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Time Business News
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
The Colors That Changed My Life
It was early March, and spring had just begun to breathe life into my little town in India. I was home after a long semester at university, tired and buried under deadlines. Holi was around the corner, but honestly, I didn't care much. I had lost the excitement for festivals somewhere between growing up and growing busy. That morning, I was working on my laptop when my 10-year-old cousin, Aarav, barged in, face already smeared with green and yellow. 'You're not going to sit here like a boring old man, are you?' he teased. Before I could respond, he dragged me outside into the madness — into Holi. Within minutes, colors flew across the sky like fireworks. Pink, red, blue — every shade I had forgotten existed danced on my skin. My childhood came rushing back with every splash of gulal. Strangers became friends, laughter echoed through narrow lanes, and buckets of colored water poured like waterfalls of joy. The smell of gujiyas, fried to golden perfection, filled the air. Women sang folk songs while dancing barefoot in the wet streets. It wasn't just a festival — it was a feeling. A reminder that life wasn't just about tasks, but about moments that leave you drenched — quite literally — in happiness. What struck me most was how Holi broke barriers. People who hadn't spoken in years hugged and laughed. Elders applied tilak to the young, and children ran wild, free of rules. For that one day, differences faded — in color, in status, in grudges. Holi wasn't just about playing; it was about letting go. That night, still stained in hues I didn't want to wash off, I sat with a cup of hot milk, smiling. Holi had reminded me of something I had forgotten: the power of joy, forgiveness, and coming together. Do You Know about Aaj Ka Panchang. Know it for pooja timing on Holi. Holi is a celebration of life, color, and connection. It's a beautiful reminder that no matter how dull the world may seem, a splash of color can make everything vibrant again. Also Read:- The Unexpected Story Behind the Pet Hair Roller: Fascinating Facts About Your Favorite Cleaning Helper TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
7 ancient indian fermented foods that heal your gut naturally
Ever wondered why our grandmothers always had a bowl of curd ready with lunch or made idli batter from scratch? Turns out, our traditional Indian fermented foods aren't just tasty, they're great for digestion and overall gut health. These age-old recipes like dosa, kanji, and pakhala have natural good bacteria that help your tummy feel lighter, reduce bloating, and even boost your energy. No fancy ingredients or expensive supplements needed, just everyday food that's stood the test of time. Let's explore 7 of India's best fermented foods that are simple, homemade, and secretly full of gut-loving goodness. 7 desi fermented foods for improving gut health Curd (Dahi) Curd is probably the most common and powerful fermented food in India. It cools your stomach, improves digestion, and is easy to add to any meal. Whether you eat it plain, mix it with rice, or spice it up with jeera and salt, curd keeps your gut calm and happy. Idli and dosa Idli and dosa batters are made by soaking and naturally fermenting rice and urad dal. That process gives them their signature tang and fluffy texture. These breakfast favourites are super light on the stomach and help your body absorb nutrients better. Plus, they're delicious with sambar or chutney. Dhokla Dhokla is a steamed Gujarati snack made from fermented besan (gram flour). It's soft, spongy, and surprisingly good for your digestion. Perfect as a snack or breakfast, dhokla is proof that healthy can taste amazing. Kanji Kanji is a fermented drink made with black carrots or beetroot, mustard seeds, and water. It's left in the sun for a few days and turns into a tangy, gut-cleansing drink. Popular in North India, it's especially great during winters or festivals like Holi. Pakhala / Panta bhat This dish is basically leftover rice soaked in water overnight. It becomes slightly fermented by morning and is eaten with salt, onion, and green chillies. Popular in Odisha, Bengal, and Assam, it's light, hydrating, and perfect for hot days or upset stomachs. Gundruk and bamboo shoots In places like Sikkim and Nagaland, people ferment leafy greens (gundruk) and bamboo shoots to make tangy side dishes. These foods are full of flavour and help with digestion, especially when paired with rice or curry. Kharoli Kharoli is a mustard seed paste that's fermented and used in Assamese dishes. It's full of flavour, easy to store, and gives a nice kick to meals, plus, it's great for your gut. Why should you eat fermented foods? They make your stomach feel lighter. Help with gas, bloating, and acidity. Improve your digestion naturally. Boost energy and immunity over time. Easy to make and add to daily meals. How to add fermented foods to your routine Start your morning with dosa or idli. Add a bowl of curd with lunch. Drink kanji or buttermilk during the day. Try pakhala or dhokla for a light dinner. Explore bamboo shoot dishes for something new. Our grandparents had it right, simple, fermented food can do wonders for your body. Curd, kanji, idli, pakhala, and others are not just tasty, they keep your stomach calm and help your body work better. And the best part? You don't need any fancy equipment. Just a little patience and some sun. . Also read| Eat these 8 foods for healthier hair, skin, and nails
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
From Eden Gardens 2001 to Old Trafford 1990, revisiting India's greatest rescue acts in Test cricket
With the quartet of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul as well as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar producing a remarkable batting display to help India secure a draw in the fourth Test against England in Manchester, we revisit some of the greatest rescue acts in Indian Test history. read more VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's epic 376-run partnership in Kolkata and Sachin Tendulkar's resilient 119 not out in Manchester led to some of greatest rescue acts in Indian Test history. Image: AFP/ICC The quartet of KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja to ensure the five-match series against England remained alive heading into the final Test at The Oval on Thursday. Captain Gill and Rahul, after all, found themselves at the crease after Chris Woakes had dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan in successive deliveries in the very first over of India's second innings. India had been reduced to 0/2 after England had posted a mammoth 669 on the board and collected a 311-run first innings lead. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Steely determination of Indian batting lineup runs England ragged at Old Trafford, keeps Test series alive Gill and Rahul would end up batting through the remaining overs of the day with a defiant, unbroken 174-run partnership for the third wicket. When some were expecting India to get bundled out around lunch, the captain and the senior opener ensured India lived to fight another day at Old Trafford. And when the two set overnight batters departed inside the morning session, Gill getting dismissed shortly after completing his fourth ton of the series, spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar highlighted that the middle-order was in safe hands. 'Jaddu' and 'Washy' joined the century fest as they forged an unbroken 203-run stand for the fifth wicket that ensured India returned to London for the final Test with the series still alive. The rescue act by the quartet of Gill, Rahul, Jadeja and Sundar was reminiscent of several other such escapes and heists, which we take a look at in greater detail below: Laxman and Dravid vs Australia, Kolkata, 2001 Social media has been replete with countless posts comparing VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's legendary fifth-wicket partnership against Steve Waugh's Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001. There's no doubt what Gill and his teammates achieved at Old Trafford over the weekend was phenomenal. But to compare it one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of the game, which resulted in only the second instance of a team winning from having to follow-on, would be questionable. Do celebrate Holi, but also celebrate 2 men who walked in on this day 24 years ago with the score at 254-4 & 90 overs later, returned unbeaten with the score reading 589-4. Laxman & Dravid, Eden Gardens 2001 — Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) March 14, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Laxman and Dravid, after all, had battled physical discomfort and illness to forge a 376-run partnership that helped India go from conceding a 274-run first innings deficit to posting a mammoth 657/7 in their second innings and going on to win the Test by 171 runs. The victory would be a turning point not just in the three-Test series, but in Sourav Ganguly's career as captain and indeed for the Indian team. Vihari and Ashwin vs Australia, Sydney, 2021 India had staged an equally remarkable comeback in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they would go on to win the series 2-1 after getting bundled out for 36 and losing the series opener in Adelaide. The third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground had Australia in the driver's seat as they set India a tough 407 to win. And with the Indians reduced to 102/3, the Tim Paine-led hosts certainly appeared confident of ending on the winning side. Ashwin, Vihari's resilience helps India draw Third Test! Both teams go to The Gabba with series at 1-1!#AUSvIND LIVE: — Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) January 11, 2021 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Cheteshwar Pujara (77) and Rishabh Pant (97) had brought India back into the contest, it was the sixth-wicket pair of Hanuma Vihari (23 not out of 161 balls) and Ravichandran Ashwin (39 not out off 128) who replicated AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis' stonewalling effort against the same team, albeit in Adelaide in 2012, to ultimately steer India towards safety. And they did it while battling cramps and copping multiple blows to the body from Australia's pace trifecta of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Tendulkar and Prabhakar vs England, Manchester, 1990 Gill and Co's phenomenal batting isn't the only instance of Indian batters going out of their way to secure a draw for their team at Manchester's Old Trafford Stadium. It is exactly what had happened that last time India had played a Test at this venue – all the way back in 1990. What's more, that game witnessed the beginning of something special – the first of Sachin Tendulkar's century of international centuries. What were you doing when you were 17? On this day in 1990, a little 17 year old Indian boy scored his 1st test hundred, a brilliant 119* to save the match for little master Sachin Tendulkar @sachin_rt These backfoot shots are unbelievable, for anyone at any age — Rob Moody (@robelinda2) August 13, 2020 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Graham Gooch-led hosts were on top after collecting an 87-run first innings lead and later setting India an improbable 408 to win. And by the time legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was dismissed, India looked down and out with just 183 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets. Tendulkar, who had already made a solid impression at that point with his meteoric rise from the maidaans of Bombay to a memorable debut tour of Pakistan, came to India's rescued with an unbeaten 119, rallying with Manoj Prabhakar (67 not out) as the two forged an unbroken 160-run stand for the seventh wicket to steer the Mohammad Azharuddin-led visitors to a stalemate in the second Test. Gavaskar vs England, London (The Oval), 1979 It's not just Tendulkar who had helped India pull off a miraculous escape on English soil; another legendary batter from Mumbai had achieved the same 11 summers earlier. It was in the fourth and final Test against Mike Brearley's England at The Oval, where Gill and Co will be in action in three days' time, where Gavaskar had scored a phenomenal 221 and helped India amass 366 runs for its first two wickets in the company of opening partner Chetan Chauhan (80) and Dilip Vengsarkar (52). Oval, Sept 4th, 1979. Chasing 438, Sunny & Chetan put on 213 and then Vengsarkar & Gavaskar reached 366 when Vengsarkar fell. From there, Kapil failed, the rest panicked & Sunil Gavaskar's epic 221 left us just 9 heart-breaking runs short. A batting master-class for the ages — Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) September 4, 2020 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike the stalemate in Sydney more than four decades later, this was an effort that nearly resulted in India pulling off the highest successful chase in Test history – with the Srinivas Venkataraghavan-led Indians finishing on 429/8 after being set 438 to win!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Laughter Chefs' season 2 winner: Karan Kundrra and Elvish Yadav lift the trophy; Karan says 'Food isn't about perfection, it's about connection'
After months of bringing joy and laughter to viewers, Laughter Chefs Season 2 has finally come to an end. The celebrity jodis grew emotional as they bid farewell to the audience, wrapping up a journey filled with fun, chaos, and countless memories. The grand finale was nothing short of a celebration, packed with entertainment, hilarious moments, and heartwarming goodbyes that made it a night to remember. Towards the end of the episode, hosts and judges Bharti Singh and Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi declared the winner of season 2. The winner was decided based on the votes of 50 audience members who tasted the dishes and cast their votes accordingly. Their voting stars were kept secret throughout the episodes and were declared at the end. Laughter Chefs wrapped up a blockbuster Season 2 with fanfare and the dynamic duo, Karan Kundrra and Elvish Yadav, lifting the winners' trophy. Reem Shaikh and Aly Goni were the second Jodi to get the highest votes after Elvish and Karan. This season was full of surprises and fun, like a rollercoaster that never followed the usual rules. From unexpected entries to sudden twists, each episode brought something new. One moment there was crazy laughter, and the next, emotional moments that touched hearts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Krushna Abhishek turned every situation into comedy gold with his unbeatable sense of humour. Sudesh Lehri brought his classic one-liners that cut through all the chaos and had everyone laughing. Aly Goni's return added fresh, lively energy, while Nia Sharma's comeback created a fun comic bond with Sudesh that fans absolutely loved. Rubina Dilaik gave off strong, queen-like vibes, and the playful banter between Vicky and Ankita became a regular highlight. From colorful Holi celebrations and fun Bollywood dress-ups to a sweet Mother's Day tribute and a spicy media-themed episode, the show served a full plate of entertainment. With Bharti Singh's hilarious charm and Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi's tasty tips and cheer, every week was packed with laughter, love, and surprises. Sometimes, the best teams are made by instinct and that's what made this season's winners stand out. Karan and Elvish brought the perfect mix of bold flavors and cool confidence. Their Mexican basket trio impressed everyone so much that Chef Harpal saluted them during the episode, something that had never happened before on the show. Karan Kundrra, reflecting on his victory said, 'Coming back for Season 2 turned out to be one of the most special experiences I've had in a long time. There was a kind of ease on this set that's hard to describe - no pressure, no overthinking, just people genuinely enjoying themselves. I felt like I was returning to a family that missed me. I joined mid-season, had zero prep, and suddenly I was in this high-pressure kitchen with Elvish, who operates on pure instinct and jugaad, and somehow, it just clicked. What's precious to me is that this journey with all its fun, flaws, and flavour sends a simple but powerful message: that everyone can cook, and everyone should. Because food isn't about perfection, it's about connection.' Elvish Yadav on wrapping up the season with a win shared, 'When I entered Laughter Chefs, I thought it would be a fun break - a few laughs, some kitchen disasters, and then back to regular life. But this show had other plans. From the very first week, it pulled me into its vibe. And when Karan and I teamed up, it was an instant vibe match. We never overplanned, we just showed up, had fun, and stayed real. Kitchen was a new territory for me, but this journey taught me so much. I now have a very different appreciation and respect for those who cook regularly. What stands out for me is that my mom got to witness all of it: the mistakes, the growth, the final win.' Ankita Lokhande Shocks Everyone With 'Main Pregnant Hoon' Announcement | Is It True?
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
River springs back to life through doc's efforts
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The efforts of P C Rath, a prominent cardiologist, and the local community over a decade to revive the once "dead" Sukku Paika river, a tributary of Mahanadi, in Cuttack seems to have borne fruit. "It's the victory of resilience. The achievement is particularly poignant for the thousands of residents residing along the riverbank in Cuttack, whose lives have been intertwined with the Sukku Paika for generations," Rath said. TOI had reported about the efforts of Rath in the 'City of Angels' column on April 13. The revival campaign, aptly named 'Save Sukku Paika', included innovative protests like a cooking strike and a Holi festival boycott. The community's unique approach to advocacy eventually caught the govt's eye, securing substantial funding for the river's restoration. The impact of the revival extends far beyond water flow. With the Mahanadi's waters now coursing through the restored sluice gate into the Sukku Paika, the project promises to benefit over 10 lakh residents along its banks. The restoration is expected to transform the area's topography as well, breathing new life into local ecosystems and communities. As water begins flowing through the rejuvenated river, it carries with it the hopes and aspirations of villagers who stood steadfast with Rath. Their collective victory serves as a reminder that with persistence, community action and govt support, even the most ambitious environmental restoration projects can succeed. "We can start farming activities again," Jayanta Padihari, a resident of Ayatpur village, said. Sukku Paika's revival stands as a testament to the power of human determination and the enduring spirit of community action, proving that no river is beyond saving when people unite for a common cause.
