"Choose To Accept My Scars": Hina Khan, Battling Cancer, Shaves Her Head

Hina Khan is fighting her battle with cancer with remarkable courage. In June, the actress revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Since then, Hina has been sharing snippets from her journey. In the latest video released on Instagram, Hina shaves her head. The video opens with a throwback clip of Hina carrying a pixey cut. Following this, a text appears: “I loved wearing my hair so short which I probably wouldn't have done ever. Although I could not enjoy the Short-Hair-Phase long enough. It did look cool. I may continue with this pixie look for some time once they grow back insha Allah. But for now. The Pixie says Adios. Coz it's Time to Buzz it Off!” The video then transitions to a collection of clips showing how Hina's hair was falling out, covering her clothes and pillows.

Following that, Hina Khan says, “Then, You can win this only if you can embrace yourself, accept it. And I choose to accept my battle scars because I believe if you embrace yourself you are one step closer towards your healing. I really really want to heal and focus on that part and that aspect of my life. Mujhe us process se nahi guzarna hai, jaha pe [I don't want to go through that process, where] every time I put my hand in my hair and a bunch of hair falls. It is very stressful. It is very depressing. I don't want to go through that.”

Talking about the importance of mental health, Hina Khan added, “Mujhe usse pehle hi jo mere control me hai, mujhe vo steps lene hai. Mujhe yeh bhi lagta hai ki I want to tell you all this thing ki agar aapki mental health sahi hai to aapki physical health usse 10 guna better hai. [Before anything else, I need to take the steps that are within my control. I also feel that I want to tell you all this: if your mental health is good, your physical health is ten times better.] So in order to work on your physical health, you got to focus on your mental health also. Mental health mere haath me hai, mere control me hai. [My mental health is in my hands, in my control.] So I really really want to work on it and stay positive and happy and do all the possible things ki yeh jo meri journey hai, isme at least mujhe mentally koi stress na ho. Physically, of course, pain vagera hoga but I want to focus ki mai mentally strong rahu aur vo sab cheez karu jisse mai apna stress kam kar saku. [In this journey of mine, at least I don't want to be mentally stressed. Physically, of course, there will be pain and such, but I want to focus on staying mentally strong and doing everything I can to reduce my stress.] So this is one of those things. I am going to do this today.” 

For all the people who are battling with cancer, Hina Khan said, “To all you people out there, who are going through these tough times, especially women, I know how hard it is. It is very very stressful. It is very very painful. Don't put yourself through all this. Just simply buzz it off before it starts falling. That's what I tell you guys and that's what I am going to do. Remember you are still you, nothing is going to change. In fact, you are more beautiful. So embrace this new version of yourself. Embrace this new truth, this new journey with every breath, every cell, every single time, with every way possible. Trust me, It is really really going to help. You are going to be mentally very very strong. And I don't know. I think I am going to carry this bald look quite well once I do it in some time. I am going to put a wig on wherever necessary. But I am also going to carry this bald head which I am going to have proudly. Lots of love.”

Before shaving her head with a trimmer, the actress said, “So, here we go. Bismillah, may Allah give us all a lot of strength.” Towards the end of the video, we are shown all the chopped hair lying on the floor.

In her caption, Hina Khan wrote, “The pixie says ADIOS, It's time to BUZZ it off ! Here's another attempt to Normalise the hardest phase of this journey, aesthetically speaking. Remember ladies..our strength is our Patience and calm. If we put our minds to it nothing is unattainable.. Mind over Matter Dua.”

Reacting to the post, Rubina Dilaik said, “Dua.” Mouni Roy commented, “Sending all my love..” Jihu Parmar wrote, “Hina you are an epitome of strength. May God hold you tight and you come out of it with flying colours. Your strength is beyond commendable. Big hug to you. Heal. love. prayers.” Sophie Choudry posted, “Sending you love, strength, positive vibes and all my duas beautiful girl. InshAllah all will be well.” Suni Rajwar called Hina “strongest.” Many others followed suit.

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In June, Hina Khan shared the news of her cancer diagnosis on Instagram by posting an elaborate note. Click here to read in detail.

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India's Olympics Schedule, Aug 02: Manu Bhaker Begins Hunt For 3rd Medal

India's full schedule at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 7: The day 7 of medal events at the Paris Olympics 2024 will see some important events taking place. Manu Bhaker, who has already won two bronze medals, will compete in the qualification round of women's 25m pistol qualification shooting. In the badminton men's singles quarterfinal, Lakshya sen will face Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei). The Indian men's hockey team will take on Australia in its last group stage match. India's final position in the Pool will depend on this match.     

India's full schedule at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 7: All timing in IST

ARCHERY
Mixed Team (1/8 Eliminations)
India (Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat) vs Indonesia - 1.19 pm 

Mixed Team Quarter-Final (if Qualified): 5:45 PM

Mixed Team Semi-final (if Qualified): 7:01 PM on wards 

ATHLETICS
Women's 5,000m (Heat 1): Ankita Dhyani - 9.40 pm 
Women's 5,000m (Heat 2): Parul Chaudhary - 10.06 pm 
Men's Shot Put (Qualification): Tajinderpal Singh Toor - 11.40 pm 

BADMINTON
Men's singles quarterfinals: Lakshya Sen vs Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei) - 6:30pm 

GOLF
Men's Individual Finals (Round 2): Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar - 12.30 pm 

HOCKEY
Men's Tournament (Group stage)
India vs Australia - 4.45 pm 

JUDO 
Women's +78kg (Elimination round of 32)
Tulika Mann vs Idalys Ortiz (Cuba) - 1.30 pm onwards 

ROWING
Men's Single Sculls Finals (Final D)
Balraj Panwar - 1.48 pm 

SAILING
Women's Dinghy (Race 3): Nethra Kumanan - 3.45 pm 
Women's Dinghy (Race 4): Nethra Kumanan - 4.53 pm 
Men's Dinghy (Race 3): Vishnu Saravanan - 7.05 pm 
Men's Dinghy (Race 4): Vishnu Saravanan - 8.15 pm 

SHOOTING
Women's 25m Pistol Qualification (Precision): Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker - 12.30 pm 
Women's 25m Pistol Qualification (Rapid) - 3:30 PM
Men's Skeet Qualification Day 1: Anantjeet Singh Naruka - 1.00 pm

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Candidates, Parents, 'Kingpins' Named In CBI's 1st NEET Chargesheet

Filing its first chargesheet in the NEET-UG paper leak case on Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named 13 people, including four candidates, a junior engineer and two kingpins. The paper leak for the medical entrance exam had sparked protests in several parts of the country and prompted demands for a re-test, but the Supreme Court had ruled against that, noting that there had not been a systemic breach. 

Stating that the parents of some students were also named in the document, officials from the CBI said that the agency will also file at least one supplementary chargesheet as the investigations are in an advanced stage.

Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand are the two kingpins while the four candidates who feature in the chargesheet are Ayush Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, and Shivnandan Kumar. Sikander Yadvendu, a junior engineer from Bihar's Danapur Town Council, is also named in the document. 

All 13 accused, including the four examinees, were booked under sections dealing with criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

During its investigation so far, the CBI believes that Nitish Kumar, a resident of Patna's Gopalpur, is the main accused and allegedly one of four "setters". He, along with Amit Anand and Sikander Yadvendu, hatched a conspiracy to leak the paper for a price of Rs 30-32 lakh per student.

The probe also revealed that Yadvendu had told Kumar and Anand that he had four students who were ready to buy papers. "Four students were called by Amit on the night of May 4 (the eve of the exam) and made to solve the leaked question paper and memorise answers," states the chargesheet.

An official said the CBI utilised advanced forensic techniques, artificial intelligence, CCTV footage and location analysis, among others, to gather evidence against the accused, which has been presented before the court. 

"The CBI is continuing further investigation against other accused/suspects and on other aspects of the case. Several other accused are already in custody. When the investigation against the other people is complete, one or more supplementary chargesheets will be filed," the official said. 

So far, the central agency has arrested 40 people in this case - including 15 who were arrested by Bihar Police - and conducted searches at 58 locations.

Key Accused

• Nitish Kumar had been jailed earlier this year as well in connection with an alleged paper leak in a Bihar Public Services (BPSC) examination.
• Amit Anand, a resident of Mangal Bazar in Munger, has told the CBI that the question paper was leaked on May 4, a day before the exam.
• Ashutosh Kumar, a Jamui resident living in Rajiv Nagar, Patna, is believed to be an associate of "setter" Amit Anand.
• Roshan Kumar, 35, a resident of Ekangarsarai, Nalanda, also lives in Rajiv Nagar and is an associate of Amit Anand. His role was allegedly to convince candidates to buy the question paper.
• Anurag Yadav from Danapur, Patna, allegedly approached the "setters".

Six Cases

The initial case into the alleged NEET-UG irregularities was registered by the Patna Police on May 5 and later transferred to CBI on June 23. The agency filed its first chargesheet in 38 days.

So far, the CBI has registered six first information reports (FIRs). The FIR from Bihar is on the paper leaks while the remaining ones from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are regarding impersonation of candidates and cheating. Another, filed on a reference from the Union education ministry, pertains to a "comprehensive investigation" into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024.

The NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions. The exam was held across India on May 5 and over 23 lakh students had appeared for it. 

Allegations of paper leaks and arbitrary grace marks to over 1,500 students triggered protests, and the opposition has also been attacking the government over the issue. 

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Prince William Banned Meghan Markle From Wearing Princess Diana's Jewellery

A royal insider has revealed in an explosive new biography that Prince William banned Meghan Markle from wearing Princess Diana's jewellry during her wedding, as per a report in the Independent. The Prince of Wales, who proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother's engagement ring, is reported to have been anxious about Prince Harry's decision to marry Meghan Markle from the beginning of their relationship.

According to the report, he begged his 39-year-old younger brother to "cool the relationship" so the actress would have time to get used to life as a royal before committing entirely. These claims came from royal author Rob Jobson in his upcoming book, "Catherine, the Princess of Wales". He detailed how there were rifts in the Sussex and Wales' ties prior to Ms Markle formally joining the family in 2018.

"William, still concerned by the match, even sought assurances from the Queen that his brother's bride-to-be would not wear any jewellery in the collection once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, even though his wife Catherine had been allowed to wear some, which would be due to her rank," he wrote in the book.

According to the book, the relationship between the brothers deteriorated even before Ms Markle became a member of the royal family. Mr Jobson said that William and Kate Middleton expressed concern about the speed at which Harry and Ms Markle were progressing, which only made their already tumultuous relationship worse when Harry brought the former actress to meet them.

The author wrote, "Harry claimed that the goodwill from William and Catherine disappeared long before the build-up to his wedding. William had confided to his brother that he believed it would be better to give Meghan more time to adjust to the royal way of life and suggested he cool the relationship."

"Harry felt affronted and judged it to be an insult. As a direct result, his relationship with his brother deteriorated fast. According to Harry's book 'Spare,' William physically attacked him," he added.

One of the book's other shocking revelations included that Ms Markle's relationship with Prince William and Princess of Wales didn't start out well because she "ignored the royal hierarchy." "She had not so much stepped on royal toes as stamped on them," Mr Jobson wrote.

"When Meghan, who had forgotten her lip gloss, asked to borrow Catherine's, the duchess was 'taken aback' but reluctantly handed it to her. According to Harry, she 'grimaced' after Meghan had squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips," he wrote.

Less than a year ago, when Prince Harry's memoir 'Spare' was released, it shocked the world. The book talked about the extent of division between Harry and his brother Prince William. Some of the revelations included how Prince William, heir to the British royal throne, allegedly pushed Harry to the ground in 2019 and how the once-close brothers persuaded their father not to marry the Queen Consort, Camilla.

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Late-Night Traffic Chaos In Delhi Due To Heavy Rain. See Affected Areas

Severe waterlogging and heavy traffic jams were reported in Delhi today after persistent rainfall. A 'red' warning was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) after the national capital recorded over 100 millimeters of rainfall within an hour.

Though no official statement has been made by the weather office, according to IMD, 100 millimeters of rainfall within an hour is defined as a "cloud burst."

The Pragati Maidan area recorded 112.5 mm of rain within an hour, causing widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Heavy traffic has been reported across the national capital with some areas reporting severe congestion. Major disruptions have been reported from Kashmere Gate, Rajinder Nagar and the Qutub Minar area.

Due to water logging near the Qutub Minar metro station area, traffic has been majorly affected in both carriageways of Anuvrat Marg.

Major traffic jams have also been reported from Guru Ravi Das Marg on both carriageways due to the falling of a tree near Tank Road Chowk.

The Outer Ring Road, especially the stretch from Chirag Delhi to Nehru Place, has seen major traffic congestions due to waterlogging under the Savitri flyover, according to reports.

Mahatma Gandhi Marg has also been majorly impacted due to the waterlogging at Nigam Bodh Ghat, leading to traffic being rerouted from Chandgi Ram Akhara.

Near Delhi University's North Campus area, visuals from Kamla Nagar show waterlogged streets and vehicles partially submerged in water. Streets near Connaught Place are also suffering from severe waterlogging.

Delhi's Lieutenant Governor has "cautioned all officers to remain alert" and ensure minimum inconvenience to people amid the ongoing heavy rainfall.

With Inputs From PTI, ANI

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"I Am Getting Targeted": Vikas Divyakirti Amid Row Over Basement Deaths

Amid the Delhi civic body's crackdown on coaching institutes for violating norms after the deaths of three IAS aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar due to drowning on Tuesday, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, said there are more than 1000 coaching institutions in the national capital but not one has a no objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department.

Explaining the complexities, he said the fire department argues that since the building is commercial, the certificate should be for commercial purposes, while MCD demands for an educational certificate.

The incident occurred at Rau's Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar on Saturday evening after heavy rains.

In an interview with ANI, Mr Divyakirti said that they had a meeting with the Delhi LG on Tuesday. Some students had also come to that meeting and there were also owners of many institutes. There were also top officials of the Delhi government, from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the fire department, and the Chief Secretary.

"When we ask for the certificate from the fire department, they ask us to come through the MCD or DDA. We discussed this in the meeting today. The fire department has assured us that they will make a system through which we can take the certificate directly from them. Even if we get the certificate from the fire department, it is mentioned in it that since the building is commercial, the certificate is also for commercial purposes. MCD says that they want an educational certificate. To the best of my knowledge, not even one educational institution has an educational building certificate. Only colleges, schools, and universities get this. This also happened because before 2020, according to the DDA, we were not in the educational category; we were in the commercial category. According to GST, coaching institutes still come in the commercial category," he said.

He said that even if they get permission in the future to run the institute in the basement, they will not work and will also try to ensure that not a single coaching institute should run in the basement.

Pointing to the contradiction in the norms of the DDA, MCD and Delhi Fire Department, he said, "Why are we not getting the NOC? DDA believes that this is the work of MCD and MCD says that this is the work of DDA. MCD has written many letters to DDA, and DDA has also replied to various letters and even said that they don't have the documents and you have to see them. In the last meeting in the High Court, the DDA said for the first time that they were giving the rights to the MCD, and now the MCD in the hearing that is scheduled to take place on Wednesday may give us permission."

Notably, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed the basements of several coaching institutes in the national capital in a crackdown on "illegally run establishments".

"We completely agree that the basement should be sealed. But Delhi Metro runs in the basement, underground, and Palika Bazar is in the basement itself. Almost every mall in Delhi has very big shopping complexes in the basement because the basement has been built properly," he said.

Agreeing that coaching centres should not be run in the basement, he said, "I am saying on record that we have submitted the complete layout structure of the basement to MCD, DDA, and the fire department for NOC, and there has been no rejection from there till now. But despite this, after seeing the incident that happened in the last 3 days, I feel that this was carelessness. The thought never came to our minds, and I am saying very openly that even if we get permission in future, we will not work in the basement. I assure you of this and not a single coaching institute should run in the basement."

When asked about why he is being targeted in the coaching centre tragedy, Mr Divyakirti said that everyone wants a scapegoat as it makes things easier for the administration.

"I am getting targeted because, in such cases, everyone wants a scapegoat. It makes things easier for the administration, they think they are safe; they let that one person suffer, and even society feels that they have got the accused...The students are going through an emotional turmoil, and the reason for their anger is why I did not stand with them...The sealing action took place in more than 50 institutes, one of which is ours," he said.

Speaking on why he hasn't shared any opinions till now, the founder of Drishti IAS said that it is his nature and he's not very expressive.

"This is my nature, I'm not very expressive. 3 children died, and it was a painful death. For the last 3 days, whenever we talk at home or I go to sleep, an image comes to mind of what those children must have gone through when the water was filled inside...All the things said by the students who are protesting right now are valid. It is good that I have met 3-4 students today. I had a meeting with the Delhi LG. Some students had also come to that meeting, and there were also owners of many institutes. There were also top officials of the Delhi government, from DDA, MCD, fire department, and Chief Secretary," Mr Divyakirti said.

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

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Opinion: Why Are So Many Tech Graduates In India Unemployable? It's The 'Cliff Effect'

A young tech graduate, full of potential, steps into the job market, only to find their skills outdated and their opportunities limited. This scenario is all too common in India, where despite substantial investments in higher education, a stark divide has emerged among students, particularly in the computer science stream. I call this phenomenon the 'Cliff Effect' as it highlights the precipitous drop in the quality of education beyond top-tier tech institutes like the IITs and IIScs. This 'cliff', which leaves many students underprepared and alienated from cutting-edge advancements, underscores the need for comprehensive reform in India's computer science education.

Squandering The Demographic Dividend

As much as 65% of India's population is under the age of 35. Yet, many lack the necessary skills required to function in a modern economy. According to the recent Economic Survey, just about half of India's youth is employable. Another report, by NASSCOM, flags a significant employability gap among engineering graduates in India. This gap has far-reaching implications, considering that India aims to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025. 

The quality of computer science education across many Indian institutions is far from what's needed in today's job market. Universities do not update their syllabi frequently, leaving students unprepared for the demands of the industry. The lack of experiential learning and hands-on training further exacerbates the problem. Compounding all these issues is the stagnant entry-level pay offered by some major IT companies in India. Despite the industry's growth, salaries have seen little change over the years. For instance, one major company's campus placement offer was just about Rs 3.5 lakh per annum, compared to an average of Rs 4.15 lakh per annum a decade ago. The stagnation indicates the lack of value ascribed to fresh graduates.

India, all in all, needs a systemic overhaul in education and industry practices.

Beyond Just 'Coding'

Knowing how to code is no longer enough. Thanks to AI, the job landscape is evolving rapidly, and employers in the coming years will seek candidates with deep domain knowledge and an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. This shift will be crucial because technology alone cannot drive innovation; it must be complemented by a thorough understanding of the domain in which it is applied. Only then can solutions be developed to effectively address real-world problems.

For instance, a coder with a deep understanding of agriculture can design AI-driven solutions to optimise crop yields, manage pest control, and predict weather patterns, thereby enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Similarly, a coder who understands pedagogy can develop advanced learning platforms that cater to diverse educational needs, personalise learning experiences, and track student progress effectively.

India stands to benefit significantly from computer scientists who possess interdisciplinary skills and don't rely solely on technical knowledge. In that light, integrating interdisciplinary courses in computer science education is important to foster a holistic understanding of technology and its impact on society. It is essential that the next generation of technologists embodies responsible and trustworthy AI values and is aware of and actively addressing challenges like privacy, security, and other ethical concerns. 

An Interdisciplinary Framework

To build an interdisciplinary approach to India's computer science education, it is essential to foster collaborations between universities, industry experts, and policymakers to ensure that the curriculum is both relevant and future-proof. Universities should design programmes that include mandatory courses on ethics, data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI. Incorporating case studies and practical examples from various industries can help students grasp the real-world applications of their technical skills.

Practical training should be a cornerstone of this interdisciplinary approach. Internships, live projects, and workshops should be mandatory components. Establishing partnerships with other academic departments can promote cross-disciplinary projects, fostering a holistic understanding of technology's impact on different fields. Additionally, universities should create platforms for students to engage with industry professionals through guest lectures, mentorship programmes, and industry-led workshops.

Mozilla Foundation's Responsible Computing Challenge in India (RCC), backed by USAID, exemplifies this approach. It funds and supports the development of curricula that combine computer science with ethics, social sciences, and interdisciplinary knowledge. The RCC aims to revolutionise the teaching of technology and computer science by embedding responsible computing practices into the education system. By integrating ethics and interdisciplinary approaches into computer science curricula, RCC fosters a more inclusive computational future, as well as a culture of ethical innovation. 

Breaking The Status Quo

Building an interdisciplinary approach in computer science education is fraught with challenges. One significant obstacle is the institutional framework, which often clings to the status quo. Many institutions are resistant to reform. While most educators are dedicated to providing the best for their students, a substantial number also harbour a "this-is-how-we-have-always-done-it" attitude, which hinders progress and innovation. 

Additionally, there is a crucial need to convince parents to think beyond traditional programmes. Many parents, understandably, want their kids to follow 'safe bet', conventional career paths over more innovative and interdisciplinary fields. Changing this mindset is vital for students to have diverse educational experiences that equip them with the skills needed for the complexities of the modern workforce.

(Jibu Elias is an AI ethicist, activist, researcher, and currently the Country Lead (India) for the Responsible Computing Challenge at Mozilla Foundation)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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