logo
The Great Himalayan ‘Golmal'

The Great Himalayan ‘Golmal'

The Hindu05-05-2025

Producer's Note: For a better experience, listen to the audio version as many elements weren't used on YT because of copyright reasons.
Science isn't always the noble pursuit of truth. Ambition and greed can sometimes corrupt even promising scientists. This episode delves into one of the all-time great hoaxes perpetrated by Indian palaeontologist and geologist, Vishwajit Gupta, of Panjab University. Over decades, he passed off fossils from different parts of the world as 'Himalayan fossils' and was widely commended by an unsuspecting scientific community, until Australian geologist John Talent ripped apart his facade. Gupta's fraud was similar to what is considered the greatest hoax in science ever, namely, Piltdown Man.
How did Gupta carry out his crimes, and how did Talent expose him? Listen in
The Rearview is a podcast where the hosts guide you on a scenic route through the history of science. Filled with fascinating anecdotes, deep archival dives, and a closer look at the quirky minds behind groundbreaking ideas.
Hosts: Jacob Koshy and Sobhana K Nair
Video edited by Tayyab Hussain
Audio edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston
Listen to more Rearview podcast episodes:

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India to host first global cultural games in New Delhi in December
India to host first global cultural games in New Delhi in December

Hans India

time34 minutes ago

  • Hans India

India to host first global cultural games in New Delhi in December

New Delhi: India will host the first-ever Global Pythonova Pythian Games in the National capital, New Delhi, from December 3–5, 2025. The announcement was made during the '3rd National Executive Council Meeting' of the Pythian Council of India, held in New Delhi under the leadership of Bijender Goel, founder of the Modern Pythian Games and founding secretary general of the International Pythian Council. He was accompanied by Shantanu Agrahari, President, and Siva Kumar, Secretary General of the Pythian Council of India. Inspired by the ancient Pythian Games of Greece—one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games held in honour of Apollo at Delphi—the Modern Pythian Games revive this cultural legacy after nearly 1,630 years. The games, originally focused on excellence in music, poetry, arts, and prophecy, were envisioned anew in 2020 by Goel and formally launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delegates and executive members from various Indian states attended the meeting, engaging in strategic discussions to promote the Pythian Games at the local and global levels. In a press briefing following the meeting, Goel revealed that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has assured full cooperation in this global cultural initiative. He also shared details of his recent constructive discussions with Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, raising hopes for inclusive participation. Goel announced that the International Delphic Committee (Russia), Ecumenical Delphic Union (Greece), and the Government of Cyprus have officially endorsed the Modern Pythian Movement. 'The ancient Pythian Games were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Greece, dedicated to the god Apollo, and were held in Delphi. These games were a celebration of excellence in art, music, poetry, and prophecy, and served as a major centre for cultural exchange. After nearly 1,630 years, Bijender Goel conceived the idea of the Modern Pythian Games in the year 2020, and it was formally announced in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the movement has spread globally and has become a significant platform dedicated to art, tradition, and cultural diplomacy,' he said. "In a world full of divisions, the Pythian Games offer a global platform for unity through culture," he said. He further added that a centralised franchise model will be introduced for the Pythian Games at the global, national, and local levels, to ensure transparency, accountability, and a streamlined functioning." Shantanu Agrahari, President of the Pythian Council of India, announced that the next National Pythian Games will be held in September/October 2025. He stated, "These national games will serve as an important training ground for Indian artists and participants." He further added, "India's rich cultural heritage and young talent make it a suitable host for global events." Unlike conventional sporting events, the Modern Pythian Games are the world's only multidisciplinary cultural games, celebrating art, culture, heritage, traditional sports, and creative technology under one unified platform. 'In a world divided by differences, the Pythian Games offer a global stage for unity through culture,' said Goel. He also announced a global-to-local franchise model for the games to ensure transparency, accountability, and streamlined operations. The games serve as a complement to the Olympic Games, offering a global stage to disciplines not represented in the Olympics, such as art, heritage, traditional sports, and creative technology. Kumar emphasised that the Indian operations are guided by an international charter and supported by various governments, cultural institutions, and professionals around the world.

Badshah To Make Global Fashion Debut At Paris Men's Fashion Week 2025; Deets Inside
Badshah To Make Global Fashion Debut At Paris Men's Fashion Week 2025; Deets Inside

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Badshah To Make Global Fashion Debut At Paris Men's Fashion Week 2025; Deets Inside

Last Updated: Badshah to debut at Paris Men's Fashion Week 2025 as the first Punjabi rapper invited as a celebrity guest. A new era for Indian music and fashion. Indian music sensation Badshah is all set to make waves beyond the stage as he prepares to debut at Paris Men's Fashion Week 2025, becoming the first Punjabi rapper to be invited as a celebrity guest at one of the prestigious designer showcases later this June. Known for his flamboyant style and genre-bending music, the chart-topping artist will represent India at the global fashion event in what is being hailed as a milestone moment for South Asian pop culture. With a career spanning over two decades, Badshah has carved a unique space for himself not just in music, but across Indian cinema, television, and fashion. He boasts over 10 billion global streams and more than 50 million followers across social media platforms, ranking him among the top three Indian hip-hop artists globally. His influence as a cultural tastemaker continues to shape conversations around music, identity, entrepreneurship, and creative expression. Badshah's appearance at Paris Men's Fashion Week comes on the heels of other major fashion moments for Indian music stars, including Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala debut and AP Dhillon's front-row presence at Paris Fashion Week. His invitation signifies a growing trend: the powerful intersection between Indian music and international fashion. Long celebrated for his fearless experimentation and trendsetting aesthetic, Badshah's attendance is expected to draw widespread attention and further globalize the Indian pop-fusion narrative. As he readies to turn heads on the fashion runway, Badshah is also gearing up for his Unfinished Tour in the United States, kicking off in September 2025. The tour promises to deliver his signature electrifying stage presence to fans across North America, further solidifying his global reach. First Published:

India's Shubhanshu Shukla's space launch postponed again due to Space Station leak
India's Shubhanshu Shukla's space launch postponed again due to Space Station leak

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

India's Shubhanshu Shukla's space launch postponed again due to Space Station leak

The highly anticipated launch of Axiom Mission 4, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed yet again — this time due to a leak detected aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and ongoing technical issues with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, which would mark India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years, was originally scheduled for June 11, 2025, but now faces an indefinite delay as Nasa, Axiom Space, and Isro prioritise crew safety and technical and Axiom Space announced the postponement after a new pressure signature was detected in the aft segment of the ISS's Zvezda service module, following recent repairs. Cosmonauts aboard the station conducted thorough inspections, sealed potential leak points, and measured the current leak rate. While the segment is now holding pressure, Nasa and Roscosmos are taking extra time to ensure the integrity of the module before clearing any new missions to dock. Simultaneously, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak in the propulsion bay of the Falcon 9 rocket during routine pre-launch testing. Liquid oxygen is a critical component of the rocket's fuel system, and even a minor leak can pose significant risks during launch. SpaceX and ISRO teams have decided to repair the leak and conduct additional validation tests before setting a new launch Axiom-4 crew — led by former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson, with Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary — will eventually launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Nasa officials have emphasised that there are multiple launch windows available through June and July, but a new date will only be announced once all safety concerns are resolved. This cautious approach highlights the complexities and high stakes of human spaceflight, especially as commercial and international partnerships expand the frontier of space InMust Watch

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store