Author: Sakina Raj

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Festivals

Do you know why we celebrate Sheetala Saptami?

Sheetala Saptami, which falls on Krishna Paksha Saptami of the Chaitra month in the Hindu Calendar, is a Hindu festival that occurs seven days after Holi. A festival celebrated in northern India celebrates Goddess Shakti’s feminine power and incarnation, Goddess Sheetala. Different cultures celebrate either Sheetala Saptami (regionally called Sheetala Satam) or Sheetala Ashtami (also known as Basoda in some regions and cultures), which falls either seven days after Holi (Saptami) or eight days after Holi (Ashtami). While different cultures celebrate it differently, Udaipur majorly celebrates Sheetla Saptami. Some of us might not be aware of the history or significance behind celebrating Sheetala Saptami. Are you also wondering about the reason behind eating cold food on this day? Let’s find out why we celebrate Sheetala Saptami!

Significance and History behind Sheetala Saptami

According to mythology, Maa Sheetala is an embodiment of Goddess Parvati, who manifested herself during the Gods’ sacramental fire ritual (Havan). The Goddess is said to have four hands, one of which holds a dustpan and the other a broom, dawning neem leaves and a water pitcher. Her vehicle is a donkey. Although the first two reflect cleanliness, the pitcher emphasizes water quality for life on Earth, and neem is associated with medicinal properties. During the Havan, a demon known as Jwarasura (literal meaning: Fever-demon) arose from the earth after a bead of Lord Shiva’s sweat dropped to the ground. Jwarasura is regarded as the fever-deity, who transmitted diseases around the world and did damage to mankind. Later on, Goddess Sheetala came to the rescue to cure the illness.

Sheetala Saptami puja is done to ask the Goddess to shield our families and us from heat-related illnesses. It is generally accepted that Goddess Sheetala helps in the prevention of diseases such as chickenpox, smallpox, measles, and other infectious diseases. This is also the reason why on this day, devotees refrain from cooking or consuming hot foods and instead consume foods that have been prepared a day before. The prayer or “pooja”, as we call it, is completed by doing aarti of the goddess.

How is Sheetala Saptami Celebrated in Udaipur?

Maa Sheetla is discussed in detail in Skanda Purana as a goddess who has the powers to overcome infectious diseases. The festival is rather an important one in Udaipur, and people celebrate the same with utmost devotion. Food items such as Oliya, Aaloo ki Sabzi, Panchkuta (ker sangari), puri, bhindi, amchur, etc., are made a day before the festival. 

There is a Sheetala Mata Temple outside City Palace’s gate near Samor Bag in Udaipur, where most of the people go to worship the goddess on this day. The devotees get up early on Sheetala Saptami, usually before sunrise, worship the goddess, offer bhog and then eat the special dish of the day, Oliya, which is a traditional rice pudding made of curd, sugar and rice.

Throughout the day, the devotees avoid any freshly cooked food or hot/warm food items and do not light up stoves in the kitchen for the day.

As we know it, most of the festivals in India are associated with some myths and superstitions. Sheetala Saptami is also attached to certain myths when it comes to not following the tradition of eating cold food. People say that by defying the tradition or not following the festival’s story, one may suffer from diseases such as chickenpox, smallpox, measles, or other skin diseases.

Since Sheetala Saptami comes during the onset of summers, and in many ways, marks the start of summer season/transition from spring to summer when a country like India experiences high heat, foods condensed with heat and spices just aggravate the body’s condition and make digestion more difficult. Sheetal means cool or cold in Hindi, implying that our physical and mental condition should be peaceful this season. As a consequence, people agree that basic food can be consumed for at least one day.

Sheetala Saptami’s importance is still high today, as people have found that the belief is also scientifically right. The doctors have also quoted that this festival is good for your whole body since the fruit dishes and cold sweets are full of nutrients that increase your immunity.

Presenting her views on Sheetala Saptami being healthy for mind, body, and soul, expert dietician Shalini Mathur says, “Adding coconut, curd and dry fruits shakes fruit chat into the Stale food prasad makes it nutritious, healthy and also improves your digestion.”

 

The heritage and culture seem nostalgic and interesting, right? Read about more festivals, and occasions celebrated in Udaipur

UdaipurBlog wishes you a very happy Sheetala Saptami!

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Events

IIM Udaipur’s annual entrepreneurship fest E-Summit and Prarambh 2021 conclude

Prarambh 2021 marked its success in fulfilling the competition’s objective, overseeing enthusiastic participation from all over the country. The event received 330+ entries for the initial phase of the competition and selected the top 10 teams with a minimum viable product. The selected teams embarked on a 5-week mentorship program to prepare for pitching on the final day. The pitching round was followed by a rigorous Q&A session wherein the teams were provided with priceless feedback and suggestions by the judges or investors.

Winning Team

The winning team BosonQ Psi – state-of-the-art Multiphysics simulation (MPS) software that will run on quantum computers, was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 100,000.

Runner Up

The runner-up team, Samatva AI – AI-Powered, an Automated HR & Recruitment Platform for differently-abled, was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.

The teams were also given AWS credit worth $100,000 from the cloud sponsors AWS. Further, as a testament to the event’s success, six teams (Momskart, Cashcry, BosonQ Psi, Samatva AI, Virasat and Volunthere) were given a further evaluation and investment opportunity by the panel of investors-cum-judges.

What is Prarambh?

Prarambh is the flagship event of Saksham, the Entrepreneurship Cell of IIM Udaipur. The event brought together entrepreneurs under the banner of Prarambh and helped them refine their ideas and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) by providing five-week mentorship by industry stalwarts.

Saksham, the Entrepreneurship cell of IIM Udaipur, hosted an entrepreneurship-summit, or E-Summit for the second time in IIMU. The theme of the summit was “Tales of Transition.” To highlight the need to master the changing environment, the Keynote speakers of E-Summit 2021 put forth their experiences on making transitions as accelerators instead of barriers. The E-Summit witnessed three esteemed speakers, namely Mythily Ramesh (Co-Founder & CEO NextWealth), Prachi Mohapatra (Marketing Head, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories), Murali Sivaraman (Chairman, Huhtamaki India), who engaged students in a 1 hour 45 minutes session aligned with the summit’s defined theme.

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Events Festivals

Rajasthan Diwas 2021 – Rajasthan’s Foundation Day

“Rang Rangeelo Ras Bharyo MHARO PYARO RAJASTHAN”

The land of Rajasthan has always been in the limelight since ancient times because of its grandeur and great warriors. Rajasthan is the biggest state in India in terms of area and is blessed with truly vivacious cultures, tradition, heritage, and a grand lineage. The state celebrates its 71st Foundation Day on 30th March 2021. A number of events take place to celebrate the auspicious day, and Rajasthanis take active participation in the Foundation Day’s celebration. Various programs are being organised at the Janpath in Jaipur to reminisce the rich heritage of Rajasthan. However, due to the COVID-19 precautions and guidelines, the celebration has been kept low this year. Nevertheless, we will still rejoice this day in our hearts and wish you a very happy Rajasthan Diwas!

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Ashok Gehlot, tweeted this morning to wish the people of Rajasthan a very happy Rajasthan Diwas. His tweet included quite a charming message about the princely state where he described Rajasthan as a “Land of Warriors and Adventurers.”

Why do we celebrate Rajasthan Diwas?

The princely states of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer were combined to form the “Greater Rajasthan Union” on 30th March 1949. This day is considered the establishment day of Rajasthan, where people could bask in all its historic glory. Rajasthan was divided into over 22 native princely states, soon after India was liberated from British Rule. Only one of the princely states that is Ajmer Marwada, was ruled by the Britishers, and the other 21 states came under the native kings, who proclaimed to call their alliance after independence. As a result, many small provinces were merged as one and thus became the largest state of Rajasthan. Therefore, to commemorate and celebrate the alliance of princely states and provinces, we celebrate Rajasthan Diwas 30th March every year. The states were a mix of two major regions of Rajasthan, i.e., Mewar and Marwar. Know the difference between Mewar and Marwar here!

Rajasthan Diwas 2021 Exhibition organized in Suchana Kendra Auditorium, Udaipur

On the occasion of Rajasthan Diwas 2021, an exhibition based on the art, culture and geographical beauty of Rajasthan was organized in the Suchana Kendra Auditorium under the aegis of the District Administration, Tourism and Public Relations Department on Tuesday. District Collector Chetan Deora inaugurated this ‘Bahurangi (Multi-coloured) Rajasthan’ exhibition in the Suchana Kendra Auditorium.

The district collector was overwhelmed by the unique confluence of natural beauty with art, culture, and the glorious history of the Mewar region. The Collector bowed down the portrait of Maharana Pratap displayed during the exhibition and freely appreciated the portrait based on the architecture of the famous tourist destination, Jagdish Temple in Udaipur. During the Rajasthan Diwas Exhibition, several officials of the district administration, including social worker Pankaj Sharma, MLA Phool Singh Meena, visited the exhibition and appreciated the art and artefacts displayed there. This multi-coloured exhibition depicts the crafts, architecture, art culture and scenic diversity of Rajasthan through more than 200 colourful shadow paintings.

Exhibition for Rajasthan Diwas in Suchana Kendra Auditorium, Udaipur

Exhibition for Rajasthan Diwas in Suchana Kendra Auditorium, Udaipur

Exhibition for Rajasthan Diwas in Suchana Kendra Auditorium, Udaipur

Exhibition for Rajasthan Diwas in Suchana Kendra Auditorium, Udaipur

Rang Rangeelo Rajasthan – Cultural Event

The colourful culture and tradition of our state were concluded by the folk dances showcasing Rang Rangeelo Rajasthan. Udaipurites witness an evening full of cultural performances was conducted on the auspicious event of Rajasthan Diwas 2021. As part of Rajasthan Foundation Day celebrations, a cultural evening was organized at the Lok Kala Mandal folk theatre on Tuesday evening under the aegis of the Tourism Department and District Administration and Folk Arts Board. On this occasion, Nodal Officer and Deputy Director of Tourism, Ms Shikha Saxena, welcomed the artists and congratulated everyone on Rajasthan Day. In the program, colourful cultural folk dances and folk songs were presented by the artists of the Board of Indian Art and Western Cultural Centre. During the program, the beautiful performances of Kesariya Balam Padaro Mahare Desh, Ghoomar, Terhatal, Bhavai, Chari etc., shed some light on the rich heritage and tradition of Rajasthan. On this occasion, Dr Laik Hussain, Director of Lok Kala Mandal and officers and representatives of other departments were present.

Rajasthan Diwas 2021

Rajasthan Diwas 2021

It is an honour remembering and commemorating the rich culture and colourful beauty of Rajasthan on this auspicious day! Let’s reminisce our warriors and grandeur of Rajasthan by celebrating the 71st Foundation Day together! Happy Rajasthan Diwas to everyone.

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Festivals People

Are you Celebrating Holi Amidst COVID-19?

The country is witnessing a constant uptick concerning the deadly COVID-19 cases. By keeping the current scenario in mind, the government has imposed strict guidelines and regulations to do damage control. But the question is – Will the people of Udaipur and beyond follow these set guidelines issued by the government or will they just put a lid on it and carry on with their celebrations as usual?

UdaipurBlog team took things into their own hands and asked some people about the gravity of the current situation and will they be celebrating Holi this year or not. We also asked them about the concept of the Holi Festival and why do we celebrate it. Some were clueless, and some had a sliver of information about the same. Our team got some funny answers as well!

Check out the video to know what answers we got on our little escapade!

In frame: Aatmagya Upadhyay

Behind the camera: Prakhar Chouhan and Shashwat Kaushik

Why is Holi Celebrated?

Although Holi is celebrated on a particular day, i.e., 29th March, it is rather a week-long affair for people who are most enthusiastic about the festival. Holi marks the advent of the spring season in our country, but do we know the true story behind celebrating it? Well, the concept behind celebrating Holika Dahan as well as Holi dates back to the mythological story when king Hiranyakashayp ordered his son Prahlad to be burnt since he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap’s sister Holika complied to escort Prahlad in the fire, considering that she had the blessing of being immune from fire. She wanted to ensure Prahlad’s demise.  Holika sat on the conflagration with Prahlad. Turns out that Holika was burnt alive while Prahlad was saved by God. Also, the story of Lord Krishna and Radha is related to the festival. We celebrate the intimate connection with the divine deities and their love plays when they used to go to each other’s villages and play with colours.

However, when Team UdaipurBlog had a chance to ask people about the same, they were quite clueless, while a few knew the gist of Holika and Prahlad’s story.

Will You Celebrate Holi this Year?

Well, when our team moved ahead with all the question business, they asked people if they would celebrate Holi this year, considering the fear of COVID-19 lurking around us. We got a bunch of “Ayes” & Noes.” The “Ayes” were fairly confident about the lesser extent of Coronavirus in our country and that the disease could do them no harm! Goodness Gracious!

The government had advised people about keeping the Holi Celebrations low this year since it is the right thing to do, knowing the damage our recklessness can cause in the near future and to other people. It is highly advisable to stay at home and celebrate with your family and close friends rather than going over the top with the Holi Celebrations. Wear a mask and ensure social distancing at any cost.

Guidelines and Protocols Imposed by the Rajasthan Government

Seeing the spike in cases, the Rajasthan government has issued certain guidelines to control the further spread of Coronavirus amidst the Holi Festival.

On March 26, the Home Department of the Rajasthan government partially revised the previous order banning public events and issued a new order, according to which it will now be allowed to hold events at public places on March 28 and 29 from 4 to 10 pm, in which a maximum of 50 people will be able to participate.

What precautions should we take while celebrating Holi?

  • Caution should be your first priority, even if the government has given the nod to any public celebrations in the city.
  • Keeping social distancing, sanitisers, and masks is a must!
  • People above the age of 45 or 50 years are advised to avoid taking parts in crowded events and celebrations (if any).
  • Those who are allergic to colours, cold water, or any substances shall remain at home or maintain their distance.

 

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Colourful and Safe Holi. Enjoy a lot but remember to maintain social distancing and adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines!

Happy Holi Udaipur! Stay Safe!

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Social

World Theatre Day 2021 – Know About the Theatres in Udaipur

Some people are artists. Some themselves are art!

Theatres is an art form where people and artists combine voice, words, movement, expressions, and visual elements. The field of theatre is not only about live improvising and scripted work but also about depicting dramatic forms such as TV, film, or any other electric media. The value of theatre art is suppressing due to the introduction of cinema and newer generations of platforms. Theatres are not of much relevance these days, which is a sad reality.

How did World Theatre Day come into origin?

Since 1962 World Theatre Day is celebrated by International Theatre Institution (ITI) to commemorate all theatre art forms across the world. The day has been celebrated by ITI Cooperating Members, ITI Centres, theatre professionals, theatre universities, theatre lovers, and theatre organizations all over the world on the 27th of March. World Theatre Day is a celebration for those who value the art of theatre as well as understands the importance of the art form. It is a wake-up call given to the legal bodies and other institutions to recognize the value and potential of people representing their artistic endeavours in a theatre.

Udaipur is known for its history and heritage when it comes to art and architecture. The city offers a wide platform for stage artists to showcase their talent in front of the population and receive recognition for the same. The City of Lakes has a number of theatres where artists can perform theatre art as well as hone their skills for the long run.

Check out the below list to know about theatres in Udaipur.

Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal

Theatres in Udaipur
Source: Udaipur Tourism

Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal was established by Padma Shri Devilal Samar in 1952. The key objective of this Association is to carry out studies on folk art, culture, songs, as well as festivals of regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh etc. The theatre is constantly trying to restore the fading folk culture in Rajasthan. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal is a Folk-Art Museum and auditorium where some of the most prestigious events have held on for years. The theatre is renowned for its puppet show, where a lot of tourists gather to see the art form in the massive auditorium. Also, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal has an open theatre for the artists to mesmerize the audience with thier talent.

Darpan Sabhagar – Shilpgram

Source: Patrika.com

Darpan Auditorium is situated at the rear side of Shilpgram, Udaipur. Shilpgram is also known for its representation of tribal art and performances. Every year there is a Shiplgram Fest hosted in the month of December in Udaipur. The Shilpgram Fest is the most awaited event for the people in Udaipur and beyond since one can buy aesthetic arts & apparel, home furnishings and a number of handmade products at a reasonable price.

Darpan Sabhagar helps filmmakers and budding artists to showcase their art form to the audience. Numerous films are screened at the Darpan Sabhagar theatre regularly to keep the audience engaged. Films such as Open Door, My Hometown, Protect the Nation, The Internal Raga, Mr Rich, etc., were shown in the theatre.

Sukhadia Rangmanch, town hall Udaipur

Theatres in Udaipur
Source: Twitter

One of the most prominent theatres in Udaipur, Sukhadiya Rangmanch, is famous for its large capacity to host a big event. Many stand-up comedies show, drama, plays, music sessions, etc., have been hosted here. It is situated at Town Hall, Udaipur and is a property owned by the family of Mohanlal Sukhadiya. Popular Stand-up comedians such as Zakir Khan, Jeeveshu Ahluwalia, and more have performed here and have attracted a large number of audiences from the city.

MLSU Auditorium

MLSU Auditorium Udaipur
Source: MLSU Website

Swamy Vivekananda Auditorium, better known as MLSU Auditorium, is a part of Mohanlal Sukhadiya University. It is a delight to see that students actively participate in the artistic activities taking place in the auditorium. A number of plays and concerts have been organized in the theatre for a very long time, and many renowned artists have graced theatre with their presence.

 

So, these were some of the most prominent theatres in Udaipur, trying their best to revitalize the vanishing theatre. Let us celebrate this World Theatre Day to honour the refined performance art by local artists in our city and beyond. If you feel that there are more theatres in Udaipur, apart from the ones mentioned in the list, please feel free to refer them in the comment section below.

 

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List Top

Did You Know About these Iconic Advertisements Shot in Udaipur?

Udaipur is a beautiful haven situated in Rajasthan. The city is brimming with beautiful lakes, culture, and heritage, which attracts thousands of tourists across the world. Udaipur is not only famous as a popular tourist’s and wedding destination, but it is also a major and sought out location for shooting Bollywood & Hollywood movies, music videos, as well as some of the most iconic advertisements by flourishing brands such as Morris Garages (MG), Canon, Mahindra Group, Amazon, etc. So, did you know about these iconic advertisements that were shot in the City of Lakes, Udaipur? If not, then check out this blog to know about the famous advertisements shot in Udaipur so far.

List of Ads Shot in Udaipur

MG Gloster SUV | MG Motors

The undulating terrains of Udaipur were used at their best in the MG Gloster’s advertisement. In the ad, we can see the vivacious car is shown flying through the Aravalli Hills, situated in the countryside area near Udaipur. The lush green hills, which you can especially experience during the rainy season in Udaipur, can be seen in the video.

The MG Gloster is not only India’s first Autonomous Level 1 Premium SUV but also known the biggest SUV in its segment. MG or Morris Garages is a British marquee now owned by SAIC and are known to make cars with one of the latest tech on markets, and is a very recent entrant to the automobile market of India. and what could be a better place than countryside Udaipur to show the true USPs of this mighty flagship SUV from the brand.

Mahindra Group | Mahindra Rise

Mahindra Group’s advertisement was extremely engaging and gained a lot of exposure due to its powerful message with the hashtag #LadkiHaathSeNikalJaayegi.​

The advertisement features Udaipur’s old city, showcasing the beautiful and historic locations such as Jagdish Chowk, Chandpole Bridge, Gangaur Ghat, Fatehsagar Lake, and Rani Road. Mahindra Rise is a technology and innovation-led, an international federation of companies that offer a broad range of services, products, and possibilities to rise. The advertisement shows the efforts taken by Mahindra Rise under their initiative or project Mahindra x Nanhi Kali, under which more than 350,000 girls received education across India.

Amazon India – Chonkpur Cheetahs

Amazon India shot an amazing advertisement in Udaipur, highlighting one of Udaipur’s most famous grounds, i.e., Gandhi Ground. The commercial depicts the Chonkpur Cheetah team that got added to the T20 season lately. The advertisement is all about buying products related to sports and everything else on Amazon India. Amazon’s #SapnoKiApniDukaan commercial was a great success and received a solid engagement from the audience.

Amazon India | Great Indian Festival

 


The commercial is to promote the Amazon Great Indian Festival, which is held every year withholding amazing offers for people to buy products at a cheap rate. The advertisement is shot in Udaipur reflecting the aesthetic streets of the city.

Nestlé India | Maggi Special Masala

The advertisement is all about adding the taste of Maggi all over India. The initial part of the commercial includes the beautiful tourist spots of Udaipur. At the very starting of the video, you can see the orange hues in the sky, Fatehsagar Lake, Ganguar Ghat, and the historic lanes of Old City. Our city has been magnificently portrayed in the video, followed by snippets from the Blue City, Jodhpur, Punjab, etc.

Incredible India | The Maharani of Manhattan

The video by Incredible India sincerely reflects the true luxury of Indian Designs. Udaipur and its heritage are wonderfully highlighted with a beautiful message i.e., Find the Incredible You, defining luxury as well as the splendid culture of India. The commercial is shot in Udaipur showcasing the famous tourist destinations in the city such as Ganguar Ghat, Lake Pichola, Ambrai Ghat, City Palace, etc. The regal City Palace’s exterior and interior areas such as Mor Chowk, the cushioned Royal Swing for the Maharani, and more can be seen in the advertisement. The ever-enchanting palace hotel Oberoi Udaivilas can also be seen in the visualization. Also, we can see the lanes of Old City Jagdish Chowk and art shops in the commercial.

Naudic | Australia


The video truly defines travel and tourism in the City of Lakes, Udaipur. Naudic is an Australian clothing brand that is famous for its vibrant and enchanting product line. The commercial for Naudic Australia for Skylark Productions India was shot in Udaipur by The Crew Production where they have beautifully used the historic and aesthetic streets of Ghanta Ghar, Jagdish Chowk, etc. to capture some artistic shots. Bird-eye view of Lake Pichola, the scenic City Palace, and Gangaur Ghat casting its golden lights in the evening has given an appealing backdrop to showcase the apparel brand. Lake Palace, Chunda Palace, and other royal hotels of Udaipur can be seen in the video as well. The nomadic and adventurous life with Udaipur tourism is truly reflected in the commercial.

2016 Kabaddi World Cup | Ready to Raid!

The commercial is about the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup India. It is a visualization showing the journey of a Kabaddi player who belongs from a small town and becomes a champion later. The commercial got famous through its hashtag #ReadyToRaid. The video is shot in Udaipur, where we can see a shot of Lakecity Mall, Old City, and several other glimpses of our beautiful city.

PICKLE NATION RAJASTHAN With Chef Kunal Kapur | Living Foodz

The show Pickle Nation airs on the Living Foodz channel and this video is done with one of the best Indian Chefs, Kunal Kapoor. The video is shot in Udaipur and the utterly charming sunset view taken from a bird-eye angle from Karni Mata Temple is a delight to see for us Udaipurites! City Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel, Lake Pichola, Lake Palace, and more such tourists’ locations featuring Chef Kunal Kapoor can be seen in the video.

 

So, these were some of the commercials that were shot in our City of Lakes, Udaipur. Hope you received some insights from this blog! I, for one, am very curious about knowing what took place in our city and things that are the talk of the town. If you are one of my kind, then read this blog and know more about the movies shot in our beloved Udaipur.

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Events

IIM Udaipur is all Set to Host its Flagship Start-Up Challenge – Prarambh 2021

Live Update: To attend E-Summit live, visit: https://youtu.be/aTfbNQKXNe4

Prarambh and E-Summit are the flagship events of the Entrepreneurship Cell, or the E-Cell of IIM Udaipur, which helps the budding entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. IIM Udaipur is all set to launch its 8th edition of Prarambh and 2nd edition of E-Summit this March 20th and 21st. Be an audience to this event and see the participants work on their dream projects.

The selected Groups for Prarambh, this year, will be trained for over four weeks to develop a sellable idea with the help of experienced mentors who are working in the industry for a long time. They will be getting a chance to pitch in front of investors at the finale. Bombay Shaving Company, Tempawala.com, Modbit and Priptos are some of the start-ups that have previously graduated from this program.

The theme of E-Summit 2021 is based on “Tales of Transition”, which will help the budding entrepreneurs understand the true importance and commitment towards innovation. They will get a real idea about how much it takes to make your dreams come true. IIMU is set to host eminent speakers like

  • Murali Sivaraman – Independent Director ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
  • Mythily Ramesh – Cofounder & CEO, NextWealth
  • Prachi Mohapatra – Marketing Head, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

Experience the phases that a determined and committed entrepreneur go through to transform their idea into a reality.

The entire team of Saksham, the E-Cell of IIM Udaipur aims to bring the complete stories and journey of these industry veterans to life, stressing the importance of how the established players in the industry also have to keep innovating and be dynamic to be seen among the audience. Saksham passionately believes that this E-summit will be an eye-opener and a call to action for youngsters who wants to start a business, especially in the Covid-19 situation, where companies had to undergo thorough research to generate out of the box ideas in order to be sustainable.

The E-summit for 2021 is scheduled to be conducted online on March 20th. IIM Udaipur is ready to host all curious minds to interact with the speakers and to bring their ideas alive. To be a part of the summit, click here to register.

Glimpse from the past year 

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Events Social

Interesting facts you should know about this World Consumer Rights Day

There are numerous questions that come to mind when we talk about consumer rights and things associated with the term. What are consumer rights? Can we ensure our safety through these rights? Can you sue the brand for making cheap quality products?… and so on! Do you know that there are a number of rights that protect you against false items? To make you aware of the same, we have come up with this blog where you can know all about consumer protection rights and how can you reach a consumer protection right forum or helpline number in Udaipur.

First things first, let me tell you a little something about consumer rights and why we celebrate World Consumer Rights Day.

What are Consumer Rights?

Being a consumer or buyer, you have the right to have proper and authentic information about goods or services that are sold to you. The seller is liable to ensure the quality, purity, price, potency, and standards of the goods and services sold to the customer.

Why is World Consumer Rights Day Celebrated?

The World Consumer Rights Day falls on 15th March every year, as a means to raise awareness among the people about their needs and rights as a consumer. By celebrating this day, we aware of each other of the right to demand protection and respect against the consumers and to stay safe from the fraudulent activities taking place in the marketplace. The day gives us a chance to protect ourselves against market abuses and social injustices by local or online sellers, which undermines those rights. President John F Kennedy of the USA was the first one to address the issues that consumers face every day, which ultimately gave rise to World Consumer Day. He addressed the topic in the special letter/message sent to the US Congress on March 15, 1962, where he formally instigated to focus on consumer rights. The movement first marked its date in 1983 and is now celebrated every year with the help of campaigns and releasing important issues.

Important Facts and Rights that Protects you as a Consumer

If you are buying goods and services from a local market or any online platform, you are liable to benefit from various rights if the things sold to you are wrong or not up to the mark. Unfortunately, many consumers are not aware of their rights, which puts them in a difficult situation anytime they buy products or services, and they are delivered under false pretenses.  Lots of consumers encounter complications when seeking to profit from those rights. In a few cases, customers may be provided erroneous or perplexing information regarding their compensation privileges from a seller after lodging a complaint.

  • The Consumer Protection Bill, 2019 was passed by the Lok Sabha Minister (The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution), Mr Ram Vilas Pawan, on July 08, 2019, which replaces the Consumer Protection Act 1986.
  • You have a right to file a complaint from anywhere, anytime. The consumer has the right to lodge a complaint from home, office, or anywhere else if faced with any product or service-related problem.
  • You have a right to seek product or service compensation under this liability. In case of any defective product or service, you are liable to file a report to express the product’s warranty, and if the seller denies accepting the same, he or she will be held liable for the consequences. This stipulation brings e-commerce under its realm.
  • If you have an issue related to violation of consumer rights or unfair selling practices that are a result of misleading advertising, then you have a right to protect yourself as a class.
  • A consumer has the right to seek a hearing with the help of video conferencing. Under this provision, you have a right to present your complaint before the district committee on the basis of an affidavit or recorded evidence to prove your point.
  • If your complaint is rejected, you have the right to know the reason for the same. No district commission is allowed to reject your complaint without hearing. In fact, the commission is required to decide about rejecting or admitting the complaint within 21 days, and there is no action taken for the same, then the complaint is directly deemed as admitted under the law.
  • You have a right to choose a product or service and negotiate for the same.
  • As a consumer, you have a right to seek redressal or compensation for unfair trade practices or restricted trade practices.
  • The biggest right of them all, you do NOT need a lawyer to appear in a consumer court! You can have any relative or even yourself represent the case. Alternatively you can also have a lawyer do initial paperwork and then handle rest of the things all by yourself!

Find Consumer Protection Court in Udaipur

Udaipurites! You can easily find a consumer court in Udaipur to file a complaint that there is a breach of consumer rights.

Udaipur District Forum

Phone: 0294-2411743, 9414796970

Address: Court Premises, Udaipur

Department of Consumer Affairs, Rajasthan

Visit: Upbhokta Mamle Vibhag

Toll-Free Number: 1800-180-603

 

We hope you have all the information and facts you need to know about your rights as a consumer! Buy Smartly, and yes, Jaago Graahak Jaago! 

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Featured Social

Inspiring Women from Udaipur Breaking Stereotypes – Women’s Day Special

Happy International Women’s Day to all the ladies out there!

March 08, International Women’s Day, is recognised to celebrate women’s achievements in every niche and field across the world. Certainly, every woman has made a difference in the world by their selfless contribution. Whether it is Science, Literature, Politics, Hospitality, or Technology, women have gone to extreme lengths to challenge society, which is, in every sense brimming with stereotypes. The word feminism is often misunderstood, and let me enlighten you, feminists do not hate men! Rather, it is about supporting a world where both men and women receive equal opportunities or, say, treated equally. Do feminists want to dominate men? NO! I am a feminist, and I feel my heart would stop beating for a second when I see Hrithik Roshan’s pictures on the internet; why on earth would we hate men?

So, this International Women’s Day, we thought we would give a shout out to the women of Udaipur that have incredibly inspired us in one way or another. Their story is no different than any other little girl, who perhaps wants to break the so-called stereotypes and do something of their own.

Even in the 21st century, there are a lot of stereotypes and barriers women face. On the advent of International Women’s Day, UdaipurBlog brings you a series where we invite women from the city who have broken stereotypes and are a source of inspiration for many.

1. Hitanshi Sharma, Councillor

Being a Politician while carrying on with life as a mother, daughter, and wife is not everyone’s cup of tea. Well, Hitanshi here has done a tremendous job, despite the challenges one has to face to survive in the political world. She is a Councillor (Parshad) of ward 62 in Udaipur and tries her best hand to make this city a better place for us. She is bold, has a strong voice and opinion about how things should be in the long run. To be a Politician was never a plan, but when the opportunity came to her, she grabbed it without a second thought and marvelled at the same.

In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming a Councillor.

Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwF1EMg3SJs]

2. Smriti Kedia, CEO – Sadhna

The word “Simple” doesn’t exist in her dictionary; thereby, she is a firm believer in hard work and no shortcuts. Smriti Kedia currently became the CEO of Sadhna and has been a true inspiration and a catalyst for social change in Udaipur and beyond. She doesn’t come from a family originally associated with Social Work. Smriti has subtly reminded us that bringing equality, and empowering women is nothing but simple. Keeping the legacy alive, Smriti is working for women development in Udaipur’s rural, tribal, and urban slum belts. According to her, Feminism is about understanding and acknowledging the power or importance of women in our society. Smriti considers herself fortunate to be surrounded by women artisans on a daily basis, who are a true inspiration in themselves.

In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming the CEO of Sadhna.

Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnT0wnKk7ks]

3. Saumya Luthra, Architect

Do you also paint an image of a man when you hear the word Architect? For you to change that image, we have called upon Saumya Luthra. She is an Architect based in Udaipur and has shown that it is not only a man’s job to build and design a strong establishment. Saumya has opted for a field, which is mostly recognised as a man’s ground, and has excelled despite the challenges! It is a story of being independent and continuing a journey towards an unconventional career.

In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming an Architect.

Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn7NlmnSpIg]

4. Dolly Taldar, Hotelier

When asked by her teacher, what does she wants to become? Her answer was pretty easy and quick – “I want to become a successful Hotelier.” Meet Dolly Taldar, Director of Ramada Resort and Spa, Udaipur and know about her journey of becoming a boss lady! She is in the hospitality industry for a long time and is looking after an up-and-coming business. According to Dolly, gender biases comes quite naturally to people, especially when you belong to a small town. However, gender doesn’t impact your knowledge and capabilities, and with your skills, you can always make your name in the market.

In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming a successful hotelier.

Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKdw4_4PA58]

5. Miti Godawat, Pilot

Enlightening us on her journey of becoming a Pilot, Miti Godawat speaks about how she still gets to hear about the myths associated with marriage and working women in our society. An inspiration for many in Udaipur and beyond, Miti Godawat is recognized for her unmatchable passion for becoming a Pilot. There came a time when she was told that getting married will be the most useful thing she can do, which we all know didn’t happen to be the case! Fulfilling her father’s dream, Miti is now a Commercial Pilot for Indigo Airlines.

In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming a Commercial Pilot.

Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GNF-9A2Uf0]

6. Bonita Singh Rajpurohit, Miss Transqueen Runner-up, Co-founder of two ventures

Being Transgender is not merely an issue of gender rights; it is also a matter of equality and human rights. We have had the pleasure to meet one such transwoman from Udaipur, Bonita Singh Rajpurohit. The stereotypes about embracing the trans community are full of smoke and mirrors, and sadly the smoke is so thick that one cannot cope with the hurt they have to endure to achieve the ulterior motives. Despite all the hurt comments, Bonita was up and running in the fashion industry. She has been awarded as the second Runner-up of Miss Trans Queen India 2019 and is also a Co-founder of two ventures: DurtyFits and Durt Studio.

Bonita Singh Rajpurohit is someone who came forward as a Trans individual and thrived in the modelling and fashion Industry. In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her story of breaking every stereotype about the Transgender Community.

Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szNWvri28LQ]

 

These were some Unheard Stories about the empowering women of Udaipur. This series is powered by Mokaya, a woman-operated bakery & patisserie. If you are aware of more such women, let us know in the comments, so that we can bring a second part to this series soon.

Categories
News

Udaipur selected as one of top 25 cities in Indian Government’s Cycles4Change Challenge

Udaipur smart city has recently been selected as one of the top 25 cities out of 41 participating cities in the India Cycles4Change Challenge.

Udaipur qualified in India Cycles4Change Challenge

The India Cycles4Change Challenge is an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) that comes under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, to encourage the habit of cycling, to make rides safer for cyclists, and to inspire and support the cities to implement cycling friendly initiatives.

Udaipur qualified in India Cycles4Change Challenge

Community participation is a crucial step for this initiative, and for the same reason Udaipur smart city conducted a survey to understand the mindset and feedback from the citizen of Udaipur. A total of 41 cities participated in the first stage of this challenge, out of which 25 cities have been selected for the next stage of the competition.