A recent study indicates that sodium, which is present in chips, processed meat items, bread, and dairy products, particularly cheese, may also be a major risk factor for the global increase in obesity rates, even though sugary meals and drinks are more often held responsible.

A concerning association between sodium consumption and obesity, as measured by total body fat and abdominal fat, was brought to light by the research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025).

The study, which was headed by researchers from Finland’s Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, examined the sodium consumption and urine sodium content of over 5,000 men and women who were 18 years of age or older in order to determine whether or not they were obese.

Interestingly, it was discovered that every participant consumed more sodium than the World Health Organization’s recommended daily intake of 5 grams or less.

High dietary sodium intake was found to be strongly associated with both general and abdominal obesity, especially in women. Obesity and excessive sodium intake are recognized risk factors for diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Individuals who consumed the most sodium were 3.4 times more likely to have abdominal obesity and 4.3 times more likely to be considered obese overall.

Men were 6 times more likely to be obese overall and 4.7 times more likely to be obese around the abdomen if their urine salt concentration was in the highest quartile.

Generally speaking, males eat more food, including more of the foods that are the primary sources of sodium in the diet, such cheese, bread and bakery goods, and meat products. Since our analyses took total calorie intake into account, the larger correlations observed in men may be the result of higher salt intake in relation to total energy intake. However, the correlations were in a similar direction for both men and women, independent of the strength of the relationship, according to Annika Santalahti, Finnish Institute.

With comparable results for both dietary sodium and urine sodium concentration, these findings support the notion of a link between salt intake and obesity. It is crucial to learn more about the biological mechanism underlying the link“, she added.

 LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, has launched the Skills on the Rise 2025 list, spotlighting 15 skills that professionals should invest in to stay ahead at work. The top 5 fastest growing skills that companies in India are hiring for include creativity and innovation (#1), code review (#2), problem solving (#3), pre-screening (#4), and strategic thinking (#5).

With 64% of the skills used in most jobs projected to change by 2030 in India, LinkedIn research shows that 25% of professionals worry about not having the skills needed for the future. Nearly 4 in 10 (43%) professionals in Bengaluru find it challenging to determine if they’re a good match for a job. With 35% not knowing which of their skills are fit for a job’s requirements, understanding which skills are in demand is more critical than ever. On the other hand, 69% of recruiters in India report a skills mismatch between the skills professionals have and the skills companies need.

Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor says, “India Inc. is experiencing a fundamental skills reset. As AI changes the way we work, soft skills like creativity, problem solving, and strategic thinking are no longer ‘nice to have’; they’re business-critical. At the same time, AI literacy is becoming a baseline expectation across all job functions. Employers are also doubling down on customer engagement and stakeholder management, making business acumen more valuable than ever. This year’s Skills on the Rise list is a must-have resource for professionals to identify and learn the skills that companies are hiring for in 2025.”

Soft skills take centre stage

As AI automates tasks, the skills that set professionals apart are becoming deeply human. Creativity and innovation (#1), problem solving (#3) and strategic thinking (#5) are seeing increased demand, not just in traditionally creative fields like arts & design and marketing, but also in business development and education. Similarly, communication is now essential beyond people-centric roles like sales and HR, extending into IT, consulting, and finance.

AI literacy is a baseline expectation across job functions

The ability to work with AI is a mainstay in today’s work landscape. With 95% of C-Suite leaders in India prioritising AI skills over traditional experience, Large Language Models (LLM) (#8), AI literacy (#9), and prompt engineering (#13) skills are becoming key differentiators for job applicants. While these skills have traditionally been associated with IT, their growing relevance in education and marketing highlights the expanding role of AI and tech fluency across job functions.

Customer engagement skills are in demand across India Inc.

As companies sharpen their focus on business growth, strong customer relationships remain a top priority. Customer engagement (#11) is a critical skill—with an increasing emphasis on customer satisfaction—across sales, business development, and marketing functions. Professionals who can help businesses build enduring customer relations and loyalty will have an advantage.

Majority professionals in Bengaluru are looking for new jobs in 2025

As per new research from LinkedIn, 86% of professionals in Bengaluru plan to look for a new job this year. However, 50% professionals in the city say they are applying for more jobs than ever, but are hearing back less. To guide these professionals towards the right opportunities, LinkedIn has unveiled its annual Jobs on the Rise list, revealing insights on the fastest-growing jobs over the past three years.

Here are this year’s Top 15 Skills on The Rise in India:

1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Code Review
3. Problem Solving
4. Pre-screening
5. Strategic Thinking
6. Communication
7. Adaptability
8. Large Language Models (LLM)
9. AI Literacy
10. Debugging
11. Customer Engagement
12. Statistical Data Analysis
13. Prompt Engineering
14. Market Analysis
15. Stakeholder Management

Here’s the full list of Jobs on the Rise in Bengaluru

1. Brand Associate
2. Power System Engineer
3. Artificial Intelligence Engineer
4. Communications Associate
5. Facilities Manager
6. Sales Development Manager
7. Electrical Manager
8. Delivery Consultant
9. Piping Design Engineer
10. Logistics Specialist

LinkedIn’s career expert Nirajita Banerjee shares tips to help professionals unlock new opportunities:

• Take stock of what you’ve got. Go back through your job history to do a skills inventory. Don’t forget to consider skills you’ve gained from other experiences including volunteering, sports clubs – you likely have more skills than you thought! This exercise will help you ID skills to highlight during your job search and can help remind you of skills that you would want to build in the future.
• Show off your soft skills. While many jobs require technical skills, skills like communication and adaptability are in demand and are super transferable across roles and industries. These skills matter to employers, so don’t bury the lead – members who list five or more skills receive up to 5.6x more profile views from recruiters and 24x recruiter InMails, and are 2.9x more likely to receive connection requests. Be sure to add your skills to your profile, and include context that demonstrates the impact your skills have made.
• Go skill surfing and get in growth mode. Identify the areas of growth – possibly around skills that you were missing for a specific job you want, as detailed in the job description. You can then check out your company’s continuing education offerings or ask for a stretch assignment in your current role. Take online courses like those offered by LinkedIn Learning, or take on a volunteer role for a local club or organisation. Don’t be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone – you’ll be building your skills muscle.

To support professionals, LinkedIn Learning is offering free courses to help them develop these essential skills. Additionally, LinkedIn’s new AI-powered coaching feature enables learners to practice real-world workplace conversations—like performance reviews and feedback discussions—using text or voice, with personalised feedback to build confidence.

Methodology:

Consumer and Global HR Professionals Research: This research was conducted by Censuswide between November 27 to December 16, 2024 among 22,010 consumer respondents, and among 8,035 global HR professionals between November 28 to December 18, 2024. Markets included UK, USA, France, Germany, India, Spain, Brazil, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, Indonesia, and Italy. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles. Censuswide are members of the British Polling Council.

Jobs on the Rise: LinkedIn Economic Graph researchers examined millions of jobs started by LinkedIn members from January 1, 2022 to July 31, 2024 to calculate a growth rate for each job title. To be ranked, a job title needed to see positive growth across our membership base and sufficient job postings in the past year, as well as have grown to a meaningful size by 2024. Identical job titles across different seniority levels were grouped and ranked together. Internships, volunteer positions, interim roles and student roles were excluded, and jobs where hiring was dominated by a small handful of companies in each country were also excluded. Additional data points for each of the job titles are based on LinkedIn profiles of members holding the title and/or open jobs for that title in the country.

Skills on the Rise: LinkedIn measures the growth of skills based on three pillars: skill acquisition, hiring success and emerging demand. Skill acquisition counts the rate at which members are adding new skills to their profile. Hiring success is measured by the share of a skill possessed by members who have been hired in the past year. Emerging demand measures the increased presence of a given skill in paid job postings. Growth rates for all metrics are measured by comparing LinkedIn data from January 1 to December 31, 2024 to the same period in the previous year (January 1 to December 31, 2023).

Some of the finest players in football history have dominated the list of the highest international goal scorers. These renowned players not only succeeded at the club level, but also left an everlasting imprint on international football by frequently scoring for their respective national teams. These players are remembered for their amazing ability to score on the international level.

These footballers have achieved great success not only with their clubs, but also on the international level. Their goal-scoring prowess has made them household names in world football.

Let us take a deeper look at the top five highest international goal scorers of all time:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (2001- present)

924 goals in 1,256 games 

Ronaldo, a modern great for Portugal, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, has won everything in the game and continues to thrive today. Ronaldo is the only player to have scored in five different World Cups, yet he isn’t done yet, with the man himself claiming that talk of retirement is premature.

In fact, Ronaldo has shattered additional records, signing the most expensive contract in sports history with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until the summer of 2025, for a salary of £178 million. He attained the astounding milestone of 500 career league goals while with the club, and he contributed 100 goals for them in January.

On the international level, he already has almost 200 caps, a world record, and has scored 135 goals for his country. Ronaldo has also became the first player in history to achieve 927 career goals, and he hopes to reach 1000 before retiring.

2. Lionel Messi (2003 – present)

851 goals in 1081 games 

Messi, a true legend, has won several medals to go with his goals, including an unprecedented eight Ballon d’Or titles. Now at Inter Miami in the United States, the Argentine has a few years remaining to add to his impressive score and is aiming for 900 career goals.

Messi scored seven goals at the World Cup in Qatar, two of which came in the dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the final, which will undoubtedly go down as the highlight of his career. He scored almost 650 goals for Barcelona before joining PSG, where he added 32 more.

The icon currently plays in the MLS and continues to score goals while also representing Argentina on the international scene, helping them win the 2024 Copa America.

3. Josef Bican (1931-1956)

805+ goals in 530+ games
Josef “Pepi” Bican was an Austrian-Czech professional football striker. Some consider him the greatest goalscorer in the sport’s history.

During his athletic peak, he was said to be capable of running 100 metres in 10.8 seconds, which was comparable to the top sprinters of the time. After retiring from playing, Bican became a manager, coaching numerous clubs from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Between 1937 and 1948, the famous striker scored an amazing 395 goals in 217 appearances for Slavia Prague. He also played for other clubs in Czechia, scoring an incredible quantity of goals.

This implies that Bican was football’s all-time leading goalscorer for more than 60 years before being surpassed. Although he is reported to have scored about 1,500 goals in all during his playing career, only 805 of them were registered by FIFA.

4. Romario (1985 – 2007)

772 goals 994 games

Romario de Souza Faria, or simply Romario, is a Brazilian politician and former professional footballer. A prolific striker known for his clinical finishing, he scored over 700 goals and is one of the few players to have scored at least 100 for three different clubs.

Romario guided Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994, scoring five goals during the tournament. He had a successful career with a lot of elite clubs across the world.

The forward played for ten different teams, totaling over 700 games. His most successful period in front of goal came during his tenure at PSV, where he scored 98 goals in 110 matches. Romario also scored 55 goals in 70 appearances for his country.

Romario has also played for other European clubs, including PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, and Valencia. However, Romario did not win the Ballon d’Or due to the eligibility criterion. However, he was recognized in 1994.

5. Pele (1957 – 1977)

757 goals in 831 games

One of the greatest players in history, having won the World Cup three times.Pele only played for two clubs but led Brazil to victory throughout his career.

During his 656 competitive games for Santos, he averaged nearly a goal per game and claimed to have scored over 1,000 times.However, it is widely known that hundreds of those goals occurred during tours or friendly matches. Pele would have told you otherwise.

When the Brazilian legend, who was then playing for the New York Cosmos, came to India for a friendly versus Mohun Bagan, one of the country’s oldest and most famous football clubs, it was a historic occasion. Kolkata, a city that considers football more than just a sport, erupted in joy.

According to the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, Pele died at 3:27 p.m. Due to multiple organ failures resulting from the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous medical condition,
the icon died in 2022, but his impact continues in the football world.

Holi is a prominent Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. It commemorates the eternal and divine love between the deities Radha and Krishna. Furthermore, the day represents the triumph of good over evil, commemorating Vishnu’s victory as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu. Holi originated and is mostly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, although it has since expanded to other parts of Asia and the Western world via the Indian diaspora.

Holi also commemorates the entrance of spring in India, the end of winter, and the blooming of romance.It’s also an invocation for a prosperous spring crop season. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (full moon day) falling on the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar.

The celebration has several functions, the most important of which is to mark the start of spring. In 17th-century literature, it was described as a festival that praised agriculture, good spring crops, and fertile soil. Hindus think it is the moment to celebrate spring’s vibrant colors and bid farewell to winter. Many Hindus view Holi festivities as an opportunity to reset and restore broken relationships, resolve problems, and cleanse oneself of emotional pollutants from the past.

It also has a religious purpose, as represented by the legend of Holika. Bonfires are lit the night before Holi as part of the Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Little Holi festival. People congregate around flames to sing and dance. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated.

In northern India, children and youth spray coloured powder solutions (gulal) at each other, laugh, and rejoice, while adults spread dry coloured powder (abir) over their faces. Visitors to homes are first teased with colors before being fed Holi dishes (such as gujhia, shakkarpaare, matri, and dahi vada), desserts, and drinks. After playing with colors and cleaning up, folks bathe, change into clean clothes, and visit friends and family.

Kama Dahanam, like Holika Dahan, is celebrated in certain parts of India. Rangapanchami, or the festival of colours, takes place on the fifth day following Poornima (the full moon).

Holi is also a celebration of forgiveness and new beginnings, with the ritualistic goal of promoting social harmony.Groups sing and dance, with some playing drums and dholaks. Gujiya, mathri, malpuas, and other traditional delicacies are served after each stop of fun and colour play.Cold drinks, especially those infused with marijuana, are also part of the Holi celebration.

On Holi, the people of Odisha celebrate Dola or Pushpadola, in which Jagannath’s idols substitute Krishna and Radha’s. Dola Melana is honored in villages, with deity processions and bhoga offerings. “Dola yatra” was popular even before 1560, long before Holi began, and the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were brought to the “Dolamandapa” (podium in Jagannath temple). People used to present natural colors called “abira” to the deities and use them to enhance each other’s abilities.

Barsana, a town near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh’s Braj district, celebrates Lathmar Holi in the huge Radha Rani Temple courtyard. Thousands flock to see the Lath Mar Holi, in which women beat up males with sticks as those on the sidelines go frenzied, singing Holi songs and shouting “Radhe Radhe” or “Sri Radhe Krishna“. Braj Mandal’s Holi songs are sung in pure Braj, the indigenous language.

The main day of the festival is known as “Holi”, “Rangwali Holi”, “Dol Purnima”, “Dhuleti”, “Dhulandi”, “Ukuli”, “Manjal Kuli”, “Yaosang”, “Shigmo”, “Phagwah”, or “Jajiri”.

Holi is also known as Dol Jatra (swing festival) and Boshonto Utshob in Bengal (West Bengal and Bangladesh), Phakua in Assam, Phagu Purnima in Nepal’s hilly region, Dola Jatra in Odisha, Fagua or Phagua in eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar, and northwestern Jharkhand, Phagwah or Phagwa in the Caribbean (namely Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica), and Phagua in Fiji.

Holi, also known as Phagu Purnima, is a national celebration in Nepal, along with many other Hindu holidays. is observed in the Nepali month of Falgun and commemorates the stories of the Hindu god Krishna.

Holi is celebrated by Pakistan‘s tiny Hindu population. The Hindu tribes of Cholistan play the game Khido in the days leading up to Holi. They consider the game Khido to be sacred since Parhlad is said to have played it as a youngster.

Phagwah is a public holiday in Guyana, and people of all races and religions engage in the festivities. The primary event in Georgetown takes place at the Mandir at Prashad Nagar.

Holi is celebrated in Mauritius shortly after Shivaratri. It marks the start of spring, honoring good harvests and fertile land. Hindus think it is a time to celebrate spring’s vibrant colors and say goodbye to winter.

Holi is celebrated in numerous US states by mostly South Asian Americans, notably those of Indian descent. It is mainly held at Hindu temples or cultural halls. In addition to temple devotees, members of Hindu associations and volunteers help to organize the event.

In Indonesia, Indian Indonesians and Balinese Hindus celebrate Holi as a festival of colours. The main ceremonies are held in Medan and Bali.

Some colours produced and sold in India contain metal-based industrial dyes, which might cause skin problems for some people in the days following Holi. These hues are made in India, primarily by small informal firms, with no quality standards and are widely available in the market. The colors are offered without labels, so the consumer has no idea where the colors came from, what they include, or whether they are harmful.

Some organizations have initiated programs to teach youngsters how to manufacture their own Holi colours using safer, natural chemicals. Meanwhile, some commercial companies have started marketing “herbal” dyes, which are far more expensive than the harmful alternatives.

Let us come together to celebrate the festival of love and happiness – Happy Holi!

ICC Champions Trophy: Team List

1. India

2. Pakistan

3. New Zealand

4. Bangladesh

5. Australia

6. South Africa

7. England

8. Afghanistan

Childhood obesity is becoming a critical public health issue in India, with alarming statistics pointing to its rapid growth. The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity among kids aged 5-15 in India raised concerns not only among low- and middle-income populations but also globally, as the country is projected to contribute 11% of the global burden of childhood obesity by 2030.

 A recent meta- analysis of 21 studies, which included 1,86,901 children from 2003-2023, revealed that 8.4% of children in rural areas were affected by obesity, while 12.4% were categorized as overweight. The study further highlights that male children have a higher risk of obesity compared to female children, and that children in private schools face a greater risk of obesity than their counterparts in government schools.

 India faces a dual challenge where malnourishment has been a longstanding issue, yet childhood obesity is now rapidly emerging as an equally critical concern. Over the past eight years, childhood obesity rates in the country have seen a staggering 50% increase, rising from 5.6% in 2015 to 8.4% in 2023.

According to Dr. Deepa Mohan Sharma, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, parents must monitor their child’s growth trends from birth and stay vigilant for early signs of overweight and its associated complications.

She explains, “Parents should look for dark skin near the back and front of the neck and underarm regions, which may vary depending on the child’s skin tone. As the condition progresses, the skin becomes thicker with more prominent lines, ill-defined edges, and may develop a wart-like surface. Skin tags often appear in these areas. While usually harmless,these skin changes could indicate insulin resistance, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance, in particular, has emerged as a significant health concern among children, with its incidence rising alongside childhood obesity rates. Studies now indicate that type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed in children as young as seven—a worrying trend that was previously rare in this age group. Contributing factors include early nutritional habits, such as formula feeding, eating food high in calories, sugary drinks and processed foods, which further exacerbate the risk of diabetes and other related conditions.

Dr. Sharma emphasizes that early detection is crucial. “Routine growth chart assessments, BMI checks, and regular health screenings are key to identifying obesity risks. Alongside monitoring skin changes, BP checks and understanding your child’s activity levels and dietary patterns is essential. Comprehensive evaluations can help rule out associated complications, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, which are increasingly being diagnosed in children at very young ages,” she adds.

The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the issue, replacing active playtime with excessive screen time and unhealthy eating habits. These factors contribute to a range of health concerns, including high cholesterol, joint pain, and weakened immunity. Poor gut health, influenced by diet and lifestyle, also plays a significant role in the development of chronic conditions and behavioral issues.

Parents can take proactive steps to address this growing concern by fostering healthier habits, encouraging balanced diets, limiting screen time, promoting outdoor play, and scheduling preventive health checks to monitor growth and development. Raising awareness and ensuring early intervention can help prevent long-term complications, paving the way for a healthier future for children.

Childhood obesity is a pressing public health issue with far-reaching consequences. Early awareness, preventive health checks, balanced diets, and regular physical activity are essential to address this growing concern. By instilling healthy habits from a young age, we can ensure stronger immunity, better mental well-being, and improved overall health. Tackling obesity today is crucial for securing a healthier and brighter future for the next generation.

Imagine having less stress and more time. Picture getting the help you need before you have to ask. In the era of mobile AI, the freedom to focus on what matters most to you isn’t a dream, it’s reality — and it’s coming soon to Galaxy.

A few weeks ago, we launched the One UI 7 beta program. It marked the start of a new era with the first AI-integrated operating system, a true AI platform that vastly improves mobile experiences for users through unprecedented personalization.

Galaxy’s approach to AI personalization, from our launch of the first AI phone to our continuous innovation of on-device AI, is to never compromise on privacy. We know you want the benefits of mobile AI that truly understands you. You want a phone, tailored to your lifestyle, that adds to what you can do while removing everyday barriers — all with no risk of personal information being misused.

In anticipation of the next standard-setting Galaxy S series smartphones, we’re giving Galaxy users greater peace of mind alongside greater personalization. That’s why we’ve created the Personal Data Engine, a powerful privacy advancement that ensures on-device, cross-app personal data protection.

Personalized data is stored in a secure space, carefully safeguarded by an encryption key that’s managed by Knox Vault. That’s the same trusted platform used to secure the most sensitive information on your smartphone, such as your biometric data. And as an added layer of protection, post-quantum cryptography future-proofs the security of your data against rising quantum computing threats.

On this fortified foundation of privacy, we’re opening up more possibilities for mobile experiences tailored to your life, only with Galaxy.

One defining element of One UI 7 is Now Bar, which gives personalization a new meaning by seamlessly integrating your everyday actions and most-used apps into your lock screen. It’s where you’ll control your entertainment, time your next personal best workout, get directions to your next meeting or start communicating in other languages.

Now Bar will also be an access point for the most comprehensively insightful experiences ever on Galaxy. Now, your phone won’t just ping you, it will power your lifestyle.

Imagine you’re packing for a trip from Seoul, Korea, to San Jose, California. While you get ready, your phone offers a prompt to create a folder of your essential apps for quicker access. So you don’t miss your flight, it lets you know when it’s time to leave for the airport. It even provides a curated travel playlist to set the mood for your long flight.

With a single swipe, you can access the weather forecast — no need to search or check various apps. Throughout your trip, your phone captures the magic of each moment, and as each day winds down, it helps you relive the highlights.

Morning and night, Galaxy AI will keep you both informed and inspired with actionable tips and recommendations uniquely tailored to your life. Game-changing personalization with privacy you can always trust. This is the next evolution of Galaxy AI.

India, the land of festivals, is currently celebrating Makar Sankranti, an occasion that reflects the rich cultural diversity of the country and is known by a number of names across the country, including Pongal, Bihu, Maghi, or Magh Bihu. India celebrates four winter harvest festivals: Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, and Magh Bihu.

Makar Sankranti, one of the most auspicious holidays, in honor of the Hindu sun god Surya. The Vedic writings, especially the Gayatri Mantra, a revered Hindu hymn found in the Rigveda, are where Surya’s significance may be traced. This celebration marks the beginning of spring, a significant juncture in the agricultural and astronomical cycles. Celebrated with great fervor throughout India, the festivities include kite flying, traditional feasts, and holy river bathing.

The Story tells, Makar(a) Sankranti is the only Hindu holiday that is based on the solar calendar rather than the lunar one. Makar Sankranti is regarded as an auspicious time of year, commemorating the sun’s journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. Sankranti means “transition,” while Makar means “Capricorn.”

New harvests are revered and joyfully shared throughout the celebration, which also signifies the start of the harvest season. It marks the official end of winters and the beginning of the Sun’s transition from the Dakshinayana (South) to the Uttarayana (North) hemispheres, which signals a change in season. This unique celebration marks the end of winter and the start of a new harvest season.

In addition, the day emphasizes dedication and charity, and the joyful mood is enhanced by traditional foods like khichdi and sesame-jaggery laddus. On this day, kite flying is a popular ritual that symbolizes vivid vitality.

Pongal

Tamils celebrate Pongal, a multi-day Hindu harvest festival. Tamil people claim that the Hindu holiday, known by a variety of regional names across the Indian subcontinent, is devoted to Surya, the solar deity of Hinduism. Bhogi, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kanum Pongal are all observed on consecutive days during the three or four-day celebration.

It is a festival that celebrates the bounty of nature, the importance of agriculture, and the spirit of togetherness. The festive atmosphere, the delicious food, and the vibrant colours make Pongal a truly memorable occasion. In Tamil, Pongu means ‘to boil over,’ and it is from this term that Pongal was derived.

The harvest festival of Lohri is celebrated with a lot of fanfare and ceremony. This Punjabi celebration honors the success of agriculture as well. As the days grow longer than the nights, this celebration signals the end of winter. Since it signifies the end of winter and the harvest of the rabi crops, the celebration of Lohri is quite important. The people give thanks to the fire and the sun for the bountiful harvest and worship them. Every community observes the day under a different name.

According to the mythology of Lohri, a dacoit named Dulla Bhatti lived during the reign of Emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century. He became a hero to the common people because of his reputation for robbing the wealthy and aiding the underprivileged. As a result, on the day of Lohri, he is still honored with folk melodies.

Magh Bihu

Magh Bihu, the annual harvest festival, was celebrated with traditional zeal in Assam. People burned Meji bonfires, which were composed of dried banana leaves, hay, green bamboo, and firewood. Elders bestowed blessings on young people, strengthening ties throughout the family. The happy celebrations were marked by the holding of traditional sports throughout the state, including Tekeli Bhanga, egg-breaking competitions, cockfights, and buffalo battles.

This also known as Bhogali Bihu, marks the conclusion of the harvest season around the middle of January. Following the yearly harvest, the community gathers for feasts during this event, which is celebrated with enthusiasm and customs.

President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her warmest greetings on the festive occasions of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu to people both domestically and overseas.

The President posted on X, “On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indian people living in the country and abroad. These festivals are a symbol of our rich cultural heritage and unity in diversity. These festivals celebrated in different regions of India express respect for nature. These festivals related to agriculture are also opportunities to express gratitude to our farmers for their tireless hard work. I wish that this holy festival brings happiness and prosperity in the life of every person.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the country with joy as they celebrated the holidays of Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, which represent heavenly changes and agricultural plenty. He shared his thoughts in a post on X, ‘Best wishes on Magh Bihu. We celebrate nature’s bounty, the joy of harvest, and the spirit of togetherness. May this festival enhance happiness and unity.‘

The Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi will host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup on January 13, 2025. As Kho Kho, a sport with Indian origins, takes center stage on a global scale, this event is a historic occasion for the sport. There will be 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams in the first-ever kho kho competition, which is supported by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

On the fringes of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kho Kho was showcased among other native Indian sports like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi. At the Kho Kho World Cup 2025, the men’s and women’s competitions will start with group stages and end with eliminations. On January 19, the finals will take place.

The Indian women’s team is in Group A with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea, while the Indian men’s squad is in Group A with Nepal, Peru, Brazil, and Bhutan. Each group’s top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

With both men’s and women’s competitions, the tournament will run until January 19 with the goal of establishing Kho Kho as a globally recognized sport. This first championship will feature 39 countries, including host India.

India will play Nepal in the first men’s match after the opening ceremony on January 13. There are five teams in each of the four groups in the men’s competition.

Format of the Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025
There will be 20 teams competing in the Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025. There will be a round-robin phase first, followed by knockout matches. Each of the four groupings of teams consists of five teams.

Have a look in Group-wise:

Group                        Teams
Group A                 India, Nepal, Peru, Brazil, Bhutan
Group B                South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands, Iran
Group C                Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, United States, Poland
Group D                England, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Kenya

Each team will play one match against every other team in its group during the group stage. The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarterfinals following the group stage. The competition will then proceed in a knockout fashion, with the victorious teams advancing to the semifinals and, eventually, the championship match. Elimination will occur after one knockout stage loss. The first-ever Kho Kho global champions will be the team that advances to the final.

Timing
The Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025 bouts will begin at a number of different times, from 10:00 AM IST to 8:30 PM IST every day. Both the semi-finals and the quarterfinals will take place starting at 05:45 PM IST and 11:45 AM IST, respectively.

At 8:15 PM IST, the championship game will take place. Let’s review the complete schedule, including the times, fixtures, and outcomes of each match.

Except for Group A, which consists of just four teams, the women’s competition is divided into four groups, each of which consists of five teams.
Nineteen teams will compete in the Women’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025.

Have a look in Group-wise:
Group                                Teams
Group A                  India, South Korea, Malaysia, Iran
Group B                  England, Australia, Kenya, Netherlands, Uganda
Group C                  Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Bangladesh
Group D                 New Zealand, Poland, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia

Format of the Women’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025
After a round-robin round, the Women’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will proceed to knockout competitions. Except for Group A, which has only four teams, the teams are split up into four groups, each of which has five teams.

Each team will play one match against every other team in its group during the group stage. The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarterfinals following the group stage.

The competition will then proceed in a knockout fashion, with the victorious teams advancing to the semifinals and, eventually, the championship match. Elimination will occur after one knockout stage loss.

The first-ever Women’s Kho Kho global champions will be the team that advances to the final.

Timing
Every day, the Women’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025 bouts will begin at a different time, from 10:00 AM IST to 8:30 PM IST. Starting at 11:45 AM IST, the quarterfinals will take place, and starting at 05:45 PM IST, the semi-finals.

Women’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025 match schedule, fixtures, results and match times

The Netherlands, Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada, the US, and China were among the countries with documented HMPV cases in 2023. China is currently dealing with a spike in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, a respiratory virus, five years after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Five confirmed cases have been reported from India, two from each of the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and one from Ahmedabad. Bengaluru schools have put surveillance systems in place and are warning parents not to take their kids to school if they show any signs. The virus appears to be spreading quickly throughout the nation, according to a number of media reports and social media posts. The inflow of patients is overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums, according to some.

What is HMPV?
Human Metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is a virus that can affect people of all ages and cause both upper and lower respiratory illnesses. Those with compromised immune systems, elderly individuals, and young children are especially at risk to severe disease from the virus. The Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) subgroup C is closely related to this negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus, which is a member of the Pneumoviridae family.

A member of the Pneumoviridae family, which also contains Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), HMPV was discovered in 2001. Nonetheless, serological research indicates that the virus is widespread and has been in humans for more than 60 years.

All ages can be affected by HMPV, although young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to upper and lower respiratory illnesses.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that shortness of breath, fever, coughing, and nasal congestion are typical symptoms. HMPV is transmitted by respiratory droplets, physical contact (e.g., handshakes), or contact with contaminated objects, according to Li Tongzeng, a top physician at Beijing You’an Hospital. Three to five days are needed for the virus to incubate.

Wearing masks, washing your hands frequently, and increasing your immunity are all preventive strategies.

Signs and symptoms of HMPV
The respiratory system is usually impacted by HMPV, and frequent symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In extreme situations, it may result in bronchiolitis or pneumonia, necessitating hospitalization and oxygen treatment. Adults over 65 who have flu-like symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, and shortness of breath are frequently afflicted with HMPV.

Is HMPV similar to other viruses that cause colds?
HMPV can cause more severe symptoms in susceptible groups, including newborns, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems, even though it shares features with other respiratory viruses like the flu or RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

Does the HMPV virus resemble the Covid-19 virus?
Although both HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19 virus) are respiratory diseases, their virologies, modes of transmission, and effects on public health are very different. Both can result in symptoms like fever, coughing, and dyspnea and are transmitted by respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Covid-19, on the other hand, has a greater risk of systemic problems and a wider variety of symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell.

What have health organizations, professionals, and the WHO said about HMPV?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not issued any serious warnings regarding HMPV. Despite being contagious, experts say the virus does not now represent a pandemic threat.

The former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said, “Nothing to panic about HMPV, don’t jump at detection of every pathogen, we should all take normal precautions when we have a cold: wear a mask, wash hands, avoid crowds, consult a doctor in case of severe symptoms.”

Renowned paediatrician Dr Krishna Chugh said, “Those who have a respiratory infection, whether they’re adults or somewhat older children aged three, four, or five years, should be isolated for 1 to 3 days till they show improvement.”

Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman of the Kerala State IMA Research Cell, said, “HMPV is very common in young children and there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment recommended. The HMPV or the Human Metapneumovirus is not a killer virus. It is not a virus that causes severe pneumonia or causes deaths like Covid did in the first part of the pandemic. In fact, this virus is so common among young children that nearly 100 per cent of younger children would have become infected by the age of four or five years.”

Gautam Menon, Dean, Research, at Ashoka University, said, “An HMPV infection results typically in a cough, fever, a blocked nose, and some shortness of breath. A small fraction, between 5 and 10 per cent of all respiratory infections during the flu season everywhere are caused by this virus. The symptoms are usually mild but the very young and the very old may be susceptible to more severe disease.”

“There is no need to worry specifically about HMPV”.