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Yamuna is dying

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NGT asks Delhi and Haryana govts to study source of Yamuna pollution, find ways to prevent it

~By Ramesh Menon

Both the Delhi and Haryana governments have been directed by a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to figure out how the Yamuna river gets polluted and find ways to deal with it.

Earlier, the NGT had told both the states to hold meetings to resolve the vexed issue of ammonia content in the Yamuna water which is being supplied by Haryana to Delhi. This was because the Delhi Jal Board petitioned the Tribunal pointing out that there was a high content of ammonia.

An analysis by the Central Pollution Control Board showed that the ammonia level in most of the areas was as high as 45 times above the safe limit.

The Delhi Jal Board petition said that the level of ammonia when the water enters Delhi was very high and as the water was heavily polluted it could not be treated for drinking. It warned that there will be a health crisis in the National Capital Region if such water was consumed.

Almost sixty percent of the water supplied in Delhi is from the Yamuna. The river has to absorb around 850 million gallons of sewage per day. Out of this, only about 400 million gallons gets treated by the 33 sewage treatment plants.

The Tribunal said that the Pollution Board and the Jal Board should be involved together to deal with the polluters and check the pollution level.

When the river starts from its source in the Yamunotri glacier in the Himalayas, it is a sight to see as it has clear clean water. Till it reaches Delhi, the Yamuna is a healthy river. As it flows through a stretch of around 20 kilometers meandering through India’s capital city, it chokes on the toxic raw sewage and poisonous industrial effluent that is drained into the river at nearly two dozen points.

When the river enters the city at Wazirabad, the dissolved oxygen content is around 7.5 milligrammes per litre. When the river exits the city, it is down to 1.3 milligrammes. The Central Water Commission says that the river has the highest level of biochemical oxygen demand when it passes through the city.

Union Water Resources and River Development Minister, Uma Bharati says that sewage from Delhi’s drains is responsible for 80 per cent of the pollution in the Yamuna.

Over 600 villages use the Yamuna water for irrigation. Environmentalists warn that this can have a hazardous effect on the health of people consuming the vegetables and fruits that grow in these fields. Even in the mid-nineties, tests on vegetables grown on the Yamuna floodplain were found to have heavy metals.

Over Rs. 2000 crore has been spent till now in attempts to clean the Yamuna.

Many times a year, one can see the whole river turn into a sea of white foam due to increased industrial effluent that directly flows in from the factories in the capital into the river. It has been happening for years now.

I have seen the Yamuna for the last 26 years and the condition has not improved at all despite crores of rupees spent in cleaning the river. Stretches of the river do get cleaned but are polluted again as both dry and wet waste is being thrown into the river day after day.

A lot of it is avoidable. Yamuna is also a sacred river for the Hindus. A lot of religious ceremonies take place on its banks. Flowers are thrown into it and oil lamps are allowed to float away from its shores.

There is also a high content of coliform which is human and animal excreta. In some parts it is hundreds of times more than the safe limit.

Rapid urbanization, untreated sewage, open defecation are some of the reasons why the Yamuna is dying. There are thousands of settlements along the Yamuna that are illegal and so they do not have a sewerage system.

The mess is ironical as last year the High Court of Uttarakhand in a landmark judgment had declared that the Yamuna and the Ganga were living entities. At the moment, death is hanging over the river that is today more of a gutter.

India News

Pahalgam terror victim Vinay Narwal’s wife says don’t want people going after Muslims, Kashmiris

“We seek peace and justice,” Himanshi declared, wiping away tears. “Those responsible for his death must face punishment.”

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In a poignant address on Thursday, Himanshi Narwal, widow of Naval officer Lt. Vinay Narwal, urged unity and restraint, saying, “We don’t want anyone targeting Muslims or Kashmiris.”

Her voice steady yet heavy with grief, she spoke at a blood donation camp in Karnal, honouring her husband, who was tragically killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, just 10 days before his 27th birthday.

The couple, married only a week prior, was honeymooning when terrorists fatally shot Lt. Narwal at close range.

At the Karnal event, organized by the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA), Himanshi and Lt. Narwal’s mother broke down while paying floral tributes.

Himanshi blew a kiss to her husband’s photograph, while his mother, hands folded in reverence, kissed the framed image. “We seek peace and justice,” Himanshi declared, wiping away tears. “Those responsible for his death must face punishment.”

The camp, held in the officer’s hometown, saw an outpouring of support from locals and beyond, reflecting the community’s shared sorrow.

Lt. Narwal’s sister, Shristi, expressed heartfelt thanks to attendees, noting, “People traveled long distances to donate blood, and we’ve received countless messages of support. The government’s response has been overwhelming.”

The event highlighted the officer’s legacy of service, with speakers emphasizing his enduring presence in the nation’s heart. NIFAA Chairperson Pritpal Singh Pannu remarked, “A young hero, destined to serve for decades, was stolen by terrorism. Soldiers shed blood to save lives; today, we donate blood to honor his sacrifice.”

A blood donor at the camp shared, “Lt. Narwal’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Donating blood is our tribute, but nothing can fill the void he left.” The attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadows, ranks among Kashmir’s deadliest civilian assaults in recent years.

India’s ongoing struggle with terrorism underscores the need for robust security measures, yet Himanshi’s call for peace resonates as a plea to avoid communal division.

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The Bhootnii social media reviews: Fans say horror isn’t scary, even ghosts deserve better scripts

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Bollywood’s fascination with horror-comedy remains undimmed, and The Bhootnii, starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Sunny Singh, and Beyounick, dives headfirst into this quirky genre. Helmed by director Sidhaant Sachdev, the film unfolds a peculiar tale of a college tree that conjures a ghost named Mohabbat each Valentine’s Day, blending supernatural antics with a romantic twist.

Released on April 25, 2025, The Bhootnii has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, with Mouni Roy’s standout performance earning raves even as the film grapples with a faltering storyline.

Online chatter has zeroed in on Roy’s captivating portrayal of Mohabbat, with fans showering her with praise. One enthused, “Mouni Roy is pure magic—her ghost is the soul of the film!” Another marveled at her dedication, noting, “Spending 45 days in a harness paid off; she’s mesmerizing in every frame.” A third fan gushed, “Mouni’s Mohabbat makes this chaotic horror-comedy worth watching—she’s a genre gem!” Roy’s ability to infuse the spectral role with both charm and intensity has cemented her as the film’s saving grace, striking a chord with viewers.

Critics, however, have skewered the film’s lackluster script, which struggles to balance scares and humor. One review sighed, “The horror fizzles, the comedy feels stale, and the plot wanders like a lost spirit.” Another jabbed, “The Bhootnii stumbles where Stree danced—its ghost needs a sharper story.” Sanjay Dutt’s belated appearance as an eccentric ghostbuster, armed with oddball tools and arcane wisdom, injects fleeting energy but fails to rescue the narrative. Faisal Khan’s sporadic comedic bits offer mild relief, yet many deem the film a disjointed effort, with one viewer quipping, “I left more haunted by the script than the ghost.”

Amid India’s thriving horror-comedy wave, The Bhootnii has fueled spirited online debates, reflecting the genre’s pull despite its uneven execution. While unlikely to claim cinematic glory, Roy’s luminous performance offers a beacon for fans willing to navigate its bumpy ride. For others, the film’s narrative pitfalls render it a spectral disappointment, underscoring the challenges of crafting a cohesive spooky-laugh riot.

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Instagram head Adam Mosseri dances with influencers Sakshi Shivdasani, Naina Bhan to Bollywood song, video surfaces

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Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, showcased his playful side by joining actors Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan for a lively dance reel that lit up social media. Posted collaboratively on their Instagram accounts, the trio danced to the infectious Luv Letter by Kanika Kapoor from The Legend of Michael Mishra, a track dominating Instagram trends.

With Mosseri flanked by Sakshi and Naina, he gamely followed their choreography, bringing a lighthearted charm to the clip. Sakshi captioned the post with a cheeky nod to their podcast MOS, writing, “Naina and Sakshi have a podcast called MOS, so my name is @mosseri (we’re delusional).”

The reel sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans flooding the comments with laughter and admiration. One user exclaimed, “This video is unreal!” while another praised, “Love how carefree you all are!” A third simply declared, “Absolutely obsessed!” The spontaneous moment highlighted Instagram’s role as a platform for creative connections, bridging global executives with local talent.

Mosseri’s India visit, centered around the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, has been a whirlwind of star-studded interactions.

On Wednesday, he dined with Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Bandra’s Papa’s restaurant, sharing a selfie on Instagram captioned, “Met the charismatic @deepikapadukone and @ranveersingh in Bombay, savoring incredible food at @papasbombay.”

Deepika responded playfully, “What happens at @papasbombay stays there!” with emojis, while Ranveer added, “Good times!” with heartfelt emojis, reflecting their warm camaraderie.

That same day, Mosseri met content creator Prajakta Koli, who posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Grateful for the chat, @mosseri!” His packed itinerary culminates on Friday with a high-profile interaction alongside actor Shraddha Kapoor at the WAVES Summit, a global platform celebrating media and innovation.

Mosseri’s engagement with India’s entertainment scene underscores Instagram’s growing influence in the country, where millions use the platform to share stories and connect. His visit, blending professional commitments with cultural immersion, highlights the app’s role in fostering creativity and collaboration across borders, resonating with India’s dynamic digital community.

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