Sindoor Khela campaign

TOI announces 3rd edition of #NoConditionsApply – Sindoor Khela campaign

 Two years ago, an initiative by The Times of India reinterpreted a 400-year-old tradition with the award-winning campaign #NoConditionsApply – Sindoor Khela. Conceptualized to promote gender equality, the campaign calls attention to the issue of inclusion of women in celebrations and combats the discrimination that they face in terms of their caste, creed, marital status, sexual orientation etc. The campaign won accolades in India and abroad.
In its 3rd year, #NoConditionsApply – Sindoor Khela initiative aims to reach the corners of the nation and beyond spreading this message of inclusive celebration that celebrates womanhood sans any discrimination based on ‘labels’ and societal barriers.
The campaign that was conceptualized in 2017 and was organized for one pandal in Kolkata. The Times of India along with the puja committee of Tridhara Sammilani, which is also one of the oldest and most prestigious puja pandals in Kolkata, organized the first ever inclusive Sindoor Khela – which invited widows and transgenders to be a part of this grand celebration.
What started with a single pandal celebration, went on to become a national movement with participation from over 100 pandals in 2018. The campaign hopes the movement will achieve the status of a global phenomenon this year. Owing to the widespread popularity of the campaign in its previous two editions, TOI has been getting several requests of extending the campaign to newer cities.
This year, the campaign spreads its wings across the country and beyond, and #NoConditionsApply encourages readers to host an inclusive Sindoor Khela and celebrate along with all sisters irrespective of the labels society may have attached to them.
The campaign urges patrons to bring a sister along to the celebration – sister being used metaphorically for any women they know of in their family, friend and neighbourhood, who have been shunned to be a part of the celebration.
The campaign asks the patron to invite their lesbian sister, transgender sister, widowed sister, divorcee sister, single mother sister to the celebrations this year. Since its inception, the campaign has witnessed phenomenal support worldwide from people who wanted to offer their support and be a part of the movement.
Garnering support from Kolkata’s agents of change - Rituparna Sengupta, Gargee Roychowdhury, Manobi Bandyopadhyay and Sohini Sengupta the campaign extends an invitation to women to #BringaSisterAlong this Pujo. With the phenomenal success of its previous editions, garnering 718 mn reach over the past 2 years, the latest edition aims to extend inclusion not just in Sindoor Khela but across all celebrations as part of the fabric of our tradition.
 Commenting on the launch, Sanjeev Bhargava, Director, Brand TOI, said, “The #NoConditionsApply – Sindoor Khela campaign is extremely special to all of us, owing to the change that it has fostered across the various communities in India. While it is contextualized to a Bengali cultural event, the message of inclusive celebration and sisterhood resonates with everyone. We have always left no stone unturned in spreading the message across the various strata of society. Our success lies not in the awards that this campaign has garnered but in the fact that the initiative has grown from strength to strength and is rapidly becoming a symbol of inclusiveness.  We are grateful for the overwhelming response we have received from women across the country who have shared their celebrations with us. The fact that it is back for the third time is testament to the widespread movement that the campaign is now. I thank everyone who has supported us in making the change happen.”
Speaking about the campaign, Swati Bhattacharya, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Ulka said, “This piece of work has been a big emotional milestone for me personally. This bloodless coup of a campaign shows the world that joy love friendship and beauty can help break down walls an inclusive Sindoor Khela shows us that sisterhood is one of biggest ideas that can change the world we live in.”
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Best jobs for work-life balance

3 best jobs for work-life balance

In The Know breaks down three careers that best allow you to have a fulfilling life outside of work, without sacrificing your salary.
The line between work life and personal life is thinning rapidly, thanks to 24/7 connectivity through emails or internal company messaging systems, making it seem near impossible to find a well-paid career that allows you to unplug and completely disconnect after you clock out.
Sarah Stoddard, a community expert at Glassdoor, explains that while a declining work-life balance seems like the norm, this isn't true.
"Jobs in technology, business operations and marketing tend to tout strong work-life balance compared to those in other industries, which is a reflection of the high demand for this skilled talent," Stoddard said to Business Insider.
The In The Know video above highlights jobs within these industries that provide exactly that — a promise of a life outside of work, without jeopardizing salary.
10 PHOTOS
The best jobs for healthy work-life balance
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Data Scientist Salary: $106,939
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Social Media ManagerSalary: $107,473
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SEO ManagerSalary: $111,038
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Web DesignerSalary: $70,580
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Content ManagerSalary: $92,583
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Lab AssistantSalary: $53,912
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Dietician Salary: $56,890
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Elementary School TeacherSalary: $54,814
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Human Resources Manager Salary: $94,993
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Civil Engineer Salary: $95,550
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Data scientists have reported high satisfaction with their work-life balance, and the median salary is $117,345. User experience design is a competitive field, but most positions ensure that you have ample time at home. The median salary is $90,967.
Good work-life balance isn't limited to tech jobs, either. Corporate recruiters round out In The Know's list, finding most people holding this position say they have a great work-life balance and net an average salary of $58,661.
As more and more skilled employees look for jobs that won't take over their personal life, employers have become more open to promising flexible working hours as a huge selling point for these competitive markets.
9 PHOTOS
Top Companies for Work-Life Balance
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Rated No. 1 overall for offering its employees the best work-life balance, MITRE is a non-profit company specializing in systems engineering, information technology, operational concepts, and enterprise modernization. Its employees have raved that, "Work-life balance is very real and everyone is encouraged to take time off and keep their work hours under control." And, "MITRE walks the talk in work life balance. We work with smart respectful colleagues. We have flex hours and good benefits." In the career section of the company website[S1] , it notes, front and center, that, “MITRE also provides flexibility in the workplace by offering benefit programs like the Flexible Work Arrangement Program and Paid Time Off Bank. These programs help employees navigate successfully between their responsibilities to home life and their professional responsibilities at work.”
Rated No. 4 overall for offering its employees the best work-life balance, SAS is a business software specialist, and is one of nine companies making the list for two years in a row. On its website[S2] , the company notes that, “SAS has created an environment that fosters and encourages the integration of the company's business objectives with employees' personal needs.” Its employees have commented, “"SAS offers countless benefits (not just health insurance) like aquatic center, onsite childcare, subsidized meals at the onsite cafes, gym, and list goes on and on and on." And, "SAS is very thoughtful in looking at ways to improve your work/life experience."
Rated No. 8 overall for offering its employees the best work-life balance, social network LinkedIn (LNKD) is in the business of connecting professionals with each other and employers with prospective employees. The company tends to workers’ minds and bodies with benefits [S3] such as educational and inspirational speakers, yoga, and “plenty of organic fruit.” A recruiter at the company has said, “I love the workout sessions and work-life balance that is encouraged.”
Rated No. 9 overall for offering its employees the best work-life balance, FactSet Research Systems (FDS) provides financial data to the investment industry. Its website’s career nook explains [S4] that, "Our company's culture attracts and nurtures employees who want to help out and kick back." Employees have commented: "Excellent benefits and extremely flexible scheduling (i.e., if you need to work at home, take time for a medical appointment). Length of work week is extremely reasonable (40-45 hrs. per week typically)."  "Work-life balance is the best in the industry."
Rated No. 12 overall for offering its employees the best work-life balance, Orbitz (OWW) is a travel specialist with a page [S5] on its website entirely dedicated to its work-life balance commitment, noting that, “We work on the leading edge. But we also find time to connect with each other,” and listing a host of employee interest groups centered, for example, around biking, parenting, martial arts, Nintendo gaming, and gay-lesbian-bi-transgender issues. Employees have praised it saying, "Very open on flexible working -- as I have a young family, that counts for a lot." And "Work from home perks are really nice, where managers are supportive and open to work from home."
Rated No. 22 overall for offering its employees the best work-life balance, the company once headed [S6] by Mitt Romney is a key player in the management consulting business, known for generous compensation but also very demanding hours. One worker noted that, "Work-life balance -- obviously consulting stinks but at least Bain tried (weekly health checks, meetings on how to make life better)." Bain offers [S7] part-time and job-sharing options, and even sabbaticals and leaves.
Facebook (FB) is notable for being one of the companies that dropped off the list in 2012. It held the No. 7 spot in 2011. Facebook maintained a high score, though, and would likely make a list of top 50 companies. At Glassdoor.com, an employee in 2010 summarized [S8] a bunch of benefits of working there: "Never go hungry, always have clean clothes, … management focused on employee satisfaction, … flexibility in work hours." With the company now public, many employees are likely far richer than they were in 2010, too.
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Humility goes a long way

Humility goes a long way; in life and at work

Timothy Owase, Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Film Commission I wake up at 5am every day. The first thing I do is pray and then read one verse from the Bible. Sometimes I go to the gym, but most times I run for an hour. I usually cover about five kilometres. When I get back, I prepare for work and ensure my children are also ready for school. (I have three children aged 17, 11 and 5.) My wife passed away last year in March and that changed my program. She was my best friend and chief advisor, and besides that, she took care of me. She would always ensure I was ready for the day, prepared breakfast and packed lunch for me. My sister, who now lives with me, tried to keep up that routine but whenever she (my sister) packed me lunch, I’d cry all the way to work. I don’t carry lunch anymore.I am always at the office by 7am. As the CEO, my role entails offering leadership and communication clarity of our vision to my internal and external stakeholders. My key responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of the corporation, acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations, and being the public face of the corporation.Once I get to the office, I go through the newspapers. My days are very structured. Every Monday I have a management meeting and have senior management meetings on Thursdays.I cannot achieve anything on my own and because of this, I always ensure that my team is taken care of well so that together we can achieve our core mandate, which is to create a vibrant film industry. I give them all the support they require. My mantra rests on two things – accountability and responsibility. Everything I do I have to be accountable and take responsibility. The same applies to everyone else.Work, like life, has challenges. Our stakeholders sometimes expect certain things to be done as quickly as possible but based on how we are structured, certain things may not be achieved within the shortest time possible. They require a certain process, especially where government matters apply. But I won’t really call that a challenge. Instead, I see it as a learning opportunity.

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The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay focused, and when you set out to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Every time I speak to my parents, they remind me of that. It’s the same advice I’d give: remain focused, stay in your lane and be accommodate. You need to be always prepared for the unexpected. When the unexpected happens, be ready to face the challenge and face it with the zeal to succeed.I’ve found that humility goes a long way. I come from a small village in Busia and worked my way to the top. If you are focused, the sky is the limit. I have also learnt that everything that we do and everything that happens around us is in God’s will. The previous times the position of CEO at Kenya Film Commission fell vacant, I was not ready. I think God led me to prepare well for the position; this included going back to school. When position was vacant again, I assessed what they needed and what I could offer and I knew it was the right time. I applied for the job, prayed on it, went through the interview process and I got appointed. We must always prepare ourselves for opportunities instead of waiting for them. My life is a testament that it doesn’t matter where you come from. Prepare well and have concentrated focus on what you want to achieve.My role as CEO is my greatest achievement because I recognise that I have come from far. Also, I was recently awarded a certification as a certified film commissioner, the only one in Africa so far, by the Association of Film Commissioners International. It also gives me immense satisfaction to know that wherever I served, I gave it my best and often had satisfied customers.I usually leave work at 5pm, although on some occasions I can work late depending on the assignments I have on the nature of the day. When I get home, I spend time with my children, finding out how their day was and telling them how mine was. I normally read for an hour every evening. Even if it is one page of a book, I must read. I am currently reading Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne and The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma.Outside work, I spend a lot of time with my family and friends. I also love sports and travelling. On Sundays I go to church. I used to attend the Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) on Valley Road but that had to change because my wife and I had a special spot we loved to sit at. Every time I sat at that spot after she passed away, I’d relive our moments there and that would lead to endless tears. Now I attend the CITAM Karen. But my faith remains. I believe in God and I believe whatever happened was within His plans.

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Work for life balance.

If you’re looking for a healthy work-life balance, try one of these jobs

Finding the right work-life balance can be difficult, but there are jobs where you can make above-average pay without being attached to your work like a magnet.
With the help of data acquired from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and independent research, U.S. News & World Report found 10 jobs that have below-average stress levels with a median income of at least $50,000 — and room to grow.
Survey researchers interviewed professionals across different industries to determine that jobs like archaeologists, web developers, and statisticians were some of the top occupations if you were trying to find more pay at less of a physical and mental toll.
But the top job was orthodontists. The median salary was $208,000 with job growth expected to rise by 7% by 2028. With many orthodontics working for themselves or a practice that operates on a normal work schedule, it makes it an ideal situation for those looking for more balance. However, it takes many degrees to get there as you must become a dentist before going back to school for additional education.
10. Wind turbine technician
Median salary: $53,880Expected job growth by 2028: 57%
9. Survey researcherMedian salary: $54,270Expected job growth by 2028: 1%
8. Hearing aid specialist
Median salary: $54,860Expected job growth by 2028: 16%
7. Archaeologist
Median salary: $62,280Expected job growth by 2028: 10%
6. Anthropologist
Median salary: $62,280Expected job growth by 2028: 10%
5. Cartographer
Median salary: $63,990Expected job growth by 2028: 15%
4. Web developer
Median salary: $67,990Expected job growth by 2028: 13%
3. Radiation therapistMedian salary: $80,570Expected job growth by 2028: 9%
2. Statistician
Median salary: $84,060Expected job growth by 2028: 31%
1. Orthodontist
Median salary: $208,000Expected job growth by 2028: 7%

Durga Puja begins amid tightened security

Durga Puja begins amid tightened security

Durga Puja, the most important festival of the Hindu community, began nowadays with the incarnation (Bodhon) of the divinity Hindu deity at completely different temples across the country together with capital national capital.

The five-day festival can return to associate finish with the immersion of idols of divinity Hindu deity in close rivers and different water bodies on October eight.

he Mahasaptami puja are going to be endured Sat whereas Mahashtami, Kumari Puja and articulation Puja on Sunday, Mahanabami puja on Mon and Biyoya Dashami on weekday, in keeping with Asian country Puja Udjapan Parishad.

Recitation of the verses from the Holy Hindu deity and processing of univalve shells (Shankha) and beating of drums are going to be detected from temples and pandals within the town et al throughout the day.

Adequate security measures are taken for sleek celebrations of the pageant.

Additional members of police, Ansar, fast Action Battalion and different enforcement agencies are deployed in puja mandaps to make sure a full-proof security.

This year, Hindu deity Puja are going to be celebrated at thirty one,398 permanent and temporary puja mandaps across the country, aforementioned the parishad.

The number of Puja mandaps this year has increased by 483 from last year’s thirty,915.

According to the parishad, Hindu deity Puja is being organized at 237 mandaps within the capital, whereas the quantity of mandaps was 234 last year.

In the town, a largest range of devotees have already started thronging completely different mandaps together with Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramkrishna Mission and scientific discipline, Kalabagan, Banani, Shakhari Bazar, and national capital University Jagganath Hall.

Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs), archways and metal detectors are put in the least bit puja mandaps to avert any untoward incident.

Ma Durga puja of Bangladeshi devotees

Bangladeshi devotees flock to Asian country to celebrate Hindu deity puja

A read of associate degree Idol of the deity Hindu deity at a Hindu deity Puja Pandal on the primary day of Hindu deity Puja. (Representational)(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

Siliguri is prepared to celebrate Hindu deity Puja, the most important pageant in state. quite two,000 pujas ar unionized each year in North geographic area, with 432 being control in Siliguri alone.

Durga Puja organizers try to grant their best effort through vibrant pandals. several domestic and international tourists come back to go to state to participate during this pageant.

Following this tradition, an oversized range of Bangladeshi nationals ar coming back to state to celebrate the puja.

After the inauguration of Fulbari Integrated Check Post (ICP) close to Siliguri underneath the Jalpaiguri district, several Bangladeshi pageant lovers ar mistreatment this new route for pandal-hopping. Most of the Bangladeshi nationals ar from Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, and Rongpure districts of Bangladesh.

According to the Bangladeshi nationals, a rustic like Asian country is known for festivals and that they ar unable to check festivals like these back home.

During now, state is celebrating its largest pageant -- Hindu deity puja -- therefore we tend to don't need to miss the chance, they added.

According to Customs, the amount of Bangladeshi tourists coming back to Siliguri is twenty to thirty per cent a lot of from the Fulbari Integrated Check Post (ICP).

(This story has been revealed from a wire agency feed while not modifications to the text. solely the headline has been modified. )

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First Published: Gregorian calendar month 05, 2019 09:43 IST

Christmas is simply round the corner:

Christmas is simply round the corner: begin saving currently to avoid headaches later

Aimee Picchi, Special to USA nowadays printed 12:01 a.m. ET Aug. 26, 2019

Marianne Sierk and Robbie Mortillaro bought a home for $275,000 outside city. It match their budget however required work. Here square measure the teachings they learned from renovating themselves. Andrea Kramar / Elaina Kimes, Andrea Kramar / Elaina Kimes

Even though the youngsters square measure simply heading back to high school and December could seem far-flung, it’s not too early to draw up a finances for the vacations.

That’s as a result of making your monetary blueprint currently will facilitate avoid headaches later, like overspending and sinking into debt, specialists say.

Heading into the vacations while not a concept will increase the chance of unraveling a complete year’s value of monetary discipline – furthermore as undermining your enjoyment of the season. sadly, most Americans enter the vacation season while not a monetary game set up.

“We found that simple fraction of usa citizens don't have a vacation budget,” aforementioned Greg McBride, chief securities analyst of Bankrate.com. “That will definitely gift issues given the very fact that the vacations generate immeasurable one-time massive expenses and it happens each year.”
Start saving for the vacations early, as sudden and huge expenses will move on quickly between gifts and travel.

Start saving for the vacations early, as sudden and huge expenses will move on quickly between gifts and travel. (Photo: Yvonne Paddie)

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August could be a time to start out designing, and this year provides a bonus: as a result of there square measure 5 Fridays within the month, some staff can receive an additional payroll check, McBride says. It’s a good chance to sock away that money for the vacations and start building a cushion to weather higher defrayment, he adds.

Below square measure tips from specialists on a way to begin a finances for the vacations.
Create a budget

Racking up mastercard bills isn’t uncommon at the vacations, with quite one in four adults admitting they are going into debt throughout the season, in step with Danu Marineau, a monetary advocate at personal nondepository financial institution Credit fate. making a budget will aid you in sidestepping the debt entice, she adds.

As a part of the budget, create an inventory of specific things you’d wish to purchase for friends and members of the family to assist you avoid impulse purchases, Marineau recommends.

“Be thoughtful regarding what you would like to shop for,” she says. “Maybe you see a good sweater you get targeted on Instagram. You think, ‘Maybe my auntie Madonna would really like that,’ however don’t permit the impulse of the targeted advertising” to sway you.

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Don’t forget prices on the far side gifts

Holiday shoppers usually chuck prices like travel and entertaining , McBride notes. once you produce your budget, certify to feature within the expense of flights, hotels, eating out and alternative supportive prices.

These prices will usually exceed defrayment on gifts, with agency Experian finding that the standard yank WHO plans to travel at the vacations spends regarding $930, compared with regarding $850 in gift purchases.
Putting aside some of every payroll check to save lots of for vacation expenses will mean a smaller hit to consumer's wallets return season.

Putting aside some of every payroll check to save lots of for vacation expenses will mean a smaller hit to consumer's wallets return season. (Photo: File/Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)
Put cash aside currently

Don’t wait till the minute to save lots of for vacation looking and travel. If you receive an additional payroll check in August, sock away half or all of the money, as McBride recommends. And bear in mind that a number of your vacation expenses might occur so much previous you expect, like if you purchase airline tickets in October for a family visit in December.

“Put some of each payroll check toward vacation defrayment,” McBride recommends. “When the autumn comes and you begin to start acquisition vacation expenses, you’ll have some cash put aside.”
Rethink your gift priorities

Lastly, rethinking gift-giving will facilitate economize and time.

Anne Van Donsel of urban center, Vermont, notes that her family, that is scattered round the country, opted to prevent exchanging gifts a couple of years past.

“It takes most pressure off everything as a result of you'll relish the vacations while not going stone-broke,” she says. rather than shopping for gifts, members of the family then have more cash to pay on travel visit one another, she adds.

“It makes it therefore it’s not overwhelming from a time perspective or monetary perspective,” she says. “It takes you off that roller-coaster.”

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