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Villagers Grateful to Mann Government After Receiving ₹50 Lakh Grant

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Dhruv
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Mann
Mann

cross many villages in Punjab, people have been celebrating a major announcement from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government. The state has approved a special grant of fifty lakh rupees for each village in honour of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. For communities that have long struggled with basic developmental needs, this support feels like a long-awaited answer. At several gurdwaras and community gatherings, Aam Aadmi Party leaders personally handed over the grant documents to local panchayats, turning the occasions into moments of pride and gratitude.

In village after village, representatives described the announcement as nothing short of transformative. Panchayat members shared that many areas had faced chronic issues such as broken roads, frequent water shortages, and inadequate public facilities. With this new financial support, they now see a realistic pathway to improving infrastructure and upgrading everyday amenities. One village leader mentioned that residents had been requesting a proper concrete road for years, and now the funds finally allow them to move forward.

Ordinary villagers echoed similar sentiments. Many people became emotional while speaking with visiting leaders, saying earlier governments rarely noticed their difficulties. A woman recounted how children used to struggle to reach school during the rainy season because the roads turned to slush. Meanwhile, young residents expressed excitement at the possibility of building sports grounds and community halls, which they said would improve the social and recreational life of the village.

The announcement has also sparked a wave of appreciation across social media. Several families explained that the timing of the grant carries special meaning, as it reflects the spirit of service associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Elders in various villages said this gesture aligns deeply with the Guru’s principles of sacrifice, compassion, and protection of the vulnerable. For them, investing in rural development is one of the most genuine ways to pay tribute to his memory.

Aam Aadmi Party leaders emphasised during their interactions that the Chief Minister intends to bring every village into the mainstream of progress. They stressed that the funds would be transferred directly into panchayat accounts to ensure complete transparency. Villagers were encouraged to use the amount responsibly and take collective decisions that best serve local needs. Leaders also reiterated the government’s broader commitment to improving rural education, healthcare, transport, and electricity.

Panchayat representatives have already begun outlining their priorities. Some intend to construct long-pending roads, while others plan to address water supply issues, build drainage systems, or upgrade public facilities. One sarpanch described the grant as a rare opportunity and promised that every rupee would be put toward genuine development. Many villagers agreed that this initiative has renewed their faith in a government that listens and responds.

Experts in rural development have praised the policy as well. They believe that empowering local bodies with direct funds accelerates progress and strengthens democratic participation. Several analysts also noted that linking developmental schemes with significant cultural occasions encourages social unity and reinforces positive values.

As the initiative gains momentum, villagers have expressed hope that similar programmes will reach more regions in Punjab. Panchayat members have pledged full accountability and transparency in implementing projects, saying they want their villages to become models of sustainable development. The grant, announced in honour of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, is being viewed not only as financial support but also as a meaningful gesture that blends cultural respect with practical action.

35-Year Wait Ends as Mann Government Issues Historic Approval for Sanitation Workers

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Dhruv
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The Punjab government has taken a remarkable step by approving the recruitment of 1,196 sanitation workers for the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, marking the end of a 35-year wait. This move, announced under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, reflects the administration’s strong focus on citizen welfare and its commitment to resolving long-standing public issues.

With this decision, Jalandhar’s sanitation system is set for a major transformation. For decades, the city has been struggling with an acute shortage of sanitation staff, which often affected public hygiene. The arrival of new workers will ensure that every ward receives regular cleaning, waste management becomes more efficient, and public spaces remain cleaner and healthier. The initiative also brings new job opportunities for local youth, offering both social security and stable employment for many families.

Since taking office, the Aam Aadmi Party government has consistently prioritised public-centric governance. Approving such a large workforce for sanitation is part of its broader effort to deliver on promises and address challenges at the grassroots level. This step sends a message that the administration is serious about improving urban infrastructure and overall quality of life.

For the residents of Jalandhar, this decision offers long-awaited relief. Citizens have been demanding an upgraded sanitation system for years, and the new recruitments are expected to significantly improve street cleanliness, waste collection, and overall hygiene. Many locals have expressed appreciation for the Chief Minister’s proactive approach, noting that this move demonstrates genuine concern for everyday issues.

Beyond improving sanitation, the initiative also aligns with the state’s larger development goals. Strengthened municipal services directly contribute to better living conditions, reduced health risks, and a greener environment. Experts point out that enhancing sanitation staff is not just a civic measure but also an essential step toward improved public health and environmental protection.

This decision fits into a wider series of reforms the Punjab government has been implementing in sectors like health, education, and municipal development. By adding substantial manpower to Jalandhar’s sanitation workforce, the administration aims to set a new standard in cleanliness and urban management across Punjab.

Overall, the approval of these appointments marks an important milestone for Jalandhar. It highlights the government’s readiness to make timely and impactful decisions, and it reinforces the commitment to building cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant cities throughout the state.

PM Modi Holds Talks With Satya Nadella as Microsoft Commits $17.5 Billion to India’s ‘AI-First Future’

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Dhruv
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PM Modi Satyla Nadela
PM Modi Satyla Nadela

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced a major commitment to India’s technological future. After their meeting, Nadella said he was inspired by their conversation about the possibilities of artificial intelligence in the country and confirmed that Microsoft will invest 17.5 billion dollars to support India’s vision of becoming an AI-driven economy.

According to Nadella, this will be Microsoft’s largest investment in Asia to date. He explained that the company plans to help India build the required digital infrastructure, strengthen local skills, and develop sovereign technological capacities so that the country can establish itself firmly in the global AI landscape.

Nadella shared the news in a post on X, thanking the prime minister for the discussion and reaffirming Microsoft’s long-term commitment to India at a time when the nation represents one of the biggest internet markets in the world.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the announcement and expressed confidence that India will play a central role in shaping the global AI era. Describing his interaction with Nadella as highly productive, he said he was pleased that Microsoft had chosen India for such a significant investment. Modi added that young Indians will use this opportunity to innovate and apply artificial intelligence in ways that benefit the planet.

This marks Nadella’s second visit to India this year. During his earlier trip in January, he had already indicated Microsoft’s intention to invest three billion dollars in AI and cloud infrastructure over the next two years. That plan also includes new data centres and expanded digital facilities across the country.

Nadella has repeatedly stated that India is emerging as a major hub for AI development and that the company wants to ensure people and organisations across the nation benefit from this technological shift.

India has attracted attention from several global tech players in recent years. In October, Google announced one of its biggest investments in India, saying it would spend fifteen billion dollars over five years to build a large-scale AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said the facility in Visakhapatnam will become the company’s largest AI hub outside the United States.
rime Minister Narendra Modi reacted warmly to Microsoft’s latest investment decision, noting that countries around the world increasingly view India as a major force in the field of artificial intelligence. He described his meeting with Satya Nadella as highly productive and expressed satisfaction that India will host Microsoft’s largest investment in Asia.

In a message shared on X, the prime minister said that global confidence in India’s AI potential continues to strengthen. He added that young Indians will seize this moment to innovate and use artificial intelligence to contribute to a more sustainable future.

This visit marked Nadella’s second trip to India this year. During his previous visit in January, he met the prime minister and soon after revealed that Microsoft would put three billion dollars into India’s AI and cloud infrastructure over the next two years. Nadella had also indicated that the company would establish new data centres as part of this initiative.

He has consistently emphasised India’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem, saying that the country is unlocking new opportunities across sectors. According to him, Microsoft’s latest commitments in infrastructure and skill building reaffirm the company’s goal of helping India become an AI-first nation, ensuring broad benefits for people and organisations.

In recent years, India has become a major strategic location for artificial intelligence projects. Several major American technology companies are expanding operations in the country, aiming to reach new users and tap into India’s strong talent base.

Google, for example, announced in October that it would invest fifteen billion dollars over the next five years to build a large AI-focused data centre facility in Andhra Pradesh. This will be one of the largest single investments the company has made in India. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian described the Visakhapatnam campus as the biggest AI hub the company is setting up outside the United States.

Sharman Joshi Shares Health Update After Prem Chopra Is Diagnosed With Severe Aortic Stenosis

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Dhruv
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prem chopra
prem chopra

Actor Sharman Joshi has shared an update on the health of his father in law, veteran performer Prem Chopra, revealing that he was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. In a social media post, Sharman expressed deep gratitude to the medical team that treated Chopra and praised them for ensuring a smooth and complication free procedure.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti actor uploaded several photos and thanked the cardiologists who handled the case. He wrote that the family was immensely grateful for the care provided by Dr Nitin Gokhale and interventional cardiologist Dr Ravinder Singh Rao.

Sharman explained that Prem Chopra underwent a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a damaged aortic valve without the need for open heart surgery. According to Sharman, Dr Rao carried out the procedure with great precision, while Dr Gokhale offered constant guidance and reassurance throughout the process. Their combined expertise ensured a trouble free treatment and a quick recovery.

Sharman added that Chopra has now returned home and is feeling much better, and the family remains thankful for the exceptional support they received.

Aortic stenosis is a form of heart valve disease in which the aortic valve becomes narrowed, preventing it from opening fully. This leads to restricted blood flow from the heart to the aorta and the rest of the body. Prem Chopra, who is ninety two years old, had been admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai last month with a viral infection and complications linked to his age.

With Confidence High, D Gukesh Looks To Break Carlsen’s World No. 1 Streak: ‘I Know I Will…’

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Dhruv
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d gukesh
d gukesh

World Champion D Gukesh, currently placed tenth in the FIDE world rankings, has had a turbulent 2025 season. His reputation soared after his victory over Ding Liren in last year’s World Championship, a triumph that pushed him to a career high ranking of world number three in February. Since then, however, his form has fluctuated, with only occasional standout performances such as his memorable wins over Magnus Carlsen.

For any leading chess professional, reaching the top of the FIDE rankings is the ultimate milestone, and Gukesh is no exception. Carlsen continues to dominate the global standings and has held the number one spot for more than fourteen years. When a fan recently asked Gukesh on X about his ambition to reach that position himself, he responded that he intends to give everything he has in pursuit of it and would be satisfied knowing he gave his best, regardless of the final outcome.

Gukesh has another dream lined up as well. He hopes to challenge fellow Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa at the next World Championship. For that match to become a reality, Gukesh must first succeed at the Candidates tournament in 2026, where Praggnanandhaa has already secured a place by winning the 2025 FIDE Circuit.

The road to the Candidates has attracted controversy this year, mainly because of Hikaru Nakamura’s qualification path. FIDE reserved one slot for the highest rated player who also fulfils a mandatory minimum of forty classical games during the eligibility period. Carlsen publicly stated he would not participate in the Candidates, leaving Nakamura as the next in line. To meet the game requirement, the American grandmaster entered a series of smaller events across North America.

Carlsen criticised FIDE’s rule during an appearance at the Freestyle Chess event in South Africa. He questioned why one of the world’s strongest players should be compelled to enter tournaments he would not normally play in simply to satisfy an administrative requirement. In his view, the system should focus on ensuring that the highest calibre players appear in the Candidates, and Nakamura clearly belongs in that group.

ReOrbit Targets India for Expansion, Aims To Strengthen Team With Local Hires

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Dhruv
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reorbit
reorbit

ReOrbit, a European space technology company founded by India-born Swedish entrepreneur Sethu Saveda Suvanam, is preparing for a major global expansion, and India is expected to play a central role in that growth. The announcement follows the company’s successful fundraising of forty five million euros in what has become Finland’s largest all-equity Series A round.

ReOrbit builds sovereign satellites and interconnected systems that allow countries to maintain independent communication networks, intelligence capabilities, and complete control over essential space assets. The firm specialises in designing advanced small satellites meant for both Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Earth Orbit.

In a conversation with HT from the company’s office on Henry Fordin Katu in Helsinki, Suvanam said ReOrbit has deliberately chosen to base a large part of its future workforce in India. According to him, the Indian space ecosystem already has strong foundations and offers the scale and dynamism needed for rapid growth. An engineering graduate from Anna University in Chennai, he explained that the company hopes to draw talent from ISRO, DRDO, and the IITs as part of this expansion plan.

Hiring activities are already underway. Suvanam revealed that a prominent industry figure has been identified to head ReOrbit’s India operations, which are currently anchored in Hyderabad, his hometown.

He also pointed out that expanding into India will give the company easier entry into new markets. While Finland’s location strengthens ReOrbit’s links with NATO countries, India will serve as a gateway to the larger Asian region. Suvanam, who holds a doctorate from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and has conducted postdoctoral research in space-grade solar cell materials at Uppsala University, believes that India’s space sector has enormous untapped export potential. He added that ReOrbit’s intention is not merely to sell within India but to use Indian technological expertise to supply international markets.

Suvanam discussed the increasing role of space in modern conflict. Over the past four years, several regional confrontations have demonstrated that crucial intelligence and operational data now originates from space and directly shapes military outcomes. He noted that although only a few nations, including India, can independently build complete space systems, most countries still rely heavily on external suppliers. In a climate of growing geopolitical uncertainty, nations are seeking greater control over their own space infrastructure.

In a separate comment, Pawan Goenka, who chairs the space industry regulator In-Space under the Department of Space, said that global companies are showing strong interest in India’s expanding space sector. He added that such engagement will help accelerate the country’s goal of developing a forty four billion dollar space economy.

Paddy Farmers in Jharkhand To Benefit From ₹81 Per Quintal Bonus Above Centre’s MSP

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Dhruv
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Jharkand
Jharkand

Ranchi witnessed several major policy decisions on Monday as the Jharkhand Cabinet approved new measures aimed at supporting farmers and strengthening opportunities for students from disadvantaged communities. An official announcement confirmed that paddy growers in the state will now receive an additional bonus of eighty one rupees per quintal over and above the Centre’s minimum support price for the 2025 to 2026 procurement season.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, also approved a significant increase in the financial assistance offered to Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste candidates preparing for civil service examinations. The earlier support of one lakh rupees will now be raised to one and a half lakh rupees.

Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel explained that the state has sanctioned forty eight crore and sixty lakh rupees to fund the paddy bonus. With this decision, the combined value of the minimum support price and the state bonus will be two thousand four hundred and fifty rupees per quintal. Since the Centre has fixed the MSP for common paddy at two thousand three hundred and sixty nine rupees, the state’s contribution effectively fills the gap to ensure better returns for farmers.

Dadel added that farmers will no longer receive the procurement amount in parts. The entire payment for the purchased paddy will be transferred at once within forty eight hours, and only in exceptional circumstances may this be extended to a week.

Operational Crisis at IndiGo Continues, Forcing Over 4,500 Flight Cancellations in Seven Days

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Dhruv
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India’s busiest airline, IndiGo, is facing the most severe breakdown in its operating history. For more than a week, passengers across the country have been met with long queues, confusion at check-in counters, and last-minute cancellations as the carrier struggles to restore regular service. Since last Tuesday, more than four thousand five hundred flights have been cancelled, and the crisis showed no sign of slowing down on Monday.

The pattern of cancellations reveals how quickly the situation escalated. It began with over one hundred and fifty flights being scrapped on Tuesday, followed by close to two hundred the next day when the airline’s punctuality fell below twenty percent. Thursday saw over three hundred cancellations, and on Friday the disruption peaked with nearly one thousand six hundred flights cancelled in a single day. The numbers remained high through the weekend, with hundreds more flights withdrawn on both Saturday and Sunday. By Monday afternoon, airports in Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru had already recorded more than three hundred cancellations.

The impact has been most visible at major hubs. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have been hit hardest. Monday brought another wave of cancellations that left terminals overcrowded late into the night. Baggage piled up unclaimed at Delhi’s Terminal One, IndiGo’s largest base, and exhausted travellers searched for their belongings while attempting to rebook cancelled journeys. In Bengaluru alone, more than sixty arrivals and a similar number of departures were cancelled, and Chennai recorded more than seventy cancellations.

Scenes of stranded passengers waiting on the floors of departure halls continued throughout the day, many of them without food, accommodation, or guidance.

Several factors converged to cause the airline’s collapse. A long-standing shortage of pilots had already stretched IndiGo’s resources. A weekend software advisory for the Airbus A320 slowed operations further, pushing flights past midnight at the very moment new rest and duty regulations for crew came into force. These fatigue-control rules require longer weekly rest, limit night landings, expand the night duty window, and impose tighter restrictions on flying hours during late-night operations. Many pilots were automatically placed into mandatory rest, leaving the airline without the manpower to operate its winter schedule, which had expanded significantly from late October.

Pilot associations argue that IndiGo underestimated the staffing it needed and failed to hire in time, despite having advance notice of the upcoming regulations for almost two years. They also say the airline operated for months with minimal backup crews, making any disruption likely to snowball.

With the crisis worsening, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation intervened. The regulator issued a notice to IndiGo’s chief executive asking the airline to explain why it had not been better prepared for the new roster rules. It also relaxed one provision of the fatigue guidelines to give airlines some immediate breathing room in managing weekly rest for crew.

IndiGo, meanwhile, has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and has begun rolling out a series of relief measures for customers. The airline says it has already refunded more than six hundred crore rupees. Travellers booked between December five and December fifteen are being allowed to cancel or reschedule their tickets at no additional charge. Hotel rooms and ground transportation have been arranged in multiple cities, food is being provided at terminals, senior citizens have been offered lounge access where possible, and thousands of misplaced bags have been located and returned. The airline has also increased its customer service workforce and added automated support tools.

Passengers are being repeatedly advised to check their flight status before leaving home and to avoid travelling to the airport if their flight is already listed as cancelled.

The turmoil has also shaken confidence in the wider travel industry. With IndiGo and Air India carrying most of the country’s passengers, travellers have had few alternatives. Travel agencies report cancelled holiday plans and dropping demand during what should have been the busiest period of the season. Many stranded passengers describe the situation as extremely stressful, especially those travelling for medical needs or family emergencies.

IndiGo expects operations to stabilise around December ten and says that nearly all destinations on its network are active again. The carrier’s crisis management team meets daily to monitor progress, and its chief executive has informed employees that the airline is gradually recovering.

Russell Admits KKR Release Hit Hard, Says SRK Told Him To Think About Retiring From IPL

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Dhruv
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Andre Russell

Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive Venky Mysore has finally addressed the franchise’s much-discussed choice to let go of Andre Russell before the upcoming IPL mini auction. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he explained that the decision was driven by the economics of the league’s retention slabs and the enormous effect Russell’s retention would have had on their available purse.

Mysore clarified that although Russell’s contract amount was twelve crore rupees, keeping him for the 2025 season would have reduced KKR’s auction purse by eighteen crore rupees. He pointed out that many people overlooked this crucial detail. In his view, an eighteen crore deduction is a massive financial hit in the context of a mini auction where every crore influences strategy. That single factor became the turning point in their assessment.

He added that teams approach mini auctions very differently from mega auctions. The priority is to enter with the maximum possible flexibility so that the franchise can react quickly to unexpected opportunities. Mysore admitted that if the deduction had been only twelve crore rupees, the outcome might have been completely different because it is extremely rare to find a player of Russell’s impact at that price in a limited player pool.

According to him, the decision was not taken at the last minute. The management spent several days exploring alternative structures and potential combinations before finally reaching the conclusion that releasing Russell was the most realistic option. He noted that once a player is placed back into the auction, the team must be prepared for the possibility of not securing him again.

The emotional impact on Russell was significant. Mysore shared that the allrounder was deeply unsettled once the news sank in, especially since he had been with KKR since 2014 and had never returned to the auction table in all those years. Russell confided that he struggled to sleep for several nights as the uncertainty of his future hit him. He told Mysore that he had grown attached to the purple and gold and the relationships he had built within the franchise.

During these discussions, an unexpected topic also surfaced: the possibility of Russell retiring from the IPL. Mysore said this idea took more concrete shape after he spoke with Shah Rukh Khan, who offered the view that retirement might serve as a graceful and meaningful transition for Russell at this stage of his career. Mysore explained that the suggestion came from a place of understanding, acknowledging how difficult it can be for athletes to think about life after cricket. He emphasised that Russell is still a remarkable player and continues to shine in leagues around the world, but the thought of what comes next often lingers in the background for veterans of the sport.

Tharoor Moves Bill in Parliament To Criminalise Marital Rape, Stating ‘Marriage Cannot Negate Right’

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Dhruv
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Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor explained that the purpose of his bill is to reinforce a simple principle: a woman’s consent remains her own, and marriage does not take that right away. He posted the bill’s intent on X, calling the criminalisation of marital rape an urgent reform that India’s legal system can no longer postpone.

He wrote that India must move beyond the idea that “No means no” and embrace the standard that “Only yes means yes,” emphasising that every woman deserves dignity and full control over her body, including within marriage. According to him, the issue at hand is not marriage itself but violence, and the time to act has clearly arrived.

Tharoor also brought another private member’s bill before Parliament on Friday aimed at addressing burnout among India’s workforce. He proposed changes to the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code of 2020, noting the need for stronger protections after the death of a twenty six year old employee at Ernst and Young in Pune, a case widely linked to extreme workload pressures.

While sharing the reasoning behind the amendment, Tharoor pointed out that more than half of India’s workers put in over forty nine hours a week and nearly four fifths report chronic burnout. He said the loss of young professional Anna Sebastian Perayil highlighted how excessive work hours are damaging both physical and mental health.

In addition to these efforts, Tharoor submitted another private member’s bill calling for the creation of a permanent States and Union Territories Reorganisation Commission. In his post on X, he said such a body would ensure that any future formation or alteration of states or union territories is guided by objective information such as census data, along with administrative practicality, economic considerations, national cohesion, and public opinion.

A private member’s bill refers to legislation introduced by any Member of Parliament who is not serving as a minister. Bills introduced by ministers, on the other hand, are classified as government bills.

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