Author: Supriya Jena

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    Feel free to use these suggestions as needed!

    Mumbai: Former cricketer Vinod Kambli is currently in Aakriti Hospital in Thane and is getting support from the Shiv Sena party. Mangesh Chivate, who is an officer for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, visited Kambli in the hospital. He assured Kambli that the party would help him. The Shrikant Shinde Foundation announced that they will provide Kambli with 5 lakh rupees (about $6,000) next week.

    During the visit, Mangesh mentioned that Deputy CM Shinde and MP Shrikant Shinde will meet Kambli and his family soon to offer further support. Kambli, who played cricket from 1991 to 2000, was admitted to the hospital after he felt muscle cramps and dizzy at home.

    Dr. Vivek Dwivedi, who is treating Kambli, said that his brain condition is not stable. Kambli was admitted on Saturday evening with a high fever and was having trouble walking due to muscle cramps. Tests showed he had a urine infection and low levels of sodium and potassium, which caused the cramps. A brain scan found old clots, likely from a recent stroke, and he was admitted to the ICU due to low blood pressure.

    Dr. Dwivedi said while Kambli’s vital signs are stable, he still needs treatment and physiotherapy. They plan to discharge him in 2-3 days. Kambli expressed gratitude for the support and blessings from his childhood friend, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. He said, “I am feeling better now and will always love cricket.”

    Sachin and Kambli both trained under coach Ramakant Achrekar and attended the same school. They famously scored 664 runs together in a school match in 1988. Kambli has 2,477 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 1,084 runs in 17 Test matches.

  • Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Courageous Story: From Despair to Success

    Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Courageous Story: From Despair to Success

    Vidhu Vinod Chopra, a well-known filmmaker, recently shared a very tough time in his life from the 1980s. After his first movie, Sazaye Maut, came out, he felt really sad because it didn’t get the response he hoped for. He found himself standing on the Lonavala highway, feeling like he wanted to end his life. But then he thought of his family, and that made him change his mind.

    Right now, he is busy promoting his new movie called Zero Se Restart, which tells the story behind his recent hit film, 12th Fail. While talking with NDTV, Vidhu explained how he had to start over from scratch back in those days. He said, “Many people might not believe this, but years ago, I thought about ending my life. I was really upset, standing on the highway and looking at the trucks go by. I was very close to doing something terrible. But my family’s love stopped me.”

    This hard time for Chopra happened after Sazaye Maut was released in 1981. It was his first big Hindi film and starred Naseeruddin Shah but didn’t do well at the box office. Vidhu said, “People might be shocked to know I went through this. It’s important to talk about these feelings. You’re not born feeling this way. You have to fight your own battles. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. What matters is not the outcome but how you fight.”

    Chopra became famous in 1989 with his hit movie Parinda, and he went on to make other successful films like Munnabhai MBBS, 3 Idiots, and PK. After a 13-year break from directing, he returned with Shikara in 2020 and then made 12th Fail.

  • South Korean Stars Face Criticism at Raspberry Film Festival 2024!”

    South Korean Stars Face Criticism at Raspberry Film Festival 2024!”

    Recently, well-known South Korean actors like Song Joong Ki and Gong Yoo faced some tough criticism at the 8th Raspberry Film Festival, which focuses on the worst movies and performances in South Korean cinema. This festival was organized by Sports Kyunghang and featured votes from important film journalists.

    Song Joong Ki’s Performance Critique
    Song Joong Ki, famous for his role in “Vincenzo,” was named in the “Worst Acting” category for his role in “My Name Is Loh Kiwan.” Critics pointed out that his acting lacked consistency and his accent was not convincing. He shared this spot with Song Seung Hun, who was criticized for his flat performance in “Hidden Face.” The actor Kang Dong Won took the top spot for his lack of emotional delivery in his movie “The Plot,” which earned a low IMDb rating of 4.8.

    Actors with Poor Manners
    In the “Worst Manners” category, actor Jung Woo Sung topped the list due to a recent controversy surrounding his personal life. Fans were also not pleased with Youn Yuh Jung, an Academy Award winner, for being rude during interviews. She was criticized for her comments about journalists’ ages and for smoking indoors.

    Other stars like Jeon Do Yeon and Lee Sun Kyun shared the third spot for their unprofessional behavior during film promotions. Kwak Do Won made headlines for a DUI incident, and Gong Yoo received backlash for praising former President Park Chung Hee and giving tone-deaf comments in interviews.

    The Worst Films of 2024
    The festival also named the worst films of 2024, with “The Plot” taking the top spot. “Amazon Bullseye” and “Project Silence” followed in second and third places. The movie “Wonderland,” featuring big names like Park Bo Gum and Gong Yoo, was among several films tied for fourth place

  • Kashmir Students Unveil Innovative Creations at Pragaash Event!”

    Kashmir Students Unveil Innovative Creations at Pragaash Event!”

    On Tuesday, students from many schools in the Kashmir Valley came together to show their cool inventions. They were hoping to get help from investors and get ready for big competitions across the country.

    At the International Convention Centre near Dal Lake, more than 200 students displayed over 75 projects. These projects included smart alarm bags to help women feel safe, robots for farming, and gadgets that aim to save lives.

    The event, called ‘Pragaash’, was organized by the Pi Jam Foundation with help from groups like Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF. It showed how students could use science and technology (STEM) to solve local problems and create solutions that could reach the world.

    Students worked with their teachers and were encouraged to mix their cultural ideas with new technology to create eco-friendly solutions. They asked for help to present their inventions and get the attention of investors.

    Some exciting projects included:

    – A handbag designed for women that has an alarm and messaging feature to alert family or police during emergencies.
    – A motorized copper wash basin to make washing easier during local functions.
    – A smart water billing system to help save water in dry areas.
    – An app that helps blind people identify colors.
    – A system that checks carbon monoxide levels from gas heaters to keep homes safe in winter.

    One student, Ayesha Riyaz, said, “I want to be an entrepreneur and change things through my inventions.” Another student, Syed Daniyal, and his friends built a farming robot that checks soil quality and warns farmers about pests.

    A teacher reminded everyone to think about being responsible and helping people while creating their projects. Sakina Ittoo, the Minister of Education, said the education department will fully support students and teachers on their path to success by encouraging creativity and innovation.

  • Join NORAD to Track Santa’s Holiday Journey Around the Globe!”

    Join NORAD to Track Santa’s Holiday Journey Around the Globe!”

    On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus flew off early in his magical sleigh, pulled by reindeer, to deliver holiday gifts to children everywhere. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is a partnership of the U.S. and Canadian military, has been helping to track Santa for 69 years. You can follow Santa’s journey on their special NORAD Santa Tracker website.

    Even if the government had shut down, tracking Santa would still happen. “Santa runs on the Christmas spirit, so nothing could stop him,” said Major Jennie Derenzis from the Royal Canadian Air Force on Tuesday.

    The team at NORAD is dedicated to tracking all kinds of flights, but they happily keep an eye on Santa every year. Most of the people answering calls from children are volunteers who love this holiday tradition.

    This fun idea began in 1955 when a newspaper ad mistakenly showed the phone number for a military command instead of Santa’s. When kids called, a friendly officer assured them that Santa was on his way to deliver gifts. Since then, NORAD’s Santa tracking has grown better with new technology.

    You can get live updates about Santa on their website, which also has games, a holiday countdown, and even a movie theater. They share updates on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. Plus, you can ask devices like Amazon Alexa for updates about Santa’s journey!

  • New Detention Rules for Classes 5 and 8: Key Points and Reactions”

    New Detention Rules for Classes 5 and 8: Key Points and Reactions”

    The government has decided to end the no-detention rule for Classes 5 and 8, and this has gotten different reactions from teachers, principals, and parents. Some people think this change will help students learn better, while others worry about how it might affect students from poor backgrounds.

    Supporters of the Change

    Damini Joshi, Principal, Sanskriti School, Pune:
    She believes this decision is great for students. It focuses on learning and helps students grow emotionally. By fixing learning gaps before promoting them to the next class, students will be better prepared for challenges ahead.

    Priti Ojha, Principal, Seth MR Jaipuria School, Bhiwadi:
    She thinks that bringing back the detention policy will help students take their studies seriously. This way, teachers can focus on what each student needs to learn, making sure they understand the basics.

    Shalini Nambiar, Principal, Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad:
    She says that while no one wants to hold back a child, addressing learning gaps early is important. Detention should be seen as a chance to improve, not a punishment.

    Sona Gombar, Head, Salwan Montessori School:
    She calls this a bold step. It can help make students accountable if done properly. Teachers need to give individual attention to students, and parents should help them in their learning.

    M L Meena, Principal, JNV Tawang:
    He believes this move aims to improve learning and hold students accountable for their progress in their studies.

    Good Things About the Change:

    – Better Learning: It encourages students to focus on their studies.
    – Shared Responsibility: Students, teachers, and parents all need to take learning seriously.
    – Addressing Learning Gaps: Students only move ahead when they understand their basics.
    – Help for Struggling Students: Schools can provide targeted help for those who need it.
    – Focus on Quality: It values understanding concepts over just passing grades.

    Concerns about the Change:

    – Dropout Risks: Some students, especially from poor backgrounds, may feel discouraged and drop out.
    – Emotional Impact: Being held back can hurt a student’s confidence and make them dislike school.
    – Increased Pressure: There could be too much focus on tests rather than fun learning.
    – Inequality: Students from rich families may not face detention, while poorer students do.
    – Overemphasis on Exams: Important skills like problem-solving may get ignored.

    A teacher from a government school shared worries about the new policy:

    – More Dropouts: Holding students back may lead many to leave school, especially girls who might face extra pressure.
    – Unfair Impact: Wealthier students often don’t face detention, but poorer students do.
    – Lack of Resources: If schools don’t have enough teachers and facilities, the policy might not work.

    Important Suggestions:

    To make this new policy work better, educators have a few ideas:

    – Train Teachers: Teachers need regular training to teach better.
    – Involve Parents: Parents should stay updated on their child’s learning.
    – Vocational Training: Struggling students should be able to learn practical skills.
    – Improve Schools: More money needs to be invested to improve schools and make them better for learning.

    Conclusion:
    Ending the no-detention policy is a big change for schools in India. It aims to improve learning, but careful planning is needed to prevent problems like students dropping out. Success will require teamwork from teachers, parents, and policymakers to help all students succeed.

  • NC’s Salman Sagar Critiques Ruhullah Mehdi Over Protest Controversy”

    NC’s Salman Sagar Critiques Ruhullah Mehdi Over Protest Controversy”

    Srinagar: National Conference member Salman Sagar recently criticized his party colleague, Ruhullah Mehdi, for protesting outside the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s home. Sagar, who is a new MLA from the Hazratbal area, accused Mehdi of helping the party’s enemies and falling for their tricks. During the protest on December 23, Mehdi asked for changes to the reservation policy and was joined by some leaders from the opposition parties, including Waheed Para from the People’s Democratic Party and Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh from the Awami Ittehad Party.

    Sagar stated that while Mehdi is an important leader, the party as a whole should come first. He mentioned, “People vote for the party, not just one person.” He believed Mehdi’s protest was poorly planned and did not consult the other 42 MLAs from the National Conference. Sagar also questioned the timing of the protest, suggesting it could create conflict within society and between different groups. He accused Mehdi of being used by the party’s critics to hurt the National Conference and called for unity among party members.

    In response, Mehdi shared a quote on social media referring to “house Negroes and field Negroes,” indicating he believes he stands with the common people.

  • Nikkei Index Declines as Investors Stay Cautious During Holidays”

    Nikkei Index Declines as Investors Stay Cautious During Holidays”

    On Wednesday, Japan’s Nikkei stock index went down a little bit, dropping by 0.12% to 38,990.56 points. This happened because many investors were not making big moves, especially with Wall Street closed for the Christmas holiday.

    Fumio Matsumoto, a chief strategist at Okasan Securities, noted that foreign investors were away, making it less exciting for local traders. Usually, local traders step in during this time, but they hesitated to make big trades when the larger stocks were not moving much.

    Konami, an entertainment company, saw its shares drop by 1.74%, which affected the Nikkei the most. Other companies like Daiichi Sankyo (a drugmaker) and KDDI (a phone company) also saw declines of 1.41% and 0.59%, respectively.

    The broader Topix index fell by 0.62% to 2,710.25 points, mainly pulled down by Toyota Motor’s 0.88% fall and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group’s 0.91% loss. Although Honda Motor’s shares dropped 0.77%, they had previously surged by 12.2% after announcing a share buyback on Monday.

    While local companies have buyers supporting their stocks, many of these buybacks have slowed down as the year ends, causing additional pressure on the Nikkei.

    However, on a brighter note, Nissan Motor managed to recover from earlier losses and rose by 8.6%, making it the biggest gainer on the Nikkei. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a maker of heavy machinery, also had a good day, jumping by 4.78%.

    In the Tokyo Stock Exchange, out of 33 industry groups, all but two saw declines. Only steelmakers and energy companies experienced slight gains of 0.36% and 0.6%, respectively. Overall, of more than 1,600 stocks on the TSE’s prime market, only 19% went up, while 77% fell, and 3% stayed the same.

  • PBOC Issues 300 Billion Yuan Loans at 2.00% to Support Banks”

    PBOC Issues 300 Billion Yuan Loans at 2.00% to Support Banks”

    On Wednesday, China’s central bank, called the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), did something important for banks. They provided 300 billion yuan (about $41 billion) in loans to help these banks keep lending money. The interest rate for these loans is 2.00%, which is the same as before. When banks applied for the loans, the interest rates they offered ranged from 1.90% to 2.30%. This action comes because a large amount of loans, about 1.45 trillion yuan, are set to be paid back this month.

  • Israeli Raid in Tulkarem: Eight Fatalities, Escalating Violence in West Bank”

    Israeli Raid in Tulkarem: Eight Fatalities, Escalating Violence in West Bank”

    InTulkarem, a city in the occupied West Bank, Israeli soldiers carried out a raid that led to the deaths of eight people, which included two women. The Palestinian health ministry reported that seven of the victims were from the Tulkarem refugee camp, and one was from the nearby Nur Shams camp. Among those killed were Khawla Ali Abdullah Abdo, 53, and Bara Khalid Hussein, 30, as well as an 18-year-old named Fathi Said Awda Ubaid, who suffered serious gunshot wounds.

    The Israeli military stated they were searching for individuals they consider dangerous and claimed they killed a militant during the raid. However, it was not confirmed which of the deceased the military was referring to. Eyewitnesses reported that the military used bulldozers to destroy roads during the nighttime operation.

    Since fighting broke out in Gaza on October 7, violence in the West Bank has increased. According to the Palestinian health ministry, over 811 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in this period, while at least 25 Israelis have died from Palestinian attacks.