In a critical effort to safeguard one of India’s natural treasures, the dolphin population census has commenced at Chilika Lake in Odisha. Starting from Satpada, 18 expert teams will fan out over three days, using advanced techniques to enumerate Irrawaddy dolphins in this Ramsar-listed wetland. Stretching over three districts – Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam – Chilika’s waters fluctuate dramatically with seasons, expanding in rains and contracting in heat. Its status as Asia’s biggest brackish lagoon earned it international acclaim in 1981, drawing birdwatchers in winter and adventure seekers for boating, angling, and dolphin encounters. Irrawaddy dolphins, elusive residents named for…
Author: News Analysis India
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You’ve heard it a thousand times: cracking your knuckles will wreck your hands. Grandmas worldwide swear it causes arthritis, weak bones, and endless pain. Time to separate folklore from scientific evidence in this comprehensive breakdown. At the heart of the crack is cavitation—the bursting of gas bubbles in synovial fluid inside joint capsules. This natural process lubricates joints for fluid motion. No bones rub together; no damage occurs. High-speed imaging confirms bubbles form and pop harmlessly within milliseconds. Pioneering research debunks the myth definitively. A 1990 study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases tested habitual crackers against non-crackers—no link…
Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror district is battling an unrelenting fog siege that has lasted 15 days, severely hampering everyday activities and economic flow. From commuters to cultivators, the impact is palpable across all sectors. Early mornings in Behror turn into a whiteout, with visibility dropping sharply and complicating commutes. Highways buzz with slow-moving traffic until late morning, as drivers peer through the murk. Minors heading to school and workers rushing to jobs endure long waits and heightened dangers, while minor collisions loom as a constant threat. The fog pairs with severe winter chills, where sub-zero feels grip the area overnight. Bonfires dot…
The Vance family is set to expand once more, as Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha announced they are expecting their fourth child—a son—in late July. The revelation, shared via X, has been met with widespread acclaim, transcending partisan lines in Washington. In her post, Usha Vance expressed pure delight: ‘Thrilled to share our exciting news—our family is expanding!’ She highlighted her husband’s words, where JD detailed the pregnancy’s progress. ‘Usha and our baby boy are thriving. We’re excited for his arrival at the end of July,’ he stated, while gratefully acknowledging the military medical team caring for…
West Bengal is gripped by turmoil as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists sparks fierce confrontations between BJP and TMC workers. BJP stalwart Dilip Ghosh has leveled explosive charges against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, alleging it is intentionally derailing the process to shield fake voters. In an interview on Wednesday, Ghosh painted a grim picture: ‘Riots, vandalism, and chaos everywhere—but only in Bengal. This nationwide exercise is smooth elsewhere.’ He pointed fingers at state-employed officials and police, questioning why the government isn’t ensuring peace. ‘They don’t want a clean voter list because it threatens their vote-bank politics,’…
Indian equities opened largely flat but marginally lower on Wednesday, pressured by downbeat international cues on the third trading day of the week. At 9:22 AM, BSE Sensex was down 167.99 points (0.20%) at 82,012.48, and NSE Nifty50 slipped 24.35 points (0.10%) to 25,208.15. The session began with most Nifty indices flashing red. Midcap and smallcap segments underperformed, with Nifty Midcap off 0.36% and Nifty Smallcap down 0.47%. Sectoral performance was mixed. Pharma led gainers with 0.8% uptick, trailed by Metal (0.3%), Auto (0.2%), and FMCG (0.16%). Realty (-0.7%) and private banks (-0.3%) dragged indices lower. Sensex losers included ICICI…
Kylian Mbappe turned back the clock on his Monaco days, scoring twice as Real Madrid obliterated the Ligue 1 side 6-1 in UEFA Champions League league phase action. The win bolsters Madrid’s top-eight aspirations, with the Spanish giants now brimming with confidence heading into crucial fixtures. From the outset, Madrid asserted control. Mbappe pounced on Valverde’s threaded pass in minute five for 1-0, then acrobatically volleyed home the second near the half-hour mark. Post-interval, the floodgates opened: Mastantuono’s clinical finish made it 3-0, Kehrer’s mishap extended the lead, and Vinicius with Bellingham completed the demolition job. Monaco managed a flicker…
Lord Ram, the maryada purushottama, continues to guide millions through his eternal story. With Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir consecration anniversary approaching, let’s celebrate the screen legends who immortalized him, bridging mythology with modern entertainment. Telugu cinema boasts a rich tradition of Ramayana adaptations. NTR Sr. dazzled in multiple films, including the blockbuster ‘Lava Kusa’ and heartfelt ‘Sita Rama Kalyanam.’ His divine charisma set an unmatched standard. Jr. NTR’s turn as child Ram in ‘Bala Ramayanam’ (1997) was a revelation. This award-winning film, helmed by Gunasekhar, retold the exile through youthful eyes, with Smita Madhav shining as Sita. It not only entertained…
Priyanka Chopra’s 2016 stands out as a pivotal chapter in her extraordinary career, a year when everything aligned to propel her from Bollywood sensation to international powerhouse. Sharing throwback moments on social media, she highlighted the whirlwind of achievements, challenges, and emotions that reshaped her life. Professionally, the year was a breakthrough. ‘Quantico’ premiered to massive success, introducing Priyanka as Alex Parrish to American TV viewers and beyond. Her Hollywood film debut in ‘Baywatch’ followed, cementing her versatility. She clinched a People’s Choice Award and featured on a U.S. magazine cover, milestones that screamed global breakthrough. India showered her with…
Prayagraj’s Kumbh Mela has turned into a battleground for a high-profile clash between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the local Mela Authority. In an explosive eight-page legal counter, the swami has rejected a notice branding his actions as fraudulent and called for its unconditional withdrawal. Issued with apparent malice, the notice questioned the swami’s right to use the prestigious Jagadguru Shankaracharya title. Undeterred, his lawyers fired back on 15 fronts, labeling the move as arbitrary, vengeful, and discriminatory. Central to the defense is the ironclad legacy from Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati’s will. A pivotal declaration on July 1, 2021, positioned the…