London-Edinburgh-London, via Aluva
Muhammed Adhil M K is currently mapping the routes between London and Scotland, to choose the best one while preparing for his upcoming ride on his dream bike the Argon 18 Krypton GF. This isnt just another one of those fantasies about travelling the world on a bicycle. The 23-year-old from Aluva is preparing for the great challenge the London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) randonne bicycle event where he has to cover 1,530km in 128 hours. For any cycling enthusiast, this event is one of the longest and possibly the toughest challenges around, with thousands of riders eagerly waiting for their chance to race through scenic countryside and challenging terrain. In the cycling community, LEL is often compared to the Olympics, as it takes place once every four years. Its one of the most prestigious audax cycling events in the world, where riders must complete the journey within a strict time limit. Long-distance rides such as LEL are called audax, internationally known as randonneuring. Its a self-supported ride, not a race. The goal isnt to finish quickly, but to complete the ride within a given time. Randonneuring tests your mental and physical endurance, explains Adhil. According to the official website of LEL, anyone can apply, and the entries are selected through a ballot, a random drawing from all registered applicants. Muhammed Adhil M K with a fellow cyclist Long-distance rides are nothing new to Adhil. He recently proved his resilience by completing two 1,000 km Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRM) rides in 75 hours. The first ride was from Madurai to Salem, Trichy, Pondicherry, and back to Madurai, while the second was from Bengaluru to Hubli and back. He also completed a 1,200km Les Randonneurs Mondiaux (LRM) ride in 90 hours races that are longer than 1,000km. Even before these achievements, Adhil had earned the title of the youngest Super Randonneur of Kerala in 2022, after completing rides of 200, 300, 400, and 600 km. However, entry into the world of randonneuring was quite an unexpected event for Adhil. I started cycling on my doctors advice to improve my health and stay active. With every pedal, I saw how much it had a positive impact. Its not just an activity to pass the time, says Adhil, who now holds a part-time job at a bicycle store. Muhammed Adhil M K Off you go! Since he started randonneuring, he always wanted to try out the challenging LEL, a self-supported cycle ride, winding through Cambridge, Lincoln, York, Moffat, Alston, and Thirsk. What makes this ride particularly challenging is not the long distance, but the tough terrain. Most areas are hilly, requiring intense effort to gear the bike. The journey is also about self-navigation, meaning once youre on the road, youre on your own for days. On top of that, the temperature drops drastically at night, making it even harder to keep going, smiles Adhil. I plan to train on similar terrains in Ooty, Munnar, and Coonoor. Before setting off, Adhil highlights that time management and planning are key strategies. There are control points along the way, and its crucial to reach them within the set time limits. You need to plan your ride, breaks, and refreshment stops for a smooth finish. If you push too hard without resting, you might black out, he says. In addition to good planning, Adhil emphasises the importance of being properly equipped with tools and safety gear. If something happens to your bike, you cant just take it to a workshop. You have to fix everything yourself since its a self-supported ride, he adds. Muhammed Adhil M K What makes this ride particularly challenging is not the long distance, but the tough terrain. The journey is also about self-navigation, meaning once youre on the road, youre on your own for days. On top of that, the temperature drops drastically at night Muhammed Adhil M K According to Adhil, not many Indians have finished the ride within the time limit. This year, there are a fewparticipants from Kerala, and if I manage to finish, I could be the youngest Indian to achieve the feat, he says. However, reaching the finish line is no easy task. Financial support is crucial. In addition to travel expenses, gear, and accommodation, riders have to cover all the costs themselves. Most participants either crowdfund or seek sponsorships to make it possible. Ive approached several businesses, and I hope theres a way. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I dont want to miss it due to shortage of funds, Adhil explains.
Photo Of Tipu Sultan Tableau At The Republic Day Parade Is From 2014
A photo from 2014 showing Tipu Sultan in Karnataka's tableau for the then Republic Day parade is viral claiming it is recent from 2025 celebrations held in Delhi. BOOM found that the picture is not recent but from 2014. In the 2025 Republic Day Parade, the Karnataka government's theme for the tableau was the historic town of Lakkundi, located in the Gadag district. In the viral photo, a tableau featuring Tipu Sultan holding a sword upward in his hand can be seen with the name of the state 'Karnataka' in Hindi. A Facebook user posted the picture with a caption, Tipu sultan. Most powerful and most iconic movment of Republic day parade. 26 January 2025. (sic) Click here to view the post. Fact Check BOOM ran a reverse search on the photo and found an article published by India Today on January 26, 2014, carrying the same photo. The article reported about the controversy surrounding the Karnataka government's decision at the time to feature Tipu Sultan in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Taking a cue, we ran a related keyword search on Doordarshan National's official YouTube channel and found that visuals of Karnataka's tableau at the Republic Day parade were streamed live on January 26, 2014. The tableau featuring Tipu Sultan's portrait, presented by the then Karnataka government at the 65th Republic Day parade, can be seen starting from the 2:00:20 timestamp. Karnataka's 2025 Republic Day Parade Theme: Lakkundi According to a press release by the Ministry of Defence published on January 22, 2025, the current Karnataka government chose the theme Lakkundi: Cradle of Stone Craft. DD News on January 26, 2025, reported that Karnatakas tableau celebrated the historic town of Lakkundi, located in the Gadag district. The report says, The town, situated 70 kilometers from Hubli City, is renowned for its intricately carved temples, stepwells, and inscriptions from the Chalukya dynasty. The tableau also highlighted the exquisitely carved temples and ornate pillars of the Nanneswara temple. The tableau depicted the architectural marvels and the regions cultural legacy, showcasing its importance as a destination for history enthusiasts and tourists exploring Karnatakas culturally rich heritage. The visuals of Karnataka's tableau in the 2025 Republic Day parade can be viewed on Doordarshan National's official YouTube channel's live stream from the 2:32:00 timestamp onwards. (This article was first posted by BOOM Live and re-shared by Deccan Chronicle as part of the Shakti Collective Fact Check initiative).
Education key to progress, says Farooq
VIJAYAWADA: Minister for law and minority welfare N. Md Farooq, emphasised the paramount importance of education for success in any field. The birth anniversary of Sheikh Fatima, Indias first Muslim woman teacher and a role model for the community was celebrated at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Thursday. After offering floral tributes to her portrait, the minister spoke about her historic contributions alongside Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule in advancing womens education. Farooq noted that, despite facing numerous challenges and even physical assaults during her mission, Sheikh Fatima emerged as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. He stressed that it is vital for minority communities and the public to prioritise education, which facilitates progress in various fields. The minister also reiterated the state governments commitment to the welfare and development of minorities. In recognition of Sheikh Fatimas efforts in educating girls, Farooq announced that a detailed account of her life and struggles has been incorporated into the Telugu textbooks for eighth grade, ensuring she receives due honour. Later, the minister attended the first day of the 428th Urs-Mubarak festival of Hazrat Syed Shah Bukhari (R.A.) in Kondapalli village near Vijayawada. Celebrated over three days, the festival is organised on a grand scale by the local community. During his visit, Farooq paid his respects at the historic dargah by presenting a chadar. The event was also attended by Farooq Shubli, the state president of the Muslim Rights Protection Committee, along with various Muslim religious leaders.
Puri, Varanasi, Haridwar top spiritual destinations in 2024, Hyderabad most-booked city:OYO report
New Delhi: Puri, Varanasi and Haridwar are the most travelled spiritual destinations while Hyderabad is India's top-booked city this year, according to OYO's 'Travelopedia 2024' annual report unveiled on Tuesday.The report delves into travel patterns and trends, with its findings based on the booking data of the travel tech major for the entire year. In India, religious tourism continued to be a key focus, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar dominating the pilgrimage sector. However, a significant trend emerged with Deoghar, Palani, and Govardhan experiencing substantial growth, indicating a shift towards less explored spiritual destinations...OYO stated. Following Hyderabad, cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata rounded out the top spots for bookings, with Uttar Pradesh maintaining its position as the most popular state for travel. High volume of bookings were reported from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka, which continue to be dominant travel contributors. Smaller towns like Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli have shown tremendous growth, with bookings increasing by as much as 48 per cent year-on-year. The year also saw a surge in leisure travel, with Jaipur continuing to be a top tourist magnet, followed by perennial favourites Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore. Interestingly, Mumbai saw a drop in bookings, with travellers preferring nearby locations for leisure, OYO stated. Shreerang Godbole, Global Chief Service Officer, OYO said, 2024 has marked a year of transformation in the global travel landscape. We've seen how travellers are embracing flexibility and adaptability, whether for business or leisure. As remote work trends continue to shape how people approach travel, the demand for both quick getaways and long stays has been a significant driver of bookings this year. The fourth of July weekend saw the highest number of bookings, aligning with national celebrations, while the Christmas season was also notable for a sharp spike in travel.
Pune to get four new Vande Bharat Trains, check routes, stoppages, fares here
two of Vande Bharat Expresses are already operating in Maharashtra, connecting Pune Kolhapur, Hubli and Mumbai via Pune Solapur.
