Latest news with #Harini
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
TN girl aces UPSC, set to join naval academy
Chennai: Pointing to a fully knit, framed crochet of an old-fashioned ship cutting through the sea with the wind in its sails, Harini Raghavendran says, "I made this 4 years ago as a random pastime. Little did I know that four years later, I'd be sailing through similar-looking seas as a naval officer." The 18-year-old daughter of IT professionals is the first girl from Tamil Nadu to join the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, Kerala, after clearing the NDA/NA exam, which involves clearing the UPSC after Class XII, through the permanent commission entry. She will train at INA as a naval cadet for four years starting July 14, after which she will receive a BTech degree. Women were allowed as cadets in the defence services after Class XII only after a 2021 Supreme Court order. The first batch joined National Defence Academy in Pune in 2022, and 17 women graduated in May 2025, with most of them from Haryana and UP. There were only a few in the Navy, and none was from TN. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Reaching the final stage of recruitment for INA was physically and mentally demanding. After training at NDA Defence Coaching Institute in Chennai, Harini cleared the UPSC exam in Sept last year, securing an All India Rank of 279. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo She then passed five stages of evaluation held by Services Selection Board, which included psychological assessments, an interview, and a medical exam. Harini recalls the medical screening as the most nerve-wracking. "There's not a single part of your body that goes unscanned. I've heard of candidates discovering undiagnosed ailments during the process." Her love for the waters and physical activity, she says, began at a young age. "I took my first swimming lesson at five," she says. Over the next decade, she trained in athletics and basketball, and eventually led her school team to multiple victories. Her father Raghavendran Venkataramana has been a major influence on her. "I started accompanying him on adventure trips from the age of 15," says Harini. Her mother Ramya R, recalls relocating homes to be closer to Harini's basketball coaching centre and enrolling her in summer camps to help her become comfortable staying away from home. "Compared to states like Haryana and Rajasthan, awareness and exposure to careers in defence is quite low in TN," said Major Madhan Kumar, one of Harini's mentors. Recalling her recent experience as a guest speaker at Sainik School, Amaravathinagar, she says "It felt like a personal milestone, to inspire others through my journey."
News18
14-07-2025
- News18
Bengaluru Couple Get 'Jai Hind, Jai Indian Army' Call, Lose Rs 2 Lakh
Last Updated: A freelance trainer from Bengaluru and her husband lost over Rs 2.1 lakh in a scam involving a fake job offer from Army Public School It started with a job offer and ended in a costly scam. On July 9, a woman from Bandipalya, Bengaluru, was duped out of more than Rs 2.1 lakh in a slick cyber con that used the name of the Army and played heavily on patriotic emotions to win trust. Harini (name changed), a freelance trainer, was part of a WhatsApp group that regularly shared job leads from across the country. That day, a message popped up: Army Public School in Bengaluru is hiring a communication and discipline trainer. The message included a phone number. Harini dialed it immediately. The man who answered claimed to be part of the administrative staff at APS. He sounded professional, explained the role, and said the school would pay Rs 5,000 per hour for a two-hour session. Harini was thrilled. The man assured her someone from the school's MG Road campus would call her shortly. Minutes later, a WhatsApp voice call came in. This time, the caller introduced himself as a school representative. He praised Harini's experience and said the institution was eager to hire her; but first, she'd have to 'register as a vendor", as per protocol for military-affiliated institutions. That's where the trap began. The caller asked for her Aadhaar details. Then, he explained that she needed to link her UPI ID and complete an OTP verification to finish the onboarding. Harini followed the instructions and entered both her PIN and OTP. In seconds, Rs 26,000 vanished from her bank account. Shocked, Harini questioned the caller. But he didn't hang up. Instead, he doubled down, sending her a forged military ID to prove his legitimacy. He peppered his conversation with patriotic phrases like 'Jai Hind" and 'Jai Indian Army". Harini, confused and convinced, stayed on the line. Then he asked for a secondary number. Harini shared her husband Dinesh's contact. The same playbook was used again. The fraudster called Dinesh, repeated the pitch, and persuaded him to go through the same OTP-based 'registration". This time, the loss was steeper; four separate withdrawals totaling Rs 1.9 lakh. In under an hour, the couple had lost over Rs 2.1 lakh. On Friday, Dinesh filed a complaint at the Bandipalya police station. The couple also contacted their bank and called the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930). Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and are working to trace and freeze the fraudster's bank accounts. Investigators say the case is part of a growing trend where scammers exploit the credibility of institutions like the military to manipulate victims emotionally, particularly through WhatsApp-based impersonations. Police have urged citizens to avoid sharing Aadhaar, UPI, or banking details with unknown callers, no matter how official they may sound, and to treat all 'job offer" calls requiring OTP sharing as immediate red flags. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 17:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Reuben's leap of faith
PETALING JAYA: In a quiet hotel room in Kedah, sometime in August 2022, professional footballer K. Reuben was trying to take a nap before an A1 Semi-Pro League game with Harini. What unfolded instead would change the course of his career and the lives of hundreds of aspiring footballers across Malaysia. Reuben established the Football First Academy in Kajang and now, it has seven branches and one is in the pipe line. It all started with a vision. 'I was praying. The league season was ending in October, and I was worried. I've got a wife and two kids, and the thought of another financial gap like the one I had between my time at Sarawak United and Harini was troubling,' he said. Dynamic duo: Reuben (right) with his partner Prakash Rao. 'It was like the blueprint of the academy was downloaded into my head. The name, the motto, the structure: Football First Academy. Train Like a Pro.' It began with a modest two-month trial program in Kajang during the off-season. Ten students signed up. Most returned in January 2023. The academy was born, not as a side project, but as a purpose. Kajang, where Reuben himself grew up, is known for its talented footballers but never as a footballing hub when it comes to coaching. 'Back then, it was tough to find quality coaching. Until I was 18, it was either my dad or school teachers,' he said. 'We've had good players come out of Kajang such as Christie Jayaseelan, Safee Sali, Nidzam Jamil but there's talent in every small town. We just need to dig deeper.' That mission of unearthing gems in forgotten corners has driven his academy's rapid expansion. Having a ball: Reuben joins the players for a game. From one humble branch in 2023 to seven today, with the eighth already in the works, Football First Academy is becoming a quiet revolution in Malaysian grassroots football. 'I didn't expect it to grow like this,' Reuben admits. 'At first, I thought I didn't need any partners. But my long-time friend and business partner, Prakash Rao, pushed me. I gave him an impossible target, 100 students in two years. He did it in one. He deserves full credit for that.' For Reuben, football is a vehicle, not the destination. 'Sports teach life. How to get up when you fall. How to play when things aren't fair. That's what a lot of kids miss today.' It is a philosophy embedded into the DNA of his academy. Sessions aren't just about technique or fitness. They're about grit, character, humility, and growth on and off the pitch. 'Some of our boys now play for their schools. A few even made district teams. But honestly, what matters more is who they're becoming,' he said. While juggling his football career, he earned both a degree (Information Science) and a Masters (Sports Management). He's also a musician who plays piano and drums regularly in church. That grounding, he says, comes from his parents. 'They were supportive from day one. They taught me to be holistic. Football, yes, but life too. They also run Desa Amal Jireh, a children's home in Semenyih with nearly 100 kids. It's been running for over 40 years. That's my next chapter, I want to be involved there full-time.' As of February 2025, Reuben's playing contract with Bunga Raya Damansara ended. With the upcoming season in limbo, his energy is now fully directed at building up Football First Academy and perhaps, something even bigger. 'I want to step away eventually and let the academy run independently. I want to spend time at Desa Amal Jireh, to give back the way my parents have.' His wife, the quiet pillar behind it all, gave him the final push to start the academy. 'She told me, You've got everything planned ...what are you waiting for?' What began as a whispered prayer in a hotel room has become a nationwide movement in the making. In Reuben's words – 'I thank God for giving me the blueprint to run this without being physically present all the time. I can still play, still coach, still give back.' And whether on the field, in the academy, or at the children's home, one thing remains certain – Reuben is far from done making an impact. FACT FILE Name: K. Reuben Age: 35 Profession: Former professional footballer and football academy operator Achievements 2011-2013: Played for Malaysia five times 2012: Won the Malaysia Premier League with Armed Forces 2013: Won the Charity Shield with Armed Forces 2022: Established Football First Academy (Kajang, Nilai, Cheras, Ipoh, Rawang, Seri Kembangan, Ampang and Puchong)
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
Crooks play on patriotism, con teacher and husband of Rs 2 lakh in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: For Harini (name changed), a teacher who trains students in discipline and communication skills, the chance to teach at the Army Public School sounded like more than just a job. It felt like a patriotic duty. That sentiment, however, became the very tool fraudsters exploited. On July 9, Harini, a resident of Bandepalya, received a message in a WhatsApp group for trainers. The group, with members from across India, regularly shares job opportunities. The message claimed the Army Public School (APS) in Bengaluru was looking for a trainer in discipline and communication skills. A phone number was shared for contact. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru When Harini called, the man on the other end introduced himself as an APS administrative staffer. He explained the requirement, discussed her fees — Rs 5,000 per hour for two-hour work — and promised that the school's in-charge would follow up. Soon, a WhatsApp voice call came from another number with the caller claiming to be from the APS campus on MG Road. He praised Harini's profile and said the school wanted her services. But there was one "protocol", he insisted: since this was an army institution, she needed to register as a vendor. Harini shared her Aadhaar number as requested. Then came the next step: digital payment registration. The fraudster told her that she had to link her UPI ID and complete an OTP process. Trusting the explanation, Harini entered the OTP and her PIN. Within seconds, Rs 26,000 was debited from her account. When she protested, the fraudster kept her on the call. To maintain the charade, he sent a fake military ID and kept invoking patriotism. "Jai Hind", "Jai Indian Army" — the phrases were repeated, each time silencing Harini's doubts. He then asked for an alternative phone number, promising to resolve the issue and Harini gave her husband Dinesh's (name changed). But the same process, including playing on his patriotism, followed. This time, nearly Rs 1.9 lakh was drained from her husband's account through four transactions. Within an hour, the couple lost more than Rs 2.1 lakh. Dinesh lodged a complaint with Bandepalya police Friday. The couple also contacted their bank and the national cybercrime helpline (1930). Police said a case has been registered under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Efforts are on to freeze the fraudster's accounts. Investigators say the conmen preyed not just on trust, but on the couple's emotions and sense of national pride.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tamil Jazz Collective brings Carnatic fusion to global jazz stages
When Maria sang, 'how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?' in the Sound of Music, she was probably talking about Harini Iyer. Her hair is slicked back with a pastel bandana and a flowy shirt. Her look, as easy as Sunday morning, with a vermillion bindi firmly on her forehead. This bindi or pottu, a part of the Tamil Jazz Collective logo, is a nod to her Tamil roots even as jazz has given her wings. Singing as her musical alter ego, Ella Subramaniam, the journey to synthesise this unique Carnatic-jazz sound has been a decade in the making. Harini, a software engineer with a Masters in Engineering Management from the US, , credits her female gurus with her musical metamorphosis. Her mother initially 'pushed her to formally study Carnatic' and guru Akhila Siva is the soul behind her love for her Carnatic sound. Back in 2014 while in the US, Harini collaborated with Krithi Rao, creating the duo Harmonic Flaneurs. The artiste's journey began with performances of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' at countless open mics. She learnt audio production and spent time furthering her craft at Berklee College of Music in 2018, where her mentor Lisa Thornson observed Harini had a natural predilection for Flamenco music that somehow synced with her Carnatic roots. This journey to Tamil jazz has clearly been long and eventful. Harini explored this unique Tamil-jazz confluence with Ella Fitzgerald's track 'Misty'. She says that it is an exercise in vocal production, where you take any piece of music, and add your mother tongue to it to produces certain tonalities. 'To me singing jazz in English sounded plain, I'm not Ella Fitzgerald. You can only explore that music with empathy, it is not instinctive. I felt a lot more confident and grounded singing in Tamil,' she says. Harini taught at the Nepal Jazz Conservatory, but somehow 'she's a Carnatic singer,' did not quite fit, and neither did she feel a full embrace with only her jazz persona. One had to meet in the middle. Creating a Collective The Tamil Jazz Collective was born during the last few months of 2024, with Sahib Singh and Shylu Ravindran , creative forces behind the fusion band, Jatayu. Sahib Singh says new sounds usually find a mixed reception in India. 'Earlier, when I had performed across South-East Asia, they were far more accepting of our experiments, than the Indian audiences. Off late, we find more crowds who come with an open mind, and enjoy the music even if they don't understand the language.' With an original Tamil version of 'Take Five' by the Dave Brubeck Quartet, with the original lyrics penned by Brubeck's wife Lola and performed by Carmen McRae in 1961, the collective has received mixed reviews online. Purists are calling out their fusion music, while others cannot wait to attend a concert, collaborate or even host them in Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz, soul and the blues. Performing in Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Goa, Harini, Sahib and Shylu, plan to expand the collective with an eclectic group of musicians, possibly adding a 'string section, double bass, horn section, saxophone, and ultimately a full orchestra, when the budgets accommodate multiple collaborators,' adds Sahib optimistically. Currently Harini translates English lyrics of jazz songs into Tamil. However, 'just translation doesn't work sometimes because the metaphors and cultural context are different,' explains Harini. The collective has unique musical arrangements that even allow impromptu collaborations at various venues and cities. Harini's musicology encompasses classics like 'Summertime' , 'All of Me' and 'It Could Happen to You' besides original compositions. As the collective moves forward, it has ambitions to, make Chennai a hub for cross-cultural collaboration, says Sahib, while Harini is in Berlin at the moment to study filming musical compositions, while also performing with multiple ensembles at various music venues across the city (Community Chai, Music Pool Berlin and Sofar Sounds Berlin). The trio is currently booked for performances across India through 2025, and is keen on releasing their music on streaming platforms this year.
