The Indian Panorama

Month: July 2024

  • BROOKLYN FILM FEST PRESENTS OSCAR-QUALIFYING FILMS

    • By Mabel Pais

    Featuring

    Co-Director A. PATTANASHETTY’s Narrative Short: ‘SKIN TO SKIN’ – US Premiere

    Director ANDREW NADKARNI’s Documentary Short: ‘BETWEEN EARTH & SKY’

    And Many More

    Skin to Skin (Credit: greenpointfilmfestival.org)
    DOC-NYC-2023_BETWEEN-EARTH-AND-SKY_2. Nalini Nadkarni revisiting the tree she fell from (Credit : Derek Knowles)

    Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival (GFF) annual 13th edition takes place August 7-11. The film festival has more than doubled the number of films screened from last year, now totaling 118 films (20 feature-length, 95 shorts, and 3 XR exhibits). GFF’s footprint has also become larger with additional screens added to The Boiler / ELM Foundation location (191 N. 14th Street), and Film Noir (122 Meserole Avenue) also added to the mix.

    The screenings at Film Noir will be a special Polish Cinema Heritage Program offered free-to-the-public. Once again, the Greenpoint Film Festival will be dedicated to its mission to create a platform for local filmmakers to showcase films that carry riveting and thought-provoking stories, which strive to help others find meaning for a more insightful journey in their lives. GFF will also offer additional panels, workshops, and events focused on expanding the local film network in North Brooklyn with the goal of helping local filmmakers make connections and gain support for their projects. That will include GFF’s signature Green Carpet, and the Filmmaker Awards including the presentation of their special festival awards dedicated to films that champion environmental and social justice.

    Greenpoint Film Festival Creative Director Ricardo Vilar, said, “Our film festival has grown with leaps and bounds both with the number of films offered and the expansion of our footprint here in Brooklyn. But it all still starts with our mission on behalf of the filmmakers and giving them a platform to tell their stories and connect with audiences and each other. As we continue to build our reputation as a place and event to celebrate cinema here in North Brooklyn, we are thrilled with each step we take to bring recognition to their work and talent.” 

    TICKETS

    To purchase passes and tickets and to find more information on the Greenpoint Film Festival, visit greenpointfilmfestival.org.

    2024 Greenpoint Film Festival Lineup

     OPENING NIGHT SELECTION

    Lucha: A Wrestling Tale

    Director: Marco Ricci; USA; 96m

    ‘Lucha’ tells the story of the Taft High School Women’s wrestling team, one of the first girls wrestling programs in NYC. In particular, it tells the story of four young women who view wrestling as their ticket to acceptance and progress. Shirley wants a college scholarship, Nyasia wants to get in shape, Mariam is juggling studies and sports, and Alba is a recent immigrant looking for a home.

    CENTERPIECE SELECTION

    Unicorns

    Director: Alex Lora; Spain; 94m

    Isa is a Feminist and polyamorous posh girl; she passionately defends her life. When Guillem proposes to be a monogamous couple, Isa is not sure if he wants to change her life and, given her lack of decision, Guillem decides to break the relationship. Living in a world of appearances and comforts, her contradictions come to light and her universe is crumbling at the blow of likes and moral judgments in this web that social networks have become.

    Preceded by

    The Masterpiece

    Director: Alex Lora; Spain; 20m

    Leo and Diana, a rich couple, bring a broken TV to a recycle point. They meet Salif and his son, two scrap dealers. Diana asks them to come to their house to get more objects. Once there, Leo looks at them collecting objects with mistrust, until they see the scrap dealers have an expensive painting. 

    CLOSING NIGHT SELECTIONS

    Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life – US Premiere

    Director: Kelly Moneymaker; USA; 49m

    ‘Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life’ explores the climate crisis through the eyes of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples as they utilize their ancestral knowledge and modern science to adapt to the changing rhythms of seasons, cycles, and movements across eroding lands and melting Arctic ice. The global impact of the story feeds into the current and worldwide surge of politically conscious indigenous peoples demanding human rights, food sovereignty, and self-governance.

    Miwene

    Directors: Keith Heyward, Jennifer Berglund, Gange Anita Yeti Enomenga, Obe Beatriz Nenquimo Nihua; Ecuador; 105m

    Steeped in the long oral tradition of Waorani storytelling, Gange Yeti shares her own coming-of-age story as a young Waorani woman living deep within the Amazon rainforest. Following Gange and her community for over 11 years, the film captures her transition from a quiet teenager into a confident young mother at a critical turning point for her culture and rainforest.

    NARRATIVE FEATURES

    In addition, there are 12 narrative features.

    DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

    There are 4 documentary features.

    NARRATIVE SHORTS

    There are 74 narrative shorts.

    DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

    There are 15 documentary shorts.

    ANIMATION SHORTS

    There are 5 animation shorts.

    XR EXHIBIT

    Three fit into this category.

    For a complete list of films and events, visit greenpointfilmfestival.org

    Greenpoint Film Festival (GFF)

    Learn more at greenpointfilmfestival.org

    About ELM Foundation/The Boiler

    Learn more at  elmfoundation.art

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

  • OSCAR-QUALIFYING HOLLYSHORTS FEST RETURNS

    By Mabel Pais

    Screening

    Director ADAM J GRAVES’s ‘ANUJA’

     Co-Producer MURUGAN THIRUCHELVAM’s 

    ‘AN ANGEL ON OXFORD STREET’ 

    And many, many more

    Anuja (Credit: hollyshorts.com)

    The Oscar® Qualifying HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL returns for its much-anticipated annual 20th edition. HollyShorts screenings will take place from August 8-18th. This year’s hybrid celebration of short films takes place in person, with screenings at the world-renowned TCL Chinese Theatres, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., 3rd Level, Hollywood, CA, 90028 and virtually through the official festival streaming platform, BITPIX. The annual awards gala takes place on August 18.

    From over 6000 entries, over 400 films form this year’s anniversary program. On Friday, July 12, HollyShorts shared the entire 2024 selection on YouTube. For the complete list of films and more information, visit hollyshorts.com.

    Last year, the Academy® granted the festival their 4th OSCAR®-qualifying award for Documentary Short Film, this accolade joined their other three top awards, Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Short Animation and Best Short Live Action. The winners of these awards will be eligible for consideration for a 2025 Academy® Award.

    Some of the HollyShorts Festival categories are

    DOCUMENTARY, LIVE ACTION, ANIMATION, SCI-FI, MUSIC VIDEO, WEB SERIES, MIDNIGHT MADNESS, PODCAST, TELEVISION.

    Learn more at hollyshorts.com.

    INAUGURAL SPORTS CATEGORY

    HollyShorts has also launched an inaugural Sports category with NBA Champion, Metta World Peace as the head judge.

    TICKETS

    For tickets and passes, visit hollyshorts2024.eventive.org/passes/buy.

    HollyShorts Films

    HollyShorts is devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panels and forums. The festival showcases the top short films produced in 40 minutes or less. Learn more at hollyshorts.com.

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

  • Paris Olympics: Are India ready to spring a surprise?

    Paris Olympics: Are India ready to spring a surprise?

    Paris (TIP)- Failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games was a watershed moment for the India men’s hockey team. It was a new low for the eight-time Olympic gold medallists since their 1975 World Cup triumph. That was the last major title India had won, notwithstanding their gold medal at boycott-marred 1980 Olympics at Moscow. A heavy injection of funds to reverse fortunes saw India make a comeback in the line-up at the London Olympics in 2012. It turned out to be a disaster. India finished at the bottom the 12-team competition and the approach of the players was shocking. Michael Nobbs, the chief coach and a former Australia player, was left dejected by players showing they were satisfied at merely being Olympians. “I am struggling to figure out how any player could shy away from hard tackles in combative encounters. It does not get any bigger than the Olympics and some of the players are even casual in executing shots that they have practised for years,” Nobbs said as the team lurched from one disastrous outing to another.
    “As an Australian, I find this lack of killer instinct disheartening. When players step on to the pitch wearing the Australian colours, they are willing to be taken off only on stretchers. That’s the commitment I was expecting from a side representing the hopes of millions.”
    Proof of what Nobbs said came in seasoned defender Matt Dawson having part of his finger amputated to stay in contention for Paris. A silver medallist in Tokyo, Dawson was eager to play in his third Olympics but that looked difficult when he injured his ring finger in training. Dawson amputated the injured top part of the digit so that it would heal faster and in 10 days, he was available for selection. It is against such determination that India will find itself as it seeks to repeat its medal-winning show of the last Olympics in Tokyo.
    International hockey is no longer an exhibition of soft skills in which India once excelled. Against top-ranked teams what matters is the amount of physical risk players are willing to take. Hockey has become so fast and competitive that a small margin separates the crack outfits from others in terms of quality. With little to separate them in calibre, these teams go heavy on analysis. Which means that only an element of surprise can lift a team’s fortunes. The results achieved, or not achieved, in the recent FIH Pro League will have no bearing on the Olympic Games. In India’s case that could help cast aside recent indifferent performances provided the team executes plans or moves coach Craig Fulton introduces for the Games. We will know soon enough.
    For six years, between his debut in 2016 and the Tokyo Olympic bronze in 2022, Harmanpreet’s drag flicks produced outstanding results. But at the 2023 World Cup, opponents had a strategy to neutralise the risk posed by his penalty-corner shots. That hampered India’s results.
    With penalty corners deciding majority of games, the India captain is aware that his team’s success will depend a great deal on the new elements he manages to introduce in his shots. As rival analysts study videos of penalty corner execution, variations become key in fetching goals from them. Source: HT

  • Very clear about his intent, communication: Gill on Gambhir as head coach

    Very clear about his intent, communication: Gill on Gambhir as head coach

    India’s newly appointed vice-captain, Shubman Gill, opened up on his first impression of Gautam Gambhir as a head coach, saying that the former Indian opener is very clear about his intent, communication and player roles with the team.
    India’s tour of Sri Lanka begins with a T20I on Saturday, July 27, and consists of three T20Is and three ODIs each. Gill will be the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma in the short format and 50-overs, respectively. This is Gambhir’s first assignment as head coach after being appointed to the position earlier in July after Rahul Dravid vacated the post following ICC T20 World Cup win in West Indies.
    Speaking ahead of the first T20I in Pallekele in the pre-match presser, Gill said, “We have had just two net sessions together, and this is the first time I am working with him. But whatever he has told me during these two sessions, his intent and communication have been very clear–he knows what he wants from which player, and what he thinks will work for each player.” Gill also opened up on his equation with the newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, saying that they are “alike”.
    “We think alike. I have played under Surya bhai’s captaincy in the South Africa tour,” he said. Source: ANI

  • Dhiraj shines as archers secure quarters berths

    Dhiraj shines as archers secure quarters berths

    Paris (TIP)- Led by the in-form Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat, India’s campaign at the Paris Olympics began on a positive note as the country’s archers secured a direct entry into the quarterfinals of both the men’s and women’s team events after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the ranking round here on July 25.
    Debutants Dhiraj and Ankita produced a spectacular show in the qualifications to help India finish in the top-four, giving them favourable draws. The top-four in the team standings directly advance to the quarterfinals, while the 5th to 12th play the Round of 16 fixtures.
    The Indian men’s team is seeded third, which means they will not feature in the same pool as the South Koreans in the next round. The duo of Ankita and Dhiraj will be seeded fifth in the mixed team Round of 16. World Cup bronze medallist Dhiraj, who defeated Tokyo Olympics silver winner Mauro Nespoli in Antalya, lived up to the expectations by finishing fourth in the individual round. Dhiraj scored 681 points. Appearing in his fourth Olympics, Tarundeep Rai ended 14th with 674 points while Pravin Jadhav finished 39th with 658 points. Earlier in the day, Ankita left behind seasoned campaigners like Deepika Kumari to emerge as the best-placed Indian at 11th in the women’s individual qualifications. The 26-year-old shot 666 and was followed by Bhajan Kaur (22nd with 559 points) and Deepika (23rd with 658 points).
    South Korea’s Lim Sihyeon smashed a world record score of 694 to top the standings.

  • Olympic Games-2024: A Curtain Raiser

    Olympic Games-2024: A Curtain Raiser

    • When age fails to come in the way of sports rivalries!
    • Will Rohan Bopanna break Rajeev Ram’s winning streak
    By Prabhjot Singh

    Prabhjot Singh, a senior sports journalist, in his career spanning 40 years, has witnessed, and reported on six summer Olympic games, one winter Olympic games, seven World Cups in Hockey, FIFA World Cup in 2006, besides three World Cups in Cricket, and two editions of Pan Am Games (Toronto and Lima). He has also covered Asian Games (New Delhi and Jakarta) and Commonwealth games in Melbourne and New Delhi.
    He will be in Paris from July 23, 2024 till August 13, 2024 to cover the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris which has the distinction of hosting the Olympic Games for a third time. Earlier , Paris hosted the Olympic Games in 1900 and 1924. The only other city to host Olympic Games three times is London which hosted Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
    Readers of The Indian Panorama will get to read Prabhjot Singh’s special reports on Olympic Games 24 straight from Paris on a daily basis at www.theindianpanorama.news besides selected reports in the weekly editions. Prabhjot Singh can be reached at prabhjot416@gmail.com

    Rohan Bopanna, one of the oldest players on the tennis circuit, may still be hopeful of ending his career with a medal in tennis. He may again run into Rajeev Ram in the men’s doubles event. This time, Rohan Bopanna will be paired with Sriram Balaji. Rohan, now 44, is the oldest while Rajeev is not far behind as he crossed 40 in March this year. Photo: Reuters file

    Rivalries, traditional or otherwise, enliven sports competitions. Suppose the fight for Ashes between Australia and England enthuses cricket followers worldwide. In that case, the India-Pakistan game in hockey gets the South Asian community on the edge of their seats. Have you ever wondered about the tennis rivalry that has been growing between India and the United States since the 1996 Atlanta Olympic GamesRs
    Individual rivalries apart, they become so exciting and animated that they get linked to national pride and honor.
    In the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Indian ace Leander Paes made the medal round in men’s singles. In the semi-finals, he was drawn to meet the challenge of Andre Agassi of the hosts, USA.
    Though Leander lost to his much-fancied opponent, he made amends by winning the bronze medal, the first individual medal for an Indian athlete since the 1952 Helsinki Olympic games.
    The defeat of Leander set in motion a rivalry that has since then been growing steadily. The USA has been triumphant in most of the prestigious events against its Indian opponents. Twenty years later, when the Indian mixed doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza faced Rajeev Ram and Venus Williams in the semi-finals in the Rio Olympic games, the Americans were unstoppable.
    It was a golden opportunity for the Indian pair to end the 20-year drought in tennis, but it went down fighting to a Czech Republic pair in the bronze medal game.
    The rivalry did not end with the second successive reverse for India in Olympic tennis, it got extended to one of the grand slams, the US Open. In the 2023 US Open, Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner lost the men’s doubles title to Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
    Rohan Bopanna, one of the oldest players on the tennis circuit, may still be hopeful of ending his career with a medal in tennis. He may again run into Rajeev Ram in the men’s doubles event. This time, Rohan Bopanna will be paired with Sriram Balaji. The tennis competition will be held from July 27. Rohan, now 44, is the oldest while Rajeev is not far behind as he crossed 40 in March this year.
    Rajeev Ram is one of the illustrious members of the Indian Diaspora who has won several honors for the US in Grand Slams and even a silver medal in the Olympic Games (2016). Rohan lost a chance to become the second Indian player after Leander to win an Olympic medal in Tennis in Rio. Paris may be his last chance.
    Other than Rajeev Ram, Kanak Jha is another player of Indian origin who will be donning US colors for the third consecutive Olympic Games. Kanak plays Table Tennis but has never progressed to the medal round in his previous Olympic participations.
    When the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced its 592-member 2024 Olympic team to compete at the 2024 edition of the Games, it included both Rajeev Ram and Kanak Jha. Before Rajeev Ram won a silver medal in 2016, cyclist Alexi Singh Grewal held aloft the US flag with a gold medal triumph in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Alexi Singh has been the torch-bearer of sportspersons of Indian origin representing the US in various major international sporting events.
    Paris returns as the host nation of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which is taking place exactly 100 years since Paris hosted the Olympic Games back in 1924. Paris joins London as the only two cities to host the Olympic Games three times. Paris hosted in 1900, 1924 and now 2024, while London hosted in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
    An estimated 10,500 athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will take to Paris to compete on the world stage. Thirty-two sports will be contested during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with 329 medal events in total.
    The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will make history by achieving numerical gender parity on the field of play, ensuring equal representation of male and female athletes. For the 2024 U.S. Olympic team, the roster comprises of 314 females and 278 males.
    “It is with immense pride and excitement that we announce the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team and the exceptional athletes that embody the spirit of dedication, resilience, and excellence, continuing the proud history of Team USA at the Olympic Games,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “As they prepare to represent our nation on the greatest stage in all of sports, we honor their personal achievements and celebrate the unwavering support of the people that make it possible — their families, teammates, National Governing Bodies, coaches, and communities around the country. In the true spirit of ‘One for All,’ we join a proud nation of fans in cheering them on through inspiring performances and unforgettable moments.”
    The 2024 U.S. Olympic Team has over 250 returning Olympians – including three five-time, four four-time, 16 three-time and more than 50 two-time Olympians. The slate of veterans features 122 Olympic medalists, including 66 Olympic champions who have won 110 gold medals. Forty-five athletes have won multiple Olympic medals, while 23 have won multiple Olympic gold medals.
    The multiple medalists are led by Katie Ledecky (swimming) who leads the team with 10 Olympic medals, including seven golds and three silvers. Simone Biles (artistic gymnastics) and Caeleb Dressel (swimming) enter Paris 2024 with seven medals each, while Ryan Murphy (swimming) has six, and Diana Taurasi (basketball), Lilly King (swimming) and Simone Manuel (swimming) have five each.
    The three five-time Olympians on the roster include Taurasi, Steffen Peters and McLain Ward (equestrian). The four four-time Olympians feature Brady Ellison (archery), Gerek Meinhardt (fencing), Stu McNay (sailing) and Vincent Hancock (shooting).
    “These athletes of Team USA have demonstrated unparalleled dedication and passion in their pursuit of excellence on their road to earning a place on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team and representing the United States in Paris,” said Rocky Harris, USOPC chief of sport and athlete services, and Chef de Mission for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. “Their journey to the Games exemplifies the Olympic spirit-pushing boundaries, breaking records, and captivating millions around the country and the world, and I am so proud to be a part of a team of colleagues at the USOPC and across the National Governing Bodies who support them. This summer, Team USA athletes will amaze us with extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit – and they will undoubtedly inspire the next generation.”
    Of the collective of 592 U.S. athletes competing in Paris, 75% (444 athletes) competed collegiately at 169 schools. Twenty-one teams have at least 80% collegiate participation on their U.S. Olympic rosters, including 15 teams that are comprised of 100% college athletes: women’s basketball, men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, men’s and women’s indoor volleyball, diving, fencing, women’s field hockey, women’s rugby, modern pentathlon, men’s and women’s water polo, rowing and triathlon. College athlete representation on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team spans all three NCAA Divisions (I, II and III), as well as junior colleges and collegiate club programs.
    Forty-six states are represented on the U.S. roster, with California (120), Florida (42), Texas (41), Illinois and Pennsylvania (27) leading the way. Three athletes identify international hometowns, including Ian Barrows (sailing) from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Maximilian Dietz (soccer) from Frankfurt, Germany, and Luca Cupido (water polo) from Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy.

    (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for World Athletics)

    At a glance
    – It also includes 314 women and 278 men, marking the fourth straight Olympic Games with more women on the U.S. roster than men.
    – Artistic gymnast Hezly Rivera is the youngest of three athletes who are age 16, while equestrian Steffen Peters will be competing at age 59.
    – The 2024 team features more than 250 returning Olympians and 122 Olympic medalists, including 66 Olympic champions.
    – Three five-time Olympians decorate the roster, including Diana Taurasi (basketball), Steffen Peters (equestrian) and McLain Ward (equestrian). The four four-time Olympians include Brady Ellison (archery), Gerek Meinhardt (fencing), Stu McNay (sailing) and Vincent Hancock (shooting).
    – The United States will be represented in 44 sports in Paris. Of the 329 medal events contested in Paris, Team USA will have at least one entry (athlete/team) in 253 of these events.
    – There are at least six sets of siblings on the team, including twins Annie and Kerry Xu (badminton), Brooke and Emma DeBerdine (field hockey), Alex and Aaron Shackell (swimming), Gretchen and Alex Walsh (swimming), Juliette and Isabella Whittaker (track and field) and Chase and Ryder Dood (water polo).
    – Twelve athletes on the roster self-identify ties to the military, including 10 with the Army, one with the Navy and one with the Marines.
    – Forty-six athletes on the roster self-identify as parents, including 34 dads and 12 moms.
    – March is the most popular birthday month with 59 athletes.

  • Mangala Gauri fast

    Mangala Gauri fast

    The holy month of Sawan began on July 22. This month is auspicious for the devotees of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. It marks the onset of the monsoon in India. Celebrated by the Hindu devotees, the worshippers observe a fast on Monday, popularly known as Sawan Somwar. While Mahadev is worshipped on Sawan Monday, the Mangalgauri form of Mata Parvati is worshipped on Sawan Tuesday. It is believed that worshipping Mangala Gauri on this day brings happiness in life. Women receive the blessings of good fortune from Mata Parvati on this day, if they keep fast; while unmarried women are believed to be blessed with their desired groom.
    As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Mangala Gauri fast was kept by Mata Parvati to win the love of Lord Shiva. Astrologer Acharya Pandit Yogesh Choure from Bhopal claims that keeping Mangala Gauri fast can help cure all the problems in life. Here are some of the benefits which Astrologer Acharya Pandit Yogesh Choure lists for the Hindu devotees.
    Mangal Dosha
    Pandit Yogesh Choure of Bhopal claims that if you have Mangal Dosha in your horoscope then you can get rid of this by worshipping Mangala Gauri on Tuesday in the month of Sawan. Women facing delays in their marriage and who have manglik dosha in their kundli must observe this fast to reduce the malefic effects. You can also recite Sundarkand on this day.
    Happy Marriage
    If there are obstacles in your marriage, then you can get rid of this problem by observing the fast of Mangala Gauri. For this, on the day of Gauri’s fast, float an empty earthen pot in flowing water. Apart from this, donate honey to a needy person on Sawan Tuesday for a long and happy married life.
    Blessings of Shiva-Parvati
    Keep a fast of Mangala Gauri in Sawan and feed Brahmins along with the puja. By doing this, you will get the blessings of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, which will help you live a prosperous life. Married women must seek the blessings of their in-laws by touching their feet on this day.
    Mangala Gauri Vrat Rituals and Significance
    The Mangala Gauri Vrat is marked by a series of rituals that are believed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Gauri. Women wake up early, take a holy bath, and establish an idol or image of Goddess Gauri adorned with flowers and jewelry. They offer prasadam, fruits, sweets, and other delicacies to the deity. The fasting women recite specific mantras and listen to or read the Mangala Gauri Vrat Katha, which narrates the significance and benefits of the vrat.
    The significance of this vrat lies in its association with marital bliss and prosperity. It is believed that observing this vrat brings happiness, harmony, and longevity to the lives of married couples. Additionally, unmarried women also observe this vrat to seek a suitable life partner.
    Do’s:
    – Wake up early and take a bath.
    – Clean the puja area and place an idol or image of Goddess Gauri.
    – Decorate the idol with flowers, turmeric, vermilion, and jewelry.
    – Offer prasadam, fruits, sweets, and flowers to the deity.
    – Recite the Mangala Gauri Vrat Katha and chant mantras dedicated to Goddess Gauri.
    – Observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset.
    Don’ts:
    – Avoid consuming non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
    – Refrain from using garlic and onion in food preparations.
    – Do not break the fast before sunset.
    – Avoid wearing black or dark-colored clothes.
    The story
    A story related to Mangala Gauri fast is also told, according to which a seth named Dharmapala is living happily with his wife in a city in the Oriental period. There was no lack of wealth in his life. But the only thing that bothered him was that he had no children. For which he used to do a lot of pooja recitation and charity. Pleased with his good deeds, by the grace of God, he received a son, but the son did not have much age, according to astrologers, his son will become a eraser of death due to snake bite in the sixteenth year.
    Knowing the young age of his son, his father was very hurt but who can change the fate, Atru, Seth left everything to God and after some time married his son to a worthy cult girl. Mother’s mother always worshiped the fast of Mangla Gauri. Atari, the girl born due to the effect of this fast was blessed with unbroken good luck, which resulted in the length of Seth’s son.
    Udyaapan Vidhi
    It should be used after fasting on Tuesdays of Shravan month. Food is prohibited in industry. Worshiping with henna should be done. Worship should be done with four Brahmins. On the four corners of a checki, four clams of bananas should be tied on the pavilion with an odor. Mangalagouri should be set in the bowl by placing a bowl on the urn. All the items of saree, nath and suhag should be kept. Aarti should be done after listening to the story after the Havan. Sixteen laddus of flour, rupees and sari in silverware should be given to Sasu ji to touch his feet. The pandits who perform the puja should also be given food and washed and washed. The next day, Sohal Brahmins should be given food including pairs, dhoti, angocha and Brahminis, suhag-pittari. In the Suhag plate, there are accessories and sarees of Suhag. After doing all this, you should eat yourself.
    7 Things You must Offer To Mata Parvati
    – Kumkum: Sindoor (Vermillion) or Kumkum is a symbol of all auspiciousness, especially for married women. Offering Kumkum to Maa Parvati brings immense fortune – “Akhand Saubhagya”, especially for married women.
    – Chunri Or Saree: Offer a beautiful red or pink chunri or saree to Mata Parvati while observing the Mangala Gauri vrat to seek her divine blessings.
    – 16 Shringar Samagri: 16 Shringars or adornments are considered to be highly auspicious for married women as per Hinduism. Offering Shringar samagri to Maa Parvati on the day of Mangala Gauri vrat can bring happiness in married women’s lives.
    – Haldi: Turmeric or Haldi is considered a vital component during any worship ceremony in Hinduism as it symbolises auspiciousness. Women can also offer Haldi to Mata Parvati to amass good luck.
    – Hibiscus Flower: This red flower is considered to be the favourite flower of the divine goddess. Offering Hibiscus flowers to Maa Parvati on the day of Mangala Gauri vrat might help the devotees to receive her choicest blessings.
    – Kheer: It is believed that the magnificent goddess Parvati is fond of Kheer, and hence, devotees might offer kheer as bhog to Mata Gauri and ask for her divine grace.
    – Mehandi: Offering henna or mehendi to Mata Parvati on the day of Mangala Gauri Vrat symbolises auspiciousness for both married and unmarried women.

  • Hampi: A historical town of Karnataka

    Hampi: A historical town of Karnataka

    Hampi is a village and temple town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. in northern Karnataka, India. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. It is located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
    Hampi is a place like no other and so are the activities that you can indulge in when here. Test yourself at bouldering over the hills, ride a bicycle all across the village, row a coracle in the calm waters of River Tungabhadra, spot some Indian sloth bears or get blessed by an elephant—Hampi has a lot to keep you busy. Watching a sundowner across its famous temple ruins is, of course, a delight.
    BOULDERING
    Hampi is a boulderers’ heaven. With its endless trails of boulder hills and right terrain, it has emerged as the country’s hotspot for anyone with a love for the sport. While the more experienced ones can get bouldering and rock climbing equipment from one of the many stores and travel operators in the village, newbies can learn sport tactics with experts who often camp by the boulders. A closely-guarded secret, bouldering in Hampi came into spotlight with Pilgrimage, the much acclaimed climbing movie by Chris Sharma, Katie Brown and Nate Gold; climbers from all over the world made Hampi a favourite soon after its release. You would know the lure of those flat, looming boulders once you set eyes on them. A must-do in Hampi.
    BEAR WATCHING
    Wildlife lovers can head off the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary for jungle safaris. The sanctuary is some 20 km away from Hampi and doubles up as a conservation centre for the Indian sloth bear. Perfect to escape to from the more touristy lanes of Hampi, it is quite offbeat and houses more than 100 sloth bears, 90 bird species and an impressive variety of butterflies as well. You can either drive across the sanctuary or sit in the watch tower with a pair of binoculars and picnic lunch. Great place for kids.
    GET BLESSED BY AN ELEPHANT
    This one would never lose its charm! Lakshmi, the temple elephant at Virupaksha Temple, blesses visitors early in the morning with a gentle touch of her trunk. Anyone looking for a greater adrenalin rush should get into the river when she is in for a bath; a gentle shower from her awaits everyone who is eager enough to go near. Those not in a mood to get drenched can stay at the banks and watch the ritual-like bathing ceremony when Lakshmi splashes in the water, eagerly listening to her mahout’s calls.
    BICYCLE TOURS
    If there is one thing that you must do in Hampi, it is to get a bicycle and roam around the ruins and this sleepy village at a pace that keeps you discovering its beauty. Hampi is not a place to strike off from your wishlist in a rush; so let it work its magic on you—slowly. A number of bicycle rental points are in the lane that houses Virupaksha Temple.
    CORACLE HOPPING
    A walk by riverside is passe when you can go right in the middle of one in coracles, the coolest designed boats ever. Crossing River Tungabhadra to reach Anegundi, the hippie side of Hampi and back, becomes all the more inviting when you wade across it in a coracle. Watch a brilliant sunset, visit the drum circle and other live music sessions on the other side, photograph the Hampi ruins that look all the more fascinating from across the river or just enjoy some calm, away from the touristy clamour of the village in one.
    VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE
    Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, the main deity of the Vijayanagara rulers, the temple is an important pilgrimage centre and one of the main attractions of Hampi. Also known as Pampapati Temple, it has a 50-metre high tower at the entrance and displays beautiful architecture throughout. The miniature paintings on the ceilings make your visit worthwhile. Built in the beginning of the 7th century, it is one of the oldest functioning temples in India. The temple received a major overhaul and renovation at the beginning of the 19th century.
    VITTALA TEMPLE
    Dedicated to Lord Vittala, a form of Lord Vishnu, the temple was built in the 15th century. It is an exemplary symbol of the Vijayanagara style of art and architecture and one of the top attractions of Hampi. No words can describe the magnificence of the hundred pillared pavilion or mandapa that lies in the south-west part of the temple. The sculptures that adorn the eastern and northern gateways are also splendid. The composite pillars of the ‘sabha mandapa’ are massive and when tapped gently produce musical notes. The temple complex houses a number of important monuments including the famous stone chariot.
    STONE CHARIOT
    Considered as the most popular attraction of Hampi, this architectural marvel is located within the Vittala Temple complex. It is actually a shrine built in the form of a chariot and rests on a platform that is about a feet high. The shrine is dedicated to Garuda who is the carrier of Lord Vishnu. This stunning piece of architecture is among the three famous stone chariots in India, others being Konark (Odisha) and Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu). The carvings and sheer beauty of this structure make it a ‘must-visit’ attraction of Hampi.
    UGRA NARASIMHA SWAMY STATUE
    This is the largest statue in Hampi and depicts Lord Narasimha in a terrifying or angry form. Narasimha which means half-man and half-lion is one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This monolithic structure, which is 6.7 m in height, has the lord sitting cross-legged position on the coil of a giant seven-headed snake Adishesha. Originally the statue also had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on lord’s lap, but according to history it was vandalised and damaged in the year 1565. The statue of Goddess Lakshmi can now be seen in Kamalapura Museum.

  • Foreign investors take out Rs 10,000 crore from Indian stock market after Budget

    Foreign investors take out Rs 10,000 crore from Indian stock market after Budget

    Mumbai (TIP)- Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have pulled out almost Rs 10,710 crore from the Indian stock market in three days since the Union Budget after the government raised taxes on derivatives trades and on capital gains from equity investments.
    As per stock exchange data, FPIs sold equities worth Rs 2,975 crore on July 23, another Rs 5,130 crore on July 24 and Rs 2,605 crore on July 25. During the same time, domestic institutional investors bought stocks worth around Rs 6,900 crore since July 23.
    Ahead of the Budget, FPIs had bought equities worth around Rs 18,000 crore between July 12 and 22 as they anticipated a host of reform measures. In the Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman made major announcements with respect to capital gains tax whereby the rate of tax on long-term capital gains (LTCG) is proposed to be made 12.5 percent for all types of assets, irrespective of the transferor being a resident or a non-resident.
    A report from Nishith Desai Associates, “While this simplification of the capital gains regime is a welcome move, and in some cases the rates have decreased, the non-resident investors will suffer from a higher rate of LTCG tax across all types of assets. Even for FPIs, the tax rate for listed securities has been increased from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent in case of LTCG and 15 percent to 20 per cent in case of STCG.”
    VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said, “the most significant feature of institutional equity flows into the Indian market is the erratic nature of FPI flows and the steady growth nature of DII flows. DIIs have been sustained buyers in all months of CY 24 so far whereas FPIs alternated between buying and selling.”
    Markets extend losses for 5th session
    Equity market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty stayed on the back foot for the fifth straight session on July 25 as investors offloaded metal, banking and finance stocks amid a lacklustre trend in global markets. Heavy foreign fund outflows after a hike in securities transaction tax and short-term capital gains tax also impacted markets’ sentiment negatively. After a sharp fall in intra-day trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex managed to recover some of the lost ground to settle 109.08 points or 0.14 per cent lower at 80,039.80, as a sharp rally in Tata Motors and Larsen & Toubro restricted markets fall. During the day, it tanked 671 points or 0.83 per cent to 79,477.83. The NSE Nifty dipped 7.40 points or 0.03 per cent to 24,406.10. Intra-day, it tumbled 202.7 points or 0.83 per cent to 24,210.80.

  • US economy regains speed in second quarter; price pressures easing

    US economy regains speed in second quarter; price pressures easing

    Washington (TIP)- The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter amid solid gains in consumer spending and business investment, but inflation pressures subsided, leaving intact expectations of a September interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve.
    Growth last quarter also received a boost from inventory building as well as increased government spending, the Commerce Department’s advance report on second-quarter gross domestic product on Thursday showed. The housing market recovery, however, regressed and was a small drag on the economy. The trade deficit widened further, subtracting from GDP growth. The report dispelled concerns that the economic expansion was in danger of an abrupt end, which had been stoked by a lackluster performance in the first quarter and in April. The economy continues to outperform its global peers, despite hefty rate hikes from the U.S. central bank in 2022 and 2023, thanks to a resilient labor market.
    “Economic growth is solid, not too hot and not too cold,” said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS. “Inflation looks to be going the Fed’s way and an easing of monetary restraint with an interest rate cut is likely in September.”
    Gross domestic product increased at a 2.8% annualized rate last quarter, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis said in its advance estimate of second-quarter GDP. That was double the 1.4% growth pace in the first quarter.
    Economists polled by Reuters had forecast GDP rising at a 2.0% rate. Estimates ranged from a 1.1% rate to a 3.4% pace.
    The growth rate in the first half of the year averaged 2.1%, half the 4.2% pace logged in the last six months of 2023. That is just above the 1.8% pace viewed by U.S. central bank officials as the non-inflationary growth rate.
    Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy, increased at around a 2.3% rate after slowing to a 1.5% pace in the January-March quarter. Spending was driven by increased outlays on services like healthcare, housing and utilities as well as club memberships, visits to sports centers, parks, theaters and museums, and gambling.
    Consumers also boosted outlays on goods, including new light trucks, recreational goods and vehicles, furnishings and durable household equipment as well as energy products.
    Spending was in part supported by wage gains. A separate report from the Labor Department on Thursday showed the labor market steadily easing, with initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropping 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 235,000 for the week ended July 20. Business investment picked up as spending on equipment, mostly aircraft, surged at an 11.6% rate after rising at only a 1.6% pace in the first quarter. Spending on intellectual property products continued to rise, though the pace slowed from the brisk rate in the January-March quarter.
    Businesses also accumulated more inventory, which increased at a $71.3 billion rate after rising at a $28.6 billion pace in the prior quarter. Inventories added 0.82 percentage point to GDP growth after being a drag for two straight quarters. That more than offset a 0.72 percentage point hit from a wider trade gap. Source: Reuters

  • Musk to discuss $5 billion xAI investment with Tesla board

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Thursday, July 25, he will discuss a $5 billion investment in artificial intelligence startup xAI, as the electric-vehicle maker looks to double down on efforts to expedite the development of its robotaxi and self-driving products.
    The ambitious self-driving project has faced numerous technical and legal hurdles in recent years, and the automaker is now bolstering its AI infrastructure to train models for Tesla’s autonomous technology.
    “Looks like the public is in favor. Will discuss with Tesla board,” Musk said in a post on X after a poll on the social media platform showed nearly 68% of respondents said the company should invest in xAI, the Grok chatbot developer.
    Earlier this week, during Tesla’s earnings conference call, Musk said xAI would be “helpful in advancing full self-driving and in building up the new Tesla data center,” adding that there are opportunities to integrate Grok with Tesla’s software.
    Tesla’s second-quarter automotive gross margin and profit fell short of Wall Street estimates on Tuesday as the company cut prices and offered incentives to boost sales.
    Musk, the world’s richest person, launched xAI last year, in a bid to compete with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, its backer Microsoft and Alphabet’s Google.
    Source: Reuters

  • Crowdstrike blames update for letting bad data slip through causing global tech outage

    Crowdstrike blames update for letting bad data slip through causing global tech outage

    Crowdstrike is blaming a bug in an update that allowed its cybersecurity systems to push bad data out to millions of customer computers, setting off last week’s global tech outage that grounded flights, took TV broadcasts off air and disrupted banks, hospitals and retailers.
    Crowdstrike also said it would take measures in the future to prevent similar outages, including staggering the rollout of updates, giving customers more control over when and where they occur, and providing more details about the updates that it plans.
    The company on Wednesday posted details online from its “preliminary post incident review” of the outage, which caused chaos for the many businesses that pay for the cybersecurity firm’s software services.
    The problem involved an “undetected error” in the content configuration update for its Falcon platform affecting Windows machines, the Texas company said.
    A bug in the content validation system allowed “problematic content data” to be deployed to Crowdstrike’s customers. That triggered an “unexpected exception” that caused a Windows operating system crash, the company said.
    CrowdStrike has said a “significant number” of the approximately 8.5 million computers that crashed on Friday, causing global disruptions, are back in operation as customers and regulators await a more detailed explanation of what went wrong.
    Once its investigation is complete, Crowdstrike said that it will publicly release its full analysis of the meltdown. The outage caused days of widespread technological havoc, highlighted how much of the world depends on a few key providers of computing services and drawn the attention of regulators who want more details on what went wrong.
    Source: AP

  • OpenAI enters Google-dominated search market with SearchGPT

    OpenAI enters Google-dominated search market with SearchGPT

    OpenAI is venturing into a territory long dominated by Google with the selective launch of SearchGPT, an artificial intelligence-powered search engine with real-time access to information from the internet.
    The move, announced on Thursday, July 25, also places the AI giant in competition with its largest backer Microsoft’s Bing search and emerging services such as Perplexity — a search-focused AI chatbot firm backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and semiconductor giant Nvidia.
    Shares of Google’s parent company Alphabet ended 3% lower on Thursday, July 25, after OpenAI’s announcement.
    OpenAI said it has opened sign-ups for the new tool, which is currently in the prototype stage and is being tested with a small group of users and publishers. The company plans to integrate the best features from the search tool into ChatGPT in the future.
    “AI-powered search tools from OpenAI and Perplexity re-affirm search as a content engagement model but pressure Google to be better at its own game,” Canaccord Genuity analyst Kingsley Crane said.
    Google dominates the search engine market with a 91.1% share as of June, according to web analytics firm Statcounter.
    SearchGPT will provide summarized search results with source links in response to user queries, OpenAI said in a blog post. Users will also be able to ask follow-up questions and receive contextual responses.
    The company will give publishers access to tools for managing how their content appears in SearchGPT results. News Corp and The Atlantic are publishing partners for SearchGPT.
    SearchGPT signals a closer collaboration between publishers and OpenAI, following content licensing agreements with major organizations like Associated Press, News Corp and Axel Springer. “Newer AI-powered search providers could face challenges of their own, with Perplexity already facing pending legal action from publishers like Wired and Forbes, and Condé Nast,” said Crane.
    Major search engines have been trying to integrate AI into search since ChatGPT first launched in November 2022. Microsoft, through its early investment, adopted OpenAI technology for its Bing search engine, while Google rolled out AI-powered summaries for the wider public at its developer conference in May. Google did not respond to a Reuters query on the potential impact of SearchGPT on its business.
    Google AI systems make headway with math in progress toward reasoning
    Alphabet’s Google unveiled a pair of artificial intelligence systems on Thursday that demonstrated advances in solving complex mathematical problems, a key frontier of generative AI development.
    The current class of AI models, which work by statistically predicting the next word, have struggled with abstract math, which requires greater reasoning capabilities resembling human intelligence. DeepMind, the company’s AI unit, published results showing that its new AI models in development, called AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry 2, solved four out of six questions at the 2024 International Math Olympiad, a prominent competition for high school students. Source: Reuters

  • Chinese scientists find traces of water in lunar soil brought by Chang’e-5 mission

    Chinese scientists find traces of water in lunar soil brought by Chang’e-5 mission

    Chinese scientists studying the soil samples of the moon brought by Chang’e-5 mission found water molecules in lunar soil, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
    The research, carried out jointly by researchers from the Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and the Institute of Physics of CAS and other domestic research institutions, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Astronomy on July 16, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.
    Based on lunar soil samples returned by Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, Chinese scientists have found a hydrated mineral “enriched” with molecular water, CAS said.
    In 2009, India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft detected signs of hydrated minerals in the form of oxygen and hydrogen molecules in sunlit areas of the moon.
    Among its suite of instruments, it carried NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), an imaging spectrometer that helped confirm the discovery of water locked in minerals on the Moon.
    In 2020, NASA announced the discovery of water on the sunlit surface of the moon based on data from the airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, which detected water molecules in the Clavius crater, one of the largest craters visible from Earth, in the moon’s southern hemisphere.
    But the lack of returned lunar samples from high latitude and polar regions means that “neither the origin nor the actual chemical form of lunar hydrogen has been determined”, according to the Nature article.
    The Chinese scientists studying the lunar soil isolated more than 1,000 mineral “clasts”. The researchers said that among them was a platelike transparent crystal, dubbed “unknown lunar mineral” (ULM-1), that contained water molecules, the Post reported.
    The researchers ruled out the possibility that the water-bearing mineral was contaminated by terrestrial sources or rocket exhaust.
    But one geochemist said he expected the team to find more evidence in their further study. “If this water-bearing mineral is present in the lunar samples, more than one piece should be found,” said the scientist who asked not to be named and was not associated with the study. Source: PTI

  • Lesser Googling and more naps may help reduce dementia

    Lesser Googling and more naps may help reduce dementia

    People can reduce their risk of age-related dementia by exercising their brains through simple daily habits instead of just relying on smartphones and Googling, according to a report.
    Professor Mohamed I. Elmasry, a professor at the University of Waterloo, in his new book titled iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence, emphasises nurturing real intelligence over artificial intelligence (AI), saying that the focus has shifted from the former to the latter and it can have far-reaching, debilitating consequences.
    He says in iMind that “none comes close to duplicating the capacity, storage, longevity, energy efficiency, or self-healing capabilities of the original human brain-mind. The useful life expectancy for current smartphones is around 10 years, while a healthy brain-mind inside a healthy human body can live for 100 years or longer”.
    Smart devices, while increasingly advanced, cannot duplicate the human brain’s storage, longevity, or self-healing abilities. The book is inspired by his personal losses to dementia.
    He contrasts the brain’s long-lasting power with the limited lifespan of smartphones, noting that a healthy brain can last over 100 years if nurtured.
    Daily brain exercises like memory workouts, developing an associative memory, moderating alcohol, using rest days and regular naps help enhance brain health.
    Elmasry feels healthy aging is a critical but underpublicised issue compared to climate change.
    Source: IANS

  • Amazing benefits of quitting sugar

    Amazing benefits of quitting sugar

    Sugar is a type of simple carbohydrate found naturally in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and added to countless processed foods and beverages. Common forms of sugar include sucrose (table sugar), fructose (found in fruits), and lactose (found in dairy). While natural sugars in whole foods come with essential nutrients and fibre, added sugars provide empty calories without nutritional value. Quitting added sugar is generally beneficial for health. In this article, we share a list of health benefits you can achieve from quitting sugar.
    Here are benefits of quitting sugar
    1. Improved energy levels
    Eliminating sugar helps stabilise blood sugar levels, preventing the spikes and crashes associated with high sugar intake. Stable energy levels enhance productivity and reduce feelings of fatigue and sluggishness throughout the day.
    2. Better weight management
    Quitting sugar reduces caloric intake and decreases insulin resistance, which can contribute to weight loss. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
    3. Enhanced mental clarity and mood
    Stable blood sugar levels prevent mood swings and mental fog, which are often exacerbated by sugar highs and lows. Improved mental clarity and mood can enhance cognitive function, concentration, and overall mental well-being.
    4. Reduced risk of heart disease
    Lower sugar intake reduces triglycerides, blood pressure, and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Reducing the risk of heart disease promotes cardiovascular health and longevity.
    5. Healthier skin
    Cutting out sugar reduces inflammation and decreases the production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that damage collagen and elastin. Healthier skin appears more youthful, with fewer wrinkles and acne, improving overall appearance and confidence.
    6. Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes
    Quitting sugar improves insulin sensitivity and reduces the burden on the pancreas. Lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes helps prevent the associated complications, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision problems.
    7. Improved dental health
    Sugar is a major contributor to tooth decay and gum disease. Reducing sugar intake minimises the risk of cavities and oral infections. Better dental health prevents tooth decay, gum disease, and the associated pain and costs of dental treatments.
    8. Stronger immune system
    High sugar intake can suppress the immune system, making it easier for infections to take hold. Reducing sugar strengthens the immune response. A stronger immune system improves the body’s ability to fight off infections and recover from illnesses more quickly.
    Source: NDTV

  • Twice-a-year anti-HIV injection shows 100 percent efficacy Study

    Twice-a-year anti-HIV injection shows 100 percent efficacy Study

    An HIV-preventive drug showed 100 per cent efficacy and “no safety concerns” in women, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
    Lenacapavir, injectable twice a year, is developed by the US-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug. These drugs prevent the spread of infection in people not yet exposed to the disease-causing agent.
    The study, a phase-3 trial involving teenage girls and young women in South Africa and Uganda, showed that lenacapavir “demonstrated zero (HIV) infections” and “100 per cent efficacy,” Gilead Sciences, Inc. said in a statement. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, spreads from the body fluids of an infected person. Untreated, the infection can progress to AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome over years. In the PURPOSE 1 trial, 5,338 participants, who were HIV-negative, to begin with, were divided into three groups – 2,134 receiving lenacapavir injections 26 weeks apart; 2,136 receiving the daily oral tablet Descovy (F/TAF); and 1,068 receiving the daily oral tablet Truvada (F/TDF).
    Researchers, including those from the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa, observed a total of 55 infections – zero in the Lenacapavir group, 39 in the Desovy group and 16 in the Truvada group.
    “No participants receiving twice-yearly lenacapavir acquired HIV infection,” the study authors wrote.
    The most common adverse effects were injection-site reactions experienced by close to 70 percent of the participants in the Lenacapavir group. Source: PTI

  • Rasgulla

    Ingredients
    Paneer – made from 500 ml milk, Water – 500 ml, Sugar – 300 gms, Flour – 1/2 tsp, Rose Water – 1/2 tblsp
    Method
    – Place the paneer, flour and 1/2 tsp of sugar in a bowl. Knead well till smooth.
    – Make small balls from this dough.
    – Ensure the balls are smooth and crack-free.
    – Make a thin syrup with the sugar and water.
    – When it is slightly thick, drop the paneer balls and cover the pan. Boil for 5 to 8 minutes.
    – As soon as the syrup starts thickening, add 1 tsp of hot water. Reduce flame and simmer.
    – Add 1 tblsp hot water and continue to simmer.
    – Once the rasgullas start to puff up (light and spongy) and rise to the top, transfer the them to a bowl that has a little cold water. 12.
    – Once cool, refrigeratre for a few hours.
    – Add the rose water before serving and serve them in a sugar syrup.

  • Skin facts you should be aware about

    Skin facts you should be aware about

    Improve your skin complexion and texture with simple tips.
    Consider Your Water
    Soft water doesn’t remove soap well, so it can leave a residue on your skin. If your water is soft, use face and body cleansers sparingly (no more than a nickel- or quarter-size amount, respectively). Hard water, on the other hand, doesn’t allow washes to lather easily, prompting you to use even more cleanser, which can cause dryness. Gentle, nonsoap formulas, which aren’t meant to lather, can minimize this.
    Drink Green Tea
    If your complexion is red or blotchy, this tea’s anti-inflammatory properties can be soothing. Iced is best because hot beverages can worsen redness and other symptoms of rosacea. Another benefit: The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea may help prevent the collagen destruction that leads to wrinkles as well as sun-induced DNA damage in the skin (think lines and discoloration), according to some experts. Consider subbing tea for your morning mug of coffee.
    Keep Stress in Check
    It takes a toll on nearly every part of your body, including your skin. In a study conducted at Stanford University, researchers found that during exam time, students who felt stressed had more severe acne breakouts than did those under less pressure. That’s because stress increases the body’s production of hormones such as cortisol, which can make skin oilier and decrease its ability to fight off acne-causing bacteria. To keep that frazzled feeling under control, regularly practice stress-management techniques, like yoga, deep breathing, and meditation. This “can help conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and seborrhea.
    Improve Your Air Quality
    Avoiding smoky environments is smart since just being around smoke can lead to the release of free radicals that damage skin and hasten aging. Other indoor pollutants can adversely affect skin, too. Change the air filter in your furnace regularly and, if you cook with oil, use the fan over your range. Also keep in mind that dry indoor air can dehydrate skin and make fine lines more noticeable.
    Switch to Plain Toothpaste
    Those with tartar-control ingredients or added flavors, like cinnamon, may contribute to a common skin condition called perioral dermatitis. It looks like pimples, redness, and scaling around the mouth.
    Watch Sun Exposure
    UV rays (in particular UVA rays) can penetrate the windows in your home and office and cause wrinkling and brown spots. The same goes for car windows: Studies have found higher rates of skin cancers on the left side of the face and upper body than on the right, since that side is more exposed when you’re driving. Cancers aside, “many people have more wrinkles and sun damage on the left side of their faces, too.
    Monitor Your Dairy Intake
    Research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that teenage girls who consume a lot of milk are almost 30 percent more likely to have acne than those who drink less, and experts believe the same holds true for adult women prone to serious breakouts. Surprisingly, skim milk seems to be a worse offender than whole milk. Scientists don’t understand exactly why milk products can lead to acne, but some surmise that the natural hormones present in dairy may be to blame, says a dermatologist.

  • Rava Ladoo

    Rava Ladoo

    Ingredients
    Rava (Sooji) – 1 cup, Dry Coconut (Koppara Thenga) – 1, grated, Sugar – 1 cup, Ghee – 4 tsp, Hot Water – 2 tblsp
    Cardamom Powder – 1/4 tsp, Fried Cashewnuts – 10
    Fried Raisins – 30,
    Method
    – Heat ghee in a pan over medium flame.
    – Add the rava, fried cashewnuts and raisins.
    – Mix well till the rava is lightly roasted.
    – Add the grated coconut and reduce flame to low.
    – Continue to fry till golden.
    – Transfer to a shallow bowl and add the sugar.
    n Mix well.
    – Add cardamom powder and add the hot water.
    – Make small balls of the mixture.
    – Press them tightly so that they hold the shape and keep aside to cool.
    – Store in an airtight container.

  • The secret to happy marriage is a good night’s sleep

    The secret to happy marriage is a good night’s sleep

    If you wish to give your marriage a smooth ride, make sure both of you get sound sleep every night. A new study has found that a good night’s sleep can buffer the effects of negative events on a couple’s general satisfaction with their marriages.
    When husbands and wives get more sleep than on an average night, they are more satisfied with their marriages, at least the following day, the findings showed.
    “The universality of our findings is important,” said one of the researchers, Heather Maranges from Florida State University in the US.
    “That is, we know all people need sleep. Regardless of the stage at which a couple is in their relationship or the cultural context in which they’re embedded, each member of the couple can be adversely affected by not getting enough sleep,” Maranges said. The researchers conducted their research with 68 newlywed couples. Over a seven-day period, couples recorded the number of hours they slept and then responded to two sets of questions on a scale of one to seven. The first set measured overall relationship satisfaction, asking husbands and wives to respond to questions such as, “How satisfied were you with your marriage todayRs ”
    The other set focused on relationship experiences in nine areas including chores, the amount of time spent together and conflict resolution. Husbands especially were less negatively affected by bad experiences in those nine areas when they got more sleep, showed the findings published in the Journal of Family Psychology.
    That is, sleep buffered the effects of specific negative events and evaluations on their broader, more general satisfaction with their marriages, the study said. The findings highlight the significance of sleep as it relates to self-regulation or self-control, which influences how married couples feel and think about their partner.
    Self-control requires energy that can be replenished when our bodies are in the resting period known as sleep. In other words, sleep offers self-regulatory benefits to relationships.
    “Up to one-third of married or cohabiting adults report that sleep problems burden their relationship,” the researchers wrote in the paper.

  • Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt set to reunite next month for ‘special reason’ amid nasty feud

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt set to reunite next month for ‘special reason’ amid nasty feud

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, are reportedly set to reunite next month if things go as planned. Hollywood’s former power couple, whose acrimonious divorce has played out in public for years, will find themselves under the same roof at the same time, despite their ongoing legal battles. The anticipated reunion at the Venice Film Festival comes on the heels of their shared children dropping Pitt’s surname, leaving the actor ‘hurt’ by the situation.
    The high-profile split announced in 2016 has dragged on for eight years with no resolution in sight, as the feud continues to grow ‘bitter.’ The former couple has largely avoided each other at major events and awards shows, ensuring their paths rarely cross. However, they may be forced to encounter each other at the upcoming Venice International Film Festival. Angelina and Brad are both going to have their new movie debut at the big, star-packed event that kicks off on August 28. The Maleficent star, whose last film was Marvel’s Eternals in 2021, will debut her new biopic Maria, a tribute to opera singer Maria Callas, directed by Pablo Larraín. On the other hand, the Moneyball actor will return with a new film, Wolves, featuring George Clooney as his co-star and friend.
    The biopic Maria centres on the life of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Written by Steven Knight and bankrolled by Fremantle, the film is helmed by Pablo Larraín, known for directing the biopics Jackie and Spencer, which starred Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart. Maria is set to show up at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it’s going to be in the running for the Golden Lion award.
    Brad, who is currently filming his Formula 1 movie, will attend the Venice Film Festival for Wolfs. The movie, made by Jon Watts, is all about two fixers who get paid to clean up a big-time crime. Things get crazy when one of them has to team up with someone they didn’t see coming. It’s also got a bunch of famous actors in it, like Austin Abrams, Amy Ryan, and Poorna Jagannathan. Source: HT

  • Gigi Hadid ‘furious’ at Suki Waterhouse over comments about Bradley Cooper

    Gigi Hadid ‘furious’ at Suki Waterhouse over comments about Bradley Cooper

    Gigi Hadid is reportedly seething over remarks made by former pal Suki Waterhouse after the model-turned-actress made disparaging remarks about her boyfriend, Bradley Cooper. Sources close to Hadid reveal that tensions have escalated, leading to a fallout between the former friends. The supermodel is said to be particularly upset by Waterhouse’s negative comments about the Oscar winner who once dated Pattinson’s fiancée. “They’ve fallen out, and there’s no indication that things will ever be the same for them,” a source told Life & Style. Gigi is rumoured to have been dating Bradley Cooper for some months now, and although the couple has not made their relationship public, they have been spotted together multiple times. “Gigi is totally team Bradley and taking this up as her own cause,” the insider added.

  • Comic-Con fans assemble as Marvel eyes major reboot

    Comic-Con fans assemble as Marvel eyes major reboot

    Cosplayers dressed as Marvel’s Shadow Knight and Lady Loki pose outside the San Diego Convention Center on the first day of Comic Con International in San Diego, California, on July 24, 2024. Comic-Con returns in full force to San Diego this week, where a hugely anticipated Marvel superhero film event is among the draws for tens of thousands of hyped-up fans dressed as fantasy heroes and sci-fi villains.
    One of the world’s largest pop culture events, Comic-Con began five decades ago a humble comic book-themed gathering in a hotel basement, but today draws vast crowds and A-list stars promoting new movies and television shows.
    Last year’s edition was dampened by Hollywood strikes which prevented actors from attending, and quelled fan interest but Comic-Con is expected to draw 130,000 attendees back to the southern Californian city this time around.
    The hottest ticket is the Saturday night Marvel movies presentation, at which parent company Disney is expected to unveil plans to reboot its mega-grossing superhero film franchise, after years of high-profile missteps.
    The Marvel movies dominated Hollywood and global box offices for years, with 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” briefly becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at more than $2.79 billion.
    But the past few years have brought more flops than hits, as fans complained about over-complicated plotlines and mourned the departure of favorite characters like Robert Downey Jr’s “Iron Man.” And the franchise has been rocked by domestic violence revelations about actor Jonathan Majors, who had been set to become the major new supervillain across multiple films.
    Majors, who was convicted for assaulting and harassing his then-girlfriend, has been dropped by Marvel, but there is no word on who or what will replace him. Saturday’s presentation is expected to reveal how Disney will move forward without him, and has been billed as a potential “make or break” moment by some observers. It will take place inside the 6,000-capacity Hall H, where many camp in line for days to gain access.
    “If the company wants to lure in anyone besides the dwindling ranks of… diehards, it needs to bring the answer to these questions to Hall H,” wrote Susana Polo, for entertainment news outlet Polygon.
    Also on the Comic-Con lineup from Disney are a look at “Alien: Romulus,” the latest in the long-running sci-fi saga, and a “celebration” event for this weekend’s major superhero release, “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
    Rival studio Warner, which runs the DC superhero movies, is keeping a lower profile, but will offer a glimpse at its Batman spinoff TV series “The Penguin,” starring Colin Farrell.
    Elsewhere, “Those About To Die,” a bloody romp through Ancient Rome and its macabre world of chariot races and gladiator fights, starring Anthony Hopkins, will host multiple fan events.
    Source: AFP

  • Janhvi Kapoor embodies flirtatious energy in ‘Shaukan’ from ‘Ulajh’

    Janhvi Kapoor embodies flirtatious energy in ‘Shaukan’ from ‘Ulajh’

    The makers of the upcoming Janhvi Kapoor and Gulshan Devaiah-starrer film ‘Ulajh’ have released the first song from the film. Talking about the song, Janhvi said, “I have always been a fan of Neha’s songs, and collaborating with her for the first time on ‘Shaukan’ is one thing off my wish list. This song is incredibly upbeat and will make you want to hit the dance floor. It’s hot, glamorous, and groovy. I think Shashwat, Jubin, and Neha have created another masterpiece.”
    For Neha Kakkar, singing ‘Shaukan’ along with Jubin was a terrific experience.
    The singer said, “Kudos to Shashwat for making this banger. ‘Shaukan’ is not just another party number; it’s a vibe. Can’t wait for my fans to hear the song and groove to the beats.”
    Jubin Nautiyal added, “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Shashwat and Neha. They are incredible artists, and our tastes in music align perfectly. Janhvi and Gulshan’s on-screen chemistry has taken the song a notch higher. I hope all my fans love the track as much as I do.”
    ‘Shaukan’ is released under the label of Sony Music India and is available to stream on all major audio streaming platforms.