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Khushi Kapoor doesn’t regard herself to be the ‘rage’, is thankful for all kinds of criticism

Mumbai, June 24 2024-

It was just last year, in 2023 when Khushi Kapoor stepped into the world of Hindi cinema and instantly became a sensation on social media. However, the actress doesn’t see herself as a “rage” and is thankful for the “criticism” coming her way.

Asked how it feels to become a rage with just one project, Khushi told IANS: “I wouldn’t call myself a rage, but I’m really blessed and grateful for the love I’m getting.”

Khushi played Betty Cooper in ‘The Archies’ directed by Zoya Akhtar. It also stars Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, and Vedang Raina, among others.

The actress, who is the daughter of the late veteran star Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor, also expressed gratitude for the criticism as well.

“And I’m thankful for the criticism too. I’m really just taking the time to learn, grow, and focus on myself and my work.”

The younger sister of actress Janhvi Kapoor is more than happy to be in the Hindi film industry.

“It’s nice to finally be out there in the industry, and I’m happy to be starting to find my way,” she said.

However, ‘The Archies’ is not Khushi’s first time in front of the camera. She made her student acting debut in 2016 with the YouTube short film ‘Bhasm Ho: Pyaar Ka Takraar’. Then in 2020, she starred in a student short film ‘Speak Up’.

Talking about her upcoming slate of work, Khushi will be seen in ‘Naadaniyaan’ with Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim Ali Khan, who will be making his debut in Hindi cinema. Then she has a movie with Junaid Khan, whose latest release is ‘Maharaj’. (Agency)

‘Grateful for all that hockey has offered’, says Indian woman goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo

New Delhi, June 24 2024-

Indian women’s team goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo, who has been recently promoted from the junior team, credited the sport for giving her respect and a stable income source in life.

Madhuri belongs to a humble farming family from Birmitrapur, Odisha, an hour’s drive from the majestic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.

“In Birmitrapur we had two houses without a concrete roof and the only steady income in the family was that of my brother Manoj. He undertook all the expenses of building a new house for close to a year and after receiving the job offer from Western Railways, I could finally share the load with him. It was fulfilling to be able to help my brother through the sport that he introduced me to. I am grateful for all that hockey has offered to me in terms of income, respect in the community, and a sense of achievement,” Madhuri highlighted the significance of hockey in her life.

While her father Shankar Kindo tilled the fields, Madhuri was captivated by her brother Manoj Kindo’s hockey skills on the sidelines. Following in his footsteps, Madhuri picked up the hockey stick and joined the Panposh Sports Hostel in 2012. Madhuri initially joined as a defender but owing to her athletic prowess and quick reactions, she transitioned to become a goalkeeper.

After multiple outings in the National Championships from Odisha, Madhuri earned a call-up to the Indian junior team in 2021. Her heroics in the Junior Women’s Asia Cup 2023 in Japan, where the team clinched the gold medal, caught the eye of recruiters, prompting a job offer from Western Railways in Mumbai.

Apart from sealing a spot on the Railway Sports Promotion Board hockey team, Madhuri has also made the step up to the Indian team after an assessment camp in SAI Bengaluru in April this year. While she is yet to make her senior debut, Madhuri is relishing the opportunity to train alongside her idol, Savita.

“The difference between the Junior and Senior Teams is not that steep as I have seniors in the team, like Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki to help me with my game. Watching them train intensely every day has helped me gain more knowledge of the game at the highest level. I have a lot of room for improvement and as I strive to make a place for myself in the squad, I am working on my weaknesses so that I can help the team win in the future. I am eager to play against the best teams around the world,” she signed off. (Agency)

‘High predisposition to insulin resistance in Indians major driver of fatty liver’

Faridabad, June 24, 2024
Indians have a heightened predisposition to insulin resistance, a condition that not only underlies diabetes but also significantly contributes to the development of fatty liver, according to a health expert on Monday.

“Studies show that based on a combination of environmental and genetic factors non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent among 9-53 per cent of the general population. Currently known as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), it is a public health problem in India.

Obesity, abdominal obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia collectively called metabolic syndrome, are the predisposing factors,” said Dr Bhaskar Nandi, HoD, Gastroenterology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.

“The genetic inclination towards insulin resistance contributes significantly to such prevalence of development of NAFLD among the Indian population,” he added.

It is widely prevalent and is a silently progressive disease and has emerged as one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer and is a common reason for liver transplants in India.

“NAFLD is asymptomatic till it manifests as cirrhosis in late stages. It is usually diagnosed incidentally on ultrasonography or during evaluation for abnormal liver function tests (LFT). Some patients may experience subtle right upper abdominal discomfort,” Dr Nandi said.

“As the disease progresses to cirrhosis, general ill-health, failing health, low appetite, and features of liver decompensation or portal hypertension emerge like ascites (water in the abdomen), jaundice, blood in vomitus, altered sensorium, renal dysfunction, and sepsis,” he warned, adding that “advanced forms of NAFLD may lead to liver cancer”.

He also said that “metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity also aggravate NAFLD and drive it to cirrhosis. In turn, NAFLD is an adverse marker of outcome in metabolic disease”.

Besides prompt treatment, he also recommended lifestyle modification by reducing weight and strict alcohol abstinence to treat NAFLD. He also stressed the need to reduce sugar, deep-fried foods, refined foods, and excessive butter and oil.

“Patients should aim to reduce their weight by at least 10 per cent ideally over a year, through diet and exercise. A hypocaloric Indian diet, which involves smaller portions of home-cooked meals, is recommended,” Dr Nandi said.

“Focus on fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while minimising cereals and grains. Regular physical activity, with 4-5 weekly sessions of 40-45 minutes each, combining cardio and resistance training, is strongly advised. Detox diets and protein supplements are not recommended,” the doctor said.(Agency)

Hero MotoCorp to hike prices of select models by up to Rs 1,500 from July 1

New Delhi, June 24 2024-

Two-wheeler manufacturing company Hero MotoCorp on Monday said that it will increase ex-showroom prices of select motorcycles and scooters by up to Rs 1,500 with effect from July 1.

“The price revision will be up to Rs 1,500 and the exact quantum of increase will vary by specific model and market,” the company said in an exchange filing.

The two-wheeler maker made the upward revision “to partially offset the impact of higher input costs”.

In May, Hero MotoCorp sold 498,123 units of motorcycles and scooters, down 4.1 per cent from 519,474 units sold in May 2023.

In the motorcycle segment, the company sold 4.71 lakh units in May 2024, which is a 3.7 per cent decrease from the 4.89 lakh units sold in May 2023.

The scooters segment experienced a nearly 11 per cent decline, with 26,937 units sold in May 2024 compared to 30,138 units in the previous year.

Domestic sales also witnessed a drop of nearly 5.7 per cent, with 4.79 lakh units sold versus 5.08 lakh units year-on-year. However, exports soared by 67 per cent, with 18,673 units sold compared to 11,165 units in May last year. (Agency)

Afghanistan should have won against Australia in 2023 ODI WC: Usman Khawaja

New Delhi, June 24 2024-

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja “wasn’t surprised” by Afghanistan’s stunning win over Australia in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match and praised their strength as a team.

Riding on Gulbadin Naib’s four-wicket haul after Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s opening stand of 118, Afghanistan stunned Australia by 21 runs and secured their first-ever win over the cricketing powerhouse.

“Afghanistan is a very strong team. They probably should have won against us in the last World Cup too,” Khawaja said at the Prime’s cafe launch in Melbourne.

Reflecting on Australia’s loss to Afghanistan, Khawaja urged the team to move past the defeat and focus on the next challenge. He underscored the significance of the match against India, considering both teams to be the best in the world. “We still have a chance, we need to beat India. When the pressure is on in the World Cup, Australia usually comes out on top,” he asserted.

For Australia, things are dire after being at two points and their net run rate going down to +0.223 after a shock defeat to Afghanistan. India’s win against Australia will seal a semi-final berth for Men in Blue while a loss would make Australia dependent on the result of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match on Tuesday.

Khawaja also emphasised the critical nature of the upcoming game against India, labeling it as a “do or die” scenario for Australia. He expressed confidence in the team’s process-oriented approach under Mitchell Starc and Andrew McDonald. “It’s very human to be nervous and a little more anxious, but Australia has played very good T20 cricket up until Afghanistan. That’s the beauty of T20 cricket; it just needs one moment to change the whole scenario,” Khawaja noted.

Khawaja also shared his love for T20 cricket, praising its ability to engage a broader community. He observed that the format has attracted more girls and mothers to the sport over the past decade. “You would have never thought USA would be in the Super Eight,” he added, highlighting the growing global reach of T20 cricket. (Agency)

Why Kashish Duggal was apprehensive about playing classical dance teacher in ‘Suhaagan’

Mumbai, June 24 2024-

Actress Kashish Duggal has opened up about her character in the show ‘Suhaagan’, sharing her mixed emotions when offered the role of a classical dance teacher and expressing apprehension due to her lack of formal dance training.

Kashish, who was last seen in ‘Aangan Aapno Kaa’, feels blessed to be working again soon after the end of one of her shows.

Speaking about her role, she said: “In this show, I am playing the character of Prabha, a classical dance teacher to the girl protagonist and the mother of the boy protagonist. As the story unfolds, we will get to explore the various shades of Prabha’s character, revealing more depth and complexity.”

“It’s a role I’m very excited about, although it’s still early to comment on all the nuances of the character. I’m looking forward to this new journey and am grateful for the continued support from my fans and the incredible teams I get to work with,” she shared.

Kashish went on to say, “When I was offered the role of Prabha, a classical dance teacher, I had mixed emotions. Dance is the essence of my life and the reason I ventured into television. Many people say I am very expressive on the dance floor. Although I felt excited about the opportunity, I was also apprehensive because I am not formally trained in dance.”

“Dance comes naturally to me in a freestyle manner. I have always wanted to learn different dance forms, but my busy schedule has made this difficult. I am eagerly looking forward to portraying this character and acquiring some classical dance skills,” shared Kashish.

The show has taken a leap of 20 years, and they recently roped in actors Pragati Choursiya, Akshay Kharodia, and Dhwani Gori as the second-generation leads.

It earlier starred Garima Kishnani as Bindiya, Sakshi Sharma as Payal, and Raghav Thakur as Krishna.

The new era of this marital drama has Dhwani stepping into Swara’s life as her voice after she loses her speech and parents as a child. However, Dhwani’s true colours bleed through, and she vows to claim all that belongs to Swara.

‘Suhaagan’ airs on Colors. (Agency)

K’taka: CID likely to take Suraj Revanna into custody in sexual assault case

Bengaluru, June 24 2024-

Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is likely to take custody of the grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda Suraj Revanna on Monday for investigating him in the sexual assault case.

“CID is likely to take him into custody,” sources told IANS. However, Suraj Revanna’s counsel is planning to move a bail petition once the CID officially makes the submission seeking his custody.

Suraj Revanna was handed over to judicial custody for 14 days on Sunday.

The police have launched a hunt for Suraj Revanna’s aide Shivakumar, who had lodged a complaint against the victim alleging extortion charges.

Meanwhile, the FIR lodged by the police revealed shocking details of alleged sexual assault by Suraj Revanna. The victim had alleged that Suraj Revanna and his aide repeatedly gave life threats if he dared to speak about the sexual assault on him.

The complainant had told the police that Suraj Revanna started with endearing messages with love symbols on WhatsApp chat and invited him to his farmhouse.

The FIR states that when the complainant went to the farmhouse, Suraj Revanna had given a peck (quick kiss, especially on the side of the face) on the victim’s cheek and later “started smooching him”. When the complainant resisted, Suraj Revanna threatened him that he would get him finished off if he didn’t cooperate and sexually assaulted him.

Suraj Revanna had demanded an apology from the complainant for noncooperation and asked him to say “sorry”. As per the instruction, the complainant had said ‘sorry’ to Suraj Revanna.

After the incident, the victim went into a depression. Suraj Revanna’s aide Shivakumar had threatened and locked him up at a lodge. Somehow, the victim had managed to sneak out of the lodge room and reached Bengaluru.

When the victim shared the ordeal with his parents, the family members asked him to file a complaint. The victim had told police that he and his family face life threats and if they had to face any consequences, Suraj Revanna and his family should be held responsible.

Suraj Revanna is the brother of arrested former JD (S) MP Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the sex video scandal. His father H.D. Revanna was jailed but later released on conditional bail in a kidnap case linked to the sex video scandal. Bhavani Revanna, mother of Prajwal, is also an accused in the kidnap case but is also out on bail. (Agency)

TV actor Samarthya Gupta to play a negative role for the first time in ‘Jubilee Talkies’

Mumbai, June 24 2024-

Reality TV star Samarthya Gupta, who made his acting debut with the mythological series ‘Shrimad Ramayan’, is all set to portray shades of grey and star in a family drama for the very first time in ‘Jubilee Talkies’.

The actor said: “I’m currently playing the role of Shatrughna, the youngest prince in ‘Srimad Ramayana’.”

“That’s a completely positive role, but in my upcoming show, the audience will see me as a bad boy from the Grover family. I will be playing the negative role of Reyansh, a.k.a. Ray.”

The actor said: “He is the younger brother of Ayaan (Abhishek Bajaj).”

Speaking further, he added: “This is the first time I’m playing a negative role, and also my acting debut in a romance or family drama. I’m quite excited to play this character. It has a lot of layers.”

He would love to explore a new dimension in the creative field, said the actor.

“So, I would love to explore a new dimension in this creative field altogether, which would stretch the canvas of my art and hone my skills at the same time. I’m ready to kill it with extreme passion and gratitude,” Samarthya said.

Samarthya is known for appearing in reality TV shows like ‘Splitsvilla X3’ in 2008 and ‘Ex or Next’.

The ‘Jubilee Talkies’ show will focus on the journey of Shivangi Sawant, a simpleton from a small town in Maharashtra. Despite belonging to a humble background, she has modern ideas.

Then there is the guy, Ayaan Grover, a theatre owner in a small town. However, the two fall in love later in the show, which airs on Sony TV. (Agency)

Junk food driving piles, fistula and fissures cases in young Indian adults: Doctors

Mumbai, June 24 2024-

Regular junk food consumption and inactive lifestyles are fuelling cases of painful piles, fistula and fissures in young adults aged between 18 and 25 years, said doctors on Monday.

People with piles and fissures — common disorders concerning the anal region — suffer from symptoms like passing bloody stools or having trouble passing stools, itchy and irritable anal cavity, inflammation, rectal bleeding, and discomfort when sitting for a long time, among others.

A fistula is an unusual opening near the anus that connects to the inside of the anal canal in the colon. It typically arises due to factors like injury, surgery, infection, or inflammation of anal glands. Pain, swelling in the anal area, boils, skin irritation around the anus, bleeding, and discomfort during bowel movements are the major symptoms.

“‘Haemorrhoids or piles happen when veins inside and outside the anus become swollen and enlarged. This condition is now seen in adults between 25-55 due to obesity, pregnancy, a diet low in fibre, constipation, diarrhoea, lifting heavy objects, and straining during bowel movements,” Lakin Vira, General Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, told IANS.

“An anal fissure is a result of a tear in the lining of the anus or anal canal. This problem occurs because of constipation, straining during bowel movements, and ulcerative colitis,” he added.

Lakin said that in the past 2-3 months, approximately 50 patients have visited with complaints of piles and fistula, and for fissures, the number is higher than 80. About 60 per cent of males while 40 per cent of females suffer from fistula and piles. Whereas, 70 per cent of females and 30 per cent of males tend to have fissures.

“There is overall over 10 per cent in these conditions when compared to previous years. The incidence of these conditions is recently seen in age groups of 18-25 due to junk food consumption,” the doctor noted.

Hemant Patel, Laparoscopic and General Surgeon, Zynova Shalby Hospital told IANS that “cases of piles, fistula and fissures are increasing in younger age groups mostly in males. There has been a significant rise in these patients in the past few years”.

He noted seeing 5-6 patients with such conditions daily.

According to health experts, eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, preventing constipation by incorporating fibre-rich foods into meals, maintaining proper hydration by drinking sufficient water, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, and avoiding straining during bowel movements can help ease the condition.

Other ways to manage the condition include “medications, creams, and a sitz bath. If the conditions get severe then one will have to undergo a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery,” Lakin said. (Agency)

T20 World Cup: WI captain Powell hails team’s progress despite tournament exit

North Sound (Antigua), June 24 2024-

The West Indies’ T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to an end with a hard-fought defeat against South Africa by three wickets on Sunday. Despite failing to qualify for the semifinals, captain Rovman Powell lauded the significant strides made by his team over the past year.

Reflecting on the journey, Powell acknowledged the disappointment of not winning the World Cup but emphasised the remarkable progress the team had achieved.

“I think when you look on a large scale, we haven’t won the World Cup. We aren’t in the semi-finals. [But] I think the cricket we have played in the last 12 months or so is commendable. Credit has to be given to the team. If you can take a year to move from number 9 to number 3 in the world, that’s tremendous work,” Powell said during the post-match presentation.

“We haven’t won the World Cup, but there was a lot of improvement. There’s a lot of buzz around the Caribbean again about West Indies cricket. We have done some very good things over the last 12 months. Now is where the work starts. It’s for us to continue to work as a group, still be tight, and hopefully, just hopefully, we can continue to climb the rankings and make the Caribbean people proud.”

The captain also expressed gratitude for the support the team received during the home World Cup. “That has been fantastic. For all the venues that we have played, for all the social media likes and stuff that people have given us, we as a team really appreciate it.

“It’s good to see that some buzz is back in the Caribbean for cricket because we know how long that has died down. Now people are rallying around the West Indies as they do. Now, when we hear the anthem play, as players we feel something. I think that is heading in the right direction,” said.

In the crucial match against South Africa, the West Indies faced challenges with the bat. After being put into bat, they struggled against spin and managed to post only 135 runs. However, their bowlers put up a valiant fight. Early breakthroughs had South Africa reeling at 15 for 2 when rain interrupted play, resulting in a revised target of 124 in 17 overs.

Roston Chase’s key dismissals of David Miller and Tristan Stubbs gave the West Indies hope, but ultimately, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada guided South Africa to a three-wicket win with five balls to spare.

Powell praised his team’s fighting spirit and said, “I think credit has to be given to the boys. I think they fight to the very end. As a batting group, this is one batting performance we’ll try our best to forget. I think we didn’t bat well in the middle overs especially. Obviously, you see both teams bat on the wicket. It wasn’t an easy wicket, especially to get started.

“The first time in this competition we have lost wickets in clusters. That always breaks the back of a batting team.”

Despite the loss, Powell commended the bowling effort. “I think it was a commendable bowling effort. 135 at the halfway mark, we said we’re just going to give it our all. Whatever happens, happens. Credit has to be given to the guys at the halfway mark. They believed, even though it was only 135.” (Agency)

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