Author: News Desk

  • Modi’s Man vs. Wild a monstrous propaganda stunt: The Guardian

    Modi’s Man vs. Wild a monstrous propaganda stunt: The Guardian

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Man vs. Wild moment with Bear Grylls has been termed as a “monstrous propaganda stunt” by The Guardian.

    Modi was seen in a never-seen-before avatar on August 12 when he ventured into his country’s wilderness along with Grylls, the host of Discovery Channel’s popular TV show.

    The channel had issued a statement saying the special episode featuring survivalist and adventurer Grylls and shot in the Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park with Modi, was a “frank and freewheeling journey”.

    In a clip of the show that was shared by Grylls on his Twitter account last month, PM Modi could be seen riding a small dinghy down a river along with the adventure travel show host.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    In another scene, the Indian premier was seen welcoming Grylls to India and holding up a weapon carved out of bamboo and other material collected from the forest.

    However, according to a review published by The Guardian on Friday, the episode was “the most tasteless TV ever”. The critic went on to say: “Strongmen Bear Grylls and Narendra Modi sniff elephant dung in the wilderness while a terror attack plays out in Kashmir. God help us all.”

    According to reports, the episode was shot on the day when 40 Indian paramilitary troops were killed in the Pulwama terror attack (February 14).

    The tragedy, which was termed as one of the worst to strike Indian occupying forces in the held Kashmir region, was followed by heightened cross-border tensions, including an aerial battle, as India blamed Pakistan.

  • Indian tennis captain seeks ‘safety guarantee’ before travelling to Pakistan

    Indian tennis captain seeks ‘safety guarantee’ before travelling to Pakistan

    Indian tennis captain, Mahesh Bhupathi, has demanded a “safety guarantee” before travelling to Islamabad for next month’s Davis Cup clash against Pakistan.

    The unusual demand comes days after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) responded to another Indian request for the second round of security assessment by a green signal to the safety plan in place.

    “We just want guarantees on safety,” Bhupathi was quoted as saying by reports.

    The All India Tennis Association (AITA) said on Wednesday they had written to the sport’s governing body once again asking them to shift the tie to a neutral venue or to postpone it for a couple of months until tensions simmer down.

    In reaction to New Delhi’s unilateral action to abrogate Article 370 of the constitution and strip occupied Kashmir of its special status, Pakistan last week asked Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria to leave, suspended bilateral trade and all public transport links with India.

    Tensions are soaring on both sides of the border ever since.

    ITF has already responded to a previous AITA request, saying they were satisfied with the current safety plan in place in Islamabad.

    The AITA has named a six-member squad under Bhupathi for the September 14-15 tie. The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men’s tennis. It is run by the ITF and is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock-out format.

  • Here’s how much you have to pay to stay in KP Govt guest houses

    Here’s how much you have to pay to stay in KP Govt guest houses

    Following a cabinet decision, the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has opened several government-owned guest houses for the public. However, the per-night charges of staying in these lavish mansions are a little steeper than expected and are in line with some of the highest rates charged by the best private hotels in the province.

    Some 49 government-owned buildings which have been opened include official residences such as Chief Minister House, Governor House, K-P Assembly Speaker and Police House. The aim of the decision was to allow the public to enjoy these buildings and generate much-needed revenue for the government.

    Here’s an overview of the prices:

    BuildingPrice (per night)No of Rooms available
    Governor House, Nathia GaliRs 40,0008
    CM HouseRs 24,0004
    KP Assembly Speaker House,
    Abbottabad
    Rs 16,0008
    KP Police HouseRs 12,0008

    Speaking to the media, KP Senior Tourism Minister Atif Khan said that online bookings for these facilities will begin after Eid ul Azha. Further details on the services offered have not been shared as yet.

  • How to deal with overeating?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VubnOBut-g
  • Tips to deal with hot and humid weather

    Tips to deal with hot and humid weather

    The only thing worse than extreme heat is hot weather with high humidity. Hot, muggy air makes you sweaty and exhausts you to no extent. Here are a few tips which might help you stay fresh, cool and comfortable on the warmest and most humid days.

    Drink plenty of water

    Excess of everything is bad except water. One must drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Hot, humid weather makes you sweat more, which means you’ll need to increase your hydration. Drinking lots of water also helps keep your body temperature down, which keeps you more comfortable overall.

    Take a cool shower on your pulse points

    Taking a cold shower is a fast and effective way to cool down. If you’re not at home, you can splash cold water on your neck, forehead, and armpits. You can also use ice packs or cool, wet towels for more sustained relief.

    Set air conditioner’s temperature

    Air conditioning is the best way to keep your house cool, setting it too low can make your utility bill cost more. Try to set your AC to 26 °C when you’re at home and awake. Increase it to 28 °C when you are going for sleep.

    Eat cool foods like salads and fresh fruit

    Eating hot foods when it’s hot and humid will only raise your body temperature. Instead, wash fresh vegetables and make a salad or fruit chaat with all the seasonal fruits. For dessert, try popsicles and ice cream. For a healthier alternative, go with fresh fruit, plain or paired with yogurt.

    Wear loose and light-colored clothes

    Hot, humid days call for loose, cotton clothing in light colours. Avoid tight jeans and synthetic fabrics like Rayon or spandex, and go with sandals or canvas shoes to keep your feet cool.

    Use cotton bedsheets

    Make sure your sheets are made of light fabric, like cotton, rather than fleece. Cotton bed covers will stay cooler at night, making for a more comfortable night’s sleep in this hot and humid weather.

  • Indian media falls for Pakistani meme, fact checks Arya Stark’s picture as ‘Kashmiri girl’

    Indian media falls for Pakistani meme, fact checks Arya Stark’s picture as ‘Kashmiri girl’

    Amid the ongoing unrest in held Kashmir, a viral picture of Game of Thrones (GoT) character Arya Stark being portrayed as a Kashmiri girl, has been fact-checked by Indian media.

    As per the details, the image was first shared by a Twitter handle, “Fan of Zaidu”, mentioning Arya — played by Maisie Williams — as a Kashmiri girl “who had gone blind after being hit by a pellet gun”.

    https://twitter.com/TheZaiduLeaks/status/1157727539873402882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1157727539873402882&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsmobile.in%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F14%2Fpicture-of-gots-arya-stark-shared-as-kashmiri-girl-heres-the-fact-check%2F

    It wasn’t later that the image took the micro-blogging website by storm.

    Despite the handle clearly stating that its tweets are nothing but satire and “100% fake”, Indian media has started doing fact checks over the image, claiming that Pakistan’s premium intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was “leading the propaganda campaign against India”.

    Moreover, a noted Indian scholar and activist, Madhu Kishwar, has retweeted the image and asked Fact Check India to “confirm if it is real”.

    India TV Editor-In-Chief Rajat Sharma has also accused Pakistan of spreading false propaganda.

    https://twitter.com/TheZaiduLeaks/status/1161722132214308864

    The image comes as tensions soar on either side of the border ever since India robbed occupied Kashmir of its special status. Pakistan fears the move can lead to a Muslim genocide in the troubled valley.

  • VIDEO: Humiliation for India as soldier slips during Wagah ceremony on Independence Day

    VIDEO: Humiliation for India as soldier slips during Wagah ceremony on Independence Day

    India has yet again faced humiliation at the Wagah Border as one of its soldiers participating in the daily lowering of the flags ceremony slipped in front of the crowd on Pakistan’s Independence Day.

    The ceremony at the Wagah-Attari Border is a daily military practice that the security forces of Pakistan and India have jointly followed since 1959.

    Fervour was at its peak as military personnel of both countries, amid soaring tensions, started performing in front of a mammoth crowd on both sides of the border on Wednesday.

    Things, however, took a comical turn when the Indian soldier leading his side couldn’t maintain his balance and slipped.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    A video of the incident went viral over the internet, reacting to which Pakistanis asked if “these soldiers will steal Kashmir from us”.

    https://twitter.com/SyedAsad299/status/1161619036062519297

    Earlier, Pakistan celebrated its 73rd Independence Day as Kashmir Solidarity Day to express support to Kashmiris in their struggle against Indian occupying forces.

    New Delhi had earlier this month robbed Kashmir of its special status, paving way for a Muslim genocide in the disputed valley. Islamabad fears the development can lead to major demographic transformations in the region and affect Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination.