Who is the Bitcoin creator who goes by the pseudonym 'Satoshi Nakamoto'? A new documentary from HBO is suggesting that the founder of the top cryptocurrency is the software engineer Peter Todd. But Todd has denied he was the inventor of one of the first cryptocurrencies that hit the market over a decade ago.

The purported revelation and its denial add one more layer to the enduring mystery of the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. Several people have been identified as the creator, with some even going to court to make the claim.

Watch: Bitcoin enters its sweet sixteen

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The HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery which aired on Tuesday night (Oct 8) in the US features a series of interviews with coders and cryptographers involved in the early development of Bitcoin, such as Blockstream CEO Adam Back.&nbsp;

But for many in the crypto community, director Cullen Hoback did not give any solid proof to back the claim regarding Todd.

Todd himself said it is ironic that a director who is also known for a documentary on the conspiracy theory group QAnon "has resorted to QAnon style coincidence-based conspiracy thinking here too".

As the buzz around the documentary built up, Todd simply wrote&nbsp;on his X handle,&nbsp;"I'm not Satoshi."

Todd was replying to a post by BitMex Research that asked him to come forward and make a public statement.​

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I'm not Satoshi.
— Peter Todd (@peterktodd) <a href="https://twitter.com/peterktodd/status/1843789750983110697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Todd was a Bitcoin core developer. The theory that he is Satoshi was made in the documentary from similarities in the writing styles of Satoshi and Todd in Bitcoin forums.

Todd's work with Hashcash, a crypto-related tech firm, was also cited as evidence.

The crypto community was, however, dismissive about the documentary, terming it speculative. They accused it of&nbsp;relying on circumstantial evidence, saying it had confirmation bias similar to a Newsweek magazine article in 2014 that claimed to have identified Satoshi, only to be debunked.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/wikileaks-244-million-bitcoin-war-chest-735297">Also read: WikiLeaks' $244 million Bitcoin 'war chest'</a>

Crypto monitoring site Decrypt quoted Samson Mow, the CEO of Bitcoin tech firm JAN3 as saying that the director "probably has a case for it,” &nbsp;but added, “I did say on record in the documentary that it’s probably not Peter.”

Much of the focus of the documentary to 'nail' Todd as the inventor of Bitcoin is from a specific forum post, where Todd, in reply to Satoshi, appears to continue the stream of thought of Satoshi. It looked as if the same person was using multiple accounts, according to the documentary.

<h2>Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? The many people associated with the mysterious Bitcoin creator</h2>

While the general consensus is that one or a group of people may have used the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto, it is yet to be conclusively proven who the person behind the Japanese-sounding name is/are.

Several names have been cited in the past, with one person even going to court to prove he is Satoshi.

Hal Finney, a cryptography pioneer, was one such person, as he was the first to use the software behind Bitcoin.

Finneya's neighbour Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto, a Japanese-American man living in California, was long-speculated to be the mystery creator of the cryptocurrency, most firmly in a 2014 Newsweek article. The article was widely discussed but eventually, the man himself rejected any connection to Bitcoin.

Nick Szabo, a decentralised currency enthusiast was speculated to be Satoshi, partly based on the fact that he had published a paper on a precursor to Bitcoin that was called 'bit gold'.

Craig Steven Wright, an Australian academic, went to court to prove that he was Satoshi, even suing for libel those who rejected his claims. In March this year, his claim was dismissed by a British court.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/computer-scientist-craig-wright-is-not-the-inventor-of-bitcoin-uk-judge-rules-700140">Also read: Computer scientist Craig Wright is not the inventor of Bitcoin, UK judge rules</a> 
 
Finnish sociologist Vili Lehdonvirta and cryptography student Michael Clear were at one point named Satoshi, a claim denied by both of them.

Based on the dates and similarity in the phrase 'computationally impractical to reverse' used in a patent filing and a white paper on Bitcoin, three people - Neal King, Vladimir Oksman and Charles Bry- were identified as possible candidates for Satoshi. They also rejected the claim.

<h2>We will never know who is Satoshi because...</h2>

Satoshi Nakamoto also holds some of the original Bitcoin. This means that there are financial, and possibly taxation, implications for the person or persons to reveal their identity. It could even attract criminals to them.

As per an estimate made in 2021, Satoshi Nakamoto may be owning up to 1 million Bitcoin. At the going rate of the time (which was $68,000), that would add up to $73 billion, making him/them the 15th richest person/s in the world in 2021.&nbsp;

Bitcoin, in spite of its volatility, is still going strong. At the time of writing this, it's valued at $63,126.&nbsp;

As you can see, being Satoshi Nakamoto is a risky business. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Who is the Bitcoin creator who goes by the pseudonym 'Satoshi Nakamoto'? A new documentary from HBO is suggesting that the founder of the top cryptocurrency is the software engineer Peter Todd.

Who is the Bitcoin creator who goes by the pseudonym 'Satoshi Nakamoto'? A new documentary from HBO is suggesting that the founder of the top cryptocurrency is the software engineer Peter Todd. But Todd has denied he was the inventor of one of the first cryptocurrencies that hit the market over a decade ago. The purported revelation and its denial add one more layer to the enduring mystery of the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. Several people have been identified as the creator, with some even going to court to make the claim. Watch: Bitcoin enters its sweet sixteen × The HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery which aired on Tuesday night (Oct 8) in the US features a series of interviews with coders and cryptographers involved in the early development of Bitcoin, such as Blockstream CEO Adam Back. But for many in the crypto community, director Cullen Hoback did not give any solid proof to back the claim regarding Todd. Todd himself said it is ironic that a director who is also known for a documentary on the conspiracy theory group QAnon "has resorted to QAnon style coincidence-based conspiracy thinking here too". As the buzz around the documentary built up, Todd simply wrote on his X handle, "I'm not Satoshi." Todd was replying to a post by BitMex Research that asked him to come forward and make a public statement. I'm not Satoshi. — Peter Todd (@peterktodd) October 8, 2024 × Todd was a Bitcoin core developer. The theory that he is Satoshi was made in the documentary from similarities in the writing styles of Satoshi and Todd in Bitcoin forums. Todd's work with Hashcash, a crypto-related tech firm, was also cited as evidence. The crypto community was, however, dismissive about the documentary, terming it speculative. They accused it of relying on circumstantial evidence, saying it had confirmation bias similar to a Newsweek magazine article in 2014 that claimed to have identified Satoshi, only to be debunked. Also read: WikiLeaks' $244 million Bitcoin 'war chest' Crypto monitoring site Decrypt quoted Samson Mow, the CEO of Bitcoin tech firm JAN3 as saying that the director "probably has a case for it,” but added, “I did say on record in the documentary that it’s probably not Peter.” Much of the focus of the documentary to 'nail' Todd as the inventor of Bitcoin is from a specific forum post, where Todd, in reply to Satoshi, appears to continue the stream of thought of Satoshi. It looked as if the same person was using multiple accounts, according to the documentary. Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? The many people associated with the mysterious Bitcoin creator While the general consensus is that one or a group of people may have used the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto, it is yet to be conclusively proven who the person behind the Japanese-sounding name is/are. Several names have been cited in the past, with one person even going to court to prove he is Satoshi. Hal Finney, a cryptography pioneer, was one such person, as he was the first to use the software behind Bitcoin. Finneya's neighbour Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto, a Japanese-American man living in California, was long-speculated to be the mystery creator of the cryptocurrency, most firmly in a 2014 Newsweek article. The article was widely discussed but eventually, the man himself rejected any connection to Bitcoin. Nick Szabo, a decentralised currency enthusiast was speculated to be Satoshi, partly based on the fact that he had published a paper on a precursor to Bitcoin that was called 'bit gold'. Craig Steven Wright, an Australian academic, went to court to prove that he was Satoshi, even suing for libel those who rejected his claims. In March this year, his claim was dismissed by a British court. Also read: Computer scientist Craig Wright is not the inventor of Bitcoin, UK judge rules Finnish sociologist Vili Lehdonvirta and cryptography student Michael Clear were at one point named Satoshi, a claim denied by both of them. Based on the dates and similarity in the phrase 'computationally impractical to reverse' used in a patent filing and a white paper on Bitcoin, three people - Neal King, Vladimir Oksman and Charles Bry- were identified as possible candidates for Satoshi. They also rejected the claim. We will never know who is Satoshi because... Satoshi Nakamoto also holds some of the original Bitcoin. This means that there are financial, and possibly taxation, implications for the person or persons to reveal their identity. It could even attract criminals to them. As per an estimate made in 2021, Satoshi Nakamoto may be owning up to 1 million Bitcoin. At the going rate of the time (which was $68,000), that would add up to $73 billion, making him/them the 15th richest person/s in the world in 2021. Bitcoin, in spite of its volatility, is still going strong. At the time of writing this, it's valued at $63,126. As you can see, being Satoshi Nakamoto is a risky business. (With inputs from agencies)

Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto is Peter Todd, says HBO doc, he denies it. Truth may never come out as...

A 63-year-old former Indian Navy employee, believed to have been dead for nearly two decades, has now been arrested in connection with a relative's murder, as also the alleged burning to death of two labourers in 2004 as part of a ploy to fake his own death. According to reports, he confessed to the crimes.

Balesh Kumar, who had been leading a life under a new identity as Aman Singh and working as a property dealer in west Delhi's Najafgarh area, was taken into custody on September 28.

After his retirement from the Indian Navy as a steward in 1996,&nbsp;Kumar entered the transport business. Originally hailing from Haryana's Panipat, he had limited formal education, having completed studies up to Class 8.

He managed to hide&nbsp;his existence for years, living with his family under the guise of Aman Singh and working as a property dealer.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/same-sex-marriage-former-sc-judge-indu-malhotra-explains-why-legislation-is-quintessential-in-india-648108">Also read |&nbsp;Same-sex marriage: Former SC judge Indu Malhotra explains why legislation is essential in India</a>

<h2>The 2004 murders and faked death</h2>

On April 18, 2004, in an inebriated state, Balesh Kumar allegedly murdered his brother-in-law, Rajesh, at Transport Nagar in Samaypur Badli.

His brother, Sunder Lal, was also purportedly involved in the crime and was subsequently arrested. However, Kumar managed to evade capture by fleeing to the northern state of Rajasthan in his truck, accompanied by two labourers.

In Rajasthan, he resorted to an unthinkable act, setting his own truck ablaze with the two labourers inside, resulting in their tragic deaths. During the investigation by the Rajasthan police, one of the deceased was identified as&nbsp;Kumar, while the other remained unidentified. Kumar confessed that he orchestrated this horrifying act to ensure his wife could claim insurance and pension benefits. This revelation adds a sinister dimension to his carefully constructed ruse.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/delhi-crimes-gruesome-cases-that-shocked-the-indian-national-capital-534837">Also read |&nbsp;'Delhi crimes': Nithari killings and more, gruesome cases that shocked the Indian national capital</a>

Following the events in Rajasthan, Kumar eluded the authorities and embarked on a journey that took him to Punjab, where he worked as a truck driver. He remained hidden from the radar for years before making a daring return to Delhi in 2011. His reentry into the city marked a continuation of his clandestine existence, further blurring the lines between reality and deception.

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A 63-year-old former Indian Navy employee, believed to have been dead for nearly two decades, has now been arrested in connection with a relative's murder, as also the alleged burning to death of two labourers in 2004 as part of a ploy to fake his own death.

A 63-year-old former Indian Navy employee, believed to have been dead for nearly two decades, has now been arrested in connection with a relative's murder, as also the alleged burning to death of two labourers in 2004 as part of a ploy to fake his own death. According to reports, he confessed to the crimes. Balesh Kumar, who had been leading a life under a new identity as Aman Singh and working as a property dealer in west Delhi's Najafgarh area, was taken into custody on September 28. After his retirement from the Indian Navy as a steward in 1996, Kumar entered the transport business. Originally hailing from Haryana's Panipat, he had limited formal education, having completed studies up to Class 8. He managed to hide his existence for years, living with his family under the guise of Aman Singh and working as a property dealer. Also read | Same-sex marriage: Former SC judge Indu Malhotra explains why legislation is essential in India The 2004 murders and faked death On April 18, 2004, in an inebriated state, Balesh Kumar allegedly murdered his brother-in-law, Rajesh, at Transport Nagar in Samaypur Badli. His brother, Sunder Lal, was also purportedly involved in the crime and was subsequently arrested. However, Kumar managed to evade capture by fleeing to the northern state of Rajasthan in his truck, accompanied by two labourers. In Rajasthan, he resorted to an unthinkable act, setting his own truck ablaze with the two labourers inside, resulting in their tragic deaths. During the investigation by the Rajasthan police, one of the deceased was identified as Kumar, while the other remained unidentified. Kumar confessed that he orchestrated this horrifying act to ensure his wife could claim insurance and pension benefits. This revelation adds a sinister dimension to his carefully constructed ruse. Also read | 'Delhi crimes': Nithari killings and more, gruesome cases that shocked the Indian national capital Following the events in Rajasthan, Kumar eluded the authorities and embarked on a journey that took him to Punjab, where he worked as a truck driver. He remained hidden from the radar for years before making a daring return to Delhi in 2011. His reentry into the city marked a continuation of his clandestine existence, further blurring the lines between reality and deception. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Ex-Navy employee held for triple murder after 20 years of faking his death

There is no brand without a logo. The logo is the prime identifier for all brands. To understand the value of a logo, all you need is to look at the core value of a brand. The logo is the brand's identity.

How Logo holds the value of a brand and why they are worth investing in?

An Indian man from northern Uttar Pradesh state was wrongly detained at Abu Dhabi airport, UAE, after officials erroneously found his face matching with one of the wanted criminals through face recognition software.

After being questioned extensively for hours over a mistaken identity case on October 11, he was deported to India in the early hours of Sunday.

After landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, he was greeted by well-wishers and media personnel, to whom he narrated his ordeal.

Praveen Kumar, who works as a contractor for a cement company in Noida, and his wife Usha were on a week-long leisure trip to Switzerland and had a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi.

He stated that the company he works for had arranged the Switzerland trip for him, which was organised by a travelling agency.

The agency had booked a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi as the direct flight to Switzerland was not available.

But after landing at the airport, the immigration authorities seized the couple’s passports and visas and then took them to a separate room for questioning.

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UPDATE | Resident of Noida, Praveen Kumar arrives back; visuals from Delhi airport 
 
CID there at airport detained me once &amp; then let me go, after which they detained me for a second time when I was on my way towards departure: Praveen Kumar (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/jYdarH0vfC">https://t.co/jYdarH0vfC</a> <a href="https://t.co/alQKH5AJFw">pic.twitter.com/alQKH5AJFw</a>
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1581402928510046208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“They kept me overnight and forced me to accept that I was someone else and put me in a holding cell in the morning. Then, they took me to a different city, where I was detained and questioned for hours,” Kumar told ANI news agency.

After news of the couple’s detention came to the fore, their family members tweeted to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other senior officials of the ministry seeking help.

Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate SL Yathiraj told ANI that the family had submitted an application to get him released, following which the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy and the state's Home Ministry were apprised.

“I would like to thank PM Modi and (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Adityanath for their quick action in the matter,” Kumar added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An Indian man from northern Uttar Pradesh state was wrongly detained at Abu Dhabi airport, UAE, after officials erroneously found his face matching with one of the wanted criminals through face recognition software.

An Indian man from northern Uttar Pradesh state was wrongly detained at Abu Dhabi airport, UAE, after officials erroneously found his face matching with one of the wanted criminals through face recognition software. After being questioned extensively for hours over a mistaken identity case on October 11, he was deported to India in the early hours of Sunday. After landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, he was greeted by well-wishers and media personnel, to whom he narrated his ordeal. Praveen Kumar, who works as a contractor for a cement company in Noida, and his wife Usha were on a week-long leisure trip to Switzerland and had a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi. He stated that the company he works for had arranged the Switzerland trip for him, which was organised by a travelling agency. The agency had booked a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi as the direct flight to Switzerland was not available. But after landing at the airport, the immigration authorities seized the couple’s passports and visas and then took them to a separate room for questioning. UPDATE | Resident of Noida, Praveen Kumar arrives back; visuals from Delhi airport CID there at airport detained me once & then let me go, after which they detained me for a second time when I was on my way towards departure: Praveen Kumar (1/2) https://t.co/jYdarH0vfC pic.twitter.com/alQKH5AJFw — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 15, 2022 × “They kept me overnight and forced me to accept that I was someone else and put me in a holding cell in the morning. Then, they took me to a different city, where I was detained and questioned for hours,” Kumar told ANI news agency. After news of the couple’s detention came to the fore, their family members tweeted to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other senior officials of the ministry seeking help. Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate SL Yathiraj told ANI that the family had submitted an application to get him released, following which the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy and the state's Home Ministry were apprised. “I would like to thank PM Modi and (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Adityanath for their quick action in the matter,” Kumar added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Indian man wrongly detained at Abu Dhabi airport over mistaken identity, lands in Delhi

Desmond Tutu, South Africa's anti-apartheid icon, died on December 26.&nbsp;Tutu dedicated his life to voicing his concerns over matters pertaining to justice and several other issues. Not just for various international communities, he was also a very important friend&nbsp;for India.&nbsp;

In October 2006, Tutu was awarded Gandhi peace prize for his contributions to social and political transformation through the Gandhian values of dialogue and tolerance. The prestigious award was launched by the Indian government in 1995 on the occasion of the Mahatma's 125th birth anniversary.&nbsp;

The then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described Tutu as a follower of Mahatma Gandhi's vision that "South Africa can boast of proudly".

Singh, in his address, said, "I have great pleasure in announcing that in recognition of his invaluable contribution towards social and political transformation through dialogue and tolerance, truly Gandhian values, the government of India has decided to award the 2005 Gandhi Peace Prize to him."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-pay-tribute-to-desmond-tutu-anti-apartheid-champion-of-south-africa-440185">Also read |&nbsp;Here is a look at the life of South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu</a>

In February 2012, Tutu visited India for five days. In one of his interviews, he spoke about the treatment of Dalits in India.&nbsp;

Expressing his views, he said that people should be interrogating other parts of Indian society and answer as to why are they allowing this to continue if you are an egalitarian society?&nbsp;

He said that he thinks that Indian society needs to be challenged about the Dalits as it ends up affecting humanity. During his 2015 visit, he met Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.&nbsp;

Tutu also expressed his concern on the issue of child marriage in Bihar during an interview with Shekhar Gupta on NDTV 24×7’s Walk the Talk in 2012. Recollecting his experience, he said, "We went to this village, where we met about 20-30 young people, both boys and girls. It was fantastic, how enthusiastic they were about opposing this practice of child marriage."

He further said that child marriage is something that holds back communities. You can forget about six of the eight millennium development goals unless you stop child marriages. You can forget about improving child mortality, maternal health. You can’t do anything about universalising primary education because these girls drop out."

After his demise, Indian PM Narendra Modi hailed Tutu as 'a guiding light for countless people globally'&nbsp;

"Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was a guiding light for countless people globally. His emphasis on human dignity and equality will be forever remembered. I am deeply saddened by his demise, and extend my heartfelt condolences to all his admirers. May his soul rest in peace, he tweeted.

Several other world leaders paid tributes to Tutu, whose passing is being described as the fall of a giant.&nbsp;

Former US President Barack Obama, in his statement, described Tutu as "a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-pay-tribute-to-desmond-tutu-anti-apartheid-champion-of-south-africa-440185">Also read |&nbsp;World leaders pay tribute to Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid champion of South Africa</a>

"Michelle and I will miss him dearly," he said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted his tribute to Tutu. "The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa," he tweeted.

Dalai Lama also released a statement offering condolences on the passing of Desmond Tutu.&nbsp;

Deemed as South Africa's moral compass, he was considered as the reason for peace in South Africa.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Desmond Tutu, South Africa's anti-apartheid icon, died on December 26. Tutu dedicated his life to voicing his concerns over matters pertaining to justice and several other issues.

Desmond Tutu, South Africa's anti-apartheid icon, died on December 26. Tutu dedicated his life to voicing his concerns over matters pertaining to justice and several other issues. Not just for various international communities, he was also a very important friend for India. In October 2006, Tutu was awarded Gandhi peace prize for his contributions to social and political transformation through the Gandhian values of dialogue and tolerance. The prestigious award was launched by the Indian government in 1995 on the occasion of the Mahatma's 125th birth anniversary. The then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described Tutu as a follower of Mahatma Gandhi's vision that "South Africa can boast of proudly". Singh, in his address, said, "I have great pleasure in announcing that in recognition of his invaluable contribution towards social and political transformation through dialogue and tolerance, truly Gandhian values, the government of India has decided to award the 2005 Gandhi Peace Prize to him." Also read | Here is a look at the life of South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu In February 2012, Tutu visited India for five days. In one of his interviews, he spoke about the treatment of Dalits in India. Expressing his views, he said that people should be interrogating other parts of Indian society and answer as to why are they allowing this to continue if you are an egalitarian society? He said that he thinks that Indian society needs to be challenged about the Dalits as it ends up affecting humanity. During his 2015 visit, he met Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. Tutu also expressed his concern on the issue of child marriage in Bihar during an interview with Shekhar Gupta on NDTV 24×7’s Walk the Talk in 2012. Recollecting his experience, he said, "We went to this village, where we met about 20-30 young people, both boys and girls. It was fantastic, how enthusiastic they were about opposing this practice of child marriage." He further said that child marriage is something that holds back communities. You can forget about six of the eight millennium development goals unless you stop child marriages. You can forget about improving child mortality, maternal health. You can’t do anything about universalising primary education because these girls drop out." After his demise, Indian PM Narendra Modi hailed Tutu as 'a guiding light for countless people globally' "Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was a guiding light for countless people globally. His emphasis on human dignity and equality will be forever remembered. I am deeply saddened by his demise, and extend my heartfelt condolences to all his admirers. May his soul rest in peace, he tweeted. Several other world leaders paid tributes to Tutu, whose passing is being described as the fall of a giant. Former US President Barack Obama, in his statement, described Tutu as "a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others." Also read | World leaders pay tribute to Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid champion of South Africa "Michelle and I will miss him dearly," he said. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted his tribute to Tutu. "The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa," he tweeted. Dalai Lama also released a statement offering condolences on the passing of Desmond Tutu. Deemed as South Africa's moral compass, he was considered as the reason for peace in South Africa. (With inputs from agencies)

Desmond Tutu was a friend of India: Here are some lesser known facts

A 48-year-old mother from Missouri, Laura Oglesby, has pleaded guilty after she was found stealing her daughter's identity. Laura adopted the identity of her estranged daughter Lauren Ashleigh Hays in 2016 to enroll in university and get a driver's license. She is now facing up to five years in prison without parole for Social Security fraud.

She lived as her daughter for a period of two years, fooling the government and locals.

It started in 2016 when Laura applied for a social security card in her daughter's name. After this, she used the card to obtain a Missouri driver's license.&nbsp;

She did not stop there. She used her social security card again to enroll at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. Here, she even applied for financial aid.

As a result of that, she received $9,400 in federal student loans, $5,920 in Pell Grants, $337 for books from the University bookstore, and $1,863 in finance charges.

Now, she needs to pay $17,521 to the university. Also, she will be paying restitution to her daughter Lauren for identity theft. The fraudster even dated men who had no idea that she was way older than them.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/roh-johnon-says-mouthwash-can-help-prevent-covid-listerine-denies-claims-435703">Also read |&nbsp;Roh Johnon says mouthwash can help prevent Covid; Listerine denies claims</a>

Laura had moved in with local couple Avery and Wendy Parker, who believed she was a young woman running away from a domestic violence situation.

After the couple noticed red flags, they got in touch with a family member &nbsp;who lived in the same town Laura said she was from. Meanwhile, the investigators came out with the truth.

Chief Jamie Perkins of the Mountain View Police Department while speaking to The New York Times said, "Everyone believed it. She even had boyfriends that believed that she was that age: 22 years old."

Several pictures obtained by Missouri news station KY3 show Laura's snapchat account where she pretended to be her daughter.

Detective Stetson Schwien while speaking to the ABC outlet said, "She had completely adopted a younger lifestyle: clothing, makeup and personality. She had completely assumed becoming a younger person in her early 20s."

(With inputs from agencies)

A 48-year-old mother from Missouri, Laura Oglesby, has pleaded guilty after she was found stealing her daughter's identity. Laura adopted the identity of her estranged daughter Lauren Ashleigh Hays in 2016 to enroll in university and get a driver's license.

A 48-year-old mother from Missouri, Laura Oglesby, has pleaded guilty after she was found stealing her daughter's identity. Laura adopted the identity of her estranged daughter Lauren Ashleigh Hays in 2016 to enroll in university and get a driver's license. She is now facing up to five years in prison without parole for Social Security fraud. She lived as her daughter for a period of two years, fooling the government and locals. It started in 2016 when Laura applied for a social security card in her daughter's name. After this, she used the card to obtain a Missouri driver's license. She did not stop there. She used her social security card again to enroll at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. Here, she even applied for financial aid. As a result of that, she received $9,400 in federal student loans, $5,920 in Pell Grants, $337 for books from the University bookstore, and $1,863 in finance charges. Now, she needs to pay $17,521 to the university. Also, she will be paying restitution to her daughter Lauren for identity theft. The fraudster even dated men who had no idea that she was way older than them. Also read | Roh Johnon says mouthwash can help prevent Covid; Listerine denies claims Laura had moved in with local couple Avery and Wendy Parker, who believed she was a young woman running away from a domestic violence situation. After the couple noticed red flags, they got in touch with a family member who lived in the same town Laura said she was from. Meanwhile, the investigators came out with the truth. Chief Jamie Perkins of the Mountain View Police Department while speaking to The New York Times said, "Everyone believed it. She even had boyfriends that believed that she was that age: 22 years old." Several pictures obtained by Missouri news station KY3 show Laura's snapchat account where she pretended to be her daughter. Detective Stetson Schwien while speaking to the ABC outlet said, "She had completely adopted a younger lifestyle: clothing, makeup and personality. She had completely assumed becoming a younger person in her early 20s." (With inputs from agencies)

Mother pleads guilty for stealing daughter's identity to enroll in college and date younger men

The whistleblower who shared a trove of Facebook documents alleging that the social media giant knew its products were fueling hate and harming children's mental health revealed her identity on Sunday in a televised interview. Frances Haugen, a 37-year-old data scientist from Iowa, accused the company of choosing "profit over safety."

She has worked for companies including Google and Pinterest. &nbsp;

In an interview with the CBS news show "60 Minutes", she said that Facebook was "substantially worse" than anything she had seen before. "Facebook over and over again has shown it chooses profit over safety. It is subsidising, it is paying for its profits with our safety," Haugen said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-protects-elite-users-from-its-own-rules-report-412910">Also read |&nbsp;Facebook protects elite users from its own rules: Report</a>

"The version of Facebook that exists today is tearing our societies apart and causing ethnic violence around the world," she added.

Haugen as an unnamed whistleblower shared documents with US lawmakers and The Wall Street Journal that detailed how Facebook knew its products, including Instagram, were harming young girls, especially around body image.

In the "60 Minutes" interview Haugen explained how the company's News Feed algorithm is optimised for content that gets a reaction.

The company's own research shows that it is "easier to inspire people to anger than it is to other emotions," Haugen said.

"Facebook has realised that if they change the algorithm to be safer, people will spend less time on the site, they'll click on less ads, they'll make less money."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-grill-facebook-over-teen-mental-health-417319">Also read |&nbsp;US lawmakers grill Facebook over teen mental health</a>

&nbsp;

She said that during the US 2020 Presidential elections, the company realised the danger that such content presented.

Therefore, it turned on safety systems to reduce it.

But "as soon as the election was over they turn them back off, or they change the settings back to what they were before, to prioritise growth over safety, and that really feels like a betrayal of democracy to me," she said.&nbsp;

She further added that "No one at Facebook is malevolent."

The co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg did not set out to make a "hateful" platform. But, Haugen said, the incentives are "misaligned."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-documents-show-how-toxic-instagram-is-for-teens-reports-413284">Also read |&nbsp;Facebook documents show how toxic Instagram is for teens: Reports</a>

Facebook's vice president of policy and global affairs Nick Clegg has pushed back at the assertion its platforms are "toxic" for teens, days after a tense congressional hearing in which US lawmakers grilled the company over its impact on the mental health of young users.

The lawmakers grilled Facebook over the potential harm its services are causing and its impact on the mental health of children.&nbsp;

However, Facebook defended the impact of its products, saying Instagram has "affirmatively helped" young people. Its global head of safety, Antigone Davis, testified to the US Senate, about child protection.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/whistleblowers-new-allegations-against-facebook-418095">Watch:&nbsp;Whistleblower's new allegations against Facebook</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/whistleblowers-new-allegations-against-facebook-418095/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The whistleblower who shared a trove of Facebook documents alleging that the social media giant knew its products were fueling hate and harming children's mental health revealed her identity on Sunday in a televised interview.

The whistleblower who shared a trove of Facebook documents alleging that the social media giant knew its products were fueling hate and harming children's mental health revealed her identity on Sunday in a televised interview. Frances Haugen, a 37-year-old data scientist from Iowa, accused the company of choosing "profit over safety." She has worked for companies including Google and Pinterest. In an interview with the CBS news show "60 Minutes", she said that Facebook was "substantially worse" than anything she had seen before. "Facebook over and over again has shown it chooses profit over safety. It is subsidising, it is paying for its profits with our safety," Haugen said. Also read | Facebook protects elite users from its own rules: Report "The version of Facebook that exists today is tearing our societies apart and causing ethnic violence around the world," she added. Haugen as an unnamed whistleblower shared documents with US lawmakers and The Wall Street Journal that detailed how Facebook knew its products, including Instagram, were harming young girls, especially around body image. In the "60 Minutes" interview Haugen explained how the company's News Feed algorithm is optimised for content that gets a reaction. The company's own research shows that it is "easier to inspire people to anger than it is to other emotions," Haugen said. "Facebook has realised that if they change the algorithm to be safer, people will spend less time on the site, they'll click on less ads, they'll make less money." Also read | US lawmakers grill Facebook over teen mental health She said that during the US 2020 Presidential elections, the company realised the danger that such content presented. Therefore, it turned on safety systems to reduce it. But "as soon as the election was over they turn them back off, or they change the settings back to what they were before, to prioritise growth over safety, and that really feels like a betrayal of democracy to me," she said. She further added that "No one at Facebook is malevolent." The co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg did not set out to make a "hateful" platform. But, Haugen said, the incentives are "misaligned." Also read | Facebook documents show how toxic Instagram is for teens: Reports Facebook's vice president of policy and global affairs Nick Clegg has pushed back at the assertion its platforms are "toxic" for teens, days after a tense congressional hearing in which US lawmakers grilled the company over its impact on the mental health of young users. The lawmakers grilled Facebook over the potential harm its services are causing and its impact on the mental health of children. However, Facebook defended the impact of its products, saying Instagram has "affirmatively helped" young people. Its global head of safety, Antigone Davis, testified to the US Senate, about child protection. Watch: Whistleblower's new allegations against Facebook

Hate speech for profit: Facebook whistleblower reveals identity

Odisha has made appreciable progress by achieving 93 per cent Aadhaar enrolment, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Deputy Director-General G Venugopal Reddy said on Tuesday. 
 
According to an official statement, the issue was discussed at the state-level Unique Identification Implementation Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy. 
 
"Odisha has made appreciable progress in the implementation of Aadhaar enrolment. The enrolment achievement in Odisha has been more than 93 per cent against all India average of around 90 per cent," Reddy said. 
 
He also said that the progress of Odisha in other indicators was also comparatively good. 
 
According to the available data, out of the projected population of 4.58 crore by 2019, so far 4.41 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated in the age group of 18 and above which is around 93.1 per cent of the projected population. 
 
Reviewing the progress, Tripathy directed the nodal implementing agency along with concerned departments to devise age-group specific strategies of live saturation enrolment and scale-up Odisha to among the top five states in Aadhaar implementation. 
 
"Tripathy further directed to focus on Aadhaar generation of children in the age group of 0-5 and 5-18. It was decided to link the issue of Birth Certificates to Aadhaar registration. IT Secretary Mishra presented the technical and administrative matters for age-specific strategy," the statement said. 
 
It was decided that Aadhaar facilitation centres would be opened at hospitals and urban local bodies for Aadhaar generation at the time of birth and issue of birth certificates. For the purpose, newly updated kits would be procured. Target has been set to roll out the process for registration by January 2020. 
 
Chief Secretary directed that Anganwadi centres and schools should be actively involved in Aadhaar enrolment of the children.

Odisha has made appreciable progress by achieving 93 per cent Aadhaar enrolment, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Deputy Director-General G Venugopal Reddy said on Tuesday.

Odisha has made appreciable progress by achieving 93 per cent Aadhaar enrolment, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Deputy Director-General G Venugopal Reddy said on Tuesday. According to an official statement, the issue was discussed at the state-level Unique Identification Implementation Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy. "Odisha has made appreciable progress in the implementation of Aadhaar enrolment. The enrolment achievement in Odisha has been more than 93 per cent against all India average of around 90 per cent," Reddy said. He also said that the progress of Odisha in other indicators was also comparatively good. According to the available data, out of the projected population of 4.58 crore by 2019, so far 4.41 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated in the age group of 18 and above which is around 93.1 per cent of the projected population. Reviewing the progress, Tripathy directed the nodal implementing agency along with concerned departments to devise age-group specific strategies of live saturation enrolment and scale-up Odisha to among the top five states in Aadhaar implementation. "Tripathy further directed to focus on Aadhaar generation of children in the age group of 0-5 and 5-18. It was decided to link the issue of Birth Certificates to Aadhaar registration. IT Secretary Mishra presented the technical and administrative matters for age-specific strategy," the statement said. It was decided that Aadhaar facilitation centres would be opened at hospitals and urban local bodies for Aadhaar generation at the time of birth and issue of birth certificates. For the purpose, newly updated kits would be procured. Target has been set to roll out the process for registration by January 2020. Chief Secretary directed that Anganwadi centres and schools should be actively involved in Aadhaar enrolment of the children.

Odisha achieves 93% Aadhar enrollments, country's average around 90%

Narthaki Nataraj, the first transgender to be awarded the Padma Shri, opined that she was chosen for the civilian decoration not because of her gender or identity but solely on the basis of merit and her talent as a Bharatanatyam artist.

"I was chosen not because of my transgender identity but on basis of merit as a Bharatanatyam artist. I have given more than 30 years of my life in the service of Bharatanatyam," she told news agency ANI.

Nataraj, a professional Bharatnatyam artist specialising in Thanjavur-based Nayaki Bhava tradition of dance, said that though she is in her fifties, she still feels like a 16-year-old.

"On Facebook, I have mentioned myself as Nityakalyani, because I feel like a beautiful angel from the core of my heart, I feel like a beautiful transgender woman, a beautiful dancer. Though I have a lot of wounds, I hide them," said Nataraj.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday announced the name of 112 recipients of the Padma awards, one of the highest civilian awards of the country on the eve of the country's 70th Republic Day.

The Padma awards are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, the second, third and fourth highest civilian awards of the country respectively, only after Bharat Ratna.

 
This year's awardees comprise four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri recipients.

Narthaki Nataraj, the first transgender to be awarded the Padma Shri, opined that she was chosen for the civilian decoration not because of her gender or identity but solely on the basis of merit and her talent as a Bharatanatyam artist.

Narthaki Nataraj, the first transgender to be awarded the Padma Shri, opined that she was chosen for the civilian decoration not because of her gender or identity but solely on the basis of merit and her talent as a Bharatanatyam artist. "I was chosen not because of my transgender identity but on basis of merit as a Bharatanatyam artist. I have given more than 30 years of my life in the service of Bharatanatyam," she told news agency ANI. Nataraj, a professional Bharatnatyam artist specialising in Thanjavur-based Nayaki Bhava tradition of dance, said that though she is in her fifties, she still feels like a 16-year-old. "On Facebook, I have mentioned myself as Nityakalyani, because I feel like a beautiful angel from the core of my heart, I feel like a beautiful transgender woman, a beautiful dancer. Though I have a lot of wounds, I hide them," said Nataraj. Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday announced the name of 112 recipients of the Padma awards, one of the highest civilian awards of the country on the eve of the country's 70th Republic Day. The Padma awards are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, the second, third and fourth highest civilian awards of the country respectively, only after Bharat Ratna. This year's awardees comprise four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri recipients.

Awarded for my art, not my transgender identity: Padma Shri Narthaki Nataraj

Your complete digital life - including data from your social media accounts, banking and credit card details — can be sold by cybercriminals for less than US $50, scientists say.

While many of us have heard of, or even fallen victim to, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyber-crimes-rose-between-2014-and-2017-government-28660">cybercrimes</a> such as data and identity theft, it seems that relatively few know the value of the information stolen from us.&nbsp;

Scientists from the Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity company in Russia, found that while our identity may not be worth a lot in terms of dollars, it is a significant asset to criminals in other ways.

The research uncovered an appetite among cybercriminals for data stolen from popular services - including via social media accounts and remote access to gaming websites.

User confusion about what their data is worth could result in a haphazard approach to security, making it all too easy for thieves to steal data and commit a crime.

Data stolen due to people's lax security may have limited resale value, but can be put to many uses.

This can cause huge problems for an individual victim, who may lose money and their reputation, find themselves being chased for debt that somebody else has incurred in their name, or even suspected of a crime that somebody else has committed using their identity as a cover.

Kaspersky Lab investigated 'Dark Web' markets to find out how much personal data is worth, and how it is used by criminals.&nbsp;

The dark web also referred to as the darknet, is an encrypted portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. These networks use the internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorisation to access.

The researchers found that criminals can sell someone's complete digital life for less than US $50; including data from stolen social media accounts, banking details, remote access to servers or desktops, and even data from popular services like Uber, Netflix, and Spotify, as well as gaming websites, dating apps, and porn websites which might store credit card information.

Meanwhile, researchers found that the price paid for a single hacked account is lower, with most selling for about US $1 per account, and with criminals offering up discounts for bulk-buying.

The most common way criminals steal this sort of data in the first place is via spear phishing campaigns or by exploiting a web related security vulnerability in an application's software.

After a successful attack, the criminal gets password dumps which contain a combination of emails and passwords for the hacked services. With many people using the same password for several accounts, attackers might be able to use this information to access accounts on other platforms too.

Some criminals selling data even provide their buyers with a lifetime warranty, so if one account stops working, the buyer will receive a new account for free.

"It is clear that data hacking is a major threat to us all, and this applies at both an individual and societal level because stolen data funds many social evils," said David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab.

"Fortunately, there are steps we can take to prevent it, including by using cybersecurity software and being aware of how much data we are giving away for free - particularly on publicly available social media profiles, or to organisations," said Jacoby.

People can avoid such risks by taking several easy security steps, which should become an integral part of any Internet user's digital life.

To stay safe from phishing, always check that the link address and the sender's email are genuine before clicking anything. A robust security solution will also warn you if you attempt to visit a phishing web page. 
To avoid one data leak harming all your digital identities, never use the same password for several websites or services, researchers said.

Your complete digital life - including data from your social media accounts, banking and credit card details — can be sold by cybercriminals for less than US $50, scientists say.

Your complete digital life - including data from your social media accounts, banking and credit card details — can be sold by cybercriminals for less than US $50, scientists say. While many of us have heard of, or even fallen victim to, cybercrimes such as data and identity theft, it seems that relatively few know the value of the information stolen from us. Scientists from the Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity company in Russia, found that while our identity may not be worth a lot in terms of dollars, it is a significant asset to criminals in other ways. The research uncovered an appetite among cybercriminals for data stolen from popular services - including via social media accounts and remote access to gaming websites. User confusion about what their data is worth could result in a haphazard approach to security, making it all too easy for thieves to steal data and commit a crime. Data stolen due to people's lax security may have limited resale value, but can be put to many uses. This can cause huge problems for an individual victim, who may lose money and their reputation, find themselves being chased for debt that somebody else has incurred in their name, or even suspected of a crime that somebody else has committed using their identity as a cover. Kaspersky Lab investigated 'Dark Web' markets to find out how much personal data is worth, and how it is used by criminals. The dark web also referred to as the darknet, is an encrypted portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. These networks use the internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorisation to access. The researchers found that criminals can sell someone's complete digital life for less than US $50; including data from stolen social media accounts, banking details, remote access to servers or desktops, and even data from popular services like Uber, Netflix, and Spotify, as well as gaming websites, dating apps, and porn websites which might store credit card information. Meanwhile, researchers found that the price paid for a single hacked account is lower, with most selling for about US $1 per account, and with criminals offering up discounts for bulk-buying. The most common way criminals steal this sort of data in the first place is via spear phishing campaigns or by exploiting a web related security vulnerability in an application's software. After a successful attack, the criminal gets password dumps which contain a combination of emails and passwords for the hacked services. With many people using the same password for several accounts, attackers might be able to use this information to access accounts on other platforms too. Some criminals selling data even provide their buyers with a lifetime warranty, so if one account stops working, the buyer will receive a new account for free. "It is clear that data hacking is a major threat to us all, and this applies at both an individual and societal level because stolen data funds many social evils," said David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab. "Fortunately, there are steps we can take to prevent it, including by using cybersecurity software and being aware of how much data we are giving away for free - particularly on publicly available social media profiles, or to organisations," said Jacoby. People can avoid such risks by taking several easy security steps, which should become an integral part of any Internet user's digital life. To stay safe from phishing, always check that the link address and the sender's email are genuine before clicking anything. A robust security solution will also warn you if you attempt to visit a phishing web page. To avoid one data leak harming all your digital identities, never use the same password for several websites or services, researchers said.

Your digital data could be on sale for less than US $50: Study

Art transcends all borders and goes beyond the definition of geographical divides. Here are some 11 noteworthy cultural festivals celebrated in the South Asian region that you must know about: 
 
&nbsp;
<ul>
	<li>Jaisalmer Desert Festival, India</li>
</ul>
Set against the sand dunes, the festival is a unique showcase of folk culture. Held every year, there are programs for folk singing, puppet shows, acrobats, fire dancing, and others. Home of the camels, you can also take a camel ride, enjoy a game of camel polo, participate in camel decoration and pack some exciting desert memories with you.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/jaisalmer-20160915100616.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A glimpse of Jaisalmer Desert Festival in India 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Kala Pola, Sri Lanka</li>
</ul>
Kala Pola is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s open-air art exhibition cum fair which happens every year. Attracting artists from across the country, it serves as a launch pad for talent. A wide array of art forms are displayed for the crowd to cheer and appreciate.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del6189267-20160915100439.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Kala Pola festival in Sri Lanka 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Annual Bhutan International Festival, Bhutan</li>
</ul>
It&rsquo;s a collaborative effort to encourage different countries to come and engage, while showcasing their culture and art. The festival boasts of some of the best entertainment performances by world known artists. The festival has an intimate setting and welcomes everyone interested.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/bhutan1-20160915103529.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Bhutanese monks at the Bhutan International festival 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Rann Utsav, India</li>
</ul>
Rann Utsav is a quarter year-long winter celebration in white sandy desert. You set up your makeshift tents and absorb the local tradition and culture. The region known for it&rsquo;s distinct handicrafts, also offers options for kite flying, camel rides and desert safaris.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/rann1-20160915103938.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Local artists at Rann Utsav
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan</li>
</ul>
An international cultural event, this festival brings performing artists from all over the world to celebrate music, theatre, concert, dance, puppet shows and others. Serving as a nurturing ground for local talent, it brings to fore the vibrancy of Pakistan&rsquo;s talents and helps people engage in a cultural exchange.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/pakistan-20160915113108.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Hornbill Festival, India</li>
</ul>
The aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are a sight to watch. Held every year in the month of December, Hornbill festival is a weeklong celebration of music, culture, art, sport and cuisine takes place. You will see some exquisite paintings, wood carvings and sculptures that form an essential part of Nagaland&rsquo;s cultural identity.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del527342-20160915113835.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A Naga tribesman eats a stump of smouldering firewood during annual Hornbill Festival
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghanistan</li>
</ul>
It is one of the largest coming together of artists and music bands in Afghanistan. Opening its doors to fellow countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan United States, the festival started with an aim to show the world Afghanistan&rsquo;s rich culture. Bikers, break dancers, rock bands and other performers come together every year.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/afghan1-20160915012131.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Local Afghan dancers
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>South Ari Atoll, Maldives</li>
</ul>
A festival with a thought, South Ari Atoll is a collaboration between artists from Maldives and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. It is a platform for showcasing artworks representing the island&rsquo;s marine diversity with a special emphasis on the shark population of Maldives. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/cqi9uwpumaae2vl.jpg-large-20160916014323.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
South Ari Atoll in Maldives where the Conservation festival happens
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh</li>
</ul>
The Bengali New Year is celebrated with a lot of fervour all across the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Called Vasanta Utsav, the festivals starts at Shantiniketan in India and Bangladesh at the same time. The festivity celebrates art and diversity of both the regions. Among songs, dance and fairs, people are seen enjoying themselves around that time of the year.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/crh9vswuaaamwpn.jpg-large-20160916015136.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal</li>
</ul>
Almost in every three years, Nepal celebrates its artists with an International Art festival. Artists come together to exhibit their works at different venues in the capital city of Kathmandu.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/a8hm7l3ceaac3w9.jpg-large-20160916015737.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
A glimpse of Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal
</div>
 
 
(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Discover how art and culture in South Asia binds the region together

Art transcends all borders and goes beyond the definition of geographical divides. Here are some 11 noteworthy cultural festivals celebrated in the South Asian region that you must know about: Jaisalmer Desert Festival, India Set against the sand dunes, the festival is a unique showcase of folk culture. Held every year, there are programs for folk singing, puppet shows, acrobats, fire dancing, and others. Home of the camels, you can also take a camel ride, enjoy a game of camel polo, participate in camel decoration and pack some exciting desert memories with you. A glimpse of Jaisalmer Desert Festival in India Kala Pola, Sri Lanka Kala Pola is Sri Lanka’s open-air art exhibition cum fair which happens every year. Attracting artists from across the country, it serves as a launch pad for talent. A wide array of art forms are displayed for the crowd to cheer and appreciate. Kala Pola festival in Sri Lanka Annual Bhutan International Festival, Bhutan It’s a collaborative effort to encourage different countries to come and engage, while showcasing their culture and art. The festival boasts of some of the best entertainment performances by world known artists. The festival has an intimate setting and welcomes everyone interested. Bhutanese monks at the Bhutan International festival Rann Utsav, India Rann Utsav is a quarter year-long winter celebration in white sandy desert. You set up your makeshift tents and absorb the local tradition and culture. The region known for it’s distinct handicrafts, also offers options for kite flying, camel rides and desert safaris. Local artists at Rann Utsav World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan An international cultural event, this festival brings performing artists from all over the world to celebrate music, theatre, concert, dance, puppet shows and others. Serving as a nurturing ground for local talent, it brings to fore the vibrancy of Pakistan’s talents and helps people engage in a cultural exchange. World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan Hornbill Festival, India The aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are a sight to watch. Held every year in the month of December, Hornbill festival is a weeklong celebration of music, culture, art, sport and cuisine takes place. You will see some exquisite paintings, wood carvings and sculptures that form an essential part of Nagaland’s cultural identity. A Naga tribesman eats a stump of smouldering firewood during annual Hornbill Festival Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghanistan It is one of the largest coming together of artists and music bands in Afghanistan. Opening its doors to fellow countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan United States, the festival started with an aim to show the world Afghanistan’s rich culture. Bikers, break dancers, rock bands and other performers come together every year. Local Afghan dancers South Ari Atoll, Maldives A festival with a thought, South Ari Atoll is a collaboration between artists from Maldives and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. It is a platform for showcasing artworks representing the island’s marine diversity with a special emphasis on the shark population of Maldives. South Ari Atoll in Maldives where the Conservation festival happens Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh The Bengali New Year is celebrated with a lot of fervour all across the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Called Vasanta Utsav, the festivals starts at Shantiniketan in India and Bangladesh at the same time. The festivity celebrates art and diversity of both the regions. Among songs, dance and fairs, people are seen enjoying themselves around that time of the year. Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal Almost in every three years, Nepal celebrates its artists with an International Art festival. Artists come together to exhibit their works at different venues in the capital city of Kathmandu. A glimpse of Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

11 cultural festivals in South Asia that you must attend at least once in your lifetime

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