Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Age is just a number for actress Celina Jaitly as she believes one should not let anyone determine what they can or cannot do based on how old they are.Posting a gorgeous picture of herself amidst a beautiful backdrop, the diva wrote on her Instagram account, “#nofilter – Against ageism. To every woman, man, and every beautiful soul beyond gender… don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot be at any age.”Sharing her mantra to overcome ageism, Celina revealed that the most crucial thing is to believe in oneself. “I win against ageism every single day by believing in myself when no one else stands by me. I continue to work on myself and everything that helps me become the best, highest version of who I am meant to be,” she penned.Remembering the lesson shared by her late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, she went on to share, “I am a soldier’s daughter. My late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly (SM), taught me that all prayer begins in the temple of your mind and body. Honour that temple, and no force can break you.””Here’s to living limitless, ageless, and unstoppable,” Celina concluded.Even at the age of 43, and being a mother to three boys, Celina can give any young actress a run for their money. She maintains a picture-perfect physique and an active lifestyle while enjoying motherhood.Celina tied the knot with Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier Peter Haag on23 August, 2011, in a court wedding at a 1000-year-old monastery in Austria.In March 2012, the couple welcomed their first set of twin sons, Winston and Viraaj. Five years later, in 2017, these two were once again blessed with another set of twin boys, Shamsher and Arthur. However, unfortunately, they lost their newborn twin, Shamsher, in 2017.–IANSpm/

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) With growing clamour for ‘Turkey boycott’ in the country, the Middle-East nation will soon face the heat and lose a major share of tourism business from India, BJP spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said on Thursday.Gourav Vallabh told IANS that tourism remains one of the mainstays of Turkish economy and it has already lost 10 per cent of tourists for betraying India and it will take a further hit, soon.He further stated that “no son and daughter of Bharat Mata will tolerate this backstabbing”, and they all will join the call for ‘Turkey boycott’.“Currently, flights from New Delhi and Mumbai are operational but I assure you that very soon, these flights to Istanbul will go empty,” he added.Notably, there has been a growing anger and outrage in the country over Turkey extending open support to Pakistan during the recent conflict, not just in the digital space but also militarily. The barrage of drones fired from the Pakistani side, which the Indian Army shot down, were mostly made in Turkey.The BJP leader also came down heavily on the Congress party for its ‘indecisiveness’ on outlining party’s stand on Turkey and said that it was sad to see that they can’t clearly state their policy, despite simmering public anger against the Middle-East nation.Levelling a direct charge at the grand old party, he said that Congress rather looks standing in support of Turkey.“Yesterday, when two Congress national spokespersons were asked about the national boycott of Turkey, they declined to comment. The whole nation is up in arms against Turkey for overt support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor but they developed cold feet,” Vallabh claimed.He was referring to a press briefing by Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, both stalwarts of the Congress party, where they were seen prompting each other to respond to a media query on Turkey.–IANSmr/pgh

Chennai, May 15 (IANS) Communist Party of India (CPI) Tamil Nadu state secretary R. Mutharasan has strongly criticised President Droupadi Murmu’s recent move to refer a set of questions to the Supreme Court regarding the deadline for Governors and the President to decide on Bills passed by state legislatures.

He termed the action “unconstitutional” and “detrimental to the federal spirit” of the country. Mutharasan said that the Tamil Nadu government had already fought a legal battle in the Supreme Court against the delay in the assent of Bills by the Governor. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had, in its judgment, laid down clear guidelines on timeframes for constitutional authorities like Governors and the President to act on such Bills. “Based on the Tamil Nadu government’s petition, the Supreme Court pronounced a historic judgment setting deadlines for decision-making on state legislation. The verdict was welcomed across the nation as a significant step toward preserving democratic governance. It is, therefore, surprising and inexplicable that the President has now referred 14 questions to the apex court seeking clarity on the same issue,” he said. Mutharasan alleged that the move was politically motivated and influenced by the Union government. “It is evident that the Union government is guiding the President to make this reference, which directly undermines the Supreme Court’s authority and disrupts the federal balance,” he said. Calling the act a clear violation of the Constitution, Mutharasan warned that it could set a dangerous precedent. He urged all democratic forces across the country to unite and oppose such actions. “This is not just a legal or political issue – it is a threat to our constitutional democracy. People’s movements must be built to resist such attempts that weaken the rights of state governments and the voice of the people,” he added. Mutharasan’s remarks come amid growing criticism from opposition parties over the Centre’s alleged attempts to centralise power through gubernatorial offices. –IANS aal/dan

Kolkata, May 15 (IANS) BJP leader and former Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla on Thursday joined the Trinamool Congress.

Barla, who represented Alipurduar constituency from 2019 to 2024, started distancing himself from the BJP since he was denied a ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.The former Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs started cosying up with the Trinamool Congress leadership.Finally, on Thursday afternoon, he joined Trinamool Congress in the presence of West Bengal Power Minister Arup Biswas, party state president Subrata Bakshi and party state vice-president Jayprakash Majumdar.”I had telephonic conversations with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee several times. Then, I expressed my desire to join the Trinamool Congress so that I could get engaged in public service. She had accepted my plea, and I am grateful to her for that,” Barla said.Barla held the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, responsible for his decision to quit the BJP.”When I was the MP from Alipurduar, I wanted to set up a hospital in my constituency in collaboration with the Indian Railways. Even the land for that hospital was also signed. But just before the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the plan got stuck because of objections from Adhikari. He was the one who prevented me from working for the people of my constituency. So, ultimately, I decided to quit the BJP,” Barla said.However, Adhikari refused to respond to Barla’s allegations.”For the last year, Barla had been in constant touch with me personally, just as he claimed that he was in touch with the Chief Minister during the same period. So, I do not feel the necessity of reacting to his allegations,” Adhikari said.–IANSsrc/svn

Chandigarh, May 15 (IANS) In a major initiative, the Punjab government on Thursday said it has amended the Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2022 to introduce a capital subsidy scheme for the installation of paddy straw-based boilers.

The scheme aims to increase farmers’ income, promote effective stubble management, protect the environment, and provide significant benefits to the industrial sector. Industry Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that the decision to provide capital subsidy for paddy straw as fuel in industrial boilers was taken at the Cabinet meeting held on February 13. The official notification was issued on February 20, followed by detailed subsidy guidelines on April 23. He said the existing industrial units currently using coal, oil or other biomass fuels will be eligible for a capital subsidy if they install new paddy straw-based boilers. The capital subsidy will be Rs 1 crore per 8 TPH (tons per hour) boiler or 33 per cent of the actual expenditure, whichever is less, with a maximum limit of Rs 5 crore per unit. For existing units upgrading boilers to use paddy straw, a subsidy of Rs 50 lakh per 8 TPH boiler or 33 per cent of the actual expenditure, whichever is lower, will be provided, subject to a cap of Rs 2.5 crore per unit. According to department estimates, 500 to 600 industrial units in the state are expected to benefit from this scheme, with Ludhiana-based industries, which are heavily boiler-reliant, likely to see the greatest advantage. The government has earmarked a budget of Rs 60 crore for this scheme. Additionally, the minister highlighted existing incentives such as 100 per cent stamp duty exemption for land purchased for paddy straw storage and handling, along with 100 per cent net State GST reimbursement (capped at 75 per cent of total investment) for seven years. He emphasised that the objective of this policy is to encourage industrial development while ensuring environmental protection. The new scheme will help reduce air pollution caused by stubble burning and promote sustainable use of paddy straw as a fuel source, benefiting the environment, farmers, and industries alike. –IANS vg/dan

Sabarimala, May 15 (IANS) The sale of gold lockets with the picture of Lord Ayyappa drew a tremendous response, with the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) earning over Rs 3 crore in just one week.

The gold lockets are blessed at the sanctum sanctorum of the famed temple on a hilltop in the Pathanamthitta district.The TDB, which manages the temple affairs, pointed out that in a week, 56 sovereigns of gold were used to make 184 gold lockets, which come in three varieties.The two-gram gold locket found the maximum buyers, as 155 people purchased it, followed by the four-gram gold locket bought by 22 people, while seven people opted for the eight-gram gold locket.The TDB pointed out that orders can be made online through the ww.sabarimalaonline.org website or can be booked in the temple office.The two-gram locket costs Rs 19,300, the four-gram Rs 38,600, and the eight-gram costs Rs 77,200.Situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level, the famed Sabarimala temple is a four km uphill trek from Pampa in the Pathanamthitta district, which is around 100 km from the Kerala capital.Currently, girls and women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed entry into the hilltop shrine.The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is accessible only on foot from the Pampa River.As per practice, before setting off to the holy shrine, a pilgrim normally undertakes an intense 41-day penance where he/she does not wear footwear, dons a black dhoti/black top and sticks to strict vegetarian food.Every pilgrim carries ‘lrumudi’ on his/her head, which is a prayer kit that contains coconuts which are broken just before climbing the 18 steps to the shrine.Without it, no one is allowed to step onto the holy 18 steps at the ‘Sannidhanam’.Over the years, some traditions at the famed temple have changed.While for many years, this temple used to open only in the second half of November and close around the middle of January, it is now open for a few days at the beginning of every Malayalam month.–IANSsg/svn

Bangkok, May 15 (IANS) India’s campaign at the Thailand Open 2025 came to a disappointing end on Thursday, as all remaining shuttlers, including top women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, bowed out in the second round of the BWF Super 500 tournament at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium.Seeded third and ranked 10th in the world, Treesa and Gayatri were expected to spearhead India’s challenge in the absence of top singles stars. But despite a fighting start, the duo lost 20-22, 14-21 to Japan’s Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara in a 53-minute contest.The Indian pair pushed the first game to the wire, showing glimpses of their quality, but failed to convert crucial points. The Japanese pair, buoyed by their narrow win, asserted complete control in the second game to knock out the Indian contenders.With their exit, India’s campaign came to a grinding halt as the remaining four singles players also suffered defeats earlier in the day. In the women’s singles category, India’s hopes were dashed by a trio of formidable Thai opponents. Rising star Unnati Hooda, ranked 45th in the world, was outclassed 21-14, 21-11 by top seed and world No. 6 Pornpawee Chochuwong.Malvika Bansod, currently world No. 23, couldn’t get past Thailand’s former world champion Ratchanok Intanon. The seventh-seeded Thai shuttler used her experience and court craft to secure a 21-12, 21-16 win. Aakarshi Kashyap also met a similar fate, going down 21-9, 21-14 to fourth seed Supanida Katethong, who never let the Indian settle into any rhythm.On the men’s side, Tharun Mannepalli was the only Indian to reach the second round but faced an uphill task against world No. 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark. The second-seeded Dane proved too strong for the Indian youngster, easing to a 21-14, 21-16 win. Earlier, Lakshya Sen and Priyanshu Rajawat had failed to progress past their first-round matches, extending India’s lean patch in major BWF events.This string of early exits highlights the ongoing struggles of Indian badminton at the elite level, especially with top names like PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy either missing or out of form. The Thailand Open was seen as a potential platform for upcoming talent to step up, but the performances failed to meet expectations.–IANShs/ab

Guwahati, May 15 (IANS) In a recent survey, conducted in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), a UNESCO World Heritage site, 70 orchid species across 36 genera were documented, officials said here on Thursday.

KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that in the recent efforts for systematic documentation of Kaziranga’s rich floristic and faunal assemblages, a rapid survey on orchids has revealed interesting results, with the visual survey reporting new records, especially for grassland and woodland areas. She said that 70 orchid species across 36 genera within Kaziranga, of which 46 species are epiphytes and 24 are terrestrial, have been recorded in the study. According to the official orchids like Acanthophippiumsylhetense, Aerides odorata, Biermanniabimaculata, Bulbophyllumornatissimum, Cleisostomaappendiculatum, Dendrobium jenkinsii, Eulophiakamarupa, Peristylusconstrictus, Phalaenopsis mannii, Zeuxinemembranacea etc. have been recorded in the survey. Led by Khyanjeet Gogoi, a renowned orchid conservationist and Range officers of Bagori, Bibit Dihingia and Kohora Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi, the visual survey reported new records, especially for grassland and woodland areas, Ghosh said. She said that terrestrial orchids such as Eulophiadabia, Zeuxinelindleyana, and Nervilia Juliana thrive in the grasslands along the river banks, while others like Acanthephippium striatum and Hetaeriaaffinis flourish on the dense forest floor. Notably, species like Biermanniabimaculata, Eulophiakamarupa, and Zeuxinelindleyana are endemic to India, while Bulbophyllumornatissimum and Erythrodesblumei, Eulophiakamarupa and Zeuxinemembranacea are considered rare in Assam. KNPTR Director said that the orchid survey was preceded by a unique conservation outreach program that focused on familiarising local students with the orchid and butterfly diversity in the landscape. The Orchid and Butterfly Walk, held on April 18 and 19 in Panbari, welcomed over 50 enthusiastic students from various schools and colleges in the region. During this event, three brochures highlighting the birds of Panbari, butterflies of Kaziranga and Orchids of Kaziranga were released. These informative brochures aim to enhance awareness and appreciation of the rich biodiversity found in this region, the official said. Participants enjoyed guided safaris in Panbari, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the park while observing orchids and butterflies along the vibrant flora and fauna. Expert talks on orchids and butterflies were delivered by renowned speakers Khyanjeet Gogoi and Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, who shared their extensive knowledge and passion. Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in a social media post said: “Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve just got even more amazing! A recent survey has revealed 70 species of orchids across 36 genera, making it one of the richest orchid collections in northeast India.” “This vibrant floral discovery adds a new layer to Kaziranga’s already iconic wildlife. A true testament to the park’s thriving biodiversity and unwavering conservation efforts!” the minister said. The KNPTR comprises three forest divisions — the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat; the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and the Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon. Home to a remarkable population of the “Big Five,” it comprises 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses as of the 2022 census, 104 Bengal Tigers in 2022, 1,228 Asian Elephants in 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffalos in 2022, and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer also recorded in 2022. –IANS sc/dan

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said on Thursday that it…

Bengaluru, May 15 (IANS) Team India continued its dominant run in the 2nd edition of the Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket with a resounding 171-run win over South Africa at Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium, Bengaluru—marking their fourth consecutive win in the league stage.Opting to bat first, India set an imposing target of 243/7 in 20 overs, led by a spectacular 102 off 43 balls from Sonu Rawat (B2) and a solid 74 off 47 by Dinesh Rathva (B3).In response, South Africa collapsed to 72 all out in 13.2 overs. The Indian bowlers, Gambheer Singh Chauhan and Devraj Pal, picked up three wickets each, dismantling the opposition with precision.With four wins in four matches, India remains unbeaten and firmly atop the leaderboard, strengthening their title contention.The series, a five-match international bilateral tournament between the Indian Men’s Blind Cricket Team and the South African Men’s Blind Cricket Team, is organised under the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative and in partnership with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.In the first edition of the Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket, the Indian men’s blind cricket team emerged as winners against the Sri Lankan men’s blind cricket team. The second edition will be a five-match series with South Africa.The next match will also be played at the Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium, Muddenahalli, Bengaluru, with the series ending on May 16. The second edition of the Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket will give the athletes a platform to showcase their talent while encouraging many more with their unbreakable spirit.The second edition of the Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket kicked off today at the Sai Krishnan Cricket Academy in Bengaluru with India beating South Africa by eight wickets, with Deepak Malik contributing an explosive 82 off 48 balls and Manish Kumar adding a quick-fire 45 runs.India delivered a commanding performance in the second league match, defeating South Africa by 65 runs. In the high-energy league match held at Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, India overpowered South Africa by 7 wickets, marking 3 wins out of 5 league matches, with just 2 games remaining.–IANShs/bsk/