NEW DELHI: India on Thursday slammed Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council, saying Islamabad must be “hallucinating” or living in “La-La land” if the nation finds it hard to believe that Jammu and Kashmir’s development budget is more than double the recent bailout package it sought from the IMF.India also rejected allegations made by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stating that the group had itself allowed to be used as an “echo chamber” for one member state, further adding that Islamabad’s “incessant propaganda reeks of envy.”“India is compelled to exercise its right of reply in response to the references made during the high-level segment by Pakistan and the OIC. We categorically reject these allegations,” first secretary Anupama Singh said, exercising India’s Right to Reply during the High-Level Segment of the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. “We have no desire to dignify it, but we will make a few points to dismantle it with facts,” she added.Reiterating New Delhi’s long-standing position, Singh asserted that “Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.” “Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of wishful rhetoric or audacious propaganda by Pakistan can alter the immutable fact that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was completely legal and irrevocable, in accordance with the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and international law,” Singh said.She added that “the only outstanding dispute regarding this region is the illegal occupation of Indian territories by Pakistan,” and called on Islamabad to vacate areas under its control.Highlighting infrastructure and economic progress in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh referred to the Chenab Rail Bridge, describing it as the world’s highest railway bridge inaugurated in the region last year. “If the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest bridge, inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir last year, is fake, then Pakistan must be hallucinating or living in the ‘La-la-land'”, she said.“Or perhaps it finds it unbelievable that the developmental budget of Jammu and Kashmir is more than double the recent bailout package it sought from the IMF,” she added.Responding to criticism on democratic processes, Singh said it was “hard to take lectures on democracy from a country where civilian governments rarely complete their terms.”She pointed to voter turnout in recent general and assembly elections in J&K as evidence that people in the region have “rejected the ideology of terrorism and violence” and are moving ahead on the path of development.Singh further accused Pakistan of attempting to destabilise the region through “relentless state-sponsored terrorism,” while maintaining that J&K continues to make political, economic and social progress.“Pakistan would do well if it focuses on fixing its deepening internal crisis rather than masking it with grandstanding at such a platform,” she said, adding that “the world can certainly see through its charade.”The exchange marks the latest round of sharp diplomatic sparring between India and Pakistan at multilateral forums such as the UNHRC over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan (AP Photo)

CHENNAI: The legendary Wasim Akram, during a chat with a few journalists in September last year, had said that Abhishek Sharma was one batsman who would have given him a tough time. At that point, Abhishek was belting good bowlers for fun. In the leadup to the T20 World Cup, it was the incredible firepower of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan that made India big favourites.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Two-and-a-half weeks into the tournament, it’s the lacklustre performance of the same opening pair that has left the defending champions in a tricky position. The opening pair’s average is a dismal 6.8, the lowest in the tournament. Above them is already-eliminated Oman, who averaged 10.

And this entire debacle is centred around the poor form of Abhishek. After three consecutive ducks, he scored a 12-ball 15 in Ahmedabad but it wasn’t a fluent knock as he struggled against the South African attack. The young batter, though, had a long batting session on Tuesday evening and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak feels “he is just one good hit away”.“His health had taken a beating before the tournament. After that, he didn’t have much momentum. I don’t think it makes any sense over-thinking about one individual and he will bounce back,” Kotak said on Wednesday.It’s an open secret now that India’s openers — both lefthanders — have struggled against the off-spinners. While Abhishek got out to Salman Ali Agha and Aryan Dutt, Ishan Kishan gave his wicket away to Aiden Markram on Sunday. That’s not all. The middle order, too, has struggled to get going against off-spin, having faced 102 balls of off-spin and scoring at a rate of only 6.23 per over.

“We know Zimbabwe will try to exploit that and we are working on it,” Kotak said. Steps to that direction were taken when five Tamil Nadu age-group off-spinners were called in the nets on Tuesday evening as Abhishek and Co. looked to take them apart. But the problem doesn’t end with Abhishek. Tilak Varma, too, hasn’t been at his best.Batting at No. 3, Tilak has managed only 107, but what’s disappointing is the strike-rate of 118.9, way lower than his career strike rate of 141.8. Tilak has struggled to rotate strike and that has sometimes led to rash shots. The southpaw had a very long session on Tuesday night and on Wednesday too, he was back for some more knocking at the nets.Kotak felt that Tilak batting at run-a-ball shouldn’t be seen out of context. “It is a matter of two boundaries and a 26-ball 28 can become a 28-ball 38. He is under no instruction to play run-a-ball cricket, he is just playing the situation, as was the case in Colombo (against Pakistan), where it was about partnerships,” Kotak said.But then, he acknowledged that Sanju Samson is also in the mix for selection, which tells a lot about the struggles of the top order. For now, all that the batting coach is hoping for is “Abhishek hitting a few balls at the start of his innings” with Tilak and Surya carrying on the momentum. “We came here on top from the bilaterals but a couple of dismissals had changed things a little. But I am confident we will be fine,” Kotak said.

It is 6:30 PM in Indiranagar, and the chaotic hum of Bengaluru is at its peak. But instead of bracing for a soul-crushing commute or scrolling through flight deals, a startup employee is stepping into a sound-healing session just blocks from their office. No leave applications, no heavy luggage, no calendar gymnastics, just ninety minutes of intentional quiet before logging off for the night. This is the new face of escape: the Two-Hour Getaway.Urban India is more exhausted than it has ever been. Yet paradoxically, it is travelling less to recover. Not long ago, a break meant planning. Leave applications, flight bookings, hotel comparisons, and budget calculations. Travel was the default response to burnout.Today, something quieter but more meaningful is happening in Indian cities.Instead of waiting for long weekends or annual holidays, people are carving out short, intentional pockets of escape within their everyday lives. Not full holidays, but focused, immersive getaways that offer a quick mental reset without pulling people away from their routines.Call it a two-hour getaway, a micro-escape, or simply a pause that fits into real life. Whatever the name, the shift is unmistakable.Why this is happening nowThe shift is not accidental. It is a direct response to how urban life has evolved. Decision fatigue has become a defining feature of modern city living. Between long workdays, constant screen exposure, notifications, and everyday choices, mental energy is often depleted by midweek. Planning a full trip can feel like another task rather than a solution. Short, in-city getaways remove that friction. They are easier to decide on, more cost-effective, and require far less recovery time. For many urban professionals, the appeal lies not in doing more, but in doing something restorative with minimal effort. Work patterns have also changed. Hybrid work has blurred the boundaries between professional and personal time, making long breaks harder to carve out. Recent workplace studies in India suggest that while hybrid and flexible work models are now widely adopted, stress and disengagement remain stubbornly high among urban professionals.Research by JLL indicates that a majority of Indian employees continue to experience moderate to high levels of burnout despite increased workplace flexibility. In this context, the appeal of a quick mental refresh becomes clear. When exhaustion hits on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, people are not looking three weeks ahead. They want relief now.From occasional treats to weekly rituals What is interesting is not just that people are trying shorter experiences, but that they are returning to them. Walks that feel like getaways, creative workshops, wellness sessions, guided trails on the edge of the city. These are no longer once-in-a-while indulgences. They are becoming part of the weekly routine.Shorter getaways consistently see higher participation because they are easier to commit to. They fit between meetings and dinner plans. They do not demand an entire day or disrupt family schedules. Over time, familiarity builds comfort, and comfort builds consistency.At the same time, variety plays a crucial role. People are not repeating the same experience out of habit alone. They are choosing different experiences based on how they feel that week. One weekend might call for movement and another for stillness or creativity. The city itself becomes a menu of options rather than a place to escape from. Weekends and midweek evenings, reimaginedWeekends too are being redefined. Instead of entire days disappearing into malls or sitting through back-to-back shows, people are choosing shorter, more meaningful in-city experiences – a few well spent hours that feel active and intentional. A morning trial walk, an afternoon workshop, an early evening experience followed by dinner. At the same time, weekday evenings are being reclaimed. With hybrid work blurring the line between office and home, people are consciously protecting pockets of time for themselves. Experiences that do not run late, do not require planning, and still feel purposeful are becoming the preferred form of escape.A two-hour getaway fits neatly into this reality.Doing instead of watchingThere is also a visible move away from passive consumption. People do not just want to watch anymore. They want to participate. To move their bodies, learn a skill, create something tangible, or simply slow down with intention.Across cities, experiential activities are steadily replacing malls and multiplexes as default social plans. Even without travel, these moments deliver what travel always promised. Memories, presence, and the feeling of having done something that stays with you.Choosing how you want to feelPerhaps the most important shift lies in how people choose their leisure. It is no longer destination-first. It is emotion-first.Do I want to feel calm? Energized. Creative. Brave.The place matters less than the outcome. Leisure is becoming more intentional and more self-aware. In a world where time feels scarce, people are choosing experiences that deliver a specific feeling, not just a change of scenery. Escape, Redefined: The New LuxuryThe Two-Hour Getaway does not replace the annual vacation; it sustains us between them. It is a fundamental redefinition of “escape” for an era where time is the ultimate luxury and presence is the rarest commodity.We are finally realizing that we don’t need to cross oceans to find ourselves; sometimes, we just need to cross the street, put down our phones, and reclaim two hours of our own lives. Vivek Kumar, Founder, Alive

The Allu-Konidela family reigns supreme in Telugu cinema, a legacy built by comedian Allu Ramalingaiah and filmmaker Allu Arvind. Megastar Chiranjeevi and his brother Pawan Kalyan, alongside their children like Ram Charan and Allu Arjun, continue this powerhouse dynasty. Their next generation is already making waves, ensuring the family’s enduring influence.

Megastar Chiranjeevi is one of the most prominent stars and belongs to one of the most influential families in the Telugu entertainment industry. Coming from the Allu-Konidela family, the members have been involved in films, with some acting in them and some producing. The lineage from legendary comedian Allu Ramalingaiah, including the Megastar and today’s generation stars, including Ram Charan and Allu Arjun.

The Foundation by Allu Ramalingaiah

Speaking of Allu Ramalingaiah, he was a legendary comedian in the Telugu cinema circle and has been part of more than 1000 projects, making a name out of audience smiles, laughter and love. He laid the stepping stone of this handsome legacy. He was also honored with the Padma Shri Award.

His son, filmmaker Allu Arvind, later helmed the torch of this family as he went on to become one of the most successful producers in the industry. Under the banner of Geetha Arts, he has backed some of the biggest superhits and acclaimed movies of Tollywood. On the other hand, Chiranjeevi made his name in Tollywood, he later married to Allu Arvind’s sister, Surekha Konidela. Both the actor and producers have been instrumental in each other’s success. Aravind’s production house has backed many of Chiranjeevi’s massive hits, creating a powerful, interconnected, and highly successful film family in Tollywood.

The Konidela brothers

Chiranjeevi’s brother Nagendra Babu has also worked as an actor and also produced films. His younger brother, Pawan Kalyan, also received stardom from the fans for his action-packed performances. After a monumental run at the box office, he has also been influential in politics. He also founded the Jana Sena Party and became an important political figure. Today he stands as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh while entertaining his fans on-screen with his cinematic outings.

The next generation takes over

The legacy is now carried forward by their children. Chiranjeevi and his wife have three children, including Ram Charan and daughter Sushmita Konidela and Sreeja Konidela. His children are also part of this industry, as Ram Charan with his impactful performace rose to success and has highly praised for his role in ‘Magadheera’ and later gained international fame with ‘RRR’. His films now open with huge anticipation, making him one of the most bankable stars. Meanwhile, Sushmita Konidela is a Telugu film producer and costume designer and Sreeja Konidela has also been part of Tollywood. In addition to it, Varun Tej and Sai Dharam Tej, also Chiranjeevi’s nephews, built their own identities and found success in films. Niharika Konidela, Chiranjeevi’s niece, worked as an actress and later stepped into production.On the other hand, Allu Arvind’s son Allu Arjun is also one of the biggest stars of the industry. After a slow start to his career, the actor rose to fame with the film ‘Arya’. Later, he saw success with multiple projects with ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’, becoming a fan favorite. His most recent came with the ‘Pushpa’ franchise, which made him a global star. Allu Arjun’s younger brother Allu Sirish is also a well known actor and is getting married on March 6, 2026, to his long time partner Nayanika Reddy

The future generation

Today these stars are ruliing box office and soon there childrens too might be expected to be joining the business. Ram Charan has a two-year-old daughter, Klin Kaara Konidela and recently became a parent of twins Shivram and Anveera Devi with his wife Upasana Konidela.On the other hand, Allu Arjun has a son and a daughter with his wife Sneha Reddy. Theare named Ayaan and Arha, respectively.Varun Tej, who got married to actress Lavanya Tripathi are also a parent to Vaayuv Tej Konidela.

Netanyahu wears traditional Indian attire to surprise ‘friend’ PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday shared a video of himself wearing traditional Indian attire ahead of a joint dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a surprise gesture for his “friend”.“Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire,” Netanyahu wrote in a post on X.The gesture came during Modi’s visit to Israel, where the Prime Minister addressed a Special Plenary session of the Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to address the Israeli parliament.At the Knesset, Netanyahu described PM Modi as a friend and praised India’s support for Israel after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.“Prime ministers and heads of state come to the Knesset and it’s always an exciting moment for all of us. But my dear friend Narendra, I’m especially moved by your visit. You are a great friend of Israel and a great leader at the world stage….Narendra, you are more than a friend. You are a brother,” Netanyahu said.Recalling Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017, he said, “We took off our shoes, and waded in the ocean. We didn’t walk on water but have done miracles,” referring to the widely shared image of the two leaders walking barefoot along the Mediterranean coast.Highlighting India’s support after the Hamas attack, Netanyahu said PM Modi was among the first world leaders to condemn the violence.“Right after the horrific attack on October 7, you supported Israel so morally. You didn’t flinch or waver, you stood by Israel and stood by the Jews. Thank you,” he said.“Today at the airport we embraced each other. It’s called a Modi hug. I want to return a hug here from every Knesset member. It represents the warmth between us,” he added.PM Modi, in his address, thanked the Knesset for the honour and dedicated the Speaker of the Knesset Medal to the enduring friendship between the two countries. He highlighted civilisational links and expanding cooperation in areas such as innovation, agriculture, water management and security.The Prime Minister also reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and offered condolences for the victims of the October 7 attacks, saying there can be no justification for such brutality.

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