Literary life posy simmonds

“There is nobody on the planet who’s against enhancing soil organic content- not fertilizer industries, not pesticide industries…everybody is for it because rich soil is the fundamental of rich life for us. Healthy soil and healthy life are inextricably connected,” said Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder, Isha Foundation, at the Future of Cities event at the World Economic Forum 2022 in Davos. In a brief appeal to representatives from more than 150 countries who attended the event, Mr. Jaggi spoke about the critical need to regenerate soil health to make it remunerative for farmers to continue to farming in the interest of food security, to reduce migratory exodus into cities and to ensure long-term planetary well being. Mr. Jaggi also outlined his idea of One Building City to reclaim degraded lands. He said builders should consider decongesting cities by moving to the peripheries where land was abundant and developing it partially for human habitation. He proposed a built-up area … [Read more...] about Healthy soil and healthy life are inextricably connected, says Jaggi Vasudev

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru passed away on May 27, 1964. The first Prime Minister of independent India breathed his last in Delhi. He was the PM from 1947 to 1964 till he died at the age of 74. Regarded as one of the most prominent politicians of India, Nehru was homeschooled till the age of 15, after which he went abroad for pursuing his higher studies. The eminent freedom fighter returned to India at the age of 22 in order to practice law with his father Motilal Nehru. One of India’s finest politicians, Pandit Nehru was also fondly called “Chacha Nehru” by children. Nehru loved children and his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day. Remembering the iconic politician on his death anniversary, let’s have a look at some of the inspirational quotes by him: On courage It is only too easy to make suggestions and later try to escape the consequences of what we say. On life Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free … [Read more...] about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Death Anniversary: Quotes on Life, Courage and Failure by India’s First Prime Minister

A teenager who fatally stabbed a motorcyclist during the making of a music video has been jailed for life. Brandon McNeil was handed a minimum of 24 years for carrying out the brutal attack on Shane Jerome, 23, who was riding his motorbike in Brixton, south London on 21 July last year. The Old Bailey heard how Mr Jerome was part of a convoy of vehicles, including green and red Lamborghinis, who were featuring in the film for rap artist Chariffe Greaves, who also goes by the stage name of "Reef". However, McNeil, 19, ran up to Mr Jerome while armed with a knife and stabbed him in the chest, piercing his heart. He also swung the blade at a second man on a quad bike which was also part of the convoy near Brixton Tube station. Advertisement Mr Jerome, from Thornton Heath, south London, was pronounced dead at the scene that evening. At his sentencing hearing, Judge Sarah Munro told the court how McNeil was involved with the local "7" or "L" gang and … [Read more...] about Teenager jailed for life after stabbing motorcyclist to death during making of music video

Katte Gopalakrishna Rao, a 78-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Chinmaya Hospital in Kundapur, was found dead outside the house of his Chartered Accountant Ganesh Shetty in Kudrekerebettu of Koteshwara in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district on May 26. The Kundapur Police said that Rao came to the house of Mr. Shetty at around 6 a.m. He sat on the chair outside the house and shot himself dead from his licensed pistol. The incident has been captured in the CCTV installed outside Mr. Shetty’s house, the police added. In a letter addressed to the Station House Officer of Kundapur Police Station, Rao has said that Ganesh Shetty and Ismail Hangalur had taken ₹3.34 crore from him three months ago by promising him good returns. The letter also said that these two had also taken some gold from him. But, the two failed to return the money and the gold. As he was tired of seeking return of his investment, he was ending his life in front of Mr. Shetty’s house, Rao said in the letter. The … [Read more...] about 78-year-old entrepreneur ends life outside home of his CA

Comedian Adrian Edmondson says he has contemplated suicide most of his life. The Young Ones actor broke the news to his “shocked” comic wife Jennifer Saunders more than 20 years into their marriage. He finally took her advice to seek professional help in 2011. The revelations emerged via Radio 3 show The Essay where Adrian has this week been reading a self-penned story called Signs Of Life, which producers of the show say is entirely factually based on his own life. Also know as Ade, star told how he married a girlfriend at university but it ended badly and this began his mental health issues, talking about how he narrowly survived an attempt to kill himself. Speaking in the present tense, he said: “I’m not entirely well. I see the uni doctor. He puts me on tranquilisers. No-one mentions the phrase mental health. No-one talks about anything. He sought professional help in 2011 ( Image: Getty Images Europe) He told Jennifer more than 20 years into the marriage … [Read more...] about AbFab’s Adrian Edmondson, 65, says he has lived with ‘suicidal thoughts all my life’

In a historic moment, Geetanjali Shree became the first Indian author to get her work shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. The Hindi novel, Ret Samadhi has been translated into English as Tomb of Sand by Daisy Rockwell. Shree is no stranger to literary stardom. Her previous novels such as Mai and Khali Jagah have been translated into different languages as well. In an interview with News18, the 64-year-old talks about the importance of languages in a person’s consciousness and why she finds it abhorring when one is pitted against the other. Excerpts: Congratulations on making it to the shortlist! This is a tremendous achievement. How important do you think this moment is when one thinks of Hindi post-colonial literature? It is hugely important because in shedding light on one Hindi work, it also lights up the larger canvas of Hindi Literature. It indicates clearly that there is much lying here which is hitherto unknown and encourages the endeavour to explore these … [Read more...] about Only a Narrow Self and Mind Would Want a Shrunken Monolingual Existence: International Booker Shortlisted Author Geetanjali Shree

A mom-of-three had her hair cut for the first time in 24 years – and donated the whopping 50 inches of her locks to a charity that makes wigs for sick children. Vicki Walkden, 41, braved a visit to the salon for the first time since she was 17 to benefit the Little Princess Trust with the longest donation it has ever received. The charity provides free real-hair wigs to children and young people up to 24 years old who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. Walkden's lengthy locks could previously touch the floor. She developed a fear of the hairdressers after suffering a couple of nasty nicks when she was young. Vicki Walkden, of Lancashire, England, had her hair cut for the first time in 24 years, donating a whopping 50 inches of it to a charity that makes wigs for sick children. Jon Mills/Zenger After being inspired by a friend of her daughter who donated her hair to the charity a couple of years ago, Walkden braved the … [Read more...] about Woman cuts her hair for first time in 24 years, donates it to charity

Since the last annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the course of history has changed dramatically. Russia invaded Ukraine, shaking the European Union, which was established to prevent war from returning to the continent, to its very core. Even when the fighting stops, as it eventually must, the situation will never revert to the status quo ante . Indeed, the Russian invasion may turn out to be the beginning of World War III, and our civilisation may not survive it. The invasion of Ukraine did not come out of the blue. The world has been increasingly engaged over the past half-decade, or longer, in a struggle between two diametrically opposed systems of governance: open society and closed society. Let me define the differences as simply as I can. In an open society, the role of the state is to protect the freedom of the individual; in a closed society, the role of the individual is to serve the rulers of the state. Other issues that concern all humanity – … [Read more...] about We must defeat Putin – the fate of civilisation depends on it

Pizza Express has announced that KFC boss Paula MacKenzie will take over the reins at the restaurant chain next month. Ms MacKenzie will join the business as chief executive on June 6, taking the role after David Campbell stepped down last October. The experienced hospitality boss joins Pizza Express from KFC parent firm Yum Brands, where she has led the fried chicken brand’s UK and Ireland business as managing director. She worked for the group for 11 years, having previously worked at brands including Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Innocent. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The appointment comes as Pizza Express continues its turnaround following a major restructuring after the impact of the pandemic. The chain slashed more than 70 restaurants and around 2,400 jobs as it also came under pressure from its heavy debt burden. Last … [Read more...] about Pizza Express poaches KFC boss Paula MacKenzie to lead recovery

Of the things Donald Trump has said since he began hinting at a presidential candidacy, the one that most requires challenging is his assertion that people keep asking him to run. Journalists are vigilant defenders of truth when the subject is President Obama's birthplace or OPEC prices. They are credulous when it comes to explaining populist movements. They assume the impetus always comes from the demand side. People are "fed up"! There is an "anti-incumbent sentiment" in the air! Such demand-side sentiments can explain a lot—but not why certain members of the public might wish to be governed by a billionaire yahoo. For that, it is just as important to look at the supply side. Trump's candidacy comes from a sociological fact—the steady rise of plutocracy over the last quarter century—as well as a public sentiment. The truth is not universally enough acknowledged that a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of political influence. Diversifying one's portfolio to include … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and the Rise of Plutocracy