Tina

Caged no more: Madhya Pradesh leads race to register exotic pets Caged no more: Madhya Pradesh leads race to register exotic pets By Tina Khatri Indore Madhya Pradesh has outpaced all other states, becoming the first in India to complete registrations for exotic pet ownership within the stipulated timelines. Following the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 , state authorities moved quickly to document species that previously thrived in a legal vacuum. Gujarat and Maharashtra followed as runners-up in the national compliance drive. Between 2011 and 2020, over 70,000 native and exotic animals were trafficked through Indian airports alone. Madhya Pradesh is recognised as a major hub and transit route for wildlife trafficking, alongside states such as West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Assam. In the Indore division, a crackdown on und...

Indore's Clean Streets Begin with Professor Nilima Srivastava’s Morning Ritual Indore Every morning, long before the first rays of the sun, a woman in her 50s begins her day not with a cup of tea, but with a broom in hand. For over thirty years, Professor Nilima Srivastava, a History professor at Jagannath College, has been sweeping the streets around her home in Subhash Marg, Indore. Her routine—unbroken by weather, fatigue, or personal circumstances—has become more than just a daily task. It is a manifestation of her belief in purity, discipline, and the power of small acts to bring about change. "I wake up at 4:30 AM every day, and for the next hour, I clean the 500-meter stretch around my house," Srivastava recalled. “No matter what the season—whether it is scorching heat or chilling winter—I never miss a day. This habit was instilled in me by my mother, who always taught...

Hanukkah 2025: Light, Latkes & Laughter Hanukkah 2025: Light, Latkes & Laughter Tina Khatri On Sunday, December 14, 2025 , the first Hanukkah candle flickers to life, marking the start of eight nights of light, joy, and tradition. Golden latkes sizzle in the kitchen, their warm aroma filling the home, while colorful origami spinning tops whirl in playful celebration. As the menorah glows and the dreidel spins , families gather to share stories, blessings, and laughter. Hanukkah is not just about food or games — it is a celebration of hope, heritage, and togetherness , shining bright through every night. Potato Latkes Ingredients Four large russet potatoes, peeled One medium onion 1/4 cup flour or chickpea flour One teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2-3 tablespoons oil Instructions 1. Prep Grate potatoes and onion. Squeeze liquid out of the mix; s...

From reels to real-world bazaars: 80% shoppers using AI to buy gifts! From reels to real-world bazaars: 80% shoppers using AI to buy gifts! Tina Khatri Indore Christmas and the festive season are fast approaching, and shoppers in Indore are scrolling before they stroll. As festive shoppers scroll, click, and then step into the market, Indore’s local bazaars are quietly evolving — proving that even in tier-2 cities, digital influence is reshaping the way India celebrates its festivals. Across India, new research shows that consumers are increasingly turning to generative AI, Instagram Reels, and social media influencers to plan their holiday purchases — a trend that is now reaching mid-size cities and local markets. A 2025 report by Meta in collaboration with IPSOS revealed that 80% of festive shoppers used AI tools to get gift ideas, while 65% engaged with platforms like Instagram and Facebook , often influenced by Reels and creator-led content. Nearly half of shoppe...

Indore prepares for India’s biggest tiger census: AITE 2026 Indore prepares for India’s biggest tiger census: AITE 2026 The Indore Forest Division is gearing up for the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 , the country’s largest wildlife survey, scheduled from 18 to 24 December. Conducted every four years under the guidance of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) , the survey provides critical data that informs India’s tiger conservation strategies. Across approximately 700 square kilometres of forest, nearly 200 square kilometres have been earmarked for camera-trap surveys , divided into 2-square-kilometre grids. Each camera trap will record tigers and other wildlife, with technical support from the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) , led locally by wildlife biologist Shri Vivek Tumsare, ensuring strict adherence to national scientific protocols. AITE 2026: more than counting tigers The AITE methodology...

```html 🥕 Veggies, Vibes, and Vibrant Lines! ✍️ From Cheesy Gratin to Dancing Pendulums—Weekend Time Shines! By TINA KHATRI This weekend, why not swap a little screen time for some hands-on magic ? Imagine your kitchen smelling like golden, bubbling Cheesy Vegetable Gratin while your brain dances with geometry as a Popsicle Stick Harmonograph traces hypnotic patterns on paper. As Bodhi Day on December 8 reminds us, even small sparks of curiosity can lead to big awakenings—just like Siddhartha under the sacred fig tree. Light a candle, try a new recipe, or experiment with your own pendulum art; every stir, push, or swing is a step toward discovery. So grab your ingredients, sticks, and paper—let the weekend be your playground of taste, creativity, and wonder. Who knows? Between golden gratin bites and swirling harmonograph patterns, you might just discover a new fav...

December 2025: National & International Observances December 2025 features key national events, international awareness days, weekly observances, and monthly campaigns covering social issues, culture, health, and patriotic tributes. Table of Contents Date-Wise Observances Weekly & Monthly Observances Date-Wise Observances Date Observance December 1 World AIDS Day December 2 National Pollution Control Day December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 4 International Bank Day December 5 International Volunteer Day December 5 World Soil Day December 6 National Microwave Oven Day December 7 Armed Forces Flag Day December 7 International Civil Aviation Day December 8 Bodhi Day December 9 International Anti-Corruption Day December 10 Human Rights Day December 11 International Mountain Day December 12 Neutrality Day December 13 National Horse Day December 14 National Energy Conse...

Wild boar trap snares leopard; poacher's backyard yields paws TINA KHATRI Indore A trivial hunt for wild boar escalated into a devastating wildlife crime, adding another casualty to India’s grim ledger of accidental leopard killings. The man responsible, Garhi village resident Dinesh Mewara, 35, now faces charges after investigators recovered the leopard’s severed paws from his property. Police detained Mewara after he confessed to chopping the limbs for financial profit, instantly closing the case that began with the discovery of the mutilated carcass in the Doublechaunki forest range. The death signals a systemic issue: a joint review of enforcement data by wildlife monitoring organisations, including TRAFFIC, documented 446 incidents of wild animals caught in snares between 2018 and 2022, with leopards and sloth bears frequently being the incidental victims. Accidental trap, calculated mutilation The incident began on a Saturday evening when local villagers found the...