CULTURE

SOME DEFINITIONS

CULTURE

• Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving.
• Culture is the systems of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people.
• Culture is communication, communication is culture.
• Culture in its broadest sense is cultivated behavior; that is the totality of a person's learned, accumulated experience which is socially transmitted, or more briefly, behavior through social learning.
• A culture is a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.
• Culture is symbolic communication. Some of its symbols include a group's skills, knowledge, attitudes, values, and motives. The meanings of the symbols are learned and deliberately perpetuated in a society through its institutions.
• Culture consists of patterns, explicit and implicit, of and for behavior acquired and transmitted by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievement of human groups, including their embodiments in artifacts; the essential core of culture consists of traditional ideas and especially their attached values; culture systems may, on the one hand, be considered as products of action, on the other hand, as conditioning influences upon further action.
• Culture is the sum of total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from generation to generation.
• Culture is a collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another.

PM Modi, Ashraf Ghani denounce terrorism, vow to strengthen bilateral ties

 

Head administrator Narendra Modi and going to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday criticized the sponsorship of fear in the area and pledged to encourage extend respective collaboration.India additionally vowed one billion dollars for the backing and improvement of "a bound together, sovereign, equitable, tranquil, steady and prosperous Afghanistan".Ghani is on a two-day visit to India beginning Wednesday."The two pioneers examined the provincial circumstance and communicated grave worry at proceeded with utilization of fear mongering and viciousness in the area for accomplishing political targets," a joint proclamation issued toward the end of the meeting said."They concurred that this marvel exhibited the single greatest danger to peace, strength and advancement in the area and past.""Focusing on that disposal of all types of fear mongering, with no separation, is vital, they called upon the worried to put a conclusion to all sponsorship, bolster, places of refuge and havens to psychological oppressors, including for the individuals who target Afghanistan and India," it said.Modi and Ghani reaffirmed their resolve to counter fear based oppression and fortify security and safeguard participation as imagined in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.The two sides additionally marked an Extradition Treaty, a concurrence on participation in common and business matters and a reminder of comprehension (MoU) on collaboration in serene utilization of space."The Prime Minister emphasized India's withstanding support for a brought together, sovereign, majority rule, serene, steady and prosperous Afghanistan. He passed on India's preparation to consider further prerequisites of Afghanistan for limit and ability working in circles, for example, training, wellbeing, agribusiness, expertise advancement, strengthening of ladies, vitality, framework and fortifying of vote based establishments."To this end, the Prime Minister offered that... India would distribute a total of $1 billion. The Prime Minister likewise proposed to supply world class and effortlessly moderate medications from India and collaboration in sun based vitality through commonly concurred instruments," the MEA articulation said.The two sides likewise talked about brisk execution of the trilateral understanding including Afghanistan, India and Iran, marked in May 2016, utilizing Chahbahar port.

114 Countries South Africans Can Travel To Without A Visa

 

A visa grants official permission for a non-citizen to enter a country and remain there for a limited duration. Each country can attach its own conditions to their visas, such as duration of stay, the territory covered by the visa, dates of validity, whether the visa is valid for more than one visit, etc. Historically, visas were originally granted by immigration officials on a traveller’s arrival at the borders of a country, but increasingly today a traveler wishing to enter another country must apply well in advance for a visa.

The stricter visa policies are due in part to immigrants from impoverished countries flocking to more economically developed countries in search of better opportunities, placing strain on many countries’ healthcare systems and other social services. However, many countries have bilateral agreements in place to waive visa requirements altogether for visitors intending to stay for brief periods of time.

Do you know that with South African passport, you can now visit these 114 countries around the world VISA FREE or VISA ON ARRIVAL? There are a number of countries that require that South Africans secure visa before they are allowed into the country which in most cases, leads to endless paperwork, unplanned spending and more bureaucratic stress. However, it is important that you are aware that your South African passport is more than you think of it in terms of what it can do as it can grant you entry to quite a number of countries without visa but note that entry requirements change constantly so it is always advisable to check with the embassy of any country close to the time of your travel. Nonetheless, as of today, here is a comprehensive list of countries for which no prior visa arrangement is needed for entry if you are a South African with a South African Passport:

Countries South Africans can go to without a Visa?
Due to good international relationship between South Africa and several other countries, you would not be wrong to expect an ample number of countries to be on the list below:

• Brazil – 90 days
• Antigua and Barbuda – 1 month
• Argentina – 90 days
• Costa Rica – 90 days
• Ireland
• Vanuatu – 30 days
• Bahamas
• Barbados – 6 months
• Chile – 90 days
• Belize
• Venezuela – 90 days
• Benin – 30 days
• Haiti – 3 months
• Botswana – 90 days
• Guyana – 3 months
• Saint Kitts and Nevis – 3 months
• Nepal – 90 days
• Jamaica
• Ecuador – 90 days
• Dominica – 6 months
• Colombia – 180 days
• Saint Lucia – 6 weeks
• Guatemala – 90 days
• Malawi – 90 days
• Dominican Republic – 30 day tourist card must be purchased on arrival.
• El Salvador – 90 days
• Zambia – 90 days
• Peru – 180 days
• Namibia – 3 months
• Fiji – 4 months
• Nauru Georgia – 90 days within 180 days
• Paraguay – 90 days
• Micronesia – 30 days
• Rwanda – 90 days
• Grenada – 3 months
• Nicaragua – 90 days
• Uruguay – 90 days
• Philippines – 30 days
• Honduras – 90 days
• Panama – 180 days
• Lesotho – 30 days
• Israel – 90 days
• Malaysia – 90 days
• Mozambique – 3 months
• Tanzania – 90 days
• South Korea – 30 days
• Mauritius – 90 days
• New Zealand – 90 days
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 1 month
• Singapore – 30 days
• Zimbabwe – 3 months
• Swaziland – 30 days
• Trinidad and Tobago – 90 days
• Thailand – 1 month (air) / 15 days (land)

Below are more countries that offer fewer restrictions to South Africans. All the listed countries would allow you to travel without a visa however, most of the countries in this section would preferably issue a visa on arrival. This removes the hassles and delays involved in securing visa before travel as the visas are almost always granted once you have a genuine reason and as mentioned earlier, it is imperative that you check with the country’s immigration very close to the time of your travel as visa policies change frequently.

Countries that Issue South Africans Visa on Arrival

• Indonesia – 30 days
• Bolivia – 90 days
• Madagascar – 30 days
• Armenia – Visa on arrival
• Tunisia – 1 month
• Comoros
• Mauritania
• Jordan – 30 days
• Guinea-Bissau – 90 days
• Maldives – 30 days
• Burundi – 30 days; obtainable at Bujumbura International Airport
• Cambodia – 30 days
• Oman
• Iran – Conditions apply
• Palau – 30 days
• Ethiopia
• Gabon – Visa not required for children under 16
• Botswana
• Djibouti
• Samoa – 60 days
• Zambia
• Senegal – 3 months
• Rwanda
• Saint Helena
• Madagascar (Visa on arrival)
• Malawi
• Cape Verde
• Timor-Leste – 30 days
• Seychelles 1 month
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Senegal
• Gabon
• Guinea-Bissau
• Somalia
• Mozambique
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe
• Togo – 7 days Benin
• Kyrgyzstan – 30 days
• Laos – 30 Days
• Somalia – 30 days provided an invitation letter issued by the sponsor has been submitted to the Airport Immigration Department at least 2 days before arrival.
• Tuvalu – 1 month
• Turkey issues e-visa for 3 months

When it comes to crossing international frontiers, there’s one travel document that opens more doors than any other. And it isn’t a U.S. passport. German citizens, it seems, have the potential for the greatest mobility in the travel world. With a German passport, travelers can enter 177 out of 218 countries and territories without a visa, according to the 2016 Visa Restrictions Index.

Immediately behind Germany, holding its position as runner-up for the second year running, is Sweden with visa-free access to 176 countries.

Japan and South Korea were also among the group in the top three in 2014 and 2015, but have slid down to fifth and sixth place respectively this year. Belgium, Denmark and Netherlands stand alongside the U.S. in fourth.

At the bottom of the list, labeled countries with the “worst passports,” are Afghanistan, at 104, followed by Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria.

The top ranking country in Africa is Seychelles -an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa, with a population of 90,000 people. Seychelles citizens have access to 129 countries.

The Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed it places a priority on negotiating for bilateral visa waiver agreements when it engages in diplomatic relations with any state. While the majority of these visa waivers are obtained for all Seychelles passport holders, there are at least 5 according to the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs website which are for diplomatic and official passport holders only.  Negotiations are ongoing with some of those countries to allow visa free entry for all passport types, including with the United Arab Emirates which the Seychelles government says it is currently finalizing negotiations on the matter. Currently, only citizens holding Seychelles diplomatic and special passports can enter in the UAE without a visa as part of a visa waiver agreement which the Seychelles government signed in 2012.

Mauritius is second on the list, with 124, and South Africa is third, Botswana, Kenya and Namibia follow suit.

Movies Releasing this Friday By India

Movie Releasing this Week – Friday, 16 September, 2016

 

 

 

 

Release Date -16 September

Movie - Pink  

Genre- Drama 

Director  -Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury

Cast - Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Andrea Tariang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Release Date -16 September

Movie - Raaz Reboot

Genre- Horror

Director  -Vikram Bhatt

Cast -Emraan Hashmi, Kriti Kharbanda, Gaurav Arora

MS Dhoni The Untold Story: Almost everything you see in the film happened in Dhoni's life

MS Dhoni

Arun Pandey, who has been long-time friend and business partner for MS Dhoni, is entreprising. You can here it in his voice, how dedicated he is to his passion project releasing on September 30. The project is none other than a Bollywood film based on the life of Dhoni, India's most successful captain. He emphasises more than a few times that the film was made purely to motivate youngsters in India and around the world.

He repeats it so many times, that it actually becomes irksome. Dhoni is a very marketable commodity. And it's hard not to see the financial prospects in telling the life story of a man like him. He is a World Cup winning captain, has pan-India appeal and it only makes sense that his underdog story be sold to the highest bidder. However, the trailers suggest they have tried to capture the essence of the cricketer's life. Both Neeraj Pandey (director) and Sushant Singh Rajput (playing Dhoni himself) look sincere. Will MS Dhoni: The Untold Story break the jinx with Bollywood and biopics, we'll have to wait and watch.

1.       What was that one element in Dhoni's life story that separates him from the rest of the underdog stories in the world? Why does the world need to hear Dhoni's story?

A majority of the population is the youth, out of which a big number come from the small towns. And how many stories like Dhoni do you have that can motivate you to this extent? The ascent from where he started to what he has achieved, it is so massive, how do you not get inspired by a story like that? But it's not even about his victories and the success and the money that he has made. It is how he has conducted himself through those phases of life. You hear him in interviews, and he's always talking about a process. What is a process? The effort we put in today. A lot of people dream like Dhoni did, but did they put in the effort that Dhoni did? Dhoni himself never dreamt that he would play for the country, let alone lead it. What purpose the story will serve is to tell the youth, if you have dreams big or small, if you put in the effort today, you will be closer to achieving it than you were yesterday.

You watch Lincoln, Wolf of Wall Street and even A Beautiful Mind, from the last 15 year's Oscar-winners you'll find at least 10-12 of the films were based on real life stories. That's why we thought the story needs to be told. 2. Neeraj Pandey's earlier films have a completely different flavour compared to what this biopic would need. How did he come on board?

When we first thought of making the movie, we had a few names about who could be candidates for the director's job. As soon as I heard, that Neeraj was the man behind A Wednesday, I jumped and was convinced he was the man who would make it. I'm a great fan of A Wednesday, how he's made this whole movie around one incident and how in middle of it is the story of a common man. So I asked my people, and they set up a meeting. And after that one meeting, Neeraj was on board to direct.

3. Was Sushant the first choice to play Dhoni? What convinced you he could pull it off?

I was coming back on a plane when I saw Kai Po Che. And I saw Sushant, the way he batted, bowled and how he talked about the sport. We thought he would be a good boy to work with. We wanted someone raw, hardworking and we got both those things from Sushant who really worked hard to get Dhoni's physique.

4. When did Fox Star come into the picture?

So there was Dilip (Jha, the writer) who was writing about the various incidents in Dhoni's life. He used to go everyday, meet him and hear his stories and wrote that down. After Neeraj came on board, he started reviewing Dilip's work and he started asking questions and started piecing together a narrative for the film. After that it took close to 10 months to find the right studio who will help us tell the story like it should be told. Vijay Singhji (CEO, Foxstar) was a visionary enough to see the potential in the story and after that we began shooting.

5. A film like this can be risky, it requires scale to look convincing, were there dark days when you thought you couldn't pull this off?

I didn't doubt myself for a single second, since I decided to start work on making this biopic. The kind of love and affection MS gets from people all over India, never doubted the project for a single second. And Fox backed us completely, whatever was the requirement for the movie from my side, from Neeraj's side was fulfilled without question.

6. There is a tendency to sugar-coat biopics, has Neeraj Pandey attempted to take on the grey areas of Dhoni's life?

The definition of grey area tends to differ from person to person. And as far as clarifications related to conflict of interest has already been given, it's all there out in the open. There was no glamourisation of anything, in fact I can tell you positively that 98 percent of the what happens in the movie, is based on Dhoni's real life. Ask Neeraj, when he came on board and how difficult he found to find the grey areas in Dhoni's life. He was surprised that there was hardly any negativity in his life. He was appalled that he had to work so hard, talk to so many people, and he still couldn't find any grey areas in MS Dhoni's life.

7. When was the decision taken about dubbing the movie into Marathi, Tamil and Telugu?

It was always on the cards, even before the trailer was released. Dhoni has a pan-India appeal and we thought it would be a good idea to reach out to people in the other regions as well who will be equally eager to hear Dhoni's story. Even better if it is in their local language.

8. Raj Thackeray's MNS objected to the Marathi-dubbed version. Are you going to go ahead and release it in Marathi or is that on hold?

I have to speak to the people at Fox about that, I've not really been in the loop about that. I'll have to check up on it, it slipped my mind.

9. How comfortable was Dhoni opening up on the details of his love-stories? Which are two from the movie?

Whatever happened in real life, he sat down and spoke to Neeraj. And that's been included in the movie.

10. Has Dhoni seen the movie yet? What was his reaction?

Of course, he got emotional. It was a little awkward too for him, but he hardly ever expresses. He was a little overwhelmed seeing his life story adapted to the big screen.