June 26, 2026
Jharkhand’s new coaching law explained: What the Bill changes for students, parents and institutes

Jharkhand’s new coaching law explained: What the Bill changes for students, parents and institutes

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar gave assent to the Jharkhand Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill. Image: AI generated Jharkhand has decided that coaching centres can no longer behave like a private economy running on public anxiety. On January 20, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar gave assent to the Jharkhand Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025,…

Read More
NEW DELHI: Long-term exposure to pesticides may be damaging the brains and mental health of older farmers in West Bengal, according to a major study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research. Researchers say the findings are a wake-up call for rural India, where chemical-heavy farming is widespread, with minimal safety practices.The study was carried out by experts from the ICMR–Centre for Ageing and Mental Health, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Sagore Dutta Hospital and the Institute of Health & Family Welfare in Kolkata. With chemical-intensive farming still the norm, the authors cautioned that the hidden burden of neurological and mental-health disorders could escalate rapidly without urgent preventive action.The research was conducted in the Galsi II block of Purba Bardhaman district, a region that mirrors the broader demographic profile of West Bengal, where nearly 69 per cent of people live in rural areas and agriculture remains the main source of livelihood. Researchers screened 808 residents aged 50 and above who had lived in the area for at least five years. Although the sample size was limited, the authors say it offers a reliable snapshot of the burden of common neurological and neuroinflammatory conditions in rural settings.More than one in five participants—180 people—showed signs of cognitive problems, depression or possible movement disorders. Cognitive impairment included difficulties with memory, reasoning, attention and overall thinking ability. Notably, 12.5% had only cognitive impairment, a figure higher than the prevalence reported in many urban elderly studies from southern and northern India. A study on urban adults in eastern India using the same tool reported mild cognitive impairment at 14.9%, indicating that rural populations may be equally, if not more, vulnerable.Exposure mattered significantly. Those handling pesticides regularly were nearly three times more likely to develop neurological or mental-health issues. The risk climbed further among individuals exposed for over 30 years or those who sprayed pesticides at least once a week. Farmers engaged solely in agricultural work had the poorest memory scores, struggled more with daily activities and showed higher levels of depression.Medical experts say the findings align with established scientific evidence. Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of the department of neurology at AIIMS, said pesticides have long been implicated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s dementia and related disorders. “Both the magnitude and duration of exposure are critical determinants of risk, she said. Researchers warn that without immediate policy attention, India’s rural elderly may face a rising burden of memory loss, depression and disability linked directly to decades of unchecked pesticide use.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosH-1B Controversy Erupts After US Economist Alleges Industrial-Scale Fraud Targeting Indian VisasPM Modi Pens Powerful Letter On Duties And Democracy, Reflects On His Constitutional JourneyPM Modi Opens India’s First Global Engine MRO Facility As Safran Launches Advanced LEAP Centre’Islamophobia’: Pak Meltdown Over Ayodhya Event Despite Its Own Poor Record of Minority PersecutionUntold Bravery in Operation Sindoor: CISF Reveals It Foiled Pakistan Attack on Uri Hydro Power PlantExperts Analyse India-China Diplomatic Row After Shanghai Airport Incident’Arunachal Inalienable Part Of India’: MEA Rejects China’s Claim After Woman Detained In ShanghaiKejriwal, Mann Pay Homage to Ninth Sikh Guru on 350th Martyrdom DayYogi Adityanath Uncovers The Dark Truth Of Mughal’S Tyranny On Shaheedi DiwasIndia Entering ‘Golden Era’ Of Defence Innovation And Self-Reliance: Rajnath Singh123Photostories9 animals whose names start with the letter ‘G’5 pieces of diamond jewellery every bride must ownDelhi’s mega underground metro push: Will deeper tunnels finally ease the city’s congestion?How to make kids love the food they hate to eat“Mom, something happened…”: School conversations that need your immediate attentionIndia Remembers: 17 Years Since Mumbai 26/11 Terror Attacks8 animals that eat their own poopThe hidden reason your gifted child seems unmotivated7 visa-free (or Visa-on-Arrival) nations Indians can explore this winterSushmita Sen to Shweta Tiwari: Celebrities who have been an inspiration as single mothers123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeCyclone SenyarGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJill Roord and Pien SandersAyesha CurryVirat Kohli BrotherKarnataka Road CrashStefon DiggsMLB Trade RumorsKayla NicoleJordon HudsonShophie CunninghamJaiquawn Jay

NEW DELHI: Long-term exposure to pesticides may be damaging the brains and mental health of older farmers in West Bengal, according to a major study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research. Researchers say the findings are a wake-up call for rural India, where chemical-heavy farming is widespread, with minimal safety practices.The study was carried out by experts from the ICMR–Centre for Ageing and Mental Health, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Sagore Dutta Hospital and the Institute of Health & Family Welfare in Kolkata. With chemical-intensive farming still the norm, the authors cautioned that the hidden burden of neurological and mental-health disorders could escalate rapidly without urgent preventive action.The research was conducted in the Galsi II block of Purba Bardhaman district, a region that mirrors the broader demographic profile of West Bengal, where nearly 69 per cent of people live in rural areas and agriculture remains the main source of livelihood. Researchers screened 808 residents aged 50 and above who had lived in the area for at least five years. Although the sample size was limited, the authors say it offers a reliable snapshot of the burden of common neurological and neuroinflammatory conditions in rural settings.More than one in five participants—180 people—showed signs of cognitive problems, depression or possible movement disorders. Cognitive impairment included difficulties with memory, reasoning, attention and overall thinking ability. Notably, 12.5% had only cognitive impairment, a figure higher than the prevalence reported in many urban elderly studies from southern and northern India. A study on urban adults in eastern India using the same tool reported mild cognitive impairment at 14.9%, indicating that rural populations may be equally, if not more, vulnerable.Exposure mattered significantly. Those handling pesticides regularly were nearly three times more likely to develop neurological or mental-health issues. The risk climbed further among individuals exposed for over 30 years or those who sprayed pesticides at least once a week. Farmers engaged solely in agricultural work had the poorest memory scores, struggled more with daily activities and showed higher levels of depression.Medical experts say the findings align with established scientific evidence. Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of the department of neurology at AIIMS, said pesticides have long been implicated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s dementia and related disorders. “Both the magnitude and duration of exposure are critical determinants of risk, she said. Researchers warn that without immediate policy attention, India’s rural elderly may face a rising burden of memory loss, depression and disability linked directly to decades of unchecked pesticide use.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosH-1B Controversy Erupts After US Economist Alleges Industrial-Scale Fraud Targeting Indian VisasPM Modi Pens Powerful Letter On Duties And Democracy, Reflects On His Constitutional JourneyPM Modi Opens India’s First Global Engine MRO Facility As Safran Launches Advanced LEAP Centre’Islamophobia’: Pak Meltdown Over Ayodhya Event Despite Its Own Poor Record of Minority PersecutionUntold Bravery in Operation Sindoor: CISF Reveals It Foiled Pakistan Attack on Uri Hydro Power PlantExperts Analyse India-China Diplomatic Row After Shanghai Airport Incident’Arunachal Inalienable Part Of India’: MEA Rejects China’s Claim After Woman Detained In ShanghaiKejriwal, Mann Pay Homage to Ninth Sikh Guru on 350th Martyrdom DayYogi Adityanath Uncovers The Dark Truth Of Mughal’S Tyranny On Shaheedi DiwasIndia Entering ‘Golden Era’ Of Defence Innovation And Self-Reliance: Rajnath Singh123Photostories9 animals whose names start with the letter ‘G’5 pieces of diamond jewellery every bride must ownDelhi’s mega underground metro push: Will deeper tunnels finally ease the city’s congestion?How to make kids love the food they hate to eat“Mom, something happened…”: School conversations that need your immediate attentionIndia Remembers: 17 Years Since Mumbai 26/11 Terror Attacks8 animals that eat their own poopThe hidden reason your gifted child seems unmotivated7 visa-free (or Visa-on-Arrival) nations Indians can explore this winterSushmita Sen to Shweta Tiwari: Celebrities who have been an inspiration as single mothers123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeCyclone SenyarGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJill Roord and Pien SandersAyesha CurryVirat Kohli BrotherKarnataka Road CrashStefon DiggsMLB Trade RumorsKayla NicoleJordon HudsonShophie CunninghamJaiquawn Jay

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Long-term exposure to pesticides may be damaging the brains and mental health of older farmers in West Bengal, according to a major study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research. Researchers say the findings are a wake-up call for rural India, where chemical-heavy farming is widespread, with minimal safety practices.The study was…

Read More
Qatar Airways launches QVerse Island, virtual Doha experience in Fortnite

Qatar Airways launches QVerse Island, virtual Doha experience in Fortnite

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Qatar Airways launched QVerse Island in Fortnite, letting players explore Doha and unlock flight rewards/Image: X Qatar Airways has stepped into the gaming world with the launch of its first-ever digital destination inside Fortnite, unveiling QVerse Island as an immersive platform that blends virtual exploration with real-world travel inspiration. The initiative reimagines Doha inside a…

Read More
Anurag Kashyap says studio wanted Nawazuddin Siddiqui replaced with a bigger star in Gangs of Wasseypur, ‘I left my fees for the film’

Anurag Kashyap says studio wanted Nawazuddin Siddiqui replaced with a bigger star in Gangs of Wasseypur, ‘I left my fees for the film’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur has gone down in history as one of Hindi cinema’s most defining cult films, but the journey to get it made was anything but smooth. The filmmaker recently revealed that the production house originally backing the project, UTV, dropped out just three days before the shoot began — all because…

Read More
Inside Hrithik Roshan’s yacht birthday with Saba Azad, Sussanne Khan, Arslan Goni and sons, ‘An absolute privilege to be alive’

Inside Hrithik Roshan’s yacht birthday with Saba Azad, Sussanne Khan, Arslan Goni and sons, ‘An absolute privilege to be alive’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Hrithik Roshan marked his 52nd birthday with an intimate celebration surrounded by family and close friends, and later took to social media to express his gratitude to everyone who showered him with love. While birthday wishes poured in from fans, colleagues and loved ones, the actor was away celebrating on a yacht, soaking in the…

Read More
Anita Advani: Relationship with Rajesh Khanna ‘was not a mistake’; ‘no regrets, I’d repeat it—it’s about who you wake up with’

Anita Advani: Relationship with Rajesh Khanna ‘was not a mistake’; ‘no regrets, I’d repeat it—it’s about who you wake up with’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Anita Advani revisited her deeply personal relationship with the late superstar Rajesh Khanna, saying she holds “no regrets” and would “repeat it again” if given a chance. In a recent interaction, she spoke about their time together, his personality, and the emotional bond they shared.Calling it one of the most significant chapters of her life,…

Read More
Kuwait revenues slip, Iraq exports hit, Saudi gains windfall: How Hormuz blockade is reshaping Gulf oil fortunes

Kuwait revenues slip, Iraq exports hit, Saudi gains windfall: How Hormuz blockade is reshaping Gulf oil fortunes

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

The Middle East conflict, now in its sixth week, continues to send shockwaves across the world. From energy supply disruptions to rising fuel prices, several countries are being forced into emergency measures such as work-from-home policies and cost hikes. Meanwhile, the Gulf region is witnessing a split oil reality! While for some producers, soaring crude…

Read More
Microsoft apologises to 2.7 million customers: Company admits to billing error in Microsoft 365 plans, offers refund; check eligibility and how to claim

Microsoft apologises to 2.7 million customers: Company admits to billing error in Microsoft 365 plans, offers refund; check eligibility and how to claim

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

In a rare public apology, Microsoft Corporation recently announced it would refund eligible subscribers of its Microsoft 365 service in the United States, following allegations of misleading pricing related to its AI-enhanced plans. The move comes in the wake of regulatory scrutiny in Australia, where the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) sued Microsoft for…

Read More
Zohran Mamdani appoints ex-prisoner to lead New York City’s jail system – Who is Stanley Richards?

Zohran Mamdani appoints ex-prisoner to lead New York City’s jail system – Who is Stanley Richards?

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a formerly incarcerated man as the new Commissioner of the city’s Department of Correction. 64-year-old Stanley Richards will be the first person who has previously served time in prison to lead the department that runs the city’s jails.Mamdani announced the appointment at a press event earlier this…

Read More
Japan Cherry Blossom Festival: This Japan town brings the curtain down on its 10-year-old cherry blossom festival to protect the dignity of its citizens |

Japan Cherry Blossom Festival: This Japan town brings the curtain down on its 10-year-old cherry blossom festival to protect the dignity of its citizens |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Japanese authorities in Fujiyoshida, a picturesque town near Mount Fuji, have cancelled their annual cherry blossom festival this year, citing an unmanageable surge in tourist numbers that has begun to seriously affect daily life for locals. The decision brings an abrupt end to a decade-old spring event that had turned the town into one of…

Read More
‘Blast’ box office collections day 7: Arjun Sarja film sees 20.3% drop; Worldwide total reaches Rs 34.59 cr | Tamil Movie News

‘Blast’ box office collections day 7: Arjun Sarja film sees 20.3% drop; Worldwide total reaches Rs 34.59 cr | Tamil Movie News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Arjun Sarja’s comeback film ‘Blast’ continued its theatrical run with a slight decline in collections on its seventh day. The film had maintained a stable run during its first week. However the latest numbers showed a noticeable dip compared to the previous day.According to trade estimates from Sacnilk, ‘Blast’ collected Rs 2.75 crore net in…

Read More
IND vs SA: Maiden ton! Ruturaj Gaikwad makes the most of his opportunity, scores 77-ball century in Raipur

IND vs SA: Maiden ton! Ruturaj Gaikwad makes the most of his opportunity, scores 77-ball century in Raipur

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) NEW DELHI: India’s second ODI against South Africa in Raipur turned into a memorable afternoon for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who finally converted his promise into a commanding maiden international century. Walking in after India lost both openers early, Gaikwad anchored the innings with remarkable poise, crafting a superb 105 off 83…

Read More