Latest news with #Umesh
New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Umesh named general education director; Priyanka is new Ernakulam collector
KOCHI: In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, Ernakulam district collector N S K Umesh has been appointed director of general education, with additional charge as managing director of the Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC). Palakkad collector G Priyanka will replace Umesh as head of the Ernakulam district adminstration. Umesh's two-and-a-half-year tenure in Ernakulam was marked by high-pressure crises and active administrative intervention. A 2014-batch officer, Umesh took charge in March 2023, stepping in during one of the worst environmental emergencies in the district — the Brahmapuram dumpyard fire. The blaze, which caused widespread pollution and panic in Kochi city, was his first major challenge as collector. His handling of the crisis — including coordination with multiple departments, rapid deployment of fire control measures, and subsequent efforts to revamp the waste management system — won him praise and set the tone for a tenure defined by crisis management and developmental work. During his stint, he also dealt with critical situations such as the Kalamassery bomb blast and the Cusat stampede. His coordination of Operation Breakthrough, aimed at mitigating urban flooding in Kochi, was another key achievement. For these and other initiatives, Umesh received multiple recognitions — including the 'Best Collector' award from the state revenue survey department in 2024, the National Human Rights and Humanitarian Federation (NHRF) award in 2025, and the 'Best Election Officer' award for his conduct of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Man loses Rs 2.7L in online investment scam
Udupi: A man allegedly lost Rs 2.7 lakh in an online investment scam. In a complaint, Umesh alleged that around 3.30pm on May 6, he received a phone call on his mobile from an unknown person. The caller claimed there was a highly profitable trading opportunity and convinced Umesh to invest money using an app, promising good returns. Trusting the caller, the complainant first transferred Rs 21,600 via PhonePe to a link shared by the accused, which was in the name of Sandix Trading Pvt. Ltd. Two days later, the complainant received another call saying his profits were ready for withdrawal. The accused asked him to enter his bank account details in the app. Subsequently, Rs 2,130 was credited to his bank account as a 'profit,' which further built his confidence in the platform. The accused then encouraged him to invest more, claiming that greater profits awaited. Umesh was also asked to input amounts in dollars in the app. In total, he alleged that he invested Rs 2.7 lakh in the trading platform. However, when he later demanded that the profits be released first before making any further investments, the accused allegedly manipulated the trading app to show that all the invested money was lost in a single day. When Umesh questioned them again over phone, they insisted he continue trading to recover the losses. Growing suspicious, Umesh stopped investing. Soon after, the mobile number and email ID previously used by the accused were deactivated. Realising he was duped under the pretext of high profits through online trading, Umesh filed a complaint on Tuesday. Based on his complaint, Byndoor police station registered a case under Section 318(4) of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act.
India Today
16-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
I can't work without my earphones, but is it harming my ears?
I enter my office, swipe in to mark attendance, and walk up to my desk. I put down my bag, take my laptop out, charger, water bottle, dear diary, and most importantly, my soon as I sit down and get ready to work, I plug them in and 'Oops, battery low,' is what I hear. Dreadful. "How am I going to work now?" I panic. But hey, at least I didn't leave them at home. Small relief. That's what my brain processes in those few relatable? You're not earplugs, earphones, pods, whatever you call them, have become just another work essential. It's incredibly common to see people with little white (or red, in my case) devices tucked into their ears, typing away in deep focus. They tune out the chaos and tune in the concentration, which is why surviving without them in a chaotic place (like an office) is just not recently, when I read about a Delhi-based woman who suffered minor hearing loss after wearing AirPods for eight straight hours, I'll admit, I sat up straighter and took mine off. The scare is coming back to the big question: is it safe to use earphones for long hours, and does it really boost productivity?Does music lead to productivity?advertisementScience says yes, but with terms and conditions genre of music, whether it's instrumental or not, the nature of the work you are doing, and how your individual brain processes sound, all play a role. Studies have shown that music can be helpful, but only if these conditions match up. Wondering how? I chose to leave it to experts to explain it further. 'Music can help people focus, especially when the surrounding environment is distracting or noisy. I know patients who say they simply can't concentrate unless there's something playing in the background, it sort of gives the mind a buffer,' Dr. Umesh T, clinical director and senior consultant neurology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, tells India he further notes that this tends to work better with instrumental or ambient music - something that doesn't grab too much attention. If it's a song with lyrics, and you are doing work that involves reading or writing, it can interfere. So, it really depends on the task and also on how a person's brain processes everyone has a different liking for sound. Some listen to instrumental music, while some prefer brown noise. (No, not every noise is chaos). There are anecdotal reports of how it helps several people improve their the uninitiated, brown noise is steady, low-pitched, and surprisingly calming. Unlike music, it doesn't carry melody or emotion, which makes it easier for your brain to anchor without distraction.'People with attention difficulties or low tolerance to background noise often find that brown noise helps them stay focused,' says Dr. Umesh. 'Music works better for repetitive tasks. For deep focus, brown noise usually keeps the brain from getting overstimulated.'Therefore, brown noise could be helpful. But if it turns into the brain's only cue to concentrate, it is not good you always listen to something while working, your mind begins to expect that cue - sound for focus. After a while, silence may feel strange or even make it harder to concentrate, according to the that doesn't mean music or background noise is bad. But some mix doing some tasks without it. Give your brain a chance to focus just by itself, without an intervention. That balance is what keeps attention has been said about music and productivity. What often gets overlooked is our relationship with the device use can be damaging? Common knowledge, right? But we still do it (guilty). And the consequences go beyond just hearing side effects no one talks aboutPlugging into your earphones and listening to a podcast or music can help with concentration in some cases, but doing it for longer hours isn't as harmless as it stylish new pod might not fit your ear canal properly and a bad fit can lead to discomfort, irritation, and in some cases, even let's talk about that wax (gross, but important).While our ears are self-cleaning marvels, there are chances of mild impairment and infection. 'Wax tends to move outward and fall off on its own when we talk or eat. When you frequently use earbuds, not only do you push the wax inward, but you also scrape off the wax along the outer walls of the ear canal. This leads to dryness, which increases irritation and the likelihood of infections or mild hearing loss,' Dr Manjunath Mk, senior consultant - ENT surgeon, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, tells India did you know that overusing earbuds can make your ears too sensitive to real-world noise? At least, I didn't."When environmental sounds are constantly suppressed, by relying solely on earbuds or earplugs, the brain becomes less accustomed to processing natural sound stimuli," explains Dr Manjunath. Over time, this can result in auditory hypersensitivity, making individuals more irritable or less tolerant of everyday environmental sounds . long is too long?Experts say that there is no universal rule, but there is a trick up their sleeve that can be implemented. It is called the '60/60 rule' - listen at no more than 60 per cent volume for no more than 60 minutes at a like having diet tips, there are earbud etiquette too:Take 5-10 minute breaks every 30–60 minutes for the eardrums to take a your earbuds clean and push them too listening the working in silence once in a these rules, etiquettes, and mindful usage tips might sound like common sense, but clearly, they're not common practice. Not yet, at know that long hours with earbuds jammed in aren't exactly a friend to ear health. But what often slips under the radar is how constant audio input, without intention or pause, could also be quietly chipping away at our ability to focus.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
‘Land rivalry, Rs 4L contract and wedding link': How trader Ashok Kumar Sao, the ‘mastermind', plotted Patna bizman Gopal Khemka's murder
Police arrested Ashok Kumar Sao in Gopal Khemka murder case. Shooter Umesh Yadav confessed Sao paid him to kill Khemka. An old land dispute is suspected motive. P ATNA: In a major breakthrough, police on Tuesday arrested trader Ashok Kumar Sao, the alleged mastermind behind the sensational murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka. The arrest followed the confession of the alleged shooter, Umesh Yadav, who claimed Sao contracted him to kill Khemka for Rs 4 lakh. Sao was arersted from his flat under the Gandhi Maidan police station limits during a raid late on Monday night, shortly after police nabbed Umesh. Investigators suspect that an old enmity between the two businessmen over land disputes led to the fatal conspiracy, though the exact cause of their conflict is yet to be fully established. Officials said further analysis of Khemka's cellphone records and laptop would help reveal the complete picture. Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma said the investigation began by tracing the motorcycle used in the crime, which led to Umesh's arrest. "During questioning, he confessed to the murder and disclosed that the weapon used in the crime was hidden in a locked room on the upper floor of his house. A subsequent search led to the recovery of the firearm, along with 59 bullets and two magazines containing 14 rounds," the SSP told reporters. Sharma added that Umesh had known Sao for about a year and a half, having met him at a wedding. Since then, he had worked for the trader. "About six weeks ago, Sao plotted Khemka's murder and hired Umesh to arrange weapons. An advance of Rs 50,000 was paid and the balance Rs 3.5 lakh was to be given after the job. The deal was settled at Rs 4 lakh," he said. Initially, Umesh approached local shooters in the Patna City area and contacted known arms supplier Vikas alias Raja. However, after Raja demanded a higher fee, Umesh decided to carry out the shooting himself, using a weapon provided by Sao. According to the SSP, Umesh had been briefed on Khemka's daily routine. "He was told that the target usually arrived at Bankipore Club around 8.30pm and left by 11.30pm. On the night of July 4, Umesh followed Khemka and shot him outside the gate of his apartment complex around 11.45pm," Sharma said. The next day, Sao allegedly met Umesh at J P Ganga Path under the Malsalami police station area and handed over Rs 3.5 lakh in cash. "A cellphone and sim card were purchased in Umesh's name for communication to shield Sao from being implicated. After the payment, Umesh returned the handset but kept the sim," Sharma said. During a search of Sao's flat, police recovered Rs 6.5 lakh in cash, a 9mm pistol with 17 rounds and numerous land-related documents. Director general of police (DGP) Vinay Kumar said police had retrieved several phone conversations between Sao and other businessmen involving land deals and disputes. "We are reviewing all communications to ascertain the motive behind Khemka's murder and the possible business-related conflict," he said. The DGP also played an audio recording of a heated argument between Sao and another businessman during the press briefing. Kumar added that Sao had been questioned earlier in connection with the 2002 Manoj Kamalia murder case and his name had surfaced in the killing of Santosh Tebriwal. He was also jailed over a cold storage dispute in Biharsharif. "In every case, land dispute has been a recurring factor," the DGP said. The case has also drawn parallels with the 2018 murder of Khemka's son Gunjan in Vaishali district, allegedly also over a land dispute. In that incident, the shooter Abhishek and Khemka were both killed.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
Trader held for contract killing of Khemka over land dispute; Rs4L deal comes to light
P atna: In a major breakthrough, police on Tuesday arrested trader Ashok Kumar Sao, the alleged mastermind behind the sensational murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka. The arrest followed the confession of the alleged shooter, Umesh Yadav, who claimed Sao contracted him to kill Khemka for Rs 4 lakh. Sao was arersted from his flat under the Gandhi Maidan police station limits during a raid late on Monday night, shortly after police nabbed Umesh. Investigators suspect that an old enmity between the two businessmen over land disputes led to the fatal conspiracy, though the exact cause of their conflict is yet to be fully established. Officials said further analysis of Khemka's cellphone records and laptop would help reveal the complete picture. Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma said the investigation began by tracing the motorcycle used in the crime, which led to Umesh's arrest. "During questioning, he confessed to the murder and disclosed that the weapon used in the crime was hidden in a locked room on the upper floor of his house. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo A subsequent search led to the recovery of the firearm, along with 59 bullets and two magazines containing 14 rounds," the SSP told reporters. Sharma added that Umesh had known Sao for about a year and a half, having met him at a wedding. Since then, he had worked for the trader. "About six weeks ago, Sao plotted Khemka's murder and hired Umesh to arrange weapons. An advance of Rs 50,000 was paid and the balance Rs 3.5 lakh was to be given after the job. The deal was settled at Rs 4 lakh," he said. Initially, Umesh approached local shooters in the Patna City area and contacted known arms supplier Vikas alias Raja. However, after Raja demanded a higher fee, Umesh decided to carry out the shooting himself, using a weapon provided by Sao. According to the SSP, Umesh had been briefed on Khemka's daily routine. "He was told that the target usually arrived at Bankipore Club around 8.30pm and left by 11.30pm. On the night of July 4, Umesh followed Khemka and shot him outside the gate of his apartment complex around 11.45pm," Sharma said. The next day, Sao allegedly met Umesh at J P Ganga Path under the Malsalami police station area and handed over Rs 3.5 lakh in cash. "A cellphone and sim card were purchased in Umesh's name for communication to shield Sao from being implicated. After the payment, Umesh returned the handset but kept the sim," Sharma said. During a search of Sao's flat, police recovered Rs 6.5 lakh in cash, a 9mm pistol with 17 rounds and numerous land-related documents. Director general of police (DGP) Vinay Kumar said police had retrieved several phone conversations between Sao and other businessmen involving land deals and disputes. "We are reviewing all communications to ascertain the motive behind Khemka's murder and the possible business-related conflict," he said. The DGP also played an audio recording of a heated argument between Sao and another businessman during the press briefing. Kumar added that Sao had been questioned earlier in connection with the 2002 Manoj Kamalia murder case and his name had surfaced in the killing of Santosh Tebriwal. He was also jailed over a cold storage dispute in Biharsharif. "In every case, land dispute has been a recurring factor," the DGP said. The case has also drawn parallels with the 2018 murder of Khemka's son Gunjan in Vaishali district, allegedly also over a land dispute. In that incident, the shooter Abhishek and Khemka were both killed. Police have said they will examine the role of individuals, both in jail and outside, in Gunjan's murder as well. Investigators suspect the possible involvement of jailed criminal Ajay Verma, currently lodged in Beur Jail, in connection with both cases.
