Stopping Kvaratskhelia is key to Bayern's chances against PSG in Champions League semifinal
Kvaratskhelia has scored eight goals so far including another fine solo effort against Liverpool in the first leg of their quarterfinal. That's twice as many as teammate Ousmane Dembl, the current men's Ballon d'Or holder
Tivim, Dabolim set to become Goas model solar villages
Project to receive central financial assistance Shoma Patnaik Panaji: Tivim and Dabolim are set to become Goas model solar villages after the state government identified them as fully feasible for 247 solar power. The project is being implemented by Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), which assessed the electricity requirements of both the villages to determine []
Government orders urgent update of state land records
Move aimed at preventing disputes and unauthorised sale Roque Dias Margao: The Goa government has ordered urgent action to update records for all lawfully acquired state land to prevent disputes, unauthorised sales and administrative confusion. Under Secretary for Revenue Vrukshika P Kauthankar issued a circular on April 22 directing all departments and land officials to []
One-third of states EV stations not in use
Panaji: Goas push toward electric mobility is facing a reality check, with a significant gap emerging between the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed across the state and those actually functioning. According to Union Ministry of Heavy Industries data tabled in Parliament, oil marketing companies (OMCs) have set up 87 Electric Vehicle Public []
3 floating jetties under Rs 73 cr Sagarmala push for South Goa
Joao Sousa M Margao: South Goa is set to get three floating jetties as part of the governments proposal to upgrade existing coastal jetties with modern floating infrastructure under the Sagarmala programme to boost coastal tourism and nautical activities. Floating jetties have been proposed at Rassaim, Durbhat and Shiroda in South Goa. In the newly []
New casino vessel case: State govt opposes interim relief to petitioners
Panaji: In a matter related to the entry of a new vessel into the Mandovi River, Advocate General Devidas Pangam prayed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it should not grant any interim relief to the petitioners, stating that permissions were obtained in 2022 while the PIL had been filed only in []
Stopping Kvaratskhelia is key to Bayern''s chances against PSG in Champions League semifinal
Bayern Munich must find a way to stop Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He has scored eight goals in the Champions League. His performances have drawn comparisons to football legends. Kvaratskhelia's ability to cut inside and shoot is a key threat. He also contributes significantly to defense. This makes him a valuable asset for PSG.
Raia: Cuncolim Union and Youth Club of Manora played out a 1-1 draw in the GFA First Division League at Raia ground. Manoras struck first through Bibhas Sawria while Cuncolim equalised thorugh Lucky Sabita in stoppage time. In another match Vagator PYSC defeated South Goa United CSC 2-0 at DBO ground, Fatorda. Vagators Vinay and []
Oxford CC win U-17 cricket title
Sanquelim: Oxford CC defeated Banjara Cricket Club by 11 runs to win the All-Goa Under-17 Leather Ball Cricket Tournament at NAPEX Ground, Sanquelim. Afrid led from the front with an unbeaten 85 as Oxford posted 157/5, with Priyanshu Verma adding 38. Banjaras bowlers picked up a wicket each. In chase, Sai Naik struck 72 and []
Biha registration dept sets Rs10,000-crore target
Bihar's registration department has achieved a significant revenue milestone, exceeding its target for 2025-26 and setting an ambitious Rs 10,000 crore goal for 2026-27. The department is embracing technology, aiming for a completely paperless registration process with digital signatures and mobile app integration. This initiative promises increased transparency and convenience, even allowing senior citizens to register properties from home.
Archana's son Aryamann recalls being bullied, scored four goals against Pakistan
Archana Puran Singh's son, Aaryamann, revealed his challenging football journey, including playing for India against Pakistan and scoring four goals. He discussed childhood bullying, feeling like an outsider, and facing racism abroad. Despite parental support and intense training, a career-ending injury ultimately altered his aspirations.
Joby Aviation is demoing 10-minute air taxi flights from JFK to Manhattan for a week
Joby Aviation is kicking off 10 days of electric air taxi demo flights in New York City. Before you try to book one to bypass the city's awful traffic, Joby's aircrafts aren't taking customers yet. Instead, the company is trialing the air taxis in eal flight routes and real environments, as indicated in its press release . With the first point-to-point flight of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft completed, Joby said that one of its electric air taxis made it from John F. Kennedy International Airport to NYC's heliports in Lower Manhattan and Midtown in less than 10 minutes. Unlike helicopters, Joby's CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, said this quiet, zero operating emissions air taxi service will better serve New Yorkers. These demo flights are part of Joby's participation in the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program , the Federal Aviation Administration's program to fast-track the commercial rollout of air taxis. Joby said it's still in the final stages of securing FAA certification, but this latest campaign in NYC should propel its process forward, especially after having completed piloted demos in the San Francisco Bay Area in March. Joby was previously targeting to launch its air taxi service in 2025, but that goal has since been pushed back. The company's CEO said that Joby is planning to start passenger flights in New York, Texas and Florida as soon as the second half of 2026, according to Bloomberg . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/joby-aviation-is-demoing-10-minute-air-taxi-flights-from-jfk-to-manhattan-for-a-week-180247411.html?src=rss
This proverb says success is not easy. To achieve big goals, people must make hard choices and face some loss or problems. It explains that growth comes with struggle and effort. The idea is often used in daily life, work, and sports. It reminds us that nothing important can be achieved without giving up something along the way.
Valve Steam Controller review: A gamepad in search of a console
Dont mistake the Steam Controller for a PC controller. Even though its main function is to play PC games, Valves new gamepad communicates with Steam, and only Steam. This is not a general controller for your PC, Android or iOS devices, and its certainly not compatible with any console on the market today, unless you count the handheld Steam Deck. In order to play a game with the Steam Controller, you have to boot it up through Steam. (More on this later). Valves end goal for the Steam Controller is compatibility with the Steam Machine , a console that doesnt yet have a public release date or price point. The Steam Machine will support 4K gaming at 60 fps with FSR, itll come with 512GB or 2TB of SSD storage, and itll work with the Steam Frame VR headset, as will the Controller. The new Steam Machine was supposed to drop early this year, fulfilling a long-promised dream of PC gaming by moving your entire Steam library to the couch in a compact but powerful box. Due to the memory shortages plaguing the tech industry , the Machine and Frame aren't here yet, so the Steam Controller is the first step in Valves hardware takeover of living room territory. Its due to come out on May 4, priced at $99 . The Steam Controller represents roughly 13 years of R&D, from its first iteration announced in 2013 to the debut of the Steam Deck in 2022, and the refinement period clearly paid off. The Steam Controller is a tidy chonker of a gamepad with a broad, Duke-like face holding two square trackpads beneath the standard analog sticks and face buttons. Despite its extra girth, the Steam Controller feels light, slim and balanced, even in my smaller-than-average hands. The grips are slender and have four circular rear buttons, two per side, that are super satisfying to click even when they dont do anything in-game. The bumpers, triggers, D-pad and face buttons are shiny black plastic, and all of the controllers edges are rounded, allowing for a smooth glide between the bumpers and triggers especially. The trackpads dont get in the way when you dont need them, but in-use, theyre incredibly sensitive and kind of mesmerizing. They look and feel just like the trackpads on the Steam Deck, following the trails of your thumbs with miniature popping bubbles. The Steam Controller uses tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks, which are a leveled-up version of Hall effect sticks, offering ultimate precision and long-term stability with no chance of drift. After a few days of use across a range of game genres, including competitive first-person shooters, theyve proven to be reliable and accurate. In terms of stick precision and feel, I find the Steam Controller is comparable to the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro , my PC gamepad of choice. I otherwise much prefer the swappability, rubberized microswitches and crisp clickiness of Razers gamepad but the Wolverine also costs about $100 more and doesnt come with trackpad capabilities, so well call it a wash. Sam Rutherford for Engadget One of the neatest aspects of the Steam Controller is its charging and connection puck, which plugs into your PC or Steam Deck through a USB cable and enables stable wireless play. The puck snaps onto the belly of the controller for charging, and when you hover the gamepads connection point over it, it jumps up and latches on like a cute little sucker fish. I dont know if this behavior is an intentional selling point, but it certainly is for me. The Steam Controller also connects to devices via Bluetooth or with a cable, and in all configurations its performed without issue for me. Of course, Bluetooth mode has the highest latency, so thats mainly for phones and Steam Link play. The puck can support two Steam Controllers at once. Swapping between Puck and Bluetooth mode is a simple matter of holding the right bumper and A or B, respectively, when you turn the controller on. Pressing the power button with the Steam logo wakes up the gamepad, and pressing it twice when youre connected to a PC launches Steam in Big Picture mode. The Steam Controller feels like a natural extension of Valves storefront, and with its matte black finish and bubbled edges, itll be familiar to anyone whos fallen in love with a Steam Deck these past few years. I tested out the controller on my PC with Steam games and non-Steam games (added to my Steam library first, of course seriously, more on that later), and in my living room with my Steam Deck acting as a makeshift, low-powered Steam Machine. On PC I played The Seance of Blake Manor , Creature Kitchen and Overwatch , and on Steam Deck I played Blake Manor , Demonschool and Balatro . Whether connected with Bluetooth, the puck or USB, the Steam Controller provided seamless play and no noticeable latency. The distance from my couch to the puck nestled behind my Steam Deck is about eight feet, and I didnt feel a frame drop while cosplaying as a Steam Machine owner. I also never ran into battery issues, but thats not shocking considering Valves claim that the gamepad has more than 35 hours on a single charge. In my testing, the battery barely registered a drop after multiple hours of playtime, and I was happy to snap on the charging puck whenever I wanted to set the controller down. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Valve notes the battery life may be lower if playing with the Steam Frame. The Steam Controller has infrared LEDs for tracking, which will obviously drain the battery a little faster. Some VR games may have you waving your controller, as there are gyroscopic sensors in there as well. As the Steam Frame isnt out, I wasnt able to test some of the controllers more interesting features. Even against players using a keyboard and mouse in competitive Overwatch matches, I won games and earned awards, passing my personal ultimate test of a controllers capabilities. When it comes to Overwatch , Im mostly comparing the Steam Controller to Sonys DualSense, and it feels surprisingly similar. I enjoy the Steam Controllers smooth slide between the bumpers and triggers, though its haptic feedback is more subtle than the DualSenses, lacking in the analog sticks particularly. Much like with the Steam Deck, I havent found a consistent use case for the trackpads on the Steam Controller, but I appreciate their inclusion, the accessibility factor, and the fact that they arent otherwise intrusive. Now, just add a Playdate crank and Im really sold. The Steam Controller is a clear and unmistakable signal that Valve is joining the console wars, and perhaps by patient and diligent design, its appearing at a vulnerable time. Xbox is fumbling the current generation and attempting to redefine its place in the console market amid a significant leadership shakeup , while Sony and Nintendo are carrying on with standard hardware upgrade cycles in a landscape thats based less on platform exclusivity every day. Right now theres room for a robust PC-based storefront to stake its claim on couch gaming, and voila , heres Valve with the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Similarly to the way Valve used Half-Life 2 to get people to download Steam in 2004, the Steam Controller pushes players to fully consolidate their PC libraries in its own ecosystem. Youll have to add games with their own launchers like Overwatch , Valorant , Minecraft and Fortnite to your Steam library before you can play them using Valves controller. This is a small inconvenience, since it takes just a few clicks to add a non-Steam game to your profile. (Welcome to later). However, I dont enjoy doing it. As I was browsing through files to add Overwatch to my Steam library, I couldnt help thinking that it would have been pretty easy for Valve to add a switch that would let the Steam Controller communicate with any PC game. Maybe it's a touch of oppositional defiant disorder, but I despise being coerced into behaviors that are designed to serve a corporations market control over my own workflow, especially in my personal spaces. Now more than ever, I value my ability to choose which businesses I work with, where I store my software, how I play and the Steam launcher requirement is another small expansion of Valves incredible power in the PC games industry. Its too easy to say, most of my games are already on Steam, no big deal , and use the Controller as an excuse to consolidate them all on Valves launcher. Suddenly, Steam is where you begin and end every gaming session, rather than just most. Obviously and especially with the coming rollout of the Steam Machine, this is the reality that Valve wants: a rich industry utterly reliant on its platform of DRM , shitty revenue splits and random opaque censorship . Its the situation that Microsoft, Apple or Epic also want for themselves, but the main difference is that this future is actually in reach for Valve, and the Steam Controller is a tiny part of the plan. If willing and unforced support of a monopoly makes you bristle as well, feel free to stick with 8BitDo. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Truly though, I get it. The Steam Controller doesnt come with a PC switch because its not a PC controller. Its for controlling Steam, a service thats become synonymous with PC and handheld gaming, and is now creeping onto the living-room scene. The Steam Controller is designed to follow you everywhere Steam is, for all your gaming needs across every screen forever and always and there is something soothing about that idea in a Brave New World Soma kind of way. A PC controller? Thats far too limited, from Valves perspective. Encroaching corporate dystopia aside, the Steam Controller is a sturdy and sleek gamepad that stands up to the competition. Its for Valve diehards, trackpad fanatics and anyone whose main gaming hub is Steam. Which, to be clear, is a massive market thats only poised to grow. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/valve-steam-controller-review-a-gamepad-in-search-of-a-console-170054068.html?src=rss
Digital Public Infra initiatives may contribute 4 pc of GDP by 2030: NITI report
India's digital public infrastructure is already boosting the economy. A NITI Aayog report predicts this contribution could reach four percent of GDP by 2030. The report outlines a strategic roadmap for continued growth. This involves state-led initiatives and collaboration. The goal is to enable livelihoods and unlock new growth engines across the nation.
Zulu proverb of the day: A Zulu proverb, 'Ungexoshe mpalambili,' meaning 'You cannot chase two antelope at once,' offers timeless wisdom. It stresses the importance of singular focus in a world of constant distractions. This ancient insight guides individuals to prioritize and concentrate on one goal for better outcomes. The message promotes clarity, discipline, and meaningful progress over scattered efforts.
IPL 2026: The Challenge Lies In Mastering The Small Moments, Bridging Minor Gaps, Says Rana
The Axar Patel: Delhi Capitals batting all-rounder Nitish said the key to turning around his teams fortunes in the second half of IPL 2026 lies in mastering the finer details and bridging minor gaps, especially in the fielding department. The Axar Patel-led DC need a win to keep themselves in good stead in the race to playoffs after losing four of their last five games meant they are at seventh spot in the points table. In a tournament like this, every game is vital, and the intensity only ramps up during the grueling second half. While our recent losses might suggest a slump, were actually playing good cricket; the challenge lies in mastering the small moments and bridging minor gaps, particularly in our fielding, to convert tight situations into wins, Rana said in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. Rana, who hit a stroke-filled 91 while sharing a 220-run stand with KL Rahul while making a mammoth 264 against Punjab Kings on Saturday, added that consistency across all three departments remains non-negotiable to succeed in the T20 format. Success in the T20 format requires total consistency across all three departments - batting, bowling, and fielding - regardless of the opposition's reputation or external factors like boundary size. Our focus remains strictly on executing our own plans and controlling the variables within our reach to ensure the result swings back in our favor today. Rana, who hit a stroke-filled 91 while sharing a 220-run stand with KL Rahul while making a mammoth 264 against Punjab Kings on Saturday, added that consistency across all three departments remains non-negotiable to succeed in the T20 format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Even when the runs weren't flowing, I could feel that my footwork was solid and my timing was sharp. I knew I was just one click away from a big innings. Having found that rhythm in the last two matches, my goal now is to build on this momentum, make the tournament count, and contribute significantly to the teams success. Article Source: IANS
Kylian Mbappe A Doubt For El Clasico, Real Madrid Confirm Thigh Injury
Real Madrid initially indicated Kylian Mbappe had suffered a muscular overload, but further tests showed their top goalscorer was injured.
6 easy high protein breakfasts for busy days
Upgrade your morning routine with these six high-protein Indian breakfasts designed for the busy 2026 professional. Featuring traditional powerhouses like Sattu and Moong Dal alongside modern swaps like Tofu and Greek Yogurt, these meals ensure you stay energized, avoid the mid-morning slump, and keep your health goals on track.
Madgaon Express: Divyenndu confirms sequel is happening
Actor Divyenndu recently shared a big update on his 2024 film Madgoan Express, confirming that a sequel is on the cards. He added that Kunal Kemmu is currently working on the script
Kashmir gets first 25,000-litre community biogas plant in Ganderbal
Srinagar, April 27: The Rural Development Department (RDD) Kashmir has initiated the construction of a 25,000-litre capacity community biogas plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) in Pathribal Gund area of Ganderbal district, officials said. The project, with an estimated cost of 35 lakh, is part of a Union Territory-wide initiative that envisages the installation of one such plant in each district of Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said the plant under execution in Ganderbal is expected to be the first of its kind to become operational in the Kashmir Valley, marking a step toward decentralized renewable energy generation and structured rural waste management. The facility will operate on anaerobic digestion, using cattle dung sourced from the local community on a rotational basis. Through microbial decomposition in an oxygen-free environment, the process will generate methane-rich biogas and organic slurry. The biogas produced is intended to meet cooking fuel needs of around 10 households, while the slurry will be used as nutrient-rich manure for agricultural purposes. To address climatic challenges in the region, the digester is being equipped with a thermostatic control system to maintain optimal temperatures for microbial activity. In addition, IoT-based sensors are being integrated to monitor parameters such as gas pressure, temperature, pH levels, and feedstock input in real time. Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the project is designed to reduce dependence on conventional fuels such as LPG and firewood, while also providing a structured mechanism for disposal of cattle waste. The initiative is also expected to contribute to environmental goals by reducing methane emissions from unmanaged waste and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. A community participation model has been planned for the plants operation, with local households and dairy farmers contributing feedstock. A user-group committee will be formed to oversee operations, maintenance, and equitable distribution of biogas. Authorities said the project will serve as a demonstration model for similar installations across the Union Territory, highlighting the feasibility of community-scale biogas systems in high-altitude regions.
Raghu Rai didnt just photograph India, he invented a way of seeing it: Rohit Chawla
Goa-based image-maker Rohit Chawla remembers how Magnum photographer Raghu Rai had little patience for the banal or the derivative, and even less inclination to disguise that impatience
Joint Solar Moves into Next Growth Phase with Higher-Efficiency Solar Module Manufacturing in India
Joint Solar , a trusted name in the renewable energy segment has announced next phase of growth with higher efficiency solar modules manufacturing among its key focus areas. Backed by more than two decades in business, the company has established a 1.3 GW manufacturing base and executed over five lakh installations pan-India. Mr. Vinod Sharma, Managing Director, Joint Solar Founded by engineer duo Mr. Vinod Sharma and Mrs. Pratibha Sharma , Joint Solar began operations in the year 2000 when awareness around solar energy was still limited or almost negligible in most parts of the country. Joint Solar initially focused on products such as solar street lights, solar power plants, solar high mast systems and solar pumps, before expanding its operations in 2009 and widening its footprint across multiple regions. Over the years, the company has executed more than five lakh installations pan-India, with a strong presence across North India, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi-NCR, while also expanding into eastern markets such as Odisha, West Bengal, Nagaland and Mizoram. Joint Solar said it currently manufactures solar panels across poly, mono and TOPCon technologies, aligned with changing customer demand and evolving efficiency requirements. The company operates two plants, including a major manufacturing facility in Pilakhua near Hapur with 1.3 GW capacity, supporting its focus on large-scale production and advanced solar modules. The company has also set a target to produce more than 5,000 higher-efficiency modules daily, as it aligns manufacturing capabilities with rising demand in the sector. Speaking on the company’s journey, Mr. Vinod Sharma, Managing Director, Joint Solar , said, “When we started in 2000, awareness around solar energy was limited. Over the years, the market has changed significantly and customer expectations have evolved. We have grown with these changes by upgrading technologies, expanding manufacturing and staying focused on dependable products.” He added, “Our approach has been to combine experience with continuous improvement. We have an R&D division that works on technology upgrades and product development, and we remain committed to contributing to India’s renewable energy goals through quality manufacturing.” Joint Solar said customer demand is increasingly shifting towards advanced and higher-efficiency technologies, prompting manufacturers to stay aligned with product innovation. The company said its focus remains on upgrading product offerings and strengthening its position in line with changing market requirements. The company also said continuous technology upgradation and in-house research remain important areas of focus, with efforts directed at aligning product offerings with evolving market needs. Joint Solar said its recent industry recognition, including the Award for Excellence in Renewable Energy, has added encouragement to its focus on quality manufacturing and long-term growth. Commenting on wider solar adoption in India, Mr. Sharma said awareness remains a key challenge. “Lack of awareness continues to be one of the reasons solar has not expanded to its full potential. We have been making continuous efforts to spread awareness about renewable energy and help build confidence around solar solutions,” he said. The company said smaller cities and emerging markets continue to present opportunities, with dealer-led growth and stronger distribution remaining important focus areas. Joint Solar said its long-term priorities remain centered on advanced manufacturing, technology upgradation and supporting the broader clean energy transition through reliable solar solutions. For more information, please visit www.jointsolar.in .
A Legacy for the Future: DS Group Strengthens Portfolio-Wide Climate Action Strategy on Earth Day
Marking Earth Day, the Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a leading FMCG conglomerate and multi-business corporation, strengthened its portfolio-wide climate action strategy that embeds sustainability into core business decision-making across its diverse operations. Aligned with India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the DS Group’s roadmap focuses on decarbonization, resource efficiency and responsible growth. A comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for FY 2024–25, covering operations, energy use and the supply chain, is being developed in alignment with Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions to enable targeted, data-led interventions across the value chain at DS Group. DS Group HQ earned recognition with LEED Platinum (No.1 globally existing buildings) and LEED Zero Carbon from USGBC, setting a benchmark in sustainable, carbon-neutral operations This rigorous audit covers the full spectrum of emissions, including direct operations, purchased energy, and critical supply chain activities. By identifying the most significant emission drivers across its entire value chain, DS Group is moving from broad intent to focused, data-backed interventions. This scientific approach ensures that the DS Group can address its carbon footprint with precision, offering tangible relief to the environment while hardwiring climate considerations into its internal governance and future decision-making processes. Announcing this, on the Earth Day, Mr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group said, “ This multi-dimensional strategy prioritizes decarbonization and resource integrity as non-negotiable metrics. The DS Group is accelerating its transition toward renewable energy to decrease the carbon intensity of its products and services, while simultaneously advancing circular economy principles to manage water and materials with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, by engaging supply chain partners in sustainable sourcing, DS Group is mitigating the indirect environmental impacts that often go unaddressed. This commitment goes beyond mere compliance, actively shaping the DS Group’s identity and ensuring that every strategic decision is fueled by a clear, intentional drive to create meaningful impact. Every future expansion will now be screened through a climate-risk lens to ensure that growth remains aligned to India’s updated NDC Goals .” In the Indian industrial landscape, the proactive stance of DS Group serves as a vital blueprint for how private enterprises can catalyze the nation’s green transition. By voluntarily adopting high standards for carbon accounting, the DS Group proves that leadership driven by internal values creates a lasting ripple effect for the community. The progress is anchored in a robust governance framework, with zero regulatory non-compliance, stakeholder complaints, product recalls on account of quality issues, 100% pay parity and zero data breaches, besides focussed commitment towards renewable energy adoption. Going forward, DS Group will evaluate all investments through a climate-risk lens while advancing renewable energy adoption, circularity and responsible sourcing across its ecosystem. About DS Group The DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is a one of the leading FMCG conglomerates and a Multi-Business Corporation with a strong Indian and International presence. Founded in the year 1929, it is an inspiring and successful business story that blends a remarkable history and legacy with visionary growth. It has an extensive and diverse portfolio with presence in Food and Beverage, Confectionery, Mouth Freshener, Hospitality, Agri, Luxury Retail businesses, and other investments. Catch, Pulse, Pass Pass, Silver Pearls, Ksheer, Rajnigandha, Ovino, L’Opera, Le Marche, Birthright, LuvIt, Chingles, Golmol, Namah are some of the leading brands, the Group proudly shelters today. As a corporate, DS Group is guided by a clear set of values that are built on a strong foundation of collective good to give back to society and protect the planet. The DS Headquarters has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, under the USGBC (US Green Building Council) existing building O&M (Operation and Maintenance) program version 4.0. The DS Headquarters has also received LEED Zero Carbon Certification, by the USGBC. DS Group has aligned its financial performance with global ESG priorities with the launch of a pioneering Double Materiality Assessment across all businesses. Further demonstrating its environmental leadership, the DS Group has a water positivity index at 1.8 across its business units in 30 locations of India.
Chelsea steadies ship by beating Leeds to reach FA Cup final
The win follows the dismissal of coach Liam Rosenior after the team lost five league games in a row without scoring any goals
How Pre-Owned Car Loans Fit into Long-Term Personal Financial Planning
Many people see buying a pre-owned car as a quick fix for immediate needs or tight budgets. But how you finance this purchase can affect your finances for years. A pre-owned car loan does more than just fill a funding gap. With careful planning, it can become part of a bigger financial strategy that balances getting around, staying within your budget, and reaching future goals. Banks like IDFC First Bank offer financing options that help borrowers match car ownership with [] The post How Pre-Owned Car Loans Fit into Long-Term Personal Financial Planning appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
MF Tracker: Bank of India Small Cap Fund tops 5-year returns. Should you chase the winner?
Bank of India Small Cap Fund leads five-year returns with a 30.83% CAGR. The fund shows strong performance across various periods, driven by disciplined stock selection and focus on business fundamentals. Experts highlight sector exposure and India's growth themes. However, concerns about current valuations and sustainability of high returns exist. Investors should consider risk tolerance and long-term goals before investing.
Cyrus Poonawalla began Serum Institute of India in 1966 with a goal to make India self-reliant in healthcare. His vision was to provide affordable vaccines and save lives. The institute has since become a global leader, supplying vaccines to over 100 countries. It played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic. Poonawalla hopes his son Adar will continue this mission.
Patriot: Mammootty says film with Mohanlal is not pan-India film
Mammootty recently revealed that his upcoming film with Mohanlal, Patriot, is not a pan-India film. The actor added that the film is made for Malayalis, and that the primary goal was to cater to the people of Kerala
NC has abandoned Article 370 fight, betrayed mandate: Aga Ruhullah
Signalling a deepening political divergence over governance priorities rather than a fresh rupture, Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Sunday asserted that the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has effectively stopped striving for restoration of Article 370, describing it as an injustice with the peoples mandate. Addressing reporters after a public event, Mehdi framed his criticism as a reflection of public sentiment, saying the partys electoral commitment was anchored in restoring constitutional guarantees rather than pursuing limited administrative goals. The National Conference leaderships primary promise to the people was to pursue an institutional struggle for the restoration of Article 370 and constitutional protections, he said, adding that hey (NC) dislike me because I continue to remind them of those principles. He rejected the argument that statehood alone constituted the core public mandate. People did not vote merely for the restoration of statehood. Had that been the case, they might have supported the BJP, which had itself assured statehood in Parliament, he said, referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party. According to Mehdi, the party initially recalibrated its position by prioritising statehood as an achievable step, but has since retreated further. Now, in its second year, the government appears to have abandoned even the demand for statehood, he said.He also pointed to what he described as a pattern of policy retreat. For some time, they pursued the issue of business rules, but that effort has also been abandoned. After certain decisions and protocols were approved by New Delhi for select individuals, the leadership has chosen silence, he said. In effect, the government is no longer actively pursuing statehood, constitutional protections, or even business rules. This represents a betrayal of the peoples mandate. Mehdi said the growing public discontent mirrors his own position. There is visible resentment among the people. I reflect that sentiment while maintaining my differences, he said. Expanding his remarks to national developments, Mehdi criticised the defeated Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, linking it to a potential delimitation exercise tied to the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill. He clarified that the womens quota legislation remains in force but argued that the rejected proposal could have enabled structural distortions. What has been defeated is a so-called delimitation bill that would have led to gerrymandering, similar to what was done in Jammu and Kashmir. Constituency boundaries were altered along communal lines, he alleged. He warned that the proposed expansion of parliamentary seats could have shifted national power dynamics. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan would have seen a substantial increase in seatspotentially around 400 collectivelyallowing them to take decisions for the entire country, he said, adding that such a framework could marginalise southern states, West Bengal and several northeastern regions. Drawing a parallel with the 2019 developments surrounding Article 370, Mehdi questioned the democratic legitimacy of such processes. Was Article 370 removed with the concurrence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir? No. Similarly, this bill would have disenfranchised several regions, he said. Reiterating his central argument, Mehdi maintained that even a phased political approach is no longer visible. Even if we accept the argument of pursuing what is achievable first, this government does not seem to be fighting for even statehood now. This, to me, is an injustice with the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census, failed to pass in Parliament after falling short of the required two-thirds majority, with 298 votes in favour and 230 against, against the required 352.
I League 2 NEROCA FC go down 04 to United Sports Club
NEROCA FC went down 0 1 to hosts United Sports Club, Kolkata for the fourth loss in the I League 2 at Kalyani Stadium this evening in their fourth outing Coming off from a 5 3 away win at CSE Arena against Sporting Club Bengaluru, NEROCA FC failed to keep momentum intact and went down 0 1 The lone goal that settled the issue was scored by Sumay Shome in the 22nd minute Notably, NEROCA FC opened their campaign with a 1 1 draw against Delhi Football FC at home before going down 0 1 to Sporting Clube de Goa in the second home match They visited GMSC, Mumbai in the third match and went down by 1 2 goals before suffering a similar 1 2 loss to FC Bengaluru in the fourth and second away match at CSE Arena 1 NEROCA FC will host Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in the next match at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium The match starts at 3 pm Source The Sangai Express
LG Saxena visits Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi
Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Apr 26: With an aim to strengthening and promoting Ladakhi Pashmina and positioning it as a global brand, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, visited the Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi. Noting that Ladakh had immense potential to emerge as a global Pashmina hub, the Lt Governor emphasised the need to ensure better value realisation for local farmers and artisans. He stressed the importance of minimising wastage of raw wool and [] The post LG Saxena visits Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Gujarat Titans Hand Chennai Super Kings a Crushing Defeat in IPL 2026
Chennai, April 27: In a stunning display of skill, the Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 8 wickets in the 37th match of IPL 2026 on Sunday. Chasing a target of 159 runs set by CSK, the Titans achieved their goal with 20 balls to spare, losing only 2 wickets in ... Read more Gujarat Titans Hand Chennai Super Kings a Crushing Defeat in IPL 2026
Scorpio Daily Horoscope for April 27, 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
Gautam Khattar brought to state, remanded to 6-day police custody
Panaji: YouTuber Gautam Khattar, who made objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier at a function in Vasco, was brought to Goa on Sunday and remanded to six days police custody by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Vasco. He was flown into the Mopa airport and later taken to the Crime Branch office at Ribandar []
Old Goa protest seeks Godinhos resignation over SFX remarks row
Panaji: A candlelight protest was held in Old Goa on Sunday seeking the resignation of Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho over derogatory remarks made against St Francis Xavier at a function in Vasco where he was present. Protesters raised slogans of Resign, resign and said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should take responsibility and resign, alleging that []
Unlocking the wealth of Goas bank deposits
Goas abundant bank deposits should be channelised into investments within the state, writes Dr. Suresh Shanbhogue Goa is a high liquidity economy with strong household savings and inflows. The state has excellent bank network covering every nook and corner. Goa is a bank deposit surplus state with banks utilizing the same in other states due []
AI-powered platform set for rollout to boost mass health screening
AffEx, an innovation of the The Anjani Mashelkar Foundation (AMF), founded by eminent Goan and one of Indias leading scientist, Padma Vibhushan Dr Raghunath A Mashelkar, makes healthcare affordable to all. AffEx will soon be available in Goa. Team B&C writes on AffEx usefulness to society at large India has made notable progress in public []
LG Ladakh calls for integrated push to promote Ladakhi pashmina globally
Leh, Apr 26:Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena visited the Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi, reiterating the administrations vision to position Ladakh as a global hub for premium Pashmina wool and strengthen livelihoods linked to the sector. During the visit, Saxena emphasised the need to enhance value realisation for local farmers and artisans by improving processing, branding and market linkages. He stressed minimising wastage of raw wool and promoting value-added utilisation of by-products to boost income for farmers, artisans and self-help groups engaged in Pashmina-related activities. Officials informed the Lieutenant Governor that Ladakh produces some of the finest Pashmina wool globally, known for its softness and quality. The Upshi farm alone produces around 150 kg of raw Pashmina annually. Extracted through traditional combing methods, the wool is processed at a dehairing plant in Leh, yielding about 35 per cent fine Pashmina from raw fibre. The fibre diameter typically ranges between 13 to 15 microns, with baby goat fibre as fine as 12 microns. The farm, which also functions as a green zone with over 50,000 willow and poplar trees and around 2,000 quintals of alfalfa fodder, is one of three such facilities in Ladakh supporting Pashmina production. Highlighting its tourism potential, Saxena called for developing the farm into a visitor destination with guided tours to promote awareness about authentic Ladakhi Pashmina and counter misinformation. He also directed the creation of basic amenities, including a canteen, and integration of the farm into Ladakhs tourism circuit. The Lieutenant Governor assured full administrative support to promote Ladakhi Pashmina as a globally recognised brand. He also visited the Changluk Breeding Farm and the Intensive Fodder Development Farm at Stakna to review efforts aimed at strengthening livestock and fodder resources in the region.
Centre clears major small hydro push, J&K among key beneficiaries
New Delhi, April 26: The Union government has approved a Rs 2,584.60 crore Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme to strengthen Indias energy security and expand clean power generation, with a strong focus on hilly regions such as Jammu & Kashmir. Cleared by the Union Cabinet for the period 202627 to 203031, the scheme aims to add around 1,500 MW of small hydro capacity nationwide, improving electricity access in remote and difficult terrains while advancing the countrys transition to a sustainable energy mix. Officials said small hydro projectsdefined as installations of up to 25 MWprovide reliable, round-the-clock power, unlike intermittent sources such as solar and wind. The initiative seeks to promote decentralised energy generation by harnessing locally available water resources, reducing dependence on conventional fuels and long-distance transmission networks. Indias total small hydro potential is estimated at 21,133.61 MW across more than 7,000 sites, of which about 5,171 MW has been developed so far. A substantial share of the untapped potential lies in northern and northeastern states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, making them central to the schemes rollout. To improve project viability, particularly in challenging geographies, the scheme offers targeted financial incentives. Projects in northeastern states and international border districts will receive central assistance of up to Rs 3.6 crore per MW or 30 per cent of the project cost, subject to a ceiling of Rs 30 crore per project. For other regions, support will be up to Rs 2.4 crore per MW or 20 per cent of project cost, capped at Rs 20 crore. Additionally, Rs 30 crore has been earmarked for preparing Detailed Project Reports for at least 200 projects to ensure a steady development pipeline. The initiative is expected to attract investments of around Rs 15,000 crore and promote the use of indigenous equipment, supporting domestic manufacturing and the broader goal of self-reliance. During the construction phase, the scheme is projected to generate approximately 51 lakh person-days of employment, with further long-term opportunities in operation and maintenance, particularly in rural and remote areas. Officials emphasised that small hydro projects are environmentally sustainable due to their minimal land requirements, low ecological impact and long operational life. Many operate as run-of-the-river systems, generating electricity without the need for large dams. The government underscored the strategic importance of small hydro in ensuring grid stability and resilience as India expands its renewable energy capacity. With a significant portion of potential located in mountainous regions, the scheme is expected to benefit areas like Jammu & Kashmir by enhancing local energy access, reducing transmission losses and supporting regional development. The scheme forms part of broader efforts to diversify Indias renewable energy portfolio and accelerate progress towards a low-carbon, self-reliant energy future, while delivering socio-economic benefits to underserved regions.
Mohun Bagan and SC Delhi Battle to a 2-2 Draw in ISL Match
New Delhi, April 26: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 saw an exciting clash on Sunday as Mohun Bagan Sporting Club faced SC Delhi, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. T. Edison Singh and Hira Mandal each scored a goal, helping Mohun Bagan make a remarkable comeback to level the match. ... Read more Mohun Bagan and SC Delhi Battle to a 2-2 Draw in ISL Match
Tiger Shroff Sets New Fitness Goal: 60 Kilos Now Feels Light
Mumbai, April 26: Action star Tiger Shroff is not only known for his impressive physique but also serves as a fitness inspiration for many. In a recent social media post, Tiger shared that after reaching a new milestone in his fitness journey, he now feels that 60 kilos on either side feels lighter, leaving him ... Read more Tiger Shroff Sets New Fitness Goal: 60 Kilos Now Feels Light
African proverb of the day highlights the message A feeble effort will not fulfill the self. The proverb explains that personal fulfillment requires dedication and consistent action. It teaches that people must avoid doing the bare minimum and must commit fully to their goals. The teaching also connects personal effort to community benefit. The proverb remains relevant today because it explains human behavior, work, and purpose through simple and practical life lessons.
Goa Board Announces Class 10 Results with 94.51% Pass Rate
Panaji, April 26: The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has released the Class 10 examination results. This year, a total of 20,618 students appeared for the exam, with 19,486 students successfully passing. The overall pass percentage stands at 94.51%. The examinations were conducted over 20 days, from March 13 to April 9, ... Read more Goa Board Announces Class 10 Results with 94.51% Pass Rate
Right-Wing Speaker Held For Remarks On St Xavier Brought To Goa
Khattar found in Kullu district of Himachal after days of search in connection with the case registered against him earlier this week.
The Goa Board has announced the SSC Class 10 results 2026, with over 20,000 students evaluated after exams held in MarchApril. Declared in Porvorim, the results include detailed digital scorecards with subject-wise marks and status. Schools will access consolidated sheets from April 28, while students can download results online using login credentials.
If you already very own a particular cryptocurrency, you will need to make sure that its served
Some gambling enterprises render online game in direct Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, while others eplay Put differently, the goal is to like an online site you to definitely enjoys you captivated having new and you can fascinating gambling alternatives. Its always sweet to learn a platform can also be send small, of good use responses, [] The post If you already very own a particular cryptocurrency, you will need to make sure that its served appeared first on Caught At Point .
LUIS DIAS Ive written before how privileged I am to have been a Roman Catholic during the tenure of Pope Francis. He has thus far been the best I have experienced in my lifetime, surpassing even Pope John Paul II who I was fortunate to meet in Goa in 1986, as a member of St. []
Borda, as seen through a local chapel
Frederick Noronha Goa has books devoted to some of its villages. At times, there are more than one book focussing on a single villagelike Cuncolim and Saligo. Heres one, dealing with an even smaller area, on a nich topic, and quite in depth. In 160 pages, this book contains the story of a small chapel, []
Goa Board Class 10 Result 2026: Out Today At 5 PM, Direct Link Here
The board will announce the Class 10 results from its Manthan Conference Hall situated in Porvorim, Goa, today at 5 pm. Check direct link, official websites here.
Goa Board Class 10 Result 2026: How To Check Marksheet On DigiLocker
Goa Board Result 2026: Students will be able to download their scorecards from April 28 onwards, using their school login details.
5 books to read if you want to manifest your dreams
Here are five solid books that can genuinely help you move closer to your goals.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Madgaon (Goa). This scenic route, previously challenging due to Western Ghats gradients, will soon offer faster travel. The service, operated by South Western Railway, aims to boost tourism by linking three popular destinations.
Mikel Arteta In Red Card Rant After Arsenal Regain Top Spot In Premier League
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute.
Goas mobile planetarium promotes scientific thinking in students
The initiative, rolled out on April 15 by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, will be implemented across rural schools.
PM internship scheme widens net, includes final-year students
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has expanded the eligibility criteria of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS), allowing final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply for paid internships in leading companies across India. The move, announced during the pilot phase of the scheme, aims to provide early industry exposure to students and strengthen their employability before completion of formal education. The decision was taken in consultation with the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. Under the revised guidelines, final-year students aged between 18 and 25 years are now eligible to apply, subject to existing criteria. Applicants will be required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective institutions, confirming that participation in the internship will not affect their academic commitments. The NOC must be issued by authorised officials such as Heads of Department, Deans, Principals or Training and Placement Officers. The MCA said the changes are aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasises experiential learning, industry engagement and skill development as key components of higher education. Officials noted that enabling students to undertake structured internships during their academic programmes would help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations, while equipping them with essential workplace skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork. The Prime Minister Internship Scheme is a flagship initiative aimed at providing structured, paid internship opportunities to youth across the country. Interns under the scheme receive a minimum financial assistance of 9,000 per month. More than 300 companies have participated in the pilot phase, offering internships across multiple sectors. The third round of the pilot is currently underway, with companies continuing to post opportunities on the PMIS portal. Eligible candidates can apply through the official portal to explore internship opportunities aligned with their interests and career goals.
Ranveer Singh FIR case: Karnataka HC set to pass order
The Karnataka High Court on Saturday indicated it will pass an order after examining Bollywood actor Ranveer Singhs affidavit and objections raised over his apology in a case seeking quashing of an FIR. The FIR was lodged after Singh allegedly insulted Chavunda Daiva, a deity from Dakshina Kannada, during a Filmfare Awards event in Goa, []
Indian stars headline UTT Season 7 pool; Sathiyan, Manika among key retentions
The seventh edition of the franchise-based league will be held from July 9 to 26 at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa
Liverpool close on Champions League but may have seen last of Salah
British transfer record signing Alexander Isak scored his first goal since returning from a leg break as he smartly controlled Alexis Mac Allister's wayward effort on goal and swivelled on the ball to volley it past Dean Henderson
Goa continues to lag behind in setting up 5G infrastructure
NT Reporter Panaji Goa continues to lag significantly in 5G infrastructure deployment, even as user adoption shows steady growth, the latest data has revealed. As per the data from the Department of Telecommunications under the Union Ministry of Communication, Goa has just 1,089 5G base transceiver stations (BTSs) as of February 28, 2026, placing it []
Hate speech: Gautam Khattar to be brought to Goa today
NT Reporter Panaji A court in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday granted the Goa Police three days transit remand of Gautam Khattar, the main accused in the case of objectionable and inflammatory remarks made against St Francis Xavier. The police team along with the accused will reach Goa on Sunday. Khattar was detained by the Himachal []
Indias renowned urban planner Edgar Ribeiro passes away at 95
NT Reporter Panaji Edgar Ribeiro, former chief town planner of India and a distinguished Goan, passed away on Saturday at the age of 95, leaving behind a towering legacy in urban planning, sustainable development, and heritage conservation. He complained of uneasiness on Friday after which he was rushed to a private hospital where he expired []
S Goa authorities told to identify stray dog hotspots, submit reports
NT Reporter Margao Ramesh Gaonkar, Additional Collector-II for South Goa and Kushavati districts, on Friday said directives have been issued to local panchayats to identify stray dog hotspots, conduct inspections and implement effective waste management measures, with reports to be submitted to Deputy Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs). He was speaking after a meeting on []
Engaging with pyats & civic bodies on DRS, many eager to participate
NT Reporter Margao In a push to build awareness around the proposed deposit refund scheme (DRS), a dedicated stall at the ongoing Spirit of Goa festival in Colva is demonstrating how the system will work once implemented. The initiative, presented by Recykal, includes live demonstrations of vending machines and handheld devices designed to collect used []
Sonsoddo gasification plant not complete solution
NT Reporter Margao Roque Mascarenhas, petitioner before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, whose public interest litigation led to the removal of the legacy waste dump at Sonsoddo, has said the newly commissioned 10 tonnes per day (TPD) gasification plant at the site is not a complete solution to Margaos estimated 70 tonnes of []
Sunrisers Hyderabad Triumph Over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 Match
Jaipur, April 26: In a thrilling encounter of IPL 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 5 wickets on Saturday. Chasing a daunting target of 229 runs at Sawai Mansingh Cricket Stadium, SRH achieved their goal in just 18.3 overs, losing 5 wickets in the process. This victory marks SRHs fifth win of ... Read more Sunrisers Hyderabad Triumph Over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 Match
Quote of the day by Brendan Fraser shares a message about success and responsibility. The statement explains how goals change over time and how people value purpose more than fame. The quote connects with career growth, life lessons, and work ethics. The actors journey from early success to challenges and later recognition shows why the message matters for modern audiences who think about ambition, patience, and personal growth.
In a country where the civil services examination remains one of the most fiercely competitive pursuits, Haamid Bukhari's journey stands out not just for its success, but for the clarity of purpose that drove it. Born and raised in Malangam, Bandipora district, Bukhari set his sights on the IAS as early as Class 6, navigated his way through IUST Awantipora, BBA, and eventually the prestigious corridors of JNU, before cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination in his third attempt at the age of 24. As the newly appointed Registrar of Companies (ROC) in Jammu & Kashmir, he brings with him a sharp focus on corporate transparency, enforcement of the Companies Act, and dismantling the infrastructure of shell companies. In this candid conversation with Greater Kashmir's Mukeet Akmali , Bukhari traces his formative years, shares the lessons learned on the long road to success, and outlines his vision for a compliant and accountable corporate ecosystem in J&K. MA: Could you share a bit about your early life and upbringing? Haamid Bukhari: My father belongs to the district of Ganderbal, erstwhile Srinagar, and my mother is from Bandipora. I am born and brought up in my maternal family at Malangam Bandipora, where I completed my matriculation from a local village school, namely Ummar Public Secondary School. Since both of my parents were in Govt services working in Srinagar, i shifted to Srinagar and got my admission in DPS Srinagar for class 11th based on my excellent score in matriculation. I completed my 10+2 in the Science stream from DPS Srinagar in 2009 and scored excellent marks, around 89%. Thereafter, I always aspired to study diverse subjects and wanted to pursue a Bachelor's in Arts. However, the timing of the CBSE results in the month of May 2009 compelled me to get admission in IUST Awantipora, as the admission session started in the month of August, 2009. Though IUST did not provide any courses for BA, I instead chose BBA (Bachelor's in Management). MA: What factors influenced your academic journey in the initial years? Haamid Bukhari: Since class 6th, I was clear that there is no career path for me but the Civil Services. The IAS exam as it was known back then, and even now it is called so, was my Career goal. The eligibility to appear in the civil services exam is a graduation from any field. So I wanted to pursue a three-year degree, preferably BA, to become eligible to sit in the exam and crack it as one of the youngest candidates in the country at the age of 21. Also, had the idea of a myriad syllabus of the civil services exam requiring an interdisciplinary approach cutting across the subject matter content from both Humanities and Science, suited me well to opt for Science at +2 in DPS and later Management. However, I opted for Political Science and International Studies as my optional Subject for the Civil Services Exam in 2015. This made me to appear for the entrance to get admission in the Master's course in Politcal Science from JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia. I was among the toppers at both universities. I chose JNU and enrolled myself in the MA Course (Politics and International Studies) called MA PISM. MA: Were there any defining moments that shaped your ambitions? Haamid Bukhari: Not exactly. However, during the course studies in JNU, I got more inclined towards academics and Foreign Policy. I even opted for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as my top priority over other services. Though I couldnt get a rank sufficient to get me allocated to the Foreign Service. Got into the Indian Corporate Law Service. MA: Where did you complete your schooling and higher education? Haamid Bukhari: As already stated, I completed my 10th from Ummar Public Secondary School, Malangam, located in District Bandipora. I did my +2 from Delhi Public School, Srinagar. Thereafter, completed a BBA from IUST Awantipora. Enrolled myself in MA Politics in International Studies at JNU and during my Second year, I cleared UPSC All India Civil Services Examination in 2016. During my training and probation, I was also conferred a Post-Graduation Diploma in Business and Allied Laws by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU Bangalore). MA: Which subjects interested you the most and why? Haamid Bukhari: It was always Political Science and International Relations. The subject matter appeared fascinating, practical and easy to relate to the news and surroundings. Had inculcated a habit of keeping a track of current affairs, reading newspapers, watching Doordarshan, BBC, etc. MA: Were there any mentors or experiences that shaped your aspirations? Haamid Bukhari: Since my parents, in particular my dad, were working in the State Government and mostly got his postings in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Through him, I got an opportunity to meet extended family and friends. There were many IAS/IPS/KAS officers around, whom i knew personally and got opportunities to socialise. The experiences gave me a lot of exposure and somehow shaped my aspirations. With the Shah Faesal Sir, Rayees bhai clearing the civil services exam in 2010, my ambition of getting into civil service appeared closer. One person whom I call my mentor for Civil Services is Mr Shoaib Noor, JKAS Officer. MA: What inspired you to pursue the UPSC examination? Haamid Bukhari: Childhood dream, Bollywood movies depicting IPS officer characters, etc., were childhood inspirations. However, the real purpose of being in public service I realised years later while pursuing the preparations for Civils, is the impact you create with your work. MA: How did you approach your preparation strategy and routine? Haamid Bukhari: I joined Jamia Hamdard Residential Coaching Academy (JHRCA) to get an environment to customise my preparations and keep it specific to civil services. The routine was 6-8 hours of study per day in the in-house library of Jamia Hamdard University. Plus was privileged to find good companions during preparation like Bilal Mohiddudin Bhat IAS, Shahnawaz Bhat IFS, Shakeel Maqbool ICAS, Prof Shaveta Chandwani, Navjot Simmi IPS, etc. MA: What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? Haamid Bukhari: Couldnt clear the exam in my first two attempts, primarily for the reason that I couldnt complete the papers in MAINS exam. The challenge appeared to remain relevant with the exam-oriented content and to present it in the exam concisely. In the third attempt, wrote 4-5 test papers before writing the final examination. MA: How did you stay motivated during difficult phases of preparation? Haamid Bukhari: My parents used to say that you have burned all of your boats. I had perceived that i have nothing to fall back upon. This made me realise that clearing UPSC Civil Services Exam should be a do-or-die for me. This kept an ideological sword hanging over my head. I was fortunate to have cleared it in my third attempt at the age of 24. MA: What do you think was the turning point in your journey? Haamid Bukhari: The turning point was shifting to Jamia Hamdard, where i could get an opportunity and the environment that made me dedicated to having an exclusive focus on the exam. MA: What key lessons did you learn throughout this process? Haamid Bukhari: Thorough understanding of the subject matter with clear basics lay the foundational plinth, plus following your daily routine with strict discipline on a consistent basis, patience, and perseverance are the cardinal virtues. MA: Looking back, what would you do differently? Haamid Bukhari: If given a chance, would have studied mu Bachelors as well as Masters from JNU. JNU is an institute of excellence for Social Sciences. MA: How do you see your role in public service? Haamid Bukhari: Public Service to me means governance at the footsteps of citizens. It is like facilitation to create a fulfilling business environment. However at the same time, my public service mandate is to enforce the laws, regulate corporate sector and create an enabling environment to achieve the goal of a developed India. MA: Which areas of governance are you most passionate about? Haamid Bukhari: Economic Security architecture, Market Intelligence, Enforcement action for violation of laws, formalisation of more and more business structures and complete dismantling of the Ecosystem and Infrastructure of Shell companies. MA: What changes would you like to contribute to at the policy or ground level? Haamid Bukhari: To enforce Companies Act on the ground in both letter and spirit and all the 8000 companies in my jurisdiction should be complaint companies including the Government Companies. Wont hesitate taking actions any deviations and flouting of laws. ROC (Registrar of Companies) Functioning & Corporate Governance MA: Could you briefly explain the role and functioning of the Registrar of Companies (ROC)? Haamid Bukhari: ROCs have the mandate to function as Registry for all the corporate structures incorporated within its jurisdiction mainly companies and Limited liability partnerships. ROC acts as the Regulator for companies, right from the birth of the company to the death/winding up. There is a huge and elaborate Companies Act, 2013 that ROCs have to enforce within its jurisdiction. ROC has the power to conduct Investigations and Inspections, file prosecutions for deviant companies and violations. There are dedicated specialised courts in each state for dealing with the matters of Chargesheets filed by ROCs. ROC is empowered with Search and Seizure powers besides filing prosecutions in the courts. Also ROC functions as Adjudicating Officer for certain offences and can levy penalties as high as above 2 Crore. MA: How important is ROC in ensuring corporate transparency and compliance? Haamid Bukhari: Whatever companies do, they have to report everything to ROC electronically and get the documents registered with ROC. The examples are like Board meetings, filing of financial statements, Balance-sheets, CSR filings, taking of loans and its usage, deposits, disclosures of Related parties, significant beneficiary ownership etc. Inshort everything a company does, has to be reported to the ROC and in most of the matters, have to take approvals from the Regulator. To ensure compliance, ROC is empowered by the law to impose penalties. ROC can strike off companies permanently in certain cases. ROC can file prosecution in designated special courts against the companies. MA: What are the common challenges faced by businesses in dealing with ROC procedures? Haamid Bukhari: May be in J&K, there was not much awareness about ROC offices. In 2019, Ministry of Corporate Affairs made the Srinagar office effectively operational and the office started creating awareness programs, with a laser like focus. The business community was also made aware about the laws and enforcements that ROC does. ROC office struck off some 800-1000 companies. Srinagar office made an outreach with business community and made them aware about the mandatory compliances. ROC Office also imposed penalties worth Lakhs on some companies for violation of companies laws. MA: In your opinion, how can ROC processes be simplified for small businesses and startups? Haamid Bukhari: It is very simple. Registration of company is totally automatic process and one gets the company incorporated within 6-8 hours instantly through the establishment of Central Registration Centre. There are numerous exemptions for smaller businesses and startups and these exemptions are evolving in nature. MA: How effective has digitization been in improving ROC services? Haamid Bukhari: MCA21 is the first successful e-gov project in the Government of India, and i feel privileged that Ministry of Corporate Affairs and its field offices like ROCs are 100% digital. The digitisation mode is implemented in ROCs for more than 15 years now. MA: What reforms would you suggest to strengthen corporate governance through ROC systems? Haamid Bukhari: Let me begin the work first. Have joined the office this week only. Reforms would come while having the interaction with all the stakeholders, strengthening the feedback loop in the system. I am very clear on the aspect of enforcement, regulation as well as developmental role my office should play, in shaping the good corporate governance. Advice for Aspirants MA: What advice would you give to UPSC aspirants, especially those from smaller regions? Haamid Bukhari: Sky is the limit. If you really aspire to clear UPSC Civil Services, keep a track of developments around and inculcate a habit of reading newspapers. This exam requires a repository of knowledge, and one needs to be well-read and well-informed. There is plenty of free material available on the Internet. MA: How should aspirants balance consistency and mental well-being? Haamid Bukhari: By staying in close contact with the family and loved ones. This exam exhausts you mentally. It is very important to be emotionally charged positively. MA: What common mistakes should they avoid? Haamid Bukhari: Dont study too many books. Read the basic NCERT Books as prescribed. Read the single standard book for each of the subjects of General Studies. Be an expert in your optional Subject. Do keep a track of current affairs of the topics mentioned in the syllabus. Read the newspaper daily. Practice any one test series available in the market. Message to Youth MA: What message would you like to share with the youth of Kashmir and the country? Haamid Bukhari: Pursue your dreams in whatever field you aspire for. Dont be limited to Civil Services. Sky is the limit. MA: How can young people contribute meaningfully to nation-building? Haamid Bukhari: By innovative ideas. By implementing them institutionally.
Political battle with interesting overtones
There are many firsts to the credit of the current central dispensation, both in its governance and political formats. Mostly the firsts, for the purpose of claiming credit, are related to success and Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi leads from the front to claim credit and rightly too. What about the first of a different variety, a failure? The unfavourable outcome of the Constitution (131 st Amendment) Bill, 2026, related to the tricky issue of Womens Reservation in the legislatures but focused on equally contentious delimitation of constituencies, in Lok Sabha has sprung surprise across the board. The Congress-led opposition, which has been at the receiving end both inside and outside Parliament for the last over a decade, suddenly tasted a victory and a sweeter one. However, the bigger story is about the strategy of the ruling party (read government) and its subsequent failure-behind the episode beginning with convening of the special session and subsequent fiasco on the floor of the Lower House, causing consternation in the BJP camp. Although it is still to be seen how the Womens Reservation issue in its latest manifestation unfolds in the ongoing set of assembly elections, it has given rise to a vital question about the veracity of strategy behind the episode. And also, who had planned the entire issue. Even if the BJP wins, dislodging Ms Mamta Banerjee in West Bengal (the mother of all contests in this phase), one must come to know about the real intent and name of the strategist or group of strategists. Surely and true to his style Mr Modi will lead from the front in claiming credit for victory against her. However, the story will take a different twist if despite an all-out effort BJP fails to defeat Trinamool Congress. In such an eventuality in the now Modi versus Mamta contest that is dominating the poll narrative in the state, the possibility is either look for a scapegoat or simply gloss over the issue through maintaining golden silence which has been the part of BJPs strategy during the last decade or so. The former option is a possibility but the latter has no chance as the galvanized opposition particularly Ms Banerjee will directly target Mr Modi and is not going to rest whatever be the outcome of the assembly elections. The Congress and the BJP are ideologically diametrically opposite and are apart like north and south poles. The only commonality between the two brands is the mystery on who the strategists or advisors to their top leaders are. Who are the advisors of Mr Rahul Gandhi or the party strategists? Who is advising Mr Modi? These questions are often heard in Delhis political and power circles but without any clue or answer. This mystery is a shift from the past Indira Gandhi era to later Vajpayee regime. All through, particularly during the Prime Ministership of these two towering leaders the line-up of advisors and political strategists was well-defined and in the public domain. But not now. In case of Mr Gandhi, at times, serious doubts arise whether he has any advisors at all or the Congress has any strategy at all? There, though, is a small distinction on this issue between the two parties. Home Minister and former BJP president Mr Amit Shah is publically known as the chief strategist and enjoys the sobriquet of Chankya. The Congress does not have even such a thing. Clearly, outcome of the special session of Parliament has shifted the focus from opposition (read Congress- though the party found overwhelming mention In Prime Ministers special address to the nation, thereby giving rise to another controversy) to the BJP and more so on Mr Modi as he inimitably was the master of ceremonies. As an immediate follow up he lost no time in raking up the issue, of opposition ditching the women on Reservation issue, in his poll campaign and the women cadres lost no time in hitting the road. Whosoever was the strategist, the following questions will haunt him or her in the days come. 1. Why need for a special session of Parliament when the Budget Session was already on? 2. What was the logic of moving the Constitution Amendment Bill when the BJP-led alliance was way short of two-thirds majority, a prerequisite to get a Constitutional Amendment Bill passed? 3. Did the strategists take the Congress and other opposition parties far-granted assuming that they will fall in line on the gender-sensitive issue, particularly in the midst of elections, at the cost of ignoring the attached more contentious delimitation proposition? 4. Was any understanding arrived at with parties such as Trinamool Congress, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT) or Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) which misfired at the logical moment? 5. Was attaching the delimitation condition to the already passed Womens Reservation Bill in 2023, a miscalculation or a case of over-confidence? 6. Or was it a calculated move to further hold back the Womens Reservation issue in line with the thinking of many in the Sangh Parivar knowing well that the Bill could be defeated? 7. Why a knee jerk reaction in notifying the 2023 unanimously passed Womens Reservation Bill in the dead of night after defeat of the Constitutional Amendment Bill? 8. Why was the Bill held back from notification for nearly two years? Replying to these questions will be an acid-test for the ruling dispensation or its strategists as the divided opposition has been delivered an opportunity on platter to rejuvenate themselves. A win or loss in the five state assembly elections, in this backdrop, will definitely provide a handle to the Congress and its regional allies to set their future course ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections provided their leaders keep their inflated egos under check and resist allurements and threats from the central dispensation. The defeat of the Constitutional Amendment Bill is certainly a loss of face for the BJP-led alliance and particularly the Narendra Modi dispensation. This is also the first of its kind for them since 2014, ever since the Modi juggernaut went on the roll using variety of weapons in its armoury, to have lost a legislative battle. Whether it is a miscalculation or a case of over-confidence, both these factors were alien to the combo of Modi-Shah as all their missions were perfected to the last detail till the fall of this Constitutional Amendment Bill. It will be interesting to know the details of the plan and whether it was based on the premise to turn the defeat on the floor of Lok Sabha into victory. It became evident in the immediate protests by the BJPs leaders and women activists targeting Congress and other opposition parties. The fact remains Congress has been their prime target in this operation, indirectly giving credit to Mr Gandhi for this victory.
Jamshedpur FC Dominates Chennaiyin FC with a 4-1 Victory in ISL 2025-26
Chennai, April 25: In a thrilling encounter in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26, Jamshedpur FC triumphed over Chennaiyin FC with a decisive score of 4-1. Chennaiyins only goal came from S Prakasheshwaran, but the teams defense appeared notably weak throughout the match. Chennaiyin FC started strong, with Imran Khan and Irfan Yadav launching attacks ... Read more Jamshedpur FC Dominates Chennaiyin FC with a 4-1 Victory in ISL 2025-26
Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC End in Goalless Draw in ISL 2025-26
Bengaluru, April 25: In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, Bengaluru FC faced off against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26, resulting in a goalless draw. Both teams created numerous opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net. This match marked Bengaluru FCs final home game of the season. From ... Read more Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC End in Goalless Draw in ISL 2025-26
RSS volunteers' mission is to shape a person into better human being: Bhagwat
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke at an Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad event. He highlighted that RSS volunteers work to develop better human beings. Bhagwat mentioned that organizations affiliated with the RSS are driven by patriotism and the goal of India's rise. Yashwantrao Kelkar was cited as an inspiration.
Government Implements Comprehensive System for Underprivileged Groups: Dr. Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, April 25: The central government has established a comprehensive system to provide support and guidance from childhood for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other underprivileged groups. This statement was made by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, on Saturday. He emphasized that the governments goal is ... Read more Government Implements Comprehensive System for Underprivileged Groups: Dr. Jitendra Singh
'Books over drugs drive draws massive response from students, civil society in Shopian
Shopian, Apr 25: People stood in long queues, all carrying books, as they waited to donate them at designated locations in south Kashmirs Shopian district. Senior officials from the district administration received the books and registered them in the names of the donors. The donations ranged from academic texts and novels to books on current affairs, with residents contributing enthusiastically. We are very happy to see such a novel initiative launched by the administration, said Gulzar Ahmad, a book donor. The initiative has been launched by the district administration as part of the 100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan to promote book culture. Promote Books and Not Drugs is the theme of the programme, said an official. The drive saw participation from students, residents, and civil society members, with collection centers set up at Municipal Council Shopian and Zainapora and across key locations in the district. Officials said the response exceeded expectations, reflecting a growing public willingness to support initiatives aimed at promoting education and social awareness. The campaign also seeks to create community libraries and encourage reading habits among youth, particularly in areas vulnerable to substance abuse. The message is simple: share books, not drugs, said a senior official. Authorities said the collected books would be distributed to schools, libraries and community centres to ensure wider access. Over the past several years, the area has been grappling with drug addiction, with young people increasingly turning to even hard drugs such as heroin. Some have even lost their lives to prolonged drug use. District Magistrate Shopian Shishir Gupta told Greater Kashmir that the initiative aims to promote positive alternatives such as reading by engaging youth in constructive activities through a book donation drive. He said citizens are being encouraged to donate new or used books at designated centres, adding that the campaign seeks to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs while fostering a culture of knowledge and hope. Gupta said the response so far has been encouraging and urged people to contribute more books to make the initiative a success, with the broader goal of building a healthier, drug-free society.
, Hyderabad, will present at the 30th International AMI Montessori Congress 2026 — taking place May 1–4, 2026 at the Centro Internacional de Congresos, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The congress is the triennial global conference of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929. Blue Blocks Montessori School students and founder Pavan Goyal at ISRO Mission Control during the PSLV-C62launch of their student-built satellite, January 2026 Co-founders Pavan Goyal and Munira Hussain will lead an official breakout session at the congress on May 3rd — the same day that Dr. Adele Diamond (Canada Research Chair Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, University of British Columbia) delivers her keynote address. The congress also features Dr. Gabor Maté (Order of Canada, New York Times bestselling author of The Myth of Normal) as opening keynote and workshop leader, Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard (Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia; author of Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius), and AMI President Professor Alain Tschudin (UNESCO Gandhi-Montessori-Luthuli Chair on Education for Peace, Stellenbosch University). Blue Blocks Montessori School is the only school from India represented as speakers at this congress, one of only two Indian voices at a global gathering spanning speakers from over 15 countries. Official Breakout: Montessori and Innovation: A Design Thinking Workshop for a Changing World On May 3rd, 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00, Pavan Goyal and Munira Hussain will lead the session ‘ montessoricongress2026.org/program . The session is listed alongside breakout sessions by Junnifa Uzodike and Simone Davies (co-authors of The Montessori Baby and The Montessori Child, translated into over 30 languages). The session combines a presentation on how Montessori pedagogy builds innovative capacity across the developmental continuum with a hands-on Design Thinking workshop where educators and students practise together as active collaborators. Participants — both adults and young learners — work through empathy, ideation, and prototyping in real time. DOI: 10.5281/OSF.IO/ST9H2 ). “ The session demonstrates the Blue Blocks approach in real time ,” said Pavan Goyal . “ Children are not just capable of learning — they are capable of designing, constructing, creating, innovating, and inventing. Not someday. While still at school .” Blue Blocks Adolescents at the Congress Blue Blocks adolescents will also be present at the congress, sharing the story of SBB-1 — the CubeSat satellite payload designed and built entirely by school-age students at Blue Blocks — alongside presentations by adolescents from Montessori schools worldwide. SBB-1 received formal authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), Department of Space, Government of India, under reference PMA/IN-SPACe/AUTH/2026/115 — the first such authorization issued for a payload whose primary engineering authorship sat with school-age learners. The payload was integrated with ISRO’s PSLV-C62 launch vehicle. The launch experienced an anomaly during the ascent phase on January 12, 2026, and the payload was lost along with the rest of the manifested cargo, through no fault in the SBB-1 hardware, which had completed its full qualification campaign. Blue Blocks treated the loss not as a programme failure but as a documented research protocol. Three independent observation streams were active across the build and launch period: the engineering record, the learner-development record tracking how adolescents processed a public and irreversible loss, and the programme-level record. Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute holds the position — explicitly and on the record — that an educational programme whose outcomes are inadmissible to failure cannot be a serious vehicle for adolescent development. At the congress, Blue Blocks formally announces SBB-2 — the second-generation student-built satellite payload. SBB-2 will be designed by the next adolescent cohort, with SBB-1 alumni serving as mentors and reviewers. Three methodological improvements distinguish SBB-2: an external academic partner involved from the concept phase, a pre-registered observation protocol with an external co-investigator, and an independently auditable data pipeline for any on-orbit data received. The student presentation also highlights additional innovation outcomes: five patents filed by school-age children in drone design, dedicated to Dr. Maria Montessori on her 150th birthday, and ongoing work in biomimicry, space education, and autonomous vehicle systems — all designed and built by students within the AMI Erdkinder framework. “ These are not students presenting a school project ,” said Munira Hussain . “ They are the engineers who designed, prototyped, tested, and built a satellite payload that received formal authorization from the Government of India. They are presenting their own work, in their own words, to the world’s foremost Montessori community .” About Blue Blocks Montessori School Blue Blocks Montessori School, established in 2005 in Hyderabad (Gachibowli and Tellapur campuses), offers a Montessori continuum from birth to age 18 with the highest concentration of AMI-trained guides of any school in India. Founder Pavan Goyal holds AMI international diplomas at all four developmental levels (0–3, 3–6, 6–12, and 12–18) — the first person globally to hold this combination. Co-founder Munira Hussain is an AMI Auxiliary Trainer holding AMI diplomas for the 3–6 and 6–12 levels. Together, they have over 19 years of experience and have worked with more than 45,000 parents worldwide. Blue Blocks is listed on the Association Montessori Internationale website — the only school to receive a hyperlinked listing. Pavan Goyal serves as a Trustee of the Indian Montessori Foundation (IMF) and leads the AMI Bold Goal Movement’s research initiative. About Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute is India’s only K–12 institution functioning as an independent research publisher. The institute has published 30+ open-access research records on Zenodo, OSF, SSRN, and Harvard Dataverse, and maintains a longitudinal observational data panel spanning 19 years and 1,047 Indian children across the full AMI developmental continuum — the only data panel of its kind in India. The institute’s recent work includes the only empirical study globally documenting how Indian children in a non-conflict nation processed the Iran crisis of 2026, and prior international presentations at the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo (MONISC 2026) and TEDxHyderabad 2026. Pavan Goyal and Munira Hussain co-authored the book Lining the Nest.
Gen Z Is Well-Informed, Clear About Career Goals: ICAI Council Member At NDTV Yuva 2026
NDTV Yuva 2026: Responding to a question on whether the current system is failing to equip students for practical, job-oriented roles, Arpit Kabra said that today's youth are far more aware and decisive than often perceived.
Ankur Warikoo shares a practical approach to finding the right mentor, advising against relying on just one person. He suggests having multiple mentors for different areas, choosing someone closer to your stage in life, and finding mentors who challenge your thinking. He also explains simple ways to reach out, like sending cold emails and being clear about expectations, noting that many people are willing to help if approached thoughtfully.
Gautam Khattar, accused of making remarks against Goas patron saint, held in Himachal
A video of the right-wing speaker making objectionable statements against St. Xavier, whose Holy Relics are preserved at Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Old Goa, went viral, leading to an outrage
Goa govt to reclassify 1 crore sq metres of eco-sensitive land as no-development zones
The Town and Country Planning Board, which met earlier this week, has already notified 15 lakh sq metres in Chopdem, Arambol and Mandrem of North Goa as no-development areas
Goa SSC Class 10th result likely to be released tomorrow: Check steps to download scorecards here
Goa Board will announce the SSC Class 10 results on April 26 at 5 PM. Over 20,000 students appeared for the exams. Results will be available on the official website, UMANG app, and via SMS. Students can download provisional marksheets for immediate Class 11 admissions. Check official website, gbshse.in for details.
Krunal Pandya: Playing for India is My Sole Aim, Nothing Greater
Bengaluru, April 25: All-rounder Krunal Pandya, who is currently playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2026, stated that his primary goal has always been to represent India. He expressed that there is no greater feeling than wearing the Indian teams jersey. After a brief yet impactful innings in the final overs of the ... Read more Krunal Pandya: Playing for India is My Sole Aim, Nothing Greater
Middle East conflict looks increasingly like war nobody can win
London, Apr 25: Lets begin with a simple question that rarely gets a straight answer: what would victory over Iran actually look like? In Washington and Jerusalem, the answers tend to sound definitive: eliminate Irans nuclear capability, break its regional power, perhaps even force political change at the top. Its the language of decisive war, the kind with a clear endpoint. But shift the perspective to Tehran, and the definition changes completely. Victory, for Iran, is survival. That asymmetry shapes the entire conflict. In wars like this, the side that needs less to claim success often has the advantage and, right now, Iran needs far less. There is no denying the military imbalance. The US and Israel can strike with extraordinary precision and reach. They have demonstrated that repeatedly targeting infrastructure, leadership and strategic assets. But tactical success has yet to translate into political outcome. Irans state hasnt fractured. Its governing system remains intact, and its networks military, regional, ideological continue to function. Even its most sensitive capabilities, including nuclear expertise, remain resilient. The deeper miscalculation lies in assuming Tehran is playing the same game as Washington. It isnt. Iran is not trying to defeat the US or Israel outright. It is trying to outlast them, complicate their objectives and raise the cost of progress until it becomes unsustainable. This logic is visible in how the conflict has unfolded. The battlefield extends beyond direct confrontation into shipping lanes, energy markets and regional alliances. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are not incidental they are pressure points with global consequences. Irans strategy is not about dominance but entanglement. It doesnt need battlefield superiority if it can draw its adversaries into a conflict that is too costly to resolve and too complex to conclude. When wars stall, the instinct is to escalate: more bombing, strikes on energy infrastructure, even, in extremis, boots on the ground. The assumption is that more force will finally produce a different outcome. But Iran is not a passive target. It has already shown a willingness to retaliate across the region, including against Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, as well as targets in Jordan and Iraq. Strikes on Irans energy systems would not stay contained they would invite retaliation against these same states, widening the conflict. There is another constraint: American is estimated to have already used up around 45 per cent to 50 per cent of key missile stockpiles, including roughly 30 per cent of its Tomahawk missile inventory. So the stark reality is that escalation is no longer just about willingness, but capacity and in any wider war, the question may not be how far the US can go, but how much it has left. The consequences would also extend beyond the battlefield. Irans response would be sustained attacks on neighbouring countries, on their power, fuel, and water systems, rendering parts of the region increasingly unlivable as temperatures soar over summer. Huge numbers of people would be forced to leave, risking another large-scale displacement crisis. Even then, the core reality remains unchanged. Iran is built for endurance any ground campaign would likely become prolonged and attritional. More importantly, escalation misses the point the problem is not a lack of force, but the absence of a political objective that force can realistically achieve. Compounding the problem is a quieter but equally significant reality; the US and Israel do not appear to be fully aligned in their end goals. Israels posture suggests a pursuit of maximal outcomes deep, possibly irreversible weakening of Irans system, if not outright regime collapse. The US, by contrast, appears to oscillate between coercion, containment and negotiation. These are not just differences in emphasis they are differences in strategy. Wars fought without a shared definition of victory rarely produce victory at all. What they produce instead is sustained military activity without strategic convergence constant movement, but little progress toward resolution. No conclusion in sight At some point, it becomes necessary to describe things as they are. This is no longer a war moving toward a decisive conclusion. It is a conflict settling into a pattern strikes followed by pauses, ceasefires that hold just long enough to prevent collapse, and negotiations that advance just enough to avoid failure. And those ceasefires tell their own story. Their repeated extension reflects not progress, but constraint. Washington, under Donald Trump, has strong incentives to keep talks alive, avoid deeper escalation, and end the war sooner rather than later. The alternatives regional war or global economic shock are far harder to manage. That dynamic gives Tehran leverage. It does not need to concede quickly when delay itself strengthens its position. Time, in this sense, is not neutral. The longer the conflict drags on, the more it intersects with the most sensitive pressure points of the global economy. Energy markets are stressed, with supply routes under strain and reserves tightening. Industries that depend on stable fuel flows aviation, shipping, manufacturing are increasingly exposed. What began as a regional conflict has morphed into systemic risk. Even limited disruption can ripple outward, affecting prices, supply chains and political stability. The longer the stalemate persists, the greater the cumulative strain and the closer it edges toward a broader economic shock. Who really holds the advantage? In purely military terms, the answer is obvious: the US and Israel retain overwhelming superiority. But wars are not decided by capability alone. They are decided by how goals, costs, and time interact. In that equation, Irans position is stronger than it appears. It has set a lower threshold for success, demonstrated a higher tolerance for prolonged pressure, and shown an ability to impose costs beyond the battlefield. Most importantly, it does not need to win. It only needs to prevent its adversaries from achieving their aims. So far, it has done exactly that. Which brings us back to the original question: can the US and Israel win this war? If winning means forcing Iran into submission or fundamentally reshaping its strategic posture, the answer is increasingly difficult to avoid they cannot. What they can do is continue. Manage the conflict, contain its spread and shape its margins. But that is not victory. It is endurance. The real danger is not defeat, but the persistence of a belief that just a little more pressure, a little more escalation, or a little more time will produce a different result. If that belief is wrong, then this is not a war on the verge of being won. It is a war that cannot be won at all. A forever war. (The Conversation) SKS
South Korea-India Summit Strengthens Economic Ties with $50 Billion Trade Goal by 2030
Seoul, April 25: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has returned home after a two-nation visit to India and Vietnam. His trip focused on expanding strategic cooperation in energy and supply chains to address uncertainties arising from conflicts in the Middle East. According to the Yonhap News Agency, President Lee concluded his six-day journey with a ... Read more South Korea-India Summit Strengthens Economic Ties with $50 Billion Trade Goal by 2030
Krunal Pandya on India Dream, Pressure Handling After Match-Winning RCB Cameo
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya reflected on his ultimate goal, stating that his aim has always been to play for India and stated that theres no better feeling than donning the national jersey. He also spoke about handling pressure situations and the importance of experience after playing a decisive cameo in his teams five-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans in their recently concluded IPL 2026 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing a stiff target of 206, RCB rode on a commanding 81 from Virat Kohli and a blistering 55 by Devdutt Padikkal to stay on course. However, a mini-collapse in the latter stages left the side needing composure in the death overs before Krunal stepped up with an unbeaten 23 off 12 balls to seal the chase on Friday. Walking in at a tense juncture, Krunal admitted the pressure was palpable, especially given his limited time in the middle this season. There was pressure. Obviously, this was the 7th or 8th match, and before this game, I had played only two innings with the bat. Sometimes, when theres no continuity, you can suddenly get into a pressure situation, Krunal told JioHotstar. He added that his versatility and experience across batting positions helped him stay composed. But Ive been doing this role for a long time, from No. 3 to No. 8. So, whatever experience I have, I try to use it, and I try to be as calm and present as possible in that situation, he said. Krunals counterattack came at a crucial moment when RCB needed quick runs to regain control of the chase. In the 18th over, he took on left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, smashing boundaries and a six to shift momentum decisively in RCB's favour. Speaking about his aspirations beyond the IPL, Krunal reiterated his desire to return to international cricket. Theres nothing bigger than playing in the blue jersey once again. My goal has always been to play for India. But again, what do I have in my control? Consistent performances and how I win games for my team, thats what I try to focus on, he expressed. Krunal emphasised the role of handling pressure and personal growth in shaping his approach, saying, Ive always enjoyed pressure situations. Ive learned a lot from my life in cricket, because you only have one brain and you use the same brain in life and in sports. So, Ive always focused on how I can get better as a person, and that is the reason Im able to play cricket this way. Krunal also spoke about evolving as a bowler in the fast-changing T20 landscape, where batters are constantly innovating. Every year, batting is evolving at such a pace that you genuinely feel, while standing on your mark, 'Where will you bowl?' Because you feel like the batter can hit you anywhere. Krunal emphasised the role of handling pressure and personal growth in shaping his approach, saying, Ive always enjoyed pressure situations. Ive learned a lot from my life in cricket, because you only have one brain and you use the same brain in life and in sports. So, Ive always focused on how I can get better as a person, and that is the reason Im able to play cricket this way. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Krunal further acknowledged the backing of RCBs spin-bowling coach Malolan Rangarajan in helping him develop his craft. I felt that last year was very good for me, so coming into this season, I was thinking about what else I can add to my bowling. A lot of credit goes to our spin-bowling coach, Malolan, who has left me free. He has backed me a lot and gave me confidence. So, that also makes a difference, he mentioned. Article Source: IANS
AAP MPs switch to BJP, Nitin Nabin welcomes leaders in Delhi
Taking it to X, Nabin on Friday extended warm wishes to all seven Members of the Parliament, encouraging them to work towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Nottingham Forest Dominates Sunderland with a 5-0 Victory
Sunderland, April 25: Nottingham Forest delivered an impressive performance, defeating Sunderland 5-0 at the Stadium of Light. This significant victory allows Forest to distance themselves eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, while Sunderlands hopes for European qualification took a hit. From the outset, Forest adopted an aggressive approach. The first goal came ... Read more Nottingham Forest Dominates Sunderland with a 5-0 Victory
NASA Sets Ambitious Goals for Moon Missions by 2028
Washington, April 25: The American space agency NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has outlined three major objectives for its upcoming space strategy. These include sending humans back to the Moon by 2028, establishing a permanent base there, and expanding commercial activities in low Earth orbit. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that this strategy aligns ... Read more NASA Sets Ambitious Goals for Moon Missions by 2028
Cames through different perspectives
NT BUZZ On the occasion of the anniversary of the April 25, 1974 Portuguese Revolution, also known as the Carnation Revolution, the Consulate-General of Portugal in Goa and the CLP-Cames in Panaji is hosting the exhibition Lus de Cames: The Future of the Past, at its premises. Produced by Cames Institute for Cooperation []
Goas U-17 boys and girls excel on Day 1
NT Reporter Panaji Hosts Goa made a strong start to the 69th National School Games Beach Volleyball Championship, with both their U-17 boys and girls teams remaining unbeaten on the opening day at Miramar Beach. In the boys category, Goa registered two convincing straight-set victories. They began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Puducherry []
NT Reporter Dona Paula Goa Yachting Associations Urvi Shirodkar and Siddhant Guttikunda, along with Rahul Choudhary of INWTC Goa, led the home dominance at Sail Goa 2026, clinching gold in their respective categories. Urvi Shirodkar dominated the Raceboard Youth Womens division, while Siddhant Guttikunda topped the Raceboard Youth Mens event, underlining GYAs strength in the []
