Stranded trucks and oil tankers started arriving in Imphal on Monday after an ongoing economic blockade by Naga groups was lifted.

The blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1 was lifted from Sunday midnight. 

The trucks and tankers moved into Imphal along National Highways No.2 and No.37 without any armed escorts.

O. Ramesh, a trucker, told IANS that he was stranded for over 10 days at Jiribam, adjoining Assam. 

"Officials select trucks for proceeding towards Imphal on the basis of the goods they are transporting. I was not allowed to move since the iron rods in my truck were not a top priority." 

Newly elected Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh hailed the withdrawal of the blockade. "We are happy that the economic blockade is lifted. It was one of the pre-poll pledges of the Bharatiya Janata Party. We hope that there will be no more blockade in the state." 

Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also welcome the blockade lifting. 

"We welcome the decision. There will be no more sufferings of the people. It was an assurance to the people by Prime Minister Narenddra Modi." 

The decision was taken following an agreement reached during a tripartite talk on Sunday involving two UNC constituents — All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women Union (NWU) — and representatives of the central and Manipur governments.

The blockade was imposed on November 1 in protest the creation of seven new districts by the former Manipur government. 

The Nagas maintain that the "lands of the Nagas" left by their forefathers cannot be taken away in this manner.

Manipur had been reeling under acute shortage of all essential commodities, including fuel, due to the blockade. Hardly 300 trucks and oil tankers could transport essential commodities twice a week, which proved to be the proverbial drop in the ocean. 

The BJP had assured the people that if it formed the government, the blockade would be lifted within 48 hours.

You want to feel spoilt for choices of sumptuous street food, shopping options and roller-coaster rides? This oceanarium, a park near the disputed South China Sea in Hong Kong, may just be the right place to visit.

The Ocean Park, spread over two small islands separated by a distance of 1.5 km and connected by a cable car ride, also houses animal-themed amusement parks and is one of the most visited places in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is nearly five hours away by plane from New Delhi and is quite popular for its attractions like Ocean Park and Disneyland. Its street food and shopping options also draw revellers. And if time permits, some even take a ferry ride.

But if one has a tight schedule and just wants some entertainment, good food and roller-coaster rides, the Ocean Park is a one-stop shop for all this.

To reach the park, travel via the rapid transit MTR from Admiralty Station, an area which was once headquarters of the Royal Navy. Travel time is usually around 10 minutes.

The fair weather and sudden cold breeze welcomed me upon arrival at the park. The park entrance was crowded by a swarm of tourists taking selfies. We opted to join them and looked for the very first stop at the Giant Panda adventure, one of the highlights of the park.

Ocean Park's giant pandas are not only among the most popular attractions, they are also well pampered residents, with a sophisticated feeding regime to satisfy their fussy eating habits.

A walk in the park will show you helpful signages telling you where to go next. So you never really get lost, despite it being a huge place.

The park is divided into two islands — Waterfront and the Summit.

To cross between the two islands, you have a choice of riding the cable car system that features an astonishing view of the island and the much famous and disputed South China Sea or an underground train system known as the Ocean Express that utilises multimedia effects to simulate the feeling of travelling into the depths of the sea.

We took the cable car to cross to the Summit island. The queue was long but we had the privilege to enter via a staff line as we were hosted by the park management itself. The eight-minute ride gave a panoramic view of the Waterfront and Summit islands.

Ocean Park is not just a theme park full of animals for kids but also has an amusement park for adults to enjoy too.

There were lots of tourists and one could spot many Indians among them. For visitors to Hong Kong, Ocean Park is increasingly becoming a must-visit destination.

You cannot claim to have done Hong Kong, unless you take a ride on a ferry. Since 1888, the Hong Kong Star Ferry has been one of the unique — and cheaper — things to do in an expensive city. 

It is basically a short 10-minute ride that takes you across to the Victoria Harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui, Central Pier. But that short cruise lets you enjoy the amazing view and ocean breeze and the images seem to remain stuck in your mind for many days, especially if you do the night trip.

Whether you're shopping on a budget or willing to splurge, it's guaranteed that you'll find what you're looking for in Mong Kok. Even in early hours, Mong Kok's streets are as busy as in day time.

With a wide range of products on offer, shoppers are advised to prepare a list of what they want to buy or else you'll be overwhelmed by the wide range of products on sale. From electronics, computers, high-end fashion, jewellery and traditional Asian ornaments, you get everything. Name it, and you have it, in this shopping haven.

Make sure to drop by in Ladies' Market, Flower Market and Bird Market for excellent bargains. Another shopping destination is the Temple Street Night Market. It is kind of interesting and slightly different from that of the more commercialised Mong Kok. It only opens when the sun goes down. You can see Fortune tellers offering a glimpse into the future if you are willing to part with a bit of moolah.

It is a popular street bazaar, named after a Tin Hau temple and a place so steeped in local atmosphere that it has served as the backdrop to many a memorable movie. Also, haggling with the local vendors is one of the fun experiences you'll have in this night market. Hint: They'll eventually give in to the price you offer.

Souvenir pieces such as chopsticks, magnets, tea ware, electronics, watches, jade and antiques are also up for grabs for low prices. 

Adventure and excitement are always in the air. Hong Kong tries its best to make your dream come true. And even small things are a pleasure, like a languid stroll in the narrow streets. And if you have a large budget, many more doors will open. Hong Kong seems to meet you half-way in everything you want to do.

The Indian Premier League schedule has been revised owing to the Municipal elections in Delhi scheduled for April 22.

Due to the elections, the home matches involving Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians and the Rising Pune Supergiants have undergone minor changes.

As per the current schedule, two matches were slated to held on April 22: Delhi Daredevils against Mumbai Indians at 4:00 PM in Delhi and the Rising Pune Supergiant against Sunrisers Hyderabad at 8:00 PM in Pune.

With the revised schedule, Delhi will now host Mumbai Indians on May 6 and play their away game in Mumbai at 8.00 PM on April 22. Pune Supergiants will play on the same day but their game Sunrisers has been pushed ahead to a 4.00 PM start.

The IPL will be played from April 5 to May 21.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was on Monday today elected as the new Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Khemchand, a legislator from Singjamei constituency, was elected Speaker by voice vote when the House assembled this morning ahead of the floor test by N Biren Singh government.

I told a friend that if he scrolled down to the very first Facebook post ever written he would win a prize from Mark Zuckerberg and hes been scrolling for three-and-a-half days now.

I feel kind of guilty but his family's enjoying the peace.

Life is full of new ethical questions triggered by social media.

Case in point: Police recently arrested a teenage girl for armed robbery — and as she was being handcuffed, she turned and spoke some final words to her shocked father: "Dad, can you take a picture of this so I can put it on my Facebook page?"

Not a joke. None of this soppy "sorry I let you down, dearest papa" stuff. Instead, Josephine Garczynski, 18, was operating on a well-known internet principle known as "Pictures Or It Didn't Happen".

And it could be argued that she made the right choice: She achieved a measure of fame where she lived, in the US state of Wisconsin.

Wait a minute, I hear you say: Isn't it bad to be famous for saying or doing something stupid or evil? Ah, that's the mistake people make. Praise and notoriety both lead to fame, but notoriety is easier (and often more fun).

The same week, there was a news report from the UK which said that Nelson Foyle, aged 93, spent 80 years sitting on a barstool in a UK pub called the Dog and Gun. Now most husbands know that if we are 80 minutes late coming home because of a visit to a bar, we'll be in trouble. Our mistake is that our sins are not big enough. This guy spends 80 years on a barstool and he is internationally celebrated.

Of course, the ultimate example of this is the United States President. Many academics have pointed out that in 2016 Donald Trump was by far the most criticised man on Earth, by any measure — and as a result, he is now the most famous and powerful human being on Earth, unbeholden to anyone (except his bossy wife Melania, who I guess is thus technically Ruler of Planet Earth).

The same thing happens in Asia. Rodrigo Duterte announces that he likes picking fights and shooting people, and the people of the Philippines promptly make him their overlord.

Old way of becoming rich and powerful: I need to achieve something good for humanity.

New way of becoming rich and powerful: I need to tell the media that I totally hate kittens.

Final example: There were large number of printings of the Bible in the 1600s, but only the 1631 edition is remembered. The typesetter left out the word "not" so one of the Ten Commandments is: "Thou shalt commit adultery." The church tried to destroy all copies but thanks to a certain type of deeply wicked type of human being ("male"), it became the most-sought after edition.

How do you start to become talked about? Give up Facebook for a start. But write the following post before you disappear: "Going on a date with a mysterious stranger. Will report back soon."

Middle-aged men with high body mass index (BMI) and prediabetes condition cannot process carbohydrate-rich foods in the evening, as it may have a negative effect on their blood glucose regulation, a study has showed.

The findings showed that the internal clock influences how people with impaired glucose metabolism react to foods rich in carbohydrate, fats and protein. 

"The study shows that at least for men with a glucose metabolism disorder, the time of day at which they eat a high-carbohydrate meal is relevant," said Katharina Kessler at German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) in Germany. 

Interestingly, the effect was not observed in healthy men, although there was a general decline in glucose tolerance during the course of the day, Kessler said. 

For the study, reported in the journal Scientific Reports, the team conducted a nutrition study on 29 men, with an average age of 46 years and an average BMI of 27, meaning they were normal to very overweight. 

The participants followed two different diets. Participants in group A consumed carbohydrate-rich foods (containing starch and sugar) from the morning until about 1.30 p.m. and high-fat foods from 4.30 pm to 10 pm. 

Participants in group B ate high-fat foods in the morning and high-carbohydrate foods in the afternoons and evenings. 

"When we compared the blood glucose measurements according to the two diets, their blood glucose levels after diet B averaged 7.9 per cent higher than after diet A, in which the participants consumed a high-fat meal in the evening," Kessler noted. 

Thus, people who already have a disturbed glucose metabolism should orient themselves on their internal clock and avoid high-carbohydrate meals in the evening, the researchers recommended.

Ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Monday dealt a blow to the opposition YSR Ccongress winning three seats of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council in the biennial elections from the Local Authorities Constituencies (LACs).

With this, TDP makes a clean sweep of all the nine council seats from LACs that went to polls recently.

The TDP nominees defeated YSRC candidates in Kadapa, Kurnool and SPS Nellore LACs, for which elections were held on March 17.

The counting was taken up today.

With this, the TDP has won all the nine Council seats from LACs, having already got its candidates elected unopposed from six LACs that went to polls earlier.

These are Srikakulam, East Godavari, West Godavari (two seats), Anantapuramu and Chittoor LACs.

Members of Panchayat Raj institutions and urban local bodies form the electorate in LACs.

The biggest shock for the YSRC came from its stronghold Kadapa where its candidate Y S Vivekananda Reddy was defeated by TDP's B Ravi by a margin of 34 votes.

Vivekananda is uncle of YSRC president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and had earlier served as an MP, MLC and MLA for many terms.

Kadapa is their home turf but the TDP, rather unexpectedly, got the better of Vivekananda.

Stung by the defeat, the YSRC alleged that the ruling party "purchased" voters by spending over Rs 200 crore.

"Chandrababu (TDP supremo and chief minister) has become an expert in buying votes and he excelled in it in this election," Jagan said, as news about the defeat of his uncle came.

"Is this (buying votes) a victory ?" he asked.

In Kurnool, TDP's sitting MLC Silpa Chakrapani Reddy got re-elected defeating Gouru Venkat Reddy of YSRC by a margin of 56 votes.

In Nellore, Vakati Narayana Reddy, a who crossed over to TDP from the Congress, retained his LAC seat defeating Anam Vijaykumar Reddy of YSRC by a margin of 87 votes.

The TDP heaved a sigh of relief after the results as the party feared of a possible "cross-voting" in Nellore.

"The victory reflected the good performance of the government. It also denoted the growing strength of the party in the Rayalaseema region," TDP state president K Kala Venkata Rao said.

Two of the incumbent MLCs will retire on March 29, while the term of seven others will end on May 1 which necessitated the biennial election.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday defended UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and said it is unfair to criticise Adityanath without giving him fair opportunity.

"It is very unfair to criticise Adityanath without giving him fair opportunity," Naidu said.

"RSS never interferes with selection of chief ministers," he said on choice of Adityanath as UP CM.

The Union minister had said that Adityanath will care for all sections of people and will prove critics wrong. He will become one of the most successful CMs.

Naidu's statement comes in the wake of reports that RSS played a major role in selecting Adityanath as UP chief minister.

Ranbir Kapoor, who is working really hard for Sanjay Dutt's biopic, is all set to don six different looks in the film.

The actor is going all miles to fit into the character of Sanjay Dutt and is undergoing rigorous physical transformation to fit the bill. He was seen sporting long locks, those resembling Dutt in his heydays.

Ranbir's uncanny resemblance to Sanjay Dutt from his earlier days, without a doubt, took the internet by storm and created immense anticipation. 

However, according to sources,  Ranbir Kapoor will be donning six different looks throughout the film. 

The 'Barfi' actor will be seen in various looks of Sanjay Dutt marking different phases of his life. Sanjay Dutt has sported a variety of looks through his journey and Rajkumar Hirani is leaving no stone unturned to bring it all to the silver screen. 

The looks will vary from the ones in his movies like Rocky, Khalnayak, etc; he will also don Sanjay Dutt's look while he was in prison, and a few other looks. 

Rajkumar Hirani is known to bring out the best in his actors, and Ranbir Kapoor is known to get into the skin of the characters he plays on screen. 

The Dutt Biopic is slated for a Christmas 2017 release and the team has recently wrapped up the first schedule.

The union of these talented people is going to be one to watch out for.
 

The United States has conveyed to India that there is no significant change in the H1B visa regime, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

Sitharaman said in Lok Sabha that India is articulating its concerns regarding the visa policy vigorously with the new administration in the US.

However, the Minister said, there is no significant change in the H1B visa regime.

"The fear, at least for 2017, is not proved to be correct. They (US authorities) are saying their current priority is to deal with the illegal immigrants," she said during Question Hour.

Sitharaman said the issue was also taken up by the Commerce Minister recently with visiting Congressional delegation led by Bob Goodlatte and during the visit of Commerce Secretary and Foreign Secretary to the US during first week of March 2017.

The Minister said India's concerns on visa issues were articulated during the Strategic and Commerce Dialogue 2016 and Trade Policy Forum 2016 held in October, 2016.

She said India had decided to continue their engagement on visa issues and reiterated their shared resolve to facilitate the movement of professionals.

Sitharaman said a number of industry bodies have raised concerns on visa policies of the US and these concerns were conveyed to the US authorities by the government.

The Minister said the US monitors policies of 73 countries and India may be one of them.

"But we don't recognise any monitoring by any countries.

No unilateral policing is acceptable for India," she said.

In an apparent racist attack, a Catholic priest of Indian heritage was stabbed in the neck at a church in Melbourne by a man who called him unqualified to say mass as he was an Indian.

A man armed with a knife approached Tomy Kalathoor Mathew, 48, in the church foyer moments before the Italian- language mass at St Matthew's Parish in Fawkner on Sunday.

It's believed that the offender told the priest that because he was Indian, he must be a Hindu or a Muslim and therefore unqualified to say mass, local media reported.

"There was some shouting and a lot of movement at the back of the church and then I saw Father Tommy coming to approach me. He waved me over and asked me if I could look at his neck because he said 'I've just been stabbed'," said Melina, one of the parishioners.

A 72-year-old man from Fawkner was arrested and charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury.

He was bailed to appear in Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on June 13.

"At this stage, we believe the incident is isolated.

There's nothing to suggest he's a danger to anyone else," Detective Senior Constable Rhiannon Norton told reporters.

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman Shane Healy described the incident as "appalling".

"People should never be treated like this. This fellow is doing wonderful work for his parishioners and this is really a blight on the great work that many, many Catholic priests are doing," he said.

Father Tomy Mathew suffered minor upper-body injuries and remains in a stable condition at The Northern Hospital.

Vicar General Monsignor Greg Bennet said the priest was doing well in the hospital and wanted to get back to work soon.

The American multinational corporation, Cognizant Technology Solutions is likely to lay off 6,000-10,000 employees as part of its annual appraisal exercise that ends in March, reports suggest.

Cognizant is known to hire about 2,60,000 employees worldwide annually. India’s Cognizant Technology Solutions accounts for 75 per cent workforce globally.

While the decision is being seen as an impact of Cognizant's desire to move towards automation, according to the company, it is part of their annual appraisal cycle which puts underperformers under the radar. 

"The company conducts regular performance reviews to ensure it has the right employee skill sets necessary to meet client needs and achieve its business goals,” said the company's spokesperson. “This process results in changes, including some employees transitioning out of the company. Any actions, as a result of this process, are performance-based and generally consistent with those we've made in previous years. In any given year, the numbers may bounce a percentage here and there, but resizing our employee base is a part of our standard practice.” 

The American multinational corporation, Cognizant Technology Solutions is likely to lay off 6,000-10,000 employees as part of its annual appraisal exercise that ends in March, reports suggest.

Cognizant is known to hire about 2,60,000 employees worldwide annually. India’s Cognizant Technology Solutions accounts for 75 per cent workforce globally.

While the decision is being seen as an impact of Cognizant's desire to move towards automation, according to the company, it is part of their annual appraisal cycle which puts underperformers under the radar. 

"The company conducts regular performance reviews to ensure it has the right employee skill sets necessary to meet client needs and achieve its business goals,” said the company's spokesperson. “This process results in changes, including some employees transitioning out of the company. Any actions, as a result of this process, are performance-based and generally consistent with those we've made in previous years. In any given year, the numbers may bounce a percentage here and there, but resizing our employee base is a part of our standard practice.” 

NASA has added four new teams to study the Moon, near-Earth asteroids and other components of the solar system.

According to a report in Engadget on Sunday, the first group from the University of Colorado will study on robotics, cosmology, astrophysics and heliophysics to advance manned space exploration.

While the second group has been assigned on a project called "Toolbox for Research and Exploration", responsible for developing tools and methods for the manned exploration of celestial bodies. 

"The third group from Georgia Institute of Technology will explore how radiation affects human-made composite materials. They'll also look into how real-time detectors can help minimise astronauts' exposure to harmful radiation," the report added.

The fourth group, called Exploration Science Pathfinder Research for Enhancing Solar System Observations or ESPRESSO will assist NASA in understanding the events that are hazardous for robotic and human explorers in space. 

With the better knowledge of hazardous events in space, disasters can be predicted and managed. 

"NASA will set aside $3 to $5 million of its budget per year to fund the teams' research for the next five years," the report noted.

NASA has added four new teams to study the Moon, near-Earth asteroids and other components of the solar system.

According to a report in Engadget on Sunday, the first group from the University of Colorado will study on robotics, cosmology, astrophysics and heliophysics to advance manned space exploration.

While the second group has been assigned on a project called "Toolbox for Research and Exploration", responsible for developing tools and methods for the manned exploration of celestial bodies. 

"The third group from Georgia Institute of Technology will explore how radiation affects human-made composite materials. They'll also look into how real-time detectors can help minimise astronauts' exposure to harmful radiation," the report added.

The fourth group, called Exploration Science Pathfinder Research for Enhancing Solar System Observations or ESPRESSO will assist NASA in understanding the events that are hazardous for robotic and human explorers in space. 

With the better knowledge of hazardous events in space, disasters can be predicted and managed. 

"NASA will set aside $3 to $5 million of its budget per year to fund the teams' research for the next five years," the report noted.

Life is like a piano. The white keys are like happy moments,while the black keys are like the sad ones. It is the amalgamation of both that makes life…sweet music…" This aphorism comes to mind when one hears Balazs Fulei playing the piano.

Born in Kecskemet, Hungary, in 1984, he started to learn music at the tender age of eight, giving his first solo performance as early as the age of 12.In India for the fifth time, he performed at the India International Centre at an event organised by the Embassy of Hungary and the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre.

The occasion was the Hungarian National Day on March 15, as also the 50th death anniversary of the world famous Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly.

Fulei has a powerful stage presence and the skills to connect with the audience, holding their attention till the very last minute of each concert. His interaction with the audience by introducing the pieces through story-telling, picture projections, quotations and poetry recitals,is innovative and charming.

In fact, in a new programme series, the focus is on what the piano is capable of, what the pianist can do and the magic that happens when the two meet,synergise and interact. So what has been his inspiration? "The very fact that music is so open to perceptions and interpretations, besides allowing an easy connect with other forms of art, for instance with poetry, architecture and others, is intriguing." Was it not hard to start rigorous practice at such a tender age? Fulei agrees but says that despite many sacrifices, he always remained focused on the goal of perfection.

As he matured, he brought composers and pieces closer to his listeners by 'filtering' them through his own personality. He also studied new pieces and 'built on' the older ones. What were the challenges during his journey as an artist? "There have been many challenges, but the main one has been to strike a balance between constructive and positive feedback.

Besides this, another challenge is addressing a new set of questions,not only from the audience but also the self, with each performance and creation," he says earnestly. Does any pianist inspire him more than the others? "I am interested in all periods of time. There are more than 30 concerts in my repertoire, which include those of Beethoven, Brahms and Bartok. In fact, I write the brochures for the concerts myself." Commenting on his trip to India, he smilingly says, "I look forward to my concerts in India. This time, it will be my first time in Kolkata and Bangalore, though I have performed many times in Mumbai at the NCPA. India – where life is on the go non-stop – is fascinating."

Fulei has been teaching at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music since 2012 and heads the Department of Chamber Music since 2015. He aims to address the youth more extensively as he feels that a single performance can be life-changing.

He concludes the interview by proudly announcing another feather in his cap: the Liszt Prize, one of the most prominent, esteemed awards in the world of music. At the same time, his humility is heartwarming. "My music will tell you more about me than I ever will"…the words resonate deep, as the notes of the piano echo in the mind.

Life is like a piano. The white keys are like happy moments,while the black keys are like the sad ones. It is the amalgamation of both that makes life…sweet music…" This aphorism comes to mind when one hears Balazs Fulei playing the piano.

Born in Kecskemet, Hungary, in 1984, he started to learn music at the tender age of eight, giving his first solo performance as early as the age of 12.In India for the fifth time, he performed at the India International Centre at an event organised by the Embassy of Hungary and the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre.

The occasion was the Hungarian National Day on March 15, as also the 50th death anniversary of the world famous Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly.

Fulei has a powerful stage presence and the skills to connect with the audience, holding their attention till the very last minute of each concert. His interaction with the audience by introducing the pieces through story-telling, picture projections, quotations and poetry recitals,is innovative and charming.

In fact, in a new programme series, the focus is on what the piano is capable of, what the pianist can do and the magic that happens when the two meet,synergise and interact. So what has been his inspiration? "The very fact that music is so open to perceptions and interpretations, besides allowing an easy connect with other forms of art, for instance with poetry, architecture and others, is intriguing." Was it not hard to start rigorous practice at such a tender age? Fulei agrees but says that despite many sacrifices, he always remained focused on the goal of perfection.

As he matured, he brought composers and pieces closer to his listeners by 'filtering' them through his own personality. He also studied new pieces and 'built on' the older ones. What were the challenges during his journey as an artist? "There have been many challenges, but the main one has been to strike a balance between constructive and positive feedback.

Besides this, another challenge is addressing a new set of questions,not only from the audience but also the self, with each performance and creation," he says earnestly. Does any pianist inspire him more than the others? "I am interested in all periods of time. There are more than 30 concerts in my repertoire, which include those of Beethoven, Brahms and Bartok. In fact, I write the brochures for the concerts myself." Commenting on his trip to India, he smilingly says, "I look forward to my concerts in India. This time, it will be my first time in Kolkata and Bangalore, though I have performed many times in Mumbai at the NCPA. India – where life is on the go non-stop – is fascinating."

Fulei has been teaching at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music since 2012 and heads the Department of Chamber Music since 2015. He aims to address the youth more extensively as he feels that a single performance can be life-changing.

He concludes the interview by proudly announcing another feather in his cap: the Liszt Prize, one of the most prominent, esteemed awards in the world of music. At the same time, his humility is heartwarming. "My music will tell you more about me than I ever will"…the words resonate deep, as the notes of the piano echo in the mind.