Vaibhav Suryavanshi (ANI photo)

Royal Challengers Bangalore may have retained the IPL trophy, but according to former England captain and Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batsman jos buttlerOne teen eclipsed every other story in the tournament. Speaking on the YouTube podcast For the Love of Cricket, Buttler reflected on the recently concluded IPL 2026 season and had special praise for 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose remarkable campaign captured the imagination of cricket fans around the world. Discussing RCB’s successful title defense and their defeat to Gujarat Titans in the final, Buttler made it clear that Suryavanshi’s performance stands above everything else. “RCB won the trophy and they are the story of the IPL. But Vaibhav is almost the IPL this year. He is the story of the tournament. MVP, 700-plus runs and a faster strike rate than everyone else. It was amazing to watch,” he said. Although Rajasthan Royals were not involved in the title match, Suryavanshi was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the final on Sunday. The teenage sensation watched the match with ICC President Jay Shah before receiving five major individual awards for a season which saw several records. Their numbers reflect the scale of their dominance. Suryavanshi scored 776 runs at a whopping strike rate of 237.3 during the season and cleared the ropes 72 times. His performances earned him the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player Award, Emerging Player Award, Super Striker Award and the distinction of finishing as the leading six-hitter of the tournament. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes that the influence of this young player has extended far beyond the IPL. Broad suggested that Suryavanshi could be the first cricketer to achieve worldwide fame before earning an international cap. “I said in my last podcast that I have never seen a player become an international star without playing international cricket. In England, people are talking about him. They may not even be IPL fans, but they are saying, ‘Oh my God, have you seen Sooryavanshi? He is incredible.’ He has become a world star. “Not like Kohli or anything, but he is probably the first player to become a world star without playing international cricket,” Broad said. Butler also told how tremendous the popularity of Suryavanshi has become in India. Recalling the Rajasthan Royals match in Kolkata, he said it was impossible for the young player to ignore the crowd’s support. “His influence in India is huge. He is the guy everyone is talking about. I was talking to Manoj Badale, the former owner of Rajasthan Royals, who told me that in Kolkata, half the stadium had turned up to see Vaibhav and they were all wearing his RR jersey. “Imagine the pressure as a 15-year-old when you get off the bus and look, but he has soaked it all up. And when he bats, I don’t know whether Rajasthan Royals have done it or in the tournament, but there is a song for him, this Suryavanshi song, which plays when he is attacking you.” The former England captain then admitted that he would be keen to see the teenager join India’s squad for the five-match T20 series in England next month, even if England’s bowlers may not welcome that prospect. “I hope to see him in England. Well, maybe not for our bowlers. But it will be worthwhile because you can see it among the players and the support staff. Everyone is keen and I want to see this guy.” Whether that opportunity will come remains uncertain. Suryavanshi is set to feature in the upcoming India A ODI tri-series, a competition selectors are reportedly looking at as a key assessment before discussing a possible T20I debut during the England tour.

“Whatever you can say that is true about India, the opposite is also true.” The old Joan Robinson line still works because India have a way of defeating neat summaries. Most national averages come with broad patterns, outliers, and caveats.The latest sample registration system data is one such mirror. The SRS, India’s official large-scale system for tracking births and deaths, gives annual estimates of fertility and mortality. At first glance, the headline number is simple: India’s fertility has fallen below replacement level. But a closer look reveals a more unequal country. Some parts of India are already in the low fertility zone. Some of it is still above replacement. Cities are reducing fertility on a large scale, but urban Bihar is not following this scenario. Higher-order families are having fewer children, but the social consequences of smaller families are just beginning. Fewer infants are dying, but the first weeks of life remain a danger zone. And while births are now much more frequent within the hospital system, deaths are not.For years, the policy conversation moved between two extremes, fear of too many births and celebration of a young workforce. A youth population can become a dividend only if it is properly trained and empowered. Meanwhile, populations with low fertility bring their own demands, such as pensions, care for the elderly, chronic disease treatment and migration plans. Both have their own challenges.We look at five data points from the SRS data that shed light on various such issues.

averageness hides anxiety

India’s total fertility rate, or TFR, is now 1.9. TFR means the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, based on current fertility rates. India’s TFR in 2014 was 2.3. Rural India has come down from 2.5 to 2.1. Urban India has gone from 1.8 to 1.5. In demographic language, India is below replacement fertility. To put it plainly, the baby boom is over.But the national average is just the beginning. Bihar is still at 2.9. Uttar Pradesh is at 2.6. Madhya Pradesh is at 2.4. Rajasthan is at 2.3. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are at 2.2. Delhi, a city-state, sits at the other end of the spectrum at 1.2. The World Bank has warned that South Asia is not creating enough jobs for its working-age population, especially youth and women. When above-replacement fertility is concentrated in a few poor states of India, the policy challenge is obvious.

Bihar exception

The second data comes from urban India, where a different story emerges. The common belief is that once people move to cities, families become smaller because parents want to invest more in fewer children. Across India, this overarching story persists. Urban India’s average general fertility rate, or GFR, fell from 61.2 births per 1,000 women aged 15-49 in 2012-14 to 51.0 in 2022-24. GFR measures the number of live births in a year per 1,000 women in the reproductive age group of 15–49 years. Here, live births means children born alive, which is the basis used to calculate fertility and mortality rates.But Bihar has broken this pattern. During the same period, the average GFR of urban Bihar increased from 75.9 to 77.5. One year’s data makes the difference even more stark. In 2024, the GFR of urban Bihar was 80.3, while that of urban India was 49.8.

birth ladder is getting thinner

The third innings is less surprising, yet perhaps the most important. In 2014, 43% of live births in India were first-born children. By 2024, their number will rise to 66.4%. Third and higher order births fell from 25.9% to 10.8%. The fourth or higher birth rate fell from 10.8% to 3.5%.This does not mean that every family is stopping at one or two children. This means that the births that are taking place now are similar to the first and second births. The old ladder, third child, fourth child, fifth child, is getting thin. This is a much bigger social change than it first appears. Fewer children means parents invest more in each child. Education becomes a heavy condition. The underlying assumption that children will automatically become old age security for parents also begins to weaken.

The first week remains a matter of concern

The fourth number is about survival. Here India has made real progress.Infant mortality rate to decline from 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 24 in 2024. Infant mortality rate, or IMR, means the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births. Rural infant mortality rate fell from 43 to 27. The urban infant mortality rate fell from 26 to 17. The mortality rate for children under five fell from 45 to 28. The under-five mortality rate, or U5MR, means deaths before the age of five per 1,000 live births. These are not mere statistics. They mean that children who once would have died are now alive.But the first week is the most worrying part.

In 2014, 52% of infants died in the first week. In 2024 it was 52.7%. This means that, of the infants who die before turning one year old, more than half die in the first week. Infant mortality rates have declined in India, but those deaths that do occur still occur near birth. World Health Organization It is said that the first month of life is the most sensitive period for a child’s survival. UNICEF describes the first 28 days, known as the neonatal period, as the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. India’s data fits that global warning.

Hospitals see births, miss deaths

Number five is the most frightening. It’s about how many deaths went unnoticed. At birth, the system is now in place. In 2014, 78.5% of live births received delivery care in government or private hospitals. By 2024 this will increase to 95.4%. Delivery in government hospitals increased from 52% to 71.7%.At the time of death, the system is much less visible. In 2014, 42.6% of deaths had medical assistance sought in government or private hospitals before death. In 2024 this figure was 40.2%. The category of “untrained workers, no medical care and others” increased from 22.4% to 45.5%.Now the chance of a baby being born under hospital care is much higher than that of a person dying under hospital care. WHO’s civil-registration framework states that information on births, deaths, and causes of death is central to public-health planning. If death occurs outside of formal care, the system may forget not only the person but also the cause.As India moves into its next phase of growth as one of the world’s largest economies, many issues will require high-level attention. The SRS, like all good data, is merely a reflection. What India wants to see in this will decide what happens next.

Pancreatic cancer is often called one of the deadliest cancers in the world, not because a cure does not exist, but because the disease is usually detected too late.

Some diseases come with clear warning signs. A persistent cough, visible lump, or unexplained bleeding should prompt people to seek medical attention immediately. Pancreatic cancer behaves differently.It develops into an organ that most people rarely think about. The pancreas is located inside the stomach, behind the stomach and in front of the spine. Because of this location, growing tumors remain hidden from both patients and doctors during routine physical examinations.Dr. Jagannath Dixit, Principal Consultant – Department of Surgical Oncology and Program Director – Robotics, Manipal Hospital, Yelahanka, highlighted, “Let’s start with the number that keeps most people from getting colds. Pancreatic cancer The five-year survival rate is about 12%. For reference, breast cancer sits at about 91%. The difference isn’t primarily about treatment – ​​it’s about timing. By the time most people realize they have it, it’s too late to do much about it.”The challenge is not just to cure the disease. The challenge is to detect it before it spreads.according to US National Cancer InstitutePancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Symptoms that mimic everyday problems

One reason pancreatic cancer remains hidden is that its early symptoms rarely appear worrying.Feeling tired after a long week. Mild stomach discomfort after meals. Small amount of unexplained weight loss. Change in appetite. Many people dismiss these symptoms because they can be caused by dozens of harmless conditions.Dr. Dixit explained, “Here’s the cruel part: The early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are the same things you’d ignore on a busy Tuesday. A little fatigue. Some vague stomach discomfort. You may have lost a little weight, but you’ve still been eating less lately. No one goes to their doctor for this.”The problem is that while patients are trying to explain away these symptoms, the cancer is already progressing.More noticeable warning signs such as jaundice, severe back pain, dark urine, pale stool, or significant weight loss often appear much later.As Dr. Dixit said, “The disease has usually been spreading silently for months, sometimes years, until something worrisome becomes apparent—jaundice, severe back pain, significant weight loss.”This is why pancreatic cancer has earned a reputation as one of the most difficult cancers to detect in its early stages.

Hidden inside the body and known to cause vague symptoms that can be easily mistaken for everyday health problems, pancreatic cancer often grows quietly for months or years before being diagnosed.

Why is there no simple screening test yet?

Many cancers benefit from established screening programs. Cervical cancer can be detected through screening tests. Colon cancer can be identified through colonoscopy. Mammography is done in breast cancer.Pancreatic cancer is different.There is currently no screening test widely recommended for the general population. according to nihEarly pancreas lesions often do not produce symptoms and may not show up on standard imaging tests. Dr. Dixit explains that many pancreatic cancers begin as microscopic precancerous changes known as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). These lesions are extremely difficult to detect. “There is no routine screening for pancreatic cancer, the way there is for colon or cervical cancer. No annual scans, no standard blood tests.”This means that many patients are only diagnosed when the tumor has grown large enough to affect nearby blood vessels, nerves or organs.By then, treatment options become quite limited.

New technology offers hope, but it’s still not enough

Medicine has made significant advances in detecting pancreatic cancer.High-resolution CT scanning remains the basis of diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound can identify some small tumors that may not be visible on conventional imaging. Specific procedures can also help doctors examine the pancreas and surrounding structures more closely.Researchers are now exploring artificial intelligence tools that can identify subtle patterns on scans before tumors are obvious to the human eye.Dr. Dixit said, “Artificial intelligence is also entering the picture. Algorithms trained on thousands of scans can now flag subtle changes that radiologists might miss – patterns that can give early signs of cancer months before visible tumors form.”Still, experts caution that many of these innovations are in the research stage and not yet widely available in everyday clinical practice.At the moment, technology is improving the odds, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

Experts say improving awareness, understanding risk factors and investing in better early detection tools are among the most important steps in changing outcomes for patients.

what can people do right now

One of the most frustrating realities about pancreatic cancer is that there is no guaranteed way to prevent it. However, experts say there are steps that can reduce the risk and improve the chances of early diagnosis.Smoking is one of the strongest known risk factors. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, carefully managing diabetes, and limiting excessive alcohol consumption can also help reduce risk.People who have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer should discuss genetic counseling and special monitoring programs with their healthcare providers.Perhaps most importantly, persistent symptoms should not be ignored just because they seem minor.This long-lasting feeling that something is “not quite right” is noticeable, especially when symptoms continue for weeks or gradually get worse.As Dr. Dixit explains, pancreatic cancer is often successful because it remains hidden. Noticing unusual changes in the body can sometimes be the first opportunity to uncover what’s going on beneath the surface.Meaningful progress is being made through research, precision medicine and multidisciplinary care. Yet until early detection becomes more reliable and accessible, pancreatic cancer will continue to challenge patients and doctors alike.Tragedy is not just illness. This is the time when it is allowed to grow without attention.Medical experts consultedThis article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health:Dr. Jagannath Dixit, Principal Consultant – Department of Surgical Oncology and Program Director – Robotics, Manipal Hospital, Yelahanka.The input was used to explain why pancreatic cancer is often detected at an advanced stage, the subtle symptoms that often go unnoticed, the challenges doctors face in identifying tumors early, and the importance of timely medical evaluation and emerging diagnostic tools to improve outcomes.

Avni Ahuja (right) received the Henry Ford II Scholar Award.

of indian origin MIT Graduate Avani Ahuja has received the prestigious Henry Ford II Scholar Award. The honor is one of the institution’s top honors for undergraduate engineering students and celebrates academic excellence, leadership and future promise. During her tenure at MIT, Ahuja conducted research in power electronics, robotics, and women’s health technologies. He also received the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship in 2025. ​​This autumn she will begin her PhD in power electronics at MIT with plans to explore applications in health care and women’s health research.

Avni Ahuja receives one of MIT’s top engineering honors

The Henry Ford II Scholar Award is presented to a senior undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement and strong leadership potential in engineering and society.The award places Ahuja among a select group of MIT students who are recognized not only for their academic performance but also for their potential to make significant contributions to the engineering profession.Reflecting on the honor, Ahuja said, “I am honored and humbled to receive this award. It was especially an honor to meet Dean Hammond.”

Research that helped earn the award

Ahuja’s undergraduate career was marked by research in several engineering disciplines.His most recent work in the Kode Research Group focused on capacitive wireless power transfer. This technology could eventually be used to wirelessly charge electric vehicles and power implantable medical devices.He also conducted robotics research under Professor Sangbae Kim, whose laboratory is known for advanced legged and bio-inspired robots.Ahuja described research as one of the defining aspects of his MIT experience.“My most important experiences at MIT have included being involved in research, whether it was women’s health research under Professor Canon Dagdeviren in the MIT Media Lab, robotics research under Professor Sangbae Kim, or power electronics research under Professor Samantha Codey.”His ability to work in health care technologies, robotics, and electrical engineering helped establish him as one of MIT’s most accomplished undergraduate researchers.

Her work in women’s health technology

One of Ahuja’s strongest interests is women’s health research.She worked with Professor Canon Dagdeviren at the MIT Media Lab where she contributed to projects focused on medical technologies for women.According to MIT his research included work related to a wearable breast ultrasound patch designed to make breast cancer screening more accessible.The experience inspired his long-term goal of applying engineering innovations to health care challenges.“I hope that one day after completing my PhD, I will be able to apply power electronics to the field of women’s health research,” she said.

The Goldwater Scholarship added to his growing list of accomplishments

Ahuja was selected as a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholar before receiving the Henry Ford II Scholar Award.The scholarship is considered one of the most prestigious graduate awards in science, engineering and mathematics in the United States. Only a few hundred students are selected across the country each year.This recognition highlighted both his research achievements and his potential as a future engineer and researcher.

What’s next for Avni Ahuja?

Ahuja will remain at MIT this fall as a PhD student in power electronics within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.His future work will focus on power electronics and exploring opportunities to apply those technologies to health care and medical devices.He has also expressed interest in pursuing a long-term career in research and education.

life beyond the laboratory

Along with her engineering studies, Ahuja remained active in campus life through events like MIT Oms MIT Live and even line dancing classes.“I’ve also really enjoyed getting involved in extracurricular opportunities on campus, whether it’s participating in the MIT Oms through MIT Live or taking line dancing lessons in the Student Center,” she said.Ahuja also completed a minor in gender studies and credits professors Hafsa Arain and Mara Gubar for broadening her perspective.“As a gender studies minor I have to thank Professor Hafsa Arain and Professor Mara Gubar for offering me amazing WGS and CMS classes that have truly changed the way I think about the world around me.”

The gurus who shaped his journey

Ahuja credits several mentors and faculty members for supporting her throughout her tenure at MIT.He thanked Professor Samantha Codey, Professor Maria Yang and Professor Canon Dagdeviren, along with graduate students Colin Marcus and Sarah Fernandez and Associate Dean Kimberly Benard.“I also want to thank the entire Code Research group for being a great support system,” she said.As she prepares to begin her PhD, Ahuja’s accomplishments are already placing her on MIT’s list of rising young engineers whose research interests span power electronics robotics and women’s health care innovation.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee with nephew Abhishek Banerjee (PTI photo/file)

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) dissolved all its committees, frontal organizations in West Bengal on Wednesday after rebel Rathindra Bose met the Governor with a letter of support from around 60 MLAs, in what is being seen as a major crisis in the party founded by Mamata Banerjee.The party said it would conduct “comprehensive introspection, performance review, organizational assessment at every level. The organizational structure of the parent body, all frontal wings will be restructured and announced at the appropriate time”.The move is being seen as a last-ditch effort to prevent a vertical split in the party, which was decimated by rival BJP in the recently held West Bengal Assembly elections after 15 years of rule.The turmoil intensified on Wednesday as around 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs reached the Assembly for the meeting. The number is significant as it crosses the two-thirds threshold required to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, raising parallels with the split in the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022.Earlier in the day, regarding West Bengal Assembly LOP nominations, TMC MLA Mustafizur Rahman told news agency ANI: “We don’t know the exact figure… I am hearing from outside that 59 signatures have been received. I am hearing that. I have also signed.”An important political message has been mentioned in the letter submitted to the Assembly Speaker. Mamata Banerjee as party president, suggesting that the rebel camp is mounting its challenge against the current leadership of the legislature party rather than the TMC chief himself.The MLAs have also rejected any role of Abhishek Banerjee in determining the affairs of the legislature party, sources associated with the dissident group told news agency PTI.However, the TMC leadership described the move as an act of betrayal. Senior party leader and MLA Kunal Ghosh argued that any grievance could have been resolved within the organization itself.He told reporters, “If he had any issues, he could have discussed them within the party. Instead, he chose to stab the party in the back.”Terming the rebels and their supporters as “traitors”, Ghosh said the party would face the crisis and remain united under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.The origins of Wednesday’s protest can be traced to the meeting of newly elected MLAs at Mamata Banerjee’s residence on May 6. During the meeting, the MLAs are understood to have authorized the party leadership to take a decision on the appointments of the leader of the opposition, deputy leaders and the chief whip.Subsequently, the TMC informed the Assembly that Sovandeb Chattopadhyay will serve as the leader of the opposition, while Nayana Bandyopadhyay and Ashima Patra will be the deputy leaders and Firhad Hakim will take charge as the chief whip.However, the Assembly Secretariat did not act on the communication, pointing to procedural rules requiring such office-bearers to be elected at a formal meeting of the legislature party.Tension escalated further when dissident MLAs alleged that their signatures were misused in communications sent to the Assembly Secretariat. The party leadership denied the accusation and countered that the rebels were attempting to weaken the organization after the electoral setback.The standoff intensified with Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha being expelled from the party earlier this week.In the developments, Ritabrata Banerjee, expelled by the party leadership, has emerged as the most prominent face of the rebellion. The presence of veteran leader Javed Khan, considered a close loyalist of Mamata Banerjee since the early days of the party, has further strengthened the political position of the disgruntled camp.The development has also sparked a wide-ranging debate on control over the opposition’s place in the Assembly. While the support of only 30 MLAs is required to secure the post of Leader of the Opposition, the bigger battle now seems to center on the legitimacy and control of the legislature party.

Varsha Gohil and Bhadresh Gohil

The 23-year-long divorce battle between an Indian-origin couple in Britain has ended with a court awarding Varsha Gohil £6.6 million after years of litigation over hidden assets worth £28 million.The controversy began in 2002 when Varsha Gohil filed for divorce from her husband Bhadresh Gohil, citing adultery and inappropriate behavior. At the time, he accepted a £270,000 financial settlement with the family’s Peugeot, The Sun reported.Varsha later became convinced that her ex-husband had not fully disclosed his assets during the divorce proceedings. Under UK law, both parties must give full accounts of their assets and income when deciding on a financial settlement.In 2007, she returned to court seeking to overturn the original agreement after gathering evidence that she believed Bhadresh had concealed part of his fortune.The case took a dramatic turn in 2011 when Bhadresh was convicted of money laundering and forgery. The former lawyer was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while the Crown Prosecution Service seized assets worth almost £28 million which investigators said were hidden around the world.The legal battle then turned into a dispute over whether those properties should be considered part of the couple’s marital estate.Varsha’s challenge eventually reached the UK Supreme Court. There, judges considered her case alongside that of Alison Sharland, who made similar allegations that her ex-husband hid assets during divorce proceedings. The verdict allowed both women to reopen their financial settlements and pursue new claims.Despite that victory, the financial dispute remained unresolved for years. The Crown Prosecution Service faced difficulties locating and recovering the assets, leading to a new High Court hearing not taking place until 2023.At that hearing, Bhadresh argued that the frozen property was not his and therefore could not be included in any divorce judgment. Varsha said the assets were accumulated during their marriage and should be considered while dividing the couple’s property.The Crown Prosecution Service argued that the money represented the proceeds of crime and should remain subject to criminal recovery proceedings rather than being distributed through the family courts.However, Mr Justice Williams ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove that the entire £28 million had arisen from criminal activity. They found that some of the assets came from legitimate businesses that existed during the marriage and therefore formed part of the couple’s estate.The judge awarded Varsha £6.6 million and sharply criticized her ex-husband, describing him as “grossly dishonest”.In his judgment, Mr Justice Williams said Bhadresh’s portrayal of himself as a hard-working family man who had been treated unfairly was “so far from the truth that it is difficult to understand how he could have put this forward”.The decision ends one of Britain’s longest-running divorce disputes, ending a legal battle that lasted more than two decades.