8th Jaipur Literature Festival Begins Today - Here is Details of Complete Programs

The eighth edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival is set to open on Wednesday, bringing a five-day banquet of literary ideas to the Pink City.

The event, which is now the world’s largest free literary festival, will see a galaxy of literary and musical stars come together for a vibrant celebration of creative expression.

Each year the festival uses literature and culture as a catalyst for debate. The event is often seen as an agenda-setter on key issues from the global economic crisis to the rise of e-books, the current state of politics in the West Asia to the increasing importance of Indian language publishing.

This year the Festival will look at gender equity in India in a series titled “Women Uninterrupted,” supported by the UN to mark the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Conference on Women.

There will also be sessions on the exile and identity of the indigenous people of Australia, the road ahead for the subcontinent as well as conversations on the contemporary status of Sanskrit and the dualistic rise of China and India.

This year, the Festival will expand beyond the four walls of Diggi Palace and will hold over 300 events in 10 venues. Bollywood actor Naseeru-ddin Shah will recite the poetry of Manto on January 21  at Amber Fort.

Other highlights over the five-day event include Nobel Laureate V.S. Naipaul, Man Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton, renowned travel writer Paul Theroux, legends of the silver screen Waheeda Rehman, Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi as well as leading novelists Sarah Waters, Kamila Shamsie, Amit Chaudhuri and Eimear McBride.

This year the Festival will see the announcement of three prizes, including the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. (Source: deccanchronicle)

ARE YOU READY? LETS CHECK DETAILS: 

It's opening day at the 2015 ‪#‎ZEEJLF‬! (ZEE is presenting this Year JLF)

Among our many speakers today, you'll find Vijay Seshadri, Javed Akhtar, Eleanor Catton, Amit Chaudhuri and Paul Tehroux.

FAIZ & KAIFI - A POETIC LEGACY

Salima Hashmi, daughter of the iconic Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Shabana Azmi, daughter of the much beloved Indian Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi, speak of the poetic legacies bequeathed on them by their parents. 

1800-1900, 21 Jan at British Airways Baithak

Please note: This session is open to 'delegates' only

OPENING KEYNOTE: THE POETIC IMAGINATION

Hear from critically-acclaimed poets Vijay Seshadri, Ashok Vajpeyi & Arvind Krishna 

Mehrotra explore the sources and inspirations of the poetic imagination

1000-1100, 21 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

THE LAST WORD

Hanif Kureishi’s varied career as a screenwriter, filmmaker and novelist has seen him hailed as one of “The 50 greatest British writers since 1945″. Join him in conversation with Chandrahas Choudhury.

1530-1630, 21 Jan at Charbagh

A HOUSE FOR MR BISWAS

Celebrate 50 years of V. S. Naipaul's masterpiece with the author himself, in conversation with Hanif Kureishi, Amit Chaudhuri, Paul Theroux & Farrukh Dhondy.

1415-1515, 21 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR....

Don't miss ad-man & lyricist Prasoon Joshi, and poet Yatindra Mishra explore India's popular poetry, music, screenplays, advertising, Bollywood and the secret life of words! 

1415-1515, 21 Jan at Charbagh

Watch as Naseeruddin Shah & Girish Karnad share the stage, exploring the art of acting. 

1530-1630 hrs, 21 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

A Novelist's Affair With nonfiction...

Listen in as travel writers Paul Theroux & Monisha Rajesh talk about their art. 

1700-1800 hrs, 21 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

Explore the lyrical & colourful world of Urdu, Hindi & Hindustani film music with legendary lyricist & poet Javed Akhtar

1115-1215 hrs, 21 Jan at Charbagh

MUJHE JEENE DO: CONVERSATIONS WITH WAHEEDA REHMAN 

Join our tribute to the enduringly beautiful & incredibly gifted actor Waheeda Rehman, in conversation with her biographer & film historian Nasreen Munni Kabir, and writer & mythologst Arshia Sattar. 

1230-1330, 22 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawn

THE LIBRARY AT NIGHT

Alberto Manguel discusses a life filled with books, literature & reading with Chandrahas Chaudhury. 

1230-1330, 22 Jan at Charbagh

A PASSAGE TO AMERICA

2014 Pulitzer Prize winning poet Vijay Seshadri speaks with Bangladeshi poet Sadaf Saaz on the immigrant experience, and writing that straddles two worlds. #ZEEJLF

1000-1100, 22 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

HAMLET'S DILEMMA 

From Macbeth to Othello, and now Hamlet, Vishal Bhardwaj has successfully adapted some of Shakespeare's most loved plays for Indian cinema audiences. 

Hear the director explore his characters and their contexts along with Tim Supple, Basharat Peer and Jerry Brotton. 

1700-1800, 22 Jan at Charbagh

Selfie: The Art of The Memoir

Listen in as writers Anchee Min, Mark Gevisser, Brigid Keenan, Joanna Rrakoff & Basharat Peer debate the art of writing about oneself.

1000-1100, 23 Jan, Charbagh

Find out how a billion entrepreneurs are shaping India & China's future with economic strategist Tarun Khanna and business journalist & columnist Rahul Jacob

1700-1800 hrs, 23 Jan at Charbagh

BLACK SWAN: THE IMPACT OF THE HIGHLY IMPROBABLE

What can we learn from chance? How do you prepare for highly improbable but profoundly impactful events? 

Hear from Nassim Nicholas Taleb as he explores his ground-breaking book at #ZEEJLF

1000-1100 hrs, 24 Jan, Rajnigandha Front Lawns

THE SIMPSONS AND THEIR MATHEMATICAL SECRETS

Science writer Simon Singh unravels one of pop-culture's greatest secrets hidden in plain sight: How the gifted writers of 'The Simpsons' & its sister show 'Futurama' hid mathematical secrets throughout the shows. 

1700-1800, 24 Jan at Charbagh

THE WRITER AND THE WORLD

Fifty years after the publication of his classic 'A House for Mr Biswas', VS Naipaul looks back on his extraordinary with Farrukh Dhondy. 

1415-1515, 24 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

ALL THAT JAZZ...

Listen in as the veteran jazz singer Joe Alvares & Mumbai's resident jazz historian & journalist Naresh Fernandes delve into the nuances of this eclectic genre of music.

1530-1630, 25 Jan at Rajnigandha Front Lawns

LITERATURE IN CINEMA

Catch a series of special panels featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Prasoon Joshi, Waheeda Rehman, Vishal Bhardwaj & many more

A Weekend for traditional music lovers...

If you love Indian folk music, you absolutely cannot miss our weekend performances by Malini Awasthi & Rashmi Agarwal

Catch Transglobal Underground & Sain Zahoor, both BBC World Music Award winners, performing live on the festival Music Stage

Content & Pictures Courtesy: ZEEJLF‬!

Google launched Flight Search Tool in India | www.google.co.in/flights

Who: Google

Where: India

What: launched Flight Search Tool

When: 13 January 2015

Search Engine Google on 13 January 2015 launched its Flight Search Tool in India. The tool allows you to search directly for flights within Google to quickly find, compare and book flights from your mobile device, tablet or desktop.

The Google Flight Search Tool redirects users to the concerned airline’s booking page which cuts out the expense paid to the travel agents.

You Can also click on this link: https://www.google.co.in/flights/

Google's venture into flight search dates back to 2010, when it acquired Massachusetts-based flight information software company ITA software for 700 million US dollars. 

Flight search tool of Google was initially launched in the US and then in parts of Europe. 

About the Google's Flight Search Tool

• The flight search gives options to search for round trip, one way and multi-city flights. 
• It also allows users to use the lowest fares graph below the calendar to see how prices may fluctuate based on the season, holidays or other events.
• After selecting the departure and return dates, users get a list of Best flights which shortlists flights based on the best combination of convenience and price.
• The tool also lets users to view other flights by scrolling through the summary list or selecting Show longer or more expensive flights.
• Users can also save itineraries or share them with others.

Impact of Google's flight search tool on online travel agencies
Google's flight search tool competes with other top online travel agencies in India including Cleartrip.com, Makemytrip.com, Yatra.com, ezeego1.co.in and Goibibo.com. Google's presence in the travel space can reduce the traffic on their portals.

Moreover, airline websites are not optimised for mobile and this can lead to degradation of experience for people who book tickets on airline website. 

Meanwhile, Goibibo has partnered with Google Flight Search to display results from its own portal along with options shown by Google search from airline websites.

Discover True Wellness with Tailor-Made Yoga Tours in India

India is a land of exoticism and mystery, a mystery that reveals itself slowly to the curious seeker. A land of great contrasts, of opulence, extravagance and untold riches and utmost poverty, of highest attainable mental peace and simple basic coarse living. A land full of surprises, disparities and paradoxes and yet the beauty, inherent resilience and warmth of its people will leave an unforgettable impression.

For years spiritual seekers, mystics and global nomads have been coming to India on a spiritual quest to seek answers or find the truth .The umpteen ashrams have been their retreats to learn the wisdom of ancient practices like yoga, meditation and the science of Ayurveda.

The word "yoga" originates from the Sanskrit root yuj which means Union. On the spiritual plane, it means union of the Individual Self with the Universal Self. Yoga is the union of the body, mind, emotions and intellect. The simple process of connecting with your breath when practiced at a deep level, can clear the mind of thoughts that contaminate mindfulness and positive thinking, along with the multitude of health benefits— all of which are directly connected to happiness.

Today's erratic life style, stressful work environments, financial worries, relationship struggles, and poor diet can lead to physical ailments and imbalances. The practice of yoga allows students to be still in a world consumed with chaos. There are many Yoga tour operators and numerous Yoga tour packages available but it is important to check credentials and choose carefully as Yoga is immensely beneficial if learnt under qualified guidance but can do more harm than good if improperly taught.

Indulge in the ultimate restorative break with a tailor made customized Yoga Tour of India, a leading luxury tour operator in the Indian Sub-continent. Each one of the specially designed itineraries is focused on the client's personal needs and requirements. For clients who would like to come to India to learn yoga, gain wisdom or rejuvenate and relax, or simply soak in the serene beauty, this Yoga tour package is the perfect introduction to the endless options India has to offer.

Our experienced team of specialists is dedicated to sharing with you the rich cultural heritage and spiritual treasures via these customized expeditions. We offer meticulously planned, comprehensive and transformative experiences that will leave you with a deep sense of rejuvenation, calm and inspiration.


The sprawling, vibrant megalopolis -New Delhi, is the beginning point of this invigorating sojourn. The spiritual quest leads to Vrindavan, the holy land of Lord Krishna. The narrow lanes and shores of the river Yamuna are teeming with devotees of Krishna lingering in ecstasy, singing hymns in praise of their Lord and such is the fervor of the place that Krishna becomes a part of your consciousness.

A detour to Agra to visit the white wonder marvel, the ethereal -Taj Mahal, is a feast for your senses. This wonder of the world needs no introduction and no words can do justice to this glorious embodiment of love. Visit the famous Agra Fort, built in the 16th century, this fortress of red sandstone, known as the Red Fort of Agra, encompasses the imperial city of the Mughal rulers.

Located on the banks of the Ganges this ancient holy city of Varanasi or Kashi is the beating heart and the spiritual nerve centre of the Hindu universe. For time immemorial people have been flocking here in search of spiritual enlightenment, nirvana or moksha.

The bathing Ghats along the river are the most distinctive feature of the city – a place which has seen the comings and goings of many. Witnessing the rituals of life and death at the Ghats in such an unassuming manner makes one reflect on their own mortality and question the meaning of life.

Attend the synchronized and ritualistic evening Aarti at the banks as the scent of sandalwood and incense permeates the air, the sounds of the chanting of the mantras and clashing cymbals rise to a crescendo.

The expert guides on this trip help the clients plan their tour according to their interest, from spending a day at a reputed Yoga centre to attend a yoga workshop or visit the major temples in the city or listen to a discourse from a spiritual master.

A short drive from this ancient city is Bodhgaya, a sacred site for the Buddhists as well as the Hindus. Under the famed Bodhi Tree, Prince Siddhartha attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, the `Enlightened One'. Have a soul inspiring meditation under the Bodhi tree to conjoin with the spirit and essence of the place.

A delightful train journey to Kolkata is an authentic way of experiencing real India and mingling with the locals to learn about the traditions and diverse cultures of this vast country.

About Kolkata
Kolkata or the "City of Joy" as it is fondly referred to, long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. Visit the many temples, mosques and cathedrals in the city and gain important insight into the melting pot of religion that defines the city of Kolkata.

Take in the glory of the setting sun on the river Hooghly, a tributary of the Ganges, while sailing upriver to Belur Math, the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission and Dakshineswar, a unique Kali temple.

Continue your spiritual sojourn to Haridwar or the "Gateway to God ". Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas , with the Holy Ganges running through it, this city is the starting point of the major pilgrimages important to a Hindu. Expand your knowledge of the mystical sages, their tradition and esoteric practices and healing power. In recent times numerous Ashrams and Spiritual schools have revived the ancient glory of spiritual Haridwar. The twin city of Rishikesh has been a magnet for spiritual seekers. Today it styles itself as the 'Yoga Capital of the World', with masses of ashrams and all kinds of yoga and meditation classes.

Rishikesh – The Annual International Yoga Festival is organized by Parmarth Niketan Ashram In the month of March, visitors and yoga lovers from all corners of the world take part in this festival. This festival explores the eight limbs of Yoga and how they apply to our lives. The Annual Yoga Festival is attended by numerous visitors and Yoga enthusiasts from all around the world.

Spend a day at an ashram to learn the yoga techniques in a natural and quiet setting. They are perfect for beginners or those already experienced. Experience Ayurvedic healing with ancient and traditional Panchkarma spa treatments for absolute mind-body rejuvenation and detoxification. This yoga tour aims to deliver results that are tangible and measureable to guide and handhold you through your wellness journey. 

As the yoga and meditation tour culminates in Delhi one can't help but fall in love with the simplicity and divine grace of this incredible country.