Galyean Insurance Agency celebrates 50-year business anniversary

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Wayne Galyean takes a moment to pose with the team at Galyean Insurance, during the ribbon cutting and open house for the insurance company’s new location at 306 North Davis Street, in the old saving and loan building just behind First United Methodist Church activity building. Galyean Insurance also during the occassion celebrated its 50 anniversary. Staff photo by Enola Gay Mathews

Wayne Galyean takes a moment to pose with the team at Galyean Insurance, during the ribbon cutting and open house for the insurance company’s new location at 306 North Davis Street, in the old saving and loan building just behind First United Methodist Church activity building. Galyean Insurance also during the occassion celebrated its 50 anniversary. Staff photo by Enola Gay Mathews

Jennifer Gregory, Galyean Insurance Agency president, spoke during the agency’s open house.

Jennifer Gregory, Galyean Insurance Agency president, spoke during the agency’s open house.

Galyean Insurance this week celebrated its 50th anniversary with hors d’oeuvres, giveaways, and an open house and ribbon cutting Thursday, Sept. 19, for the business’ new building, located at 306 North Davis St.The business has seen a number of changes in its “50 years of excellence,” and the president and founder reflected on those changes which helped build Galyean into the success it is today…
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Tourism stakeholders want ‘everlasting’ peace in Kashmir for their survival

Travel

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been promoting a narrative of resurgence, highlighting a boom in tourism as a hallmark of normalcy post-abrogation.

Locals in the tourism sector question whether the influx of visitors has translated into meaningful economic benefits. (Photo Credit: Junaid Dar)

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing a significant political moment as voters head to the polls for the first assembly elections in a decade, marking the first legislative elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Spanning three phases from September 18 to October 1, this election reflects a critical shift in the region’s governance and political landscape as regional parties have attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for abrogating Article 370.
The BJP  has been promoting a narrative of resurgence, highlighting a boom in tourism as a hallmark of normalcy post-abrogation. Official data reports over 53.8 lakh tourists visiting Kashmir in the last two years, with 27.1 lakh arrivals in 2023 alone, a significant increase from previous years. The government has emphasised the safety of key tourist destinations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam.
However, local stakeholders express scepticism regarding the reported tourism growth. Bashir Ahmad, a Shikara owner on Dal Lake, asserts that while violence may have decreased, fears of terror persist. He explains that negative perceptions stemming from attacks in Jammu deter potential visitors. “People outside don’t realize that Jammu and Kashmir are far apart; an attack in one affects the other’s tourism,” he said.

Bashir, like many other people associated with the tourism sector, wants complete peace for the sustainability of tourist flow. “We have received the scars of conflict our survival is becoming difficult. We have taken loans from banks by mortgaging our house. And if we fail to repay, we will lose shelter,” Bashir said while sitting on the banks of Dal Lake.

“We want peace that is everlasting. We have seen a huge bloodshed. Both India and Pakistan should come to a table to resolve this issue. We are becoming a fodder for politicians in both the countries. Our miseries are sold and no one is showing any seriousness to our issues” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during recent campaign rallies in Doda and Srinagar, reinforced the BJP’s commitment to transforming J&K into a “terror-free paradise” and a global film destination. Despite the optimistic projections, locals in the tourism sector question whether the influx of visitors has translated into meaningful economic benefits. Many argue that while tourist numbers have risen, the associated jobs and overall economic growth have not followed suit.

Ab Majeed, a local hotelier, noted a rising unemployment rate and argued that the tourism sector is being overemphasized to mask broader economic issues. “While tourism is crucial, it can’t be the sole lifeline. We need to diversify,” he remarked. Another houseboat owner, preferring anonymity, expressed concerns about increasing drug abuse and unemployment, questioning the effectiveness of the BJP’s strategies. “Tourism has improved, but it’s primarily used as propaganda. Real issues remain unaddressed,” he stated.
In a bid to establish a foothold in the Kashmir Valley, the BJP has fielded only 19 candidates in the region, leaving many seats unfilled for potential allies. This election is pivotal for the party, which has struggled to gain traction in a historically resistant political landscape. Yet, some party candidates, like Javaid Qadri from Shopian, remain optimistic, claiming, “We’ve improved the tourism sector; it’s the first step toward peaceful progress.”
Despite the BJP’s claims of progress, the political atmosphere remains charged. As the region is preparing for the second phase of the election, the true impact of tourism growth and government policies on the daily lives of Kashmiris continues to be a contentious issue.

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The 5 best James Bond films ever made – including a record-breaking classic

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Fans were left shaken and stirred by these cinematic masterpieces (Picture: EON Productions)The James Bond franchise is one of the most iconic in cinema history, with 27 beloved films spanning more than six decades.
Based on the novels about fictional British agent 007, created by Sir Ian Fleming, the films have given us nail-biting action sequences, Bond girls to fall in love with, futuristic gadgets, and some of the most cutting one-liners you could imagine.
Several stars have taken the role of the martini-drinking secret agent over the years, from the first man to officially don the legendary tux, Sean Connery, to the most recent stint from Daniel Craig.
The search is officially on for the next Bond, with everyone from Idris Elba, Taron Egerton, Regé-Jean Page, Theo James, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson rumoured for the legendary role.
Everyone has their opinion on the best – and worst – of the Bond franchise, with review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes giving us a definitive ranking of every film based on critics’ reviews.
Here are the top five Bond films of all time – from a modern classic to a record-breaking instalment in the famed franchise.
5. Skyfall (2012)

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Daniel Craig’s third outing as 007 in Skyfall is among the most revered of the franchise.
The 23rd James Bond film was directed by Sam Mendes and featured Javier Bardem as the sinister villain Raoul Silva, with Dame Judi Dench returning to the role of M.
In it, Bond is tasked with investigating a series of data leaks and attacks on MI6 led by Silva, an assignment that goes terribly wrong with the identities of hundreds of agents in the field being revealed.
The film was a huge hit, grossing a whopping $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Bond film of all time and the seventh highest-grossing film of all time. It was nominated for five awards at the 85th Academy Awards as well as several other accolades.
It holds a mighty impressive 92% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus reading: ‘Sam Mendes brings Bond surging back with a smart, sexy, riveting action thriller that qualifies as one of the best 007 films to date.’
4. Casino Royale (2006)

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Pipping Skyfall to the post by just 2% is Craig’s introduction to the role of Bond – Casino Royale.
Released in 2006, the film follows the secret agent after receiving his license to kill as he travels to Madagascar, uncovering a link to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a man who finances terrorist organisations.
The stacked ensemble cast features Eva Green, Judi Dench, and Jeffrey White. It was produced by Eon Productions who decided to reboot the franchise following 2002’s Die Another Day, ushering in a more inexperienced and multi-faceted Bond.
And it’s a decision that paid off in droves, with Casino Royale grossing $616 million worldwide making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2006.
Rotten Tomatoes lauds it a ‘a caustic, haunted, intense reinvention of 007’ that ‘disposes of the silliness and gadgetry’ of previous films, earning it a score of 94%.
3. Dr No (1962)

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As we enter Rotten Tomatoes’ top three, we take a trip back to the swinging sixties and the first Eon Bond film that gave us the blueprint for the films that followed.
Dr. No follows Sean Connery’s iconic Bond as he travels to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of a fellow British agent, crossing the path of the scheming Dr. Julius (Joseph Wiseman) who is plotting to disrupt an early American space launch.
The hit film introduced many of the franchise’s familiar tropes, including the highly stylised title sequence, theme music, and introduction of the character through the view of a gun barrel.
It received a mixed reception at the time of its release but grossed $6 million worldwide and President John F. Kennedy even requested a private showing of Dr. No in the White House.
Dr. No holds a stellar 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics saying it features ‘plenty of the humour, action, and escapist thrills.’ What more could you want?
2. From Russia With Love (1963)

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Missing out on the top spot by 2%, From Russia With Love was greenlit following the success of Dr. No and improved on the formula it introduced.
Following Dr. Julius’ death, Bond (Connery) is sent to assist in the defection of Soviet consulate clerk Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi), but his mission is thrown into disarray by SPECTRE’s plans to avenge the doctor.
From Russia With Love was a bigger success than anyone could have imagined, taking home more than $78 million after being made on just a $2 million budget.
The blockbuster went on to win a BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography and often features on lists of the greatest Bond films of all time (including this one) as well as best film round-ups.
And Rotten Tomatoes critics agree, with it standing at 97% on the review aggregator with the consensus dubbing it a ‘razor-sharp, briskly-paced Cold War thriller.’
1. 007: Goldfinger (1964)

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No James Bond film is packed full of as many iconic moments as Goldfinger – from Bond himself facing death via laser beam, to Shirley Eaton as his gold-painted love interest and the famed ejector seat.
The film sees business tycoon Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) set in motion Operation Grand Slam in a bit to raid Fort Knox and destroy the world’s economy. Of course, Bond (Connery) is tasked to stop him – and several other adversaries along the way.
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Read More StoriesWith Dame Shirley Bassey’s iconic theme, a budget bigger than the previous two films combined, extensive use of technology and gadgets, and exotic filming locations, Goldfinger is really where the Bond franchise hits its stride.
It was the first Bond film to win an Academy Award and grossed over $120 million worldwide, cementing its status as a classic film even before it graced multiple publication’s top 100 lists.
Goldfinger boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score with a cool 99% rating, making it the site’s number one Bond film of all 27 releases so far.
This article was originally published on June 9, 2024.
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Sidharth Malhotra to star in Panchayat director Deepak Mishra’s film?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Sidharth Malhotra in a folklore based on Hindu mythology? Sounds interesting! It looks like Ekta Kapoor has decided to make this come true. Reports suggest that Sidharth Malhotra and Ekta Kapoor are joining hands for a feature film, which will go on floors in the second half of 2025. If further developments are to be believed, the movie will be directed by none other than Deepak Mishra, best known for creating the ‘Panchayat’ series.Pinkvilla, in their report, claimed that Sidharth is in advanced talks with Kapoor for the film. “Ekta Kapoor and TVF have partnered to bring unique yet commercial tales to the big screen. This one is part of the deal between Balaji and TVF, and discussions are ongoing with Sidharth Malhotra,” the portal quoted a source.Sidharth Malhotra In Panchayat Director’s Next?As per the portal, the source further mentioned that the movie will be based on folklore deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to the development, they are aiming to provide a cinematic experience similar to ‘Kantara’. “It’s a high-on-drama and emotion film, set against the backdrop of a folklore deep-rooted in Hindu mythology. The makers have the vision to create a unique cinematic experience like ‘Kantara’ with the feature film. While Sid is expected to hear the final narration in November, the makers are aiming to take the film on floors in the second half of 2025. He will sign the dotted lines once the final narration takes place,” the source added.Before starting work on Ekta Kapoor’s feature film, Malhotra has a lot to finish. The actor has to wrap up the shoot for the Dinesh Vijan-produced romantic comedy, which begins in November. After this, he also has ‘Race 4’. It was earlier reported that Sidharth will join Saif Ali Khan in ‘Race 4’ as Ramesh Taurani has planned to reboot the franchise.“While Ramesh Taurani has a team of in-house writers working on the basic plot of ‘Race 4’, he has brought in seasoned writers and directors to develop it into a full-fledged screenplay. Conversations with Sidharth Malhotra have already begun to bring him on board alongside Saif Ali Khan. Sidharth is a fan of the ‘Race’ franchise and is keen to take on this role,” a source said.Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

17 years of Manorama Six Feet Under – Here’s where to watch the film on OTT

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Directed by Navdeep Singh, the 2007 film ‘Manorama Six Feet Under’ is a thriller mystery film. Starring Abhay Deol, Raima Sen, and Gul Panag in the lead roles, the film was released on 21 September 2007. The film opened to positive feedback upon its theatrical release. Today, it completed 17 years of its release. If you missed watching this amazing on the big screen, you can revisit the film on an OTT platform.Where to watch Manorama Six Feet Under on OTT as it clocks 17 yearsHelmed and co-written by Navdeep Singh, Manorama Six Feet Under is available for streaming on Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium). The narrative of the film revolves around a wannabe crime writer Satyaveer (Abhay Deol), who spends his days as a junior government engineer. When he gets a chance to play a detective after a politician’s wife asks him to spy on her husband, the story takes an interesting turn. His investigation also leads him to a tangled web of lies and murder. When the film was released in theatres in 2017, it opened to much critical acclaim, however, that was not reflected in the film’s box office performance. Abhay Deol also once reacted to the same and mentioned in his Instagram post that he is tired of hearing this after all these years. He wrote: “My film Manorama Six Feet Under released in 2007. They say it was ahead of its time for India. I say that I got tired of hearing, ‘I saw it on DVD, I loved it, when was this film even released!?’ If I had a rupee for every time someone said that I’d be a multi millionaire!”Manorama Six Feet UnderThe cast of the film also includes Jogiji, Brijendra Kale, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Vinay Pathak, and Sarika. Produced by Ketan Maroo, the film is written by Devika Bhagat and Navdeep Singh. The film is one of the most iconic murder mysteries that Bollywood has delivered. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Janhvi Kapoor to make a cameo in Ishaan Khatter’s film with Karan Johar?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Janhvi Kapoor to do a cameo in Ishaan Khatter’s next?According to Bollywood Hungama, Janhvi Kapoor has allotted 10 days for her cameo appearance in Neeraj Ghaywan’s film with Ishaan. “When Karan and Neeraj came to Janhvi with the offer, she couldn’t say no as she has the utmost respect for both of them. She has allotted 10 days from her packed diary and is excited to reunite with her debut co-star, Ishaan Khatter,” a source told the entertainment portal.Produced by Karan Johar, the film is said to be a two-hero film. And the makers are in talks with another young hero for the project. Neeraj’s directorial venture is reportedly a tale of two friends and his film’s ‘solid storyline’ will impress the audience. That said, the treatment and flavour of this movie are apparently ‘different’ from Masaan. The film will be released in theatres in the second half of 2025.Janhvi Kapoor’s upcoming projectsMeanwhile, on the work front, Janhvi is presently gearing up for the release of her movie, Devara: Part 1, with Jr NTR. The actress makes her debut in the South with the Koratala Siva directorial. It is all set for a theatrical release on September 27, 2024. The movie also stars Saif Ali Khan and Prakash Raj in key roles. Janhvi Kapoor.Besides this project, Kapoor has Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari lined up. The actress has commenced shooting for the film with Varun Dhawan, Rohit Saraf, and Sanya Malhotra. As for Ishaan, he was recently in the Netflix series The Perfect Couple.Keep following this space for more updates from the world of streaming and movies!

These films, web series will be streaming on Manorama Max in October

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Manorama Max has announced that a number of films will be available on the platform soon. A Malayalam web series will also begin streaming on it, much to the delight of film enthusiasts. However, the makers have not confirmed an exact date of release.Upcoming films, web series on Manorama MaxBharathanatyamSaiju Kurup in BharathanatyamThe film tells the story of a man who struggles to maintain his family’s secret in the face of dubious situations and a murky location; this ultimately leads to some amusing incidents and closer family bonds. Bharathanatyam’s storytelling technique is not new, but it was praised for its compelling plot and believable characters. The primary actor in this Krishnadas Murali-directed movie is Saiju Kurup.Aanandhapuram Diaries Meena in Aanandhapuram DiariesMoviegoers are excited about the film’s OTT release despite its lacklustre box office performance. The protagonist, a forty-year-old lady who dropped out of college twice, is going back to finish her degree. The movie trailer features a few scenes from the hilarious events that happened when she got to the institution.
A still of Shruti Ramachandran from NeerajaThe film is directed by Rajesh K Raman. After her husband passes away, Neeraja lives alone by herself, surviving only on her memories of him. Neeraja wants to stay true to her late husband in addition to having her sexual needs met. Anil, who is unhappy with his marriage, befriends her. What happens next is the story’s primary plot point.Soul StoriesStills from Soul StoriesThe online series, directed by Sanil Kalathil, consists of four episodes that each address a topic that is relevant and progressive for women. The cast of the web series includes Anarkali Marikar, Renji Panicker, RJ Karthik, Wafa Khatheeja, Asha Madathil, and Gopika Manjusha. Suhasini plays a significant role in one of the episodes. The teaser mentions a few moving and captivating stories where women take centre stage.