May 18, 2026
Kentucky lawmakers override veto to pass bill allowing faculty layoffs for financial reasons

Kentucky lawmakers override veto to pass bill allowing faculty layoffs for financial reasons

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Kentucky lawmakers override veto to pass bill allowing faculty layoffs for financial reasons Lawmakers in the Kentucky General Assembly have overridden Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill that allows public universities and community colleges in the state to dismiss faculty, including tenured staff, for financial reasons.House Bill 490 was passed earlier in the legislative…

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Beyond the glass: Why your home is losing heat and the simple bubble wrap fix |

Beyond the glass: Why your home is losing heat and the simple bubble wrap fix |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Winter chills are often worsened by heat escaping through windows. Surprisingly, simple solutions like bubble wrap insulation, costing a fraction of double-glazing, can significantly reduce heat loss. Winter comes around, and everyone gets used to their routine, which consists of checking the thermostat, wearing a warm sweater, and locking every single window as if locking…

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. PAHALGAM: A motorable road from Pahalgam town runs through the mountains to a place known locally as CM’s Hut. From there, a roughly 6km trek leads to Baisaran valley, the site of last year’s massacre, when 26 tourists were killed and 17 wounded in a terrorist attack.At the junction near CM’s Hut, the journey stops. Anyone trying to go further along the muddy track is turned back. Police and CRPF personnel appear quickly, mildly reminding visitors the valley is out of bounds. Ponywallahs (local horse guides) do not go beyond this point. Instead, they pause, while tourists take photographs of the Pahalgam bowl from this vantage point and then head back towards Pahalgam town.There are no coils of concertina wire, no visible barricade. Police say they want to avoid alarming visitors. But the closure is felt in quieter ways.Down in the Pahalgam market, pony owners are trying to motivate visitors to at least go up to the junction viewpoint. Abdul Waheed Wani, 39, known locally as “Moulvi Sahab” leads the ponywallahs’ union. Standing on the banks of Lidder, the river that cuts Pahalgam into two, he says Basiran’s closure has changed the town’s rhythm. “People come here to see Baisaran and the four valleys around it. When they are closed, they spend a few hours in Pahalgam town and leave,” he says.Around 5,500 ponywallahs depend on tourism, he says. After last year’s attack, work stopped for almost seven months. “There was nothing to do. Tourists have now started returning, but it is not like before.”He says visitors still ask about whether they can go to Baisaran. “It feels awkward to tell them it is closed,” he says. A year on, he says, the change is visible. “It is not the same Pahalgam after April 22. Earlier, we could move freely and go anywhere. Now there are redlines and accountability. You are accountable if even your horse crosses a redline.”Outside the main taxi stand in Pahalgam, a signboard reads: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” The stand was full of taxis and drivers were standing in groups chatting, but only a handful of tourists were around.Inside the office, Ghulam Nabi Lone, who has headed it for decades, loves to talk about his life and Pahalgam. Wearing a pheran, the long Kashmiri cloak and sipping tea, he speaks about how he began his career four decades ago driving a military jeep, then an ambassador car. Now he owns three vehicles and has remained president of the taxi stand for nearly 40 years.But, he says, he has never seen a situation like this in Pahalgam. For seven months after the attack, everything came to a halt. “Sadakun par ghaas ug aayee thi (grass had grown on the roads),” he says, describing how there was no movement at all. “Everything was shut. Only Chandanwari was open for some time. Now that too is closed,” he says.Lone says he has raised the issue with officials, including in the recent meeting of senior Army, civil and police officers. “We told them these places, particularly Baisaran, need to open. Without them, tourists will not stay in Pahalgam,” he warns. “If Baisaran opens, tourists will come,” he repeated many times.Lone wants to talk about a security point. He says Baisaran had never been closed before. “I had a ticketing contract there. Many people told me to say that I should tell the media it would remain closed, but I refused. I told them it was never shut before the attack. I even said this in a security meeting,” he says, thus dispelling the rumours that Baisaran was opened by J&K’s elected govt some months before the attack.At Pahalgam police station, officers say there is no clear timeline for reopening of Baisaran. They say Chandanwari has been closed for road construction. Some roads lead nowhere.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

. PAHALGAM: A motorable road from Pahalgam town runs through the mountains to a place known locally as CM’s Hut. From there, a roughly 6km trek leads to Baisaran valley, the site of last year’s massacre, when 26 tourists were killed and 17 wounded in a terrorist attack.At the junction near CM’s Hut, the journey stops. Anyone trying to go further along the muddy track is turned back. Police and CRPF personnel appear quickly, mildly reminding visitors the valley is out of bounds. Ponywallahs (local horse guides) do not go beyond this point. Instead, they pause, while tourists take photographs of the Pahalgam bowl from this vantage point and then head back towards Pahalgam town.There are no coils of concertina wire, no visible barricade. Police say they want to avoid alarming visitors. But the closure is felt in quieter ways.Down in the Pahalgam market, pony owners are trying to motivate visitors to at least go up to the junction viewpoint. Abdul Waheed Wani, 39, known locally as “Moulvi Sahab” leads the ponywallahs’ union. Standing on the banks of Lidder, the river that cuts Pahalgam into two, he says Basiran’s closure has changed the town’s rhythm. “People come here to see Baisaran and the four valleys around it. When they are closed, they spend a few hours in Pahalgam town and leave,” he says.Around 5,500 ponywallahs depend on tourism, he says. After last year’s attack, work stopped for almost seven months. “There was nothing to do. Tourists have now started returning, but it is not like before.”He says visitors still ask about whether they can go to Baisaran. “It feels awkward to tell them it is closed,” he says. A year on, he says, the change is visible. “It is not the same Pahalgam after April 22. Earlier, we could move freely and go anywhere. Now there are redlines and accountability. You are accountable if even your horse crosses a redline.”Outside the main taxi stand in Pahalgam, a signboard reads: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” The stand was full of taxis and drivers were standing in groups chatting, but only a handful of tourists were around.Inside the office, Ghulam Nabi Lone, who has headed it for decades, loves to talk about his life and Pahalgam. Wearing a pheran, the long Kashmiri cloak and sipping tea, he speaks about how he began his career four decades ago driving a military jeep, then an ambassador car. Now he owns three vehicles and has remained president of the taxi stand for nearly 40 years.But, he says, he has never seen a situation like this in Pahalgam. For seven months after the attack, everything came to a halt. “Sadakun par ghaas ug aayee thi (grass had grown on the roads),” he says, describing how there was no movement at all. “Everything was shut. Only Chandanwari was open for some time. Now that too is closed,” he says.Lone says he has raised the issue with officials, including in the recent meeting of senior Army, civil and police officers. “We told them these places, particularly Baisaran, need to open. Without them, tourists will not stay in Pahalgam,” he warns. “If Baisaran opens, tourists will come,” he repeated many times.Lone wants to talk about a security point. He says Baisaran had never been closed before. “I had a ticketing contract there. Many people told me to say that I should tell the media it would remain closed, but I refused. I told them it was never shut before the attack. I even said this in a security meeting,” he says, thus dispelling the rumours that Baisaran was opened by J&K’s elected govt some months before the attack.At Pahalgam police station, officers say there is no clear timeline for reopening of Baisaran. They say Chandanwari has been closed for road construction. Some roads lead nowhere.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

PAHALGAM: A motorable road from Pahalgam town runs through the mountains to a place known locally as CM’s Hut. From there, a roughly 6km trek leads to Baisaran valley, the site of last year’s massacre, when 26 tourists were killed and 17 wounded in a terrorist attack.At the junction near CM’s Hut, the journey stops….

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IPL 2026: ‘Jaw dropping’- Shreyas Iyer stunned by Arya–Connolly destruction show

IPL 2026: ‘Jaw dropping’- Shreyas Iyer stunned by Arya–Connolly destruction show

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer (PTI Photo) Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was left impressed after Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly produced a stunning batting display to power their side to a 54-run win over Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. Arya, one of the country’s most talked about T20 batting talents alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, smashed…

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When Arshad Warsi said his children wouldn’t have the pressure that Shah Rukh Khan or Hrithik Roshan’s kids have when they become actors

When Arshad Warsi said his children wouldn’t have the pressure that Shah Rukh Khan or Hrithik Roshan’s kids have when they become actors

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Arshad Warsi celebrated his 58th birthday on Sunday, April 19. The actor has been in the industry for decades, known for movies like the ‘Munnabhai’ franchise, ‘Golmaal’, ‘Jolly LLB’ among many others. Arshad has largely kept his personal life away from the limelight. He’s been married to Maria Goretti for the past 27 years and…

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. PAHALGAM: His phone rings often. As president of one of Pahalgam’s largest Ponywallah associations, Abdul Waheed Wani, 39, is rarely out of demand. But he also keeps himself busy to push away memories that still haunt him.Wani was among the first to reach Baisaran valley after the April 22 terrorist attack that left 26 tourists, including a local ponywallah, dead and 17 others wounded. What he saw there, returns to him at night and sometimes even during the day.“What I saw that day I pray no one should ever see,” he says.It was the afternoon of April 22, when he received a call from police saying something untoward had happened in Baisaran. Wani was in a nearby village. He took a shorter route he knew well and reached before police, who had to take a longer trek.“When I reached there, I saw a woman crying, a child crying. Bodies were lying scattered,” Wani says. His brother-in-law, Sajad, was with him. “For a moment, I felt I would not make it back after seeing all this.”As makeshift shops in Baisaran had been abandoned during the attack, he ran to one, picked up a bottle of water and returned to the woman. “I told her police and administration were on the way,” he recalls.Soon after, he sent a message on a WhatsApp group of around 700 ponywallahs, asking all to come and help. Only about 15 managed to reach. Others were stopped by security forces.“We tried to help the wounded,” he says. “Baisaran is a large area and bodies were lying in different places. It took time to bring them together.” He pauses, then says: “These were not ordinary bodies. They had head shots.”Some of the voices he heard that day have stayed with him. One woman, he says, refused to leave. “She kept saying, ‘My husband is here. We were just walking, taking pictures. Where will I go alone?’” he says.He remembers finding a man among seven bodies. Alive. “When we touched him, he spoke. He had bullet wounds in his neck and arm. I still remember his voice when he said what happened to him.”“Those words haunt me,” he adds.Wani says they managed to bring some of the wounded down. “One man we carried on our shoulders, then on a charpai. He survived,” he says.The memories weigh heavily on Wani. “Whenever they return and they do often, I try to keep myself occupied. I move around, find something to do or pick up the phone and call someone,” he adds.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

. PAHALGAM: His phone rings often. As president of one of Pahalgam’s largest Ponywallah associations, Abdul Waheed Wani, 39, is rarely out of demand. But he also keeps himself busy to push away memories that still haunt him.Wani was among the first to reach Baisaran valley after the April 22 terrorist attack that left 26 tourists, including a local ponywallah, dead and 17 others wounded. What he saw there, returns to him at night and sometimes even during the day.“What I saw that day I pray no one should ever see,” he says.It was the afternoon of April 22, when he received a call from police saying something untoward had happened in Baisaran. Wani was in a nearby village. He took a shorter route he knew well and reached before police, who had to take a longer trek.“When I reached there, I saw a woman crying, a child crying. Bodies were lying scattered,” Wani says. His brother-in-law, Sajad, was with him. “For a moment, I felt I would not make it back after seeing all this.”As makeshift shops in Baisaran had been abandoned during the attack, he ran to one, picked up a bottle of water and returned to the woman. “I told her police and administration were on the way,” he recalls.Soon after, he sent a message on a WhatsApp group of around 700 ponywallahs, asking all to come and help. Only about 15 managed to reach. Others were stopped by security forces.“We tried to help the wounded,” he says. “Baisaran is a large area and bodies were lying in different places. It took time to bring them together.” He pauses, then says: “These were not ordinary bodies. They had head shots.”Some of the voices he heard that day have stayed with him. One woman, he says, refused to leave. “She kept saying, ‘My husband is here. We were just walking, taking pictures. Where will I go alone?’” he says.He remembers finding a man among seven bodies. Alive. “When we touched him, he spoke. He had bullet wounds in his neck and arm. I still remember his voice when he said what happened to him.”“Those words haunt me,” he adds.Wani says they managed to bring some of the wounded down. “One man we carried on our shoulders, then on a charpai. He survived,” he says.The memories weigh heavily on Wani. “Whenever they return and they do often, I try to keep myself occupied. I move around, find something to do or pick up the phone and call someone,” he adds.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

PAHALGAM: His phone rings often. As president of one of Pahalgam’s largest Ponywallah associations, Abdul Waheed Wani, 39, is rarely out of demand. But he also keeps himself busy to push away memories that still haunt him.Wani was among the first to reach Baisaran valley after the April 22 terrorist attack that left 26 tourists,…

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Bigg Boss Marathi 6 Winner: Tanvi Kolte lifts the Bigg Boss Marathi 6 trophy, Raqesh Bapat emerges as the first runner up

Bigg Boss Marathi 6 Winner: Tanvi Kolte lifts the Bigg Boss Marathi 6 trophy, Raqesh Bapat emerges as the first runner up

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Tanvi Kolte emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss Marathi 6, lifting the coveted trophy after an intense season filled with drama, emotions, and fierce competition. Raqesh Bapat secured the position of first runner-up, winning hearts with his composed gameplay. The grand finale celebrated the contestants’ journeys, marking the end of a memorable and highly…

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Canada’s Doug Ford to sell .9 million private jet ‘as quickly as possible’ after facing scrutiny: ‘Should fly economy like rest of us’

Canada’s Doug Ford to sell $28.9 million private jet ‘as quickly as possible’ after facing scrutiny: ‘Should fly economy like rest of us’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

A costly government jet has quickly turned into a political headache in Ontario.Canadian Premier Doug Ford says the province will sell a recently purchased $28.9 million private aircraft “as quickly as possible” after facing public and political backlash over the expensive decision.The plane is a Bombardier Challenger 650 and was bought for government use and…

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Babban Khan enacting the play In August 1965, when India and Pakistan were engaged in a desperate war on the northern borders, a 22-year-old penniless young man wrote a play in a little over three hours under the street-lights of the old city of Hyderabad. By the time its final curtain came down more than three and a half decades later in 2001, “Adrak Ke Panje’ had been performed more than 10,000 times – often to houseful boards, and occasionally requiring a lathi charge to control crowds – in over 60 countries and in dozens of languages.Babban Khan, who wrote, produced, directed and enacted the central role of a bank clerk in that iconic and blockbuster comedy, passed away after a brief illness at a Hyderabad hospital on Friday night. He was 83.In the 1960s and ‘70s, family planning was the focus of the government’s health policy. The sarkari slogan, “Do ya teen bacche…bas,” was common on billboards and a frequent subject of radio jingles. Later, the catchphrase became a sterner “Ek ya do”. “Adrak Ke Panje” (literally, The Claws of Ginger), addressed the problematic and provocative issue of family planning but in a witty and messy way. Which perhaps was a reason why the play – the title is a metaphor for uncontrolled birth — found the public’s pulse and tickled its funny bone.The protagonist clerk (Ramtoo) has eight kids and a bunch of debtors; from milkman to school master. Yet he never loses his sense of snappy humour and a carefree zest for life. The play’s set was basic. Production cost was minimal. But like a hit Hindi film, ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ would draw huge advance bookings. The actor was even invited to Radio Ceylon’s popular programme, “S Kumar’s ka filmi muqaddama”, generally reserved for Hindi film personalities. In time, the play would also find a place in Guinness Book of Records, and be seen, among others, by film director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Rex Harrison and thriller writer Frederick Forsythe.“Johnny Walker, the film comedian, said that for 15 years he had been making film audiences laugh, but here was a play that made him laugh!,” said a 1970 article in ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India.’Babban was untrained in theatre and had dropped out of college. ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ was born out of real-life experience and characters. His father, who worked in the fire department, died when he was six. “All my siblings died young…I somehow survived to tell the tale,” the playwright told TOI in 2001.Talking to TOI in 1995, the playwright revealed that he had sold his mother’s lone piece of wedding jewelry for Rs 275 to finance the play. “I paid Rs 200 as theatre rent, Rs 30 for printing tickets, Rs 2.50 for an umbrella and Rs 18 on the material for a sherwani, which the tailor stitched in return for a pass to the show,” he said. The first show staged in September 1965 was a flop. But the second wasn’t; it never was thereafter.Analysing the play Bilkiz Alladin wrote in the Weekly, “In the strict sense of the word ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ can hardly be called a play. It has no plot, no tense dramatic situations, and no conflict. It is a string of jokes from beginning to end. Yet one sits through it. Laughing, and one wonders that the end, which is really two hours away, has come so soon. It is very Hyderabadi in essence and flavour, in location, in thought and manner, and in its every little joke. To lovers of old Hyderabad and its Urdu dialects, the play brings a glimpse of the now disappearing, picturesque style of speech.”The play’s super success made Babban a lakhpati in the days when beggars would be happy with a five paisa donation. In a 1979 interview to TOI, Babban Khan admitted to owning three homes in Hyderabad’s swank Banjara Hills, selling off his Mercedes to buy a Volkswagen and decorating his house with Persian carpets, chandeliers and marble statues. By then, he had written another play “Gumbad Ke Kabutar” (Pigeons Of The Dome) which dealt with corruption.In later years, Babban’s home in Shantinagar served as a training centre for upcoming drama artistes and film actors. He personally trained the students. Hundreds of stage lovers and admirers turned up for the funeral on Saturday. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote on X, “When we were kids growing up in Hyderabad, Babban Khan’s Adrak ke Panje was a big hit. Sadly, never got to see it and was reminded of it when I read the news of Babban Khan’s death. It ran for over 30 years and I wish now I could catch glimpses of it to celebrate the humour that came naturally to people who speak Dakhni.”(With inputs from Syed Akbar in Hyderabad)About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown ProjectilePakistan Clears Bn UAE Debt As Saudi Extends Bn Deposit Term123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Babban Khan enacting the play In August 1965, when India and Pakistan were engaged in a desperate war on the northern borders, a 22-year-old penniless young man wrote a play in a little over three hours under the street-lights of the old city of Hyderabad. By the time its final curtain came down more than three and a half decades later in 2001, “Adrak Ke Panje’ had been performed more than 10,000 times – often to houseful boards, and occasionally requiring a lathi charge to control crowds – in over 60 countries and in dozens of languages.Babban Khan, who wrote, produced, directed and enacted the central role of a bank clerk in that iconic and blockbuster comedy, passed away after a brief illness at a Hyderabad hospital on Friday night. He was 83.In the 1960s and ‘70s, family planning was the focus of the government’s health policy. The sarkari slogan, “Do ya teen bacche…bas,” was common on billboards and a frequent subject of radio jingles. Later, the catchphrase became a sterner “Ek ya do”. “Adrak Ke Panje” (literally, The Claws of Ginger), addressed the problematic and provocative issue of family planning but in a witty and messy way. Which perhaps was a reason why the play – the title is a metaphor for uncontrolled birth — found the public’s pulse and tickled its funny bone.The protagonist clerk (Ramtoo) has eight kids and a bunch of debtors; from milkman to school master. Yet he never loses his sense of snappy humour and a carefree zest for life. The play’s set was basic. Production cost was minimal. But like a hit Hindi film, ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ would draw huge advance bookings. The actor was even invited to Radio Ceylon’s popular programme, “S Kumar’s ka filmi muqaddama”, generally reserved for Hindi film personalities. In time, the play would also find a place in Guinness Book of Records, and be seen, among others, by film director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Rex Harrison and thriller writer Frederick Forsythe.“Johnny Walker, the film comedian, said that for 15 years he had been making film audiences laugh, but here was a play that made him laugh!,” said a 1970 article in ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India.’Babban was untrained in theatre and had dropped out of college. ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ was born out of real-life experience and characters. His father, who worked in the fire department, died when he was six. “All my siblings died young…I somehow survived to tell the tale,” the playwright told TOI in 2001.Talking to TOI in 1995, the playwright revealed that he had sold his mother’s lone piece of wedding jewelry for Rs 275 to finance the play. “I paid Rs 200 as theatre rent, Rs 30 for printing tickets, Rs 2.50 for an umbrella and Rs 18 on the material for a sherwani, which the tailor stitched in return for a pass to the show,” he said. The first show staged in September 1965 was a flop. But the second wasn’t; it never was thereafter.Analysing the play Bilkiz Alladin wrote in the Weekly, “In the strict sense of the word ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ can hardly be called a play. It has no plot, no tense dramatic situations, and no conflict. It is a string of jokes from beginning to end. Yet one sits through it. Laughing, and one wonders that the end, which is really two hours away, has come so soon. It is very Hyderabadi in essence and flavour, in location, in thought and manner, and in its every little joke. To lovers of old Hyderabad and its Urdu dialects, the play brings a glimpse of the now disappearing, picturesque style of speech.”The play’s super success made Babban a lakhpati in the days when beggars would be happy with a five paisa donation. In a 1979 interview to TOI, Babban Khan admitted to owning three homes in Hyderabad’s swank Banjara Hills, selling off his Mercedes to buy a Volkswagen and decorating his house with Persian carpets, chandeliers and marble statues. By then, he had written another play “Gumbad Ke Kabutar” (Pigeons Of The Dome) which dealt with corruption.In later years, Babban’s home in Shantinagar served as a training centre for upcoming drama artistes and film actors. He personally trained the students. Hundreds of stage lovers and admirers turned up for the funeral on Saturday. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote on X, “When we were kids growing up in Hyderabad, Babban Khan’s Adrak ke Panje was a big hit. Sadly, never got to see it and was reminded of it when I read the news of Babban Khan’s death. It ran for over 30 years and I wish now I could catch glimpses of it to celebrate the humour that came naturally to people who speak Dakhni.”(With inputs from Syed Akbar in Hyderabad)About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown ProjectilePakistan Clears $2Bn UAE Debt As Saudi Extends $3Bn Deposit Term123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Babban Khan enacting the play In August 1965, when India and Pakistan were engaged in a desperate war on the northern borders, a 22-year-old penniless young man wrote a play in a little over three hours under the street-lights of the old city of Hyderabad. By the time its final curtain came down more than…

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IPL 2026: Arya and Connolly’s brutal ball-striking tears apart LSG as PBKS seal 54-run win | Cricket News

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Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya, and Cooper Connolly (PTI Photo) New Chandigarh: Punjab Kings possess perhaps the most fearsome top order in the IPL, comprising three genial but fearless young batters. On Sunday, Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly carried out a brutal assault on Lucknow Super Giants with elegance — a second-wicket partnership of effortless hitting,…

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USCIS director issued a fresh warning to immigration scammers. USCIS director Joseph Edlow said fraudsters and other criminals should be prepared to face the consequences as the administration is coming after people who have a Green Card. With new special agents on board, the agency is on its way to opening multiple tip lines where…

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Aryna Sabalenka and Georgios Frangulis (Image Via Getty) There has been a lot of talk around Aryna Sabalenka and her fiancé Georgios Frangulis. Many fans have noticed him sitting in the stands during her matches, and not everyone has been supportive. Some people even questioned how he manages his business while attending so many games….

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CDawgVA (Image Via Getty) Connor Colquhoun, better known as CDawgVA, has finished his 2026 Cyclethon after another long and demanding ride across Japan. This year’s event brought in close to $1.5 million for the Immune Deficiency Foundation. By the time he crossed the finish line, donations had reached around $1,470,000, making it one of the…

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Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly Punjab Kings batters Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly added a 182-run stand against Lucknow Super Giants, registering one of the highest partnerships for the franchise in IPL history.This is the third 150-plus stand for Punjab Kings in the tournament. The highest remains the 206-run partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Shaun…

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Canadian computer scientist Yoshua Bengio has raised concerns about the restricted release of Anthropic’s latest AI model, Claude Mythos. Bengio, known for his contributions to deep learning and one of the Godfathers of AI, has argued that the core issue lies in the concentration of decision-making power within a single private company. He said that…

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Jaishankar welcomes South Korea Prez Lee Jae-myung, says talks with PM Modi will deepen strategic partnership NEW DELHI: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India on Sunday for a three-day state visit, the first by a South Korean leader in over eight years. The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as an “important milestone” in advancing the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership.Lee, who took office in June 2025, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ahead of a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. He will also visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.The South Korean president will later hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, the centrepiece of his visit. Talks between the two leaders are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in semiconductors, defence production, green energy and trade, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). A joint press statement is expected after the summit. Lee is also scheduled to attend a business forum at Bharat Mandapam and meet President Droupadi Murmu before concluding his visit.New Delhi and Seoul elevated ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership” in 2015, with cooperation spanning manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and defence.(With ANI inputs)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown ProjectilePakistan Clears Bn UAE Debt As Saudi Extends Bn Deposit TermPakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Under US Scanner, Flagged As Risk For Trump Team123PhotostoriesWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro citiesFrom lotus feet darshan to reopening of Gangotri Temple: 5 rare spiritual journeys to experience this Akshaya Tritiya123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Jaishankar welcomes South Korea Prez Lee Jae-myung, says talks with PM Modi will deepen strategic partnership NEW DELHI: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India on Sunday for a three-day state visit, the first by a South Korean leader in over eight years. The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as an “important milestone” in advancing the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership.Lee, who took office in June 2025, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ahead of a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. He will also visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.The South Korean president will later hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, the centrepiece of his visit. Talks between the two leaders are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in semiconductors, defence production, green energy and trade, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). A joint press statement is expected after the summit. Lee is also scheduled to attend a business forum at Bharat Mandapam and meet President Droupadi Murmu before concluding his visit.New Delhi and Seoul elevated ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership” in 2015, with cooperation spanning manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and defence.(With ANI inputs)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown ProjectilePakistan Clears $2Bn UAE Debt As Saudi Extends $3Bn Deposit TermPakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Under US Scanner, Flagged As Risk For Trump Team123PhotostoriesWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro citiesFrom lotus feet darshan to reopening of Gangotri Temple: 5 rare spiritual journeys to experience this Akshaya Tritiya123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Jaishankar welcomes South Korea Prez Lee Jae-myung, says talks with PM Modi will deepen strategic partnership NEW DELHI: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India on Sunday for a three-day state visit, the first by a South Korean leader in over eight years. The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as an “important…

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