India News - April 1-15, 2024

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Banda (Uttar Pradesh), March 31 (IANS) The autopsy report of Mukhtar Ansari has found a

‘yellow area’ in the heart and doctors identified a 1.9 x 1.5 possible clotting.

The post-mortem was conducted by a panel of five doctors on Friday, a day after Mukhtar Ansari’s death.

The doctors put 10 cuts in the heart to determine the area of clotting further in the presence of his family members, said officials.

The findings of the postmortem conducted on March 29

categorically said that Mukhtar Ansari died of heart attack/ myocardial infarction.

“There were clear signs of blood clotting in the heart; the portion measuring 1.9 x 1.5 cm was yellow.

The heart was cut open at 10 points to look for further clots during the process,” the medical officials said.

The medical summary provided

Mortal remains of Mukhtar Ansari buried at family graveyard in UP

Ghazipur, March 30 (IANS) Mortal remains of gangster-turnedpolitician Mukhtar Ansari were buried on Saturday in his family graveyard in Kalibagh in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district.

His funeral procession was attended by a huge crowd of over 5,000 people.

Mukhtar was laid to rest near his parents' grave.

To control the huge crowd, Mukhtar Ansari's son Umar Ansari told the crowd that only family members are allowed to enter the graveyard, however they tried to gain entry into the facility by scaling walls.

The body of Ansari was handed over to his younger son Umar Ansari after a post-mortem late on Friday afternoon.

The body reached Ghazipur on Friday night.

Ansari, the jailed gangsterturned-politician, died of a heart attack at a hospital in Banda on Thursday evening.

Umar Ansari had claimed that the gangster-turned-politician was subjected to "slow poisoning" in

India, China hold crucial meet to resolve issues along LAC

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS)

The 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on IndiaChina Border Affairs was held in Beijing to discuss and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

From the New Delhi side, the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the delegation, and Beijing was represented by the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In Wednesday's meeting, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-

China border areas, a Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, the statement read.

The meeting comes as the two sides have been locked in a war of words over the territory of

Sunita Kejriwal to read Delhi CM’s message at Ramlila Maidan rally: AAP

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS)

Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,

will join the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan and read the message sent by the CM from Enforcement Directorate’s (ED’s) custody, said AAP on Sunday.

Senior leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray

Luminaries conferred Bharat Ratna

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS)

President Droupadi Murmu has conferred Bharat Ratna to five eminent personalities, including two former Prime Ministers. The honour to BJP veteran L. K. Advani will be conferred to him at his residence on Sunday. In 2015, India’s highest civilian honour was conferred in this manner to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari

Tension in Lucknow following clash between two communities

Lucknow, March 29 (IANS)

Tension prevails between two communities following an incident of stone-pelting after a clash in Rajendra Nagar area of Lucknow under the Naka Hindola police station on Thursday night, the police said.

Following the incident, Lucknow police detained a total of five people from both parties and

deployed sufficient security forces to control the situation.

Reportedly, one group comprised individuals from the Hindu community while the other consisted of members from the Muslim community. Videos of the incident were also being circulated widely on social media. "The incident of stone pelting was reported around 9:45 p.m. at the control room between two parties in Rajendra Nagar. Immediately after receiving the information, the police reached the spot," said Lucknow police in its official statement.

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Mukhtar Ansari’s heart showed ‘yellow area’: Autopsy report

Continued from Page 1

by the Ropar prison authorities at the time of Ansari’s transfer from Punjab to Banda in 2021 -- shows that the gangsterturned-politician was battling heart disease and other ailments, including depression and skin allergies.

Ansari was battling health issues as was mentioned by Dr Aunish

Nadda, medical officer, Rupnagar (Ropar) jail in Punjab, in his medical summary provided to the UP Police on April 6, 2021.

The summary listing the medication Ansari was being administered, gave an exhaustive view of his health issues. It mentioned that he was diabetic, having coronary artery disease and was under depression.

At the time of the transfer, Dr S.D. Tripathi, who was also on the post-mortem panel of five doctors, was given a number of documents, including X-Rays, MRI and prescriptions also by the medical officer.

Mukhtar Ansari was transferred to Uttar Pradesh on directions of the Supreme Court.

Mortal remains of Mukhtar Ansari buried at family graveyard in UP

Continued from Page 1

prison.

A similar claim was also made by Ansari's brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari. However, the

charge has been denied by the authorities.

Last week, Mukhtar, the former five-time MLA from Mau, submitted an application in

Barabanki court, saying he was given some "poisonous substance" along with his food.

Amid controversy over the issue, Uttar Pradesh government on Friday ordered a judicial probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari.

India, China hold crucial meet to resolve issues along LAC

Continued from Page 1

Arunachal Pradesh with India saying that the northeastern state will always remain an "integral and inalienable part" of India.

Following the June 2020 clash of troops in Galwan Valley, India and China have held several rounds of military talks, seeking complete disengagement in the areas along the LAC as a basis for restoring

peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande has called the situation along the LAC "stable" but "sensitive," adding that the Indian troops have been maintaining a "very high state" of operational preparedness to deal with eventualities.

As a counter-deployment, India

has amassed a large number of troops along the LAC to guard the strategically important border.

Speaking at a gathering in Malaysia on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar stressed on normalising troop deployment at the India-China border. He lashed out at China for failing to uphold long-standing agreements with India, leading to violence and bloodshed in 2020.

Dynasty politics: Congress aims to challenge BJP in K’taka by fielding children of six ministers

Bengaluru, March 31 (IANS) The ruling Congress in Karnataka has fielded children of six state cabinet ministers in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, has defended the move, stating that the entire political landscape of the country has changed, with family members or children of ministers and leaders being fielded in elections across all parties.

Karnataka's Agricultural Marketing Minister Shivanand Patil's daughter, Samyukta Patil, is contesting as a Congress candidate from the Bagalkot Lok Sabha constituency pitted against four-time MP and senior BJP leader P.C. Gaddigoudar.

Mrinal Hebbalkar, the son of Karnataka's Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, is contesting as a Congress candidate from Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency against senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

Sunil Bose, the son of Karnataka's Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, is contesting for the Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha consdtituency against BJP candidate S. Balaraj, a former MLA and close aide of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

Priyanka Jarkiholi, the daughter of Karnataka's Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi, is contesting from the Chikkodi Lok Sabha constituency pitted against senior BJP leader Annasaheb Jolle.

Sowmya Reddy, the daughter of Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, is contesting from the Bengaluru South Lok Sabha constituency against BJP's Tejasvi Surya.

Sagar Khandre, the son of Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, has been fielded from the Bidar Lok Sabha constituency against BJP candidate and Union Minister of State Bhagwanth Khuba.

Mansoor Ali Khan, the son of former Union Minister K. Rahman Khan, is contesting from the Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha constituency against BJP candidate P.C. Mohan, a threetime MP.

Sunita Kejriwal to read Delhi CM’s message at Ramlila Maidan rally: AAP

Continued from Page 1

are expected to attend the rally organised to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the ED in the excise policy case.

Other prominent leaders who are expected to be present at the Ramlila Maidan include Tiruchi Shiva (DMK), Derek O'Brien (TMC), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), D. Raja (CPI), Farooq Abdullah (NC), Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), Champai Soren (JMM), Kalpana Soren (JMM), and Aditya

Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), among others.

CM Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, faces allegations of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of excise policy favouring specific individuals.

The Chief Minister, whose ED custody was extended till April 1 by Delhi court, is also accused of soliciting kickbacks from liquor businessmen in exchange for favours, as claimed by the probe agency.

Luminaries conferred Bharat Ratna

Continued from Page 1

Vajpayee as well.

Dynasty politics has long been synonymous with JD(S) in Karnataka, with former Chief Minister and State JD (S) President H.D. Kumaraswamy being the son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

Kumaraswamy is contesting as an NDA candidate from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, while Deve Gowda's grandson, Prajwal Revanna, has filed a nomination from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency for the second time.

The BJP's patronage of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's family has been a subject of debate both inside and outside the party. His son B.Y. Vijayendra has been appointed as State BJP President, while another son, B.Y. Raghavendra, is the BJP candidate from Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.

Raghavendra has represented Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency in 2009, 2014, 2018 (by-election) and 2019 and is all set to file nomination for the fifth time. He is facing Geetha Shivarajkumar from the Congress, who is the sister of Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa.

Of the five personalities who were given the honour this year, except for former Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani, former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and P. V. Narasimha Rao, eminent agricultural scientist and architect of Green Revolution M.S. Swaminathan, and former Chief Minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakur, have been awarded posthumously.

This is the first time five personalities have been awarded Bharat Ratna in the same year.

Tension in Lucknow following clash between two communities

Continued from Page 1

"It was found that one person identified as Safiq was sitting outside on the road, and another person identified as Akash and his friends, who were inebriated, initiated a conversation about their previous altercation on the day of Holi. Akash mentioned that Safiq had gone crazy, causing both sides to gather and start pelting stones," the statement

Mahant’s body

added.

It said that complaints were received from both parties and that necessary legal action was being taken to restore peace.

"My brother and his friends were celebrating Holi when I sent him to a shop in the area where Muslim families reside. Some dispute arose, leading to a scuffle," said a resident.

found

in three pieces in UP’s

Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh), March 31 (IANS) The body of a 65-year-old mahant of an ashram in Hardoi district has been found in three pieces in the bushes on Siddhauli Road in Sitapur district, the police said.

The mahant had disappeared under mysterious circumstances around four days ago while completing his annual pilgrimage in Sitapur's Mishrikh.

The deceased's nephew Tai Ram had lodged a missing report with Mishrikh police station after finding his mobile phone unreachable.

Mishrikh Circle Officer, Rajesh Kumar, said preliminary examination of the body

Sitapur

suggested that the assailants hacked the mahant to death with a sharp-edged weapon and thereafter cut the body using some other weapon and disposed it of after stuffing it into a jute bag.

He added that the deceased was identified as Mahant Mani Ram Das, of Brahm Rishi Nimiya Baba Ashram in Girdharpur village of Hardoi.

The police official said the body was recovered nearly 200 metre inside the Kesaripur Road when some locals spotted the jute bag after a foul smell pervaded the atmosphere. He added that spot examination hinted that the mahant was killed somewhere else and later his body was dumped there to mislead the police. He said the body had been sent for post-mortem examination while forensic team collected some samples for further examination.

We’re leading energy transition for generations to come: Gautam Adani

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS)

It is our duty to take care of our planet - not only for this generation and the next but also for generations to come - and Adani Green Energy is leading an energy transition that honours this commitment, Adani Group Founder and Chairman, Gautam Adani, said on Tuesday.

Addressing at the opening of 'Energy Revolution: Adani Green Energy Gallery' at the Science Museum in London, the UK, Gautam Adani said he always believed that "our lives are part of a bigger story".

"It is a story that connects what our ancestors knew to the future

we want to create. In all our actions, we must respect the wisdom of our ancestors while crafting dreams for those yet to be born," said the Adani Group Founder.

As the world's leading solar power developer and India's largest renewable energy company, the Adani Group is taking very big steps.

"In Khavda, which is in the state of Gujarat, we are building the world's largest renewable energy park. It will have a generation capacity of 30 GW of energy - and it is incredibly big. Its area of 538 square kilometres is more than five times bigger than Paris," Gautam Adani told the gathering.

"We are also aiming to reach 45 GW of renewable energy by 2030. This will be like providing clean energy to almost every house in England".

The 'Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery', is

a free gallery that "shows how the past, present and future are shaped by human imagination and innovation and explores how we all have a role to play in deciding our energy future", according to the company.

Gautam Adani said that this new gallery is about more than just clean air - or about moving away from oil and gas.

"It is about the energy transition we need - this world needs - and it is about the revolution that is taking place in the world of energy. This gallery is special because it makes us think, dream and wish for change. It shows us how our world, our economy and our own lives can change for the better". As elegantly outlined by Sir Ian Craig Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, "we hope this gallery will teach and inspire people - both now and in the future - to help create a sustainable world,” Gautam Adani emphasised.

Adani Green’s solar power plant to produce 540 mn units annually operationalised in Rajasthan

Ahmedabad, March 27 (IANS)

Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) on Wednesday said it has commissioned a 180 MW solar power plant at Devikot in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

The plant will produce approximately 540 million electricity units annually, powering over 1.1 lakh homes and reducing around 0.39 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, the company said in a statement.

The plant has a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

With the successful commissioning of this plant, AGEL's operational solar portfolio has increased to 6,243 MW, and the total operational renewable generation capacity to 9,784 MW, the largest in the country. According to the company, next-generation bifacial solar

PV modules and horizontal single axis solar trackers (HSAT) have been deployed to maximise generation through better efficiency of modules and tracking the sun throughout the day.

The plant is equipped with waterless robotic module cleaning systems, enabling water conservation in the barren region of Jaisalmer, the company informed.

The Energy Network Operation Centre (ENOC), anchored in the secured digital cloud platform, enables real-time monitoring of AGEL's renewable energy assets, leading to enhanced operational performance.

AGEL said it continues to play a pivotal role in India's renewable energy, contributing to the nation’s goal of achieving energy security and enabling India’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Adani Green Energy Gallery in UK to explore sustainable energy options to fight climate change

Ahmedabad, March 26 (IANS)

The Adani Green Energy Gallery, inaugurated at the Science Museum in London, UK on Tuesday aims to explore options that will help generate energy sustainably, decarbonise and fight climate change.

The 'Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery', is a free gallery that "shows how the past, present and future are shaped by human imagination and innovation and explores how we all have a role to play in deciding our energy future", the company said in a statement.

"Today is a red-letter day that marks the opening of The Adani Green Energy Gallery at the @ sciencemuseum in London. We are proud of the partnership with the Science Museum, led by Sir Timothy Laurence and Sir Ian Blatchford, that made this stunning gallery a reality. This gallery will serve as a pivotal public space in the understanding

of sustainability, transformative technology and climate science," said Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, in a post on X.com.

In 'Future Planet', visitors can take a look at how complex computer-based models are used by scientists to understand the planet Earth, and how it can explain the future of climate.

At the centre of the gallery stands a moving sculpture called 'Only Breath'. It signifies the power of nature to inspire technological change.

"Through the sponsorship of the gallery, we aim to inspire young minds, scientists and innovators to imagine a future powered by clean energy and build a carbonfree world. It is an initiative to stimulate their interest, curiosity and awareness, and encourage their active participation in creating clean technologies. The gallery brings together the global community to enable the shift towards energy efficiency, clean energy adoption and carbon emissions reduction," added Sagar Adani, Executive Director, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), in the statement.

Adani Ports announces Rs 1 crore compensation to family of BDS student who died in freak accident

Thiruvananthapuram, March 23

(IANS) Adani Ports on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of a final year BDS student who died after a boulder fell from a lorry and hit his two-wheeler. The truck was reportedly on its way to the under-construction Vizhinjam Seaport when the incident happened on March 19. Adani Ports officials have visited the home of the deceased here and met with the grieving family of Aanthu B. Ajikumar.

Ajikumar on Tuesday was en route to his college when a boulder fell on his two-wheeler from a truck near his home in the city suburbs. Though Ajikumar was wearing a

helmet, it could not save him from the impact of the boulder that hit the two-wheeler.

He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed. The angry locals took to the streets in protest against the incident. Later, the District Collector at a meeting came out with Standard Operating Procedures for trucks moving with materials to the port site. The news of the compensation was shared by Congress legislator M. Vincent in his social media post. Vincent also mentioned that the port officials have promised to offer financial support to a woman who was knocked down by a truck near the port site, a few months ago, and suffered serious injuries.

Focus on biomanufacturing at Springfield city seminar

Springfield, March 21: South-east Queensland's biomanufacturing experts gathered at Springfield's BioPark Australia, 30km southwest of Brisbane, today for a high-profile seminar on boosting capacity in the state's biomanufacturing sector.

The annual Future of Health Series event is hosted by Springfield City Group (SCG) in partnership with Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ), as part of the city’s program to build one of Australia’s leading life science business campuses at BioPark Australia.

LSQ CEO Dr Erin Evans said the life sciences industry drove significant income for Queensland, with an estimated annual gross value of $2.21 billion, including $3.6 million in manufacturing R&D private investment and an annual export

value of $534.3 million.

“Our Future of Health series supports the sector by bringing together industry, research institutions and government representatives to explore possibilities for growth,” Dr Erins said.

The seminar included two panel discussions and a workshop addressing scaling and retaining in biomanufacturing, with thought leaders from industry and research institutions sharing insights with the audience of 120 business leaders, government representatives, academics and researchers.

Panellists included Translational Research Institute (TRI) Acting Team Leader, Industry Engagement Manager, Glenda Colburn; Director of the UQ Advanced Cell Therapy Manufacturing Initiative,

Professor Simon Cool; Southern RNA Chief Operating Officer, Garry Heaney; Therapeutic Innovation Australia Director of Strategic Development, Ben Hughes; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Director and CEO, Professor Fabienne Mackay; Aegros Co-founder and Executive Chair, Professor Hari Nair; ARM Hub Board member Jackie Taranto; and UniSQ Dean of Engineering, Professor Prasad Yarlagadda OAM.

Speakers included SCG General Manager – Health, Dustin Welch and Executive Director Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Denise Johnston.

Attendees explored what was needed for biomanufacturing companies to grow and mature; the importance of government policy and research institution

partnerships to advance biomanufacturing in Queensland; and ways to boost sovereign manufacturing capability.

Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby AM said BioPark Australia would support multiple biologic industries to co-locate and provide health innovations to benefit all Australians.

“BioPark Australia is a 22-hectare innovation space that will bring the best and brightest together to provide solutions for this city and beyond,” he said.

Mr Sinnathamby said the commitment by Southern RNA and Aegros to establish facilities in Springfield would put the precinct on the map as a destination for advanced manufacturing in pharmaceuticals and health technologies.

“As well as creating jobs for Queenslanders in construction and then in operations, these projects will boost our nation’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities when supply chains are disrupted, as happened

during the COVID pandemic,” he said.

Mr Sinnathamby said Southern RNA’s facility would allow for mRNA drug substance production and the manufacture of other therapeutics, vaccines, and cancer treatments, while Aegros’s facility would secure a reliable supply of plasma-derived medicines for Australia.

Dr Evans said LSQ was working with the sector to create the best conditions for success, and the Future of Health Series seminar was an important way to collect information for decision makers.

“It is vital that these companies have a local, supportive ecosystem with relevant advice, suitable infrastructure, and sufficient funding to enable them to reach their full potential,” she said.

LSQ is the peak industry body that nurtures the Queensland life sciences sector, helping to mature and grow the organisations that feed, fuel and heal the world. We are the trusted advisor, advocate, enabler and connector for the sector.

School Holiday’s Pizza Class

Looking for something fun to entertain the kids with these upcoming school holidays? Orion Hotel’s kids pizzas class is back! For just $15 (+BF), your child can become pizza chefs for the day on Thursday, April 11!

Taught and guided by Orion Hotel’s talented chefs, your child will make their own sweet & savoury pizzas! As well decorate their own cookies Complimentary drink and activity book included. Limited spaces are available! Book now: https://www. trybooking.com/CQDOH

John Manusu, Founding Managing Director, Aegros; Umah Ranchigoda, Deputy Managing Director, Springfield City Group; Raynuha Sinnathamby, Chief Executive Officer, Springfield City Group; Garry Heaney, Chief Operating Officer, Southern RNA; Dr Erin Evans, Life Sciences Queensland CEO; Professor Hari Nair, Cofounder and executive Chair, Aegro

ECI notice to Cong’s Supriya Shrinate, BJP’s Dilip Ghosh for distasteful remarks against women

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to senior Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and the BJP’s Dilip Ghosh for their distasteful remarks against women, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress’ social media incharge, Supriya Shrinate, in a now deleted post, made disparaging and derogatory remark against actress Kangana Ranaut, who is the BJP’s candidate from Mandi, while BJP MP, Dilip Ghosh, made offending remarks against West Bengal

Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. The poll panel found the remarks of both the leaders “undignified and in bad taste.”

Supriya Shrinate kicked up a storm when she mocked Kangana Ranaut for bagging the BJP’s nomination from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency for the forthcoming elections.

The BJP launched a blistering attack on the Congress spokesperson, accusing her of making sexist slurs on its candidate, while the latter tried to firefight the backlash.

The BJP’s Dilip Ghosh stirred controversy when he taunted CM Mamata Banerjee over her father. Speaking to the Press, the BJP MP had claimed, “Wherever Mamata goes, she claims herself to be the daughter of that state. She should first identify her father.”

The Trinamool Congress went all

guns blazing against Dilip Ghosh, describing him as a “repeat offender” when it came to women. Demanding urgent action from the ECI, the Trinamool Congress wrote, “Dilip Ghosh’s comments not only cross the boundaries of decency but also perpetuate a culture of misogyny and disrespect towards women in power.” Notably, Dilip Ghosh’s remarks against CM Banerjee also earned him an earful from BJP President, JP Nadda. He was served a notice, in which the party chief demanded a clarification on his controversial and unparliamentary comments against CM Banerjee.

The ECI has asked both the leaders to reply to the show cause notice by March 29, failing which, appropriate action would be initiated against them under the Model Code of Conduct.

Bihar: Troubles mount for INDIA bloc as Bima Bharti, Pappu Yadav adamant to contest from Purnea

Patna, March 28 (IANS) RJD's Bima Bharti and Congress' Pappu Yadav are adamant about contesting the Lok Sabha election from Bihar's Purnea constituency, aggravating the difficulties for the two INDIA bloc partners.

Bima Bharti, who recently quit the JD-U, on Wednesday claimed that the RJD has given her the ticket

from the Purnea seat while Pappu Yadav is saying that he will be contesting from the seat at "any cost". The RJD, however, has not officially announced the name of the candidate for the Purnea seat.

"The party has given me the ticket on the same day when I joined the RJD. I will file the nomination on April 3. I am thankful to my party's national president Lalu Prasad Yadav and brother Tejashwi Yadav. I also have the blessings of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi," Bharti told media persons in Purnea.

Bima Bharti, a turncoat JD-U MLA

from Purnea's Rupauli assembly constituency, is yet to resign from the legislative assembly.

When asked about Pappu Yadav, Bima Bharti said: "He is my elder brother. He is a leader of the INDIA bloc in Bihar. I request him to support me as an elder brother and leader of our alliance."

Pappu Yadav, who recently merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress, said, "I would rather die but not leave Purnea and the Congress party. I will contest from this seat as the candidate of INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha election."

Lawyers, judges rise above differences in quest for justice: CJI

Hyderabad, March 27 (IANS)

Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y.

Chandrachud on Wednesday said that he feels social media exacerbates differences between people but lawyers and judges rise above the differences in the common quest for justice. In his address after laying the foundation stone for the new Telangana High Court complex, to come up adjacent to the Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University at Rajendranagar here, the CJI mentioned that lawyers belong to different ideologies, different regions, come from different cultural backgrounds, and belong to different religions.

"But the most important thing that marks out all of us lawyers is the great syncretic tradition in India which is that in the work that we

do, we rise above our birthmarks which define our existence. Our birthmarks are our reason for existence but as lawyers and as judges who come from the bar, we rise above those birthmarks in the sense that our identity is universal identity which is the quest for justice in the framework of the Constitution governed by the rule of law," he said.

"In the world around us, as we find so many differences, I think technology and social media exacerbate those differences between people but something that stands out within our institution is our universality, our ability to stand with each other and our ability to pursue a common quest for justice. That is truly the hallmark of the judiciary and of the bar which is one of the richest tributaries of the judiciary in our country," he added.

The CJI noted that the high court is a public space for the contestation of ideas, values, rights, duties and obligations and above all, it represents the supremacy of the judiciary.

TN MP Ganeshamurthi dies at Coimbatore hospital 4 days after ‘attempting suicide’

Chennai, March 28 (IANS) MDMK MP from Tamil Nadu's Erode constituency, A. Ganeshamurthi

died in a private hospital in Coimbatore early Thursday morning.

Ganeshamurthi (76) was upset over being denied a ticket to contest in the Lok Sabha polls. He reportedly attempted suicide by consuming poison on Sunday.

Initially, he was rushed to a local hospital in Erode but as his condition deteriorated, he shifted to a private hospital in Coimbatore.

According to his relatives, Ganeshamurthi had consumed insecticide on Sunday, which led to his hospitalisation and subsequent death.

Further details are awaited.

CWG medallist injured in street brawl in Lucknow

Lucknow, March 28 (IANS) A woman weightlifter and 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist was injured in a physical brawl between two groups in the Sushant Golf City area of the state capital on Holi.

"The High Court represents not only a public space for contestation but also represents a public space where reason, dialogue and the art of persuasion and traditions are still valued,” he said.

He termed the new High Court building a watershed in the history of Telangana.

"The dignity with which judges work and lawyers can work defines the dignity of the institution itself," he observed.

Recalling that he, as the administrative judge, worked in many district courts, he said many district courts lacked even a common washroom for young women and young women judges.

Citing the report on the state of the Indian judiciary recently put out by the Supreme Court through the Centre of Research and Planning, he said that reports show and demonstrate a significant deficit in infrastructure not merely in district judiciary but in high courts as well.

Cross FIRs were registered by the groups at the Sushant Golf City police station on Wednesday and the probe is still on. The injured woman, identified as Swati Singh, in her complaint to the police, claimed that on the day of the Holi festival, she was in her car along with her two male friends Shivpal Singh, also an athlete and a Javelin thrower,

and Tanveer Gujjar and was going towards Khurdahi Bazar. They stopped on the way for some work when another four-wheeler approached them from the front in which a few men were sitting. “One of the men inside the car passed a lewd comment on me, to which I objected. He then abused me after which my two friends raised objections and dialled 112. However, the men came out of their car and started thrashing my friends. One of the men, Pratyush Shukla dragged me out of my car and hit me with some heavy weapon leaving me severely injured,” said Swati in the FIR. She said that she also received multiple injuries on her legs and other body parts. “The head injury was so severe that I had to get four stitches done,” said the athlete and cited this as the reason for her late report to the local police station.

Indian Navy’s operation underway to rescue vessel hijacked by pirates

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) The Indian Navy is carrying out an "important operation" against an attempt to hijack a fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea, and rescue it from armed pirates, an official said on Friday.

"Based on input about an incident onboard the Iranian fishing vessel 'Al Kambar', two Indian Naval ships deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations

were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel," the official said.

According to the Indian Navy, the fishing vessel at the time of incident was approximately 167 km from Socotra (Yemen) and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates.

The hijacked fishing vessel has been intercepted.

An operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy to rescue a hijacked fishing vessel and its crew, the official said.

The Indian Navy said that it remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers,

Union Minister Smriti Irani slams ‘courtier’ Jairam for ‘distorting’ facts about Centre’s women’s welfare efforts

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD), Smriti Irani, on Monday hit out at Congress leader Jairam Ramesh for making allegations that the BJP government's slogans of 'Nari Shakti' "remain words without real action".

Rebutting Congress' criticism of the Central government over the issues related to women, Union Minister Smriti Irani lashed out at the Gandhi family, saying that "for far too long, the dynastic rulers masquerading as the rightful heirs of India have plundered its wealth. Even after their downfall, their courtiers continue to distort facts, manipulating figures to undermine the BJP government's efforts for women's welfare".

She addressed Jairam Ramesh as the "courtier" of the Gandhis in her post on social media platform X. Earlier, the Congress on Monday listed "massive failures" of the WCD Ministry in the last 10 years. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the formation of a Congress-led government in June 2024 will end the "10 years of anyaay-kaal for women". For

10 years, the WCD Ministry has seen only "incompetence, apathy, and an anti-women mindset", he alleged.

On this, Union Minister Smriti Irani posted a long message thread on X, stating "In a blatant and somewhat pitiful attempt to curry favour with the perpetual heir apparent, a certain courtier has unwittingly exposed his own glaring incompetence. His misguided endeavours, under the guise of intellectualism, have resulted in an embarrassing misinterpretation of the role and mandate of the Ministry of Women and Child Development."

"Nevertheless, here's a thread addressing his oversight and highlighting his ignorance, especially in the context of significant work done for the Nari Shakti by the BJP government."

She said that "the inept courtier glosses over NCRB data, blatantly ignoring the initiatives of the Modi government, which have emboldened women to boldly report crimes, while simultaneously spearheading vigorous efforts to combat crime against women".

"In a brazen display of selective amnesia, he acknowledges the UPA's establishment of the NIRBHAYA Fund, yet conveniently omits the glaring fact that not a single rupee was deployed from this fund until the watershed

year of 2014," she said, adding, "Post-2014, under the Modi regime, a total of 40 projects have been rolled out across the nation through the NIRBHAYA Fund. As of FY 2023-24, a total sum of Rs 7212.85 crore has been allocated, of which 75 per cent has already been utilised on initiatives implemented by the Central & State Governments."

The Union Minister said that the "courtier (read Jairam Ramesh) might also be glad to learn that an even basic measure, like the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), was put in place solely by the Modi regime".

"With the 112-ERSS number now active in all 36 states/UTs, it has efficiently managed over 30.34 crore calls. Additionally, since 2015, the Women Helpline (WHL) has been operational under the NIRBHAYA fund. The 181-WHL has supported over 71.31 lakh women, handling more than 1.39 crore calls. The list of projects under the NIRBHAYA Fund is extensive, including One Stop Centres, Women Helpdesks at every police station, and the establishment of Fast-Track Courts for women and children," she said. "The BJP government’s track record stands in stark contrast to the UPA administration’s inaction, showcasing not just numbers, but proactive governance and tangible change under Modi’s regime," Smriti Irani added.

UP CM Adityanath’s governance model sparks curiosity in south Indian states, says ‘Water Woman’

Lucknow, March 28 (IANS) UP

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's governance model is getting increasingly popular in the south Indian states where there is considerable curiosity among the people, Shipra Pathak, popularly known as 'Water Woman', said.

Pathak, who travelled 3,952 km from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram, said that, "Under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, there is a sense of unparalleled security among

the daughters of the state. Not only within our state but across the nation, daughters of Uttar Pradesh have the confidence that their voices would be heard everywhere in case of any wrongdoing against them. This is because Yogi Adityanath has become synonymous with Uttar Pradesh."

Pathak, India's first 'padayatri' on the Ram Janaki Van Gaman Path from 'Saryu to Sagar', started her journey from Ayodhya on November 27, 2023, and ended in Rameshwaram on March 11, 2024.

In the course of her journey, she passed through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and crossed the forests of Kerala, Karnataka, and

Tamil Nadu. Her route was on the Ram Van Gaman as mentioned in epic Ramayana.

Providing details about her journey, Shipra revealed that alongside her padayatra, a vehicle carrying water from various rivers, bearing the registration number of Uttar Pradesh, accompanied her. This vehicle served as a symbol of her association with Uttar Pradesh. Everywhere she travelled, people greeted her with joy and inquired whether she hailed from CM Adityanath's Uttar Pradesh.

Pathak remarked that being associated with Uttar Pradesh has become a source of pride nationwide.

Ayodhya gears up for ‘Ram Navami’ rush of devotees

Ayodhya (UP), March 29 (IANS)

The Ayodhya administration is gearing up for the largest ever crowd management exercise on Ram Navami which falls on April 17.The officials are expecting a congregation of more than 50

lakh pilgrims on the day. Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar and Chief Secretary D.S. Mishra are closely monitoring the preparations being made for Ram Navami and the nine-day long ‘Ram Janamotsav’ starting from April 9 which will conclude on April 17.

The chief secretary and DGP, who also visited Ram Janmabhoomi and reviewed security arrangements at the temple complex, have asked officials to make proper arrangements for

From superfood millet to finding inner peace: PM Modi’s key lifestyle mantras for Bill Gates

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a candid conversation with Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates, not only discussed AI, climate change, healthcare and digital inclusion but also gave him some useful tips about how to remain healthy while finding inner peace in hectic times.

When the billionaire philanthropist Gates asked PM Modi how he maintains such energy levels despite working almost round the clock, the Prime Minister replied that he feels a sense of relaxation that comes naturally to him.

"I find my inner peace through a spiritual practice instilled in me by my teachers which energises me to a great strength. This energy does not stem from physical strength but my dedication and emotional connection to the mission at hand, focusing solely on it," PM Modi told Gates.

"Additionally, my body has adapted to little rest. I sleep for

less hours, work late into the night, yet wake up early, feeling refreshed. This resilience partly comes from a period spent in the Himalayas, where I followed the tradition of bathing in early morning hours which has conditioned my body over time," the Prime Minister explained. "As a result, I don't need conventional methods to relax".

When a curious Gates asked PM Modi how millet is changing the way vegetarian food is looked at globally, the Prime Minister said that promoting millet can be a big way forward as switching to it can bring several health benefits.

"I have seen a significant increase in millet production. Many reputable companies are now offering millet-based products, enhancing its value and making it both common and trendy. Even five-star hotels have introduced special millet menus. And it is improving the livelihoods of small farmers," said PM Modi.

"Millet is a superfood. I celebrated 2023 as the Year of Millet with the UN. Millet has great benefits. It grows in barren land. It needs minimal water and does not require any fertiliser," the Prime Minister further explained.

Aged Kerala parents still wait for son who left for Australia seven years ago

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 29 (IANS) 70-year-old Jayaprakash and his 60-year-old wife Valsala, from Ettumanoor in Kottayam, are still waiting to hear the voice of their younger son, Jithin, after nearly seven years.

devotees to make their visit to Ram temple comfortable.

Ram Navami, the festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Ram, will be observed on the ninth day of the ‘Chaitra Navratri’ . According to officials , they are working on a war footing to ensure the safety and comfort of the devotees during Ram Navami. However, it is tough to gauge the actual number of expected devotees and different teams are working on it.

Valsala told IANS that Jithin Jayaprakash, after he did his Bachelor’s degree in Management, told them that he wishes to go to Australia. After pooling their meager resources, they gave him five lakh Rupees.

On May 23, 2016, the then 25-year-old Jithin left for Australia from Kochi, through Indonesia . The then happy parents bid good bye to Jithin, but are now sitting in their rented home, both unemployed. People extend some relief to them and their noon meals are from the famed Ettumanoor Temple.

“The last call from him was on June 15, 2017, and we do not know from where he was calling, as we believed he was in Australia. At times he used to send money, but till date after June 15, 2017, we have no clue about where he is,” said Valsala.

After hearing the story of Valsala, kind-hearted Keralite’s based in Melbourne started to look out for Jithin in Australia.

Thiruvallam Bhasi, a senior journalist based in Melbourne approached the migration authorities in Australia. After a detailed probe, it was found that no one by the name of Jithin bearing his passport number ever landed in Australia. “We have now written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Union Minister of State for External Affairs to take up the case of missing Jithin,” said Bhasi.

A distraught Valsala said that a few times, they were unable to face the insinuations of people from whom they borrowed money, and even thought of committing suicide. “But we have decided that we will fight it out and we just wish to know about our son and what happened to him. Both of us have health issues and the meager income of our elder son helps us to pay our rent,” said Valsala, still hoping that they will hear some news of Jithin.

A battle to save political strongholds for Scindia, Digvijaya and Kamal Nath

Bhopal, March 27 (IANS) Amid the electoral battle between the ruling BJP and the Congress, some seasoned politicians in Madhya Pradesh will also be fighting to save their own bastions and pocket boroughs.

Prominent among these political stalwarts are Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scinida and two former chief ministers, Congress veterans Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath.

A member of the erstwhile royal Scindia family of Gwalior, Jyotiraditya Scindia contested and won the first Lok Sabha (bypoll) election after his father and Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia, a Lok Sabha MP from Guna, died in a plane crash in 2001.

Jyotiraditya Scindia (53) was reelected as MP from his family’s pocket borough Guna for the next three consecutive terms – 2004, 2009 and 2014. In fact, Guna was one of the two Lok Sabha seats that the Congress managed to win despite a massive wave in favour of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in 2014.

However, Jyotiraditya Scindia lost the election from Guna against the BJP’s KP Yadav in 2019. One year later, Jyotiraditya Scindia along with 22 Congress MLAs had shifted into the BJP, resulting in the end of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in March 2020.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, is contesting his sixth Lok Sabha election, but the first on the BJP’s symbol.

Spanning eight Assembly seats of the three districts of Guna, Shivpuri and part of Ashok Nagar, most of the time, this particular seat was represented by the members of the Scindia family.

Local people said the seasoned politician is taking this election as a matter of prestige and is determined to get his pocket borough back.

Congress veteran and former Chief Minister, Digvijaya Singh is contesting the Lok Sabha election from his home turf Rajgarh.

Interestingly, the Rajgarh parliamentary constituency covers two Assembly segments

– Raghogarh and Chachoura of Guna District and one Assembly seat of Agar-Malwa (Susner) along with five Assembly segments of Rajgarh District.

Veteran Rajya Sabha MP, Digvijaya Singh was elected as a Lok Sabha MP twice from Rajgarh, in 1984 and then again in 1991. In 1993, he became the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and remained on the post until 2003.

Digvijaya Singh’s younger brother Laxman Singh represented this particular Lok Sabha constituency five times, including one term on the BJP’s symbol.

As the Congress could win just one Lok Sabha seat in the previous election, and Digvijaya Singh had also lost against BJP’s Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal in 2019, the grand old party, which is striving hard to find its lost ground in Madhya Pradesh, has fielded the former CM from his home district Rajgarh this time.

The Congress had won the last Lok Sabha election from Rajgarh in 2009, while the BJP’s Rodmal Nagar won two previous elections in 2014 and 2019.

Another Congress veteran Kamal Nath is making all efforts to retain his bastion Chhindwara, the only parliamentary constituency the BJP lost in the previous general election.

Though, ex-CM Kamal Nath is not the candidate from Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat, he is leading the campaign for his son and sitting MP, Nakul Nath.

Rekha Patra: A rural woman’s journey from being face of Sandeshkali movement to BJP nominee

Kolkata, March 27 (IANS) She was a rural woman living a simple life, looking after daily household chores and taking care of family members. But she emerged as the face of the Sandeshkhali movement and helped to raise the voice of women who were allegedly sexually harassed by a section of Trinamool Congress leadership, and today, Rekha Patra is the BJP's candidate from West Bengal's Basirhat Lok Sabha seat for the upcoming general elections.

A resident of Patrapara area in Sandeshkhali, till she was named the BJP candidate, Rekha Patra was living a nonchalant life, hailing from a rural hamlet of West Bengal without hardly having any connection with political activities. She was the first one to file

a written complaint against local Trinamool Congress leaders Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar, both close aides of now suspended West Bengal's ruling party leader and the mastermind behind the attack on ED and CAPF personnel on January 5, Sheikh Shahjahan.

Rekha Patra also gave an incamera statement to a woman magistrate.

That way, she opened the door to compel the police to register FIRs against Hazra and Sardar, and subsequently arrest both of them. Their arrests also prompted Trinamool Congress to suspend them from the party.

In a way, she had also shown the courage to bell the cat, which encouraged other oppressed women at Sandeshkhali to hit the streets with energy, demanding arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan.

As the women of Sandeshkhali also carried on the protest demonstrations along the lines shown by Rekha Patra, the police ultimately had to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan after the latter remained absconding for 56 days

PM Modi, CMs of 5 BJP-ruled states among party’s 40 star campaigners for MP

Bhopal, March 27 (IANS) The BJP has released the list of 40 star campaigners for Madhya Pradesh in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief J.P. Nadda, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Smriti Irani, Chief

Ministers Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh) and Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan) are among the star campaigners for the party.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Deputy Chief Ministers Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda, state BJP president V.D. Sharma, state in-charges Mahendra Singh and Satish Upadhyay have also been named as party's star campaigners.

Voting for the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh will take place in four phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, and May 13. The BJP has declared its candidates for all 29 seats in the state.

The BJP had won 28 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath among BJP’s 40 star campaigners for Bihar

since he "planned" the attack on ED and CAPF personnel at Sandeshkhali on January 5.

In fact, after Patra's nomination was announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, there were celebrations among a large section of Sandeshkhali women who feel that, ultimately, the BJP has given recognition to their movement by nominating the "face of the movement" as the candidate for Lok Sabha elections. However, a minuscule section in Sandeshkhali has raised questions about her educational qualifications and hence her ability to become a member of the Lok Sabha.

But Rekha Patra remains determined, saying "such negative propaganda" will not spoil her spirit.

"Some people cannot accept that I have reached this position despite being an academically and financially backward woman just by keeping my spirit high in the movement against oppression against local women. I am sure that they will also embrace me some day," she said.

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The BJP on Tuesday submitted to the Election Commission a list of 40 leaders who will campaign for party candidates in Bihar in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief J.P. Nadda, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Smriti

Irani, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the star campaigners for the party.

The list also includes Union Ministers Giriraj Singh, and Nityanand Rai, former Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Chaubey, Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari, state in-charge Vinod Tawde, Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, former Deputy CMs Sushil Kumar Modi, and Renu Devi, former state chief Sanjay Jaiswal, former state minister Shahnawaz Hussain, and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav.

The BJP is contesting 17 of the state's 40 seats and the rest have been allocated to its NDA partners.

Rajasthyan: Kharge, Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka in Congress list of star campaigners for Phase 1

Jaipur, March 28 (IANS) The Congress on Thursday evening announced a list of 40 star campaigners for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan to be held on April 19. Rajasthan Congress shared the list on its official website, which

says the All India Congress Committee has announced star campaigners for the first phase of polling in the state.

The list includes the names of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi.

The list also features the names of prominent state leaders such as Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, Raghu Sharma, and Hemaram Chaudhary, among others.

Twelve out of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan will go to the polls in the first phase of polling on April 19.

Our principles more important, says Sukhbir Badal after BJP decides to contest alone in Punjab

Chandigarh, March 26 (IANS)

Hours after the BJP announced it would go alone in Punjab for the Lok Sabha elections, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said for his party, "principles are more important than the number games".

"The Shiromani Akali Dal is not just a political party driven by number games, unlike some national parties. We are a 103-year-old movement with a clear vision and we have always stood by and for principles," he said in a statement here.

"That will continue to be our goal.

The Shiromani Akali Dal core committee has already made

our position and priorities clear.

For us, it is principles above politics and issues above any political numbers. We are the largest democratic representative organisation of farmers and have always led the fight for their rights from the front and introduced historic measures in governments for their welfare.

Our party stands by high principles and is committed to safeguarding Panth and Punjab," Badal asserted.

After "talks" with the SAD remained inconclusive, the BJP announced its decision to go alone in all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, where polling is slated on June 1.

Punjab unit President Sunil Jakhar said the BJP had decided to contest elections in the state alone.

"We took this call after wide consultations with the people, party leaders and workers. The decision is aimed at a bright

future for Punjab's youth, farmers, traders, and backward classes. The works done for Punjab under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership are evident. In the last 10 years, every grain of produce of Punjab's farmers has been procured and fair MSP (minimum support price) sent to the bank accounts of farmers within a week," he said, adding that "the decision has been taken in the interest of a safe and secure border state of Punjab and I am sure people will support the BJP in the June 1 election".

Snapping over two-decade-long ties, the SAD pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance in September 2020 after sharp differences emerged over the now-repealed three controversial farm laws.

The SAD was one of the oldest allies of the BJP. It was among the first to support the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1996.

Royal scion Yaduveer Wadiyar’s candidature puts Congress on the backfoot

Bengaluru, March 29 (IANS) With Yaduveer Wadiyar, the royal scion, contesting as the BJP candidate for the Mysuru-Kodagu seat in Karnataka, the Congress has already adopted defensive tactics.

One of the main reasons for this defensive tactic is the goodwill the Mysuru royal family enjoys. The rule of the Wadiyars in the Mysuru kingdom is referred to as the golden period in the history of Karnataka. The Wadiyar family is still revered in Mysuru and the surrounding regions.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, known for his poignant and offensive attacks on BJP leaders, has not uttered a word against the royal scion Yaduveer Wadiyar. Sources said that strict instructions have been passed on to Congress leaders not to issue any comments against Yaduveer. Sources said that the Congress has warned the leaders that if the royal scion Yaduveer is targeted, it will adversely affect the prospects of the Congress candidate M. Laxman.

The Mysuru royal family carries the goodwill of the people for the plethora of people-friendly steps initiated by the Maharaja of Mysuru. On August 23, 1918, the princely state of Mysuru, headed by Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, scripted history by forming a committee to explore

the possibilities of reservation for all community members in government services.

The move is regarded as the firstever attempt by undivided India to provide reservation on the basis of caste in the government service. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar braved the resistance to implement the reservation policy. This drastic step created a people’s movement in the entire south Karnataka region and the people are still indebted to the Mysuru Maharaja.

Under the patronage of the Mysuru Maharajas, the first hydroelectric station in India was constructed at Sivanasamudra in Mysuru in 1902. Mysuru city received the power supply for the first time on September 26, 1908. It was one of the few cities in India that was electrified.

Besides, the story of the Mysuru royal family pledging gold, diamonds, and valuables to get the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam is still remembered with great reverence by the people.

The Mysuru Maharajas were at the forefront of merging with India after the British. The Mysuru Maharajas also gifted a private aircraft carrier to then Union Minister of Home Sardar Patel to facilitate his movement across the country during the critical juncture of the unification of India.

Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was the first ruler to merge his kingdom with the newly formed Indian Union. He served as the Governor of Mysuru until 1964 and as Governor of Madras from 1964 to 1966. Later, Mysuru Maharaja Srikanthadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar won from the Mysuru Lok Sabha

Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate’s ‘bhao’ jibe

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS)

Actor Kangana Ranaut, the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha constituency hit back at Congress leader Supriya Shrinate’s slanderous jibe on Friday, saying that ‘such people can do no good to the country’. Addressing a public gathering after the mega roadshow, she called out ‘Congress culture’ of demeaning and denigrating others’ character with hurtful remarks and said: “Jo betiyon ke aur behano ke bhao lagate hain, who log aapke kabhi nahin ho sakte hain, yeh aap yaad rakhiyega,” (those who insult sisters and mothers can never be relied upon, all of you must remember this).

Constituency four times on the Congress ticket. However, he lost the parliamentary election when he contested on the BJP.

Maharaja Srikanthadatta contested parliamentary elections in 1984, 1989, 1996, and 1999 on the Congress ticket. However, in 1991, the Congress denied him a ticket. He contested for the Mysuru seat on the BJP ticket and was defeated by Congress contestant Chandraprabha Urs.

However, the Congress issued him a ticket to him again in 1996.

In 2004, Maharaja Srikathadatta again contested on the Congress ticket but lost the election to BJP candidate C.H. Vijayashankar.

After being relegated to the third place, Srikathadatta distanced himself from politics. After two decades, Mysuru's Yaduveer Wadiyar has made his entry into electoral politics. Maharaja Yaduveer Wadiyar has already broken the myth that royalties won’t mingle with people and they can’t come onto the streets. He has said that he is going to be with the people and work with them.

Maharaja Yaduveer Wadiyar is the grandson of Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. He was adopted by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of the late Srikanthadatta Wadiyar. Yaduveer Wadiyar was installed as the Maharaja of Mysuru in 2015.

Maharaja Yaduveer had obtained a degree from the University of Massachusetts. He is married to Trishika Kumari Devi of the erstwhile Dungarpur royal family from Rajasthan.

With the BJP handpicking Maharaja Yaduveer Wadiyar for the Mysuru-Kodagu Seat, expectations are running high.

Kangana’s retort comes in response to Supriya Shrinate’s controversial ‘rate card’ comments on social media, some days ago, after the actor got nominated as BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh.

Kangana though refrained from taking names, her comments were directed at Congress social media in-charge's denigrating remarks.

Shrinate’s distasteful comment on the actor bagging the BJP Lok Sabha ticket from Mandi seat triggered a big backlash from the BJP and also a storm on social media, with all denouncing the Congress leader for insulting the country’s daughter.

In further reach-out to Mandi residents, the actress also made a heartfelt appeal and asked them not to see her as a heroine but as their daughter and sister.

“Don't think that Kangana is a heroine, that she is a star. Consider Kangana your sister, your daughter. Everyone is my family," she told the crow amid loud cheers.

Earlier in the day, Kangana held a mega roadshow in her home town, flanked by BJP functionaries and saw a large gathering of people on the streets.

Kangana’s family members are also a happy lot over her contesting the elections from her hometown. The exuberant and overjoyed family members are upbeat about her electoral prospects and hope to see her in a ‘new avatar’ soon.

7 BJP candidates in Arunachal, including CM Khandu, set to win unopposed: Officials

Itanagar, March 29 (IANS)

Seven BJP candidates, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, are likely to win the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections without a contest, election officials said on Friday. Election officials said that scrutiny of nominations for the 58 Assembly constituencies was done on Thursday and the process in the remaining two constituencies was completed on Friday. "After the completion of the scrutiny of the candidatures, it is found that there are no opponents against the BJP candidates in seven seats and they are likely to be declared elected unopposed on Saturday after the last date of withdrawal of nominations," an election official said. Besides Chief Minister Khandu, who is contesting from his traditional seat Mukto in Tawang, the other six BJP nominees are Techi Ratu (Sagalee), Hage Appa (ZiroHapoli), Jikke Tako (Tali), Nyato

Dukam (Taliha), Mutchu Mithi (Roing), and Techi Kaso (Itanagar).

The official said that after the end of the scrutiny, altogether 174 candidates are in the fray for the April 19 elections to the 60-member Assembly. They included 62 from the ruling BJP (including two substitutes), 24 from the Congress, 16 from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), 24 from the National People’s Party (NPP), 13 from the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), four from the Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP) and remaining are from other local parties and independents. Elections to the Assembly and the state's two Lok Sabha seats -- Arunachal West and Arunachal East – would be held on the same day on April 19, the first phase of 7-phase parliamentary elections.

For the two Lok Sabha seats, 14 nominations were found valid after scrutiny of nomination papers on Thursday.

Eight candidates including Union Minister and BJP nominee Kiren Rijiju and state Congress President Nabam Tuki, are in the fray in Arunachal West while six candidates including BJP’s sitting MP Tapir Gao and Congress’ Bosiram Siram are in the fray for the Arunachal East.

Ready to work with China to seek common interests: Prime Minister

Canberra, March 20 (IANS)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday said differences and disagreements should not define the Australia-China relations, and both countries should seek common interests as far as possible.

Anthony Albanese made the statement while meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Canberra, Xinhua news agency reported.

Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is currently on a tour from March 17 to 21 for an official visit to New Zealand and to Australia.

The Australian side is pleased to see that in the past two years, Australia-China relations have returned to the right direction, and Australia is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Anthony Albanese said.

Anthony Albanese stressed that Australia always has and will adhere to the One-China policy.

Noting the obstacles encountered in China-Australia relations have been overcome one by one, and

the outstanding cases are being properly resolved, Wang Yi said China-Australia relations have realised a second important transformation after the current Australian Labor government came to power.

China is willing to work with Australia to promote high-level exchanges, resume the dialogue mechanism between the two countries, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Wang said.

Calling for efforts to manage and transcend differences in a spirit of mutual respect, Wang said the two countries should jointly promote the building of a more mature, stable and fruitful ChinaAustralia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Hundreds stranded as cyclone evacuations suspended

Canberra, March 19 (IANS)

Hundreds of residents of remote northern Australia have been left stranded after Tropical Cyclone Megan forced the suspension of evacuation efforts.

Tropical Cyclone Megan made landfall in the northeast of Australia's Northern Territory (NT) on Monday afternoon as a category 3 storm, bringing with it wind speeds of up to 200 km per hour and heavy rainfall, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on Monday air evacuations from nearby towns being led by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) were suspended due to deteriorating weather conditions. Evacuation efforts, which focused on the town of Borroloola nearly 50 km inland from where the cyclone made landfall and more than 700 km southeast of Darwin, began on Monday morning but were called off because Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft were unable to land safely. It left 700 people trapped in the region as the cyclone approaches, with power cut off and residents urged to conserve batteries.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, NT's Chief Minister

Eva Lawler said there were up to 71 buildings in Borroloola rated to withstand a category 3 cyclone that remaining residents could shelter in, including the police station, health centre and homes.

"We're working with the local emergency management team to keep the community safe," she added.

"There are enough buildings in Borroloola that are rated to withstand a category 3 cyclone to keep the community safe."

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued flood warnings across the northeast of the NT with up to 300 mm of rain expected but has said that large-scale destruction is unlikely.

Man shot dead in Melbourne

March 29 (IANS) A man has been shot dead in Melbourne on Friday, police said.

"A man was injured outside a property on Justin Avenue in Glenroy shortly after 4.30 a.m. local time. Paramedics tried to revive the victim but he was declared deceased at the

scene," Victoria Police said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

A crime scene has been established and investigators are currently working to determine circumstances surrounding the death, the police said.

The authority is also appealing for witnesses to collect information.

With a usual resident population of around 23,000, Glenroy is located about 12 km north of Melbourne's central business district.

"At this stage, we haven't yet

confirmed the identity of the deceased. However, we're working on the belief that he is a particular individual that is known to us," said Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas.

He told a press conference that the shooting occurred outside a strip of shops in a car park and the man was found lying next to a vehicle with fatal injuries.

"It appears at this stage to be a targeted attack. The deceased is known to police and does have a criminal history," Thomas added.

One dead, two missing after boat capsizes off South Australia

Canberra, March 26 (IANS)

One person died and two more went missing after a fishing boat capsized off the coast of South Australia (SA).

Five people were on board the boat when it capsized on Monday afternoon local time near Spilsby Island -- 200 km west of Adelaide -- prompting an emergency search and rescue operation, Xinhua news agency reported.

"A short time ago we located a deceased person in the water

in the same location," SA Police Superintendent Paul Bahr said at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

"At this stage we don't know who that person is, they're yet to be identified." Two survivors -- a 44-year-old man and 13-year-old boy from Adelaide -- were found on a reef at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday and told police that the boat, which was found at the same time, was upturned by a wave.

Government reverses cancellation of Palestinians’ visas

Canberra, March 18 (IANS)

The Australian government has reinstated cancelled visas for some Palestinians fleeing Gaza. Rasha Abbas, executive director of the Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA) group, said on Monday that eight of the 11 Palestinians whom her organisation was supporting after their Australian visas were cancelled without warning have had them reinstated, Xinhua news agency reported.

The federal government faced criticism earlier in March over the decision to revoke the visas, which left some Palestinians stranded in a third country before being notified of the cancellation.

In letters sent to some of those whose visas were cancelled, the Department of Home Affairs alleged they were planning to breach the terms of their visitor visa by staying in Australia longer than allowed.

"We are delighted and happy that they are able to travel to Australia," Abbas told Nine Entertainment newspapers.

"We are working through booking the flights for them and we will work with the government on the process for the remaining visa holders," Abbas added.

The Australian government has granted 2,200 visas for Palestinians and 2,400 for Israelis since the outbreak of the current conflict in Gaza.

Authorities warn workers over rising exploitation

Canberra, March 17 (IANS)

Authorities have warned people seeking work in Australia about an increase in worker exploitation and forced labour.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Sunday urged domestic and overseas workers who are seeking employment in Australia to be aware of being coerced, threatened or deceived into working against their will, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the AFP, there have been 178 reports of forced labour or worker exploitation, which are forms of human trafficking, in Australia since 2018 to 2019. It identified acts of physical and psychological abuse, poor working conditions and debt bondage -- when a victim is led to believe they have a large debt to their employer they must work to pay off -- as signs of forced labour and exploitation.

AFP Commander Helen Schneider said migrant workers looking for temporary work were particularly vulnerable due to their visa status, cultural barriers, social isolation and limited understanding of Australian worker rights.

"Criminals may use deceptive methods to target vulnerable individuals looking for seasonal or temporary work in Australia before exploiting them into forced labour," she said in a statement. Seasonal workers are widely used in Australia's agriculture industry as fruit pickers and packers, farmhands and vineyard workers, Schneider added.

"Unfortunately, criminals do take advantage and exploit workers looking for temporary work," she said.

In one recent investigation, the AFP charged a man who is alleged to have recruited workers via online advertisements and threatened to have them deported if they sought help from authorities.

In a separate case, a man was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in January for coercing a victim to work 14 hours seven days a week in his business for two consecutive years.

Sydney,

‘Modi ka parivar beyond borders’: PM Modi bonds with Bhutan King’s family over dinner

Thimphu, March 25 (IANS) In a rare and special gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hosted by the King of Bhutan at his residence for a private dinner where they bonded with each other as a family.

As PM Modi visited the Himalayan kingdom from March 22-23, it was the first time that an Indian leader was hosted at Lingkana Palace -- the residence of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk. In the pictures widely shared on X, PM Modi can be seen seated along with King Wangchuk, Queen Jetsun Pema, and their three children -- Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, Prince Jigme Ugyen

Wangchuck, and Princess Sonam Yangden, who was born last year.

In one of the pictures capturing PM Modi's warm and affectionate side, he is seen having an interesting conversation with Prince Ugyen, and in another, he is flanked by the two princes.

Born in 2016, Prince Jigme Namgyel, who is standing alongside PM Modi in one of the pictures, is the heir to the Bhutanese throne.

The Palace holds importance as King Wangchuk and Queen Jetsun Pema welcomed the birth of their children there in the years 2016, 2020, and 2023.

During his third visit to Bhutan in a decade, PM Modi became the first foreign leader to be accorded Bhutan's highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

Upon receiving the award from

King Wangchuck, PM Modi underlined that it was an honour bestowed on the people of India and a testament to the excellent state of bilateral ties between the two countries.

PM Modi also announced a support of Rs 10,000 crore for the Himalayan nation in the coming five years and said that India stands firmly with Bhutan in its efforts to achieve self-reliance and become a high-income nation.

In another special gesture for PM Modi, both King Wangchuk and PM Tshering Tobgay, came to see the leader off at the airport as he wrapped up the official visit.

Touched by this gesture, PM Modi said he was 'honoured' and thanked the wonderful people of Bhutan for their warmth and hospitality, saying that "India will always be a reliable friend and partner for Bhutan."

Households across all continents wasted over 1 billion meals a day: UN report

Households across all continents wasted more than 1 billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger and one-third of humanity faced food insecurity.

Food waste continues to hurt the global economy and fuel climate change, nature loss and pollution.

These are the key findings of a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report published on Wednesday, ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste.

The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, co-authored with WRAP, provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels. It provides guidance for countries on improving data collection and suggests best practices in moving from measuring to reducing food waste.

In 2022 there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible parts), amounting to 132 kg per capita and nearly one-fifth of all food available to consumers.

Of the total food wasted in 2022, 60 per cent happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28 per cent and retail 12 per cent.

"Food waste is a global tragedy.

Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

"Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature.

The good news is we know if countries prioritise this issue, they can significantly reverse food loss and waste, reduce climate impacts and economic losses, and accelerate progress on global goals."

Since 2021, there's been a strengthening of the data infrastructure with more studies tracking food waste. Globally, the number of data points at the household level almost doubled. Nevertheless, many low- and middle-income countries continue to lack adequate systems for tracking progress to meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030, particularly in retail and food services.

Only four G20 countries -Australia, Japan, the UK, the US and the European Union -- have food waste estimates suitable for tracking progress till 2030.

Canada and Saudi Arabia have suitable household estimates, with Brazil's estimate expected late 2024. In this context, the report serves as a practical guide for countries to consistently measure and report food waste.

The data confirms that food waste is not just a 'rich country' problem, with levels of household food waste differing in observed average levels for high-income, upper-middle, and lower-middleincome countries by just seven kg per capita.

Six people presumed dead in Baltimore bridge collapse

Washington, March 27 (IANS) Six people, who went missing due to a bridge collapse in the US city of Baltimore, are presumed dead.

Addressing a press conference, Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said due to the cold water temperatures and harsh sea conditions, it was likely the missing individuals were dead, Xinhua news agency reported. The US Coast Guard has suspended search and rescue efforts.

The 2.6-km-long Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major bridge that held Interstate 695, collapsed at about 1:30 a.m. local time early Tuesday morning after being hit by a Singapore-flagged

large container ship, which experienced a power failure before the collision.

The six individuals who went missing, all road maintenance workers, were reportedly on the bridge repairing potholes when the collapse occurred.

Two other people were rescued from the Patapsco River earlier, with one in critical condition, according to local authorities.

In brief remarks from the White House Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said he wants the federal government to pay for the reconstruction of the bridge.

The bridge opened to traffic in 1977 and saw approximately 11.5 million vehicles crossing it each year.

"We're gonna work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs," President Biden said.

Will eliminate Yahya Sinwar at any cost, says Israel PM

At the same time, hotter countries appear to generate more food waste per capita in households, potentially due to higher consumption of fresh foods with substantial inedible parts and a lack of robust cold chains.

According to recent data, food loss and waste generates eight to 10 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions -- almost five times that of the aviation sector -- and significant biodiversity loss by taking up the equivalent of almost a third of the world's agricultural land.

The toll of both food loss and waste on the global economy is estimated at nearly $1 trillion.

Urban areas are expected to particularly benefit from efforts to strengthen food waste reduction and circularity. Rural areas generally waste less food, with greater diversion of food scraps to pets, livestock and home composting as likely explanations.

As of 2022, only 21 countries have included food loss and/or waste reduction in their national climate plans (NDCs). The 2025 NDCs revision process provides a key opportunity to raise climate ambition by integrating food loss and waste.

The Food Waste Index Report stresses the urgency of addressing food waste at both individual and systemic levels.

Robust baselines and regular measurement are needed for countries to show changes over time.

Thanks to implementation of policies and partnerships, countries such as Japan and the UK show that change at scale is possible, with reductions of 31 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

Tel Aviv, March 25 (IANS) Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar "will be killed at any cost".

The Israeli Prime Minister was speaking to mediapersons on Sunday night and said that "just as Haman was killed in the ancient

city of Purim, Sinwar would also be killed".

He said, “We will unite, fight and win just as we did in ancient times,” Netanyahu said.

The Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, has also earlier said that Israel has vowed to kill Yahya Sinwar, who is widely believed to be the brain behind the October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel.

The Israeli PM also met the border guards of the Military Police Corps. He said, “We will enter Rafah and ensure total victory.”

In letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif, Biden says US ‘will work with Pakistan’ for regional security & counter-terrorism efforts

Islamabad, March 30 (IANS) In a first official communication, US President Joe Biden has broken with tradition and has written a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing readiness to work together for regional peace and counterterrorism efforts.

Biden, who till Friday, has carried a tradition of not engaging with any of the Prime Minister in Pakistan during his tenure, has not only reached out to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but effectively has also put forward the lens through which US looks at its relationship with Pakistan along with expectations from the new government in Islamabad.

The US President emphasised the sensitivity and critical nature of "pressing global and regional challenges," assuring Islamabad

that it would continue to work with it and Shehbaz Sharifled government to counter the menace of terrorism.

"The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people -- and people around the world -- and the US will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time," said Biden's letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"That includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health, security, economic growth, and access to education for all. Through our US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, we will also continue to strengthen our climate resilience, support sustainable agriculture and water management, and assist with Pakistan's recovery from the devastating floods in 2022. And, the US remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress," Biden's letter added.

Nairobi, March 27 (IANS)

India lauds continuity of G20 focus on quality jobs, gender equality

South Korean Ambassador to Australia resigns amid controversy over his appointment

Brasilia, March 27 (IANS) India on Wednesday commended the continuity in the G20 multi-year agenda for creating quality employment and gender equality in the workplace at the Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under the Brazilian Presidency.

India as a member of the G20 Troika, is co-chairing the two-day EWG meeting, along with Brazil and South Africa.

India’s representative Sumita Dawra noted that the priority areas of the 2nd EWG at Brasilia align with the priority areas and outcomes of previous G20 presidencies including the Indian presidency.

On the first day of the meeting, deliberations were held on the over-arching theme of promotion of gender equality and promoting diversity in the workplace. The Indian delegation emphasised the need for creating inclusive environments by ensuring equal representation and empowerment for all, irrespective

of race, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background.

The focus areas for the 2nd EWG meeting are (i) creating quality employment and promoting decent labour; (ii) addressing a just transition amidst digital and energy transformations; (iii) leveraging technologies to enhance the quality of life for all; (iv) the emphasis on gender equity and promoting diversity in the world of employment for inclusivity, driving innovation and growth.

In this context, the Indian delegation elucidated significant strides taken by India in the promotion of gender equality in the workplace and beyond and steps taken for migrant workers.

India’s achievements that were highlighted on the first day of the meeting include the increase in female labour force participation. India has enacted the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 which entitles women to be employed in all establishments for all types of work with their consent at night time. This provision has already been implemented in underground mines.

In 2017, the government amended the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, which increased the ‘maternity leave with pay protection’ from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for all women working in establishments employing 10 or more workers.

This is expected to reduce the motherhood pay gap among the working mothers.

To aid migrant workers, India’s innovative policy 'One Nation, One Ration Card' allows migrants to access their entitled food grains from anywhere in the Public Distribution System network in the country.

We have also implemented multiple schemes to provide social security and welfare benefits while ensuring portability across states. These schemes provide for affordable housing, enhanced employability through skill development and old-age pensions to such workers.

Dawra also mentioned India’s landmark step in fostering inclusion in the workforce is the e-Shram portal, launched to create a national database of unorganised workers, especially migrant and construction workers.

This initiative, providing the e-Shram card, enables access to benefits under various social security schemes.

The portal allows an unorganised worker to register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis, under 400 occupations in 30 broad occupation sectors.

More than 290 million unorganised workers have been registered on this portal so far.

Bangladeshi teen in ‘mental crisis’ shot dead by New York police

New York, March 29 (IANS) A Bangladeshi teenager undergoing a “mental crisis” has been shot dead by city police after he lunged at them with a pair of scissors and his mother intervened in their attempts to subdue him, according to police.

The incident started with a phone call to an emergency police line that Win Rozario, 19, had himself

made on Wednesday afternoon, New York Police Patrol Chief John Chell said at a news conference.

City police were already on edge after a gunman killed one of them on Monday. Chell said that when police arrived at the teen’s home, Rozario was in a “mental crisis” and the situation was “quite hectic, chaotic and dangerous.”

When he charged at them with scissors, police fired a Taser to subdue him but his “mother, being a mother, came to the aid of her son to help him” and knocked out the Taser dart, Chell said.

(Taser is an electric device that shoots darts that attach to the

and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has urged Israel to allow the organisation's food and nutrition convoys reach northern Gaza and to open additional land crossings to facilitate the delivery of aid amid international warnings of famine in the coastal enclave.

Lazzarini made the remarks on Friday in a post on social

target and gives electric shocks to subdue the person.)

Rozario then picked up the scissors and came after police who “had no choice but to defend themselves" firing their weapons, Chell said. Rozario’s brother, Ushto, 17, however, disputed the police version asserting that his mother had been holding him the whole time, “One of the cops pulled out a gun and shot him as my mother [was] still hugging him,” The New York Times quoted him as saying. Chell, however, said that the police wore bodycams that recorded the incident and the video would back their version.

media platform X, a day after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered Israel take all necessary measures to ensure basic aid reaches the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, Xinhua news agency reported. He called on countries to increase pressure for the implementation of the court's order and to reconsider their

Seoul, March 29 (IANS) South Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup stepped down on Friday, less than a month after he was named for the job, amid mounting criticism of his appointment and departure that came despite the fact that he was subject to an investigation.

Lee's resignation also came before South Koreans go to the polls on April 10 to elect lawmakers. The controversy surrounding Lee has become a hot-button issue amid growing negative public sentiment and concerns even being raised from within the ruling party bloc, Yonhap news agency reported.

The foreign ministry said it accepted Lee's resignation. The confirmation came hours after Lee's lawyer said the ambassador expressed his intent to step down to the foreign minister.

"As Ambassador Lee Jong-sup strongly expressed his intent to resign, the ministry reported it to the president, who has the appointment power, and decided to accept the resignation," the ministry said in a message to the media.

Lee has been under intense scrutiny since he was named the ambassador in Canberra early this month, after revelations that he had been banned from leaving the country over the investigation into allegations that he interfered in an internal military probe into a Marine's death last year.

Guterres hopes

Critics have accused Lee of running away from the investigation and leaving the country to take up the job shortly after the exit ban on him was lifted.

Lee has denied any wrongdoing.

Lee returned home on March 21, 11 days after he assumed the job, to attend a defense cooperation meeting of South Korean ambassadors to six countries, including Australia. But questions arose that the meeting could have been organized to give Lee a pretext to come back home.

Lee plans to stay in Seoul to do all he can to "strongly respond to all procedures," according to Lee's lawyer, Kim Jae-hoon.

The lawyer said that Lee repeatedly called for the anticorruption investigation office to quickly summon him for questioning, but he still has not heard from the office.

Some have speculated that the presidential office ordered Lee to return home as the public sentiment was worsening ahead of the April elections.

Since his return home last week, Lee has met with foreign and defense ministers and taken part in a series of meetings with related ministries and government agencies that the ministry said took place to discuss defense cooperation with the six ambassadors.

‘everyone’s rights protected’ in India’s elections: Spokesperson

United Nations, March 29 (IANS)

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes that in India’s elections, "everyone’s rights are protected", his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has said.

“What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone’s rights are protected, including

decisions regarding funding the agency, emphasising the urgency of bold actions to prevent famine in Gaza.He warned that the living conditions of more than two million people in Gaza were deteriorating, and Gaza was becoming an impossible place for dignified living. The ruling issued on Thursday by the ICJ follows a previous one on January 26,

political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair”, he said on Thursday in response to a question from a Bangladeshi journalist at his daily briefing.

In making a general statement, Dujarric did not directly react to the journalist’s assertion that India was at a “crisis point” mentioning the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and what he said were the freezing of Congress Party funds.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @ arulouis)

in which the ICJ ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The previous ruling was given after South Africa filed a case at the ICJ against Israel on December 29, 2023, for its alleged violations of obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention regarding Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza, March 30 (IANS) Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief

From the editor’s desk

Charting Australia’s nuclear future: Navigating complexities towards a sustainable energy landscape

Australia finds itself at a pivotal juncture regarding its energy future, with the prospect of nuclear power emerging as a contentious issue. Recent discussions and proposals by the Coalition have reignited the debate surrounding nuclear energy, prompting calls for a comprehensive and transparent policy approach. As the nation grapples with the complexities of this decision, it is imperative to carefully weigh the pros and cons of embracing nuclear power and establish a clear-cut policy direction that aligns with the interests of both citizens and the government.

The debate over nuclear power in Australia has been characterized by political rhetoric and speculation, with divergent opinions on its feasibility and viability.

While proponents tout nuclear energy as a reliable, lowcarbon alternative capable of meeting the nation's growing energy demands, critics raise concerns about safety, cost, and environmental impact. As the Coalition advances its pronuclear agenda, it is essential to address these concerns through informed dialogue and evidencebased analysis.

One of the key considerations in formulating a nuclear policy is the technology itself. The Coalition has proposed exploring both conventional large-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs), with varying timelines for implementation. While SMRs offer potential advantages such as scalability and enhanced safety features, their commercial availability remains uncertain until the early 2030s or later. As Australia evaluates the feasibility of nuclear power, it must carefully assess the technological readiness, cost-effectiveness, and safety implications of different reactor designs.

Timing is another critical factor in Australia's nuclear deliberations, particularly in light of the nation's evolving energy landscape. With coal plants expected to retire by 2038, urgent action is needed to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. While renewables backed by storage have emerged as the most cost-effective option, the Coalition argues that nuclear power could offer a complementary solution, particularly in areas with limited renewable potential. However, the long lead times and uncertainties associated with nuclear projects raise questions about their compatibility with Australia's short-term energy goals.

Moreover, the economic and logistical challenges of nuclear power cannot be overlooked. Recent nuclear projects in comparable countries have experienced significant delays and cost overruns, highlighting the complexity of nuclear construction and regulation. Australia would need to establish robust regulatory frameworks, invest in infrastructure, and secure international partnerships to support a nuclear industry. The question of who would build and finance nuclear reactors also remains unanswered, raising doubts about the feasibility of large-scale nuclear deployment.

Amidst these uncertainties, public opinion and engagement are paramount in shaping Australia's nuclear policy. While polls suggest some level of support for small modular reactors, it is essential to ensure that citizens are adequately informed about the risks and benefits of nuclear energy. A transparent and inclusive decision-making process, involving stakeholder consultations and expert analysis, can help build public trust and consensus on this complex issue.

Australia finds itself at a pivotal moment in its energy transition, with nuclear power emerging as a prospective solution to address future energy requirements.

Nonetheless, the choice to embrace nuclear energy demands meticulous evaluation of technological, economic, and societal aspects. Through the adoption of a transparent policy position, supported by comprehensive research and inclusive public engagement, Australia can effectively navigate the intricacies of nuclear energy and delineate a sustainable trajectory for its energy landscape.

A clear-cut nuclear power policy is imperative for all countries, considering the multifaceted factors involved.

It ensures informed decisionmaking regarding technology, safety, economic viability, and societal concerns. By promoting transparency and public trust, such a policy guides nations in harnessing nuclear energy's potential while mitigating risks and maximizing benefits. In an era of energy transition and climate change, clarity in nuclear policy enables countries to meet growing energy demands sustainably.

Additionally, it contributes to global decarbonization efforts and fosters a secure energy future for generations to come. This will enable framing of energy policies globally, and will be instrumental in dealing with climate challenges effectively.

Reviving trade ties with India: A pragmatic move for Pakistan

By Rabindra Mukherjee

Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, recently signaled a potential revival of trade ties with India, sparking discussions on the economic implications and geopolitical dynamics of such a decision. This statement comes against the backdrop of ongoing trade between the two countries through third-party channels, indicating a latent demand for direct engagement.

The economic rationale behind Pakistan's contemplation is evident. Despite strained diplomatic relations, trade between India and Pakistan persists, albeit indirectly. India has been exporting significant volumes of goods to Pakistan, including petroleum products, sugar, and pharmaceuticals, valued at approximately $1.10 billion annually. Meanwhile, Pakistan's economy is grappling with mounting external debts, dwindling reserves, and soaring inflation, necessitating urgent measures to stabilize its financial footing.

However, the prospect of renewing trade ties with India must be viewed in the broader context of regional dynamics and unresolved bilateral issues, particularly the Kashmir conflict. Pakistan's decision to sever trade relations with India following New Delhi's revocation of Article 370 and Article 35(A) in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the intricate link between economic cooperation and geopolitical disputes.

The complex and often contentious relationship between India and Pakistan serves as a defining factor in shaping bilateral trade dynamics. Despite shared historical, cultural, and economic ties, the persistent geopolitical tensions and unresolved disputes between the two nations significantly influence the trajectory of their trade relations.

Political changes, security issues, and diplomatic conflicts significantly influence the movement of goods and services between India and Pakistan. Acts of violence across borders, terrorist incidents, and military conflicts often result in interruptions to trade, prompting both countries to impose retaliatory actions and trade limitations.

Amidst the geopolitical complexities, trade initiatives often become casualties of diplomatic impasses and political posturing. The suspension of bilateral trade and transit routes following security incidents or political escalations underscores the fragility of economic ties in the face of geopolitical volatility. However, periodic efforts to revive dialogue and normalize relations offer glimpses of hope for bilateral trade prospects. Confidence-building measures, track II diplomacy, and trade facilitation initiatives serve as essential mechanisms for fostering economic engagement and mitigating the impact of political tensions on trade activities.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's insistence on addressing the Kashmir issue as a precondition for bilateral progress reflects Pakistan's entrenched stance on territorial disputes. While Pakistan seeks to advance economic interests, its position on Kashmir remains a nonnegotiable aspect of its foreign policy.

From India's perspective, the resumption of trade ties with Pakistan hinges on addressing critical concerns related to

terrorism and cross-border violence. The Pulwama attack in 2019, orchestrated by Pakistanbased terror outfit Jaish-eMohammad, precipitated a significant deterioration in bilateral relations and prompted India to revoke Pakistan's 'Most Favoured Nation' status.

In light of these complex dynamics, any move towards revitalizing trade relations between India and Pakistan must be accompanied by tangible progress on the terrorism front. India's insistence on Pakistan taking decisive action against terror groups operating from its soil underscores the importance of addressing security imperatives alongside economic considerations.

As Pakistan deliberates its approach towards trade with India, it must navigate the delicate balance between economic pragmatism and geopolitical realities. While economic cooperation can potentially yield mutual benefits, it cannot come at the expense of unresolved bilateral disputes and security concerns.

The prospect of reviving trade ties between India and Pakistan represents a pragmatic step towards fostering economic prosperity and regional stability. However, it necessitates a comprehensive approach that addresses underlying grievances and security challenges. As Pakistan weighs its options, it must prioritize dialogue, cooperation, and confidencebuilding measures to chart a path towards constructive engagement with its neighbour.

In essence, the contours of IndiaPakistan relations play a pivotal role in determining the course of bilateral trade. While economic interests and commercial opportunities abound, they are intricately intertwined with broader geopolitical considerations, making the path to sustainable economic cooperation fraught with challenges yet ripe with potential for mutual benefit.

India’s External Affairs Minister concludes Southeast Asia tour to strengthen regional relations

India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar recently concluded a significant three-

nation Southeast Asia tour, commencing on March 23, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations and addressing regional concerns. During his visit from March 27-28, he engaged with key leaders and officials in Malaysia to strengthen ties and explore avenues for cooperation.

In Malaysia, EAM Jaishankar held productive discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Bin Ibrahim, expressing gratitude for Malaysia's support in enhancing bilateral relations under the India-Malaysia Enhanced

Strategic Partnership. Meetings with Foreign Minister Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo further underscored the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, spanning political, trade, defense, digital, cultural, and educational domains.

The EAM also engaged with the Indian diaspora in Malaysia, acknowledging their contributions to fostering IndiaContinued on next page...

Deepika Bhan

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS)

Whether Delhi Chief Minister

Arvind Kejriwal – who issued two orders from the Enforcement Directorate's custody over water and sewage issues in the national capital – is legally entitled to pass such orders or should he be debarred from holding the office like a public servant?

After his arrest, the Delhi Chief Minister first issued an order to Water Minister Atishi from the custody of the ED on Sunday, another directive was issued on Tuesday to the Health Department on the smooth functioning of the

AAP's flagship Mohalla Clinics.

When AAP sources claim that the Chief Minister will continue to operate the government from jail, the two orders raise a significant question of constitutional morality. Undoubtedly, running a government from inside jail is bound to face logistical hurdles and functional limitations, particularly when the Chief Minister has to follow jail norms and would need prior approval from the court every time for the meetings, to sign the files, etc. Why not a lawmaker get sacked automatically, if he or she is in judicial custody like an IAS officer or a court staffer is arrested and put in judicial custody for over 48 hours, then they are suspended?

The Supreme Court in 2022 had dismissed as withdrawn a PIL seeking a direction to the then Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government in Maharashtra to sack jailed NCP leader Nawab Malik as a minister as well as seeking a direction to the Delhi government to sack minister Satyendar Jain, who was arrested in connection with criminal cases. Refusing to entertain the plea, the top court had observed that if the PIL is allowed, then it will completely submerge the principle of separation of power.

“We cannot incorporate disqualification in this manner and send somebody out," the apex court had said, making it clear that it cannot enact a provision which becomes a binding law and an elected representative is thrown out of the House.

Along the same lines, a plea seeking the removal of jailed Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji from the state Council of Ministers was dismissed by the Supreme Court in January this year. The petitioner questioned the propriety of Balaji continuing in the cabinet even after he was sent to judicial custody in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs scam.

Though the Madras High Court did not direct his removal, it had observed that the continuance of Balaji as a Minister without Portfolio serves no purpose and does not augur well with the Principles of Constitutional ethos on goodness, good governance and purity in administration.

Chief Minister Kejriwal – who at this stage is only accused of soliciting kickbacks from liquor businessmen in exchange for favours – does not come within the purview of the 2013 Supreme Court decision in the Lily Thomas

case, which had laid down that once a member of Parliament or a state legislature is convicted by a court and sentenced for two years, he or she is immediately disqualified from House.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari has cast doubt on the authenticity of the directive allegedly sent by CM Kejriwal to Delhi Minister Atishi, questioning the timing of its issuance.

BJP National Secretary, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, lodged a complaint with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena and ED against Delhi Minister Atishi and others.

Sirsa alleged that the AAP leaders presented an illegal order in the name of the Delhi Chief Minister, claiming that the Chief Minister issued it while in ED custody.

Describing this act as entirely illegal, unconstitutional, and an abuse of the office of the Delhi CM, Sirsa asserted that it amounts to a criminal conspiracy. He emphasised that Arvind Kejriwal could not have issued such an order while under ED custody.

Sirsa further claimed that he has urged the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to investigate the unlawful takeover of the Delhi CM's office

and its illegal operation. He called for action to be taken by registering a case against Atishi and other individuals involved in this matter.

The issue of authenticity deepens when there is no permission to the CM by the court to issue orders from ED’s custody and these directives may possibly be aimed at political gains.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government’s Planning Secretary has issued orders that all welfare schemes of the city government will continue to operate and said that schemes and governance are never specific to individuals, but continue in the normal course.

Kejriwal, who was arrested last week and subsequently remanded to ED custody until March 28 by a Delhi court, faces allegations of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of excise policy favouring specific individuals. The ED has said that Kejriwal is the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the now-scrapped excise policy in collusion with AAP ministers, leaders and other persons. On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has refuted the accusations levelled against him and has accused the BJP-led Central government of "manipulating investigative agencies for political motives".

First show of strength by INDIA and NDA allies after poll dates declaration, electioneering heats up

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) A day after the announcement of poll dates for general elections 2024, the day marks a 'Super Sunday' for the ruling BJP and opposition

Malaysia relations. Moreover, he addressed concerns regarding China's actions along the IndiaChina border, emphasizing the importance of upholding bilateral agreements.

Upon his arrival in the Philippines, EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed India's support for the Philippines in light of recent maritime tensions with China in the South China Sea. Stressing adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he underscored the significance of maritime safety and cooperation between

INDIA bloc. Both the alliances are set for major show of strength in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra this evening, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi respectively.

PM Modi is set to address a large congregation of people in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district, along with TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena Party. This will also be the first time former Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will share the stage with the Prime Minister. NDA’s first big election rally, just a day after announcement of poll dates, will set the tone for elections in the state and give the alliance a headstart in the campaign.

For the opposition parties under INDIA bloc, Mumbai’s Shivaji Park is the zone of action this evening

India and the Philippines.

In Singapore, the EAM held discussions with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, focusing on strengthening cooperation in fintech, digitalization, green economy, skills development, and food security. Meetings with Indianorigin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia regions.

Overall, EAM Jaishankar's Southeast Asia tour reflects India's commitment to deepening regional engagement and

as supporters are rushing in large numbers to celebrate Rahul Gandhi’s conclusion of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Many opposition leaders like Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv SenaUBT), Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), DMK President M. K. Stalin, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will mark their presence the mega rally at Shivaji park.

The gathering of INDIA alliance leaders on stage, a day after culmination of Rahul Gandhi’s 63-day long Nyay Yatra, is aimed at rallying its supporters for a spirited fight against BJP in Maharasthra, and all across the nation.

Political watchers see it as good optics by INDIA but have apprehensions about the message

fostering mutually beneficial partnerships. By addressing key regional issues and enhancing bilateral cooperation, India aims to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region.

In this context, India's Act East policy, a strategic initiative aimed at deepening engagement with Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region, holds significant relevance in the contemporary global landscape. In an era marked by geopolitical shifts and economic realignments, India's proactive approach towards its eastern

it wants to convey. Maharashtra remains the weakest link of INDIA as both Shiv Sena and NCP have fallen apart, with stronger and bigger splinter groups joining hands with BJP.

For Congress, in particular, there has been many setbacks lately as party stalwarts like Ashok Chavan and Milind Deora recently snapped ties with it.

In days to come, the electioneering is set to heat up and both NDA and INDIA allies will pull out all stops to woo the electorate. Recent opinion polls have already come as a shot in the arm for BJP while the INDIA bloc is seen playing catch-up, both in Mahasrashta and across India.

Also, the optics for today’s rallies favour BJP, as experts feel. While PM Modi-led NDA is widely expected to bring major

neighbors underscores its commitment to fostering regional stability, economic integration, and cultural exchange.

The Act East policy represents a fundamental shift in India's foreign policy orientation, emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region in shaping the country's strategic interests and economic aspirations. By enhancing diplomatic ties, promoting trade and investment, and strengthening people-topeople contacts, India seeks to leverage the immense potential of the region while addressing common challenges such as

disruption in Telangana, the gathering of INDIA leaders on a ‘lost territory’ won’t be enough to send the right message. In Andhra Pradesh, BJP finalised alliance with TDP and Jana Sena Party, days after PM Modi’s call for 370 seats on BJP's own, and breaching the 400 mark, with support from allies. BJP has struck deals with both regional satraps to fight Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls together. It will contest on six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats, while TDP and Jana Sena Party on 17 Lok Sabha and 144 Assembly seats, and two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats respectively.

Although, TDP stands to gain much from the alliance, on a national level, BJP is expected to get a boost in numbers and make it easier to accomplish its "400 paar" target.

maritime security, terrorism, and climate change.

In the current world order characterized by multipolarity and interdependence, India's engagement with the East assumes added significance. As countries across Asia-Pacific increasingly look towards India as a key partner for economic growth and security cooperation, the Act East policy serves as a cornerstone of India's efforts to enhance its regional influence and contribute to the shaping of a peaceful and prosperous IndoPacific region.

Startup Mahakumbh: Rise of entrepreneurs from tier 2, 3 cities big boost to ecosystem

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS)

India's startup ecosystem is on a journey of unprecedented innovation and growth and the rise of entrepreneurs from tier-2 and 3 cities are shining examples of how inclusive growth can lead to sustainable development, industry experts said on Thursday, as the three-day ‘Viksit Bharat Startup Mahakumbh 2024’ concluded in the Capital.

The country’s biggest celebration of startups saw 1,306 exhibitors, more than 165 sessions, over 392 speakers, and more than 48,581 business visitors.

Furthermore, the event was the centre-stage for more than 3,868 future entrepreneurs, coming together to interact with

investors, and entrepreneurs, along with industry experts via masterclasses and foster collaboration.

“Over the course of 10 years, we've witnessed a transformation from a few hundred startups to a vibrant ecosystem of over 100,000 startups, fostering a remarkable increase in incubators, unicorns, and a thriving digital economy,” said Arvind Gupta, Head and Co-Founder, Digital India Foundation.

“Our startups are global pioneers, leveraging technology to solve complex challenges, ensuring India's position as a leader on the world stage,” he added.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will become the world leader in AI with its young innovators emerging as a driving force to take the nation ahead.

Addressing the ‘Startup Mahakumbh’, the Prime Minister said, “India will have the upper

hand in AI and we will not let the opportunity go.”

From insightful keynote speeches to interactive workshops, Startup Mahakumbh offered a dynamic platform for attendees to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and gain invaluable insights from seasoned professionals.

"Witnessing over 3,800 future entrepreneurs come together at Startup Mahakumbh was truly inspiring," said Madan Padaki, President, TiE Bangalore & Trustee, TiE Global.

"It was great to see many budding and ambitious agritech entrepreneurs aiming to improve the livelihoods of our farmers,” added Vineet Rai, Founder and Chairman, Aavishkaar Group.

Vidhya Ananthkrishnan, Chief Of Staff, Accel, said that they witnessed an incredible convergence of ideas, expertise, and opportunities within the B2B pavilion at ‘Startup Mahakumbh.’

Robust investment, strong demand driving India’s growth amid global slowdown: Finance Ministry

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS)

Robust investment activity and strengthening private consumption demand is driving growth in the Indian economy amidst the sluggish global growth, according to the Finance Ministry’s monthly review released on Friday.

The strong demand is evident from indicators like burgeoning air passenger traffic and sale of passenger vehicles, rising digital payments, improved consumer confidence and expectations of a normal monsoon, the report states.

Increased demand for residential

properties in tier-2 and tier-3 cities augers well for furthering construction activity. Nonfarm employment has revived, improving the capacity to absorb the labour leaving agriculture.

The ascent of manufacturing sector employment is expected to be marked by upscaling of enterprises and sunrise sectors emerging as catalysts for generating quality employment, the report points out.

India's inflation outlook for the upcoming months is positive. Core inflation is trending downwards, indicating a broad-based moderation in price pressures. The pick-up in summer sowing is likely to help reduce food prices, the report states.

On the external front, the narrowing merchandise trade deficit and the rising net services

receipts are expected to result in an improvement in the current account balance in FY24. In FY25, however, the current account deficit will bear watching. An increase in domestic household savings will be necessary to finance private sector capital formation in the economy, the report states.

Improving global investor confidence on India has started reflecting in foreign portfolio investment flows. The announcement by Bloomberg that India would be included in its bond index from January 2025 should bolster inflows, buoyed by the fiscal prudence that the government has demonstrated over the years. Bond investors will base their investment decisions based on their perception of its persistence. On the whole, India looks positively towards the dawn of FY25, it adds.

Gold prices soar to historic high of Rs 66,778 per 10 gms

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Gold prices jumped to a historic high of Rs 66,778 per 10 grams on the MCX in morning trade on Thursday following the US Federal Reserve maintaining its outlook for a soft money policy with at least three rate cuts this year.

Prices of the precious metal rose by Rs 1,028 per over the previous day's closing which works out to a nearly 1.5 per cent increase.

In the international market, gold prices soared past $2,200 an ounce for the first time in opening trade. Spot gold rose 0.7 per cent to $2,201.94 an ounce at 9:40 a.m. in Singapore.

Expectations of low interest rates makes financial instruments less attractive for investors compared to gold leading to increased purchases of the yellow metal and

Indian tech startups receive $1.6 bn in funding in Q1 2024; retail, fintech lead

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) The Indian tech startup ecosystem received $1.6 billion in total funding in the first quarter this year (till March 15), becoming the fourth-highest nation globally in terms of funding raised during this period, a new report showed on Tuesday.

Retail, fintech and enterprise applications were the topperforming sectors, with fintech witnessing a 48 per cent growth from the previous quarter due to the rapid adoption of smartphones and other favourable regulatory policies, according to the report by Tracxn, a leading market intelligence platform.

“Despite the funding slowdown and economic fluctuations, India's tech startup ecosystem is still one of the top-performing tech ecosystems globally,” said Neha Singh, Co-Founder of Tracxn.

“India's strong tech ecosystem and demographic advantages

promise a bright future and solidify its position as a global tech leader,” Singh added.

Out of $1.6 billion in funding, Shadowfax and Credit Saison received the highest funding of over $100 million, with Capillary, Rentomojo and Captain Fresh also being among the top funded companies.

The quarter saw the emergence of two new unicorns — Perfios and Ola Krutrim -- underscoring the resilience and potential of India's tech landscape.

Additionally, IPO numbers surged, with eight tech companies going public, including MediaAssist, WTI, Exicom, and LawSikho, reflecting investor confidence in the sector, the report showed.

Overall, there were 20 acquisitions during the quarter, a 33 per cent decrease from last quarter and a 55 per cent drop compared to 45 acquisitions in Q1 2023.

Bengaluru emerged as the leader in total funds raised during Q1 2024, followed closely by Mumbai and Noida, reaffirming the significance of these tech hubs in India's startup landscape, the findings showed.

Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu says ‘will work to create advanced chip design’ facility in TN’s Tenkasi

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS)

Responding to the post of Ananthan Ayyasamy, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu's (TN) Tenkasi, Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu on Friday said that they "will work together to create advanced chip design facility in

this rural region".

Ayyasamy, former Engineering Director at Intel and the Convenor of TN's Start-up Cell has shared a post on the social media platform X, saying that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TN BJP state president K. Annamalai "I will work wholeheartedly to ensure the success of our alliance in Tenkasi".

"I will also continue to work hard to bring technology-driven prosperity to our region," he added.

Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk

the rise in prices.

Rising geopolitical risks and buying by central banks, led by China have also fuelled gold prices.

With no end to sight in the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict spreading to the Red Sea region, gold is seen as an attractive safe haven asset by investors.

The demand for gold in the domestic market remains firm amid the marriage season as the precious metal is gifted to brides and grooms in large quantities.

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS)

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, on Friday, revealed that he started his career on the shop floor of an auto plant, as he responded to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

The X owner posted that many movies exist about a lone inventor in a garage having a "eureka"

moment, but “almost none about manufacturing, so it’s underappreciated by the public.”

“Compared to the insane pain of reaching high-volume, positivemargin production, prototypes are a piece of cake,” said the tech billionaire. Mahindra responded, saying that he couldn’t agree more.

“I started my career on the shop floor of an auto plant. And have never stopped being in awe of the relentless effort and non-stop problem solving that goes into making products at high volume,” he posted.

Damini celebrates International Women’s Day

Brisbane, March 9: With the theme “Inspire Inclusion” Damini Women’s Association of Qld Inc truly inspired everyone on the night with amazing speeches from women from all works of life.

The evening captured the real multiculturalism. The atmosphere created was that of a place you really want to be in in the evening, to relax and enjoy. That was the overbearing atmosphere of the International Women’s Day event. On spot chosen Master of Ceremonies were incredible and brought light to the program. The audience listened, laughed, ate together, and danced to brighten the evening. Sumptuous food added taste to the evening's program.

Mrs Lila Pratap, the founder and President, worked tirelessly to make sure that everything

was in order as usual, and the team never failed to meet the requirements of the invited guests and the audience. The program was well attended and was truly an inspirational evening. The speakers took the cake on the night with their talk.

"Well-done all the ladies who spoke on the night. And thank you to all the gentlemen who attended the event, supporting these wonderful woman, bringing everyone together on a common platform and celebrate the true multiculturalism in our Country," said Mrs Pratap.

AIBC announces MoU with India’s Sports Goods Export Promotion Council

Brisbane, March 28 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India's Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC), recently, at the India Sporting Goods Fair in New Delhi.

The MOU was signed by AIBC Vice Chair Ravneet Pawha, represented by AIBC's National Head for the Sports, Art and Culture Chapter, Molina Asthana GAICD with Tarun Dewan, Executive Director, SGEPC.

The partnership is particularly relevant and timely as AIECTA

provides duty-free access to Indian sporting goods in Australia. India is currently one of the world's largest manufacturers and exporters of sporting goods. The MOU seeks to promote collaboration on several international and bilateral cooperation programs in the

sports goods sector, aimed at building capabilities for members, facilitating international market access and achieving business to business outcomes. Australia is already among the top five markets for Indian sporting goods. AIBC sports chapter head Molina Asthana

GAICD, who was present at the fair in India, engaged closely with India's leading exporters at the venue. Australia India Business Council is committed to enabling further growth and opportunities for bilateral businesses in the sporting goods arena.

GOPIO Gold Coast hosts International Women’s Day Hi-Tea

On Saturday 9th March, Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin GOPIO Gold Coast Inc. held a High Tea in celebration of International Women's Day.

"We take this opportunity to express our gratitude and thanks

to our speakers, sponsors and partners for their support in making this event possible. Your generosity helped create a memorable experience for all attendees.

"We would like to thank our

diverse panel speakers for sharing their insights, passion and inspiration:

Pam Samra-Chauhan

Dr Kuljit Singh

Saalihah Seedat

Deesha Gorasia

"A big thank you also to Ellice De-Giovanni, a brain changing movement specialist that led the attendees in a brain training session.

"Our sincere appreciation goes to the businesses and individuals who generously donated prizes for our raffle supporting women affected by domestic violence and GC Homeless Youth," said GOPIO in a statement.

GOPIO Gold Coast organise Santoor performance in Gold Coast

Planning

an overseas getaway for the Indian Lunar New Year festivals?

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informed while you're away. You can subscribe for free destination updates and follow Smartraveller on social media. We wish everyone travelling for the Indian New Year festivities safe travels.

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Audience were mesmerized by Vinay Desai's performance on Santoor, and Jay Dagbar on Tabla.

The concert was well attended by the fabulous audience. Some people came from Brisbane too.

FICQ hosts ‘Meet and Greet’ event with new Indian High Commissioner

Brisbane, March 22 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland hosted ‘Meet and Greet’ event with newly appointed High Commissioner of India to Australia Gopal Baglay, recently.

Community leaders and Indian international students attended the event.

Gopal Baglay delivered an inspiring speech, highlighting the pivotal role of community

in fostering strong ties between Australia and India. He referred to us as the "human bridge" linking our two nations. He also made the announcement that the Indian Consulate in Brisbane opens next month.

The event culminated in an engaging Q&A session, where Indian community leaders from various member organisations had the opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns directly.

Commonwealth Bank Holi festivals spread joy across Australia

Holi is the festival of colours, and though it originated in India, it is now a global festival, with cultures and nations across the world participating in the festivities. There is a display of colour, fun, song, dance, and harmony as the festival of colour calls upon people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy the occasion. In Australia, Holi is the festival that brings various communities together. Commonwealth Bank Holi festivals, which are organized in various cities of Australia, are brilliant to watch, and full of fun. It is an occasion when Australia’s multicultural ethos is on display. And this festival of colours brings the entire Australian nation together.

Canberra: A celebration of unity and joy

The Commonwealth Bank

Canberra Holi Festival illuminated Stage 88 at Commonwealth Park on March 2 and 3, showcasing the vibrant multicultural celebration of Holi. Over two days, attendees reveled in a kaleidoscope of plant-based colours, live music, multicultural performances, culinary delights, drinks, and the enchanting ‘Holi After Dark’ experience.

Adelaide: Fostering harmony through culture

The Commonwealth Bank

Adelaide Holi Festival illuminated Gladys Elphick Park 25 (West)

on March 9 and 10, spreading joy and vibrancy through two days of festivities. Attendees immersed themselves in the joy of playing with plant-based colours while dancing to live music/DJs, enjoying multicultural performances, indulging in sumptuous food, and sipping refreshing drinks, all culminating in the enchanting ‘Holi After Dark’ experience.

Sydney: Vibrant cultural celebrations

The Commonwealth Bank Sydney Holi Festival transformed Bradfield Park, located next to the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, into a vibrant hub of cultural celebration on March 16 and 17. Over the course of two days,

attendees came together to revel in the joy of playing with plantbased colours, surrounded by the infectious energy of dance, live music/DJs, multicultural performances, delectable cuisine, refreshing drinks, and the enchanting ‘Holi After Dark’ experience.

Brisbane: A melting pot of cultures

Australia embraced the spirit of Holi as the Commonwealth Bank Brisbane Holi Festival lit up Sporting Fields, Victoria Park, Barrambin, on March 23 and 24. Celebrating the festival of colours, people from diverse cultural backgrounds gathered to immerse themselves in a whirlwind of music, dance,

and vibrant hues in a lively and family-friendly atmosphere.

Melbourne: A vibrant feast for the senses

From March 29 to March 31,

Commonwealth Bank Melbourne Holi Festival brought an explosion of colour and joy to Ron Barassi Snr Park, coinciding with the Easter 2024 celebration. The festival welcomed visitors to immerse themselves in a vibrant, family-friendly celebration spanning three days, where they could revel in the playful tradition of tossing eco-friendly colour powders into the air and adorning each other in joyful hues.

Commonwealth Bank Perth Holi Festival will be celebrated on April 13 and 14 at Curtin Stadium.

Australia India News Newsdesk

FICQ hosts Chai event to celebrate International Women’s Day

Brisbane, March 26 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) hosted its fourth Chai event to celebrate International Women's Day, recently. Charis Mullen MP, Minister for Child Safety, Seniors, Disability Services, and Multicultural Affairs, along with Rena Fallon, Director of Community Engagement QLD/NT at Home Affairs, attended the celebration.

FICQ's fourth chai event is a continuation of their tradition of fostering meaningful dialogue and empowerment.

The event saw quiz in celebration of International Women's Day, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Charis Mullen MP inspired the audience with her passion for inclusion, emphasizing the

importance of "count her in" for a brighter future. Rena Fallon shed light on the invaluable contributions of women in the Australian public service, highlighting their resilience and dedication.

The event concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with our esteemed guests. Everyone savoured delicious chai accompanied by samosas, mithai, and cupcakes, making the event even more delightful.

Bunbury’s multicultural community celebrates Holi with traditional fervour

Perth, March 21 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The vibrant hues of Holi illuminated the regional town of Bunbury as the multicultural community came together to celebrate the festival of colours with traditional fervour and joy.

Organized by SWIG Bunbury in collaboration with the Consulate, the event marked a jubilant occasion of cultural exchange and harmony, fostering bonds of friendship and unity among attendees.

City of Bunbury representatives, Cr Ramesh Parthasarathy and Cr Ben Andrew, joined the community in partaking in the harmonious festivities, symbolizing the spirit of inclusivity and solidarity that transcends cultural boundaries. Amidst the swirling colours and joyous laughter, participants

indulged in the age-old tradition of smearing Gulal colours, accompanied by lively music and traditional delicacies. The vibrant atmosphere resonated with the infectious energy of Holi, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in a celebration of unity and joy.

The collaborative effort between SWIG Bunbury and the Consulate underscored the commitment to promoting cultural harmony and mutual respect within the region. Through vibrant festivities and meaningful interactions, attendees embraced the spirit of Holi.

Indian Association of Bendigo hosts Holi celebration promoting cultural unity

Melbourne, March 24 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Indian Association of Bendigo Inc. hosted a jubilant Holi celebration recently, marking a colourful tribute to India's cultural richness. The event, graced by the presence of the Consul General Dr Sushil

Kumar and esteemed dignitaries, including speaker of Victorian parliament Maree Edwards MP, Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf, and Viv Nguyen - Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, resonated with the spirit of inclusivity and harmony.

The festivities unfolded with an

array of vibrant colors, music, and traditional Indian cuisine, captivating attendees from diverse backgrounds. Members from multicultural communities enthusiastically participated, fostering a sense of unity amidst diversity.

The occasion served as a platform

to showcase India's myriad cultural facets, from its vibrant traditions to its rich culinary heritage. Attendees reveled in the joyous atmosphere, exchanging greetings and spreading goodwill.

Viv Nguyen, the Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, lauded the Indian Association

of Bendigo for their efforts in promoting cultural harmony. The Holi celebration organized by the Indian Association of Bendigo Inc. served as a testament to the power of cultural exchange in fostering social cohesion and harmony within the community.

Perth Hindu Temple hosts Holika Dahan ceremony, embraced by hundreds of devotees

Perth, March 25 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

In a momentous occasion marking cultural unity and spiritual reverence, the Perth Hindu Temple in Western Australia hosted its inaugural Holika Dahan ceremony.

Consul General Amarjeet

Singh Takhi, accompanied by Smt Takhi, graced the event alongside hundreds of devotees, congregating to partake in the age-old tradition. Temple dignitaries, including president Ben Naidu, former president Dr Muthukrishanan Nachiappan, secretary Bhawna Goel,

committee members Ramkrishan Bansal, and Cr. Keyur Kamdar, were among the esteemed attendees.

The atmosphere was vibrant with devotion as the community gathered to witness the sacred ritual performed in the traditional manner. Holika Dahan,

symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, unfolded amidst the chanting of bhajans, spiritual songs, and intricate rituals aimed at invoking divine blessings and safeguarding against negative energies.

Consul General Amarjeet Singh

Takhi underscored the spiritual

significance of Holika Dahan and extended warm wishes for Holi. The overwhelming participation reflected the deep-rooted cultural heritage cherished by the Indian diaspora in Perth, exemplifying the community's commitment to preserving and celebrating its traditions.

Consul General Dr

Melbourne, March 23 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

In a bid to bolster bilateral relations, Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar embarked on a visit to the City of Greater Bendigo, following an invitation extended by Cr Andrea Metcalf. The visit, characterized by fruitful discussions and immersive engagements, aimed at enhancing

Sushil Kumar explores bilateral ties during visit to City of Greater Bendigo

cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, education, health, technology, trade, and tourism.

Dr Sushil Kumar's itinerary included a networking luncheon attended by distinguished personalities, including Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan, Speaker of Victorian Parliament Maree Edwards MP, and leaders from the local business community.

The luncheon provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration, laying the groundwork for future partnerships.

During his visit, the Consul General seized the opportunity to explore prominent institutions and landmarks within the city. Visits to La Trobe University, Bendigo Tramways, Bendigo Art Gallery, and Australian Turntables

Company offered insights into the city's cultural, educational, and industrial landscape.

Highlighting the importance of cultural exchange, Dr Sushil Kumar engaged with the vibrant Indian community during a reception organized by the Indian Association of Bendigo Inc. The interaction fostered closer ties between the Consulate and the

Indian diaspora, reaffirming the bond between the two nations. Expressing optimism about the outcomes of the visit, Dr Sushil Kumar emphasized the mutual benefits of strengthened bilateral cooperation. Cr Andrea Metcalf lauded the visit as a significant step towards deepening ties between the City of Greater Bendigo and India.

AIBC hosts NASSCOM delegation

Sydney, March 20 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) hosted a NASSCOM delegation led by its vice president Shivendra Singh. AIBC supported and joined the MOU signing ceremony between the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade Investment NSW, India’s Nasscom and Business NSW, leveraging the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) and the newly launched International Landing Pad facility at the Sydney Startup Hub.

NASSCOM is the peak industry body representing the $250 billion technology industry in India.

AIBC hosted a business and industry roundtable with the NASSCOM delegation, identifying targeted opportunities in the Australian market to partner and formulate market entry

strategies to service industry and government sectors including local government and Indigenous - First Nation led partnering opportunities.

AIBC also co-host the NASSCOM delegation at the Consulate General of India, Sydney CGI Sydney with the Consul GeneralJanakiraman Sarvesvaran for a business networking session that included members

of industry, trade, business and diaspora leaders.

Irfan Malik (MAICD) Malik, National Associate Chair and president AIBC NSW reflected on the bi-lateral opportunities in the emerging tech sector including in regional NSW.

AIBC is actively engaged in supporting NASSCOM as a key industry partner in ongoing bilateral initiatives in the tech and Innovation sectors.

Curtin University embraces cultural harmony with Holi celebration

Perth, March 22 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

In a vibrant display of cultural unity and festivity, students, staff, and professors at Curtin University came together to celebrate the joyous festival of colours, Holi, on their campus. The event, characterized by the swirling hues of Gulal colours,

traditional delicacies, lively music, and spirited dance, resonated with the harmonious and joyful spirit of the festival.

Amidst the lively festivities, the Indian tricolour flag fluttered proudly at the university campus, symbolizing the spirit of national pride and cultural diversity.

Consul General Amarjeet Singh

Takhi, alongside Prof Abhijit Mukherjee, joined the students in immersing themselves in the colourful celebrations, further enriching the cultural exchange experience.

The atmosphere was electrifying as participants, adorned in vibrant hues, came together to revel in the festivities,

transcending cultural barriers and fostering a sense of camaraderie. From spirited dance performances to melodious renditions of traditional music, every aspect of the celebration radiated the infectious energy and warmth of Holi.

Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi, applauding the inclusive

spirit of the event, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.

Prof Abhijit Mukherjee echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the role of such celebrations in promoting cultural harmony and enriching the campus experience for students from diverse backgrounds.

AIBC Queensland Chapter hosts lunch reception for Indian High Commissioner

Brisbane, March 26 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) Queensland Chapter and the Springfield City Group co-hosted a grand lunch reception, recently, in Brisbane for Gopal Baglay the Indian High Commissioner to Australia. This was a unique honour for AIBC as this was their 4th welcome event for Baglay, following events in Sydney, Perth and Canberra, since he took charge in January, 2024.

Over 70 people representing

leading bilateral businesses, government, and members of the diaspora travelled from across Brisbane and Gold Coast to the event at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club in Springfield. Thank you Mahindra Automotive Australia Pty Ltd, a part of India's leading Mahindra Group, for your support to the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Baglay said, 'The sky's the limit for the Australia-India partnership. The level of trust between our two countries today is at a level never seen before." He referred

to the staggering achievements of 2023, adding that this is only the tip of the iceberg. "Our two democracies are a force for global good and this is the vision which drives our efforts in the high commission to add strength to the economic partnership."

Maha Sinnathamby AM, founder and Chairman, Springfield City Group, noted that "India is on the move and unstoppable. We want to be a part of India's journey and work for the mutual benefit of our two countries." Sinnathamby specifically referred to India's youth, the country's strengths in

technology and how well these align with Springfield's three pillars of education, health and innovation.

AIBC members and other participants particularly valued the opportunity to interact with several government and business leaders present at the occasion, including Trade and Investment Queensland Redland City Council Brisbane Airport Corporation Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland).

Suneet Mehta, Deputy High Commissioner for India was also present as also Irfan Malik

(MAICD), AIBC's National Associate Vice-Chair.

Another highlight of the afternoon was the display of Mahindra vehicles, the allnew Scorpio and the XUV700. According to Ankit Taneja, Mahindra's Country Manager, Australia is the No.1 market for the XUV700 outside India. The High Commissioner also noted that the Indian Consulate in Brisbane will be starting soon and also profusely thanked Mrs Archana Singh, Hon Consul General in Brisbane for her efforts in Queensland.

Panel discussion upholds values of harmony, interfaith & multiculturalism

Brisbane, March 23 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

A panel discussion was organized at the Vedanta Centre Brisbane on the occasion of the Harmony Day celebrations.

Maha Sinnathamby AM, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, Shayne Neumann MP, Councillor Nicole Jonic, Councillor Paul Tully, and Dr Ram Mohan, president of Multicultural Communities Connect Queensland, and also representative of the Community Council of Queensland participated in the discussion. Here is an excerpt from the panel discussion.

Moderator to Shayne Neumann MP: Shayne, what is one of the things in most recent times that has given you the most gratification as a contribution to the community? We've seen so many positive contributions. We've seen so many that you have been responsible for. What is one that stands out to you that is worth mentioning with Harmony Day?

Shayne Neumann MP: One that stands out to me is, in fact, is, $50,000, that I've recently got for the Vendata Centre. So on top of the funding for the upgrade of the kitchen and the gardens and the trees, I've successfully achieved the fact that there's more money from the federal government into the Vendata Centre than my own church, by the way. I'm sure the senior pastor of my church tomorrow will have a word with me about that. But Harmony Day is a really important day. Last Sunday, I was at the Canberra mandir, which is the opening for the BAPS Hindu Temple in Canberra, for the growing Hindu community in the ACT. And the Shanti prayers we're doing there for the inner peace of people. This Harmony Day today falls during a number of really important religious celebrations, Purim, which is the liberation of the Jewish people from oppression, Lent, which is about reflection before Easter and the crucifixion for Christians, and Ramadan, where people of Islamic faith think about how their faith is important to them and how they can do good works.

So Harmony Day falls in this important period of time. So I want to congratulate the Vendata Centre and, of course, politicians and the Springfield City Group and the whole community here for the contribution you make to peace and harmony. We did not recognize the importance of peace and harmony for six decades. And I'm so pleased that Uncle Glenn talked about the 250 language groups and diversity of our First Nations people. Because not only is that important, but it is 7.5 million people have come from overseas, many of them here in Springfield, living in our local community, ensuring that interfaith and multiculturalism is at the forefront of the Springfield and Ipswich community. So that's what Harmony Day means

for me, and that's why I think it's important for our local community.

Moderator to Dr Ram Mohan: Ram, you're wearing two hats tonight, the president of multicultural communities, and the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland. And I know you wear many other hats in the community. But can you tell us why it's important for events like Harmony Day, to celebrate diversity for the various ethnicities out there? Because let's face it, there are some ethnic groups who feel a bit isolated, who feel that they've left their home country, and they don't have anywhere that they can belong. I feel that this region, the Springfield area, has really embraced multiculturalism very, very strongly. How do you feel it's important for us to celebrate not only days like this, but other multicultural events that you have been a part of over the years, and continue to be a part of?

Dr Ram Mohan: With the community, as we all know, there are more than 120 countries we represent in Australia. And also we acknowledge that there is a racial discrimination still existing. We are a fair country. We do equitably, respectfully, all we talk in terms of love. But still there is racism existing in the country. One of the things where even the United Nations have come last week or weeks before, they came to Australia, they looked at one of the communities, which is an African community. And looking at the report, you see that they are under siege of racism in Australia. Can you believe that? That is the reality of here, what's happening with racism. The second point which we all talk about is this. We would like to see a respectable, socially cohesive, and equitable society. So that's what we are all looking for. We all embrace that multiculturalism in a respectful way for all the communities represented in these countries. Moderator to Mayor Teresa Harding: Please tell us, you've already done so much in your initial tenure for the region, and I have to say, I travelled through Ipswich last week sometime, and it almost looks like a reinvigorated city, especially things like the library, they're educating our youngsters, they're educating our entire community, so the festivals that are there, the shops, the amenities, absolutely amazing under your attention. What do you see the next term bringing to the region of Ipswich?

Mayor Teresa Harding: Thank you very much, and I just want to, I won't cover the ground that Shayne and Mohan have discussed, but I think here when we talk about Harmony Day and Harmony Week, we have very visible showing of music and songs and food and culture to talk about the different cultures. Where we want to go is that next step. What we want to say

is that we're truly inclusive. It's nice to see each other's food and national dress and music, but we're doing that as a way to get to know each other, to break that ice, and to respect the differences and celebrate the differences, and the many common things that we have. No matter which culture, we all love our family, and the different cultures have different faiths, and we all have faiths. So I think it's really important that we take that next step as a city. We have people from 163 different countries in Ipswich, and speaking over 150 different languages. So it's a real opportunity for us to come together. Our population is doubling over the next 16 to 17 years, so it's really a great opportunity for us to open our arms, open our minds, and make sure we embrace everyone who comes here. I think it's very simple to say that it's very, very obvious to a lot of people in Brisbane that now Ipswich is a new place to live and to see as an opportunity, as Brisbane unfortunately is becoming more landlocked, more expensive, and it's good to see still a lot of that young talent coming up to bring value to Ipswich, to take it to the next generation.

Moderator to Maha

Sinnathamby: Maha, you have been a stalwart supporter of the Vedanta movement ever since you moved to Australia, and I know it's been in your DNA. What is one of the most memorable moments of being involved with the Vedanta Center? You've seen it do many charitable acts, you've seen it do many spiritual pioneering endeavours. What's the thing that you feel Vedanta has done, in your memory that stands out and symbolizes something special for harmony in it?

Maha Sinnathamby AM: I think, and all of you friends, particularly, I say I can only go back to my old life in Australia, and I'll come to your next question later on. I came here

at the age of 17 from Malaysia. I was put into a boat, and I landed in Perth. The next thing is, I was in Sydney. The town that I came from had no electricity or water supply, and to come to a city that was living at an electronic speed was a big shock. But to me, it was just one night stand. It was not going to make any difference to me. The same day, I was back again, back to my old world. I honestly and sincerely say, and I've said to many, many Australians that have any form of criticism of any kind. I said, I don't look for it, I don't care for it, and I feel sorry for those who look for it, but I'm on my way. I've got my journey to go. I've got my journey, I've got my boat, I've got to be faithful to myself and my friends around me. And it's amazing how many friends I've had. Even to today, I have more Australian friends than Indian friends. Because I don't feel any difference. Why should I feel any difference? I don't want to label myself with anything that others would label me. I have my own label, I have my own spirit, I have my own goals and my own aspirations, and my own objectives and goals for the country. It's a great nation. We certainly live in the greatest country in the world, a multicultural country. We are going to grow more and more, and more multicultural. We are all going to one day form one society, one nation. As the song goes, we are one, we are many, but we are all one. We'll end up there, we are getting there very, very fast. And I'm so glad to see this great country going so fast.

Moderator to Councillor Paul Tully: We appreciate your contribution to the community and how that's ongoing. A man who has done a lot for the community over decades and, like I said, it is important to give a tribute to understand that Councillor Tully, while he only looks 35, he is the longest-serving Councillor in Queensland. So, Councillor Tully, like I said,

you, again, a person, a man of people who always sets out to our events, our community functions. Thank you for that. You have also been here literally since the start of Springfield. You've seen it all. You've been through the floods. You've been through the highs. You've been through the lows. What is one of the most memorable moments that you have served the people that you think relates to Harmony Day? And what does Harmony Day mean for you? And what are you most excited about the future of this great region?

Councillor Paul Tully: The most memorable thing that I can recall was 30 years ago when I met a man who had a vision. And that was Maha (Maha Sinnathamby).

And Maha might remember that it was at Milton in Brisbane. And the restaurant with the Eiffel Tower, the mini Eiffel Tower there. And Maha outlined to me his vision for a super city. Not in Ipswich in those days, but it was in the Moreton Shire, which this area was. The city of Ipswich was a very small city and area, 121 square kilometres. And Maha's vision was to turn bushland into a thriving metropolis. And Maha, you remember that day, no doubt, or that evening. And it was the start of a great friendship. Little did I realize at that time what the development would bring. It was more than just housing. It was more than just a few corner stores. But it was a major development that brought a lot of people together, people from many nations, many countries. And over the years, during that period of time, I've benefited from the interaction with our very, very diverse community, particularly the Indian community, which is very strong within the Springfield region. And Harmony Day means that we all work together. Or Harmony Week, as it was mentioned earlier, working together, not just for a day or a week, but for a whole

Continued on next page...

Maha Sinnathamby

Dr Ram Mohan

Shayne Neumann

Teresa Harding

Nicole Jonic

Paul Tully

...continued from previous page of what's happening around the community, around the region. How can we follow Paul Tully Media celebrity? What's the handle?

year, a whole decade, ongoing into the future. It is so good to be here this evening. This is a wonderful region, but it's also a wonderful gathering of people who are like-minded, who want to work together. And working together, living together, is what harmony means to me. So I'd like to congratulate all the organizers today, people who are involved in this day. I'll continue to work with you and with our community. It's 43 years now. I don't think it'll be another 43 years. Although Milton Dick, the federal member, sometimes introduces me as having represented the area for 87 years, which is not quite right. But it's great to see you all this evening, and I hope to see you again in the future.

Moderator to Councillor Paul Tully: A person who, in my opinion, has quite a challenging job, partnering with Paul. I shouldn't, no, I'm kidding, Paul, don't write me any nasty emails after this, I'm telling you. But Paul, just quickly, besides being our local political celebrity, we also know that you're our media celebrity, keeping us in the loop

Councillor Paul Tully: Well, that's pretty easy on Facebook, just Paul Tully Media. What I try to do is to have a diverse representation of issues, which could be anything from the local weather, as to what's happening anywhere in the community. It's not purely political. So, Paul Tully Media is there for everyone to have their contribution, and so that we as a local community, with the demise of the Queensland Times, our local newspaper, the demise of three newspapers except one here in our community, I try to keep people informed of what's happening right here in the Springfield region.

Moderator to Councillor Nicole Jonic: Thank you for your contributions to your tenure that you've just finished, and you're starting your next tenure. You've covered a very exciting time within the region, and I know that you've been there, you've had a previous professional role, but your new role in representing the

region at such an exciting time, what would you like to see? We're almost living the dream. We live the nightmare, you get to live the dream. That's the way you look at it, isn't it?

Councillor Nicole Jonic: I see it every day, and I see it in our children, and I see it in our schools, and I see just the multiculturalism and the social cohesion that just happens, just organically, and it's beautiful. It's my favourite thing. It's actually just going on between the schools, and talking to the children, we get them together, and we get them to discuss major topics, like whether we should change that road into a water park, and they always come up with the right, responsible answers, and they're always respectful, and they're always well explained, and so I'm already seeing it, and I am looking forward to the future, because that is the future.

Moderator to Councillor Nicole Jonic: Well, Nicole, I just want to finish with one last question. What are you most excited about for the future of this region?

Councillor Nicole Jonic: I think that there are so many exciting

things happening in so many areas. I think, for me, one of the things that I'm very excited about is places like the pedagogy centre, because they brought that in an era, which is very digital now,

because, you know, kids might get back to their grassroots, and I think that's a fun pedagogy centre, but I think, as a region, we need to see more of those types of places, not only for our young people, but for everyone. I think that a lot of our community needs to, in this, you know, fast-paced world of digital tech, actually connect back to earth and to country, and the more outdoors we can bring into our communities, the better they will be. And I think that we've got so many hidden gems in our region that I just can't wait for others to celebrate it, and for us to campaign, and to advocate to get what we deserve for our whole community, because we're just full of amazement, and no-one knows how far we've come today.

Perth’s Indian community radiates joy & culture in Holi celebration

Perth, March 23 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

In a kaleidoscope of colours and cultural fervour, the Indian community in Perth came together to celebrate the joyous festival of Holi in a traditional extravaganza. The festivities, marked by vibrant Holi songs and spirited dance performances, showcased the rich cultural tapestry of India, with a special focus on the

cultural heritage of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The event, aptly named "Hullad," was a collaborative effort between the Hindi Samaj HSWA, the Uttar Pradesh Awadh Manch WA (UPAM), and the Consulate, captivating attendees with its eclectic mix of music, dance, and cuisine.

From the melodious strains of Faag songs presented by the Lok Sangeet Mandali of

UPAM to the lively fusion dance performances set to the folk tunes of Uttar Pradesh, the event offered a glimpse into the diverse traditions and artistic expressions of the region. Community elders from the Sanskriti Seniors group added a touch of humor with their entertaining skit, "Sharmaji ki Holi," drawing laughter and applause from the audience. Young talents, including Anvika Srivastava, the Shukla-led

Jhankar Group, and artists from the Academy of Indian Classical and Bollywood Dance, dazzled spectators with their energetic performances, seamlessly blending folk and contemporary dance forms to the delight of onlookers.

Poetry enthusiasts were treated to a showcase of wit and satire as community poets recited humorous and thought-provoking verses, earning appreciation from

all quarters.

Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi commended the efforts of the organizing committees in promoting Hindi language and fostering cultural exchange. The event was flawlessly hosted by Richa Vinod and Jyotsna Chhabra, whose engaging emceeing added to the festive ambiance and ensured a memorable experience for all attendees.

One and All Harmony Festival celebrates cultural diversity at Vedanta Centre

Brisbane, March 24 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The One and All Harmony Festival, held on March 23 at Vedanta Centre Springfield Lakes, was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity. Featuring live music, cultural dance, market stalls, and delicious food, the twilight event drew a crowd of approximately 500 people. The festival aimed to highlight the rich tapestry of cultures and

traditions that contribute to the community's richness.

The evening's highlights included an electrifying performance by Tsoof Baras, a talented composer and percussionist. He mesmerized the audience with African drumming and showcased his newly-formed collaboration, PanAlchemy, featuring a fusion of calming and energetic music.

Glenn Barry, a Gamilaraay man of Indigenous Australian and Irish

heritage, conducted the Welcome to Country ceremony, adding a touch of ancestral reverence to the festivities.

Other featured artists included the Sargam Music Academy, delighting the audience with Indian classical vocals, and singers from the PhilippinesAustralia Multicultural Association. Ashwini Nandkumar, a promising Bharatnatyam exponent, also showcased her

talent. The event exemplified the spirit of Harmony Day, promoting inclusivity and acceptance of all backgrounds, with support from Ipswich City Council's Community Events funding. Vedanta Centre said in a statement: "Yesterday we celebrated Unity in Diversity through music, dance food and cultural exchange at the Harmony Festival. It was a joyous occasion and despite the little bit of wet

weather everyone had a great time. This is what makes our Springfield - Ipswich community so caring and special.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined the event to make this a truly multicultural event. Thank also to Ipswich City Council who assisted in this event through the Ipswich City Council’s Community Events Funding."

Gillespie resigns from his role as South Australia, Adelaide strikers’ head coach

Adelaide, March 28 (IANS) Jason

Gillespie has resigned from his role as Head Coach of the South Australia and Adelaide Strikers. He will finish his role with South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) at the end of June after a nine-year tenure, the association said on Thursday.

Gillespie took over as Strikers' head coach ahead of Big Bash League (BBL) 2015-16 season, leading the team for nine seasons, including the maiden Championship in BBL 7 and multiple finals campaigns. He then returned to South Australia full-time ahead of the

2020/21 summer, taking the reins of the Redbacks during a time of change led by the retirements of several key veterans.

The update came at the end of a disappointing season for South Australia, who finished fifth on the six-team Sheffield Shield table. However, the Strikers made the BBL playoffs, winning the Knockout against Perth Scorchers but losing the Challenger to eventual champions Brisbane Heat.

"I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together at the SACA, and I will always cherish those memories. I have no doubt that South Australian cricket has a bright future,” Gillespie said in a statement.

"I would like to thank everyone for their support during my time with the Strikers and Redbacks, it has been a true team effort. To be able to play and coach in my

home State has been a wonderful experience, something I feel honoured to have achieved.

"Looking forward, I am excited to explore new opportunities in the sport and pursue the next chapter in my career," he added.

SACA President Will Rayner acknowledged the lasting contribution Gillespie has made to South Australian cricket.

"Both as a player and a coach, Jason has always represented South Australia with passion and positivity.

"We are extremely grateful for the dedication he has shown to South Australian cricket over a remarkably long period. He has been a genuine leader both on and off the field and we wish him every success in the future.

"He will always be considered as one of the legends of South Australian Cricket," Rayner said.

Stoinis, Harris, Neser, Agar miss out as Australia announce national contracts for 2024-25

Melbourne, March 28 (IANS)

Cricket Australia on Thursday announced a 23-man group of centrally contracted men's players for 2024-25 with veteran allrounder Marcus Stoinis, spinner Ashton Agar along with opener Marcus Harris, seamer Michael Neser as the four big omissions from the list.

Stoinis has battled back injuries in recent times and missed Australia's T20 tour of New Zealand last month with a back injury. But he made a comeback

for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2024 opener under coach Justin Langer, batting at No.7 and not bowling, scoring three runs.

Agar, meanwhile, hasn't played international cricket since last September's first ODI against South Africa where he picked up a calf injury during a matchwinning partnership with Marnus Labuschagne.

Veteran opener David Warner doesn't make the cut as he has announced his retirement from international cricket following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

All-rounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardie and fast bowler Nathan Ellis got new deals after they were upgraded to the contract list. Young right-armer Xavier Bartlett also wins a fulltime contract after impressing with the ball against the West Indies earlier this year.

Short made his T20 debut against South Africa last year, playing nine T20 internationals and four ODIs. Similarly, Hardie made his Australian debut in the same

A flourishing start to Indian Premier League ’24

The most famous cricket league in the world, the Indian Premier League (IPL), is off to a flourishing start. The special effects of the opening ceremony had a magical touch to it. The screen on one’s digital and television platform had a sci-fi look to it. Along with the dance moves of the Bollywood stars and the pounding beats of A.R. Rehman, the extravagant curtain-raiser was the ideal setting for the inaugural match in Chennai.

game in Durban, playing seven T20Is and four ODIS.

Bartlett has impressed in the Big Bash League and for Queensland, winning a call-up to the Australian T20 and ODI sides which played the West Indies earlier this year. He starred in Melbourne with 4-17 on debut, then backed it up in Canberra with 4-21.

Men's Chair of National Selectors

George Bailey said, "Matt, Aaron and Xavier have been extremely impressive in the early stages of their international careers. Their performances and the way they have embraced the international stage has been exciting to watch.

“The panel believes they have strong futures and are deserved of their contracts as they work towards striving to become regulars in the Australian setup."

Bailey, however, said that Stoinis, Agar and Neser remain in the frame for national selection and are still in the mix to play a part in Australia's T20 World Cup tilt in June despite losing their national contracts for next year.

Miami, March 29 (IANS)

Australian Open winners Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden reached their second final of the season as they defeated Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the men's doubles semifinals of the Miami Open ATP Masters 1000 event.

The win will take Bopanna to the top of the rankings when they are updated on Monday as he regains the World No.1 ranking in the ATP List that he achieved in January this year, becoming the oldest player to do so.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the reigning champions, playing at home with a new young captain in Ruturaj Gaikwad, won it, in their confident, and now predictable manner, demolishing the starstudded Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The match had the two present legends of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Their presence was the start of the huge number of spectators that the tournament is attracting at all the stadiums. The 74 matches battle among the 10 franchise-based teams, all equipped with the best cricketing brains to support them, truly showcases the professional and competitive environment that seems similar to the corporate world.

The IPL has revolutionised cricket in India. Cricketers are mushrooming from every corner of the country and spectators from all walks of life. This has made the IPL into one of the premium sports entertainment properties around the globe. The two recent changes in the IPL regulations have once again brought out the thinking caps. The “Impact player” rule and utilising it to a team’s advantage is an area that has become very important. An additional bowler or batter may have a serious negative effect on the importance of an all-rounder, however, it has a major positive impact, especially in the area of

The top seeds Bopanna, who won his first Grand Slam men's doubles in Australia this year, and Ebden defeated Granollers and Zeballos 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals on Thursday.

In the final, Bopanna and Ebden will take on the winner of the semifinal between Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz and Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek. This will be the 14th ATP Masters 1000 final for Bopanna, 44, and the first in Miami. Overall, this will be the 63rd ATP Tour level final for India's Bopanna, who has

batting. The additional batter does come in handy in a 20-over encounter, enabling a side to play far more aggressively because of the comfort of having one more person. The second change that has brought a bit of relief for the bowler has been allowing them to bowl two bouncers an over. It was the cricket committee under Sunil Gavaskar at the ICC that was instrumental in bringing in the one-bouncer-an-over-per-batter rule. The fast bowlers earlier were the sufferers, as batsmen were going onto their front foot and even the tail-end batters were hitting them fearlessly. The two bouncers’ introduction into the IPL is a nice gesture for the pacers to have an additional weapon in their armory. The challenge, however, for the bowler is how to make the bouncer effective on most of the slow as well as the lack of bounce wickets, at most of the IPL venues in India.

The match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) played on March 27 in Hyderabad, where 543 runs were scored, will now be the structure and approach in the matches to come. This should make the IPL even more exhilarating, as teams and individual batsmen will be going with a shoot-out attitude from the very first delivery they face.

The shorter boundaries and the thick and well-pressed present wooden bats have made hitting fours and sixes quite effortless.

The SRH versus MI had 38 sixes being hit, a record in T20 cricket. One does feel sorry for the bowlers, as batsmen have realised that anything pitched-up or very short can be easily deposited over the fence. Cricket is now heading very much into baseball mode, a strike in every third ball is becoming the norm to follow and one is exempted of any folly, if one fails to make that effort.

Captaincy has become an important factor in the T20 format of the game. The understanding of the dimensions, wind conditions, and contour of the ground requires the captain to thoroughly understand his field placement and the fielder who is placed there.

so far won 25 doubles titles. By beating Granollers and Zeballos in what was their third ATP Tour semifinals of this year, Bopanna and Ebden avenged their defeat to the same pair in the 2023 final. This will be the fifth appearance in an ATP Masters 1000 final for the Bopanna/Ebden as a pair.

With Thursday's win, Bopanna became the second Indian tennis player after Leander Paes to reach the final of all 9 ATP Masters events.

‘Pushpak’, ISRO’s change of heart in naming Indian space shuttle

Chennai, March 22 (IANS) The Indian space agency seems to have undergone a change of heart while naming its launch vehicle. From long-winded rocket names to shorter impressive ones, ISRO has opted for 'Pushpak' as the ID for its reusable launch vehicle.

For a long time, ISRO has been naming its rockets with names like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). Interestingly rockets by foreign space agencies have shorter names, which are easy to remember and build as a brand.

"Even the rocket Ariane belonging to European space agency Arianespace gets its name from a French mythological character Ariadne," a retired senior ISRO official told IANS preferring anonymity. He said the Chinese and Russian

rockets -- Long March and Soyuz respectively -- got their names from their ideologies and history.

Interestingly, India's first sounding rocket was named as Rohini after the star. The rocket was made for meteorological and atmospheric studies.

Later the rockets bore long winding names based on the orbit where they put the satellites like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (polar orbit - PSLV) and GSLV (geosynchronous orbit).

India also named its initial satellites after Aryabhatta, famous mathematician-astronomer, and mathematicians Bhaskara I and Bhaskara II.

Sometime later, the thinking within ISRO changed. The satellites were named in line with the purpose for which they were launched and now have a generic name.

ISRO has changed the naming of its earth observation satellites as EOS tagged with a serial number 1, 2, 3 and others.

A noticeable change in the naming happened with the Indian satellite navigation system.

Initially named as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) it was finally renamed as NavIC -- taking the first three letters from the word navigation and first two letters from the words 'Indian Constellation'.

The word 'navik' also means 'sailor' in Sanskrit.

“It is time to look into our scriptures, culture and come up with a name that would signify features of the new rocket and its power,” former ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair had told IANS earlier.

The Indian radar imaging satellite RISAT was first proposed to be named as 'Sanjay' after Sanjaya in Mahabharata who had the divine vision and narrated the happening in the battlefield to his blind King Dhritarashtra in the palace.

"I had proposed to name RISAT as 'Sanjay' after the character in the Indian epic Mahabharata. However, the idea was shot down," Tapan Misra, Founding Director and Chief Scientist, Sisir Radar Private Ltd had told IANS.

International Astronomical Union approves Chandrayaan-3 landing site name ‘Shiva Shakti’

Bengaluru, March 24 (IANS)

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved the Chandrayaan-3 landing site name 'Shiva Shakti'.

The approval came on March 19 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement following the success of the mission on August 26, 2023.

"IAU working group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name station 'Shiv Shakti' for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander," the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, which provides detailed information about planetary names by IAU said. The announcement defined the origin of the name as, a "compound word from Indian mythology that depicts masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) duality of nature; Landing site of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander.

On August 28, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at ISRO announced that the landing point of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission would be known as “Shiv Shakti Point”.

While the Chandrayaan-2 landing failure spot will be called “Tiranga point", the day of the touchdown of the Vikram Lander on the Moon (August 23) will be celebrated as “National Space Day” in the country, PM Modi had stated.

Prime Minister Modi made the announcements while addressing the gathering of scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at the ISRO Command Centre.

“India has decided to name the touchdown point where Vikram Lander made a soft landing on the Moon as “Shiv Shakti Point”. The word “Shiv” stands for the welfare of humanity. “Shakti” stands for the required strength to get going to achieve the welfare of humanity,” PM Modi said.

Elon Musk thought that OpenAI would fail: Sam Altman

San Francisco, March 24 (IANS)

OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has said that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk thought that the ChatGPT-maker company would fail and "he chose to part ways".

In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Altman said that "Musk thought OpenAI was going to fail. He wanted total control to turn it around. We wanted to keep going in the direction that now has become OpenAI. He also wanted Tesla to be able to build

‘Made in India’ tech like DPI can be transformative for the world: Bill Gates

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS)

Microsoft Co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates on Saturday said that technologies like digital public infrastructure (DPI) that are created in India can be transformative for the world.

A day after having a candid conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an array

of topics ranging from AI to healthcare and climate change, Gates said the technology is bridging the digital divide for millions of people in the country.

"During my visit to India, I saw how AI and DPI are improving access to education, healthcare, and lives of small farmers, and how these technologies can be transformative for the world," Gates posted on X social media platform. DPIs like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar are poised to propel India towards a $8 trillion economy by 2030, helping the country achieve a $1 trillion digital economy target, a Nasscom-led report said recently.

Tim Cook extends Holi wishes with colourful picture shot on iPhone

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS)

Apple CEO, Tim Cook on Monday extended Holi wishes. Cook, who shared the greetings on X, added a picture showcasing the festival's vibrant colour and joy, shot on the iPhone.

The image was clicked by photographer Joshua Karthik.

"Happy Holi to all who celebrate! Thank you @joshuakarthikr for sharing this beautiful

#ShotOniPhone photo that captures the colorful festival," he wrote in the post.

Meanwhile, Apple's revenue in India rose nearly 42 per cent (on-year) last year to $8.7 billion, foreign brokerage Morgan Stanley said in a report last month.

According to the report, iPhone shipments grew about 39 per cent to 9.2 million units last year and Apple also registered strong double-digit growth in the December quarter in India, reaching another quarter revenue record in the country, Cook said in February.

Responding to an analyst's questions, Cook said that the India market “hit a quarter revenue record”.

an AGI effort".

"At various times, he wanted to make OpenAI into a for-profit company that he could have control of or have it merge with Tesla. We didn't want to do that, and he decided to leave, which is fine," he added.

Moreover, the CEO suggested that the company is still committed to its original cause as it is putting powerful technology in the hands of people for free, as a public good.

"Musk wanted us to merge with Tesla or he wanted full control".

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) In a significant move to boost the electric vehicles (EV) infrastructure and build a greener future in the country, Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Adani Total Energies E-Mobility Ltd (ATEL), a whollyowned subsidiary of Adani Total Gas Ltd.

The MoU sets a roadmap for the creation of an expansive EV charging infrastructure across the country.

The partnership will also help roll out e-mobility solutions to provide seamless access to the charging network for the

customers covering discovery, availability, navigation, and transactions, the companies said in a statement.

"This alliance is a cornerstone in enhancing the EV charging infrastructure, ensuring our customers enjoy seamless access to the charging network and digital integration for an unparalleled EV experience," said Veejay Nakra, PresidentAutomotive Division, M&M Ltd. The Mahindra XUV400 customers will now have access to more than 1,100 chargers on the Bluesense+ App.

"This is one more step towards expanding the footprint of Adani Total Gas Ltd in the EV space. The collaboration with M&M for the charging infrastructure will bolster the confidence of customers to embrace EV technology as part of the energy transition," said Suresh P. Manglani, Executive Director and CEO of Adani Total Gas Ltd.

Exercising even once a week is better than not: Expert

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS)

Worried about not being able to work out daily? Exercising even once a week is better than no physical activity, said Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist.

The doctor, popularly known as ‘Hyderabaddoctor’ on X.com, said this on the social media platform along with a recent study on the benefits of people doing physical activity only on weekends -known as weekend warriors.

“Too busy to exercise on a regular basis? Exercise only on weekends to derive similar mortality benefits,” he wrote on X.

The study, published in the journal BMJ, followed more than 150,000 adults for about two decades.

The findings showed that people who exercised once or twice per week had a 15 per cent lower risk of death, similar to those who worked out on 3 or more days per week. However, the benefit was evident only when the duration of exercise sessions was at least 30-60 min.

“The results suggest that even busy adults could benefit from taking part in one or two sessions of exercise per week,” said the researchers of the study from Universidad de los Andes,

Colombia.

“Exercise as often as you can: exercising even once a week is better than not exercising. Ensure that the exercise session is of 30-60 minute duration,” said the doctor, from Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends “at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week”.

In an earlier post, the doctor vouched for a “combination of aerobic exercises and strength training”.

“It may be better to combine aerobic exercises (on 2-3 days a week), and strength training (on 2-3 days a week) (with one rest day per week), for optimum benefits,” the neurologist said.

11 TB vaccines in late-stage development, may soon help curb disease: Report

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS)

Eleven vaccines against Tuberculosis (TB) are currently in phase II and III stages of development, which may be key to curbing the rising disease burden globally, said a report on Friday, ahead of World TB Day on March 24.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB affects an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide and is also one of the leading causes of death globally. The report from GlobalData, a data and analytics company, revealed that the 11 vaccines against TB include "the Gamaleya Federal Research Center of

Epidemiology and Microbiology mTBvac and the University of Zaragoza's MTBVAC, both of which are currently in Phase III development and have demonstrated positive safety and efficacy results in clinical trials".

"Progress in this area has the potential to save countless lives as well as reduce the health and socio-economic burden associated with this disease," said Anaelle Tannen, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement.

Chronic cough and bloody mucus are the major symptoms of TB, however, some are also present without these symptoms. Early detection is of utmost importance, which can help start a six-month course of antibiotics coupled with proper nutrition to help control the infection.

"Prevention and early diagnosis are key to stopping the ongoing spread of the disease. The Bacillus

Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is currently the only prophylactic on the market. It is given to babies in countries where TB is common. In areas where TB is less common, it is only given to those at high risk, including those that are more likely to be exposed to the bacterium," Tannen said.

The 100-year-old BCG vaccine is up to 80 per cent effective at preventing TB infection for up to 15 years in young children. However, its protection wanes against pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults.

Thus, there is an urgent need for updated and improved prophylactic vaccines.

"Governments worldwide must come together to combat this deadly disease. Increased investment, improved awareness, and adoption of WHO recommendations are essential to reduce the burden of TB over time," Tannen said.

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS)

Treating all HIV-positive patients properly to suppress the virus can reduce the transmission of the deadly virus and help India to end AIDS, said Mumbai-based epidemiologist Ishwar Gilada.

"We can end AIDS now as science has shown us the evidence on how to stop the spread of HIV infection and keep people living with HIV healthy. If all people can secure the full range of HIV combination prevention, testing, treatment and care services they need, then we can arrest the further spread of infection along with helping people with HIV lead a healthy and productive life. To end AIDS, we need to ensure that no one is excluded," said Gilada, President Emeritus at the 15th National Conference of the AIDS

Society of India (ASICON 2024).

The two-day 15th ASICON, being held in Kochi from March 22-24 is themed 'Informs, Reforms and Transforms HIV-care'.

India has the second largest population in the world with HIV. Out of the estimated 24.67 lakh people living with HIV in India, 16.80 lakhs are receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, as per a National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) report 2023.

About 79 per cent of the 24.67 lakh people know their HIV-positive status, 86 per cent of those who know they are positive are receiving antiretroviral therapy, and out of those receiving the therapy, 93 per cent are virally suppressed.

"Every person with HIV who is on treatment should get the viral load test regularly as it is important to ensure that the person is (and remains) virally suppressed, untransmittable, and healthy," said Gilada, who was the first person to raise the alarm on HIV in India and established India's first AIDS Clinic in JJ Hospital Mumbai in 1986.

Coffee may help lower risk of Parkinson’s disease: Study

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Love your morning dose of coffee? Well, it may help you avoid the risk of Parkinson’s disease, claims a study.

The study, published online in the April issue of the journal Neurology, included 1,84,024 people aged 35-70 years, who were followed up for a median duration of 13.1 years.

The findings showed that the highest coffee consumers had 37 per cent reduced risk of getting Parkinson’s disease, compared to those who do not drink.

"This study demonstrates that the neuroprotection of coffee on Parkinson's disease is attributed to caffeine and its metabolites by detailed quantification of plasma caffeine and its metabolites

years before diagnosis," said the researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Further, drinking caffeinated coffee lowered risk of the neurodegenerative disease by 43 per cent. The team, however, found no association with decaffeinated coffee.

"Good news for coffee lovers.

Caffeinated coffee consumption over a long-term has the potential to lower the risk of Parkinson's disease," Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, wrote on X.

"Neuroprotective effect leading to lower risk of Parkinson’s Disease was attributed to caffeine and metabolites such as theophylline and paraxanthine," he explained.

Why are young people more prone to colon cancer in India?

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) India is seeing a significant rise in the number of colon or colorectal cancer in young adults, said doctors on Monday.

They blamed late diagnoses, lack of screening and Western diet that is more processed and calorierich food as the major reasons for the rise.

Speaking to IANS, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical

Association Covid Task Force, said that the majority of people in India get diagnosed with colorectal cancer in later stages.

Lack of better screening facilities and awareness about the disease among the people are the key reasons, he said.

“Many people do not have access to testing facilities or specialist doctors who do such procedures. Unlike Western nations, we do not have organised screening programmes in India. In addition, people tend to ignore red flag symptoms such as bleeding while moving bowels or get misdiagnosed as haemorrhoids or ‘piles’ by their doctor. Sometimes they go to local indigenous

practitioners initially. As a result, they often present late,” said Dr Rajeev, a Kochi-based gastroenterologist.

A 2023 study by the Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) showed that from people above the age of 50, the incidence of colon cancer is now increasingly shifting to young adults between ages 31 to 40 years.

“Young onset colonic cancer is now seen to be on the rise in our country. In fact, some recent statistics have shown that almost one-third of colonic cancer which is affecting the country in India is seen in the younger age group,” Dr. Amit Maydeo, Chairman of Institute of Gastro Sciences, Sir

HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, told IANS.

“And the main reason is that the youngsters are adopting more and more of a Western lifestyle and their food is also now a calorierich diet and more processed food,” he added. He also blamed habits like smoking and alcohol; obesity and inflammatory bowel disease as the reasons for the rise in colon cancer.

Dr Rajeev said that in developed nations colonoscopy has been the standard screening procedure. But in India, this is not widely accepted or practised.

“We are not doing enough to prevent colorectal cancer in India. Waiting for symptoms to appear

is the wrong approach, as many cases have no symptoms until late stages,” he lamented.

Family history and eating nonvegetarian have long been known as major risk factors.

But Dr Rajeev told IANS that “contrary to popular belief, there are studies that show it is equally common among vegetarians. Although it is more likely to occur among someone with a family history of similar cancer, over 90 per cent of cases have no known family history. Hence if we only look at these subsets of people, we will be missing the vast majority of colorectal cancers. A change in approach and mindset is required.”

I am not a professional photographer, but an explorer: Raghu Rai

By Sukant Deepak

For the last 60 years, he has been framing the diverse shades of life. From leaders like late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to maestros of classical music, and more importantly -- the common man on the street.

Forever abreast with contemporary political and social realities, photographer Raghu Rai is constantly on the move -- not just to capture bodies but their souls too.

To witness his massive exhibition (till April 30) at KNMA ‘Raghu Rai - A Thousand Lives Photographs from 1965-2005’ - all the work is in analogue. There is Indira Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. And yes, the common man.

“When I was a photojournalist, I would always say, why are we in Delhi and serving the big shots by taking their pictures? It is important to go to rural India and small towns and cover their stories. Maybe that will force the politicians to take note of them.

Remember, the common man is the only thread of continuity. Politicians and industrialists come and go but the man on the street never vanishes. Precisely why my focus has always been

Bresson, who nominated him to join Magnum Photos in 1977 smiles: “I am not a professional photographer, but an explorer who delves into daily lives and streets. Recently, I went to photograph the farmers' protests and anti-CAA protests. Every major development that happens in the country has an impact on

technology available at that time, he adds, “Digital gives me more control and a wider access. My passion and commitment is more than ever now. I would rather make new work and think of another book instead of looking at the old times. At the current exhibition, at least 50 per cent has not been seen by the public, if it were not for digital technology, it would not have seen the light of day. So much important work was scanned and they found the light of the day and now we can choose from so many pictures.”

For someone who was a photojournalist with major organisations, he feels that the ones today do not get a chance to get ‘close enough’, thanks to increased security.

“It’s said, ‘the closer, the better’. Now, photojournalists have to shoot politicians from a long distance and thus subtle

me -- thanks to my background in photojournalism. As far as passion goes, I firmly believe that life and nature are ever-changing and challenging. So, the ‘raaga’ of life never concludes. People come and go but that ‘raaga’ is a constant, something that keeps me spellbound, engaged and alive."

on street photography,” says the Padma Shri recipient.

One wonders what keeps him so passionate even after more than half a century of being behind the camera.

Rai, protege of Henri Cartier-

While the exhibition showcases his work in analogue, Rai does not miss shooting in film at all.

“Frankly, I do not believe in that nostalgic nonsense.”

Stressing that he shot in analogue for 35 years as that was the only

Art Alive Gallery in the capital is set to present 'Contours of Continuum', a solo show exhibiting paintings by Mumbaibased Yashwant Deshmukh from March 15 to April 5. Deshmukh is a contemporary Indian artist known for his contemplative style depicting the lack of movement or the stillness of space. His abstract and meditative style heavily relies on symbolism and functions as a bridge between the material and the spiritual. At his latest exhibition in Art Alive, the artist invites viewers into a world of otherworldly serenity. In this realm, the boundaries between form and space dissolve, and objects take on a mystical significance as conduits for metaphysical exploration. The ethereal compositions transport us to an endless and fluid landscape where we are invited to lose ourselves in contemplation.

expressions do not come forth. Also, political parties now give only five to ten minutes whenever they hold an important meeting, and the photojournalists are then asked to leave the room. Everything has been diluted now,” he laments.

Even as people constantly talk about ‘the democratisation of photography’ with Instagram, Rai rubbishes the claim.

“Putting all those colourful pictures on that platform is no democracy. Most of them lack depth and do not record great moments or history,” says the photographer who received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry 2017.”

Even as several photography schools have come in small towns across the country, Rai feels this is a positive development.

“Now that people can take pictures with their camera, they want to up their game by learning the basics. And why not? Learning is always a good thing and should be encouraged,” says the winner of Academie des Beaux Arts Photography Award - William Klein 2019.

Now planning a major book on Varanasi, the ace photographer who was there recently says: “I spent a lot of time at the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and took special permission to visit the Gyanvapi. That city never fails to amaze.”

Through his use of colours, textures, and arrangement, Deshmukh delves into the intricate relationship between memory, perception, and intuition, provoking the viewer to reflect on the very essence of existence. He captures the delicate nuances of life and evokes a commanding presence

Chandigarh, which is set to host its first international film festival -- Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) from March 27 to 31 -- is not just meant to expose the audiences in the region to around 80 of the finest international and Indian films, but will also boast of a CIFF/market to facilitate the business and craft of filmmaking. The film festival will open with the Cannes Award-winning French film ‘The Taste of Things’ starring Juliette Binoche, and close with South Korea’s highest-grossing film of 2024 to date -- the Horror-MysteryThriller ’Exhuma’ (Pamyo) which premiered at the 2024 Berlinale. More than 15 curated projects by

Artist Yashwant

that impels viewers to immerse themselves in the alluring harmony of ordinary moments. Everyday objects become the lead actors in a tranquil dance, melding their outlines with the boundless void of negative space. Every stroke of the brush is a meditation, every coat of paint a hushed secret, as Deshmukh unravels the enigma of stillness.

The artist shared: “In my work over the last two decades, I have explored the interrelation between form and space. My visual language constitutes a deeply layered palette composed of objects that are often considered mundane, rendered in speculative forms that capture their visual patterns, ambience and atmosphere. I am excited to show these works in the Capital.”

Premjish Achari, the curator added: "Through his use of colours and intricate textures, Deshmukh infuses his pieces with a palpable sense of energy and vitality. The objects in his paintings seem almost alive, their contours pulsating with movement and emotion. With an impeccable eye for detail, he captures the subtle nuances of everyday life and elevates them to a place of profound significance. It is as if every object holds within it the potential to unravel the mysteries of reality, woven together by the ether itself. Each piece serves as a powerful reminder that even amid the chaos, there exists a serene stillness that can be found by simply pausing and appreciating the world around us."

creators with a strong presence in the Indian film industry are being presented at CIFF/market. CIFF will also feature workshops, master classes, and panel discussions for the benefit of festival and industry delegates. “We are expecting a lot of potential producers and filmmakers to come face-to-face. There are also a lot of producers who wish to enter the industry but do not know how to. For filmmakers, it is very tough to raise funds in this industry. And setting up venues and meetings will help,” Nina Lath, Founder & CEO of Cinevesture told IANS in a special interaction.

This former MD of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), who joined the organisation in 2006 after quitting the Indian Revenue Service, was instrumental in giving NFDC a new lease on life.

Discovering Qatar’s neighbourhoods: From skyline to coastline, souks to sands

THE PEARL-QATAR

Adazzling desert oasis in the heart of the Middle East, every corner of Qatar tells a story of the meeting of old and new. Nestled along the Arabian coastline, the country captivates visitors with its rich and diverse cultural landscape and stunning views across the Persian Gulf. While thrill-seekers are drawn to the Inland Sea’s exhilarating adventures, The Pearl-Qatar invites with its pristine beaches for a luxurious escape. Whether

your heart beats for avant-garde architecture, or the timeless charm of traditional districts, this country offers something for all kinds of travellers, promising unforgettable adventures in every season.

With an assorted array of experiences to suit every taste, here are neighbourhoods you simply cannot miss while exploring Qatar.

Dive into The Pearl-Qatar for a

splash of glitz and glamour

Just north of the city centre, set amidst the coastal shores of the Arabian Gulf, is Qatar’s upscale island district – The Pearl. Indulge in the lavish lifestyle of The Pearl, where impressive yachts line the jetties and fine dining awaits at every turn. Named after its former pearl diving site, this Mediterranean-inspired area boasts fancy villas, elite hotels, and designer boutiques. The island is home to modern dining spots like the Nozomi which serves up Japanese cuisine or the Toro Toro which offers a full Latin experience. The famous Medina Centrale particularly stands out for its Mediterranean charm and aura with its public plazas, colourful houses, and inviting cafés. Whether you seek luxury or simply wish to stroll along the canals and admire the picturesque surroundings, a visit to The Pearl is an absolute must.

LUSAIL

Step into the future at Lusail Palm trees swaying gently in the breeze and yachts bobbing in the turquoise water, streets lined with perfectly designed Lego block-like buildings, Lusail is a blend of innovation and sustainability. Lusail is often

hyped as Qatar’s “City of the Future” and claims to be the most technologically advanced city in the region, if not the world. Whether it’s taking a break from the hustle and bustle and immersing oneself in Crescent Park's eco-friendly beauty that is inspired by the serene Qatari desert or indulging in some upscale shopping at the Parisinspired leisure hub – Place Vendôme or visiting Lusail Stadium that held the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ finale, it’s a city that pulsates with vibrancy.

VALLEY OF DESOLATION NEAR GRAAFF-REINET

As the year gains momentum and travellers embark on checking off their bucket lists, numerous hidden gems await discovery, eager to be unveilled. For wanderlusts, these destinations project new desires to explore the unexplored and charter the roads less travelled. With the landscape of travel continuously evolving, play along and embark on an exploration of novel experiences that transcend geological boundaries. The essence of travel lies in the discovery of unfound gems and underrated cultures. Enriched by multiple less frequented

destinations, the idea of exploring the Rainbow Nation appears ever so appealing. Often associated with iconic destinations such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, the country has so much more to offer if one goes beyond these well-trodden paths. Trading the familiarity of popular, mainstream destinations with untouched landscapes could be your very first stepping stone to embrace the thrill of the unknown, and when you get there, your camera lens will finally experience the unparalleled beauty that it has been missing all along.

AUGRABIES FALLS, NORTHERN CAPE

Serenade By the Sounds at Augrabies Falls National Park Laced with stunning views and opportunities to hike around the free-flowing rivers, the Augrabies Falls National Park is located in the vicinity of Upington along the banks of the formidable Orange River. Appreciating the incredible sounds generated from the powerful flow of the 56-metre-high waterfall here the Khoi people of South Africa often

KHOR AL ADAID, INLAND SEA

Where sand meets the sea at Khor Al Adaid

Prepare to be enchanted by Khor Al Adaid, a breathtaking landscape where the desert meets the sea in a spectacle unlike any other. Here, the

turquoise waters of the sea gracefully merge with the golden sands, forming an Inland Sea, which is as mesmerizing as it is extraordinary. As the day unfolds watch in awe as the beach transforms into a resort-like

oasis with water gently lapping onto the desert shores. As evening approaches, witness the magic of the desert sunset, as the dunes take on a warm, golden hue that casts a spellbinding glow over the landscape.

refer to the park as “Aulkorebis”. translating to “the place of great noise”. While there are no large predators here, expect to encounter Giraffes, Zebras, African Wild Cats, Springbok, and more along with rare sightings of Leopards. Besides, the park is also home to multiple fascinating rock formations to check out. One can also go against the currents of the Orange River and enjoy water sports such as white-water rafting and kayaking.

LANGEBAAN LAGOON

Gaze The Turquoise Waters of Langebaan Lagoon

Safeguarded within the West Coast National Park, Langebaan is a saltwater lagoon and a remarkable international treasure. A paradise for bird enthusiasts, the intertidal area of this 16-km-long waterbody

attracts as many as 55,000 water birds in the summer. Striking an intense turquoise blue shade, the lagoon is also responsible for supporting a huge population of crabs and snails along with 70 different marine algae serving as a nursery to juvenile fish.

Acne spots, a stubborn reminder that you need glutathione

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Astubborn pimple can be a frustrating reminder that your skin needs more than just a quick fix. While spot treatments can offer temporary relief, they often act like band-aids on a deeper issue.

"That stubborn breakout might be a message from your skin, signalling a lack of vital antioxidants like Glutathione. Contrary to what some may say, Glutathione isn't just another trendy skincare ingredient. It is much more than just that," says Shikha Dwivedi, MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics of OZiva.

So, what is Glutathione and why is it important for the skin?

Pat came the reply from Shikha, who said: "Simply put, Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant naturally produced by your body, acting as a frontline soldier against free radicals – harmful molecules that damage your skin cells and contribute to various concerns. You can think of it as your skin's internal shield, protecting it from the daily onslaught of environmental stressors and promoting overall health and radiance."

The Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics of OZiva also highlight how Glutathione can battle against various issues including:

Hyperpigmentation: Free radicals can wreak havoc on your skin tone by triggering the overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. This can lead to dark spots and uneven patches, making your complexion appear dull and uneven. Glutathione helps combat this by neutralizing free radicals, preventing them from triggering excess melanin production and promoting a more even, radiant skin tone.

Inflammation: This isn't just about the occasional sunburn. Inflammation can manifest in various ways on your skin, including redness, irritation, and even acne breakouts. Free radicals contribute to this inflammatory response, and Glutathione's antioxidant properties help mitigate their harmful effects, creating a calmer and healthier skin environment.

Premature Aging: As you age, your body's natural production of Glutathione declines. This leaves your skin more vulnerable to free radical damage, which can break down essential components like collagen and elastin. These structural proteins are crucial for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity, and their breakdown leads to visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and loss of firmness. By supporting your body's natural

production of Glutathione, you can help keep these structures protected and delay the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other age-related concerns. There are some ways to combat stubborn acne that can address skin concerns and truly become a powerful ally.

According to Shikha, Glutathione builder provides the essential building blocks our body needs to naturally produce Glutathione. She said: "Key ingredients like Milk Thistle Extract, Grape Seed Extract, and Tetrahydro curcuminoids work together to combat hyperpigmentation and brighten your skin. By neutralizing free radicals and boosting Glutathione levels, this formula effectively fades dark spots, promoting a luminous complexion and addressing a common concern with remarkable efficacy.

"For a truly comprehensive approach consider the Bioactive Gluta Fizzy. This innovative formula goes beyond just Glutathione, offering a blend of five potent bioactives to tackle various skin concerns. L-glutathione directly targets the enzyme responsible for dark pigment production, leading to a visibly brighter and more even skin tone. Hyaluronic Acid provides an extra boost of hydration, leaving your skin plump and supple. Additionally, a Collagen Builder stimulates collagen synthesis, helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and maintain skin firmness. Finally, the powerful antioxidants Lycopene and Astaxanthin shield your skin from environmental aggressors like the sun and inflammation, contributing to overall skin health and vitality."

7 tips to keep your nails healthy and strong

Healthy nails are a reflection of overall health and wellbeing. They can make your hands look neat, or they can make them look unhygienic and unhealthy.

If you want to have healthy nails, there are a few things you can do to take care of them, as suggested by Rajesh U. Pandya, Managing Director of KAI India.

Eat a healthy diet: Maintaining a balanced diet is essential not only for your overall physical well-being but also for nurturing healthy nails. Add natural food sources that are abundant in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to foster the growth of stronger and more resilient nails.

Stay hydrated: Drinking sufficient water facilitates the retention of moisture in your nails, acting as a barrier against breakage and peeling.

Protect with Gloves: Frequent exposure to too much heat and harsh chemicals can make our nails weak and brittle. To prevent this, wear light gloves when doing tasks like washing dishes or cleaning, as they involve using soaps and sprays. Wearing gloves will protect your hands and nails from the harmful effects of these substances. Also, try not to keep your hands soaked in water for a very long period.

Keep your nails trimmed: Opting for shorter nails is generally preferred over longer ones. Short nails are simpler to take care and are easy to clean, and are less prone to accumulating dirt. They are less likely to break and offer a neat appearance. Additionally, shorter nails can assist in warding off potentially harmful bacteria inside them.

Remoulding hair health through onion

juice

Hair struggles are a universal warfare, in which you have to make consistent efforts to keep the hair under control and in good condition. One can experience flaking, thinning, dandruff and hair loss and all these conditions are manifested in different ways. Fortunately, we have simple routines that we can apply regularly to achieve healthy hair.

And what if the solution to your hair dilemma is always hiding there in your kitchen pantry? Who would have thought that a common vegetable used for adding flavour to foods is capable of remoulding the health of your hair? Although the potent odour is not the prettiest of smells, but the advantages of using onions topically are much more than just a temporary olfactory problem. Onion juice is highly appreciated as a natural and effective treatment for a wide array of hair ills, and Ganesh Kamath, Co-Founder, of Earthraga, shares with IANSlife the benefits of onion for your hair:

Keeps Your Natural Hair Color

Vibrant: Conversely, early greying might result from a lack of some micronutrients, health problems, stress factors and even genes. Onion oil for hair benefits is especially felt through enzymes, which can be used as antiradicals to resist free radicals damage on hair. This way can also get the hair back to its original colour, even dark it can. For instance, the formulas combining Amla and Bhringraj, the natural ingredients, are aimed to prevent hair colour fading even before its time.

Soothes and Fights Dandruff:

Say No to Artificial Nails: Though getting artificial nails might seem stylish, it's not without downsides. They can weaken your real nails because of the way they're attached and the glue used. Plus, they can trap a lot of dirt underneath, which could lead to bacterial infections.

Care for Your Cuticles: It's important to be mindful of your cuticles. Avoid pushing them back too much, especially during frequent manicures, as this can harm them and create openings for infections to enter the nail bed.

Moisturize your nails: Applying regular moisturization is recommended, as it creates a protective layer that enhances the resilience and strength of your nails.

You can keep your nails healthy and strong by following these tips in your daily nail care routine. This doesn't just improve how your hands look but also boosts your self-confidence.

Unleash the Power of Hydration: The refreshing moisturising properties of onions target dry and dull hair as well as a weary, dry scalp. They are the ones that refresh the hair and provide it with the needed moisture, leading to a look that has a smooth, lustrous appearance. The vitamins and minerals utilised in these MVPs transport nutrients straight to the follicles and nourish them from the inside, allowing for the best possible hair condition, and establishing a good environment for hair growth.

Nourishing from the Inside

Out: Speaking of nutrition, hair follicles, the essential components of healthy hair growth, receive increased nourishment from onions. They are recognized for their role in facilitating the circulation of blood through the hair follicles. This increased blood circulation guarantees a consistent supply of oxygen and nourishment. The vitamins and minerals utilised in these MVPs transport nutrients straight to the follicles and nourish them from the inside, allowing for the best possible hair condition, and establishing a good environment for hair growth.

From an antiseptic and antiinflammation point of view, the onion can treat scalp infections that include redness, dandruff and itchiness of the scalp. These onion extracts contain essential minerals and vitamins that help hair stay hydrated at the root level, making it unbreakable which adds strength from the roots to the tips of the hair. It does that too, being an excellent stimulator of blood circulation, an effective prevention of itchy scalp and a marvellous hair growth inducer.

Prevents Hair Fall: Onion juice is one of the best-known remedies essential because it has a high amount of sulphur that makes it effective in reducing hair loss. Sulphur improves collagen production which is essential for the formation of hair follicles and also cleanses the skin. Moreover, with onion juice or oil a massage activates hair growth by increasing the blood flow to the scalp.

Indeed, the onion juice comes as a gift from nature as it provides an astounding variety of benefits to hair care. When it comes to hydration and nourishment, or fighting off dandruff and hair loss, this everyday ingredient is invaluable in your journey to healthy and attractive hair. While a strong smell might be annoying at first sight, which is superficial, the outcomes for your hair are beyond question. Hence, whenever you peel off onions for your meal, keep some on standby to unleash the hidden abilities of these normal vegetables that go into your hair care regimen.

LFW x FDCI: JJ Valaya gives luxury a sustainable spin by recycling plastic

Veteran fashion designer JJ Valaya gave a luxurious spin to sustainable fashion for his latest collection from his bridge-toluxury brand JJ Valaya Kapurthala at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI.

Valaya partnered with R|Elan for the show on the second day of the fashion week, which celebrates sustainability.

The collection, which represented harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation, was made out of eco-friendly fabrics such as R|Elan Green Gold, made out of 100 per cent recycled PET bottles and innovative techniques such as Kooltex, promising style and

sustainability.

Valaya’s collection christened “Char” meaning “four” was loosely inspired from the travelogues of Maharaja Jagjit Singh of Kapurthala.

Valaya said that this collection is his homage to the “bygone era” of opulence and global influences.

Talking about his collection, the stalwart, who has been with the industry for over three decades, said: “It is more accessible, lighter, wearable and to get something out which a lot more people can wear, that’s the ethos.”

“It is always a privilege to be a part of a movement…

Sustainability is the way to go. I was kind of surprised to see the kind of fabrics I saw because for something that lands up in all the wrong places and to make it into a yarn and spin it into a fabric is so versatile. Frankly, I was so surprised. I did not expect it to be so luxurious.”

On how long it took to make the collection, Valaya said the inspiration was well in place but implementation took place in the “last two months”.

“Getting the fabric, developing new ones, finding the right kind of work. But I am glad we could put it together timely,” he said about the occasion wear collection, featuring sarees, kurta-pyjamas, lehengas, gala bandhs, skirts, kaftaans, free flowing dresses and mesh cover ups with monokinis, all in the shades of beige, bronze, greys, blacks and ivory.

The show too saw a tad bit of star power.

Actress Rasika Dugal, Kubbra Sait and Sushant Divgikar were seen attending Valaya’s show donning his creation.

Pantsuits, dresses, lehengas: Wearable fashion takes spotlight on catwalk

By Durga Chakravarty

Fashion is all about freedom of artistic expression, and sometimes, one might think twice before sashaying it in daily life. However, this time, it was different at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI, as the runway was undeniably influenced by the concept of wearable fashion, said ace designers.

From Ranna Gill’s collection 'Urban Prairie', which saw an array of pantsuits, skirts, jumpsuits and evening dresses all out of a fairytale, to Varun Chakkilam and Sakshi Bhati’s luxurious spin to lehengas or even Rajesh Pratap Singh’s royal spin to polo wear – is all that can be worn by fashionistas away from the runway.

Talking to IANS, Ranna Gill said: “This season's runway was undeniably influenced by the concept of wearable fashion, and it's a trend that resonates deeply with the essence of my 'Urban Prairie' collection.”

She added: “In a world where practicality meets style, wearable fashion takes centre stage, offering garments that seamlessly blend into urban life exuding an air of sophistication. The collection embodies this ethos, with each piece carefully crafted to not only dazzle on the runway but to also effortlessly transition into the wardrobes of modern individuals.”

She said that from elevated evening dresses to the impeccably tailored pantsuits and jackets, every garment is designed to be not just a statement piece, but a versatile staple that can be worn with ease and confidence.

“In a world where practicality and style go hand in hand, wearable fashion becomes a reflection of our ever-evolving lifestyles,” Gill added.

Designer Varun Chakkilam said that in 2024 Lakme Fashion Week, he showcased an array of wearable fashion, “marking a notable trend towards functional

LFW x FDCI: Ananya Panday turns muse for Rahul Mishra’s ‘sculpted’ collection

It was all about glamour, fashion and star power at the grand finale of the fiver-day-long Lakme Fashion Week, where Ananya Panday brought the curtains down, as she walked the runway for renowned designer Rahul Mishra.

and versatile clothing options.”

He sees the shift as practical.

Chakkilam added: “This shift reflects a growing preference for garments that seamlessly blend style with practicality, allowing individuals to effortlessly transition between various activities and settings.”

The designer, who has styled the likes of Virat Kohli, Pooja Hegde, Vijay Devarakonda and Nagarjuna among many others, said that the emphasis on wearable fashion “underscores a broader societal shift towards comfort, convenience, and sustainability in clothing choices, highlighting its significance in contemporary style.”

Designer Prreeti Jaiin for label Nirmooha agrees that wearable fashion took the spotlight this season with a focus on comfort, versatility, and inclusivity.

“Designers showcased layering outfits, flared bottoms, practical details, and sustainable options, offering a blend of casual elegance and functionality suitable for diverse body types and occasions,” Jaiin told IANS.

For Nishit Gupta, Director at label Kalki, it is inspiring to witness a shift towards practical yet stylish and traditional designs, reflecting the taste of today's fashion enthusiasts.

She added: “Here's to embracing stylish yet accessible fashion choices that effortlessly complement our daily lives."

On Sunday night, in the grand finale of the show, Mishra showcased a range of stunning ensembles from the AFEW collection christened ‘Sculpt’, where he drew his inspiration from the designer’s forever muse nature.

AFEW stands for the four elements -- Air, fire, earth, and water.

“This was my show in Bombay after almost 6-7 years, so it was like homecoming… When we look at the whole exercise it was fun even at the studio. Everyone

Janhvi

worked day and night for this collection,” Rahul said.

Mishra turned sculptor as he elevated via Aari embroidery, hand sculpting, cutwork and patchwork. His garments took the limelight, but his showstopper Ananya Panday too looked stunning as she walked the ramp, with her parents Chunky Pandey and Bhavna Pandey cheered for her from the front row.

Ananya said: “It feels great. This is the most fun I had walking on a ramp. I felt very easy and edgy walking. It was so much fun.”

For Ananya, Mishra chose a black tube dress with flower patchwork on the side and a drizzle of sparkle. For the make-up, the actress went for a very “sculpted” look with the House Of Lakme. She completed her style with a sleek ponytail.

Kapoor heaps praise

on Indian wear: ‘Most beautiful piece of clothing there can be’

Actress Janhvi Kapoor has talked about her love for Indian wear, which she tags as the most “beautiful piece of clothing” there can be. It’s the simplicity that attracts Janhvi, who walked as the showstopper for the label Kalki at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI on the ultimate day on Sunday. Janhvi told IANS exclusively: “I

love the simplicity of Indian wear. It is so effortless and graceful at the same time. Indian wear is the most beautiful piece of clothing there can be.

Talking about her fashion sensibility, the actress does like to mix it up.

“I think for everyday wear, I like to keep it simple and comfortable. For my red carpet looks, I love

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron during a national homage ceremony to late French admiral Philippe de Gaulle and son of Charles de Gaulle, at the Invalides monument, in Paris, Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Actor Akshay Kumar at the trailer launch of upcoming film ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ -3, in Mumbai,Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Ayodhya: Devotees throng, waiting for ‘darshan’ at the Ram temple, in Ayodhya, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. The doors of the Ram temple opened to the general public on Tuesday, a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol

Delhi lawyers raise slogans during a protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest outside Tis Hazari Court, in New Delhi,Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Lucknow : Players of Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants at the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match at Ekana Cricket Stadium, in Lucknow, Saturday, March 30, 2024.

New Delhi: Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav speaks during a press conference after joining Congress at AICC Headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

People celebrate ‘Huranga Holi’ at Dauji temple near Mathura on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Bengaluru: Indian Premier League Cricket Match Between Royal Challengers Bengaluru And Kolkata Knight Riders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the inauguration of Start-up Mahakumbh in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on March 20, 2024.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur during a roadshow in support of BJP candidate Jitendra Singh ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in Udhampur, Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

New Delhi: Gathering at the INDIA bloc’s Loktantra Bachao rally at Ramleela Maidan, in New Delhi, Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Paro: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay upon the former’s arrival at the Paro International Airport, in Bhutan. Modi is on a two-day state visit to further cement India’s unique relations with the Himalayan nation as part of the country’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique Manalo during a joint press address, in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

CREW

RELEASE DATE: 29 March 2024

LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Ekta Kapoor, Rhea

Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Digvijay Purohit

DIRECTOR: Rajesh Krishnan

CAST: Tabu Kareena, Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon and Diljit Dosanjh

NI MAIN SASS KUTTNI 2

RELEASE DATE: 7 June 2024

LANGUAGE: Punjabi (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Yoodle Films

DIRECTOR: Mohit Banwait

CAST: Gurpreet Ghuggi, Karamjit Anmol, Nirmal Rishi, Anita Devgn, Tanvi Nagi, Mehtab Virk

SHAYAR

RELEASE DATE: 19 April 2024

LANGUAGE: Punjabi (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Neeru Bajwa Entertainment

DIRECTOR: Uday Pratap Singh

CAST: Neeru Bajwa, Satinder Sartaaj, Yograj Singh

TEHRAN

RELEASE DATE: 26 April 2024

LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Bake My Cake Films, Maddock Films

DIRECTOR: Arun Gopalan

CAST: John Abraham, Manushi Chhillar, Hadi Khanjanpour

Bollywood superstar Varun Dhawan lands down under!

To mark the celebration of Holi Festival, Madame Tussauds Sydney welcomes Hindi actor Varun Dhawan’s wax figure to the new Bollywood set!

SYDNEY, 27 March: In celebration of the Holi festival, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has made his debut in the brand-new Bollywood set at Madame Tussauds Sydney. The heartthrob's wax figure will be at the Darling Harbour attraction from Wednesday, 27 March.

"To help recognise and celebrate the Holi festival, we're so excited to add Varun Dhawan to the Madame Tussauds Sydney family and unveil our brandnew Bollywood set," said Anika Schmitzer, Operations Manager at Madame Tussauds Sydney.

"We're already home to Indian stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Sachin Tendulkar, and now we can include Varun in this amazing line-up of celebrities! This is huge for us, our Indian guests, and Bollywood fans, who love to see big stars at Madame Tussauds Sydney."

Rashmika Mandanna shares update on her pet dog ‘Aura’: ‘She is chilling in Mysore’

The diva, who was most recently seen in the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Animal' took to Instagram Stories and shared an adorable picture of her furry friend Aura, who is sitting on a couch and posing for the cameras.

The post is captioned: "For everyone who's wondering where Aura has disappeared to ..Aura is chilling in Mysore with Mum Dad and Shimmu..That's why I am unable to give Aura updates... And look at her. she's definitely happy and chilling."

On the professional front, Rashmika is gearing up for the action drama 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'. The film stars Allu Arjun in the titular role. Directed by Sukumar, the film also stars Fahadh Faasil. She also has 'Rainbow', 'The Girlfriend', 'Chaava' in the pipeline.

When Eva Mendes was smitten by Ryan Gosling after their first meeting

like that," she said of working with her now-partner on the Today show.

"The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be — and that means making his costars as best as they can be. Unfortunately — or fortunately — there's only one Ryan, so I pretty much stopped acting after that," she added.

Mendes and Gosling started dating after meeting on set. The two, who are private about their relationship, share two daughters together.

Varun worked with the Madame Tussauds sculpting team to create the dynamic dance pose, the 'Disco Deewane,' from his box-office hit 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’, which inspired his look - distressed jeans, a red satin shirt and a leather vest. His figure stands proudly in the vibrant,

new Bollywood set – a permanent addition to Madame Tussauds Sydney, decorated with colourful garlands which is inspired by his many romantic comedy movies.

Over 200 measurements were taken during a 5-hour sitting process to create the figure, previously housed at Madame Tussauds Delhi. Commenting on coming face-to-face with his figure in 2018, Varun Dhawan said, "I visited Madame Tussauds when I was six, and I can't believe I can be the one to stand next to the figures of various celebrities and world leaders one day."

Next to Varun is the wax figure of good friend and fellow Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan – providing the perfect backdrop for fans to snap pictures with the two stars. To purchase tickets to see Varun Dhawan's wax figure or for more information on the celebrities, you can meet them at Madame Tussauds Sydney. Visit www. madametussauds.com/sydney

Pierce Brosnan to Aaron Taylor-Johnson on playing Bond: ‘Be bold’

Former James Bond depicter Pierce Brosnan has given his stamp of approval to actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson to play the suave spy.

Taylor-Johnson is rumoured to be the next 007 agent. Brosnan played James Bond through the 1990s.

Talking about the next to take on the role of the spy agent, Brosnan said that Taylor-Johnson “has the chops” to take it on, reports

deadline.

Brosnan starred with TaylorJohnson in the 2009 film 'The Greatest'.

“One of the first movies we made, one of our earliest movies, was The Greatest – and he was in it,” Brosnan said.

“He was The Greatest in it. It’s a lovely movie with Aaron and Carey Mulligan and Susan Sarandon and myself. So yes, I read the news about his possibilities of being a Bond, so I would definitely tip my hat to the fellow.”

If Taylor-Johnson becomes the next Bond, Brosnan advises the actor: “Be bold. Go out there, have a great time. Just love it. Just go for it.”

Tamil actor Daniel Balaji passes away after a heart attack at 48

at the age of 48 in Chennai. He predominantly worked in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. The actor died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Kottivakkam. His body was taken to his residence in Purasaiwalkam for last rites.

Daniel, who started his career as a unit production manager in Kamal Haasan's unfinished dream project, 'Marudhanayagam', played a memorable role in Radikaa Sarathkumar's television show 'Chithi'. His portrayal of Daniel earned him the screen name, Daniel Balaji.

Rashmika Mandanna on Tuesday shared a cute update about her pet dog Aura, saying

she is happily chilling in Mysore with her parents.

Actress Eva Mendes spoke about meeting her partner and actor Ryan Gosling when they made their 2012 movie ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’. “I’ve never experienced anything

Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) Actor T. C. Balaji, known by his screen name, Daniel Balaji, passed away

Akshay says ‘Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan’ gave him a ‘friend’ in Tiger who’s ‘just like me’

Akshay Kumar has revealed that the action entertainer 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' (BMCM) has given him a 'friend' from the industry, who is just like him, and that is Tiger Shroff.

The trailer of the film 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' was launched in Mumbai on Tuesday.

In the film, Akshay and Tiger will be seen doing hard core action sequences.

During the trailer launch, Akshay, who wore a black biker jacket and matching trousers, said: "It is a

film made with a lot of blood and sweat and of course producer's big money. 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' is one of the films in my career which I am going to be very proud of and I am very happy to get an opportunity to work with Ali Abbas Zafar."

"Also this film gave me a friend from the industry -- Tiger Shroff. He is just like me, sleeps on time, gets up on time. Keeps himself fit," shared Akshay. The actor also shared his experience of working with

Prithviraj Sukumaran, who will be seen essaying the role of villain Kabir in the film.

"He is such a good actor. It was so much fun to work with him and I learnt a lot of things from him," added Akshay.

The movie revolves around elite soldiers, who team up to recover a stolen weapon from a masked madman who wants to destroy the country.

Presented by Vashu Bhagnani and Pooja Entertainment in association with AAZ films, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ is written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, and produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Jackky Bhagnani, Himanshu Kishan Mehra, and Ali Abbas Zafar. Shot across stunning locations including Mumbai, London, Abu Dhabi, Scotland, and Jordan, the film promises an unforgettable cinematic experience reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters.

The film features Prithviraj in an intriguing villainous role, along with Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar, and Alaya F in pivotal roles.

The film is set to release in theatres on April 10.

Joely Richardson on her career post 50: ‘No one wanted me’

Actress Joely Richardson has opened up about ageism in Hollywood and how she had to pivot to start getting work again. She was talking about all the projects she’s currently involved in, including Netflix’s 'The

Gentlemen' and 'One Day'. She also has Disney+’s 'Renegade Nell'. The actress noticed a change after she turned 50, which she shared on ITV‘s This Morning, reports deadline.com.

She recalled that when her agent “retired young to be with her mom,” she was looking for a new agent and didn’t find much luck.

“I went to get another agent, and it was like no one wanted me,” she said.

“And so, even though I had Golden Globe nominations, and blah, blah, blah, zero people wanted a

woman over 50.”

The actress then got new agents and said they “started finding little ins wherever we could, doing The Sandman (also Netflix), Lady Chatterley’s (Lover) playing the northern housekeeper Mrs Bolton, just like trying to sort of get through the door so people would consider me for roles. And then, they started to come.”

Richardson called being on the Ryan Murphy show a “dream” and after the series ended, “wanted to do something else” and returned to theater and “did lots of OffBroadway productions.”

“I needed that,” she added about doing theater after the FX series. “It was like a lovely bridge.”

Ravi Kishan celebrates Holi with Yogi Adityanath, drops videos; shares ‘gujiya’

Bhojpuri

Adityanath, and his team. Taking to Instagram, Ravi who is known for his roles in 'Hera Pheri', 'Banke Bihari M.L.A', 'Devra Bada Satawela', 'Tanu Weds Manu', among others, shared a Reel video, wherein he can be seen dressed in an orange shirt and grey trousers.

He has a garland of flowers around his neck and is seen distributing gujiyas to the party workers. He is seen interacting with his team. The video also has a glimpse of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath showering flowers and colours on the party workers.

Shiamak Davar remembers how Yash Chopra, SRK brought him to Bollywood

Choreographer Shiamak Davar, who is known for his work on ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, ‘Taal’ and others, has credited Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan and the late director Yash Chopra for bringing him to the world of films.

Shiamak shared that SRK forced him to work on the film, which catapulted him to unfathomable heights.

The choreographer recently appeared on the show ‘Kiska Brand Bajega’ hosted by Aditya Bhat, and spoke about his foray in cinema.

Shiamak said: “It was actually because of Shah Rukh forcing me and Yash uncle's mad love for me. And then I started ‘Le Gayi Le Gayi’ then ‘Chak Dhoom Dhoom’ then ‘Are Re Are’ then that jugalbandi with Karisma and Madhuri.”

Shiamak has worked on numerous successful films, including the ‘Bunty aur Babli’, ‘Dhoom 2’, ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ and others.

Ankita Lokhande reveals she loves sarees; it’s the most comfortable outfit ever

The post is captioned in Hindi as: "Jogira sara ra ra ra ra ra Holi hai bhaiya ho". On the work front, he was recently seen as V.D. Tyagi in the gavel-slamming courtroom comedy, 'Maamla Legal Hai'.

The show is a light-hearted series promising a delightful blend of humour, heartwarming scenes and wordplay using legal jargon. Set within the fictional confines of the Patparganj District Court, the eight-episode series explores the surreal world of the law through the eyes of its eccentric lawyers, who argue bizarre cases and represent odd clients.

Bollywood actress Ankita Lokhande has professed her love for sarees and tagged the nine-yard wonder the most "comfortable outfit ever". Talking to IANS about her love for sarees, Ankita said: “I think from my childhood I loved sarees. When we are young we play around with our mothers’ sarees.” Ankita jogged her memory and reminisced about how she would wear her mother’s saree and play “teacher-teacher”.

“I used to play teacher-teacher wearing her sarees. My mother knows how to style herself in a saree. Because of my mother it looks good on me. But I love sarees; it is the most comfortable outfit ever,” Ankita stressed. The actress, whose latest release is ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, concluded by saying: “I can look sexy, glamourous, beautiful and simple in a saree. So this is the best attire.”

star and BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan has shared a colourful video celebrating Holi with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi

Buyers Like What They See at Brookwater.

Just 35 minutes away from Brisbane CBD, the interest among buyers has been at a record level, according to Narendran Sinnathamby, the General Manager of Brookwater Residential. Brookwater’s current land release, The Dress Circle, is situated around the first nine holes of the championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. It is the only integrated golf community near Brisbane. “Discerning buyers are recognising that Brookwater is a premium lifestyle destination,’’Mr Sinnathamby said.

“The Dress Circle, Brookwater is situated within Springfield City, one of Australia’s fastestgrowing regions. Springfield City sets the standard for world-class master-planned urban environments in the 21st century and has become a blueprint for nation-building,” he added. “The area boasts outstanding schools, and state-of-the-art health facilities, and is now home to the Brisbane Lions AFL Club. Everything you need is within reach.”

Within the Springfield City area, there are 12 schools, 22 childcare facilities, and the University of Southern Queensland providing a remarkable array of options for both private and public amenities, making it an ideal choice for growing families.

Springfield City is positioned as the gateway to the western corridor of Southeast Queensland. With an expansive area of 2,860 hectares, it is Australia’s largest master-planned city and the first of its kind since Canberra.

07 3814 5177 3 Birchwood Crescent, Brookwater. Open daily 9am – 5pm

* Please be advised that the provided outline is intended solely for location reference purposes and is indicative only.

- The wider Springfield Growth Corridor including Springfield and Greater Springfield is currently home to 145,300 people.

- This is expected to grow rapidly to almost 200,000 people in 2026 and over 435,000 in 2041.

- Represents an annual growth rate of 5.6% over the 20 years to 2041.

LARGE REGISTERED HOMESITES FROM $615,000

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