The Indian Panorama

Month: November 2023

  • HOLIDAY CLASSIC TRADITIONS STAY WITH NJS IN NJ

    • By Mabel Pais

    SYMPHONY CONCERT WITH JOSHUA BELL

    Joshua Bell (Credit : njsymphony.org)

    Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell joins the New Jersey Symphony in concert in a program featuring Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4.

    The world-renowned artist will not only play the solo violin in the incredibly virtuosic violin concerto but will also lead the orchestra from the concert-master’s chair during the entire program, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, making Bell both the soloist and the conductor of the performances.

    The program includes Mendelssohn’s Overture to his opera, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ based on Shakespeare’s play.

    Bell, an Indiana native who has been playing professionally since age 14, is currently on a world tour of major orchestras, including the New Jersey Symphony, and has just released a new album on Sony Classical, ‘Butterfly Lovers.’ He recently commissioned a series of new works for violin and orchestra called ‘The Elements,’ from composers Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, Edgar Meyer, Jessie Montgomery, and Kevin Puts.

    In addition to his busy concert career, Bell is Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra based in London (United Kingdom).

    PROGRAM

    Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony

    New Jersey Symphony Classical

    Joshua Bell conductor and violin

    New Jersey Symphony

    Newark – Thursday, November 30, 1:30 pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

    Newark – Friday, December 1, 8 pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

    Morristown – Sunday, December 3, 3 pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center

    Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

    Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

    Beethoven Symphony No. 4

    Pre-Concert Conversation

    The Symphony invites all ticket holders to attend a free classical conversation starting one hour before the performance on Friday, December 1, at 7 pm and Sunday, December 3, at 2 pm. Learn more about the music from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists and other engaging insiders.

    TICKETS

    More information on Concerts and Tickets to the Performances are available at njsymphony.org/events

     —————————————— 

    GOSPEL HOLIDAY CONCERT

    WHEN:  Saturday, Dec 9 @ 4 PM

    WHERE: Newark Symphony Hall’s Terrace Ballroom

    Concert Information

    New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus | Gwen Moten, director

    Dorthaan Kirk emcee

    New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players

    This family concert is general admission. 

    Spotlighting celebrated artists from Newark and beyond, the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players laud the power of the first instrument—the human voice—with a gospel music-inspired holiday extravaganza. All are invited to come ready to sing, dance and clap along!

    TICKETS

    Tickets are available for purchase at my.njsymphony.org/20344/21017

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    HOLIDAY CLASSIC: HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’

    Sherezade Panthaki, soprano joins the singing

    Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. (Credit : njsymphony.org)

    The New Jersey Symphony will present two performances of the beloved holiday tradition, Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ Friday, December 15 at 8 pm, and Sunday, December 17 at 7 pm. The Symphony will perform the entire Oratorio, including Part I (popularly known as the Christmas portion) as well as the familiar ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’

    The concerts will be conducted by Nicholas McGegan, Music Director Laureate of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, and Principal Guest Conductor of Capella Savaria in Hungary. With a career spanning more than five decades, McGegan is considered an expert in 18th-century music, of which ‘Messiah’ might be the most famous example.

    Joining the Symphony and McGegan are a host of guest vocalists, including Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Key’mon W. Murrah, countertenor; Thomas Cooley, tenor; and Tyler Duncan, baritone. Singing the well-known choral sections are the Montclair State University Singers, under the direction of Heather J. Buchanan.

    The performance on Friday, December 15 takes place at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, located on the Princeton University campus, directly across from Palmer Square in downtown Princeton. Preceding the performance, at 7 pm, audiences are invited to join Buchanan and the Montclair State University Singers as they lead a festive singalong of holiday songs and carols, which includes a brief rehearsal of the famous “Hallelujah Chorus.”

    The Sunday, December 17 performance takes place at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Seating is general admission and priced based on location inside the basilica.

    Handel composed the famous oratorio in just 24 days. Messiah was premiered in Dublin, Ireland, in April of 1742. It became an annual tradition in London after 1750 and has been performed countless times by orchestras and choruses around the world since.

    PROGRAM

    Handel’s Messiah

    New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition

    Nicholas McGegan conductor

    Sherezade Panthaki soprano

    Key’mon W. Murrah countertenor

    Thomas Cooley tenor

    Tyler Duncan baritone

    Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director

    New Jersey Symphony

    Princeton – Friday, December 15, 8 pm, Richardson Auditorium

    Newark – Sunday, December 17, 7 pm, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

    Holiday Singalong

    Princeton – Friday, December 15, 7 pm, Richardson Auditorium

    TICKETS

    For more information on concerts and tickets, visit njsymphony.org/events

    New Jersey Symphony

    The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization-all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.

    Connect with NJ Symphony:

    1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476)

    njsymphony.org

    @NJSymphony on Facebook, lnstagram, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter

    @NewJerseySymphony on YouTube

    Email: information@njsymphony.org

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)

  • Weekly Horoscope-November 20 to 26, 2023

    By Chirag Daruwalla – Son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla

     Aries

    Ganesha says this week you will be very busy with household work. Married people will now be able to get out of the problems of family life a little and heave a sigh of relief. People living a love life will experience some problems. There may be some distance between you and your family, and some ideological differences may arise. Try to remove these in time, so that the relationship can run well. There will be some household expenses now. Your responsibilities will attract your attention. Meanwhile, you will try to maintain coordination in your work. Both your home and office will need you. Things will get sorted out only if you manage well. Time will be good for employed people. Your hard work will continue. People belonging to the business class will get relief from some problems. You will move forward in business with new energy. Be careful of your opponents. Talking about students, you will have to work hard now. Now they will also work hard, which will also benefit them. From a health point of view, you will have to take care of your health now. It will be important to control your eating habits. The beginning of the week is good for travel.

    Taurus

    Ganesha says this week will be better for you. However, the domestic life of married people may be full of conflicts, so be careful. This time will be very good for your love life. Romance will increase in your relationship and understanding with each other will also improve. You will also meet some new people, which will increase your circle of friends. Religious thoughts will come to mind. You would like to do good to people. You will triumph over your opponents. He will not be able to harm you even if he wants to. You will be successful in court-related matters. Your hard work will be successful for you, and you will achieve success in expanding your business by connecting with people doing business in remote areas and states or contacting foreign countries. Talking about students, at this time their minds will be focused on studies. You can get success in competition. From a health point of view, you will have to take care of your health now. The beginning to the middle of the week will be a good time for travel.

    Gemini

    Ganesha says this week will be good for you. You will be busier with your family activities. In the family, you will have to take care of your mother’s health, because she may fall ill now. This time will be better for my love life. You will enjoy your love life openly. You will gradually get success in removing the tension that has persisted till now. This time will be much better for married life. You may get a big benefit because of your spouse. At this time, you will get every kind of support in your business, and you will progress. Your income will also improve. You will benefit from many sources. Luck will be on your side, which will get things done. You will have to pay some attention to your job. Instead of bringing here and there things in your mind, concentrate on your work. Talking about students, they will have to concentrate on their studies. If you do not pay attention to your studies, then you may have to face problems. From the health point of view, there will be some improvement in your health as compared to before, but you will have to pay attention to your eating habits. Except for the last two days of the week, the rest of the time is favourable for travel.

    Cancer

    Ganesha says this week will be good for you. Your relations with friends will remain good right now. There will be less stress in marital life and love life will also improve. You should think carefully about your relationship. Your self-confidence will also be strengthened, which will lead to success in work. You can get tremendous benefits by applying for any government tender. Working in stock market or real estate will also prove to be very beneficial for you. At this time, you will be successful in earning good money. This time will be favourable from a job point of view. Your boss will also seem happy with you. They will test your abilities by watching you tackle challenges. Talking about students, at this time they will need solitude for their studies. take care of it. From a health point of view, your health will be good at the moment. However, you have to take care of your diet. Some days in the middle of the week will be good for traveling.

    Leo

    Ganesha says this week will be moderately fruitful for you. Now your expenses will be higher. There may be some lack of coordination with family members. The health of an elder in the family may also deteriorate, so be careful at this time. There can also be a function at home, in which many people will come. However, there is a possibility of some discord with siblings. There will be definite chances of profit from the government. Your enemies will be defeated, and you will get a one-sided victory over them. If you are standing in any election, then you may get a good chance of winning. Time is favourable for the job, continue working hard and pay more attention to your work. People doing business will work hard in their work. You will become so engrossed in work that you may even lose your senses. But take some breaks in between and eat good food. Do not ignore your health, only then you will be able to stay fit. Talking about students, this is a good time for technical and management students. They will be able to perform better. The beginning of the week will be good from a health point of view.

    Virgo

    Ganesha says this week will be good for you. Your confidence will also increase significantly, due to which you will be successful in your work. However, suddenly you will feel feelings of both love and separation from love. On the one hand, you will feel that you should separate from this material world, and on the other hand you will start desiring all the material pleasures. In such a situation, there will be conflict in your mind, which may affect your friends. Whether you are married or enjoying a love life, this time will be full of ups and downs. You will have to make efforts yourself to improve it. Your income will be good. The bank balance will increase. There will be a reduction in expenses, which will make the time favourable from the financial point of view. Your position in the job will remain strong. You will seem satisfied with your work, and you may also get some new deals in business from your superiors, which will increase your confidence. Talking about students, they will now be able to concentrate completely on their studies. This will also give them proper results. From a health point of view, there is no major problem visible at present, but there are not even minor problems. The beginning of the week is good for travel.

    Libra

    Ganesha says this week will be good for you. You will be successful in maintaining a balance between your family life and personal life. Married people will also feel the increasing tension between love and intimacy in their domestic life. Your behaviour may irritate them a bit. Time will be better for your love life, but you will have to control your anger. Now there will be a sudden increase in expenses, which may surprise you, but you will have to spend. There will be some expenditure on luxuries too, so you have to understand that it should not be heavy on your pocket. Time is good for business. Some new tasks will come before you, in completing which you will use all your strength, yet ultimately victory will be yours. Talking about students, they will be very positive about their studies and will work hard. You will be successful in the job. From the health point of view, there may be ups and downs in your health at this time. You may have a high fever, so be careful. Be alert about the weather. The beginning of the week is good for travel.

    Scorpio

    Ganesha says this week will be good for you. Married people can organize a party to forget the stress of family life. We will try to make the relationship lighter and stronger through mutual dialogue. At present, luck will favor you, which will give you a chance to move forward. This will get your work done. Situations at the workplace will gradually move towards favourability, but you will have to maintain a good rapport with the people you work with, otherwise, you may get into trouble. Take special care of this. The week will be beneficial for those doing business. You should expect to get good profits from your hard work. You will also try to invest. Talking about students, time will be favourable for them also. From a health point of view, you will have to take care of your health now. Control your diet and follow your daily routine. The beginning and middle of the week is a good time for travel.

    Sagittarius

    Ganesha says this week will prove to be mixed for you. There will be some lack of happiness and peace in family life. There will be discord in the family over some issues and there will be a lack of mutual coordination. Your family’s happiness will decrease. Right now, you will be away from home for a long time due to work, due to which you will feel a lack of happiness, yet you will remain very emotional. You will suddenly do something that will surprise your family. You will get support from friends. Will feel less interested in work. You will be successful in business. Married people will live their family life to the fullest, but they may also have arguments with their spouses. Time is not very good for love life so try to remain calm and take time. Talking about students, time is good for them. You will get results for the hard work you have done. This week will be full of ups and downs for you from a health point of view. Take care of yourself.  The time after the first two days of the week will be good for travel.

    Capricorn

    Ganesha says this week will bring favourability for you. Relationship with spouse will be good. There will be intensity in the relationship. You can plan to travel somewhere with your loved ones. Family life will be full of satisfaction. Father’s health may decline. Your confidence will increase as your position becomes stronger. People will come to you for advice. Your hard work in business will increase and it will take some time to get the final results. However, you keep trying. Will surely succeed. Luck will favor you. Religious sentiments will increase. Health will improve. Talking about students, they will get good results in the field of fine arts. From the health point of view, there will be some improvement in your health. The first day of the week will be good for traveling and the last two days of the week will also be good for traveling.

    Aquarius

    Ganesha says this week will be moderately fruitful for you. There may be mild tension in the domestic life of married people. Time is good for a love life. You will be more vocal about your relationship and will accept the relationship openly. This week there will be a lot of expenses and the income will be moderate, so you will have to pay a little attention so that the situation does not get worse. Time will be good for employed people. You will consider your work as worship and will work hard, which will give you positive results. Your colleagues will also support you but stay away from laziness. This is a good time for business. Most of your time will be spent on travel and during this time you will get a chance to meet some new people. You can also get benefits from the government sector or avail the benefits of any government scheme. Talking about students, time will be good for them. From the health point of view, there may be ups and downs in your health at this time, so take care of your health.

    Pisces

    Ganesha says this week is going to be very good for you. The domestic life of married people will be very happy. Your spouse will openly express his/her feelings to you, which will make your relationship sweet and move forward in the right way. Those who are in love life should enjoy this time. Now you will get relief from the problems going on in your relationship. You may be on a trip at the beginning of the week. In this journey, you will also take your close people along with you, due to which the journey will be completed in a very beautiful manner. Now your income will increase, which will strengthen your financial position. What could be better than getting support from friends? Talking about students, at this time their minds will be focused on studies. This will give you success in your studies. From a health point of view, your health will also be better now. You will be successful in your work.

     

  • Birthday Horoscope-November 20 to November 26

    November 20

    Ganesha says today might be a good day for you to create new contacts that will benefit your career. Additionally, you would experience unexpected career advancements. If you go out and participate in clubs and other social activities, you would be quite successful socially. Compared to the previous several years, your income would be significantly higher. Even if they can be possessive at times, your loved one would be supportive and helpful. Minor health issues like backaches, stiff necks, or body aches will cause a lot of trouble.

    November 21

    Ganesha says although you are very talented, you need to learn to control your occasionally domineering and haughty behavior. This time, businessmen would diversify their operations into new, lucrative directions. Dealing in real estate might be quite profitable for you, but you should anticipate some partner resistance. Make the most of it since for some people, this is a new romance. Yoga and meditation should be practiced for both physical and spiritual benefits.  Your children will likely have some exciting news to share.

    November 22

    Ganesha says you are a person who is ambitious, competent, organized, sober, and straightforward.  Slow projects would pick up steam. If there are any disagreements, they will be resolved and you will feel relieved. Coworker romances could blossom, but they would be very fleeting. You would keep ahead of others thanks to your competitive spirit, which would also make you well-liked by your fellow students. Friends will be supportive yet obstinate.

    November 23

    Ganesha says many people’s financial situations get better, and some people even inherit property. Your confidence will increase as business prospers and you make money. The legal issues that have been weighing on your mind will be resolved to your satisfaction. For some, promotions and pay raises are likely. However, romance won’t be enjoyable because you’ll constantly be thinking about your regular conflicts and disagreements. Both academically and athletically, students will do incredibly well.

    November 24

    Ganesha says the highlight today will be starting new employment and assignments. Transfers and promotions for select staff. Long-term returns on property investments will be favorable. You will travel frequently and successfully, earning money along the way, and you will develop enduring relationships.  Your relationships with people of the opposite gender will get stronger, giving your life a new and exciting direction. Your mood will improve after hearing some thrilling news from kids. Anxiety and tension may be brought on by an increase in your medical costs due to your parents’ health.

    November 25

    Ganesha says the upcoming season is favorable for launching new businesses. Projects that have been lagging up until now would pick up steam. If there are any disputes, they will be resolved and you will feel relieved. Coworker romances might start to grow, but they would be quite fleeting. You would keep ahead of others thanks to your competitive spirit, which would also make you well-liked by your peers. Friends will be supportive but also demanding.

    November 26

    Ganesha says your ability to sway a sizable population is very strong. You are in the spotlight because of your modern, revolutionary beliefs, but you need to curb your occasionally stubborn and envious behavior. You would have a lot of energy this year, and if you used it well, you would achieve great success. Financially, it appears to be a good time to purchase property and equities, but all purchases should be made with the long term in mind. Later in the year, a far-off trip looks likely, probably to attend a fortunate event.

  • Virat Kohli slams historic 50th ODI ton in IND vs NZ World Cup semis, shatters Sachin’s twin world records

    Virat Kohli slams historic 50th ODI ton in IND vs NZ World Cup semis, shatters Sachin’s twin world records

    Ending his semi-final curse at the grandest stage on Wednesday, Nov 15, run machine Virat Kohli played a masterful knock against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand to surpass his idol Sachin Tendulkar at the famous Wankhede Stadium. Continuing his sublime run in the 2023 World Cup, Kohli shattered Tendulkar’s triple records in a single innings during the first semi-final of the ICC tournament. Batting first in the rematch of the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai, India made an impressive start with captain Rohit Sharma dominating the Kiwi pacers in the powerplay. However, Rohit was stopped in his tracks in the 8th over as the Indian skipper perished for an entertaining 47 off 29 balls. Continuing the tradition of cashing in on the starts given by openers Shubman Gill and Rohit, premier batter Kohli took up the role of an anchor as the former India skipper notched up a brilliant half-century in 59 balls against the Black Caps.

    Kohli surpassed Tendulkar by smashing his eighth fifty-plus score in the 2023 World Cup. Master Blaster Tendulkar had registered 7 half-centuries in the 2003 edition of the World Cup. Kohli, who has eight 50-plus scores in the 2023 World Cup, achieved the iconic feat in 10 innings. Tendulkar had unlocked the same milestone in 11 innings at the 2003 World Cup.

    After scoring his 72nd One Day International half-century, Kohli then set his sights on smashing Tendulkar’s massive milestone at the World Cup 2023. Enjoying a 93-run stand with Gill, who was later retired hurt in the 23rd over, Kohli then teamed up with an on-song Shreyas Iyer to put India on the verge of registering a challenging total at the Wankhede Stadium. Kohli moved into the 80s in the 33rd over to break Tendulkar’s long-standing World Cup record. Kohli received the loudest cheer when he took a comfortable single off Glenn Phillips on the third ball of the 33rd over. The former India skipper zoomed past Tendulkar by scoring 674-plus runs in the 2023 World Cup. The Little Master amassed 673 runs in the 2003 edition of the World Cup in which Sourav Ganguly’s India made it to the final of the ICC tournament. Fresh from shattering Tendulkar’s twin records, Kohli entered the nervous nineties in the 36th over.

    Kohli, who gifted himself a record-equalling century on his 35th birthday against South Africa, slammed his century No.50 to eclipse Tendulkar for the third time in the first semi-final of the World Cup. No player in the history of ODI cricket has slammed more centuries than Kohli. Carried on his shoulders by a young Kohli after the 2011 World Cup final, batting legend Tendulkar hit century No.49 in his 451st ODI innings. Twelve years after Sachin’s World Cup swansong, former India skipper Kohli became the first player to slam 50 ODI centuries in the 41st over of the Indian innings.

  • It’s India Vs Australia in the final

    It’s India Vs Australia in the final

    Kolkata (TIP)- Australia overcame a spirited challenge from South Africa by three wickets in the second semifinal of the World Cup here on Thursday, November 16, to set up a title clash with hosts India.

    The final will be played in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Nov 19, . David Miller struck a 116-ball 101 and lifted South Africa to 212 all out after his team had lost four early wickets.

    In reply, Australia stuttered before completing the chase of 213 with 16 balls to spare as South Africa choked yet again on the big stage. Travis Head blazed away to 62 off 48 balls while David Warner smashed 29 off 18 in an opening stand of 60 to lay the foundation for Australia’s chase.

    Earlier, Miller hit eight fours and five sixes during his rescue act, and brought up his century with a maximum over deep midwicket off Australian captain Pat Cummins.

    Opting to bat after winning the toss, South Africa were off to a disastrous start losing both their openers Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma with just eight runs on the board in the sixth over.

    Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram too didn’t last long, leaving South Africa precariously placed at 24/4 in the 12th over. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were the wreckers in chief early into South Africa’s innings.

    A partnership of 95 runs between Miller and Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 48 balls) steadied the ship before Australia struck again to remove the latter through Travis Head.

  • 10/10 Men in Blue Stay Unbeaten

    Mumbai: Making the big stage his own, Virat Kohli added more lustre to his larger than life persona with a historic 50th ODI century that extended India’s bullish World Cup run to the title clash even as New Zealand threatened to spoil the home team’s party with a lion-hearted fight, here Wednesday, Nov 15.

    The semifinal tilted heavily in India’s favour after Rohit Sharma’s team put on board a massive 397 for four, bulldozing the Kiwi attack but before the hosts romped home by 70 runs for an unprecedented 10th win in a row, New Zealand did cause considerable anxiety in home team’s camp. It was Daryl Mitchell’s valiant 134 off 119 balls that had the Indian hearts racing as the equation became a gettable 112 from 54-balls with six wickets in hand but Kuldeep Yadav delivered under pressure a price-less two-run 42nd over that released the pressure.

    Pacer Mohammed Shami, who had scalped top four Kiwi batters earlier, then sealed the fate of the Kiwis by ending Mitchell’s belligerent knock and ended up with a gold-standard seven-wicket haul.

    Shami is serving reminders of his class in each and every game since making the playing XI after being left out initially and he only made it bigger at the big stage.

    When it was alleged that India tried to take advantage by opting for spin-friendly track, it was a fast bowler that made the ball talk.

    New Zealand folded for 327 in 48.5 overs and India rejoiced a hard-earned memorable victory with yet another team effort, that earned them a shot at their third ODI world title.   A fearless Rohit Sharma (47 off 29) dented the confidence of New Zealand bowlers with his ultra-risk, power-packed knock that blew away the pressure of the big semifinal, leaving the stage for Kohli (117) to conjure up the knock that perched him atop a mountain from where displacing him does not seem possible for a long time to come.

    Shreyas Iyer not only watched Kohli take the crown from his idol, Sachin Tendulkar (49 ODI centuries), from the best seat in the house but he himself made a huge contribution in India raising a mammoth total, albeit his knock of 105 was overshadowed due to the sheer significance of Kohli’s milestone mark.

    New Zealand has always been a big-match team and it fought through Mitchell and inspiring leader Kane Williamson (69) but in the end their efforts only saved them from the ignominy of losing by a bigger margin.

    Rachin Ravindra (13) and Devon Conway imploded under pressure and the Kiwis did not get the kind start which is required for such targets.

    Fourth ODI World Cup final for India

    India have now reached the ODI World Cup final for the fourth time, having won the trophy in 1983 and 2011. India had ended runners-up in 2003 and will know their title clash rival on Thursday when five-time champions Australia clash with South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

  • Chhath Puja or Surya Shashthi

    Chhath Puja or Surya Shashthi

    Chhath is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival which is historically celebrated in Bihar-Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and India’s eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal in the most elaborate form. This festival is celebrated mainly in Bihar- Jharkhand. But it is also prevalent in areas where the presence of people of Bihar-Jharkhand is present. This festival is celebrated not only in India but also in foreign countries. This festival has now become prominent in the India capital, Delhi. The Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun and his wife Usha in order to thank them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.
    It is called Chhath due to Sun Shastri’s fasting. This festival is celebrated twice a year. For the first time in Chaitra and the second time in Kartik. The festival celebrated on the Chaitra Shukla Paksha Sashti is called Chaitra Chhath and the festival celebrated on the Kartik Shukla Paksha Sashti is called Kartik Chhath.
    Chhath Puja is a four-day festival. It starts with Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and ends with Kartik Shukla Saptami. During this fasting, the fast will continues for next 36 hours. During this time they do not even accept water.
    Nahay Khay
    The first day of Chhath festival or it can be said that Chhath festival starts from this day, this day is known as ‘Nahay-Khay’. This day falls on the Chaturthi of Kartik month, Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. On this day, first of all the house is cleaned and sanctified. On this day, the fasting person can eat food only once in a day. On this day, the devotees take a bath after thoroughly cutting off the nails, etc., washing their hair thoroughly with clean water. Vratis take bath in the nearby river Ganges, a tributary of the Ganges or a pond. While returning, he brings with him Gangajal which he uses for cooking. The fasting eats food only once on this day. In the food, Vratis use pumpkin vegetable, moong gram dal, rice. This food is cooked in a bronze or earthen pot. Mango wood and earthen stove are used for cooking. When the food is prepared, first the fast eats the food, only then other members of the family eat the food.
    Kharna and Lohanda
    The second day of Chhath festival is known as Kharna or Lohanda. It is celebrated on Panchami of Kartik month. On this day, the fasting fasts fast for the whole day. Do not take even a drop of water before sunset. In the evening, kheer is made using rice jaggery and sugarcane juice. Salt and sugar are not used in cooking. After giving these two things to the Sun God, they do ‘solitude’ in the same house, that is, they accept it by staying alone. All the family members go out of the house at that time so that there is no noise. It is against the rules of the festival to hear any kind of sound for the fasting person while eating alone.
    After eating the fast again, he feeds the same ‘Kheer-Roti’ to all his family members and friends and relatives. This whole process is called ‘Kharna’. Rice pitha and ghee-laden roti are also distributed as prasad. After this, for the next 36 hours, the fasting fast is kept Nirjala. At midnight, the fasting prepares special prasad Thekua for Chhath Puja.
    Sandhya Arghya
    The third day of Chhath festival which is known as Sandhya Arghya. It is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. This day is a special day of Chhat Puja. Special prasad like thekua, also known as rice laddus or kachvaniya, is prepared for Chhath puja. For Chhath Puja, a basket made of bamboo called Daura is put in the offerings of worship, fruits and kept in Devkari. After offering worship, in the evening a coconut, five types of fruits, and other items of worship are placed in a basket, which the man picks up with his hands and takes it to the Chhath Ghat. It is not impure so that it is kept on the top of the head. On the way towards Chhath Ghat, women usually go singing the song of Chhath.
    Usha Arghya
    Arghya is offered to the rising sun on the morning of Kartik Shukla Saptami on the fourth day. Even before sunrise, the fasting people worship the rising sun god at the ghat. The dishes offered in Sandhya Arghya are replaced by new ones, but the tubers, roots, fruits and vegetables remain the same. All the rules and regulations are the same as in the evening prayer. At this time only the fasting people stand in the water facing east and do Suryapasana. After the worship is over, the ghat is worshipped. After distributing prasad among the people present there, the fasting comes home and also distributes prasad to his family at home. Vratis come back home and worship the Peepal tree in the village, which is called Brahma Baba. After the puja, the fasting is completed by drinking sherbet of raw milk and eating some prasad, which is called Paran or Parana. The fasting people eat salty food this morning after fasting from Kharna till date.
    Popular Katha
    Many stories are prevalent in relation to Chhath fast. According to one of them, when Pandavas lost their entire palace in gambling, then Lord Krishna suggest to Draupadi for Chhath fast. When Draupati completed the fast, her wishes were fulfilled and the Pandavas got the Raajpat’s back.
    According to one belief, Lord Rama and Mata Sita fasted Kartik Shukla Shishtha on the establishment of Ramrajya after the Lanka victory and worshiped the sun god. Saptami had received a blessing from Sun God after re-rituals during sunrise.
    Scientific point of view
    If the Chhath festival is seen from a scientific point of view, then a special astronomical transformation on the date, at this time, the ultraviolet rays of the Sun are gathered in greater quantity than the normal on the surface of the earth, hence due to its possible maladies, the power to protect is achieved. Following the festival of Chhath Puja, the animals are protected from harmful effects of sun light. In Hindu religion, Lord Sun is worshiped for the treatment of various types of skin diseases including leprosy diseases.

  • Mussoorie: The queen of hill stations

    Mussoorie: The queen of hill stations

    Mussoorie is one of the most popular hill stations located at a distance of 290 km from Delhi in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. With a backdrop of the Shivalik range of Himalayas and doon valley, Mussoorie, also known as Queen of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. With a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year, Mussoorie was once the British summer capital.
    The British remnants can be seen in the city in the archaic architecture of the hotels and churches. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mussoorie is The Mall (also known as the Mall Road), which is a slightly steep boulevard with eateries and other shops lining its entire stretch. From the little houses spread around the area to the architecture of even the lamp posts, The Mall gives off a distinct colonial vibe.
    PLACES TO VISIT
    Amongst the places to visit in Mussoorie, Kempty Falls easily tops the list. Perched at an altitude of 1880 in the Garhwal Himalayas, ‘Queen of the Hills’, Mussoorie is an ideal holiday destination. Established by the British in 1823, the vibe of that era continues to linger in its churches, libraries, hotels, and summer palaces. Take in panoramic views of the city atop Lal Tibba, relive the days of the British Raj at Gun Hill or walk around the pleasant four-kilometre long promenade of Camel’s Back Road. Birdwatchers and photographers can head to the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Mall Road of course, is great for an evening stroll.
    CAMEL’S BACK ROAD
    Camel’s Back Road is a four-kilometre-long stretch, named after a natural cluster of rocks that are shaped like a camel’s hump. This road connects two prominent locations, starting at Library Point and leading up to Kulri Bazaar. The slope adjacent to the road contains a colonial cemetery that dates back to the mid-19th century. With its beautiful views of the surrounding hills at sunset and sunrise, it is ideal for early morning and late evening walks. Horse rides and rickshaw rides are also available. Surrounded by rocky mountains and green woods, its perfect for a tranquil break from the hustle-bustle of Mussoorie’s Mall Road.
    BENOG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
    Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by pine trees and snow-capped mountain peaks. It serves as the natural habitat for rare species of birds including mountain quails and red-billed blue magpie, as well as wildlife like the Himalayan goat, the Himalayan bear, panthers, deer, and leopards. Thickly forested with pine and fir trees, the area is also rich in medicinal plants. Take in stunning views of the surrounding peaks, and sit beside the Aglar River which flows down from Mussoorie into the sanctuary. This is an ideal jaunt for nature lovers and bird watchers.
    SHEDUP CHOEPELLING TEMPLE
    Also known as the Tibetan Buddhist temple, this was set up by the Tibetan population in Mussoorie and is located on the Happy Valley road close to the IAS Academy. The Dalai Lama took refuge in Mussoorie after he escaped from Tibet, before the Tibetan community was granted refuge in Dharamshala. The temple has a serene vibe and is especially suitable for those seeking a bit of tranquillity amidst the madness. Housing many Tibetan literature and books, the temple is adorned with clay lamps and colourful prayer flags.
    THE MALL
    Take a leisurely stroll along the Mall Road, which is the heart of Mussoorie. Although it’s jam packed with throngs of tourists on foot and in vehicles, this is an exhilarating experience which will give you a chance to get in a spot of shopping too. The two-kilometre-long stretch begins from Library Point and goes all the way up to Picture Palace, although you won’t find it as long owing to the variety of stalls selling bric-a-brac, snacks and other knick-knacks along the way. We suggest munching on a hot fire-roasted ‘bhutta’ (corn on the cob), which is absolutely essential to make the experience complete. Look out for stores selling woollens and shawls.
    GUN HILL
    This is the second highest point in Mussoorie, and is located about 400 feet above the Mall. You can access it by ropeway or take the half-hour-long trek from the court complex on the Mall road. Once you’re up, use one of the telescopes on the edge to get sweeping views of the mountain peaks from a close range. Back in 1857, the British had placed a large firing gun here during the Sepoy Mutiny, and it is said that subsequently, a canon was fired from Gun Hill every afternoon so that people would know that it was noon and adjust their watches. Although the gun was removed in the 70s, the name has stuck. Today Gun Hill accommodates the water reservoir for Mussoorie.
    LAL TIBBA
    Lal Tibba literally translates to mean the Red Hill, and refers to the highest point in Mussoorie. All the broadcasting stations of All India Radio and Doordarshan are situated here, and access is restricted since the Indian Military is stationed here as well. You can take in the panoramic views through the lens of an old telescope mounted atop a 20-metre-tall tower at the edge of the cliff. We also suggest you take a horseback ride around the area to really take in the experience in its entirety.
    MUSSOORIE LAKE
    The Mussoorie Lake is a relatively recent tourist attraction that has been developed by the Dehradun Development Authority. Located about 6 kilometres before Mussoorie on the drive up from Dehradun, it’s a good place to make a pit stop on your way to the hill station. Enjoy boating in one of the paddle boats, grab a quick bite at one of the small restaurants around it, and take in beautiful views of the valley below.
    KEMPTY FALLS
    These vertical waterfalls are one of the most popular spots for tourists visiting Mussoorie. The water cascades down from a height of 40 feet and crashes against the boulders below before splitting into five streams. Plunging from a mountain placed at about 1,364 metres above sea level, the Kempty Falls are usually crowded with tourists, so the best way to take them by is by picking a picnic spot at a vantage point and observing them from a distance. The more adventurous can also take a dip in its cool water.
    MUNICIPAL GARDEN
    Initially known as Company Bagh, the Municipal Gardens are an ideal family outing. With sprawling colonial gardens, green lawns, a fountain in the centre, a lake, a nursery with 800 different species of flowers and a wide range of saplings for sale, it is a beautiful attraction for tourists visiting the hill station. Don’t miss the mammoth China tree in the garden, and take a short boat ride on the lake. Located just a couple of kilometres from the Library Point, it’s easy to access and makes for a superb early evening pit-stop.

  • India’s exports rise 6.21 pc to $33.57 billion in Oct; trade deficit widens to $31.36 billion

    India’s exports rise 6.21 pc to $33.57 billion in Oct; trade deficit widens to $31.36 billion

    New Delhi (TIP)- India’s merchandise exports rose 6.21 per cent to USD 33.57 billion in October this year, even as the trade deficit touched a record high of USD 31.46 billion during the month, government data showed on November 15. Imports increased by 12.3 per cent to USD 65.03 billion in the month under consideration due to a jump in gold imports. Inbound shipments of gold rose by 95.5 per cent to USD 7.23 billion. Oil imports also increased by 8 per cent to USD 17.66 billion during the month.
    The country’s trade deficit in goods in October last year stood at USD 26.31 billion. The deficit (difference between imports and exports) during October is the “highest” because of the largest import figures, Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry L Satya Srinivas told reporters here. Cumulatively, exports during the April-October period this fiscal contracted by 7 per cent to USD 244.89 billion, while imports fell 8.95 per cent to USD 391.96 billion. The trade deficit during the seven-month period was USD 147.07 billion against USD 167.14 billion in the corresponding period last year.
    Gold imports during the period rose 23 per cent to USD 29.5 billion, while crude oil imports dipped by 18.72 per cent to about USD 100 billion during April-October this fiscal.
    Briefing reporters on the data, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said the trade numbers in October reflect ‘green shoots’ of recovery in outbound shipments.
    “I am hopeful that we will be crossing the last year’s figures,” he said, adding the positive growth is there despite a fall in commodity prices, “but we are waiting and watching” the global situation.
    Exports are impacted due to the geopolitical situation and other risks like high inflation and economic slowdown in advanced economies; the Russia-Ukraine war; China-Taiwan and China–US issues; and the Israel-Palestine war. Source: PTI

  • China’s Alibaba scraps cloud unit spin-off citing US chip curbs

    China’s Alibaba scraps cloud unit spin-off citing US chip curbs

    Beijing (TIP)- Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba said Thursday, November 16, it was cancelling a planned cloud service spinoff announced this year over US chip restrictions, as it reported results for the third quarter of 2023 that were in line with market expectations.

    The company saw a 9 percent year-on-year increase in Q3 revenue, it said Thursday, following several difficult years and despite a broader economic slowdown.
    “Alibaba Group delivered a solid quarter, marked by renewed momentum and energy across multiple businesses as a result of our strategic reorganization,” CEO Eddie Wu said in a press release on Thursday, referring to a major restructuring plan announced by the group this year.
    Announced in late March, the plan involved splitting the group into six distinct entities that will be able to separately pursue funding through public listings.
    But on Thursday the company said it would call off the spinoff of one part of its business, its Cloud Intelligence arm, in light of “the recent expansion of US restrictions on export of advanced computing chips”.
    “We believe that a full spin-off of Cloud Intelligence Group may not achieve the intended effect of shareholder value enhancement,” the company said in its earnings release.
    “Accordingly, we have decided to not proceed with a full spin-off, and instead we will focus on developing a sustainable growth model for Cloud Intelligence Group under the fluid circumstances,” Alibaba said.
    The company’s sales for the quarter ending in September came in at 224.8 billion yuan ($31 billion), in line with predictions by Bloomberg analysts and down from 234.1 billion yuan in the previous quarter.
    Alibaba is a key player in China’s expansive digital economy and the operator of a major online shopping platform.
    The Hangzhou-based group’s performance is considered a barometer of domestic consumption, which has flagged in recent months.
    The firm has faced new headwinds in recent years, as Beijing has imposed tighter restrictions on the domestic tech sector, while weak consumer spending saw it record its third consecutive quarter of single-digit revenue growth earlier this year.
    Thursday’s figures follow results earlier this week from Alibaba’s arch-rival JD.com, which posted better-than-expected revenues of 247.7 billion yuan.
    Alibaba has said it aims to achieve a “more nimble” structure in order to maintain competitiveness in the face of new regulatory challenges and mounting pressures on the global economy.
    The e-commerce company was founded in 1999 by Jack Ma, who has kept a low profile since late 2020, when a speech he made attacking Chinese regulators was followed by Beijing pulling the plug on a planned IPO by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group.
    A record fine of $2.75 billion was later imposed on the tech giant for alleged unfair business practices.
    Source: Reuters

  • ‘Sahara matter will continue even after Subrata Roy’s death’: Sebi chief

    Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch on Thursday, November 16, said the Sahara matter will continue for the capital markets regulator even after the death of the group’s founder Subrata Roy.
    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Ficci event, Buch said for Sebi, the matter was about an entity’s conduct and it will continue regardless of whether an individual is alive or not.
    Roy, the controversial founder of the group, died on Tuesday, Nov 14, after a prolonged illness. It has been reported that refunds of only Rs 138 crore have been made to investors even though Sahara group was asked to deposit over Rs 24,000 crore with Sebi for further refund to investors.

  • Reliance JioCinema signs up Pokemon in kids entertainment push: Report

    The entertainment unit of India’s Reliance has signed a deal with The Pokemon Company to show children’s shows and movies on its platform, two people with knowledge of the deal said, its latest bid to boost content amid a domestic rivalry with the Walt Disney Co and other streaming services.
    The deal, signed this month, will make JioCinema’s streaming app the “exclusive” India platform partner for more than 1,000 episodes and around 20 movies of the Japanese anime series, one of the sources said, without disclosing any financial details.
    The shows and movies will be dubbed into three Indian languages to broaden their appeal, the source added. Pokemon has spawned a global multi-billion dollar media franchise spanning trading cards, games, TV shows and movies. Viacom18, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s entertainment joint-venture that runs JioCinema, and The Pokemon Company, owned by video game company Nintendo and affiliates, did not respond to a request for comment. Adding child-focused content is Ambani’s latest push to expand in the Indian streaming market which research firm Media Partners Asia estimates will be worth $7 billion by 2027.
    Netflix and Amazon are among JioCinema’s competitors, but Ambani has most recently taken on Disney’s Hotstar app, with both offering free streaming of cricket matches.
    In total, JioCinema will add around 3,000 hours of children’s content, including movies and shows from Entertainment One, Animaccord, Cartoon Network Studios and DreamWorks, the sources said.

  • With robotic AI chemist, scientist inch closer to make oxygen on Mars

    With robotic AI chemist, scientist inch closer to make oxygen on Mars

    A team of Chinese scientists have developed a robotic artificial intelligence (AI) chemist that would help produce oxygen from water on Mars using meteorites from the Red Planet.
    The lack of oxygen, essential for long-term survival, was one of the greatest hurdles humans have to overcome to immigrate to Mars. However, the recent discovery of water activity on Mars has shown promise.
    Scientists have explored the possibility of decomposing water to produce oxygen through electrochemical water oxidation driven by solar power with the help of Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) catalysts. The challenge was to find a way to synthesise these catalysts in situ using materials on Mars, instead of transporting them from the Earth, which was costly. To address this, a team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed robotic AI chemist that can synthesise and optimise OER catalysts automatically from Martian meteorites.
    “The AI chemist innovatively synthesise OER catalyst using Martian material based on interdisciplinary cooperation,” said Prof Luo Yi, leading scientist of the team from USTC.
    Their research was published in the journal Nature Synthesis.
    The AI chemist created an excellent catalyst using five types of Martian meteorites under unmanned conditions. The catalyst can operate steadily for over 5,50,000 seconds at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and an overpotential of 445.1 mV.
    A further test at -37 degree Celsius, the temperature on Mars, confirmed that the catalyst can steadily produce oxygen without any apparent degradation.
    Within two months, the AI chemist has completed the complex optimisation of catalysts that would take 2,000 years for a human chemist. Source: IANS

  • Nothing will soon allow Android users to send iMessages

    Nothing will soon allow Android users to send iMessages

    Nothing is becoming the first Android brand to offer Apple’s iMessage-like features, exclusively available on iPhones, to Android users. The London-based smartphone maker has announced a new messaging platform called Nothing Chats, specifically designed for Nothing Phone (2) users. This marks a significant departure from other iMessage clients on Android, which traditionally have been developed by third parties rather than the brand itself.
    Starting this Friday, November 17th, Nothing Phone 2 owners will be able to experience the coveted blue bubbles of iMessage, enabling seamless communication with iPhone users. Nothing states that the intention to bring iMessage to Android is due to its aim to break down barriers between phone users by providing messaging services powered by Sunbird. The company asserts that, in order to achieve this goal, users must trust Sunbird.
    According to the company Sunbird’s architecture is designed to deliver messages directly between users without storing them on any intermediary servers. However, to ensure seamless iMessage integration, Sunbird temporarily stores user iCloud credentials in an encrypted database on a Mac Mini located in either the US or Europe, depending on the user’s region. These credentials serve as a relay for iMessages sent through the app. After two weeks of inactivity, Sunbird securely deletes this account information, explained Nothing’s US head of PR, Jane Nho, in an email conversation with The Verge.
    How Nothing Chats work
    “Nothing Chats” app enables users to exchange messages through blue bubbles. The app is currently in a Beta phase, with plans for additional features and improvements in the future. Users can stay informed about updates by signing up for notifications.
    To use Nothing Chats, users will need to log in with their respective Apple IDs to set up the app with iMessage. The company emphasizes that chats on this platform will maintain end-to-end encryption, aligning with Sunbird’s privacy policy.
    In a video on YouTube, Nothing CEO and co-founder Carl Pei provides further insights into the app’s features. He reveals that once available the Nothing Chats will support both individual and group messaging, complemented by features like typing indicators, full-size media sharing, and voice notes.
    While read receipts, message reactions, and message replies will be initially unavailable, they are slated for inclusion in future updates. The company encourages users to stay tuned for upcoming developments as the app undergoes continuous refinement during its Beta phase. The Nothing Chats app is scheduled to launch on November 17 and will initially be available to users in North America, the EU, and other European countries. The app’s initial rollout will be limited to these regions; the company has not yet announced when it will be expanded to other countries or to older Nothing Phone (1) models. Source: India Today

  • NASA, ISRO gearing up to launch joint space mission to map globe every 12 days

    The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2024 after a few tests, particularly those related to vibration, NASA officials have said.
    “ISRO is projecting the first quarter of next year. So, I mean, that’s ready,” NASA NISAR Project Manager Phil Barela said during a media interaction.
    He is expecting the launch of NISAR (spelt as ‘Naisar’) “not earlier than January” from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota aboard the ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-II.
    The mission, which has three-year duration, aims to survey all of Earth’s land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days. This will start after a 90-day satellite commissioning period.
    Regarding the key tests that are pending to be undertaken, Barela said, “The vibration testing that’s underway, but there’s a whole slew of performance tests that we need to do.”
    Battery and simulation tests have to be done to make sure that the system works fine, he said.
    “We’ll be doing performance testing on the radars and various spacecraft electronics. So, a lot of testing remains but the big environments test, the only one remaining now, is vibration,” Barela said.

  • WhatsApp rolling out new voice chat feature with large groups

    Meta-owned WhatsApp is introducing a new voice chat feature that will be a less disruptive method to connect with large groups on the platform. Voice chats allow you to instantly talk live with members of a group chat while still being able to message in the group. Now, once you start the voice chat, group members will receive a push notification to join instead of a call. There will also be an in-chat bubble they can tap to join.
    You can see who has joined the voice chat in a banner on the bottom of the screen.
    “Voice chats will end automatically once everyone has left the chat. They’ll also end if no one joins the first or last person in the chat for 60 minutes,” the messaging platform said in an update.
    Voice chats are available for groups of 33 to 128 people and this feature is only available on primary devices, said the company. “Group members not in the voice chat can see the profiles of those in the voice chat from the chat header and the Calls tab,” said WhatsApp. Currently, the voice call on WhatsApp is available with up to 32 participants. Once a voice chat is underway, call controls will be accessible from the top of a chat without hindering your ability to send text messages at the same time. Voice chats will be rolling out on iOS and Android in the coming weeks.

  • Short sleep, shift work may raise risk of high BP: Study

    Short sleep, shift work may raise risk of high BP: Study

    Short sleep lengths, daytime napping, shift work and even long sleep lengths have been linked to an increased risk of elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. The study, published in Nature Communications, is the first study to demonstrate that independent of other factors including age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI), circadian rhythm-disrupting behaviours, including shift work, have an adverse effect on blood pressure regulation.
    “We found that compromised sleep health or night shift work are associated with elevated blood pressure in both males and females and across all age groups,” said lead author Morag Young, Associate Professor from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.
    “What we’ve found is that having circadian rhythms out of sync even slightly has an adverse impact on blood pressure,” Young added. The study found that permanent night shift workers who slept less than five or six hours were most at risk, but those working mixed shifts also showed elevated blood pressure. Interestingly, sleeping for too long a period also had a disruptive effect on circadian rhythms, Young said.
    “Seven hours of sleep was found to be the optimal length of sleep for maintaining healthy blood pressure,” Young said. “We found that too little sleep (less than seven hours) and too much sleep (anything more than seven hours) for adults also had a negative impact. “Permanent night shift workers showed the greatest elevation in blood pressure, but those people working rotating shifts also showed elevated levels, although not as significant as permanent night shift workers.
    “Our data also show that short sleep plus shift work has an additive negative effect on blood pressure.”
    The body’s circadian clock governs almost all processes in the human body, including metabolic function, cognition, heart rate and sleep-wake behaviour. Disruptions to the body’s normal biological rhythms can leave the body out of sync, creating circadian strain, and thus negative consequences.
    “Challenges that disrupt anticipation to daily light-dark cycles, food intake, and activity cues that are induced by non-traditional behavioural and lifestyle factors, like shift work, can adversely impact maintenance of normal biological rhythms at the systemic and cellular level, thereby compromising organ function,” Young said. Source: PTI

  • Quitting smoking can lower diabetes risk by 30-40%: WHO

    Quitting smoking can lower the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 30-40 per cent, according to a new brief jointly developed by the WHO, the International Diabetes Federation and the University of Newcastle.
    Evidence suggests that smoking influences the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can cause type-2 diabetes, the WHO said in a statement.
    Type-2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, accounting for over 95 per cent of all diabetes cases, the UN agency said.
    However, it is often preventable, and factors that contribute to developing type-2 diabetes include being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and genetics, according to the WHO.
    The IDF estimates that 537 million people have diabetes, a number that continues to rise making diabetes the ninth highest cause of death globally, the statement said. The IDF is a non-profit umbrella organisation of more than 240 national diabetes associations in 161 countries and territories.
    Smoking also increases the risk of diabetes-related complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and blindness, in addition to delaying healing of wound and enhancing the risk of lower limb amputations, WHO’s statement said.
    “The International Diabetes Federation strongly encourages people to stop smoking to reduce their risk of diabetes and, if they have diabetes, help avoid complications.
    “We call on governments to introduce policy measures that will discourage people from smoking and remove tobacco smoke from all public spaces,” said Akhtar Hussain, president of the IDF. Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of diabetes complications, the UN agency said in its statement.
    “Health professionals play a vital role in motivating and guiding individuals with type-2 diabetes in their journey to quit tobacco.
    “Simultaneously, governments must take the crucial step of ensuring all indoor public places, workplaces and public transport is completely smoke-free.
    “These interventions are essential safeguards against the onset and progression of this and many other chronic diseases,” said Ruediger Krech, WHO’s Director of Health Promotion. Source: PTI

  • Your coronary calcium scores too can predict risk for heart disease

    Your coronary calcium scores too can predict risk for heart disease

    While high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking are well known heart disease risks, not everyone who has a heart attack has them. A new study finds that these patients had one thing in common: they all tended to have high levels of coronary calcium.
    Previous research showed that 14 per cent to 27 per cent of heart attack patients have none of the standard risk factors high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.
    The new study by researchers at Intermountain Health in the US show that scans that detect this kind of plaque buildup should be considered as part of their standard care, even in the absence of the four standard modifiable risk factors, so that these patients can be diagnosed and treated before their first heart attack event occurs. “Measuring coronary calcium could have a major impact on how we identify who is at risk for heart disease,” said lead author Jeffrey L. Anderson, research physician at Intermountain Health.
    “We need to go beyond just the four major modifiable risk factors because there are risk factors we don’t yet recognise or understand about what’s causing increased risk of heart attack in these patients,” he added. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023 in Philadelphia, US.
    In the study, researchers identified 429 heart attack patients who also had coronary artery calcium scans. Of those, 369 had standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRF), like a diagnosis or treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and or smoking; and 60 did not (SMuRF-less). Researchers examined these patients’ calcium artery scan scores, and then also major adverse cardiovascular events, like another heart attack, stroke, or death, at 60-days and long term.
    Researchers found that SMuRF-less patients had high rates of, and higher percentile of, coronary calcium scores. They also found that 77 per cent of these patients met their criteria for preventative therapy, like statins and/or aspirin. Patients with SMuRF, as expected, also had high CAC scores and percentiles.
    Outcomes were more favourable overall for SMuRF-less patients and for those patients with lower coronary artery calcium scores. While coronary artery calcium scans are becoming more common and affordable, they’re still not part of guideline-directed standard of care.
    “We’re missing about a quarter of people who are at risk for heart attack events because we’re still relying on just the standard risk factors,” said Dr Anderson.
    “We haven’t been doing scans in low-risk patients that don’t have these common risk factors, but that may need to change given our findings, so that we can identify these seemingly low-risk patients who care not, and provide preventive therapy.” Source: IANS

  • Coconut Chicken

    Coconut Chicken

    Ingredients
    1 kg chicken, 200 ml cream, 100 ml coconut milk, 200 gm onion, cut into small pieces, 2 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp ginger paste, 1 tsp turmeric powder, Salt to taste, 1 tsp garam masala, 100 gm butter/refined oil, 1 tsp red chilli powder.
    Method
    – Add chicken, garlic and ginger paste, turmeric powder, salt, garam masala, salt and chilli powder and mix well. Keep the marinated chicken for two hours.
    – Then place the pan on fire and put the oil/butter and fry the onion till golden brown.
    – Add the marinated chicken to the pan and fry on a low flame adding coconut milk slowly till the chicken is cooked properly.
    – Then mix the cream slowly
    – Add 1/2 tsp of sugar (optional)
    – Now the chicken is ready to eat
    – Serve with roti/rice.

  • Lemon Chicken

    Lemon Chicken

    Ingredients
    6 chicken thighs without skin, 3-4 Tbsp refined oil, 2 tsp cumin seeds, 2 onions julienned, 6 cloves garlic chopped, 1/2 inch ginger chopped, 3-4 hot green chillies, 3/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, Salt to taste, 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh sugarcane juice, Fresh coriander to garnish.
    Method
    – Heat a heavy cooking vessel on a high heat and once its hot, add the refined oil and swirl the pan to coat the base evenly. Once the oil is nice and hot, add the cumin seeds and saute them until crackling and fragrant.
    – Now add the onions, garlic and ginger and sauté them gently until they take on a light golden brown color. Turn up the heat and then add the spice powders. Toast the spices on a high heat until they are intensely aromatic and well toasted. Then add a little water and bhuno the base ingredients repeatedly until the oil rises to the top and the masala is well cooked out.
    – Add some salt and mix well, then add the chicken thighs to the pan. Turn up the heat and fry the chicken in the masala until it is evenly coated with the flavor of the base and is a very light yellowy golden brown in color.
    – Now add the lemon and orange juice to the chicken and deglaze the pan well, scraping up the flavor packed pan deposits on the base of the pan. Stir everything together well to combine, then add a little sugarcane juice to balance the acidity of the lemon juice.
    – Bring the chicken to a boil, then turn the heat to low, cover the pan and let the chicken simmer away until it is cooked to perfection and almost falling off the bone.
    – Once the chicken is cooked, uncover the pan and simmer the light gravy until slightly reduced and concentrated in flavor. Turn off the heat, then garnish with fresh coriander and serve with hot rotis or rice.

  • Coffee for Skin Care

    Coffee for Skin Care

    Coffee is usually associated with waking people up in the morning, but it can also perk up your skin. The caffeine in coffee has a number of benefits for your skin, from treating redness and inflammation, to reducing the appearance of under-eye circles, to getting rid of cellulite. By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine, you can reveal evenly toned, smooth skin all over your body.
    Reduces Inflammation
    Caffeine has potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for reducing inflammation and redness in your skin. In a 1981 study performed at the Seoul National University, researchers found that caffeine is able to reduce inflammation almost as well as aspirin in rats; in a 1978 performed at the University of Tennessee, researchers found that adding caffeine to anti-inflammatory creams significantly increased their effectiveness.
    Helps get rid of under-eye circles
    Dark under-eye circles can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, allergies, lack of sleep or genetics. Although caffeine cannot completely erase hereditary dark circles, applying caffeine under your eyes will reduce the puffiness and inflammation associated with dark circles. Additionally, caffeine reduces the build-up of blood under your eyes which contributes to dark shadows. Several eye creams contain caffeine, or you can apply moist tea bags to your eyes for five minutes to reduce puffiness and give you a more alert appearance.
    Gets rid of cellulite
    Caffeine can also reduce the appearance of cellulite. In a 2008 study performed at the University of São Paulo, researchers found that an application of skin cream containing caffeine to cellulite reduced the size of cellulite fat cells by 17 percent. In addition, a study has found that caffeine cream applied to cellulite decreased the hip’s diameter in almost 70 percent of participants.

  • Use coconut, argan oil for smooth lips

    Use coconut, argan oil for smooth lips

    Winter can be a brutal time of the year for your lips. During the cold winter season, there are various skin problems which emerge like dry cracked lips and skin. Besides drinking water it is important to use coconut and argan oil based products like lip balms, scrubs, lipsticks with the natural oils as its base to save your lips from chapping, suggest experts.
    Don’t lick your lips
    This common practice is quite harmful for your lips as when you put saliva on the lips, it dries out and make our lips even more dry.
    Use coconut oil
    Coconut oil is very good for lips as it acts as a good nourishing moisturiser and will give you cracked free lips. For a deep hydrating result we recommend butterstick lip treatment which has coconut oil and lemon butter and comes with SPF.
    Use argan oil
    The thin skin of your lips loses moisture rapidly, especially in the winter. So make sure lips are covered with lip balm as often as possible. Argan oil is your lips best friend. Make sure you use lipsticks with argan oil or shea butter so that your lips don’t crack in the cold.
    Try lip scrub
    Our lips are not protected by hair or sebaceous glands (oil glands), so they start to chap, therefore weekly exfoliation is a must. Lip scrub works great to gently exfoliate dry lips. For a homemade lip scrub, mix brown sugar and honey and gently scrub lips until the sugar crystals melt. Wash and pat dry.
    Keep a gloss handy
    If you’re a matte enthusiast, and your lips begin to feel dry, always keep a gloss handy. Start your make-up routine by moisturising your lips for which you can use the good old Vaseline. Keep it on for a minute, blot the excess and go ahead with the lipstick application.
    Use a lip balm
    This will lock in the moisture and help to heal cracks and splits in the skin. Look for a healing ointment that contains petrolatum, essential oils or glycerin. Another important ingredient is sunscreen — there still is sun in the winter.
    Avoid lip balms containing camphor, eucalyptus and menthol. These substances actually dry out your lips and make the problem worse. In response, you apply more of this kind of lip balm, and the cycle continues.
    Avoid brushing or rubbing your lips when they are flaky or peeling. “It’s better not to scrub your lips or pick the peeling skin off with your teeth or your fingers. That just creates cracks and sores on your lips and can make things worse,” Dr. Piliang says. “Instead, apply a very heavy ointment-based balm that will be soothing and help to heal your lips.”
    Treat cracks right away
    If you let them go, they can become worse and possibly get infected or lead to a cold sore. At night, apply lip balm before you go to bed. Many people sleep with their mouths open. Eight hours of breathing in and out through your mouth can dry your lips, Dr. Piliang says. Also consider using a humidifier at night if the air in your house is dry because of being heated.

  • Jennifer Aniston shares Matthew Perry’s text message, ‘you always made my day’

    Jennifer Aniston shares Matthew Perry’s text message, ‘you always made my day’

    Actress Jennifer Aniston is reflecting on the loss of her longtime friend Matthew Perry. For the first time since Perry, 54, died from an apparent drowning on October 28, Aniston has spoken out about her ‘Friends’ co-star and his enduring legacy after his death.
    Aniston’s Instagram tribute for Perry featured a photo of the pair on set together alongside their loving text exchange containing the same image, reports People magazine.
    Additionally, she included a scene of the duo during the sitcom’s 2004 series finale, where their characters Rachel Green and Chandler Bing expressed their love for one another. “Oh boy this one has cut deep … Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before,” began the actress, 54. “We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA.”
    She further mentioned in her note, quoted by People: “We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be. For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself, if he didn’t hear the ‘laugh’ he thought he was going to die. His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard.”
    Noting how she’s continued to process this loss, Aniston said that she had been looking back on their many text conversations, even sharing one of them in her second slide.
    “In the last couple weeks, I’ve been poring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again. I’ll keep them forever and ever. I found one text that he sent me out of nowhere one day. It says it all. (See the second slide…),” she said. “Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day… sometimes I can almost hear you saying ‘could you BE any crazier?” she added.
    The message from Matthew was: “Making you laugh just made my day. It made my day:)”
    “Rest little brother. You always made my day,” she concluded. Source: IANS

  • Zendaya and Tom Holland win hearts as they sign Spider-Man posters for charity

    Zendaya and Tom Holland win hearts as they sign Spider-Man posters for charity

    Power couple Tom Holland and Zendaya often keep their relationship low-key and rarely make public appearances. However, the 27-year-old Marvel stars recently gave fans a glimpse at a sweet moment they shared together. Over the weekend, Holland and the Euphoria star were spotted signing Spider-Man posters for a charity organisation The Brothers’ Trust. While giving out autographs, Zendaya affectionately held onto Holland’s arm. The adorable moment was captured in a video, which went viral soon after it was shared on social media. Fans were left amazed at their public display of affection, calling them “couple goals.”
    In the video shared on X, formerly Twitter, the duo can be seen joking and smiling while signing several posters side-by-side. Social media users flooded the platform with comments on their gesture and the strong bond they have developed over the years. One user wrote, “It’s heartwarming to see Tom Holland and Zendaya using their Spider-Man magic for a good cause. Acts like this are what make them real-life superheroes!”
    Another X user commented, “It’s great to see Tom Holland and Zendaya using their platform to support charitable causes, such as signing ‘Spider-Man’ posters for The Brothers Trust.” One more user said, “The way she holds him & just behaves like a child around him- why’re they so adorable.” Yet another user commented, “The Brothers Trust, founded by Tom Holland and his brothers, aims to raise funds and awareness for various charitable causes around the world.”
    For their charity work, Zendaya kept her look casual, wearing a grey sweater with minimal to no make-up while Holland donned a black pullover with glasses over his head. The fan-favourite couple is no stranger to charity work as this comes after their visit to British charity Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in London. Zendaya shared a picture of herself holding a little puppy in her hands on her Instagram story, leaving fans gushing. She wrote “puppy heaven” on the picture, in which she can be seen beaming with joy.
    Source: HT