How Did MI Find Ashwani Kumar? Hardik Pandya Gives Credit Where It's Due

Skipper Hardik Pandya on Monday credited Mumbai Indians' scouting team for unearthing fresh talent after debutant left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar starred for the side in its eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in Mumbai. Opting to bowl, MI rode on Kumar's brilliant display with the ball to bundle out KKR for 116 before they chased down the target in 12.5 overs. Left-arm pacer Kumar became the first Indian to take four wickets on IPL debut and help restrict KKR, who were bowled out in 16.2 overs.

"Very satisfying to win, especially at home. The way we did it, as a group, everyone chipped in - can't be happier. It's always a challenge of picking one guy here and there. With our team it's pretty sorted with the players who we are backing.

"This wicket just offered a bit more and we thought Ashwani can come in and bowl the way he bowled. First of all, it's all because of the scouts. All MI scouts have gone all the places and picked these young kids," Pandya said after the team's first win of the season.

"We played a practice game and it looked like he had that zip and late swing, had a different action and plus he is a leftie. The way he took that wicket of (Andre) Russell was a very crucial wicket. And especially, how he started with that catch of Quinton. Was great to see a fast bowler jumping that high." KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane said it was collective batting failure from his team "Collective batting failure, it was a good wicket to bat on. 180-190 would have been a good total on this pitch. We expect that (here), it has good bounce. When you are fighting against the bounce, that is what we did, you have to use it sometimes - we have to learn really fast.

"Bowlers were trying their best but not much runs on the board," he said. 

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ISRO Satellite Images Show Damage After Earthquake Rattled Myanmar

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images of the widespread damages caused by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and rattled neighbouring countries on Friday. 

Using its most sophisticated Earth imaging satellite, the Cartosat-3, which can help with images at a resolution of less than 50 centimetres, the ISRO has managed to capture photos from a 500 kilometre altitude above the earth. The images show how a huge bridge over the Irrawaddy River collapsed. The damages to the Mandalay University and collapse of the Ananda Pagoda are also highlighted.

According to the space agency, Cartosat-3, which was launched in 2019, is a third generation agile advanced earth imaging satellite. ISRO rarely releases images from this highly sophisticated satellite.

The National Remote Sensing Centre, a part of ISRO, said the post-disaster Cartosat-3 imagery was acquired on Saturday, over the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing in Myanmar. Additionally, Cartosat-3 data acquired on March 18, covering the same area, was referred for change analysis and assessment of damage. Significant damage to infrastructure in Mandalay city was observed. 

The damaged caused to Mandalay city and Ava bridge.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck Myanmar on Friday, followed by a strong aftershock of magnitude 6.4. The epicentre was located at a depth of 10km near Sagaing-Mandalay border. Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, registered severe damage. 

The earthquake also rattled the Myanmar capital Naypyidaw and other regions, resulting in the collapse of infrastructure, roads and residential buildings. The tremors were felt not only in Myanmar but also in neighbouring countries and as far as Chiang Mai and northern parts of Thailand, where some places reported damages. 

The images showed significant damage to infrastructure in Mandalay city, with major landmarks such as Sky Villa, Phayani Pagoda, Mahamuni Pagoda and Ananda Pagoda, University of Mandalay and several others suffering either complete or partial damage. 

In Sagaing city, the Ma Shi Khana Pagoda and several monasteries and other buildings were damaged. 

The damage caused to Mandalay city.

As seen from the imagery, the earthquake led to the collapse of the historic Ava (InnWa) Bridge on the Irrawaddy River, near Inn Wa City. Cracks in flood plains of the Irrawaddy river with associated liquefaction were also observed. 

In its damage assessment summary, ISRO said Myanmar is located near the convergent boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates, where the Indian Plate is moving northward toward the Eurasian Plate at a rate of about 5 cm per year. 

Besides, Myanmar also sits near several smaller fault zones, such as the Sagaing Fault, which runs through central Myanmar. The Sagaing fault is a significant active strike-slip fault that accommodates lateral motion between the blocks of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Friday's earthquake was likely associated with the release of accumulated stress along the Sagaing fault or its accessory faults in the region.

India was one of the first countries to fly in rescue teams and provide assistance to Myanmar. 

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'Will You Return To Space On Boeing Starliner?' What NASA Astronauts Said

NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague spoke to the press today about the future of NASA's human space flight programme, after their recent return from the International Space Station (ISS).

Mr Wilmore said they will carefully study and rectify all the issues they have faced before going to space in another Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

To a reporter's question to Mr Wilmore on whom he would place the blame for the mission that did not go as planned, he said, "There were some issues that happened with Starliner. There were some issues which of course prevented us from returning... If I were to start pointing fingers, I'd blame myself. I will start with myself."

"Blame, I don't like this term... We are all responsible, NASA and Boeing too. Trust is very important. We are not going to look back and say 'this person or that entity is to be blamed'. We are going to look forward and say 'how do we use the lessons we learned from this whole process and make sure we are successful in future," Mr Wilmore said.

On whether they would go on the Starliner again, he said, "Yes, because we are going to rectify, fix, make it work. Boeing is completely committed. NASA is completely committed."

Ms Williams agreed, pointing at the strengths of the Starliner, which is a complex spacecraft.

"The spacecraft [Starliner] is very capable, but there are things that need to be fixed as Butch mentioned. Folks are actively working on that. It's a great spacecraft with many features that other spacecraft don't have. It's an honour to be a part of this," Ms Williams said.

The NASA Crew-9 astronauts along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov splashed down on Earth on Elon Musk's SpaceX's Dragon capsule on March 18.

The White House had highlighted President Donald Trump's role in prioritising their rescue. President Trump alleged his predecessor Joe Biden abandoned the astronauts in space. On March 7, he announced he gave permission to Mr Musk to bring back the two American astronauts.

Ms Wlliams and Mr Wilmore stayed on for nine months in the ISS after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned, turning a mission that was supposed to be short into a long one.

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Did Boeing "Screw Up"? Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore Say...

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore thanked US President Donald Trump and SpaceX owner Elon Musk for their help in bringing them back from the International Space Station (ISS), where they stayed on for nine months after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned, turning a mission that was supposed to be short into a long one.

The two astronauts in an interview to Fox News said space flight is hard, and using new technology to try to further and better themselves is harder.

To a question on whether Boeing "screwed this up", Mr Wilmore said he does not want to point fingers at anyone.

"... In certain respects, we were stuck. In certain respects, maybe we were stranded. But based on how they were couching this, that we were left and forgotten and all that, we were nowhere near any of that at all. So stuck, okay, we didn't get to come home the way we planned. So in one definition, we're stuck. But in the big scheme of things, we weren't stuck. We planned and trained," Mr Wilmore said.

Ms Williams said they prepped as if they were going to stay long while planning for the short mission.

"Our focus was on the mission, the Starliner portion of the mission, first flights, test flight. And that was our focus, but we trained for everything. Maintenance on station, science on station, spacewalks on station, robotics, arm work on station. We trained for it all. And we were prepared to do anything that we were asked of for a long duration," the Indian-origin astronaut said.

"Again, planning for one thing, preparing for other. And that's not unique to us. This is what a human space flight programme does. This is what each individual, the army that supports human space flight... that is passionate about human space flight... do. We plan for as many contingencies as we can dream up because this is a hard business. It's tough," Ms Williams said.

Mr Wilmore indicated it would be absolutely wrong to pin blame on anyone for what happened with their mission.

"... There are many questions that as the commander of CFT (crew flight test), I didn't ask. So I'm culpable. I'll admit that to the nation. There's things that I did not ask that I should have asked. I didn't know at the time I needed to ask them. But in hindsight, the signal, some of the signals were there. Is Boeing to blame? Are they culpable? Sure.

"Is NASA to blame? Are they culpable? Sure. Everybody has a piece in this because it did not come off. There were some shortcomings in tests, shortcomings in preparation that we did not foresee. So yeah, are there, could you point fingers? I don't want to point fingers. I hope nobody wants to point fingers. We don't want to look back and say, shame, shame, shame.

"We want to look forward and say, let's rectify what we've learned and let's make the future even more productive and better. That's the way that I look at it. I think the way the nation should look at it," Mr Wilmore said.

The two NASA Crew-9 astronauts returned to Earth on SpaceX's Dragon capsule on March 18.

President Trump alleged his predecessor Joe Biden abandoned the astronauts in space. On March 7, he announced he gave permission to Mr Musk to bring back the two American astronauts.

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MS Dhoni Left Dejected After Last-Over Dismissal As CSK Lose vs RR - Watch

MS Dhoni was dismissed on the first ball of the final over as Chennai Super Kings slumped to a 6-run loss against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 on Sunday. Dhoni looked in good touch as he scored 16 off 11 balls with the help of one four and one six. With 20 runs needed off the final over, all eyes were on Dhoni but the veteran India wicket-keeper batter was caught in the deep as the fans were left disappointed. It was a low wide full toss from Sandeep Sharma and Dhoni went for the big one but the ball went straight to Shimron Hetmyer at deep mid-wicket who made no mistake.

Wanindu Hasaranga's brilliance derailed Chennai Super Kings' chase as Rajasthan Royals sealed a six-run win in an IPL match on Sunday.

Shimron Hethmayr today you silenced the realm of MS Dhoni.#cskvsRR #msdhoni #CSKvsRR pic.twitter.com/hlwuaFuKKm

— Immanuel Rudhrakshan (@immanrudhra9066) March 30, 2025

Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad led CSK's fightback with a 44-ball 63 (7x4, 1x6), but Hasaranga's (4/35) relentless strikes kept the chase in check, restricting them to 176/6. This is CSK's second successive defeat.

Ravindra Jadeja (32 not out from 22 balls) and MS Dhoni (16; 11b), who came in at No 7, provided late fireworks, but the target proved beyond reach.

Dhoni gave CSK hope with a six and a four in the 19th over, where Tushar Deshpande leaked 19 runs, with Jadeja finishing it off with a six.

However, with 20 needed off the final over, Sandeep Sharma held his nerves to concede just 13 and dismissed Dhoni, courtesy of a stunning catch by Shimron Hetmyer, sealing RR's win.

Earlier, Nitish Rana's explosive 81 off 36 balls, laced with 10 fours and five sixes, had set RR on course for a 200-plus total.

However, CSK pulled things back in the final overs, with Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, and Khaleel Ahmed taking two wickets each, limiting RR to 182/9.

(With PTI inputs)

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"Why Lie About Me?": Ex-India Star Fumes After 'Fake' Rohit Quote Stirs Row

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has lashed out at a user on X, formerly Twitter, for the latter's derogatory act. The user made up a fake quote on India and Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma attributing Parthiv Patel, who is the assistant batting coach of Gujarat Titans. Parthiv spoke to the broadcaster during the GT vs MI, IPL 2025 match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The X user used that image of the former India batter while putting out the fake quote on social media. Parthiv gave a sharp response to it.

"Come on guys. I've got some great collabs and content, if you want impressions. Why lie about me?" he replied to the post.

Come on guys. I've got some great collabs and content, if you want impressions. Why lie about me? https://t.co/ovXFQZJXVN

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) March 30, 2025

Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took two wickets each as Gujarat Titans thrashed IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians by 36 runs for their first win this season on Saturday.

Gujarat rode on Sai Sudharsan's 63 off 41 balls to post 196-8 after being invited to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Siraj then led the bowling charge to limit the opposition to 160-6 as five-time winners Mumbai went down to their second straight loss in the 18th edition of the T20 tournament.

Siraj removed the Mumbai openers to dent the chase and Krishna hurt the middle-order to return figures of 2-18.

Krishna, a fast-medium bowler who has played three Tests, 17 ODIs and five T20s for India, was named player of the match.

"I was itching to bowl. We were sitting and watching how the first innings went. So we understood that cutters into the wicket were working well," he said.

Mumbai's former captain Rohit Sharma started on the front foot with two successive boundaries but Siraj had the last laugh as he bowled the opener for eight on the fourth ball.

Siraj was on fire when he bowled South African wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton for six as the left-hander got an inside edge on to his stumps.

Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav attempted to rebuild in a third-wicket stand of 62 until Krishna struck to remove Varma for 39.

Suryakumar hit 48 and smashed four sixes in an attempt to keep up with the ever-increasing scoring rate and along with skipper Hardik Pandya looked to pull things back.

But the bowling remained disciplined and Krishna got his reward with Suryakumar's wicket and South African quick Kagiso Rabada dismissed Pandya, for 11, as the chase fizzled out.

Earlier, Gujarat openers Sudharsan and Shubman Gill started cautiously before the two hammered 35 runs across overs five and six.

Returning Pandya cut short skipper Gill's knock on 38 when he had the attacking opener caught at deep square leg to end a 78-run opening stand.

Pandya missed his team's opening loss due a suspension from the previous edition when he was charged for a slow-over rate offence. He returned figures of 2-29 with his pace bowling.

The left-handed Sudharsan built another key stand with England's Jos Buttler, who kept up the charge with regular boundaries as he hit 39 off 24 balls.

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Buttler, caught behind as the Gujarat bowlers hit back.

Pandya dismissed the big-hitting Shahrukh Khan for nine and West Indies left-hander Sherfane Rutherford fell to seam bowler Deepak Chahar for 18.

Sudharsan held firm in a middle-order stutter and reached his fifty before New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult trapped the batsman lbw.

Disciplined bowling denied Gujarat a big finish in the final few overs but the total proved enough for the team's first win in two matches.

(With AFP Inputs)

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21-Year-Old NEET Aspirant Dies By Suicide Near Chennai, Opposition Slams DMK

A 21-year-old student preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions has died by suicide near Chennai.

Police officials said the student, Devadharshini, was attending coaching classes and preparing for NEET - which is scheduled to be held on May 4 - and was stressed because she had failed to crack the exam in her last four attempts. 

Her father, Selvaraj, runs a bakery in Kilambakkam, about 40 km from Chennai. The family had moved there from the Tamil Nadu capital because their earlier bakery in the city had not done well. 

Devadharshini had told her parents that she was stressed about the exam and they had reassured her, saying she had no reason to worry, an official said. The 21-year-old spent most of Friday at her father's bakery and then told him she was going home and would return. Her mother found her hanging at home some time later. 

Opposition Attack

At least 20 NEET aspirants have died by suicide in Tamil Nadu in the past eight years. The MK Stalin-led DMK government and the AIADMK government in the past have opposed the Central exam and want admissions to be done based on Class 12 marks. The parties have argued that arguing that NEET favours students from affluent families and ensures an uneven playing field. 

In 2021, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a bill seeking exemption from NEET. 

After Devadharshini's suicide, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami hit out at Mr Stalin and his party, accusing them of deceiving students by promising that NEET would not be held in Tamil Nadu if the DMK came to power. 

"The DMK lied and deceived students by saying there would be no NEET in Tamil Nadu if it came to power. Are the continuing deaths because of NEET not a cause for concern for the DMK?" Mr Palaniswami wrote in Tamil on X. 

"How are you going to wipe away the bloodstains that keep accumulating on your hands from the big lie you told for electoral gains," he asked. 

Helplines
Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health	9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
TISS iCall	022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)
(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)

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Japanese Scientists Develop New Plastic That Dissolves In Saltwater

Plastics are known for their durability and strength, making them ideal for everyday use. However, their long-lasting nature becomes a significant environmental issue when they end up in nature. Traditional plastics, made with strong covalent bonds, are difficult to break down and can remain in the environment for decades or even centuries, causing harm to wildlife and humans through microplastics.

In an effort to tackle this problem, Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) in Japan, have developed a new type of plastic that maintains its strength during use but dissolves quickly in saltwater. Once dissolved, the plastic breaks down into harmless compounds, reducing the environmental impact.

In their new study, Aida and his team focused on solving this problem with supramolecular plastics-polymers with structures held together by reversible interactions. The new plastics were made by combining two ionic monomers that form cross-linked salt bridges, which provide strength and flexibility. In the initial tests, one of the monomers was a common food additive called sodium hexametaphosphate and the other was any of several guanidinium ion-based monomers. Both monomers can be metabolized by bacteria, ensuring biodegradability once the plastic is dissolved into its components.

"While the reversable nature of the bonds in supramolecular plastics have been thought to make them weak and unstable," says Aida, "our new materials are just the opposite." In the new material, the salt bridges structure is irreversible unless exposed to electrolytes like those found in seawater. The key discovery was how to create these selectively irreversible cross links.

As with oil with water, after mixing the two monomers together in water, the researchers observed two separated liquids. One was thick and viscous and contained the important structural cross linked salt bridges, while the other was watery and contained salt ions. For example, when sodium hexametaphosphate and alkyl diguanidinium sulfate were used, sodium sulphate salt was expelled into the watery layer. The final plastic, alkyl SP2, was made by drying what remained in the thick viscous liquid layer.

The "desalting" turned out to be the critical step; without it, the resulting dried material was a brittle crystal, unfit for use. Resalting the plastic by placing it in salt water caused the interactions to reverse and the plastic's structure destabilized in a matter of hours. Thus, having created a strong and durable plastic that can still be dissolved under certain conditions, the researchers next tested the plastic's quality. 

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"Lowest Point": Internet Slams Dhoni For Batting At No. 9 For CSK Against RCB

MS Dhoni came out to bat at No. 9 for Chennai Super Kings but it was a case of too little too late as his side slumped to a 50-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday. Chasing 197, CSK kept losing wickets at regular intervals and Shivam Dube was dismissed in the 13th over, the expectation was that Dhoni will come out to bat. However, it was R Ashwin who joined Ravindra Jadeja out in the middle and by the time Dhoni came out in the 16th over, the match was almost out of CSK's hands. The ex-India captain remained unbeaten on 30 off 16 balls but it made no difference to his team's fortunes. The fans were not happy with Dhoni coming out to bat so late and they took to social media to express their views.

Dhoni coming at no 9 is lowest point in his career. He should retire gracefully than this embarrassment. #IPL2025 #RCBvCSK

— kirat.13_ (@kirat8513) March 28, 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs in their Indian Premier League match on Friday.

What's the point of #Dhoni batting at No. 9 in a 197-run chase when CSK is struggling at 100? CSK's tactics today showed they had given up.

Dhoni at No. 9—just for a couple of sixes and PR? A few sixes for the fans won't change the bigger picture. Maybe it's time to ask—has… pic.twitter.com/TLekj4Qy1B

— Amit Kumar (@AmitMaithil7) March 28, 2025

Chasing a target of 197, CSK ended up at 146 for 8 in 20 overs, their first defeat to RCB at Chepauk since 2008.

Opener Rachin Ravindra top-scored for CSK with 41 while the next best batter was former captain MS Dhoni who remained not out on 30 off 16 balls.

Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Yash Dayal (2/18) and Liam Livingstone (2/28) were the main wicket takers for RCB.

Earlier, RCB posted 196 for 7 after being put in to bat at the Chepauk.

Captain Rajat Patidar top-scored with 51 off 32 deliveries while openers Phil Salt (32 off 16 balls), Virat Kohli (31 off 30 balls) and Tim David (22 not out off 8 balls) were the other notable contributors.

For CSK, Noor Ahmad (3/36) was the pick of the bowlers while Matheesha Pathirana (2/36), veteran Ravichandran Ashwin (1/22) and pacer Khaleel Ahmed (1/28) chipped in with wickets.

(With PTI inputs)

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Solar Eclipse 2025: Best Viewing Locations, Safety Tips And How To Watch

Skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts are in for a spectacular celestial event as a partial solar eclipse is set to take place on March 29, Saturday. This breathtaking phenomenon will be the first solar eclipse of 2025. Unlike a total eclipse, this one will only partially cover the Sun, creating a stunning crescent-shaped spectacle in the sky. According to NASA, the partial solar eclipse will be visible across various regions, including parts of Europe, Northwestern Africa, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of the northeastern US and eastern Canada. 

What is a partial solar eclipse? 

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but not perfectly aligned, causing only a portion of the Sun to be blocked. This creates a stunning crescent-shaped Sun in the sky, making it look like the Sun has grown a pair of devil horns. 

Solar Eclipse 2025: Where and when to view?

The partial solar eclipse will be visible in the wee hours of March 29, throwing its shadow over areas like New York City, Boston, Montreal and Quebec. Parts of Africa, Siberia, the Caribbean, and Europe will also be able to see a shallower partial eclipse.

In the US, the eclipse will begin at around 4:50 am EDT. It will peak at 6:47 am EDT and end at 8:43 am EDT. The following states will have some of the best views of the partial solar eclipse, as reported by USA Today:

• New York - 6:35 am to 7:12 am
• Massachusetts - 6:27 am to 7:08 am
• Maine - 6:13 am to 7:17 am
• Pennsylvania - 6:46 am to 7:08 am
• New Jersey - 6:43 am to 7:06 am
• Virginia - 6:50 am to 7:03 am

Additionally, the partial solar eclipse will be across Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. However, visibility will depend on local weather conditions, so clear skies will be essential for an optimal viewing experience.

In Europe, the eclipse will begin after 10 am GMT and end at about 12 noon. The eclipse will peak at around 11:03 am GMT with about 40% coverage, Live Science reported. It will be visible across the continent, especially in Northern and Central Europe. 

In India, the solar eclipse will begin at 2:20 pm IST and end at 6:13 pm, lasting approximately four hours. The eclipse will be at its peak at 04:17 pm. However, India will not be able to see the eclipse because of the time difference and the event's alignment.

Solar Eclipse 2025: How to watch? 

Unlike a lunar eclipse, which can be safely observed with the naked eye, a solar eclipse should not be watched directly. It can result in retinal burns and irreversible eye damage. Wearing appropriate eye protection is always advised when observing a solar eclipse. Homemade solutions, such as smoked glass or regular sunglasses, are also adequate and can lead to permanent eye damage. 

Use only solar viewers that adhere to the international safety standard ISO 12312-2.

For online viewers, Timeanddate's stream will feature several views from across the world. The Royal Observatory Greenwich will also be hosting its own free live stream of the eclipse. 

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Could Supply Small Nuclear Power Plant For Musk's Mars Mission: Russian Envoy

Russia could supply a small nuclear power plant for a mission to Mars planned by billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, President Vladimir Putin's international cooperation envoy said on Thursday.

The envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said Moscow could discuss the offer with Musk by video conference. It was the second time Dmitriev has spoken of potential cooperation with Musk this month.

The proposal comes after US President Donald Trump launched talks with Russia aimed at reviving bilateral ties which were languishing at their lowest level in decades due to Russia's war in Ukraine. Moscow is seeking to develop economic cooperation with Washington, even as US sanctions against Russia over the conflict remain in place.

Musk, a close Trump associate, said earlier this month that his Starship rocket would blast off for Mars by the end of next year despite various failures in tests and amid scepticism from some space experts about Musk's projected timeline.

In a post on X, Musk said human landings could take place as early as 2029, but that "2031 was more likely." He spoke last year of plans to build a "self-sustaining city in about 20 years" on Mars, something that would need a power source.

Speaking in Murmansk on the sidelines of an Arctic Forum, Dmitriev, who is also head of a fund that works to attract foreign investors, said Russia could contribute a lot to a potential Mars mission.

"Russia can offer a small-sized nuclear power plant for a mission to Mars and other advanced technological capabilities," the state RIA news agency cited him as saying.

"We believe that Russia has a lot to offer for a mission to Mars, because we have some nuclear technologies that I think could be applicable," he added, saying Russia regarded cooperation with Musk, whom Dmitriev hailed as a "great visionary", as important.

Yuri Borisov, the then head of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, said last year that Russia and China were considering putting a nuclear power plant on the moon from 2033-35, something he said could one day allow lunar settlements to be built.

Russia said in 2022 it would start work on its own Mars mission after the European Space Agency (ESA) suspended a joint project after the start of the war.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"These Things...": Thakur's Blunt Message On Getting Unsold In IPL Auction

Shardul Thakur continued his dream comeback with a four-wicket haul to help Lucknow Super Giants restrict a power-packed Sunrisers Hyderabad to 190 for nine in an IPL match on Thursday. Opting to bowl, Shardul (4/34) gave LSG a fiery start, removing Abishek Sharma and last match centurion Ishan Kishan in consecutive balls in the third over. Shardul sent packing Sharma with a short delivery before getting Ishan Kishan caught behind off an innocuous delivery down the leg side. Travis Head (47 off 28), however, looked in ominous form as he took the attack to the opposition and used his brute power to deal in boundaries and sixes.

Shardul Thakur, after the innings ended, opened up on not getting picked up by any team in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Thakur only joined LSG after Mohsin Khan was ruled out due to injury. 

"I feel all these things happen in cricket. It was a bad day for me in the auction (I didn't get picked by any franchise.) LSG was the one who approached me first due to the injuries to their bowlers, so it was always on the cards. I had to accept it with Zaheer Khan around. You have to go through such things (ups and downs) in cricket. Winning in the game is important for me. I don't look at the wickets or runs column. I want to create an impact and a match winning performance. The batters are coming hard at the bowlers, why not the bowlers go hard at them, that was our plan against SRH. They have been scoring heavily on flat pitches. It fell in our pockets initially (earlier today).

Head was particularly brutal against Avesh, who sprayed the ball on both sides, with the Australian hitting him for two sixes and one four to pick up 18 runs in the fourth over.

Head, however, was lucky as he got two reprieves.

Head skied Ravi Bishnoi's first ball down the ground, and Pooran stationed at long-on had all the time in the world to get under the ball and take a simple catch but the West Indian put it down.

The missed chance proved costly as Head slammed Bishnoi over covers for a maximum.

Bishnoi had another chance to claim the wicket of Head in the fifth ball of the sixth over but he failed to latch on to a difficult return catch.

But Head's luck finally ran out when fast bowler Prince Yadav disturbed his timbers to pick up his first IPL wicket.

Henrich Klaasen (26 off 17) was looking dangerous but got out in a bizarre fashion, run out by Yadav off his own bowling as a straight drive from Nitish Reddy ricocheted on to the sumps from the bowlers follow through.

Young Aniket Verma played a 13-ball 36-run cameo that included five sixes but fell to leg-spinner Disvesh Rathi, caught by David Miller.

SRH skipper Pat Cummins (18 off 4) hit three sixes of his first three balls before departing.

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"Time We Re-Wrote What Black Means": Kerala Bureaucrat To NDTV

Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, who triggered a long overdue conversation online about colorism after facing the brunt of it, told NDTV today that she had deleted her post and then restored it after being asked to by a number of people. "It is high time we re-wrote what black means," she said, "because unless we claim its beauty it will just be absence of colour," she added. 

The Chief Secretary had posted her response after being at the receiving end of comments that juxtaposed her skin colour against her work to imply there was something wanting.

It was "interesting", Ms Muraleedharan told NDTV. While she has been used to comments about her dark skin since a young age, and comparison of her tenure with that of her husband -- former Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu. 

"It was interesting to see both of them brought together under one colour paradigm," she told NDTV in an exclusive interview. 

The third dimension there, she added, was that of gender. In her post on Facebook, the 1990-batch IAS officer had said she heard a comment on her performance as Chief Secretary: "that it is as black as my husband's was white".

She said she had initially deleted her post because of the "overwhelming response".

"But people called up to say as a Chief secretary what she said was important and brings out an issue that needs to be discussed," she added. 

Ms Muraleedharan said the common perception about black was what she had absorbed -- so much so that as a four-year-old, she had asked her mother to put her back in the womb and "bring me out again, all white and pretty".

That perception changed only when she saw herself with the eyes of her grown up children. Today, she said, "I dig black".

"Black is the all-pervasive truth of the universe. Black is that which can absorb anything, the most powerful pulse of energy known to humankind. It is the colour that works on everyone, the dress code for office, the lustre of evening wear, the essence of kajol, the promise of rain," she wrote.

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Get Caught, Defecate: Smelly Criminal Finally Lands In Delhi Police's Net

He was wanted for several knife attacks and chain snatchings in North Delhi and had also been caught in the past but managed to give police the slip every time using a smelly method - he would defecate in his pants. But when a patrolling team spotted him on Monday and he tried the same trick again, the cops happened to be prepared and used masks and gloves to catch him and ensure he didn't escape.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia said Deepak, 27, had more than half a dozen cases against him. "This criminal has escaped in this manner many times. As soon as a policeman would catch him, he would immediately activate his filthy plan," Mr Banthia said. 

Deepak, officials said, was involved in several cases of knife attacks and mobile theft in North Delhi's Sadar Bazar area. They said Deepak would defecate in his pants every time he was caught, forcing cops to cover his nose and step away from him. The 27-year-old would use this opportunity to escape. 

On Monday, a patrolling team spotted a man behaving suspiciously in the area and realised it was Deepak. When they caught him, he used his smelly trick again, but the cops had masks and gloves with them. They arrested him and took him to the Sadar Bazar police station. 

"A knife, which Deepak said he calls his 'lucky knife' and keeps on his person at all times, was also recovered. A case has been registered under the Arms Act," said an official.
 

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India, China To Have Issues "For The Foreseeable Future": S Jaishankar

As China and India push to mend ties, strained for nearly half a decade, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that "what happened in 2020 was not the way to address issues". The minister's remarks recalled the way China had unilaterally tried to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control or LAC.

Mr Jaishankar also acknowledged that India and China will continue to have issues in the "foreseeable future", but said that "there are ways of addressing them" without getting into a conflict.

"We know that, between India and China, at least in the foreseeable future, there will be issues, but there are ways of addressing those issues, and what happened in 2020 was not the way," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a conversation with non-profit Asia Society.

The minister was speaking about the way ties between India and China have evolved over the years. After China's unilateral decision to alter the status quo is eastern Ladakh, which led to a military clash followed by a standoff in 2020, ties between the two Asian giants went into a deep freeze for nearly five years.

"We feel that from October, 2024, the relationship has seen some improvement. What we are trying, step by step, is to see if we can rebuild, undo some of the damage which happened as a result of the actions in 2020," Mr Jaishankar said.

China's actions and the subsequent military standoff led to a feeling of betrayal and severe distrust in New Delhi. Anti-China sentiment surged across the nation, impacting everything from people-to-people ties, business and bilateral ties, trade, technology, visas, and even air travel.

It was only in October 2024, after dozens of rounds of talks, both at the diplomatic and military levels, that the two countries reached an agreement - to return to the status quo in place before 2020. It was only on the basis of this understanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.

India and Tibet (China) share an over 4,400 km border in two parts known as the Line of Actual Control and the MacMohan Line respectively. The LAC stretches across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim, while the MacMohan Line stretches across Arunachal Pradesh.
 

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Explained: Controversy Over "Yeshu Yeshu Prophet" Thrashing Woman Employee

Punjab's self-styled Christian pastor Bajinder Singh -- who was caught on camera beating a man and a woman -- kept his staff in check using force and dirty tricks, the woman has claimed in an interview to NDTV.  The woman, who agreed to speak to NDTV on condition of anonymity, used to work for Singh. She has quit her job after the thrashing episode. She has also filed a complaint against him with the police on the thrashing. 

"He has accused many of the staff of theft and got police cases filed against them. He gets young women to accuse men of misbehaviour and file police cases against them," she said.

In her case, Singh has alleged that she committed irregularities with the church funds and bought a car, her fourth.

WHO IS BAJINDER SINGH

Singh, who is based in Jalandhar, leads 'The Church of Glory and Wisdom' and calls himself "Prophet Bajinder". He became a Christian preacher in 2012, with his supporters claiming that his church has many branches in India and abroad.

The church holds congregations where a large number of people come in anticipation of curing their ailments. These congregations are broadcast live on the YouTube channel '"Prophet Bajinder Singh', which has 3.74 million subscribers.

WHAT THE WOMAN SAID

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, the woman denied this. She admitted her family has four cars, one of which, she said, was purchased by her son and one was an old car. Another, she said, was "gifted" by the pastor. Her newest vehicle, she said, `was bought on loan and she has been paying EMIs on it.

The pastor, she said, had targeted her over the man's sister failing to attend church, the woman told NDTV.

"It was her family that had the objection, but he blamed me and started beating me," she said.

A video footage of Singh's office last month shows him throwing objects and slapping the man and the woman. He is seen slapping the man, arguing with the woman and throwing a book at hr. When she confronts him, Singh slaps her.

Asked whether the pastor's allegation, that it was a doctored video, is correct, the woman denied it. 

Asked why the man, who was also seen being beaten up in the video, had not backed up her version of events, she said, "He is young. Can you imagine the kind of pressure he is under?"

BAJINDER SINGH's DEFENCE

The self-styled pastor has claimed that the woman ws responsible for massive financial irregularities, which could be to the tune of Rs 15 crore.

He also said the video was an instance of her maliciously targetting him on the eve of a verdict against him in a sexual harassment case.

CASES AGAINST BAJINDER SINGH

Singh has cases of sexual assault, cheating and manipulation against him. In 2017, he was accused of sexual harassment. He has also been raided by the Income Tax Department.

In 2018, he was arrested for allegedly raping a woman from Zirakpur, Punjab, after luring her with false promises of assistance to travel abroad.

He also faces an allegation of sexual harassment but was not arrested in the case lodged in March this year

His aides -- Jatinder, Akbar Ali, Sitar Ali, Sucha Singh, Rajesh Chaudhary and Sandeep Pehlwan -- have also been named in the FIR registered under IPC Sections 376 (rape), 420 (cheating), 354 (outraging modesty of woman), 294 (obscenity), 323 (causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and Section 67 (transmitting sexually explicit content) of the Information Technology (IT) Act at Zirakpur police station.

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Goli Soda Rebranded, Bubbling To Success In US, UK Gulf Countries: Centre

India's traditional beverage Goli Soda, rebranded as Goli Pop Soda, is registering strong consumer response in the global market, including the US, UK, Europe and the Gulf, according to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. 

In a statement, the ministry said the demand is driven by strategic expansion and innovative reinvention. 

"Bharat's very own GOLI POP SODA returns to wow tastebuds worldwide! Kudos to @APEDADOC for promoting the revival of the traditional Indian Goli Soda," Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on X. 

Bharat's very own GOLI POP SODA returns to wow tastebuds worldwide! 🇮🇳

Kudos to @APEDADOC for promoting the revival of the traditional Indian Goli Soda.

📖 https://t.co/Ask6n6YCCl pic.twitter.com/T7XZmc1xmc

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 25, 2025

Once a household staple, the iconic beverage is making a remarkable comeback on the global stage, "driven by its innovative reinvention and strategic international expansion", the ministry said. It added that the product has already made strong inroads in global markets, with successful trial shipments to the US, UK, Europe and Gulf countries.

India has partnered with Fair Exports to ensure steady deliveries of Goli Soda to Lulu Hypermarket, one of the largest retail chains in the Gulf region, the commerce ministry's arm Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said. 

"What sets Goli Pop Soda apart is its innovative packaging, featuring a unique pop opener that recreates the nostalgic fizzy burst Indian consumers fondly remember. This rebranding has captivated international markets, positioning the drink as an exciting and trendy product," it said.

It added that the demand for the product in the global market proves that homegrown Indian flavours can compete with international giants, opening new avenues for domestic exports. 

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Belgium Confirms Mehul Choksi In Country, Says Aware Of Extradition Request

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi - one of India's most wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case - is currently in Belgium, the European nation has confirmed to NDTV. In a communication, the Belgian foreign ministry confirmed that they are aware of his presence and "attaches great importance and attention to it".

Belgium, however, said they do not comment on individual cases. Even so, "the FPS Foreign Affairs continues to closely follow the developments in this important case".

Indian authorities have contacted their Belgian counterparts to start the process of Mr Choksi's extradition, news website Associate Times had reported. 

His nephew Nirav Modi, co-accused in the same case, is awaiting extradition from London.

Choksi, 65, wanted for his alleged involvement in Rs 13,500-crore loan fraud in Punjab National Bank along with Nirav Modi, has been living in Antwerp with his wife Preeti Choksi, a Belgian citizen.

Unconfirmed reports had said they acquired an 'F Residency Card'.
Choksi had left Antigua and Barbuda for medical treatment though he remains a citizen of the island nation. 

His absence made headlines after the Caribbean nation's Foreign Minister EP Chet Greene revealed it when he was in India to participate in the Raisina Dialogue, India's annual conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics,.

Without revealing where Mehul Choksi had gone, Mr Greene said he had left for medical treatment.

Mehul Choksi and his nephew, celebrity jeweller Nirav Modi, had skipped India in January 2018, weeks before the scam in PNB - the country's second largest bank, surfaced. 

Later, it became known that he had taken citizenship of Antigua two months before the scam surfaced.

In 2021, he was captured from Dominica while trying to flee to Cuba.
Mehul Choksi has claimed that the cases against him are a result of political conspiracy, and his properties in India were illegally attached by the Enforcement Directorate. 

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At $4 Trillion, India's GDP Doubles In Decade, Outpaces World With 105% Rise

India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world for the last ten years, with the latest data from the International Monetary Fund or IMF showing a staggering 105 per cent growth in the last decade.

According to the IMF, India's GDP currently stands at $4.3 trillion. The GDP was $2.1 trillion in 2015, when Narendra Modi's first term as prime minister less than a year in office. Since then, India has more than doubled its economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product or GDP.

India is on the cusp of overtaking Japan as the fourth-largest economy in the world. Japan's GDP currently stand at $4.4 trillion and India is poised to go past that mark by the third quarter of 2025. Should the average rate of growth continue the way it is, India will surpass Germany - the 3rd-largest economy globally - by the 2nd quarter of in 2027. Germany's GDP currently stands at $4.9 trillion.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called India's 10-year economic performance "outstanding", hailing the country for doubling its GDP in a decade. Mr Goyal highlighted that India, which has topped the world with a growth rate of 105 per cent in 10 years, has outperformed other major economies like China (76 per cent), USA (66 per cent), Germany (44 per cent), France (38 per cent) and UK (28 per cent).

India has outperformed all the nations in the G7, the G20, and the BRICS.

"The global shift is real! PM Narendra Modi-ji has led India to double its GDP in the last decade, positioning it to become the third-largest economy globally soon," Mr Goyal said.

'THE BIG TWO'

While India topped the list in terms of pace of growth, the top two spots in terms of size of economy remained the United States ($30.3 trillion) and China ($19.5 trillion). Germany is in third place at $4.9 trillion, Japan in fourth at $4.4 trillion, and India at fifth at $4.3 trillion.

Breaking into the top two places will take India little over two decades at its current rate of growth. Though, it is interesting to note that as of March, 2025, US's national debt stands at $36.22 trillion, while China's national debt as of September, 2024 stands at $2.52 trillion. In comparison, India's overall debt as of September, 2024 stands at $712 billion.

INDIA'S GROWTH TRAJECTORY

India took 60 years for its GDP to reach the first trillion-dollar mark (in 2007). From $1 trillion to $2 trillion took 7 years (in 2014), Despite COVID-19, India reached the $3 trillion mark in 2021. The journey from $3 trillion to $4 trillion took just 4 years.

At this pace, should the progression continue the way it is, India is poised to add a trillion dollars to its GDP every 1.5 years, and could likely become a $10 trillion economy by end of 2032.

(Disclaimer: Data for this article is as per the data available on the IMF website)
 

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Huge Row In Rajasthan Over Rana Sanga Explained

A massive row over history is brewing in Rajasthan after a Samajwadi Party leader made a remark about Rana Sanga, the 16th Century ruler of Mewar, that riled up the leaders in Rajasthan, where Rana Sanga and his grandson Rana Pratap are revered. Samjawadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman alleged that Rana Sanga brought Babur into India to defeat the Lodhi kings, a view that historians say is a misconception.  

Starting with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal -- who said the remarks are against the sentiments of the state's people - his remarks have been criticized by many. Protests have been held in Udaipur, the former Kingdom of Sanga and Rana Pratap, where there is still a repository of collective memories. The matter had ripples in the state assembly today and a right-wing Rajput group, Karni Sena, has threatened that they will "chop off the tongue" of the Samajwadi Party leader.

His remarks came in the backdrop of the comments by another leader of his party, Abu Azmi, who had praised Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. BJP leaders and Hindu groups have been protesting against what they called attempts to glorify Aurangzeb, alleging that he had unleashed atrocities on Hindus.

WHAT SAMAJWADI PARTY MP SAID

A purported video of the Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman's had surfaced recently in which he is heard saying that Rana Sanga was a "traitor" who brought Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. Then, during a debate on the functioning of the Home Ministry in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Mr Suman doubled down on his comments linking d Rana Sanga to Babur's invasion of India.

"BJP leaders often claim that Muslims have the DNA of Babur. But who invited Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga who brought him to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. By that logic, if Muslims are Babur's descendants, you are also the descendants of Rana Sanga -- a traitor," he was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.

Muslims in India do not idolise any Mughal emperor, he said. "They consider Mohammed Sahab and Sufi saints' traditions as their ideals," he added.

TROUBLE IN ASSEMBLY

In Rajasthan Assembly today, BJP MLA Shrichand Kriplani opposed this statement through Point of Information and demanded parliamentary action. As soon as he raised the issue, Congress MLA Harimohan Sharma objected and said that this topic cannot be discussed in the House. At this, BJP MLAs registered strong protest and targeted Congress.

Raising slogans against the Congress, the BJP MLAs questioned why the insult of Rana Sanga cannot be discussed in the house.

Vishwaraj Mewar, an erstwhile royal from Mewar, has slammed SP leader over remarks on Rana Sanga. He said they are misleading the people by giving misinformation in the upper house, they are trying to create divide in the society by making such comments they have not only hurt the sentiments of Rajasthanis but of India too.

ROW REACHES DELHI 

"These days, discussions are happening on historical figures. While someone crticises the great and glorious king like Rana Sanga saying he betrayed the country, others are busy advocating Aurangzeb," said senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has called it a distortion of history. "The spirit of independence that Maharana Sanga ignited not only saved India from being enslaved but also gave a huge contribution in keeping the culture of India eternal," said Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Only people with "trivial intellect" and "small heart" make such statements, he added.

"Rana Sanga has been the identity of Bharat. Throughout his life, he fought against Babar and other invaders. Glorifying an invader instead of the one who protected the country is quite indecent and inappropriate," said BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma.

BJP MP Shashank Mani termed the SP MP's remarks as "condemnable" and said the people should salute great men like Rana Sanga instead of making such "inappropriate" comments.

AKHILESH YADAV'S GALILEO JIBE

Sanajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has attacked the BJP, asking it not to dig up historical events selectively.

"If BJP continues to flip through history, people will also remember that during Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation, no one anointed him by hand. It is said that he was anointed using the toe of a left foot. Will the BJP condemn this today?" he said.

Drawing an analogy, Yadav referred to Galileo's persecution for his claim that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

"Galileo was punished for his scientific assertion, and centuries later, the Church apologised for its mistake. If the BJP respects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will they apologise for the fact that he was anointed with a left foot toe?" he said.

WHO WAS RANA SANGA

Rana Sanga or Sangram Singh I, the grandfather of Maharana Pratap, is one of the most beloved kings of Rajasthan, who ruled Mewar from 1508 to 1528. In a culture that prizes valour, he had an illustrious military career, defeating the Sultans of Delhi, Malwa and Gujarat in 18 pitched battles.

Against Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, he fought two decisive battles against- decisively winning the one in Bayana in 1527.

Rana Sanga had decimated the Mughal army, over-running Babar's camp and carrying away as the spoils of war everything from arms and ammunition, musical instruments and even tents. Some of these items are on display in the museums of Udaipur.

The Rana, though, lost the battle of Khandwa two months later, when Babar brought in his cannons. After the battle, he had died of his wounds.

DID RANA SANGA INVITE BABAR TO DELHI

There is no historical evidence that Rana Sanga invited Babar. 

Documentary sources say Babar, who was eyeing India after losing Samarkand, was invited by Daulat khan Lodhi, a relative then Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi.

Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and founded the Mughal Empire, which ruled for the next 200 years.

"Rana Sanga had already defeated Ibrahim Lodhi once, so why would he need Babur's help, and in fact Rana Sanga had fought against Babur in Bayana," pointed out historian Chandraprakash Sharma.

BAYANA TODAY

Despite the identity politics being played out over the contribution of Rana Sanga, Bayana, 30 km from Bharatpur where his great battle with Babur took place, lies neglected, forgotten and forlorn. 

The historical fortress that Rana Sanga beseiged and over-ran is falling to ruins. There is but one signboard pointing visitors to the historic battlefield of Bayana where the war was fought.

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"Apologise For What Happened On Show, Will Ensure No Recurrence": Samay Raina

Comedian Samay Raina on Monday expressed regret over a series of remarks that were made on his now-deleted web show "India's Got Latent", and promised to be more careful in ensuring that such incidents are not repeated, sources said.

In a statement to the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, Mr Raina, who got into trouble over Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia's remarks in February that led to a massive furore, "admitted his mistake" and "apologised for whatever happened during the show". 

The comedian also said that "everything happened in a flow during the show and that he did not intend to say what he said", the sources added.

He promised to be more careful and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. 

Besides, the comedian said the entire controversy surrounding his show has taken a toll on his mental well-being. "He said that his Canada tour did not go well. He apologised and said he knew he was wrong," one of the sources said. 

Mr Raina, who recently returned from abroad, appeared before the probe agency at its headquarters in Mhape, where he recorded his statement for over five hours, another source said. The agency had earlier summoned him several times in the case. 

In February, Mr Allahbadia's remarks about parents and sex on the "India's Got Latent" show kicked up a political storm in the Maharashtra political circle, with many calling out for a ban on his podcast. Politicians, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and opposition leaders of the state, criticised him for exploiting freedom of speech.

The issue echoed in Parliament where Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske called for a law to regulate social media. Multiple FIRs were filed against Mr Allahbadia, Mr Raina and others linked to the show. They were also summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW).  

Mr Allahbadia has apologised twice for his remarks and Mr Raina - who deleted his show - earlier this month rescheduled his India comedy tour in the aftermath.

Mr Raina's shows in Gujarat were also reportedly cancelled in February following the outrage.

Last month, the Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to Mr Allahbadia while calling his comments "vulgar", and saying he had "dirty mind" which put the society to shame. 

Besides Mr Raina and Mr Allahbadia, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani and comics Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija were also charged in cases registered by the Guwahati Police and the Maharashtra Police's Cyber Cell.

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Who Is Vignesh Puthur: MI Spinner From Kerala Who Impressed On IPL Debut

Mumbai Indians spinner Vignesh Puthur impressed everyone on his IPL debut as he took the wickets of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube during the IPL 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. The left-arm wrist spinner was the impact player for MI as he replaced Rohit Sharma. In his very first over, he took the massive wicket of CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who was caught by Will Jacks in the deep. He continued to bowl brilliantly as Shivam Dube completely miscued a shot off his bowling and was caught by Tilak Varma at long-on to cap off a sensational debut for the youngster.

He impressed some more as he also dismissed Deepak Hooda for 3.

Puthur, the 24-year-old spinner from Malappuram in Kerala, was signed by MI for the base price of Rs 30 lakh. The youngster has not played for Kerala at senior level till now but he has played at the U-14 and U-19 levels. He currently plays for  Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League.

The young spinner has also played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. 

Puthur, the son of an autorickshaw driver and a homemaker, used to bowl medium pace before he was asked to try leg spin by local cricketer Mohammed Sherif. That changed the course of his career as he moved to Thrissur and became a big star in Kerala College Premier T20 league for St. Thomas College.

Earlier this year, he was sent to South Africa for SA20, where he was a net bowler for MI Cape Town.

Coming to the match, fifties by Rachin Ravindra (65 not out) and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (53) helped Chennai Super Kings kickstart their IPL 2025 campaign with a four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.

After Noor Ahmad's 4-18 and Khaleel Ahmed's 3-29 helped CSK restrict MI to 155/9, Gaikwad mixed aggression and timing to hit six fours and three sixes while bringing up his fifty in 22 balls, his fastest half-century in the tournament.

Despite wickets falling from the other end, Ravindra held one end firm to hit an unbeaten 45-ball 65, laced with two fours and four sixes, as CSK completed a nervy win. For MI, who have not won their first match of an IPL season since 2012, debutant Puthur's spell of 3-32 would be the biggest positive.

(With IANS inputs)

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"Only 2 Students...": CEO Asks Math Question To Job Interview Candidates

Bengaluru-based CEO Ashish Gupta has sparked a heated debate on LinkedIn, highlighting his concerns that Generation Z's social media proficiency may be coming at the cost of essential skills like problem-solving and financial literacy. In his LinkedIn post, "Gen Z Knows Reels, But Not Real Math", Mr Gupta argued that the younger generation's expertise in digital trends may not adequately prepare them to handle real-world challenges.

Mr Gupta shared his experience from a recent campus recruitment drive, where he interacted with over 50 students from various streams, including BBA and BCA. As part of the selection process, he presented a simple mathematics question, typically taught in Class 5. To his astonishment, only two students were able to answer correctly, while the rest of the group struggled to solve it.

The question was: "If a car travels the first 60 km at 30 km/h and the next 60 km at 60 km/h, what is its average speed?"

"Yet, when I asked them how they would market our product, they had tons of ideas about Instagram reels, viral content, and digital trends. This highlights a stark reality—Gen Z is highly skilled in social media but lacks fundamental problem-solving, logical reasoning, and financial literacy. If these trends continue, we may have a generation struggling with personal finance, decision-making, and analytical skills. As educators, employers, and mentors, we must bridge this gap. Critical thinking and basic numeracy are non-negotiable life skills,'' he wrote. 

See the post here:

Mr Gupta's post has ignited a lively online debate, with opinions divided on the issue. While some people agreed with Mr Gupta's concerns about the younger generation's math skills, others said it;s not right to generalise. 

One user wrote, "Sir, you've raised a valid point regarding math skills, however, I would like to understand what this question has to do with you hiring them. Are you hiring them for a sales profile? Then answering this question is irrelevant. If you're hiring a maths tutor, then I can understand your concern. Also, I can assure you this, lot of CEO's themselves cannot answer this question, yet they are where they are. Relevance of skills should be the main criteria, not basic aptitude tests."

Another joked, "Ashish Gupta , That was still tough, next time ask them 100 divided by half." A third said, ''Sir it may even be a problem of that particular cohort of the institute and may not be true for all."

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Video - Stuck On Track, A Desperate Dash: Train Hits SUV In Rajasthan

An SUV of a central police force was rammed by a train at a level crossing near Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Plant in Rajasthan.

CCTV footage of the accident has gone viral on social media.

Local reports said there were three personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the SUV. No casualties were reported.

The footage showed the level crossing didn't have boom barriers to stop vehicles before trains approached there.

Seconds before the accident, the SUV was seen taking a turn toward the crossing. Reports said the driver was not aware about the approaching train.

When the vehicle reached the tracks, a CISF man quickly got out of the front left seat and ran.

The train then rammed the SUV before the two other passengers could get out, and dragged it for several metres.

The accident happened during routine patrolling on Friday, reports said.

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"No Pilots For Flight": Warner Blasts Air India As Star Waits 'For Hours'

David Warner is longer part of the IPL and he isn't part of international cricket either after having retired. However, his impact in the IPL and international cricket is not forgotten. On Sunday, however, David Warner was an unhappy man for reasons not related to cricket but had an Indian connection. He blasted Air India for causing him discomfort. "@airindia we've boarded a plane with no pilots and waiting on the plane for hours. Why would you board passengers knowing that you have no pilots for the flight?" David Warner posted on X. 

Warner did not specify where he was going. 

@airindia we've boarded a plane with no pilots and waiting on the plane for hours. Why would you board passengers knowing that you have no pilots for the flight?

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 22, 2025

Recently, Indian-Canadian actor Lisa Ray has, in a social media post, slammed Air India for denying a medical waiver for a ticket she had to cancel. She said she had to cancel her travel since her 92-year-old father was unwell, but her cancellation fee was not waived based on a doctor's letter. The Tata-owned carrier said it is looking into the matter.

The 52-year-old actor, who had booked her ticket through a third-party travel agent, shared a response from them saying no waiver was available. Airline sources say she had a non-refundable ticket due to which the agent had refused her the waiver, and not the airline.

"Here we go again @airindia. My father is 92, unwell and I have to cancel travel due to his ailing condition. Submitted doctors' letter and the waiver was denied? How is that possible? Where is the empathy from an airline that is claiming to care about passengers?" asked Ms Ray.

In response to the query, Air India asked Ms Ray to share her email address and wished a speedy recovery to her father.

"Dear Ms Ray, we empathize with your concern and wish your father a speedy recovery. Please help us with the email address from which you've written to us or the case ID (if any) via DM. We'll look into it," said Air India. 

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Viral: Sachin Plays 'Crennis' With Bill Gates, Microsoft Founder Stumped

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar met Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently and the duo played 'crennis' - which according to the India great is 'little bit of cricket and little bit of tennis'. In a video posted by Sachin Tendulkar, he can be seen meeting Bill Gates on a tennis court. However, the American businessman and philanthropist was surprised by the way Tendulkar was holding the tennis racquet. "I though we were playing tennis?" Gates said. "I said crennis," replied Tendulkar. The fun video ended with the two enjoying a Vada Pav each.  

"Sport teaches us teamwork, life demands the same. Crennis was fun, but the real action is brewing with Sachin Tendulkar Foundation & Gates Foundation," Tendulkar wrote in a post on X.

Sport teaches us teamwork, life demands the same. Crennis was fun, but the real action is brewing with Sachin Tendulkar Foundation & Gates Foundation. pic.twitter.com/Khrf6pCbUu

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 21, 2025

Sachin Tendulkar hailed the current Indian set-up, saying that it is no longer just a "batting powerhouse", but world-class pacers and spinners have made this team "filled with talent, youth and experience".

Sachin said, "This team is filled with talent and has a great mix of youth and experience. What excites me the most is the fearless approach they have. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and now Shubman Gill are carrying forward the legacy in their own way. Also, the way our bowlers have evolved is fantastic. India is no longer just a batting powerhouse - we have world-class pacers and spinners as well."

Tendulkar is at no wrong here, as over the years, Team India has witnessed some class and exciting batters like Virat, Rohit, Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer. These batters have not only helped India maintain an unbeaten run at home in Test cricket for over 12 years till it was broken by New Zealand last year but also helped them solidify themselves as a white-ball cricket powerhouse. While Team India did fumble in knockouts in recent years, their 10-match unbeaten run to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 runners-up finish at home and T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy wins in 2024 and this year has made them a limited-overs cricket giant.

The efforts of the batters have been complemented well by bowlers, with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja helping India establish Test supremacy at home with both ball and bat, with stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma also delivering spells that made fast bowling cool again among the masses. Over the last two years, the growth of young express pacers like Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi has also excited fans.

With ANI inputs

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UK Man, 28, Opts For Euthanasia Rather Than Living With Mental Illness

A 28-year-old British-Ghanaian artist has opted to end his life with euthanasia rather than continue living with a mental illness. Joseph Awuah-Darko, who has documented his decades-long battle with mental health on social media, moved to the Netherlands to legally end his life due to the unbearable pain of living with bipolar disorder. He is currently waiting for approval for euthanasia, which could take up to four years. Till then, he has initiated 'The Last Supper Project,' connecting with strangers over dinners to share his journey, as per People. 

"I am bipolar and I moved to the Netherlands to legally end my life," Mr Joseph said in an emotional Instagram video posted in December. The 28-year-old shared his struggles with the mental illness. He said that he wakes up every day in "severe pain", which led him to opt for a medically assisted death. He revealed that he spent five years contemplating the decision before filing an official request with the Euthanasia Expert Centre in the Netherlands.

"I am not saying that life (as a phenomenon) isn't worth living. It ABSOLUTELY is. What I am saying is that the mental weight of MINE has become entirely unbearable," he wrote in the caption. "I am NOT special, like many people in their 20s; the constant burnout, the burden of debt, paralysing depression, violent media cycle and the dystopian reality of AI ...all weigh heavy. The reality I face of being bipolar exacerbates all this," he said. 

"Now more than ever, the possibility of being humanely put to rest with dignity matters," he added. "I'm ready to go home." 

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A post shared by Joseph “Nana Kwame” Awuah-Darko 🇬🇭 (@okuntakinte)

Speaking to The Times, the 28-year-old explained why he has opted to end his life with euthanasia. "There is a dignity attached to doing it this way, with as much closure, patience and understanding in knowing that you will not have to be discovered lifeless by somebody else, not a train conductor, not your sibling, not your friends," Mr Joseph said. "You will have a non-violent end to your life with medical assistance, with support, with closure for those who love you," he added. 

Ever since Mr Joesph shared his story publicly, he has received mixed reactions. While some expressed that they respected his decision, others urged him to change his mind. He also received more than 100 messages from strangers inviting him to have dinner with them, which quickly inspired him to launch his worldwide dinner tour called 'The Last Supper Project'.

According to People, so far, Mr Joseph has travelled to Paris, Milan, Brussels, and Berlin for 57 dinners, which he's documented on social media. He has over 120 more dinners planned through August.

"I thought, 'As I work with this non-violent transition in my life, why don't I connect with people to break bread?'" Mr Joesph told The Times. "I find that I quite literally was made to interact with people this way, it's such a beautiful, organic part of my life. It doesn't feel difficult," he continued. "I enjoy decentering myself from my life and being a part of other people's during dinner. I do find great fulfilment in connecting with people this way," he said. 

Also Read | Gen Z Manager's Reason For Rejecting Paid Time-Off Requests Praised Online

The 28-year-old still regularly shares videos of how much he still struggles with his bipolar disorder. While he appreciates the sense of community from the dinners, he said he feels neither better nor worse.

"I still do wake up with breathing, really profound pain attached to my bipolar disorder. There's a huge amount of ambivalence," he told the outlet. "I hope that (people with chronic mental illness) feel seen through my existence and my decision to live as authentically as possible. If I end up doing this for the rest of my life, I wouldn't be upset," he added.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a manic-depressive illness of the brain that causes extreme changes in mood and energy levels. 

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"Our Hope Is...": After Trudeau Exit, India Recalls "Licence To Extremists"

Days after Mark Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister of Canada, India, on Friday, recalled "the downturn in India-Canada relations". New Delhi squarely blamed the "licence given to extremists" under Justin Trudeau for the strained ties, hoping to rebuild them after the change in Canada's leadership.

Justin Trudeau's ouster was complete last week when Canada's ruling Liberal Party replaced him with a new prime minister. An entirely new Cabinet was sworn in on March 14. Both Ottawa and New Delhi now hope to rebuild ties, which currently are at a historic low.

On a question regarding Canada at a weekly press briefing, India's Ministry of External Affairs today said that "The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the license that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in the country", adding that "Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on mutual trust and sensitivity."

#WATCH | Delhi: On India-Canada relations, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the license that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in the country. Our hope is that we can rebuild our ties based on… pic.twitter.com/on36QS3aYr

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2025

Shortly before taking oath as Prime Minister, Mark Carney had also expressed his keenness to build on ties with "like-minded countries" and had called the chance to rebuild ties with India as an "opportunity" he would like to work on.

"What Canada will be looking to do is to diversify our trading relationships with like-minded countries - and there are opportunities to rebuild the relationship with India. There needs to be a shared sense of values around that commercial relationship, and once I am the prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that," he had said.

DOWNTURN IN INDIA-CANADA TIES UNDER JUSTIN TRUDEAU

Ties between India and Canada saw a sharp decline after a surge in incidents of radicalisation and extremism by rogue elements of 'Khalistani' separatist groups, which Justin Trudeau permitted, describing them as "free speech" and "freedom of expression". Effigies of a former Indian prime minister were allowed to be burnt, the Indian flag desecrated and disrespected, Indian Embassy and Consulate staff and premises being threatened and attacked openly, and audio and video clips of India-declared terrorists openly threatening hijacks and attacks on Indian soil, are just a few examples of what happened.

Last year, Justin Trudeau had also attended an event where 'Khalistan' slogans were raised as he addressed the gathering. On multiple occasions, Mr Trudeau had, "without a shred of evidence", accused India of orchestrating the killing of 'Khalistani' separatist and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Justin Trudeau's government had also designated the Indian High Commissioner and other embassy officials as "persons of interest" in the investigation over the Nijjar case. He was later declared a "persona non grata" by Trudeau's government, after which New Delhi recalled the then incumbent high commissioner over Canada "going too far". In a tit-for-tat move, India sent Canadian high commission officials packing home as ties came to a near-standstill.

Later, when Mr Trudeau admitted publicly that he had "no hard evidentiary proof" of the involvement of Indian government officials in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, New Delhi responded by saying that "The responsibility for the damage that this cavalier behaviour has caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone."

For months, India had repeatedly urged Ottawa to "stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven" in Canada.

"Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilized society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression," India's foreign ministry had said.

Blaming Justin Trudeau for catering to a vote bank, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said last year that "By allowing political space to 'Khalistani' separatist elements, the Canadian government (led by Justin Trudeau) is repeatedly showing that its vote bank is more powerful than its rule of law."

"India respects and practices freedom of speech, but that does not equate with freedom to threaten foreign diplomats, extend support to separatism or allow political space to elements advocating violence and terror," he had said.
 

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