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Anti-war Protesters Protest School Closures After Reports of Antisemitic Activity

Anti-war Protesters Protest School Closures After Reports of Antisemitic Activity As students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at college campuses across US dug in Saturday and dozens of demonstrators were arrested, some universities moved to shut down encampments after reports of antisemitic activity. With the death toll mounting in the war in Gaza, protesters nationwide are demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict. Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus. Early Saturday, police in riot gear cleared an encampment on the campus of Northeastern University in Boston. Massachusetts State Police said about 102 protesters were arrested and will be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct. Protesters said they were given about 15 minutes to disperse before being arrested. As workers pulled down tents and bagged up the debris from the encampment, several dozen people across from the encampment chanted, Let the Kids Go,'' and slogans against the war in Gaza. They also booed as police cars passed and taunted the officers who stood guard over the encampment. The school said in a statement that the demonstration, which began two days ago, had become infiltrated by professional organisers with no affiliation to the school and antisemitic slurs, including kill the Jews, had been used. We cannot tolerate this kind of hate on our campus, the statement posted on the social media platform X said. The Huskies for a Free Palestine student group disputed the university's account, saying in a statement that counterprotesters were to blame for the slurs and no student protesters repeated the disgusting hate speech. Students at the protest said a counterprotester attempted to instigate hate speech but insisted their event was peaceful and, like many across the country, was aimed at drawing attention to what they described as the genocide in Gaza and their university's complicity in the war. The president of nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology put out a statement Saturday saying the encampment there had become a potential magnet for disruptive outside protesters and was taking hundreds of staff hours to keep safe. We have a responsibility to the entire MIT community and it is not possible to safely sustain this level of effort, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said. We are open to further discussion about the means of ending the encampment. But this particular form of expression needs to end soon. Indiana University campus officers and state police arrested 23 people Saturday at an encampment on the school's Bloomington campus. Tents and canopies had been erected Friday night at Dunn Meadow in violation of school policy, university police said in a release. Members of the group were detained after refusing to remove the structures, police said. Charges ranged from criminal trespass to resisting law enforcement. At the University of Pennsylvania on Friday, interim President J. Larry Jameson called for an encampment of protesters on the west Philadelphia campus to be disbanded, saying it violates the university's facilities policies, though about 40 tents remained in place Saturday morning. The ''harassing and intimidating comments and actions by some protesters violate the school's open expression guidelines as well as state and federal law, Jameson said, and vandalism of a statue with antisemitic graffiti was especially reprehensible and will be investigated as a hate crime. A faculty group said Saturday that it was deeply disturbed by the university president's email, saying it included unsubstantiated allegations that have been disputed to us by faculty and students who have attended and observed the demonstration. The university's chapter of the American Association of University Professors said Jameson's statement mischaracterizes the overall nature of an antiwar protest that necessarily involves strong emotions on both sides but has not, to our knowledge, involved any actual violence or threats of violence to individuals on our campus.'' Campus protests began after Hamas' deadly attack on southern Israel, when militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. During the ensuing war, Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the local health ministry. Israel and its supporters have branded the protests as antisemitic, while critics of Israel say it uses such allegations to silence opponents. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, organizers of the protests, some of whom are Jewish, say it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war. At Columbia University, where protesters have inspired pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country, students representing the encampment said Friday that they reached an impasse with administrators and intended to continue their protest. Though the university has repeatedly set and then pushed back deadlines for the removal of the encampment, the school sent an email to students Friday night saying that bringing back police at this time would be counterproductive. Decisions to call in law enforcement, leading to hundreds of arrests nationwide, have prompted school faculty members at universities in California, Georgia and Texas to initiate or pass votes of no confidence in their leadership. They are largely symbolic rebukes, without the power to remove their presidents. But the tensions pile pressure on school officials, who are already scrambling to resolve the protests as May graduation ceremonies near. The University of Southern California drew criticism after refusing to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported Palestinians, to make a commencement speech. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu. The school announced the cancellation of its main graduation event Thursday, a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested by police in riot gear. USC President Carol Folt made her first public statement late Friday addressing the controversies as incredibly difficult for all of us. No one wants to have people arrested on their campus. Ever. But, when long-standing safety policies are flagrantly violated, buildings vandalized, Department of Public Safety directives repeatedly ignored, threatening language shouted, people assaulted, and access to critical academic buildings blocked, we must act immediately to protect our community, Folt said. Arizona State University said 69 people were arrested early Saturday on suspicion of criminal trespassing for setting up an unauthorized encampment on a lawn on its Tempe campus. The protesters were given chances to leave, and those who refused were arrested. While the university will continue to be an environment that embraces freedom of speech, ASU's first priority is to create a safe and secure environment that supports teaching and learning, the university said in a statement.

devdiscourse 28 Apr 2024 8:44 am

France's foreign minister looks to prevent Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalation in Lebanon visit

France's foreign minister looks to prevent Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalation in Lebanon visit France's foreign minister will push proposals to prevent further escalation and a potential war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah during a visit to Lebanon on Sunday as Paris seeks to refine a roadmap that both sides could accept to ease tensions. France has historical ties with Lebanon and earlier this year Stephane Sejourne delivered an initiative that proposed Hezbollah's elite unit pull back 10 km (6 miles) from the Israeli border, while Israel would halt strikes in southern Lebanon. The two have exchanged tit for tat strikes in recent months, but the exchanges have increased since Iran launched a barrage of missiles on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus that killed members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps' overseas Quds Force. France's proposal, which has been discussed with partners, notably the United States, has not moved forward, but Paris wants to keep momentum in talks and underscore to Lebanese officials that Israeli threats of a military operation in southern Lebanon should be taken seriously. Hezbollah has maintained it will not enter any concrete discussion until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, where the war between Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas has entered its sixth month. Israel has also said it wants to ensure calm is restored on its northern border so that thousands of displaced Israelis can return to the area without fear of rocket attacks from across the border. The objective is to prevent a regional conflagration and avoid that the situation deteriorates even more on the border between Israel and Lebanon, foreign ministry deputy spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said at a news conference. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Nikati and Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun met French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month, where they discussed the French proposal. In a letter addressed to the French embassy in Beirut in March, Lebanon's foreign ministry said Beirut believed the French initiative would be a significant step towards peace and security in Lebanon and the broader region. Local Lebanese media had reported the government had provided feedback to the French on the proposal. French officials say the responses so far have been general and lack consensus among the Lebanese. While they deem it too early for any form of accord, they believe it is vital to engage now so that when the moment comes both sides are ready. Paris will also underline the urgency of breaking the political deadlock in the country. Lebanon has neither a head of state nor a fully empowered cabinet since Michel Aoun's term as president ended in October 2022. Israel has remained cautious on the French initiative, although Israeli and French officials say Israel supports efforts to defuse the cross-border tensions. The flames will flicker and tensions will continue, said a Lebanese diplomat. We are in a situation of strategic ambiguity on both sides. France has 700 troops based in southern Lebanon as part of the 10,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force. Officials say the U.N. troops are unable to carry out their mandate and part of France's proposals are aimed at beefing up the mission by strengthening the Lebanese army. After Lebanon, Sejourne will head to Saudi Arabia before travelling to Israel. Arab and Western foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, will hold informal talks on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum event in Riyadh to discuss the Gaza war with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

devdiscourse 28 Apr 2024 7:30 am

Gauahar Khan shares playful moments with baby boy Zehaan in adorable video

Gauahar took to her Instagram to post a fun-filled video, showcasing her love for her son and proudly calling herself a Boy MoM.

Mid Day 28 Apr 2024 6:43 am

Bizarre case: H&ME Deptt employee under suspension for over 22 years

Apex Court judgment being continuously violated CAT passes strictures against authorities Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Apr 27: Bizarre it may sound but it is a fact that an employee of the Health and Medical Education Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is under suspension for more than 22 years in flagrant violation of the Supreme Courts judgment whereby it has been clearly stated that suspension order should not go beyond three months (90 days). The protracted delay in [] The post Bizarre case: H&ME Deptt employee under suspension for over 22 years appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 28 Apr 2024 5:09 am

Instagram, YouTube the biggest likely winners of TikTok ban but smaller rivals could rise too

SAN FRANCISCO, Apr 27: Adult US TikTok users spend an average of 54 minutes on the app on any given day, more than Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube, according to research firm eMarketer. If TikTok were to disappear, those platforms along with younger, smaller emerging rivals would be scrambling for those valuable minutes of peoples attention. But with an actual ban still likely years away, its not clear what app will be its biggest beneficiary. Meta, which owns [] The post Instagram, YouTube the biggest likely winners of TikTok ban but smaller rivals could rise too appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 28 Apr 2024 5:00 am

Iraqi Authorities Probe Murder of Social Media Influencer

Iraqi Authorities Probe Murder of Social Media Influencer Iraqi authorities have been investigating the killing of a well-known social media influencer, who was shot by an armed motorcyclist in front of her home in central Baghdad. Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi, known as ''Um Fahad'', was popular on the social media sites TikTok and Instagram, where she posted videos of herself dancing to music and was followed by tens of thousands of users. An Iraqi security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media, said that the assailant opened fire as Sawadi parked her Cadillac in front of her house on Friday, killing her, then took her phone and fled the scene. The killing took place in Zayoona, the same neighbourhood where a prominent Iraqi researcher and security expert Hisham al-Hashimi was gunned down in 2020. Before the U.S. invasion of 2003, the neighbourhood was home to military leaders and considered a prestigious area in Baghdad. In recent years, many militia leaders have taken up residence there. Sawadi isn't the first prominent social media figure to be gunned down in central Baghdad. Last year, Noor Alsaffar or ''Noor BM'', a transgender person with a large social media following, was also fatally shot in the city. A neighbour of Sawadi who identified himself only by his nickname, Abu Adam or father of Adam, said he came out to the street after hearing two shots fired and saw the car's door open and she was lying on the steering wheel. The woman who was with her (in the car) escaped, and security forces came and sealed off the entire area, and they took the victim's body and towed her car, he said. In Iraq, the role of social media influencers has broadened from promoting beauty products and clothing to government projects and programs. Official government invitations classify these influencers as key business figures at sports, security and cultural gatherings. Videos featuring a prominent influencer during the 93rd anniversary on Thursday of the Iraqi air force's founding sparked a backlash, with many criticizing the Ministry of Defense for allowing them to record and publish videos from sensitive military sites. The ministry defended itself, saying that in the era of social media, like defense ministries worldwide, it uses influencers alongside traditional media to communicate with the public. Last year, an Iraqi court sentenced Sawadi to six months in prison for posting several films and videos containing obscene statements and indecent public behavior on social media as part of a recent push by the Iraqi government to police morals. Separately on Saturday, the Iraqi parliament passed an amendment to the country's prostitution law widely criticized by human rights groups that would punish same-sex relations with a prison term ranging from 10 to 15 years. A previous version of the law would have imposed the death penalty. The law also bans any organization that promotes sexual deviancy, imposing a sentence of at least seven years and a fine of no less than 10 million dinars (about $7,600). The acting parliamentary speaker, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, said in a statement that the vote was a necessary step to protect the value structure of society and to protect our children from calls for moral depravity and homosexuality. Rasha Younes, a senior researcher with the LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, said the law's passage rubber-stamps Iraq's appalling record of rights violations against LGBT people and is a serious blow to fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and association, privacy, equality, and nondiscrimination. A report released by the organization in 2022 accused armed groups in Iraq of abducting, raping, torturing, and killing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people with impunity and the Iraqi government of failing to hold perpetrators accountable.

devdiscourse 28 Apr 2024 2:06 am

On Possibility Of Fully Sustainable Space Colony, ISRO Chief Said...

When Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S Somanath threw the floor open for questions over Instagram on Saturday, not only did people want to know about next Chandrayaan, asteroid missions and space stations.

NDTV 27 Apr 2024 11:06 pm

Iraqi Influencer's Murder Prompts Investigation by Authorities

Iraqi Influencer's Murder Prompts Investigation by Authorities Iraqi authorities on Saturday were investigating the killing of a well-known social media influencer, who was shot by an armed motorcyclist in front of her home in central Baghdad. Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi, known as Um Fahad or mother of Fahad, was popular on the social media sites TikTok and Instagram, where she posted videos of herself dancing to music and was followed by tens of thousands of users. An Iraqi security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media, said that the assailant opened fire as Sawadi parked her Cadillac in front of her house on Friday, killing her, then took her phone and fled the scene. The killing took place in Zayoona, the same neighborhood where a prominent Iraqi researcher and security expert Hisham al-Hashimi was gunned down in 2020. Before the U.S. invasion of 2003, the neighborhood was home to military leaders and considered a prestigious area in Baghdad. In recent years, many militia leaders have taken up residence there. Sawadi isn't the first prominent social media figure to be gunned down in central Baghdad. Last year, Noor Alsaffar or Noor BM, a transgender person with a large social media following, was also fatally shot in the city. A neighbor of Sawadi who identified himself only by his nickname, Abu Adam or father of Adam, said he came out to the street after hearing two shots fired and saw the car's door open and she was lying on the steering wheel. The woman who was with her (in the car) escaped, and security forces came and sealed off the entire area, and they took the victim's body and towed her car, he said. In Iraq, the role of social media influencers has broadened from promoting beauty products and clothing to government projects and programs. Official government invitations classify these influencers as key business figures at sports, security and cultural gatherings. Videos featuring a prominent influencer during the 93rd anniversary on Thursday of the Iraqi air force's founding sparked a backlash, with many criticizing the Ministry of Defense for allowing them to record and publish videos from sensitive military sites. The ministry defended itself, saying that in the era of social media, like defense ministries worldwide, it uses influencers alongside traditional media to communicate with the public. Last year, an Iraqi court sentenced Sawadi to six months in prison for posting several films and videos containing obscene statements and indecent public behavior on social media as part of a recent push by the Iraqi government to police morals. Separately on Saturday, the Iraqi parliament passed an amendment to the country's prostitution law widely criticized by human rights groups that would punish same-sex relations with a prison term ranging from 10 to 15 years. A previous version of the law would have imposed the death penalty. The law also bans any organization that promotes sexual deviancy, imposing a sentence of at least seven years and a fine of no less than 10 million dinars (about $7,600).

devdiscourse 27 Apr 2024 10:04 pm

TV actor Krishna Mukherjee accuses producer Kundan Singh of harassment

In an Instagram post, Krishna called out producer Kundan Singh for not paying her dues. The producer later reacted to the allegations

Mid Day 27 Apr 2024 10:01 pm

Tamannaah Bhatia treats fans with spooky BTS pics from `Aranmanai 4` set

Tamannaah took to her Instagram account to share a bunch of BTS pictures, where she also opened up about her experience shooting Aranmanai 4

Mid Day 27 Apr 2024 9:49 pm

Krishna Mukherjee's Harassment Allegation False': TV Show Producer Threatens Legal Action Against Her

Kundan Singh refuted recent allegations levelled by Krishna Mukherjee through an Instagram post.

News18 27 Apr 2024 9:42 pm

Telecom Department issues warning as scammers target MS Dhoni fans with fake messages

Scammers are targeting MS Dhoni fans with fake messages on Instagram, pretending to be the cricketer and asking for money. The Department of Telecom has issued a warning, urging people to be vigilant and not fall for these scams. The scammers are using Dhoni's popularity to deceive fans, but the DoT is actively working to protect mobile users from such fraudulent activities.

The Economic Times 27 Apr 2024 9:04 pm

Single mother Eesha Agrawal's journey to victory in India's jewel of beauty

Single mother Eesha Agrawals journey to victory in Indias jewel of beauty

India Today 27 Apr 2024 8:42 pm

Youth National Games 2024 Kick-start In Delhi; Over 5,000 Athletes From 15 Statesvyingfor Top Honours

The Stairs Youth National Games: The Society for Transformation, Inclusion, and Recognition through Sports (STAIRS) Foundation on Saturday launched the Youth National Games at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium, heralding the start of an exhilarating three-day sports extravaganza showcasing over 5,000 gold medalists from across 15 states and union territories. The participants, selected through a rigorous process involving over 2,000 district championships, range from 8 to 19 years. They are supported by a robust team comprising 560 coaches, 490 officials, and 350 volunteers, reflecting a tremendous collaborative effort. These athletes were chosen from over 200,876 participants, including 131,538 males and 69,338 females. The event was also attended by STAIRS brand ambassador and Bollywood actor Amit Sadh. Sharing his excitement, Amit said, Together with STAIRS, I am committed to advancing this cause, aiming to nurture and harness the untapped potential of Indias youth. Our vision is to create a sustainable ecosystem that not only cultivates sporting talents but also instils a strong sense of discipline, ethics, and resilience in young athletes. This platform is an excellent steppingstone towards achieving that, and Im thrilled to be a driving force behind such transformative change. Ajit M. Sharan, IAS (Retd) and Chairman of the Board of Directors at STAIRS said, The Stairs Youth National Games symbolise our dedication to sports development at the grassroots level. They provide a national stage for young athletes to showcase their talents and strive towards becoming champions of tomorrow. Over the next three days, the athletes will showcase their talent in an array of sports, including Basketball, Karate, Taekwondo, Badminton, Volleyball, Kabaddi, Table Tennis, kho kho, Football Athletics, Skating, and Cricket, across venues like Indira Gandhi Stadium and Tyagraj Stadium in Delhi, ensuring a thrilling and diverse competitive environment.

CNMSports 27 Apr 2024 8:36 pm

No evidence of arms seizure in Sandeshkhali, recovered items might be brought by CBI: Mamata

USHAGRAM: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said there was o evidence of arms seizure in Sandeshkhali, asserting that CBI teams conducted searches without informing the state police. She expressed scepticism regarding the operations, stating that the recovered items might have been brought by officials of the central agency. If a firecracker goes off in Bengal, the NIA, CBI, NSG are coming to investigate. It seems that a war is going on. The state police were not informed. It is not known what was found. There was no evidence. The seized items might have been brought by them (CBI) in a car, Banerjee said here. Small arms including foreign-made pistols seized by CBI in raids in Sandeshkhali She was addressing an election rally for TMC's Asansol Lok Sabha candidate Shatrughan Sinha. The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, officials said. The searches were conducted in connection with the January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob that was allegedly instigated by Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in the case. Teams of the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI), the bomb detection squad, the National Security Guard (NSG), the central paramilitary forces and the West Bengal Police were part of the searches at Sandeshkhali -- a riverine delta -- on the fringes of the Sunderbans in North 24 Parganas district. TMC moves EC over CBI's Sandeshkhali raid, says BJP 'weaponized' agencies for 'smear campaign' Banerjee also said, Today, I heard there was an incident near Sandeshkhali. A BJP leader had stored bombs in his house. They think that they can win the elections by cancelling (school) jobs and with bombs. We want 'roti, kapda, makaan' and jobs for the people, not their lofty speeches. The Trinamool Congress on Saturday alleged that several people were injured after a bomb went off at the house of a relative of a BJP leader in Basirhat assembly constituency. She was apparently referring to the Calcutta High Court judgment on school jobs. The court declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as 'null and void', ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. HC order on Bengal school jobs 'illegal', will challenge: Mamata

The New Indian Express 27 Apr 2024 7:19 pm

'Why Parineeti is so aloof?': Priyanka Chopra congratulates Mannara for winning GQ award; latter says 'Didi we will celebrate' [reactions]

Priyanka praised Chamkila, she took to her Instagram stories and shared a film poster, featuring the IMDB rating, on her feed, and congratulated Imtiaz Ali, Diljit, Parineeti, who she lovingly calls Tisha and the team, stating that it looks impressive.

IBTimes 27 Apr 2024 7:17 pm

Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Big B to release on June 27

Mumbai: The Upcoming sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD, with Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Amitabh Bachchan essaying the lead roles, will be released in theatres on June 27 this summer. The film also stars Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prabhas (@actorprabhas) The makers of the film made Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 27 Apr 2024 7:13 pm

Unveil the Secret to Lustrous Locks with Lavaya Hair Active Oil

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 26: Embark on a journey to revitalizing your hair with Lavaya Hair Active Oil , a potent blend of 11 traditional herbs meticulously crafted to nurture your scalp and strands. Each drop of this oil is a testament to the power of nature, promising to promote hair growth and control hair fall. Let's delve into the essence of each ingredient and discover how they contribute to the health and vitality of your hair. Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Revered for its rich vitamin C content, Amla strengthens hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Its antioxidants combat premature graying, while its antifungal properties keep dandruff at bay. Bhringraj (False Daisy): Known as the 'King of Herbs' for hair care, Bhringraj rejuvenates the scalp, enhancing blood circulation and leading to improved hair growth. It also addresses dandruff and dryness, ensuring a healthy scalp environment. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): This adaptogenic herb reduces stress, a common cause of hair fall. Brahmi oil nourishes the scalp, fortifying hair from root to tip, and imparts a natural sheen to your tresses. Coconut Oil: The lauric acid in coconut oil penetrates deep into the hair shaft, providing moisture and protection against environmental stressors. It's an excellent conditioner, reducing protein loss and preventing breakage. Swet Chandan (White Sandalwood): Swet Chandan is not just a fragrant delight; it's a scalp soother and dandruff reducer. Its cooling properties calm the scalp and add a subtle, soothing aroma to your hair. Kapurkachali (Hedychium spicatum): Known for its antioxidant and purifying properties, it can stimulate hair growth, thickness, and leave a pleasant fragrance. Nagarmoth (Cyperusrotundus): It has antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help in treating dandruff, strengthening hair roots, and preventing hair loss. Kachuro (Curcuma zedoaria): This herb is known to promote hair growth and combat dandruff-causing pathogens due to its strong antibacterial traits. Karanjbeej (Pongamiapinnata): Karanja oil is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal, which makes it beneficial for soothing scalp irritation and preventing dandruff. Rasanjan (Berberis aristata): While primarily used for eye disorders, it has astringent properties that could potentially benefit the scalp when used in hair oil formulations. Swet Chandan (Santalum album): White sandalwood is often used for its fragrance and cooling properties, which can soothe the scalp and potentially reduce inflammation. Tagar (Valerianawallichii): Mainly known for its use in reducing anxiety and improving sleep, it may have indirect benefits for hair health by promoting relaxation. Til Oil (Sesame oil): Rich in nutrients like vitamin E, B complex, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein, sesame oil nourishes the hair from within, strengthens the roots, and can address various hair problems such as dryness and damage. Lavaya Hair Active Oil is not just a product; it's a ritual for those who seek to restore the natural vigor of their hair. With consistent use, you'll notice your hair becoming thicker, stronger, and more resilient. Embrace the essence of Ayurveda and let Lavaya Hair Active Oil be the guardian of your hair's health. For more details, Visit on - https://lavaya.in/ You will be surprised by the benefits of poppy seeds, it is a panacea for bones Tomato flour daily for 1 month will be available with these essentials Instead of eating watermelon plain, try these 5 best dishes

News Track 27 Apr 2024 5:53 pm

Army gives 'no objection' if soldier accused of spying dealt under Official Secrets Act

The Indian Army has approved the use of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in the case of a soldier accused of spying, allowing for legal action under the act. The accused allegedly leaked secret information to Pakistan through individuals connected to the Pakistan High Commission. The army has taken corrective actions to prevent future leaks. The case is ongoing, with arguments on charges scheduled for July. The accused soldier, a Naik from Agra Cantt., Uttar Pradesh, is under military law and faces charges related to national security.

The Economic Times 27 Apr 2024 5:32 pm

Summer Dishes: Eat these rice dishes in the summer season, your stomach will be happy along with your mind.

The summer season brings with it many problems. Due to strong sunlight and scorching heat, many types of changes are seen in the body. For this reason, people make changes in their clothes and food in this changing season. In this season, people have to take special care of their eating habits, because if they eat a little here and there in the scorching heat, then the situation starts worsening. Apart from this, drinking less water or eating too much-fried food can lead to the problem of dehydration. For this reason, most people prefer to eat light food in summer. If you are also looking for some quite light food options, then this article will help you with this. In this article, we are going to tell you about some dishes made from rice, which will keep your health healthy during the summer season. Your mind will also be happy after eating these dishes. Coriander Rice If you are in a hurry but want to eat something healthy and tasty, then you can prepare coriander rice quickly. This is a tasty and healthy option that can be prepared in less time. You can eat it with raita and papad. Lemon Rice It is very tasty to eat. If you want, you can also take it along with raita in a tiffin. It tastes quite good because of the peanuts and curry leaves. Due to this, if you want, you can prepare lemon rice in this scorching heat. Curd Rice Eating curd in this season provides great benefits to the stomach. In such a situation, if you want, you can make curd rice. It is very tasty to eat and you can eat it for lunch in summer. This will give relief to your stomach from heat. Mint Rice Mint is very beneficial for the body in this season. In such a situation, if you want, you can make mint rice at home. Mint works to cool the body. You can serve it with papad and curd. (PC: Instagram)

Kalam Times 27 Apr 2024 4:33 pm

Telangana: KCR joins major social media platforms X & Instagram

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) joined social media platforms X and Instagram on Saturday, April 27, coinciding with the BRS 23rd anniversary. In his first post on X, he wished party leaders, cadres and fans of the BRS on the occasion of the anniversary. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 27 Apr 2024 3:58 pm

IAS Officer Aravind Agrawal Gets Additional Charge As Secy To Odisha Governor

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has appointed IAS Officer Aravind Agrawal to take additional responsibility as the Secretary to Governor Raghubar Das. As per the office order issued by General Administration & Public Grievance Department, the 2007-batch IAS Officer Aravind Agrawal, who is currently serving as the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Higher Education Department with additional charge of [] The post IAS Officer Aravind Agrawal Gets Additional Charge As Secy To Odisha Governor appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Pragativadi 27 Apr 2024 3:49 pm

Salman Khan and Ayat sharing this adorable mamu-bhanji moment at Ruslaan premiere is unmissable

Aayush Sharma, who is married to Arpita Khan Sharma, recently hosted a grand premiere of his upcoming espionage entertainer Ruslaan which marks his comeback to theatres after 2021. The film, marking the debut of Sushrii Mishra, and featuring names like Jagapathi Babu and Vidya Malavade, is expected to have released on Friday, April 26 and the premiere hosted by the actor was definitely a glitzy evening with his brother-in-law Salman Khan also in attendance. Along with Sharma, his kids and wife were also a part of the guests who came in to cheer him. It seems that a video from the Ruslaan premiere, as Salman Khan makes a grand entry and poses for the paparazzi, he warmly greets brother-in-law Aayush Sharma at the red carpet, who is accompanied by his son Ahil. Following them, as Khan sees his sister and his little niece Ayat, arriving he fondly greeted her and also placed a kiss on her head. Later, he also kissed Ahil on his head before getting back to posing for the paps, eventually creating a beautiful moment on the red carpet, showcasing his fondness for kids. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Even though Salman Khan is not married, the actor has never shied away from expressing his love for children. Salman has confessed about his fondness for kids in earlier interviews, wherein he also revealed that there are certain laws in India which restrict him from becoming a father, without being a husband, the actor said that he has been thinking of ideas which will help him fulfill his wish of becoming a parent. But before that, Khan has been showering love on his nephews and nieces, including his brother Arbaaz, Sohail, and his other sister Alviras kids too, and is often seen doting on them. On the work front, on the occasion of Eid, Salman Khan announced his next big budget entertainer titled Sikandar, which will be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and will mark his first collaboration with Pan India filmmaker A R Murugadoss. Also Read: Salman Khan may not be concerned about his security, but we are, says Asha Parekh

Bollywood Hungama 27 Apr 2024 3:42 pm

Shruti Haasan and Santanu Hazarika break up and unfollow each other on social media

Shruti Haasan and Santanu Hazarika have reportedly split up. According to a recent tweet from the paparazzo account Viral Bhayani, the two had split up and unfollowed each other on social media. Not only that, but Shruti just posted a mysterious comment on Instagram, saying, It's been a crazy ride, learning so much about myself and about people. However, neither Shruti nor Santanu have published a statement regarding their apparent breakup. Shruti and Santanu have been dating for a long time and were even living together for the past several years. They were frequently photographed together and never hesitated to display their affection for each other in public. Santanu is a well-known doodle artist who also works in other mediums. He has collaborated with some well-known celebrities, including Raftaar, Divine, and Ritviz. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Earlier this year, social media sensation Orry or Orhan Awatramani ignited wedding rumors when he referred to Santanu as Shruti's spouse. Shruti later stated that they were not married. So, I am not married. Why would I hide this if I have been upfront about everything else? LOL. So, folks who don't know me at all, please calm down, she stated on Instagram Stories. Previously, in an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Santanu discussed their love and their constant public appearances. He claimed that it might be demanding and discussed the backlash he received for being Shruti's beau. I get a lot of racist remarks. I mean, which is very unkind and mean. But, I mean, for us, we both are each others support system in a way that we are very supportive. Were very supportive of the work that we do. We are mutual respects art form, and we are each others sounding board. So, whenever we work on anything, we are the first critics of each others work. And, I mean, for us, work, art, and expression are what take priority and everything else is secondary. So that mental space and that focus help us sort of ignore all the negative aspects of being in the public eye, he said. Meanwhile, Shruti Haasan was last seen at work in Salaar. The film also had Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the key roles and was well received by all. Salaar grossed more than Rs 700 crore at the box office worldwide. Also Read : Shruti Haasan announces her next titled Chennai Story; actress shares glimpse on social media

Bollywood Hungama 27 Apr 2024 3:42 pm

IPL-17: DC vs MI | Mumbai Indians opt to field against Delhi Capitals; Prithvi Shaw misses out

Mumbai made one change while Delhi brought in Kumar Kushagra and Lizaad Williams

The Hindu 27 Apr 2024 3:42 pm

Man, daughter killed in accident in UP's Etawah

Tragic accident on Agra-Etawah Highway claims lives of man and daughter, leaving wife injured. Family en route to Auraiya. Importance of road safety highlighted post-mortem.

The Times of India 27 Apr 2024 3:40 pm

MI opt to field against DC; Prithvi Shaw misses out

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to field against Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League match against Delhi Capitals here Saturday. MI made one change to its playing XI, bringing in Luke Wood for Gerald Coetzee. The Delhi side made a couple of changes, bringing in Kumar Kushagra []

orissapost 27 Apr 2024 3:35 pm

Kumar Kushagra replaces Prithvi Shaw, Lizaad Williams handed debut

Kumar Kushagra replaces Prithvi Shaw Lizaad Williams handed debut

India Today 27 Apr 2024 3:30 pm

Kashmera Shah reveals she apologised to Govinda, but he didn't let her touch his feet and didn't expect his wife Sunita Ahuja to arrive; says, Unka gussa rehna banta hai

Govinda's surprise entrance to Krushna Abhishek's sister Arti Singh's wedding caught everyone off guard. This stunning act brought an end to Govinda and Krushna's eight-year dispute. The feud began with a verbal altercation between Krushna's wife Kashmera Shah and Govinda's wife Sunita Ahuja, which eventually escalated. Kashmera previously stated that she would stroke Govinda's feet and apologize if he attended Arti's wedding, and in a subsequent interview, she confirmed that she did. Kashmera told The Times of India that she was delighted he attended the wedding. Kashmera described their encounter, stating that she was the only one greeting guests at the entryway, while Krushna was on stage with Arti. When Govinda entered the venue, she described it as unreal and immediately bowed down, uttering namaste. The actor stated that she approached Govinda and led him to the stage. When she bent down to touch his feet, Govinda stopped her and said jeete raho, khush raho. I bent down to touch his feet. That is the apology, Kashmera said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kashmera Shah (@kashmera1) She also introduced Govinda to her twins, who were six years old. The Hero No. 1 actor hugged and blessed them, making Kashmera emotional. Govinda attended the wedding, but his wife, Sunita Ahuja, was absent. When asked whether she expected Sunita to attend the wedding, Kashmera said, I wasnt.Unka gussa rehna banta hai. (She has the right to be upset.) She said that she will sort her issues with Sunita later and called her an alpha woman. Kashmera also hinted that Sunita is angry because of the 2018 tweet incident. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) For those unfamiliar, the feud between Govinda and Krushna Abhishek began years ago. Sunita, Govinda's wife, became outraged in 2018 after Kashmera tweeted about people dancing for money. Sunita believed it was targeted at Govinda, so they severed relations with Krushna and Kashmera. Krushna also spoke to the reporters, saying, Mama aaye bahut khushi hui. I was so happy to see him. Wo dil ki baat hai. Humara emotional connect hai. Also Read : Govinda attends Arti Singhs wedding, ends eight-year long feud with Krushna Abhishek

Bollywood Hungama 27 Apr 2024 3:28 pm

IPL 2024: No Coetzee & Shaw As Mumbai Indians Elect To Bowl First Against Delhi Capitals

Arun Jaitley Stadium: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals in match 43 of IPL 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. MI are at ninth place in the points table, while DC are at sixth position. The last time these two teams met in IPL 2024, MI won by 29 runs in the afternoon game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai earlier this month. After winning the toss, captain Hardik Pandya said fast-bowler Gerald Coetzee is out due to a stomach bug and left-arm pacer Luke Wood comes into the playing eleven. The ground is small. It's better to bat second on a smaller ground. Every game is a new game, we make sure we are not out. We keep fighting and keep coming hard in each game. The mood is fine, happy chats, all is well. You should not really focus on what has happened in the past. Anyone can beat anyone. Our goal is to play our brand of cricket and put our best foot forward, he said. DC skipper Rishabh Pant said he was looking to bat first, and added opener Prithvi Shaw is out due to an injury, with wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra coming into the playing eleven. DC have also got South Africa fast-bowler Lizaad Williams into the playing eleven in place of fellow countryman Anrich Nortje. I think it will get slower in the second innings. It has been amazing, we're getting the kind of wickets we want. As a team we have to play well and we have been. This is something we talked about - how to control the innings. Bowling with the new ball and bowling at the death is difficult, one over here or there is making all the difference, he said. The pitch for Saturdays match has no grass and looks barren, with it expected to aid spinner. The square boundaries are at 59m and 64m respectively, with straight boundaries measured at 73m and one side of behind the wicket standing at just 54m. Playing XIs Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kumar Kushagra, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (captain & wicketkeeper), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Lizaad Williams, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed Substitutes: Rasikh Dar Salam, Praveen Dubey, Vicky Ostwal, Ricky Bhui and Sumit Kumar Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (captain), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Piyush Chawla, Luke Wood, Jasprit Bumrah and Nuwan Thushara Substitutes: Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Shams Mulani, Dewald Brevis and Kumar Kartikeya

CNMSports 27 Apr 2024 3:28 pm

Krishna Mukherjee Accuses 'Shubh Shagun' Producer of Harassment: 'They Locked Me In Makeup Room'

In her recent Instagram post, Krishna Mukherjee opened up about battling depression and blamed the makers of 'Shubh Shagun' for her anxiety.

News18 27 Apr 2024 2:57 pm

Lara Dutta claims she has no interest in playing characters younger than her true age, unlike certain male performers

Lara Dutta understands that playing a 40-year-old woman in Bollywood is a rare opportunity for female actresses. In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Lara was asked about how men frequently play characters decades younger than their true age, but she stated that she has no desire in doing so. I think it's great (women getting to play their own age). Yeah. And I hope it happens more. Why? Because for the longest time ever, we never ever, ever represented women in this country over a certain age. It was always the college-going or the 20-year-old falling in love for the first time. Any representation of women on screen was either the mother who has sacrificed everything, or the horrible saas or the suffering bahu, there was just no representation of actual women, Lara said. In her new television series, Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond, she plays a politician. Before it, she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in BellBottom. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@larabhupathi) She added, So I love the fact that today there are women on screen who are in all forms, you know, powerful women, vulnerable women, diabolical women, but women who are 40, 50 60, 70, and you're finally being seen on screen. So I have no interest in playing a character that's any younger than I am right now. Shah Rukh Khan recently played a 30-something in Dunki and Jawan, as well as elder versions of the same characters. In Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir Khan plays a small child who grows into a middle-aged man. Released on April 25 on JioCinema, Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond is produced by Sunjoy Waddhwa and Comall Sunjay W from Sphereorigins Multivision Private Limited. The series boasts of a talented ensemble cast, including Jimmy Shergill, Ashutosh Rana and Ashish Vidyarthi. Also Read : Lara Dutta on being trolled on social media says, arrey buddhi ho gayi

Bollywood Hungama 27 Apr 2024 2:14 pm

Santanu reacts to Shruti split rumours- Exclusive

The two have been dating each other since years and have unfollowed each other on Instagram

The Times of India 27 Apr 2024 2:12 pm

Experience the excellence

HYDERABAD: It all started from a boutique 60-seater coffee shop in Madhapur in 2019 the dream to focus on premium coffee and dining experiences for Roast. From successful expansion of the original site to Roast 24x7 in Gachibowli with 200 seating capacity, and now to a new flagship outlet in Banjara Hills with 500+ seating capacity spread across 47,000 sqft with four floors it has indeed been a dream journey. Hyderabad got its newest coffee place in Roast Coffee Culinary Xperience, popularly known as Roast CCX, founded by Hanumanth Rao, Vivek Reddy Pitta, Nanda Madhavaram, Praneet Reddy Chinna. Not only the place boasts a sprawling space to enjoy your tryst with coffee and food, it has a private screening room, a coffee room for those who want to learn more about coffee and finally a mini private restaurant set-up where one can hire a chef of ones choice and have an exclusive intimate party. For all those who are hooked to social media, theres plenty of insta worthy spots delectable display of the dessert section or the gigantic 20-foot-tall Loring S70 Peregrine roaster which can roast around 70 kg of coffee beans. Interestingly, it is Indias first S70. The S70 can roast up to 70 kgs of coffee per batch. Unlike a traditional drum roaster, Loring roasts coffee by recirculating hot air through a static drum rather than heating a rotating drum. The coffee counter is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment like pressure profiling espresso machines, dose-by-weight grinders, auto tampers, auto milk steamers, cold brew towers, nitro taps, pour steady and so on. They are planning to launch a retail website for a wide range of coffee products and a B2B model to supply coffee beans, bakery, and pastry products. On request, Roast also takes guests on a tour of its bakery on the first floor. Here, one can watch croissants being sheeted, dough for breads being kneaded and cakes getting their final look. We started our journey into the culinary world of Roast CCX with a non-coffee drinkBiscoff Boba. Then we shifted our attention to Apple and Cinnamon Nitro Cold Brew and Coffee Lemonade. All three drinks were refreshing, especially on a summer evening. It was time for us to taste their specials from the menu like Avocado Tartare, Spinach and Soba Noodles and Kolokitthi (fried zucchini and brinjal chips with garlic yoghurt). Another highlight in their menu is their all-day breakfast section, which has the best of indulgent and healthy options. We tried Brioche French Toast, their in-house freshly made French toast drizzled with golden maple syrup, whipped cream and assorted fruits and Acai-berry Bowl, which was antioxidant-packed goodness of acai berry powder, blended with berries, banana, honey and almond milk. From their mezze menu we tried Sheesh Tawook, which had garlic scented chicken and harissa and Kebab Meshwi, which was cinnamon flavoured lamb kebab succulent and juicy. Vegetarians must try Tofu Leeks Yakitori, tofu and leek skewers made with a combination of soy, sake and mirin. For sea-food lovers, there is Kerala Fried Prawns. Juicy prawns marinated in a spicy mix of black pepper and green chili, fried with fragrant curry leaves for a taste of Southern India. Then there are pretty desserts Reindeer Mousse and Hokkaido Cheesecake which not only look great but its a treat to all sweet tooths out there and were an ideal end to our Roast CCX experience.

The New Indian Express 27 Apr 2024 1:14 pm

Confirmed! Shruti Haasan & BF Santanu Hazarika Have Parted Ways

Shruti Haasans personal life made headlines once more when she and her longtime boyfriend, doodle artist and illustrator Santanu Hazarika, unfollowed each other on Instagram. This action fueled speculation of a breakup, and recent reports confirm that the rumors are indeed accurate. Confirming the same a source revealed to HindustanTimes, They broke up last month. [] Read on Lehren - Confirmed! Shruti Haasan & BF Santanu Hazarika Have Parted Ways

lehren 27 Apr 2024 12:30 pm

Sister urges CBI to unveil truth of SSR's death

Shweta Singh Kirti launches 'Nany 4 SSR Jan Andolan' campaign on Instagram to demand justice for Sushant Singh Rajput's death, urging CBI inquiry speed. Calls for transparency, accountability, and PM Modi's intervention as supporters push for answers.

The Times of India 27 Apr 2024 12:28 pm

Delhi: Minor Muslim boy kills Hindu woman in Jahangirpuri, used to stalk the victims underage daughter

Prior to killing the Hindu woman, the accused had posted a video on his Instagram page wherein he was seen brandishing and firing a pistol.

OpIndia 27 Apr 2024 12:22 pm

A celebrity politician has been jailed for rape. Will Czech women be listened to now? | Apolena Rychlkov and Jakub Zelenka|

We helped bring Dominik Feri to justice. His trail should have rattled a complacent political establishment He was spoken of as an extraordinary talent. A rising star with a million followers on Instagram, who made politics relevant for younger generations. As recently as 2018, Politico ranked him among 28 people who would shape Europe in the years ahead. But earlier this week, Dominik Feri was sentenced to three years in prison for rape. A man once feted as the great hope of the Czech Republic, and the youngest member of parliament in the countrys history is now its first politician to be jailed for sexual violence. Continue reading...

The Guardian 27 Apr 2024 11:30 am

IIIT-Hyderabad scientists develop tool to simplify English learning

HYDERABAD: Researchers at the Raj Reddy Centre for Technology and Society (RCTS), IIIT-H have designed a unique web-based tool to assist students and teachers in learning the English language, with an aim to make the language learning accessible to all. The English language learning application is a machine learning, AI-based web application, which has been developed to assist classroom learning as well as self-learning of the language through speech interaction. This machine learning model compares the speech of the expert and the speaker and gives an output with correct pronunciation. Arjun Rajasekar, senior research scientist, RCTS, speaking to TNIE, said, The tool can be used in a classroom setting as well as in self-learning exercise. In the classrooms, teachers can assess the performance of students with the help of the tool. In the self-learning mode, a student can use the expert speech which can be played repeatedly to learn or improve their language. In terms of application, when a student reads a sentence, the expert voice visualises the sentence and then gives an output with correct pronunciation for a mispronounced word with the expert voice, and gives feedback in the form of a score, which helps the students understand and improve the pronunciation of a particular word. The tool can save time and effort for teachers as they would not need repeat a word to correct the students. Where at times, the teachers themselves might not be proficient with the language and might find it difficult to explain the pronunciation, the tool can assist both teachers and students in improving their language skills. The tool can work on any device that has a browser, microphone, speakers and an internet connection either a desktop or a mobile phone. Researchers have decided to use a speech assessment model developed by Prof Chiranjeevi Yarra from the Speech Processing Lab at the Language Technology Research Centre (LTRC) in IIITH. The original model has the functionality of providing pronunciation feedback at four different levels the phoneme, emphasis, tonal, and possible pause locations of a sentence, while the current implementation focuses only on the syllable stress component. A pilot model test was conducted at a government high school in Moinabad in Rangareddy district in March, in which students in the sixth grade participated. We want to make English language learning reachable to a large number of audiences, especially those in rural areas. As of now, the tool is in pilot mode and we will be conducting more test runs in the coming times and based on feedback from teachers, modify the features and functionalities. Currently, the tool can record one sentence at a time. We are working to make it into long paragraphs and story-telling texts in the new modifications. The tool will eventually be made available in the public domain, Rajasekhar added. The tool as of now focuses on high school students from Classes 6 to 10, but scientists are also planning to make it available for primary classes in the future.

The New Indian Express 27 Apr 2024 10:45 am

From Challengers to Pet Shop Boys: the complete guide to this weeks entertainment

Zendaya, Josh OConnor and Mike Faist find themselves in a love triangle on centre court in Luca Guadagninos tennis romance, while the synthpop veterans return with album number 15 Challengers Out now Zendaya, Josh OConnor and Mike Faist star in this sporting romance thatsees off-court tensions played outthrough the medium of tennis, asagrand slam champion competes against his wifes former lover. From Luca Guadagnino, directorof Call Me By Your Name. Continue reading...

The Guardian 27 Apr 2024 10:30 am

Stranded Aditi Rao Hydari watches airport circus: New lows every day

Mumbai: Actress Aditi Rao Hydari found herself stuck in a flight early in the morning in Mumbai when there was no ladder nor an airbridge, describing it as new lows every day. Aditi took to her Instagram stories and shared a picture of the airport from her flight window after it had landed. The actress Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 27 Apr 2024 10:26 am

BJP's Dilip Ghosh faces electoral test for political survival in Bardhaman-Durgapur

BJP's Dilip Ghosh faces electoral test for political survival in Bardhaman-Durgapur In the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency, a region known for altering political allegiance in every election, BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh faces a pivotal challenge to overturn this pattern and secure his political future. Since its establishment in 2009, Bardhaman-Durgapur has sent CPI(M), TMC and BJP representatives once each to the Lok Sabha in the three previous polls. In 2019, BJP's S S Ahluwalia clinched the seat from the TMC by a narrow margin of approximately 3,000 votes, marking it as a challenging battleground for the saffron party. With the odds stacked up, the BJP is placing its faith in Ghosh, widely regarded as one of its most successful state presidents, to retain its foothold in the region. Political analysts believe that Ghoshs relocation from his previous Medinipur constituency, coupled with his removal from the post of party's national vice-president, have turned the Bardhaman-Durgapur contest into a critical test of both prestige and political survival for Ghosh. ''Dilip Ghosh is now fighting a battle for his political survival. He is presently cornered in his own party. A victory would rejuvenate his political career, while a defeat could cast doubts over it,'' said Maidul Islam, a political scientist at the Centre for Studies in Social Science. During Ghosh's tenure as the state BJP president, the party won 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Despite the challenging circumstances, the BJP leader remains optimistic about his prospects. ''I am a loyal party member, and I embrace any role assigned to me. This is a challenge I am prepared to overcome,'' Ghosh told PTI. Highlighting his track record of political firsts, he added, ''I became the state president within nine months of joining the party. I became an MLA in my first attempt, by defeating the 10-time MLA Gyan Singh Sohanpal. I also became an MP in my first attempt. Bardhaman-Durgapur presents another new challenge for me.'' Ghosh's opponents in this electoral race include TMC candidate and former India cricketer Kirti Azad, as well as the LeftCongress alliance candidate Sukriti Ghoshal. The TMC, eager to reclaim the seat, faces the hurdle of Azad being labelled an ''outsider'' by the BJP. However, Azad dismissed these concerns, stating, ''I am an Indian, and any Indian can contest from any part of the country. This election is about issues and policies, not individuals.'' In contrast, the BJP has launched a campaign emphasizing Azad's outsider status, echoing the ''insider-outsider'' narrative used by the TMC during the 2021 assembly polls. The ''insider-outsider'' debate in West Bengal gained traction ahead of the 2021 state elections, with the ruling TMC leveraging Bengali sub-nationalism to counter the BJP's Hindutva narrative. The constituency, created after the reorganisation of parliamentary constituencies in 2008, is a blend of industrial and farming regions, appealing to both rural and urban voters. It comprises seven assembly segments: Burdwan South, Burdwan North, Monteswar, Bhatar, Galsi, Durgapur East, and Durgapur West. In the 2021 assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) clinched victories in all segments except Durgapur West. The assembly seats in this constituency were once bastions of the Left parties. However, with changing political tides in Bengal since the defeat of the Left Front government in 2011, the TMC has been steadily gaining ground in the area. In 2009, the CPI(M)'s Saidul Haque won the Lok Sabha seat with over one lakh votes against Congress-supported TMC candidate, Nargis Begam. But in 2014, TMC's Mamtaz Sanghamitra wrested the seat from Haque. Five years later, the elections saw a close contest, with SS Ahluwalia of the BJP narrowly defeating the TMC by a margin of 0.1 per cent votes, with the two parties garnering 42.3 and 42.2 per cent of the votes respectively. The constituency has a Muslim population of nearly 20 per cent while the scheduled caste community comprises 27 per cent. With the Left-Congress alliance entering the fray, the upcoming election promises a three-cornered fight, a departure from the previous bipolar contests. ''This area has a rich history of trade unions and peasant movements led by the Left. The CPI(M) maintains its base here, evident from the 2016 assembly polls when the Left-Congress alliance won two assembly segments,'' said Islam. In 2019, the CPI(M) secured over 1.5 lakh votes, accounting for 11.5 per cent of the total votes polled, while the Congress garnered nearly 38,000 votes, representing 2.3 per cent of the votes. ''With the Left-Congress alliance, we are optimistic about winning the seat. The electorate is disenchanted with both the TMC and the BJP,'' Ghosal said. Islam highlighted that if the Left-Congress alliance secures over 15 per cent of the votes polled, the electoral battle could swing either way as far as the TMC and BJP are concerned. Sensing the imminent danger of Left-Congress, Ghosh has recently appealed to the Left voters to vote for the BJP in the fight against the ''corrupt TMC'', a plea which was rejected outright by the CPI(M). The Left-Congress alliance aims to resonate with the people on issues like unemployment and agrarian crisis, stemming from state and central policies, as their primary campaign themes in the constituency which goes to vote on May 13.

devdiscourse 27 Apr 2024 10:17 am

Britney Spears settles legal dispute with father

Britney Spears settles legal dispute with father Britney Spears, the pop icon embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with her father, Jamie Spears, over alleged financial misconduct during her conservatorship, has finally found a resolution. The dispute, which has captured headlines and public attention for years, reached its conclusion as the Spears duo settled the enduring debate over legal fees in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 25, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Under the guidance of Britney's legal team, led by attorney Mathew S Rosengart, the settlement was achieved, marking a significant milestone in Britney's quest for autonomy. While specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, Rosengart expressed that Britney has achieved her long-desired goal of freedom from legal entanglements. The Hollywood Reporter obtained a statement issued on Friday in which Rosengart affirmed, As she desired, her freedom now includes that she will no longer need to attend or be involved with the court or entangled with legal proceedings in this matter. This resolution spares both Britney and her father from a potentially gruelling trial over the alleged financial misconduct during her conservatorship, which Jamie Spears had overseen until September 2019. The conclusion to this case comes after Britney publicly addressed a court in Los Angeles in June 2021, revealing her anguish and desire for independence. I just want my life back, she expressed, highlighting the traumatic impact of her conservatorship experience. Since her emancipation from the conservatorship, Britney Spears has focused on reclaiming control over her life. Despite her enduring success in the music industry, including the release of her best-selling memoir 'The Woman in Me' and collaborations with renowned artists like Elton John and Will.i.am, Britney has made it clear that return to music is not a priority. In response to rumours of a potential album release, Britney firmly stated on Instagram, I will never return to the music industry. The settlement between Britney Spears and her father marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in the pop star's life, signalling a new era of freedom and self-determination. As Britney continues to navigate her post-conservatorship life, her steadfast focus remains on asserting her autonomy and pursuing her own path, free from the constraints of legal battles and industry expectations. (ANI)

devdiscourse 27 Apr 2024 10:00 am

Stranded Aditi Rao Hydari watches airport circus: New lows everyday

Stranded Aditi Rao Hydari watches airport circus: New lows everyday Mumbai: Actress Aditi Rao Hydari found herself stuck in a flight early in the morning in Mumbai when there was no ladder nor an airbridge, describing it as new lows everyday. Aditi took to her Instagram stories and shared a picture of the airport from [] The post Stranded Aditi Rao Hydari watches airport circus: New lows everyday appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Mangalorean 27 Apr 2024 9:50 am

Jonathan Bailey, Hayley Atwell and Eddie Marsan onboard Heartstopper S3

Netflix announced on Thursday that Jonathan Bailey, Hayley Atwell and Eddie Marsan have been added to the cast of the third season of Heartstopper. They join the previously announced Darragh Hand. The series is headlined by Kit Connor and Joe Locke as Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, respectively. Netflix also revealed that Atwell will essay Nick's aunt Diane who gives him some tough advice about his relationship with Charlie, on their Summer trip to Menorca. Geoff, Charlie's straightforward and wise therapist from the Heartstopper graphic novels, will be played by Marsan. Bailey will only be making a cameo appearance as the Instagram-popular classist, Jack Maddox, who is also Charlie's celebrity crush. Heartstopper is an adaptation of Alice Oseman's webcomic and graphic novel of the same name. The series follows the story of Charlie and Nick, who meet at the school and eventually realise that their friendship has bloomed into an unexpected romance. Recently, Netflix announced that the third season of the series will premiere in October. The official synopsis of the upcoming season reads, Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. Nick also has something important to say to Charlie. As the summer holiday ends and the months race on, the friends realise that the school year will come with its joys and challenges. As they learn more about each other and their relationships, plan social events and parties and start thinking about university choices, everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn't go to plan. The extended supporting cast of Heartstopper includes William Gao as Tao Xu, Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent, Corinna Brown as Tara Jones, Kizzy Edgell as Darcy Olsson, Jenny Walser as Tori, and Sebastian Croft as Benjamin. The first season of Heartstopper was released on April 22, 2022, and the second on August 3, 2023.

The New Indian Express 27 Apr 2024 8:32 am

Delhi: Spider-couple booked for rash driving after video goes viral

NEW DELHI: Two youths, including a 19-year-old woman, wearing the costumes of superhero Spider-man, were booked for performing stunts on city roads, an official said on Friday.The accused, identified as Aditya (20), and Anjali (19), are residents of Najafgarh in Delhi. According to the official, a post going viral on social media showed a biker in a spider-man costume performing a stunt without a helmet or a number plate on Urban Extension Road-II or NH-344M in the city. Accordingly, the police swung into action and initiated an inquiry into the matter. During investigation, the cops identified the accused motorcycle riders as social media influencers. The riders have been booked for offences of driving without helmet, without mirror, without licence, dangerous driving and not displaying number plate etc, a police officer said. Aditya runs an Instagram account named Indian Spidey Official wherein he shares reels and videos of himself in spider mans attire. His account has nearly 10,000 followers but the video for which he was booked has already garnered nearly 9.7 lakh views. Aditya has been seen performing in schools too. Insta icon unbothered Despite police penalising the young Instagrammer for his alleged crime, he posted a video from the police custody.

The New Indian Express 27 Apr 2024 8:20 am

Signing the war in Gaza: Overcoming deafness and displacement

Signing the war in Gaza: Overcoming deafness and displacement Bassem Al-Habal carried a large bag of flour provided by the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, inside one of the shelters in the city of Deir Al- Balah in the central Gaza Strip, part of his daily journey to find food and water for his family while overcoming displacement, bombardment and the challenges of being deaf and mute in a war zone. From the room he and his family call home inside the school-turned-shelter, he felt a duty to let the world know what life is really like for them, through daily videos he shares on social media as the ongoing war approaches its eighth month. _UN News_ s correspondent in Gaza, Ziad Talib, spoke to Mr. Al-Habal with help from his sister-in-law, Ghalia Al-Kilani, who learned sign language so she could communicate with her sister, who is also from the deaf community. ## **Sign of the times** I wanted to send a message to the deaf community all over the world, so I decided to film my normal life, when houses are being bombed, Mr. Al-Habal explained. I use European sign language so that the idea reaches them and so that people see what is happening in Gaza. He likened what he does to journalistic work, tailored to people with disabilities who are deaf. What encouraged him to continue reporting everything that happens in Gaza is the increase in the number of followers online every day. They began to support me and support Gaza and the Palestinian cause, he said. ## **Daily struggles** Despite this social media outlet, he continues to suffer, like many displaced people in Gaza. After fleeing northern Gaza seven months ago, he still struggles to find food, water and work to support his family. Around 1.7 million Gazans have been internally displaced, more than half of whom are children, and they do not have access to sufficient water, food, fuel and medicine. Currently, some one million people have sought safety in UNRWA facilities that have been turned into shelters, and about two million people in Gaza depend on the UN agencys lifesaving support even as it faces great difficulties and delays in getting its supplies into the Strip. I am very tired, and I am very afraid, Mr. Al-Habal told _UN News_. I fear for my wife and daughter. But, that does not prevent him from extending a helping hand to everyone who needs it. When I see children in the street, I help them until they smile and forget the bombing, he said. What is important is that the children are happy and that they stay away from fear. ## **Silent bombs** The continuation of hostilities in Gaza puts Mr. Al-Habal in constant fear for his family. He does not hear the sounds of bombing, and a hearing aid helps him pick up only a weak echo of what is happening around him. Whenever my daughter cries, I hug her and reassure her, he said. Yet, despite the difficult circumstances and the daily hardship he experiences in finding food and water, his efforts to search for a job opportunity do not stop. ![Ghalia Al-Kilani, with her brother-in-law Bassem Al-Habal and her niece in the background, in a shelter for displaced people in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/25-04-2024_Ghalia%20Al%20Kilani- Gaza%20People%20with%20Disabilites.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg) UN News Ghalia Al-Kilani, with her brother-in-law Bassem Al-Habal and her niece in the background, in a shelter for displaced people in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza. ## **Challenges for the deaf** Ms. Al-Kilani helps her brother-in-law convey what he says to those who do not understand sign language. However, she said, there is a great challenge for the deaf community in Gaza in recognising the bombing and shooting that is happening around them, which puts their lives in extra danger. She also emphasised the extreme difficulty faced by deaf persons with disabilities, to make a living now in Gaza. Thats why she began helping him communicate his voice and message through social media. Ms. Al-Kilani began helping him translate and communicate everything he observed and photographed around him, and right now, Mr. Al-Habal has more than 25,000 followers on Instagram. ## **Stories from the north** Before speaking to _UN News_ , Mr. Al-Habal explained to his social media followers the predicament faced by friends who are deaf with disabilities in northern Gaza, which seven months ago he called home. Some of them were killed because they did not hear the bombing and the instructions of the Israeli forces, and when others tried to move their bodies, some were hit by gunfire, he said. Back at the small room in the shelter, Mr. Al-Habal said he will continue to publish daily videos so that the world can see what is really happening to them. Why does the world watch what is happening to us and remains silent? he asked, expressing hope that the war will stop, and life will return to normal in Gaza. Visit UN News for more.

devdiscourse 27 Apr 2024 6:30 am

Fire dept on high alert to counter crop fire in Prayagraj

The Times of India 27 Apr 2024 4:57 am

A Premier League return is the only certainty in Leicesters cloudy future

Enzo Marescas side kept their heads to secure promotion but financial worries loom large as club prepare for the top flight A campaign that began with Enzo Maresca insisting his Leicester City players sleep overnight at their sprawling, 185-acre Seagrave training base for the first week of pre-season in the name of team building has ended with their primary mission accomplished, promotion boxed off, the Championship crown likely to follow. Leicesters most memorable and marvellous moment came when they confounded expectations; this time, it was a case of simply meeting them by getting back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that surely the most expensively assembled squad in the division their wage bill was the biggest outside the Premier League top six 12 months ago has sealed that return after Leeds lost at QPR on Friday night but it turned into a slog after they ceded a 17-point lead. In the last couple of months, their 51-game season has flitted between a sense of collapse and catharsis. It has been a very long season, Maresca said with a wry smile this week. Continue reading...

The Guardian 27 Apr 2024 2:38 am

Drake deletes AI-generated Tupac track after Shakurs estate threatened to sue

Drake apparently learned it isnt wise to mess with Tupac Shakur even decades after his untimely death. Billboard first spotted that the Canadian hip-hop artist deleted the X (Twitter) post with his track Taylor Made Freestyle, which used an AI-generated recreation of Shakurs voice to try to get under Kendrick Lamars skin. The takedown came after an attorney representing the late hip-hop legend threatened to sue the Canadian rapper for his unauthorized use of Tupacs voice if he didnt remove it from social channels within 24 hours. However, the track was online for a week and unsurprisingly has been copiously reposted. The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupacs voice and personality, Howard King, the attorney representing Shakurs estate, wrote earlier this week in a cease-and-desist letter acquired by Billboard . Not only is the record a flagrant violation of Tupacs publicity and the estates legal rights, it is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The Estate would never have given its approval for this use. 2PAC.com King implied that using Shakurs voice to diss Lamar was an especially egregious show of disrespect. Lamar, a 17-time Grammy winner and Pulitzer recipient, has spoken frequently about his deep admiration for Tupac, and the Oakland rappers estate says the feelings are mutual. The unauthorized, equally dismaying use of Tupacs voice against Kendrick Lamar, a good friend to the Estate who has given nothing but respect to Tupac and his legacy publicly and privately, compounds the insult, King wrote in a cease-and-desist letter. Drakes track also included an AI-generated clone of Snoop Doggs voice. The Doggystyle rapper and cannabis aficionado appeared surprised in a social post last week: They did what? When? How? Are you sure? He continued, Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up? What the fuck? What happened? Whats going on? Im going back to bed. Good night. However, the one-time Doggy Fizzle Televizzle host has a history of poker-faced coyness. Last year, he took to Instagram to solemnly announce he was giving up smoke, leading to rampant speculation about why the stoner icon would quit his favorite pastime. Soon after, his announcement was revealed as a PR stunt for Solo Stove which, marketing gimmicks aside, makes some terrific bonfire pits . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/drake-deletes-ai-generated-tupac-track-after-shakurs-estate-threatened-to-sue-191810881.html?src=rss

Engadget 27 Apr 2024 12:48 am

Coastal road bow string arch bridge erected

Bhushan Gagrani supervised the crucial connection of the arch bridge between Mumbai Coastal Road and Bandra Worli Sea Link. Precision placement in open sea was a significant engineering feat. The innovative float-over method highlighted progress in connectivity.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 11:43 pm

Rise of Social Media Influencers in AP Politics

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Politicians in Andhra Pradesh are increasingly turning to social media influencers to reach out to and sway their voters. There are lesser numbers of traditional campaign rallies and press conferences as the new battleground for political influence has moved online. Recognising the immense reach and impact of social media personalities, politicians are actively courting these digital campaigners to promote their agendas. Offering lucrative sums ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per post, and up to Rs 10,000 for interviews, they are tapping into the massive followings of these influential figures and agencies. A prime example is in Visakhapatnam parliament seats. The interviews of several candidates have been shared across various Vizag-based social media pages, even as the youtubers claimed they were not being paid, and they were only reaching information to their viewers. A growing symbiotic relationship between politicians and social media stars is all too clear. The trend extends to the highest levels of government as well. Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's recent social media event saw over 500 of the state's most active social media users in attendance, underscoring the importance he places on this digital outreach. Another evidence of this shift was seen in the YSRC party's recent video challenge, where the public was encouraged to record videos supporting the CM, which were then shared across the party's social media handles -- and also a photo, with CM, of the one that wins the competition. This innovative approach has generated significant buzz. An anonymous Vizag-based Instagram influencer with over 2,16,000 followers said political leaders have approached them, offering substantial sums to promote their campaigns through his platform. The role of social media influencers in AP politics is only set to grow. The ability to reach and sway large, engaged audiences has made them a crucial asset for politicians seeking to connect with voters in the digital age.

Deccan Chronicle 26 Apr 2024 11:24 pm

While Modi focuses on uplifting the poor, the SP-Congress alliance is indulging in blatant appeasement: PM Modi

Addressing an election rally in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that while Modi focuses on uplifting the poor, the SP-Congress alliance is indulging in blatant appeasement. Congresss manifesto for the 2024 elections bears 100% imprint of the Muslim League, solely dedicated to strengthening their vote bank PM...

newdelhitimes 26 Apr 2024 11:00 pm

MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone 15 and Blue Light Screen Protector From Ocushield

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Ocushield to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 15 and one of Ocushield's Blue Light Screen Protectors to go along with it. Ocushield has a range of medically rated screen protectors that are designed for for the iPhone , iPad , and MacBook . Ocushield specializes in blue light reduction, so all of its screen protectors cut down on the amount of blue light that you're exposed to when using your devices. Blue light can cause eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, fatigue, and blurry vision in some people, and it is hard to avoid between work on the computer and day-to-day iPhone and iPad usage. Blue light can also impact sleep because it affects the production of melatonin and your body doesn't naturally produce enough to tell you when to go to sleep. Ocushield's iPhone Screen Protector comes in sizes that fit all devices dating back to the iPhone 5. It comes with a kit for cleaning the iPhone and an applicator tray for alignment purposes, both of which make for a no-flaw application process. The iPad Screen Protector features a similar kit, and it is available for the iPad, iPad mini , iPad Pro , and iPad Air . Each one comes with a screen cleaner, tray for application, sticker to remove dust, and a cleaning cloth. The blue light filters block up to 99 percent of UV and blue light emissions between 300-400nm, and up to 54 percent of harmful blue light between 400 to 470nm. Ocushield says that its iPhone and iPad screen protectors are meant to preserve the natural colors of the device for a clear picture. The iPhone and iPad Screen Protectors are both made of thin, tempered glass, which also offer screen protection. They come with an anti-bacterial coating, oil resistance, and an anti-reflection coating that cuts down on fingerprints. Ocushield says that the screen protectors are able to prevent eye strain, improve sleep, and protect the eyes and skin from harmful blue light. While the iPhone and iPad Screen Protectors are permanent and attach with no-damage adhesive, Ocushield's MacBook Anti-Blue Light Filter works a little differently. Apple does not recommend closing a MacBook with a screen protector attached, so the Blue Light Filter for Mac is removable. It adheres using silicone or magnets depending on your Mac model, and it can be put on when you're using your Mac and then taken off when you need to close the display. It offers the same blue light protection as the iPhone and iPad Screen Protectors, but it also has a built-in privacy filter. When attached, the display of a Mac viewed from the side is near black, preserving privacy. It also has an anti-bacterial coating and an anti-glare coating that cut down on glare and reflections. Ocushield recently acquired EyeJust , a company that creates blue light blocking glasses, so it is expanding its product lineup with stylish glasses that will work for all devices, and improving its presence in the United States (it is based in the UK). It is worth noting that Apple has added built-in blue light reduction features to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with Night Shift , but the functionality only works at night. It also has a greater impact on color accuracy because it uses display color temperature for blocking blue light. Ocushield also has a wider feature set, including anti-drop protection for the iPhone and side-angle viewing restrictions on the Mac, plus glare reduction across all devices. To celebrate spring, Ocushield has a 15 percent discount on all products right now with the promo code BLOOM2024. We have an iPhone 15 and Ocushield Screen Protector for a MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter , subscribing to our YouTube channel , following us on Twitter , following us on Instagram , following us on Threads , or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page . Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter . All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section , as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected. Ocushield Giveaway The contest will run from today (April 26) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 3. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after May 3 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen. This article, MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone 15 and Blue Light Screen Protector From Ocushield first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

MacRumors 26 Apr 2024 10:08 pm

Viral Sensation: Orhan Awatramani's London hangout with Nysa Devgan and Akshay Kumar's son Aarav sparks social media frenzy

Orhan Awatramani's pictures with Nysa Devgan and Aarav have gone viral after the trio was spotted together recently. Orry, as he is known, was paired with Ajay Devgan's daughter and Akshay Kumar's son during their time in London, and he shared the photos on his Instagram handle. Orry captioned the picture with 'Dinner... fun times... about last night,' while also tagging the London restaurant they visited. Nysa looked stunning in a grey top and denim skirt, while Aarav opted for a black t-shirt paired with jeans. In an interview, Kajol revealed that Nysa has no intentions of joining Bollywood, while Akshay discussed Aarav's future plans during a chat show. Despite the film industry connection, Akshay expressed how different it is in his own home, where his son prefers focusing on his studies or pursuing fashion designing rather than watching films. Akshay Kumar's latest film was 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' alongside Tiger Shroff.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 9:48 pm

Sexy! Mouni Roy Flaunts Ample Cleavage In A Deep-Neck Satin Dress, Hot Photos Go Viral; See Here

Mouni Roy sizzled the internet when she dropped a bunch of glamorous pictures on her Instagram handle.

News18 26 Apr 2024 9:46 pm

Tussle for Reins of AIADMK on the Cards

Chennai: A new tussle for holding the reins of the AIADMK is on the cards with V K Sasikala, erstwhile confidante of former party chief J Jayalalithaa, likely to throw in her hat with the hope of ousting present general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and regaining the position that she was divested of in the aftermath of her going to jail in 2017. Though she completed her four year sentence at the Parapana Agrahara prison in Bengaluru on January 27, 2021, and drove down to Chennai in style, so far she had been keeping her political aspirations to herself. But now, after her loaded statement outside the polling booth on April 19, the grapevine is abuzz with speculations on her next move. Now, it is said that her plan is to wait for the results of the Lok Sabha elections and then pounce on Palaniswami with the help of some disgruntled leaders and functionaries within the AIADMK. As she herself suggested on Election Day she said that the results would make some people regret their decisions - the AIADMK would be trounced and that could be used to raise a demand for a change in leadership. While she cannot do it on her own as she has been thrown out of the party by Palaniswami and his coterie, she has started writing letters to other functionaries and leaders in the lower rungs of the party to incite the rebellion against Palaniswami. The plan is to ask for the convening of the General Council and demand elections for the general secretary that Sasikala hopes to win. Sensing the trouble brewing for him, Palaniswami is said to have woken up to invigorate the cadre by issuing them fresh membership cards having his signature as general secretary and also photographs of founder M G Ramachandran, J Jayalalithaa and himself on them. The cards that would, as a party insider said, be distributed only to those whose loyalty to Palaniswami was confirmed. So, not only will the cards help the party workers gain a sense of identity but also ensure the re-election of Palaiswami as general secretary if the call of convening the general council turns vociferous, forcing the party honchos to accept it. Besides, the top leaders who are averse to the idea of Sasikala returning to helm the party, are also doing their best to ensure that Palaniswami remains in his present position. On the other hand there are fence sitters at all levels of the party hierarchy who might feel that there is a need for change in leadership. Since the mention of a new general secretary is likely to spring too many contenders to the fore in the party that once had just one leader, Jayalalithaa, with everyone else remaining loyal followers, Sasikala feels that she could emerge as the common candidate acceptable to the majority. It is a different matter that Sasikala might not be able to contest in any election till 2027 and hence cannot aspire to become the Chief Minister by leading her party to a win in the 2026 Assembly elections. That she can head the party, as there is no bar on that, and choose the Chief Minister candidate is enough motivation for her to go for the kill. The party chief post would also plunge her into the thick of politics once again and she could play the game from Poes Garden, from where Palaniswami and cohorts chased her out. She has managed to retrieve the palatial mansion opposite to Veda Nilayam, the house of Jayalalithaa, from the clutches of the Enforcement Directorate that had sealed the building even as it was getting ready for her to live there. Though she would have liked to play her political games from Veda Nilayam, which has been taken over by the government and converted into a memorial, she is happy to at least manage the affairs of AIADMK from its vicinity. Also she has regained control and revived the other landmarks associated with Jayalalithaa the Kodanad Estate in the Nilgiris, the Siruthavur bungalow and Payyanur bungalow. So to get into the shoes of Jayalalithaa, all she has to do is to get hold of the reins of the party. But with Palaniswami and his associates around, it might not be that easy. Whatever, a game of one-upmanship in the AIADMK is in the offing and that could offer an interesting political spectacle to watch.

Deccan Chronicle 26 Apr 2024 9:10 pm

Kajol shares hilarious sneak peek into her workout, asks if this is before or after

Shillong, April 26: Kajol shared a hilarious glimpse of her workout from her pilates classes and asked everyone whether the picture was taken before or after her exercise. Kajol took to Instagram and posted a funny picture from her pilates class. In the photo, the actress is seen lying down on the pilates machine, wearing [] The post Kajol shares hilarious sneak peek into her workout, asks if this is before or after appeared first on The Shillong Times .

The Shillong Times 26 Apr 2024 7:48 pm

Aam-azingly Good, Mango-ficantly Delicious - Naturals Mango Ice Cream Is Officially Back in Stock

Business Wire India Aam, Amba, Mamidi, or Mangifera Indica! Whats in a name? That which we call a Mango by any anothername would taste just as aam-azingly good. Especially when its in the form of an ice cream by Naturals Ice Cream. Juicy and fleshy delicious, mangoes are a mass-favourite, no matter how big a crowd. A childhood delicacy for people of all kinds and ages, the king of fruits holds nostalgia in all its luscious slices. Likewise, Naturals summer-special Mango Ice Cream is an ode to the mango-ficent mangoes of the season. Made with only three ingredients - Alphonso mangoes, milk, and sugar - its the perfect 3-ingredient ice cream to beat the heat of summer. A seasonal specialty from Naturals, a brand known for its seasonal offerings, Naturals Mango Ice Cream is available year-round, but it comes with mango chunks exclusively during the summer season. As it abides by the peak season for the best produce, so that youre only greeted with the most aam-azing scoops of creamy and dreamy Mango Ice Cream, and its many forms including Mango Milkshake, Malai with Mango, and No Added Sugar Mango Ice Cream. Whether enjoyed in the invigorating premises of Naturals parlours, or ordered at home through delivery partners, Naturals Mango Ice Cream, Mango Milkshake, Malai with Mango, and even No Added Sugar Mango Ice Cream, render the same feel of devouring a handpicked mango plucked straight from a tree; in every royal bite or sip. So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars because this summer, Naturals invites you to taste the original, in its literal sense. And its surely going to be aam-azingly good, better and best. What: Mango Ice Cream by Naturals When: For 90 days starting 25th March 2024 Where: Pan-India Naturals Outlets About Naturals Established in 1984 by Mr. RS Kamath, Naturals ( https://naturalicecreams.in/ ) is a pioneer in quintessential fruit-based flavours such as Sitaphal, Tender Coconut, Jackfruit, Muskmelon and Kala Jamun amongst many more. Naturals marked its 40th Anniversary this year, making them the most loved legacy brand. Renowned for high-quality artisanal ice creams right from the start, Naturals was also included in Indias top 10 most trusted brands by a survey conducted by KMPG in 2018. Recently, Naturals was also featured as one of the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams by Tasteatlas. Available across 15 Indian states with 165 successful outlets, Naturals has managed to stay true to its tagline Taste the Original ever since its inception in the bustling suburbs of Juhu, Mumbai. A revolutionary brand known for crafting delicious and authentic ice creams using just 3 ingredients Fruits, Milk and Sugar, Naturals is relished by people of all ages and enjoys a pleasant history of innovative flavours and alluring offers. With a vision to evolve and experiment at every level, its Friday Funday Flavour property reflects the brands adherence to provide new and unique flavours each week. For over 40 years, Naturals has been committed to satiate the taste buds of all ice cream connoisseurs and stay true to its Customer First legacy. For more information, visit Naturals social media pages at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Naturalicecream/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturalicecream/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Naturalicecream?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

BusinessWire India 26 Apr 2024 7:15 pm

Arti Singh Calls Herself Dipak Chauhan's 'Dulhan', Drops Radiant Bridal Photos In Red Lehenga

Arti Singh took to Instagram to share photos of her bridal look. Fans called her most beautiful bride in Bollywood.

News18 26 Apr 2024 7:02 pm

Vlogger Shares Clip Of Denim-Flavoured Ice Cream In Japan, Internet Reacts

A viral video showing denim-flavoured ice cream in Japan has received a lot of interest on Instagram. Many users have nicknamed it jice cream.

NDTV 26 Apr 2024 7:01 pm

Shruti Haasan, Santanu Hazarika spark break up rumours after unfollowing each other on Instagram, here's the truth

Shruti Haasan and Santanu Hazarika sparked break up rumours after unfollowing each other on Instagram. Shruti even deleted her posts with Santanu from her social media.

DNA India 26 Apr 2024 6:28 pm

IPL 2024: Confident DC Aim For Another Win Against Inconsistent MI (preview)

Kwena Maphaka Harvik Desai: Having suffered two defeats in their last three matches, an inconsistent Mumbai Indians have their task cut out if they are to make the Play-offs of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 when they face a confident Delhi Capitals in an afternoon game at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. The last time these two teams met in the tournament, Mumbai made a massive 234/5 at the Wankhede Stadium on April 7 and managed to restrict Delhi to 205/8 for securing a 29-run win, their first of the competition. But Mumbai come into Saturdays game on the back of suffering a nine-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur and find themselves at the eighth place. A win against Delhi will set the base for their late revival in the competition, something which is now their hallmark. On the other hand, Delhi will be playing their third straight game at their real home ground, where another run-fest would be in the offering at a stadium with short square boundaries. The sixth-placed Delhi have a lot of confidence after surviving a late scare from Rashid Khan and David Miller to beat Gujarat Titans by four runs on Wednesday. Another win at home will keep them in contention in an intense race to enter the playoffs. Their batting charge has been led by captain Rishabh Pant, who is making big strides with every passing game about finding his vintage best with bat and gloves, as seen from his magnificent 88 not out against Gujarat on Wednesday. DC were also helped by Axar Patels promotion to No.3, paying off as he made his highest IPL score of 66, apart from him and Kuldeep Yadav being economical with the ball. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs have shone with the bat, while Prithvi Shaw and Shai Hope, coming in place of David Warner in the last game, are due to step up to give DC more batting depth. Pant will also be hoping that the fast bowlers, who have been inconsistent so far, will click to complement the spinners well to contain Mumbais batting line-up, which hasnt fired in unison. Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have hit big knocks, but they havent been consistent. The likes of Tim David, Ishan Kishan and captain Hardik Pandya need to chip in and support the trio with the bat if they are to get a big total. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah has undoubtedly been Mumbai's standout bowler. Bumrah is also leading the wicket-taking charts with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.37, with his death overs economy rate being at just 7.20, showcasing his effectiveness in a phase where batters go for big hits. Barring Gerald Coetzee, who has 12 wickets in eight games, Mumbais other bowlers havent done anything of note. The visitors would be hoping the bowling unit gets its act together and makes merry under Delhis scorching heat as every game matters a lot for both teams in the race to the playoffs. Squads: Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (c), Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar, Mitchell Marsh, Anrich Nortje, Pravin Dubey, Vicky Ostwal, Abishek Porel, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Lalit Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Lizaad Williams, Swastik Chhikara and Gulbadin Naib. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Akash Madhwal, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Shreyas Gopal, Mohammad Nabi, Nehal Wadhera, Dewald Brevis, Kwena Maphaka Harvik Desai, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Luke Wood, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj and Shivalik Sharma. Match starts at 3:30 pm on Star Sports (TV) and JioCinema (mobile).

CNMSports 26 Apr 2024 6:16 pm

Ahead Of The Kingdom Of The Planet Of Apes Release, Humans Dressed As Apes Surprise People At Venice Beach

The Instagram clip revealed a person, decked up in a furry ape costume and mask riding a horse on the beach in California.

News18 26 Apr 2024 6:02 pm

2 million Instagram users now pay to follow their favourite content creators

million Instagram users now pay to follow their favourite content creators

India Today 26 Apr 2024 6:01 pm

Kannada Actress Manvita Kamath Set To Tie The Knot With Music Producer Arun Kumar

The actress has informed about the wedding by sharing an animated wedding card on Instagram.

News18 26 Apr 2024 6:00 pm

Indian Student In Canada, An Instagram Video And Online Hate

It all began with an Instagram video telling university students how best to utilise a local food bank. Soon, the Indian student in Canada behind the video found himself in a social media storm of disinformation.

NDTV 26 Apr 2024 5:31 pm

Video Of Toddler Gorging On Her Birthday Cake Has More Than 4 Million Views

The viral video of this cutest birthday celebration was shared by the toddler's mother on Instagram.

NDTV 26 Apr 2024 5:20 pm

A mugs game: the politics of Rishi Sunaks crockery choices

Patriotic teaware was on show from the prime minister this week the latest round of his mug-based messaging UK politics latest updates Rishi Sunak appeared on his Instagram feed on Tuesday morning holding a mug emblazoned with the St Georges flag. Perfect way to start the day, was the caption: Happy St Georges Day! It is not the only time the prime minister has raised a symbolic piece of teaware. On the same day he appeared en route to Warsaw holding a white mug marked only with the number 10, presumably a reference to his current home address. Last year one enveloped in a union jack print was his choice for a trip to a Nato summit in Lithuania. Personal branding clearly doesnt take note of international airspace. Continue reading...

The Guardian 26 Apr 2024 5:05 pm

Amid Dhol and Dance, Pune man quits job over toxicity

Pune: In what can be termed as satisfying for many, a man from Pune named Aniket Randhir has quit his job with dancing to dhol beats in front of his employer. As told by Anish Bhagat, an Instagram influencer, Aniket, is a sales associate, who has been working in a company for the last three years. I received a hike in peanuts and my boss did not respect me at all, said Aniket in the video posted on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anish Bhagat (@anishbhagatt) On his last day, Anish and his friends planned something unique as they took a whole setup with placards, dhol (drums) and danced in front of his (Aniket) boss as he left his office for the last time. The boss was seen upset in the video over this act. Anish said in his video that Aniket will now pursue his dream of being a fitness trainer and gave him a pair of shoes. The video has brought into lime light the impact of a toxic work environment on a person and garnered positive responses from netizens.

Deccan Chronicle 26 Apr 2024 4:50 pm

Indian Student In Canada Faces Vicious Online Attack After False Accusations By Netizen On His Video, Sparks Social Media Storm

In a harrowing turn of events, Mehul Prajapati, an Indian student living/studying in Canada (also an Instagrammer), found himself at the center of a relentless barrage of negativity and hate The post Indian Student In Canada Faces Vicious Online Attack After False Accusations By Netizen On His Video, Sparks Social Media Storm appeared first on The Commune .

The Commune Mag 26 Apr 2024 4:41 pm

Arti Singh Wedding: From bachelor party to wedding, Arti Singh looked beautiful in every wedding look.

After a long wait, superstar Govinda's niece and Krishna Abhishek's sister Aarti Singh got married on April 25. She took seven rounds with her boyfriend Deepak Chauhan late at night. Many big stars attended the actress's wedding. Veteran actor Govinda also joined in the happiness of his niece. For many days, pictures of Aarti's wedding rituals have gone viral on social media. Aarti was looking very beautiful from the bachelor party to her rounds. At her wedding, Aarti ditched the pastel color and wore a red bridal lehenga. Aarti's groom Raja Deepak is also looking no less than a prince at the wedding. The happiness on the faces of both clearly shows that they were eagerly waiting for this day. If you have not seen all the looks of Aarti, then read this article till the end. Chosen red lehenga for wedding While on the one hand, the actresses chose pastel lehenga for their wedding, on the other hand, Aarti carried a scarlet-colored lehenga at her wedding. Her red lehenga was heavily worked with golden stars. To complete her red lehenga look, the actress wore a heavy neckpiece around her neck, heavy earrings in her ears, a matha patti on her forehead, and beautiful red bangles in her hands. Her bangles also had golden-colored beads on them. The actress wore very minimal makeup at her wedding. Saree worn in rounds The actress had changed her lehenga during her travels. She removed the red lehenga and wore a beautiful pink colored saree. She wore traditional golden-colored jewelry with this saree. Aarti was looking very beautiful in the rounds. Beautiful look in the music The actress wore a green lehenga in her sangeet. There was a lot of heavy work on this lehenga. With this, she had made a ponytail in her hair. The mehndi applied on her hands was making her look beautiful. Sharara worn in mehndi Aarti wore a beautiful purple and golden colored sharara for her mehendi. To complete her look, she wore matching jewelry. Along with this, the actress had kept her hair on one side with this sharara look. The Maangtika on her forehead was adding to her beauty. Skirt and top worn in turmeric The actress's haldi look was very beautiful. She wore a beautiful yellow skirt in her haldi. Along with this, the deep neck crop top was further enhancing her beauty. Glamorous look seen in bachelor party The actress wore a blue short dress to her bachelorette party. Aarti was looking quite glamorous in this one-shoulder short dress. With this, she left her hair open, due to which her look looked more cute. (PC: Instagram)

Kalam Times 26 Apr 2024 4:37 pm

Sekkoya, Canterbury, Kent: A prime example of why the term pan-Asian fills me with such foreboding restaurant review | Grace Dent on restaurants

This is the sort of food invented for British people that youd have got at a Cantonese restaurant back in 1994 Off to Canterbury for a shufti around the cathedral, a meander through its pretty streets and a spot of lunch at Sekkoya, a vast, gorgeous-looking new pan-Asian restaurant on the Riverside next to an Everyman Cinema, a crazy golf venue and a branch of Heavenly Desserts . The restaurants sleek website offers all sorts of bold statements about this hot dining experience (regular readers will be aware that I delight in this kind of Vogon poetry ), claiming that it will take us on a gastronomic journey throughout Asia that transcends ordinary flavours, and offering cocktails that will awaken your senses. The website emotes grandly in this way for many more yards, so much so, in fact, that I suspect AI. Only a non-sentient being could describe Canterburys Riverside as a vibrant new lifestyle district, when its just an elevated patch of concrete. Maybe Sekkoya is entitled to be cocky, though, because its clearly the classiest venue for miles: the place is bedecked in sea-green velour, with shiny floors, pale tan leather seats and an impressive mural skylight that gives the impression that youre dining in a rainforest. Fans of the opulent Chinese restaurant chain Tattu , which is especially big in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, will recognise dashes of the modern, high-octane glamour that delights Instagram feeds. Add beautiful bathrooms, Kool & The Gang and George Benson on the stereo, and lovely, chipper serving staff, and they clearly mean business here. Continue reading...

The Guardian 26 Apr 2024 4:30 pm

Social media star Kili Paul spotted at Ahmedabad

Tanzanian social media star Kili Paul, known for his captivating Instagram Reels, was spotted at Ahmedabad airport today. Dressed in a chic ensemble, he exuded style and was welcomed with a traditional rose garland. Reports suggest he's in town for a private wedding, highlighting his deep connection with India and its culture.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 4:28 pm

Akshay's son Aarav parties with Ajay's daughter Nysa

Orhan Awatramani, alias Orry, frequently shares snapshots of his interactions with celebrity offspring on social media. Recently, he posted a photo of himself enjoying a party with Aarav and Nysa, sparking interest online. Today, Orry shared another captivating photo on his Instagram story from their London gathering. The image showcased Aarav, son of Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, and Nysa, daughter of Kajol and Ajay Devgn. Nysa looked chic in a gray top and denim shorts, while Aarav sported a stylish black t-shirt and denim pants, holding a glass and beaming beside Orry.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 4:24 pm

Watch: Cops arrest couple after stunt on bike as spiderman & spiderwoman goes viral

Delhi Police arrests Aditya and Anjali, aka 'spiderman' and 'spiderwoman,' in Najafgarh for Motor Vehicles Act violations after a viral video. The duo's stunts, shared on Instagram, sparked controversy for their risky nature.

The Economic Times 26 Apr 2024 4:11 pm

Ayushmann Khurrana Wins TIME100 Impact Award, Shares Pictures With Dua Lipa, Uma Thurman And More Stars

Met the most brilliant minds and artistes of our generation, wrote Ayushmann Khurrana. Recently, Ayushmann Khurrana met some iconic actors at the annual Time 100 Gala in New York City and shared images from the event on his Instagram.

mashable 26 Apr 2024 3:57 pm

Spiderman Couple's Reel Lands On Delhi Police's Insta, What Happened Next...

A challan of Rs 21,500 was issued by the traffic police after a 'Spiderman Couple' Instagram Reel went viral.

Zee News 26 Apr 2024 3:46 pm

A World War disinfectant is viral on Instagram as miracle cure for acne

A World War disinfectant is viral on Instagram as miracle cure for acne

India Today 26 Apr 2024 3:37 pm

Department of Telecom warns Indians of scammers posing as MS Dhoni

The DoT in a post on X, alerted that scamsters are posing as the popular batsman and former Indian cricket team captain, and asking for money on Instagram

Mid Day 26 Apr 2024 3:27 pm

Kajol shares hilarious pic from her workout session

Mumbai: Kajol shared a hilarious glimpse of her workout from her pilates classes and asked everyone whether the picture was taken before or after her exercise. Kajol took to Instagram and posted a funny picture from her pilates class. In the photo, the actress is seen lying down on the pilates machine, wearing athleisure and []

orissapost 26 Apr 2024 3:14 pm

Attar Politics: Kannauj Perfumers Blame Governments Over The Years For Fading Fragrance of Scent Industry

Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav, contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls from Kannauj, has promised to bring back the lost glory to Indias perfume capital, but many are calling it 'attar politics'.

News18 26 Apr 2024 3:09 pm

Heartstopper 3: Jonathan Bailey, Hayley Atwell, Eddie Marsan Joins Teen Drama

Hayley Atwell will slip into the shoes of Nicks aunt Diane, Eddie Marsan will essay the role of Charlies therapist and Jonathan Bailey will make a cameo appearance as an Instagram classicist in Heartstopper 3.

News18 26 Apr 2024 3:01 pm

Meta doubles profit in Q1, observes 7% YOY growth in its user base

Meta's Q1 results reported a remarkable surge, more than doubling its figures. The company's profit for the January-March period doubled, reaching USD 12.37 billion, or USD 4.71 per share, up from USD 5.71 billion, or USD 2.20 per share, in the corresponding period last year. Additionally, revenue experienced a 27% increase, climbing to USD 36.46 billion compared to USD 28.65 billion the previous year. In terms of ad revenue, Meta saw a significant jump to USD 35.365 billion from USD 28.101 billion in the same quarter of the prior year. Moreover, the company noted a 6% rise in average ad prices on its platforms. Meta also observed a 7% year-on-year growth in its user base across its suite of apps, with an average of 3.24 billion users in March across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. However, Meta announced its decision to discontinue disclosing user figures specifically for Facebook. It's been a good start to the year, said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. The new version of Meta AI with Llama 3 is another step towards building the world's leading AI. We're seeing healthy growth across our apps and we continue making steady progress building the metaverse as well. The company additionally announced plans to boost its capital expenditures mainly attributed to investments in AI. It also anticipates expenses ranging from USD 35 to USD 40 billion, surpassing its previous estimate of USD 30 to USD 37 billion.

Feed Burner 26 Apr 2024 2:35 pm

How Cadbury collaborated with 140+ sweet outlets across Bengal for Gaane Mishti campaigns S4

Cadbury Dairy Milk partnered with over 140 sweet outlets across West Bengal for its fourth edition of the Gaane Mishti campaign, blending traditional Bengali sweets with Cadbury Dairy Milk. The campaign also featured revitalized folk songs, aiming to deepen the brand's cultural association and drive category development in the region. It included expanding partnerships beyond Kolkata, training traditional artisans, and digitizing the Mishti shops. Execution involved a mix of social media, on-ground activations, TV promotions, and collaborations with online platforms. The campaign achieved significant quantitative and qualitative impact. Here is how it was carried out: Category Introduction The Indian chocolate market is poised for growth, with its size expected to escalate from USD 2.21 billion in 2024 to USD 3.05 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.64 % according to a report by Mordor Intelligence . The rise of e-commerce platforms across the country, the easy access to a wide range of domestic and international chocolate products, and the introduction of new flavours and packaging formats is poised to drive the market growth. Brand Introduction First launched in India in 1948, Cadbury Dairy Milk has become synonymous with chocolate for generations of Indians and over time defined the taste of chocolate in the country. Since then, Mondelez India with Cadbury Dairy Milk, has continued to build on its 75-year legacy. Cadburys first cultural infusion was at the back of its association with the campaigns like 'Khaaney ke baad kuch meetha ho jaye' , and 'Shubh Aarambh' . Since the 1990s, Cadbury Dairy Milk has tapped into various occasions by building up cultural nuances and driving relatability for the brand. The brand has leveraged this strategy regionally as well and successfully infused the brands relevance across different occasions, celebrations and rituals. In 2011 the brand introduced Cadbury Dairy Milk Mishti campaign, catering to the inherent love for sweets in Bengal and marrying it with everyones childhood favourite flavour, Cadbury Dairy Milk. What began in 2011 as a simple vote for the best sweet shop in Bengal has evolved into a delightful fusion of essential Bengali elements football, cinema, cricket, and music, over the years through various renditions of CDM Mishti campaign. From the unique union of Cadbury and Misht, commemorating the FIFA World Cup, hosting a chocochef contest, introducing 'Mishti Classics', and more, the journey of Cadbury Dairy Milk and Bengal has been a fulfilling one. Finally, in 2020, the brand unveiled 'Gaane Mishti', blending the two passion points of Bengalis Music and Mishti. Cadbury Mishti marked a significant evolution in Cadbury's engagement with Bengali culture, blending tradition with contemporary creativity. It not only celebrated the rich heritage of Bengal but also underscored the brands commitment to continually evolve and innovate in its cultural connections. With Cadbury Dairy Milk Mishti campaign, the brand initiated an innovative concept of reimagining ten Bengali songs across diverse genres, featuring artists and promoting them through digital platforms. The campaign extended to sweet shops, where signature sweets inspired by the theme of each song were created. Following an overwhelmingly positive response, the brand continued the campaign in 2021, solidifying the association between the jugalbandi (fusion) of iconic Bengali melodies with a modern twist, and the delightful fusion of Cadbury and Mishti. In 2022, seeking to broaden its impact beyond Kolkata, the brand embarked on an expansion strategy, incorporating regional songs and embracing West Bengal's rich folk culture. This approach involved segmenting the state based on its geographical diversity and intertwining it with traditional Mishti offerings, effectively reinforcing the campaign's core concept. Additionally, traditional Bengali sweets were reintroduced under the Cadbury Mishti banner, further enhancing the campaign's cultural resonance. Following the success of its preceding three seasons, Cadbury Dairy Milk unveiled its fourth edition of Gaane Mishti with an artistic tapestry weaving together the diverse flavors of Bengal's sweetness harmonized with the rhythm of its vibrant festivities, portrayed through music. Collaborating with over 140 sweet outlets scattered across Bengal, the brand embarked on a journey to reimagine age-old Mishti, blending it with the enduring sweetness of Cadbury Dairy Milk. Simultaneously, the campaign introduced a melodic ensemble of lesser-known folk songs deeply entrenched in Bengal's cultural fabric, now revitalized with a contemporary twist by skilled music composers. Thus, this latest season ingeniously intertwines tradition and modernity, crafting an unforgettable sensory experience. Summary As part of the fourth season of Cadbury Gaane Mishti campaign, the brand partnered with over 140 sweet outlets from different corners of Bengal to recreate the age-old mishtis and home-made desserts of varied festivals using Cadbury Dairy Milk as the key ingredient. Additionally, five folk songs from five vibrant festivals of Bengal that have been lost in the sands of time have been recreated with modern musical instrumentation - a fusion replete with distinct regional cultural flavours. Further, consumer engagement legs at the mishti outlets have been planned. For instance, tasting their favourite Cadbury mishtis from the different outlets, the mishti lovers can vote for mishtis of their favourite festival through a QR code based voting mechanism available at the participating mishti outlets across Bengal and win exciting gifts from Cadbury Dairy Milk. The 6-week long campaign will culminate with a two-day Mishti Mela (Carnival) around the third weekend of April where the artists associated with the campaign will perform live for the audiences on both days. Along with the performances, the consumers would also get a chance to indulge in savouring mishtis from the participating brands. Objective The objective of this campaign was to drive brand relevance by seamlessly infusing the sweetness of Cadbury Dairy Milk into West Bengals local sweet culture. Further, the campaign also aims to facilitate category development by building cultural and taste affinity in West Bengal and thereby bringing a new cohort of trialists by establishing the cultural association of Cadbury Dairy Milk with meetha. Brief The brief was to strengthen cultural and taste affinity in West Bengal by expanding partnerships with on-ground Mishti outlets beyond Kolkata from 120 outlets in 2023 across 12 cities to 140 outlets across 15 cities in 2024. Further, the objective was to scale the digital property Gaane Mishti. Challenges Navigating the successful execution of our initiatives presented multifaceted challenges. Expanding and onboarding the brands partnership with Mishti outlets beyond Kolkata necessitated meticulous planning. Equally crucial was the task of training the traditional 'Karigars' to seamlessly incorporate Cadbury Dairy Milk into their craft without compromising the authenticity and essence of the traditional mishti . Further, digitizing the Mishti shops on online platforms like Swiggy and Zomato and linking the Mishti creation on the websites to maintain a seamless offline-to-online customer experience was another task to be master Acing technological intricacies was another task due to the transition from traditional ballot-based voting to a WhatsApp Chatbot for finding and voting for favorite Mishti outlets Execution The brand took a multifaceted approach to drive the campaign leveraging social media as well as on-ground activations. The promotional video launched aimed to establish a harmonious connection between Mishti and music, employing a fusion of realism and animation. This approach added life, realism, and excitement but made the experience immersive and engaging in itself. Additionally, five music videos, each tied to one of the five new Mishti offerings, were released on social media as short, engaging clips spanning 10 to 30 seconds to enhance audience interaction. The campaign's reach was further extended through television promotion, leveraging a prominent show in West Bengal 'Dadagiri Unlimited'. Moreover, the brand established 'Gaane Mishti' as a dedicated platform across JioSaavn, Spotify, and Instagram Reels. Collaborations with quick commerce apps such as Swiggy and Big Basket facilitated wider accessibility. Employing data-driven marketing techniques, including a WhatsApp Chatbot feature, users could seamlessly locate and vote for their preferred Mishti outlets. As a grand finale to this celebration of music and sweets, a two-day Mishti Mela (Carnival) was organized, featuring live performances by artists associated with the campaign, delighting audiences across both days. Results The campaign yielded exceptional results across various metrics, marking a significant impact on household penetration, regional growth, and product distribution. Notably, it emerged as the highest penetrated market in the East, with strong year-over-year gains in household penetration attributed to the activation efforts. Retailers and customers provided positive testimonials regarding the qualitative impact of the campaign on consumer preferences and purchasing behavior. Some of the sweet shop owners emphasized the popularity of Cadbury Mishti variants, particularly among children, highlighting swift sales and active participation from customers in voting for their favorite Mishti options. Such testimonials underscore the campaign's success in resonating with consumers across demographics, driving both consumption and engagement within the market. Nitin Saini , VP - Marketing, Mondelez India, said, West Bengal boasts of a rich cultural tapestry of music and cuisine, with Mishti being emblematic of this. For the fourth year, we aim to ride on the overwhelming success of the past Cadbury Dairy Milk Gaane Mishti seasons and elevate this years celebration by capturing the hearts and taste buds across generations, blending traditional sweets with modern twists and lesser-known folk melodies with contemporary arrangements. In Season 4 of the Cadbury Dairy Milk Gaane Mishti campaign, we have partnered with over 140 sweet outlets from various corners of Bengal to reimagine age-old Mishti, by bringing it together with the unforgettable sweetness of Cadbury Dairy Milk. Simultaneously, the campaign introduces a repertoire of lesser-heard folk songs deeply rooted in Bengal's cultural heritage, now revitalised with contemporary flair by talented music composers. Thus, truly weaving together tradition and modernity to create an unforgettable sensory experience with season 4.

Feed Burner 26 Apr 2024 2:27 pm

Aiman Khan, Muneeb Butt honoured with UAE golden visa

Pakistani celebrity couple Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt are the latest celebrities to be honoured with a United Arab Emirates (UAE) golden visa. Aiman and Muneeb expressed their gratitude towards the country for the honour and privilege bestowed on them. Also ReadUAE unveils first vertiport for electric flying taxis Taking to Instagram, Aiman posted a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 26 Apr 2024 2:20 pm

Ayushmann shares the frame with Dua Lipa

Ayushmann Khurrana graced the TIME100 Gala alongside global icons like Dua Lipa, Uma Thurman, and Kylie Minogue. Sharing snapshots from the star-studded evening on Instagram, Khurrana hailed it as the era of disruptors, lauding fellow influencers. Among attendees were Dev Patel, Kelley Robinson, Jigar Shah, and Priyamvada Natarajan, underscoring Khurrana's prominence.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 2:14 pm

Nephews suspect man of doing 'black magic' on them, axe him to death

Maniram, Hariram, Dhaniram, Bablu Rawat arrested for killing Sohanlal in Nagram due to sorcery suspicion. The attack on April 23 led to Sohanlal's death from a fatal throat injury.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 2:13 pm

Religious Tourism spots like Varanasi and Ayodhya may soon outshine Goa and Agra

Religious Tourism spots like Varanasi and Ayodhya may soon outshine Goa and Agra By Nikhil Dedha Recent data shows that post COVID religious inclinations of Indians have become stronger resulting in an accelerated momentum towards religious tourism. According to the Ministry of Tourism data, last year 8.5 crores of tourists visited Varanasi(Kashi), around 4.5 crore people visited Prayagraj and more than 1.5 crores of people have visited Ayodhya Ram temple since the consecration ceremony. Many experts feel Varanasi will outdo Goa, Agra, and Shimla. During the COVID period when the temples were closed down, our Prime Minister thought let's make the temples a place where everybody would like to visit. So we came up with the idea of having the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. It has changed the entire tourism scenario of the state and in year 2023 we had more than 10 crore tourists said Preeti Srivastava, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh to ANI. Government of Uttar Pradesh is promoting the new golden triangle of Prayagraj, Kashi and Ayodhaya as a golden triangle of religious tourism. Now everybody is benefiting. Even the small washerman, he's also getting business because he's washing the linen of the hotels. The vegetable seller, everybody is benefiting. The rickshaw pullers, the flower sellers and local Prasad shops. Now the new golden triangle is coming up that is Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi said Preeti. The transformative impact of projects like the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, has revitalized Varanasi's tourism sector, leading to a substantial increase in tourist footfall and allied economic activities. The surge in tourism has not only boosted local businesses but also generated substantial revenue for the state. As per the data by the Ministry of Tourism 1,439 million people participated in religious tourism in India during 2022, it is more than double from 677 million in 2021. In 2022, religious tourism destinations earned Rs1.34 lakh crore in revenue, up from Rs65,070 crore in 2021. In 2022, Varanasi had 82 million visitors, which is almost four times the number of visitors in 2019. This number accounted for almost 26% of all arrivals in 2022, compared to less than 4 per cent in 2019. Varanasi's tourist footfall has surpassed Agra, which is home to the Taj Mahal, and has made it the most visited city in Uttar Pradesh. PM Narendra Modi also mentioned in his address on the 103rd episode of radio program 'Mann Ki Baat' that Now more than 10 crore tourists are reaching Kashi every year. The number of devotees visiting pilgrimages like Ayodhya, Mathura, Ujjain is also increasing rapidly. Due to this lakhs of poor are getting employment. According to the industry experts the religious tourism sector is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 59 billion by 2028 and create 140 million temporary and permanent jobs by 2030. Under central government's Swadesh Darshan Scheme, an outlay of Rs 5294 crore has been allocated for the development of theme-based tourist circuits. A total of 76 projects have been sanctioned under the project which covers popular religious destinations across different states of India. These includes Buddhist circuit, Ramayana circuit and Krishna circuit. The Ministry of tourism has also started the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme to improve the religious tourism experience by identifying and developing pilgrimage sites across India.(ANI)

devdiscourse 26 Apr 2024 2:08 pm

Spiderman, spiderwoman's titanic pose on bike lands them in Delhi Police web

Aditya and Anjali, known as Spiderman and Spider-Woman, arrested in Dwarka for stunts. Their Instagram reel 'Spiderman Najafgarh Part 5' resulted in detention, gaining social media and local interest.

The Times of India 26 Apr 2024 2:07 pm