In Conversation With: Celebrated Fashion Designer, Rina Dhaka on 23 August, 6pm to 8pm

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Calling all fashion lovers on 23 August, from 6 pm to 8 pm, I will be in conversation with the celebrated and much-loved designer, Rina Dhaka who the BBC has called the ‘Gautier’ of the East. Rina has dressed Naomi Campbell, Uma Thurman, and many more…she is known for her combinations of traditional Indian fashions with modern fabrics like Lycra and jersey, bridging traditional rich and contemporary styles in her fashion collections.

At India Fashion Week, her work was recognized as the best collection in Milan! Rina Dhaka entered the Indian fashion scene in the 1980s and since then her work has represented India globally in France and Germany and been exhibited in New York, London, and too many cities to mention; she won the best designer award in Miami Fashion Week 2004.

My favourite bit is that Rina has created collections which focus on sustainability as the way forward in fashion and is a PETA India Ambassador. Collaborating with the NGO Smile and Honour, Rina has dedicated profits from her Indian Couture Week show to their operations in raising awareness for girl child empowerment.

This is a Bridge India event, an influential think tank, whose events are always a relaxed affair. On 23 August I will be chatting with Rina about her career, what inspires her, discovering her epic global journey of Indian fashion and there will be an opportunity for the audience to ask their own questions.

My other favourite bit is that after the session, we will have time for drinks, snacks, and networking. Click to book

One more thing is that the venue is the famous, eccentric, and much loved The India Club, 143 Strand, London, so if you have not been here yet, you have been missing out.

Values20 India – Official Communiqué

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 I am very proud to have been part of the V20 India and to have edited the official Communiqué of the V20 India 2023, which provides a comprehensive summary of the key recommendations of all three task forces, where climate change and sustainability had big roles throughout this report.

The V20 India Summit was held on July 7th and 8th and received resounding acclaim as it placed a significant emphasis on Values, encapsulating the shared objective of forging a brighter future. The V20’s unwavering commitment is to #LEADwithValues and is its driving force.

The Communiqué was recognised by the United Nations in India, acknowledging the significance of the V20 India Summit in the global arena. Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India, placed value on the work of the V20 India and highlighted India’s growing role as a provider of development solutions on the global stage, considering India’s presidency of the G20.

To view the full Communiqué you can see it by clicking here. Enjoy the read!

Talking Points With Keith Vaz

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I had great fun speaking with Keith Vaz on his radio show, Talking Points on Lyca Radio, who is a wonderful warm host, who keeps his guests on their toes. We talked about lots of things from brands, PR, my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations, Donald Trump, speech writing, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

If you want to listen to the show, you can catch it here and you will also find out what’s my favourite Bollywood film song and why…

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The 15th edition of the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI), the foremost conference for sustainable events, was a sold-out success with over 350 delegates and an agenda with heavyweight speakers, innovators, and industry leaders in the global live music, sports, and event sector. I was pleased to be part of the event and its success, which took place on 28 February at the Royal Lancaster, London.

GEI was supported by Ecotricity and this year’s edition tackled the critical sustainability issues with a gender-balanced lineup of speakers who brought their knowledge, insight, and formidable passion to the panels and conversations.


The conference kicked off with the Adapting to a New Climate Panel and Boom Festival’s Artur Mendes boldly stating that “we won’t work with brands or policymakers who aren’t aligned with our values.”

While I moderated a double-bill session, where the first part focused on the Platinum Jubilee Pageant with its CEO Rosanna Manchando, looking at the sustainability actions and takeaways from organising this huge and iconic event. The second part was with carbon removal expert, Mark Stevenson from CUR8 highlighted some key facts in carbon offsets, saying that “Any new fossil fuel exploration is a gun held to humanity’s head.”

It was a powerful day of learning, and networking, jam-packed with inspiring insight and conversation.

The day ended in a special ‘in conversation’ session with Brian Eno and Jacob Collier, who explored ‘music as a social synchroniser’ which was the keynote. An enlightening conversation that saw Brian comment that “The arts are where we develop our instinct and our conscience,” and Jacob state that “things become possible as you start doing them.” We even got to sing with Jacob Collier, which created a moment at the conference.

On World Book Day, At The World Book Fair 2023

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Nothing, and let me say again, nothing gives an author more joy than seeing their book being read, being with book lovers, on bookshelves, and being at book fairs. So, this photo received today, sent by my publisher was special and they have been making sure the book got all the spotlight it deserves at the World Book Fair happening in Delhi this week, which ends on 5 March.

This book has its own energy, it makes things happen and can be bought on Amazon UK and Amazon India.

This is the 31st edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF), which began on February 25 and has been organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in collaboration with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). The event has invited France as its guest of honour and will be attended by a total of 16 French authors, including Annie Ernaux, the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature winner.

This year’s theme of the Fair is based on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements.

NDWBF was first held in 1972 after it was inaugurated by the then-President of India VV Giri.  Today, it’s one of the biggest literary events in the world with a total footfall of over two million people.

Bridge India Event: I’m In Conversation with Anita Kaushal, Co Founder, Mauli Rituals, 16 February at 6.30pm

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I have a love and an interest in wellbeing and Ayurvedic products.

If you are curious about Ayurveda, join me for this special event where I am speaking with Anita Kaushal co-founder of the multi-award-winning Mauli Rituals, which is one of my favourite Ayurvedic brands. Heralded by Vogue UK, Tatler, Harpers Bazaar, and others it is a fabulous brand with lots of soul.

I got to know the brand first before I met Anita Kaushal and I had the privilege of interviewing Anita for the Indian edition of my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations and I fell in love with this brand more!

There’s so much to learn and know about Anita, Ayurveda, and her very successful brand, as Mauli Rituals is one the first Ayurvedic brands to enter the UK market… I am pleased to be back in conversation with Anita on 16 Feb at 6.30pm hosted by Bridge India

So if you are interested in wellbeing, want to know more about Ayurveda or just want good company and conversation, come along. Book via Bridge Indiahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/bridgeindia/

 

Serendipity PR Is Working With New British Author Tom Mead Whose Debut Book Is Taking Crime Fiction Genre By Storm

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The crime genre is explosively popular and is why Death and the Conjuror a debut crime novel by author, Tom Mead has launched to great success in the US in March 2022. The book was published in the UK on 2 February 2023 by the publishing house, Head of Zeus. Mead is an exciting new British author, specializing in locked-room mysteries and has been lauded across the crime fiction genre, earning high praise from best-loved writers and publications, including New York Times bestselling authors. Mead and his book have been named a “Buzz Book” by Publishers Marketplace and selected as one of Publishers Weekly’s Mysteries of the Year 2022.

Mead’s book is a tribute to the classic golden age whodunnit when crime fiction was a battle of wits between writer and reader. Death and the Conjuror joins its macabre atmosphere, period detail, and vividly drawn characters with a meticulously constructed fair play puzzle. Its baffling plot promises to enthral readers of mystery icons such as Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr, modern masters like Anthony Horowitz and Elly Griffiths, or anyone who appreciates a good mystery.

The success of Mead and his book can be attributed to the latest trend for “escapism” which has been fuelled by recent events from the global pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the cost of living. We all need to escape somewhere, and good books are providing the answer. Death and the Conjuror is leading the way on the cosy crime revival that’s been building for years.

Readers are also falling out of love with celebrity writers and want real authentic authors, who write because of their passion and burning imagination. Mead is a testament to this as his short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and numerous others. Most recently, his short story “Heatwave” was selected by Lee Child for inclusion in his Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021.

 Advance Praise – These are just some of the endorsements received to give a snapshot of the respect Mead has earned. There are too many to include:

“Death and the Conjuror is an engrossing tale of murder and magicians, and a revealing exploration of the ever-popular locked-room mystery. Mead’s debut is a novel to intrigue and delight.”

John Connolly, New York Times bestseller of The Nameless Ones and 18 additional titles in the Charlie Parker series

“Tom Mead has created an intriguing set of puzzles on par with John Dickson Carr in Death and the Conjuror.  A true delight for mystery lovers!”

Charles Todd, New York Times bestseller of A Game of Fear and 23 additional titles in the Inspector Rutledge series

“With a deviously intricate locked-room plot, Death and the Conjuror unfolds as both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of the classic ‘impossible crime’ story. Somewhere, the great John Dickson Carr is smiling.”
Daniel Stashower, two-time Edgar-winner, and author of the Harry Houdini mysteries

“A real treat for mystery fans”

Ragnar Jonasson, bestselling author of the Dark Iceland series

An intricate, elegantly written ‘impossible’ crime that completely fooled me. Tom Mead is already a master of the art of misdirection.”

Peter Lovesey, international bestseller, CWA Diamond Dagger Award winner and MWA Grandmaster

“Both a splendid homage to the Golden age of impossible crimes and its great exponent John Dickson Carr and a witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery with tongue in cheek bravado and a gallery of attendant, endearing characters, Tom Mead’s debut is a sheer delight.”

Maxim Jakubowski, author, editor and CWA chairman                                      

 “An ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating!”

Victoria Dowd, author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder

“More red herrings than a North Sea trawler, suspects galore, a dearth of clues, a locked room, and no weapon. A classic ‘who?’ and ‘how?'”

Adrian Magson, author of the Inspector Lucas Rocco series

I Was Lucky To Attend The Jaipur Literature Festival, India 2023

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I have been lucky to be invited to attend this year’s 16th Jaipur Literature Festival, India, an event that has been on my bucket list since 2012 and it did not disappoint. I would go far as saying that everyone should at least once in their lifetime, experience JLF in India. It is like Glastonbury for books, where authors are rock stars.

 

The Festival beautifully combines books with music, creating its own culture and vibe; and te city of Jaipur could not be more perfect for the setting for this Festival. Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, in India. Translated from Hindi, Rajasthan means ‘the land of kings’, and Jaipur, is defined by royalty. The 18th-century Maharaja Jai Singh designed the city to meet his every desire, with royal palaces, gardens and pavilions taking up almost a quarter of its footprint. Jaipur has kept its romantic atmosphere and regal air. The entire city was painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales and was refreshed to celebrate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and, later, Diana, Princess of Wales. Today, Jaipur’s prolific royal architecture is fiercely protected.

 

All these details matter and the Festival is colourful and vibrant. The talks are held in beautiful tents that billow in the gentle breeze, which adds to the atmosphere of romance and imagination. Each Festival morning started with Indian classical music to set the vibration of the day; and one morning there was a fusion of guitar with Indian sitar and tabla (drums) players, which was mystical and atmospheric.

The past decade has seen the Festival transform into a global literary phenomenon having hosted nearly 2000 speakers and welcomed over a million book lovers from across India and the globe. Past speakers have ranged from Nobel Laureates J.M. Coetzee, Orhan Pamuk and Muhammad Yunus, Man Booker Prize winners Ben Okri, Margaret Atwood and Paul Beatty, Sahitya Akademi winners Girish Karnad, Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, M.T. Vasudevan Nair as well as the late Mahasweta Devi and U.R. Ananthamurthy along with literary superstars including Amish Tripathi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Vikram Seth. An annual event that goes beyond literature, the Festival has also hosted Amartya Sen, Amitabh Bachchan, the late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Fry, Thomas Piketty and former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai.
The Festival brings together a diverse mix of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business leaders, sports people, and entertainers on one stage to champion the freedom to express and engage in thoughtful debate and dialogue.

 

Be prepared to learn while you are at the Festival…it’s like being on a crash University course. Your brain is kept busy as you listen to authors. I learnt about the writings of the royal Indian courts and Mughals; about wellness and Ayurveda; Russia; Wedgewood poetry; the Himalayas; climate change and sustainability; cell systems; nurturing democracy and so much more. My list is endless.

This year at JLF, the organiers had a special message about climate change and spoke about the Festival’s commitment to be more sustainable, plastic free and to reduce its carbon footprint, through innovation and better practice. While I was there this message was carried through and you could see that the organisers and volunteers were serious about their endeavours.  The magic of the JLF is its serendipity, where you make new friends, find that you are staying in the same hotel as well-known international authors, sharing cabs with them…it’s a place that is a great leveller, and as I began this piece, it is an experience that everyone should have at least once their lifetime

 

Happy New Year!

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Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and all good things for the new year ahead!

Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations – Out In India

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I hope everyone has had a good Christmas and now enjoying the time off before we hurl ourselves into 2023. I thought I would take this quiet moment of reflection between Christmas and the New Year to get around to updating everyone about my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations, which was published in India on 23 November 2022 by Jaico Publishing.

You will immediately notice that the book has a different cover and is one that has been designed to suit the Indian market. I just love the way on the front cover, if you notice, the line that says ‘For sale in the Indian Subcontinent only’ – that to me, makes this my book extra special. On a personal note, to have my book published and sold here, is a fairy tale come true. I spent my teenage and young adult life in India, where we had books published by Jaico on our bookshelves. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think that one day, I too would have my book published by the highly regarded publishing house.

I wanted to make this edition of the book special, and I decided to include three new interviews with business leaders that will be of interest to the market here. One interview is with an award-winning luxury British Ayurvedic wellbeing brand that has a strong Indian heritage; the other is with one’s of France’s influential ESG and CSR thought leaders and activists, who has worked in India, and the third interview is with a multi-award-winning Indo-German sustainable fashion brand that is doing great things.

I could not be prouder to have my book published in India, a country that was the first in the world to implement a national CSR law in 2014. A region that is a superpower, and has the fifth largest economy in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund. This means my book could not be timelier, because it is now vital for all national and international brands and businesses in India, to authentically commit to their CSR initiatives and build CSR into the heart of their brands and business strategies, and my book explains how to do this with purpose.

The Indian Government has started to raise consumer awareness, with its efforts toward reducing the country’s carbon footprint. Currently, India is the world’s third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, after the US and China. According to an Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and PricewaterhouseCoopers International report, landfills are brimming with so much urban waste that by 2050, India is going to need a landfill that’s the size of its capital, New Delhi. Indian consumers aren’t ignoring these horrifying numbers anymore.

More and more consumers are becoming aware of their choices and realising that whether it is clothes that they decide to throw away, nothing ever really goes ‘away’, it all ends up in a landfill. Human activities are clearly harming the global environment and brands have no choice but to migrate to sustainable solutions and work towards building a circular economy. Information is not only to educate people about environmental issues but also to guide them on how they can make a difference every step of the way.

In October 2022, PM Modi launched Mission LiFE movement (Lifestyle for the Environment), which is an India-led global mass movement that will nudge individual and collective action to protect and preserve the environment. PM Modi said the mantra of Mission LiFE is ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and “Connects the powers of the people for the protection of this earth and teaches them to utilize it in a better way. Mission LiFE makes the fight against climate change democratic, in which everyone can contribute within their capacity. It inspires us to do all that can be done in our everyday life to protect the environment…and that the environment can be protected by making changes in our lifestyle.”

PM Modi added that the mission emboldens the spirit of the P3 model, Pro Planet People, uniting the people of the earth as pro planet people, uniting them all in their thoughts. It functions on the basic principles of ‘Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet and by the planet’…making my book both timely and relevant to the Indian market. Jai Hind!