June 2024
We continue to look at our world with a different perspective. And to help you discover this constantly evolving world, our team at Veritas continues to create this digital annual calendar that hits your mailbox once every month, bringing with it a wave of curated information on iconic people, travel destinations, art and architecture projects, world cinema, literary works, food, technology and lots more.
While we do provide a PDF download link to the calendar, our major announcement this year is the availability of this curated information on our website under Publications, to help you revisit or bookmark the information for later.
We hope you enjoy this journey and our new way of re-discovering the world.
Choquequirao, often referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu, is an ancient Incan site located in the Vilcabamba mountain range of Peru. Perched at an altitude of nearly 3,050 meters, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Andes and the Apurímac River. Unlike its more famous counterpart, Choquequirao remains relatively secluded, attracting fewer tourists due to its challenging accessibility. The site covers approximately 1,800 hectares, though only about 30-40% has been excavated, revealing a complex of terraces, plazas, temples, and water channels that showcase the ingenuity and architectural prowess of the Inca civilisation.
Visiting Choquequirao requires a demanding two-day trek from the nearest village of Cachora. This journey, while strenuous, rewards travellers with an intimate and immersive experience, far from the crowded paths of Machu Picchu. The name Choquequirao translates to “Cradle of Gold,” a fitting description for a site that holds immense historical and cultural significance. As efforts to improve accessibility continue, Choquequirao stands as a testament to the Inca’s enduring legacy and a reminder of the rich, yet often overlooked, history embedded in the Peruvian Andes.
The Nokha Village Community Centre in Rajasthan, India, is a striking example of contemporary architecture that respects and reflects the local cultural and environmental context. Designed with sustainable practices in mind, the building incorporates traditional Rajasthani architectural elements such as jaalis (lattice screens) and jharokhas (overhanging enclosed balconies), which are instrumental in providing shade and passive cooling in the arid climate. The structure’s layout is centered around a large open courtyard, a typical feature in regional architecture, promoting community gathering and facilitating natural ventilation throughout the facility. The use of locally sourced materials, including sandstone and terracotta, not only enhances the building’s aesthetic integration with its surroundings but also supports local industries.
The interior of the Nokha Village Community Centre is thoughtfully designed with flexible spaces, capable of hosting a range of activities from educational programs to social events. The color scheme inside draws from the earthy tones of the Rajasthan landscape, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The design incorporates modern elements such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, showcasing a blend of traditional design principles and modern sustainability practices. Overall, the architecture and design of the community centre strive to be a hub of social and cultural activity, fostering a sense of belonging and community among the residents of Nokha Village.
James Burke was a renowned American photographer known for his work with LIFE magazine during the mid-20th century. Burke’s photography often captured vibrant and dynamic aspects of different cultures, bringing stories from around the world to a wide audience. His talent for framing compelling narratives through his lens made him a key figure in photojournalism. Burke’s work not only documented events but also offered a deep, humanizing perspective on his subjects, whether he was photographing scenes from daily life or significant historical events.
One of Burke’s most celebrated assignments was his photoshoot of the legendary Indian actress Madhubala in the early 1950s. At the time, Madhubala was one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, known for her stunning beauty and captivating screen presence. Burke’s photographs, which appeared in LIFE magazine, portrayed her in a variety of settings, showcasing her elegance and charm. These images helped introduce Madhubala to a global audience, highlighting the burgeoning Indian film industry and its stars. Burke’s ability to capture her ethereal grace and the vibrant atmosphere of the Indian cinema scene remains a testament to his skill and artistic vision.
CREDITS
This Calendar uses references, excerpts and modifications of varied material available from numerous online sources (referenced below), including text generated in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language generation model and Wikipedia articles & photos, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licenses. Upon generating the draft language, the editorial team reviews, edits, and revises the language.
DISCLAIMER
The Copyright Act, 1957 restricts the unauthorised use of any work in which a copyright subsists under the Copyright Act, 1957, except in the case of ‘fair use’ of such work in relation to inter alia, the reporting and review of current and historic events. By clicking on “AGREE” below, the user acknowledges and confirms that:
a. This calendar is a periodical focused on raising awareness of various cultural and lifestyle topics and there has been no commercial benefit of any sort whatsoever conferred to us or any of our members through this calendar or any work / material contained therein;
b. This calendar acts as a resource solely for the purpose of providing a compilation of general information available in the public domain about current events and occurrences, historical and / or legendary facts, and the review and reporting of works in relation to art, food, culture, design, lifestyle and travel, at the user’s own risk, cost and liability;
c. This calendar or any information or work included therein is not connected to the business of Veritas Legal in any manner whatsoever and does not endorse any services, business endeavors or causes associated with, or provided by us.
d. This calendar shall not be construed as legal advice or create any lawyer-client or any other monetary relationship with Veritas Legal or our members in any manner whatsoever;
e. The links and works contained in this calendar shall in no way be considered referrals, endorsements or affiliations with the linked or featured entities and Veritas Legal shall not hold responsibility for the content of such links and works;
f. Veritas Legal does not claim ownership over the images and other works used in the calendar. All credits go to the rightful owners.
The user shall not hold Veritas Legal responsible for any action taken relying upon the content of this calendar. In cases where the user has any legal issues and requires assistance, he/she/it must seek independent legal advice.
Veritas Legal is committed to respecting copyright law, fair dealing principles, and the privacy and publicity rights of individual. While we make every effort to ensure legal compliance, if you believe that this calendar has used your copyrighted material inappropriately or that your rights have been violated, please contact us at: contact@veritaslegal.in to address your concerns.
This disclaimer is subject to change, and we recommend periodically reviewing it to stay updated on our practices and policies. Your continued use of this calendar implies your acceptance of the terms outlined in this disclaimer.