The Indian Panorama

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  • Infosys CEO Salil Parekh joins USISPF Board

    Infosys CEO Salil Parekh joins USISPF Board

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP) : Salil Parekh, CEO and managing director at Infosys, has joined the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum as a member of its board of directors.

    An industry veteran with nearly three decades in the IT services industry, executing business turnarounds and managing successful acquisitions, Parekh, in his capacity as Infosys CEO, sets the strategic direction of one of India’s most notable IT giants while nurturing a strong leadership team to drive its execution.

    Salil’s recent addition to the USISPF Board accentuates the success story of Indian IT giants in the US For years. Infosys has been a household name in India, and IT services are one of India’s biggest exports to the United States, said USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi.

    In an era of digital economy and digital trade, Infosys’ success in the US is a testimony to the growing synergy in tech ties and how India’s robust tech talent plays an integral part in strengthening and growing the tech sector in the United States, Aghi said.

    USISPF chairman John Chambers said Salil and Infosys’ participation on the USISPF Board will help forge a critical reliance for the two economies by consolidating digital trade, ultimately further establishing India as an innovation partner to the world, which is the organization’s core mission.

    I’m thrilled to have Salil, a leader with a great track record in the IT industry, join the USISPF Board. Infosys’ impact in the American tech industry has been extremely important, and the company played a vital part in India’s nearly USD 200 billion software exports for 2023, Chambers said.

  • 33 non-profit bodies to participate in second India Giving Day in US

    33 non-profit bodies to participate in second India Giving Day in US

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): As many as 33 top Indian American nonprofit organizations are participating in the India Giving Day on March 1, during which organizers expect to raise money for important social welfare programs in India. “The number (results) we’re going to announce at the end of India Giving Day is going to be significantly larger than last year. That’s because we have a track record as we’ve been working all year long and people are excited,” Alex Counts, executive director of the India Philanthropy Alliance and India Giving Day told PTI in an interview. India Philanthropy Alliance is a network of non-profit organizations that mobilize people and funding in the US for high-impact development programs in India.

    The second edition of the annual India Giving Day organized by India Philanthropy Alliance has launched a nationwide campaign to generate awareness among Indian Americans and “friends of India” in the US to donate generously on this important day dedicated to raise funds for a host of critical social and economic issues in India.

    The inaugural edition last year raised USD 1.3 million in one day. All funds raised through India Giving Day will be used to support programs based in India or to build a more robust fundraising operation in the US to benefit India, Counts said.

    “The three (issues) that were most common, perhaps almost exclusive issues last year were education for the poor, healthcare for the poor, wellbeing and third was we put a broad category of livelihoods, the ability of people to generate economic sustainability for themselves through good jobs and entrepreneurship,” he said.

    “Those remain central to what we’re doing. This year we’re adding a few more. We’re adding a few organizations that work in environmental preservation and climate change. We have a couple of groups that work in animal rights and animal welfare. We are expanding with more cultural organizations. Most of our money will be going towards these three — health education and livelihood,” Counts said.

    Urging Indian Americans and “friends of India” to donate generously, Counts said: “Give when you have surplus. If someone is just living paycheck to paycheck and is struggling economically, they can give in other ways. They can give their time. I wouldn’t want them to be giving financially. But for those who have been fortunate enough who’ve worked hard to develop some surplus financial resources, giving can be something that’s done in a communal and collective way.”

    He said that for many who are part of India Giving Day, it is where they were born or where their parents were born. Giving is an opportunity to really change that society for the better, to give new opportunities for healthcare, education, environment preservation, livelihoods.

    “It’s an opportunity to do it joyfully, to do it communally and to do it when you choose organizations that are really well designed,” the executive director of the alliance said. India, he asserted, has some of the best NGOs in the world and they do all or most of their work in India.

    “So you’re not talking about organizations that are kind of poorly organized. The 33 groups we have here are some of the best non-profits in the entire world. So when you work with them, you really have confidence that it’ll bring change,” Counts said. “I just ask people to also just do it, give what you can, give it joyfully, where you let others see what you’re giving and inspire them to give and know that if you choose groups that are well trained and well and they can execute, you’re going to change India as a result,” Counts said in response to a question,” he added.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Delegation from 17 US universities to visit India next week

    Delegation from 17 US universities to visit India next week

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A high-powered delegation of 31 provosts, vice provosts, deans, and other leaders from 17 top American universities are travelling to India next week as part of their goal to strengthen India-US collaboration and student and scholar mobility between the two countries.

    The delegation from the American universities will visit 26 institutions in New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

    This visit gains significance in the wake of the recent spate in incidents of attacks on Indian students and those of Indian origin in various parts of the country.

    The delegation builds on recent years of US and Indian government-led efforts to partner in pursuit of mutually beneficial strategies. Last year, the president and prime minister from each country embarked on state visits to the other, affirming the US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, a media release said.

    We will have the opportunity to meet with 26 Indian institutions to talk about collaboration, mobility of students and scholars between our two countries and securing and fostering enduring partnerships between institutions, A. Sarah Ilchman, co-president of Institute of International Education (IIE), told PTI in an interview before leaving for India. Indian students and scholars in the US now are at record numbers and it’s very exciting to watch close to 270,000 Indian students on US campuses and about 17,000 Indian scholars in the US right now. So, it’s an exciting time to be engaging with India and Indian institutions to try to further increase this engagement and collaboration, she said.

    The IIE Leadership Delegation to India from February 25 to March 2 would have representations from California State University, Long Beach; University of California, Berkeley; DePaul University; University of California, Davis; East Tennessee State University; University of Houston; Florida International University; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Michigan State University; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Mississippi State University; University of Missouri; Montclair State University; University of Rochester; Oklahoma State University; University of Tulsa and Rutgers University.

    More than 40 per cent of India’s 1.4 billion population is under the age of 25, and demand for education exceeds in-country supply. Apart from meeting Indian government officials, the delegates will visit US consulates, the Indian School of Business, IIT Hyderabad, Mahindra University, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, and Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Topics to be discussed include setting up of international branch campuses in India, the impact of ed-tech in Indian higher education, and the higher education business landscape.

    We hope from this delegation that there will be many active partnerships and engagements between US institutions and Indian institutions and that we can increase the flow of students and scholars both ways, Ilchman said. Observing that the US has probably the most diverse higher education system in the world with specialized programs, institutions of all sizes and shapes and focuses, Ilchman said the United States has much to offer to students from India as compared to other global destinations.

    We also are a brand. People know that the reputation of an education in the US is highly sought after, and in addition, the United States has tremendous capacity and room to welcome international students,” she said.

    Some countries such as the UK or Australia or Canada have close to 20 per cent or more international students in their higher education system, Ilchman pointed out.

    “In the United States, only about six per cent of the higher education system are international students. So we have capacity to welcome more, she said. Ilchman said India has been a long-standing investor in US higher education by sending students and scholars through optional practical training (OPT), which is the opportunity to do practical work in your field of study after your degree programme.

    Many Indian students and scholars have had the opportunity to work in the United States to found organizations and companies that have done tremendous things, she said.

    So, the impact of Indians and other international students in the United States is significant in what they contribute back to society, she noted.

    The delegation would also meet members of the US embassy while in India.

    Of course, visas and the timely issuance of visas is critically important for all of this to work. The Department of State has been much more open and transparent about the number of visa applications that are in the pipeline, how many have been approved, and how long it takes to get a visa interview, the IIE co-president said.

    With this transparency we’re starting to see more data and more information that the visa process is working out, some of the obstacles in kinks that we have seen, she added.

    On a question on the spate in attacks on Indian students in recent weeks, Ilchman said, US colleges and universities prioritise the health and safety of all of their students on campus, both domestic and international.

    Building safe and inclusive communities is part of what US universities try to do every single day. They are very familiar with welcoming and supporting international students on their campuses. US institutions are on the forefront of providing mental health resources to ensure that all students have the support that they need during their studies, she added.

    Asked about some of the unscrupulous universities in the US, which many a times resulted in Indian students being deported from the US airports on arrival, Ilchman said, Unfortunately there are individuals who are working outside the system and creating opportunities that don’t exist and attract individuals there. I know that they’re trying to clamp down on these unfortunate actors in the industry.

  • Nvidia tops $2 trllion valuation in first for chipmakers

    Nvidia tops $2 trllion valuation in first for chipmakers

    Nvidia added $277 billion in stock market value on Thursday, Feb 24, Wall Street’s largest one-day gain in history after the heavyweight chipmaker’s quarterly report beat expectations and reignited a rally fueled by optimism about artificial intelligence. The company’s stock soared 16.4% to close at $785.38, a record-high close, lifting its market capitalization to $1.96 trillion after its January-quarter report late on Wednesday showed demand for its specialized chips used in AI computing continued to outpace analysts’ already-high expectations.
    The Santa Clara, California-based company’s results fed new fuel to a global rally in technology stocks linked to AI, propelling the S&P 500, Europe’s STOXX 600 and Japan’s Nikkei share average to record highs.
    Traders exchanged $65 billion worth of Nvidia’s shares on Thursday, accounting for almost a fifth all trading in S&P 500 stocks. Nvidia’s one-day increase in stock market value was the largest in Wall Street’s history, easily beating a record $196 billion gain by Meta Platforms on Feb. 2 after the Facebook parent declared its first dividend and posted robust results.
    The rise in Nvidia’s market value on Thursday eclipsed the entire value of Coca-Cola, at $265 billion. Its gain made Nvidia the U.S. stock market’s third-most valuable company, pulling ahead of Amazon.com and Alphabet after jockeying with the two tech powerhouses in recent weeks.

  • Byju’s shareholders remove CEO, company calls vote ‘invalid’

    Byju’s shareholders remove CEO, company calls vote ‘invalid’

    More than 60 percent of shareholders of edutech Byju’s on Fedb 23 voted for removal of founder CEO Byju Raveendran and his family over alleged “mismanagement and failures” at what was once India’s hottest tech startup, but the company dug in its heels, calling the voting done in the absence of founders as “invalid”.
    Prosus – one of the six investors who had called the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) – in a statement said “shareholders unanimously passed all resolutions put forward for vote.
    “These included a request for the resolution of the outstanding governance, financial mismanagement and compliance issues at Byju’s; the reconstitution of the board of directors, so that it is no longer controlled by the founder of T&L; and a change of leadership of the company.”
    Raveendran and his family stayed away from the EGM, calling it “procedurally invalid.” However, the outcome of the vote at the EGM will not be applicable until March 13, when the Karnataka High Court will next hear Raveendran’s plea challenging the move by certain investors to call the EGM. The High Court on Feb 22 had refused to stay the EGM, called by shareholders collectively holding more than 32 per cent stake in Think & Learn (T&L) – the firm that operates Byju’s, but any resolution passed shall not be given effect till the next date of hearing. Raveendran and family own 26.3 per cent in the company.

  • CAs from UK, Canada may be allowed to practise in India

    Chartered accountants (CAs) from the UK and Canada might be allowed to practise in India on a reciprocal basis, with the apex body ICAI making the proposal to the government.
    ICAI President Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal said the proposal would be implemented strictly on the reciprocal basis that CAs from India will also be allowed to practise in the United Kingdom and Canada. It will be the first time that an overseas CA will be allowed to practise in India.
    The proposal is part of India’s ongoing negotiations for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the UK and Canada.
    Agarwal also said a similar arrangement is being looked at with Australia. Once the reciprocal system is implemented, the CAs from the foreign countries will have to be registered with the ICAI, which will be regulating them.
    “It will be on a reciprocal basis and not on standalone basis. If they agree, it will be a win-win for both countries… we are very much hopeful…in the UK, there is an ageing population and most of the work has shifted from the UK to India…,” Agarwal, who took over as the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) on February 12, said.
    To a query about what could be the impact of CAs from foreign countries practising in India, he said, India is a developing country and they are developed countries, referring to the UK, Canada and Australia.

  • UAE removed, Kenya and Namibia added to global money laundering list

    UAE removed, Kenya and Namibia added to global money laundering list

    Global anti-money laundering watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said Friday that it had removed the United Arab Emirates from its “grey list” of countries subject to increased monitoring, while Kenya and Namibia were added. Countries on the list have “strategic deficiencies” in their efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing, but are cooperating with the FATF to correct the problems and are subject to increased monitoring.
    FATF head Raja Kumar said that Kenya and Namibia suffered deficiencies in their anti-money laundering systems and that action plans had been developed to remedy them.
    A total of 21 nations are on the grey list.
    In addition to the UAE, Barbados, Gibraltar and Uganda were removed from the grey list.
    “They’ve all taken substantial steps to improve the AML-CFT safety systems and address all items on their actions plans,” said Kumar, referring to anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism.
    UAE foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, welcomed the FATF decision and said the changes will “strengthen the country’s leading status and competitiveness, and advance its position globally as an economic, trading and investment hub,” according to the country’s official news agency, WAM.
    In recent decades the UAE has sought to use its location in the Gulf to become a financial, trade and travel hub linking Asia and Europe. It was put on the FATF’s grey list in 2022 over concerns about murky financial transactions and a flood of Russian money into the country.
    More than 200 countries and jurisdictions have pledged to implement the recommendations of the FATF.
    The FATF also has a “black list” of nations which are considered high-risk jurisdictions.
    Countries are urged to apply countermeasures against Iran and North Korea to protect against money laundering and the financing of terrorism and weapons proliferation.
    Meanwhile, countries are requested to apply enhanced due diligence concerning Myanmar.
    The FATF also repeated its condemnation of Russia for its invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
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    It suspended Russia’s participation in the body last year and said its members are taking proactive measures to protect the global financial system given Moscow’s growing financial links to countries subject to FATF countermeasures.
    Source: AFP

  • No more stalking, WhatsApp might soon stop you from taking screenshots of other profile photos

    No more stalking, WhatsApp might soon stop you from taking screenshots of other profile photos

    In the last few months, Meta-owned WhatsApp has been taking steps to improve its overall experience. Be it working on a chat lock for the web version of WhatsApp or to let users connect with others without sharing their phone numbers, the messaging platform is taking steps to ensure enhanced privacy for users. And now, a report by WABetaInfo says that WhatsApp will soon ban users from taking screenshots of profile photos of other users.
    Until now, WhatsApp had the option of hiding profile pictures from strangers, but there was no option to stop other users from taking a screenshot of your profile photo. But if reports are to go by, this will be changed soon.
    WhatsApp working on new privacy feature
    As per the WABetaInfo report, WhatsApp is currently experimenting with a novel feature designed to stop users from capturing screenshots of others’ profile pictures, commonly referred to as display pictures. This latest addition to the instant messaging platform aims to enhance user privacy by curbing the unauthorized downloading and sharing of personal photos.
    The report further says that the recent WhatsApp beta for Android, accessible on the Google Play Store, introduces a notification when users attempt to screenshot someone else’s profile picture. The notification reads ‘Can’t take a screenshot due to app restrictions,’ as in an image shared by the publication.
    However, it’s important to note that users may still capture a photo of another person’s profile picture using a secondary device, such as a phone or camera. Hence, users must still be cautious about their display photos, even after the update rolls out.
    With that being said, the intention behind limiting screenshot capabilities for profile pictures is clear – WhatsApp aims to mitigate the risks of impersonation and harassment. Although the screenshot block feature is currently available to a select group of beta testers, it is expected that this feature will be rolled out to all users in the upcoming weeks.
    This move aligns with WhatsApp’s earlier decision in 2019 to prevent users from downloading profile pictures of others. Additionally, the Meta-owned messaging app is actively developing a specialised fact-checking chatbot to address the challenges posed by deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation.
    Chat lock feature by WhatsApp
    Earlier, WABetaInfo had reported that WhatsApp was working on a new feature for web users that will enable them to lock certain chats. Until now, WhatsApp web users had no option to lock certain chats and all the chats of the messaging platform would be open whenever a user logged in from a desktop or laptop.
    However, users will soon be able to lock away certain chats that can only be accessed by a specific pin. This means that users will have a secure place for storing all their WhatsApp conversations. Source: India Today

  • Fastest-growing black hole and brightest object in universe discovered

    Fastest-growing black hole and brightest object in universe discovered

    Astronomers have discovered the fastest-growing black hole ever recorded — the most luminous known object in the universe that is devouring the equivalent of one Sun every day. The researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) noted that the black hole with a mass roughly 17 billion times that of the Sun, has set a record that may not ever be beaten.
    “The incredible rate of growth also means a huge release of light and heat,” said study lead author Christian Wolf, Associate Professor at ANU.
    “So, this is also the most luminous known object in the universe. It is 500 trillion times brighter than our sun,” Wolf said in a statement.
    A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape it.
    Christopher Onken, co-author of the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, noted that it was a surprise that the blackhole remained undetected until now, given what we know about many other, less impressive ones.
    The blackhole was first detected using a 2.3 metre telescope at the ANU Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran in New South Wales (NSW).
    The research team then turned to one of the largest telescopes in the world – the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile – to confirm the full nature of the black hole and measure its mass.
    “The light from this black hole has travelled over 12 billion years to reach us,” said Professor Rachel Webster from the University of Melbourne said.
    “In the adolescent universe, matter was moving chaotically and feeding hungry black holes. Today, stars are moving orderly at safe distances and only rarely plunge into black holes,” Webster said.
    The intense radiation comes from the accretion disc — made of rapidly rotating gas — around the black hole, which is the holding pattern for all the material waiting to be devoured, the researchers said. “It looks like a gigantic and magnetic storm cell with temperatures of 10,000 degrees Celsius, lightning everywhere and winds blowing so fast they would go around Earth in a second,” Wolf said.
    “This storm cell is seven light years across, which is 50 per cent more than the distance from our solar system to the next star in the Galaxy, alpha Centauri,” he added. Source: PTI

  • Cryogenic engine for Gaganyaan missions now human-rated: ISRO

    Cryogenic engine for Gaganyaan missions now human-rated: ISRO

    ISRO has accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan human spaceflight missions, with the completion of the final round of ground qualification tests. ‘ISRO’s CE20 cryogenic engine is now human-rated for Gaganyaan missions,’ the space agency said on X.
    Rigorous testing demonstrates the engine’s mettle, it said, adding the CE20 engine identified for the first uncrewed flight LVM3 G1 also went through acceptance tests.
    The February 13 final test was the seventh of a series of vacuum ignition tests carried out at the High Altitude Test Facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri to simulate flight conditions, it said. The ground qualification tests for the human rating of the CE20 engine involved life demonstration and endurance tests, and performance assessment under nominal operating conditions as well as off-nominal conditions with respect to thrust, mixture ratio and propellant tank pressure, it said.

  • Risk-reducing mastectomy may lower breast cancer mortality in some women

    Risk-reducing mastectomy may lower breast cancer mortality in some women

    Risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic variant may significantly reduce the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer and also lower the probability of death.
    The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, examined how RRM affects the rate of death of women with a pathogenic variant but no cancer diagnosis.
    Women who have an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant, have an 80 per cent risk of developing breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.
    Research has shown that an RRM reduces the risk of breast cancer by 90 percent.“The decision to have a risk reducing mastectomy is often difficult for a woman to make, and the more evidence we are able to provide them with when they are making that decision, the more informed their care plan will be,” said Prof Kelly Metcalfe of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, from University of Toronto, Canada.
    Metcalfe said that in Canada, 30 per cent of women with a pathogenic variant opt for this surgery. It is, Metcalfe said, one of the most effective ways of preventing breast cancer in women with this risk profile.
    Through a pseudo-randomised trial, Metcalfe, and her team, followed over 1,600 participants from a registry of women with a pathogenic BRCA 1/2 variant from nine different countries over the course of six years, with half of the women having a risk-reducing mastectomy. Source: IANS

  • Rare fat molecule helps drive cell death: Study

    Rare fat molecule helps drive cell death: Study

    Researchers revealed that a rare sort of lipid plays a vital role in ferroptosis, a type of cell death described by Columbia professor Brent Stockwell. The findings shed new light on how cells die during ferroptosis, potentially improving understanding of how to prevent ferroptosis in contexts where it is harmful, such as neurodegenerative diseases, or induce it in contexts where it could be beneficial, such as using it to kill dangerous cancer cells.
    The study discovered that a diPUFA phospholipid, an uncommon type of lipid with two polyunsaturated fatty acyl tails, was present in a variety of situations where ferroptosis occurred, including aged brains and Huntington disease-affected brain tissue. The finding indicated that the lipid is efficient at promoting ferroptosis.
    The research was conducted by professors in Columbia’s Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Centre.
    Stockwell first discovered ferroptosis in 2012, when he found that certain cells were dying because their lipid layers were collapsing- an unusual form of cell death that differs from the most common kind, which begins with the cell forming blisters on its outer surface. Since that discovery, researchers in Stockwell’s lab and elsewhere have continued to investigate ferroptosis, discovering that it can occur naturally in ageing cells, in pathological contexts, and can be induced to treat disease.
    Another paper out this month with several co-authors found that a gene named PHLDA2 can sometimes promote ferroptosis by attacking a different lipid and that this gene can block some tumours from forming.
    Together, these papers show that specific lipids promote ferroptosis, so defining the driver lipids in specific cancers is important. Source: ANI

  • Worrying signs and symptoms of high blood pressure during sleep

    High blood pressure is a silent killer and can over the time damage arteries increasing risk of heart attack or stroke. Hypertension if not controlled can also affect kidney function, cause vision loss and memory loss. High blood pressure can catch you off guard as there are no symptoms even in cases when BP readings reach dangerously high levels. However, if you stay vigilant and follow your body cues, there are certain signs that can warn you about abnormalities in your blood pressure. From your snoring patterns to frequent urination at night, there are certain signs of high blood pressure in night that can warn you about the silent threat. As per a new study published in the journal npj Digital Medicine, people who spend more time snoring at night are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension. There are other signs and symptoms too that one must consider.
    SNORING
    One common indicator of high blood pressure is snoring, especially if it’s accompanied by pauses in breathing, known as sleep apnoea. Snoring occurs when the airway becomes partially blocked, causing vibrations in the throat tissues. However, in individuals with hypertension, snoring can signal more than just sleep apnoea; it may also indicate restricted blood flow due to narrowed blood vessels, a hallmark of high blood pressure.
    INSOMNIA
    While many factors can contribute to insomnia, such as stress, anxiety or poor sleep hygiene, hypertension can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night.
    RESTLESS SLEEP
    Additionally, frequent awakenings or restless sleep may be indicative of hypertension-related issues, as elevated blood pressure levels can trigger the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, causing arousal from sleep.
    EXCESSIVE URINATION
    Furthermore, nocturia, or excessive urination during the night, can be a symptom of hypertension. Elevated blood pressure levels can put strain on the kidneys, leading to increased urine production and the need to wake up multiple times to urinate.
    HEADACHE
    Moreover, experiencing headaches upon waking or during the night can also be a sign of nocturnal hypertension. Headaches caused by high blood pressure tend to be most intense in the morning, as blood pressure naturally rises during sleep and peaks in the early morning hours.
    Monitoring these signs and symptoms, especially when occurring together, can help individuals identify potential issues with nocturnal hypertension and seek appropriate medical attention to manage their blood pressure levels and mitigate associated risks. Source: HT

  • Chicken Manchurian

    Chicken Manchurian

    Ingredients
    250 gm chicken, 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, 1/4 cup refined oil, 1/4 teaspoon, crushed green peppercorns, 1/4 teaspoon, chopped green chilli, 120 ml chicken stock, 1/4, teaspoon ground black pepper, 30 ml water, 1 tablespoon corn flour, 1 beaten egg, 1/4 teaspoon crushed ginger, 1/4 teaspoon crushed garlic, 1 handful chopped into cubes cilantro, 10 ml light soya sauce, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1 finely chopped spring onions
    Method
    – To prepare this delicious Chicken Manchurian recipe, take a bowl and add corn flour, flour, salt and pepper along with the beaten egg in it. Mix all these ingredients properly and prepare a batter. Next, dip the chicken pieces in the batter one by one. Make sure it is properly coated.
    – Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, place the coated chicken pieces in the oil and deep fry till they turns golden brown in colour. Once done, drain the excess oil and keep aside till further use. Now, to prepare the manchurian sauce, heat oil in another pan over medium flame. Once the oil is hot enough, add the garlic and ginger in it. Fry till it becomes slightly brown in colour. Now add in green chilies and cilantro leaves. Saute these for about a minute or so.
    – Then, bring the flame to low and add in the chicken stock, soya sauce, salt, sugar and pepper. Allow this mixture to simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Once done, add in corn flour along with water in it and bring the mixture to a boil.
    – The last step is to place the fried chicken pieces into the manchurian sauce. Bring the flame to medium low and allow the dish to cook for close to 5 minutes. Once done, turn off the flame and transfer the Chicken Manchurian into a serving bowl.

  • Raw milk face packs for brighter skin

    Raw milk face packs for brighter skin

    Turmeric and Raw Milk Face Pack
    Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
    Why this pack: Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties. When combined with the moisturizing effect of raw milk, this face pack becomes a potent solution for reducing blemishes and dark spots. Use it twice a week.
    Honey and Raw Milk Face Pack
    Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk1 tablespoon of honey
    Why this pack: Honey is a natural humectant that helps retain moisture, making it an excellent complement to raw milk. This pack is perfect for those with dry skin, providing hydration and a radiant glow. Apply it weekly, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Ensure the honey used is pure and free from additives for optimal benefits.
    Oatmeal and Raw Milk Face Pack
    Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk1 tablespoon of finely ground oatmeal
    Why this pack: Oatmeal acts as a gentle exfoliant, making this face pack ideal for sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. Raw milk complements the exfoliation with its moisturizing properties. Use this pack bi-weekly for smoother and brighter skin.
    Cucumber and Raw Milk Face Pack
    Ingredients:2 tablespoons of raw milk2 tablespoons of cucumber juice
    Why this pack: Cucumber is renowned for its soothing and cooling properties, making it a perfect match for raw milk. This pack is excellent for calming irritated skin and reducing puffiness.

  • Protect your skin from sun without sunscreen

    From increasing your vitamin D levels to boosting your mood, sunlight can improve your health in numerous ways. But unprotected exposure to the sun can be unhealthy. The sun produces harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause problems like sunburn or sun poisoning. It can also have other adverse effects, such as premature skin aging, skin cancer, and eye damage. And it’s not just the sun. Artificial sources of UV radiation, like tanning beds, are also harmful.
    Daily sunscreen goes a long way toward shielding you from UV rays. But there are several other ways you can protect yourself. Keep reading for helpful skin-saving strategies. They’ll come in handy on your next beach vacation and for other outdoor activities.
    Cover yourself with clothing and a hat
    Covering your skin with protective clothing and a hat can help safeguard you from UVA and UVB rays. But certain clothes provide more protection than others. You can look for garments with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which shows how much the fabric protects your skin from UV rays. For example, a shirt with a UPF 50 rating blocks roughly 98% of the sun’s UV rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) requires a minimum UPF of 30 to grant its seal of recommendation for effective sun protection.
    Wear sunglasses
    UV radiation can also damage your eyes, eyelids, and the sensitive skin around your eyes. Luckily, wearing sunglasses can shield these areas and reduce the risk of conditions such as cataracts.
    But like your clothing, not all eyewear is created equal when it comes to blocking sunlight. For example, studies suggest that goggles and large sunglasses may be more effective at protecting your eyes from UV rays than smaller sunglasses. One way to check the effectiveness of your sunglasses is with the eye-sun protection factor (ESPF®). The ESPF measures how well lenses block the transmission of light and UV reflection. If your sunglasses don’t have an ESPF rating, you can check for other factors. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends looking for sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of all types of UV light.
    Use an umbrella
    Umbrellas are not just for the rain. Using an umbrella or parasol can stop direct UV rays from hitting your skin. But research shows that they don’t block scattered or diffused UV rays, which may be common at the beach. So this shade-producing tool is most effective when you use it in combination with other sun-protecting strategies, like wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.
    Eat foods that provide sun protection
    There are plenty of good reasons to adopt a healthy diet, including keeping your skin healthy. A healthy diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can promote healthy skin.
    Many foods contain antioxidants. These nutrients can help prevent cellular damage.

  • Emma Stone’s Los Angeles home sells for $4.3 Million

    Emma Stone’s Los Angeles home sells for $4.3 Million

    Emma Stone has parted ways with her L.A. home just a few weeks after putting it up for sale.
    The actress, 35, first listed her charming home in Comstock Hills, a private, gated community located in L.A.’s Westwood neighborhood, for $3.995 million at the end of January, PEOPLE reported at the time.
    PEOPLE confirmed she’d sold it for $4.3 million — just over $300,000 above the original asking price.
    The sale marks another win for the star, who just took home a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award for her movie Poor Things. Fittingly, the star — who just depicted an aspiring HGTV host in The Curse! — recently renovated the Westwood residence, according to the listing, held by agent Eric Lavey of Sotheby’s International Realty’s Beverly Hills brokerage.
    Originally built in 1926, the newly rejuvenated 3,276 sq. ft. home boasts four bedrooms and four full bathrooms across two stories.

  • Hilary Swank opens up about challenge, rewards of raising twins

    Hilary Swank opens up about challenge, rewards of raising twins

    Hilary Swank discussed about the challenges and rewards of being a mother of twins. Swank and her husband Philip Schneider gave birth to twins, Aya and Ohm, in April 2023. The 49-year-old Oscar-winning actor spoke at the premiere of her new film Ordinary Angels recently at the SVA Theatre in New York.
    “I think that being a mother of twins, I never have had a singleton, so I don’t know what that’s like,” she explained.
    “But I know that the sleepless nights are hard and when you have one that might sleep through the night, the other one’s not, so it’s kind of this trade-off every night. But I know this is also a season, and it too will pass, and I try and remind myself that there’s going to be a day when I’m like, ‘Oh, I’d love to wake up right now and just hold you.’ So just trying and hold on to that.” She’s already looking forward to the next challenge — when the twins are more mobile.
    “Well, they’re only crawling, so it’s not like we’re out of control or anything,” she said. Swank stars in the Lionsgate film as Sharon Stevens, a “fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters,” according to an official synopsis.

  • Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin enjoyed a happy and relaxing vacation in Mexico

    Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin appeared to be in great spirits as they vacationed together in Mexico. The couple, known for keeping their relationship private, were photographed enjoying each other’s company during their getaway, offering a rare glimpse into their personal lives. According to a source speaking to People, Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin enjoyed a peaceful vacation in Punta Mita for a few days. The couple appeared content and relaxed, spending quality time together. They were seen lounging on the beach, with Dakota engrossed in a book, and they also partook in yoga and meditation sessions.
    An insider revealed that Johnson and Martin’s trip seemed to be spontaneous, and the couple returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday. Their Punta Mita vacation came shortly after the Mexico City premiere of Dakota Johnson’s film Madame Web at Cinemex Antara Polanco on Feb. 13.
    In Madame Web, Dakota Johnson portrays the character Cassandra Webb, a New York City paramedic who acquires clairvoyant abilities enabling her to foresee the future. The film is based on the Marvel Comics character introduced in 1980, known for her appearances in Spider-Man stories.
    Last year, Martin’s ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, posted a photo of herself with Johnson on social media, mentioning their close bond. During an Instagram Q&A in October 2023, the Oscar winner, 51, stated, “We’re actually very good friends.”The next month, Paltrow shared another picture of herself and Johnson, smiling as they held hands. Martin and Paltrow tied the knot in 2003 before “consciously uncoupling” in 2014 and finalizing their divorce in 2016. The singer began his relationship with Johnson in 2017.
    In a March 2023 appearance on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, Martin offered a rare insight into his relationship with Johnson. He shared how she contributed to enhancing his band’s performances for the hearing impaired by introducing them to SubPacs, a device that enables individuals with hearing impairments to experience the vibrations of a concert.

  • Varun, Janhvi reunite for romance drama film ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’

    Varun, Janhvi reunite for romance drama film ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’

    Bollywood stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor are reuniting for romance drama film “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari”, the makers announced on Thursday, Feb 22,
    Backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Production, the movie will be written and directed by filmmaker Shashank Khaitan. It will be released in theatres on April 25, 2025.
    “Your Sanskari is on his way to get his Kumari! This love story wrapped with entertainment is coming to the big screens! #SunnySanskariKiTulsiKumari in cinemas, 18th April 2025,” the studio posted on Instagram.
    “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” will reunite Dhawan and Kapoor, who most recently worked together for Nitesh Tiwari’s relationship drama “Bawaal”.
    The project reteams Dhawan with Khaitan, who directed the actor in “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania” (2014) and “Badrinath Ki Dulhania” (2017). Khaitan had also directed 2018’s “Dhadak”, which marked the acting debut of Kapoor.
    “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” will be produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Khaitan. Source: PTI

  • Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani tie the knot in Goa

    Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani tie the knot in Goa

    After years of being in a relationship, Bollywood actor Rakul Preet Singh and actor-filmmaker Jackky Bhagnani finally tied the knot in a beautiful wedding in Goa on Wednesday. The couple got married as per Sikh tradition in the morning. Later in the evening, they got married as per Sindhi tradition.
    True to their word, Rakul and Jackky met the paparazzi after concluding their wedding ceremony. As the paparazzi congratulated them, they smiled and posed for pictures.
    Their wedding was a star-studded affair with celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Esha Deol, David Dhawan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and others in attendance.
    On Tuesday, Feb 20, Rakul’s parents, Rajendra Singh and Kulwinder Singh, were seen thanking the paparazzi for traveling all the way from Mumbai to Goa to be part of their joyous occasion. They had also announced that the couple would step out to meet the photographers and the media after the wedding ceremony.
    Rakul Preet and Jackky Bhagnani were neighbors and shared several mutual friends. However, their relationship blossomed during the Covid lockdown. The two made their relationship Instagram official in 2021 when Jackky wished Rakul on her birthday with a heartfelt message, expressing his love and admiration for her. Rakul reciprocated with an equally affectionate birthday wish for Jackky later that year. Since then, the couple has shared numerous moments together, attending birthdays, dinners, parties, and various social gatherings. In her interview with Cosmopolitan, Rakul revealed their perspective on maintaining a healthy relationship. She emphasised that while there’s no specific ‘mantra’ for success, it’s essential to be complete within oneself before entering a relationship. She said, “Being complete in yourself first to be able to complete someone else. And that’s something that both Jackky [Bhagnani] and I have spoken about.”
    Source: The Indian Express

  • Alia Bhatt wraps up Jigra, posts pictures with Vedang Raina

    Actor Alia Bhatt has wrapped up the shoot of her first action film, Jigra. Announcing the wrap, Alia posted pictures from the sets of the movie. The photos also featured her Jigra co-star Vedang Raina. Alia wrote in the caption of the images, “jigra oh… abki teri baari ho.@vedangraina & that’s a film wrap on #JIGRA @vasanbala @swapsagram.See you soon… 27th September 2024 at a cinema near you.” Vedang Raina also posted pictures on his Instagram account. He wrote in the caption, “And that’s a wrap on Jigra @aliaabhatt.A film and a character that has given me as much as taken away from me. A journey that’s meant everything.See you at the movies on 27th September.”
    Directed by Vasan Bala, Jigra is co-produced by Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar.

  • Shahid reveals what made him quit smoking

    Actor Shahid Kapoor has opened up about his decision to quit smoking, and it is his eight-year-old daughter Misha. Shahid appeared on ‘No Filter Neha’ season 6, a podcast hosted by actress Neha Dhupia, who chats with her industry friends and makes interesting conversations. During the audio chat show, Shahid revealed about his decision to quit smoking: “When I used to smoke, I would hide from my daughter and smoke. That is actually the reason I gave it up. One day, while I was hiding and having my smoke, I told myself that I am not going to do this forever. And that is actually the day I decided to quit smoking.”
    Shahid married Mira Rajput in July 2015. The couple have two kids—daughter Misha, and son Zain. On the work front, Shahid was last seen in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, a science fiction romantic comedy co-starring Kriti Sanon.

  • Probe agencies being misused to ‘extort’ donations for BJP: Cong

    Probe agencies being misused to ‘extort’ donations for BJP: Cong

    New Delhi (TIP)- The Congress on Friday, Feb 23, alleged that probe agencies were being misused to “extort” donations for the BJP from private companies and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into what it called “hafta-vasooli” by the government.
    Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that at least 30 companies, which donated a total of nearly Rs 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23, faced investigation by central agencies during that period. Ramesh said Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal on Friday wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the issue and asked why the government should not be open to a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the donations received by the BJP.
    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a post on X said, “Do you know about the Prime Minister’s ‘Donate, take bail and business’ scheme? In the country, the Prime Minister is doing business like ‘vasooli bhai’ by misusing ED, IT and CBI.” He said reports have revealed that 30 companies that faced investigation by various agencies, which have become “recovery agents” now, donated Rs 335 crore to the BJP during the investigation.
    “The donation business is going on so shamelessly that the owners of a distillery in MP donated to the BJP as soon as they got the bail. Benefitting the company of a friend by dishonesty and adopting different rules for others? ‘Illegal donations’ and ‘Electoral Bonds’ given to BJP under Modi rule are the guarantee of ‘Ease of Doing Business’,” Gandhi said in his post in Hindi, using the hashtag “#HaftaVasooliSarkar”.
    Ramesh asked if the government would come up with a “white paper” on the BJP’s finances, not just the sources but how corporate firms were “coerced” to donate by misusing investigative agencies against them.
    “If you have nothing to hide, then are you willing to present a point-by-point rebuttal on the ‘chronology’ of events which led to the filling of BJP’s treasury?” he asked. Source: PTI

  • Farmer’s death: Unions reject Rs 1-cr relief, want FIR first

    Farmer’s death: Unions reject Rs 1-cr relief, want FIR first

    Patiala (TIP)- Farmer leaders participating in the “Delhi Chalo” agitation under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on Friday, Feb 23, said the cremation of Shubh Karan Singh, who died amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers, will not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible it. The development came hours after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for Shubh Karan’s sister.
    Subh Karan Singh, 21, a native of Bathinda, died on Wednesday at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers.
    The incident took place when the farmers rushed to the barricades, several layers of which had been erected by Haryana authorities to prevent farmers from proceeding with their march and clashed with police.
    According to the medical superintendent of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Subh Karan had an injury to his head. The post-mortem was delayed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.
    Addressing a press conference at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the post-mortem of the 21-year-old farm protester will not be conducted till the Punjab Police register an FIR against Haryana Police. Punjab chief minister had asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for Shubh Karan’s death. But now the officials are saying that it was not possible, he said.
    “We have told the (Shubh Karan) family that it may take two days or 10 days. For us money is not important. We are demanding that an FIR be lodged and then cremation will take place,” he said and accused Punjab government officials of “pressuring” Shubh Karan’s family into agreeing to the cremation. Toeing the line, Charanjit Singh, father of Shubh Karan, said: “Till Punjab Police register a case against Haryana Police officials, we won’t allow the administration to conduct the post-mortem. Money doesn’t matter to us, justice does.”
    Replying to a question, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of SKM (Non-Political) that is spearheading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march along with the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, claimed the Bathinda senior superintendent of police has said that police could not register a case against Haryana security personnel.
    “If you cannot register a case, then how can you call yourself ‘Punjab de rakhe’ (Punjab’s protector),” Dallewal said, adding the police officer told them that if they registered a case, then Haryana security personnel would also do so.
    Replying to another question, Dallewal said, “A youth died during our agitation. Our priority is to ensure justice for him. We are concentrating on it. It is up to the Punjab government how soon it will give justice to us.”
    Punjab CM Mann on Friday announced compensation and a job for Shubh Karan’s sister.
    “The family of Shubh Karan Singh, who got martyred during the farmer’s movement at Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of ?1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits,” he said in a post on ‘X’ in Punjabi.
    Farmers leaders were also demanding “martyr” status for Shubhkaran Singh.
    Thousands of farmers from Punjab are protesting at two interstate borders with Haryana to press their demands to the Centre.
    Among the major demands of the farmers are a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops and a complete loan waiver for all farmers. For this, the farmers are marching towards the national capital but are currently facing stiff barricading at the Haryana borders.
    Source: HT