Star comedian and actor Kapil Sharma have unlocked up about one thing he loves more than comedy: his wife, Ginni. He is gearing up for his comedy exceptional ‘Kapil Sharma: I’m Not Done Yet’ on Netflix and spilled the beans on how he met the love of his life and what brought the two jointly.

Since then, the duo tied the knot in 2018 and has given us primary pair goals. The couple welcomed their first child in 2019, and their second was born last year.

Kapil talked about their romantic tale candidly and revealed why he initially felt it wouldn’t work out between them.

Kapil said: “Ginni Jalandhar ke girls’ college mei thi and was 3-4 years younger to me. Mai apna PG Diploma commercial arts mein pursue Kar Raha that needed pocket money (I was doing my PG Diploma in commercial arts, and I required pocket money).

“I was always participating in theatre and visiting other colleges. Ginni was my student and bright.

“She was good at histrionics and skits, and so I made her my assistant. Also, she hailed from a well-to-do family. I remember she would come in an expensive car every day to college, and I would ride my scooter.”

Kapil revealed that it was his wife who fell in love first.

“She fell for me first, but Mujhe hamesha apne class difference ke wajah she doubts the ki Kuch Bhi ho Sakta hai (I always doubted because of our differences).

“One of my friends even told me that Ginni likes me, but I didn’t take it seriously. I never thought anything would be possible between the two of us. But God has been very kind, and I’m lucky that I got married to her,” he added.

Kapil said that she has always been very supportive of him.

The comedian said: “I remember when I was going through a rough patch, and I decided to set things right in my life, marrying her was the first thing I did right after. Today, I’m lucky to have been blessed with two amazing kids.”

‘Kapil Sharma: I’m Not Done Yet’ was released on Netflix on January 28.

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NASA citizen scientist dots Jupiter-like planet

Sputnik V shows strong protection against Omicron Variant: Joint Italian-Russian study.

A citizen scientist has found a giant gaseous globe about 379 light-years from Earth, orbiting a star with the same mass as the Sun, NASA has said.

The exoplanet, called TOI-2180 b, was found in NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data.

TOI-2180 b is almost 3 times more gigantic than Jupiter but has the same diameter, meaning it is denser than Jupiter. This made scientists wonder whether it formed in a different way than Jupiter.

Further, the team determined that the new planet may have 105 Earth abundances worth of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium through computer models.

“That’s a lot. That’s more than what we suspect is inside Jupiter,” said Paul Dalba, an astronomer at the University of California, Riverside, and lead writer of the study.

The Jupiter-size planet in particular for astronomers because its 261-day year is long compared to many known gas giants outside our solar system.

With an average temperature of about 170 degrees Fahrenheit, TOI-2180 b is also warmer than room temperature on Earth and more generous than the outer planets of our solar system, including Jupiter and Saturn.

But compared to the array of transiting giant exoplanets that astronomers have found orbiting other stars, NASA said TOI-2180 b is abnormally chilly.

The result, published in the Astronomical Journal, also suggests the planet is just a bit farther from its star than Venus is from the Sun.

Professional astronomers and citizen scientists engaged in “a global uniting effort” to track the planet.

Using TESS data, scientists looked for changes in the brightness of nearby stars, which indicated the presence of orbiting planets.

“Discovering and publishing TOI-2180 b was a great group effort demonstrating that professional astronomers and seasoned citizen scientists can successfully work together,” said Tom Jacobs of Bellevue, Washington, a former US naval officer who discovered the exoplanet.

While professional astronomers use algorithms to scan tens of thousands of data points from stars automatically, these citizen scientists use a program called LcTools to inspect telescope data by eye.

On February 1, 2020, Jacobs noticed a plot showing starlight from TOI-2180 dim by less than half a percent. Then return to its previous brightness level over a 24-hour period, which may be explained by an orbiting planet that is said to be transit” as it passes in front of the star from our point of view, NASA said.

With 27 hours of observations spread over more than 500 days, the team measured the amount of light that dims as the planet passes. This helped scientists to estimate how big the Earth is and its density.

The team wanted to observe the planet’s transit when it came back around to confirm the orbit, but they couldn’t.

The lack of a precise detection put a boundary on how long the orbit could be, indicating about 261 days.

Using that estimate, they predict TESS will see the planet transit its star again in February 2022, NASA said.

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Jubin Nautiyal’s New Song track ‘O Aasman Wale’ tugs at heartstrings

Tax benefits to increase disposable income likely in Union Budget

India skipper Mithali Raj assumes too much importance to the strike rate. She wants her batters to focus on playing knocks and sewing partnerships to lead the team to victory.

With the 2022 Cricket World Cup coming in New Zealand, Mithali gave an example of Australia’s Beth Mooney’s unbeaten knock of 125. She started slow and then revved to win the match for her team as a template for the Indian batters to follow.

“I think there isn’t too much importance given to strike-rate by all? It is always spoken when it comes to batting or putting up big totals. I just wanted to know if you all follow the strike rate of Indian players or players from all around the world? If you might allow me to enlighten, in the Australia series itself, the decider game which Australia won, Beth Mooney scored her 50 in 80-odd balls,” said Mithali in the pre-departure virtual press conference.

“But she went on to play a match-winning innings for her team. As for me, I believe that cricket is a game played on the situations on the ground, and yes, it is important we keep in mind that we need to have a healthy strike rate. But at the end of the day, it is about how the batting unit revolves & the depth of the batting unit in our team,” added Mithali.

She further explained, “When we have to score 250-270, we need to have a healthy strike rate, but having said we will not entirely focus on strike rate, it is important to play an innings to win and build partnerships. That happens not because of strike rate but because you apply & play according to the situation on the ground.”

“Sometimes, you have to play fast, but sometimes you have to play to get your team out of a hole too. There will always be areas to address, any team. no team is perfect, and we will be looking to post a total of around 250-270 consistently, and that requires a top-order to score runs and be consistent.”

India will depart for New Zealand on January 24 to play a T20I and five ODIs against the hosts’ before attempting to win their first World Cup trophy after being runners-up in 2005 and 2017. Mithali pointed towards contributions from the lower-middle order being a positive for the team.

“Something which we were quite happy about is the contribution of our lower-order, like Jhulan and Pooja Vastrakar, not only perform with the ball but with the bat as well. Then there’s Sneh Rana, who’s performed with both ball and bat. So, it is excellent to see the lower-middle order contributing. So, that helps to have a depth in the team and smaller tail, I would say.”

Talking about young pacers Meghna Singh and Renuka Singh Thakur, Mithali felt the duo would perform well with support staff and veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami around. “They might lack the experience, but Meghna has done well in the Australia series. I guess Jhulan is an experienced bowler in the set-up. She worked very well with the youngsters in the series, and as far as Renuka is concerned when I saw her in the Australia series, she came across as somebody who is very competitive.”

“She had an excellent domestic season with wickets. It’s important to give players an opportunity when they are in rhythm and performing. I am sure they will do well with the support staff we have and having Jhulan; I am sure she will be sharing her experiences of bowling in these conditions with the youngsters who will respond very positively.”

Life has come full circle for Mithali, who first featured in the World Cup in 2000 in New Zealand and will lead India in her sixth appearance in the mega event. “I think it has been a wonderful journey, not an easy one. There have been struggles, too, but there have been good times as well. I think it has come a full circle, my first World Cup was in 2000 in New Zealand, and here I am flying to New Zealand for my sixth World Cup.”

“In the 2000 World Cup, India played the semi-finals and lost, but this time I hope that India plays the finals and wins because winning the World Cup is very special for any cricketer, and I am no different. That is something that has always driven me since I played my first World Cup, and it still drives me to win that for India.”

The 39-year-old signed off by being tight-lipped about playing future post the World Cup. “Well, let’s see how things go there. But right now, my focus is for these two months. That is something I am looking to put my full focus and energy into the series and World Cup.”

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Tax benefits to increase disposable income likely in Union Budget

Sputnik V shows strong protection against Omicron Variant: Joint Italian-Russian study

The government may consider incremental tax benefits to increase the net disposable income of the citizens to boost demand when it tables the Union Budget FY23 in the Parliament on February 1.

In a report, brokerage firm KR Choksey said that the government is expected to target infrastructure spending further to create a multiplier effect and increase job opportunities.

Moreover, it may introduce structural reforms and boost privatization to attract long-term capital from foreign institutional investors (FIIs). The government may also consider incremental tax benefits to increase the net disposable income of the citizens to boost demand.

As per the report, the government will focus on tax compliance by being more vigilant. Also, there might be some hike in GST rates of some selected products and services by the GST Council to boost GST revenue further.

There might be some changes in InvIT and REIT tax structures to bring long-term capital gains treatment at par with other asset classes.

“With robust direct tax collection, we do not envisage any tinkering with the existing income tax slabs, though some incremental tax benefits by the government cannot be ruled out,” the report said.

“Given the limited headroom for monetary policy action, fiscal measures have become imperative, and we expect the government to address ‘demand-side factors in the upcoming Budget,” it added.

This Budget is widely expected to continue with the measures announced in the previous budgets like Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and PLI schemes, etc. It said that one could expect more standards focusing on boosting consumption and helping revive private sector investments.

The brokerage expects aggressive asset divestitures for FY23 with a disinvestment target of Rs 2-2.1 trillion, public sector reforms in the form of privatization, recapitalization & improving corporate governance, reduction in the burden on tax compliance requirements for startups, and stress asset funds to address banking sector asset quality aspects.

Among the sector-specific expectations, for auto — Reduction of GST rate on two-wheelers; re-introduction of the depreciation scheme, financials, setting up of refinancing window for NBFCs; focus on digital initiatives.

For pharma — Reinstatement of weighted tax deduction at 200 percent of inhouse R&D spending
For consumers — GST/import duty relief to curb high inflation; implementation of National Retail Policy
For insurance — Increase in deduction limit under 80C & 80D; GST rate reduction
For IT/technology — Digital initiatives; incentives for 5G rollout
For agriculture/chemicals — Introduction of PLI scheme; levy of import/anti-dumping duty
For infra/capital goods/cement — Higher allocation to PMAY; boost infrastructure financing avenues

The government’s focus will support the Agri economy to improve farmers’ income. Credit is a critical input in achieving higher farm output. Institutional credit will also help delink farmers from non-institutional sources where they are compelled to borrow at usurious interest rates, the report said.

Usually, farm loans attract an interest rate of 9 percent. However, the government has been providing interest subvention to make short-term crop loans available at an affordable rate, thereby helping to boost farm output.

The government fixes annual agriculture credit, including crop loan targets for the banking sector. The agricultural credit flow has increased consistently over the years, exceeding the target set for each fiscal. Therefore, the report said that the brokerage expects a similar trend to continue going ahead in the upcoming Budget.

In the Budget, the government is expected to announce more steps to achieve its infrastructure investment target of Rs 111 trillion as per the NIP (National Infrastructure Pipeline).

More clarity is awaited on the current status of the NIP, its financing avenues, and its CAPEX phasing over the next few years. The government is likely to increase its gross budgetary support towards the infrastructure sector, focusing on roads, railways, and urban infrastructure segments.

To expedite projects like high-speed rail (including Bullet trains), Sagar Mala, intelligent cities, inland waterways developments, etc., the government should provide some dedicated allocations towards these projects in the Budget. The report said that an increased percentage for NHAI will help achieve Bharat Mala project targets.

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Mohammad Azharuddin has said that Rohit should hand over the Test captaincy

Sputnik V shows strong protection against Omicron Variant: Joint Italian-Russian study.

Playback singer Jubin Nautiyal’s latest track, ‘ O Aasman Wale’, has hit the airwaves.

The casual number also stars Neha Khan in her first association with the singer. The song, organized by ‘Paani Da Rang’ hitmaker Rochak Kohli, has been penned by Manoj Muntashir and is produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series.

The director Navjit Buttar has shot ‘O Aasmanwale’ in the picturesque locales of Shimla.

Talking about the song, Jubin said: “‘O Aasmanwale’ is a very soulful yet very intense track. As an artist, it’s always challenging to take songs in this genre because you want a listener to feel the emotions behind lyrics. I hope they enjoy this one.”

Neha Khan complimenting her collaborator said: “I love Jubin’s music, and I think he is one of the finest singers we have in the country today, so it was a huge honor to be part of a song he has sung. Bhushan sir is the ultimate name in music, so ‘O Aasmanwale’ is an amazing song to me for many reasons.”

Bhushan Kumar said: “Jubin Nautiyal has time and again proved to be a singer who can uplift any song. He and Neha did a brilliant job in ‘O Aasmanwale’ that makes you truly empathize with their characters.”
‘O Aasmanwale’ is available to stream on T-Series’ YouTube channel.

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Sputnik V shows strong protection against Omicron Variant: Joint Italian-Russian study.

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According to a study conducted by the Spallanzani Institute in Italy, the Sputnik V vaccine has demonstrated strong protection against the Omicron variant, with over two times higher virus-neutralizing activity than the Pfizer vaccine Russian Direct Investment Fund.

The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology (Gamaleya Center) and the Russian Direct Investment Fund on Thursday said that two doses of Sputnik V provide more than two times higher geometric mean titers (GMT) of virus-neutralizing antibodies to the Omicron variant of Covid than two doses of Pfizer vaccine (2.1 times higher in total and 2.6 times higher three months after vaccination).

The study was conducted at the leading Italian research institute for infectious diseases by a joint Italian-Russian team of researchers representing the Institute and the Gamaleya Center in the identical laboratory conditions on comparable sera samples from individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V and Pfizer with a similar level of IgG antibodies and virus-neutralizing activity (VNA) against Wuhan variant, said a report.

Among the top quartile of individuals with high RBD-specific IgG antibodies, 100 percent of those vaccinated with Sputnik V could neutralize the Omicron variant compared to 83.3 percent of individuals vaccinated with Pfizer. Among all samples, 74.2 percent of Sputnik V-vaccinated sera were able to balance Omicron vs. 56.9 percent for Pfizer-vaccinated, it said.

Alexander Ginsburg, Director of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, said: “The joint study by the Gamaleya Center and Spallanzani Institute confirmed the results obtained in our separate study published in December 2021. The hard scientific data proves Sputnik V has higher virus-neutralizing activity against Omicron as compared to other vaccines and will play a major role in the global fight against this new contagious variant.”

“Results of the study in Italy confirm Sputnik V offers the strongest protection against Omicron. The adenoviral platform has shown high efficacy in fighting mutations of Covid previously. The partnership of different platforms is the key and heterologous (‘mix & match’) boosting with Sputnik Light will help strengthen the efficacy of other vaccines in light of combined Delta and Omicron challenge,” said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of RDIF.

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Subhash Ghai reveals his inspiration behind composing for ’36 Farmhouse’

Smriti Mandhana named ICC Women’s T20 Team of the Year

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has talked about his inspiration behind composing and writing songs for the web film ’36 Farmhouse’.

He said: “Since I became writer-director, whenever I start writing a script, I have had a habit of thinking of music also along with storylines and its characters and I used to suggest my poetic catch lines from my writing to my lyrics writers and mood of the music to my composers.

“So, my songs became an integral part of the film itself. This process clicked in a big way. So, while writing the storyline of ’36 Farmhouse’, I wrote a few lyrics and started composing too as per the story and characters.”

Ghai said it allowed him to test himself independently to write and compose three songs in a flow.’

“Today technology helps you a lot in composing song and music. I hired a musician from Whistling Woods Music School, Abhishek Bonthu, who translated my vision and compositions into a song on the computer,” he said.
He added: “Then I requested two legendary singers Sonu Nigam and Hariharan to lend their voices to my songs, and they did oblige me happily and made a lot of difference to my creation as a composer.”

The filmmaker said it was also four decades of learning from association with veterans like Laxmikant Pyarelal and A.R. Rahman and Anand Bakshi as great lyricists.

“Thirdly, I had also developed a knack of writing poems and songs during these two years of pandemic time.”

The film ’36 Farmhouse’ is directed by Ram Ramesh Sharma, and it features Amol Parashar, Barkha Singh, Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Flora Saini, and Ashwini Kalsekar, among others.

The movie releases on ZEE5 on January 21.

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Smriti Mandhana named ICC Women’s T20 Team of the Year

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India opener Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday has been named in ICC Women’s T20I team of the year for 2021. The team of the year statements by the International Cricket Council acknowledge the best players in women’s cricket who contemplated one and all with their performances in a calendar year.

With 255 runs at an average of 31.87, Smriti was India’s most elevated scorer in the format in 2021. She scored two fifties in the nine matches she played this year and got her team off to rapid openings regularly, as evident by her strike rate of 131.44.

It is also the third time Smriti has cut for the T20I team after 2018 (opener) and 2019 (number three). Interestingly, Smriti is the only Indian player in the eleven in which England’s Nat Sciver has been made the captain with no players from Australia — the reigning T20 World Cup champions — cutting the playing eleven.

Nat, the experienced England all-rounder, produced many impactful performances throughout the year. Batting in the middle-order, she scored a total of 153 runs, including one fifty, and backed it up by picking ten wickets at an excellent average of 20.20.

Various other England players consist of wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, openers Tammy Beaumont, and Danni Wyatt. The eleven announced by the ICC likewise has three South Africa players in batter Laura Wolvaardt and pacers Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp, aside from off-spin all-rounder Gabby Lewis of Ireland as well as off-spin bowler Loryn Phiri of Zimbabwe.

ICC Women’s T20I Group of the Year: Smriti Mandhana, Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Gaby Lewis, Nat Sciver (captain), Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Sophie Ecclestone, Loryn Phiri, and Shabnim Ismail.

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Mohammad Azharuddin has said that Rohit should hand over the Test captaincy

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Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin feels that Rohit Sharma should be handed the Test captaincy as he is the best in all formats.

“If he is your no.1 player in all formats, then what is the problem? I feel seeing 5-6 years ahead is a long time. It would be best if you looked forward but need to see immediately as well. To look forward, you cannot give to an inexperienced player, which might cause a problem.

“I feel Rohit Sharma is a good player and can be an outstanding captain. I feel Rohit should give captaincy, whatever experience I have and whatever cricket I have played. He might play cricket for another two or three years, he might play more as well, but his fitness will be crucial because his hamstring becomes weak repeatedly,” Azharuddin was quoted as saying by India News.

Azharuddin reckoned that Rohit’s presence in the Test series could have made a massive difference in South Africa.

“His absence in this Test series also became an advantage for South Africa because he is an attacking player, plays in an attacking fashion as an opener as well,” he said.

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