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Saturday 26 March 2022

Trouve Motor, an IIT-Delhi incubated start-up teases its first Global Electric Hyper-Sports Bike


 

·         The superbike will come in a fully-faired sporty design, with a top speed of 200 kmph, and offer digital-first mobility features like LED advanced infotainment display, GPS navigation, and real-time vehicle diagnostic, among others

·         Trouve will officially launch its first bike and start pre-booking in beginning of second-half of 2022

·         Trouve Motor will be the first blockchain integrated EV Company with its own metaverse ecosystem and will come with a unique rewarding system for its users.

·         Trouve will be a global brand and once launched will be one of the safest two-wheelers in the world.

·         The brand will also roll out more new models like Naked Street Bike, Enduro and Scrambler in the coming months 

 

New Delhi: 24th March 2022: Trouve Motor, an IIT-Delhi incubated startup, teased the launch of its latest electric hyper-sports superbike. The suave looking superbike is claimed to run at a top speed of 200 kmph with an acceleration capability of 0-100 kmph in just 3 seconds. 

 

Trouve Motor, which is one of the first full-fledged premium electric bike manufacturers globally has mentioned that the superbike will be an all-electric powertrain that combines a liquid-cooled AC induction motor generating 40 kW power. Powered by an AI-enabled system, the superbike will include new-age features like a laser lighting package, LED advanced infotainment display, 360 CameraTFT touch screen display, connected features, GPS navigation, real-time vehicle diagnostic, Brembo brakes with dual-channel ABS, adjustable suspension, and many more patented technologies first to be seen in two-wheeler segment across the globe. More features will be revealed soon.

 

Trouve will officially launch its first bike and start pre booking in the beginning of the second half of 2022One can now submit interest in buying Trouve's range of products on the company's website www.trouvemotor.com.

 

Arun Sunny, Founder of Trouve Motorsaid, “We are excited to reveal the launch of our latest superbike. We are confident that our products will cater to our moto the future of electric vehicles and it will transform the way consumers ride bikes and revolutionize the electric two-wheeler segment forever. It comes equipped with exceptional new-age mobility features that will not only make bike riding more comfortable but also tech-savvy and digital-first like never before.”

 

Trouve Motor, an IIT-Delhi incubated start-up teases its first Global Electric Hyper-Sports Bike

 

Just a fortnight back Trouve Motor joined FasterCapital’s Raise Capital program to raise about $3M for its seed funding round. Through this program, FasterCapital, one of the top venture capital firms based in Dubai, will connect Trouve Motor with its vast network of angel investors through warm introductions and mutual connections to achieve the highest response rates possible.

 

Trouve Motor aspires to accelerate the world’s shift towards electric mobility with its portfolio of unique products. Trouve Motors has five more models in the pipeline, including classic, cafe racer, Naked Street Bike, Enduro and Scrambler. These upcoming bikes are being designed and developed from scratch at Trouve’s R&D centre in IIT Delhi and its facility at Bangalore.

UNESCO and NCPEDP collaborate on Inclusive Education for GDS 2022 Side Event

                                          UNESCO_logo_hor_blue

 


 

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) a cross-disability, non-profit organization, in collaboration with UNESCO, New Delhi organized a virtual Side-Event on the theme of ‘Inclusive Education’, one of the themes of the Global Disability Summit (GDS 2022). 

 

The goal of the virtual event was to understand the impact of Covid-19 on inclusive education of children with disabilities through a South-Asian perspective. The event also aimed to identify key issues and challenges for inclusive education for students with disabilities in the region with a particular focus on how to ensure equitable access to technology to ensure online education. The discussion centered around sharing best practices in imparting disability inclusive education and suggesting recommendations to formulate a regional mechanism and move towards achieving SDG 4 targets in South Asia.

 

Joyce Poan, Chief of Section – Education, UNESCO New Delhi stated, “Considering the losses to learning caused due to the continuous shutting down of schools, the impact on the education of students with disabilities has been devastating. If we are to accelerate progress towards SDG 4 and make education truly universal, we must ensure that it is inclusive and equitable”.

 

At times like this, an ‘inclusive education’ system that includes all and enables equal participation for all who are vulnerable assumes greater significance.  The Side Event for GDS 2022, we hope, will give voice to countless students with disabilities as they pursue their education. As we recover from the impact of the pandemic, we must ensure that an Inclusive education should be the yardstick for any rebuilding and re-envisioning of education globally.

 

The event commenced with welcome remarks by Mr. Arman Ali (Executive Director, NCPEDP), who stated, “The pandemic has pushed us decades behind and it is a critical time to re-think of an inclusive education system that includes all and enables equal participation. The GDS 2022 has given us the opportunity to come together and form a South Asian Regional mechanism to move towards advancing the goal of SDG 4.”

 

Summarizing the discussion, Ms. Huma Masood, National Programme Officer, Education and Gender, UNESCO New Delhi noted that, “The roadmap to achieve the inclusive education goal necessitates converting commitments to actions. UNESCO is leading Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 globally and is responsible for coordinating the international community to achieve this goal through partnerships, policy guidance, capacity development, monitoring and advocacy. It therefore requires regional collaboration and the engagement of all stakeholders to tackle educational challenges and build systems that are inclusive, equitable and relevant to all learners. In this context one of the recommendations would be to set up or join the existing Consortium of organizations and experts, Institutions for South Asia”.

 

The speakers for the event included Ms. Salma Mahbub; Founder General Secretary, Protibondhi Nagorik Shangathaner Parishad- Bangladesh, Mr. Pema Chhogyel; Deputy Chief Program Officer- Inclusive and Special Education, Department of School Education, Ministry of Education- Bhutan, Ms. Sruti Mohapatra; Chief Executive-Swabhiman - India, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed; Chairperson, Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities - Maldives, Mr. Amar Bahadur Timalsina; Global Network Coordinator for IDEA – Nepal.

Celebrating the 10th edition of the ‘Global Money Week’





Krisha Foundation Organizes Financial Literacy Rally in Association with Smt M M K College Bandra

Celebrating the 10th edition of the ‘Global Money Week’

The OECD and its International Network on Financial Education (INFE) support policy makers and public authorities to design and implement national strategies for financial education, individual financial education programmes, while also proposing innovative methods for enhancing financial literacy among the populations of partner countries. OECD/INFE is celebrating the 10th edition of the ‘Global Money Week’ through the 21-27th March’22. ‘Global Money Week’ is an annual global awareness-raising campaign on the importance of ensuring that young people, from an early age, are financially aware, and are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial independence, financial well-being and financial resilience.

In view of the above and in the 75th Year of India's Independence, Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav, Krisha Foundation a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Mumbai working towards the cause of investor education and Investor awareness in association with HSNC Board’s Smt. M M K College, Bandra organized the “Financial Literacy Rally” on Friday, 25th March 2022 from Jotu Kundnani Chowk to Bandra Station (West) and back.

More than 250 students participated in the “Financial Literacy Rally” shouting slogans “Learn, Save and Earn” on the theme of Global Money Week – 2022 which was “Build your future, be smart about money”. The students also organized a street play and drama on the importance of money management. The innovative way of spreading the message about learning finance was appreciated by the residents of Bandra West.

The rally was supported by BSE – IPF and CDSL – IPF. The event was presided by Dr (CA) Kishore Peshori, Principal, Smt. M M K College, Bandra the chief guest was Mr Yogesh Kundnani, Sr. Vice President, CDSL and the Guest of honour was Mr Bharat Dave, Sr Manager BSE- IPF and other dignitaries from Krisha Foundation, BSE-IPF, CDSL-IPF and Staff and Students of Smt M M K College, Bandra.

Viraj Singal, Head Investor Education and Awareness Initiatives, Krisha Foundation said, “More than 50% of the Population in India is less than 25 years of age and the in the 10th Year of Global Money week, the youth participated to spread the message of learning about money, saving and then allowing your money to earn for you. The Youth can bring about change and this rally made students and other stakeholders curious to learn more about money management”.

Dr (CA) Kishore Peshori, Principal Smt M M K College said “Students are encouraged to inculcate the habit of savings and investment and Financial Literacy is a life skill which has to be taught to every student irrespective of the discipline it should be blended in the curriculum of all Faculties.”

Thursday 17 March 2022

#FiveFilmsForFreedom returns for its eighth year showcasing LGBTIQ+ films from across the world

 



Indian short film SUNDAY by Arun Fulara is part of #FiveFilmsForFreedom.

  • Other films are from China, India, Croatia, Panama and the UK 

  • Local language subtitles for engaging greater audiences across the world.

  • Screenings in multiple Indian cities – New Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata Kharagpur and Guwahati 


Thursday, 17 March 2022: British Council in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival makes five LGBTIQ+ themed short films available for the world to watch online for free, over an 11-day period each year. 


Between 16 and 27 March 2022, a collection of compelling and thought-provoking stories from countries such as India, China, UK, Croatia, and Panama will be presented. Through these films, the audience will get to know more about the emerging LGBTIQ+ cinema across the world and understand the life and challenges faced by the community with themes including immigration, intimacy, and isolation. 


In India, British Council has partnered with The Queer Muslim Project, South Asia’s largest virtual network of Queer, Muslim and allied individuals, to celebrate and amplify the films. In addition to the films being shown online, the films will be screened across various cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kharagpur, Kolkata and Guwahati. The offline screenings are being co-hosted with some of the largest LGBTQIA+ student-led groups across three premier Indian universities. The curation also includes a series of reels and Instagram Live with popular Queer creators and youth media platforms, Yuvaa,  We the Young India and Gaysi Family, roundtable discussions featuring renowned filmmakers, and open mics!


Over 17 million people from more than 200 countries have viewed the Five Films For Freedom programme since its launch in 2015. This continues to include online engagement in countries where homosexuality can be prosecuted and, in some cases, punishable by death. The campaign further addresses the language barrier typically associated with international content, by providing subtitles in local languages such as Hindi.


Mumbai filmmaker Arun Fulara’s debut short film Sunday is part of this year’s #FiveFilmsForFreedom selection. The film, which has already travelled widely to more than 50 world festivals, examines the desire and loneliness of a middle-aged man on his weekly visit to the barbers. 


Speaking about Sunday, and the #FiveFilmsForFreedom campaign, Arun Fulara said: Sunday is a deeply personal film that came out of my own experience of loneliness and lack of intimacy in the urban sprawl that is Mumbai. To see that film transcend borders and touch so many people across the world is a testimony to how similar we all are, whatever culture and nationality we may belong to. The film started its journey just as the pandemic began and has, therefore, I feel, touched a raw nerve in these times of forced isolation and distancing. Being a part of the Five Films for Freedom campaign is a huge honour and deeply gratifying for our small team. While I am extremely glad that people across the world will now be able to see our film, I hope there comes a time when stories like this cease to be a reality.”


The other films on the list are:

  • British-Nigerian Director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s short film For Love, which focuses on illegal immigrant Nkechi and the unique challenges she faces due to her sexual identity

  • Croatian comic artist and animation director Marko Dješka’s animated film All Those Sensations In My Belly, which follows the story of trans girl Matia’s transition and her quest for love.

  • Panamanian Director Judith Corro first film as scriptwriter and director, Birthday Boy (Vuelta al Sol), a story about parents denying their son’s identity as a young trans man, and 

  • Chinese Director Hao Zhou delivers Frozen Out, an experimental short film that combines scenes from rural Iowa and rural China to explore anxiety, dislocation and self-exile.


Jonathan Kennedy, Director Arts India, British Council, said “Throughout the world, #FiveFilmsForFreedom present diverse and unique stories from some cutting edge LGBTIQ+ filmmakers. With our partners in India and the UK, we aim to achieve greater empathy for and solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community with thought-provoking short dramas on film. Arun Fulara’s beautifully subtle and sensitive film about a middle-aged man’s weekly Sunday trip to the barbers brings a richness to #FiveFilmsForFreedom from an Indian LGBTIQ+ perspective for an international audience. We are delighted to partner with The Queer Muslim Project and others in India to share a festival of screenings, discussions and new artworks inspired by this year’s films - in the certain knowledge that love is a human right.”  


Rafiul Alom Raman, Founder and Director, The Queer Muslim Project said: “We are truly honoured to be collaborating with the British Council to create a space that celebrates love and freedom. The #FiveFilmsForFreedom campaign has been a catalyst in promoting nuanced and intersectional representations of LGBTQIA+ stories and people from diverse cultures around the world. As a platform that uses storytelling for social change, The Queer Muslim Project recognizes and honours the power of short films to capture the subtleties of Queer experiences - the deeply personal moments and inflection points of LGBTQIA+ lives that are invisible in mainstream narratives. This year’s curation of FFFF in India includes powerful reels by young Queer creators, open mics bringing together performance and poetry, offline community screenings, and discussions with renowned filmmakers - all centred around the themes of the five films.”


British Council’s Director of Film, Briony Hanson, said: “This year’s films represent a selection of exciting voices from across the world, telling stories about the queer experience that is still rarely seen in many places. As LGBTQIA+ people across the world continue to fight for basic rights, #FiveFilmsForFreedom is as important as ever, driving home the message that love is a human right, no matter how we identify or where we are. We can’t wait for a global audience to enjoy them.”


Michael Blyth, BFI Flare’s Senior Programmer said: “#FiveFilmsForFreedom is an essential moment in the global queer film calendar, uniting people across the World by giving free access to an incredible selection of shorts films. Not everyone has the same level of access to LGBTQIA+ film and images as we do in the UK, and this opportunity to bring queer work to millions of people remains as vital and meaningful as ever. “


The films will be available to view from 16- 27 March 2022. To watch and for details on the India programme and events visit https://www.britishcouncil.in/events/five-films-for-freedom-2022


For further information please contact:

Aleem T Siddiqui for British Council || aleem.siddiqui@archetype.co || +91 9599563924


Notes to the Editor 

The programme 

Film Screening and discussion co-hosted by Ambar, the official gender and sexual diversity support, resource, and awareness group for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies at IIT Kharagpur. For details, contact Chinmoyee - 9609867673, Ujjwal 6296429800, Saswata 9830149802

16 March

6 PM IST

Netaji Auditorium, IIT Kharagpur

Film Screening and discussion co-hosted by IIM Ally, an  LGBTQ+ resource group of that works to create a safe space for the queer community driven by the support from students, teachers, staff and family at IIM Ahmedabad. For details, contact Aritra  - 80177 71150

16 March

7 PM IST

IIM Ahmedabad

Film Screening and Panel Discussion with speakers like Faraz Ansari and Zoya Lobo co-hosted by Harkat Studios , an international boutique arts studio based in Mumbai and Berlin RSVP on insider.in

20 March 

8 PM IST

Harkat Studios, Mumbai

Film Screening, Panel Discussion and Open Mic co-hosted by Anaajoree, a non-profit organization based out of Guwahati  with Poetry Couture

22 March

3:15 PM IST

Department of Women’s Studies, Gauhati University

Online Open mic with renowned Queer artists and performers co-hosted by Gaysi Family , a media platform and safe zone for queer desis

22 March

7 PM IST

Instagram- @gaysifamily

Film Screening at British Council, Kolkata 

RSVP at Arnisha.dey@britishcouncil.org

(Arnisha Dey)

25 March

6 PM IST

British Council Kolkata

Film Screening at British Council, Chennai

RSVP at Valavan.S@in.britishcouncil.org

(S. Valavan)

25 March

6 PM IST

British Council

Chennai

Film Screening and Roundtable on LGBTQIA+ representation in Popular Media, featuring prominent LGBTQIA+ leaders, artists, filmmakers and representatives from the British Council supported by Delhi-based Queer student groups  RSVP 

26 March

5 PM IST

British Council

Delhi

Film Screening and panel discussion with activists and filmmaker, Arun Fulara co-hosted by Orinam an all-volunteer unregistered collective of LGBTIQ+ people and allies based in Chennai. RSVP at orinam.net@gmail.com

27 March 

3:30 PM IST

ICSA, Egmore, Chennai





The films 

  • Sunday (India/Dir Arun Fulara/ 10 mins): When the middle-aged Kamble makes his weekly visit to the neighbourhood barber shop, it's not just for a shave. He can't wait to be touched by Jaan, the new barber-boy he has a crush on. It's the highlight of his otherwise dull existence as a married man leading a dual life in a society that resists homosexuality.

Sunday has already travelled widely to more than 50 world festivals including the Frameline Film Festival, Tampere Film Festival, London India Film Festival, Shorts Mexico, Inside Out Toronto and BISFF Bengaluru, with Director Arun Fulara winning the prestigious Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Filmmaker at the Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival in 2020 alongside the half a dozen awards the film has won internationally.

  • All Those Sensations In My Belly (Croatia/ Dir Marko Djeska/13 mins): While transitioning from male to female gender, Matia struggles with finding a genuine intimate relationship with a heterosexual man.

  • Frozen Out (China/Dir Hao Zhou/ 5 mins): An immigrant retreats to frozen prairies and forests, hoping to escape the anxieties of dislocation and find meaning in an endless expanse. Delivered as a letter to the protagonist’s sister in rural China, the film meditates on identity, self-exile, home and ties to family.

  • Birthday Boy (Vuelta al Sol) (Panama/ Dir Judith Corro/ 7 mins): It’s César's birthday and his parents expect him to wear clothes that make César feel uncomfortable. Now he has to make a decision – continue to please his family's expectations or be true to his identity as a trans man.

  • For Love (UK/ Dir Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor/ 12 mins): Illegal immigrant, Nkechi, lives happily in the shadows with her partner Martha. But when immigration officers turn up unexpectedly, the pair have to make difficult decisions about their future together.  


The Directors 

Arun Fulara: Arun Fulara is a writer and filmmaker based out of Mumbai, India. His debut short, SUNDAY, travelled widely to world festivals including London India Film Festival, Shorts Mexico, Inside Out Toronto and BISFF Bengaluru. Arun won the prestigious Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Filmmaker for Sunday at Kashish MIQFF in 2020. He’s previously worked as an assistant on award winning films like Ajji & Bhonsle with acclaimed filmmaker Devashish Makhija.

Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor: Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK when she was 16. In 2016 she produced Joseph A Adesunloye’s feature White Colour Black, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival. In 2020, Joy went on to produce Rapman’s debut feature Blue Story, was selected for the BFI Flare x BAFTA Crewmentorship programme and was identified as both a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and a BAFTA Breakthrough participant. In 2021 she completed Aml Ameen’s Boxing Day, her third feature as producer.  Having produced both shorts and features, For Love, made with BBC Film, is the first short film that she has written and directed.

Marko Dješka: Marko Dješka is an animation director, scriptwriter and comic book artist. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, Animated Film and New Media Department. His student films SLAUGHTERED (2010) and THE SON OF SATAN (2012), as well as his first professional film THE CITY OF GHOSTS (2016) have been awarded at numerous film festivals.

Judith Corro: Judith Corro is a Panamanian cultural manager, storyteller, communicator and passionate multi-tasker. She graduated in Writing and Psychology from Loyola University New Orleans, with a special interest in scriptwriting and gender issues. She currently works as Communications Chief in the NGO sector, and has created several published projects focusing on gender, identity, and community. The short Birthday Boy is her first cinematographic work (and hopefully not her last) as both scriptwriter and director.

Hao Zhou: Hao Zhou is a filmmaker originally from rural China and now based in the US Midwest. Zhou’s work centres on marginalized voices and less-seen spaces, with a focus on LGBTQ+ themes. An alum of both Cinéfondation Résidence and Berlinale Talents, Zhou has directed an indie feature, The Night, which premiered at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival. Most recently Zhou’s work has been supported by Art With Impact and the Iowa Arts Council/Produce Iowa. In 2021, Zhou’s short film Frozen Out won a Gold Medal at the 48th Student Academy Awards. 

About the British Council 

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. In 2019-2020 we reached over 75 million people directly and 758 million people overall, including online, broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 14.5 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. www.britishcouncil.org

About BFI Flare

BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival is the UK’s longest running queer film event. It began in 1986 as Gay’s Own Pictures. By its 3rd edition it was tagged the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and since then has grown to become the largest LGBTQIA+ film event in the UK, and its most anticipated. The Festival changed its name to BFI Flare in 2014 to reflect the increasing diversity of its films, filmmakers and audience. The festival is programmed by Grace Barber-Plentie, Jay Bernard, Michael Blyth, Zorian Clayton, Brian Robinson and Emma Smart, led by Festivals Director, Tricia Tuttle. The 2021 edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival was presented online with 26 virtual feature premieres and 38 free shorts screened from 23 countries on BFI Player. In a continued partnership between BFI Flare and British Council, the seventh edition of the global campaign #FiveFilmsForFreedom saw worldwide audiences of 1.7 million viewers engage with the five featured short films online. The 2022 edition runs from 16-27 March www.bfi.org.uk/Flare  

About The Queer Muslim Project

The Queer Muslim Project is South Asia’s largest virtual network of Queer, Muslim and allied individuals, with a growing global community of over 33K people. We use digital advocacy, storytelling and visual arts to create avenues for young people from underserved communities to express themselves, build community and forge creative collaborations. Our key focus areas include digital advocacy, art, culture and media, mental health and well-being, and feminist and Queer-affirming approaches to faith.


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