A community for seniors over 60 - SilverWings App from SeniorWorld

Fostering interaction between seniors to express and exchange viewpointss, now there is a social, wellness and fun community app platform for seniors over 60, 'SilverWings' has been introduced by SeniorWorld, India’s leading company focussed on making a positive difference to the lives of the elderly since 2015.

Rahul Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of SeniorWorld, shares his vision for the platform, stating, "With SilverWings, we aspire to give our beloved elders the wings to soar even higher and live their lives to the fullest - inspiring each other and younger generations along the way. The app has been designed based on the feedback received from our 3 Lakh plus seniors community on Facebook, which has one of the highest engagement scores among all FB communities” 

Social connect and engagement is a key need for the elderly with a staggering 65% urban seniors expressing loneliness as an issue. To address this, SilverWings has built the social aspect of the community around 4E's: express, engage, explore, and enjoy. The App publishes engaging articles and snippets every day, which provides seniors with an avenue to express and exchange viewpoints and experiences. Additionally, the app also fosters interaction between seniors who share common interests such as music, poetry, hobbies, travel etc making for more meaningful connections.  

 

Furthermore, seniors can attend technology classes to become more tech savvy, explore new experiences/hobbies, host events to share their expertise or even embark on group holiday tours with like-minded seniors. Most importantly, SilverWings ensures that seniors enjoy themselves with its wide array of fun sessions, games & quizzes etc. Says Mrs Mahajan- a single 68 year old SilverWinger from Noida "SilverWings is my daily dose of tonic for engagement and fun” 

With 70% seniors grappling with chronic disease, SilverWings offers a range of benefits to support their well-being. Seniors can enjoy daily fitness and meditation sessions, participate in live talks with doctors from renowned hospitals, access informative articles on health and wellness, set up medicine reminders, and conveniently keep track of their vitals in one place. Says Mrs. Sharma from Bhopal "SilverWings yoga is easy as it is specially designed for seniors. My husband has started doing chair yoga and the medicine reminders are very useful." 

To take care of safety, the SilverWings App has a digital SOS emergency button. With just a touch, the App automatically sends a distress message to designated emergency contacts with crucial information like the GPS location and medical history, and also initiates sequential and repeated calls to them, expediting the help they need. 

"The creation of the SilverWings app has been a labour of love," says MP Deepu, Co-Founder of SeniorWorld. "We have thoughtfully crafted this app using inclusive design principles and it is currently available for Android devices. It would be wonderful if everyone participates in this collective journey by helping their elderly family members install this app. It may possibly be one of the best things that you can do for them.” 

SeniorWorld vision is focussed on helping seniors lead more engaged, healthier and independent lives since 2015 by offering specially designed phones for seniors under the brand easyfone and assisted group holiday tours for seniors. 

Finest Indian artists to perform in Music, Theatre, Fine Arts, Crafts in Mahindra Group's various Cultural Festivals

A pioneer in promoting Indian art and culture ranging from rock music, performing and visual arts and crafts, Mahindra Group has unveiled the much-awaited Cultural Events Calendar for the year 2023-24 with incredibly enriching and impactful events that are a true celebration of Indian culture and communities that aim to ignite a vibrant cultural exchange and create a magnetic pull for artists from across the world while prioritising millennial engagement.

 

Aiming with its Cultural Outreach initiative to serve as a catalyst to preserving India’s traditions while ensuring that these cultural practices continue to flourish in the modern world.

 

The group is known to host some of the most talked about events in the country, playing a pivotal role in keeping the Indian cultural legacy alive across the globe with its tastefully curated events. Through time, these exclusive festivals with a strategic purpose have grown manifold in aspects of scale, footfalls and geographic locations, and have positively impacted the brand, its stakeholders and various art forms of traditional and contemporary India - leaving an indelible impression on its audiences.

 

And fuelled by this remarkable success, the group seeks to add greater impetus in enabling a spectrum of diverse audiences on an artistic discovery across North and South India via its cultural outreach initiatives.

 

Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) is the only national level recognition in the field of theatre; Mahindra Blues Festival - the biggest blues festival in Asia - has hosted worldwide legends like Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Johnny Lang, Popa Chubby, Jimmy Thackery and the likes. The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival launched in 2010 as a showcase of craft traditions, involving master craftsmen from the regions, has over the years transformed into a resplendent concoction of art, music, theatre, literature, dance, heritage, experiential exhibitions, and cuisine, in a grandeur intrinsic to Awadh. Mahindra Kabira Festival brings together the leading exponents of classical, folk and Sufi music and evocative poetry recitals, intending to be a beacon of love and hope in the Poet’s place of birth, while promoting the city’s cultural heritage.

 

In 2022-23, Mahindra Group resurrected the iconic Independence Rock fest which unfolded to be a roaring celebration of the genre, and also launched two new IPs - Mahindra Roots and Mahindra Percussion, all with an aim to offer a comprehensive symphonious experience comprising poetry, rock, classical, and folk music in multilingual forms. These powerful events together showcase artists and performances that strike a chord with everyone, particularly with millennials to strengthen their cross-cultural understanding and facilitate cultural preservation.

 

Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach at Mahindra Group, said, “People make culture, just as culture makes people. India’s culture is a melting pot of diversity, steeped in rich history and heritage, and infused with numerous art forms, dialects and languages, creating a fertile ground for artistic exchange. Our Cultural Outreach Initiative is meant to bring communities together and promote the many aspects of the Indian cultural landscape that remain unexplored, particularly from the lens of the youth. After prospering for centuries many arts are now fighting for survival, many are struggling for mere acknowledgement. In the face of modernization and changing societal values, preserving these artistic traditions becomes imperative to safeguarding India's cultural identity. The endeavour is to present these dwindling art forms in a modernized fashion to millennials, bring in relevance and reignite the affinity for them. We achieved this to a great extent through the Kabira, Sanatkada and Roots festivals last year. And so, we are thrilled to announce another year of power-packed cultural festivals and we hope it will drum up similar support and a loyal following for the years to come.”

Listed below are the upcoming programs that promise to take fans on a soulful, artistic journey with an element of discovery, making the fests the beating heart of Indian arts and culture.

Mahindra Independence Rock Festival (4th & 5th November 2023): The rock festival was initiated to revive the rock scene in India through music alone besides providing the young independent rock musicians with a creative platform to express non-conformist ideas, freedom of speech, inclusivity, and equality.

Mahindra Kabira Festival (15th - 17th December 2023): The Mahindra Kabira Festival is held annually on the historic ghats of Varanasi with an aim to unleash the mystic melodies and artistic vibes of the Poet-Saint Kabir and convey the essence of Kabir’s philosophy to new-age audiences.

Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (2nd - 6th February 2024): The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival is an annual five-day affair dedicated to a beautiful slice of Awadh’s syncretic culture.

Mahindra Blues Festival (10th & 11th February 2024): Asia's largest Blues festival, and emerging as an iconic Western music event that has now embedded itself in the cultural tapestry of Mumbai by continuously showcasing the world's biggest blues names at Mehboob Studios.

Mahindra Roots Festival (24th & 25th February 2024): Mahindra Roots Festival which made its debut this year, aims to revive and showcase India’s multifaceted cultural roots embedded in performing and visual arts while enabling young minds to rise from their roots. The festival spans theatre performances, tribal music forms, immersive storytelling, folk music, classical music and poetry in multiple languages to bring millennial and Gen Z audiences closer to a melting pot of voices and art intrinsic to the pulse of India’s cultural matrix.

Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards Festival (14th-20th March 2024): The META Awards has been serving as a platform that has levelled unknown theatre companies on the same stage with well-known ones. By far, the platform has presented over 100 theatrical masterpieces from all over India and is referred to as an institution that recognises, nurtures and promotes great theatre.

Mahindra Percussion Festival (23rd March 2024): The festival is a first-of-its-kind platform that traverses various music genres, led by resounding percussion beats while celebrating the heartbeat of music. Intending to democratise various art forms and with artists breaking creative boundaries, the Mahindra Percussion Festival evokes a celebration of rhythm that deeply stirs human emotions, creating a world-class cultural experience.

Over the years, the overwhelmingly positive reaction that these initiatives have received shows that Mahindra Group is fiercely committed and successful when it comes to the support and patronage of the arts. Recognizing India's penchant for extraordinary experiences, several companies have joined forces with Mahindra, including Hyperlink Brand Solutions which has conceptualised and executed four of the seven cultural events (I-Rock, MBF, MRF and MPF). The Cultural Outreach programme is designed for the long term and also amalgamated with philanthropic endeavours, much in tandem with Mahindra’s Rise philosophy, one that ultimately seeks to create a positive impact for the community, the brand and Indian arts & culture

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy opines that Every startup should have only one leader

The founder of Infosys speaks to Rohan Murthy on the issues of starting up, sacrifices, values and more. Narayana Murthy, took the floor at Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023 to speak in a candid conversation with his son, Rohan Murthy, Founder of Soroco..

The IIT alumnus was asked why he chose to become an entrepreneur. He answered, "Because I believe the only way society can remove its poverty is through the power of entrepreneurship, creating jobs, translating ideas into jobs, translating ideas into wealth, and enhancing taxes paid to the government."

When asked to list key attributes of entrepreneurs, he highlighted, "They must have the power of imagination. They must be comfortable with innovation, with doing something unusual. Passion fuels your energy, enthusiasm, and ability to achieve the target, and for this, the leader must have an articulated value system."

The next key step for any nascent business is hiring talent. He recommended, "My focus was on competence. Without that, nothing will happen. The second is the value system. In the beginning, everybody has to trust everybody else implicitly. The only thing the employees have are your words. For this, you must be authentic. When employees work as a team, in unison, there is a high probability of people buying into your vision, and that vision must have something in it for everybody."

On devising leadership and organizational structure, he suggests, "Every startup company must have only one leader. There cannot be two or three leaders. Just one leader." He adds, "Once the managerial phase comes in, you invite managers to create systems and processes, establish protocols, invite independent directors, and have a good governance mechanism."

Crippling uncertainty and self-doubt are common among all startup founders. Addressing pathways to tackle that, Mr. Narayana Murthy shares how he felt when his company went public, "When we went public, we were worried about whether we would do well or not." For navigating times when things get tough at the office and at home, he suggested, "You should not panic. During uncertain times, I would crack jokes in the office and talk to them about how other people have gone through such times as well, and how God is with us. Sometimes, logic doesn't suffice. There are moments when one must transcend logic, embrace faith, and believe in God."

Reminiscing about his roots, he elaborated on how selecting a career pathway wasn't as parent-regulated back then as it is today. He said, "Back then, they didn't ask us 'what are you going to do.' Somehow, that environment gave us much freedom. Acknowledging his wife's pivotal role during the early stages of building his business, Mr. Murthy expressed his gratitude for Mrs. Sudha Murthy, present at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023. He shares, "My wife stood by me when my colleagues were unsupportive."

The session also included Mrs. Murthy sharing her perspective as the first angel investor in Murthy's life. She shares the anecdote, "Living with a successful man can be extremely challenging. They are not ordinary individuals; they possess eccentricities and lack conventional logic at home, reserving it solely for the office. These accomplished individuals often have sky-high expectations, requiring their partners to juggle multiple roles simultaneously." She adds, "They expect their partners to be a wife, secretary, finance manager, nanny, advisor, and assume various other responsibilities. Failing in any one of these roles can have a profound negative impact on their well-being."

A number of budding startups present at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023 sought Murthy's perspective on the principle of good governance, to which he suggested, "Put the interest of the community ahead of your personal interest, in the short and mid-run, and you will emerge a winner in the long term. It is a philosophy that you either have or you 

India Positive Bihar Youth Conclave 2023 inspires Indian youth

Harnessing the power of technology and innovation to bridge the gaps, connect communities and empower the positive Bihar low-cost labour of Indian youth having advantage over China marked the enthusiasm and optimism in our country was the agenda at the India Positive Bihar Youth Conclave 2023 held on 4th July in Bihar. Captivating the audience with her soulful songs, Bhojpuri singer Deepali Sahay emphasised Bihar's need to promote art and culture in the event that aimed to foster unity, inspiration, and hope for a brighter future. 

  

The vibrant city of Patna came alive with optimism and enthusiasm as Under the esteemed auspices of India Positive, this remarkable event brought together esteemed dignitaries, influential leaders, and spirited youth that was graced by Sanjay Jaiswal, Rituraj Sinha, Manish Sinha, Dilip Sinha, Shashank Kumar, Aditya Arora, Deepali Sahay, Brigadier and, Uday Java who symbolically illuminated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

During the inaugural session, Manish Sinha, the Convener of India Positive delivered an impassioned address emphasizing the mission to empower the youth of Bihar and guide them towards the path of development. He proudly highlighted India's remarkable progress, ascending from the 10th to the 5th largest GDP in the past 9 years, a monumental achievement for our nation. He projected an even brighter future, confidently stating that “India is poised to become the world's third-largest economy within the next two to three years.” Sinha also emphasised the technological prowess of India's youth, underscoring that data consumption in India surpasses that of both China and America. Additionally, he celebrated the exponential growth of startups, with an impressive rise from 400 in 2015 to an astounding 9,500 registered startups in 2023. 

Sinha concluded his speech by expressing pride in India's global stature under the esteemed leadership of Prime Minister Modi, positioning India as the beacon of knowledge, progress, and enlightenment.

Sanjay Jaiswal,  Member of Parliament during the session said, "As we move ahead on the path of progress, let's focus on building strong infrastructure and sustainable cities. The 'Chanpatiya model' has reshaped the lives of labours. The advantage of low-cost labour that China has today,  the same advantage is also with Bihar today. Our top priority is creating a safe and secure environment for all. Through various development initiatives, we aim to unlock Bihar's true potential. Also, through comprehensive development initiatives, we aim to uplift Bihar, unleashing its true potential. Let us harness the power of technology and innovation to bridge the gaps, connect communities, and empower the positive Bihar youth. Together, we will create a brighter future, where opportunities flourish, dreams thrive, and Bihar shines as a beacon of prosperity.

 

Samrat Chaudhary, the BJP State President eloquently shed light on the challenges faced by Bihar over the past four decades. Chaudhary acknowledged the historical neglect of Bihar's infrastructure and the need for transformative change. Pointing to the exceptional progress achieved during the nine years of the Modi government, he urged the people of Bihar to embrace the transformative agenda of the BJP and envision a future where Bihar flourishes through industrialization, leading to ample employment opportunities for its youth.

 

Renowned Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad, participated in the event through a video conference and commended India's current position as a global powerhouse. Highlighting India's achievement as the world's largest data consumer with the most affordable rates, Prasad proudly revealed that India has emerged as the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally, housing an impressive 270 mobile factories.

 

Dilip Sinha, President of the IPF Bihar Council, eloquently emphasised the untapped potential of Bihar, India's second-most populous state. Sinha underscored the need for investments in Bihar, recognising the exceptional talents and entrepreneurial spirit of the state's artisans and youth, who are diligently creating employment opportunities through English and computer skills. Joining the chorus, Aditya Arora, COO of Phad Capital, emphasised the flourishing startup ecosystem, with investments pouring into startups from small towns. Arora announced plans to initiate a startup venture in Bihar, further igniting the spark of entrepreneurialism among the state's youth.

 

Rituraj Sinha, National Secretary BJP, enthusiastically declared India's ascent to the world's fifth-largest economy under the Modi government, applauding the enhanced global reputation of our beloved nation. Ajay Alok, the BJP's national spokesperson, emphasised the importance of promoting startups in Bihar and urged the youth to embrace diverse career opportunities beyond the realm of government jobs.

 

Adding a melodious touch to the conclave, renowned Bhojpuri singer Deepali Sahay captivated the audience with her soulful songs, emphasising Bihar's need to promote art and culture. Meanwhile, BJP MLA and accomplished shooter Shreyashi Singh praised the Modi government's unwavering support for sports, igniting a wave of enthusiasm among aspiring athletes. BJP MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, echoing the sentiments of his fellow participants, celebrated Bihar's remarkable progress under the NDA government.

Rajat Sharma of India TV Becomes Most Followed TV News Personality in the World on Twitter

A pioneer in Television News show 'Aap Ki Adalat' where he grills celebrities across various professions, sports persons, politicians and even spiritual preachers, Rajat Sharma has achieved the status of No.1 Television News Personality in the World. He also has a daily news show 'Aaj Ki Baat' on India TV.
 
In a remarkable achievement, Rajat Sharma, the esteemed Chairman of India TV, has amassed a staggering 10.7 million followers on the popular social media platform, Twitter, making him the most followed TV news personality in the world. The news of his milestone has sent waves of excitement through the media industry, making Rajat Sharma one of the most followed personalities in India. This has been revealed in Muck Rack’s ‘The 2023 State of Journalism on Twitter’ report.
 
Rajat Sharma, known for his astute journalism and fearless reporting, has always been a household name in the Indian media landscape. His credibility, integrity, and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth have earned him immense respect and trust from his viewers. Now, his influence has extended to the digital realm, where his followers eagerly await his insightful tweets.
 
Twitter, a platform that thrives on real-time engagement and succinct expression, has become an essential tool for journalists and media professionals to connect with their audience on a personal level. Rajat Sharma's meteoric rise in followers is a testament to his ability to capture the attention and interest of a vast online audience. His popularity on Twitter also speaks volumes about his popular courtroom interview show ‘Aap Ki Adalat,’ aired continuously since last 30 years and ‘Aaj Ki Baat,’ which is aired weekdays, 9pm on India TV.
 
With his Twitter account, Rajat Sharma has successfully bridged the gap between traditional media and the digital age, providing his followers with a direct channel to stay informed, voice their opinions, and engage in meaningful discussions.
 
Upon achieving this significant milestone, Rajat Sharma expressed his gratitude to his followers, stating, "I am overwhelmed and humbled by the support and love I have received on Twitter. It is truly heartening to see people from diverse backgrounds come together on this platform to engage in constructive conversations. I will continue to use this platform responsibly and strive to provide accurate and unbiased information."
 
As the Chairman of India TV, Rajat Sharma has been at the forefront of the media industry, shaping public discourse and highlighting critical issues that affect society. Now, with his remarkable Twitter following, he has further solidified his position as a trusted voice in the digital space.
 
The 10.7 million followers milestone has marked a new chapter in Rajat Sharma's illustrious career, propelling him to even greater heights as he continues to inspire and inform through his journalistic endeavors. As the nation eagerly watches, the anticipation of what Rajat Sharma will achieve next in the ever-evolving media landscape is palpable.

Surge in Leisure travel this monsoon

Conventionally, it was  during the monsoons, that leisure travelers would easily get bookings in their favourite hotels in tourist places and at a heavy discount. Of late, particularly during this rainy season there is an upsurge in bookings for leisure destinations during the monsoon season, it is evident that travelers are embracing the freedom of traveling any time, any day.

 

This monsoon has showered a new life into the earth, giving travel enthusiast a perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the lush beauty and serenity of nature. As monsoon sweeps across the country, global hospitality technology company, OYO, shared some interesting travel trends. As per the company, there is a 32% uptick in booking demand during the monsoon season as compared to last year.

 

The surge in travel demand is primarily driven by leisure destinations, highlighting a growing inclination among travelers to embark on vacations during the rainy season. Conventionally, vacations have been primarily associated with the summer season, but this trend indicates a shift in preferences, with individuals now seeking delightful getaways amidst the monsoon showers.

 

With 124% increase in travel demand, mountains are the clear favourite this monsoon. The top mountain destinations that have captured the imagination of travelers this monsoon are Nainital, Mussoorie, Shimla, Lonavala, and Ooty. With their serene landscapes, picturesque views, and pleasant weather, these destinations have become sought-after choices for those seeking a rejuvenating getaway amidst nature's lap.

 

Beach destinations also witnessed an uptick of 112% compared to last year. Among beach destinations, Goa and Pondicherry emerged as the top choice, followed by destinations like Digha, Alibaug, and Kollam, indicating an increasing desire among travelers to explore offbeat destinations this monsoon.

 

Spiritual destinations also witnessed increased traction during monsoon, with Varanasi, Puri, Tirupati, Amritsar, and Haridwar emerging as the top choices.

 

With the  Traditionally, summer has been the peak travel season, but the current trend showcases an interesting shift in preferences. People are now seeking to unwind and rejuvenate amidst the monsoon's charm, underscoring their yearning to create cherished memories whenever wanderlust strikes. 

Pachmarhi Monsoon Marathon 2023 targets enhanced participation

The 5th Edition of Pachmarhi Monsoon Marathon expects 1,000 participants set to take place on 23rd of July. This target is double of the participants in the last edition.

During the monsoon season, the Queen of Satpura in Madhya Pradesh adorns herself with a captivating wet cloak, enchanting all those who seek natural beauty and tranquility in her presence. Amidst this picturesque weather, numerous adventure enthusiasts are eagerly preparing to go on a journey to this hill station, seeking both thrills and awe-inspiring experiences.

There will be 4 marathons on course for 3 age categories and the registration will be open for the first 1000 participants only. 

 

Set to take place on July 23, the Pachmarhi Monsoon Marathon attracts runners from all corners of the country. Organized collaboratively by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and Adventure & You (AK connect), this event will witness the spirited participation of both the young and the young-at-heart across four different categories.

"This marks the fifth edition of the marathon. When we commenced this event five years ago, our goal was to attract approximately 500 participants. This time around, registration is already underway, and we are nearing the 1000 participants mark. To ensure optimal facilities and infrastructure for all participants, we will close registration at 1000," mentioned Yuvraj Padole, the deputy director of the MP Tourism Board and the event's organizer, while expressing the marathon's commendable standing among professional athletes.  

 

He further added, "It is particularly exciting to witness the overwhelming response to the 42-kilometer full marathon category, introduced last year, in addition to the 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer, and 21-kilometer runs. This exhilarating event not only invigorates tourism during the quieter monsoon months but also creates employment opportunities within the region."

The buzz surrounding the marathon, set to take place in the Narmadapuram district, has already begun. Officials are working to further enhance the natural beauty of Pachmarhi, adding vibrant elements to make the event even more spectacular.