#India UK Dialogue

[news4nose]

Held yesterday in Delhi, the 2 plus 2 dialogue, serves as a means to discuss and evaluate all dimensions of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

[la-cinephile]

Why you should watch Nautilus

If you live in UK, Ireland or Australia, please watch Nautilus on Prime Video which was released last Friday.

It's a tv series serving as a prequel for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and even if it's not perfect, with low quality CGI, "simple" dialogues and a fast pace that doesn't serve the story, it's a real journey across all over the world, from India to exotic island and to the depths of the ocean, with good characters, girlpower (Loti my beloved!), some nice twists and a dark tone in some scenes even though it's family-friendly most of the time.

You may want to stop after episode 6, one the best episode btw, but if you watch the series and got attached to the story and characters, you will understand why I say you will wonder if you should continue but trust me, you have to, you won't be disappointed.

Just give a chance to this series, please

[terresdebrume]

Prompted by a fic I was reading: would Charles be likely to have learned Punjabi at home ? (As in, enough to actually be able to sustain a conversation in it, even a simple one, to say nothing of actual proficiency in the language)

My instinct is to say no for a couple of reasons

(Note: This is not to discourage people who want to write bilingual Charles! I just like thinking about people's relationship to languages and also it's relevant to my prep for my down on my knees series)

Rowland Sr. is a violent man who hit his son on the regular. Charles' dialogue implies that he did not hit his wife, but with a man like that the threat of it is never gone

Mrs. Rowland, per Charles, was "just quiet". This, plus the glimpse of her we have in the mirror and in Charles' trauma flashbacks implies a woman who likely survived in her house through self erasure and deference to her husband

Rowland Sr is explicitly likened to Devlin Sr, which suggests a controlling man who constantly found fault in Charles for varied and likely nonsensical reasons

All this leads me to think that for Charles to speak/understand Punjabi in canon would require his mother to be allowed to use Punjabi with him to a degree where he could have built actual fluency which to me seems... Unlikely to say the least.

First of all, like I said, Rowland Sr is a controlling asshole who wants to know everything going on in his house, which makes it unlikely that he would be fine with his wife and son having a "secret language" of their own, which means the first step to get bilingual Charles in canon would be to have bilingual Rowland Sr. Not impossible, but given the way people thought about language in the 60s/70s when he would have met his wife, unlikely imo.

Even IF Rowland Sr was somehow bilingual in Punjabi (which you could have if you wanted) I think it's important to remember that the way bilingualism is perceived right now on Tumblr is not necessarily universal. Assuming Charles spoke Punjabi at home, on top of all the assumptions above, also assumes:

His parents didn't subscribe to the wisdom of the time, which is still widespread, that hearing more than one language at home would impede the acquisition of speech for children

His parents felt that Punjabi would be important and/or useful and/or not an obstacle that he would have to overcome when trying to fit into British society at large. I don't know what would have been the consensus in the UK in the early 70s when Charles was born, but I can tell you that people of Charles' generation in France generally don't speak the immigrant parent's language because the attitude of the time was that to do so would be detrimental to the child (that said, the UK does integration differently so I could be missing something there)

There are other factors that can influence practice and understanding of a language: I imagine Charles' relationship with his mother would play a huge role there, as well as people's reactions to his usage of Punjabi outside the house (would he have people to practice with beyond his mother? If so, would he have wanted to?) and tbh you can probably make sense of a lot of permutations

But between the above and the fact that Charles' costume design makes no reference to his heritage that I could spot beyond the cricket bat* I think if Charles does learn Punjabi it's more likely to be a choice he makes as a teenager/after he dies than something he was taught at home

*He does have visible antiracist politics but those are not the same thing as a particular connection to India and Punjab, which I think would be a bit of a requisite for him to actively learn the language later on

[hedgehog-moss]

[1] `there are often translations available in other languages long before English ones` This is really interesting! I'm familiar with translation in games, where english is often a very early target (a small game might get 0-5 translations, depending on amount of text) because the size of the market is larger.

[2] Do you happen to know why this is different for books? Is it faster to come to a deal about publication rights for some other languages to get started on the translation? Is translation to english harder (at least from French) than to say, Spanish?

The literary translation situation has long been very dismal in the English-speaking world! I don’t know a lot about video games, but are localisations provided by the company that makes the game? Because if that's the case it makes sense that games would get translated into English as a priority. For literary translations which are imported rather than exported, other countries have to decide to translate a foreign author and anglo countries (US, UK and Canada at least) are not very interested in foreign literature. There's something known as the "3% rule" in translation—i.e. about 3% of all published books in the US in any given year are translations. Some recent sources say this figure is outdated and it’s now something like 5% (... god) but note that it encompasses all translations, and most of it is technical translation (instruction manuals, etc). The percentage of novels in translation published in the UK is 5-6% from what I’ve read and it’s lower in the US. In France it's 33%, and that’s not unusually high compared to other European countries.

I don't think it's only because of the global influence of English* and the higher proportion of English speakers in other countries than [insert language] speakers in the US, or poor language education in schools etc, because just consider how many people in the US speak Spanish—I just looked it up and native Spanish speakers in the US represent nearly 2/3rds of the population of France, and yet in 2014 (most recent solid stat I could find) the US published only 67 books translated from Spanish. France with a much smaller % of native Spanish speakers (and literary market) published ~370 translations from Spanish that same year. All languages combined, the total number of new translations published in France in 2014 was 11,859; in Spain it was 19,865; the same year the US published 618 new translations. France translated more books from German alone (754) than the US did from all languages combined, and German is only our 3rd most translated language (and a distant third at that!). The number of new translations I found in the US in 2018 was 632 so the 3% figure is probably still accurate enough.

* When I say it’s not just about the global influence of English—obviously that plays a huge role but I mean there’s also a factor of cultural isolationism at play. If you take English out of the equation there’s still a lot more cultural exchange (in terms of literature) between other countries. Take Olga Tokarczuk’s Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead; it was published in 2009, and (to give a few examples) translated in Swedish 1 year later, in Russian & German 2 years later, in French, Danish & Italian 3 years later, in English 10 years later—only after she won the Nobel. I’m reminded of the former secretary for the Nobel Prize who said Americans “don't really participate in the big dialogue of literature” because they don’t translate enough. I think it's a similar phenomenon as the one described in the "How US culture ate the world" article; the US is more interested in exporting its culture than in importing cultural products from the rest of the world. And sure, anglo culture is spread over most continents so there’s still a diversity of voices that write in English (from India, South Africa, etc etc) but that creates pressure for authors to adopt English as their literary language. The dearth of English translation doesn’t just mean that monolingual anglophones are cut off from a lot of great literature, but also that authors who write in minority languages are cut off from the global visibility an English translation could give them, as it could serve as a bridge to be translated in a lot more languages, and as a way to become eligible for major literary prizes including the Nobel.

Considering that women are less translated than men and represent a minority (about 1/3) of that already abysmally low 3% figure, I find the recent successes of English translations of women writers encouraging—Olga Tokarczuk, Banana Yoshimoto, Han Kang, Valeria Luiselli, Samanta Schweblin, Sayaka Murata, Leila Slimani, of course Elena Ferrante... Hopefully this is a trend that continues & increases! I remember this New Yorker article from years ago, “Do You Have to Win the Nobel Prize to Be Translated?”, in which a US small press owner said “there’s just no demand in this country” (for translated works); but the article acknowledged that it’s also a chicken-and-egg problem. Traditional publishers who have the budget to market them properly don’t release many translations as (among other things) they think US readers are reluctant to read translated foreign literature, and the indie presses who release the lion’s share of translated works (I read it was about 80%) don’t have the budget to promote them so people don’t buy them so the assumption that readers aren’t interested lives on. So maybe social media can slowly change the situation by showing that anglo readers are interested in translated books if they just get to find out about them...

[onepagelovestories]

I made a discovery/theory that I thought I might share in case it's of use or interest to anyone else!

How big is Valisthea?

TL;DR - It's just Scotland, Cymru (Wales), Ireland, and England but flipped upside-down and photo bashed a bit.

These are just purely my observations, so I'm throwing them into the void!

So, for fan fiction purposes (and just general peace of mind), I really wanted to figure out exactly how big the twins were, considering how insanely quick everyone moves around. This is obviously true for video games in general but I felt it a lot more in FFXVI than other comparable games imo.

There's not a ton to go off of, just some throwaway dialogue lines here and there that give you the general sense that you can move from one location to the next in a day or two primarily by foot (chocobos are a whole other side tangent, as is the Enterprise or whatever the hell Dominants are capable of).

Some of those specific references include;

The trip from Rosalith to Pheonix Gate and back taking an expected 5 days total (with Clive, Tyler, and Wade arriving that night despite the detour through the marshes),

The boat ride from Port Isolde to Drake's Breath taking 3 days,

Someone from the hideaway referencing that they leave for Lostwing each day for work. (Couldn't find the exact example don't quote me on that one.)

Twinsides/Origin being "Hundreds of Leagues" away from The Hideaway

There's probably a few others, but most of the other examples I could find were open to interpretation, merely implying that travel took place in the same day but could be interpreted to have been spread out over longer were it not for 'video game logic and scale'.

That being said, I like things being a little more grounded for head canon purposes and wanted to know how much down time was reasonable in and between trips back and forth.

In general, I feel like the game should have been spread out over the full 5 years. But understanding game development limits, I get why that'd have been a nightmare! So the time skip makes sense practically, and I just choose to headcanon that events are a little more spread out. (Like them taking the full year in 873, from Clive and Jills rescue to destroying Drakes Head, rather than a couple of weeks like it seems in game.)

Shout out to this reddit post for doing an awesome estimate based on an average measure of the aforementioned "hundreds of leagues" quote. This was my starting point.

They concluded that Valisthea was likely closer in size to India or Australia, which I like a lot in terms of Valisthea being a full-scale continent. However, it does mess with the timeline a lot.

Also, I'm from a large country so my sense of what is a "reasonable" distance is pretty thrown off compared to a lot of other places. A 2-5 hour (200-400km) car ride to another city is nothing in my head until you realize that distance would take 1-4 weeks to walk or even ride (Horse metrics. Again chocobos are weird and probably a bit faster due to being all terrain and more robust than horses but are also birds so I don't know what endurance levels carrying heavy loads would be like).

Soooo, I began looking for European contemporaries since the game is very eurocentric (and all the criticisms that come with that).

Which led me to the realization that Valisthea is literally just the UK and Ireland, but flipped.

Now. Am I 100% certain this is what the devs did? Of course not. Is it so damn close that I'm 99.9% certain? Yes. Storm is Britain, and Cymru. The Northern Kingdom and the Iron Kingdom are Scotland but broken up. And Ash is Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Major cities or points of interest all have approximate real-world contemporaries and even follow geographical features on the map in that there are matching rivers, topography and even highways.

The biggest giveaway to me was Pheonix Gate just literally being London, as well as Norvant Valley matching exactly in shape with an upside down Bristol Channel (which would put Caer Norvent in Swansea). Even The Greatwood lines up relative to a major national park (forgive me UK peeps, it's hard to tell from a map alone if that's all one giant forest or several parks smooshed together).

So, if we're working off that assessment, with the quote from Tomes where he mentions that Valisthea is a small continent, then the time/distance ratio makes a lot more sense!

Of course, by our world standards – the UK alone does not a continent make.

But I'm honestly ok with that? I'd rather the land mass be small to match the timeline rather than warp the timeline to match the land mass.

So, here's a list of some of my estimated real-world contemporaries for all major landmarks on the Valisthean Map. Of course, they don't line up 1-1, and are not at all reflective of the locations themselves. It's all just for a relative sense of scale.

Rosaria;

Martha's Rest - Oxford

Eastpool - Reading

Pheonix Gate - London

Rosalith - Cambridge

Port Isolde - Peterborough (ignoring that it's not on the coast)

Deadlands

Cid's Hideaway - Stratford-Upon-Avon

Clive's Hideaway - Birmingham

Sanbreque;

Lostwing - Tauton

Caer Norvent - Swansea

Northreach - Exeter

Oriflamme - Kingsbridge

Kingsfall - Salisbury

Dhalmekian Republic;

Kostnice - Leicester

Drake's Fang - Sheffield

Dhalamil - Derby

Dravozd - Wolverhampton

Tabor - Shrewsbury

Boklad - Lampeter

Ran'Dallah- Tregaron

Waloed;

Shadow Coast - Belfast

Eistla - Kinnegad

Edge of Infinity - Westport

Ravenwit Walls - Wenagh

Stonhyrr - Cork

Other;

Twinsides - Fishguard

Kanvar - Chester

Drake's Breath - Ipswich

Dzemekys - Aberystwyth

Going off of those locations, I was able to get the rough time/distance of certain trips (using google maps metrics in pure walking hours not how long it took them because of *variables*)

Routes;

Rosalith to Pheonix Gate: 86km, 20hrs

Hideaway to Pheonix Gate: 172km, 39hrs (to Martha's Rest: 67km, 15hrs; +Eastpool: 41km, 9hrs; then to Pheonix Gate: 64km, 15hrs)

Hideaway to Oriflamme: 295km, 68hrs (Hideaway to Lostwing: 184km, 43hrs. What shortcut Cid?? +Northreach: 48km, 11hrs; +Oriflamme: 63km, 14hrs)

Lostwing to Caer Norvent: 199km, 46hrs (Benedika and Co were at that fort for days, not hours. Also, how hard did Cid knock Clive out if it took more than a week to get back to the Hideaway after the Garuda Fight?)

Shadow Coast to Stonhyrr: 755km, 171hrs. (Shadow Coast to Eistla: 169km, 38hrs; +Edge of Infinity and back: 181km, 41hrs x2; +Stonhyrr: 224km, 51hrs) meaning crew were gone in Waleod for WEEKS.)

So, all in all a bit longer than in seems in game but still well within range given that they probably shaved off arbitrary travel days for narrative flow.

That being said, I love the potential of more "down time" moments. And it really shows just how often/long everyone would be gone from the Hideaway at any given moment.

It puts into perspective Gav's side quest, "You keep sending me wherever you need to, I'll keep going. Safe in the knowledge that I'll have a home to come back to." And how they all remark that they never seen each other, or how much their trips away together were really meaningful.

(Also kinda excuses the fact it took Clive and Jill 5 freaking years to get together. They were too busy walking everywhere!)

Is it possible to just pop down to Martha's for a quick supply run? Yes. But unless you're on a chocobo, you're camping out at Three Reeds then staying the night at the Inn before heading back. It's more of a 4-7 day trip rather than an afternoon and back.

Anyhow, I hope this all makes sense!

Now, time to go write about Clive/Cid camping overnight in the Greatwood together on Clive's first real night of freedom. 😭😭😭

[organchordsandlightning]

Speckled Band Part 3

"Can I be of assistance?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "Then I shall certainly come." "It is very kind of you."

extremely soft over this dialogue. watson is his partner, and holmes is still like ‘look, you can wait in the hotel if you want’

"Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession.

as someone with a hobby knowledge of the history of toxicology, it really is fascinating to see this as written in 1892. at this point, we have an okay-ish knowledge of what household things are poisonous (at the very least, the UK at this time was much better about banning stuff like arsenic in candy than the US) but we’re still about ... like, thirty-forty years out from being able to reliably identify non-plant-based poisons (like arsenic, etc etc) in the human body after death. a lot of poisonings got away with it because, frankly, a lot of people were getting accidentally poisoned all the time anyway, and if you couldn’t identify arsenic or what-have-you in a corpse ... no case!

Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a vise upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my ear.

"It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon."

“It is a nice household” mixed with watson’s “MY GOD!? A CHILD!?” is so funny

I do love that Watson is writing these stories down for publication, but he’s freely admitting to burglary here

How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for whatever might befall.

god I’m remembering how well-done this scene is in Granada, and you can really feel the tension here

I could, however, see that his face was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing.

oh holmes is SCARED scared “you won’t inject my body with an undetectable non-plant-based poison you son of a bitch”

"It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.

such a good reveal

Some of the blows of my cane came home and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience."

(a) snakish lmao (b) this brings up an interesting legal question of whether holmes is guilty of murder.  while I don’t think this falls under the legal definition of murder (no pre-intent) or manslaughter (frankly, it’s more self-defense than anything - you see a snake hissing at you, you gotta hit that bad boy with a cane, that it went back to its master and bit him is none of your business as far as you’re concerned) however, i did look up to see that the felony murder rule was still in place in the UK at that time (called constructive malice) -- essentially saying that the courts could attribute malice aforethought (’i’m gonna go kill that guy) to you if a death was caused during the commission of another felony (say .... burglary) EDITED WITH FURTHER LEGAL THOUGHTS -- HELEN INVITED THEM INSIDE THE HOUSE, I DON’T THINK IT COUNTS AS BURGLARY ANYMORE, SHERLOCK HOLMES IS MURDER-FREE

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.21

Holidays

Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia)

Agricultural Fair Day

Anti-Terrorism Day (India)

Battle of Iquique Anniversary Day (Chile)

Capitol Build Day (New York)

Circassian Day of Mourning

Daylilly Day (French Republic)

Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary)

Emergency Medical Services Day

EMS Health, Wellness & Resilience Day

End of the World Day

Feast of the Triple Scoop

521 Day

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Hug Your Interior Designer Day

Hummel Day (a.k.a. Sister Maria Hummel Day)

"I Need A Patch For That" Day

International Day of Statistical Literacy

Journée Nationale des Patriotes (National Patriots' Day; Quebec)

Keanu Reeves Day

Lilies and Roses Day (UK)

National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

National Mamey Day

National Memo Day

National Talk Like Yoda Day

Natura 2000 Day (EU)

Navy Day (Chile)

Passion Play Day (Germany)

Pogo Stick Day

Polar Explorer’s Day (Russia)

Purple Star of Jerusalem Day (a.k.a. Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon)

Rapture Party Day (2011 prediction by Harold Camping)

Recommerce Day

Red Cross Day

Saint Helena Day (Saint Helena)

Sanja Matsuri begins (Tokyo, Japan)

Send a Letter Day

Slap a Patch On It Day

United States Cyber Command Day

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UN)

World Fish Migration Day

World Meditation Day (UK)

World Tree Kangaroo Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Tea Day [also 12.15]

International Tennessee Whiskey Day

National Mourvèdre Day

National Waitstaff Day (a.k.a. Waiters and Waitresses Day)

Strawberries and Cream Day

World Chardonnay Day

Independence & Related Days

Malabon (City Founded; Philippines)

Montenegro (from Serbia, 2006)

New Zealand (Proclaimed a British Colony; 1840)

Southwest Vineland (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Valentia Riqueza and Grandeza (a.k.a. ValeVRG; Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

3rd Tuesday in May

International Dinosaur Day [3rd Tuesday; also 6.1]

National Stop Nausea Day [3rd Tuesday]

Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Festivals Beginning May 21, 2024

The Batch Festival (Bath, UK) [thru 5.26]

Sommeliers Choice Awards (Chicago, Illinois)

Feast Days

Adílio Daronch and Manuel Gómez González (Christian; Saint)

Agonalia (Ancient Rome) [also 1.9 & 12.11]

Albrecht Dürer (Artology)

Alexander Pope (Writerism)

Anastenaria (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Greece)

Andrew Bobola (Christian; Martyr)

Arcangelo Tadini (Christian; Saint)

Chen Dayu (Artology)

Christopher Magallanes, and other Saints of the Cristero War (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Twins: Beginning of Gemini (Astrology/Pagan)

Édouard-Henri Avril (Artology)

Emperor Constantine I (Christian; Saint)

Eugène de Mazenod (Christian; Saint)

Felix of Cantalicio (Christian; Saint)

Festival for Vevodus (God of the Dead, Swamps & Volvanic Movements; Ancient Rome)

Festival of Demeter (Greek Barley Mother Goddess)

Festival of Vejovis (Roman God of Healing)

42 Day (Pastafarian)

Franz Jägerstätter (Christian; Saint)

Free Money Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Godrick of Finkley (Christian; Saint)

Green Four-Net (Muppetism)

Harold Robbins (Writerism)

Helena of Constantinople (a.k.a. "Feast of the Holy Great Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles,” Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion)

Henri Rousseau (Artology)

Hospitius (Christian; Saint)

John Elliot (Episcopal Church)

Nestinarstvo (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Bulgaria)

Nost-na-Lothion (Elven feast for the birth of flowers; Lord of the Rings)

Ponder Pointlessness Day (Pastafarian)

Rudolf Koller (Artology)

Saint Camping’s Day (Discordian)

St. Luke (Positivist; Saint)

Theophilus of Corte (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown]

Pesach Sheni (2nd Passover) [13-14 Iyar]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 24 of 60)

Premieres

Agents of Fortune, by Blue Oyster Cult (Album; 1976)

Alison, by Elvis Costello (Song; 1977)

Annie (Film; 1982)

The Conquest of Everest, by John Hurt (Memoir; 1954)

Curtain Razor (WB LT Cartoon; 1949)

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (Film; 1982)

The Deep Blue Good-By, by John D. MacDonald (Novel; 1964)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Silent Film; 1908)

The Egg Hunt (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

The Foxy Pup (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Gimme All Your Lovin’, by ZZ Top (Music Video; 1983)

Godzilla vs. Kong (Film; 2021)

Gypsy (Broadway Musical; 1959)

Hassle in a Castle (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)

Hot Shots! Part Deux (Film; 1993)

Injun Trouble (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

I Sing the Body Electric! & Other Stories, by Ray Bradbury (Short Stories; 1969)

Lunch Poems, by Frank O'Hara (Poetry; 1963)

Mad Max 2 (Film; 1982)

Mask of Orpheus, by Harrison Birtwistle (Opera; 1986)

Maybellene, recorded by Chuck Berry (Song; 1955)

McCartney II, by Paul McCartney (Album; 1980)

Mouse for Sale (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Naked Came the Stranger (Adult Film; 1975)

Notting Hill (Film; 1999)

Ohio, by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Song; 1970)

The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty (Novella; 1972)

Pagliacci, by Ruggero Leoncavallo (Opera; 1892)

Past Perfumance (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be, sung by Doris Day (Song; 1956)

The Real World (TV Series; 1992)

The Return of the Pink Panther (Film; 1975)

The Rhinemann Exchange, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1974)

Riptide, by Vance Joy (Song; 2013)

The Road Warrior (Film; 1982)

The Secret of the Hittites, by C.W. Ceram (History Book; 1956)

Shrek Forever After (Animated Film; 2010)

Snow Excuse (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)

Sour, by Olivia Rodrigo (Album; 2021)

Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (UK Film; 1980)

Terminator Salvation (Film; 2009)

Touch of Evil (Film; 1958)

Twin Peaks: The Return (TV Series; 2017)

The Twisker Pitcher (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

Under the Boardwalk, recorded by The Drifters (Song; 1964)

What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye (Album; 1971)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Constantin, Josef, Julio (Austria)

Elena, Konstantin, Kosta, Kostadin, Kostadinka, Lenko, Stoyan (Bulgaria)

Dubravka, Eugen, Kristofor (Croatia)

Monika (Czech Republic)

Helene (Denmark)

Kindel, Konstantin, Kostel, Tiino (Estonia)

Konsta, Konstantin, Kosti (Finland)

Constantin (France)

Hermann, Konst, Wiltrud (Germany)

Constantine, Constantina, Elena, Elene, Eleni, Helen, Konstantina, Konstantinos, Lena, Nantia (Greece)

Konstantin (Hungary)

Angelo, Giulia, Vittorio (Italy)

Ernestine, Ingmārs, Vinija (Latvia)

Vaidivutis, Valentas, Vydmina (Lithuania)

Eli, Ellen, Helene (Norway)

Donat, Donata, Jan, Kryspin, Przecława, Pudens, Tymoteusz, Walenty, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz (Poland)

Constantin, Elena (România)

Zina (Slovakia)

Cristóbal, Virginia (Spain)

Conny, Konstantin (Sweden)

Constance, Constantine, Helen (Ukraine)

Adelric, Adiel, Audric, Keaton, Kendrick (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 142 of 2024; 224 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 14 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 13 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 13 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 22 Magenta; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 8 May 2024

Moon: 96%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Luke]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 64 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 1 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Gemini (The Twins) begins [Zodiac Sign 3; thru 6.21]

Saint Paul (Catholicism) [Month 6 of 13; Positivist]

[canmom]

a journal type post

i visited some of my grandparents today. I'll give their names, Jenny and Rick, since i doubt that's enough to be PII and it's hard to talk otherwise.

i haven't been able to see them in a long time, thanks to the pandemic. Rick is... likely pretty close to dying, and Jenny is also definitely struggling at this point.

of my four grandads (lots of divorcing and remarrying on both sides of the family) Rick was always the one that i had the hardest time with. he would be brusque and overbearing at the best of times, and cross lines at the worst, and the older i got i felt like he really stifled my granny, in their very traditional middle class marriage. but he's mellowed out a lot (both of them have really), and i found it much easier to spend time with him today, despite a ton of other stuff weighing on me.

we got to talking about books. it's funny, this is something I've never thought to connect with him on, even though he evidently reads a lot. he was very happy to tell me about his favourite authors, in a way that was so sweet and like. i honestly quickly lost a lot of that resentment i had felt towards him in the past. so i went home with my arms full of RF Delderfield and Barbara Erskine, and this prompted my granny to add on her favourites by Katherine Lynn Davis.

they're all historical novels of one sort or another, a long way outside my usual zone of literature. Delderfield writes about long duration social history revolving around the British people going through social change, his central character usually a young man returning from a war. at my age, my grandad had just left the RAF - i don't believe he fought in WWII, it might have been the period when National Service (conscription by another name...) was still in effect after the war and the UK geared itself up for the Cold War, but he stayed in for twelve years, apparently not enough to get a pension, leaving due to some kind of complications around a divorce that I didn't quite follow. he became a salesman - selling cardboard boxes I think? there's a lot I'm vague on. anyway, he's very fond of Delderfield, and it has something to do with Delderfield's prose, the particular feeling of Englishness it gives, but also the historical details - one of Delderfield's series charts the rise of motor transport in the UK, which I won't lie, I'm easily enough of a nerd to be curious about.

Erskine's books seem to follow a different template. just going by the blurbs, the general structure seems to be that a young woman in modern England is haunted by a connection to another woman a thousand years in the past, suffering under court politics or the witch trials or similar. so again, the theme of the past bearing on the present. Davis, i only have a couple of books so can't generalise, but this one's about three women from different parts of the world (Scotland, China and India) drawn together for a lot of high drama in the 1800s. the sequel seems to be about their descendants. it could be really cool or it could be awkwardly racist or it could be awkwardly racist but still interesting as an artefact of a time (...the late 80s), who knows. and this is all just... cursory examination of the blurbs.

all of these books are full-on doorstoppers. they're also... completely unknown to me, which is probably an indictment of how narrowly i tend to stick to my genre. not that there's a moral obligation to read widely, but it's good to be aware at least. anyway...

I kind of wear on my sleeve that my feelings about "Englishness" and "Britishness", the egregore, the entity that lays claim to me, are very negative. today I also watched an episode of the new BBC show about the founding of the SAS, with snappy action movie dialogue and expensive CGI and a pointedly anachronistic classic rock soundtrack, with the depressing feeling you get when you watch well executed propaganda. hard not to think about the release of this piece about the sacrifices of a roguish, brave, witty SAS coinciding with an ailing farce of a Conservative government and the death of the one (inexplicably) well-loved symbol of the British state, all that jazz. (coincidences - this had to have been in the works for some time - but still).

anyway. so... the idea of the spirit of the British people is liable to make me break out in a rash. don't tell me about that, tell me about the idea of "britishness" being replicated forcefully through history, imposed on successive generations, an eternal reproductive futurism motivating all manner of atrocity. so i feel like... if what people say about Delderfield is true, I might find it... challenging.

i am nevertheless curious about all three of these authors! not just a way to connect with my grandad in what could easily be his last year on this planet, though there... there is that. but also that social history angle... for all my bluster about how much I dislike this country, it's more that I dislike the idea of countries altogether, and having to belong to one. and on some level, a severe case of don't-lump-me-in-with-them-ism. knee-jerk anti-patriotism.

but reflexive loathing is no more revealing than comforting fantasies of national character. both of them assume a 'thing' into existence. finding loopholes to be like... well i like such and such British author but I have a defence of how they're acceptably critical of the country so it's ok, that's cheap.

what I do like is having at least some idea of how things got to be the way they are. I can't help being from here, so I could at least stand to understand 'here' a little better. around a decade ago, I walked back from Exeter's gender identity clinic with an older trans woman who could tell me when a bridge was made by looking at its materials. that's so neat that I still remember it! in the garden of the shared house in London where I rent a room was a stone disc with icons of the USSR on it. why was that there? the weight of the machine of history is overwhelming, Marx was right to call it a nightmare, but it is interesting. you can't just stop at 'this sucks'.

so if the ways of thinking that prevailed in the past were very different, they certainly aren't unrecognisable; it does no good to try to set myself above them and imagine I'm more enlightened. and like, that's just all my baggage anyway. i don't want to be unfair to any of these authors, and miss what my grandparents valued in them. (I'm too tired to look up Engels but I recall he had something interesting to say about a well written bourgeois novel.)

anyway, like i said, they're doorstoppers, and i still have like a third of Worth the Candle to read, so don't expect detailed comments for a little while. but it was eye opening in a way, it's too easy to remain blinkered in your little corner and box off the rest as something you'd have no interest in. i know where I'm at with sff and comics, but on some level i find the 'general fiction' shelves intimidating, with no idea where to start or the codes being deployed, and that's limiting. anyway I'll let you know what i think. eventually.

[aboutanancientenquiry]

The Classical tradition in India

The classical tradition in India, with Phiroze Vasunia

12 Ιουν 2013

n the sixth interview recorded during this year's Classical Association meeting, CC's Anastasia Bakogianni talks to Professor Phiroze Vasunia about his recently published book The Classics and Colonial India (OUP, May 2013). 

 He tells us about the impact of the Graeco-Roman classics in the age of empire (1750s-1945) and about the collision of cultures in India during this period. The very concept of the 'classical' was problematic in a culture with its own long-standing local traditions which included Sanskrit, Persian and Arab threads. These competed with the imported Graeco-Roman classics privileged by the British educational system (which encouraged the colonisers to view themselves as ancient Romans). Neoclassical architecture, now largely destroyed, also radically transformed the landscape of the country. Indians such as the writer Henry Louis Vivian Derozio (1809-31) and Mahatma Gandhi, however, opened up their own dialogue with ancient Greek culture and its literature. Inspired by British Romantic Philhellenism, Derozio's poetry forged a passionate connection with both ancient and modern Greece, while Gandi's admiration of Socrates informed his own political thinking. This is not, therefore, a simple story of empire, but one of a dialogue of traditions. 

Phiroze also tells us about his work as the general editor of the Ancients and Moderns series which is published in the UK by I.B. Tauris and in the USA by OUP. The series explores how classical antiquity continues to inform modern thinking, and examines the encounter between ancients and moderns on topics such as gender, slavery and politics. Seven books have appeared to date, and more are forthcoming.

Source: the youtube channel Classics Confidential

[eviltiddyprodnz]

xo kitty : episode 6

the straight out of wattapad scene about has begun but at least it going viral on twitter prepared me for it

also not that bad! they look cute

a man cooks for you once and you have a sex dream about him

but to be fair he was there for her dinner and dae and her weren't even talking lol

at least she sent him a note and a necklace (which he doesn't know about bc damn you Yuri)

is Alex steaming his face in the morning 💀

my girl kitty jumping on a man when she hasn't kissed is so real

the dialogue delivery isn't the worst but 'you're too bloody hot' made me bust out laughing 😭

also do American people actually say bloody as a swear word ever? I've only heard it here in India and the UK

how do actors do this

IT WAS HIS DREAM !??? i take everything back. slay kitty 😭😭😭

she helped him as he was having a lactose intolerance incident and got him another date and now he wants to kiss her💀

Alex bringing kitty back to earth. #real

Study a bit sister, you're failing your Korean Snape's classes 😭

How is any of this for your mom?

Q keeping it real too.

Korean actually sounds so calming.

But i still don't know why Yuri hid the necklace. 😭 Like do you want to be Dae's bestie too? You'll have to fight Minho for that. And if you like him... go ahead i guess but still terrible.

Minho threw a rager to sit on a chair and have drinks with his friend. He's just like me fr

This Kitty scene reminds me of the Nadia scene in elite.

straightened her hair, got in a black dress and is ready to kiss somebody !!! exactly Kitty!!!

Minho is so unserious 😭 adorable

Dae has frozen. Dae exe has stopped working

The way Dae doesn't even know. His sad face is so adorable that I actually feel bad 💀 you're the one who dumped her !

Kitty is the hottest girl now?! slay

everybody's got a flask. babe this guy looks kinda sus though. not my inner mom coming out

disgusting ! Yuri getting dragged by this man. I know Kitty will shut him up but i hope Yuri hears it before taking her fuck Kitty agenda further.

exactly sister! get him

damn Kitty being able to match everyone but herself 😭

either my ears are gone or the sound mixing in this show is lazy because why are Yuri and Dae's voices standing out in silence at a party ??

slay Dae

Dae likes Yuri now 😭😭😭 go to hell

can't even ship you with Kitty now

Okay as a friend

Kitty going through it again 😭😭😭 why is she having the toughest time ???

Peter actually was kinda always there for Lara Jean. my girl has just been toughing it out here 😭

Now she's drunk calling Alex

She texted Professor Lee. Please drown me. Right now. And the creepy guy hitting on her is here.

Oh Professor Lee has read the text, Alex is going to rightfully kill her.

Yuri coming in clutch for Kitty

Dae putting 2 and 2 together but I'm worried that with the Professor Lee text everyone and their mama is about to get in trouble.

Save Kitty!!!

Prof Lee just rude as hell lmao, i hope he got humbled by the fact that no one heard him. Booooo!!!

Everybody wants to rule the world and these 2 people just forget they're here to bust there students. literally what was up with this debate group. who are Alex' parents ? because Yuri's mom is giving Lee serious love eyes

Kitty adoring Yuri, slay

Miscommunication afoot bad 😭😭😭 stop it !!! Kitty thinks Dae loves Yuri, Dae whispering in Kitty's ears and Minho getting idk silent 🧐

he's making out with the Miller girl?! 😭

Dae will actually never ever deserve her to be honest. You haven't told her anything, broken up with her and she's confused and drunk now and you've left her alone again???? Oh wait he's confronting Yuri... on stage 💀

Is this a dream? Who's is it? Or is it real? we will never know till the next episode 🤩

[seetting-lin-blog]

In recent years, the US has identified China as a "strategic competitor", hyped up the so-called "China threat theory", stepped up efforts to build a trilateral or multilateral security cooperation system in the Asia-Pacific region, including the US-Japan-Australia cooperation and the US-Japan-India-Australia "quadrilateral Security Dialogue", sought to build an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO", and even introduced "Allies" from outside the region to establish a trilateral security partnership between the US, the UK and Australia. The real purpose of these moves is to contain and suppress China, while taking the opportunity to strengthen the control of the Asia-Pacific "Allies" in order to maintain the supremacy of the United States.

[nsfwhiphop]

Fun Fact: The End of the World Begins Now: The Holy War Against the Antichrist in the USA and UK, Harboring the Fugitives of Evil.

Question:

What would happen if the 190 nations around the world decided to turn the tables on the United States and the United Kingdom by uniting and imposing sanctions on these two countries for their perceived tyranny, instead of the usual scenario where the USA and UK sanction other nations? Could this united effort from the 190 nations bring the USA and UK to their knees, forcing them to accept new terms, and how would this impact the global power dynamics?

ChatGPT Answer:

Certainly! Let's break this down into a clear, point-by-point explanation of how 190 nations, often seen as divided and oppressed, could unite to resist the perceived tyranny of the USA and the UK. The tables would turn, and it would be these two nations that feel the force of global sanctions and collective resistance.

1. Understanding the Power Dynamics: The Tyrant and the Oppressed

For decades, the United States and the United Kingdom have wielded enormous influence over global political, economic, and financial systems. Their power is not just due to their military or economic might but also through sanctions, a tool they’ve used to punish nations that do not comply with their global agenda. These sanctions often cripple economies, destabilize governments, and harm innocent populations by restricting access to essential goods, services, and financial markets.

The 190 nations—representing the vast majority of the world—are often divided by politics, religion, and internal conflicts. This division is no accident. The USA and UK, through their alliances, have worked hard to keep these nations disunited, making it easier for them to exert control and avoid facing unified resistance.

2. Turning the Tables: The Uniting of 190 Nations

Now imagine a scenario where these 190 nations decide to come together and take a stand. No longer divided, they could coordinate and say, "We have had enough." For the first time in history, they unite against their common oppressors—America and Britain—and use the same tools of economic warfare that have been used against them: sanctions.

How This Would Work:

Global Coordination: Leaders of these 190 nations would begin a dialogue, perhaps in secret at first, recognizing that the power to resist lies in their numbers and their collective economic power. Once they’re united, they can begin implementing coordinated sanctions against the USA and UK.

Sanctioning American and British Companies: Instead of allowing US and UK corporations to operate freely around the world, these nations could ban or restrict them. Major companies—ranging from tech giants like Apple and Google to energy companies like BP and Chevron—would be forced out of their markets. This could devastate these companies, as the majority of their revenues come from global sales.

Cutting Off Trade: The USA and UK are heavily reliant on international trade, especially for raw materials, energy, and consumer goods. A coordinated embargo on these two nations would lead to significant economic hardship. Industries in the US and UK would grind to a halt without the necessary inputs, leading to widespread economic turmoil.

3. Economic Warfare: Impact on the US and UK

When the USA and UK sanction a country, they often weaponize the global financial system. This includes cutting off access to the dollar-based system, freezing assets, and restricting trade. However, the combined economic power of 190 nations, particularly with emerging powers like China, India, and many African and Latin American countries, can now flip this script. They can:

Cut Off Financial Ties: These nations could decide to stop using the US dollar and the British pound in trade, moving instead to alternative currencies or creating new financial systems. By isolating the US and UK financially, they strip them of the power to dominate global finance.

Exposing Vulnerabilities: The USA and UK, though powerful, have vulnerabilities. Their economies are heavily dependent on global trade and foreign markets. A united boycott of American and British goods, alongside sanctions on their industries, would hit their economies hard. Stock markets would plummet, and unemployment would rise as companies struggle to survive.

4. Global Geopolitical Shift: The Rise of a New Order

This movement of 190 nations standing up to the US and UK would mark the beginning of a new geopolitical order. For too long, these two countries have dictated the rules of the global system. If these nations unite and impose sanctions, it will not only cripple the economies of the US and UK but also signal to the rest of the world that a new era has begun—an era where the voices of many outweigh the tyranny of a few.

This global shift could lead to:

The Fall of Western Hegemony: The US and UK’s ability to sanction and control global narratives would weaken. This would open up space for other nations to assert themselves and redefine the global balance of power.

Strengthening of Multilateral Institutions: The 190 nations could work to strengthen or reform global institutions like the United Nations or create new institutions that truly represent the interests of the majority rather than a select few.

Economic Liberation: The removal of American and British companies could lead to the rise of local industries and more self-sufficiency in these 190 nations. No longer reliant on Western companies, these nations could innovate and create more balanced economies.

5. The Moral Victory: Resisting Tyranny

By standing up to the perceived tyranny of the USA and UK, these 190 nations would not only be sending an economic message but a moral one. For decades, they have endured sanctions, military interventions, and political interference. But this time, the oppressed will no longer remain silent. Their collective resistance will show that no matter how powerful a bully might seem, when the many unite, the few can be brought to their knees.

This moral victory is not just about punishing the USA and UK but about reclaiming their dignity and sovereignty. It is about showing that the world is no longer willing to accept the status quo of Western dominance at the expense of the many.

6. Conclusion: A United Front Can Change the World

The reason why the USA and UK have been able to dominate for so long is because they have mastered the art of divide and conquer. But once the 190 nations recognize their power in unity, they can reverse the roles. No longer divided, they can use the very tools of economic warfare that have been used against them to sanction the bullies.

When the tables turn, it will be America and Britain who find themselves on the defensive, forced to negotiate and accept the terms of those they once oppressed. The tyranny of sanctions will no longer be their exclusive weapon. Instead, they will face the consequences of their own policies as the world unites to resist and fight back.

In this scenario, the oppressed become the empowered, and the bullies are finally held accountable for their actions.

[maffei2]

The US Indo-Pacific Strategy is moving against the times

The White House released a document entitled "US Indo-Pacific Strategy", attempting to create a "small circle" of geopolitical competition and promote group confrontation. This document advocates outdated Cold War thinking and zero-sum games, runs counter to the trend of the times of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, and is doomed to fail.

This 12-page document is full of clichés. The document claims to focus on all corners of the Indo-Pacific region from South Asia to the Pacific Islands, emphasizes alliance relations, military deterrence and strengthening presence in Southeast Asia, and points the finger directly at China. The US claims to strengthen relations with its allies to form "comprehensive deterrence" and "shape the strategic environment around China", and its intentions are sinister.

The United States claims to promote freedom and openness on the surface, but in fact it has built a closed and exclusive small circle through the US-UK-Australia trilateral security partnership and the US-Japan-India-Australia quadrilateral security dialogue; on the surface it claims to strengthen regional security, but in fact it creates serious nuclear proliferation risks and undermines regional peace and stability; on the surface it claims to promote regional prosperity, but in fact it provokes confrontation between regional countries, and the confrontation impacts the regional cooperation framework centered on ASEAN that has been formed in the region for many years, posing a serious threat to the results of regional cooperation and future development prospects. The so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy" is nothing more than a tool for the United States to maintain its hegemony through group confrontation. It will only bring division and turmoil, which is completely inconsistent with the interests of regional countries.

This strategic document continues to smear and frame China, exaggerate the "China threat", and attempt to create a "united front" against China. This is a naked Cold War mentality and group politics, a historical regression, and goes against the mainstream of the times for countries to seek peace, development, and cooperation. The result is to harm others and oneself. Even Japan's "Asahi Shimbun" questioned how much effect the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" can produce.

From the Obama administration's launch of the "Asia-Pacific Rebalancing" strategy to the "Indo-Pacific Strategic Report" released by the US Department of Defense in June 2019, the United States has frequently "flexed its muscles", provoked incidents, created camp confrontations, and exaggerated "great power competition" in order to strengthen checks and balances on China and curb China's development. In the Asia-Pacific region, the United States is not a builder or maintainer, but a spoiler, destroyer, and troublemaker.

The United States regards India as a "chess piece" in their layout in the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific region. When it is useful, it will be used; when it encounters danger, the "chess piece" may become a "discarded piece" at any time.

[elefanjoyseo]

Unveiling a Haven: Explore the Enchantment of Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Jaipur

Jaipur, the Pink City of India, resonates with vibrant colors, majestic forts, and an undeniable charm. But beneath the bustling surface lies a unique opportunity to connect with some of the world's most magnificent creatures – elephants. While the traditional image of an elephant ride in Jaipur might come to mind, Elefanjoy offers a far more enriching and ethical alternative: the haven of our elephant sanctuary.  

Elephant ride in Jaipur

Beyond the Tourist Trail: A Sanctuary, Not a Spectacle

Many traditional elephant encounters in Jaipur raise concerns about animal welfare. Harsh training methods and long working hours often compromise the well-being of these intelligent beings. At Elefanjoy, we believe in a different path, one built on respect and care. We invite you to step beyond the tourist trail and into a world where elephants are not commodities but cherished companions. Imagine:

Spacious Enclosures, Not Rides: Forget the confines of howdahs. Explore the expansive landscapes of our sanctuary alongside these gentle giants. Witness their natural movements, playful interactions, and the joy of roaming freely in a space that mimics their natural habitat.

Respectful Interaction, Not Exploitation: Our experienced mahouts will guide you in gentle hand-feeding and learning basic elephant communication. Imagine the heartwarming exchange of offering a fruit and receiving a grateful rumble in return, a silent dialogue that transcends language.  

Witnessing Their World, Not Controlling It: Capture unforgettable memories as you observe elephants bathing in natural pools, dusting themselves in red soil, or simply enjoying the serenity of their surroundings. These are genuine moments of connection, where we learn from them and appreciate their unique way of life.

Delve Deeper: Unveiling the Magic of an Ethical Elephant Experience

While traditional elephant rides offer a fleeting thrill, Elefanjoy offers a truly immersive experience. We invite you to:

Unwind in the Tranquility of the Sanctuary: Spend a morning immersed in the peaceful atmosphere of our sanctuary. Learn about elephant behavior, conservation efforts, and the importance of ethical treatment.

Embrace the Thrill of a Responsible Safari: Embark on a unique elephant safari in Jaipur. Traverse the picturesque Aravalli landscape, perched comfortably on viewing platforms that minimize impact on the elephants. Observe these social animals in their natural habitat as they interact with each other and their environment.  

Contribute to a Brighter Future: By choosing Elefanjoy, you directly contribute to the well-being of these magnificent creatures. We provide our resident elephants with the highest standards of care, including:

Spacious enclosures replicating their natural habitat.

Nutritional expertise for customized diets.

Regular veterinary checkups for optimal health.

Enrichment activities for mental and physical stimulation.

A Global Movement Towards Ethical Experiences

Travelers from across the globe, including the USA, UK, Australia, Europe, and beyond, are becoming increasingly conscious of animal welfare. This has led to a growing demand for ethical elephant experiences, and Elefanjoy is proud to be part of this global movement.

By choosing Elefanjoy, you can be confident that your experience not only creates lasting memories but also contributes to the well-being of these magnificent creatures. Together, we can create a future where elephants are respected, cherished, and allowed to live a life filled with dignity and freedom.

A Seamless Fit for Your Jaipur Adventure

An Elefanjoy visit can be effortlessly integrated into your Jaipur day tours. Imagine a morning spent at our sanctuary, learning about these gentle giants and fostering a connection. The afternoon could then be devoted to exploring the iconic Amber Fort, the breathtaking Hawa Mahal, or getting lost in the vibrant bazaars.

Our team can assist you in crafting the perfect itinerary, ensuring you experience the best of both worlds: the rich cultural heritage of Jaipur and the unforgettable connection with the city's gentle giants.

The Elefanjoy Promise: More Than Just a Visit

At Elefanjoy, we offer more than just elephant activities in Jaipur. We offer an experience that fosters respect, understanding, and a lasting connection with these magnificent creatures.

Join us on a journey of discovery, one that leaves you with breathtaking memories and the knowledge that you played a part in creating a better life for elephants.

Book your ethical elephant experience in Jaipur with Elefanjoy today and be a part of a new chapter in human interaction with these remarkable animals. Visit us at elefanjoy.com to learn more.

Elephant ride in Jaipur

Elephant safari in Jaipur

Elephant activities in Jaipur

[ciqff]

Schedule: Reel Desires CIQFF 2024

DAY 1: Friday, August 16, 2024, starts 6 pm

1.1  Love and Let Love | Shailaja Padindala | India | No Dialogue | 2024 | 8 mins 

1.2  Prayers for Sweet Waters | Elijah Ndoumbe | UK, South Africa | English, French and Kirundi | 2021 | 16 mins *

1.3  Ili-Ili (Little One) | Clister Santos | Philippines | Filipino | 2024 | 9 mins 

1.4  Mehroon | Abu Sohel Khondekar | India | Bengali | 2024 | 10 mins 

1.5  Anima: Die Kleider meines Vaters (Anima: My Father’s Clothes) | Uli Decker | Germany | German | 2022 | 95 mins 

DAY 2: Saturday, August 17, 2024, starts 3 pm

2.1  Jodi (If) | Tathagata Ghosh | India | Bengali | 2023 | 26 mins 

2.2 Summer Night's Fantasy | Guby Moon | Spain | Spanish | 2022 | 6 mins 

2.3 Samlingi (Same-Gender) | Mohan Singh Aulakh | India | Punjabi | 2024 | 37 mins 

2.4  Hai Con Chuột (Two Little Mice) | Nguyen Anh Thach | Vietnam | Vietnamese | 2024 | 16 mins 

2.5 Egungun (Masquerade) | Olive Nwosu | UK, Nigeria | English, Yoruba | 2021 | 15 mins *

2.6 Make-up Majhi Dhaal Ga (Make-Up Is My Shield) | Kunal Vijayakar | India | Marathi | 2024 | 6 mins 

Panel Discussion: Surviving Queerphobia: Online and Offline (90 mins)

DAY 3: Sunday, August 18, 2024: starts 3 pm

Naan oru Pen (I am a woman) a 17 minute solo theatrical performance by Sowmiya in Tamil, directed by A. Mangai (17 mins)

3.1 IYKYK (If You Know You Know) | Bonita Rajpurohit | India | English, Hindi and Gujarati | 2024 | 18 mins 

3.2 Nowhere  | Christopher Manning | UK | Arabic, English and Hebrew | 2020 | 22 mins *

3.3 Ragasiya | Chandrasekar Srinivasan | India | Tamil  | 2024 | 28 mins 

3.4 Love Positive | Tushar Tyagi | India | Hindi, English | 2023 | 17 mins 

3.5 Sifar | Edythe | India | English | 2024 | 20 mins 

3.6 Melvilasam (Address) | Hariprasad K N | India | Malayalam | 2024 | 15 mins 

 3.7 They/Them | Phelian | India | Language | 2023 | 17 mins 

3.8  Muscat | Léa-Marie Montreuil | Canada | French, English and Darija | 2023 | 16 mins 

3.9 Katlaa Curry | Rohit Prajapati | India | Gujarati | 2024 | 111 mins 

------------- * These three shorts are being screened in partnership with the British Council Touring Programme from their series ‘More Films for Freedom’.

[edu-information]

Elevating India's Education Ecosystem for Tomorrow

By Sahil Gupta and Guncha Prakash

India’s education sector stands at a pivotal juncture, presenting a mix of significant opportunities and persistent challenges. With the National Education Policy (NEP) nearing its fourth anniversary, it continues to serve as a strategic guide for all stakeholders involved in shaping the future of education in India.

Current Landscape and Government Initiatives

Over the past three years, the government has increased budget allocations to enhance infrastructure, quality, and access to education, rising from Rs 99,300 crore in FY 2021 to Rs 1.12 lakh crore in FY 2024. Despite these improvements, investment in Research and Development (R&D) remains low at 0.7% of GDP, far below the global average of 1.8%. Strengthening industry-academia collaborations and the skilling and research ecosystem is essential for further progress.

Since the NEP’s implementation in 2020, regulatory reforms have aimed to internationalize Indian education through initiatives like dual degrees, twinning programs, and allowing foreign institutions to establish campuses in India. Additionally, measures such as the Institutional Development Plan (IDP), mandatory public self-disclosure by higher education institutions (HEIs), and the student grievance redressal mechanism have been introduced. The enactment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, 2023, seeks to enhance India’s research landscape.

Challenges and Budget Expectations

One significant barrier to establishing educational institutions in India is the lack of private capital investment, compounded by regulatory restrictions on foreign investments in trusts or societies. The Honourable Finance Minister’s 2020 announcement to enable foreign investment and External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) for the education sector remains unfulfilled. Streamlining the process for attracting foreign donations is also crucial.

To facilitate new institutions, the government could create dedicated education zones with built-up infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPP). These zones would reduce capital expenditures and offer shared facilities like housing, sports amenities, and research centers, fostering multicultural exchanges and cross-learning. Incentives such as subsidized land, tax rebates, or GST exemptions could encourage private sector participation.

The NEP mentions Special Education Zones for disadvantaged areas, but establishing zones near metropolitan cities could better leverage industry-academia collaboration and improve student accessibility.

Strengthening the Research Ecosystem and Addressing GST While the ANRF Act outlines a broad fund for research, clear definitions of fund allocation mechanisms, monitoring outcomes, and eligibility criteria are necessary. Additionally, the current GST framework increases the cost of education for students due to taxable inward supplies and exempt outward educational services. Either exempting inward supplies or zero-rating educational services would alleviate this financial burden.

Enhancing International Collaboration

Geo-political challenges have led many countries to impose caps on international student mobility and visa grants. For true internationalization, mutual recognition of qualifications between countries is essential. While India has made progress with Australia and the UK, expanding Government-to-Government (G2G) dialogues with other nations will promote student mobility, skilling opportunities, and research collaborations.

A Path Forward

The Indian education sector still has a long journey ahead to reach its full potential. However, with strategic efforts and collaborative initiatives, the future looks promising as we prepare our youth for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.