A 17-year old girl died by suicide in Delhi last night. She jumped from the roof of a 7 floor building in Okhla area. The police recovered a suicide note. It cited studies pressure and failure to crack JEE exams as the reason for suicide.
“Yesterday, at 11:25 hrs, a PCR call regarding a girl aged 17, jumping off the roof of the 7th floor of a building in Okhla main market was received at PS Jamia Nagar. She was preparing for JEE after clearing the 12th class,” the Delhi Police said in an official statement.“ She has left a suicide note citing study pressure and not meeting expectations as a reason,” it added. Police is investigating the matter as per Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
Thousands of students attempt competitive exams like JEE, NEET to secure admissions in top colleges in India. Parent’s expectations, study pressure, competition, etc. put students under immense stress. In many cases, their parents take huge loans or mortgage their house to fund their education. To make things worse, limited seats and societal pressure push students towards depression, anxiety, low self-esteem.
Coaching institutes don’t help either. They rake in money on the pretext of getting a student clear competitive exams. Some institutes in many cases, humiliate and inflict inferiority complex within their minds.
‘Education, career, exams are a part of your life, not your whole life,’ needs to be included in every student’s mind.
(Input from the Agencies)
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The Mexican Grand Prix 2024 will etch its name in history books. It is a record 400th Grand Prix entry for the Spanish driver Fernando Alonso. He is going to be the first F1 driver to do so. His racecraft, pace, determination, hunger, and love for the sport, contributed to this incredible milestone. His F1 journey might have had an abrupt end in 2009. But then, he is entering his 400th Grand Prix today. How did he reach here? What were his highs and lows? Let’s have a brief look into his glorious career.
Gentlemen, a short view back to the past…
Fernando Alonso was born to a working-class family in Oviedo, Asturias, Northern Spain on 29 July, 1981. He began Karting at a tender age of 3. His father was a mechanic in mineshaft explosives factory and an amateur Karting driver, and his mother was a department store employee. His father built a go-kart for his elder sister Lorena, to which she showed no interest. Little Fernando received the kart as a result, and a journey to greatness began here.
His family struggled to keep up with costs of motorsport, forcing Fernando to drive with slick tyres on wet races. Nonetheless, it was an opportunity in disguise for him to master wet-weather driving. After success in junior local, national and international tournaments, Fernando got the opportunity drive in F1 in 2001.
F1 debut
Fernando Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 at the Australian Grand Prix for Minardi. In a backmarker team, he finished with 0 points in the season. His best finish (p10) came at Germany.
Renault debut, double world championships
Fernando Alonso moved to Renault F1 team in 2002 in test driver role. Renault boss Flavio Briatore wanted him to get familiarize with the team. He made his Renault debut in 2003 and broke records like youngest driver to secure pole position, youngest race winner, the same year. A couple of podium finishes, and consistent improvements rounded off 2003 and 2004.
His dream run came in 2005, when he won his first championship. Thanks to the regulation changes prohibiting tyre change during races and requiring engine to last at least 2 races before they could be changed. It put an end to Ferrari and Michael Schumacher’s dominance in the sport. Fernando fought with Mclaren’s Kimi Raikkonen for the championship. His car was slower compared to the Mclaren but was more reliable. Ultimately, the reliability of Renault and Fernando’s brilliance emerged victorious. He finished with 133 points, 21 points ahead of his rival Kimi.
Resurgent Ferrari and Michael Schumacher gave Alonso a run for his money in 2006. The Spaniard and the German drivers were involved in some of the best title battles but Alonso again came on top. Defeating Michael by 13 points, Alonso successfully defended his championship and scored 134 points in the season.
Switching teams, controversies, missing title by whisker…
Mclaren secured the services of defending champion for 3 years in 2007. He was paired against rookie Lewis Hamilton and the duo had the job to take on the Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. The 2007 season was surrounded by controversies. The spygate, the feud between Lewis and Alonso, which ruined what could have been double championships for Mclaren in 2007.
Spygate ruled them out of constructors as F1 disqualified Mclaren from it. While drivers were allowed to compete, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen snatched title by just 1 point. Both Alonso and Lewis finished with 109 points each, and are themselves to be blamed for ruining each other in the championship.
He returned to Renault in 2008 breaking his contract from Mclaren. Things changed for the Spanish master. His Renault was nowhere near the title contenders- Ferrari and Mclaren. A difficult year and the stigma of Singapore crashgate, 2008 was a season to forget for Alonso. If 2008 was bad, 2009 was an all-time disaster. He finished 9th with mediocre 26 points. He stood on podium only once this season- at the German Grand Prix.
Switch to Ferrari in 2010 brought a new hope. He stayed there until 2014 and finished runner up in 2010, 2012 and 2013. His performances in Ferrari truly established his legacy. The car barely matched Red Bull in those days. Yet, he pulled off 2 insane title charge in 2010 and 2012. Outperforming his car every single time, Fernando missed by title by just 4 points in 2010 and 3 points in 2012.
He did everything possible, putting his Ferrari in positions it didn’t deserve to be, but Red Bull-Sebastian Vettel pairing was brutally good. His glory days were over in 2013. Though he managed 2 wins, it was nothing compared to what Vettel did with the Red Bull car.
Awful Mclaren partnership, first retirement and return
Following 2014 disaster with Ferrari, he switched sides again. Decided to join Mclaren from 2015 without knowing that a horrific stint was waiting for him. The Honda powered Mclaren car gave Alonso his worst nightmare. Poor pace, disastrous reliability gave Alonso nothing but pain. Though that particular phase gave best pieces of team radio. Streets will never forget that iconic ‘GP2’ engine remark on radio or that “Mate I have no power, no tyres” one.
He retired at the end of 2018, moved to other racing series. Tried his hands at Indycar, Endurance racing and came back from retirement in 2021 with Alpine. Renault was rebranded as Alpine, and asked Fernando to go through rookie tests, giving birth to ‘Fernando is still a rookie’ memes. Two seasons in midfield with Alpine and a troubled on-track relationship with teammate Esteban Ocon.
He moved to Aston Martin in 2023 and was again in front of the field (only for half of the season). The AMR-23 started off as 2nd or 3rd fastest car and Alonso bagged podiums after podiums. Aston fell midway back to the midfield thanks to their failed upgrades. Fernando Alonso had an excellent season with 206 points and a respectable 4th in drivers championship.
In 2024, Aston is at 5th in constructors with no one challenging their spot. Alonso fell to a lonely 9th in the championship this year. He extended his contract with the Aston Martin for a couple of seasons and with Adrian Newey coming in 2025, him being at the front again challenging for wins, podiums or maybe even championships is possible.
Despite his age, he has showed tremendous longevity and pace. While many drivers start to fade away once they enter mid 30s, Alonso (in his 40s) is still strong to compete at the highest level. When Fernando made his debut all the way back in 2001, drivers like Oscar Piastri, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson were not even born. In fact, the 2025 Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, was born months after Alonso’s first championship.
He recently revealed on the Beyond the grid podcast about him pondering retirement after 2009. He said he thought of retiring after completing his 3-year contract with Mclaren because he didn’t know what to do after that. He achieved his dream of driving in F1, won 2 championships. It was 99% clear in his mind.
But destiny had other plans and here he is today. Established himself among the greatest of the sport, numbers will never define his legacy. Fernando Alonso is that driver who knows how to extract most from the car, is one of few racers operating in grey areas pushing rules and cars to their absolute limits.
We are onto the 3rd day of 2nd Test at Pune, India is tangled in a situation no one expected. The hosts are asked to chase 359 runs in the final innings of the match and to stay alive in the series. New Zealand bowled out India for just 156 runs in first innings, taking the lead of 103. Kiwi batters added another 255 to their combined lead of 358 runs.
Indian batters had no clue against NZ spinner Mitchell Santner in first innings, coupled with some reckless shots pushed India into this precarious situation. Losing first test damaged India’s WTC final hunt and a loss here at Pune will worsen the situation. Batters failed to capitalize on the opportunities. Its the bowlers who challenged Kiwis until now.
Nz’s second innings followed a similar pattern to their first innings. A couple of small partnerships failing to register big, and then losing it all within a session. They were 5 wickets down at the start of day’s play, and lost 5 wickets in the morning itself. Spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar took 2,3 and 4 wickets respectively. Captain Tom Latham led the charge with his gritty 86, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips contributed 41 and 48 respectively.
Now that NZ innings in this match are over, the baton is passed to the batters. Poor display of batting is why India is trailing by such mammoth of a margin. Top guns- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been below average in this series.
India stands at 81-1 after 12 overs at the lunch break. Yashasvi Jaiswal 46(36) and Shubhman Gill 22(20) are at the crease. Rohit Sharma had yet another failure, getting caught in Santner’s spin web at just 8. India still has a long way despite its aggressive start. With 9 wickets and 8 session still remaining, there is nothing to hurry about. It should be matter of time if played cautiously. Players like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan will have a big responsibility. Kohli being the most important one, needs to overcome his weakness against spinners.
WTC Final Scenario
If India loses this match, they cannot afford another defeat in remaining matches or else it will have to rely on results of other contenders. India slipped from favourites for 3rd consecutive time to the verge of getting knocked out in a matter of 2 matches. India can only afford a maximum of one draw and win five games to finish on a PCT of 71.05. If India wins remaining 6 games, which includes the upcoming BGT tour, it can accumulate 170 points at a commanding 74.56 PCT. Though it is very unlikely. A minimum of 2 wins with 4 draw will put them in mathematical chance relying on results of others.
India has been unbeaten on its home soil in Test for nearly a decade now. New Zealand has nearly breached the fortress here. This match is in a delicate position. Team like India knows to perform under pressure, but recent form of its batters are the biggest challenge, and the NZ spinners on this pitch of course. New Zealand is on the verge of scripting history in India.
As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, the Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala announced that Congress will unveil its final list of candidates today, putting an end to speculation and anticipation among party workers and supporters. This announcement comes on the heels of the party’s previous candidate list released on October 24, 2024.
Top leadership from the MVA convened at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting, which included prominent figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President), Rahul Gandhi (former Congress Chief), K. C. Venugopal (AICC General Secretary), Nana Patole (Maharashtra Congress Chief), and other leaders like Balasaheb Thorat were also present.
The Congress party has been proactive in quashing rumors of dispute within the MVA coalition, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior Congress leaders emphasized that the alliance remains strong and united, despite speculation suggesting potential fractures.
While addressing the media after CEC meeting, Mr. Patole said, “Balasaheb Thorat will meet Uddhav Thackeray again tomorrow (October 26, 2024) regarding seat-sharing. I have also received a letter from NCP chief Sharad Pawar. After all the discussions on a few undecided seats, we will conduct an online CEC meeting tomorrow evening.”
Rahul Gandhi expressed disappointment with State Congress’s role during seat sharing negotiations with alliance partners. “On the basis on merit, Congress should have received more seats, including Vidarbha, Western Maharashtra, and Marathwada. However, we explained him what went during the discussions and he is satisfied with it,” said Mr. Patole.
The first list of candidates included Nana Patole from Sakoli, Prithviraj Chavan from Karad South, Vijay Wadettiwar from Brahmapuri, Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad from Dharavi, Amit Deshmukh from Latur City and Dheeraj Deshmukh from Latur Rural, etc. It has retained 25 sitting MLAs in the first list.
Mumbai: On October 24, 2024, the Congress party officially released its list of 48 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, a day after MVA agreed on the 85-Formula. This announcement marks a significant step in the party’s strategy as it aims to regain ground in a state where it has faced considerable challenges in recent years.
The candidate list reflects the Congress’s commitment to balancing experience with fresh talent, featuring seasoned politicians alongside younger leaders who represent the aspirations of a new generation. It has retained 25 incumbent MLAs in the first list.
Among the highlights of the candidate list is the inclusion of prominent figures such as Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress President, who will contest from the Sakoli. His leadership is crucial for galvanizing support in a region that has seen fluctuating loyalties in previous elections. former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan from Karad South and Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar from Brahmapuri. Former MLAs Gopaldas Agarwal and Sunil Deshmukh got tickets from Gondia and Amravati, respectively. They switched to the BJP but returned to the Congress recently.
“The problem of seat sharing has been resolved…We are going to contest the elections based on merit…In Maharashtra, today, after seat sharing, we are confident that we will cross 200 (seats)…This ‘choryuti’ (Mahayuti) has ruined the state. We will dethrone them…The public has also made up their minds to dethrone them,” Vijay Wadettiwar told ANI on Thursday.
The release of the candidate list comes out a day after MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi) coalition announced its seat-sharing Formula. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut later said there was a consensus on 270 of the 288 seats between the MVA partners. The coalition’s strategy is centered on a unified campaign that emphasizes cooperative governance and shared values among its partners, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP.
Mumbai: In the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Worli constituency has become a key battleground, with prominent candidates Aaditya Thackeray from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Milind Deora from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction vying for victory. Thackeray, a well-known figure and son of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, recently filed his nomination and expressed confidence in securing the people’s blessings for another term. He emphasized the positive atmosphere in the constituency, stating, “I am very confident that the people will bless me because we are about to form a government in Maharashtra for sure”.
Milind Deora, currently a Rajya Sabha MP and a former three-time MP from South Mumbai, was announced as the candidate for Worli just a day after Thackeray submitted his nomination. Deora’s candidacy is significant, given that the constituency was previously a stronghold for Thackeray, who won in 2019 by a considerable margin of over 67,000 votes. The 2024 elections, set for November 20, will see both candidates navigate the complexities of local issues and party dynamics as they seek to secure votes.
In a recent assessment, Thackeray’s performance as an MLA received mixed reviews, ranking him 29th in a legislative audit, indicating a gap between his popularity and his legislative engagement. However, he has been proactive in local initiatives, including infrastructure improvements and community projects. In contrast, Deora’s campaign strategy focuses on addressing the long-standing issues in Worli, particularly the redevelopment of old buildings and the completion of slum rehabilitation projects, which have faced delays for decades.
Sandeep Deshpande from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also enters the race, advocating for change and emphasizing local concerns, including inadequate infrastructure and the need for better education facilities. As the election date approaches, both Thackeray and Deora must effectively address the pressing needs of Worli’s diverse community while appealing to the electorate’s sentiments regarding past performances and future promises.
With food inflation soaring in Maharashtra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has intensified his criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of being the “biggest enemy of farmers.” He attributes the rise in prices to BJP’s policies, such as export bans on essential crops like onions and high export duties on soybeans, which he says have created distress for farmers and consumers alike. “The BJP’s ‘double engine’ government has left Maharashtra’s food plates empty,” Kharge claimed, stressing that inflation in staple foods has eroded household budgets.
Kharge highlighted Maharashtra’s increasing farmer suicide rate and drought-related struggles, condemning the BJP’s unmet promises of a drought-free Maharashtra through a promised Rs 20,000-crore water grid project. He asserted that this project turned out to be merely a “jumla,” leaving farmers and rural regions severely affected. Reports indicate that Maharashtra has witnessed a stark decline in sugarcane and cotton production, partly due to environmental and policy challenges that, according to Kharge, the BJP has failed to address effectively.
The Congress leader also took a swipe at BJP’s handling of the dairy sector, accusing the government of ignoring the crisis facing local milk cooperatives, a lifeline for rural communities. He alleged that, instead of supporting farmers, the government favors insurance companies with substantial subsidies while farmers continue to suffer without adequate compensation. Kharge’s remarks are resonating with Maharashtra’s agrarian communities, as he calls for a “Maha Parivartan” (great change) through the upcoming elections on November 20, where the state’s 288-member assembly will be elected.
The current political battle is heating up, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, including Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, facing off against the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. As Maharashtra heads to the polls, Kharge’s rallying cries for policy changes in support of farmers and affordable food prices are anticipated to shape the political discourse and voter sentiment across the state.
In response to warnings from the United States and Israel of potential terrorist attacks on tourists, Sri Lanka has tightened security measures in popular tourist destinations like Arugam Bay and coastal resorts in the south and west. Both nations issued advisories urging citizens to avoid or leave these regions due to “credible threats.” The US Embassy’s advisory highlighted Arugam Bay, a well-known surfing area on Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast, while Israel’s National Security Council raised its travel alert level, urging Israelis to avoid the south and west coastal areas, citing specific concerns for tourist safety.
The heightened alerts come at a crucial time for Sri Lanka, which has been working to rebuild its tourism sector after setbacks from the 2019 Easter bombings, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic crises. Although the exact nature of the threat has not been publicly disclosed, the US State Department’s updated advisory notes that American citizens should avoid locations where foreign tourists congregate, underscoring the risk to travelers.
In a recent statement, a Sri Lankan government official acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating that security personnel had been deployed to reinforce safety in these areas. “We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both our citizens and foreign tourists,” the official assured, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining a secure environment.
In addition, Sri Lanka’s police and military are actively monitoring suspicious activities, and local authorities have reportedly set up checkpoints around key tourist areas. However, specific details of the security measures remain undisclosed, likely for operational reasons.
With concerns over tourist safety rising, these advisories signal potential shifts in travel patterns in the region, affecting Sri Lanka’s tourism economy, which had only recently started to recover. Meanwhile, the US and Israel continue to advise caution to their citizens traveling to Sri Lanka until further notice.
In a recent meeting in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the pressing issues surrounding the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Modi expressed India’s steadfast commitment to finding peaceful resolutions, stating, “India has always believed that problems cannot be solved by war, and we are prepared to contribute in every possible way to restore peace.”
Highlighting the strengthening ties between India and Germany, Modi noted the significance of growing collaboration in defense and security. He mentioned a newly signed agreement for the exchange of classified information, which marks a significant advancement in mutual trust. Additionally, the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty established during the meeting aims to bolster joint efforts in combating terrorism and separatism.
Chancellor Scholz, who is leading a high-level delegation to India, emphasized the need for political solutions rooted in international law to address global conflicts. Speaking at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, he remarked on the challenges of a multipolar world where no single entity oversees adherence to global rules. He warned that if Russia were to prevail in its aggressive actions against Ukraine, the consequences would extend beyond Europe, threatening global security and prosperity.
Earlier in the week, Modi reiterated India’s readiness to assist in resolving the Ukraine crisis during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the BRICS Summit. He stated, “We believe that problems should be resolved peacefully and fully support the establishment of peace and stability,” reaffirming India’s dedication to humanitarian efforts and cooperation in future endeavors.
Mumbai: In a significant development for Rhea Chakraborty, the Supreme Court has rejected a plea from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Maharashtra government that challenged the Bombay High Court’s decision to quash look-out circulars (LOCs) against her, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and their father, Lt Col Indrajit Chakraborty (retd). This decision pertains to the investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat expressed disapproval of the CBI’s petition, labeling it as “frivolous” and indicating that it was motivated by the high-profile nature of the case. He remarked that such actions could lead to exemplary costs for the CBI. The court emphasized that merely because a person involved is prominent, it does not justify the filing of such petitions.
The Bombay High Court had previously annulled the LOCs issued in 2020, which had barred Rhea and her family members from leaving the country. These LOCs were intended to prevent them from evading investigation related to Rajput’s death.
The LOCs were initially issued following an FIR filed by Rajput’s family in Patna, which later prompted the Supreme Court to transfer the case to the CBI. The controversy surrounding Rajput’s death on June 14, 2020, has drawn significant media attention and scrutiny, resulting in investigations from multiple agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau.
During the hearings, the Supreme Court questioned the justification for the LOCs, particularly given the CBI’s delay in filing charges since the case’s inception. Rhea Chakraborty’s legal team argued that LOCs should only be issued if there is clear evidence that an accused person is evading arrest or court proceedings.
The court’s decision to uphold the Bombay High Court’s ruling marks a crucial moment in a case that has remained under public scrutiny since Rajput’s tragic passing.
Resurgent Ferrari and Michael Schumacher gave Alonso a run for his money in 2006. The Spaniard and the German drivers were involved in some of the best title battles but Alonso again came on top. Defeating Michael by 13 points, Alonso successfully defended his championship and scored 134 points in the season.
Spygate ruled them out of constructors as F1 disqualified Mclaren from it. While drivers were allowed to compete, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen snatched title by just 1 point. Both Alonso and Lewis finished with 109 points each, and are themselves to be blamed for ruining each other in the championship.
He retired at the end of 2018, moved to other racing series. Tried his hands at Indycar, Endurance racing and came back from retirement in 2021 with Alpine. Renault was rebranded as Alpine, and asked Fernando to go through rookie tests, giving birth to ‘Fernando is still a rookie’ memes. Two seasons in midfield with Alpine and a troubled on-track relationship with teammate Esteban Ocon.
In 2024, Aston is at 5th in constructors with no one challenging their spot. Alonso fell to a lonely 9th in the championship this year. He extended his contract with the Aston Martin for a couple of seasons and with Adrian Newey coming in 2025, him being at the front again challenging for wins, podiums or maybe even championships is possible.
