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Time of India
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Increasing screen-time crisis among children can rise ‘Virtual Autism' alarms: Neurologists
By Vishal Kumar Singh New Delhi: India is witnessing a disturbing rise in autism-like symptoms among children aged 2 to 9 not due to genetics, but linked to excessive screen exposure. Neurologists have termed this emerging condition "virtual autism" , warning that overuse of digital devices is rewiring young brains and fueling a hidden epidemic. Leading experts are now calling for urgent national action and greater public awareness to combat this growing crisis, a call that gains even more urgency as the world marks World Brain Day 2025 . 'We're seeing a wave of screen-induced behavioral disorders almost like a second pandemic,' says Dr. Shobha N, Consultant Neurologist & Stroke Physician at Manipal Hospital, Malleshwaram. 'The red flags are clear: shortened attention spans, tantrums, lack of social skills, and emotional dysregulation.' A Tamil Nadu-based study revealed that 73 per cent of children under five far exceed the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended screen time of one hour daily, averaging 2.4 hours. This overuse has been associated with a 53-fold increase in the risk of developmental delays. In urban India, ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is being seen in 11 per cent of school-aged children, and autism spectrum symptoms in up to 3 per cent, that's potentially 18 million children. Autism or Just Digital Overload? The biggest diagnostic challenge today: Is it real autism, or screen-induced symptoms that mimic it? 'True autism is neurodevelopmental, appears early, and is lifelong,' explains Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, Vice Chairman & Head of Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket. 'It persists regardless of screen time. But in 'virtual autism,' symptoms often emerge after prolonged screen exposure and can fade once screen use is cut down.' Dr. Karthik Raju Iyer, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Altius Hospital, says the difference isn't always obvious: 'We need detailed history, behavior mapping, and tools like the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) test to distinguish the two. The good news? Many kids improve dramatically with reduced screen time and guided therapy.' Modern urban lifestyles are part of the problem. With working parents, nuclear households, and digital babysitters, children are spending more time with screens than people. 'In joint families, grandparents played a vital role in nurturing children. That's missing now. Today's role models are screen heroes, not real people," says Dr Shobha. Dr. Mukherji has observed rising emotional distress in kids such as anxiety, frustration, social withdrawal, all worsened by digital overexposure. Dr. Iyer adds, 'In any urban restaurant, you'll see toddlers glued to tablets instead of talking or playing. These lost interactions are what build developing brains.' "Despite growing evidence, awareness remains shockingly low as parents often believe they're giving their child a head-start through 'educational' content, "In reality, screens are contributing to speech delays, poor attention spans, and emotional imbalances especially in younger children," says Dr. Iyer. "The pandemic only intensified the problem, with digital schooling and lockdown isolation increasing screen dependency. 'Virtual autism is not genetic, it's environmental and in many cases, reversible,' Dr. Mukherji stresses. India's healthcare and education systems aren't equipped to handle the fallout. Dr. Mukherji notes that 12 per cent of children aged 2–9 have some form of developmental disorder but early detection is rare, especially in rural India where specialists are scarce and stigma is high. "Schools, too, are lagging, most of them still focus on rote learning and don't accommodate neurodivergent learners. Our classrooms aren't built for these kids especially outside metro cities," says Dr. Mukherji. Parents often face the emotional toll alone. 'There's confusion, guilt, stigma and not enough support,' Dr. Iyer adds. Dr. Mukherji warns that up to 60 per cent of new autism-like cases may be linked to screen overuse. She urges India to implement clear national guidelines, similar to WHO's viz zero screen time for children under 2 and no more than one hour a day for kids under five. Dr. Iyer suggests using India's existing ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) and ICDS (Integrated Child Development scheme) systems for early detection and outreach. 'We don't need to reinvent the wheel. We just need the will. 'Parents, teachers, and health workers must act as the frontline. We can't afford half-measures anymore." As India reflects on brain health this World Brain Day, neurologists unanimously inform that too much screen time is rewiring children's brains permanently, if we don't act. But there's hope. Virtual autism can be reversed, if caught early, and treated with connection over convenience.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
From flight to freefall: How TN based Archana Thiagarajan led India to glory
Until the 1960s, scientists believed that diving beyond 38 metres (around 125 feet), could kill a human. The pressure, they thought, would crush the lungs. But in 1952, an Italian diver Raimondo Bucher took a 39-metre-plunge and came back up, proving them wrong. Since then, freedivers have been going deeper. Some use ropes, some fins, some add weights, and one discipline has crossed the 200-metre mark. But the risk is real. Seawater is 840 times denser than air, and as you sink, the pressure builds quickly. The deeper you go, the heavier it gets. And yet, freedivers return for tranquility and slow fall. 'What draws me to freediving, is the calmness and stillness. It's just you and your body,' says Tamil Nadu-based Archana Thiagarajan. 'I usually close my eyes. It's like being in space, weightless, free-falling, neutrally buoyant.' A former squadron leader in the Indian Air Force, Archana, never expected to find a space in this world. But earlier this year, she made history. At the 34th AIDA Freediving World Championship in Wakayama, Japan (held from 28 June to 2 July, 2025), Archana became the first Indian woman to represent the country. In her debut appearance, she set four new national records across all pool disciplines (DYNB: 137m; DYN: 125m; DNF: 94m; STA: 4:22 Sec), bringing her total to ten (all in pool disciplines). A sabbatical in Indonesia in April 2024 with her husband (also ex-IAF), had sparked a casual interest in freediving after initially considering scuba. They had both retired from the IAF on 5 January, 2024 and planned a year of travel. Now, that spark has taken her to the world stage.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Eros hits back at Aanand L Rai after the director expresses displeasure over the studio altering the film's ending with AI without consent
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has voiced strong disapproval over Eros International's move to alter the ending of his 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa using artificial intelligence. The acclaimed director, who crafted the film's tragic yet emotionally resonant finale, expressed sadness at what he views as an interference with his original vision. However, the studio has since issued a pointed rebuttal, firmly denying any allegations of tampering. Rai had said, "Eros's actions open a dangerous door. They raise urgent legal and ethical questions, of the impact of decisions like this on the moral rights of creators. Even worse is their apparent decision to alter the actors' contributions without their consent! How can they digitally manipulate an actor's input almost a decade after a film's release? This strips away their agency, and raise serious concerns under personality and image rights. If this goes unquestioned, what stops anyone from 'updating" any film, performance, or legacy to suit short-term profiteering?" Now the company has hit back at the film-maker. In an official statement to PTI, Eros Group CEO Pradeep Dwivedi clarified their stance, stating, 'This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices, including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters. We categorically reject Mr Rai's allegations, which are not only factually incorrect but also legally unfounded. The re-release is a respectful reinterpretation and not a 'tampering' of the original. It is clearly positioned as an alternate, AI-enhanced version—akin to classic cuts or re-edits seen globally." When questioned about whether the Raanjhanaa team had been consulted prior to the revision, the studio asserted its legal authority. It emphasized that it owns the 'sole and exclusive copyright of the film,' and that the new version was developed 'with sensitivity and respect for the original creative team's contribution.' Eros also noted that they 'tried to acknowledge Aanand's concerns and responded to him respectfully,' but added that he 'has chosen to publicly distance himself from the project, despite the film being a product of collaborative effort where rights are lawfully vested with the producer. Our re-release is an homage to the film's legacy, not a deviation from it." The controversy deepened as reports surfaced about the updated AI-driven version of Raanjhanaa being sold to Tamil Nadu-based distributor Upswing Entertainment for a regional re-release in Tamil. Rai reportedly believes this decision was strategic—aiming to test the altered version in a region where his influence is limited, but where lead actor Dhanush continues to enjoy massive popularity. In stark contrast to the original, where Dhanush's character Kundan meets a tragic end, the AI-revised cut flips the narrative with a feel-good twist—Kundan survives, and the film closes on a hopeful note. While the creative clash continues to stir debate, one thing is clear: Raanjhanaa's legacy now finds itself at the center of a broader conversation around AI, artistic ownership, and the future of storytelling. Meanwhile, Rai and Dhanush have moved forward, currently working on their next project, Tere Ishk Mein, alongside actress Kriti Sanon.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Eros Hits Back At Aanand L Rai, Calls Raanjhanaa's Altered Ending ‘Creative Reimagining'
Eros International denies Aanand L Rai's claims over AI-altered Raanjhanaa ending, calling it a creative reimagining and not a replacement of the original story. Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has openly expressed his disappointment over the news of Eros International planning to alter the ending of his 2013 classic romantic drama Raanjhanaa by using AI. Now, after the director expressed his sadness, the studio has explicitly rejected Aanand's allegations, calling the altered ending just a creative re-imagination and not a replacement. In a statement to PTI, the company's Group CEO, Pradeep Dwivedi, said, 'This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices, including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters. We categorically reject Mr Rai's allegations, which are not only factually incorrect but also legally unfounded. The re-release is a respectful reinterpretation and not a 'tampering' of the original. It is clearly positioned as an alternate, AI-enhanced version—akin to classic cuts or re-edits seen globally." Further, when questioned if the team of Raanjhanaa was informed about the studio's decision, the company stated that it holds the sole and exclusive copyright of the film. It added that the 'reinterpretation has been developed with sensitivity and respect for the original creative team's contribution." While sharing that they tried to acknowledge Aanand's 'concerns and responded to him respectfully," they added that he 'has chosen to publicly distance himself from the project, despite the film being a product of collaborative effort where rights are lawfully vested with the producer. Our re-release is an homage to the film's legacy, not a deviation from it." Why did Eros alter the ending of Raanjhanaa? Eros International has reportedly sold an updated version of Raanjhanaa to Tamil Nadu-based distributor Upswing Entertainment for the film's release in the Tamil language. Director Aanand L Rai believes the studio deliberately chose to test the AI-generated version in a region where his influence is limited, but where lead actor Dhanush remains popular. In the original ending of Raanjhanaa, Dhanush's character, Kundan, dies. But in the AI-modified version, the story takes a different path, with Kundan surviving and the film concluding on a happier note. For the unversed, Aanand L Rai has previously collaborated with Dhanush in Atrangi Re. They are working on their third film together, Tere Ishk Mein, with Kriti Sanon. 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.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Aanand L Rai BLASTS Eros For Using AI To Alter Raanjhanaa Ending Without Consent: 'I'm Heartbroken'
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai slammed Eros International for changing the ending of Raanjhanaa using AI. A 'heartbroken' Rai has requested his name to be removed. Filmmaker Aanand L Rai's 2013 romantic drama, Raanjhanaa, is set for a special screening on August 1, celebrating its 12th anniversary. Starring Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush in key roles, the film ends on a heart-wrenching note. Surprisingly, the film's studio, Eros International, decided to alter the film's ending to a 'happier note' using AI. This didn't sit well with director Aanand, who has slammed Eros, requesting to remove his name from the film's credits. Aanand L Rai issued an official statement, revealing how 'heartbroken" he is with the altered ending. He wrote, 'Raanjhanaa didn't need a new climax. It had heart, and honesty. It became a cult film because people connected to it with its flaws, and imperfections. To see its ending altered without a word of discussion is a gross violation not just of the film, but of the trust of the fans who've carried the film in their hearts for 12 years." He continued, 'Eros's actions open a dangerous door. They raise urgent legal and ethical questions, of the impact of decisions like this on the moral rights of creators. Even worse is their apparent decision to alter the actors' contributions without their consent! How can they digitally manipulate an actor's input almost a decade after a film's release? This strips away their agency, and raise serious concerns under personality and image rights. If this goes unquestioned, what stops anyone from 'updating" any film, performance, or legacy to suit short-term profiteering?" 'I'm heartbroken that this is the future we're heading toward, where intent and authorship are disposable. All I can do is dissociate myself from such a reckless and dystopian experiment," he concluded. Why did Eros alter the ending of Raanjhanaa? Eros International has reportedly sold an updated version of Raanjhanaa to Tamil Nadu-based distributor Upswing Entertainment. Director Aanand L Rai believes the studio deliberately chose to test the AI-generated version in a region where his influence is limited, but where lead actor Dhanush remains popular. The filmmaker is upset, accusing Eros of altering the film purely for profit, without considering the potential backlash. He feels the studio will realise its mistake when fans and actors speak out, adding that no actor would want to collaborate with a company that changes films without the creators' consent. Rai has already raised his objections with Eros over the AI-created alternate ending in the re-release, making it clear he did not approve of the change. However, since the studio has neither agreed nor acted on his concerns, he now plans to send a formal letter demanding his name be removed from the AI-altered version. In the original ending of Raanjhanaa, Dhanush's character, Kundan, dies. But in the AI-modified version, the story takes a different path, with Kundan surviving and the film concluding on a happier note. For the unversed, Aanand L Rai has previously collaborated with Dhanush in Atrangi Re. They are working on their third film together, Tere Ishk Mein, with Kriti Sanon. First Published: July 18, 2025, 19:15 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.
