Banu Mushtaq has made history by winning the International Booker Prize in 2025 for her collection of short stories titled "Heart Lamp," along with her translator Deepa Bhasthi. This is a significant achievement as it marks the first time a collection of short stories has received this prestigious award, as well as the first win for the Kannada language.

Mushtaq’s work focuses on the lives and struggles of Muslim women, highlighting their anxieties in a society that often demands obedience through the lens of religion, society, and politics. Her narratives are infused with humor and reflect a deep understanding of the human experience through the complexities of familial relationships, exploring themes including clueless husbands, mischievous children, and overbearing grandmothers.

In her acceptance speech delivered at the award ceremony in London, Mushtaq emphasized the transformative power of literature, expressing a desire to create a world where every voice and story is acknowledged and valued. She paid tribute to the Kannada language, describing it as one that encapsulates resilience and depth, suggesting that writing in Kannada carries a rich cultural heritage.

Mushtaq, a lawyer and activist from Hassan, Karnataka, drew inspiration from the stories of the women she encountered and their lived realities of pain and helplessness. The translation of "Heart Lamp" by Deepa Bhasthi received acclaim for its ability to capture the intricacies of the original text, showcasing the diverse nuances of the English language. Jury chair Max Porter noted that Bhasthi’s "radical translation" garnered praise for introducing new textures and rhythms.

Mushtaq's recognition comes three years after another Indian author, Geetanjali Shree, won the award for "Tomb of Sand." This growing recognition of Indian regional literature indicates an enriching potential for more global audiences to engage with diverse stories that resonate on a human level. Mushtaq expressed hope that literature can unite people amidst divisions, acting as a refuge for marginalized voices, and reaffirmed the importance of translation in bridging cultural divides.

Overall, Banu Mushtaq's win is a landmark moment in literary history, showcasing the prowess of Kannada literature and the importance of representation for marginalized communities in global narratives.

Key Points:

• Banu Mushtaq wins the International Booker Prize 2025 for her short story collection "Heart Lamp."
• This is the first time a collection of short stories and a Kannada author has won the prize.
• Mushtaq's narratives focus on the struggles and experiences of Muslim women regarding societal expectations and challenges.
• Her acceptance speech highlighted the power of literature to amplify unheard voices and foster belonging.
• The translator, Deepa Bhasthi, was praised for her innovative approach to translating the text, enhancing its cultural richness.
• Mushtaq emphasizes the significance of Kannada literature and its heritage of resilience and wisdom.
• Her win is expected to pave the way for more recognition of Indian regional literatures.
• The award reinforces literature's role in breaking down barriers and uniting diverse narratives amidst social divisions.

The news article discusses the emotional aftermath of recent shelling in Poonch, India, which resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians, including three students from Christ School. The principal and teachers shared poignant accounts of grief and the psychological impact on students.

Key Points from the Article:

• Recent Tragedy: On May 7, shelling by Pakistan resulted in the deaths of at least 13 civilians in Poonch, with 60 others injured. Three students from Christ School were among the dead.
• Emotional Assembly: The principal, Fr. Shijo Kanjirathingal, addressed a somber assembly where few students attended, reflecting the school community's grief and shock.
• Impact on Attendance: Out of 1,200 students, only 300 returned to school following the shelling, highlighting the psychological distress felt by families.
• Physical Damage: The school showed visible damage from the shelling, including shattered windows and debris. Despite being a safe haven for some families during the attack, the school was still hit.
• Teachers’ Concerns: Teachers expressed sorrow over the loss of their students, detailing individual stories of loss and pain. For instance, a class teacher recounted her emotional struggle after losing a student, Vihaan Bhargav.
• Children's Fears: Young students, particularly in kindergarten, displayed anxiety over loud noises and expressed fears about possible future shelling.
• Counseling Initiatives: The principal of another branch of the school, Christ School, Degwar, mentioned plans to engage a counselor to assist students coping with trauma related to the recent violence.
• Historic Context: One student reflected on familial stories of violence in the region, suggesting a deep-rooted history of conflict that has re-emerged with this incident.
• Community Response: Families have begun to evacuate Poonch for perceived safer areas in Jammu, indicating a sense of urgency and fear among the community.

The article underscores the profound impact of violence on the local population, especially on children, and the importance of emotional support in the wake of such tragedies. The school community is left in mourning as they grapple with loss while attempting to continue their education amidst fear and grief.

On May 21, 2025, several significant developments unfolded across different sectors in India and internationally:

1. Diplomatic Tensions with Pakistan: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India officially labeled a diplomat from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi as persona non grata, demanding his departure from India within 24 hours. This marks the second such declaration within ten days, indicating escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Additionally, the MEA dismissed Pakistan's allegations regarding India's involvement in a blast near Khuzdar city as baseless, accusing Pakistan of habitually blaming India for its internal issues.

2. U.S. Interventions in South Asian Affairs: During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of having mediated recent hostilities between India and Pakistan related to civilian casualties in Pahalgam. He insinuated that trade might have played a role in this resolution.

3. Significant Legal Developments in Tamil Nadu: The Madras High Court temporarily halted legislative amendments that would empower the Tamil Nadu State government to appoint Vice-Chancellors for state universities, instead of this being the jurisdiction of the Governor.

4. Security Operations in Chhattisgarh: In a major breakthrough, Indian security forces killed Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, the general secretary of the banned CPI (Maoist). This operation was a significant accomplishment for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), especially given Rao's long-standing elusiveness since joining the Maoist movement after graduating in 1980.

5. Supreme Court Arguments on Religious Practices: The Central Government challenged the assertion in the Supreme Court that creating 'waqf' (a form of charity in Islamic tradition) is an essential religious practice in Islam. The government argued that while charity exists in every religion, it does not constitute an essential part, and a Muslim's identity isn't diminished by not creating a waqf.

6. Severe Weather Impact in Delhi: Heavy rains led to tragic incidents in Delhi, resulting in the deaths of a 22-year-old and a person with a disability, with at least 11 others injured. Severe weather caused disruptions including the diversion of 13 flights at Delhi airport.

7. Sports Achievements: Tottenham Hotspur triumphed over Manchester United with a 1-0 victory in the Europa League final, marking their first European title in 40 years. This win also signifies Tottenham's first major title since 2008. In cricket, the Mumbai Indians secured a playoff spot in IPL 2025 after defeating the Delhi Capitals by 59 runs, highlighted by a remarkable partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir.

8. U.S. Military Developments: President Trump announced the selection of a design for a $175 billion missile defense system called the Golden Dome and appointed Space Force General Michael Guetlein to lead the program aimed at countering threats posed by China and Russia.

Key Points:

• India declares Pakistani diplomat persona non grata amid rising tensions.
• U.S. President Trump claims to have mediated India-Pakistan conflicts.
• The Madras High Court stays legislative amendments regarding university appointments in Tamil Nadu.
• Major security operation results in the death of a prominent Maoist leader in Chhattisgarh.
• The Indian Government contests the religious significance of waqf in the Supreme Court.
• Tragic rain-related incidents lead to casualties and flight diversions in Delhi.
• Tottenham wins the Europa League, ending a long title drought; Mumbai Indians qualify for IPL playoffs.
• Trump announces ambitious military defense project, titled Golden Dome, emphasizing security against China and Russia.

The article discusses the recent resurgence of hostilities between India and Pakistan, highlighting the shifting geopolitical landscape that includes the influential roles of both the United States and China. The author articulates that this conflict cannot solely be viewed through a bilateral lens, as multiple regional dynamics are now in play.

Key points from the article include:

• Fragility of Deterrence: The resurgence of conflict underscores the precarious nature of deterrence in South Asia, particularly within the context of a renewed strategic triangle involving India, Pakistan, and China.

• Role of the United States: The U.S. has re-emerged as a crisis manager in the India-Pakistan dynamic, complicating India's efforts to establish a distinct global identity separate from Pakistan. The rehyphenation of the two nations in U.S. discourse, especially in regards to ceasefire discussions, is viewed as a diplomatic setback for India.

• India’s Military Response: India’s active military responses serve as a tactical shift towards deterrence, enhancing political legitimacy domestically while signaling internationally that it does not accept unpunished provocations.

• Strategic Costs: Each military engagement risks pulling India back into a regional conflict narrative, which undermines its aspirations for global stature. India must balance assertiveness with the need to project itself as a significant global player rather than merely a regional actor.

• China’s Influence on Pakistan: China's involvement significantly empowers Pakistan's military capabilities, providing advanced weapons systems and doctrines, which shifts the balance in the India-Pakistan dynamic and introduces a two-front threat for India.

• Indus Waters Treaty Concerns: India’s reassessment of its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty signals a potential escalation, emphasizing the importance of water as both a national and ecological security issue.

• Need for Strategic Maturity: India is encouraged to maintain a strategic distance from the terms Pakistan seeks to set, cultivating outcomes that allow others to garner recognition while India focuses on substantial bilateral and multilateral engagements.

• Normalization of Limited Conflicts: The article warns that repeated limited hostilities and quick ceasefires could result in a normalized cycle of confrontation, which detracts from India's broader strategic goals and diplomatic capacity.

• Global Perception: There is a global tendency to treat India-Pakistan crises primarily as bilateral issues requiring urgent mediation, thereby undermining India's evolving role as a stabilizing power in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Overall Strategic Outlook: The writer emphasizes that India needs to recalibrate its approach to crisis management, engaging globally while also localizing its disputes effectively. The era of triangular crises, shared platforms, and contested narratives necessitates a sophisticated diplomatic response from India.

In conclusion, the article articulates that India must navigate the current complexities of its security environment with strategic foresight, aiming not only to deter conflict but also to redefine the paradigms of its engagements within South Asia and beyond.

Jayant Narlikar, a prominent Indian astrophysicist and proponent of the steady-state theory of the universe, passed away at the age of 87 in Pune. He was widely recognized for his work opposing the Big Bang theory, emphasizing instead that the universe has no definitive beginning or end, which was the dominant view during the 1950s and 1960s. Despite the Big Bang gaining favor due to increasing supporting evidence, Narlikar remained an advocate for alternative cosmological models throughout his career.

Key Contributions and Ideas:

• Steady-State Theory: Developed in collaboration with his mentor Fred Hoyle and others, this theory posits that the universe remains constant over time without any inception or conclusion.
• Critique of Big Bang: Narlikar argued that the evidence supporting the Big Bang should be re-examined and viewed as a challenge to test established ideas rather than accepted unquestioningly.
• Theoretical Innovations: Alongside Hoyle, he proposed modifications to Einstein’s general relativity, alternatives to gravity, and explored cosmological redshifts, questioning the prevailing understanding of light shifts from distant objects.

Legacy and Influence:

• Narlikar's contributions have been deemed unconventional yet grounded in rigorous mathematics and data. He inspired a generation of astrophysicists, building significant institutions like the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).
• His students include notable names in the field of astrophysics, and many have continued to expand upon his teachings and research.

Impact on Science Communication:

• Beyond research, Narlikar actively engaged in science popularization, writing science fiction in both Marathi and English, and advocated against superstition.

• He emphasized the importance of questioning established theories, fostering a collaborative environment where students could explore various models in astrophysics.

• In his autobiography, Narlikar reflected on his career, noting that some of his best ideas may have been ahead of their time and acknowledged that recognition often eludes unconventional thinkers.

Despite the fading popularity of some of his ideas, Narlikar’s approach to science emphasizes the cyclical and evolving nature of scientific understanding, suggesting that alternative theories remain vital as new data emerges. His dedication to mentoring future scientists has solidified his place as a pivotal figure in the development of astrophysics in India.

Important Sentences:

• Jayant Narlikar passed away in Pune at the age of 87.
• He was a leading proponent of the steady-state theory and critiqued the Big Bang theory.
• Narlikar’s work with Fred Hoyle involved significant theoretical innovations, including an alternative theory of gravity.
• He contributed to foundational ideas in cosmology and challenged established notions based on rigorous scientific reasoning.
• His mentorship led to a generation of successful astrophysicists who perpetuate his legacy in the field.
• Narlikar was also committed to science popularization and encouraged students to question prevailing scientific doctrines.
• In his own reflections, he expressed the tension between original thinking and the need for mainstream acceptance.

In a significant development for the technology sector in India, the government has proposed to allow license-free use of a portion of the 6GHz spectrum, which has the potential to enhance WiFi speeds and accommodate various devices such as gaming consoles and virtual reality gadgets from companies like Sony, Apple, and Meta. The decision has emerged amidst ongoing debates between telecom companies, which advocate for the entire 6GHz spectrum to be reserved for licensed mobile telecommunications (5G and 6G), and tech firms seeking to utilize this spectrum to improve WiFi services without regulatory hurdles.

Key Points

• Proposal for License-Free Spectrum: The Indian government's draft notification suggests that the portion of the 6GHz band (5925 MHz-6425 MHz) will be made license-free, promoting faster WiFi and enhancing connectivity for devices.

• Contention Between Telecom and Tech Companies: Telecom giants such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea are pushing for exclusive licensing of the 6GHz spectrum for telecom services, in contrast to tech companies that prefer it be delicensed.

• Global Context: Different countries have various approaches to the 6GHz spectrum, with the U.S. allocating the entire 1200MHz for unlicensed use and others like Japan and Australia choosing to license only portions. India follows a similar path to Canada, opting to license a smaller segment but still enabling significant improvements in WiFi.

• Impact on Tech Companies: The potential opening of the spectrum is anticipated to bolster next-generation wireless technologies such as WiFi 6 and WiFi 7, beneficial for the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT). Importantly, this could remove obstacles faced by companies like Sony; the lack of a license-free spectrum previously prevented the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro in India.

• Industry Concerns: The Broadband India Forum has voiced apprehension that partial availability of the spectrum may not satisfy the increasing demands for data transmission and connectivity needed for future technologies. They argue that a more comprehensive allocation is necessary to unlock the full benefits of WiFi advancements.

• International Trends: The ongoing conversation reflects a global push towards better utilization of the 6GHz spectrum for unlicensed use. Other countries, including Mexico and Chile, have had varying approaches regarding the extent of the spectrum made available for WiFi.

In summary, the Indian government’s tentative steps towards freeing up part of the 6GHz spectrum signals a potential enhancement in connectivity and service quality for various tech companies. Ultimately, the complete resolution of this matter will depend on the finalization of the draft notification and may significantly impact the future of WiFi technology in India.

The article discusses the lifecycle of stars, their formation, and eventual death, as well as the role they play in the universe's chemical makeup. Here’s a comprehensive summary of the key points covered:

Summary:

• Understanding Stars and Their Lifespans:

  • Stars vary widely in lifespan, dictated by their mass and internal physics, with some lasting billions of years while others are transient.
  • The balance of forces between gravity and nuclear energy is essential for a star's existence.
  • Nuclear fusion occurs in a star’s core, converting hydrogen into helium, a process outlined by physicist Hans Bethe in 1938, which earned him a Nobel Prize and clarified how stars shine.

• Death of Stars Like the Sun:

  • Stars similar to or smaller than the Sun experience a relatively gentle demise.
  • When hydrogen fuel is depleted, the core contracts and heats, igniting helium fusion and causing the outer layers to expand into a red giant.
  • As it exhausts fusion capabilities, the outer layers are expelled, forming a planetary nebula, while the core remains as a white dwarf—a dense remnant that will slowly radiate heat for billions of years.
  • For the Sun, this process will occur in roughly five billion years, ending in a quiet dimming rather than an explosion.

• Dynamics of Massive Stars:

  • For stars exceeding eight times the Sun's mass, the end is more violent.
  • These massive stars can fuse heavier elements until iron, beyond which fusion consumes energy instead of producing it.
  • The core undergoes rapid collapse, leading to the formation of a neutron star or a black hole, followed by a supernova explosion as the star’s outer layers rebound off the core.

• Genesis of Heavy Elements:

  • Elements heavier than iron, like gold and uranium, are formed during a supernova's violent death throes.
  • The explosion spreads these elements across the galaxy, contributing to the material formation for new stars and planets.
  • The article points out that much of Earth's matter, including essential elements like iron and calcium, has its origins in stellar explosions.

• Contributions of Binary Systems:

  • Some stellar explosions are not exclusively tied to high-mass stars; for instance, white dwarfs in binary systems can initiate a type Ia supernova by siphoning material from a companion star.
  • These explosions serve as benchmarks for measuring cosmic expansion and also enrich the interstellar medium with heavy elements.

• Cosmic Recycling:

  • The death of stars, whether through quiet or explosive means, leads to cosmic renewal, seeding the universe with materials necessary for forming new solar systems and conditions for life.
  • The article emphasizes that humans are fundamentally made of atoms forged in the hearts of stars, underscoring an intrinsic connection between life and the universe’s stellar phenomena.

Important Points:

• Stars have varying lifespans influenced by their mass and internal mechanics.
• The process of nuclear fusion creates energy and sustains stars until their fuel runs out.
• The Sun will eventually expand and become a white dwarf after a quiet death, shedding its outer layers.
• Massive stars can end explosively, forming neutron stars or black holes, and dispersing heavy elements during supernovae.
• Notably, the elements that constitute Earth and life are products of previous stellar deaths.
• Dying stars contribute to the recycling of materials, leading to new formations and conditions for life across the universe.

The article discusses the situation concerning Kankati, a 23-month-old tigress in Ranthambore, Rajasthan, who has killed two individuals in the past month. This alarming behavior stems from her upbringing, as she and her siblings were raised on live bait provided to their mother, Arrowhead. Experts highlight the danger posed to both forest staff and tourists by Kankati and potentially her siblings due to their learned habits around human presence and feeding practices.

Key Points:

• Kankati's Behavior: Kankati has shown aggressive behavior, having killed two people in less than a month. This is attributed to her and her siblings being raised with live bait, which has led to a dangerous habituation to humans.

• History of Live Baiting: Live baiting, where prey animals like buffalo are offered to attract tigers, was primarily used by hunters in colonial times. Although hunting tigers was banned in the 1970s, live baiting continued until officially prohibited in the 1980s for tourism purposes.

• Live Baiting Practices: While generally prohibited, live baiting is still permitted to assist injured or older tigers as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Experts warn that artificially feeding tigers disrupts natural processes and can lead to human-wildlife conflict.

• Misplaced Kindness: Experts express concern regarding public sentiment favoring "kindness" towards tigers, which has resulted in inappropriate interventions like consistent baiting, ultimately leading to habituation and dangerous behavior.

• Consequences for Raised Tigers: The article references examples where tigers raised on live bait have varied outcomes; some survive longer, while others fail to adjust to wild survival after being consistently fed, jeopardizing their natural instincts.

• Increased Human Intervention: The growing trend of medical interventions for tigers incurs risks, including dependence on human care and potential conflict with local communities. Experts advocate for minimal human intervention, emphasizing the necessity to preserve natural habitats as essential for tiger survival.

• The Expert Opinions: Dr. Rajesh Gopal and other conservationists stress that true wildlife conservation requires letting natural processes occur, without excessive human involvement in the lives of tigers.

In conclusion, the article highlights serious implications surrounding the management of tiger populations, emphasizing the importance of respecting natural wildlife processes while being cautious of the dangerous habits fostered by previous interventions. Conservation efforts should focus on preserving habitats rather than artificially sustaining individual animals.