10-year-old Indian-British boy, Krish Arora, scores IQ higher than Einstein and Hawking

LONDON, Dec 2: 10-year-old Krish Arora from Hounslow, West London, has stunned the world with an IQ of 162, surpassing the legendary minds of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, whose IQs are estimated to be around 160.

From a young age, Krish demonstrated exceptional abilities, reading fluently by four and solving complex math problems in a blink.

His parents Mauli and Nischal, both from engineering backgrounds. Recently accepted into Mensa, the top society for high-IQ individuals, Krish is a genius in extracurricular activities as well.

Krish Arora’s parents proudly share that their young prodigy is not only a whiz at chess and math puzzles but excels in virtually every area he turns his attention to—often besting them within minutes. When Krish was just 4, his parents began realizing that they had raised a genius.

“He was reading very early, so when he was four he was fluently reading and was doing complex decimal divisions around that time. His spellings were also really good for his age. So we did see the sparks,” his mother told My London.

Incredibly, despite having only played chess for four months, Krish was already able to defeat his mentor, a player with an impressive FIDE rating of 1600. Beyond chess, Krish also has a natural talent for the piano and is a frequent go-to tutor for his friends, who often seek his help with schoolwork. His teacher, recognising his exceptional skills, has even started assigning Krish to assist classmates, particularly in math lessons.

Krish recently shared his excitement with The Sun about being accepted into Mensa. He revealed that his IQ surpasses even Einstein's. Mensa uses the Cattell III B test to assess reasoning and mental agility, with scores above 160 indicating genius-level intelligence.

Australia Passes Landmark Order Banning Social Media For Under-16s

MELBOURNE, Nov 28: Australian lawmakers passed landmark rules to ban under 16s from social media on Thursday, approving one of the world's toughest crackdowns on popular sites like Facebook, Instagram and X.

The bill has now passed both parliamentary chambers with bipartisan support, and social media firms will soon be expected to take "reasonable steps" to prevent young teens from having accounts.

The firms -- who face fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million) for failing to comply -- have described the laws as "vague", "problematic" and "rushed".

The legislation passed parliament's lower chamber on Wednesday and passed the Senate late on Thursday evening. It is now all but certain to become law.

Centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, eyeing an election early next year, has enthusiastically championed the new rules and rallied Aussie parents to get behind it.

In the run up to the vote, he painted social media as "a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators".

He wanted, he said, young Australians "off their phones and onto the footy and cricket field, the tennis and netball courts, in the swimming pool".

UK Woman 'Accidentally Threw Away' Ex-Boyfriend's Rs 5,900-Crore Bitcoin Fortune In Trash

LONDON, Nov 27: A woman has reportedly admitted to accidentally discarding the hard drive containing access to her ex-boyfriend James Howells' lost Bitcoin fortune - now worth an astonishing Rs 5,900 crore (569 million pounds).

Halfina Eddy-Evans, the mother of Howells' two teenage sons, told Daily Mail that nearly a decade ago, she took the hard drive to a landfill in Newport, Wales, as part of a cleanup at Howells' request.

"Yes, I threw away his rubbish. He asked me to," she explained. "I had no idea what was inside. Losing it wasn't my fault."

Howells mined 8,000 Bitcoins in 2009 but forgot about them until years later, when he realized the hard drive, containing the digital key to his cryptocurrency fortune, had been lost. Now buried under 100,000 tonnes of waste in a Newport landfill, the hard drive remains inaccessible despite its growing value.

Howells is suing Newport City Council for Rs 4,900 crore (495 million pounds), accusing them of blocking access to the landfill. "This treasure hunt isn't going away," Howells told Fortune. "The value grows every day."

However, the council has repeatedly denied his requests to excavate, citing environmental concerns and permit limitations. A spokesperson stated, "Excavation is not possible under our environmental permit, and such work would have a huge negative impact on the area."

Eddy-Evans insists she wants no part of the fortune if it's recovered. "I hope he finds it, not that I want a penny. I just want him to stop talking about it," she said, adding that the situation has taken a toll on Howells' mental health.

Howells has pledged to donate 10% of the fortune to transform Newport into "the Dubai or Las Vegas of the UK" if the hard drive is recovered. For now, his legal battle continues, with a hearing scheduled for early December.

Warren Buffett Donates $1.2 Billion, Reflects Upon How 'Fickle' Life Can Be

NEW YORK, Nov 26: Warren Buffett, philanthropist and multi-billionaire CEO of American multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, has donated another $1.2 billion of his wealth to foundations, serving his 2006 pledge to steadily donate his $150 billion wealth during his lifetime and beyond.

In his letter to the shareholders, the 94-year-old CEO reflected upon life and how "fickle" it can be, sharing his most detailed plan to donate his fortunes after his death.

In his four-page letter to the shareholders, Buffett announced that he would "convert 1,600 A shares into 2,400,000 B shares to give these B shares to four family foundations: 1,500,000 shares to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 300,000 shares to each of The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation.

"Father time always wins. But he can be fickle - indeed unfair and even cruel - sometimes ending life at birth or soon thereafter while, at other times, waiting a century or so before paying a visit. To date, I've been very lucky, but, before long, he will get around to me," Buffett said, reflecting on how he thought his first wife, Susie, would outlive him and subsequently donate the vast majority of their fortune, but "that was not to be."

With his $1.2 billion donations, his class A shares in Berkshire Hathaway - which accounts for 99.5% of his $150 billion wealth - have reduced to 206,363 shares after he gave way almost 56.6% of his shareholdings since his pledge in 2006. He is currently the sixth richest person in the world according to Forbes.

"In 2004, before Susie, my first wife, died, the two of us owned 508,998 Class A shares. For decades, we had both thought that she would outlive me and subsequently distribute the vast majority of our large fortune. That was not to be," he said.

The Berkshire CEO made changes to his will, detailing how he plans to donate the rest of his wealth after his death. Buffett said that he and his first wife Susie had "long encouraged" their children in small philanthropic activities and had been pleased with their enthusiasm, diligence and results. Since 2006, their philanthropic activities have dramatically increased.

He hopes his three children - Susie, Howie and Peter - will gradually distribute all of his Berkshire holdings that account for 99.5% of his wealth. In his lifetime, Mr Buffett has donated more than $60 billion of his wealth to various foundations, a majority of which, approximately $43 billion, to the Gates Foundation run by Bill and Melinda Gates.

As he reflected upon mortality, relationships and the fickle nature of life, he talked about a downside to his "good fortune" and said, "The expected life span of my children has materially diminished since the 2006 pledge. They are now 71, 69 and 66. I've never wished to create a dynasty or pursue any plan that extended beyond the children. I know the three well and trust them completely. Future generations are another matter. Who can foresee the priorities, intelligence and fidelity of successive generations to deal with the distribution of extraordinary wealth amid what may be a far different philanthropic landscape? Still, the massive wealth I've collected may take longer to deploy than my children live."

Buffett has assigned three potential successor trustees for the distribution of wealth, each being well-known to his children and is "somewhat younger to them." However, he hopes that the trustees stay on the waitlist, and his children fulfil the responsibility in their lifetime.

His children have to "unanimously" decide on how to donate his wealth, a caveat in his will, which he explained in his letter through the unpleasant reality of philanthropy and those who can distribute huge sums are forever regarded as "targets of opportunity."

"I have one further suggestion for all parents, whether they are of modest or staggering wealth. When your children are mature, have them read your will before you sign it," he said in his letter.

"Be sure each child understands both the logic for your decisions and the responsibilities they will encounter upon your death. If any have questions or suggestions, listen carefully and adopt those found sensible. You don't want your children asking "Why?" in respect to testamentary decisions when you are no longer able to respond."

The Monk Who Gave Up His Father's $5 Billion Empire

BANGKOK, Nov 26: Robin Sharma, in his bestseller "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari", wrote about a successful lawyer, Julian Mantle, who sold his worldly possessions to embrace a spiritual journey. While Mantle's story was fictional, Thai-Malaysian monk Ven Ajahn Siripanyo denounced a fortune worth billions in real life for spiritual servitude.

The only son of Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo gave up the world of riches and spoils to become a Buddhist monk. Krishnan, also known as AK, is Malaysia's third richest man and is worth more than US$5 billion (Rs 40,000 crore approx), according to a report by South China Morning Post.

His business empire spans across telecom, satellites, media, oil, gas, and real estate industries. The billionaire also owns Aircel, the phone company that once sponsored the renowned IPL team Chennai Super Kings, led by cricket legend MS Dhoni.

Despite being groomed from an early age to inherit Krishnan's substantial fortune, Ajahn Siripanyo chose to detach himself from worldly possessions at the age of 18, a decision his father respects. Krishnan is reportedly a devout Buddhist himself, who engages in several philanthropist and charitable endeavours.

On top of being a billionaire's son, Ajahn Siripanyo is also reportedly a blue-blooded noble. His mother, Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, is a descendant of the Thai royal family, according to the South China Morning Post report.

When Ajahn Siripanyo was 18 years old, he went to Thailand to pay homage to his Thai mother's family. During his trip, he reportedly ordained at a retreat temporarily for fun. However, what started as a temporary experience eventually evolved into a permanent commitment. Now, over twenty years down the line, the modern-day Siddhartha is reportedly a forest monk.

He resides at the Dtao Dum Monastery located somewhere on the Thailand-Myanmar border as an abbot.

Ajahn Siripanyo, along with his two sisters, grew up in London. He completed his studies in the UK and is known to speak at least eight languages including English. Quoting sources, the South China Morning Post reported that Ajahn Siripanyo's outlook in life as being open to different cultures, so it doesn't come as a surprise that embraced Buddhist teachings.

As per the report, though the monk lives on the generosity of others on a daily basis, he accepts his opulence where it is necessary. As one of the precepts of Buddhism is familial love, Ajahn Siripanyo makes time to see his father now and then and reports to his old lifestyle temporarily.

Crypto entrepreneur buys duct-taped banana for $6.2 million at Sotheby's auction

NEW YORK, Nov 23: It’s the kind of story that makes you roar with laughter or indignation. A crypto entrepreneur just spent $6.2 million on a banana duct-taped to a wall. What’s more, the ordinary Dole banana in question had been bought for just 35 cents that morning at a fruit stand in the Upper East side of Manhattan, according to The New York Times.

This object is a work of art called “Comedian,” by Maurizio Cattelan, that was sold on Wednesday at Sotheby’s. It was created in 2019 and first shown at Art Basel Miami Beach, where the Perrotin Gallery sold three editions for between $120,000 and $150,000 each.

Every generation gets to be outraged or befuddled by the latest iteration of what gets called “art.” Impressionists like Claude Monet or Cubists like Pablo Picasso were far from the first to scandalize a cultural age, and their works are worth many millions today. More recently, Mike Winkelmann, aka Beeple, produced a piece of purely digital art, entitled “Everydays: The First 5000 Days,” which became the first Non-Fungible Token sold at Christie’s and fetched almost $70 million in 2021.

Justin Sun, the buyer, said he planned to eat it once the sale had gone through — and in fact “it” has been eaten before, including by rival artist, David Datuna.

On insuring artworks, Robert Read, who has been insuring artworks for more than 30 years at Hiscox Ltd., said some works are too ephemeral to be insured.

For example, Andy Goldsworthy, a British sculptor and photographer who works in nature, draws lines on beaches and rings the bases of trees with arrangements of leaves. Tides and winds will wipe out this “land art” within hours. Official photographic prints of his work are worth something and are insurable, however.

“Comedian” is more than a banana on a wall, it’s an idea, too. You might think it’s a dumb idea, but it apparently has value. Galleries and critics have long recognized this.

Way back in 1917, Marcel Duchamp hung a urinal the wrong way up on a wall and signed it (and not even with his own name). One edition sold for more than $9 million in 2009. You can see a version of it at the Tate Modern in London. Tracey Emin’s “My Bed” is, well, a rather messy unmade bed. That was last sold by Christie’s for £2.5 million ($3.1 million) in 2014.

The late art critic Robert Hughes despised conceptual art such as this because there was supposedly no craft to it. But technique isn’t the only measure of art. There are plenty of painters capable of producing hyper-realistic work so skillfully executed that it looks like photography, but none are as famous or valued as the much simpler screenprints of Andy Warhol or rough graffiti of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Some artworks don’t even exist in physical form — and I’m not talking about NFTs. In the early 1960s, the French artist Yves Klein, who is famous for the particularly vivid blue that he invented, sold some truly ephemeral work. He dropped flakes of gold leaf into the Seine — it was part of a payment for an “invisible work” — while the buyer was meant to burn a fake paper check from Klein as part of the ritual. (Some checks were kept and one was sold in Paris this year for more than $1 million.)

Art decays, too. Damian Hirst’s first shark in formaldehyde, “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living,” was reportedly remade when hedge fund billionaire Stephen Cohen bought it in 2004 for at least $8 million (the body had rotted). Many modern pieces of digital or electronic art will break down like an old TV.

Read says artists are getting better at leaving instructions on how to revive such pieces. Just because the parts get changed, doesn’t mean a piece is no longer the same artwork: Think of the paradox of the Ship of Theseus, or for fans of the British comedy “Only Fools and Horses,” think of Trigger’s broom.

But let’s get back to the important question about how to insure Sun’s banana. It has things in common with other works: It’s a pre-existing object that is highly perishable. It comes with a certificate of authenticity and a set of instructions on how to replace the banana with a fresh one when required. These are the documents that prove Sun’s right to tape a banana to a wall and say it is the $6.2 million artwork. That is what the insurance would cover if they were burned or lost or stolen.

Read estimates the global value of premiums paid for art insurance at more than $2 billion per year, of which $750 million is direct art insurance and the rest art cover contained in high-value home-insurance policies. The market has been growing at about 5% per year, but the effects of climate change and growing threats from protesters, such as those who threw soup Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in Paris this year, are expected to increase premium rates.

The market is split between private owners and institutions such as galleries. There is also insurance for transporting works when they travel to appear in exhibitions. Anything with a physical form that can be valued by an expert can be insured — from an edition of Duchamp’s “Fountain,” to a painting by Vincent Van Gogh to the certificate for “Comedian” now owned by Sun. For art, owners often take out title insurance against the risk of a rival claim of ownership emerging, but most insurance is traditional property cover, which protects against damage, loss or theft.

Is the banana worth all that money? The value of an asset comes down to the income it will produce or a projection of what someone else will pay for it. Sun made his fortune facilitating the trade of cryptocurrencies, which is fitting. These too are ostensibly valueless, made-up things.
Maybe Sun is convinced that someone else will pay more than $6.2 million for Cattelan’s work in future, or maybe he doesn’t care. Perhaps the moment he won the bidding — and saw himself splashed across the world’s media as the person who bought “arguably the most famous artwork of the past decade”— was the spectacle he truly wanted to own.

In The Accursed Share, the French intellectual Georges Bataille developed a theory of economy as the accumulation and destruction of excess resources. One often think of this when one see a billionaire take a rocket flight for fun or someone crawl through the streets of London in a vastly over-engineered gas-guzzling super car. These things are no less absurd than a banana taped to a wall.

Tesla chief Elon Musk is now the richest individual in history. His net worth is $ 334 billion

NEW YORK, Nov 23: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has officially become the wealthiest individual in history, with a net worth of $334.3 billion, according to Forbes. This milestone follows a notable rally in Tesla's stock, which surged on heightened Wall Street confidence tied to the pro-business policies expected from US President-elect Donald Trump, an ally of Musk.

Tesla's stock has soared by 40 per cent since the US presidential election, including a 3.8 per cent rise on Friday that brought shares to $352.56, their highest value in over three years. This recent increase added $7 billion to Musk’s wealth, surpassing the previous record of $320.3 billion, set during Tesla's pandemic-driven boom in November 2021.

A significant portion of Musk's fortune stems from his 13 per cent stake in Tesla, valued at $145 billion, alongside a pending 9 per cent equity award in the company.

Musk’s alignment with Trump has further bolstered investor optimism. Earlier this year, Musk endorsed Trump and contributed over $100 million to his campaign. Musk has also been appointed chair of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), working alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Analysts believe the administration's anticipated deregulation efforts will particularly benefit Tesla's Full Self-Driving programme, which has faced regulatory scrutiny in the past.

Musk's ventures beyond Tesla have also played a crucial role in his wealth accumulation. His 60 per cent stake in the artificial intelligence firm xAI, valued at $50 billion, has added $13 billion to his net worth. Additionally, his 42 per cent stake in SpaceX, valued at $210 billion following a June tender offer, has contributed another $88 billion.

Speculation about SpaceX’s upcoming funding round, which could push its valuation to $250 billion, suggests Musk’s wealth could increase by an additional $18 billion.

Musk’s net worth now places him $80 billion ahead of Larry Ellison, the chairman of Oracle, who ranks as the world’s second-richest individual with a net worth of $235 billion.

University Of Southampton Delhi Opens Applications For First Intake

NEW DELHI, Nov 7: The University of Southampton, Delhi campus is currently accepting applications for the first intake. Interested and eligible candidates can apply by visiting the official website. The application window for the first round will close on November 29. Students will be notified about their confirmation of admission by mid-January 2025.

Additionally, two more admissions rounds will take place for August 2025 entry. The application fee of Rs 5,000 is exempted for the first application round. Details regarding scholarships and accommodation options will be released soon.

The University of Southampton has become the first foreign university to receive approval from the Indian government to set up a full-fledged campus in India under the new National Education Policy (NEP).

In collaboration with the Oxford International Education Group (OIEG), the University of Southampton will oversee the development of the new campus, including student admissions and enrolment services. This marks the inaugural opportunity for students in India to study at a world-renowned UK institution ranked among the top 100 globally, according to a university statement.

The academic programs at the India campus will be the same as those offered at the UK campus, with identical modules, assessments, and academic standards.

Students completing their studies at the India campus will receive the same degree as those studying in the UK, with identical certificates and transcripts, ensuring no distinction between the two campuses.

Undergraduate Programmes

BSc Business Management
BSc Accounting & Finance
BSc Computer Science
BSc Economics

Postgraduate programmes

MSc International Management
MSc Finance

"We are thrilled to be opening our inaugural application round for what will become our very first intake of students at our University of Southampton Delhi campus," Professor Andrew Atherton, vice-president of International and Engagement said.

"We have already had interest from many high calibre students and are looking forward to welcoming them to our new, state-of-the-art campus in Gurugram, Delhi."

Iran urged to release woman detained after undressing at university

TEHRAN, Nov 4: Human rights activists have called on authorities in Iran to release a woman who was detained after removing her clothes at a university, in what they said was a protest against the compulsory hijab laws.

A video surfaced on social media on Saturday showing the woman in her underwear sitting on some steps and then walking calmly along a pavement at the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

In a second video, the woman appears to remove her underwear. Shortly afterwards, plainclothes agents are seen forcibly detaining her and pushing her into a car.

Azad University said the woman suffered from a “mental disorder” and had been taken to a “psychiatric hospital”.

Many Iranians on social media questioned the claim and portrayed her actions as part of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement that has seen many women publicly defy the laws requiring them to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothing.

More than 500 people were reportedly killed during nationwide protests that erupted two years ago after a Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, died in police custody after being detained for not wearing hijab “properly”.

The Amirkabir Newsletter Telegram channel - which describes itself as “Iranian student movement media” and was the first to publish the story - reported that the woman had an altercation with security agents over not wearing a headscarf, leading to her undressing during the scuffle.

It said the woman’s head hit the door or frame of the plainclothes agents’ car while she was being detained, causing it to bleed, and that she was taken to an undisclosed location.

Witness told BBC Persian that the woman entered their class at Azad University and began filming students. When the lecturer objected, she left, yelling, they said.

According to witnesses, the woman told the students: “I’ve come to save you.”

Iranian media meanwhile released a video of a man with his face blurred who claimed to be the woman’s ex-husband and asked the public not to share the video for the sake of her two children. BBC Persian has not been able to verify the man's claims.

“When I protested against mandatory hijab, after security forces arrested me, my family was pressured to declare me mentally ill,” said Canada-based women’s rights activist Azam Jangravi, who fled Iran after being sentenced to three years in prison for removing her headscarf during a protest in 2018.

“My family didn’t do it, but many families under pressure do, thinking it’s the best way to protect their loved ones. This is how the Islamic Republic tries to discredit women, by questioning their mental health,” she added.

Amnesty International said Iran “must immediately and unconditionally release the university student who was violently arrested”.

“Pending her release, authorities must protect her from torture and other ill-treatment, and ensure access to family and lawyer. Allegations of beatings and sexual violence against her during arrest need independent and impartial investigations. Those responsible must held to account,” it added.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, posted the footage on X and wrote that she would be “monitoring this incident closely, including the authorities' response”.

Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is currently imprisoned in Iran, issued a statement saying she was gravely concerned about the case.

“Women pay the price for defiance, but we do not bow down to force,” she said.

“The student who protested at the university turned her body - long weaponized as a tool of repression - into a symbol of dissent. I call for her freedom and an end to the harassment of women.”

Kim Kardashian Wears Princess Diana’s Iconic Cross Necklace

LOS ANGELES, Nov 4: Kim Kardashian is no stranger to archival fashion, and it seems she has a passion for collecting previously untouchable pieces—after all, who could forget her controversial Marilyn Monroe Met Gala dress?

In the last few months alone, the reality television star has showed off a white corset from Mugler’s spring 1998 couture collection, as well as the archival ensemble worn by Janet Jackson in the video for the singer’s 1993 single “If.” No vintage piece is safe from Kardashian’s credit card, and nothing quite proves that more than her latest purchase.

Last night, she wore yet another piece of fashion history, this time at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala. As Kardashian stepped out at the charity event, held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, she walked the red carpet wearing one of Princess Diana’s most iconic necklaces—donning the piece publicly for the first time since the princess.

US Man Breaks World Record After Building Boat From Giant 1,224-Pound Pumpkin

HAPPY VALLEY, Nov 2: Gary Kristensen, a real estate appraiser from Happy Valley, Oregon, grew an impressive 1,224-pound pumpkin and spent 26 hours paddling it down the Columbia River.

Starting from North Bonneville, Washington, he travelled 73.50 km (45.67 miles) to Vancouver, Washington, setting a new world record for the longest journey by pumpkin boat, according to the Guinness World Records.

The 46-year-old completed his journey over 26 hours from 12 to 13 October aboard his hand-carved vessel, "Punky Loafster."

According to the Guinness World Records, Gary has grown giant pumpkins since 2011, and in 2013, he carved his first boat-sized pumpkin to compete in the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, which he's won for the last four years.

Gary, from Happy Valley, Oregon, said: "This record attempt was a challenge I had long considered, finally deciding to pursue it this year when I grew a pumpkin suitable for the journey."

"Punky Loafster" was pollinated on 14 July and harvested on 4 October, then officially weighed and measured at Bauman's Harvest Festival in Gervais, Oregon, on 5 October.

It had a circumference of 429.26 cm (169 in) and weighed 555.2 kg (1,214 lb). That's about the weight of an adult dromedary camel or a grand piano. On 11 October, Gary carved the pumpkin into a boat and mounted a camera to it with a broomstick so he could record his journey, as per GWR.

Gary told us: "After a couple hours of paddling, the wind had strengthened to 56 km/h (35 mph), and waves were starting to come over the sides of the pumpkin. A safe beach directly across the Columbia from Multnomah Falls was identified for landing the pumpkin."

"Landing was difficult because there was thick vegetation in the water that would not allow the pumpkin to easily float through."

He made the most of that downtime, though.

"On the beach, I used an empty soup can to carve out more pumpkin meat, hoping to make the pumpkin float better for the rest of the journey," he told GWR. "This reduced weight helped the pumpkin float a bit better for waves."

As he began the second leg of his journey, Gary expected to paddle until he found a safe beach he could camp on overnight.

Pioneering Indian designer Rohit Bal dies at 63

MUMBAI, Nov 1: Rohit Bal, one of India's most celebrated fashion designers, has died aged 63 after a long period of illness.

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) announced his death in a post on Instagram, saying that his work "redefined Indian fashion".

One of India's first designers, Bal popularised fashion designing as a viable, glamorous profession in the 1990s and many who came after him credit him for their success.

He had been forced to take a prolonged break due to ill health but made an emotional comeback just weeks ago.

"We will always need a Rohit Bal around to show what classic elegance is - and why it crosses the generational divide," said an article after Bal, looking frail but delighted, appeared alongside his models at the grand finale of the India Fashion Week in October.

Bal's designs won acclaim for his deep understanding of Indian textiles and meticulous attention to detail.

His innovative creations were worn by Hollywood stars and supermodels and he became synonymous with blending India's rich cultural heritage with a contemporary flair.

Born in Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir in 1961, Bal graduated from Delhi's St Stephens College with an honours degree in history. He then worked in his family's export business for a few years, learning the ropes.

After completing his formal education in fashion design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi, Bal embarked on a journey that would redefine Indian fashion.

He set up his own label and designer line in 1990 and later opened several stores in India, the Middle East and Europe.

On his website, Bal described himself as a designer who "combines the right mix of history, folklore, village craft, and dying arts to create imaginative and innovative masterpieces for catwalks and fashion talks".

In 1996, Time magazine listed him as India's 'Master of fabric and fantasy'.

Bal's designs reached far and wide, with Hollywood actress Uma Thurman and supermodels Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Pamela Anderson wearing his creations. In 2001, tennis star Anna Kournikova walked the ramp for his Paris show.

Best known for his use of lotus and peacock motifs, Bal used rich fabrics like velvet and brocade - his designs were elaborate, inspired by Indian grandeur and royalty.

Apart from designing clothes in his own label, Bal lent his name to endorse products from shoes to linen, had tie-ups with textile giants like the Aditya Birla Group and even ventured into designing jewellery and luxury watches.

He also opened a line for children, saying that he believed that "children are a major consumer class in urban India".

Bal crafted costumes for the widely-watched Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?) and designed costumes for the cabin crew of British Airways.

He unveiled his inaugural prêt line for online retailer Jabong in 2014.

"I want to separate Rohit Bal from the House of Bal - in products as well as style, in expensiveness and expanse," Bal told Shefalee Vasudev in Mint newspaper.

"Rohit Bal stores (there will be no prêt here) will be special. People come to me only for special things - they want garments that are like handmade pieces of art. I have it in me to balance the right and left sides of my creative and business leanings."

When I met Bal years ago in his studio, his characteristic flamboyance was evident in dazzling neon coloured silks embellished with intricate embroidery; sleek blouses and skirts along with taffeta skirts and netted blouses, in bright, warm and cool colours.

"Fabric is the seed of designing a garment, it is the lifeblood of fashion," he told me.

His earliest memories of fabric were totally sensory, he said, recalling the downy feel of a jamawar shawl at home in Srinagar and the soft warmth of his mother's shahtoosh saris.

His early years in Srinagar contributed to what he described as a "blissful childhood". The idyllic life, he said, was disrupted by the violence in the region, compelling the family to relocate to Delhi.

Bal remembered embarking on a sartorial adventure at the age of 11 when he coaxed his father into a tailor's shop in Delhi to craft his own cowboy pants adorned with tassels.

Bal also diversified into the restaurant business and designed the interiors of one of Delhi's posh restaurants, Veda, whose opulent and extravagant interiors created a buzz in the Indian media.

He told me it was also okay with him if foreign brands like Armani or Hilfiger came to take up high street space in India.

"They can't do what I can with Indian designs," Bal said.

His flamboyant lifestyle prompted the Indian media to call him "the bad boy of fashion".

"People see me in photographs surrounded by pretty models and think that I am a snobbish, high-maintenance designer who is about beauty and hedonism. When they meet me, they realise how fake that perception is," he told Vasudev.