700 injured while performing with swords, sticks on Ram Navami in Hazaribag
Around 700 people were injured while playing with swords and sticks during Ram Navami celebrations in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district, officials said on Saturday. The Ram Navami celebrations, which began around 8 pm on Friday, concluded on Saturday night. Braving heavy rains, 91 akharas took part in the centuries-old celebrations in the town's Boddom Bazar in Bada Thakur Bari area, they said. The celebrations that were marked by well-decorated tableaux touring the length and breadth of the town saw the participation of over 2 lakh people, they added. No untoward incident was reported during the celebrations, officials said, adding that huge number of security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Fifteen medical camps were set up by the Hazaribag Medical College and Hospital (HMCH) to deal with any emergency situation, they said. Around 700 people received minor injuries while playing with traditional weapons. Most of them were treated at the camp, while many were also
Ram Navami in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh: 700 people injured while performing with swords & sticks
Braving heavy rains, 91 akharas took part in the centuries-old celebrations in the town's Boddom Bazar in Bada Thakur Bari area. HAZARIBAG:Around 700 people were injured while playing with swords and sticks during Ram Navami celebrations in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, officials said on Saturday. The Ram Navami celebrations, which began around 8 pm on Friday, concluded on Saturday night. Braving heavy rains, 91 akharas took part in the centuries-old celebrations in the town's Boddom Bazar in Bada Thakur Bari area, they said. The celebrations that were marked by well-decorated tableaux touring the length and breadth of the town saw the participation of over 2 lakh people, they added. No untoward incident was reported during the celebrations, officials said, adding that huge number of security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Fifteen medical camps were set up by the Hazaribag Medical College and Hospital (HMCH) to deal with any emergency situation, they said. Around 700 people received minor injuries while playing with traditional weapons.Most of them were treated at the camp, while many were also sent to different hospitals, an HMCH official said. In East Singhbhum, 27 akhara committees of Jamshedpur who could not take out the Ram Navami rallies following unrest over the restriction on loud music during celebrations, immersed their 'jhandas' (flags) in various ghats peacefully, an official said. A dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by certain organisations in Haldipokhar, around 25 km from Jamshedpur, also passed off peacefully, he said. The bandh was called demanding suspension of the circle officer of Potka, and action against those responsible for the brick-batting during Ram Navami procession, which injured at least five people.
700 people injured while performing with swords, sticks on Ram Navami in Hazaribag
Hazaribag: Around 700 people were injured while playing with swords and sticks during Ram Navami celebrations in Jharkhands Hazaribag district, officials said on Saturday. The Ram Navami celebrations, which began around 8 pm on Friday, concluded on Saturday night. Braving heavy rains, 91 akharas took part in the centuries-old celebrations in the towns Boddom Bazar Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
HC restrains CMRL from felling trees in parks without approval of panel
Justice M. Dhandapani asks Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. to submit details regarding number of parks likely to be affected due to its project, the number of trees that may have to be felled and the plan in place to restore the parks after the construction
Two special trains from Chennai to Kerala to clear Good Friday, Vishu rush
Shocking: Man, accused of killing a 13-year-old-kid, fell from high tension electric tower, dies
In Punpun, a man killed a 13-year-old boy by slitting his neck near Akona Mod road. After the incident, the accused climbed the high tension electric tower fearing backlash from villagers. As soon as the information was received, the police of many police stations reached the spot and started trying to bring down the accused. At the same time, a large crowd gathered at the spot and the mob got angry and started pelting stones, in which many policemen were seriously injured. The police had to fire about six rounds in the air to control the situation. Meanwhile, the person who climbed the tower fell down and died on the spot. Police has sent the dead body for postmortem and is engaged in further action. In view of the situation, GRP and RPF also stopped trains running on Patna-Gaya as a precautionary measure. Later, after the situation became normal, train operations were started.
DELHI KISAN MORCHA TO MARCH TO CM KEJRIWAL HOUSE TO SEEK COMPENSATION FOR CROP DAMAGE
The Delhi Kisan Morcha, a group representing farmers, has announced that they will march to the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to demand compensation for crop damage caused by unseasonal rains. The group claims that many farmers have suffered losses due to the recent rains and are struggling to make ends meet. They are seeking immediate relief from the government to support their livelihoods.
In Volgograd, the schedule of three electric trains was changed and 2 new ones were launched
The summer season has begun in Volgograd and the region. Additional trains have been set up in the regional center so that residents can easily travel to their sites. Since [] The post In Volgograd, the schedule of three electric trains was changed and 2 new ones were launched appeared first on The Eastern Herald .
IMD Alert: Next 48-hour for heavy rain in 12 states, temperature will rise here, know details
Widespread rain with thunderstorm and lightning very likely over Delhi, UP, Jammu on 3rd April. Also, on April 3, isolated hailstorm may occur over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana. IMD Alert, Today Weather Update: The process of significant changes in the countrys weather continues. Heavy rains are being seen continuously in many states. Along [] The post IMD Alert: Next 48-hour for heavy rain in 12 states, temperature will rise here, know details first appeared on discountwalas .
Mother Annapurna has a special place in Hinduism. Maa Annapurna is worshipped as the goddess of food. It is believed that family members get food only by the grace of Mother Annapurna. It is also said that any devotee who worships Goddess Annapurna with true devotion, his house never remains empty of food. Mata Annapurna is worshipped as the goddess of food, good fortune and wealth. This is the reason why people keep his picture in their homes. But if we talk about the rules of Vastu, then it is advisable to keep the idol or picture of the mother only in some special places of the house. Let's learn from Life Coach and Astrologer Sheetal Shaparia where and in which direction it is auspicious to place the picture of Maa Annapurna and what rules you should follow if you are installing it in the kitchen of the house. Right direction of the idol of Mata Annapurna According to Vastu Shastra, the most auspicious direction for the picture of Mata Annapurna is the east-south direction i.e. the middle part of the southeast angle. Gods reside in this direction. That's why keeping the picture of Maa Annapurna here brings happiness, prosperity and good luck to the house and there is never any shortage of food. Placing the mother's picture in the house gives relief from Vastu's defects. Place the idol of Mata Annapurna in the worship place of the house If you keep the picture of Mata Annapurna in the temple of the house then it is considered very auspicious. You have to keep in mind that worship the mother regularly and offer food to her. It is advised to keep it in the northeast direction of the temple. Keep Annapurna Mata's picture in the storage planet If there is a place in your house where you store food grains, then the picture of the mother can also be placed in that place. But you have to take special care that the wall on which you are putting the picture should not be attached to the bathroom. If there is a bathroom near it, do not put the mother's picture. Put a picture of Mata Annapurna in the kitchen According to Vastu, keep the idol of Mata Annapurna in the northeast direction of the kitchen so that the blessings of Maa Annapurna always remain with the family. If it is not possible to put it in this direction, then the picture of Maa Annapurna can also be put in the west. Due to this, there will never be a shortage of food in the house and happiness and peace will remain in the family. But you have to note that it is also necessary to follow the rules of their installation. How to establish Annapurna Mata View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Sheetal Shaparia - Astrologer, Coffee Cup, & Wine Reading (@sheetalshaparia) Sheetal ji tells that to install the idol of Mata Annapurna in the kitchen put some Akshat on a clean plate and put some grains of whole moong dal in it. Place the idol of the mother on it and light a ghee lamp in front of it. After this, do the Aarti of Mata regularly. Keep in mind that after installing the idol in the kitchen, it is necessary to offer bhog to it daily, so that your stores remain full. There is a picture of Mata Annapurna in the kitchen, so keep these things in mind If there is a picture of Mata Annapurna in your kitchen, then you should never enter that place without taking a bath. In such a kitchen, you should never cook non-vegetarian food and if possible, cook food without onion and garlic. The first part of the food should be offered daily to the mother as bhog. If you are installing the picture or idol of Mata Annapurna in the house, then it is important to take care of the things mentioned here. Images: freepik.com DISCLAIMER Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.
Astrology tips to strengthen the Sun: - Donate these things on Sunday to strengthen the Sun in
According to astrology, the special importance of charity has been explained. It also has an important place in your life. According to astrology, it is believed that on a particular day or occasion, everyone must donate something to the needy. It is believed that charity protects you from many health problems. That's why it is advised to donate to Hindu culture. Not only is this, donating different things every single day of the week considered important. If you want to donate, then according to the day of the week, you should have complete information about what can be the best donation on which day. If you want to strengthen the planet Sun, then you are advised to donate some special things on Sunday. According to astrology, if you donate these things on Sunday, then your bad deeds can also be done and you will get auspicious results. Let's know about it in detail from astrologer Dr AartiDahiyaji. Donating red clothes on Sunday If you want to strengthen the position of the Sun in your horoscope, then you are advised to donate red clothes to the needy on Sundays. It is believed that the colour of the Sun is red, so donating clothes of this colour is fruitful. You can always improve your financial condition by donating clothes to a poor person. Keep in mind that whatever clothes you donate should not be old and torn. Donation of red grain If you donate red grains on Sunday, it is considered very auspicious. It is believed that by donating red grains, there is never a shortage of food and money in your home and prosperity remains. Donate especially red lentils in the form of red grains. Its donation strengthens the position of the Sun in your horoscope. According to astrology, donating raw food is more fruitful. Keep in mind that always donate only such grains which are edible and donate only to the needy. Donation of copper utensils Copper is considered the metal of the Sun. If you donate utensils made of copper or any other items to the poor on Sunday, then it will be especially fruitful for you. Donation of this metal helps in strengthening the position of the Sun in your horoscope. By the way, in astrology, it is advised to donate metals under certain circumstances and only on special occasions. When to donate which metal depends on the horoscope of the person. Donate jaggery If you donate jaggery on Sunday, it is considered very auspicious for you. Offering Arghya to the Sun by adding kumkum and jaggery in water on Sunday and donating jaggery is considered auspicious for any person. Especially if the position of the Sun is weak in your horoscope, then do charity on Sunday. Apart from this, you must offer Arghya to the Sun every Sunday while chanting the mantras of the Sun. Offer red flowers in the temple If you offer red flowers in the temple every Sunday, it is also considered very auspicious for you. This remedy gives freedom from all the defects of life. It is believed that by donating red flowers your wishes can be fulfilled. Apart from this, you should also offer red flowers in the temple of your home. If you donate these special things on Sunday, then the position of the weak Sun in your life can be strengthened and all your wishes can be fulfilled. Images: freepik.com DISCLAIMER Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.
Farmers to begin indefinite 'Rail Roko' in Batala from April 2
To finalise the preparations for the Rail Roko agitation, a meeting was held on Saturday wherein it was decided to stop trains at Batala railway station until the government meet their demands.
Hyderabad: SCR cancels several MMTS trains on Saturday
Hyderabad: Owing to operational reasons, the South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled several MMTS train services on Saturday. Cancelled services include Lingampally Hyderabad, Hyderabad Lingampalli, Falaknuma Lingampalli, Lingampalli Falaknuma, Falaknuma Hyderabad and Falaknuma Ramachandrapuram. Rail users have been requested to make note of the cancellations and plan an alternative mode Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar tests positive for coronavirus just before PM Modi's press conference
Bhopal : Today, on Saturday (April 1), PM Narendra Modi is visiting Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Here, PM Modi attended the press conference of the three armies. Big news is coming out amidst the ongoing Combined Commanders Conference meeting at the Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Centre. Actually, Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar Corona has been found infected. Let us tell you that before the arrival of PM Narendra Modi, the corona test of all the people who attended the press conference was done. Admiral Hari Kumar's report was found positive in the Corona test, after which he left the Commanders' Conference in the middle and returned to Delhi by a special plane. Let us tell you that in this Saturday's conference, the chiefs of the three forcesNavy, Army, and Air Forcethe Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), PM Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are brainstorming together. Let us tell you that a big strategy is being made for the future at the ongoing Combined Commanders Conference at the Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Centre in the state capital of Bhopal. Along with this, various issues related to national security will be discussed, and other topics, including self-reliance in defence matters, will be addressed. GST revenue grows 13% to Rs.1.60 lakh crore in March Navjot Singh Sidhu to release from Patiala jail today Comparison of 'Rahul' with Mahatma Gandhi! Congress leader called Indira 'Mother of the Nation'
Moderate Rains, Thunderstorms to Impact Southern India from April ... - The Weather Channel
Moderate Rains, Thunderstorms to Impact Southern India from April ... The Weather Channel
Your Brains Everyday Life Isnt So Simple As It Seems, New Study Suggests
New Brain Scans Show How Our Minds Craft Rich Memories from Simple Scenes Washington University researchers have gained fresh insights into the brains processing and recall of everyday events. Led by Zachariah Reagh, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences, and co-author Charan Ranganath of the University of California, Davis, the study utilized functional [] The post Your Brains Everyday Life Isnt So Simple As It Seems, New Study Suggests appeared first on Revyuh .
India Predicts Heat Waves in Summer, Stressing Power Supply
India predicted longer spells of heat waves in most parts of the country through June, forecasting a turn in the cool weather the country is witnessing due to unseasonal rains in March.
Roof Of Guwahati Railway Station Collapsed & Flooded Due To Heavy Rains
The roof of Guwahati railway station platform number one collapsed and flooded due to heavy rains. Guwahati city was caught off guard on March 23 night by an unexpected downpour lasting almost an hour and a half. Sources claim that the heavy rains caused many of the city's neighborhoods to flood. Rain is expected to fall persistently in Guwahati until March 27.
The Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat will be the second such train from Tamil Nadu's capital and will be the third Vande Bharat Express for south India
Hail started falling as soon as they reached CM's program, workers ran away with chairs
Jaipur: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot reached Ajmer to address the divisional-level function on Friday.But as soon as the Chief Minister reached the venue, it started raining heavily and hail started falling.Due to this, the Congress workers left by making umbrellas for the chairs on which they were sitting. This whole incident went on only in the presence of CM. Seeing this, some leaders hurriedly reached the gate of the venue and tried to stop the workers.But the workers did not stop. Due to this, the workers also tore down the banner posters on the road. But, in the midst of heavy rain, Ashok Gehlot continued his address.Congress workers also praised this. State in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, while addressing the function further, said that the Rajasthan government of the state has done historic works. The public once again wants to hand over the power of Rajasthan to the Congress.Now it is the turn of the Congress workers to go among the public and tell about the successes of the Congress government.Due to this, State President Govind Singh Dotasara, RTDC Chairman Dharmendra Singh Rathore, Gujarat in-charge of Congress Raghu Sharma, and other leaders also addressed the crowd. While discussing the same programme with the media afterward, Gehlot lashed out at the Modi government at the Centre. He alleged that constitutional institutions were being misused during the BJP's rule. As a result, the country's constitution and democracy are now in danger.The way Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue of Adani, the government should have responded to it.But he did not answer in the Parliament, and he was expelled from the membership of the Parliament itself. Further, Gehlot said that when the BJP talked about creating a Hindu nation, Amritpal in Punjab was talking about Khalistan. The situation in the country is becoming increasingly worrying.Today, Congress workers remained engaged in the Congress workers conference even in the midst of heavy rain.This is an indication that the public is now ignoring the BJP. On the other hand, due to the heavy rains, Congress workers were avoiding the rain by turning their chairs upside down to avoid it. While expressing his displeasure, a worker said that just as these chairs have turned upside down, so has this government. Thereafter, the worker started raising the slogan PM Narendra Modi Zindabad. Covid Roundup: India's active caseload crosses 16K mark Earthquake tremors felt in Andaman and Nicobar Islands IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans starts title defence with 5-wicket win over CSK
Health Tips: Know the amazing benefits of consuming millet and ragi roti!
Strong Bone: Every person wants that his bones should be strengthened, in such a situation, apart from milk, you can consume rotis prepared from special grains. This gives quick benefits. Millet And Ragi Roti: Our body will be able to remain strong only when the bones are strong. For this, we will need to eat nutritious food. For this, the selection of the right grain is necessary. If we talk about roti, we eat wheat flour roti in daily life, but we have many healthy options as well. Ayushi Yadav, a famous dietician working at GIMS Hospital in Greater Noida, told that if we consume rotis made from many other grains, then it will give tremendous strength to the bones. Consume millet and ragi roti You must try roti made of millet and ragi once. Many nutrients like protein, fiber, calcium, and vitamins are found in them. Let us know what kind of benefits our body will get by eating this bread. How will our bones become strong with this? 1. Will get relief from joint pain As our age increases, bones start getting weak. People often complain of joint pain in old age. In such a situation, if you start eating rotis made of millet and ragi flour, then the joint pain will disappear. 2. Relief in Arthritis Do eat bread made of millet and ragi because they have anti-inflammatory properties which provide relief from the problems of arthritis and also help in reducing inflammation. 3. Bones will be strong Millet is found in plenty of calcium, and along with eating this grain, phosphorus is also available, which gives tremendous strength to our bones. You should eat millet bread daily. 4. The risk of bone fracture will be reduced If you eat bread made of Millet and Ragi in your daily diet, it will reduce the risk of bone fracture due to minor injury to a great extent. If you want, you can cook rotis by mixing both the flours. (Disclaimer: The information given here is based on home remedies and general information. Before adopting it, do take expert advice. Kalamtimes does not confirm this.)
Excess Hair Loss: One of the most common problems of today's modern lifestyle is excessive hair fall. Hair loss from time to time is normal, but if the problem has become severe, then it should not be ignored. Hair fall can be due to many reasons like genetics, imbalanced hormones, stress, poor nutrition, and excessive use of chemicals on the hair. If hair starts appearing on the sleeping pillow, then understand that the problem is very serious. If you too are looking for a way to stop excessive hair fall, fret not. We are going to tell you about some tips, which can be followed regularly to prevent hair fall. Ways to prevent hair fall- Stay hydrated To improve hair health you need to boost your overall health and for that, staying hydrated is the key. Water hydrates the scalp and hair, which can reduce hair fall and promote hair strength. Try to aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Massage your scalp Massaging your scalp can encourage new hair growth and prevent hair loss. Massage gently into the scalp with your fingertips for a few minutes every day. This will encourage stronger hair growth by promoting blood flow to the hair follicles. Eat healthy It is extremely important to have a healthy and balanced diet to provide essential nutrients to your hair. You should eat foods that are rich in iron, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12. To promote hair health, including eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and whole grains in your diet. Avoid smoking Smoking is a significant factor in hair loss. Smoking can weaken the blood supply to the scalp and damage hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss. So if you want to stop hair fall then try to quit smoking. Avoid using chemicals on hair Using chemicals on the hair can damage its hair follicles and hair loss starts. The use of hair colors, straighteners and other styling products containing harsh chemicals should be avoided as much as possible. Instead, you should use natural hair care products that are gentle on your hair.
MeT Predicts More Rains Till April 6
SRINAGAR: Weather department on Saturday said that intermittent rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches was very likely to continue at most places of Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours. A meteorological department official here told GNS that partly to generally cloudy weather was expected on Sunday with possibility of a brief spell []
Fifth Taste: The Umami Sensation in Haleem
Haleem is a harmonious blend of slow-cooked grains and tender meat. HYDERABAD:Haleem: The citys a nourishing medley of wheat, pulses, and meat, is a veritable feast that stands on its own, requiring no accompaniment. But does it possess a taste that sets it apart from the other four known tastes? According to food bloggers and scientists alike, it indeed does, and thats what makes it truly unique. Haleem is brimming with umami, a fifth taste that tantalises the taste buds in a way that sweet, sour, salty, and bitter could never achieve, explains food blogger Zubair Ali, though he cannot pinpoint the exact reason why. Praveen Kumar, a researcher at the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, notes that umami is a hotly debated taste within the scientific community. Umami is the savoury taste of glutamate, which is found in meat protein when mixed with proteins of other grains, constituents of haleem. The taste adds depth and complexity to the overall flavour profile of the dish, it stays for longer than any other of the four tastes in the mouth for it leaves a coating of sensation over the tongue, says Praveen. Haleem is a harmonious blend of slow-cooked grains and tender meat. Its foundation is embellished with an array of aromatic spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, which unfurl their unique flavours, creating an intricate, evocative tapestry of tastes as they engage the taste buds. He adds, There is also a Maillard reaction that occurs between plant and meat protein amino acids, creating a wide variety of flavour compounds. The caramelisation of onion and other spices compounds adds depth to the dish, providing a sweet and slightly bitter taste. Also, there is gelatinisation of starch-containing starch granules present in wheat and other lentils that swell and gelatinise when heated in the presence of water. Zubair Ali says that slow cooking also contributes to umamification. He says, Theres only one middle eastern dish that is full of umami besides haleem and that is khichada which has haleem-like consistency but is made up of chunks of meat rather than shreds seen in haleem. Sweet, sour, salty, and bitter these four sensations have long been considered the cornerstones of our gustatory experiences. However, none of them offers a taste as enduring, as mouthwatering, and as enveloping as the elusive fifth taste known as umami. CE delves into the fascinating chemistry of umami, which can be found in full force during Ramzan in Hyderabads haleem
TSPSC leak: BJP to target KTR till he resigns as Minister
It was decided at the meeting that the BJP was not going to settle for anything less than the resignation of IT Minister KT Rama Rao. A resolution to this effect was also passed. HYDERABAD: During a meeting, BJP State leaders were given a clear direction on how to make the most out of the TSPSC question papers leak scam by questioning the failure of the ruling BRS chaired by BJP State president Bandi Sanjay at the party office in Nampally on Friday. It was decided at the meeting that the BJP would not settle for anything less than the resignation of IT Minister KT Rama Rao. A resolution to this effect was also passed. Calling out the lies of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on compensation for farmers through the SDRF, Sanjay found fault with the State government trying to make it look like Rs 10,000 per acre announced by the chief minister as compensation for crop loss due to unseasonal rains and hail storms was coming from the State exchequer.
Dasara: A surprising reimagination of mass cinema
Debutant filmmaker Srikanth Odela riffs off old-school storytelling to create a viscerally immersive experience The coveted pan-India label is used loosely in Indian cinema, and culturally rooted stories that are infused with larger-than-life heroism seem to be the go-to themes for such films. Nanis Dasara had the potential to become the next big pan-Indian film originating from the Telugu states. In fact, it starts off as a compendium of multiple pan-India films. Veerlapalli, the hamlet Dasara is set in is abutted by coal mines and the thick layer of black dust everywhere takes you back to the mines of KGF. We see Dharani (Nani) make a living with his friends by pilfering coal from moving trains, with his parkour jumps reminiscent of the action choreography in Pushpa. At the heart of Dasara is the jigri dosti of Soori (Dheekshith Shetty) and Dharani and there are no points for guessing which recent successful Telugu film comes to mind when we talk of male friendship. However, what makes Dasara a film that truly expands the definitions of what passes off as a pan-India film is director Srikanth Odelas unique and rousing voice that ensures the film assuredly dodges comparisons. There are a lot of a-ha, I got you! moments in the film that makes us smile thinking of how quick we were to judge Dasara as just a byproduct of the successes of a KGF/RRR/Pushpa/Kantara, and not as a highly effective, and deeply engrossing mass entertainer that is its own beast. Alcohol is the primary leitmotif of Dasaras first half, which is used to establish the caste and power dynamics of Veerlapally. We see how the stronghold of Shivanna (a buck-toothed Samuthirakani) shifts to Rajanna (Sai Kumar), creating a ripple effect in the lives of Dharani, Soori, and Vennela (Keerthy Suresh). It is beautiful how Dharani, Soori, and Vennela form a subversive love triangle, which has a refreshing eschewal of jealousy that paves the way for a tender gaze on male vulnerability. Srikanth Odelas vision finds a perfect match in Nanis acting prowess, as the actor lays his heart bare in scene after scene to heartbreaking effect. This vulnerability is used as a platform from which the film makes giant strides in the second half where the plot steadily burgeons into mythical proportions, which is kickstarted by a bone-chilling interval banger that injects adrenaline into the proceedings and gives Dasara a new sense of urgency. Dasara, at its core, is the coming-of-age story of Dharani, who suffers a personal tragedy before taking up the cudgels for a righteous fight. Unlike the usual big-ticket revenge sagas, where rage and violence are de rigueur, Dasara actually makes way for a debate on the necessity of violence. Though the film quickly resumes the originally scheduled plan of bloodshed, it was an interesting detour nonetheless. Srikanth shows glimpses of being a filmmaker who wants to reinvent masala cinema, and he starts off by changing the way the genre generally treats its women. Keerthy Suresh gets a great role, of a woman who goes from being confident and sassy to one coming to grips with a tragedy. Poorna, who plays the role of Chinna Nambis wife is an interesting casting choice as she makes an impact despite her limited presence. But the same cant be said of Shine Tom Chacko, who isnt supported by the writing, which gives him poorly dubbed, expository lines that only make him less scary with every line. The place where Dasara truly succeeds is in the makers attention to detail. Visuals of hooch and mutton curry, displayed as hallmarks of Telangana culture feature prominently, and the presence of people with dwarfism is a depressing but pertinent detail thrown in to show the congenital issues people living amidst coal mines are susceptible to. It is a world cut from the cloth of reality, of lived experiences and memories finding their way from the script to screen. However, the film does falter a bit with some creative choices, and the discord between writing and editing. Why should a weapon have the visual of a villain superimposed upon it when the films strength lies in its subtlety and strong emotions? What truly is the takeaway from Nanis Dasara is the voice of a potentially important filmmaker. The pre-interval action sequence and the portions involving Dharani and Vennelas marriage are resounding proof of Srikanth Odela being the real deal. Of course, there are places where he needs to pick up the slack, especially in the staging of the action sequences among others. But points to Srikanth for developing a core and a narrative that rises above its shortcomings and manages to create a visceral, immersive experience where the sum of the emotions elicited prove to be larger than its moving parts. Film: Dasara Director: Srikanth Odela Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Shine Tom Chacko Rating: 4/5
Weekend Weather (April1-2): Heavy Rains to Lash Northeast India The Weather Channel
Weekend Weather (April1-2): Heavy Rains to Lash Northeast IndiaThe Weather Channel
Indian Railways To Manufacture 64 Vande Bharat Trains With Eight-Coach Each
Consortium Of Russia's TMH And India's RVNL To Make 120 Vande Bharat Trains With Sleeper Facility
The weather department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with very light rain and thundershowers in one or two places for Saturday. NEW DELHI: Going by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, parts of the national capital are yet again expected to receive a shower of rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on Saturday with the maximum temperature likely to settle at 30 degrees Celsius. The IMD issued a yellow alert for thunderstormsand lightning on April 1 and April 3-4 as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect Northwest India from the night of April 2. The rainfall in the past few days has kept the temperature from surging. Even on Friday, the city witnessed a trace of rainfall in some parts and the maximum temperature was recorded three notches below normal at 28.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature was recorded to be 16.8 degrees Celsius. According to IMD, in the past nine hours ending at 5.30 pm on March 31, the capital registered 0.1 mm of rainfall. The humidity oscillated between 100 per cent and 56 per cent. The weather department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with very light rain and thundershowers in one or two places for Saturday. The maximum and minimum temperature would be around 30 and 15 degrees Celsius, respectively, the IMD said. Meanwhile, due to unexpected rains on Thursday evening, at least 22 flights were delayed in the process from Indira Gandhi International Airport due to a thunderstorm. Out of the 22 flights eleven were diverted to Lucknow, eight to Jaipur, one to Dehradun, one to Ahmedabad and one to Chandigarh. Airlines had sent out a travel advisory to passengers regarding the diversions and delays.
Rains damaged crops: BJP seeks financialaid for farmers inDelhi
Sachdeva said in his letter that thousands of farmers in the national capital have suffered because the unseasonal rains damaged their crops. NEW DELHI: Delhi- BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Friday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding compensation of Rs 1 lakh per acre for the farmers of Delhi whose crops got damaged due to unseasonal rains. Sachdeva said in his letter that thousands of farmers in the national capital have sufferedbecause the unseasonal rains damaged their crops.In the last two years, the crops have been damaged and the farmers are in distress as the government has not yet paid for the loss which was announced two years back, he said. He has requested the CM to conduct a survey of the loss caused to the farmers of Delhi and declare a compensation of Rs 1 lakh per acre. In his letter, he also attacked Power minister Atishi and said that she made a false announcement that the government gives free electricity to the farmers of Delhi, which is being stopped by the L-G. Not a single unit of free electricity is given to the farmers in the national capital by the Delhi government, he added. Sachdeva questioned how can any government play with the sentiments of farmers like this. The farmers are bound to pay hefty bills of Rs 2,000 per month on average irrespective of whether they use electricity or not, Sachdeva added. In regard to thismatter, Sachdevasought an apology fromthe government forthe false announcement of free electricity and demanded action against the power minister.Meanwhile, the party announced that Delhi- BJP Kisan Morcha will stage a protest on Saturday outside the CM house to raise their demands.
Tirunelveli collector instructs reconstruction of sewage drains by reducing its height
Following criticisms, District Collector K P Karthikeyan instructed the officials to reconstruct the drains by reducing its height. TIRUNELVELI: The highway department's move to construct sewage drains on the side of town-Courtallam road in Tirunelveli corporation, blocking the pathway to workshops and houses, has drawn flak from the public. Following criticisms, District Collector K P Karthikeyan instructed the officials to reconstruct the drains by reducing its height. Residents said they have to climb on a 1.5 ft to 3-ft-high drain if they want to step out. Since the highway officials have constructed the drains with more height, elderly people and Persons with Disability (PwD) are unable to cross it. Our cars and two-wheelers cannot enter our house compound. The businesses of those who are running workshops and stores are affected by this. The work was carried out during the night time. Even though we advised the contractor not to construct the drains with more height, he did not listen to us, said a workshop owner. A resident also said as the sewage drain was wide, it had made the road narrow. When contacted by TNIE, Assistant Divisional Engineer Sekar said the collector has instructed the department to reconstruct the sewage drains by reducing its height. The construction work was carried out under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme. The contractor made a mistake. `20 lakh was spent for the construction, which will be borne by the contractor, he added. Collector pointed out that the highway officials should follow NHAI standards while constructing drains. They should also provide a slope for road crossing, he added. Meanwhile, road users said the sewage drains were seen with a higher height in some places along SN high road. The stormwater drains constructed in front of the Department of Animal Husbandry District Livestock Farm as part of the Tirunelveli - Tenkasi road widening project are also with more height, they added.
Platforms of railway stations on Tiruchendur-Nellai route in TN to be extended
The railways had reduced the running time of the Chennai-Tiruchendur Chendur Express by 1.10 hours and Tiruchendur-Chennai by 1 hour from April 1. THOOTHUKUDI: The Madurai division of the Southern Railway has envisaged lengthening four platforms between Tiruchendur -Tirunelveli railway route at Palayamkottai, Thathankulam, Alwarthirunagari and Kachannavilai, following repeated petitions from the public representatives. At present, except for the Chendur Express which has 18 bogies, the other five services are operated with 12 compartments along the Tiruchendur -Tirunelveli railway route, which has been electrified with reduced running hours. The length and height of the platforms of the 100-year-old railway routes have been a major concern. According to sources, the railway stations at Kayalpattinam and Kurumbur have 405-metre-long single platforms, while Seithunganallur, Thiruvaikuntam, and Nazareth stations have 405-metre-long double platforms. Each of the Palayamkottai, Thathankulam, and Kachannavilai railway stations has 270-metre-single platforms and Alwarthirunagari has a 210-metre-long single platform. The Arumuganeri station has a 555-metre-long passenger platform, and a 405-metre-long platform for goods trains, while the prominent Tiruchendur railway station is currently equipped with a 550-metre-platform, 340-metre-long double platform, and a 45-metre-long VIP line, the sources said. In an e-tender notice inviting bids for constructing railway platforms, Gati Shakti Southern railways have called for constructors to expand the platforms at eight railway stations, including Uchupuli, Mandapam, Sivagangai, Palayamkottai, Thathankulam, Alwarthirunagari, Kachannavilai and Ezhukon. The project has been estimated to be completed in six months, the notification revealed. A member of the Divisional Rail User Consultative Committee said that the platforms are likely to be extended to 405 metres to accommodate 18 compartments of a train. Sources said that a platform of at least 540 metres is required to accommodate 24 coaches of ICF trains or 22 coaches of LHP trains. At present, trains with 24 compartments are not operated in Tiruchendur because of the lack of platform length, said sources. The railways had reduced the running time of the Chennai-Tiruchendur Chendur Express by 1.10 hours and Tiruchendur-Chennai by 1 hour from April 1. Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has repeatedly pressured Southern Railways on various issues affecting the railway passengers, including the platform length and delayed timings. Brahmanayagam, president of the Thoothukudi railway passengers association said that Tiruchendur being a historic temple city that attracts large crowds frequently during festivals, the railways must consider lengthening the platforms to 540 metres at major stations like Arumuganeri, Nazareth, Thiruvaikuntam and Seithunganallur to accommodate 24 compartments in future, he said.
Lets not be bird-brains while bird watching!
One option is to use stronger fencing so that people cannot access the lake.
One year on, Tiruchy corporation waits for state government fund for office expansion project
A year has passed since the corporation council meeting adopted a resolution to expand the office space of the civic bodys main office building taking into account future requirements. TIRUCHY: A year has passed since the corporation council meeting adopted a resolution to expand the office space of the civic bodys main office building taking into account future requirements. While sources pointed out that the detailed project report was sent to the state government last September, the civic body continues to wait for funds to give the 59-year-old building, which also hosts the offices of the mayor and the commissioner, a facelift. While the office expansion plan did not find a mention in the recent budget tabled by the corporation, senior officials stressed the need for financial assistance from the state government as the project roughly needs Rs 40 crore. Sharing details of the project, a senior corporation official said, We would not demolish the existing building but construct additional office units within the premises of the main office to host more officials. Some structural modifications would also be done to the existing building. We hope the government sanctions funds for the project this year itself. Meanwhile, sources pointed to the civic bodys plan to cover about 400 km of open drains in the city which was submitted in a meeting last December also awaiting state government funding. Senior officials had then informed the council that the project would be implemented in a phased manner with financial assistance from the state. However, senior officials expressed hope that the two projects would not face many delays and expected government funding soon.
TN highways department builds three-foot-tall drain at night, walls people inside homes
Even though we advised the contractor not to construct the drains of this height, he did not listen to us, said a workshop owner. TIRUNELVELI: The highways departments move to construct sewage drains on the side of Courtallam road in Tirunelveli corporation, blocking the pathway to workshops and houses, has drawn flak from the public. Following criticisms, District Collector KP Karthikeyan instructed the officials to reconstruct the drains by reducing their height. Residents said they have to climb on a 1.5ft to 3 ft-high drain if they want to step out. Since the highway officials have constructed such tall drains, elderly people and Persons with Disability (PwD) are unable to cross it. Our cars and two-wheelers cannot enter our house compound. The businesses of workshops and stores are affected by this. The work was carried out during the night. Even though we advised the contractor not to construct the drains of this height, he did not listen to us, said a workshop owner. When contacted by TNIE, Assistant Divisional Engineer Sekar said the district collector has instructed the department to reconstruct the sewage drains by reducing their height. The construction work was carried out under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme. The contractor made a mistake. Rs 20 lakh was spent for the construction, which will be borne by the contractor, he added. Collector pointed out that the department officials should follow NHAI standards while constructing drains. They should also provide a slope for a road crossing, he added. Meanwhile, road users said the sewage drains were seen with a higher height in some places along SN high road. The stormwater drains constructed in front of the Department of Animal Husbandry District Livestock Farm as part of the Tirunelveli - Tenkasi road widening project is also with more height, they added.
The doctor called the most useful foods for the kidneys
The most useful foods for the kidneys are fruits and vegetables, urologist and surgeon Pavel Karlov said in a comment to Roskachestvo. He noted that whole grains, as well as [] The post The doctor called the most useful foods for the kidneys appeared first on The Eastern Herald .
There are injuries due to the derailment of two trains in Switzerland
The Swiss authorities announced that many were injured as a result of the derailment of two regional trains north of the capital, Bern. Florina Schenk, a spokeswoman for the Swiss [] The post There are injuries due to the derailment of two trains in Switzerland appeared first on The Eastern Herald .
BJP calls for Atishis sacking over false claims on power subsidy
The party has written to the Chief Minister demanding action against the Power Minister as well as compensation to farmers for crop damage due to unseasonal rains
PM Modi to flag off first 8-coach Vande Bharat train
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off the first Vande Bharat train with eight coaches on April 8. The Chennai-Coimbatore train will have one executive coach and would accommodate 530 passengers. All other Vande Bharat trains have 16 coaches.Sources said the railways will manufacture 64 such trains with eight-coach configuration, which will help the national transporter to expedite the roll out of trains.
The body of Sarita (26) was found in Sector 155, Noida, by locals who spotted dogs nibbling on what appeared to be a human body buried shallowly in the ground, a day after intense rains and thunderstorms.
Rains expected in several parts of India: IMD issues yellow alert for Northeast
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) haspredicted thunderstorm and lightning activity along with light to moderate rainfall in the next five days across the county. The IMD said light-moderate rainfall with thunderstorm will occur over Delhi and adjoining areas like
Punjab gives nod to 25% hike in crop loss compensation due to untimely rain
The Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave nod to 25 per cent hike in compensation for crop loss because of vagaries of weather. A decision to this effect was taken by the council of ministers in the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, said an official statement. Keeping in view the loss incurred by the farmers recently due to heavy rains, hailstorms and strong winds, the Cabinet has decided to enhance the relief amount from Rs 12,000 per acre to Rs 15,000 per acre for 76 to 100 per cent for loss of crops. This measure will give a healing touch to the affected farmers who will be able to get a reasonable financial relief from the government. The relief rate will be applicable from March 1, it said. Untimely rain accompanied by hail and high-velocity winds in the recent past have caused damage to wheat in several parts of the state. The Cabinet in another decision gave its consent to extend the exemption of 2.25 per cent stamp duty and fees on registration of propertie
Eastern Circle commissioner of railway safety (CRS) Suvomoy Mitra, on Friday, inspected the newly constructed (22.13 km) electrified broad gauge line between Hansdiha and Harlatanr stations on MohanpurHansdiha section of Eastern Railway for opening the route for running goods and passenger traffic.
Untimely rains, hailstorms damage 20 per centof mango crop in country, saysICAR
Since the last few days, unseasonal rains, hailstorms and gusty winds due to the western disturbance have impacted both foodgrain and horticultural crops in some parts of the country. NEW DELHI: The mango crop in the country has been damaged up to 20 per cent because of untimely rains, hailstorms and strong winds, according to senior ICAR officials. Many mango growers said the damage has been huge in North India due to hailstorms and thunderstorms. Mango is an important fruit crop in India and is popularly called the 'King of Fruits'. India is a major mango-growing country, contributing nearly 42 per cent of the world's production. Since the last few days, unseasonal rains, hailstorms and gusty winds due to the western disturbance have impacted both foodgrain and horticultural crops in some parts of the country. First untimely rains did not cause damage, but later rains and hailstorm have badly impacted the mango crop. We anticipate the total damage to be about 20 per cent as of now, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Deputy Director General (Horticulture) A K Singh told PTI. The frequency of the mango crop loss has been more in North India, especially Uttar Pradesh which is a leading mango-producing state in the country. The anticipated mango crop loss in North India alone is about 30 per cent, while in South India the damage is less than 8 per cent, he said. However, the fresh data is awaited from states, he added. Lucknow-based mango grower Upendra Singh, who owns a 5-hectare mango orchard, said, There has been up to 75 per cent damage due to hailstorm in Maal-Malihabad mango hub area. In places where there was only untimely rains and no hailstorm, the damage has been less. The mango crop condition till March 19 was best in last 30 years. From March 20, unseasonal rains and hail have brought huge damage, he said and added that high moisture during flowering stage has led to black fungus. Tafari Farmer Producer Company Director Atul Kumar Awasthi said, Fruits had set in but strong thunderstorms and strong wind led to fruit drops and the crop damage is estimated to be about 25 per cent. The high moisture has caused pest infestation in mango trees in some parts. This will affect the availability of quality mangoes for export purposes, he said. ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture Director T Damodaran said there has been up to 50 per cent damage in Maal-Malihabad belt bordering Sitapur district mainly because of thunderstorms and hailstorms. Otherwise, the crop condition is very good in six out of seven major mango-growing districts including Lucknow, Hardoi, Kushinagar, Gorakpur, Aligarh, Saharanpur and Barabanki, he said. The country's mango production was at 210 lakh tonne in 2021-22 crop year (July-June), as against 203.86 lakh tonne in the previous year, as per the government's estimate.
Wimco Nagar Depot of Chennai Metro Rail to open shortly
This depot was built primarily for train maintenance, minor repairs and washing of trains; it has 10 stabling lines for trains, inspection lines and a repair line
Food Recipe: Try Makhana Kadhi to enhance the taste of fasting food, know the easy recipe!
We all know very well that hearing the name Kadi makes everyone's mouth water, but you must be wondering how it can be tasted during Navratri or fasting. If you also want to taste Kadhi during fasting, then definitely read this article because through this article we are going to tell you. Through this article, we will tell you about such a recipe that you can not only eat during the Navratri fast but is also full of taste. Let's know the ingredients needed to make Makhana Kadhi and easy recipe to make - * Ingredients needed to make Makhana Kadhi: 1. Makhane - 2 cups 2. Curd - 2 cups 3. Rajgira or Kuttu flour - 1 cup 4. Green chili - 1 5. Cumin - 1/4 tsp 6. Black pepper - 5 -6 grains 7. Rock salt - As required 8. Ghee or oil - as required 9. Water - as required * Easy recipe to make Makhana Kadhi: 1. To make Makhana Kadhi, you first put Rajgira or Kuttu flour in a bowl, add rock salt and make a slurry by adding water. 2. After this, put ghee or oil used in fasting in a pan and roast it well by adding Makhane. Take them out after roasting. 3. Now put some ghee in the same pan and prepare a tempering of cumin, green chilies, and black pepper. 4. After this add curd and Rajgira mixture to the pan and cook it well for 5 to 10 minutes. 5. Now when your slurry is cooked well, put roasted Makhana in it and turn off the gas and garnish with green coriander.
Did Karan Johar take a dig at Kangana Ranaut? Refrains to talk about nepo kids at Dior event
Did Karan Johar take a dig at Kangana Ranaut Refrains to talk about nepo kids at Dior event
Untimely rains and hails damage about 20% of mango crop, says ICAR
The mango crop in the country has been damaged up to 20 per cent because of untimely rains, hailstorm and strong wind, according to senior ICAR officials. Many mango growers said the damage has been huge in North India due to hailstorm and thunderstorm. Mango is an important fruit crop in India and popularly called the 'King of Fruits'. India is a major mango growing country, contributing nearly 42 per cent of the world's production. Since last few days, unseasonal rains, hailstorm and gusty wind due to the western disturbance have impacted both foodgrain and horticultural crops in some parts of the country. First untimely rains did not cause damage, but later rains and hailstorm have badly impacted the mango crop. We anticipate the total damage to be about 20 per cent as of now, Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) Deputy Director General (Horticulture) A K Singh told PTI. The frequency of the mango crop loss has been more in North India, especially Uttar Pradesh which
Untimely Rains, Hailstorm Have Damaged About 20% Mango Crop: ICAR
The anticipated mango crop loss in North India alone is about 30%, while in South India the damage is less than 8%, a top official said.
IPL : Will rains dampen the star-studded IPL opening ceremony in Ahmedabad?
The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is now around the corner. IPL 2023 kicks off on March 31. As is the tradition, the defending champions play the first match and this time we will see the Gujarat Titans, led by Hardik Pandya, go up against 4 time champions the Chennai Super Kings, captained by MS Dhoni.The forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday indicated there could be light to moderate rain or thundershowers in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The maximum temperature at 36.6C was one degree less than normal. At 22.1C, the minimum temperature was 0.7 degrees higher than normal. The forecast indicates the maximum temperature is likely to fall further for 2-3 days by 2-3 degrees. The maximum temperature in the city has stayed below normal for a fortnight.
No rains in Ahmedabad today, IPL inaugural match between GT and CSK to remain unhindered | Skymet Weather Serv Skymet Weather
IPL 2023: Will rains dampen the star-studded IPL opening ceremony in Ahmedabad? - Indiatimes.com
IPL 2023: Will rains dampen the star-studded IPL opening ceremony in Ahmedabad? Indiatimes.com
Here's the list of all ten Vande Bharat Express trains that are now operating in the nation.
Rail Vikas Nigam Shares Gain After It Wins Contract For Vande Barat Trainsets
The company's share in the manufacture and maintenance of 200 trainsets costing Rs 120 crore per unit is 25%.
Ahmedabad Weather: The excitement for the first match of the 16th season of IPL is at its peak, but the unseasonal rains in parts of North and Western India have also created fear. The opening match of this season is to be played in Ahmedabad, the western part of India and it rained here on Thursday. Due to rain in Ahmedabad, the practice session of the teams of Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, who will clash in the first match, was also disrupted. However, the latest update from the Meteorological Department is going to put a smile on the face of cricket fans. According to the latest update, today the weather in Ahmedabad is going to be clear, there is no chance of rain here. That means cricket fans will be able to enjoy the entire match without any hindrance. Who are you when it rains, #TitansFAM ? #AavaDe | #TATAIPL2023 pic.twitter.com/X8AXZvaKV0 Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) March 30, 2023 Today in Ahmedabad, the maximum temperature can remain up to 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature can go up to 22 degrees. The temperature during the match can be around 29 degrees. During the match between Chennai and Gujarat, winds are expected to blow at a speed of 13 to 18 km/h, which is normal, while the humidity can also remain in the range of 50 to 55%. The first match is at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The opening ceremony of IPL 2023 will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is where the first match will be played. The opening ceremony will be held exactly one and a half hours before the start of the match. The opening ceremony will start at 6 o'clock and will last for 45 minutes. After this, there will be a toss at 7 o'clock and the first ball of the match will be thrown at 7.30 o'clock. Four-time champions Chennai Super Kings face Gujarat Titans in the first match.
Alonso and Verstappen top timesheets in Australian GP practice sessions
Rains hits second session as race weekend gets under way Two red flags disrupt opening session at Albert Park Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets for Aston Martin in a rain-hit second free practice at the Australian Grand Prix after Formula One champion Max Verstappen was quickest in the dry first session. Alonso was quick out of the garage before the rain came to post a lap of one minute and 18.887 seconds, nearly half a second clear of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. Red Bulls Verstappen was third quickest ahead of Mercedes George Russell but caution took priority over pace in the conditions. Continue reading...
Akshaya Tritiya 2023: Donate these things on Akshaya Tritiya, Mother Lakshmi will be kind
The Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya. This year Akshaya Tritiya is falling on Saturday, April 22. There is a ritual of worshipping Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. It is believed that by donating some things on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Goddess Lakshmi is very pleased and always keeps her blessings on the person and his entire family. In such a situation, let us know in detail about those things of charity from astrologer expert DrRadhakant Vats. Donate clothes on Akshaya Tritiya Donating clothes on the day of Akshaya Tritiya brings auspiciousness to the house. Donating clothes to the needy pleases Goddess Lakshmi as well as Lord Vishnu and bestows their blessings on the devotee. Donate barley on Akshaya Tritiya By donating barley on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, there is no shortage of money and grains in the house. By the grace of Maa Lakshmi, the stock of grains in the house is always full and the health also keeps on improving. Donate an earthen pot on Akshaya Tritiya Donating an earthen pot on the day of Akshaya Tritiya is considered very auspicious. It is believed that donating an earthen pot not only bestows the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi but also pacifies the fierce planets and gives freedom from GrahaDosha. Donate food items on Akshaya Tritiya Donating food items such as jaggery, gram, ghee, salt, sesame, cucumber, rice, flour, lentils etc. on the day of Akshaya Tritiya is auspicious. Mother Lakshmi is pleased with this and the blessings of Mother Annapurna remain on the whole family. So these were the things that are donated on Akshaya Tritiya to please Goddess Lakshmi and bestow her blessings. Image Credit: freepik, shutterstock, social media DISCLAIMER Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.
MeT Forecasts Widespread Rains In Next 24 Hours In J&K
Srinagar: Amid forecast for widespread light to moderate rain and thunders in plains and light snowfall over upper reaches during the next 24 hours, the minimum temperatures recorded an increase in Kashmir Valley and a drop at most places in Jammu division on Friday. A meteorological department official here said that scattered to fairly widespread []
In business: how brands like Nike, BlackBerry and Pop-Tarts became films hottest stars
A slew of new movies celebrate the boardroom mavericks of the 1980s and 90s as well as the products they flogged. Whats behind this corporate nostalgia? Steam trains, tuberculosis, sexual repression, the shadow of a coming war and Colin Firth: the stuff of a period piece was once unchanging. But history is not what it was. Now conjuring the past on screen means 8-bit graphics and Money for Nothing. And Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig will do a synchronised bop before the vintage logos of Pringles and Pepsi. That last detail comes from the credits of White Noise, Noah Baumbachs recent adaptation of the 1985 Don DeLillo novel. The book was, among other things, a droll study of the godly place of brands in the US during the 80s. But two giggly new movies now spotlight the same moment with hindsight. In Air, Ben Affleck directs himself and Matt Damon in the 1984 origin story of the Nike Air Jordan. With Tetris, the scene is four years later: Taron Egerton, star of the rum tale behind the video game, plays the video game designer Henk Rogers, drawing together a collapsing Soviet Union, feral press magnate Robert Maxwell and the marketing department of Nintendo. Continue reading...
No poll code halt for BBMP work worth Rs 6,000crore in Bengaluru
Prahalads said that BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has said no ongoing work will be halted. BENGALURU:Although the model code of conduct is in force, BBMP top officials dismissed apprehensions that civil works will be affected.They said that there is a system called the Project Management Consultant (PMC) under which works worth Rs 6,000 crore will be executed including that of storm water drains and flyovers and others. BS Prahalad, Engineer-In-Chief, told TNIE, Work under Amrut Nagarothana is going on. Many works are being executed by the engineering department as they have to be completed on time. To ensure these works are not hampered, the BBMP has listed those under the PMC, which means a contractor who bagged the tender have to deliver on time, and BBMP officials will have to undertake periodic inspection and quality checks. He added that under the Nagarothana grant of Rs 1,500 crore, the Palike has started road asphalting, and has almost completed work on 477 km of road.Storm water drain repair works have also been undertaken to prevent a recurrence of the flood situation last September. Similarly, the elevated corridor at Yelahanka worth Rs 170 crore is also going on, and 40 per cent of the work is done. Prahalads said that BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has said no ongoing work will be halted. The work for which orders have been issued and those in progress will not be hit because of the MCC. Unlike previous elections, this time, BBMP has not roped in many officials from the engineering department for election duty. For example, stormwater drain work is a priority as the monsoons are approaching. So, this time, the workload for engineers is not much. Besides, KAS officers have been roped in for election-related works, said Girinath.
it may rain in these states for a week in April
New Delhi: Only one day is left until the month of April begins. But, this time, summer is going to knock late. The Meteorological Department has also expressed the possibility of heavy rains in the entire north of India for the next few days. The onset of the heatwave is delayed this time due to two western disturbances coming from Afghanistan and Iran.The IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall for the next two days in 17 states, from Jammu and Kashmir to Rajasthan. There is also a possibility of hailstorms in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and East Rajasthan. The reports say that the heatwave should not last for the next two weeks.The main reasons behind this are two western disturbances. The first Western disturbance moving from Afghanistan reached Jammu and Kashmir on March 27. The second Western Disturbance is moving eastward through Iran. It was seen in Pakistan on March 29. How will the weather be for the next two days? Let us tell you that IMD has predicted heavy rains in entire North India and hailstorms in many states for the next two days.Heavy rain and hailstorms are likely over Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Along with this, torrential rain and hailstorm can also be seen in many states, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. Heavy rainfall is also expected over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad. Not only this, but Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana may also receive heavy rainfall in the coming few days. There is a possibility of heavy rains in all the states of South India except some parts of Karnataka. The weather will remain like this throughout the week: IMD has said that due to a western disturbance, the weather may remain like this for the whole week.Due to the disturbance, there may be rain and thundershowers over the western Himalayan states.The names of the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and East and West Rajasthan have also been added to this. However, most of the impact of the disturbance will be in the South Peninsula and Central. Rainfall activity is also expected to be above normal here. Chances of rain in eastern states till April 3: At the same time, IMD has further said that strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning have also been predicted until April 3 in the states of northeast India. It can rain heavily here.Here, heavy rainfall is expected in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura. Kim of North Korea urges the production of more nuclear material suitable for use in weapons In Belarus Putin says Russia will station tactical nuclear weapons Los Angeles hit by strongest tornado since 1983Z: Report
Philip Larkin: writing in the language of ordinary people archive, 31 March 1973
31 March 1973 : Larkin talks about his approach to life and poetry as well as his efforts in editing the Oxford Book of Twentieth Century Verse The University of Hull is literally redbrick: squat, square blocks unrelieved by black painted window frames and meticulous green swards of grass you could not possibly set foot on. The impression is of some council estate of learning. Dr Philip Larkins study is severely comfortable polished wood, high ceiling, carpet, abstract still life, grotesque photograph of an ape. A desk, fit for six company directors, is set out with studied carelessness for the business of the day. White padded armchairs are set to one side for conversations which do not require the librarian to defend his status behind a dozen feet of pine. Tea is Lapsang Souchong and weak. The ambience is of impeccable gentility which constrains you to whisper although Dr Larkin, being a mite deaf, insists that you converse as though he were 20 feet away. Once there was a host of golden daffs, now there are cycle clips and holy ends. Dr (honorary, Belfast) Larkins poem Church Going is among the most anthologised modern English verse, second only to The Whitsun Weddings, and he wrote that too. The poet supposes his second volume of poems, The Less Deceived, must have sold around 10,000 copies and this is the man who pens three poems each year and takes nine years to fill a Faber volume. He has only read his poems publicly once and that was at a party when he might not have been quite sober. He gives an overwhelming impression of not much caring for the business at all. Continue reading...
What is behind untimely rains in Delhi; what to expect in coming days?
Delhi rains: Due to the poor weather conditions, 22 flights were diverted from Delhi airport late Thursday night to different airports in Lucknow, Jaipur, Dehradun and Chandigarh
Health Tips: Know the benefits of papaya leaves during the rainy season!
Rain Disease: Whether rain is in monsoon or without season, it can cause danger. If you want to avoid seasonal diseases, then the juice of a special fruit leaf can avoid all the risks. Papaya Leaf Juice Benefits During Rainy Season: There is a tremendous relief from the heat when it rains, but it also causes many diseases. Generally, the risk of infection increases manifold, due to which the risk of cold, cough, cold, flu, and fever increases. The number of mosquitoes also increases in this season which causes dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. It is important to be alert about all these dangers. Let us know which is the green leaf of that tree that will save us from the diseases of rain. This leaf will be useful in the rainy season Papaya is a very nutritious fruit, which is used to remove stomach problems, but do you know that its green leaves are also not less than any medicinal properties? Vitamin C and antioxidants are found in it which helps a lot in boosting immunity. Especially it proves to be effective to a great extent in protecting against viral infections. How to use papaya leaves? To avoid diseases caused by rain, first of all, pluck the papaya leaves. Wash it thoroughly and cut it into small pieces. Now blend it in a mixer grinder and drink its juice. Papaya juice is very bitter, you can add honey to it to improve the taste. The havoc of dengue increases when it rains, if you get this disease then there is a deficiency of platelets in the body, due to which the body becomes weak. In such a situation, papaya juice acts like a lifesaver. This not only increases platelets but also the patient starts getting instant energy. Must drink papaya juice in the season of light showers. (Disclaimer: The information given here is based on home remedies and general information. Before adopting it, do take expert advice. Kalamtimes does not confirm this.)
(IANS Review) Enthralling 'Bholaa' is 'paisa vasool' all the way (IANS Rating: ****)
DireDirector: Ajay Devgn. Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Deepak Dobriyal, Sanjay Mishra and Gajraj Singh.Cinematography: Aseem Bajaj. Music: Ravi Basnur.IANS Rating: ****Action is a wide-open genre and term, and when one endeavours to include an emotion-filled tale into the matrix, it sure does have a strong appeal to movie watchers cutting across demographics.In his newest directorial, the actioner 'Bholaa', Ajay Devgn relooks and redefines the 'Man on a Mission' exercise with overwhelming fervour, grit and determination. And the best part is that for him, his awe-inspiring task seemslike some kind of an errand he has been made to run.And so, when Inspector Diana (Tabu in yet another impressive cop role) confiscates a consignment of cocaine, obviously, the euphoria of the entire police force at her thana knows no bounds. But after downing a few drinks their elation is shor-tlived, when during the celebrations itself, senior officer (Kiran Kumar) and all the subordinate policemen fall unconscious.Diana, who is on her way to the police station, is shocked at the sight of some 40 cops lying dead to the world on the ground. She must take them to a hospital for treatment and get them on their feet as fast as possible for she smells a rat. She figures out that the gangsters must be the brains behind such a nasty trick. It is clear to her that the drinks were laced with a poison that would kill them.Just then, she learns that Bholaa has been released from prison after serving a sentence and is all set to meet his daughter Jyoti at the orphanage where she is being raised. Finding no one to drive the comatose lot of policemen, she instructs Bholaa to take the truck carrying all 40 of them to the hospital.This is the man who would risk his neck more because of the fear that Diana would carry out her threat that if he chooses to disobey her orders, he would remain behind bars for the rest of his life, and never see his daughter's face. It is now the lives of 40 men against the privilege of reuniting his child.Diana also realises that the busting of drug trafficking gangster Nithari's cocaine shipment worth ?900 crore by her and her team is the cause of such an act of revenge. And thus begins a race-against-time battle as Bholaa helps Diana and her team to take the almost lifeless cops to the hospital on the one hand and also evade, fight off and even attack, if need be, violent strikes from the hordes of men on bikes emerging every 10 minutes on the highway.Orchestrated by Nithari, who has placed a bounty on the cops to motivate the gangsters, the ride gets prolonged more and more as every now and then, Bhola has to encounter ruthless and outrageously wicked goons who keep pouncing on his truck with deadly weapons.Now, this is the kind of badass movie that goes down well with audiences. So long as the plot remains engaging in the edge-of-the-seat way, the 144-minute film kicks forward in a hail of bullets, car chases, fist fights, and martial arts wizardry. And who doesn't love such action?Led by actor-director Devgn, who is in full form, his character doesn't even bat an eyelid when he delivers solid punches to dozens and dozens of men, He reminds us of his long trail of action-oriented films. And while he clobbers them all with his knock-out hits, there's nothing but an innocent-looking face behind all the power-packed anger -- after all, he needs to go meet his 10-year-old daughter who has never ever seen him!With death-defying action sequences and an epic historic sweep, 'Bholaa' offers everything a martial arts fan could ask for. Music by Ravi Basnur and Aseem Bajaj's cinematography are both in sync with the storyline.Stately Tabu is every director's choice as the most dependable actor who can pull off any role -- a serious role of a wife or a lover ('Haider', 'Andhadhun'), a fun-loving character in an out-and-out comedy ('Bhool Bhulaiya'), or here, as the law-abiding, gun-toting uniformed officer, she essays each role with elan, dexterity, poise and honesty that's rare.From among the supporting cast, Gajaraj Singh springs a surprise with a streak one has not seen before in the characters he plays. Deepak Dobriyal has a limited number of scenes, but still manages to leave an impact. So does Sanjay Mishra in a small but significant role.This tale would spawn a franchise, bringing more action and casting more A-listers in other roles in the sequelssubsequently.Amid all the high drama, look for four innocent teenagers who are called to the police station on a frivolous charge and end up getting embroiled in a death-defying drama of hostility, brutality and cruelty.Your heart will go out for this new quartet of young actors who have surrendered themselves to the film completely and live their roles with complete earnestness. It's 'paisa vasool' all the way!--IANSsrb/
Mamata Banerjee steps up offensive against Centre
The Bengal chief minister alleged the Centre is yet to clear the states dues to the tune of Rs 1,15,000 crore. KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday threatened to take her sit-in-protest to Delhi if the Centre does not clear the states dues. We waited till Thursday because we thought the Centre will respond to our demand. But no leader did that. Not only in Kolkata, but we can also take our movement to Delhi. If necessary, we will hire trains to reach the national capital. We will stage sit-in-demonstration wherever they will stop us, she said while addressing on the last day of her two-day dharna on Red Road in Kolkata in protest against the states dues from central government and misuse of central agencies. Mamata, however, did not specify any date for continuing her movement in Delhi. She also mentioned the oppositions unity to derail the BJP from the Centre. They will have to accept peoples verdict and step down. The day will come soon, she said. The Bengal chief minister alleged the Centre is yet to clear the states dues to the tune of Rs 1,15,000 crore. She also accused the BJP-led Centre of showing discrimination against West Bengal. Elaborating on the reason behind her sit-in-demonstration, Mamata said, Many people told me I should have held dialogues with the Centre before staging the dharna. I discussed the issue with the Centre 10 times. How many times we will have to tell them.
South Central Railwayall set to introduce 40 MMTS services
The Centre has allocated Rs 600 crore for MMTS Phase-II works in the Union Budget. HYDERABAD:In a boost for public transport in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the South Central Railway (SCR) zone is set to start 40 new services of the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) to operate in new routes. According to sources, new MMTS trains will be put into service on the Secunderabad - Medchal route via Bollaram and on the Faluknama - Umdanagar route under MMTS Phase-II. These are expected to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8. Once the Secunderabad - Medchal section is opened for passengers, over 1.5 lakh commuters per day can avail of these services. Due to the unavailability of MMTS services, passengers were having to depend on buses, auto-rickshaws and private vehicles daily. Hyd MMTS: Works underway in two sections The Centre has allocated Rs 600 crore for MMTS Phase-II works in the Union Budget. The project was sanctioned in 2012-13 at an estimated cost of Rs 817 crore. Currently, the works are underway in two more sections Sanath Nagar to Moula Ali doubling with electrification and Moula Ali - Malkajgiri - Sitafalmandi doubling with electrification. Now, the cost of the MMTS Phase-II project has been revised to over Rs 1,100 crore. As of now, 86 services are being operated to meet the suburban travel needs of the twin cities daily. MMTS services cover a stretch of 50 km from Falaknuma to Ramachandrapuram via Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Begumpet, Lingampally and Tellapur, among others.There is also a demand for the extension of MMTS services to Shankarpalli. Demand for extension Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Konda Vishweshwar Reddy has written a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to consider the extension of MMTS trains upto Shankarpalli and subsequently to Vikarabad. Thousands of people including employees in the public and private sector, students, labourers and farmers travel from Vikarabad to Hyderabad via Shankarpalli and back daily, he said.
Heavy rains cause severe water logging in several parts of Delhi
Earlier on Thursday, rain coupled with thunderstorms lashed parts of the national capital
Nukkad classes: Group study near homes bring students back to schools inJamshedpur
To encourage them to attend the classes regularly, children are also given half an hour to play games, especially football, which is provided by the Principal himself. RANCHI: Concerned over regular complaints from parents that their children did not study at home, Principal of Utkramit Middle School at Tangrain, Jamshedpur has started a unique initiative nukkad classes, under which children are made to study together in groups near their homes after the school is over. Interestingly, these classes are managed by students themselves for an hour in the evening and monitored by the Principal on regular basis. To encourage them to attend the classes regularly, children are also given half an hour to play games, especially football, which is provided by the Principal himself. According to Principal Arvind Tiwari, besides developing sitting habits among the children after their classes to study, Nukkad classes are also providing an opportunity to revise what has been taught in their classes. As of now, seven such classes are being conducted for more than 267 students enrolled in the school. It was observed most of the children in my school did not open their books after they reach their homes, therefore, I thought why not do something so that they develop a sitting habit on their own which may be continued further in their life? After a few weeks of brainstorming, I thought of a model, which I named Nukkad classes, where children will gather at a particular place and do self-study on regular basis, said the Principal. Out of the eight villages and tolas under the jurisdiction of his school, seven nukkad classes have already been started and the eighth one will be starting very soon, he added. Children have been directed to sit at least for an hour and there will be no teacher but, they will have to self study and in case they have any query, they can ask their seniors; senior students have also been asked to take care of their juniors and guide them when required, said Tiwari. A local villager Ujjwal Kumar Mandal, who is also associated with the village education committee, informed that Nukkad classes have done wonders and the children, who earlier used to roam around here and there after school, could be seen sitting in Nukkad classes.
AP to receive slight rains fir next four days amid surface trough - The Hans India
AP to receive slight rains fir next four days amid surface trough The Hans India
Feet Care: Your feet can be bad in the rain, take care in these 4 ways, and diseases will not spread
When it is the rainy season, your mind becomes happy, but drizzling showers bring many problems with it, during this time cold cough and cold do happen, along with many other problems also have to be faced. Our feet also need care in the rains, as they can get wet and there is a risk of fungal infection, ringworm, itching, itching. Even if this problem is not there then also the feet can stink. Let us know how to take care of your feet when it is the rainy season. 1. Clean the feet When your feet get wet due to getting wet in the rain, then as soon as you come home, first of all, go to the bathroom and wash your feet thoroughly with soap, this will save you from allergies and fungal infections. If the feet remain dirty, then the whole house, bed, and sofa will be dirty and other members of the family will also be at risk of infection. 2. Exfoliate feet Along with washing, it is also necessary to exfoliate the feet, that is, rub the feet and remove dead skin from them. For this, the help of scrub can be taken. Before doing this work, wash your feet with warm water, in this way bacteria and viruses are eliminated. 3. Cut the nails of the feet We insist on cutting the nails of the hands because with the help of this, we eat food, and if there is no cleanliness, the risk of infection increases, but we often do not cut the nails of the feet quickly, in the rainy season, dust, dirt, and dirt enter it. Accumulates, which increases the risk of infection. That's why keep cutting the nails of the feet regularly. 4. Wear the Right Footwear In the rainy season, if we wear such footwear that wets the feet due to getting wet, then we need to change our shoes. In this season, waterproof shoes come which protect the feet from getting wet.
Duronto Exp rams abandoned vehicle near Bhimadolu railway station in AP
According to Eluru railway police SI Narasimha Rao, the driver drove towards the level crossing and tried to break open the barrier by repeatedly hitting it. RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM:A major accident was averted even as Visakhapatnam-bound Duronto Express met with an accident near Bhimadolu railway station in Eluru district in the early hours of Thursday. The express train, coming from Secunderabad, hit a Tata Ace vehicle on the tracks. While the vehicle was mangled completely and the engine of the train was damaged partially, no casualties were reported in the accident. The incident was reported when the train was near Bhimadolu railway station between Rajamahendravaram & Vijayawada sections. It is suspected that the vehicle was abandoned by offenders, who had fled the spot after noticing police officials. According to Eluru railway police SI Narasimha Rao, the driver drove towards the level crossing and tried to break open the barrier by repeatedly hitting it. As the gates were closed from both sides ahead of the arrival of the train, the vehicle got stuck on the railway tracks. The occupants got down from the vehicle and fled from the spot before the train hit the four-wheeler, he said. The accident occurred at around 2.15 am on Thursday.On receiving this information, the railway officials from Vijayawada rushed to the spot and launched an investigation into the accident. Several trains halted, 20 long distance services delayed A new engine was brought and the Durunto express left Bhimadole railway station at around 8 am. Several passengers got down from the train at Bhimadolu railway station and made their alternative arrangements to reach Vizag. Railway Protection Force personnel, who were on the train, seized a mobile phone from the vehicle. Police have launched a manhunt to trace the occupants of the vehicle. Eluru railway police are also investigating the case. Meanwhile, around 20 long-distance trains were delayed due to the accident and several trains were halted at Vijayawada, Eluru and Rajamahendravaram railway stations for some time.
There is tremendous relief from the heat when it rains, but it also causes many diseases. Generally, the risk of infection increases manifold, due to which the risk of cold, cough, cold, flu, and fever increases. The number of mosquitoes also increases in this season which causes dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. It is important to be alert about all these dangers. Let us know which is the green leaf of that tree that will save us from the diseases of rain. This leaf will be useful in the rainy season Papaya is a very nutritious fruit, which is used to remove stomach problems, but do you know that its green leaves are also not less than any medicinal properties? Vitamin C and antioxidants are found in it which helps a lot in boosting immunity. Especially it proves to be effective to a great extent in protecting against viral infections. How to use papaya leaves? To avoid diseases caused by rain, first of all, pluck the papaya leaves. Wash it thoroughly and cut it into small pieces. Now blend it in a mixer grinder and drink its juice. Papaya juice is very bitter, you can add honey to it to improve the taste. The havoc of dengue increases when it rains, if you get this disease then there is a deficiency of platelets in the body, due to which the body becomes weak. In such a situation, papaya juice acts like a lifesaver. This not only increases platelets but also the patient starts getting instant energy. Must drink papaya juice in the season of light showers.
Fed Officials See More Work On Inflation Despite Bank Strains
Federal Reserve officials continued to stress the need to lower inflation even as they keep an eye on the fallout from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank earlier this month.
Get On Up: The Triumph of Black America review David Harewoods interviews are puzzlingly shallow
This look at the icons of Black creativity in the US sees the actor on infectious form. But he fails to offer any insight on complex issues leaving this documentary feeling jolly, but bland David Harewood may be British, but on screen he feels like an old-school Hollywood star. The low timbre of his voice and his broad-shouldered physique somehow evoke the leading men of days gone by, and even without his knack for American accents it would be easy to buy him on screen alongside one of his heroes, Sidney Poitier. But that is not an accident and, as is the case for many Black Britons, Harewood has a profound connection to Black American culture, which shaped him as both a performer and a man. Harewoods two-part programme Get On Up: The Triumph of Black America sees him travel across the US to meet many of the icons he holds dearest. Sadly, Poitier died last year, but many others at the forefront of Black American creativity sit down with Harewood and share just what it took for them to succeed. He learns to moonwalk from Shalamars Jeffrey Daniel (the brains behind Michael Jacksons signature move). He spends time with John Amos, who recalls playing Kunta Kinte in Roots with his signature velvety baritone. And he giggles with the first Black Bond Girl, Gloria Hendry, as she recalls snogging Roger Moore in Live and Let Die. Continue reading...
Opposition-free nation is BJPs goal: Kapil Sibal trains guns at Modi Govt
Amid the mounting corruption probes by Central agencies against politicians, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on March 30 in Delhi launched an attack on the PM Modi-led BJP Government and accused the party for aiming for Opposition-free India goal. The Opposition parties are coming together because theyre seeing whats happening. There is not a single Opposition party who is not on the radar of ED and CBI. These agencies are being used to topple governments in the non BJP-ruled states. Earlier, BJPs goal was a Congress-free nation but now it is Opposition-free nation, Kapil Sibal said.
Various parts of country to continue getting on-off rains till Apr 12: IMD
How far and how much with the next round of rains impact the standing crop is under realm of speculation
Nearly 22 flights diverted from Delhi after rain, thunderstorm
New Delhi: Adverse weather conditions caused by rain and thunderstorm led to the diversion of nearly 22 flights from the Delhi airport till late on Thursday evening. Officials said that the diverted flights have landed at different airports in Lucknow, Jaipur, Dehradun and Chandigarh due to heavy rains coupled with thunderstorm in Delhi-NCR. Many airlines Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Contract for making 120 Vande Bharat trains awarded to Russian major-rail PSU JV
Delhi airport sees 22 flight diversions due to bad weather
Thunderstorms with light rains lashed parts of the national capital. The official said that out of the 17 flights diverted from the Delhi airport, 8 flights each were diverted to Lucknow and Jaipur while one was diverted to Dehradun.
ITBP trains commandos in Krav Maga for unarmed combat situations
ITBP trains commandos in Krav Maga for unarmed combat situations
My kids friends wear Smelly Cat T-shirts: TV insiders on creating unforgettable onscreen songs
From Lisa Kudrows comic ditty in Friends, to the supposedly world-defining music of Daisy Jones & the Six, writing songs for television characters isnt easy. Just ask the brains behind it Taylor Jenkins Reids 2019 novel Daisy Jones & the Six was practically made for television: charting the rise and fall of a 70s rock band that bears more than a little similarity to Fleetwood Mac, its filled with secret affairs, cocaine-fuelled fights and a cast of cool, stylish characters. There is one problem in putting it on screen, though: the music. In Jenkins Reids book, the Six are painted as one of the defining rock bands of all time, an overnight success story that went on to redefine popular music. How, exactly, do you go about writing songs that good? For a music supervisor the crew member charged with finding the right musicians to bring the fictional Best Band of All Time to life its an uphill battle. Frankie Pine, music supervisor for Amazons recent adaptation of Daisy Jones, says she wasnt hung up on finding musicians who could achieve the impossible task of recreating, say, Fleetwood Macs Dreams. Instead, she sought to find someone who could make a record that sounded convincingly 1970s. Continue reading...
Decoded: Why is Delhi experiencing unseasonal rains?
There is enough moisture available in northwest India due to the western disturbance and the temperatures have also risen over the last few days. So, the conditions are conducive for such activity, Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) regional forecasting centre, said on Wednesday.
17 flights diverted from Delhi airport as heavy rains lashes parts of NCR
Heavy rain, accompanied by a storm, lashed several parts of Delhi on Thursday evening.
Kerala HC asks Railways to review safety measures on trains periodically
Order passed while closing a suo motu writ petition registered in the wake of an attack on a woman passenger travelling on the Punalur-Guruvayur Passenger in 2021 at Mulamthuruthy.
Parts of Delhi-NCR witness heavy rains coupled with thunderstorms
Gurudev Hoysala review: Dhananjayas film is a gripping drama that rises above cliches
Review Actor Naveen Shankar is a revelation as Bali, the devoted lackey of the towns dreaded sand mafia. Dhananjaya in Gurudev Hoysala At first glance, Gurudev Hoysala is a routine cop movie that eulogises its titular character. The opening moments of the film show a group of men attempting to vandalise the statue of Sangolli Rayanna over a petty cause, but little do they know that crime is the wrong profession to pick when Gurudev is in town. Right on cue, we have the supercop arriving on the scene atop a glorious horse, flashing his RayBans and channelling his inner Sangolli Rayanna. It's the ideal entry scene, and keeping up with tradition, there's a slo-mo action sequence thrown in as the title card flares up to maximise the effect. A scene like this is always unsettling for the first few moments, and then one begins to fear that, perhaps, the entire film would play out at this pitch. But luckily, I was proven wrong a few scenes later. Vijay N's Gurudev Hoysala might be a mash-up of several cop films we have loved over the years, but the next 2.5 hours (roughly) gradually reveal that there is a lot more to it. It's a film that rides successfully on archetypes and old templates, but with a lot of conviction and nuance. Considering that nine out of ten Kannada films of late are found completely lacking these traits, you will certainly not mind watching a well-made rehash. And in consolation, the film throws up a pleasant surprise or two every now and then to thank us for our patronage. Right off the bat, we learn that Gurudev is the man of the hour and the cop for every need. But there's a catch to being that good, which is the ordeal of transfers. His wife Ganga (Amrutha Iyengar), the yin to his yang, is a Bharatanatyam teacher who prudently always keeps her luggage half-packed because god knows when Gurudev's work will siren them off to a new place. This time around, the posting is in a town called Athani in the Belagavi area, where an undercover cop, who was unravelling the sand mafia misdeeds, has gone MIA. No mafia in the world has come without trouble and this particular one is a triumvirate of trouble head honcho Daada (Avinash BS), his son Naana (Prathap Narayan), and their very devoted lackey and chief breeder of violence, Bali. Simple names but equally complex personalities. Bali does not belong to the family lineage and the writer uses the metaphor of a dog to describe his position in one of the scenes in the second half, Daada says to Bali, So far I have raised dogs that have been loyal, but you are the only killer among them. Raised, being the operative word. But maybe that is why Bali is the most intriguing and exciting of the three (perhaps, the entire cast) and thankfully Vijay N (writer-director) recognises this. Naveen Shankar, the actor who plays this part, is also a revelation. The portions featuring Bali and Gurudev are quite enthralling especially because the villain, for a change, is humanised. But, as it turns out, the main focus of the film is something else. The entire sand mafia bit, we learn, is not even close to being as important as Daada's other trade of proliferating casteism and the purity associated with it. Daada is a proud upper caste man and is willing to go to any length to protect the sanctity of the caste hierarchy, but all hell breaks loose when his own daughter Bhoomi falls in love and elopes with a boy of a lowered caste. A few scenes earlier, the young couple, posing as orphans, would have sought Gurudevs help to get married. So when the truth comes to light, the supercop finds himself in a whole lot of trouble. This, for me, came as an exciting deviation from the usual one man v/s a nexus kind of setup. Sure, the idea of dealing with centuries-old social hierarchy is an incredibly tougher task, but when pitted against such invisible forms of evil, the hero of the film emerges as more human and relatable. Dhananjaya, the actor, too, refrains from silly posturing and instead gets a good grasp of the tone of his character and the circumstances around him, while simultaneously finding ways to exude badassery. The same scenario, of the couple eloping, also allows for the story to seem more multidimensional and it's rare to find a mass mainstream movie that treads that path. Does that mean Gurudev Hoysala is near perfect? Of course not. In an attempt to juggle a sensitive cause, the idea of justice, a whole range of heroes and villains, and so much more, Vijay N loses grip and comes off as a little confused. The confusion is visible in how the mass moments pounce at us out of nowhere, half the time not really making much sense. Yes, there is something to savour in these scenes, but the sudden shift in tone is not handled skilfully. Sometimes, it's the incessant need to keep the hero at the forefront of things and at other times it's the lack of innovation in writing, which makes the resolution to the extremely profound problem a little banal and boring. Gurudev's speech in the concluding moments of the film about the role of police in society and how it's a thankless job is a done-to-death routine and the film could have definitely benefited without it. As a big screen experience, Gurudev Hoysala boasts many exciting and intriguing moments that make the visit to a cinema hall a worthwhile one. The music, the cinematography, and the editing could have been a lot better and more enterprising, but the focused storytelling suffices just enough. Performance-wise the film lends a great platform to more than just one character to blossom, but better writing would have brought more characters to life. In internet-speak, fans will cherish the film and so will those who are waiting to watch a decent big-ticket Kannada film in a theatre. The shortcomings can be ignored, as long as you do not set your expectations too high. Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the films producers or any other members of its cast and crew. Read Dasara review: This Nani film is an extravaganza of violence and confused politics
The IMD warned that partial damage to vulnerable structures may be caused due to rain coupled with strong winds
Delhi rains: Outdoors during thunderstorm? Smart ways to protect yourself
How to stay safe during a thunderstorm? Delhi rains today. Why is it raining in Delhi?
Delhi Sees Heavy Rains, Thunderstorms For Second Straight Day
The weather department warned that partial damage to vulnerable structures may be caused due to rain coupled with strong winds.
Assam: Flash floods and drought-like situations disrupt farming practices
Written by Bondita Baruah The 2022 Assam floods, following record-breaking rains, were theworstthat the state has seen in the last decade. Soon after, some districts faced a drought-like situation forcing farmers to work through disruptions in their cultivation schedule. A year on, in 2023, with Assam receivingexcessrain in March, in the current pre-monsoon season, farmers [] The post Assam: Flash floods and drought-like situations disrupt farming practices appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .
Rain, thunderstorm in parts of Delhi
Thunderstorms with light rains lashed parts of Delhi including Patel Nagar, Rajiv Chowk, Safdarjung and Lodhi Road on Thursday, bringing mercury down.
Delhi weather: Thunderstorms, rains lash Delhi for second day
The minimum temperature settled at 18.8 degrees Celsius while the maximum is expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius. According to the data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 175 (moderate category).
IRCTC planning to add nutrition to its menu with millet dishes in trains
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is planning to introduce nutritious additions in its menu which will include millet-based dishes
White gold from Black hands: the Gullah Geechee fight for a legacy after slavery | DeNeen L Brown
Descendants of the west Africans who picked the cotton that made Manchester rich are struggling to keep their distinct culture alive Dorcas, who was 17 and picked Sea Island cotton, sold for $1,200. Cassander, a 35-year-old prime woman who also picked cotton but was prone to fits, sold for just $400. The same price was paid for Emiline, 19, who was described as a prime young woman cotton hand, and Judy, who was only 11. Under torrential rains, on 2 and 3 March 1859, these enslaved Africans, who worked on rice and cotton plantations in the Sea Islands of Georgia, were sold at the Ten Broeck racecourse in Savannah. One witness to the sale wrote that the weather was so violent that it felt as if the skies had opened and wept. That is how this event, the largest auction of enslaved people in US history, came to be called the Weeping Time. Continue reading...
Dasara review: This Nani film is an extravaganza of violence and confused politics
Review For a film that overtly identifies its characters by caste, Dasara stops well short of engaging with anti-caste politics in any meaningful way. Dasara / Screengrab The rise of the anti-caste film in Tamil cinema, with its Dalit protagonist who hits back, has somewhat rubbed off on Telugu cinema in recent years. However, most of these attempts have lacked the ideological framework and conviction of the Tamil films. For instance, when Asuran (2019) was remade as Narappa (2021), the makers added a line that said a poor man has no caste or class. This was ironic to say the least, considering the Tamil film was based on the land rights of the Dalit people. Dasara, directed by debut filmmaker Srikanth Odela, has Nani playing a hero from an oppressed caste, but the film gives one the impression of being a mishmash of several blockbusters from different industries. The film is set in 1995, with its protagonist Dharani (Nani) living in Veerlapally village, next to the Singareni coal mines. Nani is all swag as Dharani, walking with bottles of alcohol tied to his hip, but his look is too closely inspired by Allu Arjuns mop of wild curls from Pushpa: The Rise (2021). You never really shake off the feeling that this is a pale imitation even though the actor gives everything hes got for the role. The most important place in the village is the Silk Bar, named after late actor Silk Smitha. All the men in the village seem to possess extremely tolerant livers because everyone, from the doctor to the labourers, starts the day with alcohol. The bar is also the place where the caste politics in the village plays out because the men of lowered castes have to sit outside and drink. The village an impressive set that greatly helps the world-building is covered in the black dust of the mines, and Dharani makes a living by stealing coal from the trains. His partner in crime is his best friend Suri (Dheekshith Shetty) who hails from a dominant caste. The third corner in this friendship triangle is Vennela (Keerthy Suresh), who belongs to the same caste as Suri. At the heart of the film is the friendship between Suri and Dharani it is what drives the plot forward. However, the generic bromance between the two is hardly memorable. Theyre introduced in the middle of their hustle, but the VFX is a letdown. Troublingly, this supposedly epic friendship is established for the audience by one mans willingness to 'sacrifice his love for Vennela because his friend also loves her. I will marry her in our next birth, he says with profound sadness. What will you do if your friend falls in love with her again? asks the listener. I will sacrifice my love for her again, says the weeping gent. They could have been talking about a box of gulab jamun and not a live, thinking woman who has a say in her love life. When one friend wants to kiss her, the other ties her hair to the bar of a window and makes sure his dosth accomplishes the mission. Such is his devotion. The film consistently treats Vennela as an object to be owned, first by the good guys and then by the bad. She has a scene where she finally questions this, but the response she gets and the trajectory of the plot quickly justify everything that weve watched until then. Despite all this, Keerthy manages to make Vennelas pain and anguish appear real. For a film that overtly identifies its characters by caste, Dasara stops well short of engaging with anti-caste politics in any meaningful way. In fact, it emphasises Dharanis Hindu-ness by giving him a chain with a Hanuman pendant, and setting the climax (suspiciously reminiscent of Kantara in its aesthetics) in the midst of the Dasara festival with chants of Jai Shri Ram in the background. It may seem like a subversion to have Dharani identify with Ravanan more than Ram, but this is neither new nor effective within the premise of the film and its messaging. This populist rendering glosses over the cold fact that his oppression is embedded in the religion to which he belongs an awareness that youll find in the Tamil films that lead the anti-caste cinema wave. The film has several plot threads but offers primacy to the most predictable of the lot, turning all its potential into a tired been-there-seen-it experience. Shine Tom Chacko plays Nambi, villain-in-chief. He is reliably creepy, but the actor should consider saying no to films that typecast him in such roles. Samuthirakani (with fake, protruding teeth) and Sai Kumar are sparring brothers whose rivalry is set up as fundamental to the plot, but it is little more than a distraction. Thank god for Santhosh Narayanan his background score and songs help fill the gaps in the writing where the film obviously sags. Nani hasnt had a theatrical hit since 2019, and the actor seems to have sought out a script that includes all the elements that have produced blockbusters in other industries congratulations on leaving out the item number though. There is a LOT of violence in Dasara, the gritty interval block in particular. Towards the end, you lose count of how many are maimed and killed. The blood is everywhere, and by that time, you are so desensitised that it might as well be ketchup, and youre thinking longingly of French fries and escape. Sowmya Rajendran writes on gender, culture, and cinema. She has written over 25 books, including a nonfiction book on gender for adolescents. She was awarded the Sahitya Akademis Bal Sahitya Puraskar for her novel Mayil Will Not Be Quiet in 2015. Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the producers or any other members of its cast and crew.
Health Tips: Know about lower back pain due to the wrong posture!
Lower Back Pain Due To Wrong Posture: Many types of physical problems and back pain can be avoided if correct body posture is maintained while working or walking continuously for several hours. How come let's know from the experts... Lower Back Pain Due To Wrong Posture: The problem of back and back pain has become very common due to a sedentary lifestyle, working on a laptop, and sitting for hours in the wrong posture. This problem has increased even more while working from home during the pandemic. The muscles become weak due to a sedentary lifestyle and insufficient physical activity. Even reading while sitting on the sofa or in bed at home strains the ligaments of children. Both the back and the neck are part of the spine. There can be many reasons behind the pain in it. There are very small bones in the spine, which are called vertebrae. It is seven in the neck and 12 in the back, five in the waist. In the lower part, their number becomes nine. The bones form a safe passageway, with the spinal cord underneath. Nerves emerge at every level in this. There is a disc between two bones. All these are supported by muscles and ligaments. Let us know how you can get rid of the problem of back pain. It is important to keep the spine healthy- The bones in the spine grow with age. Calcium and protein are stored in it. Peak bone mass comes by the age of about 25 years, that is, the bones are fully developed. When the height of children is increasing, then if they do not get sufficient amounts of protein and calcium at that time, their physical structure becomes weak. Later on, this causes back pain. Physical laxity is a big reason- In earlier times, people used to do a lot of physical labor in the fields or take care of domestic animals. At the same time, women also had to do a lot of labor in the houses. Due to an exercise lifestyle, the muscles remained strong. Now our lifestyle has changed. Went to work by car or another vehicle, sat all day, came in the evening, and sat watching TV. In this way, physical laxity in routine, as well as sitting posture, determine the weakness of the body. That's why it is very important to have strong muscles. Also, change the way you sit and get up, by which you can get rid of back pain. (Disclaimer: The information given here is based on home remedies and general information. Must take medical advice before adopting it. Kalamtimes does not confirm it.)
Health: Ragi rich in nutrients gives amazing benefits to health, definitely include it in the diet
Whenever it comes to food, wheat bread comes into everyone's mind. Whereas in modern medicine wheat flour is said to be the root cause of many diseases. In this case, instead of wheat, you can use coarse grains like millet, ragi, jowar, amaranth and buckwheat. Today in this episode, we are going to talk about ragi rich in nutrients, the consumption of which gives amazing benefits to health. Ragi is rich in iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins B1, B3, B5 and B6. If you are thinking of the best alternative to wheat, then it cannot be any other grain other than ragi. Today, in this episode, we are going to give you information about the health benefits of consuming ragi. Let's know about it... Weight loss aid People can use ragi as a substitute for rice and wheat in their diet. Being gluten-free, consuming ragi is a very helpful grain for weight loss, as gluten is one of the major factors in weight gain. If you want to reduce or control your weight, then start consuming ragi today. Aids in Diabetes Control If you are suffering from diabetes or diabetes, then ragi as a grain is a better option for you. Compared to rice, maize or wheat, ragi is rich in high polyphenols and dietary fibre, which can help you control glucose. You can eat it from breakfast to lunch or dinner as well. Beneficial in anemia Ragi is also known for being rich in iron. Consuming iron improves haemoglobin, which reduces the chances of anaemia. Those people who have anaemia should follow a diet rich in iron in their diet. You can also eat ragi cookies or ragi pudding to meet iron deficiency. And this option is much better than taking iron medicines.
IRCTC introduces millet dishes in trains
Lucknow: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is planning to introduce nutritious additions to its menu which will include millet-based dishes. IRCTCs chief regional manager Ajit Kumar Sinha said that all the vendors in Uttar Pradesh including 78 static units at railway platforms have been asked to add millet-based food items Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tackle inflation:Central govt directs traders, and stockists to declare pulses stock
The Department is also planning to interact with all stakeholders across the value chain to ensure availability and affordability of pulses for consumers. NEW DELHI: To control the rising price of pulses, especially Tur (Pigeopea), the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has directed pulses importers, traders, stockists, etc., to declare stocks availability in a routine transparent manner to ensure the Tur prices get normalised in the domestic market. Today, the government has conducted a virtual meeting with pulse importers; the traders association strictly asked them to declare the stock kept at different ports and go-downs. The participants were the Indian Pulses and Grains Association, Daal Miller Association, Tamil Nadu Pulses Importer and Exporters Association, Tamil Nadu Daal Miller Association, All India Dal Miller Association, Overseas Agro Traders Association Myanmar and others. Tur pulses stock declared on the government web portal by dealers, importers, millers and stockists this year on January 2 was 11.95 lakh tonnes. On the direction of the government, till March 28, the total stock increased to 12.64 lakh tonnes, and the government termed it as not enough. In January 2020, the price of Lemon Tur- a variety of pulses doubled. It was USD 570/tonne Fair Average Quality (FAQ), which increased to USD 1040/T in March 2023. Even Tur price in Tamil Nadu has increased around 17 percent this March compared to last year's March. Even the price of pulses increased around 12 percent from early march to the end of march this year, says Rahul Chuahan, agri-commodity expert. Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary, advised importers not to hold back any stock which may disrupt the availability of pulses in the domestic market. State governments have requested to get information from warehouse service providers, both public and private. To cross-validate the stocks declared, states were also requested to get information from warehouse service providers, both public and private. The need to monitor stocks of imported pulses at custom bonded warehouses was also emphasised to ensure their timely release from Ports, says Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary. The Department is also planning to interact with all stakeholders across the value chain to ensure availability and affordability of pulses for consumers. The Pulses Associations and Importers have assured wholehearted cooperation in transparently disclosing the stocks.
PM Modi All Set to Inaugurate 11th Vande Bharat Between Bhopal-New Delhi, More Trains in Pipeline
Eight new and improved versions of Vande Bharat trains with enhanced safety features, better ride index and passenger amenities have been introduced in the last couple of months
Ajay Devgn relives golden era of Indian football Ajay Devgn starrer Maidaan is all set to bring back the golden era of Indian football to the big screen. Check out the intense teaser below.
Railway New Guideline: Big news! Bad news for senior citizens, Now there will be no discount in fare
The concession given to senior citizens and second class passengers in trains two years ago will not be started again. Railways has once again made it clear that at present the facility of concession given to senior citizens in trains is not being restored. The concession given to senior citizens and second class passengers in [] The post Railway New Guideline: Big news! Bad news for senior citizens, Now there will be no discount in fare first appeared on discountwalas .
16% More Rains, 1.7 C Temperature Rise: Scary Climate Projections by Kerala
The Kerala government has also come out with a new plan to reduce the effects of increasing temperatures and also to bring down greenhouse gas emissions through an ambitious programme called the 'Cool Roof Project.
Karnataka High Court restrains BBMP from allowing any detrimental activity in Mallathahalli lakebed area The Indian Express
Enumerate crop loss due to untimely rains at earliest, CM Jagan directs officials
Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Agri Mission Vice-Chairman MVS Nagi Reddy and other officials were present. VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the Agriculture Department officials to complete the enumeration of crop loss due to the recent untimely rains at the earliest. He also instructed the officials to ensure that the paddy procurement of Rabi season begins on April 15. At a review meeting on the agriculture sector on Wednesday, he underlined the need for continuous monitoring of farm operations to ensure that farmers are not subjected to undue suffering. The officials informed Jagan that the list of farmers, who suffered crop loss due to the untimely rain, will be ready by the second week of April. They also informed him that 100 per cente-cropping has been completed and a target has been set to distribute 10.5 lakh metric tonnes of quality fertilisers to farmers through Rythu Bharosa Kendras in 2023-24. Pesticides will be supplied to farmers through AP Agros. Jagan instructed the officials to curb the inflow of spurious farm inputs into the market and ensure the supply of quality fertilisers and pesticides to farmers through RBKs.Highlighting the Polambadi programme to educate farmers in modern methods of cultivation, the officials said the cultivation cost of paddy, groundnut, cotton and maize declined by 15%, 15%, 12% and 5% respectively, while the crop yield of cotton, maize, groundnut and paddy increased by 16%, 15%, 12% and 9% respectively. The results could be the first step in the direction of introducing complete natural farming methods, they said, adding that they are trying to get Good Agricultural Practices certification for 26 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The CM gave the green signal for the distribution of agricultural machine tools to farmers in April, 500 drones in July, 1,500 drones by December, and sprayers between July and December. When the officials informed him that millet and organic clusters have been arranged in 19 districts as part of efforts to increase millet production in the State, he told them to concentrate on the marketing of millet and horticultural products. They further informed him that the State has achieved 3.79 lahks MT of paddy production in the Rabi season of 2022-23, while it was 6.29 lakh MT in the 2022 Kharif season. Jagan instructed them to implement the plant doctor concept at the earliest by taking steps to conduct soil tests in March, April and May every year to prepare the farmers for the Kharif season by June, besides educating them on the crops to be cultivated for reaping a good yield. The plant doctor concept should be implemented effectively and made accessible to farmers through RBKs, he stressed. Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Agri Mission Vice-Chairman MVS Nagi Reddy and other officials were present.
Sugar getting even pricier poses new threat to food inflation
Prices of refined sugar surged to the highest in more than a decade this week, while the raw variety is near to the costliest in over six years. Global supply is tightening, mainly because India, one of the top shippers, has cut exports after rains hurt the sugar cane crop and as more sweetener is diverted to biofuel.
Power corridor:Rahul visits Congress'office in Parliament
Gandhi spent around 20 minutes at the party office and met Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and others. New forest bill runs into controversy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav introduced the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha. The Bill intends to exempt lakhs of hectares of forest land from mand- atory forest clearance laws. Environmentalists see the amendments as a dilution of strong forest laws, consequently degrading the existing forest. The introduced Bill, The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, will amend the existing Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA). After the introduction, the Bill sent to the government recommended the JPC instead of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The JPC is expected to submit its report in the Monsoon session, 2023. The Bill also emphasised on diversion of deemed forest for non-forest use. The deemed forest is a kind of forest which is not notified as a forest, but in several governments records, it considers as forest. Railways to install wifi at all stations The Indian Railways has decided to provide WiFi facility atall stations, barring small halts in the country. In a written reply toa question in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Railwayminister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that so far 6,108 railway stationsout of more than 8,000, have been WiFi enabled. He saidthe provision of WiFi at stations depends upon the availabilityof infrastructure like optical fibre cable and other resources.Besides this, the minister also informed that Indian Railwaysis committed to make all stations and trains accessible forpersons with disabilities (Divyangjans) as part of Sugamaya Bharat Mission. He added that the Indian Railways spent over Rs 1766.33 crore till February 23 this year under 2022-23 FY for customer amnesties.In 2021-22, the Railways spent Rs 1995.77 crore while during 2020-21, the Railways spent Rs 2582.82 crore and Rs 1903.10 crore in 2019-20on customer amenities. Rahul visits Congs office in Parliament Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday visited the partys office in the Parliament House complex and met some members there. Gandhi spent around 20 minutes at the party office and met Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and others. He later left along with his mother and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for lunch. He did not talk to media. Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Adhir Ranjan Chowdury were also present at the partys parliamentary office. The Gandhi scion has been disqualifiedas a member of the Lok Sabha after his conviction and two-year sentence by a Surat court in a defamation case pertaining tohis comments on Modi surname. Delhi-based NGOs get most foreign funds The government on Wednesday informed the RS that the NGOs based in Delhi received the highest amount of foreign funds, followed by those based in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu out of the over `55,600 crore contribution sent to India from abroad in the last three years. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said as per the FCRA 2010, every NGO which receives foreign funds has to submit an annual return along with the income and expenditure statement,and balance sheet every year. Data of 2.63L co-ops ready in phase 1 Union minister for Cooperation Amit Shah on Wednesday informed the RS that the government has completed the first phase of mapping database of 2.63 lakh primary cooperative societies engaged in credit, dairy and fisheries. He said that the database is expected to be extended to cooperative societies of all other sectors by July this year. The database would facilitate stakeholders in planning, formulation and implementation of appropriate policies for the cooperative sector, the minister said. 14 lakh malnourished kids in india India is now home to over 14 lakh severely malnourished children. Union minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani informed the RS, quoting data of governments Poshan Tracker that over 14 lakh severely malnourished children are living in the country. She said out of approximately 5.6 crore children measured in the February 2023, the per cent of severely malnourished children is 2.6 % which run into around 14, 56,000 children of total number of them measured by the government. Over 11k sc/st students drop out from cUs Over 11,000 students from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) dropped out from 45 Central Universities (CUs) in India from 2018 to 2013, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. While over 4,000 students from these three categories dropped out from the IITs in the last five years, a total of 366 students belonging to SC, ST and OBC categories dropped out from IIMs in the same period, said MoS for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar in a written reply. Giving data, the minister said that 6,901 OBC students left CUs, 3,596 SC dropped out, and 3949 ST students didnt pursue their education. Similarly, in IITs, 2,544 OBC students dropped out, while 1,362 SC and 538 ST students didnt pursue their courses. Compiled by Rajesh Kumar Thakur, Jitendra Choubey, & Kavita Bajeli-Datt
Telangana doubling down on grape cultivation
Then came Thompson seedless variety, which went through mutations and is currently available in the markets as Tash-e-Ganesh, Sonka, Manikchaman and Sharad, he added. HYDERABAD: Once perceived as the rich mans choice for fruit, grapes used to be grown on around 10,000 acres across the State in the 1990s. However, the area under grape cultivation had come down to just 5,000 acres in 2008 and currently stands at 750 acres in Telangana. As is prevalent across the State, the erstwhile Rangareddy district, which was a major hub for grapes, has seen a drastic decline in its area of cultivation, with the crop standing on just 132 acres of land. Despite the obstacles, the horticulture department is on an ambitious trail to at least double the area under grape cultivation in the district by the end of next year. It is an uphill task, as the grapes fall from grace was caused due to many factors. Grape consultant Dr A Appa Rao told TNIE that the Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, used to grow grapes in his backyard in 1940, which was named Anab-e-Shahi which meant king of grapes in 1945. In 1963, many Indian businessmen who were sent back from Africa, started growing the variety around Hyderabad mostly as a rich mans crop, he said. Then came Thompson seedless variety, which went through mutations and is currently available in the markets as Tash-e-Ganesh, Sonka, Manikchaman and Sharad, he added. Big companies like Tata, Birla, DLF, Reddy Labs and Satyam Computers used to have grape gardens in large areas. It was in the 90s when local farmers entered grape cultivation, Appa Rao said. The situation, however, drastically changed in the early 2000s, mostly owing to the rapid urbanisation and consequential real estate boom in the erstwhile Rangareddy district, resulting in the fragmentation of land holdings. There is more to this, claim experts. Grape growers face many challenges: Expert Rao, who once advised former chief ministers on grape cultivation, feels that rising input costs for setting up grape vineyards, increasing labour costs, risk of unseasonal rains, lack of subsidies and an absence of market linkage, to name a few. Despite the several challenges, K Anji Reddy, a resident of Thukkuguda in Maheshwaram mandal, is one of the last 29 farmers in the Rangareddy district still growing grapes in his seven acres of land. He used to cultivate vegetables in 23 acres, but due to the lack of remunerative prices, he discontinued it. Traders in Maharashtra are exporting the grade 1 crop and dumping the inferior grade produce in Hyderabad, selling it at `30 per kg. Despite our grapes being of high quality, we are unable to compete with that price, as it becomes a losing proposition, Reddy told TNIE. However, experts still believe that the potential for success is high in grapes.Appa Rao points out that though the world average yield is five tonnes per acre, the grapes grown here used to yield around 40 tonnes per acre before 1995, and still farmers were getting 20 tonnes last year and selling them at Rs 50 per kg. Unlike mangoes, grapes dont ripen after being harvested. This is an advantage for exporting, as their quality can be kept for more than 12 weeks, he noted. Sunanda Rani, district horticulture and sericulture officer, who is on a mission to increase the area under grape cultivation in the district, reiterates that the fruit is an ideal commercial crop for farmers having small land holdings, as its margin of profit is higher when compared to paddy or maize. Many are plotting their lands, building walls and leaving it uncultivated. It could take years till the actual construction starts. At least till then, they can continue farming, she suggested, adding that only one-fourth of the local demand for grapes is being met by local production, and the rest is being imported from Maharashtra. However, unless the State government offers subsidies for the initial setting up of grape gardens which could cost Rs 3.5 lakh per acre, subsidies for poles and drip irrigation, and link agriculture/horticulture with the national rural employment guarantee scheme (NREGS) so that the labour cost of Rs 2 lakh per acre can be addressed, it is highly unlikely that farmer may choose grape over ever-increasing land value.
In Astrakhan on March 30, strong winds and rain are expected
In the regional center, the rains will continue until the end of the week. In Astrakhan on March 30, it will be cloudy all day. On Thursday, it will rain [] The post In Astrakhan on March 30, strong winds and rain are expected appeared first on The Eastern Herald .
Chaitra Navratri 2023: Eat Energy-rich Makhana Kadhi on the last day of Navratri, here's the recipe
Chaitra Navratri started on 22 March i.e. Wednesday. In such a situation, people worship Mata Rani these days and fast for nine days with devotion. Devotees take only fruits during the fast. In such a situation, today we have brought you the recipe for making Makhana Kadhi. Makhana is a very nutritious dry fruit that is a storehouse of properties like protein. That's why consuming Makhana helps you in reducing weight. Along with this, Makhanas are also helpful in keeping diabetes and blood pressure levels under control in your body. By making this during Navratri fasting, you remain full of energy for the whole day. Making it is also very simple, so let's know how to make Makhana Kadhi... Ingredients needed to make Makhana Kadhi 1 cup Rajgira or Buckwheat flour 2 cups curd 2 cups makhane 1/4 tsp cumin 1 green chili 5-6 grains of black pepper Ghee or oil as needed As needed rock salt Water as required How to make Makhana Kadhi? To make Makhana Kadhi, first of all, take a bowl. Then you add rajgira or buckwheat flour and rock salt to it. After this, add water as required and prepare the solution. Then put ghee or refined oil in a pan and heat it. After this, add Makhane in it and roast it well and take it out. Then put some ghee in the same pan and heat it. After this, you apply the tempering of cumin, green chilies, and black pepper in it. Then you put curd and Rajgira mixture in the pan. After this, cook it stirring well for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Then you put roasted nuts in it and turn off the gas. Now your fasting makhana curry is ready. Then garnish it with green coriander leaves and serve hot with samak rice.
Mumbai: WR leaves CR far behind in 15-car race
With six new long trains to be introduced this week, Western Railway will now have 150 15-car rakes while Central Railway languishes with just 22
Tiruchy Corporation's budget focuses on civic infrastructure, stray dog menace
In the education sector, the expected revenue is Rs 31.56 crore while the expected expenditure is Rs 23.45 crore, leaving the civic body with a surplus of Rs 8.11 crore. TIRUCHY: The city corporation on Wednesday tabled a Rs 74.80 lakh surplus budget for the financial year of 2023-24, announcing plans for a multi-purpose office in all 65 wards at a total cost of Rs 16.25 crore and an integrated government office building in the place of Central Bus Stand, among others. According to the budget presented by Taxation-Finance Committee Chairperson T Muthuselvam, the expected revenue for the civic body for FY24 is Rs 1,026.70 crore while the expected expenditure is Rs 1,025.95 crore. In the education sector, the expected revenue is Rs 31.56 crore while the expected expenditure is Rs 23.45 crore, leaving the civic body with a surplus of Rs 8.11 crore. The budget allocated Rs 20.85 crore towards the upgradation of corporation schools. In the budget, an initial allocation of Rs 5 crore was made towards the upgradation of 300 km of mud road to tarred or concrete ones. Further, it announced of the plan to construct multi-purpose offices in all 65 wards for Rs 16.25 crore. This means the corporation would roughly spend Rs 25 lakh per ward to set up the multi-purpose office. The budget also announced the construction of an integrated government office building in place of the Central Bus Stand. An initial allocation of Rs 1 crore has been made for the same. The civic body went ahead with the plan as an integrated bus terminus is under construction at Panjappur. Further, the corporation budget has proposed getting the government's financial support towards building the integrated market on 22 acres in Panjappur at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore. The corporation budget also earmarked Rs 3 crore towards the construction of old-age homes in Thiruverambur, Woraiyur, and Srirangam. As part of efforts to control the stray dog menace, the budget has earmarked Rs 50 lakh towards the construction of the fifth animal birth control (ABC) centre in the city. ALSO READ | Chennai corporation's budget focuses on roads, stormwater drains and education For the installation of streetlights, the budget has allocated Rs 13.97 crore. About Rs 320 crore has been allocated towards laying a tarred road from Panjappur to Karur bypass on the banks of Koraiyaru and Uyyakondan canals. A total of Rs 26. 39 crore has been allocated for reviving the Kollankulam pond. For the ongoing bio-mining work at the Ariyamangalam dump yard, the corporation budget allocated Rs 17 crore to process 200 MT of non-biodegradable waste per day. Further, a project to supply potable water 24x7 would be executed in Wards 51-57 in the city on a pilot basis for Rs 6 crore. The proposal would be sent to the government to get grants, the budget stated.
South Central Railway extends two Summer Special trains
Craters & illegal parking: What makes commuting a nightmare on Pataudi road
There is no end to the woes of commuters and pedestrians using the Pataudi road, which is riddled with broken patches at several points and uneven surfaces. Sewage from choked drains has further worsened the condition of the road. Locals said hardly any maintenance work has been carried out by the civic authorities for years now, though the arterial road witnesses heavy traffic flow.
Mediterranean diet can reduce heart attacks in people at higher risk
First study of its kind finds diet can benefit hundreds of millions with obesity, diabetes or other risk factors A Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke or early death for hundreds of millions of people who have an increased possibility of cardiovascular disease, a global review of evidence suggests. A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, seafood, whole grains and vegetables has previously been linked to a number of benefits, and its effectiveness in helping healthy people to live longer is well known. Continue reading...
Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Mar 29 : Weatherman today forecast intermittent rain and thunderstorm in plains and snowfall over higher reaches at most places in Kashmir from March 30 to April 5. A Meteorological Department official said that the thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds. He said that there would be snowfall in the hills of Kashmir and rains in the Valley from tomorrow for one week. Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures recorded increase at most places with mercury settling [] The post MeT forecasts snow, rain appeared first on Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K .
Alstom delivers 300 electric locos
Heavy freight trains to run faster New Delhi: French multinational rolling stock manufacturer Alstom on Wednesday said it delivered 300 electric locomotives to the Indian Railways, increasing the national transporters capability to haul its heavy freight trains at higher speed. As part of its contract worth 3.5 billion euros, Alstom is supplying 800 high-powered double-section []
Unseasonal rains might have spoilt 3 mn tonne rabi crops
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana are considered leading wheat producing states, while chana is majorly grown in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan.
Brain Health: This May Be the Earliest Sign of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimers
Early-Stage Alzheimers: A new study reveals how cognitive decline begins and progresses following amyloid build-Up. Using a novel brain imaging technique, neuroscientists at the Medical University of South Carolina have discovered subtle differences in the way the brains of older adults with preclinical Alzheimers disease (AD) function. These findings, published in Brain Connectivity, suggest that [] The post Brain Health: This May Be the Earliest Sign of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimers appeared first on Revyuh .
Steps to prevent inmates from escaping have been initiated, says Geetha Jeevan
DCPU has been asked to brainstorm on the reasons for the recent escape from the Government Place of Safety, understand problems faced by the inmates at the facility, and identify steps that need to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, says Social Welfare Minister
Pandemic preparedness on agenda in meeting of G-20 science advisors in Uttarakhand
Sood said, The success in administering 220 crore vaccines in record time during the Corona period is a living example of India's S&T power. DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand hosted the first meeting of the G20-Chief Science Advisor Roundtable (G20-CSAR) at Ramnagar, which saw in-depth discussions on science and technology issues of common interest. Under the theme 'Opportunities in Health' for better disease control and pandemic preparedness, we discussed the plan for a flexible, adaptive and timely response to the pandemic, said Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) Professor Ajay Sood at a media briefing on Wednesday evening on the sidelines of the three-day G-20 meeting. Integrated disease surveillance mechanisms for humans, livestock and wildlife, R&D roadmap for diseases of health importance, and investments in analytics such as disease modeling and data standards were discussed in detail at the summit, he said. Sharing the achievements of the discussions at the summit, Sood said, Under the theme of coordinating global efforts to expand scholarly access to scientific knowledge, we discussed that access should be free, immediate and universal. The high subscription and article processing fees levied by magazines should be reduced. ALSO READ | Gandhinagar all decked up to host G-20 meet on disaster risk reduction The repository should be reduced. There should be an open access mandate to establish interoperable inter-linking of national repositories with archives and to make knowledge production of public funded scientific research widely available, he added. Sharing the gist of the brainstorming sessions of the summit, Sood further said, Another theme was on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in science and technology. The participating countries also shared their work in advancing access to under-represented, disadvantaged, marginalized, minority as well as tribal communities in the larger scientific enterprise. The fourth session discussed the need for an institutional mechanism for an inclusive, sustainable and action-oriented global science and technology policy dialogue. It was agreed that scientific advisors play an important role in shaping policy choices by providing evidence-driven science advice and, in the spirit of collaboration and dialogue, it is the responsibility of the chief science consultants to collaborate and engage in international dialogue to address cross-border issues affecting the entire scientific enterprise so that science and technology can benefit all, he said. Expressing happiness over the achievement in vaccination, Sood said, The success in administering 220 crore vaccines in record time during the Corona period is a living example of India's S&T power. Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary and Naman Upadhyay, Under Secretary at the G20 Secretariat, were also present. The meeting was attended by 51 delegates from 18 countries, of which 18 delegates are from India, four from Russia, one from Nigeria, two from France, two from Italy, two from USA, one from Korea, five from United Kingdom, one from Japan, one from Spain, four from South Africa, one from Australia, one from Netherlands, two from Canada, three from Saudi Arabia, one from Brazil, two from China and three from the EU.
Rains bring temporary relief to Mysuru
Nine Flights Diverted To Jaipur Amid Heavy Rains In Delhi
As many as nine flights were diverted from the Delhi airport to Jaipur on Wednesday evening due to bad weather in the national capital.
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also directs officials to commence rabi paddy procurement from April 15, and kick-start the plant doctor concept soon and make it available at RBKs
Andhra Pradesh: Chief Minister directs officials to complete enumeration of crop loss due to recent rains at the earliest The Hindu
Salem Virudhachalam Salem trains to be speeded up from April 1
Ukraines Zelenskyy: Any Russian victory could be perilous
If he will feel some blood smell that we are weak he will push, push, push, Zelenskyy said in English, which he used for virtually all of the interview. ON A TRAIN FROM SUMY TO KYIV, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Tuesday that unless his nation wins a drawn-out battle in a key eastern city, Russia could begin building international support for a deal that could require Ukraine to make unacceptable compromises. He also invited the leader of China, long aligned with Russia, to visit. If Bakhmut fell to Russian forces, their president, Vladimir Putin, would sell this victory to the West, to his society, to China, to Iran, Zelenskyy said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. If he will feel some blood smell that we are weak he will push, push, push, Zelenskyy said in English, which he used for virtually all of the interview. The leader spoke to the AP aboard a train shuttling him across Ukraine, to cities near some of the fiercest fighting and others where his countrys forces have successfully repelled Russias invasion. The AP is the first news organization to travel extensively with Zelenskyy since the war began just over a year ago. Since then, Ukraine backed by much of the West has surprised the world with the strength of its resistance against the larger, better-equipped Russian military. Ukrainian forces have held their capital, Kyiv, and pushed Russia back from other strategically important areas. But as the war enters its second year, Zelenskyy finds himself focused on keeping motivation high in both his military and the general Ukrainian population particularly the millions who have fled abroad and those living in relative comfort and security far from the front lines. Zelenskyy is also well aware that his countrys success has been in great part due to waves of international military support, particularly from the United States and Western Europe. But some in the United States including Republican Donald Trump, the former American president and current 2024 candidate have questioned whether Washington should continue to supply Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid. Trumps likely Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, also suggested that defending Ukraine in a territorial dispute with Russia was not a significant U.S. national security priority. He later walked that statement back after facing criticism from other corners of the GOP. Zelenskyy didnt mention the names of Trump or any other Republican politicians figures he might have to deal with if they prevailed in 2024 elections. But he did say that he worries the war could be impacted by shifting political forces in Washington. The United States really understands that if they stop helping us, we will not win, he said in the interview. He sipped tea as he sat on a narrow bed in the cramped, unadorned sleeper cabin on a state railway train. The presidents carefully calibrated railroad trip was a remarkable journey across land through a country at war. Zelenskyy, who has become a recognizable face across the world as he doggedly tells his side of the story to nation after nation, used the morale-building journey to carry his considerable clout to regions close to the front lines. He traveled with a small cadre of advisers and a large group of heavily armed security officials dressed in battlefield fatigues. His destinations included ceremonies marking the one-year anniversary of the liberation of towns in the Sumy region and visits with troops stationed at front-line positions near Zaporizhzhia. Each visit was kept under wraps until after he departed. Zelenskyy recently made a similar visit near Bakhmut, where Ukrainian and Russian forces have been locked for months in a grinding and bloody battle. While some Western military analysts have suggested that the city is not of significant strategic importance, Zelenskyy warned that a loss anywhere at this stage in the war could put Ukraines hard-fought momentum at risk. We cant lose the steps because the war is a pie pieces of victories. Small victories, small steps, he said. Zelenskys comments were an acknowledgement that losing the 7-month-long battle for Bakhmut the longest of the war thus far would be more of a costly political defeat than a tactical one. He predicted that the pressure from a defeat in Bakhmut would come quickly both from the international community and within his own country. Our society will feel tired, he said. Our society will push me to have compromise with them. So far, Zelenskyy says he hasnt felt that pressure. The international community has largely rallied around Ukraine following Russias Feb. 24, 2022, invasion. In recent months, a parade of world leaders have visited Zelenskyy in Ukraine, most traveling in on trains similar to the ones the president uses to crisscross the country. In his AP interview, Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Ukraine to one notable and strategically important leader who has not made the journey Chinese President Xi Jinping. We are ready to see him here, he said. I want to speak with him. I had contact with him before full-scale war. But during all this year, more than one year, I didnt have. China, economically aligned and politically favorable toward Russia across many decades, has provided Putin diplomatic cover by staking out an official position of neutrality in the war. Asked whether Xi would accept an invitation from Zelenskyy or whether one had been officially extended Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters she had no information to give. She did say that Beijing maintains communication with all parties concerned, including Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, asked whether a meeting between Xi and Zelenskyy would be useful to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, said Russian authorities highly appreciate Chinas balanced position on the issue and have no right to come up with any advice on whether the two should meet. The Chinese leader himself decides the appropriateness of certain contacts, Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters Wednesday. Xi visited Putin in Russia last week, raising the prospect that Beijing might be ready to provide Moscow with the weapons and ammunition it needs to refill its depleted stockpile. But Xis trip ended without any such announcement. Days later, Putin announced that he would be deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, which neighbors Russia and pushes the Kremlins nuclear stockpile closer to NATO territory. Zelenskyy suggested Putins move was intended to distract from the lack of guarantees he received from China. What does it mean? It means that the visit was not good for Russia, Zelenskyy speculated. He was unsparing in his assessment of Putin, calling him an informationally isolated person who had lost everything over the last year of war. He doesnt have allies, Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian president makes few predictions about the biggest question hanging over the war: how it will end. He expressed confidence, however, that his nation will prevail through a series of small victories and small steps against a very big country, big enemy, big army but an army, he said, with small hearts. And Ukraine itself? While Zelenskyy acknowledged that the war has changed us, he said that in the end, it has made his society stronger. It couldve gone one way, to divide the country, or another way to unite us, he said. Im so thankful. Im thankful to everybody every single partner, our people, thank God, everybody that we found this way in this critical moment for the nation. Finding this way was the thing that saved our nation, and we saved our land. We are together.
Many places around the world are known for their horrors and create an atmosphere of fear. All of you must have traveled by train which is considered very safe. But there are some train journeys in the world which in themselves give you the feeling that you are coming face to face with death. Yes, these railway tracks are full of dangers and adventures along with natural beauty. People with weak hearts do not even travel on these routes. People who like to do adventure can go to these places with great interest. Let us know about these dangerous railway tracks of the world. Salta Polvarillo Track, Argentina This is a 217-kilometer-long railway route connecting Salta to Chile's Polvarillo. It took about 27 years to build this dangerous track. This railway track was made operational from the year 1948 for the general public. This railway track is situated at an altitude of 4,200. Let us tell you that trains cross 29 bridges and 21 tunnels through this track. This track is considered very dangerous. Argo Gede Train Railroad, Indonesia This train track is located in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. This train runs between Jakarta and Bandung. During this journey of about three hours between the two cities, you will get to see beautiful valleys, tea gardens, and mountains. However, the journey turns scary when the train passes through the sky-high Sikurutug Torna Trestle Bridge. The bridge on which this train passes has no cordon on either side, which makes it extremely dangerous. However, let us tell you that in the year 2002, an accident also happened on this route. Aso Miami Route, Japan The Minami-Aso route is among the most challenging rail tracks in Japan, crossing the area around Mount Aso. A portion of the track was damaged after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, and the route has seen little use since then. The nearby volcanic activity makes this train track particularly dangerous. The Death Railway, Thailand You can also call it Burma Railway, Siam-Burma Railway, and Thai-Burma Railway. This railway track is 415 km long. This railway track connects Ban Poung in Thailand and Thanbujayat in Burma. This track passes through forests and mountains. However, this track was closed in 1947. But in 1957 this track was again opened for passengers. The Death Railway was used in the Burma Campaign of World War II to transport troops and supplies. Many prisoners of war lost their lives during the construction of this train route. Perhaps for this reason this train route would have been named The Death Railway. Chennai to Rameswaram Route, India Not only abroad, but there is also such a railway track in India, where people travel with a heavy heart. The Chennai to Rameswaram route connecting Chennai and Rameswaram is one of the most dangerous and adventurous railway tracks in the world. The track of this route, called Pawan Bridge, is built over the Indian Ocean, which is 2.3 km long. It was built in 1914. Cape Town Rail Route, South Africa Cape Town of South Africa is also counted as a dangerous rail route. Apart from this, it is also in discussion about the incidents of theft and assault. The train line here often suffers from thefts and attacks, which directly affects the smooth running of the operations. The result is that often many trains have to be canceled. Devil's Nose, Ecuador This railway track is situated at an altitude of about 9 thousand feet above sea level. The construction work of this track started in 1872 and the railway track was completed in 1905. It is said that hundreds of laborers lost their lives during its construction. It is also called the 'Devil's Nose train. White Pass and Yukon Route, Alaska The White Pass and Yukon Route connect Alaska to the port of Whitehorse, Yukon. People prefer to travel by train through this route to experience this adventurous track. Let us tell you, you can see beautiful views on the train route of Alaska, but it is considered dangerous for its 3,000 feet climb. It is said that to make this track, the mountains were first blasted and then the track was made.
State In-charge of Karnataka BJP Arun Singh on March 29 attacked Congress Party and said Congress is the mother of corruption in the country. It came after Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar was seen throwing Rs 500 currency notes at the artists during a rally in Mandya.Speaking to ANI, Arun Singh said, People of Karnataka know that Congress is the mother of corruption. When Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister then there was corruption in Teacher recruitment, Police recruitment, and not only this, there was also a scam in food grains.
Tribunal refuses to accept government contention that desilting was for dam upkeep and disaster management
Alstom delivers 300 electric locos to Indian Railways; freight trains to run faster
Designated by Indian Railways as WAG-12B, these locos are capable of hauling 6,000 tonne rakes at a top speed of 120 kilometre per hour. NEW DELHI: French multinational rolling stock manufacturer Alstom on Wednesday said it delivered 300 electric locomotives to the Indian Railways, increasing the national transporter's capability to haul its heavy freight trains at higher speed. As part of its contract worth 3.5 billion euros, Alstom is supplying 800 high-powered double-section locomotives of 12,000 HP (9MW) for freight service. Designated by Indian Railways as WAG-12B, these locos are capable of hauling 6,000 tonne rakes at a top speed of 120 kilometre per hour. Marking the milestone delivery, the 300th e-loco was flagged off from Alstom's locomotive maintenance depot in Nagpur, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December of last year. Indian Railways is undergoing a massive transformation in its freight operations and Alstom's contribution in powering this revolution is commendable. The joint venture formed between Indian Railways and Alstom to build India's most powerful electric locomotives for freight service is a stellar example of a successful public private partnership model. It will play a key role in accelerating the growth of the freight sector, said Naresh Lalwani, General Manager, Central Railway. Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India, said that the Alstom WAG12B electric locomotive has proven to be a capability multiplier, with its ability to haul greater loads at faster speeds. The 300th loco delivery is a proud milestone for us, and as we continue to deliver more locomotives, this partnership will continue to boost the nation's logistic capabilities, he said. As part of the contract, Alstom's Nagpur depot will be maintaining 250 WAG12B e-loco starting from series 60251. This depot is equipped with the latest technologies and features to anticipate breakdowns thereby enabling proactive maintenance of India's most advanced freight locomotives at significantly lower costs. The depot has 12 tracks for maintenance with hi-tech equipment. The depot is equipped with Centred Fleet monitoring (CFM) system to remotely monitor the fleet via Health hub and Train Tracer system. The Prompt Response Team (PRT) is deployed for 24x7 loco attention. It also has green features like rainwater harvesting, zero discharge using effluent treatment plant and sewerage treatment plant, 100 per cent LED lights, daylight panels, occupancy sensors, greenery and provisions for 1 MW rooftop solar plant. This is the second such facility set up by Alstom, after the depot at Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, which houses the first 250 locomotives delivered to Indian Railways. The WAG-12B locos are being built at one of India's largest integrated greenfield manufacturing facilities at Madhepura (Bihar), under a joint venture between Alstom and Indian Railways. This is the largest foreign direct investment project in the Indian Railway sector. The facility has an installed production capacity of 120 locomotives per annum and Alstom has progressively achieved near 90 per cent indigenisation. With these powerful e-locos being manufactured within the country, India has become the 6th in the world to join the club of countries producing high horsepower locomotives indigenously. The WAG-12B locomotives made its inaugural run on the first fully operational sections of the dedicated freight corridors two years ago. Some of the key commodities moved by these e-locos included coal, cement, food grains, fertilisers, petrochemical products, minerals, and posts/ parcels, across 17 states and two Union Territories.
Suburban trains cancelled, rescheduled and diverted in Chennai
Summer special trains between Secunderabad & Tirupati extended
Hyderabad: To alleviate the summer traffic, the South Central Railway (SCR) has extended the service of special trains between Secunderabad and Tirupati. As a result, the Secunderabad-Tirupati (07489) train will operate on April 7 and 14, while the Tirupati-Secunderabad (07490) train will operate on April 9 and 16. In both directions, the four train services Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Electric locomotives start hauling trains on 100-year-old Tirunelveli Tiruchendur section
IMD predicts unseasonal rains in parts of Gujarat - DeshGujarat
IMD predicts unseasonal rains in parts of Gujarat DeshGujarat
Single-phase Karnataka assembly polls more of a challenge for the BJP and the JD-S?
Modi would have been campaigning extensively if the polling were in two phases and it would have had a cascading effect, a political analyst remarked. BENGALURU: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced that the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections will be conducted in a single phase , as was done in 2013 and 2018. The over 5.21-crore electorate, who will include a significant number of first-time votes, will exercise their franchises on May 10 while the counting of votes for the 224-member assembly will take place on May 13. Both the ruling BJP and the Congress party delegations in Karnataka had appealed to the ECI Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar during his last visit to the state to conduct the polls in a single phase. But the decision may be more disadvantageous for the BJP, which currently has a double-engine government at the Centre and the state. A multi-phase election could have possibly helped it roll out remedial measures, even from the Centre, if the outcome of the exit polls of the first phase turned out to be negative. Former Lok Sabha MP VS Ugrappa from the Congress party recalled one such famous instance. In 1985, after the first phase of polling was over the then Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde got the intelligence that the ruling Janata Party was trailing. In an additional manifesto, the party announced Rs 2 per kg rice, sari and dhoti sets at Rs 25 per unit. Eventually, the party won 139 assembly seats, he recalled. Ugrappa welcomed the Election Commission's decision and said it will help in free and fair polling. #BREAKING | Election Commission of India announces schedule for #KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 . #KarnatakaElections on May 10 and counting of votes on May 13. pic.twitter.com/8pL3A5Kl10 The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 29, 2023 With the state regarded as the gateway to the South for the party, the BJP is also banking hugely on the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to overcome a possible anti-incumbency wave against the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai-led government. The decision to hold the election in a single phase can handicap the party on this count too. ALSO READ | Karnataka polls: BJP's game plan has caste equations as its pivot Modi would have been campaigning extensively if the polling were in two phases and it would have had a cascading effect, another political analyst remarked. The BJP had won 104 seats in the 2018 assembly polls. The single-phase polling may also prove disadvantageous for the regional JD(S) party which has only two-star campaigners in former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. It is perhaps to compensate for this that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerji has promised to campaign for JD(S) in select seats at the invitation of Kumaraswamy. ALSO READ | Karnataka polls: Why Varuna is a safe constituency for Siddaramaiah Leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council BK Hariprasad was also happy with the announcement. We welcome the move of the Election Commission of India(ECI) to hold the Karnataka assembly polls in a single phase polling on May 10. This will help to curtail the illegal use of money and muscle power. I appeal to the commission to conduct an impartial election, he said. Single-phase polling is often the best first option as it is more convenient and cost-effective compared to multi-phase polling, where voting is conducted over several days or weeks. Multi-phase polling is usually conducted when it is difficult to manage the logistics of conducting voting across all constituencies on a single day, such as in areas with difficult terrains or security concerns.
Hybrids outsell EVs in 2023 so far: Is Toyota's hybrid bet paying off?
BHPian pqr recently shared this with other enthusiasts.In 2023, Toyota and Maruti sold 14,220 vehicles with hybrid drivetrains.Which is 2.1% of total passenger vehicles sold in 2023.BEV sales in 2023 is 11,038 units, which is 1.6% of the total passenger vehicle market in 2023.Tata Motors has an 82% share of the Indian BEV market.The Tata Tiago EV is the best-selling electric vehicle in 2023.With limited BEV production capacity, Tata seems to have prioritized Tiago EV supply in early 2023.Note: Toyota Vellfire sales are at 82; Bubble is excluded from the current chart as it is an outlier. Here's what BHPian SoumenD had to say on the matter:Pretty obvious isn't it? I mean no matter what one says, we are just taking baby steps in terms of EV infrastructure. Hybrid is tailor made for India in absence of diesels. With scale I hope the prices come down and they become accessible to more and more people.Here's what BHPian ninjatalli had to say on the matter:Those sales are because of Toyota's particular model (Innova for eg) success and not the hybrid drivetrains. If it was the opposite, the Camry would be selling a lot more than the 100-odd it did. The combination of Toyota (&Maruti) reliability + successful brand (Innova, etc) is the reason for the numbers. Toyota is playing the catch-up game as seen on the global EV scene, although they now state that they aren't placing all their eggs only in one basket. A true comparison would be if they (Maruti or Toyota) had an EV option next to the hybrid drivetrain option, but that unfortunately is not going to be so for a while.Here's what BHPian ron178 had to say on the matter:Clearly Toyota and Maruti have the upper hand here. By pricing their products well they are encouraging adoption, even if the selling point is the car rather than the powertrain. Interesting to see that the Camry features on the chart, but the Honda City e:HEV doesn't! Hopefully the Elevate is priced more competitively because they don't have the first mover's advantage.Here's what BHPian On4Wheels had to say on the matter:It is too early to say whether the Toyota's bet is getting paid off or not. However, I think Toyota's decision to bring the hybrid technology to India is the best decision that they have ever taken for Indian market. Currently, the EV owners are in honeymoon period: the scenario will be entirely different once the volume increases. The uncertainty over the diesel engines (DPF issues and 10 year scrapping policy) makes the hybrids sweeter. Also, any increase in fuel price will definitely force more customers to move to hybrid. Above all, considering the complexity of Indian power scenario, I think, more and more buyers may gravitate to hybrid because of the following reasons:Meeting the increase in per capita power consumption itself is a challenging task. The EVs will definitely make the power deficit wider which may lead to load shedding and power cuts.The existing supply chain for the petroleum products is extremely good and hence, there is no uncertainty about the availability of the petrol/diesel and there by no range uncertainties also.I think, the transition to EV ecosystem due to the obligations of Paris Agreement will be slow in India due to many factors viz., lack of infrastructure, electrical energy demand etc. Hence, to keep the pollution in check, government may take steps to promote the hybrid cars.Currently, there is a good number car owners who do not have own parking place and it will be difficult for those owners to migrate to EV. Also, it will be difficult for multi-car owners to charge more than one EV at home.At present, we wait five to 10 minutes in cities to fuel the car (a queue of two to three vehicle). The hybrid car reduces the frequency of fueling. Whereas, the EV owner would be waiting in the queue to get his car charged and even if we get a charging infrastructure comparable to present fuel stations, we may have to wait at least one hour to put the car in charging.The acceptance of hybrid technology to the mass market would be faster when compared to EV technology.Further, I think, the decision to discontinue the diesel engines by Maruti Suzuki was right. Many other manufacturers were forced to take the decision later. Similarly, I think, Toyota and Suzuki has made a right decision in bringing the hybrids to market. I personally feel that the automatic switching between the battery and the engine brings lots of comforts to the driver and other road users, especially in heavy traffic conditions.Here's what BHPian Nilesh5417 had to say on the matter:Am with you on the view that it is honeymoon period of EVs. The escalation in electricity prices is nothing short of electrifying. 6% inflation in electricity prices every 2-3years is what I read somewhere. And if you are in the state of MH or Telangana, you are already paying 12-15rs for all units above 300. That's still much much cheaper than fossil fuels today barring the infra issues that prevent mass adoption.Now 10yrs down the line, broadly speaking, I don't think running an EV is going to be any cheaper than what running a diesel car today is going to be. India's power sector is really really in need of desparate overhaul. It is bankrupting states like no other business is. Someday the party will end and i suspect the impact on middle-class as always will be significant. Only thing that will keep the cars going, EVs maybe, is lack of options- the government will probably leave you no choice but to buy an EV or some alternate fuel prevailing at that time under the garb of some law or other.Though I doubt any industry is going to get green as aggressively as individuals will be forced into it. With the benefit of hindsight, even I think MSIL read the scenario specific to India very well. That or they had insider information on how fast/slow the government was going to push the EV ecosystem.Here's what BHPian audioholic had to say on the matter:All it needs is a Maruti or a Toyota EV to completely reverse this statistic So I am not sure how this comparison even holds good except for the numbers itself which is good to know. What would be more interesting is to see how ICE cars and EV+Hybrid cars sell against each other in our market. I am sure there will be a nice trend line that will be formed.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
Unseasonal rains cloud mango crop prospects in Gujarat - BusinessLine
Unseasonal rains cloud mango crop prospects in Gujarat BusinessLine
Unseasonal rains cloud mango crop prospects in Gujarat
Unseasonal rains and heavy winds caused premature fruit dropping, potentially causing damage to mango crop
Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning of thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by heavy rains in several districts of Odisha due to western disturbances till April 1. The effect of western disturbance is likely to be most on March 31, a bulletin released by the IMD said. Thunderstorms and lightning are [] The post Norwester returns to Odisha appeared first on Pragativadi .
Trans women want trans-friendly Kerala to focus on basics: Healthcare, housing & jobs
Access Denied More than seven years after Kerala created history as the first Indian state to unveil a transgender policy, why is a trans woman with a postgraduate degree and teacher training still forced to work as a sex worker? Image for Representation/PTI This article is the second in TNMs Access Denied series, which dives into the issues and needs of certain sections of society that are confined to the margins and denied access to the mainstream. TW: Mention of suicide, violence Ousted by her family for asserting her identity as a woman, Padma (name changed) was all of 18 when she realised transgender friendly Kerala was not going to be kind to her. There were not many ways forward, the few trans women she knew at the time had advised her. No one would employ a trans woman, and she did not even have a degree. If she wanted to survive, let alone one day undergo the surgeries she hoped would finally allow her to be comfortable with her body, she had but two options turn to sex work, or beg on the streets. So at the age of 19, Padma made her choice. She became a sex worker. Life has been a struggle, as one would expect, she says. Many people are uncomfortable, even angry, with how we dont conform to their concept of a rigid gender binary. In addition to that is the shame associated with sex work and begging. Due to this dual stigma, people often do not even think of us as humans who deserve respect. One day, Padma hopes to undergo a gender affirming surgery. A distant dream, she says. As of now, I am struggling to make ends meet. I do not have the funds for a surgery. But I am slowly learning to love my body in small ways, through my clothes and how I express myself. The Kerala Social Justice Department has a scheme in place to provide financial assistance to trans persons undergoing gender affirmation surgery, which should have ideally come as a solace to many like Padma. As detailed in its website, the government will provide a maximum amount of Rs 2.5 lakh as financial assistance for the surgery, in addition to another Rs 1 lakh for breast implantation and Rs 36,000 for postoperative care (Rs 3,000 per month for 12 months). But the problem, trans activists point out, is that this amount is paid only as a refund. Most trans women are disowned by their family and live their life stranded on the road. A majority of us dont have access to education or jobs. Yet, we are expected to arrange lakhs of rupees for the surgery by ourselves, and apply for a refund only after the procedure is completed, says Raji (name changed), a trans woman. Even the refund is provided in instalments, that too after a year or so, she adds. Besides, postoperative money is not provided to individuals aged above 40 years, as the age limit for availing funds is between 18 and 40. Padma doesnt understand why. Do our needs stop to matter after a certain age? she asks. Thiruvananthapuram-based trans activist Sreemayi suggests that a more viable option would be for the government to tie up with a hospital and provide the money for the surgery directly. This way, we at least wont be forced to turn to sex work or begging to save money, she says. But according to Vasuki, a trans rights activist based in Thrissur, what the government needs to do first is set up a facility equipped to conduct gender affirmation surgeries. As of now, trans persons have no option but to get the surgery done in private hospitals and submit the bills to the government, and then wait for years to get a refund, she says. The primary reason gender affirmation surgeries are not carried out in Keralas government facilities is simple the lack of trained healthcare personnel. Reconstructive surgery is indeed a complicated procedure, says Dr AK Jayashree, professor and head of the department of community medicine at Kannur Government Medical College Hospital. But if government doctors are provided adequate and rigorous training, it can be accomplished, she says. Private hospitals in the state, meanwhile, have been notorious for their botched surgeries, which often leave trans women with excruciating physical pain, additional mental trauma, and little to no support to hold on to. This is what pushed Anannyah over the edge, Krishna (name changed) says, as she recalls the young trans woman radio jockey with bright eyes and a vivacious voice. Less than a week before her suicide in July 2021, Anannyah Kumari Alex had alleged in a media interview that she had faced gross medical negligence during her surgery at a private hospital in Kochi. After Anannyah realised the surgery was botched, the doctors response was that they would try again to fix what went wrong. Was that what a doctor was supposed to say? Krishna asks. Read: Anannyahs story isnt new: Kerala lacks support for trans persons undergoing surgery Even if the surgery is successful at the outset, it usually comes with an additional set of health problems, says Tara (name changed), a trans woman sex worker. Some of us face urinary continence, and some have issues with their intestines. There are people who struggle with back pain all their lives due to breast surgery. This is in addition to the pain we go through during hormone therapy and laser treatment for hair removal, she says. It is also not uncommon for us to see deaths, during and after surgeries. Viji, a queer activist and Thrissur District Transgender Justice Board member, says incidents such as this happen due to the non-existence of a uniform protocol while performing surgeries. Each hospital does it in a different way. We even have three different types of surgeries that can be performed based on the amount of money we can provide. Not all of them would give us a functional vagina, adds Viji, who is also the president of Karma, an NGO for queer persons. Besides, the hospital is supposed to assess the person undergoing the surgery for at least six months before the procedure. This is a precaution most facilities overlook, says Dr Jayashree. The government should consider introducing unified guidelines on how to perform vaginal reconstruction surgery, Sreemayi agrees. If the surgery is done properly, the touch sensation of the nerves there can be retained without fail. An informed system has to be implemented to ensure this, she says. Shyama S Prabha, former Transgender Cell project officer under Keralas Department of Social Justice, says the government is currently working on implementing a uniform protocol for gender affirmation surgeries. This was one of the hurdles that had come up while the government was discussing the provision of financial assistance for surgeries. The other was the difficulty in making surgery expenses uniform, she says. When asked about the age bar for surgeries, she says the 18-40 age range was fixed when the Government Order was first released. However, there was an application to remove this bar and the plan is currently under negotiation, she adds. Beyond the surgery But of course, this does not mean every trans person wants to undergo a surgery. Gender affirmation is simply a process through which an individual recognises and affirms their gender identity, Raji points out. There are several other affirming procedures that trans persons depend on to overcome their gender dysphoria, explains Viji. This can range from resorting to conventional dressing styles of the gender one aligns with, to surgically altering their sexual anatomy. Some undergo breast surgery alone, some bottom surgery, and others both. There are also individuals who wish to exist on a continuum, a spectrum that gives space for their own expression of gender, she says. Raji adds that while there are a number of medical procedures such as hormone therapy and laser treatment besides surgeries, social interaction is also an important aspect of gender affirmation. Using the right pronouns of an individual and not discriminating against them, ease of access to legal procedures such as changing names in documents, and being included in welfare schemes are all important, she adds. Imagine PMS, but every day Then there are the significant mental health costs that accompany procedures such as hormone therapy, says Viji. The recurrent hormone administration is often accompanied by depression, mood swings, and suicidal tendencies. Imagine experiencing severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but on a daily basis, she says. Dr Jayashree is of the opinion that while depression and suicidal tendencies are rampant among trans persons, hormone therapy alone is not to be blamed. The lions share of mental health issues faced by the trans community is due to the social isolation and ostracisation they face, she says. But of course, hormonal changes and the multiple surgical procedures trans women undergo are also factors, she adds. Several trans women TNM spoke to say they often do not receive any familial or societal support, let alone appropriate physical and psychological treatment facilities. They also experience more body shaming than cisgender women, both in public life and on social media. Reeling from depression and the trauma of ostracism, Vijaya (name changed) had once attempted to end her own life. I was taken to a counsellor, but they did not have anything to say to me. They just stared at me, with a puzzled look on their face. After that, she stopped going to counselling. Not to mention the cost of therapy. There is no way people like us can afford it on our own, she says. Vasuki has another experience to share, shining light on the ignorance of Keralas health personnel when it comes to trans women. I once went to a primary health centre because of a stomach ache. The staff there asked me if I was on my periods. I had to sit down and explain to them that trans women dont get periods, she says. Though we claim that Kerala and its institutions are trans friendly, the outlook of most Keralites on the ground is very different, Vijaya says. We have a long way to go, and a lot of awareness to create, before there is a change in the judgemental lenses through which most people here look at us. Read: How transphobia and ignorance of doctors drove a Kerala trans man to suicide Helpless childhoods Most trans persons problems start right from their childhood, says Viji. Once the realisation about our gender sets in, we begin to experience severe dysphoria. This is especially hard because as we grow up, society ingrains the idea of gender binaries into our heads. At that age, most children are unlikely to be even privy to the existence of transgender persons. So eventually, when a child starts to feel different, they have no clue how to handle it. It is a mental struggle too harsh for a child to deal with, she says. The Kerala government has introduced a scholarship scheme for transgender students, as per which eligible students from Classes 7 to 10 receive an amount of Rs 1,000 per month for 10 months. But Viji thinks the scheme is impractical and uninformed. How is it possible for children to just come out and reveal their gender identity? When children play games or wear clothes conventionally aligned with a gender they werent assigned at birth, families typically overlook it assuming it will pass. When this tendency persists through puberty, the family begins to admonish them for continuing these childish games. They are never even going to consider that this might be the childs way of expressing their gender, because they simply dont have the awareness for that, she explains. Instead of implementing generalised schemes, the government should aim to provide support to transgender children as and when they realise their gender identity, she adds. Dr Jayashree suggests that the government focus on providing intensive gender sensitisation training to its own education and health departments. Only with proper training can those dealing with children handle such issues sensitively, without traumatising the child or putting a halt to their education. Also, along with the child, parents should also be provided with proper counselling by teachers and counsellors, she says. School can oftentimes be a traumatic period for trans children, who face abuse and ridicule from other students for being different. Many trans children eventually drop out due to the ostracisation they face. The government is conducting gender sensitisation workshops and seminars in schools more often now, many of which she has taken part in, Viji says. It is necessary to make children aware of the fact that gender, as well as sexuality, is not a rigid structure, and that it is not something to be ashamed of. This will help change the future generations attitude towards gender minorities. Layered stigma It is pertinent to understand that a trans persons life does not revolve around their gender, says Tara. We struggle to find a place to stay, pay the monthly rent, and often even to buy food. In fact, if we need to put food on the table today, we have to step out onto the streets. It is a hand-to-mouth existence. Engaging in sex work for a prolonged period of time also triggers an array of health problems, from anal fissures to sexually transmitted infections (STI) including AIDS. Besides, trans sex workers are paid less for their services and are vulnerable to more violence whether it be from family, friends, customers, partners, or society and the system as a whole, says Tara. We lose most of our health earning money for the surgery, after which we return to work and lose our remaining health as well. We cannot afford to take much rest after the procedure because it would incur substantial expenses. There is no way we can survive without our daily earnings, says Viji. Some trans women are able to avail other odd gigs, such as making deliveries for Swiggy or Flipkart, etc. But many end up taking these jobs without adequate rest after the surgery. Reconstructive procedures can be traumatic for the body. Riding a two-wheeler for very long periods soon after undergoing such physical trauma can create problems of its own, including intense discomfort and back pain. This forces them to depend on painkillers, which in turn becomes an addiction they have to struggle with, says Raji. Kerala societys negative attitude towards trans persons extends to all aspects of their life from healthcare and housing to education and employment, says Ajitha (name changed), a trans woman residing in the coastal region of Malappuram. She shows us around her house two small rooms and a passageway converted into a kitchen, located on the first floor of a two-storeyed building dedicated for shops. At around 2 in the afternoon, the room is blazing hot. Ajitha and her family of trans women, which includes her adopted daughter Siji (name changed), had earlier rented another house in a more prominent location in the village, but were forced to move out due to constant harassment. At times, people would randomly show up at our doorstep and demand sex. Someone once threw a firecracker into our compound. We could not take it anymore, she says. The day trans women start expressing their gender identity, they are stripped of their dignity, says Binni (name changed). Our families, neighbours, and then random strangers shame us. If we beg, we get chased away from shops, people utter obscene words at us, and we walk till our legs cant take it anymore. Our hands start stinging after a point. We go through all of this for food, and for that one surgery we hope to undergo, she says. People think we are taking the easy way out by resorting to begging. Wherever we go, we end up facing condescending comments asking us if we are not ashamed; if we cant work and live. They dont realise, or care, that no one employs us for money, Binni adds. Trans welfare in Kerala Until a decade ago, trans persons in Kerala used to routinely migrate to cities such as Mumbai or Delhi, where they would spend the rest of their life doing sex work or begging, Viji says. Now, after some trans friendly policies were introduced in Kerala, more and more trans persons are beginning to stay back. Of course, but not without our own struggles, she adds. On November 12, 2015, Kerala had created history as the first Indian state to unveil a policy for transgender persons the State Policy for Transgenders [sic] in Kerala 2015. The development had come in the wake of a 2014 Supreme Court judgement that granted legal recognition to all transgender and other gender non-conforming persons. The apex court had held that all persons have the constitutional right to self-identify their gender, further directing the government to provide reservation to trans persons in education and employment. The state has since gone on to implement several welfare programmes for trans persons, such as Sakalyam for vocational training and Karuthal for emergency assistance, among other schemes to aid their education, marriage, and skill development. However, due to lapses and limitations in the implementation of most such policies, the lived realities of trans women remain far from the utopian dream of a trans friendly Kerala. In 2023, nearly nine years after the SC judgement, Siji with her postgraduate degree and teacher training still works as a sex worker. There is no place that would offer her a job with decent pay, says her foster mother Ajitha. Read: Six years, no progress: A look into Keralas much touted transgender person pension A counsellor working with the governments Suraksha project, implemented under the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) to monitor and create awareness about sexual health, tells TNM that counselling is provided to all sex workers, including trans persons, who come under its scope. Surakshas primary concerns when it comes to transgender women are three-pronged: condom awareness and distribution; counselling; blood tests for HIV and STIs, she says. However, an insider a trans woman who was a peer educator at Suraksha for six years says there are several limitations when it comes to Surakshas interventions. The first issue is that most of the people working with Suraksha are cis women, not community members. They come to us with preconceived notions about who we are, all based on what they have read and heard about us so far, which does not help trans women feel safe with them in any way, she says. Secondly, condoms are to be provided to the sex worker based on the number of clients they attend to. This data is completely made up based on assumptions, because nobody will declare the exact number of people they have sex with. Thirdly, the counselling they claim to provide is a non-entity. I worked there for nearly seven years. I never got counselled, nor have I seen anyone else get counselled, she adds. Moreover, Surakshas outreach workers go to the field during the day, with their shift mostly ending by 5 pm, says the former peer educator. She points out that the sex workers, however, start working after 6 pm or so. It is based on the surveys undertaken by Suraksha and other NGOs that the government plans interventions for us. But all of that data is fundamentally flawed, which in turn leads to improper planning and delivery of policies, she explains. Three demands 1. Healthcare Most trans women TNM spoke to highlight the absence of a government system that recognises and acknowledges their health issues, in addition to the continuing stigma among the common public, as their primary woes. They also demand a comprehensive healthcare system that will not only focus on their sexual healthcare, but also their mental and general physical health. Viji says that if the government can provide at least laser treatment and hormone therapy to trans persons for free, that would also significantly ease their burden. While surgery is a choice an individual makes based on several factors, most transgender persons have to routinely undergo hormone therapy and laser treatment for hair removal. We spend anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 7,500 per month on average for laser treatment, and at least another Rs 4,000 for hormone therapy, she says. According to former Transgender Cell project officer Shyama, the Kerala government is currently mulling providing monthly hormone medicines at a subsidised cost to trans persons and removing the age bar imposed for availing post-operative surgery care. As of now, the cost of hormonal therapy for the month in which the surgery is held, is being covered by the government. But monthly hormone medicines can cost anywhere from Rs 1,500 to Rs 9,000. The government has received a petition seeking distribution of subsidised medicines through the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited, the cost of which should be undertaken by the Department of Social Justice. Discussions regarding this are underway, she says. 2. Employment The government can also provide jobs to trans persons in the various institutions that come under the states purview, like it did when the Kochi Metro was launched, says Sreemayi. More often than not, these families fear is that their children will turn to sex work which is considered a dishonourable act. But if the government can provide us an assurance of a job by actually implementing reservations, our lives will improve manifold, Viji adds. 3. Housing Access to housing is another important need trans women want to be met, says Vasuki. As most of our families disown us as soon as we assert our identity, we often end up on the streets with no money or even identity proofs to help us find our footing. Even if we find a place to rent after much struggle, we are forced to pay more money than cis persons. But if we get a decent government job and we start to earn money of our own, this will deter many families from ousting their children, she says. Shyama says that during a survey conducted in 2014-15, around 3,600 transgender persons were identified in Kerala. A recent revised survey (the report of which is not out yet) says there are only 1,900 trans persons in the state. The government had planned setting up shelter homes for trans persons, but the survey data indicated that the potential number of beneficiaries would be too low for it to be economically viable for the government. The plan was hence shut down. The need of the hour is accurate data to plan and deliver interventions, she says. Note: The image used for representation is from a protest organised by the Democratic Transgender Federation Kerala (DTFK) in Kochi on July 21, 2021, following the death of trans woman Anannyah Kumari Alex allegedly due to negligence of Renai Medicity hospital authorities. This article is supported by the Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP), as part of its Health Journalism Fellowship 2022. In the first part of TNMs Access Denied series, we reported on 'How Kerala govt fails sex workers by seeing them only as vectors of HIV'. The story can be read here.
Long Weekend Destination: Himachal Pradesh, a small village full of natural beauty. The lush green forests and snow-capped mountains spread all around add to the beauty of this place. If you want to get out of the polluted atmosphere of Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad and want to breathe fresh air for a few days, then make a plan here. Two to three days are enough time to explore Sisu village, so the month of April is starting and Good Friday is on 7th April 2023, which is Friday, and the 8th, and 9th mean Saturday-Sunday together It's going to be a long weekend. So this is a good opportunity to visit here. The best thing is that you do not need to spend a lot of money to visit this place. Come with friends or with your partner...the journey will be memorable. Places to visit in sisu Sisu Waterfall Sisu Waterfall is situated on the Leh-Manali Highway. Which is one of the most beautiful and popular waterfalls in Himachal. Dense forests and high mountains spread all around make this waterfall beautiful. Sisu Lake Sisu Lake is another attraction of this village. Surrounded by mountains all around, the beauty of this lake is made on sight. Although every place here gives peace, the matter of this place is different. There are many options for photography here. Gefang Temple This temple is situated on the Gefang peak. Which is dedicated to the Gefang deity. According to the local people, the Gefang deity is the protector of the people living in the Lahaul Valley. How to reach Sisu Village? By Road- Sisu is situated on the Leh-Manali highway, so to reach here you have to reach Manali first. Take a bus from the Manali bus stand to Keylong. Whose path passes through the Atal Tunnel. The beautiful Sisu village is situated at a distance of about 6 km from the Atal Tunnel. By Air- The nearest airport to reach Sisu village is Bhuntar. Where this village is about 90 km away. Take a bus from the airport to Keylong or Leh. From which you will easily reach Sisu village. By Rail- Chandigarh is the nearest railway station to reach Sisu Village. Trains are easily available from places like Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Jaipur, and Ludhiana. Buses ply from Chandigarh to Manali and from here one can reach Sisu village by taking a bus to Keylong.
Vande Bharat train's trial run from Delhi to Agra
Vande Bharat trains trial run from Delhi to Agra
Vande Bharat Express is India's fastest train, know its specialty before traveling
Every day lakhs of people in India go from one place to another by travelling by train. This vast railway network of India works to make your journey pleasant. Now Vande Bharat Express has also been included in this for your convenience, which is the fastest train in India. Vande Bharat Express are made-in-India semi-high speed trains which will replace other long-distance fast trains in India including Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express in coming years. Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train in India and is completely indigenously designed. From its design to top speed and even features, several factors are the reason for its success. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about the speciality of Vande Bharat Express so that you can feel its thrill even before travelling. So let's know about them... Modern design The Vande Bharat Express has been given a modern design, which is more modern and attractive as compared to the boxy, muscular trains of the Indian Railways. The dual colour scheme of white and blue is attractive and the raised nose of the engine is similar to that of high-speed trains from other countries. This train has proved successful in reaching the speed of 0-100 kmph in just 52 seconds. While other trains in the world take up to 60 seconds. The fastest train in India Another important factor contributing to the success of Vande Bharat Express is that it is the fastest train in India with a maximum speed of 180 kmph. However, the operational speed of the train is limited to 130 kmph due to safety constraints. This higher speed has resulted in reduced travel time between cities connected by Vande Bharat Express. Engineless train Vande Bharat Express is India's first engineless train. Earlier, the engine coach was installed separately in Indian trains, but now in this train, the engine has been added together as is usually seen in metro or bullet trains. Due to this, it can attain higher speed than a train like Shatabdi. Its top speed is limited to 130 km/h. Automatic Doors and AC Coaches The train has 16 fully air-conditioned chair car coaches with two seating options: Economy and Executive Class. The amazing feature is that the revolving chair provided in the executive class can turn up to 180 degrees. One of the most important facilities provided by Vande Bharat Express is that its doors open automatically like in Metro.
Business Wire India Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is a crucial diagnostic procedure that helps physicians identify and evaluate the first lymph node(s) affected by cancer, known as the sentinel lymph node(s). This assessment is crucial in determining whether cancer has spread beyond its primary site. One of the most recent advances in SLNB is the use of Indocyanine Green (ICG) dye, which has shown promising results in terms of accuracy and ease of use. In this article,doctorswill discuss the SLNB procedure, the benefits of using ICG dye, and the potential implications for cancer staging and treatment. The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node that cancer cells are likely to reach if they spread from the primary tumor site. By removing and examining this node, doctors can determine if cancer has metastasized and make informed decisions about the appropriate course of treatment. The SLNB procedure typically involves the injection of a tracer, such as a radioactive (radiocolloid)substance or a dye, to help identify the sentinel lymph node(s). The tracer then travels to the sentinel node(s), allowing the surgeon to locate and remove it for further analysis. ICG Dye: A Novel Tracer for SLNB instead of a radiocolloid Indocyanine Green (ICG) dye is a fluorescent dye that has been increasingly adopted as a tracer in SLNB. When illuminated with near-infrared light, ICG emits a fluorescent signal that can be easily visualized using specialized imaging devices. This enables the surgeon to precisely locate the sentinel lymph node(s) and minimize the removal of non-sentinel nodes, thus reducing the risk of complications and improving the overall accuracy of the procedure. The traditional and standard procedure for SLNB is by using radiocolloid dye and in some centres, the radiocolloid dye is coupled with isosulphan blue dye. The issue with the radiocolloid is that it requires the Department of Nuclear Medicine where the dye is brought/prepared and injected, also SPECT (Single-photon emission computed tomography) to confirm its drainage to the Lymph Nodes. Intraoperativelya special camera known as Gamma Camera (GC) is required to locate the draining lymph nodes. The ICG technique does not require association with other departments, it is usually done in the Operation room a few minutes before surgery. The localization is done by an infrared camera rather than a gamma camera. The ICG technique removes dependence on other departments and also the cost of t dye and infrastructure required is substantially less as compared to the radiocolloid method. Another area, where ICG scores over radiocolloids is during surgery of non-palpable lesions in the breast. The radiocolloid dyes of different densities have to be used, one which remains in the lesion for GC to identify the primary lesion and the other drains to the lymph nodes for them to be located in the procedure of SLNB by GC. The ICG dye remains in the primary lesion as well as part of it drains to the lymph nodes also, no different versions of ICG dye are required making the procedure much simpler. The ICG technique does not involve any radiation exposure as it is based on the Infra-Red principle. It also gives insights into the perfusion of tissues especially if oncoplastic breast reconstruction or re-alignment is being done. Advantages of Using ICG Dye in SLNB Improved accuracy: The use of ICG dye has been shown to increase or be at par in terms of the accuracy of sentinel lymph node identification in comparison to traditional techniques, such as blue dye or radiocolloid tracers. This higher accuracy can lead to more accurate staging of cancer and better-informed treatment decisions. Real-time visualization: The fluorescence emitted by ICG dye allows for real-time visualization of the sentinel lymph node(s) during surgery. This can help surgeons make more precise incisions and minimize the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Minimally invasive: ICG dye is well-tolerated by the body and is associated with fewer side effects compared to radioactive tracers. Moreover, the use of near-infrared light for imaging does not expose the patient or medical staff to ionizing radiation. Cost-effective: ICG dye is relatively inexpensive compared to other tracers, making it a cost-effective option for healthcare providers. Dr. Mandeep Singh, Chief Mentor, Art of Healing Cancer , shares We have one of the largest experiences using ICG dye for SLNB in this part of the world. The use of ICG dye in sentinel lymph node biopsy has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. It is a good choice for clinicians who want to improve patient outcomes because it is accurate, can be seen in real-time, has fewer complications, and is cost-effective. As more research is conducted, we can expect to see ICG dye become a standard tracer in SLNB, paving the way for more precise cancer staging and personalized treatment plans.
Volodymyr Zelensky: Vladimir Putin has lost everything in the year-long conflict with Ukraine
Kiev: ON A TRAIN FROM SUMY TO KYIV, UKRAINE: A group of AP journalists spent two days travelling by train with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he visited the northern towns in the Sumy region that were liberated soon after the war started a year ago as well as the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which is still regularly shelled by Russian forces. Since the start of the war, Zelensky has only travelled extensively with The AP. Here are some key points from a conversation I had with Zelensky on his late-night Tuesday flight back to Kiev. The military of Ukraine has received billions of dollars' worth of ammunition and equipment from Western countries throughout the majority of the war. Zelensky acknowledged the assistance but noted that some of the promised weapons had not yet arrived. With regard to Patriots, the US-made air defence system, he said, We have great decisions, but we don't have them for real. Also Read: There are rumours that two billionaire British Muslims want to buy Subway for $9.8 billion. Although the Patriot system has been trained on by Ukrainian soldiers in the US since January, it has not yet been used in Ukraine. Zelensky stated that Ukraine needs 20 Patriot batteries to defend itself from Russian missiles, though even those may not be sufficient because no country in the world was attacked with so many ballistic rockets. Another air defence system was sent to Ukraine by a European country, Zelensky continued, but it wasn't effective, so they had to change it again and again. He made no mention of the nation. Zelensky added that we still don't have anything when it comes to modern warplanes, repeating his long-standing demand for fighter jets. Although Poland and Slovakia have chosen to donate Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, no Western nation has so far agreed to donate contemporary warplanes out of fear that doing so could intensify the conflict and ensnare them further. Also Read: Judge orders Pence to testify in the January 6 attack investigation Vladimir Putin was harshly criticised by Zelensky, who called him a informationally isolated person who had lost everything during the previous year of hostilities. Zelenskky declared, He doesn't have allies, adding that it was evident that not even China, the world's largest economy and a longtime ally of Moscow, was prepared to support Moscow any longer. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Putin in Russia, but he didn't publicly declare his support for Moscow's offensive against Ukraine. Zelensky contended that Putin's declaration that he would transfer tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, closer to NATO territory, shortly after Xi's visit was an attempt to divert attention away from the fact that the Chinese leader's visit had not gone well. Putin claimed that the action was a retaliation for Britain's decision to give Ukraine more depleted uranium ammunition. Zelenskky stated that despite Putin's nuclear provocations, he does not think the Russian president is ready to use the bomb. He declared, If a person really wants to save himself, he... will use these. I don't know if he's prepared to do it. Meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, the visiting head of the UN's atomic energy agency, was on Zelensky's agenda for this week. Grossi visited the area to assess the situation at the nearby Zaporizhizhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Russia seized last year. The largest plant in Europe has been the target of fierce fighting that has seriously endangered both the facility and the surrounding area. In his Monday meeting with Zelensky, Grossi claimed that nothing was changing. Although Grossi has called for a protection zone to be set up around the plant, he has been unable to come up with solutions that would please both Russia and Ukraine. On Tuesday, Grossi told the AP that he thought a deal was close. Zelensky, who is against any plan that would validate Russia's control over the facility, expressed less optimism about a deal being close. He stated, I don't feel it today. The longest battle of the conflict has been going on for seven months in the eastern city of Bakhmut between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Some Western military analysts have argued that the city is not strategically important, which raises the question of why Ukraine is willing to suffer so many losses to defend the area. Zelensky disagreed, claiming that any defeat in the conflict would give Russia a tactical advantage. If Russia defeats Ukraine in Bakhmut, he predicted that Putin will try to sell a victory to the rest of the world. Zelensky predicted that pressure would come from both the international community and within his own country. If he will feel some blood, smell that we are weak, he will push, push, push, he said. Our society will become weary, he predicted. My society will pressure me to make a concession to them. Zelensky recently visited troops fighting in the severely damaged city of Bakhmut to boost their morale. Zelensky argued that the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia don't go far enough and demanded that more severe actions be taken against Putin's close associates. Also Read: First hijab-wearing United states Supreme Court judge born in Syria makes history Sanctions against Russia have been put in place by more than 30 nations, which together make up more than half of the global economy. These sanctions include price caps on Russian oil and limitations on access to international financial transactions. A total of 2,000 Russian businesses, government employees, oligarchs, and their families have also been directly sanctioned by the West. According to a recent report from the US Treasury Department, assets belonging to Russians who have been sanctioned have been blocked or frozen worldwide to the tune of more than $58 billion. More should be done, according to Zelensky, to target Putin's supporters because they have to know that they will lose all their money... all of their properties, whether in Europe or elsewhere, Zelensky travels by train the majority of the time in Ukraine. There are not many other choices: Road travel in Ukraine is challenging due to the country's size, the suspension of commercial air travel, and the unpredictability of life in a war-torn nation. However, despite the constant barrage of Russian missiles, the state railway system has remained remarkably stable throughout the conflict. The bombing of the crowded Kramatorsk train station in April 2022, which left dozens of people dead, is one notable exception. Zelensky travels on a train reserved for him and his delegation, but from the outside it is hard to tell it apart from the blue-and-yellow trains transporting other passengers and cargo across the nation. The majority of Ukrainians barely glanced up as Zelensky's train zipped through towns.
The changing weather causes many diseases. Especially children, the elderly and patients need to be more alert in the changing weather. Changes in the weather are very uncomfortable for asthma patients. Asthma patients may face many problems during seasonal changes. Asthma patients have to face difficulties due to sudden increases in the cold in the morning and evening or due to fluctuations in temperature. Whether it is dust, pollution during summers, increased risk of allergies during spring, or fall in temperature during winters or rains, all these can lead to respiratory problems and wheezing or shortness of breath. In today's article, let us know why an inhaler is necessary for asthma patients at the time of change in the weather? This information is given to us by DrVikramJaggi, Pulmonologist, MD, DNB. DrVikramJaggi, Asthma linked to climate change Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways leading to the lungs. It is a chronic inflammatory condition. Because of this there is swelling in the airways going to our lungs. Because of this, they become more sensitive and react quickly when they come in contact with something that can cause allergies . When the weather changes, or any new season starts, many such particles that spread allergies are present in the environment and when our respiratory system comes in contact with them, it causes a spasm of the muscles of the airways because of this it becomes more difficult for air to pass through them. It is very common for asthma symptoms to worsen in case of weather changes. Importance of inhalers for asthma patients during the changing season The first thing to do is identify the things you are allergic to or the things that trigger your symptoms and stay away from them. Consult a doctor regularly. If you feel any change in your symptoms, then definitely tell the doctor. Inhalation therapy is very effective and efficient for respiratory problems like asthma. There are many reasons for this. As if- Compared to normal medicines, the right amount of medicine from the inhaler reaches the lungs directly which gives instant relief. This also reduces the chances of side effects. If you use the inhaler as prescribed by the doctor, the symptoms of asthma will be under control and the chances of a sudden asthma attack will also decrease. The inhaler is effective for all age groups as prescribed by the doctor. For children, it is recommended to use a spacer device with the inhaler. Take care of these things If asthma patients properly follow the treatment plan given by the doctor, then it will be easier for them to adapt themselves to seasonal changes. However, there are some other things which are very important to take care of. As if- using an air purifier at home keeping your hands clean and away from your face wearing a mask when leaving the house Do not go to highly polluted places Practising breathing exercises DISCLAIMER Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.
Delhi Metro's 'historic' feat will save you more time; Here's how
Increasing the operational speed of the Airport Express Link to 100 KMPH was a major engineering challenge for Delhi Metros engineers. The operational speed of the Metro trains on the Airport Express Line (AEL) have now been increased from 90 KMPH to 100 KMPH.
MeT Predicts Rains In Plains, Snow Over Higher Reaches From Tomorrow In J&K
SRINAGAR, Mar 29: Weather department on Wednesday predicted intermittent rain and thunderstorm in plains and snowfall over higher reaches at most places of Jammu and Kashmir from March 30 to April 5. Quoting a meteorological department official, that the thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds. Meanwhile the minimum temperatures recorded increase at most places with mercury settling below normal in J&K barring Gulmarg. The official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 5.5C against 4.7C on the previous [] The post MeT Predicts Rains In Plains, Snow Over Higher Reaches From Tomorrow In J&K appeared first on Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K .
Due to a shortage of labourers and fluctuating weather conditions, several farmers in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh are facing losses as they are unable to harvest their crops. The weather conditions in the region have been unpredictable, with unseasonal rains and hailstorms damaging the crops. As a result, farmers are struggling to manage the harvest and facing losses due to the inability to timely reap their crops. This situation is not only affecting the farmers but also the availability of crops in the market, which can have a ripple effect on the economy of the region.
5 years in jail for pelting stones on Vande Bharat trains? Don't do it, warns Railways
years in jail for pelting stones on Vande Bharat trains Dont do it warns Railways
South Central Railway warns stone pelters of strict action
Some of the stone pelting incidents also involved children aged between 6 to 17 years, the release said. HYDERABAD: South Central Railway has appealed to the general public not to indulge in anti-social activities such as stone pelting on trains, which become the cause of serious injuries to onboard passengers and damage railway property. Stone pelting on trains is punishable under Railway Protection Force (RPF) Act, the SCR said in a release. Pelting of stones on trains is a criminal offence and stringent action will be taken against the perpetrators under Section 153 of Railways Act, which is punishable with imprisonment up to 5 years, it said. Pointing out that instances of stone pelting have taken place across different locations over SCR jurisdiction, the release said that some of the vulnerable sections have been Kazipet - Khammam, Kazipet-Bhongir, and Eluru-Rajahmundry. In recent times, Vande Bharat trains are being targeted by miscreants and nine such incidents have been reported since January, it said. The SCR said that such incidents have not only led to damage of public property but also rescheduling of the train. Such incidents can lead to fatal injuries to the on-board passengers. Railway Protection Force is working to catch culprits involved in such incidents and has so far registered several cases, and 39 offenders were arrested and sent to jail. Some of the stone pelting incidents also involved children aged between 6 to 17 years, the release said. SCR officials said it was the responsibility of every parent, teacher, and elders in the society to counsel, educate and guide children to desist from such activities.
New or used sedan to replace my 8th-gen Honda Civic for under Rs 13L
BHPian Memphis recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Started with an ideal budget of Rs 7-8L, moved to 10L and now reluctantly busting open the piggy bank up to Rs 12-13L. Looking for a (preferably pre-owned) sedan to replace our beloved 8th-gen Civic as I'm having to move to NCR where petrol cars face the axe at 15 years. This would be our second steed at home complementing our trusty 2012 Outlander. Must haves:Petrol AT (not AMT)Utilization - 15-20 km per day in NCR with occasional highway jaunts4 or 5-star NCAP safety ratingComfortable for tall folks with above-average build. I'm 6'2Should at least have above-average driving dynamicsTelescopic steeringReasonably good reliability and generally hassle-free ownershipIn my 2 month journey so far I've considered/driven the following cars (Mandatory disclaimer: just my subjective views - no offence to anyone):Ford EcosportWas sure this would fit the bill despite being a CSUV but after driving 2 different cars (both under 3 years old) this is a no-go. Primarily due to 1) Cramped rear 2) Weird behaviour of the TC at low speeds to accelerate without input 3) Awful low-speed ride quality. Eliminated.Facelifted '23 5th-gen Honda CityI thought this would give me a sense of what a well-kept 5th-gen can offer. For the price, I was disappointed. While I haven't completely ruled it out, the City feels like a significant downgrade to the Civic. Grudgingly kept on the maybe list.VW Virtus 1.0 TSII know this is a forum favourite but coming from a Civic the car was a shocker to me. Cheap feeling interiors, rattles from every part of a TD car run 5k, major turbo lag, average HVAC performance, poor rear seat comfort, and lack of basic features like seatbelt height adjustment, rear disc brakes etc were a big letdown. I also drove the Taigun 1.0 and 1.5 TSI and while they felt slightly better put together I really am not keen on a CSUV. Eliminated.2019 Honda Civic ZXThe only one to put a smile on my face so far! Of course, there's tons of bias considering I own the 8th Gen and I understand its shortcomings with the CVT this is still a strong but last contender considering it's still at least 3-4L over an already over-stretched budget. Shortlisted.Skoda Octavia DSGI've purposely stayed away from this one as I'd hate to enjoy it far too much to overlook the potential ASS scares (my work simply doesn't provide me the time to enjoy this hobby as much anymore). EliminatedHyundai Elantra ATYet to try. Have read through the long-term ownership threads and it seems a possibility.Toyota Altis CVTWe've had one in the family for many years and while it ticks most of my boxes, I dislike its lack of driving dynamics and dated-looking dash. Grudgingly kept on the maybe list.Toyota Camry ATAgain well beyond budget. We have one in the family and I really admire this car. But not really a driver's car and getting one >8 years old means potential maintenance woes. EliminatedWild card entry: Nexon EV.It'd been hard to get a TD of one but the asking price of sparingly used Nexons is just at the horizon of our budget. However, Tata's ASS and stories of QC issues with this don't inspire confidence. Goes on the maybe list. Hats off if you're still reading this advice needed/rant post! I've also gone back and forth with considering a CSUV but nothing out there appeals. The Korean twins with their safety ratings and poor driving dynamics are out. The Taigun came close but still didn't feel too car-like and then VW ASS woes plus that clattering 3-cylinder on the 1.0 TSI are a turn-off. I'm not big on the other Maruti/Mahindra offerings as personal experience with their safety, refinement and build quality has been lacklustre. So, to conclude: Have I been living under a rock or has the quality vs price ratio of cars taken a massive hit in the last few years? Is this possibly the worst time in the modern era to buy a car? Do I just manage with Ola etc for the next 12-18 months hoping things will improve? I'm dazed, confused and bruised. Any advice would be much appreciated! Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:The trouble is, the 8th-gen Civic was a 13-15 lakh car. After all these years & the obvious inflation, you are looking to replace it within the same budget. Simply put, in today's terms, you are trying to replace a 25-lakh car with a 13-lakh one, whether used or new. Luckily, you are moving to the Delhi-NCR region where the used car market is the best in terms of prices & wide choices.There will hence always be compromises. My suggestions:5th-gen City, new or used. You keep your cars for long and this will serve you well. The ultimate all-rounder.Wait for next-gen Verna whose design is funky & launch is just around the corner.10th-gen Honda Civic, pre-owned.Corolla Altis AT, pre-owned.Virtus / Slavia, new or used. They are amazing sedans but will come with the usual VW / Skoda headaches.If you are open to crossovers, then a pre-owned Creta / Seltos Petrol AT would be just perfect for you.Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:I can understand where you are coming from. For all the action that has taken place in the Indian automotive sector, local manufacturing has not managed to offer cars like the Civic. While areas like drivetrains, safety and convenience features have seen huge improvements, the cars still feel cheap and built-to-cost. Someone who has owned a Civic for so many years can clearly see through the clever packaging and dressing up employed in locally manufactured cars. Even companies like VW/Skoda had to learn to follow when in Rome, do as the Romans do. This is not a reflection of our manufacturing capabilities but more of consumer preferences that dictate the product portfolio. If I am unwilling to compromise on build quality, I would buy a pre-owned car that has no local content. Camry Hybrid would be my first choice - it's a real VFM in the pre-owned market which is unusual for a Toyota. Civic, Tucson, Elantra, etc. would be other choices. VW/Skoda, while tempting, would not be easy on the pocket.Here's what BHPian SoumenD had to say on the matter:Hope you realize the Civic sold for ~25L(ZX CVT) 2-3 years ago when it was discontinued. If you're going to compare with your 8th gen Civic, you need to start with a 25L budget at least for the new one. You have to account for the demon named Inflation. Can't expect a 13-18L car to match the finesse of your existing car. So the only options for you in the budget would be used cars like the 2019/20 Civic ZX CVT or Octavia and likes.Here's what BHPian lawdgawd had to say on the matter:Faced the same problem upgrading from last gen Civic. Ended up with the new-gen City. Is it a good car? Yes. Does it make me feel any loyalty? No. As GTO said, the City was a 25 lakh car (considering inflation) even though I paid only 13 for it. But I am ten years older, and more cautious with spending, and so spending 25L on a new car sounds impossible. It's easier to take such decisions from the heart when you are younger!Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
Maharashtra: 18, 869 Farmers Lost Crops And Agricultural Produce Due To Unseasonal Rains In Palghar
As many as 18,869 farmers have lost their crops and agricultural produce due to unseasonal rains between March 1 and 19 in Palghar district of Maharashtra, as per an official release. Due to the spell ...
Natural rituals for sound sleep
Inadequate sleep has been linked to several health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, a suppressed immune system and endocrine disorders. CHENNAI: Sufficient sleep is a fundamental aspect of good health. However, over 30 per cent of people suffer from insomnia, and this figure increases to 40 to 60 per cent for those over 60 years old. In India, sleep disorders are prevalent, with the country ranking as the second-most sleep-deprived nation in the world. According to a Lancet study, approximately 5.4% of Indians aged 30-69, or around 28.8 million people, are at moderate or severe risk of sleep apnea, which is a prevalent sleep disorder. Inadequate sleep has been linked to several health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, a suppressed immune system and endocrine disorders. Studies have also shown a correlation between lack of sleep and premature ageing, as well as the exacerbation of chronic diseases such as Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. Sleep specialists caution that individuals with insomnia should avoid becoming reliant on medication and instead consider lifestyle adjustments. This is where yoga and naturopathy can come in handy. These can show us how to incorporate therapies and relaxation rituals to sleep better. Food and diet The role of food and diet in maintaining a healthy daily routine cannot be overstated. To ensure that your diet does not negatively impact your sleep or overall health, it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet. If you struggle with insomnia, it is recommended to stop the intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, as these substances can disrupt your sleep cycle and harm your health. Additionally, it is important to reduce sugar intake, as it can cause energy bursts and uneven blood sugar levels. Instead, consume foods that promote calm sleep, such as carbohydrate snacks like whole-grain crackers, which are rich in vitamin B6. Foods that are high in magnesium, such as wheat bran, cashews, whole grains, almonds, legumes, and seeds are also recommended to aid in better sleep. Continuing to practise naturopathy and yoga techniques regularly is crucial to achieving better sleep and relieving sleep disorders. It is important to maintain consistency in the efforts, and within three months of regular practice, one can expect to see significant improvements in sleep quality, as well as daytime energy levels and overall performance. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting a small needle through the skin at a specific point on the body. This process can help alleviate stress, depression, and pain, and is commonly used to treat insomnia. In a small study conducted in 2017, researchers administered traditional acupuncture or sham acupuncture (where needles are not inserted as deeply) to 72 individuals with primary insomnia. Participants received treatment three times a week for four weeks. The results showed that acupuncture was more effective at improving insomnia symptoms. Massage Therapy Massage therapy is a well-known stress-reducing technique that can help release the tension we accumulate throughout the day. This therapy can improve blood circulation and significantly alleviate bodily pain, which can prevent individuals from achieving a restful nights sleep. Moreover, it can also unblock and release negative energy, which may contribute to overall discomfort. The calming effect of massage on the body and mind can make it easier for people to switch off and fall asleep. A massage performed in the late evening, in particular, can promote a good nights sleep. Early and Light Dinner For optimal sleep, it is recommended to consume dinner at least 2-3 hours prior to bedtime and to include easily digestible foods. Consuming a heavy meal close to bedtime can diminish sleep quality and hinder digestion. Research also suggests that having an early breakfast is beneficial, as eating late increases the risk of acid reflux and acidity. It is advisable to avoid or significantly limit alcohol intake in the evening, as excessive consumption can cause significant sleep disturbances, despite its initial calming effects. Yoga Yoga and meditation are powerful tools that can help address the underlying causes of sleep issues, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, without any negative side effects. These practices serve as relaxation techniques, helping to quiet the mind and calm the body, leading towards a state of inner peace. Practising pranayama and meditation before bedtime can help address the root causes of sleep issues. A study reported that 55% of yoga practitioners experienced improved sleep, with over 85% reporting decreased levels of stress. Here are some yoga poses for better sleep: Humming Bee Breathing or Bhramari Pranayama It is a popular yogic breathing exercise that is known to have a calming effect on the mind and nervous system, making it an effective tool for stress relief and relaxation. The vibrations created by the humming sound stimulate the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of well-being and happiness. Bhramari Pranayama is also believed to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Alternate Nostril Breathing or Anuloma Viloma Anuloma Viloma has balancing effect on the nervous system. It provides relief in mental tension, insomnia and hypertension. To perform this, sit comfortably. Press the right nostril with the thumb and inhale through the left nostril. Hold the breath for sometime and then press the left nostril with the ring finger and exhale through the right nostril. After exhalation, inhale through the same nostril and hold the breath for sometime. Then exhale through the right nostril. The exhalation must be longer than inhalation. Practise ten rounds. Corpse Pose or Shavasana Shavasana relaxes the nervous system, controls anxiety and stress and brings deep rest to our body and mind. To perform this pose, lie down on the back and keep the eyes closed and do not allow any thoughts to come in the mind. Concentrate on your natural and spontaneous breath. Stay in this position for five minutes, allowing your body to fully relax and recharge. Crocodile Pose or Makarasana It is a deeply relaxing yoga posture that involves lying on your belly with your arms crossed under your head. Rest your forehead on your wrists and allow your heels to turn outwards while letting your legs relax and flop open. Close your eyes and focus on releasing tension from your body as you breathe deeply. Childs Pose or Balasana Balasana, also known as the Childs Pose, is a kneeling yoga posture that offers a range of physical and mental benefits. This pose involves stretching the lower back while relaxing the entire body. To perform the Childs Pose, begin in a kneeling position with your buttocks resting on your heels. While exhaling, lower your body forward, stretching your arms out in front of you until your forehead rests comfortably on the mat. Keep your arms relaxed and alongside your body. You will feel a stretch in your shoulders, buttocks, spine, and arms. This pose is a great way to relieve tension in the body and calm the mind. The writer is the chief medical officer at Jindal Naturecure Institute.
Mumbai: Western Railway likely to get more AC local trains soon
After this paper revealed how city might not get any new AC locals due to red tape, top source from Union govt reaches out to say WR will soon get more AC trains
Fruits To Whole Grains, Food Items That Cleanse Your Liver Effortlessly
Studies by Harvard University have said that there is no significant benefit from a liver detox.
IMD Alert : Big news! Heavy rains in 12 states till April 2, IMD issued an alert
Under the influence of the systems, fairly widespread to widespread rain or thundershowers are very likely over Northwest India on March 30 and 31, along with Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and West Uttar Pradesh on March 30-31 There is a possibility of hailstorm. Scattered to widespread rain or thundershowers very likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, [] The post IMD Alert : Big news! Heavy rains in 12 states till April 2, IMD issued an alert first appeared on discountwalas .
Vande Bharat Express to soon pass through highest bridge across India
The Ministry of Railways is going to operate Vande Bharat Express on many routes across the country, and it has also announced that it will run on many more routes in the coming years. In this series, Vande Bharat train is going to be run in Jammu and Kashmir also in the coming time. Not only this, this train is also going to pass through the world's highest bridge being built over Chenab river. In such a situation, it can only be estimated by thinking that when Vande Bharat passes through the world's highest rail bridge at high speed, how beautiful that scene can be. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that once the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla (USBRL) rail link becomes fully operational, the Vande Metro will connect Jammu and Srinagar. According to media reports, while addressing the people from the Chenab River Bridge construction site, Railway Minister Vaishnav has said that the USBRL project is also expected to be ready by December 2023 or January 2024. He has said that once the railway line becomes operational, Vande Bharat Express will also run on important rail links. Maintenance facilities to be set up at Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir for smooth operation of Vande Bharat Express. Not only this, the Chenab River Bridge is the world's highest railway bridge at 359 meters above the river bed. Till now the work of laying track on the bridge has been completed. The Railway Minister rode on the railway tracks sitting on a wheel mounted trolley. This 1.3 kilometer long bridge is said to be a very important link in the 111 kilometer radius from Katra to Banihal. The bridge is being built by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 1486 crore. There are many specialties of this bridge. One is that this bridge can easily withstand the wind speed of 266 kilometers per hour. In addition, even if an earthquake occurs there, the bridge will not collapse. The USBRL project is going to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India and can provide all-weather connectivity. At the same time, Indian Railways is also working at a fast pace and running Vande Bharat Express trains on various routes across the country. Many other states are going to get Vande Bharat trains in the coming times. Vande Bharat train is going to run from Ajmer to New Delhi via Jaipur in the first week of April. Meet Tania Suri: The Event Manager Turned Lifestyle Influencer Who Proves That Success Comes from Following Your Passion Are you also planning to lose weight during fasting? So note down this recipe. Female Cheetah which Brought from Nambia to Kuno National Park Dies
Women who handle work outside the house as well as outside, often think that they can get such a trick in their hands, with the help of which their daily work (Simple Kitchen Life Hacks) becomes a little easier. Women feel more tired, especially in kitchen work. The work of the kitchen (Life Hacks) takes a little time to see, it is not really like that. This work is the heaviest. In such a situation, today we are going to tell you about some such kitchen hacks (Kitchen Hacks) which will make your work easier, so let us know about these easy hacks which will help you to get your work done quickly. Hacks Of Kitchen Cooker whistle The biggest problem women face in the kitchen is the whistle of the cooker. Because sometimes the water starts flowing and sometimes the whistle does not come. In this case, whenever you put something in the cooker, put a small bowl in it and close it. By doing this, the whistle will be easily applied and the food will be cooked quickly. Munga or drumstick Peel the munga or drumstick vegetable, cut it into small pieces and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. With this, this vegetable can remain safe for more than one and a half months. Scissor If the edge of the scissor kept in the kitchen has decreased, try running it two to three times in a box of salt, it will make the scissor sharp. Beans Apart from this, if you are thinking of making a kidney beans vegetable but forgot to soak it in the night, then put water in the cooker and add kidney beans and a teaspoon of salt to it. After this, after one whistle, remove it from the stove and leave it to cool down, and then after putting ice cubes in it, close the cooker and after one or two whistles, reduce the flame. Then leave it to cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Rice water If there is too much water in cooking rice, then put a loaf of bread in it. By doing this, the bread will absorb all the water after some time. Apart from this, if there is moisture in the jar of salt, then put rice grains in it and leave it, it reduces the moisturisation.
Luxury served on wheels: India's 5 most royal trains
Luxurious trains in India: Palace on wheels, golden chariot and other luxurious trains of India.
Return flight turns death trap for winged guests
Migratory birds perched on the shallow and drying up water bodies as the summer sets in become sitting ducks for the huntsmen, who are killing them in large numbers. CUTTACK: The wetlands and riverine areas of Cuttack district, which are a favourite layover for migratory birds on their return flight, have turned an easy hunting ground for poachers. The migratory birds perched on the shallow and drying up water bodies as the summer sets in become sitting ducks for the huntsmen, who are killing them in large numbers. The modus operandi is to poison the birds. Sources said, poisoned foodgrains are scattered on the ground. The birds after feeding on the grains fall unconscious following which they are strangulated to death by the poachers. The meat of the birds is in high demand in hotels in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state, they said. Such a ghastly incident came to the fore on Sunday, when carcasses of over 50 migratory birds were left behind by hunters on Mahanadi river bed at Paschimakachha Diha Sahi near Jagatpur. The birds were identified as Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) which migrate from countries like China and Mongolia. Locals said they spotted some persons arriving on the bank of Mahanadi river in a country boat in a suspicious manner. Upon searching the boat, they found the dead birds in it. When questioned, the poachers left in a hurry leaving the birds behind. Hunting birds on Mahanadi river bed has become a regular affair as the Forest department does not keep a watch on the site, alleged a resident of Dhia Sahi.Later, the locals informed the matter to city forest division office following which a team of officials rushed to the spot and seized the carcasses. The poaching of the winged guests is rampant on the outskirts of Cuttack city, just around 10 km from the forest division office. We seized as many as 50 dead birds. Postmortem on the carcasses was conducted by assistant veterinary surgeon, Buxi Bazaar veterinary hospital. It has revealed that the death of the birds was due to fowl cholera, said city DFO, Ajit Kumar Satapathy.While an unnatural death case has been registered in this connection, basing on the allegation of the villagers, further investigation is on into the incident, he said.
Da Milano launches summer/spring collection 2023
The latest collection is designed for the modern woman, providing a perfect blend of fantasy and fashion. HYDERABAD:Da Milano, renowned for its authentic Italian design and artisanship recently launched its Summer/ Spring Collection 2023. Founded in 1989, the brand is endowed to have an eye for design, a professional team, and good channel facility partners all of which have helped the brand expand beyond borders among its ever-growing clientele. Today with the brand currently having more than 85 stores in India and abroad, including showrooms at 23 Airports in India, the brand has established itself as the one-stop solution for quality leather products across the nation. Talking about the inspiration behind the collection, Sahil Malik, Managing Director, Da Milano, says, Launching exciting new styles, Da Milano brings to you the seasons latest trends, straight off the runway. An eclectic mesh of vibrant colours with sophisticated, eye-catching designs, the SS23 collection is a celebration of the vitality of spring. The latest collection is designed for the modern woman, providing a perfect blend of fantasy and fashion. Our design process which includes ideation, conceptualisation, brainstorming on international trends, sourcing and curation of leathers, and sampling, starts six months before the launch period. The seasonal trends are well researched and thought about. The Da Milano SS23 collection features a range of stylish and versatile bags, including a mini tote, handbag, baguette, sling, cross-body, new styles of DM monogram bags, raised emboss, and a fun travel range including accessories (wallets, key chains, leather mirrors, bag charms, and multi-pouches) all made with combinations of ostrich and snake leather. New styles launched in the season include a playful mix of textures like ostrich and snake leather, a new range of DM monogram raised emboss mixed with fur styles, a classic range of black and white weave collection along with a range of crocs styles. Bringing in new shades for the season, the SS23 collection features a vibrant mix of neutrals like caramel, orchid, blush coral, and taupe accented with pops of fresh colours like teal, lime, and animal prints. Elaborating about where Hyderabad stands on the fashion accessories front, Sahil says, In the recent past, Hyderabad has seen a drastic shift in the fashion accessories space and is more accepting to new trends than ever before. People are keener to try new styles. Sahil and his team at present are working on expanding the brand internationally too. We already have five stores in the UAE and one in Nepal and aim to open multiple stores in London and Singapore. We would also like to be seen on the high streets of European countries five years from now. We aspire to open multiple stores across the globe and reach out to discerning clientele of all age groups and income levels, he concludes.
South Central Railway completeselectrification of Gadwal-Kurnool section
This also helps the railways reduce fuel costs considerably and improve operational efficiency. HYDERABAD:South Central Railway (SCR) has completed electrification works between Gadwal and Kurnool City for a distance of 54 km. This has paved way for continuous electrified railway line facility from Secunderabad to Dharmavaram in the zone and the trains in this section can now be taken under electric traction. The Gadwal-Kurnool City section has been electrified as part of the Dhone-Kurnool City-Mahabubnagar and Secunderabad-Mudkhed-Manmad electrification project at a cost of Rs 916.07 crore in 2018-19. With the completion of electrification between Secunderabad and Mahabubnagar, Mahbubnagar-Gadwal and Kurnool City- Dhone, Dhone - Gooty - Dharmavaram of SCR and Dharmavaram - Bengaluru City of SWR, both passenger and freight trains can now seamlessly travel from Hyderabad - Dharmavaram and beyond up to Bengaluru enabling running of trains with electric traction on end to end basis. The operation of trains with electric traction helps in reducing carbon emission. This also helps the railways reduce fuel costs considerably and improve operational efficiency.
5-grain pot remedy to attract wealth
Adding these 5 grains to a mud pot can attract wealth and financial stability. Read on to find out!
Chennai corporation expects to keep revenue deficit down, focuses on education
Apart from a focus on infrastructure like roads and stormwater drains, this year education saw a significant jump in budgetary allocation with Rs 110 crore. CHENNAI: Mayor R Priya presented her second corporation budget, for the fiscal year 2023-24, on Monday. The corporation expects to keep its revenue deficit at Rs 334.59 crore, which is Rs 183 crore lesser than the revised estimates for 2022-23. One of the main reasons we have been able to bring down the revenue deficit is due to the revision of property taxes along with the improved collection. Now, there are targets for collection and collection methods have been strengthened, said Taxation and Finance Committee chairperson Sarbajaya Das. Another contributing factor is the finance commission grant that has been increased from Rs 580 crore last year to approximately Rs 850 crore this year. Apart from a focus on infrastructure like roads and stormwater drains, this year education saw a significant jump in budgetary allocation with Rs 110 crore. Speaking to TNIE, Mayor R Priya said, We drafted the budget with education as a major area of focus. I wanted to make sure that we did whatever was possible as far as education is concerned. Mayor R Priya presented the budget at the Ripon Building on Monday | P Jawahar For the improvement of bus route roads under Singara Chennai 2.0 and Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Fund, Rs 881.2 crore was allocated along with Rs 1,482.7 crore for stormwater drains. According to last years revised estimates, bus route roads and stormwater drains were allocated Rs 162.2 crore and Rs 1,858.45 crore respectively. While last year, the civic body came close to collecting Rs 1,500 crore in property tax as per the revised estimates, this year, it hopes to collect Rs 1,680 crore. Putting the projected increase in property tax into context, a senior corporation official said, We are targeting better collection efficiency. Our collection efficiency has already come up this year but we are looking to increase it. We are also looking to carry out a reassessment of under-assessed properties through private players which are also expected to boost collection. Construction of new bridges and widening of existing ones is expected to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 102.5 crore. For solid waste management, Rs 260.5 crore has been allocated and Rs 77 crore for parks and playgrounds. Major announcements 1. Dedicated parking and transport management committee comprising eight officials. On-street parking to be extended to all zones 2. Online facilities for downloading certificates for name transfer of property tax and appealing for reassessment. For senior citizens, tax collectors will collect payment from homes if booked through the Namma Chennai app or 1913 toll-free helpline 3. Makkalai Thedi Mayor scheme, wherein the mayor will meet the public directly and receive petitions 4. Modern fish markets to be set up at Chintadripet and Besant Nagar at Rs 2.69 crore and Rs 80 lakh respectively 5. Wards to be rated for cleanliness and the top three wards in each zone will be awarded 6. A dedicated monitoring centre will come up at the Communicable Diseases Hospital in Tondiarpet. Steps will be taken to secure National Quality Assurance Standards certificates for five urban primary healthcare centres in the first phase 7. Integration of the town planning departments building approval software with the corporations revenue department 8. Councillor ward development funds are to be increased from `35 lakh to `40 lakh 9. New website to enable residents to book community halls and commercial buildings 10. Out of the 64 announcements made during last years budget session, 35 have been completed, work is in progress for 28 and one will be taken up in this financial year
Sewage drains along river channels key to prevent flow of filth into rivulets
Construction of sewage drains along the five river channels in Guwahati can be key to prevent the filth from flowing into the rivulets, and thereby save them and revive the aquatic ecosystem, conservationists said.
Mob mayhem shuts down Tiljala after child's murder
Thousands of protesters took over a large swathe of the city's south-eastern parts on Monday - setting fire to vehicles, vandalising property, squatting on roads, swarming rail tracks, pelting stones at trains and clashing with cops - blaming delayed police action for the murder of a seven-year-old girl in Tiljala on Sunday.
Brains behind fake certificate racket arrested day after raid in Odisha
A day after a raid on a private coaching centre in Balangir, police on Monday arrested 19 people, including two masterminds of an alleged fake academic certificate racket that was also involved in several job scams and cheated thousands of aspirants for the past seven years.
Version of Vande Metro trains could ply as AC locals in Mumbai: Railway minister
Railway minister says there must be consensus among Mumbaikars in favour of move first during visit to worlds tallest railway bridge in Kashmir
Special trains to be run between Barauni and Coimbatore
Yediyurappa refrains from blaming anyone for Shikaripura protests, promises to solve issue
Karnataka elections 2023 While CM Bommai was quick to blame Congress for instigating the violence, Yediyurappa refrained from blaming anyone for the incident, and instead suggested that there may have been a misunderstanding. Senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has responded to the violent protests that took place in Shikaripura town, where protestors from the Banjara community pelted stones at his house on Monday, March 27. He instructed the police not to take any action against the protestors and has promised to meet with the leaders of the Banjara community to discuss the issue. I immediately spoke to SP and DC and asked them not to take any action against the protestors as this might have happened due to some misunderstanding. I have told them not to arrest anyone, I will try to solve the issue, he said. Yediyurappa also promised to reach out to the senior leaders of the Banjara community, I will call senior leaders of Banjara community and discuss. Vijayendra and I are here to listen to peoples woes. I will meet the leaders and find out what are the reasons for this mishap, he said. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Banjara community for their support in electing him as Chief Minister four times and emphasized his commitment to their welfare and development. I have worked for the community and developments of Taandas (hamlets), he said. The Banjara community was agitating against the state's decision to introduce internal reservations. During the protests in Shikaripura, the situation turned violent as some protesters resorted to throwing stones at the residence of BS Yediyurappa and broke through police barricades. The police had to use lathi charge and water cannons to disperse the agitated crowd. Prohibitory orders were imposed in the town. While CM Basavaraj Bommai was quick to blame the Congress for instigating the violence, Yediyurappa refrained from blaming anyone for the incident, and instead suggested that there may have been a misunderstanding that led to the violence. I am not ready to blame anyone, there must have been some misunderstanding which led to the incident. Yediyurappa also offered to accompany the Banjara community leaders when they meet the Chief Minister to discuss their concerns. They can meet the CM anytime, infact I can accompany them when they meet the CM, he said. Read: Prohibitory orders clamped in Shikaripura after Banjara protesters stone BSYs house The Banjaras have demanded that the government withdraw the recommendation for internal reservation, claiming that the report is unscientific and would lead to injustice in their community. The report proposes proportional representation to sub-castes within the Scheduled Castes, which has sparked protests. On Friday, March 24, the cabinet approved the recommendations for internal reservations for SCs proposed by the cabinet sub-committee after reviewing the AJ Sadashiva Commission report. According to the decision, the SC community will be divided into four groups - SC Left with 6% reservation, SC Right with 5.5%, Touchables with 4.5%, and Others with 1% reservation. The Touchables group will include the Banjara, Bhovi, Koracha, and Korama communities.
IMD Alert: Weather will change again from March 29, Rain-hail alert in 11 states, know details
There is a possibility of heavy rains at many places in the North East states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. Rain accompanied with lightning, gusty wind (40-50 kmph) and thundershower very likely at isolated places over Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal today. IMD Alert Today: There are signs of change in the countrys weather [] The post IMD Alert: Weather will change again from March 29, Rain-hail alert in 11 states, know details first appeared on discountwalas .
Chennai-Shivamogga special trains to run till June end
Counselling for school students, stormwater drains: Highlights of Chennai budget 2023-24
Chennai News The budget, tabled by Mayor R Priya on March 27, places primary focus on education and infrastructure. Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Mayor R Priya tabled the city Budget for the financial year 2023 - 2024 on Monday, March 27. The budget places primary focus on education, infrastructure, stormwater drain and other projects, including new schools, traffic management, ward development funds and more. Here are some of the highlights of the Chennai budget: Education Sector The GCC said that it would provide counselling to adolescent students studying in corporation-run schools, allocating Rs 30 lakh in the budget to hire counsellors. Further, Rs 25 crore is allocated for maintenance of corporation schools, including repairing the roofs with epoxy waterproofing technology. Under the Namakku Naame scheme, smart classrooms with internet access will be developed in corporation schools, Priya announced. In order to encourage school teachers who helped students achieve 100% pass results, the GCC will provide aid of Rs 3,000 to help them enrol in online training courses. The GCC has allocated Rs 12 lakh for the programme in this years budget. Further, in a big step to encourage students to pursue higher education, the GCC will increase the financial aid from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 for those who earn centum marks in Higher Secondary School Certificate exams. It will be helpful for the students for their higher studies, Priya said. For this initiative, GCC has allotted Rs 10 lakh. Mayor Priya also announced that the GCC will bear first-year tuition fees of students who clear the national-level entrance exams like the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and enter the institutes like IIT, National Law School of India, AIIMS, and MMC. Priya also said that medical camps will be set up every three months in schools for health checkups for students. Under the Namakku Naame scheme, with an investment of Rs 3.13 crore from Capital and Hope Foundation India, the Chennai corporation will also build a model school on Anna Road at a cost of Rs 6.26 crore. Traffic management Chennai corporation officials will join hands with the city police and traffic police personnel in order to ease traffic in the city, including removing abandoned vehicles from roads which create traffic snarls. Further, three of the cleanest wards from each zone will be rewarded for efficient solid waste management. Stormwater Drain (SWD) project With financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, stormwater drains will be constructed in zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8 in Chennai. The project will benefit the people of Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, and Ambattur. A sum of Rs 1000 crore has been allocated for it. In the core city, the SWD project will be taken up in the places which were not covered in the previous financial year. The corporation has allotted Rs 232 crore for the construction of stormwater drains, with an additional Rs 55 crore for desilting the stormwater drains. Mortuary Chennai city corporation is planning to construct a mortuary for those who die of sudden natural causes or accidents and if their immediate kin live abroad. The bodies of the deceased persons will be kept in this mortuary until their relatives can come and collect them. This Public Private Partnership programme will set up the chamber in Anna Nagar Velangadu crematorium at the cost of Rs 1 crore. Before implementing this project, the city corporation said that it will receive feedback from the citizens to proceed further. Makkalai Thedi Mayor Priya introduced a program called Makkalai Thedi Mayor, in which the mayor herself will receive the public grievances from all the zones every month. People can directly meet the mayor and air their grievances. Ward Development Fund From the financial year 2023-2024, the ward development funds for each councillor will be increased from Rs 35 to Rs 40 lakh per year. The family security fund for the councillors also increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. This fund will be provided to their kin if a sitting councillor dies.
Nationwide German Transport Strike Causes Major Disruptions
Public sector strikes focused mainly on public transport will halt the vast majority of buses, trains and planes in Germany on Monday. The 24-hour action began at midnight; it's part of a long-running pay dispute.
Andhra, TN, Kerala and Karnataka Brace for More Rains Between ... - The Weather Channel
Andhra, TN, Kerala and Karnataka Brace for More Rains Between ... The Weather Channel
AirPods vs the best wireless headphones for iPhone
Macworld Wireless headphones are essentially the standard now, with Bluetooth not only being convenient but Apple removing the audio jack on the iPhone range. For most people, the sound quality difference to wired isnt noticeable anyway. The market is huge, but here are the best wireless headphones weve tested for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Macs. If you do want a wired connection some of these do offer it in addition to Bluetooth, but we also have a round up of the best wired headphones . And if youre wondering why the AirPods Max dont appear on this list, rest assured that we gave them due consideration but while audio quality is exceptional, their very high price and ill-judged case design kept them out of this competitive chart. Read our in-depth AirPods Max review for a full explanation. Updated: March 27, 2023 to add Logitech Zone True Wireless. Best wireless headphones 1. Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Pros Stellar bass performance Secure and comfortable fit Exceptional and reliable wireless range AptX Adaptive codec support Cons Sub-par audio performance on phone calls Veiled midrange Stocky charging case Price When Reviewed: $179.95 Best Prices Today: $99.95 at Amazon $179.95 at Adorama $179.95 at Sennheiser Sennheiser recently updated its popular CX True Wireless earbuds with this new model called the CX Plus, which adds noise cancellation and support for AptX, while still keeping the price down to $179/129 (in the US its discounted to $129.95 right now). The CX Plus has the same rather bulky design as its predecessor which remains on sale for 119 but thats a minor complaint, and the attractive sound quality and effective noise-cancellation features represent great value for money. The size of the earbuds also means that they have room for a decent size battery, lasting for around eight hours on a single charge. Using noise-cancellation cuts that down by about an hour, but the charging case lets you recharge the earbuds two more times, so youll get 21-24 hours of music depending on usage, making the CX Plus a good option for long journeys. Regular travellers will also appreciate the noise-cancellation features, which do a good job of blocking out background noise. The Sennheiser app provides some simple EQ controls and, as well as the transparency feature provided by many headphones, the app also allows you to create and save sound zones for specific locations, such as the gym or on a train, that have their own customized settings. The CX Plus supports both Apples AAC for Bluetooth, and AptX for Android devices, and sound quality is really good for earbuds in this price range. Blondies Rapture kicks off with a crisp, sharp cymbal crash and the CX Plus delivers the songs catchy bass line with a hip-swaying rhythm. Its a very precise sound too, catching all the little background details such as the ticking percussion and jangling rhythm guitar. The charging case doesnt support wireless charging, but thats an acceptable compromise at this price, and the CX Plus stands out as a really good all-round set of earbuds at a very competitive price. 2. Apple AirPods Pro 2nd-generation Pros Fantastic audio quality Excellent noise cancelling Best-in-class transparency mode New charging case features Better battery life Cons You can still buy better-sounding wireless earbuds No LE Audio, lossless, or hi-res audio Controls on the stems is still a bad idea Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $199.99 at Amazon $249.00 at Adorama $249.00 at Apple There are a few minor external changes for the second-generation AirPods Pro, but most of the changes are on the inside. The new model comes with four sets of eartips adding extra small (XS) to the mix the original AirPods Pro only came with three tips. We found the extra small tips more comfortable, your experience may differ. The charging case now comes with a small metal lanyard loop although Apple doesnt actually sell a lanyard. There are speaker holes a the base of the case that can make a sound if you lose the AirPods while they are in their case. The original AirPods Pro lacked an easy way to control volume, so the fact that the second-gen model adds the ability to detect up and down swipes on the little flat area of the stem is useful. A swipe up or down changes the volume. As for whats inside, the H2 chip in the 2022 AirPods Pro enables Adaptive Transparency, which is an enhancement of the Transparency mode on the original model. As a result of this mode you can choose to hear things that you might need be able to hear in your vicinity, but you wont be deafened by them. In our tests the AirPods Pro 2 blocked more outside sound than the originals. We were impressed by how much better the new second generation AirPods Pro sound compared to the first generation. Clarity and sharpness is improved and bass response is vastly improved. The bridge of the Beastie Boys Intergalactic at 2:30 was just way too much for the old AirPods Pro to handle, but the new model had no trouble keeping up. The battery life is longer than it was for the original AirPods Pro and you can now use your Apple Watch charger in addition to charging via Lightning and other wireless charging methods. As with the iPhone 14-series and the 2022 Apple Watches, Bluetooth 5.3 is supported, however it doesnt appear that its being used for anything in particular right now. Perhaps a software update will bring new features in the future. Like the originals the AirPods Pro 2 offer Spatial Audio with head tracking, Conversation Boost to amplify speech in the direction youre facing, one-tap pairing, audio sharing with another pair of AirPods (or Beats), quick switching to other Apple devices your Apple ID is logged into, and hands-free Siri. Read our full Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) review 3. Logitech Zone True Wireless Pros Connects via Bluetooth or USB wireless adaptor Weather-resistant design, and two carrying cases Certified for use with Zoom, Teams, Google Meet Active noise cancellation with ambient mode Cons Expensive Large earbuds may not suit everyone Price When Reviewed: 299 Best Prices Today: $224.00 at Dell Home $224.99 at Best Buy $299.00 at Dell Small Business Logitechs Zone True Wireless earbuds are even more expensive than Apples AirPods Pro, but theyre absolutely loaded with useful features, and theres a particular emphasis on remote working as well as simply listening to music. Available in black or pink, the Zone earbuds make a great impression straight out of the box, as they arrive in a sturdy charging case that includes a little lanyard to help keep them safe. The earbuds are also rated IP68 for resistance to water and dust, so theyll be ideal for running in the park or working out at the gym, and the outer section of the earbuds is covered with a mesh fabric to reduce wind noise during voice calls. Logitech even includes an additional padded carrying case, with room to hold the charging case and cables, so you can keep the entire kit safe when youre travelling. I often have trouble getting earbuds to stay in place, and I was initially a little worried about the rather chunky design of the Zone earbuds, but they did fit more firmly than I expected and Logitech provides three sets of ear-tips in different sizes to help get a comfortable fit. The size of the earbuds also means that each earbud is able to house a 12mm driver, as well as three microphones to help with active noise-cancellation (ANC). Even the Logi Tune app impresses with its extensive range of features starting with the fact that its available for Mac and Windows as well as iOS and Android, so you can use it to set up the earbuds when youre preparing for a video call at work. The noise-cancellation features include an ambient mode that lets you hear some of the background noise around you if required. You can pair the earbuds with two devices at the same time and then quickly switch between devices as required, and theres a five-band equalizer for fine-tuning the sound quality. The Zone is also certified for use with Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet for video calls. But, of course, none of those features would matter if the Zone didnt deliver on sound quality. Youve actually got two options here, as the Zone can be used as a conventional set of Bluetooth earbuds with your mobile devices, but also includes a USB wireless transmitter that can be used with Macs and PCs to provide greater range and reliability than Bluetooth. The sound quality is very good in both modes, and the Zone does well to dig right down to the gravelly rumble of Leonard Cohens voice on You Want It Darker. Theres a taut, rhythmic sound to the songs slinky bass guitar too, but it still keeps an eye on lighter details, such as the crisp tap on the snares. Battery life is good too, providing 10 hours when listening to music with noise-cancellation turned off, or six hours when using noise-cancellation. The battery life is a bit lower for talk-time on video and voice calls, but still lasts for six hours without noise-cancellation or five hours with noise-cancellation, which should be more than enough for most work-related calls. The charging case also lets you fully charge the earbuds two more times, and theres a QuickCharge feature that gives you one hour of battery life after just five minutes of charging time. Theres a USB-C connector on the case for charging, but it also supports Qi wireless charging too. Alternatively, if youre a die-hard lover of wired headphones, then Logitech is planning to release a wired version of the Zone soon as well. 4. Sony WF-1000XM4 Pros Excellent ANC features Great sound Good battery life Cons Rather bulky Price When Reviewed: $280 Best Prices Today: $198.00 at Amazon These Sony earbuds are exceptional. They offer great battery life and charge quickly. Youll also find excellent active noise cancelling that not only removes unwanted sound, but also uses AI to change the mode and level depending on your location and what you are doing. Theres a choice of black or silver earbuds, both with a gold trim. They fit comfortably, although they might feel a bit bulky if you have small ears. There are three ear tip sizes in the box and we found the smallest to be sufficiently comfortable. If you remove the buds from your ear playback will pause. The sides of the earbuds are touch-sensitive. Alexa and Googles assistants are supported. The 6mm drivers and Sonys Integrated Processor V1 working together to create superb sound. Active noise cancelling is joined by other smart features including Ambient Sound Control and wind reduction. These can be tuned to different locations and activities. Thanks to the Speak-to-Chat feature the headphones detect if you are taking and pause the music. Youll also find LDAC support for Hi-Res Audio Wireless as well as 360 Reality Audio spatial audio, which is Sonys spatial audio technology for a surround sound experience. There is a new Sony WH-1000XM5. 5. Bowers & Wilkins PI5 Pros Excellent sound quality Good specs for the price Three eartip sizes Cons Chunky design Battery life isn't excellent Lacks EQ customisation Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $165.50 at Amazon $199 at Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins has a long history of producing high quality headphones and speakers, and the attractive sound quality provided by its PI5 wireless earbuds doesnt disappoint. Available in black or white, the PI5 also includes active noise-cancellation and a wireless charging case for a price of $249/199 that makes it an excellent alternative to the AirPods Pro. Admittedly, the chunky design of the earbuds may not suit everyone, but B&W includes three sizes of eartips to help you get a good fit, and the earbuds have an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, so theyre sturdy enough to cope with life outdoors. Sound quality is excellent, and the PI5 supports both Apples AAC and AptX for Bluetooth audio, so theyll be a good option for non-Apple devices too. Theres a terrific, relaxed feel to the opening guitar riff on The Rolling Stones Start Me Up, and the PI5 perfectly catches Charlie Watts precise, unfussy drumming. But switch to Prime Evil by The Orb, and the PI5 digs really deep to deliver the dance tracks sinister bass effects with an impressively slinky rhythm. The noise-cancellation features work well too, doing a good job of blocking out background noise without making any noticeable different to the sound quality. And, like most headphones these days, they also provide an ambient mode that allows you to listen out for background sounds when you need to. Battery life could, perhaps, be a little better, lasting for 4.5 hours when using noise-cancellation. However, thats similar to the more expensive AirPods Pro, and the wireless charging case allows you to charge the earbuds three more times when youre away from home. 6. Apple AirPods 3rd-generation Pros Shorter stems Water- and sweat-resistant Greatly improved sound quality Longer battery life Cons Fit is highly dependent on your personal ear shape A bit pricey Price When Reviewed: $179 Best Prices Today: $179.00 at Apple $179.00 at Best Buy $199.00 at Adorama It seems that the third-generation version of the AirPods has struggled a bit since its launch in 2021, as many people still seem happy to opt for the less expensive second-gen model, which is still on sale for $129 / 119 . Admittedly, the AirPods (3rd Generation) are a full $50/50 more expensive, at $179/169, but Apples argument is that the entirely new design of the third-gen model, and additional features such as wireless charging and improved battery life are worth the extra cost. You can immediately spot the differences between the two models, with the newer AirPods having a shorter stalk, and a more compact earpiece that is slightly angled in order to fit more securely inside your ear. However, they still dont use silicon eartips that would provide a firmer fit thats only an option with the even more expensive AirPods Pro and I personally found it quite easy to dislodge the AirPods from my ears. The sound quality is very good, though, thanks to a new custom-designed driver inside the earpieces. This produces a more balanced sound than its predecessor, producing a sinister bass rumble on Billie Eilishs You Should See Me In A Crown. This model also provides spatial audio and head-tracking for watching films and video too, along with a wireless charging case. Battery life is better too, lasting for six hours on a single charge, or 30 hours in total with the charging case. Its a shame, though, that the AirPods (3rd Generation) dont also provide active noise-cancellation (ANC), so if you need that feature then youll have to pay even more for the AirPods Pro, at $249 / 239 , or opt for one of the cheaper rival earbuds that we also review here. Read our full Apple AirPods (3rd gen, 2021, MagSafe) review 7. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Pros Good battery life Small and light Secure and comfortable fit Cons Easy to press buttons accidentally Lack noise cancelling Price When Reviewed: $129.95 Best Prices Today: $59.95 at Amazon $139.95 at Cambridge Audio Wireless earbuds, as you probably know, are all the rage but not everyone can afford a pair of AirPods let alone the AirPods Pro. Luckily there are cheaper alternatives around and Cambridge Audio has put together a rather attractive pair. The Melomania 1 have a reasonable MSRP of $139/119, but can easily be found for under $100/100 putting them into budget range, despite being extremely high quality. These earbuds are very small and light, a simple bullet shape makes them unusual, but they fit very securely and comfortably. An IPX5 rating means they are splash and sweat resistant, so they wont break if you get caught in a shower. The compact size also means a very small charging case so these are super portable. The case has decent magnets to hold the earbuds in and a set of LEDs on the front to indicate battery level. Despite the small size, the Melomania 1 have very strong battery life. The earbuds can last up to nine hours on their own and the case can charge them another four times, resulting in a whopping total of 45 hours. Physical buttons on each earbud may be preferable to some users compared to touch-sensitive ones. They are easy to press accidentally when putting the headphones in or adjusting them but once in place means you dont ram them into your ear canal. Theres plenty of control but youll have to learn all the different button presses for. Microphones mean you can use the Melomania 1 for phone calls and for using Siri. All of this would be pretty pointless if the sound quality wasnt good, but you can rely on a company like Cambridge Audio. 5.8mm drivers are enhanced by graphene and theres Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity along with both AAC and aptX codecs. The sound is clear and spacious with plenty of bass and mid-range and enough top-end to keep things bright. The tuning is well balanced so the earbuds sound good for a wide range of content. You will struggle to find better true wireless earbuds at this price. The only thing missing is noise cancelling. 8. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Pros Excellent sound quality Excellent Noise cancelling Aware mode Cons Doesn't support Hi-Res audio No wireless charging Can only attach to one device at a time Price When Reviewed: $299.00 Best Prices Today: $249.00 at Best Buy $299.00 at Amazon $299.00 at Bose If you have the budget for them, and its awesome sound and class-leading noise cancellation that you are looking for, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are a great choice. Bass was well represented, and all instruments audible in the tracks we listened to. This is where spending more on earbuds pays off as they have drivers that can properly separate different tracks. Active noise cancellation worked so well that we wont hear any outside noise so luckily theres Aware Mode: tap and hold either earbud to allow ambient sound in. That works in conjunction with ActiveSense, which detects louder sounds and reduces them, so you wont be deafened by an ambulance passing in the street. You control play/pause with a tap. To skip forward and back track with two or three. Volume is controlled by sliding up and down. However, there are a few things that let the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 down. They arent all that comfortable if you have small ears. There are three sizes of wingtip and ear tip in the box so you can get the best possible fit though, so it might be ok for you. Another big disadvantage is that you can only be connected to one Bluetooth source at a time, unlike AirPods. They do not support high resolution audio codecs such as LDAC or FLAC, and there is no spatial audio support either. But they do support SBC and AAC to cover all modern consumer Bluetooth devices. 9. Sennheiser Momentum Free (aka HD1 Free) Pros Outstanding sound quality Comfortable to wear User scupltable EQ USB-C charging Cons Not ideal for those with smaller ears touch controls arent always responsive Expensive Frequent connectivity issues Price When Reviewed: $200 Best Prices Today: $166.62 at Amazon Sennheiser releases quite frequent updates for its Momentum range of headphones, and the latest addition to the range is the Momentum Free , priced in the UK at 170 and available in the US for around $200 under the name HD1 Free . The company claims the Momentum Free is its most compact set of Bluetooth headphones, weighing just under 40g, and with only a short neckband connecting the two earpieces. They dont cut any corners, though, including a three-button remote control and microphone for voice calls. There are some clever touches too, such as the magnetic earpieces that cling together over your neck in order to keep them safe when theyre not being used. The headphones support standard Bluetooth, AptX and Apples AAC format, so theyre a good choice for both iOS and Android devices. Battery life is around six hours, which isnt too bad for such a compact set of headphones. Its shame, though, that Sennheiser couldnt stretch to a charging case. Sound quality is excellent, though, with the trademark Sennheiser sound that combines rich, warm vocals with plenty of detail. The bass response is good too, with the frequency range starting at 15Hz, a little lower than many small in-ear headphones. We were also pleased to see that Sennheiser includes no less than four different sizes of ear-tips, to help you get a firm, comfortable fit. 10. PistonBuds Pro Pros Low price Active noise cancellation Four eartips Cons Bass is a little exaggerated Doesn't completely block background noise Price When Reviewed: $64.99 Best Prices Today: $59.99 at Amazon $69.99 at iMORE Earbuds that include active noise cancellation (ANC) tend to cost at least $125/100 or $249/239, in the case of Apples AirPods Pro but the new PistonBuds Pro from 1More provide ANC for just $69.99/64.99. They dont stop there either, as the oddly-named little earbuds pack in plenty of other useful features too. The compact earbuds are provided with four sizes of eartips, so most people should be able to get a good fit, and theyre rated IPX5 for water-resistance so theyre well suited to outdoor use during the soggy summer festival months. You can turn ANC on or off simply by pressing and holding the button on either earbud, and theres a transparency mode that allows you to listen out for people or other sounds around you. Admittedly, its not the most powerful noise-cancellation weve heard it tends to dim background noise down, rather than blocking it altogether but its still a handy option for when youre out and about during the day. Sound quality is good for such a low-cost set of earbuds, with support for Apples AAC Bluetooth codec. Its not the loudest set of earbuds weve come across, but the bass has a nice thump to it some people might find it a bit exaggerated, but the app provides presets for both boosting and reducing the bass, so the PistonBuds Pro will be particularly good for dance music, and a cheaper alternative to both the AirPods and Beats ranges. Battery life is good too, at five hours with ANC turned on, or seven hours without ANC, and the charging case lets you charge the earbuds three more times when youre travelling. 11. Beats Flex Pros Good sound quality Low price Hard to lose Cons No charging case Not rated for water resistance Price When Reviewed: $49.99 Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Best Buy $69.95 at Adorama $69.95 at Amazon Buying Beats headphones used to mean splashing the cash but thats no longer the case and the Beats Flex are the cheapest ones yet at just 49.99/$49.99. These are colourful unless you get the black ones neckbuds that keep things simple for those unable to drop hundreds on a pair of headphones. Apart from black, they are available in Yuzu Yellow, Smoke Grey and Flame Blue. While wireless earbuds are the booming part of the market, neckbuds shouldnt be underestimated. The design means that you wont lose an earbud if it falls out and you can simply leave them having around your neck when theyre not in use. Like many others, the two earbuds contain magnets so they snap together when youre not using them. The band is made from a sturdy material called Nitinol and a control module on the left-hand side provides volume and playback controls, as well as a mic for voice calls. At just 18.6g total, the Beats Flex are good if you do plan to go running or similar. Note that they dont offer any official IP waterproof rating, although the rubber-like build should keep out splashes. As you would expect, pairing them with Apple products is a breeze and you can also use the Audio Sharing option to stream your music to a friend who has a compatible set of AirPods or Beats headphones. With 12 hours of battery life, they last longer than wireless earbuds and a fast fuel feature means you can get 1.5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge over USB-C. The low price doesnt mean bad sound either and The deep bass on Bad Guy by Billie Eilish has a firm, rhythmic pulse that drives the song forward. Theres a nice crisp sound to the finger-snaps that punctuate the song, and the Flex really captures the shrug-of-the-shoulders tone as Billy pronounces duh halfway through. Theres plenty of detail, too, as the Flex picks up all the multi-layered harmonies on Queens Somebody To Love. The Flex can even handle more delicate classical sounds, capturing the sad, mournful tone of the cello and violin as they slowly weave through the air on Max Richters On The Nature Of Daylight. Read our full Beats Flex review How to choose wireless headphones There are a few factors to consider before you hit that buy button. Type Wireless headphones typically fall into three main categories: Over-ear headphones: Big, chunky models that completely cover your ears seem to be something of a fashion statement at the moment even if they do make you look like a Cyberman and the size of these headphones means theres plenty of room inside them for large drivers that provide expansive, detailed sound. On-ear headphones: If you want something a little more compact, that you can take off and slip into a backpack when youre travelling, then smaller on-ear headphones that just rest on the outside of the ear are a good choice. In-ear headphones: But, of course, mobile tech is all about portability, so many people prefer lightweight, in-ear headphones that they can wear all day long, or simply shove into a pocket when theyre not needed. Battery life This is crucial, and many in-ear sports headphones have tiny batteries that help to keep the weight down but may only last for a few hours. That might be fine if you just want to listen to some music while youre working out, but wont be much use on a long journey by train or plane. However, some in-ear headphones, such as Apples AirPods, also include a charging case that can top up the battery, so thats something you should check on before buying any in-ear headphones. Larger on-ear and over-ear headphones have room for more powerful batteries, and can often last all day on a single charge. Many also provide a wired option so that you can still use them like ordinary wired headphones when the battery runs down, which is ideal for people who spend a lot of time travelling. Noise cancelling Some headphones are specifically designed for people who travel a lot or use headphones in noisy conditions and provide active noise-cancelling (ANC) option that helps to block out background noise on trains and planes although this can add quite a lot to the overall price of the headphones. Note this isnt to be confused with passive noise isolation (or often referred to as cancelling), which is just the way physically having headphones in/on blocks sound like putting earplugs or ear defenders on. Sound quality Wed always recommend trying out any new headphones in a store or showroom whenever possible, but thats not always practical with so many new headphones competing for your attention. So weve tested a selection of Bluetooth headphones that provide great sound quality to help you get started. Compatibility All the headphones here will work excellently with the latest iPhone models. Its typical for them to support Apples preferred AAC codec, although some will have others too like aptX which is handy if you want to also use them with other devices like Android phones. Its also worth noting that all Bluetooth headphones mentioned in this article are compatible with the Apple Watch perfect when going for a run. Apple, Computer Accessories, Home Audio, iPhone
Databricks announces 'Dolly' - an open-source ChatGPT rival
Big-data analytics firm Databricks has an open-source language model called Dolly, which it claims can replicate ChatGPT's abilities without the expensive hardware and large datasets. The firm, founded by the creators of Apache Spark, says the release of Dolly is aimed at democratising large language models (LLMs) . It should help small firms to build their own generative AI models, rather than being limited to only large tech companies who can afford the investment. By open-sourcing Dolly and its training data, Databricks hopes anyone can train and operate genuinely human-like AI models. The release comes amid growing interest in LLMs and generative AI. OpenAI's ChatGPT has become one of the most popular chatbots in recent months, and one of the world's fastest-growing applications. It quickly gained worldwide attention after its release in November last year for its ability to mimic human-like interactions and hold engaging conversations. One of the main reasons behind that popularity is the fact that OpenAI trained ChatGPT on trillions of words from the internet, making it a highly sophisticated language model. ChatGPT's popularity has forced other other tech firms to develop their own proprietary instruction-following models. Last month, Google announced its AI chatbot technology, Bard , which it says will provide fresh, high-quality responses to users' queries by drawing on information from the web. Facebook parent Meta joined the race by launching its partially open-source model named LLaMA , which is also believed to have been trained on trillions of words. Despite the trend of training models on vast amounts of data, a group of researchers managed to create Alpaca, an AI model based on Facebook's LLaMA, using a relatively small dataset of around 50,000 questions and answers. The researchers have since taken it offline due to cost and safety concerns. Databricks adopted a more targeted approach with Dolly. Rather than building a new massive model from scratch and spending months training it, the firm used an older open-source LLM called GPT-J, which was originally developed by EleutherAI a few years earlier. Databricks made slight modifications to the EleutherAI LLM to enhance its instruction-following capabilities, including brainstorming and text generation, which were not present in the original model. The team leveraged data from Alpaca to achieve this. We're calling the model Dolly after Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal because it's an open source clone of an Alpaca, inspired by a LLaMA, the company says. Databricks says Dolly's ability to mimic human interaction was accomplished using only 6 billion parameters, a single machine, and a dataset of just 50,000 words - in contrast to ChatGPT's 175 billion parameters and extensive training with thousands of GPUs. The company believes the key to developing AI that can follow instructions lies in providing specific examples of how to communicate effectively with humans, rather than training on massive datasets. We're in the earliest days of the democratisation of AI for the enterprise, and much work remains to be done, wrote Databricks. They added that they believe the technology behind Dolly presents a new opportunity for companies that aim to build their own instruction-following models inexpensively. Databricks has open-sourced Dolly and has also provided a Databricks notebook, which customers can use to build their own Dolly models on the Databricks platform.
Mushrooms: To say that mushroom grows in the forest, but there are many varieties of them in the world. Be it chanterelles or European white truffles - the price of these mushrooms is in the thousands. But this rare variety of mushrooms is found in Kashmir. That Kashmir is called the heaven on earth. The name of this rare species of mushroom found in Kashmir is Morel. Your senses will fly after hearing this price. It is one of the five most expensive mushrooms in the world. How expensive is Morel Believe me, morel mushroom is no less than a treasure. It grows on its own in the forests of Kashmir. The special thing is that this mushroom is found only in March and April. To find it also one has to go round the mountains a lot. One of its specialities is that it occurs when lightning strikes, clouds thunder and it rains. These mushrooms are sold for 40 thousand rupees per kg. Identity of Kashmiri food Morel is also used in Chinese and Arabic cuisine. But this mushroom is the identity of Kashmiri food. While making Kashmiri Pulao, when it gets the flavour of other spices, its taste becomes even more delicious. If you have not tasted this mushroom after coming to Kashmir, then you have not tasted Kashmiri food at all. Beneficial in health too Vitamin D is found in abundance in this special type of mushroom. This is a low-fat plant food, eating which keeps our hearts healthy. Please tell me that some people also eat it as meat. Eating plant food in your diet reduces the cholesterol level of the body, due to which we get more energy. The biggest danger of eating more mushroom is that it is found only in forests. But you should know how to identify this mushroom correctly. Apart from this, you also have to be careful in cooking this type of mushroom properly.
Strike over pay paralyzes rail, air travel in Germany
Trains, planes, and public transport have been stopped in Germany as labor union calls for a major one-say-strike. The agitation is against the low salaries.
First day, first ride turns out to be a hit
Metro officials welcome commuters with red roses and a smile BENGALURU: The holiday mood, with smiles from the staffers and security personnel and a red rose handed over to every commuter by senior Metro officials, created a carnival-like atmosphere.At 7 am, the first train chugged off from the KR Pura end. Initially, passengers were few, but then the numbers increased when the train touched Whitefield Kadugodi. Shankar Subramaniam was super-excited as he was the first customer to buy a token from Hoodi station. Subramaniam, the owner of a brewery start-up, told TNIE midway into his journey, It has been wonderful so far, and the hospitality is really nice. The Hoodi station is in front of my apartment, so I can walk and take the Metro every day. A seven-member family, comprising a tiny tot and three senior citizens, had occupied a row. Rajan Prakash had boarded the train at Nallurhalli along with their wife Seema, their kids 10-year-old Akshit and one-and-a-half-year-old Advit, his father and his in-laws. I am extremely happy to be on Namma Metro on the first day of its operations, he said. NS Viswanathan, CFO of Mfine, a healthcare app, said, I have waited for three years to take a ride on this route. I am simply delighted. A couple from Basavanagudi had come to KR Pura station to enjoy the experience on the first day. Sri Lakshmi, assistant professor, Adarsh Institute of Management & IT and her husband Murali Krishna, CEO of Accord Software & Systems, travelled in the Metro to Baiyappanahalli. We then took a feeder bus to KR Pura. We will be boarding a train soon and are looking forward to our first trip, she said. ALSO READ | PM launches Whitefield-KR Puram metro line in Karnataka Another traveller who came to a long distance was Ravi Shankar. I came from JP Nagar. I was on the Metro when the first Metro stretch was launched (October 20, 2011) and wanted to do it again today, he said. Director, Rolling Stock, Operations and Maintenance (O&M), NM Dhoke and Executive Director, O&M, AS Shankar, were travelling on trains from different ends to interact with the passengers and gather feedback.
Apollo holds chest summit amid Covid spike in Chennai
Dr Suresh also said vaccines can prevent viral infections. Apollo is administering around 20,000 doses of influenza vaccines per year, and they start in September every year. CHENNAI: With a surge in Covid-19 and influenza cases, Apollo Hospital organised the Chest Summit 2023 on Sunday. Speaking to the press, Dr Suresh Kumar, an infectious diseases specialist at Apollo Hospitals said, post Covid-19, patients are complaining about tiredness, and breathlessness while climbing stairs or walking. Dr Suresh also said vaccines can prevent viral infections. Apollo is administering around 20,000 doses of influenza vaccines per year, and they start in September every year. People above 50 have a risk of pneumonia and vaccines will protect them. The summit was spearheaded by Dr R Narasimhan, a senior respiratory physician and in-charge of the endobronchial ultrasound and bronchial thermoplastic services. We, at Apollo Hospitals, have been closely monitoring new strains of the virus and implementing cutting-edge treatments, surgical procedures, and interventions to stay ahead of the curve, The Apollo Chest Summit 2023 is a fantastic platform to demonstrate our preparedness, expertise, and rigour in healthcare delivery, particularly during times of disaster, said Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Apollo Hospitals Group.
Chennai corporation's budget focuses on roads, stormwater drains and education
The civic body projects a property tax collection of Rs 1680 crores in the year 2023-2024. CHENNAI: Chennai corporation Mayor R Priya presented her second corporation budget on Monday, with roads, stormwater drains and education taking centre stage. With the revenue deficit at Rs 335 crores, the budget allocated Rs 881.2 crores for bus route roads and Rs 1,482 crores for stormwater drains. To construct new bridges and widen existing ones, Rs 102.5 crores has been allocated and Rs 260.5 crores has been allocated for solid waste management in the city. The civic body projects a property tax collection of Rs 1680 crores in the year 2023-2024. Among major announcements, the city corporation is looking to counter haphazard parking in the city by forming a dedicated parking and transportation development committee. The on-street parking, which is managed by private companies in zones 8,9 and 10, will be extended to other zones. A model school will be constructed at the cost of Rs 6.26 crores at the government higher secondary school with a contribution of Rs 3.13 crores from Capital and Hope Foundation India Under Makkalai Thedi Mayor, the mayor will address the grievances of city residents in all 15 zones of the city corporation. Residents can hand over petitions to the mayor at the regional offices. From the year 2023-2024, the ward development funds per councillor will be increased from Rs 35 to Rs 40 lakhsperyear.
Open drains pose threat to residents in Cuttack
As per an estimate, over 60 per cent of the drains in the city are lying uncovered. CUTTACK: Three months have passed since the death of a class III student after falling into an open drain at Bidanasi, but the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) continues to be in a state of blissful slumber. Amid the outrage over the tragic death of the child and the grave danger that such drains pose to human lives in the city, the CMC authorities had assured to take expedient steps for covering the channels. But there has been no change in the ground situation, thanks to the apathy of the authorities. As per an estimate, over 60 per cent of the drains in the city are lying uncovered. Most of the drains passing along the road at residential areas like Jhanjiri Mangala Gada, Raja Bagicha, Barapathar, Sutahat, Meria Bazar, Jhola Sahi, Telenga Bazar and Gopaljiew Lane in the city lie uncovered. While concrete slabs on several drains on the roadside have been damaged causing frequent mishaps, the CMC is yet to take corrective action to address the issue. Several corporators alleged that last year the civic body had covered some drains with concrete slabs in their localities. However, due to sub-standard work, the concrete slabs were damaged. The civic body had covered the drains passing through Press Colony, Netaji Nagar, Santoshi Nagar, Kunja Bihari Lana in Nuapada. But the slabs got damaged due to sub-standard work, alleged corporator of ward no 50 Santosh Bhol. While efforts to elicit a response on the issue from CMC commissioner Nikhil Pawan Kalyan proved futile, a senior engineer of CMC said a decision to cover all drains in the city was taken in a review meeting held recently. Work sarkars have been instructed to conduct ward-wise surveys to take stock of the open drains and submit a report by March 31, said the engineer. After going through the reports, the civic body would cover the drains before monsoon.
Elephant herd arrives, Jharsuguda town on toes
However, it seems to be completely controlled by the female which makes the tusker and other members non-aggressive unless provoked by public. JHARSUGUDA: A herd of 12 elephants walked into Jharsuguda town during the wee hours of Sunday leaving the Forest department officials on their toes and locals in panic. To keep the herd safe, the divisional forest officer (DFO), Jharsuguda Manu Ashok Bhat issued orders to reduce the speed of trains. Similarly, power shutdowns have been directed in different areas so as to prevent electrocution possibilities. At around 4 am, the jumbo group entered the town and moved towards the station near Bhurkamunda village forest where they stayed put. Forest officials believe the herd may have come from Chhattisgarh and the immediate trigger for its sudden movement from Sundargarh is suspected to be quarry blasting. DFO Bhat said since the herd is new to the area, its movement pattern will be unpredictable. However, it seems to be completely controlled by the female which makes the tusker and other members non-aggressive unless provoked by the public. The presence of calves makes other elephants reactive, he said. Apart from directing the reduced speed of trains and power cuts, a five-member quick response team from Rourkela was at Jharsuguda to deal with the situation. Police help was also sought for crowd control. Our staff is on duty 24x7, reporting all movements of the herd, he added. There were initial reports of the herd moving in from the Hemgir forest range on Friday. It proceeded to Jharsuguda district on Saturday when drone imagery confirmed the group had 12 members including five females and as many calves.
Weather alert: Rains to continue for two more days in Andhra Pradesh amid surface trough The Hans India
Its not fair for rebels to criticise YSRC: Kakani
Reacting to the loss of graduates constituency MLC election, Kakani said the YSRC had faced a negative result for the first time. NELLORE: Taking a dig at suspended rebel YSRC MLAs, Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy on Sunday refuted their allegations against the party leadership. Interacting with mediapersons at his camp office in Nellore city, Kakani said the four rebel YSRC legislators were suspended for violating the party guidelines. If the MLAs had any issues, they should have discussed them with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and other party leaders. It is not fair on their part to make adverse remarks against the YSRC leadership, he observed. He said YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that a few party MLAs were sold out without mentioning any names after the defeat of a party candidate in the MLC elections under the MLAs quota. Now, the rebel MLAs had started reacting to Sajjala's comments, he said. ALSO READ | Suspended YSRC MLA Sridevi fears threat to life Reacting to the loss of graduates constituency MLC election, Kakani said the YSRC had faced a negative result for the first time. In fact, the TDP candidate won the graduates constituency MLC seat in the counting of second preference votes. With the suspended MLAs and other leaders who are ready to shift loyalties have made their intentions clear, YSRC cadres will not suffer anymore, he opined. ALSO READ | Nellore politics grabs all attention in Andhra Pradesh Kakani alleged that a section of the media was trying to defame the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government with fake information pertaining to the economic development of the State. The YSRC government will pay compensation to farmers, who have suffered crop loss due to the untimely rains, he added.
Noida: Broken roads to choked drains, residents raise a civic concern
Residents of Sector 3 are agitated due to the civic problems that have been pending for long. While some of the roads are broken and others are left unfinished, blocked sewers and lack of streetlights have made their lives even more difficult.
Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express to run via Nalgonda, Guntur
This will be the second Vande Bharat train in the SCR zone which is being manufactured by Integral Coach Factory. HYDERABAD: Vande Bharat Express being introduced between Secunderabad and Tirupati by the Indian Railways will prove a boon for thousands of devotees visiting Tirumala from the twin cities. The semi-high-speed train with modern facilities being operated between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam has proved very successful. The train has been running with 100 per cent occupancy since its launch, officials said. According to sources in South Central Railway (SCR), the Vande Bharat train to Tirupati is very likely to be operated via Bibinagar and Guntur. Since the first Vande Bharat is being operated via Vijayawada, covering Warangal and Khammam, the railways want to provide this connectivity to the passengers of Nalgonda and Guntur. This will be the second Vande Bharat train in the SCR zone which is being manufactured by Integral Coach Factory. There has been a huge demand from passengers to introduce Vande Bharat to Tirupati. Every day, thousands of devotees travel to Tirumala by several trains. The zone is yet to upgrade the Bibinagar - Guntur section to a maximum speed of 130 kmph. The trains are currently being operated at a maximum speed of 110 kmph on this section. The other sections such as Secunderabad-Bibinagar and Guntur-Gudur have been upgraded. Once the Vande Bharat is approved for Tirupati, railways would also upgrade the Bibinagar - Guntur section. At present, Secunderabad - Trivandrum Sabari Express, and Lingampally - Tirupati Narayanadri Express are operated to Tirupati via Guntur. This journey takes around 12 hours and the proposed Vande Bharat Express would reduce the travel time to less than nine hours. Secunderabad - Tirupati Vande Bharat is likely to have stops at Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole, Nellore, and Gudur in both directions. PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat to Tirupati Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Hyderabad on April 8 to inaugurate various railway and road infrastructure projects across the State. He will lay the foundation stone for the remodelling of Secunderabad Railway Station, which is estimated to cost around Rs 700 crore. Besides that, he will launch the Vande Bharat Express train from Secunderabad to Tirupathi. He will also address a public meeting at the Parade Grounds.
First cable-stayed rail bridge on Anji river to be ready in 2 months
Jammu: The first cable-stayed railway bridge of India is nearing completion and the deck of the bridge is expected to be ready by May this year on the Anji river in Jammu and Kashmir, Northern Railway officials said. Once ready, trains will run at a speed of 100 kilometres per hour on the bridge being []
Mainly Dry Weather Predicted In Kashmir
Srinagar: Weatherman on Sunday forecast mainly dry weather over Kashmir division and very light rain and thunders at one or two places over Jammu division in next 24 hours. A meteorological department official here said that mainly dry weather was expected for subsequent two days and fairly widespread rains from March 30-April 1. In last []
Bengaluru gets National Common Mobility Card after much delay
Infrastructure Apart from transportation, the mobility card can also be used for other purposes such as fuel payments, shopping, parking, toll payments, and offline contactless payments. Twitter/rblbank Bengaluru's much-awaited National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) was finally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, March 25. The NCMC, a prepaid card linked to the RuPay system, can be used to pay for travel and other purposes. It was first launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2019. In Bengaluru, the NCMC will enable seamless travel across different modes of transport in the city, including the metro trains and BMTC buses. Apart from transportation, the NCMC can also be used for other purposes such as fuel payments, shopping, dining, parking, toll payments, and low-value offline contactless payments. RBL Bank has been appointed as the banking partner for the NCMC in Bengaluru, and the cards will be issued at metro stations and RBL Bank branches in the city. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), in partnership with RBL Bank, will issue the NCMC cards to commuters at metro stations starting from Thursday, March 30. The card can be recharged at the Ticket Office or Card Top-up Terminals (CTT) located in metro stations. RBL Bank will also provide POS (point of sales) machines at metro stations for accepting and loading cards, with a recharging facility available on RBL Banks MoBank App. The NCMC was first launched in March 2019 with the aim of facilitating seamless travel and payment across all modes of transport, parking, and toll charges through a single card. The card has already been launched in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kochi, but its implementation in Bengaluru had been delayed due to various reasons.
MeT Predicts Dry Weather In Kashmir, Rains In Jammu
SRINAGAR: Weatherman on Sunday forecast mainly dry weather over Kashmir division and very light rain and thunders at one or two places over Jammu division in next 24 hours. A meteorological department official here said that mainly dry weather was expected for subsequent two days and fairly widespread rains from March 30-April 1. In last []
Unseasonal rain slows AC sales momentum, manufacturers expect sales pick-up from April
The unseasonal rains in March have impacted sales of air conditioners, but makers regard it as a emporary phenomenon and are hopeful of reaching targets from April onwards when heat waves would start. The AC industry expects to continue its double-digit growth journey led by harsh temperature predictions and a longer summer season.
Andhra Pradesh: Temperatureon continuous rise in summer
North AP to experience above normal temperature, Rayalaseema to see normal temp VISAKHAPATNAM:Over the past several decades, there has been a general trend of increasing summer temperatures in many parts of the world. Climate change, pollution, deforestation, and rising sea levels all contribute to the gradual increase in temperatures during the summer. The country has witnessed its hottest February since 1901, according to which the Indian Metrological Department stated that the average maximum temperature in February was highest in 2023 over all of India, especially North West India and second highest over Central India since 1901. Dr Sagili Karunasagar, Scientist CLACD Head, Meteorological Centre at Amaravati, said, Every year, the maximum temperature records a surge. But its effectiveness depends on the region and differs place to place. Summer outlook forAndhra Pradesh As per the maximum temperature outlook for the season in Andhra Pradesh, the Rayalaseema region is expected to experience normal temperatures, while the Coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially the northern region, will experience above-normal temperatures. For the minimum temperature outlook, Rayalaseema will experience almost normal temperatures, and the north coastal region of Andhra Pradesh will experience below-normal temperatures. The effect of climate change and global warming has been harsh on the farmers. IMD will be releasing an impact-based forecast from time to time with colour codes green, yellow, orange and red. We are working in collaboration with all departments to provide accurate predictions. While Dr Chetti Praveen Kumar, a research fellow at Agro-Economic Research Centre, said that there is a significant gap between the farmers, the government, and the public in north-coastal Andhra Pradesh. Farmers in north AP are not as well versed with the latest updates regarding techniques, equipment and communication. They mostly opt for cultivating crops needed for them in the long run than what is needed in the market. But most farmers here believe natural farming is feasible in the present situation. However, it is complex to adopt, challenging to practice and can be practised only on a large scale. Heat waves and thunderstorms Influenced by factors such as El Nio and La Nia, the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the sea surface temperatures (SST) of the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh is known for experiencing the pre-monsoon season (March to May), when temperatures start to rise and, in terms of precipitation, it receives little to no rainfall, thunderstorms, or heat waves. We have a lot of thunderstorms in store for the pre-monsoon season. If we look at the number of extreme events such as heat or cold waves, heavy rains, or cloud bursts, they have been increasing in recent times.
GMC presents annual budget of Rs 1,377 crore
Considering the requirements, development and suggestions of the corporators, MLAs and MLCs, the budget was prepared. GUNTUR:GMC Council has passed a budget of Rs 1,377.53 crores for the 2023-2024 financial year at a general body meeting conducted at GMC Council hall here on Saturday. Mayor Kavati Manohar Naidu addressed the council and informed the members that the GMC revenue was estimated at Rs 768.59 crore and expenditure at Rs 976.25 crore. Initial reserves stood at Rs 608.9 crore and total revenue at Rs 1,377.53 crore. Speaking on the occasion, he said that a full-fledged budget was introduced for the development of Guntur city with a population of over 10 lakh. Considering the requirements, development and suggestions of the corporators, MLAs and MLCs, the budget was prepared. The topmost priority was given to drinking water, sanitation, and providing more lung space to the citizens by developing and constructing new parks in the city. The budget will be helpful to prevent water scarcity for next summer season. Priority was given to the construction of new roads and drains in the city, said civic chief Kirthi Chekuri. MLAs, MLCs and corporators also suggested taking swift action for the construction of ROBs, RUBs and Narla auditorium, red tank complex for the benefit of the citizens and to finish the incomplete UGD works in the city. MLC Lella Appireddy, MLA Maddali Giridhar, Deputy mayors, corporators, and GMC officials were also present.
Weight Care: The stomach can be reduced even after the age of 50, keep these 6 things in mind
On hearing the name obesity, everyone's attention goes towards their stomach and everyone starts thinking that if the stomach continues to grow like this, after one age, their stomach will become a pot. Such thoughts come to everyone's mind and it is better to control them in time. On the other hand, people above the age of 50 stop thinking about their stomachs and believe that they cannot be reduced now, but it is not so. Yes, obesity can be removed even after the age of 50 if you make your daily routine balanced. Today in this episode we are going to tell you how obesity can be reduced even after an age. Cut down on sugar Too much sugar means too many calories and this directly affects your obesity. There is no nutrition in sweet things at all. To keep the weight under control, first of all, control the habit of eating sweets. No more than 25 grams of sugar should be taken every day. Sugary drinks increase obesity rapidly. Drink fresh fruit juice instead. Pay attention to food By paying attention to your appetite and the amount of food you eat, you will be fit both physically and mentally. The effect of maintaining this habit for a long time is also visible in weight. People who learn to strike a balance between their hunger and the amount of food they eat enjoy the food and their weight does not increase. Do strength training According to health experts, people after 50 should include strength training in bodyweight exercises. This causes less damage to the muscles and does not reduce the metabolic rate. According to the American Heart Association, people should do strength training twice a week. Drink lots of water According to experts, water runs the entire body system very easily. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water in a day but this quantity can differ from person to person. If you feel the need for more water than this, then drink more. Include soup and watery fruits and vegetables in the diet. They are low in calories and do not cause hunger quickly. Don't forget to do cardio Cardio exercise not only keeps your heart healthy, but it also helps in keeping the metabolism right with age. According to health experts, the effect of cardiovascular exercise remains in the body for a few hours to a few days. Doing more exercise, its effect on the body remains for a long time. According to the American Heart Association, older people should do 150 minutes of cardio training every week. Increase fiber intake Eating more fiber keeps the stomach full for a long time and you are saved from eating anything unhealthy. Include beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds in your diet for fiber. Eating foods with fiber does not cause hunger as quickly as compared to foods without fiber. Fiber takes longer to chew, which leads to a feeling of fullness and prevents you from overeating.
Trains restored after doubling
Elderly tribals in TN trek 10 km to get Rs 1,000 pension
The pension is essential for their survival as most work on farm land, and receive grains instead of wages. VELLORE: Every month, over 2,000 senior citizens, belonging to scheduled tribes, in Anaikattu taluk in Vellore embark on a treacherous trek of around 5km to access the Rs 1,000 pension to which they are entitled. The reason for this long, often dangerous, journey with a relatively meagre reward? The 76 hamlets, including Peenjamandai, Palampattu and Jhardhan Kollai, are on a hill contiguous with the Jawadhu Hills and lack mobile signals, which are essential for disbursal of the state governments monthly pension. Since 2012, when disbursal started being made to bank accounts, two bank coordinators arrive at a hairpin bend on the hill on the 15th of each month to check the beneficiaries biometrics and initiate the transfer. Only about 280 pensioners, out of 2,500 in the taluk, receive their stipend through the post office. The others have to make a round trip of around 10 km, often on mud roads, with sometimes dangerous results. Take 75-year-old V Muthamma. Two years ago, she slipped and fell while on the way to collect her pension and suffered a fracture. That day was a big tragedy for me. I have been bedridden ever since, she said. She now gets her pension via the post office with help of her relatives. Another elderly person, Rajammal, recently slipped on the mud road and fractured her finger when making the trip while a senior citizen named Kulli, was hit by cattle on her way to collect the money. Sometimes, my son helps me collect the amount. But most of the time, I go alone. After I was hit by the cattle, I slipped and fell unconscious, she said. TNIE noticed that the mud roads make it difficult even to travel by bike. Despite these obstacles, some like K Chinna Ponnu (65) from Muthanoor hamlet in Peenjamandai, have no other option. I was abandoned and depended on the monthly pension. I walk 6km bare feet, aided by a stick, and come back, she said. The pension is essential for their survival as most work on farmland, and receive grains instead of wages. Beneficiaries of other pension schemes and 100-day job workers struggle because of the lack of mobile and internet connectivity. Peenjamandai Village Panchayat president Regha Anandhan said, A 10-BSNL signal tower is likely to be installed soon. Although there is an individual with WiFi connection on the hill, they sought a monthly payment to use their connection for pensions. That is why we arent using it. However, tribal villagers feared the tower would take at least a year to come up and urged the authorities to make alternative arrangements.
Kerala a glass house. Looks nice and bright from outside, but nothing inside, saysE Sreedharan
Straightforward and down to earth, Sreedharan minces no words while talking about Keralas politics, politicians and development. E Sreedharan, Metro Man as he is popularly known, has always been a model technocrat. When he joined BJP in 2021 during the assembly elections, it raised quite a few eyebrows here. A member of the BJP national executive, Sreedharan insists that change is inevitable in Kerala. Straightforward and down to earth, Sreedharan minces no words while talking about Keralas politics, politicians and development. Excerpts from an interview The National Highway development is progressing at a brisk pace in Kerala. Its a long-delayed project. Whats your take? Kerala has been lagging in road development. Now the work has started because of sheer compulsion. The Centre has worked out a new formula to ensure that development happens without any trouble. Usually, for national highways, the land has to be acquired fully by the state government. As Kerala was reluctant to bear the expense, it has now been agreed that only one-third of the cost of land acquisition will be borne by the state. But, I am worried about the indiscriminate tree cutting. I wrote to Nitin Gadkari saying this is not right. If you are cutting down trees, you should start compensatory afforestation. The minister has taken this seriously. He has sent the letter to the NHAI chairman and it will come out as a policy decision. It must be a challenge to build such roads in a densely populated state like Kerala. No, it is not, because people are willingly handing over land. NHAI is very generous in providing compensation. Do you think this project can solve Keralas mobility issues? Highway alone will not solve transportation problems. It has to be supplemented with rail traffic. Augmenting the railway network will help control pollution and avoid accidents. Kerala is losing around 5,000 lives on the roads every year. The railway has to be given the same importance as road development. Is railway development happening in Kerala? It is not happening, because the entire effort and attention of the state government were on K-Rail. The concept of K-Rail is excellent and it is required. We need a very fast mode of rail traffic from north to south. I prepared a detailed project report on the high-speed railway line from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram. When this government took over, they said it is very costly and time-consuming. My proposal was to develop an elevated or underground line. That wasnt accepted. They proposed a semi-high-speed project, but finally, nothing has come out. It is a great loss for the state. What does Kerala need in terms of rail infrastructure? In Kerala, we have two rail requirements. One is an end-to-end fast mode of travel where people from Kannur can reach Thiruvananthapuram in three to four hours. It is inevitable. If you go for a technically sound proposal, it can be done at the same cost that the government is willing to spend on K-Rail. The second requirement is for short-distance travel. We need more commuter trains during morning and evening hours. I prepared a project report in 2007. But, the Railways took a stand that it has no capacity to operate more trains, which is true. But we can change that at a very low cost. Fortunately, the existing routes are fully doubled and electrified. We should introduce an automatic signalling system. We need more MEMU trains. The expenditure for upgrading will be Rs 8,500 crore. We can also get trains with private investment. You said Kerala needs a high-speed rail. Who should operate it, Railways or the state government? Actually, a high-speed or semi-high-speed train does not come under the category of a normal train. The rolling stock, signalling everything is different. The state government may contribute if necessary, but it has to be a railway project. Ultimately, it will become a part of a national network. The criticism against SilverLine was that it will divide Kerala into two and cause waterlogging. Absolutely. If you put a semi-high-speed line on the ground, you have to cordon it off completely. They were planning to construct walls on either side. I pointed out that the state will be divided into East Kerala and West Kerala. When this point was raised they said flyovers will be provided with every half a km. But what about the cost? Even then it will affect the drainage. In Kerala, the drainage is from east to west and you are constructing a China wall. BJP has been saying that the Vande Bharat Express service will be extended to Kerala. Is it possible with the existing infrastructure? It is possible to operate but we will not get the benefit of Vande Bharat. The existing track can handle a speed of 80 to 100kmph. It doesnt make sense to operate a Vande Bharat train with a potential speed of 160kmph at a speed of 90kmph. What is the investment needed to upgrade the tracks? The investment will be huge. All curves will have to be realigned and we need to acquire land. We have to consider the traffic also. We cannot stop the trains. It will take at least 10 years to realign the curves. But, within six to seven years, we can build a high-speed train project. Which one do you favour? Semi-high-speed or high-speed? It has to be high-speed. A high-speed network is being developed across the country. We will have to connect with it. We should be able to operate high-speed trains up to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. You were involved in the construction of Kochi Metro. Where should it be expanded next? The second phase of Kakkanad should happen. The next one should be to Fort Kochi. The airport connection doesnt make sense. In Delhi, there is an airport line that is running at a loss, though 67,000 people use it every day. Kochi will not get the kind of metro traffic Delhi has even after 30 years. Do you think Kochi Metro has served the purpose? The citys road traffic has increased despite having a metro. The problem with the Kochi Metro is high ticket rates. The metro fare should not be more than one-and-a-half times that of road transport. And, you must build the network fast for it to have an impact on road traffic. No country in the world expects the metro to make a profit except India. It is a wrong policy. Metro is a social necessity. There is still no clarity on the type of metro suitable for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. Whats your suggestion? It has to be a light metro because it is cheaper. Light metro can serve these cities for the next 50 years. It is fast and more trains can be operated. Kochi Metro has huge stations. Do you think these massive structures were necessary? No. That was not our plan. Our plan was simple and functional stations that can be expanded in the future. KMRL did not agree and engaged a group of architects. Now half the stations are empty. This is very sad. Our job was only to build the metro. We were not involved in the operation, ticket pricing or commercial utilisation of space. Do you think the Kochi Metro is being managed well? Right from the beginning, the management was not good. Initially, they didnt want the work to be handed over to DMRC. While we wanted the project to be completed in a simple way, they wanted it to be grand. DMRC had its own organisation and was responsible for everything during the construction, from design to procurement. Parallely, KMRL too had a huge organisation that was needless. They had appointed many directors who were simply sitting and watching. There was overspending. A typical case is the acquisition of the Seematti land. The owner was willing to hand over the land free of cost, in exchange for allowing parking underneath. That was not agreed and we were forced to spend about Rs 20 crore to acquire the land. There has been a delay in starting the second phase of work. Nothing is happening. They dont realise how much money they are losing if the project is delayed even by one day. When we were implementing the Delhi Metro, I made a calculation and found out that a delay of one day was costing us Rs 1.5 crore by way of loss on ticket revenue and interest on the loan. Here phase II has been delayed by two years. KMRL says they havent got the Centres approval. If you want approval, somebody should go and work for it. I started work on the third line of the Delhi Metro without approval which came only four months before its inauguration. If they wanted KMRL to be financially successful, they wouldnt have allowed such a delay. If you were managing Kochi Metro, what would you do to cut losses? I will reduce the tariff by at least 30%. Let more people travel. For Metro to be financially successful, the thumb rule is at least 1 lakh passengers per line. We have to reduce the operating cost. They have so many staff and have sublet so many things. They have handed over recruitment to Kudumbashree, which is simply sucking KMRL. The Kochi Water Metro project has also been delayed. It is an excellent project. The project was ready for launch six months ago. They are waiting for somebody to inaugurate. We got one line of Delhi Metro inaugurated by a senior employee. We did not wait for the PM or CM. You should consider the money you are losing each day by delaying the launch. Ten boats purchased have been lying idle. It is heard the project is waiting for the Prime Minister. Why is the PM required to inaugurate it? The PM will definitely appreciate it if it is inaugurated in time. Whats your take on the Brahmapuram fire? It is a man-made catastrophe. Years of negligence led to the present state of affairs. There is no point in blaming the Kochi corporation. This is the failure of the government. I dont blame even the politicians for this. It is the bureaucracy that failed. The Konkan Railway and the Delhi Metro were challenging projects. Which was a bigger challenge? Konkan Railway. Mainly because when the project was started, the government did not have the confidence. It was a difficult terrain and funding was a big issue. I told the then railway minister George Fernandes that if you wait for the money to come only from the Railways and the Centre, the project cannot be completed in 25 years. It was built on a new funding model. The government gave only one-third of the project cost and the rest was borrowed from the market. Do politicians in Kerala have a vision of development? We are lacking in sectors where investments and improvements are necessary. There is a feeling that Kerala is a very advanced state because the social indices say so. Kerala is advanced only because of the money flowing in from West Asia. People are working hard in foreign countries and sending Rs 80,000 crore per year. Kerala has nothing to boast of otherwise. We import every food item. Kerala is a glass house. It looks very nice and bright from the outside. Inside we have nothing. Two political fronts have ruled the state for the past 70 years. Do you foresee any change? A change is inevitable. People are fed up with both LDF and UDF. So, an alternative should come. I am not talking as a BJP man. But, BJP has not been able to rise up to the occasion and make use of the opportunity. What is lacking? We have diagnosed what is wrong and what needs to be done. I am very confident that we will be able to get over all these things. BJP will mend ways. Somehow, people think that BJP means RSS. And what is wrong with RSS? They are people who love the country and are prepared to do anything for the country. There are certain ideological theories that people in Kerala dont want to abandon. But, it will change. During the 2021 assembly election, the BJP state president claimed the party will win 35 seats. But it lost even the only seat it had. Was there any problem with the strategy? All the problems with the strategy and campaign will be rectified. You were expected to win but lost narrowly. What happened? LDF and UDF joined hands wherever they thought BJP would win. That is a simple truth. They had identified the places. Otherwise, why would Suresh Gopi lose? In Palakkad, I knew there was a clear understanding. I was cautioned by the media that there is an understanding. Dont you think it will happen again? It will happen again and we will have to find a way out. Do you have a vision for the development of Kerala if BJP comes to power? Definitely. When I contested from Palakkad, I had given a clear vision of what I will do in Palakkad. The biggest problem in Kerala today is the lack of employment. The standard of education is also very low. This needs to change. Do you think the Pinarayi government has a vision for Kerala? They have only one vision and that is to turn Kerala into a communist state. Otherwise, show me one good infrastructure project they have started and completed during the past seven years. On the other hand, I can show you a dozen good projects meant for the people they have stalled and blocked. You had a very good equation with Pinarayi Vijayan at one point of time. So, what happened? All know what happened. I dont want to talk about it. But, I am very confident that if I want I will get an appointment any time. He has got a soft corner for me. If he calls you for advice, will you give? If he calls me, I will give advice that is good for the state. Otherwise, why should I take up the Palarivattom bridge reconstruction? I distanced from him after he stalled the Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line, the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Metros, and a couple of other projects. But for the Palarivattom bridge, he sent out a message. I went and got it done without charging a penny. What happened to the Nilambur-Nanjangud railway project? It was sabotaged to push through the Thalassery-Mysuru rail line. The Nilambur project was cleared by the railway ministry in 2013. The then UDF government had engaged the DMRC for undertaking surveys and sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the work. The LDF government stopped the survey and took back the money. Ultimately, we lost both projects. What is your role in BJP now? I am a member of its national executive. I am a special invitee. In the state also they invite me to important meetings. They are very considerate. Most of the time they come here for advice. What kind of advice do you give? I give suggestions on how the party should function and what needs to be done. We were able to stop the K-Rail project only because of my efforts. The CM had mentioned that one great man went and stopped it. I was not against the project. I had written to the CM supporting the high-speed railway line but pleaded with him not to go ahead with it in the present form. Why do you think the government insisted on the project? With all due respect to the CM, I would say that he was misguided by the people around him. Officials did not brief him properly on the problems and how to address them. When Pinarayi Vijayan came to power in 2016, he was hailed as a development man. Where do you think he has faltered? Once you become chief minister you should be a statesman, not a party man. People, when they assume power, should cease to be politicians. They should think about what is good for the state, not what is good for the party. We had excellent communist chief ministers like C Achutha Menon and E K Nayanar. I remember my meeting with Nayanar for Konkan Railway. The project does not touch Kerala, but I wanted Kerala to be a shareholder and contribute money because it benefitted the state. George Fernandes sent me to meet Nayanar. I explained the project and its advantages. He sanctioned the contribution immediately without consulting anyone. Thats statesmanship. There is a feeling that the Union government is antagonistic to Kerala. Let them show one instance where the Centre discriminated against Kerala. In fact, Kerala has got better treatment in many areas. Then why are BJP leaders taking potshots at Kerala? They are only pointing out things that are done here. Do you think theres something wrong with the state of affairs in India? People are talking about the raising intolerance and the nation losing its secular character. There is nothing wrong. See the way the image of the country has changed in the whole world. Everybody respects us. Allegations are part of wrong propaganda. Where is intolerance and how is secularism lost? I dont think the country has ever been ruled in such an excellent fashion since Independence. But, a little more could have been done. Will you contest the election again? No. Because of the age. My children wont allow me to contest.
Mercury drops after rains, snowfall in J&K
Srinagar: Mercury dropped below normal in Jammu and Kashmir after rains in plains and snowfall over upper reaches. A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar recorded day temperature of 14.4C, below normal by 0.9C, Qazigund 14.4C (below normal by 0.3C), Pahalgam 10.2C(below normal by 1.5C), Kokernag 12.5C (below normal by 1.7C) and Gulmarg 1.0C []
Udhampur-Banihal railway line to be completed soon: Railway minister
Srinagar: The railway line connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country will be completed this year, and the special Vande Bharat trains will chug in the Union Territory next year, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference at the Srinagar railway station in the Nowgam area here, []
IMD Alert: Big news! Heavy rains in 13 states including Delhi in 84 hours, know details here
Scattered light/moderate rain with thunder and lightning over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, South Interior Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe; There is an alert for scattered hailstorm in Telangana on 25 March. Scattered light/moderate rain with thunder and lightning over Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh on 26 March; Scattered hailstorm alert on [] The post IMD Alert: Big news! Heavy rains in 13 states including Delhi in 84 hours, know details here first appeared on discountwalas .
Rain hampers Chirag Dilli flyover repair work
The ongoing repair work on Chirag Delhi flyover was delayed by a couple of days due to recent rains in the city, an official said on Saturday. Public Works Department (PWD) minister Atishi have directed officials to ensure opening it for traffic by April 1.
Volkswagen intends to upgrade the Taigun for the MY-2024 model year
Berlin: Following a profitable run of almost two years, German automaker Volkswagen intends to upgrade the Taigun for MY-2024. In the most recent development, a test mule for the powerful SUV was spotted conducting trials while camouflaged. The current model's powertrains are anticipated to remain in the updated four-wheeler. What can we anticipate from the upcoming iteration of the facelift? The Volkswagen Taigun, which goes on sale in 2021, is the first vehicle to be built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which is unique to India. The India 2.0 strategy for the brand was made possible by this. Also Read: Android users now have access to a new WhatsApp feature called single-play audio messages One of the safest vehicles on our soil, the SUV received a 5-star rating in the Global-NCAP crash test. However, the business has chosen to release its updated version as its competitors continue to advance. The upcoming Volkswagen Taigun will probably keep the general shape of the current-generation model in terms of design. Redesigned bumpers, a chiselled grille, a muscular bonnet, projector LED headlights, skid plates, roof rails, ORVMs, flared wheel arches, and designer alloy wheels should all be included. The SUV's back end will feature a shark-fin antenna, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a full-width LED taillight. Also Read: Oil prices drop as the US delays adding to reserves The 2024 Volkswagen Taigun's interior is a secret. But we anticipate the SUV to have a roomy five-seater interior with a dual-tone minimalist dashboard, premium materials, ambient lighting, an electric sunroof, a wireless charger, automatic climate control, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a sizable infotainment panel with the newest connectivity features. Six airbags, ABS, and ESC should all be used to protect passengers. Volkswagen has not yet released the 2024 Taigun's technical specifications. However, we anticipate that the SUV will continue to use the 1.5-liter inline-four TSI EVO engine (148 hp/250 Nm) and the 1.0-liter, three-cylinder, TSI engine (113.4 hp/178 Nm) from the current-generation model. Also Read: Oleg Deripaska: Extreme government spending will cause the US economy to collapse Volkswagen Taigun testing is still ongoing for 2024. The automaker will reveal the specifics regarding the facelifted model's pricing and availability at its launch event, which is expected to take place in late 2023. The updated SUV is predicted to cost more than the current-generation model, which is priced in India between Rs. 11.56 lakh and Rs. 18.96 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).
PM Modi launches new Bengaluru Metro line, travels on first train steered by woman loco pilot
With the launch of this Rs 4,129 crore stretch along the citys IT corridor, Bengaluru's Metro network stretches to 69.66 km and 63 stations, making it the second largest after the Delhi Metro BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared open Bengaluru Metros 13.71-km Eastern Extension line running from Whitefield (Kadugodi) to K R Puram Metro line on Saturday. With the launch of this Rs 4,129 crore stretch along the citys IT corridor, Bengaluru's Metro network stretches to 69.66 km and 63 stations, making it the second largest after the Delhi Metro. The PM later walked through the gallery at the Whitefield Kadugodi station and examined the numerous installations here. He went to the ticket counter, collected a travel token on his own and hopped on board the first train around 1 pm from the Whitefield Kadugodi end to Satya Sai Hospital, steered by woman loco pilot P Priyanka. ALSO READ | PM Modi calls out political parties for not doing enough to support Indian languages The train crossed Hopefarm Channasandra, Kadugodi Tree Park, Pattandur Agrahara before stopping at the Hospital station and returned along the same route, this time steered by Priyanaka Bellary. Not only was it a proud moment for Bharati S Iyer, who handed the PM his ticket, it was also a moment to cherish for all on board including school children, contract staff and public with whom the PM interacted. The other stations along this network are Nallur Halli, Kundalahalli, Seetharam Palya, Hoodi, Garudacharpalya, Singayyanapalya and Krishnarajapura. Beginning Sunday, five trains will run at a frequency of 12 minutes. The line is connected with the Kadugodi depot to facilitate train maintenance. BMRCL expects a ridership of 1.5 lakh on the line, said an official release.
JK To Have Vande Bharat Trains By Next Year: Minister
SRINAGAR: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir will have Vande Bharat trains next year as Jammu-Srinagar rail link will be opened this year only. After meeting the senior Railway officers, the Minister while talking to reporters said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed the rail network across India, []
J&K to have Vande Bharat trains by next year: Union Railways Minister
Baramulla: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday Jammu and Kashmir will have Vande Bharat trains next year as Jammu-Srinagar rail link will be opened this year only. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, he also said that Kupwara and other two destinations in the Kashmir Valley will be connected with []
Include these things in your diet, there will be rapid circulation of blood in the body.
As our age keeps on increasing, the blood vessels also become weak, due to which they are unable to reach all the things properly to each and every part of the body, due to which many types of diseases have to be faced. However, there are many things that you can eat to strengthen your blood vessels. These things strengthen the blood vessels: - * Berries- Berries are rich in antioxidants, especially an antioxidant called anthocyanin, which works to improve blood vessel function. Anthocyanin levels are found to be very high in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. * Leafy vegetables- Leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale etc. are found in abundance in nitrates, which can help improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. They are also rich in Vitamin K, which helps prevent hardening of the arteries. * Avocado - Avocado is known to be an excellent source of monounsaturated fat which helps in improving the function of blood vessels and reducing inflammation. It also contains high amount of potassium which helps in lowering the blood pressure. * Whole grains: Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa and wheat bread, are rich in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood vessel function. Vitamin B is also found in whole grains which prevents hardening of the arteries. * Onion- Onion contains plenty of antioxidant flavonoid. It is considered beneficial for our overall health and increases circulation in the body. Anti-inflammatory properties are also found in onions along with antioxidants, which cause inflammation in the veins and arteries. * Turmeric- Turmeric has been used for treatment since time immemorial. Blood vessels do not shrink by consuming turmeric and circulation also remains good. * Tomatoes: - An antioxidant called lycopene is found in abundance in tomatoes. These antioxidants present in tomatoes help in improving the function of blood vessels and reducing inflammation. Along with this, Vitamin C is also found in plenty in tomatoes, which prevents hardening of the arteries. Covid Updates: India records 1,590 fresh cases, highest in 146 days Study finds, All hormonal contraceptives increase breast cancer risk Make fennel face pack at home like this, your face will get sparkle.
Rains lash plains in J&K, Gulmarg receives fresh snowfall
SRINAGAR Rains lashed plains while upper reaches including the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg received fresh snowfall, meteorological department here said on Saturday. According to an official of the MeT department, in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, Srinagar received 8.7mm of rain, Qazigund 9.8mm, Pahalgam 9.4mm, Kupwara 4.8mm, Kokernag 13.6mm, Gulmarg []
MP Tejasvi Surya launches Krishnadevaraya Station
A release said the project was sanctioned in the Railway Budget in the year 2018-19. BENGALURU:Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Friday morning formally declared open a Rs 2.08-crore Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Krishnadevaraya Halt Station in Vijayanagar. The FOB was already being used by the public since December last year. One of the two wide ramps alone was not ready, and they have a new addition too. This is a crucial passenger amenity here as the public trespassed the tracks to change between the only two platforms here. Locals Boranna, Chandrashekariah and Balaram were asked to cut the inaugural ribbon. The ramps are intended for divyangjans (physically challenged) and senior citizens. Many locals surrounded the MP and demanded the stoppage of more trains. Lakshmi Narasimhan, a social worker speaking on their behalf, said, We have nine trains stopping here onward, and return on a daily basis. Nearly 1,000 people in Krishadevaraya and surrounding areas alight at the station daily. We are keen that four more trains stop here. The train list submitted to the MP asked for stoppage of Bengaluru-Mysuru Passenger (06255), Mysuru-Talaguppa Express (Train no. 16227), Chamarajanagar to Tirupati Express and in its pair, (Train nos 16219/16220). Surya wanted the Railways to consider them, particularly the evening Bengaluru-Mysuru Passenger as many women in the area use them. A release said the project was sanctioned in the Railway Budget in the year 2018-19. Work began in September 2019. Covid-19 and remote location were among the reasons for the delay in completion. Each ramp runs to a length of 81.5 metres and a width of 3 metres and stairs too are provided. The width of both platforms has been increased and boundary walls constructed, it said.
Bikers wary of drip from train loo while using Avinashi road subway
Railway tracks run through the centre of the three-tiered Avinashi Road flyover. When traffic is at its worst, the underpass at the end is a huge help to drivers. COIMBATORE:More than a month has passed since Railways removed barrier plates beneath the railway tracks on the Avinashi road flyover as they had become worn out. But they are yet to be restored which results in waste from train toilets falling on motorists in the underpass. Wary of the spillage, motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, stop ahead of the underpass whenever a train towards and from the Coimbatore railway station passes on the spot.As a result, the approach road on both sides of the underpass often resembles a level crossing with a long queue of vehicles blocking other road users. Railway tracks run through the centre of the three-tiered Avinashi Road flyover. When traffic is at its worst, the underpass at the end is a huge help to drivers. K Muthukumar, an auto-rickshaw driver who uses the stretch regularly, said, Iron sheets are fixed under the track to prevent sewage spill. But the sheets were removed a month ago. We have to be cautious of the sewage falling on us from trains. Whenever I pass through this, I fear waste will fall on the vehicle. Like me, many people wait until trains cross the area. A permanent solution should be found to this issue. N Mathivanan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Coimbatore City, said he would take up the issue with railway officials as traffic comes to a standstill every time a train moves on the flyover. P Sivalingam, additional divisional railway manager of Salem Division, said he would look into the issue immediately. He admitted it will be a big issue if anyone is affected by a sewage leak. Before that, the problem should be fixed, he said.
A nudge fornutritional intervention for women
Women from different life stages have different nutritional requirements. Adolescent girls need more nutrients such as iron and folic acid to prevent iron deficiency anaemia. KOCHI: It is extremely important to address and assess womens nutrition because women fill multiple roles more effectively starting from generating income, ensuring their families nutrition, and having healthy childrenand thereby helping advance countries socio-economic development. Women are the ones who prepare the food at home and take care of the meals in a household, so all women must have a certain amount of nutrition knowledge to ensure optimal health for themselves and their families. Let us see how we can ensure better health for the women in our household. Nutrition accordingto the life stages Women from different life stages have different nutritional requirements. Adolescent girls need more nutrients such as iron and folic acid to prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Pregnant women require a surplus amount of calories during their pregnancy along with supplementation of folic acid before conception and during pregnancy. Lactating mothers require a certain group of foods known as galactagogues to ensure proper and healthy breast milk production. During the later stages of life, as in the menopausal stages, women need to concentrate more on the intake of calcium-rich foods to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. Physical activity Regular physical activity provides health benefits, including the reduction in risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, colon cancer, and premature mortality. Despite this information, most women are physically inactive. Engaging in physical activity also improves mood, reduces irritability and improves overall energy levels. Exercising for at least 30-45 minutes per day, for five days a week is ideal. Improve the quantity and quality of meals at home Women are often too tied up with balancing their household chores and career that they either have no time or forget to give themselves some attention and care. They usually end up eating the leftovers and prioritising what is made for the other members of the family. Each woman must consume at least 1,600 calories and 50g of protein per day (values vary on individual body weight and type of work). The quality of nutrition that one consumes also plays a major role. Food should be nutrient dense and should be of good quality. Consume a low fat- high fibre diet: Less than 30% of the total daily calories should come from fat. Reduction in dietary fat with a corresponding increase in vegetables, fruits and grains leads to benefits related to breast cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes, without adverse side effects. Ensuring adequate micronutrient intake Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. All vitamins and minerals are important for good health. Vitamins and minerals often work together in your body. Its usually best to get your vitamins and minerals from many different types of food in all of the food groups. Essential micronutrients for women include: i) Folate: This nutrient helps the body make blood cells and the DNA for new cells and helps to prevent certain birth defects called neural tube defects, which happen in the first three months of pregnancy, helps prevent premature births and low birth weight in the baby. Sources: Green leafy vegetables, roasted Bengal gram dal, orange juice, chicken, lean meats. ii) Vitamin D: Vitamin D when taken with calcium aids to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. It also helps in reducing inflammation in the cells and enhances the immune systems activity in fighting foreign agents. Sources: Fish, mushrooms, fortified oil and cereals. iii) Vitamin B12: Helps in preventing anaemia. Vitamin B12 is also essential for vegetarians because the nutrient is majorly present in animal sources. hence, vegetarians may require a supplement. Sources: Animal meats, spirulina, fortified foods. iv) Calcium: Helps protect and build strong bones. If one does not get enough calcium from food, the body will take calcium from the bones, making them weak and easily broken. Sources: leafy vegetables, milk and milk products, soy beverages, tofu.
Rains Lash Plains, MeT forecast more precipitation
Farmers Urged To Postpone Spraying Orchards Srinagar: While rains lashed plains and snow upper reaches including Gulmarag, weather department here on Friday forecast more precipitation and thunderstorm at most places of Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours. A meteorological department official here saidthat there was possibility of hailstorm in plains on March 25. Thunderstorm []
Distressed farmers knock on Delhis doors seeking a helping hand
According to experts, India will see a shortfall of production like last year when the heat wave arrived early and affected wheat production. Excessive unseasonal rain in the third week of March in the major wheat-producing states, including Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, has hit the farmers hard. In most of these states, the wheat crop was either ready for harvesting or was harvested and kept in the open for threshing. The rain has destroyed large parts of both. It has also adversely affected the other rabi crops such as mustard, black gram, etc. As per estimates, the country had received 246% more than the normal rainfall. Farmers were earlier troubled by scanty winter rainfall. The winter rain and the moist air help grains gain size. The lack of sufficient winter rain and the early onset of hot spells have played havoc in the rabi season. What followed has been worse. The unseasonal rain with hailstorms and strong winds has flattened the crop. Reports show that the wheat now arriving in the market finds few takers due to its poor quality. Farmers are forced to sell their low-quality yield at a lower price than the minimum support price. According to experts, India will see a shortfall of production like last year when the heat wave arrived early and affected wheat production. Scientists say that the inclement weather will impact the quality of wheat crops, if not quantity. However, agri-commodity analysts say it will impact both. The United States Department of Agriculture has predicted a 4% shortfall in wheat production in India. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, 85% of Indias wheat is produced by five statesUP (32.42%), MP (16.08%), Punjab (15.65%), Haryana (11.28%) and Rajasthan (10.08%). These states have been hit the hardest with the weather playing truant. Even before the weather hit farmers starting mid-March, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmers organisations from across the country, had announced its plan to stage a demonstration in Delhi to press the Union government to fulfil the assurances given in writing on December 9, 2021, and to take effective steps to mitigate the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers. The government needs to take effective steps to rescue farmers. What is at stake here is not only their well-being but also the nations food security and the stability of the price of food grain.
PM to launch Whitefield Kadugodi-KR Pura metro line Saturday, to travel by women-steered train
Loco Pilot Priyanka will have the honour of steering the PM in the onward trip while the return trip will be steered by an LP with a similar name, Priyanka Ballary, said a top Metro source BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday formally declare open the 13.71-km Eastern Extension line from Whitefield Kadugodi to K R Pura line with 12 brand new stations. This will take Bengaluru's Metro network to 69.66 kms and 63 stations, making it the second largest after Delhi Metro. The PM will take the inaugural train, which is expected to leave at 12.55 pm to the Sri Satya Sai Hospital station, around 4 km away, and return by the same train without alighting anywhere in between. Loco Pilot Priyanka will have the honour of steering the PM in the onward trip while the return trip will be steered by an LP with a similar name, Priyanka Ballary, said a top Metro source.This is the tentative timing we have. The start depends on the PM's return from Chikkaballapur, he added. From Whitefield (Kadugodi), the train will stop at Hopefarm Channasandra, Kadugodi Tree Park, Pattandur Agrahara and Sri Sathya Sai Hospital. Due to engines on both ends, the return trip will commence immediately with the other Loco Pilot operating it. The other stations beyond the Hospital are Nallur Halli, Kundalahalli, Seetharam Palya, Hoodi, Garudacharpalya, Singayyanapalya and Krishnarajapura, said an official release today. Six of the names of stations have been changed bowing to public demand. Along with the PM, the inaugural train will have Ministers, MPs, MLAs, a handful of top Metro officials and selected members of the public. It will be dominated by security personnel throughout. Beginning Sunday, five trains will be run at a frequency of 12 minutes. This stretch built at a cost of nearly Rs 4,000 crore includes Rs 1,025 crore spent towards. compensating land losers, said another source. A total of 394 properties running into 2,80,000 square metres were acquired for the line. The line is connected with the Kadugodi depot. The release said that BMRCL has widened the Whitefield Road with three lanes in each direction. The extension is estimated to result in incremental ridership of 1.5 lakhs, it added. Parking facility has been provided at Krisharajapuram and Whitefield Kadugodi stations, service roads around all stations and FOBs are in the offing to connect Metro stations with railway stations, it added.
Hyderabad: Women electrocuted to death taking down dried clothes in Uppal
Hyderabad: A woman who is a resident of Kalyanpuri Colony in Uppal died of electrocution after she came in contact with a high-tension wire. Punam Patil, a 32-year-old housewife was collecting clothes which she kept for drying on the washing line at her house. Also ReadMan dies of electrocution in Padmaraonagar amid rains in Hyderabad Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Bengaluru: Crucial link missing, but public awaits Metro launch
City eagerly awaits the inauguration of the 13.7-km line between Whitefield and K R Puram by PM Modi on Saturday. BENGALURU:Despite non-completion of the crucial Metro network link between Baiyappanahalli and K R Puram, thousands of Bengalureans, particularly the IT crowd, eagerly awaits the inauguration of the 13.7-km line between Whitefield and K R Puram by PM Modi on Saturday. The line will be thrown open to the public on Sunday. There is eagerness among the public to travel by the Metro, as was evident among people outside the decorated KR Puram Metro Station. The station was attractively lit up with pink and green decorations, to signify its two lines. Among those awaiting the launch keenly is Drisya M, employed at an MNC. I benefit the most and just cannot wait for it, she says. Her residence is in KR Puram, while her office is in Whitefield. At present, an office cab comes to a common point near KR Puram railway station to pick up all employees, for which a nominal monthly sum of Rs 1,000 is charged per person. With cab timings being erratic, I choose to commute on my own. I pay between Rs 280 and Rs 300 per day to reach office. While returning, I take the office cab as it has fixed timings. My house is just 5 minutes walking distance from KR Puram Station. I need not depend on anyone now and will be on my own, she told TNIE. Ambrutha Ms husband is an IT professional at TESCO, and his name has been withheld. My husband works in the IT team, and is awaiting the launch every day. With cabs constantly cancelling bookings, Metro would be a real blessing, she said. I love themalls in Whitefield and will definitely travel by Metro toshop there. A few IT professionals said they have Work From Home for half the week, unlike in pre-Covid days, but it would be a major convenience to report to work post the launch.Sanjeev Dyamannavar, an urban transport expert, said, Hoodi station is packed with the IT crowd alighting from suburban trains. This will be a boon to so many of them as they will now opt to alight at Whitefield or Mahadevapura stations. People alighting at Whitefield railway station from Express or Mail trains coming from across the country can now go to the Metro station from here and reach their homes.A S Shankar, executive director, Operations and Maintenance, BMRCL, said they expect anywhere between 1 lakh and 1.5 lakh commuters to use the new line.
IMD Alert! Weather will change after Monday, rain expected in 30 districts today, know details
Today, from March 24, a new Western Disturbance is becoming active, during this time there may be hail in some places with heavy rains in the districts of Western UP, but the weather will remain clear in the southern parts of the state. In these districts, there will be an increase of 2 to 4 [] The post IMD Alert! Weather will change after Monday, rain expected in 30 districts today, know details first appeared on discountwalas .
Rains, Thunderstorms to Continue over South India Till March 28 - The Weather Channel
Rains, Thunderstorms to Continue over South India Till March 28 The Weather Channel
Rs 352.8-crore rail line doubling projectin Andhra Pradesh
Indian Railways has already sanctioned doubling of the railway line between Pendekallu and Guntur as part of the Guntakal - Guntur doubling project, for which works are already in progress. VIJAYAWADA: The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the doubling of the rail line between Gooty and Pendekallu in Andhra Pradesh. The 29.2 km rail line project will be taken up at an estimated cost of `352.8 crore. Indian Railways has already sanctioned doubling of the railway line between Pendekallu and Guntur as part of the Guntakal - Guntur doubling project, for which works are already in progress. Similarly, another critical section in the region i.e., Gooty Dharmavaram was converted into a double line section recently.As such, doubling of the 29.2 km railway line between Gooty and Pendekallu railway stations will enable seamless movement of trains along the double lines between Hyderabad/Secunderabad and Bengaluru and beyond in both directions. The doubling of the critical section, along with the other doubling projects being taken up simultaneously in the region, will help promote socio-economic development. The industry in the region will benefit with the faster movement of goods trains, while passengers can benefit with the increase in the average speed of trains in the sections. South Central Railway General Manager Arun Kumar Jain said the doubling of Gooty Pendekallu will bridge the vital section with other double line networks in the division. The project will help decongest rail traffic in the critical section and provide an opportunity to operate more trains. Both passengers and freight customers will benefit from the rail line doubling of this section, the SCR GM added.
Widespread Rain, Gusty Wind In JK In Next 48 Hours: MeT
SRINAGAR: Weather department on Friday forecast widespread rains and thunderstorm with snowfall over higher reaches at most places of Jammu and Kashmir till weekend. Quoting a meteorological department official,GNS reported that there was possibility of hailstorm in plains during March 24-25. Thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds. Rain likely to commence from March []
MeT forecast widespread rains in plains, snow over upper reaches in J&K
Srinagar: Weather department here on Friday forecast widespread rains and thunderstorm with snowfall over higher reaches at most places of Jammu and Kashmir till weekend. A meteorological department official here siad that there was possibility of hailstorm in plains during the timeMarch 24-25. Thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds. Rain likely to commence []
Rain-soaked groundnuts dampen hope of farmers
Following rains, large tracts of groundnut crops in the district are lying destroyed. Akshya Jena, a groundnut farmer of Kendrapara said, KENDRAPARA/JEYPORE: Unseasonal rain for four consecutive days due to western disturbances has dashed the hopes of groundnut growers in Kendrapara district and nearby areas who were expecting a bumper crop this year. Following rains, large tracts of groundnut crops in the district are lying destroyed. Akshya Jena, a groundnut farmer of Kendrapara said, We were just 15 to 20 days away from harvesting the crop. The rains have spoiled it all. There are many farmers in other areas who have started harvesting the immature groundnut crops fearing more rain coupled with gutsy wind and thunderstorms, said a farmer from Pattamundai Amarbara Das. Complaints of crop damage have been pouring in from riverside villages of Aul, Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, Marsaghai, Rajkanika and Garadapur blocks of the district. While many farmers expressed concern about returning bank loans they had taken to cultivate the crop, others are worried how to release stagnant water from the fields. Farmers leader Bijay Parida has demanded a survey of the damage caused to the groundnut crop due to rain and appropriate compensation for affected farmers. Farmers like Parikhita Sahoo from Aul said since their crop remained soaked in water, they apprehend deterioration in quality. Additional district magistrate of Kendrapara Pitambar Samal said, The district administration has directed the chief district agriculture officer to submit a crop loss report in the recent rain. After getting the report, we will provide help to the affected farmers. In Jeypore, life was thrown out of gear owing to heavy rains that lashed many parts of the sub-division on Thursday. Sources said, 60 mm rainfall was recorded on the day. The sudden downpour affected Jeypore, Kotpad, Kundra, Boipariguda and Borigumma pockets. While trees got uprooted in rural Jeypore and Kundra, power supply was snapped in both urban and rural pockets.
KCRs Centre is useless jibe leaves Bandi fuming
As per media and farmers organisations, crop loss was reported in five lakh acres. HYDERABAD: Condemning Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for saying that there was no use of asking the Centre for anything, BJP State president Bandi Sanjay on Thursday said that it was shameful on part of the former to say this without even sending any report with regard to the crop loss due to unseasonal rains in the State. Questioning how the Rs 10,000 per acre announced by KCR could actually compensate the farmers, Sanjay demanded the State government to implement Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which has been discontinued in the State. KCR, who never bothered to offer any form of relief to the farmers who have suffered crop losses due to unseasonal rains and floods for the past eight years, is now pouring out love during election year. As per media and farmers organisations, crop loss was reported in five lakh acres. But the CM claims that damage happened in only 2,28,000 acres, which is weird. Instead of receiving feedback from the farmers unions, they were put under house arrest during KCRs tour of the rain-affected districts, Sanjay alleged. He alleged that KCR had always blamed the Centre for his failures while forgetting that he is the CM. If everything needs to be done by the Centre, what is he supposed to do as CM, Sanjay asked. Probe TSPSC-CMO link: Prabhakar Suspecting that those heading the outsourcing agencies in the IT department could have a connection with the CMO, BJP State vice-president NVSS Prabhakar felt that this angle needed to be investigated in the TSPSC question papers leak case.
Rain-hit ryots to get Rs10,000 per acre as compensation:Telangana CM
Tenant farmers too eligible for ex gratia; TS wont send report to Centre KHAMMAM / WARANGAL / KARIMNAGAR: The Telangana government has announced Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation for crops that were damaged in the recent untimely rains across the State. Tenant farmers would also be eligible for the compensation. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who visited the rain-affected areas in erstwhile Khammam, Warangal and Karimnagar districts on Thursday, announced that the State government would pay Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation. He said that standing crops in 2,28,255 acres were damaged due to untimely rains across the state last week. Immediately after the announcement, the Revenue department issued orders to pay Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation to farmers, which comes to around Rs 228 crore. The CM, speaking to reporters in Khammam and Warangal districts after interacting with the farmers, said that the State government would not send any report to the Central government on the crop loss. He alleged that the Centre did not extend any support to Telangana when the State government sent similar crop damage reports twice in the past. By giving a report to the Centre, its like sending a representation to a buffalo. The Centre did not even extend any financial assistance when Hyderabad was affected by floods, Rao said. He alleged that sannasulu were ruling the country and they could not understand the plight of the farmers. The compensation would be paid from the State exchequer. The States economy is good and the State government will provide succour to farmers, Rao declared. He said that this was the first time in the country that a State government was paying compensation for damaged crops. He alleged that the BJP-led Centre does not care for farmers and was trying to dilute the agriculture sector in the country. He stressed the need for a new integrated agriculture policy in the country. The CM pointed out that Central government schemes would give only Rs 3,333 per acre for maize, Rs 5,400 per acre of paddy and Rs 7,400 per acre of mango crops. He inspected maize crop in Ramapuram village and interacted with farmers. Later, Rao proceeded to Mahabubabad district. The CM also visited Ravinutala and Garlapadu villages in Bonakal mandal in the erstwhile Khammam district. KCR visited Reddykunta Thanda, Pocharam, Waddekothapally and Bommakal villages of Peddavangara Mandal of Mahabubabad district. I can make an announcement on compensation from Hyderabad. However, I wish to visit your fields and interact with you to have first hand information, Rao told the farmers. Later, he visited Adivirangapuram in Duggondi mandal of Warangal district and from there proceeded to Lakshmipur in Choppadandi mandal in Karimnagar district and inspected the fields that were completely damaged due to hailstorms. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Ministers Puvvada Ajay Kumar and S Niranjan Reddy, CPM State secretary Tammeneni Veerabhadram and CPI State secretary Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao accompanied Rao. Standing crops like paddy, mango, maize and horticulture crops were damaged in the recent untimely rains and hailstorms that lashed several parts of the State last week. Maize was damaged in 1,29,446 acres, paddy in 72,709 acres and mango in 8,865 acres. Preventive arrests Khammam: In view of the Chief Ministers visit to Khammam, the police placed BJP and Congress leaders and workers under house arrest at many places from Wednesday night. Kisan Morcha leader Kondapalli Sridhar Reddy alleged that it appeared that the CM lost the confidence of the people. He faulted Left leaders for supporting the CM. Left leaders should fight for the interests of the farmers, he said
Halts of two long-distance trains restored at Canacona
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Best Mac Router 2023: Improve your connection with a new wireless router
Macworld Its hardly surprising that sales of routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems have soared in the last couple of years. The new normal has seen many of us working and studying at home, and making Zoom calls on a daily basis. And, of course, the long months of lockdown saw a huge growth in the number of people signing up to streaming video services and playing online games. And now, just as things seem to be settling down a little, theres another reason to think about buying a new router. For many years, our computers, routers and other devices have all used a Wi-Fi standard known as 802.11ac which has recently been renamed Wi-Fi 5, as the industrys marketing brains decided that sounds a bit more user-friendly. Wi-Fi 5 transmits a signal on two frequency bands2.4GHz and 5.0GHzwhich is known as dual-band Wi-Fi. However, some more expensive tri-band routers are also able to transmit with two separate 5.0GHz signals, giving Wi-Fi 5 a maximum speed of 6.9 gigabits per second (Gbps). Just remember that the Wi-Fi speeds quoted by manufacturers are the theoretical maximum, and you wont get those speeds in real-life. However, the most widely used form of Wi-Fi at the moment is probably the newer Wi-Fi 6 also known as 802.11axwhich has been standard on most Macs, iPhones and iPads over the last couple of years. This uses the same 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequencies as Wi-Fi 5, but is a lot faster, with a top speed of 9.6Gbps. In addition, Wi-Fi 6 is also more efficient when transmitting data to lots of different devices all at the same timeincluding smart devices such as lights, speakers and security cameras, in addition to all your computers and mobile devices. If youre still using an old Wi-Fi 5 router then its definitely worth upgrading to a new router that has Wi-Fi 6. However, Wi-Fi technology is developing so quickly that theres already a new kid in town, called Wi-Fi 6E and, looming on the horizon is Wi-Fi 7 too. Wi-Fi 6E is a definite step forward, as it adds a new 6.0GHz frequency band alongside the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. But while routers with Wi-Fi 6E have been available for more than a year now, Apple and other manufacturers havent been in a rush to add it to their own products. In fact, Apple only introduced Wi-Fi 6E with some of the latest Mac and iPad models at the start of 2023. So while wed certainly recommend upgrading to a router with Wi-Fi 6, its not really essential to pay even higher prices for Wi-Fi 6E at the momentespecially as it wont be long before Wi-Fi 7 arrives too. There are a handful of routers available that offer Wi-Fi 7 at the moment, promising blazing speeds of up to 46Gbps, which are designed for next-generation applications such as VR and streaming 8K video. However, Wi-Fi 7 probably wont be widely available until the end of 2023, and neither Apple nor any of its PC rivals currently support Wi-Fi 7 in their products, so theres certainly no rush to upgrade at the moment. In the meantime, heres our selection of some of the best routers that currently support Wi-Fi 5, 6 and 6E. Updated March 23, 2023 with Linksys Hyrda Pro 6E D-Link DIR-X1560 Best for beginners Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $74.00 at Amazon $99.99 at D-Link Its a bit basic, but if you shop around online you can probably pick up D-Links DIR-X1560 for a lot less than the manufacturers recommended price, so its a good option if you want to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 without spending too much money. The DIR-X1560 is a dual-band router that transmits on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, running Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 1500Mbps. Thats not going to win any awards, but if like me you have home broadband that tops out at 100Mbps then the DIR-X1560 will provide all the speed you need for web browsing and streaming music and video. The router also includes five Gigabit Ethernet ports which is pretty good at this price with one being used to connect to your existing broadband modem or router, while the others provide wired connections for laptops, games consoles and other devices that need it. We were pleased to see that the router comes with a two-year warranty, and theres also an option to get it professionally installed if youre not too keen on tackling it yourself. You shouldnt have too much trouble getting started, though, as the D-Link WiFi app is very easy to use. You can simply scan a QR code provided with the router, and the app will set everything up for you. Theres also a web browser interface provided for more advanced users who prefer to set things up for themselves. The app provides a decent set of basic features, providing a network map that shows all the devices connected to your network. You can set up a guest network, and theres an option to create schedules to control your childrens access to the Internet, or to simply pause Internet access for a while when you need to get them round the dinner table. Asus RT-AX56U Best for larger homes Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $149.99 at Asus $183.00 at Amazon The RT-AX56U is an affordable WiFi 6 router, offering dual-band WiFi on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, with a top speed of 1800Mbps. Thats a relatively modest speed for WiFi 6, but should still be perfectly adequate for streaming music and video, and at just 115.00 its a good way of stepping up to WiFi 6 without spending too much money. It doesnt cut too many corners, though, despite the low price. Theres one Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing broadband modem or router, and four additional Ethernet ports that can be used to connect a laptop, games console, or other devices that work better with a lag-free wired connection. It even has two USB ports one each for USB 2.0 and 3.0 that will allow you to connect USB storage devices that you can then share on the network. Thats all straightforward enough, but its the routers versatile software and features that really provide good value for money. Newcomers can use the Asus Router app, which helps you to get started quickly and easily, but theres also a web browser interface provided for more advanced users who want to fine-tune their network settings for themselves. The app can monitor your network to watch out for attempted cyber-attacks and also provides some useful parental controls, such as the ability to block unsuitable web sites. Some of Asus rivals require an additional subscription for security and parental controls (Netgear, were looking at you) so its good to see that Asus provides these features at no extra charge. The RT-AX56U also supports Asus AiMesh technology, which allows it to form a mesh network with other Asus routers, so you can easily upgrade and extend your home network in the future if you need to. Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Best for new Macs/iPads Price When Reviewed: $349.99 Best Prices Today: $269.99 at Amazon $299.99 at Best Buy $349.99 at Dell Home Apple only introduced the new Wi-Fi 6E on a handful of the latest Macs in January 2023, and to iPads in late 2022, so its not an essential upgrade for most of us just yet. However, this new version of Wi-Fi is a big step forward, so its worth considering a new router with Wi-Fi 6E if you own any Macs, iPads or other devices that also support Wi-Fi 6E. The Hydra Pro 6E is fairly expensive, and its design is classic boring black box, but its packed with state-of-the-art features for both wireless and wired networking. The E in Wi-Fi 6E stands for extended as it adds a new 6.0GHz frequency band to the standard 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by previous versions of Wi-Fi. If youve got a Mac or iPad that supports Wi-Fi 6E then the advantage here is that they can use the newand uncongested6.0GHz band all to themselves in order to provide maximum performance, while all your other devices have to compete for a slice of bandwidth on the busier 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. The Hydra Pro 6E also provides a top speed of 6.6Gbps, which is more than fast enough for most home and business users, for streaming music and video, remote working, or some online gaming. It provides high-speed wired connections too, with a 5Gbps Ethernet port for high-speed broadband, and four Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide wired connections for devices such as laptops or games consoles. On its own, the Hydra Pro 6E can cover areas of up to 2,700 sq.ft, but it can also be used with other Linksys routers to create a wider mesh network, so youve got a future upgrade path as well. Getting started is very straightforward, as the Linksys app (iOS/Android) uses Bluetooth to connect to the router during the initial set-up process and then prompts you to enter a name and password for your new network. The only disappointment is that the apps parental controls are a bit basic. The app does allow you to create a schedule to control your childrens Internet use, but there are no content filters to block unsuitable material, and the app takes the easy way out by leaving you to type in the addresses of millions of dodgy web sites for yourself. Linksys MR8300 Best for WiFi 5 Price When Reviewed: $199.95 Best Prices Today: $99.00 at Amazon $199.99 at Best Buy $199.99 at Dell Small Business The Linksys MR8300 aka Max-Stream is not, admittedly, the most elegant design weve come across the MR8300 is essentially a large slab of black plastic, with four big antennae sticking up out of it. The router provides strong performance, though, transmitting 802.11ac Wi-Fi on 2.4GHz and two separate 5GHz bands. That allows the MR8300 to provide a top speed of 2200Mb/s, and it also supports MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input/multiple output), which helps it to stream efficiently to several devices at once. There are five ethernet ports on the back of the router for wired connections although one of those ports will be needed to connect it to your existing broadband modem or router and a USB 3.0 port that allows you to share a hard drive or printer on your home network. The MR8300 is also compatible with Linksys Velop range of mesh routers, so you can extend your Wi-Fi network over a larger area by buying a Velop and placing it in part of your home that has trouble getting a good signal. The Linksys app is easy to use, and provides a guest network and basic parental controls, but watch out as the company requires a subscription for the routers more advanced parental controls, such as age-appropriate blockers. TP-Link Archer C6 Best budget buy Price When Reviewed: $56 Best Prices Today: $45.98 at Amazon The Archer range of routers from TP-Link is always good value for money, and the companys Archer C6 is one of the most affordable 802.11ac routers currently available. Its been one of TP-Links top sellers and weve seen it available online for much less than TP-Links price; itll be a good upgrade for anyone thats struggling with an old router provided by their ISP. Youre not going to get top-of-the-range speed at that price, and the Archer C6 is just a dual-band router offering 802.11ac Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Its top speed is rated at 1200Mb/s, which is certainly modest compared to more expensive routers, but most homes only have broadband speeds of 100Mb/s or less, so it should still be more than adequate for streaming Netflix or a spot of online gaming or Zooming. Its four large external antennae and a fifth antenna hidden inside the shiny black case also support MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output), which helps to stream data smoothly to several devices simultaneously when everyone is online in the evenings. The C6 also has five ethernet ports for wired connections with one being needed to connect it to your existing broadband modem or router and the only real sign of cost-cutting is that there are no USB ports for sharing a printer or hard drive on your home network. And, if youre on a really tight budget, theres a model called the Archer A5 that provides similar speed and features for half the price. However, the A5 model lacks MU-MIMO, so it will only really be suitable for homes with just a few connected devices that are using the internet at the same time. Netgear RAX20 Best for Wi-Fi 6 Price When Reviewed: $150 Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Amazon Netgear was one of the first companies to launch new routers based on the latest 802.11ax technology also known as Wi-Fi 6 (with existing 802.11ac routers being retroactively renamed Wi-Fi 5). Admittedly, its only been in the past few years that iPhone models have supported Wi-Fi 6, so this isnt a must-have upgrade right now. However, more and more devices will be supporting this new standard in the coming months, so buying a Wi-Fi 6 router now will ensure that youve future-proofed your home network for years to come. And while some of Netgears AX range of Wi-Fi 6 routers are really expensive, the entry-level RAX20 provides an affordable Wi-Fi 6 upgrade for less than 150/$150. In some respects the RAX20 is fairly conventional its a dual-band router that transmits Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, with a total speed of 1800Mb/s. It also includes four ethernet ports for wired connections, and a handy USB 3.0 port that can be used for connecting a hard drive for back-ups or storing music, photos and videos. It doesnt include a modem, though, so youll need to connect it to your existing router. Of course, that 1800Mb/s speed isnt much faster than existing routers that use 802.11ac, but the great strength of Wi-Fi 6 is that it introduces new features such as OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) that help to improve performance when streaming data to lots of devices all at once. Netgear claims the RAX20 is ideal for homes with up to 20 connected devices, and other models in the AX range are designed to work with 50 or more devices all connected at once. Routers buying advice: What to look for Weve listed our favourite choices and explained why theyre worth your consideration. But speaking more generally, what features should you be looking for in a router? Speed vs capacity Speed is always an important factor, of course, and its certainly worth buying the fastest router you can afford without totally busting your budget. You dont need to get too obsessed about speed, though. Bear in mind that home broadband services particularly in the U.K. tend to run at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mb/s) or less, so you really dont need to spend $300/300+ on a top-of-the-range router specced at several gigabits per second. A router like that will just sit there twiddling its thumbs most of the time, waiting for your internet connection to keep up. But theres a catch when figuring out how much speed you need from your router. Just as important as speed is capacity the ability to stream data efficiently to several computers or other devices at the same time. Thats especially important now that entire households are spending so much time indoors with several family members or flatmates all computing for bandwidth on Zoom, Netflix, Spotify and all those new streaming video services. There are several factors that can affect the performance of a router when its streaming data to lots of different devices simultaneously. Cheaper routers tend to be dual-band models, which means they actually transmit two Wi-Fi signals on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. However, more expensive models may offer tri-band Wi-Fi, which adds a second 5GHz band. As youd expect, having that extra frequency band available helps the router to stream data to lots of devices more efficiently, as each individual band gets less cluttered than it would on a comparable dual-band router. Its also worth checking the spec sheet of any new router to see if it supports features such as beamforming or MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output), which are specifically designed to improve performance when streaming data to several devices at the same time (when in doubt, just look for lots of big, pointy antennae sticking out all over the place). And just as important as the routers hardware design is the app that each manufacturer provides with its routers. As well as helping you to set up the router, a good app will provide additional features, such as parental controls that allow you to keep an eye on your childrens internet use, or additional security features to prevent evil hackers from gaining access to your home network and vital personal data. Mesh networking No matter how fast your router is, there are many larger homes, and older buildings with thick walls that can block the signal, where a conventional router simply cant provide good Wi-Fi that reaches every single room. If thats the case in your home then you might want to consider a mesh networking system, which uses two or more routers that link together to create a wider and more reliable network. However, mesh routers are really a different category, so we cover those in a separate article for people that need them: pop over to Best mesh routers for Mac to browse our advice. Antivirus, Mac
The Souths Best New Luxury Hotel Also Trains The Next Generation In Hospitality
Five-star inspired luxury comes to Auburn, Alabama
Karnataka High Court restrains transport employees from going on strike - The Hindu
Karnataka High Court restrains transport employees from going on strike The Hindu
The lungs are a very important organ in the body which works to run the respiratory system smoothly. Lungs continuously provide oxygen to our bodies. Nowadays it is being seen that due to poor lifestyle and pollution, the lungs have started getting weak. If they do not remain healthy, then there is difficulty in breathing. In such a situation, it is necessary that every possible effort should be made to improve the health of the lungs. The easiest way is your diet which can make the lungs strong while nourishing the body. Today, in this episode, we are going to tell you about those foods which make you healthy by acting as a healers on the lungs. Let's know about them... Whole grains Whole grains are considered a healthy diet for the lungs. A sufficient amount of fibre, vitamin E and many essential nutrients are found in it. Apart from this, it is rich in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can include foods made from wheat, barley, moong etc. in your diet. Turmeric milk Turmeric contains curcumin which is not only effective in fighting cancer, but it also cures lung infections and inflammation. Curcumin is full of anti-inflammatory properties and when mixed with warm milk, it strengthens the lungs by expelling phlegm and removing infections. Pumpkin Pumpkins are one of excellent sources of potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and various carotenoids. These seasonal foods are ideal for protecting lung health. Several nutrients have been identified in pumpkin that are associated with lower levels of oxidative stress and lung cancer.
Have you also kept Navratri fast? So make Sabudana Khichdi with this easy recipe.
Sabudana khichdi is prepared with tomatoes, green chillies and potatoes. In which black pepper and rock salt are added for taste. Many people complain that their khichdi does not turn out well, that is because it is necessary to remove the starch present in sago, so let's know the method of making perfect khichdi. Ingredients for Sabudana Khichdi:- Sabudana - 1 cup (150 grams) Boiled potatoes - 2 medium size Ghee or refined oil - 2-3 teaspoons Cumin seeds - 1 tsp Turmeric powder - less than 1/4 tsp Green chillies - 1-2 finely chopped Black pepper - 7-8 crushed Peanut grains - 1/2 cup roasted peeled Salt - 1 tsp Green coriander - 2-3 tbsp (finely chopped) Lemon - 1 small size Method of making sabudana khichdi: To make Khili-Khili Khichdi, first wash the Sabudana thoroughly. After that, soak the sago in a bowl of water for 5 to 6 hours so that it swells a bit. After the fixed time, take out the water of sago and wash it once again with water. Now put a nonstick pan on the gas and put ghee in it and heat it. (If you want, you can also use a cooker) When ghee or refined oil is get hot, add cumin according to the ingredients. As soon as the cumin seeds crackle, add green chillies and peanuts and fry them lightly. When the peanuts turn slightly golden, add turmeric and chili powder. After 1 minute add potatoes and mix, then add sago and stir well. When all the ingredients are mixed well, add rock salt on top according to taste. Now cover the khichdi with a plate and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir with a spoon after the fixed time and keep the lid air tight. Your khichdi will be ready within 7-8 minutes. If you are making it in cooker then your khichdi will be ready in 2 whistles. Put Sabudana Khichdi in a plate and serve garnished with green coriander. States to follow Five-fold strategy to fight Covid: Health Ministry Consume this drink during Sahari in Ramadan, its recipe is so easy Indian-American names Virginia advisory board for Asians
Telangana CM KCR announces Rs 10k per acre compensation for crop loss
Agriculture The unexpected rains and hailstorms damaged crops over 2,28,255 acres across the state. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday announced compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre for farmers who lost their crops due to recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms. After a visit to affected areas in a few districts, the chief minister assured the farmers that the government will extend them all the assistance. He made it clear that the state will not send any report on crop loss to the Centre as the Modi government had provided no help to the state in similar situations earlier. The chief minister told media persons that the unexpected rains and hailstorms damaged crops over 2,28,255 acres across the state. This includes maize crop over 1,29,446 acres, paddy over 72,709 acres and mangoes over 8,865 acres. KCR, who left in a helicopter from Hyderabad, first visited affected areas in Madhira constituency of Khammam district. He spoke to farmers and enquired about the crop losses they suffered. Some of the affected farmers demanded a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre. KCR said that his government is executing irrigation projects with massive investment. Efforts are being made to expeditiously complete new projects. Stating that the state government is also implementing various schemes for the welfare of farmers, he claimed that such schemes are not being implemented anywhere in the world. The chief minister also stated that as a result of the schemes being implemented by the state government, the agriculture sector has strengthened and farmers are coming out of debt trap. He remarked that some ignorant economists are saying that agriculture is uneconomical. The chief minister said under the policies of the present government at the Centre, affected farmers will get no compensation. The policies are of no use to the farmers. The country needs a new agriculture policy, said KCR, who is president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Chief Minister announces relief of 10,000 per acre to rain/hailstorm-hit farmers
The Chief Minister said paddy, maize, mango and other crops in about 2.28 lakh acres were damaged by the untimely rains accompanied by hailstorm in various parts of the State last week.
Telangana CM announces Rs 10,000 per acre compensation for crop losses due to rains
The Chief Minister claimed that this was the first time in the country that a State government was paying compensation for damaged crops. HYDERABAD: The Telangana state government announced Rs 10,000 compensation per acre for crops thatwere damaged in the recent untimely rains across the state.Standing crops like paddy, mango, maize, and horticulture crops were damaged in the recent rains and hailstorms in several parts of the state last week. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who visited the rain-affected areas in erstwhile Khammam district on Thursday, announced that the State government would pay Rs 10,000 compensation per acre. He said that the standing crops on 2,28,255 acres were damaged due to untimely rains across the state last week. For the first time, the Chief Minister also announced compensation for tenant farmers. He said that orders would be issued to pay compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to tenant farmers directly as many tenant farmers had lost their crops in Bonkal mandal in erstwhile Khammam district. Speaking to reporters after interacting with the farmers, the Chief Minister said that the State government would not send any report to the Central government on the crop loss. Last year, the State government had sent the crop loss report to the Central government but there was no response from the Centre, Rao alleged. That was why theState government decided to provide compensation to the farmers. The Chief Minister claimed that this was the first time in the country that a State government was paying compensation for damaged crops. He alleged that the BJP government did not careabout farmers and was tryingto dilute the agriculture sector in the country. He stressed the need for a new integrated agriculture policy in the country. He inspected the maize crop in Ramapuram village and interacted with farmers. Later, Rao proceeded to Mahabubabad district. Rao will also visit the damaged fields in the erstwhile Karimnagar district today.
100 per cent railway network in Odisha electrified: Officials
Railways sources said the existing broad gauge network of 2,822 km has been 100 per cent electrified, resulting in savings on account of reduced line haul cost. BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Railways has completed electrification of the existing broad gauge network of Odisha that plays an important role in transportation of minerals, agricultural products and other goods from the state to other parts of the country.Railways sources said the existing broad gauge network of 2,822 km has been 100 per cent electrified, resulting in savings on account of reduced line haul cost (around 2.5 times lower) and heavier haulage capacity. The state is served by three zonal railways - East Coast Railway (ECoR), South Eastern Railway (SER) and South East Central Railway (SECR). A majority of the railway network falls under the jurisdiction of ECoR, which is one of the six fully electrified railway zones of the country. Odisha is the third state with its entire broad gauge railway network electrified after Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Full electrification of tracks will facilitate elimination of diesel traction and significantly reduce carbon footprint and environmental pollution. As per an estimate, carbon footprint of 3.8 lakh tonne will be reduced and over `1,200 crore saved every year due to electrification of the entire network. The pace of railway electrification has increased by nine times since 2014. Describing the history of electrification in the state, a railway official said though the ECoR line was integrated with the commissioned Howrah-Chennai electrified trunk route in 2005, there was a missing link between Kharagpur and Visakhapatnam stations. All trains from Howrah towards Chennai had to undergo a locomotive change from electric to diesel at Kharagpur and vice versa at Visakhapatnam in order to pass through Odisha. The frequent loco change on a trunk route became a time-consuming and inconvenient process. With electrification along the 765 km Kharagpur-Visakhapatnam stretch, trains sped up and the need for double headed diesels for high speed express trains was eliminated, he recalled. Later, the line branching off Khurda road towards Puri was also electrified and gradually the Cuttack-Angul line, Cuttack-Paradip line and branch line from Jakhapura towards Barbil got electrified. Electrification of the entire railway network in the state will lead to increased sectional capacity, reduced operating and maintenance cost of electric loco, energy efficiency and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil saving foreign exchange.
Lips define the beauty of our faces. Your lips are very soft and delicate as compared to the skin on your face and hence it is very important to take care of them. But, most women face wrinkles or fine lines on the lips due to various environmental factors. Like other skin problems, you can control lip wrinkles by using various home remedies. So today, we are telling you about some such easy home remedies. Beauty expert Shahnaz Hussain ji is telling us the information about these tips. Shahnaz Hussain says, Keeping lips wrinkle-free in winter can be difficult due to lack of moisture and dryness. Chapped and dry lips are not only common in winter but also become wrinkled. Even applying lipstick properly becomes impossible. The skin of the lips is thin and delicate. It doesn't have oil glands so it gets dry easily, especially in winter. Cream of milk After washing your face, gently exfoliate with a soft towel to remove dead skin cells. Apply milk cream daily and leave it for an hour. If the lips have turned black, add a few drops of lemon juice to the cream of milk. Due to the fatty acids present in the cream, it nourishes and softens the skin of your lips. Badam oil Many oils help in softening the lips and control wrinkles . For example, almond oil is very nourishing and also lightens the skin tone over time. Apply almond oil on the lips at night and leave it overnight. Almond oil contains several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, potassium and zinc, as well as monounsaturated fatty acids. Coconut oil Coconut oil is valued for its nourishing and moisturizing properties. It can soften the skin and it helps in making the skin soft and smooth. It can be applied to the lips and is also known to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. It has a curative effect on dry and chapped lips. Coconut oil can also be used to remove makeup. It can be applied on the lips and left overnight or can be left for 15 minutes and then wipe off with soft cotton. Take a diet rich in nutrients Lack of nutrients can also cause dry lips. Therefore, include foods like oranges, ripe papaya, tomatoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, oats and milk products in the diet. Use lip balm You can also apply lip balm to prevent and reduce wrinkles. Use glossy lipstick and lip balm. Avoid applying soap and powder on the lips. Image Credit: Freepik& Shutterstock.com DISCLAIMER Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.
CRS nod for trains on 6.9km new Koraput line
Rail services resume in Greece 3 weeks after deadly crash
Rail services resume in Greece 3 weeks after deadly crash Passenger and freight trains gradually resumed service in Greece, three weeks after an accident in the centre of the country that resulted in 57 deaths. Athens: Passenger and freight trains gradually resumed service in Greece, three weeks after an accident in the centre of [] The post Rail services resume in Greece 3 weeks after deadly crash appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Mumbai: Sewage from towers flowing right into our backyard
Residents of Andheri tower call out BMCs hypocrisy on clean drains, say officials have been ignoring their plight for 7 years
Delhi metro increases operational speed to 100 kmph
The speed of trains on this line will further be increased to 120 kmph in a graded manner subsequently. NEW DELHI: Calling it one of the most challenging technological advancements in the history of Metro train Operations in the country, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday increased the operational speed of the Airport Express link. The operational speed of the Metro trains on the Airport Express Line (AEL) has now been increased from 90 kmph to 100 kmph after receiving mandatory approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). The speed of trains on this line will further be increased to 120 kmph in a graded manner subsequently. The total travel time between New Delhi Airport Line to Dwarka Sec-21 Metro stations after the current increase in the operational speed of metro trains on the AEL will be around 21 minutes. Further, the travel time on the AEL will be reduced to 19 minutes only, after the maximum speed limit of 120 kmph is implemented in future. The 23-km-long Airport Express Line is the fastest Metro connection in India providing seamless connectivity from the New Delhi Railway Station to Dwarka Sector 21 through IGI Airport T-3 and Aerocity. The average daily passenger on the Airport Express Line is around 6,5000. Increasing the operational speed of the Airport Express Link to 100 kmph was a major engineering challenge for Delhi Metros engineers. A detailed mechanism for the replacement of certain rail components, maintenance, and repair of civil structures, and re-profiling of certain Rolling stock components were put in place and the target was achieved only within six months, much ahead of the expected deadlines, said a senior DMRC official. The major activity included the replacement of more than 2.6 lakh existing tension clamps located on the rails across the entire AEL network with high-frequency tension clamps to make them more compatible with the revised speed strength. More than 100 technical staff were deployed each night for the replacement of these clamps to ensure timely completion. After the completion of tension clamp replacement work, each fastening was checked thoroughly. The entire work on the UP and DOWN lines (46 km total) of the AEL was completed within just six months, an official further added.
Hailstorm again rains on orange growers parade
Northeast | Heavy rains to lash Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & SikkimNortheast Now
Special trains to Tiruvarur for Aazhi Ther festival - The Hindu
Special trains to Tiruvarur for Aazhi Ther festival The Hindu
Balanced Food:-A balanced food plate should be like this, know the expert's opinion
Our Indian thali is full of flavour and nutrition. Anyone's mouth can water just by looking at it. Be it taste, colour or nutrition, there is no match for Indian thali. We include a lot of things on our plate like dal, rice, roti, sabzi, pickle, salad, curd and many more. But it is very important to know what should be their correct ratio. For our body to get proper nutrition, there should be the right balance on our plate. Let us know from the experts what should be on our plate, and in what quantity. This information has been taken from the Instagram account of Dietician RujutaDiwekar. This should be the right proportion on the food plate Your food plate should have 50 percent roti or rice i.e. grains/millets. 35 percent should be pulses and vegetables. If you eat non-veg, then you can include non-veg instead. Apart from this, 15 percent space in the plate should be given to pickle/salad/curd/chutney. This can also be understood as 3:2:1. If you prepare your plate in this way, your body will get complete nutrition, you will feel light and your weight will not increase. One advantage of designing the plate in such a way is that it keeps our stomach full for a long time and after some time we do not feel like eating tea, coffee or something unhealthy. Will also help in getting out of the diet cycle If you are following a diet cycle, then this balanced plate will help you to get out of it. It is very important to have the right balance on the plate. During the diet cycle, we often face many problems. Gas formation in the stomach, weakness, loss of skin glow, hair loss, and many such problems can occur during the diet. This is because during the diet, instead of eating the right kind of food, we try to eat less than our appetite. This is the reason that when we come out of the diet, and then on returning to our normal diet, our weight starts increasing again. Here again, it is very important to have a balance on the plate. Watch this video of the expert here View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar) What are its benefits? get proper nutrition. Digestion improves. Skin and hair health improves. Constipation and bloating end. You feel light and energetic. If you have any problem related to health or you want any information related to food and drink, then tell us in the comment box below the article and we will try to give you a solution through our stories. DISCLAIMER Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.
IMD Alert : Big news! 84 hours heavy rain in 12 states, know details
A trough extending from a cyclonic circulation over South Uttar Pradesh, South Bihar and West Bengal from Haryana and its neighborhood up to Bangladesh is likely to bring southeasterly winds to Northeast India, giving heavy rains over the region on March 22. A fresh Western Disturbance, seen as a trough in the middle and upper [] The post IMD Alert : Big news! 84 hours heavy rain in 12 states, know details first appeared on discountwalas .
iPhone comparison chart 2023: Every iPhone compared
Macworld Picking out an iPhone used to be easierjust get the newest one with all the storage you can afford. We still recommend buying as much storage as you can afford, but the choice of which iPhone to get it on isnt quite so simple. Apple currently sells eight iPhone models, four of which launched in fall 2022, one in spring 2022, two from 2021 and one from 2020. Plus you can still buy older refurbished models from the Apple Refurbished Store and elsewhere. Apple offers all this choice because, quite simply, different people have different priorities. Apples latest iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 14 , iPhone 14 Plus , iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max , which it sells alongside the iPhone 13 , iPhone 13 mini , iPhone SE (3rd gen) and iPhone 12 . The best iPhone depends on your own personal preferences, so its not necessarily the case that the number one iPhone is the one you should buy. This group test of all the iPhones Apple sells should give you a good idea of which iPhone will suit you, and whether you can save money or if it would be worth spending more. For more help choosing the iPhone for you read our Buying Guide where we explain how each iPhone is different in terms of price, specs and features, cameras, screens and durability. See: Which iPhone? iPhone buying guide . iPhone specs compared Apple sells five current-generation model iPhones: four iPhone 14s and the iPhone SE. You can also buy the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, and iPhone 12. Heres how their most important specs compare but remember, specs arent everything! iPhone SE (3) iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini Starting price $429/449 $799/849 $899/949 $999/1,099 $1,099/1,199 $699/749 $599/649 Screen size 4.7 6.1 6.7 6.1 6.7 6.1 5.4 Size (H x W x D) 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 6.33 x 3.05 x 0.31 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.30 Weight 5.09 oz 6.07 oz 6.14 oz 7.27 oz 8.47 oz 6.14 oz 4.97 oz Colors Starlight, midnight, red Blue, purple, midnight, starlight, red Blue, purple, midnight, starlight, red Deep purple, gold, silver, Space Black Deep purple, gold, silver, Space Black Pink, blue, midnight, starlight, red Pink, blue, midnight, starlight, red Display LCD (326ppi) OLED with HDR (460 ppi) OLED with HDR (458 ppi) OLED with HDR (460 ppi), ProMotion 120Hz OLED with HDR (460 ppi), ProMotion, 120Hz OLED with HDR (460 ppi) OLED with HDR (476 ppi) Processor A15 Bionic (4-core GPU) A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) A16 Bionic (5-core GPU) A16 Bionic (5-core GPU) A15 Bionic (4-core GPU) A15 Bionic (4-core GPU) Storage 64/128/256GB 128/256/512GB 128/256/512GB 128/256/512GB/1TB 128/256/512GB/1TB 128/256/512GB 128/256/512GB Authentication Touch ID Face ID Face ID Face ID Face ID Face ID Face ID Rear Camera 12MP f/1.8 Wide camera 12MP f/1.5 Wide camera, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide camera 12MP f/1.5 Wide camera, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide camera 12MP f/1.78 Wide camera, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide camera (macro), 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto (3x) 12MP f/1.78 Wide camera, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide camera (macro), 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto (3x) 12MP f/1.6 Wide camera, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide camera 12MP f/1.6 Wide camera, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide camera Front Camera 7MP f/2.2 camera, 1080p 12MP f/1.9 camera, 4K HDR 12MP f/1.9 camera, 4K HDR 12MP f/1.9 camera, 4K HDR 12MP f/1.9 camera, 4K HDR 12MP f/2.2 camera, 4K HDR 12MP f/2.2 camera, 4K HDR Battery capacity 1,821mAh 3,279 mAh 4,325 mAh 3,200 mAh 4,323 mAh 3240mAh 2348mAh Wireless features 5G (sub-6 only), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband MagSafe No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1. iPhone 14 Pro Best new iPhone Pros Dynamic Island is a big step forward for the iPhone interface Always-on display, finally 48MP camera shines in ProRAW format Excellent battery life Cons Photos are a bit over-processed Big cameras can get in the way Some features are waiting on software updates Price When Reviewed: $999 Best Prices Today: $999 at Apple $999 at Visible There are two new features that are exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro (and Max) that actually change the way you use your iPhone for the better: the always-on display and Dynamic Island. Implementation of the always-on display is excellent and Dynamic Island is a revelation. To create the Dynamic Island Apple shrunk the notch that holds all the Face ID sensors and front-facing camera and moved it down into a little pill-shaped cutout that can change to display useful information like timers, sports scores and even the details of the currently playing music track. Its a hit. Thanks to the always-on mode the time and date, lock screen widgets and notifications remain visible when your phone isnt in use. Apple dims the screen significantly, but there is a small impact on battery life. If you place your iPhone screen down on a table, or leave the room while wearing a connected Apple Watch, the screen will turn off. There are other improvements to the screen tech. The most significant: the iPhone 14 Pro can crank up to 2,000 nits in bright sunlight so you can see the screen on a sunny day. The iPhone 14 Pro (and Max) have the best cameras ever seen on an iPhone. There is a new 48MP main wide-angle camera, a much bigger sensor and an f/1.78 aperture. These combine with the new Photonic Engine to create better low light photos. You can take 48MP shots if you shoot in ProRAW which will mean each photo will take up to 80MB of space. Instead of taking 48MP shots the iPhone 14 Pro (and Max) are able to use the extra detail captured by the 48MP shot to create a better 12MP photo. For example, you can zoom in further without losing the detail. Speaking of zooming, there are also improvements to macro photography (which can now also be used for video). Macro photography is unique to the Pro iPhones. The front camera also gets an update that includes a wider f/1.9 aperture (up from f/2.2) and autofocus (the same update is available on the iPhone 14). Video recording also get improvements including support for 4K at 30fps in Cinematic Mode and the new Action Mode that stabilises video is recorded on the move (also on iPhone 14). The iPhone 14 Pro (and Max) get a A16 Bionic chip, which is a newer generation of chip than the A15 Bionic inside the iPhone 14. However, our tests suggested that its not a huge leap up from the A15. In our somewhat extreme battery tests the 14 Pro lasted an impressive 9 hours and 44 minutes, which was about half an hour longer than the iPhone 13 Pro. Apple claims 23 hours battery life for the iPhone 13 Pro based on its own tests. The iPhone 14 Pro, like the whole iPhone 14-series can detect if you are in a car crash. There is also a satellite SOS feature, so your iPhone can contact the emergency services if there is no cellular service. Thats only available in the U.S. and Canada right now. In the U.S. the iPhone 14 series has no SIM tray, meaning that youll need an eSIM. There is one other feature that is unique to the 14 Pro and Max: they feature dual-band precision GPS, which should mean they are better at locating you in areas with tall buildings and tall trees. Never get lost again! The always-on display and especially the Dynamic Island will transform how you use the iPhone. The 2022 update represents a significant improvement on the iPhones that have come before. Read our full Apple iPhone 14 Pro review 2. iPhone 14 Pro Max Best battery life Pros Excellent battery life; longest of all iPhones (for now) Dynamic Island is a big step forward for the iPhone interface Always-on display, finally 48MP camera shines in ProRAW format Cons May be too big for some users Camera array protrudes farther out than previously Photos are a bit over-processed Some features require software updates and are not yet available Price When Reviewed: $1,099 Best Prices Today: $1099 at Apple Theres a lot thats the same when you consider the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, so many of the features of the iPhone 14 Pro Max are discussed in the section above including the always-on display, Dynamic Island, and the camera improvements. But there are some significant ways that the iPhone 14 Pro Max trumps the iPhone 14 Pro, such as battery life and the larger display. However, choosing between the two phones is really a matter of personal taste: for some people the Max is too big, for others the Pro too small. Theres also the price difference. If you do want the bigger Pro iPhone then youll be paying more for it unless you consider the iPhone 14 Plus instead (discussed next). For the 2022 iPhone line up there are two 6.7-inch iPhones: the Pro Max and the Plus, so you no longer have to pay more to get a bigger screen. However, there are some good reasons to pick the Max over the Plus. One clear advantage of purchasing the Max is that it brings the Dynamic Island, while the Plus retains the notch. Weve discussed the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 14 Pro section above, so we wont repeat ourselves other than to say people are loving the innovative Dynamic Island and it does really add value to the iPhone. Like the iPhone 14 Pro the Max also offers the always-on screen, which is another very good reason to pick the Max over the Plus. Having an always-on display will mean you can see the time and important notifications without waking the iPhone. There are some battery implications to this, but they arent huge and the battery in the Max is huge: Apple indicates that you can expect 29 hours of video playback on the Max, while the Plus can achieve 26 hours in the same test. In our tests (Geekbench 4) the iPhone 14 Pro Maxs battery lasted 12 hours and 40 minutesabout an hour longer than the iPhone 13 Pro Max and much longer than the 14 Pro, which lasted 9 hours and 44 minutes. We havent yet tested the battery in the iPhone 14 Plus, but we know it to be the same 4,325 mAh battery as the Pro Max, so it is feasible that battery life, in our tests, could be even better since it lacks power guzzling features such as ProMotion and the Always-On display. If you run out of battery all iPhones can take advantage for fast charge with a USB-C 20W power brick (which youll have to purchase separately). The larger phones take 35 minutes to charge to 50%, while the smaller phones take 30 minutes for the same but obviously those batteries are smaller. There are a variety of camera updates that the complete iPhone 14-series benefit from, as discussed in the iPhone 14 Pro section, but the main feature unique to these pro models is the ability to take 48MP photos. Note that the camera doesnt take 48MP photos by default, only when in ProRAW mode. Also, 48MP photos take up a lot of space so youll need an iPhone with as much memory as you can afford if you want to use the feature. You do get more for your money with the iPhone 14 Pro Max: a larger phone has more room for a bigger battery, and the extra screen space is attractive to many. However, the bulk of the iPhone is off-putting for many and this is the most expensive handset Apple sells especially if you need more than 128GB storage. Read our full Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max review 3. iPhone 14 Good enough Pros Action Mode is brilliant Faster low light shots so you dont have to hold the iPhone still for as long Cons Price increase in many parts of the world No Dynamic Island or always-on display Few changes as compared to the now cheaper iPhone 13 Price When Reviewed: $799 (128GB) | $899 (256GB) | $1,099 (512GB) Best Prices Today: $799.00 at Apple $799 at Apple $829 at Visible Its been a few years since Apple last introduced an S iPhone, but the iPhone 14 could just as easily have been called the iPhone 13s. Rather than upgrading the processor to the A16 Bionic, as seen in the iPhone 14 Pro (and Max), the iPhone 14 (and Plus) instead features the A15 Bionic, albeit the variant from the iPhone 13 Pro, which means it has an extra graphics core compared to the iPhone 13, which is still on sale. The fact that the iPhone 13 is still on sale, and similar in so many ways, is the biggest challenge facing the 2022 iPhone 14. If you are upgrading from a few-years-old iPhone theres a choice of two iPhones: one of which will save you $100/100. But there are some features offered by the iPhone 14 that do justify the extra expense. The cameras are by far the biggest difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13the newer model includes a faster aperture (/1.5 rather than /1.6) and a larger sensor on the main camera to bring better overall performance and improvements in low-light shooting. The iPhone 14 also benefits from a new Photonic Engine computational system that helps capture more detail in challenging light and aids features such as the new Foreground Blur. This isnt just about getting better low light photos you dont have to hold the iPhone still for as long, which is a real bonus. The Action Mode is another bonus feature that makes the iPhone 14 a better phone than the iPhone 13. Action Mode means you can video while walking, or even running and get a steady result. Its a fun feature that people will probably take advantage of. The selfie camera on the front is also improved on the iPhone 14, with a bigger aperture and autofocus. There are other features that the iPhone 14 offers and the iPhone 13 lacks, such as the Crash Detection feature. If you are in such a situation then youll probably be glad to have the 14. However, there are reasons to choose the iPhone 13 over the iPhone 14, as we will discuss next. Read our full Apple iPhone 14 review 4. iPhone 14 Plus a reasonable compromise Pros Large format at a lower price Great battery life Cons No Dynamic Island No always-on display Price When Reviewed: $899 Best Prices Today: $899.00 at Apple As we said in the section on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Plus is rocking the boat a bit because it means that people who might have chosen the iPhone 14 Pro Max because they want a big iPhone now have a choice. They can save $200/250 and purchase a new iPhone with standard features. Or, to look at it another way, they can choose between a 512GB iPhone 14 Plus for $1,199/1,279 or a 256GB iPhone 14 Pro Max for $1,199/1,309. For some more storage will trump additional Pro features. Perhaps the biggest problem is that the price isnt all that different to the iPhone 14 Pro, and that is a much better iPhone that costs $999/1,099 compared to $899/949 for the iPhone 14 Plus. At just $100/150 less youd have to really want the bigger handset. The iPhone 14 Plus (and iPhone 14) feature two cameras on the rear, while the Pro phones offer three camerasfor some that flexibility will be a good enough reason to pick Pro. Across the board photography is improved compared to the previous generation, with the big difference being in low-light photography (in our experience the biggest difference here is how long you have to keep the phone still while taking the photo handy with a bulky handset. Like the Pro phones the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus benefit from Action Mode, which enables you to take stable video while you are moving no bumping up and down in time with your steps. The front-facing camera also gets an upgrade with autofocus and a wider aperture. Apple claims the iPhone 14 Plus can achieve up to 26 hours video playback compared to 29 hours for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. In our tests the Plus was slightly behind the Pro Max. The battery life score was around the same as the iPhone 13 Pro Max battery life. The iPhone 14 Plus is a good phone, the main problem is really the price, with the iPhone 14 Pro not costing a whole lot more. However, we do think the iPhone 14 Plus will be attractive to those who might have bought the iPhone 14 Pro Max at a time when people are trying to avoid overspending. Read our full Apple iPhone 14 Plus review 5. Apple iPhone 13 mini Best small iPhone Pros Portable size Last mini iPhone Apple is likely to sell Cons Lower battery life Price When Reviewed: From $599 (was $699) Best Prices Today: $599 at Apple $679.00 at Amazon The iPhone 13 mini is the last of its kind and for that reason we are positioning it above the iPhone 13. If you want a small iPhone, and some people do, the iPhone 13 mini is one of two small iPhones sold by Apple the other being the iPhone SE 3rd generation. The iPhone 13 mini has a 5.4-inch screen, which is bigger than the iPhone SEs 4.7-inch screen, but the iPhone size isnt all that different. The iPhone 13 mini is the only small iPhone with Face ID and it also offers a lot that the iPhone SE lacks, such as better water resistance (the SE offers Water resistant to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes while the iPhone 13 mini offers Water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes). The iPhone 13 mini features a the Ceramic Shield front, which the iPhone SE lacks, so the glass on front of the 13 mini should be less likely to smash the first time you drop it. The iPhone 13 mini has a much better screen than the SE as well. Its a Super Retina XDR display, thats OLED and offers HDR. Resolution is 2,340-by-1,080-pixels at 476ppi, theres a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 800 nits max brightness (typical), 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR). In contrast the SE has a Retina HD display thats LCD with IPS technology, 1,334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326ppi, 1400:1 contrast ratio, and just 625 nits max brightness (typical). Theres a nice bunch of color finishes to choose from with the iPhone 13 mini: Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Red. The SE only comes in Midnight, Starlight and Red. One final, and key, reason to choose the iPhone 13 mini if you want a small iPhone is that the cameras are much better than those on the SE. The mini offers two cameras on the rear while the SE only offers one camera. Read our full Apple iPhone 13 mini review 6. Apple iPhone 13 Good value option Pros Same generation processor as the iPhone 14 Can get more storage for your money Cons Lacks Action Mode Lacks the camera improvements of the iPhone 14 Price When Reviewed: $599 (was $799) Best Prices Today: $817.52 at Amazon $829.00 at Apple The iPhone 13 costs $100/100 less than the iPhone 14, and for many spending the extra money to get a newer iPhone with more features will make sense. However, there are reasons to choose the iPhone 13 over the iPhone 14. The key reason, we feel, is that the extra money spent on the iPhone 14 could be spent increasing the storage in the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 costs $799/849 with 128GB storage, but you could get an iPhone 13 with 256GB storage for $799/859. There is certainly an argument for getting the maximum amount of storage you can afford especially if the phone you are upgrading from has more storage. Even with the arrival of the iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 is still a decent iPhone, especially when compared to the iPhone 12, which is also on sale. Both the iPhone 14 the iPhone 13 have a smaller notch than the iPhone 12 in fact visually there is little to tell the 13 and 14 apart (which will mean that at a glance nobody will know you have last years phone). You might even prefer the deeper colors of the 2021 iPhone in contrast to the muted shades for 2022. There is actually one design difference that you might notice if you placed the two phones side-by-side, the cameras on the back of the iPhone 14 stick out quite a lot more. This means if you place the iPhone 14 on a surface (without a case) it doesnt lie very flat. There have always been criticisms of how far out the cameras protrude on the iPhones, and for 2022 they stick out even more. Theres good reason for the protrusion, but it does spoil the design a bit. Not that it matters once youve put your iPhone in a case (which you should do!) See: Best iPhone cases . If you are looking to upgrade from an older iPhone the main point is that in 2022 you wont be sacrificing as much as you would have in previous years in choosing the iPhone 13 over the iPhone 14. So if you want to save your money you can confidently do so. Read our full Apple iPhone 13 review 7. Apple iPhone SE (2022) The cheapest iPhone Pros A15 chip Cheapest iPhone Cons Old, mediocre quality cameras Dated display with huge bezels No mmWave support Disappointing battery life Price When Reviewed: $429 (64GB) | $479 (128GB) | $579 (256GB) Best Prices Today: $429.00 at Amazon $429.00 at Apple We mentioned the iPhone SE above because it, and the iPhone 13 mini, are the only small iPhones sold by Apple. These handsets are a similar size to the iPhone 8, so if thats the iPhone size thats right for you then these are the iPhones to consider although wed suggest an iPhone with a 6.1in screen (the iPhone 12, 13 or 14) would be preferable (the screen is larger but the iPhone isnt a lot bigger). However, theres one other important reason why for some people the iPhone SE is a good choice. Anyone who feels that they need the Home button will probably feel lost with any iPhone other than the iPhone SE. While most of us can adjust to Face ID and swiping rather than pressing a button, some benefit from the accessibility of a physical button, and there is no doubt that is the reason why Apple still sells an iPhone with a button (although we dont know for how much longer that will be the case). There is a way to add a software Home button to any iPhone though. Read: How to add a software Home button . The other reason to choose the iPhone SE is that it is Apples cheapest iPhone you can buy new although the price has actually risen in some locations since it launched. It now costs $429/449, but it was 419 in the U.K. when it launched in March 2022. The older generations were even cheaper at one point the iPhone SE cost $399. While we dont really recommend buying the iPhone SE, if you need that Home button and we know some older folk who are concerned about not having that button its the only modern option and definitely preferable to an old iPhone 8, which probably wont be supported with software updates from 2023. Read our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) review 8. Apple iPhone 12 Cheapest iPhone with Face ID Pros Face ID MagSafe charging Cons Outdated chip Large notch Price When Reviewed: $599 (64GB) | $649 (128GB) | $749 (256GB) Best Prices Today: $629.00 at Apple Starting at $599/649 this is the second cheapest iPhone after the iPhone SE. The iPhone 12 has been around for a while now though it launched in 2020. While it lacks the headline features of the past couple of years, the iPhone 12 offers many of the most popular features like Night mode, and if you want an iPhone with Face ID then this is your cheapest option. Its also the cheapest 6.1-inch screen on an iPhone and the screen is no different to that on the iPhone 13 and 14. The processor is A14 Bionic, so dont expect the power of the newer iPhones, but if you are upgrading from a much older iPhone you are likely to still see benefits. Just keep in mind that Apple wont always support the A14 chip, so youll probably get one year less use out of it than you would a phone with the A15. See: How long do Apple iPhones last for . The camera offers many of the features of the newer iPhones including Night Mode (which is missing from the iPhone SE), but you wont find Photographic Styles (which are on the SE). Of the two photography related features wed pick Night Mode over Photographic Styles, which are basically filters that are applied to every photo you take. The other thing thats better about the iPhone 12 compared to the SE is that it has two cameras on the rear, rather than just one. This gives you the choice of a wide angle lens so you can fit more in a photograph these cameras are the same as the iPhone 13: a 12MP Main (/1.6 aperture) and 12MP Ultra Wide (/2.4 aperture. All other iPhones offer two or more cameras on the rear. Find out how the iPhone 12 compares to the iPhone 13 mini both of which start at the same price of $599/649. Read our full Apple iPhone 12 review Thats the low down on every iPhone Apple sells as of fall 2022, but there are a couple of iPhones that Apple no longer sells, but are worth considering should you see them on sale. Find out the fastest ways to charge an iPhone . Best iPhones Apple doesnt sell anymore If you are lucky enough to see the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max on sale at a good price we still recommend these handsets. iPhone 13 Pro Read our review Price When Reviewed: $999 (base model) Best Prices Today: $999 at Apple | $999.00 at Amazon The Max variant of the iPhone 12 Pro had a different camera system than the regular-size iPhone 12 Pro, but with the iPhone 13 Pro , the standard size and Max versions had the exact same cameras, so pick the size that suits you. Compared to the regular iPhone 13, the Pro models also had a much larger sensor on the standard Wide camera, and a wider aperture, too (f/1.5 vs. f/1.6). They also had the telephoto camera that the regular iPhone 13 lacks, with a more useful 3x zoom instead of the 2x zoom found on older models. And the Ultra-Wide camera had a wider aperture along with a 2-centimeter minimum focal distance, which allows you to take awesome macro shots . iPhone 13 Pro Max Read our review Price When Reviewed: $1,099 (base model) Best Prices Today: $1099 at Apple | $1,099.00 at Amazon The iPhone 13 Pro Max had the fastest new A15 processor with 5 GPU cores instead of 4 on the standard and mini iPhone 13. This extra core really comes into its own in high-end 3D games. While the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have identical performance, the huge battery in the iPhone 13 Pro Max means epic battery life (and nothing drains your battery like gaming). iPhone
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget: Rs 450 crore allocated for micro irrigation
TN Budget 2023 Minister MRK Panneerselvam said that mirco irrigation was the most important factor for the improvement of agriculture in the state and hence such a huge allocation was made for it. IANS Tamil Nadu Agriculture minister MRK Panneerselvam on Tuesday, March 21, presented the state's agriculture budget in which Rs 450 crore allocation was made for micro irrigation. In his speech in the Legislative Assembly, the minister said that mirco irrigation was the most important factor for the improvement of agriculture in the state and hence such a huge allocation was made for it. The agriculture minister has allocated Rs 26 crore for organic farming, 20 crore for coconut farming, Rs 14 crore for alternative farming, Rs 19 crore for the availability of tomatoes throughout the year and a sum of Rs 29 crore to ensure the availability of onions throughout the year. The minister said that an amount of Rs 14 crore was allocated for alternative farming and Rs 50 crore for providing interest-free loans to improve animal husbandry. The budget also said that an amount of Rs 12 crore was allocated for continuing the Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission. An amount of Rs 2,337 crore was allocated as the state government's share of premium subsidy for crop insurance. The agriculture minister said that the state government would allocate Rs 253 crore to provide special incentive of Rs 195 over and above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 2,821 per Metric Tonne of cane announced by the Union Government. For the basic details of the farmers like bank account, Aadhaar Number of land owners and cultivators, land details and crop cultivation details will be collected and digitised through a new portal GRAINS (Grower Online Registration of Agriculture Input system). This is proposed to be a 'One Stop Solution' for farmers. The minister also proposed that 150 farmers from the state would be provided overseas training in new farming techniques. He said that the farmers would be taken to countries where modern methods of farming are deployed including in Israel, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Egypt, Malaysia, and Thailand. The minister, while presenting the budget, said that deploying high yield technologies have led to high productivity in certain countries and farmers of Tamil Nadu would be eager to adopt these technologies in their fields if they are provided an opportunity to visit these countries and see for themselves the improvement in farming there. Panneerselvam also announced a project to create a gene bank of traditional vegetable seeds to popularise them and an amount of Rs 1.5 crore was sanctioned for the project. He said that the district level seed festivals would be conducted and state level seminars would also be held. He said that the farmers who have preserved maximum traditional vegetable seeds will be given awards and added that these traditional seeds would be multiplied at the state horticultural farms and distributed to farmers and the public.
Heavy rain causes wall collapse, four injured
One of the worst-affected spots is the rehabilitation colony at Bagapatia in Rajnagar block where no concrete roads have yet been laid. KENDRAPARA/BERHAMPUR/BALANGIR:Four members of a family sustained injuries after a wall of their thatched house caved in at Malipur village of Pattamundai block on Monday night due to heavy rainfall for the last four days in the district. Hemant Mallick (34), his wife Swarnalata (30), their three-year-old son and niece aged four, were admitted to the community health centre at Pattamundai for treatment. The showers have also left several areas of the district waterlogged. One of the worst-affected spots is the rehabilitation colony at Bagapatia in Rajnagar block where no concrete roads have yet been laid. The colony, inhabited by 4,000 people, remains waterlogged even with little rainfall. The district administration had assured to build concrete roads in the colony five years back but nothing has yet been done in this regard, said Sahadev Rout, a resident of the colony. Waterlogging was also reported from Kendrapara town, Pattamundai, Rajnagar, Mahakalapada, Marsaghai and other areas. Executive officer of Kendrapara municipality, Debaprasad Bal said, We are clearing drains in the town to prevent waterlogging. Some potholes have developed due to the rains. In the seaside villages of Mahakalapada and Rajnagar blocks, extensive damage was caused to agricultural land due to breach in embankments. It is alleged that some prawn gheri owners have damaged the embankments in the blocks to allow flow of saline water into their farms. However, the authorities are yet to act against them, rued Umesh Chandra Singh, a farmers leader. In Berhampur city, sudden showers accompanied by wind threw normal life out of gear on Tuesday. The rain that brought respite for people inundated several parts of the city. Commuters had a tough time wading through 1-2 feet water on busy streets at Bank Colony, Gajapati Nagar, Dharma Nagar, Nilachal Nagar, Basudev Nagar and Gandhi Nagar. Similarly, in Balangir, heavy rains with hail storm caused damage to vegetable crops and property. Farmers of Balangir, Titlagarh and Kantabanji suffered losses due to storm.
Minister junks claims of road through lake, greens differ in Bengaluru
Activists want press statement from BBMP BENGALURU:Following reports of a road being built through the Hosakerehalli Lake in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Horticulture Minister and area MLA Munirathna stated that no permanent road is being built inside the Hosakerehalli lake. He, however, admitted that a temporary road was built only to clear silt. The lake is spread over 50 acres and silt over the last 100 years has collected there. With the monsoon round the corner and de-silting required, a good road was needed. The BBMP is taking up the work under the chief ministers special grant,he said. The minister contended that there is nothing illegal, and no realty firm is being helped. Everything is happening as per the rules. The silt will be removed and tender conditions are being followed, he said. The lake will be developed and it will also have a park. It will be a model lake in RR Nagar, Munirathna stressed, further stating that following the confusion created by some people with ulterior motives, the BBMP has put up a banner related to the work to avoid rumours and negative publicity. Corroborating the ministers version, the Executive Engineer of BBMP Storm Water Drains, Megha said that as part of lake improvement, BBMP is building a retaining wall near the lake bund. There is no information of a road being built. As far as I know, the retaining wall is being built by the SWD department, said the BBMP official. However, lake activists said officials here are not giving information about the work being done and hundreds of truckloads of debris are being brought inside the lake area. The Karnataka Tank Conservation Development Authority has not given any approval and BBMP officials are not giving any correct information, said Joseph Hoover, a conservationist.He added, All will be at peace if the BBMP can issue a press statement assuring people that no road is being built in the middle of Hosakerehalli lake.
Officials assess crop damage on the eve of CM KCRs visit
Farmers leader says crops in more than 6,000 acres have been damaged in Adilabad district, slams govt for not implementing insurance KARIMNAGAR/ADILABAD: TS Planning Board vice-chairman B Vinod Kumar, Karimnagar MLA S Ravishankar, and district collector RV Karnan on Tuesday took stock of the crops damaged due to the recent hailstorm. They inspected damaged paddy, maize, mango, watermelon, and other crops in Ramadugu and Choppadandi mandals of the district. Vinod Kumar said crops in nearly 21,000 acres were damaged across the State. He said the authorities would expedite the process to help nearly 18,000 affected farmers. The issue will be brought to the notice of Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao during his visit to Karimnagar district on Wednesday, officials said. Vinod Kumar interacted with farmers and assured them that government would take measures to address their grievances. He said that there was no chance to prevent such natural calamities. However, the government has taken measures to improve the irrigation systems. Kaleshwaram project water has increased crop cultivation. The groundwater levels have also increased, he said. Adilabad farmers distraught Meanwhile, the farmers in the erstwhile Adilabad district claimed that this was not the first time that they have suffered crop loss. Over the past few years, either heavy rains, scanty rainfall, or unseasonal rains have been affecting our crops, said a farmer from Adilabad. Although agriculture officials conducted surveys and submitted reports to the government earlier as well, there had been no response from the authorities, he added. Last year, cotton, soybean, and other crops were damaged due to heavy rains and floods. The farmer recalled that Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy had visited the affected areas and assured help. However, despite the survey and reports, no input subsidy was released to the affected farmers, the farmer said.The ministers assurances proved to be empty promises, he added. HC relief for 30 farmers Last year, crops over 1.04 lakh acres were damaged, and 37,782 farmers suffered losses. Nearly, 30 farmers approached the high court, which directed the government to order a survey and submitted a report on their losses. As a result, the government released an input subsidy to the petitioners, while no relief came to the rest of the farmers. Survey underway According to the Adilabad district president of the Rythu Swaraja Vedika, Sunegrapu Borrana, the recent rains damaged crops in more than 6,000 acres. He alleged that the government had failed to implement the crop insurance scheme since 2020, depriving farmers of the insurance benefits. Officials of the Agriculture Department said that they were currently assessing the crop losses in the district as ordered by the government.
Unseasonal rains damage 1.5 lakh acres of crops in Telangana
News The unexpected rains and hailstorms due to the trough over the state caused huge losses to farmers, who were hoping to reap the Rabi harvest in a few days. Unseasonal rains and hailstorm in parts of Telangana have damaged standing crops in more than 1.50 lakh acres, according to initial estimates by the state government. The unexpected rains and hail storms due to the trough over the state caused huge losses to farmers, who were hoping to reap the Rabi harvest in a few days. Maize, mango, cotton, and chilli crops have been damaged due to the untimely rains and hailstorm. Based on the preliminary estimates from District Collectors, Telangana State Rythu Bandhu Samithi president and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator Palla Rajeshwar Reddy stated that crops over 1.50 lakh acres belonging to 80,000 farmers were damaged. The actual losses could be much higher. The state government is waiting for reports from agriculture clusters. There are 2,603 agriculture clusters in the state. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has asked the district ministers concerned, the Chief Secretary and the officials to get the details of the damages caused by hailstorm. The Chief Minister is also likely to visit badly-affected districts on Wednesday, March 22. He is likely to announce relief measures after the visit. The state government has demanded that the Centre should send its teams to assess the damage caused to the crops due to the unseasonal rains. However, the BRS government does not have huge expectations. Rajeshwar Reddy alleged that during the monsoon, when there was a crop loss of Rs 7,000 crore, the Union had given just Rs 250 crore. The opposition parties and farmers' groups have demanded the state government to come to the rescue of affected farmers. As the state government is not implementing any crop insurance scheme, the farmers are looking towards the state government to compensate for the loss they incurred. Some farmers' organisations are demanding the state government to either implement the Centre's Pradahan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) or launch its own scheme. BJP state President Bandi Sanjay claimed that there was a crop loss in more than five lakh acres of crops in about 13 districts. He said that chilli and mango farmers were the worst affected due to rains and hailstorms and added that about 40,000 acres of mango crop has been damaged due to rains. He also alleged that since the Telangana government was not implementing crop insurance schemes of the Union government, farmers were not getting crop insurance for the damages caused due to rains. In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Bandi Sanjay said that if the state government implemented the PMFBY, farmers would have immediately received the compensation. However, the BRS government said that the PMFBY is useful only for the insurance companies and not for farmers. It wants the Union to bring a new crop insurance scheme. CPI-M state Secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram demanded that a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre should be paid to each acre to all those farmers who lost their standing crops.
Drains clogged, garbage on road & mini pond, thats how Noida looks after Monday rain
Residents of Greater Noida complained of civic mess across sectors following Monday evenings showers. While mud from a temporary road clogging the sector drains led to water overflow on the road in Sector 3, in another block of the sector, a broken pipeline led to leakage of water on the road.
A nudge fornutritional intervention
During the later stages of life, as in the menopausal stages, women need to concentrate more on the intake of calcium-rich foods to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. CHENNAI: It is extremely important to address and assess womens nutrition because women fill multiple roles more effectively starting from generating income, ensuring their families nutrition, and having healthy children and thereby helping advance countries socio-economic development. Women are the ones who prepare the food at home and take care of the meals in a household, so all women must have a certain amount of nutrition knowledge to ensure optimal health for themselves and their families. Let us see how we can ensure better health for the women in our household. Nutrition accordingto the life stages Women from different life stages have different nutritional requirements. Adolescent girls need more nutrients such as iron and folic acid to prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Pregnant women require a surplus amount of calories during their pregnancy along with supplementation of folic acid before conception and during pregnancy. Lactating mothers require a certain group of foods known as galactagogues to ensure proper and healthy breast milk production. During the later stages of life, as in the menopausal stages, women need to concentrate more on the intake of calcium-rich foods to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. Physical activity Regular physical activity provides health benefits, including the reduction in risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, colon cancer, and premature mortality. Despite this information, most women are physically inactive. Engaging in physical activity also improves mood, reduces irritability and improves overall energy levels. Exercising for at least 30-45 minutes per day, for five days a week is ideal. Consume a low fat- high fibre diet: Less than 30% of the total daily calories should come from fat. Reduction in dietary fat with a corresponding increase in vegetables, fruits and grains leads to benefits related to breast cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes, without adverse side effects. Improve the quantity and quality of meals at home Women are often too tied up with balancing their household chores and career that they either have no time or forget to give themselves some attention and care. They usually end up eating the leftovers and prioritise what is made for the other members of the family. Each woman must consume at least 1,600 calories and 50g of protein per day (values vary on individual body weight and type of work). The quality of nutrition that one consumes also plays a major role. Food should be nutrient dense and should be of good quality. Ensuring adequate micronutrient intake Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. All vitamins and minerals are important for good health. Vitamins and minerals often work together in your body. Its usually best to get your vitamins and minerals from many different types of food in all of the food groups. Essential micronutrients for women include: i) Folate: This nutrient helps the body make blood cells and the DNA for new cells and helps to prevent certain birth defects called neural tube defects, which happen in the first three months of pregnancy, helps prevent premature births and low birth weight in the baby. Sources: Green leafy vegetables, roasted Bengal gram dal, orange juice, chicken, lean meats. ii)Vitamin D: Vitamin D when taken with calcium aids to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. It also helps in reducing inflammation in the cells and enhances the immune systems activity in fighting foreign agents. Sources: Fish, mushrooms, fortified oil and cereals. iii)Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 helps to make the red blood cells which are essential in preventing anaemia and is also essential for vegetarians because the nutrient is majorly present in animal sources hence, vegetarians may require a supplement, which can be taken only after a prescription from a nutritionist/physician. Sources: Animal meats, spirulina, fortified foods. iv) Calcium: Helps protect and build strong bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The body stores calcium in your bones, so if one does not get enough calcium from food, the body will take calcium from the bones, making them weak and easily broken. Sources: Green leafy vegetables, milk and milk products, soy beverages, tofu.
Additional stoppages for Hubballi and Bluru trains
Delhi metro's Airport Express Line speed to go up, to reduce travel time
The distance between New Delhi Railway Station and Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport could be covered in less than 15 minutes from tomorrow. NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is all set to increase the speed of the Airport Express Line, the nations fastest urban transportation system from the current 80 kmph to 100 kmph from March 22 onwards. The distance between New Delhi Railway Station and Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport could be covered in less than 15 minutes from tomorrow. Currently, it takes 20 minutes to travel 19.4 kilometers. According to the sources, the DMRC is planning a six-month-long gradual increase in train speed, which could lead to the Airport Express Line operating more quickly. The Airport Express Line trains only travel at a top speed of 80 kmph, even though the current sanctioned speed is 90 kmph. Senior official of the DMRC stated that there are plans to enable raising the speed to 120kmph. Although the trains and systems in the corridor are intended to operate at 135 kmph, this is not the actual speed they travel.
Jumbo injured by avuttukai in Kerala before reaching Anamalai Tiger Reserve: Forest dept
Further, there were ulcerative and gangrenous wounds on its tongue because of which the animal starved resulting in malnutrition, cardio-pulmonary shock and death. COIMBATORE: After the postmortem report of the female elephant which died at Varagaliyar in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) on Sunday revealed that the elephant was injured after biting an avuttukai (country-made bomb), forest department officials ruled out that the incident happened in Coimbatore forest division and suspect the animal could have come from Kerala.However, officials are planning to conduct checks in Coimbatore division for use of avuttukai. The adult elephant was captured from Karamadai forest range and shifted to ATR for treatment. According to the postmortem report, the animals middle and right plate in the right mandible was completely damaged by the blast, Further, there were ulcerative and gangrenous wounds on its tongue because of which the animal starved resulting in malnutrition, cardio-pulmonary shock and death. S Ramasubramanian, conservator of forest and field director of ATR, told TNIE that Karamadai is located close to the Mannarkkad forest division in Kerala and the animal might have entered into farmlands from there. We have sought a meeting with Palakkad district-level officials at Walayar and we will ask them to carry checks in their area. We will also discuss about conducting synchronised elephant census and requesting them to use technology-based cameras which will detect the elephants before it approaches the railway track so that trains can be slowed down. Camera installation works are already in progress in Madukkarai forest range. Instructions have been given to district forest officer TK Ashok Kumar to form a special team in seven forest ranges headed by Assistant Conservator of forest (ACF) to find not only illegal usage of avuttukai that are being used for hunting wild boars and spotted deer, but also for illegal electric fences and find out the reason for man-animal conflict and submit a report within a week, he said Although Avuttukai is being allegedly placed by the miscreants to kill wild boars to prevent them from damaging crops, but elephants are getting injured. This is the third elephant death after biting avuttukai since 2016 in Coimbatore forest division. While three were arrested in connection with the death of an elephant calf that died from biting avuttukai on August 10, 2016, no arrest has been made in the death of another female elephant that died at Boluvampatti forest range on March 24, 2022. N Sadiq Ali, founder of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust said the forest department alone cant stop such incidents and should join hands with police to curb such incidents.
Millet festivals proposed to spread awareness on grains health benefits
To spread awareness on the health benefits of millets among consumers and to increase millet consumption, millet festivals will be celebrated across the state. CHENNAI: In tune with the global recognition for millets through the International Year of Millets by the United Nations, the state government has proposed to implement Tamil Nadu Millet Mission (TMM) for a period of five years and announced a host of initiatives for reviving their use among the public. For implementing the mission during 2023-24, Rs 82 crore has been allocated. To spread awareness on the health benefits of millets among consumers and to increase millet consumption, millet festivals will be celebrated across the state. To make millets available to people, steps are being taken to distribute two kilograms of ragi to family cardholders in the Nilgiris and Dharmapuri districts on a pilot basis. Also, to facilitate the farmers in getting a fair price, processed minor millets are procured through cooperative societies and distributed through Amutham, Chinthamani, and Kamadhenu co-operative sales outlets in Chennai and Coimbatore cities. Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam said to increase the production and consumption of millets, finger millet and pearl millet will be directly procured and their availability will be ensured in fair-price shops. Millet-based food will be included in government institutions and hostels of educational institutions. A cash award of Rs 5 lakh to the farmer who obtains the highest yield in rice crops will be extended to all farmers who achieve the highest productivity in other crops - millets, pulses, groundnut, gingelly, and sugarcane, from the coming year. The minister said `16 crore will be allocated to encourage the cultivation of less water-intensive crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds during the Kuruvai season on 1 lakh acres.
PM Modi to flag-off two train services in Tamil Nadu on April 8
The services will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, as per tentative plan, revealed official documents. CHENNAI:Come April, Southern Railway will introduce two new express trains - Vande Bharat express on the Chennai-Coimbatore route and a tri-weekly express on the Tambaram-Sengottai route. The services will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, as per the tentative plan, revealed official documents. The introduction of a new service to Sengottai will enable a direct link to Chennai on the Tenkasi - Ambasamudran - Tirunelveli (72 km) sector, 11 years after being converted into a broad gauge line. The new service will run on the main line via Thiruvarur, Karaikudi and Tenkasi. Two new trains on highly congested routes are expected to provide huge relief to passengers who otherwise rely on omnibuses during weekends and festival seasons. Official sources said civil works to reinforce the tracks have been completed and lines are expected to be cleared for operation by the commissioner of railway safety from April and June respectively. Once the sectional speed is increased to 130 kmph, the travel time of trains plying on Chennai - Jolarpettai (214 km) track will be cut by 10 to 15 minutes. Subsequently, the overall journey time between two cities will go down to less than 7 hours, added the official. Currently, the 495 km Chennai-Coimbatore section is served by two super express trains and a Shatabdi express during the day. The journey from Chennai to Coimbatore takes approximately 7.5 hours, while the return journey takes 8 hours. The Shatabdi express covers the distance in 7 hours. The permitted sectional speed is 110 kmph. Similarly, the Chennai-Sengottai route is serviced by the Pothigai Express (daily) and Silambu Express (tri-weekly). The Pothigai express operates on the mainline through Tiruchy and Madurai, while the Silambu Express runs through Aruppukottai and Virudhunagar. Therefore, the introduction of the first train via Ambasamudram and Tenkasi has brought joy to the locals. A Pandiaraja, a native of Tenkasi, who is also a member of the Madurai divisional rail users consultative committee, said, The train timings should be planned keeping the convenience of the passengers in the Tenkasi - Tirunelveli section. Sources added that the PM will also inaugurate the BG line between Thiruthuraipoondi - Agasthyamalai and two DEMU trains. Lines awaiting safety clearance for operation Official sources said civil works to reinforce the tracks have been completed and lines are expected to be cleared for operation by commissioner of railway safety from April and June respectively
The rightfit: What harm can a wrong pair of shoes do tothe body
A change in footwear can help relieve pain by 30-40 per cent KOCHI: Shoes are facilitators of health and fitness. We almost walk five times the circumference of the earth in an average lifetime. Yet we seldom pay attention to our feet and footwear in spite of them bearing the entire body weight and primary movers of the human body. Most of us prefer having a single pair of shoes to serve all purposes of walking, running, gym activities, etc., but believe it or not, it is crucial to not defeat the purpose of different shoes according tothe sports biomechanics andagility required. Proper walking shoes are fundamental in maintaining correct walking technique, as well as preventing injuries. It maintains proper biomechanics of the foot as well as all the other joints connected to foot while walking. The benefits of a scientifically designed comfortable shoe outnumber the cost of investment around it. Repetitive issues of acute or chronic episodes of musculoskeletal issues of back pain, knee pain, foot pain, in fact even neck painand headaches would come down if a wrong shoe was a cause for them. The right pair of shoes help keep your body safe from injury. Shoes are undoubtedly facilitators of fitness. Without the correct fuel, you are likely to damage the engine of a car, similarly, without the right fit of the shoe, you are further prone to suffer severe injuries. Good quality shoes made for a wearers feet, provide unique fit, and comfort. Every shoe break after constant usage as it ages. Whenever a patient goes to a doctor with any kind of head-to-toe issue, the first thing that is checked is their foot arch and the correspondingly worn shoe.95% of the time they are a misfit, and thus a change of footwear immediately helps relieve the pain drastically by 30-40%. The Indispensable prerequisitesfor the right pair of shoes are: 1.Stability Good stabilityand cushioning throughoutthe range of movement of the walk 2.Flexibility Shoes should provide an easy push-off phase (basically the toe-off phase of the walk) 3.Comfort The shoe should adequately fit, especially around the heel and the mid-foot with some room for toe-off in the forefoot. What harm can a wrong pair of shoesdo to the body Tight-pointedshoes may cause corns, bunions and other toe deformities such as hammer and claw toes, cross-over toes, and ingrown toenails. Great chances of falls in the elderly due to wrong-fitting shoes. High heels can cause back pain, headaches, ankle injuries, sprains and plantar fasciitis. Wearing flat surfaces shoes, with little to no arch support, keeps the feet from functioning optimally and can lead to knee, hip, and back problems. Lack of arch support is the commonest cause of a painful heel condition called plantar fasciitis advancing into a calcaneal spur at times. Wearing misfit footwear forces the joints of the body to compensate for the faulty foot angulators leading to a long-term functional and structural change in the body. After logging between 300 to 400 miles in your walking shoes, its time for new ones. How to select the right shoes The human feet tend to swell up as the day progresses, consequently, the foot is bigger in the evening compared to earlier in the day, thus measuring your foot size later in the day. Try the shoes with the type of socks that you wear on a regular basis. As e-com is growing by leaps and bounds, we are highly tempted to buy cheaper available options to look trendier on a regular basis. But when it comes to feet, the quality of shoes matters more than the number of them stacked in the wardrobe. While buying shoes, stand and check your feet size, as your foot will go for maximum stretch in this position. When you move your ankle up/down, in and out, the shoe should not come out. You should be able to move your toe up and down. Adequate padding is required at the same time a snug fit over the heel and midfoot helps to walk those miles at ease. A quick way to assess ones arch is to stamp on wet sand or draw your foot on a piece of paper. One can get a fair idea about the arch pattern.
With 'GRAINS', aid to Tamil Nadu farmersjust a click away
The portal will collect and digitize basic farmer details such as bank account information, Aadhar number, land ownership, and cultivation information. CHENNAI: The state government has announced the launch of a new portal GRAINS (Grower Online Registration of Agriculture Input System) in a bid to simplify the process of availing government benefits for farmers. GRAINS will collect and digitize basic farmer details such as bank account information, Aadhar number, land ownership, and cultivation information. The initiative will allow farmers to access multiple benefits, including crop loans, incentives for sugarcane and paddy cultivation, relief assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund, and scheme benefits from 13 different agriculture-related departments, all from a single source. GS Dhanapathy, state general secretary of Farmers Forum India, has welcomed the announcement, saying, This one-stop solution will benefit farmers who have had to navigate through a complicated process to access benefits in the past. He hopes the government will seek farmers opinions before implementing the portal to ensure its success.
An official from the agriculture department stated that proposals were sent to the government for the purchase of at least four harvesters to each of the blocks in the coastal delta districts. NAGAPATTINAM: The farmers across the coastal delta districts still coping with crop losses brought about by bouts of unseasonal rains in the recent past heaved a sigh of relief after the state government, while tabling Tuesday's agriculture budget, announced its decision to allot Rs 25 crore just for the purchase of farm machinery, including harvesters, across the state through the agriculture engineering department. In total, Rs 125 crore has been allotted from union government and state government funds for the purchase of agriculture components, including value addition machinery, machinery for sugarcane cultivation and hiring centres. Equipment such as tractors, rotavators, cultivators, sugarcane and paddy harvesters will be purchased with the Rs 25 crore, and later rented out to farmers at nominal charges through the e-vadagai mobile application, said Minister for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare MRK Panneerselvam. Meanwhile, farmers expressed content after Minister Panneerselvam announced Rs 500-crore, NABARD-assisted allotment for the purchase of farm machinery through Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies (PACCSs). It is essential that the government rent out harvesters to each of the revenue blocks so that farmers do not have to pay exorbitant charges to private operators. Around three harvest machines only are available for the districts. We demand more operators and mechanics too, said R Rajasekar, a farmer-representative based out of Mayiladuthurai district. It was also announced in the budget that the service of agricultural engineering department will be extended to block-level integrated agriculture extension centre (IAEC). Under the 'One Village Two Power Tillers' initiative of the 'Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture Development Programme' (KAVIADP), around 5,000 power tillers are set to be distributed to as many as 2,504 villages across the state with a subsidy of Rs 43 crore in the coming year. Meanwhile, Minister Panneerselvam said skill development training related to the operating of harvesting machines will be given to 500 people at a cost of Rs 1 crore in six workshops in Vellore, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Madurai, Tiruvarur and Tirunelveli. Training will be provided at the cost of Rs 50 lakh in regard to repairing of machines. An official from the agriculture department stated that proposals were sent to the government for the purchase of at least four harvesters to each of the blocks in the coastal delta districts.
Untimely rains damage crops in Godavari region - The Hans India
Untimely rains damage crops in Godavari region The Hans India
HC seeks response from Karnataka forest dept on speeding trains in ... - Devdiscourse
HC seeks response from Karnataka forest dept on speeding trains in ... Devdiscourse
India vs Australia third ODI: Chennai Metro Rail to run free feeder services, more trains
Reducing Cancer Risk To Heart Diseases, The Many Benefits Of Ragi
According to the study conducted by American National Center for Biotechnology Information, the consumption of coarse grains like finger millets or ragi reduces the risk of cancer.
Andhra Pradesh: Heavy rains effect 16 districts, crops in 20,000 hectares damaged - The Hans India
Andhra Pradesh: Heavy rains effect 16 districts, crops in 20,000 hectares damaged The Hans India
His father has been an incredible role model and mentor, teaching him the virtues of honesty, tenacity, hard work, compassion, and generosity. HYDERABAD:Homes, as we knew them earlier, are witnessing a sea change due to technological advancements. Globally, smart homes are the norm and in India too, we are just beginning to embrace the concept. Helping and believing in the concept that home is an extension of ones image, city-based Hogar Controls is creating wonders. Talking about the journey so far in Hogar Controls, Vishnu Reddy, Co-founder & CEO, says, I was born and grew up in an agricultural family based in Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh. After completing my education, I relocated to the United States. I believed smart house technology will become an integral part of every home in the near future. Therefore, I have made significant investments in Hogar Controls in recent years and have acquired it. While our team works around the clock to provide better solutions and is constantly looking for ways to improve, it has been an immensely fulfilling experience with Hogar Controls, allowing me to learn and grow in various ways and make good progress. His father has been an incredible role model and mentor, teaching him the virtues of honesty, tenacity, hard work, compassion, and generosity. His steadfast support and exemplary moral code have been a source of inspiration for Vishnu, demonstrating the value of hard effort, humility, and the belief that success does not come easily. I see success as the path from despair to hope. It consists in overcoming difficulties and attaining objectives. It is the satisfaction of looking back and being proud of what has been accomplished, regardless of size. It is the courage to take risks and the resilience to continue even when things are not proceeding as planned, he explains. Elaborating about what has been the biggest learning in his journey, Vishnu says, One of the most important lessons I have learned in my journey as a successful leader is the power of teamwork. Vishnu is a firm believer in the notion that we are what we consume and therefore, he strives to maintain a healthy lifestyle by ensuring that no oily meals, trans fats, or aerated drinks are consumed in his home or workplace. I opt for a nutritious diet that is full of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to maintain a healthy lifestyle. To be productive, I prioritise spending time with my family and taking breaks throughout the day. In order to keep healthy and energised, I also make sure to get enough sleep and exercise on a regular basis. Reading books about leadership and entrepreneurship, as well as biographies and autobiographies of successful individuals, has been an inspiring source of motivation for me. It has helped me to stay motivated and to keep pushing forward on my journey. Furthermore, travelling is an experience to gain a better understanding of the world by exploring different cultures, learning about people, their customs, and experiencing calming sensations such as listening to the sound of waves, smelling the ocean, and feeling the sand between ones toes, he concludes.
Lecture on skill project to cover up poll debacle:Payyavula Keshav
TDP MLA & PAC chairman questions Jagan for ordering CID probe when ED is already investigating the matter VIJAYAWADA:Lashing out at YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, TDP senior leader and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Payyavula Keshav claimed, the Chief Minister raised the issue of Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) project to divert peoples attention from the YSRCs debacle in the MLC elections from three Graduates constituencies and to cover up their inefficiency. Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters in Mangalagiri on Monday, the Uravakonda MLA wondered what the YSRC government was doing for the past four years except for buying time in the name of an investigation into the project. He further sought to know how Jagan was speaking on the matter even as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has not submitted any report on its investigation. It is really surprising that a leader like Jagan is speaking about shell companies and corruption. In fact, he is the corruption king who introduced words like quid pro quo and money laundering, Keshav said and exclaimed how Jagan could find fault with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. Pointing out that the ED was already investigating the APSSDC case, the legislator sought to know why Jagan ordered an inquiry by the Crime Investigation Department (CID). If the matter is under investigation, does discussing it on the floor of the House not amount to influencing the investigating agencies, Kesav asked and added that if there were any discrepancies in the project, the ED will report about it. He further stated that the CM gave a two-hour lecture on the skill development project instead of addressing peoples problems, including the incessant rains that lashed the State, damaging standing crops. This clearly indicates that Jagan wants to sling mud on Naidu and other TDP leaders, he alleged. Stating that the TDP government wanted to make agriculture-based Andhra Pradesh into an information technology hub and create jobs for youth after bifurcation, Keshav said, In view of radical changes in the IT industry across the globe, Siemens was invited to the State when the heads of the company stated that they had set up skill development centres across the country, including Gujarat. Elaborating, he said Naidu, the then chief minister, even deputed some IAS officers to Gujarat to study the ongoing skill development centres and a tripartite agreement was signed between Siemens, Design Tech and the then State government. Besides AP, States like Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu, too, entered into an agreement with Siemens, he added. He further questioned the State government for not revealing details of the CBI probe in the APSSDC issue, ACB report and other details gathered by the government.How long will such baseless charges be levelled against the TDP? Should the TDP government have released funds without Siemens developing the software, providing the necessary infrastructure for the Skill Development Centres as part of the project? he asked.
Weather forecast: rains to persist for 4 days more in Tamil Nadu!,Weather forecast: rains to persist for 4 days more in ... livechennai.com
Unseasonal showers take a toll on crops incoastal districts of Odisha
Standing crops of vegetables and pulses damaged in Kendrapara, Kalahandi and Koraput districts due to rains KENDRAPARA/BHAWANIPATNA/JEYPORE:Untimely rains coupled with hailstorms for the last three days have dashed the hopes of a large number of farmers who were expecting bumper vegetable and moong (green gram) crops in the coastal district of Kendrapara. Complaints of crop damage have been pouring in from many villages of Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, Marsaghai, Aul, Rajkanika and Garadapur blocks as rains continue to lash several parts of the district. Biswanath Behera, a farmer of Kusuepala village, said the moong crops were in the harvesting stage when the rains arrived. The next two weeks are very crucial. Now, we are worried that the moong quality will deteriorate with the soaking of our crops, he added. The unseasonal rain has also taken a toll on vegetable cultivation in the district. Manas Rout, a vegetable grower of Pattamundai, said the untimely showers have damaged brinjal, tomato and okra crops over vast tracts of agricultural land in the coastal pockets. Farmers apprehend that they will incur more losses if the rainwater is not flushed out from the fields within a week. Betel vine farms in the district have been affected too. Hundreds of betel vines have been battered by strong winds which accompanied the rains. Following the showers, the betel leaves in many farms are either rotting or have been bruised. President of the district Krushak Sabha Gayadhar Dhal said farmers are yet to measure the extent of damage to their crops after rains and hailstorms hit the district on Saturday. Every year, farmers face crop loss due to floods and unseasonal rains. But the authorities only pay lip service to the problems of farmers. The administration should immediately conduct a survey to assess the crop damage and provide adequate compensation to the affected farmers, he added. Contacted, Kendrapara ADM Pitambar Samal said, The chief district agriculture officer has been directed to submit a detailed report on the crop loss. After getting the report, we will assist the farmers who suffered losses. Similarly in Kalahandi, the rains have caused damage to standing rabi crops at several places in the district. The unseasonal rains accompanied with strong winds have affected vegetable crops in Golamunda, Jaipatna, Junagarh, Koksara, Dharamgarh and Bhawanipatna blocks. Standing crops like pulses including harvested green gram have suffered damage in some interiors pockets. Onion crops, which were in the harvesting stage, have also been affected. Now, the affected farmers are busy salvaging their yield to minimise losses. In Koraput, vegetable crops over nearly 1,000 acre of land have been damaged due to rains in the last three days. The worst-hit areas are Jeypore, Dasmantpur, Borigumma, Pottangi, Laxmipur, Nandapur, Semiliguda, Lamtaput and Kundra. Affected farmers of these areas informed that the rains have damaged tomato, brinjal, bean, cauliflower and cabbage crops which were ready to be harvested.District emergency officer Gyanajeet Tripathy said Koraput received around 1,400 mm rainfall in the last three days. The revenue officials have been directed to conduct damage assessment survey across the district. After receiving the survey report, we will provide relief to the affected farmers, he added. pain after rain Cropsdamaged in many villages of Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, Marsaghai, Aul, Rajkanika and Garadapur blocks in Kendrapara Showers damage brinjal, tomato and okra crops in coastal pockets Hundreds of betel vines battered by strong winds which accompanied the rains Vegetable crops in Kalahandis Golamunda, Jaipatna, Junagarh, Koksara, Dharamgarh and Bhawanipatna blocks Crops affected in Koraputs Jeypore, Dasmantpur, Borigumma, Pottangi, Laxmipur, Nandapur, Semiliguda, Lamtaput and Kundra areas Affected farmers busy salvaging their yield to minimise losses
Telangana ryots want govt to compensate crop loss
He demanded that the State government either implement PMFBY or start its own crop insurance scheme. HYDERABAD:As the State government is not implementing any crop insurance scheme, such as the Union governments Pradahan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the farmers in Telangana are now looking towards the State government to compensate the loss they incurred due to the untimely rains and hailstorms this week. According to a preliminary estimate, the standing crops in over one lakh acres were damaged during the two days of rains. Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) state general secretary M Raji Reddy, who was in Kotlapur village in Marpalli mandal in Vikarabad district, and interacted the farmers who lost crops like onion, tomato and other horticulture crops in five villages completely, told TNIE that the farmers could not even go in for fresh plantations, as the banks were not coming forward to give crop loans. He demanded that the State government either implement PMFBY or start its own crop insurance scheme. Lack of any scheme for crops would badly affect the farmers, he said. State Kisan Congress president S Anvesh Reddy estimated that the crop loss was around Rs 1,300 crore in the State due to untimely rains. He pointed out that the State government never gave compensation to farmers in the last nine years, though the farmers have been suffering from heavy crop loss. CPM State secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram demanded that a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre should be paid to each acre to all those farmers who lost their standing crops. PFBY only benefits insurance firms, claims Palla BRS MLC and Rythu Bandhu Samithi State president Palla Rajeshwar Reddy demanded that the Centre should bring a new crop insurance scheme, as the existing PMFBY was not at all useful for farmers. The PMFBY was useful only for the insurance companies and not for farmers, he said. He also urged the Centre to send its teams to the State to assess the crop loss. The MLC said that when farmers lost Rs 7,000 crore worth of crops previously, the Centre provided only Rs 250 crore. The Centre is against Telangana, as farmers in the State are supporting the BRS. That is why the Central government is vindictive towards the TS farmers and not helping them, he alleged. He said that the district Collectors have already submitted preliminary reports that crops in 1.5 lakh acres belonging to 80,000 farmers were damaged due to untimely rains. We are preparing cluster-wise reports for all 2,603 clusters, he said. Bandi reacts Stating that the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms have damaged standing crops in five lakh acres in 13 districts, BJP State president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday demanded that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announce compensation for the farmers for the losses they suffered. In an open letter to the CM, he said that if the State government implemented the PMFBY, farmers would have immediately received the compensation. Four years on, your (CM) promise of bringing a scheme to cover crop loss has not been fulfilled. Your negligence has cost the ryots dearly, he said. KCR TO VISIT RAIN-AFFECTED DISTRICTS Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will visit the districts affected by hailstorm either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Rao directed the district ministers, Chief Secretary and other agriculture officials to get the details of the damages caused by hailstorm to standing crops and other assets. The CM will examine the reports on Tuesday and take a decision to leave for a visit to the badly affected districts, said an official release issued by the CMO on Monday.
Assam: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi demands Vande Bharat train on Tinsukia-New Delhi route
Guwahati: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi has demanded to start the Vande Bharat train from upper Assams Tinsukia to New Delhi to expedite connectivity. In a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Nagaon MP Bordoloi mentioned that since the launch in 2019, Vande Bharat Express trains have emerged as an excellent example of the Make in [] The post Assam: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi demands Vande Bharat train on Tinsukia-New Delhi route appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .
Panajis monsoon preparation works delayed by 2 months
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), which usually starts pre-monsoon preparations in January-February, has finally taken steps to hire contract workers to clear drains and vulnerable trees.
Gurgaon: Why children dont go to school when it rains here
Waterlogging on the highway and traffic snarls are not the only problems in Narsinghpur whenever the village receives rain. With traffic coming to grinding halt, children living here are unable to attend school as most roads in this low-lying area get inundated and school buses are unable to pick them up.
Fastest to flood but no relief for years for this Delhi-Jaipur highway village
Every time it rains, the service road along the Delhi-Jaipur highway at Narsinghpur village is one of the first areas in the city to get flooded. Water eventually spills over to the highway.
Official apathy leaves capital citys 3,500 street vendors in the lurch THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Its been nine years since the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 came into effect. However, its implementation still remains on paper, leaving around 3,500 street vendors in the capital in the lurch. Whats worse is that instead of protecting the vendors livelihood, as envisaged in the Act, the Thiruvananthapuram corporation and police are making their lives hell through unlawful eviction and strict restrictions. Many vendors had to give up owing to constant interruptions by the police. Interestingly, the police action comes at a time when the state is gearing up to implement its very first nightlife project at Kanakakunnu. Ansif Ashraf shut down his street food joint near Jawahar Nagar after the police imposed strict timing restrictions. They wanted me to operate from 8 pm to 11 pm. Three hours are not enough for me to earn and pay my employees. I had started the joint with high hopes, but shut down following police intervention as I didnt want to incur any further loss, said Ansif. Street vendors at East Fort Alleging that the new timing restrictions have dealt a huge blow on street vendors, food truck owner Mani R said half of the food trucks in the capital shut shop due to them. I had to close down all my three trucks. I used to pay Rs 50,000 per year as taxes for each. It became unaffordable and so I sold them. I am now running a thattukada, which is more viable financially, Mani said. He said all of them had applied for a licence and registration from the corporation in 2017. We were even willing to pay taxes and register as food truck. The motor vehicles department and civic authorities did not heed our request and took no effort to legalise our business, he said. Other than issuing some ID cards, the corporation hasnt done much, rued the vendors. Despite multiple surveys, the civic body is yet to finalise the list of street vendors and bring them under the laws protection. Vendors are facing eviction. The street vending committee is yet to be formed, said Seetha Dasan of the Kerala Street Vendors Forum. Authorities say interference by trade unions affiliated to different parties is making things more difficult. The unions are not allowing us to finalise the vendors list, which is crucial for constituting the vendors committee an elected body with representatives from street vendors. The unions are unhappy with the list and are vetoing it, delaying the process, a senior corporation official told TNIE. Traders shun vending zones Though inaugurated nearly a year ago, the first-ever smart vending zone set up by Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) at RKV Lane to rehabilitate street vendors and hawkers on Museum and Sooryakanthi premises has failed to serve its purpose. A section of traders in the beneficiary list refused to occupy the shops citing flaws in the design. Thirty-six modules that could accommodate 46 vendors were set up. The zone aimed to put an end to unorganised vending activities that were disrupting pedestrian movement. Explaining the flaws, one of the beneficiaries who did not want to be named said, There are gaps between the roofs of each shop, and there is leakage when it rains. The design is unscientific. We want them to redesign and install better and secured doors for the shops. Acting on the complaints, SCTL is gearing up to redesign the smart vending zone. We did not run a common roof. Their vendors want one. We have held discussions with the contractor and will redesign the zone, said an SCTL official. The official, however, refuted the traders claims of there being leakage. There is no leakage. The rainwater falls on the courtyard, not inside the shops, said the official. Zones with mobile vending units The corporation and SCTL are planning to set up 12 designated smart vending zones. Sources said the SCTL board has okayed setting up two zones immediately. SCTL is planning to procure multi-purpose mobile vending units to set up the zones. Two zones will be set up within four months. SCTL will design the vending units with the help of Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd, the consultant, said a source. The SCTL official said they will invite tenders within two weeks. The estimated cost is around Rs 2 crore. We are planning to set up 40 multi-purpose vending units and 10 mobile food vending units in the surroundings of the Museum. The locations are tentative. Each unit is expected to cost around Rs 45 lakh, said the official.
Some hits, some misses for Madurai traders
Dr N Jegatheesan, President of TN Chamber of Commerce and Industries, requested CM MK Stalin to conduct the World Investors Conference 2024 at Madurai so as to promote trade industry. MADURAI:The state budget tabled on Monday turned out to be a mixed bag for the trade and industry sector as many expected announcements, including the formation of a GST high-level advisory committee, failed to find a place. Stakeholders welcomed the allocation of funds for several schemes, including the metro projects in Madurai and Coimbatore and on-the-job training for youth through the 'Factory Skill Schools' programme, beautification of the city, infrastructure development through the Maamadurai project and the SIPCOT Textile Park in Virudhunagar, which is expected to provide employment to as many as 2.2 lakh people. Dr N Jegatheesan, President of TN Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said, We welcome the budget as it has satisfies people from all walks of life and for aiming at overall economic development of the state. However, the industry is disappointed due to the overlooking of certain demands, such as the underpass for the Madurai airport, slashing the power tariff hike that has hit MSMEs. We strongly believe relief would be provided during the Demand for Grants discussion in the days to come. He further requested Chief Minister MK Stalin to conduct the World Investors Conference 2024 at Madurai so as to promote trade industry in Southern Tamil Nadu. President of the Agro Chamber S Rethinavelu appreciated Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan for bringing down the fiscal deficit from 4.6% to 3%, which is the Golden Target as prescribed in the Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility Act (2003). He welcomed the steps taken by the government to make TN a revenue-neutral state. The financial eminence is path-breaking and sure to attract multi-national companies to start their units in the state. The expansion of the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme to 18 lakh students is commendable. We insist the authorities to serve millet-based food either in breakfast or noon meal scheme for ensuring health security among children. This will also increase the revenue of farmers and processors in the food sector, he added. Explaining the need for the formation of GST high level advisory committee, Rethinavelu said the complicated enforcement of GST has led to the pathetic condition of the trade industry as they are not able to express their grievances. We request the chief minister to address our long pending demand and form the panel under the leadership of the finance minister with representatives from trade and industry to decide points to be placed before the GST council, he said. SVSS Velshankar, president of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Limited, said, Prudent fiscal management in line with data-based governance is reflected in the state revenue deficit, which has reduced to 30,000 crore from 62,000 crore. We expect the revenue deficit to drastically reduce in the coming years. The allocation of Rs 8,500 crore for the metro project connecting Othakadai and Thirumangalam is appreciable. We hope the project commences by this year itself and change the source station to Melur covering Othakadai. He further wanted the re-introduction of Samadhan Scheme, which is now initiated in other states to collect tax arrears, launched during the value-added tax regime. MS Sampath, president of Madurai District Tiny & Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) , said the introduction of 'Factory Skill Schools' programme can reduce training expenses in the industrial sectors. It is appreciable that the government has concentrated on green energy and have brought in plans to develop MSME sector in the state. However, availability of industrial land in Madurai is one of the major hurdles for industrial development. The government should either take action towards increasing the availability to 15% or action towards providing essential industrial amenities for MSMEs, he added. TABLE: :) (in green) :( (in red) Reducing fiscal deficit Underpass for Madurai airport Steps for revenue-neutrality Power tariff hike Expansion of Breakfast scheme Millet-based food Metro for Madurai Formation of GST advisory panel Focus on green energy Availability of industrial land 'Maamadurai' scheme
Gujarat gets highest rains in March since 1990s - Times of India
Gujarat gets highest rains in March since 1990s Times of India
Delhi weather: Rain brings mercury down, affects flights
Eleven Delhi-bound flights were diverted to Lucknow and Jaipur due to a severe thunderstorm over parts of Haryana on Monday, officials said, adding the capital recorded heavy rains in the evening.
Mudslides, shooting stones close highway for several hours
Banihal/Jammu: Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was suspended Monday after heavy overnight rains triggered mudslides and shooting of stones at some places in Ramban district, officials said. No fresh traffic was allowed on the highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, this morning, the officials said. They said the []
Sleet In Gulmarg, Rains Lash J&K Plains
Srinagar, March 20: Rains lashed most of plains in Jammu and Kashmir including Srinagar while Gulmarg received sleet in the last 24 hours, the weather department said on Monday. A meteorological department official here said in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, Gulmarg received 15.8mm of sleet while Srinagar had 2.0mm of rain, Qazigund []
Ankle Sprains: How to Treat This Common Musculoskeletal Injury At Home
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