Goa

Taapsee Pannu on wanting producers to back films on her name: Its been relentless work

Taapsee Pannu has spoken about her long-term goal of reaching a stage in her career where producers see her presence as a reason to invest in a film. Reflecting on her journey since Pink, the actress explained that building this position has required consistent effort and a conscious attempt to move beyond being dependent on luck or the decisions of male co-stars. Her latest release, Gandhari, has brought renewed attention to her work in female-led stories. The film trended as the No. 1 non-English film on Netflix in 17 countries, adding to Taapsees experience of headlining projects. Speaking about whether the films success feels like a culmination of the journey she began with Pink, and the satisfaction of reaching a point where audiences are willing to watch a film because she is leading it, the actress discussed the work that has gone into pursuing that goal. Well, its been a long journey. Its been relentless work being put in it to reach this stage, because for how long you want to be at the mercy of luck only? It cant be the only factor deciding which film I get. I cannot be at the mercy of my heroes to feel okay to let me be in a film. And thats been my quest since Pink, because I tasted blood way too early in my career of what happens when you lead a film, or, you know, when youre not a secondary character in a film. My vision became very clear from there onwards that eventually I do want to achieve a position where the producers think and believe that if shes there in a film, then its worth putting our money in it, the actress said. Taapsees comments underline her focus on building a career in which she can lead projects and have a greater say in the kind of stories she takes on. For the actress, the objective is not simply to feature in successful films, but to establish the kind of credibility that encourages producers to back a project with her at its centre. The journey she refers to began to take shape with Pink, the 2016 courtroom drama directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury. Starring Amitabh Bachchan alongside Taapsee, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang, the film explored consent and the social scrutiny faced by women. Taapsees role as Minal Arora placed her at the heart of the story, giving her an opportunity to lead a narrative that dealt with a larger social issue. As she now reflects on her career through the lens of Gandhari, Pink remains a significant reference point in her pursuit of opportunities where her performance and presence can help drive a film. Also Read: Taapsee Pannu calls herself the dark horse of Hindi Cinema amid global success of Gandhari: At times, I feel bad that I have to prove myself so many times

She rejected IIM for baking: How Megha Sarayan built a Rs 2 crore per year business with just Rs 5,000 and secured Rs 1 crore on Shark Tank India

Though obtaining an MBA from an Indian Institute of Management is a goal for many, Megha Sarayan opted for an alternate route. The University of Calcutta economics alumnus turned down an offer from IIM Kozhikode after successfully passing the entrance exam and intensive interviews. Instead, she concentrated on expanding her baking business, which now allegedly earns more than Rs 2 crore each year.

Want to further develop business ties, continue political cooperation with India: Estonian envoy

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) Estonia's Ambassador to India, Kristi Karelsohn, said on Wednesday that ties between both nations are in a good shape as everyone is eagerly looking forward to the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU). Estonia, said Karelsohn, wants to further develop business ties and political cooperation with India in multilateral forums. In an interview with IANS, Karelsohn described the business sector as the main priority for strengthening ties between India and Estonia. The two nations also exchange views on different geopolitical developments. I've been in India working as Estonian Ambassador for around seven weeks now and to my understanding these relations are really good. They are in really good shape, and particularly I think we have this new momentum now and a very exciting time because of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement that hopefully will be signed by the end of this year... For many countries, and also for Estonia, the main priority in India is business. It's a large market and of course I want to further develop our business relations. But besides that, I think it's also very important to continue talking to each other about political cooperation and our engagement in the multilateral forum and exchange our views on different geopolitical developments, the diplomat mentioned. Karelsohn emphasised that India and Estonia believe in preserving multilateralism and the rules-based international order. She also mentioned how India followed a long-term policy of non-alignment, while it is important for Estonia to remain part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). One of my priorities would definitely be also sharing our views on different geopolitical developments. What I see Estonia and India are like-minded in or we are sharing the view of preserving multilateralism and the rules-based international order and the background for that thinking may be quite different. For, India it has been this long-term policy of non-alignment, belonging to any political blocks. For Estonia, it's been different. For us, it's been extremely important to become a member of the transatlantic alliance, NATO, and also the European Union and all that. But, for us it's very, very important to see that those rules that have been commonly agreed upon are implemented and followed by all the countries in the world and especially now seeing one country, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, violating that rule and attacking its smaller neighbour is something that is very concerning for us. So, for example, I see the opportunity here to work together to support each other's goals and work together in that domain, she added. Highlighting the strengthening ties between India and Estonia in the past six months, Kristi Karelsohn also spoke about the high-level visits between both nations. Then-Estonian President Alar Karis visited New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit in February this year, during which, he met Indian leaders. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal's recent visit to Estonia with a huge business delegation, has also been described as highly successful. The Estonian Minister for Justice and Digitalisation also visited India for the Mobile Congress.

Delaware marked its state parks' 75th anniversary by planting its 75,000th tree, completing a five-year goal across 17 parks

SLMG Beverages eyes Rs 20,000 cr turnover in 5 yrs, IPO in 3-4 years

SLMG Beverages, a major Coca-Cola bottler in India, is targeting a turnover of Rs 20,000 crore in five years. The company has plans to list on stock exchanges before reaching its turnover goal. Currently, SLMG Beverages has a gross turnover of approximately Rs 9,000 crore and aims to increase that significantly. Investments in new bottling facilities and chilling equipment are underway to meet rising demand.

Can you name every player to score 10+ Champions League goals for Bayern Munich?

Some incredibly famous names here. The post Can you name every player to score 10+ Champions League goals for Bayern Munich? appeared first on Planet Football .

Valour of martyrs inspires us to strengthen peace: LG Sinha on Police Commemoration Day

Srinagar, October 21: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha paid solemn tribute to police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day. Remembering the courage, dedication and patriotism of the brave martyrs, the Lieutenant Governor said that their service and sacrifice remain an enduring source of inspiration for Jammu Kashmir and the nation. In his message, the Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to all police martyrs and conveyed deep respect and sympathy to their families. The Lieutenant Governor conveyed his prayers and best wishes for the health and well-being of the families of the brave personnel. He also emphasized that while no recognition can compensate for the loss suffered by families, it is the responsibility of the nation to honour their sacrifice through meaningful support and care. I have always said that no honour or assistance can compensate a family for the pain of losing a loved one. Yet, it is the nations duty to honour their sacrifice not merely in words, but also through its conduct and responsibilities. I assure the entire Jammu Kashmir Police family that every possible effort will continue to be made to ensure a dignified life, welfare, and necessary support for the families of the martyrs, he said. The Lieutenant Governor acknowledged the contributions of the Jammu Kashmir Police force, describing its history as one marked by courage, discipline and an unwavering commitment to duty. He noted that from maintaining law and order and combating terrorism to assisting citizens during emergencies and natural disasters, the Jammu Kashmir Police force has rendered distinguished service under challenging circumstances. Thousands of personnel of the Jammu Kashmir Police force have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism. I believe Jammu Kashmir Police's courage is not confined to the borders of the Union Territory but it is a source of inspiration for the entire police system of the country. The nation will never forget the contribution of immortal martyrs, who dedicated everything to the honour, dignity and glory of the Tricolour, he said. The Lieutenant Governor also observed that the police uniform symbolises service, responsibility and sacrifice. He stated that the true measure of policing lies in ensuring public safety, delivering justice to citizens and standing by society in times of need and crisis. In the 79 years since Independence, India has faced numerous challenges. The Jammu Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces have protected the nations security and integrity in difficult circumstances. Today, India is moving resolutely towards its goal of becoming a developed nation. In this journey, peace, stability, and progress in Jammu Kashmir are of special importance, and the major responsibility of ensuring them rests on the shoulders of the Police, army and CAPFs, he said. The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to strengthening peace and progress in Jammu Kashmir and called upon citizens to uphold unity, communal harmony and mutual trust, while remaining vigilant against forces seeking to disrupt peace and stability. Our goal is to identify and root out terrorism and every element associated with it in Jammu Kashmir. Today, we must resolve that we will not rest until this land is freed from separatist and terrorist elements. I warn those elements within Jammu Kashmir who support terrorism that your days are over. Even if you attempt to hide in Pataal, we will find you and ensure that you are punished under the law, he said. The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the need for continued efforts to protect women, children and vulnerable sections of society, strengthen measures against drug trafficking and firmly combat narco-terrorism and its support networks. The prevention of crimes against women and children, the protection of vulnerable sections and ensuring timely justice for victims must be among our highest priorities. It is necessary to continuously review the systems for monitoring and controlling such crimes and to make them more effective. Similarly, the commitment to a drug-free Jammu Kashmir must be our collective resolve. I commend all the officers and personnel of the Jammu Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces for their spirit of service, courage, and sense of duty. I wish success in every one of their missions, safety in their lives and a bright future for them, the Lieutenant Governor said.

LG Sinha Pays Tribute to Martyred Police Personnel on Police Commemoration Day

Srinagar, October 21: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha paid solemn tribute to police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day. Remembering the courage, dedication and patriotism of the brave martyrs, the Lieutenant Governor said that their service and sacrifice remain an enduring source of inspiration for Jammu Kashmir and the nation. In his message, the Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to all police martyrs and conveyed deep respect and sympathy to their families. The Lieutenant Governor conveyed his prayers and best wishes for the health and well-being of the families of the brave personnel. He also emphasized that while no recognition can compensate for the loss suffered by families, it is the responsibility of the nation to honour their sacrifice through meaningful support and care. I have always said that no honour or assistance can compensate a family for the pain of losing a loved one. Yet, it is the nations duty to honour their sacrifice not merely in words, but also through its conduct and responsibilities. I assure the entire Jammu Kashmir Police family that every possible effort will continue to be made to ensure a dignified life, welfare, and necessary support for the families of the martyrs, he said. The Lieutenant Governor acknowledged the contributions of the Jammu Kashmir Police force, describing its history as one marked by courage, discipline and an unwavering commitment to duty. He noted that from maintaining law and order and combating terrorism to assisting citizens during emergencies and natural disasters, the Jammu Kashmir Police force has rendered distinguished service under challenging circumstances. Thousands of personnel of the Jammu Kashmir Police force have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism. I believe Jammu Kashmir Police's courage is not confined to the borders of the Union Territory but it is a source of inspiration for the entire police system of the country. The nation will never forget the contribution of immortal martyrs, who dedicated everything to the honour, dignity and glory of the Tricolour, he said. The Lieutenant Governor also observed that the police uniform symbolises service, responsibility and sacrifice. He stated that the true measure of policing lies in ensuring public safety, delivering justice to citizens and standing by society in times of need and crisis. In the 79 years since Independence, India has faced numerous challenges. The Jammu Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces have protected the nations security and integrity in difficult circumstances. Today, India is moving resolutely towards its goal of becoming a developed nation. In this journey, peace, stability, and progress in Jammu Kashmir are of special importance, and the major responsibility of ensuring them rests on the shoulders of the Police, army and CAPFs, he said. The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to strengthening peace and progress in Jammu Kashmir and called upon citizens to uphold unity, communal harmony and mutual trust, while remaining vigilant against forces seeking to disrupt peace and stability. Our goal is to identify and root out terrorism and every element associated with it in Jammu Kashmir. Today, we must resolve that we will not rest until this land is freed from separatist and terrorist elements. I warn those elements within Jammu Kashmir who support terrorism that your days are over. Even if you attempt to hide in Pataal, we will find you and ensure that you are punished under the law, he said. The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the need for continued efforts to protect women, children and vulnerable sections of society, strengthen measures against drug trafficking and firmly combat narco-terrorism and its support networks. The prevention of crimes against women and children, the protection of vulnerable sections and ensuring timely justice for victims must be among our highest priorities. It is necessary to continuously review the systems for monitoring and controlling such crimes and to make them more effective. Similarly, the commitment to a drug-free Jammu Kashmir must be our collective resolve. I commend all the officers and personnel of the Jammu Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces for their spirit of service, courage, and sense of duty. I wish success in every one of their missions, safety in their lives and a bright future for them, the Lieutenant Governor said.

OPPO F35 Series 5G Brings Group Selfie Innovation and Festive Offers to Consumers Across Pune, South Maharashtra and Goa

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 21: OPPO has announced the launch of the OPPO F35 Series 5G, bringing its Group Selfie Expert camera experience, everyday-use features and festive purchase benefits to consumers across Pune, South Maharashtra and Goa.

Can Europe Build Data Centers Without Giving Up Its Climate Goals?

A plan to funnel the heat given off by data centers into nearby homes has run aground in Germany. Across Europe, policymakers are weighing AI ambitions against climate objectives.

GSL Recruitment 2026

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has invited online applications for 40 vacancies across various posts. Applications can be submitted at goashipyard.in from 23 October 2026 to 22 November 2026. The recruitment drive includes Chief General Manager, Additional General Manager / Deputy General Manager, Additional General Manager, Manager, and other positions.

Little 'shocked' With Jayawardenes Exit From MI, Pollard Can Be A Successor, Says Pamment

Former Mumbai Indians: Former Mumbai Indians fielding coach James Pamment said he was a little bit shocked over Mahela Jayawardene stepping down as the franchise's head coach and backed Kieron Pollard to take over the role. Last week, Jayawardene stepped down as MI head coach, which ended his second stint in charge of the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, after having guided them to three titles during his first spell from 2017 to 2022. Pamment, who worked alongside Jayawardene at MI while being there for eight years, said he had not seen this development coming. I was a little bit shocked actually when I saw at the weekend that Mahela had decided to step down. I enjoyed a lot of years working alongside Mahela. So passionate about Mumbai Indians, so passionate about the performance of the team as well. He was so passionate about helping develop the players, especially the Indian players to go on and be significant players to play for India as well, which a number of those guys are now when coming on this trip to New Zealand. So, I was surprised. I'm sort of out of the loop now. So, I'm not sure what the inner workings are - so let's see, Pamment told IANS in an exclusive conversation. He also felt Pollard, the big-hitting batter who began his IPL playing career at MI and began his coaching career as the franchises batting coach, does stand out among the potential candidates. Really, other than Kieron Pollard, I'm not sure who could take over. There's been lots of names mentioned, but for me, if Kieron feels he's ready to take it on, he'd be the man I'd give the job to. But I've heard about (Mike) Hussey, or this, that and the other people But there's a guy there who bleeds blue and gold. He started his coaching career there and once again, if he can put the good people around him, I think he's a guy who would have respect from the players. He's definitely got the knowledge about playing T20 cricket, especially in the IPL. But let's see - the owners might have something else in mind, added Pamment. MI have less than a month to appoint a new head coach before the retention deadline for IPL 2027 arrives ahead of the mini auction happening in Goa on December 16. Zaheer, who worked with Jayawardene as director of cricket operations at MI, has begun his role at the helm of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming left. It is the former India fast bowler's first head coach role and Pamment felt the timing will help Zaheer have a key say in shaping the squad retention and auction picks. It's going to be an interesting time for Zaheer here with Chennai. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes. Retentions and squad building is something that is really important. I guess it's your foundation for your season ahead. So, if they feel they need to make changes and they need to have some additions, then this is a really important time to try and get the players on board that you feel that you need. It is the former India fast bowler's first head coach role and Pamment felt the timing will help Zaheer have a key say in shaping the squad retention and auction picks. It's going to be an interesting time for Zaheer here with Chennai. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Rising Emissions and Temperatures: The Cost of Trump's Climate Retreat

For over a decade, scientists have warned the world must limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change. That goal is no longer within reach. Decades of insufficient action

Goa Medical College Assistant Professor Recruitment 2026

Goa Medical College has released the notification for the post of Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Eligible candidates can apply online from 09 October 2026 to 23 October 2026.

DHS Goa Tutor Recruitment 2026

Public Health Department (Directorate of Health Services) (DHS Goa) has released Notification No. 10 Year 2026 for the recruitment of 25 Tutor posts. Eligible candidates can apply online from 09 October 2026 to 23 October 2026.

Climate change: UN warns world is falling short of Paris Agreement goals

The UN warns global temperatures could rise 2.6C by 2100 even if countries meet their climate pledges, while current policies could lead to 2.8C warming. With emissions near record levels, the report urges urgent cuts ahead of COP31 to limit worsening climate impacts

Directorate of Vigilance Goa Technical Examiner Recruitment 2026

Directorate of Vigilance Goa has released the notification for 2 Technical Examiner posts. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications from 09 October 2026 to 23 November 2026.

World falling 'dangerously short' on climate action, warns UN

Global commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient, threatening to push temperatures up to 2.6C by 2100. The UN warns that current climate pledges will not meet the agreed Paris goals, with dire consequences expected. Major emitters must take immediate action to significantly lower emissions, as a leadership gap remains evident. Climate impacts are already being felt worldwide, affecting all countries, including the United States.

UCL 2026: PSG sink Barcelona 4-2; Liverpool recover late to secure 4-3 win

Paris Saint-Germain was too powerful for even Lamine Yamal's magic as it ended Barcelona's 11-game winning run to top the Champions League table. A thrilling end to the game with four goals in the last 20 minutes delivered a statement win for PSG, which is joined Liverpool as the only teams with three victories after Alexis Mac Allister led a rousing 4-3 comeback triumph over Villarreal on Tuesday. Yamal had just displayed stunning skill to level the score at 2-2 from a narrow angle when PSG took the lead again through Vitinha, before Fabian Ruiz added another for a 4-2 victory. We never feel like we're powerless, or that we're beaten in any way, PSG forward Desire Doue said. We always know there's an opportunity as long as the final whistle hasn't gone, Injuries to stars Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia took some of the shine off the win for PSG, which could now face having to cope without two of its biggest difference-makers in attack. Barcelona needs to bounce back

India-Pakistan Moon race: With China's help, Pakistan wants to send humans to Moon five years before India

Pakistan has set a target of landing on the Moon by 2035 as it expands its space programme through cooperation with China. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced that Pakistans first astronaut is scheduled to embark on a space mission from China on November 25. The partnership also includes a lunar rover project, while India is pursuing its own human spaceflight and Moon exploration goals.

6 goals, 4 injuries: PSG outscore Barca in frenetic Champions League clash

6 goals, 4 injuries: PSG outscore Barca in frenetic Champions League clash

DHS Goa Biochemist Recruitment 2026

Public Health Department, Directorate of Health Services Goa (DHS Goa) has invited online applications for 2 Biochemist posts. Applications can be submitted from 09 October 2026 to 23 October 2026.

Amit Shah sets three-year target to make India drug-free by December 31, 2029

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced to make drug-free India by December 31, 2029, calling for a united fight against narcotics over the remaining part of 2026 and the next three years. Shah made the announcement while addressing the Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial here in the national capital, mentioning that the drug menace is a serious challenge for the whole country. We have set a target to eliminate the drug menace from India by December 31, 2029, Shah said on the occasion. To achieve the goal, the Home Minister called for a united fight against narcotics over the remaining part of 2026 and the next three years, according to a statement. He urged police forces across the country to work with full commitment towards the roadmap for a drug-free India, in line with the goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to safeguard future generations from the harmful effects of drugs. Shah said the drug menace is a serious challenge as it damages...

WCG rink football: St John Evangelist ride on Leonard brace

Ajay Singh and Dhanush Nadar netted a goal each for the Marold outfit, while Calvin Creado got the lone goal for the Juhu side

Ron gets paltry Rs 27,000 fine, 30-day ban for walkout

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is Portugal's all-time top goalscorer and record appearance-maker in men's international football

PSG overcome Barca in six-goal clash to stay top of Champions League

Digital Desk | Berlin, Oct 21 (IANS) Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League with Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz scoring late to settle a contest in which the visitors twice equalised. The defending champion started aggressively, forcing Barcelona into mistakes near its own penalty area. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck the post after two minutes, while Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue also threatened early on. Barcelona gradually created opportunities of its own, but PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov denied Raphinha and Gordon in quick succession. Both sides suffered first-half injuries, with Dembele and Dani Olmo forced off, reports Xinhua. PSG regained control and broke through in the 38th minute. Barcelona failed to close down Doue outside the area, allowing the forward to score from distance. Safonov then kept out Fermin's effort as the visitors sought an immediate response. Barcelona improved after halftime and drew level in the 55th minute when Fermin released Xavi Espart, who finished for his first Champions League goal. The hosts restored their advantage after Ferran Torres struck the post. Lucas Hernandez rose above Gordon to head in from the resulting corner in the 72nd minute. Lamine Yamal equalised seven minutes later, beating substitute Warren Zaire-Emery before scoring from a tight angle. PSG responded almost immediately, with Vitinha driving home from outside the box in the 81st minute after Barcelona failed to clear Achraf Hakimi's cross. Fabian Ruiz added a fourth five minutes later, arriving at the far post to finish and end Barcelona's hopes of another comeback. We were hoping for a win or at least a draw, but now we have to see what the coach tells us we need to improve, Barcelona captain Raphinha said. The victory kept PSG top of the league-phase standings with nine points from three matches. Barcelona remained on six points in fifth place after suffering its first defeat of the season.

No matter how powerful the enemy is, when we stand with truth & humanity, victory will ultimately be ours: PM Modi

New Delhi, Oct 20:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the ideals of Lord Shri Ram remained a benchmark for good governance, stressing that the purpose of power was not to rule but to ensure public welfare. Addressing Vijayadashami celebrations at the Indraprastha Ramleela Ground in Delhi, PM Modi said Ram Rajya represented a system in which nobody faced discrimination, everyone received justice and all had equal opportunities. Ram Rajya means a system of governance where no one is discriminated against, everyone receives justice, everyone has equal opportunities, and the purpose of power is not merely to rule, but to serve the welfare of the people, he said, as reported by PTI. The Prime Minister said Lord Ram faced numerous difficulties but never abandoned the path of truth and righteousness. He also recalled Rams respect for Nishadraj and Mata Shabari, saying his life set examples of compassion, kindness, love and social harmony. PM Modi said Vijayadashami celebrated the victory of good over evil and reminded people of the enduring strength of truth and righteousness. No matter how powerful the enemy is, when we stand with truth and humanity, victory will ultimately be ours, he said. He also called for greater self-reliance, saying Lord Ram had taught people to find solutions to problems using their own resources. Our goal is to make India fully self-reliant as that is how a country can progress, PM Modi said, adding that even a major crisis should not prevent people from moving forward or leave them dependent on others. The Prime Minister said the welfare of the poor and deprived sections remained a government priority. He also warned against forces that harm the country's interests, divide society or show hostility towards India's culture, describing them as enemies of the nation. PM Modi said the ideals of Lord Ram continued to offer guidance on good governance, social harmony and the responsibility of those in power to work for the welfare of the people.

From the Fear of the File to the Fear of the FIR

Good governance is not just about changing laws. It is about changing how a citizen feels when dealing with the state. A shopkeeper, a young entrepreneur or a small manufacturer should be able to earn an honest living without being worn down by paperwork or worried about a knock on the door over a minor mistake. That is why the Omar Abdullah-led government deserves credit for bringing two important measures before the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly: the Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, and the Bill to amend certain enactments for decriminalising and rationalising offences for ease of living and ease of doing business, 2026. The two Bills do different jobs, but they aim at the same thing: a government that is responsive, predictable and easier to deal with. The first tackles the administrative side. Entrepreneurs should not have to chase several offices for decisions that ought to be simple. The second tackles the legal side by decriminalising and rationalising certain offences. Both start from the same understanding: a system that is too complicated, or too quick to punish, discourages enterprise. Anyone who has started a business knows that time and certainty matter most. Every extra trip to a government office costs money. Every unexplained delay disrupts planning, investment and jobs. In Jammu and Kashmir, where we badly need more economic opportunity and private investment, compliance must be simple, transparent and predictable. That means clear requirements, easily available information, decisions within fixed timelines, services that actually work online, and accountability when deadlines are missed. A single-window system is worth having only if it is truly a single point of access, and not one more layer to get through. The same goes for digitisation. If it simply moves a complicated process onto a screen, nothing has improved. The real test is simple. Can an entrepreneur in Srinagar, a small manufacturer in Jammu or a young person starting a local venture finish the formalities without running from department to department? The second Bill raises a basic question about the purpose of regulation and the role of punishment. There is a difference between deliberate wrongdoing and an honest procedural mistake. Fraud, exploitation, wilful violations and conduct that endangers public safety should face firm and effective penalties. But a minor technical lapse, or a deficiency that can be corrected, should not automatically lead to criminal prosecution when a proportionate civil or administrative remedy would do. For a small trader, even the possibility of criminal proceedings over a minor violation is frightening. Legal fees, lost time and sheer uncertainty can do real damage, even when the lapse was easy to fix. A modern regulatory system should tell intentional misconduct apart from genuine error. It should give people a fair chance to correct small deficiencies, set penalties that fit the offence, and keep criminal prosecution for cases that truly warrant it. This is not about weakening the law. It is about making the law fairer and more effective. A good government is firm with deliberate wrongdoing and fair with honest mistakes. Two Bills, one purpose The real strength of these measures lies in how they complement each other. One makes the system easier to navigate. The other makes enforcement more proportionate. Put simply, Bill 11 should reduce the fear of the file, and Bill 16 should reduce the fear of the FIR. But a law on paper changes nothing by itself. What matters is how departments interpret it, how officials use their powers, and how consistently the new framework is applied on the ground. So the reforms need clear rules, simple compliance requirements, transparent procedures and a grievance system that works. Citizens and businesses should know what is expected of them, which authority is responsible, how long a decision will take, and where to turn when the process fails. Where deemed approvals or time-bound mechanisms are provided, they must work in practice. Where offences are decriminalised, departments need precise guidance, so that people are not treated just as harshly under a different reading of the law. Public interest must stay protected as well. Simplification should not become an excuse for negligence, and decriminalisation should not weaken safeguards for public health, worker safety, the environment or consumer rights. The goal is not less accountability. It is smarter, fairer and more proportionate accountability. A citizen-friendly government does not judge itself by the number of notices issued, inspections carried out or penalties imposed. It judges itself by whether people understand their obligations, whether businesses can operate within a clear legal framework, and whether real violations are dealt with fairly and promptly. That calls for a change in administrative culture. Officials should be encouraged to facilitate lawful economic activity, while still being held accountable for negligence, corruption and misuse of authority. Citizens, for their part, should be helped to understand their responsibilities through clear guidelines and simpler procedures. I would suggest that the government publish a single, public guide that lists which offences have been decriminalised, which penalties still apply, how deficiencies can be corrected and what timelines departments must follow. This would help the smallest shopkeeper benefit as much as the largest investor. Regular reviews should also ask practical questions. Have approval times come down? Has the cost of compliance fallen? Are grievances being resolved? Do businesses actually feel the difference? These measures show results, which counting amended laws does not. Jammu and Kashmir needs a climate where young people are encouraged to start businesses, small enterprises can grow without needless obstacles, and investors can decide with confidence. With jobs and economic opportunity still among our biggest public concerns, this matters even more. The two Bills are a real chance to move in that direction, and they deserve support. At the same time, their implementation must stay open to scrutiny, feedback and constant improvement. The next step is to take these reforms out of government offices and into peoples daily lives. Business associations, traders, entrepreneurs and ordinary residents should be able to report problems and get meaningful responses. That feedback can then be used to weed out outdated requirements, remove duplication and simplify compliance further. Ease of doing business and ease of living are not separate goals. They are two sides of the same commitment to good governance. Tanvir Sadiq is an MLA, J&K Assembly.

The AI doom scenario you may never have heard of may be hardest to stop

It seems that almost daily, a big tech company releases a new AI-driven digital assistant. Muse by Meta, Gemini by Google, dots by OpenAI. By the time this article is published, a new one from [insert tech company here] will probably have a press release touting its ability to manage your work and life to take things off your plate, automate your processes, speed up your tedious tasks. It sounds helpful and, to lower the bar, harmless. But some researchers say this is the beginning of a treacherous path for humankind, one where bots take more and more off our plate until all that's left is an empty vessel, and we human users become nothing more than thoughtless approvers. It's not just a threat to jobs . They warn that allowing our skills and knowledge to deteriorate, and surrendering our critical thinking to AI, poses an existential danger to humanity. One term for this path is gradual disempowerment a scenario where AI displaces human labor in the economy, replaces human decision-making in all key societal concerns, erodes human creativity, and degrades human cognition along the way. And though the word gradual is in the name, that does not mean the problem is something to worry about far in the future, according to experts. I put gradual disempowerment on the very top of my list, said Jay Chooi, the founder and CEO of Robocurve, a company that tracks and measures AI-driven robotics capabilities. Chooi believes gradual disempowerment is just as worrisome as the threat of engineered pandemics and more destructive cyberattacks , which could be accelerated by capable AI. It's a civilization-scale problem, Chooi said of gradual disempowerment. A lot of people feel very powerless, because it requires a lot of effort and a whole-of-society approach to solve it. What is gradual disempowerment and how could AI cause it? The term gradual disempowerment stems from a paper published in early 2025. At the heart of the gradual disempowerment scenario is AI technology continuing to advance in capabilities, as it has rapidly since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. AI models may soon be better at nearly all cognitive tasks than humans solving frontier math problems , doing hard science, coding, writing and creating art and music, to name a few of the areas where AI increasingly excels. At the same time, advances in robotics could lead to AI-powered robots performing better than humans at physical labor like packing boxes, constructing homes, building cars, painting murals, mining for rare minerals, and even building IKEA furniture . We like to think that in an ideal world, the best applicant generally gets the job, and they are paid based on the level of demand for their skills. But imagine if a human is never the best person for the job. That's a world that some AI prognosticators and whistleblowers expect. It's a world where an AI agent or AI-enabled robot is better at every task and sub-task that it takes to do my job and your job. They move faster than us, think deeper, have more patience and stamina. They more cordially answer phones, do more thorough research, and more dexterously wield a scalpel or a nail file. Plus, they never need to sleep or take sick days, they never show up hungover or moody, and they never threaten to leave for a better job. To picture gradual disempowerment more clearly, here's a scenario: Let's say you run Hammer Co., a company that manufactures hammers. You have line workers who shape the steel heads and wooden handles and then fit them together, and managers who keep the factory running smoothly. You have people who maintain your supply chain and teams to handle marketing, sales, accounting, and all the other functions that help your business thrive. But then a tech company comes out with AI-powered Hammer Bots. The robot workers can make hammers far faster than your human workers, while AI agents can run the business side with little oversight. They'll work all night, never make mistakes, and cost far less than your happy, well-paid staff. You don't want to fire your human workers. You see them around town and have known their families for years, after all. But your competitor gets the Hammer Bots. Most customers just want the cheapest hammers they don't care who or what makes them. As CEO of Hammer Co. you either compete or die. So you fire all your humans and get Hammer Bots to replace them. Now, try to envision this is the case for every company, and every job. With normal free-market incentives, the company that stays loyal to its human employees will be outcompeted by the company that gets AI to do the work instead. Here's where gradual disempowerment comes into play. The fewer humans that participate in labor, and the more work that's outsourced to AI agents, the more humanity becomes dependent on AI for decision-making and the more human skills deteriorate. How long until the finer points of hammer-making will be forgotten? With AI making all our complex decisions for us, humans become less capable of understanding and overseeing those decisions or of pushing back against them. If people aren't actually practicing the skills that the agents are doing for them, they lose the ability to have that skill, and so now you become reliant, said Margaret Mitchell, an AI research scientist at Hugging Face and co-author of another recent paper on the importance of keeping humans in the loop in an AI world. What happens when something goes wrong? There's no human you can point to who can fix it. So now you've become fully dependent on these systems to fix themselves, and what if that's not possible? A risk to democratic governance It's not just economics and labor at risk. Take the military , for example. All or most decisions in war involve humans today, even if AI contributes to the process, but the balance is likely to shift as the technology becomes more capable. If the United States uses AI to make decisions in battle , its enemies across the field will be pressured to do the same. The side that leans more heavily on humans will be slower and less efficient. Human soldiers need food and rest. Robot soldiers will not. Human decision-makers are limited in the scenarios they can conceive and plan for; AIs can take into account all of human knowledge. The states need citizens. They need us because we pay taxes and we fight for the states in the military, said Jan Kulveit, a co-author of the gradual disempowerment paper and co-founder of ACS Research Group. States also use people to enforce laws. But what if law enforcement is all automated in the future? If, or when, existing states don't need their citizens, they're less likely to be democratic, said Kulveit. Kulveit compares theoretical future countries that are mostly run by AI to oil states today. He said the oil states tend to be authoritarian because they don't rely on most of their citizens to pay taxes and don't need citizens' votes to rule. States that rely on AI to run the economy and military could have similar outcomes, said Kulveit. If that is the case, and citizens no longer are the backbone of labor or warfare in a world of gradual disempowerment, then humans lose perhaps their greatest leverage against those in power. A lot of people are talking about rogue AI hacking into data centers and taking over the world, but it is not in the mainstream consciousness that like AI could literally take over the world just by continuing to do what it's supposed to do, which is automating everything, said Jay Chooi of Robocurve. Organizations are all going to have a very strong economic pressure, and political pressure, to phase out humans and move work more and more into robots or AI. How does humanity avoid gradual disempowerment? Humans ceding control to AI, say the gradual disempowerment authors, is almost a natural transition once very advanced AI is here. Gradual disempowerment does not need to emerge from a deliberate scheme or powergrab by AI systems, wrote Kulveit and his colleagues. In the short-term, it is being incentivized by the perceived value that AI systems can bring to economic, cultural and state functions. We can't be in the situation where we are competing with the machines, said Kulveit. Because if we are just competing with the machines, we will probably lose. The gradual disempowerment authors believe stopping our disempowerment may be a heavy lift for humanity, since it involves complex systems that feed into each other government, culture, and the economy. This may be a bigger challenge than merely preventing AI systems from pursuing overtly harmful goals, they write. One first step in slowing disempowerment is keeping indicators of how much work is being ceded to AI, and of what kind of specific jobs AI systems are capable of handling. If thousands of workers are being displaced by AI in, say, call center jobs , it helps to know that in granular detail. But measurement isn't enough without action, Mitchell said. She argues that removing humans from the loop in AI processes both worsens oversight and degrades the skills of the human overseer. Therefore, companies and leadership in all fields must take proactive steps to keep humans engaged. This general practice within tech is we want our systems to be frictionless, said Mitchell, referring to the idea that everything should move fast and without obstacles. There's this sense that the less friction the better, but there's been a push within the more ethical AI community that strategic friction can be good because it can draw people's attention to critical issues that otherwise they might overlook. Mitchell argues that strategic friction keeping humans in the work loop at predetermined steps can be done both by developers of AI, companies like OpenAI and Anthropic and Google, and by companies and organizations that deploy AI. Thoughtful and purposeful design of AI can benefit society as a whole, and the individuals who use it. Kulveit agrees that AI should be thoughtfully designed to add value to humans, not necessarily replace our every task. You want to carve out places where we agree that we will not allow competitive pressures to remove humans from the loop, he said. It would be nice if the companies train the AIs to be more complementary to humans. Currently, the AIs are implicitly trained to be a replacement for humans. But you can imagine training the AIs so they are better at explaining to us what's happening. Kulveit is describing AI that doesn't just spew out the answers to whatever question you ask it, at the very least in sectors where it is critical to include human expertise and decision-making, like war. Quick and easy answers can be helpful, but they can also make you dependent and credulous, believing anything the chatbot tells you, whether right or wrong . But AI can be more than that. It can help you not just by doing the work for you, but by educating you along the way. That way the human worker continues to learn while using AI as a partner, not a substitute. There has been such a singular focus on capability or functionality of these systems to the detriment of people, to the detriment of users, said Mitchell. If your only goal is to get a high score on a benchmark, then you are not going to be taking into account cognitive support design. But if your goal is to make a system that works really well for people like if the race is for a utility as opposed to benchmark score then you end up designing fundamentally different systems. If gradual disempowerment really is a large-scale risk, compared to more talked-about doom scenarios like AI helping to design bioweapons or chemical weapons it may suffer from a relative lack of vividness. We know what it means for a robot to take over the world. We know what it means for countries to nuke each other, said Chooi. AI taking over the world is very legible in the human consciousness. But gradual disempowerment? No one has made a movie about gradual disempowerment. But to Chooi, gradual disempowerment is very easy to picture. All the organizations have the incentives to adopt it and phase out humans, he said. This is a very logical conclusion. It's not very hard to see it. This article originally appeared on CBS News at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-doom-scenario-gradual-disempowerment/

FC Goa defeat Fortis to stay in AFC Challenge League quarters

The News Mill

No jeopardy but loads of fun - Champions League sets new goals record

It was goals galore again in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the competition setting a new record this season.

PSG crush Barca in 6-goal thriller; Liverpool, Man City win

Paris St Germain defeated Barcelona 4-2 in a Champions League clash on Tuesday, ending Barcelona's perfect season record. Liverpool also secured a 4-3 comeback win against Villarreal, while Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1.

No Haaland, no problem - can Foden be Man City's alternative goalscorer?

Phil Foden's magnificent man-of-the-match display in Manchester City's Champions League win against AEK Athens serves as a reminder of his talent and ability to influence games.

Liverpool strike back to beat Villarreal in seven-goal thriller

Liverpool stormed back from a two-goal deficit to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield and maintain a perfect start to their Champions League campaign on Tuesday.

Soccer-PSG sink Barcelona in six-goal thriller, Liverpool and Man City win

Paris St Germain underlined

Mind Under Siege!

There was a time when people could sit for hours watching a movie, reading a book or listening to someone talk without feeling the need to do anything else. A good story could keep us interested for hours. We would wait for our favourite television programme, read a newspaper slowly and sometimes spend an entire evening talking to friends. Today, things seem to have changed. We want everything quickly, and if something does not catch our attention within a few seconds, we move on to something else. The biggest reason behind this change is the growing habit of watching short videos on social media platforms. Reels, shorts and similar content have become a part of our daily lives. We open our phones for a few minutes, but those few minutes often turn into an hour or more. One video leads to another, and before we realise it, a considerable part of our day has passed without us doing anything meaningful. There is nothing wrong with watching short videos once in a while. They can be entertaining, informative and even useful. The problem begins when we become so accustomed to short content that we start losing interest in anything that requires more time and attention. Today, many people find it difficult to watch a full movie without checking their phones in between. Some start a film and, within ten minutes, begin scrolling through reels. Others watch a video while eating, check their phones while talking to someone and feel uncomfortable when they have nothing to look at on a screen. Even a few minutes of silence can make us restless. This raises an important question: have we really become so busy, or have we simply lost the patience to give our attention to one thing at a time? The problem is not limited to entertainment. It is slowly affecting the way we read, study, work and communicate. A student who is used to watching thirty-second videos may find it difficult to sit with a chapter for an hour. A person who wants to learn a new skill may lose interest when the process becomes difficult, or progress is slow. We want quick results, but we often forget that most worthwhile things in life require time, effort and consistency. Even reading has started to feel like a burden for some people. A long article seems boring, a detailed explanation feels tiring, and anything that requires concentration is often postponed. We prefer a short summary over a complete explanation, a few lines over a detailed discussion and instant entertainment over something that asks us to think. Gradually, we may begin to lose the habit of thinking deeply. We see a headline and form an opinion without reading the complete story. We watch a short clip and believe we understand the entire situation. We hear one side of an argument and immediately decide who is right and who is wrong. The time required to understand something properly is replaced by the desire to react quickly. Every time we scroll, there is another video waiting for us. Modern technology has become so advanced that algorithms learn our interests, moods and viewing habits, suggesting content based on what we watch and how we react. If we watch something funny, more comedy appears; if something makes us angry or emotional, similar videos follow. There is always something designed to hold our attention for a few more seconds. Before we realise it, those seconds turn into an hour. The difficult part is that we believe we are choosing what to watch, while technology keeps deciding what to show us next. Our phones may be in our hands, but are we really in control of our time? Another thing that seems to be disappearing is our ability to tolerate boredom. Earlier, especially in Kashmir, when people had nothing to do, they would sit outside, observe their surroundings, think about their lives or simply let their minds wander or gossip with neighbors/friends to relieve stress and burden. Children would find ways to entertain themselves. People could travel without constantly looking at a screen. Waiting for someone or standing in a queue was not always an excuse to take out a phone. Now, the moment we have nothing to do, our hands automatically reach for our phones. We check notifications even when there is nothing important to check. We open social media without any particular reason, scroll for a while and close it, only to open it again a few minutes late. Perhaps we have become uncomfortable with our own thoughts. We no longer give ourselves enough time to sit quietly, reflect on our decisions or think about what is happening around us. Every empty moment must be filled with something. And most of the time, that something is another video. Patience is not only about watching a movie or reading a book. It is an important part of almost everything we do in life. Building a career takes years. Preparing for an examination requires months of discipline. Learning a skill involves making mistakes and trying again. None of these things can be achieved simply by swiping a screen. But when we become used to getting entertainment within seconds, ordinary life can start feeling slow. We want success without the struggle, results without the waiting and happiness without having to deal with discomfort. The moment something becomes difficult, we look for an easier alternative. Sometimes, a person is sharing something important, but the listener is looking at the screen. A friend is talking, but we are thinking about the next notification. Family members sit together at the dinner table, yet each person is occupied with a different digital world. We may be more connected through technology than ever before, but that does not necessarily mean we are giving each other more attention. There is also a difference between being informed and being constantly entertained. Social media can expose us to new ideas, current affairs and useful knowledge. But endlessly scrolling from one random video to another does not always leave us wiser. We may spend hours consuming content and still struggle to remember what we watched. Our eyes remain busy, our minds keep receiving information, but very little of it stays with us Of course, short videos are not the only reason behind our declining attention. Stress, lack of sleep, work pressure and other distractions also play a role. Technology itself is not the enemy. The real concern is whether we are using it according to our needs or allowing it to control our habits. The answer does not lie in abandoning smartphones or social media completely. That would neither be practical nor necessary. What we need is a little more control over how we use them. We can put our phones aside while eating, listen properly when someone speaks, read a few pages every day and watch a movie without constantly checking notifications. We can also make an effort to do one thing at a time instead of dividing our attention between several things. These may appear to be small changes, but habits are built through small actions repeated every day. We should also remember that not everything valuable in life is designed to entertain us immediately. A good book may take time to become interesting. A difficult subject may require several readings before it makes sense. A meaningful conversation may not be exciting every second. And a worthwhile goal may demand months or years of hard work before we see any result. If we abandon everything the moment it stops entertaining us, we may miss some of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Perhaps we will realise the importance of patience only when we need it most. A career cannot be built by watching motivational videos alone. An examination cannot be cleared simply by saving study tips, and a problem cannot always be solved by searching for the quickest answer. Real progress often happens quietly, without excitement or immediate results. There are days when we must keep working even when nothing seems to be changing. If we become accustomed to instant rewards in everything we do, how will we learn to continue when life offers us no immediate reward at all? Perhaps the greatest loss is not that we are watching too many reels. It is that we are slowly becoming less comfortable with things that require patience. We are learning to skip, swipe and move on, but life does not always work that way. We cannot expect everything to happen at the speed of a short video. Real life has its own pace, and learning to accept that pace is an important part of growing up. The next time we pick up our phone to watch one more reel, perhaps we should ask ourselves a simple question: am I watching this because I genuinely want to, or because I have forgotten how to spend a few minutes without it? The answer may tell us more than we expect. Technology has made entertainment faster and information easier to access. But we should be careful not to confuse speed with progress or constant stimulation with happiness. A mind that is always occupied does not necessarily become a mind that understands more. We do not need to stop enjoying short videos. We simply need to make sure that we do not lose the ability to enjoy the longer things in life. Because a good movie still deserves our attention, a good book still deserves our time, and the people sitting beside us deserve more than a distracted glance. Perhaps the real challenge of this generation is not learning how to scroll faster, but learning how to slow down again. (The Authors can be reached at: junaidmwani110@gmail.com )

The Child Who Knew the Answer but Not the Question

In a Class VI classroom somewhere in Kashmir, a teacher asks, What is photosynthesis? A girl rises and recites the definition flawlessly, word for word. The teacher nods, satisfied. Minutes later, the same girl glances at the walnut tree outside the window and wonders why its leaves turn yellow in October. She does not ask. She is unsure whether the question belongs in a science class, and she fears being wrong in front of her peers. She knows the answer. She has no idea she is standing in front of the question. This small moment holds a large contradiction. Are we educating children to understand the world, or training them primarily to reproduce what they have been told? Can we transform education by changing curricula, textbooks, assessment patterns, and administrative instructions if the mindsets shaping everyday schooling remain unchanged? Policy Vision and Classroom Experience The National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 are, at their core, a call to think differently about children. They speak of the holistic development of learners, of conceptual understanding in place of rote memorisation, of competency-based, experiential, and inquiry-based learning, and of assessment that supports learning rather than merely classifying learners. They emphasise critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, constitutional values, and responsible citizenship. They also recognise that children come to school with diverse languages, cultures, and experiences, and that this diversity is a resource for learning, not a problem to be managed. The vision is compelling. Yet anyone who has spent time in schools knows how stubbornly everyday practice resists it. Syllabus completion, examination results, record-keeping, and familiar routines can quietly outrank the question of whether children are actually learning. Why do reforms so often change the language of schooling faster than its experience? Perhaps because we have treated reform as a matter of documents rather than of beliefs. A new vocabulary of competencies and learning outcomes can be adopted in a week. A belief about what a child is, and how a child learns, takes years to change. Teachers, parents, leaders, and administrators carry assumptions about authority, discipline, intelligence, and success that no circular can rewrite. The task is not to abandon schooling as we know it. Schools hold immense value: they provide structure, continuity, shared knowledge, and a community of peers. The task is to question those practices that prevent schooling from fulfilling its educational purpose. The Child as Active Learner For generations, the dominant image has been of the child as a vessel waiting to be filled. Yet any parent who has watched a toddler dismantle a toy knows better. Children observe, question, explore, imagine, and construct understanding from their experiences. They arrive at school as thinkers. The difference between remembering and understanding is visible everywhere. A child may memorise the formula for the area of a rectangle yet be unable to work out how much carpet a room needs. Another may reproduce the definition of evaporation without being able to explain why wet clothes dry faster in the summer sun than in a damp Srinagar winter. Real learning happens when children connect new ideas with what they already know, test their thinking, meet different perspectives, and gradually refine their understanding. This does not mean the adult should step back. Child-centred education is not education without guidance. Children need knowledgeable teachers who can explain difficult concepts, provide scaffolding, correct misconceptions, and introduce them to bodies of knowledge they could never rediscover alone. A child cannot invent algebra or the periodic table through curiosity alone. The aim is to build children's capacity to think, not merely their ability to repeat what others have thought. The Teacher's Changing Question At the heart of the change lies a simple shift in the question a teacher asks at the end of the day. From Have I taught this chapter? to What have my students understood? The first measures coverage. The second measures learning. With this shift come others. A question from a student becomes a starting point for inquiry rather than an interruption of the lesson. A mistake becomes evidence of developing understanding rather than a failure to be punished. Silence and obedience are no longer the only signs of a good student; thoughtful participation matters as well. Teachers begin to notice that children differ in pace, language, experience, and need, and that teaching every child in precisely the same way is not equality but oversight. Assessment turns from a final verdict into continuous feedback. We must be honest about the conditions in which teachers work. Prescribed curricula, large classes, limited resources, examination pressure, and administrative demands are real. A teacher in a remote school with multi-grade classes, or one posted in a high-altitude area where the school year is cut short by snow, cannot be blamed for choosing efficiency over experiment. Teachers are not the obstacle to reform; they are its most important agents, and they need support worthy of that role. Teacher development must be sustained, reflective, and rooted in real classroom problems. Teachers need time to examine children's work together, to learn from colleagues, to try something new and discuss what happened, and to exercise professional judgment within the curriculum. Nor does purposeful facilitation replace explicit instruction. The skill of good teaching lies in knowing when to explain, when to demonstrate, when to question, when to guide, and when to step back and let children explore. Curriculum and Life The curriculum is humanity's accumulated knowledge, offered to the young. Its purpose is not merely to be completed but to equip children with concepts, skills, values, and intellectual tools for understanding life. It becomes powerful when children can use it to interpret the world around them. Consider what Jammu and Kashmir offers. A local market is a classroom for arithmetic, measurement, economic exchange, language, and social relationships. An apple orchard invites questions about plant growth, seasonal change, estimation, biodiversity, agricultural practice, and sustainability. A stream or lake raises questions about ecosystems, pollution, public responsibility, and scientific evidence. Traditional crafts such as papier-mch, carpet weaving, and woodwork connect geometry, design, material science, history, and the dignity of work. Concerns such as waste management, road safety, and water conservation can become age-appropriate projects. This is the movement from problems to projects: children identify a question, gather information, examine evidence, work together, propose solutions, and reflect on what they have found. But let us be clear. Contextual learning must complement, not replace, systematic teaching. Mathematics, science, languages, and the social sciences demand conceptual depth, deliberate practice, and academic rigour. Connecting learning with life is meant to make knowledge more meaningful, not less demanding. From Fear to Feedback Nothing shapes classroom culture as powerfully as assessment. When marks become the dominant measure of achievement, teachers feel compelled to teach to the test, parents begin to equate marks with intelligence, and children learn to associate learning with fear. A child who is afraid of being wrong will not ask the question that matters. Good assessment gives a clearer picture of what children know, understand, can do, and still need help with. Questioning, observation, portfolios, project work, rubrics, peer interaction, and constructive feedback all contribute to that picture, and they align with the competency-based and holistic vision of NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023. This does not mean abandoning examinations or lowering expectations. It means ensuring that examinations measure worthwhile learning and lead to improvement. Assessment must serve the learner's progress; it must never become an instrument of humiliation, comparison, or exclusion. From Pressure to Partnership Children's relationship with learning is formed long before they reach a classroom, and it continues to be shaped at home. Many parents sincerely want their children to succeed, and many are responding to genuine anxieties about examinations, jobs, and the future. Yet anxiety travels. It reaches children through constant instruction, comparison with cousins and neighbours, sarcasm, and approval that depends almost entirely on performance. There is a vital distinction between unconditional respect for a child and accountability for a child's actions. Parents can set boundaries, insist on responsibility, and correct wrong behaviour without making a child's dignity or sense of belonging conditional on marks. Listen before instructing. Welcome questions, even when the answers are not at hand. Offer age-appropriate choices and responsibilities. Respond to mistakes with reflection rather than ridicule. Resist comparisons that turn learning into a contest for adult approval. Talk about friendships, experiences, and interests, not only homework. Children need emotional security as much as academic guidance. When parents and teachers work as partners rather than as rival authorities, children gain curiosity, resilience, and a healthy relationship with learning. The Community and the Learning Space Education cannot remain the sole responsibility of schools and families. Communities hold knowledge that no textbook contains: the farmer who understands soil and weather, the artisan whose hands carry generations of skill, the health worker, the writer, the local entrepreneur. Such people should be more than occasional chief guests at annual functions. Children should learn with them and from them, understanding livelihoods, local history, environmental challenges, and civic responsibility. Community knowledge deserves respect, and it also deserves examination through evidence, critical thinking, and ethical reflection. The regions of Jammu and Kashmir each offer their own languages, landscapes, and traditions, and the aim is to engage that diversity thoughtfully, not to reduce it to postcard stereotypes. The spaces in which children learn speak just as clearly. A classroom communicates a philosophy through its seating, displays, resources, and routines. If children are only expected to listen, copy, and reproduce, the room reinforces passivity. If they are invited to investigate, discuss, create, and question, the room supports thinking. Flexible seating where feasible, walls that display children's questions and developing work, accessible books, and purposeful use of libraries, playgrounds, school gardens, and the neighbourhood do not require expensive infrastructure. They require imagination and the willingness to see ordinary spaces as sites of learning, which is exactly the experiential vision of NCF-SE 2023. From Compliance to Enabling Change None of this will endure if the system around schools continues to reward only compliance. Teachers cannot be expected to nurture curiosity if the system measures only procedural conformity. Parents cannot be expected to value deep learning if public measures of success are marks and ranks. Schools cannot sustain innovation if every departure from routine is viewed with suspicion. Several directions follow. Teacher education should be aligned with the classroom practices NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023 envision. Professional learning communities and peer observation should become regular features of school life. School-based projects should connect curricular goals with local contexts. Academic monitoring should become supportive and reflective, focused on children's learning rather than on the neatness of registers. Teachers should enjoy reasonable professional autonomy within curricular requirements. Educational progress should be judged through multiple forms of evidence, not records of compliance alone. And parents and communities should be drawn into honest conversations about what schooling is for. Mindset change cannot compensate for teacher shortages, poor infrastructure, or excessive workloads. Sustainable transformation needs both changed attitudes and enabling conditions. Small Steps, Larger Purpose Where might we begin? A teacher can choose one meaningful question or local problem and design a structured learning experience around it. A parent can replace some routine instructions with attentive listening and give a child a decision to make. A school head can create time for teachers to discuss classroom experiences and examine student work together. An administrator can encourage responsible experimentation, reduce avoidable procedural burdens, and make monitoring about the quality of learning. A community can offer its knowledge and invite children into real concerns. These are starting points, not substitutes for policy support, professional development, adequate resources, or accountability. The Girl and the Walnut Tree Return to the girl in Class VI. Imagine her teacher pausing after the definition and asking, Where have you seen this happening? Imagine her question about the yellowing leaves being welcomed, tested, and followed through a small investigation in the school garden. Imagine her parents asking at dinner, What did you wonder about today? rather than How many marks did you get? Imagine a local orchardist visiting to explain what he observes in autumn, a classroom whose walls display her questions, and a school leader who trusts her teacher to teach this way. She would not know less. She would know more, and know it more deeply, because her knowledge would be connected to the tree outside her window. Transformation begins when adults reconsider not only what children must learn, but how they learn, what they are capable of becoming, and what a society expects its schools to achieve. A child's mind is not a container to be filled but a flame to be tended. And flames, as every Kashmiri who has sat by a kangri in winter knows, are kept alive not by commanding them, but by caring for them. (The Author is a Senior Academician, Content Creator and a Teacher Educator writing on educational research, policy, and reform. He can be mailed at: sheikhgulzar1970@gmail.com)

Targeting Kashmiris has become very easy: MP Ruhullah

Says Kashmiris branded, harassed inside & outside J&K Srinagar, Oct 20: Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday said there is a hostile atmosphere for Kashmiris in other parts of the country, citing the recent stoning of Jammu and Kashmir-bound buses in Haryana, and alleged that making Kashmiris scapegoats has become very easy in []

Scrub typhus spreading its tentacles in Goa

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Assembly elections: CM saysBJP-MGP talks at early stage

NT Reporter Panaji/Ponda Discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) over a possible alliance for the 2027 Goa Assembly elections are at a preliminary stage, with the final decision resting with the central leadership, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the []

Chiki fires Gaurs past Fortis FC

Agencies Hawally Chiki struck an 85th-minute winner as FC Goa overcame a spirited Fortis FC fightback to secure a 2-1 victory in their AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Group C encounter here on Tuesday. Having lost their opening fixture, Goa made an aggressive start and took the lead in the sixth minute when Udanta Singhs cross []

Goa go down to Uttar Pradesh

NT Reporter Panaji Goa suffered a 68-run defeat against Uttar Pradesh despite a fighting 72 from Suyash Prabhudessai and an impressive 10-wicket match haul by Yash Kasvankar in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A encounter. Chasing a target of 236, Goa were bowled out for 167 in 46 overs after losing their last five wickets []

Ambelim clinch Anil Kamat Cup

NT Reporter Navelim Ambelim Sports Club clinched the 2nd Anil Kamat Memorial Trophy after defeating United Boys of Ambaulim 1-0 in the final on October 19. After a goalless first half, Asfin Pinto broke the deadlock in the second period, scoring the decisive goal to secure the title for Ambelim. Pinto also received the First []

Goa leave Bihar reeling

NT Reporter Panaji Goa were on the verge of securing a substantial first-innings lead after a late batting collapse left Bihar reeling at 194 for nine, still trailing by 101 runs on the second day of their Col CK Nayudu Trophy Elite Under-23 encounter. Replying to Goas first-innings total of 295, Bihar were comfortably placed []

Raia SC claim Curtorim crown

NT Reporter Curtorim Raia Sporting Club clinched the 34th Curtorim Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament after defeating Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda 3-1 in the final at St Alex Church ground, Curtorim, on Tuesday. Sanjiro Pango struck a brace for Raia, while Sidney Gaunkar added the third goal to seal the title in front of over []

Indians travel more despite costly flights, hotel rates to jump 27% post-Diwali

Travel bookings are on the rise for the festive season, with significant demand reported by various companies. Average hotel rates are expected to spike substantially during this timeframe, particularly in popular destinations. As a result, Goa is projected to experience the largest increase in accommodation prices. International bookings are also surging, especially to destinations like Maldives and Thailand for the festive period.

Are You Healthy or Just Undiagnosed? The Science of Healthy Ageing | Prof. John Beard

What if you could improve your health before a disease even appears?Most of us think we are healthy until a doctor tells us otherwise. But according to Professor John Beard, who helped develop the World Health Organizations framework for healthy ageing, we need to rethink how we measure health as we grow older.In this insightful conversation with Shimona Kanwar, Professor Beard explains intrinsic capacitya holistic approach to understanding how well we think, move, sense the world, maintain psychological well-being, and preserve our vitality throughout life.Rather than waiting for illness to appear, this approach focuses on tracking changes in our health and identifying opportunities to intervene earlier.In this episode, we explore:* What intrinsic capacity means and why it matters for healthy ageing* The five pillars of intrinsic capacity: cognition, locomotion, sensory function, psychological capacity, and vitality* How memory, walking speed, balance, vision, hearing, and grip strength can help assess health* Why hearing loss and cognitive decline can be interconnected* How wearable devices and smartphones may help monitor changes in health* The role of exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle in maintaining health and independence* How personalised medicine may help identify individual health risks* Why waiting for a disease diagnosis could mean missing opportunities for early intervention* Can we slow the decline associated with ageing?* Why it is never too late to work on your health and well-beingProfessor Beard challenges one of the biggest myths about ageing: that it is too late to make a difference.The goal is not simply to live longer, but to preserve the ability to think clearly, move independently, stay connected, and do the things that make life meaningful.Watch until the end to understand how a different approach to healthy ageing could change the way we think about health at every stage of life.

Football: Guruzeta ruled out for season as Athletic struggles for goals

Digital Desk | Madrid, Oct 20 (IANS) Athletic Club Bilbao striker Gorka Guruzeta will miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury, leaving coach Edin Terzic with further attacking problems ahead of Wednesday's rescheduled La Liga match away to Levante. Guruzeta ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Valencia, adding to an injury list that already includes Spain international winger Nico Williams and attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet. The doctor approached me during the match and told me it didn't look good, Terzic said at Tuesday's pre-match press conference. Guru had already suffered a similar injury in his other leg [in 2019], so he immediately felt that something was wrong, he added. Terzic praised the 30-year-old striker's attitude despite the setback. His optimism is on another level. Our duty now is to support him so that when he is ready to return, he steps back into a highly successful team. Athletic has drawn its last three La Liga matches, scoring just once, and Terzic acknowledged that improving the team's attacking effectiveness would take time. It's true that we are currently struggling to score, but our opponents also find it very difficult to score against us, he said. Being more dangerous and clinical in the penalty area is a process; it isn't solved in a single training session. Today, we look for instant solutions to everything with technology, but we work with human beings, not automated response buttons. You can't just go to Google or ChatGPT for answers. Terzic confirmed that Sancet would miss Wednesday's match but said Williams could return, stressing the importance of making smart, long-term decisions over injured players. The match was originally scheduled for September 16 but was postponed after torrential rain flooded the pitch at Levante's Ciutat de Valencia Stadium. On Monday, Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian addressed the groin problem that sidelined him for the first seven games of the season and cost him a place at last summer's World Cup. The 27-year-old returned to full training last week after months of rehabilitation for an adductor insertion injury that first troubled him in January. Rather than stop playing when the problem emerged, Vivian said he carried on to help his club during a difficult run of results.

Animal sacrifice tradition continues at Tripura's historic Durgabari temple on Maha Navami

Digital Desk | Agartala, Oct 20 (IANS) A buffalo and a few goats were sacrificed at the historic Durgabari temple here on Tuesday as part of the Maha Navami rituals of Durga Puja, continuing a century-old religious tradition associated with Tripura's former royal family. The rituals were conducted under the supervision of the West Tripura district administration, which took precautions to ensure compliance with court directions. District administration officials said that the animal sacrifice site was covered to prevent public viewing, particularly by children, while hygiene and other prescribed protocols were maintained. West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said the tradition had been followed for at least a century and remained deeply rooted in the religious faith of devotees. All directions issued by the court have been followed. The premises have been covered, proper hygiene has been maintained, and healthy animals are brought for sacrifice in accordance with the prescribed protocols, Kumar added. Jayanta Bhattacharjee, the head priest at the temple, said animal sacrifice had been an integral part of the Maha Navami worship for generations. We have a century-old tradition of sacrificing animals to Goddess Durga on the day of Maha Navami as part of the worship. The ritual was conducted at a site concealed from public view. In fact, worshipping of Goddess Durga will remain incomplete without animal sacrifice, he added. The animal sacrifice tradition at temples in Tripura had come under judicial scrutiny in 2019, when a division bench of the Tripura High Court banned animal and bird sacrifices at religious institutions, including the revered Tripura Sundari temple in southern Tripura's Gomati district. The Supreme Court subsequently stayed the High Court's order following a petition, while imposing certain restrictions on the practice. The animal sacrifice ritual at Durgabari temple had also been suspended earlier for administrative reasons before resuming two years ago, according to officials. The temple, associated with Tripura's erstwhile Manikya dynasty, preserves several royal-era religious customs. The Durga Puja is organised by the West Tripura district administration on behalf of the royal family. The temple officials said there was no specific vegetarian or non-vegetarian menu for the deity, as offerings depended on the donations and religious practices of devotees. We offer Goddess Durga whatever devotees donate or sacrifice at the temple. There is no bar on meat and fish here, he added. The temple's rituals also reflect the cultural and religious traditions shared by Bengali and tribal communities in Tripura, officials said. Bhattacharjee said that on Wednesday, the day of Vijaya Dashami, the police would present a guard of honour to Goddess Durga at the temple early in the morning. The holy pitcher would subsequently be escorted to Ujjayanta Palace, where members of the erstwhile royal family would bid farewell to the deity. The Maha Navami observances remain an important part of Durga Puja in Tripura, where customs inherited from the former princely state continue alongside celebrations organised by communities across the state. Held near the magnificent Ujjayanta Palace, the former royal residence, the 150-year-old Durga Puja at Durgabari temple draws thousands of devotees, including visitors from different parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh. Historian and writer Panna Lal Roy said that government support for the worship at temples associated with the former royal family had continued across successive Left and non-Left governments. He said the merger agreement signed in 1949 between Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi, the then regent, and the Indian authorities provided for the continuation of certain royal religious traditions.

Energy secretary criticises Shabana Mahmood

Miatta Fahnbulleh says longer settlement wait could harm cohesion Mahmood plans to extend the wait from five to 15 years Angela Rayner has also criticised the plans Burnham considering an exemption for care workers ENERGY SECRETARY Miatta Fahnbulleh has criticised home secretary Shabana Mahmoods plans to make migrants wait longer for permanent settlement, deepening a cabinet split over immigration. In a post on her constituency website, Fahnbulleh said extending the wait for indefinite leave to remain could prolong the process of building cohesion, The Telegraph reported. Ultimately, I want to see a system based on control and compassion, with a much stronger focus on integration, she wrote, urging Labour to challenge divisive political rhetoric. Shabana Mahmood reopens UK refugee scheme Mahmood plans to extend the qualifying period from five to 15 years, with shorter waits for migrants who earn above a set salary or contribute to their communities, for example through voluntary work. Critics say the changes would hit low-paid care workers, many of whom are migrants. Allies of Fahnbulleh said the post, written by her team to summarise a town hall meeting, had poorly paraphrased her views and would be updated. As a cabinet minister, she is bound by collective responsibility to support government policy. Fahnbulleh, who came to Britain as a child refugee from Liberia, told the Guardian last month that the rules would have been tough for her family. Communities secretary Angela Rayner has also attacked the plans, saying they would change the goalposts for care workers already in the UK. Migrants charged up to 4,500 for fake gay asylum evidence, Home Office says Mahmood has hinted she could soften the reforms, and prime minister Andy Burnham has indicated he is rethinking them, with an exemption for care workers among the likeliest options. The Home Office said settlement must be earned and not automatic and that it was considering responses to its consultation. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said cabinet ministers were openly campaigning against their own governments supposed immigration policy.

Identify and defeat enemies of India: PM Modi

New Delhi, Oct 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called upon citizens to adopt a 'Nation First' pledge to jointly identify and defeat the enemies of 'Maa Bharati', especially forces that harm national honour, divide society and harbour hatred toward Indian culture. Participating in the Vijaya Dashami celebrations in the national capital, Modi also highlighted India's tradition of keeping Lord Ram's ideals alive, proclaiming the end of tyranny and terror, and upholding the victory of eternal truth over falsehood. The prime minister's comments came as his government faces protests led by the opposition and the Cockroach Janta Party seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls. The BJP has alleged that the protests, which were held in the national capital and several other places in different states, were staged at the behest of foreign forces that do not want the country's progress. Everyone should adopt a 'Nation First' pledge to jointly identify and defeat the enemies of Maa Bharati, specifically forces that harm national honour, divide society, and harbour hatred toward Indian culture. When we stand with truth and humanity, then in the end, victory is ours, he said. The prime minister also recalled the immense hardships that Lord Ram faced without ever forsaking truth and morality. Quoting Sanskrit verses to illustrate Lord Ram's equanimity during both his royal coronation and his exile, the prime minister highlighted how Lord Ram upheld righteousness through every crisis and established truth. Lord Ram established benchmarks of mercy, compassion, love, and harmony, he said. Modi said India is maintaining he tradition of keeping Lord Ram's ideals alive, proclaiming the end of tyranny and terror, and upholding the victory of eternal truth over falsehood. The tradition of keeping the ideals of Lord Ram alive, the proclamation of the end of tyranny and terror, and the firm belief in the victory of eternal truth over falsehood -- these are not merely festivals for us; they are the very life energy of India, he said The prime minister said Lord Ram taught everyone that the obstacles on the path cannot stop the journey. The ocean lay ahead and Lanka was far, but the resolve was firm, he said. Therefore, he said, Lord Ram awakened the collective strength of the people, made public participation his support, and brought together the available resources, making an apparently impossible goal possible. Modi said this is the fundamental formula for success: trust in one's own power, confidence in one's capability, proper utilisation of resources, and an unwavering commitment to the goal. We must fulfil every aspiration of the people through public welfare powered by people's strength, and for this too, we must draw inspiration from Lord Ram himself, he said.

Rubio seeks greater energy trade with India; eyes Venezuelan crude refining opportunities

Energy ties take centre stage as India, US pursue $500 billion trade goal

Vidarbha Stun Holders J and K; UP Crush Goa in Ranji Trophy

Baroda, Vidarbha, and Uttar Pradesh registered significant victories in the second round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C on Tuesday. Baroda secured a dominant 10-wicket win over Bihar, Vidarbha clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory against defending champions Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh defeated Goa by 68 runs.

PM Modi burns Ravana effigy at Dussehra celebrations in Delhi

New Delhi ,October 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in Vijaya Dashami celebrations at the DDA Utsav Ground in IP Extension, Delhi. During the celebrations, PM Modi participated in the traditional Ravana effigy-burning ceremony, marking the festival that symbolises the victory of good over evil. Ramrajya signifies a system of governance free from discriminationa realm where justice prevails, and everyone is afforded equal opportunities. In such a system, the purpose of authority is not merely to rule, but to ensure the welfare of the people... Serving the poor and the marginalized must remain our highest priority. The life of Lord Ram offers us a profound lesson: no matter how great the crisis or how daunting the challenge, we must not rely on others. We must recognise our own potential, trust in our own resources, transform our resolve into strength, and forge solutions through our own hard work... Today, we too must move forward, guided by this very mantra. We have set before us the goals of a Viksit Bharat and an Atmanirbhar Bharat...., PM Modi said at the Dussehra celebrations. Earlier today, PM Modi wished the people of the country on the occassion, calling for everyone's happiness, prosperity and success. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, Heartfelt greetings of Vijayadashami to you all. May this festival of victory, filled with joy and faith, imbue everyone's resolve with renewed strength. May every life be enriched with happiness, prosperity, and successthis is my sincere wish. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called upon people to follow the ideals of Lord Shri Ram to eliminate social evils, including corruption, substance abuse, crime, discrimination and atrocities against women, while addressing Dussehra celebrations attended by President Droupadi Murmu at Dwarka Sector 10 in the national capital. Addressing the gathering at Delhis Ramlila celebrations, Gupta said Vijayadashami was not merely a celebration of Lord Rams victory over Ravana but also a reminder that truth triumphs over falsehood, righteousness over unrighteousness, and justice over injustice. Welcoming President Droupadi Murmu, the Chief Minister said, Today is a moment of great joy for us. On the grand stage of Delhis largest Ramlila -- a stage now made even more magnificent by her presence -- we are honoured to welcome the First Citizen of our nation, Her Excellency the President. On behalf of the people of Delhi, I extend a very warm welcome to her. Emphasising the significance of Vijayadashami, the Chief Minister said the festival had inspired people for centuries by reinforcing the victory of good over evil. For centuries, this day has inspired us, reminding us that truth always triumphs over falsehood, righteousness prevails over unrighteousness, and justice overcomes injustice. Virtue always triumphs over arrogance, she said. Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated across the country with religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and the burning of effigies of Ravana, symbolising the triumph of righteousness over evil. (ANI)

Indias nuclear programme dedicated to peaceful purposes, not warfare: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Oct 20: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that Indias nuclear programme is dedicated to peaceful purposes and not warfare, reaffirming the vision that has guided the countrys nuclear journey since its inception. In an exclusive conversation on the sidelines of Bloomberg Economy Forum 2026, the Minister said nuclear energy would play an increasingly important role in meeting Indias future energy requirements, including the growing demand for reliable electricity to support Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centres. Recalling the vision of Dr. Homi Bhabha, the architect of Indias nuclear programme, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India had consistently pursued nuclear energy for peaceful applications and national development. The commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology, he said, remains central to the countrys approach as it expands its capabilities to meet emerging developmental and technological needs. The Minister said Indias nuclear energy ambitions must be viewed in the context of its long-term development goals and clean energy commitments. With the country targeting 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and Net Zero emissions by 2070, nuclear energy is expected to complement other sources of power by providing a continuous and reliable supply of clean electricity. Linking nuclear energy with the next phase of technological growth, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the expansion of Artificial Intelligence and data centres would require dependable sources of electricity capable of meeting their substantial and continuous energy needs. Nuclear energy, he said, would supplement Indias other energy programmes and contribute to meeting the power requirements of an increasingly technology-driven economy. On the expanding role of Artificial Intelligence, the Minister said AI should be viewed as a tool applicable across sectors rather than as a domain in itself. From Space and life sciences to other areas of scientific and technological development, AI is set to become an increasingly necessary instrument. Emphasising the importance of human judgement in its application, he said, One has to be intelligent enough to use Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Jitendra Singh said AI offers significant advantages across domains, but ensuring its optimal use without allowing it to be misused by individuals or other actors remains a key challenge. While regulations are in place, he said integrity at both the individual and national level is fundamental to ensuring that the technology is used responsibly. India, he added, has made appreciable efforts in this direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Minister also referred to the wider opening of critical and sensitive sectors to non-government players under the Modi Government. He said the approach has expanded the scope for private sector participation in areas that were traditionally more restricted, creating opportunities for industry to contribute to technological advancement, innovation and national development. Dr. Jitendra Singhs remarks bring together two important dimensions of Indias development trajectory: strengthening nuclear energy as a dependable source of clean power and harnessing emerging technologies such as AI through responsible, human-led application. As India advances towards its 2047 development goals and its 2070 Net Zero commitment, reliable energy infrastructure and wider participation in strategic sectors will remain important to sustaining the countrys technological and economic ambitions.

Its A Confidence Thing: Gavin McKenna Shows Why Toronto Maple Leafs Trust Him In Big Moments

Gavin McKenna scored the go-ahead goal in Torontos 3-1 win over San Jose, earning praise from Jim Hiller and Auston Matthews for his confidence and composure under pressure.

Mohammed Shami Says He Remains At Peak Of His Fitness, Committed To His India Comeback Goal

In any profession, in any sport, you should have a goal: Shami

149-Year-Old Durgabari Temple Observes Traditional Sacrifice of Buffalo, Goats

Agartala, October 20: Traditional animal sacrifice formed part of the Maha Nabami observances at Agartalas 149-year-old Durgabari temple on Tuesday, with a buffalo and several goats offered during the annual Durga Puja rituals. The ceremony was conducted amid the chanting of religious mantras, while the place of sacrifice remained screened from public view in compliance... The post 149-Year-Old Durgabari Temple Observes Traditional Sacrifice of Buffalo, Goats first appeared on Northeast Today .

Dad who stopped Oregon school shooter is 'riddled with guilt,' brother says

More details have emerged about the 'hero' bystander who intervened within minutes of a gunman opening fire at an elementary school in Oregon. Kaylub Giamanco, 36, fatally shot the 16-year-old gunman who killed four people at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oreg. His actions undoubtedly saved people, police said. Giamanco, a carpenter and father of two girls who attend Silver Rail Elementary, had gone through military shooting drills with veterans who fought in Iraq, The Guardian reported. Seeing the shooting unfold, Giamanco pursued gunman Griffin J. John II, his mother, Kenda Freeman, told CBS News . Freeman said the experience has left her son traumatized. I told him he was a hero, he did what he had to do, and that he did the right thing, and that I was proud of him and that he was a hero and he saved a lot of lives. Kaylub knew something was not right, so he pulled up onto the grass, grabbed his gun and basically stalked the gunman back into the school, Freeman said. He crawled through a window that the gunman had shot out. He army crawled through the window. Giamanco, who legally owns and carries his weapon, doesn't wish to speak about the school shooting because he feels riddled with guilt for not being able to save more lives, his brother, Kyle Giamanco, told the New York Post . A teacher in the classroom had already thrown her cell phone at John, tackled him and fought him, police said. She was not injured. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said her actions likely prevented more bloodshed. Giamanco then fired at John multiple times with a legally owned .40-caliber pistol, killing him just before police arrived, officials said. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised the Bend resident at a press conference, without naming him, saying he heroically intervened to stop further loss of life. Addressing him directly, she acknowledged the toll it had taken on him. Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well. I don't think we can underestimate or under-appreciate that courage, Krantz said Friday, speaking about the teacher and the man who shot the gunman. When someone is willing to risk their own life for others, we recognize that. And the quick thinking to follow someone into the school is incredible, and undoubtedly saved people. Gun used 'purchased as a birthday gift' The gun used by the 16-year-old shooter Griffin J. John II was purchased by his mother as a birthday gift, according to reports. The Maverick 12-gauge shotgun was purchased legally in August 2026 by the mother of the gunman who carried out the shooting, and given to him for recreational use, sources told CBS News . On Friday, two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News that John's mother bought the shotgun and has been cooperating with investigators. The shooter killed Rhoam Summer, a 5-year-old student, and Megan Lambert, a 25-year-old teacher from Bend, along with two other children aged 8 and 11 on Thursday. Police said all of the shots were fired inside a single special needs classroom. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Johns mother said that there were no warning signs and wouldn't comment on how her son got access to the gun used in the shooting. Schools remain closed Schools across Bend., Ore., will stay closed Monday and Tuesday as the community mourns four people killed on Thursday, when police say a 16-year-old former student opened fire in a special education classroom. Students return Wednesday on an early-release schedule, and Silver Rail will remain closed until further notice, the Bend Bulletin reported . In a statement, Lambert's family described her as a native central Oregonian who grew up in Bend and had a passion for playing sports, especially volleyball. Her goal was to be an educator and teach in the school district she loved growing up in, the statement continued. Silver Rail was her first job as a teacher. She loved Silver Rail. This was her dream job. Megan was compassionate and had a huge heart. She always fought for the underdog and those with special needs. She was an incredible sister, daughter, niece and granddaughter. She was funny and opinionated and she lit up the room. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., was killed in Thursday's shooting. Bend Police Department Rhoam Summer, 5, was one of three children killed in Thursday's shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore. Bend Police Department The shooter was identified as Griffin J. John II. He was a former student at the school who had received special ed services, according to Bend-La Pine School Superintendent Steven Cook. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians confirmed Saturday that John was an enrolled member, NBC News reported . A 7-year-old girl who received lifesaving care at the scene was in serious but stable condition at Oregon Health & Science University, police said. A 54-year-old teacher, Becky Drury of Bend, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was being treated at St. Charles Bend. Her family allowed police to release her name. Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was injured in Thursday's shooting. Bend Police Department According to a Facebook post from her mother-in-law, Drury has already had surgery to repair significant damage to her left arm and will need more surgeries in the future. She also suffered injuries to her right hand, but none of her wounds are believed to be life-threatening. The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives, the post read. Her husband, Will Drury, said her left arm took a lot of damage and that her right hand also needed surgery, CNN reported . The two other children killed, both boys, were 8 and 11. Their families asked police not to release their names. Other than John's past association with the school, police did not share any information on the potential motive behind the shooting. Everyone wants to know why, including us, Krantz said. We may never get that full answer, but we want it. How the shooting unfolded Flowers are placed beside a sign at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., on Friday. AP Photo/Haven Daley Krantz provided new details about what happened in the chaotic few minutes from when John first opened fire outside the school to when he was killed. According to Krantz, John approached the school at approximately 12:58 p.m. on foot before throwing his gun over an exterior fence and climbing onto the school's property. A driver in a red pickup truck spotted John and verbally confronted him from inside their vehicle. John fired at least three rounds at the truck before heading inside. The driver, who was unhurt, quickly called 911 to alert police. John then walked around the outside of the school and fired multiple rounds into the glass panes of an exterior door to gain access to the school. He then turned left into a special education classroom and immediately began firing. In total, John fired as many as 15 rounds, Krantz said. Officers arrived at the scene within three minutes of the first 911 call. Seconds later, officers reported the suspect had been shot and killed, possibly by a bystander, police wrote in an incident report on Thursday. Officers then cleared the school, and all students and staff were transported to a nearby church for reunification with families and guardians. According to Krantz, John was carrying an additional 44 rounds of ammunition when he was killed. No other students other than the three who were killed and the one who was injured were in the classroom at the time, Krantz said. There was no School Resource Officer present at the school. Investigators have searched John's home and plan to keep control of the school until at least Tuesday to finish collecting evidence, police said. They are asking anyone with video of a teenage boy in black clothing and a black backpack near Third Street, Brosterhous Road or the school between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday to submit it. The FBI has set up a tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI and fbi.gov/silverrailschool . 'They're babies' People leave a family reunification area following a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., on Thursday. AP Photo/Joe Kline Witnesses described hearing gunshots and seeing police swarm the school. I heard what I thought was gunshots, Erin Johnson, who was visiting her parents next door to the school, told Oregon Public Broadcasting on Thursday. Then my neighbor began to scream shortly thereafter her kids go to school there, at Silver Rail. Then I heard the police coming in. She added: It's heartbreaking. I don't know any details right now about who was injured. But they're babies. Krista Johnson told OregonLive that she saw police swarm the school. So many people stopping what they were doing, she said Thursday. I knew that something had happened. Angela Nuchols told the Bend Source that she and her husband had dressed their 8-year-old daughter up for picture day before school, then raced to Silver Rail after hearing about the shooting. It was crawling with police officers from all over the county, she said. You've got guys in tactical gear, rifles. You're just scared to death wondering, is your child okay? You don't know. They were later reunited with their daughter. It was like the worst three hours of our lives, Nuchols said. Thousands attended a vigil at Bend's Drake Park on Thursday night, many carrying candles, flowers and stuffed toys. There is power and love in this park tonight, Kotek said at the vigil. On behalf of everyone who lives in Oregon, I am so sorry for what you are experiencing today. No parent, no family, no community should have to have this kind of day. Free counseling is being offered to anyone in the community who may need help dealing the emotional weight of the tragedy. As of Friday afternoon, close to 200 people had already utilized those services, according to Deschutes County Health Services Director Holly Harris. The Bend Education Association, which represents 1,000 educators in the city, released a statement emphasizing the work that will be needed to ensure that every student and teacher affected by the shooting has the support that they need. When violence happens in one of our schools, it reaches far beyond that building, the group's president, Sarah Barclay, wrote on social media. It affects our families, our colleagues, and communities across our country. Every student and every person who works in our schools deserves to be safe. This article originally appeared on Yahoo News at https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/article/multiple-people-reportedly-killed-after-shooting-at-oregon-elementary-school-230432197.html

PSG take on Barcelona in 2026 Champions League clash amid French protests

In a test for both teams and the strained French police, Paris Saint-Germain hosts Barcelona in a Champions League showcase against the backdrop of violent unrest across France. PSG and Barcelona head the standings, though Liverpool or even surprising Stuttgart could end Tuesday on top of the table. The game, which will need a robust security presence, takes place in a very different context to when PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 away last week. What began in France as protests against school conditions has expanded to include a wide range of other groups and causes. There have been violent clashes, fires and looting. An emergency meeting with top government officials on Monday confirmed PSG-Barcelona and other soccer games in European competitions can go ahead after the possibility of calling off games and other big events was discussed. Liverpool could go top with a win over Villarreal if PSG and Barcelona draw, or on goal difference if Andoni Iraola's team can rout its Spanish ..

'I'm half Indian, half South African': Jonty Rhodes says he 'loves' coming to India

Digital Desk | Chennai, Oct 20 (IANS) South African legend Jonty Rhodes reiterated his love for India, calling himself half Indian and half South African. The former Proteas star, who has set near-unmatched benchmarks in fielding, has a well-known love for India. He has been visiting the nation for decades now and has been associated with several teams in the Indian Premier League. Rhodes' two children were also born in India, and his daughter is named 'India Jeanne Jonty Rhodes'. He has also been bonded with the Indian tradition and spirituality in the nation. The South African was in India for the inauguration of the Solar Experience Centre in Chennai, where he reiterated his love for the nation. I'm half Indian, half South African. I spend a lot of time in Chennai, down the coast of Mahabalipuram. And half a year, we actually spend in Goa as a family. So two children were born in Mumbai during IPL 2015-2017. And my wife and I love coming back to India, Rhodes told reporters. Rhodes was present at the inauguration of the new solar experience centre, which was launched by Evolve Energy Group. The group is a subsidiary of Evolve Green Energies, and Rhodes is the brand ambassador of the company. He also spoke about the importance of renewable energy in today's world while also stating that he wants to nurture the IPL players to become better fielders than he was. I've obviously been involved with different products and brands in India, but never with renewable energy. And it's great here to be associated and a brand ambassador and a partner with Evolve Energy, because we want to make a difference. And I think that's the important thing. You know, as a fielder, everyone said, oh, your legacy was running out, Inzamam-ul-Haq in 1992. But my legacy is trying to make the kids in the IPL better fielders than I ever was, he added. He also stressed the need for renewable energy to safeguard the future of the next generation. So it's not about me and what I used to do. And with the legacy of renewable energy, it's about what the future is for our children. And that is something we can all make a decision and actually take action on. Because, as I said, a lot of people talk about renewable energy, but not much action is taken. And it's great to see what Evolve is doing, especially with this newly opened (Solar Experience Centre), because I'm the same. I have one little solar panel in my house for hot water because I'm too scared. I don't understand it enough. But I've never been down to an experience centre where you got experts explaining the whole process and just saying, 'don't worry, we will look after you'. So I think from that perspective, it's so important to have the whole system backwardly integrated. And it excites me to be a part of that, he added.

Fake Number Plates: Hyderabad Police Seize 100 Vehicles, Register 100 Cases

Vehicle registration rules exist to maintain standardization and ensure precise identification. Any unauthorized tampering or alteration compromises these core safety goals.

Top 5 money lessons, financial learnings from international bestseller The Latte Factor by David Bach-John David Mann

The Latte Factor argues that building wealth may depend less on earning more than on changing spending habits. The book recommends saving first, automating contributions, tracking small expenses, and linking savings to meaningful goals. 

Can you name the top 15 Champions League goalscorers of the 1990s?

Some wonderfully nostalgic names here. The post Can you name the top 15 Champions League goalscorers of the 1990s? appeared first on Planet Football .

GATE 2027 Correction Window Extended: Last Chance to Fix Application Defects by Oct 31

IIT Madras extended the GATE 2027 rectification window to October 31, 2026. Fix scrutiny defects like photo and signature issues in GOAPS now to avoid rejection. Update your application details before the final deadline.

Vishwak Sen's slasher thriller Cult's shooting wrapped

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 20 (IANS) Actor-director Vishwak Sen on Tuesday announced that the shooting of his upcoming film, 'Cult', had now been wrapped. Taking to his Instagram page to share a BTS video showing him okaying the final shot of the film and then subsequently thanking his team, the director and actor wrote, Happy Dussehra, everyone! Yesterday marked the final day of CULT, and weve been overwhelmed by the humongous response to our trailer! All the love and support means the world to us. Cant wait for you all to experience it on the big screen. See you all in theatres on October 30th! It may be recalled that the team had released a gripping trailer of the film on Monday. Produced by Sandeep Kakarala under the banner of Tarak Cinemas, 'Cult' is being promoted as Indias first authentic slasher thriller, inspired by disturbing real-life incidents. For the unaware, Vishwak Sen, apart from playing the lead role in the film, has also taken on the responsibilities of story, screenplay and direction. The trailer released offers a glimpse into a terrifying world filled with danger, violence and unpredictable twists. The trailer sets up a chilling premise with more than 300 people trapped inside an isolated island estate in Goa. With electric fencing surrounding the property and the main entrance rigged with RDX explosives, escaping the premises appears almost impossible. Their only chance of survival lies in participating in a series of deadly games, where every decision could have fatal consequences. Among those caught in this nightmare is DSP Sankalp Nayak, a tough police officer who must navigate the increasingly dangerous situation as the fight for survival intensifies. While the teaser hinted at Vishwak Sen portraying a character with negative shades, the trailer reveals a different dimension to his role. He plays a badass police officer with a strong aversion to drugs and his own uncompromising way of dealing with criminals. The character combines aggression, attitude and lively humour, making him a compelling presence amid the films dark setting. The trailer also offers glimpses of the other important characters, played by Gayatri Bharadwaj, Tarak Ponnapa, Murali Sharma, Srikanth Iyengar and others, hinting at the ensemble that drives this high-stakes thriller. Tharun Bhascker has penned the dialogues for the film, which has production design by Arvind Mule. Cinematography for the film is by the talented Aravind Viswanathan while popular music director Ravi Basrur has scored the background music of the film. Editing for the film is by Ravi Teja Girijala #CULT is set to hit theatres simultaneously on October 30 in Telugu, Hindi, English, Japanese and Spanish.

Rakul Preet Singh wishes MIL on birthday, shares unseen moments reflecting their bond

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 20 (IANS) Actress Rakul Preet Singh and actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani showered love on their family matriarch, Pooja Bhagnani, on her birthday. She shared heartfelt messages on social media that reflected their bond with her. Rakul took to her social media account to wish her mother-in-law, sharing a video montage featuring precious family moments, including pictures with Jackky Bhagnani. The post offered glimpses of their time together, including a picture taken in London with the iconic Westminster skyline in the background. Alongside the video, Rakul penned a warm birthday note, expressing admiration for Poojas ability to make people feel loved and valued. Happy Birthday, Mom! You have a way of making people feel loved without even trying, and thats such a beautiful thing about you. I hope today brings you as much happiness as you bring to everyone around you. Wishing you endless reasons to smile, lots of love, good health, and a year filled with beautiful moments. Lots and lots of love to you! Jackky, meanwhile, shared a picture with his mother, dressed in coordinated ivory-toned traditional outfits. In the birthday message penned by Jackky Bhagnani, credited his mother for teaching him the values of love, respect and resilience, describing her as the foundation of their family. To the woman who taught me how to love, respect and stand strong, Happy Birthday Maa. Everything I am and everything I ever hope to achieve, starts with your blessings. Thank you for being our constant rock, our safe space and the heart of this family. Love you more than words can ever express @pujabghagnani, he wrote. Talking about Rakul and Jackky, the two tied the knot on February 21, 2024, in Goa. Their wedding celebrations brought together ceremonies reflecting both their families traditions.

Asian Para Games: Prez Murmu congratulates Deepthi for gold, Bhavina, Sonalben and Praveen on bronze wins

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) President of India Droupadi Murmu congratulated Deepthi Jeevanji, Bhavina Patel, Sonalben Patel and Praveen Sharma on their respective achievements at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games 2026. While Deepthi secured a gold medal in the womens 400m T20, adding a fifth yellow metal to the countrys tally, Bhavina and Sonalben secured bronze medals in the womens singles class 4-5 and class 3 para table tennis event, respectively. Praveen, meanwhile, bagged a bronze in the mens shot put F11, adding to the medal haul. My warmest congratulations to Deepthi Jeevanji on winning the Gold Medal in the Womens 400m T20 at the Asian Para Games 2026. Setting a new Games Record and successfully defending your title makes this golden triumph even more special. Your outstanding performance brings immense pride to Bharat!, President Murmu wrote on X. I extend my warm congratulations to Bhavina Patel on winning the Bronze Medal in the Womens Singles Class 45 Table Tennis event at the Asian Para Games 2026. May this achievement give fresh impetus to your sporting journey and encourage you to continue setting ambitious goals for yourself. I congratulate Sonalben Patel on winning her first-ever singles medal, a Bronze in Womens Singles Class 3 Para Table Tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026. This is a cherished milestone in your sporting journey, and I hope your achievement inspires more aspiring table tennis players to pursue their ambitions with confidence. Heartiest congratulations to Praveen Sharma on winning the Bronze Medal in the Mens Shot Put F11 at the Asian Para Games 2026. Making your debut at the Games with a medal is a special accomplishment. I hope this experience further strengthens your commitment to the sport and brings fresh enthusiasm to your journey ahead, she added. Indias overall medal tally now stands at 23, including five golds, eight silvers and 10 bronze.

Sameera Reddy shares picture of son making rangoli for Dussehra, daughter joins in

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 20 (IANS) Actress Sameera Reddy gave her followers a glimpse of a colourful Dussehra celebration at home as she shared a picture of her son, Hans, making a rangoli, with her daughter, Nyra, seen assisting him. Taking to her social media account, Sameera shared a picture of the siblings immersed in creating festive rangoli on the floor of their home. The picture showed Hans sitting on the floor, carefully working on a pink rangoli design, while Nyra sat nearby with colourful rangoli powders spread around her. Adding to the festive spirit, the siblings had written HAPPY DASSHARA on the floor using vibrant colours. Sharing the picture, Sameera wished her followers, and wrote, Wishing you all A Happy Dussehra. Sameera, who often shares unfiltered glimpses of motherhood and family life on social media, is married to entrepreneur Akshai Varde. The couple tied the knot in a traditional Maharashtrian ceremony on January 21, 2014. They welcomed their son, Hans Varde, in May 2015, followed by their daughter, Nyra Varde, in July 2019. In 2020, Sameera and Akshai moved from Mumbai to Goa during the Covid-19 pandemic. It initially began as a temporary break from the city, and eventually became a permanent lifestyle change. Sameera Reddy has also been vocal about her struggles with postpartum depression, body image and the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood. After the birth of her son, Hans, the actress revealed that she experienced postpartum depression and struggled with significant weight gain and a loss of self-worth. Sameera has since used her social media platform to promote body positivity, self-acceptance and conversations around womens mental health. She has also opened up about health challenges, ageing and the importance of accepting oneself at every stage of life.

Ranbir Kapoor calls Yash a cinema man at Ramayana event in Hyderabad: I became a massive fan

Ranbir Kapoor praised his Ramayana co-star Yash during the films pre-launch event in Hyderabad, recalling how he became a fan of the actor after watching KGF. Ranbir also spoke about Yashs understanding of different aspects of filmmaking, including writing, storytelling, acting, directing and production. Recalling his first impression of Yash, Ranbir said, The first time when I saw Yash, Rocking Star Yashs film was KGF. I saw KGF; I became a massive fan. Then I met him one day in Goa when Namit and I went there, while he was doing a recce for a film he was doing. And I realised that this man is just not a superstar, an actor; he is a cinema man. He is somebody who understands writing; he understands storytelling; he understands acting; he understands how to produce a film, how to direct a film, how to act in a film. Ranbir Kapoor recalls Yashs dedication to filmmaking Ranbir also spoke about Yashs approach to his work, saying he was impressed by the actors involvement in different aspects of filmmaking. He recalled that Yash was also working on his own production while being involved with Ramayana. I was really amazed because even while we were making Ramayana, he was also working in his own home production. And I could tell with the passion this man works, I havent seen that in many people, Ranbir said. The actor also expressed his appreciation for getting the opportunity to work with Yash on Ramayana. So I have so much of respect for you, Yash, and I am really glad that I got this opportunity to share the screen with you. Thank you so much, he added. Ranbir Kapoor and Yash to play Ram and Raavan Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Yash as Raavan. The film is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation, with the first instalment scheduled to release worldwide on November 5, 2026. The film is produced by Namit Malhotras Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yashs Monster Mind Creations. The second instalment is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2027. The Hyderabad event comes ahead of the films theatrical release, with advance bookings for Ramayana set to open across India on October 20. Also Read:SCOOP: Ramayana advance booking may get DELAYED due to revenue-sharing tussle; distributors demand 60% share in Week 1

Whoop Promo Codes: 20% Off This October 2026

Whether you're looking for a Whoop free trial, student discount, or military savings, our guide to Whoop promo codes will help you maximize your membership benefits. Stay on top of your fitness goals for less.

Akash Ambani charts Jios next phase of growth with satellites, 6G and AI

Akash Ambani outlined Jio Platforms' future focus on satellite communications, pre-6G patents, and AI integration. The company is developing an indigenous satellite communications stack aimed at expanding home broadband services. Ambani revealed Jio's patent strategy aligns with India's goal of 10% global 6G patents originating domestically. Jio's AI initiatives seek to innovate and improve traditional voice and data services for Indian consumers.

EXCLUSIVE: Shefali Shah recalls first turning to therapy; says, I wasn't equipped to handle it

Actor Shefali Shah has spoken about her experience with therapy, recalling how she first sought professional help after struggling to manage certain aspects of her life. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actor discussed her journey with mental health professionals, the importance of finding the right therapist and how therapy has helped her recognise emotional lows before they become overwhelming. Shefali, who recently made her debut as an author with The Audacity of Being: A Sort-of Memoir, published by Bloomsbury on October 1, 2026, has been discussing personal experiences as part of conversations around her book. During the interview, she explained that her decision to seek therapy did not stem from one major incident but from a growing realisation that she needed professional guidance. Shefali Shah recalls how she first sought professional help Shefali traced her first experience with a mental health professional to a visit to her children's school, where a psychiatrist had spoken about attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD and ADHD). At the time, Shefali believed her son might have the conditions and approached the psychiatrist with her concerns. Recalling the incident, she said, My children's school had a psychiatrist who came and spoke about ADD and ADHD. So I went to her one day saying, My son definitely has ADD, ADHD, everything. She asked me to bring him in, but after meeting him, she said he was fine. Then she asked me, What is your problem? Shefali said the exchange eventually became a joke between them. However, she later approached the psychiatrist again when she was struggling with sleep. I remember once going to her saying that I cannot sleep. I need something to sleep. She asked me how long it had been since I had slept, and I said around 22 hours. I had come from the gym and hadn't eaten anything, she recalled. The experience prompted Shefali to consider that she might need help managing her own concerns. I just thought that I wasn't equipped to handle it, she said, explaining that she gradually began seeing the psychiatrist. I have to go to a dermatologist Shefali said her decision to continue therapy was not necessarily linked to a single life-changing event. Instead, she came to understand that professional support could help her navigate difficult periods. I don't remember if anything happened which was earth-shattering. But things happen in your life and, at some point, I hope people realise that you need a third person who's a professional, who knows this better than me, she said. Comparing mental health support with seeking treatment for a physical condition, Shefali added, I can't keep putting a cream on an allergy rash. I have to go to a dermatologist. She also acknowledged that, initially, she would turn to therapy mainly when she was going through a crisis, such as a period when work was scarce and she was feeling depressed. After some years, however, she felt that her existing approach was no longer helping her in the same way. Shefali Shah on finding the right therapist Shefali eventually met Dr Vishal Sawant after someone introduced them. She said one of the things that stood out about their first interaction was that he did not rely on her previous assessments to define her experience. When I told him what I thought was happening and showed him my report, he said, I don't want to look at it. He never labelled me, which was fantastic, she said. According to Shefali, the therapist helped her understand that people experience emotional highs and lows differently, and that she might feel certain emotions more intensely than others. He said everybody goes through a low phase or a high phase. You might feel it more acutely than somebody else. That's how it started, and he's been a huge support, somebody who's made my life so much simpler, she said. Shefali added that therapy has gradually become less about seeking help only when something goes wrong. There are times when she meets her therapist simply because she feels the need to check in. She recalled one of his early goals for her: One of the first things he told me was that he wanted to reach a point where I didn't need him. Learning to recognise emotional lows Shefali said she has become more aware of her emotional state and can increasingly recognise when she is beginning to feel low. While she is unsure whether she has reached the point her therapist hoped for, she believes the process has helped her develop a better understanding of herself. Discussing the role of therapy amid the pressures of everyday life, she explained that a therapist does not necessarily tell someone what decisions to make. Instead, the process can help a person understand their situation and decide how to respond. This person is not the one who will tell you what to do. He will just tell you, This is what it is. Now you figure what you want to do. You have to choose your way, which is what you need anyway in life, she said. Shefali added that gaining perspective can sometimes mean stepping back emotionally and assessing a situation before deciding whether it deserves further attention. Her account highlights how her understanding of therapy has evolved over time, from seeking help during difficult phases to developing greater awareness of her emotional well-being. Through her experience, the actor has also underlined the value of professional support in navigating life's pressures. Also Read:EXCLUSIVE: Shefali Shah reveals Vipul Shah advised her against doing Waqt; says, He told me dont do it

WCG rink football: High five for Our Lady of Health

Lalith Bangera and Sheldon Fernandes scored a goal each for the victors while Dwayne DCosta pulled one back for St Josephs

Mbappe stars as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 in La Liga

Madrid, Oct 19: Kylian Mbappe scored a beautiful goal and converted a penalty kick to help Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 despite the absence of the suspended Vinicius Junior in the Spanish league on Sunday. Madrid moved to third place behind Atletico Madrid and leader Barcelona. Freiburg wasted a chance to regain first place in []

Juyal help UP take control against Goa in Ranji Trophy

GROUP A KANPUR, Oct 19: Captain Aryan Juyals unbeaten half-century helped Uttar Pradesh recover from an early collapse and reach 102 for four in their second innings against Goa on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match here on Monday. Juyal was batting on 60 off 113 balls at stumps, with Uttar []

Ladakh and Delhi Should Forge Strategic Solidarity

It is absolutely clear that the Centre will not give Ladakh what it has not given to Jammu and Kashmir after the two regions were separated from each other in August 2019. This separation followed the reorganization of the State, through which they had been tied together since the era of the Dogra rulers. The talks between the Ladakh leadership and the Centre have not reached a fair conclusion, and it does not seem that a mutually acceptable draft will be ready anytime soon. This reality stems from the way negotiations have shaped up in recent months. Attempts to untangle the contentious issues have proved futile so far. It is a given that negotiations of this naturewhere local aspirations are weighed against overall national security concerns and strategic objectivestake time. There is no scope for rushing through things when high national stakes are involved. The International Dimension Usually, Ladakh is viewed as a region cradled between borders with China and Pakistan, alongside the Pakistan-occupied territories of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that acceded to India in October 1947. However, it has other international dimensions that are rarely spoken of. The Pakistani invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947 and the subsequent war that lasted well into 1948 affected Ladakh just as much as Kashmir. Its international dimensions have surfaced time and again. There are at least two recorded facts in post-independence history that highlight this: The 1999 Kargil War: This conflict demonstrated how Pakistan, after declaring itself a nuclear power in May 1998, mounted intrusions into this side of the Line of Control (LoC). International powers were keenly interested in the outcome and counseled restraint. While the United States saw the flare-up in Kargil as a sign of Kashmir becoming a flashpoint for an Indo-Pak nuclear war, Ladakh at the time was part of the Kashmir Division within Jammu and Kashmirdespite being ethically, geographically, and topographically an altogether different entity. The 2020 Standoff: More recently, China gathered its troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in AprilMay 2020 and instigated the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. The impact of this is still felt today, even though attempts continue to relegate the episode to the margins of history. During the tense military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which lasted for over four and a half years, the United States and other Western nationswith their own strategic goals against Chinaoffered support and intervention, much like they did during the Kargil War. India spurned these offers, stating it was capable of handling the crisis on its own, and it ultimately did so. Ongoing Geopolitical Challenges This success, however, has not kept the region out of the international spotlight. The Galwan Valley clashes left lasting imprints on the mountains. Furthermore, any doubts about Chinese intentions following the renewed China-India bonhomie in October 2024 were cleared when Beijing declared that it does not recognize the so-called Union Territory of Ladakh and made several uncharitable remarks. India challenged the Chinese contention and replied in an appropriately suitable diplomatic language, but that does not change how China views this region and its positioning. The best answer to all these international and strategic concerns can be provided by the Centre alone. The Ladakh leadership knows well that only the Centre can handle a crisis of such magnitude, which also occasionally reflects on the internal situation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to draw a line regarding their demands. These calls for an understanding of real-time issues may be defined by mutual trust, but the fact remains that robust strategic solidarity is a national security necessity to meet the challenges strewn across the border. The changing global geopolitical order has created a whirlpool of challenges for India. These cover all regions, especially border areas sharing a hostile neighborhood. These shadows on strategic regions cannot be wished away, whether in the North-East, Kashmir, or Ladakh. Strategic solidarity must be unconditional. Lessons from Recent Unrest A fair assessment of the ongoing talks can be traced to what happened on September 24, 2025, when an unfortunate incident left four dead and several others wounded. It was only after violence hit the streets of Leh that the gravity of the situation was fully understood. There was a lesson in that: unfortunate incidents tend to occur when vested interests exploit the public gaps created by delaying the dialogue process. There should be a greater understanding of these issues, and they must be responded to with a sensitive narrative. If sensitivity and strategic necessity are fundamental requirements, then the peoples aspirations should be taken on board in a timely manner. The talks should move beyond the technicalities that Buddhists in Ladakh should simply be satisfied because they were given the UT status they had agitated for over decades. Indeed, it was a failure on the part of the Ladakhi leadership, particularly the Buddhists, that they did not clarify what specific powers they expected alongside UT status. They were simply interested in achieving UT status for two primary reasons: To showcase themselves as the ultimate paragons of Indian nationalism. To secure a secession from Kashmirwhich at the time was a hotbed of terrorismand present it as an act of nationalism. Conversely, Kargil and its population were viewed as a different people due to their strong ties with Kashmir, essentially owing to religious affinity, as both Kargil and Kashmir are overwhelmingly Muslim-majority areas. The Path Forward UT status was thought to be the best way to achieve these local objectives, and the Centre delivered exactly what it was asked for. The demands for statehood, the Sixth Schedule, and other constitutional safeguards for their land, culture, and traditions were only flagged after leadership realized that the administration within the UT setup did not match their expectations. They began weighing the pros and cons of whether they were better off with the state of J&K or under the current UT system. Now is the time to move on. The leadership should sit down together and draft a roadmap that upholds strategic solidarity. There should not be a selective approach. The path forward must be completely in sync with local aspirations and national security necessities.

CIVIC Foundation holds youth leadership roundtable in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 19: The Civic Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), in support of the Watson Institute and Western Union Foundation, hosted a regional co-design roundtable in Srinagar. The gathering brought together civil society members, academics, journalists, activists, artists, historians and youth from across Kashmir, including Bandipora, Kupwara and Srinagar, to shape a youth leadership initiative rooted in local solutions and sustainable economic models. The roundtable served as the official consultation for the upcoming CIVIC Youth Leadership Fellowship, a one-year initiative designed to equip young Kashmiris with participatory leadership skills, conflict mediation and practical tools to address urgent community challenges. Rather than relying on temporary grants or conventional tourism models, the fellowship emphasises building permanent, self-sustaining micro-enterprises and local economic capacity. Speaking at the event, Sajad Rasool, Director of CRDF and a Fellow at the Watson Institute, highlighted the crucial role of youth in driving local economic autonomy while safeguarding the regions natural and cultural heritage. Storytelling and documented grievances open long-overdue conversations, but storytelling alone cannot pay a young persons monthly bills, said Sajad Rasool. Young Kashmiris need permanent, community-rooted institutions. Through this fellowship, our goal is to empower youth to create dignified, self-sustaining livelihoods that protect our fragile environment, our waterbodies, forests and biomass, while reviving our rich language, oral histories and traditional crafts. During the three-hour interactive session, participants engaged in asset-mapping exercises that linked personal heritage and cultural memory directly to economic opportunities. Discussions highlighted systemic challenges, including environmental degradation, the loss of traditional architecture, biomass burning and language decline, alongside promising local assets.

Scorpio Daily Horoscope for October 20, 2026

You are likely to be in a more serious frame of mind. The practical issues of life are going to demand your attention today. But you are full of faith and optimism and are ready to take chances at the deepest emotional levels. Someone near to you will exhibit concerns regarding your aims and goals. Take the time to explain the situation to them. Read full Scorpio horoscope

Fully implementing methane plans could reverse emissions growth but miss 2030 target

A new study, led by IIASA researchers and coauthored by UNEP colleagues, finds that if governments fully implement their methane reduction plans, they could reduce global emissions by 11% between 2020 and 2030. This would reverse the current trend of increasing methane emissions, but would not be sufficient to achieve the goal of the Global Methane Pledge.

GSPCB report: Faecal coliform level remains high in Mandovi

HC seeks report on sources of pollution Panaji : The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in an interim report filed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa has said the faecal coliform bacteria level in the Mandovi river remains high. The report was filed as regards a PIL concerning pollution in Mala Lake []

Sawant hits back at Rahul, defends Goa

Panaji: A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led government in Goa of corruption, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday dismissed the political impact of Gandhis 10-minute walk in the state and called the Congress-led yatra a total failure. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Sawant questioned why Gandhi had []

Congress-GFP alliance talks likely to resume: Chodankar

Margao: President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Girish Chodankar welcomed the Goa Forward Partys (GFP) decision to revoke the suspension, paving the way for renewed discussions on an alliance. We were occupied with recent meetings, and the GFPs revocation of the suspension occurred only recently. Talks regarding a grand alliance are likely to []

Goa lose grip against UP

They bundled out for 164 in first-innings; hosts extend lead to 140 at stumps Panaji: Goa missed the opportunity to take a first-innings lead, folding for 164 before Uttar Pradesh reached 102 for four in their second innings on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite clash at Green Park Stadium on Monday. Resuming []

Bihar Chief Minister Aims to End Labor Migration by 2030

Bihars Chief Minister sets a goal to eliminate labor migration by 2030, promising job creation and better opportunities for youth. Bihar Chief Minister Aims to End Labor Migration by 2030

Zeeshan Ansari claims five-wicket haul as UP lead Goa

Bomb threat to Chennai-Goa IndiGo flight: Passengers deboarded, plane takes off after 5-hr delay

Video: Russian tourist rejects pani puri, tries bhel in Goa; her unexpected reaction gets people talking

Gurkeerats Last-Minute Header Secures Draw for Punjab FC Against Mumbai City FC

Punjab FC salvaged a point with a late goal from Gurkeerat Singh, ending their match against Mumbai City FC in a 1-1 draw. Gurkeerats Last-Minute Header Secures Draw for Punjab FC Against Mumbai City FC

Football: Athletic Bilbao striker Guruzeta suffers serious knee injury

Digital Desk | Madrid, Oct 19 (IANS) Athletic Bilbao forward Gorka Guruzeta is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in Saturday's 0-0 draw away to Valencia. The 30-year-old came on as a second-half substitute and had been on the pitch for just over a minute when he pulled up after appearing to catch his foot in the turf at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium. Athletic Bilbao coach Edin Terzic said at the post-match press conference that the injury doesn't look good, and the club has now confirmed the worst fears. Athletic Club forward Gorka Guruzeta has suffered a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, as confirmed by the club's medical staff, the club said on its website on Monday. The player will undergo surgery in the coming days and is expected to face an extended recovery period of six to nine months. Although Guruzeta had yet to score this season, he was Athletic's top scorer in the 2025-26 campaign, netting 10 goals in 35 La Liga appearances and a further five in seven Champions League matches. His injury leaves Inaki Williams and Maroan Sannadi as the main specialist strikers in the Basque side's first-team squad, with Sannadi having only returned to fitness this summer after missing a large part of last season with a knee problem. Guruzeta is the fourth Athletic player to suffer an ACL tear in the past year. Benat Prados and Unai Egiluz sustained the same injury last season, while Manex Lozano suffered an ACL tear in February when he was on loan at Racing Santander. Earlier, Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian addressed the groin problem that sidelined him for the first seven games of the season and cost him a place at last summer's World Cup. The 27-year-old returned to full training towards the end of September after months of rehabilitation for an adductor insertion injury that first troubled him in January. Rather than stop playing when the problem emerged, Vivian said he carried on to help his club during a difficult run of results.