Wildlife film festival in Shimla

Shimla is all set to host CMS Vatavaran 2010, environment and wildlife film festival at Gaiety Theater.

The ‘Queen of Hill’ will host India ’s premier environment and wildlife film festival, 4th CMS VATAVARAN 2010. The three-day-long film festival will be organized from July 2-4 at GAIETY Theater. The film festival will be inaugurated by the chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal. The theme of the 4th CMS VATAVARAN – Environment and Wildlife Traveling Film Festival' and Environment Forum is Climate Change and Sustainable Technologies.

A host of activities including Indian and International Film Screenings, Exhibition on “Climate Change” , Eco-trip to Green buildings, painting competition, film making workshop etc would be organized to popularize the issue of environmental protection. The film festival and green forum is aimed towards making common people a part of the green movement. More than 40 award winning films are screened during the traveling festivals over a period of three days in each traveling city. There are special screenings for children also. In addition region specific environmental issues will be taken up and a large number of experts, filmmakers, academicians and students would be involved in the festival,” said Alka Tomar, Festival Director.

India’s much acclaimed environment and wildlife film festival, CMS Vatavaran will travel to eight different cities of the country in the year 2010. Starting from Shimla, the festival will be organized at Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar , Hyderabad , Patna , Port Blair, Shillong, Shimla and Trivandrum . The festival is organized by New Delhi based think tank CMS Environment. Participation in CMS VATAVARAN 2010 will provide unique opportunity to the people to enhance knowledge, understanding and concerns about various topical and regional environmental issues through a kaleidoscope of films, seminars, workshops, open forums, exhibition, games and field trips. The festival and forum aims to promote sustainable technologies, with a focus on green production and delivery methods, convergence and fusion of new consumer services, and on the notion of 'collective goods' for greater environmental efficiency, which can usher in a new green order. “


The first CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Traveling Film Festival was organized in 2004 in Chennai. Since then 26 festivals has been organized in 19 cities with overwhelming participation from the cities and generous support of the respective state government, local administration, industries and organizations.

Sorry state of IPL online ticket distribution system

Cricket fans who had bought tickets online from IPL official partner Tticketgene for Kings XI match at Dharamshala had horrible time in exchanging online purchase copies with actual match tickets. The company was supposed to distribute actual match tickets from 13th April at HPCA cricket stadium Dharamshala which they later postponed to 14th. The guy from company came around 2 PM on 14th and much to the disappointment of the Cricket lovers either some were not given tickets or were given lesser value tickets for Sunday's match. As per reliable resources none from the company appeared on 17th to distribute the tickets. All calls to the customer care and emails went unanswered.

People are still hanging around Kachehri Adda, Dharamshala to get the online tickets exchanged for the Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings  match  to be started in next few hours.

Anuj's Khwaab

Indian Idol fame Anuj Sharma who hails from Himachal Pradesh has released his first music album "Khwaab" under the banner of  ‘Universal Music India’. Anuj has tried rock music in this album.

We had an interview with Anuj Sharma in which he talked about his struggle, upcoming projects and more. Here’s an excerpt:

Great as I enjoyed it throughly! It started long back but I feel I still have lot to achieve. In childhood I used to sing for my brother only.  He used to push me to sing in front of other people but I always refused. Real exposure to true singing came in first year of B.A, I sang in front of few people & among them who picked & shaped me was my Music Professor Baldev Thakur.

Read complete Interview with Anuj Sharma.

HPU launches ICDEOL's website

Himachal Pradesh University’s Distance education arm, International Centre for Distance Education and Open Learning (ICDEOL) has launched it's own website. Himachal Pradesh University(HPU) started distance education courses in the year 1971. University now runs undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses through distance mode. Though the program structure and content of professional courses is not as per industry standards yet HPU's well known reputation is the driving force behind the enrollments in professional and academic courses.

There have been a need for such website since long as  it's bit difficult for students from different parts of the country, especially  working professionals to visit the university campus for information/ forms.These small steps will certainly  help Himachal realize the goal of higher education.

ICDEOL website http://www.icdeolhpu.org/

Himachal Govt. declares Pay Arrears

The Himachal Pradesh Govt. has  decided to release the first installment of revised pay arrears of all government employees. Govt. has decided to give pay arrears in installments spread over next few years. Much to the disappointment of employees who were hoping to get in lump sum or two installments of  40% and 60% the new orders state that maximum of Rs.10,000 will be credited to GPF accounts of employees after deducting income tax and will be given in cash to pensioners. The decision of fund starved Himachal Govt. is for sure a setback for pensioners who totally rely on pension and savings. With increasing inflation, health problems at old age the lump sum amount might have given them some breather. Govt. will actually have the share of their income in the form of interest which pensioners would have earned by investing the lump sum in FD, Post office monthly income scheme etc.

IPL matches in Dharamshala

IPL fever is all over and has already taken Himachal especially Dharamshala into its grip. Dharamshala, the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh will host two IPL cricket matches between home team Kings XI Punjab Vs Deccan Chargers on 16th April at 8:00 PM and  Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings on April 18, 2010 4:00 PM  at international cricket stadium Dharamshala.

A visit to Dharamshala for watching IPL cricket match will be a win-win situation for  you and your family.
Plan a vacation trip with your family and  enjoy cricket bundled  with recreation in the lap of Himalayas. Read More about Dharamshala and nearby places of tourism importance.

You can buy tickets for respective matches at links below:

Kings XI Punjab Vs Deccan Chargers on 16th April
Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings April 18, 2010

Almost all the hotels in Dharamshala and nearby are already booked so make sure to make arrangements for your stay before you leave for the big event.

BalGanesh-2 handiwork of a Himachali

Do you know the man behind successful animation films Bal Hanuman and Bal Ganesh? He is Pankaj Sharma, a Himachali by birth and soul. Pankaj Sharma belongs to Dehra in Kangra distt. Pankaj started his career in film industry from a TV serial named "Hukam Mere Aka". It is his dedication and hard work that he now owns a animation company called Astute Media vision.

Pankaj's company Astute media vision is ready with their new 3D animation film "Bal Ganesh-2" which will be released on 23rd october. Pankaj has also completed one more animation movie for childeren "Panga Gang" which will be released by year end. Pankaj is certainly among Prominent Personalities Of Himachal who has made Himachal feel proud.

“I will keep entertaining the children…” - Pankaj Sharma(Director)

Shemaroo Entertainment’ & Astute Media Vision produced 3D animation film “Bal Ganesh 2” is ready for October end release. It is sequel of highly popular animation film Bal Ganesh. The film has been directed by Pankaj Sharma.

Experts:
Tell us about ‘Bal Ganesh 2’ What you have got new in the sequel?

The success of Bal Ganesh stirred Smita Maroo and me to do this. Like 1st Part it is also a 3 D film. People liked story of Ganesh being alive on the screen. This part has many stories of Ganesh. It has songs by Sukhvinder and Sudesh Bhosle. Despite being a animation film, I am sure adults will also like it. It has universal appeal.

How long and on what budget it was made?
Animation work is very cumbersome one. It took a team of 35-40 people 14-15 months to complete. It’s a big budget film. Shemaroo Entertainment Company has spent lavishly to make it a world class product. Exact amount, you can get it from Smita Maroo, the procucer and vice President of Shemaroo.

You have a production company of your own and you are also a writer-director. Then, why with Shemaroo, not alone?
It is always better to concentrate on one thing at a time. Shemaroo is repute company with a good production record. It has all the latest post production equipments. It has the best team. The know how to make a good product and market them properly. It was always easy interacting with them so I really never felt that I was doing the film for some another production house.

What happened to your 3D film Pangaa Gang? It has been long since we heard about it.
It became the victim of fight between Multiplex owner and producers. Due to strike, Pangaa Gang was not released on time and in the mean while Bal Ganesh reached its final stage of making. Both films are ready, as the Bal Ganesh has wider appeal, we release it first and Pangaa Gang will soon follow it.

What is your plan for future?
Keep entertaining the children. I will try to make at least two films every year for them. I working on a film like Harry Potter series,in which live cum Animation.