Bollywood’s Desi Girl aka Priyanka Chopra is known for her love for all things Indian. From her love for aloo paratha to buttermilk, she has always been vocal about her love for traditional Indian foods. The global star was recently spotted in Hyderabad and shared an Instagram story of enjoying a plate full of the king of fruits. Scroll down to read details.

Priyanka loves Indian food

According to her Instagram story, Priyanka was seen enjoying a plate full of mangoes between shoots. The actress shared a picture of her tiffin box filled with cut mango cubes on her Instagram Stories. He wrote, “Mango season”, followed by a drooling face emoji and added “#support #hyderabadimangoes.”

What are Himayat mangoes?

Also known as Imam Pasand, it is a premium quality South Indian mango variety known for its aroma, flavor and subtle hints of coconut and lemon. According to historians, this mango variety was adopted by the Nawab of Hyderabad in present-day Telangana and was cultivated on a large scale in the region. Presently, this mango is cultivated in Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Courtallam, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri. It typically weighs 300–800 grams and is known for its yellow, orange and green colors depending on the sunlight.

5 Easy Mango Recipes to Try at Home

Mango Shake: It is a refreshing summer drink made by mixing ripe mangoes with cold milk and sugar. Cardamom powder, cherries and dry fruits can also be added to it. Loved by people of all age groups, this dish is also enjoyed with a topping of vanilla ice cream. Aamras: It is a traditional dish prepared by pulping ripe mangoes and adding cardamom or saffron to them and is usually served with Ajwain Puri during summer meals.Mango Custard: This is a classic mango sweet, best enjoyed cold. To make it, you need to boil full fat milk and add a solution of cold milk, vanilla custard powder, sugar and cardamom powder to it. Let it cool, refrigerate for 4-6 hours and then top it with fresh mango pieces and dry fruits. enjoy! Mango Kulfi: This is a traditional frozen mango dessert that celebrates the aroma of the fruit. It is made by mixing ripe mango puree, condensed milk, cardamom and finely chopped dry fruits. It has a dense texture and intense mango flavor and is best enjoyed as an after-meal dish. Mango Cheesecake: It is a modern dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe mangoes with creamy cheesecake layers of cream cheese and essences and a biscuit base. It is a no-bake dish that can be easily made at home.

This image is used for representation purpose only (AI-image)

NEW DELHI: It was May 4. Bharatiya Janata Party had scripted one of its biggest political breakthroughs in eastern India. In West Bengal, BJP dethroned Mamata Banerjee and ended the dominance of the Trinamool Congress in a result that dramatically altered the state’s political landscape. The slogan once weaponised against the BJP – ‘Khela Hobe’ appeared to come full circle as the saffron party celebrated a historic victory in Kolkata.Addressing jubilant party workers after the win, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, “Ganga se Gangasagar tak BJP ki vijay yatra ne naye itihaas ka nirman kiya hai.”

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On the same day, the BJP-led NDA also secured a third consecutive victory in Assam, further consolidating the party’s hold in the Northeast. “Assam blesses BJP-NDA once again!” PM Modi posted on X soon after the results.Yet, even as celebrations erupted across the two states, the electoral map in southern India told a sharply different story.In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the BJP once again failed to translate aggressive campaigning and high-decibel outreach into a major electoral breakthrough. Despite months of political mobilisation led by PM Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, the party failed to secure double-digit victories in the southern states that remain its most difficult political frontier.The setback was particularly striking in Tamil Nadu, where the BJP had hoped anti-incumbency against the ruling DMK and its alliance arithmetic would create space for expansion. Instead, the emergence of Vijay and his TVK dramatically reshaped the contest. The 2026 assembly elections once again underlined a political reality that has persisted despite the BJP’s rapid national rise: while the party has succeeded in expanding geographically across much of India, the South continues to operate through a distinctly different political grammar.Southern politics is shaped by regional identity, linguistic pride, welfare politics, strong state leadership and the enduring influence of cinema.

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Still, the BJP insists the southern story is unfinished. After the results, party president Nitin Nabin asserted confidently, “South India will also bloom with BJP’s lotus.”For BJP, however, the 2026 verdict raised a larger question: why does a party that dominates vast stretches of India continue to struggle in crossing the southern political barrier?

Southern wall BJP still cannot cross

Despite its extraordinary electoral expansion across northern, western and parts of eastern India over the last decade, BJP continues to face its most persistent resistance in southern India.Karnataka is still the party’s only major and durable success story in the region. Built through decades of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) groundwork, Lingayat support, urban consolidation and organisational depth, Karnataka gave the BJP a stable southern base that no other state has yet replicated.Elsewhere, the party’s growth has remained uneven.In Tamil Nadu, the party has struggled to independently emerge as a dominant force despite years of aggressive expansion efforts.In Kerala, it managed to secure its first-ever Lok Sabha seat only in 2024 through actor-politician Suresh Gopi’s victory in Thrissur but continues to struggle in assembly politics dominated by the Congress-led UDF and CPI(M)-led LDF. In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP’s fortunes have largely depended on alliances with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP), while in Telangana, an initial surge after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections lost momentum following the Congress resurgence in 2023.The BJP also attempted to counter accusations that it represented a ‘north Indian political imagination’ disconnected from southern linguistic and cultural sensitivities.PM Modi repeatedly invoked Tamil civilisation in speeches, praised Tamil as one of the world’s oldest languages and elevated Tamil cultural symbols onto the national stage. The installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building and initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam formed part of that broader outreach.Yet the electoral conversion remained limited.One major reason is that southern politics often prioritises regional identity, state autonomy and local leadership over centralised national narratives. For the BJP, the challenge in the South is no longer visibility. It is becoming organically rooted within political cultures that remain deeply regional in character.South campaign lacked Bengal-like intensityUnlike West Bengal, where the BJP ran an extraordinarily aggressive and centralised campaign, its southern push lacked the same electoral intensity and sustained ground mobilisation. In Bengal, Amit Shah spent nearly 15 days on the ground overseeing booth-level strategy, while the party deployed its full organisational machinery during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the election campaign. That same level of intense campaigning was found missing in the South.

Identity before ideology: Why southern politics works differently

One of the BJP’s biggest challenges in southern India lies in the region’s deeply entrenched linguistic and cultural politics, where regional identity often outweighs religious consolidation in shaping electoral behaviour.This divergence is most visible in Tamil Nadu, where the Dravidian movement transformed politics around Tamil identity, social justice and resistance to perceived central domination from Delhi.The anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s continue to influence political discourse even today. Resistance to Hindi is often framed not merely as a language debate but as a defence of regional identity and state autonomy.This explains why issues such as the three-language policy, NEET and delimitation continue to generate sharp political reactions.Ahead of the 2026 elections, DMK chief MK Stalin repeatedly accused the BJP of attempting to impose a northern cultural framework on southern states.“BJP leaders such as Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan come here and speak in favour of Hindi imposition through the three-language policy,” Stalin said during an election rally.

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The proposed delimitation exercise further intensified concerns across the South, with regional parties arguing that states which performed better on population control could eventually lose parliamentary representation.The ‘North versus South’ political narrative has also expanded beyond language into economic debates surrounding taxation and fiscal devolution.Tamil Nadu leaders repeatedly argued that the state receives disproportionately low financial returns despite contributing heavily to national tax revenues.

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DMK leader TKS Elangovan alleged that while Tamil Nadu receives ‘27 paise’ for every rupee contributed in taxes, states such as Uttar Pradesh receive significantly higher returns. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah similarly accused the Centre of causing a loss of over Rs 45,000 crore to the state through reduced tax devolution after the 15th Finance Commission.Even Karnataka has witnessed visible language assertion movements. In Bengaluru, pro-Kannada groups blackened Hindi signboards and protested against what they described as ‘growing linguistic imposition’.

Cinema, charisma and the southern political imagination

If regional identity shapes southern politics, cinema often shapes its emotional imagination.Few regions have witnessed as seamless a transition from film stardom to political leadership as South India. For decades, cinema has functioned not merely as entertainment but as a powerful vehicle of political mobilisation.Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh pioneered the actor-politician model through leaders such as M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran (MGR), J Jayalalithaa and NT Rama Rao (NTR), all of whom converted cinematic popularity into long-term political influence.Their success demonstrated how emotional familiarity and cultural connection could often outweigh ideological mobilisation.That political tradition continues even today.

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In Andhra Pradesh, actor Pawan Kalyan emerged as a key political player through the Jana Sena Party and later became deputy chief minister. In Kerala, actor Suresh Gopi delivered BJP its first-ever Lok Sabha seat from the state in 2024.The latest and perhaps most consequential entrant, however, is Vijay.Through TVK, Vijay transformed one of Tamil cinema’s largest fan bases into an organised political force that reshaped the 2026 electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu.Fan associations in southern India have historically functioned as proto-political organisations conducting welfare activities, building local networks and cultivating long-term emotional loyalty.For parties such as the BJP, this creates a distinct challenge. While PM Modi remains personally popular and capable of drawing large crowds, southern politics has historically rewarded leaders who are viewed as culturally embedded within the state itself rather than nationally projected figures alone.

Tamil Nadu: BJP’s 2026 reality check

The 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections exposed the limits of the BJP’s expansion strategy despite years of aggressive campaigning and organisational investment in the state.While the BJP celebrated landmark victories in West Bengal and Assam, its performance in Tamil Nadu remained modest. Contesting as part of the AIADMK-led NDA, the BJP won just one seat out of the 27 constituencies it contested. This reflected a decline from the four seats it held after the 2021 assembly elections.But the biggest political development was the rise of Vijay’s TVK.Within BJP circles, there had been expectations that Vijay’s entry would primarily split anti-DMK votes and indirectly aid the NDA. Instead, TVK emerged as an independent political force capable of attracting first-time voters, sections of youth and even portions of the traditional Dravidian support base. Vijay’s appeal went beyond conventional electoral arithmetic. Much like earlier actor-politicians in Tamil Nadu, he benefited from emotional familiarity, fan-club mobilisation and the perception of representing a fresh political alternative outside both the BJP and the established Dravidian parties.His rise also signalled the possibility that Tamil Nadu may slowly be entering a more fragmented post-DMK-versus-AIADMK political phase.

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Welfare politics and federal fault lines

Another major obstacle for the BJP in southern India has been the region’s deeply entrenched welfare-driven political culture, where elections are often shaped more by governance delivery and state-specific economic concerns than by ideological mobilisation alone.Across southern states, regional parties have historically built durable voter loyalty through expansive welfare programmes, subsidised services and targeted social schemes. From Tamil Nadu’s long-standing welfare model and Jayalalithaa’s ‘Amma’ schemes to Telangana’s cash-support programmes, governance delivery has remained central to electoral success.This has allowed regional parties to position themselves as protectors of state interests against what they describe as excessive centralisation by Delhi.There have been disputes over the Centre’s handling of education funding and language-linked policy. Tamil Nadu repeatedly accused the Union government of withholding funds under schemes such as the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) over disagreements surrounding the National Education Policy and the three-language formula.Left parties, particularly the CPM, also framed the BJP’s governance model as excessively centralised and argued that federal institutions were increasingly being weakened.

Kerala, Telangana and Andhra: BJP’s uneven southern experiment

Beyond Karnataka, the BJP’s southern expansion has remained uneven, highly state-specific and often dependent on alliances rather than independent organisational dominance.In Kerala, the party continues to face perhaps its toughest electoral terrain. The state’s politics has long been dominated by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPIM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), leaving limited political space for a third force.

The 2026 Kerala assembly elections offered the BJP a modest but symbolically significant breakthrough. The party won three assembly seats for the first time in the state’s history.In Telangana, the BJP appeared to emerge as a major force after its strong 2019 Lok Sabha performance, when it won four parliamentary seats and positioned itself as the principal challenger to K Chandrasekhar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). However, that momentum slowed significantly after the Congress returned to power in the 2023 assembly elections under Revanth Reddy.Internal leadership changes also affected the party’s momentum. The replacement of Bandi Sanjay Kumar with G Kishen Reddy as state BJP chief triggered dissatisfaction within sections of the cadre base, while the Congress successfully consolidated anti-incumbency sentiment against the BRS.In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP’s position has remained heavily dependent on alliances with Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP). The party has struggled to recover from backlash over the long-standing Special Category Status issue, with many voters viewing the BJP as having failed to fulfil promises made during Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation.

Karnataka: BJP’s southern exception

Karnataka remains the BJP’s most successful and durable experiment in southern India and the only southern state where the party has managed to build an independent, long-term political base.The BJP’s rise in the state was built gradually through decades of RSS organisational work, particularly in coastal Karnataka and urban centres such as Bengaluru. The party also consolidated strong support among sections of the influential Lingayat community while expanding its appeal among urban middle-class voters.Unlike Tamil Nadu or Kerala, Karnataka proved more receptive to national political narratives and Hindutva mobilisation.Even when the BJP lost assembly elections in Karnataka, it has historically remained highly competitive in parliamentary contests. This pattern became visible again after the Congress secured a sweeping victory in the 2023 assembly elections, winning 135 seats with around 43 per cent vote share, while the BJP was reduced to 66 seats.Karnataka too continues to display strong regional assertion.Pro-Kannada groups have repeatedly protested against the growing use of Hindi in public spaces, including incidents where Hindi signboards in Bengaluru were blackened during demonstrations.

That contradiction is politically significant. Karnataka shows that while the BJP can succeed in southern India, regional identity and linguistic sensitivity continue to remain powerful political forces even within the party’s strongest southern bastion.

Conclusion

The BJP’s southern challenge is no longer simply electoral. It is a contest against deeply embedded political ecosystems shaped by language, welfare politics, cinema, federal identity and regional pride.In much of northern India, the BJP successfully built a broad national political imagination. In the South, however, voters continue to reward parties and leaders who are seen as protectors of state identity and regional autonomy.The question now is whether the BJP can evolve from being viewed as a powerful national force into a party that southern voters also see as culturally rooted within their states. Because in southern India, electoral success is rarely decided by ideology alone, it is determined by who best understands the emotional, linguistic and political soul of the region.

May 23 is an important day full of memories and emotions for veteran Tollywood actor Nagarjuna. This date first became special in 1986 when the star started his journey as a lead actor with ‘Vikram’. The film launched a career that would continue to entertain audiences for decades.On the special occasion, Nagarjuna shared an emotional note on

‘Manam’ made this date even more special

Years later, with the release of ‘Manam’, the importance of May 23 increased even more. The film is one of the most emotional projects in the history of the Akkineni family. This was the last on-screen appearance of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The film brought together three generations of the Akkineni family. Nagarjuna shared screen space with his father ANR and his sons, Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni. He further added, “The day I had the honor of producing and releasing my great father’s last film Manam and that was the film in which I had the privilege of working with both my father and sons. Many years ago on 23rd May I got the opportunity to release my first film Vikram, a chance to entertain you, a chance to receive your blessings and love. My deepest gratitude to all the fans who have stood by me all these years. Looking forward to many more 23rd May films.”Naga Chaitanya also wrote to his ex (former handle), “From #Vikram to every subsequent milestone, setting trends with bold courageous steps has inspired me, filmmakers and generations. Thank you Raja @iamnagarjuna. Marking #12YearsForClassicManam #ANRliveson is a film that will always be special to me and it’s a privilege to be a part of it. This day of May 23rd will always be special :)”

Nagarjuna shared the teaser of ‘Lenin’

Today, Nagarjuna also released the teaser of his son Akhil Akkineni’s upcoming film ‘Lenin’. While sharing the trailer, he wrote, “Today, 23rd May, another day, Akhil and another surprise. Read more. Thank you.” Which loosely translates into English is, “Today, May 23, is the day my filmy journey began. Akhil gave me a little surprise, and it’s very pleasant and heart-touching to see it.” See for yourself. Our boy is coming…”Meanwhile, Nagarjuna is currently working on his upcoming film tentatively titled ‘King100’. This film also marks their reunion Puneet. The name of this film directed by Ra Karthik is speculated to be ‘Asurudu’.

Economic rankings rarely remain stable for long. A country may spend decades advancing rapidly through manufacturing, technology, and trade, only to slow down as population growth weakens or industries relocate elsewhere. By the end of this decade, the global balance is expected to look quite different from what it was in the early 2000s.According to a report discussed by World Economic ForumMany emerging economies are projected to move up the global GDP rankings by 2030, while some long-established industrial powers may slip a few places despite remaining economically influential. Much of that change is related to population size, urban expansion, productivity growth, and rising household consumption. Asia continues to dominate the conversation, although North America and parts of Europe are still expected to retain heavy financial and political weight.

Projected ranking of the world’s most powerful economies by 2030

World’s most powerful economies as per 2030 projections

1. ChinaChina is projected to remain the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity measures by 2030, continuing a trend that has accelerated over the past decade. Manufacturing scale still plays a large role, although the country’s economy is increasingly tied to technology, infrastructure investment and consumer spending.According to the World Economic Forum report, China’s economic size is expected to remain ahead of most competitors, even though growth rates are gradually slowing compared to earlier periods of rapid expansion. Concerns remain about debt, rising demographics and trade tensions, but the country’s industrial reach remains difficult to match.2. United States of AmericaThe United States is expected to remain among the world’s leading economic powers by 2030, despite stiff competition from Asia. Financial markets, research institutions, multinational companies, and the continued influence of the US dollar all help maintain that status quo.According to the World Economic Forum’s projections coverage, the United States is expected to remain at the top level globally, even if its relative edge diminishes. The country continues to attract investments in artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, defense technology and advanced computing, sectors that often shape broader economic impact beyond GDP rankings alone.3. IndiaIt is estimated that India will be among the top three economies globally by 2030. This change represents more than simple population growth. Expanding digital infrastructure, rising urban demand and growing middle-income population are all contributing factors behind this projection.The World Economic Forum report suggests that India could overtake many advanced economies in the coming years as consumption grows internally rather than relying solely on exports. Services, telecommunications, finance, and manufacturing have all expanded unevenly but consistently enough to reshape long-term expectations about the country’s position in the global economy.4. JapanJapan is also projected to remain among the leading global economies despite ongoing demographic pressure and slow population growth.The country still maintains a strong position in robotics, automotive production, electronics and advanced manufacturing. Although its economy may not expand as rapidly as younger emerging markets, Japan’s industrial base remains highly influential internationally.5. GermanyGermany is expected to remain one of the world’s largest economies until 2030, although growth may continue at a slower pace than faster-growing Asian markets.Growing demographics and industrial change remain long-term concerns. Nevertheless, Germany has considerable strengths in manufacturing, engineering, exports, and industrial technology, placing it at the center of Europe’s economic structure.6. RussiaRussia is projected to remain among the world’s leading economies by 2030 in the rankings referenced by the World Economic Forum.Energy exports continue to shape Russia’s international economic position. At the same time, sanctions, geopolitical tensions and volatile commodity markets have increased uncertainty over future growth.7. IndonesiaIndonesia is one of the countries that is expected to grow rapidly by 2030. Large population size, growing cities and strong domestic demand have put the country alongside large emerging markets in long-term forecasts.Its economy has historically been heavily dependent on commodities and exports, although in recent years there has been a greater focus on manufacturing and infrastructure. The report places Indonesia among the economies expected to become more important globally by the end of the decade.8. BrazilAccording to projections highlighted in the report, Brazil remains one of the largest economies in Latin America and is expected to be in the global top 10 by 2030.Its agricultural exports, energy resources and large consumer market continue to support its long-term economic importance despite political and financial instability.9. United KingdomThe United Kingdom is expected to maintain its position among the world’s leading economies by 2030, largely supported by financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals and international investment links.London’s continued role as a financial center remains important to the country’s global economic influence, even though growth rates remain relatively moderate compared to some emerging economies.10. FranceFrance is also projected to remain among the top 10 economies globally by 2030.Industries such as aerospace, luxury goods, tourism, agriculture and energy continue to support the French economy. Although growth is expected to remain stable rather than rapid, France still wields significant economic influence throughout Europe and internationally.

Announcing the elevation of their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, India and Cyprus wish to open a new chapter in bilateral relations. The announcement came after talks between PM Modi and visiting Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides in New Delhi. According to senior Cypriot officials, both sides are looking to promote bilateral investment, including Indian investment in Cyprus in sectors ranging from defense to tourism.Given Cyprus’ geostrategic position on the edge of West Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the conflict in Iran, Nicosia wants to enhance its defense capabilities using financial assistance from the EU SAFE program – Cyprus is entitled to a loan of 1.2 billion euros under this item. Importantly, not being a NATO member, Cyprus enjoys greater flexibility in defense procurement as opposed to rigid NATO standards. This opens up opportunities for Indian defense manufacturers. Plus, the elephant in the room is the turkey. India fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus. This situation overshadows the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Additionally, since India’s Operation Sindoor last year and Türkiye’s overt and covert stance towards Pakistan, New Delhi-Ankara relations have cooled. This in turn is providing impetus to geo-strategic projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor or IMEC, which Ankara opposes. IMEC has received further impetus in the light of the Iran war, which has promoted the search for alternative trade routes and supply chains. Cyprus, as the entry point to Europe, is a key pillar of IMEC. Notably, there is no Chinese stake in Cyprus ports. At the same time, as Cyprus has worked to virtually eliminate the Russian stake in the Cyprus banking system – Russian deposits have declined from 87% to about 1% – Nicosia has given strong, principled support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression against that country. Nicosia is now looking to begin construction of IMEC’s ​​foundational blocks, particularly through attractive private investment. True, the Iran war and the existing complications between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates act as obstacles. That is why Cyprus is ready to start work on the European part of the corridor first. For India, IMEC presents a huge opportunity, especially in the light of the recent India-EU Free Trade Agreement. But competing trade corridors such as China’s Belt and Road could undermine IMEC’s ​​takeoff. The China-Pakistan-Russia-Türkiye corridor directly challenges the US-backed India-Middle East-Cyprus-Europe. In this backdrop, India and Cyprus are coming together to secure supply chains, diversify trade routes and promote regional security, acting as a counter force against China’s weaponisation of economic interdependence, Turkey’s maneuvers in West Asia and Pakistan’s machinations.

Kosuke Kiryu’s children Kanato and Reina attend the Canadian International School where they are immersed in a global curriculum. On Saturdays, they attend JSS, which serves approximately 130 Japanese students. JSS helps Japanese parents and their children stay connected to their roots. Kosuke’s wife Ayake has made a lot of friends at JSS.

Many Japanese families in Bengaluru try to preserve the routines that make life feel stable.Shoes are left neatly at the entrance. Bento-style lunches packed for school or work. Seasonal customs are observed even when the weather outside does not match Japan’s memory. Spring festivals can be celebrated under the tropical sun. Children may speak Japanese at home, English at school and learn some Kannada or Hindi from drivers, neighbors and shopkeepers.Seven-year-old Japanese girl Konatsu Hasegawa won huge applause when she introduced herself in Kannada during the Kannada Rajyotsava function at her school last year.The Japanese presence in Bengaluru has increased with the city’s rise as a technology and manufacturing hub. Engineers, automotive experts, electronics professionals, business executives and their families have come together with companies who see Bengaluru as a place for innovation and long-term investment.Some people stay for a year or two, others much longer. Over time, what started as corporate migration became a community with its own habits, support systems, and familiar places.raising children in a distant country Yoshiki Hayashi’s children, Miyu and Sosuke, look forward to attending Japanese classes on the weekends at the Japanese Supplementary School (JSS). “We learn Japanese at Hosha Jugi (JSS),” says Miyu.The classes conducted by TRIO World Academy’s Sahakarnagar campus follow a curriculum approved by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) and overseen by the Japanese Consulate.Hayashi believes this initiative is important for families hoping to have their children return to Japan and re-enter the school system there.Kosuke Kiryu, chairman of the JSS’s management committee, has two children—Kanato, 14, and Rina, 9. Kiryu and his family are originally from Kagoshima, famous for Sakurajima, an active volcano, and its many relaxing hot springs (onsens). He works as the managing director of Tanita India and moved to Bengaluru two years ago. Citing his family’s example, Kiryu says JSS helps Japanese parents and children stay connected to their roots.The campus comes alive on weekends with a variety of sporting and cultural events, including traditional drumming sessions and activities that foster a sense of community and belonging.At JSS Sports Day, Grade 4 student Miyu wins a prize in a three-legged race with Hayashi. Hayashi and her children woke up early and practiced in their apartment at Brigade Cosmopolis in Whitefield well before the show. Hayashi smiles, “We aligned our bodies and minds, and practiced in harmony, aiming for victory.” He further said that it is more than a race and has deeper meanings.Like Miyu and Sosuke, most Japanese children learn their lessons in active lifestyles from playgrounds at an early age.How Terashima Found His Tribe Community life often gathers around schools, cultural associations, language circles, company networks, WhatsApp groups and informal gatherings.Koken Terashima from Tokyo, who has been in Bengaluru for the last two years, keeps in touch with friends through social media. “I also attend Buddhist ceremonies and festivals like Vesak and temple ceremonies,” he says.

Koken Terashima and his family, from Tokyo, are actively engaged in Japanese community activities

Restaurants are another important part of community life. Bengaluru has developed a vibrant Japanese food scene over the years, ranging from sushi bars in luxury hotels to small restaurants serving ramen, donburi, karaage, curry rice and teishoku cuisine. For the city’s Japanese residents, these places are not only about authenticity but also about comfort.A bowl of miso soup, grilled fish with rice, or a simple plate of curry can provide relief from homesickness after a long workday.And some people, like Terashima, don’t miss their homeland. Terashima is concerned about Bengaluru’s lack of water and vehicular roads, but despite such infrastructural inadequacies, he loves the city.Food, an anchor of identityThe Japanese expatriate community at Phoenix One Bengaluru West stays connected through a WhatsApp group. “There are about 110 Japanese nationals in our apartment.They go shopping by taxi, and on alternate days a car brings them Japanese groceries and food; One person has been running this delivery business continuously for about five years,” says resident N Ramakrishnan.Japanese residents in Bengaluru often seek out stores that stock imported staples: short-grain rice, miso, soy sauce, mirin, dashi, seaweed, tofu, curry roux, panko, noodles and green tea.“We shop at local supermarkets where you get fresh produce and international ingredients. We also buy from e-commerce sites like Licious.in and MainDish.in,” says Kiryu.Wang Tuo makes nutrient-rich miso soup for her husband, Hiromichi, who is from Fukui, Japan. Hiromichi eats rice balls and vegetables for lunch.Some people buy local vegetables that resemble familiar produce at home or learn to cook from what is available: Indian spinach in place of Japanese greens, local mushrooms instead of shimeji, river fish or imported seafood, depending on budget and access.Indiranagar resident Hiroki Emoto, who works at Sunpark, a Japanese restaurant chain, orders groceries online.“E-commerce sites like Blinkit deliver very fast and I’m really impressed with their service,” he says, adding that expedited delivery also exists in Japan, but it is unreasonably expensive. “For example, a small bottle of water may cost you Rs 100,” he says.

Hiroki Emoto likes Bengaluru’s weather but says unlike Japan, its seasons all look the same

Hiroki finds Indian food delicious but too spicy for his liking. He says, “I ask for zero spicy food. It still tastes too spicy.”Her favorite Indian food includes dosa and halwa. He usually eats dosa with a spoon, although with Indian friends he tries to eat it with his hands.Finding Ikigai amidst challenges Ikigai is a Japanese philosophical term meaning ‘that which makes life worth living’. Simply put, this is the reason you wake up in the morning. Japanese people believe that even small happiness matters. Together, they live a fulfilling life.Nagasaki resident Haruka Nagahashi says her ikigai is watching someone smile and take their first sip of matcha, a green tea of ​​Japanese origin.Nagahashi, founder of Teka, a matcha café in Indiranagar, says his journey has been full of discoveries. “What I love most about Bengaluru is the energy and openness of the people.

Bengaluru is a city of possibilities, says Nagasaki-based Haruka Nagahashi, founder of Teka, a matcha café in Indiranagar.

There is a strong sense of possibility here and people are very supportive of new ideas.” She sometimes misses Japan, especially the weather, food, and attention to detail. Meanwhile, she feels at home in Bengaluru, which offers tremendous opportunities or growth both personally and professionally.Running a café can be challenging, she says, but it is also very gratifying. Apart from work, she tries to take out small moments to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.Nagahashi is full of a strong sense of purpose and is the epitome of ikigai in many ways. She blends what she likes, what she’s good at, what the world needs, and what she can get paid for, skillfully and carefully, just like she crafts every cup of matcha.There are challenges, including traffic, infrastructure and sometimes the unpredictability of daily life. “Things are less structured in Bengaluru compared to Japan, but that also makes life here more dynamic,” says the 32-year-old.This is a story of routine, adaptation and quiet continuity. In a city built by migration and reconstruction, the Japanese community has made its home not by recreating Japan, but by carefully carrying forward its traditions and adopting local culture.

The crowd in the theater as King Charles makes his surprise entry in a Shakespeare performance / Image Credit: @TheRoyalFamily

The audience expected a night of Shakespeare. What they didn’t expect was that the King of the United Kingdom would quietly walk into the theater just moments before the curtain rose.King Charles III surprised theater audiences by making an unannounced appearance at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s sold-out performance of The Tempest at the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre, instantly turning a routine theater night into a royal moment, leaving the audience cheering and clamoring for photographs. The king arrived quietly before taking a seat among the general audience rather than in a large royal box or separate VIP section. Eyewitnesses said that as soon as people realized who had entered the auditorium, applause began. Many spectators present in the stalls and dress circle immediately took out their phones to capture this rare moment. charles He was seated between the Royal Shakespeare Company’s co-artistic directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, while acclaimed director Sir Richard Eyre was also nearby.

kenneth branaghDisplay of

The sold-out production stars Kenneth Branagh as Prospero, marking the actor’s first performance in the iconic Shakespearean role.The play, one of William Shakespeare’s last and most famous works, has become one of Britain’s biggest theater attractions this season, with audiences flocking to Stratford-upon-Avon for tickets. Branagh is already considered one of the most influential Shakespearean actors and directors of the modern era, having spent decades performing and adapting Shakespeare’s works for both stage and screen. Reports state that The Tempest is his 35th Shakespeare production in his entire career. The production is scheduled to run until June 20, with several performances already heavily booked.

King’s relationship with the Royal Shakespeare Company

The visit also highlighted the King’s long-standing relationship with British arts and theater institutions.King Charles III became Patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2024, taking over the role previously held by Queen Elizabeth II, who had served as patron since the company’s creation in 1961. The Royal Shakespeare Theater itself is one of Britain’s most important cultural landmarks and is located in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.Royal appearances at theater performances are not unusual, but such surprise visits are rare, especially at public performances where the audience becomes aware of the royal guest’s arrival only after the event.The appearance also comes during a particularly active public period for Charles, who recently made headlines after unexpectedly engaging in a ukulele performance during a royal visit to Northern Ireland.

Audience reactions after King’s surprise

Within minutes of King’s arrival, photos and video from inside the theater began circulating online, with many viewers describing the experience as “surreal” and “unforgettable”.For many attendees, the evening suddenly became something much bigger than a Shakespeare performance. Some described this moment as a once-in-a-lifetime theater experience, especially because the visit had been kept a complete secret in advance.This surprise appearance added another wave of publicity to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest production, at a time when British theater is seeing renewed public interest in large-scale Shakespeare performances.For Stratford-upon-Avon, already one of the UK’s largest cultural tourism centres, the royal presence quickly became headline news on UK media and social platforms.

GT’s Shubman Gill, RCB’s Rajat Patidar and SRH’s Pat Cummins (Image: X&IPL)

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore have enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, topping the points table and looking every bit a strong contender to retain their crown. But history shows that finishing first does not necessarily guarantee title success in the Indian Premier League. Instead, an interesting playoff statistic points towards Gujarat Titans as the team most likely to lift the trophy this season.RCB, GT and Sunrisers Hyderabad all finished the league stage with 18 points, although RCB took the top spot due to a better net run rate. Meanwhile, the battle for the final playoff spot is still alive Rajasthan Royals Currently in fourth place with 14 points. Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals are still mathematically in contention with three league matches left. IPL The tournament introduced its current playoff structure in 2011, replacing the old knockout system used during the first three seasons. Under the previous format, the top four teams advanced directly to the knockout semi-finals, where a single loss meant elimination even for the table-toppers. To reward consistency during the league stage, the BCCI implemented the existing four-match playoff system featuring Qualifier 1, Eliminator and Qualifier 2. This structure gives the top two teams two opportunities to reach the finals, while the third and fourth placed teams must survive in sudden-death matches throughout. Interestingly, the second-placed team has emerged IPL champion more times than any other team since the playoff format was introduced in 2011.IPL title winners based on final position of league stage (since 2011): 1st place: 5 titles, 2nd place: 9 titles, 3rd place: 1 title, 4th place: 0 titles

This statistic could be quite beneficial for Gujarat Titans if they eventually finish second in the playoffs.Even last season, RCB’s first IPL win came after finishing second in the table. Although PBKS finished level on points with RCB, Punjab claimed the top spot due to better net run rate. RCB then defeated PBKS in Qualifier 1 and then defeated them in the final to win their long-awaited first title.Historically, finishing first has not always been in RCB’s favour. In 2011, they topped the league table but lost to Chennai Super Kings in the final. In 2016, they finished second and went straight to the finals after winning Qualifier 1, but lost to SRH.Mumbai Indians, the most successful franchise along with CSK, have also demonstrated the importance of finishing in the top two. Mumbai won two of its five titles after finishing second and three after finishing first.Gujarat Titans themselves enjoyed a dream debut campaign in 2022 when they finished as table-toppers and won the title in their inaugural season by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the final.Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad remains the only team to win the IPL after starting with the eliminator route. SRH defeated RCB in the 2016 final, despite RCB finishing second in the standings.

RCB bowling dominance vs Gujarat Titans advantage in playoffs: Who wins IPL 2026?

The road to the Indian Premier League 2026 final is about to heat up as Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday, May 26. The stake cannot be higher than this. The winner will book a direct spot in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31, while the losing team will have another chance through Qualifier 2.Why Gujarat Titans can get the biggest lead in the playoffs?If Gujarat Titans defeat RCB in Qualifier 1, they can reach the final with a huge lead, given their familiarity with the conditions in Ahmedabad, which they have transformed into a fortress this season. GT won five of its seven home matches during the league stage, while losing only twice at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Their dominant home record shows how easily the team has adapted to the pitch conditions, dimensions and pressure of playing in front of a packed Ahmedabad crowd.This advantage becomes even more significant as the history of the IPL playoffs favors the top two finishing teams, especially the second placed teams. Since the playoff system was introduced in 2011, second-placed teams have won the IPL title more times than table-toppers.RCB’s strongest title defense in yearsHowever, RCB enter the playoffs with tremendous momentum after finishing as league-stage table toppers while chasing consecutive IPL titles following their historic win in 2025. For years, RCB’s bowling attack was seen as the franchise’s biggest weakness. In IPL 2026, this has arguably become their biggest strength.RCB leads the tournament with 27 powerplay wickets, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood consistently dismantling the opposition batting line-up quickly. Bhuvneshwar currently tops the season’s leading wicket-takers, while Hazlewood’s experience has added control and aggression with the new ball.Their batting has also developed into a much more balanced unit Virat Kohli. Unlike last season, where Kohli often lacked support in crucial matches, RCB now have a strong middle order, bearing in mind the heartbreaking 2016 final defeat where the batsmen collapsed. Rajat PatidarJitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya and tim david.The defending champions have looked far more complete this season, with balance, depth and pace, they can certainly win their second IPL title.SRH will face the toughest road to the playoffsMeanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad will have to go through a tough eliminator route after finishing third. SRH are scheduled to play an eliminator against the team claiming the fourth playoff spot on May 27 in Mullanpur. Historically, that path has proven extremely challenging. Only one team in IPL playoff history has won the title after starting in the eliminator, SRH in 2016.That memorable season culminated with a famous final win over RCB, a result that could provide psychological confidence if the two sides meet again in the playoffs later on. SRH also defeated RCB in their last league-stage encounter this season, further strengthening their confidence of reaching the knockouts.Nevertheless, with playoff history firmly in favor of the top-two teams and Gujarat Titans potentially enjoying home conditions in the final, GT could quietly emerge as the strongest statistical favorite to win IPL 2026, even as RCB’s dominance and SRH’s recent resurgence keep the title race wide open.