| Greetings from India! You're reading Meanwhile, Back Home, our daily newsletter specially curated for our overseas readers. While you were asleep, it was a whirlwind of a day here in India. We've got the top highlights lined up for you.
Welcome back, readers!
This Eid, we bring you the recipe for a korma so rich, so daanedar (full-bodied) that it’ll teleport you straight to the alleys of Old Delhi. This isn’t your average restaurant fare; it’s the real deal, passed down by khansamahs (traditional cooks) who knew their onions (literally, half a kilogram). Think tender mutton swimming in a gravy of caramelised birista, tangy curd, and a shower of coriander seeds. Pro tip: Skip the "healthy" oil swaps and embrace the charbi (fat). Your taste buds will thank you. And don’t forget the khamiri rotis (fluffy, leavened bread). Check it out. 🥘
 Spotlight
A major disaster struck Bangkok when a 30-story government tower collapsed during the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar. But as investigations unfold, it’s becoming clear that the quake wasn’t the sole culprit—corruption, cost-cutting, and negligence may have played a bigger role. 📌 Why did the building collapse? While Bangkok’s skyline remained largely intact, this skyscraper crumbled. Why? Experts suspect design flaws or substandard construction materials. Civil engineers argue that earthquake-resistant designs should have protected the building. The project was already under scrutiny for delays and irregularities before the collapse. 📌 China connection The collapsed tower was a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd. Four Chinese nationals were caught retrieving documents from the disaster site—raising suspicions of a cover-up. Thai authorities recovered 32 files, including blueprints, from the detained individuals. 📌 What went wrong The project was reportedly plagued by financial instability, leading to possible cost-cutting measures. Thai officials suspect the use of substandard materials, potentially sourced from outdated factories in China. Investigators have just seven days to determine the real cause of the collapse. 📌 Public Outrage Thai citizens are demanding accountability, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordering a full inquiry. Italian-Thai Development Plc’s stocks have nosedived, with investor confidence shaken. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue searching for survivors—76 people remain trapped, and 11 fatalities have been confirmed.
☕ Spill the Expresso 🎬 Empuraan controversy Prithviraj Sukumaran’s mother, veteran actress Mallika, has broken her silence on the L2: Empuraan controversy, calling the attacks on her son "unfair." The film is facing backlash from right-wing groups over some scenes that allegedly allude to the 2002 Gujarat riots. "Everyone read the script, approved scenes—so why is only Prithviraj being blamed?" she asked, dismissing claims he "betrayed" Mohanlal or producers. Without naming director-turned-politician Major Ravi, who flip-flopped after the backlash, she said, "Who benefits by making my son the scapegoat?" Meanwhile, writer Murali Gopi has yet to break his silence. 🎙️ Ranveer’s 'Rebirth' Ranveer Allahbadia has broken his silence after the India's Got Latent uproar, announcing the return of The Ranveer Show with a vow to create "more responsible" content. In an emotional video, the YouTuber apologised to fans, saying, "I’ll carry my work forward with greater responsibility—so many kids watch us." He called this phase a "learning, not punishment" and credited meditation and family support for pulling him through. His Instagram post—"Rebirth"—hints at a fresh start. However, whether the audience will give him "one more chance" remains to be seen.
🚨 Must Read 🍽️ Iftar politics Despite controversy over the Waqf Amendment Bill, BJP allies Janata Dal (United), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) maintained their Ramzan iftar traditions - even as Muslim groups such as Imarat-e-Shariah boycotted Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's event. The political balancing act saw TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu host 4,500+ guests in Vijayawada while defending Waqf properties in Andhra Pradesh. With JD(U) reminding people of its ₹1,000 crore minority welfare spend and LJP(RV) leader Chirag Paswan criticising "useless" religious policing, the NDA allies signal their commitment to Muslim voters despite supporting the contentious bill.
📰 In Other News 🚗 Viral Noida Lamborghini crash A red Lamborghini, registered to popular 21-year-old YouTuber Mridul Tiwari (18M+ subscribers), struck two labourers in Noida's Sector 94, fracturing their legs. Car dealer Deepak from Ajmer, who was test-driving the Pondicherry-registered vehicle, appeared in a viral video asking callously, "Koi mar gaya hai?" The incident has drawn scrutiny to Tiwari, whose comedy sketches have earned him rapid fame and YouTube's Gold Play Button within a year of launching his channel in 2018. While Tiwari wasn't present during the crash, the accident has put him in the spotlight. That’s all for now. Until next time, Aishwarya Khosla
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