BHOPAL: “My son survived, but he returned to me without his sight,” said Tikku Yaduvanshi (36), his voice breaking as he recalled the 116 days his five-year-old son had battled for life after consuming the toxic cough syrup Coldrif in Parasia town, in MP’s Chhindwara district. “He cannot see, he cannot walk properly, and I cannot leave him even for a moment. How do I go back to work now?” Tikku said.The boy is among the few children to survive the killer cough syrup tragedy that claimed the lives of 26 children across Chhindwara and Betul districts. After more than four months of hospitalisation across multiple cities, he was finally discharged from AIIMS Nagpur on Monday night – alive, but with severe, and possibly irreversible, damage.For Tikku, a former employee of a private finance company, survival has come at an unbearable cost. He has not received a salary for the past four months, defaulted on housing loan EMIs, sold his cattle, and mortgaged his wife’s jewellery to fund treatment and sustain his family during the prolonged hospital stay in Nagpur. “We were four people staying there – my wife, two other family members and I – paying for food, rooms, everything, while our child was fighting for life. Govts and officials might come and go, what we have lived through in these four months cannot be put into words,” Tikku said.His son’s ordeal began on August 24, when Tikku first took him to paediatrician Dr Praveen Soni in Parasia. Two days later, as complications developed, he returned to the doctor. On September 1, Kunal was rushed to Nagpur and admitted to a private hospital. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to AIIMS Nagpur on September 11, where treatment continued for over three months. While the state govt has assured financial assistance towards medical expenses, Tikku said it barely scratches the surface. “Whatever money we receive will go into repaying the loans we took for his treatment. It does not cover our stay, food, or the debts we piled up just to keep him alive,” he said.Complete recovery remains uncertain. Doctors have not been able to say whether his son’s vision will return. “I want the govt to tell me – will it bear the cost of his future treatment,” he asked. “I have heard there are better facilities for eyesight treatment in Chennai. My child did nothing wrong. At least give him a chance,” he added. The Coldrif syrup tragedy has led to arrests, suspensions, and an SIT probe. Paediatrician Dr Praveen Soni, his wife Jyoti Soni, and the manufacturers of the syrup – Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals – have been named as accused. Yet, for families like these, accountability offers little comfort. “My son survived death. Now we are just praying he can see the world one day, and that we are not left alone to fight this battle,” Tikku said.

NEW DELHI: India tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile called K-4, which is designed to hit targets 3,500-km away, from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.There was no official word from the defence ministry on the missile test conducted off the coast of Visakhapatnam from the 6,000-tonne INS Arighaat, which is operated by the tri-service strategic forces command.Sources, however, confirmed the missile was the solid-fuelled K-4, which can carry a two-tonne nuclear payload and is critical for India to strengthen the sea leg of its nuclear weapons triad.“A comprehensive analysis will determine whether Tuesday’s test actually met all laid down technical parameters and mission objectives or revealed some shortcomings. It usually takes several tests for ballistic missiles, especially those launched from submarines, to achieve full operational status,” a source said.After multiple trials from undersea platforms in the shape of submersible pontoons over the last several years, the two-stage K-4 missile was tested for the first time from INS Arighaat in Nov last year.INS Arighaat, the country’s second nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (called SSBN in naval parlance), was commissioned on Aug 29 last year. Her forerunner INS Arihant, which became fully operational in 2018, can carry only the 750-km range K-15 missiles.India will commission its third SSBN as INS Aridhaman in the first quarter of 2026 and the fourth in 2027-28 under the secretive over Rs 90,000 crore ATV (advanced technology vessel) programme launched decades ago. These two SSBNs are slightly larger, with a displacement of 7,000 tonnes each, than the first two 6,000-tonne ones.There is also the plan to eventually build 13,500-tonne SSBNs, with much more powerful 190 MW pressurised light-water reactors instead of the existing 83 MW ones on the first four submarines.India’s existing SSBNs, of course, are less than half the size of the ones with the US, China and Russia. The operational deployment of K-4 missiles, which will be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000 to 6,000-km range class, will somewhat help India narrow the huge gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have a range of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).The first two legs of India’s nuclear triad are much more robust, with the land-based ballistic missiles led by the Agni-5 with a strike range of over 5,000 km and fighters like Rafales, Sukhoi-30MKIs and Mirage-2000s capable of delivering nuclear gravity bombs.The SSBNs, however, impart India’s deterrence posture with much more credibility because they are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes in line with the country’s “no first-use” policy.

File photo: Kuldeep Singh Sengar

NEW DELHI: Kuldeep Singh Sengar, former UP MLA convicted of raping a minor girl in Unnao in 2017, did not come under the definition of a public servant under the Pocso Act, Delhi high court held in its Dec 23 order suspending his sentence.In a curious move, high court has decided the applicability of a stringent Pocso Act section that carries a minimum jail term of 20 years, which can be extended up to life, while hearing Sengar’s plea for suspension of sentence, even as his appeal against the trial court ruling remains pending.A bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish V Shankar faulted the trial court for treating Kuldeep Sengar as a public servant and handing him jail for the “remainder of life”, for the offence of “aggravated penetrative sexual assault” under section 5 of the Pocso Act.The bench concluded that the charge of “aggravated penetrative sexual assault” under the section was not applicable in the case of Sengar. Section 5 of the Pocso Act defines “penetrative sexual assault” against a minor as “aggravated penetrative sexual assault”, if committed by persons holding positions of authority – including a public servant or police officer within their jurisdiction, members of the armed or security forces, or staff of hospitals or prisons.high court noted that Pocso Act did not define a public servant and that the trial court wrongly relied upon Prevention of Corruption Act to borrow the definition.“In view of specific inclusion of IPC, CrPC, JJ Act and IT Act in Section 2 of the Pocso Act, this court cannot take aid of the definition of ‘public servant’ from any other Act other than IPC, CrPC, JJ Act, and IT Act. Notably, CrPC, JJ Act, and IT Act do not provide for the definition of a public servant,” high court observed, pointing out that MLA is not recognised as a public servant under any of these statutes. It held that “same reasoning applies for his conviction under section 376(2)(b) of IPC”.Counsel for the survivor, opposing the suspension of sentence, argued that even if Sengar does not under come under definition of a ‘public servant’ within purview of Section 5(c) of the Pocso Act, he can still be sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his life.The bench, however, noted that since it was prima facie satisfied that “that offence under Section 5 of Pocso Act is not attracted in present case”, survivor’s contention “that the investigation was compromised cannot be a ground not to suspend the sentence of the appellant, more so looking at the period of incarceration already undergone”.

The holiday period presents an excellent time to incorporate some creativity into family memories. The latest trend that has swept through this holiday season has taken the spotlight on social media, and this involves making common family pictures into vibrant, personalized holiday cartoons. Thanks to AI technology, making such holiday pictures within minutes has been quite easy, as all one needs are their own family pictures. The introduction of bright colors, the presence of snowy backgrounds, and holiday clothing to common family pictures raises their level of animation, thus making them vibrant holiday scenes. Personalised holiday cartoons are perfect for family holiday cards, personal profiles, and sending holiday messages to friends.

Personalised AI animation turns family photos into Christmas cartoon scenes

Advances in the field of AI image generation and animation have made personalisation has never been easier. Nano Banana Pro and Sora 2 are at the head of the pack. Users upload a family photo with a couple of descriptive prompts, and the AI returns a set of cartoon scenes ready to be stitched together into a video. The process is intuitive, requires no technical expertise, and produces results that look professionally crafted.This is a trend that has the appeal of its simplicity and creativity. Families can watch their photos come to life with animated gestures, facial expressions, and holiday-themed details. Children and pets are shown interacting with presents, Christmas trees, and all forms of festive decorations to bring out the warmth of the season in play.

How to create your Christmas cartoon: Step-by-step guide

Identify the picture that you would like to be cartooned. For better results, you should select an image that is clear and well-lit. Even better would be to pick an image that has all members of your family in it.

The AI assistant helps to ready your picture for cartooning, interpreting everything just right to ensure a perfect result.

Once you have completed your photo, go ahead and upload it into Sora 2. Begin creating your first group of scenes by typing: “A family gathers for a warm Christmas photo.” This allows you to have a happy and festive image that may be nothing more than a family opening their Christmas gifts or taking their place in front of a Christmas tree.

For the next set of pictures, you can use the following action-oriented prompt:“A family prepares to take a warm Christmas photo. The boy says ‘cheese,’ the dog bounces around, and the photo is snapped.”You can consider letting the AI create action scenes like the preparation of cookies, decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments, or even unboxing gifts related to the story in your cartoon.

You can pick your favourite scenes, scenes you do not want, or modify prompts for some extras. This is to ensure your cartoon at the end contains the characteristics of your family’s personality.

Finally, all the selected scenes shall be combined to create an animated video. The final output shall be a custom-made heartwarming Christmas cartoon video to be enjoyed among family and friends.Customised Christmas cartoon images are not just about fun; in fact, they are able to capture the richness of family unity, a way of preserving family fun during special occasions in a very innovative manner, and most creatively, entertaining the family during the festive season. Contrary to regular photos, these cartoon images also include a fun-filled manner of storytelling, where small moments, such as a child savouring a cookie or a pet playing in a corner near the tree, are what make them special mementoes. Adding on to that, incorporating this technology does not require any special level of expertise; in fact, anyone can jump on this bandwagon. One image can become a complete cartoon story.

Christmas arrives softly but it stays loudly in memory. It comes with familiar scents, repeated songs, warm lights and that unspoken permission to pause. In a year shaped by deadlines, uncertainty and constant movement, Christmas feels like a break. It reminds people that connection matters, that kindness still counts, and that joy doesn’t need to be extravagant to be real. Words take on special importance during this season. A simple message can feel like a hug, a reminder, or a bridge across distance. Whether sent on a card, typed into a message, or whispered across a dinner table, Christmas wishes carry emotion far beyond their length. Before the wishes, it helps to understand why this day continues to hold such meaning.

The importance and significance of christmas

At its heart, Christmas marks the birth of hope. Rooted in the story of Jesus Christ’s birth, the day symbolises renewal, compassion, humility, and love. Over time, its meaning has expanded beyond religion into something universal. It has become a celebration of togetherness, generosity, forgiveness, and reflection.

Christmas matters because it slows people down. It creates space for family, friendship, gratitude, and kindness, things often pushed aside during the rest of the year. Traditions, whether spiritual or cultural, provide comfort and continuity. They remind people that even as the world changes, certain values remain steady. In modern life, Christmas has also become a moment to check in. To reconnect. To reach out to people who may not hear from you often but still matter deeply. That’s where words come in. Below are over 75 thoughtfully written Christmas messages you can share with friends, family, colleagues, etc.

Merry Christmas to the people who make every season feel like home. Christmas feels warmer simply because it’s spent with family like ours. Wishing our family a Christmas filled with comfort, laughter, and shared moments. No matter where life takes us, Christmas always brings us back together. May this Christmas remind us how lucky we are to have each other. Grateful for traditions, memories, and a family that keeps growing stronger. Christmas with family isn’t perfect, but it’s always meaningful. Sending love to the people who make my world feel steady and safe. May this season bring peace to our home and ease to our hearts. Family makes Christmas feel real, not rushed.

Merry Christmas to the ones who made every Christmas magical long before we understood how. Thank you for being the quiet miracle behind every celebration. Every Christmas memory begins with you. Your presence has always been the best gift. May this season return even a fraction of the care you’ve shared all year. Christmas feels gentler when it’s spent thinking of you. Thankful today and always for your love and guidance. Merry Christmas to the hearts that built our home.

Growing up together made Christmas stories worth retelling. Wishing you a season full of warmth, humour, and good food. Sibling love makes Christmas louder, funnier, and better. Some bonds don’t need wrapping; they just last. Christmas is better when shared with someone who knows all your versions. May this season bring you peace and small wins worth celebrating. Childhood memories hit differently at Christmas. Here’s to inside jokes and shared traditions. Merry Christmas to someone who feels like home.

Merry Christmas to the people who choose you, year after year. Friendship makes the season lighter and brighter. Thankful for conversations, laughter, and moments that feel easy. Christmas is better with friends who feel like family. Wishing you comfort, joy, and time to truly rest. Here’s to friendship that survives busy lives and long gaps. May this season give you exactly what you didn’t know you needed. Grateful for a year of shared highs, lows, and laughs. Christmas feels warmer knowing you’re in my life. Sending festive cheer to someone who makes life better.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a well-deserved break. May the season bring clarity, rest, and renewed energy. Thank you for the teamwork and shared effort this year. Hoping your Christmas is calm, joyful, and restorative. Here’s to closing the year with gratitude and optimism. Wishing you success, balance, and good health in the year ahead. May this season mark a fresh start and new momentum. Thankful for collaboration and mutual respect. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the coming year. Hoping the holidays bring both rest and inspiration.

Christmas feels softer with you beside me. Thank you for being my constant through every season. Every celebration feels fuller because of you. Wishing us quiet moments and shared warmth this Christmas. Love feels louder during the holidays. You’re my favourite part of every season. May this Christmas deepen everything we already share. Grateful for love that grows, not rushes. The best gift is simply being together. Christmas with you feels right.

Merry Christmas and warm wishes to you and yours. Sending festive cheer your way. Merry Christmas! Wishing you peace, joy, and good company. May your Christmas be calm and bright.Hope the season treats you kindly. Merry Christmas!Warm wishes for a meaningful Christmas.Joy, comfort, and rest to you.Merry Christmas and gentle days ahead.Celebrating the season with gratitude.Wishing you light and warmth. Merry Christmas!

Christmas reminds us that joy doesn’t need permission.The best gifts are often unseen.Christmas is less about things and more about presence.Kindness feels more natural during this season.The quiet moments are often the most memorable.What lasts beyond Christmas is what truly matters.Joy multiplies when shared.Tradition is memory made visible.Christmas is a pause worth protecting. Christmas messages don’t have to be perfect to matter. What they need is sincerity. Whether they’re sent to family, friends, colleagues, or someone you don’t speak to often but still care about, the right words travel far. They cross distance, time, and silence. In a season filled with noise, a simple, thoughtful message stands out. And sometimes, that quiet moment of connection becomes the most meaningful gift of all.

Drone view of Aravalli hills (ANI photo)

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday ordered states to impose a complete ban on new mining leases in the Aravallis and expand protected zones, a major move amid public outcry over the “new definition” of the mountain range.The Union environment ministry said the decision was aimed at the “conservation and protection” of one of the world’s oldest mountain systems, covering the stretch from Delhi to Gujarat. The directive seeks to safeguard the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region and to put an end to unregulated mining across the region.

As part of the announcement, the ministry instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify further zones across the Aravallis where mining must be prohibited, beyond those areas already notified by the Centre-based on ecological, geological and landscape-level assessments.The Centre also said it intends to expand the list of areas protected and restricted from mining across the range. For mines that are currently operational, state governments have been asked to ensure “strict compliance” with environmental safeguards and adherence to Supreme Court orders.On Monday, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said at a press conference that “no new mining leases will be permitted, especially in core, protected and ecologically sensitive areas, including the NCR”.Responding to the Supreme Court’s acceptance of the “new definition” of the Aravallis, he said: “The ruling recognises and endorses the Government of India’s sustained efforts to protect the Aravalli range through scientific assessment, strict safeguards and initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall Project.”He further underlined the government’s efforts such as the expansion of Ramsar sites, afforestation drives and global recognition of India’s forest cover, adding that the BJP-led NDA government remains “firmly committed to balancing ecology and economy, while countering misinformation with facts and science”.The Supreme Court’s acceptance, classifying any landform in Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local relief as Aravali Hills-sparked concern among several stakeholders, who fear the new definition could leave more than 90% of the range open to mining, as most landforms fall below the 100-metre threshold.