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HarperCollins is delighted to announce ‘In the Footsteps of Rama’ by Vikrant Pande & Neelesh Kulkarni

NEW DELHI, March 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ‘In the footsteps of Rama’, reviews Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni’s quest to retrace the route of Rama’s fabled travels during his years in exile began with their trying to locate Chitrakoot on the map-and realizing that they had little idea where it was. Curious about the places mentioned in the Ramayana, they set off on a voyage of their own, following in Rama’s footsteps, from Ayodhya to the Dandakaranya forest and Panchavati (near Nashik), and on to Kishkindha (close to Hampi), Rameswaram and Sri Lanka.
Along the way they would discover how closely the narrative of the Ramayana is linked to local folklore, and how the stories of the epic and the moral framework that binds them together still speak to the people who live in the land across which Rama, Sita and Lakshmana made their journey.
For the armchair traveller as well as those interested in India’s cultural history, this is a wonderful book with which to revisit the world of the Ramayana.
“And the end of all our exploring, will be to arrive where we started and to know the place for the first time.”
“Reading the various Ramayanas did not give me a sense of the places Rama stayed in during his fourteen years of vanvaas. I wanted to visit some of the places myself to visualize what must have happened there thousands of years ago. The quest led to our uncovering stories which had survived for millennia, and were fascinating. The book will, I hope, also make readers curious to visit some of these fascinating places and experience them first-hand.” -Vikrant Pande
“The idea for this book came to us over coffee, and took over our lives completely-as we realized we would actually be walking a path billions of people over thousands of years have held in awe and reverence. The learnings from our journey have been many, but the basic lesson has been rediscovering the value of faith which shone through every sentence uttered by the people we met. We marvelled at how the Ramayana was assimilated into myriad cultures and yet managed to retain its basic message. Our journey grew on us and changed us in ways we have not yet fully discovered.” -Neelesh Kulkarni
“The Ramayana, one of our great epics, is also at one level the story of an incredible journey: from Ayodhya, through northern, central, western and southern India on to the island of Lanka -and back. Inspired by the fascinating stories of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana’s travels during their years of exile, Vikrant and Neelesh set off on an incredible journey of their own, retracing Rama’s travel route. The result is this wonderful book that at once revisits the world of the Ramayana and rediscovers its relevance in the context of people’s lives today. In the Footsteps of Rama is an absolute delight for the armchair traveller-especially in these times when restrictions on travel don’t allow us to set out on a quest across India like Vikrant and Neelesh did. But reading about their journey is almost equally scintillating.” -Udayan Mitra, Publisher- Literary, HarperCollins
About the Authors:
Vikrant Pande has translated twelve Marathi bestsellers into English. His translation of Girish Kuber’s book Tatayan (The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation) won the prestigious Gaja Capital Best Business Book award in 2019. A graduate of IIM Bangalore, Vikrant is a full-time writer now.
Neelesh Kulkarni is an entrepreneur who has been running his own company for over thirty-five years. He is a theatre and voiceover artist with over fifty years of experience, an avid reader and traveller, a poet, a cricket commentator, and a public speaking coach. He lives in Delhi with his artist wife.
About HarperCollins Publishers India:
HarperCollins Publishers India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers. HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Prabha Khaitan Woman’s Voice Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India has been awarded the Publisher of the Year Award three times: at Publishing Next in 2015, and at Tata Literature Live! in 2016 and 2018. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Egmont, Oneworld, Harvard University Press, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet.
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Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh Signs MoU with Film Society of India to Establish ‘Film Gurukul Studio’ to Nurture Future-ready Filmmakers

Chandigarh University UP Collaborates with Film Society of India to Cultivate Future-ready Media Professionals through Expert Mentorship & Experiential LearningLUCKNOW, India, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To provide experiential learning to its students in media and filmmaking, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Film Society of India (FSI). As part of the collaboration, a Film Gurukul Studio would be established at the varsity campus to provide students with industry-oriented training, internship opportunities and hands-on exposure to filmmaking, workshops, masterclasses, exposure to live industry projects and guest lectures by FSI’s network of filmmakers, media professionals and cultural practitioners.

The MoU was signed between Chandigarh University’s School of Media Studies and Film Society of India (FSI) recently in the presence of Dr. TP Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, and Dr. Durgesh Pathak, President, Film Society of India, among other senior officials of Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh.As part of the collaboration, CU Uttar Pradesh and FSI would jointly organize film festivals, media conclaves, screenings and cultural events that enrich the campus creative ecosystem. The agreement would also encourage collaborative research, publications and creative media projects of academic and cultural significance, nurturing an environment of entrepreneurship and innovation in media, entertainment and the creative arts sector. The MoU is also expected to open new opportunities for students interested in exploring careers in media, cinema, content creation and other creative domains.In a joint statement released by CU UP and FSI, officials mentioned that as part of the collaboration, students will have access to a range of short-term courses and specialized training programmes covering various aspects of filmmaking and media production. The programmes will combine theoretical knowledge with practical learning to help students develop a deeper understanding of storytelling, cinematography, editing, sound design, production processes and other critical aspects of the creative industries. The proposed Film Gurukul Studio is expected to serve as a dynamic learning space where students can engage in practical projects, receive mentorship from industry professionals and gain exposure to contemporary filmmaking practices.Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director, Chandigarh University, said, “At Chandigarh University, we lay emphasis on providing experiential learning to our students by exposing them to live industry projects. The MoU signed between CU and FSI will go a long way in polishing the budding talent of Chandigarh University and transform them into future-ready professionals in media, art and entertainment industries. The programmes are intended to combine theoretical knowledge with practical training, enabling learners to gain deeper insights into the functioning of the creative and entertainment industries. Our students will no longer just read about cinema in textbooks; they will create it.”About Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow)Envisioned to foster a culture of sustainability and empower future global leaders, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, immerses 21st-century learners in a personalised and experiential learning experience, integrating an AI-powered academic model and a multidimensional, futuristic perspective on education. Our Uttar Pradesh campus carries forward the venerable legacy of more than a decade of Chandigarh University, Punjab, which has established itself as India’s No. 1 Private University and a torchbearer of groundbreaking pedagogy and research-driven innovation. The AI-augmented new campus offers a broad spectrum of industry-driven futuristic academic programs encompassing data-driven insights, virtual reality experiences, real-world simulations, corporate mentorship, international perspective, interdisciplinary research, cultivation of entrepreneurial spirit, and professional competencies.Website address: https://www.culko.in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2998171/Chandigarh_Univ_UP_MoU_FSI.jpg 

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Reliance Digital Launches ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day Campaign Celebrating the Many Expressions of Fatherhood

MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital has launched ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day campaign to celebrate the many expressions of fatherhood. Built around a simple cultural observation, while “Maa ki Mamta” has long been a part of India’s collective vocabulary, there has never been a word that captures the distinct ways fathers express love, the campaign introduces ‘Baaptaa’ as a tribute to the many shades of fatherhood.

Conceptualised as an original music-led campaign, Baaptaa celebrates fathers not as idealised figures, but as they are experienced in everyday life, protective, dependable, emotional, quirky, practical, occasionally embarrassing, and always present. Through a relatable narrative, the campaign acknowledges the countless ways fathers care for their families, often through actions rather than words.Watch Video: https://youtu.be/9XyUsJB33Ds?si=PM67vhxrzth1JEkz At the heart of the campaign is an original music video told from a father’s perspective, capturing the different roles he plays across life’s moments and milestones. The film brings to life the humour, warmth and unspoken affection that characterise father-child relationships, while giving a name to a form of love that many recognise but few have articulated.The campaign stems from a simple insight: while motherhood has often found expression through familiar phrases and popular references, the unique language of fatherhood has remained largely undefined. Baaptaa seeks to fill that gap by creating a term that reflects the everyday gestures, practical wisdom and quiet sacrifices that fathers make.Father’s Day communication often leans into familiar emotional territory, but Reliance Digital’s campaign celebrates fathers in a way that feels more culturally authentic and relatable. The idea for ‘Baaptaa’ came from a simple observation — mother’s love has been immortalised in a number of heartfelt, emotional songs, there needed to be an anthem dedicated to dad’s love. And thus was born Baaptaa – a love language that is often awkward, practical, protective, humorous and deeply felt, even if rarely verbalised. It’s a celebration of fatherhood in all its wonderfully imperfect forms immortalized by a song that you won’t be able to stop humming.Shop for the widest range of electronics at Reliance Digital and thank your father for his Baaptaa.

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Canara HSBC Life Insurance Celebrates Father’s Day with a Heartwarming Tribute to Dad Jokes

The digital film highlights how fathers express love through humour, turning everyday moments into lifelong memoriesNEW DELHI, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (“Canara HSBC Life Insurance”) today announced the launch of its Father’s Day digital film, a light-hearted and heartfelt tribute to fathers and their unique way of expressing love through humour. Celebrating the universally relatable phenomenon of ‘Dad Jokes’, the campaign shines a spotlight on the small yet meaningful moments that often become some of the most cherished family memories.

Presented in the style of a mock documentary, the film follows a sibling duo as they recount some of their father’s most memorable jokes—ranging from playful puns to classic one-liners. While the film begins with humour and nostalgia, it gradually reveals a deeper truth: behind every seemingly cringe-worthy dad joke lies a father’s sincere effort to connect, bring joy, and remind his family that he is always there for them.The campaign is rooted in the insight that fathers often express their emotions differently. Rather than through words alone, they communicate their care through everyday actions, practical guidance, shared experiences, and sometimes, through humour. Dad jokes may not always receive the loudest laughs, but they often become lasting reminders of a father’s presence, warmth, and unwavering support.Through relatable storytelling and candid family moments, the film celebrates fathers who may not always wear their emotions on their sleeves but consistently show up for their loved ones in their own unique ways. It captures how these seemingly ordinary interactions become treasured memories that families carry forward for years.Reflecting the campaign’s central message, Canara HSBC Life Insurance reiterates its belief in standing by every promise that matters. Just as fathers quietly support and protect their families through every stage of life, the company remains committed to helping customers secure their loved ones’ future and fulfil their financial commitments, truly embodying its promise of being a ‘Promises Ka Partner’.The campaign is now live across Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s X (twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram channels.IG- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZwH5IKhCzG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== FB- https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1cSkxsFWNY/X- https://x.com/CanaraHSBCLI/status/2067808467205918962?s=20Li- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7473574831364468737Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997652/Canara_HSBC.jpgLogo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2739906/6008480/Canara_HSBC_Logo.jpg

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