Latest news with #BlueWhale
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Meet Kerala's growing community of women in motorsports
Aparna Umesh is navigating an impossibly slushy track in her modified off-road rig, maneuvering through a bumpy dirt track with the ease of an expert. All of a sudden, the track dips into a muddy trough and the small group of onlookers hold their breath. Can she make it up the sharp incline? Sure enough, she does. Aparna is an off-roader from Kochi, who has been driving through mud and mountain for the past five years. She is among the growing tribe of women in motorsports in Kerala. Considered physically and mentally demanding, few women venture into motorsports, but the ones who do say they are in it for the sheer thrill of adventure, a sense of freedom, self-discovery and a way to overcome trauma. When driving is still largely gendered and women are constantly judged for their skill and the type of vehicles they drive, these women have been negotiating every obstacle, both literal and metaphorical, to follow their passion. Many of them often compete against men. Calm in the midst of chaos For Aparna, off-roading taught her to find calm in the midst of chaos. 'Even when the obstacle looks insurmountable; I know I have to find a way to negotiate it without hurting myself or the vehicle. So I focus, keep my cool and push on,' she says. Aparna, a marketing professional, knew from the very first time she test drove a modified off-road rig that it was her calling. 'I was introduced to off-roading at a club in Kottayam, where I drove a Mahindra CJ series Jeep, which they fondly call Blue Whale. As I drove it, I had butterflies in my stomach. I knew this was my thing.' It all began when her father surprised her with a 4x4. 'I had to learn how to fully utilise the vehicle and that led me to off-roading,' she says. Aparna joined the R&T Off Road Club in Kottayam in 2019, the only woman member then. She went on various trails and took part in competitions, slowly gathering experience on various terrains. She was the first Indian woman to participate in the Orange Fest organised by JKTyres in 2022. Today, she co-owns the Blue Whale in addition to her own vehicles and is the co-founder of R&T 4x4 Training Academy. Currently preparing for the India leg of the Rain Forest Challenge, one of the most difficult off-road motor races, to be held in Goa in August, Aparna says every competition, every trail is a learning experience. Rallying on For one of Kerala's first woman rally drivers Athira Murali, driving is at the very core of her being. A national award winning rally driver, Autocross car racer, off-roader and automotive content creator from Kottayam, she says the track has always been her safe space, something that gives her a sense of self. 'Nothing compares to the freedom and the adrenalin rush I get while driving,' she says. A mechanical engineer by qualification, she realised early on that her heart was in automobiles. Athira started riding two wheelers while in Class VII and drove heavy vehicles even as a Class X student. She has been in the competition circuit for the past 11 years, and is a part of rallies including the Indian National Rally Championship. 'It is an expensive interest to pursue. Everything including the gear come at a price. One needs to be fully invested in it to be able to sustain it,' she adds. Though she owns a 4x4, the rally cars are sponsored. Athira holds the record for being Kerala's first youngest motorsports woman driver (2014-15). She owns a tours and travels start up, too. As the woman chairperson of the Keraleeyam Motorsports Association, an organisation which has been holding motorsports events throughout the country, Athira hopes more women would enter the foray. 'Today, I can safely say I have created my space and I am owning it too,' she adds. Crazy about four-wheelers Veena Murali, who hails from Thodupuzha and is settled in Chennai, was drawn to four-wheelers as early as age 10. Her father owned an Ambassador, on which she learnt steering control. 'As soon as I was tall enough to reach the foot pedals, I learnt how to reverse the vehicle. I would help people park their cars, I was crazy about four-wheelers,' laughs Veena. It helped that her uncle, who was working in Mahindra, brought home posters and scale models of the vehicles, which she treasures to this day. 'I even had models of vehicles before they were released.' Though a skilled driver, Veena took to off-roading competitions only two years ago. The founder of a home decor brand, she decided that she would get into the competition circuit only after building her own vehicle. Though she owned a 4x4, it was preserved for everyday drives and a few fun off-roading excursions. She bought a Mahindra CJ 500, and built it for the competition. 'My first competition was at Vagamon, and after that I did the Palar Challenge, considered one of India's toughest off-road events, organised by Terra Tigers, one of India's oldest off-roading clubs in India,' she says. Veena secured second place in the individual category. 'To me, it is a test of my own abilities. Navigating an obstacle and completing the challenge brings inexplicable joy,' says Veena. 'Off-roading is a part of my life' Riya Bino, an off-roader from Pala, was drawn to the sport watching her father and uncle, both seasoned off-roaders. 'It was only natural that I gravitated to it,' she says. Born and brought up in a verdant plantation setting, Riya used to drive her father's Major Jeep ever since she was in Class VIII. A kindergarten teacher, the gentle-spoken Riya says she knows no fear tackling some of the most complicated trails. She pushes the rig to its limits, and conquers the terrain. 'The backyard of my house was akin to an off-roading track. Off-roading has been a part of my life. It comes easily to me.' She has been competing and is known as one of the emerging talents in the off-roading community. 'For me, it is the energy that one gets when doing something one loves.' Beating trauma When Shilpa Surendran reached a 'breaking point' in life, she sought refuge behind the wheel. The electronics engineer from Thiruvananthapuram, who started a coaching centre to teach Math, found driving therapeutic during rough patches. As someone who loved riding motorcycles and driving, she found herself spending time at a friend's workshop. Her interest gradually deepened and Shilpa eventually joined the Thiruvananthapuram Off-Roaders Club. She began taking part in competitions and built her Land Cruiser 80 series. Shilpa says support from friends has helped her puruse her interest in auto sports. 'It is mentally and physically challenging, but the reward is in overcoming it,' she says. An active presence in the Autocross circuit (a sport where drivers have to navigate a temporary course marked by cones, in the fastest time), Shilpa also performs stunts. 'It makes me feel good about myself; it has made me confident. That is the thing with motorsports. It sort of makes you feel invincible,' adds Shilpa. Social media has helped create awareness and interest in motor sports and more women are now exploring it. Though it requires training and practice, combined with a passion and the means to afford it, motor sports, as the women in it are proving every day, is a matter of grit over brawn.
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
The 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter
Plus, find out the historic attraction named best in the UK by Which? with free-roaming deer, water gardens and kids playground FREE FOR ALL The 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AROUND England there's so much to see, but these are the top attractions that you can visit for absolutely nothing. VisitEngland put together a list of the most visited free attractions across the country for 2024 based on visitor numbers, and most were in London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 These are the most visited free attractions around the UK Credit: Alamy 5 Brighton Pier made the top 10 list - but has since introduced a fee for tourists Credit: Alamy At the very top of the most visited free attractions in England was the British Museum. Found in Russell Square, the museum has the famous Rosetta Stone as well as Greek sculptures and holds exhibitions that change throughout the year. The British Museum is absolutely free, but visitors are encouraged to book a time slot through their website to guarantee entry (although you can still walk-in on the day). One of the most impressive museums came in second - the National History Museum in South Kensington. This one came second on the list and had just under six million visitors in 2024 - which is a four per cent increase from 2023. I recently visited in March for the very first time and there was a winding line around the outside just to get in. Luckily, I booked a time slot ahead and was guaranteed immediate entry and walked inside to see the enormous Blue Whale skeleton on display. There's so much to see, I spent hours looking around the various sections from the fossil collections to precious treasures in The Vault. The third most popular free attraction was the Tate Modern, the gallery in Southwark is renowned for its enormous tower. The gallery is full of modern and contemporary art and inside are works by Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol as well as as Jenny Holzer and Anish Kapoor. One of the UK's most popular attractions reveals new £50million redesign - it's biggest in 200 years 5 The Blue Whale is in the entry hall to the Natural History Museum Credit: Alamy Brighton Pier was the only non-museum and art gallery that made the top ten. However since the survey, Brighton Pier has introduced a £2 entry charge for tourists between March and September - the costs go towards maintaining the pier. In Northern England, top free attractions included the Museum of Liverpool and Durham Cathedral. In Yorkshire, Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens had over a million visitors last year and topped the list. In the West Midlands, the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) was the most visited. And in the East Midlands, Wollaton Hall and Park - a huge Elizabethan mansion turned natural history museum received the most visitors. 5 The Tate Modern was the third most visited free attraction of 2024 Credit: Alamy The Top 20 Most Visited Free Attractions in England in 2024 British Museum National History Museum, South Kensington Tate Modern Brighton Pier V&A National Gallery Somerset House Science Museum, London Royal Museums Greenwich National Portrait Gallery Manchester Central Library Abbey Gardens British Library Tate Britain Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens The Lowry Ashmolean Museum Bodleian Libraries Horniman Museum and Gardens Oxford University Museum of Natural History Another popular spot in the East of England was Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, and in the South East, Brighton Pier was at the top followed by Ashmolean Museum - the oldest public museum in the UK. The South West saw Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, a historic property with a Victorian garden, at the top of the free attractions in the area. Meanwhile, the top most visited paid attractions in England last year was the Tower of London with a whopping two million visitors. Tickets for adults between 18 and 34 cost £35.80 with tickets for children between five and 15 at £17.90. Check out this historic attraction named best in the UK by Which? has free-roaming deer, water gardens and kids playground. Plus, this UK train line was bizarrely named among top places to visit in world this year - and here are Sun Travel's favourite places on the route. Top 20 Most Most Visited Paid Attractions in England in 2024 Tower of London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Chester Zoo Westminster Abbey St Paul's Cathedral Stonehenge Windsor Castle Windermere Lake Cruises ZSL London Zoo RHS Garden Wisley Roman Batha Tower Bridge Blenheim Palace Adventure Island Southend Yorkshire Wildlife Park ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Beamish, The Living Museum of the North The Trentham Estate Old Royal Navy College
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
The 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter
AROUND England there's so much to see, but these are the top attractions that you can visit for absolutely nothing. 5 These are the most visited free attractions around the UK Credit: Alamy 5 Brighton Pier made the top 10 list - but has since introduced a fee for tourists Credit: Alamy At the very top of the most visited free attractions in England was the Found in Russell Square, the museum has the famous Rosetta Stone as well as Greek sculptures and holds exhibitions that change throughout the year. The British Museum is absolutely free, but visitors are encouraged to book a time slot through their website to guarantee entry (although you can still walk-in on the day). One of the most impressive museums came in second - the Read More on UK Attractions This one came second on the list and had just under six million visitors in 2024 - which is a four per cent increase from 2023. I recently visited in March for the very first time and there was a winding line around the outside just to get in. Luckily, I booked a time slot ahead and was guaranteed immediate entry and walked inside to see the enormous Blue Whale skeleton on display. There's so much to see, I spent hours looking around the various sections from the fossil collections to precious treasures in The Vault. Most read in News Travel The third most popular free attraction was the Tate Modern, the gallery in Southwark is renowned for its enormous tower. The gallery is full of modern and contemporary art and inside are works by Pablo Picasso , Jackson Pollock , Andy Warhol as well as as Jenny Holzer and Anish Kapoor. One of the UK's most popular attractions reveals new £50million redesign - it's biggest in 200 years 5 The Blue Whale is in the entry hall to the Natural History Museum Credit: Alamy However since the survey, Brighton Pier has introduced a £2 entry charge for tourists between March and September - the costs go towards maintaining the pier. In Northern England, top free attractions included the In Yorkshire, Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens had over a million visitors last year and topped the list. In the And in the East Midlands, Wollaton Hall and Park - a huge Elizabethan mansion turned natural history museum received the most visitors. 5 The Tate Modern was the third most visited free attraction of 2024 Credit: Alamy The Top 20 Most Visited Free Attractions in England in 2024 British Museum National History Museum, South Kensington Tate Modern Brighton Pier V&A National Gallery Somerset House Science Museum, London Royal Museums Greenwich National Portrait Gallery Manchester Central Library Abbey Gardens British Library Tate Britain Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens The Lowry Ashmolean Museum Bodleian Libraries Horniman Museum and Gardens Oxford University Museum of Natural History Another popular spot in the East of England was Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, and in the South East, Brighton Pier was at the top followed by The South West saw Meanwhile, the top most visited paid attractions in England last year was the Tickets for adults between 18 and 34 cost £35.80 with tickets for children between five and 15 at £17.90. Check out this historic attraction named best in the UK by Plus, this UK train line was bizarrely named among top places to visit in world this year - and here are Top 20 Most Most Visited Paid Attractions in England in 2024 Tower of London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Chester Zoo Westminster Abbey St Paul's Cathedral Stonehenge Windsor Castle Windermere Lake Cruises ZSL London Zoo RHS Garden Wisley Roman Batha Tower Bridge Blenheim Palace Adventure Island Southend Yorkshire Wildlife Park ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Beamish, The Living Museum of the North The Trentham Estate Old Royal Navy College 5 The Natural History Museum was the most visited of attraction in the UK Credit: Alamy
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
6 animals that are known for their unbelievable weight
When we talk about the animal kingdom, it's usually about speed, hunting skills, or sharp instincts. But there's another side to wildlife that's just as fascinating– size. While some animals grab attention with their looks or behaviour, others stand out simply because of how massive they are. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From deep oceans to forests, some animals stand out simply because of how heavy they are. They may not be the quickest or the most dangerous, but their size plays an important role in nature. Here's a look at six of the heaviest animals in the world– creatures you won't forget once you know their weight! Blue Whale The blue whale isn't just the heaviest animal alive– it's the heaviest animal in Earth's history. Found in oceans across the globe, a fully grown blue whale can weigh between 130 to 150 tonnes. Surprisingly, they survive by eating tiny krill and often travel long distances while migrating. Whale Shark The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and can weigh around 18 to 20 tonnes. These giants are slow-moving and usually found in warm, tropical waters. Even with their massive size, they're completely harmless to humans and are often seen swimming near the surface, feeding on plankton and small fish. African Elephant The African elephant is the heaviest land animal, with adult males often weighing over 10 tonnes. Found in different parts of Africa, they're known for their intelligence, close family groups, and long lives. They also help shape their environment by knocking down trees and digging water holes that benefit other animals too. White Rhinoceros The white rhino can weigh up to 4.5 tonnes, making it one of the bulkiest land animals after elephants. Known for their wide mouths and grazing habits, white rhinos are mostly found in parts of southern Africa. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While their numbers are more stable than other rhino species, they still face threats from poaching. Hippopotamus The hippopotamus usually weighs between 3 to 4.5 tonnes and is mostly found in rivers and lakes across Africa. Though herbivores by diet, hippos are known for being highly territorial and are considered one of the most dangerous animals on the continent. Southern Elephant Seal Among seals, the male southern elephant seal stands out for its massive size, weighing close to 4 tonnes. Found in colder parts of the Southern Hemisphere, especially near Antarctica, these seals are known for their deep-sea diving abilities and loud roars during mating season.
Times of Oman
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Times of Oman
Stranded whale rescued in Shinas, returned to sea
Shinas: The Environment Authority in North Al Batinah Governorate received a report about a whale stranded in Shinas. A stranded whale was found near Al Duwanij Beach in Shinas. Specialised teams from the Environment Department in North Al Batinah Governorate began dealing with the incident. Due to the sea being at low tide, the situation was monitored until it changed to high tide. The whale was returned to the sea on Friday in good condition. It is worth noting that the stranded whale was a blue whale, approximately 8 metres long. Rescue teams from the Environment Department in North Al Batinah Governorate have made great efforts to rescue it and return it to its natural environment.
