Author: The Metrognome

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Listen

Live music, at a mall near you

A Kandivali-based mall has started a musical initiative where new artistes will get to perform for free for live audiences.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Mumbai’s big malls are certainly laying the red carpet down for its patrons. After Phoenix Mall hosted an art walk in September, the city’s suburbs will now get a taste of live music every Friday.

Shoppers headed to Growel’s 101 Mall in Kandivali will now be treated to musical performances by singers and musicians every Friday, as part of the Mall’s ‘Fun Friday’ initiative. The initiative aims to provide a platform to budding artistes from Mumbai to showcase their talent. The first performances took place last week on November 28, when Sonu Kakkar and Siddharth Basrur.

The Mall’s ozone area is to be used for the purpose. Said Rajiv Bhatia, COO, Retail and Real Estate, Grauer & Weil (India), “We want to develop the Mall as the newest venue for fresh talent, especially from the neighbourhood. In a space-starved city like Mumbai, such an initiative is bound to get a hands-down support from people.” He added, “New artistes who are extremely talented still find it difficult to acquire venues since most of them charge exorbitant amounts. We wish to provide a stage to such artistes free of cost so that they can showcase their talent. The mall has robust footfalls, especially on weekends beginning Friday, which is what led to the genesis of the Fun Friday concept.

“Good footfalls will ensure that the artistes have a great audience. That will definitely be encouraging for them.” The management hopes that the initiative will be a double treat for shoppers, too, as they can listen to some of the best new music as they shop, eat or simply hang out at the mall.

(Pictures courtesy Growel’s 101 Mall)

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Tech

Celkon and ZTE launch two new phones

Celkon’s first Windows phone, a low range device, comes to India; while ZTE’s mid range phone is named the Grand SII.
by Manik Kakra | @Manik_K on Twitter

As announced by the company a few days back, Celkon has launched its first Windows Phone device in India two days ago. The phone is named WIN400, and caters to the low-end smartphone segment.

The WIN400 (in image above) features a 4-inch (800 x 480) screen and runs on Windows Phone 8.1. Under the hood, there is a Snapdragon 200 chipset (1.2 GHz quad-core processor, Adreno 203 GPU) along with 512 MB of RAM. On the back, there is a 5 MP (AF) camera (with an LED flash), while the front has a 1.3 MP camera. The phone comes loaded 1,500 mAh battery unit and with 4 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB using a microSD card. Connectivity-wise, there’s 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, GPS, and microUSB 2.0. The phone comes in black, and is available for Rs 4,979.

ZTEZTE also launched its new mid-range smartphone, the Grand SII (in pic on left). The device runs on Android 4.2 with Mi Flavor UI on top. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 chipset coupled with 2 GB of RAM. The Grand SII features a 5.5-inch (1920×1080) screen and is equipped with a 2,500 mAh battery unit. There’s 16 GB of internal storage, which is expandable. The rear sports a 13 MP camera, and the front has a 5 MP camera.

It also boasts 3G and 4G LTE connectivity options along with Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, microUSB 2.0, and FM Radio. The phone comes in only silver-black colour, and is available exclusively from Amazon at Rs 13,999.

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Deal with it

When a blanket steps in to fight dengue

Two Mumbai based sisters and entrepreneurs are taking the gentle route to fighting dengue and malaria with a mosquito-repelling blanket.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Mumbai is currently grappling with an unprecedented crisis brought on by the spread of dengue and malaria. The city has already reported almost 700 cases of dengue with almost 20 lives lost due to the dreaded illness. The malaria count is almost ten times more, say municipal authorities.

Adding to the fight against the disease, after mosquito-repelling sprays and fogging by BMC authorities, are two Mumbai sisters Shreya and Kasturi Poddar, who have created a mosquito-repelling blanket that is said to be an effective tool to fight mosquitoes. The blankets were recently distributed to underprivileged children from Ashok High School in Gurgaon last week.

Shreya and Kasturi PoddarShreya and Kasturi (in pic on left) are the directors of Nidra Home, makers of Mos-Quit-O blankes. After the distribution event, Shreya said, “Nobody is safe from dengue and malaria. Research suggests that even two inches of water, in a puddle or in a potted plant, is enough for a dengue mosquito to lay eggs. This means preventing dengue is impossible without a foolproof method of repelling mosquitoes inside every home.”

Mos-Quit-O has been developed and marketed by the entrepreneur sister duo who set up Nidra Home. After degrees in textiles and design (from the Chelsea College of Art and Design, London), a short stint with the Fashion Institute of New York and a general restlessness with the monotony of their family export business, Kasturi longed to do something never done before in retail. “During my research, I stumbled upon the concept of mosquito repellents embedded in fabric. That’s how Mos-Quit-O was conceived.” After year-long trials, chemical tests and technical specs were finalised, psychology post-graduate Shreya brought in her marketing acumen in the supply chain and distribution of the product. Nidra Home has recently launched a baby version of this blanket.

Mos-Quit-O claims to be free of odour and side effects. According to the World Health Organisation standards, Mos-Quit-O blankets have been deemed 100 per cent effective as a repellent even after 50 washes, and perfectly safe for infants and toddlers. “If you wash it once a month, Mos-Quit-O proves effective for more than four years,” Kasturi explains. The blanket is priced at Rs 1,999 and the baby blanket costs Rs 999.

“The blanket works out to be cheaper than plug-ins which require constant refills, expensive creams, ineffective wristbands or patches,” Kasturi explains. “It is especially convenient to repel mosquitoes around infants and toddlers on whom creams and plug-ins prove harmful.”

Said Shaina NC, BJP politician and spokesperson, who distributed blankets at the school, “There has been a steep rise in the numbers of dengue and malaria. I have observed that young children, often without access to clean amenities and hygienic surroundings, are most vulnerable. A large committed effort is needed to combat health issues in our city. At this point, creating awareness about mosquito prevention is most crucial.”

Mumbai in the grip of dengue and malaria:

– More than 690 cases of dengue detected in Mumbai.

– The city is the second to rural Chandrapur in being the worst-affected in Maharashtra.

– Surprisingly, 85 per cent of all cases have come from affluent and middle class localities in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

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Achieve

Sachin Test farewell image wins national photo award

Mumbai’s Mid Day photojournalist Atul Kamble continues to win laurels for his iconic image capturing Sachin Tendulkar’s last Test match.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Atul KambleMumbai-based news photographer Atul Kamble’s world-famous image of cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar’s last Test appearance in Mumbai has won the prestigious MFI-Yes Bank ‘Picture of the Year 2013’ award at the National Press Photo Contest 2014.

Mid-Day photojournalist Atul Kamble’s iconic photograph captures Sachin Tendulkar step out of the dressing room at Wankhede stadium to bat in his final Test innings as spellbound fans jostle to capture the historic moment, last November. The photograph was chosen among over 8,000 images submitted by over 240 photojournalists from across India for the MFI-YES BANK National Press Photo Contest 2014.

The photograph was selected unanimously as the ‘Picture of the Year 2013’ by the three-member jury of the contest which included award-winning photojournalists Pablo Bartholomew, Arko Datta and Rafeeq Ellias.

41-year-old Kamble, whose image also won the first prize in Sport category, will be awarded the grand prize of Rs 75,000 at an awards ceremony scheduled in Mumbai on December 19, 2014. 22 other photojournalists who won prizes in six categories will be also awarded cash prizes worth Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 at the ceremony.

“I am very happy. I have been participating in MFI-YES BANK National Press Photo Contest since its inception and it is wonderful to win this prestigious award,” said Kamble after learning of his win.

Jury member Pablo Bartholomew, multiple award-winning photojournalist known for his iconic image of a child victim of Bhopal Gas Tragedy, said “The photograph captures Sachin Tendukar’s retirement from sporting life. The picture sort of epitomises an icon within that frame and that’s why it is important. For once, we are not leaning towards issue-based or conflict-based image, but it is a historic moment.”

“A cricketing legend bidding goodbye, bathed in a warm light, ‘alone’ –– despite the adulation of his cellphone waving fans. There were indeed events of more far-reaching impact during the year but no picture seemed to capture them as decisively and as poignantly,” said Rafeeq Ellias, who straddles many worlds that include photojournalism, advertising, cinema and design.

“Sports images are rarely given the highest honour in any photography competition but this was a compelling image that stood out… It is an image that beautifully combines form and narrative,” said jury member Arko Datta, whose iconic images of 2002 Gujarat riots, and the Indonesian Tsunami, are well-known.

The MFI YES BANK National Press Photo Contest is currently in its fourth year. The ‘Picture of the Year’ award has been won by independent Kashmiri photojournalist Showkat Nanda in 2011, India Today’s Mandar Deodhar in 2012, and Delhi-based photojournalist Chinky Shukla in 2013.

Categories
Tech

This just in: Microsoft Lumia 535

Launched in India at a price of Rs 9,199, this smartphone is Microsoft’s first Windows handset under its own brand.
by Manik Kakra | @Manik_K on Twitter

Microsoft’s first Windows Phone handset under its own brand, the new Lumia 535, has been launched in India two days ago. The phone marks the beginning of Microsoft phones in the Indian market, while the low-end feature phones will continue to be under the name Nokia.

Running on Windows Phone 8.1 (with Lumia Denim Update), the Lumia 535 features a 5-inch (540 x 960) screen with Gorilla Glass 3 on top, and comes loaded with many Microsoft apps and services like Offices, OneNote, OneDrive, Xbox app, and more. Under the hood, there is a Snapdragon 200 SoC (1.2 GHz quad-core processor, Adreno 302 GPU), along with 1 GB of RAM.

On the back, there is a 5 MP (AF) camera (with an LED flash), while the front has a 5 MP wide-lens camera. There’s 8 GB of on-board storage, which can be expandable up to 128 GB, plus, 15 GB of free OneDrive storage space.

This dual SIM handset sports Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, microUSB 2.0, WiFi, 3G connectivity, and 3.5 mm headset jack. Weighing about 146 grams, the phone packs a 1,905 mAh battery unit.

The Lumia 535 goes on sale later this week at Rs 9,199, and comes in bright green, bright orange, white and black colour options. The user will also get free 500 MB of 3G data from Vodafone for the first two months, 2 months of BoxTV subscription, free recharge from PayTM worth 600 bucks, and free EBooks from Flipkart worth Rs 1,500.

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Hum log

Longinus goes the Hollywood way…again

Choreographer Longinus Fernandes is working on his next Hollywood project after two big hits – this time, with the Wachowski siblings.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

It would seem like Hollywood can’t get enough of apna Longinus Fernandes, choreographer and overall great dancer.

After working with the likes of filmmakers Danny Boyle (on Slumdog Millionaire) and John Madden (on The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2), Longinus choreographed a Chinese film. He is now back with another Hollywood venture with the well-known Wachowski siblings – Lana and Andy.

Longinus confesses to being “excited and thrilled” about his new Hollywood project. “The artists and the crews [in Hollywood] are always well prepared and exceptional [at their jobs]. Working with the Wachowski siblings was a dream come true for me. The couple of weeks that I worked on the venture gave me some of the best moments of my life,” he says.

Tabrez Noorani of India Take One Productions brought Longinus on board for the Wachowskis’ new project, the Netflix series Sense 8. The siblings are currently shooting the series at a number of locations in Mumbai. Bollywood actors Anupam Kher, Purab Kohli and Tena Desae are part of the cast.

Longinus says, “I was ecstatic when I was approached by the Wachowskis. I am lucky to have always been blessed with good work and good people. The song sequence [that I choreographed] is in English and Hindi and I have mixed Bollywood dance moves with some hip-hop and jazz. The makers wanted me to choreograph the song in such a way that it had a blend of both Indian and Western dance forms. They wanted typical Bollywood moves in the song sequence and so I included desi moves from bhangra and combined classical dances, too.”

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