India News - May 1-15, 2023

Aus state to raise minimum age of criminal responsibility

from entering the criminal justice system early and keeping the community safe, reports Xinhua news agency.

Melbourne, April 26 (IANS) The Australian state of Victoria on Wednesday announced that it will raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 years old to 12, and to 14 by 2027.

The Victoria government said in a statement that the decision is aimed at preventing young people

As part of the reforms, the government will also codify and strengthen the existing legal presumption, known as 'doli incapax', which states a child under 14 can not be held criminally responsible unless they knew their actions were seriously wrong.

For the first stage of the reforms, support services will be used to help 10- and 11-year-olds and their families address the causes

of problematic behaviors and prevent future contact with the criminal justice system. Once the first step of raising the age to 12 has been implemented, a further lift to 14 years old will be carried out by 2027, with exceptions for certain serious crimes.

The state government said that consultation with key stakeholders and agencies will commence in the development of the legislation, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this year with the change to

Maroon CityGlider celebrates a decade of trips

precincts.

“We introduced the Maroon CityGlider 2013 to connect major sport and shopping hubs between Ashgrove and Coorparoo such as Suncorp Stadium and Caxton Street, The Gabba and Coorparoo Square entertainment precinct.

Melbourne, April 28 (IANS) An 11-year-old boy's heartwarming words to an Indian-origin bus driver, who was asked to "go back to his country", is winning hearts in Australia.

Brock Keena was sitting on the front seat of a bus driven by Sanjay Patel when he witnessed the racial incident on a trip from

Swansea to Newcastle, 9 News website reported.

According to Patel, a woman with a child boarded the bus and started screaming about how she thought somebody was smoking on the bus.

"She got to her stop, got off and as she got off she said... 'Why don't you go back to where you came from, Africa?'," Patel said, quoting the woman.

After a couple of stops, Keena walked up to Patel and said: "You shouldn't be treated like that, I hope you're OK."

From Lord Mayor office: Brisbane’s Maroon CityGlider has celebrated its tenth birthday in style, with passenger numbers exceeding 11 million trips since it was launched by Council in 2013. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the service had been a welcome addition to some of Brisbane’s most popular entertainment

“Since then, it’s become one of our most popular services with more than 3.5 million people jumping on board in the past five years alone.

“The frequency of our Gliders means you never have to wait long to jump on, with the service also operating longer hours than most regular routes.

“As Brisbane’s global reputation

grows, this is the kind of service we want commuters to experience when they’re hopping between our world class dining, shopping and sporting precincts.”

Patronage stats supplied by Translink indicate numbers are getting close to pre-COVID levels.

The Maroon Glider regularly carries more than 100,000 passengers every month, with numbers hitting 108,039 in March 2023, 10 years after the service was launched.

The Blue CityGlider that services the inner city and surrounds both North and South of the river also continues to be popular

(IANS April 28th) The announcement of the Indian team to play in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, starting on June 7 at the Kensington Oval in London, turned out to be an insipid affair.

The only surprise was the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane, a middle-order batter with plenty of experience. Although a cricketer's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is talked about as never one to be considered for an India selection,

one can take that comment with a pinch of salt.

The recent parade of newlycrowned Indian players in the last decade has all emerged through their super performance in the IPL. Ajinkya, a seasoned performer at the highest level of the game, was languishing in the domestic circuit, after having been dropped from the Indian Test side, and this is a good example of his resurgence

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Aus state to raise minimum age of criminal responsibility

Continued from Page 1

12 expected to be phased in late 2024.

"When very young children engage in harmful behavior, we know that something has gone terribly wrong in their life. We need to respond effectively and compassionately whilst still making sure they're accountable for their actions," said Victoria's Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes.

"This important reform is a careful and considered first step toward making sure fewer children are entering the criminal justice system and ensuring the safety of all Victorians," Symes added.

However, Michael O'Brien, the state's shadow attorney-general, voiced concerns and questions over the government's proposal.

"If a child who knowingly commits

CLOSE-IN: India’s sight is fixed on WTC

a crime isn't going to be held legally accountable, how are they going to be set on the right path?"

O'Brien was quoted as saying in a local media report

"We want to see the detail of this legislation, we want to see what is going to be replacing it as a form of accountability for children who do and knowingly commit crimes," he noted

Maroon CityGlider celebrates a decade of trips

Continued from Page 1

with residents and tourists alike, having moved more than 7.5 million passengers over the past five years.

Cr Schrinner said Council was working proactively with the State Government to implement a Gold CityGlider to connect the fastgrowing areas of Hamilton and Woolloongabba.

“The Gold CityGlider will not only link key venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also some of the fastest growing residential areas in our city.

“We are currently in discussions with the State Government to see how we can make this a reality for local residents and visitors,” he said.

Brisbane Metro will also be pivotal in helping people travel around Brisbane and Brisbane City Council, the State Government and Redland City Council are investigating opportunities to expand the project east along the Old Cleveland Road corridor.

This study will investigate options for extending the existing busway to the Capalaba business district. Studies like this pave the way for future expansions of the Metro to other connection hubs like the Airport and Brisbane’s northern suburbs.

“The Eastern Metro Study is just

one of the many examples of the kind of city shaping projects that are possible when different levels of government work together.”

Bus travel continues to be the go-to public transport method in Brisbane, with route 66 coming out on top with over 1.8 million passengers in the 22/23 financial year alone.

As patronage nears pre-COVID levels, Transport Chair Cr Murphy put the call out for more drivers to join their staff of more than 2500 bus operators.

“We’ve seen an increase in demand for more flexible work options and, given we provide services between 22 and 24 hours a day, our bus drivers have hundreds of shifts available to suit their schedules,” Cr Murphy said.

“Our casual staff choose the hours and days they want to work, and our drivers can make a decent wage working part time or full time with Council.”

Bus driver Leisa Hassall left her hospitality role in 2022 to become a Council driver and hasn’t looked back since.

“My experience so far has been great, there is always something going on in Brisbane,” Ms. Hassall shared.

“The city is alive and thriving. Everyday on the road is a new and different day. It’s a bit like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get!”

Those looking to find their closest bus service, or who are interested in becoming a bus driver can apply via www.brisbane.qld.gov.

10 most

TOP 10 most popular bus routes in 2018/19 FY (pre-COVID)

Continued from Page 1

through the IPL.

The word "transformation" has taken the corporate world by storm. The famous word indicates that if a company does not transform and adapt to the fast-moving world of today, then its' future is in jeopardy. Ajinkya, an intelligent and seriousthinking cricketer, one that most franchisees ignored during the IPL auction, made clever changes and transformations to his game to get one and all to sit up in admiration. One never doubted his technique and with his positive stroke play and mental approach, that he exhibited in his initial innings of the IPL, he catapulted himself into becoming the front-runner for the middle-order batting slot in the Test side from where he was dethroned.

Unfortunately, the cricketer who suffered was his Mumbai colleague, Sarfaraz Khan, who having scored oodles of runs in the domestic tournaments, failed to showcase his superlative form in the IPL and so came through a cropper.

In India, we boast of a cupboard full of talented cricketers. The bench strength is looked at as one that can quite easily have two international-quality sides. This definitely seems a misnomer, as the squad which was chosen in 2021, is more or less the same bunch of batters and bowlers that have been chosen in 2023. The worrying aspect of Indian cricket is the regular occurrence of injuries. The irony of it is that once they get injured, most of the cricketers never seem to recover from it very soon. One is, therefore, happy to see Ravindra Jadeja looking fit and fast after his knee surgery. India has two International class all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya. Fortunately, the former has bounced back whereas the latter has already accepted his fate of not being fit to play the longer format of the game.

India, in their second attempt at the coveted trophy, having lost the last final against New Zealand in 2021, have their sights focused on winning it this time around.

Boy’s kind gesture after racial abuse of Indian-origin driver wins hearts in Australia

Continued from Page 1

"Nobody's said that to me before when I've been racially abused in Australia," Patel, who came to Australia as a refugee when he was around Keena's age, and spent most of his life in Western Sydney, told 9News.

"I just went up and asked him how he was feeling, because I felt bad about the way he was being treated. He didn't deserve anything like that," Keena said, adding that his interaction with Patel has sparked a special friendship.

Keena's

India have in the last three Test series against Australia at home and away beaten them. The odds do favor the Indian side on paper, however, the grit and determination of an Australian side can never be underestimated.

India, one feels, has a formidable side that will take the field to play Australia in the WTC Final.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are two of the finest stroke players in the world. The latter is developing into becoming a star batter in the mode of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli. The Oval Test would

be just the platform for Gill to establish himself as the king in waiting.

Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane are a middleorder line-up that any side would be proud to have. One feels India will strengthen their batting lineup by including K.L. Rahul as the wicketkeeper and a batman who has proven to have the skill to match the best.

India's bowling is their strength. The weather in early June in London is normally cold and damp. India has the pace bowlers to exploit these conditions in the two Mohammeds --Shami and Siraj -- and the option of Umesh Yadav if required. The problem that may arise is whether India should go in with Axar Patel as the 3rd spinner or play Shardul Thakur as the only pace-bowling all-rounder. The latter to me will get the nod as the conditions will favor swing rather than spin. In England, especially in June, good close catching in the slip region is as essential a requirement as any. India has three outstanding slip fielders in their line-up -- the young Shubman Gill, who looks very comfortable standing there, and the proven Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli. In Ravindra Jadeja, India boasts of the best outfielder in world cricket at present. Therefore, one feels that India has their fielding issues well covered. The Oval in England has been a lucky venue for India in the past. The 1971 Test series win against England was one of India's grandest cricket moments. The balcony wave of India's match-winning bowler, B.S. Chandrashekar, and the captain Ajit Wadekar with thousands of Indian fans below was as proud a moment as when Kapil Dev lifted the World Cup in 1983 at the Lord's. India beating West Indies in the West Indies earlier and England beating Australia in Australia made India the unofficial Champion Test side then.

Rohit Sharma and his side have a big task to emulate the 1971 Indian side. The victory then was seen as the renaissance of Indian cricket and a victory now would be just the crowning glory to honor it.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Final. A win would be a crowning glory to honor the 1971 side

act was also lauded by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who tweeted: "A bus driver from Newcastle was racially abused and shaken, until 11-yrold Brock stepped in. This sort of behaviour is never ok, but I'm so glad Brock was there.

New CBD office anchors Bravus Mining and Resources’ commitment to Rockhampton

Bravus Mining and Resources has celebrated its enduring commitment to Rockhampton with the official opening of its new CBD office.

Bravus Mining and Resources Chief Operating Officer Mick Crowe said the new Victoria Parade premises brought the Rocky team into the heart of the city and provided a fitfor-purpose space from which the business would continue to recruit local people and engage local contractors as the Carmichael mine moved from strength to strength in operations.

“The Rockhampton Region was invaluable to our business throughout the construction of the mine and rail projects and the city’s role hasn’t changed now that we’re in operations,” Mr Crowe said.

“Being able to tap into the expertise of local businesses is critical to being a sustainable, long-term industry, and the work the likes of CQG Consulting, SMW Group, Woongal Environmental Services, TRM Fencing, and Stresscrete do for us is a great

The Carmichael mine

• The Carmichael mine is producing high quality coal for export to nations around the world that want to lift their people out of energy poverty.

• The mine continues to safely and efficiently ramp up to its constructed level of production which is in the order of 10 million tonnes per annum.

• More than 2,600 people were employed and more than A$1 billion paid to regional Queensland contractors and businesses since construction began on the Carmichael project in 2019.

• Although the primary construction phase is finished, Carmichael still has more than

750 people on site at any time while another third are on days off.

• Carmichael coal is high quality with low sulphur, low trace elements and low ash which meets the import requirements of many international markets, including those in the AsiaPacific region.

example of Rockhampton’s valueadd to our operation.

“During construction we paid more than $80 million directly to Rockhampton contractors. Now we operate 18 flights a week through our airline partners to carry people from this region to work at the mine.

“We’re excited to give our team a new workspace that lets them take advantage of all the Rockhampton CBD has to offer, and we’re proud to see our business name sit atop our building as a sign of our commitment to this community.”

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said mining and resources were an important part of the regional economy. “It’s great to watch Bravus grow over the years and become a key player in our Region,” Mayor Williams said.

“I proudly welcome them into their new building in the heart of our CBD which reflects the positive growth of this company and I also thank them for their continued contribution towards our local community groups and organisations.”

Bravus Mining and Resources’ commitment to Rockhampton

• Rockhampton and Townsville remain the primary employment hubs for the Carmichael mine. We continue to recruit workers who can drive to site from the Isaac Region.

• About 18 flights leave Rockhampton each week carrying local workers to the Carmichael mine.

• During the construction of the mine and rail projects, Bravus Mining and Resources paid more than $80 million directly to local Rockhampton contractors and many millions more in indirect spending.

• Through Bravus Mining and Resources’ Community Partnership Program the business has supported numerous Rockhampton

community groups and not-for-profit organisations including: the Glenmore Bulls AFL Club, the White Could Foundation, Rugby Capricornia Limited, Rockhampton Musical Union Youth Choir, Breast and Prostate Cancer Association of Queensland, Indian Association for Central Queensland, the Fitzroy River Fish Stocking Association and CQ First Aid volunteers.

• Bravus Mining and Resources also recently extended its sponsorship of Rockhampton Basketball, taking that association to six years and making it the business’ longest running Major Partnership.

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams cut the cake to officially open Bravus Mining and Resources’ new Rockhampton office

The Bravus Mining and Resources logo sitting proudly atop the new office in Rockhampton’s CBD

Aegros to develop $352mn manufacturing facility in Greater Springfield

in development in Greater Springfield.”

Construction of the facility will support an estimated 230 jobs. Once operational, the facility is expected to provide 348 longterm jobs in its first four years.

Springfield City Group has finalised an agreement to welcome Aegros into BioPark Australia, enabling the biopharmaceuticals company to develop a new $352 million manufacturing facility.

The proposed new facility is set to be the first developed as part of BioPark Australia, in which multiple biologic industries will co-locate and provide health innovations that will benefit the lives of Australians and beyond. Aiming to begin operations in 2026, the Aegros facility will ensure Australian patients have access to safe, reliable and

affordable plasma medicines that can help fight infection or diseases such as Lupus, promote blood clotting, prevent shock and assist with post-surgical recovery.

The Queensland Government’s Invested in Queensland program is supporting the development in which Aegros plans to set up its new global headquarters in BioPark Australia alongside an advanced production facility. Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby AM welcomed today’s agreement which enables Aegros to develop a 4.18 hectare site.

“Greater Springfield has been

created to enhance human capital and that comes together in this step towards the Aegros facility,” Mr Sinnathamby said.

“This new facility is set to be the first project delivered as part of the new BioPark Australia precinct. Dedicated to attracting industries across commercial, education, health, innovation technology and lifestyle sectors, we envision that other biomedical and innovative companies will soon join Aegros here in Greater Springfield.

“We are very excited about this project and a number of other high-profile projects currently

The new Aegros facility aims to process yields of around 90 per cent – ensuring the most medicine per litre of plasma. Positioning the facility in BioPark Australia will allow for production on a large scale. The site will be able to process 1 million litres of plasma per annum, but through its high yield advantage, produce the equivalent of 2 million litres – making the Greater Springfield location one of the largest producers of plasma in the world.

Aegros Founding Executive Chair Professor Hari Nair said the company was looking forward to establishing its facility and taking the commercialisation of its technology to the next level.

Professor Nair was part of a signing ceremony this morning with Mr Sinnathamby and Springfield City Group Deputy Chairman Bob Sharpless.

Professor Nair was also in Greater Springfield to speak with Life Sciences Queensland’s panel on Biomanufacturing: Charting the Course for a Sustainable Future,

joining experts from across the country. Springfield City Group supported the conversation which featured Dustin Welch, the Group’s General Manager Health. “The development of HaemaFrac®, our unique fractionation process, has been a 30-year journey for myself and Co-Founder and Managing Director John Manusu,” Professor Nair said. “We are excited HaemaFrac® is going to be used to increase Australia’s ability to meet its own demand for plasma products, reduce the reliance on overseas supply chains, reduce costs for Australian patients, and to develop and deliver fast responses whenever another pandemic arises.

“The global and Australian market for safe, secure and affordable therapeutic plasma and blood products is only increasing. Coupled with Aegros’ significant R&D capability, in collaboration with Queensland’s medical community and universities we are looking to develop new plasma therapies to address diseases with unmet therapeutic needs.

“In this way Aegros is also proud to be able to contribute to the country’s future pandemic preparedness.”

UP Police unearth ‘training school’ in Bihar’s Chhapra that ‘teaches’ how to break ATMs

A senior officer said UP cops rummaged through 1,000 CCTV footage, and mobile data and checked over 20 tolls around Lucknow to trace the ATM theft accused.

Sources said Mishra operates a well-oiled gang and hires unemployed youths from different states.

Excise policy scam: Delhi court fixes May 12 to consider CBI’s supplementary charge sheet against Sisodia, others

Lucknow, April 26 (IANS) Sudhir

Mishra from Bihar's Chhapra has a 'startup' where he 'trains' unemployed youths on how to break ATMs in a span of 15 minutes, said UP Police here. This was revealed after four youths were arrested for allegedly stealing Rs 39.58 lakh from an ATM in Lucknow's Sushant Golf City police station area. Though police have recovered Rs 9.13 lakh from their possession, the focus has shifted to arrest Mishra who is the kingpin of the pan-India gang.

"A CCTV grab from the house near the ATM was found during the probe. A blue-colored car from which the miscreants had entered and fled the city was traced," said the officer.

The team then reached its owner in Sitamarhi, Bihar. In the meantime, another UP Police team intercepted the same car on Sultanpur road in Uttar Pradesh and arrested the four.

Shailendra Giri, SHO, Golf City, said one of the arrested, Neeraj, was a permanent member of the gang and had five cases against him.

"Neeraj revealed that he learned the tricks of the trade from Mishra," said Giri.

"These youths are brought to Chhapra from Uttar Pradesh and given a three-month crash course. They are taught techniques of how to swiftly enter an ATM, spray misty liquid on the glass walls of the ATM booth and at the cameras to hide their identities and cut through ATMs cash box and escape within 15 minutes," he said.

After training, a 15-day live demonstration is also conducted. "Only those members who complete the task in 15 minutes or less are sent on the field," said the officer.

Police added that over 30 such cases have been committed by the gang in the last one year across the country.

KCR is more dangerous than Atiq Ahmed, says Telangana BJP chief

government on the paper leak scam.

The saffron party has already demanded the resignation of state minister for information technology and KCR's son K. T. Rama Rao over the paper leak. During a public meeting at Chevella on April 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also trained guns on BRS over paper leak.

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) A special Delhi court fixed May 12 for consideration of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s supplementary charge sheet filed on Tuesday against former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and three others in connection with the nowscrapped excise policy. The CBI told Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court that the prosecution sanction against Sisodia has already been procured from the competent authorities. The probe agency also informed the court that Hyderabad-based CA Butchi Babu Gorantla, Arjun Pandey, and Amandeep Singh Dhall were also mentioned as accused in the final report, which also included a list of witnesses and documents that were used as support.

The CBI has invoked IPC's Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (destruction of evidence/giving false information), and 420 (cheating) besides provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Till now, the CBI has arrested five accused and charge-sheeted 11 accused persons.

Earlier, the CBI had filed a charge sheet against Sameer Mahendru, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpelly, Gautam Mutha, Arun Pillai, and excise officials Kuldeep and Narendra Singh.

Sources said that the CBI has alleged in the chargesheet that liquor businessman Dhall, the director of Brindco Sales Pvt Ltd, was in criminal conspiracy with accused Vijay Nair and the South Group for generating cash towards payment of 6 percent commission out of the enhanced 12 percent profit margin.

The CBI had arrested Sisodia on February 26 and it filed the charge sheet on the 58th day.

The agency said the probe is still going on to look into a larger conspiracy and the role of other accused in the case. The CBI also filed the electronic copy of the charge sheet in the form of a compact disc (CD), which also contained all the documents filed with the charge sheet.

Hyderabad, April 26 (IANS)

Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar has made a controversial statement that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is more dangerous than gangsterpolitician Atiq Ahmed, who was recently gunned down in Uttar Pradesh.

Sanjay Kumar tweeted on Wednesday that Chief Minister KCR is a gangster to all the gangsters. He said while Atiq Ahmed threatened people with guns, KCR is using police to threaten and 'Dharani' to harass common man.

'Dharani' is a portal launched by KCR government for land transactions.

He reiterated the demand for a probe by a sitting judge into the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) exam paper leak. "We don't trust the Special Investigation Team set up by the KCR government," he said.

Sanjay Kumar, who is also a Member of Parliament, stated that SITs constituted to probe Miyapur land scam, Intermediate students'

suicides and drugs case never submitted report their reports.

The BJP leader addressed a protest march in Mahabubnagar last night to highlight the problems of unemployed in the state.

He claimed that the response was tremendous to the march titled 'Nirudyogula Gosa BJP Bharosa'. He said the BJP would continue to fight for justice for unemployed youth.

The BJP leader said that a person who can't even properly conduct examinations has no right to remain in power.

This was the second major protest organised by the BJP over the issue. Last week, a protest was organised in Warangal.

The BJP is looking to cash in on the TSPSC paper leak which has affected thousands of unemployed who had appeared in various examinations for recruitment in government departments.

As the Assembly elections in the state are scheduled later this year, the BJP is going all out to target the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)

56 Andhra expatriates stranded in Sudan

Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) said 34 of those stranded have been found to be safe.

These expatriates have already reached Port Sudan by the coast of Red Sea and are expected to proceed further to a safe place. According to APNRTS president Medapati Venkat, the remaining 20 people are 30 kms from the conflict zone and efforts are underway to reach out to them.

Amaravati, April 26 (IANS) A total of 56 expatriates from Andhra Pradesh are stranded in strifetorn Sudan and efforts are on to bring them back safely, officials said.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the officials to take steps to bring the stranded Telugus.

The chief minister told the officials to coordinate with the Central government officials

and make travel arrangements to bring back stranded Telugus safely.

Jagan Mohan Reddy also wanted them to ensure that they are sent to their native places on their return to India

He asked the officials to extend all possible support to the stranded Telugus as was done during the Ukraine crisis.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Non-

APNRTS has set up a special helpline desk to identify natives of Andhra Pradesh in Sudan. More than 400 people have died due to the fierce fighting between Sudan's Army and paramilitary forces during the last two weeks. The conflict has left over 3,700 people wounded.

The Government of India has launched 'Operation Kaveri' to evacuate Indians from the strife-torn country. There are an estimated 4,000 Indians in Sudan.

Taj Corridor returns to Haunt Mayawati

officer of the CBI Amit Kumar requested for sanction prosecution of Sharma in the case in November 2022 and the NPCC gave the sanction last month.

He said the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court upheld trial court's order to close the case for want of sanction to prosecute in November 2012.

Murder convict tops exam among UP jail

inmates

murder of her sister-in-law and has been lodged in Rampur jail since 2016.

Lucknow, April 26 (IANS) The alleged 2002-2003 Taj heritage corridor scam worth Rs 175 crore has returned to haunt Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, who was the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister then, and the then irrigation minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui, who is now in the Congress, as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has procured the first prosecution sanction in the case.

CBI officials said the central development agency National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC), which was developing the project, intended to upgrade tourist facilities near the Taj Mahal and was to be implemented during Mayawati's tenure 20 years ago, has given sanction to prosecute its the then general manager (now retired) Mahendra Sharma.

The officials said prosecution

They said it was the first prosecution sanction in the case in past 20 years, adding that a CBI special court (corruption) in Lucknow will examine the prosecution sanction on May 22 and take up the matter further.

The central probe agency was also going to make witness senior officials of NPCC who facilitated the prosecution sanction against Sharma recently.

A senior CBI official said the then state Governor TV Rajeswar had denied the prosecution sanction against Mayawati in June 2007 after the BSP again came to power citing that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute her and other accused.

He said thereafter the then BSP government denied the permission for prosecution sanction against the then principal secretary (environment)

R.K. Sharma and Secretary Rajendra Prasad after which the CBI dropped further proceedings in the matter in 2008.

He said, however, a Supreme Court bench agreed to examine the case and asked the relevant parties to file their response in January 2013.

He said a special leave petition (SLP) was filed in the Supreme Court in the case and further proceedings in the matter were still pending.

Earlier, the Supreme Court has ordered a CBI probe into the matter while hearing a petition filed against the project. The CBI had registered a regular case under Indian Penal Code sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (fraud), 467 (forging of documents), 468 (using forged documents for cheating purpose) and 471 (using forged documents as genuine).

Besides, charges under sections 13(1)(D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for misuse of official position were also included in the FIR.

Dumbbells, neck plank & stretching: Protesting wrestlers turn Jantar Mantar into training centre

working out here at Jantar Mantar at the protest area, when they should be in the stadium as major tournaments are coming in a couple of months.

"Government should make a decision quickly and help them," he added.

Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), April 26 (IANS) Fifty-year-old Onkar Singh, who is lodged in Bareilly jail after his conviction in a murder case, has topped among jail inmates who appeared for UP Board examinations.

He secured 83.3 percent marks in Class 10. He now wants to study further.

Another convict in the dowry death case Chhote Lal, 35, topped the Class 12 examination with 61.1 percent marks. He has been convicted in a dowry case. Among women inmates, Naima, 40, topped the Class 10 examination with 72.6 percent. She has been convicted for the

Almost all the inmates, who appeared for the UP Board Class 10 and 12 examinations, have cleared the test.

Out of 62 inmates who appeared for the Class 10 examination, 59 were successful, taking the pass percentage to 95.16. Similarly, out of 65 inmates, 45 cleared the Class 12 examination.

A jail officer posted in the headquarters said that the inmates defied all odds and set an example for others.

Inmates of 25 prisons in Uttar Pradesh, including central jails in Naini, and Bareilly, have excelled in the Board examination. They recorded an overall pass percentage of 95.16 percent in Class 10 and 69.23 percent in Class 12.

PM Modi, Shah, Kharge condole demise of Parkash Singh Badal

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Top Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other young grapplers have turned Jantar Mantar into their training centre, amid protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

On Day 4 of the protest, the grapplers were seen doing wrestling exercises. Vinesh was training with Sangita Phogat, whereas Sakshi was helped by her husband Satyawart Kadian, the Arjuna awardee wrestler.

Meanwhile, a physio was assisting Bajrang on the mat, before the Olympic bronze medallist did some stretching.

They all looked tired but their passion for sport was evident despite sleepless nights.

"We will not go from here till we get justice. And we are ready to face the punishment if we are wrong. Wrestling is everything for us and we want to keep ourselves fit both mentally and physically. We will keep practicing here," Bajrang told IANS.

A coach said, "Fitness is important in every fight. Our wrestlers understand it. They have made India proud several times. It feels bad that they are

Earlier, on Wednesday, Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court that some preliminary inquiry may be needed to be conducted before an FIR can be registered into a complaint by wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud that some preliminary inquiry may be needed but if this court orders, then FIR can be registered. Mehta said that the authorities think that some inquiry should be there.

The Chief Justice replied that the court would also not want to do something unless there is some material. The bench asked Mehta to furnish the material on Friday and pointed out that the matter involves a minor.

On April 25, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Narender Hooda mentioned the petition before the court, a plea filed by wrestlers. The top court had said: "There are serious allegations of sexual harassment in the petition, which is instituted by professional international wrestlers who have represented India. The matter requires the consideration of this court in exercise of its

jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution. Issue notice, returnable on 28 April 2023. Liberty to serve the Standing Counsel for the NCT of Delhi."

The bench, in its order, said: "The complaints which form a part of an attachment to the petition in a sealed cover shall again be resealed and placed together with the petition under Article 32 on the next date of listing, to protect the complainants."

The plea filed by wrestlers said they attempted several times to convince Delhi Police to register an FIR, but they failed.

The plea said women athletes, who make our nation proud, are facing sexual harassment, and instead of getting the support they deserve, they are being forced to run from pillar to post to get justice.

It said the accused person in this case is an influential person and is misusing the process of law to evade justice and further manipulating the legal system and obstructing justice.

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and a host of other leaders condoled the demise of former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday. Badal died late on Tuesday evening. He was 95.

Condoling his death, Prime Minister Modi tweeted: "Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and anchored the state through critical times."

The Prime Minister added that Badal's passing away was a personal loss for him.

"I have interacted closely with him for many decades and learnt so much from him. I recall our numerous conversations, in which his wisdom was always clearly seen. Condolences to his

family and countless admirers," he said further.

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: "The passing away of veteran leader, Shri Parkash Singh Badal Sahab is deeply saddening. His career spanning several decades was dedicated to the welfare of the poor. His demise is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. My heartfelt condolences are with his family and followers."

Shah added that he was fortunate to meet Parkash Singh Badal on several occasions. "His unparalleled political experience was very helpful in public life and always a delight to listen to. The memories of those meetings will always remain with me," he said.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: "Parkash Singh Badal ji was a veteran of Indian politics. Although we differed in our ideologies, he earned immense respect among the people of Punjab for his simplicity and loyalty to his cadre, as he served multiple terms as chief minister. Our deepest condolences to his family."

Walk 3 minutes every half an hour to keep Type-1 diabetes in check

people with Type 1 diabetes could see the same benefits.

To understand, the team recruited 32 participants, who were, during one session, asked to remain seated for a full seven hours. During the other, they broke up their sitting time with three-minute bouts of light intensity walking every 30 minutes.

Students sensitized on mechanized forces of Army

London, April 26 (IANS) Long periods of sitting time can be harmful to our health, even if you exercise regularly. Light intensity walking for 3 minutes every 30 minutes can help people with Type 1 diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels, according to a study.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Taking short breaks from sitting time -- also known as 'activity snacking' -- is a simple, cost-free way to lower average blood sugar levels, compared to uninterrupted sitting and also potentially reduce their risk of future complications.

"For people with type 1 diabetes, managing blood sugar levels day in and out is relentless. Being physically active is important in managing the condition, but building exercise into your daily

routine can be challenging, and even those who exercise frequently can often spend a lot of time sitting or lying down," said Dr Elizabeth Robertson, our Director of Research, from Diabetes UK.

Robertson suggested making a simple, practical change -such as taking phone calls while walking, or setting a timer to remind you to take breaks -- to avoid sitting for long periods. Previous research has shown that breaking up periods of sitting with short, frequent walks can help people with Type 2 diabetes reduce their blood sugar levels and their risk of complications. This is because being active can increase the amount of glucose (sugar) used by muscles and can help the body to use insulin more effectively.

But until now it was not known if

Participants wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track their blood sugar levels for a 48hour period during and after each sitting session. Regular walking breaks resulted in lower average blood sugar levels. Importantly, the breaks from sitting also did not increase low blood sugar levels -- a common occurrence with more traditional types of physical activity and exercise.

"Breaking up prolonged sitting with light-intensity activity is something that people can do irrespective of whether they currently exercise or not. For some people, 'activity snacking' could be an important steppingstone towards more regular physical activity or exercise, whereas for others, it may be a simple and acceptable intervention to help manage blood glucose levels," said Dr Matthew Campbell, at the University of Sunderland.

UP schoolchildren to witness Jal Jeevan Mission works

students will be apprised of every little step that goes in the supply of clean drinking water, said a government spokesperson. According to a government release, ten boys and as many girls from each school will be made part of the state government's ambitious scheme. Director-general, school education, Vijay Kiran Anand said along with 20 students, two nodal teachers each for boys and girls will be selected from each school for the JGY programme. Children who have participated in the national innovation campaign but could not participate in the educational tour, will be given preference.

In addition, BSAs will be responsible for the safety and security of the students.

Chandigarh, April 26 (IANS) An educational-cum-motivational tour for students of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies of Post Graduate Government College in Sector 11 in Chandigarh was organized by 'Flaming Arrow Brigade' under the aegis of the 'Vajra Corps' on Wednesday.

Seventy students and four faculty members visited New Amritsar military station for an enriching experience. The students were exposed to the rich history, evolution and functioning of mechanized forces of the Indian Army, an official statement said.

Brig P. Sunil Kumar, Commander 'Flaming Arrow Brigade', while addressing the students shared his experience and motivated them to strive hard to achieve their dreams. The young officers from the brigade also interacted with students and provided them with a deep insight into the ethos, tradition and glorious past of the Indian Army.

The students were given an informative insight on the equipment held with the mechanized forces of the Army during the visit. The students and faculty members exchanged their views on various issues during the interactive session.

For many of the students, it was the first time that they had visited a military station. This visit gave students a broad horizon of the Indian Army's commitment towards safeguarding the nation.

Madras HC directs School Education Dept to appoint those who know Tamil as security staff

Lucknow, April 25 (IANS) Children

enrolled in Uttar Pradesh schools will now go from village to village to witness the development works of Jal Jeevan Mission.

The state government has decided to conduct exposure visits for students through the Jal Gyan Yatra programme.

Issuing directives to basic education officers (BSAs), the education department has asked them to provide a list of authorized schools and children

to the state water and sanitation mission office on priority basis.

To be organised by Namami Gange and the department of rural water supply, in collaboration with the basic education department, the yatra will enable students to witness the entire process of ensuring supply of clean drinking water even in remote areas by the Jal Jeevan Mission.

This is a unique effort by any state in the country, in which school

Commencing this month, the JGY programme will be a learning experience for kids. Students will be taken to STPs and water treatment plants.

In the first phase, a trip to Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Mahoba and Jhansi will be made. During this visit, quiz contests will also be organised.

Chennai, April 25 (IANS) The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the state School Education Department to appoint people who have knowledge of Tamil or the local language in the area where the school is located while choosing private firms engaged in security services, cleaning, and maintenance.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice T. Raja and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy directed the appropriate Tender Floating Committee to apply its mind and appropriately frame the conditions taking into account all the material, including the criteria adopted by other departments, in the best interests of the work to be done.

The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has, for the first time, invited tenders for housekeeping, sanitary, and security services in all the schools under it.

The criteria for the bidders is that they should have operated in an area of 25 lakh square feet with a

turn over of Rs 50 crore in the last three years and have an employee strength of 5,000.

An organisation, Quality Property Management Services Pvt Ltd moved the Madras High Court against it but a single judge bench dismissed the petition.

When the appeal petition had come before the division bench, Additional Advocate General, J. Raveendran submitted that by virtue of the pre bid meeting, the conditions have been diluted - the area from 25 lakh square feet to 10 lakh square feet, the turnover from Rs 50 crore to Rs 30 crore, and the number of personnel from 5,000 to 3,000.

The division bench refused to accept the explanation made by the AAG and questioned why the tender criteria was diluted.

It set aside the single bench order and quashed the tender notification.

MAKE IN INDIA

As world economies restart their engines in a bid to regain lost ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India too shows signs of economic buoyancy and promise. India’s Make in India initiative holds a key to the global economic revival, something that should interest Australian government ministries, corporate sector, entrepreneurs, institutions seeking R&D collaborations and Australia Inc in general, among others. India assumes greater importance as several major world economies including American, Japanese, German, British and South Korean look to move out and diversify their businesses from China. India has jumped to 63rd rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Development 2020 report, and has also been ranked as the 9th largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment destinations in 2019 by the World Investment Report 2020 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

We aim to localise 70% raw materials by 2023 end: Boult Audio CEO

(Flipkart).

"As Chinese companies have always experimented with lower prices, consumers are inclined towards purchase their products. Our prices have represented an exceptional value proposition," Gupta told IANS.

government stakeholders for forging mutually beneficial partnerships towards improving the business and trading ecosystem in the northeastern region.

worldwide.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) As homegrown consumer electronics brands break new barriers, Boult Audio Co-Founder and CEO, Varun Gupta, said on Saturday that they have changed the perception of domestic consumers by providing premium quality at a reasonable price and are localising raw material very fast.

In 2022, Boult Audio not only became India's second-largest audio brand by selling a TWS every 7 seconds across major marketplaces, but also dominated the smartwatch market by being the fastest-selling and highestrated smartwatch brand on a leading e-commerce platform

"Most importantly, we have succeeded in preventing consumers from undermining domestically produced goods. Consumers previously believed that Indian products lacked sufficient quality, however, Boult Audio has changed this perception by providing premium quality at a reasonable price," he emphasised.

With roughly 2 million verified customer evaluations across Amazon and Flipkart, Boult Audio has paved the way to become a trusted brand among Indian consumers.

"We intend to localise 70 per cent of raw materials by the end of this year and 80 per cent by the end of 2024 as part of our Make in India' campaign," Gupta told IANS.

The company has produced approximately 2 million units across the country, and more than 90 per cent of our products are exclusively manufactured in

the country.

Gupta said that currently, they are focused on expanding existing consumer electronics categories, that is audio and smartwatches.

"Our efforts will be focused on expanding the smartwatch category, which is growing at a rapid pace. We hope to capitalise on this market expansion and establish the company as a leader in the wearable market," he elaborated.

The current revenue split between the audio and smartwatch categories is 80:20, indicating that 80 per cent of revenue has come from the audio category, including TWS, neckbands, etc., while the remaining 20 per cent comes from smartwatches.

"We intend to penetrate deeper in online marketplaces. To contribute to this, we are scaling up our D2C platform," Gupta informed, adding that they rely on government initiatives such as presumptive taxation, production-linked incentives (PLI) to direct business operations.

"Moving forward, we hope to receive increased government support," he added.

Delhi to host Northeast Global Investor Summit-2023 in August

Information Technology and Services, entertainment, sports, tea, energy among others.

The DoNER Joint Secretary emphasised that the focus is not solely on the summit but concrete outcomes that would materialise post the Summit. He further urged the delegates to participate proactively in forging mutually beneficial partnership to make the Summit a great success.

"At AiMeD we are delighted with the cabinet decision of announcing a Medical Devices Policy to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and & India's aspirations to be not only Atmanirbhar Bharat but also a global key top five suppliers of medical devices worldwide - this was long awaited direction we had sought since initial draft policy of June 2014," Nath told IANS. Nath said the industry is hopeful that the policy details will help boost local manufacturing, help traders and importers to start investing in putting up factories and end the 70-80 per cent import dependency forced upon India and the ever-rising import bill which last year shot up by a steep 41 per cent to over Rs 63,000 crore and make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for common masses

He said during the Covid pandemic it was felt the need for a policy to align various government ministries and departments and even the Healthcare Parliamentary Committee recommended to the government to take specific steps to promote Make in India of Medical Devices.

"We hope AiMeD's and the Parliamentary Committee's recommendations are reflected in the policy details and we will see this neglected sector flourish finally as has the mobile phones & toy sector recently with right policy support," Nath added.

The policy aims to place the medical devices on an accelerated growth path with a patientcentric approach to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients, said Dr. Rajiv Chhibber, Vice President, Sahajanand Medical Technologies Ltd & Joint Coordinator, Government Affairs, AiMeD.

Chhibber also said, the National Medical Policy is also a leap forward to fulfil Modi's vision to have affordable, accessible and innovative solutions towards healthcare, making India Atmanirbhar and a Global MedTech hub, achieving the Vision 2047 aimed at Universal Healthcare for All.

New Delhi/Agartala, April 25 (IANS) To woo investment in the resource rich northeastern region, a mega "Northeast Global Investor Summit-2023" would be held in the national capital this August, officials said here on Tuesday.

A senior official of Tripura Industries and Commerce Department said that the focus sectors of the summit include tourism and hospitality, agrofood processing, textiles, handloom and handicrafts, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education and skill development,

Before the summit, a series of activities including state roundtables would be organised in the northeastern states in April-May, road shows in Mumbai (on May 29), Dhaka (Bangladesh) (on June 13), Hyderabad (on June 23) and Kolkata (on July 10).

The outline of the roadshows would include structured B2B and B2G meetings, roundtable conferences, and panel discussions focusing on the investment opportunities in the eight northeastern states of India.

To finalise strategies, deliberate, ideate and explore trade and investment opportunities in the northeast region, a roundtable interaction with bilateral

chambers and trade associations in India was recently held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the official said.

He said that DoNER (Development of Northeast Region) Ministry Joint Secretary Harpreet Singh chaired the roundtable interaction meet, where diplomats and envoys from the US, SAARC, EU, ASEAN, Canada, UAE, Dubai, Japan and Finland took part.

Invest India and FICCI have been onboarded as investment facilitation partner and industry partner respectively. Singh apprised that the event would provide a platform for an immersive collaboration between select foreign embassies, the business communities, financial institutions, and relevant

Chennai, April 27 (IANS) The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 will fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and India's aspirations to be self-reliant with regard to medical devices, said a top official of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD).

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday

approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.

"We congratulate the Government wholeheartedly for approving the much-needed, long awaited direction we had sought since the initial draft policy of June 2014 for a National Medical Devices Policy," Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD said.

Medical devices policy aims to make India one of top 5 global suppliers: AiMeD

South-East Queensland’s newest suburbs officially named

of development at Caboolture West.

The area will accommodate a variety of affordable and diverse housing options and provide for four State primary schools and two State secondary schools, four neighbourhood hubs, 15 local parks and a range of other key features and infrastructure to create a sustainable and liveable community.

- celebrate the local wildlife, plants and rocks found in the area.”

Quotes attributable to Traditional Owners:

1. Associate Professor Eve Fesl, Gubbi Gubbi Senior Elder

Five new suburbs have been created in the Caboolture West area to make way for future growth.

Caboolture West is one of South East Queensland’s largest greenfield growth areas, expected to be home to about 70,000 residents over the next 40 years.

The Palaszczuk Government has been working with the Moreton Bay Regional Council to coordinate land supply for future housing needs.

The names of south-east Queensland’s newest suburbs have been revealed after extensive consultation and support from the community.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart announced the new suburbs and boundaries of Waraba, Lilywood, Wagtail Grove, Greenstone and Corymbia at Caboolture West, north-west of Brisbane.

The suburb names celebrate Indigenous language, local wildlife, plants and rocks found in the area.

The suburb of Waraba, which will likely accommodate part of the town centre, is the Kabi Kabi word for ‘burn’ and refers to the traditional land management practices of the Kabi Kabi People.

The Palaszczuk Government has been working with Moreton Bay Regional Council to facilitate the development of the area, projected to be home to about 70,000 residents over the next 40 years.

The five proposed names were put forward after the Moreton Bay Regional Council undertook extensive engagement with the community and stakeholders, as part of the place naming project established in 2021.

Three more suburbs may be needed in the future to accommodate projected growth.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $25 million to bring forward water and sewer infrastructure for the first stages

To accommodate the new suburbs, the boundaries of Wamuran, Bellmere, Rocksberg and Upper Caboolture have also been amended.

Quotes attributable to Police Minister and member for Morayfield Mark Ryan:

“It’s great to see the community get involved and come together to come up with these names.

“The name of a place is very important because it becomes the area’s identity and forms a connection with everyone who chooses to live there.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart:

“Over the next 40 years, Caboolture West will develop to the size of a regional city similar in size to Rockhampton, accommodating about 30,000 new homes.

“The formation of these suburb names has been empowered by community involvement to promote local connections to Indigenous language, wildlife, plants and rocks, and it’s something they should take great pride in.

Quotes attributable to the Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council, Peter Flannery:

“Council identified the naming of the new Caboolture West suburbs as an important community consultation piece from the outset, so that residents could take ownership and be proud of the region they live in,” he said.

“As a result, we initiated what has become the largest community consultation process in Queensland’s history for a place naming project.

“The aim was to get ahead of the developers by putting the power into the hands of residents, and in return we received an amazing 572 ideas for names from our community.

“The names of the other four suburbs - Lilywood, Wagtail Grove, Greenstone and Corymbia

2. Mr Norman Bond (Applicant) and Mr Kerry Jones (Applicant) on behalf of the Kabi Kabi First Nation Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group “Place names are a way to recognise the valuable role our culture plays in the history and future the area.

“The name Waraba is significant for us.

“It means ‘burn’ and refers to our traditional land management practices that were carried out all over Country, including the Caboolture West area.

“Many native flora and fauna species rely on cool burning to thrive season after season.

Quotes attributable to local resident Peter Zillman: Long-time local resident Peter Zillman is a sixth-generation local to the Caboolture West regionwith his family having arrived in 1858.

Mr Zillman participated in the Suburb Boundary Focus Groups established by the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Although he liked the era of the dairy and banana farms and knowing all his neighbours, Mr Zillman claims it’s “to the future we owe allegiance,” he said. Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman:

“The Palaszczuk Government broadly supports the QLRC’s recommendations and is committed to decriminalising the sex work industry – improving safety for workers while meeting the expectations of the community.”

“As part of its review, the QLRC found that a majority of submissions from across the State were overwhelmingly opposed to any continued criminal law specifically targeting sex workers.”

“I’d like to thank the QLRC and its staff for their comprehensive work preparing recommendations for a decriminalised framework that will now be thoroughly examined by the State Government.”

New Racing Queensland CEO appointed

• Jason Scott appointed new RQ CEO

• Strong experience set to hold Mr Scott in good stead

• Racing continues to grow under the Palaszczuk Government

Racing Queensland has new leadership following the appointment of highly regarded wagering professional Jason Scott as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Scott has been based in the United States as the Vice

Mr Scott’s experience, wagering background and strong network across Queensland made him the strongest candidate for the role of leading Queensland’s almost $2 billion racing industry. The new appointment comes at a key time for racing in Queensland, with the recent commencement of the Palaszczuk Government’s more sustainable funding model that is seeing 80 percent Betting Tax revenue reinvested back into the industry, having allowed a $31 million boost to prize money in 2023.

Quotes attributable to Racing Minister Grace Grace:

“Since the Palaszczuk Government came to office in 2015, Racing Queensland and the broader industry have overcome significant challenges and gone from strength to strength.

“With more prize money available, major infrastructure being delivered, and greater support for country racing, I look forward to working with Jason Scott to ensure the best is yet to come for racing in the Sunshine State.”

Quotes attributable to incoming Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott:

“The impact of the Queensland racing industry is incredible and touches every corner of the state.

“Under the Board’s leadership, the organisation has made incredible strides and my role will be to enhance that in the coming years through continued innovation

of our racing calendar, greater commerciality and delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure.

“This includes stimulating wagering growth and working with Tabcorp to increase parimutuel betting on Queensland product.

“There’s a really solid platform to work from, and an ambitious and clearly defined strategy that I’m looking forward to leading with the Board and Management.

“The Queensland Government has also been great supporters of racing and I look forward to that continuing during my time at the helm.”

Quotes attributable to RQ Chair Steve Wilson AM:

“It’s an exciting period for Jason to take the reins at Racing Queensland.

“With record-breaking returns to participants, and more prize money than ever before, we intend to change the face of racing in the Sunshine State over the next five years.

“This includes $450 million of catalytic infrastructure projects such as the redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club, along with the establishment of the new world-class Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre and Queensland Harness Centre.

“The role was highly coveted, and throughout the recruitment process, it became clear that Jason was the outstanding candidate.”

Government to decriminalise sex work

• A review of a decriminalised framework for the sex work industry has been completed by the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) with findings provided to Government.

• The QLRC’s recommendations provide a framework to enact a safe, decriminalised sex work industry, while improving the health, safety, rights and legal protections for workers.

• The Palaszczuk Government broadly supports the recommendations and is committed to decriminalising the sex work industry to protect the rights of all Queenslanders, while balancing the needs and expectations of the community.

• The Queensland Government will carefully consider the QLRC’s recommendations in future legislation.

An independent review of a decriminalised sex work industry in Queensland has been finalised, making 47 recommendations and providing a supportive framework for implementation.

research and consultation with stakeholder groups and the public, while considering laws in other Australian jurisdictions, including the Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand.

Findings note the need for a modernisation of Queensland laws and legislation surrounding the sex work industry, with the same general laws applying to businesses and workers without discrimination.

Recommendations include changes to the current licensing system and removing barriers to workers using safety strategies which are currently criminalised. While the QLRC’s recommendations did not include regulation of the adult entertainment industry or amendments to the Liquor Act 1992, the Queensland Government will work with relevant stakeholders to consider these issues.

President Trading, VIP and Retail Operations for BetMGM, and before that served as the CEO of Ladbrokes Australia from 2017 to 2019.

Standing out in Racing Queensland’s selection process,

The Palaszczuk Government has indicated its broad support for the recommendations and announced its commitment to decriminalising sex work in Queensland.

The QLRC review included extensive evidence-based

The Queensland Government will undertake consultation on any future legislation to implement a decriminalised framework.

A copy of the report: A decriminalised sex-work industry for Queensland is available online at: https://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/ current-reviews

Australia’s mega renewable energy project temporarily halted after fatal crash

Extending condolences to the bereaved family, friends and workmates of the victim, Snowy Hydro confirmed that the vehicle involved is a Snowy 2.0 project truck.

"This is a tragic event and we are supporting our Snowy 2.0 Principal Contractor, Future Generation Joint Venture (FGJV), our teams and all those impacted in the community at this very sad and difficult time," said Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes.

Canberra, April 25 (IANS)

Australia's government-owned energy company Snowy Hydro has temporarily halted the work of its mega renewable energy project after a truck driver died in a single-vehicle crash.

"Snowy Hydro Limited (SHL) notified the government of the incident this afternoon and has advised that the site has been shut down for the night and tomorrow (Tuesday)," Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Minister for the Public Service Katy Gallagher said in a joint statement.

"The government expects the

highest standards of safety at Snowy 2.0 and all worksites, and will engage closely with SHL and unions in the aftermath of this tragic incident," they added.

According to police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), just after 1.10 p.m. on Monday, emergency services were called to the Snowy Mountains Highway in Snowy Monaro Region, following reports of a crash, reports Xinhua news agency.

A truck had crashed and rolled, trapping the driver who later died at the scene.

According to the company, Snowy 2.0 is a major pumpedhydro project in Australia, which will add 2,000 megawatts of dispatchable, on-demand generating capacity and approximately 350,000-megawatt hours of large-scale storage to the National Electricity Market. The project involves linking two existing dams in NSW, Tantangara, and Talbingo, through 27 km of tunnels and building a new underground power station.

Work on Snowy 2.0 has been underway since early 2019.

Former OFBJP Australia chief found guilty of sexual offenses

suppressed" in the last four years. When police raided Dhankhar's CBD apartment in October 2018, they found dozens of videos of him having sex with women who would either be unconscious, or struggling.

The videos were sorted into folders, each labeled with a Korean woman's name.

became unbearable, they asked Judge Michael King to send them home early.

Melbourne, April 24 (IANS) Balesh

Dhankhar, identified as one of the founders of the Australia division of the 'Overseas Friends of BJP', has been convicted of drugging and raping five women he met through false employment advertisements, a media report said.

Dhankhar "cried" as a District Court jury in Sydney's Downing Centre on Monday found him guilty of each of the 39 charges against him, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

He faced 13 charges of rape, six of administering an intoxicating substance with intent to enable himself to rape, 17 of recording intimate videos without consent, and three of indecent assault, making him one of the worst rapists in Sydney's recent history. For these crimes committed between January and October 2018, Dhankhar had been attempting to "have his name

"Small drugged Korean f---ed webcam roleplay", one video bookmarked on his computer was titled, the Herald reported.

When Crown prosecutor Kate Nightingale pointed out in a trial this month that "You (Dhankhar) thought it was fun a watching Korean women who were unconscious, impaired", Dhankhar replied: "It is just a porn video, it has nothing to do with the unconscious, impaired."

The court was told that he would put out ads seeking to hire Korean-English speakers and would often meet the women at Sydney's Hilton Hotel bar, up the road from his apartment.

Dhankhar gave the women -- who were alone, desperate for work, and new in Sydney -- wine or ice cream laced with sedatives.

The sexual assaults were recorded using a camera hidden in his bedside alarm clock and on Dhankhar's phone.

According to The Herald, the jury "writhed" as they watched the videos, and at one stage when it

The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), Australia had reportedly played a pivotal role in organizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reception in Sydney in 2014. As the trial was underway, the organization said that Dhankhar had resigned from the organization in 2018. "Balesh Dhankar resigned from OFBJP Australia in July 2018. We strongly condemn his actions and he must face the full force of law," the organization tweeted.

Dhankhar, who was assigned a rising star barrister, sold his family's assets and properties to fund his legal defense, the newspaper reported. He will face court again in May and will be sentenced later in the year.

Dawn

Army Corps -- and the pride they took in that name continues to this day.

Canberra, April 25 (IANS) Tens of thousands of Australians gathered before sunrise on Tuesday to commemorate Anzac Day and pay their respects to those who fought and died for the country. Dawn services were held across the country to honor the contributions of Australian defense personnel, reports Xinhua news agency.

On April 25, 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as 'ANZAC' -- Australian and New Zealand

services held across Australia on Anzac Day AUSTRALIA TO HOST QUAD LEADERS’ SUMMIT

From PMO office: On 24 May Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Sydney.

It will be the first time Australia has hosted the Quad Leaders’ Summit and follows the Prime Minister’s attendance at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo in May 2022. It will be the third in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit.

The Prime Minister looks forward to welcoming his Quad counterparts to Australia for the Summit. These visits build on the meetings the Prime Minister has already had with Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Biden.

The Quad is a diplomatic partnership of four countries committed to promoting stability, resilience, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Australia, India, Japan, and the United States share a vision for a region that is governed by accepted rules and norms, where we all can cooperate, trade, and thrive.

Together, Quad partners are taking practical action to address shared regional challenges, including improving regional health security, advancing critical and emerging technologies, strengthening connectivity, enhancing clean energy innovation, and boosting supply chain resilience.

This year Quad partners are playing a strong leadership role in the Indo-Pacific through

In Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes at the Australian War Memorial, saying it was important to remember the contributions of those who did not make it home. "It is a collective act of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude, one carried out by multiple generations of Australians and devoted to multiple generations," he said. Following the services, Anzac Day marches will be held in every major city in Australia throughout the day.

Anzac Day remembrance takes two forms. Commemorative services are held at dawn -- the time of the original landing in Gallipoli -- across the nation. Later in the day, former servicemen and women meet to take part in marches through the major cities and in many smaller centers.

Commemorative ceremonies are more formal and are held at war memorials around the country.

hosting the G20 (India), G7 (Japan), and APEC (US). In Sydney, Quad Leaders will discuss how the Quad can work alongside partners and regional groupings, foremost ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum, to strengthen our cooperation and shape the region we all want to live in.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I am honored to host the first ever Quad Leaders’ Summit in Australia in Sydney.”

“Quad partners are deeply invested in the success of the Indo-Pacific. Leveraging our collective strengths helps Australia advance its interests and more effectively respond to the region’s needs. We are always better off when we act together with our close friends and partners.”

“The Quad is committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is respectful of sovereignty and ensures security and growth for all. I look forward to discussing with Quad Leaders how we –alongside important regional institutions, such as ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and our regional partners – can shape the Indo-Pacific region we all want to live in.”

Venezuelan govt backs peace talks with opposition: President

adding that his government has a "vocation for dialogue" and has "always sought" an agreement towards recovery and the prosperity of the people.

Speaking on his new television program, Maduro said he wanted "the international conference in Bogota to be a complete success for President Gustavo Petro, for Venezuela, for Latin America and for the Caribbean.

Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon indigenous lands jumps 129% in 2013-2021

Caracas, April 26 (IANS)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has affirmed his government's support for peace talks with the opposition as an international forum on the country's political crisis opened in neighbouring Colombia.

Convened by Colombian President Gustavo Petro in

Bogota, the International Conference on the Political Process in Venezuela aims to promote dialogue between Maduro's government and opposition groups, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Venezuela promotes and supports the peace talks," Maduro posted on his Twitter account,

"We are committed to doing everything that needs to be done to make the conference a success for peace and the sovereignty of Venezuela," Maduro said. He stressed, however, that to make progress towards dialogue with the opposition, it was necessary to "lift all US sanctions" against the South American country.

Petro said that "20 countries are already in Bogota with their Foreign Ministries" to participate in the conference.

Pakistan can take battle into enemy territory: DG ISPR

Talking about the ceasefire violations along the LoC, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan had shot down at least six quad copters, stating that Pakistan Army is prepared to deal with any such attempts by India.

Chaudhry's strong remarks come at a time when a Pakistani delegation has just crossed over to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will be participating in the meeting virtually.

The significance of the military establishment's strong position against India through such statements, would also have a major impact on the upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa next month which will be attended by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in person.

Brasilia, April 26 (IANS) Illegal deforestation on indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon jumped 129 per cent between 2013 and 2021, a study released by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation revealed.

This generated 96 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, with 59 per cent occurring between 2019 and 2021, the study published in the journal "Scientific Reports" detailed.

The study analysed 232 indigenous territories and found deforestation in the territories reached 1,708 square km, equivalent to 2.38 per cent of the Brazilian Amazon, reports Xinhua

news agency.

"Deforestation also creates other problems inside these areas, such as the spread of diseases and threats to the survival of isolated indigenous peoples," said Celso Silva, professor in biodiversity and conservation at the Federal University of Maranhao.

Guilherme Mataveli, one of the co-authors of the study, said that indigenous lands are "essential" for Brazil to meet such environmental goals as reducing the impacts of climate change, since the South American country holds 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest.

Germany’s housing crisis worsens as construction orders fall

costs are driving projects into inefficiency," Mueller added. Due to increased interest and material costs, the number of building permits in Germany fell for the 10th month in a row in February, Destatis said.

Only 22,300 new homes were approved, 20.6 per cent fewer than in the same month last year.

Islamabad, April 26 (IANS) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General (DG) of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has asserted that Jammu and Kashmir "was never and will never become a part of India", adding that any "misadventure" by New Delhi against Islamabad can be responded befittingly.

In his maiden press conference since taking charge as head of the military's media affairs wing in December 2022, the DG ISPR accused India of committing over 56 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).

"If, due to any miscalculation and misunderstanding, India tries to conspire against Pakistan, then we will give a befitting reply. There should be no doubt about it," he said.

Talking about the country's armed forces readiness to respond to any emergency situation, Chaudhry said that if the "Indian propaganda against Pakistan" continues and a situation of confrontation arises, then "we can take this battle to the enemy's territory as well if required".

Pakistan-India relations have been at the lowest since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution to change the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

Since then, Pakistan has cut off trade and diplomatic ties with India, demanding a reversal of the decision, which it terms as a violation of the UN resolution.

Pakistan maintains that India's unilateral decision on Kashmir is unacceptable as the dispute is a bilateral matter between the two countries.

Berlin, April 26 (IANS) The crisis in Germany's housing sector has worsened, with new orders in building construction falling by 29 per cent year-on-year in February, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said.

The decline in building construction was also reflected in a drop in new orders for the construction industry as a whole, which were down 15.4 per cent year-on-year in February, Xinhua news agency reported citing Destatis as saying.

At the same time, industry sales only fell 6.8 per cent, it added.

"Residential construction is in freefall," said Tim-Oliver Mueller, chief executive of the German Construction Industry Association.

"Skyrocketing construction

"The order books are running dry," said Felix Pakleppa, chief executive of the German Construction Federation (ZDB), urging "clear and simple funding conditions as quickly as possible" to meet the rising demand for housing.

In 2022, Germany again missed its target of 400,000 new homes per year.

The government does not expect to reach the target for this year either.

Record immigration is exacerbating the housing shortage in Germany.

According to official figures, more than 1.4 million people arrived in the country last year, mainly from the war-torn Ukraine.

As a result, the country's population rose to an all-time high of 84.3 million.

New Zealand Reserve Bank proposes to ease LVR restrictions

to financial stability posed by high-LVR lending have reduced to a level where the current restrictions may be unnecessarily reducing efficiency, and in particular, impeding the provision of credit to some otherwise creditworthy borrowers, which is not proportionate to the level of risk that we see," said RBNZ Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby.

National house prices have fallen towards a level that is more consistent with medium-term fundamentals. As a result, while house prices may continue to fall, the probability of a further large correction in house prices has reduced, Hawkesby said.

Fighting in Sudan is turning humanitarian crisis into catastrophe: UN official

A humanitarian crisis is quickly turning into a catastrophe," she warned.

Wellington, April 26 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) on Wednesday said it is proposing to ease mortgage loanto-value ratio (LVR) restrictions, with effect from June 1, which will have an impact on the real estate market.

In a statement, the central bank said that LVR restrictions promote financial stability by limiting high-risk mortgage lending, reports Xinhua news agency.

This is done with the aim of

reducing the impact and severity of housing market corrections by increasing the resilience of the banking system and households, it added.

Current LVR settings were put in place in November 2021 when risks were elevated. The restrictions have built resilience in the financial system, which has been evident in the past year as house prices have fallen without widespread impacts on financial stability, the statement said.

"Our assessment is that the risks

Alongside this, lending conditions have tightened significantly as banks' debt servicing assessments allow for higher interest rates, he said, adding that restrictions on high-LVR residential mortgage lending set a "speed limit" on how much new low-deposit lending banks can do. The RBNZ is consulting on the implementation of this proposal over the next two weeks with registered banks. Members of the public are also welcome to provide feedbacks on the proposal.

6.6 mn people in Somalia still face humanitarian crisis: Report

through at least June 2023, and likely through late 2023," it said.

According to the IPC, improved humanitarian access and coverage in areas affected by insecurity and conflict is also essential to reach populations in greatest need.

"Providing timely support to poor farmers to take advantage of the ongoing Gu season rainfall is recommended," said the report, adding that in addition to scaledup and sustained humanitarian assistance, complementary recovery and development assistance are required to address the underlying cause of acute food insecurity and malnutrition and rebuild livelihood.

Khartoum, April 26 (IANS)

Fighting in Sudan is quickly turning an already dire humanitarian crisis into a catastrophe, said UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya.

What has been unfolding in Sudan since April 15, when violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces broke out, is a nightmare for ordinary citizens and aid workers alike, she told the Security Council in a briefing. Even prior to April 15, humanitarian needs in Sudan were at a record high. Up to 15.8 million people -- a staggering one-third of the country's population -- needed humanitarian aid, she said, adding that four million children and pregnant and lactating women were malnourished. Some 3.7 million people were internally displaced, Msuya added.

"This conflict will not only deepen those needs. It also threatens to unleash an entirely new wave of humanitarian challenges. Fighting is massively impeding and imperiling aid operations.

More than 450 people have been killed and over 4,000 others injured. At least 20 hospitals have been forced to close due to damage, military use, or lack of resources. Power cuts and fuel shortages risk damaging vaccine stocks and water supplies, a precursor to the spread of disease, said Msuya.

There have been numerous reports of sexual and genderbased violence. The toll on mental health and psychological wellbeing, especially among children, is unimaginable, she added.

Msuya said the world body's commitment to the people of Sudan remains resolute even though the situation is extremely dangerous and alarming, adding that the UN is exploring ways to replenish stockpiles so that it can deliver aid to partners in Port Sudan and elsewhere, as soon as it is safe to do so.

The UN is activating a hub in Nairobi, Kenya, to support the rapid response, and is preparing for refugee influxes into countries across the region, she said, adding that tens of thousands of people have arrived in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

"What the people of Sudan need, what we need to reach them, is an immediate ceasefire and a lasting solution to the crisis," said Msuya.

Mogadishu, April 26 (IANS)

Nearly 6.6 million people in Somalia still face crisis or worse acute food insecurity outcomes despite relative improvement in rainfall forecast and decline in food prices, the UN-backed report showed.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said levels of acute food insecurity remain very high in Somalia through at least June, with 39 per cent of the total population in need of urgent humanitarian assistance despite the decline in the risk of famine over the same period, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Sharply rising food prices since mid-2021 have been one of the key drivers of worsening acute

food insecurity in most parts of Somalia," said the IPC.

According to the IPC, the previously estimated total burden of acute malnutrition among children under five years of age remains valid, with approximately 1.8 million children expected to be acutely malnourished in Somalia from January to December 2023, including 477,700 who are projected to be severely malnourished.

"To prevent worsening of food insecurity and nutrition outcomes, additional coordinated funding is urgently needed for scaling up and sustaining high levels of multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance that includes food security, nutrition, health, and WASH interventions

An updated forecast for the April to June Gu season points to a relatively better seasonal rainfall than previously anticipated across most parts of Somalia.

The IPC report, however, said floods due to heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers in March have also been reported in Gedo and other regions in southern Somalia, killing scores of people, displacing tens of thousands, and destroying property.

It warned of an increased risk of flooding if heavy rains continue in Somalia and in the upper catchments of the Shabelle and Juba rivers in southeastern Ethiopia.

35,999

Afghan refugees return home from Iran

Kabul, April 26 (IANS) A total of 35,999 Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring Iran over one month, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Afghan refugees who used to stay in Iran for years have returned to their homeland in Afghanistan in the past month, and the process of returning the refugees to their country continues, Xinhua news agency quoted local media as saying.

A couple of months ago Bakhtar also reported the return of more than 300,000 Afghan refugees from Iran to Afghanistan. More than 2.5 million registered

Afghan refugees reportedly have been living in Iran and about the same number are living in Pakistan. The Taliban government has been calling upon Afghan refugees living abroad to return home and contribute to the reconstruction of their home country. According to the UN, Afghans make up one of the largest refugee populations worldwide. There are 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees in the world, of whom 2.2 million are registered in Iran and Pakistan alone.

Another 3.5 million people are internally displaced, having fled their homes searching for refuge within the country.

WORLD THIS WEEK

In collaboration with National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru

Republic and Mali. It has also shown interest in deploying its troops to the southern coast of the U.S. in Haiti. “They’ll work for anyone and offer dictators coup security,” Vice News reported, referring to vulnerable national leaders who might employ the Russian mercenaries as private security details and a loyal military force.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict from a Tactical Lens ALSO

First, a negative prediction for Ukraine’s air force and counteroffensive. The document leak confirmed that Ukraine is fighting with limited air defence systems. Since 2023, Ukraine began demanding modern aviation and fighter jets which can change the gears from defensive to offensive. It faces a threat of exhaustion of medium to high-range air-defence systems (S-300, SA-3, and SA12) such as IRIS-T by March, SA-11 by April, and NASAMS by May 2023. Additionally, the inability to match the “Russian air superiority,” and increased usage of SA-10, while SA-11 depletes. It claims the increased capability of Russia in ariel manoeuvring and improved accuracy in “long-range munitions.”

Second, fragility and frustration in the Ukraine Armed Forces (UAF). The maps in the leaked documents disclose the vulnerable position of the Ukraine forces in the southwest, northern, eastern, and southern. It confirms the Russian encirclement of the Bakhmut, leaving out West of Bakhmut, the only supply route for UAF subject to attacks. The document also confirms the defeat of Ukraine's forces in the north, forcing it to withdraw from Berkhivka resulting in the loss of the Ground Line of Communication (GLOC) between Bakhmut and the M-03 highway. This highway is considered essential for Ukraine as it connects to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, losing the GLOC would challenge its ground force operation. To ease the difficult position in the Bakhmut, Ukraine plans to involve Shaman or Kraken units of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) for a maximum of two weeks. In the battle of Bakhmut as per the leaked documents, clashes have emerged between the UAF and Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), as UAF demands only the “combat element” of the HUR units without its “command

and control.” HUR Officer has criticized the UAF leadership for asking only for combat as it mandates a “clear ground control” to reduce the complexities faced by Ukraine forces and to secure Yahidne (located in the centre of Bakhmut, another side of Berkhivka). Securing Yahidne is crucial for Ukraine as it is predicted to host an important supply road for Ukraine.

Third, third-party entities and the US allies' role in military support and strengthening. Throughout the war, Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of receiving support from external actors. On the one hand, the US, the EU, and NATO allies have been supporting Ukraine. On the other, Belarus and Iran have been supporting Russia. The leak has exposed the involvement of other actors in the conflict and revealed the military exercises conducted by NATO allies in a 24-48 hours span. The documents confirm the transfer of the Iskander-M division, and Russia’s air defence units into Belarus to launch an offensive into Ukraine. This shows Belarus’s approval to switch from training to launching an offensive into Ukraine from its territory. In the case of South Korea, it has faced pressure from the US to send ammunition to Ukraine. To avoid the public debate of it adhering to US’s demand, it has tried to circumvent its support through Poland, although Poland’s reaction was yet to be verified. For Israel, which has so far agreed to provide non-lethal aid to Ukraine, the documents reveal the possibility of different scenarios which can prompt it to provide lethal aid to Ukraine. Especially under the pressure of the US, a shift in Russia’s behaviour in Syria and its relations with Iran. Apart from this, the most surprising element would be the engagement of the “joint staff” of the US, the UK, France, Latvia, and the Netherlands in Ukraine. The joint land, sea, and air military exercises held between the southeast Flank of Europe, NATO allies, and numerous training camps held by the US,

Germany, and Netherlands for UAF showcase the intensity and depths of military strengthening.

Fourth, a grim overview of Russia in the battle for Donbas. When Russia began the war, the first step was to proclaim Donetsk and Luhansk regions as its republics. The war later north and south of Ukraine created an inverted “c.” This area coming under Russia’s control announced the annexation of the republics along with Zaporizhzhia and Kherson despite Ukraine's successful counteroffensive in Kherson. As a result of Russia’s determination to counter Ukraine’s defence, challenges in terms of logistics, command control, and personnel emerged. The same has been validated by the leaked documents. It states that due to Russia’s decision to involve the forces from the self-proclaimed republics, the Wagner Group, its private military security along with the Russian forces in different tactical attacks has led to exhaustion. Therefore, predicting a difficult recovery of Russian forces and replenishment of stocks, resulted in a “stalemate” beyond 2023.

The Wagner group, in the past months, has been complaining of a short supply of weapons to their war-fighting troops in Ukraine. With this background, the documents reveal the group’s efforts to reach out to other countries to meet their requirements. In early 2023, the group was reported to have

sought munitions and equipment from China. However, China has so far not sent any weapons or scripted a contract with the group regarding weapons deliveries. With Turkiye, the group has sought drones, counter-battery systems, howitzer artillery, and electronic warfare systems. The document also reports the Turkish refusal of some of these requests. In the case of Belarus, it was reported that Minsk had already delivered 50 per cent of unspecified weapons promised by early January 2023, and had offered the group to send 300,000 VOG-17 grenade launcher rounds. With Syria, the group bought six SPG-9 grenade launchers and 180 grenades.

Japan: Alarmed by North Korean spy satellites, prepares to shoot down if it breaches territory

On 22 April, Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada alarmed the military to prepare to shoot down any North Korean spy satellite in case it falls within Japanese territory. He also ordered to the deployment of troops in the southern prefecture of Okinawa in case the ballistic missiles fail. This comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the expedited launch of their first-ever spy satellite India: Visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia

while submerged, but the Iranian submarine Fateh detected it and carried out manoeuvres to force it to surface as it went through the Strait.” The submarine corrected its course after being warned. Iran said that the matter would be taken to relevant international bodies. The US Navy, however, did not issue a statement regarding the issue.

Europe: NATO Chief's Stresses on Stopping Russian Aggression

The Wagner group is led by Putin ally Yevegeny Prigozhin, known as "Putin's chef.” Wagner group has emerged as one the most popularly talked about aspects of the Russian efforts in the War in Ukraine.

First, the observation of Wagner’s renewed recruitment process. The documents alleging the Wagner group’s resumed recruitment refer to Project 42174. This project is aimed at recruiting, training and integrating Russian convicts to fight the War. The document refers to a moment when the senior Wagner officials were stationed at 70 prisoner recruitment points and in its background, the Russian MoD recalling their recruits.

Second, the deployment of mercenaries in Africa and South America. The Wagner Group sent their troops to the Central African

On 17 April, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Denis Manturov arrived in India. Along with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, he chaired the 24th session of the Intergovernmental Commission. Both sides reviewed the bilateral relations and also highlighted the imbalance of bilateral trade. They also discussed the issue of payments due to the sanctions in Russia.

Iran: US submarine made to surface in Iranian waters

On 20 April, NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine for the first time since the war. On the question of Ukraine joining NATO, Stoltenberg said that its accession would be a priority in its agenda in the upcoming July summit. He added: "Ukraine's future is in the Euro-Atlantic family, Ukraine's future is in NATO, all allies agree on that." The surprise visit was due to Ukraine's ongoing preparation for the "Spring counteroffensive." In his address, he highlighted that EUR 150 billion in support was being provided by NATO allies and training help to the soldiers. Although the time period of the war was unknown, he stressed that Russia's aggression has to be "stopped."

About the Authors

On 20 April, an Iranian official said that the US Navy submarine was made to surface in the Strait of Hormuz, violating the Iranian borders. Commander Shahram Irani said that “the US submarine was approaching

Harini Madhusudan, Rashmi Ramesh, Akriti Sharma and Ankit Singh are PhD scholars in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Padmashree Anandhan, Anu Maria Joseph, and Femy Francis are Research Associates at NIAS. The report has been modified due to space considerations.

Authored by Harini Madhusudan, Rashmi Ramesh, Akriti Sharma, Ankit Singh, Padmashree Anandhan, Anu Maria Joseph, and Femy Francis

2. An Increasing Presence of Wagner

Microsoft reports $53 bn in sales, net income up amid AI push

"Across the Microsoft Cloud, we are the platform of choice to help customers get the most value out of their digital spend and innovate for this next generation of AI," he said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Chennai-based ed-tech startup

Skill-Lync lays off employees

outcomes using a combination of technology and experts.

San Francisco, April 26 (IANS)

Riding on its Cloud and the new AI business, Microsoft has reported $52.9 billion in sales, up 7 percent with net income at $18.3 billion, which increased 9 percent (year-on-year) in its quarter ended March 31.

Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT has become a rage

worldwide, and has the capability to transform many industries.

"The world's most advanced AI models are coming together with the world's most universal user interface -- natural language -to create a new era of computing," said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, of Microsoft.

Microsoft Cloud reported revenue of $28.5 billion, up 22 percent year-over-year, said the company. Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $17.5 billion and increased by 11 percent, while LinkedIn revenue increased by 8 percent. However, sales in the 'More Personal Computing' segment were $13.3 billion and decreased by 9 percent and Windows OEM revenue decreased by 28 percent. Microsoft returned $9.7 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

HerKey secures $4 mn funding from Kalaari, 360 ONE Asset to create a more inclusive workforce for women in India

women in India." Under Neha's leadership, HerKey has grown to service over 3.5 million women across India and plans to scale to power 30 million women's careers in India.

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS)

Chennai-based ed-tech startup Skill-Lync has laid off employees as it consolidates operations across Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad amid global macroeconomic conditions. Launched in April 2015 by Surya Narayanan P (CEO) and Sarangarajan V (CTO), the edtech upskilling startup aims to address the lack of quality and application-based learning in the undergraduate engineering education system.

Startup news portal Inc42 was the first to report about the layoffs at Skill-Lync, numbering 400 as per its sources, that likely impacted sales, marketing, tech, and talent acquisition teams.

"Given the macroeconomic conditions, we've decided to moderate our growth expectations and slow down some of our projects focused on the future," Surya Narayanan, CoFounder of Skill-Lync, told IANS in a statement.

"This led to some role redundancy. We've decided to consolidate our operations across Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad with only corporatefacing teams operating from Pune/Delhi which further led to some headcount reduction," he added.

Skill-Lync focuses on providing industry-relevant and job-leading courses for engineering students/ graduates across all disciplines.

As last reported, it had 30,000 students pursuing coursework curated by global industry experts and validated by more than 350 hiring companies.

There are 6-12 month postgraduate courses focused on providing industry-relevant technical knowledge to students along with a strong portfolio of projects that are aimed to help them get relevant jobs.

Another six-month program at its physical centers gives students access to hands-on practical experience and is equipped with industry-relevant skills from the experts.

Bengaluru, April 26 (IANS)

HerKey, the leading career engagement platform for women in India, has announced a $4 million funding round from Kalaari, 360 ONE Asset, earlier known as IIFL Asset Management (IIFL AMC), and angel investors, including Zia Mody, Puneet Dalmia, Pramit Jhaveri, Aditi & Shuchi Kothari, KP Balaraj, Ranjan Pai, Neeraj Bajaj, Akash Bhansali and others.

Formerly known as JobsForHer, HerKey has transformed into a career engagement platform that unlocks opportunities, learning, and communities for women in India by connecting them with career champions.

The platform seeks to address the gender gap in the Indian workforce, where only 20 per cent of women participate in the labour force, compared to 60 per cent in China and 55 per cent in the US. The company started by enabling women to restart their careers after a break, and it has grown to enable women to start, restart and rise in their careers.

Neha Bagaria, the Founder and CEO of HerKey, expressed her excitement at the funding round, by stating that "We are grateful to our esteemed investors for their support in helping us create a more inclusive workforce for

Companies use the HerKey platform to engage with women candidates in their entire career lifecycle, from recruitment to retention to promotion. HerKey's services are designed to support companies in building a diverse and inclusive workplace, attracting and retaining top talent, and creating a positive impact on their business. Currently, there are over 10,000 companies on the platform, and HerKey invites more companies to unlock opportunities, learning, and communities for women candidates on the platform.

"A crucial aspect of India's economic ascent in the coming decade will be increasing participation of women in the workforce. A digital platform like Herkey is the need of the hour to make progress towards this goal. HerKey helps women exchange diverse knowledge, perspectives and enables them to interact without being constrained by time and location.

Neha, as founder and CEO, has done a stellar job in creating pathways for many women to come back into the workforce after a break.

We have been impressed by HerKey's growth trajectory and look forward to partnering with them as they redefine the landscape of women's careers in India," said Vani Kola, Founder and Managing

Director of Kalaari Capital.

The investment was backed by Kalaari Capital through its CXXO programme that seeks to build a vibrant community of women leaders to champion the next generation of women founderCEOs for inclusive growth and opportunities to reach the top.

Commenting on the announcement, Nidhi Ghuman, Senior EVP, 360 ONE Asset, earlier known as IIFL Asset Management, stated: "We are thrilled to collaborate with Neha and her team in their efforts to establish a platform that enables women to excel and realize their maximum potential. Herkey, (formerly JobsforHer) has accomplished remarkable feats over the years, and the launch of this new platform is evidence of its commitment and achievements in recent times.

"Neha's leadership, passion and commitment to this business and its purpose has been a strong motivator for us to commit further to this opportunity.

On average 80 per cent women on a career break look forward to coming back into the workforce and we are delighted to participate in this endeavour to empower women and promote a more inclusive and equitable society."

As Neha Bagaria puts it, "We need to create a movement where everyone, including men, supports and champions women's careers. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable workforce, which will benefit all."

In the existing business, the company changed the delivery model to provide better learning

"We've also reduced the hierarchy in our organization for more agile decision-making and accountability," said Surya Narayanan.

US sign 23 MoUs on stronger ties in batteries, nuclear power

Seoul, April 26 (IANS) South Korea and the US have signed 23 initial agreements to boost bilateral cooperation on advanced industries and energy fields, such as batteries, robots and nuclear power generation, Seoul's industry ministry said. The memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed during a business partnership event in Washington, DC involving 45 senior corporate officials from the two nations on the sidelines of President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the US, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Of the agreements, 10 were on batteries, bio, aviation, robots, autonomous driving and other next-generation sectors, and the remaining 13 MOUs called for enhanced bilateral ties on energy industries, including hydrogen, nuclear power generation and carbon neutrality, it added, reports Yonhap news agency.

Participating South Korean companies include Doosan Co., SK Inc., Lotte Chemical and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. From the US side, Boeing, GE, ExxonMobil and Siemens attended the event, the ministry said.

In detail, Seoul's Korea Battery Industry Association and several other institutions signed an MOU

with the US' NATTBatt and agreed to conduct joint research and development regarding secondary batteries and boost technology and personnel exchanges.

Doosan and Doosan Robotics Inc. vowed to strengthen ties with the US' Rockwell Automation on technology development and marketing for smart factory operation.

South Korea's Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. and SK Innovation Co. signed an agreement with American nuclear engineering firm TerraPower to jointly push for a project for the construction and operation of fourth-generation small modular reactors.

In the clean energy sector, Lotte Chemical signed an MoU with CF Industries Holdings, a US ammonia producer, for collaboration in the production of blue ammonia in Louisiana and its application to electricity generation in South Korea, using carbon capture technologies.

Korea Electric Power Corp. and GE agreed upon stronger cooperation on development of technologies for hydrogen, ammonia and other renewable energy, according to the ministry.

S.Korea,

From the editor’s desk

The Rules of the Jungle

Recently a video of a tiger charging on a tourist safari around Jim Corbett National Park, India, surfaced on the internet. The video brings to the fore, the issue of human-wildlife conflict. Here’s a brief analysis of the rules when visiting a wildlife sanctuary in India.

It is integral to maintain a safe distance from the animal (approximately 20 metres or more). It was quite evident from the video that the tourist safari was trying to intrude into the tiger’s space by trying to be unreasonably close to the animal. The privacy of the national animal must be respected at all times. The video also highlighted that the driver diverged from the designated track for safaris and drove in the direction of the animal. It later reversed the vehicle when the tiger growled and charged toward the safari. Such a action is unpardonable as it amounts to flouting one of the most basic rules of a national park. Overspeeding is another infringement of the law and order of the home of the wild. The people on the safari, although invisible in the video seemed overly excited and fidgety. It is imperative to control one’s nerves when on a wildlife safari. Sudden movements of the body are prohibited at all times.

It is paramount to maintain cleanliness and preserve the beauty of the jungle. Littering is hence a massive don’t when visiting a wildlife park. Presence in the park in an inebriated state is questionable and punishable. It is the duty of the tourists to make sure they are sober when venturing into a wildlife park.

A year of crucial importance

D.C.Phatak

Babies, children up to a certain age and pets are not allowed in national parks. Any sort of quid pro quo between the tourists and the authorities is not only unethical but illegal. The video showed excitable tourists making noise in order to excite the tiger and expecting a reaction from the animal in return. The tiger instead growled and charged which petrified the tourists causing them to make even more horrendous noises disturbing the animal and the sanctity of its natural habitat. It is imperative that the visitors watch out for any loud music, noises, vibrations and conversations from their cell phones and among themselves respectively.

It is the duty of everyone sighting a tiger to make sure that the animal is not crowded. Usually, when a tiger is spotted, multiple jeeps swarm the poor animal thereby violating the rules of the jungle. Make sure that the jeep that first comes leaves in time to make space for other jeeps to enjoy the sighting. Getting out of the safari except when allowed to is not only dangerous but illegal. It is tantamount to putting one’s own life and the lives of others including the animals at risk.

Life is life – whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man’s own advantage ~Sri

Aurobindo

Written by Paras Sharma, assistant editor Australia India News.

India presently is in the midst of efforts by the Narendra Modi government to reach a new high in building international relations, maintain domestic peace in the face of a planned attempt of hostile forces within and abroad to push the country towards a serious communal divide and establish once againin the run-up to the next General Election - the image and strength of India as the world's largest democracy.

India's Presidency of G20, the challenge posed by the rise of minority politics at home and the concerted campaign of opposition parties including the regional entities against the ruling dispensation, all cumulatively add to the need for effective and firm governance in the country in the pre-election year.

Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy initiatives have enhanced India's image abroad and have also delivered on trade and economic relations, but the regime seems to be facing an increasing challenge in the area of internal security and stability because of divisive and disruptive politics at home and the organized attempts of antiIndia forces within and outside of the country to build a narrative that India was moving towards an authoritarian, majoritarian and non-secular rule.

India however, is used to the 'wisdom of the crowd' asserting itself in all critical situations and there is little doubt that in a national poll, people would make a sound judgment on the integrity of the Modi government, its political will in safeguarding national security and the sincerity of its efforts to develop the country economically.

India has made its G20 Presidency an event with a difference- its motto 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'World is one family' setting the note for a global mission that India wished to pursue on this forum.

Three distinct features of G20 attract attention - the rise of India as a major power in the world with considerable influence on issues of global peace and development, the continuity of the policy of bilateral relations extended to a multilateral format that guaranteed mutually beneficial outcomes for both security and economic advancement and the designing of G20 events in a manner that would promote domestic growth.

India is already the leading power in South Asia and the G20 Presidency has provided it with an opportunity of gaining the leadership of the South by propounding the cause of the less developed countries across the entire range of issues from economic support to an equal say in environment protection.

Nine of the twenty G20 members

and as many as seven of the nine invitees representing the South and India have done well to have deliberations on the specific matters of concern affecting them.

G20 meetings being held in Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir convey among other things, India's assertive answer to China and Pakistan who had been raising a dispute about these territories.

The domestic scene in India has for some time been subjected to communal divide, regional centrifugalism and politics of allegations about the style of functioning of the Modi government.

The phenomenon of the Hindu-Muslim divide creating communal violence in India was the inevitable legacy of Partition but the severity of riots did taper down with time. However, the schism between the two communities has been perpetuated because of the 'Minority politics' that the Ulema and the elite guiding the Muslims as also many of the political parties, indulged in for their vested interests - considering that as a useful aid in elections.

During the Modi regime forces in the opposition have constantly accused the former of promoting 'majoritarianism' for pushing the country towards Hindu rule and tried to build a narrative- in many cases in conjunction with anti-India lobbies abroad - that the minorities were feeling 'unprotected' under the present government.

The failure of an individual state government on the law and order front in any case of targeted public violence against individuals was unfairly blamed totally on the Centre - in disregard of the fact that the state was autonomous in handling crime and order in the Constitutional scheme of things. The threat to the internal security and stability of India is aggravated by the propaganda offensive of Pakistan alleging that the Muslim minority here was unsafe under the Modi rule and the attempt of that country to raise this question at the Organisation of Islamic Conference(OIC) on the plea that Muslims of India were part of 'Ummah' to which the entire Muslim world particularly Pakistan stood committed.

Pakistan, supported by China, has voiced its opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian Parliament, at the United Nations and implicitly projected Kashmir as a 'Muslim issue'.

India has taken appropriate measures on diplomatic, political and domestic fronts to counter the narrative floated by the adversaries.

In recent years, the communal divide has been exploited by anti-India forces within and outside of the country to foster faith-based militancy to foment

terrorism in India and enlarge the ambit of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir as well by injecting a religion-linked motivation. The trend that began with the formation of Indian Mujahideen (IM) as an offspring of the Students Islamic Movement of India(SIMI) - which had been established earlier by the Jamaate-Islami Hind at Aligarh in 1978culminated in the early Nineties into the call for Jehad in Kashmir replacing the earlier slogans of Plebiscite and Azaadi as Pak ISI planned to replicate the success of Afghan Jehad in the valley. The pro-Pak lobbies in India and abroad have continued to abstain from naming Pakistan for crossborder terrorism in Kashmir and have in fact joined hands in fomenting Muslim separatism by alleging that the Modi government was deviating from the democratic path, by voicing opposition to the current policy of 'no talks with Pakistan' and by even deprecating the advocacy of nationalism by the present regime.

In the run-up to the General Election next year the country is exposed to an ever-increasing Hindu-Muslim divide primarily because of the politicallymotivated campaign of the antiBJP forces to the effect that the Modi government was pursuing the RSS agenda of establishing Hindu Rashtra in India and working against the Muslim minority.

The Muslim minority is largely guided in politics by its leaders but the community is not a monolith in terms of its political stand. It is good to reach out to various segments and sects to gain their trust- this is precisely what the ruling dispensation is attempting to do.

The anti-BJP parties often in collaboration with civil society groups opposed to the Modi government are projecting the present regime as illiberal- given to nepotism and violation of Constitutional norms.

Indian electorate however is a shrewd judge of whether or not Prime Minister Modi was taking the country on the path of economic development, unfailing national security and special attention to the poor and the underprivileged. It can set its sights above the political tussles that were going on between the ruling party and its detractors. The pre-election year is crucial both for testing the rise of India as a global power and evaluating the Modi government's success in governance at home.

The presidency of G20 and the dynamic framework in which its international conferences had been planned would certainly equip India with unprecedented potential as a world power, make it the fastest growing economy, a tourist destination of repute

Continued on next page

Millennials: Reshaping the Indian real estate sector

sales in 2023 too, just like the past year. Property forecast by CREDAI revealed that property trends from 2022 in terms of residential sales will multiply in 2023. Here are how millennials are changing the Indian real estate landscape:

New Delhi, April 25 (IANSlife)

India is home to the largest millennial population, forming 34 per cent (440 million) of the total population of the country, as of 2021. Quite evidently, this makes the role of GenZ, a crucial role in defining the country's economy and the trends of the Indian real estate sector. With a positive attitude and high aspirations, GenZ has greater access to opportunities, education facilities, cushy jobs, and higher incomes, creating a conducive environment to invest in homes.

India has also emerged as the most sought-after destination which has been propelled by the IT boom, contributing to a larger demand for residential homes.

Indian millennials are also more inclined to own their own homes,

which can be contributed to the sentiment of family values, the idea of long-term future investment, and gaining a sense of pride and acceptance in the societal system.

What is driving millennials to buy their property?

Millennials, who are the largest demographic group in India, are redefining the country's real estate market in several ways. Financial prudence and economic forces are shaping the patterns of millennials in the coming year. The new breed of millennials is likely to turn from the 'carefree spender' to the 'conservative homebuyer', thereby taking the real estate market by storm. According to several statistics, in pursuit of financial stability, post-covid, millennials are going to drive the trend of residential

A year of crucial importance

Continued from previous page

and an attractive market for investment and would also reaffirm its democratic foundations.

Pakistan and China, the two hostile neighbors, would engage in putting down India's image as a self-supportive, secular and peace-loving democracy. However, the reform-oriented, growth driven and welfareminded rule of Prime Minister Modi is moving ahead along a nationalist path, undeterred by the distracting narratives built by anti-India forces within the country and outside.

The rise of the BJP government at the Centre has prompted some Tamil parties to revive their anti-North and anti-Hindi rhetoric for political reasons even though they knew that their state was completely integrated with the Central administrative mainstream.

Modi government needs to

critically examine the quality of law and order management offered by the states, work for effective oversight on the IAS and IPS as the civil services that provided a uniform, apolitical and people-oriented administration throughout the country and do all it takes to ensure that national security was kept above politics in this country. It should adopt bold measures to train, monitor and support the national civil services as India's prime instrument of governance and not hesitate to effectively intervene as per the mandate of the Constitution in the event of a state government failing to maintain administrative integrity in general and the law and order situation in particular.

The image of a country in the international community is determined significantly by the merit of the democratic governance of the nation and the political will of its leadership to respond to both security and economic challenges.

(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views expressed are personal)

Demand for affordable housing: Contrary to the belief that millennials are spendthrifts, millennials are more costconscious than previous generations when it comes to housing and is looking for affordable housing options. This has led to an increase in demand for compact, affordable homes on the outskirts of major cities.

Technological advancements: Millennials are tech-savvy and are using technology to research properties, connect with real estate agents and developers, and even complete transactions online. This has made the real estate market more accessible and transparent.

Emphasis on amenities: Millennials are looking for homes with modern amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, and co-working spaces. Developers are responding to this demand by incorporating these amenities into their projects. Preference for eco-friendly

homes: Millennials are more environmentally conscious than previous generations and are looking for homes that are ecofriendly and sustainable. A lot of developers are incorporating green building practices into their projects, to attract millennials. Shared living or co-working spaces: Millennials are more open to the concept of shared living spaces such as co-living and coworking spaces. This has led to an increase in demand for such spaces and has given rise to a new segment in the real estate market.

Home size and design: Millennials are the driving force for the home-buying impetus, the size and design of homes should cater to the requirement of millennials. The millennial buyer is looking for homes with minimalistic design, basic finishes, added flexibility, visually attractive, and homes with high functionality. Location becoming irrelevant: With the acceptance of hybrid work culture or Work from home culture, gaining precedence post-pandemic, the location of the home is playing less importance in the choice of property. Millennials, no longer want residences close to their office space but are looking for big spaces in suburban areas, with access to shopping,

entertainment, and great social life.

Lifestyle-centric living: The new generation, is health-conscious and environmentally aware. Developers might consider a health-centric approach coupled with lifestyle amenities, to make buying attractive for millennials. A jogging track, well-equipped gyms, yoga tracks, swimming pools, meditation decks, and sports facilities, will allow residents to stay fit and active and also make new connections, for a conducive lifestyle with great social interactions.

Post-pandemic, home-buying sentiments have become stronger, with millennials being the dominant segment.

The residential sector has become more end-user-driven instead of investment-driven.

In conclusion, millennials are redefining the Indian real estate market by demanding affordable, technologically advanced, amenity-rich, eco-friendly, and shared living spaces. Developers who cater to these demands are likely to succeed in this market.

(Shrenik Siroya, CEO and Founder of Legend Siroya Realtors)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

Rise of ‘plant parenthood’

New Delhi, April 26 (IANSlife) Have you ever been attracted to someone's profile on Bumble because they had some thriving houseplants in their photos?

Millennials may have been drawn to fostering the green thumb for a while, however now it's Gen Z in India who are leaning more toward greenery. Post-pandemic, a rising number of single Indians are looking to date someone who shares their interest and love of houseplants.

As per Bumble's recent study, 46 per cent of single Indians feel if their date or prospective partner has house plants it makes them more interesting to talk to. In fact, 81 per cent of single Indians would consider owning and caring for a plant together, irrespective of if they live separately or together.

Data from Bumble, the womenfirst dating app, shows that 'Gardening' is one of the top 5 'Staying In' interest badges added to Bumble profiles in India last month.

Speaking on this new trend, Samarpita Samaddar, India's Communications Director, Bumble shares, "Growing and taking care of plants together, that sense of responsibility, the joy we feel as they grow and thrive, is uniquely healthy for relationships as well as our mental well-being. One of the positive new dating trends is 'plant parenthood' which is gaining popularity in India as people are making more valuesdriven dating decisions amidst conversations around climate and nature now being more prevalent among GenZ and Millennials. Bumble's Interest Badges are a quick way to let people know what's most important to you. By adding the 'Gardening' or 'Environmentalism' Interest Badge within the app, you can highlight your preferences and connect with someone who shares your passion and interests!" she adds. Clearly, plants mean more to people than just decoration. But what makes plant lovers attractive? What does that gorgeous fiddle leaf fig in the corner of your living room say about your relationship?

Take a look at some quick tips by Bumble's Relationship Expert, Shahzeen Shivdasani, on how plant parenthood can help blossom your relationship: Nurture through nature: Taking care of plants together can foster

a deeper connection. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the routine of a relationship that we forget to spend quality time with each other. From watering, pruning, repotting, and everything else in between, caring for plants together is a great way to ensure that you are nurturing the relationship and spending quality time with each other.

Figuring it out together: Climbers find their way as they grow and look for solutions if they hit a roadblock. Whether it's a drooping, yellow plant, or a change in your communication style, plant parents can get to the heart of the matter and find a solution to get back on track to being healthy again.

Let nature take its course: Owning and caring for plants can be a very calming experience for some, however, it's important to remember that you can't forcibly accelerate the growth of anything or anyone. New leaves sometimes grow slowly, just like relationships, so give yours the time and care that it needs.

The green rule: Just like you would look up what each plant needs to thrive, it is important we do the same with our relationships. Listen, discuss, and understand each other's needs and desires to build a healthy relationship.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

SHRENIK SIROYA

IIT Guwahati develops liquid marbles for drug delivery, cascade chemical reactions

Guwahati, April 25 (IANS)

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed liquid marbles using nano clay that can be pre-programmed for drug delivery and cascade chemical reactions.

Conventionally for treating any disease, we take medicines in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups, and ointments while a controlled drug delivery system is a more efficient technique to deliver the required dose at the specific site gradually over the desired period of time. Loading and release of drug in its soluble form is another important aspect, which can be achieved with this liquid marble, a statement said.

The team from IIT Guwahati led by Dr Uttam Manna, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Centre for Nanotechnology, has used the liquid marbles approach for the controlled release of drugs and programmed chemical reactions. The statement said that the team

has engineered liquid marbles to have a 'time bomb' type release effect and to carry out a spontaneous chemical reaction. Unlike normal droplets, a liquid marble is a non-sticking, nonwetting droplet, it said, adding that it is created by wrapping a droplet with fine hydrophobic particles -- water-repelling particles.

The IIT Guwahati claimed that liquid marbles can be rolled, squeezed, and even float without spilling when put in a water pool. In nature gall-forming aphids create liquid marbles by coating the honeydew they secrete in a powdery wax. Liquid marbles are soft spherical solids that can be used for multiple applications by replacing the liquid inside them. Some examples are in the field of sensor platforms, soft robotics, healing agents, and bio-systems, among others.

Explaining the research challenge, Manna said, "Release of drugs from a liquid marble in response to a stimulus for instance light, temperature, electricity has been reported earlier. But the timeprogrammed release was not yet achieved. We have chemically modified the lifetime of a floating liquid marble on a water pool."

The nano clay marbles were made of a shell of nano clay that holds the liquid. To programme the marbles for timed release of the content, the researchers modified the nano clay with chemical groups that were either waterloving (hydrophilic) or waterhating (hydrophobic).

A water droplet was laid on a powder bed consisting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nano clay powders. The properties and stability of the liquid marbles changed according to the relative amounts of the water-hating and water-loving groups on the nano clay surface.

"The surface modifications on the nano clay changed the time taken for the liquid marble to break and release its contents when put in a pool of water. We were able to control the timing of the release of the content from seconds to hours by changing the nature of the surface groups. This is the time bomb type collapse of LMs," Manna said.

SC stays Madras HC order quashing ban on gutka, tobacco products in TN

Court quashing the May 2018 notification.

The top court sought a response from the food safety commissioner, Jayavilas Tobacco Traders, and others.

New York, April 25 (IANS) A novel mobile vaccine printer, developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, may one day help people get vaccinated via skin patches, eliminating the need for needles. The vaccine printer, which can fit on a tabletop, can be deployed anywhere vaccines are needed. It could also be scaled up to produce hundreds of vaccine doses in a day.

"We could someday have ondemand vaccine production," said Ana Jaklenec, a research scientist at MIT's Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. "If, for example, there was an Ebola outbreak in a particular region, one could ship a few of these printers there and vaccinate the people in that location."

The printer produces patches with hundreds of microneedles containing vaccines. The patch can be attached to the skin, allowing the vaccine to dissolve without the need for a traditional injection. Once printed, the vaccine patches can be stored for months at room temperature.

In a study appearing in the journal Nature Biotechnology, the researchers showed they could use the printer to produce thermostable Covid-19 RNA vaccines that could induce a comparable immune response to that generated by injected RNA vaccines, in mice.

Most vaccines, including mRNA vaccines, have to be

refrigerated while stored, making it difficult to stockpile them or send them to locations where those temperatures can't be maintained. Furthermore, they require syringes, needles, and trained health care professionals to administer them.

Instead of producing traditional injectable vaccines, the researchers decided to work with a novel type of vaccine delivery based on patches about the size of a thumbnail, which contain hundreds of microneedles.

Such vaccines are now in development for many diseases, including polio, measles, and rubella. When the patch is applied to the skin, the tips of the needles dissolve under the skin, releasing the vaccine.

The "ink" that the researchers use to print the vaccinecontaining microneedles includes RNA vaccine molecules that are encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, which help them to remain stable for long periods of time.

The ink also contains polymers that can be easily moulded into the right shape and then remain stable for weeks or months, even when stored at room temperature or higher.

Inside the printer, a robotic arm injects ink into microneedle moulds, and a vacuum chamber below the mould sucks the ink down to the bottom, making sure that ink reaches all the way to the tips of the needles. Once the moulds are filled, they take a day or two to dry.

The current prototype can produce 100 patches in 48 hours, but the researchers anticipate that future versions could be designed to have higher capacity.

Robot-assisted surgeries will transform healthcare in the country: Indian-origin surgeon

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS)

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a Madras High Court order, which quashed a May 2018 notification prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and transport of gutkha, and other tobacco-based products in Tamil Nadu.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and Additional Advocate General

Amit Anand Tiwari, representing the Tamil Nadu government, submitted before a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph that health is a state subject and cited a top court directive justifying the ban imposed on sale, manufacture, and transport of gutkha, and other tobacco-based products.

Sibal argued that the state exchequer is burdened by health issues, which arise as a consequence of chewing of tobacco and the government has

every right to take care of the health of its citizens.

The state government had contended that orders of the Food Safety Commissioner banning the sale, storage, and manufacture of gutkha and other tobacco products are backed by Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The bench, also comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna, stayed the high court order passed on January 20, saying that the state government has made out a case to stay the impugned judgment.

The top court allowed the manufacturers to approach the appropriate forum. In March, the top court had sought a reply to a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging an order of the Madras High

As robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgeries gain ground the world over, robotic surgery has the potential to improve healthcare in India by increasing access to high-quality medical care and reducing costs, Dr. Mahendra Bhandari, CEO of USbased Vattikuti Foundation and an Indian-origin pioneer in the field, said on Saturday. Dr Bhandari, a Padma Shri awardee and also director, of robotic research and education, at Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit (Michigan), told IANS that although the initial investment in robotic surgical equipment can be expensive, robotic surgery may ultimately result in lower overall healthcare costs due to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and potentially fewer complications.

"It is important to note that the cost-effectiveness of robotic

surgery depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, the patient's medical history, and the availability of skilled robotic surgeons," he noted. Dr. Bhandari stressed that while robotic surgery has the potential to improve healthcare in India by increasing access to medical care and potentially reducing costs, it is important to ensure that the technology is used appropriately and that patients receive high-quality care from fully trained surgeons.

"One of the missions of the Vattikuti Foundation is to train high-quality robotic surgeons through its fellowship programs," he told IANS. In robotic surgery, the surgeon uses a computercontrolled robotic system to control surgical instruments, which are inserted into the patient's body through small incisions.

Robotic surgery has several

potential advantages over traditional surgery, including reduced trauma to the patient, increased precision, shorter hospital stays, and reduced risk of infection. However, it is important to note that there are potential risks associated with any surgical procedure, including robotic surgery. These risks can include complications related to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, and other surgical complications. Additionally, there may be a risk of equipment failure or malfunction during the procedure. Robotic surgery was pioneered at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at the Henry Ford Hospital Detroit where Dr. Mani Menon started the very successful Robotic Radical Prostatectomy programme in the world in 2001, and subsequently other urological procedures such as kidney, urinary bladder, and adrenal surgery.

Soon get vaccines via skin patches, no injection is needed

FICQ Chai with the High Commissioner of India

From India News NewsDesk: On 24th April 2023, FICQ organized a Chai with a forum for all community leaders to come together and meet the High Commissioner of India to Australia, Hon. Mr. Manpreet Vohra.

His excellency Mr. Manpreet Vohra gave an insightful speech highlighting the important events happening in regard to the bilateral trade agreement ECTA signed by the two countries India and Australia. He also mentioned the new Air India direct flight route established between Melbourne and Mumbai and Qantas adding Bangalore to Sydney which has made travel easier to and from the southern part of India. He also said that more flights will be added and more cities in Australia will be connected in the near future.

Both Air India and Qantas have increased flight destinations to and from India and Australia. He also mentioned that the CEO’s Forum was a huge success, which was long due and it happened at the right time when Prime Minister Albanese was in India where the two Prime Ministers also met. He says,” It is really an honor and for the first time ever that a Prime Minister of any country has visited India Thrice. PM Albanese will be visiting India in May or June as well as in December this year. PM Modi will also be visiting Australia in May.” Talking about the recent temple vandalism situation he said that it was unfortunate that a few people chose to act in a certain way, however, he congratulated the Indian diaspora and the local Police in Brisbane for having

been vigilant and taking the right steps in getting the situation under control. He also thanked and appreciated the work of the Hon. Consul. Mrs. Archana Singh to have kept the situation under control in Brisbane. Youth and students have always been an issue for India and Australia. He refuted that any ban was being implemented by any University in Australia regarding students coming from India. However, he did condemn those who have tried to enter Australia through unscrupulous means. He also mentioned that Australia has now agreed to recognize the certificates, degrees, and qualifications received by students and diaspora seeking employment in Australia. This will definitely increase the mobility of youth and younger generations between India and Australia.

Youth is the fastest-growing population in India and also the largest demographic population of the Indian diaspora in Australia today.

Hon. High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra vouches for Indian culture and has now become almost mainstream. Most cities celebrate Indian festivals and have art and cultural programs, including the city of Darwin. The film industry of India is also gearing up to look at Australia as a location for films to be shot and made. Many restrictions have been lifted so that Indian filmmakers could make Australian cities their destination for shooting films.

Leaders of various organizations in Brisbane were present at this meeting , who also got the chance to ask questions

regarding pressing issues in the community, and mix and mingle with His Excellency Mr. Manpreet Vohra. One of the talked about issues for Indians for a long time has been to make Diwali Day a National Holiday. To which High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra responded positively, and said that it might just happen in the near future. He also said to keep a lookout for the first Mayor of the City in Australia to be of Indian origin.

To know more about the hon. High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra’s speech visit India News Youtube channel https://youtu.be/ UXsMSFjel09Y

The article was written by India News Community News Editor Amrita Deshpande

Ms Sheba Nandkeolyar wins the Eva Burroughs Award

Sheba says " it was a big surprise, and I am grateful to all for this prestigious award".

From India News Newsdesk: Ms. Sheba Nandkeolyar was awarded the prestigious Eva Burroughs

Award by The Salvation Army on 28th of April 2023 at their Red Shield Appeal Launch at Daltone

House. At the event there were a number of CEOs in attendance including

NAB. Banks, utility companies and corporate leaders were present at the function.

By CEO Pushpa Vaghela

We say Women and by that we mean females of any age. Yes before it was an age range of 25 plus, however for the last few years we have had young women, as young as 10, reach out with a cry of help.

What is our cut off for the age limit, I don’t know. Officially it may be 14 and above, but I would never ever close our services to anybody who reached for support. If there was such a case that we could not meet their need, then we the Team at WMF will do everything possible to find the best support services for the individual.

Let’s recap on Why is the health of young women an issue in today’s society?

No matter what the age group, Women’s personal, professional, social and economic circumstances, their daily living conditions, life characteristics, overall attitude to outer health and mental health issues as well as emotional intelligence vary over the course of their lives. There are specific elements, external and internal, which impact on the health of young women and for many of them, it starts at a very early age depending on their external environment. Young people,

especially females tend to attach deeper emotional meaning to events that happen in their life. This includes positives and negatives. Hence it is important that they are educated on early interventions, prevention and healing from the trauma, hardships and painful incidents that they or anyone they know may have experienced"

For further details and to get in touch with CEO Pushpa Vaghela of Women’s Mentoring Foundation Ltd. send email to info@ womensmentoringfoundation. com

among 60 delivery drivers held for working illegally in the UK

Indians

pounds were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Home Office statement said. Immigration Enforcement carried out extensive intelligencegathering ahead of the operation, to identify hotspots for illegal moped delivery drivers. Alongside relevant police forces, the Home Office deployed officers on six consecutive days (16 to 21 April), to make the arrests and detentions.

Indians are among the secondlargest group of migrants crossing the English Channel illegally on small boats, with 675 recorded between January and March this year, according to recent statistics released by the UK Home Office. The UK government said is clamping down on illegal working to ensure all companies and workers are contributing to the UK economy by complying with its tax and other regulations.

London, April 25 (IANS) As part of a week-long crackdown on illegal migration, 60 delivery drivers, including Indians, have been arrested across London for working illegally, the UK Home Office said.

The drivers, working for companies including Deliveroo, JustEat, and UberEats, were arrested for offenses, including illegal working and possession of false documentation.

The majority of offenders were of Brazilian nationality. Indian and Algerian nationals were also found to be working without the right to do so in the country, a UK Home Office statement read.

Of those arrested, 44 were detained by the Home Office, pending their removal from the UK, with the remaining 16 being released on immigration bail. It is also expected that a number of the arrests will result in voluntary

departure from the UK.

"Illegal working damages our communities, cheats honest workers out of employment, and defrauds the public purse. As the Prime Minister has set out, we are committed to going further and faster to prevent the abuse of our laws and borders," Britain's Indian-origin Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in a statement.

"The British public deserves a labor market that is fair and honest and must have confidence that goods and services they buy are from legitimate businesses," she added.

The operation also led to the seizure of weapons and cash suspected of being linked to criminal activity. Following thorough searches of properties linked to the arrests, imitation firearms and other weapons were found, while over 4,500

Shimla, April 25 (IANS)

Demanding to set up an NRI commission for the diaspora, a delegation of Himachali Pravasi Global Association (HPGA), led by its director Bhagya Chandra, called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here and apprised him about the demands of the association that has members in 17 countries.

The Chief Minister commended the efforts of HPGA to promote the rich culture of the state

Indian-American

to be inducted into Maryland Business Hall of Fame

dreams, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce is delighted to induct Sheela Murthy into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame," a Maryland Chamber of Commerce statement read.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce with 6,800-plus members is the leading voice for business in the state.

New York, April 25 (IANS)

Sheela Murthy, a prominent Indian-American entrepreneur, and immigration lawyer, will be inducted into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame for her leadership skills and entrepreneurial acumen and spirit.

Murthy, founder and president of Murthy Law Firm, will be honored at the annual Maryland Chamber of Commerce's Inspire MD event on May 11 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

"This honor is particularly meaningful as I believe in the mission of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Chamber Foundation to support a strong business climate, impacting the quality of life for businesses, individuals, and families across our great State and country," said Murthy. She also co-founded the nonprofit MurthyNAYAK Foundation, dedicated to implementing socially transformative projects designed to improve the lives of women, children, and immigrants -- both in India, as well as the US.

"For her incredible leadership, entrepreneurial acumen and spirit, generous contributions through service and philanthropy, and for her passionate work at helping others achieve their

Its Inspire MD event gathers Maryland's leaders, changemakers, entrepreneurs, influencers, and professionals for an evening celebrating the people and organizations that make Maryland unique.

India-born Murthy graduated from Stella Maris College in Chennai and the University Law College in Bengaluru, after which she immigrated to the US and enrolled in Harvard Law School. She began her accomplished career with law firms in New York and Baltimore, eventually working to found Murthy Law Firm, using her passion, experience, and knowledge to support individuals and families in achieving their American dream of living and working in the US, the Chamber statement read.

The Murthy Law Firm is recognized as one the world's premier US immigration law firms with headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland and satellite offices in Seattle, Washington, and affiliate offices in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

Throughout her storied career, Murthy has been honored and awarded by Ernst & Young, the Baltimore Business Journal, the Daily Record, SmartCEO magazine, the United Way, and numerous others.

outside the country. He said the government was working on several schemes for people of Himachal living abroad. He urged them to encourage investment in tourism and other sectors and to contribute to its development journey.

Sukhu said the government would provide all possible logistic support to them for setting up their units in the state and assured them that their demands would be considered sympathetically.

Chandra said the HPGA is working to propagate the state's rich cultural heritage.

"Himachalis living in 17 countries are associated with the association," he said. In the recently organized 'Shining Himachal' program in Toronto in Canada, there was an overwhelming response

of foreigners towards Himachali products and culture.

He praised the government's efforts to create a favourable environment for non-resident Himachalis living abroad and demanded to set up an NRI commission in Himachal and NRI cell in the state secretariat here.

Advocate General Anup Rattan, former MLA Bambar Thakur, Secretary Himalayan Education Society Govind Ghosh and HPGA member Rupit Kaur were also present on the occasion.

The delegation also met Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan and Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh.

“People often ask us at WMF, what is our niche market for our cohort?

lawyer

INS Teg reaches Sudan with relief material for stranded Indians Immigration services to be hit as 155,000 Canadian govt employees on strike

Sudan. Necessary infrastructure is in place in both Port Sudan and Jeddah. The team is in full readiness on the ground," Muraleedharan tweeted.

The first batch of 278 Indian citizens on Tuesday boarded INS Sumedha from Port Sudan and will be ferried to Jeddah.

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Even as INS Sumedha evacuated the first batch of 278 Indian citizens from violence-hit Sudan on Tuesday, another Indian Navy warship INS Teg has also joined Operation 'Kaveri'.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted that INS Teg has reached Port Sudan with relief material for Indians who are still stuck in Khartoum.

"INS Teg joins #OperationKaveri. Arrives at Port Sudan with additional officials and essential relief supplies for stranded

Indians. Will boost ongoing evacuation efforts by Embassy Camp Office at Port Sudan," he posted.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan also reached Saudi Arabia's Jeddah to oversee the preparations and receive the first batch of Indian citizens, who, earlier in the day, left Sudan on board INS Sumedha.

"Upon arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to join Team #OperationKaveri, visited the control room set up to facilitate the evacuation of Indians from

The evacuation process named Operation Kaveri, started on April 23, as apart from INS Sumedha, two Indian Air Force aircraft were sent to bring back Indian citizens stuck in the Sudanese capital, where civil war broke out on April 15 after its army and paramilitary forces clashed with each other, leading to large scale violence, which has led to the death of hundreds of people, including an Indian citizen.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had undertaken a review meeting with top officials on the situation prevailing in Sudan. He had asked for the preparation of a contingency plan to evacuate Indians stuck in that country. There are around 3,000 Indians in Sudan.

Toronto, April 21 (IANS) Delays and disruptions can be expected in processing applications and passport services following the strike by a labour union representing over 155,000 employees that will impact most government departments, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing federal workers, went on strike on April 19 after they failed to reach an agreement with the government on issues related to wages and decent working conditions.

"During this labour disruption, certain services may be delayed or not delivered at all. As well, the public may have trouble accessing some Government of Canada buildings where services are delivered," the IRCC said in a statement.

The Canadian immigration body

said disruptions and delays can be expected in processing applications, immigration-related appointments, contacting IRCC via email, phone or social media, consular citizenship and passport services, citizenship ceremonies, and extending one's stay in Canada.

However, some IRCC services, like applying online, mailing applications to IRCC, using one's online accounts, accessing emergency services, will remain available during the labour disruption.

In addition, services offered by non-governmental organisations, including settlement services from IRCC partner organisations, healthcare through the Interim Federal Health Program, and visa application centres outside of Canada, will also remain available.

The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which plays a key role in the country's immigration system, is also expecting disruptions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the collection of biometrics.

‘Hinduphobia’

real or imagined slights.

Washington, April 26 (IANS)

Ro Khanna, a US lawmaker of Indian descent, has urged those among the Indian diaspora who have been raising the bogey of growing "Hinduphobia" lately, to focus on unifying issues.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a day-long conference he is hosting on Capitol Hill on IndiaUS elections, the lawmaker also indicated that he will push for an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of Congress during his June visit, which, to be clear, has not been announced officially. Khanna is one of US Congress's three Hindu Americans and his home state California is currently a battleground for Hindu Americans who are trying to prevent the enactment of a proposed law that seeks to ban caste-based discrimination, which they have blamed on, among other things, those opposed to Hindus.

The phrase "Hinduphobia" is used by these Hindu Americans to describe and define all and any

"I grew up Indian American, Hindu American, in the 1980s, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was 97 per cent, white and Christian. And I didn't know the word Hinduphobia or feel Hinduphobia at any single point in my life growing up," he said recalling something he said in an earlier conversation with someone. "So now we've got all these Hindu Americans and it's all over the...," he added, leaving that sentence hanging.

"I think that what we have to focus on as a community is how do we contribute to the American project? How do we be proud of our identity? And obviously if someone feels that they are discriminated against, they should speak up, but my personal experience has been one of great hope for the American people, that they have been very embracing and understanding of people of different faiths. I think you've got Indian Americans leading the most important companies in the world. Now, there was a time you know, back in the 1980s, where people couldn't meet a staffer for a member of Congress. They didn't cry Hinduphobia."

US lawmaker Khanna takes a jab at talk of

Green Heart Fair celebrates 15 years of sustainability

From Lord Mayor’s Office: The sustainability festival Green Heart Fair will mark a major milestone next month, with the 15th edition of Brisbane’s favorite free sustainability event taking place on Sunday, 28 May 2023 at Victoria Park, Herston.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the festival is set to be better than ever in 2023.

“Council’s Green Heart Fair has grown from a seed of an idea into a premier event on Brisbane’s calendar and this year is set to be the biggest festival yet with two very special additions to the

program,” Cr Schrinner said.

“This year, the free family and dog-friendly event will include extra-special appearances from the happy healers themselves, Bluey and Bingo.

“Brisbane’s favorite four-legged family will perform three free performances across the day, and 100 lucky families will get the opportunity to meet the iconic sisters in real life.

“The Fair will also feature ‘Finding Barrambin’, an art installation created by Queensland University of Technology students that

showcases the unique indigenous history of the Victoria Park / Barrambin site, and will include artworks, performances, and an educational walking tour.”

Cr Schrinner said all the festival favorites would also return, including free native plant giveaways, artisan markets, live entertainment, and food trucks, as well as displays and workshops for residents to learn how to live more sustainably while lowering their household expenses.

Brisbane’s newest member of the transport fleet, the pilot Brisbane Metro will also be on show for

residents to experience for themselves.

Victoria Park’s 64 hectares of open space and rolling green hills make for an ideal setting to learn about living sustainably.

“Victoria Park is being transformed into one of the city’s iconic public parklands and the project’s Master Plan will be released shortly following months of public consultation,”

Cr Shrinner said.

“There will be something for everyone to enjoy at the Green Heart Fair. I encourage everyone to come along to enjoy the

outdoors, support local vendors, and be inspired to live more sustainably.”

Green Heart Fair is delivered in partnership with Brisbane Sustainability Agency and proudly sponsored by 7 News Brisbane, Urban Utilities, Officeworks, and Brandition.

The Fair will be held from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, 28 May 2023. Entry is free.

To find out more, visit sustainablebrisbane.com.au.

On the Couch with Lord Mayor Adrian Shrinner! Know your Lord Mayor!

The community business leaders in Brisbane had the privilege of meeting the Lord Mayor at the Lord Mayor business hub located downtown in the Queen Street mall.

It was inspirational to get to know the Mayor of the City you live in. He unraveled many facts about his own worldview and how they were shaped by influencers in his life. His parents were his first influencers who were migrant entrepreneurs running a cleaning business, he learnt the two important values in life from his parents, Hard work and

Dedication which has shaped his

future.

Young Adrian Shrinner loved the aviation industry. He often aspired to be a pilot but in the Canberra Academy he ended up graduating as an intelligence officer. However, the dream to be a pilot did not cease and at age 16 yrs he took his first flight, he was an excellent pilot and loved flying, he also served in the Royal Australia Air Force for a short period of time.

When asked about Leadership, he says Leaders are built and not born with. They are made up of combinations of mentors guidance and own observations.

He also adds that there are no guidelines to leadership, he just grew up observing the leaders in his life, watching their actions, reactions, and strategies. His biggest influencer who shaped his career goals has been the 16th Lord Mayor of Brisbane Mayor Mr. Graham Quirk who mentored Mayor Adrian Shrinner in his deputy role. Graham Quirk is the man who, according to Lord Mayor Adrian Shrinner, knows the local government as well as the community very well. Which is a key factor to leadership. The other influencer in his life whom he also followed, admired, and was mentored by

was Mr. Campbell Newman 15th Lord Mayor of Brisbane. Both Mayors were Adrian Shrinner’s journey towards his own Mayoral position.

Talking about the success of the Business Hub he started, he says that the Business hub was established to help small businesses thrive in Brisbane, business leaders would receive mentoring connections, and women get their fair share of being entrepreneurs. The business Hub has been a very successful project. Around 53,000 businesses are supported and connected by the hub. 320 mentoring connections were

established. A Women in Business grant was established which supports businesses run by women in Brisbane.

Overall, the hub has played a vital role in empowering migrants to take up business activities, and get help to run their businesses. Women entrepreneurs from ethnic backgrounds have also benefited from the various programs run by the Business Hub.

Lord Mayor appeals to all migrants aspiring to be business owners, to definitely avail the services of the business Hub.

From India News News Desk:

Chariot festival at the King George Square

From India News Newsdesk: A festival which brings all cultures together is the chariot festival. It was intriguing to see local Australians participate in the ratha yatra pulling the chariot, dancing and chanting Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

The parade of the chariot went around on Adelaide Street upto Elizabeth Street and back attracted many onlookers taking photos, some also paid their homage to the deity.

The parade culminated at the King George Square where the welcome ceremony was held. Cr.

Vicki Howard, Cr. Robert Lambert and community leaders were present at the Chariot Festival. It was organised by the Iskon festival of chariots and Bhakti Yoga Centre. There were stalls of Henna, Indian clothes, jewelry, artifacts and of course food. The hospitality of the organizers

was very warm and humbling. Vicki Howard in her speech addressing the crowd said that "I am grateful to be here with such wonderful people who are here to celebrate this festival. I keep telling everyone that what makes Brisbane great is it's people like you who are so welcoming of all

cultures."

The original Festival happens in June at Jagganath Puri, which has been celebrated for over 2000 years. It is a spiritual festival which also showcases the culture of India which has trickled down from many years.

Now, direct pathway to Aussie citizenship for eligible NZ citizens

changes made in 2001 had made it difficult for New Zealanders in Australia to attain Australian citizenship. The announcement made in April 22, effective from July 1, 2023, will pave the way for New Zealand citizens living in Australia to have a direct pathway to Australian citizenship.

Canberra, April 22 (India News Newsdesk): Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Minister for Home Affairs, and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs on April 22 announced a new direct pathway to Australian citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens. It is important to note that the

About this announcement, Prime Minister Albanese said, “Australia and New Zealand have a deep friendship, which has been forged through our history, shared values and common outlook.”

“As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, I look forward to strengthening our relationship,” he further said.

This decision of the Australian government means that all special

category visa holders will be able to apply directly for citizenship without becoming permanent residents first, as long as they meet a four-year residence and other eligibility requirements. “We know that many New Zealanders are here on a Special Category Visa while raising families, working and building their lives in Australia. So I am proud to offer the benefits that citizenship provides,” the Prime Minister added. This decision is being welcomed as a fair change for New Zealanders living in Australia, and brings their rights more in line with Australians living in New Zealand. This has been welcomed as consistent with Australia’s vision to build a fairer, better

managed and more inclusive migration system.

About this historic decision Minister Clare O’Neil said, “Australians and New Zealanders share a special bond and it’s important that we reflect that in the way we treat New Zealand citizens who choose to make Australia home.” He further said that these changes will strengthen ties with Australia’s closest neighbour, and will mean the many people already living and working in Australian communities can enjoy the benefits of citizenship.

The minister added, “Anthony Albanese is ensuring the deep, strong connection between our two countries is reflected in how we treat Kiwis living in Australia.”

Echoing similar sentiments Minister Andrew Giles said, “Australia is a country built on citizenship. It is only fair the opportunity to become an Australian Citizen is made easier for our closest friends and allies. “This announcement will make a significant difference to the lives of people already living and working and in our communities,” he further said.

Since many New Zealand citizens choose to live and contribute to Australia, it is only fair they are given the opportunity to become Australian citizens, and are able to enjoy the rights and obligations that come with being an Australian citizen.

Amrita Deshpande, Chintan Gandhi, Ram Mohan

Cultural Program

FICQ President Anoop Nanuru

Amrita Deshpande, Paviter Singh Kumar, Vicki Howard, Ram Mohan

Cr. Vicki Howard

Reception and Presenting of the Gita

The Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia, Qld Chapter, invited the Indian community to attend the ‘Reception and Presenting of the Gita’ event on Monday 24 April 2023. The event was held between 4-5:30 PM at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, 45 Clare Road, Kingston, QLD 4114. The objective of the program was to present Srimad Bhagavad Gita to the Speaker Hon Milton Dick, Speaker Australian Parliament who agreed to be the chief guest for the event. The Hon Speaker took Srimad Bhagavad Gita to the Australian Parliament in Canberra for formal “Sthapna”. This was followed by a formal mention of International Gita Mahotsav in the Australian Federal Parliament by Minister for Climate Change, Hon. Chris Bowen. This event was part of the International Gita Mahotsav being held in Sydney. The International Gita Mahotsav is a highly prestigious event. It is a 7-day grand event held annually in Kurukshetra and a 4-day celebration in a major city outside India every year. After England,

Drivers from India, and Pak to sit for license tests in Australia from July 1

"Under the new arrangements, temporary visa holders will need to convert to an NSW license if they have resided continuously in the state for six months and wish to continue driving," a Transport for NSW spokeswoman told the website.

Melbourne, April 27 (IANS)

Drivers from India, Pakistan, China, and Nepal are set to face tougher regulations in Australia with the local government in New South Wales (NSW) state making it mandatory for them to sit for driving license tests, effective July 1.

Temporary visa holders from these countries, who have lived in NSW for at least six months, will have to take the same knowledge and practical test as locals, according to news.com.

This move will address a flaw in the transport system that enabled some drivers to retain their licenses despite receiving 13 demerit points or being convicted of a severe road offense.

These drivers could continue to drive using their overseas license after completing any relevant suspension or disqualification period, the report said. But with the new rule, offenders will have to apply for an NSW driver's license if they want to drive again in NSW.

"You can't have a situation where someone had demonstrated very serious poor behavior behind the wheel, and continued to be able

to drive on their overseas license," National Roads and Motorists' Association spokesperson Peter Khoury said via the Daily Telegraph. Exceptions have been made for drivers from Japan, Singapore, and Germany, who will be required to convert their licenses but won't have to take the test.

The new rules, announced in August 2022 and meant to come into effect in November, were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Daily Telegraph, over 2,000 overseas drivers have had their visiting driver privileges withdrawn since 2020 due to poor behavior on the roads.

There are approximately 220,000 individuals driving on an overseas license who live in NSW.

Canada, and Mauritius, the International Gita 2023 Mahotsav came to Sydney and was held on 28-30 April 2023.

The program for the afternoon comprised of:

1. Prarthana

2. Welcome

3. Talk About International Gita Mahotsav- Shri Madan Mohan Chhabra, Hon. Secretary, Kurukshetra Development Board, Kurukshetra, India

4. Brief Address by Swami Atmeshanand ji, Vedanta Centre of Sydney, Brisbane Chapter

5. Brief address by Swami Arshpurushdas ji, resident Swamiji, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Brisbane

6. Handing over of Gita to Hon. Milton Dick. Speaker of Australian Parliament by Swami Gyananand ji Maharaj

7. Address by Hon Milton DicK, Speaker Australian Parliament

8. Address by Geeta Manishi Shri Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj

9. Vote of thanks

10. Closing Prarthana

11. Prasad and networking

FIBA announces hosts of women’s World Cup 2026, men’s World Cup 2027

The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 will take place in September 2026 in Berlin, and will be played at Arena Berlin and Max-Schmeling Halle.

The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 will feature 16 teams, and teams will qualify through global qualifying tournaments.

Wrestling scandal: Wrestler Bajrang

Punia claims Delhi Police cut electricity supply at Jantar Mantar

Manila, (The Philippines), April 28 (IANS) Germany will host the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, and Qatar will host the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2027, the world basketball governing body announced on Friday. The decisions were made by FIBA's Central Board during Friday's meeting held here on the eve of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 draw.

It will be the second time that Germany has hosted the women's basketball flagship tournament after 1998, a Xinhua report said.

"The Central Board was very pleased with the submission from the German Basketball Federation, and I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the Board for the excellent work they have undertaken in putting this bid together. We are delighted to be able to award the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 to Germany," said FIBA president Hamane Niang.

"FIBA received interest from several National Federations to organize the next women's World Cup, confirming the unique momentum for women's basketball," he added.

All games of the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2027 will be played in Doha.

The FIBA said that in making their decision, the Central Board was impressed "by the bid and particularly the elements around the compact geographical nature, unique flexibility with tournament venue scheduling to better serve the fans, as well as an emphasis on sustainability."

"While we are all looking forward to what we know will be another standout FIBA event when the action starts in Qatar, we will also enjoy the full journey to Doha," commented Niang.

I would love to see Kohli captain again, says Ravi Shastri

He also spoke on how impressed he is with Arshdeep.

"To be honest the more I see him, I felt that he can play all formats for India. Though I have not seen much of him in red ball format. But the way Arshdeep is improving and running in, he is gaining confidence. I think he will become a little stronger than I saw him last year resulting in very good performance."

Shastri futher said that he can see Arshdeep play in longer formats of the game as well.

New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia, in a latenight video message has said that Delhi Police have disconnected the electricity and water supply at the Jantar Mantar protest site.

"See this is the pressure on Delhi Police even as the whole country is standing with us," Punia, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, added on Friday through Instagram.

According to Punia, the Delhi Police have disconnected the electricity supply, erected barricades around the protest area, and are preventing access to food and water.

He also said that the Delhi Police have lodged two FIRs and demanded that the wrestlers stop their protest.

Earlier on Friday, the police had informed the Supreme Court that they will register an FIR and on late Friday evening finally registered two FIRs allegedly against the Wrestling Federation of India coaches and its President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in connection with the sexual harassment allegations made by women wrestlers.

Some of India's top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Punia and Sakshi Malik, along with Asian and Commonwealth Games medallist Vinesh Phogat are protesting at the Jantar Mantar, seeking action against Singh for alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi, Pranav Tayal, said that in the matter of complaints received from female wrestlers, two FIRs have been registered in Connaught Place police station.

"The first one pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim which is registered under the POCSO Act along with relevant IPC sections concerning outraging of modesty etc."

"The second FIR is registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints tendered by other, adult complainants under relevant sections pertaining to outraging of modesty etc," the DCP added. Investigation into both the FIRs is being taken up in right earnest, the DCP said.

New Delhi, April 29 (IANS)

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recently spoke about Virat Kohli's current mindset and his thoughts on stylish batter's captaincy.

He also shared his views on emerging talent Arshdeep Singh and his potential to play in all formats of the game.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Shastri spoke on how Virat Kohli's headspace is at the moment.

"As opposed to last year when we were sitting in discussing does he need a break, does he not need a break, you know he seemed to have the burden of the whole world on his shoulders. Now, refreshing. You know, you feel that enthusiasm, that passion for the game, that energy and enjoyment has come back which for me was the best thing to see. See, runs you might get or you might not get but when you have that sense when you see someone that the passion, the enjoyment and the drive is back again is good, specially a player of his quality."

Asked if he would have liked to see Virat Kohli captain the squad during the 5th Test of the England-India series, where Jasprit Bumrah stepped in as captain for the injured Rohit Sharma, the former India head coach said, "I thought he would. Once Rohit was injured, I thought he would be asked, if I was still there. I'm sure Rahul (Dravid) might have done the same thing. I don't know. I've not spoken to him. I would have recommended to the board that it's only fair that he leads because he's part of the team that's leading 2-1 in the series and could have got the best out of the players."

Further asked if Kohli would have had his objections to leading the squad, Shastri said, "Not at all, it's about leading your country and these are circumstances where you got to put your best foot forward. Your regular captain is injured is he's not part of the team. So seeing what's at stake, you know beating England in England, 2-1 up. I mean how many teams can beat England and Australia in the same year."

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) For the past IPL winning teams like Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, the first half of the 2023 season hasn't panned out as per their expectations.

Despite some strong individual performances in the absence of some of their main players, both Kolkata and Mumbai have six points each, and are placed seventh and eighth respectively on the points table.

Former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who was the head coach of Punjab Kings last year, believes the task for the two teams is a challenging one, but it is also something which is not impossible.

"I have been a part of teams which have been in the second half of the points table through the halfway stage. It's not easy to catch up. But having said that, it's not impossible either. So, at this stage of the tournament, you have to sort of refresh and reset and then

see what is your best possible playing eleven. Now that you have the Impact Player rule, it becomes a lot easier to sort of make that decision of having the best possible 12. It's about sticking to that and believing that this 12 will be able to get you out of where you are. It's just a matter of momentum," said Kumble, an IPL expert for JioCinema, in a select virtual media interaction.

In IPL 2021, Kolkata had won only two out of their seven games in India till the second wave of Covid-19 halted the tournament. When the action shifted to UAE, they won five of their remaining seven matches and emerged triumphant in the eliminator and Qualifier 2 to reach the final, where they finished as runnersup.

With Kolkata beginning their second half of the competition with a 21-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore, the

signs are there for a possible resurgence.

"For example, KKR had beaten RCB before, so I am sure that confidence certainly helped them get over the line in Bengaluru. Whether they take the momentum going forward and make a turnaround, that is something we'll have to wait and see. That is something that you constantly talk about within the team and try to keep the mood the same in a hope to make a turnaround. It's something which the top four teams will be thinking about too.

KKR had sort of a perfect schedule that came through because for anyone to turn around, you need that kind of schedule as well that works for you. So RCB was a perfect game for them in Bengaluru. Because they had beaten RCB earlier in the season. Hopefully, now, they can turn things around," elaborated Kumble.

IPL 2023: It’s not easy to catch up; but not impossible either, says Kumble on MI, KKR’s playoffs chances

4 Luxury Honeymoon Destinations Across The World

From the rice fields of Bali to the snow capped peaks of Switzerland

By IANSlife

April 19, 2023

(IANSlife) There are typically tremendous expectations for a honeymoon. It's time to plan that ideal vacation to a location where the newlyweds can create lifelong memories. Here are 8 of the world's top luxury honeymoon destinations for an unforgettable trip filled with countless moments of romance, celebration, adventure, and indulgence.

A Capella romance extraordinaire at Capella Ubud

For couples who love the splendour of nature and wilderness, Capella Ubud makes a perfect balance of tranquillity and adventure.

Constructed within the trees and hidden from afar at Keliki valley, Capella Ubud offers ultra-luxurious tented camps which captures the imagination of those who seek a unique experience at the heart of Bali’s untouched natural surroundings.

Inspired by the early European settlers from the 1800s, architect Bill Bensley designed Capella Ubud, Bali as a tribute to their spirit of adventure. Nestled between Ubud’s rainforest, rice paddy fields and the sacred Wos River, in an authentic Balinese artist village called

Timeless moments at Cheval Blanc Paris

Cheval Blanc’s first urban Maison Cheval Blanc Paris makes the heart of Paris beat a little faster. A historical building with a contemporary spirit imagined by Peter Marino. A strong sense of Art Déco heritage and a tribute to French savoir-faire and craftsmanship, Cheval Blanc Paris is a confidential haven with only 72 rooms and suites and a perfect backdrop for a dream honeymoon. Seize the day overlooking the scenic panorama, bite in a warm croissant just out of the oven, sink into the foam of a delicately scented bath, capture the soul of Paris from your winter garden with your most loved one here. Enjoy an idyllic interlude at the Dior Spa Cheval Blanc and one of the most romantic dinner at Langosteria or Le Tout-Paris imagined by the Chefs of Cheval Blanc Paris. Stroll along the banks of the Seine, get lost in the narrow streets of the Marais, revel in the Parisian way

Keliki, Capella Ubud, Bali offers 22 extravagant, individually styled one-bedroom tents and one tented two-bedroom lodge, all featuring private saltwater pools. Food & Beverage selections include Mads Lange – the camp’s dining room, Api Jiwa - an intimate and highly interactive Asian barbecue and The Mortar and Pestle pool bar. The Camp Fire is not merely the place to meet the local storyteller over pulled hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows but, weather permitting, an equally great venue for casual dining. Adventure wellness, pampering spa treatments designed around the moon phases, spiritual and sound healing as well as in-retreat rituals are on offer at Auriga Wellness.

No tree was cut during construction so that the refined jungle camp remains a hidden sanctuary from afar.

of life, swing to the rhythm of the effervescent atmosphere, embrace the city with your eyes. The Maison's Alchemists present a series of one-of-akind experiences and moments to cherish with a loved one such as cosy dinners for two on the first balcony overlooking the river Seine; a sunset cruise along the Seine while you and your partner sip a sparkling cocktail, relish a delicious savoury canapé prepared by the chefs as you enjoy the intimacy of the moment. Presenting a timeless moment to cherish with your loved one, the Maison also offers a special flyaway to the champagne region. Step aboard your private helicopter to discover the Champagne region’s best-kept secrets for a day. Excellence and savoir-faire are showcased during a Dom Pérignon tasting session led by the finest connoisseurs, in the heart of this renowned vineyard estate.

Named as the "Pearl Island", Phu Quoc is the largest island of Vietnam.With a coastline of more than 150km, with a combination of beautiful, white-cut beaches and marvelous small bays, Phu Quoc is considered an island with abundant marine resources. Not only that, in Phu Quoc, you will feel the unique bustle of local life mixed with resorts that make it an interesting destination and attract many tourists. In 2006, most of the island became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and every day more people get a chance to experience the joy tucked away in this slice of paradise.

If you and your partner love adventure, quality time by the beach, trying new foods, and understanding local culture, Phu Quoc Island is the destination for you. While at Phu Quoc, stay at Sailing Club Signature Resort, Phu Quoc, located by Long Beach. Sailing Club Signature Resort Phu Quoc offers the ultimate tropical residential experience. Encircled by nature for absolute privacy, each villa here is designed as a hub of connectedness for couples and friends to hide away, have fun, and recharge.

Spend your mornings in the resorts, Castor villa’s private pool, making coffee with your espresso machine, or taking a soak in the bathtub. Connect with yourself and your loved one in the Scandinavian-inspired specially designed villa for couples. Have lunch in the indoor-outdoor dining area, or fill the fridge with the best market selections for meals that will exist in your memory for years to come. The hottest entertainment venue on the island, Sailing Club Phu Quoc, is just 5 minutes stroll from the resort.

JOALI BEING, Maldives

Embark on a joyful adventure together to nurture and deepen your precious bond. A nature immersive wellbeing island retreat, the first of its kind in the Maldives located on Bodufushi Island in Raa Atoll, JOALI BEING offers a special programme named ‘Wellbeing Together’ curated exclusively for couples. Blissfully removed from the outside world, this unforgettable journey sparkles brightly with the Joy of Weightlessness – an exhilarating feeling of lightness and freedom. Wellbeing Together’ invites couples to explore each other’s interests and share meaningful moments in the ultra-luxurious island paradise. JOALI BEING is the beginning of a transformative journey. Nestled on the secluded island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, amid crystalline lagoons, pristine beaches and lush coconut palms, JOALI BEING is a 40-minute seaplane journey from Malé International Airport. With 68 villas, each with its own butler or “Jadugar”, it is the region’s first wellbeing island retreat of its kind.

A secret paradise at Sailing Club Signature Resort, Phu Quoc

Nandini Gupta of Rajasthan is crowned Femina Miss India World 2023

Delhi’s Sherya Poonja, was crowned Femina Miss India 2023 - 1st Runner-up and Manipur’s Thounaojam Strela Luwang was crowned Femina Miss India 2023 - 2nd Runner-up

audience engaged with their wits and improvisations.

Maximalism is the flavour of the season

ByIANSlife

April 16, 2023 (IANSlife) With nearly a six-decade-long famed legacy of transforming the lives of young talented women and changing the landscape of glamour and the fashion industry of India, VLCC & Trends copresent Femina Miss India 2023 hosted by Manipur Tourism, copowered by ORRA Fine Jewellery, makeup partner Colorbar Made for Magic & co-powered by Rajnigandha Pearls, vows to continue its tradition of creating influential beauty ambassadors, and supporting young women in their quest to explore their potential and empowering them to become a positive force for change.

The Times Group entered into a first-ever partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, to host the grand finale of Femina Miss India 2023 in the capital of Manipur, a first of it's kind initiative in the history of the pageant. The 30 state winners arrived in Imphal on April 7 to a

warm reception and felicitation. In an attempt to prompt and experience the state's rich culture, the state winners visited various tourist attractions of key significance and showcased its unique heritage and history during their stay in the capital city, Imphal.

The grand finale ceremony held on April 15 was a star-studded affair and celebrated the ethos of beauty in diversity. The evening kickstarted with a breathtaking performance by the former winners of the pageant, Sini Shetty, Rubal Shekhawat, Shinata Chauhan, Manasa Varanasi, Manika Sheokand, Manya Singh, Suman Rao and Shivani Jadhav - dressed in exquisite and finely crafted lehengas from Mohey. Moving onto the show, the audience were entertained by the highly anticipated performances by Bollywood's heartthrob Kartik Aaryan followed by the gorgeous Ananya Panday. The evening's proceedings were led by the dynamic duo Manish Paul and Bhumi Pednaker who kept the

The gala event witnessed multiple rounds of captivating fashion sequences featuring the beautiful 30-state winners in a stunning collection by Namrata Joshipura for Trends, Rocky Star and Robert Naorem showcasing traditional costumes. The state winners were judged by an elite panel consisting of Femina Miss India Universe 2002 & Mentor Neha Dhupia, boxing icon Laishram Sarita Devi, ace choreographer Terence Lewis, film director & writer Harshavardhan Kulkarni and distinguished designers Rocky Star and Namrata Joshipura. The state winners interacted with the jury panel and took to their questions with great confidence.

The showpiece contest culminated into the corrnonation ceremony, wherein the outgoing queens crowned the new winners. Nandini Gupta of Rajasthan was crowned Femina Miss India World 2023, who will go onto represent India at the Miss World content. Delhi's Sherya Poonja, was crowned Femina Miss India 2023 - 1st Runner-up and Manipur' Thounaojam Strela Luwang was crowned Femina Miss India 2023 - 2nd Runner-up.

In attendance to the guestlist were former Manipur state winners, Soibam Kanchan, Urmila Shagolsem, Maria Chanu Pangambam, and Angobi Chanu Loukrakpam.

Halfway between sports and fashion

Polos, caps, sweatshirts, and tracksuits are part of Netflix and Lacoste wardrobe

By IANSlife

April 14, 2023 (IANSlife) There is something powerful about a well-known fashion brand and a cherished entertainment organisation working together to connect followers in a freshnew way because fashion and entertainment can spark culture and create fandom.

Netflix and Lacoste collaborate creatively and launches a new collection honouring some of the fascinating universes of some of our favourite shows, including Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Lupin, Money Heist, The Witcher, Sex Education, Shadow & Bone, and Elite.

The iconic Lacoste gear, including polo shirts, sweatshirts, tracksuits, and more, will be transformed into characters from the Netflix shows Upside Down and Las Encinas High School.

“We are delighted with this collaboration which has resulted

in a unique encounter between our two worlds and two global references of creativity and innovation, both with an unparalleled power to bring together communities from all walks of life. The collection born from our collaboration is the embodiment of this powerful encounter, of our respective codes, influences, and knowhow,” says Catherine Spindler, Lacoste Deputy CEO.

“We think products can be a powerful medium for storytelling and partnering with Lacoste presents a unique opportunity to blend the worlds of fashion and entertainment”, said Josh Simon, VP, of Consumer Products, at Netflix. “This collection is a compelling and creative way for fans to express their love for our stories and characters.”

The iconic, genderless clothing of Lacoste has been revisited according to the universe of the eight shows. Polos, caps,

sweatshirts, and tracksuits are part of this new wardrobe, halfway between sports and fashion. For the occasion, the crocodile has donned the costumes of the Netflix characters and is embroidered or flocked on all the pieces in the range. For Stranger Things, his face changes into that of the fascinating Demogorgon. In a nod to Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton, he wears an oversized wig. Other pieces are adorned with an all-over toile de Jouylike print, with the disguised crocodiles navigating between the signature graphics of the streaming platform. A must-wear collection giving fans the opportunity to infuse the love of their favorite shows and their favorite clothing brand with their personal style.

By IANSlife

April 07, 2023 (IANSlife) The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) in India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are back with the bold third edition of their Jewellery Trend Report, offering connoisseurs an insight on what is in vogue this season. Bound to captivate audiences worldwide, show-stopping the red carpets, and being the favoured glamour choice during the festive seasons, the overarching theme of the year is 'Maximalism'.

Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council India and The Middle East said: "Our 2023 jewellery trend report celebrates the rising desire of being your unique self and living in the now. Trends by their inherent nature are dichotomous and cyclical, but what remains constant is our love for jewellery. Under the umbrella of living maximal, natural diamond jewellery helps consumers find a physical expression of their individuality.

The third edition of our jewellery trend report is a combination of Avant Garde, colour and largerthan-life pieces that make you feel special. A reflection of the current consumer outlook, this report is a product of some of the best minds in the fields of design and fashion, giving key insights into the world of diamond jewellery and its evolution as a symbol of slow fashion over time and generations."

According to the trend report, with people realising the importance of each fleeting moment, the younger generation has chosen more distinct fashion choices to stand out from the crowd. Maximalism is about living life in one's own unapologetic way and this has been identified as the ruling influence this season by NDC's Style Collective.

Featuring experts across genres like design, fashion and journalism, the members of the erudite Style Collective include Rhea Kapoor, HH Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda, Bibhu Mohapatra, Roohi Oomerbhoy Jaikishan, Katerina Perez, Sarah Royce-Greensill and Nonita Kalra. The report identifies three main

trends to embody the philosophy of abundant styles and being unafraid to be seen this year while staying rooted in sustainable slow fashion. This year, the designs that are headlining the ensemble are- boisterous earrings and chokers, i.e. XXL Earrings and Chokers, the perennial favourite - Diamonds with Gemstones and the always timeless- Modern Solitaire.

The larger-than-life XXL Earrings and Chokers, glittering with natural diamonds are a diamond lover's dream come true. A stronger take on traditional jewellery they, quite literally, offer accessories and style statements to be remembered.

"We're seeing pared-back looks when it comes to hair and makeup. Colourless chokers in natural diamonds reflect this clean aesthetic, imparting modernity, while oversized earrings have become newly relevant when hair is slicked back, rather than loose and voluminous." says Sarah RoyceGreensill, Jewellery & Watches Editor, Telegraph UK.

The second trend, Diamonds with Gemstones, embraces the playful side of natural diamonds by complimenting them with colourful gemstones. Combining the elegant nature of natural diamonds with an extensive range of many-hued precious stones, lends jewellery versatility, allowing wearers to indulge in a wide range of choices with their outfits and get creative.

The last trend of the season, Modern Solitaire, is a contemporary take on the classic, representing the entire theme of maximalism through the epower of one' with large glistening jewels that allow the wearer to go all out. Commanding attention as the light hits them, these solitaires have what it takes to be the life of the party. "Jewellery is now about asserting your story, every day, rather than saving pieces for special occasions. And don't we want to encourage one another to tell our story louder and clearer, so we can rise above the noise?

Natural diamonds are precious, but they're also among the oldest and last forever. So, using them a bit more effortlessly will define how we evolve our relationship with them. The ease of making

Natural Diamond Council urges consumers to celebrate life the Avant Garde way this diamond month

Get the perfect winged eyeliner look

A flawless winged eyeliner look need not be difficult to achieve

your liner. Next, trace a thin line along your upper lash line with waterproof black eyeliner. Start at the inner corner of your eye and extend the line outward.

By IANSlife

April 11, 2023 (IANSlife) Have you ever had trouble mastering the traditional cat eyeliner look? Or perhaps you're just starting out and want to learn how to do it correctly from the beginning. Fortunately, there are a few helpful hints and techniques that can make applying winged eyeliner much simpler!

A celebrity makeup artist Priya Gulati shares some helpful tips to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner look:

First, use light eyeshadow to cover your entire lid. This will help create a smooth base for

5

Then, use the liner to draw a small triangle at the outer corner of your eye. Fill in this triangle with a liner.

To create the winged shape, extend the liner past your outermost lashes and upwards towards your brow bone. Make sure the line is thin at the innermost corner and gradually gets thicker as it extends outward. Lastly, apply mascara to both your upper and lower lashes for a finishing touch.

Tips for achieving a bold wing line: Use an eyeliner brush or pencil that has a fine tip. This will help you get a more precise line.

Rest your elbow on a surface while applying eyeliner. This will help steady your hand. Begin by drawing small lines in the inner corner of your eye, and then gradually make the lines thicker as you move outward. This will help prevent any mistakes. Lift your eyes by drawing the wing slightly upwards at the outer corner.

Lastly, use a brush or Q-tip to perfect the shape of your wing. Practice, practice, practice!

The more you do it, the better you'll get at it. A flawless winged eyeliner look need not be difficult to achieve. You may quickly get the desired look if you simply adhere to these basic recommendations and techniques. With this information, you may raise your beauty game by designing classic wing liner looks for any situation.

Reasons why you should incorporate peptides in your skincare

Peptides are amino acids that can pass through the skin’s protective layer and assist your body in producing collagen on its own, internally

response of the body to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to tissue damage and accelerate the ageing process. Peptides can help reduce inflammation in the skin by modulating the activity of certain molecules involved in inflammatory response, leading to a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Helps achieve even skin tone

Maybelline New York hopes to better connect with Gen Z consumers in India

The brand has roped in Suhana Khan, Ananya Birla and Eksha Subba and has extended its erstwhile brand purpose association with sportsperson PV Sindhu

By IANSlife

April 05, 2023 (IANSlife) Over the past few years, skincare and the patterns related to it have changed significantly. Every two months, we notice a particular ingredient or product trending strongly in the market, but it's important to know what would be best for your complexion and avoid following trends without doing your research. Among these popular ingredients is peptide.

Peptides are amino acids that can pass through the skin's protective layer and assist your body in producing collagen on its own, internally. Malini Adapureddy lists five ways that peptides can improve your complexion in order to help you learn more about this miraculous ingredient.

Anti-aging properties

When peptides are applied directly to the skin, they can pass through the outer layer and penetrate deeper, where collagen is formed, and further stimulate the formation of collagen.

Peptides are thus a promising ingredient in skincare products for their ability to stimulate collagen production, improve

skin elasticity, and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of peptides in skincare products may vary depending on the specific peptide used and the product formulation.

Deconstruct's Retinol & Peptide

Serum may be the best choice as this power combination of Retinol and Peptides (Proteasyl) works effectively on minimising the signs of ageing and also nourishes and moisturises skin to fight fine lines and wrinkles.

Improved skin barrier

The body's first line of defence against bacteria, UV radiation, pollution, and other particles, is the skin barrier. Over-exfoliation, exposure to cigarette smoke and other pollutants, and even poor sleep, can harm the skin barrier. Peptides can help improve this barrier function by stimulating the production of new skin cells, increasing the production of collagen and elastin, and promoting the retention of moisture in the skin.

Reduced inflammation

Inflammation is a natural

Uneven skin tone, also known as hyperpigmentation, can be caused by various factors, such as sun exposure, hormonal changes, and ageing. Peptides can help achieve even skin tone by regulating the production of melanin, the pigment that gives colour to the skin. By preventing the skin from various harmful external factors, peptides can also reduce the formation of dark spots and other signs of skin damage.

Improves skin hydration

Peptides can help with skin hydration by promoting the production of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin's moisture levels. Peptides have enzymes that can help to maintain the levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin, leading to increased hydration and improved skin texture, keeping the skin hydrated and plump. Peptides have the potential to increase collagen synthesis, increase skin elasticity, and lessen the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles in skincare products.

By IANSlife

April 14, 2023 (IANSlife)

Maybelline New York announces the appointment of three new brand ambassadors for India. The brand has roped in Suhana Khan, Ananya Birla and Eksha Subba and has extended its erstwhile brand purpose association with sportsperson PV Sindhu.

With the debut of this campaign, the brand has once again shown why it is a leader in beauty and youth appeal. Through its new ambassadors, Maybelline in India hopes to better connect with Gen Z consumers in India by showcasing the brand's youthful energy, edge, style, and the newest trends straight from the streets of New York.

Suhana Khan holds a degree in theatre from NYU and has always had a strong desire to act. She is expected to make her on-screen debut later this year, and the youth of the nation are drawn to her style and confidence.

Millions of young girls in India look up to badminton star and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu.

As a platinum-selling singer, entrepreneur, and fervent supporter of mental health, Ananya Birla wears many hats. Supermodel, boxer, biker, and police officer all describe Eksha Subba. With their distinct personalities, this new Maybelline New York team of ambassadors perfectly captures the essence and ideals of the company.

Zeenia Bastani, Brand General Manager – Maybelline New York, L’Oréal India, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Suhana Khan, Ananya Birla, and Eksha Subba in addition to PV Sindhu, to Maybelline New York! Our mission is to give everyone the self-confidence to express themselves and their beautytheir way, and these four talented young women embody the spirit of our brand and what we stand for. They perfectly represent Maybelline New York women who are ambitious, confident in their self-expression, diverse and ready

to make change!”

Ananya Birla, known for her voice and charisma shares, “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to represent Maybelline New York. Maybelline creates makeup made for all and stands strongly for diversity and inclusion. I’m also proud to be the voice for a brand that has a purpose in ‘Brave Together’ which aims to destigmatize the conversation around mental health and encourages young people to seek the help they need. I am personally very invested in the mental health crisis in India and I’m looking forward to working with Maybelline on this cause.”

Suhana Khan, sharing her thoughts on being a part of the Maybelline New York family, said, “It is very exciting to be associated with an iconic brand like Maybelline New York. This collaboration is closer to my heart as I have lived in New York as a student and the brand captures the style and essence of the city. I look forward to being a part of Maybelline’s journey in India, connecting with young consumers and being the voice of the brand that gives young women everywhere the confidence to express themselves."

Eksha Subba also shared her thoughts on the new association stating, “Maybelline New York is the No 1 makeup brand in the world and is associated with this brand is a dream come true. Some of their iconic products have been part of my makeup kit while growing up and it's an honour for me to be representing this brand today!”

PV Sindhu, shared her excitement about this extended association with the brand, saying, "I have always been proud to be associated with Maybelline New York and their mental health initiative, Brave Together. The brand stands for strength and confidence, values that I strongly identify with. I look forward to inspiring young women to be the best versions of themselves and be Brave Together, always."

NGMA to host ‘Maharaja’s Treasure: Select Works of Art from Air India Collection’

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and the Union Ministry of Culture will present 'Maharaja's Treasure: Select works of art from the famed Air India collection'an exhibition that opens on April 27 and continues till July 2 at the NGMA in Fort, Mumbai.

Over the period of eighty years, Air India put together an impressive art collection to showcase and celebrate Indian art and culture across the globe. This collection comprises of paintings and sculptures by famous artists such as V. S. Gaitonde, B. Prabha, M.F. Husain, G.R. Santosh, K.H. Ara, Pilloo Pochkhanawala, Raghav Kaneria, to name a few, traditional paintings such as Phad and Pichwai paintings of Rajasthan, Kalamkaris from Andhra Pradesh, Thanjavur gilded and glass paintings to an exquisite array of textiles, jewellery, and

decorative art spread across the subcontinent.

It was officially decided that this collection will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture and is to be housed at the NGMA for posterity. The exhibition will be inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region), G. Kishan Reddy.

"It gives me immense pleasure to launch the first exhibition on the Air India collection here at NGMA. This is the first of many to celebrate the iconic collection which was a pioneer in promoting our heritage across the globe. The exhibition consists of a thematic display of around 200 meticulously chosen artworks that brings to you a portion of the collection that Air India used to redefine air travel in its own 'maharaja' style," says Nazneen

Banu, Director - NGMA. The exhibition begins with a glimpse of a few iconic works from the collection by masters such as K.H. Ara, V.S. Gaitonde, N.S. Bendre, G.R. Santosh, Manu Parekh, B Prabha, M.F. Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon, and B. Vithal.

An untitled canvas by V.S. Gaitonde from 1970, stands prominent, evoking a serene mood through the warm hues spread across the canvas. The highlight of this section is the famous ashtray designed by surrealist Salvadore Dali which is in the form of a sea shell with a serpent coiled around its rim and supported by elephant heads which in reverse become swans. Proceeding to the next floor, brings to life, the various portrayals of women and their contributions to life and society.

Arpana Caur's canvas depicting

a woman with a blue crescent moon on her head is part of a larger composition titled, 'Women Hold up Half the Sky', showing women in construction sites, where the heavy vessel on her head takes the shape of the moon.

Shanti Dave's painting is an extension of the same theme. The section also dedicates a corner to the fisherwomen painted by B. Prabha and A.A. Raiba.

Open window panes always generate a multitude of possibilities of imagination and a sense of freedom that lies on the horizon. This section highlights various vignettes showing landscapes laden with huts, buildings, birds, and people engaged in farming. Both the works of Anjolie Ela Menon mounted on window frames, titled 'Nawab with pigeon' depicts the little girl's longing to break away from the patriarchy that

holds her back inside the confines of age-old traditions represented by the figure of the Nawab and in the second work titled, 'Lady with kite' represents the little girl's desire to experiment with the possibilities that exist outside. Expressionism and abstract form take prominence on the next floor. The vibrant canvases of Achuthan Kudallur and Laxman Shrestha bring forth various shapes that do not confer to a particular identifiable object but take one's mind on a journey to infinite thoughts. The section proceeds to more fluid forms of the 'Kalpavriksha', the tree of life, flanked by Hindu deities, Ganesha and Brahma by S.G. Vasudev. The second half of this section is dedicated to landscapes that climax with the formidable mountains of Serbjeet Singh.

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) In a unique conservation achievement by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, the discarded stones of a 113-year-old demolished road over bridge have found a new permanent place as the striking new "entrance columns" of the front and back of the 80-year-old historic August Kranti Maidan. The Reay Road ROB was razed last year (October 2022) as part of the BMC's policy to bring down all retired bridges, those more than a

century old or are in a precarious condition, and replace them with new modern structures.

"While demolishing the Reay Road ROB, we noticed some very beautiful, crafted or semicrafted stones of various shapes and sizes making up around 8-10 main pillars, 20-feet tall, that would have been lost forever... We decided to 'recycle' them for an alternative use," said a senior officer of the BMC's Heritage Conservation Department,

preferring anonymity.

Around that time the BMC had taken up restoration of the historic August Kranti Maidan - where Mahatma Gandhi and other top leaders of the Congress had given the clarion call to the British to 'Quit India' 80 years ago on August 9, 1942. The renovation work was taken up by the Savani Heritage Conservation Pvt. Ltd. (SHCPL), guided by its consultant architect Pankaj Joshi of Urban Centre Mumbai (UCM).

Based on UCM's guidance, SHCPL' Project Coordinator Jitesh Patel and his team visited the site, and checked the heap of black-grey 'precious stones' lying there and got working on it. "The stones of the erstwhile ROB pillars were carefully numbered, separated with cranes, then loaded onto trucks and transported for their rebirth, or a 'new aavatar' as the entrance-exit gates of the 5-acres

ground which is part of India's Independence history," Patel told IANS. The work was massive, and the teams relocated 54 huge crafted stones of the ROB pier caps each 5 feet by 10 feet, and column bottoms of 4 feet by 8 feet, each weighing between 800-1,000 kg, without damaging them in transit.

"These are tough stones, commonly found in Panvel (Raigad) and bear what is called 'Mativ finish', considered the best and smoothest manual finishing achieved in a hammer-chisel operation by the artisans of that era," Patel said.

For the main entrance and back exit gates, a total of 54 crafted stones have been used and 448 semi-crafted stones of the column base, now erected on a sturdy new RCC raft of 60 square feet. "The entire work was done under the supervision

of BMC Commissioner I. S. Chahal, Additional Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and other officials of the Heritage Conservation Department, as part of the Rs 16-crore AKM redevelopment and beautification project," said the civic official. After the meticulously planned, precise placement of the discarded stones, and six months of hard work, the historic AKM has acquired brand new, innovative, magnificent and attractive entrance columns.

"The BMC is now carefully preserving old stones from demolished bridges or other buildings and devising ways and means to re-use them imaginatively and artistically to conserve our heritage... We shall unveil more such projects in the coming months," said the official.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)

113-year-old Mumbai bridge stones resurrected as August Kranti Maidan gates

‘Adopt a giver’s mindset’, advises biz coach Manoj Gursahani in a new book

from a transactional mindset of 'You scratch my back and I will scratch yours'. I wanted to change this narrative and approach it from a giver's mindset and the perspective of genuinely investing in relationships.

Australia’s oldest library starts daily opening of Shakespeare Room for 1st time

guide and self-help tool kit," the author sad.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS)

Author, business coach, and global strategist Manoj Gursahani believes the only way forward in the modern world is to change your lens from a transactional mindset that looks for what others can do for you to one of generosity.

"Adopt a giver's mindset and this alone will change your life and open doors to unimaginable abundance and opportunities," Gursahani, author of 'The Human Connect', told IANS in an interview about his debut book that details the secrets of effective networking drawn from his vast and diverse experience across the global business landscape.

"This is not a laborious read but relevant to current times where less is more. It has easy-to-follow, relatable, practical tips and anecdotes that will resonate with you and offer guidance that I wish someone had extended to me when I was just starting out.

"I hope that it will help every reader who picks it up to have deeper personal and professional relationships, create the blueprint of a successful, inspired, enriched life and build a thriving business," added Gursahani, who also advises various corporates on mergers and acquisitions across the world.

"The book is my way of reaching out to young Indians who are completely overwhelmed by technology and social media and have lost an organic connection with the world. I wanted to remind them of the beauty of synergy over competitiveness and was inspired to change the lens of transactional networking which is a western concept.

"This book expands on the idea of 'Giving', which is another form of receiving and can be more fulfilling than just doing something for someone with a vested interest," Gursahani explained.

That explains the inspiration behind writing the book.

"The quest to find the key to a happy life led me to understand that meaningful relationships, if nurtured and sustained over a period of time, can empower our personal and professional journey and help us to grow in unimaginably enriching ways. This is the thought that lies at the core of this book.

"When I started researching the subject of networking, I figured that most of the books we have in fact approach networking

"I did not want this shift to be superficial, and instead argued for the need to actually change our lens when we meet someone. The point is to have a genuine and sincere approach and the attitude of what we can do for someone rather than what they can do for us.

"The book illustrates this point with several examples and stories. Trust me, the adherence to these principles in our day-to-day life, will turn us into human magnets and open doors and opportunities beyond our wildest dreams," he maintained.

Why is a book like this important for young India?

"In the times we are living in, life is becoming increasingly dominated by technologydriven tools like Chat GPT and the youth are missing out on human connections due to their dependence upon social media and cell phones. We are all living in isolation in our respective silos and the young generation in particular has a shrinking attention span and an urgent need for instant gratification.

"I have something important to say and my book says it in a crisp, succinct way. It is a fast read and after each chapter, gives practical mantras that young readers can derive benefit from," he added. If readers apply even 20 per cent of the principles he has shared in the book, "it will help them build more meaningful bonds. Strong relationships are crucial for their well-being and will help them to overcome bouts of depression, habits of overthinking, and anxiety and adopt positive attributes like gratitude, empathy, and social responsibility," Gursahani contended.

How can this book help readers recognise their flaws and skills, and how to work on them?

"A conscious awareness of our flaws and skills helps us to evolve and grow. Once we become cognizant of our weaknesses and strengths, we can then change or pivot our approach. Once we start radiating this energy of inner transformation, it will help us build better and longlasting business and personal relationships.

"Changing for the better, also makes us happier as human beings. The book elaborates how by remembering names, cultivating the art of effective listening, improving our body language and staying in touch with people can help us to forge stronger bonds. I have also offered a list of do and don'ts which can serve as navigation

To that extent, each chapter ends with a mantra: For instance, "It's in giving that we receive", "Develop sincerity in your giving nature without expecting in return" and "Listening is not a skill, it's a discipline".

Not surprisingly, his favourite chapter is the 19th, which elucidates his take on "an unimaginable return on investment (ROI).

"This is actually the crux of the book and can help us to build relationships that are not based on networking and are incredibly fulfilling," Gursahani concluded. So there you have it. Here's a book that takes the concept of Human Resource Development to a whole new level in a world driven by technology and social media.

(Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ ians.in)

Sydney, April 24 (IANS) As the oldest library in Australia, the State Library of New South Wales (NSW) on Monday started opening Shakespeare Room seven days a week to the public for the first time in its history.

Welcoming visitors in a social media post, the NSW State Library said that the Tudor-style room opened in the early 1940s, was built to commemorate the 300th anniversary of English playwright William Shakespeare's death, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Inside you'll find thousands of books by and about Shakespeare, as well as stained-glass windows

that depict the seven ages of man from his play 'As You Like It'," the state library noted.

In a statement, NSW State Librarian John Vallance called the Shakespeare Room "one of Sydney's true hidden gems". "After being closed for three years due to Covid, we are pleased to be able to again welcome Shakespeare fans and visitors alike to this unique slice of Tudor England," Vallance said.

According to the NSW State Library, as this year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, the library will also present a special exhibition from July 8 to February 25, 2024.

The display is expected to feature the library's significant Shakespeare collection, including the only copy of the First Folio in Australia and a copy of each of the Second, Third, and Fourth Folios, all published in the 17th century after the death of the English playwright.

Amitav Ghosh’s next book on opium’s dark history arrives on July 15

thought they would be mainly about the transportation of indentured workers from India to Mauritius in the early nineteenth century.

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Opium nearly smoked out China, made Britain acquire tainted wealth, and laid the foundation of the fortunes of many a notorious trading house, most infamously Jardine Matheson, and made a number of early 19th-century Bombay Parsi families, who were middlemen in the East India Company's illicit opium trade, very rich.

And it continues to have a baneful influence because it is the lifeblood of global narcoterrorism.

Celebrated author Amitav Ghosh's next book, 'Smoke and Ashes', to be released by HarperCollins India's Fourth Estate imprint on July 15, is, in the words of its subtitle, 'A Writer's Journey Through Opium's Hidden Histories'. Ghosh said in an announcement issued by his publishers that his upcoming book is "based on the enormous quantities of material I accumulated while researching the trilogy of novels [The Ibis Trilogy] I wrote between 2005 and 2015."

Delving into the making of 'Smoke and Ashes', Ghosh said: "When I started writing the novels I

But in the course of my research, and much to my surprise, I stumbled upon a different trade in a precious commodity that was being carried in large quantities from India to China -- opium!"

'Smoke and Ashes', which is "at once a travelogue, a memoir and an excursion into history, both economic and cultural," is the story of how, under the aegis of the British Empire, I ndia became the world's largest producer of opium between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the different conditions under which opium was produced in various regions, with lasting effects for those areas.

Interestingly, to safeguard their opium trade with China, the East India Company outlawed its use in India, although opium poppy seeds, known as posto in Bengal, entered the cuisine of the state and became a definitive staple of the Bengali diet.

'Smoke and Ashes', according to Ghosh, also traces the transformative impact that the opium trade had on India, China, Britain and the United States, with profound longterm consequences for the birth of the modern world, and of contemporary globalism.

"Many of the world's biggest

corporations got their start in the colonial opium trade," Ghosh pointed out. "But the opium economy also had significant effects at the microlevel, influencing migration and settlement patterns, and touching upon millions of lives, including those of my own forefathers."

He added: "This story is remarkable, and revelatory, because at the heart of it lies a plant -- the opium poppy. While many other plants, like sugarcane, tobacco and cotton, have played major roles in history, their importance has faded over time.

"The opium poppy, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength; it is now more powerful than ever, manifesting itself in the devastating opioid crisis that currently grips the globe."

'Smoke and Ashes', Ghosh concluded, "tells the story of how this common and deceptively humble plant has shaped the modern world, and the key part it is now playing in the unmaking of that world."

HarperCollins India will be the first to publish Smoke and Ashes, in July, which is only appropriate because their editorial teams have given me huge and whole-hearted support throughout the writing of the book. I am very excited about the publication of the book!"

Apple working on AI-powered health coaching service, says report

not work out.

Apple is also reportedly working on technology for tracking emotions and plans to roll out an iPad version of the iPhone Health app this year.

has also introduced several useful features like safe listening features, headphone accommodations, sound recognition and more.

World’s first ‘gene silencing’ Alzheimer’s drug shows promise

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Apple is reportedly working on an AIpowered health coaching service to help users exercise, improve eating habits and sleep better.

Code named ‘Quartz', several teams at Apple are working on the project, including the company's health, Siri and AI teams, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The paid service is planned for next year but "could be postponed or shelved altogether" if it does

The emotion tracker will allow users to log their mood, answer questions about their day and compare their results over time.

The new iPad Health app is likely to be unveiled during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

In the future, Apple reportedly hopes the mood tracker will be able to use algorithms to understand a user's mood based on their speech, text and other data, said the report.

To help people monitor and protect hearing health, Apple

Apple has also armed global researchers with Apple Watch devices to help explore new frontiers in heart health. Using Apple's newly launched Investigator Support Programme, researchers can pioneer understanding of the heart with Apple Watch devices.

Apple Watch is currently known to provide heart health features such as high and low heart notifications, cardio fitness, irregular rhythm notifications, the ECG app, and atrial fibrillation (AFib) history.

MG Motor launches cheapest EV in India, starting at Rs 7.98 lakh

and enhanced legroom as well as headroom. It also features a comfortable and roomy cabin with a 4-seater configuration with 50:50 settings on the second row of seats. In addition, the centre console comes equipped with useful features such as electric window operation buttons and a 12-Volt charging port.

London, April 26 (IANS) UK scientists have conducted the first-ever trial of a new drug for Alzheimer's disease that is able to safely and successfully lower levels of the harmful tau protein known to cause the disease.

The trial, led by a team at the University College London, represents the first time that a "gene silencing" approach has been taken in dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The approach uses a drug called BIIB080 (IONIS-MAPTRx) to "silence" the gene coding for the tau protein -- known as the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene.

to slow -- or possibly even reverse -- Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases caused by tau accumulation in the future," Mummery said.

The phase 1 trial looked at the safety of BIIB080, what it does in the body, and how well it targets the MAPT gene.

In all, 46 patients, with an average age of 66, were enrolled in the trial -- which took place from 2017 to 2020. The trial looked at three doses of the drug, given by intrathecal injection (an injection into the nervous system via the spinal canal), compared with the placebo.

The results, published in the journal Nature Medicine, show that the drug was well tolerated, with all patients completing the treatment period and over 90 per cent completing the posttreatment period.

Patients in both the treatment and placebo groups experienced either mild or moderate side effects -- the most common being a headache after injection of the drug. However, no serious adverse events were seen in patients given the drug.

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) British car manufacturer MG Motor India on Wednesday unveiled its smart electric vehicle -- Comet EV, at a starting price of Rs 7,98,000, which offers a certified battery range of around 230 km on a single charge. According to the company, the new Comet EV has been evaluated to provide an encouraging and economical charging cost of Rs 519 per month.

The Comet EV is the second electric vehicle in MG Motor India's portfolio and comes with futuristic and user-friendly Smart technologies.

"The Comet EV is built on the pure electric GSEV platform, the fastest to hit the 1 million EV sales mark globally. The car seamlessly blends style, technology, and sustainability, offering a versatile and spacious ride with unparalleled safety features. At MG, we understand that the future of mobility is electric and connected," Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India, said in a statement. The MG Comet EV is designed on the concept of BICO -- 'Big Inside, Compact Outside', offering comfortably spacious

Moreover, it comes powered with a 17.3 kWh Li-ion battery, plus it is IP67-rated, making it highly resistant to water and dust.

The new Comet EV comes loaded with segment-leading active and passive safety features such as Dual Front Airbags, ABS + EBD, Front & Rear 3 pt. Seat Belts, Rear Parking Camera & Sensor, TPMS (Indirect) and ISOFIX Child Seat. Further, MG Motor has also introduced two special editions of the Comet EV -- the Gamer edition and the LIT edition for urban commuters, including -gaming and tech communities, and fashionistas.

This prevents the gene from being translated into the protein in a doseable and reversible way. It will also lower the production of that protein and alter the course of disease.

"We will need further research to understand the extent to which the drug can slow progression of physical symptoms of disease and evaluate the drug in older and larger groups of people and in more diverse populations," said consultant neurologist Dr. Catherine Mummery (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology & the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

"But the results are a significant step forward in demonstrating that we can successfully target tau with a gene silencing drug

The research team also looked at two forms of the tau protein in the central nervous system (CNS) -- a reliable indicator of disease -- over the duration of the study. They found a greater than 50 per cent reduction in levels of total tau and phosphor tau concentration in the CNS after 24 weeks in the two treatment groups that received the highest dose of the drug.

There are currently no treatments targeting tau. The drugs aducanumab and lecanemab -recently approved for use in some situations by the US Food and Drug Administration -- target a separate disease mechanism in AD, the accumulation of amyloid plaques.

NASA successfully extracts oxygen from lunar soil simulant

done in a vacuum environment, paving the way for astronauts to one day extract and use resources in a lunar environment, called insitu resource utilization.

resources critical for survival and transportation on extraterrestrial worlds," the agency said.

Washington, April 26 (IANS)

Scientists at NASA have successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil, even as the space agency works toward sending astronauts to the Moon through Artemis missions.

Lunar soil refers to the finegrained material covering the Moon's surface. This was the first time that this extraction has been

Oxygen remains a crucial building block for establishing a long-term presence on the lunar surface. In addition to using oxygen for breathing, it can also be used as a propellant for transportation, helping lunar visitors stay longer and venture farther.

"With the successful completion of this demonstration test, NASA has established that oxygen can be extracted from existing lunar material to provide humans with

NASA's Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) team at Johnson Space Center in Houston conducted the test in conditions similar to those found on the Moon by using a special spherical chamber with a 15-feet diameter called the Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber. The chamber is considered "dirty" because unclean samples can be tested inside. The team used a highpowered laser to simulate heat from a solar energy concentrator and melted the lunar soil simulant within a carbothermal reactor. A

carbothermal reactor is where the process of heating and extracting the oxygen takes place. After the soil was heated, the team was able to detect carbon monoxide using a device called the Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo), which is similar to a device that will fly on two upcoming exploration missions to the Moon's South Pole. "This technology has the potential to produce several times its own weight in oxygen per year on the lunar surface, which will enable a sustained human presence and lunar economy," said Aaron Paz, NASA senior engineer and CaRD project

manager at Johnson. To apply this process to oxygen production on the Moon, a carbothermal reactor needs to be able to hold pressure to keep gasses from escaping to space, while still allowing lunar material to travel in and out of the reaction zone. Operating the reactor in a vacuum environment for the CaRD test simulated the conditions at the lunar surface and increased the technical readiness level of the reactor to a six, which means the technology has a fully functional prototype or representational model and is ready to be tested in space.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND UDEEKAN TERIYAN

RELEASE DATE: 14 April 2023

LANGUAGE: Punjabi (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Sagi A Agnihotri, Mukesh Sharma

AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 16, 1947

RELEASE DATE: 14 April 2023

DIRECTOR: Raj Sinha

CAST: Jaswinder Bhalla, Amar Noorie, Vindhu Dara Singh, Seema Kaushal

HESH PATA (LAST PAGE)

RELEASE DATE: 14th April 2023

LANGUAGE: Bengali (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Firdausul Hasan, Prabal Halder

DIRECTOR: Atanu Ghosh

CAST: Prosenjit Chatterjee, Vikram Chatterjee, Gargi Roy Chowdhury

SYNOPSIS: Balmiki, an arrogant non-conformist writer of fiction. Explores the very basic concept of debt and idea of freedom attached to the word.

LANGUAGE: Tamil (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Om Prakash Bhatt, Narsiram Choudhary, Vakil Khan, A.R. Murugadoss, Aditya Joshi

DIRECTOR: N.S Ponkumar

JAWAN

RELEASE DATE: 2 June 2023

LANGUAGE: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada (With English Subtitles)

DIRECTOR: Atlee Kumar

CAST: Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Yogi Babu

‘Singham Again’ shifts its release date to Independence Day 2024

Shetty who has earlier helmed the two films from the franchise.

'Singham Again' will go to floors in August 2023.

Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the update on his Twitter recently.

He tweeted: "#Xclusiv... Ajay

Devgn - Rohit Shetty: 'Singham Again' ON Independence Day

2024 - #SinghamAgain - the third part in #RohitShetty's supersuccessful #Singham franchise - to release on August 15, 2024 #IndependenceDay. #AjayDevgn returns as #BajiraoSingham... starts August 2023."

Devgn's upcoming film

Bollywood superstar Ajay

'Singham Again' has shifted its release to an early date.

The film, third instalment of the 'Singham' franchise, was

Dimple

earlier supposed to release on Diwali 2024. But as per the new development, the film will now arrive in cinemas on August 15, 2024.

The film will be directed by Rohit

The film will see Deepika Padukone in a cop avatar. 'Singham' was released in 2011, and starred Kajal Aggarwal and Prakash Raj in the lead roles, followed by 'Singham Returns' in 2014. Both projects were declared box office hits.

Actress-producer

Angira Dhar. She shared her working experience with the young actors and being part of the web show.

Talking about her experience, Dimple said: "Working with Radhika, Isha and Angira was an absolute joy. The independence and the sense of responsibility that comes with this new generation makes me really happy and assured that the next generation of actors will carry on the legacy of Hindi cinema."

While sharing her working experience with the new generation of actors and doing action scenes, she added: "These three young actresses are incredibly talented and passionate about their work, and I couldn't have asked for better co-stars."

Priyanka

Chopra Jonas, who recently flew down to India for professional commitments, is all set to be seen in the upcoming streaming series 'Citadel,' in which she plays an elite spy along with Richard Madden.

Priyanka transitioned to the west almost a decade ago as she explored opportunities in music and worked with the likes of Pitbull and will.i.am, and eventually starred in projects like 'Quantico' and 'Baywatch', with 'Citadel' on the horizon.

became very important for me to bring my community to the forefront and to bring in the recognition for the country which practically is one of the biggest film and entertainment markets. I take it up as my responsibility to ensure that all people from the South Asian community appear on the poster or headline the projects for the English content which is the global content and is viewed in most of the countries."

Veteran Bollywood actress Dimple Kapadia, who shot to fame at the age of 14 with her movie, 'Bobby', is creating headlines these days for the web series 'Saas, Bahu aur Flamingo' in which she is sharing screen space with emerging faces of the entertainment industry including Radhika Madan, Isha Talwar, and

The 65-year-old actress has given a number of hits such as 'Saagar', 'Rudaali', 'Gardish', 'Lekin..', 'Kaash', 'Prahaar', 'Narsimha', 'Hum Kaun Hai', among others. She also played character and supporting roles in many projects. She received several awards for her performances in movies like 'Krantiveer', 'Luck By Chance', 'Finding Fanny', and many more.

"Some of the scenes were full of action and we really depended on each other for both moral and physical support as it demanded a lot from us. There were a wide range of emotions we had to go through right from doing action sequences to high octane drama and together, we did it all," she concluded.

Produced by Maddock Films, the series is directed by Homi Adajania and stars Dimple Kapadia, Radhika Madan, Angira Dhar, and Isha Talwar in pivotal roles along with Ashish Verma, Varun Mitra, Udit Arora, Deepak Dobriyal and Monica Dogra.

Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer ‘Dream Girl 2’ to now release on Aug 25

cinemas on August 25.

The VFX work is crucial for 'Dream Girl 2', as the film features Ayushmann Khurrana to play the role of Pooja and Karam. The makers want to ensure that he looks seamless and convincing as Pooja.

The actress might have been in the west for quite sometime but she holds her Indian values close to her heart. Talking to IANS, PC said: "India is my identity. Wherever I go in the world, I am an Indian first and then everything else. I take a lot of pride in being born in a country which boasts of an ancient culture and such a mind-blowing mix of people."

She then factored in the concept of Indian hospitality which is known all over the world as she shared: "And I mean the world knows that nothing can come even remotely close to the Indian hospitality and the sentiment of 'atithi devo bhavah'. So, these are the values that I hold close to my heart and practice in my everyday life because that's who I am."

The first episode of 'Citadel' perfectly sets the tone for the series with its pitch-perfect mounting of action and establishment of characters as a lot of drama unfolds between the heavy action sequences. When asked if she did any improvisation or if she went completely by the book. Thie actress said: "The most interesting part about the opening sequence was that there was a lot of action happening inside the train - People were dying, an explosion was happening and I and Richard were still having a dialogue, screaming at each other across the two ends of the coach because that's how the relationship between these two agents is."

The upcoming film 'Dream Girl 2', which stars Ayushmann Khurrana as a cross-gender actor, has pushed its release date once again. The film was earlier supposed to bow in theatres on June 23, but now, owing to VFX work, the film will arrive in

Speaking about the decision, Ektaa R. Kapoor, Joint Managing Director - Balaji Telefilms Limited, said: "We want Ayushmann Khurrana's character to look perfect as Pooja in 'Dream Girl 2', and that's why we are

taking extra time to perfect the VFX work for the face. We want to ensure that our viewers get the best possible experience when they watch the movie."

She further mentioned: "The VFX work for Dream Girl 2 is an integral part of the movie, and we want to ensure that we deliver a high-quality product to our audiences."

The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday in the lead role and is directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa.

Being an Indian in a sea of American talents, who call the shots in Hollywood, it also gives her a sense of purpose.

She told IANS: "It has been my aim to represent India on the international canvas. People from the South Asian community have been working in the west for very many years but, for some reason they were never given a chance to headline a project or to feature on the posters of an international film, in most of the cases." She further mentioned: "When I started working in the west, it

"So, there were a lot of improvisations even before the camera started rolling, while preparing the scenes we used to exchange a lot of information about the scene," she added. As a closure to the conversation with IANS, PC spoke about the merits of long-format content: "Long format content is a blessing for the actors because they get to explore the character more and the back stories."

"As for the viewers, they also find it more engaging and invest more of their time trying to understand the world of the series or the film, the characters and where they come from," she concluded.

'Citadel' premieres on Prime Video on April 28.

Kapadia is happy with the sense of responsibility in the new generation

‘It is my responsibility to bring South Asian community to the forefront’: Priyanka

Actor Sooraj Pancholi acquitted in Jiah Khan suicide case

'Houseful', was directly linked to her then-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi, who is the son of actor pair Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, and hails from an influential family.

He further mentioned: "I hope and pray to God that nobody goes through what I have gone through at such a young age. I do not know who will give me these 10 years of my life back to me, but I am glad that this has finally come to an end not only for me but, especially for my family. There is nothing bigger than peace in this world."

Meanwhile, Jiah's mother, Rabia, expressed her opinion about the verdict as she spoke to the media outside the court on Friday. She said: "I will go to the High Court or Supreme Court. They want me to work harder, I will work harder. I have fought for 10 years, I will fight more. Jiah will get justice".

New ‘MasterChef Australia’ season to feature Jamie Oliver as 1st special guest judge

Surprises', and will add drama to the culinary art with unexpected plot twists. It will see a fresh group of passionate cooks putting their culinary expertise to the test, under the watchful gaze of judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen, and Melissa Leong.

The show will see the contestants competing against each other for the prize money of $250,000.

The cooking reality show

'MasterChef Australia' is returning with its 15th season. International megastar and super chef Jamie Oliver will serve as the first special guest judge of Season

15.

The new season is titled 'MasterChef Australia: Secrets &

The Australian counterpart of the series is the most widely loved edition and was recently awarded its sixth AACTA Award for Best Reality Program.

The show has been produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Network Ten and internationally distributed by Banijay Rights. The new season will be available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar in

Actor Sooraj Pancholi, who was acquitted of suicide abetment charges in the actress Jiah Khan death case on Friday, has finally broken his silence.

The actor, in a statement, spoke about "winning his dignity back".

"The verdict has taken 10 long painful years and sleepless nights. But today, I have not only won

this case but also won my dignity and confidence back. It took a lot of courage to face the world with such heinous allegations," he said.

The suicide case of Jiah Khan back in 2013 left the nation and the film fraternity stunned.

The death of the actress, who worked in Bollywood movies such as 'Nishabd', 'Ghajini', and

Rabia, in the past, claimed that Jiah was murdered. She also demanded that a murder investigation be launched against Sooraj. She reiterated the same on Friday as well.

"The road is now open for me. CBI could have pressed for murder charges. I am grateful for the court to hold that there is no evidence because no evidence was submitted," she added.

Delhi HC orders social media to take down leaked clips of SRK-starrer ‘Jawan’

"It is the plaintiff's (Red Chillies) case that these leaked video clips are nothing but clear violation of copyright/intellectual property rights of the plaintiff which are are causing damage and loss to the plaintiff.

The song 'Bareilly Ke Bazaar' from the upcoming film 'Chatrapathi' was unveiled on Thursday. The song is a party number and features actress Nushrratt Bharuccha and actor Sreenivas Bellamkonda. It has been crooned by Sunidhi

Chauhan and Nakash Aziz and is a lyrical play around on the 'Jhoomka gira re Bareli ke bazaar

mein' from the famous song by Asha Bhosle.

The song features Arabic textures sonically with thumping beats on

the drum machine. The music of the song has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi with lyrics penned by Mayur Puri.

Talking about the song, Sunidhi Chauhan said, "'Bareilly Ke Bazaar' is a very sensuous track and the beats are addictive - We tried bringing in a flavour and vibe that would appeal to the masses and can't wait for them to hear it."

Nakash Aziz said, "It was great collaborating with Sunidhi Chauhan and lending my voice to Sreenivas Bellamkonda. 'Bareilly Ke Bazaar' is a fun dance track that audiences are going to love."

The track is a groovy number featuring Nushrratt in a sensuous avatar with Bellamkonda looking suave and stylish.

Composer Tanishk Bagchi shared, "The song is very high energy, very sexy and just an overall fun dance track. Sunidhi Chauhan and Nakash Aziz with their vocals brought in just the right tonality to Nushrratt's smouldering avatar and Sreenivas Bellamkonda's swag."

Presented by Dr. Jayantilal Gada of Pen Studios, 'Chatrapathi' has been directed by V.V. Vinayak from a script by Vijayendra

After clips of the upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-starrer movie 'Jawan' got leaked, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed social media platforms, 'shady' websites, cable TV outlets, direct-to-home services, and various other platforms to remove the leaked clips and stop their circulation as well.

Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, a production house owned by Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan, had filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court on this count.

A Delhi High Court bench headed by Justice C. Hari Shankar on Tuesday directed social media sites like YouTube, Google, Twitter, and Reddit to take action to halt the circulation of the movie's copyrighted content and ordered a number of internet service providers to prohibit access to websites that were showing or making the movie's footage available for viewing or downloading.

Two movie-related video snippets, according to the petitioner, were leaked on social media, one showing Shah Rukh Khan in a fight sequence, and the second showing a dance sequence.

The leaked video clips together give away the look of the actors in the said film, as well as the music, both of which are typically disclosed at strategic points in time as part of the carefully-curated marketing strategy of a film," the court was told.

The lawsuit also claimed that specific images from the film's set, which were shot behind closed doors in a studio, had been leaked by the defendants. An apprehension was expressed that the rogue social media handles would further copy, reproduce and distribute the copyright-protected materials and other proprietary information on various platforms, the plea said.

"The plaintiff reasonably apprehends that such publication and unauthorised circulation of the leaked video clips will jeopardise the promotion and exploitation rights of the plaintiff in the said film, and as and when the said film is released in theatres, similar acts of piracy relating to the entire film would also commence and intermediaries/websites as described would again be utilised to illegally copy, record, download, reproduce, transmit and communicate the said copyright protected work to the general public," the plea said

‘Bareilly Ke Bazaar’ featuring Nushrratt, Sreenivas is a sensuous track