rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK, a career counsellor with nearly 34 years of experience in teaching, research and career guidance, explains the benefits of pursuing higher education in India.
'While the population remains relatively young, its age structure is beginning to shift, setting the stage for a much older population later this century.'
A special MCOCA court in Mumbai has directed police to investigate the claim of juvenility made by Phool Singh, an alleged shooter in the firing case involving actor Tiger Shroff. The court extended Singh's police custody along with four others until November 11, questioning why the claim was not made earlier and declining to send him to a juvenile home due to the possibility of avoiding custodial interrogation.
Newly crowned Formula One world champion Kimi Antonelli, the youngest driver to win the title, paid tribute to his childhood hero Ayrton Senna, highlighting the late Brazilian's talent, work ethic, and dedication as continuing influences on his approach to the sport.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to disclose the specific rules and policies behind its requirement for shooters to submit an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper for date of birth verification. The directive came after an RTI appeal sought clarity on the basis for this mandatory requirement, which the NRAI stated was part of its age fraud prevention measures.
Australia's veteran bowling attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, delivered a decisive performance in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Their combined effort led Australia to a 214-run victory, with Hazlewood taking career-best figures. Captain Cummins lauded the bowlers' rigorous preparation and team-first approach, highlighting their continued effectiveness despite their age.
Veteran Australian pace bowler Scott Boland delivered a stellar performance in his first Test since January, taking 4-31 against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving the hosts struggling at 97 for 5 and giving Australia a strong advantage in the series.
The Supreme Court has declared that children have a fundamental right to access and use the internet, directing the Centre to establish a national database for detecting and removing child sexually explicit visual content. The ruling, stemming from a plea by NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance, emphasises the internet's value for learning and expression while acknowledging the need for safeguards like parental consent and a "child mode" for accounts, rather than blanket restrictions.
'Nana left Mumbai, its luxuries and all the roles he could have played, and moved to Pune, where he lived like a farmer.'
At least 13 children, all under 15 years old, drowned after a boat carrying over a dozen passengers capsized in the Ganga river in Bihar's Vaishali district, prompting rescue operations and an ex gratia announcement.
Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc likens winning upcoming away Test series in South Africa, India, and England, plus retaining the ODI World Cup, to Rory McIlroy's golf Grand Slam, acknowledging the team's ageing profile and the immense challenge ahead.
If your daughter has a certain preference, it is always best to keep that in mind while looking for alliances, advises rediffGURU Ravi Mittal.
India's sporting landscape is grappling with a pervasive age fraud issue, as evidenced by hundreds of disqualifications in recent championships. Experts highlight the systemic nature of the problem, driven by a chaotic birth registration system and the allure of early career advantages. While the BCCI has implemented bone density tests, limitations persist, prompting calls for stricter measures, including criminal deterrence and a comprehensive national database, to safeguard the integrity of youth sports.
The BCCI has banned Bengal leg-spinner Rohit Yadav for two years due to age misrepresentation, following discrepancies found in his birth certificates and Aadhaar records. This ban comes after he had already represented India's U-19 team. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has also declared 62 other players, including former U-19 World Cup winner Ravi Kumar, ineligible for similar age-related issues, highlighting a wider crackdown on age fraud in junior cricket.
Atul Wassan questioned age bias in Indian cricket, saying Mohammed Shami deserved a respectful Test farewell and could have served India for another couple of seasons despite injury setbacks.
A new study by MIT and Boston University found that the brain region responsible for language remains active and similar in older adults compared to younger adults. However, the brain system for decision-making, known as the 'multiple demand network', shows significant differences with age. This suggests that specialised brain functions like language processing may be more resilient to ageing than general-purpose cognitive functions.
A middle-aged woman was allegedly murdered in Assam's Tinsukia district on suspicion of practising witchcraft. Police have arrested three women in connection with the incident, which occurred on November 1. Villagers reportedly believed the victim's words brought death, leading to the crime.
Kazuyoshi Miura, 59, became Japan's oldest third-tier league player, extending his remarkable 42nd-season career with Fukushima United and continuing his professional football journey across five decades.
A middle-aged woman was allegedly killed in Assam's Tinsukia district on suspicion of practising witchcraft. The victim, Dhumru Chautal, was tortured, paraded, and beaten by villagers before succumbing to her injuries and being cremated. Three women have been arrested, and a case has been registered under relevant laws.
A special court in Thane, Maharashtra, has sentenced a 35-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly raping a minor girl after promising to marry her. The court, while noting the absence of violence as a mitigating factor, upheld the minimum 20-year term mandated by the POCSO Act, as the victim was under 18 during the abuse, rendering her consent legally invalid.
At what age should society stop regulating life choices and allow people to make their own?
The Supreme Court has highlighted the need to adapt laws to changing demographic realities, stating that laws penalising more than two children have lost relevance due to declining fertility rates. The court referred a case challenging such a disqualification to a larger bench, emphasising the importance of guarding against irreversible fertility decline and considering reproductive autonomy in the context of electoral participation.
A recent study published in npj Aging reveals that epigenetic clocks, which estimate biological age by measuring DNA methylation, capture various aspects of aging biology, including immune system changes, metabolism, and cell communication. Researchers also developed new gene-expression-based clocks that show stronger predictive power for age-related diseases and mortality.
A decomposed human body was discovered in bushes near Kelu Charan Park in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Police suspect an attempt was made to burn the body to destroy evidence. Forensic teams are investigating, and authorities are working to identify the deceased.
Italy's Kimi Antonelli, who turned 20 last August 25, became Formula One's youngest world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday.
Two girl students in Hyderabad were allegedly sexually assaulted by two men after being made to drink alcohol at a party. Police have registered a case of rape and kidnapping under the BNS and POCSO Act, and one victim was hospitalised.
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has secured her spot in the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in December, demonstrating her continued prowess at the highest level. The two-time Olympic medallist recently clinched the Hylo Open and Japan Open titles, alongside a runner-up finish at the French Open, significantly boosting her world ranking. Sindhu firmly believes that age is not a limiting factor, asserting that '31 is the new 21,' and attributes her sustained success to diligent body care, strategic scheduling, and an unwavering passion for badminton.
Nonagenarian Japanese bodybuilder Toshisuke Kanazawa, 90, competed in Spain's Costa del Maresme, showcasing his dedication to physical fitness and inspiring older generations to remain active. He attributes his robust health to a strict Japanese diet and aims for one more competition at 93.
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed captain of Bihar's senior team for the initial two matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, starting November 14. Suraj Kashyap will serve as vice-captain. Sooryavanshi, known for his IPL and India T20I performances, will lead Bihar in Group B, with their first match against Saurashtra in Indore.
From Joggers Park to De De Pyaar De, these films dared to make the age gap between their unlikely lovers part of the story rather than something to quietly ignore.
A BMW inspection of the Mini Cooper involved in a fatal accident near Kochi last month confirmed the car was travelling at 162 kmph five seconds before impact. The driver, Suhail, applied brakes one second prior, with the speed at 144 kmph. Police findings of overspeeding, based on CCTV, are now scientifically supported by the BMW crash data analysis.
A six-year-old girl in Panchkula was critically injured after allegedly being assaulted by an eight-year-old boy inside a school classroom. The incident, which occurred on October 28, was captured in a video circulating online. Police are investigating and the boy is undergoing a medical assessment.
Gurdial Singh Bhangu, the coach who led the Indian women's hockey team to a historic gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, has passed away at 86 in Surrey, Canada. His tactical brilliance, particularly his advice during the dramatic final against England, was crucial to India's victory. Bhangu's legacy also includes coaching the Nigerian women's team and winning a silver medal at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games with India, earning him the Dronacharya Award in 2000.
Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has conducted extensive raids on illegal call centres in Karachi, leading to the arrest of 273 individuals this week. These centres are accused of defrauding foreign nationals and local citizens through credit card scams and Ponzi schemes. The NCCIA faces challenges in tracing these operations and prosecuting workers, despite identifying hundreds of such centres.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar believes the Indian women's cricket team is poised to dominate white-ball formats within two years, citing a strong talent pipeline from age-group cricket. He emphasizes a coaching philosophy focused on winning, discipline, and intense practice, drawing parallels to his Mumbai cricket upbringing. Muzumdar also highlights team unity and a positive dressing room atmosphere as crucial for success, similar to factors behind India's ODI World Cup win last November.
A couple was brutally hacked to death and their minor son critically injured by a neighbour while they were sleeping at their home in Malkangiri district, Odisha. Police have detained the accused, suspecting old enmity as the motive.
'Not every couple with fertility issues requires IVF,' says Dr Rohan Palshetkar, IVF specialist, endoscopic surgeon, obstetrician and gynaecologist.
Police in Lohardaga, Jharkhand, arrested eight inter-district drug peddlers and seized 98 grams of brown sugar worth Rs 20 lakh. The arrests were made during a raid on an under-construction house, and an SUV was also confiscated. An FIR has been registered under the NDPS Act.
Police in Aluva, Kochi, have arrested a 21-year-old man, Alex Robin, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl during a Halloween party at a resort. The incident came to light after parents discovered liquor being served at the party, which was initially believed to be an all-girls gathering. An investigation is ongoing, including into the illegal serving of alcohol.
Defence officials confirmed on Thursday that all serving Agniveers will be absorbed as regular soldiers after six years of service, provided they meet specific criteria. This clarification follows the government's announcement of a two-year extension for Agniveers completing their four-year tenure, allowing for subsequent permanent recruitment. The move effectively ensures a pathway for all Agniveers to join the regular cadre, addressing previous concerns about the 75% who were not initially retained.
