Sticks and goals: On India at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
India might see its best finish in 50 years in hockey World Cup
The 55-year-old, who was Zidane's teammate when France won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, will be responsible for the national team's goalkeepers.
Quote of the day by Ashanti: Singer Ashanti emphasizes always seeking new opportunities beyond current achievements. Her career includes hit songs like Foolish and successful acting roles. Ashanti's debut album achieved triple platinum status in the United States. She cites Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston as key musical influences.
Financial freedom isnt defined by a fixed 5 crore or 10 crore corpus. Inflation, debt, dependents, healthcare costs and retirement goals can significantly change the amount you need. Heres why your personal freedom number may be very different from what you expect.
Bodoland FC Dominates Karbi Anglong with a 6-0 Victory in Durand Cup
Guwahati, August 13: In a stunning display at the 135th Durand Cup, Bodoland FC crushed Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 6-0 in their final Group F match on Thursday. Local player and former international footballer Halicharan Narzary shone brightly, scoring four goals and assisting on two others. Despite this impressive victory, Bodoland FC failed to ... Read more Bodoland FC Dominates Karbi Anglong with a 6-0 Victory in Durand Cup
Quote of the day by Sofa Vergara: Sofa Vergaras quote, Never take no personally. Sometimes people tell you no for a reason that has nothing to do with you. You must keep going, offer a timeless lesson about resilience, confidence and emotional strength. It is a lesson in self-belief. The Colombian-American actress knows what it means to keep moving forward. Her remarkable journey proves that one rejection should never stop you from chasing your goals, dreams, and success.
Quote of the Day by Cher: Chers quote, If you really want something you can figure out how to make it happen, explores the importance of determination, ambition, and persistence in achieving personal goals. The quote suggests that when a person genuinely wants something, they can look for solutions, overcome obstacles, and find ways to turn their dreams into reality rather than allowing difficulties or setbacks to stop them.
Quote of the day by Halle Berry reminds us that achievement begins long before the visible signs of success appear. It begins with an honest understanding of what we are trying to accomplish. Hard work matters, persistence matters and opportunity matters, but all of those qualities become more effective when they are directed toward a clearly understood purpose. The goal does not have to remain unchanged forever.
Meenakshi Lekhi Appointed Chairperson Of Divyang Cricket Control Board Of India
The Divyang Cricket Control Board: Former Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi has taken on a new responsibility as the Chairperson of the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India (DCCBI), the organisation working for and promoting the Indian Divyang Cricket Team and Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team. The announcement of her appointment was made during the grand Divyang Cricket Award Ceremony held in Agra. Addressing the gathering of Divyang cricket players, officials and organisers, Meenakshi Lekhi, a former Member of Parliament, senior social worker, and renowned Supreme Court advocate, said she would discharge this responsibility with complete dedication, sincerity and commitment and would work towards taking Divyang cricket to greater heights at both the national and international levels. Speaking to the players, sge said, 'We should draw inspiration from the life of Lord Shri Ram, who, despite being a prince, followed the wishes of his parents and accepted exile. She emphasised that ones karma is the most important aspect of life and said, Keep performing your duties with honesty and dedication; the path will continue to open before you. She further said the hard work, determination and talent of Divyang athletes are a matter of pride for the nation. Providing Divyang players with not only opportunities on the sporting field but also dignity, recognition and a better future is a collective responsibility. Welcoming Meenakshi Lekhi to her new role, Mukesh Kanchan, President, Divyang Cricket Control Board of India, said, The Divyang Cricket Control Board of India has found a mother in you. The Board was in great need of a mother who could guide her children, teach them to move forward, encourage them to work hard, and inspire them to achieve their goals. We are confident that under your guidance, Divyang cricket will reach new heights. Dr. Bhagwan Talware, President of the Wheelchair Unit, expressed his gratitude for Lekhi joining the Board as Chairperson. He said that her vast experience, leadership abilities, and commitment to social causes would provide new direction and strength to Divyang cricket in India. The Divyang Cricket Control Board of India is working continuously to promote Divyang cricket across the country and expand international cricket opportunities for players. As part of its upcoming international initiatives, the Board is moving forward with plans to organise a Tri-Nation Divyang Cricket Series in Mumbai featuring India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The proposed series will provide players from all three countries an important international platform to showcase their talent, compete at a higher level and strengthen the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship through cricket. The Divyang Cricket Control Board of India is working continuously to promote Divyang cricket across the country and expand international cricket opportunities for players. As part of its upcoming international initiatives, the Board is moving forward with plans to organise a Tri-Nation Divyang Cricket Series in Mumbai featuring India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Divyang Cricket Control Board of India remains committed to providing Divyang athletes with respect, opportunities, professional platforms, and pathways to national and international excellence through cricket. Article Source: IANS
135th Durand Cup: Bodoland FC reach knockouts despite huge win over Karbi Anglong Morning Star
Guwahati, Aug 13 (IANS) Local boy and former India international Halicharan Narzary produced a stunning individual performance for Bodoland FC, scoring four goals and providing two assists as they cruised to a 6-0 victory over local rivals Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in their final Group F fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the []
Quote of the day by Mila Kunis encourages a life built around curiosity, courage and intentional choices. Nobody can eliminate every future regret, and no person can guarantee that every decision will lead to success. What people can do is pay attention to what matters, pursue opportunities that genuinely inspire them and refuse to let fear make every important decision.
Gurkeerat Singh Mann: Punjab Kings spinner Harpreet Brar has opened up about the winding road that eventually led him to the IPL, recalling how he once had to choose between pursuing cricket and joining the Punjab Police, while seven years of repeated selection setbacks tested his patience. Brar, who ultimately broke through after moving to Mohali and impressing in the domestic circuit, says the journey has strengthened his belief that opportunities arrive when their time comes. Brar was 21 and still in college in 2018 when his father, who was in the police force, encouraged him to consider following a similar career path. Instead, the youngster asked for one more year to pursue cricket. Definitely, I think of it many a time. In 2018, when I was in college, my father, who was in the police force, told me that his friends sons were in the police and that I should try too. After a lot of thinking, I told my father that I wanted to play cricket for a year, Brar told IANS in an exclusive interaction. That decision altered the course of his life. Brar got an opportunity at the district level, progressed to the state setup, and eventually established himself as a professional cricketer. At that time, I was 21 years old. I got a chance to play for the district. I did well in the district. Then I did well at the state level. That's how I got selected. I say that this is the turning point of my life, he said. Brar acknowledges that the alternative path could also have brought happiness, but believes the decision to continue with cricket remains the defining choice of his life. If I had been in the police force today, obviously, I would have liked that life, and its not like this life isnt good because I hadnt experienced a cricketers life either. But this was the turning point of my life, he added. The decision to pursue cricket did not immediately lead to success. Brar spent seven years playing association cricket and repeatedly appearing in selection matches without making the cut. Over time, however, repeated rejection began to affect him differently. When someone is rejected constantly, he loses the fear of rejection. The fear of rejection wont disturb him when hes rejected; hell be disturbed when hes selected because itll be a new feeling, a new experience, he mentioned. Brar said that while the initial rejections hurt, they eventually became part of the routine. What kept him going was not simply the hope of selection, but the enjoyment he found in playing the game. When I played for the association for 7 years, I used to play selection matches, but I wasn't selected. At first, it felt different, but then it became common. I wasn't selected every year. But I used to enjoy playing cricket. I had an interest, and it was fun to perform. It's not that I didn't perform in those 7 years. I did perform, but the circumstances were different, Brar recalled. A major breakthrough came when Brar encountered former India and IPL cricketer Gurkeerat Singh Mann during a tournament. Mann's suggestion that Brar try for Mohali would prove decisive. The district I used to play in was minor. The performance there didn't count. Then I met Gurkeerat Singh Mann paaji in a tournament. He saw my game and asked me where I lived. I told him that I lived in Mohali. Then he told me to try for Mohali, Brar said. Brar regards that move as another turning point in a career that has been shaped by a series of seemingly small but significant decisions. The turning point in my career was coming to Mohali because of Mann paaji. He has played for India and also in the IPL for 10-11 years. So that was a turning point. As I said, sometimes you get what is written in your fate, he opined. Brar's connection with cricket goes back much further. As an 11-year-old, he happened to see a flyer for a cricket academy in the market, an encounter that eventually set him on the path towards the professional game. He no longer has the physical flyer, but the idea of tracing an alternate life does not appeal to him. I dont have that flyer; I was too young, just 11 years old. I did not have a phone back then either. And its not like I can comment on what I would have done had I not been a cricketer. Instead, Brar places his journey in the context of destiny and timing. I dont believe in that. I believe that what is written in a person's destiny will definitely reach him. Yes, sometimes it can take some time. But if one is destined to reach there, he will sometime or the other. Behind that journey, Brar credits his parents, particularly his mother, whose efforts included travelling with him in the early hours and helping him navigate the practical difficulties of pursuing cricket. Brar, however, was keen to place his own story within the larger sacrifices made by parents supporting young athletes. It's not just my mother. There are a lot of mothers out there who want their kids to be successful. It's every mother's dream to have her son at her feet. Whatever I want to do, my mother will do it for my son. My mother did the same. Obviously, I am very thankful to her. I think her hard work has helped me get to where I am today. For Brar, his progress cannot be separated from his family's support and prayers. Sometimes I don't even believe that it wasn't because of me. But it was my mother's prayers that shaped my destiny this way. I am very thankful to her. I am blessed to have such thoughtful and supportive parents. I can only say this much. Everyone's parents are the same. I am just sharing my experience. Despite already establishing himself in the IPL, Brar insists he does not consider his journey complete. His conversation with childhood hero Yuvraj Singh has only reinforced the ambition that remains ahead of him. I met Yuvraj paaji 3 days ago only, when I was practising. There are no questions that I havent asked him yet. I have asked him so many questions. Whatever I feel like, I ask him. Asked if Yuvraj were to ask whether Brar has achieved everything he set out to achieve, the answer would be unequivocal. If he asks me whether I have achieved everything or not, Ill say, No, I havent. I want to play Test cricket for my country. I met Yuvraj paaji 3 days ago only, when I was practising. There are no questions that I havent asked him yet. I have asked him so many questions. Whatever I feel like, I ask him. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I have already had a conversation with him about this. I will work hard and have a great season to achieve my dream and my goal as soon as possible, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of disrupting Parliament sessions. They alleged his ego and indiscipline caused significant taxpayer money wastage. The opposition repeatedly changed demands, preventing discussions on key issues. Parliament's Monsoon Session concluded amidst opposition protests and government accusations. The BJP stated democracy cannot function under such arrogance and self-importance.
Outer Delhi Warriors Triumph Over West Delhi Lions in DPL 2026 Match
New Delhi, August 13: In a thrilling encounter of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026, the Outer Delhi Warriors showcased an impressive performance, defeating the West Delhi Lions by 5 wickets in the 25th match. Chasing a target of 179 runs, the Warriors achieved their goal in just 19.1 overs, losing 5 wickets in the ... Read more Outer Delhi Warriors Triumph Over West Delhi Lions in DPL 2026 Match
A California family fought the government over ancestral ranch land. The Gherini family believed their island property was worth millions more. After years of legal battles, a jury awarded them $12.7 million. This compensation was significantly higher than the initial government offer. The case highlighted the clash between private heritage and public conservation goals.
LG Electronics India sees bigger screens, premium appliances powering FY27 growth
LG India reported strong June quarter results with revenue up fifteen point five percent. Bigger television screens and premium appliances are driving current sales momentum. The company expects continued growth from larger screens and new product launches. Festive season demand and exports will further support the fiscal year twenty twenty-seven outlook. LG India retains its mid-teen revenue growth and double-digit EBITDA margin goals.
Quote of the day by Lily Tomlin questions the destination as much as the race. Winning can be exciting, but victory means less when the competition has consumed the life you hoped the victory would improve. A meaningful existence requires more than accumulation, recognition and constant advancement. It requires time for people, experiences, curiosity, rest and the freedom to determine what actually matters. The goal should not simply be to become the most successful participant in a system of endless competition. It should be to build a life in which success and fulfillment can coexist. Perhaps the wisest response to the rat race is not to run faster, but to pause long enough to ask whether the race deserves to be run in the first place.
World 'not on track' to meet biodiversity goals ahead of UN talks
Almost all countries agreed 4 years ago to protect 30% of the planet by 2030
Savita Punia confident India can challenge world's best at Women's Hockey World Cup
India will enter the FIH Womens Hockey World Cup with renewed confidence after winning the Nations Cup. Goalkeeper Savita Punia believes that the team has shown it can compete against the strongest sides in international hockey and is confident of their success in the forthcoming tournament.
For a small business, the festive season isn't just a busy stretch; it's the stretch. Cashfree data shows a small business's average order value (AOV) nearly triples during these months, growing from Rs. 1,142 to Rs. 3,000, a jump sharper than the platform-wide AOV lift of 62.5%. And for a new seller especially, 40% of a business's entire year of revenue rides on these few weeks. None of that upside comes free to a business signing up for a payment gateway right before the window opens. A brand-new seller pays the same fee, on transaction one, as an established seller with years of volume behind them. There is no ramp-up that accounts for the fact that a new seller has not yet built volume, trust, or margin cushion, at a moment when it is already stretching its margins to run festive offers. That is the gap Cashfree Payments' new offer sits inside. The company has waived payment gateway fees entirely on the first Rs. 20 lakh Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) for all new businesses signing up on their platform, valid till March 31, 2027. The more useful story is not the offer itself, but why it works for both sides. The pressure points of a first festive season Cashfree's own data points to three specific chokepoints for first-time merchants: time to go live, since documentation and integration typically eat into days a festive-season seller cannot spare; uptime and support during a peak-intent window, when a single payment failure can cost a business a customer; and settlement timing, particularly when a settlement day falls on a weekend and a business's busiest sales days coincide with its bank's closed days. Roughly 25,000 companies are set up every month in India, and about 20% of them sign up with Cashfree to explore payments. Industry onboarding norms run to multiple days, and settlement typically follows a two-day cycle. For a seller whose entire year hinges on a compressed high-volume window, a few days lost to onboarding is festive trade lost, and every extra day of settlement lag ties up cash a new business has little slack to spare. The infrastructure also has to hold up exactly when a new merchant is testing a provider for the first time. The festive season sees 11x more transactions than an average day, so a first-time seller's early volume is likely to land inside a stress-tested window, not a quiet one. Layered on top of an untested, high-stakes, time-short business, a standard gateway fee compounds all of it. Why the offer is timed the way it is The 0% waiver applies to a new business's first Rs 20 lakh GMV, through March 31, 2027, timed specifically around the festive run. Cashfree says 90% of new sellers who sign up ahead of the season stay under that mark across the entire period, so the waiver effectively covers a new seller's whole festive season, not a token opening slice of it. Cashfree treats Rs 20 lakh as a tipping point rather than an arbitrary number.Once a business crosses it, sellers tend to scale quickly: inventory grows, ad spend increases, and offers become part of the playbook. Getting there, though, is the hardest part of the journey. Faster onboarding and next-day settlement are built to protect the runway a seller needs to get there. On top of this, a dedicated account manager, assigned from signup, is meant to support a seller through the sale itself, not step in after something has already gone wrong. Why this is smart for the seller For a seller, the offer removes a fixed cost precisely when unit economics are tightest. Margin that would have gone toward gateway fees on the first Rs 20 lakh of GMV can instead go toward the festive-season offers and ad spend that drives basket size. Why this is smart for Cashfree For Cashfree, the offer is a bet placed during the highest-intent evaluation window of the year. SMBs are a sticky segment: once a business picks a payment partner, it rarely switches. By making itself the default choice for new sellers evaluating gateways ahead of the festive season, Cashfree is picking up merchants at the exact moment they are choosing who to stay with. And because merchants who cross Rs 20 lakh GMV contribute disproportionately more revenue than those who stay under it, the offer is really an attempt to get as many new sellers as possible to that inflection point, in the one window of the year most likely to get them there. Cashfree has also observed that small businesses on the platform tend to move from small to mid-market within three to six months, against more than a year otherwise, reinforcing why capturing sellers early pays off well beyond the waived fees. The two threads meet at the same point: a seller trying to protect margin during the hardest stretch of a business, and a payments company trying to be the one that helped them get there. As Akash Sinha, Co-founder and CEO, Cashfree Payments, put it: The 0-to-1 journey is the hardest, and most important, one for any small business. For the sellers we work with, that journey is really about reaching the first Rs 20 lakh in sales. Once a business gets there, we've seen it start to scale meaningfully. The festive season is when most businesses have their best shot at hitting that milestone, and we wanted to help them get there faster. That's why we're offering 0% payment gateway fees on a business's first Rs 20 lakh in sales this season, he says. Sinha adds that the 0-to-1 stretch comes with enough obstacles already; sometimes what a founder needs most is one less thing to worry about. We've been through that stretch ourselves, and it was the support of our early customers that got us through it. We want to offer new sellers that same support, one less cost to think about while they're getting their first customers. Cashfree's SMB segment GTV grew more than 2x in FY26, its active merchant base grew 50% year-on-year, and the company now serves close to 1 million SMBs, with a stated goal of doubling that to 2 million by the end of FY27. Festive-season transaction value across the platform runs roughly 40% higher than the rest-of-year average, a gap Cashfree is now trying to widen by making the festive season the moment a new seller decides to stay for good.
Can you name every player to score 10+ Premier League goals in 2017-18?
City romped the title. Can you name the scorers? The post Can you name every player to score 10+ Premier League goals in 2017-18? appeared first on Planet Football .
Oracle plans fresh August layoffs as its AI spending spree bites
Oracle is planning another round of job cuts this month, according to Business Insider, with some teams reportedly facing double-digit-percentage reductions. Managers have been told to identify the employees affected, and the goal is to trim payroll before 1 September, the start of the companys fiscal second quarter. Oracle declined to comment. It is the [] This story continues at The Next Web
As the final year in the run-up to the PLA's 100-year goals commences, three problems stand out as unresolved.
NPS for NRIs: Investment options, account rules and repatriation explained
They can build a retirement corpus through NPS Tier-I, with equity, debt and government securities offering investment choices based on risk and retirement goals
Nauheed Cyrusi Reveals What She Ate During Her 8-Hour Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Ride
Actress Nauheed Cyrusi shared her food experience aboard the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express, detailing all the meals served during her journey.
Can you name every player to score 10+ Premier League goals for Newcastle?
No prizes for getting No.1. The post Can you name every player to score 10+ Premier League goals for Newcastle? appeared first on Planet Football .
Facebook Rolls Out Its Standalone Creator Studio App With Al Tools
Facebook's Al creator assistant is built into the new app, offering personalised recommendations tailored to each creator's content style, performance, audience engagement, and goals
Indian women's hockey team has real chance of a podium finish in World Cup: Goalkeeper Savita Punia
India's FIH Nations Cup victory provides significant confidence for the upcoming World Cup. Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia believes the team can challenge global competitors. Recent Pro League matches demonstrated India's capability against top international sides. Players now take greater ownership of their fitness and preparation for matches. This marks Punia's third World Cup appearance, aiming to lead the team.
Cameroon to face Malawi in the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Upstart Malawi will face Cameroon in the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Malawi beat Algeria 3-1 in the first semifinal match on Wednesday, led by Tabitha Chawinga with a pair of goals. Cameroon won a penalty shootout 3-1 against Morocco after a scoreless draw in the other semi. All four semifinalists qualified for next summer's Women's World Cup in Brazil. Malawi and Algeria will be making their World Cup debuts. Morocco will make its second World Cup appearance after reaching the round of 16 in 2023. Cameroon played in the 2015 and 2019 editions. Cameroon's goalkeeper shines in shootoutGoalkeeper Michaely Bihina stopped three attempts by Morocco in the penalty shootout, and Myriam Maeva Nyadjou converted to send Cameroon to the final. Morocco, in the semifinals for the third time at WAFCON, dominated possession in regulation. In the second extra time period, Cameroon's Myriam Maeva Nyadjou fouled Sakina Ouzraouiin in the box. After a video review, Morocco
PSG retains UEFA Super Cup as Doue goal seals 2-1 win over Aston Villa
Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Super Cup for a second straight year by beating Aston Villa 2-1 on Wednesday thanks to Desire Doue's second-half goal in the annual curtain-raiser to the European soccer season. Doue's 61st-minute strike after running onto Ousmane Dembele's pass was initially ruled out for offside, only for the goal to be awarded following a video review. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's powerfully struck opener in the 20th was canceled out by a volley from Brian Madjo, a 17-year-old striker making his competitive debut for Villa days after getting approval to play following a dispute with FIFA over his registration. It's the first of a possible six trophies this season for PSG, which became the first team to win back-to-back Super Cup titles since Real Madrid (2016 and '17). The Super Cup is an annual early-season match between the most recent winners of the Champions League (PSG) and Europa League (Villa). Referee was the Somali official barred from World CupThe game in .
Have over Rs 1 crore cash to invest? Expert suggests portfolio for retirement, childrens goals
An investment advisor recommends a tailored strategy for a surplus of Rs 1.31 crore, focusing on balancing risk and stability for retirement aspirations. This plan involves a staggered investment approach via a systematic transfer plan (STP) spanning four to seven years. The proposed portfolio diversifies into equity, hybrid funds, arbitrage, and gold investments, aiming for capital growth while safeguarding assets as retirement approaches.
Ecuador's Police Seize Cocaine Shipment With Stickers Of Erling Haaland. Here's What Happened
Norway's soccer star Erling Haaland 's face has appeared on billboards, trading cards and television screens, becoming a social media phenomenon for scoring seven goals across four World Cup matches in July.
Withdrawal of Suspensions | Talks fail as J&K power employees, engineers announce protest from today
Jammu and Kashmir Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee (JKPEECC) on Wednesday held multiple rounds of talks to end the stalemate but Managing Director remained adamant on his illegitimate suspensions and decision to withhold salaries on account of Surya Ghar performances. JKPEECC, as per a statement issued, put a Strong resentment Before Managing Director over his Order Nos. 187-192 of MD/JPDCL of 2026 dated 06.08.2026 placing officers/officials under suspension despite the factual record demonstrates action taken against defaulters and does not disclose any misconduct on part of the employees. The JKPEECC in a strong words condemned the arbitrary and illegitimate action on part of Managing Director JPDCL to suspend the officers/officials of Power Development Department and justifying it through concealment of important Action Taken record before the Higher authorities. Due to the failure of MD JPDCL to address the legitimate issues, the J&K Power Employees and Engineers have been constrained to sit on protest from 13th AUG 2026 till the matter is resolved, and responsibility of such situation shall purely be of the management of JPDCL. The act of the Managing Director suffers from malice and without any technical report on fixing of responsibility for an act of an electricity user who is an habitual offender as per the ground reports of the inspecting agencies that have inspected such areas from time to time. In fact without perusing the available record in totality, Engineers and officials have been made scape goats. JKPEECC demands immediate revocation of the suspension orders on the basis of the Action taken reports submitted by the concerned Chief Engineer Distribution and Superintending Engineer O&M Circle-I in the instant case vide Chief Engineer & Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, JPDCL, Jammu letter No. SE-J/O&M/4062-64 dated 25.06.2026 & 3/07/2026 and 19.07.2026.However it is astonishing to note that Managing Director chooses to conceal this important action taken report submitted by the Technical heads of the Hierarchy and push for a case , that is totally unwarranted. The fact remains that The record supplied to JKEEGA demonstrates that the matter was not ignored by the field establishment. The communications reveal action at several levels even before the inspections by the Special Enforcement Team, intimation to register FIR against same list of consumers of that area has been on record since 2024, detection of unauthorised use/theft, assessment and imposition of penalties, disconnection of unauthorised supplies, removal of illegal service connections, recovery proceedings, repeated enforcement drives, requests for registration of FIRs, interaction with Police authorities, joint inspections with Police, transfer of the concerned Meter Reader, directions for intensified inspections, strengthening of post-disconnection monitoring; and action against habitual offenders. Therefore, the basic premise that recurrence of theft necessarily demonstrates failure of the Engineers/officials is not borne out by the record. Further the situation is so grim that nearly 30000 smart meters in JPDCL are damaged or non-communicating resulting in lack of proper billing of such consumers, including the fact that due to non-replacement of such smart meters by the Project implementing agency i.e REC and its contractors Techno, Anvil and Genus, in proportion to the damage rate, has resulted in a big chaos for the billing engineers of JPDCL. The bills as per the JERC , for damaged meter can be assessed for three months only on average demand/usage charge basis. However worthy Managing Director has not been able to prevail on these central agencies to replace the meters and there are damaged meters of 2023 which are also not replaced as on date, leading to the meters having been bypassed for supplying power to consumers by REC/its contractors only. The responsibility needs to be fixed of REC/ GENUS/ANVIL/TECHNO for causing loss of revenue to JPDCL which is also reflecting poorly on our performance. JKPEECC seeks immediate accountability for the damaged/non communicating 25000 smart meters Secondly Immediate action be taken for registration of FIRs in all pending cases of electricity theft where the requisite cases have already been submitted by the concerned SDOs to the respective Police Stations/SHOs. The Association understands that approximately 2,000 such cases are awaiting registration. If Engineers and officials are being held accountable for theft, the statutory enforcement mechanism must simultaneously be made functional. Further despite hard work, for reducing AT&C losses in JAMMU region to below 30%, instead of accolades, suspension orders are being issued against our officers and officials. The Salary of Engineers and officials in various divisions/sub divisions of JPDCL has been withheld since last two months on account of not being able to meet the targets set by JPDCL for solar installations. In an emergency General Council meeting of JKEEGA and other Unions of JKPDD post the failure of meeting held with MD JPDCL on the issues, it was decided that sufficient time was given to the Managing Director JPDCL to withdraw the Suspension orders on immediate basis, register FIR against the habitual offenders involved in Electricity theft cases on basis of such complaint letters written by SDOs to SHOs, take penal action against the Smart metering project implementing agencies for their failure to replace the damaged smart meters for period even exceeding twenty four months, frame and officially circulate SOPs for the registration of FIRs by the police authorities on the reports of theft submitted to them by SDOs and circulate SOPs for the instructions on billing of such consumers who continue to run the power through damaged meters bypassing the meters, due to non-replacement within three months of such damage. Further the salary of all officers/officials withheld on account of relatively lesser progress in SOLAR Ghar scheme must be immediately released. Due to failure of MD JPDCL to address the legitimate issues, the J&K Power Employees and Engineers have been constrained to sit on protest from 13th AUG 2026, till the matter is resolved and responsibility of such situation shall purely be of the management of JPDCL. JKPEECC has appealed to the Chief Minister and worthy Financial Commissioner (ACS) JKPDD for kind intervention in the matter so that the issue projected is resolved without further loss of precious time.
J&K hockeys transformation gains momentum with Gujarat win
Jammu & Kashmirs 4-1 victory over Gujarat in the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 Division C has highlighted the significant improvement in the UTs hockey setup since the formation of the new Hockey Jammu & Kashmir Association in 2025, with greater emphasis on merit-based selection, fitness, discipline, coaching and player development. Since the formation of the new Hockey Jammu & Kashmir Association in 2025, the organisation, as per a statement issued on Wednesday, has been working with a clear vision and in the right direction, focusing on merit-based selection, fitness, discipline, proper coaching and development of genuine talent. Before 2025, J&K teams were often losing national-level matches by huge margins of 10, 15 and even 20 goals. Today, the picture has changed significantly. Our teams are not only competing strongly but are also winning matches with confidence and authority. The latest 41 victory over Gujarat is another powerful example of this transformation. This is not merely a victory in one matchit is the result of a better system, better selection and a focused approach towards player development since 2025. Hockey Jammu & Kashmir deserves appreciation for bringing this positive change to the game. The players and coaching staff deserve equal credit for their dedication, hard work and commitment.
Srinagar Premier League | SWFC Baramulla beats Sports Council Football Academy 3-0
SWFC Baramulla produced a disciplined and confident performance at the TRC Turf, Srinagar, securing a convincing 30 victory over Sports Council Football Academy in the ongoing Srinagar Premier League 2026 on Wednesday. The encounter, as per a DFA statement, played under the lights and in front of an enthusiastic football audience, saw both teams begin with intent. Sports Council Football Academy looked to establish control through possession and build their attacks from the back, while SWFC Baramulla adopted a more direct and purposeful approach, looking to exploit spaces in the attacking third. From the opening minutes, the intensity of the contest was evident. Both sides competed strongly for possession in midfield, with the players showing determination in every challenge. Sports Council Football Academy attempted to create opportunities through quick passing combinations, but SWFC Baramulla remained compact and organised defensively. As the first half progressed, SWFC began to find greater rhythm in the attacking areas. Their movement off the ball and ability to transition quickly from defence to attack created problems for the Sports Council Football Academy defence. The Baramulla side eventually broke the deadlock and took the lead, giving themselves an important advantage going into the latter stages of the first half. Sports Council Football Academy tried to respond immediately, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Their players showed attacking intent and attempted to put pressure on the SWFC defence, but the Baramulla side remained composed and dealt with the pressure effectively. SWFC Baramulla managed to add another goal before the interval, completing a strong first-half display and taking a 20 lead into half-time. The two-goal advantage gave SWFC considerable confidence heading into the second half, while Sports Council Football Academy were left with the difficult task of overturning the deficit.
Kulgam para-cricketer Shakoor Bashir earns Delhi IPCL contract
Neighbours and relatives have been streaming into the home of para-cricketer Shakoor Bashir in Gadihama village of Kulgam district, celebrating his selection for the Indian Para Cricket League (IPCL) 2026. Shakoor was picked by the Delhi franchise for Rs 2.75 lakh at the IPCL auction held on August 5, marking a significant milestone in the career of the young cricketer, who has represented Jammu and Kashmir in several national-level tournaments. I feel on cloud nine after learning about my selection. It is a proud moment for me and my family, Shakoor said. For Shakoor, the selection is the latest chapter in a journey that began despite a physical disability in his foot that he was born with. He has undergone multiple surgeries over the years, but the challenges did not keep him away from the cricket field. I have been playing in national tournaments since 2022, he said. A student of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Shakoor is pursuing a bachelors degree in Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology. Alongside his studies, he has travelled to several states to participate in national para-cricket tournaments. His recent performances have further strengthened his credentials. In a tournament in Bihar, where he represented Jammu and Kashmir against Uttar Pradesh, Shakoor took a hat-trick and scored 38 runs off just 18 balls, showcasing his ability with both bat and ball. The IPCL selection has brought a wave of excitement to Gadihama, where residents have followed his cricketing journey closely. Family members and neighbours said Shakoors achievement was particularly inspiring because he continued to pursue the sport despite undergoing multiple surgeries and facing physical challenges from an early age. For Shakoor, however, the auction is not the destination but another step towards a larger goal. I want to make the most of this opportunity and prove myself in the league. My aim is to represent the country at the highest level, he said. His selection has also brought renewed attention to para-cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, where players with disabilities are increasingly finding opportunities to compete at the national level. As celebrations continue at his home, Shakoor is already looking ahead to the next challenge, making his mark for Delhi in the IPCL.
PSG score over Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup
Paris St Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1 to retain the UEFA Super Cup, with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. Despite Brian Madjo's equaliser for Villa, PSG secured their victory, marking another trophy for manager Luis Enrique and highlighting their continued dominance in European football.
Scorpio Daily Horoscope for August 13, 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
Mamdani, AOC & El-Sayed: Nancy Pelosi Reveals Trumps 3 Biggest Midterm Threats | Watch
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has set an ambitious target for Democrats in the November midterms, saying she wants the party to flip 30 House seats and reclaim control of Congress. Pelosi said Democrats need just three seats to give Hakeem Jeffries the speakership, but declared that 30 is her goal as the party prepares for a showdown with President Donald Trump.
Meghalayas Chief Minister Sets Ambitious UPSC Goals, Emphasizes Need for Support Ecosystem
Shillong, August 12: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated on Wednesday that there is no shortage of talent in the state for preparing candidates for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and other national competitive exams. However, he emphasized the need for a robust ecosystem that includes training, mentorship, financial assistance, and guidance. Sangma ... Read more Meghalayas Chief Minister Sets Ambitious UPSC Goals, Emphasizes Need for Support Ecosystem
Gujarat Deputy CM Launches Shaktidoot 2.0 Scheme to Support 500 Athletes Annually
Gandhinagar, August 12: Gujarats Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi launched the revamped Shaktidoot 2.0 scheme on Wednesday in Gandhinagar. This initiative aims to provide direct assistance to athletes, with a goal of helping state players achieve success on national and international platforms over the next decade. Under this scheme, the annual training support for each ... Read more Gujarat Deputy CM Launches Shaktidoot 2.0 Scheme to Support 500 Athletes Annually
Three goals in 17 minutes sink FC Goa in ACL Two clash
FC Goa's AFC Champions League Two campaign concluded with a 0-3 loss to Turkmenistan's FC Arkadag, relegating the Indian club to the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian club football.
FC Goa crash out of AFC Champions League Two after 0-3 loss
For I-Day, Reception (At Home) at Rashtrapati Bhavan to showcase countrys cultural heritage
Around 35 artists from the four States of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will present folk dances and musical traditions, including Maharashtras Lavani and Songhi Mukhawate
India's young long jump star sets bold Asian Games goal
Long jumper Shahnavaz Khan and high jumper Basant Kumar Meghwal, both recent World Athletics U20 Championships medalists, are now setting their sights on podium finishes at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, aiming to improve their personal bests.
Quote of the Day by John Travolta: John Travoltas quote, As you get older you have to force yourself to have new dreams, explores the importance of personal growth, ambition, hope, and continuing to look toward the future. The quote suggests that growing older should not mean giving up on dreams, but rather finding new goals and aspirations that bring purpose, excitement, and meaning to each stage of life.
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has urged the current players not to let the pressure of the World Cup affect their game
Gemini has a billion monthly users. ChatGPT hit that in June and moved the goalposts
Sundar Pichai announced on Tuesday that the Gemini app had passed a billion monthly users. He called it our fastest growing product ever and the 14th Google product to hit the mark, alongside Search, Gmail, Android, Maps, Chrome, Play and YouTube. His post has been seen more than 1.5 million times. Google published the engagement [] This story continues at The Next Web
Andhra Pradesh tops job, SHG targets but badly trails on housing and roads
The state exceeded employment and self-help group targets under the Twenty Point Programme but achieved barely a third of its rural housing and road goals in FY26.
World Elephant Day marked with football tournaments in Garo Hills and Goalpara
Shillong, Aug 12: World Elephant Day was observed this week with football tournaments in Meghalaya and Assam that used sport to promote elephant conservation and community participation. In South Garo Hills, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) hosted the two-day Mongma Cup Football Tournament at Mahadeo, bringing together 17 teams from villages around Mahadeo. The [] The post World Elephant Day marked with football tournaments in Garo Hills and Goalpara first appeared on Highland Post .
How 22-Year-Old Adesh Soni Is Turning His 10-Million-Tree Planting Mission Into Reality Across India
At 22, Adesh Soni is building a nationwide tree-planting effort through Touchforearth, working towards his goal of 10 million trees.
'Don't let pressure affect you': Sreejesh warns India
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
Two red cards, 2 late goals: NEROCA beat Raengdai in Durand Cup
NEROCA FC defeated nine-man FC Raengdai 3-1 in the IndianOil Durand Cup, coming from behind with late goals after Raengdai had two players sent off. This win concluded NEROCA's Group D campaign, while Raengdai, despite the loss, had already qualified for the quarterfinals.
Quote of the day by Dakota Johnson offers a perspective that can resonate with anyone navigating a new chapter. Change may alter plans, challenge expectations and require people to redefine themselves, but it can also create room for experiences that were never part of the original vision. A life in constant flux is not necessarily an unstable life; it can be a life that remains open to discovery. Perhaps the goal is not to build a life where nothing changes, but to become the kind of person who can change, adapt and continue growing when everything around them does.
Manchester City Signs Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli on a Two-Year Deal
Manchester, August 12: Former Premier League champions Manchester City have finalized the signing of goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from French club Marseille. The Argentine player has signed a contract that extends until 2028. This will be Rullis second stint with the English club. He previously spent the 2016/17 season at Etihad but did not get the ... Read more Manchester City Signs Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli on a Two-Year Deal
Women Players Are Hungrier To Learn More Than Men; Their Energy Is Enriching, Says UPW Coach Nayar
Sai Krishnan Grounds: Following a disappointing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign, where they managed just two victories in eight matches to finish at the bottom of the points table, UP Warriorz have kicked off their pre-season preparations with an ongoing four-day training camp at the serene-looking Sai Krishnan Grounds in Bengaluru ahead of the 2027 season. The short camp is being helmed by head coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar, mentor Lisa Sthalekar, and newly appointed chief scout, former India spinner and chief selector Neetu David. A key focus for UPW, if they are to excel in WPL 2027, will be fixing their unstable opening partnership, lack of batting contributions from Indian players, and inconsistent fielding. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Nayar spoke on the objective of the ongoing camp, Neetus signing as chief selector, lessons from his first year as a head coach in womens cricket, and more. Excerpts:- Q. What are some of the primary objectives of this camp which have been ticked off, especially with the likes of Shikha Pandey, Asha Shobhana, G Trisha and Kiran Navgire in attendance? A. I think part of it was that our goals were set at the end of last season, where we had a few discussions and gave our players giveaways on what we thought they could work on. So it's more about tapping into that and seeing how much progress has been made. Then there's also this thought process of having a trial, and we've got Neetu David on board. The kind of players that she's identified that we feel could make a difference to our setup this season - some young, good prospects and this is more an opportunity for us to identify and understand which are those players. One, who could make a difference, and two, for our own players, the kind of growth we've seen so that we can now give them something to take back and work on before the WPL. So they're in a better position, if I could say that, to perform and give ourselves an opportunity in this tournament. Q. With Neetu David joining as UPWs chief scout, how has working alongside her helped accelerate your own understanding of the talent pipeline in womens cricket across the country? A. See, I've just met her and spent very little time with her, so it's very hard for me to sort of say what I've learned so far. But what I can say is that when someone has been the fourth-highest wicket-taker in international womens cricket for India, it just tells you the kind of experience she has of playing the game. Her being in the system for so long provides a great opportunity for me over the next four or five days to gather as much information as I can, specifically to understand what sort of players and characters can step up and make a difference to our team. So that is something that I'm really looking forward to. I'm very keen on picking her brains and just understanding from the different perspectives as to what we can do as a team and what I can do as a coach to impact these girls in WPL. Q. What were the biggest lessons for you in coaching a womens cricket team for the first time via this years WPL? A. Well, I think a couple of things. Addressing a situation compared to mens cricket - it's slightly different for me. There are limitations in a lot of ways in the dressing room that you sometimes want to make sure that you can address in the camps, which is why camps like this are really important. When you come into a system, and you only get a week or 10 days, it's very hard to sort of make an impact for anyone. Then, using the whole year to have such camps where you're constantly touching base with our players makes things easier. To be honest, from a coaching standpoint, when you look at women's cricket, it's exciting because they're so eager to learn and take as much information on board as they can. It's very exciting because sometimes in men's cricket, you have to be very picky and choosy about what you say because they've heard so much. In women's cricket, you just know that everyone's very hungry. You have players who are really, if I could say so, not only aspiring to do well, but motivated to make a name for themselves and to take Indian women's cricket to another level. It's a very different feeling - it's like working with cricketers who are really looking to grab those opportunities. So it's fun, and I would say it's challenging for me personally, because you work so much in men's cricket, and when you come to women's cricket, the questions sometimes are so different. It's so much fun to work with them because it challenges you as well. It's been a very interesting one for me. The field changes are obviously different. The mindset and planning are different. But all in all, I think it's been thoroughly enjoyable for me. Q. You had done camps with UPW and even commented on women's cricket. What motivated you to be very involved in women's cricket now that it's becoming big in India? A. Honestly, I wanted to challenge myself. I've done men's cricket for a very long time, and after nine years with the IPL, I just felt that, from my individual standpoint, I wanted to challenge myself in a very different way. When this opportunity came my way, I obviously thought about it. I felt I should give myself at least a 34 year buffer period just to understand if I can make an impact and if, in those years, I can learn all the things that people have done for so many years in women's cricket. The difference is that when you've played men's cricket, and you coach in it, it's still relatively easier. But when you've not played women's cricket, and then you start watching women's cricket, you still need time to understand tactically how you can help someone become better. Technically, everything remains the same. But in a marquee tournament like that, under pressure, how you can create an environment where people can actually embrace that pressure and do well. So from that standpoint, it was more of a challenge for me. It was so enduring when I did those three-day, four-day camps for me, working with those cricketers. Because, like I said earlier, the enthusiasm and excitement to learn things and the energy of wanting to do more for me was, I think, truly enriching. So I really enjoyed that, and I just felt maybe, you know, give it a shot and see if we can help turn the fortunes of UP Warriorz. Not an easy task, but we're trying our best to do that. Q. From your observations so far, where do you see the quality of women's domestic cricket heading in the next three to five years? A. I think it's been amazing. Just from last year's trials and today, after watching the girls, I was just telling some of my support staff members that there's so much difference between some of the girls, and it's hard to recognise that these girls were the same ones we saw a year ago. There's been so much growth, even in our setup, via the likes of Asha and Shikha. Even now, we can see so much of an improvement in terms of fitness, trajectory, and pace. So it just tells you that, as I said before, the willingness to want to become better, the willingness to push themselves and get better, thanks to WPL, thanks to the exposure that all these girls are getting because of what they are trying to achieve as a team in the state leagues. I just think in years to come, you're going to see women's cricket hit bigger sixes, hit more reverse sweeps, hit different areas, and bowlers are going to bowl with unique actions and bowl a lot quicker than they are now. So I feel Indian cricket is heading in a great space when it comes to women's cricket, and you will see some really exciting talent going forward. Q. After this camp in Bengaluru, are there any more preparatory camps in place for UP Warriorz, and how much do you stay in touch with players in the off-season? A. I think we've stayed in touch. It's a very individual thing. Anyway, in my coaching mantra, I love to do that. So we obviously keep touching base, and you give them a certain roadmap, and you keep following up and seeing what they're doing because the other change in women's cricket is now they play a lot of cricket and they're constantly in camps, constantly playing matches. So a lot of times the developmental phase that they normally would get has been reduced drastically. But you want to make sure you're tapping in all the time and supporting them in whatever way you can. I think UP Warriorz, in that regard, have been terrific through the years, even before I was associated with them. Kshemal Waingankar, who was the COO for a while, has always had this ideology of trying to make an impact for the player, even if it doesn't benefit the team sometimes, but if it can benefit the player, then they go for it. So a lot of times the developmental phase that they normally would get has been reduced drastically. But you want to make sure you're tapping in all the time and supporting them in whatever way you can. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So the thought process is going to be simple. There will be follow-up camps and a lot of individual camps. Once the rain subsides in Mumbai, and whenever the girls are free, we'll get them to Mumbai for short camps based on their schedule. But the idea is continuity and to have a support system for the girls whenever they require it. Article Source: IANS
Srinagars Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium likely to host Irani Cup 2026: Report
Srinagar, Aug 12: Srinagars Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium is likely to host the Irani Cup 2026 match between 2025-26 Ranji Trophy winners Jammu and Kashmir and the Rest of India from October 1 to 5. A media report quoted by News18 said the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar will host the Irani Cup, making it the biggest cricket match to be held in Kashmir since the ODI between India and Australia on September 9, 1986. The report stated that the Irani Cup is played between the winners of the previous edition of the Ranji Trophy and the Rest of India side. Since Jammu and Kashmir won the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, they will take on the Rest of India in the upcoming 2026 edition. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy final, J&K faced Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground in Hubli and secured victory by virtue of their first-innings lead. For J&K, Auqib Nabi Dar will once again be a key player in the Irani Cup. The 29-year-old fast bowler from Baramulla picked up 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy to finish as the leading wicket-taker. He also registered impressive figures of 5/54 in 23 overs in the first innings of the final against Karnataka. Apart from Auqib, who is currently part of Indias Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, Yudhvir Singh Charak will be another key fast bowler for J&K. Charak, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, has also impressed with his wicket-taking abilities. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to officially confirm the venue for the Irani Cup 2026 as well as announce the Rest of India squad. The Rest of India have won a total of 30 Irani Cup titles so far, followed by Mumbai with 15 titles. After taking part in the Irani Cup, J&K will begin their Ranji Trophy title defence on October 11 against Madhya Pradesh. The defending champions are part of Elite Group A in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, along with Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Baroda, Puducherry, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Goa.
Man City sign Argentina goalkeeper Rulli from Marseille
Manchester City has signed Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille. Rulli returns to the club for a second spell after his initial stint. He previously played for several European clubs, including Villarreal and Ajax. Marseille is selling players to meet UEFA financial regulations this summer. The club also announced the departure of defender Facundo Medina to Bayer Leverkusen.
Finance minister defends inflation data amid manipulation allegations
The minister was responding to reporters' questions about inflation data and why people do not believe it at the closing ceremony of a three-day conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka
Geronimo Rulli returns to Manchester City, 10 years after leaving without playing a single match
Highlights Manchester City have signed Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille for 1.7 million. Rulli was previously on City's books in 2016, but made zero first-team appearances before being sold on. Since leaving, he has won the Europa League with Villarreal, and the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina. Manchester City have signed Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille for a fee of 1.7 million, the club has confirmed. The 34-year-old has signed a two-year contract and will serve as backup to first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. It's Rulli's second spell at the club. City first signed him in July 2016 for 4 million, but loaned him straight back to Real Sociedad, where he was already playing. He never made a first-team appearance for City and was sold to Real Sociedad permanently the following year. What has Rulli done since his first spell at City? Rulli went on to have a decorated career elsewhere. At Villarreal, he was the hero of the 2021 Europa League final against Manchester United, scoring his own penalty in the shootout before saving David de Gea's to win the trophy. He later played for Ajax, then Marseille, where he made 73 appearances over two seasons. With Argentina, Rulli has served as backup to first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Dibu Martinez, and was part of the squads that won the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America. Rulli's career since leaving City 2017-2020 Real Sociedad 2019-2020 Loan at Montpellier 2020-2023 Villarreal wins 2021 Europa League final 2023-2024 Ajax 2024-2026 Marseille 2022 & 2024 World Cup and Copa America winner with Argentina 2026 Returns to Manchester City Why have City signed him now? City needed experienced cover for Donnarumma after selling their previous backup, James Trafford, to Leeds United this summer in a deal reportedly worth up to 45 million. Rulli fits that role, and his fee is a small fraction of what City brought in from the Trafford sale. He will work under former City goalkeeper Willy Caballero, now on Enzo Maresca's coaching staff, and is expected to join up with the squad once they return from their pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea.
Uttar Pradesh Enhances Training for Anganwadi Workers in Inclusive Education
Lucknow, August 12: Every child has a unique pace and need for learning. Timely identification, early support, and a conducive educational environment can significantly strengthen the educational foundation for children with special needs. In line with this goal, the Uttar Pradesh government is reinforcing Anganwadi centers as a crucial starting point for inclusive education. Special ... Read more Uttar Pradesh Enhances Training for Anganwadi Workers in Inclusive Education
Love Days | Song - Goa Breeze Lo
Watch the Telugu song 'Goa Breeze Lo' from the movie 'Love Days' starring Suraj Aaditya, Kusuma Chandaka and Mahaboob Basha. 'Goa Breeze Lo' is sung by Amal C Ajith, with music composed by Vengi. The lyrics of 'Goa Breeze Lo' are also penned by Vengi. Directed by Suresh Lankalapalli and produced by Venkat Madala under the banner M/s. Oncan Entertainments, 'Love Days' is a romantic entertainer. To know more about the song 'Goa Breeze Lo' from 'Love Days', watch the video.
Highlights Chelsea have agreed a 16.3 million deal, plus 1.7 million in add-ons, to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria. The 28-year-old replaces Marc Cucurella, who left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid this summer after winning the World Cup with Spain. Chavarria didn't make his La Liga debut until he was 24, and was sent off on his European debut three years later. Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria for an initial 16.3 million, with a further 1.7 million available in add-ons, according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano. The 28-year-old will undergo a medical before completing his move to Stamford Bridge, where he's expected to compete with Jorrel Hato for the left-back spot vacated by Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid. It's not the kind of signing Chelsea have built a reputation on in recent years. There's no wonderkid hype, no long-term sell-on value being banked on. Chavarria is 28, has four seasons of top-flight experience, and only started playing regularly in Spain's Segunda Divisin in his mid-twenties. Who is Pep Chavarria? Chavarria is a Spanish left-back who spent years working his way up from outside Spain's top two divisions. He joined Real Zaragoza on a free transfer in 2020 after arriving from third-tier side UE Olot, and didn't make his La Liga debut until he was 24 years old. Two years later, Rayo Vallecano signed him from Zaragoza for a reported 1.8 million. His rise since then has been steady rather than explosive. Andoni Iraola, Rayo's manager at the time, brought him in for his overlapping runs down the left; his more recent coach, Inigo Perez, has helped him add range to his game, including operating in midfield rather than purely as an out-and-out wing-back. Chavarria has called Perez the best coach he's worked with. Why are Chelsea paying 16.3m for him now? Because Xabi Alonso needed a direct, ready-made replacement for Marc Cucurella, and because this summer's transfer strategy at Stamford Bridge has leaned toward experience over potential. Chavarria's arrival follows the signings of 35-year-old striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton and 36-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson from Brentford both moves aimed at adding senior figures to a squad that's previously been criticised for lacking them. He's also Chelsea's third defensive signing of the summer, following right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta and centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, as Alonso rebuilds the back line around fewer long-term projects and more players who can contribute immediately. What does Chavarria actually offer on the pitch? More than his goal return suggests. He scored only once last season a long-range strike against Atletico Madrid and picked up more red cards than goals across the campaign, including one late on against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. But the underlying numbers tell a fuller story: across 44 appearances in all competitions, Chavarria racked up over 2,000 touches in La Liga and ranked among the division's most productive players for both crosses supplied and crosses blocked, a dual profile that points to a full-back doing defensive and attacking work in roughly equal measure. He started for Rayo in last season's Conference League final, a rare European final for a club of Rayo's size, where they lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace. Chavarria's path to Chelsea 2018 Joins Olot (Spain's third tier) as a free agent 2020 Joins Real Zaragoza as a free agent 2022 Signed by Rayo Vallecano from Zaragoza for 1.8m Age 24 Makes his La Liga debut Age 27 Sent off on his European debut, against Sweden's Hacken 2025-26 season Starts in the Conference League final; Rayo lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace 2026 Signed by Chelsea for 16.3m plus 1.7m in add-ons What's the case for the signing, beyond the numbers? Mentality, according to the people who've worked with him. Jose Ramon Rodriguez, who coached Chavarria at Zaragoza, has pointed to his attitude as the real reason clubs kept believing he'd go further than his age or route through the leagues suggested. There are players who develop later than others, Rodriguez has said of him. Team-mates and coaches who've worked with Chavarria describe someone who trains at full intensity regardless of results and never uses form or circumstance as an excuse qualities that are harder to put a transfer value on than crosses or clean sheets, but ones Alonso will be counting on all the same. Whether that's enough to make the step up to the Premier League remains the open question. Chavarria has never played outside Spain, and English football's physical demands, particularly around set pieces, are untested territory for him. His old coach's answer to that is simple: at every level he's been asked to play at, he's found a way to meet it.
'Its a goal that I want to achieve...': David Miller ahead of global showpiece
South African batsman David Miller said that winning a World Cup is one of the goals that he wants to achieve. The left-handed batsman said that he will be focused on making a cut into South Africa's squad for the ODI World Cup 2027
Winning 2027 WC Is A Goal; I'd Love To Finish Off My Career With A Trophy: Miller
Cricket World Cup: South Africas veteran middle-order batter David Miller has expressed his deep desire to finish his career by lifting the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup 2027 on home soil, adding that he remains driven to secure the ultimate prize in familiar conditions. The tournament is scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027. South Africa are yet to win an ODI World Cup and South Africa reached the semi-finals in 2023, before losing to Australia in the semi-final in Kolkata. Yeah, I am really looking forward to it. For me, its a goal that I want to achieve. I would love to finish off late in my career with a trophy. So, for me, its a goal that I would love to be a part of that World Cup team. Its something that is never guaranteed, and Ill definitely, from now until then, be focused on aiming to make that team and to contribute the best I can. Obviously, it will be very special, being at home in front of our fans and in a place that Ive played for so many years. So, it would be fantastic to be a part of that team, Miller told JioStar. Miller, who scored 166 runs in eight matches for Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026, opened up about his longevity and the art of finishing matches with aplomb. Probably the fact that Ive made a career by batting in the middle order and finishing games; that would be something Im most proud of. Its something that takes a long time to kind of conquer and master. Im still learning all the time, but at least Ive had a long career in that department, and Ive really enjoyed going about chasing innings, especially. Having spent over a decade in the IPL, Miller singled out his title-winning run with Gujarat Titans in 2022 as his best moment of being in the competition. My favourite moment in the IPL... there have been many, but we obviously play to win, so definitely winning the IPL for Gujarat Titans would be that. Its something that takes a long time to kind of conquer and master. Im still learning all the time, but at least Ive had a long career in that department, and Ive really enjoyed going about chasing innings, especially. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think there was a lot at stake there, and it kind of set my career up if I look back at it now. Then there was another knock that Ill always remember as well, the one in Durban against Australia. We chased down a score there as well and I scored a hundred, 118 not out or something. So, those two knocks under pressure, scoring hundreds, theyll always kind of stand out, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Urbanization Key to Indias Development by 2047, Says Arvind Panagariya
Thiruvananthapuram, August 12: Arvind Panagariya, the chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, stated on Wednesday that urbanization will play a crucial role in Indias economic transformation and its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Addressing the sixth edition of the Lok Bhavan Conversation on Urban Areas as Engines of Development for a Developed ... Read more Urbanization Key to Indias Development by 2047, Says Arvind Panagariya
Goa sees surge in monsoon travel searches as Indians embrace micro-cations
Goa sees a surge in monsoon travel and short micro-cation trends. Domestic searches for these trips have increased significantly year-on-year. Travelers now prefer spontaneous weekend getaways and short holidays. The state offers lush landscapes, local culture, and immersive experiences during the rainy season.
Secy Transport inspects MVD Pulwama, sets Nov 2026 deadline for Pampore Automated Fitness Centre
Pulwama, Aug 11: Secretary, Transport, Avny Lavasa on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive day-long tour of Pulwama district to inspect the ongoing construction of the Automated Testing Centre (ATS) at Pampore and review the operational functioning of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Pulwama. The visit forms part of the UT administrations focused strategy to accelerate the development of critical transport infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. Accompanying the Secretary during the field visit were MD SRTC, Abdul Rashid War, ARTO Pulwama Mohammad Shafait, General Manager RTC, Habibullah Reshi, alongside representatives from Rosemerta, the executing agency tasked with the project. Project officials briefed the Secretary on key structural components, including the Administrative, Testing, and Security blocks. They reported that civil construction is entering its final phase and will be completed within 15 days, paving the way for the immediate erection of Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) structures. Furthermore, all essential mechanical testing equipment has already been procured and will be installed as soon as the PEB setup is complete. During the on-site inspection, the Secretary critically evaluated construction standards, inter-agency coordination, and operational readiness. Expressing strong concern over lingering project delays, she directed the executing agency to eliminate all bottlenecks and strictly mandated that the automated facility be fully operational by the first week of November 2026. Later, the Secretary Transport inspected the ARTO Office in Pulwama, reviewing workflows across the Driving License, Permit, Registration, Accounts, and Establishment sections. Interacting with local staff, public delegations, and transport operators, she emphasized that hassle-free, transparent, and time-bound public service delivery must remain the primary mission of the department. Evaluating digital service delivery on the Sarathi and Vahan portals, the Secretary directed officials to expedite the verification and approval of online applications, stressing that the goal should be to achieve zero physical footfall at government offices. Addressing the media on road safety, she urged citizens to strictly observe traffic norms including wearing helmets, maintaining lane discipline, and avoiding mobile phone use while driving and issued a stern appeal to parents against allowing minors to drive, warning of strict legal penalties for violations.
J&Ks mutton paradox: 43 lakh sheep, but not enough meat
Jammu and Kashmirs livestock population figures are substantial, with more than 43 lakh sheep and another 22.5 lakh goats. Yet, the Union Territory continues to produce significantly less mutton than it consumes, leaving a large gap that is filled by supplies from outside. The issue has gained renewed significance following frequent disruptions in the movement of livestock into J&K, including the latest disruption in supplies from Punjab. The episodes have exposed the Union Territorys continued dependence on animals brought from other states to bridge the gap between local production and consumption. Official figures show that J&K produces around 370 lakh kilograms of mutton annually against an estimated demand of 545 lakh kilograms. This leaves a shortfall of nearly 175 lakh kilograms a year. The gap is equivalent to roughly 910 lakh sheep, depending on the average meat yield per animal. The disparity, experts say, cannot be explained simply by the number of sheep in the region. The productivity of the flockincluding breed characteristics, growth rates, nutrition, disease control and management practicesis equally important. Unlike some major commercial meat-producing regions, J&Ks sheep population consists largely of indigenous and traditional breeds valued for their adaptability to the regions difficult terrain and climatic conditions. However, these breeds generally have lower growth rates and carcass yields than specialised meat-producing breeds developed through systematic genetic selection. Across major sheep-producing regions, breeding programmes have been used to improve traits such as growth rate, reproductive performance and meat yield. In J&K, improving the genetic potential of local flocks could therefore play an important role in increasing meat production without relying solely on an expansion in animal numbers. Genetics, however, is only one part of the problem. Sheep productivity is also closely linked to nutrition, access to quality fodder and grazing resources, disease prevention, veterinary care and scientific flock management. Deficiencies in any of these areas can affect growth, lamb survival, reproductive performance and ultimately the quantity of meat produced. The sector is also facing pressure from the shrinking availability of traditional grazing areas. Expansion of settlements and infrastructure, changes in land use and increasing input costs have made livestock rearing more difficult and, in some cases, less attractive for farmers. Experts say that addressing J&Ks mutton deficit will therefore require strengthening the entire production chain rather than focusing on livestock numbers alone. The government has begun moving in that direction by placing greater emphasis on improving the genetic potential of the local sheep population. The Sheep Husbandry Department plans to introduce advanced breeding technologies, including Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) and Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET). The proposed interventions include embryo-generation laboratories, cryopreservation facilities and embryo-transfer laboratories across districts, alongside specialised training for veterinarians and para-veterinary staff. Such interventions could accelerate the dissemination of superior genetic traits within the local flock, but livestock scientists caution that genetic improvement is a long-term process and cannot immediately close the demand-supply gap. For J&K, the challenge is consequently much broader than dealing with periodic disruptions in livestock supplies from outside. A sustained increase in local mutton production will require simultaneous improvements in breeding, nutrition, animal health, grazing resources, scientific flock management, farmer support and market infrastructure.
LG Ladakh VK Saxena inaugurates Black-Necked Crane Festival
Leh, Aug 11:Ladakh Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, inaugurated the nations first Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026 in Ladakh, an initiative aimed at conserving the endangered Black-Necked Crane and strengthening environmental protection, economic welfare and sustainable livelihoods of local communities. The festival witnessed the participation of conservationists, researchers and experts from India and foreign countries, including those from the United Nations. Experts from Bhutan and Nepal, which have a sizable population of Black-necked Cranes, are also participating in the festival. There are around 16,000 Black-Necked Cranes distributed across India, Bhutan, China and Nepal. The Black-Necked Crane is the worlds only alpine crane, adapted to some of the highest and most challenging environments on earth. Ladakh is the only breeding habitat of the species in India, making the Union Territory critically important for its conservation. Recognising its ecological and cultural significance, the UT Administration has declared the Black-Necked Crane as the State Bird of Ladakh. The species is also regarded as a symbol of peace, further strengthening its significance as an ambassador of Ladakhs unique natural heritage. Addressing the festival, LG Saxena said that conservation of the Black-Necked Crane cannot be separated from the protection of Ladakhs wetlands, grasslands and high-altitude ecosystems. He said that wetlands such as Tso Kar, Hanle and other breeding landscapes are not merely habitats for wildlife but ecological systems that support biodiversity, regulate water systems and sustain pastoral communities. Protecting the crane therefore also means protecting the environment and livelihoods that depend upon these landscapes. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that local communities must be recognised as partners, custodians and champions of conservation, rather than merely beneficiaries of conservation programmes. He called for greater integration of traditional local knowledge and modern scientific methods to achieve effective conservation. The Black-Necked Crane is much more than a bird. It is a symbol of peace, an ambassador of our high-altitude ecosystem and a bridge between wildlife conservation and the well-being of our communities. Our goal must be to protect nature while creating sustainable opportunities for the people who have safeguarded these landscapes for generations, said LG Saxena. He also highlighted the potential of responsible birdwatching, nature tourism, wildlife photography, local handicrafts and traditional products to create sustainable economic opportunities for communities. The Community Knowledge Circle and Community Eco-Market organised as part of the festival were cited as examples of connecting conservation with culture and local livelihoods. The Lieutenant Governor said that Ladakh must pursue the principle of more value from nature, with less pressure on nature, ensuring that tourism and economic activity do not degrade the very ecosystems that attract visitors to the region. The festival also highlighted the need to protect breeding grounds and wetlands from pollution, unregulated tourism, and other pressures, while raising public awareness of the ecological importance of the species. LG Saxena also released knowledge products on the black-necked crane, including the Black-necked Crane: India Book, Black-necked Crane: Bhutan Book, a coffee table book on the black-necked crane, an action plan on conservation of the black-necked crane and its habitat, status and distribution of black-necked crane, bird economy status report, Leh, Ladakh, release of a special postal cover and cancellation in collaboration with India Post on the black-necked crane, and release of Ladakh declaration for black-necked crane conservation.
Every day in my outpatient clinic, I meet young and middle-aged individuals carrying an X-ray and a single fear: Doctor, I have arthritis. Does this mean I need a knee replacement? For many, a diagnosis of osteoarthritis feels like the end of an active life. This fear is often reinforced by the widespread misconception that once arthritis develops, Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is the only definitive solution. It is time to change this narrative. This is the idea behind the Save Knee Initiative, a public awareness campaign dedicated to educating people that preserving the natural knee should always be the first priority whenever medically appropriate. Let me make one point clear at the outset: this initiative is not against knee replacement surgery. As an orthopaedic surgeon who regularly performs Total Knee Replacement, I have seen countless patients regain mobility, independence and dignity through this remarkable operation. Modern knee replacement is one of the major advances in orthopaedic surgery and remains the best treatment for many patients with advanced arthritis. However, a successful knee replacement should never make us forget the value of a natural knee. No artificial implant, however advanced, can completely replicate the biological function, proprioception and long-term durability of a healthy native joint. Therefore, particularly in younger and active individuals, the first question should not always be, When should we replace the knee? It should be, Can we still save it? Arthritis is not always a disease of old age Osteoarthritis was traditionally regarded as an inevitable consequence of ageing. Today, however, we are seeing increasing numbers of people in their thirties, forties and early fifties developing knee arthritis. Changing lifestyles, obesity, sports injuries, physically demanding occupations and delayed treatment of ligament and meniscal injuries can all contribute to early joint degeneration. Many younger patients develop arthritis not simply because they are ageing, but because their knees have been exposed to abnormal mechanical stresses over many years. Treat the cause, not just the consequence One of the important principles of arthritis management is to understand why the joint has deteriorated rather than focusing only on the damaged cartilage. Previous ACL injuries, untreated meniscal tears, bow-legged or knock-kneed deformities, cartilage injuries, obesity and abnormal limb alignment can accelerate degeneration. Systemic factorsincluding metabolic and endocrine disorders, inflammatory rheumatological diseases, connective-tissue disorders, nutritional deficiencies and genetic predispositionmay also contribute. These factors deserve proper assessment. A comprehensive approach to knee arthritis should therefore look beyond the X-ray and consider the patient as a whole. The era of joint preservation Modern orthopaedics has moved beyond the simple concept of replacing a worn-out joint. Joint preservation aims to relieve pain, restore function and, in carefully selected patients, delay or avoid knee replacement. Joint preservation does not mean avoiding surgery. It means choosing the right procedure for the right patient. One important procedure is High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO). In selected patients with early arthritis predominantly affecting the inner compartment of the knee, particularly those with bow-legged alignment, HTO can correct the alignment and redistribute weight towards the healthier part of the joint. This can reduce pain, improve function and potentially delay knee replacement. Other joint-preservation strategies may include limb realignment, meniscal preservation or repair, reconstruction of unstable ligaments such as the ACL, treatment of focal cartilage defects in selected patients, and structured rehabilitation. Physiotherapy, muscle strengthening, weight management and lifestyle modification remain important components of treatment. These approaches are not suitable for everyone. But they are options that deserve consideration before replacing the entire joint. Knee replacement still has an indispensable role It is equally important not to create another misconception. Joint preservation is not a substitute for knee replacement when arthritis has become advanced. Patients with severe multi-compartment arthritis, fixed deformities and debilitating pain may benefit enormously from Total Knee Replacement. In such situations, unnecessarily delaying surgery can prolong suffering and compromise quality of life. The goal is therefore not to avoid knee replacement at all costs. The goal is to perform it when it is genuinely indicated. Educate before you operate Patients deserve more than a quick look at an X-ray. A meaningful assessment of knee arthritis should consider limb alignment, ligament stability, meniscal integrity, muscle strength, body weight, metabolic and inflammatory conditions, activity level and the patients expectations. The Save Knee Initiative is built around a simple principle: Educate before you operate. Its aim is to increase awareness about early arthritis, encourage timely consultation, identify potentially modifiable factors, promote healthy lifestyles and help patients understand the full spectrum of treatment options available today. Some knees need rehabilitation. Some need realignment. Some may benefit from biological or cartilage-restoration procedures. Some eventually need replacement. The art of orthopaedic surgery lies in knowing the difference. As surgeons, our responsibility extends beyond performing technically successful operations. It also includes preserving nature whenever safely possible and replacing it when necessary. A natural knee remains the best knee. If we can preserve it safely, we should. If we cannot, modern knee replacement can restore comfort, function and independence. The future of knee care is not about choosing between preservation and replacement. It is about choosing the right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time. That is the philosophy behind the Save Knee Initiative: Preserve when possible. Replace when necessary. Author is an Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Hospital for Bone and Joint Surgery, Barzulla
There is something depressingly familiar about Benjamin Netanyahus latest rejection of the US-backed Gaza roadmap. At a moment when the region desperately needs a credible path out of war, the Israeli prime minister has once again placed maximalist demands ahead of compromise. Netanyahus declaration that Israel rejects the 15-point plan and will not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas is genuinely disarmed is more than a disagreement over sequencing. It raises the fundamental question of whether the Israeli government is prepared to accept any political arrangement that could actually bring the conflict to an end. The irony is difficult to miss. The plan was designed around a gradual process: Hamas would surrender heavy weapons, dismantle military infrastructure and tunnels, while Gazas administration would eventually be transferred to a technocratic Palestinian committee under international oversight. It was hardly a blueprint for leaving Israel defenceless. Yet Netanyahu has rejected even this framework, insisting on what he calls real disarmament and ruling out a Palestinian state altogether. This is precisely what makes Israel, under Netanyahu, appear once again to be the spoilsport in Middle Eastern peace efforts. Every time diplomacy produces a framework, the goalposts seem to move. Every proposed concession is treated as a security risk. Peace cannot be built by demanding that one side surrenders everything while the other retains an open-ended military presence and veto over Gazas political future. Netanyahus position also puts Donald Trump in an awkward and potentially consequential position. The plan was presented as a major diplomatic achievement, and Trumps Board of Peace has invested considerable political capital in it. If Israel simply rejects its central provisions, Washington faces a choice: pressure Netanyahu to compromise or allow another peace initiative to collapse. The consequences will extend beyond Gaza. Continued Israeli military operations and settler violence in the occupied West Bank make the prospect of a broader political settlement even more remote. A government that simultaneously rejects a Palestinian state and undermines the conditions necessary for Palestinian political stability cannot credibly claim to be working towards a durable peace.
Glave and Azu deliver on GB sweep promise with 100m gold and silver
Great Britain's Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu say a medal sweep in the men's 100m was a goal they had discussed amongst their teams earlier in the yea... Glave and Azu deliver on GB sweep promise with 100m gold and silver
Food adulteration is not a petty marketplace trick. It is a direct attack on public health, a betrayal of consumer trust, and a moral indictment of a system that too often looks away while unsafe products move freely from production units to shop shelves and, ultimately, to our homes. In any society that values health and dignity, food should be the safest thing people encounter in daily life. Yet in ours, it has become one of the most uncertain. The menace is especially disturbing because it hides in plain sight. It does not always arrive in a form that looks contaminated or suspicious. Sometimes it is milk diluted beyond reason, spices stretched with fillers, oils adulterated with inferior substitutes, or sweets and bakery items prepared with substandard ingredients. Sometimes it is fruit ripened with chemicals, paneer made under unsafe conditions, or packaged products whose labels promise purity while their contents tell another story. The danger lies not only in what is obviously fake but in what is cleverly disguised. That is what makes adulteration such a dangerous and modern form of fraud. It exploits trust. It feeds on habit. It counts on the consumers inability to verify every item bought at the market or served at the table. People buy what they need, eat what they can afford, and assume the state has done its job. When that assumption fails, the consequences are not merely financial. They are medical, social, and in some cases irreversible. The health effects of adulterated food are often underestimated because they are not always immediate. Unlike a visible accident or a sudden infection, the damage from unsafe food may build slowly. It can weaken immunity, disrupt digestion, damage the liver and kidneys, trigger allergies, aggravate chronic illness, and, over time, create serious health complications. For children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people already living with medical conditions, the threat is even greater. What appears to be an everyday purchase can become a long-term hazard. The public outrage that occasionally follows a raid or media report is understandable, but outrage alone does not solve the problem. The real issue is structural. If adulteration continues year after year, then it is not because people do not know it exists. It is because enforcement is inconsistent, penalties are weak, and accountability is too often delayed until the damage is already done. A few isolated inspections cannot substitute for a functioning food safety regime. What is needed is not ceremonial action but serious governance. Food safety departments must conduct regular, surprise, and scientifically backed inspections. Samples must be tested frequently, results should be transparent, and offenders must face consequences strong enough to deter others. Repeat violations should not be treated as minor technical lapses. Businesses that knowingly sell adulterated food should risk suspension, heavy fines, and prosecution where warranted. The message must be unmistakable: poisoning the food chain is not a business model, it is a crime. At the same time, the food supply chain itself needs scrutiny. Adulteration does not begin only at the point of sale. It can start at procurement, during storage, in transit, or at the stage of processing. Poor sanitation, fraudulent labeling, weak supervision, and the use of cheap substitute ingredients all contribute to the problem. If the system allows unsafe products to move through multiple hands without checks, then the failure is not only individual but institutional. This is also why the fight against adulteration cannot be left to consumers alone. It is unreasonable to expect every household to detect every impurity in every item it buys. Yet awareness still matters. Consumers should be encouraged to read labels carefully, demand receipts, report suspicious products, and be cautious of unusually cheap goods that promise premium quality. Schools, community groups, local bodies, and health departments should run sustained awareness campaigns so that people know how adulteration works and how to protect themselves from it. But awareness should never become an excuse for state inaction. The burden must not be shifted onto consumers while the market remains largely unchecked. The responsibility of ensuring safe food lies first with regulators, then with manufacturers, distributors, and sellers. A citizen should not need laboratory skills to know whether the milk being sold is genuine or the spice mix on the shelf is safe. Safety should be built into the system, not outsourced to the consumers suspicion. There is also a deeper ethical question here. Food is not like any other product. It is tied to life itself. To adulterate food is to profit from vulnerability. It is to deceive families trying to feed their children, workers buying meals on the way home, patients following dietary instructions, and elderly people depending on basic nutrition. In that sense, food adulteration is not merely commerce gone wrong. It is a betrayal of the social contract. The poor are usually the first and worst victims. Those with greater purchasing power can often shift to expensive brands, specialty stores, or imported products. Those with limited means must depend on whatever is available and affordable. This is why adulteration is also an issue of inequality. It punishes the people with the least protection, the least choice, and the least ability to challenge the system. A society that tolerates that reality is accepting a two-tier standard of safety: one for the privileged, another for everyone else. The response must therefore be broad, coordinated, and sustained. Government agencies must treat food adulteration as a public health emergency, not a periodic nuisance. Food testing infrastructure must be strengthened. Laboratories must be better equipped. Inspections must be more frequent. Data should be shared publicly so that the market knows it is being watched. Licensing systems should be tightened so that only accountable businesses remain in operation. The goal should not be to create fear for honest traders, but to make dishonesty unprofitable and impossible. The media also has a major role. It must keep this issue in public view beyond the occasional headline. There is value in reporting enforcement failures, exposing patterns, and forcing authorities to answer uncomfortable questions. Public attention is one of the few pressures that can keep a routine problem from being normalized. When adulteration disappears from discussion, it gains space to spread. When it is repeatedly exposed, it becomes harder to hide. Civil society, too, must not remain passive. Resident associations, traders groups, educational institutions, and consumer forums should press for safer markets and greater accountability. Food safety is not an abstract policy issue. It touches every home, every child, every kitchen, and every meal. That makes it a shared responsibility, even if the primary obligation rests with the state. The real tragedy is that adulteration has become familiar. We have heard about it enough times to be alarmed, but not enough times to demand a permanent solution. That is how dangerous habits survive: through repetition, fatigue, and resignation. But resignation is not an option. No community should have to wonder whether its milk is pure, its spices are authentic, or its sweets are safe to eat. No family should have to bargain with uncertainty every time it shops for food. This is where policy must meet morality. Safe food is not a luxury, and it is not a privilege. It is a basic right, inseparable from the right to health and dignity. Any government that cannot enforce that right is failing in one of its most basic duties. Any market that rewards adulteration over honesty is failing its consumers. And any society that learns to live with this failure is quietly normalising harm. The time for token action is over. The state must move from occasional raids to sustained enforcement, from warnings to consequences, from reactive outrage to preventive regulation. Food adulteration must be treated with the seriousness it deserves, because the cost of delay is measured not only in money but in illness, suffering, and avoidable loss. If the food on our table cannot be trusted, then something deeper has gone wrong. Correcting that wrong must become a priority, not a slogan. The purity of food is not a narrow consumer issue; it is a test of governance, ethics, and public responsibility. And until that test is passed, the danger will continue to sit quietly at the centre of everyday life. (The author is a social activist, researcher and educationist)
African proverb of the day, Even the best cooking pot will not produce food, explains why talent, skills, education, money and resources cannot create success without action. The proverb compares potential with an empty pot and effort with the ingredients and fire needed to prepare food. It teaches planning, responsibility, initiative, hard work and execution as necessary steps towards achieving goals.
Kinnaur coop to supply Pahadi sheep, goat meat to ITBP
FC Goa's ACL Two Hopes Hinge On Arkadag Clash
AIFF Super Cup winners FC Goa are set to face Turkmenistan's dominant FC Arkadag in a single-leg qualifying match for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. This crucial encounter marks former India defender Gouramangi Singh's debut as head coach for FC Goa, who enter the playoff with a depleted squad. The winner advances to the group stage, while the loser drops to the AFC Challenge League.
PM Modis Mangal Milan: A Platform for Open Dialogue Among MPs
New Delhi, August 11: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj recently shed light on Prime Minister Narendra Modis initiative, Mangal Milan. This platform allows MPs to gather every Tuesday to engage in open discussions on various national and social issues. The primary goal of these meetings is to exchange ideas, brainstorm challenges, and propose new suggestions. In ... Read more PM Modis Mangal Milan: A Platform for Open Dialogue Among MPs
US-India strategic cooperation vital for global security: US Envoy Sergio Gor
Had a fruitful meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss deepening US-India strategic cooperation. Our close partnership with India is vital to addressing global security challenges. The United States and India share many of the same goals and our engagement continues to grow! the US Envoy posted
Psychology says why being given two choices can sometimes feel better than being given ten
Researchers found that the effect of having many options depends on four key factors: the complexity of the choices, the difficulty of the decision, how certain a person is about their preferences, and the goal behind the decision. In other words, having 10 options isn't automatically overwhelming. If you already know what you want, comparing 10 choices may feel relatively simple and manageable.
Girl, 14, Dragged Into Sugarcane Field, Gang-Raped While Grazing Goats In UP
Superintendent of Police (North) Mukesh Chandra Mishra stated that the incident occurred on Sunday evening.
Rapid7, a notable player in cybersecurity, has announced a workforce reduction of around twelve percent as part of its strategic shift towards an AI-first approach. This decision aligns with their goal to boost investment in AI-driven security solutions and refine their core platform. Additionally, the company is forming a new leadership team intended to spearhead this innovative AI initiative, ultimately striving for improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer service.
Quote of the day by Bill Vaughan succeeds because it contains a serious truth beneath its punchline. The wealth can provide comfort and security, but fulfillment often depends on how people spend their time, whom they love, what they value and whether they feel their lives have meaning.
Can you name every player to score 10+ Premier League goals in 2015-16?
It was a very unpredictable season. The post Can you name every player to score 10+ Premier League goals in 2015-16? appeared first on Planet Football .
Kolkata High Court Extends Interim Relief for Former Minister Arup Biswas in Messi Event Case
Kolkata, August 11: The Kolkata High Courts single bench has extended interim protection for former West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas until November 30. This decision comes in light of his involvement in alleged irregularities during Lionel Messis Goat India Tour event. The event took place on December 13, 2025, at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan ... Read more Kolkata High Court Extends Interim Relief for Former Minister Arup Biswas in Messi Event Case
National Institute of Technology Goa (NIT Goa) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for 1 Student Activity & Sports Officer post. The online application process will be conducted up to 21 August 2026. Eligible candidates can apply through the official website.
Delhis Spiritual and Heritage Tourism: A New Era Begins
New Delhi, August 11: Delhis Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in the Spiritual and Heritage Tourism Conclave-2026 held at Akshardham Temple on Tuesday. The conference, themed Delhi: The Capital of Spirituality, Heritage, and Experiences, aims to showcase Delhis spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage as a unified tourism experience. The goal is to transform the capital ... Read more Delhis Spiritual and Heritage Tourism: A New Era Begins
Goa Board Exams 2027: SSC, HSSC board exam tentative schedule released
GBSHSE has published the tentative Class 10 and 12 exam schedules on its official website. The Class 12 exams are set to start from February 8 and the Class 10 exams from March 15, 2027
Ibrahim sends Fortis FC into AFC Challenge League group stage
Mohammad Ibrahim scored the decisive goal as Fortis FC edged Muras United 1-0 at Bashundhara Kings Arena on Tuesday to secure a place in the AFC Challenge League group stage on their continental debut.
