Bangalore Senior Citizen Sets Rare Record at Everest Base Camp and Thukla Pass

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Bengaluru / Kathmandu:
In a feat that redefines age and endurance, Acharya Raghu, a 63-year-old yogi and martial arts practitioner from Bangalore, has accomplished a record-setting trek in the Himalayas, inspiring people across generations.

Acharya Raghu successfully completed a grueling 40-kilometer climb from Namche Bazaar to Gorakhshep — a key point near Everest Base Camp — in just 15 hours and 22 minutes. The climb, undertaken on November 18–19, 2024, was marked by extreme night-time temperatures ranging from -10°C to -24°C. The high-altitude trek began at 11:00 PM on November 18 and concluded by 2:22 PM the following day.

He was accompanied by Indian Air Force veteran Santosh Kumar and fellow adventurers Rupesh Reddy and Gagan Gowda. The achievement was recognized by the India Book of Records under the category:
“Maximum Distance Covered in EBC Route within 24 Hours by a Sexagenarian.”

Demonstrating further resilience, the very next day, Acharya Raghu undertook a symbolic physical challenge at Thukla Pass (above 16,000 ft) to pay homage to the 330 mountaineers who lost their lives on Mt. Everest. At this high-altitude location, where oxygen levels drop to 55%, he performed 333 Indian Burpees — also referred to as Yaksha Pranamas — a physically intense sequence combining elements of squats, wrestler push-ups, forward lunges, and jumps, similar to Surya Namaskars but performed at rapid, anaerobic pace.

This physically demanding ritual drove the heart rate to 150–180 bpm and was sustained for over 35 minutes — a performance widely considered impossible at such elevations. This act too has been officially recognized by the India Book of Records as:
“Most Burpees Performed at High Altitude (Above 16,000 ft) by a Sexagenarian.”

Acharya Raghu’s message is clear: fitness is not a luxury but a necessity, regardless of age. Through his efforts, he is actively promoting a health and wellness initiative called “Mountains for Health”, advocating the integration of mountain training, trekking, and trail running as holistic approaches to address modern health concerns.

The announcement of these achievements was made during a press conference held at the Press Club of Bangalore, by Dr. M.R. Seetharam, MLC, Vice Chairman of GEF, Director of MSRIT, and President of ASAI.

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V-Expo 2025: Mega Exhibition to be Held from July 18–20 at Palace Grounds

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Bengaluru: The V-Vaishya Foundation is all set to host its flagship event, V-Expo 2025, a large-scale trade and lifestyle exhibition, from July 18 to 20 at Prince Golf, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru. The announcement was made by foundation founder Mr. Anil Gupta during a press conference held at the Press Club.

The three-day event will feature over 120 stalls, representing diverse sectors such as lifestyle, fashion, food, health tech, interiors, travel, jewelry, and more. Entry to the exhibition is free for all visitors throughout the event.

Designed as a vibrant platform for both local and national businesses, the V-Expo aims to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services to a broader audience. The event supports the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by encouraging the use of domestically manufactured products in place of imports—offering quality at affordable prices.

In addition to the trade displays, the expo will also feature cultural and entertainment programs, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anil Gupta said, “V-Expo not only facilitates trade but also strengthens the vision of self-reliant India. It offers great value to both vendors and consumers alike, and we expect thousands of footfalls this year.”

Foundation office bearers including Ganesh K.S., Sanjay G.R., Santosh Shetty, Nagendra G.R., Moorthy T.S.N., Unnati Supreeth, and Sangharsha K.S. were also present at the press conference.

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ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಳಿಂದ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ರಣರಂಗ ಆಗುತ್ತವೆ: ಸಂಪಾದಕ ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಗೋಪಾಲ್ ರಾಜ್

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ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಜುಲೈ 14: ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಚುನಾವಣಾ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆ ಇಂದು ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಶಾಂತತೆಯನ್ನೇ ಹಾಳುಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ಗಂಭೀರ ಅರ್ಥದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಟಿ ಟುಡೇ ನ್ಯೂಸ್ ಮತ್ತು ಟಿಜೆ ವಿಸನ್ ಮೀಡಿಯಾ ಸಂಪಾದಕರಾದ ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಗೋಪಾಲ್ ರಾಜ್ ತಮ್ಮ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. “ಕ್ಯಾಂಪಸ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುವ ವಿದ್ಯಮಾನಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಯುವ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ವರ್ತನೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಾನು ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯುತ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ವೃತ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಗಮನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿತ್ವದ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆ ಇದ್ದರೂ, ಇಂದು ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯ ರೀತಿಯು ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ವಾತಾವರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಲಾಭಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನಷ್ಟ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ತಂದಿದೆ. ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಈ ಪ್ರವೃತ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಮರುಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸಬೇಕು” ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಅವರು ಮುಂದುವರಿದು, ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಳು ಅಕ್ರಮ ಹಣಬಳಕೆ, ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಹಸ್ತಕ್ಷೇಪ, ಹಾಗೂ ಆಕ್ರಮಣಕಾರಿ ಪ್ರಚಾರ ಶೈಲಿಗಳ ವೇದಿಕೆಯಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಿದರು. ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಗಳು ಶಿಕ್ಷಣದ ಮೂಲ ತತ್ವಗಳನ್ನೇ ಅಪವಿತ್ರಗೊಳಿಸುತ್ತಿವೆ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಶಂಕೆ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು.”ಈ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಳು ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಶೃಂಖಲೆಯ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಯ, ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ವೈಷಮ್ಯ, ಮತ್ತು ಶತ್ರುತೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಜಾತಿ, ಪ್ರಾಂತ್ಯ, ಅಥವಾ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಬೆಂಬಲದ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳನ್ನು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡುವ ದೋಷಪೂರಿತ ಪದ್ಧತಿ ಬೆಳೆದು ಬರುತ್ತಿದೆ,” ಎಂದು ಗೋಪಾಲ್ ರಾಜ್ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಅವರು ಎಚ್ಚರಿಸಿದ್ದು, ಬಹುಪಾಲು ಸಂದರ್ಭಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಳ ನಂತರವೂ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಧ್ರುವೀಕರಣದ ಬಲೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಸಿಲುಕುತ್ತವೆ. ವಿಜಯಿಯಾದ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗತ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆ ಪೂರೈಸುವುದರತ್ತ ತಿರುಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ಕಾರಗೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾದ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಗಮನ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. “ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಜ್ಞಾನಾಭ್ಯಾಸ, ನೈತಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಶಿಸ್ತಿಗೆ ಆದ್ಯತೆ ನೀಡುವ ಜಾಗವಾಗಬೇಕು – ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಕಣರಂಗವಲ್ಲ,” ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟಪಡಿಸಿದರು.

ಅಂತಿಮವಾಗಿ, ಅವರು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿತ್ವ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನು ಗೊಂದಲ ಮತ್ತು ಗಲಭೆಯಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತವಾಗಿ, ಶಿಸ್ತುಗಟ್ಟಿದ ಹಾಗೂ ಮೌಲ್ಯಾಧಾರಿತ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ರೂಪಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು. ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಭವಿಷ್ಯವನ್ನು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಆಟಗಳಿಂದ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿ, ನೈತಿಕ ನಾಯಕತ್ವ ಹಾಗೂ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯುತ ನಾಗರಿಕತೆ ಬೆಳೆಸುವತ್ತ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಗಮನಹರಿಸಬೇಕಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದಾಗಿ ಅವರು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

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“Student Polls Turning Campuses into Political Battlefields: Editor Gopal Raaj”

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Gs Gopal Raaj, Editor – City Today News & Tj Vision Media Stated, “As a media professional closely observing campus dynamics and youth behavior, I strongly urge educational institutions to re-evaluate the growing trend of student union elections. While student representation is important, the manner in which elections are conducted today poses more harm than benefit to academic environments.

Over the years, we have witnessed how elections in colleges have disrupted academic routines, escalated tensions, and introduced divisive politics among students. Unfortunately, many elections have become breeding grounds for aggressive campaigning, political interference, and financial malpractice—compromising the very essence of education.

The intrusion of external political agendas into college campuses is deeply troubling. Instead of nurturing leadership through dialogue and intellect, we are cultivating hostility, favoritism, and unhealthy competition. In many cases, students are being lured or pressured into supporting candidates not based on merit, but on caste, region, or influence—a dangerous trend that mirrors the worst of mainstream politics.

Moreover, the aftermath of such elections often leaves the campus polarized, with student unions focusing more on personal ambitions than collective welfare. This not only distracts students from their academic goals but also fosters a toxic culture of entitlement and unrest.

Educational institutions must remain safe, neutral spaces for learning, growth, and intellectual development—not political battlegrounds. I strongly advocate for structured, merit-based student representation systems that are democratic in spirit but free from the chaos, violence, and politicization that often accompany direct elections.

It is time we put students’ futures ahead of power games and focus on nurturing responsible, ethical youth leadership through mentorship, civic education, and peaceful dialogue.”

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80-Year-Old BT Lalita Nayak, Who Once Urged PM Modi to Retire at 75, Joins Congress

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While BT Lalita Nayak’s entry into the Congress has been welcomed by party loyalists, the move has also drawn criticism from several quarters, particularly from BJP and JD(S) leaders who questioned the timing and intent of her political shift.

Critics argue that Nayak’s decision at the age of 80 appears more symbolic than impactful. Some political observers have called it an opportunistic move with limited electoral significance, aimed more at gaining media attention than contributing to ground-level mobilization.

BJP spokespersons were quick to point out the contradiction in her earlier statements and her current alignment. “She speaks of age limits and leadership principles but joins a party led by figures who have themselves been in politics for decades,” remarked a BJP leader, adding that her earlier criticism of Narendra Modi now seems politically motivated.

Moreover, JD(S) leaders expressed disappointment, citing her long association with secular coalitions and suggesting that switching parties at such a late stage undermines ideological consistency. “It’s unfortunate when senior leaders abandon the very values they once claimed to uphold. Joining Congress after a lifetime of fighting against it raises serious questions,” said a former colleague in the JD(S).

Some civil society members also expressed concern that such political realignments by veteran leaders could dilute the seriousness of ideological battles and confuse the electorate.

Nonetheless, Congress leaders have maintained that Lalita Nayak’s entry is based on her enduring commitment to social justice and that age should not be a barrier when experience and conviction still guide a public figure.

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