Addressing the issue, Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman of NAREDCO and CMD of Hiranandani Group, emphasized the urgency of skilling programs to bridge the growing gap in workforce demand. “The real estate and infrastructure sectors employ over six crore workers, with a demand for at least two crore skilled workers. By 2030, India will require approximately 10 crore construction workers, out of which 3.3 crore will need to be skilled. The current deficit of one crore skilled workers is projected to increase to two crores in the coming years,” said Mr. Hiranandani.

Mr. G. Rama Reddy, Secretary of CREDAI and Head of ARK Group, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that major workforce sources, including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, are seeing increased government welfare initiatives, reducing migration to the construction sector. “With rising government support in home states, many workers are choosing stability over migration, particularly in South India, where finding labor has become increasingly challenging,” he noted.

Ritesh Singh, CHRO of Tata Projects, provided an infrastructure sector perspective, acknowledging that both skilled labor shortages and workforce attrition are affecting project execution timelines. “The industry as a whole is experiencing an acute labor crunch, impacting project completion schedules. Additionally, the perception of labor work needs to change—better wages, improved working conditions, and recognition are essential to attract and retain workers,” he said.

Gulam Zia, Senior Executive Director at Knight Frank India, brought attention to the global demand for skilled Indian labor. He noted that Indian workers are increasingly being recruited in the Middle East, Israel, and potentially in post-war regions such as Ukraine and Russia, further intensifying domestic labor shortages. “The competition for skilled labor is now international. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE offer significantly higher wages, making it imperative for India to enhance its labor welfare measures to retain talent,” he remarked.

Industry leaders collectively urged the government and private sector to invest in large-scale skill development programs, offer better incentives for construction workers, and improve living conditions to make the sector more attractive. They emphasized that automation and technology adoption would play a crucial role in mitigating workforce shortages, particularly in large-scale projects.

With India poised to become a global hub for skilled labor, industry leaders advocated for collaborative efforts between the government, industry associations, and private companies to create a structured framework for skill development, worker welfare, and technology integration.

Singapore-based centralized crypto exchange Bybit has confirmed a major security breach. Early estimates indicate that hackers have stolen over $1 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH), along with significant amounts of other tokens. The investigation is ongoing.

CEO Ben Zhou Explains Attack

Bybit’s co-founder and CEO, Ben Zhou, took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain the breach:

“Bybit ETH multisig cold wallet just made a transfer to our warm wallet about 1 hr ago. It appears that this specific transaction was musked, all the signers saw the musked UI which showed the correct address and the URL was from Safe. However, the signing message was to change the smart contract logic of our ETH cold wallet.
This resulted in the hacker taking control of the specific ETH cold wallet we signed and transferring all ETH in the cold wallet to this unidentified address. Please rest assured that all other cold wallets are secure. All withdrawals are NORMAL.”

Understanding the “Musked” Attack

The term “musked” refers to a type of cyber attack where a transaction is manipulated or disguised, often through a deceptive UI or phishing scheme. In this case, Bybit’s signers were tricked into approving a malicious action—modifying the smart contract logic of the exchange’s ETH cold wallet. This allowed the hacker to gain control and move the funds to an unknown address.

Bybit Announces System Maintenance

In response to the incident, Bybit announced that it will conduct scheduled maintenance on its live servers, lasting from today into tomorrow.

Ongoing Investigation

This remains a developing story. More details will be shared as The Block continues to investigate the situation.

Bybit ETH multisig cold wallet just made a transfer to our warm wallet about 1 hr ago. It appears that this specific transaction was musked, all the signers saw the musked UI which showed the correct address and the URL was from @safe . However the signing message was to change…

— Ben Zhou (@benbybit) February 21, 2025

From Rio Lobo to The Karate Kid

Peter Jason began his acting career in the 1960s, making his film debut in Rio Lobo as Lieutenant Forsythe. He later gained widespread recognition as the soccer coach in the beloved 80s classic The Karate Kid.

Collaboration with John Carpenter

In the 1990s, Jason formed a strong working relationship with horror filmmaker John Carpenter, appearing in several of his iconic films, including In the Mouth of Madness, Village of the Damned, and Escape from L.A.

Peter Jason, one of the great character actors in cinema, has died. His first movie was Howard Hawks’ RIO LOBO. He was a dear friend and I’ll miss him terribly.

— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) February 20, 2025

Acclaimed Role in Deadwood

During the 2000s, Jason earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Con Stapleton in HBO’s hit western series Deadwood, solidifying his status as a distinguished character actor.

Voice Acting and Later Career

Beyond film and TV, Jason also lent his voice to popular video games such as Gears of War and Fallout. In later years, he appeared as Jeff in Desperate Housewives and made guest appearances in Arrested Development, NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. His final roles included Tale of 2 Fathers and the pandemic-filmed We Are Gathered Here Today.

Tributes from Hollywood

Following his passing, heartfelt tributes poured in from across Hollywood. Horror legend John Carpenter led the tributes, honoring him as “one of the great character actors in cinema.” He reminisced, “His first movie was Howard Hawks’ RIO LOBO. He was a dear friend, and I’ll miss him terribly.”

Jason’s close friend Matt Anser expressed his grief on social media, writing, “I am heartbroken. My dear friend and my father’s best friend, Peter Jason, passed away today. What a loss. He was truly one of the sweetest people on the planet. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter.”

Legacy of a Character Actor

Peter Jason leaves behind a vast body of work and a legacy as one of Hollywood’s most prolific character actors. At the time of writing, his cause of death has not been confirmed.

Ashwath Marimuthu’s Dragon is likely to be labeled a ‘coming of age’ film—a term that Kollywood now generously applies to stories about deeply flawed male protagonists who are eventually portrayed as martyrs, simply for making late attempts at redemption.

A Frivolous Yet Entertaining Ride

At its core, Dragon is a lighthearted film that sticks to Kollywood’s tried-and-tested message padam formula. The jokes land well, keeping the audience engaged, and the film is peppered with cameos and callbacks to popular Tamil movies. A pleasant surprise is lead actor Pradeep Ranganathan, who, while still playing another average and toxic male protagonist, at least gets a marginally better character arc this time.

Meet ‘Dragon’: A Hero with 48 Arrears and Zero Accountability

Pradeep stars as Raghavan Dhanapal, aka ‘Dragon’—a college student notorious for terrorizing professors, skipping classes, and failing 48 engineering subjects. He financially exploits his friends, girlfriend, and even his parents. When his girlfriend Keerthi (Anupama Parameswaran) breaks up with him, he commits fraud to secure a high-paying job—just to spite her. His descent into delinquency starts in school, when he learns that his crush prefers ‘bad boys.’

Misogyny, Mass Scenes, and Convenient Redemption

The bulk of Dragon focuses on Raghavan’s eventual reckoning. However, his path to redemption is packed with regressive ‘mass scenes’ and misogynistic dialogues that, unfortunately, still draw cheers from the audience. Meanwhile, the weak accountability he offers to the women he has wronged is met with silence.

Pradeep’s Dhanush-Like Presence

Pradeep seems to be fully embracing his uncanny resemblance to Dhanush—a resemblance that was widely discussed during Love Today’s success. His mannerisms, body language, and comedic timing all echo a younger Dhanush. While he lacks Dhanush’s emotional range, he does well in portraying the highs and lows of his character—particularly the lows. His most unscrupulous moments are where his comic timing shines best.

Supporting Cast & Clever Cameos

VJ Sidhu and Harshath Khan, known for VJ Sidhu Vlogs, play key supporting roles. Sidhu delivers his signature one-liners as Anbu, Raghavan’s long-suffering friend, while Harshath plays ‘Kutty’ Dragon, an eccentric college junior.

Cameo appearances from Mysskin, Sneha, director KS Ravikumar, and even Ashwath Marimuthu himself are strategically placed to push the story forward, rather than being mere fan-service. One of these cameos even sets up an interesting interval block.

Music: Star Singers, Forgettable Tracks

Leon James’ soundtrack relies heavily on the fame of its singers. Silambarasan’s Yein di Vittu Ponna is a fittingly sexist track, while Anirudh’s Rise of Dragon and Sid Sriram’s Vazhithunaiye offer familiar beats. The only song that seamlessly blends with the film’s events is Gana Apellow’s Maatikkinaaru Orutharu.

Final Verdict

Despite its moments of humor and entertainment, Dragon remains a textbook example of a Kollywood ‘coming of age’ film that glorifies problematic protagonists. If someone claims that Raghavan’s misogyny is called out in the film, just ask them who the closing cameo is.

Mr. Sourav Ganguly expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “I am thrilled to be associated with Vura, a company that combines cutting-edge technology with a deep commitment to innovation and excellence. Building something that lasts, whether in cricket or in life, requires vision and teamwork. I believe Vura’s approach to growth, driven by their focus on innovation and core human values, aligns perfectly with my own principles. I’m excited to support their mission of building better, together.”

Mr. Minesh Chaudhari, CEO of Vura, shared his excitement about the partnership as well, adding, “We are honored to have our own Dada – Sourav Ganguly as our brand ambassador. His leadership, commitment to excellence, and integrity make him the ideal representative of our values. At Vura Bau-Chemie, we are driven by a vision to create a legacy for the generations to come. Our innovative products are always backed by a detailed research and development process. To achieve excellence, we do invest considerably in R&D for innovative and result oriented products in the building material and construction chemical industry. Our few products are formulated with new fibre power technology which is one of its kind and unique in the industry. We are the fastest growing brand in our category, aiming to set up 3 new manufacturing facilities and opening 10 new warehouses in India to cater our increasing demand in the Indian market as well as to start our export division. We are expanding our horizons from the urban to rural market of India and neighboring countries with eyeing an IPO in upcoming years. Together, with Dada, we want to make Vura a household name in the next few years.”

On this occasion, Mr. Amit Chaudhari, Director of Vura, highlighted, “Having Dada on board will not only strengthen our brand presence but also inspire our team to push boundaries. He has expressed his rock-solid support for all the future expansion plans to build a legacy that stands for the test of time.”

About Vura Bau-Chemie LLP: Vura is a global leader and manufactures high-quality construction chemicals, including tile and stone adhesives, stone care sealers & cleaners, specialized waterproofing, and various construction chemicals formulated with world-class German technology as per ISO, IN, & EN quality standards.

Real estate companies developing senior housing projects pay meticulous attention to clubhouse design, ensuring they are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. Ashiana Housing, a trailblazer in senior housing across India, places immense emphasis on the clubhouse experience in its projects, designing them with utmost care.

The vibrant clubhouse at Ashiana Amodh, a premium senior living project in Pune, is designed to provide residents with moments of joy, connection, and community engagement. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Talegaon, Pune, Ashiana Amodh offers a tranquil environment, perfect for seniors seeking a peaceful retreat from city life.

Situated along the banks of the Indrani River, the 19,000 sq. ft. clubhouse is a masterpiece of design, serving as a vibrant community hub for seniors to socialize, relax, and pursue their passions. The clubhouse boasts an array of amenities, including indoor badminton courts, table tennis, pool/billiards, carrom, croquet, a media room, hobby room, card room, media hall, swimming pool, jacuzzi, departmental store, and a luxurious dining hall.

To encourage outdoor activities, the clubhouse also features lawn tennis courts, an outdoor gym, amphitheater, children’s play area, swing zone for adults, water bodies, acupressure walk, party lawn, yoga lawn, and a sit-out plaza.

At the clubhouse launch, Mr. Ankur Gupta, Joint Managing Director of Ashiana Housing, stated, “Our goal is to provide seniors with a lifestyle that seamlessly blends peace and activity, ensuring they always experience quality time. Our clubhouse is designed to foster social connections, promote active aging, and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents.”

Ashiana Housing has earned the coveted title of India’s No. 1 Senior Living Community by Track2 Realty for eight consecutive years. As India’s largest chain of senior living projects, Ashiana Housing proudly provides a fulfilling life to over 2,500 senior citizens across its vibrant communities in Bhiwadi (Delhi-NCR), Chennai, Lavasa, and Pune.

Ashiana Amodh Senior Living, spread across 11.93 acres in Talegaon, Pune, is a premium senior living project meticulously designed to provide a secure, comfortable, and self-sufficient lifestyle for senior citizens.

Renowned for his work in Kollywood, director Arivazhagan reunites with actor Aadhi and music maestro Thaman in this eerie venture after the success of Vaishali. Just as Vaishali was known for its rain-soaked scenes, Sabdham will feature captivating visuals shot amidst mountains and tourist destinations.

The film has been extensively shot across scenic locales in Mumbai, Munnar, and Chennai. One of its highlights is an elaborate 120-year-old library set, built on a grand budget solely for the interval sequence.

To elevate the horror experience, Thaman traveled to Hungary to craft unique sound effects and a spine-tingling background score.

Sabdham stars Aadhi in the lead role, supported by an ensemble cast including Simran, Laila, Lakshmi Menon, Redin Kingsley, M.S. Bhaskar, and Rajeev Menon. The technical crew features cinematography by Arun Padhmanaban and editing by National Award winner Sabu Joseph.

Get ready for a haunting experience as Sabdham releases worldwide on February 28, 2025, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada!

On this occasion, Sri. Sunil Kumar Rana, President of West Bengal Cold Storage Association highlighted, “Considerable enthusiasm is observed among Potato growers and around 5.10 lakh hectare land has been cultivated in the current season. He estimated production of around 135-140 lakh ton potato in the current season; domestic consumption in West Bengal being 65 lakh ton, the balance stock need to be marketed outside the state. To ensure steady price and regular supply of potato in the market he requested the authorities to frame a system for release of the stored stock at a uniform rate of 12% each month during the unloading period. He recommended collection and analysis of Pan India comprehensive data on cultivation, harvesting, storage & marketing for formulation of necessary action plan and monitoring the stock situation on a real time basis.”

Govt. initiative was suggested for farmers to maintain proper grading, curing and assortment; standardization on the above was also suggested. Since extension of storage period beyond November has become common experience for almost every year it was requested by him that the quantum of additional rent for extended storage period need to be included in the notification for periodical rent Revision.

In view of the periodical rise in input cost and cost of capital for cold storages, demand was placed for raising cold storage rent at par with rent in other potato producing states where current rate is Rs. 230/- to Rs.270/- per quintal. He mentioned that cold storage rent was not revised by the Govt. despite the Expert Committee recommendation for revision of cold storage rent to Rs. 190 & Rs. 194 for South & North Bengal respectively. But till the last 4 years rent is Rs. 168 & Rs. 172. He apprehended that operation of cold storages in the ensuing season may be hampered as store owners are unwilling to operate their units with the present rent structure. For that reason more than 150 Cold Storage is NPA in the Bank. Further, it was suggested that cold storage rent calculation should be based on 85% storage capacity instead of 100% storage capacity as utilization of 100% capacity is rarely experienced.

“For me, art is more important than the artiste. As a practitioner of music as a whole, one of the most abstract and profound forms of life—I feel blessed to be an inseparable part of it,” says Indrani Mukherjee.

Indrani, known for her mastery in Raagdari Sangeet and Purab Ang Thumri , will present a repertoire that spans both the expansive melodic structures of Khayal and the emotive storytelling of Thumri and Dadra. She will be accompanied by Pandit Ramkumar Mishra (Tabla), Vinay Mishra (Harmonium), and Sangeet Mishra (Sarangi).

“Classical music is a ‘swar-pradhan’ gayaki, where the vast canvas of a raga is explored, while semi-classical music is a ‘shabda-pradhan’ gayaki, where lyrical expression and emotional nuances take center stage. Thumri is one of the most expressive forms of semi-classical music, where emotions—particularly love and devotion—are conveyed through countless extempore and aesthetic musical variations of the lyrics,” she explains

“These musical traditions offer an experience of the most empowering aspects of womanhood—where a mother, a daughter, and a wife become fearless, expressive, emotive, and dignified,” she says.

As an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) empanelled artiste and an ‘Outstanding Artist’ at the Festival of India (Ministry of Culture, Government of India), Indrani has dedicated her career to preserving and promoting these timeless forms.

This concert marks a significant milestone for her, as she presents her first full-evening solo recital at the prestigious Experimental Theatre, NCPA.

“I am deeply grateful to Pancham Nishad for this opportunity. Through my music, I hope the audience will experience the divine presence and the essence of these profound traditions,”

 About Indrani Mukherjee

 Indrani Mukherjee’s musical journey began with the Kirana Gharana style of singing, as her grandfather, Shri Sanjib Banerjee, and her Guru, Pandit Arun Bhaduri Ji, were both devoted followers of this tradition. She was introduced to the Thumri genre and received extensive taleem for many years from the late Vidushi Purnima Choudhury Ji.

Her journey was further enriched under the guidance of the late Pandit Ramashraya Jha Ji and Vidushi Manju Sundaram Ji, allowing her to deepen her understanding of Hindustani classical music. Through this path, she has also been blessed to imbibe the essence of the Agra Gharana style of singing, which continues to shape her distinctive musical expression.

Next month, she will embark on her first Australian concert tour, performing at the Melbourne International Festival for Hindustani Classical Music, followed by a performance in Sydney. She will also conduct a two-day vocal workshop in Melbourne, sharing her expertise with aspiring musicians.

 Event Details

Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: Sunday, 23rd February 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. onwards

The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy will commence with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday. Returning after an eight-year hiatus, this prestigious tournament will feature the world’s top eight cricket teams battling for glory.

Three Weeks of Intense Cricket Action

Over the next three weeks, cricket fans will witness thrilling encounters as teams compete in one of the toughest tournaments, often compared to the World Cup. Hosted by Pakistan under a hybrid model, matches will be played in Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, and Dubai.

Pakistan Hosts an ICC Event After Three Decades

For the first time since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup, Pakistan is hosting a major ICC event. The journey to organizing this tournament was challenging for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), given the ongoing debate over the relevance of ODI cricket and the dominance of T20 leagues. The event has also been surrounded by geopolitical tensions and concerns over stadium preparations. However, as Pakistan and New Zealand’s captains step out for the toss, all off-field matters will fade into the background.

India are locked in and ready for the #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/db4Mfd6CUm

— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2025

India vs Pakistan: The Ultimate Blockbuster

The last time Pakistan won the Champions Trophy was in 2017, and they will aim to reclaim the title. While the opening match promises excitement, the real showdown will be on February 23, when India and Pakistan face off in a high-voltage clash. This encounter will spark emotions across borders, ignite memories, and set social media on fire.

India’s High Stakes: A Tournament of Legacy

For India, this tournament carries immense significance. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two stalwarts of modern cricket, are nearing the end of their ODI careers. A strong performance could define their legacy, while a poor outing might impact their Test careers.

Additionally, coach Gautam Gambhir faces scrutiny. Despite a good run against England at home, past defeats against New Zealand and Australia remain fresh. Winning the ICC Trophy could cement his position, while failure could lead to questions about his coaching tenure.

India last won an ODI title in the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. They will enter as strong title contenders, but a single bad session, like in the 2023 World Cup final, could derail their campaign.

Top Contenders for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Australia

The five-time World Cup winners and 2006 & 2009 Champions Trophy winners will be without key players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. However, with Steve Smith leading the side, their championship pedigree remains intact.

England

While England’s squad has aging stars and inconsistent form, experienced players like Jos Buttler, Joe Root, and Liam Livingstone could shine. Meanwhile, young talents like Harry Brook and Ben Duckett could shape the team’s future.

New Zealand

The 2000 Champions enter a new era after the retirements of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. However, with Kane Williamson at the helm, they remain strong contenders. Kyle Jamieson replaces the injured Lockie Ferguson and could be a game-changer.

South Africa

Winners of the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy, South Africa will aim to break their ICC title drought. Having reached the T20 World Cup final, they now seek to add an ODI trophy to their cabinet.

Pakistan

With a world-class fast-bowling attack and strong batters like Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan can be a formidable force. If they manage to stay composed against India, they could emerge as serious contenders.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s victories are no longer considered upsets. With match-winners like Rashid Khan (ICC’s Best ODI Cricketer of the Year), Azmatullah Umarzai, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, they are capable of big surprises.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been a consistent presence in this tournament. Having caused upsets before, including in the 2007 ODI World Cup, they will aim to do it again.

Tournament Groups

• Group A: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand
• Group B: England, Afghanistan, Australia, South Africa

Past Champions

• 1998 – South Africa
• 2000 – New Zealand
• 2002 – India, Sri Lanka (Joint Winners)
• 2004 – West Indies
• 2006 – Australia
• 2009 – Australia
• 2013 – India
• 2017 – Pakistan

With a mix of historic rivalries, legendary players, and rising stars, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to deliver a spectacular cricketing experience.