Brazilian scientists sampled 800 trees across 63 Amazon locations; their atomic fingerprinting...
Brazilian scientists are innovating with an isotopic mapping model designed to tackle illegal logging head-on. This novel forensic tool examines atomic signatures within trees, allowing them to trace the origination of timber effectively. Currently, the model can eliminate ninety-two percent of the Amazon rainforest from potential illegal wood sources, utilizing stable isotope analysis for secure chemical fingerprinting. The goal is to bolster law enforcement investigations and diminish global timber crime.
New Delhi, August 2: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated on Sunday that the vision of a developed India by 2047 can only be realized through healthy, disciplined, and drug-free youth. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to protect young people from the evils of substance abuse and to build a strong nation. ... Read more Healthy and Drug-Free Youth: Key to Indias Development Goals, Says Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh
Drugs can give you brief high but make your entire life low: PM Modi to youth
New Delhi, Aug 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the country's youth to take a pledge against substance abuse, saying drugs can give them a high for some time, but would make their entire career and personal life low. Launching the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', Modi said the country's youth must be mentally and physically fit, for which it is necessary for them to stay away from all kinds of substance abuse. He also said that enemy countries use the supply of drugs as part of their terror plans because they know that youth are the future of our country. Drugs can give you a high for some time, but it makes your entire career and personal life low, he said. Questioning the taboo around drug addicts, Modi said those who come out of drug addiction are fighters and should be honoured by society. Society should respect them, embrace them and give them a second chance, he said. The prime minister launched the campaign virtually in the presence of a large number of youth, who described themselves as representatives of Gen-Z, days after large-scale protests by students demanding reforms in the public examination system rocked Delhi and other parts of the country. Our culture teaches us that one can get rid of substance abuse with the support of society, yoga and meditation, Modi said. The Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign is a resolve for the individual, family, society and, most importantly, the nation, and the name of the initiative itself reflected its objective, the prime minister said. When the country has set the goal of building a developed India, it is essential that the youth stay away from harmful addictions to remain physically and mentally healthy and full of self-confidence, Modi said. This is the objective of this campaign, he added, urging everyone to take a pledge to ensure that young people understand the dangers of drug addiction and remain aware and vigilant in every possible way. From today, the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan is being launched across the country. When this becomes a collective campaign, even those who are unable to do something on their own will receive new energy. The resolve taken today will move forward in the same manner for the next 100 weeks. Every Sunday, activities related to art, culture, sports, meditation, spirituality and service will be organised. The message of de-addiction will reach new people, Modi said. The coming 100 Sundays will mark 100 strong steps towards a drug-free India, he added. The prime minister also said that addiction not only harms the body, but also takes away a mother's smile, shatters a father's dreams, weakens a sister's hope, and takes away the respect of a younger brother. Family members live with this pain every day, watching their children gradually lose themselves before their eyes, he said. Modi also said the government stands firmly with the youth in this campaign against drugs. Strict action is being taken against drug traffickers across the country. The arrests have gone up several times as compared to before, and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized. This shows how strongly our government is acting against drugs, the prime minister said. He also urged families not to hide their childrens addiction out of concern for social reputation, and instead communicate openly with them and seek expert and medical help to help them overcome substance abuse. The 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' aims to inspire youth to stay away from substance abuse and encourages them to become ambassadors of positive social change in their communities. The launch marked the beginning of a 100-week nationwide 'Jan Bhagidari' campaign, under which activities will be organised every Sunday across the country to promote awareness and encourage public participation in building a drug-free society. The activities will include sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, awareness campaigns, nukkad nataks, discussion forums, art competitions and community engagement programmes. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2020 in line with the prime ministers vision of creating a Nasha Mukt Bharat, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mansukh Mandaviya, said at the launch.
Uncertain about your career options? Low on self-confidence? This column may help
The 4,597 crore additional funds will enable the government to expedite several ongoing projects and strengthen its efforts to achieve long-term development goals, he says
Quote of the day by Albert Schweitzer conveys message is therefore remarkably simple: do not postpone happiness until you have achieved everything you want. Find reasons to care about the journey itself. When work, relationships, and personal goals are connected to genuine values, success becomes more than an external achievement. It becomes part of a life that already feels worthwhile.
Sri Lanka Womens Cricket Team Triumphs Over Pakistan by 6 Wickets in Second T20
Colombo, August 2: The Sri Lanka womens cricket team delivered an impressive performance, defeating Pakistan by 6 wickets. Chasing a target of 176 runs at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the Sri Lankan team achieved their goal in just 17.4 overs, losing 4 wickets in the process. With this victory, the hosts secured an unassailable ... Read more Sri Lanka Womens Cricket Team Triumphs Over Pakistan by 6 Wickets in Second T20
YouTube Star AboFlah Made Streaming His Life. He Wants His Kids to Live Offline
AboFlah talks about his new goals, streaming for charity, and when its time to log off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Reflects on His Cricket Journey and Life Beyond International Play
New Delhi, August 2: Veteran Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has stated that returning to the national team is no longer his primary goal. He has embraced life outside the Indian squad and continues to play purely out of his passion for the game. At 36, Bhuvneshwar last donned the Indian jersey in November 2022. ... Read more Bhuvneshwar Kumar Reflects on His Cricket Journey and Life Beyond International Play
Congress, GFP begin alliance talks for 2027 Goa polls; open to tie-up, says AAP
Goa elections 2027: Congress and Goa Forward Party are discussing a potential alliance for 2027. The Aam Aadmi Party has also indicated its willingness to join such a tie-up. These preliminary talks aim to strategize against the ruling BJP government. The opposition parties will meet again to finalize seat-sharing arrangements. The 2027 Goa assembly elections are anticipated in early 2027.
Tilak Varma To Lead South Zone In Duleep Trophy; Ricky Bhui Named Vice-captain
Former Andhra Ranji Trophy: Indias T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma was on Sunday named captain of a 15-member South Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, scheduled to be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru from August 23 to September 10. Andhra batter Ricky Bhui will serve as the vice-captain of the side, while MN Vikram Varma, an experienced Level 2 coach from Andhra, has been appointed as the sides head coach. Tilak was recently a part of the India T20I team beating Zimbabwe 3-0. The selection committee meeting was convened by Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) secretary Sana Satish Babu. Former Andhra Ranji Trophy player RV Chandramouli Prasad chaired the selection panel, which comprised representatives from all seven Southern state units like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Hyderabad, Goa, Pondicherry, and Kerala were present in the meeting. The squad features veteran batter Karun Nair alongside promising players like Karnataka's R Smaran, who was 2025/26 Ranji Trophy leading run-getter with 950 runs, and Hyderabad's K Himateja. Shaik Rasheed, who was a part of India A team beating Sri Lanka A 1-0, is included in the team, so as Goa batter Abhinav Tejrana. Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan, who was also in India A team on Sri Lanka tour, will handle the wicketkeeping duties. By virtue of reaching the final in the previous edition, where they lost to eventual champions Central Zone, South Zone have received a direct entry into the semifinals. They will open their campaign on August 30 at the BCCI COE Ground 2 against the winner of Quarterfinal 2. Shaik Rasheed, who was a part of India A team beating Sri Lanka A 1-0, is included in the team, so as Goa batter Abhinav Tejrana. Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan, who was also in India A team on Sri Lanka tour, will handle the wicketkeeping duties. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Zone squad: N Tilak Varma (captain), Ricky Bhui (vice-captain), Abhinav Tejrana, Shaik Rasheed, K M Himateja, R Smaran, N Jagadeesan (wk), Karun Nair, Tanay Thyagarajan, Shreyas Gopal, K Sai Teja, T Vijay, Vidvath Kaverappa, H Aman Khan, and M D Nideesh Article Source: IANS
The Italian proverb Chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo advises against delaying actions. It highlights that possessing the opportunity means one should act promptly. This timeless wisdom encourages initiative and discipline in all life pursuits. Procrastination can lead to missed chances and lasting consequences for individuals. Seizing opportunities now ensures progress and goal achievement in life.
Why fixed income remains a portfolio stabiliser during uncertain times
Investors face geopolitical risks and inflation pressures, leading to increased focus on fixed-income securities. Experts advise on building diversified bond portfolios across ratings and maturities to limit volatility, sustain income, and achieve financial goals effectively.
Iran's leaders show united front over war but are divided over what the goal is
Iran's leaders exhibit unity on war strategy but differ on the ultimate objective. Ultra-hardliners seek total victory, while pragmatists pursue a negotiated deal with the United States. The Supreme National Security Council backed a ceasefire, which later crumbled amid escalating strikes. Hard-liners use state media to rally support and denounce any compromise with America. Both factions jockey for power, anticipating the nation's postwar future and the new supreme leader's stance.
Iran's leaders show a united front over the war but are divided over what the goal is
The surprising metrics of Goa's tourism boom led by traffic, villas and paneer
As flights and hotel occupancy fail to capture the number of tourists flocking to Goa, here are some unusual indicators that also mark the changing nature of tourism-traffic jams in monsoon of vehicles sporting KL, MH and TG licence plates, rising short-term stays in villas and Airbnb properties and, of course, the many avatars of paneer on menus
SMC takes over J&Ks first mechanised abattoir project after years of delay
Revamped project to come up at Allochi Bagh; facility to process 5,000 sheep, goats daily, likely to be completed in two years SRINAGAR: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken over the construction of Jammu and Kashmirs first modern mechanised abattoir at Allochi Bagh, reviving the long-delayed project aimed at introducing scientific and hygienic slaughtering []
J&K Bank Academy beats North Hall United 2-1
J&K Bank Academy registered an impressive 21 victory over North Hall United FC in an entertaining encounter of the Srinagar Premier League 2026, played at the TRC Turf, Srinagar, under the aegis of the District Football Association (DFA) Srinagar. The match, as per a DFA statement, showcased quality football, determination, and tactical discipline from both teams, keeping spectators engaged throughout the ninety minutes. After a competitive opening half that saw both sides battle for control of possession and create promising opportunities, neither team was able to find the breakthrough before the interval. Strong defensive performances and disciplined organisation ensured the first half concluded with the scoreline locked at 00. The second half, however, brought a completely different intensity. J&K Bank Academy returned with greater attacking intent, pressing higher up the field and moving the ball with increased purpose. Their persistence eventually paid off as they found the opening goal, giving them a deserved lead and lifting the tempo of the contest.
After years of delay, SMC to build J&K's first modern mechanised abattoir at Allochi Bagh
Srinagar, Aug 1: After years of administrative delays, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has finally taken over the construction of Jammu and Kashmir's first modern mechanised sheep and goat abattoir at Allochi Bagh. The project is scheduled to be completed within two years. SMC Commissioner, Fazlul Haseeb told news agency Kashmir Dot Com, that the civic body has floated the project on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode for the establishment of the Modern Mechanized Sheep & Goat Abattoir in Srinagar City, a facility designed to process 5,000 sheep and goats daily, making it one of the largest such facilities in the Jammu and Kashmir. Haseeb said that the project aims to modernise Srinagar's meat processing infrastructure by replacing conventional slaughtering practices with a hygienic, scientific and environmentally sustainable system conforming to national standards and international best practices. The project has witnessed multiple setbacks since its inception. Initially, its execution was entrusted to the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC), which had even begun preliminary civil works several years ago. In March 2022, JKPCC had reported that the foundation work for the slaughter hall was in progress and was directed to expedite execution. However, following the financial closure and cessation of JKPCC's operations in August 2023, the project came to a standstill. Although its execution was later transferred to the R&B, officials said the project witnessed negligible physical progress. The prolonged delay had also attracted public attention. Earlier reports highlighted that the proposed modern abattoir had remained incomplete for years despite repeated assurances, leaving Srinagar without a modern slaughtering facility. Work on the project also came under judicial monitoring in a Public Interest Litigation relating to slaughterhouses in Jammu and Kashmir. Following a comprehensive review, SMC decided to execute the project directly through its own Works Division under the EPC mode, ensuring single-point responsibility for design, procurement, construction, installation, testing and commissioning. SMC said a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) was subsequently prepared after incorporating modern technologies and additional infrastructure required to meet contemporary standards of food safety, environmental protection and operational efficiency. The Government accorded administrative approval to the revised project in March 2025. The proposed facility will include fully mechanised slaughtering and meat processing lines, scientifically designed lairage areas, mechanised slaughter halls, carcass dressing units, chilling and cold storage facilities, by-product processing units and supporting utility infrastructure. One of the key features of the project will be an advanced bio-digestion system integrated with a modern Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), enabling scientific treatment of slaughterhouse waste and recycling of treated wastewater for non-potable uses within the premises. Officials said the system has been designed to minimise environmental pollution, promote water conservation and eliminate unhygienic disposal practices. SMC said the project would significantly improve public health and sanitation while strengthening the livestock sector by providing a modern, organised processing system for farmers, meat traders and consumers. Besides creating direct and indirect employment during construction and operation, the facility is expected to introduce internationally accepted standards in slaughterhouse management, food safety, waste disposal and hygiene, setting a benchmark for future meat processing infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. According to SMC, the project is expected to be completed within two years, after which the mechanised abattoir will be commissioned for public use.
Rains bring hope, but for J&K it is despair
Every time clouds gather over Jammu & Kashmir and rain turns heavy, an invisible tension runs through our lanes and markets. It is not just fear of getting flooded, it is fear of loss. Loss of our homes, loss of stock, loss of harvest, loss of sleep and much more. The Governments own figures tell a story that many Kashmiris have been living for years: floods have become a recurring blow to our wealth, our health, and our peace of mindand yet, funds and projects meant to protect us are also steadily increasing As per official data from J&Ks Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department year 2025 there were 152 deaths and 179 injuries caused due to floods, cloudbursts, landslides and massive rainfall. Behind every digit is a family that did not expect to say goodbye so suddenly. Very recently we lost around two dozen precious lives in Pir Panjal region of Jammu. In Poonch district alone a single family lost eight lives? There was massive disaster of property in Rajouri near Bela bus stand where three two dozen cars, buses and matadors were damaged? In year 2025, 3,316 houses were fully damaged due to landslides in rains, 1,862 were severely damaged, and 12,219 houses were damaged partially ? Around 3,602 cattle sheds were also damaged and we lost around 1515 sheep , goats and cattle as well. The 2025 further reveals that 77,915 hectares of agriculture land was also affected across Jammu and Kashmir Imagine these numbers as faces: a child watching muddy water eat into the walls of his room; a shopkeeper pulling up shutter after shutter, only to see a years worth of goods floating; a farmer staring at a field that should have been green and is now brown sludge. Mohammad Yousuf Mir from Beerwah lost his everything during recent flashflood in Sukhnag. He could not even take out his good from his garments shop which got washed away. He was with his wife in a Srinagar hospital and floods shattered his dreams . In 2025 Govt of J&K disbursed around Rs 8,873.99 crore in relief and compensation for the losses. This season the loss is even more and we dont know what all we will have to face now in coming few months? Met officials have again forecast heavy rains in the days and weeks to come? Our Economy: Growing on paper, drowning on ground On paper, our Union Territory of J&K talks about growth, investments and bigger budgets, but flood statistics show a different side of the ledger: In recent years, the government has reported over 15,000 houses and structures damaged in floods and cloudbursts, with Rs 5,246.47 lakh paid as compensation for housing loss alone. Crops on tens of thousands of hectares have been damaged in flood seasons, cutting rural income and weakening markets. For a family, the economic story feels like this: Years of saving for a better house or shop upgrade, wiped out in one week of rains. Money meant for childrens school or a health check up, diverted to buying bricks, cement, and timber. Gold sold at a low price, loans taken at a high interest, just to make walls stand again ? Floods here do not just damage property; they reset financial plans, forcing people to start again from zero. Support from Central and UT It is important to acknowledge that support from Govt has not been absent at all. The Centre and the UT Governments have opened their wallets to support people through State Disaster Response Fund -SDRF. The official records show that J&K had an opening balance of Rs 2,499 crore in its Disaster Response Fund on 1 April 2025. Over four years up to August 2025, J&K received Rs 1,046.25 crore as central assistance under the Disaster Response Fund. For 202526, the Centre allocated Rs 279 crore towards disaster relief and response, maintaining the same level of funding as the previous year. In 202526 alone, Rs 289.39 crore were released under SDRFRs 200.39 crore for Jammu division and Rs 89 crore for Kashmir divisionto undertake urgent flood restoration works. -The UT Government also released Rs 100 crore under its Capex Budget (Rs 5 crore per district) specifically for flood relief measures. A High Level Committee led by the Union Home Minister approved Rs 330.34 crore of additional central assistance to J&K from the National Disaster Response Fund-NDRF , as part of a broader Rs 1,912.99 crore package to flood hit states for 2025 disasters. Based on Inter Ministerial Central Team-IMCT assessments, another Rs 1,431 crore was allocated to J&K under the SASCI scheme for flood restoration works. Flood Management Projects Under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP), the Union Cabinet set aside Rs 4,100 crore for national flood management works for 202126, with special category states and UTs like J&K receiving central funding at a 90:10 ratio. For J&K alone 44 flood management projects have been sanctioned, with a total estimated cost of Rs 2,594.12 crore. The Central assistance of Rs 805.27 crore has already been released to J&K for these projects up to March 2025. The JhelumTawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) grant has been increased by nearly 40%, from Rs 185.34 crore to Rs 259.25 crore, to enhance disaster resilience and local response capacity. Emotionally, these figures mean something important, someone is trying to help, money is coming, projects are sanctioned, post flood relief and rehabilitation work is executed. The question is whether these funds are properly utilized on ground or not ? The JTFRP funds have been looted and mismanaged. I remember around Rs 55 Crores were allocated for augmenting 13 storm water pump stations on Doodh Ganga from Chanapora to Tengpora via Natipora Pamposh Colony and Barzullah, but this money was again mismanaged as all the sewerage lines were connected with these storm water pump stations. This is an open violation of Water Act 1974 and National Green Tribunal- NGT penalised Srinagar Municipal Corporation -SMC for these criminal acts. Now a separate budget of Rs 140 crores have been allocated to set up two major Sewerage Treatment Plants -STPs on Doodh Ganga and again this is a burden on the taxpayers pockets ? Ironically having done so much gross mistakes post 2014 floods the 22 MLD STP is being set up in a low lying area of Aloochi Bagh which can be another disaster in future ? Flood Audit in J&K When we put all these pieces togetherofficial losses, central funds, urban flood mitigation programme, rising disease and stressit becomes clear that J&K needs a flood audit to hold officials accountable. What such an audit should ask, in human language. Over the last 1015 years, how many lives, homes, shops, animals and hectares of crops have we lost to floods, year by year? How much moneyUT plus Centre share have we poured into relief, compensation and flood management projects over the same period ? In which mohalla, village, colony and market do the losses keep repeating, despite the spending? Which all wetlands and rivers are used to protect those areas, and what is their condition now according to official and audit reports? How can we design simple insurance, early warning and health support systems so that the poorest do not carry the heaviest emotional and financial burden? Legally, this can sit comfortably within the Disaster Management Act, CAGs audit mandate, and national policy on disaster management. Emotionally, it would send a message: we see your pain, we value your data, and we are ready to change. (To be concluded) Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is Founder of J&K RTI Movement and Chairman JK Climate Action Group- Irshad Mushtaq is Financial and Market expert based in Srinagar
Delhi Laxmi Scheme Aims to Empower Women, Says BJP
New Delhi, August 2: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the governments flagship initiative, the Delhi Laxmi Scheme, on Saturday, emphasizing its goal of empowering women. Women who registered on the first day expressed gratitude to the government for providing financial security. BJP MP Kamaljeet Sahrawat highlighted the enthusiasm of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in initiating ... Read more Delhi Laxmi Scheme Aims to Empower Women, Says BJP
Promotion not a fundamental right, fair consideration is, says High Court
NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the state government to review the promotional dates of two Superintendents in the Law Department. The petitioners, Gauri Damodar Naik and Shayani U Naik, challenged the prospective nature of their promotions in 2025. Originally appointed as legal assistants in 2007, they were transferred []
Congress, GFP hold talks to form alliance
NT Reporter Margao/Panaji Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar and Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai on Saturday held preliminary discussions on a possible alliance for the nextAssembly elections. Sardesai said he had initiated the talks in keeping with a promise made at a meeting in Canacona. As promised, today I went []
CM: Outsiders tried to instigate Goan youth to join NEET protests
Special Correspondent Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said people from outside the state came to Goa and tried to instigate Goan youth and local residents tojoin NEET protests. However, the Goan youth and their parents were wise and did not fall for this propaganda, he added, pointing out, In the future too Goans []
Dr. Kurade: Indias largest mushroom producer
Dr. Nandkumar M. Kamat There is a particular kind of stubbornness required to grow the same crop, in the same coastal state, every single day for 32 years, and to keep scaling it while almost everyone around you is growing something else. This stubbornness belongs to Dr. Sangam Kurade, a Goa-based food technologist who is []
Seeing Goa, largely through British archives
Frederick Noronha Take a thick tome (preferably in hardcover). Succeed at getting it published by a Big City publisher. You can expect to get quite some visibility. The end result: most would probably make many believe that this is indeed a laudable work, deserving of all the encomiums it receives. Selma Carvalhos fourth book on []
The Silent Boardroom: How Autonomous Software Is Rewriting Financial Risk
Not long ago, the biggest debate in banking was whether chatbots could answer customer queries without frustrating clients. Today, that debate seems almost quaint. A far more consequential transformation is underway behind the closed doors of bank boardrooms. Artificial intelligence is no longer merely assisting employees; it is beginning to make financial decisions, execute transactions, investigate suspicious activities, and optimise capital allocation with little or no human intervention. This shift marks the arrival of Agentic AIa new generation of autonomous software capable of planning, reasoning, and acting independently to achieve defined goals. Unlike conventional AI systems that wait for human prompts, agentic systems can decide what information to gather, which software tools to use, and what sequence of actions to execute before completing a task. For the global financial industry, this promises unprecedented efficiency. It also raises one uncomfortable question: when autonomous software makes a costly mistake, who is legally responsible? The answer remains surprisingly unclear. Banks have compelling reasons to embrace this technology. According to global industry estimates, financial institutions spend well over US$600 billion annually on technology, with artificial intelligence becoming one of the fastest-growing areas of investment. Rising compliance costs, persistent cyber threats, complex regulations, and customer expectations for real-time services have pushed banks to automate almost every operational process possible. Studies by leading consulting firms estimate that AI could generate hundreds of billions of dollars in additional annual value for the global banking sector through better productivity, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency. Yet the latest wave of AI differs fundamentally from the automation banks adopted over the past decade. Traditional generative AI writes reports, drafts emails, summarises documents, or produces computer code after receiving instructions from a human user. The human still decides what action to take. Agentic AI changes that relationship. Instead of asking software to prepare an analysis, a bank might simply instruct an autonomous system to minimise cross-border settlement costs while complying with liquidity regulations across multiple jurisdictions. The software can independently retrieve market data, evaluate foreign exchange rates, choose payment channels, execute transactions, verify compliance, and continuously adjust its strategy as conditions evolve. In lending, autonomous AI agents are beginning to replace periodic credit reviews with continuous risk assessment. Instead of waiting months to evaluate a borrowers financial health, these systems analyse real-time transaction data, cash flows, payroll deposits, tax records, and open banking information to recommend dynamic changes in credit limits almost instantly. Financial crime detection is undergoing a similar transformation. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) teams traditionally spend countless hours examining suspicious transactions and preparing regulatory reports. Increasingly, AI agents can identify unusual behavioural patterns, investigate customer histories, prepare Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and recommend immediate account restrictions before a compliance officer even opens the file. For banks, the commercial attraction is obvious. Decisions that once required days can now be completed in minutesor even seconds. But speed creates its own risks. Modern banking regulation has always rested on one fundamental assumption: somewhere in every important decision-making chain, there is a human being who can be held accountable. Agentic AI weakens that assumption. Suppose an autonomous lending system systematically rejects mortgage applications from applicants living in particular neighbourhoods because historical data incorrectly associated those locations with higher default risks. Customers suffer discrimination, but the bias was neither explicitly programmed nor consciously intended. Who should regulators hold responsible? The bank could argue that it relied on a commercially licensed AI platform developed by an external technology company. The software developer may respond that its model functioned exactly as designed and merely followed objectives established by the bank. The AI system itself cannot bear legal liability because software has neither legal personality nor moral agency. This emerging accountability gap represents perhaps the greatest governance challenge facing modern finance. The risks extend beyond individual lending decisions. Imagine autonomous trading agents operating simultaneously across competing financial institutions. Each algorithm seeks to maximise returns by responding instantly to changing market conditions. Without communicating with one another, several systems could independently adopt similar strategies during periods of market stress, triggering rapid asset sales, draining liquidity, and amplifying volatility across financial markets. No trader intended market manipulation. No executive issued unlawful instructions. Yet the collective outcome could resemble coordinated behaviour. Financial law has little experience dealing with algorithmic coordination that emerges without human conspiracy. Unfortunately, regulation is struggling to keep pace. The European Unions AI Act has established the worlds first comprehensive framework for regulating high-risk artificial intelligence systems, while international banking standards under the Basel framework continue strengthening operational resilience and risk governance. Both represent significant progress. Yet they were largely conceived for AI systems that support human decisionsnot autonomous agents capable of adapting their behaviour continuously after deployment. Even banks own governance structures are beginning to show signs of strain. For decades, financial institutions have relied upon the Three Lines of Defense model: business operations, independent risk management, and internal audit. This framework assumes that operational risks evolve slowly enough for human oversight to remain effective. Autonomous AI changes the timeline entirely. An AI agent can execute thousands of financial decisions every second. Compliance teams, however, investigate issues over hours or days. By the time auditors identify problematic behaviour, millions of transactions may already have been completed. That mismatch demands an entirely new regulatory philosophy. Instead of focusing solely on model accuracy, supervisors should require Explainability by Design. Every significant autonomous financial decision must generate secure, tamper-proof records explaining which data were considered, why a particular action was chosen, and whether alternative options were rejected. Equally important are mandatory circuit breakers. Just as stock exchanges automatically halt trading during extraordinary volatility, autonomous banking systems should immediately suspend high-risk operations whenever predefined safety thresholds are crossed. Human supervisors must retain the unquestioned authority to override autonomous decisions before systemic damage occurs. The objective should not be to slow innovation but to ensure that innovation remains governable. There is little doubt that autonomous AI will transform banking over the next decade. Institutions that successfully deploy these technologies will improve customer service, reduce operational costs, strengthen fraud detection, and allocate capital more efficiently than ever before. However, history offers an important lesson. Every major financial innovationfrom complex derivatives to high-frequency tradinginitially promised efficiency before exposing weaknesses in governance. Agentic AI is unlikely to be any different. Banks may increasingly delegate execution to intelligent software, but they cannot delegate accountability. Responsibility for financial stability will continue to rest with boards of directors, regulators, auditors, and policymakersnot with algorithms. The boardrooms of tomorrow may indeed become quieter as autonomous systems assume more operational authority. But public trust in banking has never depended on how intelligent financial institutions become. It depends on whether someone remains answerable when intelligence fails. That is the real risk the financial sector must confront before autonomous software is allowed to manage the worlds money. (The Author is Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, C.G.)
Teacher Education: End B.Ed. through Distance Education
The future of any nation is shaped in its classrooms, and the quality of those classrooms depends upon the quality of its teachers. If teachers are inadequately prepared, the consequences extend far beyond schools, they affect generations. Therefore, teacher education cannot be treated like an ordinary academic programme. It is a professional qualification that demands rigorous training, practical experience, and continuous supervision. It is time for India to confront a difficult but necessary reality: B.Ed. through distance education should no longer be allowed. The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme was never intended to be merely a degree. It was designed to produce competent teachers capable of managing classrooms, understanding child psychology, planning lessons, evaluating learning, addressing individual differences, and inspiring young minds. These are practical competencies that can only be developed through sustained interaction with faculty, peers, and school children in real educational settings. Teaching is a profession learned by doing, not merely by reading. This is precisely why the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) was created. Its mandate is to ensure that teacher education institutions maintain uniform standards and prepare professionally competent teachers. The objective is not simply to issue degrees but to safeguard the quality of school education by ensuring that every teacher has undergone meaningful professional training. If the practical foundation of teacher education is weakened, the very purpose of regulating teacher education is defeated. A B.Ed. curriculum includes school internships, classroom observation, lesson planning, micro-teaching, demonstration lessons, classroom management, teaching aids, educational technology, and continuous evaluation. These are not symbolic formalities. They are the heart of teacher education. A student becomes a teacher only after repeatedly entering classrooms, teaching real students, making mistakes, receiving guidance, and improving through supervised practice. Distance education cannot replicate this experience. No amount of study material, online lectures, or occasional contact classes can replace months of structured classroom engagement. Professional confidence develops through experience, not correspondence. The inconsistency becomes even more apparent when compared with other professional courses. Medicine requires clinical rotations. Nursing requires hospital postings. Engineering requires laboratories and fieldwork. Law students undergo internships and practical training. Society rightly insists that professionals demonstrate competence before entering their respective fields. Why should teaching, a profession responsible for shaping millions of children, be treated differently? If practical exposure is indispensable for every other professional qualification, it is equally indispensable for teacher education. Supporters of distance-mode B.Ed. often argue that it increases access to higher education, especially for candidates in remote regions. Expanding access is undoubtedly important, but accessibility must never come at the cost of professional standards. The answer lies in establishing more quality teacher education institutions, strengthening regional colleges, improving infrastructure, and providing financial support to deserving studentsnot by weakening the practical foundation of teacher preparation. Even in-service teachers should pursue B.Ed. only through regular, institution-based programmes. While teaching experience is valuable, it cannot substitute for structured pedagogical training, faculty interaction, supervised learning, and continuous assessment. Governments and employers should support teachers through study leave or flexible schedules rather than relying on distance-mode B.Ed. programmes Quality should never be sacrificed for convenience. There is another issue that deserves attention. When professional programmes become primarily degree-oriented rather than competency-oriented, public confidence begins to erode. Parents expect that every teacher entrusted with their children has received rigorous and supervised professional training. That expectation is entirely reasonable. If teacher education becomes a process of earning a qualification without sufficient classroom immersion, it ultimately affects the quality of learning in schools. The greatest victims are not universities or policymakersthey are the children sitting in classrooms every day. Universities that continue to offer B.Ed. through distance mode should carefully reconsider whether such programmes truly fulfil the objectives of professional teacher education. The goal of higher education institutions should never be limited to awarding degrees. Their foremost responsibility is to prepare capable professionals who meet the highest standards of competence and ethics. The Government of India, the NCTE, state governments, and universities should undertake a comprehensive review of teacher education policy and phase out distance-mode B.Ed. programmes. Teacher education should be delivered only through regular institutions with compulsory attendance, supervised internships, continuous practical assessment, and meaningful engagement with schools. Technology can enrich teacher education, but it cannot replace the classroom experience that lies at its core. India has rightly introduced reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes and strengthening the education system. Those reforms will remain incomplete unless equal attention is given to the quality of teacher preparation. Strong schools require strong teachers, and strong teachers require rigorous professional training. Teacher education is not merely about obtaining a certificate. It is about acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional competence needed to shape future generations. That responsibility is too important to be fulfilled through distance education. The time for a policy review has passed. The time for decisive policy action has arrived. B.Ed. through distance education should be discontinued in the interest of educational quality, professional integrity, and the future of our children. (The author is a columnist and can be reached at: smmrtzbkhr@gmail.com )
Palestinians in Gaza hope Hamas will disarm but fear Israeli forces won't withdraw
Cairo, Aug 1: For Palestinians in Gaza, President Donald Trump's announcement that Hamas had agreed to disarm was a small sign of hope that Israel's attacks might end, allowing them to rebuild their lives and what remains of their homes. But it also clashed with the reality on the ground, where Israeli strikes have continued since Trump first touted the deal late Thursday in Washington, and where few steps have been taken to advance a broader ceasefire agreement that went into effect in October. Most of Gaza's 2 million Palestinians are still displaced or live in tent camps, where poor conditions and overcrowding have led to rodent infestations and outbreaks of infectious diseases such as chickenpox. They can talk about withdrawal and disarmament, said Abdel Moneim Aboul-Roos, 24, a tuk-tuk driver who lost his leg in an Israeli airstrike. I don't care about any of it as long as there is no food or medicine. Israel and Hamas signed a US-backed ceasefire plan last year that ended major combat operations, saw the return of Israeli hostages and allowed for an increase in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave. It also called for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, the creation of an international stabilization force and a program to decommission weapons held by Hamas. But as each side accused the other of violating the ceasefire, negotiations stalled. Hamas held onto its weapons and the Israeli military refused to withdraw. Since October, Israel has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians in Gaza and expanded the amount of territory it controls. Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed in militant attacks. Many Palestinians don't trust Israel or Hamas The road map Trump announced and that Hamas confirmed addresses in more specific terms the type of weapons the militant group and its allies will be required to hand over to a new technocratic government. The document says Israel will not be involved in the decommission of Hamas' weapons and that it should halt all military operations in Gaza so the transition can proceed and recovery can begin. But residents in Gaza say they have been repeatedly promised that the war will stop and their lives will improve. They see the road map as a positive development but remain skeptical that either Israel or Hamas will adhere to the terms. This is enough. We need improvement in our lives, said Ayman Ahmed, a displaced Palestinian living in southern Gaza. He said he hopes Hamas gives up its arms but does not see it happening anytime soon. They don't care about Palestinians' lives, he said. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 73,300 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which was part of the Hamas-run government. The ministry maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by UN agencies and international organizations. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants, but says women and children make up around half of all fatalities. Because of the high death toll and ongoing attacks, other Palestinians say they believe Israel will refuse to make concessions. In southern Gaza, Ghazal Astal lives among the rubble. She said there is near-constant Israeli gunfire and that the territory has been transformed into an indescribable battlefield. Ammar Kaskeen, 30, said he doesn't believe the road map will force Israeli troops to withdraw. For Israel, according to Kaskeen, the goal is not only to disarm Hamas but to also drive the Palestinian population out of Gaza. They will make us suffer, he said. Even as Israel digs in, Palestinians dream of returning home Israel has not commented publicly on the road map but Israeli officials, speaking anonymously over the past two days, have signalled that the document does not align with the country's interests. The officials also reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from the Yellow Line in Gaza, which divides Israeli-controlled territory in the east with the western part of the enclave. In recent months, the military has built a massive earthen barrier roughly along the same line, developing what it described as a security zone adjacent to the berm, equipped with intelligence and technological assets. Israel has also carried out controlled demolitions and clearing operations across much of the territory it controls. Palestinians who lived there have yet to return and are unsure whether their homes are still standing. Anas Nakla was displaced from Rafah in southern Gaza during the war. He said he knows his house has been destroyed but still wants to return home with his wife and children. It doesn't exist anymore, he said. But we can return and rebuild. Similarly, Mohamed Hamad, who had to leave his home behind in northern Gaza, hopes that the US-backed road map will pressure Israel to leave some of the areas it controls. He believes that even if only a small number of people could go back to their homes, it will give hope to the rest that some day they may also return. (AP)
The secret to a happier life? Harvard says it depends on having these 3 kinds of friends
A Harvard study highlights positive relationships as key to happiness and health. Aristotle identified three friendship types: utility, pleasure, and perfect connections. Utility friendships offer practical benefits and shared goals for advancement. Pleasure friendships stem from mutual enjoyment and shared interests. Perfect friendships, built on mutual care, foster virtue and lasting joy.
Enhance use of AI to develop 'intelligent military': Xi Jinping tells PLA
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the armed forces to enhance AI use. He called for building an intelligent military system and deepening network information development. Combat capabilities are the key testing criterion for modernisation efforts. The PLA aims for decisive progress towards its 2027 centenary goals. Xi also emphasised strengthening the Party's absolute leadership over the military.
ONGC plans 150 deepwater wells under Rs 84,084-crore Samudra Manthan Mission
ONGC will drill 150 deepwater wells over seven years. The Samudra Manthan scheme aims to boost domestic oil and gas exploration. This initiative will utilize advanced technologies and global specialists for faster discoveries. The government approved Rs 84,084 crore for this ambitious offshore exploration program. The goal is to strengthen energy security and reduce import dependence.
Swami Tyagishwaranand Highlights Youth Empowerment at Vivek Smarak Inauguration
Mysuru, August 1: Swami Tyagishwaranand, the secretary of the Ramakrishna Ashram in Davangere, commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Mysuru. He emphasized that the Prime Minister is focused on strengthening the legacy of education, culture, and religion. Modi is consistently working towards achieving these goals. On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the ... Read more Swami Tyagishwaranand Highlights Youth Empowerment at Vivek Smarak Inauguration
Heritage Mustn't Be Lost To Development: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
Goa Chief Minister highlights need to balance urban growth with heritage and environmental concerns
Explained: How the 8-4-3 rule of compounding can help you reach Rs 1 crore sooner
Disciplined investing and compounding accelerate wealth growth towards a Rs 1 crore corpus. The 8-4-3 rule demonstrates how initial investments grow significantly over time. Higher investment returns and frequent compounding periods reduce the time needed to reach financial goals. Starting early and investing consistently maximizes the benefits of compounding for wealth accumulation. Time is a crucial advantage, allowing investments to multiply substantially with regular contributions.
When investors think about financial mistakes, they often measure them in rupee terms. One common misstep is temporarily pausing SIP investments and restarting them later. Here's how interrupting your SIP contributions can derail your long-term financial goals, according to ET Wealth.
Retiring with an EMI? Here's when it can make sense and when it could derail your retirement
Retiring debt-free is an ideal goal, but not always achievable or necessary. Experts suggest focusing on EMI affordability rather than complete debt elimination. High-interest unsecured loans pose the greatest risk to retirement finances. Strategic debt management and income generation can support manageable EMIs. Planning finances across life stages helps avoid retirement debt burdens.
Cooperatives Dept Ladakh organizes buyerseller meet to promote Ladakh Pashmina in Srinagar
Srinagar, Jul 31: The Cooperatives Department, Union Territory of Ladakh, in collaboration with the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. and J&K Bank, organized a BuyerSeller Meet on Friday at DIPR Auditorium, Srinagar. The programme aimed to establish direct interaction between Ladakh Pashmina herders and leading buyers, exporters, traders and business organizations, ensuring better price realization for the actual Pashmina herders, eliminating unnecessary intermediaries, and strengthening sustainable market linkages through the cooperative movement. The programme was graced by Nitish Rajora, Deputy Commissioner, Changthang, as the Chief Guest. He highlighted the unique geographical landscape of Changthang, which is home to nearly 1.84 lakh Changra goats. Among those present were Thinles, Secretary, All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd.; representatives of J&K Bank, the Cooperatives Department, the District Administration, Changthang; besides members of cooperative societies, artisans, weavers, and media representatives. The event witnessed the participation of more than 100 buyers, exporters, traders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of leading business organizations from Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of the country. The meet provided a valuable platform for direct business interaction between Pashmina growers and prospective buyers, enabling discussions on quality, pricing, long-term procurement, and market requirements. Prominent participants included A.P. Vicky Shaw, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Kashmir; Iqram Ali Shafiee, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K; Javed Ahmad Tenga, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI); Mubashir Ahmad, President, Kashmir Pashmina Welfare Trust; Mohd. Rafiq Sofi, President, Tahafuz Society; and Muzaffar, Zonal Head, Srinagar, J&K Bank, who interacted with the cooperative members and explored avenues for long-term collaboration. Addressing the gathering, Nitish Rajora highlighted the global recognition of Ladakh Pashmina for its exceptional quality and emphasized that cooperative societies play a vital role in empowering nomadic herders by improving market access, ensuring fair remuneration, and preserving the authenticity of Ladakh Pashmina. During the programme, members of the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. showcased authentic Ladakh Pashmina and value-added products before buyers, exporters, and traders. The interaction enabled buyers to directly understand the production process, quality standards, and the unique characteristics of Ladakh Pashmina, while allowing herders to understand market expectations. It was informed during the meet that a dedicated digital platform/mobile application for Pashmina growers, artisans, and cooperative members will be developed in the coming days. The proposed platform is expected to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem by facilitating digital payments, improving access to government schemes, providing market information, and creating direct linkages between producers and buyers. An interactive open session followed, during which buyers, exporters, industry representatives, and cooperative members exchanged views on quality assurance, branding, GI certification, value addition, digital marketing, and expanding domestic as well as international market opportunities for Ladakh Pashmina. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Deputy Registrar Cooperatives, Sachin Bali, who thanked all the participants and stakeholders for making the event a grand success.
First Goan to win MMA India Youth National title Panaji: Erica De Sequeira created history by becoming Goas first MMA India Youth National Champion, securing the youth national title after an unbeaten run at the championship. Representing Goa under MMA India, the national governing body for amateur mixed martial arts affiliated with the International Mixed []
Everbrightson, Lamurang score a goal each in their 2-0 win Shillong: Shillong Lajong FC began their Durand Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Nongkseh Sports and Cultural Club in the Shillong derby. Everbrightson Sana and Tremiki Lamurang struck in the second half to hand Shillong Lajong all three points after a goalless opening half. []
Fourth lowest July rainfall in last 15 years in Goa
Panaji: Goa has recorded its fourth lowest July rainfall in the last 15 years, despite a late revival of the southwest monsoon during the month, with the state ending July with a 34 per cent rainfall deficit. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) data shows that Goa received 690.4 mm of rainfall during July against the []
J&K among lowest-paying UTs for Anganwadi incentives
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmirs Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) are among the lowest paid in the country when it comes to additional incentives provided by the Union Territories and States, according to data presented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Lok Sabha. The Jammu and Kashmir Government provides a monthly top-up of Rs 600 to Anganwadi Workers and Rs 300 to Helpers, in addition to the Centres honorarium of Rs 4,500 and Rs 2,250 respectively. AWWs and AWHs also receive performance-linked incentives of Rs 500 and Rs 250 per month. With the UT contribution included, an Anganwadi Worker in Jammu and Kashmir receives Rs 5,600 per month, while a Helper gets Rs 2,550, excluding performance-based incentives. The data revealed that Jammu and Kashmirs additional payment of Rs 600 for AWWs is the second-lowest among States and UTs providing such incentives. For Helpers, the Rs 300 top-up also remains among the lowest in the country. In comparison, several states provide substantially higher incentives. Kerala offers an additional Rs 8,300 to AWWs and Rs 6,800 to AWHs, while Tamil Nadu provides Rs 9,780 and Rs 6,270 respectively. Haryana gives Rs 10,250 to AWWs and Rs 5,650 to AWHs. Goa reported the highest additional incentive range, with AWWs receiving Rs 15,000 to Rs 23,000. The Ministry informed Parliament that the central honorarium for Anganwadi Workers was last revised in October 2018, when payments were increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 for AWWs and from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,250 for AWHs. The Centre stated that States and UTs are free to provide additional financial incentives from their own resources, resulting in significant variations across regions. The Ministry said Anganwadi Workers and Helpers are honorary workers engaged from local communities and provide services related to child care, nutrition and development under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. The government also highlighted welfare measures for workers, including annual leave, maternity benefits, insurance coverage, healthcare benefits under Ayushman Bharat and expanded promotion opportunities. Under the scheme, 50 per cent of Anganwadi Worker posts can be filled through eligible Helpers, while 50 per cent of Supervisor posts can be filled through promotion of eligible Workers. The Centre has also encouraged States and UTs to enrol Anganwadi Workers and Helpers under pension and insurance schemes, besides providing smartphones and the Poshan Tracker application to improve monitoring and digitisation of Anganwadi services.
Nominal regularisation fee mooted for Vasco houses
NT Reporter Vasco Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said the state government would place before the Cabinet a proposal to regularise houses in the Goa Housing Board Colony at New Vaddem for a nominal fee of around Rs 10,000, with other charges proposed to be waived. Sawant was speaking while distributing 120 allotment letters []
An Italian proverb emphasizes doing things yourself for better results. This timeless saying reflects a mindset valuing initiative and personal accountability. Self-reliance is a valuable trait in today's fast-paced and goal-oriented world. Taking initiative builds confidence and sharpens skills through direct involvement. Balancing independence with teamwork is key to achieving overall success.
Ahead ofthe Goa stint of theChandni Bar Tour 2.0, DJ Chetas reflects on a career built on music and nostalgia VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN For more than a decade, Chetas Shah, better known as DJ Chetas, has been one of the biggest names shaping Indias party scene. Ranked World No. 33 on the DJ MAG Top 100 []
Many people blame the job market for missing out on their dream career, but neuroscientist Emily McDonald says the biggest obstacle could be the brain itself. She explains how the brain's default mode network, fear of success and self-identity can hold people back, and why changing the way you see yourself may help you move closer to your career goals.
Chicagoans Over 25 Urged To Shelter In Place Until Lollapalooza Over
The post Chicagoans Over 25 Urged To Shelter In Place Until Lollapalooza Over appeared first on The Onion .
Proverb of the Day offers a powerful reminder that victory and vulnerability often travel together. Failure is a possibility whenever we step outside our comfort zone, but so is growth. The people who accomplish meaningful goals are not necessarily those who never experience defeat. They are often the ones who understand that setbacks are part of the price of pursuing something worthwhileand who continue moving forward when the outcome is uncertain.
In numerology, the number 9 symbolizes completion, emotional wisdom, and service to others. Throughout August 2026, many people may find themselves closing old chapters, reevaluating career goals, strengthening relationships, or naturally letting go of habits and patterns that no longer support their growth.
Quote of the day by Arnold Schwarzenegger is about more than positive thinking. It is about creating an internal belief strong enough to support consistent effort. Dreams become meaningful when they are translated into goals, goals become achievable when they are broken into actions, and actions become progress when repeated with discipline. Arnold Schwarzenegger's statement should therefore be understood as an invitation to examine the boundaries we place on ourselves. Some limitations are real and must be acknowledged, but others exist primarily because we have never challenged them. The willingness to imagine something better can be the beginning of discovering what is actually possible.
Start preparing early for competitive exams, aspirants told
Set clear goals, work hard to secure government jobs, says IPS officer; KSOU launches KPSC, KEA coaching camp for aspirants
Quote of the Day by Bruce Lee: Bruce Lees quote, If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, youll never get it done, explores the importance of taking action, overcoming overthinking, and turning ideas into reality. The quote suggests that while planning and careful thought are valuable, excessive hesitation can prevent progress, limit opportunities, and stop people from achieving their goals. It highlights the need to balance preparation with action and reminds us that true growth comes through experience, effort, and the courage to begin.
'Musafir Cafe' star Vedika Pinto's sea-facing Mumbai home with Goan-Portuguese charm
'Musafir Cafe' actor Vedika Pinto gives an intimate tour of her 4000 sq ft Mumbai home, blending contemporary design with Goan-Portuguese touches that pay homage to her father's ancestry. From a restored newspaper artwork bought in Beirut to a painting with a cheeky Green Choli backstory, Vedika opens up about the stories behind her home's most striking corners.
Assam Cabinet clears CBG Policy 2026 aligned with national model
Assam's Cabinet approved a new Compressed Biogas Policy to convert organic waste into clean energy. This policy offers significant capital and tariff support for biogas projects across the state. The government also approved rules for self-certification of weighing instruments to reduce compliance burdens. Additionally, two proposed reserved forests in Goalpara District were finalized as Reserved Forests. The Cabinet also reviewed ongoing relief measures for recent flood-affected populations.
Cooperatives Department, UT Ladakh Organizes BuyerSeller Meet to Promote Ladakh Pashmina in Srinagar
Srinagar, July 31: The Cooperatives Department, Union Territory of Ladakh, in collaboration with the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. and J&K Bank, organized a BuyerSeller Meet today at the DIPR Auditorium, Srinagar. The programme aimed to establish direct interaction between Ladakh Pashmina herders and leading buyers, exporters, traders and business organizations, ensuring better price realization for the actual Pashmina herders, eliminating unnecessary intermediaries, and strengthening sustainable market linkages through the cooperative movement. The programme was graced by Shri Nitish Rajora , IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Changthang, as the Chief Guest. He highlighted the unique geographical landscape of Changthang, which is home to nearly 1.84 lakh Changra goats. Among those present were Mr. Thinles, Secretary, All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd.; representatives of J&K Bank, the Cooperatives Department, the District Administration, Changthang; besides members of cooperative societies, artisans, weavers, and media representatives. The event witnessed the participation of more than 100 buyers, exporters, traders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of leading business organizations from Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of the country. The meet provided a valuable platform for direct business interaction between Pashmina growers and prospective buyers, enabling discussions on quality, pricing, long-term procurement, and market requirements. Prominent participants included Mr. A.P. Vicky Shaw, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Kashmir; Mr. Iqram Ali Shafiee, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K; Mr. Javed Ahmad Tenga, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI); Mr. Mubashir Ahmad, President, Kashmir Pashmina Welfare Trust; Mr. Mohd. Rafiq Sofi, President, Tahafuz Society; and Mr. Muzaffar, Zonal Head, Srinagar, J&K Bank, who interacted with the cooperative members and explored avenues for long-term collaboration. Addressing the gathering, Shri Nitish Rajora, IAS, highlighted the global recognition of Ladakh Pashmina for its exceptional quality and emphasized that cooperative societies play a vital role in empowering nomadic herders by improving market access, ensuring fair remuneration, and preserving the authenticity of Ladakh Pashmina. He reiterated the commitment of the UT Administration towards strengthening the cooperative movement and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for Pashmina-growing communities. During the programme, members of the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. showcased authentic Ladakh Pashmina and value-added products before buyers, exporters, and traders. The interaction enabled buyers to directly understand the production process, quality standards, and the unique characteristics of Ladakh Pashmina, while allowing herders to understand market expectations. It was informed during the meet that a dedicated digital platform/mobile application for Pashmina growers, artisans, and cooperative members will be developed in the coming days. The proposed platform is expected to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem by facilitating digital payments, improving access to government schemes, providing market information, and creating direct linkages between producers and buyers. An interactive open session followed, during which buyers, exporters, industry representatives, and cooperative members exchanged views on quality assurance, branding, GI certification, value addition, digital marketing, and expanding domestic as well as international market opportunities for Ladakh Pashmina. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Deputy Registrar Cooperatives, Sachin Bali, who thanked all the participants and stakeholders for making the event a grand success. The Cooperatives Department, UT Ladakh, reaffirmed its commitment to organizing more such BuyerSeller Meets to strengthen direct market linkages, promote authentic Ladakh Pashmina, empower cooperative societies, and ensure that the benefits of value addition and market access reach the actual Pashmina herders of Changthang.
J&K anganwadi workers among lowest-paid in India, receive Rs 600 monthly UT top-up: Centre
Srinagar, Jul 31: Anganwadi workers in Jammu and Kashmir receive one of the lowest additional honorarium top-ups in the country, with the Union Territory providing just 600 per month to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and 300 to Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), the Union Government informed Parliament on Friday. The information was shared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, highlighting wide disparities in additional financial support extended by States and Union Territories to Anganwadi workers under the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme. According to the ministry, the Centre provides a monthly honorarium of 4,500 to Anganwadi Workers and 2,250 to Anganwadi Helpers under the cost-sharing arrangement with States and UTs. In addition, workers receive performance-linked incentives of 500 and 250, respectively. With the UT administration's additional top-up, an Anganwadi Worker in Jammu and Kashmir receives 5,600 per month, excluding the performance-linked incentive, while an Anganwadi Helper receives 2,550. The data shows that Jammu and Kashmir's 600 monthly top-up for AWWs is among the lowest in the country. Nagaland provides no additional top-up, while neighbouring Ladakh offers 1,300 to Anganwadi Workers and 650 to Helpers. In contrast, several States provide significantly higher incentives. Kerala pays an additional 8,300 to Anganwadi Workers and 6,800 to Helpers, Tamil Nadu provides 9,780 and 6,270 respectively, while Haryana offers 10,250 and 5,650. Goa tops the list, with additional payments ranging between 15,000 and 23,000 for Anganwadi Workers. The ministry informed Parliament that the central honorarium was last revised on October 1, 2018, when it was increased from 3,000 to 4,500 for Anganwadi Workers and from 1,500 to 2,250 for Helpers. States and UTs are free to provide additional incentives from their own resources. Responding to questions on improving service conditions, the ministry said no decision has been taken to further enhance the central honorarium or restore travel allowances. The Centre reiterated that Anganwadi Workers and Helpers are honorary workers drawn from local communities who provide child care, nutrition and early childhood development services under the Integrated Child Development Services framework. The ministry also highlighted welfare measures available to Anganwadi workers, including 20 days of annual leave, 180 days of paid maternity leave, healthcare coverage of up to 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, eligibility for the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan pension scheme, and insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. It further said promotion avenues have been expanded, with 50 per cent of Anganwadi Worker posts to be filled through promotion from eligible Helpers and half of Supervisor posts reserved for experienced Anganwadi Workers.
The Rise of Personalized Mantras in India's Digital Spiritual Wellness Journey
India's spiritual wellness landscape is witnessing a quiet transformation. While astrology apps, meditation platforms, and devotional content have made spiritual guidance more accessible than ever, users today are increasingly looking for experiences that feel personal rather than generic. One emerging trend is the growing interest in personalized mantras - recommendations based on an individual's birth chart instead of universally suggested chants. How Personalized Mantras Are Shaping the Future of Digital Spiritual Wellness in India Traditionally, Vedic astrology has emphasized that spiritual remedies should be tailored to a person's unique horoscope. Factors such as planetary placements, ongoing Mahadasha or Antardasha, and specific life challenges often influence the remedies suggested by experienced astrologers. Yet, in the digital world, many users still rely on the same commonly recommended mantras without understanding whether they are the most suitable for their individual circumstances. This changing mindset is encouraging astrology platforms to rethink how spiritual guidance is delivered in the digital age. The Shift Towards Personalized Spiritual Guidance For years, online astrology has largely focused on daily horoscopes, compatibility reports, and Kundli analysis. While these services remain popular, users are increasingly seeking actionable guidance that they can incorporate into their everyday lives. Mantra chanting has always been one of the most widely recommended Vedic remedies for improving focus, emotional well-being, and spiritual discipline. However, astrologers believe that the effectiveness of a mantra often depends on its relevance to an individual's birth chart rather than its popularity. As awareness around personalized astrology grows, many users are beginning to ask a different question - not "Which mantra is the most powerful?" but "Which mantra is right for me?" This shift reflects a broader movement toward personalized spiritual wellness, where remedies are aligned with an individual's astrological profile instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach. Technology Meets Traditional Astrology Modern technology is making it easier for people to access experienced astrologers without geographical barriers. Rather than replacing traditional practices, digital platforms are helping make them more convenient and accessible. Recognizing this trend, Neo Astro has introduced Personalized Mantra Plans, a new feature that recommends mantras based on a user's birth chart, planetary positions, and current Dasha. Instead of offering a single mantra for everyone, the platform enables users to receive recommendations tailored to their individual spiritual journey. The feature includes three different categories: Lifetime Mantra – Recommended for long-term spiritual growth and life path. Remedial Mantra – Suggested to address specific life concerns or planetary influences. Dasha Mantra – Based on the user's current planetary period to support different phases of life. According to the app, these mantra plans are prescribed by experienced astrologers after studying the user's birth chart, bringing together traditional Vedic principles with the convenience of a digital platform. Making Spiritual Practice More Meaningful mantra chanting is consistency. Users often struggle to decide which mantra to chant, how long to continue, or whether they are following a practice relevant to their personal circumstances. Personalized recommendations help simplify this process by providing clearer direction. Instead of choosing from hundreds of popular mantras available online, users receive guidance designed specifically for their astrological profile. This allows spiritual practice to become more structured and purposeful while encouraging users to develop a consistent daily routine. A Growing Trend in Digital Spiritual Wellness India's digital wellness ecosystem has expanded rapidly in recent years, with growing interest in meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and astrology. At the same time, users are increasingly expecting personalized experiences across digital services, from fitness plans and nutrition advice to financial recommendations. Spiritual wellness is gradually following the same path. Rather than consuming generic content, users are looking for guidance that reflects their personal goals, life circumstances, and belief systems. Personalized mantras represent one example of how technology can support this evolution without compromising the authenticity of traditional practices. Looking Ahead As digital spirituality continues to evolve, personalization is likely to play an increasingly important role in helping users build meaningful and sustainable spiritual habits. By introducing birth chart-based Personalized Mantra Plans, Neo Astro is responding to this growing demand for individualized guidance. The feature reflects a broader shift within the digital astrology space-from offering information to providing practical, personalized spiritual recommendations that users can integrate into their daily lives. As more people seek spiritual practices aligned with their own life journey rather than generic solutions, personalized mantras may become an important part of the future of digital spiritual wellness in India.
A Bengaluru-based CA and former KPMG and Deloitte employee warned against spending Rs 20 lakh on lavish weddings to impress relatives. She broke down how food, venue, entertainment, photography, decoration and other costs can make the money disappear within 48 hours. She argued that savings, investments, future goals and parents' retirement may bear the hidden cost. Instead, she suggested allocating 35% to the wedding, 25% to investments, 25% to a home and 15% to an emergency fund.
Excited To Lead Purani Dilli 6 In DPL Season Three, Focus Is On Playing Positive Cricket: Rawat
Delhi Premier League: Wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat has expressed excitement over leading Purani Dilli 6 in Delhi Premier League (DPL) season three, starting on Friday, adding the side is eager to start their campaign on a winning note and that they have left no stone unturned in its preparations leading up to their tournament opener against Central Delhi Kings. Purani Dilli 6 will take on Central Delhi Kings in the opening match of the league at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Friday evening. We have had around 15 to 16 practice sessions leading up to the tournament, and the intensity and commitment shown by every player has been outstanding. The squad has prepared really well, and everyone is looking forward to stepping onto the field. It is a proud moment for me to lead Purani Dilli 6, and I am ready for the responsibility. We have a talented group with the right mix of experience and youth, and our focus is on playing positive cricket, giving our best in every game, and starting the tournament with a victory, said Rawat in a statement by the franchise. After weeks of rigorous preparation, the franchise enters the third edition of the league boasting a balanced squad that blends seasoned domestic performers with emerging young talent. Purani Dilli 6 also has wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi and young pacer Udhav Mohan, who won the U19 World Cup earlier this year with the Indian team, in their ranks. The squad has prepared really well, and everyone is looking forward to stepping onto the field. It is a proud moment for me to lead Purani Dilli 6, and I am ready for the responsibility. We have a talented group with the right mix of experience and youth, and our focus is on playing positive cricket, giving our best in every game, and starting the tournament with a victory, said Rawat in a statement by the franchise. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The wait is finally over, and everyone associated with Purani Dilli 6 is excited to get the season underway. We have worked hard over the past few weeks to build a strong and balanced squad, and the players have shown tremendous commitment during our preparations. We are confident that the team is ready for the challenge ahead. Our goal is to play fearless, competitive cricket and make our supporters proud, he said. Article Source: IANS
Cluster University Jammu VC delivers lecture at CU Kashmir
Ganderbal, Jul 30:The Department of Management Studies (DMS), Central University of Kashmir (CU-K), organised an extension lecture on Teamwork by Prof. K. S. Chandrasekhar Nair, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, for students of MBA, BBA and MBA (Tourism Studies) here at the Green Campus. Drawing upon his rich academic and administrative experience, Prof. Nair emphasised that teamwork is the cornerstone of organisational excellence, innovation and sustainable success. He urged students to cultivate a spirit of collaboration, mutual respect, effective communication and shared leadership to excel in their careers. Prof. Nair said organisations across the globe increasingly seek professionals who can work effectively in diverse teams, resolve conflicts constructively and contribute towards achieving common organisational goals. He encouraged students to embrace teamwork not merely as a managerial concept but as a lifelong value that fosters trust, creativity, resilience and collective growth. The lecture was followed by an interactive session during which participants actively engaged with the speaker. The lecture was organised under the guidance of Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Head, Department of Management Studies, as part of the department's ongoing commitment to providing students opportunities to interact with eminent academicians and thought leaders. Faculty members, including Dr. Mir Insha Farooq, Senior Assistant Professor, Dr. Ashiq Hussain Najar, Senior Assistant Professor, and Dr. Sammaiah Buhukya, Assistant Professor, were among those present. Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies, proposed the vote of thanks.
There is a particular kind of political moment when a metaphor escapes the control of the people who coined it. This summer, a remark from the bench about the ease with which the GenZ dismissed authority - cockroach - was meant to be an aside. It became instead the banner under which tens of thousands of students converged on Jantar Mantar, forced a sitting Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, to resign, and extracted from the state an admission that the machinery entrusted with the simplest promise a republic can make to its GenZ - that merit will be tested fairly, had failed catastrophically and repeatedly. The resignation was not a small thing. In a political culture that has made a fetish of never admitting error, it was, briefly, a demonstration that democratic pressure, applied with enough moral clarity, still moves institutions. It is exactly because that demonstration was real that a harder question now presents itself to Kashmirs own GenZ. If a minister at the centre can be made to answer for a system of examinations that betrayed the trust of millions, what account is owed by those who preside over an examination ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir that has, by any honest reading of the record, been no less compromised, and in some respects considerably more so, for considerably longer? The JKSSBs sub-inspector examination was compromised in 2022. Its junior engineer and finance-account assistant examinations were cancelled after leaks. The Fire and Emergency Services recruitment drive is, at the time of writing, the subject of ongoing arrests by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Aspirants for the JKPSCs 10+2 lecturer post allege that questions were circulating in private coaching academies days before the paper was administered. This is not a single scandal; it is a pattern that spans lieutenant-governor rule and elected government, spans parties, and has outlasted every change of administration since 2022. If Dharmendra Pradhans resignation was the price of one national failure, the studied silence around Kashmirs own paper-leak economy is difficult to justify by any standard except the reflexive tolerance a periphery is routinely asked to extend that a capital is not. But it would be a mistake and this is where the argument must resist the pull of its own righteousness - to convert that asymmetry into a demand for a single ministers head. The temptation to ask why cant Sakina Itoo resign as Dharmendra Pradhan did mistakes a structural rot for a personal failing. Jammu and Kashmirs recruitment apparatus was not built, broken, and rebuilt by one minister or one party. The outsourcing framework that has produced the current controversy over roughly twenty-five thousand disputed appointments was, on the governments own account, designed during the PDP-BJP coalition of 20152018, when departments were stripped of the power to make direct seasonal appointments. The paper leaks that compromised the JKSSB occurred substantially under a Lieutenant Governor answerable to the Centre, not to any elected chief minister. The backdoor appointments in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank - a scandal old enough that a special anti-corruption court only recently found two former bank chairmen culpable - trace back further still, to a period when political appointees are alleged to have quietly displaced over five hundred candidates who had already cleared selection on merit. Every party that has held office in Srinagar or presided over it from Raj Bhavan has, at some point, either authored this culture or inherited it and declined to dismantle it. To demand one resignation is theatre; to demand the dismantling of a system in which every actor has found it convenient to blame the others is reform. Kashmirs Gen Z, if it is to learn anything transferable from Jantar Mantar, should learn to distrust the catharsis of a single scapegoat exactly as much as it distrusts the impunity of institutions. Nowhere is this diffusion of responsibility more visible than in the year-long passage of the Cabinet Sub-Committees report on reservation. A committee constituted in December 2024 to examine grievances about a reservation architecture that, by the governments own submission to the Assembly, reserves seventy per cent of government jobs and leaves only thirty per cent to open merit, took until December 2025 to have its recommendations - reportedly proposing to raise the open-merit share to forty per cent and to trim the Economically Weaker Sections and Residents of Backward Areas quotas - cleared by the Cabinet, and the file still awaited the Lieutenant Governors assent and the Ministry of Home Affairs concurrence as of the middle of this year. Whatever one thinks of the substance of the recommendations, the procedural fact is telling: a matter that touches the immediate material prospects of an overwhelmingly young population has been processed almost entirely behind closed doors, filtered through a Union Territorys peculiar two-key structure of elected government and centrally appointed administrator, with no meaningful mechanism by which the aspirants whose futures are being adjudicated can see the reasoning, contest the data, or hold anyone accountable for delay. This is not a reservation debate conducted in public; but a reservation debate conducted about the public. The same diagnosis extends to the classroom itself. An education department that suspended and terminated its own employees over the inclusion of separatist figures as personalities and legends in centrally sponsored textbooks was, in the same period, unable to explain how the leak of a lecturer recruitment paper occurred or to offer aspirants a credible account of what would be done about it. An administration capable of swift, almost theatrical action against ideological deviation in a textbook has shown itself considerably less swift when the deviation is corruption in the very process by which the teachers of that textbook are hired. This is not a coincidence of emphasis; it is a revealing statement of institutional priorities, and Kashmirs students have every right to notice which kind of failure gets a same-day suspension order and which kind gets years of unresolved committees. To this must be added the issues that do not generate paper leaks or hunger strikes but will, in the medium run, determine more of this generations future than any single recruitment scandal: the largely unregulated extraction of riverbed material from the Jhelum, Chenab, and their tributaries, awarded through opaque contracts that rarely return commensurate value to the communities living beside the rivers being dredged; and a Himalayan ecology - retreating glaciers, an increasingly erratic monsoon pattern, flash floods that arrive with less warning each year, that receives ritual acknowledgment in policy documents and almost none in enforcement. A generation that has watched its examinations sold, its reservation policy negotiated in files it cannot read, and its rivers mined by contracts it never sees, is not merely angry about jobs. It is arriving, by experience rather than theory, at a diagnosis that political scientists have long made about the Union Territorys design: an architecture in which the body most exposed to public anger, the elected government, does not control the instruments - policing, the bureaucracys top tiers, ultimate reservation and recruitment sign-off - that would let it fully answer for outcomes, while the body that does control them, the Lieutenant Governors administration, is not subject to the electoral accountability that made Dharmendra Pradhans position untenable at Jantar Mantar. This, then, might be the message Kashmirs Gen Z owes the countrys Gen Z, and itself: that the demand for accountability, once discovered, cannot be allowed to stop at the first resignation that presents itself as convenient. The Jantar Mantar moment worked because it refused to be satisfied with an apology and instead insisted on a resignation. Kashmirs own movement, if it is to be more than an echo, must resist the equally tempting substitute of a resignation in place of structural repair - must insist not on removing Sakina Itoo or any single office-holder, but on a recruitment system insulated from every future governments temptation to outsource, a reservation policy whose committees publish their working papers, a mining and ecological regime that treats disclosure as a right rather than a favour, and, underlying all of this, a restoration of the ordinary chain of accountability, an assembly answerable for the departments it nominally runs - without which every future ministers resignation will remain a gesture rather than a guarantee. Anything less risks repeating, in Srinagar, the very failure the students at Jantar Mantar were protesting in Delhi: mistaking the fall of one office-holder for the repair of the office itself. Dr Zahid Sultan, Independent Researcher Based in Srinagar Kashmir, India.
What a Japanese wall tells Kashmir
Srinagar, Jul 30:A viral video circulating in Kashmir about a Japanese mayor who built an enormous flood wall and gate to protect his village has found resonance in the Valley after the recent flood threat that brought memories of the devastating 2014 delugeThe viral video shows how Kotaku Wamura, the mayor of Fudai village in Japan, who served from 1947 to 1987, from his experience of the devastation caused by previous tsunamis, spent decades building a concrete flood wall even as many expressed reservations about the scale of the project. He was instrumental in ensuring the construction of a 51-foot wall in 1984.Fourteen years later, long after Wamura had passed away, Japan was hit by a 9-magnitude earthquake, causing a tsunami that ravaged the nations northeastern coast. Thanks to Wamura, Fudai village remained largely unaffected.In Kashmir, the recent heavy rains caused a rise in the Jhelum waters and its tributaries, leading to the issuance of alert advisories. The rains stopped, preventing a 2014-like deluge.Yet, for Kashmiris it was dj vu.In September 2014, Srinagar and south Kashmir areas were flooded, roads got washed away, homes collapsed, and hospitals were rendered non-functional. According to the World Bank, 300 people lost their lives, over 10 lakh were affected, and property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged. The 2014 Kashmir floods pointed towards vulnerabilities in drainage infrastructure, encroachments of flood basins and wetlands, and reduction in carrying capacities of rivers. A rebuilding process was started.With USD 250 million in funding, the Government of India and the World Bank started the Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project in January 2016. Following this, successive governments worked on embankments and disaster response.However, their collective efforts have not added up to a comprehensive long-term strategy for protecting Kashmir against the next flood. It is because Kashmirs flood threats cannot be resolved with a single project or the dredging of the River Jhelum alone, as the river, its tributaries, the flood channels, wetlands, lakes, drainage systems, and flood plains are interlinked. Any serious flood mitigation policy needs to bring these components from river management to drainage systems, wetlands protection to flood plain planning, early warning systems to real-time monitoring together. Kashmirs geographical terrain itself can prove a valuable asset in defending against the floods.These wetlands and water bodies play the role of natural sponges, absorbing extra water in the event of heavy rains. When wetlands and water bodies disappear through encroachment, it places more stress on rivers and cities.There is also an issue of accountability in the absence of a comprehensive account of public funds used since 2014 for flood mitigation. The World Bank-sponsored project is just a part of the wider context.However, there is no comprehensive report about the promises made, the resources put into action, and the achievements and unachieved goals.As a result of this, it is difficult to know for sure whether or not Kashmir is safe in case of flooding after 2014.What the viral video about Fudai teaches is not that Kashmir should build an enormous wall but that a resilient approach towards flooding demands systematic work. Wamura made preparations for a flood for decades after calling for protective measures.Kashmir has already witnessed the worst-case scenario.The 2014 floods were meant to be Kashmirs Fudai moment.Twelve years down the line, the flood mitigation process is ongoing.The next big flood might be within the coming year, 10 years later, or even further into the future.But since 2014, no one can claim it is not possible anymore. The lesson to be drawn from Fudai is not about the height of the wall but the mindset behind the wall.The challenge in Kashmir is how the silent period before a flood is utilised in getting ready for the next deluge. Or will Kashmir be reminded about its costs by waiting for the calamity?
Parents urged to support childrens interests and strengths
NT KURIOCITY St. Xaviers Institute, Curtorim, held its prize distribution ceremony and PTA annual general body meeting at the school hall. President of the Goa Council of Ayurvedic and Allied System of Medicine, Dr Sneha Pranav Bhagwat, was the chief guest. The programme was attended by chairperson Maria Carma Mendonca, manager Melroy Fernandes, headmistress Melania []
Celebrating young achievers of Margao
NT KURIOCITY Daivadnya Samaj, Margao felicitated meritorious students from the community who excelled in the Goa Board, CBSE and ICSE streams at a function held at Daivadnya Bhavan, Margao. The honours included Class 10 students who secured more than 85% marks and Class 12 achievers in the overall category and various streams. The overall Class []
Cadets pay tribute to Kargilheroes through art
NT KURIOCITY Atotal of 42 Junior Division NCC cadets from seven schools in Bardez participated in a drawing and painting competition organised by the Ex-NCC Cadets Association, Goa in collaboration with Janata High School, Mapusa, to mark the 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The competition was held at Shri Raghunath Anant Tople Sabhagruha, Mapusa []
Kargil martyrs sacrifice must inspire youth: Gadkar
NT KURIOCITY Secretary, Civil Supplies, Government of Goa, Sanjeev Gadkar, IAS, said the sacrifices of the Kargil martyrs should continue to remind citizens of the values of patriotism, national unity and service to the nation. He was addressing the 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, organised by the Ex-NCC Cadets Association-Goa in association with 1 []
Two Goan films, Hovyo: Echoes of the Past by Tanisha Pawar and Draft Zero by Gauresh Savardekar,have been selected for the International Tagore Film Awards (ITFA) 2026 RAMANDEEP KAUR NT KURIOCITY Preserving thevoices of Hovyo Before DJs and bands became a regular presence, many Goan families sang hovyo, traditional oral folk songs performed during wedding []
Quote of the Day by Stan Lee: Stan Lees quote, Theres never a time when Im not working. I dont take vacations, explores the importance of passion, dedication, and finding purpose in ones work. The quote suggests that when people truly love what they do, their work becomes more than just a responsibilityit becomes a source of creativity, inspiration, and personal fulfillment. It highlights how commitment and enthusiasm can drive continuous growth, encouraging individuals to pursue their passions and remain dedicated to their goals.
Six schools to compete in TAGs tiatr extravaganza
NT KURIOCITY Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) will organise the 4th All Goa Inter-School Tiatr Competition 2026 from August 3 to 12 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, with six schools from across the state participating. The competition will be inaugurated on August 3, 3.15 p.m. Dr Ernesto Rodrigues will be the chief guest, while director of []
Poor sanitation plagues SGPDA retail fish market
NT Reporter Margao The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA)-owned retail fish market is facing poor infrastructure, choked drains and inadequate sanitation, prompting regular customers and citizens to demand immediate action fromthe authorities. The market, once envisioned as a facility modelled on international shopping standards, is now facing neglect, with vendors allegedly occupying common []
EOC chargesheets society, 11 others in Rs 1.69 cr cheating case
NT Reporter Panaji The Economic Offences Cell (EOC) of the Goa Police has filed a chargesheet before the District and Sessions Court, Merces, against Shivaji Jadhav, then chairman of Pune-based Hariom Multistate Co-operative Credit Society, and 11 others, including the society, in connection with an alleged Rs 1.69-crore investor cheating case. The matter is scheduled []
HC stays land acquisition for Borim bridge project
NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has stayed the operation and implementation of the final land acquisition declaration for the proposed High Level New Borim Bridge and its approach roads. The interim order was passed on a petition filed by Salvador Alves and 39 others, including landowners, occupantsand agricultural tenants from []
NGT upholds demolition of illegalCalangute beach structures
NT Reporter Panaji The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has upheld the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authoritys (GCZMA) order directing demolition of unauthorised structures at a beach property in Calangute, ruling that Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations cannot be regularised through post-facto correctionsor revised plans. Dismissing an appeal filed by Lloyd St Jude Joachim Fernandes, the []
Rs 254 cr fisheries projects approvedfor Goa, Union minister tells RS
NT Reporter Panaji The Union government through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has approved fisheries projects amounting to Rs 147.23 crore, which has benefited 463 beneficiaries, whereas projects worth Rs 107 crore has been approved under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), covering 4339 beneficiaries in Goa, said Union Minister for []
NEP push: Goas 35 PM SHRI schools part of 13,092 institutions
NT Reporter Panaji The Union Ministry of Education has informed that Goa has 35 PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) schools, functioning under the centrally sponsored scheme, out of such 13,092 schools across the country, including KVS/ NVS/ NCERT. These schools have facilities such as Building as Learning Aid (BaLa) features and Jaadui []
The Proverb of the Day, Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who work for it, highlights the importance of balancing patience with consistent effort. While waiting can create opportunities, real success usually comes from taking action, improving over time and staying committed to one's goals. The saying remains relevant in careers, education and personal growth, reminding people that perseverance and hard work often lead to the best outcomes.
Manipur: FC Raengdai stuns Indian Navy 1-0 in first-ever Durand Cup win
Imphal: Football Club Raengdai (Manipur) registered a historic 1-0 victory over the Indian Navy Football Team on Thursday in their debut match of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup Group D Imphal-leg at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. Substitute Amarjit (No. 11) scored the decisive goal in the second half, securing FC Raengdai their first-ever goal [] The post Manipur: FC Raengdai stuns Indian Navy 1-0 in first-ever Durand Cup win appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Tesla made its 10 millionth EV
The milestone means Tesla is halfway to accomplishing one of the four core product goals Elon Musk has to hit to unlock his full $1 trillion pay package.
Why couldn't Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' match box office like 'Leo' and 'GOAT'?
Jana Nayagan's box office collections slowed down during weekdays after a strong opening. An 'A' certificate restricted younger viewers, impacting overall family audience attendance. Alleged online leaks before release also potentially affected theatre footfalls significantly. The film missed its Pongal release window due to certification delays. Despite these challenges, Jana Nayagan remains one of the year's biggest Tamil releases.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the appeal filed by the State of Goa challenging the acquittal of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case. A Division Bench of Justice Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Borkar Jamsandekar concluded hearings after seven sessions and reserved its verdict in [] The post Bombay High Court reserves verdict on Goas appeal against Tarun Tejpals acquittal in 2013 sexual assault case appeared first on India Legal .
Aim Is To Finish Tour On A High With Series Win, Says Muneeba Ahead Of T20Is Against SL
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium: Asserting that their goal is to finish the tour on a high with a series victory, stand-in captain Muneeba Ali said a revamped Pakistan team is ready to compete fiercely against hosts Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series starting on Friday. All matches of the series will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. In head-to-head records, Pakistan hold a slight advantage over Sri Lanka, having won 11 of the 21 T20I encounters between the two sides, while one match produced no result. We look forward to competing hard in the T20I series here in Dambulla and the aim is to finish the tour on a high with a series win. It is an honour for me to lead Pakistan at any given opportunity and I'll do my best to contribute towards the development of youngsters and produce positive results for the team, Muneeba said in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement on the eve of the series opener. Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba will lead the side after regular captain Fatima Sana departed for England to participate in The Hundred following the conclusion of the three-match ODI series, which Sri Lanka won 2-1 after coming from behind. Muneeba, Pakistans first womens T20I centurion with two hundreds in the shortest format, has previously stood in as captain during the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2024 against Australia in Dubai and against Zimbabwe in an ODI in May this year. Pakistan have made significant changes to their squad, bringing in eight new players compared to the side that featured in the last T20 World Cup, where they lost four out of five league stage games. Eman Naseer, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Najiha Alvi, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar have been drafted in, with batters Eman and Maham being uncapped in the format. Pakistan have made significant changes to their squad, bringing in eight new players compared to the side that featured in the last T20 World Cup, where they lost four out of five league stage games. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka have also refreshed their roster by making three changes from their ODI setup -- calling up youngsters Sanjana Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda, and Rashmika Sewwandi. We are aware of Sri Lanka's capability to bounce back from any situation, and we will look to take the field with the best preparation and planning possible, Muneeba concluded. Article Source: IANS
Najmul Hossain Shanto Backs Injury-Hit Bangladesh Ahead Of Australia Tests
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Thursday he had complete faith in his injury-hit squad ahead of a two-Test series in Australia, saying those selected have the ability to compete. Several key players, including fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, are recovering from injuries. Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is also yet to recover from a calf injury sustained during the home one-day series against Australia in June. Nahid Rana, Shoriful and Litton Das are obviously important players, Shanto told reporters before the team's departure. But those who are in the squad have also been playing for many years. I have complete faith in the team that is going to Australia and believe we can play good cricket. The series marks Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in 23 years, with their last visit in 2003. Shanto said the tour was an opportunity not only to challenge one of the world's strongest teams on their home turf but also to earn Australia's respect and secure more Test matches there in future. Our main goal is to play good cricket there and earn respect, he said. If we can play competitive cricket, they'll definitely invite us again in the future. Bangladesh leave for Australia on Friday and will play a four-day warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI before the opening Test in Darwin on August 13. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The second Test begins in Mackay on August 22.
Quote of the day by C. S. Lewis offers a powerful reinterpretation of failure. A setback does not automatically move someone backward. If it produces knowledge, resilience, or a better strategy, it can become a marker pointing toward future achievement. The road to success is rarely a straight line. It is more often a series of turns, obstacles, corrections, and discoveries. In the end, success belongs not only to those who achieve their goals quickly but also to those who remain willing to learn when things go wrong. Every failed attempt can become a lesson, every mistake can reveal a better path, and every setback can strengthen the determination needed for the next opportunity.
Humans often travel to reconnect with places and past memories. Familiar destinations reduce cognitive load and mental effort for travelers. These places become extensions of personal identity and evoke strong emotions. Nostalgia significantly increases travelers' intentions to revisit cherished destinations. Repeat visits offer emotional restoration and psychological comfort to many.
RSB Group Celebrates 4th Edition of 'Ek Pahal' Annual Day Championing a Future Beyond Dreams
RSB Group, one of India’s leading automotive and non-automotive component manufacturers, successfully hosted the fourth edition of its flagship initiative, the Ek Pahal Annual Day, under the powerful theme “ Ek Pahal Sapno Se Aage ” (Beyond Dreams). RSB Group Celebrates 4th Edition of 'Ek Pahal' Annual Day The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. S.K. Behera, Vice Chairman, RSB Group, along with family members Mrs. Sangeeta Behera and Mrs. Nalini Behera, whose presence added great significance to the celebration. The celebration marked a major milestone as the Ek Pahal community grew significantly larger this year, warmly welcoming over 200 women employees from Setco into the RSB Parivar. The event brought together female employees from Jamshedpur and all other RSB centres across India. The highlight of the day was an enriching and deeply inspiring round-table panel discussion. Trailblazers from diverse fields, Dr. Rekha Panda, Ms Singo Mardi, Mrs Leena Adesara, and Ms Deboshri Dutta shared their profound life experiences. The discussion focused on the hard work, passion and commitment required to turn big ambitions into daily actions, offering the audience a masterclass on how to translate raw dreams into concrete reality. These powerful stories deeply moved the audience, inspiring all the female employees to not just dream big, but to chase those goals with unwavering grit and determination. The celebrations also featured some mesmerising cultural performances by RSB employees. Through creative storytelling, music, and dance, the performers brought immense emotion and vibrant life to the stage, beautifully mirroring the spirit of the movement. Sharing his pride on the occasion, Mr. S.K. Behera, Vice Chairman, RSB Group , " At RSB, our philosophy is simple: talent and excellence have no gender. Our approach remains strictly gender-neutral, focusing entirely on merit and capability. However, for potential to truly flourish, the environment must be right. We stand absolutely committed to creating a safe, respectful, and deeply inclusive workspace where our women colleagues feel empowered to step out, break barriers, and confidently march toward their highest aspirations. " Launched four years ago under the leadership of Ms. Nirmala Behera, Ek Pahal has matured from a heartfelt internal initiative into a massive, transformative movement. Operating through four core pillars - Health & Hygiene, Safety, Learning & Development, and Community Service; the ecosystem continues to drive structural, holistic growth both within the organization and the wider community. Reflecting on the evolution of the initiative and this year's theme, Ms. Nirmala Behera, Executive Director, HR & Branding, RSB Group , said, " Our theme this year, 'EK Pahal- Sapno Se Aage', is a powerful reminder that dreams are merely the starting line. Real empowerment begins when we move past the stage of just wishing for equality and step into the reality of executing those dreams with our own hands. I am immensely proud of our teams; the work done across our four pillars is no longer just reflected in dashboards, but lives in the daily confidence, resilience, and growth of our women colleagues ." The event concluded with a strong focus on future impact, recognizing outstanding contributions from the past year. The Community Initiative Pillar leaders were awarded the top honours for leading projects with deep social impact, while the Health & Hygiene Pillar leader was recognised as the runner-up for setting exceptional operational benchmarks. With this fourth edition of Ek Pahal annual day celebration, RSB Group strongly reaffirms its commitment to building a purpose-driven corporate culture where individual dreams are nurtured into collective milestones, setting a benchmark for the manufacturing industry at large.
RIR Power Electronics ignites India's SiC revolution after successful NSE debut
RIR Power Electronics debuted on the NSE, enhancing its market presence. The company is significantly investing in Silicon Carbide manufacturing in Odisha. This strategic move supports India's semiconductor self-reliance goals. Construction of the cleanroom facility is complete, with production targeted for FY2027. RIR also secured its first international order for high-power semiconductor devices.
Best Mexican Proverb of the Day: The Mexican proverb highlights that valuable goals demand significant effort and dedication. Achieving exceptional results requires individuals to invest time, energy, and determination. Meaningful accomplishments are rarely attained without commitment and perseverance. Sacrifice and patience are essential components for long-term success and personal growth. This timeless wisdom applies to all life aspects, emphasizing hard work over shortcuts.
Australia Leg-spinner Zampa To Play Domestic Cricket For Queensland After Leaving NSW
Queensland Cricket General Manager: Australias premier white-ball leg-spinner Adam Zampa has signed up with Queensland for the upcoming 2026/27 domestic season after Cricket Australia formally approved his switch in state from New South Wales (NSW). Zampa, 34, lives near Byron Bay on the northern coast of NSW, made the move to allow himself greater flexibility and proximity for training, especially with Queenslands facilities in Brisbane just two hours away. Queensland will mark the third state team of his domestic career, following a seven-year stint with South Australia early in his career and his subsequent time with NSW. Zampa, currently ranked fourth in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, joins fellow nationally contracted players Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, and Xavier Bartlett in the Queensland squad. Were pleased to have Adam join our program and look forward to working together with him. He is a world class bowler, and his experience and insights will certainly benefit our group. We look forward to assisting him with his goal of continuing to represent Australia with distinction in the future, said Bennett King, Queensland Cricket General Manager - High Performance. Zampa had played just two domestic matches over the past two seasons due to heavy international commitments and is unlikely to challenge, especially with fellow leg-spinner Swepson being the lead red-ball spinner. Zampa has featured in only one first-class match in the past three seasons, after having conceded earlier this year that his Test aspirations faded after missing selection for the Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2025. Were pleased to have Adam join our program and look forward to working together with him. He is a world class bowler, and his experience and insights will certainly benefit our group. We look forward to assisting him with his goal of continuing to represent Australia with distinction in the future, said Bennett King, Queensland Cricket General Manager - High Performance. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It is yet to be known which Big Bash League (BBL) club Zampa will join for the upcoming season after three seasons at Melbourne Renegades. Meanwhile, new Queensland head coach James Hopes has commenced his duties this week after wrapping up his assistant coaching role with Washington Freedom in USAs Major League Cricket (MLC). Article Source: IANS
Planning to withdraw from your mutual fund SIP? Here's the impact on your financial goals
Withdrawing money from your mutual fund SIP can significantly delay your financial goals by hampering the power of compounding. Early withdrawals cause maximum damage to your long-term wealth creation. Here is how pulling out funds at different stages impacts your timeline to build a target corpus of Rs 1 crore.
Goa Police question protest organisers over Umar Khalid placards
Panaji: The Goa police have posed questions to organisers about the finances and intent behind a few student protests in the coastal state where pro-Umar Khalid slogans were allegedly raised, officials said on Thursday, July 30. The Goa police last week detained two youths for allegedly expressing support for jailed student activist Umar Khalid during 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 .
