‘Ashtalakshami’ features in GOI’s official calendar for 2023

New Delhi [India], December 30: In a bid to highlight the diversity and the hidden treasures of the Northeast states, the Centre has dedicated a month in the ‘Official Government of India Calendar’ for the year 2023 to ‘Ashtalakshmi’, eight states of the Northeast referred to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official release said on Friday.

Pritish Bagdi

‘Ashtalakshmi’ drew attention after it was mentioned in the ‘Official Government of India Calendar’ for the year 2023 in December month’s segment, bearing a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attired in traditional tribal attire and interacting with a group of people of the region, with the caption, “Focused on enhancing life and celebrating the hidden talent and treasures of the Northeast, Ashtalakshmi is the theme for December,” the release said.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur released the ‘Official Government of India Calendar’ for the year 2023 at National Media Centre, New Delhi on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that the calendar is a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.

He commended the calendar for being an impressive collection of 12 images depicting a dynamically growing India. He further highlighted that the 12 themes for the 12 months are a glimpse into the strenuous efforts made by the Government towards public welfare.

The other 11 months, apart from December, from January to November were dedicated to Kartavya Path, Farmer Welfare, Naari Shakti, Shikshit Bharat, Skill India, Fit India, Mission Life, Khelo India, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Food Security, Self-Reliant India.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the eight states in the Northeast Ashtalakshmi as it signifies the importance of these eight states’ trade, commerce, natural resources, and diverse culture for India’s prosperity and is seen as a step towards building an inclusive India.

Among all the months, it may be noted that December is the only one that dedicates and honours a specific region of the country, adding to the significance of the tribute.

Calling it one of the best creations of the government, Union Minister Thakur said that the calendar, available in both digital and physical form this year, would be a dissemination medium for information about the government’s interventions and welfare measures.

“The delivery of this messaging is aimed to be taken to the grassroot level by way of distributing the calendar to all the Panchayats in the country,” the Union minister said.

He further said that this edition of the calendar would showcase both the achievements of the government so far and the commitment for the future, hence the theme ‘Naya Varsh, Naye Sankalp’.

“It will be made available in 13 languages including Hindi and English and will be distributed across all government offices, Panchayati Raj institutions, health centres, Navodaya and Kendriya Vidyalayas, offices of block development officers and district magistrates in districts and will be available for purchase by public sector undertakings and autonomous institutions,” he informed.

As many as 11 lakh copies will be printed and 2.5 lakh of them will be distributed in regional languages to the Panchayats.

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Ministry of Culture administers the scheme of Scholarship & Fellowship Financial Support

Ministry of Culture administers the scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for promotion of art and culture through which scholars and artists including folklore artists are provided financial assistance in the form of scholarships and fellowships to pursue their respective forms of art and buy the specific art instruments etc. Similarly, Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, also provides financial assistance to support folklore artists across the country on the recommendation of its Advisory Committees.

Pritish Bagdi

Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, implements Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) which provides facilities to young talented children in the age group of 10-14 years to study various art forms. Under this scheme, 650 scholarships are awarded every year out of which 100 are reserved for Tribal Culture (ST candidates).

Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India provides funds for Tribal Festivals (at State Level) like Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, Pawl-Kut festival of Mizoram and Medaram Jatra of Telangana through Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs).

Similarly, OCTAVE is a festival organized regularly by the Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) to promote and protect the rich cultural heritage of North East Region. Only folk & tribal artists belonging to the North East Region are specifically provided opportunity to perform during this festival for which they are provided remuneration.

To protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art and culture throughout the country, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) in the country. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes all over the country on regular basis for which folk and tribal artists are engaged by these ZCCs to showcase their talents. These artists are paid TA/DA, honorarium, boarding & lodging, local transport etc. to help them to earn their livelihood.

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From waste to wonder: Puducherry students make 'Avatar' figurines inspired from Hollywood flick

Puducherry [India], December 20: 'Avatar: The Way of Water' is not just successful at the box-office bus is also motivating children to get creative.

Swati Bhat

A group of students from puducherry's Seliamedu Government Higher Secondary School channelised their love for the James Cameron blockbuster by creating figurines of the lead characters Neytiri, Jake Sully and the Great Leonopteryx.

Santosh and Navaneethakrishnan, the two students, created the figurines as a way of welcoming the Zoe Saldana-starrer film in India. It took them a week to create the immaculate figures imitating the original characters of the sci-fi film. They were created entirely from natural waste material which is easily available in rural areas, like coconut shells, Mandara leaves and palm leaves.

Prior to this, the students had already made a sculpture of Tamilisai, which received great appreciation from the people around them.

'Avatar: The Way of Water' stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, and Kate Winslet.

As per Deadline, behind the scenes, reports have claimed that the production budget alone for the film has reached USD 250 million. The script for the sci-fi blockbuster has been penned by Cameron and Josh Friedman 20th Century Studios released the movie in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam on December 16, 2022.

Most theatres in Tamil Nadu are screening the film as early as 4 am. According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has opened to record numbers of over Rs 41 crore across India. These are the second-highest numbers among all Hollywood films released in India on their first day.

The film's Rs 41-crore opening puts it over films like 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' and 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'. It only trails the 2019 blockbuster 'Avengers: Endgame'.

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