Increased Intelligence sharing between the two countries is likely in the fight against radicalism. 

A joint consultative meeting between the foreign minister of Bangladesh, AK Abdul Momen and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on security and counter-terrorism is likely very shortly. This is particularly significant considering the terror threat in the subcontinent emanating from Pakistan. 

Looking at the Covid situation, Shringla briefed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on India’s ideas about the economic revival post Corona. There is considerable development assistance to Bangladesh on very easy terms (1 per cent interest with a moratorium of ten years) and several projects will be completed next year. This is also in the light of China offering very generous loans to Dhaka. 

But currently, there are plans for an air bubble between India and Bangladesh. This will be for primarily businessman and medical tourists. Discussions are underway and an early announcement is likely.

Sheikh Hasina appreciated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent an envoy to Dhaka at this time. She also thanked India for the delivery of locomotives. During the hour-long meeting, the joint plans for the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman centenary and the 50th anniversary of  Indo-Bangladesh ties were discussed. A Sheikh Mujib postage stamp by India’s post and telegraph department is on the cards.

Teji Johal Hailed as the most promising budding music artist in the UK and rising through the ranks to achieve a level of stardom in bhangra and Punjabi Pop music. Associated with the award-winning music producer MixSingh. Teji Johal released his a brand new single ‘Slim Waist’ back in March 2020 which has amassed thousands of views. The uplifting romantic track gives enough room for technical brilliance and pops an inventive melody.

It started as Teji’s passion for Punjabi Bhangra music, then took on its own unique pop identity after the release of his first hit single “Fantasy” making a mark on the global music market. Talking to the stars of the scene, Teji is all set to deliver his brand new single very soon. 

Born and bred in Tarn-Taran, Punjab, the London, UK star has become a Bhangra pop pioneer with every stint, it is safe to say that at this stage in his career, Teji knows exactly where to take it next. What started as his passion for music and inter-school music competitions, Teji has become the king of vibrant Punjabi music having released songs with Whitehill music, Amar audio, he is also the founder of his Youtube channel “Teji Johal Music”.

Teji Johal has a Masters Degree in IT and had commenced well paying 9 to 5 job and despite spending reaching the prominent success in his career, he was not happy with what he was doing, the experience only helped him to decide not to pursue a career in IT. So, the multi-talented maverick singer perfected his path to the musical career which has encouraged him to produce captivating, high-energy Punjabi pop music.

Working with leading music producer MixSingh and Teji Johal’s unique vision and innate ability to fuse the two worlds has seen him produce some of the hottest collaborations like ‘Fantasy’, time and time again. 

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Varun Tiwari Leads with Creativity and Talents to Emerge as a Talented Video Editor and Director .
Varun Tiwari has come a long way when it comes to embarking upon the creative industry. Right from adding an impact with his exceptional dance skills, he is equally good in handling the camera and doing all the post-production things by adding value to the video content with his expertise and creativity. The list of things he keeps on doing in his life can be kept adding to the next level. He is a good dancer, a competitive choreographer, mentor, teacher, video editor, director, producer and performer.

He holds so many hats when it comes to the number of skill sets required in any production house. He is also a good mentor and has helped many budding talents to prosper in the creative world. WIth his camera, he has interviewed many new faces and thus giving everyone the opportunity in producing quality videos and helping them to prosper. He left India heading to Australia to hone his skills and was able to create a good impact in the new country with his exceptional dance skills.

He founded his production house called Friends World TV which keeps on making several creative and nice music video songs. This gave him the chance to work with top filmmakers and musicians along with singers and other creative people. Many of the music videos have done well on the social media platforms like YouTube garnering millions of views. His videos were even screened at the International Australian Punjabi Film Festival in Sydney getting applause for his work. His company is even recognized by Australian Sikh Games, 2018 for making some innovative videos through his production house.

Recently, I came across a newspaper report with a photograph of a city of Germany where people were protesting against the government’s restrictions on Corona pandemic. The fact that astonished me was that young protesters were carrying big-sized photos of Mahatma Gandhi. It led me to ponder if Mahatma Gandhi is still relevant to the new generation and that too in the most industrialized nation of Europe? Reference to this event seems to be in conformity that global Gandhi is still alive and relevent to the world while other world icons are gradually fading away.    

In my career as a correspondent of All India Radio and otherwise also, I may have visited more than 50 countries across all continents. All countries had at least one statue of Mahatma Gandhi at a vantage point in one of their prominent cities. Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi had become a global figure much more before becoming a Mahatma Gandhi due to his peaceful protest in South Africa and a long freedom struggle in India. He may have become a lonely man taking peace march in riot struck Noakhali but the world was seeing, following him and admiring his way of protests without any fear.

Recently I happened to see a documentary by Romesh Sharma where, in an interview, a Czech scholar said that underground protests had started against communist rule in the then Czechoslovakia with disintegration of the Soviet Union. The regime there made a foolish mistake by releasing Richard Attenborough’s much acclaimed film Gandhi.  Soon after, protests opened up widely and people took to  streets.  My Indian origin evoked respect among people on my visits abroad who often greeted me by saying: “Oh you are from the land of Gandhi.’’  Successive British regimes hated Gandhi as they knew that Gandhian movement will free India from their clutches but it would inspire other countries under their colonial regime also. The cascading effect was obvious and the British lost many countries which slipped away from their stranglehold.  

Gandhi began his protest journey in South Africa making an indelible mark on the times and the world history. Many great African countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya and Ghana got freedom from apartheid tyrant European colonial regimes after a long struggle and freedom  movements which followed the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi.

Julius Nyerere led a long movement against British colonial rule by founding Tangayanika African National Union to achieve the aim of freedom. After Zanzibar revolution both lands joined together to emerge as Tanzania on world map. While writing this, I am also reminded of my Tanzanian Friend John Hangoo who was head of Swahili broadcast in All India Radio and lived in Delhi for 30 years.

In South Africa, the British regime was forced to give power to aboriginals after a long freedom movement led by the iconic figure Nelson Mandela who spent nearly three decades in jail. He stands tall as Mahatma Gandhi.

In Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta led the masses for years in freedom movement against British. After freedom, the country was named as Kenya that was earlier known as British East India.

Zambia was another British ruled colony which went by the name of Northern Rhodesia. Son of the soil, Kenneth Kaunda formed Zambian National African Congress and led the freedom movement there.

Sam Nujoma is also a respected icon of freedom movement in the African continent who led freedom movement in Namibia against South Africa’s White Colonial regime. Nujoma led the Southwest African People’s Organization (SWAPO) from exile for almost 30 years. The freedom struggle went on from 1962 to 1989. The country which was earlier known as South West Africa was renamed Namibia. This revolutionary led a guerrilla war against apartheid. I got an opportunity to cover his press conferences during NAM and CHOGM Summits in New Delhi. I also happened to visit the Namibian Capital Windhoek in 1994 famous for its Kalahari desert.

Robert Mugabe led the long civil Revolution against apartheid colonial regime in Southern Rhodesia which is now known as Zimbabwe.  Mugabe played a very active role in NAM. A travel to Zimbabwean capital Harare was a lovely experience for me. We saw their vibrant markets, business centers and  temples constructed and managed by Gujaratis who had landed there 150 years ago. Though Mugabe became controversial in his last days but his contribution as the leader of freedom movement cannot be forgotten.

Kwame Nkrumah led people’s movement freedom in his country called Golf Coast against white Colonial regime. After independence Gold Coast came to be known as Ghana on west coast of African Continent. Nkrumah was a tall figure remained associated actively with the affairs of NAM at par with Nehru and  Marshal Tito.

One would wonder as to what was the common factor among all these revolutionary African leaders! All of them were educated in the UK or European Universities, returned to their native lands and launched freedom movements like Mahatma Gandhi did after his return from South Africa.

 In all these African countries people honoured them with Father of The Nation title. They all were elected rulers of their respective countries and remained Presidents or Prime Ministers for long years whereas Mahatma Gandhi shunned all trappings of power till his last breath. They all became world icons against racial discrimination and apartheid. Lastly, all of them were influenced and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and his non violent freedom movement. Gandhian ways had steeped deeply among them and percolated down to the people in these African countries which attained freedom by following in the steps of Mahatma Gandhi. A time to remember our Father of the Nation as India celebrates yet another Independence Day.

 (Writer is a senior journalist and broadcaster) 

The glamour world every now and then gets mesmerized by someone who comes and takes over the heart of people by their beauty. Aliza Rajan is one of such young women who has been making quite the news because of beauty and her in-demand brand appeal. She hails from Mombasa, Kenya, and is also the winner of Miss India Worldwide Kenya 2015 pageant.

Aliza Rajan is one of the most popular fashion models nowadays and she works with many local and international brands. She has an immense amount of following on social media and many people get influenced by her work. The quote beauty with brains perfectly fits in her context. Not only that she has won the beauty pageant but also taken over the franchise. It because of her intelligence and hard work that she is now also the National Director for Miss India Worldwide Kenya. With such big responsibility under her, she uses this platform for the greater good for the women of the society. Aliza runs and support many women related initiatives and cause and continuously works for the betterment of the women. This way she is also inspiring many young girls another woman through her work and became an inspiring figure for her followers and supporters.

Aliza Rajan is the owner of the pop-up shop by Aliza Rajan and eventique Kenya. Whether it is beauty and glamour or business Aliza has done it all. She has become a true symbol of woman empowerment. The constant work ethic and the will to keep improving and move forward has always been the attitude of Aliza Rajan. This positive character has influenced thousands of people and is continue to do so. She is in a true send of influencer and a role model for all the young girls around the world.

The prevailing times of pandemic have been a big blow for the economy in so many ways. Several industries had to bear painful losses. Amidst all the chaos of the pandemic, India witnessed a rare trade surplus of $0.79 billion in June 2020 which is indeed a beacon of hope for the nation. It certainly seems like Exports are the way forward. The Government of India to has been emphasising on “Vocal to Local” as the route to economic recovery.

However, the Hyderabad based Company, Global EXIM Institute has envisioned the trading capabilities of India a decade ago. The Institute has been training individuals to understand the dynamics of the exports world. Groups of Business Individuals across the cities are trained through an intensive schedule that covers a complete business cycle. Right from the basics of choosing a Product or Market to get money back to the account post the consignment, a trader learns it all at the institute. So far, several thousands of entrepreneurs across the nation have been empowered and guided to effectively reach the international market for a decade.

The nation-wide lockdown has indeed been a limitation for the conventional boardroom training pattern for Global EXIM. But the visionary behind GEI, Dr Koteswara Rao, the founder and EXIM guru did not believe that Lockdown was a limitation for learning.

Blessing in disguise

Aligning to the unprecedented times of COVID-19, Global EXIM has accelerated its pace to reach out to more and more individuals who may be swept away with the crisis, despite having the ability to sustain.

Since the beginning of the Lockdown, over 300 Business Enthusiasts have shaped themselves as Exporters & Importers through GEI’s Online Training that brings together Trainers from fields such as Banking, Logistics, Customer, and Chambers, Govt Bodies such as ECGC, DGFT and Trade Councils.

The Man Behind India’s Trade Revolution

Global EXIM Institute was founded in the year 2010 by Dr Koteswara Rao, a stalwart in the Trade Industry of India. Helping Local Business to reach Global Markets was Dr.VBSS Koteswara Rao’s day job at the Export Promotion Council. After serving the Indian Government for two decades, Dr Rao realised that his dedication to the Job Role was because of his immense passion for supporting Local Businesses through trade across the borders.

Just two years before he could enjoy the retirement perks, Dr Rao left his comfortable, High-Level Govt Sector Position to empower the business minds of India. In 2010, with immense faith in India’s Export and Import potential, Dr.Rao set out on a lone journey that would change the face of Local Businesses in Global Trade.

What started off as a small institute opposite to the state university now stands has the hub for skilled and informed exporters of the nation. When asked about the challenging journey of the Global EXIM institute, Dr Rao said: “I knew that the journey would not be easy but I also knew that we were at the beginning of a revolution.”

The Changing Face of Indian Trade System

Reaching the trade masters sitting on the other side of the globe, and identifying their potential buyers is a challenge for Indian Businessmen. 

Dr.Rao has wonderfully tackled this challenge by establishing a bridge between the local businesses and international markets. He led Indian business delegations to more than 25 countries for participation in international trade fairs and has also organised buyer-seller-meets at US, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark and Chile.

Furthermore, the institute wanted to build a sturdy ecosystem for the EXIM industry with India as the face of it. Accelerate and Accelerate 2.0, the two maiden business connect events have served the purpose just right.

In fact Accelerate 2.0 witnessed Trade officials from 9 Countries, who came and pitched to the Global EXIM Family about the Trade Opportunities, Schemes and Support that is rendered by their respective countries to Indian Exporters & Importers.

Both the Annual Business Connects have played a magnanimous role in changing the game for Indian exporters.  Connecting and finding potential buyers has now become a lot simpler for local entrepreneurs.

GEI’s objective to help local businesses reach out to the international market has indeed been achieved to a large extent.

The theory of ‘Individuals, Institutions & Industry!’

Dr Rao has immense faith that India can soon become a trade superpower and runs the training with the vision that ‘Individuals, Institutions & Industries’ can marvellously shape India’s future as a Trade Super Power.

Besides training individuals, GEI keeps Institutions, Colleges & Universities in the loop to help the students explore the realms of Business and International Trade. He says, “Why should a student just boast about campus placements when he can directly contribute to the country’s visions like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’?”

The Company also works alongside Organisations with International Trade Goals in order to enhance their business strategy, negotiation abilities & contract management in the International markets.

In 2020, Global EXIM Institute reached the 10-year milestone. The team doesn’t intend to stop here. The process of transforming India into a trade superpower continues.

Wishing their endeavours is soon achieved.

Know about Global EXIM Institute’s next move on their official website www.globaleximinstitute.com

The world is going digital and if there is anyone who is driving the world right now, from amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, towards the hope for a better future, it is digital promotion agencies like Promo Expertz and its dynamic young Founder-Director Ankur Rana. Ankur is one of the brother duo, who, along with Gaurav, are running the digital promotion and social media agency successfully. Ankur has worked with some of the huge names in the field of entertainment. Be it brand connect, creating conversation, collaborating on promotions or co-creating content, Ankur Rana knows how to grab eyeballs!

Ankur has devoted himself to creating an outstanding brand with Promo Expertz but that isn’t all. He is also the man behind Toronto Records – Music Label, of which he is the Managing Director. Though the journey so far hasn’t been a cake-walk, Ankur’s belief in “hard-work and hope” has brought him success repeatedly. Though his background contains multiple placements with MNCs like Google India, Just Dial Ltd and Future Retail, his heart wasn’t in the 9-to-5 routine. He soon realized that his life-goals were into digital marketing and that is how, along with his brother, he launched Delhi-based Promo Expertz and Toronto Records.

Some of the big names with whom Ankur has collaborated are Vikas Sethi – owner of VS Records, V Series as well as V Series Haryanvi, Rahul Beniwal – owner of Young Strugglers Music Label, Binnie Toor – Punjabi singer, and Gurwinder Dalam, whose first song as a Video Director on YouTube, Kade Ta Tu Avenga, has garnered 100 million+ views since its release. So far, Promo Expertz have promoted more than 1000 songs and movies, which include “Guzar Jayega” featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Kangana Ranaut’s “Manikarnika”, Jugraj Sindhu’s “Mera Wala Sardar” (400+ million views), Sonu Nigam’s “Chhall”, Amit Tandon’s “Hosh O Hawaas”, Jazzkirat Singh’s “Dhokha” and Nav Dolorian’s “Chitta”.

Speaking about his work so far, Ankur says, “Promo Expertz is honored to work with such renowned personalities and create a favorable digital campaign for their success. Our expertise lies in providing a complete service package across all digital platforms, which is why our company is one of the best organizations in the digital space since the past 5 years.”

However, Ankur is not all business; he is also a man with a loving and caring heart. This is why he also runs an NGO, “Protect Earth Foundation”, which helped people with essential supplies during the recent pandemic. Ankur also arranged for distribution of sanitizers, groceries and face masks to the needy persons while setting milestones in social work. His activities related to orphanages and old-age homes are also representative of his compassion for the poor and downtrodden sections of the society.

As for the future, Ankur is soon going to launch a new project in the Punjabi industry and there are collaborations for new song projects too in the pipeline.

To sum up, the future looks all set for dynamic Ankur Rana and his companies, Promo Expertz and Toronto Records!

Arif Saleem Bohroo, popularly known as ‘Badshah Khan’, recently won the World Heavy Weight Championship 2020 and re-established his supremacy as a world-class wrestler. His journey into the world of wrestling began with his father telling him the stories of “The Great Khali” at the age of 13. Those stories of The Great Khali’s struggle, passion and achievements as a world-famous wrestler ignited in young Badshah Khan the hunger to go down the same path and create a place for himself in the ring.

Today, Badshah Khan is a renowned wrestler and an inspiring figure for youngsters everywhere.

Growing up in Jammu & Kashmir, life wasn’t easy for him, with political upheaval and violence dominating the life of the common man. He belongs to a remote village called Neel, in Ramban region of J&K. It was his father’s inspiring tales of The Great Khali, which pushed him towards wrestling and, eventually, not only made him famous but also the first-ever wrestler to be born in is village. It was The Great Khali himself, who named him Badshah Khan because of the fearlessness that he shows inside the ring. Learning about Khali was the turning point of his life and he went down into the ring for the first time when he was 20 years old. Badshah considers that moment very special in his career.

Having already won the Tag Team Championship twice, his success rate in the more than 100 matches is an outstanding 85%. After becoming 2-times Tag Team Champion, Badshah Khan reinstated his position as one of the top wrestlers in the country, by winning the World Heavyweight Championship on March 18, 2020. At 105 kg and 6.2 feet, his towering personality is enough to subdue his competitors in the ring. This is perhaps why he is considered to be one of the toughest wrestlers in the arena. His daily routine includes a 6-hr workout and 4-hr wrestling classes.

Yes! In case you are wondering what would a world-famous wrestler need classes for, this is what Badshah Khan says, “I have dreamed of being a wrestler ever since my teen years. I have worked very hard to be where I am today. Now that I have reached this position, I don’t want to let it go waste. Therefore, in order to maintain my wrestling prowess, and to continue winning, I keep on learning and training every day.”

Speaking about his mission as a wrestler, Badshah Khan says, “When I am inside the ring, I feel like the king. I am not afraid of anyone inside that ring because I show the real power of Kashmir and India. With the love of my Kashmiri & Indian brothers, I want to represent India & Kashmir all over the world.”

It is Badshah Khan’s dream in life to fight in the WWE and become a world champion in the true sense of the word.

Though it was a virtual interview but I could feel the amazing energy levels of very charming Dr Lita, full of energy, ideas and talking about innovation. She is a combination of great scientific skills and charismatic personality which personifies through her work.  Her dedication towards the company progress, achievements and vision is unparalleled. She is the founder of Indian Start-up LosJovenes Clinilogic Pvt Ltd Company, which is based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. She is MBBS, double Masters in Medicine (Australia) and also fellow in Aesthetic Medicine. She is very progressive in her ideas and within a short span of a year managed to bag several awards, recognition and prestigious Government of India Award, Research grant for her company.

Please share your experiences and business strategies during this COVID crisis?

Dr Lita states “that when it was announced by the Government that there has been a COVID positive case in my state, everything was shut down including my office”. The numbers started growing and we are still fighting an unknown virus waiting for a vaccine. She further states that this year she is focussing on realigning her business in such a way that focus is on prioritising usage of company resources for important business growth needs. With unlock phases setting in she states that “I make maximum use of the limited working hours to balance clinic work and business”. She further states that “developing adaptability to changing situation in a positive manner is very essential for business growth “.

How would you describe your journey as a woman entrepreneur?

Dr Lita states that “my journey has been like a dream”. I am dreamer, I believe in hard, intelligent and smart working to meet my targets. I always imagined creating new innovations and each day I work towards it. I call myself a Meraki “someone who puts her heart, soul, creativity and a reflection of herself into her work”. I started my company not just for the purpose of earning money but at the same time to create impact to bring about a change through “innovation” which would benefit the society. Over three and half decades of life I have lived on this planet, every 10 years has taught me new things. I am still curious like a 10 year old, an active learner like an adolescent and mature like an adult. Each of these version of me help support my growth as an entrepreneur.

About the Founder

An MBBS and double Master of Medicine from Australia, & Fellow in Aesthetic Medicine, Dr Lita Mohapatra’s fascination for aesthetic medicine & cosmetology came from her mantra of travelling the road less taken. She has been successfully working on revolutionary stem cell treatments for hyperpigmentation. Dr. Mohapatra has striven forward excellence culminating into establishing her own entrepreneurial venture Losjovenes Clinilogic Pvt. Ltd. Ascending so many stages of success on the rungs of hard work and perseverance, Dr. Mohapatra has earned many laurels for herself such as Times Health Icon in July 2019, India Excellence in Aesthetic Medicine in December 2019, India Excellence as Woman Entrepreneur in Holistic Healthcare  in December 2019, felicitation as Top Emerging Woman Entrepreneur of Odisha BY KIIT TBI in February 2020.

Going forward

At present the company is at the stage to launch some products this year, and post BIRAC’s Biotech Ignition Grant, incubating at KIIT TBI, it would focus on raising funds for scale up and product launch. The founder is looking at initially targeting product distribution in South East Asian countries and further penetration to global market.

We wish success in her journey as an entrepreneur and in all her endeavours.

To be successful you need to have the passion and dedication but if it is backed up with a constant support and faith then it’s the best thing that can happen to anyone. Actor, producer Shrinivas Kulkarni has worked his way out in succeeding in his career; but most importantly he’s most grateful to actress Smita Shewale for her constant support.

Shrinivas Kulkarni was always attracted to digital media field. Shrinivas has completed his MBA and MCA in IT. But he wasn’t really interested in programming. At that time Social Media Management was a rising field. Smita Shewale and Shrinivas Kulkarni had been friends for a long time. Shrinivas told her about his passion about digital media and social media field and Smita instantly told him, “Why don’t you handle my social media account? I want to do many things on my social media, I have seen many actors keep doing great stuff on their social media accounts, I would also like to give it a try and we can work it out together.” This was the first opportunity Shrinivas got for his social media career, the very first step. Since then Shrinivas started to manage Smita’s social media account. Of course, later on he handled many celebrities very well.

Shrinivas is well-known for producing music albums Mann He Wede and Mann Halwese. He has acted in films like Sawai Sarjachya Navana Changbhala and Hichyasathi Kay Pan along with many superstars from Marathi entertainment industry. As mentioned above he has worked his way out in succeeding but according to him the most important step for all of this was that first step as a social media manager. He says “I feel very grateful to Smita Shewale for believing in me when I was new. It’s her faith in me that boosted my confidence and made me put my best efforts. Social Media Manager is connected to his client on a very personal level; so, it’s his responsibility to keep all the secrecy and understand what is in the best results for his client. I am very grateful for Smita’s constant support since the start of my career. She is a true friend.”