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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: December 27, 2025

Kokoli: Fish out of water — a refreshing wave in Odia cinema

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In an era dominated by repetitive plots, predictable love stories and fleeting musical trends, what Odia cinema often lacks is originality with depth. Kokoli, the award-winning feature film by Snehasis Das, arrives as a refreshing change — a film that invites us not to follow the crowd, but to pause, reflect and feel.

The story is set along the coast, woven around the lives of fishermen and an unconventional love story. Raju, a local fisherman, loves Kokoli, but her mother strongly opposes the relationship — a resistance rooted in a painful past. Though Kokoli cares for Raju, she feels helpless. Meanwhile, the community is confronted with an unexpected and terrifying reality: they must vacate their settlement as rising sea levels threaten their existence. Against this backdrop, Kokoli’s mother places a condition on Raju if he wishes to marry her daughter — even as danger looms over the entire coastal community. Where the story eventually leads is filled with fear, emotion and haunting memories.

Kokoli addresses climate change with sensitivity, highlighting the deep interdependence between nature and human life. A single ecological imbalance can disrupt an entire chain of survival. Today, as global sea levels rise at unprecedented rates — fuelled by global warming and melting glaciers — coastal communities face displacement and uncertainty. The film captures this reality with emotion and realism, turning environmental crisis into intimate human experience.

The first half of the film sets a gentle emotional tone, immersing the audience into the rhythm of a fisherman’s life and their bond with the sea. The second half peels back these layers, revealing intensity and vulnerability. The visuals feel natural and grounded — the director resists artificial effects, allowing authenticity to shine.

Dialogue and expression are well-balanced, and the social message emerges organically through the characters’ interactions. Each actor fits their role so effortlessly that the characters feel real and memorable — not only the leads but every supporting presence leaves a mark. This is a testament to thoughtful casting and direction.

The song Bali Ghara Bhangi, sung by Trupti Das, is a nostalgic gem. The melody blends seamlessly into the narrative without overpowering it, and its original charm remains intact.

While the film may appear subtle in tone, it holds the viewer’s attention completely. Some moments feel slightly stretched, and the ending arrives a bit abruptly, leaving one wondering about alternate possibilities — yet the emotional journey remains powerful.

Kokoli is not only an artistic film — it is a statement against the myth that meaningful cinema is inaccessible. It communicates complex themes in a way that is relatable to every viewer. As director Snehasis Das says, “If we make something understandable to the last bencher, it will definitely reach the first bencher.”

Though Kokoli has not yet reached theatres, it certainly deserves a place on the big screen. It feels like a homecoming for Odia cinema — comforting, meaningful and deeply human.

** Soumya is an independent journalist who writes on various issues, including cinema and entertainment.

Thailand, Cambodia agree immediate ceasefire after weeks of border fighting

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Bangkok: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire to stop weeks of fierce border clashes that have killed at least 41 people and displaced nearly a million, according to a joint statement issued by both countries’ defence ministers on Saturday. The truce, which took effect at noon on 27 December, freezes troop movements along the frontier and allows civilians to begin returning to their homes.

Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department said in a post on X that the agreement includes joint landmine clearance and cooperation on cross-border crime, with observers from ASEAN tasked with monitoring implementation. If the ceasefire holds for 72 hours, Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers currently in its custody.

Following the signing of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee meeting, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement meets three conditions it considers essential for a durable truce: a formal declaration, verifiable adherence on the ground and a genuine commitment to clearing landmines. Bangkok also expressed condolences for Thai military personnel killed in the clashes.

The ministry said civilians will be allowed to return to border areas once the situation stabilises. It added that mechanisms for humanitarian demining will be established through a joint task force to ensure safe and transparent clearance before any future boundary survey and demarcation. Thailand reaffirmed that political will and continued military-to-military engagement are needed to sustain the ceasefire and urged Cambodia to demonstrate sincerity through “concrete actions.”

Border tensions between the two neighbours have simmered for more than a century but escalated this year, with deadly exchanges reported in May and renewed fighting in July. A Malaysia-brokered ceasefire signed in October under the so-called Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords stalled in November after Thailand said the security threat had not eased. Fighting intensified again in December, with both sides trading blame for violating earlier truces.

The latest agreement commits both countries to halt attacks on civilians and infrastructure and to avoid troop movements that could trigger further confrontation. The release of detained Cambodian soldiers, Thai authorities said, will take place “in the spirit” of the Kuala Lumpur declaration as a goodwill gesture once the 72-hour observation period is completed. Authorities hope the fresh deal will restore calm along the conflict-hit border.

FIDE World Rapid: Gukesh among joint leaders after opening day

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Doha: Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju made a strong start to his campaign at the FIDE World Rapid Championship in Doha on Friday, finishing the opening day among the tournament leaders. After settling for a draw in his first outing, the Chennai teenager bounced back with four consecutive victories, taking his tally to 4.5 points from five rounds.

Gukesh shares the top position with four other players – fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi, former world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norwey, France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Russia’s Vladislav Artemiev – all of whom are locked on 4.5 points at the end of Day 1.

Close on their heels is a tightly packed chasing group, with 15 players sitting on four points each. This group includes Indian players Sandip Chanda, Nihal Sarin, and International Master Goutham Krishna H, alongside well-known names such as Hans Niemann, Anish Giri, and FIDE World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov.

Gukesh’s performance on Friday evening reinforced the growing belief that he has made significant strides in rapid chess. While classical chess has traditionally been his strongest discipline – the format in which he became the youngest world champion last year – the 18-year-old has increasingly focused on expanding his skill set across faster formats since claiming the title.

In the open section, Carlsen remains part of the five-way lead after five rounds, keeping the competition finely balanced heading into the next stage of the championship.

Meanwhile, in the women’s event, China’s Zhu Jiner emerged as the sole leader, standing out as the only player to register a flawless score of four wins from four games.

Google begins rolling out Gmail address change feature

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Google has quietly begun rolling out a long-awaited feature that allows users to change their Gmail address without losing their account data, marking a significant shift from one of the platform’s most rigid policies. The update offers relief to millions of users still tied to outdated or awkward email IDs created years ago.

According to revised guidance on Google’s account support pages, users can now replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one while retaining access to all Google services and stored data. Photos, emails, messages and files remain intact, eliminating the need for complex data transfers that were previously unavoidable.

Interestingly, the updated instructions have surfaced only on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, indicating that the feature may be rolling out first in India or Hindi-speaking regions. The English-language support page continues to state that Gmail addresses generally cannot be changed, suggesting the transition is still in its early stages.

Under the new system, the original Gmail address is automatically retained as an alias. Emails sent to the old address will continue to reach the inbox, and users can still sign in to services such as Google Drive, Maps and YouTube using the original ID. This ensures continuity across devices, apps and third-party integrations.

The update addresses a long-standing frustration among users, who previously had to create an entirely new Google account to adopt a different Gmail address. That process often resulted in broken app connections, lost subscriptions and hours of manual data migration.

There are, however, certain limitations. Once a Gmail address is changed, users cannot create another new Gmail address for 12 months, and the newly selected address cannot be deleted. The option to revert to or reuse the original email address remains available, according to translated support documentation.

Google has not issued an official announcement or press release regarding the feature. The change was first spotted by users in online forums and tech communities, fueling speculation about a phased global rollout.

If expanded worldwide, the update could mark one of the most user-friendly changes to Gmail in years, giving account holders greater control over their digital identity without sacrificing continuity or data security.

Daily vitamin C intake can strengthen skin: Study

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There may be real science behind the idea that healthy skin starts from the inside. New research has found that regularly eating vitamin C–rich foods can physically change the skin, helping it become thicker and renew itself more effectively over time.

Researchers at the University of Otago in Christchurch say they have identified a direct link between the amount of vitamin C people consume and their skin’s ability to produce collagen and regenerate. Speaking about the study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, lead author Professor Margreet Vissers said the team found a “compelling” association between dietary vitamin C intake and skin health.

The researchers reported that vitamin C levels in the bloodstream closely matched those found in the skin, and when volunteers increased their intake through food, both blood and skin vitamin C concentrations rose. According to the study, participants who ate two vitamin C–rich SunGold kiwifruit every day for eight weeks showed measurable gains in skin thickness and renewal, which are indicators of healthy collagen production.

“We were surprised by how strongly skin vitamin C levels tracked with blood levels,” Professor Vissers said. She noted that the relationship was far clearer in the skin than in other organs the team has previously examined. The findings suggest that vitamin C travels through the bloodstream into every layer of the skin, where it supports structure and repair.

The researchers say the results also help explain why relying on topical creams alone may have limits. Vitamin C does not easily pass through the outer skin barrier, but the study found that skin cells readily absorb it when delivered naturally through blood circulation. “We are the first to demonstrate that vitamin C in the blood circulation penetrates all layers of the skin and is associated with improved skin function,” Vissers said.

The study followed 24 healthy adults in New Zealand and Germany. Over eight weeks, participants added two kiwifruit a day to their normal diet, providing about 250 milligrams of vitamin C. Skin samples and ultrasound imaging were used to assess thickness, elasticity and renewal before and after the intervention. The team observed increases in skin thickness and faster cell turnover, both signs of stronger collagen support.

While the study used SunGold kiwifruit because of its consistently high vitamin C content, the researchers believe similar benefits could come from any vitamin C–rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, capsicum and broccoli. They emphasise that daily intake matters because the body does not store vitamin C long term.

Professor Vissers said most healthy adults can achieve optimal blood levels with around 250 milligrams of vitamin C a day. “We recommend five-plus servings of fruit and vegetables daily, with at least one of those being a high vitamin C food,” she said, adding that this steady intake appears to nourish the skin from within.

The findings reinforce a simple message: good nutrition may do more for skin health than any cosmetic routine, and a glowing complexion might begin at the dining table rather than the dressing table.

Odisha will be top five developed states by 2036, says Chief Minister Majhi

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Keonjhar: Odisha will become one of the top five developed states in the country by 2036, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Friday while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Gonasika–Keonjhar Festival here, outlining his government’s focus on rapid infrastructure growth, industrial expansion and cultural revival.

Majhi said the state government has already earmarked more than Rs 65,000 crore for key development projects, including major upgrades to road and rail connectivity across districts. Under Mission Power, he said the government intends to ensure that every village in Odisha has road access, electricity and piped drinking water by 2027.

“We have begun the journey toward a prosperous Odisha. A new era of development has started,” he said, adding that the state is witnessing strong investor interest.

The Chief Minister said that over the past seven months, Odisha has received investment proposals totalling Rs 17 lakh crore under the Utkarsa Odisha initiative, which is expected to create more than 13 lakh jobs. During the past eleven months, projects worth Rs 2.4 lakh crore have already been commissioned, potentially generating around 1.5 lakh employment opportunities.

Majhi announced that Keonjhar district will soon host a mega steel plant, positioning it alongside Rourkela and Jajpur as a major steel-producing hub. Plans are also underway to develop six-lane roads linking key mining and industrial regions, including a ring road in Barbil, as well as new economic zones that would convert the Keonjhar–Barbil–Joda belt into a major economic corridor.

Beyond infrastructure and industry, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of cultural identity and language. He said the state government has prioritised the use of Odia in official work so that governance remains accessible and rooted in local culture. Majhi also highlighted the cultural significance of Odisha’s 62 tribal communities, saying their heritage forms an essential part of the state’s social fabric.

He noted that the growing pride in tradition and heritage across India has further encouraged Odisha to strengthen its linguistic and cultural foundations. Festivals like the Gonasika–Keonjhar Festival, he said, help preserve art, literature, folklore and tourism while strengthening intergenerational links.

India voices deep concern over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh

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New Delhi: India on Friday expressed serious concern over the continuing violence targeting minority communities in Bangladesh, condemning the recent lynching of a Hindu youth and urging firm action against those responsible. The Ministry of External Affairs said the persistent hostility faced by Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremist groups remains deeply troubling.

Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India strongly condemns the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh last week and expects the accused to be brought to justice. Authorities in Bangladesh have so far arrested 12 suspects in connection with the incident.

“The unremitting hostilities against the minorities in Bangladesh including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremists is a matter of grave concern… We condemn the recent gruesome killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice,” Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

Citing figures compiled by independent observers, Jaiswal noted that more than 2,900 cases of violence against minorities — ranging from killings to land seizures and arson attacks — have been recorded during the tenure of the interim administration in Dhaka. These episodes, he said, cannot be dismissed as isolated or exaggerated reports.

India has also been monitoring mounting political tensions in Bangladesh following the recent killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who played a prominent role in last year’s mass protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. New Delhi rejected claims by some groups in Bangladesh seeking to link India to the incident, stating that maintaining security and order is the responsibility of the Bangladeshi authorities.

Jaiswal said India continues to follow developments in the neighbouring country closely, reiterating New Delhi’s longstanding position in favour of peace, stability and democratic participation in Bangladesh. Parliamentary elections there are scheduled for February 12.

India also reacted cautiously to the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years abroad, saying the development should be seen against the backdrop of India’s support for free, fair and inclusive elections.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to strong bilateral ties, the spokesperson said New Delhi values its historic relationship with the people of Bangladesh, rooted in the Liberation War and strengthened through development cooperation and people-to-people engagement.

NATO warns of heightened global security risks

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Brussels: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has cautioned that the international security environment is entering its most volatile phase since the end of the Second World War, warning of simultaneous aggressive actions by both Russia and China.

He said Beijing is closely monitoring the situation surrounding Taiwan and suggested that any military escalation in the region could trigger parallel developments elsewhere. According to Rutte, China could encourage Russia to intensify its actions in Europe if tensions over Taiwan erupt, a scenario reported by German media.

Rutte warned that coordinated moves by Moscow and Beijing would represent a serious threat to global stability, potentially forcing NATO to confront simultaneous crises on two fronts – in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

To counter such risks, the Alliance is strengthening its deterrence posture through multiple measures. These include continued military support for Ukraine, the formation of a Europe-based “coalition of the willing,” and sustained engagement from the United States. The strategy aims to make it clear that any hostile action will be met with a firm and unified response.

The NATO chief also emphasized the need for European nations to significantly increase their defence budgets and scale up arms production, stating that preparedness for worst-case scenarios depends on long-term investment in military capabilities.

He added that NATO is closely monitoring developments in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, regions of growing strategic importance where the interests of the US, Europe, Russia, and China increasingly overlap. Control of these areas, he said, is vital for maintaining transatlantic security.

Rutte concluded by reaffirming the Alliance’s unity and operational readiness, noting that NATO is prepared to respond across land, sea, and air domains should a coordinated challenge arise from Russia and China.

Dhurandhar crosses ₹1,000 crore in three weeks, redefines Bollywood box office benchmarks

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Bollywood has a new blockbuster benchmark as Dhurandhar has officially crossed the ₹1,000-crore mark at the global box office within just 21 days of its theatrical release. The Ranveer Singh–led film has amassed ₹668.80 crore from domestic collections, while its worldwide earnings stand at ₹1,006.7 crore, placing it firmly among the highest-grossing Indian films of the year.

The film’s box office trajectory has been marked by remarkable consistency, with collections on Day 21 nearly matching its opening-day figures. This rare trend highlights strong word-of-mouth, repeat viewership and sustained audience interest well beyond the initial release window, a factor that has amplified its industry-wide impact.

Dhurandhar has also drawn significant attention for its performances. The film is being widely viewed as a major comeback for Ranveer Singh, whose earlier critically acclaimed roles in Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani had set high expectations. At the same time, the film has propelled Akshaye Khanna into renewed public focus, with his performance and a dance sequence set to Flipperachi’s FA9LA gaining viral traction across social media platforms.

In terms of records, Dhurandhar has overtaken the lifetime box office collection of Kantara Chapter 1, emerging as the highest-earning Indian film of 2025. It has also rewritten industry history by becoming the highest-grossing A-rated Indian film globally, surpassing the earlier record held by Animal.

With its blend of commercial success, sustained audience engagement and record-breaking earnings, Dhurandhar has not only cemented its blockbuster status but also reshaped expectations for big-budget Hindi cinema in 2025.

Balasore tops India’s most polluted list

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Bhubaneswar: Air quality in several parts of Odisha has deteriorated sharply, with pollution levels now exceeding those recorded in major metropolitan cities, including Delhi. According to the latest air quality data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Balasore has emerged as the most polluted city in India, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 338, which falls under the “very poor” category. Such conditions pose significant health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions.

Seven cities from Odisha are among the ten most polluted cities nationwide. Balasore tops the list, followed by Talcher with an AQI of 320. Baripada ranks sixth with an AQI of 301. Other cities reporting severe pollution include Haldia in West Bengal (316), Rupnagar in Punjab (311), and Visakhapatnam (303), according to data.

Within the state, air quality remained poor across several locations. Angul reported an AQI of 276, while Cuttack and Vyasanagar registered readings of 262 and 260, respectively. Bhubaneswar recorded an AQI of 239, with Rourkela comparatively lower at 178.

The CPCB published the figures in its 4 pm average AQI bulletin on Thursday, based on air quality monitoring over the previous 24 hours. Nationwide, six cities were placed in the red zone for very poor air quality, with three of them located in Odisha. An AQI reading between 300 and 400 is considered very poor.

Several major urban centres recorded relatively better air quality. Delhi reported an AQI of 234, Faridabad 215, Chennai 150, Bengaluru 118, Chandigarh 186, Mumbai 104, Lucknow 163, and Hyderabad 99.

Limited air movement and seasonal weather patterns are being cited as contributing factors to the spike in pollution across urban centres during the winter months. However, experts point out that emissions from growing traffic, dust generated by continuous construction work, and the burning of waste remain the primary sources of pollution, particularly in cities such as Balasore, Baripada, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.