ವೀಜ್ ಕೊಂಕಣಿ 445, ವೀಜ್ ಕನ್ನಡ & Veez English Weeklies

Government’ssilenceon killingofIranleaderisnotneutral, itis abdication.

For Sale:

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25 Years 'Unfulfilled Mission' in Konkani

AsAshawadi Prakashan completes twenty-five years of its presence in Kuwait, my own association with Konkani literature reaches back to 1984. Time, however, has been as much about questioning as it has been about learning, leavingmewiththequietrealizationthatthislongjourney remains, in many ways, unfinished. The editorial published in Ashawadi25 (thePoinnaridecennial special issue) invites a deeper reflection on what wehavegradually relinquished inourpursuit of the “new.” Itisadiscerning, rational, andreflectivepieceby Valley Quadros. Click here→ READ

Though society professes theequalstatusanddignity ofmenandwomen,reality haslongstood instarkcontradiction tothisideal.

Across history, women have been constrained and imposed upon by religion, social customs, family structures, and unspoken norms. In this powerful feminist poem, noted poet Bab Shailendra Mehta gives voice to these silenced truths, confronting the deep-rooted inequalities that persist beneaththeveneerofequality.

Click here→READ

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7KSaEQAAQBAJ

Clandestine ServiceHistory–OverthrowofPremier Mosaddegh of Iran –November 1952

Shikha Sushil crowned Hyssna Miss Daijiworld 2026; Serena Eugene first runner-up

Pics:DayanandKukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru(SB)

Mangaluru, Feb 15: The grand finale of Hyssna Miss Daijiworld 2026 was held on February 14 at MilagresJubileeHall,showcasingan evening of glamour, elegance, and electrifying performances.

Twelve finalists, who underwent three days of professional grooming, graced the ramp with poise, receiving loud applausefrom a packed audience. The winners

were determined through an

introduction round and a final question-answer segment.

The judging panel consisted of Shruthi Ballal, Mrs India Earth International; Sweezal Furtado, the reigning Miss Global 2024; and Atharva Prakash, a talented cine

Sushil impressed the judges with her thoughtful answer to the

final question: “Happiness is to bring a smile on others’ faces.”Her response, combined with a confident walk and strong introduction, earned her the prestigious crown. Serena Eugene Francis wasnamed thefirstrunner-

up, while Fae Martis secured the secondrunner-up position.

The remaining nine finalists were honoured withspecialtitles:

• Popular Choice: NilimaRodrigues

• Social Queen: KeeranaSuvarna

• Miss Fearless: VarshaSimonaLobo

• Miss Photogenic: JyothiLishaVas

• Miss Talented: Saishruthi

• Rising Star: AshnaJewelD’Souza

• Miss Confidence: Shaina Chrystle D’Souza

• Miss Graceful Soul: Gail Naira Castelino

• Miss Congeniality: Alvina Vanessa Mendonca

The crowns and titles were presented by Ronald Pinto, managing director, Hyssna International LLC UAE; his wifeDorothy Pinto, NRI entrepreneur, philanthropist Dr Ronald Colaco; JeanColaco, Walter Nandalike, founder, Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd; Melwyn Rodrigues, director, Operations, Daijiworld; AlexisCastelino, director, Daijiworld and Jessica Fernandes, winner of HyssnaMissDaijiworld 2015. The pageant received over 1,000 entries, from which 25 contestants were shortlisted for thepreliminary round held in Mangaluru on December 14, eventually leading to

the selection of the top 12 for the grandfinale.

Addressing the gathering, Ronald Pinto, managing director of Hyssna International LLC and presenter of the pageant, said, “Daijiworld’s journey over twenty-five years is a legacy built on trust and vision. Hyssna International isproud tobe associatedwiththisplatformforthe thirdtime.HyssnaMissDaijiworld is not just about beauty; it is about confidence, intelligence, and leadership. We believe that

empowering a woman empowers anentire generation.”

Hefurther encouraged thefinalists, stating that the stage should serve asa steppingstone toward national andinternational opportunities. Theeveningwascompered bywellknownhostHeraPinto.Thepageant was designed and groomed by Fishing Cactus, with event partners including The Roshow Hut, Lin’s –The Bridal Atelier, and OMR Rohan Carlo.

Interfaith harmony takes center stage as

top Mangaluru leaders host grand Iftar

MediaRelease

Mangaluru, Mar 5: In a beautiful and poignant display of communal harmony andbrotherhood, a grand interfaith Iftar gathering unfolded thisevening, jointlyhostedbysome of the region's top religious and educational leaders.

Yenepoya School in Jeppinamogaru, was cordially hosted by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishopofthedioceseofMangalore;

Dr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellorofYenepoya (Deemedto be University); and Vishal Hegde, chancellor of Nitte (Deemed to be University).

Bringing together people from

various walks of life to break bread and share in the spirit of the holy month,thegathering wasgracedby several prominent dignitaries. Notable attendees included Karnataka Assembly speaker U T

Khader, Darshan H V, IAS, deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district, and renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr M Shantharam Shetty, pro-chancellor ofNitte (DeemedtobeUniversity).

Adding to the grandeur and significance of the evening, numerous religious heads, community leaders, politicians, and bureaucrats from across the region were also present, reflecting the city'sdeeply rooted inclusive fabric. The deeper meaning of fasting and prayers forglobal peace The evening's proceedings began with a warm and reflective introductory address by Dr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi. Welcoming the dignitaries, he spoke on the profound significance of Ramadan, emphasizing that fasting one of the five pillars of Islam is a practice observed with immense devotion.

Dr Kunhi beautifully contextualized the practice, noting that fasting is not merely about experiencing hunger, but about understanding the pain of the marginalized and cultivating a compassionate mindset to feed others. He

highlighted thatthis spiritoffasting holds shared significance across otherfaiths,includingHinduism and Christianity.

During his address, Dr Kunhi also took a moment for solemn remembrance andglobal reflection:

• Heartfelt tributes: He fondly remembered the late Vinay Hegde, whom he considered an elder brother, and the late Dr Raghavendra Rao, chancellor of Srinivas University. Noting they were regular attendees of previous Iftar gatherings, he offered prayers fortheirsouls.

•Apleaforpeace: Expressingdeep concern over the current war-like tensions involving Israel, America, andIran, DrKunhi prayed earnestly for a swift, peaceful resolution and specifically for the safetyof Indians and local brethren working in the Gulfregion.

• Gratitude for continued legacy: Heexpressed his happiness and gratitude to Vishal Hegde for continuing his father's legacy of complete cooperation for the Iftar, and thanked Bishop Saldanha for his unwavering support in organizing thegathering.

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’: A call to eradicate prejudice

Following DrKunhi,bishop DrPeter Paul Saldanha delivered a powerful message of peace, human integration, and shared spirituality. He emphasized that celebrating religious festivals socially across different faiths does more than just double the joy multiplies tolerance, empathy, andmutual relationships. Thebishopnotedthatsuchintimate gatherings are vital for eliminating prejudices, suspicion, fear, and hatred, allowing communities to understand eachother's cultures up close.

Stripping awaythesuperficial layers of religion, he reminded the audience that we are all human beingscreatedbyoneGod,heading toward thesamedestiny. He advocated strongly for the mindset of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), noting that genuine spirituality makes us see everyone asourown. Addressing the global tensions mentioned earlier by Dr Kunhi, bishop Saldanha urged the gathering, "Instead of sitting

indoors in fear, we must step out and unite to build communal harmony, coexistence, forgiveness, andgratitude. Noreligion promotes hatred; Christianity teaches us to 'love your neighbour as yourself’, just as Islamic spirituality teaches mercyandthe worship ofGod."

‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’: Dr Shantharam Shetty on universal well-being

Adding to the evening's spiritual depth, Dr M Shantharam Shetty, pro-chancellor of Nitte University, delivered a stirring message centered on universal brotherhood andsharedvalues acrossreligions. EchoingtheBishop’s sentiments, Dr ShettyalsoinvokedtheUpanishadic philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, emphasizing that this unity exists entirely independent of a person's colour, creed,orbackground. Henotedthat Ramadan is not just a festival for Muslims, but a profound lesson for all of mankind, where devotion and the understanding of others' suffering make charity a vital component ofthe holymonth. Drawingbeautifulparallels between different scriptures, Dr Shetty

highlighted the universal message of love in the Bible alongside the prayer from the Upanishads: ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’, which wishes for everyone to be happy, healthy, andfree fromsuffering.

To illustrate the unwavering presence of the divine during times of hardship, he shared the beloved ‘Footprints intheSand’ allegory. He recounted the story of a man questioning whytherewasonlyone setof footprints during the hardest times of his life,only to realize that during those most difficult moments, Godwasactuallycarrying him.

DrShettyspokewithimmensepride about the host city, noting that Mangaluru is currently ranked as the safestcityin India and the 49th safest globally. He attributed this stellar achievement directly to the character, tolerance, and cooperation ofitspeople. He concluded his address with a powerful call to action, urging the diverse audience to remain firm in

their faith while being confident in their collective ability to serve the countrytogether.

The parable of the little bird Tobring the evening's addresses to a poignant close, bishop Saldanha shared a moving allegory about a massive forestfire.

As all the larger animals fled the blazeinterror, onesmallbirdstayed behind. The bird repeatedly flewto a nearby lake, dipping its wings in thewater,andflewbacktodropthe meagre moisture onto the raging fire. When mocked by another bird about the futility of its tiny actions against such a massive inferno, the little bird simply replied that it had to do its part so its conscience would remain clear.

Theleaders lefttheattendeeswitha powerful final thought, urging everyone inMangaluru andbeyond tobelike thatlittle bird: doing their ownsmall part,everyday,tospread love, compassion, and unity in a fracturedworld.

STOP the War, IMMEDIATELY!

*-Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ

The world today, is amid war, once again! This war must be stopped immediately!

It is already five days, since the United States and Israel attacked Iranon28February. Thereseemsto be no letting up, as the war continues to escalate. Everything seems to be going out of control; the entire world seems to be affected in some way or the other.

When the US attacked Iran, President Donald Trump did so without the mandatory Congressional approval; he did not consultwiththeUnitedNations,and theUSdoesnothavethesupportof their traditional allies. Many are condemning the unjustifiable attacks on Iran. Spain has been outright in this condemnation with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro

Sanchez referring to the attacks as “unjustifiable” and“dangerous”. Ina televised nationwide address on 4 February, he said that Spain’s

position was “notothewar”adding that “thisishowhumanity’sgreat disastersstart…Theworldcannot solveitsproblemswithconflictsand bombs.”

António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, wasted no time in issuing a statement, unequivocally stating, “I condemntoday’smilitaryescalation intheMiddleEast.Theuseofforce by the United States and Israel againstIran,andthesubsequent retaliationbyIranacrosstheregion, undermineinternationalpeaceand security. AllMember Statesmust respect their obligations under international law, including the CharteroftheUnitedNations.The Charterclearlyprohibits“thethreat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independenceofanystate,orinany othermannerinconsistentwiththe

PurposesoftheUnited Nations.”I reiterate that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlementofinternationaldisputes, infullaccordancewithinternational law,includingtheUNCharter . The Charterprovidesthefoundationfor the maintenance of international peaceandsecurity.”

The United States/Israel axis has succeeded in killing the Supreme leader of Iran. On 1 March, the Iranian State Television reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was

killed in US-Israel airstrikes; also killed were Iran’s chiefof army staff and defense minister and several otherhigh-ranking officials.Mostof the world has condemned these murders stating that the US/Israel had no right to kill the head of State/ Government of another country. The world knows that this

waron Iran,hasnothing to dowith theallegednuclearweaponsofIran; it has everything do so with the Epstein files (a cover-up for Trump and the other big names); of the desperateneedoftheUStohaveoil from Iran to complement (and to thin)thecrudeoiltheyhaverobbed from Venezuela. Then,on theother hand, we have Netanyahu: his fallingratingsinIsrael,coupledwith his war crimes against the Palestinianpeople! (For whichishis a ‘wanted’ person in most parts of theworld!)

The missiles attacks also destroyed a girl’s primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150(mainly girl students) and wounding several others. UNESCO expressed deepalarmattheimpact of themilitary attacks. Italso noted that pupils in a place dedicated to learning are protected under

international humanitarian law, and that “attacks against educational institutionsendangerstudentsand teachersandunderminetherightto education.”

Are the bullies of this world listening? Whose war is it, anyway? Several world leaders (not India) havecondemnedtheattacksonIran and the killing of their Supreme Leader and of innocent people. Millions all over the world have comeout onthestreets, toprotest, demanding that the war stops immediately! There is an outrage everywhere, aspeople rightly target theUSandIsraeliregimes andtheir military! Obviously, a good percentage of the media –controlled by the warmongers, will not highlight this reality (they are notreporting ofhowasaretaliatory measure, Iran has also destroyed several US bases in parts of the

Middle East). There is enough of evidence and factualdata, to show who the perpetrators of these terrible crimes against humanity are! There are cries for peace –underlining the painful reality, that inanywar, thegreatest victims, the people who suffer the most – are the poor, the vulnerable and marginalised; those who must eke outaliving; whosevery existenceis on their meagre daily earnings. Manyof themhavelost everything. Powerful nations(likeIsraelandthe US) and their crony capitalist friends, unfortunately justify every attack, every bombing, and every killing! No one is looking at the consequences ofwar:ofhowreality irreversibly changes for thevictims; howthereisirreparable devastation and wanton destruction of both of lifeandproperty. Endless debates have begun everywhere on this current war –and of who is winning! The plain truth isthat no one iswinning: our world is just becoming more insecure and unsafe! Thousands of travellers (particularly the

international ones) are stranded everywhere! Several questions are being asked at every level: who decides whether anynationhasthe right to go to war, or attack the sovereignty of another nation? What about the role and responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)? The IAEA was established in 1957 – in the wake of what took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is an international organization thataims to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes; it serves as a global forum for scientific and technicalcooperation inthenuclear field. The IAEA's work includes monitoring nuclear facilities, reporting on nuclear activities, ensuring safety, and fostering diplomacy. Why do nations, particularly the United States and Israel, not pay heed to these universal monitoring bodies? After theentireworldsaid, “NeverAgain!” post-World War II, and signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 – can the world’s

people affordWorldWarIII?

Then there is the role of the arms andammunition industry. President Dwight D. Eisenhower popularized the term ‘military- industrial complex’. Inhisfarewelladdress on January 17, 1961, Eisenhower highlighted howthecombinationof apermanent military establishment andalargearmsindustrycouldlead to significant societal and political consequences. During histenure as President, Eisenhower became increasingly convinced that corporate interests were beginning to monopolize national interests. This is exactly what is happening today. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) publishes annually a very objective and accurate data- based on military spending the world over and on the key corporations that make huge profits because of war. Warisalucrativebusiness!

LatePope Francisminced nowords in taking on the arms and ammunition industry saying that they promoted a ‘culture of death’ In September 2025, whilst

addressing a joint sitting of the US Congress he stated unequivocally, “beingattheserviceofdialogue andpeacealsomeansbeingtruly determinedtominimizeand,inthe longterm,toendthemanyarmed conflicts throughout our world… Whyaredeadlyweaponsbeingsold tothosewhoplantoinflictuntold suffering on individuals and society?” He answered it himself saying,“sadly,theanswer,asweall know,issimplyformoney:money that is drenched in blood, often innocentblood.Inthefaceofthis shamefulandculpablesilence,itis ourdutytoconfronttheproblem andtostopthearmstrade.”Noone of course paid heed to his urgent plea!

In his path-breaking Encyclical (October 2020) ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (BrothersandSistersAll)hedevoted anentire sectiontitled‘Theinjustice of war’ (#256-262). Among the

several critical and urgent issues, which he raises, he states, “since conditionsthatfavourtheoutbreak ofwarsareonceagainincreasing,I can only reiterate “war is the negationofallrightsandadramatic assaultontheenvironment.Ifwe want true integral human developmentforall,wemustwork tirelessly to avoid war between nationsandpeoples. Wecanno longerthinkofwarasasolution, because its risks will probably alwaysbegreaterthanitssupposed benefits.Inviewofthis,itisvery difficult nowadays to invoke the rationalcriteriaelaboratedinearlier centuriestospeakofthepossibility ofa“justwar”.Neveragainwar!We are experiencing a “world war fought piecemeal”; since the destiniesofcountriesaresoclosely interconnected on the global scene…Every warleavesourworld worsethanitwasbefore.Warisa failureofpoliticsandofhumanity,a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeatbeforetheforcesofevil.With themoneyspentonweaponsand othermilitaryexpenditures,letus

establish a global fund thatcan finallyputanendtohungerand favour development inthe most impoverished countries, so that their citizens will not resort to violentorillusorysolutions,orhave toleavetheircountriesinorderto seekamoredignified life.” These incisive statements from official Church teaching, is a call to immediate, substantialaction! Pope LeoXIVhasbeenconsistently bringing to the attention of world community the futility of war and why peace must be pursued and should triumph immediately. On Sunday1March,duringtheAngelus message referring to the current war,hesaid, “stabilityandpeaceare not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsibledialogue.”On4 March, speaking informally to a group of journalists he said, “Prayforpeace, workforpeace,lesshatred.Hatred in the world is constantly increasing.”

Mahatma Gandhi once famously said, “aneyeforaneyemakesthe wholeworldblind.”Thesewordsare so true today! In May 1969, in Montreal, Canada, Beatle John Lennon composed and sang the songtogether withYoko Ono,‘Give PeaceaChance’.Itsoon became an anthem of the anti-war movement during the 1970’s; thousands marchedeverywhere andsang “Allwearesayingisgivepeacea chance

Allwearesayingisgivepeacea chance”

Inthe wake of the terrible war that has engulfed the world today, we must not only sing song of peace andcomeoutonthestreets, butwe allneedtodoallwecanto Stopthe War – IMMDIATELY!

4 March 2026

*(Fr Cedric Prakash SJ is an internationally renowned human rights, reconciliation and peace activist. He is also a prolific writer. Contactcedricprakash@gmail.com )

NOAHS ARK:is it even possible?

-Mervin

May13,2025 Abombshellreport intheNewYorkPosthasstunned theglobalscientificcommunity.The headline read: “Noah’s Ark site’s ‘fullypreserved’secretsdiscovered in radar scans: ‘Not what you’d expecttosee.’Thearticlereveals groundbreaking findings from a teamledbyAmericanresearcher AndrewJonesandTurkishgeologist Dr. Mehmet Bayraktutar. Utilizing state-of-the-art GroundPenetratingRadar(GPR),theteam identifiedanunusual,boat-shaped formationattheDuruPinarsitenear MountAraratineasternTurkey.

“The data is exactly what you’d expecttofindifthiswereamanmade vessel,” Jones stated. “The dimensionsandinternalstructures areremarkablyconsistentwiththe biblical specifications of Noah’s Ark.”

Therevelationquicklycaughtfire across the globe, dominating headlines in major international outlets.FromtheDailyMailandThe SunintheUKtotheJerusalemPost andMetro,thediscoveryatDuru Pinarbecameafocalpointforboth scientificinquiryandpublicwonder. Feature stories soon followed in specializedarchaeologymagazines andnews journals worldwide, all grapplingwiththesamequestion: Hadtheworld'smostfamousship finallybeenfound?"

ThestoryofNoahisoneofhistory’s most gripping and profound challenges.Itwastheultimatetest of faith. Noah was faced with a moment ofextraordinary tension, taskedwithadualburden:hehadto construct the largest vessel the world had ever known while

simultaneously gathering and sustainingeveryspeciesofanimal. Yet,perhaps themost harrowing aspect of the mission was the isolation. Out of the entire populationoftheEarth,onlyeight people were destined tosurvive, leavingNoahtocarrytheweightof thefutureonhisshoulders." Didtheseeventstrulytakeplace?

Strong contextual and archaeologicalcluespointtoward ancient Mesopotamia the fertile 'landbetween therivers.' Nestled betweentheTigrisandEuphratesin modern-dayIraqanditsneighbors, thisregion wastheheartbeat of early humanity. Like the great civilizations that flourished along theNile,theIndus,andtheYangtze, Noah’sfamilylivedinaworldwhere lifewasdefinedbythewater'sedge. Inthisriver-centricworld,thethreat ofacatastrophicdelugewasn'tjust a story it was a looming geographicreality.

Havinglivedastaggering500years beforeevenbeginningtheArkand being only the ninth generation fromthefirsthuman,Adam,Noah wasnostrangertothenaturalworld oritschallenges.Bythatage,he

would havepossessed amassive accumulation of knowledge regarding engineering and maritime survival. Did I say 500 years?Noahlivedforatotalof950 years(Genesis9:29).

To the modern skeptic, such a lifespan sounds outlandish. However, consider our current context:evenintoday’sworld,filled with compromised DNA, environmental pollutants and processed foods,weseehumans likeJeanneCalmentreaching122, andEthelCaterhamthrivingat116. Natureitselfproves thatextreme longevity is biologically possible. TheDeep-seaglassspongecanlive forover15,000years,theGreenland sharkcruisestheoceansforupto 500years,andtheGiantSequoia canstandforoverthreemillennia.If theseorganismscanachievesuch agestoday,imagineaworldinits 'ultra-pure' state fresh, uncontaminated, and genetically vibrant.Astheninthdescendantof AdamwithabsolutelypristineDNA, stressfreelifestyle,ultra-cleanfood ,airand with divine guidance at everyturn,alifespanof900years becomesnotjustapossibility,buta

logical outcome of a pristine environment." during the Carboniferous Period (roughly 359–299 million years ago) and extending into the early Permian era, when oxygen reached peaks of 30–35% about 50% higher than now.Dragonflieswithwingspansup to 2.5 feet, like large birds today., Millipedes & other worms up to 8 feetlongandthickasahumanarm, spiders & cockroaches grew frighteningly much larger than modern ones. These things happened & fossil record tells us that.

At the ripe age of 500, Noah faced his ultimate challenge and failure was not an option. The survival of the entire human race hung in the balance. He was commanded to build a vessel of unprecedented scale, now famously known as Noah’s Ark. According to Genesis 6:15,thespecificationswereprecise: 300cubitslong, 50cubitswide, and 30cubitshigh.

Using the standard cubit of 18–20 inches, these dimensions translate to a staggering: Length: ~510 feet (155 meters),

Width:~85feet(26meters), Height: ~51feet(16meters)

Thisgave the Ark atotal volume of over staggering 20 lakh cubic feet. Spanning three decks, the internal capacity was equivalent to roughly 520 standard railroad stock cars or 450 semi-trailer loads. Could Noah alone build such a behemoth? Perhaps not but he wasn't alone. Alongsidehissons(Shem,Ham,and Japheth) and their wives, Noah had adedicatedteamandoveracentury tocompletetheproject.

Beyond the manpower, he had the ultimate 'LeadArchitect-God.' From the selection of resinous wood to the structural design, every detail wasguided bydivine precision. The only real obstacle Noah faced

wasn't the engineering; it was the social pressure. He likely became thetargetofrelentlessmockery and the 'butt of the joke' in his community yet his faithremained as airtight as the ship he was building." now hear this ultimate story, To those who argue that a small group of people could never completeaprojectasmassiveasthe Ark, history offers a modern-day 'Noah' named Dashrath Manjhi., Known as the 'Mountain Man' of India, Manjhi spent 22 years (from 1960 to 1982) carving a path through a solid 300-foot-high mountain using nothing but a hammer and a chisel. Driven by a singular, life-defining mission, he shorteneda70-kilometer triptojust onekilometer, movingthousandsof tons of rock single-handedly! His story is not an anomaly; history is filled with such accounts where extraordinary feats were achieved by a single person or a small, dedicated group.

In today’s world, there is no shortage of persistent sceptics. To putthe Ark’s scaleinto perspective, let’s compare ittothe giants of the

sea. TheSeawise Giant (the largest ship ever built) was three times longer than the Ark, and the modern Icon of the Seas (2024) is 2.5 times longer. Even the ill-fated Titanic was twice the Ark’s length. But these were steel ships. Could a wooden vessel survive such dimensions? History says yes. Consider the schooner Wyoming , builtin1909. At450feetlong,itwas nearly identical in size to the Ark, proving that wooden ships of this magnitudearenotonlypossiblebut historically documented. Idea was to Build for Survival, Not Speed or Aesthetics! Noah likely utilized Cypress (often associated with the biblical "Gopher wood"). Chosen for its rot resistance and strength, itwastheperfect material for avesselthat didn't need to sail, butsimplytosurvive.

● Structural Integrity: The boxy, barge-like shape provided maximumstabilitywithouttheneed forcomplex, curved hulls.

● The "Box-Girder" Effect: By attaching planks to a heavy frame and creating three distinct decks, Noahbuilt arigid structure capable

of withstanding massive torsion fromwaves.

● ThePitchSeal:Applying pitchinside and out served a dual purpose: it created a hydrophobic seal and, thanks toits sulphur content, acted asanaturalantimicrobial agent.

● Ventilation: A side door (sealed by God,according toGenesis7:16)and a top opening ensured air circulation—a critical feature for housingthousands ofanimals. TheArk’sseaworthinessisn't just a matteroffaith;ithasbeentestedby modern physics. A 2014 study by physicsstudentsattheUniversity of Leicester,publishedintheJournalof Physics Special Topics , put the biblicaldimensions tothetest. Using the Archimedes' Principle, they calculated that the Ark could

support a weight of approximately over 50,000 tons before sinking. Even with a high-end estimate of animals, food, and water, the total massremainedwellbelowthislimit. The researchers were "quite surprised" tofindthattheArkhada massivebuoyancymargin.

Furthermore, researcher John Woodmorappe, inhisNoah'sArk:A Feasibility Study , points out that Noah only needed to carry "kinds" rather than every single "species" (roughly 2,000 to 16,000 animals). This drastically reduces the load, making the Ark’s capacity more than sufficient. there is a wellknownlife-sizereplicaofNoah'sArk in the United States: The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, Built to the biblical specifications from Genesis 6:15 — 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. Drawing millions of visitors.itisamasterpieceoftimberframeengineering thatcanbebuilt andstandstalleventoday!

So,theArkwasn'tamyth butwhat about the animals? All of them, in pairs? To many, that sounds impossible. But let's look closer at

the text. In Genesis 6:19–20,” God gives aspecific command: “You are tobring intothearktwoofallliving creatures, maleandfemale,tokeep them alive with you. Two of every kind ofbird, ofevery kindof animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive." bring two ofevery'KIND.' TheBibleneversays 'species,' and that is where the confusion starts. In modern taxonomy, a 'kind' typically aligns with the Family or Genus level. For example, Noah didn’t need 400 breedsofdogs; heonlyneededtwo 'Canines.'From that single pair, the natural process of speciation— which scientists recognize today produced the diversity of wolves, foxes,anddingoes weseenow. By focusing on families rather than species, researchers like John Woodmorappe estimate Noahonly needed between 2,000 and 16,000 animals. Suddenly, the Ark’s 2.1 million cubic feet goes from 'cramped' to 'spacious,' with plenty of room left for food and supplies. (Andremember seacreaturesdidn't need a ticket; they had the whole ocean!)

As for managing them? Think of it like modern technology. Every gadget from your mobile to your PC runs on code, much of it tracing back to the 'C' language developed by Dennis Ritchie in the '70s. He can theoretically control any machine on earth! As the Creator of the 'biological code,' it wouldbeasimplematterforGodto 'reprogram' animal brains for a year-long hibernation.by reducing heartrate,breathing, metabolism & brain activity it’s pretty much possible. Australian pygmy possum to Arctic ground squirrel routinely goesforhibernationforayearorso.

NASA is conducting studies on humans for long-duration space flights.

Is housing 16,000 animals even possible? Look at the Berlin Zoological Garden today. It successfully cares for roughly 20,000 animalsintheheartofacity. Ifamodernzoocandoit,amassive, divine-spec barge certainlycould." Suddenly, the task of gathering, housing & taking care of the animalsdoesn'tseemlikeaproblem atall. Yousimply must havefaith andNoahhadplentyofit. So, ship is not a myth or taking animals, what about rain & subsequent flood? Genesis 7:11–12: "Inthesixhundredth yearofNoah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of heaven were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights." it was catastrophic atruehydrogen bomb level explosion! Nothing wasleftto surviveormeanttobe.SincetheArk was built on river it’d no problem with mixing of salt water from sea! Since density of seawater is higher Arkcouldfloatatahighermargin.as Archimedes said way back in 250 BC. “Anyobject,whollyorpartially immersedinafluid(likewater),is buoyed up by an upward force equaltotheweightof thefluid displacedbytheobject.”,earthhas seen many such cataclysmic upheavals.

During the Cryogenian (part of the Neoproterozoic era), Earth experienced extreme global glaciations known as "Snowball Earth" events. Melting was catastrophic in places: Sea levels rose extremely quickly—up to 20–30cmperyearinsomephases(100 timesmodern rates),floodingnewly exposed land and coastal areas. Massive influx of fresh meltwater into oceanscausedglobal sea-level rise. When the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ~26,000–20,000 years ago) ice cover began to melt as the climate warmed (due to orbital changes and other factors), icesheetsretreatedrapidlybetween ~16,000 and~8,000 years ago. This caused global sea-level rise of over 120meters&flooding attheglobal level. Recently, in 2022, Pakistan floods: monsoon rains (intensified by climate factors) flooded onethird of the country, thousands

killed. Vast areas were submerged for months, destroying crops and homes.in Manuawili Ranch, Maui, Hawaii, it rained almost a year! During Carnian Pluvial Episode, geologists sayrainingforthousands ofyears!Earthisnostrangertosuch global-scale events. Asteroid impacts have repeatedly crushed the

planet's livestock and ecosystems. During the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, 80% of all species simply vanished. In total, Earth has endured at least five mass extinctions, eachclearingaway60% to 90% of the world’s biological wealth. In this context, a global floodisn'tjustastory—itispartofa recurring pattern of planetary upheavalthathasresetlifeonEarth timeandtimeagain."

Finally, inGenesis 8:14–19, weread: “In the second month, on the

twenty-seventhdayofthemonth, theearthhaddriedout.”God then commanded: “Gooutfromtheark... Bring out with you every living thing...thattheymayswarmonthe earthandbefruitfulandmultiply.”

Noah’s family and their livestock spent approximately 370 days aboard the vessel. There is little doubt regarding the feasibility of this timeline. According to Genesis 8:3–5, the Ark came to rest in the seventhmonthonthemountainsof Ararat.

Now, refer to thefirst paragraph of this article. Everything should be crystal clear. The Ark was real, the flood was real, the animal preservation was achieved, and the vessel eventually found dry land near Mount Ararat exactly where radar scans are now revealing its secrets.

The Genetic Miracle: Can Eight PeopleRepopulate theEarth?

Skeptics often ask if eight people could truly repopulate a planet. An extraordinarily long lifespan certainlyhelped, asdid thegraceof God mentioned in Genesis: “that theymayswarmontheearthandbe

fruitful.”But what does the science say?

During the era of Pangaea (the supercontinent that existed from roughly 335 to 175 million years ago),lifethrivedacrossasingle,vast landmass. Finding oneself surrounded by a massive, unified body of water the Panthalassa Ocean isageological reality Earth hasseenbefore.

severe "crash" in our ancestral population. The effective breeding population dropped to about 1,200 individuals with some reports suggesting even fewer than 1,000. This bottleneck brought our ancestors perilously close to extinction,wiping outnearly99%of thepopulation.

From this tiny group of survivors, humanityrebounded toourcurrent populationof8.2billion.Iftheentire world today is descended from a small group of roughly 1,000 people, it is possible with divine help—for eight people to achieve the same. Technically, we are all “Noah’s sons.” Had he not stayed true to his task on that fateful day, noneofuswouldbeheretoseethe sunrisetoday.

More importantly, a major 2023 study published in science (analysing genomic data from over 3,000 modern people) revealed a

There’s a saying: “If it looks like a duck, swimslikeaduck, andquacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” Noah’s Ark is a historical truth there’s noother waytolook atit.

Prosperity vs. Authoritarianism:

-Philiph Mudartha

Since the early 1990s, Bangladesh followed free market policies andeconomic liberalisation measures. It achieved significant economic growth to emerge as one of thefastestgrowing economiesintheworld. Its largetextile industry, which is the secondlargestintheworld, became envyoftheneighbours. Over84%of the export earnings come from thetextile industry. Bangladesh is the second-leading garments exporter in the world and plays a crucial role in the globalfast fashionindustry, exporting to variousWesternfashionbrands.

Emerging as thesecond-largest economy inSouth Asia,its nominal GDP per capita overtook that of India.Bangladesh has achieved remarkable feats in reducing itspoverty rate, from 80% in 1971 to 18.7% in 2022. ItsHuman Development Indexgrowth was surpassed only by China.Aspart of thegreen transition, the industrial sector emerged as a leader in building green factories, with the country having the largest number of certified green factories in the world.

Such prosperity was achieved due topolitical stability. Sheik Hasinaof Bangladesh Awami League, an ally of India, provided continuity in economic policies along with secularism. However, her long rule saw democratic backsliding accompanied with corruption and humanrightsabuses. Itwasalleged that routinely rigged elections became the hallmark of her rule

where the elections were neither freenorfair.

Freedom Housecriticised Awami League rule for human rights abuses, the crackdown on the opposition, mass media, and civil society through politicised enforcement. AccordingtoNational Human Rights Commission, 70% of alleged human-rights violations were committed by lawenforcement agencies. Thus, it’s rightly alleged that Sheik Hasina oversaw a police state even as she presided over a prosperous economy.

Sheik Hasina's prime ministership hasbeendescribed asauthoritarian since being re-elected in 2008, and in 2011 removed the requirement that a temporary independent caretaker government be formed to hold elections. The main opposition party, theBangladesh Nationalist Party, boycotted the elections alleging that the election commission under the incumbent government wasunabletoorganise

a free and fair election. The voter turnoutin2024electionissaidtobe around 28%. Thus, Bangladesh effectively became a one-party state.

Sheik Hasina was overthrown in August 2024 by civic strife orchestrated by students against discrimination, a shadow organization of the opposition Islamist political forces. She fled to India and an interim government headed by Mohammed Yunustook over. Mohammed Yunus banned Awami League, acquitted BNP and set its leaders free, paving the way tothe return of TariqRahmanfrom self-exileinLondon.

In the elections held on 12th February 2026 held under the interim government, BNP won a landslide and formed the government. Tariq Rahman was sworninasPM.

Will Modi care to learn from Bangladesh?

Hasina’s style of governance matched that of Narendra Modi’s regime which is bent on throttling

all dissent, carrying out a systemic witch-hunt against political opponents, camouflaging the stinking rot of corruption and the manipulating the state of the economy with discredited data and robust propaganda machinery.

Tyrantslikemaynotcarebuthistory of all tyrants has shown that there are limits to authoritarian control and false propaganda. When both fall like a pack of cards, the tyrant has no choice but to run for cover likeahounded prey.

Two years before Hasina’s fall from power, the Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa met a similar fate and went into self-imposed exile.

Will Modi heed the important lessons from the neighbourhood and make a course correction? Or, will he continue to engage in creating an illusion about his invincibility, even his divinity, while papering over his multiple failures and ignoring the distress at the grassroots? The minorities, rural poor, working class, farmers and

many other sections of society are reeling underhisoligarchy.

Modi’s persona is as much toxic as his ideology of exclusion and his megalomania. Despite a reduced majority inparliament, he pretends thatitisbusinessasusual,usingthe state machinery to stamp out dissent, choke media, and crack downonminoritieswithmuchmore vitriolic venom. Instead of working towards improving the country’s sagging economy, he continues to focusonbuilding anarrative thatis far removed from rampant unemployment andrising inflation.

Bangladesh’s today’s political landscape should serve him a grim reminder. One would hope the Modi government canrecognize all these dangers and prevent India fromslidingdownapossiblebloody road. Throughout his political career, starting in Gujarat, he hasn’t shown the capacity to be flexible and adaptive. Arrogance, muscle flexing andsneering atothers form thefundamentalcore ofhisstyleof functioning. Probably, the message

from Bangladesh may be lost on him.

Despite the clear lessons from Bangladesh athand, it seems Modi has chosen to bury his head in the sand. Ignoring the lessons may not only jeopardize hisown power, but it can also have the potential to pushingthecountrytowards unrest.

There was Gen-Z unrest in Nepal which uprooted the government of

TODAY IN THE US:

President Trump Has Proposed Restricting Entry to the U.S.A. For Individuals from Certain MuslimMajority Countries, Sparking Nationwide Discussion. Supporters

Oli. At the time of writing reports arecominginthatthenewlyformed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led byformerrapperBalendraShah,has emerged astheearly frontrunner in the parliamentary elections and seen to be heading to a landslide. Like in Bangladesh, another neighbour alsoposes bitter lessons toModi.

Say It Focuses on Security and Immigration Control, While Others ExpressConcernAboutFairnessand Inclusion. The Proposal Has Prompted A Broad Conversation About Policy, Safety, And Community AcrosstheNation.

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BREAKING: Tehran in Flames! Massive Explosions and Billowing Black Smoke Engulf Iranian Capital as Trump’s Forces Deliver Devastating Blows

On day four of Operation Roaring Lion—the decisive joint US-Israeli

campaign to dismantle the Iranian regime—raw footage from Tehran shows the city under relentless hammer. Thick plumes of black smoke tower over the skyline as powerfulexplosions ripthroughkey targets, including IRGC headquarters, missile sites, and air defense networks.

President Trump and Defense

Secretary Pete Hegseth made it crystal clear: warnings ignored, red lines crossed, consequences delivered. The IDF and US forces have achieved overwhelming air superiority, with Iranian ballistic missile launches down 86% and one-way drones slashed 73% in recent days. Deeper strikes are expanding inland, methodically crushing the mullahs' ability to

threaten America, Israel, or the free world.

Iran's once-feared military machine iscrumbling Supreme Leader Khamenei eliminated early on, dozens of IRGC commanders dead, hundreds of sites pulverized with precision munitions. Nomercyfora terror-sponsoring regimethatspent decadesbuildingnukesandfunding proxies to attack our allies.

DemocratslikeHakeemJeffriesmay whineandroot againstvictory, but patriots see the truth: decisive American strength under Trump is ending the Iranian threat once and for all. Victory isn't a question of when it's when. Stay strong, America freedom iswinning.

Hammering Iran – Air Defenses Obliterated

The Pentagon has confirmed: B-52 Stratofortress bombers are now pounding targets across Iran in Operation Epic Fury. This isn't subtle.Thelegendary"BUFF" –slow, massive, and utterly dominant –only flies when the sky belongs to us.

First camethe stealth B-2s to crack hardened missile sites and nuclear facilities undetected. Then

supersonic B-1 Lancers tore deep intothecountry. NowtheB-52s roll in – proof positive thatIran'soncevaunted air defenses are smoking ruins.Nothinglefttothreatenthese 1950s icons carrying up to 70,000 pounds of ordnance per sortie.

Over 1,700 targets were destroyed in just 72 hours. Ballistic missile factories, command centers, naval assets – all crumbling under relentless American firepower. The U.S. Air Force has quadrupled its

B-2 Stealth Bombers Headed to BritishBasesforPrecisionStrikes on Iran

strike capacity, and Tehran feels everypound.

This is what overwhelming military superiority looks like. No more games. No more proxies hiding behindthreats. Americaisusingthe tools itbuilt – andpaidfor – toend the menace.

Iran'sregimechoseescalation.Now it's reaping the consequences. Air supremacy achieved. Justice delivered. And the mission continuesuntilthejobisfinished.

The Telegraph reports that America's formidable B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are expected to arrive at UK-controlled bases "in a matter of days" to bolster ongoing military operations againstIran's regime.

Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAFFairford inGloucestershire are preparing to host these $2 billion invisible warplanes, which excel at penetrating defended airspace to deliver devastating bunker-busters on hardened underground targets.

This move follows recent U.S. B-2 strikes that crippled key Iranian ballistic missile facilities and comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted permission for American

use of British bases despite initial hesitation and reported Cabinet pushback.

With Iran's missile stockpiles reportedly dwindling and its defenses exposed, the deployment signalsWashington'sdetermination to neutralize threats from Tehran's nuclear and missile programs decisively.

Strong alliances and superior technology continue to deter aggression and protect American interestsinavolatileregion.

Attacks..

#Kuwait the Ministry of Defense reported that, so far, atotal of 212 ballistic missiles and 394 drones targeting Kuwaiti airspace have been detected and neutralized. The Armed Forces successfully intercepted thesethreatswithin the ongoing operational area. A total of 67 Kuwaiti military personnel sustained injuries. The injured are receiving the necessary medical care, and all are in stable condition, with two cases currently under medical observation. TheKuwaitArmed Forces remainat the highest levels of readiness and operate around the clock. There is continuous and precise monitoring of all field developments in full coordination with military, security, and stateinstitutions. This integrated national system aims to safeguard the country’ssecurityand ensure the safety of citizens and residents.

Big breaking: Iran hits USS Abraham with drones & missiles;

Trump pulls aircraft carrier far away

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims it launched missiles and drones targeting the U.S. aircraftcarrierUSSAbrahamLincoln in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian military officials say the attack

involved multiple ballistic missiles and naval drone operations aspart of “Operation True Promise Four,” Tehran’s retaliation campaign following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory. According to Iranianreports, thecarrierstrike group withdrew from theareaafter the attack, though Washington has not confirmed any damage. U.S. officials have only acknowledged ongoing air-defense activity, leaving the claim unverified amid escalatingregional tensions.

Russia-Iran vs US-Israel? Putin 'secretly

helping Iran' hit US forces | US warships in danger?

Whatifoneglobal superpower was quietly helping another target Americanforces?Newreports claim Russia may be providing Iran with intelligence onthe locations of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East.Iftrue…thiscoulddramatically raise the stakes in an already dangerous conflict. Today we’re

looking at a major development in the escalating war involving the UnitedStates,Israel,andIran and thepossible behind-the-scenes role ofRussia.AccordingtoU.S.officials, Moscow may be sharing sensitive military intelligence with Tehran potentially helping Iran track Americanforcesacrosstheregion.

THE RETURN OF THE LION:

Reza Pahlavi Accepts Mandate to Lead Iran’s Transition

Historyhasreachedafeverpitch.As the Islamic Republic’s pillars of terror crumble across the Middle East,Crown PrinceRezaPahlavihas

officiallyacceptedtheresponsibility to serve as Iran's Transitional Leader.

In a powerful address directed at the Iranian people and the Arab world, Pahlavisignaled theendofa 47-year occupation andthebirth of a new, sovereign era. Pahlavi:"TheIslamicRepublic has

launchedmissilesattheUnitedArab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. It is targeting our Arab neighbors. These violations of their sovereignty are unacceptable, and we condemn them. But this is nothingnew.ThisiswhotheIslamic Republic has always been, and this is why it must end.

Fornearlyfivedecades,thisterrorist regime has sown chaos and bloodshed across our region. It propped up Assad, turning Syria into a graveyard. It planted Hezbollahasastatewithinastatein Lebanon. It armed the Houthis to destabilize theArabianPeninsula. It empowered militias in Iraq to undermine Iraqi sovereignty. It attacked the economic hubs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. None of this has ever been the desire of the Iranian people, but rather that of a regime occupying our country. Now, however, the landscape has fundamentally shifted. Assad is gone, Hezbollah has been decimated, the regime's military

nuclearprogram hasbeensetback, its economy is in a freefall. The pillars of this regime's aggression are crumbling. The Iranian people have paid the price in blood to reach this moment. The regime massacred tensof thousands ofmy compatriots in just two days, but it didn’tbreakthepeople.Instead,the regime itself is breaking. Today, history reminds us of our future potential. Before the revolution, Iranworked closely with Arab leaders from King Faisal to Sheikh Zayed, to King Hussein, to PresidentSadat.InOman,myfather helped Sultan Qaboos defend his country against insurgency. We were true partners then. Wewill be true partners again.

The Iranian people have called on me to lead the transition after the regimeisgone.Ihaveacceptedthat responsibility. Part of their great mandate to me is to return our nation and our foreign relations to normalcy. I will do exactly that. My commitment is to ensure the transition is orderly, the country is stabilized, and Iranians determine

their future through the ballot box. We will not repeat the mistakes of past transitions. We will avoid deBaathification scenarios and maintain as many bureaucrats and public servants in transition as possible.

Iranians have made their choice at an enormous price. Now I ask our friends intheArabworld tojoinus, topreparetorecognizeandengage ourtransitionalgovernment. Wewill rebuild our nation not for expansion, but to serve the Iranian people. Wewillbaseourdiplomatic

relations not on exportation of ideology, butonmutualrespectand sharedinterests. Wewillreintegrate into the regional and global economy to increase prosperity for the citizens of all our nations.

Standing with the Iranian people is not charity. It is a strategic investment in making our region one of themost stable, secure, and prosperous in the world. Together, we can build a Middle East our children will be proud to inherit. Takethisnewpathwithus."

President Trump announced SaturdaythatIranhasapologizedto its Middle East neighbors and fully surrendered bypromising toendits aggression against them. The breakthrough comes amid relentlessU.S.andIsraelistrikesthat have crippled Tehran's military capabilities.

Trump credited the decisive American-led pressure for forcing Iran's hand, stating the regime "surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, andpromised thatitwill not shoot at them anymore." He emphasized this shift happened only because of the "relentless U.S. andIsraeliattack,"proving strength brings results.

Iran'sPresident MasoudPezeshkian didissueapublicapologyforstrikes on regional states and vowed no further attacks unless provoked from theirterritory. Yethedefiantly rejected U.S. callsfor unconditional surrenderasanimpossible"dream."

The contrast is clear: while Tehran offers tactical concessions under fire, Trump frames them as total capitulation. With Iran's air force, navy, andmissile stocks decimated, the path forward points to continued pressureuntiltheregime fully complies or collapses.

America's resolve under Trump is delivering realwinsinaregion long plagued by Iranian bullying. Peace through strengthworks.

Mojtaba Khamenei Eliminated: Iran's Brief New Supreme Leader Reportedly Taken Out Hours

After Succession

Iran's fragile regime suffered another blow today as reports emerged that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khameneiandthemanbriefly

installed as supreme leader, has beenkilled.

AliKhamenei felltojointU.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, decapitating the Islamic Republic's

leadershipattheoutsetofescalated conflict. Mojtaba, long viewed as

the hardline favorite to inherit powerdespitenoformalpublicrole, was reportedly named successor earlier this week amid chaos and Israeliwarnings thatanynewleader would become a target. Circulatingaccounts,includingfrom sources inside Iran, claim Mojtaba was eliminated today—his tenure lastingmerehours after strikes hit his location. Social media erupted with claims of confirmation, including posts noting his "career" from appointment to death spannedonlyanafternoon.

threw her shoes at the judge. She screamed that the man who raped her should be punished, not her. Thejudgeresponded bysentencing her to death.

On August 15, 2004, 16-year-old AtefehRajabiSahaalehwaspublicly hanged fromacraneinthetownof Neka, Iran. The judge in her case, Haji Rezai, personally placed the noosearoundherneck.Shewasleft hanging for approximately 45 minutes. Her father had not been informed of the execution.

Atefehhadfirstbeenarrested at13 afterbeingfoundaloneinacarwith aboy. Shereceived prison timeand 100 lashes. According to a BBC documentary, she was sexually assaulted by guards during detention. She was arrested and convicted twice more for "crimes againstchastity."Under Iranianlaw, a fourth conviction carried an

automatic death sentence.

The man involved, 51-year-old Ali Darabi, a former Revolutionary Guard member, received 95 lashes. Her court documents falsified her age as 22. Amnesty International calledtheexecutionacrimeagainst humanity. Iran later issued a posthumous pardon.

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is one of the most advanced and mysterious aircraft ever built. Designed to be nearly invisible to radar, theaircraftusesaunique flying wing design and specialized materials that allow it to slip through heavily defended airspace undetected. Each plane cost roughly $2 billion to produce, makingitoneofthemost expensivemilitaryaircraft inhistory.

Breaking: IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani is confirmed safe in Israel It can now be revealed that he played akey role intheelimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leaders Nasrallah and Safieddine, and elimination of Khameneiandtop IRGCgenerals.

BREAKING: SOMETHING HUGE JUST ERUPTED IN THE MIDDLE EAST — IRAN

AT THE CENTER OF A GLOBAL STORM

What began as targeted military strikeshasexploded intooneofthe most dangerous geopolitical crises in decades. A massive conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has triggered missile

attacks,dronebarrages,andmilitary operationsacrossmultiplecountries intheregion.

No outcome hasbeen decided. No regime collapse has been confirmed. But the scale of the conflict is already reshaping the balanceofpowerintheMiddleEast.

The war intensified after coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes targeted high-level Iranian leadership and military infrastructure, including an operation thatkilled Iran’ssupreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran during the opening phase of the campaign.

Iran responded with waves of missilesanddrones targeting Israel, Gulfstates,andU.S.militaryfacilities across the region, dramatically

expanding the battlefield beyond Iranitself.

Defenseanalystssaytheconflicthas now become the largest multicountry military escalation in the Middle Eastinyears, withhundreds of strikes already launched and more operations expected.

For now, one thing is clear: this is notjustanotherregionalflare-up. It isarapidly unfolding confrontation that could reshape alliances, global energy markets, and the future of theMiddle East.

Thesituationistrending worldwide for its explosive implications watch how a sudden military escalation turned into a global geopolitical shock before it scrolls pastyourfeed…

One of the USAir Force'sdeadliestjetshas arrivedin the UK as Donald Trump prepares fresh strikes on Iran.

The B-12 bomber, capable of carrying 24 cruise missiles, has landed in the UK after the US defence secretary warned of a “surge” in strikes on Iran.

The146ftB-1Lancerhasawingspan of137ft,weighs86tonnesandisthe fastest bomber inthe US Air Force, according to Boeing, hitting speeds

of more than 900mph. Pilotedbyacrewoffour,“theBone”

– astheaircraft isnicknamed – has advancedradarandGPSsystemsto help hit targets, and electronic jammers, radar warnings and a decoy system to protect it from enemies.

The B-1, which has been used in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq,

can carry up to 34 tonnes of weapons and equipment. (Getty Images) #NewsForYou

Theworld's most powerful warship, the nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford, has transited the Suez Canal andisnowoperating intheRedSea flanking Iran's western side in Operation Epic Fury. With the USS Abraham Lincoln already pounding targets from the south and east in the Arabian Sea, America now commands overwhelming strike power from multiple vectors. Two supercarrier strike groups deliver unmatched air dominance, precision strikes, and deterrence.

Injustthefirstweek ofthisdecisive campaign launched under PresidentTrump'sleadership —U.S. forces have:

- Struck nearly 200 targets deep

inside Iran, including nuclear enrichment sites at Fordow and Natanz via B-2 bombers -Sunkover30Iraniannavalvessels, gutting Tehran's sea power -ReducedIran'smissilebarragesby up to 90%, neutralizing muchof its ballistic threat

No U.S. carrier has been damaged, and American casualties remain minimal despite Iranianattempts at retaliation. The Ford's extended deployment — nowpushingtoward record lengths proves U.S. resolve: we fight to win, and we finish what we start.

AsSecretaryHegsethdeclared: "We haveonlyjustbeguntofight."Iran’s mullahs face total defeat. Peace through strength is being restored — onedevastating blowatatime.

Ina rapid and coordinated military operation, theIranianRevolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) executed Operation Sovereign Shield, deploying 300seaminesand50fast attack boats across the Strait of Hormuz inanattempt toblock one oftheworld's mostcriticalshipping lanes.

The operation was initiated at 3:15 a.m., and by 5:20 a.m., two tankers had struck mines, prompting a declarationoftheStraitasawarrisk zone.

In response, the United States

Central Command received an executiveorder to reopen thestrait and eliminate all threats.

Over the next six hours, U.S. forces carried outamulti-phase operation that included neutralizing Iranian submarines, suppressing coastal

missile batteries, and engaging the fast attack boats.

The U.S. Navy successfully destroyed three Iraniansubmarines, 40 fast attack boats, and 18 coastal missile batteries, while clearing a safe corridor through the mined waters.

Despite sustaining minor injuries to two sailors and damage to one tanker, the U.S. Navyaccomplished its mission with zero losses to its ships or aircraft.

The blockade that was intended to disrupt global energy markets lasted only six hours, showcasing the effectiveness and rapid response capabilities of American navalpower.

U.S. Central Command confirmed thattheaircraftcarrierUSSGeraldR. Ford has entered active combat operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, launching carrierbased aircraft in support of Operation Epic Fury targeting Iranian military infrastructure and reinforcing allied strikes in the region. The deployment places the Navy’smostadvancedcarrier atthe

center of live airoperations against Iran, strengthening American deterrence and rapid-response capacity amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Operating from the Eastern MediterraneanSea,GeraldR.Fordis launching carrier-based strike, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning aircraft to support

Operation Epic Fury. According to U.S. defense officials, the operation integrates naval aviation, longrange precision fires, cyber capabilities, and intelligence assets to impose sustained pressure on adversary networks operating across parts of the Levant and adjacent maritime approaches.

CENTCOM reported that following theinitial wave of strikes, American forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks, with no U.S. casualties and only minimal infrastructure damage. The operation has also introduced new tacticalelements, including the first combat employment of low-cost one-way attack drones by CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike, signaling an evolution toward more distributed and attritable strike architectures.

Within this framework, USS Gerald R. Ford provides a critical maritime strike and air superiority component. Asthelead ship of the Ford-class, CVN78wasdesigned to deliver higher sortie generation

rates and improved combat efficiency compared to legacy Nimitz-class carriers. Its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System replaces steam catapults, allowingfaster,moreflexibleaircraft launches and reducing mechanical stress on airframes. The Advanced Arresting Gear and redesigned weapons handling systems are engineered to support sustained high-tempo operations, acapability particularly relevant in a campaign involving repeated strike wavesand defensive counter-air missions.

The embarked carrier air wing enables a layered operational approach. F/A-18E/F Super Hornets provide precision strike capacity against fixed and mobile targets, while EA-18G Growlers conduct suppression of enemy air defenses against Iranian radar and missile networks. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft extend airborne early warning and battle management, crucial in an environment characterized by large-scale missile and drone retaliation. Depending on air wing composition, F-35C fighters would add stealth

penetration capability against heavilydefendedtargets, increasing survivability during deep strike missions.

Launching from the Eastern Mediterranean provides the United States with operational depth and maneuver flexibility. The carrier’s mobility complicates Iranian targeting calculations and reduces relianceonfixedregionalbasesthat could be vulnerable to ballistic missile attack. Nuclear propulsion allowstheshiptosustainoperations without fuel constraints, while escorting Aegis-equipped destroyers contributes ballistic missile defense and long-range strike capabilities, creating an integrated maritime shield and sword posture.

Strategically, Operation Epic Fury signals a shift from limited retaliatory strikes to a broader campaign aimedatdismantling key elements of Iran’s military strike architecture. Bytargeting command nodes, air defense systems, and launch infrastructure, the United States appears focused on

degrading Tehran’s ability to coordinate large-scale missile and drone attacks. The successful defense against hundreds of retaliatory projectiles underscores the scale of the confrontation and highlights the importance of layered air and missile defense integration across naval and landbased systems.

For the U.S. Navy, the combat employment of USS Gerald R. Ford in a high-intensity campaign provides aconsequential validation of Ford-class modernization investments. The class was conceived to sustain higher operational tempos with reduced manpower and improved survivability. Itsperformanceduring Epic Fury will likely influence congressional assessments of carrier force structure, especially as debates continue over the balance between large-deck carriers and distributed unmanned systems.

AsOperation EpicFury unfolds, the integration of carrier-based aviation, long-range precision fires, missile defense networks, and

emerging drone capabilitiesreflects an increasingly multi-domain approach to conflict. The presence of CVN 78 at the center of this campaignunderscores thatnuclear-

powered supercarriers remain a core instrument of U.S. power projection when rapid escalation demands sustained, high-volume strikecapacity.

The United States military has unleashed an unprecedented show of force against the Iranian regime, deploying over 50,000 troops, 200 fighterjets,twoaircraftcarriers, and four B-2 stealth bombers in a massive operation aimed at crippling Tehran's terror infrastructure once and for all. This isn't a limited strike it's a fullspectrum display of American power, with carrier strike groups dominating thePersianGulf,fighter squadrons dominating the skies,

and B-2s ready to deliver precision devastation to hardened targets.

President Trump has made it crystal clear: the days of appeasing, paying off, or tolerating a regime that chants "Death to America," funds proxies that kill our troops, and threatensouralliesareover. This overwhelming military posture sends an unmistakable message no more red lines drawn in sand, no more secret cashshipments, nomoreendless negotiations with tyrants. When America acts with strength, evil backs down or gets destroyed.

The operation protects our people, our alliesinIsraelandtheGulf, and innocent Iranians suffering under the mullahs. With zero American casualties reported so far and the regime's leadership decimated, this is what decisive leadership looks like peace through overwhelming strength. Theworldiswatching,and America is leading. No retreat, no surrender, nomercyforterrorist

'UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS': The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East confirms nearly 2,000 targets have been struck inIran, air defenses have been severely degraded, and hundreds of Iran's ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones have been destroyed since "Operation Epic Fury" started against the Islamic Republic:

"Icouldnotbeprouder

ofAmerica's sonsanddaughters inuniformwho areanswering thecall."

"The Iranian Air Force is no more." Pete Hegseth didn't sugarcoat it. Everything Iran built since 1996 — fighter jets, bases, infrastructure wipedoffthe mapinlessthanaweek

Iran Commander Vows "Years of War"Readiness –TehranSignalsNo

Backdown as Epic Fury Rages On

A senior commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

(IRGC) delivered a defiant message on March 7, 2026, declaring that Tehran is fully prepared for “years of war” if the current escalation persists. The statement, broadcast on state television and amplified across IRGCaffiliated channels, reaffirms President Massoud

Pezeshkian’s earlier claim that Iran can sustain 150–200 missile launches per day for 4–5 years without depleting its arsenal.

The warning arrives as *Operation

Epic Fury*—the U.S.-Israeli campaignnowinitssecondweek has inflicted severe damage: over 1,700 targets struck, significant portions of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers and production facilities destroyed, naval fleet decimated (including the IRIS Dena sunk by MK-48 torpedo), and air defenses crippled by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and Precision Strike Missiles. Despite these losses, Iranian officials insist their dispersed, mobile, and underground capabilities remain intact enough to prolong attrition warfare.

The commander’s rhetoric underscores Tehran’s strategy: endure overwhelming initial strikes, exploit coalition vulnerabilities (depleted THAAD interceptors, destroyed $300M radar in Jordan, damaged USS Abraham Lincoln), and target Gulf energy infrastructure to drive up global costs and fracture alliances. With Qatar’s LNG production halted, Hormuz traffic collapsed 85–90%,

andtankercompaniesrejecting U.S. Navy escorts, economic pressure is already reshaping the battlefield. Diplomatic maneuvering adds complexity:SaudiArabia’sneutrality drawspublicIraniangratitude, while Russia reportedly shares real-time U.S. asset locations with Tehran, escalating great-power involvement. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has firmly kept the alliance out, and Congress blocksnewU.S.strikes, constraining escalation options. As fears mount of a multi-year quagmire—echoing earlier hyperbolic predictions of Arab states regressing amid prolonged conflict the commander’s vow signals Iran’s intent to turn endurance into leverage. With nuclear breakout risks (uranium for 11 bombs), proxy flare-ups, and energy markets in turmoil, the MiddleEaststandsontheedgeofa sustained, destabilizing war that could redefine regional power for generations

As

the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, former President Donald Trump is onceagainframingAmerica’sfuture through the lens of faith and heritage.

“We are bringing back God. This year, we celebrate 250 years of a nation founded on sacred principles.”

The statement blends commemoration withconviction. By referencing the nation’s 250-year milestone, Trump ties his message to the country’s revolutionary origins the Declaration of

Independence, the Constitution, and the philosophical underpinnings that shaped the American experiment. The phrase “sacred principles” signals his belief that those foundations were not merely political, but moral and spiritual.

Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently argued that America’s strength is rooted in its religious heritage. Supporters point to references to a Creator in the DeclarationofIndependenceandto longstanding traditions such as presidential oaths taken on Bibles and national days of prayer as evidence of that spiritual thread.

The phrase “bringing back God” suggests restoration — the idea that faith has been sidelined in public life and needs renewed prominence. For manyconservative voters, particularly within evangelical communities, that messageresonatesdeeply.Theysee cultural and social changes over recentdecadesasevidenceofmoral driftandviewrenewedemphasison faithascorrective.

Atthesametime, the rhetoric invites debate. The U.S. Constitution establishes no official religion and protects freedom of belief for all citizens. Critics argue that America’s founding principles also include pluralism, religious liberty, and separation of church and state values designed to protect both faithandfreedom ina diverse society. Theapproaching 250th anniversary, often referred to as the Semiquincentennial, has sparked broader national conversations about identity, history, and the meaning oftheAmericanfounding. Trump’s framing places faith at the center of that reflection.

Whether interpreted as spiritual

They called him too weak to lead. Thenheasked onesimple question that ended a thirty-year war. Jimmy Carter never matched America's idea of a strong president. He carried his own bags. Wore cardigansweatersintheOvalOffice. Asked people to turn down their

revivalism or political messaging, the statement underscores a recurring theme in his leadership style: linking patriotism with religious conviction.

As the country prepares to mark a quarter-millennium since 1776, debates over what the nation was foundedupon —andwhatitshould prioritize moving forward are likely to intensify.

For Trump, the message is clear: honoring America’s past means reaffirming what he calls its sacred roots.

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thermostats. He taught Sunday schoolandspoke,inaquietGeorgia drawl, about humility, love, and sacrifice.

Washington called him weak. Opponents called him naïve. Latenight hosts turned hisdecency into a joke.

But in September 1978, that same

quiet man did what every powerful leader before him hadfailed to do. He helped end a war that had defined aregion for three decades. Since 1948, Egypt and Israel had fought four brutal wars. Thousands were dead. Entiregenerations grew up knowing nothing but fear and hatred across a shared border. Every attempt at peace collapsed under the weight of history, grief, and pride. The conflict felt permanent. Jimmy Carter refused to believe that. By then, hispresidency was already

unraveling. Inflation crushed families. Gas lines snaked around cityblocks. Hisapproval ratingshad fallen through the floor. Advisorsbegged himnottogamble what little political capital he had left on an impossible dream. Carter ignored them. He invited Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin toCamp David, the secluded presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains. No press. No speeches. No escape. Thirteen days. One mission. He told them plainly: We stay until peaceis found or untilevery path has truly been exhausted. The talks nearly collapsed immediately. BeginwasaHolocaustsurvivor who had lost most of his family. He believed Israel could never afford weakness again. Sadat had led Egypt through devastating wars. He believed his people deserved an end to endless funerals. They wouldn't sit together. They shouted through messengers. They

stormed out of meetings. Carter'sownteamurgedhimtoend the summit quietly before it destroyed what remained of his presidency.

Carter refused. Eachnight,hewalkedalonethrough the woods. He prayed. He wrote letters by hand. He stopped thinking like a politician trying to survive and started thinking like a human being trying to heal something broken. On the eleventh day, Begin announcedhewasleaving.Thetalks were over.

Carter went to Begin's cabin with a small request: Would he sign afew photographs for Carter's grandchildren?

AsBegincarefullywroteeachchild's name, Carter spoke softly. Not about politics. Not about pressure. About legacy. About what remains when power fades.

About the stories we tell the children who come after us. Then Carter asked one quiet question:

"What will you tell your grandchildren about thismoment?" Begin stayed. Two days later, on September 17, 1978, Sadat and Begin signed the Camp David Accords. TheSinaiPeninsulawasreturned to Egypt. Diplomatic relations were established. A framework for peace replaced decades of bloodshed. The border violence stopped. SadatandBeginreceived theNobel Peace Prize. Jimmy Carter did not. Within months, his presidency collapsed under the weight of the Iran hostage crisis. Fifty-two Americans were held for 444 days. Carterrefusedtosacrificetheirlives forpoliticaltheaterorrecklessforce.

History would later honor that restraint but voters did not. In November 1980, he lost the presidency in a landslide. The hostages were released minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in. The story seemed settled: Jimmy Carter, the failed president. But Carter wasn't finished. He returned to Plains, Georgia. To the same modest home. To

teaching Sunday school.

Then he picked up a hammer and joined Habitat for Humanity—not symbolically, but physically. For decades, he built houses with his ownhands,sweatingunderthesun, climbing ladders into his eighties and nineties. He founded the Carter Center. Fought neglected diseases.Monitored fragile elections. Mediated conflicts others wouldn't touch. He lived simply. He showed up. In 2002 twenty-two years after voters rejected him, the Nobel Committee finally recognized what time had revealed.

Jimmy Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for a lifetime of humanitarian work. In2015,doctorstoldhimcancerhad spread to his brain and liver. He smiled calmly and said he was at peace with whatever came. The cancer went into remission. Carter went back to work.

On December 29, 2024, James Earl Carter Jr. died at home in Plains,

Georgia. He was 100 years old. By then, history had reversed its verdict.

TheCampDavidAccordsstillheld nearly half a century of peace between Egypt and Israel. Entire generations alive because one man refused to accept that failure was inevitable.

Jimmy Carter never ruled through fear.Heneverconfusedcrueltywith strength.

He believed leadership meant appealing to the best in people even when it cost him power. Once, he asked two bitter enemies what they would tell their grandchildren. That question saved lives.

The man they called too weak left behind something rarer than dominance.

He left proof that moral courage, relentless service, and quiet kindness can outlast every headline and rewrite every judgment made in haste. He did not always win. Buthechanged theworld.

Roaring Lion’: TheIDFandtheU.S. Armed Forces have launched a broad and joint campaign to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to the State of Israel over time.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announces that theIDF andthe US Armed Forces have launched a broad and joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian

terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to the State of Israel over time.

The strike targeted dozens of military targets andwascarried out aspartofabroad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime.

The Iranian regime has not abandoneditsplantodestroyIsrael.

In recent months, and despite the severe blow it sustained during Operation “Rising Lion”, the IDF

identifiedthattheregimecontinued efforts to advance production, fortify, and conceal its nuclear program, alongside rehabilitating its missile production processes.

In addition, the regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel’s borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to theStateofIsraelandposeadanger totheMiddle Eastandtheworld.

Inthe months preceding the strike, close and joint planning was conducted betweentheIDFandthe U.S.military, enabling theexecution of the broad strike in full synchronization and coordination between thetwo militaries. TheIDF, acrossallitsbranches, carried outa meticulous and long-term preparation process for this operation both in defensive systems and in various offensive plans.

The Chief of the General Staff and IDF commanders are currently conducting a situational assessment. Numerous IDF forces are deployed in forward defense and in readiness for offensive operations across all sectors and against any enemy. The public is instructed to follow Home Front Command guidelines and remain updated regularly — civilian resilience and strict adherence to instructions save lives and constitute a critical component in the success of the operation.

The IDF will continue to act to removeanyemergingthreatagainst the citizens of the State of Israel, anywhere and at any time. Even at thishour,IsraeliAirForcefighterjets continuetostriketargetsacrossIran based on precise intelligence. Operations will continue as required.

Points to Ponder, March 2026

Budget 2026-27

Little was expected of the budget this year. Corporate and personal income tax rates were reduced in the earlier budgets and reduction, and rationalization of GST rates took place during theyear but well beforethebudget. Moreover, itwas a budget that faced quite a few constraints by way slackening tax revenues, sluggish private sector investments, long shadow of tariff uncertainty, weakening rupee and risks arising out of geo-political turmoil.

But the finance minister did the unexpected. She has taken a confident shot at the future; has increased capex and still managed to keep the fiscaldeficit at4.3% of GDP. Itisabudget for themedium to long term. Ata time when trade and investments are weaponized, the budget pushes for strategic autonomy, export promotion and digital superiority. Thisis translated into focusoninvestments incritical minerals including rare earths, semiconductors, electronic component manufacturing and AI related technologies. Thereisalsoa vision forbiopharma with anoutlay of Rs10000 over five years with an aim to create a global hub. Amidst all this the budget has recognized the imperative of sustainable growth and towards this end has allocated Rs 20000 crores over five years to support carbon capture, utilization and storage. These investments have enhanced the quality of expenditure, and it is heartening to note that Central Government’s capital expenditure of Rs12.22 laccrores has this time exceededitsnetmarketborrowings ofRs11.7laccrores.

But the budget does leave some pockets ofanxietyinits wake.

1. Thesurgeingovernment borrowing toaroundRs17laccroreislikelyput further pressure on liquidity and consequently the overall interest rateenvironmentcouldbecomeless accommodative, especially for corporates and sub-sovereign entities as the market digests the larger supply of bonds. This again might dampen investments, particularlyforMSMEsandmid-size corporates. But the consequences of progressively increasing debt pile, aremoreserious.

2. The interest payments for FY27 are estimated at Rs 14 lac crores as againstRs12.7 laccrores during FY 26. The climbing interest payments are a nagging worry. Barring states’ share of taxes, interest payments constitutesinglelargest paymentat 20% on theexpenditure side of the budget (Cf. Annexure 1). The primarydeficit,whichisobtainedby deducting interest payments from the fiscal deficit, for FY 27 is not even able to cover the revenue deficit (Cf. Annexure 2). This means

thatthegovernment has toborrow even to meet its consumption expenditure. By this yardstick, India isonthebrinkofadebttrap, unless the massive capital investments made so far produce accelerated returns.Thegovernment, itappears, lives on hope and overdraft; more on overdraft than hope now. What we really need is an outcome budget more than an allocation budget.

3. Even the much-touted fiscal consolidation doesn’t seem to rest on firm ground. Nontax revenues budgeted at around Rs 6.7 lac crores (19% of the total revenue) is increasingly drawn from dividends and profits from public sector enterprises and the RBI, indicating an overdependence on contingent (on state of financial markets) inflows.

4. After the regulatory onslaught, the budget has sharply increased STT on futures & options (F&O) in the hope that it will curb speculative activity, especially amid high retail involvement and increasing leverage. The justification is based

on the premise that derivative trading is driven more by momentum than hedging or arbitration and has only increased volatility without strengthening capital formation. But to the extent the F&O market enhances liquidity and hence price discovery, experts opine that singling out F&O segment for discriminatory tax treatment betrays “nanny” orthodoxy of conventional bureaucrats. No less an economist than Arvind Virmani a member of the Niti Ayog has stated that discouraging F&O activity through taxis“throwing sandinthewheels”. More justifiably this move could have ideally been combined with reduction/even abolition of STT on equity cashmarket, which supports formation of risk capital and longterm ownership. In fact, with STT continuing, there is a case for elimination of capital gains tax altogether. Inanycase,capitalgains taxcouldbeeliminatedonallsaleof equities/equity related investments which are held for at least three years.Sincemuchof theshort-term

trading happens within three years, this move is likely to be revenue neutral while at the same time incentivizing patient, long-term investment.

5. The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹1.39 lakh crore to education, marking an 8.27% increase over the previous year. While this represents arecord high in nominal terms, experts consider itinadequate to meet the 6% of GDP target set by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The focus is on higher education, including newuniversity townships, butoverallspending remainsbelow global benchmarks. The RBI groups states based on share of population aged 60 and above. Youthful states are those with share of population which is above 60 is below 10%, intermediate states are those with share of 10-15% and those above 15% are ageing states. Each group of states requires a differentiated education policy. Youthful states need to invest aggressively in human capital to absorb future

labour market entrants, while ageing states must balance social security needs with productivity enhancingexpenditure. TheBudget doesn’t attempt to meet these differentiated needs through incentives or otherwise. This is essential if we are to realize the much-hyped demographic dividend.

Annexure 1

Annexure 2.

Catholic Diocese of Mangalore Calls for Prayer and Fasting Amidst Middle East Crisis

BishopPeterPaulSaldanhaUrges

Faithful to Pray for Peace and SafetyofMigrantsintheMiddle East

MANGALURU, MARCH 05, 2026: In response to the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, the Diocese of Mangalore has announced special daysofprayerandfastingtoappeal forglobal peaceandreconciliation. Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, issued a circular on Thursday, echoing the

nationwide call given by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI). The Bishop expressed deep concern over the ongoing destruction, the tragic loss of innocentlives,andthereluctanceof leaders toseekdialogue.

Highlighting alocalconcern,Bishop Saldanhanotedtheanxietygripping families inthe coastalregion whose loved ones have migrated to the MiddleEastforemploymentandare currently living In fear due to the

unrest.

To stand in solidarity with those affectedbytheconflict,theDiocese has outlined the following spiritual observances for the Catholic faithful:

• Sunday, March 8, 2026: To be observed as a 'Day of Prayer for Peace,' with a special focus on the Middle East and the protection of innocentlives.

• March 8 to March 14, 2026: The faithful are called upon to pray the HolyRosarydaily,exclusivelyforthe intention ofglobal peace.

• Friday, March 13, 2026: To be observed as a 'Day of Fasting and Prayer,' offering penance for the safety of all those impacted by violence andconflict.

The Bishop has directed all Parish Priests within the diocese to read the circular during church services and to utilize digital media platforms to ensure this call to prayer reaches every family. The Diocese hopes that this collective spiritual solidarity will serve as a fervent plea for the cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace.

Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike to Hold

Souharda Iftar Gathering on March 1

Mangaluru: MotherTeresaVichara

VedikewillorganiseaSouhardaIftar

Gathering on March 10 at 5:15 PM at Sahodaya Hall of St Aloysius

Deemed to be University, Baavutagudda, Mangaluru. The programme is being organised during theholy month of Ramadan to promote communal harmony and encourage people of different faithstocelebratefestivalstogether.

Maulana Y.K. Abdul Azeez Darimi,

religious leader of Mohiyuddin Juma Masjid, Chokkabettu, will be among thechief guests. Dr. Melwin D’Cunha, Pro Vice-Chancellor of St Aloysius Educational Institutions, willalsoattendtheprogramme.

Writer and retired teacher B. M. RohiniandK.Ashraf,Vice-President of Zeenath Baksh Juma Masjid, Baavutagudda,willparticipateinthe event.

Theprogramme willbepresided

over by Roy Castelino, President of MotherTeresaVicharaVedike. Sunil Kumar Bajal, General Secretary of

theVedike, hasinvited people ofall communities to participate in the gathering.

International Womens Day

Importance of Women’s Day. March 8th is a special day. International Women’s Day is globally celebrated on March8th to thank, appreciate and honour the women. We need a gender equal world. Also this day has been around for over ahundred years. It spreads about women’s rights and equality.

Men and Women are equal. Woman has tremendous capacity. There cannot be a comparison between menandwomen. Bothare different. Woman has capacity, strength. If women is not there in

the house, that house is empty. Without women at home, there won’t be joy, colour, love, laughter nothing. Women is everything.

Women create men and women is meantforcreatingmore.

How she is energetic after becoming Mother.

When women become mother, she hasmuchmore capacity. The earth, whichisgrowing thething, the sky, breeze, fire all these things the

strength shehaswithin herself. She herself becomescomplete.

How

Traditions kept women on high respect

WhenLord Ramcame, hesaid First SeetaandthenRam-SeetaRam. Krishnacame-First Radhaandthen Krishna-Radha Krishna. Shiva came and he says first Uma andthenShankar-Uma Shankar. Because they know that without woman, men can’t do anything. Hence women were given high respectinthemythology. How women cross different stages

Now adays still people seewoman asabeautypeace.Theirbodyjustto seeandenjoy.Bodyisnotmeantfor enjoyment. Body must be looked after. Women go through lot of stagesinherlife.Shewasdaughter, sister, wife and mother. She needs support. Sheneedstobetakencare. People should understand that her body and mind need rest. Family must help her. Actions she will do butsheneedshelpfromallthesides in the beginning. Then you will see thedifference.

How life islooked by women

Life is looked by women, but she gets lost in the world. Being a mother, sheforgets everything and lostworldwiththechild.Sheforgets thatshealsoneedstoeat,sleep.No, she will not. She is totally involved with the childcare. Day and night she will look after child. She won’t sleep or eat. But women must understandthatinheremotionsshe forgetsherdutytowards herself.

How women should take care of themselves

Womenshouldmakesurethatyour mind is levelheaded and calm so that you don’t get emotionally taken away by the people. Child startsandyoustartcrying, husband lost job and you start worrying. Don’tdothat.Havefaithin yourself and encourage the members positively and confidence within you. Sonowweshould betakinga decisionthatweasawomanshould be taking care of everyone but first is taking care of yourself. Give attention to your health first. When women ishealthy, shecanconquer everybody inherfamily.Womenisa

engine of the train. If she is faulty, she cannot pull the entire train. Engineshouldbeperfect.Thisisthe wholeformula.

The real power of a man is in the smileofthewomanstanding next to him.

Womenareequal tomen,andthey need to be protected. No men should be responsible for tears on women eyes. So thus, thepower or achievement of the man is measured inthesizeof the woman staying with them. Always keep womenhappy andtakecareofher.

83rd Birthday of the legendary Konkani singer, Henry D'Souza, Knownas"SangeetSamrat"(Kingof

Women’sdayisnotonlyforwomen. It’s for men as well reminding their duties and responsibilities towards woman.

********We wish all the champion women's a happy women’s day**********

-Roshan Dsouza, Kinnigoli

Music). He has dedicated over six decades to Konkani music, creating over 2,500 songs and numerous other hits. He is renowned for his classic songs like "Ye Ye Katrina" (with prominent Konkani singer Helen D'Cruz), "Ami Dogi Sezara," "Chondrem Udevn Ailo” and "Gharacho Divo". We wish him all the best, with good health and happiness always.

Mydaughter, Sharel,andmyfriend, Jeshwin, had created a video some years ago for the Konkani song,

„Sangeeth Samrat „ to honour Henry D’Souza, the Great Konkani Singer, whichsong Icomposed and sang in my first musical album, ''Jeevan Sangeeth''. This Konkani Album was released on the 2nd of January 1993 by late Rev Dr John Fernandes in Belman.

Sangeet Samrat Henry D'Souza is truly a gift to our Konkani music world and the lyrics he composes for his songs are pleasing, enjoyable, very romantic, meaningful with a typical Mangaloreanlifestyle.Hismusicisa magnitude of artistry andhistalent for poetry and melodious voice touch one's heart very deeply makes a person romantic, cheerful, bright and breezy. The rhythmic sequences and the contrast he make for the melody bring climax and articulation in the music. Hismusicpresentationthathegives is one of the best given in the Konkani world. Most of his wonderful songsweretaughttome byHenry D'SouzaandHelenD'cruz when I wasjust twenty. Iam happy thatHenry&Helenarehailingfrom

our family being related ascousins to my dad. I am very grateful for Henry's harmonious music he has composed for my first album "Jeevan Sangeet" and also for contributing hismelodious voiceto beautify the spectrum of my first presentation of my own songs.

SangeethSamrat- HenryD’Souzais one of the greatest voices ever to grace in Mangalorean Konkani music world.

Dear Henry, May every glowing candle on your Birthday Cake bless you over all of your heart desires, bringing them into Reality and rewarding! We pray today in a special way that all the goodness you have bestowed upon others may spring back to you multiplied. God bless you with best of health, longlifeandhappiness.

-Michael Machado, Germany

51 Species Recorded atAIMIT Campus during Campus Bird Count 2026

The Campus Bird Count (CBC) 2026 wassuccessfullyconducted on 14th and 15th February 2026 at the 17acre St Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AIMIT), near Kotekar Beeri, a constituent campus of St Aloysius College (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru. The event

formedpartofthenationwide Great Backyard Bird Count organized by Bird Count India in collaboration with eBird.

The Campus Bird Count 2026 was conducted under the guidance of Mr Kiran Vati K and Mr Glavin Thomas Rodrigues, Assistant Professors in the Department of Zoology, with the active participation of faculty members and students of the Department of

Zoology. The survey involved systematic observation and documentation of avian diversity across different habitat patches within thecampus.

During this year’s two-day survey, 51 species of birds were recorded from the AIMIT campus. Notably,

the different bird species found across the campus were captured through the lensof Mr.Kiran Vati K, adding valuable visual documentation totheobservations. With this addition, a cumulative total of 73 species has been documented from the AIMIT campussinceitsparticipation inthe Campus Bird Count began in 2022, highlighting the ecological richness ofthe17-acre green space. TheAIMITcampus,characterizedby open fields, tree cover, and semiurban habitat, supports diverse birdlife. Species such as Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, and Spotted Dove were commonly observed. Wetland-associated birds including White-breasted Waterhen, Common Sandpiper, Indian PondHeron, Eastern Cattle Egret, and Great Egret reflected the habitat heterogeneity of the campus landscape.

Raptors such as Crested SerpentEagle, Shikra, Black Kite, and Brahminy Kite were recorded, indicating a stable ecological food chain. Resident and seasonal visitors including Ashy Drongo,

Greater racket-tailed drongo, Green Warbler, and Indian ParadiseFlycatcher were also documented during thesurvey.

Woodland andcanopyspecies such as White-cheeked Barbet, Blackrumped Flameback, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Black-hooded Oriole, and Indian Golden Oriole (a seasonal breeding visitor in peninsular India) were sighted. Smaller insectivorous and nectar-feeding birds including Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Purplerumped Sunbird, Loten’s Sunbird, and Golden-fronted Leafbird were frequently observed across the campus.

The diversity of bulbuls, babblers, munias, mynas, and flycatchers including Black-naped Monarch, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Orange-

headed Thrush, Scaly-breasted Munia,andWhite-rumped Munia demonstrates the campus’s suitability forfeeding, roosting, and breeding activities.

The continued monitoring of avian diversityatAIMITsince2022reflects the institution’s sustained commitment to biodiversity conservation andcitizen science.As a part of St Aloysius College (Deemed to be University), the AIMIT campus plays a significant role in supporting urban and semiurban wildlife habitats.

The Campus Bird Count initiative provides students and faculty with meaningful experiential learning opportunities while contributing valuable data to national biodiversity databases.

Zero Harm Kitchen Recipes-2

100%Plant-Powered.0%Oil.0%Dairy, 0%Hurt,100%Life

Vegetable Omlette

Thistastes sameaschicken egg omlette and evenbetter thanthat. Chicken eggsarehighcholesterol andincreasetheriskofheartdiseaseanddiabetes. HenceVeganOmletteisareplacement provided bythenature.

Ingredients

• 1cupchickpeaflour(besanmaybeusedinstead)

• ¾cupwater

• ½cupfinelychopped tomatoes

• ½cupfinelychopped onions

• ½cupfinelychopped freshcoriander leaves

• ½-¾tspblacksalt(kalanamak)

• ¼tspredchillipowder

• ½tspfinelychopped greenchillies

Method

Sievethechickpeaflourintoabowl.Addwatergraduallyandmixwell,sothat there is no lump left. Add tomatoes, onions, coriander leaves, red chilli powder, greenchilies,blacksaltandmixwell.

Heatanirongriddle (tawa)onmediumheatandspreadathicklayerofbatter on it. As soon as bubbles appear, cover and cook until the underside is done. Now, turnitover andcook forafewminutes oruntiltheother sideis equallydone. Servehotwithketchup.

Source and inspiration: DrNanditha from Sharan with her permission. There are plenty of such recipes available. Website iswww.sharan.com. This is a small effort to aware about the vegan recipes and to live a life withoutmedicines.

Hemacharya's new book released at Kalaangann, Robin Sequeira Live enchants audience

MediaRelease

Mangaluru, Mar 2: Mandd

Sobhann’s 291st monthly theatre programme, ‘Robin Sequeira Live’ was held on Sunday March 1 at Kalaangann,Shaktinagar.

Theeventbeganwiththereleaseof the book Amchi Mati Amchim Mo’nsham (Our Soil, Our People), written by veteran litterateur Hemacharya and published by Ujwal Prakashan, which was unveiled by seasoned singer Joyce

Ozario. Walter Nandalike, head of the Daijiworld media, extended his

best wishes. Joachim Stany Alvares, president of the Karnataka Konkani

Louis J Pinto, president of Mandd Sobhann; and Ina Mascarenhas, trustee of the IanCare Foundation, werepresent onthestage. Theprogramme wasofficiallysetin motion by comedy actor Richard Sequeira by ringing the bell. Secretary Ronald Crasta was in attendance andArunRajRodrigues compered the formal ceremony. Subsequently, a musical nite was performed, led by Singer Robin Sequeira, winnerofSoad-4 andGulf VoiceofMangalore, andatwo-time recipient of the Best Male Singer award at the Global Konkani Music Awards. Inspired by Eric Ozario, a group of young artistes who are making a mark in the music field, joined together to present this evening in a unique commemorative style. On this occasion, KonkaniPatronIvanPinto Kadri honoured veteran artistes

Melwyn Fernandes, Rajgopal, and RoshanD’Souza.

Ten children - Ancel D’Costa, Duke Rodrigues, Eva Pereira, Andrick JadenPinto,KatePereira, RaeCleon Sequeira,LukeD’Souza,RiyonPinto, Shaan Devadiga, and Shawn D’Souza -earnedgreatappreciation by showcasing their singing and musical talents. Providing vocal support alongside Robin were

Zeena Pereira, Prakash D’Souza, Carol Sequeira and Meera Crasta. The musical accompaniment featured Derick D’Souza, Ivan Pereira, Rajgopal, Roshan D’Souza, Stephen Frank, Veekshith, andVijay Rasquinha, while the Urban Groove team collaborated with dance performances. Poet Lloyd Rego smoothly conducted the musical segmentinapoeticstyle.

St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru Hosts

Intra-Department Fest “SANGAM 2026”

St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru organised the IntraDepartment Fest “SANGAM 2026” on 6 March, with enthusiastic participation from students of the B.A, B.Com, B.B.A and B.C.A departments, providing a platform to showcase their talents, creativity, and organisational skills through a variety of competitions and activities.

Theprogramme wasinauguratedby SrJanetSequeiraA.C.,VicePrincipal, St Agnes Pre-University College, Mangaluru, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In her address,shemotivatedthestudents to actively participate in the events and emphasised the importance of organising such fests, as they encouragecreativity,teamwork, and

overall personality development, highlighting that participation is more important thanwinning.

Ms Kushi Shetty, Vice President of B.B.A,presented an overview of the fest.Thedepartments hostedevents under distinct themes, namely Artspire (B.A), Com Quest (B.Com), Horizon (B.B.A) and Technovate (B.C.A) offering a wide range of opportunities forstudents toexhibit theirtalents andinnovative ideas.

The programme began with a heartfeltprayerbytheCollegeChoir team. Ms Shamitha warmly

welcomed the gathering, while Ms Apoorva delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all the participants and organisers. Ms SannidhiShettyservedastheEmcee fortheevent.

Theprogramme wasgracedby

facultymembers andstudents from different departments, making SANGAM 2026 a vibrant and successful celebration that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and healthy competition amongstudents.

Senior Citizens’ Ecumenical Lenten Program held in Mangalore

The Mangalore Christian Council (MCC); Commission forEcumenism, DioceseofMangalore;AllKarnataka

United Christian Forum for Human Rights -Western Zone (AKUCFHRWZ); Dakshina Kannada Area CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese along with Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association, St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai organised Senior Citizens' Ecumenical Lenten

Meditation in the forenoon on Thursday, March 05, 2026 at Bejai ChurchHallincity.

Asmanyas520 seniorcitizensfrom differentChurcheslikeCatholic,CSI, Syro Malabar, and Believers’ Easter Church etc. participated in the gathering.

The program was inaugurated by theBishop of Mangalore MostRev. Dr Peter Paul Saldana, along with the Bishop of CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese Rt. Rev. Hemachandra Kumar, the day’s Speaker Sr Dr Mable Dmello B.S., Parish Priest of Bejai Rev. Dr JB Saldanha, theSecretary forMCC

and Diocesan Ecumenical Commission Aswell asTreasurer of AKUCFHR – WZ Rev. Rupesh Madtha, another Secretary for MCC Rev. M.Prabhuraj, the Secretary for AKUCFHUR -WZ Rev. Goldin J Bangera and Bejai Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association President Mrs Cony Saldanha. The inauguration wasdonebylighting thelamp.

The Bejai Senior Citizens sang a prayer song after which RevGoldin J. Bangera conducted the opening prayer. Rev. Dr J B Saldanha welomed the gathering and and

especiallytheesteemed guestswith flowers.

Bishops in their brief messages highlighted the significance of spirituality in the lives of senior citizensandtheneedofEcumenical Prayer Services today. Sr Dr Mable Dmello B.S. gave practical tips for the senior citizens to grow gracefullyandspiritually.

TheseniorcitizensofBejaiactedout a beautiful skit and enacted an Action Song. Members of CSI ShanthiCathedral Churchaswellas SushanthiChurch,MarkaraHillled

hymns.

ThepoliceofficersfromKadriPolice Station took the opportunity to be present at the end and make the

senior citizens aware about the latest digital scams. They explained theprecautionary methods. Rev. M. Prabhuraj proposed the voteofthanks;Rev.RupeshMadtha conducted prayers for peace, especially inthe Middle East, anda prayer before meals. Mrs Maisie Dsouza compeered the program, Breakfast and lunch was served to theparticipants