Somy Ali on human trafficking: It has become over a billion dollar industry

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Somy Ali, who runs a US-based NGO called No More Tears and helps victims of human trafficking, domestic, violence and rape, says that people unite this month to take a stand against this evil.“Human Trafficking Awareness Month is designed to educate the public about human trafficking and the role they can play in preventing and responding to human trafficking. Since 2010, the U.S. federal government has designated the month of January and human trafficking prevention month. The colour blue is internationally recognised as the universal colour for human trafficking prevention. Countless people wear blue in January to show their solidarity to take a stand against this modern day slavery. The symbol for human trafficking awareness is a blue heart,” she says.
She adds, “Human trafficking is the largest growing criminal enterprise in the world and it has become over a billion-dollar industry, even surpassing the weapons trade and the drug trade industry. You can sell cocaine once, but you can sell a five-year-old girl for sex for countless years. The issue is that people are not educated on this rapidly spreading pandemic which has no prejudices and impacts everyone. It does not matter what your economical status, class, affluence, religion, or your ethnicity is because traffickers are looking to supply and there is a great deal of demand when it comes to sex and labour trafficking. People are oblivious to the prevalence of this issue and even if they are made aware, they assume it's a third world issue. Whereas, human trafficking is taking place right in our backyard. It is everywhere and what's worse is that the recruiters are women which makes it easier for minors to be duped and sold into slavery.”
According to the U.S. Department of State, there are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people- adults and children subjected to human trafficking around the world. Somy says that this evil is very prevalent in India too. “You come across a lot of cases from India where children and adults are trafficked from India. No More Tears has 45% domestic violence cases and the rest are all human trafficking cases. India, South America, and Bangladesh are the highest ranking when it pertains to the trafficking of children and adults. And, the demand is growing rapidly on a daily basis where children are being sold on the dark web by their own family members. In the U.S, California is number one in trafficking, be it sex or labour, while South Florida, which is where our NGO is based, ranks as the third highest in demand for trafficked minors and adults. A child is sold anywhere from $2500 to $3500 and the youngest age for girls is anywhere from 10-13 years old while for boys it is 11-14 years old,” she says.

Appu: Inspiring heroism in every child 

Appu stands as India's pioneering intellectual property, captivating a vast global audience with more than 2 billion views and 2 million subscribers. Appu Series has established itself as an innovative multimedia entity, seamlessly blending entertainment and education to transform the educational landscape for children.Following the success of the web series and other educational and entertaining content on YouTube, Appu Series is excited to announce the release of 'APPU,' a revolutionary 4K animated feature film that is set to redefine storytelling for young minds.
At its essence, 'APPU' embodies heroism in every child. As the narrative unfolds, it intricately instills the importance of righteousness, courage, and compassion, resonating deeply in the face of challenges and trials.The tale of 'APPU' follows the endearing adventures of a spirited elephant calf named Appu. His playful demeanor and mischievous escapades captivate both young hearts and the young at heart. Tragedy strikes his world when Appu faces the heart-wrenching loss of his mother and the capture of his father by ruthless poachers. Fueled by an undying spirit, Appu embarks on a heroic odyssey, discovering his inner strength and unwavering determination to safeguard his family and species.
"We are thrilled to introduce 'APPU' to the world," declared Suraj Raheja, the visionary behind the Appu Series. The film scheduled for release on 19th April 2024 guarantees to captivate audiences with its compelling storyline and visually captivating animation.As 'APPU' readies to make its presence felt on screens, it serves not only as a story of triumph but also as a compelling call for the conservation and preservation of our planet's natural heritage. Appu will be Released in English and Hindi Language

XG’s Executive Producer JAKOPS (Simon), talks about "New Leaders" in latest issue of Forbes Japan

In the March 2024 issue of Forbes Japan, JAKOPS, the Executive Producer of XG, delves into the philosophy underpinning XG's remarkable global success in a special feature titled "Let's Talk about 'New Leaders'".XG, the Hip Hop/R&B-inspired girl group that made its debut in 2022 following a rigorous 5-year training period, has been making waves on the global stage. From major music festivals in the United States, Australia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, among other locations, to achieving unprecedented milestones, their journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. XG etched their name in history by securing the first-ever ranking for a Japanese female artist/group on the U.S. radio chart "Mediabase Top 40 Radio Airplay Chart," maintaining the longest consecutive ranking for an Asian girl group at an impressive 13 weeks. Adding to their accolades, they made history by topping the U.S. Billboard chart "Hot Trending Songs Powered by Twitter" as the first Japanese artists to do so. Over the past year, XG adorned the cover of the U.S. Billboard magazine as the first Japanese girl group and graced the covers of renowned domestic magazines such as Forbes Japan and VOGUE JAPAN.
JAKOPS (Simon), who has been the producer behind XG for many years, unveils his global strategy and philosophy behind their sudden explosion onto the music scene. Check out the magazine for more insights.Forbes JAPAN March 2024 Issu

The feature "Let's Talk about 'New Leaders'" is part of the 10th-anniversary celebrations of "Forbes JAPAN," which was relaunched in June 2014. The issue focuses on the theme of "Leadership" to positively transform and create drastic changes in the global and Japanese economies. It explores how this era’s New Leaders will develop and how the ways of leadership will evolve, aiming to be a textbook for new leadership. Questions were posed to 100 of these leaders to reveal extraordinary insights.
XG
XG is a seven-member Hip-hop/R&B-inspired girls group consisting of JURIN, CHISA, HARVEY, HINATA, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA.The group debuted on March 2022 with their 1st single “Tippy Toes” from XGALX, a global entertainment production company that introduces BOLD culture to the world and produces artists with a unique worldview.In June of the same year, they released their 2nd Single “MASCARA”. They released their 3rd Single “SHOOTING STAR” on January 25, 2023.The group’s name “XG” stands for “Xtraordinary Girls.Through their unconventional and unique style of music and performance, they will empower people from all walks of life around the world.

Fans get amazed as Urvashi Rautela radiant elegance in an Orange Salwar suit 

At present when the whole country is celebrating the rich saffron color of culture, Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela has also been seen embracing the color of the hour. The actress, known for her impeccable sense of style, embraced the richness of tradition in an ensemble that not only showcases her beauty but also pays homage to our cultural roots.Urvashi Rautela took to her social media and shared pictures of herself from the maha celebration of puja from her new home. On this special occasion, the choice of Urvashi's special attire resonates with the vibrant and distinctive fashion statement. The actress chooses a saffron(bhagwa) colored salwar suit in celebration of the. The choice of her attire resonates with the vibrant and sacred color of saffron which is a testament to the actress's reverence for the occasion and her deep-rooted connection with our cultural and spiritual heritage.
Urvashi's ever-grace captivates onlookers with her simple and elegant saffron(bhagwa) colored salwar suit, exuding a full ethnic look. The actress, known for her impeccable sense of style, embraced the richness of tradition in an ensemble that not only showcases her beauty but also pays homage to our cultural roots. What caught the eye in her ethnic ensemble was the meticulous tassel detailing on her dupatta which added an extra layer of elegance to her overall look. The pictures are from her maha puja celebration where Urvashi chose minimal makeup and shared the pictures as mirror selfies from her new home. Giving the update on her social media she captioned the picture as "Post new  #poojarituals  मेरे घर राम आये है:
मेरे घर राम आये है: ". The ethereal sight of Urvashi covering her head with the dupatta lent an air of modesty and reverence to the whole look. To complete the ethns and recently the actress got spotted with Sindoor in her hand as she did Laxmi Pooja. Its a massive celebration at Urvashi's new humble abode by doing 5 days long pooja.ic look she wore her puja tika adorning her forehead, a symbolic mark of auspiciousness. The Pooja will happen for 5 long days The Pooja will happen for 5 long days and recently the actress got spotted with Sindoor in her hand as she did Laxmi Pooja. Its a massive celebration at Urvashi's new humble abode by doing 5 days long pooja.
On the work front, Urvashi Rautela was recently seen in the most romantic blockbuster hit oif the year music video with Bigg Boss OTT 2 fame, Elvish Yadav in the song Hum To Deewane which was a superhit song. Urvashi also managed to win hearts effortlessly and inevitably with her top-notch work in humongous Telugu projects like Bro, Skanda, Waltair Veerayya, and Agent. She also managed to grab eyeballs for her amazing acting skills ‘Inspector Avinash’ alongside the amazing Randeep Hooda. Urvashi Rautela, Dil Hai Gray & Black Rose. 

"Did you know Vidisha Srivastava, aka 'Anita, does her own makeup?

Vidisha Srivastava, known as 'Gori Mem’ in &TV's Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, is admired for her stylish portrayal of Anita Bhabi. Notably, Vidisha, who portrays Anita, personally does her makeup. She believes less is more, opting for subtle makeup to enhance the onscreen persona. According to her, subtle makeup brings out natural features, conceals imperfections, and results in a fresh, glowing look. Vidisha's impeccable makeup skills and styling often earn her compliments.
Elaborating on her makeup and styling, Vidisha Srivastava, aka Anita Bhabi, enthusiastically shares, “I frequently receive compliments for my portrayal of Anita Bhabi. When I'm out, people approach me, praising my chemistry with Vibhuti (Aasif Sheikh) and Tiwari Ji (Rohitashv Gour). Many young girls admire my appearance on the show, often asking about my makeup routine and the sarees I wear. Such praises bring me joy. Surprisingly, many are unaware I do my makeup, taking only twenty minutes to achieve the desired look. While Anita's strength lies in her robust personality, applying makeup accentuates my features. Despite the production team offering makeup artists, I prefer taking charge. For me, doing makeup and styling my hair is almost therapeutic. I steer clear of heavy foundations, maintain thick eyebrows, and avoid overdoing the makeup, letting the attire speak for itself. The pivotal factor in my makeover is accentuating my eyebrows and generously applying mascara. I believe that for any artist, the eyes talk louder than words. My makeup revolves around natural tones, using nude shades to enhance my features subtly. A neutral shimmer adds a glossy touch to my natural skin tone. Over the years, I've incorporated interesting makeup hacks, like mixing argan oil into my foundation for a radiant effect on camera. Being versatile in portraying characters, makeup is an essential element that completes the look and brings a fun dimension to each persona. Even in childhood, during festivals, dance performances, and dramas, I enjoyed experimenting with makeup. While I haven't received professional makeup training, my background as a classical dancer familiarised me with makeup intricacies. Anita and I prefer elegant sarees in vibrant colours, including solid and pastel shades, giving my appearance a classy and refined touch. Even in Western attire, I incorporate Indian fabrics for an Indo-Western fusion look. The jewellery complements this fusion, blending traditional and modern designs. With my acting experience, I can attest that the right makeup and styling are the foundation for a character's appearance, providing a distinct personality to each role.”
Watch your favourite ‘Anita Bhabi’ aka Vidisha Srivastava, in &TV's Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, airing 10:30 pm, Monday to Friday!

Roopam Kapoor's Book Hour of the Hounds Becomes Talk of Town

‘Hour of the Hounds,’ a fictional crime thriller penned by Roopam Kapoor, has been holding steady on the charts. The book has been viewed in varied perspectives by the reading audience.Roopam Kapoor, a Senior Officer in Customs and Indirect Taxes, with a background in English Literature - a unique combination, has seamlessly blended his bureaucratic expertise with his literary flair to deliver a compelling tale set against the backdrop of the underworld dominance in the early 1990s. “There are not many bureaucrats with an English Literature background. But then those who are there never forget that when they chose to pursue Literature, they always wanted to be either copywriters, newspaper reporters, or editors. And some of them of course, always aspired to be writers. The dreams don’t die, despite James Bond saying, ‘Dreams die first’. Bureaucracy was an aspiration arising out of a challenge for achievement. The novel is an exploration of those achievements coupled with the individualistic ideals and learnings picked up along the way,” avers Roopam Kapoor.
Interestingly, the book was shared with a select group of people for blind readings before it was made available to the world, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The author felt particularly happy when his proofreader found it to be thoroughly engaging! Roopam Kapoor reflects on the unexpected success, sharing ecstatically, “The book took more than a decade to come out, and the butterflies are always there when you see your dream manifesting itself. One always hopes for a successful book, but it always surprises you when it actually goes up the charts - especially when it’s a debut novel.”
The novel, published by Rupa Publications, unfolds against the backdrop of the early 1990s when the underworld held sway over every facet of life. Although primarily a work of fiction, with no real-life significance to the events, the book draws from the author’s life in the civil service. The story follows Prakash, a novice customs officer, who is abruptly transferred to Dapoli, a remote station on the west coast of India. In a twist of fate, Prakash becomes entangled with Salim, a ruthless underworld don and smuggler operating from Dubai. As Prakash thwarts Salim's operations, a formidable alliance known as the 'Howling Hounds' emerges, comprised of Prakash's college crush Shelley, the upright police officer Kabir, and a few loyal lieutenants. Salim’s actress girlfriend, Shabnam, infatuated by Prakash’s ideals, also breaks rank when she learns Salim has a role to play in the Bombay blasts and crosses over to the side of the ‘Howling Hounds'. Together, they set out to dismantle Salim's criminal empire, creating a narrative that weaves love, vengeance, and justice. An intensely pleasant and victorious life is utopian. So, if a person can have an hour of pure intensity, it can often last a lifetime. The hounds have that hour of victory over Salim — their moment of immortality, so the name ‘Hour of the Hounds.’
Yours is to check out ‘Hour of the Hounds’ available on all the leading e-commerce platforms, at a bookstore near you, and all major Indian airports.

Sherleen Dutt shares her viewpoint on Ram Mandir's inauguration

Sherleen Dutt, known for her roles in shows like KINK and Honey Trap Squad, expresses profound excitement and devotion as a Ram Bhakt (devotee of Lord Rama) regarding the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. In her statement, she articulates a deep connection to the cultural and spiritual significance of this momentous event.She starts by highlighting that the inauguration, scheduled for January 22, is more than just the physical construction of a temple. According to Sherleen, it symbolizes the realization of a cultural vision that has endured the test of time. By emphasizing the enduring nature of this vision, she implies that the construction of the Ram Mandir represents a continuity of a cherished cultural heritage.
Sherleen goes on to express a broader perspective, suggesting that the strength of the nation is not solely derived from its diverse population but also from the collective ability to find common ground. This sentiment implies that the construction of the Ram Mandir is a unifying moment for the country, fostering a sense of unity and harmony among its people.For Sherleen, the Ram Mandir is envisioned not merely as a physical structure but as a powerful symbol representing unity, harmony, and the enduring spirit of India. She expresses a sense of national pride in witnessing this significant cultural and religious milestone.
Her desire to visit Ayodhya in the near future to seek blessings at the temple reflects a personal commitment to her faith and a willingness to engage with the sacred site firsthand. Additionally, Sherleen openly declares herself as a firm believer in God, highlighting the importance of her religious convictions in her life.