Eurovision 2026 has come to a close, with Bulgaria crowned winner and Israel in second place after a nail-biting public vote.
The UK finished last after receiving no points in the public vote, and history was made by Ukraine’s entry for holding the contest’s longest ever note.
Read more here.
Bulgaria has won Eurovision for the first time, pushing Israel into second place amid boycotts and protests over Israel’s wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. The result reignited debate over the apparent double standard with Russia banned for invading Ukraine.
Published On 17 May 2026
NEW DELHI: India’s exports of jewellery fell in April 9.07 per cent amid geopolitical tensions in Middle East and uncertainty in key markets, according to data from the Gem & Jewellery Exaport Promotion Council (GJEPC). The overall exports stood at $2,226.45 million (Rs 20,825.01 crore), down from $2,448.53 million (Rs 20,952.26 crore) in the same month last year. GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali attributed the decline to external disruptions, saying, “Decline in exports is mainly due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has caused worldwide disruptions affecting exports. Besides geopolitical tensions, exports to the US, a major export market for the gems and jewellery industry, were also affected because there is still no clarity on the tariffs,” he told PTI. Segment-wise, cut and polished diamond exports fell 19.65 per cent to $890.91 million from $1,108.74 million a year earlier. Polished lab-grown diamond exports also declined 15.53 per cent to $93.28 million compared to $110.43 million last year. Gold jewellery exports dropped 21.77 per cent to $841.54 million, compared to $1,075.67 million in the same period last year. Within this segment, plain gold jewellery exports saw a sharper fall of 47.06 per cent to $341.08 million from $644.33 million, while studded gold jewellery rose 16.02 per cent to $500.46 million from $431.35 million. In contrast, silver jewellery exports surged sharply, rising 444 per cent to $268.38 million compared to USD 49.33 million in the corresponding month last year.
Updated on: May 17, 2026 6:16:57 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in hot form.
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Punjab Kings are crumbling as they chase 223 runs in Dharamshala. Rasikh Salam Dar struck in the fourth over, removing PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer (1). Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Priyansh Arya (0) and Prabhsimran Singh (5). Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 222/4 in 20 overs, setting a target of 223 runs. Venkatesh Iyer remained unbeaten at 73* off 40 balls. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh removed Tim David (28) in the final ball. Yuzvendra Chahal struck in the final ball of the 15th over, removing Virat Kohli. The RCB opener failed to find the fence, departing for 58 off 37 balls. Harpreet Brar struck again in the 10th over, removing Devdutt Padikkal (45). Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost Jacob Bethell as the opener fell to Harpreet Brar in the third over. Initially, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB are without regular captain Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma has been named as the stand-in skipper. After a dominant start to the season, Punjab Kings are slipping up at the wrong time. They are currently in a five-match losing streak, and their most recent defeat came two nights ago in Dharamshala. Despite their recent poor form, PBKS are still in the playoffs race and are fourth in the IPL 2026 points table. Now they take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru, once again in Dharamshala. Since the record chase vs Delhi Capitals, the PBKS batters haven’t been scoring quickly, and their bowlers have been leaking runs at the wrong time. To make matters worse, their fielding has been a total comedy of errors. On the other hand, RCB are on top of the table and will qualify for the playoffs if they win in Dharamshala. They are currently on a two-match winning run and will look to extend that.
PBKS, who finished as runners-up last season, started the season on a strong note. But since the middle phase, they look low on confidence, and opposition teams have figured them out. Speaking ahead of the match, PBKS’ head of sports science, Andrew Leipus, said, “I think the altitude (in Dharamsala) does play some role. Perhaps it might favour us because we’ve been here longer. We’ve had a longer time to acclimatise and adapt to the conditions. I’m hoping that might be the case. I think historically it hasn’t been the best ground for us. Again, we can just hope for the best and turn it around. The ball travels a bit faster. The guys have to maybe feel differently. The wicket in the last match was different to the wicket in the first game.”
Meanwhile, RCB assistant coach Omkal Salvi said, “Bethell has proved himself on the world stage, and in this format, he is a world-class player. It doesn’t matter which position he bats in. He is a mature player who adapts himself according to the situation and we have seen him perform.”
…Read More
PBKS, who finished as runners-up last season, started the season on a strong note. But since the middle phase, they look low on confidence, and opposition teams have figured them out. Speaking ahead of the match, PBKS’ head of sports science, Andrew Leipus, said, “I think the altitude (in Dharamsala) does play some role. Perhaps it might favour us because we’ve been here longer. We’ve had a longer time to acclimatise and adapt to the conditions. I’m hoping that might be the case. I think historically it hasn’t been the best ground for us. Again, we can just hope for the best and turn it around. The ball travels a bit faster. The guys have to maybe feel differently. The wicket in the last match was different to the wicket in the first game.”
Meanwhile, RCB assistant coach Omkal Salvi said, “Bethell has proved himself on the world stage, and in this format, he is a world-class player. It doesn’t matter which position he bats in. He is a mature player who adapts himself according to the situation and we have seen him perform.”
Follow all the updates here:
May 17, 2026 6:16:57 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: The ninth over begins with a short delivery from Suyash and Shedge takes a single. Stoinis does the same and then Shedge sweeps him over deep midwicket for a six! Then he takes a double and the over ends with back-to-back singles.
PBKS – 80/4 (9), Target – 223
May 17, 2026 6:13:23 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: OUT!!! Shepherd strikes! It is a full delivery by Shepherd and into the pads. Connolly flicks it to backward square leg. Bethell catches it near the ropes! OUT!
Connolly c Bethell b Shepherd 37 (22)
May 17, 2026 6:08:33 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A short delivery by Suyash and Connolly pulls him high over deep midwicket for a six! SHOT! Ends the over with a single.
PBKS – 60/3 (7), Target – 223
May 17, 2026 5:55:48 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A cross seamed delivery by Hazlewood, in the slot. Suryansh waits and hammers it over deep midwicket for a six! SHOT! It is followed by back-to-back dots. Then Shedge gets it very fine, for a four! Over ends with a wide and then a double.
PBKS – 38/3 (5), Target – 223
May 17, 2026 5:48:05 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Back of a length delivery by Dar, and around the channel, outside off. Iyer waits for it and ends up edging it back to the wicketkeeper for a catch! OUT!
Iyer c Jitesh b Dar 1 (3)
May 17, 2026 5:44:55 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: OUT! BHUVNESHWAR STRIKES AGAIN!
Back of a length and shaping away. Prabhsimran outside edges it to first slip for a catch!
Prabhsimran c Padikkal b Bhuvneshwar 2 (5)
May 17, 2026 5:42:54 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A length delivery by Hazlewood, full and on the pads. Connolly smacks him over long on for a six! SHOT! Over ends with a dot!
PBKS – 16/1 (2), Target – 223
May 17, 2026 5:35:11 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Wicket in the first over!
A back of a length delivery by Bhuvneshwar, outside off. Priyansh smacks it over mid-on but toe-ends it. Goes straight to the fielder for a catch!
Priyansh c Shepherd b Bhuvneshwar 0 (3)
May 17, 2026 5:28:45 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: The run chase begins! Priyansh and Prabhsimran to open for PBKS. Bhuvneshwar to bowl the first over for RCB.
May 17, 2026 5:14:18 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A wide yorker by Arshdeep to begin the final over, Venkatesh hits it on the on side for a single. Its followed by a wide and then back-to-back singles. Then Arshdeen misses his yorker and David clatters it over deep midwicket for a six! SHOT! Then its a full toss, smashed over the bowler for a four! Then Arshdeep removes David in the final ball!
David c Brar b Arshdeep 28 (12)
RCB – 222/4 (20)
May 17, 2026 4:58:59 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A juicy full toss by Arshdeep and Venkatesh clatters him for a four over backward square leg and RCB also get to 200! Over ends with a dot.
RCB – 200/3 (18)
May 17, 2026 4:49:38 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A good length ball by Ferguson and at the stumps. Venkatesh drives it past mid off for a six and also gets his fifty! Then its a four, to extra cover!
May 17, 2026 4:46:22 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: The 16th over begins with back-to-back singles and then Omarzai gets a dot. Then he sends a low full toss, followed by Iyer smacking it past short fine for a four. Then its another four, this time to fine leg. Ends the over with a single.
RCB – 168/3 (16)
May 17, 2026 4:40:10 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Chahal tosses it up, and its drifting onto the pads. Iyer launches it over midwicket for a six. Chahal responds with a dot and then is smacked for another six, over long-leg. Then het akes a single, gives Kohli strike.
OUT!!! Chahal strikes in the final ball, removes Kohli, catch taken by Priyansh!
A good delivery and Kohli smacks it squarer and it goes straight to deep midwicket for a catch!
Kohli c Priyansh b Chahal 58 (37)
RCB – 157/3 (15)
May 17, 2026 4:32:56 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A full length delivery by Ferguson, on the pads of Iyer. He drills it back to the bowler. Then its a full ball, outside off, he hammers him to mid-off for a four. Takes a single in the third ball, followed by Kohli doing the same. Iyer takes a single and then Kohli smacks a four through square leg in the final ball.
RCB – 131/2 (13)
May 17, 2026 4:28:00 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: The 12th over begins with Shashank sending it full, wide of off. Kohli drives it wide of cover, takes a double and then takes a single. Venkatesh does the same and Kohli again takes a single, to get his 67th IPL fifty. Over ends with leg byes.
RCB – 120/2 (12)
May 17, 2026 4:17:41 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: OUT! ANOTHER WICKET!
A short delivery by Brar, outside off. It is slow and Padikkal cuts it, but fails to keep it down. It goes straight to Iyer at cover for a simple catch!
Padikkal c Iyer b Brar 45 (25)
RCB – 97/2 (9.1)
May 17, 2026 4:10:56 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Back of a length delivery by Shashank, outside off. Padikkal cuts it between the fielders at deep backward point for a four! SHOT! Over ends with a dot.
RCB – 91/1 (8)
May 17, 2026 4:05:00 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Chahal tosses it up, on middle. Padikkal hammers it over the bowler’s head for a six. Its followed by a streak of three singles. Then its a no ball, followed by a maximum over long on! SHOT!
RCB – 82/1 (7)
May 17, 2026 3:57:14 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A quick delivery by Brar, outside off. Padikkal cuts it to deep backward point for a four! SHOT! Then its a wide, followed by a dot. Then its a quick ball by Brar and Padikkal slams it across to backward square leg for a single. Over ends with a streak of three singles.
RCB – 49/1 (5)
May 17, 2026 3:44:30 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A quick delivery by Brar, from over the wicket. Bethell tries to cut, but ends up directing it onto the stumps! OUT!
Bethell b Brar 11 (7)
May 17, 2026 3:42:40 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: A good length delivery by Omarzai, outside off. Kohli misses his shot. Then its pitched up, wide outside off, Kohli launches it through the line for a six. Then ist a wide, followed by a single. Then Bethell clatters him to fine leg for a four! SHOT! Over ends with a dot and then a single.
RCB – 17/0 (2)
May 17, 2026 3:35:31 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Arshdeep begins with a good length delivery, outside off. Bethell hits it to backward point for a single. Kohli on strike and Arshdeep responds with back-to-back dots. In the fourth ball, Kohli takes a single, putting Bethell on strike. Over ends with back-to-back singles.
RCB – 4/0 (1)
May 17, 2026 3:31:04 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Kohli and Bethell to open for RCB. Arshdeep to bowl the first over for PBKS.
May 17, 2026 3:11:29 PM IST
PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: PBKS – Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
RCB – Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
After four years of flops, the BBC has to think hard about how it approaches Eurovision in 2027.
“Teenagers are dramatic.”“It’s just a phase.”“They’ll grow out of it.”Being a teenager sometimes means having your emotions questioned before they are even understood. Frustration is dismissed as “attitude”, sadness becomes “mood swings”, anger becomes “phase” and exhaustion is labelled “laziness”.Thus, for parents, teenage can often seem difficult to understand or manage as they navigate the complicated transition into adulthood. There is often little conversation about what it actually feels like to be a teenager today and what if there’s something actually wrong that no one seems to get.The key to understand here is, not every teenage reaction is serious, but not every emotional outburst is meaningless drama either. Sometimes, what adults dismiss as a “phase” may actually be stress, loneliness, anxiety, burnout, or simply the feeling of being misunderstood.As 19-year old Kritika told TOI, the disconnect often comes from how differently teenagers and adults experience pressure. “The kind of competitiveness and pressure teenagers face today has increased drastically, especially with academics, social media, and constant comparison online,” she said, adding that many struggles faced by teenagers today are “more mental and digital rather than physical or practical.”So let’s dive into why the gap between teenagers and adults comes up.
Teenagers exist in an awkward space between childhood and adulthood. They are expected to behave maturely, make decisions about their future, and take responsibility for their actions. At the same time, their emotions are frequently invalidated because they are considered “too young” to fully understand themselves.According to clinical psychologist Akshitara, co-founder of mental health-linked startup ‘That Desi Psychologist’, one of the biggest overlooked issues among teenagers today is “emotional invalidation.” She explained to TOI that many adolescents, in many cases, are navigating emotionally unavailable environments,” but are still frequently labelled “too sensitive” or accused of overreacting.
She added that teenagers often “may not always have the emotional vocabulary to explain distress,” which is why emotional struggles may appear through “irritability, withdrawal, anger, avoidance, poor academics, excessive phone use, or tantrums” instead of calm conversations adults expect.This contradiction often shapes how adults respond to teenage behaviour. Emotional reactions are dismissed more quickly because teenagers are expected to “grow out of it” rather than be understood in the moment.
Part of the disconnect also comes from the fact that teenagers and adults often approach emotional struggles very differently.As Kritika, 19, highlighted how generational differences often shaped conversations at her home, as she reflected on navigating the last year as teens and now stepping into the pressure-pool of adulthood.
Sometimes I was trying to explain how something affected me mentally or emotionally, while adults focused more on practical things like discipline, studies, or future consequences
Kritika, 19
Similarly, 17-year-old Dhruv told TOI that emotional conversations with adults often felt disconnected. “We say, ‘I feel overwhelmed,’ and they hear, ‘I can’t handle responsibility,’” he said, adding that “Sometimes it honestly felt like we were speaking two completely different emotional languages.”
He also pointed out that younger people today are far more comfortable openly discussing mental health struggles. “Just being able to openly say ‘I’m not okay’ is already a huge shift from previous generations,” he said.However, this openness around emotions is not always easy for older generations to immediately relate to. Many adults grew up in environments where mental health conversations were rare, emotional struggles were often internalised, and vulnerability was not openly encouraged.This disconnect often becomes visible in how adults interpret teenage behaviour. When a teenager becomes withdrawn, adults may assume they are simply being rude or antisocial instead of asking whether something is bothering them. Anger is often interpreted as bad behaviour before anyone tries to understand where the frustration is coming from. Even genuine stress is sometimes minimised with phrases like “you have no real responsibilities yet” or “wait till you become an adult”.This was something 14-year-old Mana Satija related while speaking to TOI about conversations with adults often feeling one-sided. “They only tell me what I need to do. They never ask what I want to do,” she said.Part of the gap is that teenagers rarely express emotions in ways adults find easy to deal with. Emotional distress during adolescence does not always appear calm or articulate. It may show up through irritability, silence, defensiveness, emotional outbursts, declining academic performance, or sudden isolation. Because these reactions can be frustrating, adults often focus more on correcting the behaviour than understanding the emotion behind it.
Social media has intensified the teenage-adult disconnect further. Teenagers today are constantly exposed to comparison, online validation, unrealistic beauty standards, and pressure to present perfect versions of themselves. Every insecurity can feel amplified online.Dr Lalita Anand, management trustee at ‘Teenage Foundation’, a NGO working for teen welfare in Hyderabad said loneliness has quietly become one of the biggest emotional struggles among teenagers today despite constant online connectivity. “They might have a social media following, but actually each one is terribly lonely,” she told TOI, adding that many teenagers deeply want meaningful friendships and acceptance among peers but often struggle with peer pressure, bullying, fear of missing out, and fear of disappointing their parents.Akshitara also spoke on similar lines, adding how teenagers today are growing up in a “hyper-visible world” where “social comparison follows teenagers home through social media.” She explained that many adolescents feel pressure to “look perfect, achieve constantly, be socially active, emotionally mature, and successful very early in life.”However, older generations sometimes dismiss these struggles because they did not experience adolescence in the same environment.This was something Kanika Jindal, founder and director of Harmony Therapy World, validated while talking to TOI. She said that today’s teenagers are “digital natives with exposure that extends far beyond their physical vicinity,” which is fundamentally changing how they experience identity, relationships, and emotional pressure, while citing a case example of 6-year old wanting his parents to be ‘Elon Musk’.
She also pointed out that while many adolescents may have hundreds of “followers,” they often lack “true friends,” contributing to loneliness and emotional isolation despite constant online interaction. “When adults dismiss these concerns as ‘just a phase,’ it invalidates their emotions and overlooks the unique complexities of their reality,” she said.
Adolescence is a stage when teenagers are trying to understand themselves as they go through a lot of physical, hormonal and emotional changes.Puberty, changing bodies, acne, weight fluctuations, voice changes, appearance-related comparisons, and growing awareness around attractiveness often make teenagers far more self-conscious than adults realise.Thus as the changes become “unique” to males and females, adolescence also becomes the stage where gender-role enforcement also becomes prominent. Teenage boys are frequently told to “man up”, suppress vulnerability, or avoid appearing emotional, while girls are often labelled “too emotional”, “dramatic”, or “over-sensitive” for expressing frustration openly.These expectations shape how teenagers communicate distress and how adults perceive it.As a young psychologist and the other co-founder of ‘That Desi Psychologist’, Chetna Arora explained to TOI how expectations around gender heavily shape how teenagers express emotions. According to her, girls are often expected to be “understanding, warm, soft, emotionally available, and nurturing,” while boys expressing anger, emotional withdrawal, or avoiding vulnerability have become socially normalised.
Chetna further explained that many boys grow up struggling with emotional vulnerability because sadness and fear are discouraged, while many girls gradually begin feeling emotionally responsible for everyone else around them.“Young children being constantly exposed to these notions definitely shapes their attitudes and behaviours towards themselves and others,” she said, adding that these expectations eventually begin reflecting in teenagers’ emotional expression and internal emotional states.Kanika Jindal also pointed out that phrases like telling boys to “man up” or dismissing girls as “dramatic” or “hormonal” can invalidate “developmentally appropriate responses” and contribute to long-term emotional suppression.
Repeatedly invalidating teenage emotions can have consequences that extend far beyond adolescence.When young people grow up feeling unheard, they may begin believing their emotions are unimportant or “overdramatic”. Over time, this can make them less likely to openly communicate struggles, seek support, or express vulnerability.This was something 22-year-old Naveen highlighted while talking to TOI. He said that after a point, repeatedly trying to explain himself emotionally became “emotionally tiring”, adding that he eventually began handling situations on his own instead.
With so many other pressures and responsibilities going on in life, I started feeling that repeatedly talking about my emotions would not always change anything
Naveen, 22
Similarly, 27-year-old Nishu, while reflecting on her teenage years, said adolescence often comes with the pressure of navigating not just family expectations but also the wider social and political environment shaping young people’s lives. According to her, many children grow up feeling that choosing joy, passion, or individuality is “impractical” because society places constant emphasis on stability, achievement, and fitting into accepted ideas of success.
The social and political environment is a key factor that curtails a child’s potential. His/Her ability to achieve joy and choose passion often becomes like impractical subject to many.
Nishu, 27, while reflecting on lessons based on her teenage years
At the same time, she believes teenagers also carry some responsibility in trying to bridge the communication gap with adults. “It is important to believe in your own ability while also carefully assessing the situations around you,” she said, adding that while many teenagers feel the need to “break free” from their parents, the real challenge is often breaking free from the larger social thinking that quietly limits confidence, growth, and emotional understanding.However, when emotional struggles are repeatedly dismissed instead of understood, many teenagers gradually stop expressing themselves altogether. Adults who were constantly told to “stop overreacting” as teenagers may later struggle to openly discuss stress, anxiety, or emotional needs. Some develop difficulty trusting others with their feelings because they were conditioned to expect dismissal rather than understanding.At the same time, experts say another major barrier is the tendency to compare generations rather than understand changing realities.Kanika Jindal described this mindset as part of a larger “cycle of generational trauma,” where parents sometimes repeat what they themselves heard growing up without questioning its impact.Meanwhile, Chetna shared her thoughts on the “we had it tougher” mindset many teenagers hear from adults. She talked about teenagers today growing up in a far more emotionally overstimulating and hyper-connected environment. “Comparison often prevents compassion,” she said, especially when adults rely on “we had it tougher” responses.Offering his insight to parents, she added, “The goal is not to raise obedient children; the goal is to raise emotionally secure human beings.”
It’s important to remember, addressing the key issues does not mean removing discipline or allowing harmful behaviour. Teenagers still require boundaries, accountability, and guidance. However, understanding emotions and correcting behaviour do not have to be opposites.Thus, the first step is listening without immediately dismissing or lecturing. Teenagers are more likely to communicate honestly when they feel they will not instantly be judged, mocked, or compared to others. Sometimes, they are not looking for solutions. They simply want reassurance that what they feel is being taken seriously.Schools and families can also play a role by encouraging healthier conversations around emotional wellbeing. Instead of treating emotional vulnerability as weakness or “bad attitude”, there needs to be greater emphasis on communication, empathy, and emotional awareness.
As Akshitara said, parents and schools need to shift from a “discipline-first approach to a curiosity-first approach.” Instead of reacting immediately to behaviour, she said adults should begin by asking: “What is this behaviour trying to communicate?”She also stressed that emotional support should not only be reserved for “serious cases” or crises. According to her, conversations around emotional literacy, coping skills, boundaries, and healthy communication need to become part of everyday environments at home and in schools.Dr Anand similarly stressed that teenagers need “time and attention” from adults rather than only instructions or criticism. According to her, parents need to “patiently listen to them, their challenges and suggest solutions” while creating environments where teenagers feel safe enough to “speak freely and confide in them.”
However, to reiterate, communication also requires effort from the other side. While teenagers may feel misunderstood, recognising that parents and close adults are often trying to help, even if imperfectly, can gradually make conversations easier.Like for 17-year-old Dhruv, communication with adults improved only gradually over time when he began expressing himself “more calmly instead of waiting until I was emotionally overwhelmed” and tried explaining modern pressures in ways adults could better relate to. According to him, understanding improved when “both sides keep trying instead of shutting each other down.”Adults also need to recognise that teenage struggles may not look the same as adult struggles or similar to what they experienced in their own teenage years, but that does not make them insignificant. Academic pressure, friendship conflicts, insecurity, bullying, identity confusion, and social isolation can feel deeply overwhelming during adolescence, especially when experienced for the first time.As Akshitara put it, “Some of the most distressed teens are high-achieving, quiet, funny, or well-behaved,” adding that emotional struggles can sometimes appear as “perfectionism, burnout, numbness, isolation, or silently feeling not good enough.”Thus, teenagers may not always express themselves perfectly. They may be impulsive, reactive, or emotionally inconsistent. But behind that behaviour is often someone trying to make sense of themselves while growing up in an increasingly overwhelming world.And sometimes, being heard can make more difference than being corrected.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the iconic Afsluitdijk Dam in the Netherlands during his official visit has drawn attention to a less discussed but strategically important issue for India: long-term water management and climate resilience.Accompanied by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetton, PM Modi visited the massive barrier dam that has protected the Netherlands from floods for decades and also helps manage freshwater storage, inland waterways and renewable energy generation.This visit was not merely symbolic. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Afsluitdijk project has a direct link to Gujarat’s ambitious Kalpasar Project, a proposed mega freshwater reservoir and dam system in the Gulf of Khambhat, which has been studied for decades.In a post on Twitter, PM Modi highlighted the importance of Dutch expertise in water engineering.PM Modi said, “One area where the Netherlands has done pioneering work is water management. The entire international community can learn a lot from it. This morning I had the opportunity to visit Afsluitdijk and learn about the key features of this project. I am grateful to Prime Minister Rob Jetton for being here with me. We are committed to bringing modern technology to India, designed to aid in irrigation, flood protection and expansion of inland waterway networks.”External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also described the visit as an opportunity for deeper India-Dutch cooperation in climate resilience, water technology and sustainable infrastructure.“A symbol of engineering excellence and innovation! Accompanied by Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetton, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the iconic Afsluitdijk Dam, which is a symbol of Dutch excellence in water management, flood protection and freshwater storage. The visit highlighted the relevance of Dutch expertise to India’s Kalpasar project in Gujarat, which aims to create a freshwater reservoir and dam near the Gulf of Khambhat,” Jaiswal posted on Twitter.
The Afsluitdijk is one of the Netherlands’ most famous engineering projects and a central pillar of the country’s centuries-old battle against water.Originally completed about 80 years ago, the 32-kilometre-long barrier dam separates the North Sea from the IJsselmeer freshwater lake and protects large parts of the lower Netherlands from severe flooding.The structure also serves economic and environmental functions, including freshwater storage, navigation, transportation connectivity, and renewable energy generation.Now undergoing a major modernization program often referred to as “Afsluitdijk 2.0”, the project is being redesigned to withstand storms expected only once every 10,000 years.The advanced system includes reinforced locks, improved water discharge systems, fish migration corridors and renewable energy technologies involving tidal flows, freshwater-saltwater interactions, solar and wind power.Dutch authorities estimate that the modernization project will cost around €800 million.The Afsluitdijk also demonstrates how flood defense infrastructure can perform multiple functions simultaneously. In addition to protecting against rising sea levels and storm surges, the project supports inland transportation, tourism, cycling infrastructure and long-term freshwater protection.
India’s interest in Dutch water engineering is growing amid growing concerns over climate change, urban flooding, water scarcity and extreme weather events.Many Indian states, especially coastal and drought-prone areas, are facing simultaneous risks of water scarcity, salinity intrusion and flood disasters.For Gujarat, the proposed Kalpasar project represents an attempt to address multiple challenges through a single mega infrastructure system.The project envisages building a 30-km dam in the Gulf of Khambhat, which could become the world’s largest freshwater reservoir in a marine environment.The reservoir will store about 10 billion cubic meters of fresh water drawn from rivers including Narmada, Mahi, Sabarmati and Dhadar.The stored water will be used for irrigation, drinking water supply and industrial needs, especially in water-stressed areas of Saurashtra and parts of South Gujarat.The project also proposes a 10-lane transport corridor over the dam, which will reduce the travel distance between Saurashtra and South Gujarat by more than 200 kilometres.In its earlier concept, the project also included a large tidal power generation component, although that element has been removed from the revised design.
The Kalpasar project has been discussed in Gujarat since the 1970s and remains one of India’s most ambitious proposed water infrastructure plans.The idea was originally conceptualized in 1975 after the Gulf of Khambhat was identified as a potential site for tidal energy generation. Over time, the focus shifted more towards freshwater storage, flood control, transportation and irrigation.The revised scheme now comprises three major components.The first is the main Kalpasar Dam which connects Bhavnagar district to Bharuch district across the Gulf of Khambhat.The second is the Bhadbhut Barrage on the Narmada River near Bharuch, which aims to prevent salt water intrusion by diverting freshwater into the reservoir system.The third is a vast canal network that connects barrages and reservoirs, distributing water throughout Saurashtra.The estimated cost of the project has increased steadily over the years and is now estimated at around Rs 85,000-90,000 crore.If found technically and environmentally viable, experts estimate that construction alone could take 12 to 15 years, while the timeline for the entire project could extend up to two decades.
The Netherlands offers India a real-world example of how large-scale water infrastructure can integrate flood defence, freshwater management, transport and renewable energy into a long-term strategy.Unlike many countries, the Dutch have centuries of experience living below sea level and dealing with the threat of frequent floods.Much of the country’s modern identity has been shaped by large engineering systems involving dams, levees, storm barriers, canals, and pumping stations.For India, especially for states vulnerable to coastal flooding and salinity intrusion, Dutch expertise may become increasingly relevant.The Kalpasar project faces major engineering, environmental and ecological challenges. Studies are still investigating issues related to marine ecosystems, sedimentation, fisheries impacts, navigation routes, and long-term environmental sustainability.Even after decades of planning, many feasibility studies remain incomplete.As of July 2019, only 25 of the 43 feasibility studies related to ecological, environmental, social and financial impacts had been completed, while several others were pending.No final environmental clearance has been given yet for the main Kalpsar Dam project.The Dutch experience in balancing environmental protection and water engineering can therefore provide valuable lessons for India as it evaluates the long-term feasibility of Kalpasar.
PM Modi’s visit to Afsluitdijk also reflects a broader global shift in how governments are working towards climate resilience infrastructure.Rising sea levels, unpredictable monsoons, glacier melt, extreme rainfall and prolonged drought are forcing countries to rethink traditional water management systems.For India, the challenge is particularly complex as it faces both floods and water shortages simultaneously in different regions.Projects like Kalpasar represent efforts to build large-scale long-term water storage and climate resilience infrastructure. But they also raise difficult environmental and financial questions.The Netherlands’ approach shows that future infrastructure systems may need to combine flood protection, freshwater protection, renewable energy, transportation and ecological management rather than treating them separately.This appears to be one of the key messages behind PM Modi’s highly symbolic visit to Afsluitdijk.The visit ultimately highlighted that India’s interest in the Dutch model is not just about engineering. It is also about preparing for a future where climate resilience and water security can become central pillars of national infrastructure planning.
Bill Cassidy is among seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Published On 17 May 2026
US Senator Bill Cassidy has lost his Louisiana Republican primary after years of criticism from supporters of Donald Trump over his vote to convict the United States president during his 2021 impeachment trial linked to the January 6 Capitol attack that year.
Cassidy failed to secure enough support in the southern state on Saturday to advance to a run-off, finishing behind Representative Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming. The two will face each other in a second round of voting on June 27.
list of 4 itemsend of list
The result underlines Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party as he targets politicians seen as disloyal, even as he faces growing political pressure over inflation, falling approval ratings and criticism of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters who sought to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss. While several Republicans who broke with Trump chose not to seek re-election, Cassidy campaigned aggressively for a third six-year term and heavily outspent his rivals.
On the morning of the vote, Trump attacked Cassidy on social media, calling him “a disloyal disaster” and “a terrible guy”. Speaking after his defeat, Cassidy appeared to respond indirectly to Trump’s remarks. “Insults only bother me if they come from somebody of character and integrity,” he told supporters.
He added: “Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans, and it is about the constitution.”
Letlow, meanwhile, embraced Trump’s backing during her victory speech. “I want to say thank you to a very special man, … the best president this country has ever had, President Donald Trump,” she said.
She later described Cassidy’s impeachment vote as evidence that he had “turned his back on Louisiana voters”. Trump celebrated Cassidy’s loss online, writing: “That’s what you get by voting to impeach an innocent man.”
The Louisiana race is the latest in a series of contests in which Trump has backed efforts to remove Republicans who opposed him. Earlier this month, several Indiana state senators were also defeated after they had rejected Trump’s redistricting plan aimed at winning more seats in the US Congress for Republicans.
Saturday’s elections also took place amid confusion after a recent US Supreme Court ruling weakening part of the Voting Rights Act related to electoral district maps.
While the Senate primary went ahead as planned, Louisiana officials postponed primary elections for the US House of Representatives to redraw district boundaries. Civil rights groups challenged the delay, arguing it violates both the US Constitution and the Louisiana Constitution.
Cassidy, 68, was one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump when the president was impeached after the 6 January attack on the Capitol in 2021. Trump was acquitted after the Senate voted 57-43, short of the two-thirds majority required.
Last week, the combined market capitalisation of nine of the top 10 most valued firms fell by Rs 3.12 lakh crore, with Reliance Industries registering the sharpest decline.Broader market sentiments also remained weak with the 30-share BSE Sensex dropping 2,090.2 points, or 2.7%, while the 50-share NSE Nifty slipped 532.65 points, or 2.2%.“Markets ended the week lower, breaking out of their three-week consolidation phase amid lingering geopolitical tensions in West Asia, persistent weakness in the rupee, and rising inflationary concerns,” Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, told PTI.He added that crude oil prices rising above the $105-per-barrel level aggravated concerns around imported inflation, fiscal stress, and pressure on corporate margins.Within the top-10 list, Bharti Airtel was the only company to see gains during the week.Reliance Industries’ valuation declined by Rs 1,34,445.77 crore, bringing it down to Rs 18,08,420.81 crore. State Bank of India followed with a drop of Rs 52,245.3 crore, taking its valuation to Rs 8,88,862.32 crore.Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) lost Rs 47,415.04 crore in market value, ending at Rs 8,19,062.65 crore, while Bajaj Finance saw its valuation shrink by Rs 27,892.28 crore to Rs 5,66,717.74 crore.HDFC Bank’s market capitalisation eased by Rs 20,630.01 crore to Rs 11,82,069.25 crore, and ICICI Bank recorded a decline of Rs 14,290 crore, leaving it at Rs 8,92,385.39 crore.Larsen & Toubro’s valuation went down by Rs 9,078.87 crore to Rs 5,37,542.34 crore. Hindustan Unilever lost Rs 3,970.8 crore, taking its market value to Rs 5,33,592.18 crore, while Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) saw a fall of Rs 2,182.12 crore to Rs 5,05,367.32 crore.On the other hand, Bharti Airtel added Rs 42,470.13 crore to its valuation, which rose to Rs 11,60,525.16 crore.Even after the weekly fluctuations, Reliance Industries retained its position as the country’s most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever, and LIC.
