Multiple people shot near Space Needle during bite of Seattle food festival

New DelhiJul 26, 2026 02:58 PM IST Smriti Mandhana recalls how reading Bhagwad Gita became her solace after losing 2025 World Cup (Images: Express Archive, Wikimedia Commons)Reflecting on the difficult period following India’s heartbreaking loss to England during the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, Mandhana recently said she turned to the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita for comfort and perspective. In an interview with Vogue, Mandhana recalled questioning herself after the match and wondering where things had gone wrong. The criticism that followed online only added to the emotional burden.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. Yet she found an unexpected source of support. Rather than relying solely on practice sessions to move on, Mandhana said she began listening to selected episodes from the Mahabharata and carried a pocket version of the Bhagavad Gita with her. “I find all my answers there. For me, that’s therapy,” she said. Her comment has resonated with many people who turn to religious, spiritual, or philosophical texts during difficult phases of life. Psychology behind it Psychiatrist explains Mandana’s ‘therapy’ by adding that teachings in such text often encourage self-control, acceptance, patience, and inner strength (Image: Express Archive)Dr Sharadhi C, Consultant (Psychiatry), Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said such texts help people navigate emotional distress.Story continues below this ad “Spiritual and philosophical texts can help people manage failure, stress, and self-doubt by giving emotional comfort, meaning, and mental balance,” she told indianexpress.com. The psychiatrist noted that texts such as the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita explore themes that remain deeply relevant today: struggle, duty, resilience, uncertainty, and learning to handle success and failure with calmness. “Reading such texts can help a person feel less alone in difficult times and provide guidance on how to respond to pressure in a healthier way,” Dr Sharadhi said. The lessons often encourage acceptance, patience, self-control, and inner strength — qualities that can be especially valuable after a setback.Story continues below this ad “Psychologically, this can reduce anxiety, improve emotional stability, and help people regain confidence. For many individuals, spirituality also creates hope and a sense of purpose, which supports mental well-being during emotionally challenging situations,” she added. Mindset that helped Mandhana move on Mandhana also spoke about learning not to become overly influenced by either praise or criticism, despite playing under intense public scrutiny. “When we started playing, wasn’t this what we all wanted? We wanted people to fill the stadiums for us; we wanted fans to scream and support us. Then we must accept the downside as well. None of it lasts very long anyway,” she said during the interview. Mental health experts say this mindset can be protective. “Learning not to become too affected by praise or criticism is very important for emotional balance and mental well-being,” Dr Sharadhi explained.Story continues below this ad People in the public eye often face a constant stream of opinions, both positive and negative. Becoming emotionally dependent on praise can make criticism feel devastating, while taking every negative comment personally can fuel stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. “Maintaining a balanced mindset helps people stay focused on their goals, performance, and personal growth instead of public reactions,” Dr Sharadhi added. Experts say the goal is not to avoid failure altogether but to develop healthier ways of responding to it, whether through spirituality, philosophy, or personal reflection. As Mandhana’s experience suggests, resilience is sometimes built not just on the field but in the stories, ideas, and beliefs we turn to when thin

New DelhiJul 25, 2026 07:53 PM IST Apara Mehta recalled the overwhelming fan frenzy during Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. (Photo: Instagram/Apara Mehta)There was a time when Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi wasn’t just India’s biggest television show—it was a cultural phenomenon. At the height of its popularity, the cast enjoyed a level of fame rarely seen on Indian television, with fans often mobbing them wherever they went. Veteran actor Apara Mehta, who played Savita Virani in the show, has now opened up about one such incident, revealing that overexcited fans once burned her with cigarettes and even tried to pull a diamond ring off her finger. Speaking to Hauterrfly, the actor looked back at the overwhelming response she received while performing a Gujarati play in Kolkata during Kyunki’s peak years.‘People were pulling and pushing me’ Recalling the incident, Apara said, “When Kyunki was at its peak, I was performing a Gujarati play in Kolkata. We staged five shows at Kala Mandir, and every seat was packed. The moment I entered, 8,000 dandiyas were thrown into the air. People completely mobbed me.” She said the situation quickly spiralled out of control as fans surrounded her. “They pulled me onto the podium. People were pulling and pushing me from all sides. When I started shaking hands with them, someone tried to pull off my diamond ring and someone even accidentally burned me with a cigarette.” The actor said the crowd became increasingly difficult to manage. “The whole podium started shaking. People went crazy. It became very dangerous. Then they asked me to get down from the podium; they formed a circle around me and, at that time, everybody touched me everywhere. I said, ‘Okay, touch me, what will you get?'”Story continues below this ad ALSO READ: Jana Nayagan Box Office Collection Day 2 Update: Vijay-starrer witnesses 50 percent drop A role that changed Apara Mehta’s career Apara became a household name after playing the formidable Savita Virani, Mihir’s mother and Tulsi’s mother-in-law, in Ektaa Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Premiering in 2000, the daily soap went on to redefine Indian television, dominating TRP charts for years and turning its lead actors into nationwide stars. Apara has previously described the show as a life-changing experience, saying she is still recognised by many as Savita Virani and credits the serial with changing the history of Indian television. The iconic family drama has now returned with a reboot featuring Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay reprising their beloved roles. Apara also makes a special appearance in the new season, reuniting with Smriti for what she has described as an emotional scene. New episodes of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi air every day at 10:30 pm on Star Plus and are also available to stream on JioHotstar.