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The season of going abroad is approaching as students being to proudly give their IELTS and GRE exams for a shot at universities abroad, but moving out of the house itself is a daunting task, one can only imagine how intimidating moving countries might be for education. If you're still on the fence about where you want to study (or what you want to study), have no fear for this weekend, on Sunday the 11th of February, The Hindu is organising the International Education Fair! <\/p>
If you want to study abroad and immerse yourself in global cultures, The Hindu International Education Fair is your ultimate gateway! Featuring seminars from noted industry experts and starting at 12 noon and ending in the evening with a mock GRE\/GMAT test hosted by TIME, the Fair will act as a gateway for any information a student might potentially have about studying abroad in different countries. Starting from a seminar on education in Australia, the event will move on to a seminar on education in Canada before the last seminar, which is education in the United States held by the good people over at US Consulate. <\/p>
The timetable of the event is as given below. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518170472408","data":"5a7d72863d020"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518170496043","data":"
Do note: ENTRY IS FREE FOR ALL <\/b>and it is being held on 11 February, this Sunday, at the Taj Deccan. <\/b><\/p>
Make your dreams of studying abroad come true at The Hindu International Education Fair. You can also pre-register for the event by clicking here! <\/a><\/p>"}]
1. A day after Narendra Modi attacked Congress party during his speech in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram posed 12 questions to Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha, saying 'Budget 2018-19 has worsened the fiscal deficit.' <\/b><\/p>
\"Before you assumed office, you promised 2 crore jobs a year. The ILO describes a proper job as employment that is certain, regular and reasonably secure. What is your definition of a job? How many ILO-described jobs were created in the four years of your government?,\" he questioned to Modi in one of the questions.<\/b><\/p>
Chidambaram also tweeted the questions on his twitter handle. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518089689227","data":"5a7c36e11a993"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518089694008","data":"
2. In his first election rally in Tripura, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched an attack on Chief Minister Manik Sarkar right in his own backyard. Punning on the name of the Chief Minister, he told the crowds that Tripura is wearing a wrong \"Manik\", meaning gem, and it was time to take it off and wear a Hira, a diamond. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518089763160","data":"5a7c372b67a1d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518089789768","data":"
3. The Supreme Court commenced its hearing into a crucial hearing on a batch of petitions in the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on Thursday, and said that it would not hear arguments based on politics or religion. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518089818034","data":"5a7c3783a811c"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518089860360","data":"
4. The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said it has achieved a major breakthrough by arresting five suspects who helped a Pakistani terrorist escape from a Srinagar hospital on Tuesday. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518089910447","data":"5a7c37be8ef9f"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518089914463","data":"
5. A Bangladesh judge convicted opposition leader Khaleda Zia of corruption and sentenced her to five years in jail on Thursday as police clashed with thousands of her supporters outside the court. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518089950519","data":"5a7c37e69232f"}]
Dear the person, <\/p>
I know life\u2019s not all bed of roses for you. Realise that the sun did promise (by the will of God) to wake up the next morning, but you didn\u2019t. You could die while you're still in this year. You mustn\u2019t be scared to start anew from the very next second you wish a change, not waiting for 365 days to set your new rules and goals only to break them just 5 days into the year.<\/p>
The climb gets tough the moment you\u2019re on the right track, so please for my sake don\u2019t stand still where you are, keep moving even if it works in the form of a numbered steps or even crawling, doesn\u2019t matter. When it gets tougher, cry your heart out, but never lose hope. \u2018Cause even if it doesn\u2019t get better I'm sure YOU will! Be kind to those around you, no matter how much they break you. If Your Grandmother wants you to sleep with her, don\u2019t hesitate to do so before it somehow is too late to thank her for the things she did for you. Use your legs while they work, explore places and things and watch sunsets while you can. Detach yourself from toxic people, be with those who make you happy. Do the things that make you happy. Compliment people around you it doesn\u2019t take more than few seconds, but that person will remember it for days trust me. When life gives you something, accept it with open aims. And what life takes away from you, let it go. <\/p>
Don\u2019t ever compare your success or relationships or anything with anyone, you know that it could have been worse for you. Realise it soon that life\u2019s not about what you get, it\u2019s about what you give. Spread love like wildfires. Tell people what you feel; life\u2019s too short for unspoken regrets. Don\u2019t wish hate for others no matter how much you are damaged, God will reward you. Don\u2019t fall into jealousy, that\u2019s some deep mudwaters. Remember you have a numbered days on this earth, make each one count. Do what pleases your Lord and He\u2019ll guide you through whatever comes your way. And when life puts you in a situation, don\u2019t just go through it, Grow through it! Worry less and work more. Read more books and learn new things. Meet new people and smile at them. Speak such that honey drips from every of your word or don\u2019t speak at all. Don\u2019t apologize for caring and do things with love. Have courage and be grateful. Don\u2019t look for happiness in the same place you lost it. And most of all Be you and be okay with it.<\/p>
-Sadia\/\/ live in the moment.<\/p>
<\/p>"}]
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress in his motion of thanks address, claiming the country suffered due to Congress' policies as it only spent time singing paeans to one family while ignoring the people's welfare, setting the tone for 2019 elections. People on social media wonder if the BJP can now use minority appeasement plank as an attack against Congress when they've already blamed congress for dividing their vote bank. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518000460599","data":"5a7ada71118a7"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518000462780","data":"
2. China today opposed any military intervention in the Maldives, saying such a move would further complicate the situation, a day after former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed sought India's help to resolve the political crisis in the island nation. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518000523958","data":"5a7adabd7dc05"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518000573548","data":"
3. India's central bank kept interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting and warned that higher government spending could feed into inflation that it forecasts will accelerate. This comes at the heels of the latest budget with the first of its kind Healthcare plan in India that experts say is already underfunded. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518000632835","data":"5a7adb12d5e76"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518000659308","data":"
4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wife Jashodaben sustained injuries while a relative died when their car rammed into a truck in Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, police said.According to information, Jashodaben was travelling in an Innova with four other people when their vehicle collided with a truck on the Chittorgarh-Kota four-lane road.<\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518000780384","data":"5a7adb9065c0b"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1518000789332","data":"
5. BJP MP Vinay Katiyar on Wednesday said that Muslims should not live in India and they should either go to Pakistan or Bangladesh, media reports said. The MP also said there should be a bill that punishes those who do not respect Vande Mataram, those who insult the national flag and those who hoist the Pakistani flag. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1518000860978","data":"5a7adbf8702dc"}]
<\/p>
IN THIS UNIVERSE EVERYONE HAS UNIQUE DREAM,BUT MOST OF US FAILS TO ACHIEVE IT.THE REASON IS LACK OF POSITIVITY AND SELF CONFIDENCE.<\/p>
in order to achieve our dreams ,i would like to discuss some important aspects.<\/p>
1.tune your mind that \"everything is possible\"when we put our confidence along with hardwork.<\/p>
2.if you have burning desire and zeal towards your dream,I am sure you will definitely achieve it.<\/p>
3.there are people who does not have complete body parts(lame,dumb,blind)they achieved a lot in their lives.because they may have deficiency in their body not in their will power and determination.<\/p>
4.use your time properly.on this earth everyone is having 24 hours in a day.<\/p>
the one who Utilizes time they never regret about Their future.<\/p>
5.build a positive sight towards any situation and believe in yourself.<\/p>
6.failures gives you experience so never stop when you fail.<\/p>
Last I would like to end up this with <\/p>
start with what you have<\/p>
start with hands shaking<\/p>
start with voice trembling<\/p>
but start.. never stop.<\/p>
you do not know what you made of until you tested.<\/p>
Each one of us is gifted with a talent,but what matters is,is it discovered? We can know our talent either by involving in competitions or by facing real life situations which force you to evolve with a new talent. As we know, every great dream begins with a dreamer; the passion to reach for the stars is 'within' you.<\/p>
There are situations in life where you need to choose between passion and career, here making the right decision is very important. When career pulls you to one side and passion takes you to other path, try to come with a new ,innovative idea; which connects you to your passion and keeps your career intact.It's you and only you, who could come up with an idea which takes you towards your passion.If passion drives you,let reason hold the reins.<\/p>
# Choose your career wisely,but follow your passion wholeheartedly. <\/p>"}]
Okay, real talk. <\/p>
I see a lot of my fellow 20 year old folks sure of what they are going to do with their lives, not knowing which direction they will take or what they will go on to do. These folks, invariably, go on to make some crucial mistakes because they have never really faced any adversity in life. <\/p>
I'm talking, of course, about people who are middle to upper middle class, who have grown up without wanting for anything because our parents have more or less provided what we want to us. This has caused our generation to be the middle children of destiny, our parents still hold old fashion notions of being an average Joe by getting an average job while we harbour ambitions and goals that many of us will never reach, but our children will. We suffer now, so that one day our children might see a future where they do not have to sacrifice their dreams like our parents did or we might have to do. <\/p>
But that doesn't mean you cannot take ownership of your life. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517999171298","data":"5a7ad75bd80cb"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517999173292","data":"
You see, our 20s are going to define who we are. Life will always present to us choices that do not exactly appear as choices, the consequences of which become apparent much later when you're older and wiser. So how does one ensure that they make the right choices in their 20s? <\/p>
It's easy to write it down, actually, it is exceptionally hard to follow. Everyone wants to believe they're the good guys, right, everyone wants to be told that they made the right choice. But what defines you as a person is your ability to take responsibility for your choices and move on. Life will give you immediate feedback, don't you worry about anything else. <\/p>
So go on ahead, make the best of your 20s but remember that your actions will always have consequences, and consequences can only teach you when you accept responsibility fo the choices that you've made in life. Cheers! <\/p>"}]
1. In an audacious attack that has shaken the security establishment in Kashmir, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander who is involved in launching multiple attacks on security forces, managed to escape from a hospital in Srinagar where he was brought for a medical checkup. A group of militants shot dead a cop accompanying the militant and injured another in their successful bid to help their comrade escape from custody. The attack left another policeman critically injured who later succumbed to his injures in hospital. The death toll stands at two. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517920911186","data":"5a79a39bdde63"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517920927849","data":"
2. In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the multi-crore Rafale jet deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said that the PM had personally gone to Paris to get the deal signed, and that he is behind the scam. This comes right after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Rafale deal is a 'secret'. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517921010324","data":"5a79a3f2781e1"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517921014510","data":"
3. The political crisis in the Maldives deepened this week after embattled President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency and ordered the arrest of top judges and a former president.The upmarket holiday paradise does not often find itself in the news but a shock Supreme Court decision last week ordering the release of top opposition politicians has triggered a furious response from authoritarian ruler Yameen. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517921039031","data":"5a79a41dc2726"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517921059105","data":"
4. In a highly volatile session on Tuesday, BSE barometer Sensex rebounded over 700 points from the day's low to end 500 points lower, while Nifty50 settled near the 10,500-mark. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517921085550","data":"5a79a44a94aef"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517921103051","data":"
5. A group of opposition parties, including Congress, on Tuesday boycotted the proceedings of Rajya Sabha, alleging that their voice was being \u201cmuzzled\u201d. Among the parties that boycotted the proceedings after lunch include TMC, NCP, DMK, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI and the AAP. Members of the parties stayed away from the House when the proceedings resumed at 3 pm after two adjournments during the day. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517921141243","data":"5a79a47adbbd8"}]
India is a country that will mesmerize you with its intriguing history and fascinating past. The country is no ordinary country. In fact, it had the components of a prosperous nation since ancient times only. Here are facts, as found in our written and oral literature, about the supremely advanced ancient India that you were never taught in school.<\/p>\n
Mahabharata Mentions The Concept Of Cloning<\/b><\/p>\n
Mahabharata Mentions The Concept Of Cloning, Test Tube Babies, And Surrogate Mothers. The fact that in the Mahabharata, Gandhari had 100 sons is pretty well known. But what’s unknown is the scientific explanation behind her giving birth to a 100 kids. Each ‘Kaurava’ was created by splitting the single embryo into 100 parts and growing each part in a separate kund (container). This is identical to the cloning process today.<\/p>\n
The birth of Karan, who was ‘born from the “characteristics adopted from men of her choice” also has striking resemblance to the present-day test tube baby concept.<\/p>\n
The First Ones To Acknowledge The Existence Of The Solar System<\/b><\/p>\n
While history credits Copernicus for proposing the heliocentric model of our solar system, it was the Rig Veda that first noted the central placement of the sun and other planets orbiting it in the solar system. “Sun moves in its orbit which itself is moving. Earth and other bodies move around sun due to force of attraction, because sun is heavier than them.” - Rig Veda 1.164.13<\/p>\n
Sushruta<\/b> <\/b>Samhita<\/b>, The Oldest Medical And Surgical Encyclopedia<\/b><\/p>\n
Written during the 6th century BC, the Sushruta Samhita contains 184 chapters with descriptions of 1,120 illnesses, 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources and 57 preparations based on animal sources. Its author Sushruta is also considered to be the first ever human to perform medical surgeries on humans.<\/p>\n
The book also has vast details on embryology, human anatomy, along with instructions for venesection, the positioning of the patient for each vein, and the protection of vital structures (marma). The oldest documented evidence (9000 years) for the drilling of human teeth of a living person was found in Mehrgarh along with the evidences of orthopedic surgeries.<\/p>\n
We Already Knew About The Speed Of Light<\/b><\/p>\n
Sayana, a vedic scholar from the 14th century once said, \"With deep respect, I bow to the sun, who travels 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha.\" A yojana is 9 miles; a nimesha is 16\/75 of a second. Therefore, 2,202 yojanas x 9 miles x 75\/8 nimeshas = 185,794 miles per second or 2,99,000 kilometers per second. That’s astonishingly close to the real ‘scientifically-proven’ 3,00,000 kilometers per second figure. It’s often believed that his source was none other than the Vedas.<\/p>\n
Indian Vedas Figured Out Gravity Before The West Did<\/b><\/p>\n
Way before Isaac Newton explained gravity, ancient Indian scholars had already figured out how it worked. “This earth is devoid of hands and legs, yet it moves ahead. All the objects over the earth also move with it. It moves around the sun.” - Rig Veda 10.22.14<\/p>\n
‘Hanuman <\/b>Chalisa<\/b>’ Precisely Calculates The Distance Between Earth And Sun<\/b><\/p>\n
“Yug sahasra yojana par bhanu, leelyo taahi madhura phal jaanu” The above excerpt is from the Hanuman Chalisa and translates to: ‘[When] Hanuman travelled thousands of kilometers to swallow it thinking of it as a fruit’. The word-to-word translation of the same excerpt reveals the distance that Hanuman travelled. 1 Yuga = 12000 years. 1 Sahsra Yuga = 12000000 years. Also, 1 Yojan = 8 miles.<\/p>\n
Hence, “Yug Sahsra Yojana”, the first 3 words mean 12000*12000000*8 = 96000000 miles or 153,600,000 kilometers. Interestingly, the actual distance from earth to sun is 152,000,000 kms. Bafflingly, there’s error of just around 1%.<\/p>\n
First Ones To Measure The Circumference Of Earth<\/b><\/p>\n
Sadly, the Greeks enjoy the credit for this discovery while it was actually Aryabhata, who deduced a formulation proving that the Earth is rotating on an axis. Then, by estimating the value of pi to be 3.1416, he concluded that the circumference of Earth was approximately 39736 kilometers. The actual circumference of Earth, as deduced by scientists today, is 40,075 kilometers. How freaking cool is that!<\/p>\n
Aryabhatta’s Deduction Of The Value Of Pi<\/b><\/p>\n
According to documented history, the irrationality of pi was proved in Europe only in 1761 by Lambert. The great Indian mathematician Aryabhata worked on the approximation of the value of pi ( ), and concluded that is irrational and its value is approximately 3.1416. He did this in 499 Common Era at the age of 23.<\/p>\n
They Knew The Exact Length Of A Year<\/b><\/p>\n
Ancient Indians used 4 ways to measure the length of a year namely ‘Nakshatra’, ‘Savana’, ‘Lunar’ and ‘Saura’. Saura was one method based on the tropical zodiac that defines the seasons: equinoxes, solstices, year-halves, and months in relation to the (six) seasons. As unbelievable as it sounds, Saura estimates the length of a year to be exactly 365 days, 6 hours 12 mins and 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
Vedas Explained The Science Behind The Rather ‘Feared’ Eclipses<\/b><\/p>\n
While the world feared the eclipses and associated all types of paranormal occurrences with the phenomenon, Vedas already had a very proper and scientific explanation. The below excerpt is also proof that they knew that the moon wasn’t self illuminated. “O Sun! When you are blocked by the one whom you gifted your own light (moon), then earth gets scared by sudden darkness.” - Rig Veda 5.40.5<\/p>\n
The game of chess<\/b><\/p>\n
The game of chess is also a gift of India to the world. In addition Yoga, Ayurveda, Algebra, decimal system and many other things also took birth in ancient India. <\/p>\n","id":"1517846003934","type":"txt"}]
“What do you mean you’ll be fine?”, Swetha’s mother asks with visible consideration, “Do you know what time it is?!”<\/p>\n
With complete knowledge that the question asked was rhetorical, she answers anyway. “It’s 11:30, mum. I hate to say it but the night is still young and there is no reason to be scared”<\/p>\n
“Swetha, listen”, Swetha’s dad interrupts, “I can drop you if you’d like. It will really be no problem, trust me”<\/p>\n
Swetha looks restlessly at her father. “Dad, you please listen. Your leg is hurt and I cannot bother you right now. What you need is rest, not driving 15 kms”, she ends on a loud note.<\/p>\n
After a few seconds, Swetha’s dad finally breaks the silence. “Okay then. Since the place is so far away, you should stay at Rhea’s. Just remain on the lookout and call us when you reach there”<\/p>\n
“Thank you”, Swetha says with a reassuring smile.<\/p>\n
Her mother still has a worried expression on her face. Swetha holds her mother’s shoulders and explains clearly, “My team needs me. We’ve postponed the work too long now. I promise you I’ll be fine”<\/p>\n
“Okay”, her mother replies tentatively, “Just give me a call, will you?”<\/p>\n
Swetha hugs her mother and says emphasizing every syllable, as if explaining to a child, “I will call you the minute I reach so please go to sleep and don’t worry about me”<\/p>\n
Noticing her mother’s still glum face, Swetha continues while lifting her purse. “I said I’ll call. Now smile, will you?”<\/p>\n
Swetha’s mother looks at her with a bright smile. Swetha nods at her and heads towards the door.<\/p>\n
“Can I walk you till the parking lot at least?”, her father asks with a sigh.<\/p>\n
“Of course. But please be careful”<\/p>\n
All the way to the car, her father repeatedly tells her to call at anytime, no matter how small the problem is.<\/p>\n
“If you see anything out of the ordinary, call me”, he’d say, “Even if it is super minor, please call”<\/p>\n
Swetha keeps quiet and listens. As long as it made her father feel better, he could go on however long he’d like.<\/p>\n
Swetha sits inside her Toyota and drives off. She sees her father waving bye to her in the rear view mirror. She smiles back, but she wonders if her father caught it.<\/p>\n
The street lights on the road blink numerous times. It might be scary to a newcomer but this was old business to her. She takes a few turns and reaches the main road.<\/p>\n
It is crowdy. Only if her parents came out after 10, they’d know how safe it really is.<\/p>\n
She switches on the radio to kill the noise. Dil Diyan Gallan plays on Radio Mirchi. She sings along while softly tapping her fingers on the wheel as per the beat.<\/p>\n
The light above flashes red and she stops her car. Still enjoying the music, she observes her surroundings.<\/p>\n
The vehicle to her right is a Tata Nano. A women in her 20s seems to be driving. She’s wearing a red blouse and she’s accessorized herself with big earrings and thick bright-coloured bracelets. Her hair is short and dyed red at the tips.<\/p>\n
There are two bikes to her left. Both the bikers seem to be friends, cracking jokes and sharing laughs. They’re both dressed in black, covering their faces with matching helmets.<\/p>\n
The car in front is a Volvo. Judging from the back, the passenger seems to be a sophisticated businessman in a suit, probably driving to the airport or a hotel. His hair is impeccably trimmed short.<\/p>\n
There are two scooters behind her car. One driver covered her face with a floral scarf, while the other wore a blue-coloured helmet.<\/p>\n
As long as it seemed, the light turns from red to orange to green. Swetha starts the engine and drives as the song ends, and another begins.<\/p>\n
“In 300 metres, turn left”, she hears the GPS say. In 300 metres the main road would end, and it would be a long way off track to her office.<\/p>\n
Swetha never travelled this late in this route. As she got closer to making the left, she felt a tingling feeling in her heart. She was, undoubtedly, starting to get scared. It’s okay, she tells herself, it’s no big deal.<\/p>\n
She takes the left to a long and narrow road that is surrounded by long trees. It is not a regular road. It does not even have concrete yet. Although it is not the usual road but rather a shortcut, it is still widely used; Google Maps suggested it.<\/p>\n
As she drives a good 100 metres away from the main road, the noisy traffic slowly fades. She can no longer hear the horns, the people, or the traffic police. The radio is her only companion.<\/p>\n
Swag se karenge sabka swagat!<\/p>\n
She switches off the radio with a heavy sigh. She decides that it is too distracting. But the moment she turns it off, the deafening silence proves to be more of a distraction.<\/p>\n
“In 100 metres, turn left”, says the voice.<\/p>\n
Only a few more kilometres, she tells herself as the rustling leaves whisper loudly, and the main road will appear again.<\/p>\n
As she is taking the left, she hears a loud horn. She looks back and sees an SUV rapidly speeding towards her. She freezes, tries to calmly make the turn but to no avail. With a loud thud she crashes into a tree. Everything seemed to be happening in a fraction of seconds. She tries to open her eyes and sees a few men get down from the SUV. They walk towards her and open the door. Out of reflex, she yells as loud as she can.<\/p>\n
“Stop yelling”, one man says while tightly grabbing her wrists.<\/p>\n
⚫⚫⚫<\/p>\n
“Why do you think she hasn’t called yet, Tarun?”, Swetha’s mother asks her father. Her voice sounds so weak, she seems almost ready to cry.<\/p>\n
Both of them lay on the bed but nowhere near to falling asleep.<\/p>\n
“It’s okay, Radha”, he consoles her, “Her office is 15 kms away. It will take some time, don’t you think?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, yes, you’re right”, she replies, trying her best to remain calm.<\/p>\n
After a few minutes of silence, she speaks again. “I’m not able to sleep”<\/p>\n
He sighs in reply. “Neither can I”, he admits.<\/p>\n
The clock ticks 12:30. Both of them remain silent but wide awake.<\/p>\n
Swetha’s mother finally snaps. “I’m calling her”, she says and sits up straight.<\/p>\n
“You should. It’s getting too late now”<\/p>\n
She dials Swetha’s number and puts the phone against her ear. In a few seconds leading to that, she looks at her husband with wide eyes.<\/p>\n
“Tarun”, she says with a muffled voice and watery eyes, “Her phone is switched off”<\/p>\n
“What?”, he pulls the phone from her and puts it on speaker and listens closely.<\/p>\n
“The number you are trying to call is currently switched off”, the voice says, “Aap jis number ko call kar rahe hai, wo abhi vyast hai”<\/p>\n
Swetha’s father quickly gets up.<\/p>\n
“Radha, you call Rhea and I’ll call Sanath”, he orders, “They’ll know where she is”<\/p>\n
They both quickly dial the numbers and Rhea picks up while Sanath’s phone is unreachable.<\/p>\n
“Hello aunty”, she says, “Can you please tell Swetha to drive faster. I can’t reach her from my phone and we’re waiting since an hour”<\/p>\n
“What?! Rhea, Swetha left almost one and a half hour ago and she hasn’t called us to tell us she reached. She isn’t even picking up now”<\/p>\n
After a few seconds of silence, Rhea replies, “I’ll try calling her, aunty. Sometimes phones are unreachable in this area since the signal is so weak here”<\/p>\n
Noticing the silence from the other end, Rhea continues, “It’s okay, aunty. I’ll call you as soon as I reach her”<\/p>\n
“Thank you, Rhea”<\/p>\n
Ten minutes pass by. Twenty minutes pass by. Thirty minutes pass by.<\/p>\n
“Do you think we should contact the police?”, her mother asks.<\/p>\n
“Let’s wait a while longer”, says her father.<\/p>\n
Forty minutes pass by. Fifty minutes pass by. It’s 1:30 now.<\/p>\n
“I’m going down to the police station”, her father says, “If Rhea or any of her friends call, let me know”<\/p>\n
“Okay”, her mother replies, “Please walk safely”<\/p>\n
Swetha’s father spends a few hours at the station. He walks back and forth between two officers who both recommended each other to deal with the case while none seem particularly interested. They give him a file and ask him to fill out a form and leave. But he quietly refuses to leave till his daughter is found.<\/p>\n
It’s almost four in the morning when he gets a call from his wife.<\/p>\n
“Tarun!”, she shouts relieved, “Tarun, they found her!”<\/p>\n
“Where? Is she safe? Where is she?”<\/p>\n
“She’s at a station with the police. She’s very tired and sleeping at the station. Rhea and Sanath are with her. Come back home and we’ll take a cab there”<\/p>\n
The ride is long and silent. The only information they have is that she’s at the police station in that area. Why and how are questions still unanswered.<\/p>\n
They reach the station and see her awake, while still visibly weak and tired.<\/p>\n
“Swetha!”, her mum runs towards her and hugs her.<\/p>\n
“I’m sorry”, Swetha says, “I owe you an explanation”<\/p>\n
Rhea, Sanath, her mum and dad wait as she takes a deep breath and starts talking. Clearly nobody knows what really happened.<\/p>\n
“I was driving and got distracted by a car that suddenly appeared behind me. I lost control and crashed into a tree. I hurt my shoulder badly. A few men walked out of the car and opened the door. I yelled because I got scared since I was alone. The men soon explained that they were police officers and a rape case was reported half an hour ago and the rapists were still on the loose. The rape case was reported from an area I had come from and the culprits appeared to go in my way. They tried following them and reached me via a shortcut and stopped me to tell me to get to a safer place”<\/p>\n
She spoke everything as fast as she could. “I’m safe now. Just a little hurt”<\/p>\n
Other than the occasional wincing, Swetha seems to be fine. Her mother and father stay by her side while Rhea and Sanath leave to their houses.<\/p>\n
A while later, one of the police officers rushes in holding a woman falling to her feet, while her loose hair covered her face.<\/p>\n
“She’s the victim”, she hears him say to another officer.<\/p>\n
The woman sits opposite to her in the narrow corridor, just a hand’s length away. She looks at Swetha and Swetha immediately recognizes her. She was the woman in the Nano. Although now, her makeup is smudged with tears and her hair is messy; her clothes are torn and bloody from scratches and grazes.<\/p>\n
Maybe it is just Swetha, but she feels that the woman recognizes her too.<\/p>\n
For a moment they look at each other. The woman is on the brink of breaking down and looks as vulnerable as ever. She looks down at her feet and starts crying and a lady officer consoles her by slowly rubbing her back.<\/p>\n
Soon two people, who look like her parents, run worriedly towards her and pick her up while she seems to have trouble even standing up.<\/p>\n
They talk to the officers and schedule a meeting later, then inform that they will be taking the woman, apparently named Sheila, to the hospital.<\/p>\n
As they leave, Sheila makes one last eye contact with Swetha.<\/p>\n
“What happened, Swetha?”, her father asks, keeping a hand on her shoulder, “why are you crying?”. It is just her and her father at the station; her mother is outside at a shop, buying some juice and apples.<\/p>\n
Swetha touches her face and feels her wet cheeks. Her mind flashes to the night before. Her memories remain vivid as she thinks of them more and more.<\/p>\n
“I know her”, she finally reveals to her father, “I saw her driving next to me yesterday”<\/p>\n
“What are you thinking?”<\/p>\n
Swetha suddenly bawls loudly. Her father hugs her and waits for her to talk but she continues crying breathlessly.<\/p>\n
“I wonder if I could’ve saved her”, she says among her cries, “I wonder”<\/p>\n","id":"1517898746793","type":"txt"}]
1. BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday tore into the Congress over its \"failure\" to tackle unemployment and other problems and its criticism of the GST, saying it was not a 'Gabbar Singh Tax' but the revenues go to pay for 'one rank, one pension' and subsidises the poor. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517842384753","data":"5a7870da5669d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517842402199","data":"
2. The father of Ankit Saxena, the 23-year-old photographer killed in Delhi by his Muslim girlfriend's family, says that the murder should not be given a communal twist and exploited to whip up trouble. Through a haze of grief at losing his only son, Yashpal Saxena pleaded for sanity. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517842420831","data":"5a7870f1704d7"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517842425533","data":"
3. As \u2018honour\u2019 killings continue to rock North India, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra warned khap panchayats on Monday \u201cnot to be conscience keepers\u201d and said nobody should interfere if two adults want to get married.<\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517842454417","data":"5a78711346775"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517842460001","data":"
4. Hitting back at Narendra Modi for his all-out attack on his Congress government, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused him of telling a \"tissue of lies\" and said he was \"morally not fit\" to be prime minister. <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517842485637","data":"5a787146832d1"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1517842510144","data":"
5. The Supreme Court hearing on the plea seeking independent probe into the death of Special CBI court judge B. M. Loya turned acrimonious on Monday with lawyers for the petitioners exchanging barbs after one of the petitioners seeking a probe appeared to be diluting his stand. The heated exchanges between two senior counsel Dushyant Dave and Pallav Sisodia erupted after Dave accused the latter of \"sabotage\". <\/b><\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1517842543155","data":"5a787183e4c47"}]
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