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Malta Coup: Bengal Farmers Strike Gold with Fruit Discovery

Malta Coup: Bengal Farmers Strike Gold with Fruit Discovery

When Samar Sharma, a 52-year-old shop owner in Nadia district, Bengal, saw a YouTube video claiming that Malta farming could make you rich, he dove into research about this mysterious fruit.

Malta, resembling sweet lime but with a unique ring, is primarily found in Uttarakhand, India, and is known as “siki musambi” in West Bengal.

Samar quickly transitioned from virtual curiosity to action. A friend offered him 5.5 bighas of land to grow malta, citing its exponential fruit-bearing growth, which promised millionaire status.

Inspired by Samar, Bengal farmers began cultivating maltas and selling saplings sourced from Uttarakhand.

Samar’s videos highlighted malta’s rapid growth, maintenance, returns, and local demand, attracting other farmers.

Farming videos abound on YouTube, covering various topics, including success stories and tutorials. Samar’s success led to selling 2,500 saplings to farmers across Bengal.

While Bengal’s malta farming is young, Uttarakhand has a rich history. Harvested green in Bengal, the fruit is nutritious.

Samar Sharma, Saktipada Sarkar, Kuntal Ghosh, Sirajus Salekin, and Firoj Akhtar transitioned to malta farming, lured by social media.

Salekin, near Bangladesh, turned to Nadia for saplings after failing in Bangladesh.

Ghosh, in Alipurduar, favored malta for its lower investment and longer tree lifespan.

Akhtar, a mango farmer, shifted to malta due to lower costs and faster returns. Samar Sharma turned a Rs 1.5 lakh investment in 2022 into Rs 14 lakh the next year.

However, not all YouTube advice proved reliable; Sarkar lost plants to a foreigner’s spray mixture.

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Milan Fashion Week: Benetton’s diverse collection blends floral and fruity patterns, bridging generations.

Milan Fashion Week: Benetton’s diverse collection blends floral and fruity patterns, bridging generations.

Milan Fashion Week’s second day carried on amid a persistent rain, predominantly showcasing women’s fashion for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Here’s a glimpse of how Milan’s designers are keeping the warmth of the season in focus:

Peter Hawkings made his runway debut as the creative director of the Tom Ford brand in Milan, marking a full-circle return to the place where he began his journey with Tom Ford at Gucci 25 years ago. Entering the world of Tom Ford, fashion enthusiasts walked on plush champagne-colored carpets that exuded luxury. Models confidently strutted in stiletto heels, sporting shorts paired with tailored jackets, flaunting their figures in form-fitting, floor-length dresses, and donning seductive velvet suits complemented by silk shirts with the iconic Tom Ford plunging neckline.

Hawkings openly acknowledged that his design philosophy draws heavily from the 25 years he spent alongside Ford, who handed over the reins last April. “The design ethos is deeply ingrained in me,” he commented backstage. The collection drew inspiration from Donyale Luna, a Detroit-born Black supermodel who served as a muse to Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon. However, Hawkings pointed out that his wife, Whitney, equally embodies the quintessential Tom Ford woman, one with strong convictions. The couple first crossed paths during their time at Gucci.

“I run everything by her. She will tell me whether she loves something, hates something, how it fits, how comfortable it is. I can’t try the clothes on, but she can. And she can give me constant feedback,” he explained. Whitney wiped away tears after the show, expressing, “I feel hugely emotional about the whole thing. It’s like going back, but it’s a huge step forward. It’s a lot going on. It’s family after all.”

Moschino temporarily passed the torch to four prominent female stylists as the brand celebrated its 40th anniversary in homage to its late founder, Franco Moschino. Fashion designer Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele crafted a versatile collection that embraced high-low fashion, suitable for any woman and any occasion. Gabriella Karefa-Johnson infused a dose of high-energy hip-hop style into her looks, featuring ruffled tiered skirts, denim, and granny squares, all with size-inclusivity in mind.

Lucia Liu channeled Moschino’s romantic vision, concluding her collection with a cake-topper dress adorned with layers of pink bows, rosettes, and boas, perfect for a Barbie-inspired moment. Katie Grand unleashed a playful side with dancewear, featuring leotards adorned with humorous graphics and cutouts, exaggerated tutus, and ironic slogans like “Loud Luxury.” Her models, all professional dancers, brought the runway to life with a lively, irreverent routine.

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The highlights of Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar watch.

The highlights of Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar watch.

Introducing the latest Audemars Piguet timepiece, and it’s all about the color blue. But not your ordinary navy or subtle teal shade. This is a striking electric blue that commands attention. It’s the kind of watch that boasts an exclusive VIP waitlist, the type you’d spot on the wrists of front-row spectators or adorning the arm of an award-winning celebrity. Since the iconic ‘Royal Oak’ celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year, the world has witnessed a whirlwind of new watch releases, and it’s been nothing short of a horological celebration. Now, let’s delve into what makes this newest blue beauty so special.

Big on blue

This is the first time we’ve ever seen a ‘Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar’ with a 41mm dial available in full blue. And, when we say full, we mean full. No surface has been spared. This includes the brand’s signature grid-like dial and the sub-dials (showcasing the day, date, week, month, leap year and moon-phase) also in, you guessed it, blue. There’s only one exception to the tone-on-tone effect: the 18k white gold hands and hour markers. We’ll let that slide for now.

Not just any ceramic

While Audemars Piguet is tight-lipped about the exact composition of their ceramic (this is their secret sauce) we do know that the fruits of their (ceramic) labor is an ultra-light and scratch-proof material that does not disappoint. For this particular model Zirconium Oxide powder is baked, binded and machined to create the magical hue. During manufacturing things get real hot with temperatures hitting more than 1400°C on the thermostat.

Size matters

This piece is so sleek and slender that it’s hard to believe all the mechanics of a perpetual calendar fit inside. Measuring a mere 9.5mm thick, this really is a case of less is more. Fitted with a self-winding Calibre 5134 movement that is packed into 4.3 mm, Audemars Piguet prides itself in producing some of the thinnest guys in the watchmaking biz.

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Increasing concern as electronic devices contribute to hypertension in young people

Gadget addiction and hypertension pose a dual burden on young adults in today’s technology-driven era, increasing their susceptibility to other non-communicable diseases, medical experts warn. Dr. Rajpal Singh, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Fortis Hospital, notes that a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep habits, and excessive use of electronic devices like smartphones and tablets contribute to hypertension, a condition observed in three out of ten young adult patients he sees daily.

To address this concerning trend, doctors emphasize the importance of raising awareness about the health risks associated with gadget addiction and promoting a balanced lifestyle among young adults. On World Hypertension Day, they highlight various factors contributing to the rising cases of hypertension among youngsters, including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, chronic stress, sedentary behavior, and obesity.

Dr. Brunda MS, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aster CMI Hospital, underscores the significance of addressing hypertension, often referred to as a “silent killer.” It is a leading cause of heart-related ailments, affecting 1.28 billion adults worldwide. The extensive use of technology has recently emerged as a significant contributing factor to hypertension.

Dr. HS Shashidhar, who established a rural digital detox center in Gauribidanur, Karnataka, reports that cases of phone addiction are the most common among their patients, with 4-5 daily consultations. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can affect individuals of all ages, particularly young people. Medical professionals advise adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption, engaging in physical activity, ensuring sufficient sleep, and undergoing regular health checkups.

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Daytime napping 1–2 times a week may benefit heart health

Taking a daytime nap once or twice a week may halve the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

This is the main takeaway of an observational study appearing in the BMJ journal Heart.

Nadine Häusler, Ph.D., from the department of internal medicine at Lausanne University Hospital, in Switzerland, is the first author of the study.

As Häusler and colleagues explain in their paper, much controversy has surrounded the relationship between daytime napping and cardiovascular health.

Some previous studies, referenced by the authors, have found a lower risk of coronary heart disease among daytime nappers, while others have found a higher risk of cardiac events or cardiovascular mortality among those who regularly nap during the day.

To help settle the controversy, Häusler and the team set out to examine the link between napping and fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events in a cohort of 3,462 adults in Switzerland.

Studying naps and cardiovascular events

Häusler and colleagues had access to medical data from participants in the CoLaus cohort study.

The participants were between 35 and 75 years of age when they enrolled in the CoLaus study and did not have a history of cardiovascular problems at baseline, that is, in 2003–2006.

The researchers looked at the associations between napping frequency and napping duration, on the one hand, and the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, on the other.

Häusler and the team had access to self-reported sleeping patterns and continual health monitoring over an average period of 5 years, as part of the CoLaus study.

When the participants were asked about their sleeping and napping patterns, more than half reported no naps in the previous week, almost 20% said they had napped once or twice, about 12% said they had napped 3–5 times, and a similar number said they had napped 6–7 times.

Those who napped more frequently tended to be older, overweight males who smoked. These participants also tended to sleep for longer at night, have sleep apnea, and feel more sleepy during the day.

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Pimple free skin tips

1. Rose Water

Pimples usually erupt in oily areas. It is hence important to control oil-secretion. For this use a special medicated soap to wash your face twice daily and use rose water. To use:

  • Take some rose water and astringent in equal amounts.
  • Dab this all over the washed parts of your face.
  • Do this twice or thrice daily for best results.

2. Keep Away From Besan or MultaniMitti

Using Besan and multanimitti can sometimes clog pores. This can further cause more pimples to erupt. Stay away from both totally.

3. Turmeric and Curd

Turmeric and curd have medicinal properties. This will not only treat your pimples, but also give leave you with a squeaky clean, radiant and fairer skin. To use:

  • Mix the two and form a paste.
  • Apply this evenly to your face regularly.
  • Keep it on for about 15 to 20 minutes
  • Wash off thoroughly.

4. Sandalwood Paste and Rose Water

Sandalwood has soothing and healing properties. It cleans skin and prevents pimples from reoccurring. To use:

  • Add a few drops of rose water to sandalwood powder
  • Form a fine paste
  • Apply this on the forehead and other affected areas with pimples or pimple marks
  • Leave the paste on for at least an hour
  • Wash off thoroughly

5. Glycerine and Rose Water

For pimple-prone skin, glycerine and rose water are an excellent cure. Rose water is a great toner. It contains ethanol that fights pimples from coming back and reduces blemishes. Glycerine hydrates skin without making it oily. It gets absorbed into the skin very well. To use:

  • Take one part of pure undiluted glycerine
  • Mix it with four parts of rose water
  • Store this in a bottle and refrigerate
  • Apply the mixture on your face each time you wash your face
  • Just before applying it, add a few drops of lemon juice. This will help lighten the pimple spots faster (optional)

6. Curd

Curd is rich in zinc. Zinc reduces pimples and lightens blemishes too. To use:

  • Take some curd
  • Mix it with turmeric and form a paste.
  • Apply this daily on your face.
  • Keep on for 15 to 20 minutes
  • Wash off with water.
  • Alternately, you can also use tomato juice with curd. Tomato juice absorbs excess oil secretion, hence controlling and curing pimples.

7. Neem Leaves

Neem is famous as a natural anti-septic. It is great for almost every skin problem including pimples and pimple marks. To use:

  • Take a handful of neem leaves and wash them thoroughly
  • Simmer all the leaves in water for some time
  • Wait till the water slightly changes colour
  • Let it cool completely
  • Strain the water and use it to wash your face everyday
  • You can also use cotton balls to dab the water and apply over affected area.

8. Cucumber Juice

Cucumber juice helps in oil control. Plus it has cooling and hydrating properties. To use:

  • For cleaning oily or combination skin – mix two teaspoons of cucumber juice with milk and lemon juice.
  • Take a cotton pad and dip it in the mix
  • Now dab it across your skin and wipe gently
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Top Ways For Men to Improve Sexual Performance

1. Stay active

One of the best ways to improve your health is cardiovascular exercise. Sex might get your heart rate up, but regular exercise can help your sexual performance by keeping your heart in shape. Thirty minutes a day of sweat-breaking exercise, such as running and swimming, can do wonders to boost your libido.

2. Eat these fruits and vegetables

Certain foods can also help you increase blood flow. They include:

  • onions and garlic: These foods may not be great for your breath, but they can help your blood circulation.
  • bananas: This potassium-rich fruit can help lower your blood pressure, which can benefit your important sexual parts and boost sexual performance.
  • chilies and peppers: All-natural spicy foods help your blood flow by reducing hypertension and inflammation.

3. Eat these meats and other foods

Here are some more foods that can help you achieve better blood flow:

  • omega-3 fatty acids: This type of fat increases blood flow. You can find it in salmon, tuna, avocados, and olive oil.
  • vitamin B-1: This vitamin helps signals in your nervous system move quicker, including signals from your brain to your penis. It’s found in pork, peanuts, and kidney beans.
  • eggs: High in other B vitamins, eggs help balance hormone levels. This can decrease stress that often inhibits an erection.

4. Reduce stress

Stress can wreak havoc on all areas of your health, including your libido. Stress increases your heart rate (in the bad way) and increases blood pressure. Both of these are damaging to sexual desire and performance. Psychological stress can also affect achieving an erection or reaching an orgasm. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your health. Talking to your partner about your stress can also calm you down, while strengthening your relationship at the same time.

Stress can also trigger bad habits, such as smoking or alcohol consumption, which can harm your sexual performance.

5. Kick bad habits

What you rely on to unwind, such as smoking and consuming alcohol, could also affect sexual performance. While studies suggest that a little red wine can improve circulation, too much alcohol can have adverse effects.

Stimulants narrow blood vessels and have been linked to impotence. Cutting down or quitting smoking is one of the first steps to improve performance. Replacing bad habits with healthy ones, such as exercise and eating well, can help boost sexual health.

6. Get some sun

Sunlight stops the body’s production of melatonin. This hormone helps us sleep but also quiets our sexual urges. Less melatonin means the potential for more sexual desire.

Getting outside and letting the sun hit your skin can help wake up your sex drive, especially during the winter months when the body produces more melatonin.

7. Masturbation and longevity

However, how you masturbate could have detrimental effects. If you rush through it, you could inadvertently decrease the time you last with your partner. The secret is making it last, just like you want to when you’re not alone.

8. Pay attention to your partner

Sex isn’t a one-way street. Paying special attention to your partner’s desires not only makes sex pleasurable for them, but it can also help turn you on or slow you down. Talking about this beforehand can help ease any awkwardness if you need to slow down during a heated moment.

Alternating pace or focusing on your partner while you take a break can make for a more enjoyable experience for both of you.

9. Getting more help

If you have erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, or other diagnosed disorders, you may need medical treatment. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about how you can improve your sexual performance.

It’s never a bad decision to exercise, eat right, and enjoy your sex life to the fullest.

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The ‘There is no safest limit of drinking,’ says alcohol study

Dr. Gakidou urges that governments need to alter policies so that they emphasize either “lowering people’s levels of alcohol consumption or abstaining entirely.”

In countries such as the U.S., public health information on alcohol and health tends to focus either on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption or on keeping drinking to moderate levels.

There is often little mention of the fact that no consumption at all is the safest. For instance, the fact sheet on alcohol and health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) starts with “[d]rinking too much can harm your health.”

It then cites statistics about the effects of excessive drinking. During 2006–2010, excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S. resulted in around 88,000 deaths per year, cutting the lifespan of those who died by an average of 30 years. Among adults aged 20–64 years, it led to 1 in 10 deaths.

The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advice on alcohol use opens with “[i]f alcohol is consumed, it should be in moderation” and then goes on to define moderate drinking as no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one for women.

That being said, there is mention that the guidelines do “not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason.”

“We now understand,” says Richard C. Horton, who is editor-in-chief of The Lancet, “that alcohol is one of the major causes of death in the world today.”

“We need to act urgently to prevent these millions of deaths,” he adds.

“The myth that one or two drinks a day are good for you is just that — a myth. This study shatters that myth.”