The movement on World Environment Day said the tree-based farming model promoted by Save Soil-Cauvery Calling has increased farm income in the Cauvery basin from about Rs 30,000 to Rs 2.5-3 lakh per acre.“Tree-based agriculture is an economic solution to an ecological problem,” said Anand Ethirajalu, project director of Save Soil-Kaveri Calling. He urged the government to accelerate farmer-friendly policies and incentives. The movement is recognized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the United Nations Environment Programme.A major beneficiary, farmer Valluvan of Pollachi, transformed a loss-making coconut monoculture into a diverse food forest in 2009. He now grows 13 species including nutmeg, several varieties of banana, fruit trees, betel nut, curry leaves, turmeric and elephant yam. Valluvan says his earnings increased from about Rs 30,000 per acre to Rs 2.5-3 lakh per acre annually. The organic carbon in the soil of his farm increased from about 0.52% to 3.36%, while coconut yields increased from about 100 nuts per tree to about 160, and average nut weight increased from about 400 grams to 550 grams.Valluvan’s regenerative practices, mulching, cover-cropping and rainwater harvesting helped his farm survive the 2017 drought and reduce erosion during heavy rains. Their restoration work is documented in the UNCCD-WOCAT global database and certified by the Tamil Nadu Organic Certification Department. He now trains other farmers on this model.Save Soil-Kaveri Calling aims to plant 242 crore trees in the fields of Cauvery Basin. To date it has supported 2.6 lakh farmers and enabled the planting of 13.4 crore trees. The movement runs Asia’s largest single-site nursery in Cuddalore, managed by over 200 women, with a production capacity of 85 lakh plants; A second nursery in Tiruvannamalai produces 15 lakh saplings.The nurseries supply saplings through 45 distribution centers in Tamil Nadu and eight in Karnataka. Farmers can choose from 54 varieties, which include 29 wood species like teak, red sandalwood, rosewood and mahogany. A subsidy of Rs 5 is given on timber saplings and Rs 10 on fruit and flower saplings, said operations head Tamizhamaran.The movement says more than 200 regional officials will visit more than 26,500 farms in 2025 to provide free consultations before and after planting covering soil type, depth, water conditions and species recommendations. It also runs 225 WhatsApp groups that provide real-time assistance to over 60,000 farmers and a daily helpline from 9 am to 9 pm.In 2025, three mega training programs reached over 14,000 farmers with experts from institutions including IISR, IIHR, KFRI, ICFRE, TNAU and Central Ground Water Board. Save Soil-Kaveri Calling is part of the broader Save Soil movement, along with Save Soil Regenerative Revolution (SS-RR) and Save Soil Farmers Movement, which focus on regenerative farming training and organizing farmer producer organizations, respectively.As of March 31, 2026, SS-RR reported 532 training programs reaching 40,311 farmers, 54,982 farmers added to WhatsApp advisory groups, 185 farmers completed three-month internships, and created a digital library of 1,260 technical videos with 296 million views and 1.18 million subscribers.

Taylor Swift has reportedly dumped Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, while wedding plans with Travis Kelce are in full swing. (Image via X)

Millions of people are waiting for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to tie the knot as it looks like they’ve immersed themselves in planning their big, fat wedding.As rumors continue to spread about which high profile guests will be invited to her lavish wedding, it looks like the billionaire pop star has made it clear how she feels about popular Hollywood actress Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may be considering staying away from Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds ahead of their wedding

A few weeks ago, according to Rob Shuter, a source revealed, “He’s not invited. Period…”“Taylor wants a drama-free day, and she doesn’t trust Blake or Ryan anymore,” the source said.According to Rob Shuter, the source added, “There has been an emotional gap for a long time…Rebuilding trust doesn’t seem possible right now.”Over the past year and a half, there have been several rumors that popular actress Blake Lively reportedly wants to get back in touch with billionaire pop star, Taylor Swift.But it seems the pop star has shut down all such efforts as both he and Kansas City Chiefs star player and popular tight end Travis Kelce have remained silent.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoy their engagement phase before the wedding

While rumors are swirling about their wedding, it looks like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are enjoying their pre-wedding days.Just weeks after they were spotted attending an NBA game together, the Kansas City Chiefs star players opened up about it, saying, “Not a lot of teams have been able to get Taylor to wear a jersey, and the Knicks did that…”Travis Kelce added, “Tay has a lot of New York ties, so when it came to why he liked going to a Cavs game, he was like, ‘Oh cool, they’re playing the Knicks, like sweet! I’ve seen them play before.’…”As the two continue to make headlines for their date nights in New York City, billions of fans are waiting to see their wedding photos as the two have stepped up their security measures for the same.

MUMBAI: Caught between a slowing economy and the threat of fresh price hikes due to conflict in West Asia, the RBI on Friday left the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, cut its growth forecast for fiscal 2027 and raised inflation estimates, while signaling that inflation risks could spread beyond fuel and commodities to the entire economy if supply-side pressures persist.Governor Sanjay Malhotra refrained from tightening policy but left no doubt that the central bank is wary of “normalizing” inflation. While high oil prices and disrupted supply chains have already begun to drive up costs, the Monetary Policy Committee preferred to wait for more clarity on the duration and intensity of the conflict before taking action.“Although the impact of cost pressures is beginning to be visible, further disruptions are likely to weigh on economic activity, including increases in energy and other input prices,” the governor said.The MPC voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintain the neutral stance. The decision reflects an effort by the central bank to balance inflation risks against emerging signs of a slowdown in economic activity. Citing the deteriorating global environment, the RBI has reduced its growth forecast for fiscal year 2027 to 6.6% from the earlier estimated 6.9%. Quarterly growth is now estimated at 6.6% in Q1, 6.3% in Q2, 6.5% in Q3 and 6.8% in Q4. The downgrade marks the RBI’s acknowledgment that the economic fallout from the conflict is no longer limited to energy markets. “Disruptions in global supply chains, volatility in global financial markets and weather-related shocks are posing downside risks to the domestic growth outlook,” Governor Malhotra said.The inflation outlook has deteriorated further. The RBI raised its FY27 CPI inflation forecast to 5.1% from 4.6%, a 50-basis-point revision that largely reflects the rise in crude oil prices. The Indian basket has averaged around $110 a barrel over the past two months, much higher than the $85 assumption used in the April policy review. Malhotra hinted at policy action if prices remain stable. Food inflation is further threatened by a weak monsoon-El Nino combination. RBI now sees inflation at 4.2% in Q1, 5.1% in Q2, 5.9% in Q3 and 5.4% in Q4, with core inflation at 4.7%. At present, Mint Road is on fire. But if input-cost inflation spreads and expectations tighten, growth support could be helpful in fighting inflation. The RBI argued that India is entering this turmoil with stronger fundamentals than previous oil shocks and is ready to readjust policy as the situation evolves.

India’s struggles under new head coach Khalid Jamil continued as the Blue Tigers suffered a 1-3 defeat against higher-ranked Tajikistan in the first of two international football friendlies at the Talco Arena in Tursunzoda on Friday.

The defeat is India’s third consecutive defeat in international friendlies after their disappointing campaign at the Unity Cup 2026 in London, where they lost to Jamaica 0-2 and Zimbabwe 0-1 without scoring any goals.

Tajikistan took control of the contest early when Sheridin Bobov converted a penalty in the ninth minute to give the hosts the lead. India struggled to get off to a meaningful start against a disciplined Tajik defense in the first half and trailed by a goal at the break.

The host team strengthened its hold on the match by scoring two more goals within six minutes after the resumption of the match. Mekhrubon Karimov doubled Tajikistan’s lead in the 61st minute, before Ehsan Panjshanbay effectively sealed the result with the third goal in the 67th minute.

India showed some fight in the closing stages and managed to pull one back through substitute Farooq Choudhary. The forward scored India’s first goal in the last three matches with a brilliant finish from a free-kick in the 88th minute, but it proved to be no more than a consolation.

The friendly formed part of India’s preparations for the upcoming continental assignment, with Jamil continuing to assess his squad and experiment with combinations against quality opposition.

Despite the defeat, the Indian coach will take some positives from the second half response as his team looked to take the lead after the break. However, defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack once again proved costly against a well-organized Tajikistan outfit.

The two teams will meet again in the second and final friendly match on June 9, giving India another chance to end their losing streak and build momentum ahead of future international commitments.

– ends

Canadian man shares experience of staying in Bengaluru with wife’s family, says he loves Cubbon Park.

A Canadian man shares his experience of permanently relocating to Bengaluru, India with his wife and how his first five months in India have been both frustrating and rewarding. Five months passed but the man could not open a bank account. He is a foreigner and now he needs Aadhar card and PAN in India, so he had to make a lot of trips to the bank. The man said, international cards are not accepted and no one has cash so his wife pays for everything.“I went to a bank to open an account. The lady at the counter told me they don’t open accounts for foreigners. That’s not true. Came back a few days later and was told I needed to register with the FRRO. This meant a lot of hooping on the government portal and asking my parents to apply for my marriage certificate in Canada. Got FRRO, went back to bank, now they need Aadhaar and PAN. 182 days are required for Aadhaar in the country. So 5 months in, I still can’t pay for things. International cards aren’t really accepted outside of delivery apps, and cash doesn’t work since no one has change. My wife pays for everything when we’re out,” he wrote on Reddit.The Canadian man is also dissatisfied with the products available in India, as he says there are a lot of lies and pretenses involved. On a regular basis, he faces a language barrier and has no real friends in India, but he said that both he and his wife had quit jobs before coming to India and now they are organizing outings at Cubbon Park, groups for rock climbing, etc.

‘Still the right call…’

The Canadian said that despite all the shortcomings, he thinks they made the right call. The cost of living is much lower than Toronto and it’s the startup energy in Bengaluru that they are liking. “Despite all this, I still think we made the right decision. The cost of living is much lower than Toronto, so our runway is quite long here. Hiring a maid frees up a lot of time. South Indian food is incredible. Genuine ingredients and very affordable. I can eat ghee puri masala dosa every day. Since I’ve been here, I’ve lost 14 pounds. And almost everyone I meet here is building something. So many founders. That’s the energy I wanted to be around,” he wrote.“It took 5 months, but I’m finally getting into a nice rhythm and working on something that excites me. No commute. No committee saying no to every idea. No panic attacks like I used to have at my banking job. I can go to the gym in the afternoon, take the afternoon off, work late, whatever I want. The bad things are mostly one-time annoyances. The good things are doing what I love.” Want to do every day on our schedule. This is the right place for us right now. Whether it’s forever, who knows. Air quality and traffic are real concerns, especially for children,” he said.

Srinagar: The women’s wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), one of the region’s largest religious organizations with a strong grassroots presence, has criticized the Union Territory’s move to allow the sale of liquor, arguing it could lead to social problems and warning of protests if it is not reconsidered.The women’s wing of the LBA called for strengthening efforts against drug trafficking by targeting supply chains rather than expanding legal alcohol access. The sale of liquor was allowed under a new excise policy approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena on May 31 to curb “the increasing dependence on narcotics and drugs in the Ladakh region and to give people a wider choice of liquor with lower alcohol content”.Till now only beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages were allowed to be retailed through shops, except in Leh where there was no partial restriction. Under the new policy, 20 liquor shops will be opened, which are now only two in Leh.The LBA women’s wing pointed out that there are limited entry and exit points into Ladakh – mainly Leh airport, Manali-Leh highway and Srinagar-Leh highway. “Increased surveillance can curb the inflow of narcotics and illicit substances into the area to a great extent,” the wing said in a statement.The LBA wing argued that the argument that increased availability of alcohol could serve as a substitute for drugs is illogical and that one social problem cannot be solved by introducing another.The LBA wing said the increased availability of alcohol would have serious long-term social and economic consequences on Ladakh, especially its youth. It warns of increase in domestic violence, increase in road accidents, greater pressure on law enforcement agencies, adverse effects on the psychological well-being of children, increase in crime rates and increase in rehabilitation and health care costs for the government if the sale of liquor is allowed.According to the LBA wing, women have been at the forefront of preserving the social fabric of Ladakh by preventing the dowry system from taking root in the region, campaigning against plastic bags and creating awareness against drugs and alcohol. The LBA wing said that if liquor concerns were ignored, women would launch peaceful protests, including rallies and voluntary market closures, to thwart a policy detrimental to the social and cultural well-being of the region.A government statement on the new policy said its approval followed meetings with civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations, medical experts, public representatives and officials in recent months. Under the policy, liquor consumption has also been allowed within hotels, while guest houses and homestays can get licenses to sell liquor for the first time.

Sikhs in Southampton say they are living in fear and avoiding going out after a Sikh man named Vikram Singh Digwa was jailed for the murder of student Henry Novak. Sikh community leaders are warning of increasing racial abuse and intimidation in the city.Community representatives told The Times that many Sikhs are now reluctant to leave their homes, with some afraid to walk to gurudwaras or visit elderly relatives outside alone. Incidents of abuse in workplaces and public spaces have increased, while a planned memorial event for a man from the Sikh community was canceled due to security concerns.A spokesperson for Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar in Southampton said the situation had left people feeling targeted. “We are feeling victimized and people are afraid to come out of their homes. The gurudwara is empty because people will not walk here.”The spokesperson spoke candidly about several incidents of racial abuse, including in the workplace and in supermarkets. “Two people were called p***s at the Southampton cruise terminal where they work, and another person was shopping in Tesco and someone said to them: ‘You don’t need to be here.’ A man working in a care home was refused care because he wore a turban.He said that public discussion about the murder case has increased tension. “This far-right movement has really filled everyone with hatred towards Sikhs, through no fault of ours. We have never been exposed for the wrong reasons, we always lived in Southampton and were friends, and with just one isolated incident Sikhs are bad. Especially the men, who have turbans and beards and kirpans, they are afraid to go out.“He also said that there were no previous problems associated with Kirpan: “But politicians and social media and news, it’s all Sikh, Sikh, Sikh and it’s just against Sikhs. It’s the way social media and politicians have used their words and they have instilled negativity in everyone around Sikhs.”The fears arose after 23-year-old Vikram Digva was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Novak, who was stabbed with a 21 cm Sikh ceremonial dagger known as a kirpan as he walked home from a night out. Digwa later claimed that the victim had racially attacked him. This claim was rejected in the court.Following the killing, an anti-police protest in Southampton on Tuesday erupted into rioting, attended by far-right figures, leaving 11 officers and a police dog injured and several arrests.Police bodyworn footage released this week shows a wounded Novak being handcuffed and interrogated despite repeatedly saying he had been stabbed and was pleading for medical attention, saying he couldn’t breathe. An officer was heard saying: “I don’t think you have, buddy.” He later died of blood loss on the road.The murder and its aftermath have shocked the Sikh community. A member of Gurudwara Nanaksar said the community was in shock and urged solidarity. “It was not the kirpan that did it; it was the person who did it. I am very sad to see people protesting why Sikhs are allowed to carry the kirpan. This is not a kirpan issue; it is a humanitarian issue. The saber is a spiritual object. The murderer should be punished no matter which community he belongs to. We all need to stand together against crime.”A neighbor of Digwa’s family said: “For me personally, I can’t understand it. How can you think it’s a good idea to use a weapon when there is a dispute?”One of the officers involved in the case had resigned last year, while three others remain in service.