The Indian Panorama

Year: 2022

  • Republican senator supports waiving CAATSA sanctions against India

    Republican senator supports waiving CAATSA sanctions against India

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Arguing that the Biden Administration should resist from any action that might drive New Delhi away from Quad, a top Republican senator supported waiving of CAATSA sanctions against India for purchase of S-400 missile systems from Russia. India, Senator Todd Young said, is currently taking delivery of the Russian S-400 system. The country is also in the process of acquiring new frigate ships from Russia. ”Both are important systems for the Indians,” he said on Wednesday, January 12, during a confirmation hearing for James O’Brien for the position of the State Department coordinator for Sanctions Policy.

    ”India is a vital ally in our competition against China, and thus, I believe we should resist taking any actions that might drive them away from us and the Quad. I am therefore strongly supportive of waiving CAATSA sanctions against India, given our shared foreign policy interests,” Senator Young said. ”As most here know, the Indians have a lot of legacy systems from previous decades, and they are interoperable with the Russians’ systems. And the Indians seek to defend their land border from Chinese incursions and defend the Indian Ocean from an increasingly adventurous and lawless blue ocean navy in the People’s Liberation Army,” he said. The Indiana senator asked O’Brien if the US experience with Turkey provided any warning or lessons on how to proceed with India.

    ”I believe they are very different circumstances, and, of course, different security partnerships — but how do you believe we should think about the possibility of sanctioning our friends and not just threats,” he asked.

    In response, O’Brien said it is difficult to compare the two situations, with a NATO ally that is breaking with legacy defense procurement systems, and then with India, a partner of growing importance, but that has legacy relationships with Russia. ”The administration has made clear that it is discouraging India from proceeding with the acquisitions of Russian equipment, and there are important geostrategic considerations, particularly with (unintelligible) relationship to China. So, I think we have to look at what the balance is. And, of course, India’s got some decisions in front of it, so it would be premature to say more. But this is something I look forward to working with you and other interested members,” O’Brien said.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Key Congressional panel clears nomination of LA mayor as US envoy to India

    Key Congressional panel clears nomination of LA mayor as US envoy to India

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP) A key Congressional panel has voted in favor of the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric M Garcetti to serve as the US Ambassador to India. US President Joe Biden nominated Garcetti as his ambassador to India in July last year. If confirmed by the Senate, Garcetti, 50, would replace Kenneth Juster, who served as the US Ambassador to India during the Trump administration. Juster was appointed as a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in July.

    Besides Garcetti, the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday endorsed 11 other ambassadorial nominations, including Amy Gutmann to be the US Ambassador to Germany, Donald Armin Blome to be the Ambassador to Pakistan and Joe Donnelly to be the envoy to the Holy See.

    The nominations now move to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote. “It is bipartisan that these vacancies be filled whichever party is in control of the White House,” Ranking Member Jim Risch said.

    Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, rued that over 55 nominees were still pending before the committee and many challenges around the world are awaiting them. “As I have said many times before this committee and on the Senate floor, prolonged vacancies are not in our interests. They undermine our national security, hinder our leadership role abroad and benefit only our adversaries,” he said.

    “Turning to the nominees we are considering today, I won’t speak about each of them, but I do want to say that I believe they are all well qualified and deserving of their nominations. I will be voting for them and look forward to their swift confirmation,” Menendez said.Risch voted ‘No’ against the German ambassadorial nominee.”I’m going to record a ‘no’ vote against Dr Guttman, but it is not personal. I stand ready to work with her and to strengthen our alliance with Germany. I also expect her to engage in efforts to stop the construction of the Nord Stream two pipeline. I am a no, not because of her qualifications,” he said.

    “Certainly, she’s qualified, she’s had a long and successful career, but I think that probably as with her position with the University of Pennsylvania, it really is a poster child for the ongoing and growing malign influence of China and at our institutions of higher learning, the University of Pennsylvania has accepted millions and millions of dollars in donations in contracts from China,” Risch said. “The issue of foreign influence, particularly that of the Chinese, in US higher education institutions is very important to this committee and we have made efforts and we continue, and I have worked with the chairman on this to pursue efforts to put a stop to this. And it is important. We do so the University of Pennsylvania is a large organization, but I remain troubled,” he said.

    After Biden’s nomination, Garcetti had said he was honored to accept the nomination and will bring the same energy, commitment and love with which he served the sprawling city to his new role in the world’s largest democracy.

    “Today, the President announced that I am his nominee to serve as US Ambassador to India. I am honored to accept his nomination to serve in this role,” Garcetti, a Democrat, had said in a statement soon after Biden announced his nomination. He has travelled several times to India, most recently as a councilman. In college, he spent a year studying Hindi and Urdu.

    “It’s the largest democracy in the world, soon to be the most populous country in the world, one of the top handful of superpowers in the world,” Garcetti said. “We can’t get our climate goals without India hitting its climate goals. We can’t see the economy truly reopened to international commerce and tourism until COVID is under control. We’re all very closely connected,” he told the Los Angeles Times in an interview. During 12 years as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve Component, Garcetti served under the Commander, US Pacific Fleet and the Defense Intelligence Agency, retiring in 2017 as a Lieutenant. Garcetti has also served as a national co-chair of Biden’s presidential campaign. Commenting on his nomination, the Los Angeles Times wrote that the ambassadorship in President Biden’s administration gives Garcetti a new career path, away from electoral politics.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Centers For Disease Control (CDC) urges citizens to wear ‘most protective mask’

    Centers For Disease Control (CDC) urges citizens to wear ‘most protective mask’

    Administration toship 500 million COVID-19 tests for free

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, January 14, revised its guidance for Americans on wearing masks to protect against COVID-19, recommending donning “the most protective mask you can” while stopping short of advocating nationwide usage of N95 respirators.

    The CDC, an agency, critics have accused of offering shifting and confusing guidance amid the pandemic, clarified on its website “that people can choose respirators such as N95s and KN95s, including removing concerns related to supply shortages for N95s.”Americans should “wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently,” the CDC added.

    The United States leads the world in COVID-19 deaths — roughly 850,000 — even as it battles a surge of cases involving the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant. Complicating matters is the refusal of some Americans to get vaccinated. President Joe Biden said on Thursday, January 13, that the federal government plans to make “high-quality masks” available to Americans for free. In another step, the White House on Friday said the government will begin shipping 500 million COVID-19 tests to Americans later this month without charge.The CDC said it wants to encourage Americans to wear masks rather than push them to wear the highest-grade face protection. It said that “loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection.”“Masking is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask,” the CDC added.

  • Chelsea ease past Tottenham Hotspur into League Cup final

    Chelsea beat London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 thanks to Antonio Rudiger’s first-half goal to complete an emphatic 3-0 aggregate triumph in the League Cup semi-final on Jan 12. Leading 2-0 from last week’s one-sided first leg at Stamford Bridge, defender Rudiger gave Tottenham a mountain to climb when he bundled home from Mason Mount’s corner in the 18th minute. Tottenham battled hard in search of a route back into the tie but it was not to be their night as two penalties awarded either side of halftime by Andre Marriner were both overturned after VAR interventions. To rub salt into their wounds Harry Kane also had a goal ruled out for offside after yet another VAR check. Chelsea, who face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, eased off in the second half but were comfortable enough in the end and will try to claim the League Cup for a sixth time in the final against Liverpool or Arsenal.

  • Google takes on Apple over iMessage ‘lock-in’

    Google takes on Apple over iMessage ‘lock-in’

    Google is slamming Apple over the locked-in world of ‘iMessage’. Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President of Android at Google, put out a series of tweets calling out Apple over strategy with iMessage. His comments came after a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report highlighting how in the US, teens are firmly in team iMessage. More importantly, those who leave the Apple iMessage ‘blue text’ world for Android are often ostracised and shamed by their peers, according to the report. And Google has decided to take the moment to call out Apple’s ‘walled-garden’ approach to messaging.Further, Google’s own approach towards messaging has been in sharp contrast as it tries to push Rich Communication Services (RCS) with its own Messages app for Android. RCS for those who are unaware is the next generation of messaging standards and protocols, designed to replace SMS and MMS. Here’s a look at what the controversy is about. The report highlights how teens, college students in the US are firmly hooked to their iPhones. Also, anyone who steps outside of the hallowed ‘blue bubbles’ gets ostracised or looked down upon. On Apple’s Messages app, when someone is messaging another iPhone user, all those messages appear in blue. But if someone chats with Android users, which is via regular SMS, then the messages appear in green.

  • China’s Chang’e 5 lunar probe finds first on-site evidence of water on moon surface

    China’s Chang’e 5 lunar probe finds first on-site evidence of water on moon surface

    China’s Chang’e 5 lunar lander has found the first-ever on-site evidence of water on the surface of the moon, lending new evidence to the dryness of the satellite. The study published on Saturday in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances revealed that the lunar soil at the landing site contains less than 120 parts-per-million (ppm) water or 120 gram water per ton, and a light, vesicular rock carries 180 ppm, which are much drier than that on Earth.

    The presence of water had been confirmed by remote observation but the lander has now detected signs of water in rocks and soil. A device on-board the lunar lander measured the spectral reflectance of the regolith and the rock and detected water on the spot for the first time. The water content can be estimated since the water molecule or hydroxyl absorbs at a frequency of about three micrometre, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It was the solar wind that contributed to the most humidity of lunar soil as it brought hydrogen that makes up the water, the researchers said.

    The additional 60 ppm water in the rock may originate from the lunar interior, according to the researchers.

    Therefore, the rock is estimated to hail from an older, more humid basaltic unit before being ejected onto the landing site to be picked up by the lunar lander. The study revealed that the moon had turned drier within a certain period, owing probably to the degassing of its mantle reservoir.

    The Chang’e-5 spacecraft landed on one of the youngest mare basalts located at a mid-high latitude on the moon. It measured water on the spot and retrieved samples weighing 1,731 gram.

    “The returned samples are a mixture of granules both on the surface and beneath. But an in-situ probe can measure the outermost layer of the lunar surface,” Lin Honglei, a researcher with the Institute of Geology and Geophysics under CAS, told Xinhua. Lin also said to simulate authentic lunar surface conditions on Earth is challenging, thus making the in-situ measurement so essential.          Source: PTI

  • Hackers exploiting Google Docs, Outlook users at most risk

    Hackers exploiting Google Docs, Outlook users at most risk

    Hackers are sending malicious links through comments in Google apps like Docs and Slides primarily to Outlook users—a known vulnerability that has not been fully closed or mitigated by Google since last year, cyber-security researchers have warned. According to US-based enterprise cybersecurity company Avanan, hackers are increasingly using Google Docs’ productivity features to slip malicious links past spam filters and cyber security tools.

    In June last year, Avanan reported on an exploit in Google Docs that allowed hackers to easily deliver malicious phishing websites to end-users. Now, hackers have found a new way to do the same thing.

    “Starting in December 2021, Avanan observed a new, massive wave of hackers leveraging the comment feature in Google Docs, targeting primarily Outlook users,” said researcher Jeremy Fuchs.

    The comment feature across the Google suite has become an attack vector for hackers, he claimed in a report.

    Avanan said it notified Google of this flaw on January 3, via the report phish through email button within Gmail.

    Google was yet to react to the report. In one such attack, hackers add a comment to a Google Doc. The comment mentions the target with an ‘@’. By doing so, an email is automatically sent to that person’s inbox.

    “In that email, which comes from Google, the full comment, including the bad links and text, is included. Further, the email address isn’t shown, just the attackers’ name, making this ripe for impersonators,” said the report that came out on Thursday. “In this email attack, hackers found a way to leverage Google Docs, and other Google collaboration tools, to send malicious links. We primarily saw it target Outlook users, though not exclusively. It hit over 500 inboxes across 30 tenants, with hackers using over 100 different Gmail accounts,” it elaborated. Source: IANS

  • ‘Cosmic caramel swirl’: ESO releases new image of NGC 1300 galaxy

    ‘Cosmic caramel swirl’: ESO releases new image of NGC 1300 galaxy

    The European Southern Observatory’s picture of this week looks like a mouthwatering caramel nest. The image is of the NGC 1300 spiral galaxy, located about 61 million light-years from Earth. It was created using data collected by the Atacama Large Millimeter/ submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT) located in Chile.

    The image shows a bar of stars and gas along with a central ring which shows an intense star formation.

    “The image is a combination of observations conducted at different colours — or wavelengths — of light. The golden caramel glow corresponds to clouds of molecular gas, the raw material out of which stars form,” said ESO in a release. The images were taken as a part of the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS (PHANGS) project. The project aims to make high-resolution observations of nearby galaxies using several telescopes, including the ALMA, VLT, Hubble and the newly-launched James Webb Space Telescope.

    The different telescopes will help observe the nearby galaxies at different wavelengths. “Different wavelengths can reveal a multitude of secrets about a galaxy and by comparing them astronomers are able to study what activates, boosts, or hinders the birth of new stars,” adds the release.

  • WB retains India’s growth forecast at 8.3%

    WB retains India’s growth forecast at 8.3%

    New delhi (TIP)- The World Bank has retained India’s economic growth forecast for the current fiscal at 8.3% as the recovery is yet to become broad-based.

    As per the first advanced estimates of the national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) last week, the economy is projected to grow at 9.2% in 2021-22, surpassing pre-Covid level in actual terms, mainly on account of improved performance, especially in farm, mining and manufacturing sectors.

    “India’s economy is expected to expand by 8.3% in fiscal year 2021/22 (ending March 2022), unchanged from last June’s forecast as the recovery is yet to become broad-based. “The economy should benefit from the resumption of contact-intensive services, and ongoing but narrowing monetary and fiscal policy support,” the World Bank said in its latest Global Economic Prospects report released on Tuesday.  Source:  PTI

  • Record US inflation growing concern for Fed, business

    Record US inflation growing concern for Fed, business

    Washington (TIP)- The scourge of rising costs now ranks amongst American enterprise leaders’ high considerations, in response to a survey launched Thursday, whereas Federal Reserve official indicated the central financial institution is able to transfer in opposition to inflation.

    Official knowledge reveals indicators the wave of will increase could have peaked on the finish of the 12 months, however with inflation at its highest degree in almost 4 many years, extra economists and a few Fed officers say the central financial institution may need to be extra aggressive to stem the surge.

    Inflation is the number-two fear amongst chief executives, behind labor shortages, and the worth pressures may persist into 2023, in response to a survey by The Convention Board launched Thursday.

    “I am very involved in regards to the excessive degree of inflation,” Fed Governor Lael Brainard stated at her nomination listening to earlier than the Senate Banking Committee. Brainard, whom President Joe Biden nominated to function vice chair of the central financial institution, stated most forecasts present costs are prone to keep excessive for the primary half of the 12 months and are available down later in 2022.

    However she warned to “take these projections with a good quantity of warning.” Brainard advised lawmakers the Fed will concentrate on bringing inflation again all the way down to its two-percent goal however will accomplish that “in step with a sustained and robust restoration.” The Fed’s key inflation-fighting device is the benchmark lending fee, which was slashed to zero firstly of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Many economists anticipate three fee hikes this 12 months, however St Louis Federal Financial institution President James Bullard stated Wednesday policymakers may need to be extra aggressive and lift 4 instances. One other regional Fed president, Raphael Bostic of Atlanta, stated he was open to mountain climbing as early as March.

    Brainard, nevertheless, stated the strikes can be made in a “nicely communicated approach” to make sure a “measured” response by monetary markets and permit the economic system to proceed to get better jobs.

    If confirmed, Brainard would exchange Richard Clarida, who in a paper launched previous to his Friday departure from the Fed argued that the worth will increase have been nearer to the Fed’s goal than they seem. “The unwelcome surge in inflation in 2021, as soon as these relative worth changes are full and bottlenecks have unclogged, will in the long run show to be largely transitory below applicable financial coverage,” he wrote.

              Source: AFP

  • Yezdi makes a comeback

    Yezdi makes a comeback

    Mumbai (TIP)- Classic Legends on Thursday re-launched the iconic motorcycle brand Yezdi in the country with the roll out of three models, priced between Rs 1.98 lakh and Rs 2.09 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The company launched three distinct models—Yezdi Roadster at a starting price of Rs 1.98 lakh, Scrambler at Rs 2.04 lakh and Adventure range at Rs 2.09 lakh. The three bikes come with the same liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 334 cc engine but are tuned to deliver different power outputs. The new range of Yezdi motorcycles will be available across Classic Legends’ dealership network, which already retails Jawa Motorcycles, in India.The company has commenced the bookings of the range with an amount of Rs 5,000 only.

  • Government may not run Vodafone Idea, says CEO

    Government may not run Vodafone Idea, says CEO

    New delhi (TIP)- After Vodafone Idea’s (VIL) stock crashed as alarmed investors started dumping shares on the news that the Central government could hold its equity, a senior company official said the government may not appoint anyone on the Board of directors and that the current promoters will manage and run the company. VIL managing director and chief executive officer Ravindra Takkar said in an online briefing with investors that VIL has decided to convert interest dues of over Rs 15,000 crore to the government into equity, which would mean about 35.8% stake in the company. If the government accepts the offer in full, it will become one of the largest shareholders of VIL. The holding of the promoters, Vodafone Group, would then be around 28.5% with Aditya Birla Group holding 17.8% stake.

  • India, UK aim to finalise FTA agreement by year-end

    New delhi (TIP)- Britain has made a deal with India one of its post-Brexit priorities as, free from the European Union’s common trade policy, ministers look to gear trade policy towards faster-growing economies around the Indo-Pacific region. Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Anne-Marie Trevelyan said they would also launch an “early harvest” or a limited-scope interim trade agreement in the next few months, before finalising the free trade agreement.

    “This is an opportunity that we must seize to steer our partnership along the track of mutual prosperity for the decades to come,” Trevelyan said.

    Britain said the deal could almost double British exports to India, and by 2035 boost total trade by 28 billion pounds ($38.3 billion) per year. Total trade in 2019 was worth 23 billion pounds, according to British statistics.

    India and former colonial power Britain already share strong trade ties, and more than a million people of Indian origin live in Britain after decades of migration.

    India is seeking greater opportunities for Indians to live and work in Britain, and any trade deal could be contingent on relaxing rules and lowering fees for Indian students and professionals going to Britain.

    However, Goyal said that sensitive issues will not be a roadblock as both countries will not make them a necessary condition for the trade deal.

    “Nothing is necessarily a deal-breaker in this agreement,” Goyal said.

  • Madhya Pradesh: The heart of Incredible India

    Madhya Pradesh: The heart of Incredible India

    Madhya Pradesh got its name because of its geographical position, being located in the centre of India. However, it’s tagline ‘The Heart of Incredible India’ has more to do with the fact that it houses facets of the whole of India into this state. From the historical monuments to modern amenities, culture, food and people- this state gives a taste of entire India packed within its geographical boundaries.

    Madhya Pradesh is one of the few states that is surrounded by other states on all its sides. It lies in the plain regions of the country and occupies one of the oldest parts of the Indian Subcontinent which was once the land of the Gonds called the Gondwana. Every twelve years the grand fair of Kumbh Mela is organised here. Madhya Pradesh has some spectacular historical places in its region, of which a temple made of glass in Indore is quite famous. Ujjain, a sacred city for the Hindus, is a renowned place in the world as it is one of 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Madhya Pradesh is particularly famous for its Khajuraho temples which exhibit the erotic sculptures depicting the ancient India Kama Sutra text. The great Sanchi Stupa constructed during King Ashoka’s reign is situated here in Bhopal. The Bandhavgarh National Park which houses the Barasingha and the Tigers reserve is also located here.

    Khajuraho

    Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Madhya Pradesh, is known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. A small town located in the Bundelkhand region, Khajuraho is a brilliant example of Indian architecture and its culture back in the medieval period. The architecture of these Hindu and Jain temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD the sheer confrontational nature of these carvings shows a stark paradox with the conventional Indian ideals about eroticism, leaving everybody spellbound.

    Art in this small town is engrained in all of its structures and are a classic example of the finesse of India’s cultural and artistic heritage. The best part about Khajuraho is that although scores of plunderers tried to destroy the whole complex, they could never succeed, even though they managed to reduce the number of temples and caves to 25 from a staggering 85 at the time it was created.

    Pachmarhi

    Pachmarhi is the only hill station and is the highest point in Madhya Pradesh. Pachmarhi is also often known as “Satpura ki Rani” or the “Queen of the Satpura Range”. Situated at an altitude of 1,067 metres, the picturesque town is a part of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to leopards and bison.

    Five sandstone cut caves on the hilltop are believed to be the spot where Pandavas stayed in Pachmarhi during their exile, making it a popular spot among religious tourists. Being at an elevated height and surrounded by bewitching forests of the Satpuras with the streams and waterfalls, Pachmarhi is a perfect weekend getaway from the nearby cities of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Since the town was discovered and developed in modern times by Captain James Forsyth of the British Army, it houses charming churches built in colonial style architecture.

    Gwalior

    Gwalior is a historic city located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Popular because of the hilltop fort, Gwalior is full of palaces and glorious temples giving this city a majestic charm which speaks volumes of its glorious past.

    A historic city founded by king Surajesan, Gwalior is a city where India’s most eminent royalty once resided. Jai Vilas Pala has the largest carpet in the world which took almost 12 years to weave and two most massive chandeliers in the world that weight close to 3.5 tonnes.

    The great Indian musician Tansen was born in Gwalior, and the tomb of Tansen is also an important place here. Every year, in November/December, a four-day Tansen Music festival is celebrated in the city where various classical musicians from all over the country perform on the stage near the tomb itself. Visit the various monuments and museums, eat the local delicacies like namkeen and go boating in Tighra Dam while you are in the city.

    Bandhavgarh National Park

    Formerly a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Rewa, the Bandhavgarh National Park is world-renowned as a tiger reserve and it is known to have the highest density of Bengal tigers in the world. The frequent sightings of royal tigers make this national park a must-visit for all wildlife enthusiasts. In 2012, around 44-49 tigers were living in the park. There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of avifauna.

    The park got its name from the Bandhavgarh fort situated at the height of 800 m high cliffs nearby. The fort is in ruins now, but an hour trek to the fort is worth it as it provides ample views of the surroundings. The jeep safaris are amongst the most popular activities taken by visitors.

    Kanha National Park

    Located in a central region of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is the largest National Park in central India and has been ranked as one of the best parks in Asia. Among the 22 species of large mammals, the royal Bengal tigers are one of the major attractions. One of the best tiger reserves in India, the present-day area stretches over the 940-kilometre square which is divided into two sanctuaries: Hallon and Banjar.

    The park was established in the year 1955 and has since actively contributed to the preservation of many endangered species. The National Park was taken under the Project Tiger Reserve in 1974. Abundant in flora and fauna, the Kanha National Park houses one of the rarest species of deer- the Barasingha. It is known for the unique Barasingha conversation to save the species that were once on the verge of extinction. One of the most scenic wildlife reserves in Asia today, this National Park came to be known the world over through Rudyard Kipling’s book- The Jungle Book.

    Kanha National Park is famous for its wildlife safaris and attracts tourists from all over the world. Other important animals in this park are leopards, wild dogs, wild cats, foxes, sloth bears, hyenas, langurs, wild boars and jackals. Reptiles including pythons, cobras, krait and other varieties of snakes are also found in this National Park.

  • Paush Purnima

    Paush Purnima

    The full moon day of Paush month is an important day in Hindu religion. The holy bath of Magh month begins with the full moon of Paush month. This day is considered auspicious in North India. On this day thousands of people take holy bath in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.

    On the full moon day of Paush month, thousands of people come to Haridwar and Prayagraj to take a holy bath in the river Ganges. Despite it being winter, people have to take a bath in the holy water of Maa Ganga. It is believed that by taking a bath in the Ganges on this day one gets rid of all sins and even attains ‘Moksha’. Haridwar and Prayagraj have other major pilgrimage sites like Nashik, Ujjain and Varanasi.

    Important information

    Paush Purnima 2022

    Monday, 17 January 2022

    Purnima Tithi starts : 17 January 2022 at 03:18 AM

    Purnima Tithi ends : 18 January 2022 at 05:17 AM

    On the day of Paush Purnima, holy bath at ‘Dashashwamedh Ghat’ in Varanasi, ‘Triveni Sangam’ in Prayag, ‘Har Ki Pauni’ in Haridwar and ‘Ram Ghat’ in Ujjain is considered highly auspicious and important. It is believed that the holy dip on the auspicious day of Paush Purnima liberates the soul from the constant cycle of birth and death.

    If a person cannot go to these pilgrimage places, then he can take a bath on this day before sunrise with the water of a river, pond, well, etc. could. After this Lord Vasudeva is worshipped. After the worship is over, after feeding the Brahmins, they send them away by giving donations. Lord Vasudeva is pleased with this.

    Worship

    Lord ‘Satyanarayana’ fast is also observed on the day of Paush Purnima and Lord Vishnu is worshiped with full devotion. After fasting for the whole day, the story of ‘Satyanarayana’ should be recited. Special prasad is prepared to offer to the deity. Finally an ‘Aarti’ is performed after which the Prasad is distributed among all. On the day of Paush Purnima, special ‘Pushyabhishek Yatra’ is celebrated in the temples of Lord Krishna all over India. Lectures on Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita are also organized on this day.

    Fruit of Worship

    Donating on the day of Paush Purnima is also very auspicious. It is believed that donations made on this day easily bear fruit. Under ‘Anna Daan’ free food is served to the needy in temples and ashrams.

    Taking a bath in the Ganges on this day gets rid of all sins and even attains ‘Moksha’. Shakambhari Jayanti is also celebrated during Paush Purnima. The followers of ISKCON and Vaishnava sect begin the Pushyabhishek Yatra on this day. The tribes living in rural areas of Chhattisgarh celebrate Charta Parv (Chhirta Parv) on Paush Purnima.

    Paush Purnima Rituals

    The first and the most significant ritual to be performed on the day of Paush Purnima is to wake up early and observe holy bath in a sacred river during sunrise. The religious practice of offering ‘Arghya’ to Lord Sun is performed as a part of the ritual.

    After observing the holy dip, the observers are required to worship and offer prayers to ‘Shiva lingam’

    Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and keep a ‘Satyanarayana fast’. They are required to recite the ‘Satyanarayana Katha’ and make sacred food which is offered to the deity.

    To conclude the rituals, Aarti is performed and Prasad (sacred food) is distributed among the invitees.

    Reading sessions for Bhagwad Gita and Ramayana is considered a significant ritual during this day.

    Across India, ‘Pushya Abhishek Yatra’ is performed in various temples of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.

    People also perform several donations and charity work on this particular day of Paush Purnima where food, clothes, money and other essential things are provided to the needy people as a significant part of ‘Anna Daan’.

    Paush Purnima Vrat Vidhi

    On this day, people take an early morning holy bath on the banks of sacred rivers

    After this, they observe a Paush Purnima Vrat by abstaining themselves from eating food and drinking water

    Then they perform Vishnu Puja either in temples or at their homes/workplace.

    Once the Vishnu Puja is completed, devotees recite Satyanarayan Katha.

    They chant ‘Gayatri Mantra’ or the ‘Om Namo Narayana’ mantra for 108 times in a row.

    The individuals then offer food and clothes to the needy.

  • Egg Fried Rice

    Egg Fried Rice

    Ingredients

    Basmati Rice – 2 cups, Eggs – 10, Onions – 2 Spring, Onions – 1 bunch, Beans – 10, Carrot – 2, Capsicum – 2, Cabbage – 100 gms

    Pepper Powder – 1/2 tblsp, Green Chillies – 2, Tomato Puree – 2 to 3 tblsp (or as required), Ajinomoto – 3 tsp (optional), Soy Sauce – 4 tblsp, Salt as per taste, Oil – 3 tblsp, Coriander Leaves – few, chopped

    Method

    –        Pressure cook the rice until 1 whistle and remove.

    –        Chop all the vegetables finely and keep aside.

    –        Grind together the green chillies and mix well 2 tblsp water.

    –        Heat oil in a pan.

    –        Saute the onions for a minute.

    –        Add the chopped vegetables one by one and cook for a minute or two.

    –        Add the green chilli paste and tomato puree.

    –        Add salt and ajinomoto.

    –        Mix well and add soy sauce.

    –        Break the eggs into the pan and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes.

    –        Add the cooked rice and mix until all ingredients are combined.

    –        Garnish with coriander leaves.

    –        Serve.

  • Home remedies to advance menstruation

    Home remedies to advance menstruation

    From the beneficial parsley to the healing vitamin C-rich fruits, nature has provided us a basket-full of home remedies to treat irregular and late monthly cycle. Here’s a list of some of the most effective natural ways you can induce your periods (when it’s irregular).

    Parsley: Parsley has been traditionally used for inducing menstruation for centuries. “Apiol and myristicin, two substances contained in parsley, stimulate contractions of the uterus,” notes Dr. Lovneet Batra, Clinical Nutritionist Fortis La Famme, which results in the inducing effect of your monthly cycle.

    Cumin : Cumin seeds, also known as jeera in Hindi, belong to the same family as parsley and also have a similar effect.

    Carom seeds (Ajwain): A concoction of carom seeds and jaggery will help in inducing periods besides relieving menstrual cramps. You can boil 1 tsp carom seeds with 1 tsp jaggery in 1 glass of water and consume it empty stomach in the morning.

    Papayas: It’s the most effective home remedy available to prepone periods. As noted by Dr Batra, raw papaya stimulates contractions in the uterus and can help in inducing periods. The carotene present in papaya stimulates the estrogen hormone thereby inducing early period.

    Ginger: Ginger tea is one of the most powerful emmenagogue (herbs with magical properties that stimulates menstrual flow, resulting in promotion of menstruation), but unlike parsley it can have some side effects, like acidity. For extremely delayed periods, a combination of parsley and ginger tea is recommended. Ginger is thought to increase the heat around the uterus, thus promoting contraction.

    Coriander seeds: Coriander seeds are said to be the most effective home remedy for irregular periods because of its emmenagogue properties. You can boil 1 tsp. of coriander with 2 cups of water and wait until the water reduces to just one cup. Use a strainer to remove the seeds and drink the concoction thrice a day for a couple of days before your monthly period.

    Fennel seeds (Saunf): Fennel seeds, also known as saunf in Hindi, can be boiled in water to make a fragrant tea that should be consumed every morning on an empty stomach in order to regulate your period and have a healthy flow. You can mix 2 tsp of fennel seeds in a glass of water and leave it overnight. Strain the water and drink it in the morning.

    Aloe vera: Aloe vera juice is normally used to soothe an upset stomach, but it can be used to emmenagogue as well. You can mix aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp of honey and consume it before breakfast. Carry on the process for months to have good results.

  • Essential oils that can double up as aromatic perfumes

    Essential oils that can double up as aromatic perfumes

    We know WFH has become a trend now and that we’ve accepted it because home is currently the safest spot given the ongoing pandemic. With this comes hours of you sitting hooked in front of your laptop and there’s almost no exercise your body gets in this process. Limited trips to groceries, cancels even that out. So, all you get is pre or post-work hours to get your body to stretch and stay fit. Does this have you sweating it out? Let’s turn to essential oils to play perfumes.

    Did your eyes read this right? Shocking? Your grandmother or your parents won’t find this concept new. Unlike your modern-day perfumes that are crammed with synthetic ingredients, a swipe of essential oil can make your day as pure and as fresh as it can get. It’s widely adored in aromatherapy that combats stress and it often plays a saviour for skin and hair woes, it’s the kind of perfume we all need today. These may not give you a long-stay benefit, so you’ll have to keep more quantity inside a roll-on bottle. Also, do not use them without blending them with carrier oils. Shall we look at the ones that can be fit to be added to your beauty kit?

    Jasmine

    These white little flowers are the ultimate mood-boosters that can calm your senses bountifully, thanks to the freshness these beauties hold.

    Sandalwood

    It’s the woody wonder that incredibly lowers one’s stress levels. This also has anti-inflammatory properties and is supremely calming which lends warmth and a soothing aroma.

    Rose

    Symbolic of love, roses hold a special place in the hearts of many. It switches up a flirty cute moment thanks to the notes it’s packed with. People often count upon this oil to calm their anxiety levels.

    Lavender

    Revered for combating acne, fungal infections, allergies, and relieving menstrual cramps, this pretty-purple plant does well. It has a soothing note that can uplift your mood and spread a tantalizing scent.

    Neroli

    For a citrusy punch, go for neroli essential oil. Often used in store-bought perfumes, skincare, this oil can downright spice up your day and calm you all-out with its alluring scent.         Source: Pinkvilla

  • Omicron 105% more transmissible than Delta, say French scientists

    Omicron 105% more transmissible than Delta, say French scientists

    The Omicron Covid-19 variant may be 105 per cent more transmissible than Delta, according to a research by French scientists. The study, published on the medRxiv site and yet to be peer-reviewed, analysed 131,478 tests in France from October 25 to December 18, 2021.

    The team applied statistical models to variant-specific screening tests and full genome sequencing.

    They compared the number of infections with the Omicron, Alpha and the Delta variants over a 21-day period.

    The difference in rate of transmissibility in people with the Delta and Omicron was approximately 105 per cent.

    “We estimate that the transmission advantage of the Omicron variant over the Delta variant is more than 105 per cent,” said Samuel Alizon, from Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB) France.

    Further, the results showed that tests consistent with the presence of the Omicron variant exhibit significantly higher cycle threshold Ct values, which could indicate lower amounts of virus genetic material.

    “Epidemiological modelling indicates that even if the virulence of the Omicron variant is reduced compared to that of the Delta variant, the increase in reproduction number we estimate from the data can have the potential to maintain critical Covid-19 activity at a high level in French hospitals, if not overloading them,” Alizon said adding that “swift mitigation of the epidemic wave” is essential.

    The results also showed that in young people, the prevalence of infection with the Omicron variant or the Alpha variant was higher than that of the Delta variant. Omicron was designated a variant “of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November. Since then it has been detected in more than 100 countries.

    Studies have suggested that compared to previous variants, Omicron is less likely to make people seriously ill. Evidence also shows that Omicron is able to invade the upper respiratory tract easier than the Delta variant, but is less effective at infecting the lungs – a reason why it is more contagious and its mortality lower compared to Delta.

    However, earlier this week, the WHO warned against describing the Omicron variant as “mild” amid a “tsunami of cases” overwhelming health systems across the world.

    “Just like previous variants; Omicron is hospitalising people and killing people,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said last week.

    “Hospitals are becoming overcrowded and understaffed, which further results in preventable deaths from not only Covid-19 but other diseases and injuries where patients cannot receive timely care”.      Source: IANS

  • T-cells from common colds can provide protection against Covid

    T-cells from common colds can provide protection against Covid

    High levels of T-cells from common cold coronaviruses can provide protection against COVID-19, an Imperial College London study published on Monday has found, which could inform approaches for second-generation vaccines.

    Immunity against COVID-19 is a complex picture, and while there is evidence of waning antibody levels six months after vaccination, T-cells are also believed to play a vital role in providing protection. The study, which began in September 2020, looked at levels of cross-reactive T-cells generated by previous common colds in 52 household contacts of positive COVID-19 cases shortly after exposure, to see if they went on to develop infection.

    It found that the 26 who did not develop infection had significantly higher levels of those T-cells than people who did get infected. Imperial did not say how long protection from the T-cells would last.

    “We found that high levels of pre-existing T cells, created by the body when infected with other human coronaviruses like the common cold, can protect against COVID-19 infection,” study author Dr Rhia Kundu said.

    The authors of the study, published in Nature Communications, said that the internal proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which are targeted by the T-cells could offer an alternative target for vaccine makers.

    Current COVID-19 vaccines target the spike protein, which mutates regularly, creating variants such as Omicron which lessen the efficacy of vaccines against symptomatic infection.

    “In contrast, the internal proteins targeted by the protective T-cells we identified mutate much less,” Professor Ajit Lalvani, co-author of the study, said.

    “Consequently, they are highly conserved between the various SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron. New vaccines that include these conserved, internal proteins would therefore induce broadly protective T cell responses that should protect against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.”   Source: Reuters

  • Man gets genetically-modified pig heart in world-first transplant

    A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig. David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say. The transplant was considered the last hope of saving Mr Bennett’s life, though it is not yet clear what his long-term chances of survival are. “It was either die or do this transplant,” Mr Bennett explained a day before the surgery.

    “I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice,” he said.

    Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center were granted a special dispensation by the US medical regulator to carry out the procedure, on the basis that Mr Bennett – who has terminal heart disease – would otherwise have died. He had been deemed ineligible for a human transplant, a decision that is often taken by doctors when the patient is in very poor health. The pig used in the transplant had been genetically modified to knock out several genes that would have led to the organ being rejected by Mr Bennett’s body, the AFP news agency reports. For the medical team who carried out the transplant, it marks the culmination of years of research and could change lives around the world. Surgeon Bartley Griffith said the surgery would bring the world “one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis”. Currently 17 people die every day in the US waiting for a transplant, with more than 100,000 reportedly on the waiting list.

    Dr Christine Lau, chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was in the operating theatre during the surgery.

    “He’s at more of a risk because we require more immunosuppression, slightly different than we would normally do in a human-to-human transplant. How well the patient does from now is, you know, it’s never been done before so we really don’t know,” she told the BBC.

    “People die all the time on the waiting list, waiting for organs. If we could use genetically engineered pig organs they’d never have to wait, they could basically get an organ as they needed it. “Plus, we wouldn’t have to fly all over the country at night-time to recover organs to put them into recipients,” she added.

    The possibility of using animal organs for so-called xenotransplantation to meet the demand has long been considered, and using pig heart valves is already common.

    Source: BBC

  • Govinda releases new music video, people call it ‘embarrassing to watch’

    Govinda releases new music video, people call it ‘embarrassing to watch’

    Govinda has added one more song to his credit as a singer with his new release Hello. On Wednesday, Govinda shared the new song and made the announcement on social media, writing: “Hi guys, my third song Hello is out on my YouTube channel Govinda Royalles. Link in bio. I hope you all will love it!”

    In Hello, Govinda features with Nisha Sharma, who describes herself as an artist on her Instagram. The song starts with Govinda grooving to the opening beats in his trademark style, dressed in a quirky white suit. He then ropes in Nisha to match steps with him. The duo can be seen dancing around in a colourful garden and around brightly lit up streets as Govinda sings: “Hello!” The song’s lyrics are also composed by Govinda in collaboration with Rohit Raj Sinha.

    Govinda also plays the piano and twirls Nisha Sharma around in the song. On Instagram, the comments section of Govinda’s post filled up with mixed reactions. While some were overtly excited to see Govinda in a new video, several others criticised it, with one comment summing up the general emotion on Instagram– ‘he’s lost insight’.

    “It’s embarrassing to watch you do all this. Partner was an amazing movie. After that you should have hung your cape and felt good about the amazing work you’ve done… not make a joke of yourself,” read a comment while another added: “Going from  bad to worse. ith so much of acting talent, this guy has lost insight.” Some also asked Govinda to shed his 90s dance style: “Please come out of the 90s. We are in 2022 not 90s,” wrote one while another added: “Govinda forgot it’s 2022.”

  • Machine Gun Kelly goes down on one knee to propose to Megan Fox

    Machine Gun Kelly goes down on one knee to propose to Megan Fox

    Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are engaged. The actor and rapper have decided to legalize their dramatically eccentric coupling, according to Instagram videos that each posted Wednesday. Fox shared video of Kelly taking a knee at the top of a flight of outdoor stairs under the Banyan tree where the two say they fell in love in July of 2020.

    “Somehow a year and a half later, having walked through hell together, and having laughed more than I ever imagined possible, he asked me to marry him,” Fox wrote in the post. “And just as in every lifetime before this one, and in every lifetime that will follow it, I said yes.”

    An Instagram video from Kelly shows Fox wearing the two merged rings he had made for the occasion, with a diamond and an emerald that form “the obscure heart that is our love.”

    Fox ended her post with, “and then we drank each other’s blood,” a moment not shown in the video.

    It’s the second marriage for Fox, the 35-year-old star of the “Transformers” films. She was married to actor Brian Austin Green from 2010 to 2021. The two have three sons together.

    It’s the first marriage for the 31-year-old Kelly, who has a daughter from a previous relationship.

  • Emma Watson addresses fan frenzy over her relationship with Tom Felton

    Emma Watson’s childhood crush on her co-star, Tom Felton, was one of the most stunning revelations from the recent HBO Max reunion special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. The two British actors discussed their strong friendship, saying that despite their bond, nothing romantic ever occurred between them.

    Emma, on the other hand, addressed the internet reaction and put any prospective relationship rumours to rest in an interview with British Vogue, as per E! News. “We speak most weeks,” she said, “and we just think it’s sweet.” Emma, who is in a relationship with Leo Robinton, reminisced on her childhood romance and the close connection they maintain to this day in the special reunion. “I used to come in every day and look for his number on the call sheet, it was No. 7, and if his name was on the call sheet, it was an extra exciting day,” she said during the reunion. “He was three years above me and so for him he was like, ‘You’re like my little sister.’”

  • Ranveer wants to get lost in Deepika’s hair, fans drop hilarious comments

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh often indulge in some social media PDA and fans got a glimpse of just that on Wednesday. Deepika shared a glimpse of her ‘failed’ attempt at a hair flip on Instagram and Ranveer reacted to the post. Deepika, who laughed out loud at the outcome of her own attempt, made a confession in her new post: “Tried doing ‘that hair thing’ people do and failed miserably! #hairflip #epicfail.” She added a bunch of ROFL emojis to her post along with a photo of herself posing with unkempt hair that covered half her face.

    Ranveer slid into the comments section and posted a filmy remark: “Teri zulfon mein khoya rahoon (Wish to be lost in your hair).” Ranveer also added the kiss patch icons to his comment, along with a bunch of red hearts. Fans, who spotted Ranveer’s comment, posted hilarious reactions. “Chheenk ajaegi bhai (It’ll make you sneeze),” wrote a fan while another jokingly added: “Sir fas jaoge, you’ll get stuck).” One more fan wrote: “Kyun bhai dandruff ho kya (Are you dandruff)?”

    Deepika’s hairstylist Gabriel Georgiou had a funny reaction to her post. Deepika’s fans also complimented her on her messy hair look, showering her feed with the heart-eyes and fire emojis.

    On December 31, Deepika collated an album of all the things she loves and shared it on Instagram. Left out from the post, Ranveer reacted with the shrug emoji in the comments.