Author: Anil Malik

Yesterday, while reading the newspaper, I came across a news item that said, “ Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids FAIRPLAY  offices all over India.” I did not know what this Fairplay group was or what its activities were. Then, I found out from the internet that Fairplay is a Gaming (Betting ) app that is part of the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) platform. This group’s illegal online betting activities have been under the radar of the ED since 2022. Is Fairplay App legal in India? In December 2023, the Central government banned 174 betting and gaming apps. Some of the apps on the banned list were Mahadev, Parimatch, Fairplay, 1XBET, Lotus365, Dafabet, and Betwaysatta. In March 2024, there was a suicide case reported which was linked to online betting debts. The unregulated gambling industry is always in spotlight. The online betting industry in India, as per reports, is worth an estimated…

One news item occupying the front pages of all newspapers is “ The HEMA COMMITTEE REPORT”. This report has created a storm in the Malayalam film industry. This committee was formed by the Kerala government in 2017 after an actress was allegedly sexually assaulted at the instigation of the actor Dileep. Following pressure from a group called ‘Women in Cinema Collective’, the state government commissioned a fact-finding study of what women endure to work in film productions. The committee was headed by former judge of Kerala High Court K Hema. The two other members were actor T Sarada and retired Principal Secretary of the Kerala government KB Valsalakumari. The study was completed in 2019 after recording the anonymous testimonials of at least 80 women, from well known actresses to junior artists. However the report was released on 19th August ’24 after several legal challenges against its publication-and after the release,…

A vegetable that is low in calories, fat and carbs, and high in nutrients, fibre and water content that’s ASH GOURD for you. It gets its name from the ash-like waxy coating on its outer skin and grows on creepy vines. The vegetable mostly grows oblong or round. As a result, it has one of the longest shelf lives among vegetables. It is also called winter melon, petha, rakh lauki, and even petha kaddu.. The petha kaddu indicates its most popular use in Northern India-the famous Agra Petha. It is used  for medicinal benefits in many parts of India and is a common home remedy for many ailments. Even the Chinese use it in their traditional medicines. One glass of ash gourd juice  in the morning is a great detoxifying drink and helps us remain healthy. Here are some benefits of eating Ash Gourd: Nature’s Wonder Ash gourd is highly…

Friends, I came across a term in the media BioE3 a few days back. The particular term was of that the Union Cabinet, chaired by the PM has approved BioE3 Policy-ie Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment, which will be aimed at fostering high-performance bio-manufacturing. To address the national priorities, the BioE3 Policy would broadly focus on the following strategic/thematic sectors: high value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers & enzymes; smart proteins & functional foods; precision bio-therapeutics; climate resilient agriculture, carbon capture & its utilization; marine and space research. Key features of BioE3 The BioE3’s key aspects involve supporting innovation-driven R&D and entrepreneurship across various thematic sectors. This will expedite the development and commercialization of technology through the establishment of Bio-manufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Bio-foundry. In general the policy will bolster the Government’s initiatives such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy & ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and will guide India towards accelerated ‘green…

For today’s weekend blog, I am back with cricket. The topic I have chosen is ‘Top 60 Greatest Male Indian Cricketers of All-Time’. The details will not be finished in one blog, so I will write a series of weekend blogs on this topic. What is greatness? The answer to this question can be described as “ Some are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them”. In this blog, I will write about the greatest Indian cricketers of all-time across formats and eras. Some of them were born geniuses. Others toiled their way to greatness, one ball at a time. The players are chose based on their contributions in India’s major victories in ICC conducted tournaments like ODI world cups, T20 world cups, Champion trophies and major test victories. Their statistics about runs scored, wickets taken, catches taken, fielding, stumpings  etc. Top Greatest Indian Cricketers The…

People face many issues concerning their diet choices as they age. Some of the foods may have to be avoided because of some health conditions and the doctor’s orders, while a few others may become difficult to eat due to oral health conditions. There is also a possibility that some foods may not digest as quickly as they did in younger days. It could also be that you may also have felt a lack of taste. One way or the other, the choices are tough; and you may rarely find some food that can meet all criteria and is a healthy option, as well. OATS is one such food that is truly a senior-friendly food, and in fact many younger people who are health conscious also, take to oats. And why not, because oats, is considered to be one of the healthiest grains around. Specific benefits to seniors Oat (based)…

One news item which is at the forefront of the media nowadays is  the Kolkata Rape-Murder Case . The unfortunate death of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, who was brutally raped and murdered, has sent shock waves across the country. Doctors, student organisations and politicians nationwide have come out on the streets demanding justice for the doctor. People from all walks of life have been voicing out their strong views requesting the concerned authorities to look into the safety of doctors in the country. The medical fraternity and the public have been demanding answers from the government in the light of unfortunate incident. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) launched a nationwide strike which has hit the medical services badly. Surprisingly the leaders of INDI alliance, where Mamata Banerjee’s (CM of West Bengal) TMC party is member has kept their silent on this issue….

In Hinduism, the VEDAS means wisdom, knowledge or vision, and it manifests the language of the Gods in human speech, and that’s why they are called Pillars of Hinduism. Hinduism is the oldest religion available in the world. “The Vedas” are considered the earliest literary record of Indo-Aryan civilisatio, and the most sacred books  of our country. They are the original scriptures of Hindu teaching and contain spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of our life. Vedic literature with its philosophical maxims has stood the test of time and is the highest religious  authority for all sections of  Hindus in particular and for the mankind in general. The laws of the Vedas regulate the social, legal, domestic and religious customs of the Hindus to the present day. All the obligatory duties of the Hindus at birth, marriage, death etc. owe their allegiance to the Vedic ritual. They draw forth the thought…

In this weekend’s blog, I am back on tennis. ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) is responsible for conducting tennis tournaments (other than Grand Slams) for all male players. Friends, have you ever realised that we often hear and learn about the players who have reached the Grand Slam finals and won the same? In today’s blog, I am writing about the top male tennis players who have reached the maximum  ATP FINALS. We all know that Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slams, Rafael Nadal 22. But in the ATP finals list they are not even in top 3. Recently Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both increased their totals of single ATP finals reached with their respective runs at the Sweedish Open and Wimbledon. Only three men have played more finals than the legendary duo, with their great rival Roger Federer one such player. Here is the list of five…

Last week, in our neighbouring country Bangladesh a democratically elected government was thrown out by public violent agitation. The elected Prime Minister fled the country and took shelter in India. After the agitation turned into an anti-Hindu one, and in the violence, many Hindus lost their lives and the property of Hindus was burnt on a large scale. Even Hindu’ religious places were not spared. The government of India was rattled by these happening and they conveyed their strong protest on the happenings in Bangladesh .But one thing which surprised everyone was the silence of INDI alliance members, and specially the Congress party. Finally, it has become obvious to all that members of INDI alliance who all the time show support to Palestinians, and condemns Israel for violence against  Palestinians and other Islamic nations, have no love for the Hindus. It has become open to all that Congress is anti-Hindu…