- 4 months ago
This edition of 5 Live features several developing news stories, commencing with the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh under the National Security Act.
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00:00Hello very good evening, you're watching India Today Television.
00:03This is 5 Live, I'm Sneha Murdani.
00:05Let's begin with the headlines, the top stories in this edition first.
00:14Activist Sonam Bhangchuk arrested under NSA.
00:16Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier cancelled the FCRA license of his NGO, citing violations.
00:23Government also suspects that he made provocative statements that led to violence in Ladakh.
00:35Stonepelting reported in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly Over, I Love Mohamed posters and slogans.
00:42Violence reported after Friday affairs, cops resort to Lati charge.
00:46More skeletons tumble in the molester Baba case.
00:55Monster guardman sexually abused a girl in 2016 as well.
00:59Delhi court rejects Baba's bail plea, another financial fraud case.
01:07Big 21 retires after 62 hours in service.
01:12Farewell to Legend of Skies.
01:16Trump slaps 100% tariff on pharma entering U.S. from the 1st of October.
01:24There's no tariff if it is manufactured in the U.S.
01:35Let's begin with our top focus at this hour.
01:37Amid ongoing unrest in Ladakh, COVID demands for statehood.
01:40Trouble seems to be mounting here for activist Sonam Bhangchuk.
01:44As he's now been arrested for allegedly instigating rioting in Ladakh.
01:50Bhangchuk has been arrested under the National Security Act.
01:53Along with several other charges, including inciting and misleading a mob.
01:57He's also under fire for provocative speeches made during the recent hunger protests.
02:02And this comes just days after the Ministry of Home Affairs had cancelled the FCRA license
02:07of Sonam Bhangchuk's NGO, SECMOR.
02:10The government has alleged misuse of foreign funds by the NGO and stated repeated violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act,
02:18or FCRA, which governs foreign funding for NGOs.
02:22The violations include a deposit of three and a half lakh classified as foreign donation,
02:28but the entry was not found in the FCRA account.
02:32The Ministry of Home Affairs has also questioned a donation of FOLAC 93,000 from a Swedish donor for youth awareness programs,
02:40saying that accepting foreign funds for studies on sovereignty is against national interest.
02:46The government has flagged off other similar discrepancies in the NGO's foreign funds,
02:50but Sonam Bhangchuk has denied all charges against him and called this an attempt to divert attention.
02:58The government of India has taken cognizance of the whole exercise,
03:03because they know that he is going to play the victim card,
03:07and all precautions and cautions will be taken.
03:10And rest assured that this kind of manufactured generation next revolt,
03:19which he has been, you know, coordinating and has been leading.
03:24This is something that has been happening over a long period.
03:28This is planned clinical exercise to use this man by certain external forces
03:36to create disturbance in a very sensitive state.
03:40Sir, the situation slowly is coming back on track.
03:44It's peaceful.
03:44So, how is government trying to build it up and ensure that there is permanent normalcy?
03:49And also, as far as the pinnative action against the perpetrators who have done it?
03:55As far as I've said that, I don't think that it is irresponsible.
03:58But it's a
04:17He seems to be on him.
04:46You're focusing on him because he has been protesting on and off, but he used to be peaceful.
04:51So are you saying that the way he instigated the provocation that happened from the spot where he was holding his anger strike, that really led to it?
04:59And when you say that engineered, are you also looking at fraud in hand?
06:03And listening to what Sonam Bangchuk had said
06:33when his NGO's FCRA's license was cancelled.
07:03And listening to what Sonam Bangchuk had said,
07:35we're shifting focus, let's get you more and more details.
07:55And what's happening as far as the molester Baba
07:58and his serious case in Delhi City is concerned here.
08:01Bone-chilling testimonies, obscene chats, shocking FIIs.
08:05The molester Baba case from the national capital
08:07continues to unfold even further
08:10with allegations of sexual abuse now dating back to 2016.
08:14An FIIs fired in the year 2016 has revealed details of molestation,
08:18mental harassment, even isolation of a student,
08:21revealing that the guardman was a repeat offender from the years.
08:25Over now from locking girls in a room to snatching their phones,
08:29the Delhi Baba's debauchery has been unmasked
08:32with a sleazy Swami remains on the run.
08:35Here's more.
08:35Another chilling FIIs, another set of sleazy text messages,
08:45a witness who nails the molester Baba's debauchery.
08:48The news tightens around Baba Chaitanya Nanda
08:51who sexually harassed over 17 girls across Delhi.
08:56An FIIs from 2016 that reveals how the Baba was a repeat offender.
09:01He sent sleazy chats to a 20-year-old girl in 2016.
09:06The conversations, late at night, talking dirty,
09:09calling her baby and sweet girl.
09:13The monster Baba Chaitanya Nanda snatched her phone.
09:16The victim was kept alone in the hostel,
09:18scolded for talking to other students
09:20and pressured for a two-day trip to Mathura.
09:25A witness who was a former student of Chaitanya Nanda
09:28nails his depravity.
09:30His chilling testimony said that girls were lured
09:32and sexually abused
09:33with the promise of sending them abroad
09:36and then asked to compromise.
09:4117 women from the Shri Sharda Institute of Indian Management
09:44in Vasan Kunsh
09:45came forward alleging obscene language,
09:49unwanted advances
09:50and abuse of power by the senior official.
09:53The Baba is still at large,
09:55but the probe led to the seizure of a flashy BMW
09:58linked to the accused.
10:00India today's campaign is demanding
10:28the immediate arrest of the monster Godman
10:30and justice for his victims.
10:34With Himansha Mishra in New Delhi,
10:36Bureau Report, India Today.
10:37Right, and we have more news coming in at this point in time.
10:47Delhi's Pathyala House Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea.
10:51Swami Chaitanya, Anand Saraswati had sought anticipatory bail
10:55in the case of alleged financial irregularities.
10:58This was another case that he was looking at
11:01in connection with the matter of financial irregularities
11:06and not in connection with the case
11:08as far as sexual harassment and molestation charges are concerned.
11:12He is absconding.
11:13He continues to be absconding.
11:16Delhi's Pathyala House Court, rather now,
11:19has rejected the anticipatory bail plea.
11:22Swami Chaitanya, Anand Saraswati.
11:25He had sought an anticipatory bail
11:27in the case of alleged financial irregularities
11:30that he was facing.
11:33Remember, this is the same Baba who's now dealing with
11:39a dozen plus charges of molestation and sexual harassment.
11:44But this is another case in connection
11:46with financial irregularities.
11:50Clearly, a man with a dubious record
11:53now continues to be absconding.
11:56This information is coming in from Delhi's Pathyala House Court.
12:01A case which has got to do with financial irregularities.
12:07The court has now rejected the Baba's anticipatory bail plea.
12:13The Baba, remember, has been accused of molesting
12:1517 girls in the ashram.
12:18The allegations have been surfacing.
12:19And not just now.
12:21Certain allegations have surfaced in the past as well.
12:24Once in 2016 and the other time in the year 2009 as well.
12:29Delhi's molester Baba's bail plea in connection
12:33with financial irregularities matter
12:35is now has been rejected.
12:38Anisha Mathur has more.
12:39Anisha, tell us about this particular case
12:41that the Baba in question is dealing with,
12:45is facing and his anticipatory bail plea,
12:47I understand, stands rejected today.
12:48Well, yes, the bail petition,
12:53the anticipatory bail petition filed by the molester Baba
12:56has been projected by the Pathyala House Court.
13:00Now, remember, in this case has been filed by, in fact,
13:05the administrators of the Sringeri Pitch themselves
13:10saying that this Baba and some other persons
13:12colluded and created a separate trust
13:15where they diverted the funds meant for the Sringeri Pitch
13:21and the institution.
13:23Remember, this man has been administered,
13:26was initially made the administrator
13:28for the trust that had been set up
13:31by the Sringeri Pitch
13:33to create an educational institution for...
13:36All right, Anisha Mathur getting us up to speed
13:43with those details as far as the matter
13:44concerning financial irregularities is concerned.
13:48Now, going back to this case
13:50of sexual harassment and molestation.
13:52A witness was a former student of Chaitanya.
13:55Anand has revealed his depravity.
13:57In an exclusive interview,
13:59he has told India Today how girls were lured
14:01and sexually abused.
14:04Let's take a listen.
14:06The man who is feeling that the Swami
14:09was being seen with the chaiters
14:10and giving them a life of the institute,
14:13you can see what is the institute about?
14:14What do you know about Swami?
14:18On the issue, I'll tell you something
14:20because I have to say that I'll give you a name.
14:21Swami Paathasath is.
14:23What is the background?
14:24What is the family member?
14:25What is the family member?
14:25What is the name?
14:27I don't know that.
14:29This institute is not about the first time.
14:31This is the first time I'll give you a chance.
14:33This is the first time I'll give you a chance.
14:34It has been a lot of people who have been forced to do it before, but it has been a lot of power for them, but I would like to thank those 17 people who have been given the support of this call,
14:50рдЗрд╕ рдореБрджреНрдзреЗ рдХреЛ рдЗрд╕рдиреЗ рдЙрдкрд╛ рддреЛ рдмрдЬрд╝реЗ рд╕реЗ рдпрд╣ рдЪреАрдЬрд╝реЗ рд╣рд╛рдЗрдбрд╛рдЗрдЯ рд╣реЛ рдкрд╛ рд░рд╣реЗрдЧреА рдЕрдЧреЗ рдЗрд╕рдХрд╛ рдХреЛрдИ рднреА рдХрд┐рд╕реА рдХреА рдкрдкреНрдкрдХрддрд╛ рд╕рднреВрде рдирд╣реАрдВ рдерд╛
15:01рд╡рдЯ рдЗрди 1717 рдХреА рдмрдЬрд╝реЗ рд╕реЗ рдЗрд╕ рд╕рд╡рд╛рдореА рдХреЗ рдЙрдкрд░ рдпрд╣ рдЪреАрдЬрд╝реЗ рдЙрдкрд╛рдИ рдЧреА рд╣реИ рдпрд╣ рдореБрджреНрдзрд╛ рдмрдирд╛ рд╣реИ
15:06What was happening with the female?
15:09If you had a full admission, what was happening with the female?
15:13I'm talking about the process.
15:15In the beginning, when kids came to admission,
15:18they told them good things.
15:20If you have a college fee,
15:22they will give you a foreign internship.
15:24They will give you some money.
15:26They will give you some money.
15:30The students told them,
15:32but when kids come to admission,
15:34they were all submitted.
15:38They had a 10-12 mark sheet,
15:40a graduation mark sheet,
15:42a passing certificate.
15:44The biggest reason for one student was to close their hands.
15:49More news coming in.
15:50As far as the charges against the Baba here
15:52is concerned against the government,
15:54is concerned.
15:55Another stunning charge against Delhi's molester Baba,
15:58Tringeri Peet.
16:00And police informed the court that after filing a fraud
16:02for misappropriation of funds,
16:04Chaitanya Anand withdrew 50 to 55 lakh rupees.
16:10From the bank, got forged passport in a different name,
16:14absconded with the trust of money.
16:16So this is another charge,
16:18a serious one that has been levelled against the Baba,
16:20here against the government,
16:22here in question.
16:23Here are the details that we have with us.
16:25It's a stunning charge that has been made.
16:27Arvind Hoja has been relentlessly tracking that big story for us.
16:31Shreya Chatterjee, my colleague,
16:33also getting in more on that story.
16:35Extremely intriguing case of the Baba Arvind,
16:37who had gone,
16:39or rather was not under the scanner.
16:41How can it happen?
16:43In this time,
16:45this government has indulged sexual molestation,
16:49harassment,
16:51and after that,
16:53there are financial irregularities,
16:55even more irregularities,
16:57even more charges leveled.
16:59After that,
17:00they also run away with money.
17:02The police have been registered.
17:05The first time,
17:07there was no such thing
17:09in India Today,
17:11who was a former student,
17:13who was a former student,
17:15who was a former student,
17:17and the female student,
17:19who had complained,
17:21that the victim of the girls,
17:23who had complained,
17:25that the victim of the girls,
17:27who had complaints from several years.
17:29So,
17:30there is a question
17:31from Delhi police,
17:32which is a local police,
17:33there is a question.
17:34And the student,
17:36who has talked to India Today,
17:38who has said,
17:39that Swami Chaitanya Anand,
17:41is a very rich person.
17:43He said,
17:44that the people said,
17:46that there is a political connection,
17:47that there is a political connection,
17:48that there is an embassy,
17:49that there is a person,
17:50there,
17:51and by the way,
17:52police didn't get taken action.
17:532016,
17:54who was a female student,
17:55who was a former student,
17:57who was a junior student,
17:58who was a former student.
18:00There was another student of the time,
18:01who was already interviewed.
18:02He had been accused of giving him,
18:03in the way.
18:04And by the way,
18:05he was apologized,
18:06for being questioned at the time.
18:08And the family member of the time,
18:10he had been surrounded by Swami Chaitanya Anand,
18:11who had also questioned.
18:12He had taken the time of the childcare family,
18:14to him.
18:15He had given them the time,
18:17foreign
18:47This has not just got to do with one case.
19:15In several cases, over a period of time, starting 2009.
19:20A big question mark on the role of the ashram as well.
19:22If he had a tainted record, how did he continue in the ashram?
19:26And where is he now?
19:28It's the big question here.
19:29It's difficult to believe that there isn't anyone protecting this man
19:32who's absconding with so much money.
19:35Again, like you all have been reporting on, isn't it?
19:37Absolutely.
19:38You know, Sneha, what we are seeing in this matter,
19:41and as my colleague Garvin Doja was also pointing it out,
19:44this is a huge lapse on the part of the Delhi Pundus as well.
19:47There have been multiple complaints that have not been translated into action
19:51that has been lying dormant since last so many years.
19:552009, there has been a case.
19:572016, there has been a case.
19:58Even then, he continued to be a part of the administration in this particular college.
20:03Now, if we see the timeline, Sneha,
20:05it is in July end that the first complaint goes for financial irregularities
20:10because there is an entire irregularity audit that came out during December 2024
20:17about a separate fund being created and funds being rerouted.
20:21It's primarily then that the ashram gets serious about it, which is in July.
20:26In August, we see within the first week an FI being registered on molestation charges.
20:31We are in September, almost close to October right now.
20:34Clearly, there's a question of how did this man continue to evade for so long?
20:38So, the question will definitely go on to the Delhi police
20:41and those who have been protecting this man for so long.
20:46Shreya, I'm going to leave it at that for the moment.
20:48Also, thanking Arvind Doja for getting in those details at this point in time.
20:54A little more information on Delhi's monster god man
20:57and the clincher in this entire case.
21:00Not one, but several.
21:0217 girls in the ashram claim sexual abuse.
21:06Sleazy messages.
21:07Then, girls were locked up in rooms and then were molested.
21:12Complaints reveal that Baba snatched the phones of many of these victims.
21:17The FIR shows Baba molested student way back in the year 2016 as well.
21:23The FIR from the same year reveals more obscene texts.
21:28Witness ex-student nails Baba's debauchery in that statement.
21:33More news coming in at this point in time.
21:44The Ministry of External Affairs has rejected NATO Chief Mark Root's claims.
21:50In fact, Hemi says NATO Chief's statement is factually incorrect and baseless.
21:54The Prime Minister didn't speak with Putin in the manner suggested by the NATO Chief.
22:00The NATO Chief had previously said Delhi is on the phone with Putin
22:04and Narendra Modi is asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine
22:09because India is being hit with tariffs.
22:12It's an important clarification that has come from the Ministry of External Affairs.
22:16We have seen a statement by NATO Secretary General, Mr. Mark Root,
22:35regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister of India
22:42and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
22:46This statement, let me clarify, is factually incorrect and entirely baseless.
22:53At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested.
23:00No such conversation has taken place.
23:02We expect the leadership of an important and esteemed institution like NATO
23:08to excise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements.
23:13Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister's engagement
23:18or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable.
23:24All right, the Ministry of External Affairs clearly rejecting NATO Chief's mark, remark rather,
23:33that has got to do with the claim that it was made that New Delhi is on the phone, essentially,
23:37with Russia on Ukraine and what their strategy is.
23:41Traneo Paveh is getting in more details.
23:43All right, in fact, we will continue to keep a close eye on that big developing story.
23:52For the moment, we're shifting focus.
23:54Again, it's got to do with the United States that's now imposing a 100% tariff
24:00on branded and patented drug imports from the 1st of October,
24:04unless companies build plants in America.
24:06That's what Donald Trump has said.
24:08Now, India's 9 billion farmer exports, including firms like Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's and Sipla,
24:14face a major impact.
24:16What does this really mean for Indian drug makers and U.S. patients?
24:21Let's take a closer look.
24:31Donald Trump has fired another salvo in his tariff war.
24:36On Friday, Asia woke up to a fresh social media post by the U.S. president,
24:42announcing 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical exports starting October 1st.
24:48All patented drugs will take the hit, with one exception,
24:52companies that set up their manufacturing plants inside America.
24:57While details remain scant,
24:59the announcement was enough to rattle the Indian pharmaceutical sector,
25:02which had so far been spared from Trump's tariff offensive.
25:06The Nifty opened deep in red,
25:11with all its 20 constituent stocks shedding several percentage points.
25:16But I think we are working out an alternative.
25:20The industry, however, claims the impact of the Indian industry is minimal.
25:24The industry, however, claims the impact of the Indian industry is minimal.
25:47Pharmaxil, the Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council of India,
25:52says the new tariffs will impact only about a billion dollars worth of exports.
25:57In 2024-25, India exported over 10 billion dollars in drugs to the U.S.,
26:04of which nearly 90% were genetics.
26:06These remain unaffected by the latest tariffs.
26:11Importantly, the generic drugs India exports are the backbone of affordable healthcare in America.
26:17Nearly 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. are for generic drugs.
26:20Around half of these prescriptions are supplied by India.
26:24The number is even higher for some high-volume categories.
26:29The Indian industry argues that U.S. healthcare saves nearly $200 billion annually because of Indian generics.
26:36Despite the tariff noise, they expect exports to America to still grow 10-11% this year.
26:42This is more related to patented and branded products,
26:48where India exports large part of the generic pharmaceutical products into the U.S.
26:53So, we don't find much of an impact being experienced into this particular category of the product that we export into the U.S.
27:02So, in nutshell, what I can say is that still, till date,
27:07Indian pharmaceutical supply chain resilience continues to be there.
27:1190% of generic products cost only 13% to the U.S. healthcare system.
27:17So, imposing tariff on generics is not a viable solution.
27:22It will add to the healthcare cost.
27:24However, we will continue to make that effort and keep on focusing whatever best we can do in this direction.
27:32But concerns are mounting.
27:34Trump has already imposed 50% tariffs on several Indian goods in earlier rounds of the trade war.
27:39And he has now hinted at hiking pharma tariffs to 150% and eventually 250% in the next 12 to 18 months.
27:49With the U.S. being the largest market for Indian pharma,
27:52any broadening of these tariff measures could materially alter the export trajectory
27:57and hit a multi-billion dollar industry that is crucial to both Indian growth and U.S. healthcare affordability.
28:05Bureau Report, Business Today TV.
28:07Forget detox teas.
28:24Forget those overpriced cleansers.
28:27The oldest and the smartest detox is actually quite simple.
28:32It's what we call fasting.
28:35And think of it, we've been doing it forever.
28:38Ramzan, Lent, Navratri, Ekadashi.
28:42Every faith, every culture has some version of it.
28:47And here's a fascinating part.
28:49Most of these fasts weren't just random.
28:52They usually come around the time when the seasons are changing,
28:57when infections are on the rise,
28:59when your body actually needs a reset.
29:04Fasting is also where traditional wisdom and modern science actually meet.
29:10So what our ancestors simply called a fast,
29:13the wellness industry today sells as a detox.
29:17So we thought it'll be interesting to understand the science behind fasting.
29:22What actually happens to our bodies when we fast?
29:26So let's break it up step by step, hour by hour.
29:30Let's start with what happens in the first six hours of your fasting.
29:34Zero to six.
29:36Now in this period, your body is still digesting the food from the last meal.
29:40Glucose, i.e. sugar, from your food is providing energy.
29:43Insulin is busy moving that glucose into your cells.
29:46You don't feel hungry yet, you're basically cruising.
29:49But then comes the 6 to 12 hour window where the sugar dip actually happens.
29:55Now once your last meal is processed, blood sugar levels begin to drop.
29:59Your body now starts dipping into glycogen stores.
30:03That is your short term energy savings in your liver and your muscles.
30:07This is when the hunger wave hits.
30:10Your stomach growls, cravings speak.
30:12You might even feel cranky or lightheaded.
30:14It's your body asking you a simple question.
30:17It's testing you.
30:19Are you really going to feed me or should I switch gears?
30:23And that's what happens in the next window.
30:2612 to 16 hours.
30:28Your glycogen tank is now running low.
30:30So your body finally flips the switch to fat burning mode.
30:35This is called ketosis.
30:37Your stubborn fat reserves are now being converted into ketones.
30:41A clean, steady energy source.
30:44This is the point where hunger surprisingly fades.
30:48Instead of feeling weak, most people feel clear, more stable.
30:52It's like your body saying, fine, no food.
30:55I'll use my savings account.
30:57And then comes the next window.
31:00The 16 to 24 hour window.
31:03So glycogen is gone.
31:05Fat is fueling you.
31:06And your body is now finally getting the time to focus on repair.
31:11Autophagy kicks in.
31:12Literally meaning self-eating.
31:15Old damaged cells and proteins are broken down, recycled.
31:19Think of it as sending in like a clean-up crew.
31:24Your kidneys are thanking you as the waste gets cleared more efficiently.
31:29Your brain feels sharper as junk proteins are removed.
31:33Your immune system gets a boost because inflammation is reduced.
31:3724 hours and beyond, a full reset happens.
31:42By now, your body is full reset mode.
31:45Tissues are regenerating.
31:47Your metabolism is humming.
31:48The cellular repair is at its peak.
31:51Many people report mental clarity, stable energy, even a light, spa-like feeling in the body.
31:58It's the closest you can get to hitting a refresh button in your own system without spending a single penny.
32:08That's why fasting is so powerful.
32:10It's not just not eating.
32:12It's giving your body a structured break to heal, repair and reset.
32:19But remember, it's not for everyone.
32:22Pregnant women, people with diabetes or anyone with medical conditions should check with the doctor before going into a vigorous fasting routine.
32:30And for the rest of us, stay hydrated.
32:34Break the fast with something gentle and wholesome, not your samosas and jalebes and biryanis.
32:39So this festive season, if you are fasting, know that it's more than just tradition.
32:45It's science.
32:46It's detox.
32:47It's your body's built-in health hack.
32:51We all know fruits are great for the body.
33:11They're literally called nature's candy.
33:14But did you know that not all fruits are made the same?
33:18In fact, if you look deep into the fruit family, there are lots of secrets we have slowly forgotten.
33:26Like how nature designs fruits to match exactly what your body needs season by season.
33:34Take summer.
33:35The sun's blazing, dehydration is real and your body's crying out for water.
33:41That's when watermelon, muskmelon, mangoes and lychees arrive.
33:47Watermelon is what?
33:49It's about 90% water, keeping you cool, also your skin hydrated.
33:55What about mangoes?
33:56Well, that's your instant energy for those too hot to eat afternoons.
34:02See what's happening here?
34:04Nature is giving you the fuel you need to survive the heat.
34:08Then arrives the monsoon.
34:11It's heavy weather and sluggish digestion.
34:14And right on cue, what do you have?
34:17You have papaya, jamun, cherries, plums, all of them rolling in.
34:22What is papaya doing?
34:24Well, it's calming your gut.
34:25Jamun is keeping your sugar in check.
34:28Cherries lift your mood when the skies won't.
34:31And then plums bring fibre to the rescue.
34:34The season may be damp, but your fruit bowl is working over time to keep your body happy.
34:41Then comes the turn of winters.
34:44Winters really flipped the script.
34:47Now your body needs warmth.
34:48It needs immunity and protection.
34:51Enter oranges, mosammi, amla, vitamin C powerhouses that keep colds away and give you a glowing skin.
35:01Add strawberries and pomegranates for antioxidant armour.
35:05That protects your heart and strengthens your defences again.
35:10And then comes everybody's favourite in India, the springtime.
35:14Short-lived but refreshing.
35:17Think of it as a reset.
35:19Not just for the climate, even for your body.
35:22Pineapple and jackfruit shine here.
35:24It reduces inflammation.
35:27It boosts your metabolism.
35:29It's reviving dull skin.
35:30And it's basically spring fruits acting as a natural detox.
35:36But here's the kicker.
35:37Eating seasonal isn't just better for your health.
35:41It's smarter for your wallet and kinder to the planet.
35:46Seasonal fruits are fresher, cheaper and don't need to be flown halfway from across the world.
35:52But hold on.
35:54The real pro tip here is not just about when you eat fruits.
35:58It's about why.
36:01If you have high blood pressure, doctors will say reach out for bananas and pomegranates.
36:05If you're low on iron, dried apricots and raisins.
36:09Digestive issues?
36:10Guava and papaya are your best friends.
36:12And if you need a mood lift, reach out for strawberries and cherries.
36:16So that's your fruit family.
36:18You now understand what to eat when.
36:21But the tricky question here still is how much to eat and when to stop.
36:28Let's talk about portions a little bit now.
36:30So stick to about two to three servings a day.
36:34So one serving would typically mean one medium fruit or a cup of chopped fruit or a small bowl of berries, not more than that.
36:42Also thing that is advised is to have variety in the fruits that you have.
36:47So aim to have at least three different colours daily.
36:50Each colour brings its own nutrients.
36:53And then there is timing.
36:55Fruits are best to be had in the morning or as a mid-meal snack.
36:58But to be avoided right after a heavy meal.
37:02For glucose balance, that's key now.
37:05Always pair your fruits with nuts or yogurts.
37:09Prefer whole fruits over juices.
37:11And also mix your high sugar fruits like mango with low GI ones like guava.
37:19So that's all you need to know about fruits.
37:22Which one is your favourite?
37:23And which is the one that you should actually be having all round the year?
37:29I think you know the answer.
37:31But let us know nonetheless.
37:32Sorul Mayer Uthra Kapoor for India Today.
37:34Sabudana, the star of every Navratri plate.
37:56Whether it's in a khichdi form or a vada or a kheer, you name it.
38:00But pause for a second.
38:02What is Sabudana really?
38:04Where does it come from?
38:06Is it actually the superfood we've been made to believe?
38:09Or just processed starch?
38:11Dressed up in tradition.
38:13Here's the first twist.
38:15Sabudana isn't a grain.
38:17It doesn't grow in our fields.
38:18It starts as cassava.
38:20A starchy tuber that looks like a fat long potato.
38:24Native to South America, over time it's spread across the tropics.
38:27And now a staple in Africa, Southeast Asia and also parts of India.
38:31In Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, cassava is grown in bulk.
38:35But here, we don't really eat it.
38:38We process it.
38:41Peel it, crush it, wash it until all that's left is starch.
38:47That starch is rolled into tiny white balls and sun-dried.
38:53Those pearls that you soak before cooking, they're not ancient, they're not whole.
38:58They are just industrial starch.
39:02No fiber, no protein, no real nutrients.
39:06Just plain processed carbs.
39:08So why the health halo really?
39:10Because it's light.
39:12It digests easy.
39:14It gives you a quick energy hit.
39:16And of course, it's gluten-free.
39:18That's the pitch.
39:20That's what makes Sabudana a fasting favorite and eventually a so-called superfood.
39:24But here's the part nobody talks about.
39:28Sabudana spikes your blood sugar fast, then drops it even faster.
39:33It doesn't keep you full.
39:35It doesn't build strength.
39:36For diabetics, it's a no-go.
39:40For everyone else, it's basically empty calories.
39:44Comfort food, yes.
39:46Nutritious food, not really.
39:48But let's not oversimplify.
39:50Back in the day, our ancestors were eating it, right?
39:53The catch is, they weren't eating it alone.
39:57They paired it with roasted peanuts, with potatoes, with ghee, sometimes yogurt.
40:02These combinations matter.
40:04The fat, the protein, the satiety, all comes from the add-ons, not the pearls in the starch.
40:13Also, preparation changes things.
40:15You cook Sabudana, cool it, let it sit.
40:18Some of that starch actually turns resistant.
40:21A type your gut bacteria actually loves.
40:24It's a small win, but it's there.
40:28And here's another truth.
40:29Sabudana is cheap.
40:31It stores forever.
40:32It's easy to transport, quick to cook and doesn't spoil.
40:35For millions, it's practical.
40:38It works.
40:39Not because it's a miracle food, but because it's a reliable one.
40:44So how did Sabudana become the face to fasting really?
40:47Because tradition said no grains, no pulses, no meat, no garlic.
40:52So what's left?
40:54Fruits, dairy, root vegetables and starches like Sabudana.
40:59It fits the rule.
41:01It digested easy.
41:02It did the job.
41:03Sabudana didn't earn its place on the plate because it was nutritious.
41:07It earned it because it was neutral.
41:10And here's something modern diets often forget to mention.
41:14Sabudana is allergen friendly.
41:17No wheat, no gluten, no dairy, no soy.
41:20For people with multiple intolerances, that's a rare win.
41:24So let's call it like it is.
41:27Sabudana isn't a villain, but it's clearly not a superfood either.
41:32It's tradition, not nutrition.
41:35It's fast fuel, not long-term strength.
41:38It's carbs, comfort and culture rolled into a tiny little pearl.
41:44So go ahead, enjoy your khichdi if you want.
41:47Just don't expect magic in every spoon.
42:08Samak Chawal, the fasting staple that isn't quite rice, but wears the crown anyway.
42:14Samak Chawal, the go-to grain during Navratri, Kadushi and other fasts when grains and lentils are off limits.
42:21You see it in your khichdi, pulao, khir even.
42:24It's light, it's fluffy and safe importantly for fasting.
42:28But what exactly is this fasting rice and does it deserve its hype?
42:34Here's the truth.
42:36Samak Chawal isn't rice.
42:37It's banyad millet, a small round seed from a wild grass.
42:43It's not exactly a millet even.
42:45It's a millet kind of.
42:47Think of it like a pseudo cereal.
42:49Not a true cereal grain like wheat or rice.
42:53But it's been around in India for centuries.
42:56It's mostly grown in dry, tough soils because it's hearty and fast growing.
43:01Practical, yes.
43:02Glamorous, not so much.
43:05Now let's talk about nutrition.
43:07Samak Chawal is mostly carbohydrates, about 70-75%.
43:11Energy in a simple, digestible form.
43:14But here's where it's better than white rice or sabudana.
43:20It has more fibre, slowing digestion, helping you feel fuller longer and also feeding your gut.
43:30Does it have protein?
43:32Well, it's modest, around 7-8%.
43:34Not a muscle builder, but better than of course your sabudana or polished rice.
43:39It carries, however, decent amount of micronutrients like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins.
43:47All these tiny micronutrients make it a win.
43:51And it's also gluten-free and hypoallergenic.
43:55A huge plus if your fasting rules out wheat or other allergens.
44:00What about glycemic index then?
44:02Well, it's about moderate to high, lower than sabudana or white rice.
44:07So it won't spike your blood sugar like those do.
44:10But diabetics should still be cautious.
44:13So what exactly is Samak Chawal's real strength?
44:17It's tradition.
44:19It fits fasting rules perfectly.
44:21It's not a wheat, it's not a rice, it's not a pulse.
44:23It's light, it's pure, it's satwik.
44:25It digests easy, it cooks fast and pairs beautifully with peanuts, potatoes, ghee, yoghurt.
44:32Balancing your carbs with fat and protein.
44:38So, is it a superfood?
44:40No, not really.
44:42But it's a solid, practical and culturally beloved fasting staple.
44:48It's not magic, it's not a miracle.
44:50Just a humble seed that's fed generations of humans, especially Indians.
44:56It's carried the fasting traditions and of course earned its place on the plate as well.
45:02So go ahead, enjoy your Samak Ki Khichri.
45:05Celebrate the tradition, respect the science and remember,
45:08it's carbs with a little extra care.
45:11That's about it.
45:13How do you like to have your Samak Chawal?
45:16Let us know in the comments below.
45:17For now, this is Sonal Medodhra Kapoor for India Today.
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