Trekkers given food that induced nausea, weakened them so they couldn’t continue on foot & needed emergency flights

Nepal’s spring Everest climbing season opened this week amid a police probe into an alleged insurance fraud worthe nearly $20 million in which guides, helicopter operators, hospital staff and agents are accused of staging or inflating medical emergencies to trigger costly helicopter evacuations and bogus insurance claims. Police said the methods included mixing baking soda into food to induce nausea and bloating, giving excessive Diamox — a medicine that helps with acclimatisation at high altitude — with forced over-hydration to mimic symptoms of high-altitude cerebral edema, and in some cases using laxatives to weaken trekkers to the point where they could no longer continue on foot. Fake flight manifests, load sheets, invoices and hospital records were then allegedly used to support the claims. Shiva Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson for Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau, said, “Hospitals, helicopter operators, and guides are also linked in this chain; we are investigating this.”Operators said abuse of rescue flights had grown in recent years and had begun affecting the availability of helicopters for genuine emergencies. Mingma Sherpa, owner of the Kathmandu-based Seven Summit Treks, told TOI that the fallout could extend beyond the current case if international insurers lose confidence in Nepal’s rescue chain. Lukas Furtenbach, the Austrian head of Furtenbach Adventures, said the allegations, especially those involving food tampering and hospital records, threatened confidence in Nepal’s rescue system. “The level of organised crime here is staggering. We are talking about millions of dollars being funneled through hospitals that provide fake discharge summaries for patients who were never even sick,” he said.Investigators said the racket ran between 2022 and 2025, involved more than 300 fake rescues, and in some cases allegedly made trekkers ill intentionally before flying them to Kathmandu and billing foreign insurers through forged or manipulated records.Police have charged 32 people with offences linked to organised crime and widened the investigation to include the owners of Mountain Rescue Service, Nepal Charter Service and Shreedhi Hospital. Among the accused, nine are in custody while 23 are absconding. “In our initial investigation, we found that these companies were involved in around 300 fake rescues,” Shrestha said.Investigators said one of the main methods was to load several trekkers onto a single helicopter and bill multiple insurers as if each person had been flown on a separate private charter. They also alleged that exhausted trekkers were pressured to exaggerate symptoms and, in some cases, deliberately pushed into distress so that evacuation appeared to be the only option.Central Investigation Bureau chief Manoj Kumar KC said, “We have hard evidence of the companies and individuals involved in the fake rescue scam. All of them will be prosecuted…”Garrett Madison, an expedition leader with the US-based Madison Mountaineering who has summited Everest 10 times, added, “We see it every season: helicopters flying in circles for people who just have a headache or are a bit tired from the walk. It has turned a life-saving tool into a mountain taxi service. My concern is for the person who actually has HACE or a broken limb — will the helicopter be available for them…?”The probe also examined how commissions allegedly moved through the system. In a recorded statement, Dr Girwan Raj Timilsina of Shreedhi Hospital said, “My hospital has also given commission from its earnings to trekking companies and rescue companies to promote business.”Nepal Tourism Board chief executive Deepak Raj Joshi said corrective action could help restore confidence.

The Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 brought Delhi to life in a spectacle of endurance, discipline, and collective energy, as over 15,000 runners gathered to test their limits on one of the city’s most iconic routes.The build-up began on March 27th and 28th at the Marathon Expo – a vibrant convergence of athletes, enthusiasts, and fitness communities. The venue buzzed with anticipation, conversations, and a shared commitment to the run. It was more than a pre-race ritual; it was the ignition point of a movement that would soon take over the city.On the morning of March 29th, as the first light broke over India Gate, that anticipation transformed into action. Thousands of runners lined up, each carrying a personal goal, a story, and a reason to run. The early kilometres were marked by energy and momentum, but as the race progressed, the true nature of the half marathon revealed itself. The 21K is not merely a test of speed – it is a measure of resilience, pacing, and mental strength. As fatigue set in and the distance began to challenge even the most prepared, the race separated the determined from the exceptional. Amidst this, three runners rose above the rest – not just as winners, but as defining figures of the race.

Mukesh Kumar: Experience that led from the front

Mukesh Kumar’s run was a masterclass in control and composure. From the outset, he displayed the calm assurance of a seasoned athlete, maintaining a steady pace while others surged ahead in bursts of early enthusiasm.As the race entered its demanding middle phase, Mukesh began to assert his presence. With calculated precision, he increased his pace, capitalising on the fatigue creeping into the field. There was no visible urgency – only confidence, built on experience and deep understanding of long-distance racing.He crossed the finish line in 1:07:24, securing first place with authority and reinforcing the value of patience and strategy in a race defined by endurance.

Vishnu Kumar: The emergence of a new force

In a field dominated by seasoned runners, Vishnu Kumar delivered a performance that signalled the arrival of a promising new contender.Running with discipline and intent, he stayed within striking distance of the lead pack through the early and middle stages of the race. His approach reflected maturity – measured pacing, controlled breathing, and a clear focus on sustaining momentum.As the race intensified in its final stretch, Vishnu held his ground with remarkable consistency, refusing to yield under pressure. He secured second place with a timing of 1:08:26, marking a breakthrough moment in his running journey.More than a podium finish, it was a statement of potential – one that positions him as a runner to watch in the seasons ahead.

Shivam: Precision, patience, and a perfect finish

Shivam’s race was defined by strategy – a calculated approach that paid off when it mattered most.Opting for in the early kilometres, he resisted the temptation to match the initial pace of the leaders. Instead, he conserved energy, focusing on maintaining rhythm and efficiency.That decision proved decisive in the latter stages of the race. As fatigue began to impact others, Shivam accelerated with purpose. His late surge saw him overtake multiple runners, turning patience into performance.He finished third with a timing of 1:08:59, delivering a run that highlighted the importance of timing, discipline, and tactical awareness in long-distance racing.

More than a race, a benchmark of excellence

The Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 was not just about crossing the finish line – it was about pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and redefining what is possible.In a race that saw thousands participate, Mukesh Kumar, Vishnu Kumar, and Shivam stood apart – not just for their timings, but for the stories their runs told. Stories of preparation, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.They did not simply win the race.They set the standard.

In the quiet stillness of early morning at India Gate, the city held its breath before the surge. At precisely 5.30 am, the 21K race of the Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 flagged off, releasing a field of 2,639 runners onto one of the capital’s most evocative stretches.The opening kilometres were steady and controlled. Runners settled into their pace, saving energy for the later stages. As Delhi slowly woke up, its wide roads and historic surroundings set the stage for a race that would soon become a true test of endurance.Because a half-marathon never reveals itself at the start.The 21K course cut through the ceremonial heart of the capital, along wide, tree-lined boulevards linking key centres of governance. Long, open stretches tested pacing, while gentle turns demanded control – making it a route that challenged not just endurance, but composure at every step.

Arpita Saini: Composure at the front

Arpita Saini claimed the top position with a chip time of 01:25:01, delivering a race built on control and clarity.At 30, her journey into running began only a few years ago, sparked by a simple yet powerful image – young aspirants in her village preparing for army recruitment. What began as curiosity soon turned into commitment. Initial hesitation at home gradually gave way to belief, as her persistence reshaped perceptions.On race day, there was no excess, no haste. She settled early, held her rhythm through the middle stages, and when the race demanded resilience, she responded with authority. In the final stretch, she did not chase the race – she commanded it.

Ruksaana: Precision through discipline

Finishing second with a chip time of 01:27:38, Ruksaana’s performance was a study in structure and steadiness.A national-level distance runner and a Khelo India Games medallist, she continues to balance the rigours of competitive sport with academics as a second-year college student. Training under the watchful guidance of her father, a PT teacher, her foundation is rooted in discipline.Her preparation reflects this methodical approach. On race day, it translated seamlessly – controlled early kilometres, a steady build-up, and an unwavering hold through the demanding final phases. There was no visible struggle, only quiet execution.

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Bhumi Negi: Strength in progression

Bhumi Negi secured third place with a chip time of 01:34:33, completing the podium with a performance that underscored patience and progression.Having begun her running journey at a young age, she has steadily transitioned from shorter distances to longer formats, earning recognition at both national and international levels. Her growth has been incremental, but assured.Her race mirrored that evolution. Conservative at the start, calculated through the middle, and resilient when the race tightened its grip. As fatigue set in across the field, she found another gear – one driven not by urgency, but by experience.

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Where the race is won

After the 17th kilometre, the race became really tough. Runners started to feel tired, and every step needed more effort. This is where true strength shows – not in how fast you run, but in your ability to keep going.Arpita Saini, Ruksaana, and Bhumi Negi did more than navigate these final kilometres.They defined them.In a field of thousands, on a course that tested both body and mind, these women did not merely finish the 21K – they elevated it, setting a benchmark not just for performance, but for what it means to endure, adapt, and ultimately, prevail.

NEW DELHI: Politics in India seems to be in an era of freebies, where every party offers cash doles or concessions ahead of elections. Last year, the NDA offered Rs 10,000 to over 75 lakh women in Bihar just before the polls, which helped the alliance to achieve an overwhelming majority.Riding this trend, AIADMK and DMK have also placed their bets ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. In what the DMK calls the single largest financial aid extended to women in the state’s history, the government credited Rs 5,000 last month to 1.31 crore women under the ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam’.

Meanwhile, AIADMK’s manifesto promises Rs 2,000 per month under the ‘Kula Vilakku Scheme’ for all ration cardholders, to be deposited directly into the bank accounts of female heads of households. The party also pledged a “free refrigerator” for every rice ration-card holder if it returns to power.Interestingly, this is not the first time parties have tried to lure voters with pre-poll gifts. Welfare politics in Tamil Nadu dates back to the Dravidian movement, which framed the state as an active instrument of social justice.

Chief minister from Congress K Kamraj can be seen as a pioneer of populist schemes in the state. He introduced Midday meal scheme along with free school uniforms for students.The scheme – designed to address malnutrition and encourage low-income families to send their children to school – significantly increased school enrolment and attendance, reducing dropout rates.Three seers of rice for Re 1In 1967, CN Annadurai promised three seers of rice for Re 1 through the state public distribution system (PDS). Though the scheme proved expensive and difficult for the government to sustain.After winning elections, Annadurai became the chief minister and implemented the scheme for sometime in a few pockets but later scrapped it owing to the financial burden. However, the move establsihed welfare as a political tool still used today.Noon meal scheme experimentAIADMK founder MG Ramachandran became chief minister in 1977 and extended welfare measures to improve school participation. The landmark noon meal scheme of 1982, later expanded, became one of the largest such programs globally, significantly boosting enrolment among children from poorer families.Subsequent governments led by M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa built on this model, adding benefits like free uniforms, footwear, and educational support.

By the late 1980s and 1990s, welfare schemes also included consumer goods, reaching a turning point in 2006 when the DMK promised free colour TVs, rice at Rs 2 per kg, cooking gas connections, free electricity, and loan waivers for farmers and weavers. The TV scheme alone costs around Rs 3,600 crore and reached nearly 45 lakh households.Jayalalitha’s Amma canteen schemeIn 2011, promises escalated into a bidding war. DMK offered a mixer or grinder, AIADMK promised both; when free laptops were proposed for college students, Jayalalithaa extended it to high school students. Additional offerings included uniforms, footwear, 20 kg of free rice per month, and free cable TV.After returning to power, Jayalalithaa expanded welfare further, distributing mixers, grinders, fans, laptops, textbooks, goats and cows for rural households, gold for mangalsutras, subsidised scooters, and free electricity up to a set limit.Jayalalitha’s government also launched the Amma Canteen scheme in 2013. These canteens were designed to provide nutritious, hygienic food at heavily discounted prices to the urban poor, daily wage labourers, and students. Despite political changes in the state, the canteens have largely continued to operate due to their immense popularity and the essential service they provide to the working class.By 2016, the DMK promised milk at Rs 7 per litre, while AIADMK countered with farm loan waivers, 100 units of free electricity, two-wheeler subsidies for women, and gold for brides-to-be.Evolution of the social service schemesNow, the social justice schemes seem to shift toward cash transfers and universal benefits. The DMK’s free bus travel for women, introduced in 2021, saw 4–5 crore trips monthly, improving mobility for low-income women.AIADMK now proposes extending such benefits to men and offering Rs 2,000 per month to female household heads.The fiscal question, however, cannot be ignored. Tamil Nadu is not a poor state, but it cannot perform fiscal magic. The state has long defended borrowing as productive and growth-linked—a rationale that can more easily support schemes like subsidised breakfast and bus travel than promises such as a refrigerator for every ration-card holder.Such schemes carry substantial fiscal implications. Reportedly, the monthly cash transfer alone could cost around Rs 36,000 crore annually, while Tamil Nadu’s total welfare expenditure already ranges between Rs 45,000–50,000 crore per year. The state’s outstanding debt exceeds Rs 8 lakh crore, with annual interest payments of roughly Rs 40,000 crore.According to veteran journalist Arun Ram it is important to distinguish between welfare measures and populist handouts. Programs like free bus travel for women, he explains, are more than just perks—they increase mobility, open up access to education and jobs, and empower women socially and economically. “Jayalalitha popularised Tamil Nadu’s Populism outside Tamil Nadu. But if you look at the history, it started with Annadurai. 1967 was a turning point in Tamil Nadu politics, not just because Dravidian Party DMK got into the power. It was also the beginning of the welfarism and freebies. Karunanidhi was the first one to offer Television sets. Then Jayalalitha offered grinders, goats, cycles and laptops,” he said.“We have to have a clear distinction between welfarism and populism. For example, he has introduced free bus travel for women across the state. So I think that is a welfare measure, not just a door, because you know mobility of women—historically, if you look at it, more women move around, commute, they find free transport, they find education, they find new jobs that leads to kind of a social raising, the social equities of women, and empowering women. You have to distinguish. In fact, Kamaraj was the first one to introduce a free meal in schools. Do you call it a freebie? No, I won’t call it, because there were so many children going empty, I mean hungry on an empty stomach, unable to study,” he added.“So, she changed everything. Of course, MGR brought it back. He claimed the legacy of that. But then it continues. So, Karunanidhi added two eggs to that meal. Stalin now introduced a breakfast. So all these things are good welfare measures, I would say, but giving a grinder or a goat, I don’t think that is kind of empowering people. But I think the Tamil Nadu electorate have been so pampered that they think it’s the birthright to get a few things in their kitchen, in their living room, free whenever an election comes. That’s a sad state of affairs,” he added.Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 for all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4.