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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Crumbling 4-room Ayodhya school gets PCI nod in 8 min: CBI
Ahmedabad: In what the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has called a "premeditated abuse of regulatory processes", a ramshackle four-room primary school in Ayodhya was approved to run a pharmacy college after an online inspection that lasted barely eight minutes. The inspection, conducted via Zoom on July 3, 2023, forms a central piece of evidence in the corruption probe against Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) president Dr Montu Kumar Patel and others. According to the preliminary enquiry triggered by a complaint from the Union ministry of health and family welfare, the PCI replaced physical site inspections with online inspections from April 2023. The CBI's findings revealed that the virtual inspection of the Ayodhya school was conducted without the principal being present, and the institute's infrastructure was even flagged as "non-compliant". Yet, the PCI allowed the institution five days to file an affidavit of compliance, and just two months later, on Sep 6, 2023, the PCI's executive committee, chaired by Dr Patel, formally approved the institute to offer a diploma in pharmacy, revealed the CBI documents. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The CBI documents further revealed a financial trail behind the sanction. CBI officers traced nearly Rs 10 lakh in cash and Rs 95,000 via three separate bank transfers to a local primary school teacher, who was tasked with managing the inspection, preparing documentation, and securing PCI approval. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa Prices in Dubai Might Be Lower Than You Think! Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo The money was routed through three banks in three instalments. When CBI investigators finally visited the institute, they found it to be nothing more than a dilapidated four-room school with no faculty, no infrastructure, and no students, and clearly unfit to function as a pharmacy college. The Ayodhya case is just one among at least 23 similar approvals uncovered by the CBI across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. In all these cases, pharmacy colleges were sanctioned despite falling short of the mandatory standards. On June 30, 2025, the CBI registered a regular FIR under IPC Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating), and Sections 7, 7A, and 8 of the amended Prevention of Corruption Act.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
'Ridiculously You Podcast' seeks bold experts to talk self‑love, boundaries and body positivity
Julie May is recording Season 1 of the new Ridiculously You Podcast and is casting expert guests. Leaders in empowerment, wellness, entrepreneurship, and body positivity can now apply to share their real stories on self-love, boundaries, and living unapologetically at AUSTIN, Texas - July 23, 2025 - Julie May, founder of the Ridiculously You self‑love movement, began recording the first episodes of 'The Ridiculously You Podcast' this week and is inviting additional guests to join the program's inaugural season. The weekly interview series pairs May's trademark 'live out loud' philosophy with candid stories from leaders, healers and entrepreneurs who have turned their own 'too much' into a force for good. Season 1 will premiere in September; tapings continue through late August. 'I created The Ridiculously You Podcast to have the kinds of conversations we wish people were having - unfiltered, deep, sometimes hilarious, always transformational. If you're done watering yourself down and want to speak from the soul, I want you on the show.' Guest criteria Bonus points - A quirky or controversial take on the self‑development space. - The ability to laugh at yourself while having a meaningful conversation. - Showing up with heart, humor and humanity. Interviews are recorded remotely via Zoom and run about 45 minutes. Guests receive a promotional toolkit when their episode airs. Apply to be a guest at Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while recording slots remain. About Julie May Julie May is an international award‑winning keynote speaker, two‑time best‑selling author, host of The Ridiculously You Podcast, and founder of the Ridiculous Women Society. After losing 100 pounds through radical self‑love and a sustainable low‑carb lifestyle, she has helped thousands ditch perfectionism, set unshakeable boundaries, and live unapologetically out loud. Her work has been featured on KSL 5 News, Good Things Utah, CBS, and ABC. Media Contact Company Name: Ridiculously You Contact Person: Julie May Email: Send Email City: Austin State: Texas Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: 'Ridiculously You Podcast' seeks bold experts to talk self‑love, boundaries and body positivity
UPI
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Eddie Karanja calls 'Washington Black' a story he had to tell
1 of 5 | Eddie Karanja stars in "Washington Black," premiering Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Hulu NEW YORK, July 23 (UPI) -- Halo and Sandman actor Eddie Karanja says he hopes audiences feel inspired and see themselves in his epic new miniseries, Washington Black. "First of all, I want them to think Wash is awesome because he is," Eddie told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "Even though I can't predict, I think young viewers are going to really love a lot of the characters that we meet along the way and they're going to find identity within the show," he said. "It's such an amazing story to hear being told from my character's perspective and through the eyes of an 11-year-old, enslaved boy who goes on this whirlwind journey. It was something that I knew that I had to tell." The eight-episode series premieres on Hulu Wednesday and co-stars Sterling K. Brown, Ernest Kingsley Jr., Tom Ellis, Iola Evans, Billy Boyd, Rupert Graves, Edward Bluemel and Ntare Mwine. The adaptation of Esi Edugyan's best-selling novel follows the titular, 19th-century hero, who was born a slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, but whose brilliant scientific mind enables him to go on extraordinary adventures. "It started with the book, then went to the script, and my amazing dialect and acting coach really helped me zone in on the internal conflict in Washington," Eddie said. "You really begin to feel the emotion inside before you show it outside. And, then, it was [listening to] music, as well. All those things really helped create this character that I really love." Eddie said playing chess helped him bond with Kingsley Jr., the actor who played the adult version of Wash. "There were conversations had and there were subtle things," Eddie explained. "Hanging out with each other, we really picked up similar mannerisms, so it was almost as if the same person was portraying this character at different points in his life." The project also afforded Eddie the opportunity of working with Emmy-winner Brown, who was a producer in addition to a cast member on Washington Black. "Sterling was an amazing collaborator. He really made you feel like an active part of the collaboration," Eddie said. "It was good to have him around." The actor said the period-accurate costumes and locations in Mexico, Iceland and Nova Scotia where the series was shot helped him immerse himself in this world. "It really did a lot of the work in the character circumstances," he added. "There was never a moment that I felt the set was taking me out of [the story] in any way." Showrunner Selwyn Seyfu Hinds said he and executive producer Kimberly Ann Harrison tried to create a "safety net" so the cast and crew had what they needed to make the most authentic and emotionally rewarding series possible. "They were forces throughout the show in really cultivating and honing in on this story," Eddie said. "Selwyn really took a lot of himself and his own culture and really put that into the show. Kim really honed in on those ideas, as well, and, really, the finished product speaks for itself." Hinds felt immediately drawn to the beloved novel. "I love the core of what the book is about -- the idea that the best of us can come from the worst of places, right?" he said. "If that's not emblematic of Wash's journey, I don't know what else you can say," Hinds added. "Once we got that sort of core idea of this kid who was going to go on a journey that will metaphorically and literally lead to him flying, everything else became: 'Well, what best supports that? How do we challenge that journey? How do we make it more interesting? How do we take some of the clues in the book and what sort of secret chambers are here to explore?'" Hinds thinks the tale will resonate with 2025 viewers unsettled by real-world division and unrest. "When the world's on fire, it'd be nice to find some wings and flowers," he said. "An evergreen journey for humans is to find hope and find kindness and joy, and it just feels extra-relevant in times that feel tough," Hinds added. "It's not just empty-calorie escapism. It's sort of like escapism with a thematic purpose."
India.com
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Left 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', worked with MS Dhoni, actress awestruck by cricketer's simplicity, says, 'there's no...'
Nidhi Bhanushali became a household name thanks to her role as Sonu in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. At the peak of her popularity, she made the unexpected decision to leave the show after seven years. But she didn't fade from public memory. After leaving the sitcom, Nidhi dabbled in music videos and stayed active online, but one unexpected appearance had fans talking: an ad shoot with none other than MS Dhoni. When did she work with Dhoni, and what went viral? In a now-viral moment, Nidhi shared photos from a commercial shoot with former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Naturally, social media exploded with surprise and admiration. In a recent interview with Zoom, Nidhi opened up about her experience working alongside one of India's most loved icons. What did Nidhi say about Dhoni? 'I spent a really good time working with him (MS Dhoni). What impressed me the most was his sweet nature. He has achieved so much in life, yet he remains calm and grounded. There's no arrogance, no rush, he's just so focused,' she said. She further added, 'You rarely get to be around someone with that kind of energy. I feel really lucky to have known him up close. The best part is, he makes everyone around him feel comfortable. The shoot was smooth and fun. Just sharing a frame with a legend like him is a big deal for me.' A quiet shift from sitcoms to new chapters While Nidhi may have stepped out of Gokuldham Society, she seems to be finding her path through ads, travel, and experiences that are far from predictable. And if she keeps meeting legends along the way, fans will stay tuned.
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shilpa Shirodkar says her husband feels she has ‘gone mad', called her when he found ‘nothing in the house': ‘I asked what do you mean'
Shilpa Shirodkar was one of the most popular actors in the Hindi film industry in the early 1990s, however, the actor chose to step away from the limelight after she tied the knot and moved out of the country. In a recent interview, Shilpa, who was a contestant on Bigg Boss 18, shared that she has adopted a minimalist approach in the kitchen ever since her time on the show. She revealed that she keeps 'three ingredients' in the kitchen now and her husband Aparesh Ranjit is baffled by her new approach. In a chat with Zoom, Shilpa shared that she hasn't spent much time inside the kitchen at her house ever since her time on the captive reality show. She shared that once, when she was traveling, her husband wondered why there were no ingredients in the kitchen. 'My husband travels a lot and he was here recently and making some mutton curry. I was travelling then. He called me and said, 'There's nothing in the house'. I said, 'What do you mean?' He said, 'There is no akhha garam masala'. I said, 'Oh, I don't use it anymore.' He said, 'You have gone mad'. I said, 'But the food is great otherwise as well so why do you need so many ingredients?'' In the same chat, Shilpa praised her husband and shared that they have been through many ups and downs through their 25-year marriage. 'The most important thing is respect for each other, which has lasted. Because I personally believe that initially, there is love in any relationship but it's the respect that lasts forever,' she shared. ALSO READ | Shilpa Shirodkar says husband left New Zealand, quit his 'very succesful job' to be with her as she battled depression: 'I wanted to be close to Namrata' Shilpa shared that she went through a rather dark phase after she lost her parents. Her husband was in the 'best phase' of his career at the time but Shilpa expressed that she wanted to move back to India, and he readily agreed. She shared, 'He is a banker by profession and it's a very different industry and I have a lot of regard for his kind of work and he has a lot of regard for my kind of work. In 2009, when we made the shift, my husband was in the best phase of his career and he knew that I was going through emotional trauma and I was a wreck and he knew that it was important for me to come back home and just be around my sister. He said, 'Don't worry about work, it will happen, let's go back home.'' In an earlier chat with Pinkvilla, Shilpa shared that she was getting treatment in London but it wasn't helping her much. 'I used to cry a lot, I had no control over my tears. Even when anything good happened, still I couldn't stop crying. I had become a robot, and wasn't interested in anything. I had put on so much weight, I had dark circles, I had no interest in life. I used to not go out, don't do anything, was just doing things because I had a young child, dropping her and picking her up from school. Wasn't talking to anyone at home. If I talked, there was a misunderstanding. In fact, I just wanted to hit my head on the wall. I was seeing a counsellor, I was taking antidepressants, I was in a mess. And the only person I was talking to was my sister, as I thought she was the only one who could understand me. I used to get so angry with Aparesh and even take out my anger on our daughter by hitting her, because I didn't know what to do.'
