Connect with us

LifestyleNews

Midnight melodies: Why some birds chirp while you sleep

 ​Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) significantly impacts avian biology, as per Aksheeta Mahapatra from Ataavi Bird Foundation (Image: Gemini generated). It’s past midnight. The traffic has thinned, the city is quieter — and then you hear it: a sharp bird going all Shreya Ghoshal through the dark. But aren’t birds supposed to be asleep?. Even science says that most birds are diurnal, meaning they are biologically programmed to be active during the day and rest at night. Why then this occasional late-night chirping isn’t unusual, especially in cities?. “As diurnal creatures, most birds are biologically programmed to rest at night. However, occasional late-night chirping is not unusual, especially in urban environments,” explains Aksheeta Mahapatra of Ataavi Bird Foundation, an organisation that aims to foster a deeper connection between people and nature by promoting bird watching as a sustainable activity.. What triggers midnight calls?. One common reason, according to the avid birdwatcher, is disturbance. Sudden noises — vehicle horns, fireworks, predators, or even stray animals — can startle resting birds into brief alarm calls. This is known as disturbance-triggered vocalisation.. Artificial lighting is another key factor. In cities, bright streetlights and illuminated buildings can trick birds into sensing extended daylight. This exposure to artificial light at night disrupts natural light cycles that regulate sleep, hormones, breeding timing, and even migration readiness. “Hormonal triggers during breeding season may stimulate sporadic calling even outside normal hours,” Mahapatra notes.. “In cities, bright streetlights and building illumination can confuse birds into perceiving extended daylight”: Aksheeta Mahapatra, Ataavi Bird Foundation (Image: Unsplash). Also Read | Meet the bird that eats bones for breakfast. Mating, territory — or stress?. “It can be linked to mating, territorial behaviour, or stress — depending on context,” she says.. During breeding season, male birds sing to attract mates and defend territory. In noisy urban areas, some species extend their singing hours to avoid daytime interference, choosing quieter nighttime hours so their songs carry farther.. Story continues below this ad. At the same time, sudden artificial disturbances — loud construction, bright light bursts, unexpected noise — can trigger alarm or stress calls. Mahapatra further tells indianexpress.com that when birds are exposed to constant illumination, they have a host of unusual patterns:. They may wake earlier or sleep later. The dawn chorus may begin prematurely. Energy expenditure increases. Stress hormones may rise over time. From a conservation lens, prolonged disruption of circadian rhythms may affect breeding success and long-term fitness.. Which birds are more likely to chirp?. Mahapatra notes that species that are highly adaptable to urban ecosystems, naturally vocal, territorial during breeding season, and com  

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LifestyleNews

‘Courtyards open like pauses in poetry’: Inside Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 villa — set in Karachi on screen, but located in Amritsar in reality; expert science behind its stress-reducing design

 ​The spaces we live in often shape how we feel, think, and interact with others. From natural light and open layouts to textures, colours, and materials, interior design can subtly influence mood, comfort, and even behaviour. This is why thoughtfully designed homes often feel calming, inviting, or energising without us being able to pinpoint exactly why.. A striking example of this can be seen in the lavish bungalow featured in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh. In the film, his character, Jaskirat Singh Rangi, alias Hamza Ali Mazari, purchases a grand villa in Lyari, Karachi, for his wife Yalina (Sara Arjun). However, the home is not located in Pakistan as portrayed on screen. According to 23DC Architects, the bungalow, named Ananda, is actually situated in Amritsar, Punjab. In an Instagram post shared on March 20, the firm revealed, “That house from Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar The Revenge? It’s actually in Punjab! We’re delighted to see our project, Ananda, featured on the big screen in this cinematic masterpiece. Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun, your screen presence made the house look even more special.”. The home is designed as a seamless blend of modern architecture and nature, with a strong emphasis on light, space, and traditional elements. As the designers described, “Throughout the residence, light meets space in a thoughtful rhythm. Courtyards open like pauses in poetry, gardens weave through the structure, and traditional craftsmanship quietly supports contemporary design.” The bungalow features a modern facade with grey walls and wooden accents, a courtyard filled with sculptures and greenery, and expansive glass walls that allow natural light to flow through the space.. Inside, the design continues with a double-height ceiling, neutral-toned interiors, and minimal decor that prioritises comfort and openness. Elements like a spiral black marble staircase, off-white marble flooring, a crystal chandelier, and large windows create a balance between luxury and simplicity. The outdoor areas, including a landscaped garden, swimming pool, and cosy seating, further extend the living space, making nature an integral part of the experience.. Such design choices raise interesting questions about how physical spaces can affect emotional well-being, stress levels, and overall lifestyle. Features such as natural light, open courtyards, and minimal clutter are often associated with a sense of calm and clarity, but their psychological impact can vary depending on how individuals experience and interact with their environment.. How do natural light and indoor-outdoor connections influence mood, stress levels, and overall mental well-being?. Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “Natural light doesn’t just illuminate a home, it regulates the mind. Exposure to sunlight boosts vitamin D levels, which are directly linked to improved mood, reduced symptom  

Continue Reading

LifestyleNews

Ram Navami 2026 Date: March 26 or 27? Check Correct Tithi, Puja Timings, Significance and When is Ram Navami 2026 in India

 ​Ram Navami 2026 Date: According to common belief, worshipping Lord Ram on Ram Navami can offer devotees joy and peace.. Ram Navami 2026 Date: Ram Navami is one of the auspicious Hindu festivals celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm. Also known as Shri Ram Janmotsav, it commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu.. The festival is marked by devotees visiting temples, organising kathas, and chanting mantras and often falls on the last day of the nine-day fast of Chaitra Navratri.. Lord Rama was born midday on the ninth day (Navami Tithi) of the Shukla Paksha in Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar, which usually corresponds to late March or April.. This year, Ram Navami will be celebrated on Thursday, March 26, 2026, with the Navami Tithi starting from 11:48 AM on March 26 and ending on the following day, Friday, March 27, at 10:06 AM.. According to drikpanchang.com, the Ram Navami Madhyahna Muhurat is observed on March 26 from 11:11 AM to 1:39 PM, with the Madhyahna Moment at 12:25 PM considered the most auspicious time for performing rituals and prayers.. Ram Navami marks the birth of Lord Ram, who is revered as the embodiment of truth, righteousness, virtue, duty, and sacrifice.. Due to his characteristics, his devotees regard him as Maryada Purushottam, or the ideal man.. Story continues below this ad. The festival celebrates and represents the triumph of good over evil, motivating devotees to continue the path of truth and uphold their moral ideals.. According to common belief, worshipping Lord Ram on Ram Navami can offer devotees joy and peace.. The festival is widely celebrated throughout the country, particularly in Ayodhya, where he was born.. Temples throughout the country organise havans, recitations of the Ramayana, night-long jagratas, and pujas to honour Lord Ram, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman, and his greatest devotee, Hanuman.. 📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd  

Continue Reading

LifestyleNews

Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI 2026 Grand Finale: Aditi Rao Hydari’s design debut shines, and Péro with Aneet Padda steals the show

 ​The final day of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI 2026 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre didn’t just close a season; it made a statement. From Pearl Academy’s thought-provoking exploration of human creativity and artificial intelligence to Max Fashion’s irreverently joyful runway, and Satya Paul’s elegant new chapter with Aditi Rao Hydari, the evening was a masterclass in fashion’s extraordinary range. But it was Péro’s grand finale, and one unforgettable showstopper, that truly brought the house down.. The day opened with a showcase from Pearl Academy, where emerging designers tackled one of fashion’s most urgent conversations: the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence. Young, bold, and unafraid, these designers proved that the next generation isn’t intimidated by technology; they’re dressing it.. Max Fashion’s ‘unserious everything’: A masterclass in joyful dressing. If there was a collection that captured the mood of a generation exhausted by trying too hard, it was Max Fashion’s Unserious Everything. Effortless urban silhouettes, a philosophy rooted in freedom of movement, and a ramp that practically pulsed with energy — this was fashion as a good time, and nobody got that memo more enthusiastically than its star-studded cast.. Alaya F arrived like a burst of sunshine in a citrine crop top paired with low-rise blue denim jeans, a peppy, retro-inflected look that felt simultaneously nostalgic and razor-sharp. She wore the 90s revival with the ease of someone who was simply born for it.. Kalki Koechlin, ever the picture of considered cool, went the opposite route. Her all-white ensemble featured a clean sleeveless top and a flowing midi skirt, and it was minimalism at its most powerful. In a sea of prints and colour, she was the quiet full stop that made the sentence complete.. If there was a collection that captured the mood of a generation exhausted by trying too hard, it was Max Fashion’s Unserious Everything. (Source: Instagram/Lakmē Fashion Week). Then there was Siddhant Chaturvedi, who, frankly, refused to be contained by the runway. Dressed in a crisp white jacket adorned with quirky brooches, he brought a high-fashion-meets-theatrical-playfulness to the proceedings. He danced. He presented flowers to Kalki Koechlin. He made the whole thing feel like a celebration rather than a showcase, and the crowd loved every second of it.. The collection itself moved through three distinct worlds: Urban, Sports Core, and Core Casual, united by the singular idea that a wardrobe should never restrict the wearer.. Story continues below this ad. Aditi Rao Hydari for Satya Paul: A creative director steps into the light. A few moments at this season’s Lakmé Fashion Week carried as much personal weight as Aditi Rao Hydari’s walk for Satya Paul. This wasn’t merely a celebrity appearance; it was a debut. Hydari stepped onto the runway as Co-Creative Director of the Satya Paul x Aditi Rao Hydari  

Continue Reading

LifestyleNews

The zero trimester: Why women are training for pregnancy like a marathon

 ​Before the nausea, the scans, the cravings. Before conception itself, there is an entirely different chapter taking shape for women in India and around the world today. It is called the ‘zero trimester’, a term coined by American sociologist Miranda Waggoner in her 2017 book of the same name, which examined how medicine and public health had begun focusing on women’s bodies as perpetually ‘pre-pregnant’.. Today, the concept has escaped the pages of academic sociology and landed squarely in the wellness mainstream driven by social media, biohacking culture, and a growing anxiety about getting pregnancy ‘right’ from the very start.. As Wired reported, the cultural obsession with wellness and optimisation, “currently driven and designed by male biohackers like Bryan Johnson and Peter Attia,” has now come for this murky preconception period. Women have started training for pregnancy “like it’s a marathon,” as influencer Kaylie Stewart announced to her 1 million TikTok followers.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. The numbers bear this out. Wired states in its report that the hashtag “#preconception appears in 106,000 Instagram posts and #pregnancyprep in 36,000.”. It adds, “Singular TikTok ‘prep’ videos rack up tens of thousands—sometimes millions—of views and likes.” ‘Pregnancy Prep’ influencers post curated lists, aesthetic vlogs, and GRWM (Get Ready With Me) TikToks filled with glowing, happy women. They suggest a litany of lifestyle changes, niche products, books, courses, and ‘quick’ tips to follow in the six to twelve months before getting pregnant.. But what does this global trend look like when it lands in India, with its particular mix of tradition, urban aspiration, and overburdened healthcare systems?. Story continues below this ad. What real women experience. For the women actually living through this, the picture is more textured. Juilee Ghadigaonkar, an account director, did not plan her pregnancy in advance. “Once I found out I was pregnant, I became very conscious about taking care of my health,” she says. Her guidance came primarily from her gynaecologist and not from social media, which she found overwhelming. “Too much overthinking is not good during pregnancy,” she notes.. Her pregnancy was hormonally challenging, requiring medication to stabilise her levels, and she experienced persistent nausea throughout. But what carried her through was professional medical guidance, a supportive work environment, and the empowerment to continue working despite the physical demands.. Prerna Gagerna, 33 and nine months pregnant at the time of speaking with indianexpress.com, had a more ambivalent relationship with the flood of preconception content available today. She was mindful about her health beforehand, taking balanced meals, staying active, and  

Continue Reading

LifestyleNews

Aamir Khan asks Salman Khan why his romantic relationships did not work out: ‘Yaar, nahi jama…’; expert on taking responsibility

 ​Salman Khan on why his relationships did not last long (Source: Express archive photo). Relationships often go through phases of change, and when two people are not growing in sync, challenges tend to surface. On the newly launched show Two Much, actors Salman Khan and Aamir Khan opened up about this very issue, mixing light banter with some strikingly honest reflections.. Salman spoke about how imbalances in personal growth can create insecurities in a relationship, mentioning, “When a partner grows more than the other partner, that is when the differences start coming in; that’s when the insecurity starts setting in, so they both need to grow together. Both need to get off each other’s backs. I believe that.”. Aamir then asked him directly why his past relationships didn’t work out. To this, Salman replied, “Yaar, nahi jama toh nahi jama (If it didn’t work, it just didn’t). If there is anyone to blame, I am the one to blame.”. Many people experience similar struggles of insecurity, imbalance, and self-blame when it comes to relationships.. So, how can couples support each other’s personal growth in a way that strengthens rather than threatens their relationship?. Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist at The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “As a psychologist, I often see couples struggle when one partner seems to ‘outgrow’ the other. Growth doesn’t have to create distance; it can build a deeper connection if approached with mutual respect.”. Practically, she says, couples can:. Create weekly check-ins where they share not just relationship updates but also personal wins.. Practice “mirroring support”—if one attends a big event, the other mirrors that energy by celebrating a milestone in their own world.. Set boundaries so personal growth doesn’t overshadow couple time.. How healthy is it for someone to take full responsibility when a relationship ends?. Khangarot mentions, “As a psychologist, I’d say taking responsibility when a relationship ends is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it reflects maturity — acknowledging our part allows us to process, accept, and move forward without being stuck in blame games. On the other hand, when this slips into excessive self-blame, it can numb deeper emotions and prevent genuine healing.”. Whether it empowers or harms depends on the individual’s personality and past experiences. “The key is balance: reflect honestly on what was within your control, but also recognise that relationships are co-created and don’t fall apart because of one person alone,” she notes.. Story continues below this ad. Early signs couples can look out for that indicate they may not be ‘growing together’. Many breakups stem not from lost love but from subtle mismatches that build over time. Khangarot shares, “Early signs include feeling dismissed when sharing achievements, one partner avoiding difficult conversations, or growing  

Continue Reading

Latest News

Politics5 hours ago

Meghalaya: Garo dist council bars non-tribals from contesting polls after unrest

 Shillong: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya on Monday amended its rules to mandate Scheduled Tribe (ST)...

Politics6 hours ago

Factbox-Governments worldwide shield households from rising energy costs

 March 23 – Governments worldwide are trying to shield consumers from soaring energy costs resulting from the U.S.-Israeli war on...

Politics7 hours ago

Last senior Maoist commander in Bastar likely to surrender soon

 The last senior Maoist commander in Bastar region, Paparao, is likely to surrender on Tuesday amid heavy pressure from authorities,...

Politics8 hours ago

IndiGo appoints former Air India Express MD Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer

 The country’s largest airline, IndiGo, on Monday announced the appointment of former Air India Express managing director Aloke Singh as...

Politics9 hours ago

Assam polls: Heavyweights including ministers, party presidents, rebels file nomination on last day

 Guwahati: Several political heavyweights including ministers and party presidents submitted their papers on Monday, the last day of filing nominations...

Politics10 hours ago

ED restituted assets worth $5.6 billion to victims: Director Rahul Navin

 NEW DELHIThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has restituted assets worth approximately $5.6 billion (Rs. ED director Rahul Navin made the remarks at...

Politics11 hours ago

Traffic curbs near central Delhi’s Jhandewalan for Navratri till March 27

 Traffic movement will remain restricted on key stretches in central Delhi in view of Navratri celebrations at Jhandewalan Temple from...

Politics12 hours ago

Punjab ex-minister Bhullar arrested in warehousing corporation employee suicide case

 Former Punjab transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar was arrested from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district on Monday afternoon in...

Politics13 hours ago

Fraudster posing as CBI official tricks Karnataka businessman into transferring ₹15 crore to ‘fake government account’

 An 81-year-old businessman from Belagavi, Karnataka fell prey to a “digital arrest” scam, reportedly losing more than ₹15 crore to...

Video13 hours ago

Two pilots killed after plane collided with firefighting vehicle in New York. #NewYork #BBCNews 

[embedded content] 

Trending News

Join Our Newsletter

Stay updated with breaking news and exclusive content.