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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) From being an underdog at the start of his Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) journey to now stepping into Maninder Singh’s shoes, Bengal Warriorz captain Devank Dalal is set to script a new chapter ahead of Season 12. Bought for a record Rs 2.2 crore, Dalal not only became the most expensive raider of the season, but also the player entrusted with leading a new era for the Warriorz.

Devank opened up about the value of his massive bid and the responsibilities that come with it. "Last season, I finished as the best raider. I thought the bid could go this far, but I didn’t believe it would actually go this high. I was very happy when it did - it feels great to be valued this way," he said in an exclusive conversation on JioHotstar special ‘Kings of Kabaddi’.

"This year, I have more responsibilities. Now that I’ve joined this team, I will give 110% for Bengal Warriorz," he added.

Bengal Warriorz head coach, Naveen Kumar, stood firm in his belief that Devank is worth every bit of the investment. "We needed a star raider in our team, someone who can lead from the front. He was the best player in the last season of PKL, and that’s why he has such a big value. He deserves it. He has so much capacity - he can score raid points at will and even win games single-handedly. Devank has immense potential, and I’m confident he will prove it this season," Naveen said.

Taking over from long-time Warriorz stalwart Maninder Singh, Devank knows the size of the shoes he has to fill. "I have full faith in my abilities. I will give everything to match what Maninder has done for this team and carry forward his legacy. My aim is to make the team believe in me."

Devank's journey has been anything but easy. Recalling his early struggles, he spoke about perseverance and patience. "In Season 9, I joined NYP in Jaipur. At that time, I just wanted to play and prove myself. But there were many senior players, and I didn’t get much of a chance. So, I just kept practising and working hard. Over time, my game improved a lot, and I started believing that I could achieve something. Last year, when Patna Pirates gave me an opportunity, I grabbed it and proved myself."

That self-belief soared after his breakthrough game against Tamil Thalaivas. "That match (last season) against Tamil Thalaivas was very important for me -- I scored 25 raid points. It gave me motivation and belief. After that, I found my rhythm. I started aiming to score Super 10s in every game, and it kept happening. The team kept rising, and my name started growing as well. From Jaipur to Patna, and now from Patna to Bengal - it has been an incredible journey. Sometimes I still can’t believe it, but I did it, and it feels really good."

Heading into Season 12, the young raider isn’t just relying on past glories; he’s been sharpening his arsenal. "I’ve worked on many new skills. Last season, my bonus was strong, but now I’ve added more -- like toe touch and hand touch. Playing against Shadloui is exciting; he’s an aggressive defender, and I bring the same aggression in my raids. On the ground, that attitude matters. People notice the way I look, the way I play, the aggression I bring. But off the mat, I’m soft-spoken like everyone else. Aggression is very important in Kabaddi - you can’t play without it."

But despite the price tag and expectations, Dalal insists he won’t let pressure get to him. "There is no pressure on me. My focus is only on improving on last year’s performance. My job is to play and give my best. If I do that, results will follow."

--IANS

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Seoul, Aug 22 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has awarded commendations to the North's troops deployed to Russia's war with Ukraine, calling them "great heroes and patriots," and consoled bereaved families of fallen soldiers, state media reported Friday.

The North held a ceremony to decorate commanders and combatants of the overseas operation unit of the Korean People's Army (KPA) who returned home from the battlefield, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It marked the first time that North Korea has awarded commendation to its soldiers who fought overseas.

The North's leader lauded troops deployed to the front-line Kursk region as "great heroes and patriots" in his speech at the ceremony held at the headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

"The victory won by the brave soldiers who participated in the war is a great feat that firmly defended the great honour of the KPA, which should never be undermined, and provided a sure guarantee for the existence and development of our state," Kim said.

He said the bravery shown by North Korean troops affirmed that an army from any country cannot avoid the fate of becoming "dead souls" if it fights against the North's military.

Since October last year, North Korea has provided conventional weapons and around 13,000 troops to support Russia's war efforts amid deepening bilateral military cooperation.

In the speech, Kim brought up the "victorious conclusion" of overseas military operations but stopped short of disclosing the timing of withdrawing North Korean soldiers fighting in the front-line Kursk region.

At the ceremony, Kim awarded the title of "DPRK Hero" to commanders and service members for their "distinguished" feats on the battlefield, the KCNA said, referring to the acronym of the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

He also put the DPRK Hero medals beside the portraits of "martyrs," who sacrificed their youth and lives for the war. Photos carried by state media showed Kim stroking the portraits hanging on the "memorial wall" at the party's headquarters.

A total of 101 portraits of the war dead were seen on the wall, but the KCNA did not mention whether they are all of those killed during combat.

South Korea's spy agency said in April that around 600 North Korean soldiers are believed to have been killed while fighting for Russia, and more than 4,000 North Korean troops have also been injured.

With what appeared to be tearful eyes, Kim also hugged some of the bereaved family members to console them, photos published by the KCNA showed, in an apparent bid to highlight the image of a leader caring for the people.

While decorating the overseas military operation unit, Kim called for the KPA to become "elite and strong" armed forces and for "perfecting" preparations for war against "military provocation" moves by the enemies.

"This environment gives no room to lower our guard and requires our army's further perfect and overwhelming preparations (for war)," he said.

Seoul's unification ministry said Thursday that Kim's separate meeting the previous day appears aimed at "justifying the troop deployment and boosting morale" of the military.

Chang Yoon-jeong, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing Friday that North Korea appears to have disclosed the names and photos of its troops deployed to the Russia-Ukraine war for the first time.

She said the ministry will closely monitor the situation to judge whether North Korea has ended the deployment of troops to Russia, Yonhap news agency reported.

The ceremony came amid expectations that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, may hold a summit for a peace deal to end the three years of fighting.

Russia's media earlier reported the North will send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Kursk to support reconstruction efforts.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) The Indian white-collar job market is expected to maintain strong hiring momentum, with 94 per cent of employers saying they plan to hire during the second half of 2025 (H2 2025), a report said on Friday.

Additionally, hiring employers, nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) indicated they expect new job creation, while 22 per cent of employers specified they largely foresee only replacement hiring to fill existing vacancies, Naukari, a recruitment platform, said in a report.

According to the recruitment agency, IT, Business Development, and Operations functions are expected to drive this hiring momentum.

Surprisingly, the report found that despite the ongoing buzz around job losses due to AI, 87 per cent of employers do not foresee any significant impact on overall employment.

Instead, 13 per cent of them expect AI to act as a catalyst for job creation, particularly in emerging roles.

"Functions most likely to benefit include IT (42 per cent), Analytics (17 per cent), and Business Development (11 per cent), where employers anticipate the rise of new AI-driven opportunities," the report stated.

The strong hiring sentiment is powered by demand for specialised technology roles, with 37 per cent of employers planning to hire for IT positions.

However, this demand is increasingly driven by emerging technologies rather than traditional IT functions, with companies specifically seeking professionals skilled in Machine Learning, Data Science, and AI-related technologies as these capabilities become essential across industries, the report noted.

Mid-level professionals with 4-7 years of experience are most in demand, with 47 per cent of employers planning to hire in this experience band.

Entry-level candidates (up to 3 years) account for 29 per cent of hiring intentions, the report said.

However, the senior-level recruitment tells a different story. Only 17 per cent of employers plan to hire professionals with 8-12 years of experience, while just 3 per cent plan to hire those with 13-16 years of experience, the report highlighted.

The report was prepared by drawing insights from over 1,300 employers.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 22(IANS) Mouni Roy is clearly enjoying Chole Bhature on the sets of Madhur Bandarkar's much-anticipated film The Wives. In a light-hearted and sarcastic tone, the actress quipped that her director has been ensuring that she stays “well-fed and fit” with none other than a plate of Delhi's favourite indulgent Chole Bhature.

The candid moment shared from the film's set quickly resonated with fans, who adored Mouni's unfiltered charm.

Mouni Roy has been shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar's "The Wives" for the last few days. She also shared glimpses from the set few days back.

'The Wives' is currently in production and has already become one of the most talked-about upcoming Bollywood projects. With Mouni Roy headlining alongside a stellar cast, the film is slated for release in 2025. Industry insiders suggest that the movie will carry Bhandarkar’s trademark mix of realism and drama, making it one of the most anticipated films of the year. Mouni Roy was last seen in "The Bhootnii".

Talking about Mouni's journey, the actress rose to fame with the iconic television serial Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and has had an extraordinary journey in the entertainment industry.

She has carved her space as one of the most admired faces on Indian television. Her Bollywood debut aimed with Gold alongside Akshay Kumar, which was both a commercial and critical success. After that, Mouni went on to work in the movie Made in China and now to the latest fantasy-driven Brahmastra Part 1, Shiva, where she played a powerful antagonist. Her TV show Naagin was also a super hit.

Meanwhile, Mouni also never fails to make her fans happy by sharing hot photos on her social media. She is best friend's with actress Disha Patani and the two are always seem globetrotting and enjoying every moment. The duo give major BFF goals.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 22 (IANS) Actor Ram Charan gave an emotional touch to his father Chiranjeevi’s 70th birthday as he hugged the "Mega Star” and touched his feet.

Taking to Instagram, Ram shared a video from the birthday celebration, where Chiranjeevi, whom the actor tagged as his “hero”, could be seen cutting the cake. As the superstar fed Ram some cake, the “RRR” actor touched his father’s feet and hugged him.

In the caption, Ram credited his father Chiranjeevi for all the success he has tasted till now.

“Today is not just your birthday NANA, it’s a celebration of the incredible man you are. My hero, my guide, my inspiration. Every success I’ve had, every value I carry, comes from you,” he wrote.

The actor mentioned that Chiranjeevi at 70 is growing younger.

“At 70, you are growing younger at heart and more inspiring than ever. I pray for your health, happiness, and countless beautiful years ahead. Thank you for being the best father anyone could ever wish for. Happy Birthday @chiranjeevikonidela,” he wrote as the caption.

Chiranjeevi holds the record for the most "Industry Hits" in Telugu cinema, with eight films emerging as the top-grossers of their time—a feat unmatched by any actor in the industry's 100-year history.

He is also celebrated as one of the finest dancers in Indian cinema and has been feted with the Padma Bhushan in 2006 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024 from the Government of India. In 2024, he was honoured with a Guinness World Record as the most prolific actor-dancer in the Indian film industry.

The star was last seen in Bhola Shankar directed by Meher Ramesh. It is an official remake of the 2015 Tamil film Vedalam. He will next be seen in Vishwambhara, an upcoming Indian Telugu-language fantasy action film. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Trisha Krishnan, Kunal Kapoor, and Ashika Ranganath in lead roles.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Aug 22 (IANS) Hollywood star Margot Robbie has talked about becoming a first-time mom last year and declared life as a new parent is "the best".

The 35-year-old Hollywood actress welcomed her son with her husband Tom Ackerley, whom she married in 2016, in October.

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the “Barbie” star said: "It's like, [when] you try to explain to someone who has kids, you don't need to because they get it, and if they don't, it’s probably just really boring to hear.

"So, it’s kind of like: 'It’s the best', you know?"

The couple have yet to publicly reveal their son's name or any further details about his arrival, with reports suggesting they made a concerted effort to keep their baby news quiet, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

A source told PEOPLE: "They waited a long time to get pregnant, so it was almost unbelievable when the baby actually arrived. They’ve both been settling into being parents.”

“They’re homebodies so it’s been lovely to spend the time just them, at home with him. They’re so happy."

Margot previously described herself as the "ultimate single gal" before meeting her husband, but the actress admitted the film producer totally changed her outlook entirely.

Reflecting on the evolution of their romance, Margot told Vogue magazine: "I was the ultimate single gal. The idea of relationships made me want to vomit.”

"And then this crept up on me. We were friends for so long. I was always in love with him, but I thought, 'Oh, he would never love me back. Don't make it weird, Margot. Don't be stupid and tell him that you like him'. And then it happened, and I was like, of course we're together."

Margot led the television series Pan Am and had her breakthrough in 2013 with Martin Scorsese's black comedy film The Wolf of Wall Street.

She achieved wider recognition with starring roles as Jane Porter in The Legend of Tarzan and as Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe films beginning with Suicide Squad (2016).

The 35-year-old actress was feted with a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of figure skater Tonya Harding in the biopic I, Tonya, Barbie earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

--IANS

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Chennai, Aug 22 (IANS) The makers of director Ravi Arasu's eagerly awaited film, featuring actor Vishal in the lead, on Friday announced that actress Anjali had come on board the unit of the film.

The makers said, "Team #Vishal35 is excited to have the gorgeous and talented @yoursanjali on board! #SGF99. A @gvprakash Musical! @VishalKOfficial @officialdushara @dir_raviarasu @SuperGoodFilms_ @Richardmnathan @srikanth_nb @g_durairaj @dhilipaction @vasukibhaskar @RIAZtheboss"

The news of Anjali's inclusion in the cast comes even as the unit is in the process of shooting its second schedule in Ooty.

It may be recalled that the second schedule had begun only four days ago on Monday.

Actor Vishal had announced the commencement of the second schedule, through a video post.

For the unaware, Vishal had commenced shooting for his 35th film from August 1st this year in Chennai. Produced by veteran filmmaker R B Choudhary under the banner of his well known production house Super Good Films, the film was officially launched in July this year with a grand pooja ceremony.

This upcoming project is the 99th film of Super Good Films, which has delivered numerous blockbusters and more imporantly introduced several talented filmmakers to the Tamil film industry.

The film, which is yet to be titled and which is being tentatively referred to as Vishal 35, will mark director Ravi Arasu's first-time collaboration with Vishal. The actor, who is riding a success wave with his most recent film to hit the screens 'Madha Gaja Raja' emerging a superhit, is intent on continuing the success streak.

The film boasts of an exceptional technical team. Acclaimed cinematographer Richard M. Nathan reunites with Vishal after their successful outing in the superhit film 'Madha Gaja Raja'. The film also brings back the Mark Antony combo of Vishal and G.V. Prakash Kumar together. G V Prakash will be composing the music for this film. NB Srikanth is in charge of editing, while Durairaj handles art direction. Costume design is being led by Vasuki Bhaskar.

Talented actress Dushara Vijayan will be playing the female lead, pairing opposite Vishal for the first time. The cast also includes Thambi Ramaiah and Arjai.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 21 (IANS) Serious irregularities have been uncovered in the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS), leading to the suspension of nine individuals, including five doctors - two from Ayurveda and three from allopathy - and four other government employees.

In addition, an FIR has been filed against a private hospital, a medical store, three doctors, and a cardholder involved in the alleged fraud. Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, stated that the department had been receiving complaints of irregularities from various stakeholders over a period of time.

Following a detailed investigation, strict action was taken. Suspended personnel include Dr. Kavita Dhankhar and Dr. Pawan Jangid (Ayurveda doctors, Government Ayurveda DB General Hospital, Churu), Dr. Manisha (CHC Bibirani, Khairthal-Tijara), Dr. Narsilal Pachauri (District Hospital, Alwar), Dr. Kapil Bhardwaj (TBC, Alwar), Madan Mohan Pandey (Compounder, Government Ayurveda Pharmacy, Nahri Ka Naka), Chandrashekhar Jatav (Compounder, Ayurveda Pharmacy, Baleta, Alwar), Mohsin Khan (Attendant, Office of Deputy Director, Ayurveda Department, Jaipur) and Mahesh Kumar Mahawar (Assistant Administrative Officer, Water Resources Department) According to Harji Lal Atal, CEO of the Rajasthan State Health Assurance Agency, an FIR has been filed against Rajasthan Pensioners Association Medical Store (Company Bagh Road, Alwar), Mittal Hospital, three doctors, and the staff card holder involved.

The investigation revealed that fake OPD slips were generated in collusion with doctors, pharmacy staff, and the cardholder.

Instead of dispensing prescribed medicines, non-medical items were allegedly taken from the medical store.

Shockingly, using just one OPD card, treatments and medicines worth approximately Rs 26.7 lakh were billed in a single year.

The matter is under further investigation, and more actions may follow, said officials.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Aug 21 (IANS) Ahmedabad is set to get its first dedicated dog crematorium, with the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD) of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) announcing plans to establish a CNG-powered animal cremator at its ABC Centre in Behrampura, officials said on Thursday.

The facility, to be procured through North East Machine Karmasand Agency at a cost of Rs 30 lakh, is expected to become operational within four months.

The move is part of CNCD's wider animal welfare initiatives, which include stray dog vaccination drives, deworming, pet dog registrations, and veterinary care.

Officials said the facility will ensure the final disposal of deceased animals is done using scientific and eco-friendly methods.

Equipped with a dual-chamber system, a 30-foot chimney, and operating temperatures between 900°C and 1200°C, the crematorium will run on CNG and can handle two large dogs simultaneously.

Smoke emissions will be odourless and colourless, making it compliant with environmental standards.

At present, Ahmedabad has more than 18,000 registered pet dogs.

While many owners treat their pets as family, dignified cremation facilities have so far been lacking in the city.

Six months ago, AMC had set up a smaller organ cremator for the disposal of remains collected during neutering operations of stray dogs, which has functioned successfully.

Depending on the success of the Behrampura crematorium, AMC plans to expand the service by setting up additional facilities in the city, further strengthening its animal welfare infrastructure.

Meanwhile, in response to escalating dog bite reports -- nearly 2,000 incidents daily in Delhi, the Supreme Court issued a suo moto directive on August 11 calling for the urgent removal of all stray dogs from streets across Delhi–NCR.

Authorities have been instructed to round up 5,000 dogs from high-risk areas within six to eight weeks, sterilise and vaccinate them, and house them in dedicated shelters equipped with CCTV surveillance and animal helplines, while forbidding their return to public spaces.

The court, emphasising public safety for children and the elderly, warned of strict legal consequences for any resistance.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Herbal tobacco cessation products have an unregulated market on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, revealed a new study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR).

Herbal tobacco cessation products (HTCPs), which are mainly herbal capsules, lozenges, gutkha substitutes, powders, and herbal smokes, are being increasingly marketed as natural and safer alternatives to conventional pharmacotherapy.

"Herbal tobacco cessation products are widely available on Indian e-commerce platforms with unverified health claims and minimal regulatory disclosure,” said corresponding author Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, scientist at ICMR-NICPR.

“This poses significant consumer protection and tobacco control challenges. Strengthened oversight, claim verification, and policy alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines are urgently needed,” he added.

The researchers noted that there is little regulatory oversight or evidence on their safety and effectiveness.

The research, published in the BMJ’s Tobacco Control journal, identified 316 unique HTCPs across 5 major Indian e-commerce platforms -- Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, JioMart, and Meesho.

A small fraction (0.5 per cent) referenced the WHO affiliation, raising concerns about potentially misleading endorsements.

In addition, 43.7 per cent of products promoted ancillary health claims such as detoxification or anxiety relief.

Only 12 per cent of products displayed age restrictions, and none had functional age verification mechanisms.

The team assessed the availability, affordability, claims, and regulation of HTCPs, and screened product listings, categorising them by product type, claimed indications, presence of disclaimers, regulatory approvals, and pricing.

They found the products were marketed in three primary formulations: combustible products (42.7 per cent), raw herbal preparations (34.5 per cent), and other formats such as gummies, drops, capsules, and patches (22.8 per cent).

Products featured diverse flavours (eg, apple, paan, gulkand) and varied widely in pricing (Rs 15- Rs 1,467), with premium pricing concentrated on Amazon.

Notably, 62.3 per cent of these products carried at least one certification or quality claim. This included the International Organisation for Standardisation (23.4 per cent), ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy (20.3 per cent), Good Manufacturing Practice (15.2 per cent), and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (13.2 per cent), the study showed.

--IANS

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