MUMBAI: Wearing only underpants, Pavel Kalina twists his body up a wooden pole before performing a handstand at the top in the first world championships of an ancient Indian sport. Mallakhamb resembles gymnastics and is often described as "yoga-on-a-pole". (Photo: AFP) The 55-year-old from the Czech Republic practises Mallakhamb, a gymnastics-like discipline that originated in western India in the 12th century and is often described as "yoga on a pole". "I do it because I'm a crazy man," Kalina tells AFP, struggling to catch his breath after two minutes performing poses on the pillar, which is covered in castor oil to stop friction burns. "To be honest it is like torture but I have to do it because I need to spend my energy," adds the former gymnast who took up Mallakhamb 10 years ago. Competitors from several countries took part in the event and organisers hope Mallakhamb will become more popular abroad. (Photo: AFP) Kalina was among some 100 competitors from 15 … [Read more...] about India hosts first “yoga on a pole” world championships
Vihajico changes name and elects new CEO
Vihajico, the investor of Ecopark, has just appointed a new CEO as well as changed the company name to Ecopark Corporation JSC to expand business. Vihajico's Ecopark township Vihajico, established in 2013, has made its name through the success of the Ecopark urban area, a functional city and home for many families who love the environment, ecology, and a healthy lifestyle. Recently, Vihajico’s leader board decided to change the company’s name to Ecopark Corporation JSC. This move shows an important turning point in bringing the company's potential and scale to a new level. Along with changing the name, Ecopark Corporation JSC also changed its strategy toward sustainable development and multi-disciplinary investment in sectors such as education, healthcare, clean agriculture, hi-tech, travel, and entertainment, as well as expand the Ecopark urban model across the country. In addition, Ecopark Corporation JSC also elected a new CEO. Accordingly, from January … [Read more...] about Vihajico changes name and elects new CEO
Vietnam officially receives Category 1 from US aviation authority
Vietnam has been officially granted Category 1 status by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), setting the stage for Vietnamese airlines to conquer US destinations. Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Dinh Viet Thang, received the CAT1 certification On February 15, United States Ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel J. Kritenbrink met with Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) Dinh Viet Thang to congratulate Vietnam on achieving the Category 1 rating (CAT 1). “A Category 1 rating means Vietnam’s civil aviation authority meets the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards for personnel licensing, operations, and airworthiness,” stated the FAA. The status was awarded based on the assessment by a visiting FAA delegation to Vietnam in last August. Achieving the Category 1 rating is an important achievement which is the result of many years of tireless efforts … [Read more...] about Vietnam officially receives Category 1 from US aviation authority
Vietnam Culture Festival on horizon
The Vietnam Culture Festival is to take place from March 6 to 10 at Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. Depicting typical images within Vietnamese culture, such as villages, local markets, and the old dwellings found in an imperial citadel, the festival aims to preserve and promote the country’s traditional cultural heritage by introducing cultural values from the past to the younger generation as well as to tourists. It also creates a venue for local and international enterprises to meet and exchange. The festival will get underway with traditional ritual ceremonies, unique moves from the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation, and a puppet show. Highlights on subsequent days include an “ao dai” (Vietnam’s traditional dress) show featuring famous local fashion designers and performances of worship rituals, “chau van” (traditional folk art from northern Vietnam combining trance singing and dancing), and “hau dong” (a ritual … [Read more...] about Vietnam Culture Festival on horizon
Japan PM nominated Trump for Nobel after US request: report
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize last autumn after being requested to do so by Washington, a Japanese newspaper reported Sunday. Washington sounded out Tokyo over the possibility of nominating Trump for the prize after his landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in June last year, an unnamed Japanese government source told the Asahi Shimbun. The report came after Trump's claim on Friday that Abe had nominated him for the prize. Trump said Abe had sent him a copy of a five-page nomination letter delivered to the Nobel Peace Prize committee in which the Japanese leader praised his efforts in defusing tensions with Pyongyang. "He said 'I have nominated you respectfully on behalf of Japan. I am asking them to give you the Nobel Peace Prize.' I said thank you," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Many other people feel that way, too. I'll probably never get it. That's okay." Japanese officials did not … [Read more...] about Japan PM nominated Trump for Nobel after US request: report