#name change online india

[taxxinn]

Changing your name is a significant personal decision, but navigating the legal name change procedure in India doesn’t have to be complicated.

[advocateadvice]

How to change name on PAN card online after marriage?

Know About Pan Card Before the Process of Name change in Pan Card Do you also want to name change in PAN card after marriage? So first know about the PAN card and its need.

[madridfangirl]

Star crossed lovers (Jude Bellingham fanfic)

Chapter 2

(Series Link)

Jude * female reader. No warnings.

Synopsis: A chance encounter in a tiny Madrid cafe with the newest superstar of her fav club. The two couldn't be more different, yet both feel the pull toward the other. Would this girl be the one he finally falls for? Would she make him change his ways? Even though she resists him every step of the way, would he fight all odds (& her) to have her in his life? Or would life come in the way of these star-crossed lovers?

……………………………………………

A few hours later that evening, when Jobe checked his phone, he found two notifications from his brother.

Two messages sent, 15 mins apart, but both deleted shortly after. He decided to ping him to check in.

Jobe: Hey wassup?

Jude: Hey. Just about to crash.

Jobe: Anything playing on your mind? Nervous about tomorrow?

Jude smiled at his screen before answering. The answer was yes, in more ways than one.

Jude: A bit, yes. Yet, I can’t wait for tomorrow to come. It’s strange but, y’know what I mean?

Jobe: It’s warranted I guess. First Classico of your life, that too at home. Would be intense. But exciting too.

Jude: Hmm.

Jobe: Should I ask Mom to call you? She would anyway call tomorrow morning, though.

Jude: Nah let it be. Let her take care of Aunt Tracie. I know she wanted to be with me here for this but that’s important too. I am anyway gonna crash soon.

Jobe: Good luck for tomorrow. Kill it.

Jude: Thanks mate, need the luck. Talk to you soon.

He put the phone down, dimmed the lights and pulled the blanket all the way over his head. After tossing and turning for 10 mins, he checked his Whatsapp again.

No message from her. But she was online. Her DP was super cute, he thought. A sun-kissed photo on a beach in a yellowish floral dress.

Jude: Reached safely?

He went with the only segue he could think of. 45 seconds later, blue tick.

Ananya had reached just a few mins ago. One hour’s work took over two coz she just couldn’t focus. And she actually ended up getting stuck in the rain, just as he had predicted.

Just then, his name flashed on the phone. Reminding her that she hadn’t hallucinated all this. Her roommate was blasting music loudly in her room, in the weekend spirit. If only she knew what happened, she would die. Roma was an Indian American, who had never really lived in India. She was her colleague at work and as big a Madridista as her. They had hit it off instantly during the internship last year.

Ananya: Hey, yes I am home. Thanks for checking in :)

Jude: Super :)

She tapped her thumb on the phone screen, thinking whether her next question would make her look silly. But she decided to ask anyway.

Ananya: Is there some of..dress code for players box? I see a lot of people dressed in suits and formals.

Jude: No no, those are the corporate / business guys mostly. You can wear whatever you want.

Ananya: So, I can wear my jersey?

That brought a big smile to his face.

Jude: Ofcourse, dove! In fact, I would insist you do that :)

Instead of asking which jersey, rather whose jersey she was gonna wear, he tried a different tactic.

Jude: I could get the latest season’s one sent to you before the match.

Ananya: Nice try. But I have a favourite one I am planning to wear. You can guess whose it’s gonna be.

Jude: Can I change your mind?

Ananya: From now to tomorrow evening, I highly doubt it.

Jude: Is that a challenge, dove?

Ananya: Don’t you have an important match to focus on tomorrow?

He sighed.

Jude: I do. Really should have crashed by now.

Ananya: Think about how dreamy tomorrow would be. Even the ride through the training ground to the stadium would be nuts - thousands of fans on the streets. We need you well rested and charged up, and I am speaking on behalf of all fans when I say this. Close your eyes and get your beauty sleep now.

He chuckled over how quickly she switched from her own self to a fan representative.

Jude: Are you working for Carlo on the side and not telling me?

Ananya: Maybe, who knows. Good night, Jude. Sleep well. You would be amazing tomorrow.

Jude: Thank you. And Ananya?

Ananya: Yes?

Jude: I can’t wait to see you in my box tomorrow, cheering for me. Good night, dove!

With that, he finally put his phone down, snoring softly in a few mins.

But she ended up staring at her phone for a good 15 mins. The last line. Him calling her dove. Dear lord, what even was happening? This made no sense. They had nothing in common. This was not logical at all. The surrealism of it made her pinch herself a few times. She looked back at his DP - hugging his mom during his signing, both with a big smile. It was so sweet. Everything about him was so sweet. So normal. How could it be?

She shook her head and went to her roommate to break the news. Roma didn’t believe her at once but when she saw the passes, and a few messages from him as she practically snatched the phone away from Ananya, she jumped around like a 5 year old girl on a sugar high.

Ananya just laughed at her friend’s antics. She kept her anxiety on the Jude situation aside for a moment, at Roma’s insistence, and the two just celebrated getting to watch a Classico tomorrow. And, to see Zidane up close. The joy of the moment took over the nerves and they both jumped on the bed, hugging each other. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

Next evening, they reached well in advance, not wanting to take any chances with traffic or queues. The players box and the attached lounge were luxurious - the girls checked out the place thoroughly, sampling the appetisers and drinks. 30 mins later, when the girls went back to their seats, Ananya found a few unread messages popping on her phone. They were from him. She held the phone close to her chest, so others don’t see the name, and clicked on the messages.

Jude: Reached?

And then, a from few mins later.

Jude: Came out for warmup. Didn’t see you in the box. Stuck somewhere?

She quickly typed the response.

Ananya: We are here. Sorry, lost track of the time while checking out the place and trying to get Zizou in a selfie frame. Not so much a selfie but us trying to get an angle with him included, while he was having his croissant far away.

Blue tick. Immediately.

Jude: Haha, he’s a nice chap. You could just ask him for a selfie.

Ananya: Considering I ran away when he looked in my direction, don’t think that’s gonna happen anytime soon.

Jude: (laughing emoji)

She was still feeling guilty for missing the warm-up, so she decided to send him two photos. The first was the half selfie with Zidane, and the second was her in the box with her three friends, with the field as the background.

There was silence for a bit. She thought he must be getting ready to come back on the field, so she started checking her insta and added the two photos. The fan groups she were a part of would go nuts at this, she already knew.

Two minutes later, his name flashed again.

Jude: Who’s that guy in the picture with you?

Ananya looked back at the picture in question. It was her, Roma and her two work colleagues. The girls had invited them too. They were all standing next to each other, hands casually around each others’ backs as they posed with big smiles. Jude must be referring to Arjun, she figured, as he was the one right next to her.

Ananya: He’s my colleague. Well, they both are. You had sent 5 passes so Roma and I asked them. Is that a problem?

She wondered if she had overstepped the invite somehow and bit her bottom lip as she nervously saw him type.

Jude: Is he with you?

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

Ananya: I mean, I just said all three of them came with me.

Jude huffed in frustration, staring at the photo again. He could tell it was meant to be a casual photo but the guy’s hand was too comfortable on her back and too close to her waist. Something about him immediately irked Jude. He just hated his guts.

Jude: But he’s not WITH you right?

It was her turn to get annoyed now.

Ananya: Jude, seriously? Right now?

She jumped when the phone rang. It was him ofcourse. Roma looked at her curiously and Ananya rushed back into the lounge to escape from prying eyes. She found a quieter corner and answered the phone.

‘Before you say anything, I have 30 seconds after which I have to rush into the tunnel. You have every right to be mad but can you pls answer my question now and I will make up for this behaviour later? I don’t wanna go to the field like this.’

The mix of earnestness and child-like hope in his tone somehow assuaged her annoyance.

‘Please?’

She sighed audibly on the line and he looked at his teammates who had already started exiting the dressing room.

‘No, he’s not WITH me like that.’

She could practically hear him smile at the other end.

‘Thank you. I knew it but just needed to hear from you. And like I said, I will make up for this. Gonna score for you, dove. And later tonight, gonna apologise when I see you.’

His teammates were calling him in the background now, everyone was in the tunnel. He got the last sentence in before he absolutely had to hang up.

‘After the match, meet me in Pavillion 2 Parking lot, Pillar 4. It’s only for the players, no media or fans would be there. It’s a private exit from the back so no one would see us together. Then we can have a quiet dinner. Come down when I ping you. Yes?’

Another long, audible sigh at the other end.

‘Ok.’

She could again hear the darned smile.

‘Won’t wish me luck?’

‘Good luck, Jude. Now go, please. The anthem has started playing.’

‘Keep your eyes on me. See you soon. Bye.’

With that, he hung up and rushed to join his team, and got some looks which he totally deserved. But that was a small price to pay.

Ananya ran back to the box, not wanting to miss the anthem. She was a fan, first and foremost, and this was a big match. Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas blared at full volume. The girls stood up and sang along, waving to the beautiful melody.

Just then, the team stepped out. Serious game faces on. Her eyes scanned the whole team, marvelling at seeing them all only for the second time. Finally, her eyes landed on Jude, who was standing at the end of the line. And Roma elbowed her in the ribs just then because guess what? He was looking up at the box.

When he spotted her, he gave a slight nod in her direction which only the two girls could decipher. But very quickly, the game face was back on. She could tell how focused he was for tonight.

It was a tough match, heavily competitive, like any Classico. Barca were marking Jude really well, given he had been the most destructive force of Madrid in the first few months. He was getting frustrated but kept at it.

The group soaked in the riveting atmosphere. And the girls fangirled over many notable people in the VIP box. Nadal was quite an animated viewer in person which they were amused to see.

But mostly, they sang along for every chant, every song that was reverberating in the stadium. And the view was just perfect, not like when she had watched from the stands last year.

She did find her eyes going to Jude many times. Gosh, he looked fit. And played marvellously. He really was a vision tonight.

And just like that, first half was over. The atmosphere was tense as Madrid was down 1-0. The coaching staff rallied the players back to the dressing room, to regroup and strategise for second half. They were definitely going to get an earful for the set piece defending. She couldn’t look away from Jude as he walked off - he looked disappointed, angry yet still determined. He walked with intent, already talking to the coaching staff on the way.

The crowd started discussing different nuances of the first half as the highlights played on the 360* screens.

She pulled out her phone and sent him a quick message.

Ananya: There is full second half to go. As they say, 90 mins at the Bernabeu is a long time.

There was a blue tick but no response. She figured he would be busy, as he should be at this time.

The second half began soon after. Both teams went at each other but Madrid was playing with more aggression now. More pressing, more tackles, more forward movement.

And 20 mins later, out of nowhere, from way outside the penalty box, Jude scored a long range screamer.

The crowd went berserk, as did the boxes. Nadal nearly stood on his chair and waved his coat. The girls hugged each other and screamed their lungs out. The whole squad and the coaching staff ran on the field and ambushed Jude.

Once they dispersed, he raised his arms to the fans, pulling out his trademark celebration. And the fans sang ‘Hey Jude’ with love.

As he was walking away, he did sneak in one look towards his box. Nothing too obvious for the cameras to catch, but she saw the slight nod again. He knew she could see him on the 360* cameras and would know it was meant for her.

Roma saw it too. And dug her nails into Ananya’s arm.

‘Girl, is this real or am I in a trance? Did he really just do that?’

‘Honestly, I am asking myself the same question.’

As it turns out, he wasn’t done scoring for the night. In the penultimate minutes, the man scored a winner from close range.

The noise in the stadium was deafening. Some fans pulled their shirts off while others cried with joy. The two girls jumped from their seats and kept jumping for a good minute.

The celebration from the team was worthy of a Classico winner. Jude and Vazquez did some mental dance and then Rudiger tackled them all to the ground. Later, Valverde jumped on Jude who caught & held him with just one arm.

‘Pretty boy is strong too, huh?’

Roma whispered in Ananya’s ear, making her flustered. She nearly wanted to retort saying if Roma was just realising that and not during the match when he outmuscled all midfielders in duels.

Before she could say anything though, he did that sign with both hands, looking towards his thighs. The crowd roared back at him.

Ananya found herself paralysed in her seat as Roma elbowed her violently.

‘Maybe he’s giving you a message’

Ananya buried her head in her hands as Roma continued to tease her endlessly. Even with her fluster, she couldn’t help notice how the arrogant confidence suited him perfectly on the pitch.

Soon after, the final whistle came and the fans roared again along with the anthem. The team took a lap around the stadium, thanking the fans for their support. As they were walking off, Jude looked up at the box and his gaze lingered for a few seconds.

He looked away just at the right time, before the cameras caught his gaze. Ananya sighed inwardly - she had been worried about this all evening but thankfully it didn’t look like anyone had caught a whiff.

The rest of the group went to the lounge to grab a bite before leaving. She stayed back in the box and took in the atmosphere some more.

When Jude managed to check his phone 10 mins later, it was buzzing with messages. He checked the ones in his family group first and pinged them that he would call soon. Their happiness and support was the biggest reason why he did what he did.

Then, he looked for another name, and giggled with joy to see an unread message.

Ananya: Congrats. That was a special performance. You guys made the fans very happy, especially you. Savour the accolades, you deserve them.

He smiled from ear to ear, re-reading the message a few times.

Ananya was in the washroom when her phone buzzed again.

Jude: Did I make YOU happy?

Ananya: Very much so :)

Jude: Am I forgiven for earlier, then?

Ananya: Mostly, but not fully.

Jude: Ooh tough crowd :)

He sneaked into the shower to quickly call her from there, as the dressing room had erupted with champagne and food fights and all kind of hip hop jazz performances.

She picked up instantly.

‘Hey.’

‘Hey, sorry for the background. The lads are losing it. I am gonna need 20 mins more to take a quick shower and meet you downstairs but given the mood outside, might become 30. But I definitely will make it down in 30. Would that be ok?’

‘Yes ofcourse. And hey, don’t cut down the celebrations. These are the moments to cherish. In fact, if you just wanna hang with the team..’

He didn’t let her finish.

‘Are you mad? I have earned, EARNED this dinner with my blood, sweat and tears. No way I am giving that up. Nu-uh.’

She giggled at his theatrics and he giggled back at her.

‘Ok. Gotta go now. The sooner I wrap up here the sooner I see you. Sending you the car number. Will ping you 5 mins in advance. The parking lot is a bit secluded but it’s meant to be that way. It’s perfectly safe so don’t worry when you walk down there. I will anyway pick you up in 30 seconds of you being there. Ok? See you soon.’

‘Cool, see you.’

‘Bye, dove.’

‘Bye, Jude.’

He hung up and rejoined the mad dances that Vini and Cama were leading, still keeping track of time.

While Ananya grabbed on to the washroom counter, looked into the mirror and stared at her own reflection.

It was really happening. In 30 mins, she was going to get into his car, go to his house, and have dinner with him alone for a few hours.

…………………………….

There you go, this was the second chapter. Tons more to come in this story, feedback / comments are very welcome. Would love to hear your thoughts 😊

[abdullahbroshairif]

New England college-aged brothers Daxton and Brandon White were -art tomb a little too much. Their dad always joked, when they misbehaved, “I’m gonna sell you to the Sheik.” And , throughout their lives, the boys always laughed at that. As IF their dad could, or would, sell them off to live with a Middle Eastern royal. Well, Dax and Bran’s first semester grades were pitiful. Seemed like the brothers couldn’t stop partying enough to make their way to class and went to the gym every day instead.

Bill White had done some work overseas, as a military contractor. And Bill was beginning to think his sons needed a lesson of perspective. So Bill, early on, before he was even married, found himself rubbing (hairy) elbows with the Arab elite, back in the Gulf War days. In fact, Bill had spent time with Sheik Qadar. Sheik Qadar had even come into possession of an ancient changing stone.

One day the boys got picked up from the gym by their dad’s companies’ “fixer,” Mr. Nadir. Nadir took the boys to the airport and shipped them off, first to the city Bursa, Turkey, where they lived each day as a new hairy Arab. Then they were taken overseas to the Caribbean to wake up daily as black man who lives their lives as online influencers personal training the wealthy arabic vacationers. Next, the boys were shipped of the UAE where they did the same, learning arabic with their thick Eastern Caribbean accents. Gosh, it was getting difficult for them to remember English after becoming so used to speaking Arabic. Lastly, they were sent to India where Daxton and Brandon completely forgot being white Americans, but were able to remember their lives as Caribbeans and Arabs.

Dakaar and Brishaan now are being picked up by a man they’ve never met, Mr. nadir, to be taken back to America. Oh, so sad how the boys were crying and scared, not wanting to leave their homeland of India. Dakaar soothes his younger brother and tells him, in Hindu “we’ll be okay, brother. We must obey this new life with our new master in America”

The trick is on Bill, who assumed his sons would eventually regain their life as his white American sons… three years later the Indian brothers are just as unable to attend school, since they only English they now know are the names of the machines in the gym and the only counting they can do is May decidable by the numbers on the side of weight plates and dumbbells. Bill is doing his best, though, to teach his boys English. They get tutored by handsome blonde university men every day.

💚💚💚

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 5/21/2024

get a load of this cat

listening

one of my favorite bands, Joywave, dropped a new album last week! it is not my favorite album of theirs but so it goes. perhaps it needs more time to grow on me. Sleepytime Fantasy kicks off my favorite section of the album. video game enchanted ice cave dream sequence music.

i must stay true to my own rules for this series (not a rec series, genuinely what i've been into the most this week) and the song that's been on loop all week is a genshin impact character's theme music (punchy wolf-coded ice cop who is the duke of the prison he. runs? administers? don't worry about it). unfortunately a bop. the character music lately has been a lot more modern and experimental than i expected? this one has a police siren drop

-

reading

thank you mackintosh.

i really, really enjoyed Trouble And Her Friends by Melissa Scott (LAMBDA award winner 1995)! @delta-orionis and i frequently ask ourselves "what if neuromancer was good?" and this scratches that itch for me. it is often difficult for me to take neuromancer's protagonist henry seriously, but this book features a pair of extremely practical dykes. it opens on the passing of a new american law criminalizing big swathes of online activity, passed despite a presidential veto. description from amazon

Less than a hundred years from now, the forces of law and order crack down on the world of the computer nets. The hip, noir adventurers who get by on wit, bravado, and drugs, and haunt the virtual worlds of the Shadows of cyberspace, are up against the encroachments of civilization. It's time to adapt or die. India Carless, alias Trouble, got out ahead of the feds and settled down to run a small network for an artist's co-op. Now someone has taken her name and begun to use it for criminal hacking. So Trouble returns. Once the fastest gun on the electronic frontier, she had tried to retire-but has been called out for one last fight. And it's a killer.

this startled me by how fun and competent it is! i tried reading one of the author's books last year (Dreamships) and had a miserable time with the pacing and flow of information. there are echoes of the pacing issues i had with the last book-- this is a nearly four hundred page hardcover, we have a lot of Next Locations to go to, and we are going to take our fucking time getting there. a road trip book, rather than a destination book. Scott has gotten way way better at fleshing out those locations— an artists' co-op has their skylights set to amber to hide the wear and tear on everything in their central hangout space when the feds show up. i also connected with the inciting incident way more-- someone stealing a female hacker’s name and style is instantly relatable. i am riding shotgun with Trouble. i am ready to throw down with her.

it's a very physical book in many ways, bc it has three brief sex scenes, is very concerned with sensuality in both senses of the word, and overall it's like the background in an anime that’s full of dials and buttons and little blinky lights. written in 1994, fascjnating how much concepts of VR and sensory inputs have not changed, but everyone still has the equivalent of an enormous old school desktop and giant CRT monitors set up. everyone is constantly lugging around so much physical tech. the stuff that makes you better at hacking in the net is quick reactions to VR sensations, the only way to get that cutting edge sensation is to get a physical chip or “worm” in your head, and the only people who do that are the core outcasts and freaks of the internet (the gays, the women, the people of color, the all three, presumably the furries as well). from that day to this…

there's an interesting contrast between Trouble and her old partner Cerise stalking the virtual reality bazaars/being queens of the BBS undergrounds, and the danger they feel and face when moving about in the real world. some reviewers are very cranky about how negotiations on and offline feel the same but i did not feel this particular quibble. communication is communication. it is known both on and offline that they're 1) women and 2) lesbians. they're in less physical danger online but slurs can still happen no matter where they are. also, i am well used to the necessity of having to posture and peacock and be kind of a bitch to establish myself in order to get anything done in coding/hardware scenes, which is something i don't think any of the male reviewers of the day ever had to think about.

some cowboy shit goes down at the end that had me hooting and hollering, and Scott handled the hacking scenes in an interesting way-- a sort of abstracted duel? terrific "fight" scenes. very interesting at how she will move things around in order to treat scenes in ways she's good at-- like establishing very grounded locations that feel real, physical sensations, and fight scenes-- instead of just kind of slogging through a very surface level high-overview travelogue like in her last book. ive been stuck on a fic chapter for like four years and this is making me think about doing it the fun way instead of the way i thought it should be done. this may be obvious but i am an amateur and more importantly an idiot.

this was a $6/1 book special last year at one of my favorite thrift stores, a religious shop with the absolute worst vibes in the greater houston area but some of the best stuff

-

watching

Five Dolls For An August Moon (1970, dir. Brava). sometimes you see a cool title on kanopy and you don't have a better way to kill an hour and a half. plus it had some guys i know from cowboys. tw for a suicide's body in the first fucking ten seconds of the trailer, which is a weird trailer choice bc u don't actually see most of the murders in the movie.

ive watched a fuck of a lot of spaghetti westerns so i feel i am somewhat qualified to tell you this is one of the worst dubs ive ever seen. the lines actors are quarter-heartedly delivering do not always make a lot of sense and only occasionally match the subtitles. i am assuming this is the original dub, bc kino lorber generally does a pretty okay job restoring things?

this is not a good movie (extremely troubled production, director swap three days before filming, made on a shoestring budget, the actors mostly wore their own clothes, etc). it is not very good at maintaining tension, because it is a film that first and foremost Looks. beautiful fucking sets, beautifully decorated. the exterior is a matte painting, a sort of frothy dream-bubble of sixties architecture. most of the interiors are apparently a real house. incredible experimental burbling soundtrack full of Weird Sounds.

sorry about the tubi interface and our old friend the activate windows logo.

there are so many fun directorial flourishes and staging, but it does get a little wrapped up in itself. this made me think of The Secret of NIMH, a beautifully animated talking-animal film that gave me nightmares as a child, where the animation tricks and sparkles and moving parts sort of all get in each other's way to produce something less than the sum of its parts. this sort of happens here. i'm going to yoink this from a review:

Bava’s eye for exquisite compositions is equally evident. One scene in particular stands out in this regard: The filmmaker shoots an otherwise humdrum fistfight through wooden latticework that breaks the action up into an abstracted mosaic effect. The fight culminates with a table being upended, which in turn unleashes a myriad crystal spheres. The camera follows along as the spheres tumble and cascade down a spiral staircase and roll across a tiled floor before plopping like so many bath bubbles into a tub. The scene concludes with the revelation of a recently deceased character caught in what you’d have to call a tableau morte. It’s a dazzlingly orchestrated sequence, easily on par with more famous Bava set pieces.

it's gorgeous! there's also So Much going on. another lovely bit of business: as each person dies they get wrapped in plastic sheeting and put in the walkin freezer. next to slabs of beef. not a subtle film, and i don't mean it as a diss, bc where's the fuckin fun in that?

-

playing

i have not been doing much of anything here except listen to podcasts and work toward the two-thousand-fish-caught achievement in genshin. impatiently waiting for Clorinde to be released in several weeks. that one button needs a raise. it is So funny to see genshin characters with fucking guns. very sword and pike based societies so far

-

making

every time i have tried to make one of these samplers for Me it's gone horribly wrong or been somehow destroyed so i'm making this one for my brother's upcoming birthday, bc he will have off-campus housing next academic year, in an attempt to peacefully do some fucking cross stitch and get something out at the end of it. pattern here on etsy

[siriustaylorsversion]

This is a cry for help. (from all of India, all women and all victims)

This is not like anything I have ever written before but this is something I just had to talk about. If you have an audience, no matter how big or small, please reblog or talk about this issue. I want this to be talked about internationally as well because I know my country, no matter how hard people try, the government will only be able to sweep this under the rug and there won't be a safer work environment. It is a cry of justice from all of India because of the rape and brutal murder of a medical student.

tw: the next part includes talk about SA and violent descriptions of the crime (i have marked where the descriptions end but please please please spread this news.)

why i need you to reach out- The last case that sparked this big of an online and community outrage was the Nirbhaya case in 2012. Out of the 6 guilty, 4 were hanged, 1 died in jail and 1 who was underage... spent time in juvenile and was let go with all traces of his identity unknown. His name was changed, his face never disclosed, for all I know, he could be roaming around anywhere in India or even outside. That story died down after a few months and now no one in our media talks about it, but an average of 90 rapes a day were reported to CBI (Central Beuro of Investigation) in 2022. I won't go into detail about it but that is a similar horror true story but I will link the resources if you want to read about it. Again, tw: it contains details about SA and violence. The link is there at the end of this post.

what happened- It was around 2 am. After a long, hard 36 hour shift, a 31 year old doctor went to a seminar room to lay down and take a short break after telling her mother that she was fine. In those hours of the night when almost the entire country was sleeping, that girl was brutally beat up, raped and murdered. I will be talking about what happened to her in the next paragraph because what happened to her was truly inhuman and the bastards who did this should be hanged publically so everyone can see the punishment for something as cruel and i lack the words to describe how disgusting this is. The hospital informed the parents that it was a suicide. The parents were made to wait 3 hours before finally being able to see the body of their daughter. And the worst part is, just to make the protests die down, within 24 hours the police announced that they had arrested a man who admitted to being guilty when it was evident that this was not a one-man job. the airpods found on the scene were found in the bluetooth settings of that mans phone and that is it. That is all the "investigation" has told us. I will be updating with any updates on this case but so far, only candle marches and protests have happened and that too by the students.

tw: talks in detail about the injuries.

details of the crime- the girl's legs were at 90 degree angles, her pelvic girdle fractured. her eyes were bleeding due to the glass from her glasses being smashed inside her eye. She was bleeding from every part of her body that was littered with scars, her vagina and her mouth. Her head sustaining head injuries as if it was bashed against a wall. The police suspect she was murdered before she was raped.

Here is why I said it was evident that it was not a one-man job. The amount of semen found inside her vagina was 150 grams. One ejaculation releases 15 grams keep that in mind.

the injury description ends here

how they have tried to cover it up- The hospital began renovating a room very close to the crime scene and gangs were made to trash the crime scene as well to compromise the evidence. The principal of the collage where this happened resigned but got a job just within 12 hours at another prestigious university. THE SAME PRINCIPAL WHO BLAMED THIS HORRIFIC INCIDENT ON THE VICTIM.

resources to help victims of violence and rape- Please reblog, please talk about this story so that it becomes an incident not repeated ever again. So that our mothers, our sisters, our daughters don't have to go through this ever again.

This is a cry for help.

As a medical aspirant myself, I'm scared for my future and the future of all other passionate girls who are trying their level best to work for their career.

the nirbhaya case- What is Nirbhaya case? | What is Nirbhaya case full story? | India News - Times of India (indiatimes.com) details about this case- What happened in the Kolkata rape case that triggered doctors’ protests? | Sexual Assault News | Al Jazeera rainn website and helpline- (for rape, abuse and incest)- RAINN | The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization helpline- 800.656.HOPE (4673) other helpline numbers- Sexual abuse helplines in India (findahelpline.com)

[mariacallous]

Shafiq Bagwan was hanging out with a few friends in his village of Hasnabad, which is in the Maharashtra state in western India, when he opened Instagram on his phone and saw that his younger brother Taufiq had posted an update. When he clicked on it, his heart fell.

Taufiq, who is 18, had posted a picture of a 17th-century Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, with a description of him as “the father of Hindu nationalists.”

“I immediately called him up and ordered him to delete the story,” Bagwan says. “I got scared for him, and I hoped that nobody had seen it.” It was too late. The next day, June 20, Taufiq was arrested and charged with“deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings.”

Taufiq had been caught up in an online crusade, initiated by Hindu nationalists in Maharashtra, who have taken it upon themselves to police social media for anything, no matter how tenuous, they can spin as offensive to Hindus. These groups, which appear to have links to local government and law enforcement, are turning Instagram and WhatsApp into hostile spaces for Muslims, who face harassment and arrest for seemingly innocuous posts. It’s another demonstration of how the Indian internet is coming to mirror the Hindu nationalist slant of politics under the government of Narendra Modi.

“What has happened offline has happened online,” says Osama Manzar, founder of the Digital Empowerment Foundation, an NGO. “The attitude remains the same. Social media is just another tool to subjugate.”

Aurangzeb died more than 300 years ago, but he’s recently become something of a protest symbol for Muslim youth in Maharashtra. During his rule, which lasted from 1658 to 1707, he expanded the Mughal empire across much of the Indian subcontinent. To some Hindus, he’s a tyrannical figure who imposed discriminatory taxes and destroyed temples and who was resisted by Shivaji, another warrior king who is revered in Maharashtra.

With tensions between communities running high, Aurangzeb has become an emblem for both the Hindu majority and its 13 million Muslims, who make up around 12 percent of the population of the state.

“Aurangzeb, a Muslim ruler, is just a political tool to target today’s ordinary Muslims,” says Surendra Jondhale, a professor in the department of politics at the University of Mumbai. “The right-wing groups have used Shivaji versus Aurangzeb—a battle between two kingdoms—to propagate a Hindu versus Muslim binary.”

In February 2023, led by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, the union government renamed the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra—named after Aurangzeb—to Sambhaji Nagar. In rallies that followed the renaming—and which were attended by members of the BJP—T Raja Singh, a party member and (currently suspended) lawmaker, said that any Muslim unhappy with the name change would be considered a traitor.

The BJP has been widely accused of stoking religious tensions across India, and of promoting a Hindu identity for India that runs contrary to the country’s founding principles of religious pluralism.

In response to often brazen hate speech and discrimination from public figures, young Muslims have adopted Aurangzeb as a symbol of defiance. “It comes from a place of angst and humiliation, where the Muslims are continuously being provoked,” says Imtiaz Jaleel, a lawmaker from Aurangabad. “Under normal circumstances, I don’t think the Muslims even think about Aurangzeb.”

But posting the former ruler’s picture often elicits serious consequences. Right-wing Hindu groups, which have been publicly supported by members of Modi’s BJP, have been keeping a close eye on Muslims’ social media posts, claiming that even a photograph of Aurangzeb hurts their religious sentiments.

This is what happened to Taufiq, who, Shafiq says, doesn’t understand English and so wasn’t aware of what was written alongside the image he posted. But before he had time to delete the story, someone in his village had taken a screenshot.

Rupesh Rathi, 40, works in Hasnabad for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a parent organization of BJP. He says that ever since Aurangabad was renamed, these situations have become more prevalent. “A Hindu friend of Taufiq in the village saw his story, took a screenshot, and sent it to me,” says Rathi. “After that, some seven or eight of us had a discussion on what to do about it.”

The consensus was to file a complaint. “Everybody found it objectionable,” Rathi says.

Armed with those screenshots, some 20-25 people turned up at the local police station and filed a complaint against Taufiq. Gradually, more people from the neighboring villages joined in, and the mob grew to over 100 people. The police were “extremely cooperative,” Rathi says. “We were assured that there will be a proper investigation into this. There were four or five more Muslim boys that had uploaded that status. As a result of the complaint, they deleted it.”

When authorities arrested Taufiq, they confiscated his phone so they could investigate who else might have circulated his post.

Shafiq bailed Taufiq out. The charges are still pending. Shafiq says his brother is scarred by what happened. “He is just 18,” Bhagwan says. “His health deteriorated quite a bit after the incident. He is still shaken because of the hostility with which he was targeted. The matter could have been resolved within the village.”

At least 13 similar cases in Maharashtra have been reported in the national media over the past four months.

Shirish Inamdar, a former deputy commissioner of police in Maharashtra’s intelligence department, says he thinks the police aren’t acting fairly, but that the cases reflect the state’s politics. Until June 2022, Maharashtra was ruled by a coalition government of three regional parties, but a year ago the BJP poached 40 of the lawmakers from one of the parties in the ruling coalition and came to power in the state. Ever since, Inamdar says, the persecution of Muslims has increased. “The local police do it to save their own skin,” he says. “The powers that be have told the police to register as many cases and vitiate the atmosphere.”

Inamdar says the cases filed against Muslims over social media posts are unlikely to succeed in a court of law. “Everybody knows that,” he says. “But the cases drag on, and it becomes a blot on the person’s record. They have to appear for court dates, they have to spend money on the lawyer. The process becomes the punishment.”

Madhav Bhandari, vice president of Maharashta BJP, defended the police, saying that “police cases over social media posts have happened under previous governments too” and that he also believes pictures of Aurangzeb “hurt religious sentiments in Maharashtra.” He adds: “Everybody is entitled to be proud of their religion.”

Prateek Waghre, policy director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, an NGO, says that this kind of campaign is a form of lateral surveillance of minorities, where people have to be constantly alert for anything that could be exploited to attack them. “It points to broader societal issues, where there aren’t too many degrees of separation between people reporting Instagram or WhatsApp updates and the ones being reported,” he says. “Many of them are on their contact lists. There is also a possibility of watch lists being maintained. It is scary.”

Since Modi became prime minister in 2014, there has been a notable increase in hate speech across the country, with Hindu nationalist groups calling for the mass rape of Muslim women and the extermination of the community. The RSS and other groups affiliated with the BJP have fueled unfounded conspiracy theories, including the “love jihad,” which alleges that Muslim men are seducing Hindu women en masse and converting them to Islam. There have been multiple incidences of assaults on minorities, and even lynchings.

“There will be people dismissing these as isolated events and saying there are only so many cases in a country of a billion people,” Waghre says. “But the ripple effect is hard to ignore and also hard to measure. It impacts people’s minds and their behavior.”

In Maharashtra, the campaign has widened the divisions between communities.

In June, police filed a case against a 14-year old Muslim boy in the central region of Maharashtra over an Instagram photograph of Aurangzeb. His parents are small farmers, and his uncle is a tailor in the village. “He is just a kid,” says the uncle, who WIRED is not identifying to protect the boy’s privacy. “He even made an apology video and promised to not do it again. He deleted his Instagram account and is scared to join back. But still a case was filed against him. We had to pay a lot of money for a bail bond in court to avoid arrest. This can potentially ruin or jeopardize his career. Is this where we want to head as a society?”

The boy’s Instagram post was reported by a young man living nearby who was working for a radical right-wing group. In the complaint, he said the photograph “hurt his religious sentiments.” The police charged the 14-year-old with “deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs” and “intention to incite offense.”

The uncle says that over four decades of living in the village, where he has developed relationships with people across communities, this is the first time he has felt exposed. “I have participated in Hindu festivals, I have very close Hindu friends,” he says. “But the politics of the state has ruined everything. Is there a ban on sharing pictures of figures from history?”

[richincolor]

New Releases

More exciting books for our summer TBR list. Look for K. Imani's review of Unbecoming next Friday. 

Click below to read all about this week's releases

Unbecoming by Seema Yasmin

 Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Two Muslim teens in Texas fight for access to abortion while one harbors a painful secret in this funny and heartfelt near-future speculative novel perfect for fans of Unpregnant. In a not-too-distant America, abortions are prosecuted and the right to choose is no longer an option. But best friends Laylah and Noor want to change the world. After graduating high school, they’ll become an OBGYN and a journalist, but in the meantime, they’re working on an illegal guide to abortion in Texas. In response to the unfair laws, underground networks of clinics have sprung up, but the good fight has gotten even more precarious as it becomes harder to secure safe medication and supplies. Both Layla and Noor are passionate about getting their guide completed so it can help those in need, but Laylah treats their project with an urgency Noor doesn’t understand—that may have something to do with the strange goings-on between their mosque and a local politician. Fighting for what they believe in may involve even more obstacles than they bargained for, but the two best friends will continue as they always have: together.

A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayak

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow . Adya wants nothing more than to be left alone. Content to be loyal to no one but herself in the isolated jungles of South India, she dreams only of finding her lost sister, Priya, and making enough money to take care of their family. It’s too bad that her rare ability to wake electric machines—using the magic that wiped them out five centuries ago—also makes her a coveted political pawn. Everyone seems to believe that her technomancy can help them win the endless war for control over the magic’s supernatural source. These senseless power struggles mean little to Adya. But when her enemies dangle news of her sister before her, she’s all too quick to leap at the chance to bring Priya home—even if it means teaming up with a rakish, disreputable thief in order to do it. With the threat of invasion looming ever larger on the horizon, Adya must reconcile the kind of person she is with the kind of person she wants to be and untangle the web of intrigue, conspiracy, and deceit that threatens to take all of India down with it.

It’s Only a Game by Kelsea Yu

Bloomsbury YA

In this twisty, fast-paced YA thriller, a dangerous game becomes all too real when Marina and her friends are framed for murder. When Marina Chan ran from her old life, she brought nothing with her-not even her real name. Now she lives in fear of her past being discovered. But when her online gaming team is offered a tour of their favorite game company, Marina can’t resist accepting, even though she knows it might put her fake identity at risk. Then the creator of the game is murdered during their tour. Whoever killed him plans to frame Marina and her friends for the murder unless they win four rounds of a dangerous game. A game that requires them to lie, trespass, and steal. A game that could destroy everything Marina’s worked so hard to build…. A game that she might not survive.

[udhhyog2]

DRP GI Flange Table E-Specifications and Pricing

Understanding DRP GI Flange Table E

DRP GI Flange Table E is a specific type of galvanized iron (GI) flange used in various industrial applications. These flanges are essential components for connecting pipes, valves, and other equipment in pipelines and systems. The "DRP" in the name typically refers to a specific manufacturing process or standard, while "Table E" indicates its dimensions and specifications.

Key Specifications of DRP GI Flange Table E

Material: Galvanized Iron (GI)

Dimensions: The exact dimensions vary based on the specific Table E standard. However, they typically include the flange diameter, bolt hole diameter, bolt hole pitch, and face-to-face dimension.

Pressure Rating: DRP GI flanges are designed to withstand specific pressure ratings, ensuring their suitability for different applications.

Class: The class of the flange (e.g., 150, 300, 600) determines its pressure rating and other specifications.

Gasket Type: Flanges are typically used with gaskets to create a tight seal between the connected components. The gasket type and material will depend on the specific application and pressure requirements.

Factors Affecting Pricing

The price of a DRP GI Flange Table E can vary based on several factors:

Size and Dimensions: Larger flanges or those with more complex specifications may have higher prices.

Pressure Rating: Flanges with higher pressure ratings generally cost more.

Quantity: Purchasing in bulk can often lead to discounts.

Manufacturer: Different manufacturers may offer varying prices and quality levels.

Market Conditions: Fluctuations in the market, such as changes in material costs or demand, can affect pricing.

Finding the Best Deals

Research Manufacturers and Suppliers: Look for reputable manufacturers and suppliers in Delhi, India. Online marketplaces and industry directories can be helpful resources.

Compare Prices: Obtain quotes from multiple suppliers to compare prices and delivery times.

Negotiate: Don't hesitate to negotiate for better deals, especially when purchasing in bulk or for long-term projects.

Consider Quality: While price is important, ensure the flanges meet the required quality standards and certifications.

Check for Discounts: Inquire about any discounts or promotions offered by suppliers.

[taxxinn]

Reasons for Legal Name Change in India

There are various reasons for name Change in India, but it should be an accepted reason for name change by the legal framework. Some of the most common and acceptable name change reasons are listed along with their variation in document preparation according to the reason.

Know More: https://taxxinn.com/individual-name-change/

[advocateadvice]

Name Change Process in Himachal Pradesh

Gone are the days of lengthy in-person procedures for gazette name changes in Himachal Pradesh. Here’s a breakdown of the simplified online process to get your new name legally recognized:

[green-for-the-win]

#PrivacyPlease: The Hidden Dangers of Oversharing on Indian Social Media

Picture this: You're scrolling through your favorite social media app, double-tapping pictures of your friend's Goa vacation, when suddenly you see an ad for the exact sunglasses they're wearing. Coincidence? Think again! Welcome to the murky world of social media privacy breaches in India, where your likes, shares, and comments could be painting a detailed picture of your life – and not just for your friends to see.

Why I'm Raising the Red Flag

As a digital innovation enthusiast, I'm both amazed and alarmed by India's social media revolution. It's connecting millions and driving social change, but it's also creating a treasure trove of personal data that's catching the eye of not just advertisers, but also cybercriminals. It's like hosting a giant party where everyone's invited – including some guests you definitely didn't put on the list!

The Social Media Tsunami

India's love affair with social media is reaching epic proportions:

India has over 467 million social media users as of 2022 (Statista, 2023).

Indians spend an average of 2.36 hours per day on social media (GlobalWebIndex, 2022).

That's a lot of data being shared, liked, and potentially exposed!

The Sneaky Ways Your Posts Betray You

How is your innocent scrolling and posting leaving you vulnerable? Let's peek behind the curtain:

Data Mining Bonanza: Your interests, habits, and relationships are being mapped and sold.

Location Leaks: That check-in at the new café? It's telling more than just your taste in coffee.

Facial Recognition Fiasco: Your tagged photos could be training AI without your knowledge.

Clickbait Catastrophes: That irresistible quiz might be harvesting your personal info.

Who's Paying the Price?

When social media privacy goes out the window, the consequences can be far-reaching:

Individuals: Your digital footprint could affect job prospects, relationships, and personal security.

Businesses: Employee oversharing could lead to corporate data leaks.

Society: Targeted misinformation campaigns can exploit data to manipulate public opinion.

The Regulatory Tug-of-War

India's lawmakers are trying to catch up, but it's like trying to lasso a speeding bullet train:

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, aim to regulate social media platforms, but privacy protection remains a challenge.

The Personal Data Protection Bill was passed in 2019.

It's a bit like trying to use a landline to manage a smartphone – the technology is evolving faster than the rules!

Reclaiming Your Digital Privacy

Don't worry, you don't need to become a social media hermit! Here's how to stay connected while protecting your privacy:

Audit your privacy settings – make sure you're not accidentally oversharing.

Think before you post – does the world really need to know you're on vacation right now?

Be wary of third-party apps – that fun game might be a data-harvesting tool in disguise.

Use strong, unique passwords for each platform – no, your pet's name isn't a strong password.

Enable two-factor authentication – it's like adding a second lock to your digital front door.

The Bottom Line

As India continues its social media love affair, we need to make sure we're not giving away the keys to our digital lives. Stay savvy, stay informed, and remember – in the world of social media, what happens online doesn't always stay online.

So, the next time you're about to post that perfectly filtered selfie, take a moment to think about who might be peeking over your digital shoulder!

Stay safe, stay smart, and maybe think twice before accepting that friend request from a long-lost relative you've never heard of!

[iracarterart]

questions I think would be fun to be asked - from my Tumblr feed

01. what are 3 things you’d say shaped you into who you are? growing up in the South, my parents, living in CA since 1976

02. show us a picture of your handwriting? nope, but it's pretty nice handwriting

03. 3 films you could watch for the rest of your life and not get bored of? Louis Malle's Phantom India, It's a Wonderful Life, Bringing Up Baby

04. what’s an inside joke you have with your family or friends? none comes to mind

05. what made you start your blog? desire for global fame

06. what’s the best and worst part of being online/a creator? no worst, being a creator is always good

07. what scares you the most and why? irrational fear of harm coming to loved ones

08. any reacquiring (recurring?) dreams? being back in college

09. tell a story about your childhood - nope

10. would you say you’re an emotional person? very

11. what do you consider to be romance? too complicated to discuss here

12. what’s some good advice you want to share? save part of what you earn

13. what are you doing right now? typing on a computer

14. what’s something you’ve always wanted to do but maybe been to scared to do? NA

15. what do you think of when you hear the word “home”? northern California

16. if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? more disciplined

17. name 3 things that make you happy - wife, family, friends

18. do you believe in ghosts and/or aliens? no

19. favourite thing about the day? coffee

20. favourite things about the night? reading in bed

21. are you a spiritual person? yes

22. say 3 things about someone you love - beautiful, encouraging, makes our life wonderful

23. say 3 things about someone you hate - don't hate anybody

24. what’s one thing you’re proud of yourself for? stopped making as many stupid mistakes

25. fave season and why? winter, life-giving rains

26. fave colour and why? blue, who knows why

27. any nicknames? from my brother Bruce, the I-man

28. do you collect anything? so many things

29. what do you do when you’re sad? make art, play music

30. what’s one thing that never fails to make you happy/happier? music

31. are you messy or organised? about 60-65% messy

32. how many tabs do you have open right now? 17

33. any hobbies? so many

34. any pet peeves? so many

35. do you trust easily? hmmm, I dunno

36. are you an open book or do you have walls up? both

37. share a secret - no thanks

38. fave song at the moment? Cripple Creek-Hobart Smith

39. youtuber you’ve been obsessed with and why? The day I am obsessed with a youtuber will be a cold day in Hell

40. any bad habits?I used to have some really bad habits

[celestial-sapphicss]

15 people, 15 questions

tagged by @khaotunqs @solana-ceae @loserlesbianongsa & @airenyah @cornflowershade. thank you for tagging me darlings ❤️🥹

1. Are you named after anyone?

somewhat. my mom really liked the name of another kid that used to live in the same street as us so she put that name down on my birth certificate when i was born in the moment in a hurry. but then i had a different name for a few years which my mom actually chose after thought (so it wasn't like there was a clash with that other kid) but it was never changed in the official documents so we shifted to my original name when i changed schools/cities/countries ksksksks. its weird because i have a nickname that's short of a name nobody calls me anymore. anyways ig im named after another kid from my old street hahshshs

2. When was the last time you cried?

Saturday 😁 my father decided it would be a great idea to scold me first thing in the morning on my birthday and the day of my convocation without even wishing me first :)

3. Do you have kids?

no.

4. What sports do you play/have you played?

a lil bit of everything? nothing professionally. basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, football you name it.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

i used to a lot, not anymore

6. What's the first thing you notice about people?

their attitude. im very sensitive to how people interact with me and what's their body language so yeah

7. What's your eye color?

darkest brown

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

i don't really find scary movies scary lol. happy movies, regardless of a happy ending or not.

9. Any talents?

photography a lil bit! i like to think im good at capturing portraits! im the designated photographer haha

10. Where were you born?

(north) India

11. What are your hobbies?

guitar? reading? photoshop? being chronically online.

12. Do you have any pets?

no i wishhhhh :(

13. How tall are you?

174cm

14. Favorite subject in school?

English, History and Chemistry

15. Dream job?

not a job per se but hopefully opening a place where there's beverages and library and a place for community? (this is partly because the city i live in does not have a SINGLE LIBRARY and i am so mad about it)

tags: idk who hasn't done it yet but @i-got-the-feels @grapejuicegay @dribs-and-drabbles @morkofday @dimpledpran @chickenstrangers @hoppipolla (no pressure! only if you want)

[tubetrading]

Private Label Food Manufacturers:  The Secret Behind Store Brand Success

In the dynamic world of retail, store brands are increasingly dominating the shelves, offering consumers quality products at competitive prices.  Behind the scenes, private label food manufacturers play a pivotal role in the success of these store brands.  As the demand for private label products continues to rise, understanding the significance of private label manufacturers, especially in India, becomes crucial for both retailers and consumers.

Unveiling the Concept of Private Label Manufacturing

Private label manufacturing involves the production of goods by one company for another, who then sells the product under its own brand name.  In the realm of food products, private label food manufacturers act as the silent architects, creating a wide array of products for retailers to market as their own.  This concept is gaining traction globally, and India is no exception.

The Rise of Private Label Manufacturers in India

Private Label Manufacturer in India:  India, with its diverse consumer base and rapidly evolving retail landscape, has witnessed a surge in the prominence of private label manufacturing.  Retailers are increasingly recognizing the potential of having their own brands, allowing them to differentiate and control their product offerings.

Advantages of Private Labelling Services

1.         Cost Efficiency:  Private label manufacturing often translates to cost savings.  By working directly with manufacturers, retailers can cut out the middleman and reduce production costs, enabling them to offer competitive prices to consumers.

2.         Brand Control:  Retailers have the freedom to control every aspect of their brand, from packaging design to product specifications.  This control allows them to tailor products to meet the specific needs and preferences of their target audience.

3.         Flexibility and Innovation:  Private label manufacturers provide retailers with the flexibility to experiment with new flavors, packaging, and trends.  This agility allows store brands to stay ahead of the curve and respond swiftly to changing consumer preferences.

Private Label Food Manufacturer:  The Heart of Store Brands

Private Label Food Manufacturer:  These specialized manufacturers are the backbone of the private label ecosystem.  They collaborate closely with retailers to bring a diverse range of food products to the market.  From snacks and beverages to canned goods and frozen items, private label food manufacturers are adept at producing a wide variety of products.

The Process of Private Label Food Manufacturing

1.         Product Development:  The journey begins with collaborative product development.  Retailers work closely with private label food manufacturers to create unique recipes and formulations that align with market trends and consumer demands.

2.         Quality Assurance:  Private label manufacturers prioritize quality to build and maintain the trust of both retailers and consumers.  Stringent quality control measures are implemented throughout the production process to ensure consistency and safety.

3.       �� Packaging and Branding:  The visual appeal of a product is crucial.  Private label manufacturers assist retailers in designing attractive packaging that not only stands out on the shelves but also communicates the brand's identity effectively.

Success Stories:  Private Label Brands in India

Several success stories in the Indian retail sector exemplify the impact of private label manufacturing:

1.         Grocery Chains:  Leading grocery chains in India have embraced private label products across various categories, including staples, snacks, and beverages.  The ability to offer quality products at competitive prices has contributed to the popularity of these store brands.

2.         Online Retail Platforms:  E-commerce platforms have also recognized the potential of private label manufacturing.  By leveraging private label services, online retailers can build a distinct identity and enhance customer loyalty.

Challenges and Opportunities

While private label manufacturing presents numerous advantages, it is not without challenges.  Maintaining a balance between cost-efficiency and quality, as well as establishing a unique brand identity, requires strategic planning.  However, these challenges also present opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation within the private label sector.

The Future of Private Label Manufacturing

The future of private label manufacturing in India looks promising.  As consumers become more discerning and value-conscious, retailers will continue to leverage private label services to provide high-quality, affordable products.  The evolving landscape of the retail industry, coupled with the adaptability of private label manufacturers, sets the stage for sustained growth and success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, private label food manufacturers play a pivotal role in shaping the success of store brands.  The symbiotic relationship between retailers and private label manufacturers in India has ushered in an era where consumers can enjoy quality products at affordable prices.  As the private label landscape continues to evolve, it is evident that the secret behind store brand success lies in the collaborative efforts of retailers and the expertise of private label manufacturers.

[mariacallous]

Thousands of law enforcement officials and people applying to be police officers in India have had their personal information leaked online—including fingerprints, facial scan images, signatures, and details of tattoos and scars on their bodies. If that wasn’t alarming enough, at around the same time, cybercriminals have started to advertise the sale of similar biometric police data from India on messaging app Telegram.

Last month, security researcher Jeremiah Fowler spotted the sensitive files on an exposed web server linked to ThoughtGreen Technologies, an IT development and outsourcing firm with offices in India, Australia, and the US. Within a total of almost 500 gigabytes of data spanning 1.6 million documents, dated from 2021 until when Fowler discovered them in early April, was a mine of sensitive personal information about teachers, railway workers, and law enforcement officials. Birth certificates, diplomas, education certificates, and job applications were all included.

Fowler, who shared his findings exclusively with WIRED, says within the heaps of information, the most concerning were those that appeared to be verification documents linked to Indian law enforcement or military personnel. While the misconfigured server has now been closed off, the incident highlights the risks of companies collecting and storing biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, and how they could be misused if the data is accidentally leaked.

“You can change your name, you can change your bank information, but you can't change your actual biometrics,” Fowler says. The researcher, who also published the findings on behalf of Website Planet, says this kind of data could be used by cybercriminals or fraudsters to target people in the future, a risk that’s increased for sensitive law enforcement positions.

Within the database Fowler examined were several mobile applications and installation files. One was titled “facial software installation,” and a separate folder contained 8 GB of facial data. Photographs of people’s faces included computer-generated rectangles that are often used for measuring the distance between points of the face in face recognition systems.

There were 284,535 documents labeled as Physical Efficiency Tests that related to police staff, Fowler says. Other files included job application forms for law enforcement officials, profile photos, and identification documents with details such as “mole at nose” and “cut on chin.” At least one image shows a person holding a document with a corresponding photo of them included on it. “The first thing I saw was thousands and thousands of fingerprints,” Fowler says.

Prateek Waghre, executive director of Indian digital rights organization Internet Freedom Foundation, says there is “vast” biometric data collection happening across India, but there are added security risks for people involved in law enforcement. “A lot of times, the verification that government employees or officers use also relies on biometric systems,” Waghre says. “If you have that potentially compromised, you are in a position for someone to be able to misuse and then gain access to information that they shouldn’t.”

It appears that some biometric information about law enforcement officials may already be shared online. Fowler says after the exposed database was closed down he also discovered a Telegram channel, containing a few hundred members, which was claiming to sell Indian police data, including of specific individuals. “The structure, the screenshots, and a couple of the folder names matched what I saw,” says Fowler, who for ethical reasons did not purchase the data being sold by the criminals so could not fully verify it was exactly the same data.

“We take data security very seriously, have taken immediate steps to secure the exposed data,” a member of ThoughtGreen Technologies wrote in an email to WIRED. “Due to the sensitivity of data, we cannot comment on specifics in an email. However, we can assure you that we are investigating this matter thoroughly to ensure such an incident does not occur again.”

In follow-up messages, the staff member said the company had “raised a complaint” with law enforcement in India about the incident, but did not specify which organization they had contacted. When shown a screenshot of the Telegram post claiming to sell Indian police biometric data, the ThoughtGreen Technologies staff member said it is “not our data.” Telegram did not respond to a request for comment.

Shivangi Narayan, an independent researcher in India, says the country’s data protection law needs to be made more robust, and companies and organizations need to take greater care with how they handle people’s data. “A lot of data is collected in India, but nobody's really bothered about how to store it properly,” Narayan says. Data breaches are happening so regularly that people have “lost that surprise shock factor,” Narayan says. In early May, one cybersecurity company said it had seen a face-recognition data breach connected to one Indian police force, including police and suspect information.

The issues are wider, though. As governments, companies, and other organizations around the world increasingly rely on collecting people’s biometric data for proving their identity or as part of surveillance technologies, there’s an increased risk of the information leaking online and being abused. In Australia, for instance, a recent face recognition leak impacting up to a million people led to a person being charged with blackmail.

“So many other countries are looking at biometric verification for identities, and all of that information has to be stored somewhere,” Fowler says. “If you farm it out to a third-party company, or a private company, you lose control of that data. When a data breach happens, you’re in deep shit, for lack of a better term.”