am feeling that day," she said.## "Yoga has positively affected me as it helps calm down my mind. I encourage everyone to do a short session of yoga every day, as these are testing times we are all facing. Yoga will essentially keep you calm and patient," she added.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Over one-third of medical staff suffered insomnia during pandemic: Study
2247 days ago
Lifestyle

Over one-third of medical staff suffered insomnia during pandemic: Study

Beijing, April 14 (IANS) The novel coronavirus that has infected more than 1.9 million people globally is not just a physical health threat as researchers have found that more than a third of medical staff responding to the outbreak during its peak in China suffered from insomnia.## According to the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, the healthcare workers who experienced sleeplessness were also more likely to feel depressed, anxious and have stress-based trauma.## "Typically, stress-related insomnia is transient and persists for only a few days. But if the COVID-19 outbreak continues, insomnia may gradually become chronic insomnia in the clinical setting," said study co-author Bin Zhang, Professor at Southern Medical University in China.## The results are based on a series of self-administered questionnaires conducted online between January 29 and February 3 at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China.## Researchers used the WeChat social media platform to gather answers from 1,563 participants in the medical field. Of that number, 564 people, or 36.1 percent, had insomnia symptoms.## The authors of the current study note that the statistic is consistent with previous research conducted on the psychological effects of the 2002 outbreak of SARS, a related coronavirus that also causes severe respiratory distress.## For example, 37 percent of nurses who worked with SARS patients experienced insomnia.## The insomnia group in the current paper experienced significantly higher levels of depression than the non-insomnia group, 87.1 percent versus 31 percent, especially in moderate (22.9 percent versus 2.8 percent) and severe (16.7 percent versus 1.8 percent) cases.## The percentages and differences between the groups were similar for anxiety and trauma as well. The team also identified certain factors that were correlated with insomnia.## "The most important factor was having very strong uncertainty regarding effective disease control among medical staff," Zhang noted.## Strong uncertainty was 3.3 times higher for those exhibiting insomnia than not, the study said.## Staff with less education were also prone to sleep disorders.## Specifically, researchers found the risk of insomnia among medical staff with a high school education or below was 2.69 times higher than those with a doctoral degree.## They speculated that less education led to more outcome-based fear.## The authors noted that healthcare workers were also under incredible stress in general.## They were in close contact with infected patients who could pass on the disease to them. They were worried about infecting their own family and friends.## "Under these dangerous conditions, medical staff become mentally and physically exhausted, and therefore experience an increased risk of insomnia due to high stress," they wrote.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Why technology not hurting social skills of kids these days
2248 days ago
Lifestyle

Why technology not hurting social skills of kids these days

New York, April 13 (IANS) Parents, kindly take note. Despite the time spent with smartphones and social media, young people today are just as socially skilled as those from the previous generation, say researchers.## For the findings, published in the journal American Journal of Sociology, researchers compared teacher and parent evaluations of children who started kindergarten in 1998 - six years before Facebook launched - with those who began school in 2010 when the first iPad debuted.## Results showed both groups of kids were rated similarly on interpersonal skills such as the ability to form and maintain friendships and get along with people who are different.## They were also rated similarly on self-control, such as the ability to regulate their temper.## In other words, the kids are still all right. In virtually every comparison we made, either social skills stayed the same or actually went up modestly for the children born later," said study lead researcher said Douglas Downey from the Ohio State University in the US.## For the study, the research team used data from The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, which is run by the National Center for Educational Statistics. The ECLS follows children from kindergarten to fifth grade.## The researchers compared data on the ECLS-K cohort that included children who began kindergarten in 1998 (19,150 students) with the cohort that began kindergarten in 2010 (13,400 students).## Children were assessed by teachers six times between the start of kindergarten and the end of fifth grade. They were assessed by parents at the beginning and end of kindergarten and the end of first grade.## The researchers focused mostly on the teacher evaluations, because they followed children all the way to fifth grade, although the results from parents were comparable.## Results showed that from the teachers' perspective, children's social skills did not decline between the 1998 and 2010 groups.## And similar patterns persisted as the children progressed to fifth grade.## In fact, teachers' evaluations of children's interpersonal skills and self-control tended to be slightly higher for those in the 2010 cohort than those in the 1998 group, Downey said.## Even children within the two groups who had the heaviest exposure to screens showed similar development in social skills compared to those with little screen exposure, results showed.## There was one exception: Social skills were slightly lower for children who accessed online gaming and social networking sites many times a day.## "But even that was a pretty small effect. Overall, we found very little evidence that the time spent on screens was hurting social skills for most children," Downey said.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Time to take Homeopathy in corona fight, say experts
2250 days ago
Lifestyle

Time to take Homeopathy in corona fight, say experts

New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) It has been more than three months since Covid-19 pandemic broke out and the hunt for its medicine has been intensified across the globe.## While the world health community is leaving no stone unturned to find a solution for the highly contagious disease, the homeopathy practitioners say they should also be given a chance to attempt to find therapeutic treatment of novel Coronavirus and should be taken on the same page for finding its drug.## Homeopathy is the longest established complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).## One of the most striking features of this unorthodox medicine is its ability to survive for centuries.## Speaking to IANS, Dr. Kushal Banerjee, of Dr. Kalyan Banerjee's Clinic, one of the largest and oldest homeopathic practices in India and abroad, said, "Homeopathy has a good track record with epidemics and infectious diseases, therefore people should keep their biases aside and should try all treatments possible to save lives amid this pandemic.## "There are many examples where homeopathy did far better than allopathic. The biggest example is Spanish flu, going back to the time of the Scarlet fever epidemic, there were high survival rates in the treatment prescribed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, father of homeopathy, when people were dying, by using conventional medicines. Most recently Dr. Marino published papers in 2008-09 on Dengue and Swine flu. In 2009, a research paper was published in India, based on analysis of swine flu which happened in 2003 in which it was written that Homeopathy showed favorable trends so research must continue."## When asked if Homeopathy has medicine for novel coronavirus, Dr. Banerjee said, "there is not much data available about COVID-19. Homeopathic medicine is also given even in ICU and in case of multiple organ failure, patients start recovering quickly. There are very effective medicines in homeopathy for respiratory diseases. Right now it is important to provide benefits to as many patients as possible. All philosophies and principles should be kept aside and saving lives should be the focus. If even five percent of patients who are on ventilators could be cured, that will be a great success," he said.## Talking about evidence that Homeopathy has while dealing with novel coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Banerjee said, "We have prescribed medicines looking at the symptoms of the disease and are collecting data. Almost 15000 prescriptions of preventions of COVID-19 have been issued from our clinic since mid-January. We have patients in China, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. We have been advising medicines, along with the public safety measures since December 31 when the first case was reported.## "We are in the process of analyzing data. We are also running an online survey to estimate the result of that prescription. The database of 15000 people is ready. It will be the second-largest study on COVID-19 anywhere in the world, the largest is of 20,000 patients. We have got responses from patients from 12 countries including the US, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. The data is looking very promising.## "There is a fundamental advantage of homeopathy that it can be given alongside allopathy, it will not have any side effects. Homeopathy is absolutely safe to give to any age group of patients, be it a newborn or an elderly person. In the case of COVID-19, there is no reason for not attempting homeopathy. Research in allopathy is going on across the world but there are still mortalities. Even allopathy is also doing the symptomatic treatment. We are not saying that we have treatment for COVID-19 but allopathy also does not have it.## "Dynamics of treatments are changing every day, therefore homeopathy should also get an attempt. However, people should follow public health measures, like hygiene and social distancing then there is no harm in taking medicine as a pre-emptive measure."## Demolishing the myth about homeopathy, Dr. Banerjee said, "There are lots of myths about homeopathy. One of them is that it takes very long to show the results. This is not true. It depends upon the disease for which the patient is taking treatment. In a pandemic where multiple organs are failing and ventilators are required, we also review patients in four to six hours, even every fifteen minutes. There are very effective medicines in homeopathy for respiratory diseases."## Another practitioner of homeopathy, Dr. Shalini Tomar of Swasthya Kalyan Homeopathic Medical College and Research Centre (SKHMC), Jodhpur, said, "It has been found in a research that besides Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Influenza-like illness (ILI), the novel coronavirus causes red blood cells (RBC) breakdown too, that's why they use of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been advocated recently as it is recommended in malaria. We have lots of medicines in Homeopathy which can help cure RBC."## Dr. Tomar also said that there is data of genus epidemicus which has confirmed that the homeopathy can help and when it was given in previous pandemics, the mortality rates were low.## "Our scientific advisory body Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) brought out data and recommended few medicines as prophylactic. Some medicines were distributed also in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The research is on. There is no therapeutic medicine at present for COVID-19 neither in allopathy nor in Homeopathy, they are also doing the symptomatic treatment, we also can do so. In Maharashtra, treatment of homeopathy and allopathy is going on simultaneously for quick recovery. "Homeopathy is based on the principle of individuality. Two patients showing similar sets of symptoms may get different sets of prescriptions altogether. Therefore there is no particular medicine but sets of medicines, based on various parameters that can be recommended," said Dr. Tomar.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Current smokers, people with COPD at high COVID-19 risk
2250 days ago
Lifestyle

Current smokers, people with COPD at high COVID-19 risk

London, April 11 (IANS) In probably the first study to link smoking with severe COVID-19 risk, a team of researchers now claim that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who currently smoke have a higher level of an enzyme that is the ‘entry point for new coronavirus in lungs.## Previous research shows that the molecule, called angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE-2) which sits on the surface of lung cells, is the 'entry point' that allows coronavirus to get into the cells of the lungs and cause an infection.## The new study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, showed that levels of ACE-2 in former smokers are lower than in current smokers.## "The data emerging from China suggested that patients with COPD were at higher risk of having worse outcomes from COVID-19. We hypothesized that this could be because the levels of ACE-2 in their airways might be increased compared to people without COPD, which could possibly make it easier for the virus to infect the airway," explained lead researcher Dr. Janice Leung from the University of British Columbia and St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.## The team studied samples taken from the lungs of 21 COPD patients and 21 people who did not have COPD.## They tested the samples to gauge the level of ACE-2 and compared this with other factors, such as whether they were from people who never smoked, were current smokers or former smokers. Not only did they find higher levels of ACE-2 in COPD patients, but they also found higher levels in people who were smokers.## The researchers then checked their new findings against two existing study groups, which together contain data on a further 249 people - some non-smokers, some current smokers, and some former smokers.## Again, they found levels of ACE-2 were higher in current smokers but lower in non-smokers and in those who were former smokers.## "We found that patients with COPD and people who are still smoking have higher levels of ACE-2 in their airways, which might put them at an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 infections," said Dr. Leung.## Patients with COPD should be counseled to strictly abide by social distancing and proper hand hygiene to prevent infection.## "We also found that former smokers had similar levels of ACE-2 to people who had never smoked. This suggests that there has never been a better time to quit smoking to protect yourself from COVID-19," the authors wrote.## Professor Tobias Welte, an infection expert from the European Respiratory Society and is a coordinator for the national German COVID-19 task force, said that the study gives some interesting insight into why some people may be at risk of more severe COVID-19 symptoms than others.## "What it does not tell us is whether it's possible to manipulate ACE-2 levels to improve survival in patients infected with COVID-19 or whether this would make a difference in COPD patients who contract the infection," explained Welte.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Sidharth Malhotra: Look out for mental health in these times
2254 days ago
Lifestyle

Sidharth Malhotra: Look out for mental health in these times

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) On World Health Day, actor Sidharth Malhotra has stressed on the need to work on mental health along with physical health, saying everyone needs to remain "extremely positive, hopeful and appreciate all the basic things in life".## "This year on World Health Day, India and the world is going through a very crucial and very unfortunate time where we are fighting this virus which is extremely deadly. The only way to fight it is social distancing, hence the lockdown within the country and around the world," Sidharth said.## "I am hoping that everyone is following it because it is for their benefit and for the society. It makes us realize how important health is and the environment is. I am hoping that everyone appreciates the fact that they are healthy and can move around once they get out and are more conscious of what they do with their nutrition or the environment around them," he added.## The actor believes in having a holistic approach towards wellness and health, and that's what he hopes everyone tries to achieve during these testing times.## "Since all of us are practicing social distancing and are under lockdown, we do have a lot of time on our hands apart from all the agencies, medical staff, police and other people who are working day and night… This is the best time where you can spend maybe half an hour a day doing some kind of physical activity within the house. It could be walking, freehand exercise, playing sports, or skipping," he said.## The actor continued: "I look at fitness from a very holistic point of view. I won't even just say physical exercise. It is mental health as well, where we have to keep and realize that at times like these you need to be extremely positive, hopeful and appreciate all the basic things in life, workout aside. So, also look out for your mental health. We have all the time in the world to spend it with family and I am hoping people are making good use of the time."## The "Ek Villain" star also thanks to the "all the medical professionals who are working night and day without any break in such crucial and dangerous times for our benefit".## "Whatever, I say is less … They are the real heroes. Along with the medical staff, I would like to thank the police, cleaning staff and people who ensure that we get our essentials. They are doing a fabulous job. They are the real heroes."## Sidharth feels that the severe times have made him "realize that we are mere guests on this earth and not the master".## "Whenever we come back to our normal lives we need to realize that and remember that," he said.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Milind Soman suggests meditation to beat COVID-19 stress
2255 days ago
Lifestyle

Milind Soman suggests meditation to beat COVID-19 stress

Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Actor-model-fitness enthusiast Milind Soman suggests meditation for peace of mind in these times of COVID-19 stress, often triggered off by all the rumors, speculations and fake news emanating about the disease.## "So much conflicting information online. So much uncertainty. What will the world be like in a few months? What about the virus. What about the economy. Let's not overthink this. Go with the flow. Whatever shape the world takes, we must be prepared. Our minds must be prepared. Strong. And centered," Milind wrote on Instagram.## "Meditation, if practiced for as few as 10 minutes each day, can help you control stress, decrease anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation," added the 54-year-old.## He also offered suggestions about how to perform meditation for those who do not know.## Milind wrote:## "How to Start Meditating?## Set a timer. Start with 5 mins.## Put on Music that you find calming.## Sit or lie down comfortably in a quiet place.## Breathe normally through your nose, with your mouth closed. Focus on your breath, as you inhale and exhale. If you notice your mind being distracted by thoughts, gently bring it back to the breath."## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Get close again in the time of COVID-19
2261 days ago
Lifestyle

Get close again in the time of COVID-19

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Finally got over the excitement of working from home, binge-watching even mediocre series on OTT platforms? Is playing chef and cleaning the house getting on the nerves now? Well, its time to reconnect with things that make you feel alive -- again.## From online concerts, theatre festivals, museum tours, Dastangoi, book recommendations and fitness classes, social media surely seems to have come to the rescue in these times of solitary confinement.## Asmita theatre group, which is organizing the world's first (China organized an online opera recently) online theatre festival titled 'Quarantine Theatre Festival' which started on March 21, streaming for free some of its best-known plays, including 'Hanush', 'Final Solutions' and 'Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya O Jamyai Nai' among others via premium screening on Facebook, in a way gave a cue to many other artists to follow suit.## "In times when people are talking about social distancing, we insist that what is needed is just physical distancing. Let's keep the social connections alive. This has been a great experiment for us, getting us lakhs of views. Not only are people getting to watch some pathbreaking plays, but for many first-timers, this is their maiden exposure to this art form. I am sure this will result in more footfalls in auditoriums once the lockdown is a thing of the past. Let's just say that we needed to do this as at this time --- people could not come to the auditorium, so theatre decided to go to them," he told IANS.## Musician Susmit Sen, the co-founder of the band the Indian Ocean, who later started The Susmit Sen Chronicles, and was seen on the Facebook concert 'The Inside Session' organized by The Big Band Theory on March 29, laughs that despite the fact he is not really technology-savvy, he enjoyed it every bit.## "We were operating from our homes, and I had to be guided continuously. But that didn't come in-between the excellent response." Stressing that in such times, art provides the much-needed respite, he adds, "Connections assume significant importance during gloom. Music definitely does more than just lift spirits up."## Stressing that as an artist, she misses the rush of being on stage, singer Jasleen Aulakh, who also performed during 'The Inside Session', says that the live streaming from the safety of her home provided the much needed connect with her listeners again.## "Honestly, the experience proved to be a great way to stay sane. No wonder, I have signed up for another live session on April 13," says the artist, who wants to continue doing such sessions even after the lockdown is over.## "I really feel sad for students of music who need to consult their teachers often but are unable to do so due to the lockdown. I may start some interactive sessions for them on different social media platforms soon," says Indian classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty.## Stating that the "mental lockdown" is more telling than the physical one, she is all for live sessions being held by singers on social media platforms. "One definitely gets a sense of reassurance that comes from familiarity. Of course, the effect may not be that of a concert, but then look at the circumstances..." Chakraborty says that most musicians were looking forward to their tours in the coming two months, so one can understand the sense of disappointment.## "But thanks to the social media, they at least have an outlet of some kind and a means to connect to their audiences."## Vocalist Shubha Mudgal, who doesn't plan to do any live sessions, explains the reason why "The reason I don't want to use social media platforms for concerts is that they prevent accompanying artistes and ensembles to be together for a performance."## Stating that singing live on different platforms is a spontaneous reaction from singers, classical vocalist Sunanda Sharma adds, "In these times of crisis, we are trying to do our bit."## It's not just singers and theatre artists who are taking over social media. While publishing house Juggernaut is offering the Juggernaut app with its catalog of bestsellers and curated-for mobile reads for free, HarperCollins India is providing a host of reader-centric activities with the central idea of #HarperAtHome.## Its Marketing Head, Akriti Tyagi tells, "Besides book recommendation a day, there is also #Reset, in association with Algebra. We are aiming to launch a series of events, using the zoom app as a platform and move author interactions online. Each Wednesday, we will feature a curated list of our authors who will talk about the issues pertaining to society during these uncertain times."## Considering the way stand-up comedy has swept the country in the past few years, it would have been very unusual if major comedians didn't mark their presence on online platforms. A live session by 'Aisi Taisi Democracy', one of the best known stand-up groups in the country was live on Facebook recently.## Its member Sanjay Rajoura makes it clear, "Look, I am under no illusions. I don't think art can serve people in any capacity, the assumption itself is arrogant and problematic. My aim is just to expose power structures and introduce people to all the rot around. I do it on the stage, and I did it on Facebook live, an idea floated by people who manage us."## For someone like Mahmood Farooqui, credited for reviving Dastangoi, the ancient art of Urdu storytelling, it was a tough decision to put his creation 'Dastan Jahalat' on YouTube on March 29 and 30.## "I have always believed that this is a three-dimensional art form that must be enjoyed live. I have always been against putting my work on YouTube as that invariably results in a reduction of people coming for live shows. However, this time was different. In such uncertain times, art provides salvation and food for the soul. Of course, beyond a point, it makes no difference. How will it make life easier for hungry people walking back to their villages?"## Filmmaker Anusha Rizvi, the producer, and brains behind putting 'Dastan Jahalat' on YouTube add, "We can think on the lines of creating fresh work for social media. Of course, that depends on the technical support and if the equipment we have at home is good enough."## Even NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art) is facilitating a virtual tour of its treasures as it celebrates its 66 years amidst the COVID 19.## And to ensure that you don't gain inches around the waist, there are some fitness courses being offered for free too. Dancer and choreographer Ravi Rastogi, who is offering free and live classes says that more women are coming forward for his classes as compared to men.## "I was missing my studio during the lockdown, so thought of stating this. People are participating actively, with many responding in real-time and posting their pictures."## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Prev Next