Category Archives: News

Suna Besha: Puri’s Grand Golden Celebration of Lord Jagannath’s Divine Majesty

The holy city of Puri is preparing to witness one of the most awe-inspiring and spiritually significant moments of the annual Rath Yatra — the Suna Besha, a centuries-old tradition where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are adorned in magnificent gold ornaments on their chariots.

Also known as Raja Besha or Rajarajeshwara Besha, the grand ritual is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi, the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, following the return of the deities from the Gundicha Temple. On this sacred occasion, the three deities appear in a resplendent golden attire, creating a divine spectacle that attracts devotees from across the country and beyond.

The sight of the deities shining in gold, seated on their majestic chariots near the Lion’s Gate (Singhadwara) of the Jagannath Temple, is considered one of the most memorable experiences of the Rath Yatra festival.

A Tradition Rooted in History

The origin of Suna Besha dates back to the 15th century during the reign of Odisha’s King Kapilendra Deva in 1460 AD. According to tradition, after returning victorious from military campaigns in southern India, the king offered a vast treasure of gold and precious gems to Lord Jagannath as a mark of devotion.

The donated wealth was used to create elaborate ornaments for the deities, and the practice of adorning Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra with these golden decorations during Rath Yatra became an enduring tradition.

Over the centuries, Suna Besha has remained a symbol of Odisha’s rich spiritual heritage, devotion and artistic excellence.

A Divine Display of Gold Craftsmanship

The golden ornaments used during Suna Besha are preserved in the temple treasury, known as the Bhitara Bhandara. With elaborate security arrangements, the ornaments are brought out and handed over to temple servitors, who carefully decorate the deities on their respective chariots.

Lord Jagannath is adorned with a golden Chakra (wheel), along with a silver Sankha (conch), while Lord Balabhadra is decorated with a golden plough and mace, representing their divine attributes.

The magnificent ornaments include:

• Suna Mukuta – Golden crown
• Suna Hasta – Golden hands
• Suna Payar – Golden feet
• Suna Chakra – Golden wheel
• Suna Gada – Golden mace
• Suna Padma – Golden lotus
• Suna Kundal – Golden earrings
• Mayur Chandrika – Golden peacock feather ornament
• Suna Mala – Intricately designed gold necklaces

Each ornament carries deep religious meaning and reflects the exceptional craftsmanship passed down through generations.

One of the Most Revered Forms of the Deities

Among the 32 traditional forms or Beshas of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Suna Besha holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. The golden attire represents the divine royalty of the deities and their status as the supreme rulers of the universe.

Suna Besha is celebrated five times a year — four times inside the temple on the Ratna Singhasana and once during Rath Yatra when the deities appear on their chariots for public darshan.

A Moment of Faith and Devotion

For devotees, Suna Besha is more than a religious ceremony; it is an emotional and spiritual experience. Thousands gather in Puri to catch a glimpse of the golden form of the deities, believing that the sacred darshan brings blessings, peace and spiritual fulfilment.

As the golden ornaments illuminate the chariots and devotional chants echo through the streets of Puri, Suna Besha continues to stand as a magnificent celebration of faith, tradition and Odisha’s timeless cultural legacy.

Gene Regulation Map Reveals Treatment Targets for Heart Failure

July 25: Researchers from University of California San Diego have created the most detailed map to date of how gene regulation breaks down in human heart failure, revealing how genes are controlled in specific cell types as the disease develops and pointing to potential new therapeutic targets. The study, published on July 23, 2026 in Science, integrates multiple layers of genomic data to uncover the hidden rules underlying heart failure at single-cell resolution.

“Our goal is to use this atlas to discover targets that we can act on therapeutically,” said Neil Chi, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Right now, one of the biggest limitations in cardiology is not the lack of tools, but the lack of targets. This kind of data changes that.”

Heart failure remains the leading cause of illness and death worldwide, yet treatment options remain limited, with only a small number of therapies proven to significantly improve outcomes. One major challenge has been identifying actionable biological targets. While genetic studies have uncovered many genetic changes linked to heart disease, more than 85% of these genes lie in noncoding regions of DNA — stretches that don’t make proteins, but instead control when and how genes are turned on or off — making it difficult to determine how they contribute to disease.

To address this, the research team analyzed heart tissue from 36 individuals, including patients with and without heart failure. Using advanced single-cell techniques, they analyzed how genes are controlled and organized across more than 750,000 individual heart cells.

“What makes this study unique is the ability to integrate multiple layers of genome regulation in the same cells,” said Bing Ren, PhD, professor emeritus of cellular and molecular medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and scientific director and CEO of the New York Genome Center. “These technologies allow us to look beyond which genes are active to understand how the genome is organized and controlled, revealing regulatory elements and interactions that were previously inaccessible.”

This comprehensive approach allowed the team to identify 12 major cardiac cell types and dozens of subpopulations, each with its own distinct patterns of gene control. They found that heart failure is associated with major shifts in cell composition, including increased numbers of fibroblasts — cells that produce structural support and scar tissue — and immune cells, and a reduction in cardiomyocytes — the cells responsible for contraction.

The study also revealed widespread changes in gene regulation. In cells from failing hearts, researchers identified more than 10,000 genes with altered expression and more than 50,000 regions of DNA with changed accessibility, or changes in how easily proteins can bind to DNA. These changes were particularly pronounced in cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts, which showed extensive remodeling of their regulatory networks.

Importantly, the team uncovered distinct disease-related cell states. For example, cardiomyocytes progressed from healthy to diseased through several intermediate cell states. The researchers also identified pathways through which healthy fibroblasts transform into activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts — cell types known to contribute to fibrosis and tissue remodeling in heart failure.

“These intermediate states are where the disease is actively unfolding,” Chi said. “If we can understand and target those transitions, we may be able to intervene earlier and more effectively.”

The study also sheds new light on how genetic risk contributes to heart failure. By integrating their atlas with genome-wide association data, the team showed that disease-associated genetic changes are concentrated in regulatory regions active in specific cell types — particularly cardiomyocytes — and often act through long-range DNA interactions to influence gene expression. This suggests that genes in cardiomyocytes may be more viable as treatment targets for heart disease than other cardiac cell types.

In addition to offering insights into heart disease, this work helps resolve a longstanding challenge in genetics: identifying which genetic changes are truly causal and which genes they affect. By mapping these connections, the researchers provide a framework for linking genetic risk to specific biological mechanisms in heart disease.

“This is a higher-order view of disease biology,” Chi said. “Instead of just asking which genes are turned on or off, we’re now understanding how their regulation is controlled across the genome — and that’s where most disease risk actually resides.”

Beyond its immediate findings, the study establishes a comprehensive resource for the scientific community. The dataset can be used to identify new drug targets, particularly in a field where therapeutic options remain limited.

“This study provides a roadmap to the landscape of major cardiac cell types of all four chambers of the normal and failing human heart,” says Stavros Drakos, MD, PhD, professor of cardiovascular medicine at University of Utah Health. “These findings establish a mechanistic framework for biological pathways of heart failure development and present multiple targets for developing new therapies for heart failure.”

Looking ahead, the team is already working to translate these insights into potential treatments by developing pipelines to test candidate targets identified through the analysis.

“By connecting genetic risk, gene regulation and cell-specific disease processes, this study provides a blueprint for precision therapies in heart failure,” Chi said. “It opens the door to targeting the right mechanisms in the right cells at the right time.”

Additional co-authors on the study include: Yang Xie, Luca Tucciarone, Elie N. Farah, Lei Chang, Qian Yang, Weston Elison, Shaina Tran, Jovina Djulamsah, Audrey Lie, Timothy Loe, Alyssa R. Holman, Sierra Corban, Justin Buchanan, Sainath Mamde, Haowen Zhou, Ruth M. Elgama, Jeffrey Huey-chuan Chiu, Rebecca Melton, Emily Griffin, Qingquan Zhang, Jacinta Lucero, Eugin Destici, Agnieszka D’Antonio-Chronowska, Allen Wang and Kyle J. Gaulton at UC San Diego; Thirupura S. Shankar, Eleni Tseliou, Vincent Huang, Sutip Navankasattusas and Craig H. Selzman at University of Utah; Zhaoning Wang at UC San Diego and Columbia University; Daofeng Li, Chanrung Seng and Ting Wang at Washington University. 

The study was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (Grant #NHLBI R01 HL135121, NHLBI 1R01HL166513, HG012059, NHLBI T32HL007444, and 1K08HL168315-01) and others. 

The following authors declare competing interests. Consultancy fees: Drakos (Abbott), Gaulton (Genentech). Gaulton has received honoraria from Pfizer, holds stock in Neurocrine Biosciences, and his spouse is employed at Altos Labs. Drakos acknowledges research support from Novartis. Elgamal  is an employee and shareholder of Pfizer. Holman is an employee of Aspen Neuroscience and holds equity in the company. Ren is a shareholder and consultant of Arima Genomics Inc. and cofounder of Epigenome Technologies, Inc. Chi and University of California San Diego are inventors of a filed patent. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Young Hockey Stars Set for Action as 15 Academies Gear Up for Gwalior Championship

Gwalior, July 25: The stage is set for an exciting display of young hockey talent as 15 academies prepare to compete in the 4th Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship, beginning July 26 in Gwalior.

The tournament, which will continue until August 3, will see teams divided into four pools, with players from across the country competing for top honours and gaining valuable match experience.

The championship provides a significant platform for emerging hockey players to showcase their skills, test themselves against strong competition and take another step towards higher levels of the sport.

With several promising athletes expected to take part, the tournament is set to highlight the growing strength of women’s hockey in India and the efforts being made to develop future stars of the game.

India Squad Meets Zimbabwe Ambassador Ahead of Second T20I

New Delhi, July 25: Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer and members of the team visited the Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe ahead of the second T20 International, as the squad continued preparations for the upcoming match.

The players interacted with the Ambassador and officials, highlighting the strong connection between Indian cricket and the Indian community abroad. The meeting provided an opportunity for the team to engage in a warm exchange ahead of the important fixture.

The Indian side is focused on building momentum in the series and adapting to the conditions in Zimbabwe. Players and support staff are working on their strategies as they prepare for the second T20I.

The visit also reflected the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill surrounding India’s cricketing engagements overseas.

Govt Programme Boosts 4.32 Lakh Rural Enterprises

New Delhi, July 25: A government programme aimed at promoting rural entrepreneurship has supported 4.32 lakh enterprises across the country, with 86 per cent of beneficiaries coming from disadvantaged sections of society.

The initiative has helped strengthen livelihoods by encouraging self-employment and supporting small businesses in rural areas. It has provided opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to establish and grow their enterprises, contributing to local economic development and job creation.

A significant share of the beneficiaries belongs to communities including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women and other vulnerable groups, highlighting the programme’s focus on inclusive growth.

The government said the initiative is part of its broader effort to build a strong rural enterprise ecosystem, promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level and ensure wider participation in economic development.

The programme continues to support rural communities by creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and strengthening the foundation of a self-reliant rural economy.

Gujarat Strengthens Flood Relief Efforts with Round-the-Clock Medical Teams and Preventive Health Measures

Ahmedabad, July 25: As flood-affected communities across Gujarat continue to recover from the impact of relentless monsoon rains, authorities have intensified public health and emergency response efforts to safeguard residents from waterborne diseases and other post-flood health risks. In Ahmedabad alone, 24×7 medical teams have been deployed, while more than 71,000 chlorine tablets have been distributed to help ensure access to safe drinking water.

The enhanced healthcare response is part of a broader relief initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable communities in areas affected by flooding. Medical teams are providing round-the-clock assistance, conducting health assessments, treating flood-related illnesses, and ensuring that essential medicines and emergency medical services remain readily available to those in need.

To reduce the risk of disease outbreaks following floodwaters, health authorities have launched preventive sanitation measures, including the distribution of chlorine tablets for water purification and public awareness campaigns on hygiene and safe water practices. Officials have urged residents to consume only treated or boiled water and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms associated with waterborne infections.

Emergency responders and local administrations continue to work together to restore essential services, support displaced families, and monitor public health conditions across affected districts. Relief operations remain focused on ensuring timely healthcare access, maintaining sanitation, and minimizing the long-term impact of the floods on local communities.

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to providing uninterrupted medical assistance and have encouraged residents to cooperate with health workers, follow official advisories, and remain vigilant as recovery efforts continue.

The ongoing response underscores Gujarat’s coordinated approach to disaster management, placing public health, community safety, and rapid relief at the forefront as the state navigates the challenges of the monsoon season.

Delhi-NCR on High Alert as IMD Warns of Heavy Rain; Residents Urged to Stay Prepared

New Delhi, July 25: Residents across Delhi-NCR are being advised to prepare for intense monsoon conditions after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a fresh alert forecasting heavy rainfall across the region and several other states. The advisory comes amid an active monsoon phase that is expected to bring widespread showers, thunderstorms, and localized waterlogging over the coming days.

Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant as heavy rain may disrupt daily life, leading to traffic congestion, reduced visibility, and temporary flooding in low-lying areas. Commuters are encouraged to plan their travel in advance, monitor weather updates, and exercise caution while driving or using public transport during periods of intense rainfall.

Emergency response teams and civic agencies have been placed on alert to monitor vulnerable locations, manage waterlogging, and ensure swift action wherever required. Officials are also coordinating with local administrations to minimize disruptions and maintain essential public services throughout the spell of adverse weather.

The IMD has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy downpour, stay away from waterlogged areas, and follow official weather advisories issued through verified channels. People living in flood-prone localities are encouraged to take necessary precautions and remain prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

The latest alert highlights the continued impact of the southwest monsoon across northern and central India, with several states expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall. Authorities will continue to monitor the evolving weather system and issue timely updates to help ensure public safety.

Over 7.3 Crore Income Tax Returns Filed for AY 2026–27, Reflecting Growing Trust in India’s Digital Tax Ecosystem

New Delhi, July 25: India’s ongoing efforts to simplify tax compliance and strengthen digital public services continue to gain momentum, with more than 7.3 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed for the Assessment Year (AY) 2026–27 so far. The milestone highlights increasing taxpayer participation and reflects the growing confidence of individuals and businesses in the country’s modernized tax administration.

Driven by a series of taxpayer-centric reforms, the Income Tax Department has made return filing more seamless and accessible through an enhanced digital platform. Features such as pre-filled return forms, faster online verification, simplified filing procedures, and quicker refund processing have significantly improved the overall taxpayer experience, reducing compliance time while enhancing transparency.

The surge in filings underscores the positive impact of the government’s continued investment in technology-led governance. By leveraging digital innovation, automation, and data-driven services, the tax administration is becoming more efficient, responsive, and user-friendly, encouraging greater voluntary compliance across the country.

Officials emphasized that the steady rise in return filings is not only a reflection of improved digital infrastructure but also of increasing public awareness and confidence in a transparent and accountable tax system. The government remains focused on creating an ecosystem where tax compliance is simple, secure, and convenient for every taxpayer.

As the filing season progresses, taxpayers who have not yet submitted their returns are encouraged to complete the process well before the applicable deadline to ensure timely processing and avoid last-minute delays.

India’s evolving digital tax framework forms an integral part of the country’s broader vision of improving ease of doing business, promoting financial transparency, and delivering citizen-centric public services. With continuous technological advancements and policy reforms, the government aims to further strengthen the efficiency, accessibility, and inclusiveness of the nation’s direct tax ecosystem.

Five-Man Crew Complete 2,000 Mile Row Around Great Britain Setting a New World Record

July 24: Team Rowmads has successfully completed an extraordinary unsupported circumnavigation of Great Britain by rowing boat, covering approximately 2,000 miles in one of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. 

The team is the first and fastest team of five to complete the GB Row Challenge unsupported, completing the row in 32 days, 30 minutes and 58 seconds. They crossed the finish line underneath Tower Bridge, London, yesterday afternoon (16 July). 

Made up of three military doctors, two brothers serving as a trauma surgeon and a firefighter, and a fitness coach, the team battled relentless tides, unpredictable weather, sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion over the course of their journey. Every mile was powered solely by human effort, with no outside assistance or resupply.

Royal Navy trauma and orthopaedic registrar, Stefano Capella, said:

“The biggest highlight was seeing just how extraordinary our country is from the water. We had dolphins following the boat, and saw otters, whales and incredible stretches of coastline. Scotland was beautiful, even if the weather did not always let it show its true colours.

“There were some brutally hard moments, like being on the oars at two in the morning for the fifth night in a row, rationing water and dealing with no power. But morale stayed remarkably high because we had such a fantastic team.”

The achievement places team Rowmads among an elite group, with fewer than 40 people ever having completed a continuous, unsupported circumnavigation of Great Britain by rowing boat.

Stefano added:

“There were rare days when the boat seemed to fly and rowing felt almost like piloting a fighter jet. Those moments were incredibly special. More than anything, though, it was the chance to share the experience with some of my best friends and my twin brother.

“We amazingly never ran out of things to talk about. I think we could probably launch our own Loose Women equivalent. That’s what got us through. We had no power in the end. Our speakers died, our radios died as well, so it relied on us to make our own entertainment for quite long periods. It’s amazing how you can while away 24 hours on the oars just by talking.”

Beyond their sporting achievement, the expedition has made a significant contribution to marine science. Throughout the journey, the crew collected environmental data on microplastic pollution, biodiversity, underwater noise pollution, sea temperature and salinity.

The information will now be analysed by scientists at the University of Portsmouth before being shared through The Crown Estate’s Marine Data Exchange, one of the world’s largest open-access collections of marine industry data. 

The research contributes to a growing long-term record of the health of UK coastal waters and will help scientists better understand the effects of human activity on marine ecosystems.

The GB Row Challenge is widely regarded as one of the toughest rowing races in the world. Crews must navigate approximately 2,000 miles around the coastline of Great Britain without external support, relying entirely on their preparation, teamwork and determination to overcome some of the most challenging waters in Europe.

Skipper Mike Eager said:

 “If anybody reading this is thinking of doing it, I’d say go for it. You wouldn’t even be looking at a challenge like this if you weren’t the right sort of person in the first place. It’s hard, and it takes a huge amount of planning. In many ways, just getting to the start line is probably the hardest part. But it will be an experience like no other, and I don’t think you’ll ever regret it.

“Coming home has made me appreciate all the simple things you take for granted, like sitting on a sofa, walking more than four metres, sleeping in a proper bed, using a proper toilet and eating with cutlery.

“It was actually quite nice to be taken away from the real world for a while. You don’t have to worry about emails or any of the day-to-day distractions. I’m looking forward to getting back to reality and society, but if I’m honest, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. I loved the simplicity of life on the boat.”

The team’s Guinness World Record is subject to verification by the Ocean Rowing Society. This year’s joint headline sponsors are Cleaner Seas Group and Simply Sustainable – two organisations focused on advancing practical solutions to environmental challenges.

Suicidal Thoughts Among U.S. Veterans Increased Nearly 50 percentage Over Five Years, National Study Finds

July 24: Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among U.S. military veterans, claiming more than 6,000 lives each year. Although suicide prevention efforts have expanded in recent years, it has remained unclear whether the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors has changed as the prevention landscape and veteran population has evolved.

A new nationally representative study led by researchers at the National Center for PTSD and Yale School of Medicine found that the prevalence of recent suicidal thoughts among U.S. veterans increased by nearly 50% over the past five years. The findings, published July 20 in JAMA Network Open, show that while suicidal thoughts have become more common, the prevalence of suicide planning and suicide attempts has remained relatively stable.

Researchers analyzed data from the 2025–2026 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a population-based survey of 2,636 U.S. military veterans. The study updated national estimates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, identified factors associated with suicide risk, and examined mental health treatment use among veterans with a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

“Effective suicide prevention depends on having accurate, up-to-date information about who is at greatest risk,” said lead author Ian C. Fischer, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and assistant professor of psychiatry. “The veteran population has become younger, and there have been increases in the proportion of women veterans and shifts in its racial and ethnic composition over the past five years, making it essential to monitor changes in suicidal thoughts and behaviors and identify the veterans who may benefit most from prevention and early intervention.”

The study found that 13.4% of U.S. veterans reported suicidal thoughts during the previous two weeks, compared with 9.0% in the last nationally representative survey conducted in 2019–2020. Rates of lifetime suicide planning and suicide attempts, however, remained largely unchanged (8.0% and 4.9% vs 7.3% and 3.9%, respectively). Younger veterans and female veterans reported substantially higher rates of suicidal thoughts, suicide planning, and suicide attempts than older and male veterans.

The researchers also identified several factors associated with suicide risk. Functional disability, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder were among the strongest correlates of suicidal thoughts and suicide planning, while adverse childhood experiences emerged as the strongest correlate of lifetime suicide attempts.

The study further examined mental health treatment among veterans reporting suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In general, veterans who relied on the VA as their primary source of healthcare were more likely than veterans who primarily received care outside the VA to have ever received mental health treatment and to be currently engaged in treatment.

More specifically, among veterans reporting suicidal thoughts during the previous two weeks, 75.2% of VA-primary users had received lifetime mental health treatment and 53.6% were currently receiving treatment, compared with 46.2% and 25.6%, respectively, among non-primary VA users. Similar differences were observed among veterans with past-year suicidal thoughts, lifetime suicide planning, and lifetime suicide attempts: current treatment rates were 53.8%, 55.1%, and 65.3% among VA-primary users relative to 25.8%, 29.0%, and 36.8% among non-primary VA users.

While promising, these findings also indicate that many veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly those who do not rely primarily on the VA, have not been recently engaged in mental health treatment, highlighting opportunities to strengthen outreach and engagement.

“These findings suggest that the VA is playing an important role in connecting veterans at elevated suicide risk with mental healthcare,” said Brandon Nichter, PhD, visiting scholar in Yale’s Department of Psychiatry. “At the same time, many veterans with recent suicidal thoughts are still not engaged in treatment. Expanding outreach and reducing barriers to care across both VA and community health systems will be essential to reaching these individuals.”

The study’s authors note that continued national surveillance of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among veterans will be critical for evaluating the impact of suicide prevention efforts and ensuring that resources are directed toward veterans at greatest risk.

Other study authors include Peter J. Na, MD, MPH, of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and Yale School of Medicine; Melanie L. Hill, PhD, of Yale School of Medicine; John H. Krystal, MD, of the National Center for PTSD and Yale School of Medicine; and Robert H. Pietrzak, PhD, MPH, of the National Center for PTSD, Yale School of Medicine, and Yale School of Public Health.